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Over QR14m was Oil hit its highest level England face a raised at an auction at for the year yesterday formidable task against Sotheby’s London to with Brent crude rising hosts Australia in their benefit ROTA’s ‘1 in 11’ $2.22 to $61.50 a barrel World Cup opener in education campaign. at 10.48am ET. Melbourne today.

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 • 25 Rabial II 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6341 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Tour of Qatar Health sector Qatar a victim workers can’t be transferred of media bias: temporarily DOHA: Public health authori- ties have barred health sector workers from being deputed 2022 official by their employers to another healthcare facility. Workers can, however, be shifted from one medical facility to another Global focus only on Qatar: Thawadi permanently provided the nec- essary approvals are in place, a DOHA: The man in charge of Russia, which is hosting the 2018 decision issued by the Supreme organising the 2022 World Cup World Cup, or the other countries Council of Health (SCH) says. says Qatar has been the victim with failed bids, he said. Deputations within the health- of ‘clear bias’ from the media, “I can’t say if there is a prej- care sector are temporary reports aljazeera.com. udice against Qatar but what I transfers of workers, which the Aljazeera English channel is can say is there is a clear bias,” SCH has banned. The Council all set to air an interview today Al Thawadi said in the interview. has also said that no healthcare with the Secretary-General “All the reporting on Michael provider can ink a contract of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Garcia, the description was, the with a company to provide its Committee, Hassan Al Thawadi. focus was on us, on Qatar, and services unless the company A two-minute video clipping that was inaccurate. The simple has a licence to provide those of excerpts of the interview was fact was the investigation was on Riders pass the Museum of Islamic Art during the sixth and final stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between services. posted yesterday on aljazeera.com all bidding nations, 2018 along Sealine beach resort and Doha Corniche, yesterday. Dutch rider Niki Terpstra conquered the Tour of Qatar THE PENINSULA (the channel’s website). with 2022.” for the second time, successfully defending the title he won last year. See also page 22 SALIM MATRAMKOT Al Thawadi told Aljazeera that He added: “And yet never- he believes Qatar was unfairly theless, somehow, the focus still focused on during a corruption seems to be on us and I think investigation. that, if nothing else, clearly shows Qatar was cleared of serious there is a bias.” wrongdoing in the report that was Al Thawadi also told Aljazeera Saudis pull out Yemen embassy staff put together for FIFA, football’s that Qatar could still host the governing body, by American law- tournament in the summer SANAA: Saudi Arabia, staff,” the Saudi foreign ministry “unacceptable, dangerous and and tribesmen and Al Qaeda yer Michael Garcia. despite concerns over the coun- Germany and Italy became the said. with consequences for the suspects on the other, leaving at Thawadi said that despite the try’s climate. latest countries to withdraw The United States, Britain and region”. least four people dead, local gov- fact that Garcia came from a Qatar has said it has the embassy staff from Yemen yes- France have rushed to close their “We decided yesterday to ernment sources said. country that was Qatar’s com- technology for the games to be terday as an exodus of foreign embassies over security fears, temporarily close the embassy The Houthis stormed houses petitor in the 2022 bid, “We never played in stadiums with cooling diplomats gathered pace over with US staff destroying top- in Sana’a and the personnel in the city and detained residents raised the issue because we were technology. growing security problems. secret documents and sensitive departed the country early this they accuse of having links to Al confident of our position”. “Since the first days of the Yemen has descended into equipment before pulling out on morning,” she said. Qaeda, the sources said. He said Garcia was tasked with bid we’ve always said a summer chaos since Shia militiamen, Wednesday. The Italian foreign ministry Since seizing Sana’a, the investigating all the countries World Cup is feasible in Qatar, known as Houthis, seized Sana’a The Netherlands followed suit said: “We hope mediation efforts Houthis have pressed into cen- who bid for the 2018 and 2022 but whatever the football com- in September and ousted the gov- the next day. led by UN envoy Jamal Benomar tral and southern provinces and world cups, but Qatar had been munity decides, we will fulfil it,” ernment last week. The Houthis said Western will create security conditions clashed regularly with AQAP and singled out. said Al Thawadi. Riyadh, Berlin and Rome said powers had no reason to shut allowing a return of diplomatic local Sunni tribes. In his first interview since the Qatari officials are to meet they had temporarily closed their their embassies, insisting that personnel to Yemen as soon as Last week, they dissolved par- publication of the report’s sum- bosses of football’s world govern- missions in the capital Sana’a. security was solid in the capital. possible.” liament and declared a “presiden- mary last year, Al Thawadi said ing body FIFA later this month “Due to the deteriorating secu- “The situation is anything but Meanwhile, clashes erupted tial council” after Western-backed Qatar was not the only bid being in Doha to finalise the dates, with rity and political situation in the stable,” said a German foreign across several neighbourhoods in leader Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi investigated. many believing the tournament Yemeni capital, Saudi Arabia has ministry spokeswoman, call- the central city of Baida which resigned over what he said was an But the spotlight has fallen only will instead take place in winter. suspended all embassy operations ing the ouster of the govern- the militia entered on Tuesday, ungovernable situation. on the Gulf country and not on THE PENINSULA in Sana’a and evacuated all its ment by the Shia militiamen between the Houthis on one side AFP

Clashes in Bahrain Two Al Jazeera Man wants ministry to journalists freed from Egypt jail pay his parking fines DOHA: A higher court is hear- Department pleading that the CAIRO: Two Al Jazeera jour- ing the case of a government fines be waived since it was not nalists were freed from an employee who is insisting that his fault, but in vain. Egyptian prison yesterday pend- the ministry he works for pay Fed up of being slapped with ing retrial, their families said, the parking fines slapped on him fines, he once drove his car into the after spending more than a year by the traffic authorities. compound, and when the security in jail in a case that provoked The man was taken to court by guard manning the entrance to global uproar. one of his bosses after he forced the ministry’s parking lot refused A Cairo court on Thursday his way into the ministry’s parking to let him in, he got down, lifted ordered the release of Canadian lot in spite of being officially told the aluminium barrier, drove his Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian not to use it. car inside and parked it. Baher Mohamed, who face retrial When he had applied earlier for One of his bosses took him to on charges of supporting the a parking lot, the man was asked court for his defiance, saying he blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood. by the ministry to use a parking had broken the barrier. The lower “We finished the procedures for space outside its building, on the criminal court fined him QR1,000 the release of my brother a short roadside. He thought the place was for the offence. while ago,” Mohamed’s brother unsuitable for parking as his car The man challenged the court’s Assem said. could be hit by passing vehicles. ruling in the Court of Appeals and “He is at home for the first time So he used to park his car else- demanded that the ministry pay in more than a year.” where outside the building and the parking fines incurred by him. Fahmy’s brother Adel posted Protesters set tyres on fire as an armoured personnel carrier of Bahraini security forces approaches during occasionally got parking tickets. The case is still going on. on Twitter: “My brother has been clashes on Sitra Island, south of Manama, yesterday. The clashes took place as youth groups called a partial He went to the Traffic THE PENINSULA released from the police station! I strike to mark the anniversary of February 14 reform protests. am going on holiday before they arrest him again!” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed their release, urging authorities to free other Qatar’s honey production soars to a sweet 16 tons journalists “in accordance with Egypt’s international obligations DOHA: With financial and techni- an agricultural development department, is today. The vegetable yards open Thursday clothing for beekeeping and honey collection. to protect the freedoms of expres- cal assistance from the Ministry of holding a three-day local honey festival at through Saturday, and only during the During the second phase of the support sion and association”. Environment, Qatar’s apiaries are pro- the three seasonal vegetable yards. winter. programme, which was launched last year, Fahmy, Mohamed and ducing a record 16 tons of honey annually. These yards are located in Umm Salal The local honey is pure, fresh and free 50 apiaries were added to the number of Australian Peter Greste were Plans are afoot to expand the govern- (Al Mazrouah), Al Khor and Al Wakra. of adulteration, local Arabic daily Al Raya beneficiaries, taking the total to 80. arrested in December 2013 and ment’s support network to cover more Pure local honey is on sale at lower-than- reported. In addition, there are 62 private apiaries. sentenced to between seven and farms so that honey production nearly market prices at these yards. The support programme for apiaries was Together the 142 apiaries produce some 16 10 years for aiding the Muslim doubles to 30 tons a year in four years. The apiaries in Qatar are mostly located begun by the environment ministry in 2011 tons of honey annually. Brotherhood of ousted president The local honey, known for its medicinal near sidra trees, from whose blossoms bees and the following year some 30 farms ben- There are plans to provide support to 50 Mohamed Morsi. value as also as an aphrodisiac, can com- collect nectar to produce what is known as efited from it. more farms, after which honey production Greste was deported on mand prices of up to $100 a kilo in the the premium ‘sidr’ honey. Each farm had 10 hives and was is expected to almost double to 30 tons a February 1. local market. Some 80 apiaries are taking part in provided financial assistance as also year in about four years. AFP The Ministry of Environment, which has the ‘Spring Honey Festival’, which ends guidance and protective gear and THE PENINSULA SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QF invites community 23 school students attend for solidarity walk for Chapel Hill victims CMU-Q Winter Institute DOHA: In response to the ter- will stand and walk together to Inaugural programme teaches basics of computer science rorist act committed against condemn the act of terrorism three American Muslim stu- and show solidarity and support dents in Chapel Hill in North to the victims’ families. DOHA: Carnegie Mellon Carolina last week, Qatar The walk will start from the University in Qatar (CMU- Foundation (QF) calls on the entrance of HBKU Student Q) hosted Independent school entire community to join a sol- Centre at 2.30pm. It will pro- students at its inaugural idarity walk for the victims at ceed in silence to Education ‘Winter Institute: Discovering Education City on Sunday. City Ceremonial Court, where Computer Science’ programme. The deaths of Deah Shaddy a minute of silence will be Twenty-three students were Barakat, wife Yusor Mohammad observed and students will say hand-picked by CMU-Q for the Abu Salha and her sister Razan some remarks. programme after they demon- Mohammad Abu-Salha have Participants should enter strated their interest and poten- shocked people around the Education City from the court tial to excel in the field in some world. The QF community has entrance on Al Luqta Street. of the university’s outreach pro- been particularly touched by Parking will be available in the grammes, including Summer the tragic events as the stu- court car park, a short walk College Preview Programme and dents’ academic pursuits and from Student Centre. CS4Qatar for Students. their charitable endeavours In memory of the victims, “Upon CMU-Q’s inception, are reflected in QF’s mission the community is encouraged H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to unlock human potential and to donate to the charity fund, communicated a vision to promote education and commu- Syrian Dental Relief, started empower Qataris to leave their nity development in Qatar and by Chapel Hill victim Deah mark in the field of computer beyond. Barakat in aid of Syrian refu- science. A collective effort led by QF gees in Turkey, which can be “We hope through your par- and the community of students found at http://www.youcar- ticipation in Winter Institute, and faculty of Hamad Bin ing.com/medical-fundraiser/ you now possess tools needed to Khalifa University (HBKU) syrian-dental-relief/206249 pursue an education in the field, and QF’s partner universities THE PENINSULA and CMU-Q looks forward to helping you achieve that,” Dean Ilker Baybars told the closing School students attend the programme. ceremony. A highlight of the week was a to the university. “Before attend- Dana Badar from Al Bayan Girls School, Al Wakra Independent Al Naeem residents ‘Programming your robot to save ing Winter Institute I thought School. School, Al Eman Independent the world’ workshop, which saw computer science was all about The students were introduced School, Amna bint Wahab students programme a robot to coding, but it turns out that cod- to ‘Alice Middle East,’ an inter- Independent School for Girls, dance to music and demonstrate ing is just a tool that allows us active animation software to help Khalifa Independent School, complain about lack it to families and faculty on the to do great things. Throughout them learn the basics of com- Omar Bin Al Khattab School, closing day. the week, we were able to see puter programming and teach Qatar Independent School for The students also participated how computer science is con- them to apply logical thinking Girls, Rabaa Aladwya School in an ACT preparation course tinuously evolving and remains and problem-solving techniques for Girls, Rowda Bint Mohamed of basic facilities taught by Kaplan Corporation one of the most successful majors integral to computer science. School for Girls and Um Ayman and an admissions workshop to anywhere in the world, because Al Bayan Girls School, Al School participated. help strengthen their application of its limitless possibilities,” said Jazeera Academy, Al Resala Girls THE PENINSULA Book makes critical study of Arabic poetry DOHA: Dr Mahmoud Al Ashiri (pictured), Associate Professor of Arabic, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), has published a new Arabic language book Poetry as Narrative: A Study in the Text of Al Mufadaliyyat. It presents a critical study of One of the badly damaged internal roads. Arabic poetry, with a focus on the pre-Islamic, or Jahili genre of DOHA: Residents of Al Naeem lamp-posts on streets and many poetry and is based on one of the in north of Doha, are complain- internal roads have no lights and oldest collections of Arabic poetry ing about slow implementation of the areas become dark at night, Al called Al Mufadaliyyat collated by basic infrastructure projects like Nuaimi said. the famed eighth century scholar sewage and drainage networks, The Supreme Council of Health Al Mufaddal Al Dabbi. health centres, street lights and has completed a health centre “The book is a critical contri- commercial markets. but it is yet to open to the public. bution to the catalogue of Arabic Al Naeem is among the oldest Mohammed Rashid Al Nuaimi, literature and the historical study of Al Mufaddal Al Dabbi’s volume, neighbourhoods of Doha and for another Qatari resident of the of the Arab world through the including the use of lyrical verse 20 years it has been relying mostly area, said people are forced to important record of ancient verse. and first-person narration. on civic tankers to remove sew- travel long distances for healthcare “Not only does the work of one “My research and analysis of age as there are no proper sewage and asked authorities to open up of our faculty at GU-Q present the ancient text indicates that networks, said Rashid Abdullah Al the centre at the earliest. new insights into classical poetry, beyond the artistic appeal and Nuaimi, a citizen who lives in the He said they also want a wed- it also revives an interest in impact, these poems serve the area. ding hall as they are forced to studying these works, which will important role of narrative text “Civic tankers pull into homes pitch tents in open areas for such inspire further scholarly research as well,” he said. and sometimes don’t complete the ceremonies. and analysis,” said Dean Dr Gerd The book discusses the relation- job. People are forced to use cars He said residents are also wait- Nonneman. ship between poetry as a narra- to remove sewage. It is high time ing for the Supreme Education The author chose to focus on tive with life and concludes that authorities provided the facility,” Council to open a kindergarten. ancient Arabic poetry for a spe- the Jahili poem is an independent he said. During rains, he said, the Most children currently go to cific reason. “Poetry was the crea- artistic work that also functions area is flooded in the absence of private kindergartens which are tive art that dominated all arts as a communication tool. proper drainage networks. expensive and some of them below in historical Arabic culture to the It also studies the relationship Residents also complained about standards, he said. extent that it was within poetry between poetry and historical the absence of commercial mar- Mohammed said speed-breakers that Arabs’ cultural and social record with a focus on the letter- kets. One resident said they rely on many streets do not conform values were compiled, recorded like form used by some poems. The cover of the book. on grocery stores or go to neigh- to security and safety standards. and preserved,” said Dr Al Ashiri. The book studies the narra- bouring areas where there are such “Some are very high and damage Delving deep into the narrative tive of reality and the narrative Dr Al Ashiri is also working for Arabic teachers and contrib- markets to buy their daily needs, cars. Authorities should build uni- structure of the poetry, he identi- of myth, drawing connections on the development of Arabic utes to the development of edu- reports local Arabic daily Al Raya. form speed-breakers,” he added. fies specific literary characteris- between the concepts of the real language skills on a government cational contents for language There are also very few THE PENINSULA tics shared across the collection and imagined world of myth. project and organises workshops instruction. THE PENINSULA

Florists get busy for Valentine’s Day

DOHA: Local flower shops Roses, she said, are being sold shops witness record sales apart are expecting huge sales on for QR15 each but many custom- from on other special occasions Valentine’s Day today, with ers buy them by the dozen which such as Mother’s Day. some busy early this week costs QR180. The cost, however, “Valentine’s Day is not observed taking orders and scheduling could go higher when the flowers in Muslim countries like in the delivery. are delivered or purchased online GCC region but some, mostly “It’s early to say how much which has now become a trend, expatriates, still give flowers and sales will increase, but we are she added. gifts to their special someone on loaded right now,” a local florist Another local florist confirmed the day,” he said. of a known flower shop in Doha that online flower business is As Valentine’s Day falls on a told this daily yesterday. doing well and has added a new Saturday, some couples would Valentine’s Day has always been dimension to floriculture. find time to celebrate it either by busy for the floral industry around “Customers find it more con- going to movies or having a spe- the world and red roses, she said, venient to purchase online and we cial dinner. remains the most sought-after on can deliver it within 24 hours,” Special romantic dinners for the day although other items such he said, adding many flowers are two are offered in some plush res- as chocolates and stuffed toys also sourced from Holland and other taurants, while many hotels have witness huge sales. countries which make them lined up Valentine’s Day promo- “Other bestsellers in our shop expensive. tions and packages which include are especially wrapped heart- Though Valentine’s Day is not dinner, spa treatment and over- shaped chocolates and stuffed toys celebrated in this part of the night stay. A man selects a bouquet of roses at a store on the eve of Valentine’s Day yesterday. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH with heart designs,” she said. world, this is the day when flower THE PENINSULA SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME / MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Condolences sent to Saudi king QR14m raised for children’s education DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of condolences Sotheby’s supports global initiative by ROTA, FC to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Barcelona and Unicef for vulnerable kids Arabia following the death of Prince Fahd bin Mohammed DOHA: A total of QR14,782,800 Two paintings depicting Lionel universal language of sport and bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. was raised at a charity auc- Messi by Hirst and Murakami art, tonight’s auction provided a Deputy Emir H H Sheikh tion at Sotheby’s London to sold for QR3,785,743 — Hirst’s powerful platform for the cam- Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani benefit the ‘1 in 11’ global edu- Beautiful Messi Spin Painting paign, drawing bids from art sent a similar cable to the king. cation campaign initiated by For One in Eleven fetched collectors and sports fans across Prime Minister and Interior Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), QR2,026,094 and Murakami’s the world,” said Oliver Barker, Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin FC Barcelona Foundation and Lionel Messi and a Universe of Sotheby’s Deputy Chairman, Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also Unicef. Flowers QR1,759,649. Europe, and Auctioneer. sent a cable to King Salman. The global initiative launched The auction started with a Gérard Bocquenet, Director, earlier this year aims to extend bespoke football designed by Private Fundraising and Ties reviewed education opportunities to mar- Murakami and signed by him and Partnerships, Unicef, said: “All ginalised and vulnerable children, Messi was sold for QR249,792. of us involved in the ‘1 in 11’ LUXEMBOURG: Grand starting in Bangladesh, Indonesia Among the pieces auctioned partnership at FC Barcelona Duchy of Luxembourg’s Finance and Nepal. was a unique palm leaf on paper Foundation, ROTA and Unicef Minister Pierre Gramegna met The sale featured 18 art- work by Qatari artist Yousef are thrilled by the amount raised. Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Ali works donated by Western and Ahmad which fetched QR124,896. “Every child, wherever she or bin Jassim Al Thani and dis- Middle Eastern artists, includ- “Never has the phrase ‘the he lives, has the right to learn, to Oliver Barker, Sotheby’s Deputy Chairman, Europe, and Auctioneer fields cussed relations and prepara- ing Takashi Murakami, Damien beautiful game’ been more apt play and to grow and tonight art bids at the charity auction for ‘1 in 11’ campaign. tions for the visit of Hereditary Hirst, Richard Serra, Wael than this evening when the and football have come together Grand Duke of Luxembourg Shawky and Manal Al Dowayan. worlds of football and art col- in a unique way to help ensure Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph The top lot of the evening, Jeff lided in Sotheby’s London auc- more children enjoy that right.” Tuymans, Jenny Holzer, Shirin Vezzoli, Etel Adnan, eL Seed and Marie to Qatar on March 5. Koons’s, Donkey (Yellow) from tion rooms. Other artists whose works Neshat, Marc Newson, Yan Pei- Dia Azzawi. QNA 1999, sold for QR3,091,875. “By harnessing the were auctioned included Luc Ming, Cai Guo Qiang, Francesco THE PENINSULA Al Udaid team enters Al Galayel finals DOHA: Al Udaid team became the second to qualify for the finals of the fourth Al Galayel Championship for Traditional Hunting being held at Al Areeq Reserve south of Qatar. With 340 points, Al Udaid led the second heat of the champion- Officials signing the agreement. ship which saw three more teams compete — Lusail in second place with 320 points, followed by Brooq QU college signs deal with (160) and Dukhan (90). Khalid bin Mohammed Al Maadeed, Chairman of the cham- University of Copenhagen pionship, congratulated Al Udaid for qualifying for the final after DOHA: Qatar University’s (QU) initiatives. four-day round. College of Arts and Sciences Dr Mustafawi said, “The deal The second round was thrilling, and University of Copenhagen’s will support QU’s vision to become with Lusail and Al Udaid tying in Faculty of Science have signed a a model national university in first place before the final day and deal on cooperation in the edu- the region and promote Qatar Lusail having only a 20-point lead cation and research fields. National Vision 2030. It will also at the end. It was signed by college Dean, Dr empower and engage students by Hassan Amir Al Naimi, leader Al Udaid team qualifies for the final. Eiman Mustafawi, and University building capacities and preparing of Al Udaid, expressed happiness of Copenhagen Faculty of Science them to become role models for for entering the final. Yousef Al Naimi said just coming achieving good results. Al Dosari’s skills that have been passed down Dean, Dr John Hansen, in the pres- future generations and ambassa- “I think we are the strongest to the venue was an exciting expe- team came second in last year’s through generations. ence of faculty and officials from dors for the country.” in the championship this year rience and that participants were championship. It comprises four heats, each both sides and representatives of Dr Hansen said, “The part- because our team members are there mainly for entertainment The championship is one of the involving four teams. The teams Maersk Oil Research & Technology nership will help establish stu- experienced having participated and winning was just secondary. most important of its kind in the hunt antelopes, habaris and cur- Centre. It includes collaboration dent exchange programmes and in many competitions prior to Mohammad Al Dosari, mem- world. Set against the backdrop of lews, each with corresponding in academic and research and deepen cooperation in biological this,” said Jassim Mohammed Al ber, Dukhan, said the experi- the picturesque Al Areeq Reserve, points. The winner of each round exchange of faculty and laboratory and environmental research.” Kaabi, member, Al Udaid. ence would help his team in the it features Qatar’s rich heritage competes in the final. staff for instructional and training THE PENINSULA Brooq team’s Mohammad coming competitions, despite not and showcases Qatari hunters’ THE PENINSULA Juba scribe Women ‘riding pillion with men unacceptable practice’ freed after DOHA: Some in the Qatari convince motorcyclists what they and tightly holding men riding should intervene and stop this can’t tolerate such things.” community are taking offence are doing is offensive to the local motorcycles. craze. “Men riding motorcycles Contacted by this newspa- to young expatriates riding culture and social sensitivities. “This we see daily not only in are not allowed (by our religion) per, prominent psychologist, Dr questioning motorcycles with women as pil- Ahmed Hilal, a Qatari, said Doha but also outside, in Sealine, to even have their wives and sis- Moza Al Malki, said people have lion passengers. young expatriate women riding among other areas,” Hilal said, ters as pillion passengers. We feel no right to intercept expatriate NAIROBI: South Sudanese They say it is against their cul- pillion with male motorcyclists adding authorities must clamp socially threatened.” motorcyclists this way. security forces have released ture and traditions and fear that and holding them tightly from down on them. He said some Mohamed Thiyab, another “First, they are not doing what a leading journalist without younger elements in their com- behind is not desirable in Qatar. women pillion riders use helmets Qatari, said men riding motor- they are to offend locals or chal- charge after two days of ques- munity may begin aping them “This is immoral, but you see so their faces can’t be seen. cycles and carrying women pas- lenge Qatari social values. Doing tioning in the latest crackdown and get spoilt. So Qataris want them openly moving in public Prominent Islamic cleric, sengers seated behind them and that is normal in their countries. on press freedom, the reporter the authorities concerned to stop places. Our society is conserva- Sheikh Ahmed Al Buanain, said, holding them tightly are from People should not react this way. said yesterday. what they say is a growing men- tive. We must maintain our tradi- “We are afraid this social disease different nationalities. “Such a Authorities should instead launch Mading Ngor, a freelancer ace in their midst, but a psycholo- tions and culture,” he said. may inflict our society as well. practice is not acceptable to us.” a campaign to make motorcyclists who has written extensively for gist has advised caution. He told Al Sharq that it was “Our religion prevents us from Sometimes women can be seen aware of local social sensitivities South Sudanese and interna- She said an awareness cam- strange watching young expa- doing such sinful acts,” he said, riding motorcycles and challeng- and convince them to stop the tional outlets, was arrested on paign should be launched to triate girls as pillion passengers adding the Traffic Department ing men in competitions. “We practice.” THE PENINSULA Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. He was released late last evening unharmed, with govern- Souq Waqif vendors await patrons ment officials telling local media that his arrest had been unau- thorised and a mistake. “Friends, relatives and well- wishers, I am out from the ordeal,” Ngor said in a short statement, thanking people for their support. Rights groups have repeatedly warned that security forces have cracked down on journalists, suf- focating debate on how to end a civil war in which tens of thou- sands have been killed in the past 14 months. Reporters Without Borders said South Sudan had slipped down six places on its annual press freedom rankings, listing it as the 125th worst nation out of 180. It said the war has “hit media freedom hard,” noting that “news outlets were warned not to cover security issues and journalists were unable to work properly because of the war”. Five journalists working for state-run media were killed in an Personalised mugs and handmade recycled paper art by Qatari entrepreneur Hassa Albu Ainain are seen at ambush in January by unknown her shop and a vendor of homemade karak tea and traditional Arabic coffee gawa await customers at the gunmen in the remote western recently opened Souq Waqif in Al Wakra. More and more visitors are heading to the souq, especially during region of Bahr Al Ghazal, along weekends. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH with six others. AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Lifestyle puts 1 in 4 Saudis at heart attack risk: Study RIYADH: Social media are turning One-quarter of the subjects were dia- Salman Heart Centre. “As a result of lifestyles of young Saudis. “They eat governments to provide free indoor gyms Saudis into “electronic potatoes” and betic, which had a major impact on risk, the high level of risk factors, 26 percent more fast food and deep-fried items and and green spaces for exercise. contributing to unhealthy lifestyles said the European Society of Cardiology, of participants were at high risk of hav- on top of that do not exercise,” he said. On February 28, Riyadh is to hold its which leave one in four at risk of suf- which is participating in the conference ing a heart attack or dying from a heart In Saudi Arabia and other Arab states first publicly organised run, over a five- fering a heart attack over the next and issued a statement on the findings. attack in 10 years,” the statement said. of the Gulf, healthy lifestyles are rare, kilometre (three-mile) route, to promote decade, experts said. “Diabetes doesn’t occur in isolation. Soofi’s research was presented at the said Hani Najm, the SHA vice president. a more active lifestyle. Researchers calculated the 10-year Diabetic individuals had a significantly Saudi Heart Association’s (SHA’s) 26th “Young people’s addiction to smart In Qatar, another energy-rich Gulf risk of a heart attack for more than increased prevalence of other risk factors annual conference, which runs until phones and social media has turned state, more than a million workers were 4,900 urban Saudis with no history of such as obesity, hypertension, smoking Monday. them into electronic potatoes, today’s given a day off work on Tuesday to take heart disease. and dyslipidemia,” or high cholesterol, In the statement, he said urbanisation, version of the couch potato... part in a nationwide day of sport amid Most of them were aged 20-40 and said Muhammad Adil Soofi, lead author lack of education and Westernisation “They have zero intention of being growing concern at obesity levels. more than half were women. of the study and a cardiologist at Prince could be to blame for the unhealthy physically active,” Najm said, calling on AFP At least 9 more Egyptians protest journalists still in Egypt jails Six scribes worked for Islamist media

CAIRO: While two jailed Aljazeera Demotix and Corbis, is one of the reporters were freed yesterday longest-detained journalists in Egypt. pending a retrial, rights groups say He was arrested on August 14, 2013 at least nine more journalists still when hundreds were killed as secu- languish in Egyptian prisons. rity forces cleared two pro-Morsi Mohamed Fahmy and Baher protest camps in Cairo. Mohamed were released nearly two He has not been convicted of any weeks after their Australian col- crime. For some time Abu Zeid league Peter Greste was deported shared a prison cell with Al-Jazeera under a presidential decree. reporter Abdullah al-Shamy, who The three were arrested in late was also arrested on the same day 2013 and sentenced to between but released in June last year. seven and 10 years in jail for aiding — Ahmed Gamal Zeyada the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood. Online journalist Zeyada, 23, was An appeals court in January ordered arrested on December 28, 2013 while Egyptians protest against government’s inaction on the kidnapping of Copts in Libya, in Cairo yesterday. According to reports 21 Coptic their retrial. covering clashes between Islamist Christians are being held by Libyan fighters affiliated with the group calling themselves the Islamic State. New York-based media watchdog students and security forces at the Committee to Protect Journalists the prestigious Sunni Al Azhar (CPJ), which in 2013 rated Egypt as University in Cairo. Zeyada, who the third most dangerous country for worked for Yaqeen News Network, journalists after Syria and Iraq, says is on trial with 76 students on several there are nine more media workers charges including torching the insti- Saudi frees women campaigners jailed in the country. tution’s faculty of commerce building. Separately, officials at Egypt’s Six of the remaining seven jailed press syndicate say at least 15 jour- journalists worked for Islamist media RIYADH: Two Saudi women’s at the same time as Hathloul, to support Hathloul and was were facing charges or what nalists are imprisoned. that opposed Mursi’s ouster. rights activists, one of whom has also been let out of jail, also arrested. conditions were placed on their Some are facing trial on several Mahmoud Abdel Nabi, Sami tried to defy a ban on female her family confirmed, accord- In December, activists said a release. charges including rioting and belong- Mustafa and Abdullah Al Fakharany driving, have been freed after ing to the activist who spoke court in Eastern Province had Hathloul has 232,000 follow- ing to a “terrorist organisation”. reported for an online citizen journal- more than two months in jail, with AFP. transferred the two women to ers on Twitter. Detainees also include citizen jour- ism platform called Rassd. Mohamed a campaigner said yesterday. “Peace be upon you, good peo- a special tribunal for “terror- Before her arrest she tweeted, nalists arrested in police sweeps to Al Adly worked for Amgad television. “Yes, Loujain is free,” said ple,” Hathloul tweeted late on ism” cases. sometimes with humour, details quell protests backing ousted Islamist Abdel Rahman Shahine worked the campaigner who spoke with Thursday. She and Alamoudi At the time, campaigners did of the 24 hours she spent wait- president Mohamed Mursi. for Freedom and Justice News Gate, Loujain Hathloul after she left had been held since December not provide full details of the ing to cross into Saudi Arabia Some prominent journalists held affiliated to Mursi’s political party. prison. 1, after Hathloul tried to drive allegations against the pair but after border officers stopped in Egypt’s prisons are: Ayman Saqr worked for Al Hathloul “just said that she’s into the kingdom from neigh- said investigations appeared her. — Mahmoud Abu Zeid, widely Mesryoon newspaper. Ahmed Fouad released and she’s happy,” said bouring United Arab Emirates to focus on the women’s social Alamoudi has 136,000 follow- known as Shawkan. Abu Zeid, a worked for an online news website the activist, who did not give a in defiance of the ban. media activities rather than ers and has also hosted a pro- freelance photographer who has covering the Mediterranean city of name. Alamoudi, a UAE-based Saudi the driving. The activist did not gramme on YouTube discussing worked for photo agencies such as Alexandria. AFP Maysaa Alamoudi, detained journalist, arrived at the border know whether the two women the driving ban. AFP Blogger Badawi again avoids Bomb blast hits flogging RIYADH: Saudi Arabian blog- Turkish checkpoint ger Raef Badawi avoided further flogging yesterday, Amnesty International said, marking near Syrian border the fifth straight week that his 1,000-lash sentence has not been carried out. DIYARBAKIR: A bomb hid- prompted Turkish authorities to The case of Badawi, 31, has den under a car blew up near a step up security. sparked worldwide outrage and Turkish police checkpoint close A photograph from Suruc pub- criticism from the United Nations, to the Syrian border on Friday, lished by Turkish media showed United States, the European wounding three people, secu- a charred and badly damaged Union, Canada and others. rity sources said, the latest in a vehicle with its windows blown “Raef was not flogged again series of bombings to hit Turkey out and smoke rising from the today. We’re not sure why but he this year. bonnet. The wounded, a police remains in prison,” Amnesty, the The sources told Reuters the officer and two workers, were London-based rights group, said explosives were detonated at being treated in hospital. on its Twitter account. 10:40 a.m. (0840 GMT) by remote The retaking of predomi- Badawi received the first 50 control near the town of Suruc, nantly Kurdish Kobani by Syrian lashes of his sentence outside a some 15 km (9 miles) north Kurdish YPG forces at the end mosque in the Red Sea city of of the Syrian town of Kobani, of last month was a major defeat Jeddah on January 9. Members of the Turkish education unions protest against the government’s education policies in Ankara yesterday. where Kurdish fighters forced for Islamic State, which controls The following two weekly rounds out Islamic State militants after a 20,000 sq mile (50,000 sq km) of punishment were postponed on a four-month siege. arc of Syria and Iraq. medical grounds. There has been Turks protest for secular education There was no immediate claim Various militant groups no reason for more recent delays of responsibility, though the prox- - Islamist, Kurdish and left- but the case has focused attention imity to Syria suggested that the ist - have all carried out bomb on the kingdom’s human rights ANKARA: Secular Turks showed that police had used water Turkey which is practised by attack could be related to the attacks in Turkey. The Kurdistan record. Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, opposed to President Recep cannon to roughly disperse a pro- almost all the current ruling elite. conflict there. Suruc’s population Workers’ Party (PKK) waged a has sought asylum in Canada with Tayyip Erdogan yesterday test in the Aegean city of Izmir. “Children can learn religion at is predominantly Kurdish, and 30-year war for autonomy in their three children. boycotted schools and took to Fifty-six people were arrested, home. It is unjust to impose it on many there are frustrated that southeastern Turkey but declared Badawi co-founded with Suad the streets to demand a secu- according to NTV television. them at school,” said Ahmet. the Turkish government has not a ceasefire in 2013 and is negotiat- Al Shammari the Saudi Liberal lar education and denounce a “I am not sending my child Alevis have traditionally been done more to help the Kurdish ing a settlement to the conflict, Network Internet discussion claimed creeping Islamisation to school today to denounce the champions of secularity in Turkey, forces fighting Islamic State. which killed 40,000 people. group. He was arrested in June of the schools system. rampant Islamism in public edu- believing it to be the best way to In a separate incident, border Last month, a suicide bomber 2012 under cybercrime provisions, The protests were led by cation,” Ahmet, an Alevi Ankara protect their own rights in the guards opened fire on a group killed herself and a police officer and a judge ordered the website Turkey’s largest religious minority resident working in the civil serv- majority Sunni country. of suspected smugglers near the in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s his- shut after it criticised Saudi the Alevis, who adhere to an off- ice, said. Secular Turks and Alevis Thousands of Alevis had rallied border town of Akcakale, about toric centre, a prime tourist Arabia’s notorious religious police. shoot of Shia sect, as well as leading in particular have been angered last weekend in Istanbul in a mass 100 km (60 miles) from Suruc, destination. Badawi was initially sentenced education union Egitim Sen. by the compulsory religion lessons rally demanding more rights for security sources said. Five days later, homemade to seven years in jail and 600 It was not immediately clear used in schools under a system their community. One man, a Turkish citizen, explosive devices were found in lashes for insulting Islam and set- how many pupils had failed to that has been amended by the Alevis are by far Turkey’s larg- was killed, and another Turk was two Istanbul shopping malls and ting up the liberal network. attend schools due to the boycott ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and est religious minority, estimated seriously wounded, they said. defused. A week after that, a An appeals court overturned but Turkish media reports said Development Party (AKP). to form between 10-20 percent of Arabic-speaking Akcakale is bomb exploded in central Istanbul the verdict and sent his case back it was followed in cities including Alevis are upset that the com- the population, but are not rec- directly across from Tel Abyad, a and police detonated two others in for retrial where the sentence was Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Edirne, pulsory classes prioritise Sunni ognised by the state as an official Syrian town controlled by Islamic controlled explosions. raised to 10 years and 1,000 lashes. and Antalya. Television pictures Islam, the dominant religion of group. AFP State militants. Both incidents REUTERS AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Pope with Iranian VP IS gunmen in IS attack on Iraqi base Libya seize housing US forces foiled radio station TRIPOLI: Gunmen claiming to be members of the Islamic State (IS) have seized control All eight militants killed, says US military of a state-run radio station in Libya’s coastal city of Sirte, res- BAGHDAD: Iraqi soldiers the town on the Euphrates river, Islamic State group which now idents said yesterday. backed by US-led coalition air- northwest of Baghdad. But IS, holds large parts of Syria and Militants’ websites also posted craft repelled an attack yester- in its daily online radio broad- Iraq. The call for a renewed effort pictures showing armed men sit- day by the Islamic State (IS) on cast, said that “soldiers of the for a peace plan came ahead of ting in front of microphones in a a base where hundreds of US caliphate, with God’s help,” had a UN Security Council meeting broadcasting studio and brandish- troops are training local secu- captured the police headquar- on Tuesday during which envoy ing Kalashnikov assault rifles. rity forces, officials said. ters and an army barracks in Al Staffan de Mistura is to report on “They took Radio Sirte. Since “The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) Baghdadi. his efforts since his appointment then they have been broadcast- supported by Coalition surveillance Coalition planes had been una- seven months ago. ing (verses from) the Quran and assets defeated the attack (on Al ble to carry out strikes during the De Mistura is seeking to win speeches by IS chief Abu Bakr Al Asad air base in western Iraq), clashes there because of “heavy Assad’s backing for a plan to Baghdadi,” a resident of the cen- killing all eight attackers,” a US fog”, it said. The Pentagon said a “freeze” fighting in the northern tral city said by telephone. military statement said. total of five air strikes had been city of Aleppo, which is divided The resident said speeches of An Iraqi army colonel and a carried out near Al Asad since into regime and rebel-held areas. IS spokesman Abu Mohammed defence ministry official said the Thursday morning. The freeze would allow for Al Adnani were also being played botched assault involved at least A suicide car bomb, four IS deliveries of humanitarian aid on the air. seven would-be suicide bombers “tactical units”, a checkpoint and and lay the groundwork for peace A former local administration using a military vehicle. an earth mover were destroyed in talks, but there has been little official said the gunmen have set It came hours after IS fight- the strikes, it said without elabo- concrete progress on the proposal up a headquarters in the centre ers launched an offensive on the rating. About 300 members of the first raised in October. of the city, and voiced concern nearby town of Al Baghdadi, one US security forces are at the base “If this is not working, we that they could declare an Islamic of the few in the Sunni province in the heart of Anbar province should not waste time,” Ghadbian emirate in Sirte. of Anbar still under government training Iraqi troops. told journalists. De Mistura “They could take advantage of control. Eighteen soldiers, includ- should present his findings at the the absence of any central gov- ing a brigadier general, were SYRIA NEEDS PEACE PLAN Security Council and “clearly say ernment authority to transform killed in the clashes in Baghdadi Meanehile, the Syrian opposi- who is responsible” for the failed the city into an Islamic emirate as and the attack on Al-Asad, army tion’s UN envoy warned yesterday diplomatic effort, he added. they did in Derna,” an eastern city and police officials said. that US-led war against militants Next Month, Syria will begin held by jihadist groups including “IS gunmen launched an attack in Syria would fail unless world its fifth year of war that has IS. The man, who declined to be yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, powers get serious about a peace brought about one of the world’s named, said the gunmen appar- targeting the police headquarters plan to end the nearly four-year worst humanitarian crises. ently seized the radio “as a first of Al Baghdadi and two govern- war against President Bashar Al At least 210,000 people have step to communicate with the ment buildings in the town cen- Assad. “We welcome the coalition been killed and close to 12 mil- population”. tre,” a police lieutenant colonel but we need to have a comprehen- lion Syrians have been displaced “The situation in Sirte is very said. He said the attackers were sive strategy to address the under- including 3.8 million who have fled complex,” he said, because many assisted by “sleeper cells” already lying cause: Assad and Assad’s to neighboring countries. radical groups have a foothold inside the town, one of a handful brutality,” said Najib Ghadbian, the Syria’s opposition and the there. Since the 2011 uprising in the Sunni province of Anbar Syrian National Coalition’s repre- regime agreed in 2012 to the that toppled and killed dicta- not under IS control. sentative to the United Nations. Geneva communique, which calls tor Moamer Kadhafi, Sirte, the An army colonel said police, “The war on IS will not suc- for a political transition to end former strongman’s hometown army and anti-jihadist tribal ceed until the Security Council the violence, but there has been Pope Francis receives Iranian Vice-President for women and family has become a stronghold of forces on Friday repelled the jihad- takes a comprehensive action,” disagreement on Assad’s role in affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi in Vatican. The Vatican announced extremist groups. ists from most neighbourhoods of said Ghadbian, referring to the the transition. AFP that Iran would send a delegation of women to the World Meeting of Sirte is a bastion of Ansar Al Families, to be held in September in Philadelphia. Sharia, an Islamist blacklisted by the United Nations and the United States. AFP Cairo bomb Palestinian girl freed after 6 weeks in Israeli jail kills policeman

TULKAREM: Israel freed personnel if she were arrested. CAIRO: A bomb attack yes- yesterday a 14-year-old Israel arrests about 1,000 terday on an Egyptian police Palestinian schoolgirl, whose children every year in the West Court rejects appeal over activist’s death convoy in the capital killed an jailing six weeks ago for plan- Bank, often on charges of stone- officer and wounded seven con- ning to attack Israelis became throwing, according to rights JERUSALEM: The family of Court decision ignores interna- dismissed the arguments. scripts and a civilian, officials a focus for anger over the group Defence for Children Rachel Corrie, an American tional law arguments regarding “The ground-clearing actions said, with militants claiming arrest of children in the occu- International Palestine. The activist killed by an Israeli the protection of civilians and during which Rachel was hit, responsibility. pied territories. arrest of Malak brought media army bulldozer while protest- human rights defenders in armed answer all criteria ... to cat- The blast occurred in Ain A photographer in the West organisations flocking to her fam- ing with Palestinians in 2003, conflict and grossly violates the egorise it as an action during Shams, a neighbourhood in north- Bank town of Tulkarem said ily’s door and attracted more pub- has accused Israel of shielding internationally recognised right wartime,” read a passage in east Cairo that is a stronghold of Malak Al Khatib was released lic attention than most because its military from blame after to effective remedy.” the 24-page ruling, written in supporters of deposed Islamist there and greeted by her parents, she is a girl. the Supreme Court dismissed Corrie’s family first brought Hebrew by Justice Esther Hayut. president Mohamed Mursi. relatives and the mayor, before The Prisoners’ Club estimates an appeal over her death. a case in 2005, accusing Israel The Israeli army says it needed The interior ministry said a being taken home to Beitin vil- that 200 Palestinian minors are In a ruling, Israel’s highest of intentionally and unlawfully to demolish houses to prevent “home-made bomb” targeted the lage, about 40km away. held in Israeli prisons, but only court upheld a 2012 decision by killing their 23-year-old daugh- Palestinian militants using the patrol. The officer, who served in Malak was arrested on her way four are girls, and Malak was the a lower court that cleared the ter. After a military investigation area in the southern Gaza Strip an anti-riot unit, was rushed to home from school on December youngest. military of responsibility for her absolved the army of responsi- as cover for attacks. It also argued hospital and died of his wounds, 31, and a military court subse- At the time, an Israeli military death, saying the incident hap- bility, the family launched a the driver of the bulldozer could it said. The group Ajnad Misr quently jailed her for two months. spokeswoman said Malak was pened during wartime and was a civil case in the northern city of not have seen Corrie. (Soldiers of Egypt) said on The Palestinian Prisoners’ convicted after a plea bargain. “regrettable accident”. Haifa, which ultimately ruled the On another appeal matter, the Twitter that it had staged the Club said two weeks had been But her father said her confes- “We have come to see through death an accident. Supreme Court told Nazareth bombing, which it described as deducted from the sentence due sion counted for little. this experience how deeply all of In their appeal, the fam- District Court to resume pro- the third attack against police in to her age. “A 14-year-old girl surrounded Israel’s institutions are impli- ily sought to persuade the ceedings on family claims that the area. According to the indictment by Israeli soldiers will admit to cated in the impunity enjoyed Supreme Court to accept that some of Corrie’s remains had not Egypt has been gripped by she had “picked up a stone” to anything,” he said bitterly. by the Israeli military,” the fam- the death had not occurred dur- been returned to them for burial unrest since the army, led by now- throw at cars on a road used “She would admit to holding ily said in a statement issued on ing war. But the three justice in the United States following President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, by Israeli settlers near the vil- a nuclear weapon if she were their web site, http://rachelcor- panel, which included Supreme the autopsy on her body. toppled Mursi in July 2013 and lage and was also in possession accused.” riefoundation.org.“The Supreme Court President Miriam Naor, REUTERS launched a deadly crackdown on of a knife for stabbing security AFP his supporters. AFP

Snow-covered car Qaeda suspects kill South Sudan postpones vote, Yemen military pilot extends president’s term ADEN: Al Qaeda suspects shot dead a Yemeni military pilot in the south JUBA: South Sudan’s cabinet brink of famine. However, Makeui Friday, a day after militants launched yesterday postponed elections said the term extension “would give a deadly attack on an army base and and extended President Salva us a chance to negotiate without seized heavy weaponry, officials said. Kiir’s powers for two years, the pressure.” Elections in the bit- “Gunmen on a motorbike opened fire information minister said, appar- terly divided nation had been at air force Colonel Mahmoud Al Naqib, ently sinking a peace agreement due before July 9 — the end of the killing him instantly,” an official in the aimed to end 14 months of war. parliament and president’s man- southern province of Lahij said, adding “We have passed a resolu- date under a provisional consti- that the assailants fled. tion extending the tenure of the tution — but they were opposed The attack was carried out by mili- president and the parliament, by international donors and civil tants “suspected of belonging to Al including all elected positions,” society groups who said it would Qaeda,” the official added. Information Minister Michael be impossible to hold the vote in Farther east on the border between Makuei said, after the decision a nation riven by war. the provinces of Marib and Shabwa, was taken by the government’s Fighting broke out in December troops of the 119th Infantry Brigade council of ministers to postpone 2013 when Kiir accused Machar which was attacked on Thursday by Al elections until July 9, 2017. of attempting a coup, setting off a Qaeda handed over their remaining arms That goes against a deal struck cycle of retaliatory killings across to local tribes and withdrew from the between Kiir and rebel chief Riek the country. area, local officials said. Machar earlier this month, in Over half the country’s 12 mil- Twelve soldiers and 15 militants were which they agreed to set up a lion people need aid, according to killed as Al-Qaeda seized the brigade’s transitional unity government in the UN, which is also sheltering camp at Baihan in Shabwa province and the bitterly divided nation to run some 100,000 civilians trapped captured armour and heavy weaponry, a for 30 months from July 9. inside camps ringed with barbed military official said. With the latest ceasefire is in wire, too terrified to venture out Another official said the jihadists tatters, diplomats say frustration for fear of being killed. took “30 tanks, 90 military vehicles, is mounting that neither side is The resolution must still be 25 armoured vehicles and 28 artillery taking the peace efforts seri- passed by parliament, but that pieces”. The militants later handed over ously to end a war in which tens now comprises almost entirely the camp to tribes but kept the heavy of thousands have been slaugh- of lawmakers loyal to Kiir, with weapons, officials said. Snow covers a car during a storm in Jezzin, south Lebanon, yesterday. tered. The United Nations warn those loyal to Machar fighting or AFP that 2.5 million people are on the in exile. AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Saving Yemen

F HOUTHIS, who captured power in Yemen three weeks ago, don’t know what future is awaiting Obama puts down in writing them, they should look at the international reaction Iand learn some lessons from the exodus of foreign ambassadors from Sanaa. Saudi Arabia is the latest country to pull out its envoy from Yemen, and joins the US, Germany, Italy and a number of other countries who think his troubling worldview the security situation is no longer safe in Sanaa for them to BY JAMES JEFFREY keep their envoys. More countries are likely to pull out, and Obama kept returning to this theme, actually accomplish anything, beyond the resulting isolation will leave Yemen and its new rulers on the Islamic State (“Ultimately these adhering to “process,” is absent. These gasping for fresh air. “Due to the deteriorating security and HE Obama administration sent terrorist organizations will be defeated themes are internally consistent. If mili- to Congress last week its sec- because they don’t have a vision that tary action is self-defeating even for our political situation in the Yemeni capital, Saudi Arabia has ond report on national secu- appeals to ordinary people”) and Russia foes, there is no need for a countervail- suspended all embassy operations in Sanaa and evacuated Trity strategy. These updates (“The days in which conquest of land ing — and possibly disastrous — military all its staff,” said the Saudi foreign ministry. are mainly a dry inventory of our aspi- somehow was a formula for great-nation response to aggression, since history will It’s not clear what impact the pullout of ambassadors rations, what’s happening in the world status is over.”). eventually cast aside those aggressors will have on Houthis. But it’s unlikely that it will force and what the United States can do in Second, if the United States acts mili- who cannot deliver basic governance. response, rather than a true strategy. tarily, it inevitably runs a serious risk Thus, “no military solution.” them into making any major compromises or abandoning That was the case for this one as well, of overcommitment and disaster. The But are they correct? This is the power. They are no democratic or pragmatic political party, but bits of it reveal much about how NSS: “Many of the security problems important question — because we are but a regional group driven solely by sectarian interests President Barack Obama views the we face do not lend themselves to quick betting international peace and our whose only objective is to seize power. But seizing power world. Combined with his recent inter- and easy fixes.” The Zakaria interview: security on them. is one thing, keeping it quite another. Yemen cannot exist view by Fareed Zakaria on CNN, his “We don’t approach this with a strat- The first theme violates a precept in isolation. Even if the Houthis are prepared to face State of the Union address last month egy of sending out occupying armies that all diplomats must learn: Don’t and his speech last May at West Point, and playing whack-a-mole wherever a project your worldview onto others. international isolation, there is another harsh reality they we can glean a good summary of the terrorist group appears.” The State of Assumptions that military force is self- will have to contend with –- lack of finances to run the president’s basic principles for security the Union: “When the first response to defeating have tragically been proved government. Saudi Arabia has already withdrawn the huge policy. Unfortunately, that summary is a challenge is to send in our military, wrong time and again the world over. aid it has been offering to the war- troubling. then we risk getting drawn into unnec- Equally open to question are the torn country, and other countries and Although Obama’s goals are consistent essary conflicts.” And the West Point linked themes of “no military solution” international agencies are likely to with mainstream US foreign policy since speech: “Since World War II, some of and “escalation into a morass.” The The exodus the onset of the Cold War, his dismissive our most costly mistakes came not from United States has used or threatened follow suit. approach to military force represents a our restraint but from our willingness military force frequently since the 1940s. of foreign Yemen is sliding further into clear depar- to rush into military adventures without Only three times did we fail with signifi- ambassadors instability and its structures are ture from thinking through the consequences.” cant costs: in North Korea, Vietnam and collapsing. On Thursday, militants that consen- Third, there is “no military solution” Iraq. Those conflicts demonstrated the from Yemen linked to Al Qaeda overran a sus. But that’s to anything. No statement is reiterated folly of regime change and social engi- nothing new. by this administration more frequently neering under fire but not the folly of military base in southern Yemen in will push the Those who use What’s new whenever a crisis emerges, presented as military action per se. Most U.S. military a sophisticated attack to exploit the is that Obama an immutable law that applies not just to operations during that time were suc- country into widening turmoil in this Arabian military force is strongly us but also to the tyrants and terrorists. cessful, and completed at low cost, from another grave Peninsula nation. Since seizing Sanaa, are destined for reaffirming Although it does not appear in the NSS, Berlin to the Cuban embargo, the first crisis. the Houthis have pressed into central this approach its spirit is there: In a 12-line section on Gulf War, Kosovo and Bosnia. Obama’s and southern provinces and clashed despite 12 the Islamic State, the military is cited incessant warnings notwithstanding, the the ash heap of months domi- only in passing. While the administra- United States has generally been able to regularly with Al Qaeda and local nated by mili- tion laudably has deployed ground troops achieve its military aims without getting Sunni tribes. history because tary threats to NATO’s eastern borders in response bogged down in costly conflicts. Houthis must realize that they force is inherently to global secu- to the Ukraine crisis, this action is not Finally, “no military solution” is sim- can’t rule the country with use of force. They must honour rity order — explicitly mentioned. ply empty rhetoric. It’s true that any peace agreements and enter into dialogue with their counterproductive. from Russia, Fourth, when required, and absent military action ultimately must adhere opponents to work out a power-sharing formula. There the Islamic the most compelling security need, mili- to political logic. But military action can State, Iran tary action should be employed through reinforce political objectives in multiple is no alternative to dialogue, and Sanaa’s Gulf neighbours and China. coalitions and after applying diplomatic, ways. Its mere threat has political effects can’t be kept off talks. Yet the two-page summary of major economic and other tools, with legality on friends and foes, and the impact of The coming days are crucial. The stance of the United global developments in the introduction and legitimacy as the guiding princi- combat operations — inflicting pain, Nations will be especially important. The UN special of the national security strategy (NSS) ples. According to the NSS, this means seizing territory, threatening to disarm envoy Benomar has said that Yemen had reached “a included only a brief mention of Russia’s “appreciation for the risk to our mis- an opponent — also generates political threat and nothing on the others. Rather sion, our global responsibilities, and the outcomes. This has been made clear crossroad”. “Either the country will descend into civil war than highlight these new threats, the opportunity costs at home and abroad.” recently with Iran on nuclear prolifera- and disintegration, or the country will find a way to put president consistently repeated four These are not unreasonable considera- tion and with the Islamic State in Iraq, the transition back on track,” Benomar told the Security interrelated security themes: tions, as long as the traditional principles but the president glosses over the effec- Council by video link from Sanaa. Following closed-door First, those who use military force of military force — decisive action, clear tive use of US military strength even consultations in New York, Britain said it would work with are destined for the ash heap of his- objectives, unity of command and, above under his own leadership. In this world, Jordan on a resolution to outline the Security Council’s tory because force is inherently coun- all, a commitment to victory — have pri- the military does solve problems. terproductive. In the Zakaria interview, ority. But the idea of having the military WP-BLOOMBERG stance on Yemen. The other side Quote of Playing poker in Sri Lanka the day HE Tamil question has been Criminal Court. Thirdly, it asks courts in diplomatic chatter that the international Sirisena government even before it has brought centre-stage with the countries with universal jurisdiction over community must permit the new properly articulated a plan for address- elected council of Sri Lanka’s the alleged events and perpetrators, government some time before it takes up ing Tamil demands for a just peace, TNorthern Province passing “including but not limited to the United the twin tasks of investigation of alleged harden as it will Sinhala opinion. The a resolution accusing successive States”, to prosecute the crimes. The war crimes and human rights abuses political and legal contestation over the governments in Colombo of carrying resolution roundly rejects any domestic against Tamils and demilitarisation of the use of the word genocide will prove out genocide against the minority investigations. The timing of this strongly North. The HRC session in Geneva is divisive too. Soon after the election, the community over six decades. Moved worded resolution is no mystery. In the seen as crucial in this context. Clearly, new government gave an assurance of a If we want to by Northern Province Chief Minister five weeks since President Maithripala the Tamil National Alliance, which is the credible domestic investigation into war C.V. Wigneswaran in the Provincial Sirisena has been in office after his main political grouping representing the crimes allegations. New Delhi is rightly inherit from my Council, the resolution demands stunning election victory, he has been Tamils and rules the Northern Province, concerned about the impact this could that the U.N. High Commissioner for preoccupied with the task of fulfilling wants to ensure that these issues stay have on its diplomatic efforts aimed at father, we have Human Rights investigate “historical” his 100-day charter of promises, which on the global agenda, and at the same persuading Colombo to act on full dev- to build a real and “recent” instances of genocide ambitiously includes the abolition of the time test the will of the new Sri Lankan olution of political powers to the Tamil and submit its report at the session of executive presidency. Pulling together government at a crucial point. minority, a matter that is certain to be democratic nation. the Human Rights Council next month. a diverse coalition with conflicting While the resolution may serve that on the agenda when President Sirisena Aung San Suu Kyi It also asks the UN Security Council agendas is his primary challenge. For purpose, its maximalist tenor does visits next week for a meeting with Prime Myanmar to refer the matter to the International these reasons, there has been significant complicate the political ground for the Minister Narendra Modi. THE HINDU Opposition Leader SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Afghan insurgency grows more complex The Taliban is transforming into a patchwork of forces with often conflicting ideals and motivations, looking less like the ultra- religious movement it started out as in the mid-1990s. BY SUDARSAN RAGHAVAN “They are trying to make northern Afghanistan insecure,” Shah Waliullah he Taliban in this northern Adeeb, the provincial governor, told a province allows girls to attend reporter in December. “By seizing areas school. It doesn’t execute sol- in Badakhshan, they are trying to send a Tdiers or police. Its fighters are message that the national government is not Pashtun, the main ethnic group that weak and inefficient, and helpless.” bred and fueled the insurgency. Some America’s longest war has officially members are even former mujahedeen, or ended, at least in the form that mani- freedom fighters, who once despised the fested itself for the past 13 years, with Taliban and fought against its uprising. tens of thousands of foreign troops, high- “The Taliban here are against the ideol- tech weaponry and countless airstrikes. ogy of the Taliban in the south,” explained The roughly 13,000 US and Nato soldiers Maizuddin Ahmedi, 20, a former Taliban who remain have shrunken capabilities member who reflects the local faction’s and more restrictions, and their ranks atypical nature: He has a Facebook page, are scheduled to grow even smaller by tweets regularly and wears a beanie the end of the year. Gen Nazir Mohammed Nayazee, a former mujahideen commander, is Faizabad’s mayor. “We never expected the Taliban to rise up here,” emblazoned with the letters “NY.” “They But Afghanistan remains an unfinished he says. don’t behead soldiers.” conflict. In Iraq, the US withdrawal in As the United States reshapes its 2009 coincided with a reduction in vio- military footprint in Afghanistan, the lence. Here, the bloodshed is rising. the narrow passes. But in recent years, the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. not ideological Taliban.” Taliban is transforming into a patchwork Last year, there were more civilian and Afghan security forces have focused on The Taliban here is predominantly To be sure, the Taliban has become of forces with often conflicting ideals and security-force deaths than in any year fighting the militants in the south and local, a mix of ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks, increasingly disjointed. Omar has not motivations, looking less like the ultra- since the US-led intervention ousted the east, leaving northern areas largely according to provincial officials and been seen in years, and some analysts religious movement it started out as in Taliban government in 2001. unprotected. In Badakhshan, security Ahmedi, the former Taliban member, who suspect he is dead. Founding command- the mid-1990s. The fragmentation may In Badakhshan, a struggle is under- forces are ill-equipped and overstretched. was interviewed two days after defect- ers have been killed in battle or have suggest the movement is weakening, but way to prevent the Taliban from gaining When NATO troops departed the prov- ing. It also includes a small contingent defected, creating power vacuums and it is forcing Afghanistan’s government to more territory in this strategic corner ince in 2013, the Taliban seized more of fighters from neighboring countries. competing factions. confront an insurgency that is becom- that borders three nations — Pakistan, ground. Many fighters, like Ahmedi, were A UN report last year said the Taliban ing increasingly diverse, scattered — and China and Tajikistan — and is a gateway Today, the insurgents have injected unemployed and lured by the militants’ is “experiencing a range of divisions more lethal. for the smuggling of opium to Europe. In themselves into seven districts, a quarter promise of salaries and food. Others are driven primarily by differences over What is unfolding here in Badakhshan the provincial capital, Faizabad, ringed by of the province. They number around 800 escaping the law or disputes with local political strategy.” Those divides, it con- province offers a glimpse into these com- snow-covered mountains, lingers a sense to 1,000 fighters, according to provincial officials. They also include disgruntled tinued, were “amplified” by factions that plexities — and the future of a conflict in of disbelief that the region is now as frag- officials, and their command center is a former mujahedeen fighters who found had acquired control over various funding which the US combat mission is formally ile as any other area of Afghanistan. mere 40 miles east of Faizabad. They have no place within the government. sources and were able to “behave with over. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, “We never expected the Taliban to rise set up a shadow government, and fighters Most were not even born or were chil- increasing autonomy.” from 1996 to 2001, this was the only prov- up here,” said Gen Nazir Mohammed man checkpoints in villages. dren when the Taliban was created. That Several Taliban groups have launched ince it was never able to control. Now, the Nayazee, the mayor of Faizabad. “The security forces can’t do anything includes their top commander — Qari independent websites and social-media insurgency is making inroads here and in Nayazee, a former top mujahedeen against them,” said Sadiqullah Khaliqi, Fasihuddin — who is believed to be 27 or platforms, including some that sympa- other parts of the north, outside its strong- commander, speaks with the authority 26, a taxi driver who frequently travels 28. And while the Taliban has imposed thize with Al Qaeda and its affiliates. holds in the south and east. of experience. He was shot twice fighting through Taliban-controlled areas. Islamic law in areas it controls, it has also Internal rivalries have led to assas- The Taliban in Badakhshan has gained the Russians in the 1980s and wounded The Taliban here expresses allegiance allowed schooling for girls, satellite tel- sinations of Taliban leaders, the UN strength precisely because it is different twice battling the Taliban in the 1990s. to Mohammad Omar, the insurgency’s evision and music — all forbidden under report said. In southern and eastern from the core insurgency. Its fighters are In 1997, a year after it seized Kabul, supreme leader, and is loosely aligned Taliban rule. It gets most of its financing, Afghanistan, some local Taliban com- using their ethnic and tribal ties to gain the Taliban pushed northward. But it with the Taliban’s central command. It Ahmedi said, by taxing opium farmers manders have banned polio vaccinations, recruits and popular support, while their was stopped at Badakhshan’s borders views the government as un-Islamic and and trucks ferrying marble from nearby fearing health workers were spies, even knowledge of the landscape helps them by Nayazee and his mujahedeen forces. a puppet of the West. But it otherwise mines. though the movement’s central command outmaneuver Afghan security forces and Under fire from cragged mountaintops, shares little resemblance to its Pashtun “They are not mullahs,” said Nayazee, has approved the campaign. control sources of funding. the Taliban could not break through brethren, who launched their revolt from referring to religious scholars. “They are WP-BLOOMBERG Why does this Buddhist-majority This is a make-or-break moment for Ukraine

nation hate Rohingyas so much? ANGUS ROXBURGH BY ISHAAN THAROOR ladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko could scarcely muster a handshake at the beginning of the peace talks in Minsk, n 2009, Burma’s then con- and the fact that the negotiations went on through the night sul general in Hong Kong Vsuggests they both had to be arm-twisted into making conces- sent a letter to local news- sions they didn’t like. It also means that the deal they finally reached Ipapers and fellow diplomats is very fragile, hanging by the slenderest of threads. The immediate posted in the Chinese territory. task will be to establish a lasting ceasefire, starting tomorrow. The It was addressing concerns over priority is to put an end to the awful bloodshed that has soaked eastern the treatment of refugees from Ukraine for the past year. Burma’s Rohingya population, a But it is the next part of the Minsk plan – what Putin referred to as Bengali-speaking Muslim minor- a “political settlement” – that will be trickiest. The west’s ultimate aim ity long marginalised in the coun- is to secure Ukraine’s future as an independent state, its territory whole try. Incidents of shipwrecked again and guaranteed. It would be a disaster if the current situation – boats bearing half-starved, des- self-declared “people’s republics” based around the cities of Donetsk and perate Rohingya from Burma had Luhansk – were allowed to ossify into a “frozen conflict”, establishing de won wider attention in the region. facto a separate rebel-run state and partitioning Ukraine, perhaps for Ye Myint Aung, the Burmese ever. But for millions of Russians now to live safely in the south-eastern envoy in Hong Kong, hoped to dis- regions, after so much bloodshed and fratricide, a huge effort will be suade others from feeling sympa- required on all sides. The people of Ukraine need Putin to do all he can thy for the Rohingya. His method to persuade the rebels that the deal is in their interests, and for the for doing this was by revealing his west to do nothing that gives Putin an excuse not to do so. shocking racism. The Rohingya, Ultimately, the prospects for peace in the region may depend on how he said, “are as ugly as ogres,” and strong Putin’s hold on the rebels is. It hasn’t always been as strong as do not share the “fair and soft” it might appear on the surface – they ignored his plea not to hold a skin of other Burmese ethnic referendum on independence in 2014, for example, and their determi- groups. A Buddhist monk holds up a banner during a protest to demand the revocation of the right of holders of temporary nation to have their own state has strengthened since then. Therefore, the Burmese con- identification cards, known as white cards, to vote, in Yangon. Roughly two-thirds of the white-card holders are Putin’s public position has never been identical to that of the sepa- sul general concluded, “Rohingya Rohingya Muslims. ratists – he has consistently said he supports Ukraine’s territorial are neither Myanmar people nor integrity, but wants constitutional reforms that will guarantee the Myanmar’s ethnic group,” using million Rohingya, the majority monks. Certain groups play an majority, warning of “a jihad rights of Russians living in the south and east of the country. That the other name for Burma while of whom live in Burma’s Rakhine outsize role in fanning sentiment against Buddhist monks.” is what the Minsk agreement provides for – and the west must put trotting out his government’s state, on the western border with against the Rohingya, whom they But critics say Wirathu and his pressure on Kiev to deliver quickly on that promise. long-standing contention that Bangladesh and India, and strug- like to characterize as “Bengali” ilk, more often than not, are the The west also needs to hold Putin to his words, and to the position the Rohingya are interlopers in gle to access basic state services. illegal immigrants rather than a ones inciting mob violence against he has signed up to. He must not be allowed to pretend that he can’t Burma and don’t deserve citizen- About 140,000 Rohinigya eke distinct Burmese ethnic group. Burma’s Muslims, including non- control the rebels – he can, after all, easily turn off the supply of ship rights. out a squalid existence in ram- (Never mind that many genera- Rohingya Muslims. Hundreds weapons to them. But realistically he is unlikely to do that if he fears More than half a decade has shackle camps, displaced by eth- tions of Rohingya have lived on have died in recent years amid that Ukraine, backed by the west, is preparing to resume its military past since then and the situation nic and sectarian strife in 2013 what’s Burmese soil.) riots and tit-for-tat attacks. offensive against them. Putin needs to be encouraged to drop his mili- in Burma has changed for the and neglected by the Burmese Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist It’s a worrying development in tary support for the rebels rather than feeling compelled to continue better. The country has opened government. cleric notorious for his xenopho- a diverse nation that’s just emerg- it in the face of a western-armed Ukrainian offensive. up. The secretive, dictatorial mili- Recent UN calls on the bic rhetoric, even earned a spot ing from the straight-jacket of It is to be hoped, therefore, that the US will reconsider its plans tary junta that once held sway has Burmese government to grant the on the cover of TIME magazine’s authoritarian rule. Perhaps the to send a battalion of troops to Ukraine next month to start training allowed the advent of a fledgling, Rohingya full citizenship rights, International edition, with the most depressing indication of the Ukrainian forces. The situation is far too fragile, and the stakes are albeit heavily curtailed democ- including a General Assembly cover line: “The Face of Buddhist Rohingya’s plight is the relative too high, for such easily misinterpreted moves. The same goes for any racy. Nobel laureate Aung San resolution passed in December, Terror.” The saffron-clad Wirathu silence of Suu Kyi, a global icon thoughts about sending arms, even defensive ones, to Kiev. Suu Kyi was freed from decades have been received with hostil- dubs himself the “Burmese Bin for democracy and human rights. As the International Institute for Strategic Studies warned this of house arrest and is now a main ity. Angry anti-Rohingya marches Laden,” and indulges in frenzied, The Nobel laureate, in keeping week, “a decision by the west to provide arms to Ukraine could prompt leader of the opposition. this week persuaded the govern- un-monk-like speeches calling with Burmese government pol- a rapid escalation of Russian support for separatists battling govern- But the miserable condition ment to scrap tentative plans to for tough action on Muslims. He icy, refuses to even say the word ment forces in the east of the country”. That is why Chancellor Merkel of the Rohingya, a forgotten, give Rohingya carrying tempo- raises the fear of forced conver- “Rohingya” — which in Burma’s rushed into action last week, desperately hoping to achieve an agree- stateless people, persists. The rary documents the right to vote sions and terrorism. Last year, polarised context would be an act ment before the Americans raise the stakes. She understands, better UN deems them “one of the in an upcoming referendum. he addressed a gathering of of recognising the community’s it seems than any other western leader, that this is a make-or-break most persecuted minorities in Much of the ire is fanned by a nationalist monks in Sri Lanka, rights, let alone its very existence. moment. If cool thinking does not prevail, on all sides, the consequences the world.” There are some 1.3 hard-core of nationalist Buddhist another nation with a Buddhist WP-BLOOMBERG for Europe could be cataclysmic. THE GUARDIAN SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Carnival begins Sierra Leone Fighting kills quarantines 700 homes after 27 more before Ebola case

FREETOWN: Sierra Leone placed hundreds of homes in the Ukraine truce capital under Ebola quarantine yesterday, in a huge blow for its recovery less than a month after it lifted all restrictions on Russia warned of fresh sanctions movement. The government said 700 prop- DONETSK: Fighting raged in “I don’t want anyone to have erties had been locked down in Ukraine yesterday as the clock any illusions or to seem like I’m Aberdeen, a fishing and tourist ticked down to a ceasefire that naive — there is still an awful district of Freetown, after the will be a first test of the commit- long way to go to peace,” Ukraine death of a fisherman who tested ment by Kiev and pro-Russian President Petro Poroshenko told positive for the tropical virus. separatists to a freshly-inked troops near Kiev. “We are on top of the situation peace plan. “Nobody is absolutely certain and people should not panic,” said At least 27 civilians and sol- that the conditions for peace Obi Sesay of the government’s diers died in shelling as German signed in Minsk will be fulfilled.” National Ebola Response Centre, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned European Union foreign policy adding that a special control cen- Russia it risked fresh sanctions if chief Federica Mogherini hailed tre had been set up to deal with the fighting did not stop. the signing of the road map as “a the incident. With separatists fighting to first result”. He told reporters Aberdeen had conquer more territory ahead of “The first step is the ceasefire been “flooded” with surveillance the truce and Kiev forces digging tomorrow evening and we’ll verify officers and contact tracers to in, there were also doubts about that on the ground,” she said in ensure the death didn’t turn into whether anyone would observe Tunis. a serious outbreak. the midnight Sunday ceasefire Both sides are supposed to begin The west African nation of six vital to the success of the peace pulling back heavy weaponry from million has seen almost 11,000 road map. along the frontline no later than Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes (kneeling) and Rei Momo, or Carnival King Wilson Neto (second left) cases and 3,363 deaths during the The fresh fighting came after two days after that. pose for pictures after the handing over of the ceremonial key to the city at Cidade Palace in Rio de Janeiro epidemic which has raged in west rebels and Kiev agreed to the wide- German Chancellor Angela yesterday. The event officially kicked off the 2015 carnival week in Rio. Africa for more than a year. ranging plan on Thursday after Merkel, warned Russia that the President Ernest Bai Koroma marathon talks in the Belarussian EU, which has already slapped had pointed to a “steady downward capital Minsk between the lead- Moscow with sanctions over the trend” in new cases on January 23, ers of Russia, Ukraine, France and crisis, was not ruling out further lifting countrywide quarantines Germany. measures if the truce failed. affecting half the population. Ukraine’s deputy defence min- “If there are difficulties we Climate pact blueprint adopted But optimism gave way to fresh ister Petro Mekhed accused the wouldn’t rule out other sanctions,” alarm on Wednesday as the World rebels of wanting to “raise their she said in Brussels on Thursday, GENEVA: Negotiators in Ever since the 2009 Copenhagen to this year’s official UN climate Health Organisation (WHO) flag” over railway hub Debaltseve, after the 17-hour Minsk talks Geneva adopted a climate blue- conference failed to deliver a world agenda, was tasked with “stream- reported the number of new scene of the bitterest recent fight- with French President Francois print yesterday, a symbolic mile- agreement, the 195 nations gath- lining” the Lima document. cases rising across Sierra Leone ing, and strategic port Mariupol Hollande, Russian leader Vladimir stone in the fraught UN process ered under the UN Framework Instead, the meeting’s mandate and neighbouring Guinea for the ahead of the ceasefire. Putin and Poroshenko. that must culminate in a univer- Convention for Climate Change was changed early on to seeking second week running. “Ukraine is expecting an esca- Ukraine’s military said that sal pact in Paris in December. (UNFCCC) have been working on universal endorsement of the text, Transmission remains “wide- lation and taking all necessary fighting remained fiercest around Assembled over the past six a new project for adoption by the which more than doubled since spread” in Sierra Leone, which measures to be able to respond,” Debaltseve, with rebels firing mis- days, the 86-page draft plan for end of this year. Sunday until all countries were reported 76 new confirmed cases Mekhed told journalists. siles at the beleaguered railway limiting man-made global warm- Set to be signed at the satisfied their views were included. in the week to February 8, accord- The fragile agreement was seen hub midway between the main ing was gavelled through at the November 30-December 11 At the very core of the pact, ing to the WHO. as the best hope of ending the con- separatist bastions of Donetsk and close of six days of talks, prompt- UNFCCC Conference of Parties countries remain deeply divided Liberia, which saw the most flict, which has killed at least 5,480 Lugansk. ing applause from delegates. (COP) in Paris, the pact must on the issue of “differentiation” deaths at the peak of the epidemic people and ratcheted East-West Kiev has accused Russia of “The task of this session has enter into force by 2020 to further — how to share responsibility for in September and October, reg- tensions to highs not seen since deploying another 50 tanks across been achieved,” UN climate chief the UN goal of limiting warming emissions cuts between rich and istered just three new confirmed the Cold War. the border during the talks in Christiana Figueres told reporters to two degrees Celsius over pre- poor nations. cases in the week to February 8. Kiev and the West accuse Minsk. ahead of the closing. Industrial Revolution levels. Developing countries also want The Liberian government has Russia of stoking the war in ex- Rebel leaders — seen by the “We have a text today..., the for- Negotiators emerged from the their developed counterparts announced it will reopen schools Soviet Ukraine by pouring arms West as Kremlin puppets — have mal negotiating text that will be last COP in Lima last December, to commit to long-term climate next week, after a six-month clo- and troops to help the pro-Russian said that the new deal raises hopes the basis for negotiations for the with a hard-fought framework text financing, and insist on compen- sure to slow the spread of the epi- rebels fighting Kiev government of peace but warned there would next few months until we get to that remained hotly contested. sation for climate-change induced demic, while Sierra Leone plans to troops in Ukraine’s industrial east. be no more talking if it fails. Paris”, where the final pact will The February 8-13 Geneva talks, losses and damage suffered. do so at the end of March. Moscow denies the charges. AFP be adopted. one of three special sessions added AFP AFP

Kirchner accused of cover-up

Boko Haram BUENOS AIRES: Argentine President Cristina Kirchner was formally accused yesterday of shielding Iranian officials from carries out first prosecution over a 1994 bombing at a Buenos Aires Jewish centre, prosecutors said. The prosecution move advances the case against Kirchner that attack in Chad was being pursued by late prosecutor Alberto Nisman before he died mysteriously on the eve of congressional hearings on his accusations. N’DJAMENA: Nigeria’s Boko The accusation now goes to the judge in the case, Daniel Rafecas, Haram rebels carried out their to decide whether to call Kirchner to make a statement. first attack yesterday inside Kirchner has been under fire since Nisman turned up dead after neighbouring Chad, targeting accusing her of covering up the involvement of high-ranking Iranian a village on the shores of Lake officials in the deadly bombing in exchange for oil. Chad as part of a widening The new prosecutor in the case, Gerardo Pollicita, accepted insurgency that has sucked in Nisman’s conclusions and accused Kirchner, Foreign Minister Hector four countries. Timerman and other government officials of mounting a cover-up and The Islamist fighters crossed violating their duties, according to a prosecution statement. the vast lake by boat under cover of darkness to attack the village Canada confirms mad cow case of Nougboua, across the water from the Nigerian town of Baga. OTTAWA: Canada, a major exporter of beef, said yesterday it “They started firing on every- had found a case of mad cow disease in a beef cow in the province thing that moved,” Chadian army of Alberta, the first in the country since 2011. spokesman Azem Bermandoa A statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Agoun told national radio. said no part of the cow had reached the human food or animal feed Two-thirds of Ngouboua, systems and said exports should not be harmed. Mad cow is formally which has become a sanctuary known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a progressive, for Nigerians fleeing attacks by fatal neurological disease. Boko Haram, was torched in the “The CFIA is seeking to confirm the age of the animal, its his- The remains of Deah Shaddy Barakat are carried by loved ones from the Islamic Association of Raleigh to a mass onslaught, a security source said. tory and how it became infected. The investigation will focus in on service in a soccer field in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday. Chadian forces, backed by mili- the feed supplied to this animal during the first year of its life,” the tary aircraft, returned fire, rout- agency said. ing the militants and destroying their vessels, the source said. Six-day-old has heart transplant Chadian officials reported one civilian — the village chief — and LOS ANGELES: A six-day old premature baby has become the Thousands attend funerals one soldier killed, with a further youngest infant to receive a heart transplant at a US hospital, four troops wounded. doctors and her proud parents said on Thursday. Two Boko Haram fighters Baby Oliver Crawford underwent the operation at Phoenix of US Muslim students were also killed and five injured, Children’s Hospital in Arizona after being born seven weeks ahead N’Djamena said. of schedule with a heart defect which meant her parents didn’t RALEIGH: The families of including proclamations denounc- these children were executed with The security source, who spoke expect him to survive. three Muslim students shot ing Christianity, Mormonism and shots in the back of the heads,” he on condition of anonymity, gave a “From our understanding Oliver is the youngest recipient in dead by a white neighbour in the Islam. said, surrounded by tearful family higher Chadian death toll of four the nation. He received his transplant at 34 weeks and three days US said an emotional farewell Police said they were investi- members as they prepared for the civilians, including the chief, and gestation,” said his mother. to their loved ones Thursday, gating Tuesday’s fatal shootings final funeral prayer. one soldier. The baby remains in hospital and his lungs remain weak but he reiterating calls for the killings as a parking dispute, but victims’ “This has hate crime written The attack marks a new esca- is doing “amazingly well” at 6.1 pounds, according to the hospital. to be treated as a hate crime. families repeated their belief the all over it and I’m not going to sit lation in Boko Haram’s bloody More than 5,000 people gath- attack was religiously motivated. down for it,” he said later before six-year campaign to establish Warning of ‘mega-drought’ in US ered for the funeral of Deah The Federal Bureau of three caskets. a hardline Islamic caliphate in Shaddy Barakat, 23, his new wife Investigation said it had launched He said his daughter Yusor had northeast Nigeria, which borders SAN JOSÉ: Long-lasting mega-droughts could occur with Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, a parallel probe into the killings. complained that Hicks had har- Cameroon, Chad and Niger. increasing frequency in the western United States later this cen- and her 19-year-old sister Razan Federal prosecutors often look assed her, and appeared at her The group has killed thousands tury if no action is taken to rein in climate change by curbing Mohammad Abu-Salha, who into suspected hate-crime cases— door to complain about a parking of people since 2009. In the past fossil fuel use, researchers said on Thursday. authorities say were killed by a a conviction for “hate crime” space with a gun holstered at his few weeks it has stepped up its Mega-drought is defined as any drought as bad as the worst neighbor in the North Carolina results in a tougher sentence. waist. offensive both within Nigeria already seen in the 20th century, but lasting much longer, for 35 university town of Chapel Hill. “We are definitely certain that Neighbors recalled Hicks as and against border towns of years or more. The alleged shooter, Craig our daughters were targeted for troublesome, frequently squab- neighbouring countries, forc- The study is the first to predict that the coming intense dry Stephen Hicks, 46, was believed their religion,” the father of the bling with nearby residents over ing general elections that were spells could exceed the decades-long mega-droughts that occurred to be strongly opposed to reli- sisters, Mohammad Abu-Salha, parking and seen with his gun in scheduled for February 14 to be centuries ago and are blamed for the demise of certain civilizations gion, as his Facebook page showed told AFP. public, according to local media postponed by six weeks. in the late 13th century. AGENCIES dozens of anti-religious posts, “This is not a parking dispute, reports. AFP AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 11 people linked 47 soldiers killed in Myanmar clashes to Philippines Resurgence of conflict with ethnic Chinese rebels in Kokang region overshadows truce hopes MERS case

YANGON: Heavy fighting just a few miles from the Chinese Thursday. The intensity of the this one,” he said. Myanmar’s displacement camps by heavy show symptoms between Myanmar’s army and border, but were repelled by the fighting sent people fleeing from quasi-civilian regime, which took fighting between local rebels and rebels has killed 47 soldiers, army, state media said. the remote, mountainous wedge power in 2011 after decades of the national army, which erupted GENEVA: Eleven people who state media said yesterday, “So far, the fighting has left of land across the frontier into military rule, has put ending the in 2011 when a 17-year ceasefire had contact with the Philippines’ sending a flood of people across government forces with 47 dead, China. country’s ethnic minority conflicts crumbled. first confirmed case of Middle the border with China and over- 73 wounded and five vehicles “China has provided them at the heart of its reform drive. The unrest has increasingly East Respiratory Syndrome shadowing hopes for a national destroyed,” said the English lan- with necessary humanitarian But conflict between the mili- spread to various parts of north- coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are ceasefire as a crucial election guage report. assistance. As soon at the situa- tary and armed groups is also ern Shan state, where last week also showing symptoms, the looms. It is unclear what provoked the tion subsides, they will return to raging in other parts of Shan and the Ta’ang National Liberation World Health Organisation said Myanmar has informed Beijing latest round of violence, which Myanmar,” Chinese foreign min- northern Kachin states, under- Army (TNLA) also accused the on Friday. about the clashes, which have was announced as the nation cel- istry spokeswoman Hua Chunying mining the government’s efforts. army of using helicopter gunships “Eleven contacts are sympto- raged since February 9, accord- ebrated the 100th anniversary of said at a regular press briefing It had hoped to sign a deal on to attack its positions. matic. It’s a mix of family con- ing to the Global New Light of the birth of independence hero in Beijing yesterday, without Thursday, as the country cele- Myanmar, which has more than tacts and hospital contacts, the Myanmar, marking a dramatic Aung San — the father of opposi- estimating the number of those brated its annual Union Day cel- 130 recognised ethnic minorities, doctors and nurses who attended resurgence of conflict with largely tion leader Aung San Suu Kyi — affected. ebrations in Naypyidaw. has suffered the world’s longest the case before she was tested ethnic Chinese rebels in the who is lauded for backing political Myanmar’s army, which has Instead, the government, mili- civil war, with pockets of unrest and found positive,” said Peter Kokang region in Shan State. autonomy for ethnic areas. rarely admitted to such large tary and some ethnic groups breaking out soon after independ- Ben Embarek, a scientist at the The flaring of a conflict which Information Minister Ye Htut casualties in the past, launched penned a commitment to continue ence in 1948. WHO’s department of food safety had been largely dormant for six blamed local Kokang rebel leader five rounds of airstrikes in its talks, laying out an aim to build a The army, which seized power and zoonoses. years, is an ominous sign for the Phone Kya Shin for the fighting assault on the Kokang fighters, union “based on democratic and in 1962, used the unrest as a jus- The patient, a 32-year-old government as it attempts to and called on Beijing to reign in state media reports said, detailing federal principles”. tification for its iron-fisted rule nurse, returned from Saudi forge a comprehensive ceasefire any local officials who might be a litany of attacks by the rebels Experts say the inclusion of and has been accused of wide- Arabia on February 1 and was deal with the country’s myriad helping the group on their side including the “shelling” of a mili- the federal ideal, a key demand of spread human rights abuses in hospitalised the next day. The ethnic armed groups — a deal it of the border. tary base in the Kongyan area. ethnic minorities, marks a water- border areas, where tussles over Philippines Health Ministry said says is essential to embed reforms “I think the Chinese govern- Independent analyst Richard shed in the negotiations because abundant resources have further on Wednesday she had tested and drive development. ment should scrutinise the acts Horsey said the fighting was likely the army had resisted signing up fuelled fighting. positive for the disease, which has Kokang fighters with “heavy of regional authorities if they to continue. to any deal on federalism until Observers say a well-trailed been linked to camels. weapons including anti-aircraft want to keep goodwill and friend- “Having suffered such signifi- now. general election, expected for late The World Health Organisation is machine guns” attempted to cap- ship with Myanmar and stability cant loses, local commanders are In Kachin state, some 100,000 2015, adds urgency to the talks. still trying to track down more than ture the region’s capital Laukkai, in the border area,” he said on not going to want to give up on people have been forced into AFP half the people who were on the same Saudia airline flight from Riyadh to Manila. “So far close to 100 of the 225 passengers have been identified and contacted,” said Embarek. None of the nurse’s fellow trav- Suu Kyi leads march ellers who have been traced has shown symptoms and the risk to them is small, but all passengers who have not yet been contacted honouring hero father should present themselves to health authorities, he said. NATMAUK, Myanmar: Natmauk — a remote town nes- “The closer you are to a case, Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi tled in the dusty plains of central of course, the higher the risk addressed a crowd of thousands Myanmar — is the centrepiece of of transmission. Generally on a yesterday in the biggest celebra- countrywide celebrations that are plane transmission is very rare tions honouring her independ- far more extensive than previous because the air is recycled very ence hero father in memory, years. quickly and people are not mov- underscoring her legacy months People camped out overnight ing around much. Unless you are before leading the opposition to to see “the Lady”, as Suu Kyi within a few rows of the case the momentous elections. is known, many sleeping on the risk is extremely low.” Health In scenes reminiscent of her tri- ground in the local pagoda, on authorities are already monitor- umphant election campaign three roadsides or in their cars in the ing 56 people considered to have years ago, Suu Kyi addressed a farming town. had contact with the nurse. huge crowd in her father’s central The celebrations come as The WHO will send a mission to Myanmar birthplace, with many Myanmar awaits a breakthrough Riyadh next week at the request of supporters waving her party flag general election later this year the Saudi government, which has or portraits of Aung San as an seen as a crucial test of the coun- been battling the disease since it earnest young revolutionary in a try’s emergence from military emerged in 2012, the WHO said. military cap. rule. Nine countries in the Middle “If we want to inherit from Images of Aung San have been East have had confirmed cases my father, we have to build a deeply entwined with the political while 13 others, now including the real democratic nation,” said an rise of his Nobel laureate daugh- Philippines, have had travel-associ- emotional Suu Kyi, adding that ter since her release from house ated cases, or cases they have diag- his “sincerity” had ensured his arrest over four years ago. nosed but which originated overseas. legacy endured. Suu Kyi frequently referenced The WHO has had reports of Known affectionately as her family link while campaign- 975 cases, including 358 deaths. “Bogyoke”, or General, Aung ing for the 2012 by-election that Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi greets supporters as she leaves celebrations to mark the 100th There is usually a surge of cases San is adored in Myanmar and swept her into parliament for the birthday of the country’s independence hero, her father Aung San, in the remote central Myanmar town of in the spring, and after the last credited with unshackling the first time. Natmauk yesterday. large outbreak in May-June 2014, country from colonial rule and “Being the daughter of Bogyoke most cases have come from hos- embracing its ethnic minorities Aung San is one of the reasons date yet to be announced, cam- ambassador to Myanmar. But he away from her two sons and pital transmission. in a vision of unity that unravelled that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has paigning has not officially begun and said no single party had “exclusive dying husband. But a quasi-civil- Embarek said it was difficult to catastrophically in the military- reached the position she is in the party is not yet in election mode. rights” to the former leader, who ian regime that came to power stop the spread in health facilities dominated decades that followed today. It’s not the only reason, but “It’s logical for politicians to try is also seen as the father of the in 2011 has ushered in a new era because the infection was probably his assassination. it is one of them,” Nyan Win, the to draw some kind of support or country’s powerful army. of political openness—although a passed on while people were being Suu Kyi was just two at the spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National inspiration from what he (Aung Public reverence for Aung San clause under the junta-era con- initially checked and triaged with time of his death in 1947. League for Democracy, said. Daw San) did,” said Trevor Wilson, was kept muted under the junta stitution still bars Suu Kyi from flu-like symptoms, which were not Thursday’s rally marking the is a term of respect in Myanmar. an academic at Australian that kept his daughter locked up the presidency. easily recognised as MERS. centenary of Aung San’s birth in Nyan Win said that with a poll National University and former for the best part of two decades, AFP REUTERS

Top Filipino militant hurt in Indonesia president to drop police chief nominee January clash JAKARTA: Indonesia’s new has since been named a bribery present at private meetings where official this week, who declined to of the Corruption Eradication president has decided to drop suspect by the anti-graft agency, Widodo announced he would drop be named because of the sensitivity Commission to name him a suspect. MANILA: A militant tar- his nominee for national police has been met with public outrage. Gunawan as his nominee, told of the issue. Widodo told reporters An independent team of legal geted in a deadly clash in the chief who is under investiga- His month-long dithering over the Reuters interim chief Badrodin yesterday that he would be mak- experts, anti-corruption activists Philippines last month that has tion for corruption, palace offi- appointment has eroded the presi- Haiti and police generals Dwi ing an official statement on the and retired police officials appointed jeopardised a milestone peace cials say, in the biggest political dent’s popularity and left Indonesians Priyatno and Budi Waseso were police chief “as soon as possible” by Widodo to ease tensions between process between the govern- test for the leader since taking questioning his readiness to take on being considered as replacements. but declined to elaborate. the two law enforcement agen- ment and Muslim rebels was office. powerful vested interests in a coun- “Budi Gunawan will not be police Widodo was forced to delay cies swiftly recommended that wounded in the fighting, a gov- Joko Widodo’s decision to try riven with corruption. chief, the president has already Gunawan’s appointment under pub- Gunawan’s nomination be scrapped. ernment official said yesterday. nominate Budi Gunawan, who Two palace sources, who were decided,” said one senior palace lic pressure sparked by the decision REUTERS Efforts to end the decades-old insurgency by rebels from the minority Muslim community in the largely Catholic country have Rose de-thorning stalled since the January 25 fire- fight on the southern island of Top Vietnam communist Mindanao, in which 44 policemen and 18 rebels were killed. Legislators drawing up a law to give Muslims in the area auton- party official dies omy, the next step of the peace process, have suspended their HANOI: A widely admired “The people of Danang will work, demanding an investigation senior figure in Vietnam’s rul- always love him for his great con- into the bloodshed. ing communist party, Nguyen tributions to this city,” he added. A Philippine militant called Ba Thanh, who enjoyed rare Thanh had been unwell since Abdul Basit Usman, a foreign- personal popularity in a nation May and had spent much of last trained bomb expert with links better known for bureaucratic year outside of Vietnam, receiving to Al Qaeda-allied groups, was apparatchiks, died yesterday medical treatment in Singapore one of the targets of the January from cancer, an official said. and the United States. 25 raid, in which another mili- The 61-year-old was the former After his return in January tant, the Malaysian Zulkifli bin top official in central Danang, and there was an explosion of online Hir, is believed to have been helped transform the coastal city rumours that Thanh—who headed killed. into a tourism and investment the communist party’s main anti- Government forces are hunting hub by cutting corruption and corruption body—was poisoned for Usman who melted away after red tape. with a radioactive substances by a the clash. Esmael Mangudadatu, “He died Friday of cancer. We political rival. Vietnamese author- governor of the southern province tried our best but he could not ities issued a rare denial, saying of Maguindanao, said he had been make it,” Luong Minh Sam, an he had myelodysplastic syndrome, wounded. A vendor removes thorns from roses before they are sold on the eve of Valentine’s Day in Manila, yesterday. official at the Danang People’s a type of cancer. REUTERS Committee said. AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Pakistan hangs Taliban storm two more after resuming Shia mosque executions

MUZAFFARABAD: Two men convicted of murder were killing 20 hanged yesterday in Pakistan- administered Kashmir, the first executions in the Pakistani por- tion of the disputed territory in Three attackers strike Peshawar mosque more than 10 years. Mohammad Riaz and PESHAWAR: Heavily armed for blood, which will continue. Mohammad Fayaz were executed militants stormed a Shia The government should expect for killing the son of the then- mosque in Pakistan yesterday, more and even harder responses,” advocate general of Kashmir killing at least 20 people in an the statement said. during a robbery attempt in attack claimed by the Taliban Police said the attack began 2004 in Mirpur, one of Pakistani as revenge for the execution of when the militants entered Kashmir’s main cities. one of their cadres. from a nearby building site, cut- Their deaths bring to 24 the Three attackers with grenades, ting barbed wire to get into the number of people hanged in Kalashnikovs and explosive sui- mosque compound. Pakistan since the government cide vests struck at the Imamia “One suicide bomber exploded ended a six-year moratorium on mosque in Peshawar, the main himself in the verandah of the the death penalty in December in city in Pakistan’s restive north- mosque while another was shot the wake of a Taliban massacre at west, around the time of the main dead by police inside the main a school that left more than 150 Friday prayers. hall,” Durrani said. people dead. The attack comes two weeks “The third was caught by peo- They are the first people to after a suicide bombing at a Shiite ple but was also killed later on.” be hanged since the resumption mosque in southern Pakistan Eyewitness Mohammad Khalil who have no clear link to a terror killed 61 people, the deadliest sec- said a “huge explosion” shook S ecurity officials stand amidst debris after an explosion in a Shia mosque in Peshawar yesterday. attack or militant group. Up to tarian incident to hit the country the main hall of the mosque as now, those executed had all been in nearly two years. prayers were coming to an end, campaign against strongholds of On Thursday the military said hardline Sunni Muslim groups condemned by military or special Nasir Durrani, the police and then the gunmen started fir- TTP and other militants in the it had taken 12 Taliban mem- against minority Shiite Muslims, anti-terrorism courts. chief of northwestern Khyber- ing on worshippers. North Waziristan tribal area, bers into custody over the school who make up around a fifth of the “They were hanged at 6.30 Pakhtunkhwa province of which TV footage in the immediate which lies close to Peshawar. attack, including the imam of a population. this morning. Both of them were Peshawar is the capital, said that aftermath showed people running The military has heralded mosque. Following the massacre, The suicide bombing at a awaiting executions since 2012, at least 20 people were killed and away from the scene, some car- the success of the operation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif mosque in southern Sindh prov- when all their appeals were dis- 45 others were wounded. rying injured on their shoulders, which it says has killed more ended a six-year moratorium on ince on January 30 was the dead- missed,” Irshad Hussain Jarral, Durrani said that three attack- others limping, as police fired than 2,000 militants, though the the death penalty and Doctor liest sectarian attack in Pakistan jail superintendent in Mirpur, ers were also killed in the attack. shots and checked people at a precise number and identity of Usman, also known as Aqil, was since February 2013, when 89 were said. The Tehreek-e-Taliban barrier. those killed cannot be verified one of the first to go to the gallows. killed in a market bombing in the Abdul Hameed Mughal, addi- Pakistan (TTP) claimed respon- The mosque is close to several independently. He was convicted for an attack southwestern city of Quetta. tional secretary for home affairs sibility for the attack in an email government buildings includ- The country has stepped up on the army headquarters in Anti-Shia attacks have been in Kashmir, said the executions statement, saying it was revenge ing the offices of the Federal its fight against militants since Rawalpindi in 2009 and was increasing in recent years in were the first in the region since for a militant known as Doctor Investigation Agency and pass- Taliban gunmen massacred more arrested after being injured. Karachi, Quetta, the northwest- January 2005. Usman, who was hanged in port agency. than 150 people, most of them Sectarian violence has been ern area of Parachinar and the “There are 70 other convicts December. Since June last year the children, at a school in Peshawar on the rise in Pakistan in recent far-northeastern town of Gilgit. who have been sentenced to “This is a series of taking blood army has been waging a major in December. years, most of it perpetrated by AFP death but their mercy petitions are pending with authorities,” Mughal said. Pakistan has stepped up its fight against militants since the Taliban school massacre in the US must learn from Afghan waste or squander more: Watchdog northwestern city of Peshawar in December. Heavily armed gunmen went KABUL: The United States Afghanistan since 2001 has been if we don’t do oversight, if we don’t — covering issues including nar- are earmarked for Afghanistan from room to room at the army- must learn from expensive frittered away. Among the exam- take into consideration the Afghan cotics, corruption and planning, over the next few years. run school gunning down 153 peo- mistakes it has made trying to ples of woeful waste he has doc- situation,” Sopko in an interview Sopko said. “We spent more money Sopko said the advice he ple, most of them children, in an rebuild Afghanistan, where it umented were a multi-million deep in the heavily fortified US than we’ve spent in any country in and other experts give to the attack that horrified the world. has spent more than anywhere dollar project for solar-powered embassy in Kabul. the history of the United States, US Agency for International When it announced the else, and tighten up conditions bus stops and more than $200m The US congress set up SIGAR more money than the Marshall Development’s (USAID) is often resumption of executions, the for aid and oversight or risk los- on an unfinished road. in 2008 to provide independent Plan, so it’s big bucks,” he said. not taken on board. government of Prime Minister ing much more, the head of a Sopko, head of the Special oversight and audits of how US “What does this tell us, so the He said he was particularly Nawaz Sharif said they would watchdog agency said. Inspector General for Afghanistan funds are spent in Afghanistan. next time we do this, maybe we worried that the withdrawal of restart in terror-related cases. John Sopko, a pugnacious Reconstruction (SIGAR), says the It released its latest findings can do a better job? So I actually most foreign troops and the dete- The United Nations, the former prosecutor who took on US government has to change the on Thursday, highlighting $20m think of all the things we do, that riorating security in Afghanistan European Union, Amnesty the mafia in the United States, way it operates and must set more the US military spent on waste may be the legacy that I want to would make it hard to moni- International and Human Rights has earned notoriety in Kabul and strict conditions on its help and keep incinerators it never used. leave.”The US combat mission in tor the use of $216m pledged in Watch have called on Pakistan to Washington for denouncing how a much closer eye on the money. SIGAR has hired experts to Afghanistan formally ended in November by USAID for women’s re-impose its moratorium on the much of the $107bn the United “We do run the risk of it being write “lessons learned” reports on December after 13 years but bil- empowerment. death penalty. States has spent rebuilding wasted if we don’t do conditionality, how to do better nation-building lions more aid and defence dollars REUTERS AFP

Wintry woes Projects planned to 17-judge bench to decide avoid countrywide power breakdown fate of statute change ISLAMABAD: The govern- ment of Pakistan has decided to ISLAMABAD: A debate on against the 21st amendment, complete Shikarpur and Guddu whether the 1973 constitution recalled that the question raised grid stations and Uch-II trans- has a basic structure that can- in the challenges against the 18th mission line during the current not be modified even by parlia- Amendment also revolved around financial year to avoid county- ment — resurfaced yesterday as the same basic structure theory wide power breakdowns. the Supreme Court decided that and said that the petitions main- A senior official said that a full court with all 17 judges tained that these constitutional detailed inquiries into the will hear not only challenges to amendments were in violation of national power breakdown late the 21st Amendment, but will that theory. last month revealed that in addi- also club pending challenges to A final judgment in the 18th tion to absence of a number of the 18th Amendment along with Amendment case has been pend- safety measures, delay in con- the current matter. ing with the Supreme Court for struction of the Shikarpur grid Both challenges revolve around nearly four years, even though station and up-gradation of the theory of a basic constitutional a full court headed by former Guddu grid station coupled with structure. In the case of the 18th chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad non-existence of 125-km Uch-II Amendment, introduced by the Chaudhry had issued an order transmission line remained major PPP government, the petitions on Oct 21, 2010 suggesting new system weaknesses. challenged the new procedure guidelines in the method of He said after one of the four laid down for the appointment of appointing superior court judges major blackouts over the past two An Afghan child pushes a wheelbarrow as he transports firewood to be used through winter on the outskirts superior court judges; whereas in under Article 175-A of the months the entire management of of Mazar-i-sharif yesterday. the case of the 21st Amendment, Constitution. Guddu power station, including it is the military courts set up to Following the order, parlia- its chief executive, was suspended try ‘jet-black’ terrorists that are ment passed the 19th amendment, while another breakdown led to being challenged. accepting nearly all the proposals suspension of the managing direc- Past judgments indicate that suggested by the Supreme Court tor of the National Transmission Xi to visit Pakistan this year the independence of the judi- and incorporating them into the and Dispatch Company (NTDC) ciary constitutes one of the constitution. and the chief of the National basic and salient features of the “Do we really have a basic Power Control Centre. BEIJING: China’s President Xi active role in a region it sees as one of Pakistan’s chief allies, has Constitution, which even parlia- structure and if we do, then can The official said that after a Jinping will visit Pakistan this part of its sphere of influence. long urged Islamabad to weed out ment cannot undo. amendments to the Constitution detailed “system disturbance year in what will be the first Afghanistan and its Western back- what it says are separatists from However, senior constitu- be touched by the courts or not,” analysis” a three-pronged plan trip by a Chinese head of state ers have been trying to bring Taliban China’s western Xinjiang region tional lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, asked the chief justice before of action had been prepared on to its western neighbour in nine figures to the negotiating table to end holed up in a lawless tribal belt on when asked to comment, said deciding to send notices to February 6. years, as Beijing looks to take a years of war in the country. Pakistan the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, he believed that future genera- Nadeem Ahmed and other par- The plan includes fast-track bigger role in South Asia. is key to the process because of its home to a mix of militant groups. tions were cleverer and more ties who had challenged the 18th completion of the Shikarpur China’s Foreign Minister Wang historic ties to the Taliban leaders, Xi was scheduled to go to progressive and could not be Amendment in the past. grid station for which contrac- Yi made the announcement on who have used the Pakistani border Pakistan last year, but the trip bound on the pretext that the He also recalled that the tors had been asked to streamline Thursday in Pakistan’s capital, region as a safe haven. was postponed due to anti-gov- Constitution has an inviolable Judicial Commission — which the issues, while the govern- where he spoke of the two coun- Those concerns have become more ernment protests in Pakistan. basic structure. He maintained appoints judges to the superior ment would resolve financial tries’ “all-weather” friendship. pressing as Washington is trying to “Wang Yi said President Xi that the Constitution was a liv- judiciary and is chaired by the issues for opening the letter of During his two-day visit to wind down the role of US forces in Jinping will make a state visit ing and evolving document. chief justice himself — has twice credit for import of some critical Pakistan, Wang also offered to Afghanistan, which were sent in to to Pakistan at the earliest pos- Yesterday, Chief Justice Nasirul been asked to change its rules. equipment. help in mediating stalled efforts topple the Taliban in 2001 but have sible date this year,” a statement Mulk, who heads a three-judge This cannot happen unless the The project was significantly to engage the Afghan Taliban failed to end their insurgency. posted to the Foreign Ministry’s Supreme Court bench hear- challenges to the 18th Amendment behind the schedule, he said. in peace negotiations, reflect- Beijing has its own concerns website late on Thursday said. ing the Lahore High Court Bar reach a final conclusion. INTERNEWS ing China’s desire to play a more about Islamist militancy, and as REUTERS Association’s (LHCBA) petition INTERNEWS SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Nine dead as train derails near Bangalore 18 passengers severely injured as nine coaches of Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter-City Express go off track

BANGALORE: Nine pas- on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu sengers were killed and 18 border. others severely injured when Even 12 hours after the inci- nine coaches of the Bangalore- dent, railway officials could not Ernakulam Inter-City Express ascertain the cause of derailment derailed in Karnataka early though an expert team rushed to yesterday, an official said. the spot where the engine and the The victims included five men, first nine coaches went off the three women and a nine-year-old single track and derailed. boy. As it was a day train with Railway Minister Suresh chair cars, the zonal railway did Prabhu, who flew to Bangalore not have the full list of passengers late afternoon, visited the acci- travelling in the express, espe- dent spot with Railway Board cially in the two compartments Chairman A K Mital and sen- that were unreserved and bore ior officials of South Western the brunt. Railways and inspected the The incident occurred at 7.35 derailed train. am. after the train left Anekal Prabhu also visited the injured station towards Hosur near the in the hospitals at Anekal and border with Tamil Nadu. Bengaluru and announced “The derailment led to two `200,000 compensation to the coaches (eighth and ninth) tel- families of the dead and `50,000 escoping into each other, result- to each of the grievously injured. ing in nine fatalities and severe The minister ordered an injuries to 18 co-passengers dur- inquiry to ascertain the cause of ing the journey,” a railway official the accident. said here. Anish, a passenger on the train, Bodies of all the victims were told the media in Kochi over tel- extricated from the twin coaches ephone that the rescue team had and the injured brought to hospi- cut open the two second class tals at Anekal and Bengaluru for coaches to shift the injured to treatment. hospitals. Another passenger, “A National Disaster Relief Cyriac Mathew, said he had seen Force (NDRF) team conducted three bodies. the rescue and relief operations “The worst affected was coach at the accident site, while the D-8. I could see the bodies of two stranded passengers were shifted men and a woman in the coach,” to Anekal, Hosur and Bangalore said Mathew, a regular travel- in state-run transport buses for ler on the train. “Police and the their onward journey,” the official ambulance arrived an hour after said. the accident,” he said. The express train departed The SWR has set up help desks from the main city station here at the Bengaluru station and the at 6.15 am and covered 45km accident site to assist the injured when the disaster struck between and the stranded passengers. Crowds watch as fire force personnel attempt to retrieve the bodies of victims from the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express train which derailed Anekal road and Hosur town IANS after a boulder fell on the track in Bidaragere, about 50km from Bangalore yesterday.

Rapid rise in swine flu deaths Kejriwal’s swearing-in today, president’s rule revoked NEW DELHI: President revoked the order issued on will be the transport minister, to a brute majority in Delhi, a were surprised that no one sought and cases Pranab Mukherjee yesterday February 16, 2014 placing Delhi and also have charge of the labour young vendor who sells ‘momos’ money from them. appointed Arvind Kejriwal under central rule with effect department, sources said. (dim sums) in south Delhi refused In another part of south Delhi, NEW DELHI: India has seen as Delhi chief minister and from February 14, 2015. Sandeep Kumar will be the to pay the beat constable the daily a group of auto-rickshaw driv- a sharp rise in the number of revoked President’s rule in the Kejriwal is likely to retain the minister for women and child ‘hafta’ or bribe money. ers said they would no more pay swine flu deaths and reported state. He also appointed, on portfolios of home, power and development, Tomar will be the “I won’t pay any more, and I bribes to park their vehicles along cases this year, prompting offi- Kejriwal’s recommendation, six finance, while Sisodia, tipped to new law minister and Khan will won’t pay for five years,” the ven- a main road — which they had cials to investigate the cause ministers: Manish Sisodia, Asim be the deputy chief minister, has be food and civil supplies minister, dor, who is in his 20s and parks been doing for a long time to keep and step up efforts to combat Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, been allotted the departments of they added. himself near a bus stand, told peace with cops. the virus. Satyendra Jain, Gopal Rai and urban development, public works The Aam Aadmi Party won a the startled policeman who beat When he took oath as chief The H1N1 virus caused 485 Jitender Singh Tomar. and education. staggering 67 of the 70 seats in a silent and hasty retreat. minister for the first time in deaths in India between Jan. 1 The Kejriwal government Jain, who was the health min- the Delhi assembly on Tuesday, The next day, petty traders who December 2013, Kejriwal made it and Feb. 12, additional health sec- will be sworn in at the Ramlila ister in the AAP’s earlier 49-day leaving just three to the Bharatiya routinely paid policemen bribes more than clear that he would not retary Arun Kumar Panda told Maidan in central Delhi today. innings, will head the same minis- Janata Party. The Congress was every morning while moving their tolerate corruption in any form. reporters on Friday. Following the union cabinet’s try. Rai, one of the four new faces wiped out. home manufactured goods from Corrupt officials were threatened He said more than 6,000 people recommendation, the president in the seven-member ministry, Just hours after the AAP swept Sangam Vihar in south Delhi with dismissal. IANS had tested positive for the virus during that time. “There is no explanation or reason,” Panda said. “We will Extracting sand ask states to investigate why the Police book film stars number of cases is rising.” In 2009-10, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic spread from cen- for comedy ‘roast’ tral Mexico to 74 other countries including India, killing an esti- mated 284,000 people, according MUMBAI: Mumbai police and Ranveer Singh — both also to the U.S. Centers for Disease said yesterday they have booked by the police — sing- Control and Prevention. registered a case against a ing a reworking of a song with More than 2,700 died in India of string of Bollywood celeb- obsene lyrics. swine flu between May 2009 and rities, alleging obscenity A video attracted more than December 2010. Last year, India in the staging of a comedy eight million hits in just a few recorded 218 swine flu-related “roast” television show which days when it was uploaded on deaths and 937 cases, down from sparked a furore over free- YouTube late last month, but it 2013, when 699 died. dom of expression. sparked a fierce backlash. On Wednesday the govern- A-list actress Deepika Religious groups urged police ment said it had placed an order Padukone and filmmaker to file charges against the pro- to increase the national stock Karan Johar are among those ducers, and the right-wing gov- of diagnostic kits to test for the named in the case over the ernment of Maharashtra state, virus. Authorities are also procur- show AIB Knockout, which of which Mumbai is the capital, ing 10,000 additional masks and was pulled from YouTube ordered an investigation. 60,000 doses of the anti-viral drug after causing uproar in India Earlier this month, the pro- Oseltamivir. for its profanities and sexual ducers said they were pull- The government plans to references. ing the video for “pragmatic” draft guidelines for vaccination Police will now investigate reasons, but added that India of healthcare workers. Panda, the group — as part of the needed to confront the fact however, dismissed reports there “first information report” that freedom of expression was was any widespread shortage of or FIR filed — including for being curtailed. medicines to fight swine flu. Kashmiri boatmen extract sand from the Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar. The construction of resi- criminal conspiracy, obscene The “roast” sparked a storm REUTERS dential houses continues after flash floods hit the Kashmir valley in September 2014. The floods killed over acts and songs, and words or on social media, with a mem- 450 people across India and Pakistan and caused devastating economic losses running into billions of dollars. gestures intended to insult a ber of India’s powerful censor woman’s modesty. board slamming it on Twitter “The FIR is registered as “a porn show on stage”. against 14 accused at Tardeo But hundreds of supporters police station,” Deputy including Bollywood actors and Guide accused of raping tourist surrenders Commissioner of Police producers also hit back, urging Dhananjay Kulkarni, spokes- the right to freedom of speech. man for the Mumbai force, India’s hardline groups often NEW DELHI: An Indian tour station. He confessed to the crime dropping out of college where he for helping him to evade arrest. said, listing the various organ- urge authorities to act against guide accused of drugging and and we are investigating further,” had been pursuing a diploma in India has faced intense scru- isers and participants accused. authors and artists whose raping a Japanese woman this Rajender Singh, the officer in tourism studies. The woman told tiny over its efforts to curb vio- AIB Knockout, hosted by works they consider insult- week in the northern city of charge of Dudu station, said. police that a man met her out- lence against women following Johar in December, comically ing to their religion or against Jaipur turned himself in to “We have been pursuing him side her Jaipur hotel on Sunday, the fatal gang rape of an Indian insulted several Bollywood society’s perceived morals. police yesterday, an officer said. since he fled,” he added. offering to show her around the medical student in New Delhi in actors in front of a large audi- Acclaimed Tamil-language The man, identified by offic- The case is the latest in a historic city on his motorbike. December 2012, which sparked a ence strewn with celebrities author Perumal Murugan ers as Ajit Singh Chaudhary, 23, string of high-profile sex attacks He later allegedly gave her food global outcry. Last month, six men such as Padukone, in a format announced last month he was surrendered at a police station on that have highlighted high levels laced with drugs before raping from the eastern city of Kolkata common in Western countries quitting writing altogether fol- the city’s outskirts five days after of violence against women in the her in a secluded area of the city. were charged with kidnapping but rarely seen in India. lowing protests by right-wing allegedly attacking the 20-year- world’s second most populous Police had announced a and gang-raping a 22-year-old The show included Johar and Hindu and caste groups over old tourist. country. Singh said the man had 100,000-rupee ($1,600) reward for Japanese tourist whom they Bollywood actors Arjun Kapoor one of his books. AFP “We have formally arrested been working as an unauthorised information about the attack, and had allegedly held hostage for a him after he arrived at the police guide for the last few years after six men were arrested on Tuesday month. AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Foreign Secretary to Balloon festival visit Pakistan in March Modi phones Sharif to wish his cricket team good luck

NEW DELHI: India’s foreign US Secretary of State John while thousands of others are set secretary will travel to Pakistan Kerry last month appealed to to flock to the Adelaide Oval in as part of a regional tour in both nations to resume the Australia. coming months, an official said talks, saying Washington was Modi’s government is seen yesterday, the first high-level “deeply concerned” about a taking a more assertive stance visit since relations between the surge in violence on the border towards its neighbour since com- arch rivals soured last year. in Kashmir. ing to power last May. Modi and S Jaishankar will travel to News of the visit came hours Sharif failed to hold a bilateral Islamabad where “India will push after Indian Prime Minister meeting at a SAARC summit in its agenda” during bilateral meet- Narendra Modi phoned his November. ings with officials, foreign minis- Pakistani counterpart to wish his Sharif’s office released a state- try spokesman Syed Akbaruddin cricket team good luck ahead of a ment about Modi’s phone call but said at a briefing. World Cup grudge match between did not mention any bonhomie “The foreign secretary will the rivals. shared over cricket. visit all Saarc countries includ- Modi said “cricket connects “Modi informed the Prime ing Pakistan,” Akbaruddin told people in our region and pro- Minister that India’s new Foreign reporters without giving specific motes goodwill” after speaking Secretary will soon visit all Saarc dates and referring to the South with Prime Minister Nawaz counties and would also like to Asian Association for Regional Sharif and other South Asian visit Pakistan,” the statement Cooperation. leaders whose country’s teams said. Akbaruddin did not say are playing in the World Cup Pakistan and India, who have whether the visit would likely starting today. fought two of their three wars result in peace talks resuming “Spoke to President @ashraf- over disputed Muslim-majority between the foreign secretaries ghani, PM Sheikh Hasina, Kashmir, have traded blame for of the nuclear-armed neighbours PM Nawaz Sharif & President an upsurge in firing and shell- — talks which India abruptly can- Sirisena. Conveyed my best wishes ing which started in October last celled last year. for the Cricket World Cup,” Modi year. Relations have soured between also tweeted. Exchanges of fire across their the neighbours over increased “Hope players from Saarc de facto border and undisputed firing along their borders and region play with passion & bring border further south have killed India halting the talks in August laurels to the region.” more than two dozen civilians enraged that Pakistan consulted Millions of India and Pakistan and forced thousands to flee their Kashmiri separatist leaders fans are expected to watch homes on both sides. A general view of the hot air balloon at international balloon festival during the month-long ‘Bhoj Adventure before the dialogue began. Sunday’s clash on television, AFP Festival’ in Bhopal yesterday. Activities like air rifle shooting, paramotoring, trampoline bungee, bungee jump- ing and commando drills are some of the many adventure activities that are held during the adventure event.

266kg gold Christian school attack: PM summons police chief missing from NEW DELHI: A Christian incident. Delhi Chief Minister- a case of vandalism as no religious fear among Christians. also in south Delhi Feb 2. school was ransacked and bur- designate Arvind Kejriwal articles were touched.” He said five churches have been Three people were arrested Jan Kerala temple: gled here yesterday, prompt- tweeted: “I strongly condemn the She said six CCTV cameras attacked since December 2014. 15, a day after a church in west ing Prime Minister Narendra attack on Holy Child Auxilium installed inside the corridor “We see a clear pattern in all Delhi was vandalised. Modi to summon Delhi Police School. These kind of acts will were destroyed and those who the attacks. Earlier we thought Earlier in January, a minor Audit report chief B S Bassi and voice “deep not be tolerated.” barged in ransacked all cup- that these attacks have a connec- fire was reported from a church concern” over rising crime in Bassi, however, later told the boards. She said about Rs.12,000 tion with the Delhi election,” said in Rohini in west Delhi. The KOCHI: As much as 266 kg Delhi. media that yesterday’s incident was missing. Sankar. Christmas crib outside was gold is missing from the famed Employees of Holy Child was one of theft and not a reli- The school, set up in 1970, is “Now it is clear that this is the charred. Sree Padmanabhaswamy tem- Auxilium School in Vasant Vihar gious-oriented desecration. run by the Salesian Sisters. It handiwork of some fundamen- Some unidentified people threw ple here, says former chief gov- in south Delhi told police that “Our initial inquiry suggested is an English-medium school talist group whose motive is to stones at Our Lady of Fatima ernment auditor Vinod Rai in a few CCTV cameras in the that it was not a case of desecra- meant primarily for Christians instil fear among the Christian Forane Church at Jasola in south his audit report submitted to premises were damaged, the prin- tion. It was a case of theft as girls but it admits children from community.” Delhi in December and broke the apex court. cipal’s office was ransacked and Rs.8,000 was stolen from a dona- other communities and religions Father Mathew Koyickal of the window panes. The highlight of the report Rs.8,000 stolen from a donation tion box,” Bassi said. as well. school said: St Sebastian’s Church, a that has been obtained by media box. Bassi said the culprits dam- Leaders of the Christian com- “The intention of the attack- Catholic church at Dilshad reveals that out of the 893 kg An official statement said the aged some CCTV cameras in the munity said some members of ers is to unnerve the Christian Garden in east Delhi, was torched gold that was given out for vari- prime minister expressed his premises of the school but reli- a group have been intentionally community. We demand that the in December. Police confirmed it ous works, only 627 kg has been “deep concern and anguish” to gious articles were not disturbed. targeting the community and that case should be investigated from was a case of arson. returned to the temple. Bassi over increasing incidents He also police had got the foot- this was the sixth such attack all angles.” According to the 2011 Census Rai was asked by the Supreme in the capital in which churches age of the culprits from CCTV within 11 weeks. The school was shut Friday fol- report, Delhi is home to some Court last year to conduct an and Christian institutions have cameras installed outside the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese lowing the incident. 130,000 Christians. The Christian audit of the temple’s books and been targeted. school. spokesperson Father Savarimuthu Earlier, a few items and a population in India is some 24 accounts. Modi told the police commis- The school principal, Sister Sankar claimed that the latest DVD player were stolen from St. million. An division bench of Justice sioner to speedily investigate the Lucy John, said later: “This is not incident too was meant to instil Alphonsa’s church in Vasant Kunj IANS R M Lodha and Justice A K Patnaik last April in its interim order asked former comptroller and auditor general (CAG) Rai to undertake the audit of the temple accounts and properties for the Valentine ‘police’ offer past quarter of a century. This directive came on the rec- ommendations of amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam, who had roses, weddings to sought overhauling of the func- tioning of the temple. Apart from asking Rai to keep couples demure audit the accounts of the temple, the apex court also directed the NEW DELHI: Right-wing of love to them,” said Chander formation of a new five-member Hindus are offering white Prakash Kaushik, the group’s committee comprising of a judge roses, free counselling and a president. “We are against any from the capital city, the tem- chance to get married for cou- vulgarity, not against love.” ple tantri, chief nambi of the Sri ples caught kissing or hugging “Suhaag raat should be in the Padmanabhaswamy temple and in public places on Valentine’s bedroom, not on roads,” he said, two more members, of which one Day. using the Hindi term for the con- will be appointed in consultation Roving three-person teams summation of a marriage. with the state government and one of volunteers from the Akhil Kaushik said the Hindu would be the choice of the judge. Bharat Hindu Mahasabha will Mahasabha volunteers would dis- It was in July 2011 that an apex fan out across India today, scan- tribute white roses to signify they court committee stumbled upon ning parks and public spaces for come in peace, and then advise six vaults in the temple and with couples exhibiting “inappropriate the couples to get married if they just vault B left to be opened, the behaviour.” are really in love. treasure that has been found in “We’ll explain the meaning Priests would at hand to carry the other five vaults have been estimated to be valued more than Rs.100,000 crore. Since then, armed security guards besides state of the art security equipment has been Shiv Sena activists take part in a demonstration denouncing Valentine’s Day in Amritsar yesterday. deployed for the safe upkeep of this treasure. Reacting to the new developments, Communist out the ceremony, if needed. of caste and other traditional for Hindu Mahasabha to get me Party of India-Marxist legisla- “We can’t force people in this rules. Public displays of love and married to all of you,” writer tor V Sivankutty said that a few day and age, we can only counsel live-in relationships are viewed Durjoy Datta said on Twitter. years back all hell broke loose them,” he said. as a cultural threat in India, Students in New Delhi used when V S Achuthanandan said A Delhi Police spokesman where conservative attitudes Facebook to ask people to gather that things are not going in the said people would not be allowed coexist with high rates of violence outside the headquarters of the way it should go in the temple to take the law into their own against women. Hindu Mahasabha in wedding as far as the priceless treasures hands. Young people have staged finery to mock the campaign. upkeep are concerned and blamed The Hindu Mahasabha, Shiv mass-kissing campaigns against “Have to go to the beauty the Travancore royal family. Sena and other Sangh Parivar moral policing. parlour!! The Big day is almost “Look, what Rai has come out outfits, affiliated to the ruling In the run-up to Valentine’s here!!” ‘Laxmi Bai’, one of the in his report. There are some Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Day weekend, news reports about organisers, tweeted. views from some quarters that Janata Party, are seen as self- the Hindu Mahasabha’s plans for Describing Valentine’s Day as the issues of this temple should appointed moral guardians of the day of love invited ridicule a Western import, the Hindu be hushed up. Now with this younger Indians who increas- on social media, with the subject Mahasabha president said: report, responsibilities should be A flower seller arranges varieties of roses at a roadside stall ahead of ingly seek the right to choose trending on Twitter this week. “Marriage is the true test of fixed and those people who have Valentine’s Day in Siliguri yesterday. their own partner, independent “I love you all. Now waiting love.” REUTERS caused this should be brought to light,” he said. IANS SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Oil above $60 Opec strategy pays off; high demand seen for first time Global oil demand may be stronger than expected: Commerzbank this year on

LONDON: The world’s three Information Administration fore- oil prices to rise towards $62 a bar- up 430,000 bpd from its previous Still, this has yet to trans- big energy agencies are forecast- casts Opec will pump 140,000bpd rel, up more than 35 percent from prediction. late into more bullish global oil Europe growth ing higher demand for Opec’s more. a near six-year low close to $45 a The IEA, which advises the demand estimates from the three NEW YORK: Oil hit its high- crude oil this year, a sign the At the same time data sug- barrel on Jan. 13, though still a long United States and other indus- forecasters. Instead they raised est level for the year yesterday producing nations’ strategy to gesting a forthcoming economic way off the $115 hit in June. Opec trialized countries, moved its their these forecasts only slightly with Brent crude rising above let prices fall is starting to win recovery has raised hopes for officials have expressed cautious forecast in the same direction on or kept them unchanged. $60 a barrel, as eurozone eco- them back market share from improving oil demand: Euro zone optimism about the price recovery Tuesday, albeit by a more modest David Fyfe, a former IEA offi- nomic growth exceeded expec- rivals who are cutting output. economic growth accelerated and noted signs of higher demand. upward revision of 200,000 bpd to cial and now head of research tations and market bulls priced After an oversupply of world unexpectedly in the final quarter Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali 29.4 million bpd. at trading house Gunvor, also in another drop in the US oil rig oil sent prices tumbling in 2014, of 2014 as the bloc’s largest mem- Ibrahim Al Nuaimi discussed a “rel- Also on Tuesday, the EIA in its noted the common thread of count. top Opec exporter Saudi Arabia ber, Germany, expanded at more ative improvement in the market in report forecast OPEC will pro- the monthly supply and demand Bets that falling exploration urged fellow members not to than twice the expected rate. terms of an increase in demand and duce 30.05 million bpd in 2015, balances but was cautious on budgets of energy firms’ will mop prop up the market and to try to “The main three monthly oil the stability of prices in the current up from its previous projection whether the oil rout was over. up some of the excess oil in the knock out competing sources like market reports...sent encourag- period” this week with Algeria’s jus- of 29.91 million bpd. “Certainly the balances have market also fuelled gains. US shale, which, because it has ing signals,” said Daniela Corsini, tice minister, the official Saudi news “I do believe demand is in a all moved in the same direc- Many analysts and traders higher production costs, had to analyst at Intesa Sanpaolo. “On agency SPA reported. much better shape than we feared tion, acknowledging that sev- believe there is a global oversup- cut output when prices fell. average, their estimates of the Opec pumps about 30 million before and already expected right eral months of $50 oil is going to ply of nearly two million barrels In reports this week, The call on Opec crude have been bpd of crude, roughly a third of now,” said Eugen Weinberg, oil cause a supply-side reaction and per day in crude oil. They say International Energy Agency and increased significantly.” the world’s daily requirement. analyst at Commerzbank. I wouldn’t disagree with that,” little has changed fundamentally the Organization of the Petroleum Those estimates also indicate Rising demand for Opec oil is “All kinds of signs of demand he said. “But it is still a little too to explain the rally of the past two Exporting Countries have raised that lower oil prices, which have generally taken as a bullish sign being above expectation are early be calling a floor for prices weeks. by at least 200,000 barrels per day prompted shale oil and other oil in the oil market. already in place. Especially in the having been reached. I think we’re Even so, oil prices have marched (bpd) their estimates of demand producers to cut spending, are On Monday, Opec forecast US, where we had a real boom in going to have a pretty choppy, higher. Brent rose over three per- for Opec crude in 2015, while also forcing them to cut supplies. demand for its oil this year registrations of pickups and SUVs pretty volatile first half.” cent in Friday’s session, about six- the US government’s Energy That in turned has helped Brent would average 29.21 million bpd, and everything else.” REUTERS percent on the week and nearly 16 percent on the month. Gains heightened after its front-month contract switched on Thursday at High-priced Ferrari a premium. Brent had collapsed from a German ‘thunderbolt’ high above $115 a barrel in June to a near six-year low under $46 in late January, as fears of a global oil glut rattled the market. boosts eurozone growth “Naturally, when prices fall that much within that short a BRUSSELS/BERLIN: recession after the summer but time, you’re likely to have a severe Eurozone economic growth instead Germany rebounded. The rebound as well, though specula- accelerated unexpectedly in fact that the growth comes mainly tors are possibly adding more the final quarter of 2014 as the from the domestic economy gives fuel on the way up now,” said bloc’s largest member, Germany, strong grounds for optimism.” Phil Flynn, analyst at the Price expanded at more than twice France could not keep pace, Futures Group in Chicago. the expected rate. growing by just 0.1 percent, mean- Brent was up $2.22 at $61.50 A preliminary estimate showed ing the euro zone’s second larg- a barrel at 10.48am ET (1548 the economy of the 18 countries est economy advanced by just 0.4 GMT), having reached $61.77 ear- sharing the euro expanded by percent across the whole of 2014. lier. US crude rose $1.94 to $53.15, 0.3 percent between October Italy fared even worse. after a session high at $53.32. and December compared with “It’s obviously still too weak, Some traders attributed Friday’s the previous three months, the but the conditions are ripe to strength in oil to the unexpected European Union’s statistics office permit a cleaner start of activ- acceleration in euro zone eco- Eurostat said yesterday. ity in 2015,” said French finance nomic growth in the final quarter A Reuters poll of 51 economists minister Michel Sapin, add- of 2014. The bloc’s largest mem- had forecast a 0.2 percent expan- ing that business leaders were ber, Germany, particularly grew at sion, the same rate as in the third already beginning to increase more than twice the expected rate. quarter. investment. Others said the market was pos- Year-on-year, eurozone growth On Monday, France’s central sibly pricing in another weekly drop was 0.9 percent in the fourth bank predicted first quarter in the US oil rig count, ahead of quarter, also 0.1 percentage points growth of 0.4 percent, led by a The new LaFerrari hybrid car is pictured on the Ferrari stand during the first media day of the 83rd Geneva industry data due later in the day. higher than expected. rise in industrial production and Car Show at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva. Ferrari faces a battle to persuade investors that it should be priced REUTERS The eurozone’s biggest econ- a slight improvement in services as a high-flying luxury goods stock. omy, Germany was a clear outper- activity. former, growing by 0.7 percent in With Greece’s place in the euro the quarter, far surpassing expec- zone again uncertain, there is tations of a 0.3 percent rise. plenty of turbulence for the cur- It marked a return to solid rency bloc to contend with. Russia cannot avoid sending gas via Ukraine expansion in Germany after two But a halving of the price of oil quarters close to zero, boosting and the prospect of the European the growth rate for the whole of Central Bank buying more than BRUSSELS/MOSCOW: Russia had axed the South Russia has proposed a new under- Putin—an idea greeted with scep- last year to 1.6 percent. onetrillion euros ($1.1 trillion) Russia’s plan to cut out Ukraine Stream gas pipeline across the sea pipeline to Turkey with the ticism in Brussels. Domestic demand lifted of government bonds with new as a gas transit route is unre- Black Sea to Bulgaria, designed same capacity. Known informally “I would be very surprised if Germany out of its mid-year money over the next 18 months alistic because the EU will seek to bypass Ukraine and ship gas as Turkish Stream, its first line companies working with long-term lull and allowed it to achieve should start to spur growth. non-Russian gas rather than straight to the European Union. of 15.75 bcm a year should be contracts which go well beyond 2014 growth of 1.6 percent. The Latest data suggest a slightly build the links it would need to Russia’s Gazprom has also said operational by 2017 and supply 2019 will just tomorrow swap all Statistics Office said a significant more buoyant start to the year. Moscow’s proposed new pipe- the EU will not receive any deliv- just Turkey. their demand to Turkey (from pick up in household spending had The January purchasing man- line to Turkey, industry sources eries of gas via Ukraine after a Gazprom suggested the Ukraine) and would be happy to helped overcome the summer agers survey produced the best and analysts say. current transit contract expires European Union should build its do so,” Oliver Koch, head of unit slowdown. showing for euro zone firms since Last year, as violence flared at the end of 2019. own link from an as-yet unbuilt in the European Commission’s “This is a thunderbolt,” mid-2014 and pointed to first in eastern Ukraine and Moscow Instead of the 63 billion cubic gas hub at the Turkish-Greek energy department, told a confer- UniCredit economist Andreas quarter growth of 0.3 percent. faced new sanctions, President metres (bcm) of gas that Europe border to take some 50 bcm ence in Essen this week. Rees said. “Some spoke of possible REUTERS Vladimir Putin announced that was to receive via South Stream, from the new route proposed by REUTERS

Floating oil production unit Euro up against dollar on Ukraine deal

TOKYO: The euro ticked Russian and Ukrainian econo- bet that an asset’s price will fall. up against the dollar yester- mies. Investors are now monitor- The dollar also took a hit after day on news of a plan to end ing movements in Brussels, where the US Commerce Department Ukraine’s 10-month war, hopes Greece’s new Prime Minister on Thursday said retail sales that Greece will hammer out a Alexis Tsipras is trying to convince slipped for the second straight debt overhaul with its European other eurozone leaders to renego- month in January, pulled down creditors and weak US retail tiate terms of the country’s aus- by falling gasoline prices. sales data. terity-laden bailout programme. The figures cast doubt on the In Tokyo the euro bought With talks due Friday, markets pace of US growth, which has $1.1427, up from 1.1406 in New are hoping a deal can be reached been one of the few bright spots in York, while the greenback also before the end of the month, when the global economy, as the Federal was at 118.59 yen from 118.97 yen, Greece’s bailout is due to expire. Reserve eyes a mid-year interest and sharply down from 120.27 yen Failure to agree an extension rate hike. in Tokyo earlier Thursday. would see it default and likely “If we start to see some chinks The single currency also crash out of the eurozone. in that armor and some data point fetched 135.46 yen compared with “Calmer news on Ukraine is to the fact that US may not be 135.70 yen. being be regarded as supportive, weathering that storm quite as Investors confidence got a boost as is hope of a deal for Greece,” well as expected, then I think on Thursday on the announce- Greg Gibbs, head of Asia-Pacific certainly the dollar becomes ment that Ukraine, Russia, markets strategy at Royal Bank more vulnerable,” said Omer France and Germany had reached of Scotland Group in Singapore, Esiner, chief market analyst at a deal to end the conflict between told Bloomberg News. Commonwealth Foreign Exchange. Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels. “The euro is reacting a lot to Reports that Bank of Japan The Cidade de Sao Mateus, a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) ship that was contracted While all sides remain cautious, news on Greece mostly because it policymakers see further stimu- to Petrobras in Sao Mateus in Espirito Santo state. Five people were killed and four are missing following an the deal lifts a shadow that has is vulnerable to short-covering on lus measures as counterproduc- explosion a day earlier in a Brazilian offshore oil and natural gas field run by Petrobras. loomed over markets for almost significant net short positions in tive also helped support the yen. a year and has battered the the market.” A short position is a AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Greece promises to do ‘whatever we can’ Experts begin debt talks ahead of crunch talks on Monday; markets welcome first steps in negotiations

BRUSSELS: The Greek gov- encounter with fellow EU lead- shared in some other European French finance minister who Banks Index advanced by 13.2 you would have thought that the ernment promised to do “what- ers at a Brussels summit on capitals, especially those like now runs economic affairs for percent. The indexes had risen lawyers would be able to sort this ever we can” to secure a deal Thursday, said: “We will do what- Berlin and Helsinki where any the European Commission, said 6.7 percent and14.1 percent out.” with its international credi- ever we can so that a deal is found deal with Greece will need to he was “optimistic” about a deal respectively on Thursday. At Thursday’s EU meeting, tors next week, cheering inves- on Monday.” be ratified by local parliaments next week and warned against Banks have been helped by the Tsipras presented his views tors as experts from both sides On Wednesday, euro zone before it could take effect. a failure that many fear would ECB raising its cap on what they to fellow leaders but summit began technical talks yesterday finance ministers failed even to Friday’s talks in Brussels, bring unpredictable disruption can borrow from the Greek cen- chairman Donald Tusk ruled to lay the ground for an accord. agree a broad common statement which could continue through to to Europe. tral bank through the Emergency out any debate on the debt cri- Fears of financial chaos have on how to maintain funding for Monday, aim to identify which He said Tsipras “must respect Liquidity Assistance (ELA) win- sis, saying the presidents and seen savers taking their cash out Greece following the expiry at the elements of the bailout are com- promises and at the same time dow until next Wednesday - add- prime ministers did not want to of Greek banks — a movement end of this month of the three- patible with what Tsipras says we are ready, we Europeans, to ing about 5 billion euros to 65 interfere in negotiations being banking sources said had been the year-old bailout package - an he was elected to carry out. EU see what margins of manoeuvre billion available. Banking sources run by the Eurogroup of finance reason for the European Central object of hatred for many Greeks leaders say Greece is free to pro- are possible.” said the ECB was concerned to ministers. Bank offering more emergency along with the troika that has pose other ways of managing its Greek spokesman Sakellaridis bolster the system while negotia- German Chancellor Angela funding for Greek banks on enforced its terms. budget and huge debts, but that insisted, however, that Athens tions were still going on over the Merkel, vilified by the Greek left Thursday until after crunch talks Tsipras wants a new financial these must give creditors - mostly remains opposed to implementing government debt. as Europe’s “austerity queen”, among euro zone finance minis- package, freed of unpopular ter- other EU states - credible pros- reforms that intensify austerity Greek bond yields touched said Berlin was ready for a com- ters on Monday. minology and the most burden- pects of being repaid. cuts and weaken the social fab- two-week lows, but other south- promise: “However, it must also Greek markets rose strongly some conditions. But Germany, “There have been very good ric: “What we have been saying is ern European bond markets were be said that Europe’s credibility after new Prime Minister Alexis backed solidly so far by the other political debates ... and now we that by Feb. 16 we want to reach weighed down by worries that the naturally depends on us respect- Tsipras, elected on a promise to 17 euro zone states, insists his need to get down to the hard a mutually beneficial agreement anti-austerity Podemos party will ing rules and being reliable with scrap a bailout deal he says has government should extend the facts,” a senior EU official close with our partners and we are win in Spain’s November elec- each other,” she said. impoverished millions, agreed current terms for some months, to the talks said of the efforts to moving in this direction.” tions, after the victory of the anti- Support among Germans for to have aides sit down with offi- giving it time to develop a new identify areas of agreement and Greek shares extended their austerity party Syriza in Greece Greece staying in the euro zone cials from the European Union, strategy if it wishes. divergence between the creditors’ rebound on Friday and the coun- last month. has grown over the past three European Central Bank and the Greek spokesman Gabriel scheme and the government. try’s borrowing costs fell, as inves- “The problem appears to be in years despite the new government International Monetary Fund - Sakellaridis also said that if “On Monday, we expect a tors held out hope of a deal with the semantics of any agreement, in Athens rejecting its interna- commonly known as the “troika”. Eurogroup ministers failed to description of what are the over- the state’s creditors. so that both Germany and Greece tional bailout deal, a poll for A spokesman for Tsipras, who get a deal in Brussels on Monday laps ... and what are the diver- Athens’ benchmark ATG equity don’t lose face,” said Toscafund German television ARD showed had accepted the offer of the evening, that would not be cata- gences,” the official said. index rose 5.8 percent and the Asset Management analyst yesterday. technical talks during his first strophic — a view not entirely Pierre Moscovici, the former Athens Stock Exchange FTSE Takis Christodoulopoulos. “But REUTERS

Brazil to curb car imports from Mexico Australian China bank rates will not loans surge go to zero: in January: Central bank Central bank

SYDNEY,: Australia is SHANGHAI: China’s bank unlikely to follow Europe and lending more than doubled to the United States and slash its 1.47 trillion yuan ($235bn) in official interest rate to near January from December, the zero to help prop up the strug- central bank said yesterday, gling economy, the central bank with analysts citing seasonal governor said yesterday. factors and monetary easing. The Reserve Bank of Australia In December, domestic banks (RBA) eased the official cash rate to extended new loans of 697.3bn record low of 2.25 percent last week yuan, previous figures showed. and more cuts are tipped but Glenn Analysts attributed the surge Stevens said a near-zero figure or vast to the tendency of banks to lend bond-buying — known as quantitative at the beginning of the year after easing — was unlikely. “I don’t think obtaining fresh quotas. China’s that we will end in that position,” he central bank allots annual loan told a House of Representatives eco- quotas to financial institutions in nomics committee. order to keep overall liquidity in “Nobody can be 100 percent check. sure of these things, obviously, but “The jump from December I would very much hope we don’t.” largely reflects the usual seasonal As a decade-long mining invest- pattern,” Julian Evans-Pritchard, ment boom fades, Australian growth China economist for Capital has slowed, inflation is low and Economics, said in a research unemployment has grown, reaching note. 6.4 percent last month — its highest “Bank lending is almost always level in more than 12 years. strongest at the start of each year, Stevens said the RBA was New Ford vehicles are loaded onto trailers at a parking lot of the Ford factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo. Grappling with tumbling auto sales and when banks receive fresh loan conscious that interest rate cuts weak economic growth, Brazil wants to derail a pact that would allow unlimited imports of cars from Mexico quotas.” A “slightly more accom- could be less effective than in the modative” monetary policy stance past in summoning additional had also continued to support growth in demand. bank lending, he said. “A decade ago, when there was, The People’s Bank of China it seems, an underlying latent Rolls-Royce cuts profit forecast on oil woes (PBoC), the central bank, cut desire among households to bor- deposit and lending rates in row and spend, it was perhaps November to facilitate credit easier for a reduction in interest LONDON: British engine Net profits however collapsed increased uncertainty for many fell for the first time in a decade, expansion and boost the economy. rates to spark additional demand maker Rolls-Royce yesterday on sliding defence revenues, of our markets and customers, reflecting reduced spending by our Last week, it lowered the in the economy,” he said. But he slashed its earnings forecasts, adverse foreign exchange moves particularly in marine offshore.” defence customers, macroeconomic reserve requirement ratio, the added: “Our judgement is that it blaming tumbling oil prices and the sale of its energy business. World oil prices tumbled by 60 uncertainty, and falling commodity amount of money banks must put still has some ability to assist the which have hurt revenues at its Earnings after tax nosedived to percent in value in the six months prices,” said chief executive John aside as reserves, to encourage transition the economy is making, marine offshore division. £69m in 2014, hit by the revalua- to January, rocked by plentiful Rishton in the statement. lending. However, analysts said and we regarded it as appropriate Pre-tax profits this year were tion of currency hedging, from crude supplies and the strong “In response to these head- more monetary easing is needed to provide that support.” expected to be between £1.4bn £1.367 billion a year earlier. dollar. Rolls-Royce also posted winds, we are taking decisive to support the economy, citing He said the RBA board consid- and £1.55bn ($2.2bn/ $2.4bn), “The external environment has yesterday the first drop in under- action to improve the group’s banks’ reluctance to lend to small ered the impact that lower interest Rolls-Royce warned in a results deteriorated in some of our major lying revenues for the first time financial performance,” he said, firms. “Chinese commercial banks rates, which flow through to reduced statement. markets,” Rolls-Royce said in the in a decade, sliding six percent to adding it would cut costs at its have accelerated credit extension mortgage payments, could have on Earnings before tax meanwhile earnings release. £14.588bn. aerospace unit and its land and on monetary easing,” ANZ Bank an already booming housing market. sank eight percent to £1.62bn in “In particular, oil prices have “2014 has been a mixed year sea division. said in a research note. AFP 2014, it added. halved over this period, creating during which underlying revenue AFP AFP

Lulu opens 113th branch China January money growth slumps

BEIJING: China’s growth in liabilities,” ANZ economists said for the first time in more than broad money supply slumped to in a note to clients. “In order to two years. That followed a sur- its lowest on record in January maintain a reasonable money sup- prise cut to benchmark inter- even as new yuan loans hit a ply, we see that China’s central est rates in November, also the 5-1/2-year high, boosting bets bank will continue to inject liquid- first such move in more than two that Beijing may further loosen ity. We see that further monetary years, to lower borrowing costs monetary policy to avert a policy easing could be imminent,” and support growth. sharper economic slowdown. ANZ said. Bank lending usually spikes in The broad M2 money supply ANZ predicted the central China in January as banks, which measure in January rose just 10.8 bank could reduce the ratio of face limits on how much they can percent from a year earlier, cen- cash that banks must set aside lend each year, squeeze as much lend- tral bank data showed yesterday, as reserves by another 100 basis ing as possible into the first month to the weakest pace since records points, and lower deposit rates by protect their market share. started in 1998 and well under a another 50 basis points. The central bank said yester- 12.1 percent forecast. That was Bank lending and changes in day that total social financing, a even as new yuan loans surged money supply are crucial parts of broader measure of overall liquid- to 1.47 trillion yuan ($235.6bn), China’s monetary policy. The gov- ity in the economy, also jumped 21 trumping market expectations ernment tells commercial banks percent from December to 2.05 for 1.35 trillion yuan, and more how much to lend and when to trillion yuan. than doubling December’s 697.3bn lend each year. Outstanding loans denomi- Abdullah S Alenezi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of Kuwait, inaugurating the 113th yuan. To lift China’s flagging econ- nated in yuan rose 13.9 percent Lulu Hypermarket in Al Salam Mall in Salmiya, Kuwait in the presence of Sheikh Malik Homoud Al Sabah, “The slower M2 growth could omy, where growth hit a 24-year in January from a year earlier, royal family member, Yusuff Ali MA, MD of Lulu Group, Saifee T Rupawala, CEO, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive be largely attributed to the capi- low of 7.4 percent last year, the compared with estimates for a Director and Mohammed Haris, Director of Kuwait region. tal outflows as Chinese corporates People’s Bank of China cut banks’ 13.4 percent increase. are unwinding the US dollar reserve requirements last week REUTERS SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 CLASSIFIEDS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

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JOGP!OBUJPOBMRBUBSDPN SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 Afghanistan beat UAE in final warm-up tie

MELBOURNE: Afghanistan Khan, the team’s 43-year-old tal- Indian school will head into the cricket World isman, sparkled with an 86 before students stand Cup with momentum after being trapped lbw by Alam. downing a spirited United Arab Afghanistan were on the back around a huge cut- Emirates by 14 runs in the foot early on a steamy day at the out of the ICC Cricket teams’ last warm-up match in Junction Oval and slumped to World Cup trophy in Melbourne yesterday. 50-3 when Javed removed number Chennai on Thursday. A match that had meandered three batsman Nawroz Mangal The ICC Cricket World for much of a steamy day at for 16 after also capturing opener Cup 2015 starts today Melbourne’s Junction Oval sprang Javed Ahmadi for 12. in Australia and New to life late in the afternoon as the Samiullah Shenwari steadied Zealand. RIGHT: dogged Emiratis scrambled hard the innings with a controlled 58, Indian Hindu Veda to reel in their opponents’ total allowing fellow middle order bats- Vidyalaya (School) of 308-9. man Najibullah Zadran (46) and students play cricket All-rounders Rohan Mustafa all-rounder Mirwais Ashraf (34 on the bank of the (24) and Amjad Javed (18) not out) to set up an imposing river Ganga near mounted a lusty eighth wicket total. Sangam in Allahabad. stand to push UAE within 20 runs Afghanistan will head to of victory, but paceman Dawlat Canberra seeking to upset Zadran intervened to bowl Javed Bangladesh in their World Cup and the Middle Eastern minnows opener on February 18, while UAE succumbed quickly thereafter. take on Zimbabwe in Nelson, New Paceman Aftab Alam took 3-43 Zealand the day after. from his 6.2 overs to be the pick of REUTERS the Afghanistan bowlers, includ- ing the match-winning wicket of Brief Scores tail-ender Saqlain Haider for one. SYDNEY: World Cup warm- All-rounder Javed, one of the up score yesterday: few home-grown Emirati play- ers in the side and an airline At Melbourne: Afghanistan 308-9 in 50 overs cargo supervisor away from the (Samiullah Shenwari 58; Amjad Javed 4-39) v game, took 4-39 to lead the UAE United Arab Emirates 294 all out in 48.2 overs All eyes on Australia as bowling. (Khurram Khan 86). Left-handed batsman Khurram Afghanistan won by 14 runs.

Australia’s Michael World Cup begins today Clarke walks towards the dressing Aussies dubbed as early favourites in 14-team event room following MELBOURNE: For the first West Indies, a fading giant in the a training time in almost a quarter of a 50-over game, are no sure bet to session century, the cricket World Cup advance ahead of rank outsiders at the is back Down Under. For the United Arab Emirates and the Melbourne traditionalists and newcomers improving Zimbabwe and Ireland Cricket alike, it is a long overdue return teams. Ground to one of the sport’s spiritual For some of the teams, just (MCG), homes. making it to the World Cup is a yesterday. The sense of anticipation in The ICC dream come true. Australia and New Zealand is Afghanistan are competing for 2015 trophy building and the mood is infec- the first time. The seeds of their is displayed tious with millions of cricket fans elevation in the sport were sown around the world eagerly awaiting during the in 1992, the last time when the Aussie skipper Clarke today’s opening matches. opening World Cup was held in Australia The first weekend has all the ceremony and New Zealand. Thousands of makings for a blockbuster. ahead of the Afghans who had learnt the game Today, New Zealand hosts Sri ICC 2015 while living in refugee camps in feared career was over Lanka in Christchurch, marking Cricket World Pakistan were inspired to take up the city’s first major international Cup at the the sport after watching Pakistan SYDNEY: Hobbled Australian of cancer in 2007. “My attitude sporting event since the devastat- Myer Music win. And now they have a team captain Michael Clarke saidye- changed a lot. To that point I had ing 2011 earthquake. Bowl in in the finals, albeit one of the sterday he feared his career was been totally consumed by cricket. A few hours later, across the Melbourne on underdogs. finished as he toiled to recover But that all turned upside down Tasman Sea, Australia face Thursday. Bookmakers have installed from hamstring surgery. the day I learnt dad had Hodgkin’s England at the Melbourne Australia as the early favourites, But the 33-year-veteran, who lymphoma. Cricket Ground, the same sprawl- although host nations have a poor will sit out in today’s World Meanwhile, New Zealand ing venue where the two great record in the tournament. In the Cup opener against old enemy sporting legends Richie McCaw rivals staged the first ever One- previous 10 World Cups, only England, also admitted that if he and Stephen Fleming found Day International, in 1971. India (2011) have won the final was forced to quit, then he would themselves the subject of gen- Then tomorrow, South Africa on home soil. accept his fate. tle mockery in their homeland meet neighbours Zimbabwe in The Australians have all the “When scans confirmed I had on Friday after a bungled high- Hamilton and India clash with ingredients for a winning team torn my hamstring (after the last five attempt during the Cricket their fiercest foes Pakistan in to emulate India. day of the Adelaide Test against World Cup opening ceremony in Adelaide. They have an explosive batting India) I thought I might just have Christchurch. “This could very well be the lineup, with opener David Warner played my last game of cricket,” The pair took to the stage for a most watched game of cricket in and the in-form Steve Smith Clarke told the Sydney Daily game of “backyard cricket” with a that point of time in the history Robot tips Afghans to win Cup both capable of turning matches Telegraph. group of children, but an attempt of cricket,” the tournament’s chief WELLINGTON: A New Zealand robot has predicted minnows around and a lethal bowling “I had suffered my fourth ham- to look cool in front of the kids executive John Harnden said. Afghanistan will win the upcoming Cricket World Cup, although attack led by Mitchell Johnson. string in six months and my back backfired when their high five Fourteen teams have been even the machine’s programmer admits such a shock result is Shane Warne, a World Cup was flaring up. failed to connect, leaving their divided into two groups for the unlikely. winner with Australia in 1999, is “I had just scored a century arms flapping awkwardly in the six-week tournament, with the The University of Canterbury’s robot Ikram made the prediction tipping his country to win again in memory of my little ‘brother’ air. All Blacks captain McCaw top four from each pool advanc- using software developed by doctorate student Eduardo Sandoval. but concedes the title is wide (Phillip Hughes, the Test bats- gave Fleming a playful shove fol- ing to the quarter-finals. When the flags of the 14 participating nations were placed in front open. man who died after being hit by lowing the embarrassing fail in In Group A, Australia, New of the robot it selected Afghanistan, who are playing their first World “We’ve been favourites a few a bouncer in a domestic game in front of 30,000 people and a global Zealand, England and Sri Lanka Cup and drawn in a tough pool including Australia, England and New times,” Warne said yesterday. “But November) in a winning Test side. television audience of millions at are the favourites to advance, Zealand. I don’t think I’ve seen Australia “If that was to be the end, I Thursday night’s ceremony. ahead of Bangladesh, Afghanistan “Of course this is unlikely, but with cricket the result can always be go into any World Cup with so thought, I would have no regrets.” Critics on Twitter labelled it and Scotland. unexpected,” Sandoval said. many match-winners. A lot of Clarke said he had learnt to put “the whitest high-five ever” while Group B is slightly more open. New Zealand bookmakers do not share the robot’s views and have teams can win this ... Australia’s his career worries in perspective Fleming denied the pair had suf- South Africa, India and Pakistan Afghanistan as 1,000-1 outsiders to win the tournament, with Australia biggest threat is there are just so following the death of Hughes fered a complete coordination should all progress safely but favourites at 3-1. AFP many good teams.” REUTERS as well as his father’s diagnosis meltdown. AGENCIES Debut of Scotland tartan in doubt Scotland’s captain Akram backs De Villiers, Warner to shine Preston Mommsen (left) looks on SYDNEY: Legendary Pakistan South for you. Pitch the ball, let it get during the opening paceman Wasim Akram Africa’s swing and get them out is my ceremony of the believes dashing batsmen AB captain AB advice.” ICC Cricket World de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and de Villiers Wasim said on current form David Warner will dominate the Australia, New Zealand and South Cup in Melbourne (right) plays World Cup during its marathon Africa are the teams to beat. on Thursday. a shot six weeks. “For me Australia, New Scotland suffered “I am sure Maxwell, Warner watched by Zealand and South Africa are the an early setback and de Villiers will ignite this Luke Ronchi top favourites as they have been as a specially World Cup,” said Wasim. keeper playing consistent cricket for the commissioned tartan “These three players have the for New last few months and the co-hosts that Scotland were firepower to take the game away Zealand have the advantage of playing in set to wear on their in a blaze and it would be hugely during the their familiar conditions which shirts at the World exciting for the crowds to watch World Cup for me is a big advantage.” Cup might not now them.” warm-up Wasim said the format of the make an appearance De Villiers hit the fastest one- match at World Cup will allow teams to at the tournament day hundred off just 31 balls Hagley recover. after a delay in against the West Indies, barely a Park Oval in “I think results of the warm- a shipment from month out from the World Cup Christchurch up games will count for nothing,” China. The distinctly and will be key to South Africa on said Wasim. Scottish pattern, landing their first title. Wednesday. “The format of this World Cup has a design based Australians Maxwell and is so good that it allows a team to on the clan tartan Warner hit belligerent hundreds stage a come back even if they lose in the warm-up game against Wasim said any bowler would “I would always go for taking the first one or two games and of 19th century Test India at Adelaide on Monday to dread bowling at these batsmen. their wickets rather than trying from the quarter-finals onwards cricketer Gregor signal what they have in store for “It will be a big challenge for to contain them because if they it will depend on how you play on MacGregor. the opponents. the bowlers,” said Wasim. stay longer they will pose trouble the day.” AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

World Cup Fixtures Australia vs England in Melbourne (MCG) Confident New Zealand New Zealand vs Sri Lanka in Christchurch FACTBOX New Zealand wary of Malinga X-factor vs Sri Lanka CHRISTCHURCH: Factbox today’s World Cup match between New Zealand and World Cup co-hosts favourites to beat Islanders after recent success Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. CHRISTCHURCH: Camps NEW ZEALAND with contrasting moods – New Captain: Brendon McCullum Zealand brimming with confi- Coach: Mike Hesson dence and Sri Lanka search- Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin ing for consistency – launch Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom the World Cup in Christchurch Latham, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Daniel today. Vettori, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Kyle New Zealand, co-hosts with Mills, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult, Australia, have their tails up after Mitchell McClenaghan. a 4-2 domination of Sri Lanka Results so far at 2015 World Cup: First in a recent warm up series fol- game lowed by a resounding warm-up win this week over tournament SRI LANKA heavyweights South Africa. Captain: Angelo Mathews Sri Lanka followed their New Coach: Marvan Attapatu Zealand losses with a defeat to Squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), lowly-ranked Zimbabwe, although Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, throughout their period acclima- Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, tising to New Zealand conditions Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, they have been without their ODI Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Sachithra ace Lasith Malinga. Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga has the X-factor and Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga he will make the difference, Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera according to Sri Lanka captain Results so far at 2015 World Cup: First Angelo Mathews. game Senior New Zealand batsman New Zealand vs Sri Lanka head to head Ross Taylor rates the round-arm Total played: 89 quick “the best death bowler probably who has ever played New Zealand won 41, Sri Lanka won 40; tied cricket”. 1; no result 7 But despite the spectre of Played at Hagley Oval Malinga, who returns after six Played: 1 months sidelined by an ankle New Zealand won 1, Sri Lanka won 0 injury, New Zealand remain Last match favourites to set the tournament Jan 29, 2015: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand alight with a home win and are by 34 runs at Wellington Regional Stadium widely regarded as potential finalists. “I don’t know if we’d be favour- New Zealand’s Kane Williamson plays a shot during the World Cup one-day warm up match between against South Africa on Wednesday in Christchurch. ites, but everyone’s saying we’re RIGHT: A file photo shows Sri Lanka’s pacer Lasith Malinga who will return for the match against Kiwis today. a good shot,” said wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi. “If we go in with a positive mind else to step up down the order. Boult wrapped up his World in the past two tournaments in shading Mathews and both well frame and we know we can beat Kane Williamson and Taylor have Cup preparations with a five 2007 and 2011, are formidable clear of the third highest scorer, any side on our day then that’s a been in impressive form at three wicket bag against South Africa when everything clicks but that India’s Virat Kohli. good thing. If we go out and per- and four as have Ronchi, fresh on Wednesday with Brendon has not been happening for them Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth form as we should we’ve got a big from an unbeaten 170 against Sri McCullum and Williamson both without Malinga. Karunaratne and Dinesh chance.” Lanka, and all-rounders Corey producing half centuries. Mathews sees Malinga as Chandimal add depth to Sri New Zealand have developed Anderson and Grant Elliott. Sri Lanka have made no secret “probably” the difference between Lanka’s batting line up although into a well-balanced unit over They are also laden with talent of the fact they need Malinga Sri Lanka and New Zealand. in recent times they appear una- the past year and are not fazed by in the bowling department, able to with his round-arm action “You can’t write off the rest of ble to all fire at the same time. the inconsistency of the Martin call on various combinations using and pin-point accurate york- our bowlers, we have fairly expe- Malinga and spinner Rangana Guptill and Brendon McCullum Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle ers to complement the excep- rienced bowlers, but obviously Herath head the bowling attack opening partnership. Mills, Adam Milne and Mitchell tional batting talents of Mahela Lasith has the X-factor,” he said. with all-rounder Mathews along Coach Mike Hesson believes if McClenaghan with Daniel Vettori Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka’s batting strength is with Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Richie McCaw they fail at the top then it simply and Nathan McCullum provid- and Tillakaratne Dilshan. The headed by Sangakkara, the lead- Perara and Nuwan Kulasekara provides a chance for someone ing spin options. Swing master 1996 champions and runners up ing ODI run scorer in 2014 just sharing the middle overs. AFP Rugby hero Mathews calls for ‘fighting Upbeat McCullum hails McCaw seen spirit’ ahead of opening game best Kiwis’ Cup team as NZ mentor CHRISTCHURCH: Brendon and again in 1992 when a Martin CHRISTCHURCH: Sri Lanka McCullum hailed New Zealand’s Crowe-inspired team captured CHRISTCHURCH: New captain Angelo Mathews has World Cup side as the best of the imagination of the country. Zealand captain Brendon demanded an immediate end to the four that he has played with The 1992 side have been promi- McCullum appealed yesterday the losing habit that has infected and the captain was certain the nent in the build up to this year’s to Rugby World Cup winning his side in the lead up to today’s Black Caps were well equipped tournament and have reminded skipper Richie McCaw to stay World Cup opener against New to deal with the rising expecta- the public that they had snuck up close to his phone in coming Zealand in Christchurch. tion of a maiden title. on cricket’s big guns having been weeks – he may be needed as a The “fighting spirit” was not McCullum’s side open the tour- hammered 3-0 by England in a cricket mentor. there he said yesterday as he nament against Sri Lanka today series just before the World Cup. The talismanic McCaw refused reviewed a disappointing build at Hagley Oval riding a wave of Many pundits, however, have to be weighed down by the intense up to cricket’s premier ODI optimism not seen since the early picked New Zealand as the third expectation of a partisan public tournament. 1990s. favourites behind Australia and when New Zealand hosted rugby’s Despite leading a side stacked “Certainly the ones (World Cup South Africa after a succession showpiece tournament in 2011. with high performers, Mathews teams) that I’ve played in, it’s of solid performances leading He duly led the All Blacks to has seen his side crash to a the best team and we tick most into the tournament. All had an 8-7 victory over France in the 4-2 series defeat against New boxes,” the 33-year-old McCullum been achieved and McCullum final, ending a 24-year nightmare Zealand last month and then told reporters yesterday. “The acknowledged dealing with those for the rugby-obsessed country lose two World Cup warm-up style of play is something we’re scenarios had helped alleviate after the world’s top-ranked side games against South Africa and comfortable with. expectations on the team. had failed in every World Cup Zimbabwe. “We’ve got a nice mix of youth “It’s something we have miti- since their one previous victory They were performances and experience and a team that gated against a little while ago” in 1987. far removed from previous Sri I’m really comfortable taking he said. “We knew that if we put Four years on and McCullum Lankan sides that won the 1996 into the World Cup and we’ll give in some performances beforehand finds himself under similar pres- World Cup and were runners up Sri Lankan players celebrate dismissal of England’s captain Alastair ourselves a good chance. “But we then we knew that we would be sure with the New Zealand media in the last two tournaments in Cook (left) during an ODI in Colombo, in this November 2014 file photo. know the slate is clean starting able to handle it when expecta- lifting the cricket team from 2007 and 2011. tomorrow.” tions rose. But guys are feeling World Cup underdogs to favour- “In the recent past, especially New Zealand have made the confident in the group. We have ites on the back of a string of suc- in New Zealand, we’ve found ways a few games you tend to be a bit second most prolific ODI bats- semi-finals six times, but have got the culture right. We’re all in cesses over the past year. of losing games more than win- more down and you’ve got to fight man behind India’s master Sachin only realistically come close to the right seats in the bus heading “It’s a team I’m really comfort- ning games and I think our late hard,” he said. “It’s going to be a Tendulkar. making the final twice, in 1979 in the right direction. AFP able taking into a World Cup and middle order haven’t produced fresh series for us, it’s going to be Jayawardene is fifth on the all- we give ourselves a good chance,” good results for us,” he said. the start of the World Cup. time list. New Zealand’s he said. “We had a couple of bad prac- “We’ve put everything under Sri Lanka have been buoyed captain “What (the All Blacks) were tice matches as well, but we’re the carpet and we’re just going by the return of Lasith Malinga, Brendon able to achieve, winning a World not too concerned (about them) to go out there and be positive.” their strike bowler who has a his- Cup at home after being with- McCullum because we gave guys opportuni- An added motivation to lift tory of tormenting New Zealand out the trophy for so long, and (front) walks ties and we tried out a few things.” their game is to produce a fit- at the top of the innings and at the expectations that they dealt Whether batting first or ting farewell to Sangakkara and the death. He has been sidelined onto the field with, especially in rugby in our second against New Zealand, Jaywardene, the 37-year-old bat- by an ankle injury for nearly six with batting country, was amazing,” McCullum Sri Lanka made a flying start ting kingpins who have indicated months but Mathews confirmed partner Martin said when questioned about how through stars such as Mahela this World Cup is their last outing he would play today although the Guptill at the he was now in a similar situation Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara on the ODI stage. rest of the line up has not been start of the to McCaw. and Tillakaratne Dilshan but once “The amount of service they settled. days play “I’m in awe with how they dealt they were removed the wickets have rendered to our team has “He’s fit to go,” he said of the during the with that and the result that they fell cheaply. been invaluable. They’ve per- player he considers the “x-fac- World Cup were able to achieve. Mathews believed the biggest formed to the best of their ability tor” in the Sri Lanka team and warm-up “There will come a time when lesson Sri Lanka have learned and just want to win all the time if the toss goes their way he will match against we will lean on those sorts of peo- is they need to change their so it will be a fitting farewell if we be bowling late in the day with South Africa in ple when we get the opportunity, approach and not the players. “It’s can do it for them.” Sangakkara Mathews wanting to bat first to Christchurch maybe later on in the tournament the fighting spirit that we’ve got needs 12 more runs to overtake set a target on a pitch he believes on Wednesday. if we find ourselves in that situa- to bring into it. When you lose Australian Ricky Ponting as the is laden with runs. AFP tion.” AFP SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 England face ruthless Australia World Cup opener is expected to draw record crowd of 90,000 fans in Melbourne

MELBOURNE: England face a formidable task against hosts Australia in their World Cup opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today as they look to end a depressing run against the old enemy. England, chasing a maiden World Cup title, head into the tournament with fresh painful memories of three losses to the Australians, including a crushing 112-run defeat in last month’s tri- series final. Eoin Morgan’s team have to turn around a wretched record FACTBOX of two wins from their last 15 ODI encounters in Australia before Australia vs an expected 90,000 crowd at the MCG, which will be a record. The last of England’s three England losing World Cup finals was in Factbox on today’s World Cup Australia in 1992. match between Australia and Adding to their problems is England at the Melbourne that in a tough Pool A they will Cricket Ground: also face 1996 winners Sri Lanka AUSTRALIA and the improving tournament Captain: Michael Clarke co-hosts New Zealand. Coach: Darren Lehmann England are banking on home Squad: Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell expectations getting the better Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, of the Australians as it proved Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, when the World Cup was last Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson. held Down Under 23 years ago and they knocked the Aussies out Results so far at 2015 World Cup: First in the semi-finals. match “It’s important to focus on what ENGLAND we do best. I think a lot of times Captain: Eoin Morgan in the past we’ve strived for a Coach: Peter Moores formula that hasn’t been ours,” England’s James Taylor prepares to bat during a net practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), yesterday. RIGHT: Australia’s David Squad: Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, James Morgan said. Warner (left) and Steve Smith take part in fielding practice during a team training session at the MCG, a day before their opening match in the 2015 Anderson, Gary Balance, Ian Bell, Ravi “I think if we can produce World Cup against rivals Endland. Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven what I think is our best cricket Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, on Saturday, we’ll be able to beat James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes. Australia.” “For us it’s about embracing our fifth World Cup triumph and have “I’m not really that concerned. of confidence from that game.” Results so far at 2015 World Cup: First The Australians, who will go own country and getting the sup- only lost one of their last 12 ODIs I’ve had a couple of low scores, but Lehmann mischievously hopes match into the tournament opener port from the crowd, entertain- against all-comers. obviously I’m looking to cash in on Morgan’s batting troubles con- Australia vs England head to head without skipper Michael Clarke ing them and playing the brand Australia accounted for the Saturday (today) if I manage to tinue for a little while longer. as he strives for full fitness after of cricket we have over the last third-ranked South Africans 4-1 get past 10 to 20 balls,” Morgan “He’s a good player. I’d like him Total played: 130 hamstring surgery, are looking 18 months in the one-day format. in a series at home last November said. to continue that run against us on Australia won 76, England won 49; tied 2; for the impetus of a commanding “If we do that, the results will and comfortably beat England “Four or five games since I Saturday, but he’s a fine player so no result 3 victory to get the country behind look after themselves. and India in the tri-series in the last scored a 100, so I don’t have we’ll come up with our plans as Played at the MCG them for the rest of the six-week “We don’t look any further final weeks before the World Cup. to look that far back to actu- we did in the tri-series,” he said. Played: 21 tournament. ahead than England and looking Morgan has issues of his own ally reconnect with what works The highest crowd for an ODI Australia won 15, England won 6 “There’s pressure on every forward to great crowd support heading into cricket’s showpiece well for me. “I took a lot out of at the MCG of 87,789 for the 1992 Last match team in any World Cup, wherever and putting on a good show.” with three ducks in his last four that 100 I scored in Sydney (last Pakistan-England World Cup you’re playing, to win,” Australia Australia are peaking at the outings restricting his meaningful month), particularly as it was final is under threat this weekend. Feb 1, 2015: Australia beat England by 112 coach Darren Lehmann said. right time for a crack at their batting practice. against Australia. I take a lot AFP runs at the WACA Five classic ODIs England Bailey relishes Anderson to focus on MELBOURNE: captain Traditional Eoin golden rivals Australia and England Morgan bowling, not sledging have played 130 ODIs since 1971. A look at five memora- is seen ble matches ahead of today’s during opportunity MELBOURNE: Wily paceman Anderson has a history of dis- World Cup showdown in a nets James Anderson says England ciplinary trouble and last year Melbourne: training MELBOURNE: Australia have no intention of provoking was cleared of a serious miscon- June 18, 1975 session at skipper George Bailey says a sledging war with Australian duct charge following an incident Headingley, Leeds the MCG, he doesn’t regard playing in a firebrand David Warner in with India’s Ravindra Jadeja in yesterday. World Cup at home as being today’s high-profile World Cup the Trent Bridge pavilion, thus Australia won by 4 wickets under pressure but rather a opener. avoiding a possible four-game ban. The late Gary Gilmour captured six for 14 off 12 wonderful opportunity ahead of Anderson, who has a reputa- Australia Test captain Michael overs with mesmerising swing bowling to rout today’s opener with England in tion of getting under the skin Clarke lost 20 percent of his England for 93 off 36.2 overs, only for Australia Melbourne. of Australian players, played a match fee after tensions became to squeeze home in the World Cup semi-final England has an ‘outside Bailey will lead the Australians straight bat to questions over heated with Anderson during he with 94 for six off 28.4 overs. Gilmour also star- into battle against the old enemy whether or not he would be tar- first Ashes Test at the Gabba in ring with the bat in an unbeaten 28 as paceman before a 90,000 MCG full house in geting Warner during the tour- 2013. Chris Old captured three for 29. place of Michael Clarke, who was nament opener at the Melbourne The ICC slapped Clarke with November 8, 1987 chance of winning Cup’ not considered fit enough to play Cricket Ground. a Level 1 code of conduct charge Eden Gardens, Calcutta after recent hamstring surgery. Warner is skating on thin after he was overheard on stump Australia won by 7 runs LONDON: Exiled England throughout their batting,” he said. The personable Bailey is lining ice with his disciplinary trans- microphones warning Anderson. Australia won by seven runs to clinch their first (pic- batsman Kevin Pietersen England captain Eoin Morgan up for his 57th ODI and said play- gressions this season with the Warner was twice fined by World Cup at Eden Gardens in what remains the tured) b el ieve s h is for mer t ea m- replaced Alastair Cook after the ing in a home World Cup tourna- International Cricket Council the ICC for verbal clashes with closest final outcome to date. Australia scored mates can win the World Cup Essex batsman was dumped for ment is something a player should (ICC) warning of a crackdown India during the recent Test and 253 for 5 off their 50 overs with David Boon if they play with freedom even a lack of form late last year, but cherish. on aggressive sledging during the one-day series and in an inci- top-scoring with 75 as opener before restrict- though their dreadful record in since scoring 121 against Australia “I’m certainly not (feeling the World Cup. dent which created headlines he ing England to 246 for eight. Bill Athey was run the last five tournaments sug- in a tri-series match on Jan. 16, pressure), but I have nothing to Anderson said there were no punched England batsman Joe out for 58 and Steve Waugh abd Allan Border gests otherwise. the 28-year-old has scored zero, compare it against,” Bailey told England plans to trigger more Root in a nightclub before the captured two wickets each. Since reaching the final of the two, zero and zero runs in his next reporters yesterday. disciplinary problems for the 2013 Ashes series in England. March 5, 1992 1992 World Cup, where they lost four innings. “I’m just certainly looking for- explosive Warner. Anderson said there were no Sydney Cricket Ground to Pakistan, England’s form at the However, Pietersen thinks ward to the fact that we get to “Having played against him signs that Saturday’s World Cup tournament is the worst of the Morgan’s style of captaincy is enjoy some home comforts, enjoy (Warner) in the past, I don’t opener would be spiced with over- England won by 8 wickets frontline cricketing nations. more in-tune with the demands of some home support and embrace think he needs too much encour- the-top banter. Ian Botham ended Australia’s World Cup England have won 16 matches modern 50-over cricket and will the opportunity that comes agement,” Anderson told report- “We’ve played three games chances at home in the semi-final with a match- since 1992, com- provide England around having a World Cup at ers yesterday. already against them in the last winning double of four for 31 and 53 off 77 balls pared to four- with plenty of home. “Our main job is to get them few weeks in the tri series and to get England into the final. The Aussies were times champions inventiveness with “It’s an opportunity you’re born out, not to rile them up, so we’ll that was played in a great spirit,” bowled out for 171 with opener Tom Moody Australia’s 38 and bat and ball. into. It’s pot luck. There have been be concentrating on that.” Anderson said. AFP hitting 51 off 88 balls before skipper Graham better only than England will some amazing Australian sides Gooch and Botham cracked half-centuries to Bangladesh and certainly need to that have won World Cups all help get England home with 9.1 overs to spare. Zimbabwe. They be more aggressive over the world, and some amazing March 2, 2003 are also the only with the ball after Australian players that never had St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth leading nation not claiming 25 five- the opportunity to play at home. Australia won by 2 wickets to have qualified for wicket hauls since “You can view that as pressure Andy Bichel undermined a great start by at least one semi- 1992. That ranks if you like, or you can view that England in their World Cup pool match with final in that time. them eighth, with as a wonderful opportunity and English figures of seven for 20 off 10 overs to send But Pietersen, Pakistan on 52 and an honour. And that’s certainly pacer James England crashing from 66 for one to 204 for England’s leading World Cup Australia on 54 leading the way. the way I think we’re trying to Anderson 8 and leave the Aussies with the task of scor- scorer with 575 runs for 13 innings England’s batsman have also approach it.” bowls during ing 208 for eight with two balls to spare with - still only the 31st best of all struggled during the last five Bailey, who has won 15 of the 28 a net practice Michael Bevan hitting an unbeaten 74 and nations - told the Daily Telegraph World Cups, making just four ODIs in which he has captained session at the Bichel 34 not out off 36 balls. ahead of England’s World Cup centuries compared to current Australia, believes England are Melbourne September 14, 2013 opener against Australia in holders India who have hit a a dangerous first-up opponent Cricket Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Melbourne on Saturday that a swashbuckling 18. Again England despite having won 13 of the last Ground lack of expectation could work in are ranked eighth on that list, 15 ODIs against them at home. England won by 3 wickets (MCG), their favour. ahead only of Zimbabwe “I’d love to say it would count England overhauled Australia with just three “I really do believe they have “Morgan will be positive. That for something, but I honestly yesterday. balls to spare to win with man-of-the-match Jos an outside chance of winning this is the way he plays and you always don’t think it does,” Bailey said. Buttler slamming 65 off 48 balls and aided by World Cup,” Pietersen said. “They captain how you bat, which means “I think England have made skipper Eoin Morgan (53) and Michael Carberry can play with freedom because taking risks,” Pietersen said. some really positive changes to (63) in England’s 231 for seven. Aussie pace- nobody really expects them to “I like the way he has rotated the way they play and the struc- man Clint McKay took a hat-trick among with win the tournament and this his bowlers and set his fields. ture, and I personally think they four for 39. George Bailey cracked 87 from 91 should be reflected in positivity REUTERS look really dangerous.” AFP balls in Australia’s 227 off 48.2 overs. SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Simon stuns Murray to Rose paces Bulls in win over Cavs

CHICAGO: Former NBA Most All-Star weekend festivities Valuable Player Derrick Rose kicked off in New York yesterday reach Rotterdam semis didn’t garner an All-Star berth, with the Rising Stars Challenge but he starred on Thursday in at the Barclays Center in the league’s last game before the Brooklyn. Defending champ Berdych ousts Monfils to reach last 4 mid-season showcase. Today’s events include the Rose scored 30 points and always entertaining slam dunk handed out seven assists to lead contest, while the 64th All-Star ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: the Bulls to a 113-98 victory over Game will be played on Sunday Frenchman Gilles Simon ended LeBron James and the Cleveland at Madison Square Garden in a 12-match loss streak to Andy Cavaliers. Manhattan. Murray as he dumped the top Tony Snell contributed 22 James scored a game-high 31 seed out in the quarter-finals points on 9-of-11 shooting for the points but committed eight of of the ATP Rotterdam World Bulls and Pau Gasol — who did Cleveland’s 16 turnovers. Tennis event yesterday. get an All-Star nod — notched his Fellow All-Star Kyrie Irving The persistent challenger stood 14th straight double-double with added 17 points, seven assists and 1-12 against the two-time Grand 18 points and 10 rebounds. six rebounds but it wasn’t enough Slam winner and unleashed one Joakim Noah added 10 points, to fend off the Cavs’ second loss of his best performances to stage 15 rebounds and seven assists in 16 games. the 6-4, 6-2 upset. for Chicago, who head into the Chicago were without Jimmy Murray, who went down double All-Star break leading the Cavs Butler, sidelined with a strained breaks at the start of each set, by 1 1/2 games atop the Central right shoulder, while Cleveland’s confessed to getting off to a poor Division. Kevin Love sat out with a cor- start; the recent Australian Open The contest was the only game neal abrasion he suffered on finalist admitting he never found on Thursday’s slate, and regular- Wednesday when he was acci- the rhythm to recover. season action won’t resume until dentally poked in the eye by an “I struggled with most shots next Thursday. opponent. AFP and I had a poor start,” said the world number four who won the Dutch title in 2009. “I felt like it was tough hitting the ball in the slower conditions. “My timing was well off. Simon Jimenez takes the is a top, top player who has been around the top 20 for most of his career. None of the matches I’ve won against him have been easy. lead in Thailand He fights to the end and likes to extend the rallies. BANGKOK: Spanish veteran consolation for a disappointing “That’s his game. I didn’t feel Miguel Angel Jimenez squeezed round that saw him finish two tired but I certainly did not start his way to the front of the pack over par and out off contention well. I was not hitting the ball well at the Thailand Classic yester- for the weekend cut. from the back of the court and day, picking up 11 birdies to take Jimenez turned back the clock I made a lot of mistakes in the a one-shot overnight lead over to blitz the field early on with a rallies.” local boy Kiradech Aphibarnrat. slew of birdies. He dropped a cou- Simon will take a 6-3 record Gilles Simon of France returns the ball against Andy Murray of the United Kingdom during their quarter-final The 51-year-old Jimenez — the ple of shots on the back nine to into his semi-final with defend- match of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam yesterday. oldest player in the field — got off reel him back into the pack, but ing champion Tomas Berdych, to a flyer and birdied five of the the Spaniard remained ebullient who scraped his knuckles during “I’ve lost so many times to five meetings with quirky French before Berdych set up two more first 12 holes, ending with a 66 for at the end of a good day’s work. a second-set fall on court on the Murray that I’m not afraid at player Monfils, a former world match-winners with a forehand the day and 133 overall. “You’re always happy when way to a defeat of Gael Monfils all,” said the 19th-ranked French number seven now ranked 21st. cross-court. Kiradech led the chasers, with you’re under-par and the more 6-1, 6-4. winner. “I know his game so well, Berdych landed on his hand in The third seed advanced on the a five-under par 67 while another under-par you are, the happier there are no surprises. I knew the third game of the second set first chance, from a Monfils error. local favourite — Thongchai Jaidee you are,” said Jimenez. what to expect and so did he. and had the trainer out to take “It was a tough match and not — hit a tidy 66, to return to the Kiradech meanwhile was in ATP Rotterdam “It was hard for me at the end a look before playing on without as easy as the score showed,” said clubhouse two shots off the pace determined form after a dismal to close it out, but the win was incident. Berdych, a finalist at Doha and at the $2m co-sanctioned tourna- showing at the season-opening Results really worth it. The Czech fired seven aces an Australian Open semi-finalist ment in Hua Hin. Malaysian Open, closing at 10 “Playing him gets easier every among his 32 winners during the last month. The day also brought joy for under for the tournament so far Results on the fifth day of the time that I do it. I’m happy that 71-minute match, breaking on “I needed to play well and stay another Thai, Panuphol Pittayarat and poised to go on the attack ATP Rotterdam World Tennis I was successful today. Against three of nine occasions and never solid,” he said. “I’m feeling good whose reward for a hole-in-one against the wily Jimenez on day Tournament yesterday (x Berdych I hope to continue just facing a break point. with my game, I’m satisfied with on the 14th par three was a four- three. denotes seeded player) like this.” Monfils, whose enthusias- how I’m playing. For the next storey townhouse worth $370,000 “I’ve been striking the ball well. Quarter-finals: Gilles Simon (FRA x8) bt Andy Berdych has now reached his tic game can go on and off the match I have to keep this up and on the Black Mountain Golf Club I did not make too many mistakes Murray (GBR x1) 6-4, 6-2; Tomas Berdych (CZE third ATP semi-final of the season boil in an instant, saved a match improve to be ready for the next resort. and that’s a huge boost to my con- x3) bt Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-1, 6-4. after posting his fourth win from point in the penultimate game opponent.” AFP It proved to be ample fidence,” he said. AFP ‘We just said it’s much more than a motor sport circuit’

DOHA: In 2009, Sharmila and future plans for the SIC. Singapore came around, we had Malaysia. We have got very dif- Nadarajah was brought in to Excerpts: a 10-15 percent decrease in terms ferent tiers of how you can enter turn the fortunes of the Sepang Q: How viable is it to run a of ticket sales. And then when into the industry. We have got Circuit around. From just 40 motor sport circuit? Or, how Korea came around and India GT car racing, high-end racing, per cent utilisation of the circuit does one make it viable? came around, we saw a decrease endurance racing. Since we have to almost 100 per cent currently, A: The Formula One race at of 5-10 per cent. It wasn’t a lot. all of these races, manufacturers Nadarajah is the lady credited the SIC is a government-initi- Not a big impact. Our main like Ferrari and Lamborghini with the turnaround. ated event. So the rights fee is sources of tourists were India, are coming up with one-make Motor sport is an expensive taken care of by the government Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand races which are becoming more business. And, although, Formula of Malaysia. The circuit only and Australia. Australia is a very and more accessible. The market One and MotoGP are trying to pays the operating costs, which big market for us. And because we is there and it is growing. But I reach out to different countries, it generates from ticket sales. are marketed as a tourist destina- have to admit, for us in Malaysia, building a circuit and sustaining International events are held at tion, where you go to the islands a lot of our growth has been from it is not the same thing. In this the SIC only three times a year. after the race, it didn’t impact the investments through the peo- fiercely competitive environment, The rest of the year we run pri- us that much. Thankfully, the ple in China who are now taking Malaysia’s Sepang International vate track days — bookings for Singapore GP is in September motor sport very, very seriously. Circuit (SIC) is thriving. manufacturers, weddings and and we are in March. So you In that sense I don’t see it waning Formula One came to the SIC concerts — that’s what sustains don’t really have to choose which or becoming a struggle like it was 17 years ago. But after the ini- the circuit throughout the year. one to go to. You can go for both. Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit six-seven years ago. tial success, the circuit started So the three international Singapore is a street circuit and Q: So motor sport is a viable turning into a white elephant. events are awesome but if we had it’s at night, so it is a different Formula One but it has its own or investment. We have a motor- business? In 2009, Nadarajah was brought to cover the Formula One rights experience altogether. We’re like operating costs. sport academy that we plan to put A: I wouldn’t say it is profit- in as the Chief Strategy Officer fee then things wouldn’t be so via- a hot, fast, loud kind of an experi- Q: Future plans for the in place. And that’s what we see making for the rider or the driver. and managed to revive the track’s ble. The returns are based on the ence…The only thing that affected circuit? as the future of the circuit. But it is profit-making for us at fortunes. fact that Formula One is meant to us quite badly last year was the A: We had a facility develop- Q: Qatar is now in talks the circuit. The circuit has been Currently, the Chief get tourists into Malaysia. MH17 aircraft going missing. ment plan put in place about to hold a Formula One race. there for 16 years. The team that Commercial Officer of the SIC, We did an economic impact Q: How much of an attraction six years ago. The reason we did They already have MotoGP we have running the circuit has Nadarajah was in Doha for the study last year to determine is motor sport in Malaysia? that was because we had only one and WSBK. What are your been there only for seven years Qatar Motor Show 2015 where whether we should continue with A: The motorcycles seem to track and we are running at full thoughts on motor sport in this and prior to that it was a white she spoke about the achievements Formula One and the returns have garnered more interest than capacity every year…We had 300 region? elephant. When I was first came are still there in terms of tour- Formula One. The reason for this, hectares of land and we capital- A: There’s a lot of competition in it was quite tough. It came to a ists spending within Malaysia. I think is connectivity. If you go to ised on that. Over the last five in motor sport in this region. India point where the government said The ratio between international the World SuperBike or MotoGP, years, in terms of sustainability has a beautiful circuit. Korea has that the land value was more as and local tourists descending for you can buy a similar kind of a of the circuit itself, we have put two circuits. China is coming up a commercial property or a resi- the race is 50:50. And the inter- bike...But Formula One is differ- together a complete facility, not with a multitude of circuits. Last dential property because they national tourists spend enough ent because you wouldn’t want to just a motor sport venue. So we time I checked there were nine. weren’t getting the returns they money for the rest of the year. own a F1 car. You can’t take it have done product launches, wed- In Malaysia we are consulting were expecting. And then we were Plus you can’t beat the fact that out and show it your friends. Also, dings, corporate events, concerts, for two other circuits to be built. tasked to come up with a turna- Formula One has 63m view- entry into Formula One is very cycling and marathon events. What we realise is that there is round plan. And within a month ers worldwide and that, sort of, difficult and there are not many And these don’t take place on a market for motor sport in this we went to our shareholder, which puts Malaysia on the map. This drivers and teams from the Asia the track. And then we also have region. And that’s because of what was the Ministry of Finance, and I return is calculated in terms of Pacific region running around. boot camps. That’s very popu- motor sport is associated with — remember the looks on their faces media value. And if you add all So there’s not much in terms of lar. We have taken all that and healthy living and lots of spon- when we put forward our business that up, the ratio of investment pushing people into F1. Whereas developed a facility development sors. It’s a worldwide experience. plan. Almost like, ‘who are these and returns is still about 1:4. for MotoGP and WSBK, we our- plan that focuses on building the It’s considered the second most people? Are they nuts! Who the Q: How difficult or easy has selves have been able to put a local facility into an ‘edutainment’ cen- expensive sport in the world, the hell did we hire?’ But we just said it been to keep getting govern- talent, Zulfahmi Khairuddin, into tre. Put in place plans to revamp first being equestrian events. The that it’s much more than a motor ment support? the races and he’s doing quite our go-kart track. Put in place a tagline of being the second-most sport circuit. There’s 300 hectares A: It was tough to get the sup- well. And now we have our own 4x4 world experience track. In expensive sport attracts peo- of land here, it’s an amazing sight port of the government. SIC has racing team as well. So it has been February, we complete the busi- ple. People’s ability to spend has for us at work...We also talked a been hosting Formula One for a good transition. Formula One is ness park. It is a warehouse kind increased quite a bit. The first lot to various circuits around the 17 years now. During this time, 150 times more expensive. of concept. thing they do is buy a house and world. But with the advent of Singapore came into play, then Q: Formula One or MotoGP All of these things feed into the then the next thing they do is have competition it shows that it is a Sharmila Nadarajah it was South Korea and then it — which one is more lucrative? business of the circuit and gener- ten different cars in their garage. viable business. was India…In the first year when A: The money comes in from ates income for us through lease That’s growing in popularity in THE PENINSULA SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Barca President points finger El Jaish beat Lekhwiya as at predecessor in Neymar tax probe Al Sadd climb to top spot MADRID: Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu pointed the fin- ger at his predecessor yester- day over allegations of tax fraud ‘Wolves’ maul Salal; Al Ahli return to winning ways against Gharafa linked to the signing of Brazilian striker Neymar. During three hours of question- ing in a Spanish court hearing behind closed doors, Bartomeu denied any wrongdoing and said Al Sadd the incidents under investigation players took place in 2013 when the foot- celebrate ball club was headed by Sandro after Rosell, judicial sources said. scoring He told the Madrid court it a goal was Rosell who negotiated and against drew up Neymar’s multi-million Umm Salal euro contract with Barcelona, the during sources added. Rosell, who is also a suspect in a Qatar the case, resigned as president Stars over the affair just over a year League ago when a complaint brought by match one of the club’s members for mis- yesterday. appropriation of funds was taken to court. Bartomeu, who was vice-pres- ident of the Catalan club at the time, replaced Rosell as president in January 2014. DOHA: Qatar Stars League from Mohamed Moosa, who was In the other match of the day, Judge Pablo Ruz at the National (QSL) leaders Lekhwiya went careless with the ball, and made a Al Ahli got back to winning ways Court charged Bartomeu last down 2-0 to fourth-placed El 40m dash to easily score past the with a 3-0 defeat of Al Gharafa. week with tax fraud and ordered Jaish at home yesterday. goalkeeper. Ahli striker Alain Dioko scored him to appear in court over The loss meant that the defend- With Lekhwiya’s defeat, Al the opener in the 10th minute alleged tax evasion worth 2.85m ing champions dropped down Sadd climbed to the top of the and then Mulota Kabangu dou- euros ($3.26m). a point to second place behind QSL standings. bled their advantage in the 36th Spanish public prosecutors Al Sadd after the ‘Wolves’ Salal were reduced to 10-men minute. Skipper Meshal Abdullah called for Bartomeu and the club mauled Umm Salal 4-1 earlier in as early as the 13th minute and completed the rout with a strike as a whole to be tried on the the day. they never recovered from that. in the 51st minute. tax fraud allegations relating to El Jaish put their faith in For Sadd, Khalfan Ibrahim scored THE PENINSULA Neymar’s transfer from Brazilian defence yesterday and after a a brace and the other two goals club Santos in 2013. start-stop first half, the scores were scored by Hassan Al Haydos QSL Results They allege the club and Rosell were level at 0-0. However, things and Nadir Belhadj. paid more for Neymar than the 57 changed in the second half. Salal got a consolation goal Lekhwiya 0 El Jaish 2 (Romarinho 54’, Y. million euros that they declared In the 55th minute, Romarinho through Tuncay Sanli in the 89th Abou Baker 66) to the Spanish taxman. pounced onto a pass from minute. Al Sadd 4 (K. Ibrahim (Penalty) 15’, K. Ibrahim Prosecutors believe the figure Mohamed Methnani and scored With this win Sadd are now 34’, H. Al Haydos 50’, N. Belhadj 67’) Umm was 82.7m euros divided into Salal 1 (T. Sanli 86’) Lekhwiya’s Mohamed Mossa (left) fights for the ball against Ali Sanad of from point-blank range. back at the top of the standings separate contracts that secured Al Ahli 3 (D. Kaluyituka 11’, P. Kabangu 36’, El Jaish during a QSL match at Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday. Eleven minutes later, Yasir and now have a one point lead the signing. Abu Baker snatched the ball over arch-rivals Lekhwiya. M. Abdullah 51’) Al Gharafa In his testimony before a judge on the case in July 2014, Rosell insisted that Neymar cost the club 57m euros, 17 of which went I can handle the flak, says United boss van Gaal to Santos and 40m paid to N&N, a company owned by the player’s MANCHESTER: Manchester “That’s what I have to say “Robin van Persie also has father. United manager Louis van Gaal about that. I am used to it and I something, so now I have given However, following Rosell’s insisted on Friday that he can think all the players are used to the players a day off. Only the resignation, Barcelona also con- handle the mounting criticism of it because they are not first-time injured players have visited our firmed a number of extra agree- his tactics and team selections. professional football players. centre, but the doctor has not ments including a signing bonus Van Gaal has come under fire “Maybe some players are called me yet so I cannot say for the player and scouting and for using captain Wayne Rooney affected, but normally most of anything.” collaborative agreements. in midfield instead of in his pre- the time it does not affect me or United were well below their The court has raised questions ferred position as a central striker the players.” best when they squeezed past over a payment made at the start and the Dutchman has also been However, Van Gaal did con- third tier Yeovil and fourth tier of 2014 of five million euros to slammed for using a long-ball ceded he still doesn’t know his Cambridge in the previous two N&N. Prosecutors argue that the gameplan at a club famed for best starting line-up eight months rounds. club should have paid 2.8m euros its commitment to entertaining into his Old Trafford tenure. But Van Gaal remains confi- in tax related to that payment. football. The former Netherlands coach dent his players can handle what During questioning yesterday, Former United midfielder Paul has flipped between three centre- should be a raucous atmosphere Bartomeu said that while the Scholes this week said watching backs and a flat back four and also at Preston, although he knows payment was made in 2014 while United this season has been a tinkered with the setup of his Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal arrives ahead of an most non-United fans will want he was already president, the “miserable” experience because midfield and attack. English Premier League against Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester the third tier side to cause a legal obligation stems from the of their style of play. “I have played now already five on Wednesday. famous FA Cup upset. contract that was signed in 2013 But, speaking at his press con- or six systems and I am looking “We have to play for the third when Rosell was in charge. ference ahead of United’s FA Cup still for the balance,” Van Gaal defensive organisation is not bad, Blind suffered a cut above his eye time a lower team. You know the In February of last year, the fifth round trip to Preston on said. we also score a lot of goals.” in that match. world is against you, the environ- club announced that they had Monday, Van Gaal was adamant “But this current system is Defender Phil Jones and mid- Van Gaal refused to reveal ment is against you because eve- made a voluntary payment of the criticism hasn’t affected him. more attractive than normally fielder Daley Blind are both the nature of Dutch striker Van ryone is with the underdog,” Van 13.5m euros to the Spanish tax “I don’t worry about it, it’s not and I can play with more attack- doubtful for the trip to Deepdale, Persie’s knock. Gaal added. authorities to settle any outstand- so interesting,” Van Gaal said. ing players. along with striker Robin van “I think Phil Jones shall be dif- “It is more difficult to accept ing tax debts related to Neymar’s “I think because he (Paul “That’s the reason I am doing Persie. ficult to play on Monday. Daley but it’s like that. But the chance contract. Scholes) is one of the fans, I hope, that. In spite of the fact that Jones left the pitch during the Blind, I don’t know, we have to that you can survive is higher Barcelona said Bartomeu “gave and he can criticise. Fans can we are looking for the balance, 3-1 win against Burnley in mid- wait and see how he recovers,” because you are playing against explanations to everything he criticise, and that’s not a problem. our results are not bad and our week with an ankle injury, while Van Gaal said. lower qualities.” AFP was questioned about” during his court appearance. “He made it clear that it has never been his intention, nor that Dortmund use Reus magic to of the club’s executives, to aim to defraud the National Tax Office,” it added in a statement. Bartomeu called a presidential score first home win of year club election for the end of this season due to rising pressure on BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but second consecutive victory in the his board and intends to stand as experienced a rollercoaster of Neven Subotic levelled five min- league. a candidate. AFP emotions before winning 4-2 utes after the restart. Today, leaders Bayern Munich against Mainz 05 on Friday, a The Serbian defender beat his will be out to protect their first home victory of the year marker to head in a corner and eight-point advantage against QPR confirm that moved them out of the spark wild celebrations among the Hamburg SV while second-placed Bundesliga relegation zone. home fans who had whistled the VfL Wolfsburg take on Bayer Ramsey Last season’s runners-up team off at halftime. Leverkusen. needed the skills of Marco Reus, Dortmund, who take on Bayern will have winger Franck appointment who this week extended his con- Juventus in the Champions Ribery and defender Rafinha tract with the club until 2019, as League last 16 later this month, back in the squad for today’s LONDON: Chris Ramsey was the German international scored then turned the game around game, coach Pep Guardiola said confirmed as QPR manager once and set up another goal to with Reus charging through to yesterday. until the end of the season on lift them into 14th spot with 22 beat Kapino after Kevin Kampl’s The pair had been out injured yesterday. points. fine assist. for the last few weeks as Bayern Ramsey took over the strug- The visitors shocked Dortmund Lebanese Yunus Malli beat stuttered in the new year. gling Premier League team on a in the first minute when keeper Weidenfeller to equalise in the The German champions caretaker basis following Harry Roman Weidenfeller failed to 56th minute and again stun the had been near flawless in the Redknapp’s resignation last week clear and Elkin Soto lobbed the 80,000 crowd. first half of the campaign, but and led them to their first away ball into an empty net from the Reus, though, came to the res- have managed just one win in points of the campaign with a 2-0 edge of the box. cue for Dortmund as he delivered their opening three league games win at Sunderland on Tuesday. Reus almost equalised a minute a superb curling pass to beat the so far. QPR chairman Tony Fernandes later in a furious start to the offside trap and send Aubameyang “Franck Ribery and Rafinha had said earlier this week that he game but his powerful shot rat- through to make it 3-2 in the 71st are back and they trained was close to securing his “dream Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus (right) celebrates after scoring a goal tled the post. minute. with the team,” Guardiola told manager”, with former Swansea while Mainz 05’s Stefan Bell looks on during their Bundesliga match in Mainz’s reserve keeper Nuri Sahin’s 78th minute goal a news conference. “They are fit boss Michael Laudrup installed Dortmund yesterday. Stefanos Kapino, making his first sealed Dortmund’s win and gave and they are an option.” as the bookmakers’ favourite for Bundesliga start, did well to deny coach Juergen Klopp’s team their AGENCIES the job. AFP Most Popular Bangladeshi Newspaper

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 PROTHOM ALO WEEKLY Published every Thursday 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Available in all leading stores in Qatar       Tel: 4465 0600 Email: [email protected]

Past Champions Read under as year, country, cyclist and team Bora-Argon 18 2002 Germany, Thorsten Wilhelms (GER) team leader Team Coast Sam Bennett 2003 Italy, Alberto Loddo (ITA) Lampre reacts as he 2004 South Africa, Robert Hunter (RSA) crosses the Rabobank finish line to 2005 Denmark, Lars Michaelsen (DEN) win the sixth Team CSC and final stage 2006 Belgium, Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick of the 2015 Step-Innergetic Tour of Qatar, 2007 Belgium, Wilfried Cretskens (BEL) between Quick Step-Innergetic Sealine Beach 2008 Belgium, Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Resort and Step Doha Corniche, 2009 Belgium, Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick yesterday. Step RIGHT: The 2010 Netherlands, Wouter Mol (NED) peloton rides Vacansoleil near Doha 2011 Australia, Mark Renshaw (AUS) HTC- Corniche Highroad yesterday. 2012 Belgium, Tom Boonen (BEL) Omega PICTURES: SALIM Pharma-Quick Step MATRAMKOT 2013 Great Britain, Mark Cavendish (GBR) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2014 Netherlands, Niki Terpstra (NED) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2015 Netherlands, Niki Terpstra (NED) EQS Terpstra rides away with Qatar glory; Bennet wins sixth stage Dutch rider successfully defends his title in front of a record crowd at Doha Corniche

BY RIZWAN REHMAT Cycling Results DOHA: Dutch rider Niki Terpstra yesterday conquered Top 10 results in stage six the Tour of Qatar for the sec- 1 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 2:24:03 ond time, successfully defending 2 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team the title he won last year after 3 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Sam Bennet of Ireland stormed Credits to victory in the sixth and final 4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo stage at Doha Corniche. 5 Youcef Reguigui (Alg) MTN - Qhubeka The 30-year-old Ettix-Quick 6 Adam Blythe (GBr) Orica GreenEdge Step rider, who began the day with a lead of six seconds over 7 Matteo Trentin (Ita) Etixx - Quick-Step Maciej Bodnar and 11 seconds over 8 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step Katusha star Alexander Kristoff, 9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing sealed his win after a spectacular 10 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team finale at Doha Corniche where a General classification record crowd had turned out for 1 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step the last day’s proceedings. 17:36:48 Kristoff, who won three stages 2 Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:06 out of the six, put pressure on Terprstra by bagging the day’s 3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha first intermediate sprint but the 0:00:09 Norwegian could only finish in the 4 Ian Stannard (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:12 16th spot as Bora-Argon 18 rider 5 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Bennet grabbed his only stage win Team 0:00:19 with a time of 2:24:03. 6 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:31 Italian Andrea Guardini of 7 Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:33 Astana Pro Team and Frenchman 8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis, 0:00:39 Solutions Credits finished behind Bennet to complete the top three 9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step riders in the 124.5km stage. 10 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team Kristoff, the man who had ear- 0:00:41 lier stunned sprinters like four- Points classification time champion Tom Boonen, 1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha crossed the line in 19th place The winner of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, Niki Terpstra of the Netherlands (centre), runner-up Maciej Bodnar (right) of Poland and second runner-up Alexander 49pts without making any impression Kristoff of Norway celebrate on the podium after the sixth and final stage, which was held between Sealine Beach Resort and Doha Corniche, yesterday. 2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 45 in the bunch finish. 3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step 34 Boonen — the winner in Qatar “It was satisfying, of course,” “To win as a team was very I would be better than the top-30. Boem were the first three to be 4 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 30 in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012 — Terpstra said. “(I) came here satisfying. The guys did a great Sometimes it is like this. We try caught by the pack, while Pirazzi finished yesterday’s stage in eight to defend my title and the time job. The guys made Katusha tired. to do everything but the team was carried on alone. The Italian was 5 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team place and ninth in the overall gen- trial went so well. The team did We did well in sprints,” Terpstra not able to do it. We gambled but finally caught at the 68km mark 22 eral classification. so well.” said we couldn’t do it,” the Norwegian just after the third passage on the 6 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Giant-Alpecin 22 Kristoff, 30, walked off with the “Yeah, it was exciting. I was a “Probably (I) will come back,” explained. line. 7 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 21 silver jersey after he topped the bit nervous before the start, of Terpstra said when asked if he “It is all good for the rest of The tTime had come for the 8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling 19 points classification with a tally course. Alex had good days here. would come back and complete the season. I feel better than ever. big teams to prepare for the first 9 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step 17 of 49 points. Etixx-Quick Step He passed on the bonus seconds his personal hattrick of titles in Hopefully, we will nail it next intermediate sprint at the fourth 10 Adam Blythe (GBr) Orica GreenEdge 17 recorded 52:51:44 to clinch the and it was good to win,” the Dutch Qatar. “But first I will celebrate year,” he said. crossing of the line (at the 68km team classification. rider said. this,” he said with a smile. At the start of the final stage of mark). Boonen went on to cap- Team classification Terpstra said he wouldn’t com- the 2015 Tour of Qatar, there was ture the win just ahead of Kristoff 1 Etixx-Quick Step 52:51:44 pare his two title wins. “Both were still a lot at stake in the different and Matteo Trentin. 2 Astana Pro Team 0:00:39 tough. It is never easy to win,” standings of the event. Soon after Thanks to his two bonus sec- 3 BMC Racing Team 0:00:55 he said. “I think I was the same the first kilometre, four riders onds Kristoff virtually moved 4 Team Sky 0:01:22 (compared to last year). This year broke away: Marcus Burghardt, within 9” of the overall lead, 5 Team Katusha 0:01:39 also I was able to win.” Preben Van Hecke, Nicola Boem meaning that if he won the stage 6 Orica Greenedge 0:02:41 Kristoff, who won stage two, and Stefano Pirazzi. and Terpstra finished outside of four and five, said he was left with Their lead grew rapidly and the top-three, the Norwegian 7 Tinkoff-Saxo 0:03:26 little gas in his tank to mount a reached 1’10 at the 10km mark. would win the 2015 event. 8 IAM Cycling 0:03:30 challenge for the title. But the Katusha team then took At the 77km mark, two riders 9 Team Giant-Alpecin 0:04:57 “The team put me in a good command of the pack and started took off in the lead: Iljo Keisse and 10 FDJ 0:05:26 position after the last roundabout. chasing, having in mind the bonus Van Hoecke. Their advantage over I tried but failed. I guess we used seconds up for grabs at the inter- the pack reached 52” at the sixth In a bunched sprint, Bennett too much energy,” Kristoff said. mediate sprints. crossing of the line. At the sec- flew to an impressive stage “Overall a satisfying week for After their long ride north and ond bonus sprint (seventh cross- victory. me. I didn’t expect this. When you after enjoying a maximum 2’05 ing), won by Keisse ahead of Van The Irishman captured his are close you have to try and win lead, the front four reached the Hoecke, the pack was led out by first ever success in Qatar, beat- overall but at the end we couldn’t final circuit around the Doha Bart Declercqremained 45” adrift. ing Guardini and Bouhanni to the do it. I guess they were too strong Corniche and crossed the fin- The escapees were finally line. in the time trial. Clearly they ish line for the first time (at caught at the 93km mark with Finishing in the pack, in 25th deserved to win,” he said. the 56.5km mark) with a 38’’ over two laps to go. Despite position, Terpstra went on to con- “I cannot be disappointed. advantage. attempts from the Tinkoff Saxo quer the overall victory. Officials and members of the Qatari women’s cycling team at Doha Three stage wins is better than That gap had dropped to 22’’ team to break the pack apart, the Peter Sagan won the best young Corniche yesterday. what I had hoped. Of course today at the second crossing of the peloton remained together all the rider’s white pearl jersey. it was disappointing. I was hoping line. Burghardt, Van Hecke and way to the finish line. THE PENINSULA SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015 BREAK TIME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Playing It Cool (2D/Comedy) – 10:00am, 1 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pm Kingsman: The Secret Service (2D/Action) 2 TV – 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 & 11:55pm SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER LISTINGS Sou2 Tafahom (2D/Arabic) TEL: 444933989 444517001 3 – 11:00am, 1:20, 3:40, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:10pm The Boy Next Door (2D/Thriller) – 6:10, 8:10, 4 10:10pm & 12:10am; Paddington (2D/Family) – 10:15am, 12:10, 2:00 & 4:00pm Yellowbird (2D/Animation) – 10:50am, 12:50 & 2:50pm; 5 Everly (2D/Action) – 4:50, 7:00, 9:00 & 11:15pm 06:00 The Big Brain Theory 7:30 Talk To Al Jazeera 13:50 Shamwari: A 9:30 Khana khazana Jupiter Ascending (2D/Action)– 11:45am 2:15,, 7:10, Wild Life 10:00 Parwaaz 6 06:50 You Have Been 8:30 Fault Lines 9:35 & 11:55pm; The Gambler (2D/Drama) – 5:00pm Warned 9:00 Witness 14:15 Shamwari: A 11:30 Soul Music Son of A Gun (2D/Action) 7 07:40 The Carbonaro 10:00 News Wild Life 12:00 Bollywood Cut – 10:00am, 2:40, 5:00, 9:30 & 11:50pm 14:45 Gangland 15:30 10 on 10 The Gambler (2D/Drama) – 12:10 & 7:20pm Effect 10:30 Inside Story American Sniper (2D/Action) – 12:00noon, 4:30 & 9:15pm; 08:05 The Carbonaro 11:00 News Killers 17:00 Maharakshak 8 Wild Card (2D/Action) – 10:10am, 2:30, 7:15 & 11:45pm Effect 11:30 Listening Post 15:40 Wildest Africa Aryan Kingsman: The Secret Service (IMAX 2D/ 9 08:30 Bear Grylls’ Wild 12:00 News 16:35 There’s A Rhino 18:00 Gulf Rangoli Action) – 10:30am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 &11:00pm Weekend 12:30 Counting the Cost In My House! 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HYPER C RSO S W O RD 1234567891011121314 69 Bizarre and 27 Key of Schumann’s alienating Symphony No. 1 15 16 28 “Really?” DOWN 29 Not willing to give 17 18 1 “What ___!” 30 “Popeye” (“How fun!”) cartoonist Elzie 19 20 21 2 Two-time 31 Part of the Disney Oscar-winning family, so to speak 22 23 24 25 26 screenwriter 33 “Falstaff” 3 Love at the French composer 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Open, essentially 38 Attention-getter, in 4 Humble response some rooms 34 35 36 5 Changing place 40 Company asset 6 Start of an “Ave 43 Freebie on some Maria” line airplane flights 37 38 39 40 41 7 Beer named for a 45 Prefix with Yesterday’s answer port on the Yellow efficiency 42 43 44 45 46 Sea 49 Obsolescent media How to play Hyper Sudoku: 8 Guy from Tucson holder A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper 47 48 49 in a Beatles song Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all 52 It’s around the regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like 9 1960 historical mouth a normal Sudoku. 50 51 52 53 film written and 55 Own (up) directed by John 57 Dedicatee of a 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Wayne, with “The” famous Tallinn How to play Kakuro: 10 Well-off church The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any 63 64 65 11 Put on the surface, 59 Runs smoothly size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells in a way 60 Setting for “Three like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 12 Superpower Kings,” 1999 some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some 66 67 13 Ventilation provider 61 Beaut cells will contain two numbers. 14 Campers’ relatives However, in a crossword the numbers reference 68 69 62 Vacation clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! 23 Argentine ___ destination They denote the total of the digits in the row or 25 Spillover 65 “Come ___?” column referenced by the number. (greeting) ACROSS 37 Ax Within each 1 Tangy fruit pastry filling 39 Presidential debate mo. collection of cells ONBASE BUMS DRS - called a run - any 11 Physical, say 41 Father of Paris of the numbers 1 15 There might be one after a 42 What may accompany a MOOR E D AG E NC I E S to 9 may be used bridge salute but, like sudoku, 16 The Rice Krispies mascots, 44 With 51-Across, end of the I RONED RANALONG each number may e.g. London blitz? TAKEMYWORDFORI T only be used once. 17 Georgia neighbor 46 Ruler with a palace near 18 Amazon icon St. Mark’s RTS ANTEUP Yesterday’s 47 San Diego’s ___ Pines, site answer 19 Raskolnikov’s love in “Crime and Punishment” of the 2008 U.S. Open ME E T G I ME L PSA T 20 City whose name is 48 Prerequisites for some ALT ETTU PETRA pronounced like the natives’ overseas travel word for “Where is …?” 50 On the q.t. DOUBLEENTENDRES Baby Blues By Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman 21 Something an aichmophobe 51 See 44-Across ARRAY CROC I NT fears, briefly 53 New, informally 22 Old mount 54 Valley girl’s “no” TONS I THAS OKAY 24 Grandmotherly plaints 56 Cry over spilled milk? 26 Abbr. at the end of some 58 Kung Pao chicken SAMOAN ONE crossword clues ingredient HOTASBLUEBLAZES 27 2003 Billy Bob Thornton 63 Solstice time crime film 64 Literally, “different lizard” APPLAUDS IMPORT 32 Language of Middle-earth 66 Some extracts NAKEDEYE BEAN I E 34 Craigslist section 67 Advice of caution to a 35 It’s usually closed before beginner SHE ASAN SCREEN leaving 68 Midwest squad ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 36 Playground retort Cricket World Cup 2015: All you need to know about the schedule, countries, venues

AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND

Players to watch Virat Kohli, India (left), David Warner, Australia (centre), Kane Williamson, New Zealand (right)

MATCH SCHEDULE Top four teams in each group progress VENUES to knock-out stages

February February AUSTRALIA 14 Sri Lanka - N. Zealand Christchurch 15 South Africa - Zimbabwe Hamilton Brisbane 14 England - Australia Melbourne 15 India - Pakistan Adelaide Sydney 17 N. Zealand - Scotland Dunedin 16 West Indies - Ireland Nelson Perth Canberra 18 Bangladesh - Afghanistan Canberra 19 Zimbabwe - UAE Nelson 20 England - N. Zealand Wellington 21 Pakistan - W. Indies Christchurch Adelaide 21 Australia - Bangladesh Brisbane 22 South Africa - India Melbourne Melbourne 22 Sri Lanka - Afghanistan Dunedin 24 West Indies - Zimbabwe Canberra Hobart 23 England - Scotland Christchurch 25 Ireland - UAE Brisbane NEW 26 Afghanistan - Scotland Dunedin 27 South Africa - West Indies Sydney ZEALAND Auckland 26 Sri Lanka - Bangladesh Melbourne 28 India - UAE Perth Hamilton 28 Australia - N. Zealand Auckland March NORTH ISLAND March 1 Pakistan - Zimbabwe Brisbane Napier 1 England - Sri Lanka Wellington 3 South Africa - Ireland Canberra 4 Australia - Afghanistan Perth 4 Pakistan - UAE Napier Nelson Wellington 5 Bangladesh - Scotland Nelson 6 India - West Indies Perth SOUTH 8 N. Zealand - Afghanistan Napier 7 South Africa - Pakistan Auckland ISLAND Christchurch 8 Australia - Sri Lanka Sydney 7 Zimbabwe - Ireland Hobart Dunedin 9 England - Bangladesh Adelaide 10 India - Ireland Hamilton 11 Sri Lanka - Scotland Hobart 12 South Africa - UAE Wellington 13 Bangladesh - N. Zealand Hamilton 14 India - Zimbabwe Auckland 13 England - Afghanistan Sydney 15 West Indies - UAE Napier 14 Australia - Scotland Hobart 15 Pakistan - Ireland Adelaide PREVIOUS QUARTER-FINALS Fixtures to be confirmed once 8 qualifiers known WINNERS Mar 18: Sydney Mar 19: Melbourne Mar 20: Adelaide Mar 21: Wellington Australia 1987, 1999, Winner A Runner-up A Third-place A Fourth-place A 2003, 2007 Fourth-place B Third-place B Runner-up B Winner B India 1983, 2011 SEMI-FINALS West Indies Mar 24: Auckland Mar 26: Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): 1975, 1979 World’s largest cricket stadium hosts final Sri Lanka Winner QF1 Winner QF2 1996 Winner QF3 Winner QF4 WORLD CUP FINAL Mar 29: Melbourne Pakistan Sources: ICC, Cricinfo Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS 1992