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Doha Metro: Rosberg wins Northern section dramatic F1 tunnelling completes season-opener

MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 • 12 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6742 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

PM meets US Senator Emir congratulates Only green Tunisia President DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of congratulations to Tuni- ACs in market sian President Beji Caid Essebsi on his country’s Independence Day, reports QNA. Mock-up of Metro after July 1 trains to be Ministry of Economy and Trade. displayed soon Import of only energy-saving air Ministry sets conditioners will be permitted in line new deadline. with the Qatar Standard QS 2663 By Mohammad Shoeb Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday and the Gulf Technical Regulation The Peninsula met US Democratic Senator and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member Ben Cardin and his No (BD-142004-01), QS said yester- day, in an announcement posted on delegation. Talks dealt with cooperation between the two countries, ways of enhancing it and topics By Mohammed Iqbal its facebook page. of common interest. DOHA: Qatar Railways Company The Peninsula The regulation is intended to (Qatar Rail) yesterday announced protect public health, ensure safety that it will be showcasing a and eliminate inferior and counter- mock-up of the upcoming Doha feit products. Metro trains as part of its public DOHA: The Ministry of Municipal- The energy efficiency rate Govt e-services plan on track: Report awareness campaign to educate ity and Environment has set a new must not be 1ess than 8.5 BTU/hr, people about its exhilarating deadline of July 1 for phasing out all according to testing condition (T3 & services. conventional air conditioners from T1). Each manufacturer, or one the By Mobin Pandit are increasingly embracing social publish information. And 84 percent “Soon, a mock-up of the trains the local market that do not meet manufacturer authorises must reg- The Peninsula media to improve service delivery of them were using social media to which will run on the Metro will Qatari standards and specifications. ister the A/C’s prototype using the and engage with stakeholders. engage with social media users, and arrive in Doha and we are plan- Only energy-saving air condi- QS-approved form and obtain a con- The report is based on a large- 70 percent to solicit ideas and involve ning to put this on display to help tioners (both window and split) will formity certificate attesting the AC’s scale study of 480 government social media users in the policy and educate the public about our excit- be allowed in the market from that number of stars, at least a month DOHA: Qatar is on track to achieving employees and IT executives from 48 serviced delivery processes of gov- ing new services,” said Dr Saad date. Import and sale of all A/Cs that before import. its target of bringing all key govern- government organisations, includ- ernment organizations. Al Muhannadi, Chief Executive don’t meet Qatari and Gulf stand- Voltage and frequency of the ment services online by 2020, says ing ministries, authorities and other Importantly, more than three- Officer of Qatar Rail. ards and specifications have been A/Cs must be in accordance with the a report. institutions. Its aim was to monitor quarters (80 percent) of government Qatar Rail did not give details banned. The Qatar General Organi- Qatari regulation i.e. 240 volt (sin- By 2015-end, some 681 govern- the government’s progress in improv- organisations that use social media of the proposed mockup of the zation for standardisation (QS) at the gle phase) and 415 volt (three-phase), ment services were online, and the ing its service delivery, transparency now employ at least one dedi- train. However, a mock-up train ministry said that the law regulating and the frequency is 50 Hz; no other number is expected to rise to 1,000 and efficiency. cated social media executive. ICT can be a full-size or a scale model the import of energy-saving air con- variety will be accepted. by the close of this year. Government organisations are adoption within the government of an actual design of train coaches ditioners will be in force from July 1. ACs must have “difficult to The report, issued by the Ministry using social media channels to reach workforce is widespread, govern- used for teaching, demonstration, QS had set several early dead- remove” metal or plastic energy of Transport and Communications, out to external stakeholders and fos- ment organisations are embracing design evaluation, promotion, and lines for the ban that were later efficiency cards/labels, approved is titled “Qatar’s ICT Landscape ter deeper engagement as well as new technologies, and there is a many other purposes. Mock-ups extended. The regulation has been by QS, indicating the number of 2015” and says IT executives believe improve service delivery, says the rapid rise in the penetration levels are also used to acquire feedback enforced in collaboration with the stars affixed to the A/C’s front part that the use of ICT by the state has report. In 2015, for instance, 78 per- of smartphones and tablets in the from users for instructional or Ministry of Energy and Industry, or attached by the manufacturer. improved the quality of govern- cent of government entities in the country. experimental purposes. Qatar General Electricity and Water ment services significantly. It also country were using social media, Corporation (Kahramaa) and the → Continued on page 10 suggests that government entities with 97 percent of them doing so to → Continued on page 10 → Continued on page 10

Jordan to install Silver for Qatar HGH to get building security cameras around Al-Aqsa with dual helipad mosque By Fazeena Saleem three additional specialist theatres The Peninsula as well as two interventional radi- AFP ology suites, Dr Yousef Maslamani, Medical Director for HGH, told this newspaper. AMMAN: Jordan said yesterday DOHA: The Hamad General Hospi- The new surgical building will it will set up security cameras tal (HGH) will open a new surgical integrate with HGH’s existing facili- around Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al- building within this year with a dual ties and other planned developments Aqsa mosque compound in the rooftop helipad to facilitate patients for the adjacent Emergency Depart- coming days to monitor any Israeli brought by the ambulance helicop- ment to facilitate the rapid transfer “violations”. ter service, ”according to a senior of emergency patients. In October, US Secretary of official. “This facility will also feature State John Kerry endorsed a plan The new building will open as dedicated trauma intensive care to install cameras at the site in part of Hamad Medical Corporation and surgical intensive care units. a bid to calm repeated distur- (HMC)’s Master Plan, which aims to There will also be a new dual rooftop bances, after talks with Jordan’s expand and build several new facil- helipad to cater for patients arriving King Abdullah II and Palestinian Pavel Maslak of the Czech Republic (centre) celebrates his gold medal in the men’s 400 metres final ities by 2030. with the ambulance helicopter serv- leader Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli with silver medalist Abdalelah Haroun of Qatar (right) and bronze medalist Deon Lendore of Trinidad HGH is preparing to expand its ice,” said Dr Maslamani. Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- and Tobago during the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday. current operating theatre capac- yahu agreed. → See also page 33 ity and the new theatre facility will But the Jordanian-run trust have 17 new surgical theatres with → Continued on page 10 or “Waqf” that administers the site — which houses the famed golden Dome of the Rock and Al- Aqsa mosque — then complained that Israeli police had blocked it Political transition key point at Syria talks Travel & Tourism from installing the cameras. PAGE | 6-7 MAIN SPONSORS PAGE | 9 Qatar Airways Magical Festivalestival announces 14 Village is thethe llatestatest A “control centre” will be set up new destinations tourist attractionttraction SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 to monitor round-the-clock video Qatar sees rise in travellers surveillance of the compound, Jor- Reuters emboldened by the Russian and US have been saying so to them, that we from power, while the Syrian gov- from around the globe

for hotels in Qatar. Hotels witnessed average occupancy of around 67 per- cent in December last year. A major chunk of travellers com- ing to Qatar are on business visit. Experts say that Doha is predomi- dan’s Islamic Affairs Minister Hayel muscle that brought the participants will get their opinion, their details on ernment and Russia have said there nantly a business destination, with the corporate segment accounting for more than 60 percent of the hotel demand. The number of visitors is bound to increase significantly in coming years with government agencies tak- ing major steps to boost tourism. Qatar is hosting many international Daoud said. to the negotiating table, he refuses to how they see the political transition is no such clause in the international exhibitions, seminars and confer- ences attracting professionals from across the globe. Hotels in Qatar witnessed occu- pancy of around 67 percent in December last year. According to the Ministry of Development Plan- ning and Statistics, four-star hotels The footage will be broadcast drop the subject. taking place.” agreements that underwrite the peace f72 online to “document all Israeli vio- GENEVA: Syrian government nego- After a week of talks in Geneva, Arguments over Assad’s fate were process. lations and aggressions”, he said in tiators at Geneva peace talks are he praised the opposition for the a major cause of the failure of previ- The Syrian president looked more a statement, adding that no cam- coming under unaccustomed pres- depth of their ideas, but criticised the ous UN peace efforts in 2012 and 2014 secure than ever at the start of the lat- Included with today’s eras would be installed inside sure to discuss something far outside veteran diplomats on the government to end a civil war that has now lasted est round of talks, riding high after a edition is a 12-page mosques. Clashes between Pales- their comfort zone: the fate of Pres- side for getting bogged down. five years, killed more than 250,000 Russian-backed military campaign. tinian youths and Israeli security ident Bashar Al Assad. And they are “The government is currently people and caused a refugee crisis. But Russia’s surprise withdrawal special supplement on forces erupted at the compound doing their best to avoid it. focusing very much on principles, The main opposition, along with of most of its forces during the week Travel and Tourism in in September amid fears among UN mediator Staffan de Mistura which are necessary in any type of the United States and other Western signalled that Moscow expected its Muslims that Israel was planning describes Syria’s political transition common ground on the transition,” nations, has long insisted any peace Syrian allies to take the Geneva talks Qatar. to change rules governing the site. as “the mother of all issues” and, he said. “But I hope next week, and I deal must include his departure seriously.

HOME MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 03

Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman, Board of Directors, Ezdan Holding Group, presents the cheque to Staff-Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Director-General, Civil Defence, in the presence of other officials. Ezdan Group gives QR1m to Civil Defence for campaigns

The Peninsula campaigns. The amount He said Ezdan is supporting all important activities which serve is to support the Qatari society such as Darb Al DOHA: Ezdan Holding Group has Civil Defence’s Aman, which is one of the important given QR1m to the General Direc- public awareness projects launched torate of Civil Defence in an event public awareness by Civil Defence. at Ezdan headquarters to support it programmes and Spreading the culture of safety in its public awareness programmes and security in society and enhanc- and activities in the field of culture. activities in the field ing it in all ministries and social Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani of culture. institutions is a priority of Civil bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman, Defence, he added. Board of Directors, Ezdan Holding Sheikh Dr Khalid said Ezdan is Group, handed the cheque to Staff- keen to support the Ministry of Inte- Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed Al Fire Prevention Department rior’s activities, especially those of Suwaidi, Director-General, Civil yesterday. Civil Defence to serve society. Defence, in the presence of Briga- Staff-Brigadier Al Suwaidi He also appreciated humanitar- dier Aman Saad Al Sulaiti, Assistant. praised Ezdan for support and ian efforts made by Civil Defence Director-General, and Major Hus- said it would reflect positively on said these contribute to saving lives sain Aman Al Ali, Assistant Director, Civil Defence’s public awareness and properties. 04 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 HOME

Greeting cables sent to Tunisian Maritime mandatory audit session begins President Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Public Secu- QNA “The maritime rity Director-General and Chairman transportation sector of Permanent Emergency Committee Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim in Qatar has seen a Al Khulaifi, senior officers from the DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh remarkable boom at Qatari Emiri Armed Forced and the Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Ministry of Interior and officials from yesterday sent a cable of congrat- all levels, particularly the maritime sector, Mwani Qatar and ulations to Tunisian President Beji in terms of ports, Qatar Petroleum were present. Caid Essebsi on his country’s Inde- shipbuilding and dry “The maritime transportation pendence Day. sector in Qatar has seen a remark- Prime Minister and Interior docks, in accordance able boom at all levels, particularly Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin with international in terms of ports, shipbuilding and Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a dry docks, in accordance with inter- similar cable to Essebsi. standards concerned national standards concerned with with people’s safety people’s safety at sea, marine envi- Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Municipality and ronment protection and maritime Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi and other officials at the opening event. Premier meets at sea, marine security,” Al Sulaiti said. environment He said his ministry pays attention US Senator to providing the ports with state-of- IMO conventions applied in the mem- drawing the maritime transport sec- our country at international platforms. protection and the-art stevedoring equipment and ber states by reviewing and assessing tor’s strategic and executive strategies Sarenius said, “Qatar’s commit- DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior maritime security.” capacities to raise the country’s profile the level of compliance with audit and policies. ment to arranging for mandatory audit Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin to become an economic navigational requirements,” said Nasser Misaad Among other commitments, he sessions for IMO member states is very Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yes- power. Qadar, Director, Marine Transport added, are those related to the min- unique and comfortable for the audit- terday met US Democratic Senator The Minister thanked the inter- Planning and Licensing Department istry, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Ports ing team.” He said the audit sessions and Senate Foreign Relations Com- The Peninsula national auditing team and said the at the ministry. Management Company, Civil Aviation would continue for seven days and mittee Member Ben Cardin and his ministry and other relevant enti- Among top requirements is the Authority, Telecommunications Reg- wrap up with recommendations and delegation. Talks dealt with coop- ties observing IMO agreements will presence of national regulations such ulatory Authority, Doha Joint Rescue proposals. eration between the two countries, extend all support and assistance to as decrees and laws that reflect the Coordination Centre and all parties The IMO’s primary purpose is ways of enhancing it and topics of DOHA: Minister of Transport and Dan Sarenius leading the audit team positive response to international con- committed with us to fulfilling inter- to develop and maintain a compre- common interest. Communications H E Jassim bin Saif and his assistants George Dimitri- ventions related to maritime safety national audit conventions. hensive regulatory framework for Al Sulaiti yesterday inaugurated the adis and Rifaat Arminius to render and marine environment protection, Qadar said the ministry and shipping and its remit includes safety, International Maritime Organisation’s their mission successful. “The goal in addition to effective enforcement all participating entities will work environmental concerns, legal mat- 2 new mosques (IMO) mandatory audit session. behind the mandatory audit is to of international conventions by the to achieve a successful mandatory ters, technical co-operation, maritime completed Minister of Municipality and check to what extent Qatar enforces ministry’s Marine Authority through audit to be added to the register of security and the efficiency of shipping.

DOHA: The Ministry of Endow- ments and Islamic Affairs has completed two new mosques yes- CRA assigns 189 temporary frequencies for Qatar MotoGP and Motocross Championship terday, as part a plan to increase the number of mosques to cope with the increasing population. The Peninsula the organiser of the events. for smooth operations of the club, racing teams Approvals were granted within a short time The first can take up to 536 Grand Prix MotoGP is the high-profile pre- and media agencies, including Dorna Sports as to meet the events’ needs and CRA supported male and 57 female worshippers mier motorcycle racing World Championship the exclusive commercial and TV rights holder. the timely release of imported equipment in and has rooms for three Imams that receives pan-global TV coverage. Clear, With 11 teams at Qatar MotoGP 2016, cooperation with authorities. For organisers and other facilities. The second DOHA: The Communications Regulatory high quality and interference-free operations eight at Motocross Championship and mul- of big events that require use of radio com- mosque can accommodate up to Authority (CRA) has met the substantial radio- are essential for the participating teams and tiple international broadcasters covering the munication devices and temporary spectrum 300 male and 66 female wor- communication requirements of the ‘Grand Prix broadcasters. races, preparation and planning was required frequencies, CRA has made available forms and shippers and has a room for an of Qatar MotoGP’ and ‘Motocross’ Champion- CRA played a supporting role in line with to service the radiocommunication needs of guidelines on its website: Forms: http://www.cra. Imam. Authorities concerned at ship with temporary frequencies assignments. its national mandate, which includes manag- both events. gov.qa/en/regulatory/spectrum-management/ the ministry determines the needs It approved 1,115 types of radio equipment ing scarce resources such as the radio spectrum. CRA contributed to the success of Qatar spectrum-licensing/spectrum-forms and for of various areas for mosques and such as walkie-talkies, wireless microphone CRA managed assignments relating to the use MotoGP 2016 and Motocross Championship, guidelines: http://www.cra.gov.qa/en/regulatory/ prepares the annual maintenance systems and wireless cameras, and 189 fre- of radiocommunication equipment during the meeting challenges in a professional manner spectrum-management/spectrum-licensing/ plan for the country’s mosques. quency channels for Losail Circuit Sports Club, Qatar MotoGP and Motocross Championship with necessary approvals quickly and efficiently. guidelines Cadillac Escalade models recalled WISH 2016 to feature Precision Medicine forum QNA within the framework of its efforts to protect consumers and ensure dealers follow up on vehicle defects The Peninsula environment, lifestyle and other factors. It rep- DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and repairs. resents the cutting-edge treatment and policy in and Commerce, in collaboration It urged customers to report any contrast with the one-size-fits-all approaches with Mannai Trading Company, violations to its Consumer Protec- of the past. dealer of Cadillac vehicles in Qatar, tion and Anti-Commercial Fraud DOHA: The World Innovation Summit for Health Professor Victor Dzau (pictured), President, has announced the recall of Cadil- Department through hotline: 16001; (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation Institute of Medicine at National Academy of Sci- lac Escalade 2011-2012 models due email: [email protected]; Twitter: @ (QF), has announced that a ‘Precision Medicine’ ences, will chair the forum. to the outer diameter of the ignition MEC_Qatar; Instagram: MEC_Qatar; forum will be held during its 2016 conference He said, “The field of precision medicine is key cylinder exceeding the stand- and the ministry’s mobile app for from November 29 to 30 in Doha. rapidly advancing and will have a major impact ard diameter. Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Precision medicine tailors healthcare to on the practice of medicine. The ministry said the recall is account for variables in each patient’s genes, However, scientific and technological

progress does not guarantee that its benefits will reach the general public. There is concern that precision med- icine will only increase complexity, drive up costs and increase inequity.” The WISH report will recommend how precision medicine can be implemented based on the expertise of those at the forefront of its practice and development. The crucial measurable results for precision medi- cine — patient outcomes and lowered costs — and how these can be incentivised within healthcare systems, will be discussed. The report will address benefits of cross-referenc- ing relevant data. Properly analysing the full breadth of information gathered by health systems has produced unexpected advances in practice and policy. Guided by the principles of precision medicine, developing the collection and analysis of such data could reveal better methods to improve healthcare. The report will delve into the ever-present legal, ethical and social concerns surrounding data collection and suggest how precision medicine can be supported and funded at the system level, leveraging public-pri- vate partnerships to create sustainable, effective change. WISH is a meeting point for thousands of high-level policymakers, academics and professionals and has evolved into a key platform for the dissemination of healthcare innovation and best practices. The 2016 Summit will feature seven groundbreaking research forums addressing some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. The forums will generate interdisciplinary, evi- dence-based reports on topics, including healthy populations; economic benefits of investing in health; cardiovascular disease; accountable care; autism; and behavioural insights. Internationally-renowned experts will chair the forums.

06 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 HOME

Middle East healthcare forum to feature poster-storyboard Expert stresses breastfeeding exhibition and competition the public event at Diplomatic Club for baby than his or her mother’s as part of WCM-Q’s Sahtak Awa- milk. For example, special fatty Weill Cornell lan: Your Health First campaign. acids breast milk contains are The Peninsula undertaken by multidisciplinary teams Medicine-Qatar The campaign is five-year optimal for healthy development over the past year, and the forum is an initiative to encourage members and growth of the infant brain.” opportune time to highlight these suc- holds Ask the Expert expat and Qatari communities to Dr Khan is a Maternal and cesses and provide inspiration to others,” series to highlight make healthy lifestyle choices. Child Health Specialist and a DOHA: The Middle East Forum on Quality said Prof. Butt. importance of Dr Khan stressed that breast- certified and registered Lacta- and Safety in Healthcare 2016 (ME Forum) “But we also look forward to entries feeding should not be viewed as a tion Consultant at Breastfeeding has announced that this year’s conference from other healthcare institutions in breastfeeding for supplement to a baby’s diet, but as Management, a regionally and will again feature the popular poster — Qatar and from the region as there is a the health and the basis of proper infant nutrition. internationally-recognised storyboard exhibition and competition. real wealth of experience in the Middle Breast milk contains nutrients resource centre. He has also won Open to healthcare professionals inter- East we can all learn from.” growth of infants. essential to the healthy develop- Star of Excellence Honourable ested in sharing their example of quality Authors of accepted posters and sto- ment of babies, including proteins, Mention award. and safety improvement projects with ryboards are eligible to receive a heavily vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates The centre provides international experts and other peers, discounted registration fee to attend the and fats. It also contains anti- innovative, responsive and com- the display offers an ideal platform to forum. All other participants can take The Peninsula infective components, important passionate service to achieve Dr Khan, Maternal and Child showcase excellent practical and real- advantage of the early bird discount fee hormones and special enzymes optimal outcomes in the science of Health Specialist, speaking at life examples from the Middle East. until April 14. that aid digestion and absorption breastfeeding for healthcare pro- the event. (Below) A section of The submissions deadline has been Details on the programme and fee of nutrients. viders, mothers, babies and their the audience. pushed back to March 31 at 10pm (Qatar structures are available on HMC website DOHA: The importance of He said: “There is no better families in accordance with inter- time) and submissions can be posted on in the Events and Conferences section. breastfeeding for the health form of nourishment for infants national guidelines and protocols the conference website: http://ihimefo- The forum will also focus on improve- and development of infants was than their mother’s milk, which and achieves the highest standards Yes to Breastfeeding’ initiative that rum.hamad.qa ment initiatives that have provided a explained at the latest instalment provides all nutritions babies of patient safety and confidential- provides comprehensive support Due to overwhelming interest from transformative approach to improving of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s need and it is our duty as health ity at HMC’s Al Khor Hospital and from a multi-disciplinary team to healthcare teams wanting to submit ini- healthcare delivery by inspiring innova- (WCM-Q) Ask the Expert series. professionals to encourage and Al Wakra Hospital. help mothers breastfeed their chil- tiatives for the quality improvement poster tion and will feature keynote lectures and Breastfeeding expert Dr support mothers to breastfeed Dr Khan, whose centre is dren. The initiative is Qatar’s first displays, many of whom have asked for seminars from local, regional and global Mohammed Ilyas Khan of Hamad their children. based in the Obstetrics and integrated breastfeeding man- additional time to prepare, the organ- health experts and intensive pre-confer- Medical Corporation (HMC) was “While formula can provide Gynaecology Department at Al agement programme and based ising committee has decided to grant ence workshops. invited to make a presentation at basic nutrition, nothing is better Khor Hospital, manages the ‘Say on guidelines set by World Health a six-day extension to the submission The forum will be held from May 13 to Organisation and Unicef. deadline, according to Professor Adeel 15 at Qatar National Convention Centre. It The initiative runs a twice- Butt, Chair, ME Forum, who is also Chief is an Accredited Group Learning Activity weekly post-natal and daily Quality Officer, HMC, and Director, Hamad (Category 1) as defined by the Accreditation walk-in clinic to support working Healthcare Quality Institute. Department at Qatar Council for Health- mothers, first-time mothers and “In HMC, there have been many qual- care Practitioners and is approved for a urgent cases, and a scheduled Lac- ity and safety improvement initiatives maximum of 17 hours. tation Management Clinic once a week at Al Wakra Hospital. New mothers are helped with breastfeeding advice and practical care before the birth, in the crucial Ooredoo Passport and Qatar Duty first moments after birth and then for as long as they need support. Free relaunch Scratch and Win contest Dr Khan said: “Breastfeeding is so beneficial to infants’ health that we are working hard to encourage it among all new mothers. Qatar The Peninsula purchases at QDF. has a very diverse population QDF has a wide range of products and in some cultures the habit of for travellers, including perfume, food, breastfeeding has been lost. clothes and souvenirs. “We can help reintroduce it DOHA: Ooredoo and Qatar Duty Free Ooredoo Passport Card customers get for the benefit of all newborns (QDF) will relaunch their Scratch and 100 roaming minutes for all incoming and by strengthening the ‘Say Yes to Win Competition due to popular demand. outgoing calls and 1GB of roaming mobile Breastfeeding’ initiative to achieve With the competition, Ooredoo data in more than 60 countries. international and national goals,” customers can win QDF shopping gift Ooredoo Passport also offers an extra he added. vouchers worth up to QR1,000 for buy- 1GB of roaming mobile data for use in the ing an Ooredoo Passport Card. GCC. To enter the competition, Ooredoo It works on all GCC networks and customers have to buy their card at QDF, while roaming in the GCC, customers Ooredoo’s premium dealer, at Hamad can enjoy 4G speeds in the UAE (Etis- International Airport before April 30. alat), Saudi Arabia (Mobily & STC), Bahrain QSTP to host innovation session at ARC’16 Customers who purchase an Oore- (Batelco), Kuwait (Ooredoo Kuwait) and doo Passport from QDF will be given a Oman (Ooredoo Oman), at no additional special scratch card which will give them cost The Peninsula the innovation community in Qatar and the days from tomorrow at Qatar National Convention the chance to win one of three prizes — For details on roaming rates from wider region, bringing together some of the Centre (QNCC), providing a platform to highlight the a discount of QR50/QR100/QR1,000 for Ooredoo, visit www.ooredoo.qa. world’s brightest industry minds. importance of strategic investment in research and The event aligns with Qatar Founda- innovation for the benefit of Qatar’s society. DOHA: Qatar’s primary incubator for tion for Education, Science and Community The event will also address the country’s national technology development, Qatar Science & Development’s mandate to develop and Research Grand Challenges on a global scale. Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foun- commercialise solutions which help foster The parallel sessions will be led by Hamad Al dation Research and Development (QF R&D), a progressive society in Qatar, and position Kuwari, Managing Director, QSTP; Haya Al Ghanim, will host a parallel conference session at the country as a global engine driving the Innovation Director, QSTP; and Dr Danny Ramadan, QF’s Annual Research Conference (ARC’16). development of science and research inter- Acting Director, Strategic Research, QSTP. QSTP will address the different needs of nationally. ARC’16 will take place for two Al Kuwari, said: “QSTP strives to be a unique plat- form that transforms creative ideas in Qatar and the pan-Arab region into reality. We have committed our- selves to be the hub for technological and scientific innovations and an essential supporter of aspiring entrepreneurs through our permanent mission to implement Qatar’s National Research Strategy. “In undertaking the pledge to support outstanding thinkers and creators in our respective fields, such as the ones hosted by QF R&D through ARC, coopera- tion and networking with educational establishments, scientific laboratories and industrial enterprises will help provide synergy among the innovation commu- nity,” he added. To further explain QSTP’s role in bridging the gap between research and commercialisation, while facilitating the transformation of inspiring ideas into products that address market demands, the sessions at ARC’16 will highlight the different support pro- grammes it offers to the community. Speakers will elaborate on the services, which include the Proof of Concept fund to provide grants to focus on product development; the Accelerator to help entrepreneurs and researchers assess the commercial viability of a business idea; and the Incubator, which facilitates the establishment of technology develop- ment start-ups. QSTP is committed to materialising key national research objectives in support of Qatar’s paradigm shift towards becoming a knowledge-based economy. QSTP accelerates and incubates compet- itive, home-grown businesses in Qatar by offering entrepreneurs integrated, operational, managerial and financial support and guidance to help establish themselves in national and international markets. QSTP fosters the environment required for accelerating commercialisation of research and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. It focuses on four themes as per Qatar National Research Strategy announced in 2012 — Energy; Environment; Health Sciences; and Information & Communication Technologies. QSTP in QF’s Education City has access to the resources of its cluster of leading research universities. Members within the QSTP Free Zone include SMEs, international corporations and research institutions, which have collectively committed to investing in new programmes, creating intellectual property, enhancing technology management skills and developing innovative new products in line with the strategy.

08 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 HOME Gulf English School holds ninth Annual Career Fair

medical, petrochemical engineering, Baccalaureate students, who were hotel industry, law, sports, communi- involved in every aspect of developing Universities from cations and airways, among others, the event from securing sponsor- Qatar, the US and the in addition to the Ministry of Interior. ship, inviting companies, schools and UK and top companies The fair was also attended by universities, designing art works, dec- universities in Qatar and those from orating and staging the event. take part. the UK, the US and Ireland. It was a Mohammed Al Kuwari, a student fantastic opportunity for students to involved in the event, said: “We learnt engage with companies and universi- a lot about working as a team and how ties to begin to plan their future. it is important when planning a big The Peninsula The fair would not have been event and its organisation.” possible without the sponsorship pro- Khloud Al Mohannadi, another vided by Faisal and Aamal Holdings, student who was part of the design Ezdan holdings, Al Khaliji Bank, Ahli team, said: “With different back- DOHA: The Gulf English School held Hospital, Balaydia, Woqod and QIIC. grounds we still worked together, the ninth Annual Career Fair last week The school sports hall was helped and supported each other, it from 8am to 3pm. transformed in a beautiful indoor was such an amazing experience.” It featured more than 32 exhib- garden and water feature provided Frank McCarthy from RCSI (Bah- itors having an equal range of by Balaydia. rain Campus) said: “We are invited to companies and universities and Seven other Independent schools a lot of such events and this one has Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, accompanied by students, visits one of the stalls at the event. opened by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim brought students to the event, with been particularly well-organised and Al Thani. each student having a detailed work- planned, it was fantastic that the stu- It provided direct access for book to enable them to get the most dents did the planning, they have been not possible. She said her participa- with Sam Hollis, Counsellor, who sup- spectacular event and how they come students to learn about careers avail- from their visit. amazing.” tion gave her the opportunity to find ported the students to hold the event, together as a team, learning new skills able and attended by large business The most exciting feature was Another participating student said out that she could apply and she had said, “It amazes me every year to see and achieving great things.” organisations in the fields of human that the fair was organised by the until she attended the event, the uni- done already. the developing maturity of the stu- The fair was the biggest at the resources, banking and finance, current year 12 AS and International versity she wanted to apply for was Councillor Sheila Jenkins, along dents who work so hard to create a school and a success.

Violations registered Food Festival opens tomorrow at three venues

The Peninsula As the official hospitality Acclaimed animation films strength and energy it can provide partner of QIFF 2016, Katara Cloudy with a Chance of Meat- to a growing child. The interactive Hospitality aims to raise brand balls by Phil Lord and Chris Miller play will encourage children to awareness through its culinary and Ponyo by Hayao Miyazaki participate with the characters in DOHA: The 7th Qatar Inter- offerings. will be screened throughout the preparing healthy dishes, ensur- national Food Festival (QIFF), Next month, it will bring the festival at 7.30pm at the Qanat ing they leave with an everlasting organised by Qatar Tourism flavours of Qatari cuisine to all its Quartier Beach Pop-Up. impression and answers to all of Authority (QTA) and Qatar Air- local and international hotels by Cloudy with a Chance of their questions. ways (QA), opens tomorrow introducing Katara Specialities, a Meatballs (2009) screens tomor- Other festivity partners at three venues — Museum of culinary palette steeped in Qatari row, March 24, 26 and 28. It is a include United Development Islamic Art (MIA) Park, Katara cuisine. It will also host its first computer-animated science fic- Company, MIA, Qatar-China 2016 Cultural Village and the Pearl- Qatar Restaurant Week towards tion comedy film loosely based on Year of Culture, Qatar Culinary Qatar. the end of 2016, a culinary ini- the children’s book of the same Professionals, Kulluna, Sahtak This edition promises to be tiative offering food enthusiasts title by Judi and Ron Barrett. Awalan (an initiative of Weill the largest and most exciting unique dining experiences at Ponyo (2008) screening on Cornell Medicine and the Minis- yet, thanks to the contributions of affordable, unified prices. March 23, 25 and 27 is a Japanese try of Public Health), Qatar Living, strategic partners and sponsors. QIFF 2016’s official festiv- animated fantasy film produced the Look Company, Uber, Event- The partners include the ity partners include Ooredoo, by Studio Ghibli. 2Middle East, Lifestyle Equipment Pearl-Qatar, Katara Cultural Vil- Baraem TV and Doha Film Insti- Baraem TV will put on ‘My Solutions and fischer-Appelt lage and Qatar Museums. tute (DFI), which will screen two Health is in My Food’, a children’s Qatar. Katara Hospitality is activat- popular family films as part of play featuring Baraem’s popular The official QIFF media part- ing a contemporary initiative to QIFF 2016 activities at the satel- characters. ners are BBC Good Food, fatafeat, highlight the evolution of its food lite venue in Qanat Quartier at the The play sheds light on the Check-INN TV, and Al Rayyan and beverage concepts. Pearl-Qatar. benefits of healthy eating and the Satellite Channel.

Enrolment of engineer halted The Ministry of Municipality and Environment said on its Twitter account that it had registered violations in various areas, including grazing camels in restricted areas, dumping waste in undesignated places, and using devices to attract birds. QNA

DOHA: The Experts Admission Committee Before Courts decided to stop enrolment of an engi- neering expert for six months for negligence in performing duties to the fullest, which delayed the judgment in some cases after the examination of a complaint against him. The panel also notified the authority in charge of registration of professional engineers about the decision. It invited former experts to update their data as part of its quest to update the roll of experts before the courts.

Katara to host RAF and Somaliland officials during the distribution of urgent aid for drought-hit families. QNB Doha Tour

DOHA: The Qatar Equestrian Fed- RAF distributes 400 food baskets in Somaliland eration is organising at Katara from Thursday to Saturday the third and last jumping series of The Peninsula provide basic food items to local partner, Zamzam Charity QNB Doha Tour which will see 15,000 people in Somaliland. A Organization to enlist the most top-ranking local, regional and severe drought that hit most parts deserving people. The necessary international riders compete in of the country recently threatens food items were also selected to CSI 2* and a CSI 4* classes. DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdul- the lives of more than 80,000 make it enough to the benefici- The series trophy will be lah Foundation for Humanitarian families living in remote areas. aries for a month. awarded to the overall champion Services (RAF) has distributed The situation is deteriorat- The government of Soma- who has won the most points over urgent aid comprising 400 food ing and at least two children have liland set up a committee to the three events. baskets in drought-hit areas in died in the past two days, said a facilitate the access of the aid Al Shaqab Arena hosted the Somaliland. release. materials in its territory. The first leg of the region’s top show Some 3,000 people affected So far, 400 food baskets have committee comprises Vice jumping series in CSI 5* and CSI by the severe drought have ben- been distributed in ‘Marudi Jih’ President of Somaliland, four 4*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para-Dres- efitted from the largesse of RAF. and ‘Balija As’ areas which are ministers, five senior scholars sage while QEF hosted the second A delegation from RAF led by 35km from Hargeisa, capital of and some businessmen. leg of the region’s top showjump- Abdul Nassir bin Ibrahim Fakhro, Somaliland. The initiative will “The disaster has damaged ing series from March 10-12 which Deputy Chairman of the Unit of continue as 1,600 food baskets one-third income of the country featured competitions in CSI2* and the Ambassadors of Mercy (Sufra are to be distributed to 12,000 that was manly based on agri- CSI4* classes. Al Raham), supervised the dis- people in six other areas: Awdal, culture and irrigation,” said Ali Qatar is widely considered an tribution of relief to the needy Salal cost, Jabili, Mardudi, Jih and Husain, Minister of Planning of emerging nation in the equestrian people during their visit to the Hud. Somaliland. The Minister wit- world, particularly in the sport of country. RAF conducted a sur- nessed the distribution of aid showjumping. RAF launched a drive to vey in collaboration with its materials provided by RAF. HOME MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 09

Envoy: Qatar aims to play a positive role in ROTA wraps up Youth Challenge maintaining regional peace Final presentations were made by nine QNA the State of Qatar as a reliable peace ROTA Youth Service mediator in the region, stressing that Clubs, sponsored by the Qatari mediations in regional conflicts were fair and impartial ExxonMobil Qatar. WASHINGTON: Qatar’s Ambas- and that they won the confidence sador to the US has underlined the of all government and non-govern- principles of Qatari foreign policy, ment parties. The Peninsula stressing that the state of active for- He said Qatar managed to eign policy aims to play a positive release Arab and foreign hostages role in building peace and maintain- in the region including international ing regional stability. peacekeepers and US journalists. DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Addressing a group of American On relations with Iran, Ambas- a member of Qatar Foundation for and foreign students at International sador Al Kuwari said Qatar Education, Science and Community ROTA officials and participants pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the event. Student House of Washington DC, maintains good relations with Development (QF), has wrapped up its which cares for enhancing cultural Tehran and always calls for a peace- Youth Challenge with final presenta- exchange and international rela- ful and diplomatic solution to the tions from nine ROTA Youth Service Field is Yours, Go Blue from Al Bayan an understanding of international and local conventions such as the tions, Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari Iranian nuclear conflict, refer- Clubs (RYSCs), sponsored by Exxon- School, Count on Me, Top Shabab, La and community development issues, EMPOWER 2016 conference.” said the Middle East is at a cross- ring to Doha’s last year’s call for a Mobil Qatar. Tgeeb Al Eid, I Aspire, IQRAA, Fishless while offering practical experience “At ExxonMobil, we believe that roads as security and peace in it are dialogue with Iran for ending dif- In its final stage, Youth Challenge and Our Hope Clubs. The projects to carry out creative projects that one of the greatest contributions affected, referring to the destruc- ferences through focusing on joint provided an opportunity for 45 focused on issues from marine address local and global challenges. we can make in Qatar is to provide tion affecting a number of regional interests. youth from nine RYSCs to exhibit conservation and environmental Abdulla Al Bakri, Community the energy to build human capacity. countries that suffers from sectar- Al Kuwari stressed that Qatar their unique community service awareness to sports, road safety, and Development Manager at ROTA said: We work closely with our valued ian splits, wars and terrorism. managed to build a unique foreign projects across Qatar to over 450 social entrepreneurship. “The Youth Challenge helps ROTA local partners, such as Reach Out Al Kuwari said to face the policy not based on historical rela- participants at ROTA’s 8th EMPOWER ROTA’s Youth Service Clubs further advance the objectives of To Asia, to invest in programs that increasing challenges new forms tions and not governed by big events 2016 conference, which concluded on (RYSCs) are a network of self- the Youth Clubs, which are designed do just this,” said Alistair Routledge, of authority from outside the tradi- or military operations but small and Saturday. Prizes were awarded to six directed, extracurricular associations to equip young people with proper President and General Manager for tional and military power that are gradual steps and painful in some of ROTA’s Youth Service Clubs, and designed to unlock the potential education and training to become ExxonMobil Qatar. “We hope that our more innovative should be adopted. cases towards change and progress. the winners were The Field is yours, of youth. Supported by the ROTA leaders. The Youth Challenge helps joint investment in the Youth Service He said states policies, in gen- “This is what we endeavoured Fishless, La Tgeeb Al Eid, Go Blue Qatar programme, the clubs participants to chart their career Clubs will energize youth to reach eral, are based on joining big for in Syria since the beginning from Al Bayan School, Our Hope, I provide a unique opportunity for paths, and prepares them to be their full potential as innovators, alliances and investing their of the conflict through calling on Aspire. young people across the nation to qualified ambassadors for Qatar entrepreneurs, future employers and national wealth and resources to the Syrian regime to open doors The contestants included The develop leadership skills and gain and ROTA in international, regional global leaders.” ensure a greater independence of gradually for political and civil- their foreign policies and influence, ian reforms,” he said, adding in explaining that these two examples exchange we have been keen on of policies compliment the strategy providing humanitarian assist- Foreign Ministry’s Information Systems and Technology wins ISO certification of Qatar’s foreign policy. ance to alleviate the suffering of the The ambassador said Qatar is Syrian people. He said such efforts participating in a regional alliance succeeded in establishing health QNA efforts being exerted to improve the technical Systems and Technology at the ministry, expressed (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the programmes and educational ini- aspects in the ministry and the certificate doc- pleasure to obtain the certification, praising the international alliance and in the tiatives to help the Syrian people. uments the functions of IT functions within the efforts being made by all employees in who worked meantime adopts an independ- On the situation in Yemen, Al ministry in the areas of development, implemen- with devotion, efficiency and dedication to achieve ent foreign policy with a dynamic Kuwari confirmed Qatar’s effort to DOHA: The Information Systems and Technology tation, operation, monitoring, review, maintaining the required standards. The achievement of such a diplomacy encouraging politi- bring an peaceful settlement to the section at the Foreign Ministry has obtained ISO information security systems as part of a contin- prestigious certification from ISO affirms the minis- cal movement in the state and the conflict and pave the way for a joint 27001 Certification in Information Security Man- uous risk management process and providing try’s keenness to develop security systems, internal region. international effort to re-build the agement System (ISMS). maximum protection for the information. processes, technical and human resources to pro- He also referred to the role of country. Such an achievement is a culmination of the Dr Saif Al Kuwari, Director of Information tect the information, he added. PHCC to introduce ‘Beautiful smile’ project

The Peninsula detection of bowel cancer through chem- have registered in the centre since its open- ical tests that are performed quickly and ing on December 13 last year. The target safely and without pain. number for the first year is 10,000 while Dr Mona added that the family doc- the centre has a capacity of 50,000 vis- DOHA: The Primary tor service will be introduced first the at itors. The centre receives more than 290 Healthcare Corporation Leabaib health centre and will be expanded visitors a day. (PHCC) said yesterday that it to all health centres according to a spe- It is the first health centre of its kind will soon introduce psycho- cific timetable. in the Qatar for health and wellness. It has therapy clinics at Leabaib A certain number of individuals and a swimming pool, gym, sauna and mas- health centre, and a “beauti- families will be referred to a specific family sage as well as other health services, along ful smile” project to promote doctor, who will have a full knowledge of with a Medical Commission unit and other oral health, along with sev- the family medical history, and the doctor medical units. eral other new services. will work to motivate them to take pre- Most people visiting the centre are not Opened in December last ventive actions through early detection of suffering from diseases or complications of year, the centre is the first diseases that may threaten their lives. any kind, because it is dedicated to promot- of its kind in Qatar combing Dr Mona has said that 9000 people ing preventive health and wellness. health and wellness. The psychotherapy clinics will be limited for treatment of moderate cases of mental illness such as moderate stress and depres- sion, through medication or psychological therapy ses- sions, said Dr Mona Al Sa’adi of PHCC. Advanced cases of mental illness will be referred to Hamad General Hospital, she added. Dr Mona said that “beautiful smile” project will be launched after a few days. This is an ambi- tious project that aims at raising awareness about mouth and teeth health, and reduce the high rate of tooth decay among children in Qatar. The project focuses on two categories- pregnant women and children from birth to age five. Children will get to know the spe- cialist model for care of children’s teeth under the name “Speciality Clinics”, which includes paediat- ric dentistry specialist to provide health services for children in this early period of life. Other programs to be implemented at the centre in the near future include an early screening programme to detect breast and colon cancer, through encourag- ing the women at the age of 45 or older. The programme will also encourage both men and women at the age of 50 years and above for early 10 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 HOME QU holds ‘Post COP21’ seminar

students from Lycée Voltaire. sources and the investment in clean Qatar Climate Change Department Prof Al Maadeed highlighted the energy.” director Abdulhadi Nasser Al Marri. Experts focus timeliness of this event to the world, Paolini thanked QU and the Themed “Paris agreement and on “Post COP21: noting that the State of Qatar is com- French embassy for initiating this its implementation”, the 2nd ses- Qatar and the Paris pletely aware of the importance of important meeting. She said: “For sion included two (2) parts. The Part environmental development, which sustainability, we need greener econ- I focused on “The Agreement” and Agreement”. is among the four pillars of its vision omies, greener legislation, greener featured presentations delivered by 2030. “Environmental development policies. We need also greener Chevallier, and Unesco programme contributes to ensuring the coherence societies. However, to succeed, fun- specialist education Dr Anwar and consistency between economic damentally, we need green citizens. Alsaid. In the Part II on “Implement- The Peninsula and social development and the pro- This calls for new ways of seeing the ing the Paris agreement stakeholders’ Some of the workers of Qatari Rail project waiting for one of the tection of the environment”, she said, world, new ways of thinking, new visions”, presentations were delivered adding, “As the largest university in ways of behaving, and new ways of by QU LAWC assistant professor of TBMs to exit after completion of tunnelling on the northern section Qatar, QU places the environment at acting. Education is essential to shape law Dr Jon Truby, Total Research of the Red Line of Doha Metro at a place between Legtaifiya Station DOHA: Qatar University (QU) yester- the core of its academic programmes, the new values, skills and knowledge Qatar director Pierre Montaud, QDVC and Qatar University yesterday. Pic: Syed Omar day held a seminar on “Post COP21: whether at the undergraduate and we need for the century ahead. Edu- sustainable development coordina- Qatar and the Paris Agreement”, graduate levels, or in its research cation is the red thread tying Agenda tor Abdulla Ali Zainal, and Kahramaa in collaboration with the French centres.” 2030 and the decisions of the COP21 president’s adviser Engineer Yousuf Qatar Rail expects to offer 600,000 embassy and Unesco. Chevallier said: “The Paris Conference together.” Janahi. The 3rd session “Their future, The events drew experts, stu- agreement should now be turned The programme agenda included their voices” highlighted the vision passenger trips per day by 2021 dents, and researchers together to into action for the benefit of future 3 sessions chaired by QU College of of high-school students and NGOs. discuss the issue of global warming generations.” Law (LAWC) law professor and editor- It included presentations by Lycée Continued from page 1 in general and the Paris agreement Al Sada said: “Qatar puts envi- in-chief of the “International Review Voltaire Qatar representative Mar- Rail), which will link Qatar with the and its implementation in particu- ronmental issues at the top of its of Law” Dr Talal Al Emadi, QU College iam Badr, and Arab Youth Climate GCC rail network, are expected to lar. It included addresses by QU VP priorities, in line with its ongoing of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Algal Tech- Movement representative Juhaina Al Qatar Rail is leading one of the be complete by 2030. The integrated for Research and Graduate Studies efforts towards sustainable devel- nologies Programme manager Dr Lanjawi. They discussed the role of largest rail projects in the world railway system will be affordable, Prof Mariam Al Maadeed, French opment, and the promotion of global Hareb Aljabri, QU policy analyst Dr the future generation in implement- to meet the demands of Qatar’s reliable and convenient, changing Ambassador Eric Chevallier, Assist- cooperation to achieve the interna- Laurent Lambert, and French embas- ing the recommendations of the Paris dynamic and growing population. people’s lives forever while helping ant Undersecretary for Environmental tional economic welfare. The Paris sy’s Scientific and Higher Education agreement to overcome the chal- The company is responsible for the to build and support the country’s Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality agreement contributes to set new Attaché Genevieve Nguyen. lenges of climate change. design, construction, commission- growing economy. and Environment Ahmed Al Sada, and goals and to implement them through In the 1st session headlined “What Final remarks were delivered by ing, operation and maintenance The Doha Metro with a total Unesco Doha Office Director Anna the use of renewable energy. In this is at stake: the issue of global warm- Friends of Environment Centre Chair- of the entire rail network and sys- length of 85km (first phase), is a Paolini. Moroccan Ambassador M El context, the Gulf countries made ing”, presentations were delivered man Dr Said Al Hajari, Chevallier and tems, and will manage Qatar’s rail mostly underground (63km) rail net- Mekki Gaouane and QU faculty and an important progress in this area by QU Environmental Science Cen- Gaouane, as COP22 will be held in network once operating. The world- work which connects communities students were present, along with through the diversification of energy tre director Dr Jeffrey Obbard and Marrakech, Morocco, this November. class railway network will consist within Doha and its suburbs. With of Doha Metro, a rapid transit sys- the help of 21 TBMs (tunnel boring tem connecting communities within machines) nearly 85 percent of the Doha and its suburbs, Lusail Light tunnelling work has been completed, Rail Transit (LLRT), a tram service up from 77 percent about one and a Manufacturer must submit original test report from ISO-certified laboratory for convenient travel within the new half months ago, according to Qatar city of Lusail and the Long Distance Rail. The Lusail Light Rail Transit Passenger and Freight Network, bet- (LLRT) is a tram network providing Continued from page 1 requirements mentioned in the Approved Qatari protect the environment and ensure health and ter linking Qatar to the region. comfortable and convenient travel Standard (QS2663) and the Gulf Technical Regu- safety of the individuals and the society.” With the completion of the first within the new city of Lusail. The manufacturer must submit an original lation No. (BD-142004-01). It also seeks “to assist importers and traders and phase of the Doha Metro and Lusail The Long Distance Passenger test report from an ISO 17025 certified laboratory QS said it is committed to ensuring the quality of facilitate procedures to ensure the flow of goods Light Rail, Qatar Rail expects to and Freight Network will be con- and an approved certificate issued in accordance electrical products in the local market “for preser- and products in the local market without techni- offer 600,000 passenger trips per necting cities in the north and west with the IECEE CB Scheme, or a certificate of con- vation and sustainability of energy in the country, to cal barriers.” day by 2021. By then, 37 metro sta- with Doha, and the country with the formity from an internationally recognised body implement Qatar National Vision 2030 with regard It has called upon all traders and importers to tions are expected to be complete, forthcoming GCC rail system. Once proving that the air conditioner complies with the to the optimum utilization of natural resources, abide by the content of the announcement. with an average journey time of two all the projects are completed, the minutes between adjacent stations. three networks will act as one inte- All the three networks (Doha Metro, grated system, allowing passengers Mobile apps Image of new fungi wins first prize Lusail Tram and the Long-Distance to easily transfer between them. rollout on rise More hospitals planned The Peninsula of predictive models for fuel spray Continued from page 1 research in a real-life application, Continued from page 1 and was captured by Dr Kannaiyan, of specialist clinics will increase All this is spurring the rollout DOHA: An image of a novel spe- a principal investigator in the project. from 400 to more than 1000. of mobile apps and services by cies of fungi discovered during the The project called an ‘In-depth Char- As HMC’s largest tertiary hospi- HMC also planning to open government entities, the report analysis of sediment collected from acterization of Spray and Combustion tal, many elements of the Facilities three new specialist hospitals and suggests. Of the channels used for Salwa beach in Qatar has won the Performance of Alternative Jet Fuels Master Plan involve expanding a translational research centre in providing e-services, the increas- first prize in the ‘Best Representative at Gas Turbine Combustor Condi- capacity at HGH. Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City. ing importance of mobile is visible, Image of an Outcome’ (BRIO) compe- tions’ is led by Dr Reza Sadr from As part of the Master Plan and Construction is progressing on the with nearly half of the online serv- tition organized by the Qatar National Texas A&M University, expansion of HMC facilities, the Bone Ambulatory Care Centre, Women’s ices being made available through Research Fund (QNRF). An image entitled ‘Fat Stem Cells and Joint Centre opened recently. It Wellness and Research Centre and a mobile-enabled website or The prize-winning project Full of Red Fat Droplets’ submitted by is a branch of HGH and its dedicated Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. Once mobile app. was entitled ‘mapping the micro- Dr Mohamed Elrayess and his team team of nurses and healthcare pro- the buildings are finished there will The investments govern- bial diversity in the Arabian Gulf from the Anti-Doping Lab Qatar took fessionals specializes in delivering be a period of commissioning which ment organizations have made surrounding Qatar using genom- A photo of a novel species of third place. The research relates to fat outpatient services for fractures, requires the installation of high-tech in automation of their core busi- ics, metagenomics and culturing fungi discovered at Salwa Beach deposition on the liver, kidney, and paediatric orthopaedic, spine, foot and complex medical equipment. ness processes are bearing fruit. approaches.” claimed first prize in Qatar heart, and illustrates sensitivity to and ankle injuries, anthroplasty A Communicable Diseases Hos- While 87 percent of organiza- Through the project Dr Rashmi National Research Fund’s ‘Best type-2 diabetes. (surgery of the joint) and sports pital is also planned to open soon. tions had automated their core Fotedar, a Leading Principal Representative Image of an From 50 entries, 10 were short- medicine. There are a series of facilities in the business processes in 2013, this Investigator from the Ministry of Outcome’ competition. listed and three outstanding images The National Diabetic Centre in planning stage in the Master Plan, percentage rose to 93 in 2015. Of Environment, and her team demon- have been awarded. The shortlisted the HGH and Al Wakrah and expan- including renovations and expan- those who have automated their strated that Qatari marine sediments images will be displayed by QNRF sion of the Neonatal Intensive Care sions to existing hospitals, a new core businesses, 100 percent have could harbour a variety of yet-to-be- Second prize went to an image during QF R&D’s Annual Research were implemented as part of the hospital for tertiary care, a new hos- reportedly automated their human discovered fungal species. taken using a high-speed cam- Conference (ARC’16), and the winners Master Plan. To meet the healthcare pital for cancer care, a new metabolic resource (HR) functions. The competition launched in era operating at 20,000 frames per will be recognised during the award demands of Qatar’s growing popula- enter, a new neurosciences centre, The number of government September last year aimed at encour- second, and was entitled ‘converting ceremony of ARC’16. Several images tion HMC’s Master Plan also aims to new diagnostic and treatment cen- entities connected to the Govern- aging QNRF-awarded research teams liquid fuel into small droplets dur- will be featured on the QNRF website, increase the number of hospital beds tres, a school of clinical services and ment Network has seen a sharp to use artistic images and visuals ing spray process to enhance engine in books, and online publications in from 2100 to over 4200 by 2030 and expansions to physiotherapy, critical rise since 2013. As of June 2015, to highlight the outcomes of their performance’. order to encourage research teams the car parking spaces will increase care, children’s services, blood bank 76 government organizations research to a wider audience. The picture showed the relevance to compete in future competitions. from 8,000 to 24,000. Also number and mental health services. were connected to the Government Network. However, IT training of government employees is still an area for improvement. Despite the demand for training, only 38 Meesh Me-Time Cafe opens Lulu outlets mark Earth Hour percent of the surveyed employ- ees confirmed they received ICT training in the last three years. This is compared to 25 percent in 2013, with most of that training provided by their employer. How- ever, state employees expect to get an average of 38 hours of ICT train- ing in the next 12 months, up from the 34 hours they received in the last 12 months, said the report.

Shafallah attends forum

QNA

CAIRO: The Shafallah Centre for persons with special needs, a Sheikh Jassim Mohamed H A Al Thani, Vice-Chairman, Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding member of Qatar Foundation for Co., cuts the ribbon for the soft opening of Meesh Me-Time Café at the Business Park. Social Action, participated in an Present were Fergus Stewart, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Vice-President for international conference on the Operations, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Northern Gulf; Savino Leone, General Manager, Lulu Hypermarket outlets observed Earth Hour on Saturday for the cause of a better promotion of the Convention on Crowne Plaza Doha at Business Park; Dr Ahmed M Y Obaidan Fakhro, General the Rights of Persons with Disabili- Manager, Trans Orient Establishment; Fathi Aburish, Managing Director, Mohamed universe. All Lulu Hypermarket outlets switched off lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm ties as part of the 2030 sustainable Bin Hamad Holding Co.; IGH Group Captain Ahmad Ibrahim Mansoori; and Samir to join the international campaign for raising awareness on climate change and the development agenda. The two-day Shafei, Hotel Consultant. need to protect the planet. conference ended yesterday. MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 11 Turkey blames IS for Istanbul suicide attack

Ala said, defending the authorities DNA testing identifies against accusations of repeated security failings following six major 24-year-old jihadist attacks since July that have killed from Gaziantep. over 200 people. Another alleged IS member, Savas Yildiz, had been initially named by Turkish media as the suspected bomber. The minister AFP said five people had been arrested on suspicion of links to the attack. Dogan reported that Ozturk’s father and brother were among those held. ISTANBUL: A Turkish jihadist with Israeli media said the three links to the Islamic State carried out Israeli victims — Avraham Gold- the suicide bombing that killed four man, 69, Jonathan Shor, 40, and foreigners on a major shopping street Simha Damari, 60 — were part of in Istanbul, Interior Minister Efken a group that was on a gastronomic Trucks began moving stacked rubbish outside the Lebanese capital under a plan adopted by the government to put an end to the garbage Ala said yesterday. tour of Turkey. Two of them also had “The attacker has been formally US citizenship. crisis going on for eight months. identified. He is linked to the terror- The bodies of the three Israe- ist organisation Daesh,” Ala told a lis were flown home yesterday for press conference, using another burial aboard an Israeli military jet, name for IS. Israeli military sources said. Lebanon moves trash as activists raise a stink Ala named the bomber as Meh- Five injured Israelis were repat- met Ozturk from Gaziantep, a riated overnight, Israel’s emergency southeastern city on Turkey’s bor- services said. AFP and in forests and riverbeds else- by Sukleen — the same private waste basically ignoring the crisis of the der with Syria. The Istanbul blast came just six where in the country. collection company that threw in the past eight months, pretending like Three Israelis and one Iranian days after 35 people were killed in a The government last week said towel after its contract with the gov- nothing happened, and taking us were killed, and 39 people injured, suicide car bombing in a busy square it would temporarily reopen the ernment expired last July. back to square one,” environmen- when the bomber blew himself up in the capital Ankara, in an attack BEIRUT: Workers began at the week- Naameh landfill to ease the crisis, but “Things are going all right,” tal and industrial engineer Ziad Abi Saturday on Istiklal Caddesi, a bus- claimed by Kurdish rebels. end removing tonnes of rubbish that civil society activists have opposed Haddad said, as his colleagues piled Chaker said. tling pedestrian street and popular “Terrorism will not win!” the have piled up around Lebanon’s capi- the plan. trash into trucks. He explained that Lebanon could meeting spot in the heart of the city. defiant front page headline of pro- tal under a government plan to end an Workers could be seen yesterday Naameh was set up in the early in fact recycle up to 90 percent of No group has claimed responsi- government newspaper Sabah eight-month crisis that has sparked at Jdeideh, a suburb north of Beirut, 1990s as a temporary measure. Activ- its waste. But “there’s a corrup- bility for the attack. read yesterday. The main opposi- repeated protests. using front loaders to pack piles of ists and nearby residents have long tion dimension ... There is no huge Most of those injured in the blast tion newspaper Cumhuriyet said Civil society activists and envi- trash into dozens of trucks. opposed the use of the site but when money to be made out of recycling. on the pavement, outside a local the latest strike was proof of the ronmental experts once again lashed “The stench is awful but the roads it was shut in July no alternative was The only way to make crazy money government building, were also government’s “incompetence” in out at the plan, warning that it does are open, everything is going well proposed. is with another corrupt contract,” Abi foreigners. By yesterday morning, its handling of the security crisis. nothing to allay the ecological con- on the road, the security forces are Two other landfills are also Chaker said. 19 people were still being treated Ankara had borne the brunt of the cerns that took them to the streets in facilitating the flow of traffic,” said planned for Burj Hammoud, a mainly “The cherry on the cake is that in hospital, eight of them in critical attacks until now, being hit three the first place. Kamil Haddad, one of the workers, Armenian suburb of northern Beirut, after the four years, we will have condition, the health ministry said. times in five months. Beirut’s suburbs have been awash who wore a protective mask over his and Costa Brava to the south of the incineration — I don’t know if you can Ozturk, who was born in 1992, IS was held responsible for Tur- in trash for months following the clo- nose and mouth. capital, likely for four years. call this a plan, because it certainly was identified by DNA traces found key’s worst ever attack, which killed sure in July of the country’s largest The waste, which has laid for “The idea of taking the rubbish has nothing to do with planning.” at the scene, Dogan news agency 103 people at an October rally in landfill at Naameh, just south of the months in the open as authorities and dumping it in landfills — this Activists from the “You Stink” reported. Ankara in support of the Kurdish Lebanese capital. scrambled to find a solution, will now is how the crisis started in the first movement and other groups have He was “not on our wanted list,” minority. Rubbish has piled up on beaches be transported to a dump operated place. So they (authorities) are also demanded long-term solutions.

Khamenei accuses US of failing to At least 55 dead in respect nuclear Yemen clashes agreement AFP months-long rebel siege of the south- western city. AFP “At least 26 people, including ADEN: At least 55 people, includ- 14 civilians, have been killed in 24 ing 14 civilians, have been killed in hours” in rebel shelling of residential TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader two days of fighting between pro- neighbourhoods and loyalist posi- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused government forces and Shia Houthi tions, a local official said. Washington of failing to respect rebels in Yemen, officials said yes- Taez lies between Sana’a, which the terms of a nuclear deal that lifts terday. rebels overran in September 2014, sanctions on Tehran. The clashes came as UN spe- and the port city of Aden — the tem- “The Americans have not cial envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh porary base of the government of respected their commitments,” Ahmed was in the rebel-held cap- President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. he said in a speech in the north- ital Sana’a for meetings with the On another front, six pro-Hadi eastern city of Mashhad. Houthis aimed at restarting peace fighters and seven rebels were killed The United States has lifted talks with the internationally rec- Saturday in clashes in the southern sanctions “on paper” under ognised government. province of Shabwa, where loyal- Tehran’s nuclear deal with world Since Saturday, fighting has ists advanced in the oil-rich area of powers that came into effect in raged in the outskirts of third city Baihan, another military source said. January, “but they are using round- Taez as rebels try to retake positions In the neighbouring province about paths to prevent the Islamic lost in recent weeks to loyalists, mil- of Marib, pro-Hadi forces on Sat- republic from achieving its tar- itary sources said. urday captured the Harib area, the gets”, Khamenei said. Pro-government forces backed military source said, adding that 13 “They have said they lifted by a Saudi-led coalition man- rebels and three loyalists were killed Fighters raise slogans on the outskirts of Yemen’s third city of Taiz, yesterday. the sanctions... but, in fact, they aged earlier this month to break a in the fighting. are working to prevent the lifting of sanctions from taking effect,” he said. Implementation of the deal began two months ago, triggering the lifting of a raft of international Century-old Beirut racecourse faces run for money sanctions and raising the prospect of renewed foreign investment. But Khamenei said the West- AFP have already turned Beirut into a con- Races were held twice a week, rebuilding the site. — that’s a project for the rich. Also, ern allies of Washington remained crete jungle. bringing in about half a million dol- “We should be subsidised, like in how can we create an artificial lake “afraid” of dealings with Iran. “The city council refuses to invest, lars a week in wagers. any other country where there are while we suffer a water shortage?” he “Today, in all the Western each time offering a different excuse, But the war reduced the number horse races,” he said. said. “The city council wants to set up countries which are under their BEIRUT: Beirut’s Hippodrome has and this really worries us,” said Nabil of horses kept in stables around the Beirut mayor Bilal Hamad, a a costly commercial project and then influence, banking transactions survived wars and relentless upheaval de Freige, head of the Society for the racecourse from 1,500 to 350. Sunni Muslim, is reluctant to invest hand it over to a private company.” come up against problems,” he but the iconic racetrack, where rival Protection and Improvement of the “Races were no longer held, and public money in a site where betting Situated on a former civil war said. fighters once gathered to bet on their Arabian Horse. De Freige, who is also the bets dropped to no more than — prohibited in Islam — takes place. frontline that divided Christian, Sunni “When we investigated, we days off, approaches its centenary Lebanon’s minister for administra- $150,000” a week, said racecourse “The Hippodrome is part of Bei- and Shia neighbourhoods, the race- realised that they are afraid of the facing an uncertain future. tive reform, fears that the country’s general manager Nabil Nasrallah. rut’s heritage. Why should bettors course is a mirror of recent Lebanese Americans.” The Hippodrome was built in 1916 ancient tradition of horse breeding The Hippodrome, a potential gold alone have access to it?” said Hamad, history. The end of the 13-year standoff by the Ottoman Turks. During the civil will suffer a heavy blow if the race- mine for developers, covers an area of who would only agree to pour public A wall, riddled with bullet holes, over Iran’s nuclear programme has war it was used as a neutral site where track shuts. “This place provides 200,000 square metres in the heart funds into the racecourse if it were still shows the green and red symbol raised expectations of recovery enemy combatants could meet. a livelihood for trainers, jockeys, of the Lebanese capital. “opened to all” residents. of the French Foreign Legion, painted after years of economic difficulty, One of the city’s last remain- grooms, employees, vets, breeders “If the Hippodrome closes, what Hamad plans instead to set up in 1982 by soldiers deployed in the including high inflation which ing green spaces, it is now suffering and farmers — 1,500 families in total, guarantee would there be?” de Freige what he calls Beirut Central Park — a small Mediterranean country at the dramatically reduced Iranians’ financial difficulties and a dearth of and all that will disappear,” he said. asked, questioning how the land could golf course complete with an artifi- height of the war. purchasing power. investment. Before Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil be kept from the developers. cial lake, as well as a riding school. “Militia fighters used to shoot at The economy exited a deep Should the racecourse close for war, the track was the only one in the Nasrallah believes the only way But Mohammed Ayoub, who each other all week and meet here on recession little more than a year good, the land could fall into the Middle East where horse-racing fans forward is for the city council, which heads an NGO named Nahnoo (We), Sunday to place their bets,” recalled ago. hands of property developers who could gather to place their bets. owns the racecourse, to invest in denounced the idea. “A golf course trainer Ali Ahmed Seif Eddine. 12 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 OPINION

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Slow progress How can these wars end?

he Syrian opposition is growing increasingly Those four elements inter- countries. Increasingly Damas- to create reliable and functioning twine to produce most of the cus and Baghdad, depend upon nation states. This has a number impatient about the direction of the UN-sponsored causes we are witnessing in the the military and political sup- of reasons, including the take- peace talks in Geneva, their main grouse being region. Some of those elements port of Iran. This situation has over by military of most Arab that the Syrian government is refusing to engage are gradually weakening, and angered a sizable population of states, under the pretext of fight- in detailed negotiations and is trying avoid the some are getting stronger. Most both counters, and a civil war has ing Israel, so that a whole region is Tmain issues. There is nothing surprising about the opposition observers see that the Western been waged in both countries, almost completely under military complaint considering the aggressive and arrogant stance involvement, especially the Amer- thousands of people were killed rule, which has produced in the of the Bashar Al Assad regime. With the support of Russian ican one is gradually subsiding so far. Some analysts, even some end various sorts of dictatorship, because of internal pressures, or go so far, believe that the ISIS with no room for modern institu- aircraft and troops, Assad’s forces have been able to consolidate failure in most projects they have group has been a ‘social haven’ for tions or the just rule of law. Even in their position against the rebels and the regime is now feeling By Dr Mohammed Al undertaken since the 9\11 disaster. those citizens dissatisfied with the those countries which have some emboldened to reject any move that would lead to the ouster of Rumaihi Other causes are growing Iranian involvement in the inter- kind of ‘political parties’, those in President Assad. in strength, mainly the Iranian nal affairs of their national state. power tend to ban all other par- Mohammed Alloush, the leader of the Syrian opposition involvement in the Arab region, The involvement of Iran has ties and become the sole agent of delegation at the peace talks, said little progress has been made in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen ignited conflicts, politically or the people of the land. or most of the Middle in particular. Their success in even socially. Iranians are blamed It is obvious that this kind of in the first week of talks and many hurdles lie ahead. At the East’s history after World Lebanon by creating Hezbollah, for hundreds of thousands of government cannot produce a same time, Staffan de Mistura, the UN Syrian special envoy, is War II, the Arab world was an armed militia, first under the Arabs falling victims, dead, or healthy community, or any sort struggling to keep the negotiations moving by persuading the involved in one armed auspices of fighting Israel, has kicked out of their villages and of real development. Although government to make concessions. Alloush is a leader of the Jaysh Fconflict or another- either an inde- encouraged the militants in Iran homes. Thus a great portion of some of those rulers once had al-Islam (Islam Army) rebel group and is a senior negotiator pendent war, or in conflict with to duplicate this form of group, those wars around us are either in their hands abundant wealth, for High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the official Syrian Israel. And the result has been that which they have tried in Bah- supported by Iran or have been it was wasted either on useless opposition delegation at the Geneva peace talks. through this infernal conflict thou- rain, Yemen, and even in Egypt, started by its involvement in the ‘adventures’ or fighting their own sands of people died, billions of and Sudan. neighboring region. This interfer- people. Democracy, civil society The main difference is over the structure of a transitional dollars has been spent, and a great Their main success was in ence seems to have no immediate and modern education are seen body to run Syria over the next 18 months and the role of Bashar opportunity for development has Yemen, where they managed end, just as the conflict in Iran by dictators as ‘evil and a west- Al Assad in such a government. The opposition is adamant in its been lost. to bring the Houthis (a Zaydi itself is still going on, between so ern conspiracy’ which make demand that it cannot accept Assad Recently, during the past sect of Islam) under their wing, called ‘reformists’ and ‘fundamen- states vulnerable and insecure, in the transitional body, while the fifteen years or so, wars have immediately after Yemeni peo- talists’. In fact Iran’s interference and ‘when the time comes, all of government delegation has been very escalated. It is not just war against ple’s popular uprising against a in the neighboring countries, these will fall like autumn leaves’. (external powers) but the new dictatorship ruled by Ali Saleh. mainly Arabs, has created its Among all these compli- evasive and unclear about its ideas. It wars are mostly internal. Iraq, Iran quickly went to fill the vac- own ‘industry’ so to speak, as it cated factors, one cannot see at has so far only put forward some broad Syria, Yemen, Libya, all in hot, uum by creating their agent- the is hard now in Iran to speak pub- this stage how those internal and Prospects suggestions which are not specific internal wars, Egypt, Tunisia, Leb- Houthis. Arms were pouring into licly against this interference, as it external wars in our region can remain bleak to the task of forming a transitional anon, and others, are in some sort Yemen from Tehran, while the is exactly like speaking against the end. Probably we need a third for Syrian government. The opposition also of cold internal wars. Houthis were sweeping Yemen ‘revolution’ itself or the doctrine party to mediate, and this not demands that the transitional body If we want to look for the with the help of the difficult to of the first leader of the revolu- readily available so far, as the big peace talks must have comprehensive powers, and causes of these extended con- get rid of Saleh supporters. This tion of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini! powers- namely USA and Russia flicts in the Arab World, we can was unacceptable to Saudi Ara- Actually we have heard some are still fighting a ‘revenge war’ a due to the thirdly, those charged with war crimes point easily to four causes. The bia and its allies, and at the end bold public announcements leftover of the ‘Cold War’, and this intransigence should be dealt with by Syrian courts first is the creation of Israel, and a war broke out, to stop Houthis recently, by prominent Iranians reviving war is being paid for by of the Syrian and not the International Criminal the repercussions this has created delivering Yemen to Tehran, like in office, saying proudly that ‘we Arab souls. Court because the ICC is struggling with in the whole region, over a long Hezbollah did in Lebanon- hand- occupy four major Arab capitals- The alternative is to build regime. a huge backlog that runs into tens of time until today. The second is the ing over Lebanon! The Yemen War Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad and an axis of Arab states starting thousands of cases. Iranian revolution and its desire to is nearly approaching its first year, Sana’! If this attitude by the Ira- with a United Gulf State. Until export its kind of revolution. The and it looks as though there is no nians is not reversed soon, the this ‘dream’ come to life, to me it If the talks collapse, it will deal a third is the mostly Western power apparent end to it soon. conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen seems there is no way of putting huge blow to the Syrian peace efforts involvements in the region. The Syria and Iraq, are governed will continue to breed confusion those conflicts to rest. and can endanger the current ceasefire last is the failure of the National on paper, not to speak, about and misery for quite some time. which has been helpful in sending state, to build a reliable and mod- national governments, but the real The fourth reason for the The writer is an academic and humanitarian aid to the besieged areas. But what is important ern system of government. designers are in Tehran for both regional wars is mostly the failure researcher in GCC affairs. is that the government of Syria must approach the talks with the seriousness it deserves and with a genuine desire to find a solution to the conflict. Unfortunately, this determination and sincerity are lacking on the government side and this realization has forced the opposition to rethink their presence in the talks. The reality check on Cuba Despite intense UN efforts, prospects remain bleak for the peace process, Arguments over Assad’s fate were a major cause By Albert Laguna of the failure of previous UN peace efforts in 2012 and 2014 to political era? Whatever those seeking “pleasures” restricted in your local coffee shop playing the The Washington Post changes travelers wish to avoid the United States: alcohol during Buena Vista Social Club and Cuban end a civil war that has now lasted five years. may be, they stand in stark contrast Prohibition, drugs, gambling and restaurants adorned in sepia prints with the will of the Cuban people, prostitution. of cigars and serving overpriced who are very much invested in any While Americans experienced plantains. More than 50 years after resident Obama’s trip to Cuba change that would bring a brighter Cuba as an escape from everyday the revolution, this fantasy Cuba later this week, the first by future to the island. life, enjoying luxurious hotels and remains a fixture in the American Pa sitting US president in 88 Cuba has long served as a can- spectacular entertainment, the imagination. years, marks a new chapter in vas for the projection of American Cuban people faced significant While Cuba has changed a great Quote of the day US-Cuba relations. This event, fantasies. This reality has resulted in hardships in the tumultuous 1950s. deal since US commercial flights last in conjunction with the recent a lack of appreciation for the com- Despite some strong economic indi- flew routes to Havana, “So Near and announcement that commercial plexities of life on the ground for cators on paper, unemployment Yet So Foreign” still rings true for flights to the island will begin this most Cubans and the role of the was a major problem, the price of travelers. But now, the “foreignness” We are in a battle year, has generated a surge of inter- United States in producing them. food and basic commodities rose of Cuba as a place that has resisted est in travel to the island among Before the 1959 Cuban Revo- considerably, corruption was rife capitalism and commercialization on our soil. Each Americans. lution, the slogan “So Near and Yet and political dissenters were vio- joins rum and daiquiris as part of day (we) ... trace Much of the excitement around So Foreign” was commonly used lently silenced by the government the island’s romantic appeal. traveling to Cuba can be best cap- to market Cuba as a destination of US-backed leader Fulgencio This romance is captured in networks, locate cells, tured in a phrase I have been for US tourists. Batista. It was under these condi- every selfie taken with an old arrest individuals. hearing with increasing regular- By all measures, it was suc- tions that Fidel Castro swept into Chevy held together with parts ity since relations began to warm: “I cessful. Throughout the first half power in 1959. from abroad. Pictures of dilapidated want to see Cuba before it changes.” of the 20th century, Americans The Cuba that American tour- buildings in Havana are affection- Manuel Valls What “changes,” exactly, do traveled to Cuba in droves seek- ists loved so much was suddenly ately referred to as “weathered” French Prime Minister people want to avoid seeing when ing a “foreignness” measured less gone, but it was not forgotten. It has and “vintage” while city dwellers they visit Cuba? The arrival of US- in the Spanish language and more been memorialized, with a great wonder whether the next storm style capitalism? A post-Castro in what the island could offer those deal of nostalgia, by Hollywood, will bring the roof crashing down.

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

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Protest for family Sinai IS Fire at home attack death toll of key witness rises to 15 in West Bank AFP CAIRO: The death toll from an attack on a police checkpoint claimed by the Islamic State jihad- window in the house was broken, ist group in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula with shattered glass inside, an AFP has risen to 15, the interior minis- Man saw Palestinian journalist reported. try said yesterday. family’s home There was heavy damage, with The ministry said a check- firebombed walls covered in soot and furniture point near North Sinai’s provincial burnt, including the bed. Shocked capital of El-Arish was struck by in July. residents gathered to view what mortar fire late on Saturday, but happened. IS said a suicide bomber blew up a The broken window raised sus- car at the police post, which jihad- picions that Molotov cocktails were ists then raided. AFP thrown inside — as occurred in the Three officers and 12 police- July firebombing. men were killed in the attack, the “The window was broken from Israelis of Ethiopian descent hold pictures of their relatives while participating in a protest calling on ministry said in a statement yes- the outside and flammable materials the government to bring the remaining members of their community living in Ethiopia, to settle in terday, updating an earlier death DUMA: Fire yesterday engulfed the were found in the rubble,” Colonel Israel, in Jerusalem, yesterday. toll of 13. home of a key witness to an arson Malek Ali, fire chief for the nearby The attack was the deadli- attack by Jewish extremists that city of Nablus, told AFP. est in months in Sinai, where IS’s killed a Palestinian family last year, Another family member, Nasser Egyptian branch is waging an but he survived the blaze, police and Dawabsha, said he believed the fire insurgency that has killed hun- residents said. was intended to “send a message to dreds of policemen and soldiers. The home of Ibrahim Dawabsha the family and the village: ‘This wit- After Egypt’s military over- is located in Duma in the occu- ness must disappear.’” 34 Shabaab militants killed threw Islamist president Mohamed pied West Bank, the same village Israeli police said “all leads will Mursi in 2013, the jihadists where a July firebombing killed an be investigated.” launched an insurgency that has 18-month-old Palestinian boy and The July 31 attack on a family persisted despite a massive army his parents. home in the village killed 18-month- AFP militants. Obonyo said 13 more Al on isolated bases manned by soldiers campaign in North Sinai. Israeli authorities were inves- old Ali Saad Dawabsha and fatally Shabaab fighters were killed in a of the multinational African Union The militants have also tigating the cause of the fire at the wounded his parents. separate operation yesterday in Sar- Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Camps attacked tourists. second floor home, though residents Five-year-old Ahmed was the NAIROBI: The Kenyan military said ira, north of the southern port town set up by Burundian and Ugandan The jihadist group claimed said they believed it was started by sole survivor from the immediate yesterday it killed 34 Islamist insur- of Ras Kamboni, in which “a mid- troops have also been attacked with responsibility for bombing a Rus- Molotov cocktails and Palestinian family. After spending months in gents in two separate battles in dle level Al Shabaab commander” scores of soldiers killed each time. sian airliner on October 31, killing officials reacted angrily to what they hospital, he was flown to Spain last neighbouring Somalia this weekend. was also captured. In both incidents As a result of the string of attacks, all 224 people on board, minutes viewed as another extremist attack. week to meet Real Madrid football Military spokesman David weapons, including AK-47 assault AMISOM forces have withdrawn from after it took off from a South Sinai Dawabsha and his wife were stars, including his hero Cristiano Obonyo said two Kenyan soldiers rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, a number of towns in southern Soma- beach resort. awakened overnight by thick smoke, Ronaldo. were also killed and five others were seized, Obonyo said. lia and observers say the troops are The group said it had smuggled residents said. Ibrahim Dawabsha told local wounded when Al Shabaab militants In January, the Al Qaeda-aligned largely in garrison mode, hardly ven- explosives packed into a soda can The young couple, relatives of media at the time of the firebombing staged an ambush in Afmadhow, Al Shabaab overran a Kenyan mil- turing out into hostile territory. on to the aircraft. the family killed in the July attack, that he saw two masked men stand- southern Somalia, on Saturday itary camp in El-Adde, southern Earlier this month, the US said it The military says it has killed were hospitalised for smoke inha- ing near the badly wounded parents afternoon. Somalia, manned by up to 200 sol- killed 150 fighters in an air strike on more than 1,000 militants, occa- lation and were said to be in shock. lying on the ground. “21 Shabaab militants were diers, killing a large number of them an Al Shabaab training camp north of sionally publishing pictures of their “At around 1.30am, I heard my In January, a court charged two killed,” Obonyo said, during what he although Nairobi has refused to say the Somali capital Mogadishu. bodies. brother and his wife call for help,” Israelis over the firebombing after described as a “fierce engagement”. how many died. The strike marked a shift in US Security officials said that five said Dawabsha’s brother Bashar, who slow progress in the case led to crit- Last week, the Kenyan army said The attack, which was widely strategy in Somalia which had previ- attackers were killed in clashes lives downstairs. “I went up to their icism from human rights groups and it thwarted an attack on a military regarded as Kenya’s worst-ever mili- ously focused on targeted killings of a near the checkpoint after it was floor and I saw the fire.” A bedroom Palestinians. camp also at Afmadhow, killing 19 tary loss, was the third major assault small number of Al Shabaab fighters. attacked on Saturday.

Nine migrants on way to Europe Firebrand Iraqi cleric takes on corruption in govt drown off AFP Green Zone and set up protest camps. new cabinet. “This is a serious escala- moment,” said Ahmed Ali. Thousands of them defied a gov- tion,” said Ahmed Ali, of the Institute The top players in the Shia-major- Libyan coast ernment ban on Friday to heed their of Regional and International Stud- ity country, many of them aligned leader’s call and set up tents at the ies at the American University of Iraq. with Iran, are fretting at the resur- BAGHDAD: A string of mass protests main entrances of the vast restricted “Sadr started this thing and will gence of the populist cleric, who was AFP culminating in an ongoing sit-in at area in central Baghdad which houses not go silent now, he wants to go all once a Tehran client but has since the gates of Baghdad’s Green Zone key state institutions as well as for- the way,” said Issam Al Faily, profes- reinvented himself as a nationalist. have thrust the mercurial Shia cleric eign embassies. sor of political science at Baghdad’s While his popularity had TRIPOLI: Nine migrants trying to Moqtada Al Sadr (pictured) back on Sadr says the goal of the protests Mustansiriya University. appeared to recede in recent years, reach Europe have drowned off to centre stage. is the formation of a cabinet of tech- Since he took over the premier- the 42-year-old cleric can still mobi- Libya and hundreds more been The scion of an influential clerical nocrats to replace party-affiliated ship in 2014, and despite the backing lise large crowds like few others in rescued, the Red Crescent said yes- family from the holy city of Najaf, he politicians he says have perpetuated of the country’s top Shia cleric, Grand Iraq. “Sadr began this as a new effort terday amid fears of an increase in first made a name for himself at the a system based on nepotism and Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Abadi has to co-opt the anti-corruption protest crossing attempts as the route from age of 30 as a vociferous anti-Ameri- patronage. ruled with very tenuous support from movement after a different effort Turkey closes. can cleric who raised a rebellion. Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi his own government. failed last fall,” said Kirk Sowell, Leaders from six EU nations His influence ebbed after the 2011 himself made the proposal but he Now any reform that does go publisher of the Inside Iraqi Politics led by Britain held talks in Brus- US pullout but he retained strong sup- is being undermined by parties — through would risk looking like a vic- newsletter. sels on Friday on how to tackle port among the lower classes and is including his own — whose barons tory for Sadr and create more unease Several stalwarts of the Sadr the flow of migrants across the now casting himself as the champion are reluctant to relinquish their posi- among the country’s other, rival Shia movement are in the government Mediterranean from Libya after a of the fight against graft. tions and attendant privileges. to the brink. The sit-in and the huge leaders. and some are widely seen as the least European naval task force plucked “This is your time to root out While ostensibly declaring his security deployment around it have “The Sadrists are attempting to competent and more corrupt but the more than 3,100 from the water in corruption and the corrupt,” he said support for Abadi’s proposed reforms, paralysed central Baghdad and Sadr reinsert themselves forcefully into cleric has tried to deflect any criti- just three days. earlier this month in a call to his Sadr’s decision to take to the street has given Abadi an ultimatum expir- the Iraqi Shia political sphere which cism by distancing himself from his The nine who died were supporters to march on the fortified leaves the prime minister even closer ing in a week to present names for a is getting more contentious by the own ministers. among several hundred migrants who were discovered aboard dilapidated boats off the port of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, on Sat- urday, Libyan Red Crescent Khamenei calls for domestic spokesman Malek Mersit told AFP. A total of 586 migrants were rescued, said Colonel Ayoub Qassem, spokesman for the navy economic resurgence of a Tripoli administration that has disputed power with Libya’s inter- nationally recognised government AFP The ending of the 13-year standoff over since 2014. Iran’s nuclear programme has raised expec- They included 11 children and tations of recovery after years of economic 60 women, and were mainly Bang- TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader said yesterday difficulties, including high inflation which dra- ladeshis and Sudanese, he said. that the economy must come first, insisting in a matically reduced Iranians’ purchasing power. The drownings came just days Persian new year’s day message that domestic The economy exited a deep recession little after four migrants were killed in production is the best route to a strong recovery. more than a year ago. a boat fire off Libya and another The Nowruz holiday comes just two months But although international oil sales have 187 rescued. after implementation began of a landmark resumed and exports risen since the nuclear European leaders fear that nuclear deal between Iran and world powers deal went into effect in January, the price of a deal with Turkey to tackle the led by the United States, triggering the lifting crude means receipts have been low, and EU’s worst ever migrant crisis of a raft of international sanctions and raising growth remains weak. will spark an acceleration in the the prospect of renewed foreign investment. “The solution is the economy of resistance,” already large number of crossing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said repeat- Khamenei said. attempts from Libya. edly that foreign investment will only help if it “With the economy of resistance, we can Around 330,000 have landed is used to develop Iran’s domestic industries. fight unemployment and recession, control in Italy from Libya since the start “Hopes exist for the year 1395... but to inflation and confront the threats of enemies.” of 2014. The lawlessness that has achieve these hopes we must make efforts day He said the government of President Hassan reigned in the North African nation and night without interruption,” Khamenei said Rowhani had put in place “extensive measures” since the Nato-backed overthrow in a pre-recorded television address. to repair the economy. of veteran dictator Muammar “The economy must be our priority,” he “Steps have been taken and these prelim- Iranian President Hassan Rowhani before delivering a speech marking Nowruz, the Iranian Gaddafi in 2011 has made it a said, dubbing 1395 “the year of the resistance inary actions must continue,” the supreme favoured jumping-off point. new year, in Tehran, yesterday. economy and action”. leader said. 14 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES US deal to strengthen defence: Philippines Moscow-bound AFP spokesman Peter Galvez said sepa- South China Sea despite conflicting in the central and southern islands of rately the agreement “would greatly partial claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the archipelago. flight delayed Under the agreement, enhance our capabilities” in maritime Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. US State Department spokesman US forces would be security and disaster relief. It has been asserting its claim John Kirby said the two sides at their after scare MANILA: The Philippines yester- Philippine and US officials by occupying more reefs and out- Friday meeting discussed next steps day hailed a new accord giving able to rotate through meeting in Washington on Friday crops in these waters, and building for implementation of the EDCA “and BANGKOK: A Moscow- the US military access to five of its five Philippine bases announced that they had agreed to artificial islands including airstrips how it will support the United States bound flight with 369 bases, saying this would strengthen including those close the rotation of US military personnel on some of them. Bautista Air Base efforts to help modernize the armed passengers on board was its defensive capabilities and mari- under the Enhanced Defense Co- is just 300KM east of Mischief Reef, forces of the Philippines, develop grounded temporarily at time security. to the South China operation Agreement (EDCA), which an outcrop occupied by China in the capacity and capability for maritime Phuket airport in southern The agreement between the two Sea. went into effect in January. 1990s despite angry protests by the security and domain awareness, and Thailand yesterday after a close allies comes as the Philippines One of the installations is the Philippines. provide rapid humanitarian assist- passenger refused to fly, and other countries are embroiled in Antonio Bautista Air Base in the west- Basa Air Base is about 330km ance to the people of the Philippines.” saying that his presence a tense dispute with China over con- ern Philippine island of Palawan, from Scarborough Shoal, occupied by “It’s not about selling it to the Chi- endangered the aircraft. flicting territorial claims in the South the Philippines and US to strengthen- directly facing the South China Sea. Chinese vessels after a tense confron- nese or to anybody. It’s about meeting The incident comes China Sea. US forces would be able to ing their alliance in terms of ensuring Another is Basa Air Base north tation with Philippine ships in 2012. our security commitments in a serious a day after all 62 people rotate through five Philippine bases both countries’ mutual defence of Manila, home of the Philippines’ The other bases through which US alliance with the Philippines.” Manila aboard a Flydubai Boe- including those close to the South and security,” Foreign Department main fighter wing, which is also close forces can rotate through are a major has been seeking closer ties with ing 737-800 flying from China Sea. “The five agreed locations spokesman Charles Jose said in a to disputed waters. army training camp with its own air- Washington as China has become Dubai to southern Rus- reaffirms the shared commitment of statement. Defence Department China claims virtually all the strip in the north, and two air bases more assertive in the region. sia were killed when their plane crashed on its sec- ond attempt to land. An official said, “As the plane was leaving Bay number 6 a passen- ger named Alexander Heist exposes Nosov asked not to fly. He said: ‘If I travel with this plane, this plane will not be safe’.” An inspection by an Manila’s dirty explosive ordnance dis- posal team found nothing suspicious on the aircraft, the company said. The passenger was detained money secrets for questioning at the air- port, police said, and did not fly with the plane when it took off more AFP up now,” the manager, Maia Deguito, than six hours behind told ABS-CBN television this week schedule. after authorities stopped her at Manila airport from trying to leave MANILA: When mystery hackers the country. Nepal PM leaves launched a stunning raid on Bangla- With authorities in Bangla- desh’s foreign reserves, a plot worthy desh and elsewhere bamboozled for China to of a John le Carre spy novel was over who masterminded the cyber- sparked in the Philippines, expos- heist, Deguito’s role as manager of deepen ties ing the Southeast Asian nation as a the bank that accepted and shifted dirty money haven. the money has come under intense Philippine banker Maia Santos Deguito (right) is seen upset during a Senate hearing of the theft of $81m KATHMANDU: Nepal’s prime minister K P The $81m stolen from the Bang- scrutiny. from the US account of the Bangladesh Bank, at the Philippine Senate in Manila, yesterday. ladesh central bank’s American She has accused the bank’s pres- Sharma Oli left yesterday accounts last month was imme- ident, Lorenzo Tan, of ordering her for a week-long visit to diately sent via electronic transfer to move the money. He has fiercely China aimed at deepen- to the Philippines, with the thieves denied the accusations. ing tries following months deliberately targeting their launder- Philippine senators who of frosty relations with ing location. launched an inquiry this week FBI to assist probe into theft neighbouring India. The Philippines has some of the into the affair are yet to determine The visit comes a world’s strictest bank secrecy laws whether she was a scapegoat or not, month after the prime to protect account holders, while its but are convinced she was not the AFP A FBI official in Dhaka met with The central bank governor, his two minister visited India -- a casinos are exempt from rules alto- mastermind. representatives from Bangladesh’s deputies and the country’s top bank- traditional first overseas gether aimed at preventing money “It’s a big operation. This could Criminal Investigation Depart- ing bureaucrat lost their jobs following stop for Nepali prime laundering. not have been done out of the Phil- ment and offered to assist with the the theft and the government has been ministers -- to mend “The Philippines is very attrac- ippines alone,” Senator Ralph Recto DHAKA: The FBI has agreed to help investigation into the spectacular scrambling to contain the damage ties strained by a border tive (for dirty money) because our said. Bangladesh investigate an audacious cross-country theft. from the spiralling scandal. blockade. Demonstrators laws have gaping holes. It’s easy to The Senate inquiry and another $81m theft from the nation’s foreign “Both the FBI and the CID have Police said Bangladeshi investi- from the minority Madhesi launder money here,” Senator Sergio probe by the Philippines’ Anti-Money reserves, authorities said yester- agreed to work together since it’s a gators were planning to travel to the community in southern Osmena, who is pushing for stronger Laundering Council have hit several day, days after the finance minister transnational organised crime and Philippines, Sri Lanka and the Federal Nepal blocked a major anti-money laundering laws, said. major hurdles, including a security accused central bank officials of com- transnational criminal networks are Reserve Bank of New York as part of crossing on the Indian Still, if the thieves were to get camera at the bank not working plicity in the heist. involved,” Md. Saiful Alam, deputy the transnational probe into the heist. border for several months away with their audacious heist, when the money was shifted. In the meantime, a cyber crime inspector general of CID, said. However, investigators say local in protest at a new con- the money had to be moved quickly Accusations and counter-accu- expert has disappeared after talk- Hackers stole the money from the hackers were likely involved in the stitution. Nepal accused through the banking system and into sations between Deguito and RCBC ing to police and the media about an Bangladesh Bank’s account with the theft. “The names of local development India, which has close the casinos. And it did. management have further confused attempted $951m cyber heist from Federal Reserve Bank of New York on projects were used in the payment links to the Madhesis, Authorities took four days to investigators. Bangladesh’s central bank, his wife February 5 and managed to transfer advices sent to the Federal Reserve of imposing an “unoffi- order a recall of the money. A final roadblock has emerged said on Sunday. it electronically to accounts in the Bank,” Alam said. cial blockade” after cargo But by then it had vanished -- at the casinos, with the money Kamrun Nahar Chowdhury said Philippines. “This has raised our suspicion that movement slowed at bor- leaving in its place a tale of death apparently vanishing in mountains her husband Tanveer Hassan Zoha The audacious cyber-theft has there could be some local links.” In der checkpoints. The threats, bribes, shady business fig- of gambling chips and mysterious had been taken from a motorised rick- embarrassed the government, trig- an interview published, the country’s blockade, which ended ures and a bank manager who could middlemen. “Our money trail ended shaw in the early hours of Thursday gered outrage in the impoverished Finance Minister A M A Muhith told the last month, sparked be the villain or a victim. at the casinos,” Julia Abad, deputy by people in plainclothes who blind- country and raised alarm over the Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo severe shortages of fuel “I did not do anything wrong. If director of the anti-money launder- folded him and drove off with him in security of the Bangladesh’s foreign that Bangladesh Bank officials were and other vital supplies. this is a nightmare, I want to wake ing council, told senators. a vehicle. exchange reserves of over $27 billion. “100 percent” involved in the scandal.

Four dead in Vietnam explosion Kazakhstan votes in early parliamentary elections

AFP lack coherent ideologies or manifes- parliamentarians. I don’t think they tos, and exist to provide democratic can solve our problems. Policy is window dressing in the authoritarian made by the president’s office at any state rocked by low oil prices. rate,” he said. Exit polls are expected KAZAKHSTAN: Citizens of energy- In addition to Nur Otan, two other to show projected results shortly after rich Kazakhstan went to the polls parties from the outgoing legislature midnight local time (1800 GMT). yesterday in an early parliamentary are competing, the pro-government Kazakh electoral law determines election expected to provide a com- Communist People’s Party and Ak at least two parties must take their manding majority for ageing autocrat Zhol. Of the three remaining par- places in the 107-member legisla- President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s ties, both Auyl, which focuses on ture, even if one of them does not ruling Nur Otan party. agrarian issues, and pro-green Bir- surpass the 7 percent vote thresh- Close to 10 million voters are lik are loyal to Nazarbayev, while old. Nazarbayev was re-elected to eligible to cast votes in a ballot held the Nationwide Social Democratic a five year term with 98 per cent of early amid economic gloom in the Party (NSDP) claims the mantle of the vote in a snap presidential elec- Central Asian state and featuring six the opposition. tion last year. parties that mostly support the coun- Standing in line to vote in the Kazakhstan forged ahead as try’s Russia-aligned leader. futuristic capital Astana, Maral depressed Central Asia’s most Nazarbayev, 75, has ruled Kaza- Akimbaeva, 27, a worker for a state prosperous state with sky-high oil khstan virtually unopposed since company said she would “probably” revenues powering over a decade before its independence from the vote for Nur Otan. of robust economic growth after the Soviet Union in 1991 and has not “If I am honest I don’t see any dif- turn of the millenium. named a successor. ference between the parties. They all The ruling party’s campaign People gather outside the site of an explosion in Ha Dong District in Hanoi, Vietnam, yesterday. At Over 9,800 polling stations in the say the same thing,” she said. Bolat has emphasised past government least four people died and one was injured in the explosion, which media reports blame on oxygen vast landlocked republic of 17 mil- Karabayev, a private entrepreneur, achievements while endorsing tank explosion. lion people were opened. Analysts said he would not be voting, however. present state policies under the motto say the parties competing in the vote “I am disappointed by these “Unity! Stability! Creativity!” ASIA / AFRICA MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 15 People in Niger vote to elect new president

AFP vowed to boycott. At Lamartine school baby-trafficking charges he says are The situation has created ten- spokesman for the COPA 2016 opposi- in the Bani-Zoumbou district of the bogus and aimed at keeping him out sions in a country which has only tion coalition. Religious groups, tribal The election pits capital Niamey, the first voter cast his of the race. had a multi-party democracy since leaders and trade unions have called Issoufou against jailed ballot at around 8:20am. Just days before the vote, he was 1990 and where three-quarters of the for calm and dialogue. NIAMEY: Voters in Niger cast ballots “We have all the material and we evacuated from prison and flown to population live on less than $2 (1.80 The run-up to the first-round vote in the country’s first-ever presiden- opposition leader have started the voting without oppo- Paris for medical treatment, with euros) a day. was marred by violence between tial run-off yesterday, with incumbent Hama Amadou. Niger sition representatives present,” said the government saying he was suf- Issoufou, who is seeking a second supporters of the rival camps, the Mahamadou Issoufou on track for Mustapha Alio Mainassara, the offi- fering from an unspecified “chronic term in office, took a solid lead with arrest of several leading political a second term as the opposition has only had a multi- cial in charge of the polling station. ailment.” 48.4 percent in the initial vote on Feb- personalities and the government’s observed a boycott. party democracy since He said members of the elec- On Friday, Amadou’s doctor said ruary 21, way ahead of Amadou, who announcement that it had foiled The election pits 64-year-old toral committee were present along his condition was improving but he scored 17.7 percent. a coup bid. During the campaign, Issoufou, a former mining engineer 1990 and three of the with members of Issoufou’s party would have to remain under obser- The opposition coalition alleged Issoufou, who took office in 2011, nicknamed “the Lion”, against jailed population live on less but no-one representing the opposi- vation for “at least 10 days.” fraud in the first round, claiming repeatedly pledged to bring prosper- opposition leader Hama Amadou, 66, than $2 a day. tion, which did not send out any of its “His health is improving and “unfair treatment between the two ity to the desolate but uranium-rich known as “the Phoenix” for his ability representatives. currently his condition is not life- candidates” and has vowed not to rec- country and prevent further jihad- to make political comebacks. Amadou has been forced to threatening,” said Luc Karsenty, a ognise the results of Sunday’s vote. ist attacks in its vast remote northern Polling stations opened at 8:00am million people eligible to vote in an campaign from behind bars after doctor at the American Hospital in “We are calling on people to stay deserts and from Nigeria’s Boko and were to close at 7:00pm with 7.5 election which the opposition has being detained on November 14 on western Paris. at home,” said Ousseini Salatou, Haram Islamists to the south. Fourth person dies of Ebola Coral bleaching at Barrier Reef severe: Australia in latest flare-up in Guinea AFP the highest response level, which it described as a “severe regional Reuters at which point the UN World Health bleaching”, allowed them to step Organization (WHO) said it was no up surveys to understand what was longer actively transmitted. SYDNEY: Australian authorities said happening. WHO warned, however, that yesterday coral bleaching occurring Hunt said the government would CONAKRY: A fourth person has Ebola could resurface at any time, in the World Heritage-listed Great fund a survey of 40 sites in the reef died of Ebola in Guinea in the lat- since it can linger in the eyes, cen- Barrier Reef had become “severe”, area, which had been investigated est flare up of an epidemic that has tral nervous system and bodily fluids the highest alert level, as sea tem- in 2012, in September to assess the killed more than 11,300 people in of some survivors. peratures warm. health of corals and potential recov- that country, Sierra Leone and Libe- It was not immediately clear Australian Environment Minister ery options. ria since 2013 but now claims few how the villagers from Korokpara, Greg Hunt said while the bleaching “This information is particularly victims. around 100km from Nzerekore, at this stage was not as severe as in important for the future under- “The young girl who was hospi- had contracted the disease but the 1998 and 2002, also El Nino-related standing of the reef given that the talized at the Ebola treatment centre area had previously resisted efforts events, “it is however, in the northern frequency of coral bleaching events in Nzerekore is dead,” said Fode Tass to fight the illness in the initial parts a cause for concern”. and the severity of tropical cyclones Sylla, spokesman for the centre that epidemic. “The reef is 2,300km long and the are predicted to increase in the coordinates Guinea’s fight against Health workers are rushing to bottom three-quarters is in strong future,” the minister said in a state- the virus. the site of a fresh Ebola outbreak in condition, but as we head north, ment. Bleaching is a phenomenon that Three others have died of the Guinea to bolster efforts to contain it becomes increasingly prone to turns corals white or fades their col- virus since February 29. Health the virus and prepare for the like- bleaching,” Hunt said after an aer- ours, threatening a valuable source workers on Saturday also stepped lihood of more cases, aid agencies ial tour of some of the affected areas, of biodiversity, tourism and fishing. A view of coral bleaching at Lizard Island off the Australian state of up efforts to trace anyone who said on Friday. the Australian Broadcasting Corpo- It occurs when reef symbiosis -- Queensland. could have come into contact with The World Health Organisation ration reported. the mutually beneficial relationship the family. (WHO) and aid agencies have sent “Essentially what you could see between two organisms that inhabit coral reef ecosystem -- is already It narrowly avoided being put on The world’s worst recorded Ebola experts to investigate the origin of was patches of coral bleaching as you corals -- is disrupted by a rise in struggling from the threat of climate the UN World Heritage in danger list epidemic is believed to have started the new cases and to identify, iso- approached Lizard Island (located ocean warming, although there can change, as well as farming run-off, last year with Canberra working on a in Guinea and killed about 2,500 late, vaccinate and monitor all of in the Barrier Reef).” The Great Bar- also be other causes. development and the coral-eating plan to improve the reef’s health over people there by December last year, their contacts. rier Reef Marine Park Authority said The reef -- the world’s biggest crown-of-thorns starfish. successive decades.

Mustard flowers in full bloom Zanzibar votes Congo presidential election in re-run polls opens under restrictions AFP

Reuters Nguesso regained power in 1997 ZANZIBAR: Voting began in Zan- after a brief civil war and then went zibar yesterday with security tight on to win disputed elections in 2002 and an opposition boycott in place and 2009. for the re-run of October’s election BRAZZAVILLE: Voting in a presi- He pushed through constitu- in Tanzania’s semi-autonomous dential election in Congo Republic tional changes in October to remove islands, cancelled due to fraud opened yesterday under a govern- term and age limits that would have allegations. ment-imposed communications prevented him from standing again. The Zanzibar Election Com- blackout as long-time leader Denis His supporters credit him with mission (ZEC) cancelled the results Sassou Nguesso sought to extend his restoring stability and developing of the first poll but diplomats said rule over the Central African oil pro- the country’s infrastructure. Crit- they saw no evidence of the “mas- ducer. ics, however, say Congo’s oil wealth sive fraud” alleged. Sassou Nguesso is heavily has enriched a small elite. Around Most polling stations opened favoured to win the polls. He faces half of the population of 4.5 million on time at 7:00am with voters lin- eight opponents, including retired lives in poverty. ing up peacefully but turnout was General Jean-Marie Mokoko who The polls will be watched closely expected to be low in opposition is seen as the strongest challenger. by other leaders in Africa where a strongholds after the Civic United The government also banned number of long-serving presidents Front (CUF) urged its supporters the use of motor vehicles nation- are seeking to stay on beyond con- not to participate. wide during the vote, and police stitutionally mandated term limits. “I am happy to vote again. We checkpoints were erected across A government official said will record a landslide victory,” the capital Brazzaville to verify that that mobile phone companies had A woman strolls through a yellow field of mustard flowers in full bloom at a river bank in Abiko, Chiba said Amina Hassan, a supporter those circulating had obtained spe- been ordered to interrupt service prefecture, near Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. of the ruling Chama Cha Mapin- cial permission. on March 20 and 21 “for reasons of duzi (CCM) party which backs the Voters queued outside a poll- security and public tranquillity”. re-run. But opposition member ing station in Brazzaville’s Mafouta The opposition criticised the Yussuf Juma dismissed the elec- neighbourhood ahead of the sched- decision, which they said would tion as a sham. “It is a waste of uled 7am start time for the election hamper the work of elections time and resources to vote again. but faced more than two hours of monitors. Indonesia to summon Chinese envoy We listened to our leaders not to delays. “I want this to go well. I don’t The opposition said on Friday it vote and we have decided to stay want war, which is often what hap- had documented preparations for away,” he said. pens after these elections,” said widespread vote rigging, including Incumbent President Ali Damien Kiongazi, who returned voters registered at multiple polling AFP fishing boat, she said. “We respect from being sunk.Since taking up her Mohamed Shein was among the home from Paris to vote in the poll. sites, individuals with multiple voter a big country like China, and China position as fisheries minister in 2014, first to cast a vote in Stone Town, Having ruled from 1979 to 1992, cards and the distribution of voter should also respect the sovereignty Pudjiastuti has launched a crack- the historic centre of the capi- when he lost an election, Sassou cards to non-citizens. of Indonesia and respect that we are down on illegal fishing, blowing up tal Zanzibar City. “I am happy to JAKARTA: Indonesia will summon at war with illegal fishing,” Pudjias- and sinking numerous impounded have exercised my democratic the Chinese envoy in Jakarta after a tuti told reporters. empty foreign vessels caught fishing right,” Shein said. “It is wrong for confrontation between vessels from She urged the foreign ministry without a permit. the opposition to boycott, but it is the two countries in the South China in Jakarta to lodge a “strong protest” Beijing voiced concern last their freedom to do so.” Sea, a minister said yesterday. over the “arrogance” of the Chinese year after Indonesia destroyed an The ZEC said there had been The incident happened Saturday vessels. impounded Chinese fishing vessel. no delays in the delivery of bal- when surveillance vessels chased and The fisheries ministry will sum- Indonesia does not have overlap- lot boxes and papers and said both caught a Chinese fishing boat alleg- mon the Chinese envoy in Jakarta, ping territorial claims with Beijing in local and African observers were edly operating in waters near the the minister’s spokeswoman con- the hotly contested South China Sea, in place, although those from the Indonesian Natuna Islands without firmed it. A foreign ministry official unlike several other Asian nations. EU had stayed away. a permit, Fisheries Minister Susi Pud- in Jakarta, Edi Yusuf, told AFP the But Jakarta has objected to The annulment of October’s jiastuti said. ministry would also summon the China’s nine-dash line -- the demar- presidential and legislative elec- As the Chinese fishing boat was Chinese envoy once it received more cation Beijing uses on maps to tions in Zanzibar came after being towed away by the Indone- details of the incident. The Chinese demonstrate its claim to almost the opposition CUF candidate Seif sians, a Chinese coast guard vessel ambassador is currently out of town whole of the sea. Sharif Hamad declared himself the approached and collided with the so the charge d’affaires will be sum- This is because the line overlaps winner before results were offi- fishing boat. moned, Yusuf added. with Indonesia’s exclusive economic cially announced. With Hamad A bigger Chinese coast guard Pudjiastuti said she believed the zone around Natuna, a string of boycotting, Shein faces no seri- Voters queue at a polling station during the presidential election in vessel approached later and the Chinese coastguards stopped the boat islands rich in fish on the far north- ous challengers among the dozen Indonesians decided to leave the from being towed away to prevent it west fringe of the archipelago. other candidates. Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, yesterday. 16 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 PAKISTAN

Musharraf cut National Day fervour Second batch deal with govt of Indian fishermen freed

for exit: Aide KARACHI: Pakistan yes- terday released 86 Indian fishermen held for tres- of the deal at an appropriate time,” passing into its territorial said Kasuri when pressed for details. waters, officials said, the The agreement Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar second batch freed this also envisages the Ali Khan said that the government month. “We released 86 removed Musharraf’s name from the more Indian fishermen government will ECL in compliance with the Supreme today,” Superintendent wrap up the treason Court orders. of Karachi’s Malir prison trial Musharraf’s name was put on the Raja Mumtaz said, add- ECL after he returned to Pakistan in ing that 363 still remain in 2013, hoping to lead his party in the Pakistani custody. Indian general elections. He was, however, and Pakistani fishermen disqualified from contesting the polls are frequently detained Internews and found himself fighting an array Supporters of the banned charity organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa carry a national flag in a rally in for illegal fishing since the of charges relating to his time in connection with upcoming National Day in Karachi yesterday. Pakistan is set to celebrate the day to Arabian Sea border is not power from 1999 to 2008. commemorate the anniversary of the 1940 resolution adopted in Lahore when the demand for a clearly defined and many A senior government official said separate homeland for Muslims from India was made. boats lack the technology ISLAMABAD: A close aide to former the three-judge special court trying to fix their location. President Pervez Musharraf has Musharraf for treason would con- claimed that travel restrictions on tinue proceedings in absentia. The the former military ruler were lifted court has already indicted Mush- Two children die as a result of an ‘off-shore deal’ arraf, and there is no need for his in avalanche struck with the government. presence in the court anymore, he Govt approves Strategic The claim by Ahmad Raza Kas- added. “The special court can record uri, the chief coordinator of the All his statement through a video link, CHITRAL: Pakistani rescu- Pakistan Muslim League (AMPL), if he reneges on his commitment to ers yesterday found the negates the government’s version come back.” Senator Farogh Nasim, Trade Policy Framework bodies of two schoolchil- that Musharraf’s name was struck off who is Musharraf’s lead counsel in dren hit by an avalanche the Exit Control List (ECL) in compli- the treason trial, refused to comment in the mountainous north- ance with the Supreme Court orders. on this issue. However, Kasuri ruled Internews The minister said the cash incen- supported. The government will west, while around nine Musharraf is facing a slew of out ‘trial in absentia’. “This cannot tives for exporters will be disbursed provide freight subsidy on export of more remain buried court cases on different charges, be a viable option in such high- through the State Bank of Pakistan cement to Africa. Other potential mar- beneath the snow. including high treason for subvert- profile cases,” he said. Punjab Law in the last three months of this fiscal kets for cement are Sri Lanka, India The disaster struck on ing the Constitution in 2007. He flew Minister Rana Sanaullah has said ISLAMABAD: After a delay of year. He blamed the global recession and Afghanistan. The duty struc- Saturday near the village to Dubai on Thursday morning after that if the court issues Musharraf’s eight months, the government has for declining exports. ture will be revised on raw material of Susom, some 40kil- the government lifted international arrest warrants, then he would be approved the Strategic Trade Pol- “We will help exporters to reduce including coal and shredded tyres. ometre north of Chitral travel restrictions on him. brought back through Interpol. icy Framework (STPF) 2015-18 with the cost of doing business by lowering Under the policy, the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa A day earlier, the top court “The court has not ordered an ambitious export target of $35bn the cost of energy and zero-rating,” will provide warehousing support, province, local police sta- directed the government to remove putting Musharraf’s name on the by 2018. the minister said. The government branding support, certification sup- tion chief Sultan Baig Musharraf’s name from the ECL. ECL in any case,” he said. The spe- “Yes, the prime minister’s office would provide Rs20bn for the imple- port, border market support as well said. Worried parents and “At 2am on Thursday, my phone cial court indicted Musharraf in 2014 has approved the STPF 2015-18 and mentation of the policy for the next as infrastructure development sup- authorities began search- rang. It was General Sahib (Mush- for promulgating emergency and hopefully it will be announced on three years. For this fiscal year, Rs6bn port to the identified sectors. For ing for the ninth graders arraf) on the line. General Sahib suspending the Constitution before Monday,” Commerce Minister Khur- has already been earmarked. The Afghanistan exports of wheat, rice, when they did not return took me into confidence and shared sacking top judges, including the ram Dastgir Khan said yesterday. policy aims for product sophisti- meat and cement will be promoted. from school. “The chances details of the agreement [struck with then chief justice of Pakistan. The special committee con- cation and diversification, market The strategy includes infrastruc- of finding any survivors the government] before his depar- Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples stituted by the prime minister had access, institutional development and ture development, banking and rail are very low,” said local ture,” Kasuri said. Party supporters staged ‘Go Nawaz approved the trade policy on August strengthening and trade facilitation. link, zero-rating on export of plastics. deputy mayor Mohammad As a first step towards its imple- Go’ rallies in several cities of Sindh 29, 2015 and it was to be implemented The Intellectual Property Organ- Products including rice, yarn, fabrics Ali. “But you never know, mentation, Attorney General for yesterday to protest the govern- from July 1, 2015 as the STPF 2012-15 isation of Pakistan will be placed and garments will be supported to people have been found Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt did ment decision to strike Musharraf’s expired on June 30, 2015. under the ambit of the commerce promote exports to China. alive buried under snow not argue against the Supreme Court name off the ECL. “The federal gov- Dastgir regretted the delay but ministry. The focus market for bas- Under the import regime, gov- for nearly 20 hours.” The order for lifting travel restrictions ernment is passing the buck to the said his ministry would start work on mati rice will be Iran and Saudi ernment has allowed imports of Provincial Disaster Man- on Musharraf, according to Kasuri. judiciary for allowing Musharraf to its implementation in a week’s time. Arabia. The exports of meat, vegeta- restricted products, while putting a agement Authority said The agreement also envisages the go abroad,” said provincial informa- “I think the policy will be ready bles and fruits mainly kinno, mango, ceiling on certain facilities. Imports the rescue operation was government will wrap up the treason tion adviser Maula Bux Chandio, who for implementation from April 1,” he potato and onion to South East Asia of three-wheelers for disabled per- going on. trial, he said. “I will disclose contents led a rally in Hyderabad. added. and Middle East markets would be sons will also be allowed.

PPP leader to Rain devastation US appreciates head panel N-safety measures on ‘delegated Internews seen quite a bit of advancement in India’s working on the Pakistan- legislation’ India nuclear race problem in recent ISLAMABAD: The Obama admin- years. Internews istration has appreciated Pakistan’s Responding to a question, she nuclear engagement with the Inter- pointed out that battlefield nuclear national Atomic Energy Agency weapons were a security concern but ISLAMABAD: Veteran parliamen- (IAEA) and termed it ‘excellent’ for it also has been made known to Paki- tarian and leader of the Pakistan safeguarding its nuclear assets. stan that these weapons cannot bode People’s Party (PPP) Taj Haider is The administration’s Under Sec- as secure. set to be elected as head of the first retary of State for Arms Control and “We have made our concerns ever Senate functional committee International Security Rose Gotte- known, and will continue to press on delegated legislation, sources moeller told members of the Senate them about what we consider to be said yesterday. Foreign Relations Committee during the destabilising aspects of their The committee, mandated to a congressional hearing, “Pakistan’s battlefield nuclear weapons pro- review all the acts passed by par- Centre of Excellence have really gramme,” she said. liament, suggest framing of rules done an excellent job to establish Senator Bob Corker commented necessary for their implementation a programme there that is not only that both countries were enlarging and ascertain if the existing rules serving Pakistan’s interests, but is and improving their nuclear arse- are in accordance with the spirit of also serving on a regional basis to nals in an attempt to gain an upper the law, will meet for the first time provide training with the help of the hand but there has been “virtually on March 22 to elect its convener. IAEA, and so forth.” no progress made to address nuclear A motion seeking to amend the Gottemoeller also mentioned security”. Senate rules to form the ‘Functional India stepping up to the plate. “India The Obama administration is Committee on Delegated Legisla- is at an early stage of establishing hosting a nuclear security summit tion’, jointly moved by Mushahid People remove debris of a collapsed house in Pakistan-administered Kashmir yesterday. Heavy rains their own Centre of Excellence for later this month where Pakistan and Hussain of the PML-Q, Mushahid- killed at least 12 people including women and children in parts of the state. nuclear security,” she said, add- India along with the heads of other ullah Khan of the PML-N, Nauman ing that the administration has countries are expected to participate. Wazir of the Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaf and Jahanzeb Jamaldini of the Balochistan National Party- Mengal, was passed by the house in December. PTI yet to finalise organisational structure The decision to form the new committee had been made at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the House headed Internews Election Commission’s spokesperson a question about the on-going regis- hold elections at the UC level. elections. by Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani Advocate Farrukh Dal said yesterday. tration campaign across the nation, he “We have been pushing the com- “There is a general consensus over and having representation of all the According to the previous structure, said that the deadline is March 31 and mittee for an early decision but to no the proposal in the party,” he added. parties in the upper house. Similar PTI had 13 office bearers at union so far there is no change in it. avail,” said PTI election commission’s Dal explained that STV system committees are already function- ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek- council, tehsil and district levels. But he was not sure that the dead- spokesperson Advocate Farrukh Dal would give the runner up a chance ing in some democratic countries, e-Insaf (PTI) may have been touting its Following differences within the line would be extended again which said. “We cannot invite nomination to stay within the system instead of including India and the UK. distinction of holding another intra- party over the issue, the PTI chief would ultimately further delay the papers when we do not know the being side-lined from the activities What necessitated the forma- party election, but it has failed so far devised a seven-member committee polling. Imran’s party is considering names and numbers of offices for the creating rifts in the party, he added. tion of the committee was that to finalise its organisational structure. to come up with a plan, but the panel a proposal to hold direct elections for polls,” he explained. However, the mode of elec- there were some acts of parliament The committee set up by PTI chief is delaying the crucial decision and president with a seven-member exec- Dal said that the commission tions has also not been finalised and that had been ineffective as rules Imran Khan to propose an organ- subsequently the intra-party polls. utive committee excluding basic tiers headed by Tasneem Noorani had Noorani has expressed fears that fur- required for their proper imple- isational structure has yet to come The party had hinted at hold- of UC and tehsil levels. Insiders say the proposed a single transferable vote ther delays would cause confusion mentation were yet to be framed. up with its recommendations, PTI ing elections in May. Responding to party has decided in principle not to (STV) for the upcoming intra-party among the workers, Dal said. INDIA MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 17

Mass marriage in Bhopal Modi urged to BJP woos Dalits rectify historical blunders and farmers as against Muslims party meet ends IANS

NEW DELHI: The organisers of the first World Sufi Forum yes- according to Rajnath Singh. terday urged the government to Arun Jaitley said Rajnath Singh announced that rectify the “historical blunders” the prime minister will visit Mhow against Muslims and to introduce the ideology of in Madhya Pradesh, the birthplace of Sufism at all levels of education. ‘nationalism’ guides the Constitution’s architect Babasa- Speaking at the Ramlila heb Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth Ground on the final day of a the party’s belief and anniversary on April 14. four-day event, renowned Sufi chanting of ‘Bharat He said the party has chalked leader Syed Muhammad Ashraf out various future programmes said: “Over the last few decades, Mata ki Jai’ should and will reach out to every section there have been concerted efforts not be debated at all. of the marginalised society. “From to weaken Sufism in India and April 14 to 16, our leaders and party replace it with an extremist and cadres will hold social harmony pro- Brides take part in a mass marriage ceremony under Madhya Pradesh chief minister’s welfare scheme radical ideology.” grammes at panchayat level. During organised by the Zenith Muslim Educational and Social Welfare Society in Bhopal, yesterday. More “This recent phenomenon is IANS the period, they will convey the mes- than 71 couples tied the knot in the ceremony. dangerous not just for the Mus- sages of Dr Ambedkar to the people lim community, but also for the and will reward the talented stu- country itself,” added the founder dents of that panchayat,” he said. president of All India Ulama and NEW DELHI: The two-day BJP He said the party has chalked Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), the national executive meeting con- out a detailed 10-day nationwide organisers of the event. cluded yesterday with the ruling special programmes from April 14 Indian sailor kidnapped in Africa freed “We request our Prime Minis- party drawing up a roadmap on to 24 coinciding with Ambedkar’s ter (Narendra Modi) to rectify these making development the main focus birth anniversary (April 14) and Pan- historical blunders and meet the of all political activities and also on chayati Raj Day (April 24). demands of millions of Sufi follow- reaching out to Dalits as well as rural From April 17 to April 20, there IANS by pirates off the coast of Abidjan in and entered international waters ers in India.” and farm communities. will be Kisan Sabhas in all villages. Ivory Coast on February 11. The crew towards Nigeria on February 14. The AIUMB chief also In his address at the conclud- Rajnath Singh said Modi in his had 11 Indian seamen, including the India took up the issue with the demanded that the home minis- ing session attended by ministers address also hailed the 2016-17 NEW DELHI: An Indian sailor who ship’s captain. The vessel was under Nigerian authorities, after which the try to spell out what steps had been Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh and budget and said that even small was kidnapped in Africa last month charter to a South Korean company Nigerian navy immediately launched taken with regard to the small and BJP chief Amit Shah, Prime Minis- works, as enunciated in the budget has been released and reached India and was in its bunkering position operations to locate the vessel. big communal incidents that have ter Narendra Modi urged workers proposals, like keeping small shops yesterday night, the external affairs when the incident occurred. Five Nigerian ships were taken place in different parts of the not to be diverted by “non-issues” and business outlets open for all ministry said. The Indian mission in Ivory Coast deployed for the operation and the country. raised from time to time by politi- seven days should be taken to the “Rohan Ruparelia, who was alerted the country’s authorities on hijacked vessel was finally inter- Ashraf also raised concerns cal detractors. people by the BJP workers. abducted during the hijacking of the February 12 besides alerting the cepted by the Nigerian navy on the over low Muslim representation “Our government is doing a good “We expect political opposition ship Maximus, is flying back to India Indian missions in Ghana and Nigeria evening of February 19. in various minority institutions job. And our party workers should as a normal course but at any cost tonight,” ministry spokesman Vikas as the vessel was suspected to be sail- During the operation, one pirate in the country. not get diverted by non-issues and we cannot tolerate any anti-national Swarup said last evening. ing in that direction. was killed and six were apprehended. “Indian Muslims having faith we should focus on our own agenda,” thought process,” Rajnath Singh said. “He is safe and has spoken to his On India’s request, Ghana’s naval No crew member sustained injury in Sufi traditions should be given Modi said. Jaitley said the ideology of family members. With this, all the 11 ships operating in the region were during the operation. Sixteen crew representation according to their “It will be an endeavour of our “nationalism” guides the party’s Indian crew members are safe and tasked to track the ship. The pirates members, including 10 Indians, were share in population” in vari- rivals that we get embroiled in all belief and that chanting “Bharat secure and are returning home in changed the name of the vessel to rescued by the Nigerian navy. ous bodies such as Central Waqf kinds of unnecessary controversies Mata Ki Jai” — the cause of a recent batches,” Swarup said. MT Elwins and it was followed by However, two crew members — Council, State Waqf Boards, Cen- and our government’s developmen- row especially in Maharashtra — Merchant vessel Maximus, owned the mother ship of the pirates. Ruparelia and a Pakistani — were tral and State Hajj Committees and tal works are not discussed among was an issue which should not be by Dubai-based Warm Seas com- The vessel, instead of entering the taken hostage by the pirates when National Minority Finance Devel- people,” Modi told the meeting, debated at all. pany, with a crew of 18 was hijacked waters of Benin, steered southwards they disengaged. opment Corp. PDP chief to Iron Fist fire power: A hold meeting sonic boom from past on Kashmir echoing into the future deadlock IANS For the spectators, who included President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along IANS with several defence attaches and POKHARAN: It started with a sonic personnel from the three forces, boom, a Mig 29 breaking the sound the precision of the attacks was SRINAGAR: Amid a deadlock over barrier, sending a shiver down the wondrous. formation of a new government spine of those witnessing it. The fighters were swift, while in Jammu and Kashmir in alli- The Iron Fist 2016, held in the the transport aircraft were majestic. ance with the BJP, PDP president barren desert at Pokharan test range Air-to-air refuelling by IL-78 Mehbooba Mufti is likely to hold in Rajasthan was a showcase of the FRA along with two Su-30 aircraft, a meeting in two to three days to past, present and future of the Indian assault landing capability of versatile chart out her party’s future course Air Force (IAF). C-130 J aircraft and the fire fighting of action. Pokharan is a name synonymous capability of the Mi-17V5 were wit- During the meeting, the Peo- with nuclear tests for most people. nessed with awe, the mere size of the ples Democratic Party president This weapon testing field, with a whole show was enough to instiLl a will apprise senior party leaders vast expanse of desert land in the sense of fear in the war machines. about the parleys she had with middle of nowhere, had a different As the combat demonstration got Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pres- aura on Friday when the IAF set out under way, the sight of missiles and ident Amit Shah in New Delhi, top to display its day and night attack bombs hitting successive targets, a PDP sources said. A Tibetan exile woman is helped by her husband to mark her ballot paper before casting her vote during capabilities. few kilometres away from the spec- According to sources, the the election for the Tibetan government-in-exile at a polling booth in Dharamsala, yesterday. The horizon was filled with fire, tator stands, was not for the faint of meeting date will be finalised as dust, and clouds of smoke, and the heart. From several kilometres away, soon as senior PDP leaders pres- sky buzzed with compact fighters the sound of blast travelled to shake ently stuck in Jammu due to bad and grand transport aircraft, sturdy the chairs of the visitors. T clouds of weather. helicopters, and lethal missiles and dense smoke and fire were clearly Government formation hit a Exiled Tibetans vote for next PM air warriors. visible in the open desert, dissolving dead-end after BJP national gen- The Mig 29 caught the spectators in the air slowly only to be replaced eral secretary Ram Madhav told unaware, but it was just a precur- by a bigger, fiery cloud as more reporters in New Delhi that the BJP Reuters 100,000 exiled Tibetans living in reinforced the importance of the vote sor to the event. A sonic boom is bombs hit their targets. would not accept any conditions around 30 countries including India, in keeping the issue of Tibet alive. the sound that comes when shock The display of night time capa- from the PDP on the issue. Nepal, Canada and the United States. Tibetan Buddhism holds that the waves are created as the sound bar- bility came as a visual delight, as Although none of the two alli- Election results will be out soul of a senior lama is reincarnated rier is broken. This happens when an the sky was lit bright with flares ance partners has so far said that DHARAMSALA: Exiled Tibetans between April 27 and 28, with more in the body of a child after he dies. object moves faster than the speed of and missiles. the alliance between them is over, across India and overseas voted yes- than half of the 90,377 eligible voters China says it must sign off on the sound. The waves are known to even The grandest of all was, however, senior PDP leaders maintain chan- terday to elect a political leader for the expected to exercise their franchise, reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, who damage buildings around. the Akash surface-to-air missile, nels of communication between next five years, in a bid to help sus- according to the election commission. fled into exile in 1959 after a failed There was the vintage Tiger which drew a line of fire, as it was the two parties are snapped at tain their struggle to secure complete The “Sikyong”, or elected leader, uprising. The election will decide Moth, the aircraft from the past launched, in the dark sky, the target present. autonomy for Chinese-ruled Tibet. will be solely responsible for politi- who leads the parliament of the Cen- which also has a place in the Iron far from the view of the spectators. The PDP maintains it has made Thousands of monks and nuns cal and diplomatic decisions, as the tral Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Fist logo. Also on show were soon- The missile has beyond-visual range no fresh demands for government in maroon robes, students, and men Dalai Lama steps back from the lime- Dharamsala. to-retire Mig 27 — which has its capability. formation, except the party wants a and women queued to vote outside light amid uncertainty over how his Exiled Tibetans consider the non-upgraded jets retiring this year The event started with a bang, time frame for the implementation polling booths in Dharamsala, a successor will be chosen. CTA to be their legitimate govern- — Mig 21, set to retire between 2017 and ended with the sky illuminated of the agenda of alliance agreed town in India’s Himalayan foothills “With regard to dialogue with ment, but no country recognises it. and 2025, as well as the upgraded with air warriors jumping from an upon by the two parties when they where a community of Tibetans live China, we have been making initi- China has lobbied to sideline the Mig 29, Jaguars, mighty Su-30s, and aircarft in a combat free-fall, which formed the coalition government in exile with the Dalai Lama, hoping atives, efforts,” Lobsang Sangay, the Dalai Lama from the international trainer Pilatus. When the debutante was also showcased for the first time headed by Mufti Mohammad Say- for resumption of talks with China. incumbent Sikyong, told Reuters after circuit, although he did address an Tejas entered the show displaying in a night operation. eed on March 1 last year. The second such election fol- casting his vote. “It takes two to clap. audience in Geneva last week despite its fire power, the future of the force An air warrior, present at the “The PDP chief has made it lows a decision by the charismatic Our side is willing and ready and as those efforts. was in view. event, summed up the display as a clear time and again that she will monk, an 80-year-old Nobel Peace soon as the Chinese give us the pos- “Many people like us are in exile The IAF, facing a dwindling dedication to the spirit of serving stand by her father’s decision to Laureate, to relinquish his political itive sign, we will be ready to take it but more important (are the issues) number of fighter jets, shone in the nation. form an alliance with the BJP as authority and vest it in a democratic further.” of the people who are inside (Tibet) the desert, as it flexed its muscle, a “It is the spirit that wins wars he was convinced that it is in the system that could outlast him. Concern about the Dalai Lama’s and are suffering,” Kelsang, a woman showcase of capability that IAF chief and when you are sure of your capa- interest of the state’s people,” a PDP China does not recognise the health, after his admission to a US in her 30s who gave just one name, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called bility the spirit can never be low,” the leader said. government that represents nearly hospital this year for treatment, has said after voting. the ‘tip of the iceberg’. warrior said. 18 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 INDIA

Huge amount Time to take stand on public liability insurance of cash seized

IANS According to him, all the NPCIL “The insurers have designed the consequence of any nuclear accident in poll-bound plants including KAPS are insured policy and the IRDAI (Insurance Reg- in the plants covered under the pol- The proposed and an insurance claim will be lodged ulatory and Development Authority of icy and also the right of recourse of policy would after ascertaining the actual cause of India) has also approved this. How- NPCIL against equipment suppliers. Assam CHENNAI: The automatic safe cover the liability leak and the damage. ever, NPCIL wants some conditions to “It’s like a floater cover (insurance shutdown of the 220MW pressu- However, the much-awaited pub- be changed and the matter is under cover will be for all of NPCIL’s plants). rised heavy water reactor (PHWR) towards public as a lic liability policy is yet to be issued discussion,” New India Insurance When a nuclear accident happens and IANS at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station consequence of any to the atomic power plant operator. Company Ltd chairman-cum-man- the Rs.1,500 crore cover is exhausted, (KAPS) following heavy water leak “The public liability insurance aging director G Srinivasan had said then there will not be any insurance on March 11 actually strengthens the nuclear accident in policy has not yet been issued. The some time back. cover for subsequent accidents that GUWAHATI: With the Assam operator NPCIL’s position for a pub- the plants General Insurance Corporation of Sources said that for a premium of might occur during that policy year,” assembly polls round the corner, lic liability insurance policy, said a India (GIC Re) is dealing with the mat- around Rs70 crore ($10.5m), a consor- an industry source said. the Election Commission (EC) has senior official. ter,” said the NPCIL official. tium of insurers would provide cover While NPCIL wants the risk cover so far seized nearly Rs30m unac- “The plant was automatically shut radiation,” the Nuclear Power Corpo- GIC chairman-cum-managing up to Rs1,500crore per incident and to be reinstated at the same cost, the counted money from across the down after the heavy water leak. The ration of India Ltd’s (NPCIL) official, director Alice G Vaidyan was not per year. The proposed policy would insurers are reluctant as this would state, officials said yesterday. public was not affected due to any who did not want to be identified, said. available for comments. cover the liability towards public as a wipe out their balance sheet. Monitoring teams of the poll panel recovered Rs2,95,47,834 in cash from different parts of Assam till Saturday evening allegedly meant to be distributed among Left manifesto calls Holi festival in Bhopal voters. Around 5.5kg of drugs have also been seized. for secular democratic Polling for the 126-seat assem- bly will be held in two phases on April 4 and 11. govt in West Bengal According to the EC officials, there are 34 expenditure-sensitive constituencies and 401 expendi- IANS policy, and promised that the gov- ture sensitive pockets in Assam. ernment would not be partial to any The excise department has religious community or interfere in already installed cameras in dis- religious practices. tilleries and breweries in Assam KOLKATA: West Bengal’s Left Front, “We will take a neutral stand on for monitoring the movement of which has gone for seat adjust- all religions. We will take a strong liquor, Additional Chief Electoral ment with the Congress, yesterday stand against all types of commu- Officer Siddharth Singh said on released its election manifesto call- nalism and extremism,” it said, yesterday. ing for the formation of a secular promising to safeguard the security A total of 1,185 cases have democratic government and urging of all religious minorities including already been registered over the the people to defeat the ruling Trina- Muslims. seizure of the illegal liquor. mool Congress to restore democracy The Left Front said “commu- Siddharth Singh said the poll in the state. nal forces like the BJP” have to be panel has asked the deputy com- “Our aim is to restore democracy weakened and towards that end, the missioners and superintendents and rule of law. We will ensure free- Trinamool has to be defeated as it of police to intensify operations dom of expression for all. The police had been hand-in-glove with the BJP against illegal arms. and the administration will have to some time back. So far, 86 illegal arms and 333 College girls apply powdered colour on each other’s faces as they take part in Holi festival celebrations work by following the multi-party Dwelling at length on ‘corrup- rounds of illegal ammunition have democratic tradition,” the 16-page tion’ during the Trinamool regime, in Bhopal, yesterday. The festival is celebrated across the country on March 23. been seized. manifesto promised. the manifesto said the top party Additional CEO Gaurav Bothra Left Front chairman Biman Bose leadership including members of said 599 candidates filed their told the media: “To achieve this, we parliament and ministers were nominations for 65 constituen- have to defeat the Trinamool gov- involved in the chit fund scams. cies, which are going to the polls ernment. Towards that end, we want “Entrepreneurs and industrial- in the first phase on April 4. the people to unite and form a dem- ists leaving the state due to extortion “However, 13 nominations ocratic secular government in the demands is a regular feature,” it said. Jaitley defends cut in PPF rate were rejected due to technical state.” The Left Front alleged that there problems. There are now 586 valid The Left Front resolved to free all was a flight of industry out of the nominations for the 65 constituen- political prisoners, and withdrawal state during the five-year rule of the IANS these days, we cannot have a situ- rate used to be announced annually. cies,” Bothra said. of false cases, besides ensuring that Trinamool, when the state has failed ation where banks lending rates go Henceforth, as the interest rates Today is the last date for with- police and the administration work to draw investment. down and the deposits rate are high. fluctuate, it will be announced every drawal of nominations. neutrally for securing a society “Workers of closed industries Both are inter-linked,” Jaitley told quarter. The EC has appointed 47 free of fear by strictly dealing with will be paid a monthly allowance NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun reporters. The UPA regime also had the expenditure observers, 396 fly- anti-socials. of Rs2,500 and given subsidised Jaitley yesterday defended the gov- He claimed the government move same formula, he said. ing squads, 378 static surveillance It promised to ensure that ration.” ernment’s decision to slash interest was aimed at making “the economy He said the interest rates on gov- teams, and 126 video surveillance statutory bodies like the Wom- Regarding land acquisition for rates on PPF and national small sav- efficient rather than sluggish”. ernment securities were determined teams for conduction of free and en’s Commission, Lokayukta, state industries, which had emerged as ings, saying this was part of a routine “The country has to move by the market. fair polls. Election Commission, state Human a contentious issue during the last procedure. towards a lower interest rates in both Jaitley also took potshot at the Besides, six air intelligence Rights Commission functioned with years of the Left Front government He said the move will help trans- areas. Similarly the interest on gov- Congress, saying it had “lowered” units have been set up in airports full authority. (2006-2011), the manifesto said it form the economy from a “sluggish” ernment securities has also come its ambitions in states. to monitor all developments. The rights of the civil society would take “cautious steps” and state to an “efficient” one. down in the last few months.” “It has lowered its ambitions. And Besides Assam, assembly elec- would also be safeguarded, the doc- sincere efforts would be initiated to “Now the interest rates have come The minister, who has come it is contended playing a tail-ender tions are going to be held in West ument said. build up understanding between all down and the direction in which under attack for slashing interest in states like Bihar, West Bengal and Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and It stressed pursuing a secular stakeholders in the identified areas. the country’s economy is moving rates, said earlier changes in interest Tamil Nadu,” he said. one Union Territory Puducherry.

UDF will decide Playing with bubbles Several parties likely to candidates by merge ahead of UP polls April: Chandy IANS announced in New Delhi soon,” Tyagi said. Notably, the initiative IANS comes after unification moves of the larger Janata Parivar, including NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Uttar Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Samajwadi THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pradesh assembly elections, the Party, have failed more than once. complete list of candidates of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Jharkhand “This time the Samajwadi Party Congress-led United Democratic Vikas Morcha (Prajtantrik), Rashtriya has been kept out of the unification Front (UDF) for the assembly elec- Lok Dal (RLD) and Samajwadi Janata move,” an informed source said. tions in Kerala would be ready in Party (SJP) may merge soon. Informed sources said Nitish the first week of April, said Chief “Talks are at the final stage. We Kumar and KC Tyagi were in touch Minister Oommen Chandy. held a crucial round of meeting on with a former BJP leader and former Kerala goes to polls to elect March 15. Things have progressed Jharkhand chief minister Babulal 140 members of its 14th legisla- well and we are hopeful of a merger,” Marandi, who heads the Jharkhand tive assembly on May 16. JD-U leader K C Tyagi said. Vikas Morcha (Prajtantrik). Chandy, who is also the chair- “Our intent is to reunite the leg- The Samajwadi Janata Party man of the UDF, said that the list acy of Ram Manohor Lohia and (Rashtriya), floated by former prime of the Congress candidates was Chaudhary Charan Singh,” he said, minister Chandra Shekhar, is now supposed to be taken up by the adding stalwarts like Nitish Kumar headed by Kamal Morarka. party high command in the com- and Sharad Yadav of his party and The unification move could have ing week. Ajit Singh of RLD have given a go an impact in Uttar Pradesh where A street vendor blows bubbles to attract customers at Srinagar in Kashmir, yesterday. “But with elections in Kerala ahead for the move. assembly polls are due by March almost a month after they take “Merger will be formally 2017. place in West Bengal and Assam, the high command will sort out the list of candidates in those state first,” said Chandy. Also, with the Passion Week coming up, the lead- No cabinet reshuffle in Manipur as Sonia Gandhi meets CM ers from the Congress party in Kerala would be in New Delhi only on March 28, said the chief minis- IANS uty Gaikhangam after a group of 25 not given any directive for a reshuf- the ministry and enforcement of the government spokesperson. ter. Passion Week refers to seven dissidents demanded dropping of fle,” he said. the ‘one man one post’ policy so that The dissidents are also days from March 20 to March 26 “non-performing ministers”. Okram Ibobi has had two rounds Gaikhangam is either dropped from demanding dropping of some “non- of Christian observances. “There is no question of reshuffle of talks with Gandhi and vice presi- the ministry or relieved of the state performing ministers” including “After the Congress list is IMPHAL: There will be no reshuf- in the state. All differences could be dent Rahul Gandhi over the dissidents unit presidency. Ratankumar. Manipur is scheduled cleared, we will finalise the seat fle in the Manipur cabinet, minister thrashed out through negotiations,” issue, but they were inconclusive. Sources said the demands of the to go to the polls in February 2017. sharing arrangements with our K Ratankumar said yesterday, as Works Minister Ratankumar, known The ruling Congress has 48 legis- dissidents “remain unchanged” and Most of the dissidents are hoping allies and we are sure that the full Congress president Sonia Gan- to be a close associate of Okram Ibobi, lators in the assembly. it was not immediately known what that through a cabinet reshuffle, they list of the UDF will be out in the dhi summoned Chief Minister said at a public function. The group of 25 dissidents are prompted Ratankumar to say there get to become ministers with an eye first week of April,” added Chandy. Okram Ibobi Singh and his dep- “The party high command has demanding complete reshuffle of would be no reshuffle, as he was not on the forthcoming elections. EUROPE / UK MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 19 Chief of flydubai defends pilot’s landing decision

yesterday, Ghaith said, “As far as the in coordination with the authorities, in operation of the flight, the airport was this case it’s the tower that he’s com- The airline will open, it was good enough to operate municating with, or any authority he arrange hardship and it was good enough to land, as per was communicating with,” Ghaith said. the authorities.” In Moscow, Russian, French and payments of $20,000 Ultimately, the pilot makes the UAE experts who had access to the per passenger to final decision to land based on the devices finished preliminary work the families of those best information available and in to assess the quality of the recovera- coordination with the authorities, ble flight data yesterday, according to killed in the crash. Ghaith said. All FlyDubai aircraft a website statement by the Moscow- Final compensation operate with enough fuel to circle in based Interstate Aviation Committee. the air or divert to another airport, he The IAC will issue a preliminary will be decided after said, without specifying how much. report within a month, Ismaeil Al the investigation. Investigators began work by Hosani, assistant director general for examining the two flight recorders, the Air Accident Investigation Sector known as black boxes, recovered after at the UAE’s General Civil Aviation the jet broke apart while trying to land Authority, said in a statement. in gusty winds in Rostov-on-Don on “Investigation may take time due Agencies Saturday, killing all 62 people on to the amount of required information board. Flight FZ981, a Boeing Co. 737- on the aircraft, crew, and the opera- 800 with 55 passengers and seven tor, Rostov airport, air traffic control crew, was making a repeat landing of Rostov airport, weather conditions DUBAI/ MOSCOW: Flydubai’s top attempt in poor weather about 3:40 and information obtained through executive said conditions for land- a.m. when it crashed and burst into interviews,” Saif Mohammed Al ing were appropriate when its flight flames. Suwaidi, Director General GCAA, said. crashed at a windy airport in southern At about the same time, flights Under international aviation rules, Russia, though three other carriers operated by Aeroflot PJSC , Czech Air- the investigation will be led by Rus- Investigators and policemen inspect the site of the crash of Flight FZ981 at the Rostov-on-Don airport, rerouted flights to other destinations. lines and Turkish Airlines were due sia’s air safety investigation agency Russia, yesterday. Meanwhile, in a statement issued to land in Rostov- on-Don but opted with representatives from the United yesterday, flydubai said it was cov- to re-route, according to information States, where the jet was made, and ered by insurance worth $500m. from independent tracking service the United Arab Emirates, where the came in contact with the ground, then showed the plane losing altitude “The least of our worries is cost,” The airline will arrange hardship Flightradar24.com. Aeroflot made airline is based. Flightradar24 posted data suggesting and still gaining airspeed. he said. “”Our focus now is on car- payments of $20,000 per passen- three attempts to land but both the Deputy head of Interstate Avia- that the approach was unusual even Flydubai is covered by insur- ing for the the families of victims ger to the families of those killed in Russian carrier and Czech Airlines tion Committee, Sergei Zaiko said the before the jet reached the airport. ance worth $500m, Sokolov said. and cooperating with the relevant the crash, according to an e-mailed diverted to Krasnodar, about 275km flight recorders are damaged but it’s Flightradar24.com showed the The airline will arrange hardship authorities to discover the causes of statement from the company. Final away, while Turkish Airlines returned possible to recover and analyse the plane circled for about two hours after payments of $20,000 per passen- this incident.” compensation will be decided after to Istanbul. data. Human error, technical failure an initial landing attempt and then ger to the families of those killed in The pilots had previously flown to the investigation, said Chief Executive “In this incident or any event, a and bad weather are among possible descended and slowed down before the crash, according to an e-mailed the Russian airport, Ghaith said. The Officer of the Middle Eastern budget pilot makes the decision to operate causes under scrutiny, according to abruptly pulling up and accelerating statement from the company. Final pilot and co-pilot were “well experi- carrier Ghaith Al Ghaith. and man the flight on the best infor- the Investigative Committee. at the last minute. compensation will be decided after enced” and logged 5,900 and 5,700 Addressing a press conference mation that we have and its their call While authorities said the wing The final Flightradar24 readings the investigation, Ghaith said. flight hours respectively.

Swedish newspaper London night during Earth Hour websites shut down ‘Civil war’ grips UK govt in hacker attack after shock resignation

AFP AFP biggest blow Cameron has suffered since being re-elected last year. STOCKHOLM: The online editions It comes just three months ahead of Sweden’s main newspapers of the referendum on EU member- were knocked out for several LONDON: A top British euroscep- ship which Cameron admitted in an hours by unidentified hackers at tic minister who quit over welfare interview published yesterday would the weekend, police said yesterday cuts launched a damaging attack on be close. as they launched an investigation. Prime Minister David Cameron yes- “My fear is turnout,” the prime The attack was “extremely terday, exposing serious tensions in minister told the Independent. “For dangerous and serious,” the head his government ahead of June’s ref- heaven’s sake, get out and vote in, of the Swedish Media Publishers’ erendum on EU membership. because you might wake up and find Association, Jeanette Gustafsdot- In interview since resigning as you’re out.” ter, told Swedish news agency TT. work and pensions secretary on Smith says he resigned over “To threaten access to news Friday, Iain Duncan Smith accused £1.3bn (€1.2bn, $1.4bn) of cuts to coverage is a threat to democ- Cameron of trying to reduce Brit- disability welfare announced in a racy,” she said. ain’s budget deficit through benefit budget last week which “benefits No one has claimed responsi- cuts which hurt poorer voters while higher earning taxpayers”—often bility for the attacks, which either protecting older. often richer ones. Conservative voters. partially or totally shut down the Duncan Smith, who last month But a furious Cameron called sites of Dagens Nyheter, Svenska became one of the most senior Con- Smith a four-letter word in a phone Dagbladet, Expressen, Aftonbladet, servatives to say he would campaign call to discuss the resignation, The London Eye pictured during Earth Hour in London, Britain. Dagens Industri, Sydsvenskan and against the premier for Britain to describing him as “dishonourable”. Helsingborgs Dagblad on Satur- leave the EU on June 23, denied his And ministers in Cameron’s day evening from 8pm (1900 GMT) shock resignation was about Europe. government were arguing publicly until about 11pm (2200 GMT). But the former army officer, Sunday about whether Duncan Several experts quoted in the who led the ruling party from 2001 Smith’s resignation was a princi- media suggested the sites were to 2003 admitted that Cameron and pled stand against benefit cuts or a subjected to distributed denial-of- ‘Kes’ writer Barry Hines dies in Britain his finance minister George Osborne eurosceptic plot to undermine the services (DDoS) attacks, in which had stopped listening to him. premier. hackers hijack multiple computers “This is not some secondary Pensions Minister Ros Altmann, to send a flood of data to the tar- AFP “Very sad news: the great writer famous book is a work of social attempt to attack the prime minis- who served under Smith, said she get, crippling its computer system. Barry Hines, has died. Rest in peace,” realism which tells the story of Billy ter or about Europe,” Smith said in a was baffled by his decision to quit Police said they had launched poet Ian McMillan, who shared a pub- Casper, a boy who escapes his trou- BBC television interview, adding he after Downing Street had already an investigation, and Swedish lisher with Hines, wrote on Twitter. bled life by training a kestrel. quit because he was “losing ability said it would rethink the cuts he was intelligence was also being kept LONDON: Author Barry Hines, Mark Hodkinson, founder of His brother Richard recently pub- to influence events from the inside”. objecting to. abreast of developments. whose novel A Kestrel For A Knave Hines’s publishers Pomona, con- lished a memoir which detailed how Smith also said that Cameron’s “He seems to want to do maxi- An anonymous threat was captured the spirit of 1960s British firmed the author’s death aged 76. he had been a teenage falconer and government was “in danger of drift- mum damage to the party leadership issued on a Twitter account shortly working-class youth and was the He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s had inspired his brother’s work. Hines ing in a direction that divides society, in order to further his campaign to before the attack. The account was basis for Ken Loach’s award-winning disease in recent years. was born in 1939 in pit village near not unites it”. try to get Britain to leave the EU,” attributed to J@_notJ. film “Kes”, died, friends said Sunday. Published in 1968, Hines’s most Barnsley, South Yorkshire. His resignation is perhaps the she added.

Pilot verdict set to strike wedge Ice Age Safari exhibition between Russia and Ukraine

AFP latest pawn in the Kremlin’s broader what the verdict will be,” Oleksandr aggression against its ex-Soviet Sushko, a thinker in Kiev, said. neighbour that saw Moscow seize the “The only question is how the Crimea peninsula and fuel a separa- situation will develop after the MOSCOW: Ukrainian pilot Nadiya tist insurgency. sentencing.” Savchenko awaits the verdict in her They say Savchenko—who has Ukraine’s pro-Western Presi- controversial trial over the murder become a national hero at home and dent Petro Poroshenko has pledged of two Russian journalists with few been elected to parliament in absen- to do “everything possible” to bring doubting she will be found guilty in a tia—was kidnapped by pro-Moscow Savchenko back home and mooted a ruling that will fuel the feud between separatists in east Ukraine in June prisoner swap to free her. Kiev and Moscow. 2014 and illegally smuggled over Kiev is holding two men it says A court in the southern Russian the border into Russia before being were Russian soldiers that could town of Donetsk is due to rule over slapped with false charges. provide Poroshenko with a possible two days today and tomorrow after But authorities in Russia insist bargaining chip. a six-month trial, with prosecutors Savchenko was involved in the fatal But Moscow is also thought to demanding 23 years in jail for the shelling of two Russian state jour- have at least ten other Ukrainians combat helicopter navigator. nalists as she served in a volunteer behind bars—including high-pro- Ukraine and the West have pro-Kiev battalion fighting the insur- file detainees like film director Oleg Children touch a life-size replica of a deer, which is on display at the exhibition Ice Age Safari at the decried the case as political show gents and must face justice. Sentsov—and the Kremlin has given State Museum on Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz, Germany, yesterday. trial and see Savchenko as the “Nobody has any illusions about little hint it is ready to play ball. 20 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 EUROPE

Kosovo PM Deal fails to says brother sought asylum curb migrant in Germany influx to Greece AFP PRISTINA: Kosovo Prime Min- ister Isa Mustafa said yesterday Witnesses saw three boats arrive his brother had sought asylum in within an hour in darkness in the Germany, after joining the mass The deal, which early hours yesterday. Two men migrant influx into the European agreed to send were pulled out unconscious from Union last year. one of the boats amid the screams The confirmation came after all migrants and of fellow passengers and were later investigative news website Insa- refugees who cross pronounced dead. jderi.com reported that Ragip to Greece illegally Twelve boats had arrived on the Mustafa had requested asylum in shoreline near the airport by 6am Germany’s southwestern Rhein- back to Turkey once (0400 GMT), a police official said. A land-Pfalz state. they are registered government account put the number According to a document of arrivals across Greece in the past published by the news portal, he and their asylum 24 hours at 875 people. applied for asylum on June 24, claims have been Under the European Union deal only days before his brother was with Turkey, all migrants and refu- received by German Chancellor Women hold babies as refugees and migrants arrive on a dinghy on the shore near Mytilene on the Greek processed, is gees, including Syrians, who cross to Angela Merkel in Berlin. island of Lesbos, yesterday. expected to take Greece illegally by sea from March “It’s true. I was informed after 20 will be sent back to Turkey once it occurred ... that he had requested effect from April 4. they are registered and their asylum began. He said he wanted to go to Den- deal is legal or workable. It was not 3,500 people at a place set up to reg- asylum outside the country, in claims have been processed. mark to continue university. Asked if clear what would happen to the tens ister arrivals. At least 144,000 people, order to seek medical assistance That is expected to take effect he was aware of the European deci- of thousands of migrants and refugees mostly Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans, for a difficult disease which could Reuters from April 4, by which time Greece sion, he said: “I know. I hope to cross already in Greece. have arrived in Greece so far in 2016 not be cured in Kosovo,” Mustafa must have in place a fast-track proc- borders. I hope I complete my studies It was too early to say if the deal according to UN refugee agency data. wrote on his Facebook page. ess for assessing asylum claims. The in Europe. I don’t want money, I just would be effective, a senior coastguard About 60 percent were women and According to EU statistic office EU has pledged to help Greece set want to complete my studies. This is official said. “We haven’t yet seen children. Of those people, more than Eurostat, around 70,000 Kosovars LESBOS, GREECE: They waved, up a task force of some 4,000 staff, my message.” the terms of the deal properly,” said half landed on Lesbos. applied for asylum in last two years. cheered and smiled, elated to have including judges, interpreters, border Muhammed, who worked odd jobs Antonis Sofiadelis, head of the coast- Few, if any, had planned to stay in Mustafa said his brother was made it to Europe at dawn yesterday guards and others to manage each in Turkey to pay a smuggler to bring guard operations on Lesbos. the country, seeking instead a route not the only family member to in a packed blue rubber motor boat. case individually. him across, said he did not want to go “But if returns begin I believe it will to northern Europe where more sup- leave for Germany: his nephews The 50 or so refugees and In return, the EU will take in back. “I worked very, very hard in Tur- act as a deterrent. port and jobs are available than in and nieces had taken the same migrants were among the first to thousands of Syrian refugees directly key, I collected the money to come here They (migrants) won’t want to pay Greece, which is in the grip of an eco- illegal migrant route via Hungary, arrive on the Greek island of Les- from Turkey and reward it with ... It’s very dangerous and not good.” $1,000-2,000 to a smuggler. Every- nomic crisis. and returned later. bos on day one of an EU deal with more money, early visa-free travel Another arrival, 30-year-old com- thing depends on whether Turkey But border closures along the main “This proves that my family Turkey designed to close the route and progress in its EU membership puter engineer Mohammed from Daraa implements its part of the deal. route north through the Balkans have shares the fate of the rest of the by which a million people crossed negotiations. in Syria, said he hoped to stay in Greece “What we’re doing on our part is meant at least 48,000 people are citizens of Kosovo, the problems the Aegean Sea to Greece in 2015. Among the early morning arriv- until he found a way to be reunited with boosting the asylum process.” stranded in Greece, in camps and they face,” Mustafa wrote. “As Exhausted but relieved, the new als on the seaweed strewn beach on his wife and son in Germany. Authorities in Lesbos began ports across the country. About 12,000 prime minister I am trying to find arrivals wrapped their wet feet in the south of Lesbos was Syrian Hus- “I know the decision. I hope to removing refugees and migrants from people remain at a squalid tent camp a solution, to ensure visa liberal- thermal blankets as volunteers sein Ali Muhammad, whose studies meet my wife and children,” he said. the island to make space for new arriv- near the Macedonian border hoping isation, to attract investment and handed out dry clothes and supplies. were interrupted after the war Doubts remain about whether the als. The island has a capacity to host to cross. to create job opportunities.”

Paris suspect’s Spring is coming lawyer to sue 13 students dead as French prosecutor bus crashes into car

BRUSSELS: The lawyer defend- ing the prime surviving suspect for AFP however that the accident was likely the November 13 Paris attacks said due to a “human factor”. yesterday he would sue a French Many fire engines were pressed prosecutor for divulging Salah into service, as were three hearses Abdeslam’s private admission that TORTOSA, SPAIN: Thirteen for- and a heavy-lift crane. The car’s he planned to blow himself up with eign students were killed and dozens front was smashed in, and the fellow Islamic State militants. more injured in Spain yesterday bus was lying on its side after the Speaking two days after when a bus carrying them back from accident. The bus was carrying 57 Abdeslam was captured in Brus- a popular traditional festival crashed people, including the driver. sels, his lawyer Sven Mary accused into an incoming car. Spain’s national radio station the lead French investigator of vio- The students, who were on a RNE spoke to the son of the owner lating judicial confidentiality by European exchange programme in of the company that chartered the quoting Abdeslam’s statement to the northeastern region of Catalo- bus, who said his father was driv- a magistrate in Brussels at a news nia, came from 16 different countries ing another bus in front of the one conference in Paris. including Britain, the Netherlands, that crashed—one of a total of five “I cannot let this pass,” Mary Ukraine, Switzerland, Finland, Nor- vehicles ferrying students back from told Belgian state broadcaster way and Sweden but also Japan and Valencia. “All of a sudden, he stopped RTBF. Mary’s office was not imme- New Zealand. seeing it in his rear-view mirror. He diately available for comment, but All the dead were female, stopped at the next service area, RTBF said he would start legal pro- according to a regional government called the driver but he didn’t pick ceedings today. source who requested anonymity, up,” said the son, named as Raul. At the Paris news confer- but authorities have yet to announce He added that his father then ence, Francois Molins read from their exact nationalities. asked passengers in his own bus to Abdeslam’s statement, saying: A woman walks on a pier at the boardwalk at Lake Steinhude in Steinhude, Germany, yesterday. The The accident occurred around call those in the other vehicle, and that “”He wanted to blow himself up new season for excursion boats, amateur surfers and sailors on the lake is set to start marking the 6am (0500 GMT) near the small is when he got news of the accident. at the Stade de France and, I quote, beginning of Spring. town of Freginals, about 150km “The driver is in a state of shock, but backed out.” south of Barcelona, as the students he’s okay physically,” he added. were returning from the Fallas fes- Catalonia’s high court said in tival in eastern Valencia. a statement that an initial probe The driver “hit the railing on the revealed that “the bus driver tested right and swerved to the left so vio- negative for drugs and alcohol”. lently that the bus veered onto the The accident is one of the dead- Russian duo ruffles feathers with prank calls other side of the highway,” said Jordi liest in Spain in recent years. Jane who heads up interior matters Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano for the Catalonia region. Rajoy tweeted his concern yesterday. AFP Putin then contacted Elton and Kuznetsov, a quietly-spoken man. “We need to show the essence of The bus then hit a car coming in “My condolences to the families offered him a genuine meeting, apol- Yet their detractors have sug- such politicians,” said Stolyarov. the opposite direction, injuring two of the victims and I wish rapid recov- ogising for the pranksters who he gested that the pranksters could have He said that while planning people inside, he added. ery to the injured,” he wrote. described as “harmless”. only contacted such high-profile indi- stings, the pair “definitely always Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Catalonia’s newly-elected MOSCOW: Two Russian “prank- In their latest headline-grabbing viduals with help from Russia’s spy think about what consequences it Diaz, who rushed to the scene, said it regional president Carles Puig- sters” whose hoax telephone calls wheeze, they tricked the legal team agency. Savchenko, who risks a long could have” for the country’s image. was still not clear why the driver hit demont, , visited the area after have fooled politicians and pop stars of Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya jail term if convicted, might not seem They even claim to have won the railing in the first place, adding cancelling a planned trip to Paris. laugh uproariously in a Moscow res- Savchenko, who is on trial in Russia an obvious target for a light-hearted plaudits from Russia’s powerful taurant as they read the reports about over the killings of two Russian jour- prank. But the pair insists that their Investigative Committee and Natalya their latest stunt. nalists in eastern Ukraine. stunts—which are usually broadcast Poklonskaya, the chief prosecutor of The pair, 30-year-old Vladimir Posing as advisors of Ukrainian on state-run national television—are annexed Crimea. “Vovan” Kuznetsov and 28-year-old President Petro Poroshenko, they in the public interest. “We consider it The comedy duo claims that when Alexei “Lexus” Stolyarov, regularly persuaded Savchenko’s lawyers to benefits our country,” said Stolyarov. planning hoaxes, presidents have pull off high-profile pranks on the relay a message from the head of “We don’t have the aim to change proved easier to track down than ordi- famous and powerful—but target state, imploring her to halt her hun- anything, but if it works out for the nary people. “They are more simple, mostly Kremlin foes. ger strike, which she did. best, we’re all for it.” they are more trusting,” said Stolyarov. Opposition supporters have even Savchenko later claimed that The pair also claim to have duped “At least you know where to suggested they are working on the “whole departments of Russian spe- Turkish President Recep Tayyip phone first,” added Kuznetsov. They orders of the Kremlin or the nation’s cial services” were behind the ruse. Erdogan pretending to be Porosh- say they personally carry out calls but security service, the FSB, but they Kuznetsov mocked her sugges- enko and his Prime Minister Arseniy have staff to help them. up, trawling both deny the claims. tion. “If her lawyer’s an idiot, what’s Yatsenyuk after Ankara shot down a online journalism resources. In September they convinced the FSB got to do with it?” he said. Russian fighter plane on the Turkish Surprisingly for two men who Elton John that Russian President Alongside him sat his partner in border with Syria last year. have attained notoriety to fool peo- Vladimir Putin was on the line—and crime Stolyarov, sporting a Beatles In a recording aired on Russian ple on the phone, admit they are no wanted to meet to discuss an issue. T-shirt and leather jacket. television, Erdogan apparently vowed good at impersonations. Instead they Delighted, the British pop star “According to the Inter- not to apologise to Putin. A source in rely on their marks not being well Wreckage of the bus is lifted by a crane after a traffic crash in gushed online about the call, only for net comments, we became (FSB) his office denied to RIA Novosti news enough acquainted with the figures Freginals, Spain, yesterday. the Kremlin to deny it ever happened. colonels or majors long ago,” said agency the call was genuine. they claim to be. AMERICAS MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 21 Trump refuses to condemn violence at his rallies

November election. needs to more clearly discourage his “I don’t know what’s going to hap- supporters from engaging in violence. Scenes of mayhem pen, but I will say this, you’re going to “All of the candidates for president have become have a lot of unhappy people,” he said. ought to be discouraging that kind of “I don’t want to see riots, I don’t activity, because people in the audi- increasingly common want to see problems. ence tend to listen to those who are at the billionaire But you’re talking about millions speaking,” Senate Republican Leader of people,” he said. Mitch McConnell said on ABC. businessman’s Scenes of mayhem have become Republican National Committee rallies as he secures increasingly common at the bil- Chairman Reince Priebus said the lionaire businessman’s rallies as he campaign should let law enforcement his position as secures his position as the Republican police the rallies. the Republican frontrunner despite opposition from Meanwhile, reports from New frontrunner. many senior party officials. Trump York said that hundreds protested has on occasion said that he would Donald Trump and blocked a major like to punch protesters himself. road in the southwestern state of Television footage from an Ari- Arizona. zona rally showed a man punching The latest attempts by opponents Agencies and kicking a protester as he was to disrupt the campaign of the top led out of the event. Another video US Republican White House hopeful appeared to show Lewandowski resulted in a handful of arrests, police grabbing a protester by the back of and witnesses said. WASHINGTON: Republican presiden- his shirt. In Tucson, Arizona a protester tial candidate Donald Trump said that Trump declined to condemn the with a sign showing Trump’s face “professional agitators” bore much of violence and said it was often pro- and the words “Bad For America,” was the blame for violence at his rallies as voked by protesters, who briefly kicked and punched by a member of video showed a protester being beaten blocked a highway leading to an Ari- the audience while being escorted out and another apparently being grabbed zona rally. “These people are very of the venue by security, video posted New York City Police officers clash with demonstrators during a protest against Republican presidential by Trump’s campaign manager. disruptive people. They’re not inno- online by NBC showed. candidate Donald Trump in midtown Manhattan in New York. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week” cent lambs,” he said. The audience member was hand- yesterday, Trump defended cam- He also defended Lewand- cuffed and taken away before being paign manager Corey Lewandowski owski and said a security official charged with assault with injury, “Donald Trump, go away.” “Will trade 1 Donald Trump for Antifascists, with others joining in. and declined to condemn supporters had actually grabbed the protester. according to police. Amid a considerable police pres- 25,000 refugees.” At least one per- New Yorkers turned out for the who have attacked protesters at his Lewandowski also manhandled a Meanwhile, on the other side of ence, protesters held up signs that son was arrested on the city’s famous event, concerned by Trump’s status as increasingly chaotic rallies. reporter last week, according to the the country, demonstrators who gath- read “Deport Trump” and “Build a Fifth Avenue during a brief skirmish the clear frontrunner for the Republican Nor did he back down from his Washington Post. ered at Manhattan’s Columbus Circle, wall around Trump.” that was quickly brought under con- party’s nomination. Trump “is racist, he warning that there would be riots in “I give him credit for having near one of the billionaire real estate Also spotted in the crowd were trol by police. is Islamophobic, he is a fascist. It has the streets if the Republican Party spirit,” he said of Lewandowski. mogul’s luxury buildings overlook- placards which read “Don’t let big- The demonstration was organ- serious implication for the future of denied him the nomination for the Republican leaders said Trump ing Central Park, shouted the slogan otry Trump our constitution” and ised by a group called Cosmopolitan America,” said Patrick Waldo.

Guatemalan group Surfing lessons California man gives $2m worth slams activist’s death aluminum penny back to US Mint AFP Mendez was also a member of the Peten Front against Dams, which opposes hydroelectric projects on the Usumacinta River, the organisa- Reuters GUATEMALA CITY: A Guatema- tion added. ACOFOP joins more than lan conservation group lashed 20 peasant and indigenous groups out against the killing of one of its to help manage forests in Guatema- SAN DIEGO: A San Diego man leaders, weeks after the murder la’s government-run Maya Biosphere who inherited from his father a of a Honduran indigenous activist Reserve near the border with Mex- 1974 aluminum penny valued at $2 prompted an international outcry. ico and Belize. million has surrendered it to the US Walter Mendez of the Asso- Mendez’s death is the latest act Mint to settle a lawsuit over own- ciation of Forest Communities of repression against Central Amer- ership of the rare coin, a federal of Peten (ACOFOP) —who cam- ican activists following the murder prosecutor said. paigned against deforestation and of Berta Caceres, an indigenous Randall Lawrence, the son of a hydroelectric projects in Guatema- leader killed in Honduras earlier former Mint official, and Michael la’s Peten region—was found dead this month, and her colleague Nel- McConnell, the owner of a San at his home, his body riddled with son Garcia two weeks later. . Diego-area coin shop, sued the gunshot wounds, the organisation Caceres won international rec- federal government in 2014 after it said in a statement. ognition for leading the Lenca people demanded the return of the penny. “He had received death threats in a struggle against a hydroelectric Lawrence and McConnell had from illegal invaders of the land who dam project that would have flooded Teacher Denise, 55, giving surfing lessons to Maria Ines (centre), and Regina Palomares during their planned to display the coin at denounced him because the causes large areas of native lands and cut class in Santos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. shows across the country and then he championed,” the group said. off water supplies to hundreds. sell it through an auction house, which estimated it would bring up to $2 million. The pair turned it over to the Mint and relinquished all claims Senate’s McConnell rules out action on Garland this year to ownership as part of a settle- ment, Laura Duffy, US attorney for the Southern District of California, said in a statement. Reuters Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, principle is the American people are a moderate, admired by both Dem- Republican senators already have said The settlement “vindicates even if Democrats win the White choosing their next president and ocrats and Republicans. Republican they would be willing to meet Gar- the government’s position that House in November, putting them in their next president should pick this Senators Orrin Hatch and Jeff Flake land, and one Republican —Senator items made at the US Mint facil- the position to nominate someone Supreme Court nominee.” last week raised the possibility of Sen- Mark Kirk of Illinois - has said there ities but not lawfully issued ... WASHINGTON: Republican US Sen- more liberal than Garland when the Nominees to the lifetime Supreme ate action on Garland late this year if should be a vote. remain government property ate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell new president takes office in January. Court post require Senate confir- Democrats keep the White House in “McConnell is leading his Senate and are not souvenirs that gov- yesterday ruled out Senate confirma- “I can’t imagine that a Repub- mation. But McConnell says the the November 8 election. over the cliff. And I am telling every- ernment employees can merely tion of Democratic President Barack lican-majority Congress, in a Republican-run Senate will not hold McConnell seemed keen to shut body that’s watching this, the senators remove and pass down to their Obama’s Supreme Court nominee this lame-duck session, after the Amer- a hearing or a vote on Garland. down that idea yesterday, saying the aren’t going to allow that,” Reid said. heirs,” Duffy said. She did not year, even if after the November elec- ican people have spoken (in the Republicans have said they Republican majority would not want The White House said it would disclose further terms of the tion it appears the next president may election), would want to confirm (Gar- want the next president to make the to confirm Garland “even if it were stand by Obama’s nominee. settlement. pick a liberal who Republicans would land),” McConnell told CNN. selection, hoping their party wins soon to be in the minority.” “We will stand by him from now The aluminum cent was pro- like even less. “That’s not going to happen,” November’s election. Donald Trump Senate Democratic Leader Harry until he is confirmed and he’s sitting posed to the US Congress in 1973, In television interviews, McCo- McConnell told Fox News. “The prin- is the front-runner for the Republican Reid told “Meet the Press” that he on the Supreme Court,” White House at a time when copper prices had nnell said Republican senators had ciple is the same, whether it’s before presidential nomination. thought the Republican facade against Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said increased dramatically, accord- no intention of confirming Democrat the election or after the election. The Garland, 63, is widely viewed as Garland would break, because some on Fox News yesterday. ing to the Smithsonian Institution. Agnelli who turned Vale into top iron ore miner, dies in plane crash

Reuters Emergency services said the pilot He instilled a culture of meritoc- in February 2013, Agnelli came fourth, praise from his bosses, who turned and fertilisers to create more jobs. and six passengers were killed in racy that helped make Vale Brazil’s only behind Apple Inc’s Steve Jobs, him into Bradesco’s youngest senior The government has influence in the crash. Aviation authorities con- number 1 exporter. To friends and Amazon.com Inc’s Jeff Bezos and vice president at the age of 29. the company through indirect stakes firmed that Agnelli was the owner of foes, the key to Agnelli’s success was Samsung Group’s Yun Jong-Yong. At Vale, he implemented a turna- held by state pension funds. SAO PAULO: Roger Agnelli, the Bra- the plane but could not provide a pas- accurately predicting the rise of China Agnelli earned the spot in the round based on tough goals. During Agnelli clashed with former Pres- zilian banker who turned Vale SA into senger list. as a major minerals consumer, a cru- Harvard ranking after racking up a con- his stint, revenues rose 13-fold and ident Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the world’s No. 1 iron ore producer, Sources said Agnelli was traveling cial wager in turning Vale, a former solidated return of 934 percent during capital spending soared more than firing 2,000 workers in wake of the died in a plane crash, a source close to a wedding ceremony in Rio de bloated state-controlled firm, into a his tenure at Vale, whose market value 20-fold. global financial crisis of 2008. Months to aviation authorities said. He was 56. Janeiro with his wife Andréia, son global powerhouse. more than doubled in the period. “I get paid to produce results, and later, he accused members of Lula’s Agnelli, his wife and two chil- João, daughter Anna Carolina, and “He was a visionary that cor- Born on May 3, 1959 to a middle- the results are there, aren’t they?” left-leaning party of trying to install dren were among seven killed when their two spouses. The weather was porate Brazil will miss badly,” said class family in São Paulo, Brazil’s Agnelli told Valor Econômico news- loyalists at Vale and seek a bigger say his Comp Air 9 turboprop monoplane clear at the time of the crash. Lawrence Pih, who for decades ran largest city, Roger Agnelli studied eco- paper in an interview in 2010. in key decisions. slammed into two homes around Known for his discipline and feisty flour mill Grupo Pacífico SA and sat nomics at Fundação Armando Alvares However, running Vale as a mul- His style upset clients in Europe and 3:20pm local time (1820 GMT), min- nature, Agnelli clinched the top job on the board at the São Paulo Feder- Penteado in his hometown. tinational put him on a collision Japan, as well as regional governments utes after taking off from an airport in at Vale in July 2001 after 19 years as ation of Industries with Agnelli. He began his career at Bradesco’s course with Brazil’s ruling Workers’ and politicians that were crucial for a northern São Paulo, said the source, a corporate and investment banker In a Harvard Business Review’s corporate finance and investment Party, which wanted Vale to shift company that depended on government who asked not to be named due to the with Banco Bradesco SA, a major Vale ranking of the world’s best-perform- banking division. His knack for engi- from exporting raw minerals to more permits, according to former employees sensitive nature of the information. shareholder. ing chief executive officers published neering complex deals earned him value-added products such as steel who asked not to be named. 22 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 AMERICAS Obama to end age-old conflict with Cuba

where they were spending three days. and the Stars and Stripes—so long Accompanying them was the first the enemy flag—has appeared over For Cubans dreaming lady’s mother, Marian Robinson. numerous buildings. of escaping isolation It was not only the first visit by Early yesterday cleaners swept a sitting US president since Fidel the narrow, cobbled streets where and reinvigorating Castro’s guerrillas overthrew the Obama was due to stroll later and their threadbare US-backed government of Fulgen- police, especially plainclothes, were economy, the visit cio Batista in 1959, but the first since out in large numbers. President Calvin Coolidge came 88 But minutes before Obama has created huge years ago. took off for Cuba, police in Havana excitement. Seeking to leave a historic for- arrested dozens of people from a eign policy mark in his final year banned group demanding greater in office, Obama was due to see old human rights. town Havana, hold talks with Cuban The protesters were from the President Raul Castro today and Ladies in White, formed by wives US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base AFP attend a baseball game before leav- of former political prisoners. Police ing tomorrow. bundled them into vehicles outside in Maryland, yesterday. For Cubans dreaming of escap- a church where they attempt to hold ing isolation and reinvigorating their protests almost every Sunday. that the subject will be brought up. Now, after so many failures, politically, backers of the policy say. HAVANA: US President Barack threadbare economy, the visit has Republicans and some human Obama will meet members of Cuba’s Obama has bet that soft power will “It’s a soft war” said John Kavu- Obama flew to Cuba yesterday to created huge excitement. rights activists have criticised Obama beleaguered opposition and on achieve what muscle could not. The lich, president US-Cuba Trade and bury the hatchet in a more than half- “A president of the United States for dealing with Castro, given the lack tomorrow will give a speech at the aim, Rhodes said, is to make “the proc- Economic Council, “using visitors as century-long Cold War conflict, but in Cuba arriving in Havana on his Air of political, media and economic National Theater carried live on Cuban ess of normalization irreversible.” the soldiers, commercial airlines as the the arrest of dozens of dissidents just Force One,” wrote popular Cuban freedom in a country where the Com- television. Although a decades-long US eco- air force, and cruise ships as the navy.” as his plane took off underlined the writer Leonardo Padura on the Cafe- munist Party retains tight control. The US spent decades trying to nomic embargo remains in place—and In the latest such move, the US gov- delicacy of the mission. fuerte blog. Dissidents called for “radical topple Cuba’s communist government. can only be removed by the Republi- ernment gave Airbnb a green light to Abandoning generations of US “Never in my dreams or night- change” on the eve of the visit, but Washington attempted economic can-controlled Congress—large cracks accept bookings in Cuba from non- attempts to cut Cuba from the out- mares could we have imagined that the Castro government warned that strangulation, the failed 1961 Bay of in the sanctions regime are appearing. American customers. Earlier, US group side world, the US president, First we’d see such a thing.” lectures on democracy would be Pigs invasion, and CIA assassination Obama hopes that a host of incre- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide it Lady Michelle Obama and their two For days, Havana’s old town has “absolutely off the table.” plots against Fidel Castro—including mental and seemingly technical steps had signed three hotel deals in Cuba, a daughters left Andrews Air Force been crawling with painters spruc- White House deputy national the legendary, but unproven story of will open Cuba’s economy, trans- first for any hospitality company since Base for the short flight to Havana ing up the picturesque neighborhood security adviser Ben Rhodes insists sending him an exploding cigar. forming the island economically and the revolution of 1959.

University of Brazil’s ex-president Cardoso backs Rousseff impeachment California board

AFP Brazilians are demanding Rousseff’s based on allegations she manipulated decline of the economy and society proceeds to fund her 2010 and 2014 weighs statement ouster. the government’s accounts to boost is just as painful as impeachment.” campaigns. “The streets cried out, ‘Resign! public spending during her 2014 re- Rousseff’s position is all the more However, Rousseff vehemently on anti-semitism Stop! Impeachment!’” he told news- election campaign, and again in 2015 precarious as the Petrobras scandal denied the accusation. RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s former paper O Estado de Sao Paulo. to mask the depth of the recession. appears to close in on her. A congressional impeachment president Fernando Henrique Cardoso Sixty-eight percent of Brazilians Cardoso, 84, had in the past She does not face charges, but committee began proceedings in the LOS ANGELES: The govern- said yesterday he supports impeach- support impeaching Rousseff, up eight voiced doubts on the wisdom of chaired the company during much country on Friday. ing board of California’s flagship ing President Dilma Rousseff, calling percentage points from February, impeaching Rousseff, but said his of the period in which investigators It is tasked with making a recom- public university system is to vote it the will of the people. according to a poll released yester- opinion had changed “little by little.” say executives colluded with contrac- mendation to the full lower house, next week on a statement con- Cardoso was Brazil’s president day, he said. “With the government’s inca- tors to overbill Petrobras by billions of where a vote by two-thirds of the demning anti-Zionism as a form from 1995 to 2003 and is a leading Brazil’s first woman president pacity to function today... I think the dollars, bribing politicians and par- 513 lawmakers would trigger an of anti-Jewish bigotry, a proposal figure in the PSDB, a centrist party is struggling to fight off a painful path to follow now is impeachment,” ties along the way. impeachment trial in the Senate. sparking sharp faculty debate over opposed to Rousseff’s left-wing Work- recession, political isolation and an he said. On Saturday, a former Rousseff In that event, Rousseff would be the line between free speech and ers’ Party. explosive corruption scandal at state He acknowledged the upheaval ally who is charged in the scandal, suspended from her duties for up to intolerance. He said anti-government protests oil company Petrobras. of removing the president midway Senator Delcidio Amaral, alleged the 180 days. A two-thirds vote in the The controversy playing out on last Sunday that drew three million The impeachment case, which is through her second term would be president “knew everything” about 81-member chamber would remove at the University of California people, according to police, showed unrelated to the Petrobras scandal, is “painful,” but added: “Watching the the scheme and used some of the her from office. reflects a broader clash between pro-Israel groups and Palestinian rights activists over what consti- tutes legitimate criticism of Israeli polices in the West Bank and Gaza Warning as ‘Internet Multimedia art at pyramid Strip. The UC’s Board of Regents is slated to act on Wednesday on a Black Widow’ freed draft document produced by a working group to address the issue. Both sides in the debate say they believe that if adopted it would be AFP cohabitation, common-law relation- the first such policy statement by ship, or marriage until that person the leadership of a major U.S. pub- has been identified by a member of lic institution of higher education. the police where she resides” and The university is considered MONTREAL: Police in the Cana- informed of her criminal past. . one of the most prestigious public dian city of Halifax warned residents Shephard was arrested in 2012 university systems in the country, about the release of an 80-year-old after trying to poison her last hus- comprising 10 campuses, among woman—dubbed the “Internet Black band, Fred Weeks, 75, whom she had which are the University of Cali- Widow”—who spent time behind married just two weeks earlier. fornia, Berkeley and the University bars for killing or bilking her hus- She had previously spent several of California, Los Angeles. bands and lovers. years in prison for manslaughter, Supporters say the docu- Melissa Ann Shephard was theft and forgery, in Canada as well ment grew out of a recent rise in freed under strict conditions after as in the United States. anti-Semitism on UC campuses “completing a sentence for serious She was convicted for having stemming from heated anti-Israel assaults against her intimate part- drugged her ex-husband Gordon protest frequently expressed as ners”—and could try to commit more Stewart, before running him over anti-Zionism, which support- crimes, police said. with her car in 1991. ers define as calls for Israel’s They cautioned: “Shephard has Sentenced to six years in prison, destruction or denials of its right been assessed as being a high risk to she was released early and moved to exit. re-offend.” Under the conditions of to the US state of Florida, where According to proponents her release, Shephard cannot access she met a man by the name of Rob- of the draft, such rhetoric con- the Internet—that’s where she found ert Friedrich. The two married in stitutes a contemporary brand her prey—and is not allowed to con- 2000. Friedrich’s health then began of anti-Semitism that is often tact past victims or their families. to deteriorate—and the funds on his A pyramid reflects lights during a show of multimedia art at the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan accompanied by or escalates into She is not even allowed to bank account diminished. He died of outside Mexico City, Mexico. more explicit forms of anti-Jew- “to enter into any relationship, a heart attack in 2002. ish hatred. Colombia hostilities disrupted 250,000 children’s lives: Report

AFP talks between the government and The government’s peace talks However, widespread violence “Even if the peace agreement than 260,000 people and uprooted the left-wing FARC rebels, according with the Marxist Revolutionary has continued to disrupt lives, the were to be signed tomorrow, children 6.6 million. The FARC guerrillas have to a report by UNICEF released three Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) agency added in the report. will continue to be at risk of all kinds been observing a unilateral ceasefire days before a deadline for a final deal rebels are aimed at ending five More than 230,000 children have of violations,” De Bernardi said. since July. But while the government UNITED NATIONS, UNITED both sides say will probably pass decades of conflict, which has also been displaced in the country, at least “Unless these children receive the has stopped bombing their positions, STATES: Hostilities in Colombia have unmet. involved right-wing paramilitary 75 killed and 180 injured by fighting, material and psychological assistance it has yet to accede to the rebels’ displaced or otherwise disrupted the “As peace negotiations to end groups. the report further said. they need, the prospects of long- demand for a bilateral ceasefire. lives of more than 250,000 children half a century of war in Colombia Although a settlement is expected Landmines and unexploded lasting peace will remain elusive.” On the ground in Colombia, since peace talks began three years continue, it is crucial to make soon, the talks have stumbled over ordnance have killed or injured Negotiators at the talks have hostilities have almost entirely ago, the United Nations children’s children’s interests and protection the details of an eventual truce, another 130 children, it added. announced several key advances halted under the FARC’s unilateral agency said yesterday. a priority,” Roberto De Bernardi, negotiators said last week. At least 180 children were victim in recent months, but a final deal ceasefire—although a smaller rebel Among them, almost 300 children UNICEF representative in Colombia, The peace talks have helped to violence, Unicef said, adding that remains elusive. group, the National Liberation Army were killed or injured and some 1,000 said in a statement. “No child in reduce the number of children killed, displacement, fear and presence of The goal is to turn the FARC into (ELN), has not joined the peace recruited or otherwise exploited by Colombia today knows what it is like injured and displaced by roughly half, landmines are also causing children a political party and end a grinding, process and continues periodic non-state armed groups during the to live in a country at peace.” UNICEF said. to drop out of school. complex conflict that has killed more attacks.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 22o C Maximum: 32o C

FAJR 04.21 am ZUHR 11.41 am MAGHRIB 05.47 pm HIGH TIDE 03:45 - 16:15 Expected thunderstorms associated with strong SHOROOK 05.38 am ASR 03.08 pm ISHA 07.17 pm LOW TIDE 10:45 - 21:45 wind and high seas by evening.

24 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Selfie with flowers Baby bald eagle brings glee to www.thepeninsulaqatar.com millions in US

MOST READ AFP

Ukraine pilot verdict set to drive fresh 1 wedge between Russia and Ukraine WASHINGTON: A baby bald eagle finally hatched on Friday in Wash- Qatari woman donates QR5.3m for ington, its first few moments in the 2 orphanage in Indonesia world caught on camera for a rap- tured audience who had been on PM to patronise identity tenterhooks for days. 3 seminar "Eaglecam," set up at the National Arboretum in the US cap- ital, has been a huge hit, capturing the critical moment when the tiny TWEET OF THE DAY ball of gray feathers broke out. A second egg is yet to hatch but could do so at any moment. A pair of mated bald eagles, named "Mr. President" and "The First Lady" -- the bald eagle is America's national symbol -- in October 2014 chose for their nest a tall Tulip Poplar tree at the arbo- People take selfies amongst flowers at Gucun park in Shanghai, yesterday. retum. Now all eyes are on the second egg. Street art greats on show in Hong Kong

AFP and events. Last year a mosaic of 1970s (interested in the work),” says Castel. and collectors converge on the city. INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY American cartoon character Hong Kong “People here are very adventurous. All the works at the Sotheby’s show Phooey by French artist Invader set a They’ve travelled a lot, they live abroad, are available for private sale, but prices world record for that artist at auction, especially the younger generation. They fetched will not be disclosed and there HONG KONG: From Keith Haring and fetching HK$2 million ($258,000) at are craving new art, meeting artists, are no pre-sale estimates, unlike an Basquiat to Banksy and Invader, Sothe- Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. they absolutely love it.” auction. by’s new exhibition of street art legends The popular piece of street art had She added that the economic slow- Organisers say the exhibition is in Hong Kong, launched on Friday, taps been destroyed by the city’s authori- down in China had so far not affected designed to introduce the works to into a growing appetite among young ties, infuriating residents, and was later sales and that there was demand for an audience that may not be famil- Asian collectors. re-made for sale. Although that work street art across the region. The new iar with the broad range of street art Qatar joined the world Although auction houses have taken went to a European collector, Sothe- exhibition, entitled “They Would be on the market. The headline piece is to mark the 10th a knock as the China economy slows, by’s Asia director Isaure de Viel Castel Kings” is Sotheby’s first ever in Asia of Haring’s large-scale abstract take on EarthHour Photos by the demand for street art in Asia has says a more adventurous young local street art. It comes ahead of major art the classical image of ancient Rome’s @matramkot grown, with Hong Kong hosting an market is driving interest in street art show Art Basel, which kicks off in Hong founders Romulus and Remus suckling increasing number of exhibitions, sales in the region. “It’s younger collectors Kong next week, and sees exhibitors a she-wolf. SeaWorld to stop breeding killer whales ‘Maze Runner’ star Dylan

Reuters November to replace its signature and San Antonio, has a total of 29 Antonio within a six-month span in O’Brien injured on set “Shamu” killer whale shows in San killers whales, including six on loan 2015. The life span of a killer whale in Diego with modified presentations to a park in Spain. Five of them were the wild is typically 30 years for males of the animals that focused on con- captured in the wild, but it has not and 50 for females, with some females Reuters multiple broken bones in the acci- SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld said that it servation. “We don’t need all these caught orcas at sea for almost 40 living as long as 100 years, according dent. “Maze Runner: The Death Cure” will stop breeding killer whales in theatrical ‘tricks,’” SeaWorld Presi- years. The parks have been crit- to the website of the National Oceanic is scheduled for release in Febru- captivity, bowing to years of pressure dent Joel Manby told reporters on a icized for their treatment of the and Atmospheric Administration. Sea- ary 2017 and is the third film in the from animal rights activists, but the conference call. He said the parks captive marine mammals. World’s oldest killer whale, Corky, is 51. NEW YORK: “Maze Runner” star successful movie franchise set in a orcas already at its three parks will will use birth control to halt repro- Some activists sought an end to SeaWorld, whose shares rose 9.4 Dylan O’Brien (pictured) was injured dystopian world. continue performing as they live out duction among its killer whales, also public exhibition of killer whales percent on Thursday, also said it will on the set of the latest movie in the The first two movies, released their remaining years. known as orcas. altogether. scrap plans for a $100m project called young adult franchise, and produc- in 2014 and 2015, made about $660 SeaWorld Entertainment Inc’s SeaWorld, which operates The criticism intensified after “Blue World” to enlarge its orca habi- tion on the film has been shut down million at the global box office and decision came after it pledged in marine parks in San Diego, Orlando three orcas died at SeaWorld San tat at SeaWorld San Diego. while he recovers, movie studio 20th established O’Brien as one of the Under the new plan, the orcas will Century Fox said on Friday. hottest young movie stars. still be shown to visitors at set times O’Brien, 24, was taken to a hos- O’Brien first found fame on but re-designed viewing areas will pital in Vancouver, Canada, for YouTube some 10 years ago through “reflect the natural world” with a pro- observation and treatment, Fox said posting his original videos. He later gram focusing on “orca enrichment, in a statement. starred in the MTV series “Teen exercise and overall health,” accord- Hollywood trade publica- Wolf.” ing to the SeaWorld website. tion Variety and celebrity website The original “Maze Runner” It said its new orca shows could TMZ said O’Brien was hit by a car book was inspired by William Gold- bring between 380,000 to 940,000 and suffered multiple injuries on ing’s influential 1954 novel “Lord of more visitors to its parks over the next the Vancouver set of the upcoming the Flies” about a group of young three to five years. “Maze Runner: The Death Cure.” boys left to fend for themselves on SeaWorld faced mounting criticism Fox declined to comment on an uninhabited island. after the release of the 2013 documen- the severity of O’Brien’s tary “Blackfish,” which depicted the injuries or how they captivity and public exhibition of killer occurred. whales as inherently cruel. “Production on the The year after the film came out, film will be shut down attendance at the most popular Sea- while he recovers. World park in Orlando fell by 8 percent Our thoughts go out to 4.7 million people, according to to Dylan for a full and industry analysts from Themed Enter- speedy recovery,” Fox tainment Association and AECOM. said in its statement. The company also said it will part- James Dashner, the ner with the Humane Society of the author of the “Maze United States and had set aside $50m Runner” young adult to push for an end to commercial whal- novels, said Friday on ing and seal hunting as well as the Twitter that “Dylan killing of sharks for their fins. was hurt, but that he While lawmakers praised Sea- is going to be okay. Not World’s latest move, animal rights life threatening in any group People for the Ethical Treat- way.” He added that ment of Animals said the company production on the film had taken a step forward but that it was postponed but not should link its tanks to ocean sanctu- canceled. aries. The company says whales born TMZ said O’Brien, or raised in captivity would likely die who plays Thomas in Killer whales perform at the Marineland Zoo in Antibes. in the wild. the franchise, suffered www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 • 12 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Doha Metro completes tunnelling of Northern section

37%. All the 37 stations of the first phase of Doha Metro are also under Over 85% of construction with 17 at the stage tunnelling for the where the concrete roof slab is being cast. Doha Metro project is Tunnelling on the Doha Metro’s finished and overall Red Line started on July 19, 2014 and runs for 41km from Al Wakra in the project completion south through to Lusail. The north- reached 37%. ern section from Msheireb to Lusail is constructed by international con- sortium Impregilo-SK E&C-Galfar Al Misnad JV (ISG). In addition to the By Mohammad Shoeb tunnels ISG is responsible for the The Peninsula construction of seven underground stations. These are out of a total 18 FROM LEFT: Barry Crouchman, Project Director for the ISG joint venture; Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Managing Director of Qatar Rail; Dr Saad stations on the line as a whole. Among the stations on the north- Al Muhannadi, CEO and Sara Al Muhannadi, Head of Business Development, at the press conference yesterday. Pic: Syed Omar / Al Sharq DOHA: Qatar Rail yesterday cele- ern section is Al Qassar, where a brated a major milestone with the mock of a station interior was built whole we are continuing to move to completion of tunnelling work on to showcase the materials being used plan. Later this year we will be over the northern section of the Red Line in the station interior fittings. halfway to delivering the whole of the upcoming Doha Metro. One A total of four TBMs have worked project and tunnelling, which is cur- of the company’s 21 Tunnel Boring on the line digging an average of 30 rently at 85%, is expected to finish Machines (TBM) achieved the final metres per day at their peak on this in the Autumn.” Also present at the breakthrough on this part of the line section. The best daily rate of 42 event were Dr Saad Al Muhannadi, located between Legtaifiya Station metres was achieved by TBM Leb- CEO, Qatar Rail; Barry Crouchman, and Qatar University (QU). retha on March 29, 2015. For all TBMs Project Director for the ISG joint ven- With the completion of tunnel- combined, the best daily rate was 114 ture; and Sara Al Muhannadi, Head ling by later this year, contractors metres on February 12, 2015. The end of Business Development, Qatar Rail. are expected to move from construc- of tunnelling means that over 70% of Al Muhannadi added: “Today is the tion into architectural finishes and the total construction on this section first in a series of major milestones on systems installation such as track, of the line is now complete. the Doha Metro project over the next power supply and signalling. This was Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie, few months. Soon we will see the com- announced yesterday by top officials Managing Director of Qatar Rail, pletion of tunnelling on the Gold and of Qatar Rail at a press briefing held said: “We are particularly delighted Green Lines and later in the year our at Doha Golf Club. Legtaifiya Sta- by the progress on this section of the longest line – the Red Line will also tion is the spot where the Red Line project as we and our colleagues in finish its tunnels. All these events are emerges from the tunnels and rises ISG have had to overcome some sig- opportunities to share our achieve- up onto an elevated section running nificant challenges. It is well know ments with the public and we will be past QU and on to Lusail. that one of our TBMs was flooded making the most of each occasion.” Qatar Rail also reported that one year ago and the achievement The first phase of the Doha Metro overall progress was moving ahead today shows how effective our recov- project is expected to be complete well, with over 85% of tunnelling for ery operations were and that overall in the fourth quarter of 2019, while the Doha Metro project finished and project progress was not affected.” completion of the Lusail Tram is set overall project completion reaching He said: “Across the project as a for 2020. Gulf Drilling International rebalances operating rates

By Satish Kanady Driven by low crude oil prices eliminated non-essential activities The Peninsula and reduced demand for drilling and expenditures. The company rigs worldwide, five offshore drill- also successfully re-negotiated more ing rigs, one onshore rig, and one favourable terms with GDI’s vendors accommodation jack-up have been and suppliers. DOHA: Gulf Drilling International released from their existing contract “I am proud to say that significant (GDI), Qatar’s first onshore and off- with various clients. In addition to savings were realized in 2015 from shore oil and gas drilling company the released rigs, one lift-boat these initiatives and the groundwork and a subsidiary of Gulf Interna- is under repair after suffering a has been set to realise further sav- tional Services (GIS), has rebalanced punch through and is not expected ings in 2016 and beyond”, Mubarak its operating rates. The new operat- back in service until 2017. A Al Hajri, Chief Executive Officer, ing rates are indexed to the crude oil Out of the released assets, one GDI said the note. prices enabling positive variation in offshore drilling rig (Al Jassra) has “We are aggressively marketing the rates when the crude oil prices been contracted in late February our idled assets with the expecta- increase. 2016. Another offshore rig Msheireb tion that some of these assets will In a regulatory filing to the Qatari has also been offered for a contract be returning to work soon The seeds bourse yesterday, GIS noted GDI has expected to start in January 2017. have been sown for an eventual turn- taken several cost optimisation All other assets are also being around once the market picks up”, steps to counter the global market actively marketed to prospective he said. downturn. These steps taken by its clients for speculative projects all Mesaieed Petrochemical Hold- subsidiary is “to minimise the impact expected to start in Q4 2016 or Q1 ing Company (MPHC), Qatar’s of the market downturn”. GDI is also 2017, GIS said. another energy-sensitive company exploring potential new business The GDI in its Q4 official news announced recently it had saved opportunities throughout the GCC letter noted it had initiated a series of around QR132m last year through its region, GIS said. cost optimization measures including cost saving and optimisation efforts. GDI’s fleet consist of a total of restructuring that reduced manpower The MPHC, which has interests in the twenty assets, out of which nine are cost. As part of the restructuring production of olefins, polyolefins, offshore jack-up drilling rigs, eight , the company efficiently stacked alpha olefins and chlor-alkali prod- onshore rigs, two lift-boats, and one the assets that were not working; ucts, have plans to optimise the costs accommodation jack-up. deferred non-essential projects, further in the forthcoming year. 26 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

International Investcorp acquires US properties worth $220m conference to discuss impact

Through two separate of oil prices transactions, Investcorp, a QNA leading provider and manager of alternative DOHA: The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies will organ- investment products, ise the Middle East Economic has acquired five Association’s 15th International Conference under the patronage residential properties of the Prime Minister and Interior in the metropolitan Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. areas of Boca The conference titled ‘Impact Raton, Florida and of Oil Price Changes on the Eco- Ramzi Abdel Jaber, Managing nomic Growth and Development in Minneapolis. Director at Investcorp for Qatar the Middle East and North Africa’ will be held from March 23 to 25 at the Ritz-Carlton. facilities in the nearby area. The res- The conference will dis- The Peninsula idential properties located in the cuss various topics concerning suburbs of Minneapolis, MN are com- the energy industry and market prised of two multifamily apartment located in the affluent Boca Raton, FL units that have spacious floor plans, entertainment activities including dynamics. properties with 854 units and an aver- and serving the housing needs of stu- complete with landscaped grounds, Buck Hill Ski Area and Valleyfair Delegates will mull at the DOHA: Investcorp, a leading provider age occupancy rate of 95 percent. dents from three local universities all pool, fitness center and laundry Amusement park, the complex is an conference the impact of vola- and manager of alternative invest- Minneapolis has the lowest unem- in growth mode: Florida Atlantic Uni- rooms. The property is also conven- attractive option for families looking tile oil prices on the economy ment products, yesterday announced ployment rate in the US at 2.9 percent, versity, Palm Beach State College and iently located near several major to reside in one of the fastest growing of the countries in the Mena that its US-based real estate arm, and has outperformed the national Lynn University. highways and in close proximity to metropolitan areas in the U.S. region that is sensitive to these through two separate transactions, unemployment rate. These properties have a combined several leading employers. Investcorp’s total real estate changes because some member has acquired five residential proper- Ramzi Abdel Jaber, Managing 892 beds and boast amenities specif- Southwind Village, Burnsville, acquisitions in the last twelve months countries are major oil produc- ties in the metropolitan areas of Boca Director at Investcorp for Qatar, ically designed for students such as Minnesota: Southwind Village is a total approximately $1.5 billion. In ers and exporters, while others Raton, Florida and Minneapolis, Min- said, “Investcorp has been one of common amenity areas, fitness cent- 320 unit townhome style property the last twenty years, Investcorp are dependent on petroleum as nesota for approximately $220m. the most active foreign investors in ers and shuttle service to and from less than 20 miles from downtown has completed over 400 property consumers. The acquisitions are consistent US real estate over the past two dec- Florida Atlantic University. They offer Minneapolis. The property boasts a investments totaling more than The plenary session will focus with Investcorp’s strategy to invest ades and we continue to see attractive a resort-like setting and are among newly renovated fitness center, out- $13 billion in value. The Firm’s real on ‘Oil Price Fluctuations: Fis- in desirable, high quality proper- opportunities within the market. We the most sought after rental proper- door swimming pools and a six-acre estate investments span industrial, cal and Monetary Policies’. Four ties located in high demand markets are pleased to add these properties to ties in the area. park. commercial and residential prop- sessions titled ‘Economics of providing attractive cash yields. The our real estate portfolio and believe it Hampshire Hill, Bloomington, The property is located near erties within the top 30 largest Education: MENA Applications’; Boca Raton properties are comprised is a good investment for us.” Minnesota: A 534 unit garden style several large companies including markets in the U.S., including the ‘Impact of Oil Shocks on the Stock of three student housing properties in Boca Student Housing (BSH) in multifamily apartment complex, Pepsi Bottling Group, UTC Aero- recent acquisition of a prime office Market’; ‘Environmental Econom- Boca Raton, FL. With 892 beds and Boca Raton, Florida: The BSH, com- Hampshire Hill is located approx- space Systems and Fairview Ridge building in Washington, D.C., an ics in the MENA’ and ‘Oil Price a 98 percent occupancy rate, these prised of University Park, University imately 16 miles from downtown Hospital. Located within the award- industrial portfolio in Atlanta and Determinants: Monetary and Fiscal properties are the only off-cam- View and University Square, are Minneapolis. The property contains winning Lakeville Public Schools office buildings in the submarkets of Policies’ will be held simultane- pus, purpose-built, student housing Class A “rent by the bed” properties a mix of studio, one, and two bedroom area and with easy access to many Atlanta, San Francisco and Boston. ously on the first day.

Gulf Air unveils Vodafone introduces local call centre QBA and SESRI announce launch in Pakistan new voice technology of WEF-supported survey to improve call quality The Peninsula The Peninsula It’s worth mentioning that Qatar steadily and within global stand- leads the Middle East and North ards. The Social Economic Survey The Peninsula Africa region at 14th position, that Research Institute in Qatar Univer- MANAMA: Gulf Air, Bahrain’s was declared in the World Economic sity (SESRI) has joined the survey in national carrier, yesterday DOHA: The Qatari Businessmen Forum’s annual report for 2015. recent years to bring scientific exper- unveiled a dedicated, local call Association (QBA) and the Social Conveyed by last year’s report, tise to the survey that can be added DOHA: Vodafone announced that it centre number in Pakistan to serve Economic Survey Research Insti- Qatar’s strong Competitiveness rests to the Association experience. has launched a new voice technol- customers and passengers wish- tute (SESRI) in Qatar University (QU), on the stable economic environment The Report details the coun- ogy that improves the quality of calls ing to contact the airline from any in partnership with the World Eco- as a result of lower public debt of the try’s economic profile for each of made within their whole 3G network. Pakistani city. Effective today, Paki- nomic Forum (WEF) have announced state and the high surpluses of the the economies featured in the study, This new technology makes it eas- stan-based customers can call +92 the launch of the Executive Opinion general budget, in addition to the providing a comprehensive summary ier to hear or be heard on your mobile, 21 3565 4483 to automatically con- Survey 2016, in Qatar. presence of effective market goods of the overall position in the Index offering crystal clear conversations. nect to Gulf Air’s 24 hour Worldwide The Executive Opinion Survey, as well as the Security stability. Also rankings as well as a guide to what The technology filters out background Contact Centre in Bahrain. “The Voice of the Business Com- the simplicity of funding reaching the are considered to be the most promi- noise too, so if you’re stood in a noisy Providing a wide range of munity”, is a major component of same global standards where Qatar nent competitive advantages to each environment like a busy street or services,Gulf Air’s Worldwide The Global Competitiveness Report occupies the first place in the world while shedding light to the areas that shopping mall, you’ll be able to hear Vodafone’s network enhancement Contact Centre can assist with all and provides the key ingredient that in regard to the accessibility to loans. need more development and support. people’s voices clearly. In addition, the journey which began in early 2015 queries relating to ticketing, book- turns the Report into a represent- The Global Competitiveness The rankings are based on a technology allows for a better confer- that saw the upgrade of all their net- ing modifications, enrollment to ative annual measure of a nation’s Report has been the World Economic combination of publicly availa- ence call experience which people in a work sites to make it at the forefront the airline’s Falconflyer program- economic environment and its ability Forum’s flagship publication since ble hard data and the results of the business environment will especially of technology. Hundreds of indoor mein addition to serving as an to achieve sustained growth. 1979 and is widely recognized as the Executive Opinion Survey, a compre- benefit from. and outdoor sites were installed and invaluable source of current and The survey gathers valuable world’s leading cross-country com- hensive annual survey conducted by “At Vodafone we carry a huge customers began enjoying 300% up-to-date information about Gulf information on a broad range of var- parison of factors affecting economic the World Economic Forum (WEF), amount of voice traffic over our net- more data capacity, The company Air’s latest products and special iables for which hard data sources competitiveness and growth. Qatar together with its network of Partner work so we are acutely aware of the was so confident about their network offers, in either English or Arabic. are scarce or non-existent. This is has joined this report through a stra- Institutes in the countries covered by importance of high quality voice for enhancements that in November last Ahmed Janahi, Gulf Air A/Chief the longest-running and most exten- tegic partnership between the Qatari the Report. our customers. Being part of one of year they offered all port-in custom- Commercial Officer said: “We are sive survey of business conditions Businessmen Association and the A sample of company executives the largest telecommunications com- ers and new postpaid customers a committed to serving the Pakistan worldwide, capturing issues that are World Economic Forum; the Asso- in Qatar will be asked to complete panies in the world, Vodafone Group money back promise. To use this new market andpart of this commitment highly relevant to national compet- ciation provided an accurate picture this important and confidential Plc, we are able to bring the best tech- technology, all that a customer needs involves making directcommunica- itiveness. These include the state of of the country ‘s economy and eco- survey. The Qatari businessmen asso- nology to Qatar to empower people is a compatible handset and are tionswith Gulf Air more accessible in an economy’s institutions, business nomic achievements that have been ciation and SESRI note that it is vitally to make better connections,” said calling from Vodafone to Vodafone order to assist with a variety of pas- environment, macroeconomic envi- undertaken over the past decade important that each executive sam- Mohamed Al Sadah (pictured), Chief locally. Customers are not required senger and customer needs - round ronment, technological advancement, where Qatar occupied rank number pled complete the survey to ensure Operating Officer, Vodafone Qatar. to make a subscription or activation the clock. This service will offer human resources, health, education 1 in the Arab World, reflecting the that Qatar has accurate and reliable This latest technological addi- to access this service and there are great benefits and convenience to and infrastructure. development of Qatar’s economy data in the Report. tion to its network comes as part of no extra costs. travelers from Pakistan to the Mid- dle East and beyond,travelling with Gulf Air”. Gulf Air also has dedi- cated local call centre contact numbers in all of:the Kingdom Hilton Doha receives 3 major awards of Saudi Arabia,the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, the Sul- tanate of Oman, United Kingdom, The Peninsula Doha’s general manager, Adham El recognised as F&B Hotel of the Year. United States of America, Ger- Sebaey, for best representing the This award has been granted for the many, France, Thailand and the Hilton Hotels & Resorts Brand Val- hotel’s amazing performance and sub- Philippines. ues and Promise in his hotel, with sequent revenue, along with proven Catering to passenger demand DOHA: The winners of the 2015 the management company and in innovation and implementation of new from across the country, in Decem- Hilton Brand Awards have just been the community. This outstanding F&B programmes and concepts. With 7 ber lastyear Gulf Air added two new announced and Hilton Doha was the achievement was well deserved as exceptionally successful outlets,Hilton citiesin Pakistan to its network with proud recipient of two major awards – Adham’s dedication and focus unpar- Doha has demonstrated impressive direct four weekly services to Mul- “Leader of the Year” and “Best Use Of alleled and under his leadership,the financial results revenue and cash mar- tan and direct three weekly services Social Media” for the Middle East and hotel truly shines. gin per occupied room,year over year. to Faisalabad. Taking the airline’s Africa Region. In addition, the hotel As for the Sales and Marketing Not only is the hotel now known for its total Pakistan destinations up to snagged the most coveted“F&B Hotel Award for Best Use of Social Media, many revenue generating initiatives 7, Multan and Faisalabad supple- of the Year”award for the Europe, this has been attributed to the team and ideas, but also for the consistently ment Gulf Air’s service to five cities Middle East and Africa Region at the for demonstrating a proven engaged delivering positive feedback from in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore and EMEA GM’s and Sales Conference and growing audience on relevant both guests and team members alike, Islamabad, Peshawar and Sialkot. 2016, which took place in Prague social platforms, compliance with as shown by the Satisfaction and Loy- Flights can be booked online at gul- recently. These annual recognitions brand social media standards and alty Tracking (GTMS) system and Global fair.com, by calling the airline’s 24 celebrate outstanding accomplish- making the greatest efforts to reach Team Member Survey(GTMS) results. hour Worldwide Contact Centre on ments by hotels and individualsas out to guests, understand their needs This great balancedemonstrates Hilton Doha is an attractive desti- and ideally located in the heart of +92 21 3565 4483 (in Pakistan) or they demonstrate their passion and and resolve issues and have a high the highest level of quality, service nation in a time where a remarkable West Bay area. +973 17373737 (in Bahrain or glo- commitmentto the Brand. positive sentiment and response rates, and engagement and highly contrib- development in Qatar’s tourism sector For inquires or reservation, call bally), or through any local Gulf Air The Hospitality Award for Leader amongst other criteria. utes to the global strength of Hilton is witnessed, exceptionally famous for +974 44233333 or visit www.doha. Office and approved agencies. of the Year was presented to Hilton Furthermore, Hilton Doha was Hotels & Resorts. being the business hotel by the beach hilton.com

28 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS Zain leads Saudi up; Qatar index dips 11.32 points

Reuters on QSE, shares of 42 saw trading yesterday. narrowing the field of potential bidders for Arab Emirates government to build 1,100 its endemic foreign exchange shortage. From these 20 gained, 17 closed lower and its mobile transmitter towers in Saudi Ara- houses in the eastern emirate of Fujairah. Late on Thursday, the central bank five remained unchanged. QSE Total Return bia and Kuwait. Abu Dhabi dropped 2.4 percent as First raised key interest rates by 150 basis points Index dropped -0.11% to 16,680.86 points. QSE In a brief statement after the close yester- Gulf Bank , which went ex-dividend last week, to fight the inflationary pressure which the DUBAI: Telecommunications firm Zain Saudi Al Rayan Islamic Index gained slightly +0.03% day, the parent Zain said there were no fresh fell a further 6.6 percent. devaluation is expected to create. The hike led Riyadh’s stock market up yesterday, while to 3,935.23 points and QSE All Share Index developments in its plans to sell the towers. Telecommunications firm Etisalat sank was bigger than expected - the market had Egypt’s bourse stalled after soaring last week dropped -0.02% to 2,839.87 points. Another Saudi telecommunications firm, 1.9 percent. At the end of last week, inter- been anticipating between 50 and 100 bps in response to a currency devaluation. Most The Saudi stock index climbed 1.4 percent Mobily, rose in sympathy with Zain, gaining 4.5 national index compiler FTSE Russell added - but investors have been focusing on the Gulf markets moved little, digesting strong in active trade to 6,482 points, testing tech- percent; it is also trying to offload its towers. Etisalat to its All-World and other indexes; potential of higher rates to attract foreign rallies since mid-February. nical resistance on its 100 day average, now Elsewhere in the Saudi market, most blue the stock dropped 4.0% on Thursday in very exchange inflows, so higher rates did not Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index edged at 6,470 points. Yesterday saw the index close chips moved little but some second-tier stocks heavy trade, and yesterday’s decline suggested do much damage to stocks. down 11.32 points or -0.11% when the bourse above that average for the first time since June favoured by local speculators jumped, with traders who had bought in anticipation of the The majority of the 10 most heavily traded closed trading at 10,4214.65 points yesterday. last year, when the slide in oil prices was push- Tihama Advertising rising 5.2 percent. inclusion, hoping to sell to passive funds enter- Egyptian stocks moved little but there was The daily turnover dropped to QR414.86m ing the bourse into a downtrend. Dubai’s index edged up 0.1 percent as ing the stock, were continuing to unload it. profit-taking in real estate firms, which soared with a volume of 10,507,727 shares from 4,830 Zain Saudi jumped 9.4 percent in its heav- blue chip Emaar properties lost 1.4 percent Egypt’s index fell back 0.3 percent after last week on the belief that the sector was a deals compared to QR 678.04 Million with a iest trade since last September, bringing its but Arabtec surged 6.8 percent. After the leaping 14 percent last week because of the hedge against any inflation produced by the volume of 21,307,969 shares from 8,110 deals gains to 23 percent since Reuters reported on close, the construction firm said it had won devaluation, which raised hopes that the coun- devaluation. Palm Hills Development lost 1.5% last Thursday. From the 43 companies listed Wednesday that its Kuwaiti parent Zain was a Dh1.7bn ($463m) contract from the United try could attract more foreign capital and end and Emaar Misr sank 3.7%. Apple aims to bolster Marine resources line-up with new iPhone

allows the iPhone to hit price points Apple is widely it’s never been able to hit before, which in turn could make it more expected to release viable in markets like India.” a small-screen Reports have also said Apple is poised to introduce a new iPad tai- iPhone to encourage lored for use by businesses. replacement of the The media event takes place a 5S and 5C models, day before a federal judge in South- ern California hears arguments in the which have four-inch encryption case. “I do expect to hear displays. a little bit from them because it is so central, not just to Apple,” Current Analysis research director Avi Green- gart said. “Encryption is pretty much could help spur replacements. the entire digital economy. There is AFP Such an iPhone would be “an an argument to be made that Apple is incremental positive” for Apple, out in front and taking the heat for a ensuring that lovers of the company’s crucial, industry-wide issue.” smaller smartphones don’t switch to The new iPad may have keyboard Fishermen display their fish for sale at a port in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the biggest SAN FRANCISCO: New iPhone and rival devices powered by Android and Apple Pencil stylus features that contributors of fishery products in South Asia and it is expected that 85 percent of the country’s iPad models likely to be unveiled software, RBC Capital Markets said make it more attractive for getting economy will be supported by the marine resources in the future, according to Ministry of Maritime today are aimed at helping Apple in a note to investors. work done. Apple has been trying Affairs and Fisheries. keep momentum in the fast-evolv- RBC projected that sales of a new to ignite sales of its tablets, which ing mobile device market. handset would tally between 10 mil- declined in the final quarter or last The media gathering at the com- lion to 15 million annually, giving year. Focusing exclusively on Apple pany’s intimate Town Hall auditorium Apple fans an option for upgrading hardware can be deceiving, since the in Silicon Valley will also give Apple before an iPhone 7 debuts late in the company has won legions of devotees a chance to restate its case for fight- year. The new iPhone will likely be by weaving software, applications QIB launches Credit Card Spends plan ing a US government demand that it priced to shore up the low-end of and devices together to provide break into an attacker’s iPhone. Apple’s line but not to compete in the people with experiences they enjoy, Apple is widely expected to budget-priced smartphone market, according to analysts. The Peninsula credited to winners’ current or sav- flights, together with purchases made release a small-screen iPhone to according to analysts. “What you are really paying for ings accounts. The prizes include a at Qatar Duty Free located at Hamad encourage replacement of the 5S and “I am not expecting a ton of sur- is software and user experience,” main prize of QR25,000, three of International Airport in Doha or the 5C models, which have four-inch dis- prises,” Creative Strategies analyst Greengart said of buying into Apple’s QR10,000 each for international Oryx Galleria boutique in Doha, plays. The new device is to be called Ben Bajarin said of what Apple has world. “That has been Apple’s busi- DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) spends, three of QR10,000 each Qatar. Qmiles can also be redeemed the iPhone SE or 5SE, reports said. in store for today. ness model for many years.” has announced its latest Credit Card for domestic spends, 20 of QR2,000 for complimentary flights with one- Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook “The biggest news will be pricing Apple has built privacy protection Spends Campaign. each for international spends, and world airline partners. (pictured), will buck that trend today for the newer iPhone.” into its ecosystem and its valuable As part of the campaign, QIB 20 of QR2,000 each for domestic All of QIB’s cards are accepted when he presents a smaller iPhone, If Apple lowers the price for the brand. Apple has repeatedly argued Visa credit card holders will have the spends. locally and internationally – and can seeking to entice holdouts to upgrade new device — existing big-screen that the FBI was overstepping legal opportunity to win up to QR25,000 QIB offers a variety of credit be used at millions of merchant out- to a new smartphone even if they iPhones start at around $650 — it bounds by using the 1789 All Writs when making purchases, locally or cards, all with a range of valuable lets and more than 1.8 million ATMs don’t want a larger device. may be able to expand to new seg- Act — a broad law which allows the internationally, using their credit features tailored to meet the needs globally. This would help Apple in a tradi- ments of consumers. “I suspect this courts to help law enforcement -- to cards until 30 April 2016. of the Bank’s customers. The QIB “With all of the Bank’s Credit tionally slow season before the likely is far more about boosting off-sea- compel the company to help break an Eligible cardholders, including Classic, Gold, Platinum and Infinite cardholders eligible to receiving an upgrades to the large-screen iPhone son sales than it is about introducing iPhone used by one of the shooters supplementary cardholders, who credit cards offer cardholders the entry upon reaching the specified 6 family later this year. a new iPhone at a dramatically lower in the December attack in San Ber- spend a minimum of QR5,000 or convenience of cashless shopping spend thresholds, QIB custom- But in keeping with its practice, price point, for example, for emerging nardino, California. equivalent on international pur- and enjoy a number of discounts ers have another reason to enjoy Apple has been tight-lipped about markets,” said Jan Dawson of Jack- Apple, which is backed by a broad chases or a minimum of QR10,000 at international restaurants and the Bank’s world-class credit card what it will reveal. A message on cop- daw Research in a blog post. coalition of powerful rival technol- on domestic purchases, will be hotels. offerings,” said D. Anand, General ies of the invitations posted online But Dawson said the new hand- ogy firms and activists, argues that entered into the draw. An additional The QIB—Qatar Airways co- Manager of QIB’s Personal Banking simply states “Let us loop you in,” set could be priced as low as $450 the FBI is seeking a “back door” into entry will be extended for each inter- branded Signature and Platinum Group. prompting some to speculate that without subsidy to help Apple make all iPhones as part of the probe. national spend of QR5,000 and cards enable customers to earn “We strive to make our custom- new bands for the Apple Watch would inroads in new markets. The government brief, in sharp domestic spend of QR10,000. Qmiles. These Qmiles can be then ers’ experience of QIB’s offerings be among the announcements. This would enable Apple to sell contrast, argued it is a single case of The winners will be selected used for redemptions including com- memorable and convenient, and this A four-inch screen iPhone which refurbished iPhones at $250 to $350, technical assistance in an important through a random electronic draw to plimentary flights, upgrades and -campaign is another way of demon- boasts improvements under the hood according to Dawson and “suddenly national security investigation. be held by May 2016, with cash prizes excess baggage on Qatar Airways’ strating the QIB difference.”

NMC Health expects Starwood scores first US-Cuba hotel deals since 1959 acquisitions to drive earnings jump AFP counsel. Instead of building from the is no question the entire US hospital- simultaneous speeches announcing ground up, Starwood is moving into ity industry has watched Cuba with their countries would begin normal- existing upscale properties in need great interest, and we are thrilled izing relations back on December 17, Reuters of renovations: the landmark Hotel to lead the charge and bring our 2014. NEW YORK: Starwood Hotels & Inglaterra will become a member of sophisticated, high-end brands into The 44th US president will hold Resorts Worldwide said it has signed its Luxury Collection and the Hotel the market at this inflection point,” talks with the communist govern- three hotel deals in Cuba, a first for Quinta Avenida will be rebranded said Thomas Mangas. ment, but the White House has ABU DHABI: NMC Health, the United a US hospitality company since the as Four Points by Sheraton Havana. Already booming tourism is set made it clear the emphasis will be Arab Emirates-based healthcare pro- 1959 revolution on the communist- A letter of intent was signed to explode in the wake of Obama’s on reaching out to the Cuban peo- vider, expects earnings to increase by 45% run island. with Cuba’s Habaguanex, owner of visit, when he’ll bury a more than ple directly. this year on the back of recent and future Starwood said two of the hotels the Hotel Santa Isabel, to also con- half-century-long conflict that left On Tuesday, Obama will give acquisitions as well as organic growth, would open later this year and that vert it to a member of the Luxury Cuba the last major undeveloped a speech at the National Theater its deputy chief executive said yesterday. it had signed a letter of intent for a Collection. market in the Caribbean. that will be carried live on Cuban The company could also tap loan third. “As we’ve seen throughout the Obama, First Lady Michelle television, giving Obama a unique and convertible bond markets to supple- The announcement came on the world, our entry into new markets Obama and their two daughters platform to make his case. ment the near-$300m it has available for eve of a historic visit to Cuba by US has a positive effect on local com- arrive in Havana Sunday for the Though Obama has loosened acquisitions, Prasanth Manghat said. President Barack Obama. munities, preserving and protecting symbolic three-day trip. restrictions on US citizens visiting NMC, like a number of other healthcare “We are confident Starwood is the culture and delicate ecosystems It won’t just be the first visit by Cuba, the lifting of a decades-old companies, is benefiting from substantial the right partner to help write the while improving employment oppor- a sitting US president since Fidel US economic embargo can only growth in the UAE healthcare sector as an next chapter of relations between tunities, which were driving forces in Castro’s guerrillas overthrew the be decided by a Republican-dom- increasingly wealthy population becomes Cuba and American business, and we our discussions,” Siegel said. US-backed government of Fulgen- inated Congress that is far less keen more susceptible to lifestyle diseases such moved quickly and enthusiastically Starwood’s chief executive cio Batista in 1959, but the first since on detente. as diabetes. The company reported 2015 Jorge Giannattasio, chief of to pursue opportunities following underscored the importance of tim- President Calvin Coolidge came 88 Starwood said it signed the deals revenue and core earnings up 46% and Latin American operations of recent government actions,” said ing in scoring the deals. years ago. to enter the Cuban market after get- 61% respectively last week and Manghat Starwood Hotels & Resorts Kenneth Siegel, Starwood’s chief “With Cuba’s rich history, natu- Obama and Cuban President ting the green light to do so from the said yesteray that strong earnings growth Worldwide. administrative officer and general ral beauty and strong culture, there Raul Castro surprised the world in US Treasury Department. is expected to continue into 2016. BUSINESS MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 29 Oil investors see $7.4bn vanish as dividends targeted

Bloomberg percent dividend cut was the big- They followed the lead of Marathon eliminating the benefit for 2016. “They are income stocks, and these gest, amounting to a $3.44bn loss for Oil Corp, Eni SpA, Chesapeake Energy Also paring dividends this year: guys know why their investors own Bludgeoned by shareholders over the course of 2016. Corp. and Transocean Ltd., who cut US drillers Cimarex Energy Co, the shares.” falling energy prices, The announcement from North Amer- payouts in 2015 as the industry girded Devon Energy Corp, Noble Energy Chevron Corp told analysts on NEW YORK: The check is not in the at least a dozen ica’s largest pipeline operator “came for what’s expected to be a multiyear Inc and Range Resources Corp and March 8 that it would slash spend- mail. Bludgeoned by falling energy as a shock to some people and obvi- slump. UK oil-services provider Amec Foster ing on new projects by 26 percent in prices, at least a dozen oil and natu- oil and natural ously was deplored by some people,” Along with a dividend cut, Cono- Wheeler Plc. Bloomberg News calcu- the next two years and consider more ral gas companies have opted to cut gas companies founder and Executive Chairman coPhillips also cancelled plans to lated the cost to shareholders based borrowing to defend its $1.07 a share dividends this year to preserve cash, Richard Kinder told analysts. boost production and said it expects on the number of periods companies payout. “We have a shareholder base cannibalising payouts considered sac- have opted to cut The move was necessary to help to write down the value of some fields will pay at the lower dividend rate in that values current income,” Chair- rosanct by many investors. dividends this the Houston-based company keep its by $800m. “We believe it’s prudent 2016, assuming no further changes. man and CEO John Watson told The cost to shareholders: more investment-grade credit rating while to plan for lower prices for a longer Repsol has only declared one payment reporters after the company’s annual than $7.4bn in lost income, compared year to preserve ensuring it has enough money to pay period,” Chief Executive Officer Ryan so far this year. strategy presentation in New York. to what they would have received cash, cannibalising debts and grow, Kinder said. Since the Lance said. For smaller or newer drillers like “That’s been our traditional share- this year if the payouts remained payouts considered December 8 announcement, shares In Europe, the downturn forced a Cimarex or Range Resources, which holder base. They value continuity.” the same. It’s another painful meas- have risen about 20 percent, com- Repsol SA, Spain’s biggest oil com- each halved their dividend, the deci- Even if prices rebound, compa- ure — along with tens of thousands sacrosanct by many pared with a 3 percent gain for the pany, to reduce payouts for the first sion was probably easier, said Brian nies will be wary about restoring of layoffs and more than $100bn in investors. Alerian MLP stock index, which tracks time in seven years after reporting Youngberg, an Edward Jones & Co dividends, said Morningstar’s Peters. cancelled investments — of the toll energy infrastructure companies. a net loss in the fourth quarter. Nor- analyst in St. Louis. With better Their priorities will probably continue taken on the industry by the worst oil “This is a direct result of investors’ way’s Statoil ASA kept its payout but growth prospects for their shares, to be paying down debt and building and gas price slump in decades. The appreciation of the significant efforts proposed a scrip dividend last month, the quarterly payout was never a big up cash reserves to avoid another quarterly payments, prized by con- its dividend,” said Josh Peters, editor we’ve made to live within cash flow allowing shareholders to take their selling point for the stocks, he said. financial crisis, he said by telephone. servative shareholders as a source of Morningstar Inc’s DividendInves- and strengthen our balance sheet,” payment in shares instead of cash. For more well-established compa- “It could be a lot of years before of steady income, are unlikely to be tor newsletter. “What we have found spokesman Dave Conover said in an In Canada, Husky Energy Inc, nies, like ConocoPhillips, it’s a more you see any meaningful rebound in restored any time soon. for some of the energy companies is e-mail. Dividend-slashers including Crescent Point Energy Corp and Cen- painful choice, he said. “The Exxons the dividend,” he said. “It’s tough to “It really reinforces the neces- that the margin of safety was either ConocoPhillips ($2.42bn in annualised ovus Energy Inc also cut dividends. and Chevrons, they’re so big, it’s hard have a really conservative, stable sity of having a margin of safety if slim or nonexistent.” cuts) and Anadarko Petroleum Corp Husky switched from cash to a stock for them to call themselves a growth investment in a business that can’t you are buying a stock primarily for Kinder Morgan Inc’s 75 ($447m) made similar arguments. payment last year before completely story,” Youngberg said by telephone. control the price of its own product.”

China’s exporters struggle as Mercedes Benz F 015 yuan swings disrupt business Saudi govt to Bloomberg percent in March so far, almost wip- ing out this year’s losses, to close issue SR20bn at 6.5239 a dollar in Shanghai on BEIJING: The yuan’s swings are Wednesday. The wild swings con- worth of bonds becoming a headache for the Chi- tributed to an estimated $1 trillion nese companies that should have in capital outflows last year. DUBAI: The Saudi Arabian been the biggest beneficiaries of The yuan, which Royal Bank of government has told local last year’s devaluation. Canada says is currently overvalued, banks that it will sell them In rare overt comments, will face renewed selling pressure SR20bn ($5.3bn) of three-, exporters including Midea Group once the Federal Reserve decides to five- and seven-year bonds, Co and TCL Corp are expressing raise borrowing costs again. with floating as well as fixed apprehension about the nation’s The median forecast in a rates, the Maaal financial exchange-rate policy. Two said the Bloomberg survey of economists is website quoted sources as increased volatility has made it for a drop of 4.1 percent by the end of saying yesterday. difficult to manage costs because the year. Its decline against the dollar The government has customers are choosing to place only in 2015 -- the most in 21 years— been selling SR20bn of short-term orders, while a third said masked a sixth straight annual gain bonds every month since the yuan was allowed to strengthen against the exchange rates of China’s last August to cover a far too much in the past few years. main trading partners, according to budget deficit created by “Overseas clients are taking into a Bank for International Settlements Interior view of the Mercedes Benz F 015 self-driving car parked in the Dam square in Amsterdam, low oil prices. Among the account losses that can be caused by index. The Netherlands, on 13 March 2016. It is for the first time that this model is presented in Europe. new fixed-rate bonds, the exchange-rate swings and are plac- This shows that there is more three-year tranche will ing shorter-term orders with smaller room for depreciation, according be priced at 55-60 basis volumes, which creates difficulty for to Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., points over US Treasur- our operations,” said Yuan Liqun, which makes automobile windows ies, the five-year tranche vice-president at Midea, China’s big- and whose clients include BMW AG at 61-66 bps over and gest maker of household appliances and Volkswagen AG. the seven-year tranche at by market share. “The fluctuations “The yuan is strong, so Chinese Uber plans instant pay for drivers 72-77 bps over. last year were relatively significant. companies can’t go abroad and most Companies can accept a market- exporters are making losses,” Cho Burgan Bank Q4 net based yuan that moves within a Tak Wong, chairman of Fuqing, reasonable range.” Fujian-based Fuyao, said in an Bloomberg a month but is free if drivers make Dally, a spokeswoman for the com- profit rises 31% Exports slumped 25 percent in interview over the weekend. “China a deposit at least once every six pany. The number of cashouts per February from a year earlier and a should allow the yuan to weaken. months, the company said. Cashouts month has grown, as has the amount DUBAI: Burgan Bank, gauge of overseas orders contracted If the currency doesn’t depreciate, SAN FRANCISCO: Ride-hailing are free and don’t require a minimum of money, she said. The average with- Kuwait’s third-largest for the 17th month in a row, while the exports will be negatively influ- company Uber Technologies Inc. amount. The money appears in the drawal is $110, and the program has lender by assets, reported currency’s volatility held near the enced and export-focused firms will start letting its drivers cash out account, and drivers can spend it moved $100 million in its first three a 31 percent rise in highest levels since August’s shock will suffer.” their earnings whenever they want, through a debit card or withdraw it months. fourth-quarter net profit devaluation. The volatility’s impact has an option that rival Lyft has offered from an ATM. Many drivers appreciate the yesterday. A unit of Kuwait This illustrates the challenge spread far beyond the export sec- since December. Lyft’s version, called Express Pay, option to cash out quickly, and it’s Projects Co (Kipco), Bur- facing Premier Li Keqiang as he tor, with companies across the board Both services are trying to help has a few differences. Drivers have to been a selling point for Lyft in the gan made a net profit of balances the need to nudge the rushing to close dollar loans before their drivers who need cash right have $50 available before they can battle against Uber to secure driv- 17.1m dinars in the three exchange rate lower to help an econ- repayments become more expensive. away for a sudden expense. Driv- cash out, and they’re charged 50 ers. “It comes in very handy,” said months to December 31, omy growing at the slowest pace Local firms have redeemed $1.73bn ers at both companies are typically cents each time they use the feature. Roberta Robinson, a Lyft driver up from 13.1m dinars in the in 25 years, while trying to avoid of overseas notes before maturity so paid weekly, but it can often take sev- But the money, which is processed by who lives near Baltimore. Robinson prior-year period. a run that would create financial far in 2016, up from $26 million a eral days for the money to land in an Stripe, goes to the same account as said she uses Lyft’s cashout service An analyst at HSBC instability. year earlier, according to data com- account. their regular weekly pay. almost every week. This week, for forecast the Kuwaiti The currency, which has plunged piled by Bloomberg. Shanghai-based Uber is starting a pilot program Lyft’s service is available across example, she plans to drive Thurs- lender would make a 4.8 percent since last year’s deval- China Eastern Airlines Corp. said on me on Thursday in San Francisco the US, and the company said it’s day and Friday nights, and cash out quarterly net profit of 18m uation, climbed in September and Jan. 4 that it had repaid $1bn in dol- for its service, called Instant Pay. hugely popular with drivers. Thirty on Saturday morning to help pay for dinars. Burgan announced October, and dropped in the follow- lar-denominated debt to reduce Drivers in the program sign up for a percent used it in its first month. “It’s her 14-year-old daughter’s birthday on December 30 that it ing three months before rebounding its vulnerability to exchange-rate bank account with Green Dot Corp.’s by far our most successful product party scheduled that day at Dave and was selling a controlling in February. It has strengthened 0.5 fluctuations. GoBank, which usually costs $8.95 ever in terms of adoption,” said Katie Buster’s. stake in Jordan Kuwait Bank to another subsidi- ary of parent firm Kipco, in a transaction it later disclosed was worth 191.1m dinars. Corporates line up to cash in on ECB funding Oman reschedules 5% of 2016 LNG AFP it is to actually buy any bonds, a Deutsche Telekom also returned pushed investors into the corporate policy toolkit. exports new record for a euro-denominated to the market for the first time since market, lowering borrowing rates. “This appears to place more corporate bond issue was set on 2013, to raise 4.5 billion euros. But the ECB wading into the cor- emphasis on liquidity- and credit- MUSCAT: Oman is PARIS: The European Central Bank’s Wednesday when brewer Anheuser- Borrowing costs have come down porate market directly will cut risk easing relative to interest rates,” said rescheduling about five plan to buy corporate bonds to help Busch InBev said it was seeking to sharply. The return to investors on further as it offers reassurance in Citi analysts. Despite interest rates percent of its lique- the eurozone economy is boost- raise 13.25 billion euros ($14.9 billion). bonds issued by French yoghurt giant case of a return of angst about the coming down and access to low-cost fied natural gas (LNG) ing the private-sector debt market That easily beat the previous Danone due in 2020 fell from 0.39 economy. Competition for assets will central bank funding, commercial shipments in 2016 as ris- which promptly responded with a record of just under 10 billion set by percent on March 9, a day before the increase, thus likely lowering borrow- banks haven’t stepped up lending, ing domestic demand new record-sized company bond. Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche ECB’s announcement, to 0.25 percent ing costs for companies even further, which has been holding up growth. for power generation is With interest rates near or below in 2009. a week later. and the effect will probably spread as In addition to the corporate bond impacting the amount of zero and few other monetary pol- In a sign of a broader response, The yield on bonds maturing in investors look to also buy assets out- purchases, the ECB also announced gas available for exports, icy tools left in its arsenal, the ECB the volume of new corporate and 2021 issued by German manufactur- side the ECB’s scope of action. earlier this month a programme to senior company officials announced earlier this month that bank issues on Wednesday struck the ing giant Siemens similarly slid from In fact, that’s what the central effectively pay banks if they step up said yesterday. it would begin buying non-bank highest daily level since May 2001, the 0.30 percent to 0.25 percent. bank hopes will happen. their lending. Analysts are however Oman is seeking to corporate bonds in addition to the Financial Times reported, citing infor- Details of the ECB’s plan have yet ECB executive board member concerned about some of the practical industrialise rapidly to government bonds it has been pur- mation from data company Dealogic. to be decided, although it is to begin Peter Praet said in an interview with aspects of the plan to buy corporate provide jobs and diver- chasing to stimulate the economy. “In our view this highlights the mid-year and the central bank will Italian daily La Repubblica on Friday bonds. sify its economy beyond That immediately livened up the current positive backdrop for primary only purchase euro-denominated that “the initial effect of our purchases “Nobody knows how the ECB will oil, but these plans could corporate debt market, with compa- issuance induced by the ECB’s new debt with an investment-grade rat- will spread to other assets and other do it,” said bond market analyst Rene be delayed if gas supplies nies rushing out issues and borrowing easing measures” and particularly ing from credit ratings agencies. markets”. Defossez at Natixis. “The problem is do not keep up with surg- costs falling. the new corporate bond programme, The corporate debt market has Analysts at Citi Research called that there isn’t a considerable stock ing demand for power Less than a week after the ECB’s credit analysts at Dutch bank ING already benefitted indirectly as ECB the purchasing of corporate debt an as the market is much smaller than generation. announcement, and months before wrote in a note to clients. purchases of government bonds have important broadening of the ECB’s for that of sovereign debt.” 30 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 10,414.65 0.11 % QE Total Return Index 16,680.86 0.11 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,935.23 0.03 % QE All Share Index 2,839.87 0.02 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,814.18 0.48 % QE All Share Industrials 3,089.46 0.08 % QE All Share Transportation 2,436.71 0.49 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,496.32 1.15 % QE All Share Insurance 4,581.55 1.44 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,122.41 0.24 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,350.49 0.96 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 20-03-2016 Today 17-03-2016 Previous day Index 10,414.65 10,425.97 Change 11.32 134.64 % 0.11 1.31 YTD% 0.14 0.03 Volume 10,507,727 21,307,969 Value (QAR) 414,860,033.45 678,041,347.18 Trades 4,830 8,110 Up 20 | Down 17 | Unchanged 05

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5175.694 7.066 0.14 5379.6 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4459.27 -13.36 -0.3 4586.11 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17251.53 22.4 0.13 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20257.7 -31.07 -0.15 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6154.47 -36.91 -0.6 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 32891.08 268.06 0.82 33304.4 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16974.45 -142.62 -0.83 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 5.2417 QR 5.3183 Euro QR 4.0666 QR 4.1489 CA$ QR 2.7741 QR 2.8373 China’s central bank Swiss Fr QR 3.7157 QR 3.8097 Yen QR 0.03223 QR 0.0331 Aus$ QR 2.7368 QR 2.8063 Ind Re QR 0.0539 QR 0.0551 chief sounds warning Pak Re QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 Peso QR 0.0772 QR 0.0787 SL Re QR 0.0249 QR 0.0254 over rising debt Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0470 Nep Re QR 0.0348 QR 0.0344 SA Rand QR 0.2229 QR 0.2273 Bloomberg Corporate debt alone now stands at 160 percent of China’s GDP, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation GOLD AND SILVER and Development. the group’s secretary- BEIJING: People’s Bank of China Gover- general, Angel Gurria, said earlier in the GOLD QR144.6714 per gramme nor Zhou Xiaochuan sounded a warning day that sectors with especially high lev- SILVER QR1.7937 per gramme over rising debt levels, saying corporate erage include cement, steel, coal and flat lending as a ratio to gross domestic prod- glass, and China must address the issue. uct had become too high and the country He called it a short-term risk. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaking during a session of the China must develop more robust capital markets. Zhou, 68, spoke on the second day China still has a problem with ille- of a three-day forum, where some of the Development Forum in Beijing yesterday. Russia’s first Eurobond gal fundraising and financial services world’s best-known executives—includ- are insufficient, Zhou said in a speech at ing Facebook Inc’s Mark Zuckerberg, UBS deliberately slowing economy and reforms which will help reduce leverage in the cor- the China Development Forum in Beijing Group AG’s Sergio Ermotti and Interna- that need to be accelerated.” porate sector and boost equity financing, this year a sellout yesterday. He said the country still needs tional Business Machines Corp’s Ginni Leaders including the PBOC’s Zhou he said. China’s yuan has declined 4.5 per- regulation to guard against excessive lev- Rometty — mingled with top government have stepped up efforts to cushion Chi- cent since a surprise devaluation in August Bloomberg erage in foreign currencies. “Lending as a officials. The Chinese leadership’s message na’s economic slow down, with the central spooked global investors and spurred cap- share of GDP, especially corporate lending overall was that it would press ahead with bank announcing on Feb. 29 a 0.5 percent- ital outflows. The nation’s defense of the as a share of GDP, is too high,” Zhou said. necessary structural reforms even as eco- age point cut to the amount of deposits currency depleted its foreign-exchange MOSCOW: Gazprom PJSC, the world’s largest natu- He said a high leverage ratio is more prone nomic growth slows. banks must hold as reserves. Excessive reserves by $513bn last year, the first-ever ral- gas producer, saw investor demand exceed four to macroeconomic risk. “That transition is going to be good monetary policy stimulus isn’t necessary annual drop. times the offer size as it tapped the Swiss capital mar- Chinese leaders are struggling to bal- for China and is going to be good for the to achieve China’s growth targets and pru- “It may well be that for too long a lot ket with the first benchmark foreign bond sale from ance between the meeting a target of at world,” International Monetary Fund Man- dent monetary policy will be maintained of investors were being used to having a Russia this year. least 6.5 percent average annual growth to aging Director Christine Lagarde said at if there isn’t any big economic or financial currency that was appreciating, and of The state-run gas monopoly raised 500m Swiss 2020, while addressing growing debt lev- the event. turmoil, he said March 12. course it moves both ways depending on francs ($505m) of notes due on November 30, 2018 with els. In a briefing on March 16, Premier Li “Like any transition, it will not go One option for addressing high lever- circumstances,” Lagarde said at a ques- coupon of 3.375 percent, according to a person familiar Keqiang said a high corporate debt ratio “is without some bumps on the road. And age is to develop “robust capital markets,” tion-and-answer session with Zhou. She with the deal who asked not to be identified because not new in China” and China would seek to we should expect them because there is Zhou said. The country should channel said the yuan’s rate was broadly in line the information is private. Both new and regular inves- bring it down with capital-market reforms. a delicate balance to be struck between more savings into the capital markets, with fundamentals. tors bought the securities, Dmitry Gladkov, the global head of debt capital markets at co-manager Renais- sance Capital said by phone. “The demand was so high that even dedicated inves- tors got zero allocation,” said Lutz Roehmeyer, director at Landesbank Berlin Investment GmbH, which oversees Is ‘helicopter money’ moving on to ECB’s radar? about €11bn ($12.2bn) in bonds. “Investors are starved for Russian paper.” The deal comes a day after an official at the Euro- AFP consumers’ pockets, they would scurry to lower, pumped unprecedented amounts of Michael Malquarti, economist at Swiss pean Union said that banks wishing to manage a the shops to spend their windfalls. liquidity into the financial system, made an bank SYZ, has argued for years that the proposed sale of Eurobonds by the Russian government, The ensuing surge in demand would unlimited amount of cheap loans available Swiss National Bank should pay money its first since 2013, must be “mindful” of the indirect revitalise the economy and avert the threat to banks, and bought up massive quan- directly to citizens via the country’s health- risks of violating EU economic sanctions. With US and FRANKFURT: It’s a concept that conjures of deflation by persuading retailers to raise tities of bonds via its quantitative easing care system. “I’d like to see Switzerland Canadian advisers unwilling to participate in the sale, up images of European Central Bank chief their prices, Friedman argued. It is a con- (QE) programme. be a pioneer in this area. That could break Russia is yet to issue a mandate for the bond. Switzer- Mario Draghi donning his flying suit, start- cept that has never been tried out in real The idea is to kickstart lending — the down a psychological barrier,” he said. land is not part of the European bloc. ing his helicopter and flying out over the life by any major central bank. financial lubricant that keeps the economy But implementing such financial relief The yield on Gazprom’s existing bonds in the same eurozone to throw money to the crowds But with growing concern that quan- up and running smoothly — and by exten- in an area as big as the 19 countries that currency due in 2019 was little changed today to 3.66 below. titative easing and zero or even negative sion boost growth and recovery. share the euro would encounter a number percent. The rate on its euro-denominated note due in In the question-and-answer session of interest rates have lost their power to kick- But for all the ECB’s efforts, eurozone of technical and ethical hurdles, not to 2018 fell 5 basis points to 3.33 percent on Wednesday. his traditional post-meeting press confer- start the economy, it is clear that Draghi, inflation is still a long way short of the level mention legal ones. Gazprom began marketing the bond with a coupon of ence last week, Draghi was asked whether however terse his remarks were, is not dis- of “close to but just below 2.0 percent” that Under the ECB’s own statutes, it is about 3.625 percent. “helicopter money” was part of the ECB’s missing the idea entirely out of hand. the central bank believes is conducive to expressly forbidden from financing govern- Gazprom was one of only a handful of issuers last toolbox in its long—and so far largely It would “clearly involve complexities, healthy economic growth. In fact, falling ments, even if there appears to be nothing year that collectively raised about $4bn in dollar- and ineffectual — fight against the spectre of both accounting-wise and legal-wise, for oil prices pushed eurozone inflation back to stop it from handing cash out to citizens. euro- denominated bonds. That was less than 10 per- deflation in the euro area. our view,” he said, but conceded it could into negative territory in February. “Until now, in order to have money, you cent of the record amount sold in 2013 before western But the Italian central banker replied “mean many different things, and so we Lending is still sluggish and the hun- have to earn it. If the ECB started hand- sanctions over Russia’s role in the Ukraine’s conflict that the ECB had not “really thought or have to see.” “Helicopter money is cur- dreds of billions the ECB has pumped into ing out money for nothing, that would blocked borrowers’ access to international markets. talked about helicopter money” at this rently the object of intense reflection in the system are still not reaching house- turn economic thinking on its head and Gazprom, which isn’t sanctioned, has seen its yields stage. “We haven’t really studied (it) yet,” academic and central bank circles,” said holds and businesses. even jeopardise the market economy,” said fall this year as appetite for Russian assets rebounded he said, but added: “It’s a very interest- Marcel Fratzcher, head of the German DIW A campaign coalition calling itself Commerzbank economist Joerg Kraemer. with recovering oil prices. ing concept that is now being discussed economic think tank. But “it would really “QE for People” has calculated that if the Nevertheless, “if everything else fails, Deutsche Bank AG, Gazprombank JSC and UBS by academic economists and in various be an instrument of last resort, if nothing amount pumped into the economy so far the discussion about helicopter money Group AG acted as joint lead managers and Renaissance environments.” else worked,” he said. were shared out among all the citizens of will move up to the next level,” said a fel- Capital as a co-manager, following investor meetings “Helicopter money” was originally Over the past two years, the ECB has the eurozone, it would amount to €175 low Commerzbank economist, Christophe in Geneva and Zurich on March 14 and 15. Investors posited by US economist Milton Friedman pulled out all the stops to prevent the single per month for everyone. But helicopter Rieger. from Switzerland, as well as other countries in Europe in 1969 when he suggested in a thought currency area from slipping into deflation money need not take the form of air-drop- Jonathan Loynes of Capital Economics and Asia, bought the bond, according to Ranko Milic, game that a helicopter fly over a commu- — a dangerous downward spiral of fall- ping cash. It could also be implemented said that “the lesson of the past few years head of debt capital markets for the Central and east- nity and drop bills from the sky in the hope ing prices. by cutting taxes or healthcare payments, is that policies previously considered to be ern Europe, Middle East and Africa at UBS. that by putting more money directly into It has slashed interest rates to zero and all financed by money printed by the ECB. unimaginable can become reality”. BUSINESS VIEWS MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 31

ICE’s Sprecher views Coal’s ‘last man standing’ dragged next move as LSE to the brink of bankruptcy bidding war looms

By John Detrixhe, Will Moody’s Investors Service. Hadfield and Matthew The all-share Deutsche Leising Boerse deal values the LSE at Bloomberg 10bn pounds ($14.2bn) based on the March 16 closing share price, according to data compiled by our move, Jeff Sprecher. The Bloomberg. chief executive officer of As of December 31, ICE’s YIntercontinental Exchange “adjusted” debt—a figure pro- Inc. has to decide whether to jump vided by the company that doesn’t into the bidding for London Stock conform to generally accepted Exchange Group Plc, now that accounting principles—amounted Deutsche Boerse AG and LSE have to $7.34bn, versus $2.59bn of announced an all-share deal that adjusted earnings before interest, they’ve described as a merger of taxes, depreciation and amortisa- equals. ICE, the owner of the New tion in the prior 12 months. That York Stock Exchange, confirmed debt- to-Ebitda ratio of 2.8 is what on March 1 it’s considering a bid. ICE is aiming to reduce. It has started lining up financing, Speaking hours after Deut- people familiar with the matter sche Boerse and LSE revealed said last week. their agreement, Sprecher said Sprecher largely built ICE on that as a public company, ICE can acquisitions as it grew from a raise money. small commodities trading plat- “We have access to capital and form at the turn of the century an expectation by our investors into the world’s second-larg- and customers that we’re going est exchange operator. Now he’s to continue to evolve and grow evaluating whether LSE fits stra- and use those capital markets,” tegically, according to two people Sprecher said on Wednesday familiar with the deliberations during a panel discussion at the who asked not to be named, cit- annual Futures Industry Associ- ing confidentiality. ICE is also ation conference in Boca Raton, weighing the impact of a bid on Florida. ICE’s stock is valued at its shareholders and its debt lev- almost $28bn, second only to CME By Tim Loh in Wyoming that churned out about one of Ltd. Since then, the price of metallurgical els, the people said. Group Inc.’s almost $33bn market Bloomberg every eight tons of coal mined in the US last coal has plunged 75 percent to its lowest Interest in LSE by some of capitalisation among exchange year. But for all its reach, the 133-year-old in more than a decade. “The industry was the world’s largest exchanges owners. company is now buckling under its debt. very exposed and their capital structures is driven by increasing global Sprecher provided no further elcome to the twilight of By Tuesday afternoon, callers to Pea- became unmanageable,” O’Brien said. competition in an industry that’s details. A spokeswoman for ICE American coal. Peabody body’s investor relations office heard this Peabody skipped $71m in semi-annual consolidating, leaving fewer declined to comment. Energy Corp, the nation’s recorded message: “Given ongoing activities coupons that were due on Tuesday. It has acquisition targets. The buyers Sprecher spoke on stage biggest miner, is on the regarding our financial objectives, Peabody a 30-day grace period to make the pay- of the LSE would gain the big- alongside top executives from verge of bankruptcy, crip- is not accepting calls at this time.” In a reg- ments as bondholders grow increasingly gest equities exchange in Europe, Deutsche Boerse, CME and other Wpled by $6.3bn in debt. The company’s ulatory filing on Wednesday, the company impatient. One of its creditors, money a majority stake in the world’s exchange owners. The modera- announcement that it may file sent a decisive said its ability to operate as a “going concern” manager Franklin Resources Inc, has largest clearinghouse for interest- tor, FIA CEO Walt Lukken, joked signal to the market: The US coal industry is in doubt. For months, Peabody has tried to pressed the company to restructure its rate swaps, and a profitable index that their lawyers said they could is still too big. find rescue in the financial and capital mar- debt in court, people with knowledge of business. Combining ICE and the speak freely. Phupinder Gill, “It’s the end of the era of publicly traded kets. Its inability to do so underscores Wall the matter told Bloomberg this month. LSE would create the world’s larg- CME’s CEO, played along, saying, coal companies,” said Ted O’Brien, chief Street’s vanishing interest in saving the lives In the past two years, at least six US est exchange operator. “My ex-general counsel was the executive officer of Doyle Trading Consult- of coal companies. coal-mining companies have filed for Sprecher’s past acquisi- one you spoke to.” ants, an energy markets research group. “For the last 10 years, Peabody’s been bankruptcy, restructuring a total of $23bn. tions include NYSE Euronext, a Gill’s company may also be Peabody has lost 98 percent of its market thought of as the bellwether of the US coal With a boost from fracking, the US pro- 2013 deal that gave him the New eyeing LSE. CME is working with value in 12 months and watched as its main space,” said Jeremy Sussman, an analyst at duced more natural gas in 2015 than it ever York Stock Exchange and the advisers to assess whether it could rivals — Walter Energy Inc, Alpha Natural Clarksons Platou Securities Inc. “Any time has, while US coal production fell last year Liffe derivatives market. Euro- challenge the deal with Deutsche Resources Inc and Arch Coal Inc — all filed you’re thought of as the industry leader, to its lowest level in decades and is pro- pean regulators had previously Boerse, people familiar with the for bankruptcy, crushed by falling demand, there’s a natural tendency to think you’re jected to decline even more this year. blocked Deutsche Boerse from matter said earlier this month. massive debt loads, mounting environmen- going to be the last man standing.” It could get worse: The US Envi- buying NYSE Euronext. In Decem- While a bid for LSE is the most tal regulations and competition from cheap It’s a remarkable turnaround for a com- ronmental Protection Agency issued a ber, Sprecher spent almost $6bn likely option, discussions are at natural gas. pany that portrayed its future as rosy as regulation in 2015 that requires states to buying Interactive Data Hold- an early stage and Chicago-based Coal prices have recently as 2014. That December, in fact, make cuts to greenhouse-gas pollution ings Corp., a bond-pricing service, CME may choose not to proceed, plummeted as much then-CEO Greg Boyce accepted CEO of caused by power plants. The rule, put on and Trayport, an energy-trading they said. as 75 percent since the Year honors at the Platts Global Energy hold by the Supreme Court, would result in platform. It’s not clear whether an ICE 2011, and hundreds of Awards and Peabody was named Energy the closing of hundreds of coal-fired plants It’s those last two deals that offer would include cash or how mines across the coun- Company of the Year for demonstrating, and force more switches to natural gas. could complicate Sprecher’s next it would be structured, but a cash try have been shuttered. among other things, exemplary performance. Already, natural gas has eclipsed move, at least if he wants to use component and premium would The combined mar- By last May, Glenn Kellow had replaced coal to become the primary source of US debt to fund a bid. The Interactive likely be required to entice LSE ket capitalisation of US Boyce at the world’s largest private-sec- electricity generation, according to the Data and Trayport acquisitions shareholders to back an Amer- coal miners since 2011 tor coal miner, and the storm clouds had Energy Information Administration. Coal have pushed ICE’s debt to almost ican offer over the Deutsche Coal prices have has plunged from over arrived. Peabody announced a series of lay- now accounts for 28 percent of the power three times its earnings. The Boerse deal. The NYSE Euron- plummeted as much as $70bn to barely $6bn, offs, closed offices, and put mines up for sale. mix, down from more than half just nine firm has told analysts it wants to ext purchase was made with a according to data com- It was said to hire Lazard Ltd to advise on years ago. reduce its borrowing to twice its mix of stock and cash. Sprecher 75 percent since 2011, piled by Bloomberg. restructuring its debt. Electricity was novel when Francis earnings. later raised money by spinning and hundreds of mines Many analysts reck- Debt has been an industry-wide burden. S Peabody founded his company in 1883 “This opportunity’s come at off Euronext NV through an ini- oned Peabody would be The miners all made the same big stumble with $100, a wagon and two mules. Today a somewhat inconvenient time tial public offering, paying off debt across the country the one to survive the in 2011, when the price of the metallurgi- Peabody has customers in 25 countries. At for them given that they are on by separating his company from have been shuttered. downturn. As the big- cal coal used in steelmaking went as high its height in 2013, it had 8,300 employ- a deleveraging path,” said Peter the operator of stock exchanges gest producer of them all, as $330 per tonne. Looking to capitalise on ees and sold 252 million tonnes of coal. In Nerby, lead analyst on ICE at in Paris and Amsterdam. it has a diverse mix of booming demand out of China and else- 2015, its payroll was 7,600 and sales had operations from Illinois where, the companies loaded up on debt to slipped to 229 million tonnes. It recently to Australia — includ- make massive acquisitions. Peabody spent forecast 2016 sales will go as low as 195 ing one giant open pit $4bn to acquire Australia’s MacArthur Coal million tonnes. China shifts axed miners to lower-paid jobs in farming and cleaning

By Brenda Goh Group, the biggest coal miner in Heilongjiang decades. The government is pushing invest- going to be very difficult for them to find Reuters province in China’s industrial northeast, for ment in high-tech sectors that are unlikely to another job.” over 30 years before leaving late last year need their services. As China re-pivots its economy from one through ill health. “They have expressed their willingness driven by investment and exports to one based nticipating millions of layoffs from He says the options available to him and to learn new skills, but some are not adapt- on domestic consumption, the services sec- bloated state-owned coal and steel other workers are limited to jobs that often able,” Heilongjiang governor Lu Hao said at tor is adding jobs at a brisk clip - but these are companies, Chinese authorities pay less. “All those who are changing profes- the parliamentary session. While nobody sug- usually at the bottom end of the wage scale. are shunting redundant workers sions went to work in sanitation or logging,” gests the situation is as dire as in the 1990s, “The most likely result from future into jobs in farming, forestry and he said, noting these jobs pay less than a third when street corners were crowded with state industrial layoffs is not a sharp increase in publicA services. of the 3,000 yuan ($463.17) salary he earned employees laid off in the name of restructur- unemployment, but a further deceleration in While this may keep unemployment rates each month as a miner. Longmay has said ing, there are major long-term risks. household income growth,” Cui Ernan, labour under check, such jobs generally pay less, and it would cut 100,000 jobs, and local media Slower economic growth means it will be analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics in Beijing, could mean a step down in quality of living, reports say it has already relocated 22,500 harder to absorb redundant workers. Local wrote in a research note. Stagnant or declining reduced spending power and potentially workers to agriculture, timber and public governments in distressed regions like the wages would be a major impediment to Chi- increased dissatisfaction. service industries. northeast lack the capacity to do much more na’s shift to a consumption-driven economy. Thousands of At the recent annual session of parlia- Thousands of miners from the govern- than hand them a mop or a shovel. Where The average annual wage in mining in miners from the ment China’s leaders stressed that a major ment-owned group marched through the workers do manage to secure new jobs, many 2014 was 61,677 yuan ($9,542), compared with restructuring of the economy, stripping out streets of Shuangyashan a week ago to pro- are likely to find themselves demoted, earning 28,356 yuan in farming and forestry, accord- government-owned excess industrial capacity, would not mean test against unpaid wages. less and with bleak career prospects. ing to official data. Textile workers moving group marched a corresponding spike in jobless rates. The Workers laid off from inefficient state- “The northeast is going to have a huge to restaurant and retail jobs can expect to government has earmarked 100 billion yuan owned coal and steel firms will join those problem, because there’s not the job crea- earn around 37,264 yuan, a drop from the through the streets of ($15 billion) for relocating and retraining state made redundant at private firms in struggling tion, there’s not the new enterprises coming 51,369 yuan average pay in manufacturing. Shuangyashan a week workers over two years, but with up to 6 mil- sectors like textiles and apparel, which are up that can absorb these laid-off workers,” In Shuangyashan and nearby Hegang, the ago to protest against lion coal and steel jobs to be axed those funds shedding an estimated 400,000 employees a said Geoffrey Crothall, communications direc- consumption-driven economy looks a distant could be spread very thin. year. That risks creating a cohort of middle- tor at China Labour Bulletin. goal. Fields are dotted with heaps of unsold unpaid wages. “(Changing professions) is not easy,” says aged blue-collar workers with bleak prospects “A lot of those being laid off are 40-50 coal and city streets are lined with shuttered Ren Guizheng, 54, who worked for Longmay in an economy growing at its slowest rate in years old, and nearing retirement age. It’s shops. 32 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight France’s labour rules final Busy US refineries are no salvation straw for Calais lacemaker for oil prices

By Michel Rose leaves room for magistrates’ interpre- Reuters tation. If approved, the government’s By Liam Denning the average range for this time labour reform bill would go some way Bloomberg of year. This ought to raise at to addressing this by saying a drop least one nagging doubt about in sales for at least four quarters or the rally in oil: If refineries are MONET painting two consecutive quarters of losses working so hard, processing inspired the field of red are legitimate conditions for layoffs. MERICA’S refineries crude at ever higher rates, then poppies embroidered But any changes would be too late are working overtime, why are stocks still so high? onto the delicate lace for the Calais lacemaker. Uncertainty and the oil market So far this month, US refin- at Gerard Dezoteux’s about the company’s future labour loves it. The question eries have been running at an 126-year-old lace fac- costs while it appeals the court’s rul- Ais whether they can keep it up. average of just over 89 percent Atory in Calais, northern France. The ing has already put off a Chinese The Energy Information of their capacity. For the year to samples at Desseilles Laces, supplier investor interested in injecting new Administration’s weekly report date, the figure is slightly less, at to lingerie brands such as La Perla, funds, Dezoteux said. showed US refiners processed 88.5 percent. This is between 3 Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret, Its workers could lose their jobs as just under 16 million barrels a and 3.5 percentage points higher may never make the shop floor as the soon as next week if no buyer is found, day last week, which is a lot for than the average for the past five company is on the brink of collapse. pushing the unemployment rate in the early March. This helped to keep a years. A few percentage points Competition from Asian rivals wider region around Calais, already lid on crude oil inventories, which doesn’t sound like much, until has squeezed the region’s lace the highest in France at 12.5 percent, rose by 1.3 million barrels, rather you set it against overall capac- industry so Dezoteux cut jobs to that little bit higher. than the 3.2 million expected ity of almost 18.2 million barrels save money. But a court overturned The court’s decision has also by analysts polled by Bloomb- a day. Do the math and, relative An employee adjuts a thread on his mechanical lace making machine the decision, a costly blow that may soured relations among the 74 work- erg. Along with yet more talk of to the five-year average, those force the company to shut and busi- called Leavers loom at the Desseilles Laces factory in Calais, northern ers at Desseilles, with some angry at a meeting next month by Rus- extra percentage points add up ness groups say is another case of France. those who fought to be reinstated. sia and some Opec countries to to about 40 million more bar- outdated labour laws making it hard “These people only think about freeze production, it was enough rels of crude oil processed by the to operate in France. 2011 with two partners. “This is the Desseilles Laces. themselves,” said Brigitte Coterez, to push the Nymex oil price up refiners so far this year. “This was my own masterpiece,” final straw for us.” Business leaders and many econ- 59, a designer who has worked in the by 4 percent. Unlike the supply The other concern here Dezoteux said, holding up the red The redundancy scheme had been omists say the unpredictable cost of company for more than 30 years. freeze chatter, refiners actually is that, if you run fast for long fabric on the factory floor where approved by labour inspectors, the laying off workers puts companies off “I am near the end, but what about processing more oil offers tangi- enough, eventually you either “tullists” still adjust threads by hand labour ministry and another tribu- doing business in France. the young people, those who have ble support to prices. But for all collapse or really need a nice sit- on clattering machines that are even nal so the decision highlighted the “This court decision is the death children?” their hard work, refiners can’t down. This year’s high refinery older than the factory. “It could now legal uncertainty created by unwieldy knell for this company,” Frederic Motte, Eating lunch next to the com- lift this market on their own. runs continue on from a simi- end up in a museum. What a total labour laws that the Socialist govern- local head of the Medef business group, pany’s huge looms, the reinstated First, it’s notable that, even larly frenetic 2015. Maintenance waste.” There were over 300 lace fac- ment is trying to slim down to make told local TV channel GrandLille.TV. workers say they should not pay the though lower imports and higher can’t be deferred forever. Mean- tories in Calais at the turn of the 20th France a more business-friendly “With one administrative decision we price for business mistakes by the refinery runs added up to 3 mil- while, the 3:2:1 crack spread — a century, and the town has a museum place. In a rare move, the govern- are going to kill historical know-how, management. “It’s not our fault if lion barrels of crude being taken benchmark measure of gross celebrating the industry. ment’s local administration has joined scare off investors and weaken the orders dried up,” said Sandy Bomble, out of the system last week, refining profit margin — has There will only be two left if Desseilles in appealing the court’s whole supply chain.” one of their number. “Lacemakers in inventories still went up, adding to averaged less than $19 a barrel Desseilles closes as a result of the decision. It also discourages hiring, a fac- nearby Caudry are doing better, so a stockpile not seen in more than so far this month, roughly a third December court order to rehire five This conflict played out on the tor which has helped keep France’s that means management made stra- 80 years. What’s more, stocks in below the average for this period of the workers it laid off in 2013, national stage this week when Prime unemployment at over 7 percent since tegic mistakes.” the tanks at Cushing, Oklahoma seen over the past five years. pay two-and-a-half years of salary Minister Manuel Valls unveiled a 1983 and stopped it falling below 10 Dezoteux says those rivals work — the notional delivery point for So the incentive for refin- arrears, plus an amount of compen- labour reform bill but was forced to percent recently despite a recovery in a different sector making lace for Nymex futures — continue to ers to finally take a breather is sation that has yet to be set. water it down amid a Socialist party that has brought down the jobless rate dresses and not lingerie, and that re- climb and now occupy more than there and will continue to build Dezoteux estimated it could cost revolt and protests from unions. One for its European neighbours. tooling to cater for that market would 92 percent of estimated operat- unless margins rise from here. at least ¤750,000 ($850,000) overall, of the measures that was dropped — Along with concern about com- require investments he could not afford. ing capacity. Meanwhile, stocks The obvious catalyst for that more than the company’s loss for the a cap on compensation packages pensation for laid off workers, “I told the workers: ‘if you think you can of petrol and distillate, the two would be a very strong summer whole of 2015 and about 10 percent of labour courts can award unfairly dis- companies worry about lack of clar- do a better job, I’ll sell you the company main refined product groups, both for US petrol demand, similar to its turnover. “It’s just absurd,” Dezo- missed workers — would have helped ity about the conditions for firing for one euro’,” Dezoteux said. “But they remain above the upper limit of what happened last year. teux, who took over the company in businesses in similar court cases to workers for economic reasons. This didn’t take up the offer.”

Lending as a share of GDP, especially corporate Capital lending as a share of GDP (in China), is too high. A high Zhou Xiaochuan, leverage ratio is more prone to macroeconomic risk. Governor of the People’s Comment Bank of China (PBOC)

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Egyptian T-bill yields Market Talk jump at auction World Bank MENA@ Wealth Adviser WorldBankMENA NAME IN THE MARKET: TAX REGIME Reuters treasury bonds on Monday #Islamic finance is a and the one-year and six- significant source of month bills on Thursday. funding for #infrastruc- New rules are causing many ture projects. 401(k) plans to shift out State-owned banks intro- CAIRO: Yields on Egypt’s duced a currency hedging of prime money funds into three-month and nine- option to attract foreign Dealogic @Dealogic other low-risk alternatives month treasury bills jumped investors into Egyptian treas- aggressively at auction yes- uries last week. The central European junk bond that aren’t required to terday, finance ministry data bank devalued the Egyptian activity has fallen have redemption fees or showed, after the central pound on Monday and said it 72% YoY to 20 deals bank increased interest rates would move to a more flex- in 2016, the biggest set up “gates” to block by a higher than expected 150 ible exchange-rate policy in YoY drop in activ- withdrawals. basis points on Thursday. an effort to rebalance markets ity on record #bonds The bank’s Monetary Pol- and ease a shortage of foreign #Europe #finance icy Committee (MPC) raised currency. the overnight deposit rate The state, which relies DealB%k to 10.75 percent from 9.25 heavily on imports, has been Argaam Plus @ percent and the overnight facing a dollar shortage since ArgaamPlus lending rate rose to 11.75 per- a popular uprising in 2011 cent from 10.25 percent, it drove away tourists and for- #FlyDubai to pay said in a statement. The aver- eign investors, both major $20,000 to families of Chinese companies age yield on Egypt’s 91-day sources of hard currency. Its #plane #crash victims have been on a foreign bill jumped to 13.061 percent, foreign currency reserves had compared with 11.591 percent more than halved to $16.5bn acquisition spree in recent at the last sale on March 13. in February from around Deutsche Bank @ years, looking abroad The yield on the 273-day bill $36bn in 2011. DeutscheBank jumped to 13.987 percent, Meanwhile, Egypt’s cen- for deals in an effort to against 12.478 percent at a tral bank will from now on European #banks diversify. similar auction on March 13. hold one foreign currency probably at their most The jump follows similar auction per week, on Tues- robust and resilient in increases last week to yields days, when it will sell $120m, decades on the five-year and 10-year bankers said yesterday. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 35 PAGE | 38 Premier League Djokovic title in Leicester’s overcomes Nadal hands: Ranieri to enter final

MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 • 12 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar El Jaish, Al Sadd claim wins

The Peninsula Naim. Al Sadd took the lead in the QSL ROUND 23 CONCLUDES 42nd minute when striker Bagdad Bounjah was bundled in the area by Tresor the referee pointed to the spot. DOHA: Goals from Abderrazak Up stepped Hassan Haydoos whose Hamdallah and fine individual strike this season with a dramatic late 3-2 stuttered run fooled Claude Amin. from Romarinho ensured that El Jaish victory over rivals Lekhwiya in a pul- Allowing the Qatari international to handed Al Rayyan their second loss sating clash. powerfully finish down the middle of of the QSL season, defeating the A 86th minute winner from the goal giving Sadd a 2-1 lead. champions in a frantic clash at Al Qatari international defender In the second half Lekhwiya Sadd Stadium as Qatar Stars League Abdelkarim Hassan proved enough pushed hard for a equaliser and (QSL) Round 23 concluded yesterday. for the Wolves who have opened up a started to pin Al Sadd back. After the first half ended with- seven point gap on fifth placed Umm Their perseverance eventually out a goal being scored, Al Rayyan Salal. paid off in the 84th minute when took the lead against the odds from A powerful forward run from Ismael Mohammed leveled the scores the penalty spot. Nadir Belhadj, who’s pass found at 2-2 close range for his side. The Sergio Garcia was adjudged to striker Bagdad Bounjah in the six pacy winger turned in a Nam Tae be bundled down in the box and the yard box, the Algerian international Hee cross to the delight of head coach referee pointed to the penalty spot. quickly passed the ball to Hassan Djamel Belmadi. Captain Rodrigo Tabata stepped up Haydoos who lashed a fierce shot past Belmadi’s joy was short-lived to score his 19th goal of the season. Lekhwiya Stopper Claude Amin with however, when Al Sadd grabbed the Hamdallah, two minutes later lev- just 4 on the clock, 1-0 to Al Sadd. winner just two minutes later. elled the score, also on penalty. Lekhwiya found their way back El Jaish took the lead on the 63rd into the tie on the 15th minute. Alain Abdalelah Haroun of Qatar celebrates after winning silver in the men’s 400 metres during the IAAF World minute, with a fine individual effort Dioko went past Nadir Belhadj with Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon on Saturday. from Romarinho, which turned out a nutmeg. QSL RESULTS to be decisive goal. Dioko then picked out the EL Jaish bt Al Rayyan 2-1 Earlier, Al Sadd took a major onrushing Karim Boudiaf who swept Al Sadd bt Lekhwiya 3-2 Haroun wins silver for step in confirming their top 4 status the ball past Sadd stopper Muhannad Qatar at World Indoor

Teenager shines in 400m race as Barshim and Balla also display a good show in Portland

The Peninsula

PORTLAND: Star Qatari sprinter Abdalelah Haroun made his coun- try proud in Portland after clinching the silver medal in the 400m at the World Indoor Athletics Champion- ships on Saturday. Haroun, 19 who clinched the gold medal at the Asian Indoor Ath- letics Championships in Doha last month, maintained his form QATARI ATHLETES DAZZLE on the big stage and IN PORTLAND recorded a time of 45.59 to seal podium finish for Qatar. Reigning champion Pavel Maslak of the Czech Republic won the title while Deon Lendore of Trinidad and Tobago won bronze. Besides Haroun, Olympic med- Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar competes in the Men’s High Jump final allist, Mutaz Barshim also displayed an impressive show in the high jump during day three of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at Oregon contest, securing fourth position. Convention Center on Saturday in Portland, Oregon. Barshim who also won the gold last month in Doha took a leap of 2.29m for a good finish. Italy’s Gian- marco Tamberi won the contest with a jump of 2.36m at the Oregon Con- vention Center. Britain’s Robbie Grabarz finished with silver after a Qatar’s best jump of 2.33m. Erick Kynard of Musaeb the United States took the bronze in Abdulrahman the event. Balla (right) Qatar’s middle-distance run- in action in ner, Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla the men’s also made his presence felt at the top 800m at level, claiming fifth position in the World Indoor 800m after recording a time of 1:48:3. Championships Boris Berian of the United States at Oregon clinched the title in 1 min 45.83sec, Convention ahead of Burundi’s Antoine Gekeme Center on and compatriot Erik Sowinksi who Saturday. took bronze. The win was the biggest of 23-year-old Berian’s unusual career in the sport. 34 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 SPORT

All set for Artistic Gymnastics Qatar U-19 training in Spain World Challenge Cup

organise an exceptional event that participated in the previous editions US$50,000 up for live up to the expectations. of World Challenge Cup, so they have He also stressed that hosting the the required experience to make grabs as world’s best World Challenge Cup in Doha for the some good results in Doha this time. to vie for honours at ninth time reflects the trust of the FIG Argentina’s Nicolas Cordoba, the officials in the QGF abilities. men’s world No.1 in High Bar and fel- Aspire Dome He also said that the gymnasts low countryman Federico Molinari, who arrived in Doha held their initial the world No.3 in rings are among training session at the QGF training the top ranked gymnasts who are center in Al Laqta District in Doha expected to impress. The Peninsula while the official training hall of the Other notable participants include tournament at Aspire Academy will China’s Zou Kai, winner of three gold be available for the participants from medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics With US$50,000 up for grabs, the Wednesday. as well as two gold and one bronze at DOHA: Doha’s Aspire Dome will be event will feature top gymnasts from “The official website of the world London Olympics. Zou will be mak- under the spotlight when world’s best 33 countries. challenge cup, www.dohagym.com ing a return to competitive action in gymnasts take the centre stage at the The opening day of the tour- includes all schedules and results of Doha after a three-year hiatus. 9th Artistic Gymnastics World Chal- nament will feature the qualifying the different disciplines as it enables The championship features lenge Cup from March 24 to 26. rounds of all disciplines while the its visitors to get all the updated data world-class gymnasts in six appara- The organisers of the three-day finals will be staged on the next two about the tournament,” he added. tus events for men - floor exercises, event, the Qatar Gymnastics Fed- days. Three Qatari gymnasts, namely pommel horse, rings, vaults, parallel eration, has already finalised all Ali Al Hitmi, Chairman of Organ- Mahmoud Al Saadi, Ahmad Al Day- bars and horizontal bars. Women’s arrangements to ensure smooth izing Committee said the QGF is ani and Farah Tariq will be in action events include vault, uneven bars, flowing of the world class gymnas- coordinating with the International during the tournament in front of balance beam as well as floor tics extravaganza. Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to the home crowd. The Qatari trio exercises. Qatar U-19 football players take part in a training session in Spain yesterday. Coached by Oscar Cano, Qatar juniors are preparing to defend their AFC Asian U-19 title they won in October 2014.

Kane lifts Spurs, Rashford downs City in derby

AFP and seal a win that lifted Spurs six points above third-place local rivals Arsenal. City are four points further back MANCHESTER: Harry Kane scored in fourth place and while they, like twice as Tottenham Hotspur won Arsenal, retain a game in hand on 3-0 at home to Bournemouth yes- the pace-setters, their title challenge terday to cut Premier League leaders now appears over. Leicester City’s advantage back to Sterling hobbled off with an five points. apparent groin injury midway But Manchester City’s title ambi- through the first half and Hart was tions were dealt a likely fatal blow stretchered off with a suspected calf in a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester problem early in the second half to United in which Manuel Pellegrini’s complete a miserable day for man- side lost both Joe Hart and Raheem ager Pellegrini, whose side are also Sterling to injury. under threat from West Ham United. The result, courtesy of 18-year- Earlier, Aleksandar Mitrovic old striker Marcus Rashford’s scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as West Indies batsman Andre Fletcher (right) hits a shot, watched by Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal during their T20 World Cup 16th-minute strike, left City 15 points Newcastle United prevented north- match played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, India yesterday. West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets. behind Leicester in fourth place east rivals Sunderland from escaping and took Louis van Gaal’s United the relegation zone in a 1-1 draw at to within a point of the Champions St James’ Park. Seeking a seventh League places. successive win over Newcastle, Fletcher shines as West Indies down Sri Lanka Leicester had provisionally gone Sunderland took the lead in the 44th eight points clear with a 1-0 win at minute when Jermain Defoe volleyed Crystal Palace on Saturday, but it home left-footed after Rob Elliot had took Kane just 43 seconds to settle parried a shot from Fabio Borini. AFP for the city’s team in the glitzy Indian SCOREBOARD Spurs’ nerves against Bournemouth But with seven minutes remain- Premier League (IPL). at White Hart Lane by sliding in to ing, Georginio Wijnaldum crossed Johnson Charles made 10, before SRI LANKA Bowling: Russell 4-0-34-1; Badree 4-0-12-3; convert Kyle Walker’s cross. for Serbian striker Mitrovic to score chopping the ball onto his stumps, D Chandimal (run out) 16 Benn 4-0-13-0; Brathwaite 4-0-36-1; Bravo It was the England striker’s 20th with a downward header, sparing BANGALORE: Andre Fletcher while Marlon Samuels was gone for T Dilshan lbw Brathwaite 12 4-0-20-2. goal of the campaign and he made Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez powered the West Indies to a compre- three and wicket keeper Danesh L Thirimanne c Fletcher b Badree 5 WEST INDIES it 21 in the 16th minute by applying from defeat in his first home game hensive seven-wicket victory against Ramdin was bowled for five. Andre a polished finish to Dele Alli’s pass. and keeping both teams in the bot- C Kapugedera st Ramdin b Badree 6 A Fletcher (not out) 84 Sri Lanka in their World Twenty20 Russell was not out on 20. Kane was denied a hat-trick tom three. J Charles b Vandersay 10 match in Bangalore yesterday, even Defending champions Sri Lanka A Mathews c Ramdin b Bravo 20 by Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur “The players fought till the end without destructive opener Chris have been struggling for form since M Siriwardana c Gayle b Badree 0 M Samuels st Chandimal b Siriwardana 3 Boruc in the 52nd minute, but Chris- and the fans were behind us in a dif-

Gayle. winning the trophy two years ago, D Ramdin b Siriwardana 5 tian Eriksen followed in to score ficult situation,” said Benitez. T Perera c Russell b Bravo 40 The 28-year-old smashed an slumping to seventh in the world N Kulasekara b Russell 7 A Russell (not out) 20 unbeaten 84, including five sixes and rankings. R Herath (run out) 3 Extras (W-5) 5 six fours, as the Windies successfully Yesterday, they posted 122 for Total (for 3 wkts in 18.2 overs) 127 chased down Sri Lanka’s paltry score nine after West Indies captain Dar- J Vandersay (not out) 0 of 122 for nine. ren Sammy won the toss and elected D Chameera (not out) 0 Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-54, 3-72. Mitrovic saves Newcastle, Fletcher spearheaded the attack to field. Extras (LB-7, W-5, NB-1) 13 Bowling: Mathews 1-0-13-0; Herath 4-0-27- with his 64-ball knock in the absence All-rounder Thisara Perera Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) 122 0; Kulasekara 2-0-17-0; Vandersay 4-1-11-1; of explosive opener suffered Gayle, top scored for Sri Lanka with 40, Siriwardana 4-0-33-2; Chameera 3-0-15-0; Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-32, 3-41, 4-47, 5-47, Mane sinks Liverpool who suffered a tweak in his left including five fours, off 29 balls at Perera 0.2-0-11-0. hamstring while fielding during yes- the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, while 6-91, 7-116, 8-121, 9-121. Result: West Indies won by seven wickets. terday’s match and did not bat. skipper Angelo Mathews chipped in AFP I think we can stay up.” A Windies team representative with 20. With eight games each to play, told reporters that the 36-year-old’s Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, the His opening partner Dinesh bowling led by leg spinner Samuel third-bottom Sunderland are two injury was “not major” but it raises star for Sri Lanka in their win over Chandimal made a quick 16 runs from Badree. points from safety, with Newcastle questions about whether he will play Afghanistan last week, started in 18 balls before he was sensationally Perera and Mathews combined to MANCHESTER: Aleksandar Mitro- a point behind in 19th place. in the rest of the tournament. promising style, smacking a six off run out, thanks to some quick fielding steady the ship, adding 44 runs for the vic scored an 83rd-minute equaliser In the day’s other early game, An unimpressed crowd repeat- the second ball. by Johnson Charles at cover. sixth wicket, before the captain was as Newcastle United prevented Sadio Mane scored twice -- and edly chanted “We want Gayle, We But the 39-year-old was sent Thirimanne was gone just seven caught behind. northeast rivals Sunderland from squandered a penalty -- as South- want Gayle”, anxious to see the Jamai- packing in the third over, lbw to Car- balls later for five, as the wickets Perera was caught at the bound- escaping the Premier League rele- ampton checked Liverpool’s charge can who has played several seasons los Braithwaite. tumbled thanks to solid West Indies ary in the final over by Russell. gation zone in a 1-1 draw yesterday. towards the top four by storming Seeking a seventh successive win back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 over Newcastle, Sunderland took the at St Mary’s. Jurgen Klopp’s Liver- lead in the 44th minute at St James’ pool went 2-0 up inside 22 minutes, Park when Jermain Defoe volleyed Philippe Coutinho curling in a fine Du Plessis wants under-performing bowlers to shape up home left-footed after Rob Elliot had effort from 25 yards and Divock parried a shot from Fabio Borini. Origi teeing up Daniel Sturridge to But with seven minutes remain- score. Reuters disappointing, obviously there were Gardens on April 3 but the bowl- Afghanistan, who came through ing, Georginio Wijnaldum crossed Senegal international Mane, a some really good shots. But we need ing unit has come under fire on the the qualifiers to reach the Super 10 for Serbian striker Mitrovic to score half-time replacement for Dusan to be a lot better, we have to improve. As Wankhede Stadium pitch. The Pro- stage, raced to 47 in three overs in with a downward header, sparing Tadic, saw a penalty saved by Simon simple as that,” Du Plessis told reporters teas failed to defend a 230-run target drier conditions. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez Mignolet early in the second half MUMBAI: South Africa’s bowlers at after a 37-run victory over Afghanistan. against England in their opener on Afghanistan were ahead of South from defeat in his first home game after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to the World Twenty20 need to show an “Our skill levels are just letting us Friday with the opponents chasing Africa’s score at the halfway stage on and keeping both teams in the bot- have fouled Graziano Pelle. immediate improvement, captain Faf little bit down in the first three or four down a World T20 record score to 103 for two but paceman Chris Mor- tom three. But Mane sped past Mamadou du Plessis said yesterday after watch- overs. I think we are little bit soft in win by two wickets. English batsmen ris and Imran Tahir pulled the Proteas “The players fought till the end Sakho to reduce the arrears and after ing them struggle despite the luxury those areas.” smashed the South African bowl- back. and the fans were behind us in a dif- Pelle equalised with a vicious shot of defending huge scores in their first South Africa came to India as ers all around the park in the first Morris finished with four wickets ficult situation,” said Benitez. in the 83rd minute, the Italian freed two matches. one of the favourites to lift the World six overs of power play with heavy and Du Plessis felt the others need to “We have to do this from the first Mane to run through and score an “Our first three overs were very Twenty20 title at Kolkata’s Eden dew on the ground and on Sunday take a leaf out of his book to improve. minute to the last to get more points. 86th-minute winner. SPORT MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 35

Mourinho signs pre-contract Premier League crown in with Man United: Report

AFP Portuguese a further £10m. Mour- inho was sacked by Chelsea in Leicester’s hands: Ranieri December after losing nine out the first 16 games of their Premier MADRID: Jose Mourinho has League defence. signed a pre-contract agreement “I look forward to the future,” with Manchester United with a Mourinho told BT Sport this week. If somebody goes view to replacing Louis van Gaal as “I want my football back, time manager of the English giants next flies and July will be just around the over us, then well season, Spanish newspaper El Pais corner.” done and they are reported yesterday. Van Gaal is under mounting Citing sources from Gestifute, the pressure if he is to see out the final the champions. If not, agency company owned by Mourin- season of a three-year deal he signed then we are, says ho’s representative Jorge Mendes, El in 2014. Pais suggest a deal has been struck United were dumped out of the manager that could see the former Chelsea Europa League by bitter rivals Liv- boss make £15 million (19 million erpool 3-1 on aggregate on Thursday euro), even if he doesn’t end up tak- and face an uphill battle to make it ing charge at Old Trafford. into next season’s Champions League AFP If United don’t complete the deal via a top-four finish in the Premier by May 1, Mourinho will be enti- League. tled to £5m compensation, should They currently sit sixth in the negotiations drag on beyond June table, four points behind Manches- LONDON: Claudio Ranieri has 1 or break down, the 20-time Eng- ter City in fourth, ahead of their trip admitted that Leicester City’s Pre- lish champions would owe the to City. mier League title challenge is in their own hands, but says his side can take nothing for granted despite moving eight points clear. Leicester’s lead could be cut to five points if Tottenham Hotspur beat Bournemouth, but with seven games remaining, the team ranked 5,000-1 outsiders at the start of the season are clear favourites to be crowned champions. “Everything is in our hands,” Leicester manager Ranieri said. “Nobody is helping us. We have to do our job. If somebody goes over Leicester City’s players celebrate a goal against Crystal Palace during their Premier League match at Selhurst us, then well done and they are the champions. If not, then we are. Park in London on Saturday. “We have seven matches to go. It’s not easy for us. We are Leicester, we are not a team like Manchester Italian.“I think this is because peo- of the season settled the outcome of United, Manchester City or Chelsea ple say Leicester play with the heart, FROM UNDERDOGS TO a game that pushed Palace closer when five points clear would mean with the right spirit, to do something FAVOURITES towards the bottom three. Alan it was finished. unbelievable. Pardew’s side have failed to win in 13 “We have to fight for every match. “But we have to be focused in league games and face a nervous end Now we are (qualified for) the Europa our job. Sometimes you can say we unexpected challenge moves closer to the season despite having reached League and we are very close to are on the last turn and on the home towards delivering success. the FA Cup semi-finals. achieving Champions League quali- straight and now I want to see how And Ranieri added: “Of course “We know that we are involved fication. That is the truth.” my horses run. when I win I am very happy, but when in that (relegation fight), but we have Leicester -- bottom of the table “Whatever happens I am very we win and we don’t play with this enough in that dressing room to not and battling to avoid relegation 12 happy with this season. I remember spirit, I am not so happy. be involved in it,” said the Palace months ago -- tightened their grip at the start of the season the goal was “And when we lost to Arsenal in manager. on the summit with a 1-0 victory at save the team. the last seconds, I was happy because “But the bottom line is to get some Crystal Palace on Saturday. “Now everybody is behind us we fought for each other. When I see points quickly because we need to Ranieri believes that his team pushing us on, not only in England this spirit I am very calm on the improve. But it was always going to are benefiting from being the popu- but all around the world. And that is bench. be a difficult job today (Saturday). Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League lar choice to be champions. a great energy. We have made a fan- “I saw the players very focused “I thought we played a measured “A lot of people and fans who are tastic achievement.” Ranieri and his and very concentrated from the first game. We had more of a ‘Crystal Pal- Group G match against Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge in London, in the race with us say, ‘If we don’t players are maintaining their form minute, so I was very calm.” ace threat’ in the second half and that Britain, in this November 2015 file photo. Mourinho has reportedly win, I hope Leicester win,’” said the despite growing pressure as their Riyad Mahrez’s 16th league goal is what will get us out of it.” signed a pre-contract with Manchester United. Bayern boss Goodison Park win gives Wenger hope issues ‘hands AFP Both goals were typical of Arsenal -- a mix- half-time advantage and Everton did little after off’ warning to ture of pace, intelligent passing and vision -- and the re-start to provide evidence that they could Wenger was thrilled to see his side make such snatch a draw. an impression at Goodison Park. The visitors’ professional approach to safe- Man City LIVERPOOL: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger “I am not masochistic enough to consider guarding victory impressed Wenger and he was delighted by his team’s 2-0 victory at Ever- us out of the race,” said the Frenchman, whose reserved special praise for Iwobi, the academy AFP ton and believes it proves that they still have the side remain 11 points adrift of leaders Leicester. graduate, who crowned an impressive all-round ability to win the Premier League. “Mathematically we have a chance and a showing with his first senior goal. The north London club’s season hit the skids game in hand at home. We are not the flavour “He is an intelligent boy who loves football,” this week as losses to Watford and Barcelona of the week, but if we don’t believe, no-one will said Wenger of the Nigeria international. BERLIN: Bayern Munich chair- saw Wenger’s men dumped out of the FA Cup do it for us. “He is very passionate about the game, keen man Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has and Champions League respectively. “We have to be humble and fight in every to learn and very humble as well. issued a thinly-veiled ‘hands off’ Their league form has also been indifferent game like today (Saturday). Then we never know. “He has been at our club since the age of warning to Manchester City after since the turn of the year and they have fallen We need some performances and some (other eight. I took him in pre-season and I liked what Pep Guardiola’s future employers behind pace-setters Leicester City and Totten- sides to drop points).” he did. After that he improved very quickly and have been linked to a string of Bay- ham Hotspur in the race for the title. Welbeck rounded Joel Robles for the opener he’s done very well.” ern’s stars. However, Saturday’s performance at Everton on seven minutes before Iwobi added a second Everton’s season is well and truly in the dol- “I have been wondering some- may prove to have an invigorating effect as first- just before the break, sprinting through on goal drums after an eighth home defeat of the league what about statements made by half goals from Danny Welbeck and 19-year-old and calmly slotting home from Hector Beller- campaign. our colleagues from Manchester Alex Iwobi were enough for them to cruise past in’s ball over the top. They have won just four league matches at Arsene Wenger City, because contracts are con- an abject home side. Arsenal more than deserved their 2-0 Goodison all season. tracts and that also applies to Manchester City,” Rummenigge told German daily Bild. The Bayern boss commented after City’s director of sport Txiki Begiristain had hinted that the Hiddink will be happy with Europa League spot big-spending English giants are interest in some of Bayern’s stars. “I can’t promise anything. Our AFP Paris Saint-Germain and lost in the FA get a European spot. Second, having a sequence of many games but also goal is as always to put together Cup quarter-finals to Everton in their this season’s experience, the players a big stage. a strong squad. Just like Bayern two previous matches. have to show why they are playing for “I’m not in favour of saying ‘Please Munich are doing,” the 51-year-old So although the Dutchman was a big club. Pride is also at stake when let’s not play in the Europa League.’ City boss, and a friend of Guardi- LONDON: Chelsea’s interim boss pleased that his team showed the you have experiences like the first half Rebuilding you can do through ola, told Sky. Guus Hiddink (pictured) has tar- desire to battle back -- and maintain of our season.” tournaments. “For months we have been geted a place in the much-maligned his own unbeaten Premier League Hiddink rejected suggestions that West Ham manager Slaven Bilic working on a new team and who Europa League as he tries to prevent record since returning to the club in the Europa League is a competition was angry that his team does not knows how things will come his team’s season from petering out. December -- he wants an improve- best avoided and that his succes- seem to benefit from the type of ref- together.” Rummenigge’s reac- Chelsea showed that they have ment over the final matches. sor as manager would find it easier ereeing decisions that go the way of tion comes as no surprise after not given up on their season by “We have too many draws and if to rebuild without the distraction of bigger clubs -- like Chelsea. it was announced on Friday that fighting back for a 2-2 draw on Sat- we had more victories we would be Thursday evening matches in Uefa’s But he was happy with what their Bayern has locked in left-back urday against West Ham United, who knocking on the door of the Cham- junior tournament. performance promised for the rest of David Alaba on a contract until would have moved into the Cham- pions League as West Ham are doing “I think in sport you must get the the season. 2021, which came in the wake of pions League places with a victory. now, and they deserve it,” he said. relegation zone as soon as possible. highest position possible. The Europa “We are not getting those kind reported interest from City. Cesc Fabregas twice equalised, “It’s a compliment to their squad and “We did that in six or seven weeks League might be below the standard of decisions,” he said. “But it is great City have also been linked late in each half, in a match that coaches. with some draws and victories. Nor- of Chelsea but it’s reality,” he added. when you play really good and play to Bayern’s top-scorer Robert should have mattered less to Chel- “For us our first target in Decem- mally Chelsea has to compete for “Playing in other competitions a 2-2 at Stamford Bridge, home of the Lewandowski, who has a contract sea than West Ham. Hiddink’s men ber was a soft target, by Chelsea places one to four at least. might have benefit for the team but champions, that shows that we are in Munich until 2019. went out of the Champions League to standards, of getting out of the “Our target now is to see if we can also the young players, to give them moving in a very good direction.” 36 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 SPORT Spurs rout Warriors in clash of titans

NBA RESULTS Wade shines in win Denver 101 Charlotte 93 for Heat over Cavs, Detroit 115 Brooklyn 103 becoming 41st NBA Oklahoma City 115 Indiana 111 player to reach Washington 99 NY Knicks 89 Atlanta 109 Houston 97 20,000 career points Miami 122 Cleveland 101 Chicago 92 Utah 85 Memphis 113 LA Clippers 102 AFP San Antonio 87 Golden State 79

The Spurs held the Warriors LOS ANGELES: The San Antonio scoreless over the final 2:33, build- Spurs shut down Stephen Curry and ing a three-point lead to the final the Golden State Warriors, winning eight-point margin as they asserted the clash of NBA heavyweights 87-79 themselves against a Warriors team on Saturday to remain perfect on their that beat them in Oakland on Janu- home floor this season. ary 25. The reigning NBA champion Spurs point guard Tony Parker Warriors might be marching toward said San Antonio learned from that a single-season record for victories, game that they couldn’t let the War- but they still couldn’t find a way to win riors dictate the pace. in San Antonio, where they haven’t “This time we tried to slow it down come away with a victory since Feb- and tried to control it,” Parker said, ruary 14, 1997. and the strategy worked -- at least The Spurs, who have put together this time. a magnificent season in the shadow “I think the whole league is trying of Golden State, improved to 59-10 to figure them out,” Parker said. “I’m and 35-0 at home. They have won not saying we’ve figured them out, but 44 straight regular-season games in it was better than the last game.” San Antonio in a streak dating to last San Antonio cut the Warriors’ March. first-place lead in the Western Con- San Antonio’s streak is tied for the ference to three games with two more second-longest in NBA history behind matchups between the two remain- only the continuing home streak of ing in the regular season. Golden State, now at 50 games. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26

San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw (second left) is congratulated by guard Tony Parker (left) after scoring a basket against the Golden State Warriors during their NBA game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Saturday. Spurs won 87-79.

points and pulled down 13 rebounds. with 15 points. Draymond Green 0-4 at Miami since he departed the Kawhi Leonard added 18 points and NBA ROUND-UP added 11 and Brandon Rush chipped team he sparked to two NBA crowns 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who held in 10. to return home to the Cleveland reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Golden State suffered just their Cavaliers. Curry to 14 points. seventh defeat of the season against James scored 26 points on 13-of- Curry connected on just four of a furious fourth quarter. Kerr said the 62 wins, a hiccup in their pursuit of 20 shooting from the floor as the 18 shots -- only one of 12 from three- Warriors felt the absence of Austral- the single-season record of 72 vic- Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers point range. ian big man Andrew Bogut, who hurt tories set by the Chicago Bulls of (49-20) are 3-0 in Cleveland against “He missed some shots he nor- a toe in a win at Dallas on Friday, as 1995-96. Miami since the move. mally makes, but he also had to take well as backup center Festus Ezeli and The clash in San Antonio over- Russell Westbrook had his 14th some tough ones,” Warriors coach Andre Iguodala. shadowed Saturday’s other action, triple-double of the season scoring 14 Steve Kerr said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our guys which included a milestone night for points with 11 rebounds and 14 assists Curry missed seven three-point -- what an effort,” said Kerr, who Dwyane Wade in Miami. and Kevin Durant produced 33 points, attempts before making his first over drew a technical foul for arguing a Heat playmaker Wade became 13 rebounds and eight assists to power Aldridge to knot the score at 55-55 in call in the first quarter. the 41st NBA player to reach 20,000 Oklahoma City to a 115-111 victory at the third quarter after the Spurs had “All the odds were stacked against career points, scoring 24 in Miami’s Indiana. Zach Randolph produced led by as many as 11. us: ninth game in 14 days, back-to- 122-101 victory over former Heat his first career triple-double with San Antonio scored the next five back (off) obviously a tough game last team-mate LeBron James and the 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists with a three-pointer from Parker and night, down three important rotation Cleveland Cavaliers. to spark host Memphis over the Los two free throws from Aldridge, but guys. We hung in there right to the Wade cracked the milestone mid- Angeles Clippers 113-102. Stephen Curry (left) of the Golden States Warriors is defended by Danny the Warriors had tied things up again end.” way into the third quarter as the Heat At 34, he’s the third-oldest to Green of the San Antonio Spurs during their NBA game at AT&T Center. 65-65 at the end of the third to set up Klay Thompson led the Warriors never trailed in dropping James to manage the feat in an NBA game.

Dolphins signed wide receiver Penguins, Sharks register identical wins Griff Whalen Agencies NHL RESULTS Pittsburgh 4 Philadelphia 1 Agencies Minnesota 3 Carolina 2 NEW YORK: The Pittsburgh Penguins San Jose 4 NY Rangers 1 NEW YORK: The Miami Dolphins boosted their play-off hopes and dealt Toronto 4 Buffalo 1 signed wide receiver Griff Whalen a setback to the Philadelphia Flyers Ottawa 5 Montreal 0 to a free-agent contract. with a big 4-1 road win on Saturday. Detroit 5 Florida 3 Whalen spent the past three The Penguins (39-24-8) reeled Columbus 6 New Jersey 3 seasons with the Indianapolis off three straight goals in the second Colts, where he played 33 games period and kept Philadelphia quiet Dallas 3 NY Islanders 0 and started three, with 45 recep- in the third to win their fifth straight St Louis 3 Vancouver 0 tions for 487 yards and three game and dent the playoff hopes of Tampa Bay 2 Arizona 0 touchdowns. He added 46 punt the 34-24-12 Flyers. Los Angeles 2 Boston 1 returns for 376 yards (8.2 aver- Wild 3, Hurricanes 2 age) and 25 kickoff returns for 645 Jason Zucker and David Jones yards (25.8 average). scored for Minnesota in regulation second-period power-play goal and Whalen was placed on injured before the Wild won a shootout to Brian Elliott stopped 19 shots for the reserve on December 21 and the edge the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. shutout as the St Louis Blues ended a Colts waived him on January 1. The Wild (33-28-11) got 31 saves two-game losing streak with a 3-0 Meanwhile, Tennessee Titans from goalie Devan Dubnyk and win over the Vancouver Canucks on general manager Jon Robinson remain in the play-off hunt, one point Saturday night. said it would take a “king’s ran- behind the Colorado Avalanche in Vladimir Tarasenko also had a som” for the team to give up the the race for the final postseason slot Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (centre) makes a save against New York goal for the Blues (42-22-9). No. 1 overall draft pick. in the West. Dubnyk stopped two of Islanders center Ryan Strome (left) in the third period of their NHL game Jaden Schwartz, who added an Robinson, speaking at the three shots in the shootout. at American Airlines Centre on Saturday. Dallas won 3-0. assist, scored into an empty net with annual Sportsfest in Nashville, Sharks 4, Rangers 1 66 seconds left. Tenn, said the Titans would con- The San Jose Sharks came at the Paul Stastny had two assists in sider trading down but only for a New York Rangers in waves and it the match. load of picks. finally paid dividends in the third league with 15 shorthanded goals, Niklas Kronwall and Justin Alexander Wennberg and Matt Calvert Lightning 2, Coyotes 0 Most mock drafts, includ- period as the floodgates opened for also received shutout goaltending by Abdelkader had a pair of assists. had two assists. Goaltender Sergei The Tampa Bay Lightning would ing NFLDraftScout.com, have the a 4-1 victory. Andrew Hammond, who stopped 30 Brad Richards, Mike Green, Dat- Bobrovsky, out most of the season be in a world of hurt without goal- Titans selecting Ole Miss offensive Joe Thornton scored the go-ahead shots while making his first start since syuk, Larkin, Gustav Nyquist and because of groin injuries, had 27 saves tender Ben Bishop. tackle Laremy Tunsil with the first goal for the Sharks, who put a sea- March 8. Jonathan Ericsson also recorded for his first victory since December 5. The Lightning have managed just overall pick. son-high 52 shots on goal and won for It was the fourth time in team his- assists. Stars 2, Islanders 0 seven goals in their last 12 games, but The troubled free-agent quar- the third time in four games, pulling tory they scored three shorthanded Blue Jackets 6, Devils 3 The Dallas Stars got a much- one was all Bishop needed on Satur- terback hired high-profile agent within one point of idle second-place goals in one game. Rookie Oliver Bjorkstand scored needed defensive boost in a 2-0 win day against the Arizona Coyotes. Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, Anaheim in the Pacific Division. Red Wings 5, Panthers 3 the first two goals of his NHL career in Saturday over the New York Islanders. Left winger Ondrej Palat scored according to a listing on the NFL Senators 5, Canadiens 0 Luke Glendening scored the the third period to lead the Columbus The Stars had allowed 13 goals in his 13th goal of the season and Bishop Players Association website on The Ottawa Senators scored three game-winning goal in the third period Blue Jackets to a 6-3 win over the New their previous three games, including recorded his fifth shutout of the sea- Saturday. shorthanded goals en route to a 5-0 as Detroit rallied for a 5-3 win over Jersey Devils on Saturday in Nation- five each against the Blues and Kings, son, stopping all 31 Coyotes’ shots as Rosenhaus replaces Manziel’s victory over the Montreal Canadiens the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center. wide Arena. but were much more stingy against the Lightning pulled within two points former agent, Erik Burkhardt, who on Saturday night at Canadian Tire Pavel Datsyuk scored a pair, and Cam Atkinson, Seth Jones, Boone the Islanders. of Florida for the Atlantic Division parted ways with the 2014 first- Centre. Tomas Tatar and Dylan Larkin also Jenner and William Karlsson also Blues 3, Canucks 0 lead with a 2-0 victory over Arizona round pick after the 2015 season. The Senators, who lead the scored for Detroit (36-25-11). scored for the Blue Jackets, while Troy Brouwer scored a at Gila River Arena. SPORT MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 37

Australia gunning for comeback

AFP

BANGALORE: Australia will be determined to demolish under- dogs Bangladesh in their World H ow Twitter reacted Twenty20 clash today, to secure their first points in the group to India’s win stages and increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals. “That 50 is worth Steve Smith’s side lost a thriller approximately 237 on this pitch.... “ to New Zealand on Friday in a big - Australian star blow to their hopes of winning a Glenn Maxwell @Gmaxi_32 T20 trophy that has so far proved elusive. “It’s fair to say @imVkohli is playing at a level Australia also face Pakistan very few can match. #superstar #INDvsPAK and then title favourites and #WT20.” T20 world number one India in - Former Australian player Group 2 -- and will likely need Tom Moody @TomMoodyCricket to overcome both to qualify for the semis. Smith said he was sure his “Brilliant innings @imVkohli on a tough sur- side could turn things around and face... Well done!!! Expected more from @SAf- defeat Bangladesh after the Black ridiOfficial and @realshoaibmalik with the Caps edged past them on Friday, ball.” thanks largely to tight bowling. - West Indies legend “Absolutely. We’re still con- Brian Lara @BrianLara Afghanistan’s Dawlat Zadran is bowled by South Africa’s Chris Morris during their World Twenty20 cricket tournament match played at the fident,” he said of his side’s title Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India yesterday. hopes. “From singing of anthem to playing cricket on Although Australia top the field. Pakistan absolutely Test rankings and won their fifth terrible tonight.” 50-over World Cup last year, they - Cricket statistican have struggled in the shortest form Mazher Arshad @MazherArshad of the game. They have only made the World T20 final once, in 2010, De Villiers and Morris tame “It’s over .. Have I stopped trending yet?? ???? when they lost to England. #somepeopleseriously Their chances were given a needtogetalife ??” boost after the ICC announced on Saturday it was suspending Bang- ladesh’s Arafat Sunny and Taskin - India tennis star Sania Mirza Ahmed from bowling due to ille- who is married to Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib gal actions. Afghanistan in World T20 Malik after attracting a series of comments Off-spinner Sunny and fast throughout the game. @mirzasania bowler Ahmed were reported by the umpires during a preliminary 22 runs off him as Afghanistan made SCOREBOARD “Good match.. Tough one Pakistan .. Balle stage WorldT20 match against the a strong start. balle India @imVkohli you rockstar #bleedb- Netherlands. Proteas set up big The right-hander took Afghani- SOUTH AFRICA N Ali Zadran st de Kock b Tahir 25 lue #sportwins.” Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe target as Morris stan to 47-0 in three overs, reminding Q de Kock c Shahzad b Hamza 45 A Stanikzai c de Kock b Morris 7 - Mirza again Mortaza said on Sunday the sus- skittles Afghans out South Africa of the onslaught by the H Amla c Stanikzai b S Zadran 5 G Naib c de Kock b Abbott 26 pensions were a “devastating” English batsmen on Friday, before F du Plessis (run out) 41 M Nabi c de Villiers b Tahir 11 “#INDvPAK in World Cup/T20 1992: W 1996: blow to the Tigers’ chances of win- paceman Chris Morris uprooted his for 172 A B de Villiers c Zadran b Nabi 64 S Shenwari c Wiese b Abbott 25 W 1999: W 2003: W 2007: W W 2011: W ning a match, describing both as stumps. 2012: W 2014: W 2015: W 2016: W.” - cricin- J P Duminy (not out) 29 N Zadran c de Kock b Rabada 12 outstanding bowlers and critical Afghanistan, who made the Super fo website on India’s 11-0 record of Pakistan D Miller c Naib b D Zadran 19 R Khan b Morris 11 to the team. 10 stage after coming through the in the World Cup and World Twenty20

“It’s a big blow. Two of our Reuters qualifiers, were ahead of South Afri- D Wiese (not out) 0 D Zadran b Morris 0 main players are out of the team. ca’s score at the halfway stage on 103 Extras (LB-2, W-4) 6 A Hamza (not out) 3 “In Kohli we trust ...... #IndvsPak #WCT20 But we have to go through the for two but lost too many wickets to Total (for 5 wkts in 20 overs) 209 S Zadran b Rabada 1 process and continue to play hard,” keep up with the required run rate. #wegotthis.” a downcast Mortaza said. MUMBAI: AB de Villiers announced The lanky Morris showed good Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-90, 3-97, 4-173, Extras (LB-1, W-6) 7 - Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi “We are going to miss eve- himself at the World Twenty20 with a control to finish with four wickets, 5-203. Total (all out in 20 overs) 172 @@Maheshbhupathi rything from them. These two swashbuckling 64 and made Afghan- earning him the player of the match Bowling: Hamza 3-0-25-1; Dawlat Zadran Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-60, 3-105, 4-109, players have been good for us.” istan pay heavily for dropping him award, while leg-spinner Imran Tahir 3-0-46-1; Shapoor Zadran 3-0-28-1; Nabi 4-0- 5-140, 6-156, 7-156, 8-167, 9-169, 10-172. “So I’m assuming nobody in India and Paki- stan is participating in earth hour.” Bangladesh need a victory if twice as South Africa revived their and fast bowlers Abbott and Kagiso 35-1; Khan 4-0-51-0; Shenwari 3-0-22-0. Bowling: Rabada 4-0-37-2; Abbott 4-0-36- - Indian writer and comedian Tanmay they are to have any hope of mak- campaign with a 37-run victory at the Rabada all picked up two wickets AFGHANISTAN 2; Morris 4-0-27-4; Tahir 4-0-24-2; Wiese ing the semi-finals, after being Wankhede Stadium yesterday. each. Bhat @thetanmay M Shahzad b Morris 44 4-0-47-0. demolished by Pakistan in their Unable to defend a target of 230 South Africa dropped Dale Steyn first group stage match. runs against England two days ago at from the side that lost against England “Pakistan omitting a spinner for a pace bowler All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan the same ground, South Africa chose and drafted in seamer David Wiese, Du Plessis (41) in quick succession, with four sixes and a boundary to .. U got to be kidding me..” and star batsman Tamin Iqbal to bat first after winning the toss and who also had a forgettable outing, which set the stage for De Villiers to race past his fifty in 24 deliveries. - Former Pakistan star Ramiz Raja after were bright spots for Bangladesh racked up a total of 209 for five in conceding 47 off his four overs. explode. De Villiers added 76 for the fourth spinner Imad Wazim was left out of the in that match, scoring an unbeaten their 20 overs. Earlier, opener Quinton de Kock The right-hander was first wicket with left-hander JP Duminy team @iramizraja 50 and 24 respectively. The plucky Afghans came out all (45) continued his impressive show dropped by Samiullah Shenwari on (29 not out), who guided South Africa But Bangladesh, ranked guns blazing in their assault on the with the bat and added 65 for the sec- 26 off his own bowling and then again past the 200-run mark with David Thank you for the positive energy & wishes. To 10th, have a rotten record in the target with the diminutive Moham- ond wicket with captain Faf du Plessis on 35 by the same fielder at mid- Miller (19). do it in front of my idol @sachin_rt feels sur- World T20 -- despite their recent mad Shahzad leading the charge with after South Africa lost Hashim Amla wicket off leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Afghanistan, who also lost their improvements in 50-over cricket 44 off 19 balls. early in their innings. Rashid was the unfortunate opening match against defending real. #Grateful -- and have not beaten Australia in Shahzad, who hit five sixes and The Proteas, among the favour- bowler who suffered most from De champions Sri Lanka, have little -Indian cricketer Virat Kohli @imVkohli any of their three previous World three fours, tore into paceman Kyle ites to lift the trophy at Kolkata’s Eden Villiers’s onslaught as the batsman chance to advance past the Super 10 T20 clashes. Abbott in the second over and took Gardens on April 3, lost De Kock and plundered 29 runs in the 17th over stage after their second loss. Dhoni lauds India as turnaround kings

AFP campaign. India’s prospects looked second fiddle to batting maestro improvement and in the coming two grim in 2011 after their first two Virat Kohli. games that will be our priority,” said matches against a traditional pow- Kohli appeared supremely calm Dhoni. erhouse included a tie with England during his unbeaten knock of 55, Pakistan, who started the tour- KOLKATA: Mahendra Singh Dhoni followed by defeat to South Africa. which was more than double the nament with a bang by thrashing hailed India as cricket’s bounceback India also got off to a slow start next highest score by a batsman on Bangladesh, failed to shrug off their kings after they again followed up an in 2007 when they tied with Pakistan either side. world cup jinx against India. Paki- early defeat in a major tournament before winning a bowl-out and then After India lost three early wick- stan have lost all their 11 matches to with an emphatic win and kickstarted lost to New Zealand. ets, Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then put India in six 50-over World Cup meet- their bid for World Twenty20 glory. “If you see we have been in this together a 61-run partnership before ings and five T20 clashes, but senior After their shock defeat on Tues- position many times. We know how Yuvraj fell to Wahab Riaz, bringing batsman Shoaib Malik did not read day to New Zealand in their first to turn it around,” Dhoni told report- Dhoni to the crease. much into it. match, the hosts cruised to a six- ers at Eden Gardens. Indian newspapers hailed Koh- “We would have fared badly wicket victory over arch rivals The man known as “Captain li’s “masterclass”, with The Times of against many other teams as well in Pakistan in Kolkata late Saturday. Cool” pointed out that India followed India saying he “appeared to be bat- the world cup, but the India bit gets India’s captain The defeat against New Zealand up their defeat in a 2014 Test series ting in a different zone”. highlighted more,” said Malik. and wicketkeeper had put a question mark over India’s against England with victory in the “No batsman in the recent past Invited to bat on a moisture-laden status as red-hot favourites and trig- ODIs and an otherwise poor recent has looked more assuring than him, pitch, Pakistan made 118 for five in Mahendra Singh gered accusations of complacency. tour of Australia ended with India calmer and composed, or more classy a match reduced to 18 overs a side Dhoni celebrates the But in a cauldron-like atmosphere beating their hosts 3-0 in the T20s. and skillful,” said the daily. due to rain. dismissal of Pakistan’s of a packed Eden Gardens, Dhoni’s “To have a very bad game or a The Indian Express said the Apart from Ahmed Shehzad (25) Umar Akmal during men held their nerve and reached the very bad series and to come back 37-ball knock “was a special and Malik (26), no other batsmen their World Twenty20 target of 119 with 13 balls remaining. strong, it’s the kind of character the innings even by Kohli’s hugely lofty got going against an Indian attack cricket tournament The bounceback from the humili- boys have. standards”. which utilised the conditions to their match played at ating 47-run reverse against the Kiwis “And I feel it’s very important to India will now look to pick up the advantage. the Eden Gardens came as no surprise to veteran skip- back them and have confidence in run-rate in their remaining group “It was a tough pitch to bat on but in Kolkata, India on per Dhoni who was captain when them that they will bounce back and matches against Bangladesh and Aus- we could have put on a better tar- Saturday. India won the inaugural World T20 will come back strong.” tralia, two teams who also lost their get than this,” said Malik. “Our total in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Dhoni hit the winning runs at the openers. wasn’t enough to defend against such Cup after stuttering starts to their finale in Kolkata where he played “I still feel there is still scope for a great batting line-up.” 38 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 SPORT

Qatar Basketball Cup AZF hosts Aspire Torch Staircase Run

The Peninsula

DOHA: The fifth edition of the Aspire Torch Staircase Run 2016 – organ- ised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) – concluded on Saturday with the participation of more than 250 citi- zens and residents from around Qatar. The challenge, which was held in partnership with the Torch Hotel- Doha and Mannai Corporation, saw participants from all ages and back- grounds enjoy the run up to the top of the Torch hotel, present the best “Go Green” themed costume, and also celebrate Earth Hour at Aspire Zone. At the finish line, Andrew Jones Action from the Qatar Basketball Cup match between Al Rayyan was awarded first place in the male and El Jaish at Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. Al Rayyan won category (18-39) with a time of 7 min- the match 91-77. In other match of the day, Al Gharafa overcame utes 10 seconds. Participants prepare for the fifth edition of the Aspire Torch Staircase Run 2016 – organised by Aspire Al Shamal 78-68. Nicoleta Hodoregea was awarded Zone Foundation on Saturday. first place in the female category (18-39) with a time of 10 minutes 22 at winning this category and partic- myself really motivated me to com- “We always strive at Aspire Zone seconds. ipating in the race, adding that she plete the race and emerge victorious. Foundation, through all of our activ- In the veteran category, Clau- is already looking forward to next I am really glad to have participated ities and events, to encourage all dio Fenley earned first place in the year’s edition. and look forward to taking part in members of the community to adopt male category with a time of 10 min- The challenge consisted of 1,304 future editions,” he added. healthy lifestyles and partake in utes 2 seconds, while Suenja Hampez steps as runners made their way to The first place winner in the activities like the Aspire Torch Stair- earned first place in the female cat- the 51st floor at the top of the 300m female category, Nicoleta Hodoregea, case Run, which contribute towards egory with a time of 13 minutes 5 tower. Male and female categories commented: “I am glad to have won having a healthy and active society,” seconds. included 16-17 year olds, 18-39 year the race. I had been eagerly antici- he added. Meanwhile, in the junior cate- olds, 40 years and above for profes- pating it, even though I knew the run Additionally, in observance of gory, Farhan Farizi earned first place sionals, and a category for the hotel’s was tough. Willpower really played a Earth Hour, Aspire Zone Foundation in the male category with a time of 10 catering staff. big part in my win”. organised an art recycling compe- minutes 14 seconds, while Jude Alou- The first place winner in the male Abdullah Al Khater, Events Man- tition for children. The competition deh earned first place in the female category, Andrew Jones, expressed ager at Aspire Zone Foundation, said: channelled the children’s creativity as category with a time of 14 minutes his delight at the result achieved: “I “This year’s edition of the Aspire they made art with recyclable objects 2 seconds. enjoy a good challenge, and this is Torch Staircase run was dedicated such as plastic bags, papers and bot- In the “Go Green” Earth Hour- what motivated me to participate in to citizens and residents, thereby tles. Also, torch hotel and Aspire Zone themed costume category, Maszleen the race.” increasing the chances for all mem- marked Earth Hour by switching off Ramli earned the best theme and time “The run was not easy, and there bers of the community to participate. all external lights, during which time award with 11 minutes and 5 seconds. was strong competition from the We are delighted to see such a large over 40 participants toured the Aspire Maszleen expressed her delight other participants, but challenging number of participants.” Zone under the light of the stars. Djokovic overcomes Nadal to reach Indian Wells final Rafael Nadal and I played the last three games Raonic storms into very well. “I am glad I overcame this chal- Resurgent Nadal his 17th career ATP lenge, which is one of the greatest in final by overpowering sport, playing against Rafa.” Djokovic turns back the improved to 21-1 this season and will Belgian 15th seed square off in Sunday’s final against clock Goffin Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Bel- gian David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The women’s final is also on Sun- AFP day with Serena Williams vying for her first Indian Wells title since 2001 AFP when she takes on former champion INDIAN WELLS: Rafael Nadal Victoria Azarenka. says he has renewed vigour fol- Djokovic showed why he has lowing his run to the Indian Wells been so dominant at Indian Wells, the semi-finals, where he lost to world INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic hardcourt tournament in the Califor- number one and defending two- toppled a resurgent Rafael Nadal in nia desert that he hopes this year will time champion Novak Djokovic. straight sets on Saturday to reach be a stepping stone to his first French “I am going to try to follow the Indian Wells final, where he’ll be Open title and a career Grand Slam. this to keep going at this level,” seeking a third straight and record Djokovic beat Roger Federer in said Nadal, who lost 7-6 (7/5), fifth overall title. three sets in the title match here the 6-2 to pre-tournament favourite The 28-year-old world number past two years, and now aims to sur- Djokovic. one from Serbia was the heavy pass the record of four Indian Wells “If I am able to play weeks favourite coming into the joint ATP titles he shares with the Swiss. in a row at this level, then I can and WTA Tour event and he showed Djokovic and Nadal have butted start to think about competing for why as he dispatched long time rival heads 68 times with Djokovic now everything.” and nine-time French Open cham- holding a 25-23 edge, including win- Nadal’s resurgent run to the pion Nadal 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. ning 10 of the last 11. semi-finals will go a long ways “Today the first set was decided by “It could have gone either way to boost his confidence but it also just one or two points,” Djokovic said. but I managed to stay composed and should quiet the critics who say his “The second set was very close serve well in important moments career is in a tailspin. The 29-year-old Spaniard is considered the greatest claycourt Novak Djokovic from Serbia celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal from Spain during their semi-final match player ever and he has his nine at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, on Saturday. Djokovic won 7-6 (5), 6-2. French Open crowns among his 14 Grand Slam titles to show it. But in the past two years he’s and just believed that I can win,” “I am definitely able to play at a lost five times on clay to play- said Djokovic, who overcame an early DJOKOVIC AND RAONIC higher level this year and when a cri- ers ranked outside the top 15 break in the opening set. CLASH FOR TITLE sis occurs during a match I can find and heading into Indian Wells he Nadal, who will turn 30 in June, is the solutions better.” was 0-4 this year against players also a multiple champion here hav- Raonic is going to have to find ranked in the top 50 this season. ing won three times in 2007, 2009 into his 17th career ATP final by over- some answers against 11 time Grand “I played well during the and 2013. powering Belgian 15th seed Goffin. Slam winner Djokovic who has beaten week,” said Nadal. But the Spaniard had to work a Raonic, who is going through a him all five times they have met pre- “I won very interesting lot harder to hold his serve for much makeover under the tutelage of new viously. “Milos is probably playing the matches, good ones, fighting,” said of Saturday’s one hour, 58 minute coach Carlos Moya, blasted 10 aces best tennis that he has ever played,” the Spaniard. match, spending almost twice as long to help counter 35 unforced errors. Djokovic said. “Today was closer than the last as Djokovic in his service games. “I lost my way a little in the sec- “I think looking at his perform- couple of times against the best Nevertheless Nadal’s solid Indian ond set, but in the third I stuck to my ances this year, winning in Brisbane, player of world, so was a very pos- Wells effort allayed some of the fears identity,” Raonic said. Raonic roared playing semis of Australian Open, and itive week for me.” raised by the 14-time Grand Slam through the first set in 34 minutes but then coming back off injury and play- Nadal has won the Indian champion’s first-round exit at the struggled in the second with his serve ing already in finals here, it’s quite Wells title three times but not Australian Open. as he tried to increase speed with- impressive. since 2013. He won three times in “Today was closer than the last out sacrificing other components of “His serve was phenomenal .... 2015 but he lost in the first round couple of times against the best player his game. seems like he has improved even of this year’s Australian Open to of world, so was a very positive week “I feel even when I am not playing more, especially the second serve. Fernando Verdasco, a player he Milos Raonic of Canada celebrates after defeating David Goffin of for me,” Nadal said. my best I am able to find the answers,” He’s going for it more. He’s not giv- has owned since they were teens Belgium in the men’s semi-finals on Saturday. The 25-year-old Raonic stormed said Raonic. ing you the same look.” growing up together in Spain. SPORT MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016 39

England FORMULA ONE AUSTRALIAN Mercedes F1 driver Nico Rosberg in GRAND PRIX RESULT S action during the Australian Formula claim first One Grand Prix in Melbourne. Rosberg 1. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:48:15.565 recorded his 15th Formula One victory, 2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes +00:08.060 his fourth in succession. 3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari +00:09.643 Grand Slam 4. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull - TAG Heuer +00:24.330 5. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes +00:58.979 since 2003 6. Romain Grosjean (France) Haas - Ferrari +01:12.081 7. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India - Mercedes +01:14.199 8. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes +01:15.153 AFP 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso - Ferrari +01:15.680 10. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso - Ferrari +01:16.833 11. Jolyon Palmer (Britain) Renault +01:23.399 PARIS: England, led by bullocking 12. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) Renault +01:25.606 No. 8 Billy Vunipola, confirmed 13. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - Mercedes +01:31.699 their remarkable transforma- 14. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1 lap tion from World Cup flops to Six 15. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber - Ferrari 1 lap Nations Grand Slam winners when 16. Pascal Wehrlein (Germany) Manor - Mercedes 1 lap they beat France 31-21 on Saturday. The victory was Australian R. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - Ferrari 19 laps coach Eddie Jones’ fifth straight R. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 36 laps win since taking over from Stuart R. Rio Haryanto (Indonesia) Manor - Mercedes 40 laps Lancaster, the English having seen R. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Haas - Ferrari 41 laps off Scotland (15-9), Italy (40-9), Ire- Rosberg wins dramatic R. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 41 laps land (21-10) and Wales (25-21). Daniil Kvyat (Russia) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 57 laps It was England’s first Grand Slam since their World Cup-win- ning year of 2003, when Jones was in charge of losing finalists Alonso walks away Australia. F1 season-opener “I’m very proud of the boys. We were not at our best but we battled throughout and deserve the vic- from horror crash tory,” Jones told the BBC. It was not easy going at the Stade de France for England, who the team did a good job on that,” AFP 300 kilometres (186 miles) scored three tries through Danny German driver ecstatic German Rosberg told an hour.” Care, Dan Cole and Anthony reporters. Alonso said he Watson with Owen Farrell con- grabs his 15th “The car’s just been unreal emerged from the spec- tributing 16 points with the boot. Formula One win today... We’ve got to keep an eye MELBOURNE: Two-time tacular shunt “thankful A rash of ruck infringements on the red guys (Ferrari), they world champion Fern- to be alive”. allowed France to keep in the while pole-sitter are very close as you saw today.” ando Alonso walked away “It’s all fine, appar- game through scrum-half Max- Hamilton battles Ferrari enjoyed a brilliant unharmed from a horrify- ently,” he said. “There is ime Machenaud, who booted start, with Vettel able to carve ing crash that wrecked his some pain in the knees seven penalties in a flawless kick- back to secure a through the front-row occupy- McLaren car in an inci- because you are bounc- ing display. Mercedes one-two ing Mercedes duo on the run to dent-packed Australian ing a lot in the cockpit. Machenaud got the scoreboard the first turn. His Finnish team Grand Prix in Melbourne “But apart from that rolling after Maro Itoje was pinged mate Kimi Raikkonen also got yesterday. everything should be okay. at a ruck, but Farrell responded off to a flyer and he darted up The 34-year-old You are thankful that you immediately when France skipper Reuters the side to claim second place Spaniard, competing in are alive and nothing hap- Guilhem Guirado was penalised as Rosberg’s rear left tyre made his 253rd F1 race, was pened, no injuries, nothing for a dangerous tackle. contact with Hamilton’s front shaken but remarkably serious. But the second France delighted a packed wing. uninjured when his car thought immediately is stadium by running the ball with MELBOURNE: Nico Rosberg Vettel appeared poised for rolled and slammed into the frustration of not fin- intent, Scott Spedding and Virimi won a dramatic Australian an unlikely win but the race a barrier after clipping the ishing the race.” Vakatawa, born in South Africa Grand Prix yesterday after a turned on its head when Alonso Haas car of Mexican Este- The race was stopped and Fiji respectively, both split- bungled tyre strategy dashed crashed into Haas driver Este- ban Gutierrez on lap 17 of and cars returned to the ting the English defence only for Sebastian Vettel’s chances of a ban Gutierrez at high speed the 57-lap season-opener. pit lane by the safety car final passes to go amiss. season-opening triumph and going into turn three of the 18th Alonso’s McLaren as a considerable amount Livewire scrum-half Care, Fernando Alonso survived a lap. initially veered into the of debris was cleared from who dictated a fast pace, showed spectacular crash that left his The Spaniard’s car careened wall on turn three before the track. up some lax ruck defence by step- McLaren wrecked. into a barrier and was smashed pitching into a series of “You are just fly- ping straight through a gap left by Rosberg’s 15th Formula to pieces before it flipped, rolled violent rolls. It then flew ing and then you see the lumbering prop Jefferson Poirot One victory was also his fourth and flew end-over-end into through the gravel trap sky, the ground, the sky, and crossing for a well-taken try, in succession after the Ger- another barrier. and slammed into another the ground, and you don’t German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Mercedes AMG converted by Farrell. man Mercedes driver won the Alonso walked away from barrier, disintegrating know,” Alonso said. France suffered a blow when final three races of last season. the wreckage but the red flag GP lifts his trophy after winning the Australian Formula One upon impact. “When I stopped I saw Francois Trinh-Duc limped off Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton bat- came out to halt the race for Grand Prix yesterday. The Spaniard, who a little space to get out of after 13 minutes to be replaced by tled back to secure a Mercedes around 10 minutes as track staff won the world title with the car and I went out Jules Plisson at fly-half. one-two after the defending swept away debris and repaired Renault in 2005-06, quickly, just to make sure Spedding broke through again, world champion recovered from the barriers. During the break, out and he reached the pits with Felipe Massa in a Williams. quickly clambered out that people at home were with France finally showing their a chaotic start that pushed him Mercedes opted to run both cars flames shooting out of the top Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, of the barely recognisa- not too worried about me.” attacking muster after generally back to sixth at the first turn to on medium compound tyres and of his car. Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, and ble wreckage and walked Gutierrez rushed to failing to fire in tight wins over finish eight seconds behind his rode them to the finish, while “We went for the aggressive the Toro Rosso duo of Carlos away unaided. check on Alonso after his Italy (23-21) and Ireland (10-9) and team mate. Ferrari took the more aggres- route but maybe with hindsight Sainz and Max Verstappen com- “I feel good. It was a Haas car came to rest in defeats by Wales (19-10) and Scot- Four-times world champion sive route, sticking with their we may have gone with some- pleted the top 10, with Renault combination of factors the same gravel trap. land (29-18). Vettel came third for Ferrari super-softs, which were quicker thing else,” the German added rookie Jolyon Palmer narrowly and it ended up in a crash,” “Thankfully we are all Machenaud booted his second after leading for much of the but ultimately required another of the tyre strategy. missing out on a point on debut. Alonso said. right. It was a very, very penalty, but England again came race, but the German’s victory stop. New team Haas, the first Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat was “But we are lucky we scary moment. The first firing back up the pitch, prop Cole hopes faded with an aggressive The mistake proved costly American-owned F1 outfit to among six cars that failed to fin- are both okay. For the thing I saw in the mir- bundling over the line for a try Far- tyre strategy that fell flat after and was compounded when race in 30 years, celebrated ish including Manor Racing’s safety of those cars is why ror, I was really worried. rell again converted. the race was halted due to Alon- Vettel’s next tyre change was points on debut, with French- Indonesian rookie Rio Haryanto. I am alive -- and the safety I jumped out as quick as England, with Billy Vunipola so’s crash. botched, while Raikkonen’s man Romain Grosjean finishing Haryanto’s team mate and wall. I think it was a rac- I could and ran to him. It and flanker James Haskell to the “The strategy was crucial race was over on lap 23 when sixth behind Red Bull’s fourth- fellow debutant Pascal Wehr- ing thing and sometimes was a really big relief he fore, denied wave after wave of today, so I’m really thankful an engine failure forced him placed Daniel Ricciardo and lein was last of the 16 finishers. we forget we are going was OK,” Gutierrez said. home attack, Machenaud keep- ing France in the game with a third penalty after another ruck infringement. It was then France’s turn F1 teams agree to revert to to defend and they did so with aplomb as Care marshalled his old qualifying for Bahrain team from left to right, before two knock-ons undid English efforts. AFP “It needs to be ratified by the F1 Machenaud knocked over a Commission, but I would like to see fourth penalty to leave the score who puts his hand up for yesterday’s 17-12 at half-time with Farrell qualifying. It should be done in the missing his second effort. MELBOURNE: Formula One will next few days.” France opened the second revert to the old system of qualify- Wolff said some teams had period with an early charge by ing for next month’s race in Bahrain wanted to retain Q1 and Q2 in the Vakatawa, the winger hauled following the debacle of the new current elimination procedure and down by opposite number Jack elimination format, reports said only switching Q3 to the old format Nowell with the line abegging, yesterday. to ensure there would be action Machenaud kicking a fifth pen- There was widespread condem- throughout. alty to bring the home side within nation of the new qualifying format “There were positive discus- The car of McLaren F1 driver Fernando Alonso crashes onto a concrete wall during the Australian two points. after its first operation at the sea- sions and there were some teams Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday. The two-time world champion Alonso walked away The tit-for-tat continued son-opening Australian Grand Prix who thought Q1 and Q2 would shake unharmed from the horrifying crash that wrecked his McLaren car. as Farrell banged over his own on Saturday. up things and would be interesting, penalty as Guirado strayed off- The qualifying session embar- but fundamentally common sense side before Machenaud booted rassingly petered out with Sebastian prevailed. his sixth.Then came Watson’s try Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico “We are now back to something after a brilliant break by Care’s Rosberg not bothering to improve we understand, where we have reg- Indonesians cheer Haryanto despite early exit replacement Ben Youngs, who their times against the rampant ulations and not reinvent something put a grubber kick into the corner Mercedes world champion Lewis new.” rather than risk a pass, the Bath Hamilton in the final minutes, leav- Former F1 driver and now televi- AFP race, with crowds gathering at shop- rush,” Fachrul Subarkah, a member winger picking up and barging ing bewildered fans watching an sion commentator David Coulthard ping malls. of a car club, told AFP at a screening through Wesley Fofana. empty track. tweeted on social media: “Panic But the 23-year-old’s F1 debut did of the race at a shopping mall in Tan- From the restart, England The decision was reached fol- over, back to what wasn’t broken not get off to a good start -- he left the gerang, just outside the capital Jakarta. again infringed, Machenaud mak- lowing a meeting of team principals for Bahrain qualifying.” TANGERANG: Indonesians cheered race after just 18 of the 57 laps, with “The fact that he is the first Indo- ing no mistake from the tee. and managers at the track ahead of F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, and clapped as Rio Haryanto made his Manor car experiencing driveline nesian who has raced in F1 makes us France made a raft of changes Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix race. who criticised as “pretty crap” Sat- his Formula One debut in yesterday’s problems after a stoppage caused by all proud.” to the front five, temporarily giv- Mercedes motorsport boss Toto urday’s first and now last showing of season-opening Australian Grand a crash. Subarkah was among hundreds ing them the upper hand at the Wolff told reporters: “There was a the revamped mechanism for race Prix, despite the country’s first F1 Haryanto’s early exit, however, of men, women and children watch- scrum, although their line-out was meeting, with a unanimous decision grid positions, is understood to have driver making an early exit. failed to dampen the exuberant spir- ing the race at the mall, cheering and creaking and gifted England vital taken to go back to the old format made his views known to the team Fans across Indonesia flocked to its of his fans. clapping whenever Haryanto’s face possession. from Bahrain onwards. bosses by phone, reports said. public screenings of the Melbourne “He is still learning, there is no appeared on the big screen. 40 MONDAY 21 MARCH 2016

Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP celebrates with the trophy on the podium Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of the yesterday after winning Movistar Yamaha Team (right) in action the Qatar Grand Prix at during the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Losail International Qatar at the Losail International Circuit Circuit. yesterday. Super Lorenzo storms to win at Qatar GP

Luthi surprised racing fans and experts by winning the first Grand QATAR GRAND PRIX RESULTS The world champion Prix of the season ahead of com- kicks-off the new patriot Luis Salom after a number MOTOGP of false starts and crashes. 1. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 42:28.452 season in style while After pole winner Jonas Folger 2. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) +2.019 Dovizioso joins him crashed out early in the race, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) +2.287 at the podium with Luis retained composure to guide 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) +2.387 Garage Plus Interwetten team to 5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) +14.083 Marquez first win of the season under lights 6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) +15.423 at Losail International Circuit. 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) +18.629 Luthi, riding a Kalex bike, 8. Bradley Smith (GBR/Yamaha Tech3) +18.652 clocked a time of 40:14.297 to take 9. Hector Barbera (ESP/Ducati Avintia) +21.160 By Rizwan Rehmat the chequered flag. 10. Scott Redding (Ducati Pramac) +24.435 The Peninsula Spain’s Luis Salom (SAG 11. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) +35.847 Team) settled for the second place 12. Eugene Laverty (IRL/Ducati Aspar) +41.756 because of a jump-start penalty slapped by the marshalls on sev- 13. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Aprilia) +41.932 DOHA: World champion Jorge eral riders. 14. Jack Miller (AUS/Honda Marc VDS) +41.982 Lorenzo of Spain last night kicked Luthi - who edged Franco Mor- 15. Tito Rabat (ESP/Honda Marc VDS) +54.953 off the new season with a com- bidelli to the finish line - prevailed manding performance by winning in the dramatic opening race. MOTO2 the Grand Prix of Qatar under lights Italy’s Simon Corsi brought 1. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 40:14.293 at Losail International Circuit. cheer in the Speed Up Racing camp 2. Luis Salom (ESP/Kalex) +9.610 The Yamaha giant - who by finishing in third spot some 3. Simone Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) +9.665 grabbed the pole position on Satur- +9.665 seconds slower than Luthi. 4. Hafizh Syarin (MAS/Kalex) +13.558 day - yesterday produced a sublime Malaysia’s Hafizh Syahrin 5. Dominique Aegerter (SUI/Kalex) +16.064 ride to bag his third win in Qatar (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) and 6. Danny Kent (GBR/Kalex) +16.114 where he remains a hugely pop- Switzerland’s Dominique Aegerters 7. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) +20.047 ular rider. (CarXpert Interwetten) completed 8. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) +20.170 Lorenzo, who ended the 2015 the top-5. 9. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) +22.019 season with a win, last night fin- Syahrin was 13.558 seconds 10. Luca Marini (ITA/Kalex) +24.249 ished the 22-lap race ahead of behind whereas Aegerters finished Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati 16.064 seconds slower to Luthi’s Team) who started the intense winning time. MOTO3 battle from the sixth grid for the “If I had known there was 1. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) 38:12.161 season’s opening race. a time penalty I wouldn’t have 2. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) +0.007 Lorenzo’s chief title threat pushed so hard,” Luthi joked at the 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) +0.148 Spain’s Marc Marquez (Repsol end of the race. “I could have taken 4. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) +0.435 Honda Team) secured the third spot it easy,” he added with a smile. 5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) +0.606 while nine-time world champion “It is a great win after our 6. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) +0.625 Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha struggle in the qualifying ses- 7. Jorge Navaroo (ESP/Honda) +0.674 MotoGP) managed an error-free sions,” he said. “It is a brilliant 8. Livio Loi (BEL/Honda) +1.710 ride to claim the fourth spot. show, I would say. I only came to 9. Philipp Oettl (GER/KTM) +8.611 With Italy’s Ducati star Andrea know about the penalty when I 10. Jakub Kornfeil (CZE/Honda) +10.9 Iannone (Ducati Team) becom- returned to the Parc Ferme. ing one of four riders to crash out, “I am so so happy. Towards the Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) end it was a real battle. He (Mor- Records: grabbed the fifth spot. bidelli) attacked and I attacked as Lorenzo clocked 42.28.452 for well. It was a great race,” Luthi said. Pole Lap: Jorge Lorenzo 1’54.543 (169.0 Km/h) his 41st MotoGP win. Salom felt an ‘incredible’ Fastest Lap: Lap: 20 Jorge Lorenzo 1’54.927 (168.5 Km/h) Dovizioso was just 2.019 sec- adrenaline rush at the end. The defending World MotoGP champion, Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of the Movistar Yamaha Circuit Record Lap: 2016 Jorge Lorenzo 1’54.927 (168.5 Km/h) onds slower while Marcquez was “It was an incredible ride,” Best Lap: 2008 Jorge Lorenzo 1’53.927 (170.0 Km/h) 2.287 seconds off the pace set by Salom said. “I was pushing and Team celebrates after winning the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Lorenzo. pushing,” the affable Italian said. Circuit yesterday. Rossi, 37, was 2.2387 seconds “I tried to enjoy the race as well. behind Lorenzo. I pushed hard and enjoyed my race. announced that former would be Italy’s Francesca Bagnaia, rid- “You know it was a tough deci- I dedicate this finish to my team handed a 20-second penalty after ing for Mahindra, sealed the third sion to go for the rear tyre option. and to may family. They support me the race. Sandro Cortese was also spot on the podium. Bagnaia was It was a risky option but I went for a lot,” Salom said. given the same penalty. just 0.148 seconds behind Antonelli. it,” Lorenzo said. “It has been a difficult two Luthi edged Morbidelli to the Pole winner Romano Fenati - “My rivals went for hard tyre years for us and now this. We have finish but the Italian was pushed riding for SKY Racing Team VR46 but I ran a good race. It was impor- done well,” he said. down to seventh because of the - finished in fourth spot while Ita- tant to stay in front because this is Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport), penalty. ly’s Enea Bastianini completed the the first race of the season. I am Sam Lowes, Marcel Schrotter (AGR Salom and Corsi completed the top-5 on his Honda. happy to be on the podium,” the Team) and Alex Rins (Paginas podium, both in their first races Fenati was 0.435 seconds 28-year-old said. Amarillas HP 40) were all handed with new teams. behind Antonelli while Bastianini “Tonight we will just enjoy this ride through penalties for jump- Xavier Simeon (QMMF Racing was 0.606 seconds slower. win,” he said. ing the start. Team) fell with five laps remain- After a predictable run in the Dovizioso, 29, said: “When Defending champion in Qatar, ing, but remounted before retiring. 22-lap race, it all came down to the you have Marc finishing the race Folger continued to push at the Earlier in Moto3, Nicolo last lap when Binder remained in with you, it is always tough. We front but the German quickly found Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) edged front. However it was all changed destroyed the tyre. I was able to he had exceeded the limit and fell KTM rider Brad Binder (Red Bull when Fenati ran wide at the first go past him before the final corner.” at Turn 4, crashing out of a com- KTM Ajo) to clinch the 22-lap race corner and dropped to sixth. As He added: “I knew the last fortable lead on the third lap. in a time of 38:12.161 to emerge as the corners ticked down, Antonelli stretch would be too long for him “I was pushing really hard to the season’s first champion. tucked waited for his chance to to catch up. I am glad the old feel- make a gap, it would have been the Antonelli, who started the race strike. ing has come back. Our objective last lap of pushing hard. It was my from the 7th spot on the grid, over- The drag to the line was where is to be very competitive in the new fault, I expected a lot more,” Folger took Binder near the finish line it all happened as Antonelli played season. Obviously I am very happy.” said after returning to the pits. after the South African retained the race to perfection, pulling out Third-placed Marcquez (Rep- When Folger crashed out, Mor- lead for most of the race in which of Binder’s slipstream to steal the sol Honda Team) said he was bidelli (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc all riders opted for the medium race by 0.007s. pleased with his first run in the VDS) grabbed the lead and battled front and medium rear tyre options. Binder’s seventh career podium 2016 season. hard with Luthi. It was the third Grand Prix win is by far the South Africans best “I am happy,” Marquez said. As Luthi surged ahead, Takaaki for the 20-year-old who bagged a opening round. “We lost some acceleration on the Nakagami and Robin Mulhauser couple of victories last season. Nicolo Bulega exhibited loads Swiss Moto2 rider Thomas Luthi Italian Moto3 rider Niccolo Antonelli of long straight but we are happy that (CarXpert Interwetten) were also The Italian winner, into his fifth of courage to end sixth on his full we have got 16 points in the world handed ride through penalties for year in Moto3, finished 0.007 sec- time World Championship debut of the Garage Plus Interwetten the Ongetta-Rivacold Team celebrates championship battle. jumping the race start. onds ahead of Binder who started ahead of Jorge Navarro, Livio Loi, team celebrates on the podium on the podium after winning the “That’s very important,” the Despite the penalties, Mor- the race from the sixth spot on the Philipp Oettl (Schedl GP Racing) after winning the Moto2 race of the Moto3 race of the Motorcycling Grand 23-year-old Spaniard said. bidelli and Luthi battled for the grid following a qualifying penalty and Jakub Kornfeil (Drive M7 SIC Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at Prix of Qatar at Losail International In Moto2, Swiss star Thomas lead but on the final lap it was imposed on the KTM rider. Racing Team). Losail International Circuit yesterday. Circuit yesterday.