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Hike in motor and Villa relegated as health insurance United’s Rashford premiums likely sparkles again

SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 • 10 Rajab 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6769 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

22 green AC Quake rescue in Japan Doha to host oil producers brands registered meet today with Ministry The Peninsula DOHA: At least 15 oil-producing nations representing about 73 per- cent of world output are expected at today’s Doha meeting to approve The manufacturing companies a freeze on oil production. The are based in countries including gathering follows a surprise Doha Importers and Japan, China, Korea and Thailand. meeting in February between suppliers prepare In keeping with Ministry Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and for July 1 deadline. requirements, each manufacturer Venezuela, in which they pledged or an authorised representative must to cap their crude output to Janu- register the AC’s prototype using the ary levels if other producers do the QS-approved form and obtain a con- same, AP reported. formity certificate attesting the AC’s While markets may well react By Mohammed Osman number of stars, at least a month off any decision made today in The Peninsula before import. Doha, analysts predict low prices Rescue workers near a house that caved in after a landslide caused by an earthquake in southern The energy-saving ACs are will continue through this year expected to be slightly costlier than Japan’s Minamiaso town, yesterday. → See also page 12 and into the next as producers the conventional ones, but the cus- keep pumping to keep their gov- DOHA: Twenty-two brands of tomers will benefit from reduced ernment budgets afloat. energy saving air conditioners have consumption of electricity. “We put the probability of a been registered with the Ministry of The ministry has approved two successful freeze agreement ... Municipality and Environment until models with certificate of conform- at 50 percent,” Societe Generale now, with importers and suppliers ity with six stars, said the statement. analyst Michael Wittner wrote this gearing for the ban on conventional The energy efficiency rate must not 400 more medicines cheaper month. ACs to come into force on July 1. be 1ess than 8.5 BTU/hr, according The countries hope the cap will Eleven importers have also reg- to testing condition (T3 & T1). help global oil prices rebound from istered until now to supply the new ACs must be in accordance with The Peninsula and respiratory diseases, infec- treatment of several life-threaten- their dramatic fall since summer air conditioners meeting Qatari and the Qatari regulation ie 240 volt (sin- tious diseases, muscles and bones, ing diseases like cancer. 2014, when prices stood at above GCC specifications, the ministry said gle phase) and 415 volt (three-phase), gastrointestinal, eye diseases, the With implementation of the third $100 a barrel, though no one is yesterday. and the frequency is 50Hz; no other DOHA: Prices of 400 medicines ministry said yesterday. phase, prices of 2,873 medicines have talking seriously about the more Many suppliers and represent- variety will be accepted. have been reduced by an average of The current phase includes 400 been reduced in the country, said a dramatic step of reducing global atives of manufacturing companies ACs must have “difficult to over 26 percent, in the third phase medicines with the prices falling by ministry statement. This constitutes supply by collectively cutting pro- have approached the Ministry within remove” metal or plastic energy of a price cut being enforced by the 0.24 percent to 82.93 percent. The 62.5 percent of the total 4,600 regis- duction for now. two weeks of its announcement set- efficiency cards/labels, approved Ministry of Public Health. Some med- average price fall has been put at tered drugs in the country, it added. Prices dropped briefly under ting the July 1 deadline to phase out by QS, indicating the number of icines have become cheaper by more 26.13pc. The first phase implemented $30 a barrel, a 12-year low, in Jan- conventional air conditioners from stars affixed to the AC’s front part than 82 percent. The Pharmacy and Drug Con- in September 2014 included 1285 uary, but have climbed to around the local market, the Qatar General or attached by the manufacturer. Prices of 76 medicines have been trol Department at the Ministry medicines, with reduction per- $40 a barrel this week, boosted in Organization for Standardisation reduced for the second time. They has issued a revised price list, centage between 0.45percent and part by market speculation about (QS) at the Ministry said. → Continued on page 6 include medicines for cardiovascular which includes medicines used for 79.2percent. the coming meeting.

Fingerprint archiving to go Arabian mare inspires Doha Metro train design fully digital by By Mohamed Shoeb modern technology. A symbol the advanced technology used The Peninsula of intelligence and speed, ‘Al in driverless trains. middle of year Faras’ – a name given to the The dynamic shape of the Arabian mare – has inspired Arabian mare served as inspi- DOHA: Qatar Rail yesterday the design of the Doha Metro ration for the front end of the By Sidi Mohamed unveiled the exterior designs of driverless trains and their vehicle and its lines define a The Peninsula the upcoming Doha Metro and dynamic shape. Since ancient shape that is powerful yet slen- Lusail Tram. times, mares have been prized der and elegant. The design is The display of the designs of in Qatari culture. For war or custom made for the Doha DOHA: Archiving of fingerprinting railway vehicles — ‘Al Faras’ for racing, they were preferred Metro project and the shape of foreign workers would go fully Doha Metro and ‘Al Mehmel’ for over colts or stallions since they of the windows resembles the digital by the middle of this year, Lusail tram — will give the pub- are more disciplined and eas- eyes of the mare. The interior a senior official of the Ministry of lic a glimpse of what the new ier to control. This relates to the is inspired by the progressive Interior has said. systems will look like when they nature of Doha Metro as one of architecture present in Doha’s Digitisation of more than 1.6 open in 2020. the fastest driverless trains in skyline, combining traditional million fingerprints has been The Doha Metro and Lusail the world and the fastest in the and modern elements. completed and the remaining are Tram project designs combine region at 100km per hour. The expected to be converted into the Qatar Rail unveiled the designs of the upcoming Doha Metro and Lusail Tram yesterday. Qatari heritage and culture with mare’s intelligence relates to → Continued on page 3 electronic format very soon, Cap- tain Mohamed Mubarak Al Subaie, Head of Fingerprinting Section at the Criminal Evidences and Infor- mation Department (CEID) told Syria rebels veto Assad for transition period Toyota dealer cuts the ministry magazine “Police With You.” “In coordination with the AP future or during the 18-month tran- that are being floated by various Information Systems Department sitional period during which a new experts in trying to analyse the cur- service charges and other authorities concerned, constitution is to be drafted and elec- rent gap between the concepts of we started preparing the electronic GENEVA: Two figures from the main tions held. political transition of the govern- archive for fingerprinting on April Syrian opposition team to the peace The announcement came after ment and the opposition.” The Peninsula during the warranty period. Saleh Al 17, 2014, which was earlier done in talks in Geneva said yesterday that a new round of indirect peace talks “It is therefore a storm in a tea Hamad Al Mana company recently papers,” said Al Subaie. they have rejected a suggestion that resumed in Geneva on Wednesday in cup,” the envoy said. reduced maintenance charges on all He said about 2,000 to 2,600 was put forward by the UN special which the opposition’s High Negoti- Opposition official Yahya Kod- DOHA: Abdullah Abdulghani and their Nissan and Infiniti vehicles by fingerprints are taken daily. The envoy to Syria in which President ations Committee, or HNC, and the mani said in Geneva that de Mistura Bros Company (AAB), dealer of Toy- 23 to 48 percent. The nine-clause procedure takes between 5 to Bashar Al Assad would stay in power government delegation met sepa- told them that an expert suggested ota and Lexus vehicles in Qatar has initiative of the ministry was aimed 10 minutes and then the finger- during a transitional period and the rately with de Mistura. to the envoy that Assad stays and in reduced maintenance charges for all to develop the automobile sector, prints are transferred to Passports opposition would choose three vice Assad’s future has been a main return “the three vice-presidents will their vehicles under warranty by six promote competition in terms of Department of the Ministry as a presidents. point of disagreement with the oppo- be from the opposition. We consider to 39 percent, the Ministry of Econ- maintenance and repair services and prerequisite for issuing residency The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de sition demanding that he has no role that we did not hear this suggestion omy and Commerce said yesterday. encourage workshops to improve permits to newly-recruited foreign Mistura, said it was not an offer but in Syria’s future even during the tran- because we categorically reject it.” The reduced charges will come into the efficiency and quality of their workers, he explained. “After that one of many ideas put forward in the sitional period while the government “We insist that a political solution force from today. services and reduce maintenance we complete the remaining steps attempt to find a solution for Syria’s delegation saying any talk about the be based on international resolutions AAB is the second car dealer charges, said the ministry. Earlier, such as storing the fingerprints in five-year crisis. president’s future is a red line. and this (suggestion) is not mentioned to reduce the service charges, in vehicle owners were required to the servers, to be used as a proof The two officials told The Asso- De Mistura told The AP later that in international resolutions,” Kodm- response to a recent move by the have maintenance and repair works of identity,” said Al Subaie. ciated Press that the offer is not even “I clearly indicated that I did not ani said. ministry allowing vehicle owners at the car agency’s workshop. worth considering, adding that Assad share the idea” and that it “simply to get their cars repaired or serv- → Continued on page 6 should not have any role in Syria’s came up as one of the many ideas → See also page 7 iced in a workshop of their choice, → Continued on page 6 02 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 HOME

South Africa Freedom Day marked Qatar to host Middle East Global Education Fair

The event will take place on April information, answer questions and 25 and 26 at the InterContinental help students in their administrative France will be the Doha The City. procedures (presentation on France, Guest of Honour at Visitors can talk directly with student visa, and daily life in France, the fair from April 25 teachers, directors and representa- among others.) tives from education institutions from Visitors can meet experts and to 26, to be attended around the world and get answers to hear daily seminars from various by education all the questions they have to make education ministry and departments the dream of studying a broad a real- from the US, Canada, New Zealand, institutions from over ity, including destination culture, visa Australia and the UK. 10 countries. processes, types of courses, accom- Each country’s seminar will be modation options, cost of living for 30 minutes and visitors will also abroad and how to select the best have the opportunity to ask ques- course for you in each country. tions and speak directly with the The Peninsula France will be the Guest of representatives of some of the best Honour during the fair and higher language schools, high schools and education institutions (business universities from over 10 countries. schools and engineering, universi- The event will also feature edu- DOHA: Students, parents and exec- ties and French as a foreign language cation institutions from Australia, utives from Doha will have the schools) will take part. Canada, Chile, France, Hong Kong, opportunity at an event next week Most of them will come to Qatar New Zealand, the UK, the US and to find out more about the advantages for the first time and are inter- more. Entry to the fair is free and of an international experience at a ested in meeting local students and visitors are advised to pre-register for high school, university or language institutions. fast track entry at the event website programme abroad. In addition to the French insti- www.globaleducationfairs.net which The Middle East Global Education tutions, Campus France (the French also gives information on participat- Minister of Justice Dr H E Hassan Lahdan Saqr Al Mohannadi (second right), Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Fair will provide students with neces- national agency for the promotion ing institutions and the daily seminar Thani (third left) and Saad Cachalia, South African Ambassador to Qatar, cut a cake in the presence of sary tools to take the first important of higher education, international schedule. The event will be held on other officials to mark the South Africa Freedom Day on Thursday.Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula step to realise their goal of studying student services and interna- April 25 from 3pm to 7.30pm and on abroad. tional mobility) will provide further April 26 from 9.30am to 2pm. Experts to discuss holistic impact of genomics on healthcare in region

The Peninsula It follows the 2014 Human Genomics and a person’s genetic makeup are identified and Dr Rashid Al Ali, a member of QGC and this vision, we are organising this vibrant Personalised Medicine Conference, which analysed. Deputy Chief Research Officer, Sidra, said: forum to discuss key challenges and oppor- provided a platform for over 150 scientists Dr Asmaa Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar “The QGP is a landmark for the future of sci- tunities for the productive sharing and and researchers to exchange knowledge and Genome Committee (QGC), said: “The QGP has ence in Qatar and a gateway to nationwide governance of genetic and clinical data. We DOHA: The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) expertise on the latest regional and global made great strides in the recent launch of its personalised medicine. At Sidra, we have been believe that sharing this data should be in will host its inaugural ‘Handling Genomic Data genome programmes as well as discuss the pilot phase, an initiative which draws on the very privileged to take part in sequencing the a secure and responsible manner, respect- Symposium’ in collaboration with Sidra Med- ethical, social, and legal implications of the collective efforts of the biomedical research thousands of subjects involved, as well as stor- ing patient autonomy and privacy whilst ical and Research Centre (Sidra) today and development of genome programmes. community in Qatar to provide an integrated ing the data and building analytical tools to unlocking discovery and allowing for scien- tomorrow. Genomics is a rapidly developing branch collaborative work environment. The study allow bioinformatics analysis by scientists. tific growth.” The symposium will bring together indus- of research on the study of the structure and of genomics will give our community easy “At Sidra, we have state-of-the-art The QGP supports Qatar Foundation’s try experts and renowned geneticists to function of our genomes. The QGP aims to access to personalised healthcare at a reason- infrastructure and an integrated informat- mission to enhance national innovation and discuss the clinical interpretation of genomic establish a reference genome map for the able cost. The time has come to shift our focus ics platform to foster scientific and clinical technology through medical research regard- data, governance and responsible sharing. local population, where unique features of from research to implementation.” research internally and nationwide. To support ing prevalent health issues in the country. HOME SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 03 Traditional Qatari boat QU students become ‘volunteers’ ‘Al Mehmel’ served as The Qatar University main inspiration for group of 20 facilitated workshops Lusail Tram design for 200 students from Grade 1 to 6 in Indonesia as Continued from page 1 integrated, groundbreaking and part of ROTA’s automated operations for the Doha Equally sophisticated, ‘Al Meh- Metro – including power, ventila- efforts to provide mel’, which signifies ‘Al Dhow’ – the tion and a highly advanced railway underprivileged youth old traditional Qatari boat used for signalling system – and ultimate pearl fishing – served as the main passenger comfort. in Asia with access to inspiration for the Lusail Tram Thierry Boussillon, Deputy Pro- quality education. design. gramme Director of the Mitsubishi The design concept focused on Heavy Industries, said: “We are the sea representing dhow pearl delighted to supply the Doha Metro The Peninsula fishing and bringing in the calm, System to Qatar Rail. cool, elegant and tranquil elements “The Rolling Stock Al Faras of that medium to the design. design was borne through close All these features will be coordination with Qatar Rail and DOHA: Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) has depicted in the design of the trams. our aesthetic design team. It com- coordinated an international volun- On the unveiling, Abdulla Al Sub- bines the most modern technology teer trip, sponsored by HSBC, for Some of the volunteers conducting a class for youngsters. aie, Qatar Rail’s Managing Director, with a unique yet elegant shape, and 20 Qatar University (QU) students said: “Across our projects, our build Qatari culture and heritage.” to Indonesia, as part of its ongoing and design stages have been guided Future commuters will enjoy efforts to provide underprivileged by the powerful coming together of a smart, driverless experience youth in Asia with access to quality transfer, making a positive impact and, in line with its mandate, the trip to empower and support them to con- tradition with modernity. equipped with advanced safety and education. in the lives of youth and their wider offered volunteers an opportunity to tinue their education and realize their “Deeply entrenched in Qatari security controls, intelligent air con- The ROTA-QU volunteers facil- communities.” empower youth through education, dreams. This ten-day volunteer trip culture and heritage, the Lusail Tram ditioning and spacious seating. itated workshops for 200 students Abdullah Alyafei, AVP, Student while also building their own capacity was eye-opening and has provided and Doha Metro designs celebrate In total, 75 trains – consisting from Grade 1 – 6 at a school in the vil- life and Services, QU, said: “We are and awareness of the social impact of me with intense experiences, it was the convergence of our country’s of three cars, one of which will be lage of Bayat, in Yogyakarta province. grateful to ROTA for granting our volunteering and community service. full of new learning experiences such history with groundbreaking tech- for Gold and Family Class and two Workshop topics focused on Sport for students this incredible opportunity. Mohammed Al Shoraim, a QU as teaching children, learning from nologies and cutting-edge solutions. for Standard class – will be deliv- Education, Computer Literacy, Cul- Volunteering and community service volunteer, said: “In this trip, we have them and becoming acquainted with We are creating a seamless con- ered to Doha Metro. Gold will have tural Exchange, Arabic Language, and abroad is an eye-opening experience learned a lot from the students who a new culture and people as well as sumer journey and experience built 16 seats, family 26 seats and stand- Environmental Awareness. for students. are intensely eager and enthusiastic the chance to make new friends,” said around the local community’s needs ard 88 seats. The metro trains are The programme aimed to expand “It gives them the chance to con- to pursue education despite of their Mohammed Khader, who is also a and values.” designed and manufactured by the the knowledge and skills of local stu- tribute to the lives of others in less limited resources and humble tools. ROTA-QU volunteer. Twinned with the train designs Kinki Sharyo Company at their fac- dents, while giving volunteers the fortunate areas. Additionally, it is a We have to be extremely thankful “We believe that education is is a world-class combination of tory in Osaka, Japan. opportunity to develop their own great way to promote understanding for what we have. Those who want key to prosperity as it offers people technologies and solutions that will The second partnership, a con- life skills, witnessing first-hand the and cultural exchange between the to succeed have to rely on themselves the chance to develop their skills, deliver the ultimate commuter expe- sortium led by Alstom and QDVC, conditions faced by youth in rural two countries. We certainly believe and not on the available means and realise their potential and make a rience powered by two international will deliver a fully integrated Indonesia. that these activities and student resources. We came to learn and have meaningful contribution to society. partnerships. Lusail tramway system, including Mohamed Abdulla Al Saleh, engagement are highly beneficial in learned a lot.” This partnership with ROTA was the The first, with a consortium led 28 Citadis tramways, power sup- National Programmes Director, terms of developing new skills and “I was impressed by the young perfect opportunity for HSBC to posi- by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was ply equipment, signalling and track ROTA, said: “Education is key to becoming more culturally aware of students’ desire and passion to learn tively impact the lives of the children signed for a systems package for works. The tram’s full low-floor alleviating poverty and empowering the world.” in addition to their speedy intuition. of Bayat. It was an honour for us to the Doha Metro. One of the world’s Citadis will offer high-end passen- youth in disadvantaged communi- ROTA is a member of Qatar This strong unprecedented willing- be a part of this project,” said Abdul largest projects for a single metro ger comfort and are designed for ties. Our ongoing initiatives across Foundation for Education, Science ness to learn despite of their difficult Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO, HSBC, system, the partnership delivers extreme weather conditions. Asia allow for effective knowledge and Community Development (QF) financial situation encouraged us all Qatar.

Hamad Nasser Al Khalifa, Head, Health Facilities Development, HMC, with one of the winning schools. Health website design contest winners honoured

The Peninsula for Boys, while Ibn Khaldoun Pre- living among students by raising paratory Independent School for awareness about the most prevalent Boys, Ahmed Bin Hanbal Second- diseases in Qatar, their prevention, ary School for Boys, Abdulrahman and how to deliver positive health DOHA: Hamad Medical Corpo- Bin Jassim Preparatory Independent messages in the best way to achieve ration’s (HMC) Health Profession School for Boys and Saad Bin Maaz Qatar National Vision 2030,” she said. Awareness and Volunteering Pro- Elementary School for Boys won the She said the contest also aimed to grams team recently announced the second, third, fourth and fifth posi- challenge the students to show cre- winners of its health website design tions respectively. All winners also ativity by designing health websites, contest, which was organised for received cash prizes and volunteer highlighting topical diseases. students at Club Hotel in Hamad bin certificates for putting in 25 hours Ghassan Sibsibi, one of the judges Khalifa Medical City. into the contest. and an information technology spe- A total of 140 students represent- Balqees Al Khazraji, Director, cialist from the Ministry of Education ing 17 different independent schools Health Profession Awareness and and Higher Education, said the win- for boys took part in the contest. Volunteering Programmes, HMC, ning projects were chosen based on Awards were presented to five said the contest was organised in the selection of photos and videos winning schools by Hamad Nasser cooperation with Khalifa Second- due to intellectual property rights, Al Khalifa, Head, Health Facilities ary School for Boys under the theme designing of a bilingual website (Ara- Development, HMC. The first place ‘Strengthening Students’ Health is an bic and English), documentation of winner was Jassim Bin Hamad Investment for the Future’. the information, and links to well- Independent Secondary School “It aimed to promote healthy known health sites, among others. Decorative plants and saplings online

By Sanaullah Ataullah fruit-bearing plants. The prices of plants worth QR200 to get home The Peninsula plants and saplings range between delivery. QR2 and QR5 each. Delivery charge is QR30 per Details of the plants and saplings order and delivery will be made with pictures are available on the between 8:30am and 12:30pm. DOHA: Residents in Qatar looking ministry’s website (www.baladiya. Decorative plants are available to add variety to their kitchen gar- gov.qa) under e-services in Arabic. at QR2 each, while fruits saplings are den can now get new saplings online, “If you have home garden, place available at QR5 each. delivered at their doorsteps. order for plants and saplings through Saplings not bearing fruits costs The Ministry of Municipality our website: http://www.mme.gov.qa/ QR2 each. and Environment is offering a vari- cui/view.dox?id=1300&siteID=1,” the The ministry provides several ety of decorative plants and saplings ministry tweeted recently. e-services such as sewage vehi- through online sale. The department provides home cle and pest control, among others, The Public Parks Department delivery services in Doha. Residents that could be availed through online at the ministry is selling flower and should place a minimum order of request. 04 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 HOME Qatari students fly drones through obstacle course

industry, but the value of such exper- to programme and navigate in three tise extends much further, particularly dimensions — not just forward and Week-long in defence and national security,” Dr backward, and right and left, but Engineering Heroes Bazzi said. “Through Engineering also up and down — using cameras Drone Camp Heroes, these Qatari students saw a mounted on the drones. broad range of career opportunities The seven teams, each of four or motivates 28 school that await them after university stud- five students, were coached by offic- students to take ies in engineering and science.” ers from the Reconnaissance and Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) is the Surveillance Centre of the Qatar learning up, up and exclusive sponsor and industry part- Armed Forces. The student teams away ner for Engineering Heroes, organised were required to fly their drones by TAMUQ. Engineering Heroes is one through an obstacle course that of STEM (science, technology, engi- included a model of the Zubarah Fort The Peninsula neering and math) programmes put and a MOQ platform in the Arabian together by TAMUQ and MOQ through Gulf — and to land their drones safely their Dhia: Engineering Leaders part- after particular tasks were completed. DOHA: The air was filled with flying nership, which delivers strategic Winning teams were chosen machines as 28 Qatari students from educational outreach programmes according to their performance in the schools across Qatar navigated their to motivate young Qataris to choose obstacle course and their application drones through an obstacle course to educational pathways for careers in of programming skills developed over show off the exciting aspects of engi- fields related to STEM. the course of the week. neering and science they learned last Throughout the week, faculty, The students also had a special week through Engineering Heroes staff and researchers from TAMUQ opportunity to preview drone tech- Drone Camp in Education City. Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with officials and winning students and Hamad Bin Khalifa University nology recently adopted by Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Indus- at the event. led students through exercises and military forces during an exclusive try H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al design challenges to prepare them for presentation earlier in the week by Sada attended the final day of Engi- the final challenge the drone obsta- officers from the centre. General neering Heroes to watch the students initiative that teaches principles of Dr Hassan S Bazzi, Assistant Dean diverse applications for engineering cle course competition in which the Khalid Ahmad Al Kuwari encouraged navigate through the obstacle course aviation, programming and power for Research, and Executive Director, and science in Qatar’s pursuit of a students applied what they learned to students to study hard to attain the competition. electronics as students are immersed Development, Engagement and Out- knowledge-based economy. simulated real-world problems that knowledge needed to support technol- Engineering Heroes is a unique in drone technology and its diverse reach, Texas A&M at Qatar (TAMUQ), “Engineering and science are drones can solve. An added chal- ogy for Qatar’s national defence and and innovative academic outreach applications. said the programme demonstrated the essential for Qatar’s oil and gas lenge for the students was learning said engineering is a calling for Qatar. Commercial Bank offers exceptional summer loans

The Peninsula approaching, the bank’s purchasing gifts. personal loans come with as 3.69 percent p.a. (1.99 Personal and Vehicle Loan The the bank’s low per- the added benefit of a 10 percent flat) for Sadara campaign aims to cater for sonal loan rates, planning percent discount on any customers and 3.89 per- customers’ needs during for holidays can be taken holiday booking via Dnata cent p.a. (2.10 percent flat) DOHA: Commercial Bank the holiday season, such care of in advance, ensur- Travels, reducing the cost for non-Sadara custom- is offering exceptional as helping them pay for ing a smooth, stress-free of holidays further. ers. The first 250 customers rates on personal and annual getaways and fam- summer period. Ramadan is a popular applying for a vehicle loan vehicle loans this summer ily vacations. From now until July period for vehicle financ- below QR100,000 will in anticipation of Ram- Planning a holiday, 30, customers can enjoy ing too, and with the bank’s receive a Woqood voucher adan and Eid from as low whether it’s for a family personal loan rates from competitively low rates for QR500 worth of pet- as 2.29 percent, with added or group of friends, can 4.25 percent p.a. (equiv- and same day approvals, rol, while all vehicle loans discounts on travel and be a financial burden with alent to 2.29 percent flat) customers can immedi- for QR100,000 or more car-related products. the need to pay for flights, for Qataris and 4.75 per- ately buy the car of their receive a window tinting With Ramadan and hotels, visas and day-to- cent p.a. (2.56 percent dreams. Until July 30, vehi- voucher worth QR1,500 the summer months day expenses abroad and flat) for expatriates. All cle loans start from as low with Zeibart. Additional benefits with vehicle loans this summer include a yearlong, all- inclusive motor insurance rate of 2.60 percent from Massoun Insurance Serv- ices, the bancassurance channel of Qatar Insur- ance Company. The bank’s customers also benefit from same day approvals and dedicated banking support 24 hours. Dean Proctor, EGM, Chief Consumer & Private Banking, said: “The bank is delighted to announce its annual summer loan cam- paign, which includes new offers and tailor-made ben- efits also during Ramadan and Eid.” Blue Salon backs Mercedes Trophy golf tournament

The Peninsula

DOHA: Qatar’s lead- ing luxury retailer Blue Salon sponsored the first Mercedes Trophy golf tour- nament in Qatar yesterday. It was organised by NBKA (Nasser Bin Kha- led Automobiles) with participation of Mercedes- Benz car owners and golf enthusiasts. The tournament’s objective was to create an annual interactive com- munity sports event that strengthens the relation- ship with the luxury brand. Motor owners, sports and brands lovers enjoyed an exceptional day. Eighty-eight players competed in three main categories — Men’s cate- gory A, Men’s category B, and Women’s category. Alongside with Blue Salon, Nespresso, the cof- fee brand that focuses on delivering the highest quality coffees and ulti- mate coffee experiences to its consumer’s cup after cup, had its statement at the booth by adding more pleasure to the event. HOME SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 05 QC drilled over 239 wells in Indonesia in 3 months

The Peninsula

DOHA: In the first quarter of 2016, Qatar Charity (QC) drilled over 239 wells in several areas in Indonesia, which suffered due to drought and shortage in clean drinking water. The wells provide the inhabit- ants with clean drinking water, and water for house use. The wells are usually drilled in the areas where there is shortage in drinking water and where mosques and schools do Sanjiv Arora, Indian Ambassador to Qatar, inaugurating the festival in the presence of other officials. not have water resources. In the first three months of 2016, the total cost of projects was QR1,300,000. Indonesian students pose for a group photo in front of one of the QC implemented the projects water projects. Embassy & ICC hold ‘A Passage to India’ festival as part of its water and sanitation schemes. In 2015, it implemented 841 water projects at a cost of Office in Indonesia, said, “The water through offering the students a The Peninsula QR4,700,000. So far, it has imple- and sanitation projects are a prior- healthy environment”. mented 3,281 projects at a cost of ity at QC. We ensure to implement He also explained how services QR17,500,000. these projects to face drought, and related to people’s lives and health Karam Zeinhom, Director, QC support the educational process are key projects at QC. DOHA: The Indian embassy and the Indian Cultural Cen- tre (ICC) organised the third edition of Indian Community Festival 2016 — A Passage to India — to celebrate 125th Birthday of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar on Thursday at Museum of Islamic Art Park from 6pm. Palestinian heritage highlighted The event was well-attended by the Indian, local and other expatriate communities. Life-size models of PSLV Rocket (Mangalayaan) and Indian Railway Locomotive by Friends of Pathanamthitta Jilla were among the attrac- tions at the event. The cultural programme started from 6pm and tal- ented artists from the affiliated organisations of ICC and students of Indian Schools in Doha gave a wonderful per- formance and wowed the audience. There were six food stalls from the best Indian restaurants in town which served mouth-watering Indian delicacies. There were also stalls from the ICC-affiliated organi- sation and other commercial organisation which displayed Indian handicrafts and traditional and modern dress from the Ministry of Interior; Micheal Kool, Chairman and materials and jewellery. Managing Director, Qatar Shell; other Indian officials, Sanjiv Arora, Indian Ambassador to Qatar and Patron guests from other embassies, business leaders, ICC Pres- of ICC, inaugurated the event at 8pm, along with other ident Girish Kumar; ICBF President Aravind Patil; IBPN dignitaries. Artistes sponsored by Indian Council for Cul- President K M Varghese; heads of Indian schools, ICC The Cultural Village Foundation-Katara, in collaboration with Rozana group, organised an event titled tural Relations (ICCR), the government of India, welcomed management committee Members, heads of ICC-affili- the ambassador and other dignitaries with a traditional ated organisations, representatives of the sponsors and ‘Come to tell you about Palestine’ for children. It was aimed at highlighting Palestinian heritage. Kalbeliya performance. Lt. Abdul Wahid, a representative media were present. 06 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 HOME

PHCC opens second breast and OIC welcomes Al Kawari’s nomination for Unesco top post

QNA Advise to the Emiri Diwan, to the theme ‘Unity and Solidarity for position of Unesco Director Gen- Justice and Peace’. OIC also wel- bowel cancer screening centre eral. comed the efforts and initiatives This came in the final com- of Qatar in support of the Unesco, DOHA: The Organisation of Islamic munique of the 13th Session of the World Heritage Committee and Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the Islamic Summit Conference the Unesco’s programme for the QNA communities across the length and rooms and four bowel consulta- Qatar’s nomination of Dr Hamad which was held in the Turk- protection of cultural and natural breadth of Qatar. More than a move tion rooms, and will be subject to bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural ish city of Istanbul, under the heritage in emergency situations. to offer convenience, our goal is to expansion on a later stage. Patients deliver the very best service for can- are requested to call the dedicated DOHA: The Primary Health Care cer screening to a larger population,” number 800 1112 to book appoint- Corporation (PHCC) Public PHCC said Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Man- ments in advance to avoid waiting announces the opening of the second aging Director, PHCC. times. They are required to arrive dedicated Breast and Bowel Cancer “Healthy citizens play an 30 minutes ahead of their appoint- Screening Centre which marks a sig- important part in the growth and ment. Highly trained and qualified nificant milestone in PHCC’s efforts development of a country and com- English- and Arabic-speaking staff at extending its network to take can- munity-based care serves as a and medical professionals will be cer screening to a wider population. foundation for national awareness. on hand to receive cancer screen- The new dedicated screening The Screening Centres are a vital ele- ing booking requests, respond to suite is located in the Leabaib Health ment of the ‘Screen for Life’ program. enquiries from the public on cancer Centre. This is the second location Patients can rest assured that they screening and take the initiative to of its kind to open in 3 months and are in the hands of skilled profession- reach out to individuals. will be followed by the much awaited als and world-class equipment,” Dr. Upon patient arrival, trained Mobile Unit for breast screening. Mariam added. nurses will be on hand to providing “The launch of the new screening Designed to resemble a spa, the relevant information and respond to suite is evidence of our endeavours Screening Suite features two pri- all questions regarding the examina- to take cancer detection facilities to vate and comfortable Mammography tion process.

Alert over maintenance at non-affiliated third-party workshops QRCS officials and participants at the event.

Continued from page 1 percent on the total costs incurred by consumers for maintenance services during the period (from zero km Qatar Red Crescent Society Maintenance at non-affiliated third-party workshops to 100,000 km), said a statement. could result in revoking of warranty. The company is also offering free maintenance serv- AAB’s list of discounts applies to all Toyota and Lexus ice of 1,000 Km for all models and 5,000km for all Toyota vehicles. The discounts range between 6 percent and 39 and Lexus models of 2016 onwards. marks successes in Al Khor

teachers, and administrative staff. Salal Ali Primary School for Girls. QRCS also holds Also, the branch participated in During a four-day recreational the sixth ‘Safe Spring’ camp, organ- trip for some inhabitants of Qatar health education ized by the Community Police Foundation for Elderly People Care and first-aid courses Department in Al Ghariya. (Ihsan) and other elderly to Ram- The three-day event attracted bak, a town near to Al Khor, a QRCS for residents of Al many visitors of various ages, espe- doctor delivered an informative lec- Shamal. cially the families camping in the ture about the necessary precautions area. that elderly people need to observe In pursuit of QRCS’s ‘I Am a Para- before and during travel and trips. medic’ training program, the branch A female doctor talked particularly The Peninsula offered two-day courses for 38 with the ladies. Grade-6 students, teachers, admin- Under the ‘Together for Benev- istrative staff, supervisors, and bus olence’ campaign, implemented by drivers of Al Thakhira Model School QRCS volunteers with QR930,000 DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society’s for Boys, as well as 20 teachers of Al funding from Chevron Philips Chem- (QRCS) branch in Al Khor is working Khor Model Kindergarten for Boys, ical – Qatar in favour of 25,000 hard to serve the local community and students of Simaisma Prepara- expatriate workers throughout the in the Al Shamal northern part of tory School for Boys. country, the branch distributed the country, with health education The trainees received theoreti- hygiene kits over five days to 750 courses, first-aid courses, and par- cal and practical training in first aid workers of Al Khor, Al Shamal, and ticipation in public events. skills, including cardiopulmonary Al Daayen municipalities. Among the events attended by resuscitation (CPR) and how to deal QRCS Branch in Al Khor works QRCS was an environmental exhi- with cases of suffocation, bleeding, to provide social and humanitarian bition held by Al Thakhira Model fracture, burn, nosebleed, and eye services for the people of Al Shamal School to celebrate Qatar National injuries, in addition to the best tech- region, with a view to enhancing Environment Day. QRCS’s corner niques of recovering and moving QRCS’s influence in that part of Qatar introduced the young students to injured people. as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar QRCS’s humanitarian and social Volunteer doctors of QRCS deliv- in its humanitarian and social poli- activities locally and internation- ered a lecture on oral health for 10 cies locally and abroad, contributing ally, distributed health education mothers of Al Khor Model Kinder- to the development of local com- printouts, and conducted blood sugar garten for Boys, and another lecture munities and designing customized and pressure tests for the attendance, on asthma for 15 asthmatic students services and social programs for spe- which was over 170 students, parents, and 50 teachers of Al Khor and Umm cific regions. Manufacturer must submit test report from ISO-certified lab

Continued from page 1 Once the requirements are completed, QS will The manufacturer allow the manufacturing must submit an origi- company or importers to nal test report from an put the energy efficiency ISO 17025 certified lab- label on all brands before oratory and an approved being released for sale. certificate issued in The ministry has urged accordance with the all traders and importers IECEE CB Scheme, or a to comply with the pro- certificate of conformity cedures in public interest, from an internationally since it will not allow any recognised body proving A/Cs not fulfilling the that the air conditioner specifications to enter the complies with the require- country after the deadline. ments mentioned in the Import, trade, display Approved Qatari Stand- and storage of all A/Cs not ard (QS2663) and the Gulf conforming the require- Technical Regulation No ments has been banned (BD-142004-01). from that date.

Firms required to take prior appointment over phone

Continued from page 1 with very small number of workers can send their Companies are now workers without a prior required to take prior appointment. appointment over phone The section has to make the procedures specified two days in a easier and faster for their week- Sunday and Mon- workers and avoid crowd- day- for such workers. ing at the services centres Other days are dedicated offering fingerprinting. for companies with bigger However, companies number of workers. MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 07

Still wheels French, German FMs in Libya to back unity govt

Visit comes two days before a crucial vote by the country’s recognised parliament on whether to endorse the GNA, and ahead of the talks in Luxembourg.

A member of the Presidential Council of Government of National AFP Accord, Ahmed Maiteeq (centre) with German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier (left) and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Tens of thousands of vehicles seized by police due to traffic violations at a makeshift compound in at a joint news conference in Tripoli, Libya, yesterday. the Wadi Laban suburb, west of Riyadh. TRIPOLI: The foreign ministers of France and Germany made an unan- to talks in Luxembourg on a possi- visited Tripoli on Tuesday. nounced visit yesterday to Tripoli in ble EU mission to assist Libya’s police The British, French and Spanish a show of support for the new unity and border guards. ambassadors flew in for talks two 12 die in fire at government striving to bridge Libya’s It is the latest in a flurry of visits days later, saying they were working IS captures several villages deep political divisions. by European diplomats who had been towards reopening their diplomatic chemical plant World powers see the Govern- absent since 2014 when EU member missions there. ment of National Accord (GNA) as a states closed their Tripoli embassies European nations are increas- from Syrian troops crucial partner in tackling jihadists as fighting shook the North African ingly alarmed by expansion of IS in Saudi Arabia behind a string of deadly attacks in nation. Their return was prompted by State jihadist group in Libya, where Libya as well as human traffickers the arrival of the UN-backed prime it has established a new stronghold AP on condition of anonymity. AP exploiting the country’s turmoil. minister on March 30 by sea with 300km from Italy across the Mediter- Khanaser is strategic since it’s on France’s Jean-Marc Ayrault and a naval escort, after a rival Tripoli ranean. The jihadists last year seized the highway that links government- Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier authority closed the airspace to try control of slain dictator Moamer Kad- held parts of Aleppo with the rest of flew into the capital amid tight secu- to keep Sarraj out. hafi’s coastal hometown of Sirte and BEIRUT: The Islamic State (IS) group the country. IS has cut the highway RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s state-run rity for talks with the UN-backed “France was one of the first coun- have used the city as a base to stage has captured more than a dozen several times in recent months but news agency says a fire at a chem- cabinet which has set up operations tries to back Sarraj, and time has a string of suicide bombings and villages and hills during a fresh government counteroffensives were ical plant in the kingdom’s east has at a naval base in the city. come to give a new impetus to that attacks on oil facilities. offensive in northern Syria, oppo- able to push them back. killed 12 people and injured 11. The GNA is seeking “training for support,” a French diplomat said. IS claimed responsibility for a car sition activists said yesterday. The IS The Observatory said traffic on The Saudi Press Agency said its police and military forces”, Ayrault The visit comes two days before bombing on Friday near the city of territorial gains bring the extremist the highway was interrupted by IS the fire in Al-Jubail broke out told journalists after the two envoys a crucial vote by the country’s rec- Benghazi that security sources said group close to the main highway that shelling of the area yesterday before at around 11:40am yesterday at met prime minister-designate Fayez ognised parliament on whether to left two soldiers of the internation- links the capital, Damascus, with the resuming as usual. To the north, IS the Jubail United Petrochemical Al Sarraj. endorse the GNA, and ahead of the ally recognised government dead and country’s largest city of Aleppo. continued its offensive near Turk- Co. The news agency quoted the “There is the need to train them talks in Luxembourg. three wounded. IS also clashed with rival insur- ish border capturing the village of company as saying the fire began perhaps in the beginning outside of Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo The jihadists claimed to have gent groups near the border with Tal Shaaer from opposition fighters. during maintenance at the plant. Libya and this is what we will discuss Gentiloni hailed the unity govern- killed as many as 50 soldiers and Turkey where they have been on “Daesh is advancing against the The company also said the fire tomorrow,” said Steinmeier, referring ment as a “game changer” when he destroyed 15 vehicles in the attack. the offensive for days, forcing tens of regime and the rebels at the same caused thick black smoke, which thousands of residents to flee toward time,” said the Aleppo-based activist. contributed to the death of the safer areas near Turkey. Around 30,000 displaced per- contractors working on the main- Britain-based Syrian Observa- sons have fled their shelters near tenance at the plant. tory for Human Rights said fighting Turkish border, according to New A telephone number for the between IS and government forces York-based Human Rights Watch. plant could not be immediately is concentrated in areas east of Kha- Medicins Sans Frontieres, also found yesterday night. naser, which has changed hands known as MSF, said it was “worried” The website for SABIC, a chem- several times in recent months. about the displaced people’s security ical conglomerate based in Riyadh, An activist based in Aleppo said and access to health care. The inter- says the firm holds a 75-percent that IS launched its latest offensive national medical relief organisation stake in Al-Jubail United Pet- in the area a day earlier and by yes- said it knew of just five operating rochemical Co. SABIC did not terday was in control of some 18 hospitals in the Azaz district, where immediately respond to an email small villages. The activist spoke much of the fighting is concentrated. seeking comment. Ceasefire monitors in Yemen to begin work

AP

SANA’A, YEMEN: Local Yemeni committees tasked to monitor a week- old cease-fire between Yemen’s internationally recognised government and Shia rebels, agreed yes- terday to begin their work on the ground at six front- lines, security officials said. The monitors in the city of Taiz have agreed to mon- itor the cease-fire and to exchange records of pris- oners of war in preparation to release them, said secu- rity officials from the two sides of the civil war. Following a prisoner exchange, local monitors also agreed to open roads to Taiz, which the rebels have besieged for nearly a year. The cease-fire begun last Sunday ahead of peace talks due in Kuwait. How- ever both sides reported multiple truce violations by the other side. A Saudi-led military coalition waged an extensive air campaign for a year against the rebels, known as Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sana’a. Houthi and inde- pendent security officials said the Saudi-led coalition violated the cease-fire with airstrikes on Houthi posi- tions in Omran province, north of Sana’a. 08 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 MIDDLE EAST

Erdogan wants Mogherini admits bumps Turkey and Iran to join hands in fight in implementing Iran deal against terror Reuters of failing to honour its side of the the work on implementing the bargain. Among their grievances is JCPOA,” Mogherini said, referring to EU foreign policy the contention that US government the nuclear deal by its official name, ANKARA: Turkish President officials are scaring off European the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yester- chief says diplomatic banks from investing in Iran for Action, describing it as “an ongo- day his country and neighbouring gains should be fear of falling foul of regulations ing task”. Iran must work together to nar- leveraged as Zarif that saw massive fines imposed in Put to her by a reporter that row their differences in order to recent years. the banking issues were obstacles, tackle terrorism and sectarianism demands more US Mogherini, on her first trip to Iran Mogherini countered: “There are in the region. Ankara and Tehran cooperation. since the nuclear deal came into force challenges in implementation, it is are on different sides of Syria’s civil in January, said the diplomatic gains true.” war, but they are looking to boost of the agreement must now be turned She cited 50 pages of guidelines economic ties following the lift- into “benefits in Iranians’ daily lives.” that have been issued to European ing of international sanctions on AFP But Zarif echoed remarks from financial institutions that detail how Iran. Shia Iran has stood by Syrian other Iranian officials about the deal business can now be conducted with President Bashar Al Assad since not producing discernible benefits. Iran. the start of the uprising against TEHRAN: The European Union’s “It is necessary that the other “We are doing all that we can to him, while mainly Sunni Turkey top diplomat during a visit to Tehran side’s cooperation, especially the reassure our financial and banking has been one of his fiercest critics, yesterday admitted difficulties in United States, is made good in prac- system that all the new information supporting his opponents. implementing Iran’s recent nuclear tice, not only on paper,” Zarif said, on the new system is provided.” “It is above all in our own deal with world powers, but main- alluding to Seif’s comments. Mogherini pointed to other evi- countries’ interest to strengthen tained that the agreement was on “We warned the US and we will dence of cooperation, saying the EU our political dialogue and reduce track. put some pressure on them, to pave has agreed to support Iran’s bid to our differences of opinion to a Federica Mogherini’s comments, the way for cooperation between join the World Trade Organization minimum,” Erdogan told a joint in a joint press conference with Iran’s non-US banks and the Islamic (WTO) for example, and Iran will take news conference with his Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Republic of Iran.” part on a joint dialogue on human counterpart, Hassan Rowhani, in Zarif, underscored tension in Tehran Mogherini sought to play down rights. Ankara. over the accord, which has been in concern, saying that three months But Mogherini also raised with “We have to work together to force for three months. of “challenges” on the deal’s imple- Zarif the EU’s concern about recent overcome the problems of ter- Under the deal, all nuclear- mentation was nothing compared to ballistic missile tests by the elite rorism and sectarianism and the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and his Iranian counterpart related sanctions were lifted but the 12 years of diplomacy it had taken Revolutionary Guards, which a UN related humanitarian crises that Iranian officials have accused the to produce the nuclear agreement. panel said breached Security Coun- Hassan Rowhani inspect a guard of honour at the Presidential Complex are shaking our region,” Erdogan West, particularly the United States, “We obviously have not finished cil resolutions. in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday. said. Iraqi lawmakers group quits session aimed at replacing Speaker

AFP MP Qassem Al Araji announced that the vote to sack him was legit- that 23 lawmakers from the Shia imate and planned to hold their Badr bloc would not participate in own session yesterday to nominate BAGHDAD: A group of Iraqi lawmak- the session, saying the parliamen- replacements for him and his two ers said they would not take part in a tary division could result in two deputies. Saturday parliament session to select governments and undermine the The Badr withdrawal effectively a replacement for the Speaker, appar- fight against IS. precluded the session from being ently leaving it without the necessary “We were living with two par- held, though it was not immediately quorum. liaments, and that could lead to two clear if it was final or just a strategy Iraq was on course to have two governments,” Araji told journalists, to gain concessions. rival claimants to the speakership, warning that might result in “the col- Badr chief Hadi Al Ameri is a top further increasing chaos in parlia- lapse of the front” against IS. commander of Shia paramilitary ment, which has already seen a vote “We are against dividing the par- forces fighting against IS, and also to sack Speaker Salim Al Juburi, a liament and we want to maintain the aspires to a senior government post. fistfight among MPs and a sit-in this democratic political process in Iraq,” MP Kadhim Al Shammari, a week. Araji said. member of another bloc involved in The political turmoil had side- Juburi rejected the Thursday vote the anti-Juburi session, called on the lined Prime Minister Haider Al to remove him on the grounds that Badr lawmakers to return and “par- Abadi’s efforts to replace the current the session lacked a quorum and ticipate with their brothers in writing cabinet, a setback for the premier. called parliament to meet yester- a new history for Iraq.” Both the United Nations and day, but cancelled the session over Abadi has called for the current Washington have warned that the an unspecified security risk. cabinet of party-affiliated ministers political wrangling could undermine He later announced the official to be replaced by a government of Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State delay of parliament sessions and technocrats, but has faced significant jihadist group, which overran large called for dialogue to end the cur- resistance from the powerful parties areas in 2014 but has since lost sig- rent deadlock. that rely on control of ministries for nificant ground. But Juburi’s opponents insisted patronage and funds. Pentagon chief in Gulf to seek support for Iraq

AFP

ABU DHABI: US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in the United Arab Emirates yesterday for a six-day Gulf tour aimed at galvanising support for Iraq as it battles the Islamic State group. Carter will hold talks with regional leaders includ- ing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and join US President Barack Obama at a Gulf summit in Riyadh on Thursday. Washington is eager to see the Gulf Arab states do more to help Baghdad at a crucial moment in its fight against the jihadists. “The success of the campaign against ISIL in Iraq does depend upon political and economic progress as well,” Carter said ahead of his visit, using another acronym for the jihadist group. “It’s important that we continue to support” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi in his efforts to build a “multisectarian” country, he said. “That’s the chal- lenge in Iraq.” Abadi is grappling with plummeting oil prices and a political crisis that led to scuffles in parliament this week, hindering his efforts to replace the cabinet. He will also meet US officials overseeing the cam- paign against IS. Washington has urged its allies to increase sup- port for the fight against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria. Although the jihadists maintain a firm grip on vast areas of the two countries, they have suffered some serious setbacks including the loss of Ramadi in Iraq. Retaking Iraq’s second city of Mosul is among the US-led coalition’s top objectives but the battle is expected to be one of the most difficult yet. ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 09 United Nations slams North Korea missile test

AFP missile technology. In a unanimous fourth nuclear test and fired a rocket news agency. Asked about the failed missile ended in catastrophic failure. missile, which is believed to be capa- statement, the council said it would that was widely seen as a disguised launch, UN spokesman Farhan Haq “I can tell you it was a fiery, cata- ble of striking US bases on the Pacific closely monitor the situation and ballistic missile test. Since the adop- said: “We certainly are aware of the strophic attempt at a launch that was island of Guam. was ready to “take further significant tion of the new sweeping sanctions, recent reports of activity by the Dem- not successful,” Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the latest launch UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security measures” against the reclusive state. North Korea has carried out at least ocratic People’s Republic of Korea, Davis told reporters. The missile was attempt would surely factor into con- Council strongly condemned North “Although the DPRK’s ballis- two sets of ballistic missile launches which is alarming.” likely “road-mobile” -- or transport- versations between Washington and Korea’s test-firing of a missile yester- tic missile launch was a failure, this that the council has condemned. “We once again call on the Dem- able -- because it had been launched Seoul about the deployment to South day, saying that the launch violated attempt constituted a clear violation of During Friday’s attempt, the mis- ocratic People’s Republic of Korea from an area on the east coast of Korea of the sophisticated THAAD UN resolutions even if it was a failure. United Nations Security Council res- sile disappeared from tracking radar for restraint.” The launch took place North Korea where tests don’t nor- system -- Theater High Altitude Area The council demanded that North olutions,” the statement said. a few seconds after its launch and on the birthday of founding leader mally occur, Davis said. Defense System. Korea refrain from further actions Last month, the council imposed was believed to have exploded in Kim Il-Sung. In Washington, a Pen- Recent intelligence reports sug- “This is something that’s being in violation of resolutions barring its toughest sanctions to date on North midair, according to a Seoul intelli- tagon official said the test-firing of gested North Korea was preparing for done because of North Korea’s con- Pyongyang from developing ballistic Korea after Pyongyang carried out its gence official quoted by the Yonhap what appeared to be a medium-range the first-ever flight test of its Musudan tinued provocations,” he said.

Aliwan Festival Taiwan names Gunmen abduct former pilot for 4 Indonesians China policy Reuters in Philippines TAIPEI: Taiwan’s independence- leaning government yesterday named a foreign affairs official and a former fighter pilot to the province of Tawi-Tawi -- an area top posts for China policy and where kidnap-for-ransom gangs and defence, underscoring its intention Of the 10 crew the Abu Sayyaf militant group oper- to engage with China and build its members on board ate -- when the attack took place. own jets and submarines. After the incident, Malaysian The appointment of Chang the Indonesian maritime police helped tow the tug- Hsiao-yueh, a 40-year foreign flagged vessel, four boat to the country’s easternmost affairs officer, as chief of the min- state of Sabah, where the wounded isterial-level Mainland Affairs were captured, one crew was transported to a hospital Council, comes amid uproar in Tai- shot and five others and is in stable condition. Sabah’s wan over the forcible deportation left unharmed Friday eastern coast is located just around of more than 40 of its nationals 50 nautical miles from Sitangkai, the from Kenya to China. evening. southernmost part of the Philippines, China deems self-ruled Taiwan and the state also borders Tarakan. a renegade province to be taken Late last month, 10 Indonesian back by force if necessary. Beijing Filipinos in costumes perform cultural dances during the Aliwan Festival in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. sailors were seized off Tawi-Tawi, is warily watching President-elect Anatolia with their captors -- believed to be The Aliwan Festival is an annual event where groups from various provinces in the country showcase Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independ- the Abu Sayyaf -- later demanding their products and culture. ence Democratic Progressive Party a ransom of $1m. Filipino gunmen (DPP), who will take power in selected four men from a Malaysian mid-May after a landslide win in INDONESIA: Unidentified gunmen boat’s crew and kidnapped them off national elections in January. have kidnapped four Indonesians Semporna in eastern Sabah. Taiwan’s relationship with from a tugboat off the southern “The Indonesian government China is “a tough challenge,” said Philippines, in the third abduction will take measures to cope with the Iranian refugee convicted in Nauru incoming Premier Lin Chuan, who of foreigners in the region in less frequent occurrence of piracy in the announced the appointment. “The than a month. region,” said Iqbal. two sides have different opinions, An official at Jakarta’s ministry A Philippine military spokesper- contradictions. This requires a of foreign affairs confirmed yester- son told reporters in the country’s AFP deterrent to those using self-harm lodge in January. “Written submis- leader who has goodwill and can day that of the 10 crew members on south that five to seven gunmen who “to get what they want”, but he was sions were made by the prosecutor communicate.” board the Indonesian flagged vessel, had been on board a speedboat con- instead reportedly fined Aus$200. to impose a custodial sentence of Chang, 63, will be the second four were captured, one shot and five ducted the attack. “The tugboat was “This is sickening. Nauru Govt has between one and two months to deter woman to lead the council, follow- others left unharmed Friday evening. shot and unfortunately one of the SYDNEY: A refugee has been con- charged a refugee with ‘attempted other offenders who resort to self- ing Tsai, who was the first woman “The ship was on the way back crew was hit,” Major Filemon Tan victed for attempted suicide after suicide’ after trying to take his own harm to avoid lawful actions against to hold the key post in the first half from Cebu, Philippines, headed to Jr. of Western Mindanao Command being moved from an Austral- life,” Australian Greens senator Sarah them or to get what they want.” The of the 2000s. Tarakan [in Indonesian Borneo],” said. He added that the hostages ian-funded detention camp on the Hanson-Young tweeted late Friday. Australian Broadcasting Corpora- “National security has gone Laly Muhammad Iqbal said in a were taken to an unknown direc- Pacific island of Nauru in a decision Nauru government said, the tion said the Iranian man had been beyond the traditional definition statement cited by kompas.com. tion and security forces in Tawi-Tawi described as “sickening”. father of an eight-year-old girl, held in an Australian-funded deten- of security,” Tsai said in a speech. According to the Philippines’ were investigating the case and Prosecutors had pressed for jail pleaded guilty to the charge, which tion centre on Nauru for nearly two “The situation in international and military, the vessel had been sail- coordinating with Indonesian and time of one to two months, arguing is a “criminal offence” under Nauru years before being resettled in the cross-strait relations is also differ- ing near Sitangkai town in the island Malaysian authorities. a tough response was needed as a law, following a disturbance at Nibok community. ent from the past.”

Heatwave in the Philippines China’s proposed vaccine rules complex to implement: WHO

Reuters of vaccines and tougher punishments under a more tightly-controlled gov- for lawbreakers. ernment distribution system, which is The move comes in the wake of used for vaccines within the national a case involving millions of illegal immunization programme. SHANGHAI: China’s proposals to trades of vaccines through a black WHO China representative impose tougher rules over its vac- market drugs ring, which ignited Bernhard Schwartländer said the cine market will help stamp out public ire and underscored regulatory changes would “not only ensure ille- illegal behaviour and strengthen weaknesses in the world’s second gal activities such as those exposed in oversight, but will be “complex” to largest pharmaceuticals market. Shandong cannot happen elsewhere, implement, the World Health Organ- The vaccines, including ones but will make the system stronger ization (WHO) said in a statement against meningitis, rabies and other overall”. An illegal vaccine ring had yesterday. illnesses, are suspected of being sold been centred in Shandong province. The State Council, China’s cab- in dozens of provinces around China “The challenge from here will inet, said on Wednesday it would since 2011. They were all “category 2” be in implementation: the proposed A Filipino boy holding a plate of food walks through the water of Cavite coastline, south of Manila, tighten supervision of vaccine distri- vaccines, meaning they were sold on changes are powerful and wide- yesterday. A heat wave in the Philippines has raised temperatures alarmingly. bution, with better record keeping for the private market. The new regula- reaching, and some will be complex the production, storing and transport tions will see these vaccines come to put into practice,” he added. Indigenous prison rates soar in Australia as activists demand action

AFP Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in just under three percent of the adult in custody than non-indigenous Aus- there was a greater chance they were who die in custody are indigenous. Custody, which recommended sweep- Australian population, Bureau of Sta- tralians. This is no longer the case,” likely to be in custody. This must not be presented as a suc- ing reforms to improve the plight of tistics data from 2015 shows. he said in a statement late Thursday. Amnesty International accused cess; it is a disaster in a nation where the nation’s first peoples, who are the Despite the rise in incarceration “Over the past 15 years, in all but Scullion of “glossing over” the prison Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SYDNEY: Human rights groups are country’s most impoverished. rates, Indigenous Affairs Minister one year (2002-03), an Aboriginal and statistics and called for a national people make up less than three per- urging the Australian government The indigenous population Nigel Scullion said many of the com- Torres Strait Islander person has in strategy to lower custody rates. cent of our population.” to do more to bring down Aboriginal remains “very much over-repre- mission’s 339 recommendations, fact been less likely to die in custody “The inaccuracies in the minis- Leading Aboriginal elder Pat incarceration rates which have almost sented” in prison, the government’s particularly those focused on reduc- than a non-indigenous person.” ter’s statement continue the dodging Dodson warned in a speech to the doubled in 25 years, with indigenous Australian Institute of Criminology ing the risk of deaths in custody, had The commission had found that of responsibility we have seen for 25 National Press Club in Canberra this criminals now accounting for a quar- said. Aborigines made up 14 percent been implemented. while indigenous people were not long years since the royal commis- week that “by and large the problems ter of prisoners. of those in jail at the time of the royal “At the time the royal commis- more likely to die in jail compared to sion,” Amnesty’s indigenous rights the royal commission was set up to The calls came on the 25th anni- commission but now account for 27 sion was established in 1989, First non-Aboriginal prisoners, they were campaigner Julian Cleary said in a examine and advise governments on, versary Friday of the landmark Royal percent, even though they comprise Australians were more likely to die more exposed to the risk of death as statement. “Today, one in five people have become worse”. 10 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at Southwest College in Los Angeles, California, United States, yesterday.

EDITORIAL UN peace plan Clear borders create

ears that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad would gain an upper hand in the UN-sponsored peace talks are coming true. The UN envoy Staffan de Mistura made good neighbours Fa proposal before Syria’s opposition attending peace talks in Geneva that Assad could continue as president during a political transition, with three deputies under him from the opposition. The UN envoy said the proposal could end the vicious Westphalian peace was an pact signed by the Kingdom was with Egypt came in this context. cycle of debate over a transitional period to end the war, on which outcome of radical change which strengthening the extended Saudi is keen on maintaining took place in Europe in the mid- relations with the GCC states. good relationships with all the talks had become stuck. As expected, the opposition fiercely 17th century, when it applied the The people of GCC followed in brothers without leaving bor- rejected the proposal. principles of recognised borders, the footsteps of their forefathers der issues to become a reason The UN suggestion is sensible and is a reflection of the current and national sovereignty and in order to travel to cities in for possible dispute. It is per- realities on the ground. The civil war in Syria is turning in Assad’s not intervention. Saudi Arabia and other GCC fectly reasonable to do so, but favour, with his forces, with the backing of Russia, Hezbollah These concepts were not countries where they wanted to some have raised controversial and other allies, recapturing land from the opposition rebels and known in the Arabia at the live and work according to a GCC questions, saying, “Why now beginning of 20th century but agreement that ensured free with Egypt, after leaving these the Islamic State. A resurgent Assad has no need to listen to the they were clear to the young movement and work between two islands in the hands of Egypt demands of the opposition and the UN, which is keen on finding a King Abdulaziz, although their states. for more than 75 years?”. negotiated solution to the crisis to bring By Jamal Khashoggi he did not learn them in any The former King Faisal said, There are four reasons for to end the suffering of millions of Syrians, military college. King Abdulaziz on the occasion of signing the this. The first is that it is the The Syrian is looking at formulas which can work. has worked hard for border border demarcation agreement right time now, because of the The fate of Assad has been the key recognition not only with with Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan good relations between the two revolution can sticking point in the discussions involving his neighbours and British “the border of Abu Dhabi ends countries, and the popularity of still succeed here is an American colonialists,but even with tribes here in Jeddah”. Saudi took all President Sisi makes him efficient the opposition High Negotiations proverb saying, “Good subject to his rule. agreements seriously by taking in taking a decision. The sec- and lead to Committee and a government fences make good The demarcation of the them to the Arab League and UN ond is that Riyadh has become the ouster of delegation. The HNC spokesman Salem neighbours”. The same border with Iraq at that time to make them binding for all. the most influential power in the Tthing applies to borders between led to the rebellion of some tribes This spirit of settling differences region and it is time for it to take Al Meslet said that the opposition Assad if the would be willing to cooperate with countries. Agreed demarcation who refused the idea of having helped later in solving many on its full responsibilities in this international regime “diplomats and technocrats” in should be celebrated, rather borders in areas with no visible difficulties which arose after sensitive region dominated by than highlighting disputes. I border lines, where they had finding oil in many parts of Israel. Thirdly, Custodian of the a transitional period, but he insisted community say this at the time when the lived for thousands of years and the desert. This also helped in Two Holy Mosques King Salman stands firmly that there would be no role for Assad or demarcation of the sea border moved freely during different solving problems caused by self- bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s Bridge anyone who had played a central role in between Saudi Arabia and Egypt seasons. How could someone interested oil companies. project is expected to change with the the civil war, which has killed 270,000 is being defined. I think this is the come out of the blue and tell The Kingdom also choose the geographic, economic and opposition. people and displaced millions. The talks last border being demarcated by them that, “north of such a line a suitable time to demarcate political factors on the ground would now enter a cul-de-sac unless the the Kingdom with its neighbours, is your border”? It was hard for its borders especially with and this has required that the opposition dilutes its demand and agrees in a region whose people are not to them to digest. countries like Iraq and two islands be put under Saudi familiar with borders. The demarcation process Yemen whose situations are control. to the UN proposal. Saudi Arabia began to of the growing kingdom was not stable. For instance the The last reason is that good It’s both ironic and unfortunate that the Syrian revolution demarcate its borders early, influenced by several factors. border demarcation with Iraq and clear borders creates and is faltering, and the sacrifices of millions of people for freedom being established since the First of all history. The state of was difficult and complicated maintains good neighbours. and democracy are going in vain. But the blame for the failure, time that the young King Abdul- Abdulaziz was in the stretch of due to the rivalry between the Nobody knows what quantity if the current situation can be called one, must be shared by Aziz entered his ancestors’ land covered by of two Saudi two counties which has existed of gas and oil may be found in the all – foremost by the opposition, which has failed to assemble capital Riyadh in 1902. Since states, one of extending from from the Hashemite rule of Iraq area south of the Gulf of Aqaba, East to West. These stretches until the Saddam era. The border and this must not be left to be a a powerful force against Assad and win the sufficient backing of land were grounds for Saudi issue was settled around the source of dispute in the future. of the international community, and secondly by the Arab and negotiators to argue from, but beginning of the war between No details are available Western countries, which failed to give substantial backing to the This spirit of settling these could not determine Iraq and Iran, and all documents about the border agreement with opposition in a way that can change the fighting in their favour. differences helped success at all times, especially were submitted to the UN. Egypt, but the Saudis’ ways of The US has especially been criticized for its lack of coherence and when the power balance It was not also easy to reach signing agreements tell us that determination in the Syria policy. President Barack Obama’s initial later in solving many changed with the arrival of to an agreement with Yemen. Al they always make their pacts promises to help the opposition and punish Assad if he crossed difficulties which the British. King Abdulaziz Taif agreement which took place detailed and never miss out used his good relations with after the war of 1934, defined anything or leave it ambiguous. certain redlines didn’t materialize after he weighed the pros and arose after finding the heads of tribes in the Gulf the border between the two For example, the recent cons of another intervention by his army in the Middle East. oil in many parts of to reach an initial understanding countries. But their relations border agreement with Jordan, The revolution can still succeed and lead to the ouster of Assad if that was later converted into became complicated after the which had been originally signed the international community stands firmly with the opposition. the desert. This also international pacts. Sons of revolution of 1962 in Yemen, by the British in 1965, is a good helped in solving the King made a remarkable and when the Communists took example where the Saudi Ara- contribution to achieving these power in Southern Yemen. The bia waived dozen of kilometres problems caused by pacts, one by one. former president Ali Abdullah of coastal border to Jordan, and self-interested oil Right at the end of the 20th Saleh used the border issue as this made it possible for its only companies. century, in the year 2000, a political instrument and for sea port to extend to the south the last pact was inked with blackmailing, but Saudi Arabia of Aqaba. Jordan also waived Quote of the day Kuwait, to divide the Neutral used its allies in Yemen to settle a considerable area in Wadi Al area between the two countries. the issue and signed a binding Sarahana area. The agreement There was not exactly the Before that, in 1992, in Medina agreement in 2003. indicated that the two parties same level of anxiety but I then the state border began the border agreement with Qatar The Kingdom not only must share any potential wealth to be demarcated, sometimes was signed following mediation demarcated its border with its that could be discovered in the think there was an equal level through wars and sometimes made by the former Egyptian direct neighbours, but also with area in future. I think the agree- of concern, and a collective by diplomacy and political President- Hosni Mubarak. its neighbours on the other side ment with Egypt also included endeavor to identify the channels. At that time, Arabia The Jeddah agreement was of the sea such as the agreement a similar article. solution and the responses to and its people and sheikhs were another, signed with the United with Iran, and with Sudan across Such careful agreements not familiar with the “world of Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1974 and the Red Sea. This helped Iran and on borders create loving the global economic situation. Westphalia”. Perhaps not one the Hafr Al Batin agreement Saudi to evade conflicts regard- neighbours. of them had heard this term was inked with Oman in 1991. ing oil and gas fields, despite the that is still not familiar to us, The first border demarcation current tension. The writer is a Saudi Arabian jour- Christine Lagarde but only to British politicians, agreement was signed with This shows Saudi’s keenness nalist, columnist, author and the IMF Managing Director who attempted to create our Bahrain in 1958 in Riyadh. to settle its border disputes and General Manager and Editor-in- world against our will. Perhaps coincidently, every the recent border agreement Chief of Al Arab News Channel.

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By Héctor Perla Jr The Washington Post

razil’s elected government is in the news, but is it in the middle of a coup? Unlike Latin American coups in the 20th century, Bra- Bzil’s current turmoil involves no armies and no bloodshed -- but Brazil could see a regime change, a “soft coup.” I’ve been studying Latin American poli- tics for the past 20 years, and documenting the right-wing strategy of manipulating public opinion to discredit socialist gov- ernments. What’s happening in Brazil has happened elsewhere. A brief summary of the political cri- sis in Brazil: In Brazil, South America’s continent- sized, resource-rich giant, the Workers Party (PT) won the presidency in 2003 and has remained in power for the past 13 years. Led by Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, a charis- matic leader Newsweek once called “the most popular politician on earth,” the PT built its broad appeal on economic policies that generated growth with low inflation, and created social programmes for income redistribution in one of the most unequal Congressmen, who support the impeachment, demonstrate during a session to review the request for Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment, at countries in the world. the Chamber of Deputies in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. In 2011, Dilma Rousseff replaced her mentor and became the country’s first female president. Rousseff never enjoyed the same popularity as Lula, who was the process would then be forwarded to Those on the left being targeted by the against socialist governments in Latin manipulating their conversations to implicated in 2016 in a corruption case the Brazilian Senate. Latin American right see this strategy as America. Looking closely at the tactics give the appearance of wrongdoing and and money-laundering case involving Both Lula and Rousseff have accused the equivalent of a 21st century coup. against left-leaning governments: inflaming public sentiment against the the state-owned oil company Petrobras. Brazil’s right-wing parties of conspiring Corrupt investigations of corruption? The most powerful - and illegal - Rousseff government. Prosecutors have never accused Rousseff to bring down the PT presidency, calling In the Brazilian case, the calls for attacks against the left in Latin America While all of this might sound like a of being involved in the corruption, but it a coup attempt. In an April 12 interview, impeachment are based on flimsy, indirect involve surveillance, online hacking and conspiracy theory, a recent Bloomberg the speaker of Brazil’s lower house has Rousseff accused Vice President Michel charges and double standards. To date, cyberattacks, including smear campaigns story, “How to Hack an Election,” uncovered pushed forward impeachment charges Temer of conspiring openly “to destabilize there is no evidence linking Rousseff to via social media and news outlets. the depth and pervasiveness of this right- against her for alleged misuse of money a legitimately elected president.” In early the corruption scandal. Teams of high-tech political operatives wing strategy. from public banks to cover gaps in the gov- April, thousands of Rousseff supporters Meanwhile, the Brazilian speaker of conduct illegal spying, including installing International hacker Andres Sepulveda ernment budget. On April 11, a committee protested in Brazil’s cities, chanting “There’s the House, Eduardo Cunha, who is leading spyware in opposition offices, and stealing now faces prison time for his role in an in Brazil’s lower house voted to recom- not going to be a coup.” the impeachment charge, was named in campaign strategies and opponents’ donor international right-wing movement mend impeachment. But there is a deeper story than just the Panama Papers as taking bribes from databases. These teams hack into and interfering in various Latin American The full lower house is expected to corruption, or simple opportunism by a multinational corporation involved in deface campaign websites and slander elections. Through his revelations, we can vote on the impeachment today. If a two- Rousseff’s political adversaries. Recent the Petrobras corruption case. Likewise, opponents. According to one analysis, using appreciate the institutional, psychological, thirds majority votes for impeachment, events in Latin America suggest that what’s many of the other right-wing politicians fake social media accounts to manipulate news and social media tactics the right happening in Brazil is part of a broad right- leading and supporting the impeachment public opinion was a key part of attempts to has developed to challenge 21st century wing campaign to tarnish the PT and bring efforts are in fact facing corruption charges discredit socialist candidates in Nicaragua, socialism in Latin America. While down Rousseff, as well as Lula. themselves. Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and other Sepulveda was not hired to work in Brazil, Using a range of tactics, right-wing If the impeachment succeeds, Michel countries. the smear campaign against Rousseff takes The full lower house is expected to parties seek to tarnish left-wing politicians Temer would be the first president of Brazil A judge ordered Brazil’s wiretapping a page directly out of his playbook. vote on the impeachment today. in power through institutional, as well as representing his party (the PMDB) in over of phone calls between Rousseff and Lula For now, the PT is fighting back. As a non-electoral and undemocratic means. 25 years. But Temer himself may soon face -- so there is an appearance of a legal well-organized national political party in If a two-thirds majority votes for We’ve seen a similar right-wing impeachment charges for corruption. justification. In a highly unusual move, Brazil, the PT is not likely to fold even if impeachment, the process would backlash against socialist regimes play While the right’s targeting of Rousseff the judge who ordered the wiretaps Rousseff’s impeachment moves forward. out successfully in Paraguay and Honduras. could be unethical, it is legal and is being immediately released the transcripts But what happens in the coming weeks in then be forwarded to the Brazilian Right-wing parties have attempted to carried out through formal institutional of conversations between the two to Brazil has longer-term implications for Senate. undermine left-wing regimes in Bolivia, channels. But impeachment proceedings the public. Instantaneously, right-wing elected socialist governments throughout Ecuador, El Salvador and Venezuela. are only one element of the right’s backlash news outlets and social media began Latin America. The lessons and legacy of Hiroshima

The Washington Post to turn the horror into a warning, and rejected by the Senate in 1999, deserves they have borne witness ever since to another chance in light of advances in the uniquely barbaric nature of nuclear computer-powered simulations. arms. It would be fitting for Obama to The reality is that nuclear weap- n the years immediately after World pay tribute to their dedication. He can do ons are not going away soon. They are War II, only a true optimist would so without passing judgment on Presi- woven into the fabric of the Atlantic Ihave predicted that in the follow- dent Truman’s decision to use the bomb, alliance and the security umbrella the ing seven decades nuclear weapons and without interfering in Japan’s inter- United States extends to allies Japan and would never again be used on an enemy. nal debate over the proper role for its South Korea. But at Hiroshima, Obama Despite close calls and dangerous pro- non-nuclear military establishment could examine the unfulfilled ambi- liferation, the world has managed that in an increasingly dangerous region. tions of his Prague speech in 2009, a feat. If President Obama chooses to After the Soviet Union obtained nuclear agenda that brought him the become the first sitting US president nuclear weapons, the era of mutually Nobel Peace Prize, and describe how to visit Hiroshima, his goal should be assured destruction - MAD - began. arsenals could be reduced. The agree- to note that achievement - and lay out Deterrence worked during a long, tense ment to head off Iran’s nuclear program the work remaining to ensure another Cold War, but not without many errors needs to be monitored vigilantly - and seven decades of nuclear peace. and false alarms, frighteningly over- matched with respect to North Korea’s The bombings of Hiroshima on stocked arsenals, proliferation to other rogue program. August 6, 1945, and of Nagasaki three nations and the threat of nuclear mate- Russia and the United States pos- days later remain one of the most hor- rials falling into terrorists’ hands. sess the largest nuclear arsenals on the Secretary of State John F Kerry, (left), puts his arm around Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, after rific chapters in the history of warfare, Now it is past time to end some Cold planet; verifiable, binding agreements laying wreaths at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum on Monday. unleashing merciless blasts of heat and War practices, such as keeping US and to reduce their size should remain a radiation. The atomic bombs brought Russian intercontinental ballistic mis- goal. The Nunn-Lugar program showed an end to the war with Japan but also siles on alert, ready to launch in a matter it is possible, working together, to lock Obama might fear that critics will He also could counter the reckless weapons programs. Seven decades ushered in a nuclear age that left all of minutes. up stray nuclear materials. Even China, distort the meaning of a trip to Hiro- remarks of Republican presidential without a nuclear weapon being used in dread of another mushroom cloud. The United States is not carrying out long secretive about its nuclear pro- shima. But his presence and his words candidate Donald Trump, who sug- in combat or terrorism is remarkable; Survivors of the attacks, and the nuclear explosive tests, but ratification grams, has been showing new interest would draw attention to the difficult gested that Japan and South Korea might it will take dedication to ensure this Japanese people more broadly, resolved of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, in cooperation on nuclear security. challenges ahead. consider starting their own nuclear record continues.

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 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Japan quake Cleric moved toll rises to 32; to high security jail in Jakarta JAKARTA: Indonesian scores trapped authorities moved inmate Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, the radical cleric and alleged “Police, firefighters and Self mastermind of the Bali Defense Force personnel are doing bombings, to a high secu- Around 70,000 all they can to rescue them.” Around rity prison near Jakarta people have been 70,000 people have been evacuated, yesterday, a government including 300 from an area close to a official said, amid secu- evacuated, including dam thought to be at risk of collapse. rity concerns. Ba’asyir, 300 from an area A hospital was left teetering by the spiritual leader of the Saturday morning’s 7.0 quake, with Islamist group Jemaah close to a dam doctors and patients rushed from the Islamiah (JI) and its off- thought to be at risk building in darkness. shoots, was jailed for 15 Isolated villages in the moun- years in 2011 following of collapse. tainous area of Kumamoto were years of efforts to obtain completely cut off by landslides a long sentence for the and damage to roads, with at least preacher seen as inciting AFP 1,000 people believed trapped in one hatred in his speeches. area alone. Aerial footage showed Authorities have raised a bridge on a main trunk road had concerns about the cler- crashed onto the carriageway below ic’s continuing influence in JAPAN: Scores of people were feared it, its pillars felled. The quake came radical networks. Ba’asyir buried alive yesterday after two as emergency responders were was moved “according to schedule” to the Gunung powerful quakes hit southern Japan working to reach areas already A collapsed road after an earthquake in Minami-Aso, Kumamoto prefecture, yesterday. a day apart, killing at least 32 people, affected by a 6.2 magnitude tremor Sindur maximum security and as a forecast storm threatened that struck late Thursday. prison in Bogor from the more devastating landslides. Adding to worries was the erup- “The total number of deaths rose ripped through an apartment complex earlier said. Japan Meteorological Nusakambangan prison Homes, roads and railway lines tion of a nearby volcano, although to 32,” Yumika Kami, a spokeswoman in the town of Yatsushiro, a local offi- Agency official Gen Aoki said Satur- in Central Java, Agus Bar- were swept away when huge hill- seismologists cautioned there was at the Kumamoto prefectural govern- cial said. In nearby Kumamoto city he day’s quake was the strongest to hit in nas, a spokesman for the sides collapsed, as thousands of no evidence of a link and said activ- ment, said. Nearly 1,000 people have was jolted awake by powerful shak- recent days, and that Thursday’s was coordinating ministry of tonnes of mud was dislodged by the ity was limited. been hurt, 184 of them seriously, she ing, which sent the television set in his merely a “precursor”. security affairs, told Reu- thunderous seismic tremors. Aftershocks continued to rock added. Tokai University announced hotel room crashing to the floor. Staff The agency said rain was expected ters by text message. Buildings were reduced to rub- Kumamoto and its surroundings, an that two of its students, who were urged guests to evacuate. to hit Kumamoto from Saturday ble, including a university dormitory area unaccustomed to the powerful among around a dozen trapped in a Kumamoto airport was forced to evening, and some areas would see and apartment complexes, with doz- quakes that regularly shake other dormitory building in Minami-Aso, close after a ceiling collapsed, Jiji Press heavy downpours on Sunday, raising Abe will meet ens of people unaccounted for over parts of seismically-prone Japan. were now known to have died. reported, with no immediate plans to the risk of further landslides in places a wide area. “We are aware of mul- Thursday’s initial quake affected “We offer our sincerest prayers resume flights, and communications where soil and rock has already been Putin to talk on tiple locations where people have older buildings and killed nine peo- for the two,” said a statement on its in the area were spotty. loosened. The town of Misato advised been buried alive,” chief cabinet sec- ple, but yesterday’s brought newer website. “We’re trying to confirm the Nearly 400,000 households were more than 10,000 people to evacu- territorial issues retary Yoshihide Suga told a press structures crashing down, including safety of other students.” At least one of without a water supply, and electricity ate yesterday over fears of a landslide, conference. a municipal office in the city of Uto. those who died was killed when a fire was cut off in 170,000, the government national broadcaster NHK reported. TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Russia shortly to hold talks with Presi- dent Vladimir Putin in the Magazine editor held over ‘plot countries’ latest effort to tackle a decades-long territorial dispute, their to kill PM’s son’ in Bangladesh foreign ministers said, yesterday. Tokyo-Moscow AFP 2013 and took part in the conspiracy relations have been ham- against Joy,” said police spokesman strung by the row that Sorder. dates back to the end of Police found “connections in a World War II when Soviet DHAKA: Bangladesh police yester- conspiracy to abduct and murder” troops seized the four day arrested a magazine editor over the premier’s son, according to M. southernmost islands in an alleged plot to kill the prime min- R. Khaled, a deputy police com- the Kuril chain, known ister’s son, officials said, the latest in missioner. Rehman is the third as the Northern Territo- a series of journalist detentions that pro-opposition editor to have been ries in Japan. Over the has sparked fears of a press crack- arrested by the government, trigger- years various leaders of down. ing repeated calls by rights groups both countries have met Three plainclothes officers for their release. several times to discuss entered the Dhaka home of 81-year- Two other top journalists, who the dispute but a resolu- old Shafik Rehman in the early edit the country’s leading Bengali tion has been elusive. The morning claiming to be from a pri- and English newspapers, have also lingering tensions have vate television station and took him been charged in criminal lawsuits prevented them from away, his wife Taleya Rehman said. including dozens of defamation and signing a peace treaty, Police later announced that Reh- sedition cases. which has hindered trade man, who is also a British citizen and Rehman was a long-time edi- and investment ties. was formerly a speechwriter for the tor of Jai Jai Din, a mass-circulation Visiting Russian For- opposition leader and arch-rival of Bengali daily. He now edits a popu- eign Minister Sergei the Bangladeshi prime minister, had lar Bengali monthly magazine called Lavrov held talks with been arrested. Mouchake Dhil. Japanese counterpart Police spokesman Maruf Hossain He previously served as a Fumio Kishida. Democratic Alliance (DA) party supporters march toward the Constitutional Court building demanding the Sorder initially said that Rehman speechwriter for opposition leader “We agreed to enthu- resignation of President of South Africa Jacob Zuma in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. was arrested for sedition, but later Khaleda Zia, a two-time former siastically go ahead with said the charge was “conspiracy to prime minister who is involved in a various arrangements and commit crime”. Officers said they deeply bitter feud with the current preparations, including a had found evidence linking the edi- premier. In recent months Rehman concrete schedule, for an Zuma launches ANC manifesto to tor to a plot to murder Prime Minister became the convenor of the inter- informal visit to Russia by Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed national affairs committee of Zia’s Prime Minister Abe that Joy, who lives mainly in the United Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will come shortly,” Kish- States, in a case filed in August. and headed a pro-opposition think- ida said. win backing in Nelson Mandela Bay “He (Rehman) visited the US in tank named G-9.

Reuters to basic services like water and elec- poverty since the late Nelson Man- tricity for millions of poor South dela swept to power on a wave of Tragic aggressions Africans. optimism in 1994. “A vote for the ANC is a vote for a “If Madiba was still alive I would PORT ELIZABETH: South African united, non-racial, democratic, non- have been the first one in that sta- President Jacob Zuma, facing pres- sexist and prosperous South Africa,” dium,” Patricia Domons, 58, told sure to resign from within his African Zuma told around 40,000 supporters Reuters at her simple home in Port National Congress (ANC), sought to in Nelson Mandela Stadium, less than Elizabeth, using Mandela’s clan name. win back support with the launch half the number promised. “Now you find we have a presi- yesterday of the party’s manifesto “Compatriots, local govern- dent that steals, people are poor and in Port Elizabeth, where it risks los- ment is in your hands. Vote ANC and they don’t have jobs. Our country is ing an important local poll. together we shall build better com- going down and a hell of a lot needs Losing power in Nelson Man- munities,” Zuma concluded, before to change.” dela Bay municipality, a stronghold leading party leaders in traditional Zuma has been partly blamed for of the ANC’s fight against apartheid dance on stage and singing a favour- South Africa’s economic struggles and named after its liberation hero, ite freedom anthem. after he fired two finance ministers would be a symbolic blow for Zuma Before Zuma had even finished within a week late last year, sending and his party nationally. his speech, the main opposition markets into a tailspin. Zuma has faced calls to resign Democratic Alliance (DA) spammed South Africa’s economy is barely from within the ANC since a court South Africans with computer-gener- growing, unemployment runs above ruled this month that he breached the ated text messages. “You are hearing 25 percent and it is likely ratings constitution by ignoring an order to more empty promises from a corrupt agencies will cut its sovereign rat- repay some of the $16m in state funds president. We need real change,” the ing to “junk” status later this year. spent renovating his private home. message said. In the 2011 local poll in Man- Steering clear of his personal Many South Africans are angry dela Bay, where Port Elizabeth is the Mourners march with paper mache figures representing the 304 victims of South Korea’s Sewol ferry setbacks, Zuma told crowds that the at corruption in the ANC and feel the largest city, the ANC won 52 per- disaster during the second anniversary memorial event outside a remembrance hall in Ansan, the ANC would do more to fight corrup- liberation movement has not done cent of the vote, against 40 percent victims’ home city, yesterday. tion, create jobs and expand access enough to help lift people out of for the DA. PAKISTAN SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 13 Army to oust Army kills 87 Taliban gang holding militants Anatolia

24 hostages KABUL: At least 87 Taliban militants have been killed and scores others wounded in ground and air operations Pakistani TV stations reported conducted by the Afghan military in early yesterday that the head of the different parts of Afghanistan, the The security gang, Ghulam Rasool, also known Defence Ministry said yesterday. operation involving as Chotu, a longtime criminal active According to a ministry state- in the border areas of the provinces ment, raids were conducted over the more than 1,600 of Punjab and Sindh, had surren- past 24 hours in different provinces security forces is dered. But the reports could not be in response to the launch earlier this independently confirmed and the week of the Taliban’s annual spring now in its eleventh army’s latest announcement indi- offensive. day and is in an cated that the siege was ongoing in On Friday morning, hundreds the afternoon. of Taliban insurgents launched an unprecedented While Pakistan’s attention has offensive in Kunduz province aimed use of force by the for years been focused on the Tal- at capturing the provincial capital, military in Punjab. iban and al Qaeda threat on the which, according to the army, left Afghan border in the remote north- scores of Taliban militants dead. west, militants and criminals have The Taliban, meanwhile, released quietly expanded their influence and photos and videos of Afghan army won recruits in the country’s heart- bases which they said had been cap- Reuters land of Punjab. tured by their fighters in the northern Afghan soldiers at a trench in Kunduz province, yesterday. At least six police officials Baghlan province. have been killed in the battle for the island, launched in a sweeping ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army yes- crackdown after a Taliban suicide terday took over an operation to bombing killed 72 people in Lahore, dislodge a criminal gang holding 24 the provincial capital, last month. hostages on its island hideout in the It was unclear just how many Sharif’s son draws ire over 1999 interview prosperous province of Punjab, the members of the “Chotu Group”, military’s spokesman said. blamed for hundreds of cases of The security operation involv- kidnapping for ransom, murder and Internews uncomfortable during the interview, owned by two offshore companies online by the International Con- ing more than 1,600 security forces robbery, were trapped on the island which was recorded shortly after his called Nielsen Enterprises Ltd and sortium of Investigative Journalists is now in its eleventh day and is an but police said their families were father’s ouster from government by Nescoll Ltd, both registered in the (ICIJ) shows PM’s daughter Maryam unprecedented use of force by the believed to be accompanying them. then army chief Gen Pervez Mushar- British Virgin Islands and managed Nawaz as a beneficiary of Nielsen and military in Punjab, which is the polit- A police spokeswoman said ISLAMABAD: An interview of Hassan raf as Sebastian grilled Hassan about by a company in Switzerland,” Has- Nescoll, the companies registered by ical power base of Prime Minister seven of the gang’s leaders had been Nawaz, son of Prime Minister Nawaz the ownership of the Mayfair flat he san responded: “I’ve got nothing to Minerva Trust and Corporate Services Nawaz Sharif. killed by police and eight injured, Sharif, recorded by the BBC in 1999 lived in. say about that. I’m absolutely igno- Ltd, that allegedly owned the Mayfair The head of the army’s pub- while six police officials had died draws attention towards a possible “I’m living on a rent basis which rant. What can I say?” apartment ‘rented’ by Hassan in 1999. licity wing, General Asim Bajwa, and seven were hurt in clashes. link between property owned by the comes - in every quarter - from The premier’s son denied knowl- Documents available on the ICIJ announced that the army had been Policemen were among the 24 hos- Sharif family in London and reve- Pakistan,” Hassan said, evading edge of the flat’s ownership and website show that the premier’s chil- officially deployed to flush gang- tages. The battle is taking place near lations made in the Panama Papers Sebastian’s queries. indicated that his rent was paid using dren Maryam, Hassan and Hussain sters from the 10km long island in Rajanpur, one of the poorest districts earlier this month, it was learnt yes- “I’m not earning. I’m just like any funds obtained by means of the fam- “were owners or had the right to the centre of the Indus River. in Punjab, where the Panjnad River terday. other student living with his parents. ily’s business in Pakistan. authorise transactions for several “Army troops deployed. Take flows into the Indus, Pakistan’s life- In the BBC HardTalk interview, I don’t necessarily have to know the When asked about rumours of companies”. The 1999 interview has over charge of op,” Bajwa said line. Previous military crackdowns which resurfaced on social media this facts and who owns the flat, and who an offshore bank account, he said: “I prompted calls on various forums for in a tweet. “Cordon reinforced, have focused on the lawless tribal week, Hassan Nawaz, apparently cor- pays for the rent and who pays for can speak on my behalf and say that the Sharifs to explain their position Police&Rangers already in op will regions where the Taliban and other nered by programme presenter Tim my living,” Hassan said during the I do not own any offshore accounts on undeclared wealth and assets off- cont to participate under Army.” militants are based. Paramilitary Sebastian, fumbled to answer ques- interview. “I’m not the right person in any country, in any bank.” He shore. After the Panama Papers leak, On Friday, the Punjab law min- Rangers also launched a crackdown tions regarding the ownership of a flat to answer this question,” he asserted. added that he did maintain a student Nawaz’s other son, Hussain Nawaz, ister had given the gang 48 hours on criminals in the violent southern in London’s upscale Mayfair locality. When Sebastian put forward the account used to pay his fees and daily accepted the family’s ownership of to surrender or “be wiped out”. port city of Karachi in 2013. He appeared visibly possibility that the flat “is apparently expenses. Recently, data published offshore companies.

Explosives seized New law on marriage ceremonies generates debate in Punjab

Internews print and electronic media cam- target for the police to get extract paigns of the chief minister?” he bribes under one pretext or the other, questions. he argues. DrIzharulHaq, a sociol- If the rulers want to see simplic- ogist at the Faisalabad Agriculture LAHORE: The new law to govern ity among the masses why they have University, says the law should have wedding ceremonies in the province purchased clothes worth billions of relieved everybody. has generated a debate whether the rupees from abroad for the marriage “The functions of mayoon and government is trying to ‘over man- of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s mehndi had been a nuisance for the age’ individual/family lives through granddaughter held recently, he adds. whole neighbourhoods with the loud such lawmaking. He also calls for prohibiting music and that continues into in late Khalid Mahmood Malik, a social imported flashy cars and purchase night. The law will definitely give a worker, believes the government is of luxury houses to meet the auster- sigh of relief to all such ‘victims’.” interfering with individual’s freedom ity objective. The section of the law deal- and local cultural norms of hospital- Malik fears that empowering ing with display of dowry seems ity and marriage by introducing such police to implement the law will superfluous to DrHaq as he says the laws. He says if the government wants provide an opportunity to the law- clause appears to be for government’s to check extravagance and ostenta- enforcers to victimise the poor “advertisement”. tion, action must have started from families. “Police never dare enter the “The culture has changed now. Pakistani paramilitary Frontier Corps officers display explosive materials, in Quetta, yesterday. Reports the rulers themselves. premises of the rich. Their focus will I’ve attended at least 50 marriages state that the Frontier Corps recovered huge quantities of explosive materials, detonators and arms “How come large chunks of tax- be the poor and the less privileged to in the ongoing season. I don’t know and ammunition in Manjro Nala, Noshki near Pak-Afghan border, restive Balochistan province. payers’ money are being spent on show their performance.” a single case that what parents of the banners, panaflexes, and expensive Weddings will become an easy bride gave to their beloved daughter. Al Qaeda re-emerges as challenge for US and Nato in Afghanistan

Reuters numbers next year, because if Al groups, that they would offer sanctu- to comment on the review, which will Mansour has not,” he said. “I think mainly composed of disaffected Qaeda, which carried out the Sept. 11, ary to these groups. Nicholson is about be presented in Washington by June. this is in part because Mansour lacks Taliban fighters and some foreign 2001 attacks on the United States, can half way though a review of plans that But he highlighted a “greater the legitimacy of Omar.” militants, has provided a further operate in Afghanistan with increas- would see US troop numbers nearly linkage” between the Taliban and US- Al Qaeda, which US officials have unwanted distraction. KABUL: Leadership turmoil within ing freedom, it may pose a greater halved to 5,500 by 2017 and an end to designated terrorist group al Qaeda estimated has between 100-300 fight- However, the discovery last year the Taliban since the death of the security threat inside the country much of the training and advice the since the death of Taliban founder ers in Afghanistan, has returned as in the south of what US officials militant group’s founder has fuelled and beyond. Nato-led coalition currently provides Mullah Mohammad Omar and his one of the main focuses of the US describe as a well-established training closer links with foreign groups like That was the very reason Nato Afghan forces fighting the Taliban. replacement by current leader Mul- counter-terrorism mission in Afghan- camp featuring Taliban and Al Qaeda al Qaeda, the new commander of forces went into Afghanistan in the Some US politicians and Afghan lah Akhtar Mansour. istan. Some independent assessments facilities together, refocused attention international forces in Afghanistan first place: to prevent Al Qaeda func- commanders are urging Wash- Prompted by the need to win say that estimate is too low. on the latter, as well as the broader said, complicating counter-terror- tioning freely while the Taliban, which ington to reconsider its drawdown support in a leadership battle that The group has been less promi- problem of groups using Afghanistan ism efforts. ruled the country until its ouster at the plans, worried that the Islamist Tali- broke out after Omar’s death was nent in recent years as the Taliban, as a base for cross-border operations. In an interview with Reuters, end of 2001, looked on. ban movement poses a growing threat announced last year, Nicholson said numbering thousands of fighters, Six organisations are now on General John Nicholson pointed to “You see a more overt coopera- to security. Mansour had been forced closer to seized territory in a series of intense the State Department’s list of for- what US officials saw as a shift in the tion between the Taliban and these Public appetite for an even more groups like al Qaeda and the Haqqani battles including, briefly, the north- eign terrorist organisations active Taliban’s relationship with groups designated terrorist organisations,” prolonged deployment of US forces network, blamed for a series of high- ern city of Kunduz and, more recently, in Afghanistan, although the Taliban that Washington considers terrorist Nicholson said. in Afghanistan is low, partly because profile suicide attacks in Kabul. swaths of Helmand in the south. are not. organisations. “Our concern is that if the Tali- the conflict is seen as limited to the “When Mullah Omar was alive, The emergence of an offshoot of That means US forces are more That could influence his assess- ban were to return, that because of country itself with little risk of inter- he maintained a public distance from Islamic State based in eastern Afghan- limited in the authority they have to ment of plans to cut US troop their close relationships with these national spillover. Nicholson declined al Qaeda that his successor Mullah istan, which US officials believe is attack the group. 14 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 INDIA Sushma begins Mamata on EC visit to Iran move: More show in show-cause and Russia KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday meeting tomorrow, Sushma would charged the Election meet her counterparts Sergei Lav- Commission (EC) with Foreign Minister to rov of Russia and Wang Yi from “showing-off”, saying its co-chair India-Iran China. She is expected to raise with decision to issue a show- Wang the issue of China blocking cause notice to her based Joint Commission India’s bid to ban Jaish-e-Mohamed on her announcement of meeting; and discuss chief Masood Azhar in the UN. upgrading Asansol to a Russia is likely to voice its con- district was not based on Indians’ death in cerns over India mulling signing a correct information. Russia. military logistics agreement with “You can’t say it is the US. India counts Russia among a strict step. Some- its trusted friends and during Modi’s times there is a show in visit to Moscow last December for A paramilitary trooper patrols during a curfew in the Maisuma Area of Srinagar yesterday. show-cause. I support IANS the annual summit meeting with show-cause for the right President Vladimir Putin, both sides reason but if there is a inked major deals in defence coop- political bias and as polit- eration as well as in other spheres. ical vendetta then we will Restrictions and shutdown say our thing,” she told a NEW DELHI: External Affairs Min- Sushma, announcing her visit, ister Sushma Swaraj yesterday tweeted that she will raise the issue TV channel when asked embarked on a four-day visit to Iran of the death of two Indian girl stu- on how she was going to and Russia that will see her attend a dents in a Russian medical college continue as tension grips Kashmir deal with the “strict step” bilateral joint commission meeting hostel fire and of a medical student taken by the commission. in Tehran and a trilateral meeting from Srinagar in a Russian city dur- She said the Asan- later in Moscow with her counter- ing her Moscow trip. sol district formation parts from Russia and China. “I am going to Moscow. The IANS weapons and ammunition inside had called for a Valley-wide protest is “nothing new” and In Tehran, Sushma will hold final investigation report into fire the camp, soldiers fired hitting four shutdown yesterday against the kill- is a “three-month old” meetings with her Iranian coun- tragedy in which we lost Pooja Kal- protesters. One of the protesters has ing of the teenager in army firing. decision. terpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, lur and Krishna Bhonsle is on my died and the injured are being tried Authorities also decided to con- and also co-chair a meeting of the agenda,” Sushma posted. SRINAGAR: Authorities have decided in the hospital.” tinue the suspension of mobile India-Iran Joint Commission that Kallur, 22, from Navi Mum- to continue the curfew-like restric- Authorities said 60 people, Internet services in the Valley. Minister’s son will review the entire gamut of bai and her room-mate Bhonsle, tions in parts of Srinagar city and including 40 security men, were “Mobile Internet services have bilateral relations. 21, from Pune, perished in the north and south Kashmir areas as injured in clashes in north Kashmir. been suspended to prevent spread of booked for Her visit follows that of Union fire which broke out in their hos- tension gripped the Valley yesterday. Violence also spread to other rumours by anti-social elements,” a Petroleum Minister Dharmen- tel on February 14 in the Smolensk With the death of another teen- areas of the Valley, including Bar- senior police officer said here. rash driving dra Pradhan, who was in Iran last State Medical Academy, Smo- ager Arif Ahmad Dar, 18, in army amulla town and other parts of The board of school education week. lensk, around 380km southwest firing on Friday in Kupwara district, central and north Kashmir. “To main- and the University of Kashmir have HYDERABAD: Police have The Iran visit also comes two of Moscow. the toll in the five-day long unabated tain law and order, restrictions will postponed all exams scheduled yes- booked Union Minister weeks after Prime Minister Naren- In a separate tweet, Sushma violence has risen to five. continue in areas falling under Rain- terday. Train services between north of State for Science and dra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, said she would also take up the A senior police official said a awari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Kashmir Baramulla town and Bani- Technology Y S Chow- during which both sides discussed issue of Yasir Javed, an Indian violent crowd attacked the coun- Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma hal town in the Jammu region have dary’s son Sai Karthik for ways to scale up their strategic ties. national from Srinagar who was ter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles (RR) police stations in Srinagar,” Farooq also remained suspended since rash driving and seized Besides oil, India has vital killed after being attacked in the camp in Natnusa area of Kupwara Ahmad Lone, district magistrate Sri- Wednesday. Chief minister Mehbooba his Porsche car. Karthik stakes in connectivity projects in Russian city of Kazan by unknown district on Friday evening. “The mob nagar, said. Similar restrictions have Mufti, who expressed anguish over and four others were Iran, such as the Chabahar port, people. A medical student, Yasir had attacked the RR camp in Natnusa been imposed in Baramulla town in the death of the teenager, is likely to found participating in car that is expected to open up physi- reached Russia on February 26 on (Kupwara) and despite dozens of bul- the north and Pulwama town in the visit Kupwara district later in the day. racing at KBR Park in the cal connectivity with Central Asia a business trip and was attacked in lets fired in the air to warn them, the south. The central government has posh Jubilee Hills late on and Afghanistan. Kazan city in the Tatarstan repub- protesters mounted the wall of the Separatist leaders, including Syed decided to send more troopers to Friday night. In Moscow, during the Russia- lic that left him in a coma. He died camp and tried to enter it. Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, bring the situation, on the boil for An officer of Banjara India-China (RIC) foreign ministers’ on March 8. “To protect their lives and the Muhammad Yasin Malik and others, four days, under control. Hills traffic police sta- tion said the youth were caught during a spe- cial drive between KBR 678 fined during odd-even Park gate and Jubilee Fire destroys 400 dwellings in Dwarka slum Hills check-post. A case of rash driving has been second phase in New Delhi registered against Karthik and others and car has IANS concentration, mainly nitrogen diox- been seized. No one was ide, dropped. arrested but they will be A total of 437 violators were fined for violations fined in the first five hours (until NEW DELHI: The second day of the 1pm) and the total went up to 678 second phase odd-even scheme yes- until it ended at 8pm. BJP not to name terday saw over 600 violations even Hundreds of thousands of odd- as the traffic was not at its peak due numbered vehicles went off the CM candidate for to the weekend. roads in the capital on Saturday, as There were mixed reports on people in Delhi embraced the novel UP elections pollution level with Delhi pollution odd-even vehicle restriction policy panel reporting increased gaseous aimed at curbing alarming levels of LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh pollution and a high concentration pollution. BJP President Keshav of particulate matter in some areas On day one of the scheme, over Maurya yesterday said the while Delhi government claimed a 1,300 violators were fined — 884 by party will not announce positive impact on air quality. traffic police and 427 by Delhi Trans- a chief ministerial candi- In a statement, the Delhi govern- port Department. date in the run-up to the ment said that initial trends showed Those not abiding by the rule are assembly polls early next the odd-even scheme had a positive to be fined Rs.2,000. year, rather the legisla- impact on Delhi’s air quality and An hour after the start of the tors would decide it after added the concrete assessment will second day of the scheme, Chief polls. In Mirzapur, as part People look for their belongings after a fire destroyed an estimated 400 buildings in the Dwarka slum be made after assessing the data of Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused of his campaign across in the West of New Delhi yesterday. The fire broke out in the morning following a cylinder blast in one four-five working days. the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh the state after being of the dwellings. Some 18 fire tankers were deployed to control the blaze but arrived too late to save The real time assessment of and Bharatiya Janata Party of try- appointed as the new the dwellings. No casualties were reported and an investigation has been ordered. the air quality by Delhi Pollution ing to “fail” the Delhi government’s state chief, he said the Control Committee said the gas odd-even traffic scheme. decision about the chief ministerial candidate would be decided after the elections were over, in We need to back Modi chosen by nation with majority: SRK the event of a win. Govt to ‘honour

IANS statement a political one in favour of am apolitical, though I have friends assurances’ the Indian National Congress. everywhere.” However Shah Rukh says he con- Shah Rukh further clarified that NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya siders all political parties his friends. his comment in the wake of the “intol- Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), a NEW DELHI: Bollywood superstar “I would like to state here very erance” controversy was taken out labour group backed by Shah Rukh Khan, who was criti- clearly, when we chose a leader of of context. the RSS, yesterday said the cised by many political leaders for his our country, whoever may (it) be, as “I had only advised the young not government has assured it “intolerance” remark last year, says great as (Narendra) Modi, all we have to be intolerant in matters relating to of soon implementing the he has no issues with any political to do is to support him. Our nation regionalism, religion, caste, colour assurances given last year party and feels that if the country has has chosen him with a majority, so we and creed. to central trade unions on chosen Narendra Modi as the Prime have to support our leader and take “My father was one of the young- their demands. The unions Minister of India, then we should all the country forward and not be neg- est freedom fighters. How can I think had last year presented the support him. ative,” Shah Rukh said at the TV show this country has not been fair to any government with a 12-point Shah Rukh, who has been part of Aap Ki Adalat, aired on India TV. of us? demand charter, including the entertainment industry for over “May be in politics, people might “A man like me, who has got eve- labour law reforms and res- two decades now, said at an event in have made comments (on intoler- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. rything from this great country, I’ll be olution to issues related to November last year that there was ance), but we are not politicians, we last one to complain,” he said. the bidi industry, and sick “nothing worse than religious intol- are entertainers. In a certain way, we “My family itself is a mini-India. and closed public sector erance and that it would take India to are someone whom children look up nation’s interest,” the Chennai Express that he had friends in the Congress, My wife is Hindu, I am a Muslim by undertakings. the Dark Ages”. to and think they’d like to be suc- star added. who wanted to fix Modi, Shah Rukh birth, and my three children follow His remarks were criticised by cessful as I am. So I’ll never like to Asked by host Rajat Sharma said: “How dare I think I can fix any- three religions. So how can I think of many BJP leaders who even called his talk things, which will not be in our whether there was a perception body. You know me over the years, I my country like this?” he added. INDIA SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 15 CBI probe into temple tragedy sought President Mukherjee

The Kerala BJP calls cautions against for a probe by the CBI and the NIA into the ‘judicial activism’ temple disaster that left 114 people dead IANS self-restraint by the judiciary itself.” and over 350 injured The president said the judiciary, last week during one of the three important pillars of BHOPAL: President Pranab Mukher- our democracy, is the “final inter- an illegal fireworks jee yesterday cautioned against preter of the Constitution and laws”. display at the “judicial activism”, saying it should “It helps in maintaining the Puttingal Devi temple. not lead to the dilution of separation social order by swiftly and effec- of powers and stressed a balance tively dealing with those on the between the judiciary, executive wrong side of the law. As an upholder and legislature organs of the country. of the Rule of Law and enforcer of Mukherjee, speaking at the the right to liberty, the role of the IANS fourth Retreat of Judges of the Judiciary is sacrosanct,” Mukherjee Supreme Court at the National Judi- said. He said the faith and confi- cial Academy in Bhopal, said that dence people have reposed in the the “Constitution is supreme” and Judiciary must always be main- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The the equilibrium in the exercise of tained. “For justice to have meaning Kerala BJP yesterday sought a probe authority must be maintained at all to the people, it must be accessible, by the CBI and the NIA into the temple times. “Judicial activism should not affordable and quick.” disaster that left 114 people dead and lead to the dilution of separation of The judiciary has enlarged the over 350 injured late last week night A file picture of people standing next to debris after a fire broke out at a temple in Kollam in the southern powers which is the Constitutional scope of justice, Mukherjee said, during an illegal fireworks display at state of Kerala on April 10. scheme. Each organ of our democ- adding that for the enforcement of the Puttingal Devi temple. racy must function within its own fundamental rights, the Supreme The demand was made as the sphere and must not take over what Court through judicial innovation state Bharatiya Janata Party suspects a CBI or perhaps a NIA probe that the disaster occurred. “It’s strange on 2011, the prime minister never vis- is assigned to the others. The bal- and activism has expanded the com- foul play in the disaster that occurred would be able to investigate such that the state police chief and the ited the place nor did Rahul Gandhi who ance of power between the three mon law principle of ‘locus standi’, in Paravur town a week ago. things,” Rajasekheran said. top health department official com- was in the state at that time go there,” organs of the state is enshrined in a legal premise by which one may Addressing reporters here, State “What must be noted is that how mented on the visit of Modi that it led he added. our Constitution. The Constitution pursue a case. “It has been made BJP President Kummanem Rajas- did so much explosives reach the tem- to lot of confusion for the patients,” In a related development, 13 peo- is supreme. The equilibrium in the possible for courts to permit anyone ekheran yesterday said that in the ple venue and even when there are said the state BJP president. ple arrested for the temple disaster, exercise of authority must be main- with sufficient interest and acting light of the Kerala high court asking very clear cut guidelines regarding “Yes, even though Chief Minister including seven temple officials and six tained at all times,” he said. bona fide to maintain an action for a police team to probe if anti-national stocking of such materials, it’s strange Oommen Chandy had welcomed the employees of the fireworks contractor, He added: “The exercise of pow- judicial redress, and to activate the elements had played a role in the dis- that authorities were silent.” visit, it’s baffling to note that officials were produced before a local court in ers by the legislature and executive judicial process. This has helped aster, is all the more serious. He also came down heavily on are being used as a tool to speak on the Kollam district and were sent to the cus- is subject to judicial review. How- to bring justice closer to the com- “To probe the angle of what the the way senior state government offi- visit of Modi. When the Sabarimala tem- tody of the crime branch till April 20. ever, the only check possible in the mon man. The faith and confidence court indicated, a mere crime branch cials have reacted to the visit of Prime ple tragedy occurred which left more The court expressed surprise at none of exercise of powers by the judici- people have reposed in the judiciary police probe won’t suffice. It’s only Minister Narendra Modi on the day than 100 devotees dead in a stampede the temple officials suffering any injury. ary is self-imposed discipline and must always be maintained.” Handwara girl’s mother moves Wagah replica to be built for high court over ‘confinement’ border with Bangladesh Army conducts IANS with her. The clip went viral on the social media. The high court war drill to test on directed the state police not to IANS Centre sanctioned Rs.99 crore for the flags of the two countries are low- record any statement by the girl till Tripura to implement several tourism ered by security personnel with a its capabilities SRINAGAR: The mother of the April 20, when her statement would projects in the state. The Rs.99 crore number of aggressive gestures and young girl who was allegedly be recorded before the Chief Judi- ambitious project includes building a mutually coordinated performance. molested by an army man in Hand- cial Magistrate of Kupwara. Earlier AGARTALA: India’s tourism ministry of a mini-stadium, open theatre, caf- “To build a Wagah-like infra- New Delhi: The Indian wara approached the Jammu and in the day, the mother alleged she has sanctioned a Rs.18 crore project eteria and other infrastructure at the structure at the Agartala-Akhaura Army is conducting a Kashmir High Court yesterday, alleg- was barred from holding a press for the Tripura government to create Agartala-Akhaura border at a cost of border, official level meetings major exercise in the ing her daughter was being held by conference here organised by a a variety of infrastructure along the Rs.18 crore.” between Bangladesh and India Rajasthan desert near police in “unlawful confinement”. civil society group. Later, speak- India-Bangladesh border similar to The Tripura government’s Pub- were held and the Bangladesh gov- Pokharan city to test its The mother also told the court, ing to news channels, the mother that at the Attari-Wagah border with lic Works Department (PWD) would ernment has no objection to the capability of striking deep and later the media, that the video claimed her daughter was molested Pakistan, a state minister said. execute the project. project,” Bhowmik said. “The Bang- into enemy territory in an statement by her daughter after the by an army man who tried to enter “Wagah-like infrastructure, The Agartala-Akhaura check ladesh government has not yet taken integrated air-land bat- incident of alleged molestation on the public toilet when she was there including a mini-stadium, would post is the second largest trading any decision to make similar infra- tle mode. Tuesday was made under coercion. on Tuesday. The alleged molestation, be created at the Agartala (Tripura, point between India and Bangla- structure on their side at Akhaura.” About 30,000 soldiers In the video clip, circulated by the army has denied, has led to vio- India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) border desh after the Benapole-Petrapole “The Agartala-Akhaura border is are participating in exer- the army, the girl has claimed that lent protests and the death of five to organise a Beating Retreat cere- post with West Bengal. not only a big trading point between cise Shatrujeet, a defence some local men had misbehaved civilians in firing by security forces. mony like that at the Wagah border The Beating Retreat ceremony, India and Bangladesh, it is also an ministry statement said. with Pakistan,” Tripura’s Tourism which marks the closing of the Attari- important tourist spot. After creation “The operationally ori- Minister Ratan Bhowmik said. Wagah border near Amritsar every of the proposed infrastructure, the ented exercise is focusing He said the union tourism min- evening, is a military routine that tourist attraction would increase to on validating integrated istry recently sanctioned Rs.18 crore the India-Pakistan border guards -- a large extent,” he added. theatre battle fighting British royals visit Taj Mahal and 20 percent of the sanctioned the Border Security Force (BSF) and The jurisdiction of the 145-year- concept incorporating funds have already been released for Pakistan Rangers -- have jointly con- old Agartala Municipal Corporation, new age technologies, the Agartala-Akhaura project. ducted since 1959. northeast India’s oldest municipal weapon platforms and “Under the tourism ministry’s People travel specially to the bor- body, extends up to the Agartala- systems as well as long ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme, the der to witness the ceremony in which Akhaura check post. range precision targeting vectors,” the statement said. The Army under- takes such exercises regularly to ensure the After 40 years, elephant Rhea forces are kept in a high state of battle readiness rescued from Tamil Nadu circus and trained. TMC’s Mondal

IANS medical attention. She has severely social and form extremely strong unfazed by cracked toenails and swollen foot- familial bonds with one another, both pads that make it extremely painful in the wild or in captivity. Being sep- EC action and difficult for her to walk, result- arated from the herd is traumatic for NEW DELHI: After four decades of ing in an awkward limping gait,” them. Thus it makes me very happy Kolkata: Controversial Tri- entertaining in a Tamil Nadu circus, said Arun A Sha, veterinary director that we are able to reunite Rhea with namool Congress (TMC) Rhea, a 53-year-old Asian elephant, is of Wildlife SOS after carrying out a her family and her herd, Mia and leader Anubrata Mon- finally set to join her two pachyderm medical examination of ‘Rhea’. Sita,” said Kartick Satyanarayan, co- dal yesterday appeared ‘colleagues’ at a Mathura rescue cen- As per a 2011 survey, there are founder, Wildlife SOS. unfazed by the “urgent tre - thanks to the efforts of a wildlife more than 3,500 elephants in cap- The NGO has nine centres legal action” the Elec- NGO. tivity in India, employed mostly for throughout the country and has so tion Commission (EC) took Wildlife philanthropist - Wildlife different purposes like safari, timber far rescued 21 elephants from cap- against him, saying the SOS, a Delhi based NGO at Tiruvan- camps, temples, circuses and others. tivity which they rehabilitated at two move will not affect the namalai, Tamil Nadu, rescued Rhea “Rhea was beaten and starved different centres in UP and Haryana. party’s performance in his yesterday. into submission to ‘break her spirit’ Rhea is the 22nd such elephant res- Birbhum district. The dis- About 59 elephants are still per- and force her to perform uncomforta- cued from captivity. trict votes on Sunday in forming in circuses across India. Nine ble, painful tricks for the amusement “We are working to rescue all the second phase of the recently rescued circus elephants of a circus audience. Rhea’s only sol- such elephants but with preference West Bengal assembly were found to be in ghastly condi- ace was the companionship of two to the ones in poor medical condi- elections. tion, the NGO said. female elephants, Mia and Sita, who tion. However, it takes a really long “I am not bothered. Rhea, who according to her worked alongside her in the circus, time to get the official paperwork The EC will do its job, rescuers needs immediate med- sharing in her suffering.” done, which is the biggest hurdle. Anubrata Mondal will do ical attention, has embarked on Mia and Sita were rescued in In all cases, those rescued are very his job,” said the Trina- a 2,400km journey in a special November 2015, from the same cir- scared and have scars and medical mool Birbhum president, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate ambulance to meet her former cir- cus. “Unfortunately, at the time, the conditions. We also request their con- referring to the EC order Middleton, yesterday spent around 45 minutes visiting the Taj cus colleagues ‘Sita’ and ‘Mia’, at the legal paperwork to transport Rhea troller or ‘mahout’ to stay with the that his movements be Mahal. They also sat on the ‘Diana seat’ for a photo session. Elephant Conservation and Care Cen- had not yet come through, and she elephant for sometime, because they closely watched, even Prince William’s mother, the late Princess of Wales, had used tre, Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. could not be rescued along with understand its behaviour,” an animal video-graphed follow- the seat alone during a February 1992 visit. The British royals, “Rhea has suffered greatly, and her two companions, Mia and Sita,” rescuer said. According to experts, ing complaints by the accompanied by Archaeological Survey of India officials, also has multiple scars and abscesses Suvidha Bhatnagar from Wildlife SOS the average life of these elephants is opposition that he was saw the Yamuna river which flows at the rear of the monument. from the use of bull-hooks or told IANS. 60 to 65 years, while those in the wild threatening them. ‘ankush’, and is in desperate need of “Elephants are highly intelligent, live over 75 years. 16 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 EUROPE / UK

Cameron won’t Brexit to weaken EU against Russia: Minister survive losing Brexit vote: Clarke 23 referendum on whether it should remain in the 28-member bloc, Britain’s Europe according to an online opinion poll AFP Minister David by YouGov. “In terms of maintaining a deter- Lidington said, mined front in the face of Russian LONDON: A senior lawmaker in David apart from the aggression - that would be weak- Cameron’s Conservative party warned ened,” Lidington said referring to the yesterday that the prime minister conventional military impact of a possible decision to leave. “wouldn’t last 30 seconds” if Britain threat, Russia “Europe’s foreign policy and secu- votes to leave the European Union in posed challenges to rity capacity would be weakened a June referendum. because you’d be taking out one of Cameron confirmed this week European security its biggest diplomatic and military that he intends to stay and oversee in its use of energy players,” he said. the process of leaving the 28-mem- Lidington said, apart from con- ber bloc if voters back a so-called resources and its ventional military threat, Russia Brexit, despite leading the campaign cyber capability. posed challenges to European secu- to remain. But Ken Clarke, a pro-Euro- rity in its use of energy resources, how pean who served as a minister under it used information to reach its goals Cameron as well as former Conserva- and its cyber capability. “Those are tive premiers John Major and Margaret things that the EU, and not simply Thatcher, said such a situation would Reuters Nato, needs to be equipped to respond be “farcical”. to,” he said. “The prime minister wouldn’t last Estonia has accused Russia of 30 seconds if he lost the referendum cyber-attacks in the past and the EU and we’d be plunged into a Conserva- BRATISLAVA/EDINBURGH: A vote set up an information unit last year tive leadership crisis which is never a to leave the European Union in the to counter what it says is deliber- very edifying sight,” he said. At a rally British referendum would weaken ate misinformation coordinated by for the campaign to leave the EU, Lon- the bloc’s efforts to maintain a the Kremlin over Moscow’s role in don mayor Boris Johnson said the prime determined front against Russian Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe. London Mayor Boris Johnson (left) at a ‘Vote Leave’ campaign event in Manchester, Britain. minister should stay in office regardless aggression, Britain’s Europe Minis- Russia has also cut off gas sup- of the outcome of referendum. ter said yesterday. plies to Ukraine, with an impact on Clarke warned that the Con- Nato remained the main player in supplies to Europe, and is seeking to Edinburgh quoted London Mayor Minister David Cameron for Britain Johnson, who supports a British exit servatives were “dangerously close” European security, David Lidington build a new pipeline directly to Ger- Boris Johnson as saying it would be keeping its EU membership on a visit from the EU, said. “They wouldn’t to bitter divisions over Europe that told the Globsec security conference many, which would bypass Ukraine, hypocritical of President Barack to London next week. dream of sharing sovereignty,” he split the party in the 1990s and left it in Bratislava, but the EU could play a the transit route for roughly half of the Obama to support Britain staying in “I just find it bizarre that we are said. “There is an intrinsic hypoc- so badly damaged that it was out of strong role in responding to Russian gas Russia supplies to the EU. the European Union because Wash- being lectured by Americans about risy ... if that is what he is going to say.” office between 1997 and 2010. “The challenges in the field of energy, use Many EU governments say this ington would never share its own giving up our sovereignty, when Obama will offer his view as a party was unelectable because it had of information and cyber capabilities. increases dependency on Russia’s sovereignty. The remarks came ahead Americans wouldn’t even sign up to “friend” that UK would be better off just had the most appallingly bitter civil The “In” camp holds a one- Gazprom. of a visit by the US leader. international law of the sea, let alone if it stayed in the EU during his visit, war and it was impossible to see how point lead ahead of Britain’s June Meanwhile, a report from Obama is expected to back Prime the International Criminal Court,” White House officials told reporters. it could carry on.”

EU parliament ‘Hair raising’ cut Ireland’s Labour Party drivers had IS propaganda: may re-enter govt Reuters the option of going into government. Report The other is looking at supporting the government from outside and the third would be to go into oppo- Reuters DUBLIN: Ireland’s Labour Party sition,” the spokesman said. “All of is considering joining the minority those three are being examined at government acting prime minis- the moment within the party.” BERLIN: Two drivers for a private ter Enda Kenny’s Fine Gael party Even if Labour agreed to back company serving the European is trying to put together, a Labour Fine Gael by abstaining in votes, parliament have been found car- spokesman said yesterday. Kenny still needs nearest rival rying compact discs containing Labour, the junior partner in the Fianna Fail to do the same. Talks propaganda for Islamic State (IS) last government, also led by Kenny, between the two main parties on militants, Germany’s Der Spiegel was left with just seven members of reaching an agreement are due to magazine reported yesterday. parliament after voters handed the resume tomorrow. Citing several unnamed centre-left party its worst ever result. Should Labour lawmakers seek sources, Der Spiegel said both It initially ruled itself out of the to re-enter government, they would drivers—one in Brussels and one next government but, searching for need to win support of party mem- in Strasbourg—had been dis- the support of at least six other dep- bers scarred by election hammering. missed and Belgian police were uties to form a minority government, However, unlike in the past when investigating. Fine Gael has appealed to Labour it rebuilt its support from opposi- The European parliament A visitor poses with a wax figure of Charlie Chaplin during the inauguration and the opening of the and other smaller parties to join tion benches, Labour would not be declined to comment because of museum “Chaplin’s World by Grevin” at the Manoir de Ban, in Corsier, above Vevey, Switzerland, talks with independent lawmakers. a major force in opposition and could security considerations. Belgian yesterday. “There are three options open to be drowned out by larger nationalist police were not immediately avail- the Labour Party. One is perusing and leftist Sinn Fein party. able for comment. Given other indications that some drivers had criminal back- grounds, Der Spiegel said the European parliament had decided on Monday to no longer employ Russia more dangerous than IS: Poland minister private personnel but only drivers directly employed by the legisla- ture, at an extra cost of €3.7m. AFP this activity can destroy countries,” Waszczykowski also called for alliance’s collective defence capabil- Nato next week to protest the alli- The magazine said 65 driv- said Waszczykowski, speaking at a NATO to approve the deployment of ity would be the main point on the ance’s “absolutely unjustified” ers currently worked in Brussels debate on future of Nato at the annual troops on the alliance’s eastern bor- agenda at the summit, while warning military buildup in the Baltic states, for the 751 European parliamen- Globsec security forum in Bratislava. der at its upcoming July summit due that Russia “should not be isolated”. Moscow’s ambassador to Brussels tarians and 85 in Strasbourg, in BRATISLAVA: Russia is more danger- “We also have non-existential to be held in Warsaw. He added that Russia was actively said, adding the alliance was using addition to 23 drivers employed ous than the Islamic State (IS) group, threats like terrorism, like the great “This will be a symbol of the “testing the defensive capabilities of the Ukraine crisis as a pretext. by the parliament. Belgium is on Poland’s Foreign Minister Witold waves of migrants,” he added, accord- determination to defend the eastern Nato in the Baltic region” where a The Russian and Nato ambassa- high alert after suicide bombers Waszczykowski told reporters dur- ing to Poland’s PAP news agency. flank. We can discuss the scale of this number of countries have come under dors will meet in Brussels on April 20 killed 32 people and injured scores ing a visit to Slovakia. He described the IS group as a deployment,” he said. pressure, the Czech CTK news agency for their first formal talks in nearly of others in attacks in Brussels air- “By all evidence, Russia’s activity very serious threat but added that “it Czech Defence Minister Martin reported. two years to discuss security issues, port and a metro train last month. is a sort of existential threat because is not an existential threat for Europe”. Stropnicky said strengthening the Russia will use rare talks with including the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels airport to be ‘back Violence at protests over French labour reforms to full capacity in June’ AFP Violence continued in the north- east of the capital, where two banks and a building site were vandalised. AFP open 100 check-in counters in the Police said 22 people were arrested part of the departures hall that was PARIS: Twenty-two people were and four officers were injured. least damaged, which will permit us arrested in Paris during clashes with Hundreds of people have been to increase our capacity to 70 per- police at a demonstration over labour gathering every night for the past BRUSSELS: Brussels airport will cent and give us more flexibility.” reforms seen as threatening workers’ two weeks at the Place de la Repub- fully re-open in June, its chief exec- The damage from the double rights, French police said yesterday. lique, the vast square in eastern Paris utive said, after suffering extensive blasts on March 22 was severe, with Some 3,000 people gathered in where a memorial has been erected damage when two suicide bombers pictures from the scene showing the the Place de la Republique for another to the 130 victims of last November’s blew themselves up in the depar- building’s shattered glass-fronted of the “Up All Night” protests, which jihadist attacks. tures hall last month. facade, collapsed ceilings and taking place since March 31 over a gov- The labour reforms are a unifying “We will be 100 percent oper- destroyed check-in desks. ernment bill that will make it easier for theme of the gatherings, but the “Nuit ational again in June,” Brussels The airport was completely struggling companies to fire workers. Debout” or “Up All Night” movement airport chief executive Arnaud Feist closed to passengers for 12 days fol- About 100 of the protesters set is broader, embracing a range of anti- said yesterday. “But it will be a basic lowing the attack. It was only able to rubbish on fire and pelted police with establishment grievances. service, the facilities will not be fully reopen partially thanks to two large bottles, cans and stones during the The participants say they are renovated. We will... reflect on the white tents that served as temporary night, the police said in a statement. drawing inspiration from the Spanish terminal’s future and therefore prob- check-in facilities, initially allow- Officers responded with tear gas protesters known as the Indignados, ably won’t restore it identically. ing 20 percent of flights to operate and then forced the protesters out of who gave rise to the far-left Podemos Protesters listen to a speech during a gathering by the “Nuit Debout” “Starting in May we are going to as normal. the square. party. (Up All Night) movement on Place de la Republique in Paris. EUROPE SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 17

116 migrants Pope brings 12 rescued from Syrian refugees Mediterranean AFP

MARSEILLE: A total of 116 migrants to Italy were plucked to safety from the Med- iterranean yesterday, three of whom had week-old bullet wounds, rescuers said. Rescuers found 20 women and our common humanity.” “Today I a child amongst the men and teenage renew my heartfelt plea for respon- boys on board, three of whom “pre- The religious leader sibility and solidarity in the face of sented with gun wounds dating from visited Lesbos to this tragic situation,” Francis said. around a week ago,” humanitarian The pope visited Lesbos to thank group SOS Mediterranee said. thank Greek people the Greek people for their welcome The migrants were picked up by and highlight plight and highlight the plight of refugees the Aquarius, a former North Atlantic as the European Union implements fisheries protection ship now used by of refugees. a controversial plan to deport them SOS Mediterranee, following a distress back to Turkey. signal alert from the Rome-based Many refugees wept as the reli- Maritime Rescue and Coordination gious leader approached them at Centre. Two of the injured were said AP the Moria refugee detention centre, to be teenagers aged 15 and 17. A group of Syrian refugees arrive to board a plane at the airport of Mytilene, in the Greek island of Lesbos, where he greeted 250 people indi- The Aquarius ship, which has doc- vidually. Others chanted “Freedom! yesterday. tors and nurses on board, has picked Freedom!” as the religious leaders up some 700 people in distress so far MORIA, GREECE: Pope Francis gave passed by. el-Zour, a city close to the Iraqi bor- most basic human rights respected. the spirit of fraternity, solidarity and this month as migrants from Syria Europe a concrete lesson yesterday A woman told Francis that her der that the Islamic State (IS) group has In his remarks to the refugees, respect for human dignity that has dis- and elsewhere seek to reach West- in welcoming refugees by bringing husband was in Germany but that been besieging for months, leading to Francis said they should know that tinguished its long history.” ern Europe and start new lives. 12 Syrian refugees to Italy aboard she was stuck with her two sons in malnutrition among 200,000 people they are not alone and shouldn’t lose Human rights groups have Meanwhile 50 migrants attempted his charter plane after an emo- Lesbos. The Vatican said the three living in the area. hope. He said he wanted to visit them denounced the EU-Turkey deporta- in vain to force their way across the tional visit to the Greek island of Syrian families, including six chil- “Their homes had been bombed,” to hear their stories and to bring the tion deal as an abdication of Europe’s Italian border with France in the early Lesbos, which has faced the brunt dren, who were taken back with the the Vatican said of the three families. world’s attention to their plight. obligation to grant protection to hours yesterday, a local French offi- of Europe’s migration crisis. pope will be supported by the Holy At a ceremony in the port of Les- “We hope that the world will heed asylum-seekers. cial said. The Vatican said Francis wanted See and cared for initially by Italy’s bos to thank Greeks, Francis said he these scenes of tragic and indeed Making sure not to violate the EU “All the migrants who managed to to make a “gesture of welcome” at Catholic Sant’Egidio Community, understood Europe’s concern about desperate need, and respond in a deal, the Vatican said the 12 Syrians get past the border crossing, as well the end of his five-hour visit to Les- which has been active in providing the recent migrant influx. But he said way worthy of our common human- coming to Italy with the pope had as those who travelled along the rail bos, where he implored Europe to assistance to refugees. migrants are first of all human beings ity,” he said. “May all our brothers been in Lesbos prior to March 20, line from Italy , were detained and not respond to the migrant crisis on its Two of the families hail from “who have faces, names and individ- and sisters on this continent, like the and thus were not subject to possible allowed into France,” an official from shores “in a way that is worthy of Damascus and the third from Deir ual stories” and deserve to have their Good Samaritan, come to your aid in deportation. France’s Alpes-Maritimes region said.

2 arrested in Spain Mock drill Hollande will lose on suspicion of IS group ties re-election: Survey

MADRID: Spanish police said they AFP arrested a man and a woman in Algeciras at the southwestern tip of Spain on suspicion they were linked to Islamic State (IS) group. PARIS: Beleaguered President Fran- The two, who were prepar- cois Hollande (pictured) would ing to leave the country bound for not make it past the first round of Morocco, allegedly were part of a France’s presidential election next support group for IS that has con- year, should he choose to stand, tained other jihadists who have according to a new survey. previously staged several suicide However, his fellow Social- missions in Syria, police said. ist, Economy Minister Emmanuel According to a police, those Macron, who recently set up his arrested yesterday were a Moroc- own political movement, would can man and a Spanish woman fare much better, the Odoxa Insti- who both lived in the southern city tute/Dentsu-Consulting poll found. of Granada. Police discovered that Hollande said he would decide at French Prime Minister Manuel a brother of the arrested man had the end of the year whether to stand Valls unveiled measures to help died in a suicide attack and were for re-election in May 2017. young people find work, aiming to Mock passengers evacuate from an Air Berlin plane during an emergency drill at Berlin Brandenburg searching the couple’s home. The If the first round of the presiden- quell weeks of protests against the couple’s son was taken into the international Willy Brandt (BER) airport in Schoenefeld, outside Berlin, Germany, yesterday. tial election were to take place this government. care by Spanish social services. weekend, Hollande would win just Reform-minded Macron last 15 percent of the votes, according to week announced the creation of the the poll for Le Parisien/Aujourd’hui “En Marche” (“On the Move”) politi- daily and BFMTV. cal movement, fuelling speculation Former president Nicolas over the former banker’s presiden- Spanish govt asks regions to control spending Sarkozy, of the centre-right Repub- tial ambitions. licans, would win 20 percent of the Macron, 38, insisted then that vote behind far-right leader Marine the 2017 presidential election—just Reuters government of the centre-right Peo- Since then, many of the regional from Brussels and Washington for Le Pen on 31 percent, meaning those 13 months away—was “not my pri- ple’s Party (PP) when Spain is likely to governments have changed hands swift action to cut costs. two would go through to a second ority today”, but pointedly did not hold a second general election in June from the PP to coalitions between Only three of the 17 regions—the round run-off vote in May next year. throw his support behind Hollande. after an indecisive December vote. the opposition Socialists and left- Canary Islands, the Basque Country One of Hollande’s main prob- Should he decide to put his hat MADRID: Spain’s acting treasury Spain’s 17 regions manage their ist newcomer parties, making it and Galicia—met their deficit targets lems, should he seek re-election, is in the ring, yesterday’s opinion poll minister met the heads of country’s own budgets on big ticket social more difficult for Madrid to enforce for 2015. Six even oversaw spending France’s high jobless rate of around suggested he would secure 21 per- regional governments urging them spending in areas such as health and austerity. rises from the previous year. 10 percent and rising, especially cent support against 30 percent for to control their spending this year in education where cuts lose votes. Over- Spain announced a 2015 budget Together the regions booked when compared to falling rates in Le Pen and the two of them would go order to rein in one of the European spending by the regional governments shortfall of 5 percent of economic a deficit of 1.66 percent of gross other large European economies. forward to the run-off which Macron Union’s largest public deficits. helped lead the country to the brink of output last month, missing the 4.2 domestic product (GDP) in 2015, over- Opinion polls showed nearly would win. The task is a politically uncom- an international bail-out at the time of percent agreed with the European shooting by one percentage point a 90 percent of voters take a negative The poll of 949 voters was car- fortable one for the caretaker the euro zone debt crisis. Commission and prompting calls 0.7 percent target. view of Hollande’s presidency. ried out on April 14-15. German comic in Erdogan satire Kayakers protest Balkans ‘dam tsunami’ row suspends TV show AFP LJUBLJANA: More than 60 kayak- AFP German authorities to defend free- intended as a provocation. ers took to Slovenia’s Lake Bohinj dom of speech “even if the contents Merkel is said to have called the yesterday to kick off a 35-day envi- of the speech are offensive to some”. poem “deliberately insulting” during ronmental protest over plans to build In light of the swirling contro- a telephone call with Turkish Prime dams on rivers in six Balkan countries. BERLIN: A German comedian whose versy Boehmermann said he was Minister Ahmet Davotoglu. The colourful flotilla, led by Slov- satirical poem about Turkish Pres- taking a “televisual” pause “to allow Boehmermann said in his com- enian Olympic rower Rok Rozman, ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the public “to concentrate again on ments that he felt a “great solidarity” embarked on a 22 km-long pad- unleashed a bitter row about freedom really important matters such as from the German people. “But it also dle along the lake that will continue of speech has decided to suspend his the refugee crisis, videos of cats or puts me in a difficult situation,” he along the Sava Bohinjka river. own TV show, he announced on his the love life of (German actress and added, with the xenophobic far-right The “Stop the Dam Tsunami!” Facebook page yesterday. model) Sophia Thomalla”. taking his side “who can I still make movement aims at raising aware- Chancellor Angela Merkel on Fri- German prosecutors have jokes about?” ness of the impact of dam building day authorised criminal proceedings opened a preliminary probe against The incident has soured Ger- on the region’s waterways. sought by Turkey against the popular Boehmermann over his so-called man-Turkish relations at a time According to the Save the Blue Canoeists and kayakers get ready for the start of the Balkan Rivers comic Jan Boehmermann who could “Defamatory Poem”, recited with a when Ankara is vital to the European Heart of Europe group’s website, be convicted under the rarely-enforced broad grin on public television. Union’s plans to tackle its current ref- there are plans for more than 2,700 Tour on Lake Bohinj, Slovenia, yesterday. section 103 of the criminal code. During the broadcast on March ugee crisis. Balkan dam projects, including 113 Merkel’s decision has appalled 31, Boehmermann gleefully admit- The TV comic has meanwhile dams scheduled for construction think on hydro energy in a slightly environment will change (with the rights bodies such as Human Rights ted the piece flouted Germany’s received vocal support from numer- inside the region’s national parks. different way: green energy is renew- construction of dams),” Neza Posn- Watch which yesterday called on the legal limits to free speech and was ous media and culture figures. “We would like to make people able but the quality of water and jak, a protest organiser, said. 18 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 AMERICAS

Sanders briefly Ted Cruz poised meets Pope to win Wyoming at Vatican AFP primary contest WASHINGTON: Democratic can- didate Bernie Sanders briefly met Pope Francis at the Vatican yester- small wins, Cruz is gaining ground day, using the lightning visit to align on Trump, who has failed to shift his his White House bid with the pon- Cruz is trying to focus on the local-level campaigning tiff’s advocacy of a “moral economy.” prevent his rival necessary to win delegates. Sanders, who broke away from While Trump has won 21 state the presidential campaign trail to Donald Trump nominating contests to Cruz’s nine, travel to Rome, spoke of the five- from obtaining the the billionaire leads the Texas sen- minute meeting in interviews with ator by only 208 delegates. That CNN and ABC, calling the pope “a 1,237 delegates means he must win nearly 60 per- beautiful man.” needed to secure cent of those remaining before July. There were no cameras at the the Republican Wyoming does not hold a pri- meeting, which was described as an mary vote. Instead, 475 party encounter in a foyer at the pope’s res- nomination. activists convened in Casper yester- Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz shakes hand with a boy during a campaign event in Rochester, idence at Santa Marta, shortly before day to hold a state convention and he departed for Greek. New York. award 14 delegates. The quick meeting was partic- Previously, 12 other delegates ularly striking because Sanders, a Reuters had been designated at county-level self-described democratic socialist, conventions. Cruz won 10 of those, is a secular Jew whose positions on with one going to Trump and another Sanders among top earners in US social issues are far from those of the being elected as “unbound. pope. “I was leaving Santa Marta. He CASPER, WYO: Republican presi- Cruz spoke at the convention, knew that I was leaving and he was dential hopeful Ted Cruz is expected capping off a months-long effort to Reuters millions earned by his main Demo- husband, former President Bill Clin- kind enough to greet me,” the pope to win most of the 14 delegates up organise support in the state. Trump cratic rival, Hillary Clinton. ton, had income approaching $140m later told reporters on the flight home for grabs in Wyoming, likely besting had planned to send former Alaska Sanders and his wife, Jane, paid over the last eight years, according to from Lesbos. rival Donald Trump, who made little Governor Sarah Palin, who remains $27,653 in federal income taxes in previously released returns. “I greeted him and his wife and effort to win the rural state, and fur- popular among conservatives, as a WASHINGTON: Democratic presiden- 2014, an effective federal tax rate of Sanders described himself as “one another couple who were with them ther narrowing the gap in the race surrogate, but she canceled it. tial candidate Bernie Sanders, who has 13.5 percent, on income of $205,271, of the poorer members of the United and staying at Santa Marta. Nothing for the party’s nomination. Cruz spoke about local issues in made income inequality a top cam- which is their adjusted gross income States Senate.” Median net worth more,” the pope said. Cruz is trying to prevent Trump Wyoming, the largest coal-produc- paign theme, had taxable income of before deductions. That figure is just among members of the US Senate in “It was a matter of politeness and from obtaining the 1,237 delegates ing state. He said President Barack $205,271 in 2014, putting him almost in below the $206,563 that Census data 2014 stood at $2.9m, according to the if anybody thinks that greeting some- needed to secure the Republican Obama has tried to put coal industry the top 5 percent of American earners, show as the lower limit for the top 5 Center for Responsive Politics, a non- body amounts to meddling in politics, nomination at the July convention in out of business through government according to release of his tax return. percent of US households in 2014. profit organisation that tracks money they should go find a psychiatrist,” Cleveland. By continuing to rack up regulations targeting air pollution. That figure was still far below the But Hillary Clinton and her in politics. he said.

Five suspected Solar Impulse 2 ready to fly Terrorism convict can’t drug deaths at Argentina be deported: Judge music event Reuters dated April 8, but another lawyer for Khalid, Jeffrey Lindy, said it was not made public until yesterday. AFP A spokesman for US Immigration WASHINGTON: A Maryland man and Customs Enforcement was not believed to be the youngest per- immediately available for comment. BUENOS: Five young people died son ever convicted of US terrorism The judge also cited Khalid’s and five others were in critical charges may not be deported to diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, condition after apparently tak- Pakistan because he would likely an autism disorder that can affect ing drugs at an electronic music face torture there by government focus and communication skills. festival in the Argentinian capi- officials, an American judge ruled. The judge wrote that Khalid “fears tal, emergency responders said Mohammed H Khalid, who his lack of eye contact and social yesterday. moved from Pakistan with his fam- cues would cause the Pakistan Autopsies will be needed to ily to suburban Baltimore as a young government to believe (he) is hiding determine the substance involved, teenager, was arrested in 2011 at age something, leading to more torture.” said Alberto Crescenti, head of the 17 as part of the failed Jihad Jane Khalid remains in US custody, Emergency Health Care System, Solar Impulse 2 pilot Andre Borschberg (left) with Bob Stojanovic of ABB Group - Automation and conspiracy to murder a Swedish art- pending a hearing on whether he can which was summoned to the Time Power Technologies Director of Microgrids, at a press conference at Kalealoa Airport in Kapolei, Hawaii. ist who had reportedly blasphemed live in the United States or may be Warp music festival. The partygo- The Solar Impulse 2 sun-powered plane is set to resume its record-breaking flight around the world Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). deported to another country, Sachs ers were mostly between the ages within days, leaving Hawaii when weather permits. Khalid pleaded guilty to terror- said. Now 22-year-old, Khalid was of 21 and 25, Crescenti said. “The ism charges and cooperated with a high-achieving but socially-mis- youths lost consciousness and rap- the FBI more than 20 times, teach- fit high school junior when he met idly went into a coma,” he said. ing US agents how to combat online Colleen LaRose, the Pennsylvania The initial death toll was four, jihadists, records show. But when woman known as Jihad Jane, online. but edged up after one victim died his five-year sentence concluded They became involved in a in the hospital. Those in hospitals Storms leave millions without water in Chile late last year, US officials sought to foiled plot to kill the Swedish car- had temperatures of 107.6 degrees deport him to Pakistan, a move his toonist Lars Vilks, who had enraged Fahrenheit, indicating severe poi- lawyers said would likely subject some Muslims over objectiona- soning, Crescenti said. AFP agency declared a red alert in San- percent of normal levels, said Eugenio him to torture. “This is a huge vic- ble cartoon of Prophet Muhammad It was the third Time Warp tiago, a city of more than seven Rodriguez, corporate manager of the tory—immigration judges do this in (PBUH). LaRose pleaded guilty to festival in Buenos Aires, attract- million people. “Unfortunately the Aguas Andinas water company. one percent of the cases when some- terrorism charges and is serving a ing some 10,900 attendees. weather system over the metropoli- Heavy rains in Andean foothills one argues they will be tortured if 10-year sentence. Prosecutors say Time Warp festival is a well- SANTIAGO: Three million people tan region brought rain that caused since Friday triggered landslides into sent home,” said Khalid’s lawyer, the alleged ringleader, Ali Damache, known electronic music festival, in the Chilean capital were with- increased sediment in the Maipo the Maipo and Mapocho rivers. Author- Wayne Sachs of Philadelphia. a dual Irish-Algerian national, lured originating in Germany about two out drinking water yesterday after River, which means a water cut for ities activated an emergency plan that In his decision, Immigration LaRose to Europe with the promise decades ago. The second night of heavy rain caused landslides that the population affecting about three includes tapping into 45 backup water Judge Michael Straus wrote that of jihad and marriage. Damache the event, scheduled for yester- fouled the rivers supplying the city. million people,” Santiago Mayor Clau- sources and mobilising more than 60 Khalid “would more likely than not was arrested in Spain in December day, was cancelled after authorities officials said. dio Orrego told a news conference. water trucks. Rain is expected to con- be tortured by government officials on the US charges and is fighting closed the venue. The national emergency response Production was down to 35 tinue throughout the weekend. if returned to Pakistan.” The ruling is extradition.

Internet abuzz after quantum Seeking justice computing lesson by Trudeau

Reuters applause and set social media abuzz. do not operate on the principles of “I was like YEAHH I voted for this conventional physics and are more guy,” said a Twitter user with the han- powerful than current mainstream dle @smoakoverwatch. Canadian computers. TORONTO: The Internet was abuzz writer Anakana Schofield tweeted “I wish there were more like him,” with praise for Canadian Prime about the reporter’s experience: said a Twitter user with the handle @ Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday “This is what teenagers call ‘getting tonticologo. after clips showing him schooling owned,’” using a colloquial expres- Trudeau addressed Canada’s a reporter on quantum computing sion for utter defeat. actions against the Islamic State mil- went viral. The exchange began when the itants directly afterward, although he While political opponents learned reporter told Trudeau: “Morning, sir, I did not announce any new measures. a lesson about underestimating the was going to ask you to explain quan- The son of a former prime min- photogenic Trudeau, 44, during last tum computing” but quickly added a ister, Trudeau led his centre-left year’s surprise electoral upset, the question on when the prime minister Liberals to a majority victory in last unnamed reporter fell into the same expected Canada to resume its mis- year’s election with a campaign that trap during an event at a Canadian sion against Islamic State militants emphasised hope and optimism. His university when he jokingly tested the occupying parts of Iraq and Syria. political opponents had attacked Relatives hold pictures of some of the 43 missing students of Ayotzinapa College Raul Isidro Burgos, former teacher’s knowledge. Trudeau immediately shot back him as “just not ready” for the job, as they chain themselves to a fence during a protest demanding justice for the missing students, Trudeau’s explanation on quan- with an explanation on quantum implying his best feature was his hair outside the Interior Ministry in Mexico City, Mexico. tum computing generated cheers and computers, explaining how they rather than his intellectual prowess. AMERICAS SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 1917 Rousseff launches impeachment counter-attack

de Sao Paulo, referring to criminal former president Luiz Inacio Lula da charges that several lawmakers face. Silva, who faces corruption allega- The accusation “What’s their legitimacy?” said tions linked to the graft scandal at against me in Rousseff, whose approval rating has state oil company Petrobras. Congress is the collapsed to around 10 percent. “The Brazilian elite don’t like Rousseff has accused her vice- democracy,” Lula told the crowd clad biggest legal and president, Michel Temer, and the in the red colors of the Workers Party. political fraud in House Speaker, Eduardo Cunha, of In a physical symbol of the coun- being “chief and deputy chief” of a try’s polarization, authorities placed the history of the conspiracy to oust her. a two-meter tall, one-kilometer long country,” President Both men, members of the cen- metal barrier in front of Congress trist PMDB party, face their own legal to separate government supporters Dilma Rousseff said troubles. The political crisis is threat- and impeachment backers who are in a video. ening to destabilise Latin America’s expected to hold rival protests dur- biggest economy. ing the vote. Brazil is already struggling “We came to join the defence of through a crippling recession and a democracy and the government that AFP major corruption scandal involving was legitimately elected in 2014,” said the state energy giant Petrobras while Rousseff supporter Tiago Almeida, 35, it prepares to host the Rio Olympics a metal worker from the state of Sao in four months. Paulo. BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff is accused of cooking Lawmakers, meanwhile, contin- Rousseff launched a counter-offensive the books to mask government short- ued a rowdy marathon debate ahead yesterday to prevent her impeach- falls during her 2014 reelection. She of today’s vote, with opposition law- ment, seeking to personally lobby defends her behaviour by saying that makers waving “ciao dear” signs lawmakers to stop what she calls a previous governments used similar aimed at the president. Supporters of President Dilma Rousseff demonstrate against her impeachment, at a pro-government camp “coup” bid by “corrupt” critics. measures. She had planned to address “If this is not approved, another On the eve of a crucial vote in the supporters outside the Mane Garrin- impeachment measure will be pre- in Brasilia, yesterday. lower house of Congress, the 68-year- cha stadium in Brasilia, but canceled sented. This will keep going,” said old leftist leader reaffirmed her belief her appearance in order to press her PMDB lawmaker Mauro Pereira. that she was the victim of a coup—a case to legislators. With her coalition crumbling in “We can’t let them win 342 votes. finish her term, which ends in 2018. American States, Luis Almagro, who loaded word in a country ruled by the “She will stay (at her official res- recent weeks, the pro-impeachment It’s a war that goes up and down. It’s But Temer has his own legal said the impeachment bid “does not military from 1964 to 1985. idence) for the last negotiations for camp appeared to get two-thirds like the stock market. At one point one issues, with allegations that he was fit within the rules that govern this “The accusation against me in today’s vote,” a presidential advisor majority—342 out of 513 votes— guy says he’s with us, then he’s not,” involved in illegal ethanol dealings. process.” Congress is the biggest legal and told reporters. needed to win, but the vote tightened he said. Cunha, for his part, has been “There is no criminal accusation political fraud in the history of the If she loses today, the measure will late on Friday, according to local If the Senate decides to put Rous- charged with taking millions of dol- against the president, rather she has country,” Rousseff said in a video, move to the Senate, which will decide media and Workers Party sources. seff on trial, she will be replaced by lars in bribes linked to a massive been accused of the poor adminis- calling on people to “mobilise.” whether to put her on trial, forcing her Lula, who has been lobbying law- Temer during the proceedings, which embezzlement cartel centered on tration of public resources in 2014. “They want to convict an innocent to step aside. makers, told the rally that Congress could last six months. state oil company Petrobras. This is an accusation that is political woman and save the corrupt,” Rouss- Instead of Rousseff, thousands members were constantly changing If Rousseff is found guilty, she Rousseff got support from the in character, and that does not merit eff added in a column in a daily Folha heard her predecessor and mentor, their minds. would be ousted and Temer would visiting head of the Organisation of an impeachment process.”

Honduras minister quits Mexican army in soup Microsoft lawsuit relies on speech over police murder scandal and privacy rights

AFP official, Aristides Gonzalez, in December 2009. It also said the Reuters group of police ordered hits on a state prosecutor, Orlando Chavez, in TEGUCIGALPA: Honduran Foreign April 2013, and on a former security SAN FRANCISCO: When the Minister Arturo Corrales resigned ministry consultant, Alfredo Landav- US Department of Justice sought after being mired in a scandal in erde, in December 2014. permission to search a Microsoft which a cabal of corrupt top police The hierarchy of the security Hotmail account in 2014, a judge officers reportedly ordered hits on ministry in place between 2009 and rejected one condition the agency anti-crime officials. 2014 covered up the information, the asked for - an order preventing The office of President Juan newspaper said. Microsoft from ever telling its cus- Orlando Hernandez said the head Corrales was security minister tomer about the search. of state “has accepted the resigna- for one year, from January 2014 to Microsoft was not asked to tion of secretary for foreign affairs January 2015, when he was made submit its views in the case, nor and international cooperation, foreign minister. did it attempt to do so. However, Arturo Corrales.” He was Orlando’s Honduras’ public ministry, Microsoft cited the Hotmail rul- security minister during an alleged which handles state prosecutions, ing as a key precedent in a lawsuit cover-up of the police involvement, opened an investigation last week the company filed against the gov- which came to light through recent after a raid on the police headquar- ernment challenging indefinite reporting by the Honduran newspa- ters turned up evidence regarding gag orders when the government per El Heraldo. Gonzalez’s murder. The president subpoenas information from a The daily cited a security minis- has asked Congress to approve Mexican soldiers assemble at a military base in Mexico City yesterday to hear Mexican Defence Secretary customer account. The company try document revealing that senior an emergency decree aimed at Salvador Cienfuegos read out a public apology. The Mexican army apologised over a scandal in which sees such orders as a possible bar- police officers ordered the assassi- accelerating a clean-up of the two soldiers and a federal policewoman were caught on video torturing a woman. rier to potential clients considering nation of Honduras’ top anti-drugs 12,000-strong police force. purchase of cloud storage services, an increasingly important part of Microsoft’s business. When a company keeps data Pop icon Prince on its own servers, the government Canada court strikes down tough-on-crime measures must approach it directly with any warrant to search for data. But hospitalised if the company relies on a third Reuters suicide, blocked Harper’s plans to conviction for a similar offence. wide net, it should consider narrow- party for cloud storage, the gov- introduce elections to the Senate Mandatory minimum sentences ing their reach or allowing judicial ernment could go directly to the after mid-air and struck down restrictions on adult for non-violent drug offenders were discretion for a lesser sentence where cloud provider, and the company prostitution. enacted in 2012, part of changes the appropriate. might never know. “We’re hearing health scare OTTAWA: Canada’s Supreme Court In case, the court ruled six to Conservatives made. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from our customers about it,” said struck down two so-called tough- three that the requirement of a one- “The mandatory minimum sen- said he has tasked the justice minis- Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president on-crime measures introduced by year mandatory minimum prison tence provision covers a wide range ter with looking into the issue. and chief legal officer. AFP the former Conservative government, sentence for drug offences violated of potential conduct. As a result, it “There is a general sense, rein- Over the past 18 months, fed- ruling the changes to sentencing the guarantee against cruel and unu- catches not only the serious drug forced by the Supreme Court decision, eral courts have issued nearly practices were unconstitutional. sual punishment in the country’s trafficking that is its proper aim, but that mandatory minimums brought 2,600 secrecy orders “silencing LOS ANGELES: Pop icon Prince It was another ruling by the top Charter of Rights and Freedoms. conduct that is much less blamewor- in by the previous government in a Microsoft from speaking about was treated in hospital after a court against the policies of former The case came about after thy,” the court said. number of cases went too far,” Tru- warrants,” the company said in bout of flu worsened in mid-air, prime minister Stephen Harper, who Joseph Ryan Lloyd was convicted It offered advice to the current deau told reporters. its lawsuit. Two-thirds of those prompting his private jet to make lost last year’s election. of drug possession for trafficking Liberal government that if parliament Michael Cooper, Conservative were indefinite, meaning there an unscheduled landing. In recent years, the court over- purposes and was subject to a mini- wants to keep mandatory minimum deputy justice critic, said he was dis- was no end date for how long they The 57-year-old, one of the turned a ban on physician-assisted mum one-year sentence due to a prior sentences for offences that cast a appointed by the rulings. remained in effect. most influential but elusive figures in music, had been fighting the flu and had cancelled two shows last week, entertainment news website TMZ and American weekly maga- Panama calls for solution on migrants zine People reported, both citing a representative. He insisted on performing in AFP America, have closed their borders Cubans out to Mexico. But since then, Atlanta despite being unwell, and to Cuban migrants since late last year. more arrive every day. The Cubans all began to deteriorate shortly after “Panama reiterates its concern aim to get to the United States, which boarding a plane, forcing the air- over the current crisis of Cuban has a law dating back to the Cold War craft to land in Moline, Illinois, PANAMA CITY: Panama called for migrants in Latin America, as well as that permits them automatic entry TMZ said. a regional solution to growing num- its interest and readiness to find a sus- and a fast track to residency. When contacted, Prince’s pub- bers of Cuban migrants stranded on tainable solution in coordination with Many Latin American countries licist declined to provide details of its territory as they try to make it to the countries of the region,” Panama’s resent that privilege for Cubans and the incident. the United States. foreign ministry said in a statement. are reluctant to facilitate their pas- A few hours after the scare, This week, around a third of the In a three-month-long operation sage. Costa Rica and Panama this the artist’s official Twitter account 3,000 migrants—mostly Cubans, but that ended last month, Costa Rica week both expressed frustration at posted the enigmatic message “I some Africans among them—piled up organised flights out of its territory the US policy, which they argued am #transformed,” before link- near Panama’s border with Costa Rica for 8,000 Cubans who were stranded acted as a magnet for Cubans. ing to favourable reviews of the and forced their way across before all there by Nicaragua’s border closure. It Both have already called for a Atlanta show and tweeting that but 120 were made to return. now refuses to let any more in. regional approach to the problem, Costa Rican police officers block passage to immigrants at the border he was listening to “Controversy,” Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the Panama conducted a similar with the aim of including the United the title track to his 1981 album. next country northwards in Central operation in March, flying 1,300 States in any solution. between Panama and Costa Rica,

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 23o C Maximum: 32o C

FAJR 03.51 am ZUHR 11.34 am MAGHRIB 05.59 pm HIGH TIDE 01:30 - 15:00 Strong wind and high SHOROOK 05.10 am ASR 03.03 pm ISHA 07.29 pm LOW TIDE 09:00 - 19:30 seas. Slight dust.

20 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Pollutants in fish Spain April fair www.thepeninsulaqatar.com may prevent humans from MOST READ expelling toxins Former Imam of Prophet’s Mosque 1 Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub dies AFP Qatar Rail unveils Doha Metro 2 and Lusail tram designs

Spanish government pressures MIAMI: Fish that contain environmen- 3 regions to control spending tal pollutants may harm people who eat them by preventing the human body from doing its natural job of flushing out toxins, researchers said yesterday. TWEET OF THE DAY The study in the journal Science Advances examined 10 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) -- including the pesti- cide DDT and industrial chemicals such as flame retardants -- found in yellow- fin tuna and human blood and urine. All 10 pollutants studied interfered with the Two women wear traditional Andalusian dresses during Sevilla's famed April fair, yesterday. The fair effectiveness of a key protein in humans dates back to 1847 when it was originally organised as a livestock fair but has turned into a week of and animals, known as P-gp, which expels flamenco dancing, music and bullfighting. foreign chemicals from the body. One chemical used to make flame retardants in upholstery and plastics, known as PBDE-100, was found for the first time to bind itself to the crucial pro- tein and prevent it from doing its defensive Graveyard turns art yard in Sydney job. "When we eat contaminated fish, we could be reducing the effectiveness of this critical defense system in our bodies," said lead author Amro Hamdoun of the Marine AFP contemporary visual arts festival. get of course, and the more impor- Biology Research Division at the Scripps Dog-walkers and visitors make their tant place and bigger grave and so Institution of Oceanography at the Uni- way through the tree-filled space on," Larsson says. INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY versity of California, San Diego. where some of the graves have been "It is about the stones itself as a Babies are particularly vulnerable to SYDNEY: A historic Australian grave- fitted in white cloths for his work sort of blank page and that you don't pollutants in fish -- which they may ingest yard which includes the final resting "Fade Away, Fade Away, Fade Away". know who is buried underneath." via breast milk even if they are not eating place of a one-time harpist to Napo- The covers are designed to strip Creating the cloth covers are a solid food yet -- because they have low leon and prominent figures from the away the hierarchy of social class group of seamstresses, Sydney art- amounts of the protective P-gp protein, nation's colonial era has become the that dictated life when the ceme- ists recruited for the installation, who the study said. site of an art installation with an tery -- which dates from 1848 and choose the stones they want to cover The US Food and Drug Administration enduring message. was considered full within decades and then tailor a piece for each one. currently recommends that pharma- Swedish artist Bo Christian Lars- -- was founded. The work must respect the his- Qatar Rail ceuticals be tested to see whether they son had never visited Sydney, let "What I am interested in is actu- toric nature of the cemetery, meaning unveiled the impede the body's natural defense sys- alone seen Camperdown Cemetery, ally to get rid of the history on each some graves are off limits, and the designs of tem. Researchers urged authorities to do when he agreed to work among its stone because I have seen the record artists are careful not to hasten the Doha Metro. the same for pollutants that can make their weathered graves as part of the city's of this cemetery -- the more money deterioration of the memorials, some way into fish. 20th Biennale, Australia's largest you had, the better stone you could of which are crumbling or broken. Brain injury in 43% of US African photographer Malick Sidibe dies at 80 ex-football players: Study AFP part of our cultural heritage," said Mali's Culture Minister N'Diaye Ram- atoulaye Diallo. "The whole of Mali is AFP in mourning," Diallo said. Sidibe was BAMAKO: Pioneering Malian pho- the first African to have a solo exhi- tographer Malick Sidibe, whose bition in Paris's prestigious Grand powerful black and white images Palais museum, and his works adorn MIAMI: Some 43 percent of retired of local life won him global fame the walls of the Museum of Modern American football players studied PJ Harvey turns and top awards, has died aged 80, Art in New York, the Getty Museum show signs of traumatic brain injury, his family said yesterday. and several other leading museums raising new concerns about the long- Sidibe's vibrant images of life in across the world. term effects of hitting and tackling, journalist the Malian capital Bamako in the He captured candid images in researchers said. 1960s, when the country gained his studio as well as on the streets The study involved 40 retired AFP independence from France, were a of Bamako, including at nightclubs, National Football League (NFL) play- social commentary chronicling both beaches and sporting events. "He ers, who underwent thinking and pop culture and traditional society. was often called the father of Afri- memory tests as well as brain scans. In 2007, he was the first Afri- can photography," France's Culture "This is one of the largest studies LOS ANGELES: With a guitar can and the first photographer to Minister Audrey Azoulay said after to date in living retired NFL players in hand rather than a notebook, be awarded the Golden Lion Award Sidibe's death was announced. and one of the first to demonstrate rocker PJ Harvey (pictured) has for Lifetime Achievement at the Ven- Sidibe said in a 2010 interview significant objective evidence for taken on the role of a journalist on ice film festival.His nephew Oumar that whole worlds were captured traumatic brain injury in these a forceful new album that crosses Sidibe said the photographer had in people's faces. Sidibe, declared a former players," said study author continents to explore modern-day been ailing for some time but did "national treasure", became the first Francis Conidi of the Florida State destruction."The Hope Six Demo- not give details of when he died. African to win the prestigious Has- University College of Medicine. lition Project," the ninth album by "It's a great loss for Mali. He was selblad prize in 2003. "The rate of traumatic brain one of the most accoladed British injury was significantly higher in the musicians of her generation, turns players than that found in the general Harvey's observations on 21st-cen- population." -- which controls how the brain func- between higher concussion num- tury decay into songs led by her The players ranged in age from 27 tions -- to determine the amount of bers and brain injury. The findings trademark bluesy-punk guitar, to 56 and played an average of seven damage. "Seventeen players, or 43 could help scientists better under- with surprisingly uplifting touches. years in the league. Most had been out percent, had levels of movement stand the brain condition known as Although Harvey traveled for of the NFL for fewer than five years. 2.5 standard deviations below those chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the album to war-torn Afghani- They reported an average of eight of healthy people of the same age, which is associated with aggression, stan and Kosovo, much of the work concussions. Around a third of the which is considered evidence of trau- dementia, depression and suicide. explores Washington. The album's players said they had sustained sev- matic brain injury with a less than "This research in living players title is a reference to Hope VI, the eral hits that were not strong enough one percent error rate," the study sheds light on the possible patholog- 1990s US program that tore down to be diagnosed as concussions. said. ical changes consistent with chronic decrepit public housing. Harvey The findings, based on sensitive "On the tests of thinking skills, traumatic encephalopathy that may aims to look at some of the lin- MRI scans called diffusion tensor about 50 percent had significant be taking place," Conidi said. gering after-effects on the album's imaging, were released ahead of a problems on executive function, The latest evidence of widespread first track, The 46-year-old rocker, presentation at the American Acad- 45 percent on learning or mem- brain injury among football players, who can play virtually all instru- emy of Neurology's 68th Annual ory, 42 percent on attention and the findings may increase pressure on ments in her music, broke through Meeting in Vancouver, Canada. concentration." the NFL, which has long been under with her 1995 album "To Bring You The advanced MRI scans Longer careers tended to put fire for downplaying the effects of My Love" and is the only artist to A woman holds her child while walking past the studio of the late, measured the movement of water players at higher risk of TBI, but concussions in the most popular US win Britain's prestigious Mercury celebrated photographer Malick Sidibe in Bamako, Mali, yesterday. molecules in the brain's white matter researchers established no link sport. Prize twice. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 23 QE 10,238.17 -7.70 PTS PAGE | 24 DOW 17,897.46 -28.97 PTS Budding entrepreneurs ECB to phasee FTSE100 6,343.75 -21.35 PTS to get boost in new out 500 euroo QFBA programme BRENT $43.10 +$0.56 note slowly

SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 • 10 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Qatar and 12 countries urge IMF to study EMDC capital outflow dynamics

By Satish Kanady to better understand the dynamics GCC countries have already taken countries that had previously used The Peninsula of capital outflows”, Obaid Humaid fiscal consolidation measures, nota- available buffers as well as reduced High-level Qatari delegation Al Tayer, Minister of State for Finan- bly by reforming fuel subsidies and investments in energy and min- cial Affairs for UAE said on behalf of reducing fiscal spending.” ing sectors worldwide. The ongoing attends IMF & WB meeting 13-member group countries includ- Countries undergoing political transition away from fossil fuels DOHA: Qatar, along with 12 other ing Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and transitions have received financial reinforces the need for oil export- countries, has urged International Kuwait at the 33rd meeting of Inter- support primarily from within the ers, including in the Middle East The Peninsula Bank, will participate in discus- Monetary Fund (IMF) to carry out national Monetary and Financial region that has been instrumental in region, to consider further spending sions on the latest developments in extra works to better understand the Committee (IMFC) that concluded in supporting social cohesion. The Fund restraint and expanding non-oil reve- the global economy. dynamics of capital outflows from Washington yesterday. should stand ready to upscale techni- nue, within a well articulated medium The Qatari delegation will hold emerging markets and developing He said the Middle East region cal support on policy priorities once term fiscal consolidation plan. DOHA: A Qatari delegation, led by a number of meetings with top countries (EMDCs). is facing considerable challenges, domestic stability is restored and to ‘We look forward to further H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi, Minister of officials of the International Mon- “Lower commodity prices and including from non- economic support reconstruction efforts , where depending of the Fund’s analytical Finance, is participating in the ongo- etary Fund and WBG, in addition uncertainty about the pace of US factors and spillovers from global needed, as soon as possible. “We call work on the impact of protracted ing annual Spring Meetings of the to bilateral talks with delegations monetary policy tightening has put market turbulences. “Oil export- for greater flexibility in the design of commodity price declines and poten- International Monetary Fund (IMF) from other participating countries. downward pressure on emerging ing countries in the GCC are facing programmmes that take account of tial for diversification.” and World Bank Group (WBG) in It will participate in the IMF’s spe- market economies. The period of unprecedented fiscal pressures from sociopolitical realities”, Al Tayer said. The Group commended China for Washington. cial meeting on the Middle East and buoyant activity spurred by rapid the protracted decline in oil prices. Lower oil prices have delivered the remarkable progress in achieved The delegation, which also North Africa region. credit expansion is giving way to Thanks to the prudent building of less of a boost to global activity than in rebalancing the economy and wel- includes H E Sheikh Abdullah bin There will also be talks with rising corporate sector vulnerabili- large buffers, many countries are had been anticipated. The muted pos- comed the inclusion of the renminbi Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, CEO senior US officials in the banking ties as well as volatile capital flows well-positioned to pace their adjust- itive response reflects the extended in the SDR basket which the group of Qatar Investment Authority, and and financial sectors, along with and exchange pressures We call on ment over several years and thus weakness in global activity reinforced said is a testimony to China’s promi- H E Sheikh Fahd bin Faisal Al Thani, the chairs and CEOs of leading the Fund to carry out additional work limit the impact on growth. Many by expenditure cuts in oil-exporting nent role in the world economy. Deputy Governor of Qatar Central multinational companies. 22 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS Uncertainty still hangs over global economy: QNB

The IMF has cited the loss of growth both regions, an aggressive easing of mon- percent realistic? On balance, it seems rea- momentum in advanced economies, the per- etary policy, including the use of negative sonable, although there are reasons for both If the world indeed grows ception of monetary policy impotence, the interest rates, led to a strengthening rather pessimism and optimism. On the negative side, by 3.2 percent this year, turbulence in financial markets and politi- than a weakening of their currencies. there is the risk of further financial market cal and natural forces as reasons behind the This counterintuitive development may turmoil, possibly triggered by a premature it will represent only a downgrade. If the world indeed grows by suggest that financial markets are losing faith policy tightening in the US, especially given marginal improvement 3.2 percent this year, it will represent only a in central banks’ ability to provide stimulus in the perception of impotent central banks over the weak 3.1 percent marginal improvement over the weak 3.1 per- the face of an adverse growth shock. elsewhere. cent growth recorded last year, QNB said in Third, oil prices have fallen sharply in There is also the risk that China’s ongoing growth recorded last year, its weekly ‘economic commentary’. the early part of the year as risk sentiment in transition away from investments and towards QNB said in its weekly The IMF has revised down its forecast financial markets has waned. While lower oil consumption might cause hiccups in the glo- for global growth in 2016 for the fourth con- prices should benefit oil importers as much as bal economy given China’s size, contribution to ‘economic commentary’. secutive year. Since 2013, the IMF’s early it hurts global exporters, the symmetry seems global growth, dominance in global trade and optimism has been checked by concrete broken. This could be due to differences in the importance for commodity markets. Finally, reality. Between January and April of each reaction time to the shock. While the loss of the risk of capital flight from EM remains ele- year, the IMF has revised down its growth income for oil producers leads to immediate vated given potentially tighter monetary policy The Peninsula forecast for that year by 0.15 percent on spending cuts, the gains for oil importers in in the US and high foreign currency debt in average. the form of higher consumption seem to mate- EMs. Each year seems to begin with hopes that economies seems to have weakened. rialise only slowly. On the positive side, the IMF’s forecast of past crises are behind us and that recovery This is particularly the case in the US, Fourth, non-economic factors have had oil prices ($34.8 per barrel in 2016) seems too DOHA: The uncertainty cloud still hangs over will take a firm hold, only for growth to even- where growth in the fourth quarter of 2015 adverse effects on the global economy. These pessimistic. This was presumably based on the global economy and its recovery is prob- tually disappoint. The recovery has been “too fell to 1.4 percent from an average of 3.0 per- include political forces such as the uncertainty futures prices, which are quite volatile and ably going to continue to stutter along, QNB slow for too long” as the IMF report was titled, cent in the previous two quarters. The subdued about the outcome of the US presidential elec- move in line with spot prices. Indeed, the noted yesterday. QNB analysts noted. growth seems to have continued into the first tions and the potential exit of the UK from futures market has moved quite aggressively The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in According to them, what has the led the quarter of this year, where consensus forecast the European Union. There are also security since the IMF wrote the report, and now points its bi-annual survey released last week revised IMF to revise down its forecast by 0.2 percent stands at 1.2 percent, the analysts said citing concerns over terrorists attacks and regional to an average oil price of $42 per barrel in the outlook for global growth down. The Fund in the last three months were basically four Bloomberg data. Second, there is a perception civil wars. Finally, the extreme flooding and 2016. This is close to our forecast of $40.8, now expects the global economy to grow by factors, which was broad-based, covering both that policymakers are running out of ammuni- drought caused by El Nino has impacted the which combines demand and supply analy- 3.2 percent in 2016, down from the 3.4 per- advanced economies and emerging markets tion to stimulate the economy. The Euro Area economies of many regions. sis together with the information contained in cent forecast made in January. (EMs). First, growth momentum in advanced and Japan provide the clearest examples. In Is the IMF’s new growth forecast of 3.2 consensus forecasts and futures prices. Hike in motor and health insurance premiums likely

By Mohammad Shoeb the CEO of the Shariah-compli- The Peninsula ant insurance service provider said that QIIC has successfully established its operations in sev- eral countries, including Pakistan, DOHA: ‘Stiff competition’ in the Syria and the UAE, and exploring prices of motor and medical insur- investment opportunities in many ance products coupled with the other promising markets such as sudden rise in the number of insur- Turkey, Morocco, Tajikistan, Kenya ance claims, a hike in the premiums and Ethiopia. But there are obsta- of these services are in the offing, a cles in some countries related to top official of major insurance com- legislation to allow Islamic insur- pany has hinted. ance companies (Takaful) to work. “Be its medical insurance or car The share of Takaful in Qatar, insurance, these products are not according to Ali Ibrahim, is not benefiting any insurance service pro- more than 25 percent, but spreading viders because of the ongoing price to further worsening the situation, more awareness about the benefits war,” Ali Ibrahim Al Abdul Ghani which is expected to remain the same of these products can help enhance (pictured), Chief Executive Officer until 2020. its market share. All-new 2016 Honda Civic wins North of Qatar Islamic Insurance Company “Things are anticipated to Insurance penetration in (QIIC) told The Peninsula. improve with the completion of con- GCC countries, including Qatar, Ali Ibrahim added: “We are con- struction works and starting of the is relatively very low against the stantly negotiating with Qatar Central Doha Metro, which may help reduce developed countries or even com- American Car of the Year award Bank (QCB), the banking and insur- the number of vehicles from roads pared to the global average. Last ance sector regulator, and have thus accidents,” he said. month speaking at the 10th edition conveyed our legitimate concerns On the outlook for the local of ‘Multaqa Qatar 2016’, Minister The Peninsula Speaking about this accolade, Qatar will feel the same way about about the stiff competition in these insurance market, Ali said that com- of Finance H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi Faisal Sharif, Managing Director at this simply stunning new car” said segments to play a role to address the ing few years, especially the current noted that Qatar’s insurance sec- Domascosaid: “Honda Civic is one of Greig Roffey, Head of Sales and issue. We had a constructive meet- year, are expected to be tough in tor has huge growth potential as the Honda’s best-selling models since its Marketing at Domasco Honda. He ing with the QCB officials along terms of growth in insurance pre- total volume of untapped insurance DOHA: The all-new 2016 Honda introduction in 1972. added “We are very excited about with representatives from the Traf- mium due to the impact of dwindling premium can reach up to $12bn Civic is the new North American Car Civic has always been a very the imminent arrival of the 10th fic Department. Things are expected oil prices which has affected all sec- (about QR43.70bn) or even more if of the Year, as announced by Doha successful model in Qatar and with generation Civic and we are tak- to move in a positive direction within tors of the GCC economies. the country achieves the insurance Marketing Services Company WLL this prestigious award we know that ing orders already.” a few months.” “We are waiting for the upcom- penetration level of 6 percent of (Domasco), the authorised distribu- the all-new Civic will not disappoint Fifty-three automotive journal- He explained that the prices of ing mandatory medical insurance GDP, currently the global average. tor in Qatar for Honda. when it is launched in Qatar soon.” ists from Canada and the United car and medical insurance serv- and anticipating that this will help According to latest available data This win for the Civic is the sec- “We are encouraged by the States have voted for the Honda ices were already very competitive, makeup investment losses that we Qatar’s insurance premium in 2015 ond for the model in the history of recognition of the all-new Civic Civic as the 2016 North American but the massive ongoing construc- going to incur this year,” he said. accounted for little over 1 percent of this prestigious award that enjoys as Car of the Year in the world’s Car of the Year. The annual awards, tion works and traffic diversions Commenting on the Compa- the GDP which stood at $2bn (about a wide recognition in the automo- biggest car market. We are sure now in their 23rd year, are unique have caused a sudden rise in claims ny’s overseas expansion plans, QR7.28bn) for the year. tive industry. our customers and journalists in in the United States. Agar Plasticity wins the Lexus Design Award 2016 Manco receives H&S milestone

The Peninsula achievement certificate

The Peninsula

DOHA: Lexus International announced recently that an elite DOHA: Manco Interna- judging committee has named ‘Agar tional General Contracting Plasticity - A Potential Usefulness received Health & Safety of Agar for Packaging and More’ by milestone achievement AMAM, the Grand Prix winner of the certificate from Supreme Lexus Design Award 2016. Committee for Delivery & “This is a bold and ambitious Legacy for its contribution experiment, which aims to address towards the achievement of one of the biggest pollution prob- more than One Million Three lems of our time. The designers have creating this project while keeping Hundred man-hours without three hundred man-hours with- made tremendous progress during in mind the theme of ‘Anticipation’ lost time accidents in the Al Rayyan out a lost time incident. Our safety the course of the award cycle, par- for this year’s award. The emergence Stadium project site. program is first and foremost about ticularly in devising a wide range of of such talented designers is a fitting Vinod Malve, Manco Interna- caring for our people. Manco Inter- possible practical applications for the tribute to the objective of the Lexus tional Operations Manager, received national is committed to ensure safe material. Their success in doing so Design Award which is to encourage the award from Abdulla Ahmed Al operation and provide a safe work gives us confidence in their ability to and find worthy designers and help presentations by the four prototype of ‘Anticipation’, many submissions Fehani, Supreme Committee Project environment for our employees. tackle the many challenges and com- them to make an impact on the world finalists at the ‘Lexus – An Encoun- were designed as yet unseen or unde- Manager for Al Rayyan Stadium We highly appreciate the support plexities they will face in continuing of design.” ter with Anticipation’ exhibit at fined concepts that are likely to be project on March 24, 2016 in a cer- received from Manco owners, top the development of the project,” said Yoshitsugu continued: “At Lexus, Milan Design Week 2016. The works realized in the near future. tificate awarding ceremony held at management and all employees who Alice Rawsthorn, Lexus Design Award design is not only an essential corner- of all twelve finalists are on display, Lexus International currently the Al Rayyan Stadium project site. made this achievement possible.” 2016 Judge. stone of making superlative vehicles, including the Grand Prix winner’s has a public exhibit called ‘Lexus Ranjan Joshi, Manco Interna- Vinod Malve added: ‘This Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Rep- but also a way of using innovative prototype, the three other prototype – An Encounter with Anticipation’ tional General Manager, commenting achievement is the result of our resentative, Middle East and North design to make the world a better works, and the eight panel displays in Torneria, Milan. The exhibit will on the certificate said: “We highly belief in the incident and injury Africa Representative Office, Toyota place. We would like to thank our of the remaining finalists. This year’s present a unique encounter that fea- appreciate the Supreme Commit- free culture which is integrated in Motor Corporation congratulated customers in the Middle East for their Lexus Design Award drew 1,232 sub- tures a special collaboration between tee for awarding the H&S Milestone our activities. In Manco no job is well the AMAM team for their winning support of our initiatives related to missions representing a wide variety the widely acclaimed design team Achievement Certificate in recog- done unless it is done safely. We look project, stating “they have displayed shaping the future of design.” of highly innovative ideas from 73 Formafantasma and Michelin Star nition of our contribution towards forward to continued improvement great imagination and creativity in The selection was made based on countries. In keeping with the theme winning chef Yoji Tokuyoshi. achieving of more than one million of our safety performance’. BUSINESS SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 23 Budding entrepreneurs to Osborne warns get boost in new QFBA plan of Brexit cost

By Sachin Kumar case studies of companies from The Peninsula GCC countries such as Al Marai. The amid concerns The new programme new programme has already been has already been endorsed by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) that has paved way for Bloomberg be anything like as strong as today if DOHA: The success of Qatari com- endorsed by Qatar its launch. we weren’t in the European Union.” panies will now inspire budding Development Bank “Our programme has been Obama, who believes that it’s in entrepreneurs in Qatar. Qatar Finance endorsed and approved by QDB. So, entrepreneur,” said Dr Al Horr. the interests of the US, the UK and and Business Academy (QFBA) is set to (QDB) that has paved soon we will be partnering with QDB “There is no one size fits all WASHINGTON: Chancellor of the the rest of the EU to keep the bloc launch a new programme for entre- way for its launch. to launch a programme for the future when it comes to entrepreneurship, Exchequer George Osborne played together, will enter the debate if preneurs that will have success stories entrepreneurs,” he said. therefore we built in the coach- up warnings from the world’s leading he is asked for his view, his office of local companies such as Qatar Air- In orders to make this pro- ing element in the programme to economies as he sought to highlight said. A vote to leave would dimin- ways and Ooredoo. The programme “The uniqueness of our pro- gramme more effective, QFBA has respond to this individual need at the dangers of Britain leaving the ish Britain’s influence in the world, is expected to be launched in 2016. gramme that it’s not theoretical. It decided to involve entrepreneurs in the level of the idea and the level European Union in the June 23 ref- the president’s advisers told report- “We have prepared a very unique is very relevant and authentic pro- training and coaching. “One of the of leadership and management,” erendum. ers on a conference call Thursday. programme for innovation and entre- gramme in terms of case studies, unique aspects of our programme he added. Speaking at a meeting of the “If he’s asked his view as a friend, preneurship. We have reviewed most examples and exercises. It is not only is that it involves real entrepreneurs QFBA is aiming to become Center International Monetary Fund in he will offer it,” Deputy National Secu- of the programmes being offered for about Apple, Microsoft or Apple, it is who are going through the system. of Excellence in the Middle East and Washington, Osborne said American, rity Adviser Ben Rhodes said. “We entrepreneurship and innovation and about local context. We have includes “It is not only trainers and facil- North Africa (MENA) region. The Chinese and Japanese finance minis- believe that all of us benefit when the have identified few gaps that were case studies of local companies such itators doing the programme, it is academy has signed agreement ters had expressed their concern about EU can speak with a strong and sin- there. We have tried to fill these gaps,” as Qatar Airways and Ooredoo in our involving them (entrepreneurs) with the Organisation for Economic the knock-on effects of a so-called gle voice, and can work with us to Dr Abdulaziz Al Horr (pictured), CEO programme,” said Dr Al Horr. because a student can explain to Co-operation and Development to Brexit. U.S. President Barack Obama advance our shared interests, whether of QFBA told The Peninsula on the Along with local companies, student, a doctor can explain to provide training to profession in the will say Britain should stay in the bloc on security or prosperity.” sidelines of a conference recently. the new programme will also have doctor and an entrepreneur to field of public finance. during a visit to London next week. Former chancellor of the excheq- “The risk of British exit has def- uer Alistair Darling used a speech in initely risen up the international London on Friday to criticize what agenda,” Osborne told reporters on he calls the “Project Fantasy” being Friday. “The universal view has been promoted by “Leave” campaigners. Goodrich Motor show that it would cause immediate short- Brexit is likely to deplete trade with term shock and instability and that the continent, he said. there would be a long-term cost” to If the UK leaves the 28-nation Petroleum the world economy, he said. bloc and negotiates a new trade deal Osborne spoke as the 10-week in the mold of Canada’s, commerce files for referendum campaign officially got with the EU may decline by £92bn under way, with some polls showing ($131bn), Darling said. Citing new the outcome is too close to call. He research from Frontier Econom- Chapter 11 warned that mortgage rates could ics and London First, a nonprofit increase if Britain quits the EU business group that promotes the and said economic activity in Brit- capital’s interests, he dismissed the Bloomberg ain is already suffering as a result idea that Britain can secure a better of concerns about voters backing trading relationship on the outside. withdrawal. The official Brexit campaign HOUSTON: Goodrich Petroleum “It’s fair to say that some of the group, Vote Leave, unveiled its first Corp, the latest casualty of the concerns about a potential exit are billboard poster on Friday, which energy slump, sought bankruptcy weighing on sentiment now and said pulling out of the bloc would protection with a plan to eliminate weighing on economic activity now,” make £350m a week available for the about $400m of debt. he said. “That could well be reflected National Health Service. Jacob Rees- The Chapter 11 petition filed in in the GDP number that we see for Q1.” Mogg, a Euro-sceptic Conservative Houston on Friday listed $507m in London’s financial-services indus- lawmaker, said Obama’s interven- debts, compared with only $99m try will suffer as European companies tion might help the campaign to Leave in assets. Goodrich said in an relocate to the continent, he said, citing the EU. accompanying statement that it discussions with ministers and offi- “I don’t mind him coming over intends to keep operating under cials from across Europe. to say what he wants because I think court protection with existing “The near universal view, it helps Brexit,” Rees-Mogg told the management in place. including from many German finan- House magazine, which is distrib- The restructuring support cial institutions, is that while some uted to members of Parliament. “I can’t agreement will “substantially financial activity would continue in think the British people will want to de-leverage its capital structure the City,” many companies would be told what to do by a rather unsuc- and strategically position the move operations to be within the EU, cessful American president who has An electric-powered bicycle on display at the Indonesia International Motor Show in Jakarta. company for long-term perform- Osborne said. “I can’t see how the City had one of the least successful foreign ance in an anticipated improving of London or financial services would policies in modern history.” commodity price environment,” Houston-based Goodrich said in the statement. The company is the latest to succumb to the epidemic of Doha Bank hosts meeting on ‘business opportunities in Poland’ defaults sweeping its industry during the biggest price slump in a generation. Energy XXI Ltd, a US oil and gas explorer, filed for bank- The Peninsula furniture production and medical& On the GCC economies, he said “significant” strength in defending its Dr Seetharaman also gave insight ruptcy on Thursday after spending pharmaceutical sectors in Poland. the fall in oil prices had impacted fixed exchange parity with the dol- on Poland economy & Qatar-Poland $5bn on acquisitions. She elaborated on the Polish entre- the growth of regional econo- lar due to availability of reserves to relationships. He said: “Accord- Oil has rebounded after falling preneurs’ innovation capabilities mies. According to recent IMF cover the monetary base and current ing to recent IMF forecast, Poland to 12-year lows, but is still trading DOHA: Doha Bank hosted a knowl- as the driving force of their success forecast, Qatar is expected to grow account payments over the next four is expected to grow by 3.6 percent close to $40 a barrel, well below edge sharing session on “business and the achievements of the Polish by 3.4 percent this year. Qatar has years.” in 2016. Poland is one of the fastest the $100 it was fetching before the opportunities in Poland” for the busi- economy. growing economies in the European onset of the slump in mid-2014. ness community at an event held at Addressing the event, Dr Union. On March 16, Goodrich delayed Doha Bank headquarters. Seetharaman said growth in The first ever delivery of Lique- releasing its annual report, citing a Krzysztof Suprowicz ,Chief advanced economies is projected fied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo was large loss that auditors have deter- Ambassador of the Republic of to remain modest, in line with 2015 done in December 2015, to the Polish mined might affect the company’s Poland to Qatar; Katarzyna Kac- outcomes at 1.9 percent this year. LNG Receiving Terminal in Swinou- ability to operate as a going con- perczyk, Undersecretary of State Citing IMF’s recent reports he said jscie. Poland represents a new market cern. The loss came “mainly as a for Economic Diplomacy, the Ameri- the Emerging and developing econ- for Qatar gas’ premium LNG and the result of substantial impaired asset cas, Asia, and Europe at the Ministry omies are expected to grow at 4.1 delivery of LNG into Poland further writedowns,” Goodrich said in the of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of percent this year. demonstrates its commitment to filing. Poland; and Doha Bank CEO Dr R China’s growth forecast this provide Europe with a clean energy Goodrich turned to the Seetharaman were among others year was expected to be 6.5 percent. source. In 2014 Poland recorded 40 bankruptcy process after a debt- who attended the event. India’s growth is projected to notch percent growth in bilateral trade turn- for-equity exchange offer failed Katarzyna Kacperczyk presented up to 7.5 percent in 2016-17. Brazil’s over to Euro 52.2 million with Qatar. to gain enough traction among the audience an in-depth informa- economy would now shrink by 3.8 Qatar is witnessing extensive stockholders and unsecured debt tion about the current condition of percent this year. development and is implementing holders. Since the start of 2015, the Polish economy, the country’s The Global economy was hundreds of large-scale projects in about 50 oil and gas producers business environment and invest- increasingly vulnerable to “down- preparation to host the FIFA world have gone bankrupt, owing more ment opportunities. She also gave a side risks” including further market cup in 2022. This encourages Polish than $17bn, according to law firm brief about the opportunities avail- turmoil in the wake of this year’s businessmen and companies to work An official addresssing the conference. Haynes & Boone LLP. able in the construction, food, IT, China-led downturn.” in the Qatari market. Georgetown students set to launch second issue of Enterprise

The Peninsula landscape. Following a review of this year’s remanufacturing a rock-solid investment magazine last year, we chose the theme of lower oil prices-namely, through small publication GU-Q’s dean, Dr. Gerd Nonne- opportunity.” of diversification of Qatar’s economy. This continuous adaptive changes as well as big, man, will deliver a keynote address. The Georgetown Enterprise is the year, we have really grown as a club, and transformative bubble-breaking changes that GU-Q student, El Harith Ali, will first magazine produced by students at have taken on the more complex theme of have the potential to fundamentally alter the DOHA: The students of Georgetown Univer- discuss key points of his article submission GU-Q that is oriented towards business, ‘Adaptive and Transformative change’,” fabric of an industry.” sity in Qatar’s Business Society are once more at the event, focusing on the rise of the entrepreneurship, and global markets. It is said Muhammad Saif Kazi, a GU-Q senior The Georgetown Business Society (GBS) bringing the education and business worlds remanufacturing industry in the MENA a project of the student-created and student- majoring in International Economics and one was officially launched on April 2 in 2014 together with the launch of the second issue of region. run Business Society, which hopes to bring of four students who founded the club. with the goal of changing the perception, both their magazine, “Enterprise” at a public cam- He argues that, “The direction taken the corporate culture onto the school’s Explaining the theme, he said: “Through on and off campus, that a GU-Q degree is pus event. by countries such as Qatar and UAE that international affairs-minded campus, while a variety of articles on the latest business limited to the field of diplomacy and foreign Students, faculty and staff will be attend- supports the creation of state-of-the-art also introducing the corporate world to some developments and market trends, we hope to service, as well as to provide the student body ing the launch, as well as invited guests industrial parks and educational technical of Doha’s brightest future business leaders. provide insights on how the economy here in with the necessary tools and skills to support representing many sectors of Qatar’s business institutes may hold the key to making “For the inaugural launch of our Qatar needs to adapt to the changing reality those wishing to enter the business world. 24 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS More pain to come for Europe’s steelmakers

“The European steel industry has open, including offering to co-invest never stopped restructuring,” said with potential buyers. Such interven- Since the 2008 Edwin Basson, director-general of tions haven’t always worked. France financial crisis, more the Brussels-based World Steel Asso- threatened to nationalize all of Arce- ciation, which represents more than lorMittal’s plants in the country when than 75,000 steel 150 producers. “I don’t for a moment the company sought in 2012 to shut jobs were lost, or think we are at the end of this.” blast furnaces in Florange. Arcelor- Even after eight years of cut- Mittal, which shed almost 100,000 20 percent of the backs and plant closings, Europe workers over five years, agreed with industry’s workforce is still making more steel than it the government’s demand to look for in Europe. More will needs. Between 2007 and 2013, a buyer. But no one wanted the mill, when demand plunged by 30 per- and Florange was closed in 2013. probably follow. cent, companies reduced capacity by In Belgium, steelworkers held just 4 percent, according to Jefferies ArcelorMittal executives hostage International Ltd. The continent pro- for 48 hours in 2013, hoping to stop duced 166m tons last year, well below the shutdown in Liege. It didn’t. In Bloomberg its capability of 230m tons. northern England last year, Tata Steel People read a notice from the Central Bank of Kenya taped to the closed entrance of a Chase Bank branch, “Nobody should really be sur- closed its Redcar blast furnace after prised,” said Wolfgang Eder, chief no buyers were found. after the bank was put in receivership, in Nairobi, in this April 8, 2016 file photo. executive officer of Voestalpine AG, “If you’re not one of the most- LONDON: The fate of some huge a producer in Austria. “We have to efficient producers, it’s very hard to blast furnaces in the Belgian city reduce European steel-making be sustainable in the long term,” the of Liege a few years ago may offer capacity because we are oversup- World Steel Association’s Basson said. Kenya evaluating more than clues to where the rest of Europe’s plying the market.” “The restructuring event in Europe beleaguered steel-making industry ArcelorMittal, which produced a will continue.” is headed — more doom and gloom. combined 92.5m tons of steel from China exported a record 112m Known for its bike race and mills in the Americas, Europe, Africa tons last year and pushed output to five offers for failed Chase Bank meatballs, Liege was home to a and Asia last year, has posted a net an all-time monthly high of 70.65m steel mill owned by ArcelorMittal, loss for four straight years, including tons in March. That’s led to a global the world’s top producer. While the a $7.9bn in 2015. The Luxembourg- price slump. Bloomberg audit opinion. The most important Mergers and acquisitions are city had been a metal-making hub based company tapped shareholders European hot-rolled coil, a objective is to re-open Chase Bank, inevitable in the $61 billion econ- since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, for $3bn this month to help pare its regional benchmark, plunged 44 Njoroge told reporters in the capi- omy, where 42 banks serve 44 million the aging plant was too far from debt. percent last year and touched $272 tal, Nairobi, on Friday. Regulators people, compared with 22 banks in raw materials and spread out along Tata Steel Ltd., part of India’s a ton in February, down from $1,113 in NAIROBI: Kenya’s central bank is had no choice but to isolate Chase Nigeria, which has a population miles of the Meuse River, making it largest conglomerate, says the assets July 2008, according to Metal Bulletin evaluating more than five offers from Bank and appoint caretakers to pro- of 180 million and gross domestic uncompetitive after the global finan- of its UK business have almost no data. Having moderated at the begin- potential local and foreign suitors for tect the company from its creditors product that is nine times bigger, cial crisis sapped demand. In 2013, value, and the company wants out. ning of 2016, steel exports from China Chase Bank Kenya Ltd., which was and manage it back to health, he said, according to Cytonn Investments ArcelorMittal tired of losses and shut It reached an agreement last week rebounded in March to the strongest placed into receivership last week, adding that the lender hadn’t pro- Management Ltd., a Nairobi-based much of the facility. to sell blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, level for the year. Governor Patrick Njoroge said. vided auditors with sufficient data money manager. Since then, things have gotten England, to a private-equity firm The global market is so weak, The nation’s regulators were on non-performing loans. The central bank was comforta- worse. China, which accounts for and is looking to unload its remain- China is vowing to close 150m tons forced to step in with emergency sup- A liquidity support facility pro- ble with the industry as commercial half the globe’s output, is exporting ing plants in Britain. of steel-production capacity in the port to stem depositor panic after the vided by the central bank, with banks had cleaned up their balance the most on record as its own demand That’s riled officials in the UK, next five years, which would elimi- collapse last week of Chase Bank, the tenures from seven days to four sheets and were provisioning well for slows. That means more supply to where Prime Minister David Cam- nate 1.8m jobs, including at the mines third lender to be placed under stat- weeks, has helped to calm markets, non-performing loans, Njoroge said. compete with European producers eron is caught up in a political crisis that supply blast furnaces with coal. utory management since August. A Njoroge said. No lenders have used “We have passed the tipping point, we who can’t make money at current and is concerned about the prospect “We have to undergo this painful run on Chase Bank, which was Ken- the facility yet, although many are are at a new normal.” prices and already aren’t using about of job losses. restructuring process,” Voestalpine’s ya’s 11th largest at the time it was keen to meet with the central bank Commercial banks hadn’t been 30 percent of their capacity. Since At Tata’s 4,000-worker plant in Eder said. placed into receivership on April 7, to understand how it works, he said. setting aside enough for bad loans the 2008 financial crisis, more than Port Talbot, Wales, where steel has “If we don’t do it, the future will gathered pace as the lender’s chair- The central bank will not take and pushed lending rates higher to 75,000 steel jobs were lost, or 20 per- been forged for more than a cen- be even more painful. We have to do man and group managing director over any lenders and the nation’s boost profits, he said. cent of the industry’s workforce in tury, the government has pledged it, and the quicker we do it, the bet- resigned shortly after announcing financial institutions should look to “It was a race to the bottom line, Europe. More will probably follow. to do all it can to keep the furnaces ter for everybody. ” restated earnings with a qualified natural consolidation, Njoroge said. now it’s over,” Njoroge said. “

Nigeria has not applied for ECB to phase out IMF loan: FM 500 euro note Reuters

Reuters ABUJA: Nigeria, which is going through its worst economic cri- sis in years, has not turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) FRANKFURT: The European Cen- for financial assistance because tral Bank looks set to stop printing it is “not sick”, its finance minis- the 500 euro note, arguing it is used ter said. to finance crime, although the purple Africa’s top oil exporter, which bill will only be phased out gradu- has the continent’s biggest econ- ally due to resistance from Germany, omy, has been hit hard by the several sources familiar with the fall in crude prices since oil sales matter said. account for around 70 percent of ECB President Mario Draghi its income. (pictured) said in February the The economy grew 2.8 per- bank wanted to “make changes” to Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan cutting the ribbon to launch the 146th outlet of Malabar Gold & cent last year, its slowest pace the 500 euro note due to fears it may note would help tackle terrorism and in decades, and in March annual Diamonds, and the 10th in Oman, at Ruwi High Street in the presence of Malalabar Group officials. be used by terrorists and criminals, warned that this could instead see a inflation rose to a near four year leading to speculation the banknote little bit of “freedom” die. high of 12.8 percent. may be scrapped. Germany was one of the early Last month the IMF said it This prospect triggered a back- champions of the 500 euro note had again cut its growth forecast Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens lash in Germany, where the use of to match the value of its old 1,000 for Nigeria, predicting that gross large bills as a means of payment mark note and cater to Germans’ domestic product growth would and saving is deeply rooted, lead- traditional preference for cash over slow to 2.3 percent in 2016. It has ing the ECB to choose a gradual electronic money. said it hopes exchange rate lim- its 10th showroom in Oman process of withdrawal. Euro zone The 500 euro note is worth more its imposed by Nigeria will be central banking sources told Reu- than five times the value of the larg- removed. ters the ECB’s banknote committee est US denomination—the $100 The central bank has resisted has tabled several options and the bill—and has been dubbed the ‘Bin calls to devalue the naira cur- MUSCAT: Bollywood Actress showroom will also display a signif- Malabar Gold & Diamonds part- most likely scenario is that the pur- Laden’ for its alleged links to terror- rency, though a Reuters poll this Kareena Kapoor Khan launched icantly large collection of traditional nered with the security consultant ple banknote will instead simply stop ism and the difficulty of finding it. week predicted that a dollar 146th outlet of Malabar Gold & Dia- as well as contemporary jewellery in Gentur Security to ensure the event being printed and distributed at cash Nearly a third of the 1 trillion shortage, which has hamstrung monds which is 10th in Oman of gold, certified diamonds, platinum was well organized and comfortable points and bank branches in 2018. euros circulating last year was stored businesses that need the green- at Ruwi High Street, Muscat on and precious stone jewellery from and convenient event for the specta- “The most likely outcome is a in 500 euro notes, ECB data showed. back for imports, would prompt a April 14th in the presence of Mr. across the world that can hold you tors and the celebrity. The group is very gradual phasing out,” an ECB Yet 56 percent of European devaluation by September. MP Ahammed, Chairman, Mala- spell-bound with their awe-inspir- also planning to expand their pres- insider said. People would likely Union citizens have never seen “Nigeria is not sick and even bar Group, Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, ing beauty for the jewellery lovers in ence in Oman by opening 2 more be allowed to exchange their ban- one, according to a 2011 ECB survey, if we are, we have our own local Managing Director- International Oman. To celebrate this occasion, the showrooms in Barqa, Lulu & Muscat knotes indefinitely, mirroring the because the note is mainly used for remedy,” said Finance Minister Operations, Malabar Gold & Dia- group introduced fabulous inaugural City Center by July 2016. policy adopted by Germany’s own hoarding cash, rather than paying. Kemi Adeosun on Friday at a panel monds, Mr. KP Abdul Salam, Group offers for their customers. With every One of the most important fac- central bank when the euro replaced There is no official data about discussion in Washington where Executive Director, Malabar Group, purchase of diamond jewellery worth tors driving the group’s success are the Deutsche Mark in 2002. the use of 500 euro notes by crim- she attended spring meetings of Mr. Asher. O, Managing Director - OMR 500, the customers will get a 1 innovation in their strategies, designs, A decision is expected at an inals. But studies by the European the IMF and World Bank. India Operations, Malabar Gold & gm gold coin absolutely free and the promotions and the trust Malabar upcoming non-policy meeting of Union police agency Europol, former Adeosun’s spokesman, Festus Diamonds other well-wishers, invited customers can also avail a free gold Gold & Diamonds evokes. With a rich the ECB’s Governing Council and banking executive Peter Sands and Akanbi, said the comment was “an media & guests. coin with every purchase of gold jew- mix of traditional and trendy jewel- probably as early as May. Even this the United Nations Office on Drugs apparent response to a question on This elegant showroom con- ellery worth OMR 300. These offers lery in gold, diamond and platinum, compromise solution was unlikely and Crime link it to crime, mostly why the government has refused to veniently located at Ruwi High are valid at their newly opened out- Malabar Gold & Diamonds is one of to be backed by Germany’s cen- citing anecdotal evidence. apply for IMF loans”. Discussions Street, Opp. to Ruwi Police Sta- let in Ruwi until 26 April 2016. the most preferred destinations for tral bank, which still fears that any In a 2015 report, Europol went between Nigeria and the World tion, will be their 3rd showroom A huge gathering of over 40,000 quality jewellery. The combination restriction encroaches on citizens’ as far as saying authorities should Bank are continuing on a possible at Ruwi, 10th in Oman and 63rd in residents of Muscat thronged the of purest jewellery and cutting edge right to cash, one of the sources consider stopping issuing the ban- loan or credit facility that would be the Middle East. Like all other Mal- venue to witness the inauguration designs combining unmatched grace said. One Bundesbank director, in knote unless they found evidence it tied to policy reforms. abar Gold & Diamonds outlets, this and to see their favorite celebrity. and style makes jewellery unique. fact, disputed that scrapping the was used legitimately. BUSINESS SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 25 BOJ warming to idea of buying more stocks funds

Reuters and prices, Japan is back with flat increase in bond buying and an inter- holds about half, but ETFs can be eas- Andrew Meredith, co-managing growth and inflation, and the neg- est rate cut, could be the only way left ily cobbled together by brokerages, so director at Tyton Capital Advisors. The BOJ is currently ative interest rate policy has proved to surprise markets,” said a former there is scope for plenty more, given There are doubts raised within buying about 3.3 deeply unpopular among banks and BOJ executive who retains close con- Japan’s TOPIX stock market weighs in the BOJ, too, but those voices are in WASHINGTON: Bank of Japan offi- the public, limiting the BOJ’s room for tact with incumbent policymakers. at 500 trillion yen. retreat as Kuroda stretches the lim- cials are growing more receptive to trillion yen ($30bn) further cuts. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda The BOJ says it does not directly its of monetary policy, and dissenters stepping up monetary easing meas- of ETFs a year, which “ETFs and government bonds are has stressed his readiness to use all target stock prices and that its ETF to his radical money-printing policies ures by buying more exchange-traded two markets in Japan where there’s the tools available if the achieve- buying is aimed at pushing down are being replaced by supporters, the funds (ETF) invested in shares, as a pales in comparison to room to increase the BOJ’s purchases ment of his inflation goal is at risk. risk premiums, which helps lower sources say. stock market tumble and weak global the 80 trillion yen of in huge amounts,” one of the sources Given the adverse reaction to nega- long-term interest rates and there- “I don’t think worries about an exit growth threaten the country’s fragile government bonds it said. BOJ policymakers are likely to tive rates of minus 0.1 percent, a big fore borrowing costs for companies. are high on the list of the BOJ’s pri- economic recovery. debate the possibility of expanding move there looks unlikely, and since But the central bank’s presence in the orities,” said another source familiar BOJ policymakers are wary of buys, under a stimulus stimulus at a rate review this month that policy also penalises banks for market could assist stock prices, and with the BOJ’s thinking. HSBC projects intervening too heavily in the stock policy it began in as the strong yen and weak external holding cash, it makes them less will- in turn help boost business sentiment, the BOJ might raise annual purchases market, but its primary monetary demand further cloud prospects for ing to sell bonds to the central bank, analysts say. of ETFs to 13 trillion yen to show its easing tools — cutting interest rates 2013 in a bid to end achieving their 2 percent inflation analysts say. Japanese shares fared well in the determination to achieve its infla- and buying government bonds — are decades of stagnation target. The BOJ’s huge bond purchases first two years or so after Kuroda tion target. showing diminishing returns and An expansion of ETF buying may are also drying up market liquidity, introduced his stimulus measures, ris- Jerram at Bank of Singapore said have become less attractive since it and deflation. be among steps the BOJ would con- which further limits the scope for a ing 70 percent to August 2015, but they he was not convinced buying ETFs adopted negative interest rates in Jan- sider this month, though central bank large increase. “They are crossing have since lost half those gains. Scep- would help much with the BOJ’s prin- uary, sources familiar with the BOJ’s officials say they won’t rule out other off a list of things that aren’t possible, tics say buying ETFs in large volumes cipal goals, however, as there wasn’t thinking said. measures, and could opt for a combi- and the only thing that’s left is buying might help stop the rot, but could store a clear transmission into economic The BOJ is currently buying about buys, under a stimulus policy it began nation of steps, especially if it wants to ETFs,” said Richard Jerram, economist up problems for the future. performance. “They do something for 3.3 trillion yen ($30bn) of ETFs a year, in 2013 in a bid to end decades of stag- get maximum market impact. at Bank of Singapore. “The BOJ will not easily be able the sake of doing something, and peo- which pales in comparison to the 80 nation and deflation. “Increasing ETF buying in huge Japan’s ETF market is just 15.8 retract this liquidity in the future ple see through that pretty quickly,” trillion yen of government bonds it After an initial uptick in growth amounts, combined with a modest trillion yen, of which the BOJ already without destabilizing markets,” said he said.

Wall Street investors Traders at work on Frankfurt stock exchange India’s forex reserves up look for trough at $359.91bn in profit downturn MUMBAI: India’s foreign exchange reserves increased marginally to $359.91bn as on April 8, the Reuters dollar index is down 3.7 percent from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said. a year ago and U.S. unemployment is According to RBI’s forex data, now near an eight-year low. the reserves stood at $359.91bn A turnaround in profits would as on April 8 against $359.75bn NEW YORK: As earnings season blunt one of investors’ biggest wor- for the week ended April 1, 2016. shifts into high gear next week in ries, an ongoing weak earnings cycle. As on April 8, foreign currency what is expected to be the weakest The S&P 500 has recovered from a assets stood at $335.84bn, gold US quarterly results reporting period sharp early-year selloff and is up $20.11bn, special drawing rights since 2009, the hope among some is 1.8 percent year to date, while its $1.5bn and the reserve position that this is as bad as it’s going to get. price-to-earnings ratio is above its with International Monetary The US earnings recession that long-term average. Fund (IMF) stood at $2.45bn. began in the third quarter of 2015 is Still, the market is 2.5 per- On the other hand, the forex expected to continue until the sec- cent below its May 2015 high, and reserves for the week ended April ond quarter, with profits slated to there are plenty of concerns keep- 1, 2016, consisted of foreign cur- fall 2.2 percent - not as bad as the ing investors from becoming too rency assets of $335.68bn, gold nearly 8 percent drop expected in upbeat at this point. Just 28 percent reserves of $20.11bn, special Traders work at their desks in front of the German share price index, DAX board, at the stock exchange the first quarter. Reporting ramps up of investors surveyed this week by drawing rights of $1.50bn and next week, with results from top tech the American Association of Indi- in Frankfurt on Friday. the reserve position with IMF of names Alphabet International Busi- vidual Investors expect higher stock $2.45bn. ness Machines and Intel, as well as prices in the next six months, below a host of consumer names including the long-term average of 39 percent. Starbucks, Yum Brands and Coca- Analysts currently project a 7.8 Cola Co. percent decline in first-quarter earn- Cautiously optimistic strategists ings, according to Thomson Reuters Three days of gain buoys Indian equity indices are pointing to the modest rebound data, and Goldman Sachs analysts in oil and other commodity prices, a say forecasts are still too optimistic. softening dollar and slow-but-steady “Company guidance for Q2 is growth in the US economy as rea- likely to be negative, leading to IANS made a large gain of 295.25 points or and a decline in inflation from 5.26 Shankar, of Yes Securities. “The only sons to expect an improvement in lower EPS forecast,” they wrote in a 3.91 percent. The market mood was percent to 4.83 percent. stock in Nifty to end the week in the earnings. research note. They noted that about also inclined more towards the blue Foreign funds were not so upbeat negative was Coal India,” Shankar, who The first quarter, should it come 20 percent of S&P 500 companies chip stocks. Both the BSE’s mid-cap on Monday and emerged net sellers is senior vice-president for research, in as expected, would mark a third tend to report forward guidance, and MUMBAI: The short trading week index and the small cap index rose to the tune of $4.94m on the equi- said. “The coming week would see a straight quarterly decline in earnings the percentage of companies lower- of three days saw key Indian equity at a relatively lower pace than the ties side on the first day of the trading slew of result announcements kicking and a fifth straight fall in revenue. ing expectations has increased over indices shoot up over 3.75 percent, Sensex — by 3.03 percent and 2.61 week. Even on the next two days, their off the earnings season,” she added. Going forward, year-over-year time, hitting 83 percent during the mainly on news that monsoon rain percent, respectively. net picks were not that high, valued at Within the BSE, the auto index comparisons should improve, said final three months of 2015. this year is expected to be above nor- “The above-normal monsoon $23.45m and $64.41m, respectively. rose the most at little over 7.35 per- Richard Bernstein, chief executive Also worrying some investors, mal, the country’s factory output is forecast and the ease of retail infla- On Monday, value buying and a cent, the banking index was up 4.79b and chief investment officer at Rich- cash flow has declined for S&P 500 again on the growth path and infla- tion below the Reserve Bank’s 2016-17 rebound in the global markets saw the percent, and that for power ended ard Bernstein Advisors in New York. companies in the past year, mak- tion is easing further. estimate of 5 percent have steered the Sensex gain 348.32 points or 1.41 per- 4.01 percent higher. The consumer “All it takes is you just don’t ing it harder for them to buy back The Sensitive Index (Sensex) market to a three months high,” said cent. Tuesday saw the 30-share index goods index and the oil and gas index, replay 2015,” said Bernstein, who shares. Buybacks help boost earn- of the BSE, which had closed last Vinod Nair, head of research with rise 123.43 points or 0.49 percent and also gained 3.41 percent and 3.27 per- thinks the low point of the profit ings numbers on a per-share basis. week at 24,673.84 points, ended on Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Serv- the momentum picked up further on cent, respectively. downturn may have been at the One narrow bit of optimism: ana- Wednesday — the last trading day, ices. “On the global front, rebound Wednesday with a spike of up 481.16 Looking ahead, analyst like Dhruv end of last year, based on trailing lysts’ negative revisions in estimates with Thursday and Friday being holi- in export data has added impetus to points or 1.91 percent. Desai, director, Tradebulls, all eyes will four-quarter data. He is overweight may be bottoming out. Estimates for days — at 25,626.75 points with a gain the Chinese market,” he said. “All major sectoral indices ended be on the results. “Bulls reclaimed gains sectors he considers sensitive to the first quarter dropped by 3.1 per- of 952.91 points, or 3.86 percent. “Better-than-expected industrial the week with gains. Autos, banks ahead of earning session. Profit book- the profit cycle - energy, materials, centage points from the beginning Likewise, the 50-share Nifty of output and consumer price index data and infrastructure indices outper- ing was seen in the global markets on financials and technology. of December to mid-January, but the National Stock Exchange (NSE), also cheered the market,” added Vaib- formed rest of the market. Top weekly the last session. But the week as such US oil prices, at around $40 a estimates for the second quarter which had ended last week at 7,555.20 hav Agarwal, vice president at Angel gainers in Nifty were Tata Motors, Hin- as shown gains. The next major influ- barrel, are well off their mid-Feb- fell just 0.9 points from March 1 to points, closed for week under review Broking, referring to the 2 percent dalco, Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank and encing factor for the markets will be ruary lows near $26, while the US now, Thomson Reuters data shows. at 7,850.45. In the process, it also growth in factory output in February Bharat Heavy Electricals,” said Nitasha the earning season.” 85m US Takata air bags may still face recall

Reuters add to already hefty estimated bills authorities and automaker customers. for the Japanese parts maker. A Tokyo-based spokesman for Analysts have estimated that if Honda Motor Co, which so far has Takata is found to be solely respon- recalled the largest number of vehicles WASHINGTON: US auto safety reg- sible for the fault in the inflators, now over the issue, said that the automaker ulators said that there were about 85 the subject of several industry inves- would cooperate with authorities to million unrecalled Takata Corp air tigations, it could face a bill of more take swift and appropriate action if bag inflators in US vehicles that would than $3.5bn for inflators recalled to additional recalls are announced. eventually need to be recalled unless date. Takata declined to comment on The NHTSA said that potentially the company can prove they are safe. the issue. defective Takata air bags still on the This is the first public account- Under an agreement signed last road include 43.4 million passenger ing by the US government of the total year, the company has until 2019 to side inflators, 26.9 million side air number of unrecalled Takata air bag demonstrate that all of its unrecalled bag inflators and 14.5 million driver inflators. So far 28.8 million in the air bag inflators are safe. side inflators. United States have been recalled due The prospect of ballooning recall Japanese transport authorities said to the risk that they can explode with costs has prompted Takata to look for they did not have equivalent estimates too much force and spray metal shards a financial backer and it plans to draw for unrecalled Takata air bag inflators inside vehicles. up a list of candidates by August, two globally or in Japan, where 12 million More than 11 people have been people familiar with the matter said have been recalled to date. killed worldwide in incidents on Tuesday. Honda, Toyota Motor Corp and linked to defective Takata inflators, The parts maker has been widely other carmakers have said they will including the March 31 death of a criticised for dragging its feet in iden- stop using Takata air bag inflators in 17-year-old driver in Texas. Glo- tifying air bag inflators that needed to new models. Some have also been bally, more than 50 million have be recalled, and for providing incom- sourcing replacement inflators from A file picture of Takata Corporation’s Echigawa plant in Aisho, Shiga Prefecture, central Japan. been recalled. Further recalls would plete and inaccurate data to transport alternative suppliers. 26 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS VIEWS

UK Land Registry’s Corporations and banks in developed privatisation plan world turn their back on borrowing weakens drive on graft

By Paola Totaro in class’ knowledge and external Reuters investment is a key part of this,” he said. “High-quality Land Reg- istry services and confidence in the property market will remain HE British government a high priority for government risks losing “trust and throughout this process.” The the moral high ground” Land Registry employs more than around the world if it 4,500 civil servants and holds goes ahead with plans around 24 million titles to prop- Tto privatise the 150-year-old erties across England and Wales, UK Land Registry, experts in the the seminar was told. field have said. Land and prop- Nicky Heathcote, head of the erty specialists are concerned that Chief Land Registrar’s Office, the plan, announced by Business said a nine-week national public Secretary Sajid Javid, is aimed consultation had been launched, solely at “raising cash in the lasting until May 24. Public oppo- short term”, according to Geof- sition to the proposal has been frey Payne, international advisor growing, marked by the launch to the World Bank. of a petition against privatization Payne told the UK Land and a campaign by the activist Forum, a seminar on land and group 38 Degrees. corruption, that publicly owned John Manthorpe, who land registers were essential to was Chief Land Registrar for fostering community trust and more than a decade, is among social stability and could be opponents of Land Registry pri- powerful tools to combat land vatisation. He told the Thomson corruption, particularly in devel- Reuters Foundation that a simi- oping economies. lar proposal in 2014 saw the public “... it is very important that a land roundly reject privatisation, more registry be held which gives reli- than 91 percent of respondents By Howard Schneider, John air. What’s needed is to create an environ- rules despite the European Central Bank’s able up-to-date information on saying they did not agree that a O’Donnell and Leika Kihara ment in which companies and households effort to goad more spending. who owns what - and with what sell-off would make the Registry Reuters feel confident to spend,” said a senior Japa- German public officials have for sev- rights - and that this is maintained more efficient. nese policymaker directly involved in Group eral years resisted calls to use their fiscal in a way that is affordable, effi- “On top of that, 89 percent said of 20 negotiations. power, access to cheap credit, and large cient and gives access to people they would not be comfortable The policymakers assembled in Wash- international trade surpluses to boost to ensure transparency and good with the private sector process- ENTRAL bankers usually worry ington will be focused on how to inflate demand. German corporations are being governance,” he told the Thomson ing land registration information,” about when to remove the demand. Along with more cautious con- stingy as well, increasing corporate sav- Reuters Foundation. he said. In a paper ‘Why Privatis- punch bowl of cheap finance sumers and companies in developed nations, ings by more than 15 percent since 2012, “This is one of the main ways ing Land Registration is Wrong’ he but when they gather in Wash- China is in retreat and likely to scale down and trimming investment. that we can help to reduce cor- argues that public ownership is ington, DC this week they will investment and purchases of raw materials The ECB’s €1.7 trillion programme of ruption and abuse of land vital to transparency. face a different problem: How as its economic transition continues. quantitative easing has helped buoy the management,” he said. “I was Questions “...can arise from Cto force the world to drink. The IMF’s preferred and oft-repeated housing market, but has not led to a surge very concerned to see that the UK sale and purchase, inheritance, Amid a flood of cheap money and a his- solution is for government spending to pick of consumer spending or business invest- government is now proposing to mortgage, discharges, leases, toric experiment with negative interest rates, up the slack, particularly on infrastruc- ment to levels that would increase growth privatise the Land Registry, which restrictions, matrimonial and households, corporations and banks in the ture, as well as for labor market and other and lower unemployment. ... has maintained a very accurate family matters ... none of this developed world have turned their backs reforms that will make economies grow “It is hard to see where the growth in record of land holdings in the UK.” massive and daily movement on borrowing. Credit growth has flat-lined faster because they are more efficient. consumption should come from,” said “This (privatisation) is being of guaranteed interest in land, and an array of metrics indicate the world Absent those measures, the economic Carsten Brzeski, an economist with ING done for purely commercial and between citizens, business, public has become a more cautious place, poten- outlook is likely to remain mediocre. The IMF bank in Frankfurt, who said corporate and ideological reasons, not public bodies and financial institutions tially upending whatever bang for the buck cut its growth forecast for the fourth time in household behavior both reflected the dim benefit. This means that it will be on which the market economy central banks might expect. a year. Central bankers in major economies outlook for economic growth. impossible for the United King- depends, could function without In the US households are paying down agree that further policy moves on their part “Deposits in the corporate sector have dom to maintain the moral high an impartial and trusted system of mortgages instead of borrowing against may have a limited impact, and they appear increased across the euro zone despite the ground when it comes to advising land registration,” Manthorpe said. homes to fund consumption, altering increasingly joined at the hip. low interest rates. They are keeping their and offering loans to developing In the UK, nearly 40 percent behaviour that arguably helped fuel the Though the Fed began tightening policy money rather than investing.” countries,” he said. of all land holdings are still held 2007 financial crisis but in December, its first interest rate rise in a There could be an upside. If companies “The UK Department for Inter- in aristocratic estates and so have that also contributed to decade was followed by a renewed sense of and households have stocked ample cash it national Development (DFID) has never been placed on the market economic growth. A Chi- caution about sagging global demand and would provide a buffer against any future interests in improving govern- for official registration, Payne said. cago Federal Reserve whether the US policy could go its own way. downturn and potentially make the next ance and reducing corruption But all land that is registered Bank composite index Further rate hikes now appear on hold. The recession less severe than it otherwise and improving incomes and liv- is available for scrutiny by the of household, bank and European Central Bank and Bank of Japan might have been. To that extent, slower, ing standards ... it makes life for public, ensuring confidence and corporate leverage has are discussing further monetary easing. more careful growth now may mean DFID very difficult, if it is advising security for both investors and been below average for For now, said Adam Posen, President a more stable and less severe business governments on reducing cor- landowners, he said. “The real Amid a flood of cheap nearly four years. of the Peterson Institute for International cycle, just the sort of outcome envisioned ruption, if the UK itself in land challenge and real problem is that European and US Economics, the US appeared locked into in reforms efforts undertaken in the wake management and governance is if the government does proceed money and a historic companies are socking a “slower yet sustainable” path of 2.0 per- of the global financial crisis of 2007-2009. not setting the very highest stand- to privatise, the interest and the experiment with away cash and the Bank cent growth. Business investment is lagging The Geneva-based Bank for Inter- ards of ethical behavior.” motivations for those running it negative interest of Japan’s descent into with no expectation of a rapid change, and national Settlements has acknowledged Javid, when announcing the will be in personal or private, not negative rates has yet households have dialed back in what may that the array of new capital and lever- plan, defended it as a bid to make the public interest”, he said. rates, households, to boost consumption, be an enduring shift, he said. Savings rates age requirements imposed on the world’s the Land Registry more efficient The seminar also heard from corporations corporate investment, and household wealth are rising, debt pay- commercial banks in recent years would and “to meet government objec- specialists assessing the impact or even faith in an eco- ments as a percentage of income are falling come at a cost. For every extra percent- tives in the best way possible”. and origins of land corruption in and banks in the nomic rebound. and consumption growth remains modest. age point of capital banks are forced to “Creating an organization that developing economies and iden- developed world have Even as global “I do think we should entertain (the idea) raise, for example, the BIS estimated can focus on delivering modern- tifying measures to tackle the liquidity expands, the that this is a substantial change in household that economic output would fall by 0.09 ised services and bringing in ‘best problem. turned their backs on appetite for it remains behaviour and that means a much less lever- percentage points, with a similar drop borrowing. moribund. “You can’t aged consumer than in the past,” Posen said. associated with the imposition of limits create demand from thin In the power center of Europe, prudence also on leverage. Italy’s Atlas fund struggles to stop sky falling on banks

By Silvia Aloisi and Paola Arosio helping recapitalise weaker banks, accord- reservations about the scheme. A Bank of Italy “We hope the announcement itself will soothe Reuters ing to the sources. Italy’s biggest retail bank, spokeswoman said it supported the initiative the market, so that a bigger portion of the fund Intesa Sanpaolo, and another lender, Banco by private financial institutions, which the cen- can be used for bad debts.” Popolare, spoke out against Atlas in tense, tral bank governor has described as a safety Ennio Doris, chairman of asset manager closed-door meetings leading up to the fund’s net to ensure choppy markets do not impede Mediolanum which is contributing €50m, said TALY has dubbed its new bank bailout announcement on Monday, according to two the necessary recapitalisation of some lend- the scheme was aimed at making the bank- fund Atlas, after the mythical Greek titan, sources who were present. ers. “The backstop offered by Atlas will have ing industry more solid. because it is meant to hold up the sky Some bankers complained they were positive effects on the problem of non-perform- The fragility of Italy’s banking system has above the nation’s lenders. But some of being asked to sign up to a multi-billion-euro ing loans, which is the main problem of Italian increasingly been a factor in a debt crisis that Ithe fund’s own investors doubt that it can do fund without any documentation, the sources banks,” the spokeswoman said. has haunted the eurozone since 2009. Any the job. The €5bn-€6bnbn ($5.7bn-$6.8bn) said. A person who played a key role in setting The initial reluctance of big players to further risks to its stability could hinder both fund was hailed by the government as an up the fund said some of the details were only invest in Atlas casts uncertainty over the the Italian and regional economic recoveries. industry-led response to concerns in Rome fine-tuned on Monday, so no paperwork was long-term future of a fund meant to shore The sector has long suffered from low and other European capitals about the euro distributed at the final meeting with bankers up Italian banks, which fared the worst in profitability, weak governance and high costs. zone’s fourth-biggest banking system. in the evening. The plan’s first formal draft Europe-wide stress tests of their financial A severe recession added to the problems by But it was only reluctantly accepted by some circulated the following day. resilience and have lost a third of their value making many companies default on loans, of the financial institutions that committed to Unenthusiastic bankers only agreed to this year due to concerns over their bad debts. saddling banks with soured debts that - if it, according to seven sources, including four back it after government and central bank However, other financial institutions they are written down at their market value The initial reluctance of of the institutions that eventually agreed to put officials warned of a crisis of confidence in expressed support for the scheme, which has - would blow a capital hole in their accounts. big players to invest in money in the fund. Some bankers involved in the sector unless big lenders signed up. around 40 institutional investors, including If the bailout fund runs out of money, ini- the scheme voiced fears the fund would expose The person who had a key role in setting insurers, banking foundations and state lender tial participants would be asked to contribute Atlas casts uncertainty their own banks to the self-inflicted problems up the fund said they were told that if a sin- Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, saying something more cash, but are not obliged to do so. A per- over the long-term future of a few lenders, the sources said. gle bank’s effort to raise cash on the market needed to be done. “It is a positive initiative son with direct knowledge of the matter said They also said that the fund may not failed, it would drag the whole industry down. for the system,” said Banca Popolare di Milano he expected banks that put in money now to of a fund meant to shore be big enough to make a real dent in Ita- Intesa Sanpaolo and Banco Popolare Chief Executive Giuseppe Castagna, adding he be willing to increase the fund’s fire-power at up Italian banks. ly’s €360bn in bad debts, a third of the euro declined to comment on the talks leading up hoped only a small part of the fund’s cash would a later stage if needed, but that if this was not zone’s total, if it spends most of its money on to the fund’s creation and on whether they had be needed to assist cash calls at weaker banks. the case other players may join the scheme. BUSINESS SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 27

BACK TO BUSINESS sight McDonald’s targeting buyout firms ECB not aiming as it seeks to sell North Asia stores to weaken euro against dollar By Denny Thomas has previously expressed interest in Reuters expanding its retail footprint. Buyout firms from KKR & Co to Reuters US economist Nouriel Roubini Carlyle Group and others have raised suggested on Friday the ECB was billions of dollars in new funds in Asia angry over a perception that the CDONALD’S Corp to benefit from the region’s growth US central bank has been talking is targeting private potential. But the lack of opportu- HE European Central down the dollar, and wanted to equity firms, includ- nities to gain control of businesses Bank is unhappy with push for a currency accord at a ing Bain Capital, and stiff asking prices have left the the US dollar’s recent fall meeting of the G20 major econ- MBK Partners, TPG Asia private equity industry sitting but accepts it as a natu- omies in Washington this week. MCapital Management and Chinese on about $140bn of “dry powder” or Tral consequence of the Federal But conversations with cen- state-backed conglomerate China unemployed capital, according to data Reserve’s cautious economic out- tral bankers and government Resources (Holdings) for its planned provider Preqin. look and sees no reason to act officials suggested no such ten- sale of 2,800 restaurants in North Apart from the proceeds from to weaken the euro, three ECB sion. A senior Japanese finance Asia, people familiar with the mat- a sale, a deal would lower McDon- sources told Reuters. ministry official said markets had ter said. ald’s capital spending needs, which A weaker dollar — it has shed misunderstood the G20’s Shang- The US fast food giant is adopt- totaled $2.6bn last year. McDonald 4 percent against the euro since hai communiqué in February, ing a new business model in Asia, also plans to open 1,500 more res- the beginning of March and 6 per- as it committed to avoid inten- which is now the most intense battle- taurants in China and Hong Kong over cent in the past year — is reducing tional devaluation but did not ground for global restaurant chains, the next five years, to tap the region’s imported inflation in the euro prohibit monetary policy moves by planning to bring in partners to rapid growth. However, McDonald’s zone, making it harder for the that might indirectly result in cur- own the restaurants within a fran- and Yum, have been facing increas- ECB to boost prices after repeated rency swings. chise operation. ing competition from cheaper local bouts of negative inflation. “I’m mildly annoyed with Several other global restau- rivals, particularly in China, where But with many big central the currency moves, sure, but rant operators have switched to they are both trying to recover from banks easing monetary policy we just have to deal with it,” the so-called franchise model and food safety scares. to stimulate sluggish economies, another ECB source said. “There McDonald’s has also set a long-term Yum is also in the process of spin- policymakers risk getting into was an in-principle agreement aim of being 95 percent franchised, ning off its 6,900 China restaurants, costly currency wars, one ECB about exchange rates expressed the company said in a statement on and is in talks with buyouts firms, official said. at the G20 communiqué, but the March 31. including KKR and Hopu Invest- “We have to accept that the rising risk of ‘Brexit’ and the Fed’s Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDon- ongoing royalty fees, which usually deal appealing to buyers, the people ments to sell up to a 20 percent stake exchange rate channel is not adjustment of its stance have both ald’s has hired Morgan Stanley to run range between 3-5 percent of annual added. The private equity firms are after battling sliding sales over the working like it used to,” said an resulted in relatively big moves.” the sale of the restaurants in China, turnover. Asia-focused Baring Pri- attracted to the rapid growth oppor- past few quarters.. Bruised by food ECB insider. “With the Fed’s low- “But the Fed is clearly devis- Hong Kong and South Korea, the vate Equity Asia is the other buyouts tunity available in the so-called safety scandals and changing tastes, ered rate path comes a weaker ing policy for the benefit of the US people said. A formal sales process firm likely to be invited to the auc- quick-service restaurants’ (QSR) busi- McDonald’s is also selling a big stake dollar and we need to avoid even economy, and there isn’t a sugges- is expected to kick-off in about three tion process, banking sources familiar ness in Asia. in its Japanese arm. Buyout firms, the impression that we’re tar- tion that their aim is to devalue,” to four weeks, one of the people said. with the process said. “In recent years, even though for- including Bain Capital, Permira and geting the exchange rate. The that source added. Ahead of that, McDonald’s and its McDonald’s declined to add to the mal dining may have been impacted MBK, were among those who sub- stronger euro doesn’t help infla- The ECB officials all denied advisor are drawing up a list of likely March 31 statement. China Resources, by the austerity measures, QSR as a mitted bids for the McDonald’s Japan tion, but we’re still in a completely that a complex but secret cur- partners who will be approached to MBK, Bain, TPG and Baring all declined format is growing pretty rapidly,” said stake earlier this year, though it was acceptable range and oil is finally rency deal had been struck at the participate in the auction, the per- to comment. Morgan Stanley didn’t Kiki Yang, a Greater China partner at unclear if a deal is close. All three helping us,” the source added. G20 meeting in Shanghai, and son added. respond to an email seeking com- consulting firm Bain & Co. buyout firms declined comment. The dollar, which is also said only that there had been an The franchise partners would ment. McDonald’s does not break out “QSR has the format that a lot of McDonald’s has struggled in Japan trading near a 17-month low intellectual understanding that likely end up owning a majority stake country-by-country revenue details. It investors like because of the growth over the past two years, closing more against the yen, also took a hit trying to depreciate currencies in the restaurants in each market, or is China’s No. 2 fast food chain behind of the segment, standardized proce- than 150 restaurants last year, remod- last month after Fed policymak- made little sense. The sources even as much as 100 percent, and be YUM Brands Inc, which operates the dures and it’s easy to expand.” China eling almost 3,000 and posting a ers issued projections signalling added that the recent jump in responsible for future capital spend- KFC and Pizza Hut chains. Resources (Holdings), which is the $310m net loss in 2015. McDonald’s that only two interest rate hikes oil prices was helping to offset ing. The precise structure of the deal McDonald’s is leaning towards parent of brewing company China owns 49.99 percent of its Japanese were coming in 2016, instead of the deflationary impact of the is still to be decided, the sources finding separate partners in all the Resources Beer Holdings, and oper- arm McDonald’s Holdings, according the four predicted in December. firming euro. said. In return, McDonald’s will get three markets and would likely ates Pacific Coffee chains in Hong to the company’s website, and intends a one-time franchise payment and offer a majority stake to make the Kong, China, Singapore and Macau, to cut that to about 20 percent.

The Saudi Deputy Crown If we produced more oil than there is demand, we Prince Mohammed bin Capital would destroy many markets. So we consider supply Salman (Chairman of the and demand, and we look at any demand we receive Supreme Council of Saudi Comment and we deal with it. Arabian Oil Company)

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Intel likely to cut

Christine Lagarde @ Name in the Market thousands of jobs Lagarde HEARD ON THE STREET NEW YORK: After announcing the To secure durable MENA FISCAL BALANCES departure of its two top executives growth we need a 3 last week, US-based electron- pronged approach: monetary policy, fis- ics chipmaker Intel is reportedly cal policy & structural The more China’s nascent preparing to cut thousands of reforms. jobs across its business units by economic rebound is fueled by the year-end, a media report said. KPMG @KPMG debt and property, the more The cutbacks will reduce employment in some parts of concerned Beijing will be that it is the business by double-digit per- #Chemical compa- centages, oregonlive.com quoted a nies are looking for pushing the gas too hard. source in the company as saying. #strategic acquisitions designed to increase The planned downsizing could growth begin soon after Intel reports its first-quarter financial results on April 19, though sources say tim- World Bank MENA @ ing and specifics remain fluid, the MoneyBeat report said. After Intel eliminated WorldBankMENA more than 1,100 jobs in the US New #MENA financing after the anticipated sales growth to incl. US$141 million failed to materialise, it had 107,000 in grants, US$1 billion employees worldwide at the end of in soft loans, & US$500 Net issuance of U.S. dollar December 2015. million in guarantees denominated bonds was only Intel has seen a decline in the $185 billion in the first quarter of personal computer market, which Fitch Ratings @ 2016 vs. $378 billion during the brings nearly 60 percent of its FitchRatings revenue. This is due to the shift- first quarter of 2015 and $239 ing of consumers and businesses Panama Economy Is billion during the final quarter of to mobile, delaying upgrading of Robust; Leaks Pose Rep- older computers. The company utational Risk 2015. is reshaping its leadership and workforce to develop new mar- kets beyond personal computing.

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 31 PAGE | 34 PPhelpshelps ‘not happy’ Defiant Blatter with 200m regrets he did not bbutterfly win reform FIFA

SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 • 10 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Al Ahli down Al Rayyan to finish sixth

Qatar Stars League champions Al Rayyan lose their last round match as Al Sailiya edge Al Arabi 2-1

The Peninsula

DOHA: Al Ahli edged Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Rayyan 3-2 to finish sixth while Al Sailiya registerd a fighting 2-1 win over Al Arabi. Al Sailiya finished sev- enth and Al Arabi eight in the 14-team league. Al Sailiya rounded off their season in style with a 2-1 victory over ten-man Al Arabi. The result moved the Peregrines on to 36 points Action from the Qatar Stars League match, between Al Arabi and Al Sailiya on the last and helped them leapfrog day of the QSL season at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Al Sailiya won 2-1. RIGHT: Action the Dream Team in the final from the Al Ahli and Al Rayyan clash. Al Ahli won 3-2. standings. Sailiya took the lead in the eighth minute minutes later to equalise with to make sure it hit the back of Sousa’s well-struck free-kick. at Grand Hamad Stadium a fine finish from ten yards. the net. Late on, Sailiya had a golden through Abdurahman Al An action-packed opening Gianfranco Zola’s men opportunity to make the game Harazi. The Qatari striker was completed in the 25th pressed for long periods of safe. Faouzi Aaish was brought prodded home a clever cross minute when Majdi Siddiq the second half but failed to down in the area by Abdullah from Carlos Preciado after the put Sailiya back in front. Arabi find an equaliser – thanks in Marafee but saw his spot kick Colombian had latched on to goalkeeper Rajab Hamza part to solid goalkeeping from hit the post and go wide. The a good through-ball. Sailiya could only parry his side- Gregory Gomis. incident also saw Marafee didn’t lead for long though. footed effort from 25 yards The Frenchman produced get his marching orders after Yusef Ahmed capitalised on and the ball ballooned over a string of good saves, receiving a second yellow slack defending just eight the line with Preciado on hand including one from Alan card. Qatari trio off to a winning start at home event

The Peninsula note. Last year’s runner-up and top Pro Circuit. Last year, Hamza Akbar seed Advani began with a 4-0 win of Pakistan won the event, defeating ASIAN SNOOKER over Saudi Arabia’s Sulaiman Alm- Advani in the final, and is now part of CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar’s Mohsen isfer. the Pro Circuit. Bukshaisha in DOHA: Top seeds Pankaj Advani of In his first match of the group Also winning yesterday was Asif, India and Mohammad Asif of Paki- stage, Pankaj defeated Almisfer in the 34-year-old from Faisalabad. The Ali, who is in the same group as action during stan along with three home cueists straight frames, 82-26, 81-06,76- former winner of the World Amateur Advani, defeated Alvin Barbero of the his match on the Ali Alobaidli, Ahmed Saif and Mohsen 23,70-15 with breaks of 67 and 69 Snooker Championship defeated Kha- Philippines. first day of the Bukshaisha began their campaign in in the second and fourth frame led Alastal of Palestine 4-0. In the other results, Saif won Asian snooker the Asian Snooker Championship at respectively. The hosts had something to cheer against Ahmed Janahi of Bahrain championship. the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Fed- The winner of the championship about as three of them won on the while Bukshaisha kept the win- eration (QBSF) Academy on a winning in Qatar will be eligible to play on the opening day of the championship. ning momentum by defeating Amir Sarkhosh of Iran. Mohsin Al Abdulrahman, Mhanaa Alobaidli, Bashar Abdulmajeed, Kha- lid Alsalem and Abdulatif Alfawal are the other home competitors among a field of 58 players from 20 coun- tries taking part in the seven-day championship. The players have been divided into 12 groups for the preliminary rounds. All the league matches up to the pre-quarters stage are best of 7 frames while the quarter-finals and the semi- finals will be best of 9 frames. The final will be played on April 23 at 11:00 am and will be a best of 11 frames affair. The winner of the event will get $3,500 and the runner-up $1,750. The losing semi-finalists will collect $500 each. The organisers have also line-up cash awards for the highest break and maximum break. The player with the highest break (over 100 points) will pocket $500 and those with maximum break (above 147) is set to go home with $1,750. Ahmed Saif of Qatar in action during the Asian Snooker Championship at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Today’s action begins at 10.00am and at the day’s action ends with the Federation (QBSF) Academy yesterday. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT 7.00pm clashes. 30 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 SPORT Rosberg storms to Shanghai pole

STARTING GRID Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo 1st row: Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes), Daniel Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German also to start from front Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) driver Nico Rosberg steers his car during 2nd row: Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari), Sebastian qualifying for the Formula One Chinese Grand row with the German Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Prix in Shanghai yesterday. driver as Hamilton stalls 3rd row: Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Mercedes), Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 4th row: Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mer- cedes), Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 5th row: Max Verstappen (NED/Toro Rosso-Fer- AFP rari), Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes) 6th row: Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes), Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) 7th row: Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Honda), SHANGHAI: Nico Rosberg blazed to pole posi- Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) tion for Mercedes after holding off a furious 8th row: Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari), challenge from a resurgent Ferrari in yester- Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber-Ferrari) day’s qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. The German, who won the season’s first 9th row: Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) Este- two races, is joined on today’s front row by ban Gutierrez (MEX/Haas-Ferrari) Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo after a late burst 10th row: Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault), Rio Har- left Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian yanto (INA/Manor-Mercedes) Vettel on the second. 11th row: Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor-Mercedes), World champion Lewis Hamilton will Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) start at the back of the grid, however, after mechanical failure effectively dashed the Brit- on’s hopes of a hat-trick of wins in China. put it on pole, I’m happy with that – but not “The whole weekend has gone well,” Ros- ecstatic because Lewis had bad luck and broke berg told reporters after qualifying, which was down. That fight didn’t happen, but anyway delayed for 20 minutes after Pascal Wehr- I’m pleased.” lein crashed his Manor into a wall moments Raikkonen had looked set to claim his first into the first session. “To get the lap done and pole since 2008 until a mistake at the hairpin

left Rosberg celebrating his first of the season Former world champion Fernando Alonso, after being out-qualified by Hamilton in Aus- FORMULA ONE: CHINESE GRAND cleared to race this weekend after fracturing tralia and Bahrain. PRIX QUALFYING STAGE ribs in a horrific crash at last month’s season- “It’s a shame,” said Raikkonen, typically opener in Melbourne, starts from 12th. without a flicker of emotion despite blowing Informed he had not made it into the a golden opportunity. “We had a chance to be a row for the Silver Arrows. final session of qualifying, which reverted on top today but that’s how it goes. I was quite “I think we can be quicker than the Red to last season’s three-period knockout sys- a bit up on that lap but I ran wide on the hair- Bull,” said the German, who posted the quick- tem format after this year’s system was pin and obviously lost a lot of time.” est time in a wet final practice on Saturday. ditched, Alonso screamed into the radio: Ricciardo surprised himself with his late “Tomorrow our target is to get forward from “Aaaaaaaarrrrgggggh!” heroics. “Second is pretty awesome,” beamed where we are now.” Earlier in the day, Vettel splashed his way the Australian. “We didn’t expect this!” Hamilton, who will make his second to the fastest lap in a wet final free practice. Rosberg will be favourite to claim his 17th engine change of the season, was philosoph- Hamilton and Rosberg sat pensively in career victory on Sunday and become only the ical about his predicament. the Mercedes garage after briefly taking the fourth driver to win six Formula One races in “I’m sure the guys (in the team) are as gut- plunge in hazardous conditions, while Vettel a row after winning the last five dating back ted as I am,” he said. “But it isn’t over until it’s clocked a time of one minute, 57.351 seconds. to last year. over. You can overtake here. Raikkonen ran 12th fastest in 2:00.812 But Ferrari, who have struggled with reli- “The two Ferraris are quick so that puts before returning to the pits and slipping into ability this season, have shown blistering pace a podium out of the way -- unless something a raincoat after a session delayed by 15 min- Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (left) of Red Bull and German driver Nico Rosberg in Shanghai. Vettel insisted it was still game happens to them,” added Hamilton. utes due to an early morning downpour in of Mercedes AMG GP are seen on the podium after the qualifying session yesterday. on, despite Rosberg making it three poles in “But I will give it everything I’ve got.” Shanghai. Top-ranked Day grabs share of lead with Hoffman and Chappell

AFP

LOS ANGELES: World number one Jason Day powered through the Katie Burnett plays a tee shot on the 16th hole during the third round fatigue lingering from last week’s of the LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented By Hershey at Ko Olina Masters campaign to seize a share Golf Club on Friday in Kapolei, Hawaii. of the halfway lead on Friday at the RBC Heritage. Australia’s Day fired a two-under par 69 in challenging, windy condi- Unheralded Burnett tions at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He shared the lead on six-under secures lead at Lotte par 136 with Americans Charley Hoff- man and Kevin Chappell, who both posted 68s. The top trio were one stroke in AFP up the leaderboard with birdies on front of another three players that the fifth, 11th, 14th and 15th holes. included overnight co-leader Luke The 21-year-old Jang shot a 67 Donald, who carded a 71, Scotland’s that included four straight birdies to Russell Knox (65) and American Pat- LOS ANGELES: Katie Burnett, finish the front nine, and a burst of ton Kizzire (68). whose lone top 10 finish on the LPGA three birdies between two bogeys on Day, who had bogeyed the last Tour came two years ago, birdied the the back nine. She is playing in her hole on Thursday to drop out of a final hole on Friday for a five-under first USA event this week. share of the lead, said gusting winds 67 and a one-shot lead at the Lotte Defending US Women’s Open on Friday made life difficult. Championship. champion Chun In-Gee fired a 65 “It would be 20 miles per hour The world number 195 had a and is tied for third at 10-under in and then suddenly die down,” Day bogey free third round to take a just her second start after a freak said. “Very, very tough day out there. Jason Day of Australia reads his putt on the 18th green during the HERITAGE SCORES 13-under 203 total into Saturday’s collision with a suitcase that side- I’m glad I got it in at two-under.” second round of the 2016 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links final round at the Ko Olina course lined her for a month. Day, who teed off on 10, finished on Friday in Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. -6 Charley Hoffman US 68 68 in Kapolei, Hawaii. Chun was riding the escalator at with four birdies and two bogeys. Kevin Chappell US 68 68 Burnett, from the United States, Singapore’s Changi Airport when she His bogey at the par-five fifth, his Jason Day (Australia) 67 69 has a one shot lead over South was struck by the suitcase that got 14th hole of the day, came after he -5 Patton Kizzire US 69 68 Korea’s Jang Su-Yeong. Her only top away from the father of fellow South hit out of bounds trying to hit a draw little mentally fatigued but there’s no “”I was searching a little bit in my Luke Donald (Britain) 66 71 10 finish came in 2014 on the same Korean Jang Ha-Na. She sat out with around the dogleg. excuse. I’ve got to focus,” added Day, swing. “But I really grinded it out Russell Knox (Britain) 72 65 course. She has not won a tourna- an injured back but tied for second “I was just trying to sling a draw who went into the Masters off back- pretty well, got some good up-and- -4 Chris Kirk US 72 66 ment in 59 previous starts. two weeks ago in her return. around the corner, and got way too to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer downs and played a really solid front George McNeill US 68 70 “It was a solid round,” said the Chun is tied with Thailand’s far on the inside and got stuck and Invitational and the WGC Match Play. nine coming in.” Matt Kuchar US 67 71 26 year-old Burnett. Moriya Jutanugarn, who has shot just plugged it way right,” Day said. Former world number one Don- Eighty-two players made the David Lingmerth (Sweden) 67 71 “I just tried to stay patient. I had rounds of 68, 70 and 68. It was a mental mistake, Day said, ald, who shared the first-round lead halfway cut. -3 Jerry Kelly US 70 69 a few opportunities early that I let Second-rounder leader Min-Jee the kind that can creep in after the with South Africa’s Branden Grace, That included reigning US Ama- Graham DeLaet (Canada) 69 70 slip by. Then I just really focused on Lee of Australia posted a 74 and fell kind of tough major championship bounced back from a double-bogey at teur champion Bryson DeChambeau, Ricky Barnes US 71 68 the back nine, just staying with my into a tie for sixth at eight under. campaign that he slogged through at his fifth hole of the day, the par-three making his pro debut, and Jason Morgan Hoffmann US 70 69 process and being patient and know- Defending champ Kim Sei- Augusta National last week. “I felt like 14th, picking up two birdies in his last Bohn, playing his first tournament Zach Johnson US 71 68 ing that eventually I would make a Young shot a third consecutive 69 I went 10 rounds in a championship nine holes to post an even par round. since suffering a heart attack on Feb- Russell Henley US 72 67 few birdies.” and was at nine under. Lydia Ko, the fight (at the Masters). It just beat us up, “I didn’t quite have it today, espe- ruary 26 following the second round Bryson DeChambeau US 70 69 Burnett began the round two No. 1-ranked player in the world, was physically and mentally. “I may be a cially on the front nine,” Donald said. of the Honda Classic. Jason Kokrak US 71 68 shots out of the lead before moving at two under after a 71 SPORT SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 31

The 18-time Olympic gold medallist Semenya back Michael Phelps competes in the men’s 200 metre butterfly final at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, in action with Arizona on Friday. 400-800 double

AP

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa: Caster Semenya (pic- tured) won national titles in the 400 and 800 metres and ran Olympic qualifying times in both events at the FINA South African championships. In between Semenya’s victories yesterday, world champion Wayde van Niekerk retained his 400-metre title in 44.99 seconds, also going under the South Afri- maintains can qualifying mark for the Rio Games. Looking sharper than she has in years, Semenya, the former 800 world champion, ran world-leading ban on times in both. She finished in 50.76 seconds over one lap and clocked 1:58.46 to win the 800 final. She stormed to Phelps ‘not happy’ with victory in the 800 less than an hour after the 400 final. Efimova Van Niekerk cruised through the first 200 to win easily. He said he ran cautiously after feeling tightness AFP in his back and hamstrings during the two-day meet.

PARIS: Russian swimmer Yulia 200m butterfly win Efimova’s bid to have her provi- sional suspension lifted has been rejected by the International Swimming Federation (FINA). Efimova was handed a provi- AFP Reigning Olympic 100m Kirsty Coventry and Hungary’s sional ban in March after testing freestyle champion Nathan Katinka Hosszu. David Plummer positive for the banned drug mel- The 18-time Adrian said it was howling so clocked 54.29 to win the men’s donium. The swimmer had asked Olympic gold loudly in his ears he was afraid 100m back over Ryan Lochte FINA to lift the ban so that she LOS ANGELES: Olympic super- he wouldn’t hear the start of the (55.35) with Russian-born Ser- could compete at Russia’s Olym- star Michael Phelps saw plenty medallist sees 50m free. bian Arkady Vyatchanin third in pic Trials starting in Moscow of room for improvement after plenty of room for He managed, and won in 55.39. The wind was especially yesterday. winning the 200m butter- 21.69sec, knocking one-hun- hard on the backstrokers, but it But FINA said in a statement fly at the wind-whipped Mesa improvement after dredth of a second off his seems nothing can blow free- early Saturday that Efimova will Pro Swim on Friday in 1min winning under third-fastest time in the world style queen Katie Ledecky off not be allowed to return to compe- 58.14sec. windy conditions this year. Anthony Ervin was course. tition until after her hearing. “Not happy,” the 18-time second in 22.28 and Cullen Jones Ledecky won the 400m “Considering the provisional Olympic gold medallist said third in 22.30. With the wind at freestyle in 4:02.15, the second- suspension imposed by FINA to after winning in a time that her back, Madison Kennedy won fastest in the world this year swimmer Yulia Efimova (RUS) and didn’t crack the top 20 in the Phelps said the wind, with the women’s 50m free in a siz- behind her own 3:59.34. the recent WADA recommenda- world this year -- a list led by gusts up to 30 mph (48 km/h) zling 24.45sec, sixth-fastest in American Cierra Runge bat- WADA revokes tions on the use of meldonium, the 1:54.14 of Japan’s Daiya Seto. were a challenge. the world this year. tled with Denmark’s Lotte Friis the FINA Doping Panel decided to Phelps was in control at “That wind, oh my gosh,” In other events, Maya for second. Runge, who trains maintain the provisional suspen- the 100m mark, but Pace Clark Phelps said. “I felt like I was DiRado beat an impressive with Friis at North Baltimore sion of this athlete, until a hearing closed strong to finish second in moving backwards with about field in the 100m backstroke, Aquatic Club, nabbed second Russian lab of Ms Efimova is held by the FINA 1:58.71 and Jonathan Gomez was 15 meters to go going into that winning in 1:00.71 ahead of Zim- in 4:08.08 with Friis third in Doping Panel,” a statement from third in 1:58.79. wall.” babwean Olympic gold medallist 4:08.89. FINA read. “FINA will not make any fur- accreditation ther comments on this case, until a final decision is made by the FINA Doping Panel.” Jamieson hints at retirement after defeat AFP The 24-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the 200-metre breaststroke at the 2012 London MONTREAL: The World Anti-Doping Agency on Friday Games, conceded she had taken Reuters Willis, whose time of two min- led at the halfway stage but Willis was the only swim- revoked the accreditation of the Moscow Antidoping meldonium for medical reasons utes 08.08 seconds was inside faded to finish sixth. mer on the fourth day of the Center, as Russia continues to grapple with the scandal before the World Anti-Doping the 2:08.52 qualifying mark set “I wasn’t even looking to trials to win inside the Olym- that could see its athletes barred from the Rio Olympics. Agency’s (WADA) ban on the drug by British coaches. qualify,” said Peaty, who is the pic qualifying time and only The laboratory had been suspended on November came into effect on January 1. LONDON: Michael Jamieson, “The last couple of years world record holder in 100m the fifth at the trials to be cer- 10 as recommended in the WADA independent commis- WADA said this week that ath- the only British male swimmer to have been horrible but I wasn’t breaststroke and is hoping to tain of being on the plane to Rio. sion report that laid bare evidence of state-sponsored letes could escape a ban for taking win a medal at the 2012 London even in it,” said Jamieson after become the first British male Britain won only three med- doping and corruption in sport in the country. meldonium because it does not Olympics, hinted at retirement the race in Glasgow. swimmer to win Olympic gold als in the pool at London 2012 The report found that laboratory director Grigori know for sure how long it takes on Friday after he was eclipsed “I don’t know if it’s there any in 28 years. - Jamieson’s silver and two Rodchenkov had ordered close to 1,500 samples to be the substance to leave the body. in national trials and failed to more ... I don’t know. That could “I got to 100 and thought bronzes for now-retired 2008 destroyed, prompting his resignation. Efimova, who has served a secure a 200 metres breaststroke be it, I think.” ‘this is too fast’ but that’s what double gold medallist Rebecca A statement on Friday said the lab’s accreditation suspension in the past, won the place for the Rio Games. Adam Peaty, the triple world it’s about. I’d rather have these Adlington. was revoked “due to non-compliance with the Inter- 100 metres breaststroke at last A surprise silver medallist champion who has already guys do the 200 because it Team GB are due to national Standard for Laboratories and the related year’s World Championships in four years ago, the Scot finished secured his Rio place after win- means I can focus on the 100 announce their Olympic swim- Technical Documents.” Russia. fifth in a final won by Andrew ning the 100 breaststroke final, instead.” ming squad next Thursday. Since it’s suspension in November, the lab has been prohibited from carrying out any WADA-related anti- doping activities including all analyses of urine and blood samples. “The revocation, which has been accepted by the 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah men’s field hockey tournament Laboratory, will enter into force immediately and means that the Laboratory will continue to be prevented from carrying out the testing of doping control samples on behalf of WADA or any testing authority,” WADA said. “The decision was taken by WADA’s Executive Com- mittee following a thorough review of the status of the Laboratory by an independent WADA appointed Dis- ciplinary Panel.” Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko voiced optimism that the move was a first step toward re- accreditation of the lab. “I wished this decision to be taken a couple of months ago,” TASS agency quoted Mutko as saying. “It’s a wise decision and I hope the process of (Mos- cow’s) laboratory’s re-accreditation will now start promptly. “When the lab’s work is suspended you just wait for another six months, while its re-accreditation is a kind of a guarantee. What would you choose?” Mutko said. WADA spokesman Ben Nichols said re-accredita- tion might not be a quick process. “It takes as long as it needs to take,” Nichols said. “The next goal is to bring the laboratory back up to standard. We’ll have to wait and see what the time frame will be.” In the meantime, the Russian Athletics Federation remains under scrutiny, with new head Dmitry Shlya- khtin working to overturn a ban by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over doping that could see Russian track and field stars sidelined from the Rio de Janeiro Games in August. The WADA independent commission report pub- lished in November alleged that senior Russian federation officials enabled the use of performance- enhancing drugs and covered up doping violations, among other damning accusations. WADA last month said it would launch an inquiry Pakistan’s Muhammad Arshad (left) vies for the ball with Matthew Sarmento of Canada during their into allegations of doping in Russian swimming as well, fifth-sixth place match at the Sultan Azlan Shah men’s field hockey tournament at Azlan Shah Stadium after a report in The Times claimed that Sergei Portuga- in Malaysia’s northern town of Ipoh yesterday. RIGHT: Mandeep Singh of India in action during the final lov, the doctor said to be the mastermind behind doping match of the tournament against Australia. India lost 0-4 to reigning world champions Australia in the in Russian athletics, had pushed swimmers on Russia’s final played yesterday. national team to take performance-enhancing drugs. 32 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 SPORT Nadal beats Murray, faces Monfils in final

Spain’s fifth-seeded king of clay Monfils overcomes showed hints of the form which took him to multiple seasons of total dom- compatriot Tsonga inance on the surface as he overcame in the Monte Carlo second seed Murray in a battle lasting for more than two and a half hours. Masters semi-final “I don’t want to talk every day about if I am back or I am not back. I’m in the final of Monte Carlo. That’s a great news. “Every year is different. Every AFP feeling is different. I don’t want to compare myself or trying to analyse if I am the same like before or not. “I want to be today better than MONTE CARLO, Principality of yesterday and tomorrow better than Monaco: Rafael Nadal returned to the today, and after tomorrow better than final of the Monte Carlo Masters for tomorrow. That’s it. That’s my work the first time in three years, the eight- today, and that’s my motivation. I don’t time champion struggling to close out want to think about the past.” a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Andy Mur- It was not all one-way traffic for ray yesterday. Nadal, who spent 10 minutes in the Waiting for him in his 100th ATP final game between his first match final is Gael Monfils, who hammered points and his fifth in fighting off a French compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga late Murray charge. 6-1, 6-3, with the loser drawing jeers The 28-year-old Murray saved as he left the court in after 69 minutes. four match points and had two break Monfils, making his second con- chances of his own before Nadal secutive Monte Carlo semi-final start, finally drilled over a winner which never allowed Tsonga a chance in the Scot could not quite handle. their match, breaking six times. Murray, who got into a verbal row Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the match against Britain’s Andy Murray during the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament Nadal will be playing his tenth with the chair umpire during frus- final here and holds a solid 11-2 record trating moments, said: “Towards the semi-final match, in Monaco yesterday. Nadal won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. over Monfils. He has not won a Mas- end, it’s obviously frustrating when ters title since Madrid, 2014. the match is getting away from you. well sometimes, too. So you have to the opening set against the Spaniard Murray will need to step up his but then lost serve for a second time “It’s a very important week for me, “In the third, I didn’t get off to the give your opponent credit. who has spent the last 18 months pace on clay after winning his first in the seventh game as Nadal made being in a final here again in Monte best start. I had a few opportunities “He’s one of the best, if not the recovering mental confidence after two trophies on the surface last spring a winning return off a Murray over- Carlo, winning against very tough in that last game to try to make it a bit best ever, on this surface. When he a deep slump. The 14-time Grand Slam in Munich and Madrid back-to-back. head. The Spaniard claimed the set opponents,” the winner said. more interesting, but couldn’t quite plays well, you can’t always decide the champion has not won a title of any The Scot won the opening set in 49 after more than an hour as the total “That’s a lot of great confidence, get the break. “I do feel like I played outcome. He played some good stuff kind since last summer in Hamburg. minutes with a single break, but could match time ticked over to two hours. good news for me. a pretty good level match today for today and deserved to win.” Nadal improved to 17-6 over Mur- not carry on after being broken at the Murray’s game went into collapse in “Let’s see if tomorrow I can play the most part. Obviously there was a Murray was unable to maintain ray, defeating him seven of the eight start of the second set. The second the third set as he trailed 5-1 before at the same level.” few dips. Also Rafa is allowed to play his winning momentum after lifting times they have met on clay. seed got the break back a game later his futile late rally.

Kristina Mladenovic FedCup semis on a knife edge as of France celebrates winning against Richel Hogenkamp of the Netherlands during the Fed Swiss and France fight back Cup Tennis World Group semi-final tie in Trelaze, France, AFP In Trelaze, hosts France were with France’s position “after the ini- yesterday. trailing after Kiki Bertens saw off tial defeat”. Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-2 in the open- “We’d prefer obviously to be lead- PARIS: Fightbacks from Switzerland ing rubber in the western town. ing 2-0 but it’s a scoreline that’s fair.” against holders Czech Republic and Bertens, ranked 96, dominated She added she would be consider- France against the Netherlands left France’s number two player Garcia, ing the options for Sunday’s line-ups. the Fed Cup semi-finals on a knife ranked 45, calmly converting her France are chasing a first finals edge yesterday. only break point opportunity in the appearance since 2005 and had gone Barbora Strycova got the Czech first set. into their tie on clay as heavy favour- Republic off to a winning start in She increased the pressure in ites against surprise semi-finalists the Lucerne, demolishing world number the second to wrap up the tie after Netherlands. 17 Timea Bacsinszky 6-0, 6-2 in 65 one hour and 11 minutes at the Arena “Tomorrow risks being a long minutes. Loire, to notch up her 14th win for just day,” added Mauresmo. It was a first Fed Cup win for one singles defeat in Fed Cup. “I think we’ve still got a good 33rd-ranked Strycova who had lost “I think the key to my success was chance.” all three of her previous singles ties to serve well,” said Bertens. “On my In Bucharest, Simona Halep dug in the competition. first service game I was 0-40, but I deep to seal her win over Andrea And it left the Swiss facing a tough hit two aces and from that moment I Petkovic to tie Romania’s Fed Cup battle as they bid for a first Fed Cup gained in confidence.” World Group play-off against Ger- final appearance since 1998. But taking a leaf out of the Swiss many at 1-1 yesterday. But Viktorija Golubic levelled with book France dug deep and got them- Romania’s Halep, ranked sixth in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Karolina selves back level at 1-1 thanks to the world, needed just under three Pliskova to leave the tie wide open Kristina Mladenovic’s 6-2, 6-4 win hours to secure her 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 at 1-1 ahead of today’s concluding over Richel Hogenkamp. win after Angelique Kerber had ear- reverse singles and doubles. In the pair’s first meeting Mlade- lier put Germany ahead by beating “It’s an incredible feeling! I was novic - ranked more than 100 places Irina-Camelia Begu. Halep will now face Australian number of winners (14) as Begu, but nervous in the beginning, but then higher than her Dutch opponent - Halep twice wasted chances to Open champion Kerber in the first only half the unforced errors, 16 com- I felt the public’s support!” Golubic produced some powerful ground win the match on her own serve, in of Sunday’s three rubbers at the Sala pared to the Romanian’s 34, in front posted on Twitter. strokes to put Hogenkamp on the the second set, which she lost on a tie- Polivalenta Arena. of a 7,500 crowd. Germany are in The hosts had suffered a blow as back foot in the opening set. break, then again in the third. Earlier, Kerber needed just under the play-off after their 3-2 defeat at Netherland’s Kiki Bertens serves Swiss number one Belinda Bencic Hogenkamp fought back in the The match was often a scrappy an hour and a half to convert her first home to Switzerland in February and to France’s Caroline Garcia during pulled out of the tie with a back injury. second set, but to no avail. affair, with Halep and Petkovic hit- match point to seal her 6-2, 6-3 win are bidding to stay in the top flight, the Fed Cup World Group second The Czechs are aiming for a fifth France captain Amelie Mau- ting over 100 unforced errors between over Begu in Cluj-Napoca. as are Romania after their 3-2 loss to round semi final match. title in six years. resmo announced herself “satisfied” them. The German fired down the same the Czech Republic. Lewandowski double puts Bayern 10 points clear

AFP years in Munich with the treble phases when things don’t go that injury. Julian Brandt and Germany Wolfsburg were well beaten as Clau- before coaching Manchester City well,” Lewandowski told Sky having winger Karim Bellarabi then added dio Pizarro scored his 102nd goal for next season. failed to score in his four previous further goals to leave Frankfurt sec- Bremen, to become the club’s all-time Bayern face Werder Bremen in the matches. ond from bottom. top scorer, by converting a first-half BERLIN: Bayern Munich are ten German Cup semi-finals on Tuesday “We were slow in the first half, but Leverkusen claim third from Her- penalty. points clear, and on the verge of an and have drawn Atletico Madrid in the played really well after the break.” tha Berlin, who dropped one place Wolfsburg’s France midfielder historic fourth straight Bundesliga Champions League’s last four. Vidal then added Bayern’s third after their 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim. Josuha Guilavogui equalised before title, after Robert Lewandowski net- After a disjointed first-half dis- when he tapped home after some Hertha, who are bidding for a the break, but Bremen netted goals ted twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over play in Munich, Bayern went up a gear superb individual skills from Franck first Champions League place since from Fin Bartels and Mali midfielder Schalke. after the break. Ribery who jinxed his way through the 1999/2000 season, are winless in Sambou Yatabare. With second-placed Borus- Arturo Vidal’s header was chested the Schalke defence before provid- their last three games. Wolfsburg’s director of sport sia Dortmund hosting Hamburg on down by Lewandowski, who turned ing the final pass. Hoffenheim earned the victory Klaus Allofs was dismissed to the Sunday, Pep Guardiola’s Bayern took and hit the back of the net on 54 min- Earlier, Bayer Leverkusen climbed when Mark Uth headed home at the stands early in the second half after the chance to extend their lead at utes to end his dry patch after 390 to third, and are on course for a direct far post to move his side up to 13th arguing with the fourth official. Munich’s Allianz Arena. minutes without a goal. Champions League place next season, -- three points above the relegation The visitors pulled a late goal back With four league games left, and The Poland hot-shot headed after their 3-0 win over strugglers places. when Dutch striker Bas Dost powered depending on other results, Bayern home his 27th league goal of the Eintracht Frankfurt. Four days after their Champions a header home, but Wolfsburg stay could be confirmed as the first club to season on 65 minutes to leave him Kevin Kampl gave Bayer the lead League quarter-final exit at the hands eighth. Bayern Munich striker Robert win four straight German league titles as the Bundesliga’s top scorer, four on 70 minutes, just 43 seconds after of Real Madrid, Wolfsburg lost again Despite the win, Bremen are in when they host Borussia Moecheng- ahead of Dortmund’s Pierre-Emer- coming off the bench for Leverkusen’s when they went down 3-2 at relega- the relegation play-off place, but just Lewandowski celebrates scoring the ladbach in a fortnight. ick Aubameyang. top scorer, Javier Hernandez, who tion-threatened Werder Bremen. three points from 11th place as things second goal during the Bundesliga Guardiola can sign off his three “I feel good again. There are limped off after pulling up with an Having lost 3-0 in Madrid, remain tight at the bottom. match in Munich, yesterday SPORT SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 33

No plans yet to Forsberg’s fluke gives Preds win move All-Star game

NHL: STANLEY CUP AFP James Neal and Craig PLAY-OFFS Wilson also score while goalie Pekka NEW YORK: NBA commissioner “That was more fluky than any- Adam Silver said on Friday that a Rinne stops 27 shots thing else,” Nashville coach Peter North Carolina law branded dis- in 3-2 victory over Laviolette said. “I’m not sure that was criminatory against transgender the plan when he went down, but he people is “problematic,” but the Ducks found himself there and put up a wall league hasn’t made plans to move on the goal line.” the 2017 All-Star Game from Char- Neal scored 35 seconds into the lotte. game, and five seconds after another “The current state of the law Agencies scoring chance went awry. is problematic for the league. But Calle Jarnkrok and Shea Weber we’re not making any announce- had a 2-on-0 breakaway but after ments now,” Silver said on Friday Weber received Jarnkrok’s pass, Gib- as the league’s Board of Governors NEW YORK: Exploiting mistakes son dived to block the shot at the right meetings concluded in New York. can provide the key to success in the post. Jarnkrok recovered the puck “We can be most constructive Stanley Cup play-offs, as the Nashville behind the net and passed it toward by working with elected officials Predators demonstrated Friday night. the left corner. to effect change.” Filip Forsberg scored with 9 min- As Despres and Nashville’s Ryan League spokesman Mike Bass utes, 35 seconds to play to give the Johansen pursued the puck, Johansen later stressed that the league Predators a 3-2 victory over the Ana- poked it with his stick to Neal, whose remains concerned about its ability heim Ducks in the first game of the wrist shot ricocheted off Gibson’s to stage the mid-season showcase Western Conference quarterfinals in glove and inside the right post. in North Carolina. front of a standing-room-only crowd “We knew they were going to be He said “change is needed” of 17,236 at the Honda Center. jacked up at home,” Neal said after regarding the state law known as James Neal and Craig Wilson also the match. HB2, which prohibits local gov- scored while goalie Pekka Rinne “We quieted the crowd down a lit- ernments within the state from stopped 27 shots for the Predators. Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn (centre) moves the puck against the defence of Nashville Predators tle bit with that early goal, and you enacting policies protecting the “It was an evenly matched game,” centre Filip Forsberg (left) and defenceman Shea Weber during the second period in game one of the first feed off that.” LGBT community at public facili- said Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis, Getzlaf tied the score during a ties and restrooms. round of the 2016 Stanley Cup play-offs at Honda Center in Anaheim on Friday. who added that the final score “was 5-on-3 power play. The Predators’ Silver said Friday that no votes exactly what we expected the result Anthony Bitetto went to the penalty had been taken about moving the to be.” box for holding an opponent’s stick game, which is to be held February Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler of the third period. After poke-check- 48 seconds into the second period. beginning of the second period, after at 16:15 of the first period. Weber at the home arena of the Charlotte scored the Ducks’ goals, and goalie ing the puck away from Anaheim Andrew Cogliano passed from the we scored to take the lead, they took joined him 35 seconds later for Hornets. John Gibson made 30 saves. defenseman Simon Despres in the right boards to an onrushing Kes- it to us for the first 10 minutes,” Ana- cross-checking. But he said owners were “It was a matter of giving them Predators’ end, Forsberg skated ler, who dragged a wrist shot from heim coach Bruce Boudreau said. The Ducks’ Cam Fowler dragged unanimous that “we stand too many opportunities,” Anaheim left unmolested down the left wing, deked the rear edge of the left circle that “They pushed it to the limit, physi- a wrist shot from the slot that Rinne united against any form of winger Andrew Cogliano said about past the Ducks’ Jamie McGinn and deflected off the underside of the cally. That tipped goal changed the blocked with his right leg pad. But discrimination.” the Predators. passed the puck toward Craig Smith, crossbar. momentum.” Getzlaf deposited the rebound inside “Sports can be used as a con- “They’re good at transitioning stationed behind Anaheim defense- But Wilson re-tied the score more Ellis then blocked the potential the right post for his 28th career play- structive force to bring people and capitalising on mistakes. A few man Shea Theodore. than seven minutes later. Ellis skated tying goal with 5:24 left in the second off goal. together,” Silver said. of those goals were exactly that. We But Forsberg’s pass hit Theod- along the right wing from the Pred- period. As McGinn tried to convert the Anaheim defenceman Josh Man- “Ultimately our interest is in have to manage the puck a lot better.” ore’s left skate and slowly skidded just ators’ end and sent a pass from the rebound of Rickard Rakell’s shot, Ellis son left the game with an upper-body conducting a successful All-Star Game 2 will take place today night beyond Gibson’s left skate and glove right circle to Wilson, who deflected slipped at the goal line and blocked injury. Manson’s right arm was in a Game in North Carolina and hav- at the Honda Center. inside the right post. the puck under Gibson’s glove and McGinn’s shot while on his back and sling in the Ducks’ locker room after ing a team that can play there in a Forsberg broke a 2-2 tie at 10:25 Kesler gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead inside the right post at 7:55. “At the with Rinne falling on top of him. the game. nondiscriminatory environment.” Hernandez stars in victory for Dodgers

Agencies sixth inning that gave him the 20th shutout innings and extended his BASEBALL RESULTS multi-homer game of his career. home winning streak to 17 consec- Colorado 6 Chicago Cubs 1 Orioles 11, Rangers 5 utive regular-season decisions in Milwaukee 8 Pittsburgh 4 Baltimore designated hitter Mark Houston’s victory over Detroit. NEW YORK: Enrique Hernandez Trumbo hit two home runs and drove Keuchel (2-1) pitched without the Seattle 7 NY Yankees 1 homered twice and drove in four in five runs as part of nine-run sev- benefit of much run support. It didn’t Washington 9 Philadelphia 1 runs, Charlie Culberson drive in enth inning as the Orioles rallied past matter. He surrendered five hits -- all Atlanta 6 Miami 3 three, and Clayton Kershaw got the Texas. Baltimore trailed 5-1 going into singles -- and didn’t issue a walk until C White Sox 1 Tampa Bay 0 best of Madison Bumgarner in the the seventh before bludgeoning three Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias worked NY Mets 6 Cleveland 5 Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7-3 victory on Texas pitchers for nine runs and seven one with one out in the eighth. Friday night against the San Fran- hits, including four home runs. Mets 6, Indians 5 Boston 5 Toronto 3 cisco Giants. Hernandez homered to Nationals 9, Phillies 1 New York hit four home runs -- Baltimore 11 Texas 5 center on the first pitch Bumgarner Bryce Harper had three hits including three in the span of seven Houston 1 Detroit 0 (1-1) threw, and added a second solo including a two-run homer as Wash- batters in a five-run fifth inning -- to Minnesota 5 LA Angels 4 shot in the third, this time to left, that ington improved to 8-1 with a victory beat Cleveland. St Louis 14 Cincinnati 3 broke a 1-1 tie. It was his first lead- over Philadelphia. Michael Conforto, Alejandro De off homer and his first multi-homer The Nationals halted the Phillies’ Aza, Yoenis Cespedes and Neil Walker Kansas City 4 Oakland 2 game of his career. three-game winning streak. all homered for the Mets, who came LA Dodgers 7 San Francisco 3 Braves 6, Marlins 3 Philadelphia starter Jeremy Hel- into the game with a major league- Arizona 3 San Diego 2 Adonis Garcia drove in three runs lickson lasted three innings after low two home runs. and the Atlanta Braves snapped a staking the Nationals to a 5-0 lead Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 3 nine-game losing streak to start the in the first inning. Rick Porcello allowed two hits Jimmy Rollins and a clutch hit by season with a 6-3 victory over the Brewers 8, Pirates 4 in 6 1/3 innings -- both home runs Melky Cabrera helped Chicago out- Miami Marlins on Friday. Ryan Braun hit two long two- by Edwin Encarnacion-- as Boston duel Tampa Bay. The Braves avoided a 0-10 start run homers and Jimmy Nelson took defeated Toronto. Sale (3-0) threw his first complete that would have matched a club a shutout into the seventh inning Porcello (2-0) allowed a second- game of the year and needed a ninth- record set in 1988. before faltering as Milwaukee beat inning home run to Encarnacion (his inning leaping catch at the wall by Cardinals 14, Reds 3 Pittsburgh. first homer of the season) and that Cabrera to save the shut out. Cabre- St Louis broke a Busch Stadium Braun blasted a 460-foot shot off was the only hit for the Blue Jays ra’s RBI single in the ninth inning gave III record with six homers as the Car- the batter’s eye in center field against until Encarnacion, who had all three White Sox pitcher Chris Sale all the dinals walloped Cincinnati for their Kyle Lobstein in the sixth to put the Toronto hits, cracked a two-run shot support he needed. He allowed two Los Angeles Dodgers’ left fielder Enrique Hernandez in action during sixth win in seven games. Brewers ahead 5-0. in the seventh. hits and struck out nine, and sat down the match against San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Matt Holliday belted two homers, Astros 1, Tigers 0 White Sox 1, Rays 0 16 straight Rays’ batters at one point Angeles on Friday. including a 449-foot solo shot in the Dallas Keuchel pitched eight Great base running by veteran and also retired the final seven. Tomane’s hat-trick sinks Waratahs

AFP Brumbies captain Stephen Moore. Israel Folau finished some superb minutes remaining. But the Brumbies “We knew we just had to work work from the NSW backs. held on to secure the points despite hard in that second half and I’m very Folau’s try was his 29th in NSW a wave of NSW attacks in the clos- proud of our defence particularly.” colours and equals Lote Tuqiri’s try- ing stages. SYDNEY: Winger Joe Tomane scored After a big loss to the Waikato scoring record for the Waratahs. “It wasn’t pretty, there was a lot a hat-trick of tries as the ACT Brum- Chiefs in Canberra in their last out- But any thoughts the Waratahs of dropped ball -- it was quite slip- bies downed the NSW Waratahs ing, the Brumbies needed to get away may have had of taking a lead into the pery and there was a lot of physicality 26-20 in a torrid Super Rugby match to a quick start. They did that when half-time break were dashed when from both sides,” said Brumbies coach yesterday. Tomane crossed for his first five- Moore crashed over at the back of a Steve Larkham. The win took the Brumbies four pointer after only seven minutes. rolling maul. “But I loved their composure in points clear at the top of the Aus- They were in again eight minutes Christian Leali’ifano’s conversion that last little passage.” tralian conference, with New South later when Tomane grabbed his sec- put the ACT ahead 19-17 at the break, Waratahs captain Michael Wales languishing in 13th place ond with a 50-metre run to the line and they extended that lead to 26-17 Hooper conceded his team had been overall. following a break from Wallabies cen- when Tomane scored his third eight outplayed. The victory also ensured the tre Matt Toomua. minutes after the restart. “They came out hard and they hit Brumbies defeated the Waratahs The Waratahs struck back with The match developed into an us early,” he said. Joe Tomane of the Brumbies celebrates his try during the Round 8 Super twice in a season for the first time a try to winger Reece Robinson and arm wrestle and the Waratahs got “They found some space on the since 2012. a Bernard Foley penalty, before hit- within striking distance with a second open side, so we need to do some Rugby match against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, “I’m very happy with that,” said ting the front in the 31st minute when Foley penalty when there were eight work on our defensive systems.” Australia, yesterday. 34 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Chinese set Wenger won’t to buy AC call time on Arsenal’s Milan, says fading title bid broker AFP

AFP LONDON: Arsene Wenger refuses to call time on Arsenal’s fading MILAN: A Chinese consortium Premier League title challenge as with big ambitions for AC Milan the Gunners boss tries to spark a should complete a takeover of the late rally from his inconsistent side. seven-time European champions Wenger’s team host Crystal within six to eight weeks, a bro- Palace today having seen the gap ker acting for both parties said in Former FIFA between themselves and leaders reports yesterday. president Leicester increase to 13 points last If confirmed, it would prove Sepp Blatter weekend after a frustrating draw a dramatic about-turn for Milan at West Ham. owner Silvio Berlusconi, who only It added to Wenger’s sense of weeks ago said he would not sell disappointment that Arsenal ended a majority share in the Serie A up fortunate to claim a point hav- giants. ing led 2-0, although the Gunners Former Italy Prime Minister manager maintained his posi- Berlusconi has reportedly turned tive stance by insisting his side his attention away from Thai busi- Defiant Blatter regrets he deserved praise for fighting back nessman Bee Taechaubol, with after falling behind. whom he has a preliminary agree- It will take more than hard- ment to release a minority stake fought draws to increase the in the Serie A giants, and is now pressure on Leicester and second- examining an offer that would placed Tottenham, however, and see the club -- founded by Eng- did not reform FIFA anything less than victory against lish lace-maker Herbert Kilpin in Palace will surely convince even 1899 -- fall into Chinese hands. Wenger the challenge is over. In an interview with Gazzetta “For everybody it is tight, and dello Sport on Saturday, the man Moreno Ocampo, a former Interna- 2 million Swiss franc ($2.07 million) to be an example. Even if he was not we have to look behind us because brokering the deal between both tional Criminal Court prosecutor who payment to Platini that FIFA made to involved, why was he silent?” everybody is chasing,” Wenger parties -- Italian-born American The disgraced former accused the 80-year-old Swiss citizen European boss Platini in 2011. The two-hour-long event was said. Salvatore Galatioto -- said the deal world football chief of turning a blind eye to corruption Platini has said the payment interrupted by protests including “There can still be twists and could be sealed by the end of the within regional soccer organisations. was for work he did as a FIFA advi- from people shouting “FIFA must go” turns until the end and everyone current season. denies accusations Dozens of officials, including sor between 1999 and 2002 and the and a banner reading “Slave Labor”, is fighting to put teams in front of Galatioto, considered one of that he turned a blind former members of FIFA’s execu- nine-year delay in payment was due a reference to Qatar’s stadium build- us under pressure. the 50 most influential men in eye to corruption tive committee, have been indicted to FIFA’s financial situation. ing ahead of the 2022 World Cup that “We need a strong run at home American sports, told the sports in the United States and Blatter has Blatter was unapologetic about has been criticised by groups includ- now and I think that is what we daily: “For obvious reasons I can’t been banned for six years by its eth- the payment, saying it was an unwrit- ing Amnesty International for human want to do. It is perceived that reveal the names of the interested ics committee. ten “gentleman’s agreement,” though rights abuses. the championship is over but I parties. All I can say is that it is a “I regret I have not done enough he conceded the transaction should They were removed by security. don’t think that completely even very ambitious Chinese group Reuters to bring back FIFA on the right have been documented earlier. FIFA said last month it paid Blat- if Leicester are in a strong position. which is very, very interested in track,” Blatter told the meeting. But “This is a debt, and we paid the ter 3.63 million francs last year, “I think we have to continue the club. he insisted that while he led FIFA, the debt,” he said. “Perhaps it should have publishing his salary for the first time to fight until the last minute of the “We have very interesting ideas actions of leaders of regional soccer been indicated at the very beginning under new governance regulations. season.” and projects pertaining to the club, BASEL: Former FIFA president Sepp organisations did not fall under his that we had something due to him. FIFA also announced it lost $122 Realistically, Arsenal’s main but first we have to strike the deal. Blatter acknowledged on Friday that purview. But this is an administrative and million in 2015, its first deficit since aim now must be to guarantee a “I would say that if things go to he failed to reform the scandal-rid- “Those things they did within financial procedure and this had 2002, attributing that mainly to the top four finish. plan, the deal could be concluded den world soccer organisation but their confederations,” he said. “I don’t nothing to do with ethics.” costs of battling the worst graft scan- Then the Gunners can turn in six to eight weeks.” asserted he was not responsible for have any power to intervene in their Blatter appealed his six-year ban dal in its history. their attentions towards reeling Reports on Friday suggested corruption in its regional organisa- confederations.” to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in In February, FIFA elected Gianni in Tottenham and maintain their the bidder could be either inter- tions. Blatter was banned from soc- Lausanne in March, seeking to have Infantino, a former UEFA general sec- record of dominance over their net entrepeneur Robert Li or He Blatter spoke to more than 400 cer activities for ethics violations in the penalty revoked. Platini has also retary, to replace Blatter. hated north London rivals during Xiangjian, who made his fortune people at the University of Basel, December along with Michel Platini, appealed to this court. He has vowed to lead FIFA Wenger’s 20-year reign at the club. in producing air conditioning. where a student group has been pre- a former French national player who Ocampo, now a Harvard Uni- reforms, but Swiss police raided Palace’s recent improvement in Both men are among the 10 rich- paring proposals on how FIFA should rose to become head of the European versity professor, said Blatter was UEFA headquarters this month to form has seen Alan Pardew’s side est in China, according to the 2015 address the scandal. football association UEFA. supposed to be an example for world seize information about a contract move 11 points clear of the relega- Forbes rich list. The disgraced FIFA head The pair were suspended in Octo- football. “The problem is his silence,” disclosed in the Panama Papers that tion zone and Wenger is wary of Galatioto said his email appeared at the event with Luis ber pending an investigation into a he said. “As president of FIFA, he had he signed. He has denied wrongdoing. the south London club’s attacking account has been “inundated” threat, including former Arsenal with positive messages from frus- striker Emmanuel Adebayor. trated fans. “Crystal Palace should now be Milan will not play in the completely safe but they still might Champions League for a third con- Leicester feeling unbeatable with title glory in reach need one or two points. I think secutive season in 2016-2017. they have nearly got out of their That failure cost Sinisa relegation problems,” Wenger said. Mihajlovic his job on Tuesday, “They have a lot of potential the popular Serbian replaced by AFP stronger each week as they offensively with individuals like former youth team coach Cris- realise they are good enough to Bolasie, Zaha, and Adebayor. tian Brocchi ahead of today’s trip compete with the league’s best. “They have a big offensive to Sampdoria. It helps that former Chelsea force. We need to rectify the fact Milan sit sixth and are one of LEICESTER: Leicester winger boss Ranieri has emerged as we conceded goals at West Ham several teams fighting to qualify Marc Albrighton says the shock such a shrewd figure after years and come back strong defensively.” for the Europa League. Premier League leaders are feel- of being derided as an eccentric Jack Wilshere will not be ing unbeatable as they march ‘tinkerman’ and serial failure included in the Arsenal squad towards the most remarkable at the highest level. Ranieri’s despite coming through two games title triumph in the history of engaging personality and quirky for the club’s under-21 side as he English football. press conferences have kept the continues his recovery from a bro- Liverpool’s Claudio Ranieri’s side need pressure off his players despite ken leg. three wins from their remain- the growing realisation that the And Wenger insists he has yet ing five matches to be crowned title is theirs to lose. to decide whether to bring back Can out for top-flight champions for the first Even now, with the title in goalkeeper Petr Cech who was left time and the countdown to that reach, the Italian wisely side- on the bench at West Ham despite incredible coronation continues steps questions about Leicester’s recovering from injury. six weeks on Sunday when West Ham visit ability to successfully finish off “Petr Cech is our number one the King Power Stadium. their historic season. but David Ospina is also a fantastic After stunning the Premier But, with Champions League goalkeeper. His numbers are abso- with injury League with their surge to the top qualification secured by last lutely exceptional in the Premier of the table earlier this season, weekend’s win at Sunderland, League,” he added. Leicester were widely expected Albrighton acknowledges the “I felt that Petr Cech had only AFP to fade away when the pressure focus is now firmly on lifting the had one week of training and was of the title run-in mounted. Premier League trophy, even if only just coming back.” But instead the Foxes, beaten he finds it almost unthinkable Five points from the last three LIVERPOOL: Liverpool midfielder just three times this term, have that they could complete such games, including a first win in 15 Emre Can has been ruled out of proved impervious to nerves a feat. league games, have eased the pres- action for between four and six during a remarkable run of “Massively, it doesn’t feel sure on Palace, whose thoughts are weeks with ruptured ankle liga- six wins and only two goals real,” he said. “A lot of us have also focused on the upcoming FA ments, the Premier League club conceded in their last seven not been in this position before. Cup semi-final with Watford. confirmed yesterday. matches. We’ve just got to enjoy it and Pardew has yet to decide The 22-year-old limped off That blistering sequence embrace it. whether Adebayor or Connor in Thursday’s dramatic Europa has given Leicester a seven- Leicester’s fairytale season Wickham will lead the attack but League win over Borussia Dort- point lead over second placed has overshadowed an almost as forward Dwight Gayle is out after mund, and a scan revealed Tottenham and put the title unexpected renaissance in east being forced out of the midweek ruptured ligaments. within touching distance just London, where Slaven Bilic has draw with Everton at half-time. Liverpool’s medical team are 12 months after the unfashion- transformed West Ham into one Pardew, though, believes mid- hopeful the lay-off will only be able club were battling to avoid of the league’s most eye-catch- fielder Jason Puncheon could be four weeks allowing the Germany relegation. ing teams in his first season in key to his side’s chances at the international to make the Europa Establishing the secret of charge. Bilic wants more than Emirates Stadium. League final if the club get past Leicester’s astonishing suc- plaudits though and, with his side “He’s a Premier League player, Villarreal in the last four. cess in Ranieri’s first season in five points behind fourth placed he’s got a lot of experience and he “He is injured. It is with the charge has become a favourite Manchester City, he is deter- has that gift of being able to travel ligament in the right ankle,” said discussion for pundits and fans mined to make a final push for with the ball, something that Arse- Reds boss Jurgen Klopp of the alike in recent weeks. Europe despite a frustrating run nal players all have,” Pardew said. second injury blow after captain But Albrighton, 26, has a of three successive league draws “Punch has that for us and it Jamie Vardy celebrates with Riyad Mahrez after scoring the first goal for Leicester Jordan Henderson damaged knee simple answer, insisting Leices- and a midweek FA Cup quarter- will be important on Sunday that ligaments in the first leg against City during their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United ter are being driven by a wave final defeat against Manchester he keeps hold of it and makes the Dortmund. at St James’ Park in Newcastle, Britain, in this November 21, 2015 file photo. of confidence that has grown United. right decisions for us.” SPORT SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 35

SCOREBOARD SUNRISERS HYDERABAD P P Chawla 1-0-13-0. Villa relegated as United’s D A Warner c S A Yadav b U T Yadav 13 KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS S Dhawan c Uthappa b Morkel 6 R V Uthappa lbw Ashish Reddy 38 M C Henriques lbw U T Yadav 6 G Gambhir (not out) 90 E J G Morgan c S Al Hasan b U T Yadav 51 A D Russell b M Rahman 2 D J Hooda c U T Yadav b Russell 6 M K Pandey (not out) 11 N V Ojha c Chawla b Morkel 37 Extras (W-5) 5

Rashford sparkles again A Ashish Reddy (run out) 13 Total (for 2 wkts in 18.2 overs) 146 K V Sharma (not out) 2 Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, Y K Pathan, S A B Kumar (not out) 0 Yadav, P P Chawla, S P Narine, M Morkel, U T Yadav. Extras (B-1, LB-2, W-4, NB-1) 8 Fall of wickets: 1-92, 2-97. Manchester Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) 142 Aguero’s hat-trick Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-29-0 (1w); B B Sran United’s Marcus Did not bat: Mustafizur Rahman, B B Sran. 4-0-31-0 (2w); Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-29-1 keeps City on the rise Rashford in Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-23, 3-36, 4-50, 5-117, (1w); K V Sharma 2.2-0-24-0; M C Henriques as Sunderland raise action during 6-128, 7-141. 2-0-19-0 (1w); A Ashish Reddy 2-0-14-1. hope of avoiding the English Bowling: M Morkel 4-0-35-2 (1nb, 3w); U T Premier League Yadav 4-0-28-3 (1w); Shakib Al Hasan 3-0-18- Player-of-the-Match: G Gambhir (Kolkata demotion with match against 0; A D Russell 4-0-19-1; S P Narine 4-0-26-0; Knight Riders). Norwich win Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, yesterday. AFP KKR floor Hyderabad as

LONDON: Aston Villa’s long- Gujarat down Mumbai expected relegation from the English Premier League was finally confirmed with a 1-0 loss away to IANS Mustafizur Rahman. It looked like Manchester United yesterday as the Sunrisers were in with a chance, teenage rising star Marcus Rashford but then Manish Pandey joined scored his seventh goal in 12 games. hands with his captain in the mid- The 18-year-old striker, also on HYDERABAD: Kolkata Knight dle. The pair ensured that KKR had target in United’s FA Cup quarter-final Riders (KKR) rode on an unbeaten their first away-win without any replay win over West Ham United in 60-ball knock of 90 from captain more setbacks. midweek, struck in the 32nd minute Gautam Gambhir after an impres- Earlier in the day, the visitors when he turned in Antonio Valencia’s sive bowling performance to grab once again put up a disciplined low cross. an eight-wicket victory over Sunris- bowling show as they restricted Sun- Defeat left bottom-of-the-table ers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier risers Hyderabad to 142-7. Villa 15 points shy of safety with only League (IPL) encounter at the Rajiv Eoin Morgan top-scored for a maximum of 12 on offer to the Bir- Gandhi International Stadium here Sunrisers with a 43-ball 51 and was mingham club in their four remaining yesterday. well supported by Naman Ojha who league matches this season. their hopes of top-flight survival with another penalty effort past the post. Gambhir received great support smashed 37 off 28 balls. Villa, under the caretaker charge a 3-0 win at home to Swansea. Gomes’s saves helped Watford from Robin Uthappa who contrib- Pacer Umesh Yadav bagged fig- of Eric Black after former manager ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Jamaal Lascelles headed in maintain a lead established through uted a 34-ball 38. ures of 3-28 for the visitors. Remi Garde was sacked last month, Andros Townsend’s corner four min- Ben Watson’s 27th-minute goal at the Chasing Hyderabad’s 142-7, the The hosts were jolted up front as have won just three times in 34 league utes before the break and Moussa Hawthorns. Knights got off to a slow but steady KKR picked up two early wickets in games this campaign and yesterday’s Later, Sergio Aguero scored a hat- Sissoko made the game safe for the Meanwhile, Southampton moved start on a strip which was slowing the game. loss saw them drop down to the sec- trick as Manchester City capped an Magpies eight minutes from time, as to within a point of a top six place down with time. First to head back was the out- ond-tier of English football for the excellent week by beating 10-man they marked manager Rafael Beni- after a 1-1 draw away to Everton, una- However, openers Uthappa and of-form Shikhar Dhawan (6) who first time in 29 years. Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to tez’s 56th birthday in style. ble to win Gambhir did not have much prob- managed to slash one through to “It’s a mood of disappointment,” move ahead of Arsenal and into third Townsend rounded off the scor- Ramiro Funes Mori put Everton, lems coping with the inconsistent wicket-keeper Robin Uthappa in said Black. “What I will say is today I place in the Premier League. ing in the 89th minute. who now haven’t won any of their last bounce. The duo added 26 runs in the third over. thought they were outstanding. City, who beat Paris St Germain to Watford, promoted last season, four league games at Goodison Park, the first six overs. In the second match of the “I know there has been criticism, reach the Champions League semi- cemented their place in the Premier ahead in the 68th minute but their They went from strength to day, Gujarat Lions defeated Mum- some of it deserved, but today they finals on Tuesday, deservedly took League with a 1-0 win away to West lead lasted just eight minutes, with strength and the ninth, 10th and bai Indians by three wickets at the made a step back for the supporters the lead in the 32nd minute when Bromwich Albion, that saw goal- Sadio Mane equalising for the Saints. 11th together produced 36 runs, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and showed there was some pride for Aguero got on the end of a slick move keeper Heurelho Gomes twice save Today will see leaders Leicester with Gambhir hitting Karn Sharma yesterday. the shirt. prompted by Kevin De Bruyne. penalties from Saido Berahino. City looking to go 10 points clear of for three boundaries in an over. The Batting first, Mumbai scored “There are players in there capa- The former Chelsea midfielder His first spot-kick stop came in second-placed Tottenham Hotspur 92-run partnership finally broke 143-8 in 20 overs with Parthiv Patel ble of playing in the Championship. was equally influential after the the 66th minute after he had tripped against West Ham, while Arsenal will when Uthappa was out leg-before- (34) the top scorer for the hosts. People in certain places will make break, starting the attack which led Berahino and Gomes denied the try to maintain their grip on third wicket in the 13th over. In reply, Aaron Finch scored an sure that Villa will come back, I’m to Aguero’s second in the 54th minute. striker again three minutes from time spot at home to London rivals Crys- The ploy of sending in hard-hit- unbeaten 67 as Lions chased down confident of that.” Aguero then rounded off the com- when he dived low to his left to push tal Palace. ting Jamaican Andre Russell (2) at the target comfortably posting United’s victory saw them move fortable win from the penalty spot No.3 backfired for KKR as he was 147-7 in 20 overs to grab their third to within a point of local rivals Man- after Thibaut Courtois brought down soon dismissed by left-arm seamer straight win of the season. chester City but manager Louis van Fernandinho, a challenge for which Gaal criticised his side’s display, the Belgian keeper was dismissed in saying: “I’m not too happy with the the 78th minute. SCOREBOARD performance. We have to finish the Earlier, Sunderland gave them- games a lot earlier and today we selves hope of yet another escape MUMBAI INDIANS GUJARAT LIONS didn’t do that.” from relegation, with a 3-0 win away R G Sharma c Jakati b Kulkarni 7 A J Finch (not out) 67 to fellow strugglers Norwich City. P A Patel c Faulkner b Tambe 34 B B McCullum c H H Pandya b Bumrah 6 Victory at Carrow Road left the RESULTS north-east side still in the bottom H H Pandya c Jakati b Kulkarni 2 S K Raina c Patel b McClenaghan 27 Everton 1 (Funes Mori 68) Southamp- three but just one point adrift of Nor- J C Buttler st Karthik b Jakati 16 K D Karthik c H ingh b K H Pandya 9 ton 1 (Mane 76) wich and with a game in hand over K A Pollard c Bravo b Tambe 1 D J Bravo c Patel b Bumrah 2 Manchester United 1 (Rashford 32) the Canaries. A T Rayudu b Faulkner 20 A D Nath c H H Pandya b McClenaghan 12 Aston Villa 0 Fabio Borini’s first-half penalty Harbhajan Singh c Karthik b Bravo 8 J P Faulkner c Patel b McClenaghan 7 and strikes from Jermain Defoe and Newcastle 3 (Lascelles 41, Sissoko 82, Duncan Watmore after the interval K H Pandya (not out) 20 P Kumar c Patel b McClenaghan 0 Townsend 89) Swansea 0 saw Sunderland to a first win in seven T G Southee (run out) 25 D S Kulkarni (not out) 6 Norwich 0 Sunderland 3 (Borini matches. M J McClenaghan (not out) 0 Extras (LB-7, W-3, NB-1) 11 41-pen, Defoe 53, Watmore 90+1) The result was an understand- Extras (LB-2, W-6, NB-2) 10 Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) 147 West Brom 0 Watford 1 (Watson 27) able relief for Sunderland manager Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs) 143 Did not bat: S B Jakati, P V Tambe. Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3 (Aguero Sam Allardyce, who told the BBC: Did not bat: J J Bumrah. 33, 54, 80-pen) “The most pleasing thing of all was Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-65, 3-80, 4-83, 5-109, 6-131, 7-131. Today the clean sheet, that is our way for- Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-19, 3-51, 4-59, 5-77, 6-88, 7-99, 8-141. Bowling: T G Southee 4-0-31-0; J J Bumrah Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (1500 GMT), ward with five games to go. 4-0-32-2 (1nb, 1w); M J McClenaghan 4-0-21- Bournemouth vs Liverpool (1230 GMT), “I know if we can keep two or Bowling: P Kumar 3-0-18-0 (1w); D S Kulkarni three clean sheets in those games 4-1-19-2; S B Jakati 3-0-13-1 (1w); J P Faulkner 4; K H Pandya 4-0-20-1; H H Pandya 2-0-16-0 Leicester vs West Ham (1230 GMT) Aston Villa’s Joleon Lescott (right) reacts as he leaves the pitch at the we’ll be safe because I know we can 4-0-40-1 (2nb, 2w); P V Tambe 2-0-12-2; D J (2w); Harbhajan Singh 2-0-20-0. Tomorrow end of the English Premier League match against Manchester United score.” Newcastle United, Sunder- Bravo 4-0-39-1 (1w). Player-of-the-Match: AJ Finch (GL). Stoke vs Tottenham (1900 GMT) land’s north-east rivals, bolstered in Manchester, yesterday. Benzema bounces back from France snub in Madrid rout

AFP through ball was prodded home by Isco looked like troubling a Madrid team still with a second goal before half-time when to give Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead at on a high from their Champions League Isco stretched to convert Benzema’s pass half-time. comeback against Wolfsburg to reach the past the onrushing Guaita. Gareth Bale added a third with a typ- semi-finals stage on Tuesday. Bale also ensured his highest ever goal- MADRID: Karim Benzema overcame the ically assured left-footed finish from Ronaldo was Real’s hero with a hat- scoring La Liga season with his 16th of the disappointment of being left out of France’s another super Benzema pass five minutes trick in midweek and he just failed to get a campaign as he raced onto Benzema’s ball Euro 2016 squad with a goal and two assists after the break. Pablo Sarabia grabbed a touch on Rodriguez’s tantalising low cross over the top before coolly slotting into the as Real Madrid moved to within a point stunning consolation for Getafe before before smashing an effort from outside the far corner. of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 5-1 James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo box off the post as Madrid started brightly. Zidane then quickly made his three thrashing of Getafe yesterday. rounded off the scoring late on. However, it took until just before the substitutions with Bale, Benzema and Dani Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane urged Real leapfrog Atletico Madrid into sec- hour mark for the visitors to make the Carvajal sacrificed with Wednesday’s clash Benzema to “rally quickly” after the ond place with their seventh consecutive breakthrough when Benzema swept home with Villarreal in mind. French Football Federation announced La Liga win. Rodriguez’s cross for his 22nd La Liga goal Madrid did have the final word though, on Wednesday he will not be selected for However, Atletico and Barca can reas- of the campaign -- his best ever single- as Rodriguez controlled Lucas Vazquez’s the tournament on home soil due to his sert themselves in the title race when they season return in seven years in Spain. low cross before side-footing home his involvement in a sex-tape scandal, where host Granada and Valencia respectively Ronaldo had another great chance to dou- side’s fourth. And Ronaldo finally got his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena today. ble Madrid’s lead when he fired straight at goal deep into stoppage time when Jese Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema was the subject of a blackmail plot. Zidane had warned his side against Vicente Guaita instead of squaring for Bale Rodriguez broke the offside trap before celebrates his goal against Getafe FC during their Benzema followed his coach’s orders complacency, but Getafe, who have now moments later. unselfishly squaring for the Portuguese La Liga match in Getafe, Madrid, yesterday. as he swept home the opener, before his gone 13 La Liga games without a win, never Yet, Madrid’s dominance was rewarded to tap home his 47th goal of the season. 36 SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016 World’s best set for S ealine Challenge

Emirati MohammedRafal SonikAl Balo- who chases oshi is the leading Araba fourth driver onquad the win at Price, Sunderland and motorcycle entry andthe quite Sealine capable Rally in five Quintanilla among top of guiding his KTM 450years. Rally to the podium. He holds fourth in the title favourites as Sonik race, ahead of Frenchman Pierre Alex- eyes fourth quad title ander Renet and the leading Spanish lady rider, Laia Sanz, both of whom have entered the Sealine event on their respective factory Husqvarna The Peninsula and KTM. Two factory-supported Yamahas

FIM CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES LOSAIL: Some of the world’s leading WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP off-road motorcycle racers, includ- Positions after round 1 ing seven of the top eight in this year’s FIM Cross-Country World Champi- 1. Toby Price (AUS) 30 pts onship rankings, will go full throttle 2. Sam Sunderland (GBR) 23 pts across the deserts of Qatar when the 3. Pablo Quntanilla (CHI) 20 pts Sealine Cross-Country Rally flags off 4. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) 16 pts tomorrow. The prestigious FIM series will 5. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) 15 pts be fought out over five rallies in Abu 6. Laia Sanz (ESP) 13 pts Dhabi, Qatar, Sardinia, Chile and 7. Jose Cornejo (CHI) 12 pts Morocco this year. Top finishes in the 8. Jakub Piatek (POL) 11 pts five-stage event being laid on by the Pablo Quintanilla in action at the recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. 9. David McBride (GBR) 10 pts Sam Sunderland in action during last year’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally. Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- tion (QMMF), in conjunction with the FIM, will be crucial to the title aspira- property in cross-country motorcy- and the numerous parallel tracks and have also been entered in Qatar for the Mogoda, near Barcelona, the field is his Honda TRX 700. His main rival in tions of the likes of defending Dakar cling at the moment but the Aussie is deceptive turns that make this event experienced Portuguese rider Helder lacking two or three additional profes- Qatar is the Chilean Ignacio Casale, champion Toby Price and his Dubai- aware that the deserts of Qatar pose so challenging. Rodrigues and his Frence team-mate sional riders. But the likes of Poland’s riding a Yamaha Raptor 700 SE. based English rival Sam Sunderland. very different challenges to the dunes Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla holds Adrien Van Beveren. Rodrigues won Jakub Piatek and the Orlen Team’s Qatar’s hopes rest on the shoul- Both of them are locked in a fas- and baking sand of the United Arab third in the points’ standings and will the penultimate stage at the Dakar Bolivian rider Juan Carlos Salvatierra ders of Ahmed Fahad Al Kuwari, who is cinating duel for supremacy as part of Emirates. He holds a seven-point lead be ready to pounce if one of his KTM for the Japanese manufacturer and are quite capable of reaching the top seeded at 28 and rides a KTM 450 EXC. the Red Bull-KTM Factory Team that over Sunderland at this early stage of rivals hits trouble. Riding a Rock- finished in a fine fifth position. Van five on their KTMs. Today, competitors go through has dominated off-road rallying, and the title race. star-backed Husqvarna 450 Rally, Beveren also enjoyed a superb Dakar Rafal Sonik has been nearly as suc- the mandatory administration and the Dakar Rally for so many years. Sunderland was forced to miss the Quintanilla was third in Abu Dhabi and finished sixth. cessful on a quad at the Sealine Rally scrutineering checks at the Losail Price drew first blood in this Dakar through injury, but returned and claimed a similar finishing posi- With Honda’s Team HRC not enter- as local hero Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah international circuit, before several year’s FIM series by following up his with a vengeance to push Price all tion at the Dakar behind Price and ing any events until the Merzouga has been in a car. The Pole has won the drivers and riders are joined by QMMF stunning Dakar victory in January the way in Abu Dhabi. He has been Slovakia’s Stefan Svitko. He even won round of the Dakar Series in May and event three times in four years (2012, president Abdulrahman Al Mannai and with the win at the recent Abu Dhabi to Qatar before, fallen heavily and the last special stage in Argentina and recently announcing it has moved 2013 and 2015) and is chasing a fourth LCSC chairman Saud Al Attiyah at the Desert Challenge. He is the hottest knows the perils of the navigation is sure to be a threat to the top two. operations to Santa Perpetua de la victory in the space of five seasons on official pre-event press conference.

Asian Division III Rugby Tri Nations El Jaish and Al Gharafa victorious

The Peninsula

DOHA: El Jaish and Al Gharafa emerged victori- ous in their respective semi-finals of the ongoing H H Emir Cup 2015 - 2016 Basketball Tourna- ment, played at Al Gharafa Sports Club Indoor Courts yesterday. El Jaish highly relied on the amazing rally by their former Detroit Pistons star, Vernon Leon Macklin who netted 39 points during the 87-75 win against Al Rayyan. Macklin also involved in 14 rebounds. Adamu Saaka (14 points) and Ali Turki Ali (10 points) were the other notable per- formers for El Jaish. An Iranian player makes a break while Qatari players try to spoil his effort during their Asian Division III QBA League Champions Al Rayyan took an Rugby Tri-Nations tournament match played at the Aspire warm up and purpose built rugby track yesterday. early lead with a fine run in the first two quar- BELOW: A Qatari player catches the ball in a line-out. Pictures by: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula ters, scoring 20 and 15 points against the winners’ 15 and 18 points. But El Jaish came back strongly in the third quarter, adding 33 points against 16 of Al Rayyan’s to take the lead. Al Rayyan net- ted 24 points in the fourth quarter while El Jaish added 21, but it was not enough to stop the later marching away victorious. For Al Rayyan, Lawrence Hill added 17 points while Tanguy Alban Ngombo and Malek Abdulla netted 14 and 12 points respectively. In the other semi-final, Al Gharafa relied on a magnificent team effort which earned them a convincing 63-52 win against Al Sadd. Kevin Galloway and Emmanuel Adako added 15 points each while Hassino Ndoye and Abdul- rahman Mohamed Saad netted 10. Dante Williams collected 21 points for Al Sadd, but their effort was not good enough earn them a win yesterday.

Al Sadd’ Dante Williams jumps to score against Al Gharafa in their H H Emir Cup 2015 - 2016 Basketball Tournament, played at Al Gharafa Sports Club Indoor Courts yesterday which the later won by 63-52 points. ON TOP: An El Jaish player shoots to score during their semi- final game against Al Rayyan.