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Nigeria backs Qatar tops at Doha quartet deal Asian Indoor on oil output freeze Championships

MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 • 13 Jumada I 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6714 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir watches tennis match 923 companies Crackdown on banned for partitioned violating laws The Peninsula villas continues DOHA: The restructured Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs has banned 923 companies last year villas and apartments which have for violating the labour law, shows been mushrooming all over due data released by the ministry. The municipality to rising demand for housing and The ministry conducted 56, recently booked shortages. 724 inspections during the year The law has banned any alter- and recorded 673 violations an Asian national ation in the building without an of the law. A total of 28, 085 who made illegal official approval from the authorities companies were covered by the concerned. The civic authorities of inspections. partitioning in seven late launched a country-wide crack- The Labour relations villas and sublet it down in efforts to strictly implement department at the ministry the law. received job-related complaints The law amended a previous from 6054 workers during the such legislation that was enforced year. Majority of the complaints The Peninsula some 31 years ago, in 1984. were related to air tickets and end Limited-income expatriate fam- of service allowance. Other major ilies and individuals mostly rely on complaints were related to non- illegally partitioned houses due to payment of leave salary and delays Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani watching Qatar Total Open women’s tennis match DOHA: The Doha Municipality has skyrocketing rents of independent in payment of wages. intensified crackdown on parti- residential units. between Fatma Al Nabhani of Oman and Donna Vekic of Croatia, at Khalifa International Tennis and Of the total complaints, tioned villas across the city, says In another major campaign, the Squash Complex, yesterday. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin 4107 were settled while 1283 a senior official. municipality blacklisted 39 con- Khalifa Al Thani and a number of ministers, senior officials and guests were present. complaints were held up for The municipality recently tracting companies and engineering → See pages 29 & 30 further investigation and 644 booked an Asian national who consultancy firms since the begin- cases referred to the court. made illegal partitioning in seven ning of this year. villas and sublet it, disclosed The list has been circulated to all Salem Hammoud Al Shafi, direc- municipalities and all their trans- tor of monitoring department at the actions have been frozen until they municipality. rectify their status, said the official. Qatar confirms first MERS case this year Earlier he was caught in a similar Any erring company rectifying offence when he was found involved the mistakes will be immediately in partitioning two villas for sublet- removed from the blacklist. ting it to the tenants. He has been The heath monitoring section The Peninsula Syndrome Corona Virus ) in the first trip to Saudi Arabia where he owns where the MERS-CoV virus was referred to the authorities concerned closed down 16 food outlets this confirmed case this year, the Ministry a sheep and camel barn, the patient detected following laboratory tests. for further action. year and managed to end 90 per of Public Health said yesterday. His developed acute symptoms of fever, The patient is currently in criti- The amended law regulating cent of the encroachments of pub- condition is said to be critical. cough, and diarrhoea associated with cal condition and remains admitted the safety of buildings was issued lic property. DOHA: A 66-year-old Qatari cit- The last confirmed case in the abdominal pain, said the ministry. to the ICU, said a statement. in 2014, enabling civic authorities to izen has been tested positive for country was reported on May 22 He was taken by an ambulance clamp down on illegally partitioned → Continued on page 4 MERS- CoV (Middle East Respiratory last year. After his return from a to Hamad General Hospital (HGM) → Continued on page 2 Seven killed 87 killed in Syria; provisional in Michigan shootings truce deal reached: Kerry

Reuters AFP of hostilities that could begin in the coming days,” Kerry said in Amman. “It is not yet done and I anticipate that our presidents, President BEIRUT: Bomb attacks in Syria’s central city (Barack) Obama and President (Vladimir) Putin, CHICAGO: A gunman killed of Homs and near a shrine outside Damascus may well speak somewhere in the next days seven people and wounded two killed at least 87 people yesterday, as Washing- or so in order to try to complete this task,” he in apparently random shootings ton pursued efforts for a ceasefire. added. in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, US Secretary of State John Kerry said a World powers proposed the truce just over before being arrested early yester- provisional deal had been reached on the a week ago as part of a plan that also included day, a prosecutor said. A television terms of a truce, as violence intensified on expanded humanitarian access, in a bid to pave station reported the suspect was the ground. the way for the resumption of peace talks. an Uber driver who took fares World powers have been pushing for a halt The talks, which collapsed earlier this between shootings. in fighting in Syria that was meant to take effect month in Geneva, were scheduled to resume The 45-year-old suspect, by Friday, but have struggled to agree on how on February 25, but the UN’s envoy on Syria has Jason Dalton, was believed to have it should be implemented. already acknowledged that date is no longer opened fire late on Saturday out- The latest bombings came as Kerry said realistic. side an apartment complex, a Kia he had spoken with Russian counterpart Ser- On Saturday, a key opposition umbrella car dealership and a Cracker Bar- gei Lavrov and agreed on how to implement group, the High Negotiations Committee, said Syrian government forces patrol near Aleppo’s thermal power plant after they took control rel restaurant over a period of little a ceasefire. it would agree a temporary truce only if regime more than four hours, Kalamazoo of the area from Islamic State (IS) fighters yesterday. In two days, the government forces “We have reached a provisional agree- backers halted fire. County prosecutor Jeff Getting said. have taken more than a dozen villages from IS. ment, in principle, on the terms of the cessation → See also page 7 The victims “appear to be cho- sen at random, because they were available,” he said. The carnage in Kalamazoo was the latest in a series of mass shootings that have Qatari actor to create awareness on bowel cancer screening made gun control a campaign issue before the November US presiden- tial election. The Peninsula (PHCC), is expected to gain further architecture and history from Qatar Health as accounting for 10.55 percent → See also page 18 public attention. University and Beirut Arab Univer- of top malignant primary cancers in Al Ansari started acting in theatre sity in Lebanon, respectively. Qatar. SCH data shows the 50-54 at the age of five. He then appeared Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Man- age group had bowel cancer inci- DOHA: Qatar’s highly regarded thea- in TV shows and promotional cam- aging Director, PHCC, said: “We are dence of 15.2 percent in males and Today’s edition tre and TV personality Adel Al Ansari paigns for big companies. A highlight excited to have such a well-liked 18.4 percent in females. “I am hon- (pictured), in a new role as an ambas- of his acting career was when he celebrity like Adel to help us in our oured to have been chosen by PHCC includes special pages sador, will promote bowel cancer played the lead role in the opening life-saving bowel cancer awareness to play a vital role in raising aware- screening awareness in the country. ceremony presentation for the Doha and screening initiative, especially ness among citizens and residents on Jewellery and With this, the Breast and Bowel Asian Games in 2006. with March being the Month for Bowel about the importance of bowel can- Watches →P10-11 Cancer Screening Programme, Apart from his successful profes- Cancer Awareness.” cer screening,” Al Ansari said. planned and being implemented by sion in show business, Al Ansari is a Bowel cancer has been deter- the Primary Health Care Corporation double university degree holder in mined by the Supreme Council of → Continued on page 5 02 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

QCS lines up QRCS distributes activities to mark World winter aid for Cancer Day displaced Iraqis The Peninsula

Relief and Development, the project DOHA: Qatar Cancer Society QR252,258 worth involved distribution of 4,950 blan- (QCS) has announced activities to kets to 1,650 families (10,000 people) mark World Cancer Day on Thurs- of blankets benefit in IDP camps in Al Anbar Governorate day by creating awareness about 10,000 people of — Amiriyat Al Fallujah (3,750 blankets) the disease and how to take early and Khalidiya and Habbaniya (600 test and prevent it. 1,650 internally each). The beneficiaries were selected Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor displaced families in from the most vulnerable groups of Al Thani, Chairman, QCS, told a IDPs, widows, orphans and the des- press conference yesterday at the Al Anbar Governorate titute who fled the violence in their society’s headquarters World Can- home towns. cer Day which falls on February 4 Among challenges that faced the unites the global population in the project team were having to trans- fight against cancer. The Peninsula port the blankets in stages, using new QCS has selected February 25 trucks each time, and incurring redou- to be Qatar Day for Cancer to high- bled cost due to insecurity in the hot lights precaution, early test, and zones but QRCS personnel conducted care about the disease. DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society the work and delivered the aid to tar- One of the beneficiaries collects her winter aid. On World Day for Cancer, (QRCS) mission in Iraq is proceeding get families. Sheikh Dr Khalid said the activ- with relief efforts to help internally During distribution, the benefici- ities will highlight the increasing displaced people (IDPs) withstand aries praised QRCS’s efforts to provide children — according to latest offi- A few weeks ago, QRCS dis- projects for Iraqi IDPs in Kurdistan, number of deaths due to the dis- the cold winter, with new winterisa- them with the aid in time to protect cial statistics. tributed $494,000 (QR1.8 million) including a water and sanitation ini- ease, which reaches annually to tion aid distributions worth $69,300 their lives against the severe cold. Most IDPs have no source of winterisation aid, including blankets, tiative to establish a water storage 8.2 million around the world. (QR252,258) as part of the Warm Win- Because of the war in the hot income and live in substandard winter clothes and heating material and distribution system in Ashti Iraqi World Day for Cancer is a ter 2015-2016 campaign. areas, the numbers of Iraqi IDPs camps and structures and are vul- to 6,500 families (39,000 people) in Refugee Camp, Sulaymaniyah, serv- chance to spread a health culture Executed in partnership with the has increased to three million — nerable to chronic diseases due to the several cities and IDP camps. ing 1,312 families (7,900 people) of and support cancer patients, he Alamal Almanshood Organisation for 75 percent of whom women and too low temperatures. QRCS is conducting other relief the camp. added. Activities will be held under the theme ‘We are able... I am able’ and will take a positive approach to fight the disease. Activities will the day like an WCM-Q lecture explores healing powers of arts entertainment and awareness day to attract more and more people from all walks of life and in differ- The Peninsula developed by Sigmund Freud, people and by recognising the recurrence of Dr Sharkey explained that soldiers to PTSD and other anxiety disorders, ent age groups, he added. affected by PTSD might be able to start trauma as a socio-political and envi- often experience profound aliena- and have conceptualised a drug that QCS last year provided aid to to come to terms with their experi- ronmental event,” he told physicians, tion and isolation when they return could ‘turn off’ parts of the brain to 1,700 patients at a cost of QR3.5m. ences and begin to heal. researchers, students and healthcare to civilian life as they struggle to relate effectively eradicate fear. Sheikh Dr Khalid said coop- DOHA: The capacity of the arts to “The idea of healing through sto- professionals at WCM-Q. to people who have not seen war and Some recent research, however, eration between QCS and Hamad enhance the understanding of ‘Post ries in the context of highly advanced Although PTSD can affect anyone are unable to reconcile the ‘normality’ has acknowledged the limitations of Medical Corporation serves dozens Traumatic Stress Disorder’ (PTSD) was neurobiological studies of the very who experiences a traumatic event or of peacetime with the violence they a purely neurobiological approach to of cases. QCS has been cooperat- discussed in the latest lecture of Weill complex structures of the brain might long-term abuse, the condition is most have witnessed and participated in. understanding PTSD, according to Dr ing with private health sector and Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM-Q) seem somewhat unlikely,” said Dr frequently associated with soldiers. They often feel rejected by society Sharkey. “With PTSD, I think the key both have treated many cases Grand Rounds. Sharkey, “but in fact, story is abso- Dr Sharkey said in the US in 2012, and confused by the conflicting stand- word is ‘trauma’. Rather than looking through donations, with the Dr Rodney Sharkey, Associate lutely central to who we are and how 6,500 former military personnel took ards of morality that exist between to find predispositions so that trauma fixed amount for each case being Professor of English, WCM-Q, said we engage with our environment their lives. In that year, 177 active-duty the ‘normal’ world and the battle- can be prevented, we should be direct- QR20,000. through the arts and storytelling, in and society. I propose that we can soldiers committed suicide — one field. Researchers have attempted to ing research towards addressing the Activities will be held at the context of the “talking cure” of privilege story by resurrecting insti- more than the 176 US soldiers killed discover specific genetic traits that effects of trauma and ways of heal- Katara, for school students from classical 19th century psychoanalysis tutional interest in psychoanalysis in combat in the same period. make some people more susceptible ing it as a collective event,” he said. 9am to noon and for all categories and age groups from 4pm to 8pm. Erring electrical shop shut down Tips to tackle Bangladesh embassy marks Martyrs’ Day diseases Continued from page 1 The Peninsula The closure was published on the ministry’s website and two daily newspapers at the erring company’s Once the case was confirmed, expense in line with Article No. 3 of the rapid response team of the DOHA: The Ministry of Economy Law No. 8 on consumer protection. Health Protection and Communi- and Commerce has shut down an The ministry said it will intensify cable Disease Control Department electrical appliance outlet for one inspection to crack down on viola- at the ministry carried out exten- month for selling counterfeit and tions of the law and that violators sive search to list all potential substandard products. will be referred to authorities for fur- contacts in line with World Health The shop in Al Najma was found ther action. Organisation (WHO) guidelines. displaying and selling fake and sub- The ministry urged consum- All traced contacts will be standard cables and paint brushes ers to report any violations to its monitored over two weeks, while using registered trademarks. Consumer Protection and Anti-Com- those who develop suspected The closure follows inspection mercial Fraud department and send symptoms will be subject to lab- campaigns by the ministry to detect complaints or suggestions through oratory investigation, said the price manipulations and expose hotline: 16001; email: [email protected]. ministry. violations pertaining to counterfeit qa; Twitter MEC_QATAR; Instagram It has advised citizens and goods and non-conformity with MEC_QATAR; sand the ministry’s residents suffering from chronic standard specifications, said a state- mobile app for Android and IOS: diseases to avoid direct contact ment yesterday. MEC_Qatar. with camels and wash hands with soap and water regularly. It has also recommended respiratory hygiene and cough eti- quette in addition to boiling camel QU college to organise GCC milk before consumption. The department’s hotlines 66740948 and 66740951 are symposium on education The Bangladesh embassy hosted an event to mark Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language accessible 24/7 to respond to any Day yesterday. Pic: Baher / The Peninsula notification or queries related to infectious diseases.

The Peninsula Professor Dr Khalifa Al Suwaidi from the UAE University Depart- ment of Curriculum and Learning Methods will highlight ‘Coming Qatar and UK researchers to attend workshops DOHA: Qatar University (QU) through the desert: Educational College of Education will hold a contradictions’. symposium ‘Education in the GCC The forum also feature a pres- The Peninsula It will also help solidify sustain- exchange information and ideas thematic area of academia, relevant countries: Innovations and Aspi- entation on Sheikh Faisal Bin Jassim able, international links with the that will lead to mutually beneficial to Qatar’s national research priorities, rations’ on February 27 which Award for Educational Research, higher education sectors of each developments. We are looking for- including ‘Entrepreneurship 2020’; will bring together 37 academics, sessions in which presenters will country. ward to seeing the outstanding output ‘Empowering Connected Health researchers, experts and practi- address topics such as successful DOHA: Qatar National Research The six workshops, due to start and outcomes generated as a result of In Qatar Using Intelligent Medical tioners from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, experiences in capacity-building, Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar next month are aligned with Qatar this programme.” Devices And IoT’; ‘Sustainable Mate- Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. outstanding expertise in develop- Foundation Research & Develop- Foundation for Education, Science Frank Fitzpatrick, Director, Brit- rials And Materials For Sustainability’; The forum aims to promote ing educational policies, innovative ment (QF R&D), in partnership with and Community Development’s (QF) ish Council, Qatar, said: “The council ‘Big Data Management’; ‘Challenges best practices in education in the educational strategies for improv- the British Council Qatar, the UK Sci- mandate to drive the development of is the UK’s international organisation In Speech And Language Processing GCC and facilitate collaboration ing the performance of teachers and ence and Innovation Network, and human capital in the country, while for cultural relations and educa- For Multi-Genre Broadcasts’; ‘CNS and coordination among educators learners and successful educational the UK Department for Business, unlocking human potential and fos- tional opportunities, and we seek to Tumours In Children’; and ‘Adoles- to promote professional develop- projects and initiatives. Innovation and Skills, has announced tering a progressive society. promote collaboration in scientific cents And Young Adults: From Bench ment, educational research and the College Dean Dr Hissa Sadiq six joint research workshops under Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, Exec- research globally to tackle some of To Bedside And Beyond’. development of new strategies in the said: “We are pleased to host the the Qatar–UK Research Networking utive Director, QNRF, said: “Since the most important issues. For details, please find relevant curricula. forum which contributes to pro- Programme. its inception, QNRF has recognised “We are delighted to work in part- links: QNRF: http://www.qnrf.org/ Participants will share ideas, moting collaboration among higher The scheme will provide oppor- the importance of international nership with QNRF and to be able to en-us/Newsroom/Calendar knowledge and experiences and seek and general education institutions in tunity for up to 120 early career collaborations. connect scientists from Qatar and the British Council: https://www. sustainable solutions to challenges the GCC and driving forward growth researchers from Qatar to meet The workshops are an oppor- UK on projects that are of importance britishcouncil.org/education/sci- facing the GCC education sector. and development of the education and form connections with UK tunity for researchers from Qatar and benefit to both countries.” ence/current-opportunities/ Keynote Speaker Assistant sector.” counterparts. and the UK to stay connected and Each workshop will focus on a international-research-workshops HOME MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 03 QU in deal with dispute resolution centre

Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham and trade and investment and dispute res- Registration for QICDRC CEO Faisal Rashid Al Sahouti olution, in particular.” College of Law and in the presence of officials from both He said the collaboration aligns Senyar contest Qatar International institutions. with the college’s efforts towards Court and Dispute It includes collaboration in excellence. “This will contribute to until March 10 advanced vocational, legal and enhancing our students’ skills and Resolution Centre judicial training, professional devel- knowledge on the most recent meth- to collaborate in opment programmes, and subsidiary ods applied worldwide in the area of DOHA: The Katara Beach courses. It also covers joint confer- dispute resolution,” he said. Administration has the field of legal ences, symposiums, seminars and “The agreement highlights the announced that registra- education, research workshops, collaborative research relationship between the centre and tion for the fifth edition projects on alternative dispute res- QU and the importance of raising of Senyar traditional fish- and training olution (ADR). community awareness about legal ing and pearl diving Both institutions will cooperate in education, and the necessity to con- competition is open until providing internships and training for tribute to its development and the March 10. The champi- college students who will also benefit improvement of its outcomes,” Al onship aims to preserve The Peninsula from sponsorships and job opportuni- Sahouti said. Qatar’s maritime her- ties from the centre after graduation. College Dean Dr Mohammed bin itage and promote its Dr Al Derham said, “It highlights Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi said, “We are customs and traditions QU’s openness to government insti- proud to partner with the centre on related to marine environ- DOHA: Qatar University (QU) College tutions and reflects its position as the the initiative as we have been coop- ment among the younger of Law and Qatar International Court leading national university in Qatar. erating with it for many years on legal generation. and Dispute Resolution Centre will “It also underlines the college’s topics and issues. More Qatari youth are collaborate in the field of legal edu- commitment to drive forward dia- “The agreement contributes to expected to register this cation, research and training. logue and knowledge-sharing enhancing collaboration between year with the success of The collaboration is a result of an between institutions in Qatar in gen- both institutions and advancing aca- QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham and QICDRC CEO Faisal last year’s competition agreement signed by QU President eral and in the field of international demic development at QU.” Rashid Al Sahouti at the agreement signing ceremony. where the number of par- ticipants reached 800. To allow maximum participation, the dura- tion of the competitions HBKU leads traumatic brain injury research collaboration will be longer this year, according to organisers. Unlike the previous edition, the competitions The Peninsula researchers from around the globe University in Turkey. changes that occur in responses to and disability among people under will be scheduled during over the next three years. Research will provide new traumatic brain injury and work 45. weekends. QBRI will work with the Biomed- knowledge on the processes that closely with the UMC team to com- In Qatar, the number of people The first group of ical Magnetic Resonance Imaging lead to loss and recovery of func- bine this information with brain affected by traumatic brain injury teams will compete from DOHA: A new research initiative by and Spectroscopy Group at the tion after traumatic brain injury and imaging data to elucidate the molec- is nearly twice as high as in Europe. March 31 to April 2 and local and international experts will University Medical Centre (UMC) focus on characterising physiolog- ular pathways that modulate brain With few therapeutic interventions the second group from examine the processes that lead to Utrecht in the Netherlands on the ical, structural and biomolecular cells damage and recovery, accord- available to protect the brain or April 7 to 9. loss and recovery of function after project, which has been made possi- changes in brain tissue responsible ing to Dr Ali. facilitate recovery, inquiry into the Finals will be held traumatic brain injury. ble through a grant from the National for functional impairment. “The project will not only extend issue is critical. from April 13 to 15 with The Qatar Biomedical Research Priorities Research Programme of The Lead Principal Investigator our knowledge on the development Attempting to provide insight into the awarding ceremony Institute (QBRI) — one of Hamad the Qatar National Research Fund. on the project is Dr Erwin Blezer, of damage in the brain after trau- traumatic brain injury, the project on April 16. Each team Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) In addition to experts from QBRI a scholar of immunology, neuro- matic brain injury, but will also lead will use animal models of TBI and may have 10 to 12 mem- three specialised national research and UMC Utrecht, the multidiscipli- science and physiology at UMC to new insights into intrinsic recov- advanced imaging techniques to bers and is allowed to institutes — is spearheading a nary research initiative also brings Utrecht and the co-Lead Principal ery mechanisms,” said Dr Blezer. elucidate small-scale underlying have one member from major international initiative for together experts from Qatar Univer- Investigator is Dr Mohamed Ali from More than 10 million people changes at the organ, tissue and cel- another GCC state. research on traumatic brain injury sity, Monash University in Australia, QBRI. worldwide suffer from traumatic lular levels. The work will be mainly that will involve extensive collab- Istanbul Kemerburgaz Univer- The QBRI team will focus on brain injury and the condition is con- conducted in the Netherlands and oration between leading specialist sity and the Middle East Technical deciphering cellular and biochemical sidered the leading cause of death Qatar. Al Shaqab offers QA invites tennis spectators to its booth activities in Public Village QR5m in prizes

The Peninsula tennis tournament to be staged in the QNA Middle East. It is with great pride that QA continues to host these extraordi- nary tennis stars, bringing together DOHA: Tennis superstars have the global ambassadors, who embody DOHA: Under the patronage of touched down in Doha, welcomed our ambitious spirit and values for Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad by Qatar Airways (QA) and launched excellence. Al Thani, Al Shaqab, a member the much-anticipated annual wom- “The event is a highlight in Qatar’s of Qatar Foundation for Educa- en’s Qatar Total Open. sporting calendar, and popular with tion, Science and Community The opening match on the Doha many fans having earned a reputation Development (QF), is organising leg of the Women’s Tennis Associa- for showcasing outstanding tennis as entertainment activities during Chi tion (WTA) Tour, for which QA is the the world’s elite compete for the pre- Al Shaqab 2016 from March 2 to 5. official airline sponsor, was held yes- mier tournament title.” The competition is sponsored terday at the Khalifa International Championship sponsors QA and by ExxonMobil and will see rid- Tennis and Squash Complex and the Qatar Duty Free (QDF) are invit- ers from the region and across the final head-to-head is on Saturday. ing spectators to take part in family world compete for a total prize The premier tournament will fea- activities in the Public Village inside money of QR5m. ture seven of the world’s top 10 singles the stadium. Al Shaqab Chief Executive female tennis players — Angelique Fans can be photographed pos- Fahd Al Qahtani said the competi- Kerber, Simona Halep, Agnieszka ing in front of their favourite holiday tion enhances equestrian in Qatar Radwanska, Garbie Muguruza, Petra destinations, including QA’s soon- and worldwide and helps preserve Kvitova and Belinda Bencic. to-be-launched new destinations the stature of Arabian horses. World No. 10 and 2015 champion Sydney, Atlanta and Birmingham. Activities include pony and Lucie Safarova also returns to defend Visitors to the QDF pavilion will horse carriage rides, gaming her Qatar tournament title. discover luxury fashion brands avail- area, race simulators, falcons on Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Exec- able from the duty free retailer at display, henna stands and others. utive, QA, said: “The Qatar Total Open Hamad International Airport, and Qatar Airways staff at the booth at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the venue for Qatar Al Shaqab was founded in 1992 was the first professional women’s can enter a draw to win an Audi R8. Total Open 2016. to preserve and develop Arabian horses and in 2004, became a member of QF. Quality Group marks Sport Day Life Time opens new outlet Jeep Wrangler 2006 models recalled

DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with United Cars Almana, dealer of Jeep vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Jeep Wrangler 2006 models over a defect in the ignition clutch inter- lock switch. The ministry said the recall is within the framework of its efforts to protect consumers and ensure that dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The ministry said it will coor- dinate with the dealer to follow up on maintenance and repairs and communicate with custom- ers to ensure necessary repairs are carried out. It urged custom- ers to report any violations to its Quality Group International held second inter-division football tournament to mark Consumer Protection and Anti- A retail outlet of Life Time WLL was inaugurated yesterday at Darassalam Mall Doha National Sport Day. Indian track and field athlete and Asian champion Olympian P T Commercial Fraud Department Usha inaugurated the day’s events at Doha Stadium. Players from 24 organisations by Ismail Mohd A A Al Ansari in the presence of dignitaries and business personalities. through hotline: 16001; email: under Quality Group and eight teams from divisions qualified for the quarterfinals. Products at affordable prices include premium brands of fragrances, watches, leather [email protected]; Twitter: @MEC_ Quality Retail Group-B won the final, beating QRG A. Group Chairman Shamsudheen accessories, mobile phones and accessories, art gadgets, sunglasses, and silver and Qatar; Instagram: MEC_Qatar; Olakara distributed prizes to the winners and players. pearl accessories. Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula and the ministry’s mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar. 04 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Ooredoo’s M2M solution backs 350 students attend GU-Q 554 abandoned falcon hunting and training vehicles towed Model United Nations away: Ministry The Peninsula GPS technologies to accurately locate the Continued from page 1 position of falcons and other birds of prey in real time without range limitations. It can also be attached to camels, The Peninsula “By interacting with our uni- were from Qatar, with the remain- He said cases of vio- DOHA: Spotting a unique gap in Qatar’s horses, dogs and other animals that roam versity students, participants are ing from the US, China, Saudi lations of the law banning sporting marketplace, Ooredoo has or are used for hunting. The device, first getting a great introduction to Arabia, Italy, Jordan, Greece, Ethi- single workers’ accommo- launched a new Machine-2-Machine showcased at the International Falcon Georgetown, and a closer look at opia, India and other countries. dations in residential areas (M2M) service that uses innovative GSM/ and Hunting Festival (Marmi) at Sealine, DOHA: Over 350 high school what a liberal arts education is all “The diversity of these young peo- dropped by 60 percent last GPS solutions on Ooredoo Supernet to deploys a transmitter and a Navigator/PA. students from 50 local and inter- about. The MUN empowers high ple enhances the authenticity of year compared to the pre- train and track animals and birds. MSQ can also provide the current national schools took on diplomatic school students to say ‘yes, I can fit our MUN as representing the UN,” vious years. The new service, developed in collab- speed of the animal, distance from the roles in academic simulations of the into a university setting’,” he said. added Harb. Since the beginning oration with Qatar Tourism Company, is a owner, weather status, coordinates and United Nations from February 18 at “Not many students would have New at this year’s event was a of this year, 1,166 aban- MSQ solution to help hunters and falcon- battery status on the device, all features Qatar National Convention Centre. access to the support we provide Press Committee that left the print- doned vehicles have been ers keep track of their animals. that can provide vital information in race Dima Khatib, journalist and through pre-conference workshops ing press behind and used a shared found and 554 were towed Unlike existing tracking solutions conditions. Managing Director, AJ+, who heads and tailored training for participat- online portal to disseminate photos, away. The remaining were which involve a specific frequency that can Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, COO, Al Jazeera network’s digital-only ing schools,” said Mohamad Khalil videos and daily updates. removed with knowledge of restrict the owner to a maximum range Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Despite the strong news platform and was ranked Harb, Student Development Officer This year also marked the first garages and vehicle owners. of 150km, the MSQ powered by Oore- tradition of hunting in Qatar, there were as one of the top 10 most influ- who worked with Jacqui. time local students in GU-Q’s Planet Seventy-six garages and doo’s M2M solution works via GSM and almost no products in the market that ential Arabs on Twitter, delivered GU-Q students chose the theme, Georgetown pre-college prepara- companies were caught for could be used for training a bird for the keynote address at the open- topics and speakers and prepared tory programme participated. ruining the general view of competitions and certainly not one ing ceremony. background briefing. Students whose schools did not the city. designed specifically for this mar- The GU-Q MUN is the long- Hessa Al Noaimi, Qatari senior participate in the MUN due to lack The municipality con- ket. We’ve developed this unique est running international model at GU-Q and MUN Secretary-Gen- of support or resources, had the ducted 2,624 inspections all-in-one MSQ service to support UN conference in Qatar, providing eral, welcomed the delegates and opportunity to take part. this year and detected 157 the traditional sport of falconry and hands-on experiential learning by explained the theme ‘Contested Student committees nego- violations. ensured that it is affordable and acces- encouraging students to confront Boundaries: Redefining Authority’. tiated topics in mock panels, Sixteen outlets were sible for every sportsperson.” global issues through the perspec- “The MUN board tailored a including the legality of torture, shut down following inspec- Ooredoo’s M2M data bundles offer tives of their countries. pertinent theme that reflects chal- the nuclear threat to security, bor- tion campaigns. Twenty-two a flexible pricing plan, from 100 MB Diplomatic role-playing lenges to our understanding of ders and refugees, the situation violations of the law were to 50 GB packages that can be shared strengthens critical thinking, stra- cultural, economic and national in Yemen, and the social media- detected in the Corniche among as many SIM cards as needed. tegic negotiation and debate skills borders. inspired and hashtagged topic, area on National Sport Day. and serves to introduce students to “It is your duty as delegates and #CombatingCyberWarfare. The municipality has higher education, said Jacqui Snell, distinguished chairs to join us in The conference culminated in about 250 inspectors with Manager, Educational Enrichment, contributing to this dialogue and a Cultural Night, celebrating each judicial powers divided into GU-Q, who was one of the two staff finding plausible solutions to the school’s national heritage and fea- three sections — technical members involved in organising issues,” Al Noaimi added. turing cultural items, food and monitoring, public monitor- logistics for the event. Around half of the high schools artistic performances. ing and health control. QFBA unveils new courses and certifications

The Peninsula trainers, has launched courses for the ACI revamped range inter- dealing certificate by national courses and the Chartered Insti- certifications to begin at tute for Securities & DOHA: Qatar Finance the start of next month. Investment, a course and Business Academy They include AGI in Corporate credit risk (QFBA), in cooperation (award in general insur- analysis and another with international part- ance) by the Chartered in Financial modelling ners and professional Insurance Institute, using spreadsheets. Since its establish- ment in 2009, QFBA has been playing a key role in responding to the urgent market need to harmonise train- ing qualifications and the changing require- ments of the job market. It believes in its role of development and empowerment of human capital with the assist- ance of institutions and awarding entities in Qatar and the region. QFBA aims to help talented youth stay on top of the changes within the market, promote innovation and cre- ate opportunities in the market’s vast sectors in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Based on vast experience QFBA has acquired in the past years and upon consul- tation with experts in the related fields, QFBA has designed and developed these certificates and programmes — which are more responsive to the requirements of the job market and more suited to the needs of employees in the finan- cial sector, in particular. These programmes will utilise the best training methods focusing on interac- tive learning and using technological media and modern methods, and practical application to the existing market and its challenges. QFBA is focusing on five key areas of excel- lence: Qatar public finance; Islamic finance; competency framework development via Kafa’a; customer service; and innovative training and development solutions. It has recently part- nered with Adnar Group for the establishment of the first edition of the ‘Global Management Challenge’ competition, based on the simulation concept and a broad bundle of training mod- ules and tools built on strategic thinking. HOME MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 05 QA concludes Singapore Airshow on a high note

The Peninsula new aircraft into our growing fleet, each with a 10.6-inch in-flight enter- at the rate of one new plane every 10 tainment screen, and more space at days this year, events such as the air- shoulder level for passengers in win- show allow us to showcase the best dow seats due to the vertical side wall SINGAPORE: Qatar Airways (QA) and finest of our fleet. QA has seen panel design. concluded its successful showcase the Singapore Airshow grow over the The 517-seat superjumbo A380 of the world’s latest technology air- years and our enhanced presence aircraft comprising First, Business craft at Singapore Airshow, delivering demonstrates the region’s importance and Economy class over two decks is its trademark hospitality and serv- to QA.” The A350, for which QA cel- the largest passenger jet in the world, Officials and guests at the launch of the campaign. ice to officials, executives and fellow ebrated its one-year anniversary of and flies to Bangkok, Paris and Lon- members of the aviation industry on operations as the global launch cus- don from Doha. The A380 First Class board the three aircraft — the Airbus tomer last month, flies triple-daily to features a seat with a 90-inch pitch A350 and A380 and the Gulfstream Singapore, double-daily to Frankfurt that transforms into a fully-flat bed RAF volunteerism drive for students G650ER. and Munich and daily to Philadelphia. and has up to 2,000 entertainment Akbar Al Baker, QA Group Chief It will soon serve New York City as options displayed on individual HD Executive, welcomed Pang Kin the second daily flight, and Boston 26-inch television screens. The Peninsula campaign will begin in the second types of skills in the field. Keong, Permanent Secretary at and Adelaide as the airline inaugu- Visitors also viewed and toured semester of the current academic Based on performance, top three Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, rates these cities this year. Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream year. Some 2,000 students form 20 schools in each category (preparatory other officials, trade partners and The Business Class cabin features G650ER. The world’s largest and fast- preparatory and secondary schools and secondary) will get prizes. RAF the media on board the three latest- 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration fea- est business jet can accommodate up DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah will participate. has earmarked QR120,000 to give generation aircraft. turing an 80-inch full flat bed and to 13 passengers comfortably. It can Foundation for Humanitarian Serv- “Lectures, courses and work- prizes to the winning schools. Al Baker said: “QA was proud 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment fly non-stop from destinations in Asia ices (RAF) has launched a campaign shops will be held to educate students Details of the campaign were to be a central part of the airshow, screen and a spacious in-flight bar. to Africa and is perfectly suited for to raise awareness about volunteer about the importance of volun- given by RAF officials at the launch one of aviation’s greatest gather- Economy Class features 247 18-inch those whose travel needs include fly- services among school students. teer services,” said Fahad Juman in Ezdan Tower in Al Dafna. ings. As we continue to induct more wide seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, ing halfway around the globe. The three-month drive is being Al Qahtani, Head, Community The ceremony was attended by launched in collaboration with the Youth Centre, RAF, and Campaign Dr Ayed bin Dabssan Al Qahtani, Ministry of Education and Higher Supervisor. Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Education, the Regulation Author- The students will be given practi- General Director, RAF, and Ayed Bin ity for Charitable Works, Woqod and cal and theoretical lessons. Some 200 Abdallah Al Qarni, Islamic Scholar Qatar General Electricity and Water students will be selected for volun- and Adviser to the Charity Project, Corporation (Kahramaa). teer work. They will achieve 2,000 RAF. Several senior officials and The Fina Khair (we are kind) hours of volunteer work and gain 50 some school students were present. Early detection key to treating bowel cancer

Continued from page 1 inflammatory bowel disease are — abnormal growths inside the colon encouraged to undergo screening. or rectum — can develop into bowel “I understand that early detec- Risks for bowel cancer include cancer. tion of bowel cancer can increase the age (50 and above), a low-fibre and If detected early through screen- chances of its successful treatment. high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, ing, these can be removed before they “I intend to work with PHCC to diabetes, obesity, smoking, heavy turn into cancer. influence and encourage people to alcohol drinking and radiation Early detection of bowel cancer undergo bowel cancer screening for therapy directed at the abdomen for through regular screening is encour- their peace of mind and their fami- treatment of previous cancer. Those aged because studies by the Colon lies,” Al Ansari added. exposed to such risks are encouraged Cancer Alliance indicated a 90 per- Men and women with a personal to get screened. cent survival rate if the disease is Qatar Airways staff at the Singapore Airshow 2016. or family history of bowel cancer or Pre-cancerous polyps detected at an early stage. 06 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Egypt police officer admits killing driver

sentenced author Ahmed Naji to two years in jail over the sexual content Government assailed of his novel, prompting criticism over an apparent imbalance in justice. over police excesses In an unusually strongly-worded comment in Al Maqal newspaper, prominent journalist Ibrahim Eissa compared the rule of President Abdel Reuters Fattah Al Sisi to his predecessor—the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi, whom he overthrew in 2013 following mass protests. CAIRO: Egypt’s prosecutor sent a “Your state imprisons people police officer to trial for murder, for their thoughts and their novels state news agency MENA said yes- ... what happened exactly to make terday, after he confessed to shooting our nation turn around with you to dead a driver, in the latest incident the era of searching consciences and of alleged police brutality that has trying minds and imprisoning writ- stirred public anger. ers and authors?” he wrote. Slow handling of a string of “Your state and your agencies are alleged abuses by police and a move like the state and agencies of your to convict an author over his explicit predecessor, which hate intellectu- writings has prompted rare criticism als, hate thought and hate creativity.” Supporters of Lebanon’s Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who resigned yesterday, gather outside his house in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. of Egypt’s authorities by prominent Anger over perceived police journalists and broadcasters. excesses helped fuel the 2011 revolt Sergeant Mustafa Abdel Karim, that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year who was said to have confessed to rule and began on a Police Day shooting the driver after an argu- holiday. Angry at Hezbollah, Lebanese justice minister quits ment about a fare, was forced to flee Sisi, who has banned the Broth- an angry mob of locals on Thurs- erhood and restricted the right to day night after the incident. They protest, told the interior minister Reuters The release on bail of ex-infor- case and the Saudi episode. then protested outside Cairo secu- on Friday to crack down on police mation minister Michel Samaha last “Continuing (to be part of) this rity directorate. abuses. In her talk show on Saturday month after serving eight months of government has become an agree- Last week, thousands of doc- night, presenter Lamees Al Hadidi a 4 ½ year jail sentence for smuggling ment to this deviation, or at least is tors held a rare protest against police criticised the interior minister’s han- BEIRUT: Lebanese Justice Minis- explosives from neighbouring Syria a failure to confront it,” Rifi said in who they say beat two doctors at a dling of recent allegations, saying a ter Ashraf Rifi (pictured) resigned and planning attacks drew anger and a statement. Cairo hospital for refusing to falsify perceived lack of accountability was yesterday, blaming political rivals condemnation from Syrian Presi- “So I present to you and to Prime medical records. pushing Egyptians to take the law Hezbollah for the country’s politi- dent Bashar Al Assad’s opponents in Minister Tammam Salam my resig- Earlier this month, the body of into their own hands. cal deadlock and protesting over the Lebanon. nation,” he said. a missing Italian graduate student Hadidi also condemned the con- release on bail of a former minister In a new sign of regional tension The cabinet was to hold an emer- was found on the outskirts of Cairo viction of the author, Naji, saying the sentenced for smuggling explosives spilling over into Lebanon, Saudi Ara- gency session today, the National showing signs of torture, including world now saw Egypt as a coun- from Syria. bia on Thursday suspended a military News Agency said. electrocution. try that jailed intellectuals and let Lebanon’s political crisis has left aid package to the Lebanese security Rifi described the Samaha case as Activists said the injuries bore abuses go unpunished. it without a president for 21 months forces in what an official said was a a “national crime which Hezbollah is the hallmarks of Egyptian secu- “The citizen should feel that eve- with rival factions unable to agree response to Beirut’s failure to con- responsible for,” calling for the case rity services. The Interior Ministry ryone is under the law as the feeling on a candidate, and has paralysed demn attacks on Saudi diplomatic to be referred to international courts. denies allegations of involvement in of a lack of equality makes voices state institutions, preventing the missions in Iran. The case captivated a Lebanese the Italian’s death. grow loud and citizens take the law government from taking even basic Rifi said Hezbollah was to blame public accustomed to seeing politi- Then, on Saturday, a court into their own hands,” she said. decisions. for the political paralysis, the Samaha cal violence go unpunished. Tunisia extends emergency Germany mulls training Tunisian troops

AFP official Facebook page, said the state of emergency would be extended for a month AFP Africa,” German Defence Minister Ursula von forces in northern Iraq and flying reconnais- from February 22. der Leyen told the newspaper. sance missions over Syria with Tornado jets. TUNIS: Tunisia said yesterday it would It said the decision was taken after She said it was thus crucial “to make every However, the country’s defence commis- extend by one month a nationwide state consultations between the president, the effort to support countries struggling with sioner Hans-Peter Bartels warned in a report of emergency imposed after a November prime minister and the speaker of par- BERLIN: Germany is considering sending democracy such as Tunisia”. last month that the German military was over- suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic liament. The deadly November 24 bus troops to Tunisia to help train soldiers in the Von der Leyen told the newspaper that a stretched and underfunded and had reached State group killed 12 presidential guards. bombing in Tunis was the third attack last fight against the Islamic State group, a news- training camp in Tunisia would be a contribu- “the limit of its capacity for interventions”. The presidency, in a statement on its year claimed by IS. paper report said yesterday. tion toward regional stability. Tunisia suffered two devastating attacks Bild am Sonntag said that representatives of “And if its direct neighbour Libya manages targeting its vital tourist sector last year, in the defence and foreign ministries would hold to put in place a unity government one day, its the beach resort of Sousse and on the National talks in Tunis on Thursday and Friday about security forces could also benefit from estab- Bardo Museum in Tunis, that together claimed how the German military could lend support lished training facilities in Tunisia,” she said. 60 lives. in a training mission. A defence ministry spokesman said he Both attacks that drew global attention at It said the engagement envisaged training had no further details beyond the minister’s a time of growing jihadist threat were claimed Tunisian soldiers first and could eventually remarks. The foreign ministry had no imme- by IS. be extended to setting up a training camp in diate comment. IS has also been gaining ground in Libya Tunisia for Libyan soldiers, run with other inter- German forces are currently engaged in the amid the unrest that has gripped the country national partners. international alliance against the Islamic State since longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi was “The IS terror is threatening all of North group, including by arming and training Kurdish ousted in 2011.

Bahrain takes steps to fight Iran meddling

AFP

DUBAI: Bahrain said yesterday it has adopted measures including travel curbs and monitoring of money transfers to coun- ter Iran’s “interference” in the kingdom. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa spoke of the “dangers of Iran’s interference in the internal security” of Bah- rain during a meeting with clerics, MPs and newspa- per chiefs, said the official BNA news agency. “We have taken a series of measures to confront the dangers of terrorism,” Sheikh Rashid said. These include form- ing a committee to monitor money transfers. MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 07 Bombings kill at least 87 in Syria

claimed by the Islamic State group killed 22 people. Regime forces State television footage from advance against IS the scene showed emergency work- ers carrying a charred body on a east of Aleppo stretcher past shops shorn of their fronts and mangled cars and min- ibuses. IS claimed responsiblity for the attack, saying in an online AFP statement that two its members had driven explosives-laden cars into crowds of residents. The blasts outside Damascus BEIRUT: Bomb attacks in Syr- saw a car bombing and two suicide ia’s central city of Homs and near attacks rip through the area of the a shrine outside Damascus killed Sayyida Zeinab shrine, killing 30 at least 87 people yesterday, as people and wounding dozens more, Members of the Syrian civil defence try to extinguish flames at Aleppo’s thermal power plant after Syrian government forces retook the area on Washington pursued efforts for a state television reported. ceasefire. The Observatory gave a slightly the eastern outskirts of the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters yesterday. US Secretary of State John Kerry higher death toll of 31 killed and said said a provisional deal had been there were four attacks. reached on the terms of a truce, as Syrian President Bashar Al Assad violence intensified on the ground. meanwhile told Spain’s El Pais news- Battle against Kurdish rebels legitimate: Erdogan Double car bombings killed at paper that he was “ready” for a least 57 people and wounded doz- ceasefire, but said it should not be ens in the Al Zahraa district of exploited by “terrorists”. Homs yesterday morning, the Brit- Regime backer Moscow is a key AFP fighters for this week’s suicide car a phone call with Erdogan on Fri- Journalists freed: Report ain-based Syrian Observatory for architect of the proposed ceasefire, bomb attack in the Turkish capital that day, urged the Ankara government Three journalists working for Human Rights monitor said. but has shown little sign so far that killed 28 people and fears the crea- and the Kurdish People’s Protection Turkish state-run news agency Ana- Later at least 30 people were it plans to rein in the air campaign tion of a Kurdish stronghold along its Units (YPG) militia to “show recipro- tolia were kidnapped and released killed in a series of attacks, including it began in September in support of ANKARA: Turkish President Recep southern border. cal restraint” in northern Syria. yesterday by members of the mili- a car bombing, near the Shia shrine Assad’s government. Tayyip Erdogan has defended his “The situation we are currently French President Francois Hol- tant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in of Sayyida Zeinab south of the cap- On Saturday, the Kremlin said it country’s fight against Kurdish fighters facing is one of legitimate defence. No lande warned that Ankara’s escalating southeastern Turkey, the agency said. ital, state television and the monitor would continue “to provide assist- in Syria as “legitimate defence”, after one can deny or limit Turkey’s legit- involvement in the conflict was creat- The three — a local correspond- said. The Homs attack was the worst ance and help to the armed forces international powers urged Ankara imate right to defence in the face of ing a risk of war between Turkey and ent, a cameraman and a photographer in the city since twin bombings hit of Syria in their offensive actions to rein in its cross-border bombard- terrorist attacks,” Erdogan said in a Russia, which back different sides in — were released uninjured to mem- a school in October 2014, killing at against terrorists”. ments. speech in Istanbul late on Saturday, Syria’s increasingly complex civil war. bers of the pro-Kurdish Democratic least 55 people including 49 children. Regime forces backed by Russian Turkey has been shelling targets in according to the Dogan news agency. Ankara says the YPG is a branch People’s Party (HDP) in the same area Al Zahraa — whose residents are strikes were advancing yester- northern Syria for the past week in a Erdogan’s remarks come after the of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ where they were taken, the agency mostly from the same Alawite sect as day east of Aleppo city against IS, bid to stem the advances of a Kurdish- United States, France and Russia all Party (PKK), which has waged a three- reported. But their equipment was Syria’s ruling clan — has been regu- consolidating their control over a led coalition that has seized territory urged Turkey to scale back or halt its decade insurgency against the Turkish taken by the militant group which larly targeted by attacks, including stretch of highway from the city to in the area. military action in Syria. state and is recognised as a terror has been fighting against the Turkish last month when a double bombing the Kweyris military base. Ankara blames Syrian Kurdish US President Barack Obama, in group by the United States and EU. state since 1984. Stolen radioactive material found by passerby near Iraq fuel station

Reuters was undamaged and there were no concerns “A passerby found the radioactive device the material was stolen that it was being kept Turkey, according to the document and offi- about radiation. dumped in Zubair and immediately informed in Zubair and controls had been tightened to cials. The material is classed as a Category Reuters reported last week that Iraq security forces which went with a special prevent it being taken out of the town. 2 radioactive source by the International had been searching for the material since radiation prevention team and retrieved the “After failing to take it out of the town, the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meaning that BAGHDAD: Radioactive material that went it was stolen in November from a storage device,” the chief of the security panel within perpetrators decided to dump it,” the security if not managed properly it could cause per- missing in Iraq has been found dumped near facility belonging to US oilfield services com- Basra provincial council, Jabbar Al Saidi, official said. “I assure you it is only a matter manent injury to a person in close proximity a petrol station in the southern town of Zubair, pany Weatherford near the southern city of said. of time before we arrest those who stole the to it for minutes or hours, and could be fatal officials said yesterday, ending speculation it Basra. “After initial checking I can confirm the radioactive device.” to someone exposed for a period of hours to could be acquired by Islamic State and used It was not immediately clear how the device is intact 100 percent and there is abso- The material, which uses gamma rays to days. as a weapon. device, owned by Swiss inspections group lutely no concern of radiation.” test flaws in materials used for oil and gas SGS and Weatherford have both denied The officials said the material, stored in a SGS, ended up in Zubair, around 15km south- A security official close to the investiga- pipelines in a process called industrial gamma responsibility for the disappearance of the protective case the size of a laptop computer, west of Basra. tion said it had been established soon after radiography, is owned by Istanbul-based SGS material last year.

Russia defence minister meets Iran president

AFP

TEHRAN: Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu yesterday started a previously unannounced visit to Tehran with the conflict in Syria high on his agenda, Iranian state media reported. Shoigu met President Hassan Rowhani to deliver a “special message” from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the offi- cial IRNA news agency cited the presidency as saying. The minister pre- sented an overview “of the situation regarding stability in the region and the process of negotiations for a ceasefire in Syria”, IRNA said. Rowhani said: “Resolving the crisis in Syria can only be achieved through political negoti- ations and respect for the rights of the Syrian peo- ple who must ultimately decide their country’s future.” Russia and Iran are both longtime allies of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime. 08 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Top Hindu priest decapitated in Candidates face off in debate Bangladesh

Philippine presidential AFP candidates faced off for the first time in DHAKA: Suspected Islamist mil- a national debate. itants stabbed to death a Hindu It brought together priest at a temple in Bangladesh yesterday, and shot and wounded the top contenders a devotee who went to his aid. seeking to succeed Police said the attack was Aquino who is limited perpetrated by a local militant group, while Islamic State claimed by law to 6-year term responsibility in a statement issued via social media. Bangladesh has experienced a wave of militant violence in recent AFP months. Some of the attacks have been claimed by Islamic State, which has said it is behind the kill- ings in Bangladesh of a Japanese MANILA: The five main Philippine citizen, an Italian aid worker and presidential candidates faced off for a policeman. the first time in a national debate yes- Five or six attackers cut the terday, vowing to fight corruption Philippines presidential candidates (left to right) vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Mirrian Defensor-Santiago, Davao CityMayor Rodrigo throat of the priest, Jogeshwar Roy, and crime if they succeed President Duterte, Senator Grace Poe, and Mar Roxas participate in a debate held in Cagayan de Oro, yesterday. 55, as he was organising prayers Benigno Aquino. at the Deviganj temple near Pan- The televised debate was the first southern island of Mindanao, brought Aquino’s “straight path” policies that Aquino. In one heated exchange Binay Tabunda, research director of think- chagar, 494km (308 miles) north in a series aimed at focusing the con- together the top contenders seeking are credited with combating corrup- accused Roxas of not doing enough tank Pulse Asia. “It will depend much of the capital, Dhaka, police said. test on policy issues, rather than the to succeed Aquino who is limited by tion and spurring economic growth. when Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the more on what extent candidates are “We suspect that they might be colourful personalities running in the law to one six-year term. “That is what the straight path country in November 2013, leaving at able to get their presence felt... if they members of the banned Islamist May presidential election. Polls show the frontrunner is has delivered and that is what I will least 7,350 dead or missing. are perceived to be sincere,” she said. militant group Jamaatul Mujah- But candidate Rodrigo Duterte Vice President Jejomar Binay, politi- continue,” Roxas told a crowd of “Many people are still angry about “People will look at their personal edeen Bangladesh (JMB),” police played up his image of ruthlessness, cal kingpin of the financial centre of civic leaders and journalists. He also him because of his failure,” Binay said characteristics,” Tabunda said. official Humayun Kabir told as he vowed he would wipe out crime, Makati. Tied for second are Duterte questioned Duterte’s temper, Poe’s at the nationally-broadcast event. The Philippine Catholic church Reuters. Islamic State issued its illegal drugs and corruption in just and Senator Grace Poe, the adopted experience and accusations of cor- Roxas said he had been work- defended boxing hero Manny Pac- statement through the Telegram three months by ordering authorities daughter of popular movie star ruption that have dogged Binay. ing for days in the disaster zone and quiao for his controversial comments. messaging app and on Twitter. to kill criminals. Fernando Poe Jnr. Aquino’s chosen “Becoming a president is not on accused Binay of merely flying into But Father Jerome Secillano also “In a security operation facili- “If I become president, it will be successor, former interior secretary the job training,” he said in a swipe the area by helicopter to hand out said over radio station DZMM that tated by the almighty God, soldiers bloody because I will order the kill- Manuel Roxas, trails behind them at Poe. Roxas clashed repeatedly with relief goods as a publicity stunt. Pacquiao should respect people. of the Caliphate liquidated the ing of all criminals,” said Duterte who with Senator Miriam Santiago in Binay who defeated him when Roxas “I didn’t use our people for photo Pacquiao, who intends to retire priest Jogeshwar Roy, the founder has been accused of abetting death fifth place. ran for vice president in 2010. Pres- opportunities and politics,” Roxas after his April fight against American and the head of the Deviganj squads as longtime mayor of the Roxas, who suffers from a col- ident and vice president are elected said. However, such debates do not Timothy Bradley to pursue a career in temple that belongs to the infidel southern city of Davao. ourless image, took the offensive, separately in the Philippines, allowing necessarily play a pivotal role in Phil- politics, issued an apology on social Hindus,” the ISIS statement read The debate, held on the strife-torn stressing the need to maintain opposition leader Binay to serve under ippine elections, warned Ana Maria media on Tuesday. in Arabic. Fiji begins clean-up after cyclone leaves six dead

AFP Tuifagalele said. Five others were blown off homes and trees were injured, Tuifagalele added. ripped out by their roots.” OCHA said 150 houses were Bainimarama said the storm destroyed and 60 others damaged amounted to an “assault on Fiji”, SUVA: Fiji began a massive clean- in the Eastern Division covering the an impoverished nation of about up yesterday after the most powerful provinces of Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti 900,000 heavily reliant on its tour- cyclone in the Pacific nation’s his- and Rotuma. It gave no figures for the ism industry. tory left a trail of destruction, killing country’s three other divisions. “It is being described as one of the six people, flattening scores of homes Aid agencies admitted they sim- most powerful in recorded history... and crippling infrastructure. ply had no idea about the full extent as a nation, we are facing an ordeal The super-storm lashed the pop- of the destruction, as Fijians shared of the most grievous kind,” he said ular tourist destination overnight on pictures on social media of roofless in a national address late Saturday. Saturday, packing wind gusts of 325 houses, flooded streets and metal Bainimarama declared a state km (202 miles) per hour, according to signposts bent over by the wild winds. of natural disaster, to remain in the UN humanitarian agency OCHA. Save the Children Fiji chief place for one month. A curfew was OCHA said six people were killed Iris Low-McKenzie said it was too imposed but would be lifted on Mon- during severe tropical cyclone Win- early to assess the impact on outly- day morning. ston, the first-ever storm system to ing islands, although unconfirmed All schools, many of which are hit Fiji measuring a maximum cat- reports said thousands of homes had being used as evacuation centres, egory five. been destroyed and entire villages were ordered closed for one week. “Homes have been destroyed, flattened. “I’m especially concerned Many residents spent the night many low-lying areas have flooded,” about the remote communities in huddled in the shelters, where they Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama outlying areas that we haven’t been were given food and water. said yesterday in a statement. able to contact yet,” she said. Falling trees cut power and “In the aftermath of this great “Until communications are blocked roads on the main island of tragedy, many are without power re-established and we assess the Viti Levu, where all flights were can- and full access to water, and are cut damage, we won’t know the full celled as high winds buffeted Nadi off from communication.” extent of the situation.” international airport. Officials said one man died on The capital Suva escaped the full Suva resident Danny South- Koro Island, reportedly from debris fury of the storm but Low-McKen- combe told AFP that while the capital sent flying during the cyclone. Others zie said it was still a terrifying escaped the brunt of the storm, it died on Ovalau island and in Tailevu experience. “I’ve never experienced still came to a standstill. The mili- A damaged building at an undisclosed location In Fiji, after the most powerful cyclone battered the Pacific and Ra provinces, National Disaster anything like this,” she said. “The tary cancelled all leave and mobilised island nation. Management Office director Akapusi noise was frightening as roofs were troops for the relief effort.

Thousands protest against Australia issues Missing Malaysians are alive terror warning for US base in Okinawa Kuala Lumpur

HONG KONG: Terrorists may be AFP chain. Okinawa accounts for less planning attacks in and around than one percent of Japan’s total land Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Aus- area but hosts about 75 percent of tralian government said in a post US military facilities in the country. on its website, yesterday. TOKYO: Thousands of protest- The central government wants The government said attacks ers formed a human chain around to construct a new US Marine air may target Western interests or Japan’s parliament yesterday in pro- base in a remote part of the island to locations frequented by Western- test at the planned construction of a replace the existing US Futenma air ers. The UK also warned citizens new US base on the southern island base in heavily populated Ginowan, in the past week against travel of Okinawa. where it is widely seen as a potential to coastal islands in the east Some 28,000 people, accord- danger to residents. Malaysia state of Sabah, near the ing to local media, surrounded the But Okinawa governor Takeshi Philippines, citing high threats building holding banners reading Onaga and many island residents to foreigners of kidnapping and “No more US bases in Okinawa” and want a replacement for Futenma criminality. “Follow the will of Okinawa”. built outside Okinawa -- either else- Australia advises its citizens to Many wore blue, the colour sym- where in Japan or overseas. They exercise normal safety precautions bolising support for the island. say they can no longer live with across Malaysia. It urged them Police did not give an estimate of the noise, accidents and occasional to avoid all travel to the coastal the number taking part in rhe rally, crimes by US service members. resorts of eastern Sabah dive sites the latest in a long series of protests. Japan and the United States first pro- and associated tourist facilities due Missing crew members safely arrive on a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency boat at Kuala Kedah The dispute has intensified posed moving Futenma in 1996. But to the high threat of kidnapping. Jetty, Kedah State in Malaysia, yesterday. The victims sent distress calls to the Malaysian Maritime mistrust between the central gov- they both insist the replacement base New Zealand classifies travel to Enforcement Agency after capsizing near Payar Island, 430 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. ernment and the southern island must remain in Okinawa. the area as “high risk.” ASIA / AFRICA MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 09 Asylum baby to remain in Australia

would be sent to community deten- tion from Brisbane’s Lady Cilento The one-year-old Children’s Hospital. baby of Nepalese “We are proposing that baby Asha will come from Lady Cilento and will asylum-seekers, was go into community detention as have, held on Nauru with as I say, 83 others who are living in the community who are in Australia her parents before for medical assistance,” Dutton told being brought to the reporters in Brisbane. Australia for medical Community detention is when asylum-seekers waiting for their ref- treatment last month ugee applications to be processed live within the community and are usu- ally allowed to move around freely. However they can still be moved AFP or removed by the immigration department at any time. Dutton said the government’s decision was pre- planned and not a result of pressure SYDNEY: Australia was set to allow from medical professionals and the an asylum-seeker’s baby to remain in public. the country instead of being deported The hospital confirmed the deci- back to a remote Pacific detention sion and said the move would take camp, yesterday, in what refugee place “within the next 24 hours”. advocates claimed as a victory after Refugee advocates welcomed a public outcry. Dutton’s announcement, hailing it as Under Canberra’s harsh immi- a victory for their campaign against gration policy, asylum-seekers the deportations to Nauru of Asha and attempting to arrive in Australia by 266 other asylum-seekers also in Aus- boat are sent to camps in Papua New tralia for medical care. Guinea and Nauru, where they are “A week ago we had to file an held indefinitely while their refugees urgent case in the highest court in the applications are processed. country to stop the government from The one-year-old baby, named secretively deporting this baby to Asha and the child of Nepalese asy- Nauru,” the Human Rights Law Cen- lum-seekers, was held on Nauru with tre’s Daniel Webb said in a statement. her parents before being brought to “Now the family is being released the Australian mainland for medical into the community. It’s a massive School students hold photographs of a baby girl known as Asha during a protest outside the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane against treatment last month. turn-around.” the Australian government’s decision not to send back the child to an asylum seekers’ detention on Nauru, yesterday. Asha was due to be sent back Annastacia Palaszczuk, Labor to the camp after a court ruling in Premier of Queensland, the state in they would be sent back to their home protests against the deportations are blocked from being resettled in refugees in third countries, following favour of the government’s offshore which the hospital is located, said country or to Nauru. under the LetThemStay campaign, Australia even if found to be refugees a Fairfax Media report of a renewed immigration detention policy, but Dutton’s decision was “too slow and “If people are suggesting to you with Australian church leaders also -- saying it has prevented deaths at push. the hospital caring for her refused lacked empathy” as she renewed her there has been a change in the pol- vowing to defy the government’s sea and secured its borders. Canberra has already struck an to release the infant until a “suitable offer to house asylum-seekers facing icy or we are going to allow special immigration rules, offering sanctu- Foreign Minister Julie Bishop agreement with Cambodia to accept home environment is identified”. removal in the community. treatment in baby Asha’s case, then ary to the asylum-seekers. confirmed Sunday the government refugees in exchange for millions of Immigration Minister Peter Dut- Dutton said if the refugee claims that is not the case,” he added. Canberra has long defended its was in negotiations with a range of dollars in aid, but only a handful of ton said Sunday Asha and her parents of Asha and her parents were rejected, There have been numerous policy -- under which asylum seekers Southeast Asian nations to resettle people have taken up the offer. Niger holds tense vote as Issoufou eyes second term Police clash with anti-drug Reuters The government says it respects the law and calls the charges polit- vigilantes in ically motivated. Voting began at 8am local time (0700 GMT) and ini- NIAMEY: Niger closed its borders and tial turnout was low. Niger produces Myanmar ramped up security yesterday for an uranium and oil but is ranked last in election in which President Mahama- the U.N.’s Human Development Index AFP dou Issoufou is running for a second and has one of the world’s highest fer- term with a promise to crush Islam- tility rates. The country ranks 114 out ist militants and develop one of the of 142 in the 2015 prosperity index run poorest countries in the world. by the U.K.-based Legatum Institute. YANGON: Thousands of anti-drug Security forces patrolled the main Islamist militant group Boko vigilantes are locked in a show- cities and villages in a bid to foil pos- Haram, which is based in neigh- down with police and soldiers in sible unrest or a potential plot by bouring Nigeria, has staged a series northern Myanmar after they were militants. of attacks in recent months, forcing stopped from destroying poppy In another sign of heightened authorities to declare a state of emer- fields, witnesses said yesterday. security, the interior minister said gency in the southeastern region of About 3,000 members of Pat the country’s land borders would Diffa. Jasan, a hardline Christian anti- be closed. Some voters said they Even so, Niger prides itself on drug organisation whose members had never experienced such a tense being peaceful relative to its neigh- often don military-style uniforms election. bours Nigeria, Libya and Mali. and are known to flog drug users, “Niger needs strong democratic Issoufou, who was born in 1951, won are currently camped outside the institutions. I hope that the presi- an election in 2011, a year after a town of Waingmaw in Kachin dential and legislative elections will coup. Under election rules, a run-off state.They have vowed to eradicate permit us to reinforce our institu- Inhabitants of Yalanta district line up to cast their ballot in the presidential elections in Niamey, Niger, will be held if no candidate secures local poppy fields used to cultivate tions,” Issoufou said when he cast yesterday. an outright victory yesterday. His opium and heroin but have been his ballot at city hall in the capital challengers include Amadou, 2011 halted by authorities who fear Niamey. used political repression in the run-up to a baby-trafficking ring.“These are able to campaign ... The president second-place finisher Oumaru and clashes may erupt with farmers. He faces 14 candidates including to the vote, arresting opposition sup- not free and fair elections. has manipulated the electorate and ex-president Mahamane Ousmane. “Local army and police told Seyni Oumaru, leader of an opposi- porters and jailing opposition leader We have one presidential can- used repression,” said Amadou Saidou Around 5,200 candidates also vie for us that they are still blocking the tion coalition. Critics say Issoufou has Hama Amadou over charges related didate in prison who has not been when he voted. 171 legislative seats yesterday. way for security reasons. We have asked the state government to get access,” Hpala Lum Hkawng, a senior member of Pat Jasan in Waingmaw, said. Presidential polls open in Comoros Myanmar’s border regions North Korea confirms have long been notorious drug manufacturing hotspots with both ethnic rebel forces and the military new military chief AFP then compete in a nationwide vote of electoral fraud when voting gets or its allied militias implicated in on April 10 that will decide the suc- under way. the lucrative trade. cessor to President Ikililou Dhoinine. “Real efforts are being made by The country is now the world’s Dhoinine comes from the small- the election commission and inter- second largest opium producer AFP in a series of purges and executions MORONI: Voters in the Indian Ocean est island, Moheli. The other island national actors to ease any political after Afghanistan. Mountainous of top officials. archipelago of the Comoros began is Anjouan. or social tensions,” said European and impoverished Kachin, a long Ri Yong-Gil was accused of casting their ballots for a new presi- The system was established in Union representative Eduardo Cam- restless rebel region which was forming a political faction and cor- dent yesterday from a crowded field 2001 in a bid to bring stability after pos Martins. plunged back into conflict in 2011, SEOUL: North Korean state media ruption, South Korea’s Yonhap news of 25 candidates, with a struggling more than 20 coups, or attempted Nadia Tourqui, consultant to the produces significant quantities of yesterday confirmed the country has agency said, citing a source familiar economy and poor infrastructure coups, in the decades following inde- UN, added however that there were opium and methamphetamine. a new military chief following ear- with North Korean affairs. high on the agenda. pendence from France in 1975. “a lot of suspicions” surrounding the As a result it has a huge addic- lier reports in Seoul that the former Hyon’s fate was never confirmed Polling stations in the country of Among the prominent candidates poll. In order to calm tensions, the tion problem, something Pat Jasan holder of the post had been executed. by Pyongyang but he has never been less than one million people officially are Vice President Mohamed Ali Soi- electoral commission on Saturday -- founded two years ago by the .Ri Myong-Su, former People’s seen or heard of since. Some analysts opened at 0400 GMT, although some lihi, Mouigni Baraka, the governor of agreed to a request from 20 candi- powerful Kachin Baptist Church Security Minister, was referred to as have suggested he was purged and were delayed by the late arrival of Grande Comore, and Azali Assoum- dates to ban proxy voting, seen as a -- has vowed to end, by force if “chief of the Korean People’s Army imprisoned.A large number of senior voting materials. ani, who led a coup in 1999 and is a possible source of fraud, “to preserve necessary. While their hardline General Staff” when the Korean Cen- officials, especially military cadres, Among those competing in the two-time former president. the peace”. stance has won support, their rise tral News Agency (KCNA) reported were removed or demoted as the first-round poll are a former coup Moinaecha Youssouf Djalali, a Yesterday, voters will also be has created fears of a new layer on an army exercise guided by leader young leader sought to solidify his leader and the vice president. businesswoman, is the only female forbidden from leaving the island’s of community tension in a state Kim Jong-Un. control over the powerful military. Only voters on Grande Comore candidate, in a country where the capital Moroni or moving between already battered by ethnic con- Ri Myong-Su was again men- Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the island will cast their ballots yesterday vast majority of people are Sunni villages unless they have an official flict. Impoverished farmers in tioned in a separate KCNA report University of North Korean Studies under an unusual electoral system Muslims. pass “to avoid double voting”, the northern Myanmar have few via- on Kim’s inspection of an air force in Seoul said the new military chief that decrees the president is selected Dhoinine’s completion of his five- interior ministry announced. There ble alternatives to growing opium exercise. His predecessor Ri Yong-Gil was one of Kim’s top three aides and on a rotating basis from one of the year term has been seen as a sign of are public who opined that it was dif- .Authorities were caught in the was reportedly executed early this was known to be well-versed in mis- three major islands. growing stability in Comoros, though ficult to find their candidate from the middle between Pat Jasan mem- month in what would be the latest sile technology. The three leading contenders will many candidates have raised fears long list. bers and local farmers. JEWELLERY & WATCHES

MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 Al Majed Jewellery launches exquisite range of A. Lange & Söhne watches

movement is composed. To rule out delivers a uni- A new sound of time — unintended, potentially damaging form amount the first Lange watch manipulations, the designers incor- of energy dur- porated a very useful safety feature. ing the entire with a decimal minute Since mechanical conflicts would power-reserve occur if the owner were to set the period. As repeater time during a chiming sequence, the source of the crown cannot be pulled while the switching the striking mechanism is active: impulses, it reli- when activated, the winding train is ably controls the uncoupled from the ratchet wheel numerals dis- ZEITWERK MINUTE that powers it. play minute by REPEATER This precaution prevents the minute. winding wheel train including the The L043.5 N THE exalted category of chiming wristwatches, crown from turning while the gongs manufacture the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is a techni- are being struck, which would waste calibre inside cal sensation: Articulately designed, it combines a a considerable amount of energy. the ZEIT- mechanical jumping numerals display with a dec- Additionally, the switching of the WERK MINUTE imal minute repeater for the first time. numeral discs is delayed until the REPEATER is The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is the first chiming sequence has ended. This lavishly and IA. Lange & Söhne model with a striking mechanism that takes about 20 seconds for the max- meticulously sounds the hours, ten-minute intervals, and minutes. The imum succession of tones at 12:59. hand-finished. acoustic sequence precisely reproduces the digitally dis- The acoustic time indication therefore always corresponds Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, the balance played time whenever the striking mechanism is triggered to the time displayed on the dial. wheel with eccentric poising weights and a free-sprung with a pusher. The dial time is sounded with a low-pitched To assure that the repeater sequence is not prema- balance spring crafted in-house breathes with a fre- tone for each elapsed hour, a double tone for each elapsed turely interrupted due to the depletion of the mainspring’s quency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour. The resonant ten-minute period, and a highpitched tone for each elapsed power – in which case the watch would stop running as timekeeping instrument with a diameter of 44.2 milli- minute. well –, the striking mechanism can no longer be activated metres is available exclusively in platinum. When they developed the strikework for the ZEITWERK if the remaining power reserve is less than twelve hours. The solid-silver dial shimmers with a rhodié hue. Made MINUTE REPEATER, the engineers were able to harness On the power-reserve indicator, this point is identified of black-rhodiumed German silver, the time bridge promi- the basic principle of the jumping numerals mechanism. with a red mark. Because the mainspring powers the nently frames the hour and minute numeral apertures that The time is displayed with an hour ring and two minute striking mechanism via the ratchet wheel, the number are located on the same plane. The black-polished steel discs instead of with hands. Three snails connected with of minute repeater activations and their duration will gong hammers are visibly arranged on both sides of the these mechanical display elements separately sample the influence the availability of the underlying power reserve subsidiary seconds dial. The hours are struck on the left, number of hours, tenminute intervals, and minutes to be achieve harmony and reverberation of each gong sepa- of 36 hours. the single minutes on the right. For the double-tone ten- acoustically indicated. rately and to assure perfect sonority in unison. minute counts, both hammers strike both gongs slightly In place of the conventional slide, the ZEITWERK MINUTE offset in time. REPEATER features an elaborate pusher system for acti- Engineered down to the tiniest detail The contemporary face of a grand tradition Lange’s ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is the second vating the striking mechanism. To maximise the quality model of the ZEITWERK family to be endowed with an of the sound, the engineers calibrated the movement with Countless work steps and extensive fine-tuning are With its eminently legible jumping numerals display, the acoustic time indication. With its unusual design, it repre- the case down to the smallest detail. The tuning proc- required to guarantee the smooth interaction and long-term ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER stands out as a paragon of sents a further milestone in A. Lange & Söhne’s impressive ess requires acute hearing and is performed manually to functional integrity of all mechanisms of which the 771-part eloquent design. The patented constant-force escapement repertoire of innovative timepiece concepts. DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN IN PINK GOLD: a CHRONOGRAPH CLASSIC RESTYLED

Three years after it was first presented, the DATOGRAPH UP/ DOWN is now available in a second version as well: In a pink-gold case with a black solid-silver dial.

AUNCHED in 2012, the DATO- GRAPH UP/DOWN is endowed with milestone technical features: A classic column-wheel control mechanism, a precisely jumping Lminute counter and a flyback function come together in a movement that showcases true DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL rapid-correction pusher. Additionally, three recessed cor- engineering finesse. The aesthetic quality rectors allow the displays to be adjusted separately. of the calibre is reflected by the balanced The dark grey hue of the dial clearly emphasises the dial layout with the characteristic Lange displays and prominently showcases the deep blue lunar outsize date and the two argenté subsidiary Chronograph and perpetual disc with its golden stars. Baton hour markers as well as dials for the seconds and the minute coun- calendar with a noble hour and minute hands in rhodiumed gold highlight the ter forming an equilateral triangle. The UP/ rich-contrast design that was first introduced with the DOWN attribute is standard Lange termi- white-gold/grey contrast 2010 launch of the pink-gold version. The chronograph nology for the power-reserve indicator. UP hand indicates the stopped time to one-fifth of a second. stands for the maximum power reserve of It is made of blued steel. The same material was cho- 60 hours when fully wound, while DOWN HE pairing of a solid white-gold case with a grey sen for the minute counter and seconds hands, allowing means that the energy of the mainspring dial adds elegance and charisma to the combi- them to stand out prominently against the bright rhodié has been depleted and the pink-gold arrow nation of a flyback chronograph with a perpetual background of the subsidiary dials. With its movement enters the red zone of the indicator. calendar. consisting of 556 lavishly finished parts, it delivers fresh The black dial made of solid silver is TFor French writer and Nobel laureate André Gide, grey proof of the Saxon manufactory’s virtuosity in the realm embedded in an 18-carat pink-gold case with was the colour of truth, which might be due to its counter- of horological complications. a diameter of 41.0 millimetres. Luminous balancing effect and the seductive radiance of this hue. hands and pink-gold baton hour markers In the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL, the juxtaposition of a accentuate the systematic design concept. white-gold case and a grey dial accommo-dates both of The sapphire-crystal caseback allows these aspects. Since 2006, its name has been a synonym for many components to be observed in action, the ingenious combination of a flyback chronograph and for instance those of the precisely jump- a perpetual calendar. With three highly elaborate, tech- ing minute counter, which assures precise nically advanced mechanisms, it fully lives up to the task time measurement, or the column wheel of precise short-time measurements: The column-wheel that controls the chronograph functions. concept assures dependable control of all chronograph Composed of 451 parts, the L951.6 man- functions, the jumping minute counter always delivers ufacture calibre unites all typical Lange distinct legibility of stopped times and the flyback system quality hallmarks, such as the sturdy three- makes it possible to accurately measure the durations of quarter plate made of untreated German events in quick succession. silver, lavishly finished movement parts, a With its Lange outsize date, day of week, month and hand-engraved balance cock and four gold leap year indications, the perpetual calendar is so pre- chatons secured with screws. These assets cise that it requires no adjustment until the year 2100, make this calibre one of the most seductive when a one-day correction is needed. All calendar dis- manifestations of A. Lange & Söhne’s com- plays can be advanced simultaneously with a convenient petence in chronograph design.

12 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Museveni’s march Iraq and Libya are harder

oweri Museveni, who was reelected as Uganda’s president extending his three decades in power, deserves credit for his the second time positive contributions. He brought democratic reformation to a country which had reeled under the heinous dictatorship and Iraqi governments could not General Joe Dunford, chairman of of Idi Amin, stability and order where chaos prevailed agree on a framework that would It is clear that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently Yonce, and finally, he brought a degree of economic security and social have allowed several thousand the international said. “ progress when the country had lost hope. But his reelection hasn’t been US troops to stay in Iraq to com- Will we get anything bat Al Qaeda in Iraq and continue community needs approaching a plan reasonably viewed with enthusiasm by the international community. The opposition the training mission that is vital a real, workable designed to finally address the has accused him of poll rigging and the international observers have to Iraq’s future. I urge the Admin- problem? So far, the president has raised concerns over the conduct of the polls, saying that the electoral istration not to allow today’s plan to combat launched a few airstrikes. Politi- commission lacked transparency. Museveni was declared a winner with announcement to become an the transnational cal talks overseen by the United obstacle to further negotiations Nations are of little value and drag 60 percent of the vote on Saturday, far ahead of the 35 percent won by terrorist threat the detained opposition chief Kizza Besigye. The president has grabbed on an enduring security relation- on as events on the ground play ship with Iraq. out. Boot observes: at a fifth consecutive term at the age of 71. confronting North “We should remain open to “It’s not hard to see why Besigye’s house was surrounded by police in riot gear as the election renewing discussions to bring Africa on a going- Obama, a president who came results were announced. Besigye, who was arrested three times in the back a robust US force at the Iraqi forward basis, to office in opposition to the Iraq past week and whose party headquarters was stormed on Friday by By Jennifer Rubin government’s request that can do rather than simply War, would be opposed to another the police, has slammed the results as a fraud and appealed to the The Washington Post counterterrorism and support the deployment in the Middle East, but international community not to Iraqi Security Forces. No doubt reacting to events in this case, the Pentagon was recognise them. “The opposition the Iranian government will seek as they happen, not proposing ensnaring large hen the president to capitalise on this development numbers of US troops in ground are not leaders, they are just and then-Sec- and further extend their nefari- country by country. combat. The Pentagon proposal, demagogues, liars, just talking, retary of State ous influence into Iraq.” Without serious insofar as it has been leaked talking,” the 71-year-old Museveni Hillary Clin- Give him credit as well. accurately, called for air strikes Ugandan president declared, celebrating his victory with ton pulled the Then there is Libya. There, coordination among and possibly Special Operations will be setting a a walk with his beloved cows. The US Wlast US troops out of Iraq, they too, the Obama administration all affected nations, Forces to work with Libyan mili- criticised irregularities in the vote, boasted of a campaign promise declared victory, proclaiming tias opposed to ISIS. poor example for kept. Conservative critics warned, its minimalist approach was far the threat posed by “A smart plan would also which it said was “deeply inconsistent African democracy however, that if the precarious superior to President George W. these groups will include a major component with international standards and peace was not nurtured, it would Bush’s use of ground forces. The devoted to bolstering the frag- if he clings to expectations for any democratic shatter, the United States would be Benghazi attacks on 9/11/2012 intensify. ile Libyan unity government power all his life. process”. compelled to go back in, and the demonstrated that the adminis- backed by the United Nations. There is a possibility that the second time would prove harder tration’s hands-off strategy was It is imperative that Libya have country will descend into chaos if the and more costly. All three warn- a failure. Libya has become a terrorist safe a functioning government again; opposition persists with protests, but ings have proved to be accurate, By February 2013, Senator haven and its transit routes are until it does, that country will be in large part because the terrorist Bob Corker, R- Tennessee, was used by various terrorist groups, wide open to terrorist groups the situation in 2011, when protests threat has now spread to multi- warning that the situation was notably in the southwest and including ISIS and Al Qaeda. after the presidential election ple countries. In the fall of 2008, worsening further and that the northeast. The General National Christopher Chivvis of RAND has produced a violent security crackdown, is unlikely to be repeated. Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, risk the country would be over- Congress has tried to tackle the some valuable suggestions for Museveni enjoys wider support now, especially in rural areas where cautioned: run by terrorists was increasing. lawlessness of the southern region how the US can flex its muscles 80 percent of Ugandans live, and given the extensive state security “If we withdraw prematurely “It goes without saying that the by temporarily closing - at least as it did in Bosnia, employing apparatus, the opposition may not have the strength to challenge the from Iraq, Al Qaeda in Iraq will security situation in North Africa officially - the country’s southern airpower and sanctions, in order survive, proclaim victory and has substantially deteriorated in border, and declaring large swaths to create a functioning state. government on the streets. But Besigye too is adamant. Addressing a continue to provoke sectarian recent months,” he said following of area (west from Ghadames, This is something that Presi- rally in eastern Uganda last month, he said his Forum for Democratic tensions that, while they have a trip there. “The flow of weapons Ghat, Ubari, Sebha, Murzuq, and dent Obama shamefully failed Change party would continue to challenge Museveni’s presidency for life. been subdued by the success of from Libya has armed terrorists across a 620 miles off-road east to to do in 2011 after helping to Museveni will be setting a poor example for African democracy if he the surge, still exist, as various in the region and destabilised at Kufra) as closed military zones to overthrow the Qadhafi regime, clings to power all his life. He needs to create a roadmap for his country factions of Sunni and Shia have least one government. be administered under emergency even though the lessons of Iraq to take it forward, give greater freedom to opposition parties and listen yet to move beyond their ancient An increasingly dangerous law. In reality, however, Libya’s and Afghanistan clearly showed to the advice of the international community to win their support for the hatreds, and are ripe for provo- spread of weapons and fight- weak and under-resourced insti- the dangers of toppling a dictator cation by Al Qaeda. Civil war in ers across the region is also tutions have had little influence without building a new govern- country’s development. But some African rulers don’t listen to advice. Iraq could easily descend into empowering Al Qaida to take in that region, and have failed to ment to rule.” They have a way of keeping themselves in power as long as they want, as genocide, and destabilise the advantage of impoverished and implement this vague decree, as So going back, was the Libya the rest of the continent and the world looks on helplessly. entire region as neighboring disenfranchised populations is evident from frequent ethnic strategy - one that Hillary Clinton powers come to the aid of their and ungoverned territories,” clashes in the area. Instead, tribes touted as her own - a “success”? favored factions. I believe a reck- Corker said. “It is clear that the and militias continue to control Hardly. It is, just as in Iraq, a les- less and premature withdrawal international community needs the area, and traders, smugglers, son that minimalist policies, would be a terrible defeat for our a real, workable plan to com- and terrorists continue to utilise without an administration that Quote of the day security interests and our values. bat the transnational terrorist ancient trade routes across these has the patience and political Iran will also view our prema- threat confronting North Africa borders.” capital to devote to securing the ture withdrawal as a victory, and on a going-forward basis, rather Once again, no coherent strat- peace, are useless --- or worse. the biggest state supporter of ter- than simply reacting to events as egy emerged. Today, as Max Boot Anti-interventionists such as rorists, a country with nuclear they happen, country by coun- writes: Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who Niger needs strong ambitions and a stated desire to try. Without serious coordination “[The Islamic State] now also want to carpet-bomb and go home democratic institutions. destroy the State of Israel, will see among all affected nations, the has provinces in other countries, (none of that “nation building” for its influence in the Middle East threat posed by these groups will most notably in Libya, which has him) repeat the president’s error. I hope that the grow significantly.” intensify.” become the second-most impor- The more engaged we are earlier presidential and legislative He was remarkably accurate. The administration did tant ISIS stronghold. Libya is now on, the better chance for a positive When the last of the troops were nothing. (It was out looking for home to over 5,000 ISIS fighters outcome; when we cut and run (or elections will permit us to to come out in 2011, Senator Marco individual suspects in the Beng- headquartered in Sirte just across never make a commitment), things reinforce our institutions. Rubio, R-Florida, warned: hazi attacks, however.) Libya did the Mediterranean from Italy, and deteriorate and the options look “I am concerned that the in fact become a haven for ter- they are in danger of gaining con- worse and worse. announced full withdrawal of rorists, one more front in the war trol of at least part of Libya’s vast There is, unfortunately, US forces by the end of this year against the Islamic State. The State oil reserves. no easy path to destroying the Mahamadou Issoufou will place the stability and secu- Department in 2014, looking back By all indications, the Defense Islamic State. Telling the Ameri- rity of Iraq at risk and jeopardise at the preceding year, found: Department is eager to act against can people otherwise is as big a Niger President the gains US and coalition forces “With a weak government this growing terrorist enclave. lie as telling them their fear of ter- have made over the past several possessing very few tools to exert ‘It’s fair to say that we’re looking rorism is the result of watching too years. I am disappointed that US control throughout its territory, to take decisive military action,’ much TV.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 13 Most unpredictable US presidential race

By John Hudak

year ago, the 2016 US presiden- tial election looked like an easy race to predict. Hillary Clinton was expected to coast to the ADemocratic Party nomination. For Repub- licans, Donald Trump was expected to fail quickly and let qualified candidates like Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, and Rand Paul to fight for the nomination. None of that has come to be true, and expectations have been defied.

The State of the DemocraticRace Bernie Sanders entered the Demo- cratic primary race, largely as an unknown candidate and quickly excited passion and enthusiasm among far left portions of the Democratic Party. His had an abil- Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, (left), and Senator Bernie ity to connect with voters, raise funds, Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, during the Democratic and organize in states with early primary presidential debate last January 17. contests. By fall 2015, Sanders became viable and serious competition for Clin- Democratic race. In the first state to vote, came to be was the failure of Donald Trump’s rhetorical flourish of their own. ton. Her status as frontrunner remained, Iowa, Clinton won by the narrowest of Trump. The brash, offensive business- How can someone so far from the but the expectation that she would easily margins. In the second state, New Hamp- man with no political experience and mainstream of American politics do so secure the Democratic nomination rap- shire, Sanders won by more than 20%. The little regard for the norms of behavior on well? The answer is largely in the num- idly crumbled. results were shocking and signaled that the presidential campaign trail was widely bers. While Trump’s popularity appears Over time, Clinton’s numbers faded in the race for the Democratic nomination expected to make a politically deadly mis- quite high, it is important to remember early states like Iowa and New Hampshire— would be long, hard fought, and tremen- take and exit the race. His behavior was that his support is at about 35-40 percent where at one point she was as much as 50 dously expensive. full of moments that would ruin another of Republican voters, and Republican vot- Trump’s reach is limited points—and Sanders was on the rise. Even In fact, the Democratic race quickly candidacy in another year, but Trump con- ers make up only about 30 percent of the to about 10-12% of as a terrorist attack in Southern Califor- began to look more like what was expected tinued defying the odds. It seemed that American voting population. nia thrust foreign policy and homeland in the Republican race—competitive and as his comments became more vitriolic, Trump’s reach is limited to about American voters, but security to the forefront—topics closely challenging. offensive, and untrue, he either sustained 10-12% of American voters, but appears appears enhanced by related to Clinton’s experience—Sanders’ Moving forward into later states, or gained support. enhanced by a fractured Republican Party message about economic inequality con- Clinton’s numbers appear strong. She out- Trump was expected to play a short- that seems incapable of settling on a sin- a fractured Republican tinued to connect with Democratic voters. performs Sanders in nearly every state lived, limited role in the race. Pundits, gle counterweight to Donald Trump (five Party that seems As American began to vote, the early in which public opinion polling is con- analysts, party leaders, and even the other other Republicans remain in the race), and incapable of settling on results showed a highly competitive ducted. However, American presidential candidates believed this to be true. Instead, American media outlets that fail to hold campaigns can change quickly when one the opposite happened. Trump has domi- the candidate to account for his outra- a single counterweight candidate appears to have momentum. nated almost every minute of the race. His geous words and a message that refuses to to Donald Trump (five Every additional race that Sanders popularity, fueled by unending—nearly offer legitimate policy details. In the end, wins or at least outperforms expectations obsessive—attention from the mainstream it is difficult to know what the Republican other Republicans Every additional race that Sanders (that is, loses to Clinton by a narrower media, has changed the conversation in Party will do with a problem like Don- remain in the race), and than expected margin) will encourage the primary. Topics are being discussed ald Trump, but it is hard to imagine the wins or at least outperforms voters in later states to reconsider their because Trump wants to discuss them. The American voting public embracing him American media outlets expectations (that is, loses to Clinton support and perhaps give Sanders a chance. tone of the race—at times equal parts dis- as their president. that fail to hold the That scenario is good news for Sanders. respectful and shocking—has been almost by a narrower than expected margin) Meanwhile, Clinton’s best hope is to win entirely in Donald Trump’s control. His candidate to account will encourage voters in later states several more state primaries in rapid suc- ideas and rhetoric are far outside of the for his outrageous to reconsider their support and cession (especially the 13 that take place mainstream of American politics and the words and a message on 1 March) in order to take back some worldview of most Americans; yet, his The writer is deputy director of the Center perhaps give Sanders a chance. That of the momentum she lost. messaging has pushed other candidates for Effective Public Management and a that refuses to offer scenario is good news for Sanders. The State of the Republican Race further to the ideological right. At times, senior fellow in Governance Studies at legitimate policy details. The biggest expectation that never other candidates have tried to outperform Brookings. How India will protect nuclear liabilities of US firms

The US believes the Indian civil nuclear power is also a part of the country’s oil in the Gulf of Mexico. for 2013, when it had a record haul. liability law, which calls for both pen- strategy to tackle climate change. This was the largest-ever settle- While the US nuclear industry alties, is unduly harsh. Rather than say India currently has 5,780 MW of ment in the history of the Department; wants to avoid any liability in India so directly, US officials keep repeat- nuclear power in operation and plans the Volkswagen penalty could be larger. for acts of omission or commission, ing that the “Indian law is inconsistent to add another 17,400 MW, making it A number of companies have paid Indian companies have often been with the international liability regime”. possibly the largest market for nuclear tens of billions of dollars in fines over slapped with large fines for viola- The Indian civil nuclear liabil- power after China, and a financially the past decade for breaking US law. tions of US law. ity law holds the equipment supplier lucrative prospect for Western firms Top US banks, such as Bank of Drug manufacturer Ranbaxy paid responsible for any incident caused faced with limited domestic sales. America, JP Morgan, Citigroup and penalties of $500m in 2013 for falsi- by the supplier or its employees. The However, the 2011 Fukushima Morgan Stanley, have paid multi-bil- fying data about its drugs and for not Indian liability law differs from those of nuclear disaster has heightened con- lion dollar fines for their roles in the following proper manufacturing prac- other countries because it was drafted cerns of nuclear safety and accident 2008 global financial crisis, caused tices–more than twice the value of the keeping in mind the 1984 Bhopal trag- costs. The fallout of that disaster will by reckless business practices of large nuclear liability insurance pool to be edy – where, despite 5,000 deaths and also make it hard to change India’s Western banks. created in India. effects across generations, no one was liability laws. The remit of the US Justice Depart- In 2013, tech firm Infosys paid a The Indian liability By Amit Bhandari held criminally liable. Large settlements in the US are a ment extends beyond its borders and $35m penalty in a civil settlement on law differs from IANS The penalty demanded in the regular feature. In October 2015, the to foreign firms as well. In May 2015, allegations of visa misuse; the firm Volkswagen case is about 100 times Justice Department arrived at a set- five global banks–Citicorp, JP Mor- maintained that the “claims are untrue those of other the compensation of $470m – ($907m tlement with oil major BP, which will gan, Barclays, UBS and the Royal Bank and remain unproven”. countries because it in 2014 dollars) – paid by US firm Union pay a penalty of $20.8bn to cover the of Scotland–agreed to pay fines add- India, too, has started levying big $48bn penalty claimed by the Carbide after the Bhopal Gas tragedy, economic and environmental dam- ing up to $2.5bn, for manipulating a fines. For instance, in 2013, a group of was drafted keeping US government from Volkswa- which also left 70,000 people maimed age arising from a 2010 oil spill in the widely-used financial benchmark set Indian cement companies was fined Rs in mind the 1984 A gen for cheating on diesel-car or injured. Volkswagen’s cover-up Gulf of Mexico. in London. This brings the total pen- 6,698 crore by the Competition Com- Bhopal tragedy emissions is about 200 times as large caused no injuries or deaths. Volkswagen could, in theory, face alty paid by these banks for their role mission of India for working as a cartel as the $225m insurance pool set up Although the Indian government fines of as much as $37,500 per vehicle in this manipulation to $9bn. and over-charging consumers. This – where, despite by Indian insurance companies to wants to protect US nuclear compa- for each of two violations of the law; UK-based HSBC was fined for “ille- amount, levied for unfair business prac- 5,000 deaths and compensate US nuclear companies nies against the Indian liability law, up to $3,750 per “defeat device”; and gally conducting transactions on behalf tices rather than causing deaths and for mishaps in India. critics argued that these companies another $37,500 for each day of vio- of customers in Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan injuries, is 4.4 times the proposed lia- effects across If a US nuclear company were to are using India’s eagerness to avoid lation, a Reuters report said. and Burma”–countries under US eco- bility cap for nuclear incidents. generations, no one build a reactor in India that suffered any liability, if something goes wrong. In April 2010, a deepwater oil-drill- nomic sanctions. Similarly, Delhi-based real estate a catastrophe, and people were to die India wants to build more nuclear ing rig operated by BP, the Deepwater During the financial year 2015, the firm DLF has been recently ordered was held criminally in India, the US government’s position power plants in an attempt to reduce Horizon, suffered an explosion which US justice department collected $23bn to pay a penalty of Rs 630 crore for liable. seems to be that American suppliers the share of coal in electricity gener- killed 11 men, and the well it was drill- in penalties in various civil and criminal unfair business practices. shouldn’t face civil or criminal liability. ation. Increasing the use of nuclear ing leaked over five million barrels of cases, slightly lower than the collection

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 14 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 PAKISTAN

Urdu ‘source Afghan migrant family of political tensions’

groups and 58 smaller ones. The failure to recognise Ben- In Pakistan, the gali, spoken by the vast majority continued use of of the population in the erstwhile East Pakistan, was one of the major Urdu as the language sources of conflict within the new of instruction in country, leading to student riots in 1952. government schools, The riots gave birth to the even though it is Bengali Language Movement, a precursor to the movement for the spoken at home secession of East Pakistan and for- by less than eight mation of Bangladesh. percent of the Both countries have continued to face language-related political chal- population, has lenges. In Bangladesh, where Bengali also contributed to is the national language, non-Ben- gali speaking tribal groups in the political tensions Chittagong hill tracts have cited a perceived injustice over language as a factor that justifies their seces- sion demands. Internews The policy paper argues that being taught in a language other An Afghan mother cries as she covers herself and her children with a blanket while trying to reach the Greek-Macedonian border, following than their own can negatively impact children’s learning. reports that Macedonia has closed its borders with Greece to Afghan migrants, near the village of Idomeni, Greece, yesterday. ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Language can serve as a double Educational, Scientific and Cul- sword, “while it strengthens an eth- tural Organisation (Unesco) is of the nic group’s social ties and sense of opinion that Urdu being the domi- belonging, it can also become a basis nant language in the multi-ethnic for their marginalisation. society through the school system Education policy must ensure Laws on abuse and honour killing to be amended is a choice of necessity but has fre- that all learners, including minor- quently been a source of grievances ities’ language speakers, access linked to wider issues of social and school in a language they know,” cultural inequality. Director of Unesco’s Global Edu- Internews working on the amendments in the in spoiling the medical, investigation becomes a complainant in the case A policy paper issued by the UN cation Monitoring Report, Aaron Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) in line or prosecution of the case in a court of of his/ her daughter’s murder by a organisation to coincide with the Benavot, says. with the Constitution and Islamic law. Another amendment being pro- brother or any other close relative. observance of the ‘Mother Language The paper said at least six years teachings. posed will set a six months period for During the trial of such cases, the Day’ yesterday referred the multi- of instruction in the mother tongue ISLAMABAD: The government Regarding rape cases, Khan said the court to decide a rape case. It is complainant (father/ mother) usually ethnic societies in Turkey, Nepal, was needed so that gains from of Pakistan has decided to amend that almost seven amendments are also being proposed that the name of forgives the killer (son/ close relative) Pakistan, Bangladesh and Guate- teaching in the early years were the honour killing and rape laws in being proposed to ensure that rape the victim should not be publicised and thus the court has no option but mala and recommended ensuring sustained. Pakistan in the next joint session of victims get justice without any delay without her or the court’s consent. to release the killer. that “children are taught in a lan- Education policies should rec- parliament and will decide rape cases and exploitation. The PPC will also be amended With the proposed amendment, guage they understand”. ognise the importance of mother within six months and treat the crime The proposed amendments for an in-camera trial of rape cases Khan said, the courts will have the In Pakistan, the continued use tongue learning. A review of 40 of honour killing as ‘Fasad Fil Ardh’ include the medical examination of unless the victim decides otherwise. power of whether to accept or reject of Urdu as the language of instruc- countries’ education plans finds that to ensure punishments. the victim by a doctor within 24 hours In the case of honour killings, a compromise in honour killing cases. tion in government schools, even only less than half of them recognise The Prime Minister’s key legal to avoid any delay following any pres- the PPC is being amended to treat The PM’s aide said that the com- though it is spoken at home by less the importance of teaching children aide Barrister Zafarullah Khan said sure or for any other reason. the crime as ‘Fasad Fil Ardh’. This mittee of experts is expected to than eight per cent of the population, in their home language, particularly on Sunday that following the pre- However, for the medical exami- is being done to authorise the court finalise the draft changes in the PPC has also contributed to political ten- in early grades. mier’s direction, a committee of top nation, the consent of the victim will whether to accept or reject a compro- by Tuesday next following which the sions, it says. Teachers need to be trained to legal minds of the government has be mandatory. In case of the accused mise between the complainant and draft law will be presented before The paper says the post-inde- teach in two languages and to under- prepared the draft law, which is offender, reasonable force can be the killer who in most cases of hon- parliament. pendence government in the country stand the needs of second-language expected to be finalised next week used for his medical examination. our killing have blood relations. He said Prime Minister Nawaz adopted Urdu as the national lan- learners. Teachers are rarely pre- for amendment by parliament. Another amendment in the PPC Zafarullah Khan explained that Sharif is keen to get these amend- guage and the language of pared for the reality of bilingual Khan said that besides him, will entail three years punishment for generally the complainant and the ments. Zafarullah Khan said that instruction in schools. This became classrooms, including with inclusive Federal Minister Zahid Hamid and the doctor, police investigation officer killer in honour killing cases do this these amendments are being made a source of alienation in a country teaching materials and appropriate Special Assistant to the Pirme Min- and the prosecutor in case any of crime with mutual understanding. in line with Islamic teachings to pro- that was home to six major linguistic assessment strategies. ister Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed are them is found involved (intentionally) For example, the father or mother tect the rights and honour of women.

Fleeing to a safer zone Not more than 100,000 5.9-magnitude quake hits troops for census: Army Pakistan

Internews meeting, had directed Chief Census Commissioner Asif Bajwa to get in IANS writing from the General Headquar- ters how many troops it can spare ISLAMABAD: The government for the census. of Pakistan has failed to come up Bajwa had already informed the ISLAMABAD: An earthquake with a credible alternative plan for ministry in a previous meeting that measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale conducting the much-awaited popu- the army could only provide 100,000 hit parts of Pakistan yesterday, lation census after the military gave soldiers for the census and that it local Met office reported. its final word that it cannot spare would meet only 25 per cent for the The Pakistani meteorologi- more than 100,000 troops to pro- exercise’s requirement. cal department said the quake’s vide security to the exercise. On Sunday, Bajwa once again epicentre was determined at Sources said the matter will now told Dar that the military would not Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Moun- be placed before the Council of Com- provide more than 100,000 soldiers tain range with a focal depth of 157 mon Interests (CCI) which will meet for the census, officials said. km, Xinhua reported. on February 29 after a gap of almost Dar, in the February 5 meet- The tremors were felt in the a year. ing, gave PBS a three-day deadline country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Yesterday, the ministry of to come up with an alternative. province including the capital city finance and statistics once again Even though it has been two weeks Peshawar and other tribal areas. could not devise a strategy to cope since then, the minister on Sunday Met office director general Afghans fleeing their homes to escape the danger from Afghan security operations against militants. with the lack of troops which is ended up giving the bureau another Ghulam Rasool said in an earlier They are checked by Afghan police at a checkpoint in Musa Qala, Helmand province on Saturday. threatening the largest national three-day deadline to develop a new interview that earthquakes are exercise, which has been pending strategy, the officials said. likely to hit the country frequently since 2008. The last census was con- According to them, the PBS will for the next few months as Eur- ducted in 1998. prepare between four to six alter- asian and Indian tectonic plates, It is struggling to come up with natives and submit them to Dar which lie near the Hindu Kush a credible plan, as nationalists in tomorrow. mountain range, are currently Counterterrorism body seeks funds Balochistan call for cancelling the The options include holding the active and cause earthquakes. census altogether until refugees from census in phases and increasing He said that when the Indian Afghanistan are repatriated. the responsibilities of enumerators and Eurasian tectonic plates inter- Internews The National Counter Terrorism Nacta placed the allocation of around The ministry once again by giving them two to three blocks act with each other, they release Authority’s (Nacta) proposed budget Rs1.03bn for the joint intelligence discussed the possibility of con- instead of just one as per the orig- energy that causes seismic waves. allocation from the finance minis- directorate (JID), a head that has ducting the census in phases, an inal plan. The temblor created panic try is Rs0.8 bn higher than the funds superseded all the other accounts in option Finance Minister Ishaq Dar There are 167,000 blocks and among people, but no loss of life ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top coun- released to the body three months its consideration of the budget. This had earlier ruled out. Dar gave the the PBS had estimated an ideal or property was immediately terterrorism body seeks around ago in order to make it functional. amount would be used for setting up Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) total troop requirement of 375,000 reported. The gravity of the quake Rs1.86bn ($17.88m) for the fiscal year The ministry had released the directorate, purchasing security yet another deadline on Sunday to personnel. Even if one soldier is will be known only tomorrow. The 2016-17, and has asked the authori- Rs1.06bn - the heftiest amount equipment, technical equipment, revise the plan in light of the avail- deployed per block, the number of government urged the public not ties to consider its suggestion while released to Nacta since its creation physical assets such as vehicles, and ability of only 100,000 troops. The troops the army is willing to spare be panic and assured all sorts of preparing the next federal budget. in 2009. In its budgetary estimation, for recruitment and other purposes. finance minister, in a February 5 would fall short. government assistance. INDIA MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 15 Jats cripple Haryana as BJP promises job quota

of crores of rupees. Nearly half of Haryana — which The Jat protests borders Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttara- have caused an khand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and surrounds Delhi from unprecedented water three sides — has been severely crisis in Delhi, where affected by the violence. In the proc- ess, life has been hit badly in a large Chief Minister Arvind swathe of northern India. Kejriwal closed down Congress urged the Jat com- all schools today and munity to withdraw their agitation while accusing the BJP government announced water in Haryana of creating “provocative rationing to all except conditions” in the state. Thousands suffered as the agitation paralysed life a few VIPs and in the entire state, blocking rail tracks essential services and highways, cutting off a chunk of northern states from Delhi. National Highway No.1 (NH-1) — connecting Delhi with Haryana, Punjab, IANS Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir — was blocked by Jats in Soni- pat and Panipat districts. Thousands of vehicles and people were stranded NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: With along the highway. near anarchy gripping Haryana, Security forces yesterday opened the ruling BJP promised yesterday fire and used tear gas in an attempt evening that Jats will get reservation to remove Jat demonstrators from in government jobs and a bill will be Munak canal in Sonipat district to placed in the next session of the state ensure resumption of water supply to assembly. Delhi. One person was killed, forcing On the eighth day of violent pro- the security forces to retreat in order tests by Jats, BJP leader Anil Jain, in to prevent further casualties. charge of party affairs in Haryana, The Jat protests have caused an made the announcement in New Delhi unprecedented water crisis in Delhi, after some central ministers and party where Chief Minister Arvind Kejri- and Jat leaders met Home Minister wal closed down all schools today Rajnath Singh. “It has been decided and announced water rationing to that in the coming assembly session, all except a few VIPs and essential A building burnt by a mob in Rohtak yesterday. Jat reservation will be given in Har- services. Delhi, which gets almost yana. In this regard, the government all its water needs from Haryana, is will bring a bill,” the Bharatiya Janata expected to go without potable water Party leader told reporters. supplied to homes today. The BJP late evening announced Haryana Home Secretary P K Violence-hit areas resemble a war zone formation of a five-member com- Dass said the situation was “much mittee led by Urban Development better” on Sunday compared to Sat- Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to look urday. He said curfew was clamped IANS abandoned people to fend for them- are stuck in our houses for four days. and personnel are from the Jat com- into the issue. The panel, which will in Kaithal town on Sunday and army selves,” Rohtak-based trader Rakesh Our food supplies are finishing fast,” munity. Many are refusing to act give its report “at the earliest” to party and paramilitary forces were rushed Gupta said. said Sarita Kumari, a housewife in against the Jats since it is an emotional president Amit Shah and the central to Gohana and Kalanaur towns. Despite the army’d deployment Rohtak’s Civil Lines area. matter for them. The police is divided government, is expected to look into Jat agitators resorted to arson and ROHTAK: The main market of Har- in eight districts — Rohtak, Bhi- Hooligans, who have joined the on this matter,” said a senior Hary- the demands for quota in the central looting at various places. Major high- yana’s Rohtak town was a bustling wani, Jhajjar, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, ranks of Jat demonstrators, have run ana Police official said in Chandigarh. government jobs. ways, especially NH-1 (Delhi-Ambala) place till last week. In just three days, Sonipat and Panipat _ and curfew amok by setting government and pri- Haryana Home Secretary P K Jat leader Bhagat Singh Dalal, who and NH-8 (Delhi-Jaipur), remained it looks devastated. Shops and malls imposed in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, vate property on fire, burning buses Dass said the police was being asked attended the meeting with Rajnath blocked. Rail tracks were blocked at have been looted and set on fire. The Hisar, Jind and Hansi, unruly mobs and private vehicles, blocking roads to control the situation. Singh, said they were assured the various places. Road and rail connec- area resembles a war zone as troops have been on the rampage in sev- and highways, disrupting trains and “We have been conveyed the community will get job quotas in tivity in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and security forces patrol the area. eral areas, especially in Rohtak and uprooting tracks and indulging in apprehension of Jat officials ot taking Haryana and of formation of a high- Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir Be it the markets in Rohtak, Jhajjar towns. looting and arson. action. We have issued strict direc- powered committee. as well as Chandigarh remained located just 75 km from national cap- With hundreds of Jat youths taking Be it police stations at some tions to all officials. If they refuse to At least 10 people have been killed paralysed. ital Delhi, or Jhajjar or Bhiwani, or control of the agitation and indulging places, isolated railway stations, state do so, they will face action,” Dass told and 150 injured in mindless violence Trains and buses to and from buildings and roadways buses in the in arson and looting, the focus of the transport buses and private vehicles the media on Sunday. linked to the job quota protests by the Delhi and other places have been violence-hit areas of Haryana, every- Jat agitation, which was to demand and even railway coaches - immov- Demonstrators uprooted the Jat community in Haryana, Director cancelled. All major highways passing thing looks like they are in a war zone. reservation in government jobs and able and movable property have Delhi-Ambala railway track at Rajlu General of Police Y P Singhal said in through Haryana have been blocked “The losses of traders and busi- educational institutions, has led to been torched and damaged at sev- Garhi in Panipat district, disrupting Chandigarh. Police and political lead- at several places. nessmen could run into hundreds of mindless destruction of government eral places. the crucial rail line which connects ers blamed “anti-social elements” Those opting for flights faced crores due to this mindless violence. and private property. With people in affected areas Delhi with north India. for much of the anarchy that saw steeply-hiked fares. Air tickets from This is no way to seek reservation in “In Rohtak town, despite the accusing the Haryana Police of inac- The NH-1 was blocked in Sonipat widespread attacks on private and Chandigarh to Delhi were priced a democratic set up. There is hardly army, the mobs looted several shops tion in the past one week, the state district, 50km from Delhi, stranding government property, including vehi- between Rs25,000 and Rs90,000 any sign of Haryana Police in the and set them on fire. No one stopped government is on the backfoot. thousands of people and hundreds of cles, causing losses totalling hundreds for the one-hour journey. last one week. The government has the mobs. There is total anarchy. We “A large number of police officials vehicles on the busy highway.

Malayalam film Charity fashion show Ottaal wins Will go against tide if it suits award in Berlin people: Mehbooba Mufti IANS

IANS used to tread the easy path, but would those roads which nobody dared BERLIN: National Award-winning create (new) ways, however difficult, tread,” she said. Malayalam film Ottaal, which nar- and when he used to step on that The PDP president said gun rates the story of an old fisherman road, he would not look back. was not a solution to the issues of and his grandson, was named as SRINAGAR: PDP president Meh- “He would never make a U-turn. Kashmir which can be addressed the Best Film by children’s jury at booba Mufti yesterday said she would He would never say something was through dialogue. She said she was the 66th Berlin International Film not hesitate to go against the tide if it right one day and then say it was happy that the BJP understood that Festival, and has been honoured suited the interests of the people of wrong the next day,” she said. there was no option other than what with the Crystal Bear award in the Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti said she has Mufti Mohammad Sayeed used to say Generation Kplus section. At a membership drive for the been hearing since the last one-and- regarding dialogue with Pakistan. Directed by Jayaraj Rajasekha- Peoples Democratic Party in Srina- half months, since her father died, “America is a big power, but it has ran Nair, Ottaal is an adaptation gar, Mehbooba Mufti said her father, that the chief ministerial chair was failed in Afghanistan and Iraq. There of a short story by Russian writer late chief minister Mufti Moham- her father’s inheritance for her and is Syria and Libya, are they not inde- Anton Chekhov. A post on the offi- mad Sayeed, was not the one to she should take it. “The inheritance pendent nations? cial Twitter handle of the festival follow the beaten track and would of my father is not the chair. Mufti “But once the gun entered these announced the result. not hesitate to go against the tide if Mohammad Sayeed’s inheritance is countries, everything was lost. Gun The official site of the festival it was in people’s interest. She said so large than it cannot fit in the chair. does not benefit anyone. “I can feel describes Ottaal, which means a she would do the same if the situa- “His inheritance is courage, what parents must be going thorough trap, as an “exceptional movie” tion so demanded. strength and the love for the peo- whose sons were lost yesterday or tugging at the heart strings “with “You should understand why he ple here which he always had in his any youth who takes to the gun and its irresistible images of nature, (Sayeed) created the PDP. He never heart. His inheritance is to tread is killed in an encounter,” she said. laid-back music and amazingly gifted actors”. “The unique way of filming cer- tain details blew us away. We think it’s important that such a sad and Team to study jaundice outbreak in Shimla serious topic be tackled in a movie, though the film also managed to capture the humour and joy of life.” IANS Research to conduct a study so that recurrence of this The Indian film was picked as the situation can be avoided. “We are monitoring the situ- best by members of the children’s ation closely and have already offered all assistance to jury in Generation Kplus. the state government. I urge the state government to take Ottaal won two National SHIMLA: Expressing concern over the large-scale out- all necessary steps by improving sanitation and checking Awards for Best Screenplay and break of jaundice in the Himachal Pradesh capital, union supply of contaminated water,” Nadda said in a statement. Best Film on Environment Conser- Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda yesterday More than 1,500 cases of jaundice have been reported vation/Preservation and the Kerala sanctioned funds to conduct study to prevent recurrence so far in Shimla and 11 people lost their lives due to the State Film Award for Best Film. It of the water-borne disease. water-borne disease. Bollywood actress Yuvika Chaudhary takes part in a charity was screened at the Mumbai Film Asking the state to take necessary steps to handle Most of the jaundice cases have been reported from Festival and the International Film fashion show in Mumbai recently. the situation, Nadda said Rs70lakh has been sanctioned Chhota Shimla, Panthaghati, Vikas Nagar, New Shimla Festival of Kerala. by the health ministry to the Indian Council of Medical and Kasumpti, a health officer said. 16 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 INDIA

Reliance Jio 7 dead in gunfight with militants in J&K to launch 4G services All the civilians were this year safely evacuated before the operation IANS was started by the security forces against the holed up MUMBAI: Reliance Industries guerrillas chairman Mukesh Ambani said yesterday that Reliance Jio will be ready to commercially launch its 4G telecom services in the second IANS half of 2016, thereby offering high- speed mobile internet and voice services to 80 percent of Indians. “We’ll be ready to launch in SRINAGAR: Another officer of the the second half of 2016 -- 80 per- Indian army’s elite Para Regiment cent of India’s population will was killed yesterday evening in the have high-speed, mobile broad- ongoing gunfight between guerrillas band internet,” Ambani said in an and security forces in Jammu and interview to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. Kashmir’s Pulwama district while an “Eighty percent of the 1.3 bil- injured soldier died in hospital, tak- lion Indians will have high-speed ing the toll to six, police said. One of mobile internet (this year). By 2017, the militants was also killed. we will cover 90 percent. And by A senior police officer said Cap- 2018, all of India will be covered by tain Tushar Mahajan was killed in this digital infrastructure,” he said. the over 24-hour-long ongoing gun- Reliance Jio’s 4G services are fight between holed-up guerrillas and A soldier looks on as columns of smoke come out from the top floor of a building where militants were holed up during a gunfight yesterday. currently available to roughly security forces inside the Jammu and 120,000 employees, their fami- Kashmir Entrepreneurship Devel- Regiment was killed when he entered soldiers, and two Central Reserve Police Srinagar-Jammu national highway at evacuated before the operation was lies and business partners. opment Institute (JKEDI) complex the JKEDI multi-storeyed building in Force (CRPF) troopers. Sempora in the district. started by the security forces against The company has invested in Pampore town on the Srinagar- which the guerrillas are holed up. A civilian identified as Abdul Gani After attacking the bus that was the holed up guerrillas. nearly $15b in the telecom ven- Jammu national highway. “Lance Naik Om Prakash of the Mir of Gundipora village of Pulwama part of the CRPF convoy, the group of Security forces pressed drones ture, it is said. One of the militants was also Para Commandos, injured in the gun- district, who worked as a gardener at three to five heavily-armed guerril- into service to pinpoint the exact On the company’s investment killed and his body recovered, said fight during the day, succumbed to the JKEDI complex, was also killed. las, said to be of the Lashkar-e-Taiba location of the guerrillas inside the in acquiring airwaves and lay- a paramilitary force officer, adding critical injuris in the army’s base hos- A total of 13 other security men (LeT), had entered the JKEDI complex building whose top floor has already ing the physical infrastructure for that two or three more of them are pital in Srinagar,” said the police officer. have so far been injured in the gun- where around 120 staff members been destroyed in the fire caused by offering high-speed internet serv- believed to be in the building. The toll in the ongoing gunfight among fight that started on Saturday when were inside the complex. the use of explosives to flush out the ices, Ambani said he believed that Captain Pawan Kumar of 10 Para the security forces now comprises three guerrillas attacked a CRPF bus on the All the civilians were safely militants. the world is at the beginning of the information and digital age. “I believe humanity is at the doorstep of massive change and we’re just at the beginning of the Tatas and older Housing scheme will information and digital age. In the next 20 years, in a networked soci- airlines spar ety, we are going to have change help the poor: Modi much more than we have seen in the last 100 years,” he said. over flying Ambani also said digitisation IANS infrastructure, he said it was a way will be at the forefront of the dig- abroad norm to help the large number of poor to ital revolution and India cannot be realise their dreams. left behind. RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra “Innovation is an inevitable “It’s really digitisation and the IANS Modi yesterday laid the foundation element for the progress of any soci- digital world that is going to lead stone for a housing scheme and elec- ety and nation. During the last five this. From an India point of view, tronic manufacturing cluster in Naya decades the countries which have India cannot be left behind in this BENGALURU: A spat broke out in Raipur in Chhattisgarh. progressed, had focused more on revolution. As we saw in the year India’s civil aviation sector yester- He said the government wants to innovation and entrepreneurship,” 2012-13, India is 150th in the world day with the Tatas-funded twin ensure houses for all by 2022. Modi said. in mobile broadband penetration carriers and older airlines arguing The Prime Minister also released He said: “Innovation will trigger as well as quality.” over whether the 5/20 rule should the Chhattisgarh Innovation and development of the society as well as “Jio is really concieved to be retained or relaxed in the new Entrepreneurship Development economic upliftment of the country.” change this position,” Ambani said. aviation policy. Policy. Referring to the government’s Skill “For me personally, we made Hours after Tata Sons chair- “The Pradhan Mantri Awas India initiative, Modi said: “Almost 65 this investment just to make sure Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the centenary celebration man emeritus Ratan Tata, in a Yojana will benefit people who can- percent of youth in India would ben- that the youth of India, which is of missionary organisation the Gaudiya Math and Mission at the Netaji tweet, favoured waiver of the 5/20 not afford a house themselves. This efit only if they have skills.” still the bulk of India — India, as rule, which mandates five years scheme will also generate a lot of Union Minister for Urban you know, is a very young country Indoor Stadium in Kolkata yesterday. experience and 20 aircraft fleet to economic activity,” Modi said in a Development M Venkaiah Naidu, — is empowered. They should have qualify to fly abroad, budget car- statement. Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das an equal opportunity to not only rier SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh Describing the scheme as Tandon and Chief Minister Raman prosper themselves, but to contrib- joined issue, seeking it be retained. more than a mere construction of Singh were present on the occasion. ute to this new world,” he added. Spiritual tradition “It is sad to see incumbent (old) airlines lobbying for protec- tion and preferential treatment for themselves against the new air- not bound to any lines, which have been formed in full compliance with prevailing government policy and providing air transport to Indian citizens in community: PM line with the dream of ‘New India’,” tweeted Tata. In rebuttal, Ajay Singh said: “All of us were asked to serve our IANS worship, sing paens to India’s spirit- great country before we got prof- ual tradition, and even those who are itable rights to fly abroad. We strongly opposed to idol worship are served with great pride. What is so respectful of the tradition,” he said. wrong if these two foreign-con- KOLKATA: India’s inner strength Referring to the Bhakti cult, Modi trolled airlines are also asked to lies in its spiritual tradition, which said saints like Chaitanya Mahapra- serve India before being allowed has held together its people — irre- bhu were among its proponents. to fly international?” spective of communities — in an Modi said that while the nation Tata Sons-funded full-fledged inseparable bond, Prime Minister can never forget the determination airline Vistara with nine planes Narendra Modi said here yesterday. and sacrifice of the freedom fight- and budget carrier AirAsia India “Our strength lies not only in ers, “we have to remember that the with six aircraft are opposed to our rituals, or religious books or ideological basis for the independ- the 5/20 rule, as they both are preaching. Our strength lies in our ence movement was provided by the less than two years old and hence spiritual consciousness,” Modi said Bhakti movement”. not eligible to operate interna- at the inaugural function of the Sri “Be it Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, or tional flights. Gaudiya Math and Mission’s cente- Acharya Shankar Deva, or Thiruval- Vistara is a joint venture with A supporter of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) shouts slogans during a protest demanding the nary celebration here. luvar, or Basaveshwar, uncountable Singapore Airlines, while AirAsia The prime minister said the saints, full of spiritual consciousness, India is a tri venture with Air Asia release of Kanhaiya Kumar, a JNU student union leader accused of sedition, in Kolkata, yesterday. spiritual ties were irrespective of kept alive India’s spiritual tradition Berhard of Malaysia and Arun Bha- communities. “We are not bound through the bhakti movement. tia’s Telstra. by any community. Communities “So when the freedom movement Noting that lobbying for dis- I am not a terrorist: JNU’s Umar Khalid or panths come, develop and go. became big, the bhakti movement criminating policies between old But we are bound by unbreakable made it ideologically stronger.” and new airlines was reminiscent spiritual ties.” West Bengal Chief Minister of the protectionist and monopo- IANS Khalid said, addressing students in front of the admin He said people abroad have Mamata Banerjee yesterday called listic pressures by vested interest bloc at the campus. Khalid, along with four other accused, wondered how India continues to on Modi while he was on his way out entities which seem to fear com- Anant Prakash Narayan, Ashutosh Kumar, Rama Naga, stand strong despite being battered of the city after a programme here. petition, Tata lamented that such Anirban Bhattacharya, returned back to the Jawaharlal and beaten from time to time. “But Banerjee went to the NSC Bose moves held back progress in India NEW DELHI: Umar Khalid, one of the six students accused Nehru University campus yesterday. only one who has the inner strength International Airport to see off the compared to open economies that of raising anti-national slogans at the JNU on February 9, “The media, all this while, presented a lot of things can continue to withstand the rav- prime minister. The two leaders thrived on competition abroad. late on Sunday said he was “not a terrorist”, adding the BJP about me. The media trial, this propaganda... I know what ages of time. “India’s strength lies in spoke for a short while. “The call for a new open mar- government “needed an excuse to target the campus”. “My my family is going through,” he said. its spirituality. Perhaps in the entire Trinamool Congress sources said ket economy in India will promote name is Umar Khalid and I’m not a terrorist,” Khalid, who JNU has been on the boil over the arrest of its students’ world, you will not come across any the two only exchanged pleasantries. growth in an open market based fled the campus after the matter became serious, said, con- union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges after other spiritual tradition which is “Banerjee had gone to the airport as on competitiveness and not from demning the media trial that branded him a terrorist. some students organised a meet to mark the anniversa- followed by all who have diverse per of her constitutional responsibil- self interest-based protectionism,” “The attack (on the university) is not because of the ries of executions of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru beliefs. ity. It was just a courtesy meeting,” Tata said in his message posted on programme which was organised on Feburary 9, but and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maq- “Those who believe in idol the sources said. his Twitter account. because the government needs an excuse to attack us,” bool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were raised at the gathering. EUROPE MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 17 Cameron implores Boris not to back exit

A British exit from British premier the EU would rock the ratchets up campaign Union: to keep Britain within By ripping away its second- EU bloc largest economy One of its top two military powers

Reuters By far its richest financial centre

UK Independence Party chief ro-Europeans, including LONDON: Prime Minister David Nigel Farage. He would love former premiers Tony to see ‘Bo-Go’ as the headline PBlair and John Major, Cameron urged rival Boris Johnson yesterday not to join the campaign tomorrow. have warned that an exit could also trigger the break- for a British exit from the European up of the United Kingdom by Union as the London mayor kept prompting another Scottish Britain guessing over a decision that independence vote. could influence millions of voters in a June referendum. Cameron called the June 23 poll the wrong step for our country and if after clinching a deal from other EU Boris, and if others, really care about leaders that he said will give Britain being able to get things done in our special status in the world’s biggest world then the EU is one of the ways trading bloc, though six of his cabi- in which we get them done,” Cam- net rebelled and are campaigning to eron said. leave the EU. “I would say to Boris what I say British Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Mayor of London Boris Johnson wait for a train at Newark Johnson, a political showman to everybody else, which is that we station in central England on May 21, 2014. whose buffoonish and eccentric will be safer, we will be stronger, we exterior masks fierce ambition to will be better off inside the EU,” Cam- succeed Cameron, has so far been eron told the BBC. silent, though British media has spec- Respect party leader George Cast as Britain’s biggest strategic ulated that the 51-year-old will join Galloway. The maverick decision in at least a generation, vot- the campaign to leave the European campaigner wants UK to go out ers will be asked on June 23: “Should Sun doesn’t shine on PM’s offer Union. of EU. the United Kingdom remain a mem- By backing an EU exit, Johnson ber of the European Union or leave would transform the campaign and the European Union?” Reuters increase the prospects of Britain A British exit from the EU would leaving the bloc because of his abil- rock the Union — already shaken by ity to swing public opinion. He was differences over migration and the due to declare his position at 2200 future of the euro zone — by ripping LONDON: Rupert Murdoch’s Sun on Sunday newspaper GMT yesterday. away its second-largest economy, one said Prime Minister David Cameron had failed to get a Cameron cautioned Johnson, of its top two military powers and by proper deal for Britain from other European Union leaders instantly recognisable by a thatch of far its richest financial centre. and was now on the wrong side of history by supporting platinum-blond hair, against joining Pro-Europeans, including former membership. opponents of the EU such as UK Inde- prime ministers Tony Blair and John The open opposition of Britain’s most popular news- pendence Party chief Nigel Farage Major, have warned that an exit paper is a blow for Cameron who has said he will fight for and maverick campaigner George could also trigger the break-up of membership in a referendum he has called for June 23. Galloway. Leader of the House of Commons, the United Kingdom by prompt- “Whatever we think of David Cameron’s deal and the “The prospect of linking arms Chris Grayling. He is one of the ing another Scottish independence case for remaining in the EU, we don’t doubt his sincer- with Nigel Farage and George Gallo- powerful figures backing exit. vote. if England pulled Scotland out ity. We just think he’s wrong,” the Sun on Sunday said in British newspapers splash the deal with EU. way and taking a leap into the dark is of the EU. an editorial. Hollande could Austria scales up border army presence for migrants face Socialist AFP vehicles entering the country, patrol in the border at short notice,” as well opposition, Chancellor Werner Fay- not to do something against that in challenger the “green border” and carry out as a company of military engineers mann’s centrist government last week good time,” he said. surveillance work, the defence min- on standby. imposed the new cap in an attempt to He stressed that his unilat- in primary istry said. Also a company of military In September, the government slash the number of asylum seekers eral “Plan B” steps were necessary VIENNA: Austria said yesterday it police based in Salzburg “will be held approved the deployment of up to this year to 37,500. Yesterday, Fay- because common efforts by the EU is beefing up the army at its borders back to be able to handle violent per- 2,200 miliary personnel “to help mann was quoted as saying that he to deal with the crisis “are not hav- Reuters to deal with the inflow of migrants, sons or groups of persons and prevent ensure a controlled and ordered han- was “surprised” at the resulting crit- ing the effect that they should be”. with 450 more troops from today and them crossing the border,” the min- dling of the movement of migrants, icism which saw the EU’s migration Austria’s measures have also raised military police on standby in case of istry said. and to maintain security and order commissioner call the limit “plainly worries of a dangerous backlog of PARIS: Francois Hollande could trouble. “These forces will be able to in the country,” the statement added. incompatible” with EU and interna- migrants through the western Balkans face a challenger from his Social- The increase to 1,450 soldiers and deploy all over the country and Austria last year took in 90,000 tional law. from Greece when the flow rises as ist Party camp in a primary ahead reservists comes after Austria drew be brought into action using army asylum seekers, making it one of the “We know already now that (with- expected again in the coming months. of next year’s election, the party criticism last week for saying it would helicopters at short notice as the highest recipients in Europe on a per- out the cap) we would be well above The government has invited interior head said yesterday, as a new poll only accept 80 asylum seekers and interior ministry requires,” it said in capita basis, while almost 10 times as the number of migrants that we can and foreign ministers from these showed the French president fall- let 3,200 migrants pass through the a statement. many passed through, mostly head- cope with by the middle of the year countries to Vienna on Wednesday ing further in public opinion. country per day. There will also be two armoured ing to Germany and Sweden. at the latest,” Faymann told the Kleine for a meeting under the motto “Man- The incumbent French pres- The troops will assist police personnel carriers and three military Faced with public unease and Zeitung daily in an interview. aging Migration Together”, the Austria ident traditionally represents carrying out checks on people and transport vehicles ready to “close gaps an increasingly popular far-right “It would be politically negligent Press Agency reported yesterday. his party in an election, without a contest. But Hollande’s ratings are so poor that, as things stand, he appears unlikely to beat either far-right leader Marine Le Pen or France re-enacts Battle of whichever candidate is chosen by the centre-right in primaries later this year. Hollande said last week he has Verdun that killed 300,000 not made up his mind if he will run in the 2017 election and has stood by his pledge not to if he fails to bring unemployment, currently at AFP “Time has done its work. Today, “It’s important to be here to hon- an 18-year high of 10.6 percent, on Verdun is no longer a memory, it our those who lost their lives, but also a convincingly downward trend is history,” said Thierry Hubscher, to confirm the friendship of France by 2017. director of the Verdun Memorial, and Germany at a moment when If Hollande decides to run and PARIS: France remembered the hor- which has been renovated for the nationalism is growing,” said French a primary is held, it will be the first ror of the Battle of Verdun yesterday, centenary. secretary of state for veterans Jean- time a sitting French president has exactly 100 years on from the first A strong point on the long front- Marc Todeschini, after a mass at the faced a primary challenger from shots fired in World War I’s longest line dividing the French and German Douaumont memorial where the his own camp. battle, which became a symbol of armies, Verdun in northeastern bones of 130,000 unidentified sol- Socialist Party head Jean- resistance and suffering. France was the target of a German diers are kept. Christophe Cambadelis told Gathering at dawn in the for- offensive whose aim — according French General Robert Niv- Journal du Dimanche newspaper est of Caures, near Verdun, around to commander-in-chief Erich von elle’s stirring phrase, “On ne passe in an interview that December 300 people in WWI military uni- Falkenhayn — was to “bleed France pas” (“They shall not pass”) came to or January would be a good time form marched down the narrow lane dry”. symbolise the essence of national to organise the primary, which where the fighting started on Febru- The battle was waged over a resistance and was appropriated by many in the socialist camp have ary 21, 1916. tiny stretch of land and ended with military leaders across the world in been calling for due to Hollande’s “It was here, 100 years ago, that neither side making any significant later years. growing unpopularity. the first shells fell,” one man said to headway. For Germans, the soldier of Ver- “If this primary, without pre- the sound of explosions. Around 300,000 French and Ger- dun, striving forward under heavy conditions and without prejudice, “Some 1,400 guns and mortars man soldiers died in the 10-month mortar fire became a mythical hero, allows us to select the best can- threw up almost a million shells. battle in which some 30 million shells praised in Nazi propaganda as the didate of the left, it’s a good idea, Nearly 400 guns were focused on are estimated to have been fired. forerunner to the regime’s own SS and it must be organised,” he said. the forest of Caures.” With some three-quarters of soldiers, said German historian Gerd “For me, it has to take place The last veteran of Verdun died in France’s soldiers having experienced Krumeich, who has co-written a new next winter, in December or Janu- 2008 so this year’s commemorations the “hell of Verdun”, the battle quickly book about the battle with a French People gather to take part in a historical re-enactment evoking the ary. The President of the Republic, have put the emphasis on educating embedded itself in the country’s trau- colleague, Antoine Prost. if he is a candidate, would not bombardment of the dam of artillery of Trommelfeuer in the Bois des the young, with thousands of French matised psyche, viewed by the French In all, the First World War killed be obliged to participate in all Caures as part of the centenary of the battle of Verdun, yesterday in and German children attending the in much the same way as the British some 10 million military men and left debates”. Beaumont-en-Verdunois. re-enactment. saw the Battle of Somme. 20 million injured. 18 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAS

Trump wins big 7 killed in Michigan shooting in South Carolina;

that the danger had passed. white male in his late 50s, who drove Gun violence kills The gunman’s motives were as yet a blue station wagon. Hillary in Nevada unclear, police said. Kalamazoo, in the northern about 30,000 Several police agencies were state of Michigan, is located some Americans every year involved in the case, and the death toll 190 kilometers (160 miles) west of AP don’t understand that as people drop and profiles of those killed changed the industrial city of Detroit and has out, I’m going to get a lot of those and mass shootings as details emerged. a population of 76,000, according to votes also. You don’t just add them have been on the rise Kalamazoo County Undersheriff census figures. together.” in the US Paul Matyas SAID that seven peo- The Kalamazoo shootings fol- LAS VEGAS/COLUMBIA: Republi- Trump easily defeated Florida ple had been killed in the random low a pattern of mass shootings in the can presidential candidate Donald Senator Marco Rubio and Texas Sen- shooting, while another person was United States that include the Decem- Trump rolled to victory on Satur- ator Ted Cruz, who were in a close wounded. ber 2 massacre in San Bernardino, day in South Carolina in a contest fight for second place and the right to Earlier police reports had put the California that left 14 people dead and that saw former Florida Governor declare themselves the anti-Trump AFP death toll at between five and six. All 22 wounded, and the December 14, Jeb Bush drop out, while Democratic alternative. three shooting incidents appear to be 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre hopeful Hillary Clinton beat back a With 99 percent of South Caro- related, Matyas said. in which 20 children and six adults strong challenge from Bernie Sand- lina precincts reporting, Trump had “This is your worst nightmare, were shot dead. ers in Nevada. 32.5 percent, followed by Rubio with CHICAGO: A man suspected of ran- in custody,” Lieutenant Dave Hines when you have somebody just driv- Gun violence kills about 30,000 The victories by Trump, who is 22.5 percent and Cruz with 22.3 domly opening fire in a Michigan told a press conference. ing around randomly killing people,” Americans every year and mass running as an anti-establishment percent. town and shooting dead at least seven Hines said that there were three Matyas said. One of the five people shootings—rare in most countries — outsider, and Clinton, a preeminent Cruz’s inability to distinguish people, including a teenager, was separate shootings - one outside an shot at the restaurant was a teenage have been on the rise in the US. political insider, solidified their posi- himself from Rubio in the state was arrested yesterday, US police said. apartment complex, another outside girl — not a child as initially reported According to the tracking website tions as the front-runners to win a blow to his campaign, which had The suspect, Jason Brian Dal- a car dealership, and the third at a — while a father and son were among gunviolencearchive.org, there were their parties’ respective nominations invested heavily there to rally sup- ton, (pictured) was apprehended at chain restaurant. the dead at the car dealership. The 330 mass shootings in the United ahead of the November 8 presiden- port among South Carolina’s large 12:40am yesterday (0540 GMT) after Chief Jeff Hadley of the Kalam- suspect was armed when he was States in 2015, up from 281 in 2014. tial election. population of evangelical voters. a shooting rampage on Saturday in azoo Department of Public Safety arrested at a traffic stop, but surren- They affected nearly every part of the The night’s most prominent cas- Trump’s victory won him at the town of Kalamazoo, police said. later described the man arrested as a dered peacefully, Matyas said. country, reaching into both big cities ualty, Bush suffered a distant fourth least 44 of the state’s 50 delegates, “We believe we have our suspect “strong suspect,” and told local media The suspect was described as a and small towns. place finish in the Republican contest bringing his delegate count to 61, and announced he had suspended compared to 11 for Cruz and 10 for his campaign, ending his dream of Rubio, according to a tally by Real becoming a third Bush president Clear Politics. Republicans need after his father and brother. 1,237 delegates to win the party Texas private Meeting of human rights activists “The people of Iowa, New Hamp- nomination. shire and South Carolina have It was Trump’s second victory colleges say spoken, and I really respect their in a row, an outcome that frightens decision,” an emotional Bush said establishment Republicans but thrills no to gun in Columbia. He finished far out of the “throw-the-bums-out” conserv- the running in each of the first three ative base of the party that has long states. By winning both South Caro- been fed up with Washington. The on campus lina and New Hampshire and holding bellicose New York billionaire had leads in 13 states that hold Republi- created some last-minute drama in can contests on March 1, Trump was South Carolina after Pope Francis AP arguably on track to win the nom- said on Thursday his views on US ination, an outcome that seemed immigration were “not Christian.” astounding to contemplate when he Trump stirred fresh controversy entered the race last summer. on Friday when he told a crowd TEXAS: When Texas’ conservative “It’s going to be very difficult about a US general who was said to Legislature passed a law requiring for him to be derailed at this point,” have dipped bullets in pigs’ blood to public universities to allow con- said Hogan Gidley, who was a senior kill Muslim prisoners a century ago. cealed guns on campus, it also adviser to former Republican candi- Former Secretary of State gave the state’s private institutions date Mike Huckabee. Clinton’s victory in the Nevada of higher learning the chance to The 69-year-old real estate bil- Democratic caucuses, meanwhile, follow suit. None has so far. lionaire and reality TV star was could help calm worries among the More than 20 private schools declared the winner in South Caro- Democratic establishment about the have said they won’t lift their gun lina about an hour after polls closed, strength of her campaign. bans when the law takes effect this and launched into a feisty victory Her result denied Sanders the August, including the state’s largest speech. “Let’s put this thing away,” breakthrough win he had sought in private universities that have reli- Trump told cheering supporters in a state with a heavy minority pop- gious affiliations and often align Spartanburg. He denounced TV pun- ulation, but his ability to close a with the type of conservative val- Members of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission Carlos Beristain (left), Angela Buitrago dits for saying there could be enough one-time double-digit polling lead ues espoused by the politicians (centre) and Francisco Cox attend a news conference about the case of the missing students of anti-Trump votes to beat him when for Clinton suggests the Democratic behind the law. Ayotzinapa Teacher Training College, in Mexico City. the race thins further. nominating race will be long and The opposition has not sur- “These geniuses,” he said. “They hard fought. prised top Texas Republicans who championed the law as a matter of constitutional rights and self-defense. But it reflects Will return to a widespread belief even among FBI could have unlocked shooter’s iPhone conservative university leaders that guns have no place in the US if given fair classroom. Baylor, Texas Christian and AP knew the unlocking passcode for and repeatedly test numbers in what’s officially issued smartphones include trial: Snowden Southern Methodist universities the phone is the dead gunman, Syed known as a brute force attack. the installed management software. have all declined to allow guns Farook, who worked as an inspec- The FBI said it wants to determine It can unlock the phone, delete all on their campuses. tor in the county’s public health whether Farook had used his phone information in case of loss or theft, “My own view is that it is a very WASHINGTON: The county gov- department. to communicate with others about track the device’s physical location, AP unwise public policy,” Baylor Presi- ernment that owned the iPhone in The iPhone assigned to Farook the attack. determine which apps are installed, dent Ken Starr, a former prosecutor a high-profile legal battle between also lacked a Touch ID feature, Apple has said it will protest the check battery life and push software and judge best known for his work Apple Inc and the Justice Department meaning the FBI cannot use the dead ruling and has until Friday to inter- updates. The technology is intended on the Whitewater investigation paid for but never installed a feature gunman’s thumbprint to unlock it vene in court. to make such products more suita- MANCHESTER: Speaking via involving President Bill Clinton, that would have allowed the FBI to now. The FBI found the phone in a San Bernardino had an existing ble in corporate environments, where Skype from Russia, Edward Snow- said late last year. The Baptist easily and immediately unlock the car after the shootings. contract with a technology provider, tighter controls are important to pro- den told an audience of supporters school announced this month phone as part of the terrorism investi- A US magistrate last week ordered MobileIron Inc., but did not install it tect company secrets. in New Hampshire on Saturday that guns would not be allowed gation into the shootings that killed 14 Apple to provide the FBI with highly on any inspectors’ iPhones, county “This is the business case” for that he is willing to be extradited on campus. people in San Bernardino, California. specialized software that could be spokesman David Wert said. There mobile device management, said to the United States if the federal Previous law generally If the technology, known as loaded onto the work-issued iPhone is no countywide policy on the mat- John Dickson, a principal at Denim government would guarantee he banned concealed handguns from mobile device management, had been 5C used by Farook. He died with his ter and departments make their own Group Ltd., a security consultancy. would get a fair trial. Texas’ public and private universi- installed, San Bernardino officials wife in a gun battle with police after decisions, he said. “The organization simply has no con- The former National Security ties. That changed last year, when would have been able to remotely killing 14 people in December. Wert disputed the value of the trol or influence or anything over the Agency contractor in 2013 leaked lawmakers passed the so-called unlock the iPhone for the FBI with- The software would help the FBI remote management technology device unless they have some MDM details of a secret government “campus carry” law that requires out the theatrics of a court battle that hack into the phone by bypassing a because he said Farook - or any authority. The ability to do remote eavesdropping program and left public universities to allow con- is now pitting digital privacy rights security time delay and feature that other county employee - could have air updates, the ability to do remote the country. He faces US charges cealed handgun license holders against national security concerns. erases all data after 10 consecutive, removed it manually. That would have wipe, the ability to control certain that could land him in prison for to bring their weapons into cam- The service costs $4 per month unsuccessful attempts to guess the alerted county technology employees settings. Those are the standard kinds up to 30 years.Snowden spoke pus buildings and classrooms, it per phone. unlocking passcode. This would allow and led them to intervene. of things you do in mobile device Saturday at the New Hampshire is said. Instead, the only person who the FBI to use technology to rapidly In many offices and classrooms, management.” Liberty Forum, heavily attended by libertarians. “I’ve told the government I would return if they would guar- antee a fair trial where I can make a public interest defense of why Bolivians vote on limits to Morales’s record rule this was done and allow a jury to decide,” Snowden said. Snowden has previously spoken of making offers to the AFP Monitors from UNASUR, a supporters to turn out in record num- Since taking office the first time government to return home and regional political union, said polls bers, Morales — an Aymara Indian in 2006, Morales has been re-elected his willingness to discuss a plea opened “in a climate of absolute calm” — exhorted them to “let us know if twice, most recently in 2014 to a five- deal and even go to jail. Last year, in Bolivia, a major gas and mineral they love me or not” by endorsing year term that ends in 2020. former US Attorney General Eric LA PAZ: Bolivians voted yesterday producer but one of South America’s changes in the country’s constitu- Under the current constitution Holder said a plea deal with Snow- on whether to allow Evo Morales poorest countries. tion to allow him to run for a fourth adopted in 2009, sitting presidents den was a possibility, but Snowden (pictured), a leftist who is under fire But angry voters set fire to ballots term. A late breaking corruption scan- can only seek re-election once. told the BBC in an interview in over corruption allegations, to seek and ballot boxes at a polling station dal involving an ex-lover of Morales But Bolivia’s Supreme Court ruled October that he and his lawyers a fourth term and potentially extend in the city of Santa Cruz after they appears to have hurt the campaign that Morales’s first term was exempt were still waiting to hear from his presidency until 2025. learned there were no election regis- for a “Yes” vote, however. from the rule, allowing him to run the government.Snowden’s rev- Already the country’s long- tries, a spokesperson for the regional Polls had shown voters to be again in 2014. elations about the NSA, Britain’s est serving leader, the 56-year-old election tribunal said. evenly divided over the constitu- Last month, he became the long- GCHQ and other intelligence agen- Morales cast his ballot in the coca- A lack of election materials tional changes, but sentiment has est serving president since Bolivia’s cies set off an international debate growing region of Chapare where delayed the start of voting at other swung sharply in the past week, with independence from Spain in 1825 — about spies’ powers to monitor he first emerged as a political force places, prompting election authorities the “No” vote vastly favoured in the a rare accomplishment in a country personal communications, and to become Bolivia’s first indigenous to extend voting beyond the 4:00am most recent preelection poll by a 47 known for military coups and shaky, about the balance between secu- president in 2006. (2000 GMT) close of polls. Urging to 27 percent margin. short-lived governments. rity and privacy.

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ONLINE CHART BUST Real to reel: 10 Oscar hopefuls www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MOST READ based on true stories

Pakistani PM Sharif among most widely-travelled 1 rulers AFP Cranston — of "Breaking Bad" fame — is up for an Oscar for his portrayal of Fiji cleans up after ‘strongest ever’ Trumbo, but some critics have attacked 2 cyclone the film for being historically mislead- LOS ANGELES: From biopics and ing. Godfrey Cheshire, of the "Roger Iran and Oman hold talks to forge closer historical epics to spy stories and har- Ebert's Journal" website, described the 3 energy ties-Shana rowing tales of abduction and abuse, biopic as "another of those simplistic, this year's list of Oscar nominees fea- made-to-order films about the Holly- tures a bevy of films based on true wood blacklist in which the blacklisted stories. Some stick faithfully to history, movie folks are all innocent, in every TWEET OF THE DAY but many play fast and loose with the conceivable way." facts — and others are almost entirely fictionalised. Here are 10 Oscar-nomi- 'Steve Jobs' nated films which prove the maxim that The biopic of Apple's visionary real life can sometimes be stranger -- boss, for which Kate Winslet has a or at least more entertaining — than best supporting actress nomination, fiction: has been hit by numerous claims of inaccuracy. Pixar and Disney Anima- 'The Revenant' tion Studios president Edwin Catmull Famous as much for the bru- told the Hollywood Reporter that tal filming conditions and Leonardo Jobs would "be appalled" by the film, DiCaprio's liver-eating antics as its arguing that he was much kinder glittering array of pre-Oscar honors, than the character portrayed by nom- "The Revenant" tells the story of real-life inee Michael Fassbender. 19th century frontiersman Hugh Glass. Left for dead after a bear attack and 'The Danish Girl' grieving his murdered son, he embarks "The Danish Girl" -- up for four on an epic quest for survival, fueled by Oscars including best actor for last a bloodthirsty desire for revenge. The year's winner Eddie Redmayne -- film is up for 12 Oscars, including best was loosely inspired by the lives of actor for DiCaprio, best picture and 1920s painters Lili Elbe, one of the best director for Alejandro Gonzalez Colombian director Ciro Guerra is pictured during a press conference first known recipients of sex reas- Inarritu. Glass was left for dead by his in Bogota yesterday. Guerra's 'Embrace of the Serpent' was nominated signment surgery, and her wife Gerda companions in real life, but there's no Wegener. The film has been marketed among the foreign films to compete in 2016 Oscars' Best Foreign- record that he had a son, and he seems as a "true story," despite containing Language Film category ahead of the Academy Awards on February 28. to have been motivated by a desire to many of the deliberate historical get his rifle back and demand an apol- inaccuracies of the 2000 novel of ogy, rather than revenge. 2008 global financial meltdown. for 24 years, raped her repeatedly and the same name on which it is based. Follow us on Boasting an all-star cast includ- fathered her seven children. Snapchat 'Bridge of Spies' ing Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan 'Joy' Open Snapchat Steven Spielberg's espionage Gosling and Brad Pitt, it is nominated 'Spotlight' Comedy drama "Joy" stars Oscar- and scan the thriller is nominated for best pic- for five Oscars, including best pic- "Spotlight" depicts the pains- nominated Jennifer Lawrence as Joy Snapcode to ture and five other statuettes, ture and best director. Described by taking investigation by The Boston Mangano, a real-life divorced mother- add The Penin- including best supporting actor for The New York Times as a "true crime Globe newspaper on how the Cath- of-three who became a millionaire sula account. Mark Rylance. Set in the Cold War, story and a madcap comedy, a heist olic Church hushed up the activities after inventing the self-wringing Mir- it tells the story of the 1962 prisoner movie and a scalding polemic," the of nearly 90 pedophile priests in the acle Mop. Mangano is reported to have exchange of American spy plane pilot film tells the story of Michael Burry, a northeastern US city in the early 2000s. given director David O. Russell permis- Francis Gary Powers and graduate hedge fund manager who bet against Nominated for six Oscars and a slew sion to take many liberties with the student Frederic Pryor for Soviet spy the subprime mortgage market at the of other prizes, the film is based on a facts, including giving her a fictional Rudolf Abel. The Washington-based heart of the crisis. series of stories by the real Spotlight half-sister and two children, rather Smithsonian's National Air and Space team, who earned the Globe the 2003 than three, and making her ex-hus- Museum wrote a blog post listing five 'Room' Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Jour- band a Venezuelan singer. myths propagated by the film, includ- "Room," up for four Oscars nalists Walter Robinson and Mike ing that Powers was tortured. including the best actress prize for Rezendes, part of the investigative team, 'Straight Outta Compton' Find out who 'unfriended' you on FB "I didn't expect a documentary, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, was said last month the child abuse scan- After the biographical drama but as someone who is a stickler for adapted from Emma Donoghue's novel dals plaguing the Catholic Church are about Los Angeles-based gangsta historical accuracy and someone of the same name, shortlisted for the only the tip of the iceberg. rap pioneers NWA was released, MC LONDON: A new mobile app has been launched to allow people know who especially familiar with this story, the Booker Prize. The film tells the story Ren took to Twitter to complain that "unfriended" them on the popular social networking website Facebook since movie was a disappointment," wrote of Joy "Ma" Newsome, a young woman 'Trumbo' his significance in the group had been their last login, a media report said. The app — entitled Who Deleted Me Layne Karafantis, a museum curator. and her escape after 10 years in cap- "Trumbo" tells the story of screen- greatly diminished. The film has also — takes stock of a user's current friends list, but cannot provide backdated tivity, as told through the eyes of her writer Dalton Trumbo, who in 1947 been accused of omitting a number of information, mirror.co.uk reported on Saturday. The app tells users how many 'The Big Short' five-year-old son Jack. While entirely was blacklisted along with other women who played significant parts and which friends are missing or deactivated since their last Facebook login. Adam McKay's "The Big Short" is fictional, the story was inspired by the artists for refusing to testify before in NWA's success and criticized for When you first login, the app takes stock of your current friends list based on Michael Lewis's non-fiction case of Austria's Josef Fritzl, who locked Congress about alleged Communist whitewashing Dr Dre's history of and every time you return it compares the latest version to the saved one. 2010 book of the same name on the his daughter, Elisabeth, in a basement propaganda in Hollywood films. Bryan physically abusing women.

Fireworks Smartphones to replace cards at ATMs

AFP leads mobile technology for FIS Glo- handset reduces the time spent at the bal, a major provider of software and ATM to around 10 seconds instead of technology for ATMs. the typical 30 to 40 seconds Brown said the FIS cardless sys- “The performance is kind shock- WASHINGTON: Here’s another use tem is being used at some 2,000 ing to some people, they almost jump for the smartphone as it invades daily ATMs operated by at least 28 banks back at the instantaneous response,” life: in place of your debit card at your in the United States “and we’re look- Brown said. “But it provides more bank cash machine. ing to rapidly expand that.” physical security because they can The “cardless” automatic teller He said the system should make the transaction faster.” machine (ATM) is gaining ground be operational at some 80,000 Bank of America spokeswoman in the US and around the world, with machines in North America over Betty Riess said the group is “cur- smartphone technology allowing for the coming 18 months. And similar rently developing a new cardless ATM speedier and more secure transac- changes are coming in other coun- solution” based on NFC or near field tions. Dozens of US banks are installing tries, according to Brown. communication technology to allow new ATMs or updating existing ones In addition to speeding the trans- customers to authenticate without the to allow customers to order cash on action time, the smartphone-based use of a card. a mobile application and then scan a system aims to curb the growing “We’ll roll out this capability in code to get their money without hav- problem of “skimming” in which late February to associates in select ing to insert a bank card. criminals steal the data on a card, ATMs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, US banking giants Wells Fargo, often by inserting devices into the Charlotte, New York and Boston.” Bank of America and Chase are in ATM card slot. Riess said. “It will be followed by a the process of deploying the new By some estimates, skimming broader customer launch mid-year.” ATMs, as are a number of regional cost the global banking industry Chase said it is planning a similar banks and financial groups around some $2 billion in 2015 and can lead rollout sometime this year. the world. Makers of ATMs and finan- to other kinds of fraud when card “When we first roll this out, cial software groups are ramping up data is stolen. “Consumers are aware customers will be able to request South Koreans watch the ‘moon house’ burning and fireworks during the traditional festivities of the to meet this demand. of this, they really understand and an access code through the Chase occasion of the first full moon of the lunar year, in Seoul yesterday. Daeboreum, the first full moon “We think our model (using welcome this,” Brown said. mobile app and enter it at the ATM of the lunar calendar, is one of the biggest traditional holidays in Korea. smartphones) reduces a lot of vul- Another security benefit, Brown to do their transactions,” said Chase nerabilities,” said Doug Brown, who said, is that authenticating on the spokesman Michael Fusco. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 22 QE 9,907.82 -59.43 PTS PAGE | 24 GM may cancel DOW 16,391.99 -21.44 PTS Batelco cancels $1.6bn Brazil FTSE100 5,950.23 -21.72 PTS plans to sell investment BRENT $33.01 -$1.27 Umniah: CEO

MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 • 13 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Nigeria backs Doha quartet deal on oil output freeze

Resources Kachiwku and the del- rebuild following years of war and egation accompanying him on the under-investment. Nigerian Oil Minister visit to Qatar. They discussed issues Kachikwu spoke with reporters calls on Dr Al Sada pertaining to the global prices of oil after meeting with Al Sada and Qatar to discuss global oil and exchanged their views regard- Petroleum CEO Saad Sharida Al Kaabi ing current levels. They also discussed in Doha. He’s scheduled to meet with scenario bilateral relations and the scope of Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi cooperation in the energy field. on Monday, according to a person The biggest oil producer in Africa familiar with the matter, who asked supports a production freeze. Its oil not to be identified because his itiner- The Peninsula production will be 2.2 million bar- ary isn’t public. “Nigeria will continue rels a day this month, unchanged from to look at the possibility of increasing January, Kachikwu said. production, not to sell it, because we “Countries like Iran and Iraq have have local consumption that is essen- DOHA: Nigerian Oil Minister been out of the market for a while and tial for us,” Kachikwu said. “Right now Emmanuel Ibe Kachiwku affirmed if they are to come back you shouldn’t we are not even exporting the quantity his country’s approval and support freeze them out where they are, you that Opec has given us.” Demand from for the Doha four-way oil agreement, should freeze them at a higher level,” domestic refineries is at least 500,000 where in oil producers Qatar, Saudi Kachikwu said. “By June we will come barrels of oil a day, he said. Arabia, Venezuela and Russia, should very close to tightening the market,” There is little chance that the keep their output ceiling at January Bloomberg reported. Opec will hold an emergency meeting 2016 level. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela before the next regular one sched- The remarks were made by the and Qatar agreed last week to keep uled for June, Kachikwu said. “Rather Nigerian oil minister as he met report- production at January levels, as long than focus on emergency meeting, we ers here yesterday. Earlier, Minister of as others follow suit, in an effort to need to talk more. Because if you held Energy and Industry H E Dr Moham- revive prices from a 12-year low. Iran’s a meeting when you haven’t agreed med bin Saleh Al Sada, who is also the production has slumped since inter- largely on the solution it wouldn’t be Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel President of Opec, met with Niger- national sanctions were imposed productive and would also affect the ia’s Minister of State for Petroleum on its exports, and Iraq is seeking to price of oil.” Ibe Kachiwku in Doha yesterday. Commercial real estate payment delay to aggravate banks’ woes

By Satish Kanady The Peninsula

DOHA: Qatar banks’ exposure to commercial real estate sector is likely to lead to pickup in delinquencies, a situation where borrowers are late or overdue on their payments to the QEWC Vice-Chairman Issa bin Shahin Al Ghanim (left) and Fahad bin Hamad Al Mohannadi, Managing banks. SICO (Securities and Invest- Director and General Manager of QEWC, at the AGM of QWEC in Doha yesterday. Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula ment Company) noted in its latest report that Qatari banks have sig- nificant exposure to the real estate and construction sector, compared to other GCC economies. QEWC’s AGM gives approval Analysts noted sectors with high risk of payment default in Saudi Arabia are manufacturing and con- struction and UAE SMEs. Bahrain banks noted the banks in the region quarterly prices of $35/40/40/45/ for QR825m cash dividend banks are more exposed to con- are witnessing deposits outflow and bbl led by increase in demand sumer and commerce sectors. With pick-up in loans-to-deposits ratio. The (1.2mnbpdin2016vs1.6mnbpdin2015) the deposit growth outpacing the banks are expected to report pick-up which should decrease the current By Mohammad Shoeb (2014). The earnings per share (EPS) and the company’s financial position lending growth, Bahraini banks con- in funding costs in 2016 with rise in supply glut and bring market to bal- The Peninsula for the year 2015 stood at QR13.64, for 10 years. tinued to lower their leverage in 2015, competition.. Banks with lower loans- ance by 2017.Arguably,Brent may which is marginally lower compared The AGM also approved the offers With low oil prices, the government is to-deposits ratio are at an advantage struggle to regain $50/bbl by end- to QR13.91 in 2014. of audit firms and adopted the rec- likely to take tough measures, leading going into 2016. 2016 unless we see a steepfall in non The company reported 3 percent ommendation to appoint auditors for to lower disposable income and risk of Funding costs are likely to rise in Opec output.” DOHA: Qatar Electricity and Water rise in sales at QR2.98bn for the year the year 2016. The Board discussed pick-up in retail and consumer sector 2016 for most GCC banks. Government According to SICO research note, Company (QEWC) yesterday held ended December 31, 2015 compared developments in the company’s related impaired loans. deposits witnessed an outflux in 2015. foreigners pulled out from most GCC its Annual General Assembly (AGM) to about QR2.90bn for 2014. various projects which are under The SICO does not expect any The pace is expected to accentuate in equity markets in 2H15 except in Abu and approved the Board of Direc- The QEWC held its Ordinary and construction and under review. significant risk from the large UAE 2016. Loans to deposits ratio of GCC Dhabi which was mainly due to the tors’ recommendation to distribute Extraordinary General Assembly The major projects discussed at the corporations defaulting at this stage banks rose sharply in 2015 with Qatar inclusion of Etisalat in the MSCIEM a cash dividend of QR825m (about meeting yesterday at the Ritz Carl- meeting were Ras Abu Fontas (A-3) due to lack of evidence of any major rising the most.GCC Interbank rates Index in November 2015. $226.55m) to its shareholders for the ton Hotel which was chaired by Issa (project is in progress), Umm Al Houl liquidity crunch. But banks with are rising and their funding costs are Negative market sentiment and last financial year ended December bin Shahin Al Ghanim, Vice-Chair- Power and Lusail Tower Project. higher SME exposure are likely to wit- likely to increase in H1, 16. persisting low crude prices pushed 31, 2015. man of the Board of Directors of The Board also discussed QEWC’s ness higher delinquencies. On the crude oil and its funda- foreign investors away from Tad- The board had decided to offer QEWC. Al Ghanim read the speech foreign investments in power and In Saudi, there are deep concerns mentals, the SICO report said Price awul despite the market opening up to a recommendation to the General of the Chairman of the QEWC’s Board water projects through Nebras on construction and manufacturing recovery in 2016 needs steeper direct foreign investment in June 2015. Assembly to approve the distribution of Directors, H E Dr Mohammed bin Power where QEWC owns 60 per- sector exposure. The analysts expect supply decline. After declining 48 Net foreign outflow reached $1bn in of cash dividends to shareholders, Saleh Al Sada, who is also the Min- cent shares. payment delays, which are likely to percent/35 percent/14 percent in 2015 vs 0.01mn net inflow in 2014. equivalent to 75 percent of the nom- ister of Energy and Industry. The Assembly also reviewed impact construction sector, while 2014/15/16YTD, respectively, crude In 2015, Qatar market’s foreign inal value of the shares, same as last The meeting approved the the status of solar power project for weak oil and petrochemical sector oil prices are expected to remain investment inflow declined to $0.16bn year. There was no growth in the QEWC’s Annual Report of the Board which QEWC signed a MOU with are likely to impact the manufactur- soft in 2016, due to a supply glut vs an inflow of $2.13bn a year ear- amount of dividend in 2015 as QEWC of Directors for the company’s activ- Qatar Petroleum to establish a com- ing sector. and lack of consensus among Opec lier. The market saw an net outflow distributed the same amount of div- ities and financial results for the year pany for building solar power plants The report that said there are countries on cutting production. in H2, 15 of 0.22bn vs a net inflow of idend (QR825) in the previous year 2015 and future planned investments in Qatar. signs of liquidity pressure for GCC Sequentially, SICO is assuming 2016 $0.39bn in H1, 15. 22 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS Shareholders okay raising QIC capital to QR2.43bn

Insurance Group recorded 49 percent QIC’s audited consolidated finan- year-on-year growth in Gross Written cial statements for the year ended AGM also gives nod Premium (GWP) to QR8.34bn for the December 31, 2015 highlight record to the recommended full-year 2015. Net Insurance revenue GWP. Key drivers of growth included for the year increased by 39 percent reinsurance premiums, generated 25% distribution of to QR926m. through QIC’s dedicated global rein- cash dividend pay out The annual general meeting held surance subsidiary, Qatar Re, which yesterday was chaired by Abdulla bin grew at a rate of 116 percent, now Khalifa Al Attiya, Deputy Chairman of accounting for 50 percent of the the Board of Directors. The progress group’s total premium income. The Peninsula in the Group’s business placed addi- QIC Group’s consolidated net tional demand on the requirement of profit for the full year 2015 came in Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al Thani (left), Board member of QIC, and Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Attiya, capital to support strategic growth in at QR1.06bn, compared to QR1.02bn Deputy Chairman of QIC, at the meeting of QIC in Doha yesterday. Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula the business. In order to facilitate fur- for the same period last year. This DOHA: The shareholders of Qatar ther growth and increase sustainability, result reflects regional economic and continued cost discipline. Subaey said: “2015 has been a water- macroeconomic headwinds. Insurance Group approved the the shareholders approved the recom- investment headwinds due to lower Return on Equity for the report- shed year for the global economy The year 2016 is likely to be a board of directors’ recommendation mended issuance of shares as rights to oil prices and continued softening ing period came in at 18.1 percent, which was confronted with multiple challenging year as the world adjusts to increase the company’s capital to its existing shareholders at the clos- of global reinsurance and specialty against 18.4 percent in the previous challenges that caused substantial to dipping oil prices, increasing inter- QR2.43bn from QR1.84bn. ing date on Tuesday March 1, 2016, of insurance markets. year. This result compares favorably disruptions across both developed and est rates and slower rates of growth The annual general meeting of the oneshare for every five shares held at Against the backdrop of growing with both QIC’s regional peers as well developing economies. With top line from China. However, our outlook Group also given nod to the recom- a price of QR50 per share. The Group regional and global financial market as diversified international insurance improvement, continued cost ration- remains cautiously positive on the mended distribution of cash dividend has continued to apply global standards volatility, the group’s net investment and reinsurance groups. At December alisation and our strategy to respond prospects of growth in the emerg- pay out of 25 percent for the year end- and best practices in its assessment of result came in at QR712m. This was 31, QIC Group’s shareholders’ equity and adapt to the changing market ing markets. By offering innovative ing December 31, 2015 and an issue of the current and future solvency and partially offset by a very strong net stood at QR5.99bn, up by 1 percent and economic dynamics through solutions and quality services, we will bonus shares in the amount of 1 share capital adequacy requirements to underwriting result of QR926m, a sig- from QR5.92bn at the end of 2014. innovation, diversification and by continue to maximize value for share- for every 10 held. ensure it remains well positioned and nificant increase of 39 percent on the Referring to the Group’s financial capitalising on market synergies, we holders, trusted business partners and Despite sluggish economic growth capitalised as it pursues its strategic previous year. QIC’s overall profita- performance in 2015, Group President have recorded growth of 49 percent customers while supporting develop- and falling commodity prices, Qatar goals of expansion in the years to come. bility also benefited from the Group’s and CEO Khalifa Abdulla Turki Al in GWP y-o-y in the face of significant ment of the sector and the economy.”

US authorities ask VW to make GM may cancel $1.6bn electric cars Brazil investment

FRANKFURT: US authorities have asked the German carmaker Reuters Volkswagen to produce electric vehicles in the United States as a way of making up for its rigging of emission tests, the German news- SAO PAULO: General Motors Co will paper Welt am Sonntag reported. reconsider plans for new investment The US Environmental Pro- in Brazil if the economic and polit- tection Agency is currently in ical situation does not improve, the talks with Volkswagen with the company’s President Dan Ammann aim of agreeing on a fix for nearly (pictured) said in an interview pub- 600,000 diesel vehicles that lished yesterday. emit up to 40 times legal pollu- Brazil was until recently one of tion limits. The paper, which gave the world’s five biggest auto mar- no source for its report, said the kets, but it has sunk into the worst EPA was asking VW to produce recession in 25 years and business labour and regulatory laws because Dr Abdullah S Al Owaisi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, opening the LuLu International electric vehicles at its plant in confidence has been undermined it is “terribly uncompetitive.” Chattanooga, Tennessee, and to Exchange’s 125th global branch in the presence of Sheikh Malek Al Hamoud Al Malek Al Sabha; Sunil Jain, by political uncertainty and a bid to A third of the Brazilian auto help build a network of charging Indian Ambassador to Kuwait; LuLu Group International Managing Director Yusuffali M A; Lulu Exchange impeach President Dilma Rousseff. industry’s nearly 130,000 workers stations for electric vehicles in the Director Adeeb Ahamed and other dignitaries at Egaila in Kuwait. “I hope to see political and eco- are on some kind of furlough, as United States. nomic advances in the next six to automakers struggle to cut capacity Some of Volkswagen’s cars 12 months, which would allow us without resorting to more costly lay- already feature electric or hybrid to stick to our investment plan,” offs. Ammann said it was too early motors. It was not clear from Welt Lulu Exchange opens 125th global branch Ammann told the Estado de Sao to say whether GM will close any of am Sonntag’s report whether the Paulo newspaper. Otherwise, GM its five plants in Brazil, two of which EPA was asking VW to produce would “re-evaluate,” he said. make components for vehicles pro- new models or existing ones. The Peninsula Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to LuLu Exchange began its oper- GM announced last year that it duced at the other three. Five months after the emis- Kuwait, Yusuffali MA, Managing ations six years ago when the first plans to invest 6.5bn reais ($1.6bn) in GM continues to view Brazil sions scandal broke in the United Director, Lulu Group International, branch was inaugurated in Abu new products and technology in Bra- as a market with great potential States, Europe’s leading carmaker Adeeb Ahamed, Director, Lulu Dhabi, UAE, on September 2, 2009. zil through to 2019. But recession has in the long run, but “a big change” has yet to come up with a technical DOHA: Lulu International Exchange, Exchange and other dignitaries. The company soon expanded its hit the auto sector badly. Production is needed to reach that potential, fix for almost 600,000 diesel cars, the leading worldwide remittance Speaking on the occasion, Adeeb operations to other countries viz., of cars and trucks dropped 29.3 per- Ammann said. “The important ques- and is facing a growing number of and foreign exchange services pro- Ahamed, who is also the Director of Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, India, cent in January from a year earlier, tion is to know when we will see the legal claims. “Talks with the EPA vider, opened its 125th global branch Lulu Exchange Company Qatar, said, Philippines and Seychelles. the lowest for the month since 2003, stability that allows us to continue are ongoing and we are not com- in Kuwait at Sama Mall in Egaila, on “It is a moment of great pride since “Our culture of quality and stand- and sales fell 38.8 percent, the lowest investing. We are worried because menting on the contents and state Wednesday. Later in the day, the we are celebrating the opening of ardisation makes sure that every monthly total in almost nine years, the environment is unstable and the of the negotiations,” a VW spokes- 126th branch was also opened in our 125th global branch. It has been a branch offers the same quality of serv- according to the national automak- outlook is uncertain for the next few man said. Mahboula. The openings also marked great journey, and to reach this mile- ice that we have become renowned for. ers association Anfavea. Despite the years,” he said. Meanwhile, weekly tabloid Bild Lulu Exchange’s 19th and 20th out- stone in the span of six years, is proof It is our high calibre workforce backed severe downturn, Brazil remains a Ammann suggested Brazil follow am Sonntag said Hans Dieter Poet- lets in Kuwait. of our commitment to extend world by training and the latest technolo- major base of operations for Fiat the example of Argentina, where the sch, the chairman of Volkswagen’s The outlet at Sama Mall in Egaila class exchange services and solutions gies that help us deliver the highest Chrysler Automobiles NV, Volkswa- election of President Mauricio Macri supervisory board, was summoned was officially inaugurated by Dr to our esteemed customers around standards of customer satisfaction. gen AG, Ford Motor Co and GM. brought a shift to business-friendly by German transport minister Abdullah S Al Owaisi, Under Sec- the world. We are proud of the fact This customer-centric approach has Barry Engle, GM president for policies that are restoring investor Alexander Dobrindt on Feb. 16 to retary, Ministry of Commerce & that with the opening of our outlets in made us the favourite of customers South America, said in the same confidence in a country beset by give an update on the carmaker’s Industry in the presence of Sheikh Egaila and Mahboula today, we oper- in such a short period and has helped interview that Brazil needs changes heavy-handed trade and currency progress in tackling the crisis. Malek Al Hamoud Al Malek Al Sabha, ate 20 branches in Kuwait.” us grow at a fast pace,” added Adeeb. in fiscal policy and reforms to its tax, controls. LG displays first G5 AFII hosts session on career management

modular smartphone The Peninsula Commenting on the initiative, Dr Nitham Hindi, Dean of the Col- lege of Business and Economics at Reuters Qatar University, said: “Conducting DOHA: Al Faisal International for such interactive sessions will help our Investment (AFII) hosted an interac- students build knowledge and under- tive session with career management standing and gain an insight into BARCELONA: LG Electronics expert Prof Andrew Garner at Qatar several aspects of career building and showed off its first modular smart- University (QU). Organised by AFII progression. This underlines the col- phone, with a B&O sound system and Qatar University’s College of lege’s efforts to provide students with and wide-angle lens, at the annual Business and Economics, the ses- a highly intellectual environment to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. sion was aimed at helping students in explore and achieve their full poten- A modular smartphone is made identifying their goals for the future. tial, which will contribute to shaping out of separate components, which It also served towards the realisation the career of future of professionals in enables users to replace or upgrade of the values and objectives outlined line with the goals of Qatar National certain functions independently. in Qatar National Vision 2030, as well Vision 2030.” In the G5 smartphone, a B&O A visitor takes a photo of the as the development strategies and the Prof Garner has taught Career sound system can be added by slid- new LG G5 model at the Mobile Qatarisation initiatives. Officials at the event. Management at business schools ing a module into the phone case. World Congress in Barcelona. Speaking about career manage- around the world from Harvard to Sliding in another module allows ment and career development, Prof Singapore, published the interna- the phone, which is equipped with be added. Smartphone manufactur- Andrew Garner - who is a mentor to also stressed on the importance of as there is not any journey without tionally regarded book on the subject a 135-degree wide-angle lens, to be ers are struggling to eclipse rivals several globally high profile CEOs goal setting and being in the right a goal. Hence, it is important to set Smart Moves, and has undertaken operated like a conventional camera. with faster processors, higher res- - urged students to establish their place at the right time. “If you do not goals and then taking action once you many long-term mentoring assign- A virtual reality headset and a olution screens or better cameras, unique brand identity and differ- know where you are going, the road are fairly certain about your career ments, especially with fast rising controller to operate drones can also all at ever lower prices. entiate themselves from others. He will get you there... But be careful goals,” Prof Garner said. talent in leading FTSE companies BUSINESS MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 23 Forum to bring together experts on entrepreneurship

by Qatar University and Qatar Devel- sectors to exchange and share insights Ambassador of the Republic of Ecua- session on ‘Success Story: How Did I second day, Ramzan Al Naimi, Cre- opment Bank (QDB), will take place with members of the academic, dor to Qatar and Kaleem Mohammed Do It’. Founded in 2004 as a Kuwait- ative and Branding Consultant for Al ‘Entrepreneurship on March 7 and March 8 at the Shera- economic and entrepreneurial com- Al Yaqoobi, Founder & CEO of GEE based online food delivery service, it Jazeera Network will deliver a Key- in Economic ton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel munity can only result in a positively from Oman, who will both provide has since grown into one of the larg- note Speech on ‘Brand Identity & the in Qatar. significant outcome,” said Dr Nitham their insights in the panel discussion est companies in the region, covering Means of Social Communication - Development Forum’ “The importance of this Forum Hindi, Dean of the College of Business of on ‘Government Intervention with Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Traditional vs Conventional’. will take place on is highlighted by the presence of and Economics at Qatar University. SME’s and Entrepreneurs’ to be con- Qatar and Bahrain. The site operates Among the other topics that will March 7 & 8 in Qatar high-calibre experts and decision “Their shared knowledge and expe- ducted on the first day of the two-day with over 1,300 restaurants, including be discussed in the Forum include a makers in the field of entrepreneur- riences will surely prove beneficial to Forum. Meanwhile, participating in a major brands like Burger King, KFC, keynote speech on ‘Realizing Poten- ship and there is no doubt that the current and aspiring entrepreneurs, panel discussion on ‘Entrepreneur- Johnny Rocket’s, Hardees, TGI Fridays, tial – Developing the Traits of a Good government’s support to this impor- as well as to the further development ship Within and Through Education: and Subway. Due to its phenomenal Entrepreneur’; a presentation on ‘How tant and vital sector is a key element of educational programmes that will Educating the New Generation of success, the company was purchased SMEs can tender to win business The Peninsula in achieving the development of the further boost entrepreneurial skills. Entrepreneurs - How can education by the German ecommerce group opportunities in Qatar Shell Sup- entrepreneurial system in the state Accordingly, I wish to encourage those channel students into an entrepre- Rocket Internet for $170m in 2015. ply Chain’; a discussion on Financial and activating it.” said Abdul Aziz who wish to learn more about entre- neurial path?’, which will take place The third panel discussion of the Inclusion ‘Obtaining Funds for Your Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Develop- preneurship and how it can help boost also on the Forum’s opening day, Forum on ‘Financing Entrepreneurs Venture - Options, Conditions and DOHA: A distinguished line-up of ment Bank (QDB). “And at QDB, we the economy to not miss this event.” will be Dr Martin Hvdit, a Professor & Entrepreneurial Ventures: Insti- Requirements’; a keynote speech on some of the world’s influential speak- are proud of the leadership role that Through highly informative at Zayed University. tutional Financing, Angel Investors, ‘Effective Methods of Using Social ers on entrepreneurship are expected we are playing to provide key services keynote presentations and thought- To kick off the second day of the Crowd - funding, and other sources’ Media to Ensure the Success of Entre- to converge in Doha for the third to this sector in general and to Qatari provoking panel discussions, among Forum, Mohammed Jaffar, Founder of will have Dr. Maher Hakim, Associate preneurial Ventures; and a fourth and edition of the ‘Entrepreneurship in entrepreneurs in particular.” the other speakers from both the pub- the E-Commerce business “Talabat. Professor of Entrepreneurship from final panel discussion on ‘Building an Economic Development Forum’. “The coming together of top offi- lic and private sectors as well as the com” from Kuwait will reveal some CMU-Qatar as a member of the panel. Effective Entrepreneurship Ecosystem The event, which is being hosted cials from the public and private academe are Kabalan Abisaab, the secrets to his success in Q&A format In the afternoon session of the - Do we have what it takes?’.

Sharp to vote on Honda unveils new Accord with rival takeover region-first sensing technology bids on Thursday

The Peninsula TOKYO: Sharp Corp plans to choose between rival rescue offers as soon as Thursday, as a favoured bid from Taiwan’s Foxconn contin- DOHA: Doha Marketing Serv- ues to be challenged by a Japanese ices Company WLL (DOMASCO) state-backed investment fund, announced the launch of 2016 Honda people with direct knowledge of Accord Coupe in Qatar. Available the matter said. across all Honda showrooms in the The board of the ailing elec- GCC, the ninth generation Honda tronics maker met on Saturday to Accord Coupe is the first in the region discuss the two takeover propos- to boast of the Advanced Safety Tech- als, according to the sources. nology namely ‘Honda Sensing™’. The company’s 13-member The 2016 Honda Accord Coupe (left) and its interior (above). This advanced safety feature has board holds a regularly scheduled evolved e-drive assist technologies to meeting on Wednesday, and aims provide utmost safety and security to Marketing at DOMASCO Honda, said design alloy wheels for all grades. ‘Remote Engine Start’ a very signifi- advanced technology available in to vote on the competing offers at all passengers. “The 2016 Accord Coupe is redesigned The interior is a fusion of cant feature that enables the drivers GCC namely ‘Honda Sensing’.This an extraordinary meeting the next Accord Coupe features a brand with new exterior and interior styl- advanced sport design and sophis- to start their vehicles in advance, new suite of driver-assistive tech- day, the sources said. new shape which primarily focusses ing; this model also hosts the latest tication in the same breath with an thereby activating the climate con- nologies helps driver sense things Sharp declined to comment on agility and sportiness. advanced technologies. We invite advanced, intuitive and futuristic look trol system before they get into the which might be missed while driv- while INCJ officials could not Faisal Sharif, Managing Director Honda customers to visit our show- and feel. It has a spacious cabin with vehicle. ing. In some cases, they can even help immediately be reached. Foxconn of DOMASCO stated, “The Accord room and test drive this modern fabric in base grade and leather in Two engines with Earth Dreams in avoiding a collision or mitigate its said it had no comment, citing pre- Coupe retains Honda’s best-sell- sporty car.” 3.5L V6 grades. Technology are available on 2016 severity. This feature is only availa- vious remarks by its chairman, ing qualities while displaying an The Accord Coupe new dynamic In terms of technology, few high- Accord Coupe. These include a 2.4- ble in top grade. Terry Gou, that it was in a silent enhanced style, sporty performance shape which features sportier, more lights of Accord Coupe interior in all litre 4-cylinder engine with CVT and a The Honda Sensing features con- period during its negotiations with and a vast array of premium features. sophisticated and expressive styling grades are the hi-tech 8-inch TFT 3.5-litre V6 engine with i-VTEC + VCM sist of Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Sharp. We are sure that the new model will cues including restyled front and rear Intelligent Multi-Information Display functions coupled to a 6-speed auto- Keeping Assist System and Collision Sharp said earlier this amaze our customers in Qatar.” bumper fascia, a new grille, bold and (i-MID) screen providing all assistance matic transmission. Mitigation Braking System and Road month that it was devoting more Greig Roffey, Head of Sales & new tail light designs as well as new at a touch, premium audio and also The Accord Coupe boasts of Departure Mitigation System. resources to studying a deal with Foxconn, an Apple Inc supplier known formally as Hon Hai Pre- cision Industry Co. The Taiwanese firm, the world’s largest electronics assem- IMF chief pays first official visit to Dubai this week bler, has offered to invest 659bn yen ($5.9bn) in Sharp, far more than the 300 billion yen invest- ment proposed by state-backed QNA figures. During her visit, Lagarde faster that the eurozone. witnessing a decline in oil prices Innovation Network Corp of Japan. will meet with senior political and The Fund stated that the UAE by more than 60 percent, the Gou was in Japan late in the economic figures in the UAE, the witnessed a steady economic financial policies adopted by the week following a visit to Taiwan UAE daily reported. growth path with the help of the UAE Ministry of Finance, which by Sharp executives. Their report DUBAI: The Managing Director of The UAE joined IMF as a mem- financial and monetary stabil- focus on reducing dependence on formed part of board discussions, the International Monetary Fund ber under the federal decree No ity led by the Ministry, and its oil sectors by 30 percent over the one source said. (IMF), Christine Lagarde (pic- 40 for the year 1972. commitment to strengthen the past decades, worked on providing Foxconn said this month it had tured), will be on her first official In October 2015, the Interna- country’s position in the region an appropriate environment for agreed with Sharp on most points visit to the United Arab Emirates tional Monetary Fund in its report and across the world. the expansion of the productive of a deal, but the sources said the this week and is expected to meet highlighted that the national The report highlighted that base by increasing dependence on situation remained fluid with both with senior political and economic economy is growing at a rate twice at a time when the world is non-oil sectors. bids still on the table. Local firms and Santander eye Citigroup’s Latin America stake

Bloomberg institutional and corporate client shares in the past year, one of the there. The New York-based compa- people said, adding that it might also ny’s retail operations never achieved run into antitrust issues in Argentina. the kind of scale needed to succeed Santander Chairman Ana Botin said SAO PAULO: Citigroup Inc’s best in Brazil and Argentina, Martin said. on Tuesday that investors driving the prospects for selling its retail-bank- “I don’t see a new player coming share price lower were too pessimis- ing operations in Brazil, Argentina to Brazil or Argentina to buy these tic about how much Brazil’s economic and Colombia are probably with assets,” Martin said in a telephone downturn will hurt profit. local firms looking to expand or with interview. “It would suffer the same Santander, Spain’s biggest bank, Spain’s Banco Santander SA. problem that Citigroup and HSBC is also interested in Citigroup’s retail Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Latin suffered, at least in Brazil: the lack assets in Colombia, the people said. America’s biggest bank by mar- of scale.” Santander left that market in 2012, ket value, is already expanding in HSBC Holdings Plc agreed in when it sold its local unit to Chile’s Colombia and is one of the most August to sell its Brazil unit to Banco Corpbanca SA for $1.23bn. Two years likely buyers in Brazil and Argentina Bradesco SA for $5.2bn. That deal is later, Itau agreed to take control of as well, said Rodrigo Martin, a bank receiving an extra layer of scrutiny Corpbanca for $2.2bn in its biggest analyst at Quantitas. Madrid-based from Brazil’s antitrust agency, Cade, international acquisition. Banco Santander SA is interested in which said the size of the transac- Citigroup’s business in Colombia all three, depending on the price, two tion warrants a deeper look than most had a book value of 1.7 trillion Colom- People walk by a Citibank branch in Buenos Aires, Argentina. people with direct knowledge of the bank mergers. Citigroup had share- bian pesos ($506m) as of September, bank’s strategy said. Press officials holders’ equity of 7.34bn reais ($1.8bn) according to the nation’s financial for Itau and Santander declined to in Brazil in September, compared regulator. Banco de Bogota SA, Banco HSBC was for Bradesco, said Andre banks are leaving this market.” A foreign bank like Industrial & comment. with 9.59bn reais for HSBC, accord- Davivienda SA and Bancolombia SA Riva, an analyst at Grupo Bursatil In Argentina, analysts see an Commercial Bank of China Ltd. might Citigroup said it plans to sell its ing to the central bank. are among the biggest local banks. Mexicano. “I don’t see any newcomer opportunity for local banks such as also see the Citigroup unit, which has retail-banking and credit-card oper- Santander might have trouble Citigroup’s Brazil bank is too buying Citigroup,” Riva said in a tele- Banco Macro SA or Banco Hipotecario a book value of 8.5bn Argentine pesos ations in the three countries, and making an aggressive bid after a small to qualify as a strategic asset phone interview. SA to take more market share and add ($560m), as a way to consolidate its hold on to the businesses that serve 46 percent plunge in the company’s for most potential acquirers, the way “It lacks scale in Brazil, and global branches in the capital. presence. 24 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

Richemont eyes Batelco cancels plans to sell Umniah: CEO up to 350 job cuts in Switzerland process,” said group CEO Ihab Hinnawi two-thirds of the group’s total. (pictured). “It’s not an optimal time to Batelco is expanding its domestic Batelco eyes sell, it’s an optimal time to buy. Prices fibre broadband network, which could GENEVA: Richemont, the world’s investments in other are reducing, the appetite of so many be its revenue driver in Bahrain, Hin- second-biggest luxury goods group, big players is declining and many are nawi said. This would help lift capital is planning to cut up to 350 jobs tech companies as over-leveraged. expenditure above 20 percent of reve- in Switzerland this year amid a it rules out selling “We have a healthy balance sheet nue in 2016, although the longer-term “difficult” watch market, a Swiss ... we shouldn’t let go of an asset that average would be about 15 percent. newspaper reported. stakes in Jordan, has added a lot of value.” Yemeni unit Sabafon’s subscriber Richemont, second only to Yemen units Batelco operates in 14 markets from base fell by a fifth last year as the coun- France’s LVMH in the luxury world, the Falkland Islands to the Maldives try’s civil war escalated. Hinnawi ruled is “studying an adjustment of the after it expanded abroad to offset stiff- out selling Batelco’s 27 percent stake, production capacities of some ening domestic competition. citing Yemen’s relatively large popula- watch manufacturers,” Le Temps Reuters Hinnawi, Umniah’s former chief tion which can only access 2G networks. daily reported, quoting an internal executive before becoming permanent “There are huge opportunities and document it had obtained. group CEO in January, said Batelco’s we may think to up our stake,” said The plan, confirmed to the paper priorities were to cut costs, increase Hinnawi. by a Richemont spokeswoman, MANAMA: Bahrain’s Batelco has can- efficiency, assess potential new busi- Loss-making Saudi fixed-line oper- could entail cutting up to 350 jobs celled plans to sell Jordanian telecom ness areas and assess existing assets. ator Etihad Atheeb has struggled to in Switzerland, it reported. operator Umniah, the former monopo- He wants to expand into smart compete against better-resourced rivals The Geneva-based company, ly’s chief executive said, citing market home services, mobile money, mobile and Batelco took an impairment of which owns top global brands such conditions as it instead aims to make health, mobile television and cloud BD3.1m relating to its 15 percent holding. as Cartier, Piaget, Jaeger LeCoultre acquisitions itself. services. Batelco will buy companies, Batelco had cash and bank bal- cash, be it through debt settlement or “Keeping Atheeb in its current and IWC, could not be immediately In January, Batelco revealed it had forge partnerships or go in-house to ances of BD160m ($424.29m) at the growth transactions,” Hinnawi said. structure is not good for us. We need reached for comment. received non-binding bids for Umniah, offer these. end of 2015, which could be used for “There are a couple of potential tar- to change the model, get an LTE (4G) The document quoted by Le which accounted for a fifth of the par- Hinnawi predicted so-called adja- acquisitions, potentially another tel- get companies that we’re looking at.” licence and spectrum or we exit,” added Temps said the “adjustment” was ent’s 2015 revenue and in which it holds cent services will provide about 15 ecom operator. Domestic revenue fell 6 percent Hinnawi. “The Saudi market is huge needed amid a “difficult” watch a 96 percent stake. percent of revenue in 2019-2020, up “We have many options. One is to BD154m in 2015, although profit and has great potential, but you need market, hit by a “significant” slow- “We’re going to terminate the sale from 5-8 percent currently. to expand. We shouldn’t retain much was near flat at BD37.3m. This was the right set-up.” down in the tourism in Europe since the deadly attacks in Paris last November, as well as a stronger Swiss franc. The value of the Swiss franc Blow to hedge funds ballooned after the Swiss central Rosneft to pay $500m to bank in January 2015 suddenly stopped artificially trying to hold down its value against the as debt injunction in euro, hitting exporters in the coun- try hard. boost stake in Venezuela oil The document however said Richemont would strive to “limit Argentina to be lifted the downsizing as far as possi- Bloomberg holder of the world’s largest oil reserves ble” by transferring the affected to weather its deepest recession in a employees to other brands owned Bloomberg “Everything is going in the direc- decade. With the plunge in oil prices by the group. tion” of normalising Argentina’s eroding government revenue, Maduro Richemont last month said its international financial situation, CARACAS: Russia’s Rosneft OAO raised gasoline prices this week for global sales had shrunk four percent the country’s cabinet chief, Marcos agreed to pay $500m to Petroleos de the first time in almost two decades in the October to December quar- NEW YORK: Argentina persuaded Pena, said, according to a government Venezuela SA to increase its stake in and devalued the nation’s currency to ter, hit especially hard by sluggish a US judge to drop court orders bar- statement e-mailed. There is a “gen- their Petromonagas crude-process- get more bolivars for its petrodollars. luxury spending in Europe. ring the country from issuing new eral understanding” with Argentine ing joint venture. The Petromonagas project in Ven- The group is not the only one hit bonds or servicing its restructured provincial governors and legislators The deal will increase Rosneft’s ezuela’s Orinoco belt produces and by the slumping market for Swiss debt, taking a key step back into the to repeal the laws that block reach- ownership to 40 percent in the project, upgrades more than 130,000 barrels watches. global financial mainstream after a ing an agreement with the holders which converts heavy oil into syn- a day of crude, according to Rosneft. In 2015, Swiss watch exports 15-year standoff with creditors. of defaulted debt. thetic crude, the company said in an for production in the Venezuelan oil Rosneft and PDVSA also signed an recorded their first full-year decline US District Judge Thomas Griesa Spokesmen for Elliott Management e-mailed statement. Rosneft previ- industry comes amid a crisis,” President agreement for the joint development since 2009, contracting by 3.3 agreed to drop the injunctions once and Aurelius Capital Management, ously held 16.7 percent, while PDVSA, Nicolas Maduro (pictured) said during of production, treatment and sale of percent. Argentina repeals laws barring pay- the hedge funds leading the litiga- as the Venezuelan state-owned com- a televised ceremony where officials natural gas from offshore fields includ- And last month, exports slumped ment of its defaulted debt and makes tion, didn’t immediately return phone pany is known, had the remaining 83.3 from Rosneft and PDVSA signed the ing Patao, Mejillones and potentially nearly eight percent, according to full payment to bondholders who settle calls seeking comment. An official in percent in the joint venture. deal in Monagas state. Rio Caribe, according to the Rosneft the Federation of the Swiss Watch by February 29. The decision is con- Argentina’s finance ministry said the “The $500m in new investment The cash infusion will help the statement. Industry. ditioned on a federal appeals court’s government won’t be issuing a state- allowing Griesa’s ruling to go forward. ment on Griesa’s ruling. With the ruling, hedge funds “This is huge news for Argen- including Paul Singer’s Elliott Man- tina. It shows enormous confidence agement and Aurelius Capital in the new administration,” said Kath- Largest vessel ever to call at a US port Management lose a powerful tool to ryn Rooney Vera, head of research force payment from Argentina, while at Bulltick Capital Markets. “Macri the country gains greater leverage in truly is equivalent to a ‘new Argen- settlement negotiations. The decision tina.’ Resolve holdouts issue, return to represents a vote of confidence in the markets, stabilise a previously unsus- administration of Argentina’s new tainable economic framework. Macri president, Mauricio Macri, which has has kicked off with a bang.” negotiated with holders of defaulted Argentina on February 5 reached debt and settled more than $1bn in agreements in principal to pay more claims. “Put simply, President Macri’s than $1bn to settle with billionaire election changed everything,” Griesa Kenneth Dart’s EM Ltd and Montreux said. “The Republic has shown a good- Partners. The nation also made public faith willingness to negotiate with an offer to settle with any defaulted the holdouts.” bondholder in cash for the bonds’ Griesa’s decision follows a reversal original principal plus 50 percent. in approach from Cristina Fernan- Bondholders whose cases were cov- dez de Kirchner, Argentina’s former ered by the injunctions and held court president, who left office in Decem- judgments could claim 70 percent of ber. Kirchner referred to holders of the judgment amount. Bondholders the defaulted debt as “vultures” and covered by the injunctions but not called Griesa, the 85-year-old jurist holding judgments were entitled to overseeing lawsuits tied to Argentina’s 70 percent of the current accrued 2001 default, a “senile judge.” Kirch- value of the claims. ner triggered a new default in 2014 Argentina followed with a $110m when Argentina was blocked from settlement with Capital Markets making payments on its restructured Financial Services. debt after refusing to pay holders of The nation has also reached the defaulted debt. settlements with holders of euro- Once the injunctions are removed, denominated bonds and with 50,000 Argentina will no longer be blocked Italian bondholders. Griesa credited from paying those investors who Daniel Pollack, the New York lawyer he The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin container ship stands at its berth before its inauguartion ceremony at Long Beach, California. The CMA CGM agreed to debt exchanges in 2005 appointed to coordinate negotiations, Benjamin Franklin is the largest vessel ever to call at a port in the United States and is 1,300-foot long with a capacity of 18,000 containers. and 2010. with helping reach the agreements. European Union lenders working on plan for gradual Greek debt relief

Reuters The plan has been discussed among offi- IMF mission reviewing the country’s progress and the IMF over the bailout programme was cials from the European Commission, the euro on a pensions overhaul, fiscal targets and the undermining government efforts to help the zone’s rescue fund, the European Central Bank, handling of bad loans, took a break earlier Greek economy recover after years of recession. and the larger euro zone nations, the paper said. this month. It was unclear when the lenders The IMF has said that it stands ready to sup- ATHENS: Greece’s EU lenders have been work- The lenders have publicly spoken about will return in Athens. Without their positive port Greece only if the country’s EU partners ing on a plan to offer the country gradual debt granting debt relief on condition reforms are first assessment of the reforms, Greece cannot granted it “significant” debt relief. But Europe relief on condition that it adopts additional completed. start relief talks it is seeking to show austerity- has made clear that it wants conclusion of the reforms by 2022, the Agora weekly newspa- Asked about the report, Finnish Finance weary Greeks their sacrifices are paying off. review before launching debt relief talks. per reported. Minister Alexander Stubb said: “At this moment, Speaking after an EU summit that on Fri- The Fund’s director for Europe, Poul Thom- They would initially allow lower inter- we are not looking at debt relief but at complet- day agreed a deal to help keep Britain in the sen, said last week that Greece will also need est rates and longer maturities on Greece’s ing the third programme’s first interim review.” bloc and tackle the region’s migration crisis, to implement extra measures worth about 9 €316bn debt, the paper said. At a later stage, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, chairman of the euro- Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (pic- billion euros to meet its fiscal targets by 2018. there would be talks on linking debt payments zone finance ministers group, had said they tured) said all EU partners agreed the review “The whole pressure is on us. So, I can’t to economic growth provided Athens imple- were concerned with the quality of the reforms needed to conclude as soon as possible. see how the IMF thinks its role as that of an mented measures to be agreed with creditors Greece had promised in return for its bailout. Greece’s finance minister suggested on Sat- “honest broker,” Euclid Tsakalotos said in an by 2022, it added. Negotiations between the heads of the EU/ urday that differences between EU partners interview . BUSINESS MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 25 Boring may be better than bonuses for some Nordic banks

control over lending, which it says benefited from not having the bloated helps reduce bad loan risks. investment banking operations that Handelsbanken has It had an efficiency ratio — a many European lenders have had a smaller proportion measure of a bank’s operating costs to restructure at great expense in as a percentage of its revenue — of the face of tougher regulation that of bad loans than 45.3 percent in 2015. By comparison, reduced profitability. the industry average Deutsche Bank had 115.3 percent and But some executives and econ- BNP Paribas 82.9 percent. omists see potential risks on the in Europe. Rating Former Swedish Finance Minister horizon; home prices in the region institute Moody’s Anders Borg has lauded its approach, have risen sharply over the past upgraded its long- calling for more “boring” banking two decades, raising fears of hous- based on borrowing and lending over ing bubbles that could burst, while term credit rating the risk-taking and expansionist poli- household debt levels are among the to Aa2 in 2015, cies in the global industry that helped highest in Europe. In Sweden, they cause the 2008 financial crisis. stand at around 170 percent of dis- the highest rating “I wouldn’t use the word boring, posable income. in Europe of all but we don’t want any surprises,” For now though, Nordic lenders Handelsbanken finance chief Ulf are regarded as among the most sta- comparable banks Riese said. “The one risk we do like ble in Europe. Sweden has some of to take is credit risk because we know the toughest capital requirements our customers so well and have such in Europe, forcing banks to set aside a local presence.” more profits rather than shifting it to Reuters Nordic banks’ relatively conserva- shareholders. This has brought down tive approach to risk and cost control their borrowing costs. has sheltered them somewhat from Handelsbanken has a smaller pro- the turbulence across the continent; portion of bad loans than the industry STOCKHOLM: Just seven months while the European banking index average in Europe. Rating institute A branch of Handelsbanken in Wilmslow, northern England. Just seven months ago, Sweden’s Handelsbanken ago, Sweden’s Handelsbanken was had dropped more than 20 percent Moody’s upgraded its long-term credit worth almost $20bn less than Deut- this year, as of 0800 GMT on Friday, was worth almost $20bn less than Deutsche Bank. This month, it eclipsed Germany’s flagship lender. rating to Aa2 in 2015, the highest rat- sche Bank. This month, it eclipsed the six major Nordic banks were down ing in Europe of all comparable banks. Germany’s flagship lender. on average about 8 percent. a combined net profit of ¤13.2bn a tenth this year compared with 2014. Barrass, banking analyst at Berenberg The bank, which made a 2015 Its market value has held up as Handelsbanken has fallen just ($14.6bn). Handelsbanken reported the Many have moved parts of their bank. “They have shown the path that operating profit of 20.5bn Swed- concerns over negative interest rates 1 percent this year, giving it a mar- biggest profit in its 144-year history. operations from city centres to the you should follow in a negative rate ish crowns ($2.4bn), has no revenue and bad debts, along with spiralling ket value of about $24.5bn on Friday, They have all slashed costs as they cheaper suburbs and invested heavily environment or as net interest mar- growth target. Handelsbanken staff macro-economic worries, have seen topping Deutsche Bank’s $23.8bon. At sought to recover from the crisis and in digitalisation, allowing them to cut gins get squeezed.” join a scheme that awards them an other European lenders slide this year. the beginning of August it was worth navigate negative interest rates; Swe- staff. Nordea held one in seven cus- “Nordics banks have been self- equal share of the bank’s profits — the Handelsbanken epitomises a more around $28.5bn against Deutsche’s den and Denmark were among the tomer meetings online in the fourth aware enough to realise that to keep same for kitchen staff at the bank’s conservative Nordic banking style $48bn. first countries to introduce such rates. quarter. returns high, you can’t just rely on head office as for its CEO — which that prioritises cost control over reve- The six Nordic lenders — also Danske for example has reduced “We have argued for a long time growth in a balance sheet recession- cannot be accessed until they reach nue growth. It pays no annual bonuses including Sweden’s Nordea , Swed- the number of branches to about 300 that Nordic banks, Swedbank and ary scenario - rather, you must focus the age of 60. “We think of the bank as to executives and has a decentralised bank and SEB, Norway’s DNB and in 2015 from almost 800 in 2008 Nordea in particular, have been the on costs.” our bank and that it is our own money model that gives branch managers Denmark’s Danske Bank — made while Swedbank plans to cut costs by canaries in the coal mine,” said Adam Banks in the region have also at stake,” said Riese. Pound traders brace for months of swings as EU vote called

Bloomberg timing of the poll,” said David Page, a deemed more at risk in a “Brexit” senior economist at AXA Investment scenario, have fallen less than their Managers in London. “Weakness is European peers. Pictet Asset Man- likely to reflect any increased per- agement says UK stocks are not LONDON: Pound traders are expect- ception of the likelihood to leave and reflecting the true danger of an exit. ing little respite from the currency’s as such is likely to be a constant fea- Goldman Sachs Group Inc said volatility after UK Prime Minister ture over the coming months.” earlier this month that if Britain quits David Cameron called a referen- The pound climbed 0.5 percent to the EU sterling could fall to $1.15- dum on the nation’s European Union $1.4406 as of 5pm New York time on $1.20 -- levels last since in 1985. membership for June 23. Friday. While the currency is down HSBC Holdings Plc said in January The pound jumped the most in 2.2 percent this year, it has rebounded that a forecast for a jump to $1.60 more than two weeks against the from an almost seven-year low of by year-end relied on the nation dollar after Cameron finalised a deal $1.4080 reached in January. “The remaining in the 28-member club. with EU leaders on Britain’s relation- pound is likely to bounce near term” Traders’ attention may now turn ship with the rest of the 28-nation as investors see the deal “as increasing to the stance of ministers who, while bloc in the closing hours of trading the prospects of Britain voting to stay given a free hand by Cameron to in New York on Friday. Still, a meas- in,” said Mansoor Mohi-uddin, senior campaign against the government’s ure of traders’ expectations for price markets strategist in Singapore at Royal position, were asked not to announce swings in the pound against the euro Bank of Scotland Group Plc. Still, “as their intentions until after the cabi- during the next six months remained we get closer towards June 23, inves- net meeting. at the highest since 2011. The deal tors are likely to become increasingly Cameron was given a fillip yes- Cameron secured means he is rec- nervous,” he said. terday when Business Secretary Sajid Unpolished amber stones are shown at a warehouse rented by Hong Kong Takung Assets and Equity of ommending the UK should stay in the Sterling added 0.2 percent to 77.29 Javid and Home Secretary Theresa Artworks Exchange Co Ltd in Hong Kong recently. EU, he said yesterday. pence per euro on Friday, paring its May, both seen as wavering over Although the announcement drop this year to 4.6 percent. Six-month which way to vote, threw their sup- of the date removes one aspect of implied volatility for the pound ver- port behind the campaign to remain. ambiguity for traders, they now face sus the euro, a measure of price swings Six ministers, including Justice Secre- China art trading house promises months of polls and campaigning that based on options, was at 12.10 percent, tary Michael Gove, were later pictured could boost volatility further. With the highest level since September 2011, at the headquarters of one of several traders already pushing back bets based on closing prices. groups campaigning to leave the EU. on the timing of a Bank of England The uncertainty over the vote The support of London Mayor investors a sound platform interest-rate increase, the prospect hasn’t had the same impact on equi- Boris Johnson for either side may of Britain leaving the world’s larg- ties. While UK stock swings have prove key to sterling, given his est single market had been causing increased this year, FTSE 100 Index popularity with the British public, Reuters platform: “Here I know my assets are Chairman and Chief Executive Di further concern, helping push down implied volatility remains lower than according Morgan Stanley. Should he safe, and for a long time.” Xiao, Takung neither buys nor sells the pound against most of its Group- for the euro area. And the weaken- choose to publicly back the exit cam- Online art marketplaces have art on its own account, but charges of-10 peers this year. ing of the pound has actually helped paign, “the pound should come under proliferated as the Internet has a percentage fee for owners to list “The pound’s weakness is a prod- the gauge perform better than any immediate pressure,” analysts led by HONG KONG: As China’s economy grown, with sites from Beijing’s works that will be traded on the plat- uct of uncertainty of the UK’s ongoing other major market in the region. Hans Redeker wrote in an e-mailed wheezes to a 25-year low, inves- Hihey.com to New York-based form for a guaranteed 10 years, as membership of the union, not the Even small- and mid-cap companies, report on Friday. tors who once collected stocks and Artspace offering art lovers an well as trading commissions. property are turning to what they are alternative to traditional auction The art’s price tag is then broken willing to believe will become a new houses. Giants of e-commerce are down into a large number of small safe haven market - a trading plat- also in on the act — Amazon.com ‘units’ - for example, a painting val- form for fine art. Inc operates Amazon Art, featur- ued at HK$1.2m may be divided into New Volvo V90 model Even as the global fever among ing $200,000 oil paintings. 1.2 million units at HK$1 apiece. Plat- connoisseurs cools for Chinese art, But traditional art auction houses form users then trade units, the price Hong Kong-based Takung Art Co said such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s Inter- changing according to demand - and its revenue and profit jumped along national have seen overall sales slow so far, every work on the platform with rampant growth in valuations of late amid global economic uncer- has appreciated in their notional on- for a portfolio of paintings, jewelry tainty. By 2014 the global auction screen value, often by huge multiples. and precious gems. Via Takungs’s market for Chinese art and antiques This week Takung reported reve- platform, investor-enthusiasts can had slid to $7.9 billion, nearly a nue more than doubled to $11.3m and partly own, buy and sell Chinese art third below its 2011 peak, according net profit nearly quadrupled to $5.4m. pieces over a 10-year period. to a joint survey by online auction “We believe that our sharp increases The small US-listed firm said platform Artnet and the Chinese in revenue and profitability validate thousands of customers like Shenzhen- Association of Auctioneers. the soundness of our shared fine art based finance professional Zhou are Philip Hoffman, chief executive ownership model,” Di Xiao said. boosting trading of units in artwork of the Fine Art Fund Group in Lon- After trading on the platform listed on its platform. Takung said the don, said he would be very surprised for 10 years, Takung said works will notional value of its portfolio of con- if Takung’s model was translated out- be sold “in any way available at the temporary pieces has surged over 700 side China as the mode of investing time, including auction house, gal- percent to $179m since it launched the was risky. “A lot of these people leries and/or a 1-to-1 transaction platform at the end of 2013. (using the online platform) simply platform that we are developing”. “We all want an easy, safe place have the financial approach with The first such sale is due in December to earn money,” said Zhou, 37. For- no art understanding whatsoever,” 2023, with proceeds to be distributed merly a stock investor, Zhou said said Hoffman, whose fund manages among the shared ownership. Asked he researches art trends personally $350m-$500m in art assets. what might happen if the art fetched A new model of Volvo V90 car on display in Stockholm recently. and currently has around 400,000 Takung’s model is a first for Hong less than its on-platform valuation, yuan ($61,360) tied up in Takung’s Kong. The brainchild of 40-year-old Takung said, 26 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 9,907.82 0.60 % QE Total Return Index 15,452.24 0.60 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,522.92 0.32 % QE All Share Index 2,646.7 0.41 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,710.35 0.50 % QE All Share Industrials 2,868.49 0.32 % QE All Share Transportation 2,331.29 0.43 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,158.59 0.96 % QE All Share Insurance 4,229.6 0.06 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,053.68 0.73 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 5,839.51 1.04 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 21-02-2016 Today 18-02-2016 Previous day Index 9,907.82 9,967.25 Change 59.43 152.73 % 0.60 1.56 YTD% 5 4 .43 Volume 12,888,526 12,273,046 Value (QAR) 458,482,305.99 392,098,317.64 Trades 5,182 5,931 Up 18 | Down 19 | Unchanged 01

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 4938.372 -23.221 -0.47 5379.6 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4197.23 86.57 2.11 4586.11 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 16196.41 222.57 1.39 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 18924.57 -197.51 -1.03 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6041.29 118.98 2.01 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 31469.7 -203.46 -0.64 33304.4 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 15836.36 -218.07 -1.36 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2134.72 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.2145 QR 5.2908 Euro QR 4.0168 QR 4.0980 CA$ QR 2.6202 QR 2.6799 Budget session to steer Indian equity markets Swiss Fr QR 3.6403 QR 3.7325 Yen QR 0.0319 QR 0.0328 IANS Aus$ QR 2.5738 QR 2.6391 currency markets on Friday and ended the day’s trade at 68.72. Domestically, Ind Re QR 0.0523 QR 0.0536 the rupee had closed unchanged from its Pak Re QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 previous close of 68.47 to a greenback on Peso QR 0.0751 QR 0.0775 MUMBAI: Parliamentary proceedings, Thursday. The domestic currency markets SL Re QR 0.0250 QR 0.0256 coupled with US macro-economic data and were closed on Friday. trends in crude oil prices, are expected to Besides, the union budget economic Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0469 steer the Indian equity markets during the survey and railway budget will dictate Nep Re QR 0.0330 QR 0.0336 upcoming week. trend on the bellwether indices informed SA Rand QR 0.2303 QR 0.2349 Even the budgetary announcements, Gaurav Jain, director with Hem Securities. rupee’s trajectory and the interest of for- “Indices may seem to remain volatile eign investors will give vital cues to the with positive bias ahead of expiry of Feb- GOLD AND SILVER markets’ next moves. ruary series derivative contract, economic “Markets would continue to be lacklus- survey and reform measures announced in GOLD QR141.4733 per gramme tre and news driven. Forthcoming budget the upcoming railway budget in the week SILVER QR1.7946 per gramme expectations and corporate earnings would ahead,” Jain said. be watched closely,” predicted Devendra In addition, global cues, such as crude Nevgi, chief executive of ZyFin Advisers. oil prices and the trends in foreign funds Pankaj Sharma, head of equities for inflows will be keenly observed. Equirus Securities, elaborated that inves- “Markets will continue to react to glo- tors will be guided and influenced by bal cues with US home sales and GDP data Most Gulf bourses developments surrounding the union expected next week,” Agarwal added. budget. “The market would read the Analysts forecast the continuation of important cues on budget from key deci- the relief rally at the Indian bellwether sion makers, both politicians and senior indices. Short-covering, value buying lose steam bureaucrats and react accordingly,” and positive global cues had swelled the Sharma noted. equity markets, during the just-concluded “One good thing in all this market may- Market participants expect the cen- political turmoil will be keenly followed weekly trade. The barometer 30-scrip sen- Reuters hem over last 6-7 weeks which has been tral government to increase expenditure, by market participants. The parliament’s sitive index (S&P Sensex) of the Bombay led by global factors is that the usual buzz announce tax concessions and pave the budget session will commences from Stock Exchange (BSE) zoomed by 723.03 on budget has largely been missing.” way to reduce the NPAs levels of the bank- tomorrow. “Any signs of a washout in the points or 3.14 percent to 23,709.15 points Vaibhav Agarwal, vice president and ing sector. “Sentiments are currently down initial few days will dampen sentiments during the just concluded week. Similarly, DUBAI: Most Gulf stock markets edged down yester- research head at Angel Broking, pointed and any positive announcement is surely and dent the rupee,” Banerjee stated. the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National day after oil prices pulled back on Friday, as optimism out that investors have not priced in the going to trigger a relief rally in the equity He explained that an “over-valued Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 229.8 points faded over a proposed deal among crude producers to possibility of key reforms being passed in markets. This rally might spill over to the rupee” will come under pressure from or 3.29 percent to 7,210.75 points. cap output. A rise in shares of Commercial International the parliament session. currency markets,” Anindya Banerjee, tomorrow onwards as a string of US eco- Global indices, too rose with the Dow Bank buoyed Egypt’s bourse. “Any progress towards implementa- associate vice president for currency deriv- nomic data released till date is expected to Jones Industrial Average closing the week The Saudi stock index, which rose 3.9 percent last tion of important reforms such as the GST atives with Kotak Securities, said. keep the dollar well supported. with gains of 2.6 percent. London’s FTSE week, fell back 0.1 percent, though trading remained (goods and services tax) would be a key According to Banerjee, normal par- The rupee had crashed to an all time rose by 4.2 percent during the week under active. Saudi Basic Industries slipped 0.7 percent. Some trigger for the markets,” Agarwal said. liamentary proceedings, after the recent low at 68.89 to the dollar in the oversees review. second-tier stocks continued to attract eager buying by local retail investors, however, with Middle East Paper surging its 10 percent daily limit and Al Tayyar Travel climbing 4 percent. The Dubai stock index was almost flat. Emaar Prop- Egyptian pound steady erties lost 0.8 percent. But Arabtec surged 8.3 percent after it reported a net loss of Dh360m ($98.02m) for the three months to December 31, compared with a loss of Dh94.4m a year earlier. against the dollar GFH Financial, the most heavily traded stock, surged 6.9 percent. It has been rising sharply since Abu Dhabi Financial Group’s capital markets arm, Integrated Cap- Reuters market is now limited to regular cus- ital, said that it had increased its stake in GFH to 10 tomers, traders said, as they feared a percent. Previously its stake was 7.4 percent. government crackdown. Last week the Qatar fell 0.6 percent as petrochemicals and metals central bank shut down 4 exchange producer Industries Qatar slid 1.6 percent. But Qatar Gas CAIRO: The Egyptian pound held bureaus for trading with unofficial rates. Transport Co (Nakilat) rose 0.4 percent after posting a steady against the dollar at an official Egypt has been starved of foreign 12.1 percent rise in fourth-quarter net profit to QR226m foreign currency auction yesterday and currency since an uprising in 2011 drove ($62m). Qatari Investors Group jumped its 10 percent on the black market, with traders limit- tourists and foreign investors away. Its daily limit after it said it would hold an extraordinary ing their transactions to regular clients foreign currency reserves have tum- shareholders meeting on March 6 to discuss the plan. after the central bank began cracking bled from $36bn in 2011 to $16.48bn In Kuwait, Ooredoo Kuwait jumped 9.4 percent down on unofficial trading. at the end of January, and the country after it raised its dividend for 2015 despite swinging to Egypt, which depends heavily on has been rationing dollars through the a fourth-quarter net loss. imports, is facing a foreign currency weekly dollar auctions to banks, keep- HIGHLIGHTS crisis and is under increasing pressure ing the pound artificially strong. SAUDI ARABIA: The index edged down 0.1 percent to devalue the pound, but the bank sur- The central bank has repeatedly to 5,881 points. prised markets when it strengthened said it is not planning a devaluation EGYPT: The index rose 1.1 percent to 6,008 points. the pound by 20 piasters in November but economists, business people and DUBAI: The index edged up 0.03 percent to 3,094 points. and held it steady ever since. money changers all say it cannot hold ABU DHABI: The index edged down 0.1 percent to The central bank sold $38.8m at a out forever. 4,209 points. cut-off price of 7.7301 pounds to the Egypt is reluctant to devalue the QATAR: The index fell 0.6 percent to 9,908 points. dollar yesterday, unchanged from the currency due to concerns that this KUWAIT: The index fell 0.2 percent to 5,132 points. previous auction. The official rate is would fuel inflation, already in dou- OMAN: The index edged down 0.1 percent to still far stronger than the black market ble digits. The bank’s Monetary Policy 5,412 points. rate, which was stable at 9.10 pounds Committee raised benchmark rates by A man walks past an exchange bureau advertisement showing images of the US dollar BAHRAIN: The index edged down 0.1 percent to per dollar yesterday. 50 basis points last month, citing infla- 1,172 points. in Cairo yesterday. Trading for dollars in the black tionary pressures. BUSINESS VIEWS MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 27

Global economy Market storm could catch seeking evidence eurozone unprepared of the slowdown

By Balazs Koranyi said about the United States. Reuters “But if this is true, why did the data for January show an accel- eration in consumer spending, a decline in the unemployment rate, ORRIES about a an acceleration in wage inflation, global slowdown and an increase in consumer will keep inves- confidence?” tors focused on The minutes of the Federal early indicators of Reserve’s last meeting were far Wstress next week, looking for signs from pessimistic, and San Fran- that resilient domestic demand cisco Fed President John Williams in Europe and the US can sustain said the economy was “looking growth in spite of emerging mar- pretty good,” arguing for gradual kets struggles. rate hikes. Surveys on manufactur- The biggest risk to the recov- ing and consumer sentiment on ery is the financial market turmoil. both sides of the Atlantic will That appears to have abated in offer clues about how much the recent days, but it carries the risk strain of weak trade, investment of tighter lending that could drag and wage growth are spilling into on growth. advanced economies. “While a decline in energy The euro area and the US prices can be considered as akin had both been expected to to monetary stimulus or a tax cut, A file picture of wads of euro banknotes stacked in a pile. weather the global dip relatively this time around price declines unharmed, but the OECD poured have been so large that markets cold water on those hopes this have begun discounting higher week, when it slashed its GDP default risks for banks, result- forecasts for nearly all the major ing in sovereign CDS spreads to By Yves Clarisse despite the European Central Bank’s bond- Political risk is a significant factor in economies. Germany, Canada widen as well,” SEB economist Reuters buying programme and negative interest the new market anxiety. Portugal has a and the US saw some of the big- Lauri Halikka said. rates, making it harder for heavily indebted shaky three-party leftist government that gest cuts. “Given also increased uncer- eurozone countries to pay down debt. has gone back on some of the austerity The European Central Bank tainty regarding the global Yet euro zone governments transfixed measures adopted by its centre-right pred- also pointed to fresh growth risks economic outlook, capital out- ISTRACTED by an unresolved by differences over sharing out refugees, ecessor since a 2011 bailout. this week, but it argued that most flows from China and tighter migration crisis and negoti- managing Europe’s porous borders and Only one ratings agency still rated of them came from outside the financial conditions, bank lend- ations on keeping Britain in accommodating British demands for con- Lisbon’s debt at investment grade — a euro zone. The domestic recov- ing, investment and consumption the European Union, euro- cessions on EU membership terms have a condition for remaining in the ECB’s asset ery was progressing as expected, may all weaken,” it added. zone leaders could be caught huge amount on their hands already. One purchase programme. Eurozone officials, supported by growing consump- China reported another set unprepared by a new storm French government adviser said the EU had however, play down the risk of Portugal tion, the bank said. of dismal trade figures recently, Don financial markets. never faced such an accumulation of crises going off the rails, saying that if it were to “So far, the data by and large indicating that its economy Global market turmoil since the start of in the last 50 years. risk losing market access, the ESM could point to resilience,” UBS said in continued to slow. That raised the year has helped set warning lights flash- At their most recent meeting, eurozone offer it a precautionary credit line on strict a note to clients. “However, we expectations of further govern- ing in eurozone sovereign bond markets. In finance ministers said the latest market tur- reform conditions. noticed a weakening of some of ment measures and revived talk early February, the premium that investors moil was no reason for concern at this stage. Spain is being run by a caretaker cen- the most sensitive indicators in that another yuan devaluation charge to hold Portuguese, Spanish and Ital- They insisted that the eurozone is very dif- tre-right minority government following January.” my come. ian government debt rather than German ferent now from its situation in 2010 in terms an inconclusive election in December, and “The earliest signs of weak- Chinese exports fell by 11.2 bonds hit some of the highest levels since of institutions and instruments available to its budget deficit has ballooned off course ness will likely emerge in percent in January from a year the eurozone crisis that peaked in 2011-2012. handle another outbreak of the crisis. in the meantime. But the Spanish econ- confidence indicators of the earlier, their seventh straight European bank shares have been badly Among them are the European Stability omy is still growing and its banks have highly export-orientated indus- month of decline. Imports tum- hit by concerns over their high stock of non- Mechanism (ESM) rescue fund, better capi- been thoroughly overhauled. Greece’s left- trial/manufacturing sectors, bled 18.8 percent for the 15th performing loans, new regulatory burdens talised banks, a partial banking union with a ist government is wrangling with creditors above all in the manufacturing month of decline. Both were far and a squeeze on profits due to sub-zero single supervisory authority under the ECB, a once again on implementation of its third PMIs and the German Ifo index,” worse than expected. official interest rates. New EU banking mechanism for winding down failing banks, bailout since 2010 amid strikes and pro- UBS said, referring to reports due But capital outflows are even regulations that force shareholders and and an embryonic bank resolution fund. tests against a planned pension reform and early next week. more worrying. They suggest bondholders to take first losses if a bank The ECB has also come a long way since tax increases for farmers. Fresh lending and money sup- Chinese authorities may need needs rescuing are further spooking the 2010, widening its policy scope to so-called Yet no one in Athens, Brussels or Berlin ply figures, another set of early to step in to arrest the exodus, a market, notably in Italy. quantitative easing, creating money to buy wants another Greek crisis after last year’s indicators of trouble, are also due move that could have reverber- All this comes at a euro zone government bonds in a bid to near exit from the eurozone, so the chances next week. Investors will want to ate throughout Europe and the time when public resist- revive inflation and boost recovery. Mar- of a compromise that keeps the third Greek know if last month’s poor figures United States. ance to further austerity kets expect the ECB to loosen monetary bailout programme on the road in the com- were one-offs or signs of trouble “China’s central bank is los- measures has surged all policy still further next month, but it’s not ing weeks is high. In Rome, Socialist Prime brewing. ing forex reserves at an alarming over southern Europe, clear that such a move would bolster confi- Minister Matteo Renzi is waging a war or US consumer confidence pace,” Commerzbank economist producing unstable dence in the banks. words against the European Union’s budget data due tomorrow is expected Ulrich Leuchtmann said. Although results at the ballot box. And nothing that has happened so far is discipline rules which he says are constrain- to show a slight dip, but durable the government has implemented Furthermore, the close to the problems seen in 2011-2012. The ing his efforts to stimulate long moribund goods orders are expected to show a set of measures, they may not be storm clouds are gather- spread between Portuguese and German 10 economic growth. an increase and a PMI report due enough to slow the outflow. European bank shares ing above a tenuous and year bond yields hit more than 1550 basis Italy, which has the highest public debt today is expected to indicate man- “If this mix of measures does have been badly hit slow eurozone economic points then; the February 2016 high was just ratio to economic output of any eurozone ufacturing remains resilient. not work out, the government by concerns over their recovery — growth is shy of 380 bps. But worries about banks have country except Greece, is required by EU “Despite the macro data will soon face a tough decision: officially forecast to been spreading to sovereign bonds in more rules to make a big debt reduction in 2017, doing well, pessimists often try It will either have to let the yuan high stock of non- reach 1.9 percent this vulnerable countries in a revival of the so- a pre-election year, which may explain to convince me that we are on depreciate sharply or impose performing loans, new year versus around 1.6 called “doom loop” that EU reforms were Renzi’s outbursts against Brussels and the road to a full-blown credit explicit restrictions on capital percent in 2015. South- meant to remove. Berlin. “The European Commission is crisis, which will push the econ- flows,” Leuchtmann said. “Chi- regulatory burdens ern periphery countries Pressure from eurozone hawks such going to have to apply its flexibility rules omy into a recession,” Deutsche na’s exchange rate policy will thus and a squeeze on all face budget problems as Germany and the Netherlands to either with particular flexibility,” said a former Bank economist Torsten Sløk keep markets on edge.” that are fuelling politi- limit the amount of home-country debt that euro zone policymaker, who struggled to profits due to sub-zero cal tension with Brussels. a bank may hold, or give national sovereign enforce fiscal discipline during the crisis. official interest rates Inflation is also debt differential risk weightings on banks’ But EU officials say Italy has already ben- refusing to perk up books have added to uncertainty. efited from plenty of flexibility. Nigeria struggles as Buhari wrangles with budget and naira

AFP computers and furniture that are duplicated Nigeria has frozen the naira at 197-199 to people bemoan the price of previously afford- 24 times, totalling 46.5bn naira. the dollar for almost a year in a bid to protect able staples. “A plate of rice that was sold for This opens the door for graft, according the poor, while the government has banned a 200 naira in December is now 350 naira. Cus- to Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, wide range of imports — including toothpicks tomers are complaining because they don’t HEN Nigerian President Muham- a Nigerian transparency group. “It clearly and shovels — to conserve foreign exchange get the same ration like before,” street food madu Buhari finally swore in showed there was foul play,” said Onigbinde reserves. The policy has been criticised by vendor Mary Idowu said. his cabinet in November, nearly said. “Nigerians are in a crisis period with the international investors, who say pegging the A 50kg bag of rice that used to cost 9,000 six months after taking office, price of oil dipping below 30 dollars, so there currency and restricting imports is futile and naira now costs 13,000, while a bag of beans Whe hoped to shake off his nickname “Baba should be a budget in line with the mood of only serves to suffocate growth. has gone up from 12,000 naira to 15,000, she Go Slow”. But troubling errors in the budget the time,” he added. Recent pressure from the IMF to devalue said. “Whenever I try to explain why prices of Africa’s largest economy and the continu- Buhari recently sacked the director-gen- the currency appears to have been rebuffed are high, they flare up,” Idowu said about her ing free fall of the naira on the black market eral of the budget office and appointed former by Buhari, who declared last month “I won’t customers. have both Nigerians and investors worried banker Tijjani Abdullahi to take the helm. Now kill the naira” and promised the country’s Rising food costs pushed the inflation rate Since its peak in 2014, that Buhari still isn’t moving fast enough to there are serious revisions to be made before economy will “stabilise soon”. to 9.6 in January — above the bank’s target address a deepening economic crisis. Buhari can sign off on the budget and inject “Investors aren’t confident because there range — with no sign the pressure will ease the global price of oil — Since its peak in 2014, the global price Nigeria’s sputtering economy with much- isn’t a clear path forward,” Rand Merchant Bank anytime soon. “Prices are rising, despite which accounted for two- of oil — which accounted for two-thirds of needed cash. It’s a process likely to take months. Africa analyst Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana said. attempts to keep the official Nigerian naira the Nigerian government’s revenue — has “We need more speed on this thing,” Onigbinde “As long as those budget delays are happening it exchange rate unchanged,” said Standard thirds of the Nigerian plunged by 70 percent, decimating economic said, “he (Buhari) should have moved faster means that the central bank is going to have to Chartered Bank economist Razia Khan. government’s revenue growth and the naira. In response, Buhari when he got into power.” do the heavy lifting for the economy,” she said, “It is unfortunate that our policy makers announced a record 6 trillion-naira ($30bn) The budget confusion is yet another speaking from Johannesburg. are very slow at responding to critical issues,” — has plunged by 70 budget promising to triple investment to stim- deterrent for investors already reluctant to “The worst case scenario is policy paraly- said Lagos Business School political economy percent, decimating ulate growth. invest in the country as a result of Buhari’s sis, particularly what we’ve been seeing with professor Pat Utomi. “The government should Yet his budget proposal was pockmarked monetary policies, which have caused a the central bank and foreign exchange policy.” realise it cannot continue to defend the naira economic growth and the with mistakes, repetitions and, given the cir- severe dollar shortage and the naira to hit Instead of protecting the poor, the pol- because it does not have enough reserves to naira cumstances, extravagant demands. The errors unprecedented lows of 340 against the dol- icy vacuum is stoking inflation on the streets do so,” he said. “Ultimately, the naira will find include the same purchases for vehicles, lar on the black market. of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, where its true value whether we devalue or not.” 28 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

Zero rates wrecked your savings? sight Relax on a $17,000 footstool Economists warn rise in property prices and in demand for art A global glut of cheap in the early 1990s. of recession within money is prompting An abrupt tight- investors to take ening of property investment rules by the three years in US unprecedented risks Japanese government in order to earn triggered a collapse in home prices, dragging IANS returns. From the down the art market United States to the with it. Japan’s sub- sequent slashing of 19-country eurozone, borrowing rates, which WASHINGTON: A very possible central banks have reached zero around recession within the next three 2000, failed to reani- years would take place in the US, lowered interest mate the economy. economists warned at a meet- rates to zero since During nearly ing of US governors. the financial crisis 20 years of defla- There is a “100 percent cer- tion, consumers have tainty” of a recession between started in 2007 and postponed spending, now and 2018, President of Fos- chain.” still haven’t been able believing prices will ler Group Gail Fosler (pictured) Acknowledging the fact that continue to fall. The said late on Saturday at the 2016 the US is still the world’s second- to raise them back country’s debt mean- National Governors Association largest net importer of oil, Finley while grew to twice Winter Meeting, which gathers argued that the falling oil prices the size of its economy. more than 30 state governors is beneficial to the US economy. This is precisely across the country. However, consumers are not By John O’Donnell the fate that the Euro- Urging governors across the spending the windfall resulted Reuters pean Central Bank is country to prepare in advance, from low oil prices, which poses A one-legged coffee table seen in Stockholm, Sweden. determined to avoid. Fosler said it is not only because a real concern for the economy, Its chief means of of the economic cycle, but also he added. Despite the predictions auction house, has seen rising doing so, however, involves keep- because what she foresees a from most of the panelists, only T doesn’t look like much, demand for Swedish art and Scan- ing borrowing rates low. financial shock in the upcom- one guest differs. but a boxy wooden vintage dinavian designer furniture. A negative rate In Switzerland, negative rates, ing years, Xinhua reported. “I don’t think it is a hundred Swedish footstool isn’t just a The prices of humble-looking increases the cost to which see the central bank charge The speculation of the US percent chance of a recession in place to rest your weary feet vintage carpets that capture the banks of hoarding banks to hold their money, are being economy entering a recession next three years. It happens when after cross-country skiing. country’s 1950s zeitgeist of social passed on to some customers, forced has been long, given the uncer- you have a massive spike in oil It is the latest competition equality have risen more than cash, designed to fire to pay to keep money on deposit. tainty of the stock market and prices, or a big bubble in some Ito hedge funds or high end real 10-fold within five years. One sold up lending Some people prefer to stuff money the downward trend of manufac- parts of the economy,” said Ethan estate. And that means it will cost for $82,000. under a mattress. The amount of cash turing, said Joseph Lake, Global Harris, managing director from you $17,000. The $17,000 footstool is typical stashed in homes or vaults from the Economist from the Economist Bank of America Merrill Lynch. A global glut of cheap money is of the sort of minimalist, utilitarian euro zone has topped ¤1 trillion, Intelligence Unit. However, given more years, prompting investors to take unprec- furniture you might find at a Nor- much of it in ¤500 notes. Though there is no need to people will get really worried edented risks in order to earn dic summer cottage. For an extra by 36 percent since the end of 2013. “It’s become clear to every- worry about a recession now, though the absence of the pre- returns. From the United States to $15,000, you can buy a small solid The sale last year of a $12m apart- body that we have negative interest the chance for the US economy conditions of a recession are not the 19-country eurozone, central wood coffee table to go with it. ment in Stockholm set a new record, rates, they seem to be here for a to enter into recession is more in place now, he said. banks have lowered interest rates to “Sales online in Sweden are though it would barely be noticed in while and this affects preferences than 50 percent in the next two The US economic growth zero since the financial crisis started exploding,” said Paulina Sokolow, London or New York. The boom has of investors,” said Alfred Roelli, a to four years, he noted. cooled to 0.7 percent in the fourth in 2007 and still haven’t been able to Bukowskis creative director. “The been fuelled in part by tax breaks senior portfolio manager at Pictet, a “There is already a reces- quarter of 2015, sharply down raise them back. prices are really increasing. I don’t but also by Sweden’s zero interest Swiss bank which introduces its cli- sion in the energy sector,” Mark from a robust two percent growth Nearly a decade of free money think we’ve seen the peak.” rate that turned negative in 2015. ents to art and collectibles at special Finley, General Manager of Global in the third quarter. helped these countries through the Hans Peterson, chief investment A negative rate increases the cost events. He said the low rate envi- Energy Markets and US Econom- A stronger US dollar, luke- worst of the crisis, but at a heavy cost strategist at Sweden’s SEB bank, says to banks of hoarding cash, designed ronment “forces people to be more ics from BP America Inc., said at warm consumer spending and the for savers, sapping earnings from tra- many customers want new ways to to fire up lending. But this heady envi- adventurous and more open to new the panel discussion. turbulent global economic out- ditional investments such as bonds invest. “Clients are frustrated,” he ronment, especially after a recent investment ideas”. There is a collapse in spend- look are blamed for the slowdown. and pushing many to look at riskier, said. “It results in having to buy into stock-market swoon, looks vulner- Robert Ketterer, who runs an auc- ing, investing and jobs in the Considering the changing unconventional alternatives. cyclically sensitive assets such as able. “Are the risks too high?” asked tion house in Germany, said the low energy sector, said Finley, scenario, the Federal Reserve Interest in hedge funds, property, equities, which can make those mar- Peterson. “Only time will tell.” rates “are good for business because adding “the reverberations becomes more cautious about paintings and wine has risen sharply. kets more volatile. People are also The experience of Japan, which it prompts some, who say they can’t of the energy shock truly are raising interest rates. Analysts This shift is pronounced in Swe- investing in property.” has been struggling through two “lost get a return on their savings, to buy felt nationwide, because of the also cut their projections for the den, a country where interest rates The soaring prices for Swedish decades” of stagnation, provides a art”. “Owners, on the other hand, are national dimension of our supply rate hikes in 2016 from four to two. have long been at rock bottom. footstools and rugs come in a coun- cautionary tale. Like many cities in reluctant to sell because they don’t Bukowskis, a trendy Stockholm try where property prices shot up Europe now, Tokyo too saw a sharp know what to do with the money.”

Looking back, the major responsible departments took Capital inadequate actions and had internal management issues. It was a correct strategy to take market-stabilizing measures against Chinese Premier Comment unusual movements in stocks and the currency. Li Keqiang

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk NAME IN THE MARKET: BOND ISSUANCE BlackRock @blackrock AHEAD OF THE TAPE

24% of 401k investors aren’t sure how to best In volatile markets, defense access their retirement savings. matters. But for longer-term investing, there has to be some offense. IIF @IIF

#China fiscal policy will become increasingly expansionary in 2016.

Fitch Ratings @ HEARD ON THE STREET FitchRatings

US High-Yield Energy Default Rate Hits 9% in February Rough markets are giving insurance companies a torrid time this year, in part Morgan Stanley @ because of a new capital MorganStanley regime that forces them to Drop in #oil prices pushes markets, market assets and liabilities majors, and investors to market prices. into uncharted waters www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 30 PAGE | 33 KKerber doesn’t Burns, Smith tons mmind the extra put Aussies in attention charge

MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 • 13 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Bouchard starts with gutsy win in Qatar

Ostapenko, Russia’s Margarita The wild card entry Gasparyan, Turkey’s Cagla Buyu- QATAR TOTAL OPEN kakcay, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, Order Of Play from Canada beats Ukraine’s Kateryna Bondarenko qualifier Anastasija and Croatia’s Donna Vekic also Centre Court start 3:30pm Sevastova of Latvia advanced to the second round of L Tsurenko (UKR) vs [9] R Vinci (ITA); [13] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [Q] A Konjuh (CRO) the $2.5m event. Not Before 7:00pm in three sets on In today’s action, seeded play- [14] J Jankovic (SRB) vs [Q] J Cepelova (SVK); [12] S Kuznetsova (RUS) vs J opening day of the ers Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Svet- Goerges (GER) Qatar Total Open lana Kuznetsova of Russia will play Court 1 start 3:30pm their first matches at the Qatar Total C Garcia (FRA) vs [Q] E Vesnina (RUS); T Pironkova (BUL) vs [16] S Errani (ITA); Open. K Mladenovic (FRA) vs B Strycova (CZE); [7] R Atawo (USA) / A Spears (USA) vs Wozniakci will play Ana Konjuh [WC] F Al Nabhani (OMA) / V Lepchenko (USA) of Croatia while Kuznetsova takes on The Peninsula Julia Goerges of Germany. Court 2 start 3:30pm Jankovic will face Jana Cepelova D Allertova (CZE) vs [15] E Svitolina (UKR); S Lisicki (GER) vs M Niculescu (ROU); B of Slovakia. Mattek-Sands (USA) vs [11] T Bacsinszky (SUI); D Hantuchova (SVK) / E Makarova DOHA: Rising Canadian tennis star In another game today, Timea (RUS) vs M Gasparyan (RUS) / M Niculescu (ROU) Eugenie Bouchard yesterday rallied Bacsinszky of Switzerland takes Court 3 start 3:30pm from a set down to beat qualifier on Bethanie Mattek Sands of the Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on the United States. D Gavrilova (AUS) vs M Doi (JPN); C Vandeweghe (USA) vs [Q] K Flipkens (BEL); opening day of the Qatar Total Open. The matches will be played T Babos (HUN) vs M Brengle (USA); [PR] C Chan (TPE) / K Marosi (HUN) vs L Bouchard, who got a wild card on Centre Court, Court Number 1, Kichenok (UKR) / N Kichenok (UKR) entry into the seven-day Premier Court Number 2, Court Number 3 Court 4 start 3:30pm 5 event, won 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in 2 and Court Number 4. Matches today Y Shvedova (KAZ) vs N Hibino (JPN); [WC] S Halep (ROU) / I Olaru (ROU) vs [8] hours and 28 minutes. start at 3:30pm A Klepac (SLO) / K Srebotnik (SLO); D Kasatkina (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) vs V Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns the ball to Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia It was the first meeting on the The winner takes home $518,50. Dushevina (RUS) / K Siniakova (CZE); C Chuang (TPE) / O Kalashnikova (GEO) vs Y on the opening day of the Qatar Total Open at Khalifa International Tennis WTA Tour for the two players. The tournament, being staged Xu (CHN) / S Zheng (CHN) and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. Bouchard won 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). In other matches yesterday, Chi- at the Khalifa International Tennis na’s Saisai Zheng, Latvia’s Jelena and Squash Complex, will end on 30 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT Kerber doesn’t mind Al Rayyan march on in style as El the extra attention Jaish lose ground

The first German to The Peninsula will probably have to stay content win a Grand Slam Angelique Kerber by staying in the top four and seal of Germany places at next year’s AFC Champi- title after Steffi Graf, addresses the DOHA: Runaway points leaders Al ons League and the Qatar Cup two the 28-year-old is media at the Qatar Rayyan on Saturday beat Al Arabi months from now. Total Open media for their seventh successive Qatar After four rounds of pain, Al Sadd relishing her status as centre in Doha Stars League (QSL) win, handing out picked up their first win in round 19 the Australian Open yesterday. a clear message to rivals that they when they beat hosts Al Khor on seem to have all but sealed their title Friday. champion win this season. Striker Hassan Al Haydos less- Also in round 19 matches last ened the pressure on coachJesualdo week, El Jaish went down 3-0 to Ferreira by scoring two of the three Lekhwiya allowing the defending goals in their 3-1 win at Al Khor champions to grab the second spot Stadium. in the points table as QSL moves It was Al Sadd’s first win since By Rizwan Rehmat towards the final few weeks of the they beat Al Rayyan in their Decem- The Peninsula season. ber El Clasico. Foreign import Sergio Garcia Umm Salal, placed fifth, beat made up for the absence of captain Mesaimeer for their second succes- and key striker Rodrigo Tabata, scor- sive win in six days. DOHA: Angelique Kerber, the Aus- ing both goals in Al Rayyan’s win on Sami Trabelsi’s men are now tralian Open champion, is still coming Sunday. behind Al Sadd (32) with a tally of to terms with her new-found status as With the loss, Al Arabi have now 30 points from 19 matches. the next big thing after German ten- dropped out of the top four for the Al Arabi, meanwhile, have nis queen Steffi Graf. second time this season. slipped again after two victories the But the 28-year-old doesn’t mind Coached by Gianfranco Zola, Al previous rounds. one bit being the cynosure of all eyes Arabi need wins in the last seven Saturday’s loss to Al Rayyan has after her history-making win over rounds of QLS if they want to enter- added to Zola’s woes as the side now world number one Serena Williams tain hopes of playing the Qatar Cup sits at sixth place with 30 points. in the final in Melbourne. in April. Qatar SC, on the other hand, are- “I don’t know if I’m the new Steffi Lekhwiya - who are 17 points savouring a bit of a revival, winning Graf, but I’m the next German woman behind Al Rayyan with a tally of 37 their second successive win in week who won the Grand Slam after Steffi. - displayed a spirited performance 19. This is something really special against El Jaish, winning the round After shocking Al Sadd in week because Steffi is a legend. I mean she “They are coming to me. It was “It’s important to focus on my do it in the matches’. 19 clash 3-0. 18, Qatar SC beat Al Ahli 3-2 in won everything. She was always my busy days after my win,” Kerber told tennis, on my improvement, on how “In Australia, after I won against The win was a welcome relief for week 19 to pick up six points from idol,” Kerber said with a smile. reporters I would like to play, to work hard and Azarenka, I never beat her for six Lekhwiya after losses to Al Sailiya two matches. SebastiaoLazaroni’s “To be the next (German) player “I had so many positive emotions (to keep on) having fun,” Kerber said. times in a row. I start to believe in and Al Arabi earlier this month. Qatar SC, however, are still a notch to have such a success, it’s special for on me and that was an unbelievable “I am still enjoying my tennis on myself (told myself) ‘that I worked With Al Rayyan maintaining the above bottom-placed Mesaimeer in me and also for German tennis,” Ker- feeling. I will never forget the last court,” the affable German said. hard and I can beat players that I distance in the points race, Lekhwiya the 14-team league. ber said. point on court in Melbourne and I “I have experience from many never beat (before)’. “I got a lot of text messages. My will never forget the time that I won,” years (that) I’ve played the game for. “I had confidence because I was phone was exploding after the semis. Kerber said ahead of her first-round This is my goal: to keep playing great relaxed. I knew right now I’m feeling After the final, I don’t know how match at this week’s Qatar Total tennis, to keep having fun on and off good on court and I’m feeling good many text messages I got, but a lot. Open. court,” she said. off court. That’s change in the last few It took me a few days to answer the Kerber said winning her maiden “I’m not thinking about the rank- weeks in my mind,” she said. messages,” Kerber said. Grand Slam title had come ‘at the ings or something like that. I will just Kerber said her ability ‘to fight’ “After Melbourne, I had a long right time’. try to go my way like I did it (at the is probably the best part about her flight back to Germany. And when I “I think for me personally, it’s the Australian Open),” Kerber said. game. “Yeah, my attitude was always arrived at Frankfurt and stepped out, right time that I won my first Grand Kerber said her family’s sup- to try my best and to fight until the I had a lot of cameras on my face and Slam now because I’m four years in a port throughout her career was key last point, to stay quiet, because in asking me a lot of questions,” Kerber row in the top-10,” kerber explained. in bagging her maiden Grand Slam tennis, everything can change and said when asked about her welcome “I have a lot of experience. I think title last month. can happen,” Kerber said. back home. it’s the best time for me to have the “In my career, there were up and “And this is actually me. I am “For me the nicest thing was that I success or the biggest moment in downs and sometimes (I did ) not have same (person) on and off the court. saw the people are happy for me and my career. I hope that a lot of more belief in myself. I was like always one I’m still the same person how I was that all of Germany was like watching good and big wins are still coming,” step to make something big and I was before the Australian Open. the final on TV because it was Satur- she added. always falling down. “I think all the people and all the day morning there. Kerber said she won’t target “My family and my team around players saw my attitude. This is also “Now a lot of more people recog- the top ranking but rather focus on me told me ‘just believe in yourself. what makes me really proud,” she nize me on the streets. improving her game. You’re working so hard on court, just said.

Qatar Stars League (QSL) action from Al Rayyan’s clash against Al Struggling Kvitova seeks match Arabi on Saturday. The round 19 clash was won by Al Rayyan with a 2-0 scoreline. practice to get her rhythm back Lekhwiya commences preparations for Zob Ahan The Peninsula as normal. If you are No. 11 or No.7, (that) doesn’t change your tennis. (I) try to do everything (in) the same The Peninsula DOHA: Two-time Wimbledon cham- (way). (I) try to win as many matches pion Petra Kvitova (pictured right) as possible and (I am) happy I reached is desperately seeking proper match the top-10,” Bencic said yesterday. DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QS) giants Lekhwiya have commenced their practice for a turnaround in fortunes “For me, (opponents) don’t mat- training sessions in preparation for their clash against Iranian side Zob Ahan in what has been a difficult start for ter as I just try to focus on myself. I in the AFC Champions League. her in the 2016 season. will have some more practice here The Group B match will be held tomorrow in Abdullah Bin Khalifah Sta- The 25-year-old lost in the second and so that I feel good for my first dium, the home turf of Lekhwiya. round at the Australian Open before match,” she said. The Group B also includes Al Nasr (KSA) and Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) . losing both of her Fed Cup matches Melanie Molitor, mother of Mar- The team had performed a recovery training on Friday evening after earlier this month. tina Hingis, is Bencic’s ‘biggest recent match versus El Jaish in Round 19 of the QSL . The 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon influence’. The coaching staff focused during yesterday’s training on the physical champion retired from her only “Yeah, she’s been like the biggest training followed by training with the ball . match at the Shenzen Open last influence on my game. She taught me Defender Ahmed Yasser continued with the recovery exercises and he month. everything that I know. She was very will join the team training within few days, club officials were reported as “I’m missing (playing) the first coach and, yeah, technically she’s saying yesterday. matches. I think that’s important for brought me to the highest level,” Ben- Zob Ahan will arrived in Doha yesterday and will stay at Interconti- me to get the confidence from match cic said. nental Doha City Hotel. practice,” Kvitova said yesterday. tennis-wise she was feeling good but changes something on the draw. It’s “I feel like if I do the things she “Practices are great, but I just she needed ‘to improve the mental still a strong field. I just don’t think it tells me to do, I can really reach far,” need to put it to the match,” she said side’ of her game’. will affect any kind of big matches.” Bencic said. El Jaish set for AFC CL as she prepared for his first match at Kvitoa is happy with the weather Meanwhile, the rising Swiss star “I always feel good practicing this week’s Qatar Total Open. digits this week, saying Doha presents Belinda Bencic (pictured above) is with her. It’s tough week, tough days, “That’s why I was struggling a good atmosphere to kick start her thrilled to have made her debut in but when I go to the tournament, it’s clash in the UAE from the beginning of the year. That, Qatar Total Open campaign. the top-10. always very good. I play with confi- I think, is the main reason (for the “I like coming back to Doha for “Of course I’m very pleased to be dence,” she said. “She really doesn’t DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit El Jaish are busy preparing for their lack of form),” Kvitova said. sure. I feel this years it’s more warm in the top-10. It’s a dream come true make compromises. She doesn’t tell coming AFC Champions League match against UAE side Al Ain, club offi- “As I said, practices are great. I than last year, which is good. For the for sure,” Bencici said. “I’ve worked you ‘you are so great’. She tells you the cials said yesterday. just need to really be focusing and night matches it was kind of cold. So very hard for this and I have finally truth, and I think that’s the best thing El Jaish first football team delegation will travel to UAE today evening, by playing well in matches,” Kvitova said. I’m glad it’s great and we have a lit- reached it and this kind of relaxes me that can happen to a young player,” private jet to play the Group D match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, 24 Feb- “I think it’s the (lack of match) tle bit of suntan,” shei said. a little bit. I’m just enjoying to have Bencic said. ruary 2016. practice. That’s why I’m playing dou- “I feel good here again,” she this status,” she added. When asked about her Grand El Jaish qualified after defeating Naft Tehran team from Iran at the play- bles, to get a little bit of the rhythm,” added. Bencic,18, said she approaches Slam ambitions, Bencic said: “I think offs stage. she said. When asked about the late with- her matches and practice session in it’s a big step to win a Grand Slam. I The Group D teams include Al Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia and Nasaf of Kvitova will partner Barbora Stry- drawals of Serena Williams and Maria the same manner as did a few years still think it’s impossible to win the Uzbekistan. cova in the doubles this week. Sharapova, Kvitova said: “About the ago. Grand Slam when you’re 16 nowa- One of the top sides in QSL, El Jaish are coming off a 3-0 hammering at The tall Czech player said withdrawals, I don’t think (that) really “No, I’m just preparing the same days, or 17, 18. Yeah, we will see.” the hands of Lekhwiya, the defending champions. SPORT MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 31

‘Not the time for deals’ Rivals Champagne, Infantino on FIFA presidency: Infantino clash over FIFA finances AFP LAUSANNE: Gianni Infantino, among the favourites to take the In the published on Saturday helm of FIFA, said in an interview letter, Champagne said that Infantino published yesterday there would With just over four had made “tempting proposals on be no deals among the candidates days to go for the paper, which in reality are very ahead of this week’s vote for a new FIFA Presidential dangerous”. president. He said FIFA’s budget for the 2015- “This is not the time for deals,” vote, rivals slam each 18 cycle, which was approved by the the 45-year-old UEFA execu- other’s tactics ahead FIFA Congress in 2014, predicted an tive told the Le Matin Dimanche estimated income of $5bn over the weekly. of Zurich gathering four years. He was responding to a ques- He said that, although FIFA had tion on whether he might consider initially projected a $100m profit a deal with his main opponent for the period, that could turn into a Bahrain’s Asian Football Confed- Reuters deficit of $600m. eration president Sheikh Salman “FIFA is currently going through a Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa ahead of difficult period with a deficit of about Friday’s vote. $100 million in 2015,” he said. “There is no question of that... I ZURICH: FIFA presidential candi- Its problems included “many think a democratic election is fun- date Jerome Champagne has criticised contracts with economic partners damental for the credibility of FIFA the plans of rival Gianni Infantino as that remain unsigned to date, a worst- as an institution,” Infantino said. financially “dangerous” for global case projected reduction in income of FIFA is in the throes of an soccer’s beleaguered ruling body. $600m until 2018, and the possibility unprecedented, wide-ranging Infantino’s campaign organisers of a fine at the end of the ongoing scandal that has seen senior foot- said in response his proposals were investigations,” Champagne said. ball executives suspended or fired, feasible and could be achieved by sav- “It seems therefore ludicrous to with disgraced long-time presi- ings in FIFA and possibly an increase promise nearly a billion dollars with dent Sepp Blatter and fallen head in revenue. political and electoral objectives, after of European football, Michel Platini In a letter to FIFA’s 209 member having criticised FIFA and President This file photo taken on October 8, 2015 in Zurich shows the entrance sign with the logo at the FIFA world the most high-profile casualties. national associations (FAs), who each Blatter for years on the alleged headquarters. BEL0W: Jerome Champagne (left) and Gianni Infantino. FIFA, Infantino insisted, “must hold one vote in the election, Cham- grounds that he received votes in be headed by a president legiti- pagne suggested that Infantino’s plans exchange for development programs. Cup. He know what the personnel and mised through an election.” could add an extra $900m to FIFA’s “The situation requires that we consultancy costs are in FIFA and in “There is no doubt: I will be in expenditure over the next four years. employ very careful management, UEFA. Zurich on February 26 to win the FIFA is engulfed by a graft scandal and a significant reduction of The statement said that “very election,” he said, stressing that “an that has led to the indictment of sev- administrative costs, until the smoke significant savings can easily be made electoral congress for the presi- eral dozen leading soccer officials in clears and we have a clear handle on in FIFA’s costs so that the amount for dency is like the World Cup final: the United States, and is under enor- the financial future of FIFA.” reinvestment in football will actually you have to win it.” mous pressure to reform. Infantino’s campaign organisers, be much higher than the 1.2 billion he In addition to Salman, Infan- Frenchman Champagne and whose numbers differed slightly from (Infantino) is proposing.” tino faces competition from South the Swiss Infantino are among five Champagne’s, said in reply that the Infantino’s camp added that “a African businessman Tokyo Sex- candidates standing to replace Swiss had a long experience with potential growth of revenues which wale, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter, financial matters. can quite easily be achieved and his Hussein, a former FIFA vice-pres- himself banned for eight years for “He’s absolutely sure his proposals track record in UEFA shows what can ident, and former FIFA official ethics violations, in Friday’s election. are feasible and ... will be easy to be done on the revenue side”. Jerome Champagne of France in Infantino, the general secretary put in place considering that we’re The other candidates in the race the vote of FIFA’s 209 federations. of European soccer’s governing body talking about reinvesting back into are Asian Football Confederation Infantino, a Swiss lawyer who UEFA since 2009, has promised to football development $1.2 billion out (AFC) president Sheikh Salman Bin only announced his candidacy distribute $5m every four years to of $5.5 billion revenues,” they said in Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Prince Ali Bin Al after long-time favourite for the each FA for football development, plus a statement. Hussein of Jordan and South African post Platini was caught up in the $40m to each of the six continental “That’s in fact what FIFA should not politics, political intrigues or knows how much it costs to organise businessman and politician Tokyo scandal and suspended from foot- confederations over the same period. be all about. “Football development, personal attacks. “Gianni Infantino a European championship or a World Sexwale. ball for eight years, stressed that he was “not seeking power.” “A couple of months ago, I was not even thinking about launching into this adventure. But football is going through a difficult period. Totti sent home as Some people therefore must step up and take their responsibility,” he said. Infantino, who worked closely with Platini for nine years, also Spalletti row escalates expressed “admiration for the dignity with which (the fallen UEFA chief) has gone through this ordeal.” AFP Piola’s all-time record of 274. “It is comforting to know that M e a n w h i l e , A r g e n t i n e M a u r o he is morally behind me,” he said, Icardi struck late as Inter Milan got adding that the two continue to MILAN: Roma coach Luciano Spal- back to winning ways under the “have friendly exchanges.” letti has upped the stakes in a recent watchful eyes of former coach Jose At the same time, he added: spat with Francesco Totti (pictured) Mourinho and striker Ronaldo with a “He is concentrating on his defence by sending the club icon home hours 3-1 win over Sampdoria on Saturday. and me, on my campaign.” before he was due to start against Inter had secured just one win Palermo. in their past seven games and were Spalletti said on Friday he could especially desperate for a win after Clean sheet start Totti, who has recently returned falling to Khouma Babacar’s late to the fray after a lengthy injury lay- strike in a 2-1 reverse at Fiorentina boosts PSV off, alongside striker Edin Dzeko for last week. the Serie A league fixture at the Sta- That result virtually ended Inter’s ahead of dio Olimpico. title hopes, but Roberto Mancini’s But Spalletti has performed men are among several sides chas- CL clash a dramatic about turn, omitting ing a top three finish in a bid to secure Totti from his squad a day after Champions League. the 39-year-old player hit out at Inter’s 14th win in 26 games lifted Reuters the coach in an interview with RAI them one place to fourth, 10 points television. behind leaders Juventus but only According to widespread reports one behind third-placed Fiorentina AMSTERDAM: A third successive in the Italian sports press, Totti was added. “After everything I’ve given to ahead of La Viola’s trip to Atalanta clean sheet proved the high point called in by Spalletti after a team the club all these years I would hoped on Sunday. of Saturday’s win in the Dutch breakfast and told he had been omit- to be treated with more respect.” If Mancini felt under pressure league for PSV Eindhoven coach ted from the matchday squad. Spalletti is in his second spell after last week’s defeat, he probably Philip Cocu as his team prepare to An interview with RAI in which at Roma following the sacking last had reason to feel even more so after host Atletico Madrid in the Cham- Totti appeared to describe strained month of French coach Rudi Garcia, the club announced Mourinho and pions League on Wednesday. relations with Spalletti was aired on who led Roma to two consecutive Ronaldo would be special guests at PSV extended their lead at the Saturday. runner-up places behind Juventus the San Siro. Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian midfielder Mousa Dembele controls the top of the domestic standings by “I’m still a footballer and I want to -- last year and 2014. Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea two beating Heracles Almelo 2-0 in a ball during the FA Cup fifth-round against Crystal Palace at White Hart play. My injury is over, I’m doing fine Totti’s wife Ilaria Blasi, mean- months ago but tipped to take over performance that pleased Cocu. Lane in London yesterday. and if I’m not playing it’s the coach’s while, recently hinted it could be at Manchester United, steered Inter “I thought we were defensively decision,” Totti said. Totti’s final season with the club he to the first treble in Italian football a lot stronger. The last line and the “I’m not here to demand to play, helped steer to the league title in history when they won the league, deflected off Icardi. a deft touch from the outside of his midfield worked well together and I’ve never done that and I’m not going 2001. Cup and Champions League in 2010. Inter, however, soon took com- boot. the players put in a lot of work,” he to start now.... my contract ends in “Retirement? We’re there,” Blasi Inter survived a number of early mand of the game and doubled their Inter ‘keeper Samir Handanovic’s told reporters after Saturday’s win. June and then I’ll take stock of the sit- said in an interview with Oggi mag- scares from Vincenzo Montella’s lead on 57 minutes when Brazilian hopes for a clean sheet were dashed “We were never in any trouble uation, because I can’t stay like this.” azine when asked when Totti would visitors to break the deadlock on 23 defender Joao Miranda, also hitting in the second minute of added-on and I thought in the first half we Totti, who is in his 23rd season finally hang up his boots. minutes when Danilo D’Ambrosio his maiden goal for Inter, got his head time when recent Samp signing Fabio played together a superb match. with the club, said the only conversa- “Next year he will be 40 years old. volleyed Marcelo Brozovic’s header to a loose ball at the back post. Quagliarella fired a superb, angled We controlled the second half too. tion he had with Spalletti was saying Francesco has had a great career, to from a corner past Emiliano Viviano Although Viviano clawed the ball strike from the edge of the area past It was just a pity we did not con- “hello and goodbye” and hit out at the extent that now he’s thinking to score his maiden goal for the club. out the net, television replays showed the Slovenian ‘keeper at the death. vert all our chances. the coach for talking about him to what else he wants to do. But he will Inter reject Andrea Ranocchia it had crossed by at least a foot. It was his first goal in his second “We will use Monday and the media. stay within the sport.” looked fired up for the encounter and When Ranocchia gave possession spell at the club, but did little to fix the Tuesday to check how the players “I respect him as a person and as Totti scored his 300th goal for the towering defender twice came away cheaply 17 minutes from the fin- Genoa club’s woes. come through training but a player a coach, but I would have preferred Roma in a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo close, bundling a header from a cor- ish, Icardi was sent down the middle Sampdoria remain fourth from who is 90 percent fit is of no use he told me to my face the things that in late September to take his Serie A ner just over and then failing to make by Brozovic and held off two defend- bottom just three points ahead of for a big match like that against I’ve read in the newspapers,” he goals tally to 244, 30 short of Silvio contact at the back post when a cross ers chasing back to beat Viviano with third-from-bottom Frosinone. Atletico,” Cocu added. 32 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Real rue Ronaldo missed penalty in Malaga 1-1 draw

AFP FOOTBALL: ENGLISH FA CUP 5TH ROUND MADRID: Cristiano Ron- aldo missed a penalty as Real Madrid’s hopes of Costa Rica international catching La Liga leaders made a comfortable save. Barcelona were all but Ricardo Horta then ended with a 1-1 draw at missed another glorious Malaga yesterday. chance for Malaga when Madrid remain nine he fired into the side- points behind Barca with netting unmarked at the 13 games to go after Raul back post. Albentosa cancelled out When the open- Ronaldo’s opener 24 min- ing goal did arrive it utes from time. was in controversial However, Zinedine circumstances as Ron- Zidane’s men were left to aldo headed home Toni rue Ronaldo’s miss from Kroos’s free-kick despite the spot to make it 2-0 clearly standing in an off- before the break when side position. Eden Hazard scores Chelsea’s fourth goal from a free kick in their FA Cup fifth round match against Manchester City at Stamford ridgeB yesterday. Carlos Kameni dived There was no doubt to his left to parry the about the penalty award three-time World Player two minutes later when of the Year’s effort. Ronaldo was brought A point moves Real down by Weligton. level with Atletico Yet, the normally Madrid in second ahead lethal Portuguese from Five-goal Chelsea punish Man City of the Madrid derby next the spot was denied by a weekend, but Atletico fine low save by Kameni. can move to within six Malaga missed he left two defenders trailing in his wake Belgian’s return pass with an angled finish points of Barca with vic- another great chance to Chelsea book their FOOTBALL: ENGLISH FA CUP before testing Blues goalkeeper Thibaut into the far corner. Just five minutes later, tory over Villarreal later level before the break as 5TH ROUND Courtois. City were competing well but Chelsea booked their quarter-final place on Sunday. Navas parried Duje Cop’s quarter-final place as Hiddink’s side broke the deadlock in the as City were let down by their few sen- “It is obviously going shot into the air and Ser- Pellegrini’s decision to 35th minute. ior players. Fernando only half cleared to to be difficult because we gio Ramos got back to against Liverpool, admitting that he didn’t Cesc Fabregas was the instigator with the edge of the area, where Cahill’s drive have dropped two points, clear the looping ball off field an inexperienced consider the Stamford Bridge showdown a deft flick that picked out Hazard’s run was straight at Caballero but still squirmed but we won’t give up,” the line. team backfires “a real game”. Pellegrini had warned fans and the Belgian hooked a fine cross into under the goalkeeper and into the net. said Zidane. Navas then made an they wouldn’t get value for money because the six yard box, where Costa dived for- Hazard capped one of his few impres- “There are 39 points incredible stop just after he would rest stars like Sergio Aguero and ward to head past Willy Caballero for his sive performances this season when he still to play for. You think the restart when Nacho Yaya Toure and he was true to his word as 13th goal of the season. curled a free-kick past Caballero in the the league is lost, but the turned Juanpi’s cross he fielded an unrecognisable starting line- But City’s youngsters showed a compo- 66th minute. players and myself don’t towards his own goal. Agencies up featuring six teenagers, five of whom sure that belied their lack of experience as Caballero saved Oscar’s 74th minute believe that.”Madrid Yet, the Madrid stop- were making their full debuts. they hit back two minutes later. penalty after Martin Demichelis barged were without the injured per was finally beaten In contrast, Guus Hiddink, with the Spanish midfielder Manu Garcia into Traore, but Traore completed the rout Karim Benzema and when Malaga’s two cen- luxury of having played in the Champi- clipped a pass through for Kelechi Ihea- in the 89th minute when his back header Gareth Bale, whilst James tre-backs combined for LONDON: Chelsea punished Manuel Pel- ons League already this week, named his nacho, who got to the byline before looped in at the far post. Rodriguez was only left the equaliser as Welig- legrini’s controversial decision to field a strongest available side and it was men crossing low for Faupala to poke home Meanwhile, Dimitri Payet orchestrated on the bench by Zidane. ton’s low cross was coolly remarkably inexperienced team as Eden against boys as they swept into the quar- from close-range. West Ham United’s 5-1 FA Cup fifth round Jese Rodriguez was slotted home at the back Hazard inspired a 5-1 demolition of Man- ter-finals thanks to a pair of assists and a City’s youthful enthusiasm overflowed rout of second-tier Blackburn Rovers yes- handed a start after post by Albentosa. chester City in the FA Cup fifth round goal from Hazard. as they celebrated in front of Chelsea’s terday but Emmanuel Emenike stole the scoring Real’s second Malaga could even yesterday. Diego Costa put Chelsea ahead and, supporters, some of whom responded limelight with two goals on his first full in a 2-0 win at Roma in have snatched all three With City due to make the long flight to although David Faupala equalised for the by throwing coins in an ugly echo of the start. Nigerian international Emenike, the Champions League points as Navas was the Ukraine today ahead of their Champi- visitors, second half goals from Willian, incident that saw West Brom’s Chris Brunt signed on loan from Turkish club Fen- in midweek and should again forced into action ons League last 16 first leg tie at Dynamo Gary Cahill, Hazard and Bertrand Traore pelted by his own fans 24 hours earlier. erbahce last month, struck twice in the have opened the scoring by a looping Charles Kiev on Wednesday, Pellegrini had pleaded handed City a third successive defeat. Hiddink had won all six of his FA Cup second half and was only denied a hat- when he shot straight header. with the FA not to bow to demands from Pellegrini will face accusations of dis- ties in his two spells as Chelsea’s caretaker, trick when he rattled the post after some at Kameni when clean However, for the television networks to move the Chelsea respecting the FA Cup, but he won’t care a run that included leading the club to the slick footwork late on. through on 17 minutes. second time this sea- game from its original Saturday date. about that if City can take a step towards trophy in 2009. With striker Andy Carroll injured again, However, the visi- son Malaga did enough But Pellegrini’s request was ignored the Champions League quarter-finals and And Chelsea were back on course to West Ham captain Mark Noble believes tors were fortunate not to take a point from Real and, concerned that injury-hit City were in win the League Cup this week. extend that run in the 48th minute when 28-year-old Emenike can prove a key to be behind moments and almost certainly danger of being stretched to breaking point, French forward Faupala was one Brazil winger Willian launched an inci- man in the closing months of the season. later when Juanpi scuffed stretch their run with- the Chilean boss prioritised European suc- of City’s debutants and the 18-year-old sive raid, picking out Hazard before racing Frenchman Payet again looked a class act his shot with just Keylor out a league title to four cess and next weekend’s League Cup final showed no signs of being overawed when past City’s statuesque defence to meet the and scored two fine goals himself. Navas to beat and the years. Nadal dumped from Rio semis Sharjeel hits ton as United

Reuters against the world number 45. “I lost to Indian Wells,” added the 14-times an opportunity, that’s it,” Spaniard grand slam champion. stun Zalmi to enter final Nadal said after being denied his Cuevas will meet another 100th ATP final by claycourt spe- unseeded player in Guido Pella in RIO DE JANEIRO: Rafael Nadal’s cialist Cuevas who fired 48 winners the claycourt final after the Argen- below-par season has continued to clinch the contest. tine’s 6-1 6-4 humbling of fifth seed The Peninsula SCOREBOARD with the former world number one “I fought until the end. I have to Dominic Thiem. dumped from the Rio Open semi- accept it and keep working to try to World number five Nadal, who Islamabad United finals with a 6-7(6) 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat change the dynamic. That’s what’s failed to win a grand slam title last D Smith lbw b Tait 19 by unseeded Uruguayan Pablo Cue- happening today and I have to work year for the first time since 2004, DUBAI: Opening batsman Sharjeel vas on Saturday. hard to change it. I didn’t win a title, entered the season positive after Khan rose on the big occasion and Sharjeel Khan run out (Riaz/Ali) 117 The top seed pipped Cuevas in so it wasn’t a positive two tourna- an injury-free off-season but was fired the first century of the Paki- BJ Haddin b Tait 0 a first set tie-break and denied his ments. I had my chances in both. I dumped out of the first round of the stan Super League (PSL) as Islamabad Khalid Latif (not out) 28 opponent two set points in the sec- lost in the semi-finals of both tourna- Australian Open and has struggled to United thrashed Peshawar Zalmi by AD Russell (not out) 0 ond but succumbed to his first defeat ments and just have to look forward return to his best form since. 50 overs in the third qualifying final Extras (LB 7, W 4, NB 1) 12 in Dubai yesterday to book the title- Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 176 clash with Quetta Gladiators. Did not bat: Misbah ul Haq, Asif Ali, S Sharjeel punished the star-studded Badree, Imran Khalid, Mohammad Irfan, Zalmi attack, spearheaded by Aussie Mohammad Sami Former QMMF officials extend support to new Board Shaun Tait and in-form Wahab Riaz, with boundaries and sixes all over the Fall of wickets: 1-108, 2-108, 3-171 ground after captain Shahid Afridi Bowling: Hasan Ali 4-0-35-0, SW Tait elected to field first. 4-0-35-2, Mohammad Asghar 3-0-22-0, The Hyderabad-based south- Shahid Afridi 4-0-34-0, Wahab Riaz 4-0- paw blasted 117 runs in 62 deliveries, 31-0, DJG Sammy 1-0-12-0 smashing a dozen of fours and eight Peshawar Zalmi

sixes as United posted a challenging Kamran Akmal c Haddin b I Khalid 45 total of 176-3 in the allotted overs. DJ Malan c Haddin b Badree 7 Sharjeel’s hundred came in 50th Mohammad Hafeez c Ali b I Khalid 8 delivery when he hit a huge six off Afridi, clearing the long-off boundary. BJ Hodge c sub (Ghulam) b I Khalid 5 Islamabad United’s batsman Khalid Latif who scored 28 from DJG Sammy b I Khalid 9 21 balls also chipped in with useful Sharjeel Khan acknowledges Shahid Afridi c Smith b Russell 38 the crowd after scoring the first contribution. Shahid Yousuf b Russell 4 century of the PSL yesterday. Tait (2-35) was the only wicket- Wahab Riaz c Russell b M Irfan 1 taking bowler for Zalmi with Afridi Hasan Ali c Misbah-ul-Haq b M Sami 1 and Riaz going wicket-less after con- Mohammad Asghar b Russell 0 c e d i n g 3 4 a n d 3 1 r u n s r e s p e c t i v e l y. knock of 38 from only 17 balls includ- After Sharjeel’s heroics, it was ing four sixes. The West Indian also SW Tait (not out) 0 time for spinner Imran Latif to shine took wickets of Shahid Yousuf (4) and Extras (B 2, LB 4, W 2) 8 as United rattled Zalmi while defend- Mohammad Asghar (0) to finish with Total (all out; 18 overs) 126 ing their total. figures of 3-37 from four overs. Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-59, 3-66, 4-75, Latif picked four wickets to dent Apart from Afridi, Kamran Akmal 5-80, 6-100, 7-101, 8-105, 9-126, 10-126 Zalmi’s run-chase who were bun- (45) was the other main scorer as no Former Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 4-0-28-1; S dled out for 126 in 18 overs as United other Zalmi batsman managed to Badree 4-1-20-1, Mohammad Sami 3-0- and former QMMF General Secretary Mohammad Saad Al Murraikhi met with President of QMMF walked into the final. come up with a solid contribution. Abdulrahman Abdullatif Al Mannai and General Secretary Majid Ahmed Al Naimi along with the new Andre Russel also did the dam- The final between Gladiators 15-1, AD Russell 4-0-37-3, Imran Khalid Board Members to show their support for further development of motor sports in Qatar. age dismissing dangerous-looking and United will be played in Dubai 3-0-20-4 Afridi who played a swashbuckling tomorrow. SPORT MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 33

Charles replaces Burns, Smith tons put Aussies in charge Bravo in Windies T20 Australian batsman Joe Burns plays a shot team square leg with 28 balls left Matt Henry was handed during day two of the second cricket Test in the day. Five balls later, the second new ball ahead match against New Zealand at the Hagley Park Visitors end day Reuters in a repeat scenario, Gup- of Tim Southee and whipped in Christchurch yesterday. with 363-4 in till gave Wagner his second down six aggressive overs wicket and Smith was gone. which appeared to extract reply to New Adam Voges was on two new life out of the wicket. KINGSTON: Johnson Zealand’s 370 with Nathan Lyon, sent in as His third delivery with Charles has replaced nightwatchman, on four. the new ball jagged back Darren Bravo in the Until Smith’s dismissal, enough to beat Burns down West Indies team for the only moment of con- the leg side and race to the the World Twenty20 AFP cern in his classy innings boundary for four byes, the in India next month, came when he was felled by first extras in the innings. selectors said on a fearsome Wagner bouncer Another delivery sailed Saturday. in the last over before tea. over Burns’ stumps. Charles, 27, has CHRISTCHURCH: Century- He lay prone on the But like Wagner and his been brought in after makers Joe Burns and Steve ground for a few moments, fired-up spell in the dying Bravo declined to Smith shredded the New but as the New Zealand play- overs with the old ball, he sign the remuneration Zealand attack to have Aus- ers rushed to his aid, Smith was left frustrated by an contract by last Sun- tralia in charge of the second staggered to his feet and inability to find an edge day’s deadline, opting Test, before both fell in the after medical attention he that would reach the cor- instead to focus on dying stages of day two in resumed his innings with a don behind the stumps. the longer formats Christchurch yesterday. single off the next ball. After Australia resumed of the sport. Charles, Burns hit a career best Burns spent 434 minutes the day at 57-1, they added a top order bats- 170, his third century, and in the middle from the start 306 for the loss of three SCOREBOARD man, was part of the Smith made 138, his 14th, as of the Australian innings wickets with Usman Kha- West Indies team that Australia ended the day at a and in a patient stand eas- waja the first to go. New Zealand (I innings): 370 won the 2012 World commanding 363-4 in reply ily eclipsed his previous Test New Zealand quicks Australia (I innings): Twenty20, though he to New Zealand’s 370. best of 129, also against New Trent Boult, Southee and D Warner c Guptill b Boult 12 made a duck in the final against Sri Lanka. After Brendon McCul- Zealand, in Brisbane last Henry had the better of the J Burns c Guptill b Wagner 170 lum’s 145-run blitz gave November. exchanges at the start of the He has played 23 U Khawaja c McCullum b Boult 24 New Zealand the first day He received a vital day. Twenty20 internation- honours on a green, seam- reprieve after he was given Boult put an added S Smith c Guptill b Wagner 138 als, scoring 463 runs

ing wicket, Burns and his out, caught behind for 35, spring in the step of the New A Voges (batting) 2 at an average of just captain Smith ensured the only for the umpire’s deci- Zealanders with the valua- N Lyon (batting) 4 over 21, with a strike- momentum swung Aus- sion to be overturned when ble wicket of Khawaja for 24, Extras (B-4, LB-9) 13 rate of 114. tralia’s way as the pitch replays showed the ball had caught low down by McCul- The World Total (for 4 wkts) 363 flattened out. glanced off his arm and not lum at first slip. Twenty20, to be Burns spent a lot of time the glove. Boult had removed Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-67, 3-356, 4-357. played in India, starts successfully fighting off The Burns-Smith part- David Warner on the first Bowling: Southee 22-4-71-0; Boult 24- on March 8. West Neil Wagner’s short-ball nership produced 289 runs, day with a similar delivery. 5-85-2; Henry 27-6-88-0; Anderson 12-1- Indies have been tactic before eventually pull- an Australian third-wicket Wagner had two for 63 32-0; Wagner 20-4-63-2; Williamson drawn in the same ing one to Martin Guptill at record against New Zealand. and Boult two for 85. 5-0-11-0. group as England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and a qualifier. Centrowitz takes mile, Felix and De Grasse win sprints Nomura holds off Ko

Reuters charging past at the gun for the final were unhappy with their starts in the left the University of Southern Cal- to land first LPGA title lap to win in a meet record 3:50.63 60-metre dashes yet emerged victo- ifornia to sign with Puma, was last for a 2016 indoor best. rious on the fast Armory track. year’s world 100m bronze medallist Willis, the 2008 Olympic 1500 Four-times Olympic champion and winner of a 100-200 double at Reuters Ko was only one back after 14th NEW YORK: Matthew Centrow- metres silver medallist, repeated his and nine-times world champion Felix the Pan Am Games. In other strong holes but world number 67 Nomura itz surged to victory with a final-lap runner-up finish to Centrowitz from was taking a break from arduous performances, American Ryan Hill calmly made three consecutive burst to repeat as Wanamaker Mile last year in 3:51.06 for his third second training in her quest for a rare 200- won the 3,000 metres in a 2016 birdie threes from the 15th to pull winner, while elite sprinters Allyson to go with a pair of thirds in Wana- 400m double at the Rio Olympics. indoor best of 7:38.82, just three- ADELAIDE: Japanese golfer Haru away from her illustrious oppo- Felix and Andre De Grasse powered maker bids. De Grasse, appearing as a pro- hundredths of a second ahead of Nomura held off world number one nent and seal the top prize with a to wins at the 109th Millrose Games Shannon Rowbury won the wom- fessional for the first time in his 2016 American-Somali Hassan Mead. Lydia Ko down the stretch to land 16-under 272 total. on Saturday. en’s mile by nearly two seconds, debut, won his 60m race in 6.61 sec- Betsy Saina of Kenya took nearly the Women’s Australian Open in “My shots were good, but my Centrowitz, feeling sub-par due clocking 4:24.39. onds, barely edging China’s Bingtian 12 seconds off the year’s indoor best Adelaide yesterday for her first LPGA putts were so good I couldn’t believe to congestion, laid back behind New Felix and DeGrasse, sprinters Su by one-hundredth of a second. in the 5,000m when she edged Amer- Tour title. it,” Nomura was quoted as saying by Zealand rival Nick Willis before with high Olympic expectations, The fast rising Canadian, who ican Molly Huddle in 14:57.18. Nomura, starting the day in a Kyodo News. three-way tie for the lead, shot a Seven-times major champion blistering final round seven-under- Karrie Webb of Australia finished par 65 as she edged out Kiwi Ko (67), a distant third, seven back of the Late Russian the defending champion, by three 23-year-old champion, after a clos- boss was set Farah overcomes spiked leg shots. ing 71. to expose true to win first race of 2016 story: Report Fraser savours rare win as

Reuters Lee stumbles in Malaysia Reuters

LONDON: Mo Farah suffered a cut that AFP just his second European Tour start, LONDON: Nikita Kamayev, former left blood streaming down his leg but the opened the door on the par-four 16th head of Russia’s Anti-Doping mid-race spiking could not stop the world’s with a double-bogey that allowed Agency, approached the Sunday leading distance runner recording his first Fraser to draw level. Times before his death offering to track victory of Olympic year in Glasgow KUALA LUMPUR: Marcus Fraser After they both parred the short expose the country’s secret devel- on Saturday. of Australia savoured his first win in 17th, Lee got into trouble again on the opment of performance-enhancing A month after Britain’s double Olympic nearly six years yesterday after over- par-four closing hole, leaving Fraser drugs, the newspaper has reported. champion was beaten into second place at night leader Lee Soo-Min crumbled with a par putt to win it. Ten weeks before he passed the boggy Great Edinburgh cross country down the homestretch to hand him “I wasn’t sure how I actually held away, Kamayev said he wanted to meeting, he returned to Scotland to make the inaugural Maybank Champion- on to the putter on that last one. I write a book that would reveal the amends by winning the 3,000 metres in ship Malaysia. was pretty nervous and I could see complete extent of doping in Russia, the more comforting surrounds of the The win is the third European the putter head shaking,” Fraser said. the Sunday Times said in a front- Emirates indoor arena. Tour title for Fraser, who carded a But he bent it in for the win, page article. After a six-week training spell in Ethi- bogey-free three-under-par 68, and leaving Lee to mop up with a “I want to write a book about opia, the 32-year-old was presented with a ends a drought that saw him go 119 double-bogey. the true story of sport pharma- straightforward task against limited rivals events without a victory. Lee, who shot a dazzling third- cology and doping in Russia since as he brushed aside the injury caused by “It’s an absolute dream come round 64 on Saturday, later admitted 1987 while being a young scientist a stray opposition spike to win in a mod- true,” said the ecstatic Fraser, he wilted under the pressure of clos- working in a secret lab in the USSR est seven minutes 39.55 seconds. who takes home a victor’s purse of ing out the tournament. He finished Institute of Sports Medicine,” he told Farah, who is expected to defend his $500,000. Sunday with a two-over 73. the newspaper in an email. Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 titles in Rio de “It’s been six years since I last But it was the second recent Russia was suspended from Janeiro in August, had been fancied to tar- won a golf tournament and I’ve strong performance by the South international athletics in Novem- get Dave Moorcroft’s long-standing British had a lot of chances and completely Korean, who finished tied for third ber after a special commission of record of 7:32.79 in Glasgow. stuffed it up.” in the Hong Kong Open in October. the World Anti-Doping Agency Poor pacemaking quickly put paid to He finished at 15-under, two Nathan Holman, a 24-year-old (WADA) exposed widespread state- that idea, though, and he was content to strokes ahead of South Korea’s Lee from Melbourne who won the Aus- sponsored cheating and corruption. ease away from Kenyan runner-up Augus- and Miguel Tabuena of the Philip- tralian PGA title in December, had led Kamayev, who quit as executive tine Choge (7:40.66) some 300 metres from pines in the tournament, which is the tournament the first two days. But director of Russia’s Anti-Doping home. co-sponsored by the European and he gave up the lead late in the third Agency (RUSADA) two months ago, “I have a few cuts,” Farah told report- Asian tours. round and struggled to find a rhythm died last weekend at the age of 52. ers at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix. “I The final round was a two-horse yesterday, posting a one-over 72 to A Taas news agency report said it was pushed around but that is racing. It race between overnight leader Lee, a finish in eighth place. appeared his death was caused by happens. The most important thing is to South Korean youngster with K-pop England’s world number 13 a heart attack. win in front of the home crowd. Now I’ll looks, and the 37-year-old Aussie. Danny Willett had been considered Kamayev stood down from his concentrate on the World Half Marathon Starting yesterday with a three- the favourite in Malaysia after win- position, along with the rest of the Championships [in Cardiff next month] stroke advantage over Fraser, Lee ning the Dubai Desert Classic two Great Britain’s Mo Farah senior RUSADA management, in and it would be nice to get another title fought off the persistent Australian weeks ago, but played himself out of mid-December as Russia began if I can.” wins the 3000m final for most of the round as the playing contention with weekend rounds of working on lifting the suspension World 200 champion Dafne Schip- during the Glasgow Indoor partners matched fine iron shots on 73 and 75. The tournament is the suc- in time for its athletes to compete pers provided another highlight, the Dutch Grand Prix at the Emirates the par-71 Royal Selangor Golf Club. cessor to the long-running Malaysian at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in flyer winning the 60 metres in an Emir- indoor arena on Saturday. But the relatively inexperienced Open, which has been discontinued August. ates Arena record 7.10 seconds. Lee, who is just 22 and was making due to a sponsorship realignment. 34 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT Green’s 11th triple-double leads Warriors over Clippers Former San Francisco slugger showing of the season with a SATURDAY’S NBA the start. The Warriors built a and grabbed 13 rebounds, Barry Bonds. 115-112 victory over the Los ROUND-UP double-digit lead in the first lifting the Bucks past the incon- Golden State Angeles Clippers on Saturday quarter before earning a 63-53 sistent Atlanta Hawks 117-109 in bounce back from at Staples Centre. four-point play in the second advantage at the break. They double overtime on Saturday at their season’s Guard Stephen Curry had quarter. JJ Redick had 16 points. shot 56.1 percent in the first Philips Arena. I know that I’m a 23 points and nine assists as The Clippers made it close half, making 61.1 percent in the Picked second overall by worst showing the Warriors (49-5) returned in the final 35 seconds, getting second quarter, to 43.2 percent Milwaukee in the 2014 NBA with a 115-112 win to their winning ways follow- three straight 3-point buckets. for the Clippers. Draft, Parker suffered a sea- Hall of Famer, ing a 137-105 beat down by the After guard C J Wilcox hit one, Forward Jeff Green made son-ending knee injury last Portland Trail Blazers on Fri- guard Pablo Prigioni hit two in his Clippers’ debut. Green, who December that curtailed his day night. a row to cut the Warriors’ lead was acquired from the Mem- rookie year. Like the rest of the says Bonds Agencies Green finished with 18 to three with 5.1 seconds left in phis Grizzlies in exchange for Bucks, he has been inconsist- points, 11 rebounds and 10 the contest. swingman Lance Stephenson ent for much of this season, but AFP enshrinement but his best assists as Golden State defeated The Warriors held a and a protected first-round posted his second straight dou- total in four years on the the Clippers for their fifth 93-84 edge heading into the pick, had five points against ble-double on Saturday. ballot. LOS ANGELES: Guard Klay straight time. Forward Harri- final quarter. They increased Golden State. “God knows I’m a Hall Thompson scored 32 points son Barnes also had 18 points. the margin to 110-92 after a The Warriors played with- NBA RESULTS MIAMI: US home run of Famer,” Bonds said Sat- and forward Draymond Green Guard Jamal Crawford 3-pointer by Harrison Barnes out centre Andrew Bogut, Atlanta 109 Milwaukee 117 king Barry Bonds began urday. “I know that I’m a recorded his NBA-leading came off the bench to score on a beautiful assist by guard who missed the contest with a Miami 114 Washington 94 his first full-time Major Hall of Fame player. I 11th triple-double, allowing 25 points to lead the Clippers Shaun Livingston and a layup strained right Achilles’ tendon. Minnesota 95 New York 103 League Baseball job since don’t really need to get the Golden State Warriors to (36-19). Crawford also notched by Green with 5:20 remaining. Meanwhile, Jabari Parker 2007 on Saturday, the into that. I’ll leave that bounce back from their worst his 47th career regular-season Golden State dictated from scored a career-high 28 points LA Clippers 112 Golden State 115 controversial new Miami to you guys to make that Marlins hitting coach determination. declaring “God knows I’m “But in my fraternity, a Hall of Famer.” in Major League Base- Bonds hit a record 762 ball, there’s not one player homers over 22 seasons, that ever could sit there but links to performance- and say that I’m not one. enhancing drugs had the There’s not a coach who former San Francisco ever coached me that says slugger jeered by many I’m not one.” fans and have clouded Bonds was a seven- his bid for a place in the time Most Valuable Baseball Hall of Fame. Player and an eight-time Bonds, 51, spent a Gold Glove winner for his week as a guest instruc- fielding skills. He made 14 tor for his former club two All-Star teams and led the years ago, but had been majors in homers three Draymond Green of the out of the major leagues times, including a one- Golden State Warriors until joining new Marlins season record of 73 in shoots the ball against manager Don Mattingly’s 2001. the Los Angeles Clippers coaching staff. Bonds’ former per- on Saturday at Staples A media induction sonal trainer was among Centre in Los Angeles, panel this year gave those convicted in the California. Bonds only 44.3 percent BALCO steroid scandal, support for the Hall of but no doping case has Fame, well shy of the 75 ever been proven against percent figure needed for Bonds.

Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr reacts after his goal against the Sturm eyes retirement after making history Winnipeg Jets at BB&T Centre on Saturday. This is Jagr’s 742nd goal which makes him third in the all time list. AFP

BERLIN: Felix Sturm has left his future open after making history as the first Ger- man boxer to win world titles five times following his points win over Russia’s Fedor Chudinov. The 37-year-old Sturm won Saturday’s bout in Oberhausen with a 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 points decision to reclaim the WBA super middleweight belt he lost to Chudi- nov last May. It was Sturm’s 40th win in 48 fights, but admitted it could be his last having also held the WBA, WBO and IBF middle- weight belts at various stages in his career. “Perhaps that was my last fight, per- haps I have given everything I have for the last time,” said an exhausted Sturm after the verdict. “I will now just relax and come down, I actually need a longer break, but I’ll weigh everything up and let a bit of time pass by.” The most famous bout of Sturm’s career so far is when he lost the WBO mid- dleweight belt to Oscar De La Hoya over Jagr’s two goals lift him 12 rounds in Las Vegas in 2004. Chudinov suffered the first defeat in his 15 professional fights and said he wants to third on all-time list German Felix Sturm (right) in action against Russian Fedor Chudinov during their rematch World Boxing the chance to win back the belt. “The result wasn’t fair. I respect Felix, Association (WBA) World Super Middleweight title fight held in Oberhausen, Germany on Saturday. AFP remaining to make NHL history. but I didn’t lose,” said the 28-year-old. Felix Sturm regained the world title. Jagr is the NHL’s oldest active player and the oldest to ever score a hat trick. MIAMI: Czech right winger Jaromir He helped the Pittsburgh Pen- Jagr netted two goals on Saturday to guins win the Stanley Cup in 1991 Ferrari threat to Mercedes scrutinised in testing opener become the third-highest scorer in and 1992, and sparked the Czech National Hockey League history and Republic to Winter Olympic gold in spark the Florida Panthers over vis- 1998 at Nagano in the first tourna- AFP title last season as he and Mercedes the end for the championship,” Arriv- return to F1 for the Japanese manu- iting Winnipeg 3-1. ment to feature full teams of NHL teammate Nico Rosberg won 16 of the abene said at the SF-16H launch. facturer last season. Five days after his 44th birth- talent. 19 races. “I know that is not going to be Former world champions Fern- day, Jagr improved to 742 career However, Ferrari showed signs easy, because our competitors are ando Alonso and Jenson Button NHL goals, moving past Brett Hull BARCELONA: Ferrari’s ability to of a revival with four-time world not sleeping, but we are committed didn’t even get on the podium as for third place on the all-time list. NHL RESULTS challenge Lewis Hamilton and Mer- champion Sebastian Vettel claiming to do our best.” McLaren finished ninth in the con- Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky Edmonton 2 Colorado 3 cedes’ dominance of Formula One the other three race wins, exceeding Mercedes certainly believe Ferrari structors’ championship ahead of owns the all-time NHL record with Arizona 4 St Louis 6 will be examined as the longest sea- team principal Maurizio Arrivabene’s will be their main obstacle to another only Marussia, who failed to regis- 894 goals, with Gordie Howe second son in the sport’s history gets under pre-season expectations. season of dominance. Worryingly for ter a single point.Red Bull will also Nashville 1 Los Angeles 2 on the list at 801. way with the first series of testing in Arrivabene is now looking for Mercedes’ competition, though, the be looking for continued improve- Jagr tipped in a pass from Dallas 3 Boston 7 Barcelona today. even more progress from the SF-16H double world champions ran a trouble ment as they ended 2015 promisingly defenseman Dimitri Kulikov for his Toronto 4 Philadelphia 5 Hamilton is looking for a third to be able to challenge Mercedes with free 98.2km on a filming day in the to finish fourth in the constructors’ 19th goal of the season just 4:53 into Ottawa 3 Detroit 2 consecutive drivers’ championship Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen -- the last W07 Hybrid in Silverstone last week. championship. the second period and took a loose Florida 3 Winnipeg 1 and the fourth of his career across a man to win a drivers’ title with Ferrari Elsewhere, all eyes will be on The grid extends to 22 cars in puck from in front of the net in the Washington 4 New Jersey 3 mammoth 21 Grand Prix season that back in 2008 -- at the wheel. what improvements the McLaren- 2016 as thanks to the introduction third period, then beat Jets goal- starts in Australia on March 20. “I think this year, we need to push Honda partnership has developed of the first American F1 team in 30 tender Mike Hutchinson with 4:23 Pittsburgh 2 Tampa Bay 4 The Englishman coasted to the a bit more. We would like to fight until in the off-season after a disastrous years in Haas. SPORT MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016 35 Camels 1 ease past North Atlantic boys US Eagles rip Chile Competition leaders QATAR RUGBY SEVENS Camels 1 defeat their to seize Americas junior counterparts of the game. The conversion was tourney lead 38-5, Al Khor too unsuccessful and Camels1 were in strong for CNAQ disarray finding themselves for the first time in this competition trail- AFP ing 5 nil. The Camels top side struck back The Peninsula one minute from half time with play WASHINGTON: Mike Te’o scored maker and captain Lliese Rakabu two tries and the United States going over under the black dot after routed Chile 64-0 on Saturday breaking through the Camel 2’s fickle to seize the lead of the Americas DOHA: The question who will domi- defense. Aaron McLelland converted Rugby Championship over Argen- nate Qatar Rugby Sevens competition the kick to give the top side an early tina by a lone bonus point. came to rest this week when Camels 7-5 lead. The South American side 1 proved too strong for the Camels 2 The second half began with same took a 24-21 road victory at Uru- who pushed hard until the final whis- intensity and will power but it was guay that left them level at 2-0 and tle, but their big brothers were too Camel 1’s flare and style that started one drawn with the Americans, good and took the bragging rights. to shine. The combination of Rakabu, who were deadlocked 35-35 with Round three of the 2016 Qatar McLelland and Evans proved to be Argentina in their opening match. Rugby Sevens Championship League lethal as the Camels 1 piled on 31 But the 10-try outburst by the had six matches played at the Aspire unanswered points to take the match US Eagles against Chile earned Warm Up Track on Saturday night. 38 -5. an extra bonus point in the over- The match of the round labelled as The second match for Camels 1 all standings, giving them a 13-12 mate against mate was won by the was a one sided encountered over the edge with two matches remaining senior Camels side 38 -5 over their North Atlantic boys. The competition in the round-robin intercontinental CNAQ captain leading by example against Al Khor during their Qatar Rugby Sevens championship at Aspire junior counterparts. leaders blew away their opponents showdown. Three minutes into the seven 50 – nil. Zone on Saturday night. Canada remained third at 2-1 minute half the score was deadlocked Speaking in a sideline interview on 10 points with a 52-25 home tri- at nil all. Much to everybody’s sur- Camels 1 captain Rakabu said, “They umph over winless Brazil, getting prise it was Camels 2 utility Rakan gave us a fright in the opening min- end we came to win and that’s what as must wins with large margins to proceedings Qatar Rugby boss Yousef two tries each from Lucas Rum- Mutawaa who turned defense into utes when they scored first. They we did”. get up our points differential which Al Kuwari said: “This completes round ball and Clay Panga. attack after a strong set of phases. controlled the first half but seemed Man of the match Rakan Muta- could be very important coming into three of our sevens league and as you “To get one try was amazing A nice outside ball from Mubarak to crumble in the second. We capital- waa said, “Yeah sure it’s hard to lose. the back end of the season. We are can see the standard is starting to pick but to get two was just a bonus,” Malik sent him over for the first points ized on every opportunity and in the I really thought we had them in the very happy we managed 92 points in up. Teams are becoming acquainted Panga said. “It was an unreal feel- first half. I scored first and they barely two games tonight”. with others play and as a result we ing. It’s a great testament to how responded until the last few seconds When asked about the Hurricanes are getting better rugby”. hard the boys worked.” before half time. After the break we recent good fortunes Banks said, He also said, “The final selec- Te’o, from the US Sevens squad, made very silly mistakes and that’s ‘Defense. We spoke a lot about our tion of the national sevens team will scored in the 64th and 77th min- all they needed. Their power, strength defense and decided that we should be confirmed in the coming days. I utes and fly half J.P. Eloff kicked and knowledge of the game is impres- not concede any points in the three believe we have players from four dif- seven conversions and scored his sive still we could have beaten them matches. This is a testament to our ferent clubs all of whom are playing in first international try, one of six had we controlled the ball and didn’t guy’s mental strength”. our league for their respected clubs”. Eagles to achieve that feat in the miss tackles”. In other matches, Al Khor was too The Qatar Rugby Sevens national rout. The DRFC Hurricanes seem to strong for CNAQ beating them 31-5 but squad will travel next week to Al Ain, “The performance is more have found their stride as they posted struggled to beat the Camels 2 going UAE to take part in the Asia Rugby important (than the margin),” US huge deficit points against their rivals. down 29-nil. Stand in captain Luca Development Sevens. The two day coach John Mitchell said. “I think They showed no mercy in their open- Wickham said “We did well against event will see twelve teams com- we’re still naive in terms of game ing match against the Blue Falcons by CNAQ holding them to only one try peting for the title including Iran, management, but these are prob- blocking them out 52-nil and thump- but unfortunately we couldn’t do the Lebanon, UAE, KSA, Philippines and lems that have solutions and we’re ing the North Atlantic boys 40 nil. same in our second game. The Cam- India. dealing with a very youthful team.” A brilliant performance from els 2 was a good side”. The winner of the Al Ain men’s Also scoring tries for the Amer- Hurricanes captain Issac Banks who Referees: Kevin Ayling citing series will win a place for their union icans were Chris Baumann, Nic scored four tries for the night and had officer, Ryan Pedan, Mark Rowland to participate in the Asia Rugby Sev- Edwards, Joe Taufete’e, Lorenzo a hand in three others. He later said, and Fabrice Lumale. ens series 2016 which will feature Thomas, Jake Anderson, Chad Action from the match between Camels 1 and Camels 2. “We targeted both of these games Commenting after the nights three legs later this year. London and Luke Hume. “For me, it was a good per- formance but maybe too much individualism,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes that can happen in a game like this. At times the exe- Carter helps Racing past Grenoble, Toulouse slip up cution wasn’t on, but if you keep going to space there’s always going to be a high probability of scoring.” Canada also had tries from AFP La Rochelle later in the day. It was Just three minutes before that points with three penalties as the Merwe opened the scoring with a try Paul Ciulini, Mike Hamson and the first action in the Top 14 in three Thomas had run in a second Rac- home side closed in on a third suc- in the corner after 13 minutes and it Ray Barkwill and 13 points kicking weeks, with the opening two rounds ing try to put them in control after cessive victory. But replacement was veteran fly-half Brock James who from Andrew Ferguson in keeping PARIS: Racing 92 pulled five points of the Six Nations having taken cen- Antonie Claasen had crossed early on. Chauveau touched down to give made it 13-0 with two penalties. pace with the leaders. clear in the French Top 14 with a tre stage. Argentina back Juan Imhoff Racing hope, and 32-year-old wing It was a vastly different story at Marcos Bollini, Juan Cappiello thrilling 39-35 win at Grenoble yes- France coach Guy Noves would grabbed a third inside the first half Rokocoko cut the gap to just one point the start of the second half with Cast- and Franco Cuaranta scored tries terday, as Toulouse slumped to a 28-8 have been casting a nervous eye over an hour, all of which were converted with nine minutes left. res launching an offensive that ended for Argentina, which also had two defeat to La Rochelle. the weekend’s games, with several of by World Rugby Player of the Year His fellow former All Black Carter with Remi Lamerat squeezing over for conversions from Juan Novillo and Five-try Racing extended their his players in action just days before Dan Carter. slotted over the resulting conversion a try that Benjamin Urdapillet con- a conversion and penalty kick by advantage at the summit with a the crucial Six Nations clash with Grenoble hit back though with to snatch a win that he wrapped up verted from near the touchline. reserve Pedro Mercerat. bonus-point triumph, as late tries Wales in Cardiff on Friday. quickfire scores from Loick Jammes with a last minute penalty. James kept Clermont clear with The scene shifts to South from Xavier Chauveau and Joe Roko- He was dealt a blow at Greno- and James Percival before the break, Clermont were eager to get back another penalty after 55 minutes, but America as the five-week event coko broke Grenoble’s stubborn ble as Racing winger Teddy Thomas with the reliable boot of Jonathan to winning ways earlier in the day an interception try from the halfway continues next weekend with the resistance. hobbled off in the 22nd minute with a Wisniewski giving them a five-point after a run of poor results and they line from Samoa winger David Smith United States at Brazil and Uru- A 28-17 victory over Castres hamstring strain, with his coach Lau- half-time lead. were well on top in the first half at made it 16-14 and Castres went ahead guay at Chile on Saturday and puts Clermont level with Toulouse rent Labit confirming he would miss Fly-half Wisniewski took his the Stade Pierre-Antoine. for the first time shortly after with a Canada visiting Argentina on in second, who were humbled by the game at the Principality Stadium. points tally for the evening to 25 South African winger Flip Van Der penalty from Urdapillet. Sunday.

Action from Round 1 of the Qatar International Endurocross

The podium winners at the Qatar International Endurocross pose for a picture during the victory ceremony on Saturday. Endurocross off-road races are designed to test the endurance and off-road desert riding skills of the rider mixing enduro with motocross. Each race is run over a mix of different types of desert terrain and last for 30 minutes plus 1 lap. The Championship is 4 rounds and each round consists of 2 races. Administrative checks and scrutineering are on the morning of the event followed by free practice and then the two races. There are 3 classes for motorcycles (E1, E2 and Veterans) and 1 class for quads. The second round of the championship will be held on March 11. 36 MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2016

Qatari athletes Mohamed Nazir, Musaab Abdulrahman Balla, Baker Hayder Abdallah and Abdalelah Haroun, who won the first place in the 4X400m relay event, show off their medals during the victory ceremony on the concluding day of the 7th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships at Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Musaab Abdulrahman Balla (centre) of Qatar poses for a picture with compatriot and silver medal winner Jamal Hairane (left) and bronze medal winner Mostafa Gholamerza Kordiyani of Iran. Pictures by: Salim M/The Peninsula Qatar tops at Asian Indoor Championships

ATHLETICS: QATAR Results on day three Hosts finish with CLINCHES THREE GOLD MEDALS ON FINAL DAY of Asian Indoors a haul of six gold medals pushing giants Championships the 4X400m relay race. The team, Men’s 3,000M China to second spot consisting of Mohamed Nazir, Musaab in the three-day Doha Abdulrahman Balla, Baker Hayder Mohamed Al Garni (Qatar) 7.39.23 championships Abdallah and Abdalelah Haroun, fin- Albert Rop 7.40.27 (Bahrain) ished in 3mins, 8.20sec to overcome 7.40.27 Kazakhstan’s mark set in 2014. Said Aden Said (Qatar) 7.44.69 The Iranian side — Reza Ali Men’s 800M By Fawad Hussain Ghasemi, Holamerza Kordiyani, The Peninsula Mahdi Javad Zamani and Sajjad Musaab Abdulrahman Balla (Qatar) Hashemi Ahangari — finished the 1min 46.92sec race in 3:11.86. Jamal Hairane (Qatar) 1:48.05 DOHA: Qatari runners displayed a Less than 24 hours after defend- Mostafa Gholamerza Kordiyani stunning performance on track on ing his 1500m title, Qatar’s Mohamad (Iran) 1:48.26 the final day to give their team tri- Al Garni completed a double title- umph at the 7th Asian Indoor Athletics defence after winning the 3,000 race Men’s 60M Hurdles Championships, which concluded in in convincing fashion. Abdulazeez Almandeel (Kuwait) a simple but impressive closing cer- The young Qatari finished the race 7.60sec emony at the iconic Aspire Dome in in 7mins, 39.23sec, in front of Bah- Yaqoub Alyouha (Kuwait) 7.65 Doha yesterday. rain’s Albert Rop (7:40.27) and Qatar’s Zhang Hong Lin (China) 7.73 The hosts clinched the maximum Said Aden Said (7:44.69). number of gold medals to seal victory, The contest witnessed smart Women’s 60M Hurdles with their athletes winning six titles exchange of tactics from the Qatari Anastassiya Soprunova (Kaza- in the three-day championships, to and his Bahraini rival Rop. Zhang Yaoguang of China (centre), winner in the Long Jump, is seen along with second place finisher Prem surpass Asian giants China in the con- “It wasn’t my plan to stay behind khstan) 8.17sec Kumar (left) of India and bronze medal winner Ming Tai Chan of Hong Kong. China finished second in the tinental event. Rop. It was his tactic to make me tired Anastassiya Pilipenko championship behind hosts Qatar. (Kazakhstan) 8.17 Qatar grabbed a total of 10 med- after he watched me running the Valentina Kibalnikova als, a tally that also includes one silver 1,500m yesterday. But still, I was able (Uzbekistan) 8.32 and three bronze medals. to stay close behind him and make breaking the old mark set by Kuwait’s winning the men’s 60m hurdles with distance of 18.77. It was one of his two China, on the other hand, finished the final kick in the last lap,” said a Mohamed Al Azmi in 2012. a new Asian indoor record (7.60sec) at attempts that did not result in a foul. Men’s Shot Put with an aggregate of 13 gold medals delighted Al Garni. “I wanted to win and set a new the Aspire Dome. He finished ahead of Uzbekistani women annexed the including five gold and as many silver “I’m feeling very strong this year. area record as well, but I didn’t compatriot Yaqoub Alyouha (7.65) and top two places in women’s high jump. Liu Yang (China) 19.30m besides three bronze medals. I’ve been 100 per cent prepared and recover in time after the unsuccess- China’s Zhang Hong Lin (7.73). While Svetlana Radzivil won the title Tian Zizhong (China) 18.88 Kazakhstan finished the biennial focused on my training. Regarding the ful attempt to beat the Asian record in The Kuwaiti runner was pleased with a 1.92M leap, Nadiya Dusanova Om Prakash Singh (India) 18.77. championships in third place secur- IAAF Indoor Worlds in Portland, we Stockholm,” Balla said after the win. with his performance. finished second with a 1.88m clear- Women’s High Jump ing 10 medals including four gold, two still have time to decide whether I’m “Nevertheless, victory in front of “I’m so excited with my time, ance. China’s Zheng Xingjuan finished silver and four bronze medals. going for it or not,” he added. home fans makes me really happy,” he which is a new national and Cham- third (1.84). Svetlana Radzivil On an eventful final day, Qatari As expected, Musaab Abdulrah- said before hoping for a good show in pionships record. I feel I can run faster Bahraini women earned the wom- (Uzbekistan) 1.92m runners won titles in 4X400m relay, man Balla clinched gold medal in the Portland next month. in Portland next month and secure a en’s 4x400m relay with a new Asian Nadiya Dusanova (Uzbekistan) 1.88 men’s 3000m and men 800m com- men’s 800m. “I’m expecting very good results place in the final,” he said. and Championship record. Zheng Xingjuan (China) 1.84 petitions to end Al Anabi’s campaign The 26-year old who finished fifth in Portland next month, at the IAAF In women’s 60m hurdles, Kaza- The Bahraini team, consisting on a winning note. in the World Championships in Bei- World Indoor Championships, as khstan’s Anastassiya Soprunova won of Alwa Eid Naser, Uwaseun Yusuf Women’s 4x400M Relay In the eagerly-awaited race of the jing last year took 1min 46.92sec to well as at the Olympics in Rio later the gold medal, pushing behind her Jamal, Iman Essa Jasim and Kemi Alwa Eid Naser, Uwaseun Yusuf last day, Qatari men shaved almost complete the job. this year. I’ll work hard towards it,” namesake and compatriot Anastas- Mujidat Adekoya completed the race Jamal, Iman Essa Jasim and Kemi five seconds off the previous Asian In doing so, the Qatari star cre- he said. siya Pilipenko by .002sec. in 3min, 35.07sec. Mujidat Adekoya (Bahrain) Indoor Championships record to win ated a new championship record The runner also spoke about his Soprunova (8.168) and Pilipenko The Iranians (Rzaneh Esmail 3min, 35.07sec. training regimen. (8.170) were both credited with an 8.17 Fasihi, Hossein Tavakoly Nik, Khosro Rzaneh Esmail Fasihi, Hossein Tava- “Nowadays, the 800m is all about finish, but the former won gold by the Kompanizare and Iammad Hossein koly Nik, Khosro Kompanizare and endurance and not speed. I’ve been minutest of margins. Uzbekistan’s Val- Toosi) finished second in 4:06.51 while Iammad Hossein trying hard during training to better entina Kibalnikova (8.32) finished Jordan’s Rasem Yacoub Hashem, Mil Toosi (Iran) 4:06.51 that part of my running,” he added. third. Sulaiman Maradat, Hattab Omar Rasem Yacoub Hashem, Mil Qatar’s Jamal Hairane ended China’s Liu Yang won the men’s Boshnak and El Abdelqader Alqadi Sulaiman Maradat, Hattab Omar second in 1:48.05 to complete one- shot put title with a 19.30M heave on finished third (4:10.55). Boshnak and El Abdelqader Alqadi two finish for the hosts while Iran’s his final attempt. Bahrain’s Marta Hirpato Yota won (Jordan) (4:10.55) Mostafa Gholamerza Kordiyani His compatriot Tian Zizhong the women’s 800m title with a time Women’s 800m made a last-gasp surge to finish third (18.88) too found his best distance in of 2mins 4.59sec. She finished slightly (1:48.26) in the event. the final throw. ahead of Sri Lanka’s Nimali Wali- Marta Hirpato Yota The men’s 60m hurdles saw India’s Om Prakash Singh was warsha (2:04.88) and Japan’s Yume (Bahrain) 4.59sec Kuwait’s Abdulazeez Almandeel third, throwing the iron ball to a Kitamura (2:05.04). Nimali Liyanarachchi (Sri Lanka) (2:04.88) MEDALS TABLE Yume Kitamura (Japan) 2:05.04 4X400M Men’s Relay Ranking Country Men Women Women Total & Men Gold Silver Bronze Total Gold Silver Bronze Total Gold Silver Bronze Total Mohamed Nazir, Musaab Abdulrah- 1 QAT 6 1 3 10 - - - 0 6 1 3 10 man Balla, Baker Hayder Abdallah and Abdalelah Haroun (Qatar) 2 CHN 3 2 2 7 2 3 1 6 5 5 3 13 3mins, 8.20sec 3 KAZ 1 - 1 2 3 2 3 8 4 2 4 10 Reza Ali Ghasemi, Holamerza Kordi- 4 BRN - 3 - 3 3 2 1 6 3 5 1 9 yani, Mahdi Javad Zamani and 5 UZB - - 1 1 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 5 Sajjad Hashemi Ahangari (Iran) 3:11.86. 6 UAE - - - 0 2 - 1 3 2 0 1 3 7 IRI 1 2 1 4 - 2 - 2 1 4 1 6 Men’s Heptathlon 8 IND - 2 1 3 1 1 2 4 1 3 3 7 Japan Akihiko Nakamura.(5,831 9 JPN 1 1 1 3 - - 2 2 1 1 3 5 points to emerge on top. 10 KUW 1 1 - 2 - - - 0 1 1 0 2 Hu Yufei (China) 5,745 11 SRI - - 1 1 - 1 - 1 0 1 1 2 Marat Khaaydarov (Uzbekistan) 5,619 12 VIE - - - 0 - 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 13 SYR - 1 - 1 - - - 0 0 1 0 1 Men’s Long Jump 14 PHI - - 1 1 - - - 0 0 0 1 1 Zhang Yaoguang (China) 7.99 Two members of the Qatar’s 4X400m relay team pass on the baton 15 JOR - - - 0 - - 1 1 0 0 1 1 Prem Kumar (India) 7.92 during the race at Aspire Dome yesterday. 16 HKG - - 1 1 - - - 0 0 0 1 1 Ming Tai Chan (Hong Kong) 7.85