QATAR | Page 2 SPORT | Page 1 Bolt: I’m ready for

INDEX Gatlin in DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR/FEATURES 2, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 ARAB WORLD 3, 4 BUSINESS 1-12 Rota renovates school Beijing 17,733.19 11,911.31 48.73 INTERNATIONAL 5-16 CLASSIFIED 7 -117.85 -98.23 -0.46 ISLAM 17 SPORT 1-12 in Abu Hamour -0.66% -0.82% -0.94% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9793 July 24, 2015 Shawwal 8, 1436 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Call for UN In brief resolution to

REGION | Motoring Saudi Highway Patrol end Israeli guides motorist to safety Saudi Arabia Highway Patrol guided a motorist to safety after his vehicle raced to 220kph due to cruise control system malfunction. The Saudi citizen had set his car occupation on cruise control while driving on Riyadh-Taif road when the incident QNA military offi cials to infl ict such harm, a occurred, Arab News daily reports. New York fact also confi rmed by the testimonies The driver said all his attempts to of numerous Israeli soldiers instructed stop the car failed when it started to kill without mercy anyone they en- speeding on its own. He then ne year after Israel’s assault on countered in Gaza, man, woman or contacted the Highway Patrol who Gaza more than 110,000 people child,” Mansour said. cleared the traff ic and guided him Oremain homeless, 1,500 chil- Yet a year since the “horrifi c devas- to disable the system on phone. The dren are orphaned, Israel continues to tation mercilessly and deliberately in- motorist called automakers to fix obstruct rebuilding materials and yet fl icted” on Gaza by Israel, not a single this issue by installing an emergency no Israeli has been held accountable for Israeli offi cial or soldier has been held key in cars to cut off petrol, power the devastation, Palestine’s UN rep- accountable for these crimes, “com- or stop the engine. The report said resentative told the Security Council mitted so wantonly before the eyes of similar incidents of cruise control yesterday. the world,” he told the council. malfunctioning have happened in “The vast human and physical Mansour said that the Occupied the country earlier. wounds remain unhealed, and hopes West Bank also “continues to be rav- Relatives and onlookers gather on the bank of the Nile yesterday, north of Cairo, as the wreckage of a boat is pulled out of are rapidly fading for any relief from aged by Israel’s vicious settlement the water. this appalling injustice,” said Palestin- campaign, settler terror and repres- PAKISTAN | Weather ian ambassador Riyad Mansour. sion.” Entire communities are still Rains, landslides kill The UN Human Right’s Council being destroyed, such as in Khirbet Commission of Inquiry reported last Susiya, which is experiencing “forced nine in Kashmir month that Israel had killed 551 chil- displacement as extremist settlers and At least nine people have been dren and 299 women among the 2,251 illegal settlements further encroach on killed during five days of torrential Palestinians killed in the confl ict. their land and rights,” he said. rain and landslides in Pakistan- At least 18 dead as cargo Over 11,000 Palestinians were in- Mansour called on the Security administrated Kashmir, emergency jured, including 3,540 women and Council to support a French initiative off icials said yesterday. The deaths 3,436 children, the UN report said. to adopt a resolution that would end came as water channels swelled Some of the injuries are so severe that the Israeli occupation in two years and people were left trapped in ship hits Egypt party boat an estimated 10% of injured civilians and create a Palestinian state rec- landslides in four mountainous will suff er life-long disabilities, Man- ognised by Israel. A similar measure districts of Kashmir in Pakistan’s sour said. was defeated last year in the council, northeast. The latest casualties AFP vessels trawling the river looking for engagement. It was not clear whether The report “also found that Israel but the US, in its growing disputes bring the overall death toll from Cairo survivors. the couple were among the dead. persisted with its onslaught even after with Israel, has not guaranteed that this year’s monsoon floods to at A rescue diver emerged from the The captain has been detained for early knowledge of the high casualty it would veto the resolution as it has least 22, with over 200 buildings water empty handed as a crowd of on- four days along with three of his as- fi gures, indicating a deliberate decision with many resolutions critical of Is- washed away in the worst-aff ected cargo ship collided with a boat lookers and relatives of the passengers sistants on suspicion of manslaugh- on the part of Israeli government and rael in the past. north. Off icials said the death toll on the Nile carrying people cel- gathered on the river bank, an AFP re- ter, the offi cial MENA news agency and losses could increase because Aebrating an engagement, leav- porter said. reported. communication from the remote ing at least 18 dead, Egyptian police Rescue workers used a mechani- They are also suspected of having areas had been hampered due to said yesterday as divers searched for cal digger to raise the wreckage of the operated the ship without following heavy rains. missing passengers. party boat from the water. safety regulations, the agency report- The captain of the cargo boat and his “At around 8, 8:30pm, a big cargo ed. Qatargas denies Saudi assistants were arrested following the ship collided with the boat,” said The Nile, which runs along the EUROPE | Crisis accident late Wednesday in the Warraq Mostafa al-Soweissi, whose brother length of Egypt, is dotted with cargo Turkey to let US launch district north of Cairo, the authorities had captained the chartered vessel. ships, party boats and fishing ves- club’s sponsorship said. “After the collision we took fi sher- sels. air strikes against IS A police general on the scene said man boats and from 8:30 until now In 2011, at least 22 people drowned atargas has categorically de- targas logo. The images are appeared to Turkey has agreed to allow the US that 18 corpses had been retrieved. we took out around 19 bodies,” he in southern Egypt when a bus they nied speculations in news me- be false and the company spokesman military to launch air strikes against Police and medics had earlier said 21 said, refl ecting confusion over the ex- were in slipped into the Nile from Qdia and social media networks has denied that no sponsorship con- Islamic State militants from a US people were killed. act toll. a ferry which crashed into the river concerning its sponsorship of Al Hilal tract has been made with the club. air base in Incirlik, the Wall Street Five survivors were plucked from Ahmed Helmy, another relative of bank. football club in Saudi Arabia. “Qatargas is proud of the accom- Journal reported yesterday, citing the river but an unknown number were passengers, said at least fi ve of his A year before, fi ve people drowned “The company is not holding any plishments made by the Gulf and Arab defence off icials. Local media in still missing, the police general said. family members were killed in the ac- north of Cairo when their boat cap- discussion or talks with the club in this sports clubs; however, its corporate so- Turkey said an agreement was At least two children drowned, ac- cident. sized. regard and there is no basis for such ru- cial responsibility programme mostly finalised late on Wednesday, but cording to medical and security sourc- “Two children are missing,” he said. In the deadliest accident involv- mours,” Qatargas public relations man- covers health, safety, education and Reuters could not immediately es. Helmy accused emergency services ing a ferry, an Egyptian vessel sank in ager Azam Abdulaziz al-Mannai said. sports activities within Qatar,” a com- confirm the report. The White House Witnesses said fi shermen had been of arriving late, but a health ministry the Red Sea in 2006 killing more than The company is reiterating that there pany spokesman said. said President Barack Obama and fi rst on the scene at night to pull out offi cial told an Egyptian newspaper 1,000 people. is no negotiation going on in this regard As is the practice, the company Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan the corpses and survivors. that rescue eff orts had initially been The accident fuelled resentment and there have been no talks at all. would announce its signing of any spoke on Wednesday, but it declined The search was initially hampered hampered by the crowd. against the veteran strongman Hosni Many of the social media activists agreement or contract with other par- to say whether they had reached an by darkness but resumed after day- Family and friends of a young cou- Mubarak, who was toppled in a 2011 have spread, over the past few days, ties through the offi cial channels, he agreement on the air base. Page 10 break, with police and emergency ple had hired the boat to celebrate their popular uprising. images of Al Hilal jerseys bearing Qa- added. Astronomers discover most Earth-like planet yet

Reuters star as Earth is from the sun. At that 6bn years old, compared to the 4.6bn Cape Canaveral, Florida distance, surface temperatures would year age of the sun. be suitable for liquid water, a condition “It’s simply awe-inspiring to consid- believed to be critical for life. er that this planet has spent 6bn years planet remarkably similar to Scientists previously have found in the habitable zone of its star,” Jenkins Earth and potentially capable Earth-sized planets orbiting in stars’ said. Aof sustaining life has been dis- so-called “habitable zones”, but those “That’s considerable time and op- covered in a “habitable zone” around a stars are cooler and smaller than the portunity for life to arise somewhere on distant sun-like star, US scientists said sun. its surface or in its oceans should all the yesterday. Nasa launched the Kepler telescope necessary ingredients and conditions The planet, which is about 60% big- in 2009 to survey a sampling of nearby for life exist on this planet,” he added. ger than Earth, is located about 1,400 stars in an attempt to learn if planets With the discovery of Kepler-452b, light years away in the constellation like Earth were common in the galaxy. the telescope has found 1,030 con- Cygnus. It was discovered using Nasa’s “This is great progress in fi nding a fi rmed planets and identifi ed nearly Kepler space telescope and circles a star planet like Earth that is similar in size 5,000 candidate planets. The list of po- that is similar in size and temperature and temperature around a sun-like tential planets includes 11 other near- to the sun. star,” said Kepler scientist Jeff Cough- Earth twins, seven of which circle sun- “In my mind, this is the closest thing lin, with the SETI Institute in Mountain like stars. we have to another planet like the View, California. Attempts to learn if Kepler-452b has Earth,” astronomer Jon Jenkins, with Based on its size, scientists believe an atmosphere likely will have to wait the US space agency’s Ames Research Kepler-452b should be rocky, like the for a new generation of more sensitive Center in Moff ett Field, California, told Earth, though that theory is based on space telescopes, said Nasa’s associate reporters on a conference call. statistical analysis and computer mod- administrator John Grunsfeld. An artistic illustration compares Earth (left) to a planet beyond the solar system that is a close match to Earth, called Kepler-452b Dubbed Kepler-452b, the planet is elling, not direct evidence. The research will be published in The in this Nasa image released yesterday. The planet, which is about 60% bigger than Earth, is located about 1,400 light years away positioned about as far from its parent Kepler-452b’s parent star is about Astronomical Journal. in the constellation Cygnus, the scientists told a news conference yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 24, 2015 QATAR

Culture Minister Illegal rooftop construction arrives in Morocco

‘poses fi re threat’ in Najma QNA Rabat By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter E the Minister of Cul- ture, Arts and Heritage aphazard construction HDr Hamad bin Abdul on top of buildings and Aziz al-Kuwari yesterday arrived Hdumping of old, and in Morocco to attend the open- sometimes potentially hazard- ing of the 30th Asilah Cultural ous, goods in residential com- Festival, which will be organised pounds pose a serious safety this year under the patronage of threat, say residents of neigh- the King Mohamed of Morocco. bourhoods in Najma and sur- A number of Arab, African rounding areas. Asian and Latin American cul- Such phenomena, which are ture ministers will also attend common in these areas, could be the event. responsible for accidents such as At the festival’s opening cer- fi res, the residents argue. emony, Minister al-Kuwari will Recently, a fi re broke out in a deliver a speech to highlight cul- mixed-use complex housing 10 ture in the State of Qatar. fl ats and fi ve shops in Najma. Asilah Cultural Festival was Thanks to the timely and swift organised, for the fi rst time, in intervention of Civil Defence 1978 showing a selection of per- personnel, the fi re, which broke formances, exhibitions, work- out around midnight, was put shops and lectures. out quickly and prevented from spreading. Emir greets It was later learnt that some- one had dumped an old mattress sultan of Oman on a synthetic water tank on the ground fl oor of the premises. It Such unauthorised and haphazard construction is common in Najma. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin was suspected that someone had Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy hurled a cigarette butt or some vulnerable to fi res. The threat is unauthorised construction is Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad other infl ammable item on the greater in scorching conditions rampant. al-Thani and HE the Prime mattress and this led to the fi re. like the one experienced in the Dumping of old and discarded Minister and Minister of Interior The temperature was also “very country of late. furniture and other household Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin high” that night, said sources. While “sandwich panels” are appliances on rooftops is also a Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables The fi re was fi rst spotted by suitable for places with a cooler matter of grave concern, resi- of congratulations to Sultan a grocer in the neighbourhood climate, they are not the best op- dents said. Qaboos bin Said of Oman on the while he was closing his shop tion in this region due to the high In some cases repairmen anniversary of his accession to at the end of the day. He then temperatures, say experts. How- dump old materials on the the throne. raised an alarm and alerted the ever, many real estate contrac- rooftop as they don’t want to residents. tors prefer “sandwich panels” carry these items to the ground National Day Shopkeepers said portacabins here as they want to lower costs fl oor of multi-storey buildings made of cheap material could by using cheaper material. and safely dispose them. Some greetings often be seen on top of build- Another cause for concern is the times the residents themselves ings, particularly old ones, in the quality of electric wiring at many use the rooftop as a storehouse HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin area. Such practices pose a major places, particularly in the numer- to keep some of their old items, Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy threat to not only the buildings ous old buildings found along the hoping to retrieve them in future Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad where portacabins are installed lanes and alleys of Najma. if they needed it. al-Thani and HE the Prime but also to neighbouring houses Poor wiring has contributed “Whatever may be the rea- Minister and Minister of Interior and other establishments. to fi res on many occasions, it is son, such dumping of furniture Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Most of these portacabins, it understood. and other items on rooftops is a Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables is understood, are made of poor- The residents have urged the safety and health hazard which of congratulations to Egyptian quality crushed wood or “sand- Civil Defence authorities to con- must be certainly curbed,” resi- President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on wich panels”, both of which are duct raids on premises where dents said. From scrap yard to living quarters, these rooftops are used for a variety of purposes. his country’s National Day.

Rota renovates school in Abu Hamour Philippine school

s part of Reach Out To Asia’s (Rota) Ramadan to start classes for A2015 Project, exclusively sponsored by Occidental Petro- leum Corporation (OXY Qatar), local volunteers have been gen- displaced AIS pupils erously giving their time and eff ort to renovate the ‘Educa- tion For All’ (EFA) Preparatory By Peter Alagos handful of AIS students was dis- School in Abu Hamour, and Business Reporter tributed to the morning classes. improving the conditions of the However, many pre-school and classrooms. primary level students form the Rota, a member of Qatar he bulk of the transferees taking the Foundation for Education, Sci- Phil- afternoon schedule, he added. ence and Community Devel- Tip- Acosta said two classes were opment (QF), supports QF’s pine School created for Kindergarten 2, one mission to unlock the poten- Doha (PSD) class each for Grade 1 and Grade tial of youth leaders to build will start 3, and another two classes for strong, sustainable communi- afternoon Grade 2. ties. Its pioneering Ramadan classes Also, Acosta said PSD did not initiative aims to raise local from Sun- hire new faculty. Instead, the awareness of the value of vol- day for Dr Alex Acosta management gave extra loads to unteerism and community around 150 teachers assigned in the after- service, and is aligned with the students who were displaced by noon and will be paid overtime. Human and Social Develop- the closure of the Asian Inte- “Offi cially, our teachers only ment Pillars of the Qatar Na- grated School (AIS) earlier this work until 3pm. Also, teachers tional Vision 2030. month. holding two advisory classes are PSD principal Dr Alex Acosta paid twice and will also be paid “We are very grateful said the management has com- for the extra loads and overtime,” to Rota and its team of pleted preparations to accom- he explained. volunteers who gave modate the students after the But Acosta said the afternoon their time to breathe new Supreme Education Council classes “will be in full blast” life into our school and (SEC) gave PSD the clearance to by next year, adding that PSD classrooms” start afternoon classes. would be hiring more teachers “The school, particularly the next year in anticipation of the Rota’s mission is to empower faculty, is now ready to teach increase in the number of stu- local communities, both here these students. All the necessary dents and continuation of the in Qatar and internationally, preparations have been com- afternoon schedule. by providing access to qual- pleted, including the schedules Earlier, Acosta said the PSD ity education for those most in Volunteers at work at the EFA school . to be observed in the afternoon,” management was expecting as need. Over 100 Rota volunteers Acosta told Gulf Times yesterday. many as 200 transferees from worked for six days at the EFA we have a solid foundation for children the education they de- Last month, Acosta said SEC AIS but only around 150 were Preparatory School renovating achieving our National Vision serve and inspire them to be the offi cials visited the PSD cam- able to enrol with the school. four classrooms, which includ- and becoming a prosperous best they can be. Now our school pus for inspection. Shortly after, According to the school offi - ed cleaning, scraping, painting, knowledge-based economy.” is somewhere they can enjoy be- he said the school was given the cial, some parents had sent their and assembling and installing Rota chose the EFA Prepara- ing and growing in.” clearance to proceed with the af- children back home to the Phil- furniture. tory School for the Ramadan In the past few weeks, Rota ternoon classes. Initially, Acosta ippines, while others were able Essa al-Mannai, Rota’s ex- 2015 Project school renovation has also successfully executed said the tentative date for the start to enrol them in other interna- ecutive director, said: “Class- activity after its ICT for Edu- a full calendar of volunteering of new class schedules was July 19. tional schools in Qatar. room’s are the heart of a child’s cation Department donated a activities, including distribut- But on July 17, all PSD students Jason Iyas, the principal of the education, and without a safe, number of computers to the ing bulk food items to families observed Eid holidays with a Philippine International School clean, and welcoming place to school last year. The Bang- in need, community Iftars with week-long vacation starting July Qatar (PISQ), also told Gulf learn, we cannot expect chil- ladesh MHM School & Col- labourers, and Garangao events 19. Regular class hours, includ- Times earlier that PISQ also co- dren to make the most of their lege was renovated last year as with children in diff erent hos- ing the new afternoon schedule, ordinated with SEC offi cials for time at school. This school ren- part of Rota’s Ramadan 2014 pitals. will be followed starting July 26. the acceptance of AIS transfer- ovation is just one of the many Project’s school renovations ac- The Ramadan 2015 Project Acosta said the afternoon ees. local projects Rota undertakes tivity last year. was made possible through the classes will be held from 12noon The transition to PISQ was to ensure young people are get- Usma Paracha, principal of the generous fi nancial sponsorship to 4:30pm, with 90% of the also made possible through the ting the best possible education EFA Preparatory School, said: from OXY Qatar and the invalu- students coming from AIS. A assistance of AIS parent-teacher they can, allowing them to go “We are very grateful to Rota and able support of Rota’s incred- small portion of the students ac- association president Joseph on to be fulfi lled and produc- its team of volunteers who gave ible volunteers, ensuring their cepted in the afternoon classes Rivera, Iyas said. Earlier this tive members of our society. their time to breathe new life contributions continue to reach were those who were included in month, Iyas said PISQ held a With a generation of well-ed- into our school and classrooms. those most in need during Ra- Over 100 Rota volunteers worked for six days at the EFA PSD’s waiting list. week-long “priority enrolment” ucated and passionate children, With their help we can give our madan. Preparatory School. The principal said only a for AIS students. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Rouhani New home assures critics on ‘good deal’

Reuters Iran denies the nuclear programme Dubai aims to produce weapons. The Revolutionary Guards have made it clear they will not permit any inspec- resident Hassan Rouhani defended tion of their military sites, and will not Iran’s nuclear deal with world pow- bow to any restriction on Iran’s missile Pers after it came under attack from programme. conservatives at home, arguing yesterday European Union foreign aff airs chief it refl ected the nation’s will and was “more Federica Mogherini, who helped to bro- valuable” than carping over the details. ker the agreement, will visit Riyadh and While many Iranians hope last week’s Tehran next week. agreement will bring an end to sanctions In Riyadh, Mogherini will meet Jubeir and deliver prosperity, the elite Revolu- to discuss “regional issues” following tionary Guards military force and con- the Vienna deal, an EU statement said. servative lawmakers have said it endan- Chiding critics of the accord, Rouhani gers the country’s security. said he had noted some Iranian offi cials Seven-month-old lion cubs Mona and Alex play with a keeper inside their enclosure after their arrival in Amman yesterday. The two cubs, rescued from “This is a new page in history,” Rou- were “scrutinising one by one the terms Gaza earlier in the month, have found a new home at a wildlife sanctuary in Jordan. The seven-month-old cubs were removed from the Gaza home of a hani said in a speech broadcast live on of the deal” and a subsequent resolu- Palestinian refugee, according to Mahdi Quatrameez, the chief executive off icer of the Amman-based Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife. television, reiterating that the deal had tion endorsing it which the UN Security launched a phase of reconciliation with Council passed on Monday. the outside world. “That’s good but what has happened Pinning his authority to the fate of the is more valuable and more signifi cant agreement, Rouhani added that this new than that,” he said. era had not begun when it was reached in “The agreement conveyed this mes- Vienna on July 14 but rather on August sage to the world: Never threaten an Ira- Saudi Arabia downplays Hamas pilgrimage 4, 2013, the day Iranians elected him to nian anymore. This agreement sent the solve the nuclear dispute. message to the world that the most dif- The deal imposes curbs on Iran’s nu- fi cult and complex international issues AFP Hamas to the kingdom,” Foreign and off ered Eid greetings to the king,” (Palestinian) Authority and Egypt’s clear programme in return for an easing can be resolved through negotiations. Riyadh Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a joint Jubeir said. “There were no meetings.” eff orts to preserve stability and secu- of the international sanctions which Iran’s path is a path of moderation.” news conference with his Egyptian Saudi Arabia is a strong supporter rity,” Jubeir said, referring to “some have badly hurt its economy. Many analysts see the chance of the counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. of the Palestinian Authority, which exaggeration” about the visit. Iranian conservatives are not the only Iranian leadership eventually rejecting audi Arabia yesterday played The offi cial Saudi Press Agency governs the West Bank, and of Egypt’s Hamas said in a statement last group unhappy with it. the accord as small, since Tehran needs down the signifi cance of a visit had reported last Saturday on the rare government, both of which are at weekend that the delegation, includ- In the US, Republicans who control the lifting of sanctions to help its iso- Sby Hamas leaders, saying it Hamas visit. “A group from Hamas, odds with the Hamas rulers of the ing Mishal’s deputy Mussa Abu Mar- Congress have also lined up against the lated economy. was only a religious pilgrimage and including (politburo chief) Khalid Gaza Strip. zuk, met Crown Prince Mohamed bin agreement, although President Barack Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Riyadh’s position on the Palestinian Mishal... visited Makkah for Umrah “The position of the kingdom to- Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mo- Obama says he will veto any congres- Mohamed Reza Nematzadeh outlined Islamist movement was unchanged. (the lesser pilgrimage). They per- wards Hamas has not changed, nor its hamed bin Salman, the king’s son and sional objection. The Republican speak- plans to rebuild its main industries “There was no (political) visit by formed the Eid (holiday) prayers there positions concerning supporting the defence minister. er of the House of Representatives, John and trade relationships following the Boehner, has promised to do “everything deal, saying it was targeting oil and gas possible” to stop the deal. projects worth $185bn by 2020. Iran arrests protesting teachers: activists US Senator Ben Cardin, the top Dem- Sanctions are unlikely to be removed ocrat on the Senate Foreign Relations until next year, as nuclear inspectors ore than 200 teachers roamed the streets and there was Committee, said yesterday he had not must confi rm that Iran is complying Amnesty condemns Tehran’s were arrested late on a heavy security presence in yet decided how to vote on the agree- with the deal. MWednesday during a metro stations, the group of Ira- ment, although he acknowledged that The Iranian debate over the deal’s de- protest outside the parliament in nian pro-democracy activists in US negotiators had “got an awful lot”. tails largely refl ects internal rivalries in ‘staggering execution spree’ Tehran demanding the release of exile said in a statement. US Secretary of State John Kerry also the country’s cumbersome dual system their colleagues from jail, an ac- “The number of those arrested in has the task of selling the agreement to of clerical and republican rule, in which tivist group in exile said. today’s teachers’ protest gathering sceptical US allies in the region. factions jostle to gain maximum benefi t AFP Programme, said the spike “paints a sin- In Tehran, interior ministry in Tehran has reached 200,” it said. Israel is strongly opposed while from the deal while shouldering the least London ister picture of the machinery of the state spokesman Hossein Ali Amiri told “The suppressive forces em- Washington’s Arab allies, led by Saudi responsibility. carrying out premeditated, judicially- Iranian media that the gathering ployed provisions to disperse the Arabia, are wary of an arrangement that Iran’s procedures for ratifying the ac- sanctioned killings on a mass scale”. had been dispersed and a number teachers, including by conduct- would benefi t their rival, Shia Iran. cord are not known in any detail. What- mnesty International yester- Amnesty said the surge “reveals just of people had been detained. ing attacks on the gathering... In Jeddah, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel ever the eventual role of parliament or day protested at what it called a how out of step Iran is with the rest of “They arrested some of them for However, the freedom-loving al-Jubeir told reporters that his country the National Security Council, the deal A“staggering execution spree” in the world when it comes to the use of the some hours and gave them lunch teachers fought (them) off to hoped the deal would curb rather than will have to be approved by Khamenei, Iran so far this year that has seen almost death penalty”. and then freed them,” he said, add- again form their gathering.” expand “Iran’s interference in the re- the country’s highest authority. 700 people put to death. For its part, Human Rights Watch ing that “three or four who wanted Protesters had gathered de- gion’s aff airs”. Foreign Minister and chief nuclear “Iranian authorities are believed to has accused Saudi authorities of wag- to turn the gathering into a security manding the release of political “We hope that Iran will make use of negotiator, Mohamed Javad Zarif, at- have executed an astonishing 694 peo- ing a “campaign of death” by executing issue” were still in detention. activists such as Esmael Abdi, the the deal’s fruits to re-build their country tended parliament on Tuesday to deliver ple between January 1 and July 15, 2015,” over 100 people in the fi rst six months The Paris-based National head of the teachers’ union, who and to improve their people’s quality of the text of the deal and answer MPs’ said the London-based rights group, in of 2015, more than during the whole of Council of Resistance of Iran are “imprisoned for their defence living, not to use it to conduct more sub- questions. what it termed an unprecedented spike. last year. (NCRI) said authorities launched of teachers’ rights,” the group said. version in the region.” Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to “At this shocking pace, Iran is set to But unlike in Saudi Arabia, executions a crackdown after more than The NCRI is a coalition of Ira- Jubeir added that any agreement Khamenei, said on Wednesday he did surpass the total number of executions in the Islamic republic “did not even 2,000 teachers from across Iran nian opposition groups, includ- should guarantee Iran’s inability to get not know which person or body would in the country” recorded by Amnesty for stop during the Muslim holy month of gathered outside parliament ing the popular People’s Mojahe- nuclear weapons and allow inspection have the fi nal say on the deal but added: the whole of 2014. Ramadan”, when at least four people carrying placards and chanting din Organization of Iran which of “all locations including the military “It seems the National Security Council Said Boumedouha, deputy head of were put to death “in a departure from “Free those arrested”. was struck off the US blacklist of locations”. has been assigned to examine the deal”. Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa established practice”, Amnesty said. Anti-riot police on motorbikes designated terror groups in 2012. Rockets strike Aden airport day after reopening

AFP dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Aden backed by Saudi-led coalition warplanes, pushed the rebels and pro-Saleh troops out of most of den’s international air- Aden last week. port, a vital aid supply Aden airport was among the Aartery for war-torn south fi rst areas to be recaptured by the Yemen, came under rocket fi re loyalists, who are benefi ting from yesterday, a day after it reopened the support of forces trained and following nearly four months of equipped by the coalition. fi erce fi ghting. A Saudi military plane carry- Katyusha rockets were fi red ing aid touched down Wednes- at the facility as a Saudi military day in what offi cials said was plane was delivering 20 tonnes of the start of an airlift aimed at humanitarian aid, offi cials said. helping the more than 21.1mn Three rockets hit close to the Yemenis in need of humanitar- landing strip as the cargo plane, ian assistance. the second to land at Aden since Loyalists set up checkpoints Wednesday, was still on the tar- on access routes to the airport mac, airport security chief Ab- after the rocket attacks, wit- dullah Qaed told AFP. nesses and military sources said, Qaed accused Shia Houthi while the Arab coalition carried rebels of attacking the plane, out a string of air raids on rebel adding that a further volley of positions north of Aden. seven rockets struck around the Taking advantage of the rela- airport once the aircraft had tak- tive calm, a boat chartered by en off again. the International Committee of “These Katyusha rockets were the Red Cross and loaded with fi red by the Houthis and fi ghters humanitarian aid docked yes- of Ali Abdullah Saleh,” Yemen’s terday. former leader, he said. Pro-Hadi fi ghters east of Most of the rockets struck Aden, meanwhile, drove back ground around the airport, caus- rebels to Al-Alam region, 15km ing minimal damage, and two from the city limits, military crashed on a nearby road, offi - sources said, killing at least three cials and residents said. insurgents, including a chief, Workers unload bags of food from a UN’s World Food Programme ship that docked yesterday in Yemen’s devastated port city of Aden. Forces loyal to exiled Presi- Abu Yahia al-Huthi. Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 24, 2015 ARAB WORLD Carter vows help to Iraq in anti-IS campaign

AFP 9,000 soldiers, but they had not Baghdad seen frontline action until a fi rst batch of 3,000 recently joined the Ramadi battle, Warren said. entagon chief Ashton “This is a development we are Carter said during his fi rst very satisfi ed to hear,” he said in Pvisit to Baghdad yester- Baghdad. day that the US was willing to do Several hundred US troops are more to help Iraq defeat the Is- also helping Iraqi forces train lamic State group. local Sunni Arab tribesmen at But the defence secretary said a large base in Habbaniyah, be- the off er was conditional on Iraqi tween Ramadi and the militants’ forces shaping up after the deba- other Anbar bastion of Fallujah. cles that has seen them lose large Warren said 1,800 tribal fi ght- cities such as Mosul, Tikrit and ers had already received training Ramadi. and equipment. “We are willing to do more... But Anbar tribal leaders want when and if (the Iraqis) develop more from Washington. capable, motivated forces of “The coalition’s support to their own that can take and re- Anbar and its sheikhs is weak on tain territory,” he said as he met all levels, mainly the humanitar- some of the 3,500 US military ian level... and the security level trainers and advisers in Iraq. when it comes to support for the His visit came as Iraqi troops, tribes in liberating their areas,” some of which were trained by Rafi a al-Fahdawi, a tribal leader the US, tightened the noose on IS whose forces have been fi ghting in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar alongside the government. province which the government US offi cials criticised the per- lost in May. formance of the army in the af- On his fi rst visit since taking termath of the fall of Ramadi. Palestinian mourners wave the Hamas and Fatah party flags as they attend the funeral procession of Falah Abu Maria in the village of Beit Omar, near the southern city of Hebron. offi ce earlier this year, Carter met Carter’s comment yesterday Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi signalled a reluctance to further and his counterpart, Khaled al- ramp up support if Iraq’s lead- Obeidi. ers failed to reform what has He also met a number of top been described as a “checkpoint Sunni politicians, including of- army” into a leaner and more ef- fi cials from the regions most af- fective professional force. fected by the massive onslaught Washington is also concerned the extremist Sunni IS launched the army will end up playing Palestinian man shot in June 2014. second fi ddle to the Hashed al- Government and allied forces Shaabi, an umbrella for Iranian- recaptured Tikrit in April but backed Shia militias whose fi ght- any attempt to take back Mosul, ers have shown determination the capital of Nineveh and the and often played a lead role in the largest city in the “caliphate” IS fi ghtback. proclaimed over parts of Iraq and Tehran is Baghdad’s other dead in Israeli raid Syria last year, has been put on main partner in the fi ght against the back burner. IS but is not part of the coalition. AFP “We didn’t do anything to a violent mob who hurled rocks hospital in Jenin, according to a territories, and the Hamas and The government has instead The army, backed by Washing- Ramallah them. He went out onto the bal- and bricks at them,” she said. Palestinian medic. Islamic Jihad militant groups focused on Anbar, the vast west- ton, wants to take back Ramadi cony calling for an ambulance, “The forces responded with fi re Separately, Israeli forces hinted at revenge after Thurs- ern province that stretches from fi rst, but the Hashed al-Shaabi and they opened fi re on him... towards the main instigator.” yesterday raided a residential day’s death. the Syrian, Saudi and Jordan has made Fallujah, the other sraeli troops shot dead a Pal- and killed him,” she said. A soldier was “slightly in- building in the northern West “We hold the Zionist occupa- borders all the way to the out- main city in Anbar, its priority. estinian during an arrest raid The hospital said 24-year-old jured” by a stone, she said. Bank city of Nablus, where tion’s forces totally responsi- skirts of Baghdad. After initially expanding in Iyesterday in the occupied Mohamed was being treated for Falah Abu Maria was buried in according to Palestinian wit- ble for the killing of the martyr US-led coalition aircraft, the wake of its proclamation of West Bank, a hospital offi cial a gunshot wound to the pelvis. his village, where stone-throw- nesses they shot and then ar- Falah Abu Maria in cold blood,” which have carried out thou- a “caliphate” over parts of Iraq said, with heavy clashes break- The Israeli army said troops ing youths clashed with the rested Mustafa Abu Riyala, they said in a joint statement. sands of strikes in Iraq and Syria and Syria last summer, the group ing out after the funeral. faced attacks with bricks and army afterwards. sparking clashes. “The two movements stress during the past year, have lately led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has It was the second killing in 24 stones during the operation One Palestinian fi red a rifl e at An army spokeswoman said our people’s right to self-de- been hitting dozens of targets in seen the internationally sup- hours of a Palestinian during an to arrest Mohamed, who was the forces, an AFP correspond- he had been involved in a shoot- fence and to a response to the Anbar every week. ported Iraqi fi ghtback roll back arrest operation, and came amid wanted on suspicion of unspeci- ent said. ing attacks against the army, and crimes of the occupation, by all “Iraqi security forces are in the its borders. weeks of low-level violence. fi ed security off ences. The army said petrol bombs was being held in custody by the possible and available means.” process of encircling” Ramadi, The militants are also under Falah Abu Maria, 50, was shot “Forces were attacked by a vi- were also thrown, and soldiers Palestinian Authority, but con- The shootings came after said Pentagon spokesman Colo- pressure in Syria, where they in the chest at his home in Beit olent mob” as they tried to detain responded with rubber bullets. stantly violating the terms of his weeks of violence in the Pal- nel Steve Warren, who is travel- have lost several key areas along Omar village near the southern him, an army spokeswoman said. There were no reports of cas- custody. estinian territories, and amid ling with Carter. the border with Turkey. city of Hebron, neighbours said. One man attacked a soldier, ualties. Abu Riyala, in his mid-20s, regular Israeli arrest operations. He put the number of militant Observers have warned that as He had run to the upstairs who in response shot him in a The incident was similar to one was shot while attempting to es- The deaths “aim to undermine fi ghters defending the city at military pressure on IS mounts, balcony to call for an ambu- lower limb. The wounded man on Wednesday near the northern cape his arrest, she said. stability and to create a climate 1,000 to 2,000. the group could revert to its old lance after his son Mohamed was taken to hospital, she said. West Bank city of Jenin, where Israeli authorities say the ar- of tension in the region,” offi cial He would not say when he tactics of hit-and-run attacks was wounded while being ar- She could not confi rm his troops shot dead Mohamed rest raids are necessary to detain Palestinian news agency Wafa thought a drive to wrest the city and car bombs. rested by the army, wife Fayqa identity but acknowledged the Alawneh, 22, in clashes that fol- suspects and that troops can quoted President Mahmoud Ab- from IS might be launched in It claimed one of the biggest told AFP. wanted suspect was not taken lowed raids and searches at sev- face dangerous rioting during bas’s spokesman as saying. earnest but said it should be a suicide car bomb attacks in Iraq’s Troops then “killed him in cold into custody. eral houses in the village of Birqin. the operations. “Stop creating this damaging matter of “weeks”. bloody history last week and a blood, and without him having “As the forces left the scene, Alawneh was shot in the chest Palestinians, however, con- climate immediately,” he added, Since their deployment, US string of deadly blasts in the cap- given any resistance,” she said. they were attacked once again by and died shortly after arriving at demn the raids in the occupied referring to Israel. military advisers have trained ital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Syrian rebels launch Militancy weighs on Morocco’s vital tourism industry new assault on Daraa By Aziz El Yaakoubi, Reuters Haddad told Reuters it was too early to Rabat give fi gures on the overall impact from Tunisia. “We have not seen at the mo- AFP According to the Britain- ment massive cancellations, but we will Beirut based Observatory, six rebels - rench tourist Margot Benet thought see clearer in the coming weeks.” including two group command- twice before boarding her plane However, Morocco’s tourism has al- ers - have been killed so far. Fbound for Morocco’s legendary city ready suff ered over the past year since ebels that include Al Qae- Opposition groups already of Marrakesh. It was just days after an Is- the beheading in Algeria of a French tour- da’s Syrian affi liate have control parts of the city and lamist militant gunman killed 38 tourists ist by Islamist militants in September, Rannounced a fi erce off en- about 70% of the province of the in neighbouring Tunisia. the deadly Islamist attack on the French sive on the major southern city same name, which borders Jor- After she and her husband and two satirical journal Charlie Hebdo in Paris of Daraa, saying their aim was to dan. young children spent nearly a week in in January, and the massacre at Tunis’s “purify” the area. Yesterday’s off ensive appears Marrakesh, the capital Rabat and other Bardo museum in March. Operation “Storm of Truth” to be a continuation of an assault Moroccan towns without incident, she Tourism receipts in Morocco slumped by was announced on Twitter by in June, launched by the same reckons she made the right decision. 6.6% in the fi rst half of 2015 to 24bn dirhams the Southern Front, an alliance groups but dubbed “Southern But other would-be visitors may not ($2.45bn), down from 26.13bn dirhams in of rebel groups, “to purify the Storm.” be as convinced that Morocco’s beaches, the corresponding period last year. province of Daraa from the fi lth That round of fi ghting left at mountains and historic sites are safe from North Africa is seen as vulnerable to of the gangs of (President Bashar least 60 rebels, 18 loyalists and 11 militant attacks following the Tunisia militant violence given that thousands of al-) Assad.” civilians dead. beach massacre in June. Tourists walk around the Argana restaurant (background) at Marrakesh’s famous young men, especially from Morocco and Al Qaeda affi liate Al Nusra Syria’s regime has already lost Morocco’s safety record is among the Jemma el-Fnaa square. Tunisia, now fi ght with militant forces in Front and other Islamist militias two provincial capitals - Idlib best in North Africa but its tourism pro- Iraq and Syria, with some threatening to are taking part in the fi ghting, in the northwest, which is held fessionals cite signs of a signifi cant drop three months - the Bardo museum in Tu- elsewhere has been defi nitely aff ecting stage attacks upon their return home. said Syrian Observatory for Hu- a rebel alliance including Al- in bookings since the Tunisia attack. nis in March, where 20 foreign tourists Morocco,” said Omar Kabbaj, president Morocco has put security services on man Rights director Rami Abdel Nusra, and Raqa in the Euphrates They fear tourists do not diff erentiate be- were killed, and the Sousse beach resort of Interedec Maroc which owns four of high alert since July 2014 and often an- Rahman. valley, which is held by the Is- tween countries in the region. in June, where most of the victims were the biggest hotels in the North African nounces it has broken up Islamist mili- “The violent attack began this lamic State group. “Mainly with children, that feeling Britons. kingdom including the Hyatt Regency in tant cells accused of plotting inside and morning on regime-held parts of Separately yesterday, intense of putting them in danger was awful,” As in Tunisia, Morocco’s tourism is a Casablanca. outside the kingdom. Daraa city, with both sides ex- clashes between troops and IS Benet’s husband Olivier said as the family major and vital source of hard-currency “We estimate the drop in bookings It has suff ered many attacks by sus- changing shellfi re,” he told AFP fi ghters in the northern Aleppo visited the ancient Hassan mosque in Ra- reserves and jobs that shore up the econ- since the Sousse beach attack at 30%, but pected militants although the last was yesterday. province left at least 12 govern- bat. “But terrorism can strike everywhere omy. we are talking only about French tour- four years ago in Marrakesh when an Is- “The groups are attacking ment forces and one militant including in European countries.” “We have got many cancellations since ist reservations. (It’s) too early to know lamist bomber blew apart a popular tour- government positions in north- dead. Before they came, the Benets had a the latest attack in Tunisia and even about the other nationalities.” ist cafe, killing 15 people. ern parts of the city, but they The government fi ghters were long debate about safety in Morocco with worse, we don’t have any visibility as to French tourists account for more than “Obviously security has become very haven’t seized buildings yet,” able to retake a strategic hilltop their tour operator, relatives and friends - the next three months,” Farid Kerdad, 40% of the 10mn tourists Morocco at- important in the choice of a destination Abdel Rahman said. northeast of Aleppo city, the Ob- refl ecting wider apprehension that other owner and manager of Riad Al Maati in tracts annually. Tourism industry re- and our security services have been work- Regime aircraft have con- servatory said. parts of North Africa frequented by tour- the medina (ancient quarter) of Rabat. ceipts hover around $6bn per year, or ing scrupulously to protect tourists and ducted at least 21 air raids and At least 230,000 people have ists may be targeted by Islamist radicals. Riads are traditional Moroccan dwellings around 6% of the country’s gross domes- Moroccan nationals,” Haddad said. “A dropped 32 barrel bombs on rebel been killed since Syria’s confl ict Tunisia’s tourist industry has been later converted into hotels. tic product. security system has been also deployed to positions. erupted in Daraa in 2011. hammered by two militant assaults in “What is happening in Tunisia and Moroccan Tourism Minister Lahcen protect strategic and tourist sites.” Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 5 AFRICA

Burundi security fi red on protesters to punish them: NGO Kenyans get ready

AFP Ban: Burundi vote Nairobi ‘broadly peaceful’ UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urundian security forces urged calm and a political to welcome Obama crushed anti-govern- dialogue in Burundi after Bment demonstrations, controversial presidential elec- DPA including shooting protesters tions held against a backdrop Nairobi running away from them, to of violence and international silence those opposed to Presi- condemnation. dent Pierre Nkurunziza bid for Ban took “note of the broadly enyans were preparing a third-term, a rights group peaceful conduct of polling yesterday to welcome US said yesterday. in the Burundian presidential KPresident Barack Obama, “Burundian authorities elections” on Tuesday, his while his Kenyan relatives said sought not just to disperse spokesman said. they would travel to Nairobi to demonstrations, but to pun- “He calls on all parties to meet him during his visit. ish protesters for expressing continue to remain calm Obama is due to arrive today their political views,” Amnesty and immediately resume an for his fi rst visit to Kenya since he International said in a report, inclusive political dialogue to became president in 2009. titled Braving Bullets. resolve their diff erences and The visit begins tomorrow and “They used excessive and address the challenges facing ends on Sunday. disproportionate force, in- the country.” The US embassy has an- cluding lethal force, against nounced that Obama will not protesters, at times shooting have time to travel to Kogelo, the unarmed protesters running part of an insurrection was village about 300km northwest Kenyan women pose for a photograph in front of a painted artwork away from them,” added the counter-productive and esca- of Nairobi where his late father depicting Obama yesterday at the Pre-Global Entrepreneurship report released in the Kenyan lated protests rather than de- came from. Summit in Nairobi. A man rides a bicycle and a trailer with messages reading ‘Welcome capital Nairobi. fusing them,” the report added. Obama’s step-grandmother (to) Kenya, Obama’ in Nairobi yesterday. Results from Tuesday’s It did however note that Sarah Obama said that she un- “I am insisting. On behalf of A large banner wished the US presidential polls, which were some protesters were also vio- derstood that the president had a the village and the people of Ko- president “karibu” – welcome – Below: Police off icers patrol along a street in Nairobi. condemned as illegitimate by lent, including killing a pro- busy schedule. gelo,” she added. on a road leading to the city cen- the international community government supporter. “It would be selfi sh to insist About 10,000 police offi cers tre. after sparking months of dead- The 51-year-old president that President Obama visits” Ko- were meanwhile being deployed “We want our son back,” ly violence that forced tens of – a former rebel, born-again gelo, the 93-year-old told DPA in in Nairobi, the Standard newspa- newspaper seller Henry Ombogo thousands to fl ee the country, Christian and football fanatic the village on Wednesday. per reported. said, showing front pages with are expected today. – faced no serious competi- “He is a world leader,” she said, The US navy was on standby in pictures of Obama. “Right now Anti-Nkurunziza protests tion in the polls, but critics say and the Global Entrepreneurship the Indian Ocean, while the air- there is power here. You can feel have been violently repressed, a win by the incumbent will be Summit he will attend “is of so space was heavily monitored by the power.” leaving at least 100 people a hollow victory, leaving him much signifi cance to him”. the US military, according to the Obama’s visit will “place Ken- dead since late April. ruling over a deeply divided “It wouldn’t be a good sign report. ya on the map”, said Ciku Cushny, In mid-May, rebel generals nation. for him” to neglect business and Kenya and the US are espe- who helps startup entrepreneurs also attempted to overthrow UN electoral observers – other leaders in order to come to cially concerned about possible fi nd investors and who will at- Nkurunziza in a coup, although some of the few international Kogelo, Sarah Obama said. attacks by Shebaab, which has tend the Global Entrepreneur- this failed and they have since monitors in Tuesday’s poll – But a family source said there targeted Kenya over its military ship Summit. launched a rebellion in the said that parliamentary elec- were plans for Sarah and other support to the Somali govern- But not everyone was happy. restrictions prevented them from seen by many as opposing the north of the country. tions on May 29 took place in family members to meet Obama ment in its fi ght against the Is- The embellishment of the city going shopping during the presi- candidacy of Uhuru Kenyatta But Amnesty said that secu- a “climate of widespread fear in Nairobi. lamist group. was “short-term cosmetics”, said dential visit. because of the charges he was rity forces had treated all pro- and intimidation”. Sarah said that in spite of the In Nairobi, roads and street Carol Wanjira, adding that grass Obama is offi cially coming for facing over 2007 post-election testers as part of a rebellion, The government has dis- president’s many commitments, lights have been repaired and had been planted only 72 hours the entrepreneurial summit. violence at the International worsening the situation. missed criticism of the poll af- she was still hoping to persuade fl owers planted, while some before Obama was due to land at But his visit is also expected to Criminal Court. “Treating largely peace- ter the US, EU and former co- him to visit the graves of his fa- buildings were still receiving the airport. relaunch the bilateral relation- Kenyatta won the election and ful demonstrators and entire lonial power Belgium said the ther and grandfather, even for a fresh coat of paint ahead of Several residents said they had ship, frosty since the 2013 elec- the charges against him were residential areas as if they were elections were not credible. just a few hours. Obama’s visit. stocked up on food in case traffi c tions, when Washington was dropped in December. Anger as South African airline lifts ban on hunting trophies

AFP Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). But the environment minister said Johannesburg “SAA has gone from being bold to the ban had failed to distinguish be- being bullied in three short months,” tween legally hunted animals and IFAW Southern Africa director Jason those that were poached – or that nimal welfare activists decried Bell said in a statement. South Africa’s hunting industry was yesterday a decision by South He said the carrier had given in to an important revenue sector. AAfrica’s national air carrier to pressure “at a time when rhino poach- “Penalising an entire industry for reverse a ban on the transportation of ing is completely out of control and the the illegal actions of the few is not in hunting trophies. (environment ministry) is simply not the country’s best interests,” Minister South African Airways (SAA) intro- making any headway in stopping it”. Edna Molewa said in a statement. duced the ban in April after being fi ned South Africa has been battling a The Professional Hunters Asso- by the local aviation authority for a boom in rhino poaching since 2007. ciation of South Africa welcomed trophy shipment that made its way to “It’s disappointing that SAA has the move, saying there was “a clear Australia under the label “mechanical broken ranks with forward thinking distinction between illegal wildlife equipment”. world airlines ... who have committed products, such as poached rhino horn But the airline said on Wednesday themselves to stopping illegal traffi ck- or ivory, and legitimate hunting tro- that it was satisfi ed with new compli- ing by not transporting trophies,” Bell phies.” ance measures and lifted the ban – a said. IFAW estimates the illegal wildlife move welcomed by professional hunt- The embargo had applied to rhino, trade to be worth $19bn (€17bn) a year ers, but slammed by the International elephant, lion and tiger trophies. worldwide.

Gambian rapper seeks asylum in Senegal

Reuters whereabouts,” he told journalists. in civil liberties in Gambia this year Dakar Asked about the threats, Informa- since a failed coup plot in December tion Minister Sheriff Bojang said: “The that sought to overthrow long-ruling government of the Gambia does not President Yahya Jammeh. Gambian rapper who recorded respond to such trivial matters.” The government denies this and says a song accusing authorities of Cham said he fl ed across the border it has made progress on press freedom Agrowing repression and extra- to Senegal in July along with his family and legal due process. judicial killings said yesterday that he and management members. Djibril Balde from New York-based had fl ed the West African country after He is now applying for asylum while rights group International Refugee receiving death threats. recording more songs for his album Rights Initiative says that at least 50 Rapper Ali Cham, known by stage Lyrical Revolution. Gambians have asked for assistance name “Killa Ace”, said his family began “A full entire country and they say with asylum requests in Senegal this receiving inquiries about his wherea- no one is allowed to speak. Not the year, a fi gure which already exceeds bouts from Gambia’s National Intelli- imam, not the nation, not the jour- 2014, and represents a small portion of gence Agency (NIA) on June 23, the day nalist? Why?” says the song Ku Boka the total migrants. of his new song’s release. C Geta G, which means roughly “all Many of them are fl eeing persecu- “My wife and I, and my manager those with the cattle herd deserve tion under a law passed in October incessantly received death threats milk” in Wolof. 2014 of “aggravated homosexuality”, and calls from the NIA demanding my Rights groups report a deterioration he added.

Zimbabwe lawmaker waves used underwear in parliament

A Zimbabwean lawmaker held up a pair of used female “Before I answer this important question, I believe the underwear in parliament during a televised debate as she honourable member should have not gone that far to make sought to highlight the plight of poor women unable to aff ord her point,” he said. “Anyway, I will see if I cannot make an new garments. intervention during my mid-term policy statement next Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, of the opposition Movement week.” for Democratic Change (MDC), produced a plastic bag and Misihairabwi-Mushonga was later ejected from the chamber took out two samples during a ministerial questions session for confronting a ruling ZANU-PF lawmaker whom she on Wednesday. accused of making sexist remarks during her presentation. “I would like to ask the minister of finance, what is the Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downturn for more than government policy on the importation of second-hand a decade, creating dire poverty and mass unemployment. underwear which may harm women’s health in the long Cheap second-hand clothes have flooded into the country, term, but are cheap?” she said. “If you look at the two pairs of often imported from Mozambique and Zambia. panties that I have here: these ones are brand new and cost Some of the garments are made in China, while some are two dollars or more, but these ones, which are secondhand, reportedly charity donations from Europe. cost one dollar for two pairs.” In 2012, then finance minister Tendai Biti called for a ban on In response, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa chided her the import of used underwear citing health risks and the for her actions but promised to look into the issue. threat to human dignity. Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 24, 2015 AMERICAS

UN urges Canada to probe mining abuses, murders of native women

Reuters Rights Committee examined remedies by victims of such vio- corporations abroad”. and girls in Canada is a problem Yet police often dismissed re- ple a national inquiry into this Geneva Canada’s record in upholding lations”. “One major concern by the of massive proportions, and its ports of missing native women, phenomenon but also a review of civil and political freedoms as It gave no specifi c examples, committee was the murdered manifestation in British Colum- some of whom were prostitutes the relevant legislation.” part of a regular review of seven but Canadian companies are ac- and missing indigenous females, bia is particularly pronounced.” or drug users with transient life- The committee voiced concern United Nations watch- countries during its four-week tive across the globe from Pa- women and children,” commit- Between 2005 and 2010, the styles. at reports of native people losing dog has urged Canada to session. pua New Guinea to Eritrea and tee vice-chair Anja Seibert-Fohr Native Women’s Association of “We are still missing informa- their land rights and the cost of Ainvestigate alleged hu- The committee of 18 inde- the Democratic Republic of the told a news briefi ng. “We have Canada documented more than tion about real investigations and litigation for indigenous peoples. man rights abuses by its mining pendent experts voiced con- Congo. found that these indigenous fe- 600 cases of missing and mur- the prosecution,” Seibert-Fohr It urged Canada to “resolve land companies abroad and launch cern about “allegations of hu- The UN body urged Canadian males are disproportionately af- dered Aboriginal women and said. “Therefore we asked (Cana- and resources disputes with in- an inquiry into the high number man rights abuses by Canadian authorities to “consider estab- fected by violence.” girls throughout Canada over da) to urgently address this issue digenous peoples and fi nd ways of missing and murdered indig- companies operating abroad, in lishing an independent mecha- Activist groups, in a paper three decades and more cases of these murdered and missing and means to establish their ti- enous women and girls. particular mining corporations, nism with powers to investigate submitted to the body, said: “Vi- have been recorded since, they indigenous women and we pro- tles over their lands with respect The United Nations Human and about the inaccessibility to human rights abuses by such olence against Aboriginal women said. posed some measures, for exam- to their treaty rights”.

Swift apology Kerry: Iran deal critics in MTV award are spinning ‘fantasy’ row Reuters AFP Washington New York

S Secretary of State John op superstar Taylor Swift Kerry mounted a furious apologised yesterday to Ucounterattack yesterday Prapper Nicki Minaj after against critics of the Iran nuclear striking a rare false note in an deal, telling sceptical lawmak- online row over the MTV Video ers it would be fantasy to think Music Awards nominations. the United States could simply Minaj had charged that her “bomb away” Tehran’s atomic Anaconda was passed over for know-how. Video of the Year due to bias Testifying before Congress for against African American wom- the fi rst time since world pow- en, with the music industry pre- ers reached the landmark accord ferring “very slim” women. with Iran last week, America’s The very slim Swift, who re- top diplomat was confronted ceived the most nominations head-on by Republican accusa- Kerry speaks during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations for the August 30 awards, re- tions that Iranian negotiators Committee on Capitol Hill yesterday in Washington, DC. sponded to Minaj that “I’ve done had “fl eeced” and “bamboo- nothing but love and support zled” him. restrictions we have achieved cials for their line of argument you” and invited her to share the The vitriolic exchanges on and a great big green light for that the only alternative to the stage if she wins for her video Capitol Hill refl ected a hard- Iran to double the pace of its accord would be more war in Bad Blood. ening of positions as Congress uranium enrichment”. the Middle East, saying that the “It’s unlike you to pit women opened a 60-day review of the “We will have squandered real alternative would be a bet- against each other. Maybe one of deal considered crucial to its the best chance we have to solve ter deal. the men took your slot,” Swift, a fate. this problem through peaceful Senator Marco Rubio faulted self-identifi ed feminist, wrote Iranian hardliners are also try- means,” he said. President Barack Obama for re- on Twitter. ing to undermine the pact, and The United States, Russia, warding Iran for “its atrocious Nearly two days later and fac- US ally Israel has condemned it China, Britain, France, Germany human rights record”. ing criticism, Swift – who has as a dire security threat. and the European Union signed “This is a deal whose survival usually managed to avoid con- Kerry insisted that critics of the deal with Iran. is not guaranteed beyond the troversy in her smooth-sailing the deal, which curbs Iran’s nu- Washington suspects Tehran current term of the president,” career – backtracked. clear programme in return for of having worked in the past to said Rubio, a 2016 Republican “I thought I was being called sanctions relief, are pushing an build nuclear weapons but Iran presidential candidate. Members of Code Pink thank Kerry before the start of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. out. I missed the point, I mis- unrealistic alternative that he says its programme is peaceful. Senator Ben Cardin, the top understood, then misspoke. I’m dismissed as a “sort of unicorn Opening the hearing on a Democrat on the committee, boost to his presidential legacy public and uneasy Middle East Seeking to reassure Israel and sorry, Nicki,” Swift tweeted. arrangement involving Iran’s contentious note, the commit- said that he has not yet decided from his diplomatic outreach to allies. its US supporters, Kerry said Minaj had said she was be- complete capitulation”. tee’s Republican chairman, Bob how he would vote but that he US foe Iran, needs to convince as Responding to criticism that Washington would increase se- wildered by Swift’s original “The fact is that Iran now Corker, criticised Kerry for the felt that “our negotiators got an many of his fellow Democrats as the agreement lifts sanctions curity co-ordination. response and that she instead has extensive experience with terms he negotiated. awful lot”. possible to back the deal. too fast, Lew said that it would Prime Minister Benjamin wished that Swift had spoken nuclear fuel cycle technology,” “I believe that you’ve been Under a bill Obama reluctant- If a “disapproval” resolution not prevent the United States Netanyahu has expressed con- out on portrayals of African Kerry told the Senate Foreign fl eeced,” he said. ly signed into law in May, Con- passes and survives Obama’s from imposing additional sanc- cerns that Iran will use unfrozen American women. Relations Committee. “We can’t Democratic Senator Barbara gress has until September 17 to veto, he would be unable to tions over issues such as human assets to increase funding and She indicated yesterday that bomb that knowledge away. Nor Boxer later called such accusa- approve or reject the agreement. waive most of the US sanctions rights violations if it is deemed weapons to militant groups such any “bad blood” was over, can we sanction that knowledge tions “disrespectful and insult- Republicans hold majorities imposed on Iran, which could necessary. as Hamas and Hezbollah. tweeting in response to the apol- away.” ing”. in both houses of Congress, and cripple the nuclear pact. Moniz, seeking to counter Kerry said the Iran deal car- ogy: “That means so much Tay- Kerry said that if Congress Corker then made clear he had many have come out strongly Treasury Secretary Jack Lew criticism that loopholes in in- ried the “real potential” for lor, thank you.” rejects the agreement reached not intended any personal of- against the pact, which they say and Energy Secretary Ernest ternational inspection will allow change in the volatile Middle The controversy brought an in Vienna, “the result will be the fence to Kerry. will empower Iran and threaten Moniz also testifi ed as part of an Iran to cheat, said: “I am confi - East but acknowledged it “does unexpected intervention on United States of America walk- However, Corker chided Kerry Israel. eff ort to sell the deal to lawmak- dent that the technical under- not end the possibility of a con- Wednesday from another sing- ing away from every one of the and other administration offi - Obama, who could gain a ers, as well as to the American pinnings of this deal are solid.” frontation with Iran”. ing star, Katy Perry, who sug- gested that Swift was using the “pit woman against each other argument” while herself putting down another woman, Minaj. Perry’s tweet to her nearly Protesters pack Times Square 73mn followers marked a rare moment that the long-ru- moured tension between two AFP “We’re here as Americans A spokesperson for the or- extremist groups linked to Iran. of the era’s top pop singers has New York to speak with one voice to say ganisers said that protesters had “Iran has been killing Ameri- come into the open. stop Iran now, reject this deal,” packed an entire block on both cans for 36 years,” it said. “Stop Perry – who memorably sang said George Pataki, the former sides of Seventh Avenue. the deal.” “You’re gonna hear me roar” rotesters poured into New three-term Republican gover- The rally expressed support Scholar and Democrat Alan – wrote a pointed criticism of York’s Times Square on nor of New York. “This is a God- for Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Dershowitz, a Harvard law pro- Swift, without using her name: PWednesday to denounce awful deal, this must be reject- jamin Netanyahu, whose criti- fessor, appealed to fellow liber- “Finding it ironic to parade the the Iran nuclear deal as a threat ed. Congress must do its job and cism of the deal has strained als to side with Republican op- ‘pit women against other wom- to Israel and global security, de- stand up for the American peo- relations with President Barack position. en’ argument about as one un- manding that the US Congress ple, stand up for our safety and Obama. “It is a bad deal for Demo- measurably capitalises on the reject the pact. say no to this Iranian deal.” Recent polls have suggested crats. It is a bad deal for liberals. takedown of a woman.” Speakers, including Republi- Jeff rey Wiesenfeld, co-or- that of the 79% of Americans I am here opposing this deal as a Swift was nominated for can politicians, called on Con- ganiser of the Stop Iran Rally, who heard about the deal, 48% liberal Democrat,” he said. Video of the Year for Bad Blood, gress to throw it out, whipping claimed that there were 10,000 disapprove. He called the deal bad for which depicts her as an action up the crowd that included people in the crowd. Protesters Organisers played a montage America, bad for world peace hero. A woman holds up a placard during a rally on New York’s Times right-wing Jewish and evan- held up US fl ags and placards of news reports about bombings and bad for the security of the Swift has said that she wrote Square against the nuclear deal with Iran. gelical Christian groups. denouncing the deal. around the world carried out by Middle East. the song – with the lines “Now we got problems / And I don’t think we can solve them” – about another pop star whom she accused of undercutting her by hiring people who had been In Clinton vs Clinton fantasy run-off , Hillary wins: poll working for her. While Swift did not name her villain, she was widely believed By Roberta Rampton, Reuters Hillary Clinton remains head eral activist George Clooney? town, Pennsylvania, said that another 21% said they would Beth Grimes, 62, of Piedmont, to be referring to Perry. Washington and shoulders above her le- Just 10% would vote for him. some characters in the poll’s vote for her because they think West Virginia, said that Clinton gitimate challengers and would Liberal darling and retiring “dream team” were unrealistic. she would be most likely to win is the only Democratic candidate thump Bill Clinton in a head-to- Daily Show host Jon Stewart? “They need experience of ac- the presidential race in Novem- she has heard from so far. either her husband, head contest if the constitution Sixteen per cent. Oprah? Eleven tually being in the government ber 2016. “I may not even vote because nor George Clooney, were amended to allow him to per cent. and handling those issues to be Twenty per cent said they Hillary is the only decent Demo- NMichelle Obama, Oprah run for a third term. Current First Lady Michelle trustworthy,” Tomes said. “For would “defi nitely not” vote for crat,” Grimes said. “I don’t really or Al Gore would come close to But potential “fi rst gentle- Obama was second to Bill Clin- the most part, people who are in her. like Hillary. She sways positions challenging Hillary Clinton’s man” and former president Bill ton with 20%. television don’t really have that “This is a shrug of the shoul- too easily.” polling dominance for the Dem- is the fantasy candidates who Former Democratic presiden- background.” ders,” said Larry Sabato, director If Clinton wins the primary, ocratic presidential nomination. comes closest to his wife, at 26% tial nominees Al Gore and John When it comes to the actual of the University of Virginia’s Democrats are apt to become While Republicans wrestle to compared with Hillary’s 51%. Kerry were in the 15% range. Democratic primary race, Reu- Centre for Politics, saying the more enthused about her candi- pick a favourite among 16 candi- The online poll, which has California Governor Jerry ters/Ipsos’ polling shows Clin- less-than-full-throated en- dacy once she is pitted against a dates, Democratic voters – fac- a credibility interval of 3.5 Brown and Julian Castro, the US ton attracting 51.5% of Demo- thusiasm refl ects a “bubble- Republican, Sabato said. ing a far smaller fi eld – favour percentage points, looked at secretary for housing and urban cratic support as of July 21 vs wrapped” and overly staged “In this very polarised era, it’s the former fi rst lady and secre- whether any Democrat – expe- development and a former San 21.5% for Senator Bernie Sand- campaign. the opposition party that gener- tary of state, even when present- rienced politician or not – could Antonio mayor, lingered in the 6 ers, her nearest opponent. Forty per cent of Democrats ates more enthusiasm – the fact Swift: I thought I was being ed with a fantasy list of notables, pose a threat to Clinton in the to 8 percentage range. Thirty-nine per cent of Dem- said Clinton is a “great” candi- that you’re not the other nomi- called out. I missed the point, I according to a recent Reuters/ primary race. Brittany Tomes, a 21-year-old ocrats said they would “enthusi- date for president, while 39% nee, you’re not the other party,” misunderstood, then misspoke. Ipsos poll of 1,033 Democrats. Oscar-winning actor and lib- university student from Levit- astically” vote for Clinton, while described her as “adequate”. he said. I’m sorry, Nicki. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 7 ASEAN Smoke signals More holes in inquiry into murder of tourists

AFP ter the killings but the offi cer Bangkok was unable to confi rm this in- formation. Prosecutors have argued hai police failed to that DNA evidence implicates check CCTV footage the two Myanmar migrants Tfrom the only pier on but the defence says an un- the island where a pair of Brit- der-pressure police force have ish tourists were murdered coerced confessions, later re- last year, a lawyer for the two tracted, from the pair. Myanmar nationals accused Attempts by the defence of the killings said yesterday. to independently test some Migrant workers Zaw Lin of the key forensic evidence and Win Zaw Tun are on trial against their clients were for the murder of 24-year- thwarted after police told an old David Miller and the rape earlier hearing that the sam- and murder of Hannah With- ples had been used up. eridge, 23, on southern Koh Tao island in September. Under cross- Both men have pleaded not examination yesterday guilty and face the death pen- a senior investigating alty if convicted over a case police offi cer, which has tarnished Thai- Colonel Cherdpong Mount Raung volcano emits steam and ash as seen from Banyuwangi, on Indonesia’s eastern Java island. Mount Raung, which has been rumbling for weeks, sent an ash land’s reputation as a tourist Chiewpreecha, told a cloud floating over Bali and eastern Java island disrupting airport operations. Ash spewing from a volcano briefly closed the airport on the Indonesian resort island of paradise and seen the police Koh Samui court that Bali on Wednesday for the third time this month, forcing the cancellation of flights and stranding tourists during peak holiday season. accused of bungling the in- CCTV footage from vestigation. the pier had not been Under cross-examination examined aft er the yesterday a senior investi- double murders gating police offi cer, Colonel Cherdpong Chiewpreecha, The battered bodies of Mill- told a Koh Samui court that er and Witheridge were found CCTV footage from the pier on the sleepy diving island of had not been examined after Koh Tao on September 15. the double murders. Police say Miller had The pier is close to the been struck by a single Myanmar jails scores beach were the battered bod- blow and left to drown in ies of the British holidaymak- shallow surf while With- ers were found and is the main eridge had been raped and route to and from the resort then beaten to death with a island. garden hoe. “I asked whether police Among a litany of appar- checked CCTV footage. He ent mistakes in the hours after of Chinese for logging (the witness) replied no and the grisly discovery, Thai po- that police had collected the lice were criticised for failing Yangon is addressing concern in plane dropped a bomb in Chinese territory footage but investigators to secure the crime scene or society that the Chinese are taking leaving fi ve Chinese citizens dead as fi ght- thought it wasn’t relevant,” close the pier. over the economy ing between government troops and eth- defence lawyer Nakhon The Myanmar pair are be- nic Chinese Kokang rebels spilled across Chomphuchat told AFP after ing tried on Koh Samui, near AFP the border. the morning session. to Koh Tao. Reporters are not Yangon Thein Sein’s government has sought to The defence also alleged allowed to take notes during stem the fl ood of timber from the country that a small boat was seen the trial which is expected to with a ban on the export of raw logs that leaving the island shortly af- reach a verdict in October. eijing yesterday hit out at long jail came into eff ect in April last year. sentences handed to more than 150 But campaigners say both Myanmar and BChinese nationals for illegal logging China have turned a blind eye to enormous in Myanmar, in the latest tremor to shake smuggling networks on their shared bor- relations between the neighbours. der, transporting everything from weap- The mass sentencing, which has sparked ons and jade to timber and rice. Singapore fugitive outraged editorials in Chinese state-run Logging in Myanmar exploded under media, comes after the loggers were ar- the country’s former junta as the ruling rested in January during a crackdown Chinese nationals, believed to be involved in illegal logging, arrive at a court in Myitkyina. generals tossed aside sustainable forestry faces new charges on illegal forestry activities in northern practices in a rush to cash in on the coun- Kachin state, which borders China. lent to 20 years according to legal experts. developing its southern Yunnan province try’s vast natural resources. For years China has hoovered up Myan- He said a further two males under 18 — caused friction and prodded Myanmar Vast areas have been stripped bare, DPA Most of the fresh charg- mar’s once abundant raw materials, spur- were handed 10-year sentences without towards reforms in an eff ort to balance partly to feed huge demand across the Singapore es read to the 81-year-old ring popular anger in the former junta- giving details, while a woman was jailed Beijing’s power. border in China, with Kachin rebels also were related to criminal ruled country which is set for a general for 15 years on narcotics charges. Those reforms, started in 2011, have accused of building their war chest on the breach of trust. election later this year. An editorial in China’s Global Times seen the rollback of most western sanc- profi ts from logging and mining. former member No bail was off ered to the Beijing has asked its smaller neigh- slammed the “severity” of the sentences, tions and the promise of a foreign invest- An infl uential Myanmar legisla- of parliament and accused. bour to “deal with this case in a lawful, expressing hope that intervention from ment boom. tor and businessman on the US sanctions Aone of Singapore’s After fl eeing in Decem- reasonable and justifi ed manner... and Beijing could “reverse” the outcome. A general election on November 8 is be- blacklist died from complications after most-wanted fugitives was ber 1979, Phey disappeared return those people to China as soon as “A few cases of Chinese engaging in ille- ing keenly watched as a marker of the ex- suff ering a stroke, sources said yesterday. charged with 28 additional in Thailand and did not re- possible”, foreign ministry spokesman Lu gal business in Myanmar have been scru- tent of Myanmar’s liberalisation. Aung Thaung, 74, was minister of in- off ences yesterday, a media emerge for 36 years until he Kang said in a statement on the ministry’s tinized by public opinion, exaggerated as One of the fi rst major acts of President dustry for 14 years under the military junta report said. turned himself in at the Sin- website. China’s economic ‘invasion’ of the latter,” Thein Sein, whose quasi-civilian govern- that ruled the country for decades until Phey Yew Kok was pre- gapore embassy in Bangkok But the Myanmar government said it it said, urging the Myanmar public “to look ment replaced outright military rule, was 2011. sented to the court via a last month. would not interfere in the judicial process. upon China-Myanmar trade in a positive to halt construction of the huge Chinese- He was a hardliner in the ruling Union video link, Channel News- If convicted of criminal “When our citizens break the law in way”. backed Myitsone dam in Kachin, where a Solidarity and Development Party, which Asia reported. breach of trust by a pub- other countries, (they) face sentence by It is the latest spat to sully ties between bloody civil war has raged since 2011. is led by former military offi cers. He jumped bail in 1979 af- lic servant, Phey could be those country’s laws. We cannot use di- the two countries. In 2013, China executed notorious My- The US government blacklisted Aung ter being charged with four fi ned as well as sentenced plomacy to intervene. I think China will Beijing was Myanmar’s closest ally anmar drug kingpin Naw Kham for the Thaung in October for allegedly under- counts of criminal breach of to up to seven years’ im- understand,” government spokesman Ye during the later years of military rule, murder of 13 sailors on the Mekong river mining economic and political reforms. It trust and two off ences under prisonment. Htut told AFP. providing a shield from international op- in 2011. froze his US-based assets and barred US the Trades Union Act for buy- The other two off ences “What is really needed is to stop illegal probrium and a lifeline as a trading part- He was killed by lethal injection, but citizens from doing business with him. ing shares in an unapproved under the Trades Union Act logging in the future,” he added. ner for a junta that badly mismanaged the the decision to fi rst parade him live on He was accused of involvement in the company using trade union would result in a fi ne of up A court offi cial in Kachin state, asking economy. television stoked deep resentment in My- 2003 Depayin massacre, during which op- funds. to $1,730, unless the off ences not to be named, told AFP Wednesday that But observers say the scale of interests anmar. position leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her Phey is a former chairman are found to warrant another 153 Chinese loggers were jailed for life for China accrued during that period — from Earlier this year, Beijing issued a strong convoy were assaulted in central Myanmar of the National Trades Union form of punishment under illegal logging. Life in Myanmar is equiva- dams and mines, to a gas pipeline aimed at rebuke to its neighbour after a Myanmar and dozens of supporters were killed. Congress. the legislation. Thai PM says Vietnam a friend, not competitor

Reuters manufacturing investment, an addi- China has overlapping claims with Bangkok tional worry for a government seeking to Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Tai- spur private investment to quicken slow wan and Brunei in the South China Sea growth. through which $5tn in sea-borne trade hai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- A decade of intermittent political tur- passes every year. ocha yesterday brushed aside bulence in Thailand, including outbreaks Thailand and Vietnam said in a joint Tconcern that Vietnam is eclips- of violence on the streets, has added to press release on Thursday territorial dis- ing Thailand as a regional manufactur- questions about the country’s suitabil- putes in the South China Sea had aff ected ing base, saying Vietnam is a friend not a ity as a regional manufacturing base for trust and confi dence and “may under- competitor. some foreign investors. mine peace and stability as well as safety The comments came during a visit to Prayuth is a former army chief who and freedom of navigation”. Bangkok by Vietnamese prime minister staged a coup in 2014 to end the most re- Both countries emphasized the need Nguyen Tan Dung, and at a time when a cent bout of political tension. for full and eff ective implementation of number of foreign companies are shifting Dung told the news conference Thai- a declaration on the conduct of parties in manufacturing operations from Thailand land and Vietnam agreed to increase two- the South China Sea. to Vietnam, partly for logistical reasons. way trade to $20bn by 2020. Both Vietnam and Thailand have been “Today, we use the word friend and not Two-way trade between Thailand and accused by rights groups of serious hu- competitor,” Prayuth told a news confer- Vietnam was $11.8bn in 2014, according man rights violations. ence with Dung, adding that Thailand to Thailand’s Commerce Ministry. Last month, Thai police forced the was Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in Since the 2014 coup Thailand has New-York based Human Rights Watch the Association of South East Asian Na- sought to improve its ties with China, to cancel an event it wanted to hold at a tions (Asean) region. whose relations with neighbour Vietnam Bangkok media club to launch a report al- Thai offi cials have expressed concern have been strained by a territorial dis- leging Vietnam’s persecution of an ethnic Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha (L) with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung as they review a that Vietnam is attracting more foreign putes in the South China Sea. minority. guard of honour in Bangkok yesterday. Gulf Times 8 Friday, July 24, 2015 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

CRACKDOWN THREAT ASSESSMENT BUSTED RECALL NETIZENS ‘Civil Disobedience’ Australia considers new Taiwan drug smugglers 200 washing machines Nearly half of China’s activists on trial in China terrorism alert system turn to frozen tuna catch fire in Australia population now online

Three Chinese activists who allegedly Australia will have a new national terrorism alert Taiwan has seized a stash of amphetamines Thousands of South Korean-made Samsung China has 668mn Internet users, accounting attempted to start a non-violent civil rights system this year that describes conditions ranging worth more than 1.4bn yen ($11.3mn) hidden washing machines sold in Australia were ordered for 48.8% of the country’s total population, as movement stood trial yesterday, a relative told from possible to certain, the prime minister said in frozen tuna cargos at Kaohsiung port, the to be recalled after 206 burst into flames, the e-commerce boomed in the world’s second- AFP, as the ruling Communist party continues yesterday. Australia has been at a state of high largest smuggling case of the drug bound for New South Wales government said yesterday. largest economy. A total of 18.94mn new users a crackdown on dissent. Tang Jingling, Wang alert since September 2014, meaning a terrorist Japan, off icials said. The two containers headed One case involved a family whose house burned - more than the population of Chile - were added Qingying and Yuan Xinting each face possible attack is likely. Since then, there was a cafe siege for Japan’s Shimizu port held 138kg of the drug down after a faulty Samsung washing machine in the first six months of this year, the semi- 15 year jail sentences for “inciting subversion where two people were killed by a gunman who which was hidden in plastic bags and stuff ed caught fire, broadcaster ABC reported. More off icial China Internet Network Information of state power,” their lawyers have said. Police said he sympathized with the Islamic State terrorist into the bellies of the fish. “A customs off icer than 144,000 of the machines sold in Australia Center said in its biannual report. “Mobile recommended the trio be prosecuted for group. Twenty three people have been charged as found shadows in the belly of one of the tuna between 2010 and 2013 pose a fire risk, according business applications grew rapidly as Internet having “participated in the non-violent Citizen a result of counter-terrorism investigations. Prime during a detailed scan,” the Ministry of Justice to Victor Dominello, the New South Wales Minister applications developed in an experience- non-cooperation Movement,” according to Minister Tony Abbott said there are more than 120 Investigation Bureau said in a statement. So far Responsible for Fair Trading. The New South improving and economics-relevant way,” a statement posted online by their lawyers. Australians fighting with IS in Syria and Iraq, and three people have been detained in connection Wales government said only 51% of the 55,000 CNNIC said in a statement. The number of Their trial began on Wednesday in the about 160 who support extremist groups through with the case. Authorities are still investigating machines sold in the state had been returned or mobile payment users increased by 26.9% from southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. financing and recruitment. the origin of the drugs and possible accomplices. fixed, so it required a mandatory recall. December to 276mn, the statement said. Northern Waterworld! Territory to be new state in Australia

AFP the Australian Antarctic Territory and Canberra Christmas Island, are governed only by federal laws. Abbott said he was not in favour of ustralian political leaders yester- changing the national fl ag - which fea- day backed the establishment of tures a miniature version of the Union A bus negotiates a flooded street after heavy rainfall hit Wuhan, Hubei province. Athe country’s seventh state - the Jack along with an array of stars - but Northern Territory - by mid-2018, with was not against any alterations either. Prime Minister Tony Abbott conceding “(If) the Commonwealth star was to the national fl ag could be changed. be a seven-pointed star rather than a The push for the Northern Territory, six-pointed star, that’s hardly a massive which has a population of 244,000 but change,” the Australian leader said at covers a vast area, to be a state was initi- the same press conference. ated by Chief Minister Adam Giles who “I would say that that is an evolution said it should not be a “second-class rather than a revolution. But, look, we Japanese seek British help to citizen” in Australia. all acknowledge that this is a very long- “When we come together and talk standing aspiration on the part of the about federation, it would be remiss of Territory... and we are prepared to work me not to raise the issue of the Northern with the Territory to see how it can be Territory being a second-class citizen, done.” nail Australia submarine bid with second-tier status in the nation,” An additional point for the prospec- Giles said. tive northern state would actually give Reuters were responding to Australia’s desire Japan may also seek cooperation across the board ... that will not be “So I was very pleased to have support the Commonwealth star eight points Tokyo/Sydney to have as much local participation as from Saab by tapping the engineers at very politically happy if this A$50bn from colleagues at the table that I’m at rather than seven. The star currently has possible in the project. the Swedish company who built and life cost sophisticated programme now to see the Northern Territory strive seven points symbolising the six states, “With Mitsubishi Heavy taking the still help maintain the Collins-class goes to solve Japan’s defi cit problem,” to become a state by 1 July, 2018,” he with the last one representing all the Japanese government team is lead, we are gathering information submarine fl eet, the sources said. TKMS Australia chairman John White added after a meeting of Australia’s six territories. in talks with at least two top from both Japanese and foreign com- Saab also declined to comment. told Reuters. state and two mainland territory leaders The change could also see additional ABritish fi rms to help a Japanese panies in regard to Australian indus- Parliamentary colleagues of Abbott Senator Sean Edwards - chairman with Abbott. NT politicians represented in Canber- consortium land one of the world’s try but we are unable to disclose any have told Reuters that the fear of a se- of the economics committee in the Unlike the six states - New South ra’s House of Representatives and Sen- most lucrative defence contracts, specifi c names,” the spokesman said. rious blowback from failing to choose upper house of Australia’s parliament Wales, Queensland, South Australia, ate. sources in Tokyo said, a $50bn project Both Babcock and BAE Systems are the winner of the contract wisely is - said that no government could say Tasmania, Victoria and Western Aus- The territory - home to the popular to build submarines for Australia. well established in Australia. Industry one of the most hotly debated topics yes to any proposal that did not of- tralia - the country’s two mainland tourist attraction of Uluru, also known Germany’s ThyssenKrupp (TKMS), sources in Europe said any decision within the ruling party. The bidders fer signifi cant economic benefi ts for territories, the NT and the Australian as Ayers Rock, and with Darwin as its a rival bidder, is wooing anxious by Babcock to work with the Japanese were well aware of this, they said. Australia. Capital Territory, have a limited right of capital - is currently represented by two members of Prime Minister Tony Ab- bid could unsettle TKMS and France’s According to a company document “I think it’s compelling (to build the self-government. members of parliament and two sena- bott’s ruling Liberal Party with the state-controlled naval contractor seen by Reuters, the German bidder submarines in Australia). And I think Seven other territories, including tors. economic and political benefi ts of its DCNS, which is also in the fray for the TKMS will train local contractors us- this is a problem for Japan,” Edwards proposal. submarine contract. ing advanced German manufacturing told Reuters. Two Japanese government offi cials Babcock does maintenance work on and production technology and help However, Australia’s Abbot has de- Japan warned not to backtrack on WWII apology and a company source in Tokyo said Australia’s Collins-class submarines, establish Australia as a naval ship- scribed Japan as his country’s “closest Babcock International Group and BAE including the torpedo tubes and other building and repair hub in the Asia- friend in Asia”. apanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe see a planned statement by Abe marking Systems had approached the consorti- parts of its weapons system. Pacifi c region. The document is to With the US also keen to spur needs to clearly express remorse for the 70th anniversary of the war’s end, um of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and BAE Systems, which builds the be shared privately with Australian friendlier ties between its two key al- Jhis nation’s World War II actions amid concerns he may dilute past gov- Kawasaki Heavy Industries with off ers U.K.’s nuclear submarines, employs government ministers as part of the lies in Asia, Tokyo has Washington’s or risk “rubbing salt in the wounds” of ernment apologies. of help. Other British defence contrac- 4,500 people in Australia. It’s biggest proposal. backing for made-in-Japan subma- those who suff ered, China’s ambassador Cheng Yonghua, China’s ambassador tors may also be involved, they said. project there is the construction of That is an attractive proposition for rines packed with American surveil- to Japan said yesterday. to Japan, warned Japan not to backtrack All three sources spoke on condi- Australia’s two new 27,000-ton Can- a country still reeling from the deci- lance, radar and weapons equipment, Ties between the Asian neighbours on previous government statements and tion of anonymity because of the sen- berra-class amphibious assault ships, sion by Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor sources familiar with Washington’s have long been fraught due to China’s said China was keenly waiting, particu- sitivity of the subject. the largest ships ever to be operated by Corp and General Motors Co to halt thinking told Reuters earlier. memories of Japan’s wartime aggression, larly to see if he expressed remorse toward Both Babcock and BAE declined to the Royal Australian Navy. local production in 2016. Each of the bidders have been asked but relations improved following meet- those who suff ered from Japan’s actions. say whether they would work with the “Japan is arguably ahead of the Two TKMS executives told Reuters to provide three estimates; one for ings between Abe and Chinese President “If the statement is deliberately made consortium, the builders of Japan’s Germans and French in regard to its in an interview that the Australian construction overseas, one for a par- Xi Jinping over the last year. Japanese vague, or if it lightens responsibility, it 4,000-ton Soryu diesel-electric sub- technology but lags in terms of doing government would struggle political- tial assembly in Australia and one for government sources say another summit will once again rip open the wounds of marine, on the Australian project. business in Australia and organizing ly to turn down the economic incen- a full build in an Australian shipyard. could well take place this year. China and the other victims, and rub A spokesman for Japan’s defence an industrial package there,” one of tives built into their proposal. A recommendation is likely in No- But some also say China fi rst wants to salt in them,” Cheng said in Tokyo. ministry said the Japanese bidders the sources in Japan said. “There’s an awful lot of politicians vember.

Sea turtle nests at risk from climate change China pushes ‘green’ vehicle scheme

AFP rise in sea levels, when combined with a Reuters tion of traditional hybrids in recent “Relevant national departments Sydney storm or a king tide, to inundate what had Beijing years, global rivals are also posi- are currently studying and drawing previously been secure nesting sites.” tioned to take advantage of an ex- lessons from the US state of Cali- Pike said one way to protect the eggs pected increase in demand. fornia’s methods to encourage the ising sea levels from climate change was by using volunteers to move the nests hina is preparing a new The proposed government scheme use of new energy cars (to tackle are a threat to sea turtle popula- further away from the shoreline. scheme to encourage auto- could be implemented in the fi rst half vehicle emissions),” said Xu, who as Rtions as eggs laid on beaches be- “We might be able to save them with Cmakers and consumers to of next year, said Xu Heyi, chairman leader of a major state-owned com- come submerged in saltwater, Australian people power,” Pike said. use electric and hybrid vehicles, of Beijing Automotive Group, parent pany is also a high-ranking Com- scientists said yesterday. “The Queensland Department of Envi- learning lessons from California’s of BAIC Motor Corporation. munist Party offi cial. Eggs buried by female turtles in usually ronment and Heritage Protection has also eff orts to promote a similar switch, China has set fuel economy There would be two schemes, one “high and dry” areas on beaches could be been out moving sand around the island the head of a major state-owned standards that grow increasingly for automakers and one for con- inundated by rising sea levels and storm to provide turtles with higher elevation carmaker said yesterday. aggressive through 2020 to relieve sumers, to promote green cars in surges, a study by researchers from Aus- nesting sites.” The system will extend incentives heavy air pollution in much of the China, Xu told reporters at a media tralia’s James Cook University said. The green turtle population on Raine to traditional gas-electric hybrids, country, but it has yet to specify event at its Beijing headquarters. Published in the Royal Society Open Island, which is located on the northern often excluded from promotional how such a plan will be enforced. Automakers would be given the Science journal, the report focused on A James Cook University handout photo tip of the Great Barrier Reef off Queens- programmes in the past because The new scheme to promote most credits for making all-electric nests at the world’s largest green sea of a turtle hatching from an egg at a land’s coast, is also under threat from that segment of the market was “new energy” cars, which generally battery vehicles, fewer for plug-in turtle nesting rookery at Raine Island on turtle hatchery on Queensland’s Raine habitat loss, boats and pollution. dominated by Japanese companies refers to all-electric battery cars or hybrids and the least credits for tra- Australia’s far northeast coast. Island. As many as 60,000 female green turtles such as Toyota Motor Corporation. heavily electrifi ed plug-in hybrids, ditional gasoline-electric hybrids. Eggs submerged for one to three hours did swim from breeding grounds in countries While the initiative is expected gives automakers credits for pro- Traditional gasoline cars that not experience a “signifi cant level” of mor- “We are trying to anticipate the early such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to benefi t Chinese carmakers such ducing and selling such vehicles, do not meet the new fuel economy tality but those underwater for six hours saw eff ects,” lead researcher David Pike said. to the island to lay their eggs during nest- as BYD Co and SAIC Motor Corp, helping them to meet new and more requirements would get negative a 40% rise in turtle embryo deaths. “In some places it only takes a small ing season. which have stepped up produc- stringent fuel-economy rules. points, he said. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 9 BRITAIN

CRIME POLITICS PEOPLE OFFBEAT CRACKDOWN Suspect held over Kendall rules out Sinead O’Connor cancels University plans ‘outer Bailiff s evict couple’s murder quitting leadership race shows due to health space’ swimming pool 20 squatters

A double murder investigation was launched Liz Kendall has ruled out standing aside in the Outspoken Irish singer Sinead O’Connor has A university hopes to build the world’s deepest and Squatters who occupied the historic Elephant after a man and woman died at a house in an Labour leadership contest to help block the cancelled all upcoming shows citing exhaustion largest swimming pool to recreate the conditions and Castle pub for a month amid fears it would Essex village. Police called to the semi-detached growing challenge from hard left candidate and an unspecified medical condition. O’Connor of outer space. The University of Essex has begun be reopened as a Foxtons estate agent were home in Stansted Mountfitchet found the victims Jeremy Corbyn. The shadow care minister apologised “profusely” to fans in a statement initial discussions to build the research, training and yesterday evicted by bailiff s. The raid, overseen injured inside. Ambulance crews also rushed to insisted she will fight to the very end and warned that said she was “completely unable to travel development pool in Colchester. The pool would by Met off icers went peacefully, with about 20 the house but the pair were declared dead at that a victory by the veteran backbencher would and perform.” “She is suff ering from exhaustion be 50 metres long and 50 metres deep and would people being removed at about 4am. Zander the scene. Yesterday police forensic teams were be a “disaster” for the party. Kendall is reported due to an existing not-resolved medical be the UK and Europe’s leading marine and space Gibson, Met borough commander for Southwark, seen entering the house in Bentfield Gardens, a to be under pressure to quit the contest to allow situation and she has been advised by the research facility. The project, which could cost said: “Thankfully, the bailiff s were able to operate quiet cul-de-sac close to a cricket club. Neigbours the moderate vote to rally behind one of her doctor to stop any activity and rest,” her agent £40mn, would simulate outer space and deep sea without the need for police intervention.” The said they feared the victims were a 54-year-old two centrist rivals - Andy Burnham and Yvette said in a statement. Her scheduled dates had environments which could be used in space-flight pub lost its licence in March after a customer woman who lived at the property and a 58-year- Cooper. Asked if she would step aside, Kendall included headlining appearances yesterday at programmes. The university’s registrar Bryn Morris was stabbed in the head with a pen. Council old man said to be her partner. Essex police said told BBC News: “No. You never stop fighting for the Galway International Arts Festival in Ireland said: “This is a very exciting proposal for us, with chiefs hope to bring it back into use as a a 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion what you believe in. I will be fighting for what I and at next month’s Edmonton Folk Festival in many elements that fit very well with our strengths restaurant as part of the wider regeneration of of murder and is currently in custody. believe in till the very end.” Canada. as a university.” the Elephant and Castle roundabout. Medical student Caro’s works on display killed fi ghting for Isis in Syria

Guardian News and Media on Monday, the day Fagiri was London killed, revealed two pictures of the dead medical student, one in which he appeared to be wearing student who was part of combat fatigues. a British-Sudanese group Speaking to the Guardian, Aof medics who joined Is- Fagiri’s cousin, Mohamed Ha- lamic State has been killed in mad said his death had come as a Syria, as an international man- “shock” to his extended family as hunt intensifi es for the alleged they had little idea he was fi ghting ringleader of the group. for Islamic State. Osman Mustafa Fagiri, 23, who Describing Fagiri as approach- is listed on the electoral regis- able and “very friendly and polite”, ter at his grandfather’s home Hamad said Fagiri had also kept in Swiss Cottage, north Lon- his militant intent secret from his don, was understood to have parents, only telling them that he been killed fi ghting forces loyal wanted to work in Turkey for hu- to President Bashar al-Assad manitarian reasons. and had recently been living in Hamad, who lives in London, Raqqa, Isis’s de facto capital. said Fagiri, who is not a Brit- The student was close friends ish passport holder, was married with a group of nine British- earlier this year to a Sudanese A woman poses looks at a sculpture entitled ‘Dream City’ by artist Sir Anthony Caro on display as part of the forthcoming ‘Caro in Yorkshire’ exhibition at the Yorkshire Sudanese medical students - fi ve woman. Following the wedding, Sculpture Park in West Bretton, near Wakefield. Caro in Yorkshire is Europe’s largest exhibition of Anthony Caro’s work, featuring over 140 pieces and split between The women and four men - who trav- Hamad said, his parents had ex- Hepworth Wakefield gallery and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. elled to Syria in March to work in pected their son to settle down. Isis hospitals, where they are be- “That’s where his family thought lieved to remain. he’d lead a normal life … (But) he One of those, Mohamed Osa- chose to come out of university ma Badri, 24, wrote on Facebook and said he wanted to work … in to confi rm Fagiri’s death. Turkey.” Fagiri was among a group of Turkish security services and fi ghters who travelled to Mali, police, with assistance from Brit- north Africa, in 2013. He trav- ish intelligence agencies, are at- elled back to the UK that year tempting to track down another and returned to Britain again for group of fi ve young British doc- Teen admits inciting 10 days in 2014 before fl ying to tors understood to be making Khartoum and then moving on their way to the Syrian border. to Syria. They are believed to have been The Guardian understands that recruited by another Briton called police recently went to the fam- Mohamed Fakhri, from Middles- ily’s Swiss Cottage apartment to brough. investigate Fagiri’s activities, al- Fakhri, 23, has been named Anzac Day attack though the Met refuses to discuss repeatedly as the ringleader and such operational matters. recruiter of all the British-Su- AFP intentions of the plotters and Judge John Saunders said he a beheading in Australia was They had allegedly planned to Fagiri had studied at the Uni- danese UMST students and was London their targets, along with their had ordered pre-sentence re- dropped by the prosecution. run down police offi cers with a versity of Medical Sciences and president of the UMST’s Islamic motivation, which may be sum- ports because he wanted to fi nd Greaney said that as part of car, behead them and then shoot Technology (UMST) in Khartoum Cultural Association, a religious marised as support for Isis and out if there had been any “in- their preparations “the defend- other people, according to Aus- and was part of a grouping of at teachings group that all the medi- teenager yesterday ad- their enthusiasm for the attack,” doctrination” of the defendant. ant sent Sevdet Besim a message tralian media reports. least 18 British-Sudanese stu- cal students to have joined or at- mitted to inciting an Is- Greaney said. “Dealing with someone of that read, ‘suggest you break Besim and Causevic were re- dents who studied at the Suda- tempted to join Isis attended. A lamic State-inspired at- The bespectacled teenager, this age is an extremely diffi cult into someone’s house and get portedly being monitored be- nese private medical college and Facebook postings suggest Fakhri tack on police offi cers during an who wore a grey shirt and tie, sentencing process and I will your fi rst taste of beheading’”. cause of their contact with a subsequently either joined or at- has links to the groups of doctors. Anzac Day parade in Melbourne cannot be named under English need all the help I can get,” the “Sevdet Besim responded man who was shot dead by po- tempted to join Isis in Syria. Relatives of the nine claim that as part of World War I anniver- law because of his age. judge told the court. to say that this seemed ‘a lit- lice in Australia last year after Friends of the original group of Fakhri, who is of Palestinian ori- sary commemorations this year. He entered his guilty plea at The boy was charged with tle risky’ and that aspect of stabbing two offi cers. nine have said that more young gin, visited Syria in 2014, which, The 15-year-old, who was the hearing at London’s Central having “incited a person to com- the preparations appears then On Anzac Day, ceremonies British medical students remain if true, would make him the fi rst 14 when he was arrested, sent Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, mit an act of terrorism wholly or to have drifted away,” Greaney are held to remember Australian in Khartoum prepared to follow of the British-Sudanese doctors thousands of instant messages via video link from a court in partly outside the UK, namely added. and New Zealand Army Corps the route of their predecessors, to join Isis. His father, who runs to Australia-based 18-year-old Manchester, northwest Eng- during an attack on a parade Besim and another Melbourne troops who fell at Gallipoli, a who fl ew from Khartoum to Tur- the Abu Bakr mosque in Middles- Sevdet Besim over a 10-day pe- land. to commemorate Anzac Day in teenager, Harun Causevic, have fi erce 1915 battle in modern- key and then travelled overland to brough, last week said that his riod, prosecutor Paul Greaney The boy, who was arrested in Australia” between March 15 been charged with conspiring to day Turkey that ended in defeat Syria. son had “brought shame” upon told the court. nearby Blackburn on April 2, is and 26. commit a terrorist act, allegedly for Allied forces, and with more A Facebook posting from Badri the family. “Those messages reveal the to be sentenced on September 3. A second charge of inciting at a parade on April 25. than 100,000 people dead. Thatcher govt ‘was aware Cityscape Runway pollution of MP child abuse claims’ impact to be probed London Evening Standard commitments on air pollution and London climate change. Reuters uncovered extra fi les and passed Duff , then director general of Separately, a group of six town London them to Wanless and Whittam. the MI5 spy agency to then hall leaders in London, eight MPs, Lawmaker and Thatcher- cabinet secretary Robert Arm- oise and air pollution from academics, peers, environmen- aide Peter Morrison, diplomat strong in 1986 about claims a potential third runway tal experts and London Assembly spy chief warned Prime Peter Hayman, interior min- from two sources that a named Nat Heathrow is to be in- members have written to David Minister Margaret ister Leon Brittan, MI6 spy lawmaker had “a penchant for vestigated by MPs, as the Airports Cameron. AThatcher’s government agency chief Maurice Oldfi eld, small boys”. “Matters conclude Commission’s report comes under They are urging the prime min- in the 1980s that allegations of and lawmaker William van with the acceptance of his word growing criticism. ister either to re-open the com- a lawmaker “having a penchant Straubenzee, who are all now that he does not and the obser- The Commons environmental mission’s consultation on air qual- for small boys” risked causing dead, were named in the fi les. vation that ‘At the present stage audit committee is also to exam- ity, which they branded “fl awed”, political embarrassment, ac- ... the risk of political embar- ine the climate change impact of or rule out another runway in west cording to a review of govern- Wanless said the rassment to the government is a bigger airport in west London, in London. ment documents. documents would be rather greater than the security its fi rst inquiry of the new parlia- The group of council leaders Britain has been rocked by a made available to a major danger,’” Wanless and Whittam ment. comprises Tories Ray Puddifoot series of child sex abuse scandals independent inquiry said. MPs will assess whether plans of Hillingdon, Lord True for Rich- dating back to the 1970s involv- into child abuse that was “The risk to children is not to curb aviation emissions — in- mond, Ravi Govindia of Wands- ing celebrities and politicians. launched earlier this considered at all.” cluding charging £330 per tonne worth and Kevin Davis at King- Various institutions have been month Speaking on BBC Radio yes- of carbon dioxide from fl ights by ston, as well as Labour’s Stephen accused of failing to follow up terday, Wanless said this was 2050 — and proposals to tackle lo- Cowan of Hammersmith & Ful- abuse allegations and, in some “There were a number of ref- “not necessarily” evidence of cal air pollution and noise set out ham and Liberal Democrat Ruth cases, of actively covering them erences across the papers we a cover-up but demonstrated in the commission’s report are re- Dombey in Sutton. up. saw that reinforced the observa- there had been more interest alistic and achievable. The eight MPs who have also Last year a review by Peter tion we made in our review that in the reputations of individu- The commission, led by the new signed the letter are Conserva- Wanless, the chief executive of issues of crimes against chil- als and departments than what Royal Bank of Scotland chairman tives Zac Goldsmith of Richmond anti child-cruelty charity the dren ... were given considerably might be happening to children. Sir Howard Davies, has strongly Park, Tania Mathias for Twick- NSPCC, and lawyer Richard less serious consideration than Wanless said the documents favoured expanding Heathrow. enham, Adam Afriyie of Windsor Whittam into the handling of would be expected today,” Wan- would be made available to a But committee chairman Huw and Bob Blackman in Harrow East, allegations of abuse by politi- less and Whittam said in an up- major independent inquiry into Irranca-Davies said: “Critics of plus Labour’s John McDonnell of cians found no evidence of a date to their review published on child abuse that was launched airport expansion have raised con- Hayes and Harlington, Kate Hoey high-level cover up. the government’s website. earlier this month and is ex- A man jogs past the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Leeds in cerns on whether it is possible to for Vauxhall, Ruth Cadbury in But since that review was The pair highlighted an ex- pected to take around fi ve years northern England. enlarge capacity in the south-east Brentford and Isleworth and Andy published, the government has ample of a letter from Antony to complete. while meeting the UK’s binding Slaughter of Hammersmith. Gulf Times 10 Friday, July 24, 2015 EUROPE French doctors dodge decision on vegetative man, citing ‘threats’

AFP pended the decision, the latest a blog circulating online. wife Rachel and six of his siblings he is alive because they want to court’s decision, this time in- Lambert’s parents then took Reims, France step in a marathon legal battle Doctors asked French pros- – who insist the 38-year-old protect him,” she said. cluding his parents. the case to Europe’s rights court that has gone all the way to the ecutors “to place Vincent under former psychiatric nurse would The hospital said however that Lambert’s medical team had in which ruled the State Coun- European rights court and ignit- general protection and designate never have wanted to be kept an evaluation of Lambert showed January 2014 taken the initial de- cil decision was “the object of a he tortuous legal battle ed a heated debate over euthana- a guardian who could legally alive artifi cially – against his de- his condition was unchanged cision to stop keeping him alive in thorough investigation where all over the life or death of a sia in France. represent him”, said Lambert’s vout Catholic parents in a bitter since he was examined by court- line with a passive euthanasia law points of view were expressed Tseverely brain-damaged In a statement the hospital said nephew Francois. legal tug-of-war. appointed experts in 2014 who in France. and all aspects weighed long and Frenchman took a surprising that “the conditions of calm and “During the meeting, the ... Rachel said she was “shocked” ruled he was in an irreversible But this decision was taken hard”. turn yesterday as doctors re- security necessary to continue doctors indicated that the deci- by the decision. vegetative state. without consulting his parents, Lambert’s case ignited a fi erce frained from taking a decision on this procedure are not in place, sion to stop treatment could not “I am totally confused. The The Strasbourg-based Euro- who then won a court application debate around euthanasia in his fate, citing security fears. neither for Vincent Lambert nor be taken medically due to the European court and the State pean Court of Human Rights in to stop the plan, calling it “akin to France where it remains illegal The bitterly divided family of his medical team”. threats and pressures they are Council gave their rulings and I June ruled Lambert should be torture”. despite recent eff orts to ease leg- Vincent Lambert – who was left Lambert’s father Pierre told under that prevent them from was hoping for an end to this ju- allowed to die, in a blow to his In an appeal, the French su- islation dealing with the termi- a quadriplegic with severe brain journalists that his son’s doctor working peacefully,” he said. dicial process,” said his sobbing parents and two other siblings preme administrative court, nally ill – a campaign promise by damage after a 2008 road acci- had mentioned “a kidnap plot”, Francois, who is among those wife. who had launched a desperate known as the State Council, or- President Francois Hollande. dent – was expecting his medical but said she wouldn’t go into de- in favour of allowing Lambert to Vincent’s patient’s mother attempt to stop doctors from dered three doctors to draw up In March, lawmakers voted team to rule on whether to stop tails. die, said that the lack of a deci- Viviane – who believes her son cutting the intravenous food and a report on Lambert’s condition overwhelmingly in favour of a the intravenous feeding keeping Pro-life activists have called sion showed “that intimidation would improve with better care – water keeping him alive. and in June 2014 ruled that with- law allowing medics to place ter- him alive. for Lambert or members of his works, that threats work”. said she was “relieved”. Doctors launched a new con- drawing care from a person with minally ill patients in a deep sleep However, doctors instead sus- medical team to be kidnapped in The case has pitted Lambert’s “It means they recognise that sultation process after the rights no hope of recovery was lawful. until they die.

Polish president signs IVF law

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski signed a bill on Wednesday, legalising artificial insemination, or in-vitro Farmers block Lyon as fertilisation (IVF), despite his religious reservations about the process, which has been condemned by the Catholic Church. Infertile Polish couples have waited for years as religious conservatives and the church Hollande pledges action have delayed the introduction of IVF, which they see as against AFP tracts, because we have to be God’s law because multiple egg Lyon eating French meat”. cells must be harvested and For several weeks, farm- ultimately disposed of in an eff ort ers have blocked access to cit- to create a viable embryo. undreds of farmers ies, ports and even the tourist “I am not the president of human blocked roads to France’s hotspot of Mont St Michel to consciences,” Komorowski said. Hsecond city Lyon with highlight their situation, with He did, however, refer one point tractors for much of the day many saying they are on the in the bill to a constitutional yesterday, angry at a €600mn brink of bankruptcy. tribunal to examine. ($658mn) government package Yesterday morning, protest- Komorowski said he regretted to ease a farming crisis sparked ers blocked the two main roads the emotionally charged and by falling food prices. leading to Mont St Michel, one “damaging debate in parliament, Facing a growing political row, of France’s most visited sites. which was hurtful for the families President Francois Hollande “The measures announced aff ected”. made an impromptu visit to the yesterday do not go far enough. He said the debate had been eastern city of Dijon to meet of- It’s not what we want. We don’t more about ideology than about fi cials from the biggest farmers’ want trivial measures, we want a solution for couples who had federations. prices to rise over the medium no children through no fault of Speaking to reporters after- and long term,” said Vincent De- their own. wards, the president described rieux, manning one of the bar- the emergency package as “vi- ricades. tal” for an industry in crisis. Protesters later lifted the Minimum age for He urged local restaurants blockade around Lyon. They and cafes to “buy French”, com- had previously said they did not marriage raised plaining that “in canteens, two- want to hinder people travelling thirds of food still does not come in the peak of the holiday season. Spain raised the minimum age from France”. A combination of factors, in- for marriage and sexual relations Hollande also announced that cluding changing dietary habits, to 16 yesterday from 14 and he and his ministers were in the slowing Chinese demand and 13 respectively, bringing the process of a sales drive around a Russian embargo on West- country into line with much of the world – notably in China ern products over Ukraine, has Europe after protests from child and North Africa – to encour- pushed down prices for staples protection groups. age other countries to snap up like beef, pork and milk. Spanish legislation until now had French exports. Acutely aware of the power of allowed 14-year-olds to marry “I will be going myself to Chi- the agricultural lobby, the gov- with permission from a judge. na at the beginning of Novem- ernment reacted on Wednes- The government said two years ber, to support our dairy pro- day with an emergency package Farmers throw bottles and cartons of milk on the ground as part of a demonstration in Lyon, against the market prices of their products. ago that it would change the ducers,” he added. worth €600mn in tax relief and law with the aim of protecting Farmers should be valued as loan guarantees. And the main FNSEA farmers’ farmers “need to express their farmers blame for keeping prices Sarkozy, from the centre-right children from forced marriage entrepreneurs who “work hard But the packages appeared to union dismissed the package as anger”. low. The Republicans party, dis- and exploitation, and the to make sure that our food is of fall short of expectations and “insuffi cient”, saying it provided Speaking on French radio The farming crisis has quickly missed the government’s emer- legislation came into eff ect good quality and that our coun- while some blockading farm- only a short-term sticking plas- early yesterday, Valls said it was spilled over into the political gency proposal as “not up to the yesterday. try can shine due to its excel- ers did stop their action, others ter, not a long-term structural “essential that prices rise in the sphere with the centre-right task”. The minimum age for sexual lence”, said Hollande. stepped up their protests. solution. beef market”. opposition launching broadside The group’s parliamenta- relations was also raised Prime Minister Manuel Valls “The conditions are not in FNSEA president Xavier Beu- He called on “everyone to live after broadside at Valls during a ry leader, Christian Jacob – a yesterday, from 13 to 16, after announced government pro- place to lift the blockades,” said lin warned there would prob- up to their responsibilities”, sin- heated parliamentary session on former agricultural union leader international bodies including the curement services would “re- the FNB union, which represents ably be more protests “in the gling out the abattoirs and food Wednesday. – said that the crisis plan was United Nations and the European negotiate all their supply con- beef farmers. next two or three days” because processing industries, which Former president Nicolas “an exercise in spin-doctoring”. Council pressed for a change.

Turkey bolsters border as offi cer is shot dead Putin wants me as a

AFP key’s Kurdish minority, which is short of playing a full role in the minister: Berlusconi Sanliurfa, Turkey unhappy over the lack of support US-led coalition assisting Kurds provided by the government to fi ghting IS militants who have Kurdish militias fi ghting IS in- taken swathes of Iraq and Syria. AFP urkey took steps yester- side Syria. However, the Hurriyet daily Rome day to bolster its frontier The military wing of the reported yesterday that Ankara Twith Syria after a suicide Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) had fi nally given the green light bombing blamed on jihadists claimed the killing of the two to US forces for use of the Incirlik ussian President killed 32 people, as the country police in the border town of Cey- air base in the campaign against Vladimir Putin wants was shaken by a new deadly at- lanpinar, accusing the two slain IS in Syria. Rto give Silvio Berlusconi tack on police. offi cers of collaborating with IS It said that the accord was fi - Russian citizenship – and the A day after the fatal shooting extremists. nalised in telephone talks on job of economy minister – the Berlusconi: My future? of two police offi cers claimed by Aged 24 and 25, they were Wednesday between President disgraced Italian billionaire Becoming minister for Putin. Kurdish militants as “revenge” given a funeral ceremony with Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US politician was quoted as saying for Monday’s suicide bombing in full honours outside police head- counterpart Barack Obama. yesterday. The controversial Berlusconi the town of Suruc on the Syrian quarters in the regional centre of Turkish offi cials have con- “In Italy, I have been relegat- has been hit by a string of le- border, one offi cer was shot dead Sanliurfa, their coffi ns draped in fi rmed a 20-year-old Turkish ed to the sidelines, but Putin gal woes, most recently being in the majority Kurdish city of the Turkish fl ag. man linked to IS carried out the has told me he is willing to give sentenced to three years this Diyarbakir. “The martyrs never die, the suicide bombing in Suruc. me citizenship, and entrust month for bribing a senator. The unrest has intensifi ed fears people will never be divided,” Media reports named the me with running the economy Earlier this year, he com- that the battle raging between dozens of police offi cers chanted, bomber as university student ministry,” La Stampa newspa- pleted a community service or- Islamic State (IS) jihadists and using a well-known patriotic Seyh Abdurrahman Alagoz from per quoted him as saying at a der for corporate tax fraud but Kurds inside Syria is now spilling slogan. Adiyaman in southeastern Tur- dinner party. was cleared of having sex with over onto Turkish territory. The state Anatolia news agen- key. “My future? Becoming min- an under-age dancer known as Deputy Prime Minister Bulent cy said the three suspects had His father Zeynel Abidin ister for my friend Putin,” the Ruby the Heart-stealer after Arinc said after a cabinet meeting been arrested in early morning Alagoz told the Dogan news 78-year-old former Italian judges ruled he could not have late on Tuesday that the govern- raids and were being questioned, agency that Abdurrahman had premier reportedly said. known she was a minor. ment had discussed an “integrat- without giving further details. gone missing with his elder Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Putin and Berlusconi are ed system” to secure the frontier A demonstrators marches in Ankara with a poster showing the faces In new violence, one Turkish brother Yunus Emre six months Peskov, however, said Putin’s longstanding friends and dur- with Syria amid its civil war. of those killed in the suicide bomb attack in Suruc. police offi cer was shot dead and ago. off er was more “fi gurative” ing a visit to Rome by the Rus- Turkish media reported on another badly wounded in an Turkish media said a major than real and was a show of sian leader in June, the media Wednesday that the measures A moat will also be dug at some militants and smugglers. attack yesterday by armed men hunt was now on for the brother, support for an old friend. tycoon pledged his Forza Italia were set to include sending zep- points. Prime Minister Ahmet Da- during a routine traffi c check in who had run a teahouse in Adiya- “Putin and Berlusconi share party would work to lift sanc- pelins into the air several hun- Turkey has long been accused vutoglu meanwhile convened a Turkey’s majority Kurdish-city man that had become a known an old friendship. They keep in tions on Russia. dred metres high to monitor the by its Western partners of fail- meeting of security chiefs in An- of Diyarbakir, hospital sources meeting place for IS sympathis- touch, and this is a true cama- They also spent a weekend border and building a concrete ing to properly control the 911km kara to discuss further measures. said. ers. raderie,” Peskov said. in Russia’s picturesque Altai border wall. (566-mile) frontier and even of The attack in Suruc – which Meanwhile, the Patriotic The unrest comes at a critical “In this case ... it should mountains together. Turkey also plans to put in colluding with IS, allegations it killed mainly young activists Revolutionary Youth Movement time for Tu rkey following elec- be seen as fi gurative support Two years ago, France’s larg- place two fences separated by a fi ercely denies. preparing for an aid mission to (YDG-H), seen as a youth wing of tions in which the ruling Justice rather than a formal off er to er-than-life actor Gerard De- military patrol road at the border, In places, the border has been Syria – was the fi rst time the gov- the PKK, claimed it had shot dead and Development Party (AKP) of take some offi cial post, which, pardieu befriended Putin and complete with observation tow- marked only with a crude wire- ernment had explicitly blamed IS an alleged former IS fi ghter in Is- Erdogan lost its overall majority of course, is impossible,” Pesk- was given a Russian passport ers at some locations, the Hur- mesh fence ridden with holes for a strike in the country. tanbul late on Tuesday. in parliament for the fi rst time ov was quoted by Interfax news after criticising taxes on top riyet daily said. that has provided easy passage to It infl amed tensions with Tur- Turkey has so far stopped since coming to power in 2002. agency as saying. earners in France. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 11 INDIA Pachuari ousted from TERI amid sex claims

Agencies as its director general. Mathur now heads the gov- It added that TERI’s govern- TERI, on condition that he woman who has filed the case gation while the victim’s lawyer New Delhi The news comes just days ernment’s Bureau of Energy Ef- ing council would not continue steer clear of his 29-year-old against him. She was criti- has alleged that he tried to infl u- after he had won a court order fi ciency. an internal investigation into alleged victim. cal yesterday of the governing ence witnesses. allowing him to return to work The announcement was made the alleged sexual harassment by But media have quoted a council, stating “it’s scary to Pachauri, a leading voice on ormer UN climate panel while still on bail over claims he in a statement that also praised Pachauri, respecting a court or- number of colleagues expressing take note of their silence and the dangers of global warming, chief Rajendra Pachauri pestered a female colleague with Pachauri’s work in turning the der to halt the probe. their unease at the 74-year- inaction because, from what I was forced to quit as chairman Fwas ousted from his post as inappropriate texts and e-mails. Delhi-based TERI into “a major, The governing council in- old’s return while he has yet used to hear, in the corporate of the Nobel Prize-winning UN head of a think-tank yesterday While not specifying why fi nancially autonomous, profes- cludes luminaries like Naina to clear his name. world, on a complaint of such Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- after a backlash over his return Pachauri was being replaced, the sionally dynamic organisation Lal Kidwai, Kiran Shaw and He was “welcomed back a nature, action is taken swiftly mate Change (IPCC) in February to work while facing allegations organisation said “the interests on the global stage.” Deepak Parekh. to his office with garlands and at times overnight.” after his colleague fi led her com- of sexual harassment. of TERI and its talented staff are In its statement, TERI said A court had given and flowers, while I Although no formal charges plaint. The Energy and Resources In- paramount” as it named former that Mathur had been selected Pachauri permis- am being shunted have so far been brought against He has denied the allegations stitute (TERI) announced that World Bank offi cial Ajay Mathur for the post after an extensive sion last week to out of work,” said him, police have accused Pach- and said his e-mails and mobile Pachauri, 74, was being replaced as his successor. search initiated last September. return to work at the 29-year-old auri of obstructing their investi- phone were hacked. BJP raising non-issues: Congress

IANS demands for the resignations New Delhi of BJP leaders. “Some may be very vocal, some less vocal and some silent,” he said. he Congress Party yes- About the BJP allegations terday accused the against Congress Chief Minis- TBharatiya Janata Party ter Virbhadra Singh yesterday, of indulging in politics of “re- Azad said these charges were venge instead of action,” and raked by the BJP even dur- said the ruling party was try- ing the 2012 assembly polls in ing to divert attention from Himachal Pradesh. the opposition demands for He maintained that the the resignations of several Congress fi ght against the BJP ministers. was on principles. “It is not a “Instead of seeking the res- personal battle, but for princi- ignations of their leaders, they ples,” Azad said. are raising non-issues or small The former minister said issues to divert (public) atten- the Congress had asked its tion,” Congress leader Ghulam leaders to step down during Nabi Azad said here. the earlier government’s rule He said Rajasthan Chief Min- even though there was no di- ister Vasundhara Raje’s affi davit rect allegations against them. of 2011, when she was Leader of The two houses of parlia- the Opposition in her state, in ment yesterday saw disrup- favour of former IPL chief La- tions for the third day due to lit Modi’s British immigration the stalemate over the opposi- Police use batons to disperse Congress workers protesting against the Vyapam scam in Bhopal yesterday. application was made on the tion demands for the resigna- condition that her assistance tions of three BJP leaders. should not be revealed to the Amid the logjam, Prime Indian authorities. Minister Narendra Modi ex- “It is rebellion against the changed pleasantries with country. She should be re- former prime minister Man- moved from the party,” said mohan Singh and other op- Azad, Leader of the Opposi- position leaders in the Rajya tion in the Rajya Sabha. Sabha. Scams threaten Modi He also sought the resigna- Modi entered shortly after tion of External Aff airs Minis- noon as Chairman M Hamid ter Sushma Swaraj over her al- Ansari was adjourning the up- leged help to Lalit Modi and of per house due to opposition Madhya Pradesh Chief Min- protests. ister Shivraj Singh Chouhan As the house was adjourned, over the Vyapam scam. Lalit instead of walking out, the pledge of clean govt Modi is facing investigation by prime minister walked to- the Enforcement Directorate. wards the opposition benches. Prime minister appeals for endemic corruption. supporting Lalit Modi’s UK im- to take important decisions for Modi, who has a reputation as “Till the time there is action He was fi rst greeted by opposition unity to push Graft scandals plagued the migration application while he the development of the nation,” a strong leader and an effi cient or there are resignations, we Nationalist Congress Party through his long-awaited previous Congress-led govern- was under investigation back in Modi told reporters. administrator, has pledged a will continue to raise these is- (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, new national sales tax and ment, resulting in policy pa- India for graft. But a veteran BJP leader, law- plethora of such reforms to erase sues inside and outside parlia- followed by his party colleague other reforms ralysis and the worst economic But it is also under pres- maker Shanta Kumar, broke India’s reputation as an unpre- ment,” Azad said, adding that Praful Patel. slowdown since the 1980s. sure over Shivraj Singh Chou- ranks, calling for an ethics com- dictable and corrupt place to do the government was insensi- The prime minister then AFP The latest allegations also han, chief minister of Madhya mittee to be set up to investigate business. tive to the demands of the op- proceeded towards the next New Delhi threaten Modi’s critical land, Pradesh state, where thousands some of the scandals embroiling During the one-year celebra- position and to the desire of bench, where former ally Ja- taxation and other legislative re- of people are alleged to have the BJP leaders. tions in May, BJP chief Shah told the people. nata Dal-United (JD-U) leader forms, with this week’s new ses- bribed offi cials and politicians in “News about the Vyapam the Times of India newspaper About the BJP members Sharad Yadav was seated. Ya- rime Minister Narendra sion of parliament erupting in return for jobs or places in train- scam in Madhya Pradesh has that under Modi “not a single moving a privilege motion dav stood up and both ex- Modi’s bold promise of chaos over opposition demands ing institutes. made us hang our heads in scam has happened. That shows against Robert Vadra, the son- changed greetings. Pa squeaky clean govern- for Swaraj and the chief minis- The Supreme Court has or- shame,” Kumar, a former chief there’s no corruption.” in-law of Congress president Modi then greeted Congress ment is under threat just over ters to resign. dered a federal investigation into minister of Himachal Pradesh, But analysts say foreign inves- Sonia Gandhi, in the Lok Sabha leader Anand Sharma, and 12 months after his landslide “These scams that have bro- the so-called Vyapam scam after wrote in a letter to BJP president tors will be monitoring the new yesterday, Azad said his party walked up to former prime min- election victory, with a string ken out have really lowered the a spate of recent deaths fuelled Amit Shah. turmoil with concern, despite never indulged in revenge poli- ister Manmohan Singh’s seat. of scandals erupting across the image of the BJP-led govern- claims of a mass cover-up by the “It’s natural for any Indian to the fact no BJP leader has been tics when it was in power. The former prime minister country. ment,” said Satish Misra, a sen- Chouhan government. feel disappointed and disheart- charged with any wrongdoing. “We did not resort to tit- folded his hands to greet Modi, Two months ago, Modi and ior fellow with the Delhi-based The opposition says dozens of ened with the kind of news on “I would not say they (inves- for-tat action; we did not in- who in turn shook hands with his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Observer Research Foundation people associated with the scam, the front pages of newspapers tors) are deserting India but they dulge in revenge; we did not him. celebrated their fi rst year in of- think tank. including witnesses, have died and TV channels,” he said in the would be keenly watching this,” let loose our agencies to settle Modi then proceeded to fi ce, trumpeting initiatives in- “BJP leaders celebrated their but state authorities say there letter, released this week on his the Observer Research Founda- scores,” he said. shake hands with Ghulam troduced to reform Asia’s third fi rst year with a lot of pomp and is little evidence to connect any Facebook page. tion’s Satish Misra said. “Instead of taking action, Nabi Azad. largest economy and proclaim- show, saying ‘we have no scams, of the deaths or to suggest foul Parliament descended yes- However, analyst Sanjay Ku- they are taking revenge. The The prime minister then ing the government scam free. we are incorruptible’. But in the play. terday into turmoil for a third mar said the scandals were not Congress never took revenge. also shook hands with Con- But just weeks later, embar- 13th month, there were scams Separately, a court has agreed straight day, with the govern- severe enough to sway public To silence the opposition, they gress leader Madhusudan rassing allegations ensnared Ex- breaking out everywhere,” Misra to look into an allegation that ment branding opposition de- opinion. are using every mechanism. It Mistry, who contested against ternal Aff airs Minister Sushma said. Human Resource Development mands for resignations irre- “The previous government set is undemocratic,” Azad added. him from Vadodara in the 2014 Swaraj along with the chief min- The government has staunch- Minister Smriti Irani lied about sponsible, saying none of the BJP the benchmark for scandals and Asked if the Congress was Lok Sabha polls, and was seen isters of Rajasthan and Madhya ly resisted calls to sack Swaraj her education degree. leaders had broken any laws. the BJP ones don’t come close,” rattled, he said his party did chatting with Congress leader Pradesh where the BJP rules. over her role in helping corrup- As parliament began on Tues- Lacking a majority in the up- said Kumar, director of the Cen- not bow even before the Brit- Karan Singh. Analysts say the government’s tion-hit former Indian Premier day, the prime minister appealed per house Rajya Sabha, the BJP tre for the Study of Developing ish, what to speak of the Modi’s gesture towards the credibility risks damage after it League cricket boss Lalit Modi for opposition unity to push needs opposition support to pass Societies in Delhi. present government. opposition leaders was seen by pledged an honest and effi cient obtain a passport in the UK. through his long-awaited new its bills including the goods and “The BJP’s image has been Azad said the Congress had many as a move to reduce ten- administration, to attract much- The BJP has stood behind Ra- national sales tax and other re- services tax (GST), which har- dented and they are fi nding it overwhelming support from sion between the opposition needed foreign investment and jasthan Chief Minister Vasund- forms. monises a myriad of state and diffi cult, but they can bounce other parties in favour of its and the government. win over voters enraged about hara Raje, under fi re for allegedly “We all have to work together central levies. back.” Yakub Memon seeks stay of execution Serial killer sent to jail IANS case has been completed. AFP bomb attacks that killed hun- among the targets of the were convicted in 2006 by a upheld on appeal. New Delhi Kumar told the court that he New Delhi dreds, paving the way for his March 1993 blasts, which specially designated court us- Media reports said Memon’s feared for his life in jail, upon execution after more than two killed 257 people in India’s ing controversial anti-terror wife had visited him yesterday which the judge told him to in- decades in jail. commercial capital. legislation that was introduced in jail in Maharashtra, were he is court yesterday sent al- form the jail superintendent. convicted bomb plotter But his lawyers lodged the The attacks were believed after the 1993 bomb blasts scheduled to be hanged. leged serial killer and Meanwhile, one man tried to due to be hanged next last-ditch appeal saying his ex- to have been staged by Mum- and is no longer on the statute India ended an eight-year Arapist Ravinder Kumar to assault Kumar as he was being Aweek yesterday lodged ecution date of July 30 had been bai’s underworld in retali- books. unoffi cial moratorium on ex- Tihar Jail till August 5, declin- taken to the lock-up from the a last-ditch challenge with the set in April, before this week’s ation for anti-Muslim vio- Another brother, Tiger Mem- ecutions in 2012 when it hanged ing the police plea for four days court room, but police stopped Supreme Court, claiming his Supreme Court verdict. lence that killed more than on, was alleged to have master- the lone surviving gunman custody. him midway. death warrant had been issued Eleven people have been 1,000 people. minded the attacks along with from the deadly 2008 Mumbai Additional Sessions Judge Kumar, who hails from Kas- before all legal avenues to ap- convicted over the 1993 at- Rights activists have criti- Mumbai gang boss Dawood Ib- attacks. Vinod Yadav remanded Kumar ganj in Uttar Pradesh but lives peal were exhausted. tacks, the deadliest in India’s cised the decision to hang rahim. A Kashmiri separatist con- in 14 days judicial custody after in Delhi, has admitted to raping The court on Tuesday re- history. Memon, an accountant who Both have been on the run victed of involvement in a he was presented before him, and murdering more than 30 jected a fi nal appeal by Yakub The Bombay Stock Ex- denied any involvement in the since 1993 and Yakub Memon is deadly 2001 attack on the par- observing the accused was in children in and around the city. Memon, who was convicted change, the offices of Air In- bombings. the only one of the 11 convicted liament was executed in New police custody from last seven He said he used to lure children for plotting the 1993 Mumbai dia and a luxury hotel were He and two of his brothers to have had his death sentence Delhi in 2013. days and investigation in the with candies. Gulf Times 12 Friday, July 24, 2015 INDIA

EDUCATION CRIME DEPOSITS SCHEME AVIATION Kerala mulls setting up Three held, 100 vehicle States should monitor Akhilesh to hand out Airline norms need schools in Middle East theft cases solved chit fund firms: SEBI 500 battery rickshaws recast, says minister

Kerala will conduct a feasibility study to see if Three people have been arrested for their alleged Market regulator Securities and Exchange Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju state-run schools can open in the Middle East involvement in over 100 vehicle theft cases in Board of India (SEBI) yesterday said state will distribute battery-operated rickshaws yesterday said the existing norms for Indian countries, a minister said yesterday. “There are Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), police governments need to play a pivotal role to 500 people in Lucknow on August 15, an carriers to fly abroad needed to be recast. lots of practical diff iculties in opening state-run said yesterday. Gang leader Devender Kumar, 33, to control and monitor the spread of chit off icial said yesterday. These rickshaws, each Currently, the norms prescribe that only schools in the Middle East due to technical and was arrested on Monday along with his associates fund and ponzi firms. “This is a matter costing Rs150,000, would be distributed by the those carriers that have been in operation diplomatic reasons,” Education Minister P K Satpal, 40, and Somveer, 22, from Darya Gang in which cannot be controlled by one central Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). In the for five years and have a fleet of 20 aircraft Abdu Rabb said. “Despite such diff iculties, what central Delhi. “They are involved in more than 100 agency - there is a three-tier approach 2012 assembly polls, the Samajwadi Party had can fly abroad. “Personally, I would like to we have decided is to see how we can help our automobile theft cases in Delhi and NCR,” Joint required. The first level has to be the state promised these eco-friendly rickshaws to the get rid of the 5/20 policy. It is outdated, like people. The education secretary will prepare a Commissioner of Police Ravindra Yadav said. government. It is not possible for the RBI or poor. While the scheme was approved within a dinosaur, and I think it should go,” Raju feasibility report on what can be done and if a Devender and Satpal told the police that they and SEBI or any other agency,” SEBI chairman months after the party took power, it could not said. “Unfortunately it is a cabinet decision, state-run school can be opened in the Middle their associate Bunty had stolen many vehicles U K Sinha said in Kolkata. He said various roll out due to alleged technical glitches and collectively taken on the policy,” he said. East countries,” he said. The latest study report from Delhi and NCR. “After stealing them, Devender state governments have passed their red tape. In 2014, 23 rickshaws were distributed. Among the seven main scheduled airlines in of the Centre for Development Studies stated and Satpal would contact another man, Rakesh, to own legislations on depositor protection “Tenders have been issued to procure the the country, only four meet the requirements that 90% of Kerala’s 2.3mn diaspora is in the prepare forged documents. Thereafter, the stolen to safeguard their interest and prevent rickshaws and the chief minister will distribute - Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo. Middle East. vehicles were sold to Somveer,” said the off icer. malicious acts by chit fund firms. them on August 15,” the off icial said. Three others are ineligible.

We are not tax Banks opt for dodgers: Kalanithi off beat tactics IANS Chennai

edia baron and promot- er of Sun TV group Ka- Mlanithi Maran yesterday to tackle $49bn said they were not tax dodgers and the media was being fed sto- ries about the group and him by people with vested interests. “Given that the Sun Group of companies and I have been the of bad debts topic of several malicious and misleading stories fed to the print Gross bad loans at Indian fieldwork,” said Malhotra. borrowers and putting more peo- media by certain people, it appears banks rose to Rs3.1tn Executives say it’s too early to ple on the job through special- that this action too may have been ($48.83bn) as of end-March, or measure overall success, but there ised branches. Some are trying motivated by ulterior motives to 4.6% of total loans, according have been some wins for India’s to speed up the sale of seized as- tarnish the image and reputation to central bank data bruised banks. sets by advertising them on large of the Sun Group and me,” Maran Suzlon Energy this year sold its screens at shopping malls. said in a statement issued here. Reuters German unit, Senvion, for €1bn “These days people are get- He issued the statement to Mumbai ($1.1bn) in cash - less than what ting on to the job the moment clarify news reports about him, it paid to buy the asset in a deal you have an early warning signal budget airline SpiceJet Ltd and completed in 2011. It crystalised that something may happen in a a company offi cial being sum- nder pressure to do more a huge loss after banks piled pres- company and you have thousands moned as an accused by a Delhi to cut a $49bn mountain sure on the loss-making wind- of crores at stake,” said a senior court in two tax evasion cases Uof bad debt, India’s state- turbine maker to cut its debt. banker at a big state-run bank.. for alleged failure to deposit owned banks are reversing years More than two dozen lenders SBI has set up branches fo- over Rs1.47bn as tax deducted of lax recovery eff orts, naming led by SBI are looking for an in- cused solely on recovering loans, at source (TDS) with the Income and shaming smaller borrowers vestor in Electrosteel Steels Ltd, and, to speed up cumbersome Tax department. and even using big TV screens at whose near-$1.4bn bank loan is paperwork, encourages managers According to him, the Sun shopping malls to advertise seized strained. Rather than ‘evergreen- to snap pictures of themselves on Group and he in his personal ca- assets for sale. ing’ the loan - a process of regu- seized assets - proof of the change pacity pay more than Rs6bn as India’s bad debt pile, domi- lar review and renew - lenders of ownership. It plans to set up taxes annually to the national ex- nated by corporate loans, is at its are getting involved in the buyer a web portal to showcase all the chequer. highest in a decade, swollen by an talks, an individual with direct seized assets available for auc- “We are not tax dodgers,” Ma- economic slowdown, loose lend- knowledge of the matter told Re- tion. ran claimed. ing and, in many cases, banks’ uters. “Companies can sometimes Maran said SpiceJet was the own failure to do enough to chase Gross bad loans at Indian banks fall in love with their assets, but only company in the Sun Group down rogue debtors. rose to Rs3.1tn ($48.83bn) as bankers can’t aff ord to do that,” that had diffi culty in making Now, bank executives say pres- of end-March, or 4.6% of total said SBI’s Malhotra. timely payments during 2014, sure - from a government needing loans, according to central bank Union Bank of India chairman which was inevitable given the to accelerate economic recov- data. Including loans that are Arun Tiwari said his state-run very challenging times faced by ery and from a central bank that stressed but not yet classifi ed as lender has changed its system to the entire airline industry. wants company owners to take bad, total troubled loans made up put three separate general manag- “Despite those hurdles, we more responsibility - has left lit- 11% of total lending. ers in charge of recovering diff er- cleared all dues around February tle choice but to get tougher and Banks say they are now moving ent classes of loans - large, middle 2015 well before the new promot- faster. faster to bring that down, step- and small. er took over. It is therefore to be Tactics include targeting ping in at the fi rst sign of trouble, “You have to go out in the fi eld,” noted that there was no evasion smaller borrowers with aggres- sending out more offi cers to chase he said. of tax as reported but only a delay sive ‘name and shame’ cam- in making those remittances,” he paigns, with placards and groups Bank to e-auction seized properties said. of bank employees protesting Maran said he was a non-exec- outside offi ces, for example, and Government-owned mortgage standalone basis and next month utive chairman of the board of di- putting pressure on investors or lender Indian Bank plans to hold an the auction would be on a con- rectors and was never designated executives at larger fi rms. online auction of pledged proper- solidated one. According to Jain, as the principal offi cer of SpiceJet P K Malhotra, a deputy manag- ties next month, a top off icial said the bank has created a separate involved in day-to-day aff airs of ing director at the State Bank of yesterday. “Next month we plan vertical to look into loan accounts the company. India, the country’s largest bank, to auction online the properties above Rs10mn and monitor “It is unfortunate that after al- said his team received extra train- mortgaged relating to around 280 them closely. For delinquent loan most a period of six months after ing, including in psychology, and accounts,” M K Jain, managing di- accounts where the borrowing is payment of TDS dues by Spice- was systematically chasing up rector and CEO said in Chennai. He less than Rs10mn, action under the Jet, a case has been suddenly fi led payments, as others in the bank said the amount lent by the bank to SARFAESI Act - The Securitisation naming me as an accused, despite accelerated sales of seized assets. the 280 loan accounts will be in the and Reconstruction of Financial knowing fully well that I am not People line up outside an ATM at a State Bank of India branch in Mumbai. State-owned banks are “The focus (is) on getting region of Rs6bn. He said the bank Assets and Enforcement of Security in charge of the day-to-day op- reversing years of lax recovery eff orts, naming and shaming smaller borrowers and even using court cases expedited. Less on has been holding e-auctions on Interest Act - would be taken. erations of SpiceJet,” Maran said. big TV screens at shopping malls to advertise seized assets for sale. the paperwork and more on the Kejriwal hits out at Jung, calls him Modi’s man

IANS up the DCW’s offi ce and insist on Kejriwal’s target in the letter this on his own. He is forced to do New Delhi seeing Maliwal’s fi le was “totally clearly was Modi, whose Bharati- all this. illegal and unconstitutional. This ya Janata Party was routed by the “He is doing all this at the in- is clear blackmail”. AAP in the February Delhi as- stance of the prime minister. The elhi Chief Minister Arvind “But it is important for public sembly election. fact is even the (central) home Kejriwal yesterday ac- good that the DCW should func- He said that on Modi’s direc- ministry is increasingly become Dcused Lt Governor Najeeb tion in an appropriate manner,” tions, the Lt Governor had made helpless vis-a-vis the Prime Jung of acting at Prime Minister the chief minister said. “Women the DCW “totally ineff ective” Minister’s Offi ce.” Narendra Modi’s behest and said are facing crime and injustice in - the same way it was done in Jung and Kejriwal have been Jung’s claim that he was the real Delhi. I hope the new DCW will the case of the Anti-Corruption locked in an acrimonious battle government in the capital was be able to deliver justice to all Branch (ACB). over governance in Delhi, par- “laughable and unconstitution- such women. Kejriwal maintained that the ticularly on the posting of of- al.” “The only purpose I see in Delhi government had every right fi cials in the Delhi government. A day after Jung rejected the the Lt Governor’s action is that to appoint members to the DCW. Delhi police report to Jung, not to appointment of Swati Maliwal the prime minister, through the “The Lt Governor says that Kejriwal. as the new chief of the Delhi Lt Governor, wants to make the Lt Governor himself is the Delhi In other developments, an Commission for Women (DCW) Delhi government bow to him. government. How is this pos- AAP delegation met Home Min- because his approval was not “The issue of DCW is very im- sible? How can one individual ister Rajnath Singh over its leader sought, a furious Kejriwal hit portant and sensitive. For us, this claim to be the ‘government’? If Dilip Pandey’s allegation that a back, fi ring his most intense sal- is not an ego battle.” that was that case, there would Delhi police van tried to run him vo against the Lt Governor. And Kejriwal added in a sar- be dictatorship in Delhi. over. At the same time, Kejriwal told castic tone: “Lt Governor-Prime “It is clear that there can be The delegation, including Jung in a letter that he was send- Minister have won and all of us nothing more laughable than Kumar Vishwas and Pandey, ing Maliwal’s fi le to him for his have been defeated. I now pray this. India is a democracy. There handed over to Singh a compact approval as it was vital that the with folded hands that you sign is an elected government in disc of a video recording of the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia addresses a press conference in DCW should start work at the the fi le and get the DCW going. I Delhi. The ‘Delhi government’ incident. New Delhi yesterday. earliest. am sending the fi le to you.” stands for the elected govern- “We handed to the home min- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) In his communication of ment, not an individual. ister the video proof and a letter ing with the home minister. test against the grisly murder we spoke about with the home leader, who has had more than Wednesday rejecting Maliwal’s “Then why does the Lt Gover- regarding what happened with The delegation also com- of a 19-year-old woman. minister,” the AAP leader said. one public spat with Jung since appointment, Jung described his nor indulge in such laughable and Dilip Pandey. He said he was plained to Rajnath Singh about “Beating up of our workers “After a beating at the protest taking power in February, said offi ce as “the government” in unconstitutional talk? The real- aware of the issue,” Vishwas said the police’s alleged beating up for protesting over the Anand site, they were beaten up in police the Lt Governor’s decision to lock Delhi. ity is the Lt Governor is not doing after emerging out of the meet- of party workers during a pro- Parbat case is another issue lock-up too,” he added. Gulf Times Frday, July 24, 2015 13 LATIN AMERICA Women push for equality in Latin America military ranks

AFP Today, there is no need to cut military personnel are female. ent guinea pigs - the fi rst women ed, wearing her hair short again the late 1990s. A few countries, women accounting for 16% to Montevideo her hair short, as rules and atti- In 2002, she became the fi rst in an institution that was not after years of growing it out, de- notably Venezuela and Bolivia, 18% of all military personnel, tudes toward women in the mili- female combat pilot in Latin fully prepared to handle the new ciding that a cropped cut is more allowed women in military acad- according to the Latin American tary have improved with a great- America’s southern cone, fl ying presence of females. convenient. emies as early as 1970. Security and Defence Network hen Uruguayan air er number of females in military an A-37 Dragonfl y attack aircraft. “In the beginning, they cut our Etcheverry has been blazing the Things are starting to change, (Resdal). force major Maria ranks throughout Latin America. When she enrolled at the hair, as per the regulations (that trail in Uruguay since she started but at a gradual pace, and the That is higher than in the US, WEugenia Etcheverry Etcheverry is a pioneer - she aeronautic academy in 1997, the were in place for men), that said out in the military college. number of female military per- where 15% of military personnel enrolled in the military’s aero- is the first female to become fi rst year women were allowed hair could not reach the collar of But despite the example she sonnel varies from country to - combatant and non-combat- nautic school nearly two dec- the commander of an air force in the army, she was one of only our uniform,” said Etcheverry. has set, Etcheverry remains an country. ant - are women. ades ago, she cut her hair short, squadron with 16 men under two females at the school. “Then they let us grow it, as exception in the region, where Argentina, Chile, the Do- Latin America is also seeing adhering to rules aimed at her her command, a rare seniority She said she and colleague perceptions changed. It was like many countries only began minican Republic, Uruguay and more women occupy senior mil- mostly male colleagues. in a region where only 4% of Carolina Arevalo were inadvert- that with everything,” she add- opening their ranks to women in Venezuela are the leaders, with itary positions. White House Bolivia unrest fi nalising plan to shut down Gitmo prison

AFP are crucial to be able to move to- Washington wards the normalisation.” Kerry said that the US had no plans to alter its Guantanamo he White House is in the lease treaty. Cuba however says “fi nal stages” of drafting there is no lease, and that there Ta plan to close the conten- has been none in a half century. tious Guantanamo Bay prison Washington has slowly been and will submit it for review sending Guantanamo prisoners by lawmakers, spokesman Josh back to their home countries or Earnest said. to third countries, something President Barack Obama that needs to continue if the fa- made the closure of the contro- cility is to shut, Earnest said. versial prison in Cuba a prior- The US said in June a group of ity when he took offi ce in 2009, six Yemeni detainees were trans- Miners from Potosi clash with riot police near the Governmental Palace in La Paz. Potosi, a mining city in southwest Bolivia, has been paralysed for 17 days by a massive but the plan has faced numerous ferred to Oman. strike demanding investment in public infrastructure. setbacks, including Congress Other detainees need to be blocking the transfer of detain- prosecuted or reviewed for re- ees to US prisons. lease, Earnest said. “The administration is in fact A new special envoy tasked in the fi nal stages of drafting a with closing the prison was also plan to safely and responsibly recently appointed by Kerry. (close) the prison at Guantan- Lee Wolosky, a lawyer who amo Bay and to present that to worked under both presidents, Congress,” Earnest said. Bill Clinton and George W Bush, “That has been something that was chosen as the state depart- our national security offi cials ment’s special envoy for Guan- Chile army offi cers held have been working on for quite tanamo closure. some time, primarily because it is The post, which tries to man- a priority of the president.” age the transfers of detainees, The operation in Cuba is not had been vacant since December. an eff ective use of government But the transfer of detainees resources, Earnest told reporters. to the US is opposed by Con- “This is complicated work, gress, and some lawmakers have for ’86 attack on activists but we have made a lot of impor- tried to halt all transfers out of tant progress,” he added. Guantanamo, saying the releases Seven soldiers allegedly notorious torture cases of the DC and returned to Chile to rector of Human Rights Watch’s tack - told judge Mario Carroza The broader US naval base could lead to more attacks. set fire to Carmen Gloria 17-year military dictatorship of photograph popular protests Americas division in Washing- that the commanding offi cer, at Guantanamo in southeast- In June, the Senate endorsed a Quintana and Rodrigo Augusto Pinochet. against Pinochet. Along with ton DC. Lieutenant Julio Castaner, had ern Cuba is also opposed by the bill that strengthens restrictions Rojas, who died from burns, Rojas, a US resident, later Quintana, he was captured by “This group of military offi c- ordered a soldier to douse the Cuban government, with which on the closure of the Guantan- for documenting protest died from his burns, while soldiers on July 2, 1986, as they ers decided in cold blood to kill victims in petrol and set them the US just restored diplomatic amo prison, a plan Obama has against dictator Augusto Quintana was left disfi gured, documented a two-day national them. Clearly the intention of on fi re. relations. Cuba says the US is il- threatened to veto. Pinochet but attempts to investigate the strike against the dictatorship. the military was to set a prec- Castaner, who was arrested legally occupying its land. Earnest said he was concerned case were stymied by a dec- Quintana and other wit- edent. To send a clear message, on Tuesday, was still serving as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno about seeing Congress “repeat- Guardian News and Media ades-long “pact of silence” nesses described how she and to draw a line in the sand and assistant to the chief of staff of Rodriguez called for the return edly impede the eff ort to close Santiago among the former servicemen. Rojas were beaten, sprayed with make sure everybody took note an army division in Tierra del of the territory to Cuba and for a the prison at Guantanamo Bay The case was reopened in petrol and set alight. They were of what where they are capable Fuego. In previous testimony, lifting of the US embargo against despite bipartisan agreement 2013, and last year a former then dumped on the outskirts of of doing,” he said. he had denied seeing gasoline the communist country while in that closing the prison is actually Chilean judge has or- army conscript testifi ed and Santiago where they were found An army coverup was poured on the two young activ- Washington on Monday. in the national security interest dered the arrest of seven identifi ed two former offi cers by nearby residents and rushed launched immediately after the ists. Standing next to US Secretary of the US.” Aarmy offi cers for ques- and fi ve former non-commis- to a hospital. attack, with Pinochet himself Carroza said the recent testi- of State John Kerry, Rodriguez The military prison opened in tioning over an attack on two sioned offi cers who had par- “These two individuals were suggesting that the two activ- mony “fundamentally changes said Havana aimed to move for- January of 2002 shortly after the democracy activists who were ticipated in the attack. All seven trying to document and register ists had accidentally set them- the ability to prove these acts ward. But he stressed “totally September 11, 2001 attacks in the doused with petrol by soldiers were taken into custody on what was going on in working- selves on fi re while they were were intentional because at the lifting the blockade, the return US. and set on fi re. Tuesday night. class areas of Santiago by show- making petrol bombs. time there was only talk of neg- of the illegally occupied territory After reaching a peak of 680 The 1986 attack on Rod- Rojas, the son of a Chilean ing the world the brutality of But last year Fernando Guz- ligence. The version of the vic- of Guantanamo as well as the full prisoners in 2003, there are 116 rigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria exile, had left the Woodrow Pinochet’s repression,” said Jose man - who was an 18-year-old tims is now corroborated by the respect for Cuban sovereignty ... inmates remaining. Quintana was one of the most Wilson School in Washington Miguel Vivanco, executive di- soldier at the time of the at- (military) witness.” Brazil jobless rate soars, Peace talks resume Argentina drops economy seen shrinking bid to arrest Bieber AFP ing a bodyguard to forcefully Buenos Aires seize his camera and cellphone Agencies 1.1% of GDP, originally budgeted. above 3% of GDP as tighter spend- outside a nightclub in the posh Brasilia The primary surplus, or rev- ing controls and a commodities Palermo neighbourhood. enue available to meet inter- bonanza fi lled public coff ers. op star Justin Bieber re- Interpol, the international est payments on debt, is closely That changed when Rousseff ceived some good news police body, does not issue nemployment in Brazil watched by markets and credit took offi ce in 2011 and granted Pon his legal woes when a arrest warrants itself, but can reached 6.9% in June, the rating agencies as a gauge of a billions of dollars worth of tax court in Argentina dropped a send out a Red Notice inform- Uhighest level since 2010, country’s capacity to repay its breaks to businesses in a failed warrant for his arrest for alleg- ing its 190 member states that the National Statistics Offi ce debt. The agencies have warned attempt to restart stagnant eco- edly assaulting a photographer. a suspect is wanted in a par- IBGE announced yesterday. they may further downgrade nomic growth. Judge Alberto Banos said the ticular country. The fi gure was 2.1 percentage Brazil, a move which could un- Levy said additional budget Canadian singer, 21, would still Bieber once enjoyed a points higher than in the same dermine investor confi dence and cuts of nearly 9bn reais for this face the assault charge related squeaky clean image but has month of 2014, while in May the raise borrowing costs. year were proof that fi scal belt- to the 2013 incident in Buenos more recently had frequent fi gure stood at 6.7%. As recently The steeper-than-expected tightening is here to stay, despite Aires, but that Bieber was not run-ins with the law, includ- as December 2014, a record low cuts in the primary surplus tar- political pressure to ease the ad- now subject to an arrest war- ing one in Canada when he al- of 4.3% was reached. gets could complicate President justment. rant. legedly assaulted a limousine The Brazilian Central Bank has Dilma Rousseff ’s bid to regain Rousseff is struggling with Now Bieber is supposed driver. predicted that the economy will the confi dence of investors as record-low popularity as the to contact authorities about Last year, he pleaded guilty shrink by 1.1% in 2015. In 2014, Latin America’s largest economy economy tanks and a widening when he can testify in the to lesser charges after taking there was minimal growth of 0.1%. heads into its worst recession in corruption scandal at state-run investigation, DyN news re- part in an illegal drag race on a The government dramatically 25 years. oil fi rm Petrobras nears her inner ported. Miami street. lowered its fi scal savings goals “The target revision should circle of advisers. She is also fac- Argentina had sought Bie- He was sentenced to two for 2015 and 2016 on Wednesday not be taken as a sign that we ing a rebellious alliance in Con- ber’s arrest overseas with an years’ probation last year for due to plunging tax revenues, are abandoning the fi scal ad- gress that has watered down many Interpol Red Notice but no throwing eggs at the home of a and announced new spending justment,” Finance Minister of her cost-cutting measures. country detained him or tried neighbour in California. cuts to underscore its commit- Joaquim Levy told reporters in a An infl uential leader of the to extradite him. The 2013 tour stop, Bieber’s ment to austerity amid a steep presentation. “We are commit- country’s largest party PMDB, Bieber ignored a November only visit to Argentina, was economic downturn. ted to fi scal discipline.” senator Romero Juca, said he is court order to appear before the peppered with scandals. The government cut its pri- The government cut its 2016 confi dent the governing coali- Farc guerrillas Edilson Romana (left), Ivan Marquez (centre) judge in the case, which dates He was thrown out of a ho- mary surplus goal for this year to primary surplus goal to 0.7% of tion will pass the target in Con- and Joaquin Gomez arrive at Convention Palace in Havana back to a 2013 stop in Buenos tel, and cut one show short 8.7bn reais ($2.70bn), or 0.15% GDP from 2% and to 1.3% for 2017. gress. He said his party will also for the peace talks with the Colombian government Aires on his Believe tour. after 45 minutes because of a of gross domestic product, from Until a few years ago Brazil back legislation to raise revenues yesterday. Photographer Diego Pesoa stomach ache, angering some 66.3bn reais, the equivalent of maintained primary surpluses and cut spending. accused Bieber of instruct- fans. Gulf Times 14 Friday, July 24, 2015 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

ISI sought huge Iran deal fuels tussle for data collection gas pipelines in Pakistan tools: report AFP Traffi c from North America Pakistan is desperate for Islamabad and regional rival India would solutions to a long-running also be routed via the cables, power crisis that has sapped he said. economic growth and left its akistani intelligence The report, based on what it 200mn inhabitants fuming sought to tap world- called previously unpublished over incessant electricity Pwide Internet traffi c via confi dential documents, said cuts underwater cables that would the data collection sought in have given the country a dig- the ISI’s proposal “would ri- AFP ital espionage capacity to rival val some of the world’s most Islamabad the US, according to a report powerful surveillance pro- by Privacy International. grammes” including those of The report says the coun- the United States and Britain. landmark deal on Iran’s try’s Inter Services Intelli- A spokesman for Pakistan’s nuclear programme has gence (ISI) agency hired inter- military said he was not able Abreathed new life into mediary companies to acquire to comment on the issue at the plans for a gas pipeline through domestic spying toolkits from present time. Pakistan — and sparked a geopo- Western and Chinese fi rms for Last month Pakistani rights litical tussle, with Russia looking domestic surveillance. campaigners and opposition to expand its infl uence, observ- It also claims the ISI sought lawmakers urged Islamabad to ers say. access to tap data from three protect the privacy of its citi- With sanctions on Iran likely of the four “landing sites” that zens after leaked top-secret to ease and peace talks between pass through the country’s documents appeared to show the Taliban and Afghan govern- port city of Karachi, eff ective- British intelligence had gained ment getting under way, wran- ly giving it access to Internet access to almost all the coun- gling is intensifying over the traffi c worldwide. try’s Internet users. proposed pipelines, which would Pakistan was in talks with a Pakistan is also in the proc- link Central Asia to the Middle European company in 2013 to ess of debating its own cy- East. acquire the technology but it ber-crime bill, which rights Islamabad last week hailed is not clear whether the deal campaigners say threatens the nuclear deal, struck after went through — a fact the to curtail freedom of expres- long negotiations in Vienna, as rights organisation said was sion and privacy in its current reviving a stalled project to pipe troubling. form. gas from Iran’s southern fi elds to “These cables are going to Rights groups also ex- energy-starved Pakistan. route data through various pressed concern over a provi- The South Asian state is des- countries and regions,” Mat- sion that allows the govern- perate for solutions to a long- thew Rice, an advocacy offi cer ment to share intelligence running power crisis that has A Pakistani worker fills a car with fuel at a filling station in Peshawar yesterday. A landmark deal on Iran’s nuclear programme has breathed for Privacy International, said. with foreign spy agencies, sapped economic growth and left new life into plans for a gas pipeline through Pakistan – and sparked a geopolitical tussle, with Russia looking to expand its influence, “Some will go from Eu- such as the American Na- its 200mn inhabitants fuming observers say. rope to Africa and all the way tional Security Agency, and over incessant electricity cuts. to Southeast Asia. From my the mandating of service The $7.5-bn Iran-Pakistan As part of an ambitious $46bn Yury Barmin, an analyst spe- that the Turkmenistan-Afghan- for talks in Pakistan a fortnight reading that’s an explicit at- providers to retain telephone (IP) pipeline was inaugurated economic corridor linking west- cialising in Russia’s Middle East istan-Pakistan-India pipeline ago. tempt to look at what’s going and e-mail records for up to with great fanfare in March 2013 ern China to the Middle East policy, said that by using the IP (TAPI), an even more ambitious Last September France’s Total on.” a year. – but the project immediately through Pakistan, Beijing re- pipeline to get closer to Pakistan, project, would likely take a back was working to take the lead on hit quicksand in the form of in- cently started work on the sec- Moscow wanted to show India it seat for now. TAPI, but the rise of Russian in- Pakistan panel rejects poll-rigging claims ternational sanctions on Tehran, tion of the pipeline between Na- had other options in the region. “LNG is happening already, terest could change the fi eld. which meant cash-strapped wabshah and the port of Gwadar, “At the same time Russia re- we have the supply in place, the “They are talking to three A judicial commission over the claims. Pakistan struggled to raise the close to the Iranian border. ally wants to explore commercial happening of IP with the latest companies, Total is number one yesterday rejected claims by Sharif held on and in March money to build its side. Once this is completed, Paki- opportunities for its defence in- development is of course next. and then a Russian and a Chinese Pakistani cricketer-turned- agreed to set up a judicial Pakistan’s Minister of Pe- stan will build the last 80km to dustry in the wider Mena (Mid- And TAPI, in the list, will come company. Total defi nitely is the opposition leader Imran commission to investigate troleum and Natural Resources Iran — before the 2018 general dle East) region, and Pakistan at the end,” he said. most advanced in the talks,” Pa- Khan that the country’s 2013 claims of foul play in the Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the election, the government hopes is probably the only remaining TAPI, valued at up to $10bn, kistan oil minister Abbasi said, general election was rigged, landmark poll, which marked Vienna deal should allow Islam- — and it could in future extend untapped market for Moscow in would pump gas from Turk- citing briefi ngs from the TAPI saying the poll was largely fair. the first handover of power abad to make good on its agree- the connection northeast to that sense,” Barmin said. menistan to Pakistan and India, steering committee. Khan claimed his Pakistan from one elected civilian ment to fi nish the pipeline and China, according to government Islamabad and Moscow signed through Afghanistan. Russian participation in TAPI Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party government to another in buy Iranian gas. sources. a defence co-operation agree- But it is politically complex, would eventually allow Moscow had been robbed of victory Pakistan’s history. “Now hopefully, as the sanc- Russia is interested in sup- ment in November last year. requiring co-operation between to connect the pipeline to others in the ballot by a shadowy Yesterday the commission, tions are removed, it facilitates porting the IP pipeline through The two countries are also at least four governments, and in the former Soviet Union, Bar- conspiracy involving poll headed by Chief Justice us to address our energy need energy giant Gazprom, accord- close to fi nalising an agreement to logistically challenging, as the min noted. off icials and the Pakistan Nasir-ul-Mulk, delivered its and also meet the contractual ing to the Russian embassy in build a gas pipeline linking Kara- pipeline would pass through ar- But there could be more Muslim League-N (PMLN), 237-page report. It said the obligation,” Abbasi said. Islamabad. chi, which has an LNG terminal, eas of Afghanistan and Pakistan trouble ahead. The CEO of which won by a landslide. election was “in large part Tehran has already built its Moscow has historically had to the eastern city of Lahore, said plagued by Taliban and separa- Rostec Sergey Chemezov, con- PTI staged a large sit-in organised and conducted part of the 1,800-km pipeline closer relations with India, Paki- Mobin Saulat, the CEO of Inter tist insurgents. sidered close to Russian Presi- protest in front of parliament fairly and in accordance with which should eventually link its stan’s neighbour and great rival, State Gas Systems, the publicly- The Taliban’s summer off en- dent Vladimir Putin, is himself for several months last year the law” and allegations of a South Pars gasfi elds to the Paki- but is pivoting more to Islama- owned company in charge of gas sive is in full swing but there is the subject of US sanctions to try to force Prime Minister plot to rig the result were not stani city of Nawabshah, close to bad as New Delhi and Washing- pipelines in Pakistan. hope for peace after militant and over the Russian annexation of Nawaz Sharif from power supported by evidence. the economic capital Karachi. ton become closer allies. Saulat said these moves meant government representatives met Crimea. Afghanistan’s Bamiyan on frontline of warzone tourism

AFP Kabul

rudging halfway up a jag- ged goat trail, guide Mo- Thamed Ibrahim extolled the panoramic view — a vast, ancient landscape of russet- hued cliff s that is on the front- line of Afghan eff orts to jump- start warzone tourism. Bamiyan — famous for empty hillside niches that once shel- tered giant Buddha statues that were blown up by the Taliban — is a rare oasis of tranquility that has largely been spared the wrenching confl ict that affl icts the rest of Afghanistan. Once a caravan stop along the fabled Silk Road, the central Af- ghan city was recently named this year’s cultural capital of South Asia, igniting hopes of restoring its place on the global tourism map. One obstacle, however, re- An Afghan couple poses in front of the empty site of two Buddha statues, which were destroyed by the This photo taken on June 19, 2015 shows Afghan visitors as they use a paddle-boat on Band-i-Amir Lake in mains: Bamiyan is hemmed in Taliban, in Bamiyan. the central Afghan province of Bamiyan. by war. Figuring out how to get to the picked up a spent bullet shell 1996-2001 reign when they de- Bamiyan’s single-runway limestone cliff s. just stones. They were our his- A common refrain among lo- ancient city — endowed with from the ground, one of many stroyed two massive Buddha airport can only accommodate “If the Taliban fl ag you down, tory,” he said. cal residents, though, is that stunning landscapes but wedged Soviet-era casings that litter the statues carved into sandstone small aircraft, with just one you have a good chance of sur- “In 2001, US warplanes forced “security is good but economy between volatile provinces—it- windswept trail overlooking the cliff s, labelling them an aff ront commercial airline operating viving if you look like a coun- the Taliban to go on the run, hide is bad”. self is a challenge. sandstone cliff s and snow-clad to Islam — an act globally con- thrice weekly fl ights from Kabul. try bumpkin. But no chance if in caves. Within 13 years, they The moribund economy off ers But that doesn’t stop Ibrahim, pyramids of the Hindu Kush demned as “cultural terrorism”. And both land routes connect- you have government or foreign have spread into almost every few employment options other head of the local tourism asso- range. Reliable statistics are hard to ing it to the capital — through connections,” said Azad, 24, a city, every village.” than potato farming. ciation with a penchant for Indi- “Bamiyan is the envy of Af- come by but offi cials admit that the mountainous Ghorband telecom offi cial who recently But few expect a spillover of A large replica of a candle lan- ana Jones-style straw hats, from ghanistan — it has peace,” he the number of foreign tourists valley in neighbouring Parwan made the perilous journey from the insurgency into Bamiyan, tern adorns the city square — a making his sales pitch. said. has fallen off a cliff in recent province and Wardak province in Kabul. dominated by ethnic Hazaras, mocking symbol erected by ac- “Bamiyan has caves with the Pre-civil war days are a sub- post-Taliban years as pessimism the south — can be deadly. Mohamed Sajad Mohseni, a Asiatic descendants of Genghis tivists to highlight that Bamiyan world’s oldest oil paintings, the ject of whispered nostalgia in abounds about the state of Af- Travellers who cannot aff ord prominent cleric recognised as Khan who suff ered extensively has no power grid, with students country’s fi rst national park and Bamiyan, when it wielded con- ghanistan, trapped in a quagmire the $200 round-trip air fare say the “Facebook mullah” for his under the Taliban. forced to study under solar-lit during winter it’s home to Af- trol over strategic mountain of escalating violence. Taliban militants harass them connections with the Afghan Unmoored from turmoil, the street lamps. ghanistan’s only ski slopes,” he passes connecting trade routes But in an eff ort to lure tourists, with impunity. youth on social media, was in quiet in Bamiyan is broken only Shops selling trinkets and said, sounding like a walking from India, China and Persia and especially from the sub-conti- “If you are an Afghan travel- Bamiyan when the Taliban pum- by the echoes of muezzins and rugs emblazoned with images of tourism brochure. the local markets swarmed with nent, Bamiyan was last month ling by road, wear a ragged tu- melled the Buddha statues. the occasional slamming of a buzkashi — a rugged equestrian Hiking up to the ruined ram- stoned backpackers hopping inaugurated as the South Asia nic, abandon all government ID When days of shooting and rocket in neighbouring towns. game —admit living a slow death parts of Shahr-e-Gholghola overland on the so-called “hip- Association for Regional Co- and say your prayer,” quipped cannon fi re failed to destroy Security men bristling with until tourism blossoms. — the City of Screams, which pie trail”. operation (Saarc) cultural capital Umaidullah Azad, a tourist in them, the Taliban drilled holes weapons are few, a rare sight “Tourists are unlikely to come was destroyed by Genghis Khan It has failed to revive the hey- for 2015 – a move welcomed by Band-e Amir, widely known as into the idols and fi lled them up in a country synonymous with to Bamiyan,” said antiques shop- in the 13th century — Ibrahim day of tourism after decades local hoteliers and shopkeepers, “Afghanistan’s Grand Canyon” with explosives, he recalled. snipers, checkpoints and suicide keeper Ghulam Ali, “until the stopped to catch his breath and of war, including the Taliban’s though few are optimistic. for its azure lakes and rolling “What they blew up weren’t bombings. war outside Bamiyan ends.” Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 15 PHILIPPINES Monsoon haze Top offi cial is sued for plunder

Manila Times and released P50mn each to Makati the senators who voted for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato C Corona or almost udget secretary Floren- P1bn,” Alentajan said in his pe- cio Abad yesterday dis- tition. Bmissed as “baseless” a “Indubitably, DBM secretary plunder case fi led against him Florencio B. Abad misappro- before the Offi ce of the Om- priated, converted, misused budsman for allegedly giving public funds without proper funds from the Disbursement authority from Congress.” Acceleration Program (DAP) to But Abad said the funds re- bribe senators for the convic- leased to senators were part tion of then-chief justice Ren- of the regular disbursement ato Corona. of incentives under DAP, an “That is absolutely without economic stimulus package of any basis. It’s a fi gment of their the department of budget and imagination,” Abad told re- management. porters in a text message. Abad had said the DAP was “Incredible! I do not think implemented as early as 2011 they are even serious at all to ramp up the economy after a about fi ling that complaint,” slow economic growth because he said. of sluggish spending. Bonifacio Alentajan, former Allegations that DAP funds president of the Philippine were used to bribe the lawmak- Constitution Association ers during the impeachment (Philconsa), fi led the com- trial fi rst fl oated when senator Strong winds and rain lash a residential area in Manila on Wednesday, as the country faces the onset of monsoon season. Days of monsoon rains have left five people dead plaint against Abad for alleg- Jose Jinggoy Estrada in a Sep- and forced about 4,000 people to flee their homes due to flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, civil defence off icers said. edly violating the Anti-Plun- tember 2013 privilege speech der law, the Anti-Graft and said he was bribed P50mn to Corrupt Practices Act, usur- convict the chief justice. pation of legislative power and Some practices under DAP, authority and obstruction of a cross-border savings-im- justice. pounding mechanism, were “Clearly, therefore, from declared unconstitutional by the doctrinal fi ndings of facts the supreme court in July 2014. of the supreme court, and the It was criticised as president judicial admissions of DBM Aquino 3rd’s pork barrel. [Department of Budget and Abad has a pending plunder Management] secretary Flor- complaint before the ombuds- Iglesia in crisis after encio B Abad, he transferred man fi led by the Kabataan par- funds duly appropriated to one ty-list in July last year but the government agency to another complaint is still pending at without legislative author- the level of the ombudsman’s video reveals feuds ity, and feloniously awarded fi eld investigation offi ce. Iglesia off icials are keen to control the Ka Erdy led the church for 46 years. ber of the church said they knew about the dence, an unidentifi ed person displayed Lipa to fi le charges in chaos at the top The INC was founded by Felix Manalo video but refrained from sharing it. signs saying, “That black Revo with in 1914. Santiago denied the allegations men- plate number LGV-395, they’re among Manila Times Hours after the video went viral, an of- tioned in the video. those who are oppressing us. They’re all pyramid scam case Makati fi cial of the INC called a news conference “Angel Manalo’s statement and that of armed. Take care.” and announced the expulsion of Tenny his mother which came out last night on A GMA News online report quoted a and her children from the congregation for YouTube where they called on the mem- web log by a certain Antonio Ebangelista, Manila Times the cases before formally ask- video uploaded online blew the lid allegedly sowing disharmony among INC bers of the Iglesia to help them because who claimed that the INC leadership has Makati CIty ing the DOJ for a preliminary off a brewing feud within an infl u- members. their lives were allegedly in danger and expelled nine ministers from Sorsogon, investigation. Aential family whose grand patri- A church circular dated July 23 contain- that there were ministers who were ab- Cebu and Bulacan. The author also al- According to DOJ prosecu- arch founded the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC or ing the order to expel the members of the ducted, insinuating that the Iglesia has leged that some are being tortured in po- he city government of tor General Claro Arellano, the Church of Christ–the country’s third larg- Manalo family and signed by minister of something to do with it, there’s no truth to lice camps and their families prevented Lipa headed by its mayor case is yet to be assigned for a est religious denomination. gospel Radel Cortez was posted on Face- that,” he said. from speaking about their expulsion TMeynard Sabili is pre- prosecutor who shall conduct The controversy erupted just as the book later in the day. Santiago added that they see the video from the religious group. paring to fi le charges with the the hearing. congregation was preparing to mark its Cortez did not elaborate why Tenny and as an attempt by a faction in the Manalo The ministers who were allegedly be- department of justice (DOJ) In their joint-complaint centenary on Monday. her children were expelled from the INC. family to get sympathy from the church ing held hostage include a certain Nolan against the proprietors of One affi davit, 15 investors of the The video, which was uploaded on The circular was reportedly read aloud members but the real objective is to med- Olarte, Boyet Menorca” and Joven Sepil- Dream Global Marketing af- networking company charged YouTube, shows Felix Nathaniel Angel during the INC’s services yesterday. dle in the management of the church. llo. ter thousands of residents al- the offi cers of One Dream with Manalo, son of the denomination’s late “Our brother and overall leader, Edu- “Everybody should know that the Ig- Some ministers who were suppos- legedly lost almost P2bn in a syndicated estafa for violation leader Erano Ka Erdy Manalo, asking the ardo Manalo, will not allow anybody to lesia is not a family corporation. This is edly expelled include a certain Arnel Tu- pyramiding scam. of Article 315 of the Revised public for help, claiming that their lives are sow discord within the church,” INC gen- a religion that follows the rules and les- manan and Jerson Samson. A case of syndicated estafa is Penal Code. in danger without giving details. eral evangelist Bienvenido Santiago said sons of god according to the Bible,” he The lawyer of an alleged missing INC being prepared against spous- Among those charged “We are asking for your help because in a news conference, which the church said. minister has denied that his client was es Arnel and Jovel Gacer, who were: Arnel Gacer, President/ our lives are in danger. We’re hoping that called before noon yesterday. He spoke in “Brother Eduardo Manalo will not al- abducted, are now in hiding. CEO; Jobelle de Guzman, vice you could help us,” he said. Filipino. low the Iglesia to be rattled by anyone. According to Allen Blair Boy, who Sabili said that mem- president; incorporators Ariel The second part of the video shows a “That’s why although it’s painful on the And because of what they did last night, claims he was with the INC Legal Aid, bers who invested P888 were Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar picture of Angel’s mother, Cristina Tenny part of our brother, Eduardo Manalo, he it’s clear that their objective is to create the minister, Lowell Rabasa Menorca promised a return of P1,300 De Guzman; members of man- Manalo, as she purportedly makes a simi- decided to expel those who created the di- factions within the church. It’s unavoid- 2nd, was not abducted but was arrested after just 4 days. The maxi- agement team namely Marlon lar appeal to help her children–Angel and vision within the church.” able that they be sanctioned in accord- by the police in Dasmariñas, Cavite, for mum amount of P27,000 on De Guzman, Judith Itoh, Jun Lolita Lottie Manalo Hemedez. Aside from Tenny and Angel, also ex- ance with the rules and regulations of allegedly getting involved in a melee and the other hand was promised De Guzman, Lui De Guzman, “Help my children, Angel and Lottie, pelled were Marco Eraño Manalo, and Lol- the Iglesia as what the chief minister for possessing a grenade. to be returned in the amount of Linda De Guzman and Joel De and their companions. Also help the min- ita Manalo Hemedez. does to all,” Santiago added. The lawyer said his client was a native P40,000 less tax. Guzman. isters who were abducted and have re- The decision was cascaded to the con- A handful of supporters of Cristina of Bulan, Sorsogon, and is living in Das- In Manila, about 13 com- One Dream has been operat- mained missing.” gregation members during the church and her children went to the Manalo marinas City, Cavite. plainants went to the DOJ of- ing for almost two months in Tenny is the mother of the INC’s current service. residence in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Earlier, a text blast purportedly from fi ce to ask for assistance on Lipa City, Batangas, but inves- executive minister, Eduardo Manalo. A broadcast journalist who is a mem- and made a public plea to the INC lead- activist Mae Paner alias Juana Change their complaints against the tors were surprised when its She also made an impassioned appeal to ber of the INC told The Manila Times ership to have mercy on the Manalos and said, “Urgent!!! Missing INC Minister same company. operation abruptly stopped on her son to talk to her. “To my son, Eduardo, that there were rumours of a rift within to the ministers involved in the contro- found. His name s Lowell Memorca. He The DOJ action centre has July 11, 2015 following various I hope that we could talk,” Tenny said. the church but no one would talk about it versy. is to tell all. Please go NOW to Dasmari- referred the case to the Na- complaints about the compa- Eduardo succeeded his father, Ka Erdy, openly. As reporters and photographers nas CAVITE city jail beside city hall be- tional Bureau of Investigation ny’s failure to pay investors the after his death in 2009. Another journalist who is also a mem- crowded the front of the sprawling resi- fore they take him out.” (NBI) for the consolidation of promised cash-out. Brown rants and fumes as case grounds him

Manila Times “Can somebody please tell me what the in a hotel room, with soda cans and snacks Makati [expletives deleted] is going on? I don’t scattered on tables. His companions were know. I’m reading headline after headline. sprawled on couches, wrapped in white What the *** ? What the *** is going on,” blankets. merican hip-hop star Chris Brown, the pierced and tattooed singer said in a In a second video post, Brown raised both barred from leaving the Philippines video post on his offi cial Instagram account hands in the air and said: “I didn’t do noth- Aover a row with the religious sect Ig- that later appeared to have been taken ing.” He then break-danced in front of a gi- lesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ) in- down. ant fl at screen television that was showing sisted in a foul-mouthed rant yesterday that Brown, whose profanity-laden catalog computer games. he did nothing wrong. includes songs like Wet the Bed and Body Brown was smiling and appeared play- The 26-year-old’s private jet remains Shots, has 12mn followers on the popular ful in both videos, posted in the early hours grounded at the Ninoy Aquino International photo-sharing service. yesterday. Airport two days after he performed at a The justice department said the row The Grammy Award-winning singer has concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay erupted after Brown failed to show up for not left the Philippines, contrary to a US City (Mero Manila), amid a fraud complaint a scheduled New Year’s Eve concert at the media report that he has left for Hong Kong, fi led against him by the INC through Malaya Philippine Arena, an Iglesia-owned indoor bureau of immigration spokeswoman Elaine Development Corporation. stadium, in Bocaue, Bulacan, last year. Tan said. The Gulf Stream jet chartered by Brown’s Earlier press reports quoted Brown as Press reports said he was holed up in a entourage may leave anytime with or with- saying he was unable to travel to the Phil- Manila hotel two days after his Tuesday out the artist, airport authorities told The ippines at the time because he had lost his concert at another Manila venue. Manila Times. passport. Calls and e-mails yesterday to the Iglesia Should the jet stay back, its owners will The immigration bureau said Brown must ni Cristo and to Brown’s spokeswoman and have to pay daily airport parking fee of $500 prove there were no grounds to charge him concert promoters seeking comment on the if the aircraft is parked in a hangar or P2,000 with fraud before he is allowed to leave the case were unanswered. if at the apron. country. Although a minority in the Philippines The fees will be charged to the charterer’s State prosecutors are studying the INC where 80% of its 100mn people are Catho- account. Airport security is closely guarding complaint. lic, the Iglesia ni Cristo wields considerable the aircraft. The video appeared to have been taken political clout. A private jet chartered by US singer Chris Brown is parked at a private hangar of a Manila airport in Pasay city. Gulf Times 16 Friday, July 24, 2015 SRI LANKA/BANGALDESH/NEPAL/MALIDIVES

Male clears foreign ownership of land

Reuters Male

he Maldives ratifi ed legislation yesterday to Tallow foreigners with investment of more than $1bn to own land despite opposition President Yameen ratifies the concern the reform could be land agreement in Male. used for military expansion in the islands by China. “Recent bilateral visits and The legislation, passed with diplomatic interactions clearly 70 assembly members in fa- suggests this is sweetener for vour and 14 opposed, will al- China,” Eva Abdulla, an MDP low foreigners to own land legislator who voted against within a project site on condi- the legislation, told Reuters. tion at least 70% of the area is “Maldives is not in the reclaimed from the sea. South China Sea. This situa- The constitution had ear- tion paves the way for greater lier had prohibited the foreign Chinese involvement in Indian ownership of any part of Mal- Ocean aff airs. We are now wit- divian territory, instead allow- nessing robust Chinese pres- ing only 99-year leases. ence in the Indian Ocean and Only 10% of the exist- that is what this government is ing 298sqkm of the Maldives facilitating.” would be given to investors to However, the president told develop more reclaimed land a news conference the Mal- under the amendment. dives had assured India and The reform is expected to other neighbouring countries attract off shore investors into that it would keep the Indian special economic zones intro- Ocean a demilitarised zone. duced by president Abdulla In September last year, dur- Yameen to diversify the econ- ing a visit by Chinese Presi- omy away from the dominant dent Xi Jinping, the Maldives The Victoria dam in Sri Lanka. tourism sector. signed a deal with a Chinese The opposition Maldiv- company to upgrade its inter- ian Democratic Party (MDP) national airport after cancel- was divided on the bill with ling a $511mn deal with India’s 10 members voting for it and GMR Infrastructure in 2012. 10 against. The party said the The Maldives recently legislation could give “un- signed up to two Chinese initi- precedented access to foreign atives: an Asian Infrastructure parties to operate in the Mal- Investment Bank (AIIB) and a Sri Lanka to harness dives”. so-called Maritime Silk Route. Nepal govt reopens wasted rainwater Annapurna circuit This is a major initiative to preserve graded canals linking existing reservoirs. Mahaweli River, the longest in the country, It also aims to supply safe drinking wa- resources The aim is to help the dry zone better to increase power generation capacity by ter to 350,000 people. Reuters scores of climbers and guides. manage its water supply for power genera- about 260MW and provide irrigation wa- Farmers in the dry zone are mostly in fa- Kathmandu The Annapurna and the Ev- Reuters tion and farming. ter to an additional 325,000 acres of land. vour of the project, because even in years erest region receive more than Medawachchiya, Sri Lanka “Rain patterns have been changing and But parts of the project were stalled by of above-average rainfall they have en- 140,000 hikers, or 70% of all the dry zone is getting less water now,” the civil war that ravaged Tamil-domi- dured water shortages as reservoirs empty epal reopened its most climbers and trekkers who said S Shanmugasivanathan, a senior of- nated northern and eastern Sri Lanka for a too quickly. popular trekking trail visit Nepal each year. ri Lanka plans to store and use a bil- fi cial with the Department of Irrigation. quarter of a century until 2009. “It happened to me in 2011 and again Nto tourists yesterday The 240km Annapurna cir- lion cubic metres of rainwater per “We need to optimise water usage.” The new water management project is in 2013,” said Punchi Banda Herath, 55, a after international experts said cuit takes almost three weeks Syear, which would otherwise drain Mean annual rainfall across Sri Lanka is based on a modifi ed and upgraded version farmer in Medawachchiya, North Central it was safe, three months after to complete. It is dubbed the into the sea, in an ambitious eff ort to boost 2,000mm, of which the dry zone gets half of the original Mahaweli scheme, accord- Province, about 230km from Colombo. two devastating earthquakes “apple pie” circuit because irrigation and power production. or less. Most of the farming done there re- ing to government offi cials and the Asian “There were fl oods earlier in the year, led the government to close teahouses line the route off er- The new water management system lies on irrigation, using small water tanks Development Bank (ADB), which is pro- but by the time I went to do the plant- most hiking routes. ing cold beer and home bak- is being built in the country’s dry zone, that are fi lled from the region’s larger res- viding $453mn in funding. ing towards the end of the year there was Miyamoto International, a ing. which covers its northern and eastern ar- ervoirs. The ADB estimates that 70% of the dry no water left. The small reservoirs in this California-based structural Government offi cials say eas. “With rain patterns now coming in zone’s population depend on agriculture. region can’t hold that much water when it engineering company, said in tourists arrivals may decline Home to at least a third of Sri Lanka’s short and intense bursts, we are faced The impact of weather extremes on farm- rains, and run dry very fast when drought a report that quake-related by about 40% in 2015 because population of 20mn, the mainly agricul- with frequent incidents of fl oods in- ing in the region means average income sets in,” he explained. damage in the Annapurna re- of safety concerns. tural zone has been hit hard by climate terspersed with drought,” Shanmu- there is 10 percent lower than in the rest of Experts agree the new project could gion “was very limited”. The Himalayan nation is shifts over the past decade, and is suff er- gasivanathan said. the country, it calculates. help ease the impact of drought in the dry Less than 1% of the route one of the poorest in the world ing severe water shortages. “During fl oods we have no option but to The hope is that the new project will zone, but say it is only part of the solu- and 3% of guest houses along and many people depend on Experts say the project could harness release the water, because there is no in- help pull local people out of poverty, ADB tion. the Annapurna circuit were tourism for their income. enough water to fi ll two of the country’s frastructure in place to retain it,” he added. offi cials say. To end water scarcity in the region for damaged, it said, adding the Climbing on Mount Everest largest reservoirs, Victoria and Randeni- The new project would put to use some “The dry zone communities have his- good, farmers must learn to adapt their report for the Everest region is closed for the second sea- gala. of the rain and fl oodwater that is now torically remained among the poorest on water usage and employ new techniques would be completed shortly. son in a row after Sherpas re- The $675mn project, funded by the gov- wasted. the island and changing climate patterns for conserving the precious resource, they Nepal had asked the com- fused to rebuild broken paths ernment and donors, begins this month The plan to build new water retention will further impact monsoon rains and say. pany to assess the safety of its across a deadly glacier after and is due to be completed by December infrastructure in the dry zone has been possibly worsen droughts,” said Lance “We cannot build an unlimited number most popular tourist trekking the earthquake struck. 2024. on the drawing board since the 1970s in Gore, a water resources specialist with the of reservoirs or canals - there is a limit to trails, including in the Everest The Langtang valley, Ne- One of the island nation’s largest water- the form of the Mahaweli Development ADB in Manila. “By providing more wa- the amount of water we can provide,” said region, after the twin earth- pal’s third most popular trek- related infrastructure projects in recent Programme, which covered the country’s ter, the project will enhance the earning irrigation offi cial Shanmugasivanathan. quakes killed almost 9,000 king destination, remains years, it envisages the construction of two central hills and some of the north. capacity of people dependent on agricul- “What is important right now is to pay at- people and shook mountains closed after the fi rst quake in new reservoirs and 260km of new and up- The idea was to use the waters of the ture,” he said. tention to water management.” triggering avalanches. April triggered a catastrophic Among the victims were landslide. Graft cases against Prayers at Durbar Square Khaleda adjourned

By Mizan Rahman Dhaka

Dhaka court yesterday adjourned till August 3 hearing on the Zia Orphanage ATrust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cas- es against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia. Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka special judge’s court-3 fi xed the date in response to a time petition fi led by Khaleda’s lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain. The court fi xed the date after the hearing of partial statement of the anti-corruption com- mission (ACC) deputy director Harunur Rashid, who is the plaintiff of Zia Charitable Trust graft case. Khaleda reached a parade ground of the Dhaka central jail directorate court site at Bakshibazar area at around 10:45am. Her counsel Sanaullah Mia said on Wednesday Khaled Zia that Khaleda Zia respected the law, and she was likely to appear before the court soon. against the accused on January 16, 2012. Earlier on June 18, the special judge’s court-3 Besides, the ACC fi led the Zia Orphanage Trust adjourned till July 23 the hearing on the two graft graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Sta- cases against Khaleda. tion accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique On August 8, 2011, the ACC fi led the Zia Chari- Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, table Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station and four others for misappropriating over 21mn accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of taka which came as grants from a foreign bank for abusing power in raising funds for the trust from orphans. The former king of Nepal Gyanendra Shah (C) gestures during a visit to Durbar Square after off ering prayers for the earthquake victims unknown sources. On August 5, 2010, Harunur Rashid submitted in Kathmandu. Twin earthquakes which struck the Himalayan nation in April and May killed more than 8,800 people, destroyed nearly ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, also in- a charge-sheet to the court in the case against six half a million houses and damaged another 280,000, leaving thousands in need of food, clean water and shelter. vestigation offi cer of the case, pressed charges people, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Means of acquiring The ethics of the men refi ned morals

ndeniably, changing one’s morals for the better is the toughest change for the of learning Uhuman being, but it is not impossible. There are many ways and methods to help one acquire refi ned By Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Abdullah Ibn Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- morals, which include the following: Baz (rahimahullah) lam). Hence, their faith is followed by Pure creed: work and practice shown in kindness to one’s parents and communication with Having a pure creed is a serious he men of learning (schol- relatives. And the fear of Allah is such as matter, as one’s conduct and behav- ars) are the successors of the to help them in the obedience of Allah ior are, very often, the fruits of one’s prophets. Knowledge is what and to deter them from committing creed and ideology. A person’s conduct Tis indicated by the book of disobedience. is the practical translation of what he Almighty Allah and the Sunnah of His Then Allah mentioned the two believes in. Accordingly, any sense of Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. characteristics that are the sixth and the deviation in behaviour is the result of And in this concern ‘Aa’isha (may Allah seventh and said: a defective creed. The Prophet sal- be merciful to her) said, when she was “Those who patiently persevere, lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The asked about the character (khuluqahu) seeking the countenance of their Lord, believers who are the most perfect in of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu And they establish regular prayers.” [Ar- respect of their faith are those who ‘alaihi wa sallam, that “His character was Ra’ad, Aayah 22] have the best morals.” the Qur’an”. (Akhlaaq sing. khuluq: has They persevere on the obedience of several meanings: ethics, morals, inborn Allah and they persevere in their absten- Supplication: quality, manners, natural disposition and tion from the interdictions made by Al- Indeed, supplications are a great shall be used here synonymously.) lah. Allah also mentioned the eighth and means to attain refi ned morals; once This word from ‘Aa’isha tells us that the ninth characteristics and said: Allah The Exalted Accepted a person’s the natural disposition of the Prophet “Spend out of (the gifts) We have supplications, he will be showered (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was bestowed for their sustenance, secretly with bounties and graces. following the teachings of the Qur’an and openly, and turn off evil with good”. Hence, he who aspires to be well- manifested in his following the orders [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22] mannered, giving up his bad morals, and refraining from the interdictions. It The meaning here is that they spend should resort to supplication. In fact, is now worthy of the scholars, preachers, to get the forgiveness and redemption of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- teachers and students to take good care Allah. They spend openly as they do in lam used to implore Allah The Exalted of the Book of Allah, and to search into it Zakat in secret either seen or not seen by to Grant him good morals. He used and to assimilate the good ethical teach- people; seeking the grace of Allah. to supplicate: “Allaahumma Ihdini li ings which Allah loves from it. Almighty “And turn off evil with good” Ahsan Al-Akhlaaq, la yahdi li ahsaniha Allah says: This indicates total patience, their illa anta, wa Isrif ‘anni sayi’aha, la yas- “Verily this Qur’an doth guide to that resilience, their endurance and their rifu ‘Anni sayi’aha illa anta (O Allah, which is most right (or stable)” [Bani subduing of their wrath: Guide me to the best morals, as none Israeel, Aayah 9] “For such there is the fi nal attainment can guide to the best morals except In another verse the Qur’an says: of the (Eternal) Home”. [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah You, and Save me from bad morals, “Nun. By the Pen, And by the (record) 22] as none can save me from bad morals Which (men) write. Thou art not, By the Allah explained that this “Eternal except You).” grace of thy Lord, Mad or possessed. Nay Home” as: “Gardens of perpetual bliss: verily for thee is a reward unfailing. And They shall enter there as well as the Striving: thou (standest) on an exalted standard of righteous among their fathers, their Acquiring refi ned morals is a form character.” [Al-Qalam, Ayaat 1-4] spouses, and their off spring”. [Ar-Ra’ad, of guidance that one acquires through The one who would like to attain Aayah 23] exerting great eff ort. Allah The Exalted this great standard of character should To reward them for their good past Says (what means): {And those who approach the book of Allah and pay at- deeds, Allah includes them together strive for Us – We will surely guide tention to it when reciting and studying with their fathers, their off spring and them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah it; while referring all the questions and their spouses in His giving. Henceforth, Is with the doers of good.} [Qur’an 29: doubts to the learned people for reliable to be straight in carrying out of the 96] answers and guidance to the correct orders of Allah and fulfi lling the duties; books and references on the explana- to call for the good and deter from bad; Self-reckoning: tions of the Qur’an. and to stand fi rm with the right and be This can be done through self- Attention should also be given to the resilient on it; and to turn off evil by criticism; whenever one commits a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad doing good – all these are ways for the reprehensible deed, he can adopt the sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam because it servant of Allah to be useful and good carrot-and-stick principle. also explains the Qur’an and leads to the and also for his fathers, his spouses and Refl ecting on the implications and understanding of it. Almighty Allah said their off spring and their reunion will be fruits of refi ned morals and ponder- to His Messenger,. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa in the home of hospitality and generos- ing over its good consequences is sallam: A view of Imam Muhammad bin Abdulwahab Mosque in Doha. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil ity in which the angels are visiting and one of the greatest reasons that drive “Say thou: ‘This is my Way; I do invite welcoming them. one to strive to acquire that quality. unto God on evidence clear as seeing what is forbidden and forbids what is overdoing it would be unnecessary and the story of Muhammad (sallallaahu One of the great gifts of Allah to his Moreover, bear in mind that the harder with one’s eyes, I and whoever follows permissible, deters from the right thing impermissible. The knowledgeable ‘alaihi wa sallam) and they concealed a servant is making him to be the reason the deed is, the greater its reward me. Glory to Allah! And never will I join and calls for the false. person is the one who does not trespass lot of truths for the sake of worldly and for the guidance of his father, his mother, becomes. gods with Allah.’” [Yusuf, Aayah 108] So it is the duty of the scholars and the limits of prohibition and permis- immediate gain. his spouse and his off spring, and so The abiding by the Book of Allah is men of learning and their students to be sion, and in the doing (following) and in But the people of knowledge and faith, forth. Also it is one of the great gifts of Reflect on consequences part of the character of the Prophet cautious about saying things about Allah abstention. And besides all that be very from the ancient and the latter times, Allah is making a woman to be the reason of bad morals: (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and part without knowledge and pay attention to cautious not to say any thing about Allah would state the truth and declare it as for the guidance of her husband, her of the character of all the scholars and stating the legitimate proofs according to without knowledge, or do contrary to Allah said: father, her mother and her children. This refl ection brings to mind the the men of learning who are endowed the Shariah so that they can be knowl- what he learned. “Is then one who doth know that It is learned from this holy verse that evil consequences of bad morals: they with knowledge and insight, knowledge edgeable about what they presume, call Almighty Allah mentioned some good that which hath been revealed unto thee the admission into Heaven of fathers, give rise to pain, grief, worry, misery, and faith, knowledge and piety. However for or deter from and not venture to say characteristics of some of His pious wor- from thy Lord is the truth, like one who husbands and their off spring together regret and hatred in the hearts of people with knowledge but with no faith false things about Allah without any shippers as a reminder to us. Allah says: is blind? It is those who are endued with with their relatives is not because of this people. or any piety have no share of the high knowledge. Those who are knowledge- “There is, in their stories instruction understanding that receive admonition.” kinship and relationship but because of standard of character. able about Allah are the ones who fear for men endued with understanding.” [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 19] their correctness and their endeavor in Patience: From this we know that who ever calls Allah the most and never trespass His [Yusuf, Aayah 111) And in another verse: the obedience of Allah. This verse is also Indeed, patience is one of the major for something with ignorance is not on limits. Allah says: In other verses Allah says: “Not all of “Say: Are those equal, those who similar to the verse which says: moral bases of the Muslim character the path of the Prophet Muhammad’s “Those truly fear Allah, Among His them are alike: Of the people of the Book know and those who do not know? It is “It is not your wealth Nor your sons and is one of the fundamental refi ned (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) standard servants, Who have knowledge”. [Faatir, are a portion that stand (For the right), those who are endued with understand- that will Bring you nearer to us In degree; morals. Patience helps people to of character and conduct and not on the Aayah 28] they recite the verses of Allah all night ing That receive admonition.” [Az-Zu- but only those who believe and work endure and accept calamities, restrain path of the people of learning. Rather, The knowledgeable people who fear long, and they prostrate themselves in mar, Aayah 19] righteousness - these are the ones for their anger, adopt forbearance, kind- he is a criminal with great sin because Allah are those people who know His adoration. They believe in Allah and By this Allah explained that it is the whom there is a multiplied reward for ness, sympathy, and shun recklessness Almighty Allah considers that whoever religion, and know the Sunnah of His the Last Day. And they enjoin what is people with understanding who really their deeds while secure they (reside) in and haste. says something that Allah did not say is Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi right, and forbid what is wrong, and they think and work their insight and those the dwellings on high.” [As-Saba, Aayah beyond blasphemy and above polythe- wa sallam. Those people are headed by hasten in emulation in (all) good works: are the people with healthy minds. Allah 37] Justice: ism. Chaos and disorder would result the Prophets and Messengers of Allah They are in the ranks of the righteous.” described them as: Likewise the people of knowledge, Justice urges one to maintain a from this. Allah says: because they are the best example. [Aali ‘Imraan, Aayaat 113-114] “Those who fulfi l the covenant of faith and righteousness should follow balance in terms of morals, i.e. to be “Say: The things that my Lord hath It befi ts the men of learning, although These good characteristics, which Allah and fail not in their plighted word. this way of high conduct and high moderate in one’s morals and not to indeed forbidden are: Shameful deeds they are found in a latter time like the were adopted by the best of the People Those who join together those things standard of personality so that they be excessive or lax; not to be cowardly whether open or secret, sins and tres- time we are living in, to follow the foot of the Book and by those guided by Allah which God hath commanded to be joined fi nd the happy ending and reward. But or reckless, or lenient, in a negative passes against truth or reason, assigning steps of the pious people in their fear of from among their scholars, include deep hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terri- it is very essential that the learner of sense, and angry. of partners to Allah for which he hath Allah and make it their task to revere His faith in and total submission to Him. ble reckoning.” [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayaat 20-21] knowledge should know that resilience Article source: http://www.is- given no authority, and saying things orders and His prohibitions And that they would not sell the sign of They join together the things which is very important and that good deeds lamweb.net/emainpag about God of which he has no knowl- The fear of Allah implies stopping at Allah for a cheap price and would not Allah has commanded to be joined and and abundant good does not happen edge”. [Al-’Araaf, Aayah 33] the limits stated by Him and following show ingratitude and deny the truth and by straightness in following Allah’s simply by wishful thinking and hopeless Hence, whoever says things about the path of His Messenger Muham- conceal it as did their men of learning orders and showing loyalty to Him and expectations, but there should be work Allah without knowledge and permits mad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Any who went astray, when they concealed the following of the Sunnah of Prophet and patience. Keeping away from enmity

he Muslim has a mission in his He has a good attitude towards others the persons who claim to be wise. When sallam said: “Listen, may I tell you some- hostilities result, he enjoys the scene. cause remembering it will never be a sort life, and is required to be eff ec- and treats them well. He is of good and this happens, they take recourse to thing more important than the fasting, This fi re burns man’s present and future of pleasure, while forgetting it will never tive, active, tolerant and social, noble character, friendly, humble, gentle lowly and superfi cial things, and some- the prayer and charity?” The people into ashes and totally destroys their be harmless, and a good word is stronger Tmixing with other people and of speech and tactful. He likes others and times indulge in dangerous acts which requested him to do so. He said: “To relationship and virtues. than swords and spears. dealing with them with tolerance and is liked by them. By doing so, he is fol- only increase diffi culties and bring keep the mutual relationship on the right The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “The in accordance with the worthy Islamic lowing the example of the Prophet sallal- troubles. When a man is displeased, footing, because the defect in the mutual ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The Satan has origin of the enmity, evil and envy that attitudes and behaviour. laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam as Anas reported his eyes become prejudiced and ignore relationship is a thing which shaves a been disappointed that he would not be occurs between people is from the fol- Allah Almighty Says (what means): that he was: “The best of people in his the camel and object to gnat. Such eyes thing clean. I do not mean that it shaves worshipped in the Arabian Peninsula, lowing of Al-Hawaa (the lowly desire). “And hold fast, all of you together, to attitude towards others.”[Al-Bukhari do not appreciate the beauty of the the hair, but that it shaves (removes) the but he has not been disappointed from The one who opposes his desire relieves the Rope of Allah (i.e. the Qur’an), and and Muslim] peacock, for they only see its ugly feet religion.” [At-Tirmithi] kindling the fi re of fi ghting among the his heart, body and limbs, putting him- be not divided among yourselves, and When a quarrel intensifi es, when and claws. If a slight defect is present, it Many a time, Satan is not able to people.”[Muslim] self to ease and thus relieves others. Abu remember Allah’s Favour on you, for its roots go deeper, its thorns become turns the molehill into a mountain. And persuade wise men to worship idols, but It means that when wickedness takes Bakr Al-Warraak said: “When the desire you were enemies one to anther but branches and branches increase in sometimes the internal rancour and since he is very keen on misguiding and roots in the hearts, when people start prevails, the heart turns dark and when He joined your hearts together, so that, number, then the freshness of the fruits jealousy aff ect them so badly that no ruining men, he manages to succeed in hating love and brotherhood, and when it does so, the breast becomes strait- by His Grace, you became brethren (in of faith is adversely aff ected. Softness, hesitation is felt in inventing imaginary driving them away from Allah, so much these are destroyed, people then revert ened and when that happens, the moral Islamic faith), and you were on the brink sympathy, satisfaction and peace, which stories. so that these wise men become more to cruelty and enmity, and break all character deteriorates and consequently of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from are encouraged by the Islamic teachings, Islam disapproves of all these mani- indiff erent in respecting the rights of those relations and links which Allah has people will hate him and he will hate it…”[Qur’an 3:103] receive a setback. festations of ill-feeling and advises to Allah than the idolaters themselves. The commanded to be kept; thus spreading them. Then think of the evil, enmity, Wherever the Muslim is found, he Performance of worship loses its abstain from them. It declares their best method adopted by the devil for this corruption on this earth. neglect of rights, etc. that arise from this becomes a beacon of guidance, and a righteousness, while the self gets no avoidance as the most virtuous form of purpose is to sow the seeds of enmity In order to remedy this disease, the mutual hatred.” positive source of correction and educa- benefi t from it. worship. in the hearts of the people. When this most wonderful thing in a quarrel is to Article source: http://www.islamweb. tion, through both his words and deeds. Many a time mutual quarrels perturb The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa enmity develops into a fi re and open forget it as it had never happened, be- net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 18 Friday, July 24, 2015 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: Amjad Khan The humanitarian impact of

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar Israel’s demolition campaign [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), Four facts you might 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) not know about housing Fax 44350474 demolitions by Israel

By Annie Slemrod Jerusalem

GULF TIMES he small Palestinian village of Khirbet Susiya in the Israeli- occupied West Bank has been Tdrawn into the international spotlight this week, as the US, the UK America once again and the EU condemned plans by the Israeli army to demolish it. The US State Department said its destruction would be “harmful and provocative.” debates how to limit So far the Israeli government has shown no sign it will back off , and activists and locals are sleeping in structures in the village in case the access to fi rearms bulldozers come. Susiya, which sits in an Israeli army controlled section of the West Bank In the wake of deadly mass shootings in Charleston, called Area C, is set for demolition South Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, America because it lacks the building fi nds itself once again debating whether and how permissions that are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. to further limit access to fi rearms. Unfortunately, The villagers of Susiya are far from meaningful change is unlikely in a Congress where fealty the only Palestinians whose homes to the National Rifl e Association (NRA) and its ridiculous face imminent destruction. Here are drive for a fully armed America outweighs politicians’ some facts about demolition in Israel commitments to the safety of the people who elected and the occupied West Bank that you might not know: them. Still, Americans must continue to push the boulder Buildings can be destroyed for up the hill and urge Congress to approve two common- both “administrative” and “punitive” sense bills to expand and make existing laws more reasons. A picture taken on May 20, 2015 in the southern West Bank village of Susiya shows Palestinians sitting outside a makeshift eff ective. Susiya is in trouble because it tent. On Wednesday, Israel’s High Court gave the green light to military orders to demolish Susiya. Under federal law, the name of anyone buying a fi rearm doesn’t meet planning requirements, and so faces “administrative” Bank. According to B’Tselem, the Bedouin town. Most villagers refuse The humanitarian impact of Israel’s through a licensed gun dealer must be matched against demolition. This is the case for most demolitions left 27 people homeless, this option. demolition campaign is far-reaching. the National Instant Criminal Background Check System homes that are razed in the West Bank, including 13 minors. Jewish settlements in Area C are According to OCHA and the UN database of people deemed unfi t to own weapons, including the majority of those in Area This year, no punitive demolitions also subject to demolition. Settlers in agency for Palestinian refugees, including criminals, drug users and the mentally ill. C. have taken place, but earlier this the West Bank are under a diff erent UNRWA, housing demolition leads But private transactions, including those between non- For example, the Israeli army has month Israel evacuated and sealed off planning regime than Palestinians, to a signifi cant deterioration in living demolished 243 Palestinian-owned the East Jerusalem family home of a and it is signifi cantly easier for them conditions for aff ected families. It can dealers at gun shows, are exempt. (Some states, such as structures in Area C and annexed East man who took part in an attack on a to build legally. But extensions to cut off those aff ected from access to California, require checks for all sales, including private Jerusalem so far this year because synagogue that killed four worshippers Jewish settlements called “outposts” clean water, education, sanitation, ones.) The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights they were deemed to have been and a police offi cer. The attacker had often spring up without government and other basic services. In Susiya, Protection Act of 2015, which was introduced in March by built illegally (without the correct also been killed during the incident in sanction and these can be condemned there is a concern that the solar two representatives, and which has a companion measure permissions) – 39 of these were in East the autumn of 2014. to come down. panels that generate a limited amount Jerusalem. The total number of similar Administrative demolitions take However, demolition orders are of electricity for the village will be in the Senate, would extend background checks to all demolitions for the same area in 2014 place inside Israel too, mostly in both handed down and carried out demolished, eliminating the villagers’ commercial fi rearms sales. was 493. Bedouin villages not recognised at an unequal rate, according to only source of power. The bill also would make $400mn in grants available But Israel also conducts “punitive” by the state. According to a recent government fi gures acquired by A 2009 report on home demolition to encourage states to improve their voluntary reporting demolitions, bulldozing the homes report commissioned by Israel’s freedom of information requests by in the West Bank by UK charity Save of barred persons to the national database, whose of Palestinians involved in attacks public security ministry, this type settlement researcher and activist the Children found that it is extremely on Israeli civilians. According to of destruction is one the rise. In Dror Etkes. diffi cult for families to bounce back incomplete records have resulted in gun sales to ineligible statistics from the Israeli human 2013, 697 Bedouin structures were Since 1988, the state of Israel has after being uprooted. More than half buyers who went on to commit horrifi c crimes (while rights organisation B’Tselem, 664 evacuated or torn down in 2013. In issued 14,782 demolition orders for the families it surveyed took at least more than 2.4mn sales have been denied since the Brady homes were destroyed as punishment 2014, the number rose to 1,073. Palestinian structures and less than two years to fi nd a permanent place Act went into eff ect in 1994, according to the Brady between October 2001 and the end of The Bedouin residents of Umm half that number, 7,091, for Jewish to stay. 2004. The punitive demolitions were al-Hiran, in the southern Negev ones, the fi gures say. Children are hit particularly hard. Centre to Prevent Gun meant to be a deterrent, but a 2005 desert, are the latest villagers of this To make that disparity worse, Kids whose homes are destroyed are Passing Violence). FBI Director military committee found that they sort to get attention for their plight. 14.2% of Palestinian structures with more likely to suff er a range of mental James B Comey said didn’t serve the intended purpose and The Israeli government plans to build demolition orders are actually taken health problems including depression bills to close last week that the were of questionable legality. a new Jewish town on the state land down, opposed to just 6.5% of Jewish and anxiety, or fall into delinquency Department of Justice’s The practice was halted until where the Bedouin have lived for 60 structures. and exhibit violent behaviour. unnecessary last year, when Israel demolished years, and after more than a decade The UN’s aid co-ordination Save the Children also singled inspector general is four homes and sealed one off . The of legal battles there seems to be little body, OCHA, says 280 Palestinians out the mental state of parents as loopholes reviewing the system. buildings belonged to the families that can be done to stop it. have been left homeless by the 243 a cause for concern, while OCHA Meanwhile, there is of men suspected of abducting The state says it has set aside space demolitions that have taken place noted that “the impact on families’ makes sense another loophole in and killing three Israeli teenagers for the residents of Umm al-Hiran, this year. Six Palestinians have been psychosocial well-being can be federal law (backed by who were hitchhiking in the West who are Israeli citizens, in a nearby displaced this week alone. devastating.” - IRIN the NRA) that has been exploited some 15,000 times over the last fi ve years, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety advocacy group - and that allowed Dylann Roof, the alleged Charleston gunman, to buy his weapons. Currently, in most states, a gun dealer can complete a Why the Greek deal will work sale after three days even if the background check is not fi nished. While most such checks take minutes, some require deeper reviews of records. Roof bought his guns By Anatole Kaletsky allowing Greece to cheat its way into ernments of one another’s debt bur- This raises a key issue that the as an FBI examiner was still digging into criminal records London membership were valid back in the dens. In January, ECB President Mario Tsipras government and many others that eventually revealed a drug history that should have 1990s – and, in theory, they still are. Draghi eff ectively sidestepped both misunderstood throughout the Greek But this does not mean that break- obstacles by launching a program of crisis: the role of constructive hypoc- precluded the sale. Rep. James E Clyburn, D-S.C., last ow that Greek banks have ing up the euro would be desirable, quantitative easing so enormous that risy in Europe’s political economy. week introduced the Background Check Completion Act reopened and the govern- or even tolerable. Joining the euro it will fi nance the entire defi cits of all Gaps between public statements and that would bar a gun sale until the background check is ment has made scheduled was certainly ruinous for Greece, but eurozone governments (now including private intentions open up in all politi- completed, no matter how long that takes. Npayments to the European there is always “a great deal of ruin in a Greece) and mutualise a signifi cant cal systems, but these become huge in Passing these two bills to close unnecessary loopholes Central Bank and the International nation,” as Adam Smith remarked 250 proportion of their outstanding bonds. a complex multinational structure like Monetary Fund, does Greece’s near- years ago, when losing the American Moreover, European governments the EU. On paper, the Greek bailout makes sense. But does Congress have the courage to do death experience mark the end of the colonies seemed to threaten Britain have belatedly understood the most will impose a fi scal tightening, thereby so? euro crisis? The conventional answer with fi nancial devastation. basic principle of public fi nance. aggravating the country’s economic Under a 1992 directive, issued when George Bush senior is a clear no. The great virtue of capitalism is Government debts never have to be slump. In practice, however, the budg- was president, US military personnel have been expressly According to most economists and that it adapts to ruinous conditions repaid, provided they can be extended et targets will surely be allowed to slip, prohibited from carrying weapons in their workplaces. political commentators, the latest and even fi nds ways of turning them in a co-operative manner or bought up provided the government carries out Greek bailout was little more than to advantage. The United States in the with newly created money, issued by a its promises on privatisation, labour Only those responsible for security or for guarding an analgesic. It will dull the pain for mid-19th century was badly suited credible central bank. markets, and pension reform. prisoners are exempted from the rule. a short period, but the euro’s deep- for a single currency and a single But for this to be possible, inter- These structural reforms are much Such measures have historical origins in the Posse seated problems will metastasise, with economic structure, as evidenced by est payments must always be made more important than fi scal targets, Comitatus Act of 1878, which bars local police from a dismal prognosis for the single cur- the Civil War, which was provoked as on time, and the sanctity of debt both in symbolic terms for the rest of rency and perhaps even the European much by single-currency tensions as contracts must always take precedence Europe and for the Greek economy. calling upon soldiers to maintain public order. Union as a whole. by moral abhorrence to slavery. Italy over electoral promises regarding Moreover, the extension of ECB mon- In that sense, American soldiers on US soil are But the conventional wisdom is would probably be better off today if pensions, wages, and public spend- etary support to Greece will transform protected by police offi cers, like any civilian. likely to be proved wrong. The deal Garibaldi had never launched unifi ca- ing. Now that Prime Minister Alexis fi nancial conditions: interest rates will That would appear to be a paradox in a country where between Greece and the European tion. Tsipras’s government has been forced plummet, banks will recapitalise, and citizens in 44 out of 50 states can carry weapons in authorities is actually a good one for But once unifi cation has happened, to acknowledge the unqualifi ed prior- private credit will gradually become both sides. Rather than marking the the pain of dismantling the politi- ity of debt servicing, and can now available for the fi rst time since 2010. public, as an expression of the Second Amendment’s beginning of a new phase of the euro cal and economic settlement usually benefi t from unlimited monetary If budget targets were strictly enforced constitutional right “to keep and bear arms.” crisis, the agreement may be remem- overwhelms the apparent gains from support from the ECB, Greece should by bailout monitors, which seems bered as the culmination of a long a break-up. This seems to be the case have little problem supporting its unlikely, this improvement in condi- series of political compromises that, in Europe, as clear majorities of voters debt burden, which is no heavier than tions for private borrowers could easily by correcting some of the euro’s worst are saying in all eurozone countries, Japan’s or Italy’s. compensate for any modest tightening To Advertise design fl aws, created the conditions including Germany and Greece. Finally, Germany, Spain, Italy, and of fi scal policy. for a European economic recovery. Thus, the question was never several northern European countries In short, the main conditions now [email protected] To express guarded optimism about whether the single currency would required, for domestic political reasons, seem to be in place for a sustainable Display the Greek deal is not to condone the break up, but what political reversals, a ritual humiliation of radical Greek recovery in Greece. Conventional Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 provocative arrogance of former Greek economic sacrifi ces, and legal subter- politicians and voters who openly defi ed wisdom among economists and inves- Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis fuges would occur to hold it together. EU institutions and austerity demands. tors has a long record of failing to spot Classified or the pointless vindictiveness of The good news is that Europe now has Having achieved this, EU leaders have major turning points; so the near-uni- Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 German Finance Minister Wolfgang some persuasive answers. no further reason to impose austerity versal belief today that Greece faces Schäuble. Neither is it to deny the Indeed, Europe has overcome what on Greece or strictly enforce the terms permanent depression is no reason to Subscription economic criticism of the bailout could be described as the “original of the latest bailout. Instead, they have despair. - Project Syndicate [email protected] provisions presented by progressives sin” of the single-currency project: every incentive to demonstrate the like Joseph Stiglitz and conservatives the Maastricht Treaty’s prohibition of success of their “tough love” policies by zAnatole Kaletsky is Chairman of the like Hans-Werner Sinn. “monetary fi nancing” of government easing austerity to accelerate economic Institute for New Economic Thinking 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The arguments against creating a defi cits by the ECB and the related ban growth, not only in Greece but through- and the author of Capitalism 4.0, The European single currency and then on mutual support by national gov- out the eurozone. Birth of a New Economy. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 19 COMMENT Is Uber a threat to democracy?

Uber, which enables who evaluate them through the app after each ride. This may be a useful people to connect with innovation; but it is not really a valid available drivers through replacement for, say, an eye exam. The fi nal problem with innovative a smartphone app, is companies like Uber is that the precisely the kind of fi nancial returns overwhelmingly accrue to the company’s leadership, disruptive company that rather than to the service providers. Whether or not that is justifi ed, such is driving the shift companies’ contribution to rising income inequality – and thus to By Kemal Dervi regulatory capture, media bias, and Aix-en-Provence disproportionate infl uence in elections – cannot be ignored. Uber is just one example of very July, economists, disruptive innovation that brings huge business leaders, NGOs, increases in effi ciency, as well as real and politicians from social and regulatory challenges, a Earound the world gather in point that French Economy Minister Aix-en-Provence, France, for the Emmanuel Macron emphasised in his three-day Rencontres Économiques speech at Rencontres Économiques. forum, organised by the Cercle des And, in fact, Uber is one of the less Économistes. This year’s forum problematic innovations, because it is focused on the changing nature of a net job creator; the rise of computers work. The timing of the meeting, capable of replacing call-centre which coincided with a heated debate workers, by contrast, is resulting in in France about the innovative ride- large net job losses. In a democratic sharing service Uber, could not have system, the challenges that such been more apt. disruptive technologies bring must The forum’s theme was A line of taxis is shown in traff ic as taxi drivers from the San Francisco Taxi Workers Association stage a rally at Uber headquarters in San Francisco last month. be confronted in a way that ensures undoubtedly selected partly in fairness, without impeding progress. response to fears that technological distributed) incomes and more leisure Uber exemplifi es will not be stopped its mostly part-time workers, and its Another problem is regulation. The creative destruction of the so- advances will lead to widespread time. He is not alone: John Maynard so easily. Uber’s software, in a sense, customers – would far outweigh the Taxis produce not only income tax, called “second machine age” cannot unemployment, as machines become Keynes predicted this possibility 85 does the job of thousands of Walrasian losses. but also value-added or sales taxes. and should not be stopped. But to advanced enough to replace humans years ago. auctioneers acting locally in space and Nevertheless, there are real But the UberPOP software, at least so think that markets alone can manage in performing an increasing number Uber, which enables people to time, leading to almost perfect price problems that must be addressed. far, has made it impossible to collect its transformative impact is pure of tasks. As MIT’s Andrew McAfee connect with available drivers through discrimination. Airlines have long For starters, there are the losers: value-added tax. To level the playing folly – a fact that the recent global pointed out, historically, technological a smartphone app, is precisely the employed such price discrimination, traditional taxi drivers, who often fi eld, local or national authorities economic crisis, which was rooted in revolutions have “eventually led to kind of disruptive company that is off ering multiple prices for the same have had to pay large licence fees and should require the company to unbridled fi nancial innovation, made more, if diff erent, jobs”; but, with driving the shift. Taxi drivers in France distance fl own, depending on date and thus cannot compete with Uber’s integrate tax-collection software into clear. What is needed now are new machines becoming increasingly and around the world are particularly time. But Uber price setting is unique low prices. While this problem its app. The fact that UberPOP drivers, social and regulatory policies, often intelligent, “this time may be incensed about UberPOP (called in its immediacy, which it has achieved always arises when disruptive new unlike taxi drivers, do not cover global in nature, that embody a new diff erent.” UberX outside Europe), a no-frills by taking full advantage of modern technologies appear, innovation and passenger insurance also amounts social contract for the 21st century. - Given this possibility, McAfee service. Uber has since withdrawn communications technology. adoption are occurring faster than to unfair competition, and must be Project Syndicate suggests, we may need to re-build UberPOP from France, at least In terms of work, Uber creates ever. Taxi drivers are being asked to remedied. our societies so that, as intelligent temporarily – though not before two more jobs than it destroys. This leads adjust in a matter of days, rather than Moreover, in France, taxi drivers zKemal Dervi, former Minister of machines increase productivity, the of its top managers were arrested for to a clear increase in effi ciency and years, leaving democratic systems must undergo regular health and Economic Aff airs of Turkey and former declining demand for human work ignoring the government’s injunction provides overall income gains. Even little time to determine how much professional tests, to which UberPOP Administrator for the UN Development has welfare-enhancing outcomes to suspend UberPOP. if losers were fully compensated, the compensation they should receive, drivers are not subject. Like all Uber Program (UNDP), is a vice president of like higher (and more equitably But the kind of innovation that sum of the gains – shared by the fi rm, and how it should be distributed. drivers, they are “monitored” by users, the Brookings Institution. Tracking opportunity for all Americans Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 43 C By Jennifer A. Marshall risky behaviours and make healthy anti-poverty programmes and trillions still living with the consequences of choices for their future. Communities of dollars later, poverty has not the sexual revolution in the 1960s and Low : 32 C and Christine Kim Hazy to misty at places at first that champion marriage will see declined signifi cantly. ’70s. Divorce, abortion and unwed becoming hot daytime with slight Tribune News Service dust and some clouds and hazy stronger families and better well- The same can be said of education. birth rates accelerated after that. But by night being for their children. And those Years of increasing expenditure even such seemingly unrelenting pportunity for all” is a goal who place educational choice in and expanding federal intervention trends can reverse course through SATURDAY Americans from across parents’ hands can expect to see have not led to greater achievement. policy and cultural eff orts. High: 40 C the political spectrum can improved student outcomes. Recent innovations in educational The abortion rate, for example, has Low : 32 C Oembrace. But it won’t be A culture that values care for choice, however, have already shown fallen back to levels not seen since Sunny more than an aspiration unless we neighbours and emphasises the promising results. No wonder the before the Roe v. Wade decision in know whether we’re making progress dignity of work and self-suffi ciency educational opportunity movement 1973. The divorce rate plateaued and toward that goal. will depend less on government and be is gaining popularity: the number then started to decline (although it SUNDAY To do that, as the management more upwardly mobile. Freedom and of students participating in private still remains high). The crime rate has High: 41 C adage says, we need to measure what opportunity depend on the character school choice programmes tripled dropped, and a greater proportion Low : 33 C matters. That means taking stock of our culture. between 2004 and 2014. of younger high school students are Sunny of the social and economic factors Second, correctly diagnosing the root Third, paying attention to the remaining abstinent. shaping opportunity in America today. causes of our social challenges is crucial. cultural ecosystem is critical. In an The 1996 welfare reform ended That’s what the 2015 Index of Conventional wisdom holds that social environment of mutual care, the well- entitlement in one broken government Fishermen’s forecast Culture and Opportunity is designed and economic problems are caused by being of individuals, communities programme and helped able-bodied OFFSHORE DOHA to do. Just released from The Heritage “the system,” which is why so many and society at large is understood adults back to work. Selfl ess grassroots Wind: NW-SE 03-12/15 KT Foundation’s Institute of Family, “solutions” hinge on more government to be interdependent. Issues are leaders, what Bob Woodson of the Waves: 1-3/4 Feet Culture, and Opportunity, the Index intervention through increased interconnected as well: Changes in Center for Neighbourhood Enterprise INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15/18 KT tracks trends from marriage to spending and greater regulation. But one sector can reverberate across the calls “healing agents,” who make Waves: 1-2 Feet volunteering to welfare dependence to failing to address the true sources of a entire system. Marriage, family, child themselves available 24/7 for the long student loan debt. problem is likely only to exacerbate it. well-being, education, employment, haul, continue to revitalise and restore Around the region After collecting data on 31 social and Take the alleviation of poverty, poverty, economic mobility and hope to their neighbourhoods. Weather Weather economic indicators, and hearing from for example. In the War on Poverty, growth, and entrepreneurship all With perseverance, we can today Max/min tomorrow Max/min more than a dozen commentators, here rather than focusing on incentives relate to each other. accomplish positive change. Policy Abu Dhabi Sunny 43/31 P Cloudy 44/32 are the conclusions of the 2015 Index: that would address family breakdown Fourth, consequences are lasting prescriptions addressing the factors Baghdad Sunny 48/31 Sunny 49/33 Dubai P Cloudy and non-work, the government opted but not irreversible. Social and measured in the Index of Culture and M Sunny 43/32 39/33 First, culture matters. High school Kuwait City Sunny 48/33 Sunny 48/33 students in an achievement-oriented for spending as its primary strategy. economic trends, good or bad, may Opportunity can move us toward Manama M Sunny 40/32 Sunny 39/32 environment are more likely to avoid Decades of expanding government last for decades. Americans today are achieving true opportunity for all. Muscat M Cloudy 36/32 P Cloudy 34/32 Riyadh M Sunny 44/27 Sunny 44/28 Tehran Sunny 34/22 Sunny 34/23 Live issues First drug that appears to slow Alzheimer’s found

By Hannah Devlin The drug, developed by the be expected to “catch up” over in Alzheimer’s was the real root of the London American company Eli Lilly, had time. However, the results, unveiled disease. previously been tested in a larger on Wednesday at the Alzheimer’s Dr Doug Brown, head of research at group of patients with both mild and Association International Conference the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Today’s cientists appear to have broken moderate dementia and this trial had in Washington DC, in the US, showed fi ndings strongly suggest that a decades-long deadlock in appeared to end in failure in 2012. that the diff erences between the two targeting people in the earliest stages the battle against Alzheimer’s However, when scientists analysed groups were still there - a sign that the of Alzheimer’s disease with these Sdisease after announcing trial the data more closely, they found that in drug had made a genuine impact on antibody treatments is the best way results for the fi rst drug that appears the 1,300 patients with mild dementia, the progression of the disease. to slow or stop Alzheimer’s disease. to slow the pace of mental decline. those who had been placed on the drug “It defl ected the course of the These drugs are able to reduce the The drug, called solanezumab, was showed a roughly 30% slower decline in disease in an irrevocable manner,” said sticky plaques of amyloid that build up shown to stave off memory loss in memory and cognitive tests than those Karran, who previously worked for Eli in the brain, and now we have seen the patients with mild Alzheimer’s over who had taken a placebo during the Lilly. fi rst hints that doing this early enough Around the world the course of several years. The eff ects 18-month trial. The company is now looking to see may slow disease progression.” Weather Weather would have been barely discernible to This was a fairly small diff erence whether the drug is more eff ective The positive trial results follow years today Max/min tomorrow Max/min patients or their families, scientists from the perspective of the patients when given at an earlier stage - of failed clinical research. Between 2002 Athens Sunny 35/25 Sunny 34/26 said, and it is no cure. But the wider who had not yet suff ered the something that might be expected and 2012, 99.6% of drugs studies aimed Beirut Sunny 32/26 Sunny 32/25 M Cloudy S T Storms 34/27 at preventing, curing or improving Bangkok 37/26 implications of the results have been devastating memory loss or profound given that it apparently had no Berlin P Cloudy 26/18 Showers 28/13 hailed as “hugely signifi cant” because changes to personality that come later eff ect for patients with more serious Alzheimer’s symptoms were either Cairo Sunny 41/24 Sunny 38/23 it is the fi rst time any medicine has on. But the result hinted that the drug dementia. “It’s entirely possible you’ll halted or discontinued at huge fi nancial Cape Town Showers 16/10 Sunny 17/08 slowed the rate at which the disease could work as long as it was given early show an even bigger benefi t if people cost to drugs companies, many of whom Colombo T Storms 29/25 P Cloudy 30/25 T Storms 28/24 damages the brain. enough. are given solanezumab earlier on,” said shut down dementia programmes as a Dhaka 28/25 T Storms Hong Kong T Storms 31/27 T Storms 31/26 “This is the fi rst evidence of Questions remained about whether Karran. result. Istanbul Sunny 28/21 P Cloudy 28/21 something genuinely modifying the the drug was simply treating the Scientists said the results also Richard Morris, professor of Jakarta M Sunny 33/22 M Sunny 33/23 disease process,” said Dr Eric Karran, symptoms - improving a patient’s support the idea that sticky plaques in neuroscience at the University of Karachi Cloudy 32/27 P Cloudy 32/27 director of research at Alzheimer’s mood or concentration - rather than the brain - the most visible hallmark Edinburgh, said the result was likely London Rain 18/12 P Cloudy 22/11 Manila S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 Research UK. “It’s a breakthrough in actually delaying the loss of neurons in of the disease - are what causes mental to be signifi cant - although he added Moscow S Showers 23/12 M Sunny 26/12 my mind. The history of medicine the brain, which drives memory loss. decline. The drug is an antibody that that he was reserving fi nal judgment New Delhi P Cloudy 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 suggests that once you get through To test this, Eli Lilly switched the works by disassembling the building until he saw the data in more detail. New York M Sunny 30/21 M Sunny 30/22 that door you can explore further half of the 1,300 patients who had blocks that make up the plaques, “I am cautiously optimistic, from Paris M Cloudy 28/17 P Cloudy 23/13 Rain Rain 18/11 therapeutic opportunities much more been on the placebo on to the drug as slowly causing them to disintegrate. the perspective of the audience, they Sao Paulo 25/14 Seoul Rain 27/23 Rain 28/23 aggressively. It makes us less helpless.” well and the entire group was given Until now, drugs that targeted the should be too,” he said. “This is not a Singapore T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 32/27 Existing drugs help with the solanezumab for a further two years. plaques have not appeared to have mouse study, it’s a people study. And Sydney P Cloudy 21/10 Sunny 20/10 symptoms but ultimately do nothing If the drug was just treating the any eff ect leading some to question that matters.” - Guardian News & Tokyo Clear 3 4 / 2 5 Clear 35/25 to slow the disease’s progression. symptoms, the placebo group would whether some other biological process Media Gulf Times 20 Friday, July 24, 2015 FEATURES India’s ‘living dead’ fi ght for resurrection

AFP land has intensifi ed. having to battle to prove that he Mumbai It’s nearly 40 years since Lal has ever existed. Bihari discovered his three-acre “The records say I was never plot in Azamgarh had passed born because my father died as a or the last two years Ram- into the hands of one of his child,” Gupta, who runs a sweet janam Mauriya has made cousins who had connived with a shop, said. Fcountless journeys to corrupt local bureaucrat to have The revenue offi ce ruled back Azamgarh magistrate’s offi ce him declared dead. in 1997 that he did not exist as it in northern India, laden with After he fi nally managed to turned a plot of land he inherited stacks of documents to prove he persuade the courts he was the in another Uttar Pradesh district is not a ghost. victim of fraud, Bihari formed over to a female relative whom “It’s frustrating. I am alive, the “Mritak Singh” organisa- he suspects bribed offi cials. yet they say I am dead,” Mauriya tion (association of the dead) While that decision was later said. to help those who fi nd them- overturned in 2002, he was again The 65-year-old is one of selves trapped in a similar declared as “non-existent” the hundreds of people from the gi- nightmare. following year. ant state of Uttar Pradesh who “I went crazy running Gupta says he is not that both- have been classifi ed as deceased from one offi ce to another for ered about the land but wants to in offi cial records as part of a months,” said Bihari. put the record straight so his plot by unscrupulous relatives to “You even sometimes start own children don’t run into bu- grab their land. doubting your own existence. reaucratic problems. Mauriya alleges it was his “Your enemy doesn’t get his “My children and my exist- brother who bribed offi cials to hands dirty by murdering you ence is directly linked to my fa- have him declared dead in order but you are as good as dead.” ther’s existence. I am not fi ght- to gain a greater share of ances- Bihari, who even stood against ing for myself but for my future tral property. two prime ministers in general generations,” Gupta said. Others have fallen victim to elections as part of his cam- Mohamed Arshad, a sociolo- similar scams by cousins, neph- paign, says his organisation is gist at Uttar Pradesh’s Institute ews or even their own sons who currently helping in around 200 of Social Sciences, says a craving bribe local offi cials to falsify or cases nationwide. for land is the main factor behind destroy paperwork. Authorities insist they have the scams. Nearly all the cases have been put an end to such scams and The rapid urbanisation of In- recorded in Uttar Pradesh, In- some people are making bogus dia, coupled with the growth in dia’s most populous state, which allegations. population which now stands at also has a reputation for be- Azamgarh district magistrate around 1.25bn, means some peo- ing one of the most corrupt and L Y Suhas said most records ple are so desperate to get hold of crime-ridden parts of the coun- have now been computerised, Indian farmer Ram Janam Mauriya (left), who is struggling to prove to authorities that he is still alive after being declared dead by his younger land they will betray their own try. making it impossible to fabri- brother, speaks with activist Lal Bihari Mritak in the Azamgarh district of the state of Uttar Pradesh. fl esh and blood. Azamgarh district, around cate personal details. “With land, you can attract 300km east of the state capi- “Some people just want to get Mauriya, who only discovered he 1,500-square metre plot when in-laws’ village a few years and his brother was the sole owner. business partners and make mat- tal Lucknow, has been at the publicity,” he said. had been declared dead when he his own father died in 1993 later. “It was a shock, even more so rimonial alliances for yourself centre of a host of cases over But the nature of the scams tried to pass some land onto his but he left the land in what he Then when he tried to transfer when I came to know about my and your children,” said Arshad. the decades which have mul- means it can take years before a son. thought was his brother’s safe the plot to his son in 2013, offi cials brother’s role,” he said. “Land makes the diff erence tiplied as the scramble for case fl ares up, as in the case of Mauriya inherited a keeping when he moved to his told him he was classed as dead Jagdish Prasad Gupta, 52, is here.”

Basta with pasta: Galapagos facing mounting threat Italians turning from ‘El Nino’ weather system to other foods AFP Santa Cruz

DPA “The changed lifestyle and Rome habits, such as eating out, dif- he Galapagos Islands, ferent working hours, and rec- celebrated for their reational activities also play a Tbreathtaking biodiversity, e it penne all ’Arrabiata, role,” Riccardi points out. “But could face a major threat from spaghetti carbonara or the cultural changes within “El Nino,” the weather system Blasagne - there is hardly the population are an impor- known to wreak havoc every few any other foodstuff that is so tant factor.” years. closely identifi ed with Italy For example, there is the The archipelago sustains a as pasta. The Italians’ love for changing role of the woman vast variety of plant and animal it is deeply embedded in their in Italy. Whereas in the past life, and has been recognised as a culture and identity. the mother took pride in Unesco World Heritage Site. And yet, their culinary hab- putting a sumptuous meal on But the fragile Galapagos eco- its are changing, and pasta the table, today many young system may prove no match for consumption is decreasingly mothers are turning to instant the strong winds, heavy rains signifi cantly. According to one foods and paying attention to and warmer than usual ocean study, per capita pasta con- healthy nutrition. currents that accompany El sumption in 2004 was 28kilos. A report by the UN’s Food Nino. In 2013, it was 25.3 kilos, con- and Agricultural Organisation The dangers posed by those stituting a 10% drop. FAO also shows that fewer and climatic changes are particularly But the Italians’ declining yen fewer Italians are following acute for marine iguanas — rep- for pasta is not the only thing the so-called Mediterranean tiles found only on the Galapa- that is changing, scholars say. cuisine. The FAO cites such gos — which live on land but get “Over the past 50 years factors as globalisation and their food from the ocean. there have been substantial changing lifestyles. In addi- “Marine iguanas feed only on changes in food consumption tion, the wide range on off er is algae,” Eduardo Espinoza, 46, here, be it typical products leading to a loss of knowledge director of marine research at or the trend toward fast-food of traditional fare. Galapagos National Park, ex- culture,” Gabriele Riccardi, plained said. professor of nutrition at Na- “The consumption of “During times of El Nino, ples University, told DPA. pasta, bread and rice has these algae may be scarce and “The consumption of pasta, declined step by step” many begin to die,” Espinoza bread and rice has declined step said. by step,” Riccardi said, add- Pasta manufacturing com- “El Nino” refers to the abnor- ing that there have also been pany executive Paolo Barilla mal warming of surface waters Alberto Proano (left), Carlos Rueda (centre) and Eduardo Espinoza, scientists of the Galapagos National Park monitor marine iguanas in a changes in other areas such as agrees with this view. “When in the tropical sections of the beach in the Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos archipelago. in meats and vegetables. I was a child, we didn’t have Pacifi c Ocean every three to fi ve If once upon a time the clas- much else,” he told the pa- years. ravaged by El Nino. sical Roman trattoria chiefl y per Corriera della Sera. “Now Climatologists began observ- In 1997 and 1998, El Nino had traditional items like pasta things have changed. The off er- ing the most recent El Nino sev- struck with devastating eff ect dishes or pizza on the menu, to- ing of products has tripled, and eral months ago, and fear that in the Galapagos. It wiped out day there are increasingly more this applies to pasta as well.” because of global warming, the corals, colonies of penguins, sea alternatives to choose from. Meanwhile, new trends phenomenon will hit the Gala- lions, nests of the fl ightless ma- Many restaurants in the such as vegan and vegetar- pagos with increasing frequency rine birds called cormorants — as meantime have started veg- ian cuisine, organic products, and greater destructive potential well as marine iguanas. etarian and vegan dishes, as whole-grain and gluten-free in coming years. Of the iguanas that survived, well as organically -produced foods are steadily spreading. Charles Darwin made the many experienced severe weight foods. Dishes like couscous “In the past few years there Galapagos famous a century- loss, Judith Denkinger, a bi- and quinoa have become in- has been an increase in the and-a-half ago with research ologist at the Institute of Ocean creasingly popular. number of people eating vegan here that led him to devise his Sciences at the University of San In addition, there are more or vegetarian dishes,” Ricca- theory of evolution. Francisco in Quito, said. and more foreign eateries. Chi- rdi says. “Also noteworthy has Since then, some of the wild- It took several years, but the nese snack stands, sushi bars been the boom in dietary and life he studied on the Galapagos iguana population eventually re- and fast-food franchises are organically-grown products.” already has been wiped out be- covered. Their numbers by 2001 giving tourists and locals new Atop it all has been the cause of man’s encroachment, were back up to around 700,000. alternatives to a pasta-heavy fact that amid the economic and other species have been put The results of a census taken cuisine. squeeze, more families have less at risk by climate change. in 2014 will provide updated “The changes have come money to spend. An analysis by The Galapagos, one of the population fi gures any day now, about due to several factors the farmers’ association Col- world’s great protected nature scientists here say. coming together,” Riccardi diretti concluded that in 2014, reserves and one of its most sen- The plight of the Galapagos is says. “First and foremost is Italians spent fi ve per cent less sitive, hosts more endemic spe- expected to be a key agenda item the demographic factor, one on pasta, seven per cent less for cies than anywhere else on Earth during high-level climate talks that is expressed in our coun- fi sh and 4% less for olive oil. — from the giant land tortoises in Paris later this year attended try that the population is in- But for all the changes in that give it its name, to sharks, by foreign and environment creasingly aging, with fewer their eating habits, one thing birds and the marine iguanas. ministers from 45 countries. An employee of the Galapagos National Park (left) helps with the inspection of luggage at the airport in families and more singles. And has not changed for Italians Espinoza is closely monitoring Visitors are not allowed to Baltra, one of the 13 islands that make up the Galapagos archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. of course there has been an in- - the importance they attach the impact of the current El Nino touch the reptiles, but Espinoza fl ux of migrants bringing with to eating. The opinion polling on endangered species in the ar- freely handles them, lifting them time to last for several months, tecting the sensitive local eco- At the airport, the luggage of them their own eating habits, institute Censis says that for chipelago — especially on ma- by their tails and sizing them possibly through 2016. system from the eager fi ngers of departing passengers is scanned traditions and needs.” 17.9%, eating is also a matter rine iguanas, which are particu- with a yellow tape measure be- The prehistoric-looking ma- tourists seeking souvenirs. as if agents were looking for con- In addition, above all of pride and identity. larly sensitive to environmental fore weighing them to assess the rine iguana can live until the age Visitors try to take away sea traband drugs. younger people have become “For the Italians, eating change in the nature reserve out negative eff ects of the current El of about 60, scientists said — so shells, volcanic rock, even the “Tourists act surprised, and more diet-conscious. Many helps them to live healthily, in the Pacifi c, some 1,000km Nino. long as its environment is not sand — just this month, an Ec- tell us this is allowed everywhere often see pasta as making one socialise with others and feel from the Ecuadoran coast. He says the impact may be degraded by man-made pollu- uadoran woman was caught at else,” said Danny Rueda, ecosys- fat, and so they are reducing being a part of a community,” It’s not the fi rst time that prolonged because some expect tion, climate change and El Nino. the airport trying to take 10kilos tem director at the park. “Here, their consumption of it. the institute said. wildlife in the Galapagos was the weather phenomenon this Yet another concern is pro- of sand with her. it is not.” 5TH MONTH | Page 2 Q2 RESULTS | Page 11 Turkey keeps Credit Suisse interest rates reports on hold $1.15bn profi t

Friday, July 24, 2015 Shawwal 8, 1436 AH

PICK UP IN DEMAND CONTINUES: Page 12 Jobless claims in GULF TIMES US fall to lowest BUSINESS level in 4 decades Iran eyes $185bn oil, gas projects after sanctions

Reuters nearly 50 oil and gas projects Greece faces recession Vienna worth $185bn that it hoped to sign by 2020. In preparation for negotiations Iran outlined plans yesterday with possible foreign partners, for the rebuilding of its core Zamaninia said Iran had industries and trade links in the defined a new model contract wake of a nuclear agreement which it calls its integrated with world powers, saying petroleum contract (IPC). warning as bailout it was targeting oil and gas “This model contract projects worth $185bn by 2020. addresses some of the Iran’s Minister of Industry, deficiencies of the old Mines and Trade Mohammad buyback contract and it Reza Nematzadeh said the further aligns the short- and Islamic Republic would focus long-term interests of parties on its oil and gas, metals and involved,” he said. talks set to open today car industries with an eye He said Iran would introduce to exporting to Europe after the oil and gas projects it IOBE think tank sees 2.0-2.5% dawn, 36 Syriza rebels defi ed sanctions have been lifted. has identified and the new GDP contraction this year; the government, forcing Tsipras “We are looking for a two-way contract in international parliament approves second to rely on pro-European oppo- trade as well as cooperation markets later this year. bailout bill; negotiations with sition parties to pass the meas- in development, design and Deputy Economy Minister lenders due to start in Athens ure and raising the prospect of engineering,” Nematzadeh Mohammad Khazaei said a snap election once the deal is told a conference in Vienna. Iran had already completed Reuters sealed. “We are no longer interested negotiations with some Athens The rebellion was slightly in a unidirectional importation European companies wanting smaller than in a vote on a fi rst of goods and machinery from to invest in the country. bailout bill last week when 39 Europe,” he said. “We are recently witnessing reece’s most infl uential Syriza lawmakers dissented. But The UN Security Council on the return of European think tank warned yes- it confi rmed the deep split in the Monday endorsed a deal investors to the country. Gterday of a sharp drop radical leftwing party, which to end years of economic Some of these negotiations back into recession in a report won power in January vowing to sanctions on Iran in return have concluded, and we that came hours after parlia- end austerity. for curbs on its nuclear have approved and granted ment approved a second package State Minister Nikos Pappas, programme. them the foreign investment of reform measures aimed at se- one of Tsipras’ closest aides, Sanctions are unlikely to licences and protections,” curing a new bailout from inter- told the semi-state Athens News be removed until next year, Khazaei told the conference. national lenders. Agency that the government diplomats say, as the deal “Even in the past couple of In its quarterly report, the would move to complete the requires approval by the US weeks we have approved more IOBE institute said that capital bailout negotiations before tak- Congress. Nuclear inspectors than $2bn of projects in Iran by controls imposed last month ing a decision on its next politi- must also confirm that Iran is European companies,” he said, to stop a bank run pushing the cal move. complying with the terms of without naming the firms or fi nancial system into collapse “Unfortunately, a rupture has the deal. providing further details. would exact a heavy toll across been confi rmed but I think we But many European Nematzadeh said Iran aimed the economy. will get the procedures for the companies have already to join the World Trade Reversing a forecast for deal concluded fi rst and then we signalled interest in Organisation once political growth this year of 1% made will look into all these things at reestablishing business in Iran. obstacles were removed as recently as April, it said the the party,” he said. Iran’s deputy oil minister for and would be interested in economy would contract by as If the talks are not completed commerce and international preferred trade deals with much as 2.0-2.5% after growing in time, European authorities aff airs, Hossein Zamaninia, Europe and central Asian 0.7% in 2014 and would remain who provided a €7bn bridging said Tehran had identified countries. in recession next year as well. loan to allow Athens to meet The report underlined the debt repayments this week, may headwinds facing leftwing have to provide further tempo- Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, rary fi nancing. who must negotiate a bailout European Economic Aff airs worth up to €86bn with scepti- Commissioner Pierre Moscovici cal lenders, while struggling to fi cials from the European Com- over 25%. Banks have re-opened agreed with the lenders prior to said that a change in the rules hold his divided Syriza party to- mission, European Central Bank after the ECB restored emergen- the imposition of capital con- governing the EFSM, an EU fund gether. and International Monetary cy funding last week but capital trols. that was used to provide the fi rst While his own personal popu- Fund are due to start in Athens controls remain in place, hob- The banks, which would col- bridging loan, would enable the larity is high, a renewed drop on Friday with the aim of wrap- bling companies that deal with lapse immediately without the fund to be used for a second loan. into recession after a modest ping them up by August 20. suppliers outside Greece and ECB’s emergency funding, face The new rules provide a guar- recovery last year would test But already there have been highlighting the fragile state of recapitalisation but how much antee to non-euro member his government’s ability to push doubts about whether the se- the fi nancial system. the operation will cost will only states which had been concerned through the tough mix of tax verely weakened Greek economy A senior Greek offi cial said be known after banking stress that the fund, intended for the “We are looking for a two-way trade as well as cooperation hikes, spending cuts and eco- can support the programme af- yesterday that Greece would tests due to start in August, the full 28-member EU rather than in development, design and engineering,” Iran’s Minister of nomic reforms demanded by the ter a six year-long slump that not reach a 1% primary budget offi cial said. the narrower group of countries Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh lenders. has cut national output by a surplus, net of interest rate pay- After debating the bailout re- in the single currency, was being told a conference in Vienna. Formal negotiations with of- quarter and sent unemployment ments, this year, missing a target forms in parliament until near diverted to bailout the euro.

Asian LNG spot prices set to drop Japan’s Nikkei buys FT in $1.3bn deal further as supplies flood market Reuters London Reuters delivery in August, typically the middle for LNG in a slowing economy. “The Tokyo of the hot season. enthusiasm to import spot LNG is The average import price to Japan fell weaker than last year. Lower domestic apanese media group Nikkei to $8.65 per million British thermal units demand and the lack of access to agreed yesterday to buy the Fi- Asian spot prices for liquefied natural (mmBtu) in June, trade data showed receiving terminals are behind that,” Jnancial Times from Britain’s gas (LNG) already 60% off a record hit yesterday. Over the same month, spot said a senior LNG trading source with Pearson in a $1.3bn deal that brings last year are set to fall further in the prices of $7.30-$7.70 per mmBtu were an independent importer based in together two leading fi nancial news second half of 2015 as slowing demand just up from a five-year low of $6.70 Beijing. operations from Europe and Asia. comes up against a flood of supplies reached in February. And with Asian utilities fully stocked The deal marks the biggest acqui- and oil prices remain weak. Japan’s imports of LNG broke and Australia ramping up output that sition by a Japanese media organisa- The average import price into top LNG successive annual records following the will see it becoming one of the biggest tion and is a coup for Nikkei, an em- buyer Japan fell to its lowest in nearly Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 that LNG exporters within the next three ployee-owned fi rm which also lends six years in June, to just above Asian led to the shutdown of the country’s years, low prices are expected to its name to the main Japanese stock spot prices also holding near multi-year reactors, pushing power utilities to the continue to plague LNG producers. market index. lows. brink of financial ruin as spot prices Adding to the glut, the US is expected The Nikkei newspaper, which has A company logo is seen on the headquarters of the Financial Times With oil prices less than half of last surged. to begin exports of LNG later this year a circulation surpassing 3mn for its newspaper in London. British publisher Pearson has decided to sell the year’s peak, Japan — which buys most But demand is likely to start shrinking or early in 2016, bringing cheap shale morning edition alone, enjoys a must- Financial Times to Japanese media group Nikkei, after owning the business of its gas on contracts linked to oil with the restart of two of the nuclear gas to new markets. read reputation for fi nancial and busi- newspaper for nearly 60 years, a person familiar with the deal said. and takes about a third of global LNG units in August and October, Tamamizu In a likely sign of poor demand at home, ness news in Japan but has struggled shipments — will have little incentive said. Japanese utilities are seeking to sell to break out of its home market. “I am had also recently told Reuters that would address the staff shortly. The to turn to spot cargoes, analysts and The picture is similar in South Korea, cargoes they are committed to taking extremely proud of teaming up with Germany’s Axel Springer was work- sale of the FT Group, which is expect- traders said. “Long-term prices are where all 23 nuclear reactors are from US projects, as well as looking to the Financial Times, one of the most ing on a buyout. Reuters reported ed to close during the fourth quarter likely to head lower, reflecting a sharp running after some were shut due buy import capacity at European LNG prestigious news organisations in the earlier yesterday that the 171-year- of 2015, does not include its 50% stake fall in crude prices since the second for safety concerns, with a new one terminals, trading sources said. world,” said Tsuneo Kita, chairman old Pearson had fi nally decided to in The Economist magazine nor the half of last year,” said Junzo Tamamizu, scheduled to start soon. That means Weaker demand in Asia is also adding and group CEO of Nikkei. “We share sell the business daily as it expanded London headquarters of the newspa- managing partner of Clavis Energy less demand for LNG in the No 2 buyer to the woes of the LNG carrier market, the same journalistic values.” more into education. per on the banks of the River Thames. Partners. of the fuel as well. where a glut of new tankers could Analysts and bankers had for years As the news broke of the Nikkei In a joint statement, Pearson said “Japan’s spot LNG demand is also on In China, the government is trying to further undercut freight rates at five- been waiting for Pearson to sell the deal, an FT journalist tweeted a pho- it believed the time was right for the the decline with spot needs for summer encourage higher domestic production year lows and force ship operators to trophy asset, although the names tograph showing staff in the news- FT, which was fi rst printed on pink in the doldrums,” he said, adding there of natural gas by raising wholesale idle ships, maritime industry executives most closely linked with a deal were room crowded around a television paper in 1893 to stand out from rival were few short-term cargoes due for prices, but that has weakened demand said. Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. watching the developments. FT Edi- titles, to be part of a global, digital A person familiar with the situation tor Lionel Barber said on Twitter he news company. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 24, 2015 BUSINESS

‘Saudi-Kuwait joint Wafra oilfi eld staff are told to take leave’

Reuters Abu Dhabi

he shut down of the jointly-operated Wafra Tonshore oilfi eld between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, is set to be extended into next month after the distribution of a mem- orandum telling all non-vital staff to take leave as of August 1, pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported yesterday. The Wafra fi eld was fi rst shut for maintenance on May 11 for two weeks in a move apparently aimed at giving the Gulf Opec allies time to solve a longstand- ing dispute. On May 27, Chevron, which operates the oilfield on behalf of Saudi Arabia, said Wafra would remain shut until dif- ficulties in operating there are resolved. The memorandum, which the newspaper said it had obtained, was signed by Chevron and the Kuwaiti Gulf Oil Company, which represents the Kuwaiti side of operations. The document also said staff would take “open-ended” leave if production did not resume A money changer counts Turkish lira bills at a currency exchange off ice in Istanbul. The lira - already one of the worst-performing major emerging market currencies this year - was hit again yesterday, hurt by the by end-August, a step aimed at resurgent dollar after US jobless claims fell to a 41-1/2 year low and as more violence flared up in Turkey’s southeast. reducing costs amidst the shut- down, the paper reported. Wafra representatives could not be immediately reached by Reuters for comment. The Neutral Zone is the only place in Saudi Arabia and Ku- wait where foreign oil fi rms have equity in fi elds, which are oth- Turkey keeps rates on hold erwise owned and operated by state oil companies. Crude out- put is divided equally between the two countries. It survived the nationalisa- tion of the Saudi oil industry in the 1970s. Since then, Sau- in post-election uncertainty di reserves of 264bn barrels, about a fifth of the world’s Reuters The central bank has been under ing, particularly in view of the political ing rate remained 10.75% and the pri- Investors are also worried about the proven oil reserves, have been Istanbul pressure from President Tayyip Erdog- situation. mary dealers’ overnight borrowing rate possibility of early elections if Davu- off limits to international oil an to cut interest rates, but economists While the AKP is in preliminary talks 10.25%. toglu’s AKP is unable to form a coali- companies. say the country needs tighter policy to with the main opposition, progress ap- Refl ecting the pressure on the central tion. Industry sources say Kuwait urkey’s central bank kept interest fi ght infl ation. pears to be slow. bank, Economy Minister Nihat Zey- The leader of the main opposition was angry because it was not rates on hold for a fi fth straight Instead, a recent drop in food prices Some government officials have bekci said he did not view the rate de- People’s Republican Party (CHP), consulted when the Chevron Tmonth yesterday, avoiding any gave it enough room to leave policy admitted economic growth is likely to cision positively. Like Erdogan, he has which is in coalition talks with the concession to operate Wafra was mention of the political uncertainty unchanged again, as all 16 economists fall far short of Ankara’s targets this called for rate cuts. AKP, said yesterday he saw an early renewed by Riyadh in 2009 until that has unnerved investors and instead polled by Reuters had said it would. year. The lira - already one of the worst- election as more likely than a coali- 2039. focusing on food and energy prices. “We actually think that the MPC is “Food and energy price develop- performing major emerging market tion. But the row goes back further Consumer confi dence and the lira still underplaying the extent of Tur- ments aff ect infl ation favourably in the currencies this year - was hit again All of that added up to a perfect op- to 2007, when a land dispute be- currency have weakened since Prime key’s infl ation problem,” said William short run, while exchange rate move- yesterday, hurt by the resurgent dollar portunity for lira bears, said Murat Ba- tween Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s AK Party Jackson of Capital Economics, referring ments delay the improvement in the after US jobless claims fell to a 41-1/2 risik, the deputy head of research at Ata led to a delay in Kuwait’s plans to lost its majority at the polls last month, to the central bank’s monetary policy core indicators,” the central bank said year low and as more violence fl ared up Invest. build an oil refi nery. while annual infl ation has remained committee. in a statement on its website. in Turkey’s southeast. “The recent rise in violence and at- Chevron holds a lease on some high. The party has until late August to He said the MPC’s view of infl ation The bank kept its one-week repo rate The currency is on track for its worst tacks and more talk of elections - along of the land on Kuwait’s side fi nd a junior partner or face a snap elec- didn’t seem to fully acknowledge the at 7.50% and the overnight borrow- weekly performance since hitting a with the best US statistics in around 40 which was earmarked for the tion. lira’s vulnerability to further weaken- ing rate at 7.25%. The overnight lend- record low after the June 7 elections. years - brought the selling.” new refi nery.

Qatar shares edge higher on buying interests in consumer goods, banks Emaar Malls weighs on Dubai;

By Santhosh V Perumal insurance shrank 0.61% and to QR175.38mn and deals by Business Reporter 0.54% respectively. 48% to 3,297. About 63% of the stocks The insurance sector’s trade Sabic down before earnings extended gains with major volume more than tripled Buying interests, especially in movers being QNB, Industries to 0.13mn equities and consumer goods, transport Qatar, Mazaya Qatar, Ezdan, value more than doubled to Reuters year declines in second-quarter and banking stocks, helped the Vodafone Qatar, Nakilat, QR10.61mn on almost doubled Dubai earnings, although the falls were Qatar Stock Exchange report Qatar Islamic Bank, Salam transactions to 118. not as big as some analysts had 33 points addition in its key International Investment, The real estate sector’s trade expected. index yesterday. United Development Company, volume more than doubled ulf stock markets traded Electrical Industries Co fell Reduced selling pressure from Qatari Investors Group, Widam to 1.25mn stocks and value in a narrow range yester- 2.8% following a 55% drop in foreign institutions was mainly Food and Al Meera; whereas soared 51% to QR31.07mn on Gday as the operator of the second-quarter profi t. instrumental in lifting the Ooredoo, Commercial Bank, more-than-doubled deals to region’s biggest mall in Dubai The top gainers yesterday 20-stock Qatar Index 0.28% Gulf International Services and 644. slightly missed earnings fore- were insurance companies Unit- to 11,944.62 points on higher Qatari German Company for There was a 60% surge in casts and other bourses lacked ed Cooperative Assurance, up trade volumes. Medical Devices bucked the the industrials sector’s trade strong positive catalysts. 5.2%, and Buruj, which surged The index that tracks Shariah- trend. volume to 0.56mn shares, Dubai’s index was virtually 4.7%. Both companies have principled stocks was seen Non-Qatari institutions’ net 52% in value to QR39.08mn fl at, while Emaar Malls Group posted second-quarter profi ts gaining faster than the other profit-booking declined and 72% in transactions to (EMG), which operates Dubai that compared with losses in the indices in the market, which to QR7.3mn compared to 819. Mall, and its parent Emaar Prop- same period of 2014 and were is, however, down 2.78% year- QR19.5mn on July 22. The banks and financial erties fell 1.5% and 0.5% respec- signifi cantly higher quarter-on- to-date. However, the GCC (Gulf services sector’s trade volume tively. quarter. However, buying interests Cooperation Council) expanded 39% to 1.25mn EMG reported a 43% rise in Most other stocks in the sector of local retail investors individual investors turned net equities, value by 62% to second-quarter net profi t to also rose and the insurance sector and domestic institutions sellers to the tune of QR0.91mn QR72.36mn and deals by 40% 412mn dirhams ($112.2mn). In- index climbed 1.6%. weakened in the bourse, where against net buyers of QR0.7mn to 1,064. vestment bank EFG Hermes A general view taken on July 19, 2009 shows the headquarters of Foreign fund fl ows in the Gulf trading was largely skewed on Wednesday. However, the consumer goods had forecast EMG would make Sabic in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s index inched down 0.1% yesterday often refl ect announced or ex- towards the banking and real GCC institutions were also sector saw a 61% plunge in 445mn dirhams and Naeem and Saudi Basic Industries Corp, down 1.7%, was the main drag. pected shifts in stock weightings estate sectors, whose stocks net profit-takers to the extent trade volume to 0.19mn stocks brokerage had expected 425mn. assigned by index compilers such together constituted about of QR3.53mn compared with and 24% in value to QR14.15mn Quarter-on-quarter, EMG’s net weaker euro, which we believe mates with a 10.5% rise in sec- as MSCI and FTSE. 69% of the overall trading net buyers of QR0.57mn the but on a 37% increase in profi t fell 5%. has had some sort of an impact ond-quarter net profi t. It made Etisalat, the UAE’s former tel- volume. previous day. transactions to 371. But Naeem said the earnings on Dubai tourism.” 502.6mn dirhams, while analysts ecoms monopoly, said last month Market capitalisation rose Non-Qatari individual investors The transport sector’s miss had not changed its funda- Among other stocks, logistics polled by Reuters had forecast an that restrictions on who could 0.39%, or more than QR2bn, to turned net sellers to the tune trade volume plummeted mental view on the company— fi rm Aramex rose 0.6%, extend- average of 484mn dirhams. The own its shares would be partly QR633.88bn. of QR1.23mn against net 20% to 0.04mn shares and which it rates as a “hold”—and ing gains on an expected fall in bank also announced a rights is- lifted, opening the Gulf state’s The Total Return Index gained buyers of QR2.37mn on July value by 60% to QR1.29mn, its current valuation looked fair. diesel prices due to UAE domes- sue on Thursday. largest stock to foreign and in- 0.28% to 18,566.2 points, the 22. while deals expanded 75% “We were expecting some tic fuel price reforms announced Saudi Arabia’s main index stitutional ownership for the fi rst All Share Index by 0.36% to Domestic institutions’ net to 91. sort of a moderate quarter-on- on Wednesday. Union Proper- inched down 0.1% and Saudi Ba- time. If this helps it win a place 3,200 points and the Al Rayan buying weakened to QR6.17mn The market witnessed a 14% quarter weakness, and believe ties added 0.8% after saying on sic Industries Corp, down 1.7%, in MSCI’s emerging markets in- Islamic Index by 0.63% to 4,678 compared to QR6.6mn on shrinkage in the telecom that the earnings miss is likely to Wednesday it planned three new was the main drag. The company dex, other stocks in the UAE and points. Wednesday. sector’s trade volume to have come from higher operating projects worth 2bn dirhams. is expected to report second- Qatar may see outfl ows of money Consumer goods stocks Local retail investors’ net QR0.24mn equities, 31% in costs/overheads,” Naeem com- Abu Dhabi’s bourse slipped quarter earnings on Sunday and as their weightings decrease ac- appreciated 0.81%, followed buying also declined to value to QR6.83mn and 38% in mented. 0.1% and that emirate’s biggest some of its subsidiaries have al- cordingly. by transport (0.7%), banks QR6.79mn against QR9.27mn transactions to 190. “Overall, we believe that EMG developer, Aldar Properties, fell ready posted their own results. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait’s and financial services (0.47%), the previous day. In the debt market, there was has fared quite well, despite the 1.4%. Yanbu National Petrochemical index edged down 0.2% to 6,287 realty (0.43%) and industrials Total trade volume rose 34% to no trading of treasury bills and ongoing macro headwinds such But Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Co and Saudi Arabia Fertilisers points, while Bahrain’s index (0.33%); while telecom and 3.64mn shares, value by 38% government bonds. as falling crude prices, and a added 0.8% after beating esti- Co have both reported year-on- added 0.4% to 1,337 points. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 3 BUSINESS

The genetic outliers are coveted by drug companies in search of drugs for some of the industry’s biggest and most lucrative markets These superheroes are real and their DNA may be worth billions

Genentech and Amgen are studying rare mutation, which Dreyer inherited. sequencing. It took $3bn and 13 years, from 1990 It took them three and a half years of research The only other eff ect typically seen is a loss of gene mutations to create blockbuster Dreyer and Pete are “a gift from nature,” says to 2003, to sequence the first human genome. before they were able to identify the best the sense of smell. drugs for pain and osteoporosis Andreas Grauer, global development lead for The cost today is as low as $1,000 a patient, antibody to inhibit the protein. The promise of the Nav 1.7 channel is to create the osteoporosis drug Amgen is creating. “It is making it viable to sequence large numbers Then NASA came calling. an entirely new class of painkiller. Options on By Caroline Chen our obligation to turn it into something useful.” of people and discover relationships between In 2010 the space agency, preparing for its final the market are all problematic. Opioids, such Bloomberg Businessweek What’s good for patients is also good for genes and symptoms. space shuttle mission, was looking for promising as morphine, are addictive, while nonsteroidal business. The painkiller market alone is worth The researchers who study outliers are often research projects. It invited Amgen to test the anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, $18bn a year. The industry is pressing ahead the first to realise the potential power behind drug’s ability to stop the loss of bone mass are ineff ective with severe pain and can cause Steven Pete can put his hand on a hot stove with research into genetic irregularities. The US a mutation. In 2010, Socrates Papapoulos, a often seen during spaceflight. Amgen sent 30 gastrointestinal side eff ects including bleeding. or step on a piece of glass and not feel a thing, Food and Drug Administration is expected to professor of medicine at the Leiden University mice on the Atlantis shuttle. Half got the drug, Genentech is still in the earliest stage of clinical all because of a quirk in his genes. Only a approve a cholesterol-lowering treatment today Medical Center in the Netherlands, visited romosozumab. After 13 days, the injected mice trials, and it could take more than five years few dozen people in the world share Pete’s from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals an isolated Dutch community where much had gained bone mineral density as the control before a drug is released. congenital insensitivity to pain. Drug companies based on the rare gene mutation of an aerobics of the population had overgrown skulls and group’s bones weakened. While outliers may hold the secret to curing see riches in his rare mutation. They also have instructor with astoundingly low cholesterol abnormally large bones. At a town meeting, Amgen has run two human trials since 2006. the ills of the rest of humanity, there is no profit their eye on people like Timothy Dreyer, 25, who levels. he asked if anyone had been in a major car It is conducting two final-stage trials, with the motive to find treatments for their aberrant has bones so dense he could walk away from Amgen has a similar cholesterol drug, based on accident. One man raised his hand. “He said, ‘I first batch of results expected in early 2016. If suff erings. The market is too small, even though accidents that would leave others with broken the same discovery, and expects US approval in was crossing the street with my brother, and a the drug works as well as promised, it could their pain is real. Pete’s left leg is permanently limbs. About 100 people have sclerosteosis, August. The drugs can lower cholesterol when Mercedes was coming, and I didn’t have time bring Amgen $1bn to $2bn in sales per year, says damaged from years of injuries he couldn’t Dreyer’s condition. statins alone don’t work. They are expected to move,’ ” Papapoulos says. “And I said, ‘What Cowen Group analyst Eric Schmidt. feel, and he lives with the anxiety that he could Both men’s apparent superpowers come from to cost up to $12,000 per patient per year and happened?’ and he said, ‘You should have seen Unlike sclerosteosis patients, people such overlook a severe illness, such as appendicitis, exceedingly uncommon deviations in their bring in more than $1bn annually. the Mercedes.’ ” as Pete who don’t feel pain have no outward whose major symptom is pain. He regularly DNA. They are genetic outliers, coveted by drug “Before a lot of us participated in these projects, physical features that give them away. Instead, participates in research studies and says he companies Amgen, Genentech, and others very little about pain itself was known” It took $3bn and 13 years, from 1990 researchers have stumbled upon them more or wants to contribute to scientists’ knowledge to in search of drugs for some of the industry’s Drugmakers are also investing in acquisitions to 2003, to sequence the fi rst human less by chance. A research article on families in help them develop better painkillers. “Before a biggest, most lucrative markets. and partnerships to get their hands on genetic genome. The cost today is as low as Pakistan came after the discovery of a 10-year- lot of us participated in these projects, very little Their genes also have caused the two men information that could lead to more drugs. $1,000 a patient, making it viable to old boy who as a street performer stabbed about pain itself was known,” he says. enormous suff ering. Pete’s parents first realised Amgen bought an Icelandic biotechnology sequence large numbers of people and himself with knives and walked on burning Excessive bone growth in Dreyer’s skull has led something was wrong when, as a teething baby, company, DeCode Genetics, for $415mn in 2012, discover relationships between genes coals. to multiple operations to relieve pressure on their son almost chewed off his tongue. “That to acquire its massive database on more than and symptoms. Xenon Pharmaceuticals, a small Canadian cranial nerves and the brain, though ultimately was a giant red flag,” says Pete, now 34 and half of Iceland’s adult population. Genentech biotech, started studying more than a decade the surgeries were unable to prevent hearing living in Kelso, Wash. It took doctors months is collaborating with Silicon Valley startup Amgen realised that if researchers could mimic ago families who showed similar pain-free traits loss. to figure out he had congenital insensitivity to 23andMe, which has sold its $99 DNA spit kits the eff ects of the genetic mutation, they could and tracked down the gene responsible, which Dreyer, a PhD student in paraclinical science pain, caused by two diff erent mutations, one to 1mn consumers who want to find out more encourage bone growth strong enough to regulates a pathway in the body called the Nav at the University of Pretoria, isn’t waiting for inherited from each parent. On their own, the about their health and family history—more than counter osteoporosis. People with sclerosteosis 1.7 sodium ion channel. With just a few dozen Big Pharma to come to his rescue. For his PhD single mutations were benign; combined, they 80% have agreed to have their data used for lack a protein that acts as a brake on bone employees, Xenon turned for development help project, he’s researching treatments for his own were harmful. research. growth. Without that protein, bones grow to Genentech, which is owned by Roche, and its disease and hopes to raise 2mn rand ($162,000) Dreyer, who lives in Johannesburg, was 21 The Genentech partnership will study the abnormally thick. It stood to reason, researchers 1,200 research and development scientists. to fund his work. “There are thousands months old when his parents noticed a sudden genetic underpinnings of Parkinson’s disease. thought, that a drug that could block the protein “The beauty of the phenotype is that of people suff ering from osteoporosis, so facial paralysis. Doctors first diagnosed him And Regeneron has signed a deal with in patients with osteoporosis would encourage you’re largely normal,” says Morgan Sheng, developing a treatment for them is great,” he with palsy. Then X-rays revealed excessive bone Pennsylvania’s Geisinger Health System to bone regrowth. Genentech’s vice president for neuroscience, says. “That being said, I do think it would be formation in his skull, which led to a diagnosis sequence the genes of more than 100,000 Amgen’s scientists created hundreds of referring to how the genes are manifested in an nice if they could help us out now that they of sclerosteosis. Nobody in Dreyer’s family had volunteers. antibodies that they tested to determine which individual. “You want to just prevent pain and understand our disease and are able to use it for the disorder; his parents both carried a single Underlying this is the plummeting cost of gene might be able to get in the way of the protein. not cause a bunch of other problems,” he says. their treatments.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 24, 2015 BUSINESS

Low oil price here to stay as Russia bleeds its capital, says Moody’s

Bloomberg London/Moscow

Low oil prices are just the tip of what ails Russia, according to Moody’s Inves- tors Service. With its dependence on commodities and a slump in investment, Russia will have a hard time recovering from its record economic slump as global oil prices are bound to remain lower for a long time, Yves Lemay, managing director in the sovereign risk group at Moody’s in London, said in an interview on Wednesday. As much as a quarter of Russia’s gross domestic product and two-thirds of its exports are linked to the energy indus- try, according to the rating company. “Our assessment is that low oil prices are here to stay,” Lemay said. “Without major investment in the infrastructure, modernising the equipment, oil produc- tion in Russia is unlikely to rise and may slowly decline in the coming years.” Crippled by its first recession since 2009, Russia is starved of investment as US and European Union sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine limit access to international capital markets and A picture shows section of the BP ETAP (Eastern Trough Area Project) oil platform in the North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland on February 24, 2014. Gary Ross, founder of consultants curb imports of drilling technology. PIRA Energy Group, has said oil markets aren’t nearly as oversupplied as many believe and spare capacity is tight since Saudi Arabia is pumping all the crude it can without new drilling. Fixed-capital investment has fallen for 18 months, and the Economy Ministry predicts capital outflows may reach $90bn in 2015 after last year’s record of more than $150bn. While Russia’s oil output has remained above 10mn bpd for almost six years and reached a post-Soviet record in January, sanctions have raised the cost Oil guru who called 2014 of borrowing and barred technology exports needed for new, more complex oil projects. Rosneft, the world’s biggest publicly traded oil company by volume, and gas producer Novatek are among firms targeted for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. slump sees return to $100 “Lower oil prices, combined with capac- ity constraints, are likely to aff ect and Bloomberg point in the next five years.” The to consumption from cheap fuel also “There’s not spare capacity to next year for the fi rst time since 2008. constrain Russia’s growth prospects in London forecast from Ross, who last year support prices, he said. speak of instantly available,” Ross While output in North America will the coming years,” Lemay said. turned bearish on oil before prices PIRA hosted a seminar in New York said. There are also growing geopolit- increase, production from Australia, Crude will average $60 a barrel this shrank by half, is at odds with other in October where Saudi offi cials hint- ical threats to supply, including from the North Sea, Colombia and Argen- year, potentially going as high as $65, he oil guru who predicted last analysts and investors bracing for ed they would change their oil policy. Islamic State, he said. tina will decline, according to PIRA. according to the latest prediction year’s rout said $100-a-barrel “lower for longer” prices, a term Opec’s biggest oil-exporting nation PIRA forecasts a jump in global oil Even higher exports from Iran fol- by the credit assessor. This forecast Tcrude is likely to return within coined by BP chief executive officer announced weeks later that it would demand of about 1.7mn bpd this year lowing the landmark July 14 accord to and the assumption of an increase fi ve years as faltering supply fails to Bob Dudley. Saudi Oil Minister Ali maintain production to defend mar- and a similar gain in 2016. That beats ease sanctions may do little to check “of a few dollars” next year may be meet demand. al-Naimi said in December the world ket share, sending prices plunging. the 10-year average increase of about oil’s advance, Ross said. compromised by the fact that China’s Gary Ross, the founder of consult- may not see $100 crude again, while Saudi Arabia has already exhausted 1mn bpd and exceeds predictions from The increase may be limited to less economic growth is moderating, Iran ants PIRA Energy Group, said oil mar- the International Energy Agency has its ability to ramp up “instantaneous” other analysts and oil companies. than 500,000 bpd over six months may return to global oil markets and kets aren’t nearly as oversupplied as described the markets as “massively production in the event of an out- Consumption will be strong in in- and the country will struggle to sell US shale producers show greater resil- many believe and spare capacity is oversupplied.” age, Ross said. The kingdom, which dustrialised economies such as the its condensate stockpiled on tankers, ience than anticipated to lower prices, tight since Saudi Arabia is pumping all Such views fail to take into ac- pumped a record of almost 10.6mn US, Europe and Japan, where fuel de- he said. according to Lemay. The rouble may the crude it can without new drilling. count the impact of $50 oil on output bpd in June, could raise output by 1mn mand has swung to expansion from Hedge funds and other speculators, come under pressure again because “Current prices are unsustain- outside North America as producers bpd in 90 days with extra drilling, he contraction, according to Ross. having cut bullish bets on WTI crude of depressed oil prices and the risk of able,” he said on Monday in an in- reduce spending, according to Ross. said. That’s about half the spare ca- Supplies from most nations out- to the lowest level since March, may another flare-up in hostilities in eastern terview in London. “It’s hard not to The likelihood of further disrup- pacity estimated by the Paris-based side the Organisation of Petroleum be ready to start buying again as low Ukraine, according to Lemay. see oil hitting $100 a barrel at some tion to Opec supplies and the boost IEA. Exporting Countries will contract prices cause the market to tighten.

China oil buying rules further loosened Russia following Saudi Arabia as amid record imports biggest crude supplier to China Bloomberg chemical Co have been granted Beijing licences to process a combined 25.8mn metric tonnes of im- Bloomberg ported oil a year (about 518,000 Shanghai China is loosening restrictions bpd). Those first five teapots under which companies are are probably the front-runners allowed to import oil, a move to get the direct import license ussia overtook Angola to strength- that may solidify it’s spot above later this year, according to Liu. en its position as China’s biggest oil the US as the world’s largest The country’s refiners processed Rsupplier after Saudi Arabia. importer. almost 10.6mn bpd last month, China’s imports of Russian crude from The government announced new according to the National Bureau January to June rose almost 27% from the guidelines yesterday that opens of Statistics. same period last year to about 786,000 the door to the direct purchase The new licences are open to bpd, edging out Angola’s 769,900 a day, of crude on the international refiners that have at least one according to data e-mailed by the General market by independent refiner- crude distillation unit that can Administration of Customs on Tuesday. ies, known in the industry as tea- process no less than 2mn tonnes Both were dwarfed by Saudi Arabia, the pots. It’s the latest step in a rapid a year and an available credit line world’s largest oil exporter, which shipped deregulation of a business that of $1bn certified by commercial 1.07mn a day. less than a year ago was limited banks, the Ministry of Commerce “Russia will be one of the single big- to either government-owned oil said in a statement posted on its gest contributors to ongoing growth in processors or trading companies website yesterday. The compa- Chinese crude imports,” David Wech, the required to sell to them. nies must also have a team of at managing director of JBC Energy GmbH, “This would be the first time least five people with over five a Vienna-based consultant, said in an e- non-state refiners are potential- years of international trading ex- mail before the data release. Angola “has ly being granted licences,” Liu perience and oil storage capacity relatively limited output upside and in Aiying, president of Shandong of 300,000 tonnes, according to fact we expect supply to drop” in 2016, he Oil Refining Association, which the statement. said. represents independent refin- China, the world’s second-largest Russian oil shipments to China have ers, said by phone yesterday. oil consumer, is widening access been increasing as the country boosts “Previously, there were dozens to crude supplies as imports rise exports of its East Siberia-Pacifi c Ocean of non-state companies that to a record amid a global supply crude using a direct pipeline to northern had such rights, but not many glut that’s driven prices down by China and through seaborne shipments utilised them because they about half in the last 12 months. from Kozmino, in Russia’s Far East. In A gas station stands in front of the oil refinery facilities of Sinopec in the Pudong district of Shanghai. China, the world’s biggest were forced to sell to refineries The country imported about 2013, Rosneft agreed to supply 365mn energy consumer, is a key market for oil exporters as surging output from shale fields from Texas to North Dakota allow the US to rely owned by the nation’s top two 7.2mn bpd in June, topping metric tonnes of crude over 25 years less on overseas supplies. oil companies.” inbound shipments to the US last to China National Petroleum Corp in a The rules released yesterday month that averaged 7.08mn $270bn deal. The same year, the Russian signed between Rosneft and Chinese state- compared with third-largest during the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp proc- build upon an earlier opening by barrels a day. company reached an $85bn, 10-year sup- owned enterprises, according to Amrita same period in 2014. essed 43.35mn tonnes of crude in June, regulators in February that even- The import licences will also ply deal with China Petrochemical Corp. Sen, the chief oil-market analyst at Energy With the prospect of easing inter- or about 10.59mn bpd, data from the tually led to five independent add liquidity to China’s planned China, the world’s biggest energy con- Aspects Ltd, a London- based consultant. national sanctions on Iran, China will National Bureau of Statistics in Beijing refiners being granted licences oil futures market, said Ivan sumer, is a key market for oil exporters “Meanwhile, imports from Iraq and probably be one of the fi rst to expand its showed on July 15. to process imported crudes - Szpakowski, a Hong Kong- based as surging output from shale fi elds from Iran have been rising for some time,” she crude purchases from the Islamic Repub- The Asian country last month regained though not allowing them to buy analyst with Citigroup Inc. Texas to North Dakota allow the US to said in an e-mail. “But Saudi Arabia is also lic, Wech said. The government in Tehran its status from the US as the world’s big- it directly. “Allowing more companies to rely less on overseas supplies. Iraq and aggressively marketing its crude, so we reached a deal with world powers on July gest crude importer as it accelerated ship- Shandong Dongming Petro- have the right to import will Iran rounded out the top fi ve suppliers to expect China to remain quite choosy and 14 that will restrict its nuclear programme ments to fi ll strategic petroleum reserves. chemical Co, Sinochem Hongrun create more buyers for the physi- China during the fi rst half of the year. price sensitive given its spoilt for choice.” in exchange for the removal of interna- China’s overseas purchases in June gained Petrochemical Co, Panjin North cal delivery mechanism” in the “This trend is likely to persist in the China’s imports from Iran fell 6% from tional fi nancial and economic curbs. 27% from the previous month to 29.49mn Asphalt Co, Shandong Lijin Petro- futures contract to be started in coming years, with many long-term crude a year earlier to about 591,900 bpd. The China’s refi nery runs surged to a record tonnes, equivalent to 7.2mn bpd, while chemical Co and Kenli Petro- Shanghai, Szpakowski said. supply contracts running from 2014 to Arabian Gulf nation ranked as the fi fth- high last month as its economic growth US crude imports last month averaged 2018” that stem from oil-for-loan deals largest crude supplier in the fi rst half, beat estimates. Companies including 7.08mn bpd. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 5 BUSINESS

SAUDI ARABIA KUWAIT OMAN

Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume

Bank Albilad 36.70 -0.86 205,103 Dar Al Thuraya Real Estate C 0.00 0.00 - Dhofar Insurance 0.21 0.00 - Al-Hassan G.I. Shaker Co 41.20 -1.20 236,122 Al-Dar National Real Estate 38.50 0.00 56,758,564 Dhofar Fisheries & Food Indu 1.28 0.00 - Wataniya Insurance Co 88.73 1.45 86,867 Kgl Logistics Company Kscc 67.00 -2.90 707,400 Dhofar Cattlefeed 0.18 5.23 10,000 Abdullah Al Othaim Markets 112.26 0.04 37,003 Combined Group Contracting 810.00 0.00 2,671 Dhofar Beverages Co 0.26 0.00 - Hail Cement 21.50 0.00 150,058 Zima Holding Co Ksc 79.00 0.00 634,500 Construction Materials Ind 0.04 0.00 302,090 Saudi Re For Cooperative Rei 10.39 2.57 2,064,894 Qurain Holding Co 11.50 0.00 57,500 Computer Stationery Inds 0.26 0.00 - Solidarity Saudi Takaful Co 13.25 0.76 1,198,210 Boubyan Intl Industries Hold 48.00 -1.03 429,256 Bankmuscat Saog 0.58 -0.34 145,550 Amana Cooperative Insurance 13.34 3.01 1,139,635 Gulf Investment House Ksc 47.50 -1.04 279,400 Bank Sohar 0.21 0.99 452,093 Alabdullatif Industrial Inv 41.13 -0.60 23,693 Boubyan Bank K.S.C 425.00 -1.16 306,959 Bank Nizwa 0.08 0.00 179,540 Saudi Printing & Packaging C 18.90 -1.20 253,271 Ahli United Bank B.S.C 218.00 0.93 505,000 Bank Dhofar Saog 0.28 0.00 400 QATAR Sanad Cooperative Insurance 15.23 0.00 - Al-Safat Tec Holding Co 50.00 0.00 15,000 Areej Vegetable Oils 5.51 0.00 - Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co 23.55 -0.04 129,306 Al-Eid Food Ksc 128.00 0.00 1,940 Aloula Co 0.53 0.00 - Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Alinma Bank 22.82 -1.08 26,791,508 Qurain Petrochemical Industr 194.00 -1.02 30,733 Al-Omaniya Financial Service 0.32 0.00 - Almarai Co 95.55 0.30 98,634 Advanced Technology Co 0.00 0.00 - Al-Hassan Engineering Co 0.10 0.00 20,065 Zad Holding Co 102.50 0.00 - Falcom Saudi Equity Etf 33.40 -0.60 225,218 Ekttitab Holding Co Sak 43.50 0.00 975,010 Al-Fajar Al-Alamia Co 0.75 0.00 - Widam Food Co 61.90 1.48 10,550 United International Transpo 60.78 0.26 151,401 Kout Food Group Ksc 550.00 -1.79 65,750 Al-Batinah Intl Saog 0.00 0.00 - Vodafone Qatar 16.40 0.49 195,748 Hsbc Amanah Saudi 20 Etf 31.40 0.00 - Real Estate Trade Centers Co 31.50 8.62 176,250 Al-Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co 0.41 0.00 209,413 United Development Co 25.10 1.95 334,379 Saudi International Petroche 32.34 -0.19 80,321 Acico Industries Co Kscc 320.00 1.59 554 Al Suwadi Power 0.23 2.74 12,229 Salam International Investme 14.00 0.72 113,642 Falcom Petrochemical Etf 29.30 0.00 - Kipco Asset Management Co 108.00 0.00 1 Al Shurooq Inv Ser 1.04 0.00 - Qatar & Oman Investment Co 16.12 0.44 38,885 Saudi United Cooperative Ins 17.01 0.89 1,616,715 National Petroleum Services 550.00 0.00 7 Al Sharqiya Invest Holding 0.16 -0.64 30,000 Qatar Navigation 98.10 1.03 3,288 Bank Al-Jazira 28.48 -0.77 507,988 Alimtiaz Investment Co Kscc 73.00 -1.35 1,657,764 Al Sallan Food Industry 0.00 0.00 - Qatar National Cement Co 119.60 -0.33 10,888 Al Rajhi Bank 65.73 0.44 1,628,947 Ras Al Khaimah White Cement 108.00 0.00 66,673 Al Maha Petroleum Products M 2.18 0.00 10 Qatar National Bank 184.00 0.77 64,754 Samba Financial Group 27.29 -0.62 557,826 Kuwait Reinsurance Co Ksc 0.00 0.00 - Al Maha Ceramics Co Saoc 0.56 0.00 - Qatar Islamic Insurance 82.50 0.73 1,022 United Electronics Co 78.08 -0.61 66,975 Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport 57.00 -1.72 815,130 Al Madina Takaful Insurance 0.10 0.00 20,000 Qatar Industrial Manufactur 46.75 0.00 - Allied Cooperative Insurance 28.68 1.34 905,812 Human Soft Holding Co Ksc 940.00 0.00 1,050 Al Madina Investment Co 0.07 0.00 - Qatar International Islamic 78.90 0.00 7,065 Malath Cooperative & Reinsur 37.28 0.00 3,895,555 Automated Systems Co Kscc 410.00 0.00 29,141 Al Kamil Power Co 0.31 0.00 - Qatari Investors Group 52.50 1.94 11,506 Alinma Tokio Marine 45.80 -1.38 221,491 Metal & Recycling Co 0.00 0.00 - Al Jazerah Services -Pfd 0.55 0.00 - Qatar Islamic Bank 108.00 0.75 39,666 Arabian Shield Cooperative 40.02 3.04 330,786 Gulf Franchising Holding Co 104.00 5.05 13,249 Al Jazeera Steel Products Co 0.24 0.00 - Qatar Gas Transport(Nakilat) 22.30 0.41 27,507 Savola 75.46 0.72 209,506 Al-Enma’a Real Estate Co 67.00 0.00 469,000 Al Jazeera Services 0.37 0.00 102 Qatar General Insurance & Re 55.90 0.00 21,456 National Mobile Telecommuni 1,200.00 1.69 1,244 Al Izz Islamic Bank 0.08 0.00 - Qatar German Co For Medical 16.85 -0.88 16,834 Al Bareeq Holding Co Kscc 0.00 0.00 - Al Buraimi Hotel 0.88 0.00 - Qatar Fuel Qsc 172.90 0.46 13,699 Union Real Estate Co 0.00 0.00 - Al Batinah Power 0.22 0.00 5,000 Qatar Electricity & Water Co 224.90 1.76 21,792 KUWAIT Housing Finance Co Sak 38.00 -1.30 1,802,033 Al Batinah Hotels 1.13 0.00 - Qatar Cinema & Film Distrib 42.50 0.00 - Al Salam Group Holding Co 50.00 1.01 1,373,721 Al Batinah Dev & Inv 0.12 -2.40 26,800 Qatar Insurance Co 101.00 -0.98 86,618 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume United Foodstuff Industries 210.00 0.00 2,011 Al Anwar Holdings Saog 0.23 -0.43 1,848,583 Ooredoo Qsc 82.70 -1.08 43,458 Al Aman Investment Company 68.00 -1.45 130,250 National Leasing 20.25 0.75 55,037 Securities Group Co 120.00 0.00 14,740 Mashaer Holdings Co Ksc 122.00 -7.58 844,728 Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Dev 18.62 0.59 115,473 Sultan Center Food Products 81.00 -3.57 9,200 Manazel Holding 42.00 0.00 4,376,096 Mesaieed Petrochemical Holdi 24.00 -0.12 50,903 Kuwait Foundry Co Sak 250.00 0.81 10,000 Mushrif Trading & Contractin 57.00 -3.39 339,050 UAE Al Meera Consumer Goods Co 273.10 4.64 33,800 Kuwait Financial Centre Sak 110.00 0.00 1,450 Tijara And Real Estate Inves 46.50 -2.11 148,400 Medicare Group 188.00 -1.05 671 Ajial Real Estate Entmt 192.00 0.00 500 Kuwait Building Materials 440.00 0.00 10 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Mannai Corporation Qsc 109.40 -0.55 8,463 Gulf Glass Manuf Co -Kscc 550.00 0.00 2 Jazeera Airways Co Ksc 475.00 0.00 100,041 Masraf Al Rayan 45.60 -0.22 324,379 Kuwait Finance & Investment 61.00 -1.61 110,000 Commercial Real Estate Co 88.00 0.00 550,525 Waha Capital Pjsc 2.55 0.00 1,731,056 Al Khalij Commercial Bank 22.50 0.00 10,882 National Industries Co Ksc 210.00 0.00 13,032 Future Communications Co 118.00 1.72 1,500 United Insurance Company 2.00 0.00 - Industries Qatar 133.70 0.45 56,023 Kuwait Real Estate Holding C 28.00 3.70 108,713 National International Co 71.00 0.00 578,000 United Arab Bank Pjsc 5.50 0.00 - Islamic Holding Group 133.70 0.45 8,223 Securities House/The 57.00 -1.72 762,463 Taameer Real Estate Invest C 32.50 1.56 527,065 Union National Bank/Abu Dhab 7.04 -0.14 4,067,400 Gulf Warehousing Company 75.80 0.80 4,633 Boubyan Petrochemicals Co 590.00 1.72 5,100 Gulf Cement Co 83.00 0.00 950,001 Union Insurance Co 1.01 0.00 - Gulf International Services 73.20 -1.35 285,454 Al Ahli Bank Of Kuwait 370.00 0.00 3,586,899 Heavy Engineering And Ship B 124.00 0.00 6,000 Union Cement Co 1.20 0.00 - Ezdan Holding Group 18.09 0.22 609,111 Ahli United Bank (Almutahed) 570.00 0.00 66,071 Refrigeration Industries & S 400.00 2.56 60,000 Umm Al Qaiwain Cement Indust 1.10 -3.51 70,000 Doha Insurance Co 26.20 1.95 17,995 National Bank Of Kuwait 860.00 0.00 125,728 National Real Estate Co 96.00 3.23 735,604 Sharjah Islamic Bank 1.68 0.00 - Doha Bank Qsc 53.60 0.19 418,130 Commercial Bank Of Kuwait 620.00 -3.13 2,418 Al Safat Energy Holding Comp 19.50 0.00 1,593,803 Sharjah Insurance Company 3.85 0.00 - Dlala Holding 27.10 -0.37 2,792 Kuwait International Bank 242.00 0.00 3,341 Kuwait National Cinema Co 1,000.00 0.00 66 Sharjah Cement & Indus Devel 1.05 1.94 139,853 Commercial Bank Qsc 54.90 -0.36 271,583 Gulf Bank 280.00 0.00 33,028 Danah Alsafat Foodstuff Co 91.00 0.00 345,557 Ras Al-Khaimah National Insu 4.10 0.00 - Barwa Real Estate Co 50.90 0.20 188,229 Al-Massaleh Real Estate Co 58.00 0.00 132,950 Independent Petroleum Group 320.00 0.00 10,934 Ras Al Khaimah White Cement 1.36 0.00 - Al Khaleej Takaful Group 42.80 0.71 2,251 Al Arabiya Real Estate Co 42.00 -1.18 273,001 Kuwait Real Estate Co Ksc 71.00 0.00 103,709 Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics 3.50 0.00 835,794 Aamal Co 15.17 0.00 112,387 Kuwait Remal Real Estate Co 49.50 -2.94 1,598,142 Salhia Real Estate Co Ksc 330.00 0.00 40,500 Ras Al Khaimah Cement Co Psc 0.89 -2.20 205,000 Alkout Industrial Projects C 0.00 0.00 - Gulf Cable & Electrical Ind 530.00 0.00 39,848 Ras Al Khaima Poultry 1.60 0.00 - A’ayan Real Estate Co Sak 88.00 0.00 85,100 Al Nawadi Holding Co Ksc 95.00 0.00 500 Rak Properties 0.65 0.00 2,393,143 Investors Holding Group Co.K 32.50 0.00 5,705,016 Kuwait Finance House 640.00 0.00 1,202,398 Ooredoo Qsc 84.65 0.00 - Markaz Real Estate Fund 1.53 0.00 - Oman & Emirates Inv(Emir)50% 1.38 0.00 - SAUDI ARABIA Al-Mazaya Holding Co 122.00 1.67 469,051 Nbad Oneshare Msci Uae Etf 6.26 0.00 - Al-Madar Finance & Invt Co 0.00 0.00 - National Takaful Company 1.05 0.00 - National Marine Dredging Co 0.00 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Gulf Petroleum Investment 66.00 -1.49 1,393,412 OMAN 4.57 - Mabanee Co Sakc 980.00 2.08 110,644 National Investor Co/The 0.72 0.00 - National Corp Tourism & Hote 4.97 0.00 - United Wire Factories Compan 34.10 1.01 147,149 City Group 390.00 0.00 10,000 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Etihad Etisalat Co 33.80 0.00 - Inovest Co Bsc 60.00 0.00 47,383 National Bank Of Umm Al Qaiw 3.10 0.00 - Electrical Industries Co 54.48 -2.84 544,832 Kuwait Gypsum Manufacturing 102.00 0.00 30 Voltamp Energy Saog 0.47 -2.08 37,500 National Bank Of Ras Al-Khai 7.75 0.00 229,447 Middle East Paper Co 41.30 0.46 667,608 Al-Deera Holding Co 41.50 2.47 590,027 United Power/Energy Co- Pref 1.00 0.00 - National Bank Of Fujairah 4.66 0.00 - Saudi Co For Hardware Llc 130.22 -0.13 100,132 Alshamel International Hold 0.00 0.00 - United Power Co 1.56 0.00 280 National Bank Of Abu Dhabi 10.80 -0.92 612,491 Arabia Insurance Coopera-Rts 0.00 0.00 - United Industries Co 0.00 0.00 - United Finance Co 0.15 0.00 - Methaq Takaful Insurance 1.00 5.26 22,375,487 Saudi Ground Services Co 77.26 -0.72 2,940,058 Mena Real Estate Co 30.50 0.00 10,000 Ubar Hotels & Resorts 0.13 0.00 - Manazel Real Estate Pjsc 0.61 3.39 40,682,537 Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Dev 8.82 -0.79 8,408,525 National Slaughter House 0.00 0.00 - Takaful Oman 0.11 0.00 - Invest Bank 2.61 0.00 - Saudi Hollandi Bank 45.65 0.55 58,318 Amar Finance & Leasing Co 59.00 0.00 100 Taghleef Industries Saog 0.00 0.00 - Intl Fish Farming Co Pjsc 8.00 0.00 - Rabigh Refining And Petroche 23.26 0.74 1,056,298 United Projects Group Kscc 680.00 0.00 1 Taageer Finance 0.15 0.00 - Insurance House 0.81 0.00 - Banque Saudi Fransi 35.84 -0.44 161,285 National Consumer Holding Co 0.00 0.00 - Sweets Of Oman 1.34 0.00 - Gulf Pharmaceutical Industri 2.60 0.00 - Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insu 27.25 0.85 571,664 Amwal International Investme 0.00 0.00 - Sohar Power Co 0.38 0.00 40 Gulf Medical Projects 2.60 1.56 39,789 Mediterranean & Gulf Insuran 42.90 0.54 851,967 Jeeran Holdings 50.00 0.00 57,832 Sohar Poultry 0.21 0.00 - Gulf Cement Co 1.18 14.56 418,445 Saudi British Bank 33.63 -0.80 113,682 Equipment Holding Co K.S.C.C 79.00 -2.47 709,403 Smn Power Holding Saog 0.70 0.00 - Green Crescent Insurance Co 0.56 -1.75 233,566 Mohammad Al Mojil Group Co 12.55 0.00 - Nafais Holding 90.00 0.00 161,638 Shell Oman Marketing - Pref 1.05 0.00 - Fujairah Cement Industries 1.35 0.00 - Red Sea Housing Services Co 37.52 -0.19 145,913 Safwan Trading & Contracting 285.00 -1.72 28,500 Shell Oman Marketing 2.00 0.00 - Fujairah Building Industries 1.90 0.00 - Takween Advanced Industries 78.09 1.09 393,979 Arkan Al Kuwait Real Estate 120.00 0.00 20,000 Sharqiyah Desalination Co Sa 3.90 0.00 - Foodco Holding 4.00 0.00 - Sabb Takaful 44.67 0.93 494,356 Gulf Finance House Ec 62.00 0.00 2,080,530 Sembcorp Salalah Power & Wat 2.55 0.00 - First Gulf Bank 15.50 0.00 2,532,685 Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Co 117.48 -0.09 40,162 Energy House Holding Co Kscc 62.00 -4.62 855,270 Salalah Port Services 0.65 0.00 - Finance House 3.09 -2.83 25,000 National Gypsum 24.81 0.45 716,916 Kuwait Slaughter House Co 220.00 0.00 10 Salalah Mills Co 1.50 0.00 - Eshraq Properties Co Pjsc 0.80 0.00 27,676,412 Saudi Ceramic Co 79.01 -0.62 119,005 Kuwait Co For Process Plant 244.00 0.00 6,500 Salalah Beach Resort Saog 1.38 0.00 - Emirates Telecom Corporation 14.75 0.34 1,484,628 National Gas & Industrializa 30.16 -0.10 83,480 Al Maidan Dental Clinic Co K 0.00 0.00 - Sahara Hospitality 2.50 0.00 - Emirates Insurance Co. (Psc) 6.90 0.00 - Saudi Pharmaceutical Industr 46.69 -0.02 140,634 National Ranges Company 29.00 -1.69 2,169,257 Renaissance Services Saog 0.28 0.35 40,000 Emirates Driving Company 5.50 0.00 - Thimar 76.37 -0.95 190,784 Kuwait Pipes Indus & Oil Ser 0.00 0.00 - Raysut Cement Co 1.50 0.00 - Dana Gas 0.59 -3.28 10,036,517 National Industrialization C 19.17 -1.19 1,138,927 Al-Themar Real International 90.00 0.00 100,000 Port Service Corporation 0.20 0.52 48,882 Commercial Bank Internationa 1.65 0.00 - Saudi Transport And Investme 75.25 0.13 264,673 Al Ahleia Insurance Co Sak 440.00 0.00 49,900 Phoenix Power Co Saoc 0.16 1.28 2,252,239 Bank Of Sharjah 1.63 0.00 - Saudi Electricity Co 18.33 -0.38 929,555 Wethaq Takaful Insurance Co 50.00 0.00 1 Packaging Co Ltd 0.48 0.00 - Arkan Building Materials Co 1.05 -4.55 40,000 Saudi Arabia Refineries Co 59.17 -0.07 231,214 Salbookh Trading Co K.S.C.C 100.00 -1.96 143,880 Ooredoo 0.79 0.00 9,700 Alkhaleej Investment 2.45 0.00 - Arriyadh Development Company 22.01 0.05 1,017,111 Aqar Real Estate Investments 0.00 0.00 - Ominvest 0.48 0.00 - Aldar Properties Pjsc 2.73 -1.44 8,279,573 Al-Baha Development & Invest 13.50 0.00 - Hayat Communications 53.00 0.00 466,409 Oman United Insurance Co 0.31 0.65 868,225 Al Wathba National Insurance 4.50 0.00 - Saudi Research And Marketing 17.31 -1.03 32,984 Kuwait Packing Materials Mfg 0.00 0.00 - Oman Textile Holding Co Saog 0.22 0.00 - Al Khazna Insurance Co 0.38 0.00 - Aldrees Petroleum And Transp 65.50 0.03 108,507 Soor Fuel Marketing Co Ksc 128.00 6.67 754,453 Oman Telecommunications Co 1.75 0.00 31,005 Al Fujairah National Insuran 300.00 0.00 - Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipe Co 102.04 0.17 18,288 Alargan International Real 174.00 -3.33 100,000 Oman Refreshment Co 2.50 0.00 - Al Dhafra Insurance Co. P.S. 4.80 0.00 - Jarir Marketing Co 224.75 -0.51 7,609 Burgan Co For Well Drilling 0.00 0.00 - Oman Packaging 0.24 0.00 - Al Buhaira National Insuranc 2.50 0.00 - Arab National Bank 34.20 0.29 50,887 Kuwait Resorts Co Kscc 108.00 0.00 20,000 Oman Orix Leasing Co. 0.15 0.00 - Al Ain Ahlia Ins. Co. 60.00 0.00 - Yanbu National Petrochemical 53.26 2.03 326,342 Oula Fuel Marketing Co 124.00 -3.13 211,207 Oman Oil Marketing Company 2.23 0.00 - Agthia Group Pjsc 7.60 3.12 394,588 Arabian Cement 73.34 -0.57 238,943 Palms Agro Production Co 96.00 0.00 210 Oman National Investment Co 0.48 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Ship Building Co 2.58 0.39 7,546 Middle East Specialized Cabl 13.70 0.22 522,632 Ikarus Petroleum Industries 142.00 0.00 17,999 Oman National Engineering An 0.26 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Natl Co For Buildi 0.64 4.92 142,000 Al Khaleej Training And Educ 56.00 1.36 266,191 Mubarrad Transport Co 73.00 -1.35 105,067 Oman National Dairy Products 0.00 0.00 - Abu Dhabi National Takaful C 6.32 0.00 - Al Sagr Co-Operative Insuran 30.13 2.69 357,276 Al Mowasat Health Care Co 200.00 0.00 10,000 Oman Investment & Finance 0.22 0.93 75,940 Abu Dhabi National Insurance 5.30 0.00 - Trade Union Cooperative Insu 37.61 1.90 725,478 Shuaiba Industrial Co 410.00 0.00 20,000 Oman Intl Marketing 0.52 0.00 - Abu Dhabi National Hotels 3.00 0.00 - Arabia Insurance Cooperative 14.10 2.47 1,024,742 Kuwait Invest Co Holding 0.00 0.00 - Oman Hotels & Tourism Co 0.24 0.00 - Abu Dhabi National Energy Co 0.71 4.41 1,842,296 Saudi Chemical Company 71.16 -0.92 105,891 Hits Telecom Holding 33.00 -1.49 4,591,122 Oman Foods International Soa 0.48 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank 5.26 0.77 751,897 Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair & C 100.25 0.36 42,594 First Takaful Insurance Co 0.00 0.00 - Oman Flour Mills 0.50 0.00 11,511 Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank 8.33 0.36 5,552,014 Bupa Arabia For Cooperative 279.25 1.63 134,714 Kuwaiti Syrian Holding Co 33.00 -1.49 341,149 Oman Fisheries Co 0.05 0.00 4,140 Wafa Insurance 21.09 0.76 1,180,654 National Cleaning Company 53.00 -1.85 204,728 Oman Fiber Optics 5.26 0.00 - Jabal Omar Development Co 74.55 0.08 110,007 Eyas For High & Technical Ed 0.00 0.00 - Oman Europe Foods Industries 1.00 0.00 - BAHRAIN Saudi Basic Industries Corp 98.32 -1.60 4,873,249 United Real Estate Company 100.00 0.00 5,689 Oman Education & Training In 0.16 0.00 - Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co 11.42 -0.70 13,832,213 Agility 650.00 -1.52 277,350 Oman Chromite 3.64 0.00 - Etihad Atheeb Telecommunicat 6.62 0.30 731,205 Kuwait & Middle East Fin Inv 37.50 -1.32 82,000 Oman Chlorine 0.53 0.00 - Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Co For Cooperative Insurance 1.41 Fujairah Cement Industries 1.32 99.06 430,744 77.00 10 Oman Ceramic Com 0.45 0.00 - Zain Bahrain Bscc 0.18 0.00 10,000 National Petrochemical Co -1.12 Livestock Transport & Tradng -1.75 27.30 650,086 112.00 5,000 Oman Cement Co 0.52 0.00 - United Paper Industries Bsc 0.00 0.00 - Gulf Union Cooperative Insur -0.06 International Resorts Co 1.33 17.64 467,198 38.00 114,280 Oman Cables Industry 2.28 0.44 46,598 United Gulf Investment Corp 0.00 0.00 - Gulf General Cooperative Ins 2.48 National Industries Grp Hold 1.19 29.80 470,077 170.00 106,650 Oman Agricultural Dev 1.45 0.00 - United Gulf Bank 0.00 0.00 - Basic Chemical Industries 0.21 Marine Services Co 0.00 33.61 103,786 118.00 100 Oman & Emirates Inv(Om)50% 0.12 0.00 - Trafco Group Bsc 0.21 0.00 15,306 Saudi Steel Pipe Co -0.72 Pearl Of Kuwait Real Estate 0.00 29.07 128,947 0.00 - Natl Aluminium Products 0.28 0.00 - Takaful International Co 0.00 0.00 - Buruj Cooperative Insurance 5.45 Warba Insurance Co 3.70 29.00 1,078,351 112.00 26,917 National Securities 0.17 0.00 - Taib Bank -$Us 0.00 0.00 - Mouwasat Medical Services Co -0.83 Kuwait United Poultry Co -3.03 150.25 5,291 192.00 312 National Real Estate Develop 5.00 0.00 - Seef Properties 0.20 1.00 17,750 Southern Province Cement Co 0.39 First Dubai Real Estate Deve -1.59 99.39 8,651 62.00 327,086 National Pharmaceutical 0.10 0.00 - Securities & Investment Co 0.00 0.00 - Maadaniyah -0.51 Al Arabi Group Holding Co 0.00 37.20 420,547 106.00 289,834 National Mineral Water 0.07 0.00 - National Hotels Co 0.28 0.00 8,723 Yamama Cement Co 0.04 Kuwait Hotels Sak 0.00 47.99 53,944 0.00 - National Hospitality Institu 2.05 0.00 - National Bank Of Bahrain Bsc 0.74 3.52 126,830 Jazan Development Co 0.07 Mobile Telecommunications Co 0.00 15.06 1,225,073 435.00 246,840 National Gas Co 0.39 0.00 47,000 Nass Corp Bsc 0.16 0.00 50,000 Zamil Industrial Investment -1.01 Al Safat Real Estate Co 0.00 60.61 200,224 16.50 1,837,600 National Finance Co 0.15 2.70 100,706 Khaleeji Commercial Bank 0.06 0.00 248,782 Alujain Corporation (Alco) -1.53 Tamdeen Real Estate Co Ksc 0.00 23.23 1,328,749 440.00 5,135 National Detergents/The 0.70 0.00 - Ithmaar Bank Bsc 0.14 3.70 66,580 Tabuk Agricultural Developme 1.02 Al Mudon Intl Real Estate Co -1.12 17.78 882,743 44.00 2,125,656 National Carpet Factory Saog 0.00 0.00 - Investcorp Bank -$Us 0.00 0.00 - United Co-Operative Assuranc 5.11 Kuwait Cement Co Ksc 5.56 16.04 1,789,435 380.00 5,000 National Biscuit Industries 3.75 0.00 - Inovest Co Bsc 0.19 0.00 56,422 Qassim Cement/The -0.38 Sharjah Cement & Indus Devel 0.00 95.50 2,118 83.00 533,210 National Bank Of Oman Saog 0.35 2.31 197,600 Gulf Monetary Group 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Advanced Industries 2.81 Kuwait Portland Cement Co -1.69 19.00 1,256,407 1,160.00 500 Muscat Thread Mills Co 0.13 0.00 - Gulf Hotel Group B.S.C 0.82 0.00 9,810 Kingdom Holding Co 2.31 Educational Holding Group 4.20 20.78 624,145 248.00 100 Muscat National Holding 1.86 0.00 - Gulf Finance House Ec 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co -0.38 Bahrain Kuwait Insurance 0.00 13.25 521,431 0.00 - Muscat Insurance Company 0.00 0.00 - Global Investment House Kpsc 0.00 0.00 - Al Jouf Agriculture Developm 0.15 Asiya Capital Investments Co 0.00 47.79 56,464 0.00 - Muscat Gases Company Saog 0.83 0.00 - Esterad Investment Co B.S.C. 0.20 0.00 54,413 Saudi Industrial Development 0.06 Kuwait Investment Co 0.00 17.85 786,658 120.00 2,500 Muscat Finance 0.15 0.00 - Delmon Poultry Co 0.33 0.00 85,926 Bishah Agriculture 0.00 Burgan Bank 0.00 69.75 - 425.00 84,254 Musandam Marketing & Invest 0.00 0.00 - Bmmi Bsc 0.00 0.00 - Riyad Bank -0.60 Kuwait Projects Co Holdings 3.03 16.60 362,585 680.00 874,228 Modern Poultry Farms 0.00 0.00 - Bmb Investment Bank 0.00 0.00 - The National Agriculture Dev 1.70 Al Madina F 2.00 37.14 883,438 or Finance And In 51.00 7,399,960 Marine Bander Al-Rowdha 0.00 0.00 - Bbk Bsc 0.43 0.00 29,000 Halwani Bros Co -1.50 -1.64 86.67 34,077 Kuwait Insurance Co 300.00 32,995 Majan Glass Company 0.22 0.00 - Bankmuscat Saog 0.00 0.00 - Arabian Pipes Co -0.28 0.00 21.08 293,576 Al Masaken Intl Real Estate 63.00 1,673 Majan College 0.50 0.00 - Banader Hotels Co ` 0.00 - Eastern Province Cement Co 0.43 0.00 46.30 41,915 Intl Financial Advisors 0.00 - Hsbc Bank Oman 0.14 0.00 - Bahraini Saudi Bank/The 0.00 0.00 - Al Qassim Agricultural Co 4.38 -1.39 15.72 3,027,061 First Investment Co Kscc 71.00 948,486 Hotels Management Co Interna 1.25 0.00 - Bahrain Tourism Co 0.26 0.00 33,750 Filing & Packing Materials M 0.02 -1.25 49.24 194,950 Al Mal Investment Company 39.50 4,543,960 Gulf Stone 0.11 0.00 - Bahrain Telecom Co 0.34 0.00 50,000 Saudi Cable Co -0.45 -2.94 8.86 287,826 Bayan Investment Co Kscc 49.50 1,793,368 Gulf Plastic Industries Co 0.39 0.00 - Bahrain Ship Repair & Engin 2.00 0.00 1,531 Tihama Advertising & Public 0.12 0.00 91.78 82,219 Egypt Kuwait Holding Co Sae 200.00 596 Gulf Mushroom Company 0.39 0.00 - Bahrain National Holding 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Investment Bank/The -0.13 -1.89 23.10 75,426 Coast Investment Development 52.00 968,591 Gulf Investments Services 0.14 -0.72 36,400 Bahrain Kuwait Insurance 0.57 0.00 5,960 Astra Industrial Group 0.00 -2.02 33.36 192,927 Privatization Holding Compan 48.50 1,430,518 Gulf Invest. Serv. Pref-Shar 0.12 0.00 - Bahrain Islamic Bank 0.14 0.00 11,000 Saudi Public Transport Co -0.07 0.00 28.28 734,769 Kuwait Medical Services Co 0.00 - Gulf International Chemicals 0.27 0.00 55,006 Bahrain Flour Mills Co 0.39 0.00 10,219 Taiba Holding Co 0.48 0.00 43.90 298,504 Injazzat Real State Company 70.00 339,000 Gulf Hotels (Oman) Co Ltd 10.50 0.00 - Bahrain Family Leisure Co 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Industrial Export Co -0.49 -6.67 50.82 151,039 Kuwait Cable Vision Sak 28.00 21 Global Fin Investment 0.12 0.00 - Bahrain Duty Free Complex 0.83 -3.49 4,495 Saudi Real Estate Co -0.78 0.00 33.04 612,500 Sanam Real Estate Co Kscc 53.00 200 Galfar Engineering&Contract 0.12 1.65 234,062 Bahrain Commercial Facilitie 0.73 0.00 15,448 Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Co -1.15 0.00 145.75 17,303 Ithmaar Bank Bsc 43.50 4,839,750 Galfar Engineering -Prefer 0.39 0.00 - Bahrain Cinema Co 1.46 0.00 36,084 National Shipping Co Of/The -2.24 -0.88 50.10 885,336 Aviation Lease And Finance C 224.00 44,569 Flexible Ind Packages 0.00 0.00 - Bahrain Car Park Co 0.00 0.00 - Methanol Chemicals Co -1.33 -4.44 12.63 1,037,430 Arzan Financial Group For Fi 43.00 25,500 Financial Services Co. 0.17 0.00 - Arab Insurance Group(Bsc)-$ 0.47 -1.05 50,000 Ace Arabia Cooperative Insur 3.12 -1.69 70.78 96,893 Ajwan Gulf Real Estate Co 29.00 903,749 Financial Corp/The 0.11 0.00 - Arab Banking Corp-$Us 0.62 0.00 190,000 Mobile Telecommunications Co 0.34 0.00 11.97 6,763,307 Manafae Investment Co Ksc 0.00 - Dhofar University 1.47 0.00 - Aluminium Bahrain Bsc 0.50 0.00 10,000 Saudi Arabian Coop Ins Co 3.04 -1.30 23.71 1,074,318 Kuwait Business Town Real Es 38.00 718,429 Dhofar Tourism 0.49 0.00 - Albaraka Banking Group 0.68 0.00 11,000 Axa Cooperative Insurance 3.37 0.00 25.80 790,577 Future Kid Entertainment And 110.00 5,050 Dhofar Power Co-Pfd 0.00 0.00 - Al-Salam Bank 0.14 0.00 27,858 Alsorayai Group 19.17 0.10 109,489 Specialities Group Holding C 87.00 -10.31 50,250 Dhofar Poultry 0.18 0.00 - Weqaya For Takaful Insurance 19.39 0.00 - Abyaar Real Eastate Developm 31.50 0.00 4,531,351 Dhofar Intl Development 0.47 0.00 - LATEST MARKET CLOSING FIGURES Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 24, 2015 BUSINESS

DJIA WORLD INDICES Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Indices Lt Price Change Dow Jones Indus. Avg 17,744.44 -106.60 Exxon Mobil Corp 81.23 -0.68 3,264,728 S&P 500 Index 2,103.80 -10.35 Microsoft Corp 46.00 1.00 14,496,246 Nasdaq Composite Index 5,152.43 -19.34 Johnson & Johnson 100.10 -0.08 1,637,943 S&P/Tsx Composite Index 14,203.02 -104.10 General Electric Co 26.32 -1.16 7,855,596 Mexico Bolsa Index 44,671.41 +0.99 Wal-Mart Stores Inc 72.72 -0.60 1,629,374 Brazil Bovespa Stock Idx 50,175.29 -740.50 Chevron Corp 92.93 -0.62 3,259,799 Ftse 100 Index 6,655.01 -12.33 Procter & Gamble Co/The 80.64 -0.24 2,143,768 Cac 40 Index 5,086.74 +4.17 Jpmorgan Chase & Co 69.49 -0.84 5,450,000 Dax Index 11,512.11 -8.56 Verizon Communications Inc 46.41 -0.10 5,631,211 Ibex 35 Tr 11,441.90 -42.40 Intl Business Machines Corp 161.35 0.62 2,140,366 Nikkei 225 20,683.95 +90.28 Pfizer Inc 34.73 -0.43 5,564,922 Japan Topix 1,664.88 +9.51 Coca-Cola Co/The 40.77 -0.33 7,188,589 Hang Seng Index 25,398.85 +116.23 At&T Inc 34.04 -0.69 11,635,561 All Ordinaries Indx 5,581.35 -22.18 Merck & Co. Inc. 57.99 -0.25 2,565,532 Nzx All Index 1,153.88 -3.66 Intel Corp 28.73 0.44 15,019,055 Bse Sensex 30 Index 28,370.84 -134.09 Walt Disney Co/The 119.02 -0.26 1,413,682 Nse S&P Cnx Nifty Index 8,589.80 -43.70 Visa Inc-Class A Shares 71.53 -0.61 3,269,401 Straits Times Index 3,356.37 -2.80 Cisco Systems Inc 27.86 1.20 10,598,542 Karachi All Share Index 24,962.78 -70.79 Home Depot Inc 114.94 0.03 1,958,557 Jakarta Composite Index 4,902.85 -3.84 United Technologies Corp 101.18 -0.36 2,577,642 Mcdonald’s Corp 96.52 -1.09 4,609,759 Boeing Co/The 147.40 0.63 1,736,687 American Express Co 76.18 -3.56 5,815,356 TOKYO 3M Co 150.34 -3.26 2,247,048 Goldman Sachs Group Inc 211.10 -1.01 1,115,779 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Unitedhealth Group Inc 120.15 -0.38 1,216,262 Kyocera Corp 6,250.00 -0.14 959,700 Nike Inc -Cl B 114.50 0.36 1,532,848 Nissan Motor Co Ltd 1,228.00 0.33 7,130,400 Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours 58.50 -0.68 1,105,073 Hitachi Ltd 763.00 -0.91 20,693,000 Caterpillar Inc 77.00 -3.46 7,931,587 Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd 6,202.00 0.78 1,606,300 Travelers Cos Inc/The 105.25 -0.05 630,946 Jfe Holdings Inc 2,397.00 -0.75 2,793,100 Ana Holdings Inc 380.70 2.34 18,269,000 Mitsubishi Electric Corp -0.60 FTSE 100 1,497.00 5,039,000 Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Gr 5,532.00 0.91 5,040,700 British publisher Pearson yesterday said it has decided to sell the Financial Times to a ‘global, digital news company’ after Ricoh Co Ltd 1,224.50 -0.73 2,594,200 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Honda Motor Co Ltd 3,924.50 0.29 2,280,800 owning the business newspaper for nearly 60 years, a person familiar with the deal said yesterday. Shares of Pearson Fast Retailing Co Ltd 59,280.00 0.83 486,000 jumped 2.07% to close at 1,234 pence yesterday. Wpp Plc 1,480.00 -0.54 3,568,532 Ms&Ad Insurance Group Holdin 3,969.00 1.48 1,089,000 Wolseley Plc 4,259.00 -0.02 597,492 Kubota Corp 2,081.00 -1.72 4,275,000 Wm Morrison Supermarkets 185.50 -0.22 4,499,257 Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd 5,677.00 2.29 2,090,000 Whitbread Plc 5,235.00 -0.38 317,758 Inpex Corp 1,311.00 -1.43 4,429,600 Weir Group Plc/The 1,545.00 -1.47 850,548 Resona Holdings Inc 686.70 0.47 4,184,400 Vodafone Group Plc 231.95 -0.28 38,346,979 Asahi Kasei Corp 943.70 0.82 5,751,000 United Utilities Group Plc 885.50 1.20 1,694,972 Kirin Holdings Co Ltd 1,837.50 3.23 3,932,700 Unilever Plc 2,905.00 1.61 2,867,697 European stocks mixed amid Marubeni Corp 684.60 -0.91 7,662,200 Tullow Oil Plc 249.50 -3.74 6,150,539 Mitsubishi Ufj Financial Gro 896.40 0.91 40,764,000 Tui Travel Plc 0.00 0.00 - Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings 840.20 2.79 7,787,100 Travis Perkins Plc 2,256.00 0.36 593,590 Fanuc Corp 23,720.00 -0.52 708,100 Tesco Plc 219.60 0.27 11,849,825 Daito Trust Construct Co Ltd 12,715.00 0.59 153,600 caution over Greece debt deal Standard Life Plc 456.70 -0.52 1,484,616 Otsuka Holdings Co Ltd 4,685.50 2.66 2,462,900 Standard Chartered Plc 978.70 -1.72 6,315,345 Oriental Land Co Ltd 8,445.00 2.58 2,038,000 St James’s Place Plc 980.00 -0.15 1,607,092 Sekisui House Ltd 1,904.00 0.34 3,091,400 out following the Greek parliament’s still cause problems down the road for Sse Plc 1,507.00 -5.04 2,630,093 AFP Secom Co Ltd 8,405.00 0.96 429,500 approval of a second batch of reforms. Alexis Tsipras, but for now, at least, he Sports Direct International 782.00 0.77 1,965,707 London Tokio Marine Holdings Inc 5,248.00 0.34 1,351,300 Smiths Group Plc 1,148.00 0.44 734,592 Analysts said a raft of earnings re- has the green fl ag to chase that much Aeon Co Ltd 1,858.00 0.00 3,453,000 Smith & Nephew Plc 1,141.00 -0.87 1,435,784 ports from European companies has needed bailout package,” said Spreadex Mitsui & Co Ltd 1,594.50 -0.78 10,218,100 Shire Plc 5,640.00 3.20 3,363,160 urope’s main stock markets left investors uncertain. trader Connor Campbell. Kao Corp 6,393.00 3.72 2,170,200 Severn Trent Plc 2,158.00 1.41 712,653 closed mixed yesterday in sub- “The FTSE 100 is broadly un- Tsipras is negotiating a new bail- Dai-Ichi Life Insurance 2,474.00 1.48 3,932,000 Schroders Plc 3,130.00 -0.32 367,367 Mazda Motor Corp 2,393.00 -0.64 4,165,400 dued deals, unable to rebound changed as the market struggles to out worth up to 86bn euros over three Sainsbury (J) Plc 266.60 -2.20 18,394,230 E Komatsu Ltd 2,227.50 -2.13 7,085,400 after two days of losses, as caution pre- make its mind up,” said IG analyst years. Creditors’ negotiators are ex- Sage Group Plc/The 543.50 0.46 2,376,770 West Japan Railway Co 8,963.00 1.44 962,700 vailed over Greece’s debt crisis. David Madden. pected to arrive in Athens to open the Sabmiller Plc 3,420.00 -0.57 2,330,719 Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd 19,580.00 -0.31 1,145,800 Rsa Insurance Group Plc 444.00 -1.22 3,640,361 In the eurozone, the CAC 40 in Paris “A lack of pessimism does not con- bailout talks this weekend. Kansai Electric Power Co Inc 1,536.00 -0.29 3,085,300 Royal Mail Plc 514.50 0.68 1,243,263 closed up 0.08% at 5,086.74 points, stitute optimism, and that is exactly The International Monetary Fund Denso Corp 5,874.00 -0.03 1,877,300 Royal Dutch Shell Plc-B Shs 1,798.00 -0.14 3,844,693 while Frankfurt’s DAX 30 slipped what equity markets are experiencing however warned yesterday that it will Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdin 4,319.00 0.93 1,309,200 Royal Dutch Shell Plc-A Shs 1,784.00 -0.17 4,533,641 only participate in this new round of Daiwa House Industry Co Ltd 3,093.00 0.28 1,191,300 0.07% to 11,512.11 points. today, as traders do not know which Royal Bank Of Scotland Group 353.40 -1.78 8,426,420 Jx Holdings Inc 505.40 -2.13 14,258,400 London’s benchmark FTSE 100 in- way to look. bailout talks if European creditors re- Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc 753.50 -0.92 5,959,147 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Meta 285.60 -1.42 46,324,000 dex of top companies losing 0.18% “After several days of declines, trad- duce Athens’ debt burden to a level it Rio Tinto Plc 2,488.00 -0.58 3,827,181 Suzuki Motor Corp 4,168.50 0.40 865,200 considers “sustainable”. Relx Plc 1,104.00 1.01 2,870,857 to end the day at 6,655.01 points de- ers don’t hold a particularly strong Nippon Telegraph & Telephone 4,670.00 2.78 3,650,700 Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc 5,940.00 0.68 825,011 spite gainers such as British publisher view in either direction.” “Clearly it’s a diffi cult path ahead, Ajinomoto Co Inc 2,924.00 1.90 1,833,000 Randgold Resources Ltd 3,824.00 -0.55 659,893 Pearson which announced that it was The region’s indices had opened we’re just at the beginning of the proc- Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd 3,510.00 0.24 2,188,000 Prudential Plc 1,548.00 -0.06 3,898,468 selling its fl agship business daily the with initial gains after the Greek re- ess,” said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice. Daikin Industries Ltd 8,276.00 0.23 1,051,400 Petrofac Ltd 847.00 -1.97 1,331,271 Bank Of Yokohama Ltd/The 810.70 0.70 2,153,000 Financial Times to Japanese digital form bill passed by a resounding 230 US stocks slipped yesterday follow- Persimmon Plc 1,987.00 1.48 1,137,334 Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd 1,350.00 0.04 1,579,000 media group Nikkei. votes out of the 298 members of par- ing a torrent of mostly solid earnings Pearson Plc 1,234.00 2.07 5,690,325 Toray Industries Inc 987.40 -0.78 5,289,000 Pearson jumped 2.07% to close at liament present, after a marathon de- reports from companies such as Gen- Old Mutual Plc 216.30 0.32 11,254,672 Astellas Pharma Inc 1,972.50 3.27 8,871,300 Next Plc 7,655.00 0.13 286,389 1,234 pence after announcing that the bate stretching into the early hours. eral Motors and United Airlines. Bridgestone Corp 4,579.50 -0.38 3,330,500 National Grid Plc 838.10 0.11 5,516,209 FT Group, which also includes FT.com, The vote was a key test of Prime Around mid-day in New York trad- Sony Corp 3,660.50 3.68 15,052,900 Mondi Plc 1,519.00 0.86 1,311,894 would be sold for £844mn ($1.31bn, Minister Alexis Tsipras’ authority af- ing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Hoya Corp 4,980.00 -0.46 834,200 Meggitt Plc 463.00 0.83 1,990,661 €1.2bn) in cash. ter he suff ered a major rebellion in his dropped 0.55% to 17,752.19 points . Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdin 573.00 0.26 10,031,000 Marks & Spencer Group Plc 527.00 -1.50 2,906,979 Japan Tobacco Inc 4,725.50 0.57 3,941,100 In foreign exchange, the euro fi rmed leftist Syriza party at last week’s vote The broad-based S&P 500 slid London Stock Exchange Group 2,617.00 -0.76 1,003,910 Osaka Gas Co Ltd 498.40 0.04 2,663,000 to $1.0966 from $1.0926 late in New on a fi rst tranche of tough reforms de- 0.38% to 2,106.04, while the tech-rich Lloyds Banking Group Plc 86.29 -1.01 126,720,509 Sumitomo Electric Industries 1,895.50 1.01 2,015,300 York on Wednesday, as Greece took manded by Athens’ creditors. Nasdaq Composite Index edged down Legal & General Group Plc 264.40 -0.75 13,369,151 Daiwa Securities Group Inc 932.10 0.38 5,914,000 Land Securities Group Plc 1,285.00 -1.31 2,358,944 another step closer to securing a bail- “The 36 rebellious Syriza MPs could 0.10% to 5,166.40. Softbank Group Corp 7,003.00 0.17 4,315,800 Kingfisher Plc 374.40 2.02 9,826,192 Mizuho Financial Group Inc 268.10 0.52 107,427,900 Johnson Matthey Plc 2,861.00 -1.34 1,007,760 Nomura Holdings Inc 889.40 0.25 13,397,500 Itv Plc 269.30 -0.37 8,889,922 HONG KONG HONG KONG Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd 2,674.50 1.33 1,711,000 Intu Properties Plc 336.80 0.15 3,795,420 Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd 4,530.00 0.22 1,715,100 Intl Consolidated Airline-Di 573.50 0.61 6,051,296 Ntt Docomo Inc 2,474.50 0.08 3,535,400 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Intertek Group Plc 2,370.00 0.77 466,404 Sumitomo Realty & Developmen 4,159.50 -0.32 1,718,000 Intercontinental Hotels Grou 2,654.00 -0.67 461,202 Aluminum Corp Of China Ltd-H 3.07 3.37 15,383,994 Hong Kong & China Gas 15.84 0.76 5,154,092 Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd 1,714.50 -0.98 2,442,000 Imperial Tobacco Group Plc 3,304.00 0.73 1,519,247 Bank Of East Asia 32.70 -0.46 840,634 Hong Kong Exchanges & Clear 222.40 0.09 6,417,983 Orix Corp 1,751.00 1.27 8,357,000 Imi Plc 1,085.00 -0.55 682,748 Bank Of China Ltd-H 4.47 0.68 197,032,578 Hsbc Holdings Plc 70.35 0.29 6,759,374 Asahi Group Holdings Ltd 4,063.50 1.18 1,277,900 Hsbc Holdings Plc 579.20 0.31 19,255,283 Bank Of Communications Co-H 7.20 0.70 19,157,711 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd 0.00 0.00 - Keyence Corp 67,830.00 0.19 93,100 Hargreaves Lansdown Plc 1,197.00 -0.08 524,228 Belle International Holdings 8.55 0.71 12,272,904 Ind & Comm Bk Of China-H 5.59 0.36 246,470,191 Nidec Corp 10,690.00 8.74 3,890,600 Hammerson Plc 643.00 -1.08 1,601,446 Boc Hong Kong Holdings Ltd 32.05 -0.31 5,447,678 Li & Fung Ltd 6.14 -0.81 7,262,090 Isuzu Motors Ltd 1,575.50 -0.35 1,835,500 Glencore Plc 220.05 -3.49 49,788,770 Cathay Pacific Airways 19.42 1.57 1,186,000 Mtr Corp 35.25 0.14 1,252,031 Unicharm Corp 3,105.00 2.19 2,726,000 Glaxosmithkline Plc 1,357.00 0.52 5,566,037 Ck Hutchison Holdings Ltd 114.40 -0.09 4,304,820 New World Development 9.49 0.00 10,026,661 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd 7,270.00 -0.82 1,412,400 Gkn Plc 301.30 -0.92 5,489,227 China Coal Energy Co-H 3.87 0.00 17,535,800 Petrochina Co Ltd-H 7.92 0.13 55,064,466 Smc Corp 34,450.00 -0.13 132,100 G4s Plc 267.60 -0.63 2,502,795 China Construction Bank-H 6.53 0.46 178,417,143 Ping An Insurance Group Co-H 98.30 1.76 23,182,017 Mitsubishi Corp 2,701.50 -0.22 3,681,900 Friends Life Group Ltd 0.00 0.00 - China Life Insurance Co-H 31.70 -0.16 30,512,701 Power Assets Holdings Ltd 71.45 1.28 2,445,523 Jgc Corp 2,165.00 -1.37 1,840,000 Fresnillo Plc 633.50 -0.24 1,491,517 China Merchants Hldgs Intl 29.50 -0.67 2,940,198 Sino Land Co 12.36 -0.48 1,495,304 Nintendo Co Ltd 21,880.00 1.91 571,600 Experian Plc 1,184.00 0.17 2,184,198 China Mobile Ltd 100.70 -0.30 8,384,614 Sun Hung Kai Properties 124.00 0.00 2,088,329 Eisai Co Ltd 8,320.00 -5.86 6,396,300 Easyjet Plc 1,751.00 0.17 1,313,410 China Overseas Land & Invest 26.80 0.94 8,909,195 Swire Pacific Ltd-A 100.10 -0.20 599,328 Sumitomo Corp 1,399.00 -0.07 4,028,100 Dixons Carphone Plc 468.00 -0.02 2,048,777 China Petroleum & Chemical-H 6.10 0.33 43,616,905 Tencent Holdings Ltd 154.50 0.00 11,387,482 Canon Inc 3,956.00 -0.83 3,132,100 Direct Line Insurance Group 362.50 0.28 4,217,287 China Resources Enterprise 24.10 0.21 4,059,843 Wharf Holdings Ltd 51.60 -0.39 2,231,652 Diageo Plc 1,907.00 -0.52 3,037,217 China Resources Land Ltd 23.35 1.52 6,773,213 China Resources Power Holdin 20.60 0.49 2,170,000 Crh Plc 1,899.00 1.23 2,199,095 SENSEX Compass Group Plc 1,097.00 -0.54 2,413,007 China Shenhua Energy Co-H 15.34 1.05 10,862,183 GCC INDICES Coca-Cola Hbc Ag-Cdi 1,331.00 -0.45 237,471 China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd 11.34 -1.05 25,768,107 Centrica Plc 274.90 -0.72 7,974,648 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Citic Ltd 13.90 1.31 7,798,847 Indices Lt Price Change Carnival Plc 3,493.00 0.58 570,821 Clp Holdings Ltd 65.55 0.00 1,065,995 Doha Securities Market Zee Entertainment Enterprise 395.25 -2.95 2,865,514 11,944.62 +33.31 Capita Plc 1,301.00 0.31 1,042,681 Cnooc Ltd 9.91 -0.40 47,099,730 Saudi Tadawul Wipro Ltd 589.05 0.76 2,433,848 9,372.74 -8.28 Burberry Group Plc 1,559.00 0.00 1,854,246 Cosco Pacific Ltd 10.24 -0.19 3,166,000 Kuwait Stocks Exchange Ultratech Cement Ltd 3,239.15 -0.58 238,208 6,286.50 -10.23 Bunzl Plc 1,780.00 -0.56 1,106,783 Esprit Holdings Ltd 7.40 -0.54 1,739,540 Bahrain Stock Exchage Tech Mahindra Ltd 500.05 -1.98 2,889,598 1,337.04 +4.94 Bt Group Plc 463.80 -1.21 16,225,204 Fih Mobile Ltd 4.32 -0.46 6,535,775 Oman Stock Market Tata Steel Ltd 269.90 -3.74 7,830,377 6,590.86 +18.36 British Sky Broadcasting Gro 0.00 0.00 - Hang Lung Properties Ltd 22.55 0.22 2,671,124 Abudhabi Stock Market Tata Power Co Ltd 71.90 -1.51 5,162,793 4,899.79 -2.30 British Land Co Plc 828.00 -0.96 2,887,844 Hang Seng Bank Ltd 155.90 0.39 1,031,652 Dubai Financial Market Tata Motors Ltd 401.35 3.03 10,526,679 4,201.20 -1.89 British American Tobacco Plc 3,579.50 -0.36 2,183,506 Henderson Land Development 53.15 1.43 1,414,184 Tata Consultancy Svcs Ltd 2,488.60 -1.56 811,735 Bp Plc 401.00 -1.38 35,198,916 Sun Pharmaceutical Indus 828.85 -0.68 3,917,976 Bhp Billiton Plc 1,168.00 -1.02 7,706,516 State Bank Of India 270.05 0.56 7,129,867 Bg Group Plc 1,053.50 -0.19 5,517,893 Sesa Sterlite Ltd 0.00 0.00 - Barclays Plc 281.75 0.12 28,373,650 “Information contained herein is believed to be reliable and had been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. The Reliance Industries Ltd 1,045.30 -0.49 4,871,821 Bae Systems Plc 464.90 -1.04 8,708,571 Punjab National Bank 139.65 0.43 4,450,290 accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This publication is for providing information only and is not intended Babcock Intl Group Plc 1,067.00 -0.93 842,571 Power Grid Corp Of India Ltd 142.25 -0.39 781,099 as an off er or solicitation for a purchase or sale of any of the financial instruments mentioned. Gulf Times and Doha Bank Aviva Plc 527.50 -0.19 5,570,697 Oil & Natural Gas Corp Ltd 283.85 -0.35 4,156,075 or any of their employees shall not be held accountable and will not accept any losses or liabilities for actions based on Astrazeneca Plc 4,293.50 0.29 1,446,019 Ntpc Ltd 138.35 0.58 2,415,381 this data.” Associated British Foods Plc 3,174.00 -0.60 663,062 Nmdc Ltd 114.50 0.00 976,634 Ashtead Group Plc 974.50 -3.23 5,053,649 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 4,234.05 1.02 271,723 Arm Holdings Plc 1,015.00 4.64 9,113,936 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 1,358.90 1.24 1,261,691 Antofagasta Plc 628.50 0.16 2,961,836 Lupin Ltd 1,728.25 -5.25 5,449,509 CURRENCIES Anglo American Plc 806.40 -0.87 9,605,178 Larsen & Toubro Ltd 1,831.05 -1.26 1,464,397 DOLLAR QATAR RIYAL SAUDI RIYAL UAE DIRHAMS BAHRAINI KUWAITI Aggreko Plc 1,430.00 -1.38 583,014 DINAR DINAR Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd 720.35 -1.14 995,374 Admiral Group Plc 1,506.00 0.13 591,695 Jindal Steel & Power Ltd 78.85 2.01 8,557,833 Aberdeen Asset Mgmt Plc 369.10 -7.61 13,387,828 Itc Ltd 315.10 0.19 3,847,886 3I Group Plc 562.00 0.63 1,236,009 Infosys Ltd 1,098.00 -0.47 4,039,437 Indusind Bank Ltd 949.80 -0.74 799,267 Idfc Ltd 153.15 -2.39 4,215,066 TOKYO Icici Bank Ltd 312.90 -1.23 14,351,782 Housing Development Finance 1,350.55 0.36 1,692,185 Hindustan Unilever Ltd 904.25 -1.77 1,229,935 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Hindalco Industries Ltd 108.70 0.93 2,744,085 East Japan Railway Co 12,235.00 1.70 730,000 Hero Motocorp Ltd 2,717.60 0.24 313,587 Itochu Corp 1,508.00 0.37 4,334,200 Hdfc Bank Limited 1,107.90 -0.58 1,418,270 Fujifilm Holdings Corp 4,509.00 0.19 1,590,300 Hcl Technologies Ltd 970.05 -1.32 854,072 Yamato Holdings Co Ltd 2,508.00 -0.95 1,475,200 Grasim Industries Ltd 3,700.30 -1.02 27,145 Chubu Electric Power Co Inc 1,973.00 -0.73 2,552,900 Gail India Ltd 370.20 0.26 1,703,683 Mitsubishi Estate Co Ltd 2,791.50 0.65 2,829,000 Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories 3,913.40 1.71 554,021 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 703.20 -0.20 11,296,000 Dlf Ltd 107.80 1.13 4,631,674 Toshiba Corp 389.70 -0.86 82,870,000 Coal India Ltd 431.50 -0.20 4,232,129 Shiseido Co Ltd 3,018.00 2.06 2,332,000 Cipla Ltd 673.20 -0.21 816,547 Tokyo Gas Co Ltd 671.90 -0.24 3,931,000 Cairn India Ltd 177.70 6.44 11,473,107 Tokyo Electron Ltd 7,378.00 -0.03 1,395,000 Bharti Airtel Ltd 432.90 -1.48 2,603,722 Panasonic Corp 1,560.50 -0.61 7,873,500 Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd 970.30 -0.18 1,665,185 Fujitsu Ltd 684.50 -0.71 12,636,000 Bharat Heavy Electricals 284.65 -0.11 2,457,222 Central Japan Railway Co 22,850.00 1.65 341,700 Bank Of Baroda 152.75 0.03 2,131,919 T&D Holdings Inc 1,906.50 1.79 2,591,700 Bajaj Auto Ltd 2,489.05 -4.96 1,910,103 Toyota Motor Corp 8,277.00 -0.01 4,933,400 Axis Bank Ltd 583.75 -1.03 6,153,422 Kddi Corp 3,115.50 0.53 4,294,000 Asian Paints Ltd 846.50 0.38 1,298,186 Nitto Denko Corp 9,965.00 -0.50 722,000 Ambuja Cements Ltd 244.45 -0.85 634,973 Rakuten Inc 2,047.50 0.94 3,429,800 Acc Ltd 1,424.40 -0.89 321,431 Gulf Times 8 Friday, July 24, 2015 BUSINESS Indian stocks drop on poor corporate results; rupee weakens

Bloomberg the most in three months after first quar- forward, according to Mirae Asset Global to September period, data compiled by two years after its profit fell 17%, missing missing the Rs6.6bn estimate by analysts. Mumbai ter net income and sales lagged behind Investments (India) Pvt. Bloomberg show. forecasts. The shares added 0.3% in a second day forecasts. Hindustan Unilever, the biggest “Some profit-booking after a sharp rally Bajaj Auto tumbled 5%. Sales rose Reliance Industries, the owner of the of advance. home-products maker, decreased for a on Wednesday and a few below-consen- 7.4% to Rs55.1bn, missing the Rs60.8bn world’s largest refining complex, lost 0.5% International investors bought a net Indian stocks dropped for a third day this third day this week. The S&P BSE Sensex sus earnings led to minor correction,” estimated by analysts. Profit climbed before its results today. Profit may climb $74mn of Indian stocks on July 22, paring week, with the benchmark gauge falling slid 0.5% to 28,370.84 at the close, partly Gopal Agrawal, chief investment off icer at 27% to Rs10.1bn, more than the estimated 11% to Rs62.5bn, according to the median this year’s inflows to $7.3bn. from a three-month high, as results of erasing Wednesday’s 1.2% gain. Five of Mirae Asset, said by phone from Mumbai. Rs9.48bn. estimate of 16 analysts in a Bloomberg The Sensex has risen 3.2% this year and some of the biggest companies trailed the eight Sensex firms, including software Earnings for Sensex companies fell Lupin plunged 5.3%, the most since survey. Wipro said after market hours its trades at 15.9 times projected 12-month estimates. makers Infosys and Tata Consultancy for a second straight quarter through April 17. The stock has slumped 12.4% this first quarter net income increased 5% to earnings. The MSCI Emerging Markets Bajaj Auto, the second-biggest motor- Services, have posted results so far that March. Forty per cent of the companies week, set for the biggest loss since the Rs21.9bn, matching estimates. The shares Index is valued at a multiple of 11.5. cycle producer, plunged the most since beat or matched estimates. A decline exceeded or matched forecasts in the period ended on November 14, 2008. rose 0.8% in a fourth day of advance. Meanwhile, the rupee weakened 0.3% January 2012 after its quarterly sales in global commodity prices and falling three months ended March, versus 47% in TTK Prestige, a maker of kitchen appli- GAIL India said after market hours its to 63.7675 a dollar, according to prices missed estimates. Drugmaker Lupin fell interest rates will support earnings going the December quarter and 67% in the July ances, capped its biggest two-day slide in first quarter profit fell 32% to Rs4.24bn, from local banks compiled by Bloomberg.

Ferrari fi les for US IPO Asia markets up; dollar

Reuters Milan/New York

iat Chrysler Automobiles rises on rate hike hopes (FCA) has submitted a re- Fquest to US regulators for AFP an initial public off ering of its Tokyo luxury sport car maker Ferrari in New York for the last quarter of the year. sian markets mostly rose yes- FCA plans to spin off Ferrari, terday, with Tokyo lifted by a sell a 10% stake via the share sale Astronger dollar as investors po- and distribute the rest of its stake sition for an expected US rate hike and in the business to its sharehold- Shanghai extending a recent rally to six ers. The listing is meant to help sessions. FCA, which has one of the high- The euro also got a lift as Greece took est debt piles in the industry, pay another step closer to securing a bailout for a €48bn ($53bn) investment after lawmakers agreed to more tough plan to boost sales by 60% to austerity measures. 7mn cars by 2018 and increase Tokyo rose 0.44%, or 90.28 points, to net profi t fi ve-fold. 20,683.95 and Shanghai jumped 2.43%, FCA currently owns 90% of or 97.87 points to 4,123.92 while Hong Ferrari, with the remaining 10% Kong added 0.46%, or 116.23 points, to held by Piero Ferrari, vice chair- 25,398.85. man and son of the founder Seoul ended marginally higher, add- Enzo, who died in 1988. ing 0.34 points to 2,065.07 but Sydney UBS, BofA Merrill Lynch and lost 0.43%, or 24.3 points, to close at Santander are underwriting the 5,590.3. initial public off ering (IPO), the After Wednesday’s losses, the dollar company said in a fi ling with resumed its upward trajectory follow- the US Securities and Exchange ing a strong batch of housing data that Commission yesterday. reinforced expectations that the Fed- The fi ling did not say how eral Reserve will lift rates soon. many shares the company Offi cial fi gures showed sales of exist- planned to sell or their expected ing homes in the US surged in June to price, specifying only that it their highest level in more than eight would not list more than 10% of years and prices hit a record high. the business. The IPO is expect- “It’s not determined yet whether ed after mid-October. the US rate hikes will be in Septem- FCA chief executive and ber or December, but the housing data Ferrari chairman Sergio Mar- strengthens the case for a September chionne believes Ferrari is worth hike a little,” Mitsushige Akino, execu- at least €10bn and should be tive offi cer at Ichiyoshi Asset Manage- priced as a fully-fl edged luxury ment Co, told Bloomberg News. goods stock. Brokers’ valuations In Tokyo, the dollar bought 124.04 range between €5bn and €10bn. yen against 123.96 yen in New York. A successful IPO is particu- The euro advanced after Greek law- larly important as it might help makers passed legislation on more re- Marchionne’s search for a merg- forms needed to help unlock a huge er partner to deal with falling international bailout. The bill won 230 A man looks at an electronic graph showing recent movement of shares outside a brokerage firm in Tokyo. Japanese shares rose 90.28 points to 20,683.95 yesterday. margins and high development votes out of the 298 members of par- costs, which has so far fallen on liament present, following hours of restoring stability to the market with downward pressure on commodity was up one cent to $49.20 and Brent 0.41, or 7.09 points, to end at 1,722.44; deaf ears. Marchionne sent an debate. The single currency fetched access to hundreds of billions of dol- prices. crude for September fell 13 cents to Bangkok dropped 0.22%, or 3.18 points, e-mail earlier this year to his $1.0937 and 135.64 yen, against $1.0926 lars – has denied reducing its holdings Oil prices were mixed yesterday but $56.00. And gold was sitting at fi ve-year to 1,444.66; Singapore fell 0.08%, or counterpart at US rival General and 135.44 yen. in listed companies. continue to struggle after a US en- lows, with the expected US rate hike at- 2.80 points, to close at 3,356.37; Jakarta Motors proposing a tie-up, but Traders are awaiting a Fed meeting The government earlier this month ergy report showed stockpiles increas- tracting investors away from the safe- ended down 0.08%, or 3.84 points, at was rebuff ed. Some analysts say next week to fi nd out what its plans are unveiled a slew of measures to prevent a ing, indicating soft demand, while the haven metal in search of better returns. 4,902.85; Taipei fell 1.43%, or 127.58 the divorce from Ferrari should for monetary policy. market meltdown after shares plunged stronger dollar also makes it more ex- Bullion fetched $1,101.86 an points, to 8,791.12; Wellington slipped make it easier to prepare FCA for In China, traders were cheered by more than 30% between June 12 and pensive for buyers using weaker cur- ounce compared with $1,093.46 late 0.45%, or 26.45 points, to 5,901.30 and a merger as it would give a clear- reports that the state-backed China July 8, wiping trillions off valuations. rencies. US benchmark West Texas Wednesday. Manila edged up 0.23%, or 17.60 points, er valuation of the company. Securities Finance Corp – tasked with A stronger dollar is also putting Intermediate for delivery in September In other markets, Kuala Lumpur lost to 7,653.22. Beijing’s stock rescue has $800bn bark, small markets bite

Reuters Respected private finance magazine Caijing Beijing has thus produced the equivalent of Shanghai also reported that the CSRC was considering around 1 index point gain for every $1bn com- withdrawing money from a stabilisation fund, mitted. roiling markets before CSRC denied the story. And market stability remains untested given China has enlisted $800bn worth of public and It’s hard to tell how much state money has the large numbers of companies still subject private money to prop up its wobbly stock mar- actually flowed into the market, given the opac- to trading halts. Reuters calculations show that kets, a Reuters analysis shows, but the impact of ity of some of the investing institutions. around 20% of listed companies in Shanghai the unprecedented government-orchestrated But Beijing’s policy goal is not to prop up and Shenzhen are not trading at present, down rescue has so far been modest. values by buying the stock market outright, from around 40% before but still extremely Public statements, media reports and market but rather to entice private money back to the high. data reveal that Beijing unleashed 5tn yuan market, surfing a wave of incoming government An analysis by Everbright Securities of fund ($805.2bn) in funds – equivalent to nearly 10% money. flow data showed that while government flows of China’s GDP in 2014 and greater than the 4tn “Presumably the whole point is to say that into mutual funds targeted for government in- yuan it committed in response to the global you are going to spend this money, and then by tervention rose sharply in recent weeks, private financial crisis – to calm a savage share sell-off . saying it you don’t actually have to spend it,” inflows into new stock funds have collapsed. But while the 2008 stimulus package staved said Andrew Batson, an economist at Gavekal The other major problem with Beijing’s strat- off recession, analysts wonder what benefit the Dragonomics in Beijing. egy, Batson at Gavekal Dragonomics pointed stock rescue package can bring to off set the risk The combined measures, rolled out in a flurry out, is that many Chinese firms are still trading the government is buying stocks at valuations of announcements earlier this month, included at stratospheric valuations. private investors are no longer willing to pay. a 120bn yuan stabilisation fund created by a Even after the early-summer meltdown that “I’m quite negative towards the rescue,” said core group of brokerages and 1.3tn worth of saw markets shed around a third of their value Yang Weixiao, analyst at Founder Securities in bank loans to state-backed margin finance in a little more than three weeks, the Shanghai Beijing. companies. Composite Index is still up nearly 100% from 12 “The problem is, all these measures only Potential inflows created by tweaking invest- months ago, with an average price-to-earnings change the supply-demand relationship, without ment rules for pension funds amount to 600bn ratio of 17.64 – higher than the Dow Jones Indus- changing the fundamentals. So there’s no real yuan, while allowing insurers to invest up to trial average P/E of 16.12. support, and the calm could be only temporary. 40% of their assets in stocks could generate an The average P/E on the Shenzhen stock If the governments exit the bailout, prices could estimated 2.9tn yuan. . exchange is 47.23, while the small-cap ChiNext accelerate their journey back to fundamentals.” There have also been share buybacks growth board is a heady 98.07. Indeed, there are already some signs the announced by key stakeholders, and funds “If valuations are mean-reverting over time, government may be backing off from aggres- invested by the state-owned asset manager which a lot of people think they are, that means sive share purchases. Central Huijin, plus a double-barrelled burst of that valuations could go down in the future,” A plan to raise 100bn yuan by China Securi- monetary policy stimulus by the central bank in said Batson. “Which means that whatever buy- ties Finance Corp (CSFC), the state-backed late June that explicitly targeted stock market ing the government does today could end up institution that provides margin financing, has stabilisation. imposing a longer-term financial cost.” been delayed, four sources familiar with the But the response has been lukewarm. Though Chinese major stock market indexes matter told Reuters on Monday. While the market stabilised, with the Shang- rose yesterday, and are now set to gain for the Yesterday, the CSFC admitted that it had re- hai Composite Index recovering about 20% by third consecutive week, futures markets are still Investors look at computer screens in front of an electronic board showing stock information at a duced stakes in some listed companies to bring yesterday’s close from a low point around 3,300 pricing at a discount to current values, betting brokerage house in Shanghai. China has enlisted $800bn worth of public and private money to prop it below a regulatory threshold, but said it had points struck on July 8, it is still below the semi- that the CSI300 index will fall back to around up its wobbly stock markets, a Reuters analysis showed yesterday. transferred the shares, not sold them. off icial recovery target of 4,500 points. 4,000 points by next March. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 9 BUSINESS

Shrinking trade puts pressure on emerging market growth, investment

Reuters tite for oil and cement, the trade slump transformed swathes of countries, its Japan rather than emerging markets. owe $1tn and spend a third of their the export market. This is one reason London is increasingly stemming from weaker gearshift to slower growth is hitting “The world of exports is no longer income on debt payments, further rate why emerging markets have underper- intra-emerging market ties the so-called them on the way down, whether Latin beautiful,” Thailand’s central bank cuts look tricky. It also means domestic formed,” Langridge added. south-south trade valued by the UN in American commodity exporters or governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said demand cannot rise much to compen- NN Investments has cut emerging Falling exports are piling pressure on 2013 at $5tn. Asian countries whose factories are part recently. “Although the US is recover- sate for slower overseas sales. equity positions further, its strategist emerging economies, putting many That’s unsurprising – UBS estimates of its global supply chain. ing, (we) should not expect... that it will Brazil, China, Singapore, Thailand, Maarten-Jan Bakkum said, citing fears of them at risk of a multi-year cycle of emerging markets’ growth premium to China imports $50bn a month less import as much as it did before.” and Turkey were among countries of a “multi-year downward trend” in EM sluggish trade, economic growth and richer peers as now being under 3%, the than during 2013 peaks while latest Prasarn warned that Thai growth where household debt is up more than growth. investment. narrowest since 1999. And as consump- monthly exports were $26bn off the may slow below 3% this year, as exports 40% since 2008, International Mon- Allowing more currency weakness From Korean cars to Chilean copper, tion and investment fall in many coun- highs at the end of last year. Latest data which amount to 75% of annual output etary Fund data showed last year. and raising productivity may help. But exports from emerging markets are de- tries, their imports too are shrinking. shows imports, often semi-finished may fall for the third straight year. In “The EM domestic consumer is in most reckon the trade and consump- clining year-on-year at the sharpest rate “Any country that is relying on ex- goods for re-export, fell 15.5% in the first 2010, Thailand achieved a growth rate trouble especially where they are highly tion boom of the past decade won’t be since the 2008-09 crisis, according to a ports is going to have a very hard time,” half of 2015 from year-ago levels. of 7.8%. levered as in Korea, Brazil or South repeated. report by UBS, while Asian powerhouses said Yu-Ming Wang, chief investment of- Other factors include yen weakness Governments can offset the impact of Africa,” said Kathryn Langridge, head Indeed the World Trade Organisation such as Korea, Taiwan and Philippines ficer at Nikko Asset Management which that has made Japanese firms more falling exports by raising spending and of emerging equities at Manulife Asset expects global trade growth to fall short have posted five to six straight months manages almost $170bn. competitive against Asian rivals and the cutting interest rates. But in countries Management. of overall economic growth in coming of dwindling overseas sales. “The world’s capacity to grow is more erosion of emerging markets’ produc- where years of low borrowing costs She said these shifts are already years – a departure from the trend of Yesterday, South Korea posted its limited now. In the past decade, China tivity and currency competitiveness have raised consumer debt levels, that re-shaping investment portfolios, with a recent decades. worst quarterly economic growth in created the equivalent of Germany, during the boom years. strategy carries risks. skew towards markets like India where So how should investors respond? more than six years and while many France and Italy, it can’t do that all That has encouraged “onshoring” - Record Thai household debt for local demand, not exports are the main Government bonds may be the answer. factors drove the print, slowing exports over again,” said Wang. China’s $9tn moving manufacturing back to the US instance is seen blunting the impact of driver. “What emerging markets have is a certainly contributed. economy has expanded tenfold since or Germany. And finally, US imports rate cuts, with policymakers pinning “Unless you have a brandname or bad income statement but a reasonable, Initially blamed on wary Western 2000. increasingly consist of machinery and hopes on a weak baht to spur exports. something else that gives you pricing if worsening, balance sheet,” said Bhanu consumers and China’s reduced appe- Just as China’s rise since 1990 equipment that come from Germany or In South Korea where households power, you are dead in the water in Baweja, UBS head of EM strategy. More policy easing seen in China to lift sputtering economy

Reuters Beijing

hina looks set to further reduce interest rates and the amount of Ccash that its banks must hold as re- serves to keep its economy growing at 7% S Korea GDP growth this year, the slowest pace in a quarter of a century, a Reuters poll showed. Additional policy support would make lowest in over 6 years it the most aggressive easing cycle over- seen by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) since the height of the 2008-09 global fi - Reuters uct prices are higher than last nancial crisis. Seoul year’s.” A 25-basis-point reduction in interest Huh Jae-hwan, an econo- rates and another 100 basis points of cuts mist at Daewoo Securities said it in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) are outh Korea’s economy re- would be diffi cult for the econ- expected by December, analysts surveyed corded its weakest expan- omy to grow by over 1% in the by Reuters said. Ssion in six years in the sec- following quarters, the govern- To stoke activity, the central bank has ond quarter, battered by a deadly ment’s current target. cut lending rates four times since No- virus outbreak, dry weather and The economy expanded vember to 4.85%, and thrice reduced the poor exports, adding pressure 2.2% in the June quarter from a amount of cash that the biggest banks on lawmakers to swiftly pass a year earlier, slowing from 2.5% must hold as reserves to 18.5%. pending supplementary budget. growth in the fi rst quarter. The string of policy loosening steps The economy grew just 0.3% Private consumption fell 0.3% should help the world’s second-largest in April-June over the previ- in quarterly terms, marking the economy expand 7% this year, the poll ous quarter, the Bank of Korea sharpest fall since the second showed, though the outlook for 2016 is (BOK) estimated yesterday, the quarter of 2014 as Mers infected expected to worsen slightly. slowest since the first quarter 186 people, 36 of whom died. BOK The economy is seen growing 6.7% next of 2009 as consumption was governor Lee Ju-yeol said the de- year, according to the median forecast of pummelled by an outbreak of cline in the tourism industry from 39 analysts, down a touch from a forecast Middle East Respiratory Syn- Mers would cut 2015 GDP growth of 6.8% in April. drome (Mers). The data follows by 0.1 percentage point. Wagers on a further cooling in the Chi- 0.8% growth in the first quarter The outbreak has since died nese economy contrasts with govern- on a sequential basis while the down, but visitors have been ment data released last week that showed median forecast from a Reuters slow to return. “Only two to three growth holding steady at 7% between survey was 0.4%. buses come a day now, when be- April and June, unchanged from the fi rst “We’re seeing local consump- fore Mers we saw 100 daily,” said three months of the year. tion coming back but it’s going a manager at Seoul’s Dongwha “Although recent data point to signs to take some time for tourism Duty Free. “Just because they of stabilisation, the recovery remains at pounded by a slowing property market. Beijing, which kicked off a flurry of ahead as stress in the industrial sector and to recover past levels,” said Jeon say on TV Mers is gone doesn’t an early stage, thus warranting further Adding to the gloom, a stock market emergency steps to restore stability to its sluggish domestic demand keep authori- Seung-cheol, director general of mean the tourists are going to easing to sustain the improvement,” Qu rout earlier this month that wiped out as equity markets, has repeatedly voiced its ties busy pump-priming activity. the central bank’s economic sta- come back overnight. We think Hongbin, an economist at HSBC, wrote in much as $4tn in share values at one point confi dence that the economy will grow Moderating economic growth is ex- tistics department. things will turn around starting a report. has rattled investor confi dence. Some around 7% this year, in line with its offi cial pected to keep price pressures muted. An- “As for the drought, increas- August.” The Chinese economy has faced a dif- analysts now fear the market meltdown target. The property market has shown nual infl ation is forecast to average 1.5% ing rainfall has helped us reach The bank’s base rate currently fi cult period this year, as decelerating could further jeopardise the economy by signs of recovering, while the equity mar- this year, half of the government’s 2015 a turning point but the eff ects stands at 1.50% while it sees growth in factory output, retail sales and dragging on the fi nancial services sector kets have also regained a measure of calm. target of 3%, before quickening a touch to still remain as some farm prod- 2.8% growth this year. domestic investment has been com- in coming months. Still, analysts see a challenging year 2% next year. Apple’s India test: How to gain volume and meet aspirations

Reuters distribution in India and pushing its products that to get growth,” said IDC’s Mehta. Mumbai aggressively. The marketing spend too is a That could be tough in a market where part of that,” said Jaideep Mehta, manag- you can buy around eight basic-level smart- ing director for India and South Asia at tech phones for the upwards-of-Rs50,000 ($785) With only a tiny share of the world’s fastest- research firm IDC. price of a new iPhone. growing major smartphone market, Apple Executives at several electronics retail Taking to Indian TV screens for the first Inc is stepping up its push into India, with chains and Apple distributors said the time, Apple plays up the aspirational appeal a first targeted TV advertising campaign, Cupertino-based firm was chasing shelf of its phones, showing a glamorous Indian expanded retail network and promotional space to make its gadgets more visible, bride using Facetime, Apple’s video calling financing schemes. and has more than doubled the number of feature, to send coy flashes to her groom of For years, India has been a low priority distributors to five. a hennaed hand or skirt hem before their for Apple as spending power is weaker than Apple has also brought in a new senior wedding. In addition, Apple off ers financing in China, where the company’s iPhones executive to take charge solely of the Indian schemes where buyers of its latest iPhone swiftly became must-have devices after their market, industry sources said, and has 6 can pay in monthly instalments, and has 2007 launch. But Apple is now looking to placed advertisements for a policy adviser to launched Apple Music, a cloud-based music build on a 93% increase in its iPhone sales help it work with New Delhi’s bureaucracy. streaming service, for just Rs120 ($1.88) a in India in April-June, which for the first time The company declined to comment on its month in India – a fifth of the price in the US. outpaced growth in China, of 87% – albeit India strategy. The company has off ered easy financing from a low base. Apple has just a 2% share “Apple’s single-minded focus for India is schemes in India before, but retailers say the of India’s smartphone market, while South on volume,” said a senior executive at an focus on operations and marketing show Korean rival Samsung Electronics accounts electronics chain store, who declined to be Apple is now more seriously targeting the for around one third of volume sales with its named. “They have increased distributors market. And there’s plenty of market for it range of Android phones. and want to reach out to smaller cities.” to aim at. “The premium smartphone market The India push coincides with Apple miss- Analysts say much of the high growth in will be close to 8mn units in 2015,” said Neil ing elevated expectations when it reported iPhone sales in India has come from earlier Shah, analyst at Counterpoint. “Apple has a earnings earlier this week, prompting some models such as the 4S, 5S and 5C, which are lot of room to grow and capture a significant A man inspects the Apple iPhone 6 Plus at an electronics store in Mumbai. With only a tiny share of the world’s investors to question how long double-digit sold more cheaply. share of that,” he added, noting Apple sold fastest-growing major smartphone market, Apple is stepping up its push into India, with a first targeted TV growth can continue. “Apple is an aspirational brand. They will just over a million iPhones in India in the advertising campaign, expanded retail network and promotional financing schemes. “Apple is consciously expanding its (have to) balance their volume push with year to April. Gulf Times 10 Friday, July 24, 2015 BUSINESS

Vedanta says its Japan’s trade defi cit narrows Cairn India buyout off er is fair 92% in June as exports jump

AFP Reuters Tokyo Mumbai apan’s trade defi cit narrowed sharply ndian mining and energy last month as exports of automobiles group Vedanta Limited said Jand electronic parts picked up while Iyesterday its off er to buy out a sky-high energy import bill continued minority investors in Cairn In- to fall, fi nance ministry data showed dia was fair, dismissing reports yesterday. that opposition from some small The country’s trade defi cit came in shareholders, including former at ¥69.0bn ($556mn), plunging 91.7% owner Cairn Energy, could from a ¥834.0bn defi cit a year ago, and scupper the deal. off ering some good news for an econo- Vedanta chief executive Tom my struggling to gain traction. Albanese, speaking by telephone In June, the value of imports jumped from Zambia, said the group 9.5% while imports were down 2.9%. was engaging with all minor- Over the six months through June the ity shareholders, though a vote defi cit shrank 77.4% as weak commodity on the $2.3bn deal was likely prices helped bring down Japan’s energy to be held only in the last three bill, which soared after it had to replace months of 2015. nuclear power in the aftermath of the “In all cases, with every Fukushima nuclear crisis. shareholder, we have had the en- Oil prices fell Wednesday after US gagement, as you would expect government data showed higher crude we would. In all cases, people stockpiles – cheaper energy is generally recognise that it is still very early good news for resource-poor Japan. to make a decision,” Albanese “Exports will gradually regain said, declining to comment on strength toward the second half of this individual investors. year,” said Akiyoshi Takumori, an econ- The buyout deal, fi rst pro- omist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Man- posed last month, is the latest agement. eff ort by Vedanta to simplify a “External demand will support the complex structure which Alba- economy.” nese has said has held back in- The relatively upbeat data lent sup- vestor interest. port to Tokyo stocks with the bench- Media reports over the past mark Nikkei 225 index fi nishing 0.44% two weeks have said Cairn En- higher. ergy and India’s state-owned Japan’s exports to the key North Life Insurance Corp, disagreed American market were up 16.9% over with Vedanta on valuation and the fi rst half of the year, 5.1% to Euro- could vote against the buyout pean Union countries while exports to A crane lifts a cargo container onto a truck at a port in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s exports rose at the fastest pace in five months in June, due to a pick-up in sales of cars deal. Together, the two hold China rose a less robust 2.2% since Jan- and electronics goods, but there are lingering concerns that China’s economic slowdown will hurt Japanese shipments in future. more than 19% of Cairn India, uary, the data showed. But export vol- and could potentially sink the umes barely budged and there are fears for the world’s third-largest economy, But consumer spending has struggled years of stagnant or falling prices and “The decline in gas prices, which fol- current off er. about a slowdown in China, a major with analysts warning weaknesses re- after a sales tax rise last year and econo- revive the economy. low crude oil prices with a lag of around One Life Insurance Corp of- trading partner with Japan. mained and the downgrade hinted at a mists widely expect the Bank of Japan Marcel Thieliant from Capital Eco- six months, has now run its course,” fi cial said yesterday the insurer “China will continue to pose a risk to disappointing second quarter. to ramp up its monetary easing pro- nomics warned that the benefi cial im- Thieliant said in a commentary. had concerns about the ex- Japan’s economy,” said Atsushi Takeda, The economy expanded 1% in Janu- gramme, likely later this year, to bring pact of falling gas and oil prices on Ja- “We expect the yen to weaken further change ratio, but had yet to take an economist at Itochu Corp. ary-March after limping out of reces- Japan closer to its infl ation target. pan’s trade balance was running out of against the dollar in coming months... a decision on the deal. Japan’s central bank this month cut sion in the last three months of 2014, The target is a cornerstone of Prime steam as the yen continues to weaken The trade defi cit should creep higher in Shareholders have questioned its annual growth and infl ation forecasts and business confi dence remains strong. Minister Shinzo Abe’s drive to conquer against the dollar. the second half of 2015.” the timing, which coincides with a drop in Cairn’s shares as oil prices have weakened, mak- ing for a more favourable merger ratio for Vedanta. Albanese, however, rejected Bullion dealers trade blame in hunt for ‘bear raid’ leader concerns among some minority shareholders that the deal would use Cairn’s cash pile of around Reuters Asian hedge funds at the stroke of the market’s vestment Co and Zhejiang Dunhe Investment seller might not be from Asia. “The selling was $2.6bn simply to help pay off Manila/Shanghai open in Shanghai” as the chief cause of the price Co were, according to traders, behind falls in on Comex and could also be a non-Chinese fund parent Vedanta’s debt. fall in a letter to clients. copper, one in March last year when the metal just executing in what they thought was an illiq- “Vedanta Limited in its own But the most well-known Chinese funds de- fell more than 8% in three days, and again in uid timezone to get the biggest move,” the trader results presentation said back in s the global bullion market continues to nied involvement, and as futures trading is January this year when copper slid almost 8% in said. May that it was intending to (re- reel from a dramatic plunge in gold prices anonymous, dealers may never know who was two days. Vishnu Varathan, senior economist at Mizuho fi nance) its debt, in the current Aon Monday, traders from Hong Kong to buying and selling during those crucial seconds. “Any Chinese fund wanting to trade on the Bank, added “there’s a good real money presence favourable markets,” Albanese New York are pointing the finger at others for Such details often only become available if SGE would just go through the system and place in centres like Hong Kong and Singapore. But of said. “We do not need the merg- being behind the move while struggling to un- regulators take action, and amid the regulatory the orders directly ...that fits with what hap- course, the inside people who knew where the er to do that,” he said, adding the mask the mystery sellers. scrutiny following China’s recent equity market pened on Monday, when the selling activity was trades were executed probably have their rea- main aim of the buyout was to In early Asian trading hours on Monday, in- tumbles, it’s unlikely any trader or fund will be very quick,” London & Capital investment di- son for citing Chinese hedge funds, but I don’t simplify the Vedanta’s structure. vestors dumped more than $500mn worth of eager to take credit for setting off another ava- rector Ashok Shah said. Sources familiar with think they were alone in this trade.” Monday’s Cairn Energy said on Wednes- bullion in New York in four seconds with sell- lanche. The fact that the selloff occurred while both Zhejiang Dunhe and Chaos, and at simi- selloff followed an unexpected update from the day that it continued to assess ing occurring almost simultaneously on Chi- Japan’s markets were closed for a holiday and lar outfits, say that while China’s status as the People’s Bank of China on the country’s gold re- the proposal. nese markets. The sheer scale of order flow US and European traders remained on weekend dominant copper consumer left that market serves, which were up 57% from six years prior Vedanta Limited’s parent across both the Shanghai Gold Exchange and leave served to implicate China-based dealers in vulnerable to potential influence, China’s trad- but well short of expectations. company, Vedanta Plc bought a the Shanghai Futures Exchange – where com- the eyes of some market participants. ers have no such sway over bullion. “I think one of the triggers was some disap- majority stake of just under 60% bined volume for the day surpassed the notional “That move was aggressive manipulation. “Honestly, Chinese hedge funds are not as pointment with the amount of the buildup in of Cairn Energy’s Indian busi- equivalent of 250 tonnes – led many market Somebody clearly wanted the market lower and experienced as the overseas veterans and gold China’s gold reserves so in terms of the prox- ness, Cairn India, in a lengthy trackers to speculate that fleet-footed Chinese timed it very well,” said a gold trader at a bank is more connected to US dollar movement and imity of that particular trigger and the markets deal that completed in 2011. hedge funds were behind the move. in Hong Kong, who saw parallels with the way well-dominated by Wall Street,” said a trader that were open there was some involvement, I’m Cairn India has remained listed Singapore-based futures brokerage Phil- funds have been linked to swings in copper. with a Shanghai hedge fund. A London-based sure, but it may not be the full story,” Varathan since. lip Futures declared “indiscriminate selling by Chinese funds such as Shanghai Chaos In- trader with an investment bank agreed the lead said. Thailand’s shadow economy among biggest worldwide

By Arno Maierbrugger ers, repair shops, makeshift entertain- system with little skills which leaves Gulf Times Correspondent ment venues and so forth, while in the them with few options on the labour Bangkok darker corners across the country illegal market. Stuck with low-income jobs and lotteries, street drug trade, gasoline monetary demands from their ageing smuggling, human traff icking, informal parents, who in turn are unable to Thailand’s informal economy, the non- money lending and small weapons trade survive on their meagre public pensions, regulated, non-taxed part of its overall are rife. For all those businesses, no one these youths are left with no incentives economy, made up 40.9% of the coun- pays tax, no one is licensed and no one or opportunities to improve their job try’s GDP in 2014. This is the surprising is documented. Bribes are paid instead situation, and only the shadow economy number Friedrich Schneider, an econo- that disappear in pockets of people is actually holding the entire system mist at Johannes Kepler University of who constitute a food chain of corrup- together. Linz in Austria, who has done studies tion that stretches up to the highest In a way, the government seems to on underground economies all over the echelons. accept the informal sector as constitut- world, was quoted as saying in a recent ing part of the country’s economic eco- Bloomberg feature on Thailand that system. Otherwise it would be impos- focused on the eff ects the military’s Gulf Times sible to release off icial unemployment crackdown on corruption had on the rates that have been below 1% for years, country – in fact almost none. Exclusive with 0.56% as of end-2014 being the lat- Taking Schneider’s number, in money est off icially published figure, a jobless terms, the shadow economy in Thailand rate among the lowest in the world. The would have generated more than Bloomberg Business ranks Thailand explanation is that the Thai statistics $155bn of illicit revenue last year. seventh-biggest shadow economy in the off ice sees all the people working in the ”If this revenue was just taxed by world as per the share of illicit revenue informal sector as “self-employed” or at the general 7% value-added tax, the of a country’s GDP. On the list, the “Land least “under-employed”, from the street Thai government could have brought of Smiles” appears alongside Peru, noodle stall owner to the odd shoe-shine in almost $11bn for state coff ers, 12 Bolivia, Ukraine, Belarus, Tanzania, Zim- boy, which keeps them out of the jobless times more than it has earmarked for babwe, Haiti, Guatemala and the likes, statistics. desperately needed water management and within Southeast Asia, it comes In turn, Thailand’s off icial economy projects for 2015 and 2016 to cope with along with Myanmar, Cambodia and isn’t doing so well at the moment, with droughts and floods that alternately bat- the Philippines. In an earlier World Bank business leaders complaining that the ter the country,” a Thai economist told ranking, Thailand is even prominently government is “too slow” in tackling Gulf Times, asking to withhold his name listed at a 50+-percentage its informal the economic downturn. Last year, as he is not authorised by his institution sector is contributing to GDP. Thailand’s GDP grew by only 0.7%, the to speak to the media. However, the shadow economy is slowest in four years and the weakest in Visible informal business in the also absorbing a large number of young Southeast Asia, and this year it would be A World Bank visualisation of global shadow economies. The figures mean the percentage of GDP the informal sector country is widespread and consists of Thais, particularly from rural families, a surprise if growth would climb above constitutes in a country. street vendors, food stalls, souvenir sell- who are exiting a basic public education 3%, economists believe. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 11 BUSINESS

CORPORATE RESULTS Credit Suisse beats expectations with $1.15bn Q2 profit

The carrier’s revenue rose 4.5% to $1.44bn as the increased supply from Australia. The company, number of passengers carried rose 9.1%. The com- the largest producer of steel-making coal in North pany said it expects capacity to increase by about America, cut its 2015 coal production forecast to 25- 8% in the current quarter. 26mn tonnes from 26.5-27.5mn tonnes. Teck also Net income rose to $234mn, or $1.79 per share, cut its third-quarter sales forecast to 6mn tonnes from $165mn, or $1.19 per share, a year earlier. from 6-6.5mn tonnes. Excluding items, Alaska Air earned $1.76 per share. The company said it would reduce production Analysts on average had expected earnings of further in the fourth quarter, if market conditions $1.73 per share, on revenue of $1.44bn, according to do not improve. Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Average realized prices for coal fell 14% to $95 per tonne in the second quarter ended June 30, while Roche average realized prices for copper fell 11% to $2.74 per pound. Switzerland’s Roche is lining up more new drugs Net profit attributable to shareholders fell to to drive sales in a two-year window before cheap C$63mn ($48.6mn), or 11C¢ per share, for the quar- copycats of its biotech medicines hit the market, ter, from C$80mn, or 14C¢ per share, a year earlier. including a promising cancer immunotherapy it On an adjusted basis, Teck earned 14C¢ per share, hopes to launch by late 2016. above analysts’ average estimate of 11C¢, according The strategy is working so far, with group sales in to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. the first half increasing by a slightly better-than- The Vancouver-based miner reported revenue expected 3% as demand for recently introduced of about C$2bn, in line with the average analyst products helped off set the strength of the Swiss estimate. franc. At constant exchange rates, first-half sales rose 6%, helped by diagnostics and the perform- Lazard ance of non-cancer products such as Esbriet, a drug for a fatal lung condition that Roche acquired when Investment bank and asset manager Lazard it bought InterMune for $8.3bn last August. reported a quarterly profit that handily beat ana- Roche is also stepping up work on Alzheimer’s lysts’ estimate as a jump in corporate dealmaking disease by moving crenezumab into Phase III trials boosted M&A advisory fees. and investigating higher-dose tests with ganteneru- M&A and other advisory fees, which account for mab. 45% of Lazard’s operating revenue, rose 17% to Roche reiterated its forecast for 2015 sales to grow $273.2mn in the second quarter ended June. in the low-to-mid single-digit range, after stripping M&A volumes globally rose by 34.6% in the second out currency fluctuations, with core earnings per quarter from a year earlier to $1.33tn as of June 26, share (EPS) growing faster. shy of the record $1.41tn seen in the second quarter Group sales in the half year of 23.6bn Swiss francs of 2007. ($24.6bn) generated core earnings per share (EPS) Lazard, which is building its asset management down 5% at 7.22 francs. Profit growth was held back business to reduce reliance on financial advisory Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse beat expectations the quarter ended June 30, due to a drop in traff ic Freeport forecast full-year sales of 4.2bn pounds by the absence of a one-off gain booked in the fees, reported a 2% rise in average assets under in results released yesterday, reporting a second in all major markets. of copper, 1.3mn ounces of gold, 93mn pounds of same period last year. management to $203bn. quarter net profit of 1.1bn francs ($1.15bn, €950mn) However, this was the slowest decline in four molybdenum and 52.3mn barrels of oil equivalent. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast sales of Total operating revenue rose 6.2% to about after suff ering 700mn in losses over the same quarters for the world’s largest restaurant chain by The average realized copper price in the quarter 23.5bn francs and core EPS of 7.35 francs. $606.6mn. period last year. sales. was $2.71 a pound, with sales of 964mn pounds, The company’s adjusted net profit rose to It was the first earnings report under the leadership Analysts on average expected same-restaurant largely matching last year’s 968mn pounds. SanDisk $130.3mn, or 98¢ per share, in the quarter, from of new chief executive Tidjane Thiam, who was sales to fall 0.4%, according to research firm Con- Second-quarter sales of 13.1mn barrels of oil equiva- $85.4mn, or 64¢ per share, a year earlier. born in Ivory Coast and in June became the first sensus Metrix. lent were down from 16mn barrels a year ago, and Data storage products maker SanDisk Corp Analysts on average had expected earnings of 77¢ African-born executive to take charge of a major McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook, appointed in average prices fell to $67.61 a barrel from $95.50. reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Swiss bank. March, has reorganized the business with the aim Gold production more than doubled to 352,000 revenue, helped by new products and higher retail Lazard’s stock has been the best performer among Most analysts had forecast a net profit of around of bolstering sales by off ering all-day breakfast, ounces from 159,000 ounces, at an average price of sales. boutique investment banks, gaining about 19% this 690mn francs for the quarter. tweaking menus to reflect regional tastes and $1,174 per ounce. However, SanDisk’s revenue fell 24% to $1.24bn year through Wednesday’s close of $58.28 on the Through the first half of the year, 16% of overall experimenting with custom hamburger toppings. Debt notched higher to $20.9bn at the quarter’s in the second quarter from a year earlier, hurt by New York Stock Exchange. revenue and 27% of pre-tax income came from Asia McDonald’s said quarterly same-restaurant sales end from $20.3bn at the close of March. The lower sales of solid-state drives. Pacific. fell 2% in the US, the chain’s top market for profit, as company’s debt load bulked up in 2013 as it made The company has been grappling with a delay in McMoRan The private banking unit performed particularly featured products and promotions failed to boost two acquisitions of oil and natural gas producers sales of certain embedded parts used in solid-state well, taking in 14.2bn francs in new assets, again traff ic. to diversify from its copper, gold and molybdenum drives, which are faster and more reliable than Diversified US miner and energy company with strong contributions from developing markets However, same-restaurant sales rose 1.2% in Europe mining. traditional hard disk drives. Lower pricing and Freeport-McMoran reported a sizeable second- in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. due to strong sales in the United Kingdom and Cash totaled $466mn as of June 30, Freeport said. lean inventory levels have also weighed on recent quarter net loss yesterday, reflecting a big write- Revenues in the investment bank were, however, Germany. results. down for the value of its oil and gas properties off set by higher spending in risk, regulatory and Analysts had expected sales to decline 1.5% in the Daimler In April, SanDisk reported its first quarterly revenue and slumping prices for the copper, gold and oil compliance infrastructure. US and rise 1.5% in Europe. decline in two years and announced plans to cut 5% that it produces. The earning report highlighted that bank made Net income fell to $1.20bn, or $1.26 per share, from Daimler’s second-quarter operating profit jumped of its non-factory headcount to reduce costs. The Phoenix, Arizona-based company reported a gains despite continuing market volatility related to $1.39bn, or $1.40 per share. Total revenue fell 10% 54% to a record high, as sales of trucks and a new SanDisk’s net income plunged to $81mn, or 38¢ per net loss attributable to shareholders of $1.85bn, or Greece’s future in the eurozone. to $6.50bn. luxury car model launches helped it defy a slow- share, in the second quarter ended June 28, from $1.78 per share, compared with a year-earlier net Domestically, the Swiss central bank’s shock deci- Analysts on average were expecting a profit of $1.23 down in China, where German rivals are struggling $274mn, or $1.14 per share, a year earlier. income of $482mn, or 46¢ a share. sion in January to end eff orts to hold down the per share, on revenue of $6.46bn, according to to maintain momentum. Excluding items, the company earned 66¢ per Excluding one-time charges of $2bn, or $1.92 a value of the franc against the euro, continued to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Daimler sales have lagged those of Audi and BMW share, well above the average analyst estimate of a share, Freeport said adjusted profit was $143mn, or have consequences. in the world’s biggest car market, but a recent ren- profit of 33¢. 14¢ a share, for the quarter ended June 30. Valeant aissance of the Mercedes-Benz model lineup has Revenue fell to $1.24bn from $1.63bn, but beat the Analysts had expected an adjusted profit of 7¢ a TSB Banking Group stuck a chord with brand-conscious Chinese clients. average analyst estimate of $1.20bn, according to share, on average, according to Thomson Reuters Drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Mercedes has this year taken its flagship S-Class Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. I/B/E/S. TSB Banking Group, in the process of being sold, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, upmarket, introducing top-end models like the Mer- Revenue fell to $4.2bn from $5.5bn. said first-half profit slumped 44%, hurt by lower helped by strength in its dermatology business in cedes-Maybach S600 which retails for €190,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb average loan balances and recognition of a full-year the US, sending its shares higher in early trade. ($209,000) in Europe. General Motors Financial Services Compensation Scheme levy The Canadian company also raised its earnings and In China, Daimler’s single biggest market for the S- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co yesterday reported far bet- charge. revenue forecasts for the year to reflect sales of Class, it is delivering 500 Maybachs every month, in ter than expected quarterly results thanks largely General Motors reported yesterday that earnings TSB, which agreed to a $2.5bn takeover by Spain’s recently acquired Salix Pharmaceuticals’ irritable spite of an anti-corruption push which has floored to delayed reimbursement for two hepatitis C quadrupled due to solid sales in the US and China Banco Sabadell, said it delivered a 6.7% share of bowel syndrome drug, Xifaxan. sales of other luxury cars like Rolls-Royce. treatments in France and demand for other leading even as revenues were dented by the strong dollar. all new and switching bank accounts in the last The US Food and Drug Administration approved Last year, Mercedes sold 281,588 cars in China, company medicines. Earnings for the second quarter were $1.1bn, up quarter and was above its target of 6%. Xifaxan, also known as rifaximin, in May. Valeant compared with 578,932 for Audi. BMW said it de- The company said it lost $130mn, or 8¢ per share, in from $278mn last year. The high street bank, which listed on the London acquired the drug with its $11bn purchase of Salix livered 455,979 BMW and Mini-branded passenger the period. That compared with a profit of $333mn, Revenue dipped 3.7% to $38.18bn. GM attributed Stock Exchange in 2014, reported management earlier this year. cars in China in 2014. or 20¢ per share, in the year-earlier period. the drop to the strong dollar. pretax profit of £44mn ($68.7mn) for the period The company, under Chief Executive Michael Pear- Thanks to robust China demand, Daimler said its Company revenue rose 7% to $4.16bn, about Operating earnings in North America were roughly ended June 30, compared with £78.6mn a year son, has grown rapidly through acquisitions. Yes- second-quarter return on sales from ongoing busi- $400mn more than Wall Street expected. Revenue double that of last year at $2.8bn, while earnings in earlier. terday, Valeant said it is acquiring Commonwealth ness at Mercedes-Benz Cars jumped to 10.7% in the would have risen 16% if not for the stronger dollar, GM International Operations, which includes China, The bank said it recognised a full-year FSCS levy Laboratories Inc’s Canadian and US business. second quarter from 7.9% a year before. which lowers the value of sales outside the US. rose 10.8% to $349mn. charge of £14.8mn during the period. The net loss attributable to the company was Global deliveries of Mercedes-Benz cars in the first New hepatitis C treatments Daklinza and Sunvepra GM had a smaller operating loss in Europe than last TSB was spun out of Lloyds Banking Group last year $53mn, or 15¢ per share, in the second quarter end- half of 2015 rose 20% to 500,700 vehicles, helped had combined sales of $479mn in the quarter, year, but a bigger one in South America. after Lloyds was ordered to sell the business by ed June 30, compared with net profit of $125.8mn, by a 66% rise in demand for the C-Class sedan, its about $220mn above forecasts. A pricing agree- GM’s earnings were negatively aff ected by charges European regulators as a condition of its £20.5bn or 37¢ per share, a year earlier. best-selling model. ment with the French government allowed Bristol- totaling $1.1bn. These items included a $600mn bailout during the 2007-9 financial crisis. Cash earnings, or profit adjusted for one-time Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) Myers to receive $170mn for previously unreim- charge for a currency devaluation in Venezuela Sabadell, Spain’s fifth-biggest bank, is buying TSB items, was $2.56 per share, above the average rose to €3.8bn ($4bn), Stuttgart-based Daimler said, bursed sales of the medicines. and $400mn writedown on assets, primarily in with the aim of growing the bank to challenge analyst estimate of $2.46 per share, according to well above the €3.31bn forecast in a Reuters poll. Results were also helped by demand for Opdivo, a Thailand. Britain’s “Big 5” lenders. Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. new treatment for melanoma and lung cancer that The company also spent an additional $100mn in Sabadell said this month it would move to compul- Total revenue rose to $2.73bn, above analysts’ aver- Alaska Air works by removing a mechanism cancer cells use compensation for victims of accidents due to its sorily buy out remaining TSB minority sharehold- age estimate of $2.54bn. to evade detection by the immune system. It had ignition switch scandal. ers. Alaska Air Group, the operator of Alaska Airlines, sales of $122mn in the quarter. However, the year-ago period included $1.2bn in British lawmakers and regulators want to break the United Airlines, Delta reported a 42% rise in second-quarter profit, helped recall-related costs following a major scandal over dominance of Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bar- by increasing US travel and low oil prices. Teck Resources the defective ignition switches. clays, HSBC and the UK arm of Spain’s Santander, United Continental Holdings yesterday forecast a Alaska Air said its fuel cost fell to an average of GM’s earnings translated into 67¢ per share, or $1.29 which together control more than four out of five drop in unit revenue and trimmed plans for capac- $2.12 per gallon in the three months to June 30 Canadian miner Teck Resources reported a 21% fall per share when special items are excluded. The personal current accounts in Britain. ity growth as the US dollar weighs on demand from $3.20 a year earlier. US oil prices have more in quarterly profit and cut its 2015 coal production company had been projected to earn $1.08, accord- abroad, but it announced new share buybacks than halved since June 2014. forecast due to falling demand from China and ing to Wall Street analysts. Caterpillar because its profit continues to rise. The Chicago-based airline said it expects passenger US heavy equipment maker Caterpillar reported unit revenue to decrease between 5 and 7% in the yesterday a steep drop in second-quarter profit and third quarter. Capacity will only grow between 1 lowered its full-year sales forecast, citing the slug- and 1.5% in 2015 compared to a year earlier, it said, gish global economy and a stronger dollar. lowering a prior forecast for growth as much as 2%. Caterpillar said profit fell to $710mn in the April- It reported a 51% rise in second-quarter profit to June quarter, down 29% from $999mn a year ago. $1.19bn. On an adjusted basis, it earned $3.31 per Adjusted earnings tumbled 26% to $1.16 per share. share, in line with analysts’ average estimate ac- Excluding restructuring costs, earnings per share at cording to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. $1.27 were in line with market expectations. Despite the profit rise, United’s outlook reflects the Sales fell 13% to $12.3bn for the maker of equipment challenging revenue environment that US airlines for the construction, mining and oil sectors, con- continue to face as the dollar lowers foreign travel- sidered a bellwether of the global economy. That lers’ spending power in the US. missed analysts’ consensus estimate of $12.6bn. Caterpillar lowered its 2015 sales forecast to $49bn Freeport-McMoRan from the January estimate of $50bn, but kept unchanged its adjusted profit per share outlook of Diversified US miner and energy company Freep- $5.00, excluding restructuring costs. ort-McMoran reported a sizeable second-quarter net loss yesterday, reflecting a big write-down for McDonald’s the value of its oil and gas properties and slumping prices for the copper, gold and oil that it produces. McDonald’s Corp said it expects global compara- The Phoenix, Arizona-based company reported a ble sales to rise in the current quarter, after four net loss attributable to shareholders of $1.85bn, straight quarters of decline, as its new chief execu- or $1.78 per share. A year earlier, it reported net tive’s initiatives to boost sales start paying off along income of $482mn, or 46¢ a share. with a recovery in China. Excluding one-time charges of $2bn, or $1.92 a McDonald’s shares rose 1.5% in premarket trading share, adjusted profit was $143mn, or 14¢ a share, in after the company also reported better-than- the quarter ended June 30. expected sales and profit for the second quarter Analysts had expected an adjusted profit of 7¢ a yesterday. share, on average, according to Thomson Reuters Global sales at McDonald’s restaurants open at I/B/E/S. least 13 months fell a steeper-than-expected 0.7% in Revenue fell to $4.2bn from $5.5bn. Friday, July 24, 2015 GULF TIMES BUSINESS

EU watchdog to soften pay rules for small asset management fi rms

Reuters situation in the banking industry where The European Securities and Mar- proach for smaller asset management ish fund industry trade body, said it proportionality. The European bank- London the EU banking watchdog has not ex- kets Authority (Esma) published pro- fi rms to ensure consistency with the was pleased that the watchdog had re- ing watchdog has said it cannot exempt empted smaller banks from its regula- posals on how the curbs could work in pay guidelines for alternative invest- sponded to its calls to ease the burden smaller banks from pay rules until the tions to curb pay. practice for managers of EU author- ment managers. on smaller funds. law is changed, which could take years. anagers of smaller investment The asset management pay curbs are ised funds known as UCITS, a €9tn The European securities watchdog “However, more needs to be done to Smaller banks have complained they funds in the European Union being introduced under a new EU law ($9.88tn) industry. said asset management was diff erent make sure that clients understand how face a bureaucratic headache of having Mwill be exempt from new curbs from March next year and are designed The watchdog said it would apply the and more diverse than banking and fund manager pay is aligned to their in- to defer modest bonuses over several on pay in their industry, the bloc’s mar- to rein in excessive risk taking. curbs in the same “proportionate” way therefore it could justify a diff erent ap- terests,” it said in a statement. years, a situation small funds were keen kets watchdog said yesterday, a move They are similar to curbs already in- as it was already doing under a separate proach to so-called “proportionality.” The watchdog’s decision regarding to avoid. Several banks in the EU have welcomed by investment managers. troduced for banks, such as deferring reform of alternative investment man- It asks investment managers of all smaller industry players is diff erent wealth management arms, meaning The watchdog’s rejection of a “one 40-60% of a bonus over three years agers, in which managers of smaller sizes to detail the cost and burden of from how the EU’s banking watchdog, they come under both banking and as- size fi ts” all rule for asset managers, and paying the deferred part in units in hedge funds are exempted. having to apply the new pay rules. the European Banking Authority, has set management pay rules that will now whether big or small, diff ers from the an investment fund rather than cash. It said it was taking the same ap- The Investment Association, a Brit- interpreted this concept, known as not be applied consistently.

British economists say fundamentals strong Jobless claims in US despite retail sales dip Reuters Policymakers are relatively London bullish about the economic outlook for Britain, but are divided over the robustness British retail sales suff ered an of a recent pick-up in wages unexpected dip last month, which is needed to sustain wrong-footing economists growth and return rock- fall to lowest level who said rising wages and bottom inflation to more lower prices still pointed to normal levels. strong prospects for consumer Britain’s headline measure spending, a mainstay of the of consumer price inflation country’s growth. headed back towards a recent Sterling slid half a cent against 55-year low in June, while the the dollar after the Off ice for retail sales data showed that National Statistics reported average prices in stores were in four decades a 0.2% fall in June retail sales 2.9% lower than a year earlier. yesterday, prompting traders Overall consumer spending in Bloomberg to reconsider bets on a Bank cash terms in the three months Washington of England rate rise before to June was just 1.3% up on the end of the year. Annual a year earlier, the weakest retail sales growth fell to its growth rate for a calendar he fewest Americans in four dec- lowest in nine months at 4.0%, quarter in more than two years. ades fi led applications for unem- down from 4.7% in May and Nonetheless, economists Tployment benefi ts last week, con- well below the forecasts of were confident that lower tinuing to unwind an early-July surge that economists polled by Reuters. prices, the fastest wage rises was probably tied to mid-year factory The data adds to uncertainty in five years and high levels of shutdowns and school vacations. about how strongly Britain’s employment would help sales Jobless claims plunged by 26,000 to economy is bouncing back from pick up from what they viewed 255,000 in the week ended July 18, the a weak patch at the start of the as a temporary dip in an often- fewest since November 1973, a report year, after figures last week volatile series of data. from the Labour Department showed showed an unexpected rise Martins said she expected yesterday in Washington. The median in the unemployment rate for data next Tuesday to show forecast of 47 economists surveyed by the first time in more than two that growth in Britain’s Bloomberg called for 278,000. Volatil- years. “The retail sales numbers economy as a whole rose to ity is typical for this time of year as auto are slightly disappointing 0.7% in the second quarter plants retool for the new model year and relative to consensus ... (and) from 0.4% in the first. school staff varies with summer holidays, may take some wind out of the Figures from the British a department spokesman said as the data sails of an increasingly hawkish Retail Consortium last week was released to the press. market, but not, we suspect, gave a contrasting picture to Claims continue to hover near histori- for long,” said Liz Martins, UK Thursday’s numbers, showing cally low levels as employers are retaining economist at HSBC. some of the strongest growth workers to cater to a pickup in demand Bank of England policy in two years as warm weather following a slump in early 2015. Com- discussions released on and clothes sales boosted bined with steady hiring across states, the Wednesday showed a growing spending in late June and improvement will help sustain household number of policymakers were early July. The ONS data spending, the biggest part of the econo- edging towards voting for a showed some support from my. rate hike, and Governor Mark clothing sales. But it reported “Claims will remain low for the fore- Carney said on Tuesday that a bigger drag from falling seeable future,” Mark Vitner, a senior this could come into focus sales of household items, economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC around the turn of the year. furniture and other goods. in Charlotte, North Carolina, said before A DeVry College off icial (left) talks with a job seeker at a career fair in New York (file). Jobless claims plunged by 26,000 to 255,000 the report. “Businesses are having a tough in the week ended July 18, the fewest since November 1973, a report from the Labour Department showed in Washington yesterday. time fi nding the workers they need. They expect sales to grow.” an improving job market. Auto plants their jobs and the direction the economy Initial jobless claims refl ect weekly Claims were estimated for Puerto typically close around this time of the as a whole is taking, so the second half of fi rings, and a sustained low level of ap- Rico last week, the Labour Department year as they retool operations for new the year should be strong, too.” plications has typically coincided with spokesman also said. models. The timing often differs from Federal Reserve policy makers, consid- faster job gains. In an environment of Economists’ estimates in the Bloomb- one year to the next, making it difficult ering raising interest rates later this year accelerating employment growth, many erg survey ranged from claims of 260,000 for the Labour Department to adjust the for the fi rst time since 2006, have noted weekly layoff s may also refl ect company- to 300,000. The previous week’s fi gure claims figures for these seasonal swings. the Labour market is making strides while or industry-specifi c causes, such as cost was unrevised at 281,000. Automakers, including General Motors pointing out that some slack remains. cutting or business restructuring, rather The four-week moving average, a less Co and Ford Motor Co, are benefiting Hiring has been strong, Labour De- than underlying Labour-market trends. volatile measure than the weekly num- from growing sales as Americans’ fi- partment fi gures showed on July 2. Pay- Qualcomm, seeking to appease inves- bers, decreased to 278,500 last week, from nances improve. rolls increased by 223,000 in June follow- tors after posting its worst sales decline 282,500. “We just wrapped up the US auto in- ing a 254,000 gain the prior month. The since 2009, said on Wednesday that it Since early March, claims have been dustry’s best six months in a decade,” said US jobless rate fell to a seven-year low of plans to shake up its board and cut its below the 300,000 level that econo- Kurt McNeil, GM’s US vice-president of 5.3%, while wages stagnated and the size workforce by 15% as competition stiff ens mists say is typically consistent with sales operations. “People feel good about of the Labour force receded. in the smartphone-chip market. Moynihan tightens BofA grip as friction said to spur shakeup

Bloomberg balance sheet amid billions of dollars grit as Bruce Thompson,” Moynihan, according to the memo. The changes New York in litigation costs, fewer opportunities 55, said in the memo. More broadly, he elevate Laughlin, who’s overseeing the to boost profi t and tougher regulations said, “there have been some challeng- bank’s revised submission due in Sep- that followed the fi nancial crisis. ing bends in the road on which we have tember, and Smith, who will work with ank of America Corp chief ex- “There must have been some kind of traveled.” him on next year’s stress test. She’ll ecutive offi cer Brian Moynihan strain between Brian and Bruce for him Bank of America suff ered a series eventually assume responsibility for Bnamed the fourth fi nance chief to step down at age 50,” Charles Pea- of missteps in recent years tied to the the test and the fi rm’s so-called living of his tenure in a broad shakeup as he body, an analyst at Portales Partners, Federal Reserve’s stress tests to prove will, which explains to regulators how seeks to overcome regulatory hurdles said in a phone interview. “You’ve had banks can weather another crisis. Last the company can be broken up in an and reverse shrinking revenue. fi ve years of declining revenues, and year, the fi rm made a $4bn miscalcula- emergency. Paul Donofrio, 55, will replace Bruce Brian is undoubtedly feeling the heat to tion that forced it to scuttle share buy- For others, Moynihan burnished Thompson, the company said late on grow this thing.” backs. In March this year, regulators let titles. Anne Finucane, global chief Wednesday in announcing a series of Moynihan and Thompson didn’t re- it repurchase stock on the condition strategy and marketing offi cer, was changes and promotions. Thompson, spond to messages seeking comment. A executives resubmit models and im- awarded the additional designation once considered a potential successor company spokesman declined to com- prove internal controls by September. of vice chairman to refl ect her work in to the CEO, is leaving to pursue oppor- ment. Donofrio takes over August 1. overseeing corporate governance. Gen- tunities elsewhere, according to two The timing of the change surprised Mike Mayo, an analyst at CLSA, said eral Counsel Gary Lynch was named a people with knowledge of the situation. Peabody, coming a week after second- the shakeup falls short of the substan- vice-chairman. Cathy Bessant’s title His relationship with Moynihan had quarter results gave investors and ana- tive changes the company needs, citing was revised to chief operations and deteriorated recently over disagree- lysts hope the US bank most beset by the stress-test failures and the board’s technology offi cer without any change ments about where to make tactical in- the fi nancial crisis had turned a corner. decision to give Moynihan the chair- in responsibilities. Moynihan also used vestments to boost revenue, one of the The Charlotte, North Carolina-based man’s title, negating a 2009 share- the top of his memo to praise Chief people said. lender boosted revenue while shav- holder vote. Operating Offi cer Thomas Montag, 58, The moves mark Moynihan’s most ing expenses and avoiding major costs “Many management changes show The latest moves mark Bank of America Corp chief executive off icer Brian whose role remains the same. sweeping leadership changes since from legal claims. lack of stability at the top, and some Moynihan’s most sweeping leadership changes since 2011, when wealth Laughlin and Finucane worked 2011, when wealth management head In a memo to staff , Moynihan went of these changes also seem to result in management head Sallie Krawcheck departed along with a former chief financial at FleetBoston Financial Corp with Sallie Krawcheck departed along with to lengths to credit Thompson for im- overlapping responsibilities, which can off icer, Joseph Price. Moynihan before it was bought by a former chief fi nancial offi cer, Joseph proving the fi rm’s capital levels amid reduce accountability rather than en- Bank of America. Moynihan also fur- Price. Thompson had already taken the the post-crisis turmoil. Bank of Amer- hance it,” Mayo, who recommends that rate and investment banking for three America in 1999 and rose to global head ther strengthened his grip on his job in CFO post that year after rising through ica paid more than $70bn to settle dis- investors sell Bank of America shares, years. of health care, retail, technology and part by surrounding himself with dep- investment banking roles and oversee- putes, mostly tied to the 2008 acquisi- said in a note to clients. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, media by 2006. uties who are older than he is, mak- ing risk. tion of subprime lender Countrywide Donofrio, who was named to over- Donofrio served six years in the Navy, Andrea Smith, the head of human re- ing it less likely one will succeed him, Moynihan, who became CEO in Financial Corp see the finance teams for consumer according to his LinkedIn profi le. He sources, will assume a new role as chief Peabody said. “It’s not a very deep 2010, has been consolidating power in “No fi nance executive in the world and wealth management in April, then earned an MBA at the University administrative offi cer. Terry Laughlin bench of people younger than him,” the past year, adding the chairman ti- in the past decade has contended with previously was head of global corpo- of Chicago before almost a decade as will lead wealth and investment man- Peabody said. “Montag is older than tle in October. As his longest-serving greater challenges and discharged his rate credit and transaction banking. an investment banker covering health agement and become vice-chairman him, Laughlin is older than him, and CFO, Thompson repaired the fi rm’s responsibilities with as much skill and Before that, he was co-head of corpo- care at smaller fi rms. He joined Bank of as David Darnell retires later this year, Donofrio is his age.” FOOTBALL | Page 4 GOLF | Page 5 Jamaica stun Lahiri believes To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 USA 2-1 to that Asia is on reach Gold the brink of Cup fi nal major success

Friday, July 24, 2015 ATHLETICS Shawwal 8, 1436 AH Barshim returns to GULF TIMES Olympic Stadium on his remarkable journey SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT HEYHEY GATLIN...GATLIN... II AMAM READY!READY! ‘I never doubt myself. I look forward to competition. Beijing is a month away I’m not worried about that. I’m trying to take it a step at a time’

AFP Tyson competed so closely that it’s all our responsibility. Beijing hurt.” “I just do my best and try to Gatlin has run 9.74sec for run fast. I do it clean and I think 100m this year and Bolt a mod- that’s what I have to continue sain Bolt insisted yes- est 10.12sec in his only race at doing. I’m not going to say I’m terday he would be the distance in 2012 - in Rio de the only saviour of athletics but ready for the chal- Janeiro in April. I just try to do my best to stay lenge of toppling the However, the Jamaican focused on the goal I have. in-formU American Justin Gatlin maintained he was not daunted “Hopefully, athletes coming at the World Championships in by the prospect of facing the up can learn that I did it clean, Beijing next month. US sprinter when he defends with hard work and dedica- The Jamaican track king his World Championship 100m tion, so I set an example for the made the pledge on the eve of and 200m titles in Beijing, de- young guys coming up.” his return from injury in the spite his lack of form and lack of 100m on the opening night of competition this year. the Anniversary Games Dia- Bolt backs Farah mond League meeting in Lon- ‘I’M CONFIDENT’ over Salazar stance don on Friday. “I never doubt myself,” he said. Bolt has not raced since win- “I look forward to competition. Usain Bolt said he had sympa- ning the New York Diamond Beijing is a month away I’m not thy for his friend Mo Farah League 200m race on June 13 worried about that. I’m trying following the furore surround- because of a pelvic problem. to take it a step at a time. ing doping allegations against The world record holder at “I’ve got two races tomorrow. Alberto Salazar, coach of the 100m and 200m also said that I’ve been training really hard. Briton. “I’ve come through the he had “a problem” with Gat- I’ve been pushing myself, so ranks with Mo, so I’ve seen lin’s United States team-mate it’s all about execution now. If I the work that he’s put in,” said Tyson Gay about his doping can execute right and get every- Bolt yesterday. “I’m sorry for past but not with Gatlin, who thing right, I know I’ll run fast. Mo because every day I hear has served two doping suspen- It just takes one run to get to 9.7. he’s in the papers and they’re sions and who has run the four I’m not worried about times. trying to tear him down.” fastest times of 2015 at both “If my coach is not worried, “I think he’s worked so hard to 100m and 200m. I’m never worried, because he get where he is for some- Asked whether he had lost always fi nds a way to get me body’s mistake to be causing respect with rivals who had ready for the championships. him problems. failed drugs tests in their He’s confi dent I can be ready. “I just hope that he doesn’t sprinting careers, the 28-year- I’m confi dent and all you do is take it too seriously and it old Jamaican replied: “The only just work. doesn’t make him stress out.” person I really had a problem “I’ve been doing good in Bolt added that he supported with was Tyson. training. Everything’s been go- Farah’s decision to stand by “The reason is I competed ing better. Hopefully I can go on Salazar. “When you have con- with Tyson throughout the the track and deliver.” fidence in your coach, you years and I had so much respect Asked whether a win for Gat- know who he is as a person,” for him. I looked at him as one lin in Beijing would be bad for he said. “Of course you’re go- of the greatest competitors I the sport, Bolt laughed and re- ing to want to support him as competed against. He was ded- plied: “I’m not planning to lose, an athlete. If he believes in his icated. He worked hard. so I can’t really answer that coach, I believe in him.” “When it happened (Gay question.” British track star Farah, the tested positive for anabolic On the subject of being re- reigning Olympic and world steroids in 2013 and served a garded as being the saviour of a champion over both the one year ban) I was really disap- drugs-tainted sport, he said: “I 5,000 and 10,000 metres, pointed. That really hurt me.” know people have been saying runs in the 3000m on Friday. Asked why he did not have that but I don’t think it’s only Farah has faced intense me- a similar problem with Gatlin, me. dia scrutiny after allegations Bolt said: “It was before my “All athletes have the right to that Salazar was involved in time. I’m not saying it was right try and help the sport, to keep doping with other athletes. what he did but because me and the sport in a good light. I think Usain Bolt and (top right) Justin Gatlin Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 24, 2015 ATHLETICS

SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s Barshim returns to Olympic Stadium on his remarkable journey The brilliant high jumper won a bronze medal in 2012 Olympics despite suff ering a stress fracture in his back two months earlier and has never looked back as he prepares for the Anniversary Games

By Sean Ingle The Guardian

hile most athletes can cite the Ol- ympic motto of citius, altius, for- tius - swifter, higher, braver - few have taken it quite as literally as WMutaz Barshim. Two months before London 2012 the brilliant young Qatari high jumper suf- fered a stress fracture in the fi fth lumbar ver- tebra of his back. He was in desperate pain and couldn’t jump. And while his doctors eventually gave him permission to compete at the Games, they warned him it would be risky and that he would not be able to attempt more than six jumps. Yet in the Olympic fi nal, Barshim’s ap- proach was as swift as his battered 21-year-old body would allow, and with the help of strong painkillers - and even stronger willpower - he bravely soared to a surprise bronze medal along- side Britain’s Robbie Grabarz and the Canadian Derek Drouin. “That night was life-changing for me,” he admits. “I didn’t know what I would achieve because for weeks I had a huge pain in my back. I wasn’t able to do any training. No lifting. No jumping. Nothing. I was basically coming to the track, warming up, jogging and stretching and then going home. “But two weeks before the Olympics the doctors told me, OK, if we give you painkillers maybe you can do six jumps. Because it was the Olympics I took my chance, and I ended up with a bronze medal after jumping 2.29m. That gave me a lot of confi dence because I thought: I can do that with a broken back, imagine what I am going to do when I am healthy.” He didn’t have to wait long to fi nd out. The following season Barshim became only the eighth man ever to go over 2.40m and won sil- ver at the 2013 world championships in Moscow. Last year, he was better still, winning gold at the world indoor championships in Sopot and rais- ing his high jump personal best to an astonish- ing 2.43m, the second best ever. Only the Cuban Javier Sotomayor, who jumped 2.45m in 1993, has ever gone higher. be a little bit crazy. You can’t just go with logic. you don’t care how high it stands. You don’t fear often go along to watch him train, but he quickly but for a long time I was really bad.” It is a target that Barshim, who returns to the Most people will look at a bar that’s 2.43m high it. You just think: if getting over this is what it found that running - or the long jump - was not A decade or so later Barshim’s battles with Olympic Stadium today to compete in the An- and think it’s impossible to jump over it. But you takes to win a medal, or set a personal best, then for him. So he gave the high jump a go because the 25-year-old Ukrainian Bohdan Bondarenko, niversary Games, has in his sights. At 6ft 3½in have to say to yourself, listen, I am going to clear I am going to make it.” it looked fun and allowed him to bounce up and who has jumped 2.42m, putting him joint third he is not especially tall for a high jumper, but he that height, it’s do or die.” So what does it feel like when you clear 2.43m? down on trampolines. on the all-time list, are among the most com- is blessed with a natural explosiveness and elas- Barshim then gives a vivid description of what “It is an amazing feeling,” he says, laughing. “It “That would have been when I was about 13 pelling in athletics. Barshim believes their rival- ticity - “they are my strengths because I am not it is like for a world-class athlete to fi nd himself is like you are fl ying. Trust me, it takes a long but I wasn’t good at all until I was 17,” he chuck- ry will lead to a new world record, and he is not a strong guy,” he concedes - and an immense in the zone. “Suddenly your focus changes and time until you land. It’s incredible.” les. “I was the worst in my group at everything alone. “I have met Javier Sotomayor many times mental strength that allows him to see a bar that you realise you have this intense tunnel vision,” What makes Barshim’s story more remark- but I always kept coming to training. I just had a and he says it would be great for it to fall to the towers 50cm above him not as an obstacle but a he says. “You don’t see people cheering for you. able is that it took him years to make any dis- feeling that this is what I want to do. My father new generation,” he laughs. “At the same time, challenge. You don’t hear their noise. You don’t see any- cernible progress. His father was a decent would tell me: ‘Don’t worry, the next time you he tells me he is happy to hold on to it for a little “A lot of it is mental,” he says. “You have to thing but the bar. And when you are in that zone middle-distance athlete and as a child he would go you will get it - just be patient.’ He was right, while longer!”

BOTTOMLINE Dibaba is fi nally a master of all trades

IAAF Her instincts were right and the results of this Now I want them all: the 1500m, the 5000m, London new approach speak for themselves. even the 800m. She notched up three successive victories over “It was a really fast race in perfect conditions 5000m at the IAAF Diamond League meetings so I don’t know if I can go faster,” she added o athlete sets out to be an indoor spe- in Eugene, Oslo and Paris. Earlier this month, when asked if she could break her own 1500m cialist. Not even athletes such as Gen- in her fi rst 1500m race of the year, she broke the world record. “But I’d like to return to Mo- zebe Dibaba, who has broken multiple African record with 3:54.11 in Barcelona. naco next year to try to break the 5000m world world indoor records and has won two And then Monaco happened. record.” Nworld indoor titles. Perfect pacing, ideal conditions, top-level Dibaba has already had a couple of attempts Sometimes it just happens. opposition; the stars fell into line for Dibaba at at breaking the 5000m world record of 14:11.15, a As a teenager, Dibaba won world junior titles the Herculis meeting. mark which belongs to her older sister Tirunesh, on both the track and cross country. But since Most of the usual crop of elite pacemakers the fi ve-time world champion on the track and becoming a senior athlete – and, up until this wouldn’t have been capable of leading Dibaba triple Olympic gold medallist. year, at least – the Ethiopian’s best perform- through the required pace for the fi rst half of the The latest attempt, in Paris, saw Dibaba and ances have come during the indoor season. 1500m, so USA’s Chanelle Price – the reigning fellow Ethiopian Almaz Ayana play a cat-and- She won the world indoor 1500m title in 2012, world indoor champion, no less – was enlisted mouse game before Dibaba stretched away on and then won another global gold medal on the to help. An opening lap of 60.31 was followed by the fi nal lap to win in 14:15.41, the uneven pacing boards two years later, this time over 3000m. one of 64.21. ruining any chance of a world record. During recent indoor seasons, she has also been Dibaba then sped up. She saw the clock tick- “I tried to congratulate Ayana after the race in unstoppable outside of the championships, ing over to 2:50 as the bell sounded for the fi - Paris but she didn’t accept it,” Dibaba said of her setting world indoor records over 1500m and nal lap and knew she had a chance to break the rival. “During the race we were more focused 3000m in 2014 and over 5000m earlier this year. 14:28.88 for 5000m are times that most elite jing. So over the past winter, she and coach Jama world record of 3:50.46 set by China’s Qu Yunx- on beating each other, but I’ll try to break the But outdoors has been a diff erent story. women can only dream of. But deep down Diba- Aden adapted their training, putting a much ia at the 1993 National Games; a mark many had 5000m world record later this year.” Despite her dominance in the winter last year, ba knew that she was capable of at least match- stronger focus on the summer. considered untouchable before Friday night. Her main focus now is the World Champion- during the summer she lost the aura of invinci- ing her winter form outdoors. “This year we’ve changed things and have Having covered the fi nal 800m in 2:01.7 and ships. Dibaba and her coach will soon make a bility that she had worked so hard to establish. Asked last year why she always performs bet- done more intense training for the outdoor sea- the last lap in 59.8, Dibaba crossed the line in decision about which event to focus on in the She was beaten in numerous races, both on the ter under cover, Dibaba explained that she pre- son,” Dibaba said on the eve of her race at the 3:50.07. The world record was hers. Chinese capital. Before racing in Monaco, she IAAF Diamond League circuit and in champion- ferred indoors because the conditions suit her IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco. “With the training I’d been doing in Barcelo- said that if she had to pick just one event, she ship races, ending the year with ‘just’ fi ve wins better. “I train mainly with guys and they help to na, I knew I was able to break the world record, would opt for the 5000m, but her record-break- out of 12 outdoor track races. “Usually, it is not diffi cult to change from push me,” added Dibaba, who is joined in Aden’s but you never can be sure,” Dibaba said after her ing run at the Stade Louis II could have changed The year before that was similar, winning all indoors to outdoors,” she said. “I fi nd outdoors group by the likes of world 800m bronze med- record-breaking feat. her mind. She also hasn’t ruled out doubling up of her indoor races but failing to record a victory easier than indoors but I am more interested in allist Ayanleh Souleiman and Qatari 800m run- “The pacer did a really good job and I was in the 1500m and 5000m. outdoors before fi nishing eighth at the IAAF indoor athletics. I prefer it because it is hotter ner Musaeb Balla. “It works well for me because confi dent in her. In Barcelona I was alone from Whatever event she does, her goal is simple. World Championships in Moscow. And in 2012, indoors and I like the shorter laps. there aren’t many women who would be able to early on in the race, but here the pacer took me Having previously won global titles indoors and having opened her season with a 3:57.77 triumph “But last year I felt my back when I was train- train with me. through to 800m. She did such a good job that at cross country, Dibaba now wants to fi nally in Shanghai, she didn’t win another race for the ing,” she added. “That was a problem and why “I wanted to train more for the outdoor sea- I knew I had to keep pushing. I didn’t want to complete the all-surfaces trifecta by taking an rest of the year and exited the London Olympics my season was not as good outdoors as it was son than the indoor season, so I changed my waste the opportunity. outdoor global title next month. in the heats. indoors.” training totally. I already have natural speed “This change in preparation has paid off and “Everybody expects me to win the gold med- In fact, up until this summer, all of her out- Determined not to let another opportunity of which I don’t need to work on, so in training I have to thank my coach for making it happen. al,” she said. “I have to do it, especially after right lifetime bests had been set indoors. Not an outdoor senior global title pass her by, Dibaba I’ve been working more on my endurance. Now I I already had four indoor world records, but what my sister has achieved. I have to do the that her pre-2015 outdoor PBs were shabby: knew that something needed to change ahead of think I can run faster outdoors than I previously I wanted to break them outdoors. I have been same, if not better.” 3:57.54 for 1500m, 8:26.21 for 3000m and this year’s IAAF World Championships in Bei- thought I was capable of.” dreaming of an outdoor world record for ever. That might just happen. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT HIGHLIGHT Davis scores twice as Red Bulls stun Guardiola guarded Mourinho’s Chelsea on Vidal as Bayern lose on penalties ‘There’s no comment because he has not signed... Tonight was a wonderful match Sean Davis (second left) of New York Red Bulls is congratulated by and I am completely satisfied with the condition of my players after this tour’ teammates after he scored against Chelsea.

AFP AFP It was a diffi cult Chelsea debut Guangzhou New York for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who came on in the second half. The Blues were without stars ayern Munich manager Pep ean Davis scored twice Willian and Juan Cuadrado as Guardiola refused to comment in the second half as the they were both resting after yesterday on the imminent ar- New York Red Bulls up- competing in the Copa America rival of Chile’s Copa America- set Chelsea 4-2 in the tournament. winningB playmaker Arturo Vidal from reigningS English Premier League Davis was in the right place at Juventus. champions’ fi rst game of their the right time on both of his goals Guardiola had just watched his side pre-season US exhibition tour. in front of a crowd of 24,000 at beaten 5-4 on penalties by Chinese The Red Bulls scored four the Red Bull Arena. He blasted a champions Guangzhou Evergrande after times in the second half against right footed a shot from the cent- a goalless friendly and the Spaniard pre- mighty Chelsea FC on Wednes- er of the box in the 73rd minute to ferred instead to praise the eff orts of his day despite using a roster made the top left corner to make it 3-1. opponents while lauding the success of up of mostly of young develop- Just four minutes later he got his team’s pre-season China tour. mental players. his second on a poor clearance Just before kick-off yesterday, Bayern They were also coming off a by a Chelsea defender. This time CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confi rmed quarter-fi nal loss less than 24 he hammered a left foot shot into he had agreed a deal for Vidal bringing an hours earlier to the Philadelphia the bottom right corner past Be- end to the speculation that had followed Union in the US Open Cup com- govic to make it 4-2. his club on their three-match tour. petition. Sandwiched in between Davis’ “I can confi rm that there is an agree- New York head coach Jesse markers was a goal by Chelsea’s ment between the two parties (Bayern Marsch went with a youthful Hazard, who pulled one back by and Juventus). He still needs a medi- lineup and it paid off as midfi eld- scoring through a maze of play- cal but if everything goes as planned, he er Davis scored in the 73rd and ers from just outside the box. should be training with us next week,” 77th minutes and 16-year-old Adams, who was making his said Rummenigge. The deal is reported to Tyler Adams scored in the 70th Red Bull debut after playing be worth 35 million euro ($38.5 million). minute. mainly with the under-17 team, But Guardiola was adding nothing. Franklin Castellanos scored in gave New York their fi rst lead of “There’s no comment because he has not the 51st minute for the Red Bulls, the game, 2-1, with a header that signed,” said the manager at the post- who were playing Chelsea for the beat Begovic after a nice cross match press conference. fi rst time. from Castellanos. “Tonight was a wonderful match and I Loic Remy in the 26th minute Remy opened the scoring for am completely satisfi ed with the condi- and Eden Hazard in the 75th Chelsea with a nice hesitation tion of my players after this tour,” Guar- scored for Chelsea, who are on a move that froze Red Bull goal- diola said. three-game tour of North Amer- keeper Kyle Reynish before plac- Bayern had beaten Valencia 4-1 in Bei- ica. ing his shot into the top half of jing last Saturday, and Inter Milan 1-0 in Chelsea fi eld vastly diff erent the net. Shanghai on Tuesday before their defeat sides in each half as just three Chelsea’s next game is today on penalties in Guangzhou. players played the full 90 min- against Paris Saint-Germain in “Generally speaking, the training here utes. Charlotte, North Carolina. was good. In Beijing and Shanghai it was very good, but we didn’t have enough Bayern Munich’s coach Pep Guardiola reacts during their friendly match against Guangzhou Evergrande in the Guangzhou, China. time for a full session in Guangzhou. “We won twice but the results don’t that Manchester United were poised to ROBINHO DEBUT “I can confi rm that there is an Croatia deducted point, fined for matter too much. No players got injured launch a 100 million euro ($109 million) Evergrande boss Luiz Felipe Scolari made agreement between the two swastika symbol so that was very good for us.” bid to lure the World Cup winner. good on his vow to give a debut to fellow parties (Bayern and Juventus). “You can’t put a price on certain play- Brazilian Robinho—who only arrived in He still needs a medical but if Croatia have been deducted remaining qualifying games at BUNDESLIGA RETURN ers. We’d be out of our minds to let a China on Tuesday—alongside compatri- everything goes as planned, he one point, ordered to play two the Stadion Poljud in Split.” The 28-year-old Vidal will be a replace- player like him leave,” said Rummenigge ots Paulinho and Ricardo Goulart. should be training with us next matches behind closed doors The HNS were also fined ment in midfi eld for former captain Bas- on the Bayern club website. “It’s all hot Guangzhou started brightly, particu- week,” said Rummenigge. The deal and fined by UEFA after a 100,000 euros ($109,680.00). tian Schweinsteiger who departed for air.” larly Robinho who played 45 minutes and is reported to be worth 35 million swastika was imprinted on the Pending an appeal, the pun- Manchester United earlier this month. Unfortunately it was Mueller who was was a constant threat. euro ($38.5 million) pitch before last month’s Euro ishment means Croatia stay Vidal returns to the Bundesliga af- the only man to fl uff a penalty on the “I think he’s lived up to our expecta- 2016 qualifier against Italy. top of Group H with 13 points ter having played 144 games and scor- night, handing Guangzhou a famous 5-4 tions, he’s really is a great player,” said way past an inspired Cheng between the The swastika became visible from six games, one more ing 21 goals in a four-year spell at Bayer shootout win over the German cham- Scolari afterwards. Guangzhou posts. during the match after a than second-placed Italy. Leverkusen. pions when keeper Cheng Zeng made “He’s not trained for 15 days and he “It was great opportunity to com- chemical agent was put on the Croatia were already playing He moved to the Turin club in 2011, an instant hero of himself by saving the gave them trouble so I think once we pete against a great team and we had our grass at Split’s Poljud stadium the Italy match behind closed making 124 Serie A appearances and striker’s tame eff ort. work with him he’ll be a very good player chances. I think this was a wonderful days before the June 12 game. doors after being handed scoring 35 goals. A packed Tianhe stadium of around for us, and of course score a lot of goals.” game for our fans,” said Scolari. “The UEFA Control, Ethics and a one-match ban for racist Rummenigge had also confi rmed ear- 25,000 fans had been treated to plenty The visitors upped the pace when “Of course our players will learn a lot Disciplinary Body today de- chants by their fans in a 5-1 lier that striker Thomas Mueller was go- of chances from both sides in a lively en- Mueller and Thiago entered the fray af- coming up against Bayern and that will cided to impose a deduction home win over Norway in ing nowhere, despite reports this week counter. ter half-time,but they could not fi nd a help us with the rest of our season.” of one point on the Croatian Zagreb in March. Football Federation (HNS),” That followed incidents during European soccer’s governing a 1-1 draw against Italy in Milan BOTTOMLINE body said in a statement, add- last November when flares ing that the punishment was were hurled on to the pitch. for “racist behaviour”. The swastika incident left the “The HNS has also been players and the HNS fear- ordered to play its next two ing drastic punishment and home matches in UEFA com- Croatian Prime Minister Zoran petition behind closed doors Milanovic urged UEFA not to Real coach Benitez plays down and not to play any of its impose heavy sanctions.

Liverpool sign striker Benteke tension with star Ronaldo Liverpool wrapped up a deal The forward joins Brazil for Christian Benteke on international Roberto Firmino, AFP Italy’s AS Roma. “He’s the captain and I would Wednesday, luring the target- fellow Belgian Divock Origi Melbourne Manchester City, who beat like to see him at the beginning of man to Anfield on a long-term and England Under-21 striker Roma in a penalty shoot-out on the season because I think he will contract having finally struck Danny Ings, who have all been Tuesday, will attempt to win the be crucial for us in the season. a deal to prise the Belgian brought to Anfield with the eal Madrid manager three-team tournament when “Yes, for me 100 percent powerhouse away from Aston intention of reinvigorating Rafael Benitez yester- they take on the 10-time Eu- (staying). I insist that it is clear Villa. Liverpool’s attack. day hailed his superstar ropean champions at the Mel- for both me and the club that “The 24-year-old put pen to Benteke’s bullish qualities are striker Cristiano Ron- bourne Cricket Ground. Sergio will be here. paper on a long-term contract likely to add an extra dimen- aldoR as the best in the world as “Football is a curious world, with the Reds today after sion to a Liverpool frontline he played down reports of ten- BENITEZ SAYS RAMOS ‘100 but Sergio will be playing for us successfully completing a who looked lightweight last sion between the pair. PERCENT’ STAYING AT REAL this season,” he added. medical in London,” Liverpool season, finding the net just 52 Real Madrid take on English Benitez said that he is “100 per- “I have a lot of respect for said on their website (www. times in the Premier League Premier League heavyweights cent” confi dent skipper Sergio (Manchester United manager) liverpoolfc.com), bringing to a after plundering 101 in the Manchester City in the fi - Ramos will stay at Real Madrid Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will close several weeks of nego- previous campaign. nal match of the International amid fevered speculation linking stay with us.” tiations between the clubs. Having helped Villa avoid rel- Champions Cup in Melbourne him with Manchester United. Ramos scored Real’s injury- British media reported last egation last season, he hopes on Friday, however Spanish re- Spain international Ramos time equaliser in their Cham- week that the Merseysiders to have diff erent objectives at ports say the atmosphere has has been linked to United in a pions League fi nal win over had finally agreed to meet a his new club. become testy on the training swap deal with Spanish goal- Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has 32.5 million pounds ($50.75 “I came here to win trophies. pitch during the club’s pre-sea- keeper David De Gea, but Be- made 445 appearances for the million)release clause in the I came here to reach some son tour of Australia. nitez made it clear the defender club since joining from Sevilla striker’s contract, having pre- great goals with the team,” he But Benitez, who took over Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez speaks during a press conference. was going nowhere. in 2005. viously sought and failed to said on the Liverpool website. from Carlo Ancelotti in June, “It’s very simple, De Gea is Croatia midfi elder and team- persuade the Midlands club to “It’s about winning trophies. suggested he had no problems “I would like all players to “Seeing Ronaldo up close not our player so nothing to mate Luka Modric said Ramos reduce their asking price. It’s about doing something with Ronaldo. have that desire to win and to training, I can see that he’s doing say about him,” he told report- was an important part of the Benteke becomes Liverpool’s in (my) career I can maybe “Luckily, I have had the op- compete. You’ve all seen him very well.” ers ahead of Real Madrid fac- team. “We hope that he stays. seventh close-season signing explain to my son or my kids portunity this week to spend train today and I think his per- Ronaldo, the world’s third- ing Manchester City in the fi - He’s a very important part of and represents the latest what I did.” quite a few days with him,” Be- formance will be up to scratch. highest paid sportsman this year nal match of the International the team. He’s our captain, our eff ort by manager Brendan Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, he nitez told reporters. “I talk to all the players a lot. after boxers Floyd Mayweather Champions Cup in Melbourne leader, both on and off the pitch Rodgers to recruit some joined Villa from Belgian “And I can say that he’s com- I have had the opportunity to and Manny Pacquiao, played the on Friday. and he’s happy where he is,” Mo- frontline firepower after last club Genk in 2012 and swiftly petitive, he likes to win, and for talk to him, too. We talked about fi rst-half on Saturday as Real “The update about Sergio Ra- dric said. season’s struggles in front of adapted to life in the Premier that reason he is the best in the football and yes, he is competi- Madrid lost their opening Mel- mos is that he is our player and “He’s the best defender and goal. League. world. tive. bourne match on penalties to he’s a key player for us. he wants to stay at the club.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 24, 2015 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Platini, romantic or Jamaica stun USA pragmatist? to reach Gold Cup fi nal for first time Reuters duce technology to help with ref- ‘We made history by getting into the final. It shows what this team is capable of’ Zurich ereeing decisions, instead pre- ferring an innovative system of extra offi cials on each goal line. ne of the most exqui- Other UEFA policies have sitely gifted soccer shown a less romantic, less ‘pur- players of his gen- ist’, more businesslike side to eration, Michel Platini Platini. (above)O likes to portray himself Some critics have accused him as an old-fashioned romantic of turning UEFA into a slick, fi - with a mission to maintain the nancially successful and yet ul- game’s purity. timately charmless organization, As he now ponders a bid for the where elite clubs have thrived presidency of soccer’s world gov- and others have to sell their best erning body FIFA, however, some players to stay afl oat. may wonder whether the moody Under his leadership, UEFA has Frenchman, one-time midfi elder, steered money and power to pre- is the right man to clean up an or- cisely the clubs and leagues that ganisation mired in a graft scandal are already the most established, reaching its top echelons. particularly through the market Platini, 60, formerly a protege pool system where club revenue of FIFA president Sepp Blatter depends on the size of their coun- who has now turned into one try’s television market. of his biggest critics, has been Another controversial policy outspoken in his criticism of the was the introduction of UEFA’s corruption allegations. complicated Financial Fair Play “I am the fi rst one to be dis- rules, a system yet to be proven gusted by this. I have stomach to really achieve its aims. trouble when I think about the Platini the pragmatist knows FIFA problem,” he said in May. he cannot aff ord to upset the With eight years experience powerful European clubs who as UEFA president, he may have have formed their own organiza- some strong ideas about how to tion, initially known as the G-14 reform the organisation when and now expanded to the Euro- Blatter steps down in February. pean Clubs’ Association (ECA), Yet, he has said little about to look after their interests. what should be done to weed out He also has to keep Europe’s corruption in FIFA. His record smaller national federations at UEFA, however, gives clues to happy as they hold the votes in how he would handle the future UEFA elections. of a game that embraces all con- Pedro Pinto, UEFA’s spokes- tinents, a sport that has become man, said that Platini stood by a huge global business. his decisions even though it left One of Platini’s fi rst moves at him vulnerable to criticism. UEFA was to introduce a two-tier “He’s a man of conviction, Jamaica players celebrate their 2-1 win over the United States of America during the 2015 CONCACAF Golf Cup semi-final at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. qualifying system for the fl ag- he’s a man who has always been ship Champions League, making transparent and one of the few, if AFP fi nal. It shows what this team is capa- that matched its best runs in 1993 and adding, “You don’t see it very often. It’s the lucrative group stage more not the only one, to admit who he Atlanta, Georgia ble of,” Barnes said. “We’ve shocked a 1998 just to make the last four. It was the not a call that I would be making if I were accessible to clubs from eastern voted for,” he said. few people along the way but we’ve not fi rst Caribbean semi-fi nalist since Guad- a referee.” Europe and lower-ranked Euro- “He has nothing to hide and is shocked ourselves. We don’t fear any- eloupe in 2007. Barnes curved a free kick from just pean countries. someone who I think is respected amaica’s “Reggae Boyz” delivered body. We put out a great team.” outside the penalty area over the wall and He resisted pressure to intro- around the world of football.” defending champion United States On Sunday in Philadelphia, Jamaica BITTER PILL FOR USA into the upper right corner of the goal. a humbling 2-1 defeat Wednes- will play for the crown against six-time “The team is disappointed,” US coach Ju- The US scored when Aron Johannsson day, becoming the fi rst Caribbean champion Mexico, which edged Panama rgen Klinsmann said. “I cannot complain blasted a shot that Jamaican goalkeeper THE UGLY SIDE Jsquad to reach the Gold Cup fi nal by 2-1 in the other semi-fi nal of the biennial about the performance of the team. They Ryan Thompson stopped but couldn’t shocking the heavily favoured hosts. North American regional football cham- kept pushing, pushing, pushing. We had keep in his grasp. Clint Dempsey fol- After Jamaican defenders disrupted pionship. enough chances. We had enough chances lowed and spilled over prone Thompson US attacks for the fi rst half hour, Darren “We cannot have a party now. We still to put three, four, fi ve in there and we as the ball came loose and an onrushing Russian authorities Mattocks nodded home the fi rst goal in have one more match,” Jamaican coach didn’t do it and that’s why we lost. Bradley buried it into the back of the net. the 31st minute and Giles Barnes scored Winfried Schaefer said. “Bob Marley “Congratulations to Jamaica on making From there it was a case of missed op- on a free kick in the 36th—set up by a comes after the match.” the fi nal and we have to swallow that pill.” portunities. fail to understand controversial violation on US goalkeeper In Jamaica, the late reggae legend’s A long throw from the left side found Johannsson fi red a free kick in the 51st Brad Guzan—to put Jamaica ahead 2-0 music might be playing all day and night Mattocks, who outleaped two defenders minute that Thompson could not fully and signal an epic upset was in the mak- until the match. and headed the ball in off the far post, and grip but Johannsson headed the rebound racism: UN offi cial ing at the sold-out Georgia Dome. “Just incredible. The feeling right now the second goal came off a free kick set up over the crossbar. In the 57th, Bradley US captain Michael Bradley answered is just insane,” Barnes said. “The phone when Guzan was whistled for a throw fi red a hard outside shot that bounced in the 48th minute but the Americans hasn’t stopped. Back in Jamaica there’s with his foot outside the area. off Thompson’s chest, defl ected off the Reuters ioural problem and a societal never managed an equalizer against the got to be a party on. It will be even bigger “In all of my years of being profession- goalpost to his right and out of danger. St Petersburg problem, indeed in Russia there stubborn Caribbean backline and lost to when we lift the Cup on Sunday.” al, I don’t think I’ve seen that call,” Guzan “The luck was not with us but maybe is no clear understanding of a Jamaican side that was 1-13 with eight The fi ve-time champion Americans said. “Especially since seeing a still image we were not clinical enough as well,” what racism means. drawn in their prior matches. had won their past fi ve Gold Cup semi- of it—maybe (it was) an inch or two.” Klinsmann said. “We saw a lot of good ussian soccer authori- “It’s not black and white and “We made history by getting into the fi nals but were undone by a Jamaican side Bradley called it “a head scratcher,” stuff but it’s the goals that matter.” ties need to do more white and black only; it’s about to combat racism and the issue of ethnicities, religious have so far failed to ful- affi liation, culture, language and lyR grasp what it means, a United so forth. GOLD CUP Nations offi cial said yesterday. More than 200 acts of rac- Racism in the 2018 World Cup ism were committed by Russian host nation was thrown back fans between 2012 and 2014, ac- into the spotlight on Wednes- cording to a recent report by the day when the Russian Football Sova Center, a Moscow-based Union (RFU) rejected allegations racism-monitoring group. Panama yells ‘robbery’ aft er that Ufa midfi elder Emmanuel Piara Power, executive direc- Frimpong was racially abused by tor of Football Against Racism Spartak Moscow supporters. in Europe, said last year that he The Ghanaian said he was believed an African team could subjected to monkey chants walk off the pitch during the loss to Mexico in semi-fi nal during a Russian Premier League World Cup if they suff ered abuse season last Friday, where he was during a game. AFP falling onto the ball after contact of stoppage time. sent off after he raised a fi nger to The Ghana Football Associa- Atlanta, Georgia with a Mexico forward. “At moments during the the crowd in response. He was tion (GFA) has already reacted “The referee was not good,” match, I thought of retiring. subsequently suspended for two angrily to the Frimpong inci- Mexico coach Miguel Herrera This situation makes you think Premier League matches. dent, saying the player had been exico advanced to said. “The fi rst penalty, it wasn’t you want to retire,” Gomez said. “I don’t think there is a total suff ered to “vile” abuse and that the Gold Cup fi nal a penalty, but sometimes it’s “The players didn’t want to denial of racism in Russia but it “beats our imagination” that Wednesday after a controversial and it goes in your continue. We were very com- there is certainly a lack of under- the he was penalised. controversial pen- favour. It’s not our team. It’s the petitive with 10 players. Panama standing by offi cials in Russia of FIFA announced in May that a Malty kick goal that had Panama referee.” played a perfect game. That’s what racism is,” Yuri Boychenko new system of match observers coach Hernan Dario Gomez A two-team confrontation why we want to continue despite told Reuters after a FIFA press would monitor incidents of rac- saying his team was robbed of a followed as Panama players ar- this disappointment. conference. ism and discrimination at 2018 rightful victory. gued Geiger’s call. Both teams “I’ve been coaching since ‘87 “The authorities here should World Cup qualifi ers, however Mexican captain Andres followed him to the sidelines to and it’s the fi rst time this has do more to stop it,” added Russian domestic matches do Guardado scored on stoppage plead their cases and tensions happened to me. It’s very dif- Boychenko, who heads the Anti- not fall under the jurisdiction. time penalty kicks after the 90th reached a boiling point with fi cult.” Discrimination Section at the “If the RFU are in need of our and 105th minutes to give his shoving and grabbing as specta- Guardado became the hero af- United Nations Human Rights support, and I think they are, team a 2-1 extra-time triumph tors hurled food and garbage at ter Panama’s Herold Cummings Offi ce of the High Commis- then we can provide them with over 10-man Panama in a Gold The referees are escorted from the field following the Panama players and offi cials. fouled Mexico’s Javier Orozco in sioner. support,” said Federico Ad- Cup semi-fi nal before a sellout versus Mexico match after players from Panama charged the off icial “The referee made a monu- the penalty area near the end of “Too often, offi cials in Russia diechi, FIFA’s head of sustain- crowd of more than 70,000 at in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final match at Georgia Dome. mental error and all this great the fi rst of two extra 150-minute only see the problem from their ability, whose role includes dis- the Georgia Dome. eff ort was thrown away because sessions. Guardado left-footed a point of view. They do not stand crimination. “This is a big robbery,” Gomez nal, will face Jamaica on Sunday Panama striker Luis Tejada in of this,” Gomez said. “We have blast into the left corner. inside the shoes of the victim “It would be naive and arro- said. “It was robbery at gun- in Philadelphia in the title match the 25th minute, but saw the to make sure this doesn’t hap- At the fi nal whistle, two and see it from his point of view.” gant for us to come here and say point. It’s a very sad thing to say. of the biennial North American Caneleros take a 1-0 lead on a pen again.” Panama players raced from the During the press conference were are going to educate Russia. We were robbed.” regional football championship. header by captain Roman Torres Calm was eventually restored, sidelines onto the fi eld, chasing itself, Boychenko said he be- We are in no position to do that, The Mexicans, who also need- The “Reggae Boyz” shocked the in the 57th minute. but the extended mess took so referee Geiger, before being re- lieved the authorities were be- we have no need to do that, we ed a Guardado penalty kick goal United States 2-1 in the day’s On the verge of an emotional long that by the time Guardado strained by teammates. The ref- ginning to recognise there was have no moral statue to do that; after a controversial foul call other semi-fi nal. triumph in the 89th minute, left-footed his fi rst penalty kick eree exited the fi eld surrounded an issue. it is our role to prevent incidents beyond the 120th minute to beat Gomez was angry at US ref- Torres was whistled for a hand into the bottom right corner to by a tight ring of police and se- “I believe the recognition is happen in events under our re- Costa Rica 1-0 in the quarter-fi - eree Mark Geiger for ejecting ball violation in the penalty area, equalize, it was the 10th minute curity guards. coming,” he said. “It’s a behav- sponsibility.” Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 5 GOLF

ASIAN TOUR Lahiri believes Asia on brink of major success

Reuters under for the tournament and myself, but a number of guys lost falling short in any one depart- “We haven’t really had any Mumbai tied for 30th, nine strokes be- a number of shots coming in.” ment. Whenever you win a big one player or group of players hind champion Zach Johnson. Despite his struggles in Scot- event or a major, you need eve- consistently in the top 10. Hav- “A lot of it comes down to ex- land, the two-time European rything to click,” he said. ing said that, I do think we are ndia’s Anirban Lahiri be- perience,” the seven-time Asian Tour winner has complete faith “And yes, everything did not making progress,” Lahiri said. lieves a lack of experience Tour winner told reporters in a in his game and believes there click together last week. When “There are more of us playing, cost him dearly in the last conference call confi rming the is no particular area in need of a I look back at last week, there there are more of us playing the two rounds of the British defence of his Venetian Macau signifi cant overhaul. were more positives and the weekends. Some of us do come IOpen but the Asian Tour money Open title in October. The mistakes he made at the learning bit will happen soon.” close to contending. leader is confi dent the region “It was only my fi fth or sixth British Open were strategic rath- While it was disappointing “But I feel like it is only a mat- will soon be celebrating another major and in that sense I was er than down to poor execution for Lahiri that male players from ter of time. I think you only need male major winner. a little bit inexperienced, also and Lahiri feels his decision- Asia have failed to mount a se- everything to click. The week Lahiri was in contention after having not played St Andrews making will improve the more rious challenge for major titles that Yang won was an example an impressive 36 holes at St An- before. he plays top tournaments and in since South Korean Yang Yong- of that. “I don’t think we lack drews but the 28-year-old suf- “The conditions that we did tricky conditions. eun won the US PGA Champion- anything in terms of quality but fered two back-nine meltdowns get on the weekend, it was not “I don’t think there is any- ship in 2009, he felt the region’s everything has to come together over the weekend to fi nish six- easy on the back nine. Not just thing lacking in my game and golfers were getting closer. at the right time.”

HIGHLIGHT SPOTLIGHT Clark targets ‘fun US Open to return to week’ for Canadian Los Angeles in 2023

AFP along with the PGA Champi- Open defence Los Angeles onship, the British Open and The Masters. It is the fi rst time the US ‘Not often do you have the opportunity of coming back and defending any sort of title’ he US Golf Association Open will be held in Los An- announced Wednes- geles since Ben Hogan won day that the 2023 US the event in 1948 at the Riviera Reuters Open will be played at Country Club. The Riviera has Tthe Los Angeles Country Club, played host to two PGA Cham- Toronto the fi rst time since 1948 the pionships in 1995 and 1983. city will host the major cham- The tournament will run outh African Tim Clark pionship. from June 15-18 on the LACC’s is looking forward to “a The USGA also said the 2022 north course which opened in fun week” for his title US Open will be at The Coun- 1911 and was given an exten- defence at the Canadian try Club in Brookline, Mas- sive facelift fi ve years ago. OpenS where he hopes to put be- sachusetts and the 2024 event “The city loves to host ma- hind him a frustrating 2015 cam- will be hosted by Pinehurst jor events,” said LACC club paign that was derailed by elbow Resort and Country Club in president John Chulick. “This surgery in February. Pinehurst, North Carolina. region, not having hosted the Clark has played in just two “We are elated to host our US Open for 75 years will be PGA Tour events since then, and national championship at ecstatic about this.” was forced to withdraw from these three historic venues,” Riviera had previously tried last week’s British Open at St said Thomas O’Toole, presi- to woo the US Open back to its Andrews in Scotland due to visa dent of the USGA. Pacifi c Palisades site but a lack problems. “Each one is located in a of parking the course’s small Canada, however, has always region where golf and sports layout are two drawbacks. been a welcome sanctuary for are celebrated, and we have Brookline will get its fourth a golfer whose wife hails from already felt tremendous com- US Open and Pinehurst will Toronto and he is delighted to munity support. We look for- get its fourth in 25 years. be at Glen Abbey Golf Club in ward to the test of golf that Some of the other previ- Oakville, Ontario this week af- each of these classic designs ously announced US Opens ter winning last year’s Canadian will present to the world’s best include Oakmont (2016), Erin Open at Royal Montreal. players.” Hills (2017), Shinnecock Hills “I was extremely proud of The US Open is one golf’s (2018) and Pebble Beach in my win last year,” Clark, 39, four major championships 2019. told reporters while prepar- ing for Thursday’s opening round. “Winning in different countries means a lot to me as a player, so that was definitely special. “Not often do you have the opportunity of coming back and defending any sort of ti- tle, so this will be a fun week. I take pride in winning a national championship like this. “I’ve been fortunate to win the Australian Open and the Scot- tish Open, the South African Open and also here, so I’m just missing a couple big ones,” he grinned, in reference to the two majors—the British Open and US Open. Clark had major elbow sur- gery in 2011 which sidelined him for most of that season, so he South African Tim Clark looking forward to his title defence. has been encouraged by a much earlier return to action this year been able to fi nd my game a lot now, I know that the right one Clark, who clinched last year’s (seventh) and Jason Day (ninth). Former world number one Adam Scott after having a similar procedure quicker,” said the South African, feels great, so it’s just a matter Canadian Open by one shot over A notable absentee will be in February to repair a torn ten- a double champion on the PGA of time before it (the left) feels veteran Jim Furyk, faces a strong American Brandt Snedeker, the AUSTRALIAN OPEN don. Tour. good. This is my third tourna- fi eld that includes three players 2013 champion at Glen Abbey, “This time I’ve only missed “Although the (left) arm ment back and my game feels in the world’s top 10 - third- who has been sidelined by a hip fi ve months, so I feel like I’ve doesn’t feel a hundred% right pretty good.” ranked Bubba Watson, Furyk injury. Adam Scott to face MANDATORY SERVICE Spieth in Sydney

S. Korea’s Bae is in the army - now! for fourth at Chambers Bay. AFP He tied for 10th at the Brit- Sydney ish Open at St Andrews, won AFP return home to serve. plete my mandatory military by American Zach Johnson on Seoul Instead of appealing, Bae told service,” he told Yonhap from Monday. the Yonhap news agency that he Oakville, Ontario, where he was ormer world number Texan Spieth, winner of would “humbly accept” the rul- preparing for this week’s Cana- one Adam Scott will both the Masters tournament outh Korea’s two-time ing. dian Open. take on two-time and the US Open this year, PGA Tour winner Bae All able-bodied South Korean The South Korean district major winner and earlier this week commit- Sang-Moon will be men aged 18-35 must serve in the court ruled that a conscript defendingF champion Jordan ted to returning to defend the changing the driving military for about two years was not allowed to arbitrarily Spieth at the Australian Open Australian Open title he won rangeS for a shooting range after Those between 25 and 35 schedule his entry into the mili- in Sydney in November, or- last year. losing a court battle to defer his who have not yet completed tary—even if his professional ganisers said yesterday. “The Australian Open is a mandatory two-year military their mandatory service re- career faces the risk of being Scott, the 2013 US Masters tournament that I value high- service. quire a special permit to stay disrupted. champion, was confi rmed as ly and I am really looking for- Bae, 28, who turned profes- overseas. South Korea’s armed forces a starter for his national open ward to competing to win my sional in 2004 and won his fi rst Bae’s permit expired at the end rely heavily on a compulsory at The Australian Golf Club national Open once again,” US PGA event in 2013, had asked of last year and the court denied military service system, with from November 26-29. Scott said. to delay his service to focus on his application for an extension. conscripts—most in their early The world number 11 came Spieth played one of the his burgeoning career, but a “I decided that I can mature 20s—accounting for the lion’s close to winning this year’s greatest rounds in the history South Korean district court on further as a golfer by returning share of its 690,000 active per- US Open with his closing of the Australian Open last South Korea’s two-time PGA Tour winner Bae Sang-Moon. Wednesday ruled that he must home as soon as I can and com- sonnel. round of 64, eventually tieing year to win by six shots. Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 24, 2015 SPORT

MLB A-Rod and Teixeira power Yankees past Orioles Teixeira hit his 24th home run of the season in the first inning and Rodriguez hit his 20th in the fifth

Reuters New York New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez celebrates with teammate Mark irst baseman Mark Teixeira and desig- Teixeira after hitting a home run nated hitter Alex Rodriguez homered to against the Baltimore Orioles in the lead the New York Yankees to a 4-3 vic- fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. tory over the Baltimore Orioles at the PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports MajorF League Baseball on Wednesday. Teixeira hit his 24th home run of the season in the fi rst inning off Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-2) and Rodriguez hit his 20th in the fi fth, also off Gausman. First baseman Ryan Flaherty hit a two-run homer and right fi elder Chris Davis had a solo home run for Baltimore.

DODGERS 3, BRAVES 1 Mike Bolsinger allowed just three hits and an unearned run over seven innings as the Dodgers completed a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Bolsinger (5-3) did not allow a hit after the third inning and retired 14 batters in a row be- fore a walk broke the streak with two outs in the seventh inning.

REDS 9, CUBS 1 (FIRST GAME) Joey Votto homered and Mike Leake allowed one run and four hits in eight innings to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-1 victory over the Chi- cago Cubs in the fi rst game of a doubleheader. Leake (8-5) retired the fi nal 16 batters he faced, giving Cincinnati just what they need- ed after fi ve relievers worked 7-1/3 innings on Tuesday in a 13-inning loss.

CUBS 6, REDS 5 (SECOND GAME) Pinch-hitter Taylor Teagarden’s RBI single off Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 6-5 victory in the second game of a doubleheader. Hector Rondon (4-2) picked up the victory for Chicago.

NATIONALS 4, METS 3 Third baseman Danny Espinosa hit a two- out double to drive in Michael Taylor during a three-run eighth as the Washington Nationals came back to beat the New York Mets 4-3. Center fi elder Taylor had a two-run, two-out single in the eighth off reliever Bobby Parnell to tie the game at 3-3 before Espinosa then came beat the Tampa Bay Rays. Closer Jonathan Pa- Rockies, who fell behind 5-0 in the second, tied He fi nished 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the fi rst MARLINS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 3 through with the game-winner. Matt Thorn- pelbon (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings for the the game at 8-8 with a four-run eighth. multi-homer game of his career. Jose Fernandez struck out a season-high 11 in ton (1-0), who pitched a scoreless eighth got the win. seven innings, doubled in a run and scored an- win, while Drew Storen got his 29th save with a TIGERS 9, MARINERS 4 ROYALS 5, PIRATES 1 other in the Miami Marlins’ 5-3 victory over the perfect ninth. GIANTS 7, PADRES 1 Nick Castellanos’ grand slam highlighted an Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer homered to Arizona Diamondbacks. Fernandez (3-0) gave Buster Posey lined a two-run double to right eight-run, third-inning outburst as the Detroit lift the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 victory over up fi ve hits and walked two in his fourth start INDIANS 7, BREWERS 5 fi eld in the seventh inning to propel the San Tigers overcame two Nelson Cruz home runs in the Pittsburgh Pirates. since returning from Tommy John surgery. Center fi elder Michael Brantley had four hits, Francisco Giants to a 7-1 victory over the San a 9-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners. The Royals scored four runs in the seventh, including a three-run home run, while the Diego Padres. Castellanos’ eighth home run of the season highlighted by third baseman Moustakas’ three- ANGELS 5, TWINS 2 Cleveland Indians’ bullpen allowed only one run The Padres led 1-0 after fi ve innings before helped Anibal Sanchez (10-7) win his seventh run homer with two out. Johnny Giavotella and Kole Calhoun combined over the fi nal 6-1/3 innings in a 7-5 victory over San Francisco tied the game on Brandon Belt’s consecutive decision. Edinson Volquez (9-5) claimed the victory, for six of the Angels’ 12 hits to lead Los Ange- the Milwaukee Brewers. homer in the sixth and scored three runs in both Sanchez allowed four runs and nine hits in holding the Pirates to a run over 7-2/3 innings. les to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. Los The Indians’ relievers covered a short outing the seventh and eighth innings. 6-2/3 innings while striking out six. Joakim So- He struck out eight and yielded eight hits. Angeles starter C.J. Wilson (8-7) gave up two by right-hander Cody Anderson, who surren- Giants pitcher Matt Cain allowed one run, a ria got the last four outs for his 22nd save. runs on six hits and two walks before four reliv- dered four runs on 10 hits in 2-2/3 innings. homer by second baseman Jedd Gyorko in the CARDINALS 3, WHITE SOX 2 ers combined to shut out the Twins on three hits Brewers fi rst baseman Adam Lind fi nished second inning, on fi ve hits and a walk over six ASTROS 4, RED SOX 2 Catcher Yadier Molina’s bases-clearing triple in over the fi nal four innings. with four hits and four RBIs, including a two- innings. He struck out six. Rookie left fi elder Preston Tucker socked two the eighth inning helped lift the St. Louis Cardi- run home run in the fi rst inning. home runs to help the Houston Astros to a 4-2 nals to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. ATHLETICS 4, BLUE JAYS 3 (10 INNINGS) RANGERS 10, ROCKIES 8 win over the Boston Red Sox. Molina’s liner to the right-fi eld corner off Pinch-hitter Ike Davis’ infi eld single with two PHILLIES 5, RAYS 4 (10 INNINGS) The Texas Rangers blew an early fi ve-run lead Tucker slugged his seventh and eighth home closer David Robertson drove home center fi eld- outs in the 10th inning scored Josh Reddick from Pinch hitter Odubel Herrera laced an RBI single but beat the Colorado Rockies 10-8 when Elvis runs of the season and provided the Astros (53- er Randal Grichuk, pinch runner Pete Kozma third base to give the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 in the 10th inning as the Philadelphia Phillies Andrus drove in two runs in the ninth. The 43) with a four-run lead through fi ve innings. and right fi elder Jason Heyward. victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

NHL NBA ROUND-UP Commissioner Bettman excited Raptors, Magic to play for Islanders’ move to Brooklyn in London in January

By Neil Best Agencies ers after an All-American career at the University Newsday New York of North Carolina. Hansbrough, 29, averaged 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 2014-15 with NHL commissioner the Raptors. he Islanders can pencil in at least Gary Bettman. he NBA will play its sixth regular-season The Detroit Pistons signed fi rst-round pick one VIP guest for their home opener game in London next January 14 when the Stanley Johnson to a rookie contract. Johnson, against the Blackhawks at Barclays Toronto Raptors face the Orlando Magic the eighth overall pick by the Pistons in the 2015 Center on Oct. 9. at the O2 Arena, the league announced NBA Draft, averaged a team-high 16.2 points, 6.8 TNHL commissioner Gary Bettman said on TWednesday. The Raptors played back-to-back rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks Wednesday he plans to be in the house for the games in London in 2011, marking the fi rst NBA while shooting 57.7 percent at the recently con- team’s fi rst regular-season game in Brooklyn, regular-season contests played in Europe, while cluded NBA Orlando Summer League. after years at the center of the team’s long, the Magic fi rst visited London in 1993 for two The San Antonio Spurs signed guard Jimmer winding road out of Nassau County. pre-season games. Fredette. Fredette spent last season with the New “I’m generally in places where something “We look forward to returning to London next Orleans Pelicans and averaged 3.6 points and 1.4 special is happening,” Bettman said after ap- season,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. assists per game. In 229 career NBA games with pearing on a panel with former Islander and “This underscores our commitment to grow- Sacramento, Chicago and New Orleans, Fredette Ranger Pat LaFontaine and former Ranger ing basketball in the region and to bringing more has averaged 6.1 points and 1.4 assists. Mike Richter at Beyond Sport United, a con- regular-season basketball to our fans in the UK.” ference at the Prudential Center designed to Raptors president and general manager Masai ROCKETS MVP AT THE FIRST promote and discuss social consciousness Ujiri, a Nigerian who was named NBA Executive NBA PLAYERS’ AWARDS in sports. “Whether it’s hoisting the Stanley of the Year in 2013, hopes the only non-US NBA Houston Rockets guard James Harden was named Cup banner, whether it’s the fi rst game in a club can connect with international fans. “We Most Valuable Player at the fi rst NBA Players’ new building, that’s what I do.” are proud to return to London,” he said. “We had Awards, beating out Stephen Curry. Curry, the When it was suggested to Bettman that the a tremendous experience in London in 2011 and sharpshooting guard who led the Golden State game should be extra enticing because it will look forward to reconnecting with the fans and Warriors past LeBron James’ Cleveland Cava- be against the reigning Stanley Cup champi- community. This is a wonderful opportunity for liers in the NBA Finals in June for the franchise’ on, he laughed and said, “You think that was ing capabilities there, he said, “To the extent what they’ve achieved in that building and us to continue in the NBA’s mission to make an fi rst championship in 40 years, fi nished with 262 an accident?” that there are any adjustments that need to that place has become a very iconic place and impact globally.” Magic coach Scott Skiles played points and 75 fi rst-place votes to win the tradi- Bettman said that when he used to attend be made, Dan Craig, who’s our ice guru, will the fact the team last year was able to revive for Orlando when the team visited in 1993. tional MVP award—voted on by select media Islanders games during the week, he would be on call.” that feeling again, I think made it more dif- members. leave his midtown Manhattan offi ce at 5pm LaFontaine, who lives in Cold Spring Har- fi cult. HANSBROUGH SIGNS CONTRACT Curry was named by players as this year’s and perhaps make it for the opening faceoff . bor, Long Island said that while he is glad “I’m glad they’re not too far away, but I WITH HORNETS “Clutch Performer” and “Hardest to Guard.” “The three or four times I’ve been down the Islanders are staying in the metropolitan think the residual eff ects are going to be felt. Forward Tyler Hansbrough signed a contract Curry and teammates Andre Iguodala, Harrison to the Barclays Center, from my desk, it’s 22 area, he laments what will be lost in Union- You realize what a team and a franchise have with the Charlotte Hornets. Hansbrough had Barnes and Festus Ezeli also accepted the award minutes,” he said. dale. done to put Long Island on the map ... The played for the Toronto Raptors the past two sea- for the best home-court advantage, which went Responding to a question about ice-mak- “It’s heartbreaking,” he said, “to know history, it’s hard, it’s painful to see.” sons. He entered the league with the Indiana Pac- to the reigning champions’ Oracle Arena. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 7 SPORT

NFL League and GE announce concussion research Buchanon warns athletes New York: Six innovative studies on identifying concus- sions, the severity of brain trauma injuries and speed of the healing process have been named winners of the GE & NFL Head Health Chal- about the pitfalls of money lenge. Some practical applications from the researchers, who each received a $500,000 ‘My mom demanded a $1 million house. And it’s not that I wouldn’t buy her one. It’s the expectation’ award to advance their work, could be seen within the next two years, said Jeff Miller, the NFL senior vice president of the league’s Health and Safety Policy. “It’s not too far in the future,” Miller told Reuters in an interview. “This partner- ship has proven to be all that we had hoped and vastly more in terms of being able to advance the neuro sciences in ways that will lead to better protection and the health and safety of our players. “And have significant im- pacts beyond the soccer field, other sports and throughout our community and the military.” Head injuries have become a high priority for the NFL Former UM star Phillip Buchanon in recent years. The issue of and 10-year pro spoke at the NFL’s concussion and the eff ects of rookie symposium this year to share chronic traumatic encepha- his cautionary tale about blowing lopathy (CTE) on former play- millions of dollars after he became a ers was intensified following professional. the suicide deaths of Junior Seau and Dave Duerson, who shot themselves in the chest to preserve their brains for study. In April, the league also reached a final settlement of a lawsuit brought by former players over concussions that could cost the NFL $1 billion. Three of the winning projects, Banyan Biomarkers Inc. of San Diego, University of Montana, Missoula, and Quanterix of Lexington, Mas- sachusetts, study blood for biomarkers that inform diff er- ent aspects of concussion. The other three, BrainScope Company Inc. of Bethesda, Maryland, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and the University of California, Santa Barbara, focus on neuroimag- ing tools and EEG-based trau- By Dave Hyde into the good life with you. And choose wisely. Be- talked with about with him as a young pro. broker. I knew something was wrong from Day matic brain injury detection Sun Sentinel cause if you don’t you might be invaded at 3am by “Who do you trust?” he said. “That’s a good One. But as an athlete you’re taught to have people to analyze and understand four or fi ve men wearing ski masks, made to strip place to start. My message is very clear. When you take care of you all through high school and col- concussions. naked and have a gun stuck in your mouth if you come into new money, you will have a lot of head- lege. They kind of cripple you by doing that. Now “The lessons we are learn- he unwritten rules come with the new don’t hand over $20,000. Like Buchanon said he aches. I know I did.” you’ve got to make all these decisions you’re not ing and the innovations we money. Every young pro knows them. The was. “It was like a movie scene,” Buchanon re- The story of money and athletes has been trod ready to make.” are helping to accelerate are fi rst is to buy mom a house. “My mom de- called. “I thought, ‘Am I going to be executed right over for a while. NFL players make an average $3.2 Bank Buchanon, he called himself early in his not only going to help us and manded a $1 million house,” Phillip Bucha- here?’ These were people who knew me, I’m sure. million, and one in six declare bankruptcy within pro career. He’d spend $6,000 with friends - society overall around mild Tnon said. “And it’s not that I wouldn’t buy her one. I didn’t have $20,000 on me. I’m not that kind of 12 years after retiring, according to research by the “fun friends” he called them, as opposed to “life traumatic brain injury and It’s the expectation - the demand - of it that you person, running around with that kind of money. National Bureau of Economic Study. friends” - in a day shopping and partying. the safety of the game, and don’t know about until you’re there. What could I Buchanon stops and says, “Everyone imagines Buchanon, however, off ers lessons from an in- Mom was on a weekly allowance, then wanted at improve safety for athletes do? She’s my mom. I bought a house.” having money that comes with being a pro athlete, sider. He grew up the housing projects of Fort My- least $10,000 more for Christmas shopping. Sib- across other platforms,” Alan The second unwritten rule is to make it sprin- but no one imagines what comes with that money.” ers, Fla. He was raised by his mother in a single- lings said they deserved to live like he did. A friend Gilbert, director GE’s Global kle, if not fully rain money on extended family, too. This is what the former Miami Hurricane and parent home. And his life changed in the time it said they had a childhood pact to give the other $1 Government and NGO Strat- They expect it. Siblings. Cousins. Aunts ... 10-year pro talked about recently at an NFL rookie took for his name to scroll across the TV as Oak- million if one made it. egy, told Reuters. “An uncle who was my father fi gure, he taught symposium. It’s the cautionary lesson behind his land’s fi rst-round pick in 2002. “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you where “We’re going to learn and me how to hit in baseball; he was the fi rst person I book, “New Money: Staying Rich.” “The fi nancial molesters came around,” he said. you’re headed,” Buchanon said. “That’s something be able to apply those lessons hit in pads [in football], he said if I didn’t give him It’s why a half-dozen teams, including the “All these fi nancial advisors are with the NFLPA, I tell the young players. It took me a couple of years to things like ALS (Amyo- $10,000 he was going to rob that much from me,” Dolphins, have discussed bringing in the retired because they pay some money. But what’s that to fi gure things out.” That gun in his mouth? He trophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Buchanon said. cornerback to talk with players. He discusses mean? We’re young. I had no training for fi nances can still taste it. No one was arrested from that Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s And childhood friends? They’re the third un- what everyone inside his pro locker rooms went in middle school, high school or college and now night. But that taste of new money is something he and Parkinson’s.” written rule. You’re expected to bring one or two through. He talks about ideas he wishes someone these guys show up - the brokers who make you passes on to today’s rookies.

SPOTLIGHT Silver proud of Hammon and NBA players’ acceptance

By Neil Best Silver said male players’ acceptance Newsday of women’s basketball knowledge has come with more women who play the game at a high level dam Silver said Wednesday he “couldn’t be prouder” of Becky Ham- Hammon has another big supporter in Spurs mon after she led the San Antonio guard Danny Green. “She is one of my favorites Spurs’ Summer League team to a to be around,” Green said at his summer camp championshipA earlier this week, capping a sea- in North Babylon. “Becky, she’s my girl, man. son in which she became the fi rst woman head She gives another perspective. She always has coach in that league. my back. She is up and coming, she’s doing Last fall she became the fi rst woman to be a well. She’s a great asset to our team, and giv- full-time assistant coach in the NBA, also with ing us another perspective on the game. She is the Spurs. “Unless you’re given those oppor- obviously well-respected because she played tunities you’re never going to show your abil- for so many years. And she was a point guard, so ity to be successful,” said Silver, the NBA com- she sees things too, she understands the game. missioner. “I’m enormously proud of her and She’s been a great addition for us.” enormously proud of the players who quickly Silver said male players’ acceptance of wom- saw she is a top-notch coach and are willing to San Antonio Spurs coach en’s basketball knowledge has come with more follow her.” Becky Hammon holds up the women who play the game at a high level. But does Silver think we ever will see a wom- championship trophy after “I think the WNBA is a very important plat- an head coach in the NBA itself? “No doubt,” they defeated the Phoenix form for that, and so is college basketball,” he he said, speaking before he appeared on a panel Suns in an NBA summer league said. “Increasingly what we’re seeing with the with Dikembe Mutombo and Teresa Edwards at championship game last week. NBA players is they have sisters, girlfriends, the Prudential Center for Beyond Sport United, sometimes even wives, who have played or do a conference on social consciousness in sports. play in the WNBA. It’s interesting to me, in- “I think whether it’s Becky or another wom- creasingly this new generation of players com- an, we see the number of young women play- ing in, how many of their mothers played com- ing our sport, we see the number of women in petitive basketball. And I think that’s part of it. the WNBA, we see increasingly the number of “I think that’s how our players come to see, women who work in the NBA. Just like we’ve especially for a vocation like coaching, the fact seen enormous change in our society just in the you may not be able to jump as high as a man, or last decade, I think that’s another ceiling, an- run as fast, in no way is a barrier to being a top- other barrier that will be broken. notch coach. But you need women to do it. You “It takes women like Becky being out there. need them to have worked in the league, worked You need pioneers, and there have been other as assistant coaches. pioneers before her, but you couldn’t ask for “That’s one of the great things about the more of a complete package in terms of former Summer League that maybe doesn’t get as player, a student of the game and someone who much focus, and the same with our Develop- is able to work within a strong organization like ment League. It’s not just the development of the Spurs.” players but it’s the development of executives.” Gulf Times 8 Friday, July 24, 2015 SPORT

QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL Ivory’s Twin Sails all set for Qatar Vintage Stakes ‘As I say it is a tough race and he has to improve. If he gets in the frame, I would be delighted’

Agencies should help him. The step up to London seven furlongs should be fi ne for him. “As I say it is a tough race and here is now less than a he has to improve. If he gets in week to go until the Qa- the frame, I would be delighted. tar Goodwood Festival “My father Ken, who has a commences and fabu- part share in Twin Sails, will be Tlous racing is in prospect with attendance. He had many great the publication of the confi r- days and loves Goodwood. Eve- mations and entries for day one ryone loves Goodwood.” of the fi ve-day spectacular on The £100,000 Summer Tuesday, July 28. Handicap (3.45pm) is the big The richest race on day one handicap on the fi rst day of of the Qatar Goodwood Festival the Qatar Goodwood Festival. is the £300,000 Qatar Lennox Staged over a mile and six fur- Stakes (3.10pm), which has dou- longs for three-year-olds and bled in value this year courtesy upwards, the 34 entries for this of Qatar’s sponsorship. There contest include recent impres- are 18 confi rmations for the sive York Listed scorer Astro- seven-furlong contest includ- nereus (Amanda Perrett) and ing Godolphin’s Safety Check Notarised (Mark Johnston), (Charlie Appleby), who won over who scooped the valuable Old the distance at Goodwood in Newton Cup at Haydock Park 2014 and has since annexed two last time out. An intriguing en- Group Two contests at Meydan, try is Sherlock Homes (Aidan Dubai. O’Brien), successful on two of his three career starts. Action gets underway on Tuesday with the £50,000 Qa- tar Goodwood Festival Handicap (2.00pm, 33 entries) over just short of 10 furlongs and also fea- tures the £30,000 Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap (5f, 4.20pm, 22 entries), the £20,000 Kish Armstrong Memorial EBF Stallions Maiden (6f, 4.55pm, 30 entries) and the concluding £20,000 Turf Club Handicap (1m, 5.30pm, 39 entries). The going at Goodwood re- mains: Good (Good to Firm in Arod (Peter Chapple-Hyam) Places on the round course) also goes forward following his There was three millimetres of victory in the Group Two Sum- rain on Monday. It was dry over- mer Mile at Ascot although his night. trainer has indicated he is more The forecast is for rain in the likely to run in Wednesday’s area on Friday and the need for Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes, any further watering will be re- worth £1 million. viewed after Friday. Goodwood’s leading trainer Dean Ivory trainer Twin Sails comes into the Qatar Vintage Stakes after a victory over six furlongs at Salisbury on June 24. Qatar Goodwood Festival Richard Hannon may be repre- Goodwood Racecourse was sented by Toormore, also owned Harty), who won over the course of the six-furlong Group One received for the Qatar Vintage dual seven-furlong scorer at Salisbury on June 24. delighted to announce in De- by Godolphin and winner of the and distance in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup and could Stakes, including a pair from Welford,while Richard Hannon’s Ivory, who is based at Radlett cember, 2014, a new 10-year Group Two Vintage Stakes over Supreme Stakes last season be- step up to seven furlongs for the Aidan O’Brien - Group Two two entries are Listed Chesham in Hertfordshire, reported today: partnership with Qatar, which the same distance at Goodwood fore going on to take the Group fi rst time. Railway Stakes scorer Painted Stakes fourth Palawan and “Twins Sails is well and we are is the single biggest sponsorship in 2013 and fourth last time out Two Park Stakes over the same The second race on Tuesday Cliff s and Air Vice Marshal, run- Humphrey Bogart. excited for next week at Good- deal ever done for the benefi t of in the Group One Queen Anne distance at Doncaster. is the £200,000 Group Two ner-up in the Group Two Super- Sir Percy won the 2005 Vin- wood. British racing. Stakes at Royal Ascot. Toormore A strong three-year-old chal- Qatar Vintage Stakes (2.35pm), lative Stakes at Newmarket on tage Stakes before famously “Obviously, we are stepping Commencing in 2015, this is also engaged in the Qatar Sus- lenge could include Dutch Con- run over seven furlongs for two- July 11. going on to land the Derby at him up quite a bit - maybe a little makes the Qatar Goodwood Fes- sex Stakes. Tupi, a Listed scorer nection (Charlie Hills), winner year-olds. The contest, which Birchwood (Richard Fahey) Epsom Downs the following sea- bit too high but we won’t know tival one of the most signifi cant over seven furlongs in the Sir of the Group Three Jersey Stakes has more than doubled in value was the winner of the Superla- son. Twin Sails (Dean Ivory) is a until we run him. The Qatar Vin- and valuable meetings in the Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmar- at Royal Ascot and War Envoy this year (it was worth £80,000 tive Stakes in the famous blue son of Sir Percy and, after caus- tage Stakes looks a stiff race. world. The highlight, the Qatar ket’s July Meeting, could also (Aidan O’Brien IRE), successful in 2014), moves to a new position silks of Godolphin, who could ing a 28/1 shock when success- “He should handle Good- Sussex Stakes, is worth £1 mil- line-up for the champion train- in the mile Britannia Handicap at the Qatar Goodwood Festival also be represented by Good- ful on his debut at Newbury on wood. The course is a little bit up lion. er. at the same meeting. Limato having previously been run on wood maiden winner Strong June 11, the colt followed in his and down but he has handled the The Qatar Goodwood Festival There is one Irish challenger (Henry Candy) fi nished runner- Wednesday. Challenge (Saeed bin Suroor). father’s footsteps by taking an gallops here at home very well runs for fi ve days from Tuesday, going forward in Ansgar (Sabrina up in the inaugural running A total of 12 entries have been Mark Johnston has entered auction stakes over six furlongs and also won at Salisbury, so that July 28 to Saturday, August 1.

RUGBY Wallaby Speight signs up for sevens to pursue Experimentation adds intrigue Olympic dream SYDNEY: Wallabies winger an exciting time for the game Henry Speight has signed up in this country and I can’t to play sevens next year with wait to be a part of it.” an eye on making the Aus- According to local media to Ellis Park showdown tralia team for the Olympics reports, Australia fl yhalf in Rio de Janeiro. Quade Cooper is on the brink Reuters “But we are mindful there is a The hulking Fijian-born of backtracking on a move to Johannesburg World Cup at the end of the year winger has agreed a three- French club Toulon to sign a and we have to select the right year deal with the Australian new ARU deal which would 31 players to go to that. Rugby Union (ARU) and will also allow him to play sevens ierce foes South Africa “We know we have to have an combine his Super Rugby du- next year. and New Zealand have experienced side on the park to ties at the ACT Brumbies with The Australian sevens team opted for experimen- compete but at the same time sevens rugby next season. had been light on high profi le tation in their Rugby you have to be brave enough Having missed out on one of names before Speight signed. ChampionshipF clash in the with selections that allow us to the four spots for Rio avail- New Zealand’s team have cauldron of Ellis Park tomor- go forward in the future.” able from the world series, already had expressions row. He said a “confi dent” Sopoa- Australia still need to secure of interest from All Blacks South Africa are beset by in- ga will present a diff erent chal- their Olympic berth at the players like Liam Messam, juries after losing three more lenge to the Springboks than the Oceania championship later Julian Savea and Beauden players from the 24-20 loss to vastly more experienced Dan this year. Barrett for the inaugural Australia in their tournament Carter. Perennial sevens powers Olympic sevens tournament opener. “He is a player that likes to New Zealand and Fiji have next August with former They have opted for two play the game nice and fl at and already qualifi ed, however, so rugby league international openside fl ankers to try and ne- challenges the defensive line. Australia will be favourites to Sonny Bill Williams also gate the infl uence of All Black He’s also got a good kicking progress from the Nov. 14-15 expected to join them. captain Richie McCaw at the game, he brings plenty.” tournament in Auckland. Australia coach Geraint John breakdown, an area of the game Broadhurst has improved Speight, who qualifi ed for Aus- welcomed Speight’s decision that coach Heyneke Meyer be- over the last two seasons and is tralia last year and has played to make himself available for lieves will be key. fi nally fulfi lling his rich prom- two tests for the Wallabies, the Sydney, Hong Kong and The selection of Heinrich ise. thanked the ARU and Brumbies London rounds of the world Brussow after four years out of “He’s a guy we have been for giving him a chance to pur- series next year as well as Rio, the side has raised eyebrows, waiting for a long time, but sue his Olympic dream. if Australia qualify. especially as he will be playing he’s 27 now and has filled out “We still have to qualify for “Henry brings with him an alongside another fetcher in that big frame of his,” Hansen Rio, but I’m confi dent that X-factor in attack, an ability Francois Louw. said. we’ll get through and can to beat people and make line- “It is a gamble,” Meyer said. Heinrich Brussow will be playing alongside another fetcher in Francois Louw. “We expect him to be physi- push for a medal,” Speight, breaks,” the Welshman said. “You lose a little bit in the lin- cal, he is in the tight-fi ve so it’s who is currently serving a ban “He knows where the try-line eout but they can cause havoc matches with number eight their tight-fi ve in what coach while James Broadhurst fi nally his responsibility to win us good for a dangerous tackle, said in is and has a solid defensive and I truly believe the game will Schalk Burger, himself usually Steve Hansen said is the big- gets his chance at lock. ball and scrum well. He is also a a news release. game. His knowledge of play- be won and lost in the break- a fl ank, taking over from injured gest test his side face in world “We know we are up against good ball carrier.” “Sevens is massive in Fiji ing sevens from when he was downs.” lock Victor Matfi eld. rugby. probably the best side in the New Zealand beat Argentina where I grew up and I’ve in Fiji will also be a valuable The Springboks will have New Zealand have a rookie at Lima Sopoaga will make his world playing on their home 39-18 in their Rugby Champi- always enjoyed playing it. It is asset for us.” their third captain in as many fl yhalf and another new cap in debut in the number 10 jersey, patch,” Hansen told reporters. onship opener last weekend. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 9 SPORT

ROUND-UP HANDBALL De Grasse fastest Romania edge Qatar at Pan Am Games; in thriller IHF (3:4), which was surely not ex- Uberlandia, Brazil pected following their big loss in their fi rst match against Serbia.

atar were agonisingly Angola had clearly come into beaten 32-31 (HT- the match ready for what was in 16:16) by Romania in store, keeping pace with their St. Lucia win gold their second Group B opponents more successfully matchQ at the Men’s Junior World than they had in their fi rst round Championship in Uberlandia, game. Still, Spain were the better De Grasse emerged this year as Canada’s biggest sprinting sensation since Brazil, on Wednesday. team – at the 20-minute mark Romania began the match they led by three (9:12), and by Donovan Bailey, who won the 100m gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with some trouble fi nding the half-time they had increased back of the net. Though they their advantage to fi ve. were threatening in attack, their shooting effi ciency – whether The second half of the game the shot was saved by Qatar belonged to Spain. Angola fought goalkeeper Rasheed Yusuff or until the end but the European rebounded off the post – was a side streaked ahead of Angola to let-down. fi nish with an 11-goal advantage. At ten minutes Qatar led by Portugal vs Serbia 27:24 (HT- fi ve (7:2) before they began to 16:13) make errors in attack and Ro- Portugal hit the ground run- mania enjoyed a 0:5 run to draw ning from the fi rst whistle, while level in the 16th minute (7:7). Serbia took their time joining From there the game was a one- their opponent on the score- for-one battle. board. After fi ve minutes Portu- Romania’s Gabriel Sebastian gal were ahead 4:1, before a scor- Burlacu was sent off with a di- ing drought that saw no goals for rect red card three minute before four minutes. the break. Soon after Dan Emil After 15 minutes Portugal re- Racotea received a two-minute tained their lead with a score of suspension that meant Romania 8:5 – their fast attack led by cen- had just four fi eld players on the tre Miguel Martins was almost court for a brief period, but they unstoppable. Serbia goalkeeper still managed to ensure an even Dejan Milosavljev stopped two score line at half-time. penalties in the fi rst quarter of When the match resumed it the match, and his saves in set was with increased intensity attack were vital in keeping Por- – every goal was crucial as the tugal within reach. teams raced to the fi nal whistle. While everything seemed to With fi ve minutes to go the be going right for Portugal, Ser- score was 29:29, and Romania bia had a frustrating half, but switched to 5-1 in defence. Qa- they slowly closed the score line tar’s Abdelrahman Abdalla was and were behind by one with fi ve awarded a direct red card. minutes left in the period (13:12). As the match entered its fi nal Portugal’s goalkeeper, Joao minute with Romania in posses- Moniz, was also diffi cult to beat sion the score was even (31:31), – Serbia produced several superb and with passive play called the attacks that were thwarted at the European side were forced to fi nal stage between their oppo- shoot on a free throw. Racotea nent’s posts. sent the ball neatly into the bot- A two-minute suspension in tom corner, sealing the victory the 27th minute meant Serbia for Romania despite a red card were down a player in the crucial in the fi nal seconds for Andras fi nal minutes of the fi rst period, Szasz. enabling Portugal to pull ahead Angola vs Spain 21:32 and take a three-goal advantage Andre De Grasse of Canada celebrates after winning the men’s 100m final at the CIBC Pan Am Athletics Stadium on Wednesday. PICTURE: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports (HT-12:17) into the break. With 15 minutes left Portugal Reuters ished second with a season-best 10.07 medals race by upping their gold medal Chile’s Felipe Miranda won the men’s Angola gave Spain a bit of a were still in front by two (22:20), Toronto while Antoine Adams of St. Kitts and Ne- tally to 76 and 201 overall. Canada were water ski overall event while Canada’s shock at the beginning of the and they increased their advan- vis was third in 10.09, also his fastest of second with 64 gold and 173 overall. Whitney McClintock won gold in the match – after seven minutes the tage as the minutes ticked down the season. Levern Spencer won the women’s high women’s competition. African side trailed by just one to lead by three goals at the end. anada’s Andre De Grasse and Ja- De Grasse emerged this year as Can- jump to give St. Lucia their fi rst gold American cyclist Kelly Catlin captured maica’s Sherone Simpson won ada’s biggest sprinting sensation since medal in six appearances at the multi- the gold medal in the women’s individual their respective 100 metres fi - Donovan Bailey, who won the 100m gold sport competition between countries time trial but the 19-year-old said after nals at the Pan American Games at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with a from North America, Latin America, that she was unsure whether she wanted Seven changes for Wallabies onC Wednesday while St. Lucia enjoyed then-world record time of 9.84. South America and the Caribbean. to stay in the sport or focus entirely on a landmark moment at the multi-sport He has covered 100m in under 10 sec- Spencer, who represented her country her university studies. Sydney: The Wallabies made the bench. In the backs, NSW competition. onds three times this year and is putting in the last two Olympics, cleared 1.94m Catlin, who is working towards a dou- seven changes to their start- Waratahs scrum-half Nick Phipps De Grasse, Canada’s newest sprinting Canadian sprinting back on the map. to secure the gold ahead of Antigua and ble major in biomedical engineering and ing line-up on Thursday for and ACT Brumbies centre Matt sensation, took the men’s fi nal in 10.05 Simpson showed solid form in holding Barbuda’s Priscilla Frederick and Barba- Chinese, previously trained in athletics the Rugby Championship Test Toomua replace injured pair Will seconds in front of his home crowd while off Ecuador’s Angela Tenorio (silver) and dos’ Akela Jones. and soccer but switched to cycling af- against Argentina in Mendoza this Genia and Matt Giteau, while Joe three-times Olympic medallist Simpson American Barbara Pierre (bronze) but “No other St. Lucian has ever won a ter suff ering stress fractures in both legs weekend, with Michael Hooper Tomane takes over from Rob crossed the line in a season-best 10.95. felt there was still work to be done before gold at a Pan Am so it’s a great honour three years ago. and Quade Cooper among the Horne on the wing. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- moving on to the Aug. 22-30 world ath- and I’m just happy to get a gold medal for “I really like being a college student so casualties. Among the forwards, Cooper makes way for Waratahs tunity to compete at home in front of rel- letics championships in Beijing. my country,” Spencer, who won a bronze it’s really hard because it’s hard to be a Queensland Reds veteran prop pivot Bernard Foley as head atives and friends,” De Grasse, who will “I tried to keep my composure and just medal at the 2007 Pan Ams in Rio de Ja- professional athlete and a college student Greg Holmes will start for the first coach Michael Cheika gives key also compete in the 200m and 4x100m ensure that I was relaxed in the last 20 neiro, told reporters. at the same time,” said Catlin, who was time since 2007, while Western players the chance to press their relay, told reporters. metres of the race,” said Simpson. Waterski and wakeboard, one of the only added to the event because the U.S. Force stalwart Ben McCalman claims to be in the starting team “I feel like I’ve got my fi rst senior na- “Now I just need to get back to work eight Pan Am sports not part of the Ol- did not have a big enough road squad. returns at No.8 and David Pocock for the Bledisloe Cup tie against tional medal, and at home, so that’s a and improve what I have to improve for ympics programme, had its day in the “It’s been hard for me to choose. Do I comes in at openside flanker, New Zealand in Sydney next great feeling.” the world championships.” spotlight as the fi rst medals were award- put a priority on cycling or schoolwork? with former captain Hooper on month. Ramon Gittens of the Barbados fi n- The United States held their lead in the ed. I’m still trying to fi gure it out.”

BOTTOMLINE ICSS on the Silk Road to promote, protect sport

By Our Correspondent ment through sport. Let me praise the Milan eff orts of the ICSS in this fi eld such as its Save the Dream initiative, which works today on the front line to promote inter- he International Centre for Sport cultural dialogue through sport and the Security has joined forces with development of more fair societies.” two major foundations from Many of the initiatives of the agree- China and Italy to strengthen ment will be conducted through Save socio-economicT development and inter- the Dream, an initiative of the ICSS and cultural dialogue through sport across the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). cities along the historical Silk Road. Working with organisations across sport, Grounded on the cultural and geopo- art, media, technology and society, Save litical relevance of the Silk Road, a 6,347 the Dream aims to educate, promote and km trade route which connects China protect the core values and integrity of and India with the Mediterranean Sea, sport for young people. the partnership between the ICSS, the Chairman Hao Yaohua, Chairman of Priorità Cultura Association and Silk Silk Road Cities Alliance said “We are Road Cities Alliance lays the foundation committed to establishing friendly and for the preparation of several transna- cooperative relations with our friends tional programmes to instil the values of from Priorità Cultura and ICSS. We wish sport into young people and bring them to make sport a universal language and a together through sport. tool to educate young generations to fair The initiative will also seek to promote values.” diff erent forms of cooperation through Hanzab concluded: “We are fascinat- sport to support socio-economic devel- ICSS President Mohamed Hanzab (L) and Chief of Cabinet Massimiliano Montanari speaking in Milan. ed by the idea to build new programmes opment across the cities located on the and alliances for the good of sport along Silk Road, starting from Beijing till the man of Priorità Cultura Association and The partnership was strongly supported programme contains a particular refer- said: “Sport is not just physical activity; the historical path of the Silk Road. city of Venice, also going through Central former Deputy Prime Minister and Min- by the Silk Road Cities Alliance following ence to sport purity and integrity, to- sport is culture and opportunity for hu- “All these cities have an important Asia, the Caucasus and the Balkans. ister of Culture of Italy and former Mayor the launch by the Chinese government gether with the launch of modern sport man development. Alongside the Silk piece of history in common. We will work The agreement was signed by ICSS of Rome Francesco Rutelli, and Silk Road of a national programme to enhance the infrastructures in the whole country. Road Alliance, we are keen to strengthen to further develop such relations through President Mohamed Hanzab, Chair- Cities Alliance President Hao Yaohua. social and cultural impact of sport.This Speaking at the signing Francesco Rutelli ties with the ICSS to promote develop- sport and together protect its purity.” Gulf Times 10 Friday, July 24, 2015 SPORT

TOUR DE FRANCE Bardet brings French cheer on disappointing Tour show ‘What a crazy stage. I knew with my descending talents I could get the gap. I can’t believe it—it’s so hard to win a stage’

AFP Saint Jean de Maurienne, France AG2R La Mondiale rider Romain Bardet of France speeds down during the break away in the 186.5-km 18th stage of the omain Bardet helped salvage some host Tour de France cycling race from Gap to pride with victory on the 18th stage Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in the French of the Tour de France yesterday. The Alps mountains, France. (Reuters) 24-year-old took off on his own with justR under 40km remaining of the 186.5km stage from Gap to Saint Jean de Maurienne to take victory—his fi rst on the Tour -- 33sec ahead of compatriot Pierre Rolland. “What a crazy stage,” exclaimed Bardet on a day which saw Chris Froome maintain his over- all lead. “I knew with my descending talents I could get the gap. I can’t believe it—it’s so hard to win a stage.” Rolland admitted he had regrets. “It’s a sec- ond place that is more than disappointing, but that’s sport,” said the 28-year-old. It was the home nation’s second stage win in 2015 following that of Bardet’s AG2R teammate Alexis Vuillermoz on the eighth stage. And it was a welcome fi llip for a nation struggling in the heat and challenges on this year’s race. Twelve months ago, Bardet fi nished sixth in the Tour but was the third best Frenchman as Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot both claimed podium fi nishes behind winner Vincenzo Nibali. A year on and Bardet’s victory took him past Warren Barguil into 10th place to become the leading home rider in the race. Peraud and Pinot had cracked spectacularly on the fi rst Pyrenean stage 10 days ago when Bardet also struggled badly. Pinot’s hopes had already been largely scuppered by a puncture on the cobbled fourth stage when he lost more than three minutes and the 25-year-old has unsuc- cessfully been chasing stage wins ever since. Initially Tony Gallopin, not a known climber, fl ew the French fl ag in the Pyrenees but he was crushed by the Alps and only 22-year-old Bar- guil had given the hosts some cheer on his debut Tour. Bardet and Pinot even managed to blow a huge chance at victory on the 14th stage when marking each other in the fi nal kilometre and al- lowing Briton Stephen Cummings to fl y past for percent gradient, had parts reaching 10 percent. an unlikely stage win. Near the top Bardet broke away with Dane Jacob With two summit fi nishes on tough climbs to Fuglsang and Rolland. CONTADOR ADMITS TOUR DE FRANCE PODIUM A LONG SHOT come in the next two stages, the favourites lim- Fuglsang surprisingly crashed and although ited their day to a few skirmishes. Race leader Rolland relaxed, Bardet attacked. Only Colom- Saint Jean de Maurienne, But he couldn’t get a signifi- but we’ll see day by day.” on the two guys: Nairo Quintana Chris Froome came home 12th at 3min 02sec in bia’s Winner Anacona went with him and the France: Alberto Contador admit- cant gap and was caught on the Froome himself thinks the dual and Alejandro Valverde. If anyone a group including all the top eight, and Barguil. two crested the climb together with a small lead ted yesterday that his hopes of a descent of the Glandon. And challenge facing the Movistar else attacks its their (Movistar’s) Fifth placed Alberto Contador (6min 40sec) to the chasers. podium finish are slim at the Tour suff ering the after-eff ects of his team—between defending the responsibility to protect their had attacked on the hors category 21km long Col But Bardet dropped Anacona on the 20km de- de France after enduring what he crash on the descent of the Col second and third places of Nairo podium positions.” du Glandon with Nibali (seventh at 8min 04sec) scent and he was never caught. Anacona, Lux- called one of the toughest days of d’Allos on Wednesday, Contador Quintana and Valverde, and at- Froome won three stages on and Nairo Quintana (second at 3min 10sec) both embourg champion Bob Jungels, Rolland and his career. The 32-year-old Span- admitted he’d had a torrid day in tacking the yellow jersey—could the 2013 Tour when he became stretching their legs as well. “Everyone attacked Fuglsang came together on the Lacets climb but iard is fifth overall, 6min 40sec be- the saddle. “I’ve just had one of work in his favour. champion and with two summit today. The Glandon is a tough climb, it’s very then Rolland rode away for second place. hind race leader Chris Froome, but the toughest days of my entire “I can really see the race de- finishes in Alpine stages to come, long and the legs are stinging,” said Froome. The other three came in at 59sec with Ana- crucially also 2min 31sec behind life on a bike,” said the former two- veloping with lots of races within he has a great opportunity to Alejandro Valverde (third at 4min 09sec) lost cona winning the sprint. Spaniard Joaquim Ro- third-placed Alejandro Valverde. time Tour winner. “I wanted to try races,” said the 30-year-old Briton. add to his one stage win so far touch just before the top but was only a few sec- driguez, winner of two stages already, managed Contador tried to animate something and drop Alejandro on “Guys a lot further back in the this time around. But he says his onds back. The favourites all came together on to take the king of the mountains polka-dot jer- yesterday’s 18th stage with a the Glandon but it was more of an general classification are attack- focus is on keeping hold of the the descent off the Glandon and on the second sey off Froome as he was part of the breakaway long-range attack on the 21km Col attack with the heart than with the ing and those in sixth, seventh and yellow jersey rather than fighting category ‘Lacets’ (laces) climb 10km from the and took maximum points on the fi rst fi ve cat- du Glandon, which peaked 39km legs. It will be almost impossible eighth position are having to do a for stage wins. “For me it would end, non-one could break free from their rivals. egorised climbs. from the finish of the 186.5km for the podium to escape Ale- lot of the chasing and committing be amazing to win another stage A 29-man breakaway started proceedings But Bardet’s victory helped him move level on stage from Gap to Saint Jean de jandro’s grasp. It would need for men to bring back the breakaway. but at the same time my priority earlier in the day but that was shredded on the 68 points with Rodriguez in that competition, Maurienne. something dramatic to happen, “We (Sky) are concentrating is yellow.” Glandon, which, although averaging only a 5.1 with Fuglsang on 64 and Froome on 61.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Formula One drivers mourn Sauber retain Nasr, Ericsson

Reuters Budapest Bianchi but racing stays same Felipe Nasr (right) and Marcus Ericsson Reuters auber removed Brazilian Budapest Felipe Nasr and Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson from any speculation about ormula One drivers mourned French theirS immediate Formula One driver Jules Bianchi yesterday but futures by announcing yesterday made clear his untimely death Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo that both will race for them again would not change the way they go wearing a cap displaying next season. racingF or their willingness to take risks. Some media talk had already a message in memory of The popular Bianchi died in hospital Jules Bianchi ahead the linked 22-year-old Nasr, who last Friday nine months after his Marussia Hungarian F1 Grand Prix has been impressive in his rookie car slammed into a recovery tractor at the at the Hungaroring, near season, to former champions Japanese Grand Prix. He was 25 and the fi rst Budapest. (Reuters) Williams should Valtteri Bottas Formula One driver since Brazilian triple move to Ferrari as Kimi Raikko- world champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian nen’s replacement. Roland Ratzenberger in 1994 to die from in- “We are pleased about the juries sustained during a race weekend. extension of the contracts with Brazilian Felipe Massa, who suff ered a Marcus and Felipe,” Sauber prin- near-fatal head injury in Hungary in 2009, cipal Monisha Kaltenborn said told reporters at the Hungaroring ahead of in a statement at the Hungarian he said. “The extension to the go-round, with Ferrari yet to de- Sunday’s race that he would drive as hard as Grand Prix, the 10th of 19 races contract... is an important step cide whether to retain their 2007 ever. “When you close your visor, you want this season. in my career.” world champion for one more the best, you want to fi nish in front...the “This early point in time Ericsson, 24, made his debut season alongside four times way you drive, your thinking, I don’t think it shows that the drivers and the with now-defunct Caterham in champion Sebastian Vettel. will change,” said the Williams driver, who team are sure they are head- 2014 but scored his fi rst points Fellow-Finn Bottas has been was with Ferrari at the time of his accident. ing in the right direction... Both in Formula One with Sauber tipped to move to Maranello, al- “You just think about your job, your have shown solid performances, in Australia, where he fi nished though Ferrari are sure to have work. I don’t think that will change. But gained experience and learnt eighth. The Swede also scored a other drivers on any shortlist. now, I have Jules all the time on my mind.” quickly,” she added. “We enjoy point in China. If he does, there will be plenty Massa shared a manager with Bianchi, have been ourselves in that car,” said Force Nice cathedral, agreed. “It’s in our nature to having them in the team and “I am getting to know every- of candidates jostling for the spent time with him away from the race- India’s Mexican Sergio Perez, who was with take risk,” said the Lotus driver. “You need they give it a positive boost.” one within the team more and vacancy at Mercedes-powered track and remembered his friend as “a fan- Bianchi at the Ferrari young driver acad- to be 100 percent in the car and not think- Nasr, a former Williams re- more, and feel I am being appre- Williams. Champions Mercedes tastic boy, very nice, very humble and an emy. “But it doesn’t really change anything. ing about what could happen, if and if. We serve driver, has made a strong ciated as a valuable driver,” said have both double world cham- amazing driver.” We want to succeed, we want to take every know it’s a dangerous sport but I think that start in Formula One and fi n- Ericsson, who like Nasr brings pion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Others shared that opinion, hailing his tenth out of the car. So we just give it all. I was a hard way to remember that. ished fi fth on his debut in Aus- important funding to a team that Rosberg under contract for next shining talent in go-karts and junior series, don’t think it will change, We all have to “But when the helmet is on and the vi- tralia. He has scored points in has struggled fi nancially and is season and are in no danger of but they also said the Frenchman would make Jules very proud.” sor is closed, it’s racing 100 percent. That’s three of the nine races so far. “It still fi ghting for its future. being distracted by the increas- have wanted them to carry on as normal do- Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who helped what we’ve always been doing and that’s is great to be driving another Raikkonen is seen as the key ing speculation about who goes ing what they loved. “We all know it could carry Bianchi’s coffi n at Tuesday’s funeral in what racing drivers will always do.” season for the Sauber F1 team,” to the impending driver merry- where. Gulf Times Friday, July 24, 2015 11 SPORT

ASHES UNCERTAINTY Rogers faces Johnson doesn’t more checks worry us: Moeen before third ‘We had a couple of bad starts but every batter has got some sort of score’ Ashes Test By Chris Stocks The Guardian By Richard Gibson The fact that he is in such a The Guardian rich vein of form - he hit a fi rst- innings 173 and was a single short ive most professional sports- of a ninth half-century in 10 in- people a week off and they are hris Rogers will have to nings in the series-levelling sec- more likely to hit Las Vegas undergo further medi- ond Test - suggests that Austral- than head to the local commu- cal assessment today ia will give him the time required Gnity centre in the area where they grew before he can be cleared to prove his fi tness. up. Moeen Ali, though, is no ordinary toC play in the third Ashes Test at Equally they have shown they sportsman. Three days have passed since Edgbaston. Rogers, 37, has spent are unwilling to take any chances England’s crushing 405-run defeat in the the early part of this week seeing with head injuries, emphasised second Ashes Test at Lord’s but Moeen specialists and being scanned, by their benching the Middlesex is in decidedly chipper mood as he holds accompanied by the Australia player for the Tests in the Car- court at the Faithful Neighbourhood team doctor, Peter Brukner, but ibbean last month after he was Centre in Sparkhill, Birmingham. some irregularities in the fi nd- concussed. Perhaps it is the belief that he would be ings have forced the tourists to On Sunday he was forced to sit working in one of the many nearby takea- take further precautions. down in the middle after his vi- ways were he not taking on Australia that “Chris will remain in London sion became an issue. “He actu- allows the 28-year old to keep the chal- where he will have further checks ally said to me: ‘The grandstand lenge of facing Mitchell Johnson et al in on Friday,” confi rmed a Cricket is moving ,’ and I said: ‘No, it’s such calm perspective. Australia spokesperson. During not,’” revealed his opening part- “If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be working the fourth morning of Australia’s ner, David Warner. Shaun Marsh, in a chippy,” he says. “Cricket can change 405-run victory at Lord’s Rogers, whose brother Mitchell made your life. It can teach you a lot about who will retire from internation- such an impact in the Lord’s suc- discipline and life in general. Cricket is al action at the end of the series, cess, would be called up if con- a great sport for that. It makes you a lot began feeling disoriented while cerns over Rogers remain. more aware about things. Coming from batting. It was initially suspected The Western Australia bats- this area it makes you streetwise. When that he had suff ered delayed con- man was the last player to emerge you go into cricket you have to be street- cussion after Jimmy Anderson’s from the nets on Wednesday at wise.” bouncer at the start of the second Derby, where Michael Clarke’s That is something England patently day struck him on the helmet. team are playing Derbyshire in a were not at Lord’s, sucked in by a surface However, after retiring ill on 49, three-day match. that off ered little to no assistance to their he did not show any hallmarks First-choice wicketkeeper seam bowlers and then spat out by the when tested by Brukner. Brad Haddin will push his claims pace of an Australia attack that rendered The complaint was diagnosed for a recall for Edgbaston next the pitch irrelevant. as a “delayed ear problem”, al- Wednesday after time out for Despite England’s catastrophic bat- though specialists have since personal problems in a touring ting failures in that second Test, where suggested the symptoms dis- XI also including his understudy they were routed for 103 in their second played are more commonly as- Peter Nevill. Only a dozen Aus- innings, it is worth remembering the se- sociated with an ear infection tralian players travelled north ries is still level at 1-1. However, being rather than a trauma. It is under- with Steve Smith and the pace more streetwise – and, crucially, showing stood that a further complication bowling trio of Mitchell Johnson, character in the face of such hostility – is that Rogers suff ers dizziness Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazle- will be key when they turn up at Edgbas- only when his head is in a certain wood remaining in the capital to ton for next week’s third Test. position. rest. “The sad thing is we didn’t show any fi ght,” said Moeen. “We rolled over and Australia’s Mitchell Johnson celebrates the dismissal of England’s Joe Root during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s last week. (Reuters) never showed the fi ght we needed to show. Even if we were going to lose we of facing Australia, even if their batsmen over it now and I’m not expecting to get should have showed a bit more steel.” are intent on hitting his spin out of the booed in this game.” Mind games are all part of the cir- park and their pace attack plan to pepper Jonny Bairstow has been parachuted cus that surrounds the Ashes and John him with bouncers due to a belief he has into England’s squad for the third Test af- Howard, the former Australian prime a weakness against the short ball. “I feel ter an outstanding summer for Yorkshire. minister and self-confessed “cricket like the only way I can get through it is by While Bairstow averages 108.89 with the tragic”, pitched in with his own contri- enjoying it,” he says. “If they come after bat in domestic fi rst-class cricket this bution at an event at London’s King’s me and my bowling you get a bit down. summer, his return at Test level is a more College on Tuesday evening, claiming But when I am fi elding I think about it and modest 26.95 and Moeen admits that is England’s batsmen have “psychological there are worse things that can happen. I a refl ection of the huge gulf in class be- problems” dealing with the pace battery take in the atmosphere a bit and think this tween county and international cricket. led by Johnson. is not too bad.” “The standard is completely diff erent,” While Howard’s views on the Ashes are Moeen’s friends and family will turn he said. “Getting there is quite hard but about as relevant as those of David Warn- out in force at Edgbaston next week, a once you’re there that’s when you really er on the Greek banking crisis, Moeen stone’s throw from where the Worces- get tested.” was keen to return serve by reminding tershire all-rounder was supporting a It is still better than wrapping chips, Australia that England dealt with John- Chance to Shine Street cricket initiative though, although Moeen quite fancies son and company rather well during their on Wednesday. “It will be great,” he says. entering the fast-food trade rather than 169-run win in the opening Test of the “It’s my home city, where I grew up, and entering the commentary box when he series in Cardiff . I’m really looking forward to it.” retires from cricket. “I think once I fi n- “We had a couple of bad starts but It was at Edgbaston last September ish playing cricket I am going to open a every batter has got some sort of score England’s Moeen Ali. (Reuters) where Moeen was booed during a Twen- chippy round here and call it Big Mo’s,” whereas them guys have only Chris Rog- ty20 international against India, his Pa- he says. ers, Steve Smith and David Warner,” said took it to him and he went for a lot of runs kistani heritage the trigger for a reception Before that, though, Moeen will be Moeen. “Not all of them have got runs. I and did not take many wickets. We are from a largely Anglo-Indian crowd. “Ob- hoping to chip in with plenty more wick- know he [Johnson] bowled really well in not worried at all.” viously I was upset,” said Moeen. “It was ets and runs to help England fry Australia Australia’s Chris Rogers felt disoriented while batting in the second one innings out of four. But at Cardiff we In fact, Moeen is relishing the challenge more because it was my home city but I’m this summer. innings of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s. (Reuters)

BOTTOMLINE Warner ready for Ashes hostilities at Edgbaston

By Richard Gibson Thursday, Warner accepts it is minute and a half after he raised The Guardian now his turn, along with John- his bat. We all clapped; we always son, to “cop criticism”. do; we always will continue ac- He said: “When we read the knowledging people’s knocks.” avid Warner (pic- papers at home [during the 2013- Meanwhile, although bran- tured) is braced to be 14 series], the Courier-Mail gave dishing Ian Bell an “easy” wicket the centre of crowd hos- it to Stuart Broad. We sit back less than 24 hours earlier, Warner tilities when the Ashes and laugh at it, but when we go suggested on Wednesday that movesD on to Birmingham, scene over to England we know we are England’s move to revert him to of one of his most infamous mo- going to be the ones they are go- No3 for what could prove to be ments, next week but the Austral- ing to have a go at. the pivotal Test of the series was ia batsman insists he is comfort- “But that’s great. For us it is the correct call. The 33-year-old able being public enemy No1. about going out and playing pos- struck three hundreds to fi n- Alongside Mitchell Johnson, itive cricket. You are going to cop ish man of the series in the 3-0 Warner has received the bulk of criticism wherever you go. You Ashes win two years ago but has the Barmy Army’s fl ak since the can’t keep everyone happy and it accumulated just 73 runs in four Ashes began this month. For the is our job - my job to score runs, innings at the start of this cam- 28-year-old, whose reformed his is to take wickets - to do the paign. England desperately need ways on this tour include absti- best for the team. If we keep do- him to hit form if they are going nence from alcohol, the Edgbas- ing that we look after ourselves.” to get back into this series with ton match off ers a reminder of Warner has also received criti- the score level at 1-1 following why. Two years ago, he was disci- cism from back home, with his Australia’s thumping victory at plined by Cricket Australia after a predecessor Matthew Hayden Lord’s on Sunday. physical attack on Joe Root in the speaking out against the bats- “Bell has the weight of runs city’s Walkabout bar during the man’s failure to applaud Root’s behind him and the experience. Champions Trophy; his board- hundred during England’s fi rst I think he’s a world-class player,” imposed ban from the warm-up Test triumph in Cardiff . It is a Warner said. “In my view he’s matches in eff ect ruled him out claim that Warner strongly re- out of touch at the moment, but of the start of the 2013 series. futes. “If the camera stayed on we know what he’s capable of. He It was certainly an upgrade on me for the fi ve minutes that he killed us last time we were over not walking, the off ence Stu- celebrated they would have seen here. art Broad committed later that me clap alongside all the other “He’s been out in the middle summer at Trent Bridge , to fuel guys,” he responded. a bit earlier [than he would have the ire of Australia fans during “The captions used are always wanted] and you are under pres- the 2013-14 tour, and ahead of going to be a snapshot of you do- sure when a few wickets fall be- the three-day warm-up match ing something and the time that fore you. I think No3 is probably against Derbyshire that starts on photo was taken was probably a the right move for them.” Friday, July 24, 2015 GULF TIMES CRICKET

BAN VS SA, 1ST TEST, DAY 3 SPOTLIGHT Miandad urges Bangladesh post Pakistan to chase consistency

AFP were improving rapidly and Pa- Lahore kistan must take care not to slip back. their highest total “We have to compete at the top ormer captain Javed Mi- level and with teams like Bangla- andad (pictured) yes- desh and England showing great terday urged Pakistan to improvement we have to lift our- focus on consistency af- selves so that we can compete terF their one-day series win away with teams like Australia, South to Sri Lanka. Africa and India,” he said. Pakistan thumped the hosts by “Bangladesh has proved their against Proteas seven wickets in the fourth one- rise by beating teams like Paki- day international in Colombo on stan, India and South Africa so Wednesday to take an unassail- cricket is changing and to be in Litton Das scores maiden 50, puts on 82 with Shakib Al Hasan for sixth wicket able 3-1 lead ahead of the fi nal that race we have to rise consist- match in Colombo on Sunday. ently and stick to basics which The win boosts Pakistan’s we had not been doing.” chances of qualifying for the Bangladesh rose to seventh in 2017 Champions Trophy in Eng- the ICC rankings after crushing land but Miandad said the team series wins over Pakistan, India must move on from the mercu- and South Africa in home one- rial unpredictability of the past. day series since April this year. “Our team is looking good now Another former captain, In- but we need consistent work on it zamam-ul Haq, praised the team’s because we should belong to the dynamism, after some unusually top four. Nine-eight in the rank- athletic fi elding helped them to ings is not our position and for victory over Sri Lanka. “Pakistan that consistent work is needed,” have shown they are a vibrant said Miandad, one of Pakistan’s team and has shown improvement greatest ever batsmen. in all three departments and that is Miandad warned other teams a good sign,” he said.

FOCUS Pakistan announce

Bangladesh’s Litton Das raises his bat after reaching half-century on third day of the first Test against South Africa in Chittagong yesterday. (AFP) England series in UAE

AFP out before South Africa successfully re- Chittagong Scorecard viewed the decision, added 12 runs to his AFP The fi rst Test will take place in overnight score. Lahore Abu Dhabi between October 13 South Africa 1st innings 248 all out (Mominul), 3-144 (Tamim), 4-178 Das drove Steyn to take Bangladesh past and 17, the second will be hosted angladesh posted their highest (Mahmudullah), 5-195 (Rahim), 6-277 South Africa’s fi rst innings total and then in Dubai from October 22 to the total against South Africa in the Bangladesh 1st innings (o/n: 179-4) (Shakib), 7-311(Shahid), 8-319 (Das), hit JP Duminy a boundary past cover to help akistan cricket au- 26 and the third from November fi rst Test yesterday, after Litton T Iqbal b Elgar 57 9-325 (Taijul), 10-326 (Mustafizur). Bangladesh surpass their previous highest thorities yesterday an- 1 to 5 at Sharjah. Das scored a maiden half-centu- I Kayes st de Kock b van Zyl 26 Bowling: Steyn 22.1-5-78-3, Philander score 259 runs against South Africa. nounced the itinerary The one-day internationals ryB and put on 82 with Shakib Al Hasan for “We get a lot of loose balls in domestic for their neutral-venue are scheduled for November 11 M Haque v Harmer 6 20-2-40-2 (nb1), Morkel 19-2-52-0, the sixth wicket. cricket, but it is the opposite in interna- Pseries against England in the and 13 in Abu Dhabi, November Mahmudullah lbw b Philander 67 Harmer 35-8-105-3, van Zyl 13-4-23-1, Bangladesh took a fi rst innings lead of M Rahim lbw b Steyn 28 Elgar 3-0-6-1, Duminy 4-0-15-0 tional cricket,” said Das, who was playing United Arab Emirates from Oc- 17 at Sharjah and November 20 78 runs before they were all out for 326 Shakib c Duminy b Harmer 47 only his second Test. tober to November. at Dubai. runs during the extended second session L Das c de Kock b Harmer 50 South Africa 2nd innings “The wicket was slow. So it wasn’t easy Pakistan has been forced to England will play one T20 of the third day’s play in Chittagong. M Shahid c van Zyl b Philander 25 S van Zyl not out 33 to play shots. I had to be careful,” he said. play most of their home matches practice match against a UAE XI South Africa, who made 248 in the fi rst T Islam c Elgar b Steyn 9 D Elgar not out 28 “There is a diff erent need every day. So on the neutral venues of the UAE in Abu Dhabi on November 23, innings, were 61-0 in their second knock M Rahman c Duminy b Steyn 3 Extras 0 today the demand of the situation was for after militants attacked the Sri before the two T20 internation- when bad light forced an early stumps J Hossain not out 0 Total (no wicket; 21.1 overs) 61 me to play this way,” he added. Lankan team bus in Lahore in als matches against Pakistan in with 24.5 overs left to be bowled. Extras (lb 7, nb1) 8 Bowling: Mustafizur 5-0-21-0, Taijul Bangladesh, who have lost their pre- 2009. Dubai on November 26 and 27. Openers Stiaan van Zyl was unbeaten Total (all out; 116.1 overs) 326 2-0-4-0, Mahmudullah 1-1-0-0, Shakib vious eight Tests against South Africa, Zimbabwe were the fi rst Test- The series will conclude with on 33 and Dean Elgar on 28 not out. The Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Imrul), 2-55 5-0-19-0, Shahid 6-1-12-0, Jubair 2.1-1-5-0 most of them by an innings margin, had playing team in six years to tour the third and fi nal T20 Interna- tourists still trail by 17 runs. made an impressive start to the match by Pakistan in May, but top teams tional against Pakistan on No- Fast bowler Dale Steyn fi nished with bowling out the Proteas cheaply on the have continued to stay away be- vember 30 in Sharjah. 3-78 as he moved closer to becoming only be a close contest. of seven boundaries and tail-ender Mo- opening day. cause of the ongoing security “We are most happy to be the second South African bowler after “I think there is still a lot of cricket to hamed Shahid belted 25 off 19 balls to Mohamed Mahmudullah scored 67 and risk in the South Asian country, hosting England for the fi rst se- former captain Shaun Pollock to take 400 be played in this match,” Harmer said provide Bangladesh the edge. Tamim Iqbal added 57 in the rain-short- which is battling an Islamist in- ries of our home season 2015-16. Test wickets. after the third day’s play. “We have lost Steyn had Mushfi qur Rahim leg-before ened second day to lay a strong founda- surgency. Like ever, with few exceptions Off -spinner Simon Harmer also lots of time (due) to bad light... I think we for 28 in South Africa’s only success of the tion for the home side. The tour will begin with two since 1954, we expect this bilat- claimed three wickets, including the key need to make sure that we set ourselves a morning session, but Shakib (47) and Das The second match of the two-Test se- warm-up games for the visitors eral series to produce cricket of scalps of Das and Shakib, to give South good base tomorrow morning.” stood fi rm to defy the visiting bowlers. ries will be played in Dhaka from July followed by three Tests, four ODIs a very high standard,” said PCB Africa a lifeline in what is shaping up to Das made 50 off 102 balls with the help Rahim, who was initially given not 30-August 3. and fi nally three Twenty20s. chairman Shahryar Khan.

SELECTION Afghanistan, Oman reach ICC World T20

fghanistan and Oman India pick Mishra for Lanka tour claimed the final two places Aat next year’s ICC World AFP The 37-year-old left-hander is Test Twenty20 in India with victories New Delhi cricket’s leading scorer among players over Papua New Guinea and who are still active, with 12,305 runs from Namibia in the last-ditch play-off s 132 matches at an average of 58.04 with 38 in Dublin. ndia’s selectors took a cue from Pa- centuries. The Afghans beat the team from kistan yesterday when they recalled With the Indian board still to name a the Asia-Pacific region by six wick- leg-spinner Amit Mishra after four successor to coach Duncan Fletcher, whose ets at Malahide while the Omanis years for next month’s three-Test se- term ended after the World Cup in Febru- were too strong for the men from Iries in Sri Lanka. ary-March, former Test captain Ravi Shas- Africa, eventually winning by five Mishra, 32, who has taken 43 wickets in tri will head the squad as team director. wickets at the same venue to 13 matches, last played a Test at the Oval Shastri will be assisted by three assist- reach their first-ever ICC World during the England tour in 2011. ant coaches in Sanjay Bangar (batting), Twenty20. But the success of Pakistani leg-spin- Bharat Arun (bowling) and Ramakrishnan After a diff icult couple of weeks for ner Yasir Shah during the recent series in Sridhar (fi elding). Afghanistan, the front-line bowlers Sri Lanka, where he claimed 24 wickets to India’s tour opens with a three-day of Mohamed Nabi, Dawlat Zadran lead his team to a 2-1 win, prompted the warm-up match select team at the Pre- and, in particular, Shapoor Zadran, selectors to go with Mishra. madasa stadium in Colombo from August turned up the heat when it really star turn Mohamed Shahzad Schoor. But Oman came right back “Having seen how the Sri Lankan bats- 6 before the fi rst Test gets under way in mattered and made PNG’s bats- was out first ball of the innings, into it after that, slowing the run- men fared against Pakistan, our prefer- Galle on August 12. men suff er early at Malahide. caught behind off the bowling of rate right down and taking wickets ence was for Mishra who has also done The remaining two Tests will be played Shapoor took two wickets, including Vanua. at regular intervals.Munis Ansari well in domestic cricket,” chairman of in Colombo, at the P. Sara Oval from Au- the crucial one of Tony Ura, and But Nawroz Mangal and captain (3-23) was the pick but Aamir Ka- selectors Sandeep Patil told reporters in missed the Bangladesh trip due to dengue gust 20 and the Sinhalese Sports Club conceded just nine runs off his four Asghar Stanakzai consolidated for leem’s 2-12 and Ajay Lalcheta’s New Delhi. fever, was back as one of the seven spe- from August 28. overs as PNG stumbled to 37-4 and the Afghans. Mangal carried his 2-26 were also important to keep Mishra will partner two off -spinners— cialist batsmen. The tour does not feature any one-day 55-5. That it finally made 127-6 off bat and finished unbeaten on 65 Namibia down to 148-9 off 20 Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ash- The squad includes four seamers in or Twenty20 matches. 20 overs was thanks to some rear- off 56 balls. overs. Khawar Ali (19) and Zeeshan win—in India’s fi rst Test-series in the Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, guard action from Charles Amini, In the second game, despite losing Maqsood (28) got off to a solid island nation since 2010, when the three- Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron to per- INDIA SQUAD: Virat Kohli (captain), who made an unbeaten 37, and Gerrie Snyman for a duck, Na- start for Oman, putting on 41 for match series ended in a 1-1 draw. form on wickets that usually assist early Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Norman Vanua, who hit a vital 22 mibia’s batsmen had put Oman’s the first wicket and then Jatinder Mishra replaces injured leg-spinner bounce and seam movement. Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit not out off 10 balls. opening bowlers to the sword Singh (33) continued the good Karn Sharma in the only change to the 15- The series will mark the end of the in- Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Chasing 128, there might have during the powerplay, adding 66 work. Zeeshan made an unbeaten man squad selected for the rain-ruined ternational career of Sri Lankan batting Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, been a couple of anxious twitch- for the second wicket thanks to 51 and scooped the man-of-the- drawn Test in Bangladesh in June. great Kumar Sangakkara, who will retire Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun es in the Afghan dugout when Stephen Baard and Raymond van match trophy in the process. Young batsman Lokesh Rahul, who after playing the fi rst two Tests. Aaron, Ishant Sharma