ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Home | 6 Business | 17 Sport | 28 GU-Q’s MESSA Qatar seeks The convention Undergraduate regulatory norms of the ISF will Research meet for Islamic begin in Doha begins today. finance. tomorrow.

TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 • 26 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6372 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Premier meets US official Brotherhood chief, No going back 13 others given death penalty

CAIRO: An Egyptian court on sponsorship yesterday condemned to death Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 13 other senior members of the banned movement, state media and law change lawyers said. The 14 members of the Brotherhood, which was declared a “terrorist organisation” in 2013, Term ‘sponsorship’ to be abolished were found guilty of “plotting attacks aimed at sowing chaos” DOHA: The government yes- propaganda of the western media across the country, state news terday assured that there is no against Qatar and their mislead- agency Mena reported. going back on its promise to ing reports about the labor situa- The court found Badie and change the sponsorship and exit tion in the country. Such meetings Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with the his co-defendants had set up an permit system for the benefit of will perhaps continue to be held Assistant Secretary General of the US Department of Treasury Daniel Glaser, who is in charge of combating “operations room” to prepare foreign workers. at regular intervals. the financing of terrorism in the US. They discussed bilateral relations. attacks against the state in the The term ‘sponsorship’ is being Al Khulaifi, meanwhile, said weeks after the army ousted replaced in the new legislation at the meeting that although full Islamist president Mohamed and the new system will be based consensus was not there on the Mursi in July 2013. completely on the job contract draft sponsorship law, Qatar will of workers signed with their nevertheless go ahead and imple- Freed from house employers. ment it because it is in the inter- Female population dropped by The rights and duties of the est of the country, the workers arrest, Yemen PM worker will be in the contract and and everyone else. the terms and conditions will be He said that last year some 200 leaves for Saudi mutually agreed to between him private companies were banned 18,075 in January: Ministry and his employer. in the country for breaching SANA’A: Yemen’s dominant Measures to introduce the new the provisions of the labour law. Houthi militia group yesterday system are being taken and the Additionally, at least 14 manpower DOHA: Female population The number of females dropped to the previous month. released former Prime Minister new legislation is being finalised, agencies in Doha were blacklisted in Qatar dropped by 18,075 in from 549,203 to 531,128 while the A total of 9,398 driver’s licences Khaled Bahah and his cabi- said the Minister of Labour and for violating recruitment rules. January this year compared number of males increased from were issued in January against net ministers after nearly two Social Affairs. And with help from the to December last year while 16,86,228 to 16,93,455. Males con- 10,756 licences in December. Of months under house arrest, There is absolutely no question embassy of Nepal here some the male population increased stituted about 75 percent of the these, 8.936 licences were issued government spokesman Rajeh of the sponsorship law not being 55 manpower agencies in the slightly by 7,227 during the country’s population during the to expatriates while the number Badi said. changed, but right now a definite Himalayan Kingdom were banned period, shows the monthly sta- period. of citizens who got new licences State news agency Saba timeframe cannot be given, said for violating recruitment rules, tistics released by the Ministry On the other hand, the number stood at 462. reported that Bahah, whose gov- H E Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al said Al Khulaifi. of Development Planning and of tourists visiting the country A total of 9353 new vehicles ernment resigned in January Khulaifi. “Qatar has fulfilled all its He said in 2014 his ministry’s Statistics yesterday. saw an increase in January to a were registered during January after the Houthis captured legal obligations in the past and inspection department conducted Despite an increase in the total of 300,381 against 283,672 against 11,743 vehicles in the Yemen’s presidential palace, had will do so in future as well.” 51,000 raids on companies to check number of males, the overall pop- in December last year. previous month. The number of left Sana’a. A source close to The law is under the jurisdic- their compliance with the labour ulation fell by 10,843 during the The number of tourists from newly registered private vehicles Bahah said he was on his way to tion of the Ministry of Interior, law and 200 firms were banned. period, due to a significant decline other GCC countries dropped dropped from 7102 in December Saudi Arabia and from there he he said His ministry received some 9,600 in female population. slightly while more tourists to 5442 in January. would go on to New York where Al Khulaifi was speaking at a labour complaints last year of which Although the report for from all other regions includ- However, traffic violations his family lives. function held by the Diplomatic a majority, 6,800 were resolved ami- January does not cite the rea- ing Asia, Europe, Arab region, continued to grow with 151,163 In a statement on his Facebook Institute of the Ministry of Foreign cably and 800 were sent to the court sons for this decline, it could be Africa and Americas came in cases in January against 133642 page, Bahah said the lifting of Affairs as part of an initiative of though the public prosecution. an indication that more expatri- January. violations in December. A total the house arrest was a goodwill the Foreign Ministry to let heads “We are committed to improving ate families left the country in the Interestingly, the number of 25,698 traffic accidents- minor gesture to ease talks on Yemen’s of diplomatic missions in Doha the labour situation in the country beginning of this year. of driving licences issued in and major- were reported during political transition. But he said meet senior Qatari officials and since we are the host of the 2022 Qatar’s population dropped January as well as the number of the month leading to the death he had no intention of resuming discuss labour and other issues. FIFA event,” the Minister said. from 22,35,431 in December to new cars registered during the of 31 people. his post. The idea is to fight the THE PENINSULA 22,24,583 in January this year. month also dropped compared THE PENINSULA AGENCIES

INSIDE ‘Botanist Mayor’ Page 9 Huge delay in clearance Political solution: From rebellion to obedience causing losses: Jewellers

By Dr Faisal Al DOHA: Local jewellers and bul- And sometimes the Qatar Kassim lion industry are critical of the General Authority for Standards quality certification process for and Metrology, responsible for Sovereign wealth a imported gold and ornaments issuing certificates of compli- major GCC asset and say the exercise is cum- ance to local quality standards, By Dr Jasim bersome and time-consuming even takes 28 days to clear a and adversely impacting their consignment. Hussain business. Market operators claim that in Qatar imports all its bullion the neighbouring countries such a Our identity is under requirements, and nearly 98 per- process takes barely a day or two. threat cent of jewellery sold in the local “Because of such delays we market is imported too, say mar- are losing our customers. Most By Dr Ibrahim Al ket operators. of them are going to neighbour- Sheikh It takes between two to three ing countries to buy latest gold weeks for a consignment of jewelry,” a jewellery store offi- imported gold or jewellery to be cial was quoted by Al Sharq as certified for quality by Qatar’s saying. 7 new underground standards and specifications Continued on page 4 London mayor Boris Johnson gestures as he plants water lilies at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, west agency. THE PENINSULA parking facilities London, yesterday .

DOHA: Work is in progress on seven new underground park- ing facilities in different parts of the country to address the Al Baker hits back at Delta, says no state subsidy for QA severe parking shortage. The facilities are being built in Al Bida, Lusail, Musheireb and DOHA: The chief of Qatar cleaner for the environment in want to blame us — while we are The US carriers issued a aviation agreements with them. behind the Souq Waqif. Airways yesterday denied his comparison to Delta. very efficient — for their failures 55-page report claiming this has Al Baker also defended Qatar Some of these new parking company receives subsidies and “I think Mr Anderson (CEO of and drawbacks. “The issue is that allowed the Gulf airlines to wrest Airway’s record when it comes to lots will have a capacity of more accused rivals Delta Air Lines Delta, Richard Anderson) doesn’t they cannot stand the progress market share from the American CO2 emissions and unflatteringly than 2,000 vehicles, Al Sharq of flying “crap” older planes, know the difference between the Gulf carriers are making.” airlines. These “multi-billion dol- compared Delta’s aircraft to those reported. escalating hostilities between equity and subsidy. We never Baker was responding to lar subsidies” had distorted the of his company when asked about The new facilities are designed Gulf and American carriers. receive any subsidy,” Baker said. claims made earlier this month marketplace, “to the severe det- aviation pollution. “I am delighted in the model of the underground, Speaking at an arts conference “The state of Qatar is the owner by three US airlines — Delta, riment of US employment,” the that Richard Anderson of Delta is multi-storey parking in Souq in Doha, Akbar Al Baker said any of Qatar Airways and whatever American and United — that American carriers claimed. not here. First of all, we don’t fly Waqif. They are located in some money his airline receives from funds are put into the airline is as Qatar, along with Etihad Airways They called on Washington to crap airplanes that are 35 years of the most crowded areas in the the state is in the form of “legiti- equity, which is quite legitimate. and Emirates, received $42bn in raise the issue with the UAE and old. The Qatar Airways average city, it added. mate” equity and added his com- “The unfortunate thing is that “unfair” subsidies to wrest busi- Qatari governments and urged fleet (age) is only fours years and THE PENINSULA pany’s fleet of aircraft were much because they are so inefficient they ness away from competitors. changes to bilateral commercial one month,” he said. AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QA hosts Oneworld operations conference Delegates discuss operational best practices

DOHA: Qatar Airways passengers a day to more than fleet types, airline security and hosted the first ever Oneworld 1,000 destinations in more than disruption recovery. Operations Control Conference 150 countries. On-time performance was also in Doha on March 11. Qatar Airways Group Chief a key discussion point as Iberia, Discussions focused on opera- Executive, Akbar Al Baker, wel- Japan Airlines, Air Berlin and tional best practices and areas comed the delegates to the con- LAN Airlines are among the of information integration dur- ference on day one of the meeting. top 10 most punctual airlines ing the two-day conference “Qatar Airways, as both an air- worldwide. Additionally, Qatar Held in the airline’s Operations line and oneworld partner is Airways has achieved best on- Control Centre, the conference extremely honoured to host the time performance among the was attended by representa- first ever oneworld Operations major Gulf carriers and Finnair tives from a majority of the one- Control Conference. As part of is currently number one in world airlines, with Air Berlin, the oneworld alliance, it is impor- Europe. American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, tant for us to contribute as much The dedication and hard work Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, as we can in all areas of our busi- of all the teams has resulted in Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal ness, including operations, which oneworld receiving the FlightStats Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines is the backbone of all airlines,” On-Time Performance award as and US Airways all present. said Al Baker. the alliance with member airlines QIIB Chairman and Managing Director H E Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani and other officials Also joining the delegates on “By coming together with our collectively achieving the best cutting a cake to mark the opening of bank’s new branch in Muaither area yesterday. BAHER AMIN the second day of the conference oneworld partners, we are giv- punctuality in both 2012 and 2014, were members of the oneworld ing our respective teams, and the only two years the award has Executive team. the individuals who are special- been presented. The meeting provided a ists in this area the opportu- Qatar Airways Chief Operations forum in which airport opera- nity to share their tremendous Officer, Captain Helmut Weixler, QIIB opens Muaither branch tions professionals could fur- experience and best practices said: ther develop their relationships in operations. And this type of “The opportunity to spend two DOHA: International Islamic evening. The opening ceremony customers will find that the evo- and synergies with their peers, information exchange will bene- days with our industry peers, (QIIB), one of the fastest grow- was attended by the Bank’s CEO, lution is not only in form but share their professional expe- fit, not just our business, but just discussing, analysing, as well as ing Shariah-compliant banks in Abdulbasit Ahmad Al Shaibei and also in the integrated banking rience, gain knowledge, learn as importantly, our passengers in increasing and developing our Qatar, yesterday opened a new members of the QIIB’s Board of services provided to them and best-practices and implement the long run,” he said. communication and support for branch in Muaither. Directors and senior officials. led by a professional team that measures in driving costs down, During the two-day confer- one another has been invaluable. The new branch, located in The new branch location was can meet the advanced banking and efficiencies up. ence the oneworld representa- It is our hope that each of the the suburb of Doha, was formally carefully chosen by QIIB to pro- service requirements.” Between them, the small- tives discussed a wide range of participants walked away from inaugurated by Sheikh Dr Khalid vide easy and better service to Al Shaibei stated that the knit oneworld alliance airline topics related to the day-to-day this conference feeling that they bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, its customers, in and around Muaither branch, as is the case operations teams manage more management of their respective had the opportunity to contribute, Chairman of QIIB. Muaither. It is located along the with other QIIB branches, has than 14,250 flights a day across airlines including operations as well as the opportunity to learn The Bank’s new branch in Muaither Commercial Street. been equipped with the lat- a combined fleet of some 3,500 control structures and stake- something new.” Muaither, which is the 17th in Besides existing customers, new est technology and will provide aircraft, carrying 1.4 million holders, introduction of new THE PENINSULA QIIB’s Qatar network, is in line clients will also find the new customers’ a range of banking with its local outreach strategy, branch location convenient and products and services. The exist- grow the customer base and bet- easy to access QIIB’s service. ing and new customers will find ter serve the growing clientele, Al Shaibei said: “The QIIB convenient access to all kinds of said a statement yesterday. branch in Muaither is a new addi- banking products and services at The new branch will work tion to the QIIB Bank’s country- QIIB’s Muaither facility as well Attorney-General meets US Treasury official in two shifts, Sunday through wide distribution network, which as other branches across Qatar. Thursday from 7:30am to 1pm and is constantly expanding to keep QIIB also informed that it is DOHA: The Attorney-General During the meeting they The two sides discussed the in the evening from 5pm to 8pm, pace with the needs and expec- planning to open a new branch H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri exchanged views on a number possibility of joint cooperation Sunday through Wednesday. The tations of customers, and to dedicated to corporate custom- met here yesterday with the of issues of mutual concern. in the exchange of expertise, rationale behind the two shifts is perfectly align with the strong ers such as companies to meet Assistant Secretary General of They also discussed aspects of training and anti-corruption to provide longer banking hours economic growth across Qatar in the increased demand for such the US Department of Treasury cooperation between the two mechanisms. at a time of customers’ conven- all fields.” services. Daniel Glaser. countries. QNA ience – be it in the morning or He said: “God willing, THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Intermittent rains lash across Qatar

DOHA: The country received time driving on rain-soaked roads intermittent rains yesterday and water-logged streets. marking the transition from The Meteorology Department winter to summer. has forecast another cloudy day The Meteorology Department with chances of scattered rain has forecast more rains today in some places. Strong winds are accompanied by strong winds. also expected in some areas. The city woke up to strong The rains are not likely to winds and an overcast sky yester- cause a drop in temperature, day. The rains started at around which could range between 20- 2pm in some areas and continued 28 degrees Celsius in most areas until late evening with intervals. of the country. The intermittent showers Wakra , Messaid and Abu flooded many low-lying areas and Samra are expected to see a slowed down traffic as it started higher temperature while Al during peak hours when people Wakra and Dukhan would be less were returning home from offices. warm. This was the second rain the The weathermen had earlier country experienced since the forecast unstable weather con- beginning of this winter. Many ditions during this week, with a citizens and expatriates ventured rise in temperature and chances out to experience the rare show- of scattered rains. ers, while social networking sites The strong winds are expected were abuzz with comments and to continue until Thursday. pictures. The unstable weather has been The rains came as a respite, attributed to an extension of low after the dust winds the country pressure in the upper air over has been experiencing for several the eastern Mediterranean area. days. Many had a free car wash, The turbulence could prevail until while many others had a hard April 22. THE PENINSULA Two people trying to find shelter from the rain in West Bay yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT

Ministry plans Qatar to form ‘sports for all’ federation 55 new parks

SPORTS STRATEGY DOHA: The Public Parks Minister of Youth and Sports issues decision Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban DOHA: The Minister of sport and strengthen it as a the Ministry of Interior, activity, and raise the levels Planning is studying to build 55 Youth and Sports H E Salah daily lifestyle and culture. the Ministry of Education of fitness. The decision is part new parks across the country. bin Ghanim Al Ali has issued It helps in achieving the and Higher Education, the The decision is a step in tack- Two public parks are expected Decision No 47 of 2015 to noble and esteemed goals of Ministry of Health, the ling community challenges that of the Ministry of to be opened within few weeks establish the Qatari federa- Emiri Decision No. 80 of 2011 Ministry of Municipality and can be addressed through exer- Youth and Sports’ and free wi-fi services are tion for sports for all with the on National Sports Day, which Urban Planning, the Ministry cise, including obesity, which extended to all parks, said a aim of spreading awareness include raising awareness of of Transport, Aspire Zone affects over 70 percent of the strategy to support senior official. of sport and expanding the the importance of sports and Foundation and Qatar Olympic population, and diabetes, which community sports At least 55 public parks are scope of exercising as well its role in the life of individuals Committee. affects 15.7 percent, of which 23 under consideration and some of as increasing the number and societies. The new federation aims percent are children. and strengthen it as them are being designed for all of participants in physical The federation is to be to back and encourage According to a recent Qatar a daily lifestyle and over the country, said Mohammad activities. chaired by a representa- sports programmes and University study, 54 percent of Ali Al Khori, Head of the Public The decision is part of the tive of the Ministry of Youth activities in order to meet school students don’t partake in culture. Parks Department. Ministry of Youth and Sports’ and Sports and will com- the human body’s require- any physical exercise. Two parks will be opened at strategy to support community prise the membership of ments of movement and QNA Umm Salal and Al Wakra within few months. He was speaking in an open forum organised by Public Relation Department at the Ministry. The problem of poor lighting Widened C-Ring road (streets and public parks) and shortage of play areas will be solved very soon, said Al Khori. Department is coordinat- opened for traffic ing with Supreme Council for Information and Technology DOHA: Traffic on the C-Ring project on time; working at max- (ictQatar) to extend the free road which currently wit- imum capacity through a team internet services in all public nesses major renovation works that included hundreds of work- parks in the country, he added. is expected to become smoother ers, supervisors, and dozens of More than two millions plants with opening of the phase third construction equipment. were laid last year in addition to of the project on Sunday. All entrances to residential those sold to the people for gar- Motorists can now benefit from areas and commercial establish- dening in the private facilities, the an additional lane extending from ments remained open throughout credit goes to the Department, the middle point between Rawdat the construction phase to mini- said Al Khori. Al Khail and New Salata inter- mise traffic disruptions. The productions of the plants sections to the middle point The C-Ring Road Development at the nurseries of the depart- between Rawdat Al Khail and Al project involves a 6.3 km stretch ment is enough to meet the grow- Mansoura intersections. from C-Ring Road’s intersection ing demands of the country. This part of the C-Ring road with Al Kinana Street to Umm Public and private schools are has been widened from three Ghuwailina roundabout, known also being provided plants for lanes to four in each direction as the VIPs roundabout. gardening at their facilities. The and its overall design was also All four phases of the C-Ring Department also organized sev- improved, Public Works Authority Road project are expected to be eral trips of school children in a (Ashghal) said yesterday. completed in the second quarter bid to create awareness for plant- Ashghal said it had been work- of 2015. ing. Part of the C-Ring road with four lanes in each direction opened on Sunday. ing round-the-clock to finish the THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Ooredoo launches Hala Smart Bundles Braille handbook of traffic signs released DOHA: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) yes- DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday announced the launch of terday released a braille handbook of traffic the third wave of its Hala Smart campaign, developed signs at Noor Institute for the Blind. to give prepaid customers more minutes and more The booklet was designed jointly by data at the same price. Hala Smart weekly prepaid Community Policing Department, General bundles, which were launched in 2014, include a mix- Directorate of Traffic and the National ture of local Ooredoo minutes, mobile data and the Committee for Traffic Safety in association with company’s best out of bundle local call rate – a full Noor Institute for the Blind. The launching cer- week’s communication – with a range of plans priced emony was attended by Brig Muhammad Abdullah at QR10, QR15, QR25, QR40 and QR60. Al Maiki, Secretary of National Committee for The new supercharged Hala Smart Weekly bundles, Traffic Safety, Ft Lt Ahmad Zayed Al Mohannadi, which became available from yesterday, have boosted Director of Community Policing Department, Ft the allowance of the previous packs, and give customers LT Muhammad Radhi al Hajiri, Director of Traffic free access to the International Saver Key calling rate Awareness and Information Department, Dr Noora of just 45 Dhs / minute to 121 countries for no extra Al Kubaisi, Director of Noor Institute and Khalid cost. With the new upgrade, Hala Smart weekly 10 and Saeed Al Shoaibi, Director of Public Relations and 15 now include 100 and 175 local Ooredoo minutes along Community Service Department at the Institute. with 100MB of mobile data in each plan. Hala Smart Brig Muhammad Abdullah al Maliki lauded Weekly 25 and 40 offers 350 and 600 local Ooredoo the efforts of Community Policing and Traffic minutes respectively along with 250MB mobile data. Awareness Department that helped for the crea- For customers wanting unlimited calling on a pre- tion of the handbook which would be helpful for paid plan, the company has also launched the new Hala the blind people to learn traffic rules. Smart weekly bundle priced at QR60, which offers He added that the booklet would remain use- unlimited calling to any number in Qatar and 250MB ful to spread the knowledge of traffic culture in mobile data, along with access to the International all Arab countries. Dr Al Kubaisi appreciated the Saver Key rates. Hala Smart Weekly bundles were MoI for its concern for the blind. launched by Ooredoo to offer prepaid customers a THE PENINSULA MoI officials during the release of braille handbook of traffic signs at Noor Institute for the Blind. one-stop-shop for all their communication and digital lifestyle needs. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Certification Demand for weight loss procedures unchanged surgeries on the rise Continued from page 1 Since imported stocks take time to be cleared for quality, jewelers say their showrooms HMC conducts 2,800 surgeries in five years are unable to display latest jew- elry which is in demand and that DOHA: Demand for weight in 2010 has become popular in treatment abroad which led drives potential buyers away. loss (bariatric) surgeries is a short period. There were four to the death of four people due This is affecting cash flows of on the rise in Qatar and the cases in 2010 which increased to poor quality of the service jewelers and bullion traders who, Hamad Medical Corporation to 600 next year and 800 in or the medical complications according to industry insiders, (HMC) over the past five 2012. The cases exceeded 1000 developed after the surgery. issue advance cheques to sup- years has conducted more in the following years. This was the reason for exclud- pliers. “As a result, we face dif- than 2,800 such surgeries for The current average is 20 ing expatriates from the service ficulties in meeting our financial adolescents and adults, an to 25 cases per week. It has on a temporary basis. commitments,” said a jeweler. “If expert has disclosed. until now performed a total International death rate for there are no or little sales where Dr Mohammed Jeham Al of 2,891 weight loss surger- the surgery is one in every 1000. is the cash going to come from?” Kuwari, consultant for bariatric ies. He said the HMC will He advised people to seek the Market operators say that surgery at HMC also disclosed soon start the services at Al surgery only in quality centers while the local bullion industry that four people from Qatar Wakra hospital. because it is very sensitive. has vastly expanded in the past 15 www.swiss-belhotel.com who underwent the surgery Waiting time for appoint- People can live long with obesity years and the number of jewellers abroad has died in less than a ment for the surgery at the and waiting to do the surgery has gone up nearly six times, the Tel year. HMC facility has been reduced in a good facility is better than quality certification procedures Fax “We came to know about four to three months. Earlier it was risking life, he added. remain archaic and unchanged. deaths in less than a year all more than a year. Failure rate at the HMC In 2000, there were an esti- of whom underwent the sur- He said soon the service will facility is about 15 per cent mated 50 bullion and jewelry gery at the same place,” a local be expanded to expatriates mainly because the patients do shops in the country, with their Tel Arabic daily quoted Al Kuwari when the waiting list is further not comply with the medical number having multiplied to 300 Fax as saying. He said the bariatric reduced. The long waiting time advice after the surgery. presently. The annual trade in surgery center at HMC opened forced some citizens to seek THE PENINSULA gold and jewelry here is currently estimated at a whopping 10 tons. Quality certification for gold and jewelry is not free. For a Tel ‘Art for Tomorrow’ conference kilogram of imported gold (or its Fax equivalent of jewelry), to be certi- fied for quality, one needs to cough up QR7,500 as fee to the state’s standards agency. That adds up Tel + 974 44298888 to QR75m ($20.6m) a year just by way of the fees collected by the Fax agency for certifying the quality of imported gold and jewelry. Each bullion and jewelry out- Tel let in the country handles about 300kg of gold a year on average, Fax market sources told Al Sharq. Contacted by this newspa- per for comment, Assistant Tel Undersecretary at the Ministry of Fax Environment in-charge of labora- tory affairs, Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, who also heads the Qatar General Authority for Standards Tel and Metrology, said he will soon Fax be sending in written response to the claims of bullion traders and www.doha.hilton.com jewelers. THE PENINSULA Tel 44233333 974+ Qatar, UK discuss Fax 44233000 974+ bilateral ties

LONDON: Qatar’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Yousef bin Ali Al Khater met FROM LEFT: Jean-Paul Engelen, Director, Public Art Programmes at Qatar Museums; Qatari artist with Chairman of British Yousef Ahmad; Egyptian artist Wael Shawky; Dr Abdellah Karroum, Director of Mathaf: Arab Museum Parliamentary Committee on of Modern Art and Mohammed Hafiz from Athr Gallery take to the stage for the finale of the three-day Foreign Affairs Richard Ottaway, International New York Times ‘Art for Tomorrow’ conference at W Doha Hotel yesterday. More than 500 at the embassy premises yester- Tel senior leaders from the arts, public and private sectors, tourism experts, city planners and business day.They reviewed bilateral rela- developers attended the conference which featured keynote speeches from 45 internationally renowned tions between the two countries, Fax figures and cultural pioneers. and discussed issues of common concern. QNA

Tel Fax Pearl diving and fishing festival Tel Fax from April 22 DOHA: Katara is organ- ising the fourth Senyar traditional pearl diving Tel and fishing competition Fax from April 22 to 25. Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti expressed his hap- Tel piness on the preparations being made for the festival. Fax “It is part of Katara’s tradition to support cul- tural and traditional events related to Qatari Tel society’s past. Senyar is Fax an important event which links the Qataris with their marine heritage which has a strong link with the Qatari environment,” said The Ballers team members receiving the 0trophy. Dr Al Sulaiti. This year the competi- tion will include three cat- egories namely Al Laffah Ballers team wins Aspire Jam Tel (diving and fishing), Al Fax Haddak (fishing) and Al DOHA: The Ballers team was This year’s winning team, Manager at Aspire Zone, said: Kus (diving). crowned winners of Aspire Ballers, demonstrated their wide “We are delighted to have The festival organis- Zone’s fourth edition of Aspire range of basketball skills and organised the fourth edition ers announced yester- Jam held on Saturday at the showed why won the 2015 edition of Aspire Jam and for putting Tel day they will continue to Aspire Park Basketball Court. of Aspire Jam. together another successful event. Fax receive applications for The Clutch team placed second Yousef Aziz, an ex-professional All of the teams were great and registration until April 1. while the Good Guys came in at basketball player whose father demonstrated outstanding skills, Those who wish to regis- third place followed by Al Shaqab was a former NBA player, spoke technique and a fighting team www.marriottmarquisdoha.com ter may contact Katara at fourth at the annual local bas- on behalf of the Ballers and said: spirit.” Beach Administration via ketball tournament where Qatar’s “We are thrilled to have won this During Aspire Jam there was Tel + 974 44195000 44081011 or 33913104 or best street basketball players year’s edition of Aspire Jam. music and entertainment for the Fax + 974 44195100 at Katara’s website www. showcase their speed, agility and Clutch played an awesome game crowd to enjoy. Meanwhile, there katara.net The organising team spirit on the court. today and it was a lot of fun as were two additional winners dur- committee has also called This year, 16 local teams made we enjoyed ourselves out there ing Aspire Jam, Ahmed Ali who on all participants to come up of amateur basketball players on the court. We look forward was the social media winner along to Katara Beach on April played a three-on-three street to defending our title at the next with Steve Martinez, an 11 year 19 for medical and techni- basketball tournament in front edition of Aspire Zone’s Aspire old boy was the spectator winner cal checkup. of an enthusiastic home grown Jam.” after scoring three points on the THE PENINSULA crowd. Abdulla Al Khater, Events court. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Sustainable development big challenge: Minister Nearly 60 specialists attend forum on climate change

BY SIDI MOHAMED from different bodies in the coun- this forum to review the experi- with regard to heat emission try including government bodies, ences and the efforts of a number and filters which reduce pollut- DOHA: The Minister of research centres, local universi- of national authorities that are ing emission to air, mentioning Environment H E Ahmed bin ties, private sector companies, consistent with the National Vision there is stations to monitoring Amer Al Humaidi said that sus- professional associations and 2030 and the policy of Qatar aimed any emissions and the imposition tainable development is one of large industrial facilities. at sustainable development and of legal punishment for offenders. the biggest challeges the inter- “The challenges and risks fac- environmental protection. The ministry of environment national community is facing, ing the international community The ministry has begin since periodically monitors factories particularly in the light of cli- because of climate change, raise two months for preparing for a performance, and actually some mate change. many problems that are inter- huge project “al shaheen” in coop- companies transferred to justice Speaking at a forum on climate twined in economic, environmen- eration with some local compa- because they don’t committed by change organised by the Ministry tal and social dimensions, and nies, aimed to capture carbon the standards. of Environment at Sheraton receive the implications affecting dioxide for producing energy. Abdulla Majid Al Khulaifi, Doha, the minister said that cli- all aspects of life in the developed This will affect positively, Head of Conservation Technology mate change, in addition to its and developing countries, the min- reduce the rate of heat emission, at Kahramma while addressing environmental impact, has eco- ister said. Qatar is support efforts especially with the increase of the forum said the aim of the nomic and social impacts as well. to address the phenomenon of factories and vehicles in the state. national program Tarsheed is He added that Qatar National global climate change for a long He added the ministry is going to reduce the rate of consump- Vision 2030, established by the time by promoting the production to establish another project to tion electricity in Qatar during Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin and export of liquefied natural gas cultivate fodder by using sewage period from 2011 till 2017 by the Hamad Al Thani, focused on the as clean energy with efficient and treatment, in addition of using rate 20% and the rate of water for issue of climate change. low carbon content. renewable energy such solar the same period to 35 %. The aim of the forum is to Despite the fact that Qatar is energy and the interest to prod- He added that this will reduce increase awareness about climate not obliged under the Framework uct clean gas. All those projects emissions of carbon dioxide in the change issues and their impact on Convention, to identify ceilings to contribute of facing climate air. He mentioned also the period natural and economic activities control emissions, we have made change and achieve sustainable from 2011 till 2014, the program Minister of Environment H E Ahmed bin Amer Al Humaidi addressing the resources in the state. voluntary efforts and develop environment. succeeded to reduce consump- Forum at Sheraton Hotel. The forum held with the par- plans to reduce greenhouse gas The minister added all factories tion electricity and water 11 % ticipation of nearly 60 specialists emissions. Qatar participates in applied international standards for each one. THE PENINSULA

QU students showcase cultural diversity

DOHA: Qatar University (QU) together to celebrate and share Ansari, as well as QU leaders, inspirational event is a great students from 19 nationalities their culture, heritage and tra- staff, faculty, and members of chance to bridge the cultural came together to celebrate the ditions. It is also an opportunity the wider community. gap between students who come institution’s diversity of back- for students to demonstrate The four-day event, which will from different countries around grounds and traditions in the their volunteerism, teamwork, be held in the Activities Buildings the globe. It also shows our stu- 2015 annual Cultural Village. organisation, interpersonal on the male and female campus, dents’ engagement and excellent The theme of this year’s event relations, and problem-solving will feature booths representing organisational and teamwork is ‘Bab Rozq.’ skills. Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, skills to produce a display of Organised by QU’s Student The festival was opened yes- Chad, Egypt, India, Iraq, culture, heritage and diversity Activities Department, the four- terday by Hamad Salem Mjeghir, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, of community, of which Qatar day event is an annual festival Director of Youth Affairs at the Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Spain, University is proud. We encour- showcasing cultural and folkloric Ministry of Youth and Sports Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen. age all students to participate in displays, theater and dance per- accompanied by the Ambassador Commenting on the event, this event and share their own formances, traditional costumes of the Kingdom of Bahrain QU Head of Annual Events and culture and heritage with their shows, exhibitions, art, poetry, to Qatar Waheed Mubarak Special Projects Section Salwa colleagues, QU members and the food, singing and music. Abdullah Sayyar and QU VP Zainal said: wider Qatar community.” It aims to bring students for Student Affairs Dr Omar “This highly-popular and THE PENINSULA Exhibition pavilion as part of the event.

A volunteer distributing food at a refugee camp. Qatar Charity launches projects for Syrian refugees in Turkey

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has Manager of Hope Hospital, the marketing and finance of launched food, health and edu- thanked QC and the many charitable programs and cation projects for the Syrian ‘Competitors’ team for their projects within the framework refugees in Turkey. efforts in equipping the eye of competition in doing good and The projects were launched by surgery clinic and running the supporting needy groups,” Al a QC delegation headed by CEO hospital during the past three Kuwari said. Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, in months, pointing out that dur- Member of Turkish parliament, the presence of Sheikh Abdul ing the past year the hospital Jamal Demir Yilmaz, said that he Aziz bin Jassim Al Thani, mem- has treated more than 60,000 was delighted by the visit of the bers of the ‘Competitors 2’ team patients in the areas of bones QC delegation to Syrian refugees and a number of prominent social and nerves; performing over in the country, and for their sup- figures. 2,500 surgeries. port for the Syrian people in gen- The delegation visited QR1m has been spent on equip- eral. He highlighted the fact that ‘Rihaniyya’ on the Turkish-Syrian ping the eye surgery, while the QC has been present in Syria, border where they inaugurated cost of running the hospital in longer than any other charity. a modern mobile oven to pro- the last three months amounted The automated mobile oven, vide bread for the displaced and to around QR1.5m, with funding the first of its kind in the region, distributed food baskets to the from the ‘Competitors 2’ team. is expected to provide 3000 to refugees. They also inspected the Al Kuwari stressed QC will 4,500 loaves of bread per hour and ‘Hope Hospital’ which QC con- continue to support Syrian refu- no less than 40,000 loaves a day, tributes to its operation, opened gees. He stressed the importance benefitting around 120,000 house- an eye surgery clinic, provided of the visit by the Competitors holds per month in rural Aleppo financial aid to patients and vis- Team, not only for its donations and Idlib. ited a QC operated bakery. but in creating a positive image of The Competitors team funded The ‘Competitors’ contest Qatari philanthropists, who have the mobile oven along with the attempts to engage Qatari society helped the affected Syrians. cost of running it for one month in charitable work through com- “The Competitors contest has at a cost of around QR1.65m. petition, spreading the culture and achieved considerable success The delegation distributed values of charity through media in attracting the young Qatari food baskets to 200 families and and marketing. The Competitors youths who are distinguished visited another bakery, that the team recently raised QR12m in media, sports, advocacy and ‘Competitors’ team funded for which will go towards projects scientific fields to join volunteer three months, including the cost that serve displaced Syrians and work, involving them in various of providing flour, fuel and operat- Syrian refugees. humanitarian projects in Qatar ing expenses, at a cost of more than Dr Hamdi Osman, General and abroad and contributing to QR1.2m. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME GU-Q annual research meet starts today Three-day conference to discuss ongoing security issues in the region

DOHA : College students from Nonneman will launch the confer- more paper submissions for the happening today, but we also have also opened the conference to top schools around the world ence. Following introductions, H E conference this year than ever wanted it to be broad enough artwork and three students will be will be converging on Doha to Dr Issa Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, before. MESSA communications that student submissions could presenting their submissions under attend Georgetown University Minister of Administrative officer Sara Omar, a GU-Q senior go beyond politics to include eco- this year’s theme. A film screen- in Qatar’s (GU-Q) fourth Development, will deliver the majoring in International Politics, nomics and culture, for example. ing and cultural presentation will annual Middle Eastern Studies keynote address. A panel of GU-Q said: “We chose a total of 18 So the conversation between ‘the be part of the closing ceremony on Student Association’s (MESSA) faculty and students will then dis- papers to be presented, of which governing and the governed’ isn’t the final day. Undergraduate Research cuss and debate current ongoing 6 are international, including just talking about politics; it can This year’s student paper sub- conference. security issues in the region. The submissions from Harvard uni- also be about cultural aspects missions will also be included The conference ‘Narrowing the panel will include Dr Mehran versity and the University of like changing social behaviour in in The Journal of Georgetown Gap: The Conversation between Kamrava, Dr Abdullah Baabood, Southern California, to name a regards to attitudes on marriage, University-Qatar Middle Eastern the Governing and the Governed Dr Rory Miller, Dr Birol Baskan, few. We will also have 2 submis- where both citizens and govern- Studies Student Association, the in the Middle East’ which will and senior Georgetown students sions presented over live video ments have a role to play.” first academic political science take place at the Georgetown Maram Al Dafa and Talal Al stream from main campus in Participating students can journal that is produced by uni- Auditorium starting today and Naama. Washington DC and one pre- expect new elements this year, versity students in the Middle continuing until March 19. The The MESSA student associa- taped video submission.” such as a planned debate between East, published by Bloomsbury H E Dr Issa Saad Al Jafali Al opening address and student ses- tion, which serves to voice under- Explaining this year’s theme, students at the conference and Qatar Foundation Publishing. Nuaimi, Minister of Administrative sions are open to the public. graduate on a wide range of topics Sara said: “We wanted to focus students from Gaza, to be con- THE PENINSULA The dean of GU-Q, Dr Gerd in international affairs, received on an issue relevant to the events ducted over Skype. This year, they Development

DIFI discussion on Early detection of paediatric balance between neurological disorders at HMC work and family DOHA: Doha International DOHA: Ultra-modern imag- and knowledge of healthcare and interactive workshops on var- Family Institute (DIFI), a ing equipment at the Hamad professionals in Qatar, with the ious related topics. member of Qatar Foundation Medical Corporation (HMC) ultimate goal of providing the The sessions provided an over- is organising a discussion enti- facilitate the early detection of best possible healthcare services view of the most advanced neu- tled ‘Towards a Better Balance paediatric neurological disor- to the public,” said Dr Al Rayahi roimaging modalities used in between Family and Work in ders, making the treatment of who was also the Vice-Chair of paediatric neuroradiology and the GCC’ on March 30. many of these disorders possi- the symposium. in the diagnosis of paediatric It is the first event within ble, says an expert. HMC recently hosted the diseases and disorders such as DIFI’s programme on family- Dr Jehan Al Rayahi, Fellow of first Paediatric Neuroradiology congenital and acquired spine related policies in the region, and Paediatric Radiology at Hamad Symposium in Qatar. More than disorders, inflammatory diseases an expert panel will address the General Hospital (HGH) speak- 600 healthcare professionals from of the central nervous system in importance of balancing family ing at Pediatric Neuroradiology across HMC hospitals gathered children, and fetal brain injury. and work responsibilities in GCC Symposium, stressed the impor- at the event. Commenting on the importance countries. Looking into the rami- tance of clinical imaging as an The conference was organ- of the conference, Al Rayahi, said: fications of work-life imbalance on integral part of the diagnosis ised by the Paediatric Radiology “This symposium was well- the family and other institutions process. She pointed out that Section at HGH, in collaboration aligned with HMC’s commitment at state and community level, the HMC has deployed ultra-modern with Sidra Medical and Research to enhance healthcare services discussion will examine regional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, The Hospital for Sick provided to patients in Qatar. It and international best practice and (MRI) equipment that facilitates Children (SickKids), Canada, was aimed at acquiring state-of how it may be applied across GCC the early detection of paediatric and St Jude Children’s Research the art neuroimaging modalities countries. neurological disorders, making Hospital, US. used in pediatric neuroradiol- This event is contributing to the treatment of many of these The symposium featured ogy and promote collaboration Qatar Foundation’s strategic disorders possible. informative lectures, delivered amongst professionals work- objective to support human devel- “This symposium encouraged by local and international experts ing in this domain locally and opment and foster an engaged and a series of similar events focus- from Qatar, Canada, and the US, worldwide.” Dr Jehan Al Rayahi, Fellow of Paediatric Radiology at Hamad General progressive society in Qatar and ing on updating the expertise coupled with in-depth discussions THE PENINSULA Hospital, addressing the Paediatric Neuroradiology Symposium. in the region. It also supports the Institute’s mission of making family elated issues a top prior- ity for policy-makers at national, regional and international levels. The panel leading the discus- Qatar Airways to present sion will include experts and researchers, in addition to rep- resentatives from NGOs and Live Cooking Theatre at UNFPA Arab States Regional Office. The event will conclude with an executive summary of the International Food Festival working papers and debate, and DOHA: Celebrity chefs will pre- TV’s Cityline and as a chef host on set out priorities for the discus- pare scrumptious dishes from the Food Network TV. He recently sion of related policies, the wider around the world at the Qatar inaugurated his own restaurant research agenda and awareness International Food Festival “Soprafino” located at the state- raising campaigns. (QIFF) 2015 from March 24 to of-the-art Hamad International The panel discussion will take 28 at the Museum of Islamic Airport (HIA). place on March 30 at QNRF, 5th Art Park. Fatafeat, the pan-Arab cuisine floor of Tornado Tower, West Bay, Co-organised by Qatar Tourism television channel, is also tak- Doha. The panel discussion will be Authority (QTA) and Qatar ing part in QIFF this year, with held in Arabic. Airways, the annual culinary live-cooking contributions from event’s sixth edition will host a Chef Salma Soliman and Chef Live Cooking Theatre presented Daad Abu Jaber. Qatari culinary Kahramaa invites by Qatar Airways, where Chef expert Chef Aisha Al Tamimi Vineet Bhatia from India and will also hold daily workshops in tender for LED Chef Massimo Capra from Italy, cooperation with Chef Fawwaz Al the airline’s Celebrity Chefs, will Omaim to train the chefs of hotels lighting system live-cook throughout the festival. and local restaurants on cooking Head chef Vineet Bhatia, is a traditional Qatari and Khaleeji DOHA: Qatar General double Michelin-starred Chef, recipes. Electricity & Water Corporation who managed the kitchens of sev- To enrich the activities of QIFF (Kahramaa) has announced eral top international restaurants, 2015 and to build upon the “Qatar- a public tender for supply, winning many awards and titles, Turkey 2015 Year of Culture,” the installation, testing & commis- including the “Chef of the Year festival will also host Chef Baran sioning of LED lighting sys- Wilson Ross (third right), Acting CEO of Al Wakra Hospital, with Alison Robertson (fourth right) and other officials 2004”, award and the “100 Most Yucel, head chef of Sukar Pasha tem for facades of Kahramaa’s during the GCC Nursing Day celebrations. Powerful Indians in Gulf-Arabian Ottoman Lounge in Katara, who headquarters (Main building) Business, 2012” award. In 2001, his will prepare Turkish dishes. located at Dafna area of the city. restaurant “Zaika”, was awarded Other chefs from different Kahramaa through the adver- a Michelin star, making him the hotels and restaurants in Qatar tised tender under vide reference first Indian chef-restaurateur to will also participate in this unique LTC 872/2014, has invited bidders GCC Nursing Day celebrated receive this honour. Three years cultural and entertainment fes- to install LED Lighting System at later Chef Vineet was awarded tival, which will provide tourists its main tower’s (KM 1) facades. DOHA: Highlighting the the frontline of administering and the Emergency Department to the Michelin star for the second and guests from around the globe The bid closing date will be importance of the nursing pro- evaluating a patient’s condition. senior administrative and policy time for “Rasoi”, his restaurant wide ranging culinary options, March 29, 2015 until 11 AM. For fession and the role nurses They play a very important role positions, the GCC Nursing Day in London’s fashionable Chelsea focusing primarily on families more details, interested parties and midwives play in increas- as advocates for patient health, celebrations underscore the cen- district. And in 2009, history and children. may log on www.km.qa. ing positive patient health safety and dignity. They are tral role nurses play in delivering repeated itself when the Michelin Philips, a company specialized The tower facades consist of outcomes, Hamad Medical involved in every step along the healthcare in Qatar. star was awarded to his restau- in cooking appliances, will also three parts. The first Part is the Corporation (HMC), this week patient’s hospital journey, lead- Dr Badriya Al Lenjawi, rant “Rasoi” in Geneva. participate in the festival as an Elevation façade opposite the celebrating the GCC Nursing ing the way in assessing patient Assistant Executive Director Chef Massimo Capra, advisor event partner, with Chef Deema Sheraton Signal (35 Floors with Day with a range of activities response to treatment, evaluat- of Nursing Professional for a number of international Hajjawi, Philips Middle East the Roof Boundary), the second across its network of hospitals ing symptoms, coordinating care, Development commented: “GCC restaurants, is regarded by many brand ambassador attending. Part is the Elevation façade with and clinics. administering medications, and Nursing Day provides an oppor- international cooking magazines Chef Deema is famous for prepar- the dome on the Funduq Street The GCC Nursing Day, also providing health counseling and tunity for us to inspire our nurses and websites as a star in culinary ing tasty meals, and is the star of (14 Floors) and the third part known as the Gulf Nursing Day, education. As they spend the most and midwives and to highlight this arts. He worked for many years in a number of cooking programmes is the Elevation façade with the commemorates the establishment amount of time with patients, noble profession. Our nurses and Toronto, Canada, and appeared on pan-Arab television channels. dome opposite Doha Bank. of the first nursing facility in the they comprehensively tend to midwives have constant interac- as a regular guest expert on City THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Arabian Peninsula by a woman all patients and provide invalu- tion with our patients and their named Rufaida Al Aslamiya. able emotional support,” said families. They contribute signifi- Popularly known as the founder Professor Ann Marie Cannaby, cantly to the overall patient expe- of modern nursing in the Middle Chief Nursing Officer, HMC. rience and we are very proud of GCC endowments ministers hail Qatar East, Rufaida devoted her life to With approximately 8,500 men their consistent efforts and con- DOHA: GCC assistant endow- During their meeting with atmosphere for the success of developing and improving nursing and women working as nurses at tributions to ensure our patients ment ministers hailed Qatar’s Minister of Endowments and the meeting in order to enhance care and is said to have founded its hospitals and clinics, nurses receive the best possible care dur- keenness on enhancing ties Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith friendship and solidarity among the first nursing school in the form the largest group of staff at ing their time at our hospitals and between GCC states and devel- bin Mubarak Al Kuwari, the GCC peoples and serve the issues Islamic world. HMC. Functioning in roles that clinics.” oping aspects of cooperation GCC officials praised the minis- of the Arab and Muslim nations. “Nurses and midwives are on range from frontline positions in THE PENINSULA and welfare among its peoples. try’s efforts to provide the best QNA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Officials seek more air strikes against IS Iraq puts offensive to retake Tikrit on hold ARBIL/BAGHDAD: Iraq said at least 5,000 people. “We have decided to halt mili- yesterday it had put its Tikrit In Tikrit, military officials said tary operations in Salahuddin in offensive on hold and senior offi- there was no fighting yesterday. order to reduce casualties among cials called for more air strikes Islamic State insurgents who con- our heroic forces... and to preserve to dislodge Islamic State mili- trol large parts of north and west the remaining infrastructure,” he tants, while a Kurdish officer Iraq and territory in neighbour- said at a news conference in the said his forces were exposed to ing Syria have managed to hold city of Samarra, 95 kilometres two further chlorine gas attacks onto central districts of Saddam’s north of Baghdad. by the insurgents. home city and have laid explosives “The situation is under control General Aziz Waisi told jour- to hold up the advancing forces. and we will choose the appropri- nalists the insurgents used chlo- The offensive by Iraqi security ate time to attack the enemy and rine in a December attack on forces and mainly Shia militia is liberate the area”. his military police brigade in the their largest yet against Islamic More than 20,000 troops and Sinjar mountain area, and twice State, but the campaign stalled Iranian-backed Shia militia are during a January offensive west on Friday after they pushed into taking part in the operation, of Mosul, including a January Tikrit last week. which began two weeks ago, 23 attack described by Kurdish Government forces are in supported by a relatively small authorities on Saturday. control of most of the northern contingent of Sunni fighters Waisi said a number of mili- Qadisiya district as well as the from Tikrit and the surrounding Pedestrians cross a street in front of a Likud party campaign billboard showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin tary police — he did not say how southern and western outskirts of Salahuddin province. Netanyahu in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv yesterday. many — were taken to hospital, the city, trapping the militants in The assault is seen as a litmus where blood tests indicated they an area bounded by the river that test for plans to retake the large had inhaled chlorine gas released runs along Tikrit’s eastern edge. northern city of Mosul, which is by the bombs. “We need air support from likely to be a far more complex No Palestinian state if re-elected, “When it exploded we real- any force that can work with us operation. ised it was not a normal smoke against IS,” Deputy Minister of Meanwhile, coalition air strikes because it caused unconsciousness Defence Ibrahim Al Lami told helped Kurdish forces seize the Netanyahu says on election eve and vomiting,” he said, describ- Reuters, declining to say whether villages of Wahda, Saada, and ing one incident, when peshmerga he meant from the US-led coali- Khalid from Islamic State in the blew up a vehicle driven by a sus- tion or Iran, which is playing a north — part of a broader week- JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Jerusalem. “We will continue to Throughout his campaign, pected would-be suicide bomber. role in the assault. long offensive to drive the mili- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu build to fortify Jerusalem so its Netanyahu has repeatedly He declined to say whether The US-led coalition, which tants away from the oil-rich city said yesterday there would be division will not be possible and accused Zionist Union leaders samples from the two previously has launched air strikes on of Kirkuk. no Palestinian state if he were it will remain united forever,” Isaac Herzog and former peace unreported attacks had been Islamic State positions in Iraq Shia Turkmen fighters also re-elected, in a last-ditch effort he said on a tour of Har Homa, negotiator Tzipi Livni of being tested at an international labo- and Syria since last August, has clashed for a fourth day with to woo rightwing voters on the a settlement neighbourhood of ready to abandon Israel’s claim ratory along with those from the been conspicuously absent from Islamic State insurgents near the eve of a general election. annexed east Jerusalem. to Jerusalem as its indivisible January 23 attack. the offensive. village of Bashir, south of Kirkuk. Polling stations are to open at Netanyahu, who is seek- capital. The Dutch-based Organisation Powerful militia commander In Baghdad, US presiden- 0500 GMT today for Israel’s sec- ing a third consecutive term, But Netanyahu’s most strident for the Prohibition of Chemical Hadi Al Amiri, head of the Shia tial envoy General John Allen ond snap general election in three vowed he would never allow the statement came when he was Weapons said over the weekend it paramilitary Badr Organisation, addressed a meeting of Iraqi and years in a ballot experts agree is Palestinians to establish a capi- asked by the rightwing NRG web- had not had a request from Iraq said earlier in the offensive that foreign officials aimed at kicking likely to be a referendum on the tal in the city’s eastern sector and site if it was true that there would to investigate claims of chemical militia victories before the Tikrit off efforts to stabilise and rebuild Netanyahu years. pledged to build “thousands” of be no Palestinian state established weapons use and said the group battle had been won without coa- territories retaken from Islamic With his rightwing Likud settler homes. if he was reelected. could not immediately verify the lition air support. State. The militants have been trailing the centre-left Zionist The Palestinians want east “Indeed,” said Netanyahu, who claims. Interior Minister Mohammed driven back by Kurdish pesh- Union in the latest opinion polls, Jerusalem as capital of their in 2009 had endorsed the idea of Iraq’s Kurds were the victims al-Ghaban said authorities had merga forces in the north, and Netanyahu said that if his rivals future state, and continued set- two states living side by side. of the deadliest chemical attack put a temporary halt to the Shia militia known as Hashid were elected security would be tlement building has incensed the He later told public radio of modern times when Saddam offensive in Tikrit, capital of the Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) in compromised and they would international community, which the two-state solution was now Hussein’s air force bombed the mainly Sunni Muslim Salahuddin the eastern province of Diyala. give up total Israeli control over sees it as an obstacle to peace. irrelevant. AFP town of Halabja in 1988, killing province. REUTERS

Iraq to get back cultural trove

Ancient Iraqi clay reliefs and knives on display during a ceremony to repatriate Iraqi cultural items that were smuggled into the United States, yesterday in Washington, DC. More than 60 cultural treasures were returned to Iraq following investigations by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. Kuwait minister quits French experts rule out foul play over bribery remarks in Arafat death

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s the department in 2012. NANTERRE, FRANCE: electricity and water minister That was followed by a state- French experts have ruled out resigned yesterday a day after ment on Sunday night in which he that the 2004 death of iconic he indirectly accused some law- reiterated his resolve to continue Palestinian leader Yasser makers of accepting bribes to fighting corruption. Arafat was the result of poi- grill him. His comments sparked an soning, a prosecutor told AFP The cabinet promptly accepted uproar in parliament with many yesterday. the resignation of Abdulaziz members calling on him to hand The prosecutor of the western Al Ibraheem, who also held the in his resignation, which he did Paris suburb of Nanterre said public works ministry, a state- yesterday. the experts found there was no ment quoted State Minister At least two lawmakers had foul play in Arafat’s death, which for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh announced plans on Sunday to sparked immediate and enduring Mohammad Abdullah Al Sabah question him in parliament about conspiracy rumours. as saying. the comments. The findings echo those of The statement gave no rea- Ibraheem, a 63-year-old engi- Russian experts but a Swiss team son for the resignation, only neer, became a cabinet member has said that the poisoning theory saying that State Minister for in July 2012. is “more consistent” with their Housing Affairs Yasser Abdul Lawmakers questioned him own test results. A centre in the was appointed acting minis- in parliament at least twice on Swiss city of Lausanne had tested ter in the portfolios vacated by a variety of allegations including samples taken from Arafat’s Ibraheem. administrative violations. But he personal belongings given to his The move however comes a denied the accusations and sur- widow after his death, and found day after Ibraheem was asked vived the grillings. “abnormal levels of polonium”, by a reporter to comment on a Kuwait’s public prosecution but stopped short of saying that tweet that claimed some lawmak- interrogated 13 former MPs in he had been poisoned by polonium. ers were paid up to 350,000 dinars 2011 on allegations they received The French experts “maintain ($1.17m) to question him. tens of millions of dollars in bribes that the polonium 210 and lead “That’s because we fight cor- to buy their votes in parliament. 210 found in Arafat’s grave and ruption,” said Ibraheem, a long- But the investigation was in the samples are of an environ- serving senior employee at the shelved because of a legal loophole mental nature,” Nanterre pros- ministry of electricity and water that prevented their trial. ecutor Catherine Denis said. before he was promoted to lead AFP AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR KHALID AL-JABER [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial

Confusion on Syria Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

N FRIDAY, Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 215,518 people in Syria since March 2011, Oamong them more than 66,000 civilians. If any court anywhere in the world were to hear this case, only one Why Palestinians no longer person will be found guilty of massacre of this unprecedented scale – Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. But unfortunately, on Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry was quoted as saying that his government would have to negotiate with care about Israeli election Assad to reignite peace talks. Kerry spoke as if 215,518 was just a number, as if Assad’s hands are clean. BY RAJA SHEHADEH little discussion taking place about these Palestinian Authority in its struggle to As expected, Kerry’s suggestion in a CBS television elections. When asked who they would win statehood is to file cases against interview drew swift criticism from European and Arab HERE is no enthusiasm or prefer to win, the answer given by most Israelis in the international court of allies, forcing Washington to issue a clarification that it hope shown by Palestinians Palestinians is Binyamin Netanyahu – justice in The Hague; one being con- would never negotiate directly with Assad, and Kerry was not for the Israeli election on better the devil you know. sidered is against the construction of specifically referring to Assad but to his government. French TTuesday. Scant attention is Palestinians living in the occupied Jewish settlements in the West Bank. paid as to who is expected to win, and territories are in effect residing in There would be no evidential difficulty Prime Minister Manuel Valls said there will not be a political there is hardly any anticipation of the “Greater Israel”, without being Israeli in proving such a case or arguing its solution as long as Assad stays. Many Arab capitals too outcome. citizens. This is because – despite the legal merits. The transfer of civilians by reacted in dismay, and Syrians felt Kerry was rubbing salt These elections are happening at a fact that Israel has not annexed the an occupier into the occupied territo- into their wounds. Assad reacted in joy at the news and said difficult time for Palestinians. Since Gaza Strip and the West Bank – it ries is considered a grave breach of the in Damascus that he was waiting for action and details from January, Israel has been withholding acts as a sovereign power, controlling fourth Geneva convention of 1949. Israel the US government. more than $100m in taxes it collects the borders and determining policies would have a hard time defending itself. every month on behalf of the Palestinian that in every way affect the life of To indicate the authority’s determi- Though State Department and White House officials Authority. This is having a devastating the people living there. Yet unlike the nation to pursue such a course of action, have denied any change in their policy towards Assad, it effect on the economy. Land confiscation Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a could be seen more as an effort to calm the diplomatic and the expansion of Jewish settlements Palestinians in the West Bank and the decree on 7 February, establishing a storm. The harsh truth is that are continuing, as are cases of vandal- Gaza Strip do not have the right to vote. national committee with wide political the international community, ism by settlers, such as the destruc- The unity of Palestinian political par- participation to prepare for prosecut- including Arabs, is groping in tion of olive trees. ties inside Israel in the Joint List does ing Israel. The timing of such action Torture of detain- give a modicum of hope, particularly for was directed primarily at the local Kerry’s the dark on Syria. And the harsh ees is also on the Palestinian solidarity and for possible Palestinian population – which has been truth is that though large swathes increase, and acts greater influence, yet scepticism for the sceptical about the leadership’s serious- statement of the country have been laid Disillusioned of arson have Israeli political system runs very deep. ness in exercising this legal option – waste by the revolution and the occurred against A striking Palestinian weakness in and also at the Israeli public, to indicate on Syria has regime’s crackdown, resulting with the peace religious build- the struggle to end the Israeli occupa- what awaits them after the election: the ings in Jerusalem tion and win independence is the failure risk of being tried for war crimes before in a human toll whose enormity created a camp in Israel, and the West to devise a strategy aimed at the Israeli the international court. has failed to shock the world, all Bank. public in the coming elections. During In its meeting on 5 March, the PLO’s diplomatic sides have hit a cul-de-sac. Both they are now Such indif- the Vietnam war, the Vietcong made central council decided to suspend the regime and the opposition concentrating on ference was not tremendous efforts to influence public security coordination with Israel. In storm. are stuck in a stalemate and always the norm. opinion in the US against the war. In so doing it has tried to indicate that it unable to build on gains and wrest legal challenges Before the big contrast, the Palestinians have made no will no longer tolerate a status quo that shift to the right attempt to convince the Israeli public has enabled Israel to continue with its territory to bring the war to an and building up that has taken that they are seriously interested in colonisation of the West Bank, at lit- end. The entry of Islamic State place in Israel peace with their neighbours, to facili- tle cost and with substantial economic into the region and Syria has international over the past tate the emergence of a party of peace. benefits. It is expected that Abbas, further complicated an already complicated situation. With support instead. decade, Israeli The Palestinian leadership is no more rather than implementing the decision the Islamic State wreaking havoc, the Syrian killings slipped elections were optimistic about the Israeli elections immediately, will use it as a threat to in priority. Arab countries, which were in the forefront of followed closely than the Palestinian public. Having encourage the west to use its leverage to by Palestinians who pinned their hope given up on the prospects of getting move Israel towards negotiations with efforts to oust Assad by empowering the opposition, retreated on the victory of the moderates. Now anywhere with an Israeli government the Palestinians. after the opposition failed to deliver. Despair, indecision, they do not see a viable peace camp in committed to building more settlements The intended message to whatever anger and helplessness set in and continue even today. Israel. The big parties in Israel may pay – and not expecting that the elections party wins tomorrow’s election is that What we need first is a semblance of unity on Syria. lip service to the two-state solution – will bring about a real change – it pins if Israel continues to refuse to with- Unfortunately, the US and the European Union are not which remains the strategic position of its hopes on engaging the international draw its troops and civilians from the the Palestinian Authority – but what community. The common expectation occupied territories, it will have to take in agreement on the way forward, and while some Arab they are willing to do to make this pos- is that Israel’s rightwing government over the duties that international law countries are more clearly focused, they lack the resources sible falls far below the minimum that will be re-elected, making the US and imposes on an occupier: of caring for and the will to execute their plans. would be acceptable to the Palestinians. EU more inclined to pressure Israel to the welfare of the Palestinian popula- Kerry’s statement reveals a sense of urgency. Peace talks None propose the dismantling of settle- stop settlement building and to release tion – with the consequent costs, both must be restarted, and the EU and the US need to agree on a ments or the sharing of Jerusalem as political prisoners, as conditions for monetory and in terms of security, of strategy, at least some skeletons to start with. Assad must be the joint capital of the two states. restarting peace negotiations. having to police a hostile population. It is no wonder, then, that there is One of the last cards still held by the THE GUARDIAN brought to justice for the massacre and other atrocities. The other side Quote of Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka the day S HE inaugurated the Indian intrusiveness, riding on concerns Projects such as the Kankesanthurai minor ones, and already in the pipeline. reconstructed Northern over the Tamil question. Yet, Modi struck port, the Sampur power plant and This could help the Sirisena government Province railway line during his the right resonances during the historic the construction of homes have been ward off allegations of being too India- Atwo-day, four-city visit to Sri first prime ministerial visit to Jaffna, delayed by tardy Sri Lankan government centric. There were some critical com- The citizens of Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi which clearly struck a chord with the clearances, but a bulk of the blame for ments in the Sri Lankan media over the signalled in more ways than one that Sri Lankan Tamil community there. He the lack of progress must lie with Indian fact that four high-level visits between Israel will replace he would like to flag off a new start to also stressed the need to go beyond inefficiency. India cannot cavil at Chinese New Delhi and Colombo have taken Netanyahu, not India-Sri Lanka ties, that could put them the Thirteenth Amendment in terms of investment in the island unless it is able place in less than 60 days, with one on track to the “golden chapter” that he the political empowerment of the Tamil to finish its own projects on time. newspaper calling it “too much too because of what had promised earlier. Modi has done minority. There was another message, Significantly, during his official meet- soon”. It was possibly this apprehen- is written in the well to focus on strengthening India’s equally powerful, in the flagging-off and ings the Prime Minister refrained from sion that was reflected in the contro- historical links with Sri Lanka, invoking in the inauguration of a slew of projects: the kind of showmanship that often versial remarks on India by Sri Lankan newspapers but the ancient ethnic, linguistic and religious that of an Indian intent to deliver on hangs over Indian approaches to Sri Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ties that bind them. His careful emphasis its promises of development. The rail Lanka, typically signalling an assertion and some other members of his Cabinet because they don’t on India’s support for a “united” Sri line is one of the regrettably few major of strategic primacy in the subconti- just before Modi’s visit, and the Indian have enough money Tzipi Livni Lanka was deeply appreciated given Indian infrastructure projects to have nent and the Indian Ocean region. The Prime Minister did well in not reacting Former Israeli Justice the mistrust in Sri Lanka of perceived been completed in the post-war period. agreements signed in Sri Lanka were to them. THE HINDU to buy a newspaper. Minister TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Political solution: From rebellion to obedience

well-known games that aim to people and tortured them to make people subservient on the death in prisons because they pretext that it is the way to end had clicked the “like” button for their miseries. a note by a Syrian opposition So what is the benefit of going member on Facebook? back to square one? Is it acceptable that a Syrian I don’t mean extending people’s should lose his job if he says one misery, but we should look at the word against the fascist regime? experiences of past revolutions, Is it logical that the intelligence which accepted false political solu- agencies confiscated Syrians’ pro- tions with catastrophic results. visions because of an article or a That happened with the TV programme that talked nega- BY DR FAISAL AL KASSIM Algerian people in the 1990s, tively of the regime? when the Algerians revolted for Over the past four years, have a decade. Hundreds of thousands you heard Bashar Al Assad say o wise person in the offered many sacrifices, but at the any words of sympathy for the Arab Spring countries end of the day the generals ral- suffering of the 15 million refugees wants destruction, lied against the revolution, killing, and displaced Syrians? Instead Nchaos, strife and blood- criminalising, starving, torturing we see him on the screen laugh- shed to continue. and humiliating people. ing as if nothing has happened. No one who has any human feel- As a result, the Algerians Have any of you heard him ings can endure seeing refugees cursed the day they had revolted claim responsibility for what is and displaced persons from Iraq, and accepted any solution offered happening? A true leader is one Syria, Yemen and Libya living to them, which in turn brought who acknowledges responsibility away from their homes, suffering back the old days of tyranny. as he is in charge of leading the all kinds of torture. Efforts should The Algerians did not get any- country and its people. be made to end the miseries of thing from this revolution but Isn’t it ironic that the Syrians these people. suffering, displacement, pov- could accept a political solution The enemies of revolutions, erty, starvation and loss of lives. that would get them back under whether in these countries or They were forced to submit to the feet of the military and fascist abroad, worked hard to transform the authority they had revolted regime that has vowed all types of A Syrian refugee pulls a cart with boys at Zattari refugee camp, near Mafraq city, in Jordan. The fourth anniversary the spring into burning hell, tak- against, suffering human and torture for them if they manage ing revenge against those who had financial loss. of the Syrian crisis was observed on March 15. to control the country again? revolted for the sake of freedom. Unfortunately, some Arab peo- Look at the situation of peo- Let us agree that there is a need ple prove the famous saying of the Houthis, to take revenge. humanitarian crisis since the Have Bashar Al Assad and his ple who reconciled with their to end the misery of the people in British thinker Aldous Huxley: The Houthis returned Yemen Second World War? So is it logi- regime learnt anything from the regimes. Won’t the latter black- these countries. This must be done “That men do not learn very much to square one after they had cal that after all that the Syrians crisis they have brought upon mail and rape them to overpower on the basis of a new social con- from the lessons of history is the destroyed the revolution’s gains. have suffered at the hands of the their people? No! them? It is important for Syrians tract without wasting people’s sac- most important of all the lessons Don’t the Yemenis now feel that cruellest fascist regime in modern Does he wish to take Syria to a to know that the regime that has rifices and sufferings, and the door of history.” their revolution was stolen from history, we will accept a political new, peaceful stage or is vowing used all kinds of internationally must be shut in the face of dirty Someone else has said that one them? Don’t they feel that their solution that gives legitimacy to doom and destruction to Syrians forbidden weapons against them regimes whose return to power is who gains half of a revolution’s sacrifices were in vain, after they those who destroyed their home- if he rules them again? will do more if it gets back its opposed by people. benefits is like a person who digs accepted false and incomplete land and displaced more than half Didn’t he say in his last inter- legitimacy through a political Those who cry over the situa- his own grave with his hands. solutions? the population? view to the BBC that he did not solution. tion in Syria, Libya, Yemen and This is what happened to the The same happened in Syria, Is it not a stain on humanity remember any mistake against O rebellious people, have you Iraq are shedding crocodile tears. Algerians, and what is happening as many voices were calling for that the Syrians will return to the Syrians over the past four seen in history a revolution that The political solutions they call for now to the Yemenis. The Yemenis a political solution. Welcome to obedience, claiming that they had years? Didn’t he replace the ended with a political solution are lies coated with what appears were able to carry on their revo- the solution that met the Syrians’ suffered because of the revolution? curfew law with the new ter- agreed upon by the tyrant and to be truth. lution until they achieved their demands. But will this solution What will be the benefit of the rorism law, which is worse and the oppressed people? Or did it If the solutions lead us to new demands, but they accepted a heal the wounds of Syrians and political solution if it is going to made Syrians wish for the curfew end by throwing the tyrant into social, economic and political catastrophic political solution. make them feel that their sacri- be a copy of the Algerian scenario again? the dustbin of history? systems, it is fine, but the sug- The result was that the regime fices were worthwhile? that brought the generals back to Is it logical, after all the sac- The author is a columnist and gested solutions on the table now they had revolted against became Didn’t the UN describe the power despite all that they did to rifices in Syria, that the Syrian a presenter on Al Jazeera TV are nothing more than dirty, free and allied with their rivals, situation in Syria as the biggest the Algerians? intelligence agencies arrested channel Sovereign wealth a major GCC asset Our identity under threat y a sovereign decision that was binding and irrevers- that it has increased by $900bn producing countries in that its Moreover, the GCC countries Bible, the father issued a in two years, and this is a major political circumstances do not are always ready to use their decree banning his children speak- achievement. change with oil prices. money to solve local problems. ing English at home. As of today, the GCC countries Additionally, three GCC mem- Kuwait used part of its sovereign It drew fierce resistance in the have the best statistics when it bers own huge sovereign wealth. wealth to liberate the country in beginning, and there were viola- comes to the size of their global These are Saudi Arabia, with 1990, and also provided finan- tions initially, but rigorous imple- sovereign wealth and its interna- $763bn, Kuwait ($548bn) and cial support to its citizens who mentation forced everyone to tional significance. Qatar ($256bn). stayed abroad during the Iraqi observe it in the end. Through consideration, Qatar is known for transpar- occupation. This has happened in many Emirates alone acquired more ency in its investments, especially Kuwait is considered a pioneer homes, which tells us that there is than a trillion dollars (to be pre- since it announced the details of in this field as it established the a conflict of language and identity cise, $1,079bn), which accounts for its purchase of the Harrods store Kuwait Investment Authority way in Gulf societies, which draw up BY DR IBRAHIM AL more than 15 percent of sovereign in London. back in 1953. medium- and long-term strategies SHEIKH BY DR JASIM HUSSAIN wealth worldwide. On the other hand, Oman and Abu Dhabi offered financial but have failed to answer the most This figure includes wealth Bahrain have limited sovereign support to Dubai in 2009 to help serious questions. espite the sharp decline belonging to Abu Dhabi wealth, according to Gulf stand- it out of a debt crisis after it had How will integration take place between Gulf societies? How will in oil prices, especially Investment Authority and a ards, with about $19bn and $11bn, delayed payment of some of its they deal with a long list of issues, from naturalisation and influx of Dduring the second half of group of organisations belong- respectively. financial commitments. foreign labour to the language, culture and identity crises? 2014, the GCC countries own huge ing to the emirate of Abu Dhabi, The GCC has a remarkable In the GCC, the four countries Most of the Gulf countries have seen the number of expats grow. sovereign wealth. It is remarkable including Mubadala Development record of using its wealth to solve with substantial sovereign wealth There are about 23 million foreigners out of 47 million people in the that the wealth of Gulf sovereign Company, in addition to Dubai’s international problems. This was had announced that they would GCC states, accounting for more than 48 percent of all residents. wealth funds increased during the wealth. clearly demonstrated during the offer $10bn in financial aid to Statistics tell us that 69.9 percent of the expatriate labour comes course of the year. The value of the sovereign peak of the global financial crisis Bahrain and Oman for develop- from Asia, followed by 23.4 percent from Arab countries; the figures According to Sovereign Wealth wealth held by ADIA is second in 2008. ment, after political unrest in the vary from state to state. Fund Institute, which moni- only to that of Norway’s retire- At that time, the Gulf states two countries at the start of 2011. I will not mention the problem of unemployment among Gulf citi- tors sovereign wealth, sovereign ment fund. generously contributed to a fund Because of their readiness to zens, which averaged 5.7 percent, or the massive remittances by wealth funds have registered Norway spends only a portion established under the supervision offer financial support, the GCC expatriates to their native countries. steady growth during the past of its oil revenue, keeping the of the International Monetary countries, especially the United I will also not talk about other issues related to lack of understanding few years. Oil wealth accounts rest for future generations on the Fund to address the crisis. Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, of cultures, customs and traditions and the increase in crime. It is suf- for around 60 percent of global principle that no one generation Also, some GCC countries, Kuwait and Qatar come to mind ficient to talk about how we are slowly losing our identity and language. sovereign wealth. should benefit from the coun- including Qatar, invested in whenever there is mention of sov- Perhaps the earnings of expats from employment in our countries Based on the institute’s statis- try’s wealth more than another Greece at the peak of the eco- ereign wealth funds. explain much of this. tics, the value of sovereign wealth generation. nomic crisis in the debt-ridden The author is an economist Figures speak of more than 17 million expatriates in the six Gulf at present is around $7,111bn, ris- Norway is distinct among oil EU member. researching GCC economies countries in 2010. More than half of them are in Saudi Arabia, fol- ing from $7,057bn, $6,831bn, and lowed by the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. $6,609bn in December, September, When one considers the growth expected over the next 10 or 20 and June of 2014, respectively. years, the numbers are frightening. This has implications not only This marks steady growth in for our national identity but also our sovereignty and security, since the value of sovereign wealth dur- GCC citizens will become minorities in their own countries. ing the oil price fall, which indi- Can you imagine how a father who has told his children to speak cates investments outside the oil Arabic at home will convince them that the language of the Quran sector. is our identity and one of the most precious things we have, while The report said the sover- the son sees his language and identity not being respected anywhere. eign wealth of the GCC states The Gulf not only suffers from huge numbers of immigrants who was $2,676bn, according to the threaten its Arab and Islamic identity, but also from those who wish last available statistics. This is a to erase anything related to Arabic in the Gulf. significant figure since it forms While discussing threats to our identity from the ill-considered around 38 percent of the world’s policies of naturalisation and import of foreign labour, we must not sovereign wealth. It reflects the forget some of the strange things that have become familiar in our global importance of the Gulf. countries. Of course, the Gulf also con- New Year and Christmas celebrations, for example, have become trols over a quarter of global oil part of our culture, and some are trying to impose them on our production. At the moment, Saudi children and communities in a move that would be a mortal blow to Arabia is the biggest exporter of our identity. crude oil. Thanks to Qatar, the Some people in our communities do not celebrate Islamic holidays GCC countries are also key play- as much as they celebrate non-Muslim festivals. This is a great imbal- ers in the field of natural gas. ance of values that will increase in the coming years. Over the past few years, the Our identity includes out religious, intellectual and cultural val- value of sovereign wealth in the ues. It includes the Arabic language, out customs and our Arab and GCC has improved. Looking back, Islamic heritage. Gulf sovereign wealth formed All these will be threatened as long as our economic and develop- about 36 percent of world sover- ment strategies do not include their protection. eign wealth in March 2014. Unless this issue discussed at the highest levels and informed deci- The value of the GCC sover- sions are taken for the future, the next decade and beyond will bring eign wealth reached $1,775bn Harrods Department Store in London, which is owned by Qatar Investment Authority. real problems that will be bitter for everyone. at the end of 2012. This means The author is a columnist and researcher TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Iran lawmakers Iran nuclear talks won’t derail nuclear deal, hang in the balance says Speaker

TEHRAN: Iranian MPs will Javad Zarif holds talks in Switzerland and Belgium not derail a nuclear deal with the West, as US lawmakers BRUSSELS: Iran nuclear talks Federica Mogherini. under tight controls and poten- have threatened to, if the coun- hung in the balance yesterday Mogherini said “the deal is not tially shipping abroad some of try’s supreme leader gives it his with a senior US official saying agreed until every single part of Iran’s nuclear material, possibly backing, parliament’s top offi- it remained unclear whether the deal is agreed on.” to Russia. cial said yesterday. the outlines of a deal could be “There have been advances but Critics say that in theory this Speaker Ali Larijani said law- agreed by a March 31 deadline. there are still important points still leaves Iran with the possibil- makers and the government After a five-hour meeting which have not been resolved ity to get the bomb. would be unified if an agreement between US Secretary of State and we will see if we can move Iran says its nuclear pro- gets the nod from Ayatollah Ali John Kerry and his Iranian coun- forward,” added French Foreign gramme is exclusively peaceful. Khamenei, who has the final terpart, the official said Iran still Minister Laurent Fabius. Speaking in Egypt over the word on all policy matters in the had “very tough choices” to make. Zarif was due to return to weekend, Kerry sought to ease Islamic republic. “Iran still needs to make Lausanne late yesterday and hold concerns, saying that the aim is “Parliament and the govern- some very tough and necessary further talks with Kerry today, “not just to get any deal, it is to ment are following the same choices,” the official said in the when political directors from the get the right deal”. path,” Larijani told reporters. Swiss city of Lausanne where the other five powers — Russia, China, Zarif said on Sunday that “sev- “We don’t have problems like crucial round of talks was being Britain, France and Germany — eral questions need to be dis- those in the United States,” he held this week. will start to arrive. cussed, those where we haven’t said, alluding to the split between “We still hope to be able to get The United States and Iran found a solution yet and also those President Barack Obama’s White there but quite frankly we still have not had diplomatic relations where we have found solutions but House and the US Congress over don’t know if we will be able to,” for 35 years but the 2013 election where we need to discuss certain nuclear talks. the official said on condition of of President Hassan Rouhani details.” Hardline Iranian lawmakers anonymity, likening the talks to resulted in a minor thaw and a Some progress has been made have repeatedly insisted that a a “rollercoaster”. diplomatic push to resolve the towards a deal but the two sides nuclear agreement with world Iran and six world powers more than decade-old nuclear remain far apart on several key powers can only be binding if it are pushing to reach by the end standoff. issues. is ratified by parliament. of the month what the official Under a landmark November These include the future size Some have also criticised the called a “political framework that 2013 interim deal with the “P5+1” of Iran’s uranium enrichment negotiations, saying President addresses the major elements of a powers, Tehran stopped expand- capacities — which can make Hassan Rowhani’s government comprehensive deal”. ing its activities in return for nuclear fuel but also the core made too many concessions under Such an accord would reduce in minor sanctions relief. of a bomb — the pace at which an interim deal implemented in scale Iran’s nuclear programme Since then the parties have sanctions would be lifted and the January 2014. in order to ease fears that it been pushing for a lasting accord. accord’s duration. But when asked if an agree- might develop atomic weapons But to the alarm of Iran’s “We are closer than we were ment would require approval in exchange for sanctions relief. foe Israel, US Republicans and but there is still a long way to go. from parliament and Iran’s A full deal is due by July. Washington’s Gulf allies, the US There are areas where we have Supreme National Security Iranian Foreign Minister looks to have abandoned demands made progress and areas where Council, Larijani said MPs would Mohammad Javad Zarif later that Iran dismantle all nuclear we have yet to make any progress,” not stand in the way. flew to Brussels for talks with activities. British Foreign Secretary Philip European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (right) poses with Iran denies that it is seeking European foreign ministers and Instead it appears prepared Hammond said yesterday. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ahead of nuclear talks in nuclear weapons. the diplomatic chief of the EU, to tolerate a small programme AFP Brussels yesterday. AFP EU names Assad awaits US action after Kerry comments Italian as DAMASCUS: Syria’s President “We are still listening to the Kerry said in an inter- future after a bloody four-year said, using another name for Bashar Al Assad said yesterday comments and we have to wait for view broadcast Sunday that civil war. the extremist Islamic State Middle East he was waiting for action from the actions and then we’ll decide,” Washington could negotiate with “What is there to be negotiated group under attack by a US-led Washington after Secretary of the Syrian leader told Iranian Assad. “Well, we have to negotiate with Assad?” Turkish Foreign coalition. State John Kerry acknowledged television in remarks carried by in the end,” the US envoy said, Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Kerry’s comments come after special envoy talks with Damascus were nec- state media. when asked by CBS television if state-run Anatolia news agency. CIA head John Brennan warned essary to end the country’s Assad has long accused he would negotiate with Assad. “You are going to have what that Washington feared an BRUSSELS: EU foreign minis- conflict. Washington of “supporting ter- Kerry stressed any negotia- negotiations with a regime that Islamist takeover if Syria’s gov- ters named Fernando Gentilini The weekend remarks by the rorism” because of its backing tions would be in the context of has killed over 200,000 people and ernment collapsed. yesterday as new special repre- top US diplomat were quickly for the Syrian opposition, and the Geneva communique. has used chemical weapons?” Syrian media described the sentative for the Middle East, clarified by his spokeswoman, who repeated yesterday that any shift The document, produced after France said the goal remained remarks as evidence of the “fail- filling a post vacant since early said US policy was unchanged in policy required an end to that. 2012 peace talks, calls for a tran- a negotiated political settlement ure” of Washington’s policy on the 2014 in the hope of getting the and Assad had no role in Syria’s “We have no choice but to sitional governing body with full and unity government in Syria country. “Facing a fait accompli, stalled peace process back on future. But in Damascus, Kerry’s defend our country,” he added. executive powers, but makes no that excludes Assad. the American administration has track, officials said. statement was touted in the “Any international changes mention of Assad’s future. “Any other solution which backed down and recognised the Gentilini — an Italian, as is media as a policy reversal, and that come about within that Damascus insists Assad’s would keep Mr Assad in the sad- need to reposition its policy on EU foreign policy chief Federica Assad said he was waiting to see framework are something posi- departure is not up for discussion, dle would be an absolutely scan- the Syria crisis,” wrote Al-Watan, Mogherini — currently heads whether they would be followed tive, if they are honest and have but the opposition and its backers dalous, gigantic gift to Daesh,” which is close to the government. the EU’s Western Balkans and by action. an effect on the ground.” say he can have no role in Syria’s French Foreign Minister Fabius AFP Turkey division and his appoint- ment will have to be confirmed by member states. The Middle East position was created in 1996 after the Oslo Accords offered the prospect of EU set to ready Libya real progress towards a Israel- Palestinian peace deal. Mogherini’s predecessor, Briton Catherine Ashton, abolished the security mission office in a controversial move aimed at bringing the European BRUSSELS: EU foreign min- The EU’s Common Security Union’s peace efforts under one isters gave the green light yes- policy is meant to coordinate roof in its external affairs arm. terday for the bloc to prepare member state security efforts, The EU also plays a promi- a possible security mission in allowing the bloc to mount small nent role in what is known as Libya once the country’s war- assistance operations such as in the Middle East Quartet, set up ring factions agree a national the Balkans and in Central Africa in 2000 by the UN, the EU, the unity government. to help with local policing and United States and Russia to pro- “As soon as there is an security problems. mote peace efforts but which has agreement on a government Mogherini has pressed hard for also become bogged down. of national unity and related progress on the issue, highlighting Former British prime minister security arrangements, the EU the threats to European security Tony Blair is the Quartet’s special stands ready to enhance its sup- of the Islamic State jihadi group envoy and Mogherini was asked port to Libya and contribute to gaining a foothold in Libya and yesterday about reports that he the successful implementation an even bigger exodus of illegal was scaling back his role. of the agreements,” they said immigrants. She said foreign ministers had in a statement after meeting in Many of the European Union’s not discussed Blair’s position but Brussels. 28 member states however remain did talk about “how to revive the They said they had asked EU wary of getting embroiled in a role of the Quartet.” foreign affairs chief Federica country which has descended into “We discussed the future of the Mogherini “to present as soon chaos since Britain and France Quartet initiative. Blair’s respon- as possible proposals on possible led Nato efforts to oust long-time sibility is to focus on economic Common Security and Defence dictator Muammar Gaddafi in development (of the Palestinian Policy activities in support of the 2011. territories) and that is not the Fighters from Misrata adjust a belt of ammunition as they prepare to fight Islamic State fighters, near Sirte yesterday. security arrangements.” AFP focus at the moment which is on relaunching the peace process,” she said. The EU has been dis- mayed by the state of the Middle East peace process which ground to a halt last year. Mogherini has Bahrain seizes bomb-making equipment on bus from Iraq been criticised in Israel but she says EU policy of a two-state solu- tion is the only way forward and MANAMA: Bahraini security at home, where a monarchy has bus when it was stopped for a the aim of using it for terrorist The Interior Ministry had earlier has condemned Israeli settlement forces have seized bomb-mak- weathered a protest movement routine search on the King Fahd operations,” the state news agency said that security personnel had building in the occupied territo- ing equipment being smuggled and sporadic bombings by the res- Causeway linking Bahrain with BNA said, quoting the prosecutor. arrested a wanted person on secu- ries as a threat to the peace proc- from Iraq aboard a passenger tive Shia Muslim majority. Saudi Arabia. Sitra is a mainly Shia village rity grounds on his return to the ess. Mogherini also announced bus for use in attacks in the The public prosecutor said “The bag belonged to a passen- located in the northern part of the country coming out of Iraq, and yesterday the nomination of Gulf Arab kingdom, the public that authorities found 140 deto- ger, a juvenile, who had brought Gulf island country. Bahrain has seized materials used in carrying Peter Burian, a senior official prosecutor said. nators, 41 electrical circuits, a it from Iraq, at the request of a seen a number of deadly attacks out terrorist acts. in the Slovak foreign ministry, Bahrain is concerned that sec- remote control device and some person there who is wanted for mainly against security forces But the ministry did not iden- as EU special representative for tarian wars in nearby Iraq and cellular telephones hidden inside terrorist crimes, to deliver to in recent years involving home- tify him. Central Asia. AFP Syria may undermine stability electrical appliances aboard the someone in the Sitra area with made bombs detonated remotely. REUTERS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Crimea fetes takeover vote anniversary EU condemns Russian annexation Fireworks, concerts in peninsula

SEVASTOPOL: Crimea kicked Russian flag fluttered through- off celebrations yesterday to out the peninsula yesterday, the mark one year since a contro- European Union criticised the versial vote that led to Russia’s growing militarisation of Crimea, annexation of the peninsula, the home of Russia’s Black Sea a historic shift blasted by the fleet, under Moscow rule. West and Ukraine as an illegal “One year after the holding of takeover. an illegal and illegitimate refer- Fireworks and concerts were endum of Crimea and Sevastopol planned in the Black Sea penin- by Russia, the European Union sula for the festivities a year is firmly committed to the ter- after the controversial poll saw ritorial integrity of Ukraine,” residents vote under the watch- EU foreign policy chief Federica ful eye of elite Russian troops Mogherini said in a statement. in unmarked uniforms who had In a documentary broadcast on swarmed key sites in Crimea two Sunday Putin presented himself weeks earlier. as the saviour of Crimea forced Pro-Russian authorities said to deploy troops to prevent a war nearly 97 percent of Crimeans with “nationalists” in Kiev. He also voted to leave Ukraine and said that at the time he had pre- become part of Russia in the pared to put his nuclear forces on hastily-organised referendum, alert in case of western interven- A couple stands close to pictures depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin at an open-air exhibition on political cartoons dedicated to the anniversary but with no independent observ- tion. The film showed the lengths of Crimea voting to join Russia, in Moscow yesterday. RIGHT: Vladimir Putin talks to his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev (not in picture) during ers allowed the poll was widely he was willing to go to in Crimea their meeting at the Constantine (Konstantinovsky) Palace in St Petersburg yesterday. dismissed abroad. after pro-western protesters in Two days later Putin signed a Kiev deposed Moscow-backed treaty incorporating Crimea into president Viktor Yanukovich in Russia, sending his ties with the a street revolt. West into a tailspin but boosting “I think no one was in the mood Putin reappears, laughs off rumours his popularity at home to record to start a world war,” he said, hail- highs that official statistics said ing the work of thousands of spe- SAINT PETERSBURG: the breakaway region of South hit 88 percent last week. cial forces, land, air and sea troops Russian President Vladimir Russia holds troop drill in Arctic Ossetia. As the red, white and blue who intervened in Crimea. Putin yesterday dismissed days While the Kremlin continued A year ago, he denied the men of frenzied “rumours” over his MOSCOW: Russian President region. “New challenges and to release footage of Putin in in unmarked uniforms were health and whereabouts as he Vladimir Putin yesterday threats to our military security meetings, many speculated that Russian troops. reappeared in public after an ordered a drill of some 38,000 demand a further raising of it had been filmed much earlier The annexation of Crimea was unusually long 10-day absence. troops in the Arctic as part of the military capabilities of our than when it was broadcast. a critical event in the Ukrainian The feverish speculation fuelled a major show of strength amid armed forces,” Defence Minister The Internet and even tradi- crisis which many believed trig- by social media saw all eyes turn tensions with the West over Sergei Shoigu said. tional media in Europe were set gered the separatist uprising in to an otherwise unexceptional Ukraine. A military spokesmen said abuzz with speculation Putin had eastern Ukraine where over 6,000 meeting planned between Putin Putin put the Northern Fleet some 5,000 troops were also died, been deposed in a palace have since been killed in fighting. and the leader of Kyrgyzstan to on full combat readiness in a being drilled in the far-east and coup or had once again become The Kremlin has denied accu- see whether the Russian strong- snap inspection of Moscow’s a further 500 close to the south- a father. sations it has troops in eastern man would appear. military power in the strategic ern Caucasus region. AFP Morbid jokes and gags spread Ukraine and that it is arming The typically tardy Putin was on Russian social networks — the rebels. two hours late but showed up sumptuous Konstantinov’s Palace Putin, 62, was last seen in pub- one of the last bastions of free In the documentary, Putin looking relaxed with no visible just outside Saint Petersburg. lic on March 5 at a news confer- speech in Russia — and the hash- insisted his takeover of Crimea signs of ill-health, quelling the In an apparent bid to dispel ence with Italian Prime Minister tag #Putinumer (#Putindead) had prevented the bloodshed seen rumours that exposed the fragil- speculation about his host’s ill Matteo Renzi. trended on Twitter. in eastern Ukraine. “The choice ity of Russia’s tightly-controlled health, Atambayev said Putin However the rumour mill “Has Putin died?” asked one was obvious: Ukraine, blood and political system dominated by had taken him for a drive around went into overdrive when he website where the question war, or Russia, peace and sta- one man. the palace grounds before their cancelled a number of scheduled was the only thing appearing Head of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov bility,” Crimea’s leader Sergei “We would be bored if there meeting. events last week, including a trip on a blank page above a button bows as he attends a meeting Aksyonov said in a speech to were no rumours,” Putin said Dismissing the rumours, a to the Central Asian country of which users could click to check, in central Simferopol, Crimea, officials in the regional capital of as he met Kyrgyz President smiling Atambayev said: “In their Kazakhstan and the planned sign- yielding responses such as “No” yesterday. Simferopol yesterday. AFP Almazbek Atambayev at the dreams.” The usually omnipresent ing of an alliance agreement with and “Still No”. AFP

UK Labour rules out coalition US tycoon arrested for murders, says he killed them all NEW YORK: An eccentric US The next day the HBO televi- United States. Durst was wanted “I sat there in the edit room ‘We have something more’,” tycoon linked to two murders sion network broadcast the final over the 2000 unsolved killing with my partners, and we just Jarecki said. with Scottish was arrested in connection with episode in a six-part documen- of Berman, a daughter of a Los sort of shook our heads and it News reports said Durst was a third, just a day before the air- tary series about Durst called Vegas mobster who was shot dead took a while to really understand to appear in court yesterday, and nationalists ing of a television documentary “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths execution-style in the back of the the impact of it. It was so chilling would not fight extradition back in which he said that he “killed of Robert Durst.” head in Los Angeles a day before to hear it,” Jarecki said. to California. LONDON: The leader of them all.” In it, Durst, 71, is heard mut- police were to question her over He told ABC that the incrimi- In a statement to ABC, Douglas Britain’s opposition Labour Robert Durst, the scion of a tering to himself, “What the the disappearance of Durst’s wife. nating statement, which came Durst, who runs the family real party yesterday ruled out form- wealthy New York real estate hell did I do? Killed them all, of Andrew Jarecki, director of the during their second and final estate empire, said his brother ing a coalition with the Scottish family, was taken into custody on course,” apparently unaware that HBO series, told ABC television interview of Durst, led them to should pay for his alleged crimes. nationalists after May’s general Saturday at a New Orleans hotel a wireless microphone remained yesterday that he and his film notify authorities. “We are relieved and also election, although Scotland’s at the request of Los Angeles switched on while he used the crew were unaware of the appar- “We’ve been in contact with grateful to everyone who assisted first minister raised the pros- police investigating the 2000 kill- bathroom. ent audiotape confession until law enforcement for the past two in the arrest of Robert Durst,” the pect of an informal partnership. ing of his friend Susan Berman, It was a sensational devel- discovering it while reviewing years, so when we finally found... statement said. “We hope he will Labour’s hopes of returning to and was being held on a murder opment in Durst’s case, which hours of recordings some three what happens in the bathroom, finally be held accountable for all power have been severely dented warrant, US media reports said. has been widely followed in the years after the fact. we contacted them and we said, he has done.” AFP by a surge in support for the Scottish National Party (SNP), which threatens Labour’s 40 seats north of the border and risks Woman power thwarting their bid for a parlia- More arrests in mentary majority. Hillary lunches with Prime Minister David Cameron — whose own Conservative party Brazil oil giant also looks unlikely to secure the majority needed to govern alone Irish leader Adams graft scandal after May 7 — has used the pros- pect of a coalition with SNP to NEW YORK: Hillary Clinton Northern Ireland peace process, BRASILIA: Brazilian police attack Labour for several weeks. lunched with Irish and Irish which ended decades of conflict launched a new round of During a campaign speech American personalities, includ- between largely Catholic republi- arrests yesterday in the corrup- in northern England yester- ing Sinn Fein leader Gerry cans and protestant Unionists in tion scandal at state oil giant day, Labour leader Ed Miliband Adams, in New York yester- the British province. Petrobras, a day after massive finally responded and ruled out day at an event honouring her Adams is president of the polit- nationwide demonstrations a formal coalition with the SNP, contribution to the Irish peace ical wing of the now-defunct Irish against leftist President Dilma saying: “There are big differences process. Republican Army and is widely Rousseff. between us. Decked out in emerald green, credited with playing an instru- Federal police said they had “Labour will not go into a coa- the former US Secretary of mental role in bringing peace. warrants for the arrest of 18 peo- lition government with the SNP. State and likely 2016 presiden- But The New Yorker magazine ple in connection with the 10-year There will be no SNP ministers tial candidate, beamed and chat- this week published an article scheme of kickbacks and political in any government I lead.” ted to well-wishers ahead of her citing witnesses that suggested payoffs that allegedly siphoned off SNP leader and Scottish acceptance speech. Adams authorised murders $3.8bn from Petrobras. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon The event could prove an despite his long-standing denials “The warrants are being car- yesterday also said a coalition opportunity to put aside contro- of having been a commander of ried out in the cities of Sao Paulo was “highly unlikely” — but versy after the furore over her use IRA paramilitaries. and Rio de Janeiro,” a police kept the door open to a “looser of a private email account while in Clinton was First Lady and statement said. arrangement.” office, but some may question her her husband Bill was president of Among those targetted for “As long as there are more SNP appearance alongside Republican the United States when the Good arrest was Petrobras’s former and Labour MPs than there are leader Adams. Friday Agreement, generally seen director of services, Renato Tory MPs then we can lock the The email scandal and ques- as the end of the decades-long Duque, allegedly a key figure in Tories out of government,” she tions over foreign donations to sectarian conflict, was signed in the scheme. told an audience at the London a family foundation have cast a 1998. On Sunday, an estimated 1.5 School of Economics (LSE). shadow over what was supposed “Hillary Rodham Clinton is million people took to the streets The surge in support for the to have been a well-orchestrated one of the unsung heroes of the across Brazil in protest over the SNP, despite its failure to secure Venezuelan women soldiers speak to each other during military manoeu- rollout of her White House success of the Irish peace proc- corruption, with many calling for independence for Scotland from vres in Caracas, Venezuela. ‘The defensive military exercises’ ordered by campaign. ess,” Niall O’Dowd, publisher Rousseff’s impeachment. the United Kingdom in a refer- President Nicolas Maduro in the entire country started with participation Yesterday’s event inducts her of Irish America magazine, told Rousseff chaired the Petrobras endum in September, has changed of almost 80,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians. into the Irish America Hall of The New York Times last month. board during much of alleged cor- the electoral map. AFP Fame for her contribution to the AFP ruption period. AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA Vanuatu president urges world to help rebuild Every school destroyed, 100,000 rendered homeless

PORT VILA, Vanuatu: infrastructure the government Vila Colin Collett van Rooyen said Vanuatu’s president pleaded has... built. Completely destroyed. a lack of clean water, temporary with the world yesterday to “We need international funding toilets, water purification tablets help the cyclone-ravaged Pacific to (re)build all the infrastructure.” and hygiene kits needed to be nation rebuild its “completely Many world leaders have addressed rapidly. destroyed” infrastructure as pledged support. Military planes “Friday night was the first aid agencies warned conditions from Australia, New Zealand and emergency with the arrival of were among the most challeng- France were arriving loaded with Cyclone Pam, disease will be the ing they have faced with fears of food, shelter, medicine and gen- second emergency without clean disease rife. erators, along with disaster relief water, sanitation and hygiene pro- An emotional President teams. vision,” he said. Baldwin Lonsdale said the need The official death toll in the “There are more than 100,000 was “immediate” after Severe battered capital Port Vila, where people likely homeless, every Tropical Cyclone Pam tore aid workers said up to 90 percent school destroyed, full evacuation through the country on Friday of homes have been damaged, centres, damage to health facili- night packing wind gusts of up to stands at six with more than 30 ties and the morgue.” 320km an hour, leaving massive injured, although there are fears Trees, metal roof sheeting and destruction. this is likely a fraction of the all manner of debris littered Port In the capital Port Vila access fatalities caused by the storm. Vila’s roads, while at the beach, to water was partially restored The nation’s Prime Minister several boats were thrown on and stores began reopening, but Joe Natuman was at home when their side, a reporter said. entire neighbourhoods remained the tempest hit. “I tell you it The streets of the capital were Adrian Banga surveys his house, flattened by Cyclone Pam, in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila yesterday. without power as aid workers was quite frightening,” he told virtually deserted as night fell, streamed in to take the measure the Australian Broadcasting with authorities enforcing a 6pm are reliant on their gardens for the percentage of the popula- low-lying islands dangerously of what many have said might be Corporation. curfew to prevent looting. food. But all that’s gone.” tion that’s been affected is much exposed to rising sea levels, and one of the region’s worst weather “It sounded like a big noise, you Charlotte Gillan, an Australian Save the Children’s Vanuatu bigger.” Lonsdale said changing weather disasters. know. Throughout the night, big paramedic who lives in the village director Tom Skirrow said the Skirrow said flights over patterns were partly to blame for “The humanitarian need is noise, thunder, lightning. When of Tango on the outskirts of Port logistical challenges were even remote islands in the archipelago, the destruction. immediate, we need it right now,” you looked out you couldn’t see Vila, said the front part of her worse than for Super Typhoon which spans more than 12,000 Despite the scale of the Lonsdale said before flying home anything.” house had collapsed. Haiyan, which struck the square kilometres, had confirmed disaster, with communica- from a disaster conference in While the aid missions con- “I fought tears seeing that Philippines in November 2013, widespread destruction elsewhere tions still down to most of the Japan, adding that the poverty- tinued landing, workers on the devastation,” she said, adding leaving more than 7,350 people in the nation of 270,000. islands, CARE Australia offi- stricken island chain also des- ground said there was no way that disease was now her main dead or missing. Aid workers said it appeared cial Tom Perry said he detected perately required longer-term to distribute desperately needed concern. “I was present for the Haiyan the southern island of Tanna in a change of mood in Port Vila financial support. supplies across the archipelago’s “With all the rain and rub- response and I would 100 percent particular suffered widespread yesterday. “After all the development 80 islands, warning it would take bish around, there’s going to be tell you that this is a much more damage. “Yesterday it was sombre but we have done for the last cou- days to reach remote villages flat- malaria and dengue, as well as difficult logistical problem,” he Pacific nations regard them- today was more a sense of ‘Let’s ple of years and this big cyclone tened by the monster storm. diarrhoea and vomiting with said. selves as at the frontline of cli- get on with it’,” he said. came and just destroyed... all the Oxfam country director in Port water contamination. People here “The numbers are smaller but mate change, given many are AFP

Malaysia arrests Four Thais charged in military court over anti-coup protest Anwar’s daughter BANGKOK: Four Thai men gatherings of more than five — now we have been released,” not want to be named said she “They should not be placed in were charged over an anti- people, censoring the media and said Anon. The four must next was supporting the students as front of a military court, where for sedition coup protest in a military court arresting and detaining oppo- report to the court on 27 March. “Thailand has come too far to go they will not face a fair trial, and in Bangkok yesterday, activ- nents of junta rule. Pro-democracy student activ- back to tyranny”. they should be permitted to freely KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian ists said, as dozens of students The four men, including one ists rallied outside the court “Seeking democracy and justice express their opinions and protest police have arrested opposition rallied outside in defiance of student, were each charged with to support the accused after is not a crime,” she told AFP. peacefully,” said Rupert Abbott, politician Nurul Izzah Anwar, the martial law in the junta-ruled breaching the ban on gatherings mobilising at Bangkok’s liberal The four anti-coup protesters Amnesty’s Research Director for daughter of jailed opposition leader nation. during a peaceful demonstration Thammasat University, holding were arrested, and later released Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Anwar Ibrahim, for sedition over Around 40 students chanted in Bangkok last month, said Anon placards saying “Civilians must on bail, after a Valentine’s Day May’s military coup was the a speech she made in parliament, slogans in support of the accused Nampa, one of the accused who not be tried in a military court” protest in central Bangkok where latest twist in Thailand’s decade- her party said yesterday. outside the court in the capital’s also works for the Thai Lawyers and “No more dictatorship in activists handed out roses and long political crisis, which broadly In the speech last week, Nurul historic heart to protest against for Human Rights. Thailand”. copies of George Orwell’s anti- pits a Bangkok-based middle Izzah, a 34-year-old member the use of military courts to try They face up to one year in jail “This is harming our human authoritarian novel “1984”. class and royalist elite—backed of parliament, referred to a civilians. and a 20,000 baht ($600) fine if rights. We don’t want people to be Amnesty International con- by parts of the military and judi- February ruling by the coun- Thailand has seen a rapid convicted, he added. tried in a military court,” econom- demned the charges in a state- ciary—against urban working- try’s highest court upholding the erosion of civil liberties since “We have each been charged ics student Sukrid Peansuwan, 21, ment released Monday, saying class voters and farmers from the sodomy conviction of her father, the army seized power last May under the law against the gath- said at the campus rally. they should never have been country’s north. the biggest political threat to with the army banning political ering of more than five people A university lecturer who did levelled. AFP Malaysia’s government. “This police investigation is ille- gal, unconstitutional and a seri- ous interference with the rights and privileges of parliament,” N Maldives foreign Surendran, Anwar’s lawyer, and Militant leader captured a member of his People’s Justice Party, said in a statement. minister defends It is unclear what specific words the police felt were sedi- trial of Nasheed in Philippines: Military tious. The authorities have not issued a statement. Parliament COLOMBO/MALE: The MANILA: Philippine security He said Tambako had helped officials did answer telephone Maldives’ Foreign Minister forces have arrested the head of to protect Abdul Basit Usman, a calls to seek comment. yesterday rejected international a small Islamic militant group Filipino bomb-maker who has a Malaysia’s Sedition Act, which criticism of the trial of ex-Pres- who was involved in protecting million-dollar reward on his head dates from British colonial times, ident Mohamed Nasheed, the one of the United States’ “most from the United States. criminalises speech with an unde- country’s first democratically wanted terrorists”, the military “He (was) reported to be cod- fined “seditious tendency”. Critics elected leader, who was jailed said yesterday. dling the notorious bomber Basit have said the government has used for 13 years last week. Mohammad Ali Tambako was Usman and five foreign terror- the law to silence dissent, prevent- Nasheed was sentenced on detained along with five accom- ists,” Catapang said. ing open debate and discussion. Friday on terrorism charges for plices as he was riding a motor- He expressed hope that, now The government says the law illegally ordering the arrest of a ised tricycle on a main road near Tambako was in custody, Usman is necessary to clamp down on judge in 2012. The conviction has a major southern city on Sunday and the others would soon be inflammatory actions that could stirred renewed concern about night, military chief General arrested. stir ethnic or religious tension. political instability in the state. Gregorio Catapang told reporters. Police commandoes conducted Rights group Human Rights “The trial was conducted in His capture is part of an offen- a botched raid in Muslim rebel Watch urged Malaysia not to deploy accordance with the relevant sive against splinter groups who territory on January 25 that the sedition law against opposition laws and criminal procedures oppose a pact with the nation’s aimed to kill or capture Usman politicians, community activists, prevailing in the Maldives. Due biggest Muslim rebel group that and another man on the US and others who dared to speak out. process was followed and presi- aims to end a decades-long separa- list of “most wanted terrorists”, “Prime Minister Najib Razak dent Nasheed was accorded his tist insurgency. The rebellion has Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir. needs to recognise that every sedi- rights fully,” Foreign Minister claimed tens of thousands of lives. Zulkifli was reported killed, tion arrest of an opposition politi- Dhunya Maumoon told reporters Tambako is head of the Justice but Usman escaped, and Muslim cal leader is another step towards in Colombo, in nearby Sri Lanka. for Islamic Movement (JIM), rebels killed 44 police comman- the destruction of rights-respecting “A free and fair trial has hap- which has only about 70 mem- does after trapping them in a democracy in Malaysia, and bring pened and no person, whether bers but has played a key role in cornfield. Catapang said Tambako this campaign of abuse to an end,” former president or not, is above Filipino extremist leader Mohammad Ali Tambako (centre) is escorted by recent deadly violence, including was among the Muslim rebels who said Phil Robertson, deputy direc- the law,” she said. police and military personnel shortly after arriving at a military airbase in the massacre of 44 policemen, fought the police commandoes. tor of the group’s Asia division. The United States, Britain Manila yesterday. according to Catapang. AFP REUTERS and several rights groups said on Saturday they were troubled by the conviction because of a lack of judicial independence and the denial of legal representation dur- ing Nasheed’s first hearing. Nigeria ready for free, credible elections, says poll panel Tension has been mounting in the country since Nasheed, who was ousted in disputed circum- ABUJA: The head of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral the grounds that troops could not The Islamist insurgency, which stations after an increase in bomb stances in 2012, was arrested last electoral body said yesterday it Commission (INEC) had done provide adequate security on poll- began in 2009, has killed more and suicide attacks in recent month, sending thousands of his was ready to conduct presiden- “everything humanly possible” for ing day. than 13,000 people and forced weeks. supporters onto the streets. tial and parliamentary elections a free, fair, credible and peaceful Nigerian soldiers, backed by hundreds of thousands more to On Saturday, two homemade His political party said at the in less than two weeks’ time, vote on March 28. troops from Cameroon, Chad flee, raising the prospect that the bombs were found in an IDP weekend it would launch fresh after the vote was delayed by INEC has come under close and Niger, are currently involved displaced will be unable to vote. camp in the northeastern city protests and a “national civil diso- security concerns. scrutiny since last month when in a major offensive against Boko Despite a series of claimed of Maiduguri, adding to security bedience movement”. Attahiru Jega told a meeting Jega was forced to postpone the Haram, which has seized swathes military successes, security fears fears. REUTERS in the capital city Abuja that his February 14 general election on of territory in Nigeria’s northeast. remain over the safety of polling AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Afghan forces Protests over kill 10 militants affiliated with church attacks Islamic State

KABUL: Afghan security forces have killed 10 fighters turn violent who claimed to be from Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan, offi- cials said, amid reports that growing numbers of disgrun- Thousands of Christians riot in Lahore tled Taliban fighters have joined the militant group that controls LAHORE: Thousands of Ghazanfar said that a female sus- much of Syria and Iraq. Christians rioted in the pect had been detained in connec- Defense ministry spokesman Pakistani city of Lahore yes- tion with the incident. Dawlat Waziri said the mili- terday, smashing property and The fresh violence comes after tants were all associated with vehicles as they clashed with the death toll from Sunday’s the Islamic State, known in police in a second day of pro- bombings — the deadliest attack Afghanistan as “Daesh”. They tests against twin Taliban sui- on Pakistan’s Christians in more were killed in an operation in the cide bombings of churches that than a year — rose to 17 after southern province of Helmand left 17 dead. three more died from their inju- yesterday. Sunday’s attacks in the ries, according to hospital officials. The government identified one Youhanabad neighbourhood of the Demonstrators expressed their of the militants as Hafiz Wahidi, eastern city sparked mob violence anger at the killings, many arming the nephew and successor of in which two other suspected mil- themselves with clubs while oth- Mullah Abdul Rauf, a veteran itants were killed, with Christians ers carried giant crosses as they militant killed last month in a smashing up cars and a bus sta- took to the streets of Youhanabad Christians attend special prayers in Lahore yesterday for victims of suicide bombing on churches by Taliban drone strike. tion in a rare show of anger from on Monday. militants. Officials say Rauf, a former the persecuted minority group. “We are on the roads to get Guantanamo Bay detainee, had Protesters again turned violent justice, we want protection,” said offer prayers for the dead ahead years, often over allegations of Interior Minister Chaudhry also defected from the Taliban yesterday, despite the presence Maqbool Bhatti, a 50-year-old of funerals planned for today. profanity regarding the Koran or Nisar Ali Khan said the Taliban and called himself the leader of of 1,000 police officers, who fired government employee who criti- Some carried placards with the Prophet Mohammed. had turned their attention on the Islamic State in Helmand. water cannon in an effort to con- cised the authorities for failing to slogans such as “Why do you kill Sunday’s attacks were the places of worship and other “soft Nato forces, who remain in tain the rampaging crowds. take adequate security measures us?”, “Stop killing Christians,” worst on the community since targets” because ongoing military the country in a limited training Muhammad Usman, a senior to safeguard Christians. and “Let us live”. a devastating double suicide- operations had hampered their mission, were not involved in the bureaucrat, said paramilitary “There was no proper secu- Protests were also held in bombing in the northwestern city ability to fight the army. operation, a spokesman said. Rangers forces were later called rity on Sunday, the government Karachi, while special prayers of Peshawar in September 2013 “Due to military operation the Zamen Ali, a senior Afghan in to try to restore the peace. should protect all churches,” he were planned at churches killed 82 people. noose has been tightening around army officer in southern Tariq Butt, a doctor at General said. throughout the country and That came months after more militants and now it has signifi- Afghanistan, said that Wahidi Hospital, said one more person Christian volunteers mean- Christian groups and members of than 3,000 Muslim protesters cantly contained them,” he told a took over the anti-government was killed and 12 injured after while established their own secu- civil society held candle-lit vigils. torched some 100 houses as they committee. “They are now hitting militia Khadim had commanded they were run over by a speeding rity check-points, tying ropes Christians, who make up rampaged through Joseph Colony, the softest targets like churches, following his death on February 9. car that was attempting to flee across the roads leading into around two percent of Pakistan’s another Christian neighbourhood of mosques and schools. It shows But IS has never acknowl- the riots. Youhanabad and patting down mostly Muslim population of 180 Lahore, following blasphemy allega- their frustration.” edged having representatives in Police spokeswoman Nabila worshippers who had come to million, have been targeted recent tions against a Christian man. AFP Afghanistan, and a senior Taliban commander said on condition of anonymity that Khadim had “not formally joined IS and IS had not recognised him”. Reports of Taliban fighters switching sides to IS in recent Islamabad stops action on prisoner swap treaties months have raised concerns in war-weary Afghanistan, ISLAMABAD: In a significant including the UK, UAE, Sri released from jails in conniv- The arrested man, Rizwan were to complete the rest of their though there is little evidence development, Pakistan stopped Lanka, Thailand and Spain. ance with officials of the interior Habib, had been sentenced to life sentence in Pakistan, but they of any operational ties between yesterday implementation of The decision has been taken ministry and provincial govern- in prison at Old Bailey for hav- were fraudulently released days the fighters and the group’s agreements on swapping con- after reports that a number of ments,” says the announcement. ing beaten to death the son of a after having been brought to the leadership. victed prisoners with various convicted persons, who had been The interior minister has also Pakistani business tycoon on Dec country. People fear the emergence of countries. brought to Pakistan from jails in ordered that an inquiry into such 16, 2001, and dumping his body in On the orders of Chaudhary the IS group could heighten sec- “Interior Minister Chaudhary some foreign countries, managed cases be completed in one week a river in Surrey and stealing his Nisar, the officials of the interior tarian tensions in Afghanistan. Nisar Ali Khan has stopped the to get themselves freed with the and the officials responsible for it identity documents. ministry and Punjab police who The Afghan army has been ministries of interior and foreign help of government officials with- be arrested. He said the officials Habib and his gang then went had helped in the illegal release of leading operations in Helmand affairs as well as the Federal out completing their sentence in who had earned a bad name for on a spending spree in Las Vegas, the convicts were arrested. since February to clear the res- Investigation Agency (FIA) from the country, which was manda- the country deserved no conces- running up bills of thousands of The agreement signed by the tive southern province of Taliban making any progress in cases tory under the treaties. sion at all. pounds on the victim’s credit PPP government in 2010 was, fighters ahead of the so-called under any such agreement till “Investigations carried out Earlier this month, the FIA had cards before heading to Australia, however, abolished by the UK in fighting season that kicks off each the formulation of a new and on the directives of the interior arrested in Ecuador a Pakistani Dubai and Canada. 2012 after the fraudulent release spring. transparent policy,” says a brief minister reveal that a number convicted by a British court in The British police tracked him of the convicts. Fifty-eight armed Taliban announcement by the interior of Pakistanis, who had been con- Feb 2004 for murdering a man down and he was arrested in The British government members were killed by Afghan ministry. victed of committing heinous in the UK. The interior ministry Canada and deported to the UK. restored the agreement last year security forces across the country The country is reported to crimes in other countries and claimed that other culprits in the Under an agreement on after the measures taken by the on Sunday, a Ministry of Interior have entered into prisoners’ swap brought back to Pakistan under case had already been arrested in exchange of prisoners signed with interior minister. statement said. treaties with several countries, extradition treaties, were illegally the UAE and Pakistan. Britain, Habib and his accomplices INTERNEWS AGENCIES

Afghan anti-polio campaign 52 schools Punjab to buy Russian for girls lying closed in copter to fight terror LAHORE: Pakistan’s Punjab CTD after the approval of chief Karak district province government has minister. decided to purchase a Russian- After the decision of the com- PESHAWAR: The officials of made MI-17 helicopter worth mittee regarding the purchase of the Education Department in Rs1.4bn ($140m) for the Counter MI-17 helicopter, the IG Police Karak district in northwest Terrorism Department (CTD) submitted a summary to the chief Pakistan kept the provincial to combat terrorists’ activities minister for his approval. Earlier, government in the dark about in the province. briefing the meeting, Additional the closure of more than 52 Documents reveal that the IG Finance and Planning state-run girls’ schools in the decision on the purchase of the explained the characteristics annual progress report sent helicopter was made during a and specifications of MI-17 and to the authorities, sources said meeting of high-level committee BELL-412. here yesterday. chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary He said both the machines have The sources said the Karak Khizar Hayat Gondal on February two engines, while MI-17 has the education authorities did not affix 27. capacity to carry 28 passengers some pages to the annual progress IGP Mushtaq Sukhera, Special and BELL-412 has capacity for report concealing information Secretary Home Dr Shoaib 14 passengers. about the non-functional schools Akhtar, Special Secretary Maximum takeoff weight of in the district. Finance Ahmad Raza Sarwar, MI-17 is 1,300 kg, useful load The sources said the officials of An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child on the second day of a vaccination campaign Additional IG CTD Rai Tahir, capacity 4,000 kg, laying of casu- the Education Department pre- in Kabul yesterday. Nearly nine million children throughout Afghanistan will be immunised during a three-day Additional IG Finance and alties 12, service ceiling 18,000 ft, pared an annual progress report for national polio immunisation drive launched on March 15. Planning Sohail Khan, Chief Pilot landing ceiling 14,400 ft, range 465 provincial Minister for Education Aviation Flight Col (retd) Safdar km, estimated cost Rs1.4 billion, Muhammad Atif Khan in which Malik, Deputy Commander Army airframe life 9,000 hrs, and engine they deliberately kept the authori- Aviation School Gujranwala Col first overhaul 2,000 hrs. ties in the dark about the closure Naeem Masood Khan, PAF Wing Maximum take-off capacity of 52 schools in the district. PTI seeks applications for LG polls Commander Aftab Iqbal and of BELL-412 is 5,398kg, useful The sources said the Sub- Assistant IG Logistics Shariq load capacity 2,250kg, laying of Divisional Education Officer Kamal attended the meeting. causalities four, service ceiling (female) in Takht-i-Nasrati teh- PESHAWAR: Pakistan secretaries of the party, respec- making efforts to obtain tickets Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat 18,700 ft, landing ceiling 10,300ft, sil Shahnaz Khattak had given Tehreek-i-Insaf of Imran Khan tively, according to a press release. for the upcoming local govern- Gondal said after detailed discus- estimated cost Rs1.35bn, range free hand to female teachers has asked the party’s leadership Masud said that applications ment elections. sions regarding the specification 396 km, unlimited airframe whether to perform duty or stay at the district and union coun- would undergo scrutiny before PTI has directed its workers and utility of the machines, the life, and engine first overhaul at home. cil levels to submit by March 25 making selection of the candidates to gear up for the polls, which it MI-17 would be purchased for 4,400hrs. The source said the original the applications for the party for the local bodies elections. says, will contest in collaboration the CTD to counter the terror- Chief pilot Safdar Malik was progress report contained infor- tickets for the upcoming local The PTI leader said that the with Jamaat-i-Islami and Awami ists’ activities in the province, of the view that carrying capac- mation about the duty timing of body elections. party would field honest and devoted Jamhoori Ittehad, its coalition as majority of the participants ity of BELL-412 EP helicopter, at the teachers, attendance and edu- PTI’s provincial General persons in a bid to serve their elec- partners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were in favour of purchasing the high temperature, may not be suf- cation ratio and closure of the 52 Secretary Khalid Masud said that torates at the grass roots level. “The government, a senior leader said. Russian-made machine. ficient even to carry the minimum girls’ primary schools, including those aspiring to run for slots of PTI accords top priority to LG elec- Appropriate candidates will be He said under the delegation required number of personnel. He 20 schools in Shnawa Gudikhel, nazims and naib nazims at the teh- tions as the system will benefit peo- chosen by the party in consulta- of powers, the IG Police has full further stated that performance 10 in Latamber and 22 in Banda sil and district level should send ple in rural areas,” he added. tions with local chapters for the powers of purchase. The IG Police of MI-17 series helicopter remains Daudshah tehsil. their applications to the respec- Meanwhile, leaders of the election, he said. can initiate the process of pur- constant at different altitudes. INTERNEWS tive district presidents and general PTI’s local chapter have started INTERNEWS chase of the helicopter for the INTERNEWS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Haryana bans Nun’s rape: Mamata faces protests cow slaughter, beef sale Protesters demand CBI probe CHANDIGARH: The Haryana assembly yesterday unani- KOLKATA: Angry over do not fall prey to BJP’s provo- mously passed the Haryana police’s failure to arrest any of cation,” a visibly angry Banerjee Gauvansh Sanrakshan and the culprits who gang-raped a said. Gausamvardhan Bill, 2015, nun in West Bengal’s Nadia dis- Repeatedly urging the crowd under which cow slaughter trict, scores of people yesterday to calm down and assuring action and sale of beef have been held up visiting Chief Minister against the culprits, Banerjee banned in the state. The new Mamata Banerjee’s convoy at even dared the demonstrators to law will prohibit the slaugh- Ranaghat and staged a demon- touch her. ter of cows, promote con- stration seeking a CBI probe. “Let me see who dares to touch servation and development The nun is recovering in hospi- me, I challenge the BJP, I con- of indigenous breeds of cows tal. The woman, aged in her 70s, demn the coward BJP. The BJP and establish institutions needed surgery from injuries suf- has no connect with the mission- to keep, maintain and take fered during the attack. aries, the fathers, the school and care of the infirm, injured, After being stranded for the minorities. I condemn this stray and uneconomic cows. over an hour, a visibly enraged party for playing politics over Anyone found guilty of cow Banerjee threatened strong this incident,” said the Trinamool slaughter will face rigorous action against the demonstrators Congress supremo. imprisonment of not less than and condemned the Bharatiya “Those who are shouting CBI, three years which may extend Janata Party for “trying to play CBI and trying to play politics up to 10 years along with fine politics” over the issue. Amid over rape, I condemn you. Don’t ranging from Rs30,000 to the growing outrage and resent- worry about me, my whole life has Rs1 lakh. Any person found ment over Saturday’s incident, been spent for movements. I am indulging in export of cows Banerjee rushed to the Convent not bothered by what people say for the purpose of slaughter of Jesus and Mary High School about me,” she said. “We will iden- will face rigorous imprison- in Ranaghat - some 80km from tify who all are doing this. We will ment of not less than three Kolkata - where the nun was take action as per law,” she said. years which may extend up to raped. Banerjee also gave assurances seven years with fines ranging While coming out of the of her government taking strong from Rs30,000 to Rs70,000. Ranaghat Sub-Divisional Hospital action against the rapists. She Sale of beef will be completely after meeting the nun, Banerjee’s ordered her party activists to Residents and members of the Christian community take part in a vigil and protest, in Kolkata yesterday. banned and this offence will convoy was stopped by scores of take out a protest rally in the area be punishable with rigor- angry protesters shouting “we today in protest against the gang Enraged over police’s failure, a makeshift stage nearby to con- happen,” 20-year-old American ous imprisonment of not less want justice” and “we want CBI”. rape and Monday’s demonstra- hundreds of locals including demn the “unacceptable” attack. Brianna Miller, who is studying than three years and up to When repeated efforts by tion. Before leaving for Ranaghat, school children took out a rally “We are not violent, we are not in Kolkata, said at the rally. five years with fine of up to police and fathers of the convent Banerjee held a meeting at the in Ranaghat demanding arrest witches. And we will launch a big Prime Minister Narendra Rs50,000. The government to pacify the crowd proved futile, state secretariat in Kolkata with and hanging of the rapists. Nuns protest if attacks on Christian Modi’s government again came will establish laboratories for Banerjee vowed to act strongly senior administrative officers. dressed in white habits joined minorities continue,” Kolkata under criticism yesterday, with differentiation of beef from against the demonstrators but Earlier in the day, the state’s other women of all backgrounds businesswoman Hari Joseph opposition lawmakers raising meat of other animals, and simultaneously urging her party Director General of Police G M and ages, including girls still in Marien said. the nun’s rape in the national testing and identification of activists not to fall prey to the P Rajasekhar Reddy rushed to their uniforms, to express their Bank manager Partha parliament. “Our PM has been various constituents of milk. BJP’s provocations. Ranaghat and held talks with the sorrow over the attack. Tripathi said she was prompted saying again and again that he “I condemn the BJP for politi- investigators. Police said yesterday Holding placards and banners to join the protest because the will ensure there is no attack on ‘Fit’ Kejriwal cising this issue. This has become that 10 men have been detained for that read “This world belongs to crime was one “against human- minorities. What is the sanctity a norm for the BJP who have no questioning but no arrests have women” and “We want rape-free ity,” adding: “It seems that even of such assurances then?” asked D returns to Delhi respect for justice and laws. We been made, even though the faces India”, the crowd gathered qui- animals (behave) better.” Raja, a member of the Communist will take strict action against of four of the robbers were cap- etly in a park in the centre of the “I am shocked and appalled Party of India. NEW DELHI: A “fresh those involve herea I urge you all tured on CCTV footage. eastern city as speakers took to that something like this could IANS/AFP and fit” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal returned here yesterday night after 10 days of naturopathy treat- ment in Bengaluru cured his chronic cough and checked his Furore over remarks on high blood sugar. After land- ing on an Air India flight, the Aam Aadmi Party leader gave women’s complexion journalists the slip by avoiding the VIP exit where they were massed in large numbers. The NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha discuss the issue with anyone, we 46-year-old is expected to yesterday witnessed a furore are in favour of Indian culture.” resume work today. Kejriwal’s over Sharad Yadav’s remarks Irani, responding sharply, said focus would also be on the on women’s complexion, as the member (Yadav) should not affairs in the AAP, which sharp words were exchanged comment on the complexion has been torn into two fac- between the JD-U leader and of women in any way. “I appeal tions, one of his loyalists and Human Resource Development through you (chair) to the gen- the other led by Prashant Minister Smriti Irani. tleman, do not make comments Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, The comments created a ruckus about the colour of any woman’s both senior leaders. in the upper house after union skin. You (Yadav) are a senior minister Ravi Shankar Prasad member, a very wrong message IAS officer found asked the member to withdraw is going to the rest of the country,” his comments. The Janata Dal- she said. dead in Bengaluru United chief said his comments Yadav responded by saying: “I BENGALURU: IAS last week on women’s complexion strongly refute the allegation.” officer D K Ravi, posted as were misinterpreted and refused “From (Mahatma) Gandhi to Karnataka’s additional com- to apologise. He said he was ready (Ram Manohar) Lohia, I have all missioner, commercial tax, for a debate on the topic. the record of what has been said was found dead in his official Yadav, during the debate on the about women. A lot of struggle apartment yesterday evening, insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha has been done for women with police said, adding it seemed Schoolboys standing under umbrellas wait for a bus as snow falls in Srinagar yesterday. last week, spoke on India’s obses- dark complexion,” he said, to a case of suicide. “Prime sion for fair skin. Referring to which Irani responded by saying: facie it appears to be a case the complexion of south Indian “Please don’t do this. Naming of suicide, as Ravi’s body was women, he said: “The women of Lohia and Gandhi and comment- found hanging from a ceiling Snowfall hits life in Kashmir the south are dark but they are ing on women.” fan,” Police Commissioner M as beautiful as their bodies... We Kanimozhi joined Irani in her N Reddi said. The 36-year- SRINAGAR: Uninterrupted the track. Air traffic to and from the Valley. Meanwhile, students don’t see it here. They know (how protest against Yadav. “Women old Ravi, of the 2009 batch, daylong snowfall yesterday cut the Valley remained suspended appearing for the school-leaving to) dance.” from all parties are together, we was joint commissioner in off the Kashmir Valley from the due to poor visibility and slippery Class 12 exams being conducted He got away lightly when he demand a regret on it,” she said. the commercial tax depart- rest of the country, disrupting conditions on the runway at the by the Jammu and Kashmir made the comments last week, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said ment since November 2014 surface and air traffic. Electric Srinagar airport. Board of School Education in the as several members laughed over he would not allow a discussion following his transfer from supply also snapped at many Both intra- and inter-dis- Valley have demanded their post- them. Only DMK leader Kanimozhi on the issue. “White complexion Kolar where he was deputy places here. trict road connectivity in the ponement. Authorities said a deci- had protested. Yesterday, Prasad or dark complexion, it is all the commissioner. Sonam Lotus, director of the Kashmir Valley was disrupted too. sion would be taken if the snowfall said: “Comments were made on same, I am not allowing a discus- Met office here, said that the Commuters were seen stranded continued through the night. south Indian women, I was also sion on this,” Kurien said. The Hindu owners weather would improve from at many places in Srinagar and Mobile phone services by various mentioned, I remained quiet. I Leader of Opposition Ghulam today. Heavy snowfall forced the elsewhere in the valley. service providers were disrupted want to keep myself away from Nabi Azad said the issue should announce VRS closure of the Srinagar-Jammu Electric supply in many parts of due to power failures, especially in that comment. I completely disa- not be discussed as it will get more CHENNAI: For the first highway for a second consecutive Srinagar and in other places was far-flung areas. Authorities have gree with the comment. Ask the complicated. Yadav, however, said time in its 136-year history, day on Monday after more than disrupted after electric poles and issued avalanche warnings for peo- member to withdraw the com- he was ready for a discussion. media company Kasturi two feet deep snow piled up on tree branches collapsed on the ple living in the higher reaches. ment,” he urged the chair. “There has been a long struggle & Sons Ltd, publishers of the road in the Bannihal sector. electric distribution systems. Three people, including a Trying to clarify, Yadav said his against discrimination based on The Hindu daily, yester- Train service from Baramulla uthorities have ordered sus- girl, were killed in Jammu and comments were misinterpreted. colour... I am ready to participate day announced a voluntary to Bannihal was suspended due pension till tomorrow of classes Kashmir on Sunday due to land- “There are more dusky women in a debate any time,” he said. retirement scheme (VRS) to the accumulation of snow on up to Class 5 in all the schools of slides. IANS in India and in the world... I can IANS for its employees. The com- pany said the VRS has been designed consistent with its long tradition of employee centricity. The scheme will be open to all employees above 40 Haryana church row: CM says situation being monitored years of age and with over 10 years of service. “Employees opting to apply to the scheme CHANDIGARH: The Haryana gov- Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar the priest, Subhash Chand. No one has despite the fact that there was no Christian will receive a generous com- ernment yesterday said the situation told the assembly yesterday that a case has been arrested so far. in the entire village. They alleged that the pensation package — possibly in Kaimri village in Hisar district was been registered against 14 people and inves- The attackers damaged the cross at priest had bought the plot to build a house the most generous of recently under control but being monitored tigation was in progress. “There is peace in the church and allegedly took away some but he started converting it into a church. announced schemes in indus- after a controversy over vandalising a the village. The situation is under control other items. The priest told the media They also alleged that he was trying to try — in addition to normal church allegedly by some radical Hindu and is being monitored,” he said. that certain activists of the Bajrang Dal convert people. “The priest is unneces- retirement benefits such as elements. Khattar said the priest of the “so- and others had threatened him earlier. sarily trying to complicate matters. He provident fund, gratuity, Tension prevailed in the village after the called church” had gone out of the village, He alleged that the same people could be has got a case registered against some superannuation, encashment under-construction church was vandalised 260km from Chandigarh, on March 6 and behind the attack on the church. former sarpanches (village headmen) and of unavailed leave, unclaimed by miscreants and the idol of Hanuman returned on March 13 to find the place “I was threatened by Bajrang Dal activ- others, whom we do not even know. He leave travel allowance and any placed inside the premises. Police later took vandalised. Police said yesterday that 14 ists and other locals last month,” the priest was illegally constructing the church and eligible performance-linked away the idol and a red-coloured flag from people were booked for rioting, damaging said. Haryana has a BJP government since vitiating the atmosphere through conver- incentives,” the company said. the premises to prevent the situation from a place of worship, theft and promoting October last year. Villagers alleged that the sions,” a villager said. IANS getting out of hand. enmity, following a complaint lodged by priest was trying to construct the church IANS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Congress, govt clash over ‘snooping’ on Rahul Furore over proforma; government trying to threaten political parties by spying: Azad

NEW DELHI: The alleged spreading misinformation on the He said the Special Protection very important persons) had been Rajiv Gandhi was recognised by Dal-United and the Samajwadi snooping on Congress vice- issue of Delhi Police proforma. Group (SPG) personnel at profiled over the years. He said the shoes he was wearing after his Party. Speaking to reporters, president Rahul Gandhi blew He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s residence had caught a Sonia Gandhi, former prime min- assassination in Sriperumbudur Naidu said Congress leaders were into a political confrontation Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi or Delhi Police official in “suspicious ister Atal Behari Vajpayee, BJP in Tamil Nadu in May 1991. running an orchestrated cam- yesterday, as the Congress their offices had never filled the circumstances” on March 2 and leaders L K Advani, Arun Jaitley, He said if it was snooping, paign to show they were “more charged the BJP with a “police proforma. the proforma carried by the police Rajnath Singh and Sushma police would do it on the sly and loyal than king” and their strat- state mentality” while the gov- Parliamentary Affairs Minister official had questions like name of Swaraj were among those profiled. not seek details after coming to egy had boomeranged. ernment dismissed the episode M Venkaiah Naidu said the father, complexion, colour of eyes Naidu said Vajpayee had also anyone’s house. “I can understand Singhvi, however, said the gov- as a “non-issue”. Congress had a “track record” and kind of shoes worn by Gandhi. been asked questions about his you are short of issues. Don’t ernment was “deliberately trying The issue figured both inside of snooping and alleged that “Rahul ji is under protection of dress and footwear. “Sonia ji... invent an issue which does not to confuse the issue”. He said the and outside parliament, as then finance minister Pranab SPG. The government has minute same proforma was given to her. exist,” he added. party’s objections were not about Congress members raised it vocif- Mukherjee had complained to to minute information (about his It is a routine exercise. Nothing to Raising the issue in the Rajya a proforma being filled. “We had erously in both houses. The issue then prime minister Manmohan movements). Why was a pro- do with this model or that. Gujarat Sabha, Azad said he had not come a police state mentality first in a was raised was raised by Congress Singh about alleged bugging forma sent?” he asked. is pride of the country... (you) are across such a proforma though state and now overall. When you leader Mallikarjun Kharge in devices in his office. Gandhi is, at present, on making an issue out of non-issue. he had Z-plus security for many are in opposition, big brother is the Lok Sabha and Leader of He also said there was distrust “leave of absence” to reflect My government does not believe in years. “Is the government try- watching you,” he said, and alleged Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad in on the issue between the finance on the Congress party’s future surveillance,” Naidu said. ing to threaten political parties that such a watch extended to the Rajya Sabha. The Congress ministry and home ministry. course. Kharge alleged that the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by such spying?” Azad asked. allies of the NDA and some BJP staged a walkout over the issue Raising the issue of alleged snoop- government wanted to suppress said the issue concerning security “Religious freedom is going down, members also. in the upper house. ing on Rahul Gandhi in the Lok its opponents. “Is it the Gujarat should not be trivialised. and now political freedom is going He said if information was to be The spat continued outside Sabha, Kharge said Delhi Police model in BJP government? What He referred to the Congress’ down. The home minister should obtained, police could have sent a the house, with Congress spokes- paid three visits to his residence is the thinking going on about digs at the proforma seeking make a statement,” he said. questionnaire to Gandhi’s office person Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the past 15 days and asked who opponents?” he asked. information about shoes, and said He was joined by other oppo- or sought an interview. accusing the government of ordered the visits. Naidu said 526 VVIPs (very the body of former prime minister sition parties like the Janata IANS Police fire water Five Left legislators cannon at land suspended bill protesters in Kerala THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala assembly yesterday NEW DELHI: The Congress At least 5-6 people were injured, passed a resolution moved by yesterday hit the streets pro- which is wrong.” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy testing against the land acqui- Congress spokesperson suspending five Left legislators sition bill as over 500 party Abhishek Manu Singhvi later for the rest of the session for workers, including women, said 50 people were injured in the unruly conduct on Friday. were detained when they broke baton-charge and were taken to The five are E P Jayarajan, K barricades while marching hospital. Amarinder Singh, who T Jaleel, K Ajith, V Sivan Kutty towards parliament. was leading the protest, claimed and K Kunhammad. Youth Congress workers, he received injuries in his right The assembly witnessed unruly joined by senior party leaders hand when police resorted to scenes on Friday as Left members like Anand Sharma, Ghulam Nabi baton-charge and used water broke the Speaker’s chair and the Azad, Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel cannons. electronic equipment on his desk and Oscar Fernandes, marched Party leader Randeep Surjewala to register their protest against towards parliament raising slo- said: “The BJP is anti-farmer and Finance Minister K M Mani, who gans against the bill and the cen- it stands exposed today... farm- they did not want to present the tral government. ers and the Congress will win this Police use water cannon to disperse protesters led by the Congress party in New Delhi yesterday. budget, calling him corrupt. Police said the number of pro- fight.” Azad said: “The BJP has Yesterday, when the session testers was around 4,000 and as been a party of capitalists. They and despite our peaceful protest, station and met all the detained government. Modi’s supporters started, everything appeared they reached Parliament Street are not at all concerned for the they used water cannons on us,” Youth Congress workers. Later, say the current law has held up calm. After the hour-long ques- — a few hundred metres from welfare of the farmers.” Amarinder Singh said. “We are police released all the workers. infrastructure projects worth bil- tion hour ended, Speaker N parliament — the crowd turned Another party leader Sachin against the land bill of the NDA The march by the Youth lions of dollars. Sakthan said Friday’s events in aggressive and broke barricades Pilot said: “The BJP is the same government. When the BJP was Congress workers began on Friday The bill exempts projects for and outside the assembly made put up by police. party that had proposed changes in opposition, they had said they from Bhatta-Parsaul village in defence, housing and power along everyone hand their heads in Some protesters climbed atop in the land acquisition bill but will allow a land bill which is in Uttar Pradesh and reached Rajghat with industrial corridors from the shame. He then invited various the barricades and waved party today they are opposing (the favour of farmers, but they are on Sunday night. Congress sources law’s current provisions — under party leaders for a discussion. flags. They also indulged in slo- changes) them.” now going against this.” said party president Sonia Gandhi which 80 percent of affected land- After two hours, the house ganeering. Policemen in riot gear The contentious land bill has Ahmed Patel said: “Police have and a few leaders were likely to owners must agree to a sale and reconvened. Chandy announced used water cannons and batons sailed smoothly through the Lok adopted this violent attitude meet President Pranab Mukherjee tenant farmers must be compen- that it had been decided to sus- to force the crowd to retreat Sabha due to the NDA’s major- against the peaceful protest of today to discuss the issue. sated at up to four times the mar- pend the five Left legislators. while some were detained. Over ity, but the government is facing our Youth Congress workers, who The draft law would make it eas- ket price. “In a democracy everyone has a 500 protesters were detained, stiff resistance in the Rajya Sabha were protesting in favour of farm- ier to acquire land for crucial infra- Opponents say it favours busi- right to protest but it has to be including Youth Congress presi- where it lacks the numbers, with ers.” “We are not going to stop structure projects as part of Prime nesses too heavily at the expense done within limits of civility and dent Amarinder Singh. the opposition determined to stall and this protest will go on across Minister Narendra Modi’s pledges of farmers, millions of whom are decency,” he said. Some protesters including its passage. the country.” to revive economy after storming mired in poverty. The existing A furious V S Achuthanandan, women were injured. Soni said: “We were going to protest at Leaders, including Patel, Soni, to power at elections last May. law was a key initiative of the the opposition leader and a former “Police adopted a harsh atti- parliament in a peaceful man- Fernandes and Kumari Selja, vis- The bill overhauls legislation Congress party’s decade in power. chief minister, condemned the tude to disperse the protesters. ner. We were stopped by police ited the Parliament Street police passed by the previous left-leaning IANS/AFP arbitrary attitude of the Speaker and the government in going ahead with the decision. “We disagree with this one-sided action. Why is that you did not take any action against your legis- Airwaves are public property, not SC: Don’t insist on Aadhar lators who outraged the modesty of five lady legislators that day? “We had warned that the situ- card for social benefits ation will be tough if you allow monopoly of the state: Jaitley Mani to present the budget... The NEW DELHI: The Supreme Subramanium had appeared for two people who are responsible for NEW DELHI: Airwaves are “(There should be) 600 com- Court yesterday asked the one of the petitioners. this are Mani and Chandy,” he said. public property and the myth munity radio stations by the end central and state governments The court did not appear After that, the entire opposi- that they are the monopoly of 12th plan,” Julka said. not to insist on possessing appreciative when Solicitor tion trooped into the well of the of the state has been broken, He said Prime Minister Aadhar card for availing ben- General Ranjit Kumar submitted house. Despite requests from the Information and Broadcasting Narendra Modi has laid lot of efits under the various social that some states were not abiding speaker and Chandy, the five sus- Minister Arun Jaitley (pic- emphasis on community radio and security schemes as it reit- by the court order. pended legislators refused to leave tured) said yesterday as he his ‘Maan Ki Baat’ programme erated an order it passed in “It is your duty to ensure our the house. Amid the din, Chandy pitched for expansion of com- on radio has reached all parts of September 2013. orders are followed. You can’t moved a resolution to suspend the munity radio. the country. A bench of Justice say states are not following our sitting for the entire week. Inaugurating the 5th National Julka said community radio J.Chelameswar, Justice S A Bobde order,” it told him, stressing it He also asked the speaker to Community Radio Sammelan offered a third model of radio and Justice C Nagappan, without was incumbent upon the central expunge the unparliamentarily here, Jaitley said: “The right to broadcasting in addition to com- going into concrete examples, government to ensure that the words of Achuthanandan. The free speech does not belong to mercial and public broadcasting said: “In certain quarters, Aadhar states complied with the apex media was asked not to report a broadcaster alone but also to and was one of the best tools to cards are being insisted on by var- court’s order. the expunged part of his speech. the listener as he has a right empower rural communities. ious authorities.” Directing the next hearing of Later, Achuthanandan said the to information and facts. There He said public broadcasting The Supreme Court by its the matter in the second week Left would continue its protests can’t be a better idea than com- may have to compete with the September 23, 2013, had said “no of July and noting the presence till Mani resigned. IANS munity radio (for its effective community radio in the future. person should suffer for not get- of the centre and all the states, implementation).” The three-day workshop at ting the Adhaar card inspite of the court said: “We expect all to Spectrum auction Jaitley said the idea of com- Vigyan Bhavan here brings the fact that some authorities scrupulously adhere to our order munity radio in most parts of together operators, policy mak- had issued a circular making it dated 23 Sept 2013.” NEW DELHI: The govern- the country had been a “wonder- ers, UN agencies and other stake- mandatory and when any person The court’s order came as it ment received commitments of ful idea” and “it should expand”. Jaitely and Minister of State holders for exchange of ideas and applies to get the Adhaar Card took up the batch of petitions Rs103,046 crore from telecom The minister said there was for Information and Broadcasting cross learning. voluntarily, it may be checked challenging the Aadhar card operators at the end of bidding a feeling two decades ago that Rajyavardhan Rathore also gave During the conference, discus- whether that person is enti- which were last heard by it on yesterday, the 11th day of radio airwaves were a monopoly of the awards to community radio sta- sion will be held on community tled for it under the law and it April 28, 2014. frequency spectrum e-auctions. state. “That myth was broken. tions in different categories. radio movement in the country should not be given to any illegal Karnataka High Court’s former “The bidding is taking place Airwaves are public property.” Information and Broadcasting and its role in setting the agenda immigrant.” judge K S Puttaswamy had moved in all bands. Brisk bidding was He said the conference would Ministry Secretary Bimal Julka for discourse on development at The Court reiterated its the court in 2012 contending that seen on 11th day of bidding, with provide valuable feedback to the said the government had so far the local level. order after senior counsel the entire Aadhar scheme was activity requirement set at 100 ministry for its policy formula- issued 409 permissions to set The information and broad- Gopal Subramanium drew the unconstitutional as the biomet- percent. There is robust bid- tions. Jaitley released a compen- up community radio stations in casting ministry has been organ- attention of the court towards ric data collected under it was an ding going on in 1800 MHz, 900 dium containing inspiring stories India, of which 179 stations have ising the sammelan anually since the Delhi government directive incursion and transgression of MHz and 800 MHz bands,” the of community radios from all over become operational and others 2011. insisting on an Aadhar card for individual privacy. Department of Telecom (DoT) the country. were in the pipeline. IANS the registration of marriages. IANS said in a statement here. IANS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Coloured eggs

Fajr (Dawn) 4:26 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:42 Zuhr (Noon) 11:42 Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:44 Isha (Night) 7:14

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Clear Clear Clear Slight dust to dusty at places

High: 28° High: 27° High: 26° and partly cloudy Low: 20° Low: 22° Low: 23° to cloudy at times with a chance of light rain at places by evening.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:42 17:44 02:30 & 14:30 09:45 & 20:00 05-15 KT Cooked eggs are coloured on the production line at the Schrall coloured eggs company in the Austrian Village of Diendorf yesterday. Schrall is one of Austria’s biggest coloured eggs producers and makes between eight and 10 million coloured eggs throughout the year. THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 31/24 Clear 31/25 Clear MAKKAH 37/23 Clear 36/24 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 25/17 Rain 22/16 Thunderstom BAHRAIN 28/21 Partly cloudy 26/19 Partly cloudy UN to create playlist of happiness SANAA 28/12 Clear 28/12 Clear RIYADH 31/18 Partly cloudy 28/18 Mostly cloudy NEW YORK: What is hap- singer-songwriters Ed Sheeran agreement on climate change at a suffering from poverty, human DUBAI 33/24 Clear 33/23 Clear piness? The United Nations and James Blunt, US singer-song- UN-led conference in Paris later rights abuses, humanitarian cri- BAGHDAD 25/12 Clear 28/13 Clear is teaming up with pop stars writer John Legend, French DJ this year. ses and the effects of environ- to create a playlist that asks, David Guetta and the Portuguese The United Nations in 2012 mental degradation and climate THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW in musical form, that eternal pop star David Carreira. declared an International Day change,” Ban said. question. UN Secretary-General Ban of Happiness — which coincides Last year, the International HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER A campaign launched on Ki-moon, who is not generally with the first day of spring in Day of Happiness invited music ATHENS 13/07 Partly cloudy 13/06 Partly cloudy Monday is asking listeners known for his rock star per- the Northern Hemisphere — fans around the world to dance WASHINGTON 19/01 Partly cloudy 09/-1 Clear around the world to post through sona, announced the initiative after an initiative by Bhutan, the to Pharrell Williams’ hit Happy, social media the songs that make in an MTV-style video in which Himalayan land that measures creating a viral sensation. SYDNEY 31/19 Partly cloudy 29/18 Sunny them happy, with the playlist he offered his vote for Stevie a “Gross National Happiness” The campaign, which did not LONDON 14/04 Showers 13/03 Partly cloudy to be revealed on Friday on the Wonder’s 1970 hit Signed, Sealed, instead of a standard economic specify restrictions on genre, PARIS 18/06 Sunny 19/07 Partly cloudy UN-declared International Day Delivered. indicator. asked music fans to post songs ISTANBUL 09/02 Mostly sunny 06/02 Mostly sunny of Happiness. Ban said that the song — also “On this day we are using the on social media with the hashtag MANILA 33/21 Mostly sunny 33/23 Mostly sunny The curators who will assess known to be a favourite of US universal language of music to #HappySoundsLike. The playl- DHAKA 34/23 Partly cloudy 34/20 Sunny the responses and determine President Barack Obama — rep- show solidarity with the mil- ist will be released by streaming DELHI 26/14 Sunny 28/14 Sunny the playlist include the British resented his hopes for a successful lions of people around the world service MixRadio. AFP ISLAMABAD 24/11 Sunny 26/11 Partly cloudy Young US adults want news, not the newspaper: Study

WASHINGTON: America’s young But the findings showed “that this new- said. As a result, Facebook has become a survey offers a bleak outlook for traditional adults want news, but few want to read est generation of American adults is any- key source of news for the 18-to-34 genera- media like newspapers hoping to boost paid a newspaper. And most stumble onto thing but ‘newsless,’ passive or civically tion: some 88 percent said they get news subscribers. news while on Facebook or other social uninterested”. The study found that young from the social network regularly. Just 12 percent of the respondents said networks. adults don’t get news in the same way as Some 47 percent said they got most of they paid for a print newspaper subscrip- Those are among the findings of a survey their parents and grandparents. their news on national politics and govern- tion in the past year, while another 13 per- released Monday of 18- to 34-year-olds by “This generation tends not to consume ment from Facebook, 62 percent said the cent said they read a newspaper for which a project of the American Press Institute news in discrete sessions or by going social network was their primary source someone else pays. and the Associated Press-NORC Center directly to news providers,” the report said. for news on social issues and 41 percent Just seven percent in the survey said for Public Affairs Research. “Instead, news and information are for international news. they paid for a digital subscription to a Some 85 percent of “millennials” sur- woven into an often continuous but mindful Facebook was the top source of news newspaper. The authors said many of the veyed said that keeping up with news is way that millennials connect to the world for 13 of 24 news topics, the survey found. respondents felt they should not have to important to them and 69 percent said generally, which mixes news with social The report said these social news consum- pay for news. “We heard the notion that, they get news daily. The researchers said connection, problem solving, social action ers are often drawn into topics they might because news is important for democracy, the study appears to allay concerns that and entertainment.” Much of the news otherwise have ignored because peers are people feel they should not have to pay for A Sotheby’s employee shows the young adults are apathetic about the world young adults get is from social networks recommending and commenting on them. it,” the study said. 100.2-carat diamond in Dubai. around them. such as Facebook, even though they often Despite the notion that social media “It should be more of a civic right because The millennial generation “spends more go to these platforms for other reasons. creates a polarising “filter bubble”, some it is a civic good.” The report is based on time on social networks, often on mobile Just 39 percent said they went online 70 percent of millennials said their social a survey of 1,046 young adults between Flawless diamond devices. The worry is that millennials’ to seek out news or information and 60 media feeds are comprised of diverse January 5 and February 2, with a margin awareness of the world, as a result, is nar- percent said they “mostly bump into news” viewpoints—evenly mixed between those of error estimated at 3.8 percentage points. on show in Dubai row,” the authors said. during unrelated online activity, the report who agree and disagree with them. The AFP

DUBAI: An internally “flaw- less” 100.2-carat diamond was on show in Dubai yesterday ahead of being sold at auction next month by Sotheby’s, where it could fetch up to $25m. Time stands still in The stone, which was discovered a decade ago in the De Beers mines of South Africa, will go under the hammer at a “Magnificent Jewels” ‘scarecrow village’ sale in New York in April, the auc- tion house said. NAGORO: Tsukimi Ayano At 65, Ayano is among the One of five diamonds weighing made her first scarecrow 13 youngest residents of Nagoro. The more than 100 carats that have years ago to frighten off birds village school was shut in 2012 surfaced on the market over the pecking at seeds in her garden. after its two pupils graduated. past 25 years, the jewel’s estimated The life-sized straw doll resem- But the building is now occu- sale price is between $19m-$25m, bled her father, so she made pied by Ayano’s scarecrows: according to Sotheby’s. more. And then couldn’t stop. Students at their desks and in The auction house describes Today, the tiny village of Nagoro corridors, a teacher by the black- it as the “ultimate emerald-cut in southern Japan is teeming with board, while a suit-wearing school diamond, weighing 100.20 carats, Ayano’s hand-sewn creations, fro- principal looks on. Each of the 350 D colour, internally flawless” and zen in time for a tableau that cap- scarecrows crafted by Ayano over “unlike any diamond offered at tures the motions of everyday life. the years was built on a wooden auction before”. Frank Everett, Scarecrows pose in houses, fields, base, with newspapers and cloth Sotheby’s vice-president of sales trees, streets, and at a crowded used to fill them out. for jewellery, said that the dia- bus stop - where they wait for a They are often dressed in hand- mond was “for anyone who really bus that never comes. “In this vil- me-downs, and the ones propped desires the best of the best”. lage, there are only 35 people,” said up outdoors lined with plastic to AFP Ayano. “But there are 150 scare- keep them dry. crows, so it’s multiple times more.” Still, the weather plays spoil- Nagoro, like many villages in sport and Ayano has often had Japan’s countryside, has been to replace scarecrows exposed to Tsukimi Ayano arranges a scarecrow, which represents her father, in the mountain village of Nagoro on Shikoku hit hard by inhabitants flocking the open air. Sometimes, the new Island in southern Japan. to cities for work and leaving ones she makes are made to order, mostly pensioners behind. Its usually in the likeness of young Suzuki, a 68-year-old resident. to the village, next to a board her favourite television soap greying community is a micro- people who have left Nagoro or “So it’s indeed something to bring identifying Nagoro as “Scarecrow opera. On her daily rounds, she cosm of Japan, whose population residents who have died. back memories.” Village”. walks around the village bidding has been falling for a decade and “They’re created as requests for Tourists have started to come Ayano is happy to show her her motionless creations a good is projected to drop from 127 those who’ve lost their grandfa- too, drawn by the two lifeless del- work to visitors, as long as she morning and tends to their needs. million to 87 million by 2060. ther or grandmother,” said Osamu egates guarding the road leading is not disturbed while watching REUTERS Tuesday 17 March 2015 26 Jumada I 1436 Volume 20 Number 6372 Price: QR2

India ‘bright spot’ in gloomy world economy

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar seeks regulatory norms for Islamic finance QCB head calls for global regulatory framework for the sector’s stability

DOHA: Qatar, a big player in of people, H E Abdullah bin Sauod Conference — a two-day event — where they can provide a financial global Islamic finance, has called Al Thani said. which concluded here yesterday. alternative and help sustainable for a global regulatory frame- Islamic financial institutions The assets of world Islamic economic development efforts. work for the industry, saying it may face problems in attracting banks are estimated at a stagger- Investment gaps in the African is needed to ensure the sector’s liquidity due to a lack of prod- ing $1.8 trillion, said the Governor. continent are about $41 billion a stability. uct diversification, he warned. In Qatar four Islamic banks con- year, the Governor said. “We need a regulatory and mon- “Risks increase considerably in trol over 25 percent of the coun- Falling oil prices did not bode itoring authority for the growing the absence of adequate product try’s banking assets. well for the world economy, he said. world Islamic banking and finan- diversification.” He said that aside from the four And as the dollar has been firm- cial industry,” said the head of Efforts have indeed been made Islamic banks (the first, Qatar ing up the demand for crude has Qatar’s banking regulator. to diversify Islamic financial prod- Islamic Bank, having been set up in been going down. Shale petrol has An important task of the ucts, but they are not enough. 1982), there were Islamic financial affected supplies. authority would, naturally, be Diversification is the need of the services institutions as well that About the world economy, the to collect data on credit risks of hour particularly as the needs of were Shariah-compliant. QCB boss said that it continued to Islamic financial institutions so big-time global investors must be About Islamic bonds (sukuks), suffer from a slowdown in growth. that those risks could be identi- met. “What is needed is innovation the QCB chief said that they grew Last year the average growth was fied, said the Governor of Qatar and that Islamic financial institu- at an annual rate of 40 percent 2.7 percent. Central Bank (QCB). tions stick to the basic tenets that between 2005 and 2012 but the Despite the improving US econ- There are certain high-risk are their guiding principles. They pace was slowing down now due omy, the fall in jobless rate to 5.5 areas in the Islamic banking and must not digress,” Sheikh Abdullah to slackening demand. percent there did not bode well and financial sector and they, for exam- said. Islamic banks must use their the world economic slowdown may ple, include real estate and con- He was speaking at the strong liquidity positions to look eventually affect the US economy sumer lending to certain categories Institute of International Finance and expand to areas such as Africa as well. THE PENINSULA QCB Governor H E Abdullah bin Sauod Al Thani at the conference.

QIIC AGM approves QR4 per share dividend Fitch upgrades QIB rating

DOHA: Qatar Islamic Insurance Company (QIIC) to A+ with stable outlook Annual General Assembly (AGM) yesterday approved DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank percent, one of the lowest in the board’s proposal to distribute (QIB), the country’s lead- industry, reflecting the quality dividend of QR4 per share. ing Islamic bank, has had its of our financing assets portfolio “The Board of Directors, in Fitch rating of Long Term IDR and its effective risk management co-ordination with Shariah upgraded to ‘A+’ from the previ- framework,” added Gamal. Supervisory Board, has decided ously held ‘A’ with a stable out- “Further, QIB continues to to reimburse policyholders with look, according to a statement pursue the conservative impair- cash surplus equaling 20 percent yesterday. ment policy with the coverage of the premium written in 2014, QIB’s Sukuk Funding Ltd also ratio for non-performing financ- still highest so far. As for the had its senior unsecured trust ing assets reaching 101 percent shareholders, the Board proposes certificates’ Long-Term Rating as of December 2014, up from 94 to your assembly the distribution upgraded to ‘A+’ from ‘A’; while percent compared to December of cash dividends of 40 percent of both its trust certificate issuance 2013.” the paid up capital, which equals programme and senior unsecured “To further strengthen the QR4 per share,” said Sheikh trust certificates’ Long-Term Bank’s capital base and support Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, Rating were upgraded to ‘A+’ the future business growth, the Chairman, QIIC while address- from ‘A’. latest QIB’s General Assembly ing company’s 20th AGM. Bassel Gamal, QIB Group’s approved the issuance of Basel He said despite challenging CEO, welcomed Fitch’s confir- III compliant Additional Tier 1 economic environment, the com- mation of the Bank’s financial Sukuk up to a maximum amount pany will consolidate its market strength. of QR5bn.” position in the current year. “The upgraded ratings confirm “This is still subject to approval “Although we recognise that FROM LEFT: QIIC Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, Chief Coordinator and Board Member Dr Sheikh the strong financial position of of Qatar Central Bank and the 2015 will pose a real challenge Khalid bin Thani Al Thani and CEO Ali Ibrahim Al Abdulghani at the AGM in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Qatar, the banking sector outlook regulatory authorities, but a very to the Qatari private sector and, and QIB’s financial vigour, which positive development for our especially, the Qatari joint stock success in 2015 and beyond,” he prosperity. Out approved three and profitability, and rise the has been steadily improving in ongoing and future growth,” con- companies, given the current glo- said. year strategic plan and goals will Qatarisation percentage,” said line with our long term objec- cluded Gamal. bal economic turmoil and unprec- QIIC offers a wide range of permit us to increase our share the chairman. tives,” he said. In 2014, QIB’s net profit edented competitive environment insurance products and services of insurance business in Qatar, He added that the company “In 2014, the Bank managed to reached QR1.6bn, representing a dominating the domestic insur- in accordance with Shariah. maximise our insurance under- had succeeded in exceeding in strengthen the key performance growth of 20 percent compared to ance market, we are confident “As for the future, the Board will writing capacities, retention business and operational goals and risk metrics through proac- 2013. Currently, total assets of the that we will consolidate our mar- pursue with unwavering determi- and profit efficiency, re-engineer and targets in 2014 by generating tive financial and risk manage- Bank stand at QR96bn, having ket position, create new business nation, the company’s strategic our motor insurance operations, gross premium of QR235.99m and ment. QIB maintained the ratio of increased 24 percent compared opportunities in Qatar and abroad plans for the years 2014-2016 to maximise the efficiency of our aggregate net profit of QR90.57m. non-performing financing assets to the previous year. and ensure QIIC’s continued ensure tis continued growth and investment assets diversification THE PENINSULA to total financing assets at one THE PENINSULA Qatar expecting improvement in global competitiveness

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB competitiveness landscape of 144 regulations that have been laid out economies, providing insight into recently were not there in the pre- DOHA: Qatar is expecting a sig- the drivers of their productivity vious surveys. So we are optimistic nificant improvement in terms and prosperity. The report series that it will affect the factual data of the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to remains the most comprehensive (collected through the opinion sur- regain its number one position in assessment of national competi- vey) positively and help improve the Mena region in the upcom- tiveness worldwide. Qatar’s rankings in the forthcom- ing Global Competitiveness Qatar had led the Arab world ing Report,” said Abdullah. Report 2015-16, said an offi- and the Middle Eastern coun- Dr Al Emadi said: “Qatar is cial of Qatari Businessmen’s tries to rank 16th on the Global doing brilliantly, but there is still Association (QBA) at the launch Competitiveness Index that was room for improvements in several Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (centre), Dr Darwish Al Emadi (left) and Sarah Abdullah at the of the Executive Opinion Survey declared in the WEF’s annual areas, such as legislation, infra- launch of the Executive Survey 2015 in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT for this year’s report. report for 2014. Present at the press structure and labour laws among The Global Competitiveness conference were Sheikh Mohamed others. The government is mak- Report, prepared by the bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, ing a lot of efforts in this regard, The Survey, dubbed as “The Business executives operating in frame work, stable macro-eco- Switzerland-based World member of QBA; Dr Darwish and we wish to be among the top Voice of the Business Community”, Qatar will be surveyed to capture nomic environment, and efficient Economic Forum (WEF), is an Al Emadi, Director of Social 10 most competitive economies in is a major component of the Report their opinion on the business envi- goods market. The high growth annual exercise aiming at improv- and Economic Survey Research the world.” and provides the key ingredient ronment in which they operate. combined with prudent govern- ing the ease of doing business Institute (SESRI) at Qatar The QBA and SESRI in part- that turns it into a representative Conveyed by last year’s report, mental support to the financial across the world. University; and Sarah Abdullah, nership with the WEF will conduct annual measure of a nation’s eco- Qatar’s strong Competitiveness sector contributed to maintaining The Report, to be released Deputy General Manager, QBA. the Survey over the next couple of nomic environment and its ability rests on solid foundations consist- a strong macroeconomic and finan- in September, will assess the “The new business-friendly months. to achieve sustained growth. ing of high quality institutional cial stability. w THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Low oil prices may hit US output soon: Opec Sees 830,000 bpd 2015 oil surplus Oil down 2pc, Organisation comes clean on LONDON: US oil output could slow higher-cost production in start to take a hit by late 2015 the United States and elsewhere US crude hits due to low prices, Opec said yes- that had been eroding its market how much oil its members pump terday, suggesting the exporter share. 6-year low group will have to wait beyond Opec holds its next meeting in its next meeting in June to see June and comments from officials NEW YORK: Oil prices fell LONDON: Opec members’ are a few countries that I doubt programmes such as the Joint if its strategy to defend mar- so far suggest it will not adjust 2 percent yesterday, with US own versions of their oil out- have made much progress.” Organisations Data Initiative ket share will dent the shale oil policy as it waits for the strategy crude hitting six-year lows, on put were for years greeted As Opec accounts for the bulk (JODI), and comes at a time when boom. to take effect. signs of higher output in the with such scepticism that the of the world’s oil exports, its pro- Opec is defending market share The halving of oil prices since For now, Opec forecast no fur- US and Libya and a possible group resorted to publishing duction level is vital informa- from rival suppliers. June 2014 has prompted spending ther rise in demand for its crude nuclear deal that could end what others thought they were tion for traders, consumers and There is little disagreement cuts by oil companies and a drop in 2015, trimming the forecast sanctions for Iran, allowing producing. governments. over the output rate of top pro- in US drilling, raising expecta- slightly to 29.19 million bpd, and more of its oil into the market. That gave rise to a mini-indus- The trouble is that finding ducer Saudi Arabia, which told tions of slowing output in coun- left unchanged its estimate of A market data provider esti- try of Opec watchers, tapping that number is no easy task Opec it pumped 9.64 million bpd tries outside the Organisation global growth in oil demand this mated a fresh build of more secretive sources to track every due to a dearth of timely official in February while the secondary of the Petroleum Exporting year. In last month’s report, Opec than 3 million barrels at the barrel. Output was hotly con- information. sources estimated 9.68 million Countries (Opec). had sharply increased the 2015 Cushing, Oklahoma delivery tested when the group squabbled Due to that challenge, the bpd. But in a monthly report, Opec forecast of demand for its oil due point for US crude futures last over member quotas, which have Organisation of the Petroleum “We are at a serious moment left its forecast for non-Opec to a lower outlook for non-Opec week, traders said, adding to since been abandoned. But yes- Exporting Countries since 2012 with Opec defending mar- supply this year unchanged and supply. Opec’s report confirmed worries that stockpiles in the terday, Opec issued a set of pro- in its monthly report has pub- ket share,” said the oil market said output of US “tight” oil, also other estimates suggesting its US could hit record highs for a duction figures as reported to its lished two sets of numbers — one expert. “It makes sense to be known as shale, might only start production declined in February tenth straight week. Vienna Secretariat by member- from member-countries them- transparent.” to be curbed towards the end of and projected a slightly smaller Brent’s expiring front-month countries, without any countries selves, and one from the second- The figures still show some the year. “Tight crude producers global supply surplus in 2015, contract closed down $1.23 and missing from the total for the first ary sources. long-standing output claims by are aware that typical oil wells without output cuts by Opec or went off the board at $53.44 a time in months. The two often show wide dif- Opec members to be pumping at in shale plays decline 60 percent other producers. barrel, hitting a six-week low of These also showed the differ- ferences. But the gap between different levels than estimated by annually, and that losses can only With Opec pumping 30.02 mil- $52.50 earlier. US crude futures ence between Opec output based their Opec output total has now the secondary sources. be recouped by drilling new wells,” lion bpd in February, according settled down 96 cents at $43.88. on member-countries’ own sub- narrowed to about 230,000 bar- For example, Venezuela told Opec said. “As drilling subsides to secondary sources cited in the It had tumbled nearly $2 earlier missions, and that provided by rels per day (bpd) in the February Opec it pumped 2.74 million bpd due to high costs and a potentially report, Opec indicates there will to a March 2009 low of $42.85. Opec’s list of secondary sources, 2015 estimates published on in February, while the secondary sustained low oil price, a drop in be a supply surplus of 830,000 bpd Technical analysts see the next which include consultants and Monday, from almost 1 million sources estimated production at production can be expected to fol- in 2015 and 2 million bpd in the low at $37. The selloff in crude industry media, to be narrow- bpd in the first data set given in 2.34 million bpd. low, possibly by late 2015.” first half - less than in January. extended to refined products, ing. “I can see some countries 2012. And large differences persist. Oil’s collapse from $115 a bar- Saudi Arabia, which led Opec’s with petrol ending nearly 2 per- trying to address these problems The change could reflect efforts The secondary sources put Iraq’s rel in 2014 gained impetus after no-cut strategy, reported a small, cent down and heating oil about and publish better data,” said an by Opec and other government February production 540,000 bpd Opec refused to cut output at a 40,000-bpd dip in February output 1 percent lower. REUTERS oil market expert working for a agencies to improve the trans- higher than Iraq itself. November meeting, seeking to to 9.64 million bpd. REUTERS European government. “But there parency of oil markets through REUTERS

Protest at ECB headquarters Qatar stock Draghi calls for ‘quantum index dips 203.04 points leap’ in European integration

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index FRANKFURT: Describing the yet converged sufficiently to dis- dropped 203.04 points, or 1.70 eurozone economy as “steadily pel doubts about the bloc’s cohe- percent, when it closed at recovering”, European Central sion, said Draghi, stressing: “We 11,761.11 points yesterday. Bank President Mario Draghi have now integrated too much The traded value increased (pictured) called yesterday for to even entertain reversing the QR380.51m with a volume of a “quantum leap” in European process — our economies are far 7,613,824 shares from 5,138 trans- integration so countries share too intertwined.” actions compared to QR292.25m more sovereignty. Draghi has been pushing deeper with a volume of 7,372,780 A week after the ECB began integration since early 2012, when shares from 4,710 transactions printing money to buy sovereign the eurozone debt crisis led him on Sunday. Indices of all sectors bonds, Draghi said the bank’s and other top crisis-fighting ended in the red for the second stimulus, lower oil prices and figures to work on a roadmap consecutive day. structural reforms in eurozone towards a banking union, fiscal Telecoms sector index fell economies were helping support union, economic union and politi- the most, down by 2.54 percent growth in the 19-country bloc. cal union. to 1,321.87 points. Industries “We are meeting against the His French predecessor, Jean- dropped 1.92 percent. backdrop of a steadily recovering Claude Trichet, called in 2011 Banks and financial services economic situation in the euro for a central European finance index fell 1.34 percent, insurance area,” he said in a speech for ministry. 1.22 percent, consumer goods and delivery at a finance conference. sovereign bonds until September The Italian ECB president services 1.18 percent. “Most indicators suggest a sus- 2016, or beyond if needed to see a noted Europe’s fiscal rules have Transport and real estate index tained recovery is taking hold,” he sustained adjustment in inflation repeatedly been broken, straining fell 0.79 percent each to 2,464.99 added. “Confidence among firms back towards the ECB target. trust among countries. and 2,361.33 points, respectively. and consumers is rising. Growth The central bank projects its In response, he proposed From the 43 listed companies forecasts have been revised QE plan will turbo-charge a frail deeper institutional integration, on QSE, shares of 37 were traded upwards. And bank lending is euro zone recovery, already helped with more shared sovereignty today. From these 35 went down, improving on both the demand by lower oil prices and a revival in and strengthened accountability none gained and two remained and supply sides.” bank lending. But Draghi warned of the European Union towards unchanged. The ECB had helped generate the currency area’s economies its citizens. Other Gulf stock markets, this upturn, said Draghi. Earlier and institutions have not con- “In sum, my conclusion is that including the previously resilient yesterday, the ECB said it set- verged sufficiently. there must be a quantum leap in Saudi Arabia, extended losses tled €9.751bn ($10.30bn) of pub- “This is why, whenever there institutional convergence,” Draghi alongside oil, while Egypt dropped lic-sector bond purchases in the is a serious shock in any part of said. on profit-taking after a strong first week of the programme to the euro area, questions about the “We need to move from a sys- run and ahead of a fresh public pump more than €1 trillion into sustainability of the union still tem of rules and guidelines for offer of shares. Saudi Arabia’s the eurozone economy. arise,” he said, pressing coun- national economic policy making, Police set up barbed wire beside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt stock index posted its biggest Under this quantitative eas- tries to reform their economies to a system of further sovereignty yesterday. German police prepare prior to a Blockupy alliance protest single-day loss in two months, ing (QE), the ECB intends to to stand on their own two feet. sharing within common institu- during the official opening day of the new ECB headquarters tomorrow. dropping 2.0 percent. AGENCIES buy €60bn a month of mainly Eurozone countries had not tions,” he added. REUTERS Lew meets Jaresko Facebook clarifies guidelines on posts WASHINGTON: Facebook general counsel Chris Sonderby. But it also pointed out “that yesterday updated its “com- “While our policies and stand- something that may be disa- munity standards” guidelines, ards themselves are not chang- greeable or disturbing to you giving users more clarity on ing, we have heard from people may not violate our community acceptable posts relating to that it would be helpful to pro- standards.” nudity, violence, hate speech vide more clarity and examples, The move comes with and other contentious topics. so we are doing so with today’s Facebook and other social media The world’s biggest social update.” struggling with defining accept- network said it does not allow a The new guidelines say able content and freedom of presence from groups advocat- Facebook members should use expression. “It’s a challenge to ing “terrorist activity, organised their “authentic name,” a move maintain one set of standards criminal activity or promoting that appears to head off criticism that meets the needs of a diverse hate.” from people who used stage or global community,” the blog post The new guidelines say performance names instead of said. “This is particularly chal- Facebook will take down their legal name. lenging for issues such as hate “graphic images when they are In October Facebook said it speech. Hate speech has always shared for sadistic pleasure or would ease its “real names” pol- been banned on Facebook, and in to celebrate or glorify violence.” icy that prompted drag queen our new community standards, Nudity is also removed in performers to quit the social we explain our efforts to keep many cases but allowed for network and sparked wider pro- our community free from this images of breastfeeding, art tests in the gay community and kind of abusive language.” or medical conditions. “These beyond. Facebook said earlier this standards are designed to create Facebook’s new guidelines said year it was putting warnings on an environment where people it would remove content, disa- “graphic content,” which would feel motivated and empowered ble accounts and work with law also be banned for users under to treat each other with empa- enforcement “when we believe 18. In 2013, Facebook ended up thy and respect,” said a blog that there is a genuine risk of banning a beheading video after US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew (left) shakes hands with Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko before post from Facebook global policy physical harm or direct threats outrage followed a lifting of the their meeting at the Treasury Department in Washington yesterday. chief Monika Bickert and deputy to public safety.” ban. AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Kuwait plans to introduce corporate tax as oil slumps

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait a meeting with IMF representa- citizens and expatriates but it has also increased public spending revenues but the sharp drop in to end this fiscal year with a sur- has sought help from the tives, the official KUNA news requires foreign firms to pay 15 from under $13bn to more than prices is expected to substantially plus — albeit smaller than usual International Monetary Fund agency reported. percent tax on their profits. $77bn this fiscal year, mostly on reduce its income. — for the 16th year in a row. The to introduce corporate taxes in The two sides discussed ways The IMF has in the past wages and subsidies. Kuwait’s revenues in the first government has announced the a bid to diversify revenue in the of introducing corporate taxes advised Kuwait to subject local Earlier this year, the emirate 10 months of the current fis- 2015-2016 budget with a $24bn face of falling oil prices, a min- for Kuwaiti and foreign compa- companies to corporate tax as stopped diesel, kerosene and avia- cal year dropped 16 percent to deficit despite slashing spending ister said yesterday. nies operating in the oil-rich Gulf part of a series of measures aimed tion fuel subsidies and the finance $74.5bn compared to $88.8bn last by 17.8 percent to $65.1bn. “The IMF will prepare a pre- state after the recent introduc- at boosting non-oil revenues and ministry is considering similar year, according to finance minis- There are about 1.25 million liminary report on how to impose tion of a new corporate law, the cutting spending. measures for petrol, electricity try figures. In the same period, Kuwaitis in the tiny gulf kingdom, taxes on companies in Kuwait,” minister said. Kuwait has posted a budget and water. oil income dived 17.3 percent to in addition to 2.9 million foreign- Commerce and Industry Minister Kuwait currently imposes no surplus in each of the past 15 fis- Oil income contributed around $68.3bn from $82.5bn. ers. It pumps about 2.8 million Abdulmohsen al-Mudej said after taxes on local companies, Kuwaiti cal years due to high oil prices but 94 percent of Kuwait’s public The emirate is however forecast barrels of oil per day. AFP

Banco Madrid New failure rules put UK announces bankers under pressure insolvency Bankers will be presumed guilty until proven innocent procedure MADRID: Spanish lender Banco LONDON: Senior bankers whom the £66bn ($99bn) tax- assess the “fitness and propriety” Madrid said it was launching will be presumed guilty until payer-funded bailouts of RBS of staff who are “deemed capable insolvency proceedings yesterday proven innocent under strict and Lloyds are still fresh in the of causing significant harm to the after clients rushed to withdraw new rules proposed by British memory. firm or any of its customers”. their money when its Andorran regulators seeking to hold indi- Many Britons complained that The regulator is also consult- mother company was hit by a viduals accountable for bank no senior bankers faced criminal ing on proposals to extend the money-laundering scandal. failures. action for those failures. new rules to staff at the UK Regulators in Andorra on The Financial Conduct “Today’s policy measures are branches of foreign banks. March 10 took control of Banca Authority (FCA) yesterday an important step in ensuring The new regime was born out Privada d’Andorra (BPA) after US announced details of a “pre- that regulators have the tools at of recommendations made by authorities said they suspected it sumption of responsibility” rule their disposal to hold individuals parliament’s Banking Standards of letting international criminal which requires senior manag- to account and they build on the Commission, which was set up groups launder money. ers to demonstrate that where a cultural change we are beginning to find ways to improved culture Spain’s central bank then firm is guilty of misconduct they to see in the boardrooms of firms and conduct within the industry. promptly took over the manage- “took such steps as a person in across the country,” FCA Chief But the commission’s chair- ment of BPA’s subsidiary Banco their position could reasonably Executive Martin Wheatley said. man, Andrew Tyrie, criticised Madrid, a private investment be expected to take” to avoid it The outline of the new rules the plans, saying they affected too manager, prompting customers to happening. was already known, with new many staff, and regulators should withdraw their cash. Its provisional “The reversed burden of proof powers being put in place to jail narrow the certification regime Bank of Spain administrators will put senior managers at banks bankers for up to seven years for to focus on those who could seri- decided “to apply for insolvency under real pressure,” said Simon reckless misconduct. ously harm a firm, its customers proceedings this morning”, Banco Morris, financial services partner Speaking at an event hosted or the financial system. Madrid said in a statement. The with law firm CMS. by Bloomberg, Wheatley said the “The scope of the conduct rules US Treasury’s Financial Crimes In a concession to the industry, new rules were not a “heads on proposed by the FCA appears far Enforcement Network (FinCEN) the FCA has decided the rules sticks” strategy. too wide given that it extends to classed BPA as “a foreign financial will not apply to non-executive “There is no sense in which everyone but ‘ancillary staff’. institution of primary money laun- directors who do not have del- we will use this for some form of In other words, the rules would dering concern” in a statement. egated responsibilities. institutionalised scalp-hunting,” cover almost everyone but the It said it had “information The proposals are in response he said. “In fact, our expectation cleaners,” Tyrie said. indicating that, for several years, to public anger over scandals is that the heightened account- The regulator said the new high-level managers at BPA have such as the rigging of benchmark ability will reduce the need for rules would be finalised by the knowingly facilitated transactions interest and foreign exchange individual pursuits by regulators.” summer. Britain’s finance min- on behalf of third-party money A policeman walks past a closed Banco Madrid branch in Madrid yesterday. rates which exacerbated the The rules also include a certi- istry has said they will need to launderers acting on behalf of Small Spanish bank Banco Madrid has filed for bankruptcy after the US negative perception of the finan- fication regime that will require come into force by March 2016. transnational criminal organisa- accused its Andorran parent of laundering money for organised crime cial industry among Britons for firms to run annual checks to REUTERS tions” in Russia and China. AFP groups.

Greece must India ‘bright spot’ in gloomy world economy: IMF implement NEW DELHI: The global institutional foundation for structural recovery is “too slow, too brit- maintaining price stability”, said India wholesale tle and too lopsided”, the head Lagarde. But to anchor long-term reforms: Lagarde of the International Monetary growth and employ a workforce prices drop Fund said in India yesterday, that will become the world’s larg- NEW DELHI: Greece needs to describing Asia’s third-largest est by 2030, India needs to open up implement structural reforms, economy as a rare bright spot its labour market to women, boost 2.06pc in Feb International Monetary Fund on a cloudy global horizon. financial inclusion and invest even Managing Director Christine In a speech in New Delhi, IMF more in infrastructure, she said. MUMBAI: India’s whole- Lagarde said yesterday, echo- Managing Director Christine Lagarde, the first woman to sale inflation fell a sharper- ing other international creditors Lagarde said that monetary policy head the Fund, cited a new IMF than-expected 2.06 percent in who have urged Athens to imple- in the world’s leading economies working paper which found that February, the fourth straight ment reforms to secure urgently was out of step and, even if well only 33 percent of women in India drop, as global oil prices sit at needed funds. managed, could cause “excessive worked — below the global average multi-year lows, data showed Leftist Prime Minister Alexis volatility” in international finan- of 50 percent and a comparable yesterday. Tsipras’ government won elections cial markets. “Looking ahead, level in East Asia of 63 percent. The fall in the Wholesale in January on a pledge to roll back something better may yet come Not only is female participation Price Index (WPI), the inflation austerity and renegotiate the terms on the back of low oil prices and in the labour force low, but it has measure with the biggest bas- of a €240bn bailout. But it has faced interest rates,” Lagarde said in a been declining since 2005. Lagarde ket of goods, was greater than a resistance from eurozone partners speech to women students. “Still, called this a “huge missed oppor- 0.8 percent drop predicted by a who are unwilling to offer major there are significant risks to this tunity” and called for urgent rem- Bloomberg survey and will fuel compromises. fragile global recovery.” edies to make it easier for women talk of another interest rate cut. Although Athens has been The first of those was what to get regular jobs. “In addition Prime Minister Narendra granted a four-month extension to Lagarde called “asynchronous bold reforms we need resilient Modi’s government had earlier the bailout deal, the February 20 monetary policy” in advanced implementation,” Lagarde said revised the November fall in WPI accord did not give Greece access to economies, with the United States in a podium discussion after her inflation to 0.17 percent. aid pledged to it from the eurozone and Britain normalising their speech. The latest figures show food and and the IMF, which has led to a stances while the euro area and She also said that India is bet- fuel prices dropped in February. cash crunch. Japan increase their monetary ter positioned to cope with exter- “My sense is that the Reserve Lagarde, who is on a two-day stimulus. nal financial shocks than most Bank of India (RBI) will take this visit to India, said that she felt Her warning came on the eve emerging market economies. chance and cut 25 basis points strongly for taxpayers of the debt- of a meeting of the US Federal The Fed, at its meeting end- in April,” said Ashutosh Datar, strapped eurozone member state, Reserve that is expected to signal ing Wednesday, is expected to economist at IIFL Institutional but added the country needed to an increase in ultra-low interest signal an increase in its ultra- Equities in Mumbai. reduce the fiscal deficit. “I know rates as soon as June. Higher US low interest rates by as soon as The RBI has made two how hard it has been for the Greek interest rates could trigger capital June, potentially triggering capital unscheduled cuts this year on eas- population particularly the people outflows from emerging markets outflows from emerging markets ing inflation in a bid to boost busi- who pay their tax, particularly awash with cheap dollars. that have been flooded with cheap ness borrowing and assist growth the people who are transparent.” More than six years after the dollars. In 2013, Ben Bernanke, of Asia’s third largest economy. “Equally, I really strongly feel that global financial crisis, the world then chairman of the US Federal Hopes remain of another cut economy needs to be transformed, will grow by a sub-par 3.5 percent Reserve, caused a heavy selloff in despite the government, using that structural reforms need to this year and 3.7 percent in 2016, the Indian rupee, bonds and stocks a new formula, announcing last take place, that pension schemes Lagarde said, reiterating recent when he announced the Fed was month that the economy would need to be stabilised and properly IMF forecasts. to scale back its $80bn a month grow at a robust 7.4 percent in funded because you cannot borrow The euro area and Japan were IMF chief Christine Lagarde (left) shakes hands with India’s Prime Minister quantitative easing programme. the ongoing year. in future constantly.” at risk of remaining stuck with Narendra Modi during their meeting in New Delhi yesterday. Now, Lagarde said in an inter- India had been thought to be Greek officials held talks low growth and low inflation, she view with the Times of India before struggling through its worst eco- with the country’s European said making it difficult to reduce a two-day visit, India is in better nomic slowdown in more than Commission, ECB and IMF credi- unemployment and debts, and India’s economy is doing better right direction” towards mid-term shape. “India has prepared bet- two decades by growing below tors last week on the left-wing gov- raising the risk of recession and than its peers, with recent policy fiscal consolidation while praising ter than most emerging-market five percent, not enough to cre- ernment’s reform plans. Without deflationary pressures. reforms and improved business plans for higher infrastructure economies for any such external ate jobs needed for its millions of those being acceptable to the euro- Emerging markets, mean- confidence set to boost growth to spending. shocks,” Lagarde said, adding young people. zone, and until their implementa- while, could face a “triple hit” of 7.5 percent in the fiscal year that A pact between the govern- that India had shrunk its cur- Governor Raghuram Rajan has tion is under way, no bailout money a stronger US dollar, higher global starts on April 1, Lagarde said. ment and the Reserve Bank of rent account deficit and boosted made controlling inflation a prior- will flow to Greece, leaving it dan- interest rates and more volatile She welcomed the government’s India to formalise inflation tar- its stock of international reserves. ity since taking the helm of the gerously short of cash. REUTERS capital flows, Lagarde said. latest budget as “a step in the geting “should provide a robust REUTERS RBI in September 2013. AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

CeBIT trade fair in Hanover begins GE sells arm for $6.3bn in Australia, New Zealand

SYDNEY: General Electric has sold its consumer lend- ing arm in Australia and New Zealand to an invest- ment consortium including Germany’s Deutsche Bank and US investment firm KKR for $6.3bn, the com- pany said. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is one of the biggest in the Asia-Pacific region so far this year, accord- ing to the Wall Street Journal, and is the latest step in the American conglomerate’s LEFT: China’s Vice Premier Ma Kai, Lower Saxony federal state Prime Minister Stephan Weil and German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel listen to explanations from Deutsche Telekom efforts to scale back its finan- CEO Timotheus Hoettges about a scooter that is connected online via 4G/LTE and GPS, during a tour of the CeBIT trade fair in Hanover yesterday. RIGHT: Gabriel, German Traffic and cial division, GE Capital. Digital Infrastructure Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Alibaba founder and CEO Jack Ma hold figures that were presented to them while touring the trade fair. The world’s biggest com- GE Capital’s Australia and puter and software fair will be open to the public till March 20. New Zealand units were sold for Aus$8.2bn to the consor- tium made up of Deutsche Bank, KKR and Varde Partners, the American com- pany said in a statement. The lending arm offers per- Dollar hits 12-year high against euro sonal loans, credit cards and other financial services with more than three million total customers, GE said in the Most stock markets down as all eyes on Federal Reserve policy meeting this week statement. All of the products and services will be retained HONG KONG: The dollar hit highest since August 2009 — and strengthens. World markets took with $1.0489 in New York. The Sunday fresh measures could be under the new ownership. a 12-year high against the euro Hong Kong added 0.53 percent, or a hit last week and the dollar ral- single currency was also at 127.77 taken to support the economy, The Fairfield, Connecticut- yesterday, ahead of a closely 126.34 points, to 23,949.55. lied in reaction to a strong US yen compared with 127.38 yen in which last year grew at its slowest based GE in January reported watched Federal Reserve policy Tokyo’s Nikkei, which on Friday jobs report that increased the US trade. pace in 24 years and is forecast a robust jump in profits for the meeting this week, while oil closed above 19,000 points for the likelihood of a summer rate rise. The dollar fetched 121.22 yen to weaken this year as leaders fourth quarter of 2014 as it prices fell again as US supplies first time in 15 years, edged down But while equities have settled, against 121.44 yen. try to move it from a reliance on shifts its focus back to its core continued to build. 8.19 points to finish at 19,246.06. the dollar continues to advance, “The Fed has never found itself exports and investment towards industrial roots. GE, which is Shanghai was the stand-out Sydney ended down 0.29 per- hitting a more than 12-year high on the other side of global policy consumer spending. considered a bellweather of stock market in the region, cent, or 16.8 points, at 5,797.7 while against the euro, which has also and this central bank divergence Authorities have cut interest global industrial activity, said extending last week’s gains after Seoul was marginally higher, add- been battered by the European is making the dollar the most rates twice since November and in January that profits for the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said ing 1.54 points to 1,987.33. Central Bank’s new bond-buying sought-after currency on the also reduced the amount of cash preceding three-month period the government had enough in its Investors are keeping their stimulus programme. planet,” Evan Lucas, a markets banks must keep in reserve in a rose 61 percent year-on-year. armoury to support the world’s focus on the Fed’s policy meet- In Tokyo, the euro fell to $1.0451 strategist in Melbourne at IG Ltd, bid to boost lending. It has sought to sell off vari- number two economy. ing tomorrow, seeking a clearer — its lowest since January 2003 — wrote in a client note, according Gold fetched $1,156.82 against ous financial assets in recent Shanghai jumped 2.27 percent, timeline for when it will raise before ticking up slightly in the to Bloomberg News. $1,155.83 late Friday. months in addition to its or 76.40 points, to 3,449.31 — its interest rates as the US economy afternoon to $1.0545, compared In China Premier Li said AFP Australia and New Zealand operations. AFP Valeant trumps Airbus wins 300-helicopter deal Sotheby’s taps Madison Endo with Square Garden head as CEO $11bn bid for from South Korea for $1.6bn NEW YORK: Auction house want, broad-reaching ‘business’ SEOUL: Airbus Helicopters to disclose details within weeks in its military fleet that mainly Sotheby’s appointed Madison experience rather than luxury Salix Pharma yesterday inked a deal worth when it signs a final contract consist of ageing American” Square Garden Co Chief or art experience which is what €1.5bn ($1.6bn) to build more with the Defence Acquisition machines that need updating, Executive Tad Smith its CEO, a (Sotheby’s) brand and experts NEW YORK: Valeant than 300 civil and military heli- Program Administration, a state Ducrot said. surprise development that could already have,” Stifel, Nicolaus & Pharmaceuticals International copters for South Korea in part- agency controlled by the defence The first deliveries of civilian delay the plans of the owner of Co analyst David Schick wrote Inc increased its takeover offer nership with Korea Aerospace ministry. helicopters are expected in 2021, the New York Knicks to spin off in a note. Ruprecht, a 35-year for Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc Industries (KAI). “In cooperation with Airbus with the military aircraft due the its live entertainment business. Sotheby’s veteran, had been CEO to $10.96bn in cash yesterday, The deal is part of a South Helicopters, we hope to design following year. Sotheby’s said that Smith, who since 2000. The centuries-old bumping out Endo International Korean military project to replace a new light helicopter for mili- Airbus estimates the global has led Madison Square Garden company said in November that Plc, the only other bidder for the its ageing fleet of McDonnell tary and commercial use,” a KAI market for these classes of heli- for just a year, would replace Ruprecht would step down once maker of gastrointestinal drugs. Douglas’ 500MD light helicop- spokeswoman said. copters at around 600 aircraft William Ruprecht on March 31. a successor was found. Sotheby’s, Salix has agreed to Valeant’s ters, which have been in service “It should be a completely “which could mean several billion Madison Square Garden’s which has been under pressure new offer of $173 in cash, which for decades, KAI officials said. new model,” she said, adding the euros for Airbus Helicopters over shares fell 1.4 percent in the morn- from activist investors to make big is higher than Valeant’s previ- “This contract of exceptional platform of Airbus Helicopters’s the next 20 years if you add sup- ing trading, while Sotheby’s shares changes to become more competi- ous bid of $158 per share in cash, size is for the development and EC-155B1 could be used as a port and maintenance services,” rose 1 percent. tive, also said it had separated the which was made late last month, construction of 214 military prototype. said Ducrot. Smith has about 25 years of roles of chairman and CEO. Lead the two companies said in a joint attack helicopters and around In 2005, Airbus Helicopters South Korea has long favoured experience, mostly in the media independent director Domenico statement. 100 civilian aircraft,” said Norbert won a similar contract for trans- defence equipment from the and entertainment business. De Sole will become chairman. Salix would be the largest pur- Ducrot, vice-president for Airbus port choppers called “Surion”, United States, which has kept He joined Madison Square Activist investor Daniel Loeb, chase ever made by Canada-based Helicopters in northern Asia. also in partnership with KAI. troops here since the 1950-53 Garden, which also owns New whose hedge fund Third Point Valeant, whose growth has long “The development and produc- South Korea unveiled the first Korean War to deter aggression York Rangers ice hockey team, LLC was Sotheby’s largest share- been fuelled by acquisitions and tion contract is worth €1.5bn to Surion helicopter in 2009. by North Korea. from Cablevision Systems Corp, holder as of May 2014, had asked cost-cutting. The acquisition Airbus Helicopters over 20 years,” KAI officials said the two deals But European companies have whose CEO James Dolan is the the company to sell its headquar- would offer some redemption he said. with Airbus would help South made a number of bids for the chairman of Madison Square ters on the Upper East Side of for dealmaking Valeant Chief The firm was in competi- Korea acquire independent tech- South’s military contracts. Garden. Previously, Smith had Manhattan. Executive Michael Pearson, whose tion with Italian-British group nology and make inroads into the Last month Airbus signed led Starwood Hotels & Resorts Marcato Capital Management hostile bid for Allergan Inc failed AgustaWestland, and the deal global helicopter market. an agreement with Korean Air Ltd’s online business, experience LP, Sotheby’s second-largest last year. gives Airbus Helicopters an The South Korean market for to jointly bid for an $8-billion that could help Sotheby’s catch up shareholder, urged the company It would also be a boost for important foothold in a strategi- civilian helicopters is seen as ripe military project to develop and with privately owned Christie’s in in February to buy back $500m of investor Bill Ackman, who cally vital market. for development and the country produce 120 fighter jets of a new online auctions. shares and replace its chief finan- announced last week he had The Korean company promised has “more than 700 helicopters “indigenous” type. AFP “Smith brings what shareholders cial officer. REUTERS bought a more than $3bn stake in Valeant after having worked with the company on the Allergan bid. Even so, the deal would sharply Shale Gas & Oil Forum raise Valeant’s debt, and it is buy- ing a company that last year was P&G mulls sale, IPO of forced to slash its full-year earn- ings forecast after supply levels for certain drugs were higher than earlier indicated. some beauty products The short bidding war for Salix pitted Valeant’s Pearson against NEW YORK: Procter & nearly 2 percent at $83.43 in late his former protege, Endo Chief Gamble Co is exploring a sale morning trading the New York Executive Rajiv De Silva, a top or initial public offering of some Stock Exchange. executive at Valeant until 2012. of its beauty brands in a single P&G in August said it plans to Salix shares rose 1.9 percent to deal, Bloomberg reported, citing sell about 90 to 100 brands with $172.60 on the Nasdaq yesterday, people with knowledge of the declining sales, focusing instead while Valeant’s US-listed shares matter. on 70 to 80 “core” brands, which rose 3.3 percent to $204. Endo The maker of Pantene sham- account for most of its profit and shares gained 1.9 percent on the poo and Olay skin care is working revenue. The company’s beauty Nasdaq to $89. on the plan with its advisers, but products include the Aussie and Ireland-based Endo said in a has not finalised details, includ- Herbal Essences line of hair and statement that while it is disap- ing which products will be sold, body wash products, Covergirl pointed to lose Salix, it has other Bloomberg said. The world’s larg- makeup products and Head & potential deals and research and est household products maker Shoulders shampoo among others. development on which to focus. may still decide not to follow P&G is working on turning Endo offered last Wednesday to through with the separation. around Pantene and Olay, its buy Salix a deal that was worth P&G spokesman Paul Fox said two largest beauty brands, and about $175 per share in cash and the news was pure speculation is likely to sell some fragrances, Climate and energy campaigner, Tony Bosworth, speaks with another participant at the Shale Gas & Oil stock. As of Friday’s close, Endo’s and declined to comment further. make-up and hair salon products, Forum in London, yesterday. offer was worth $172.56. REUTERS The company’s shares were up Bloomberg said. REUTERS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Euro plunge seen as How Asia should defend Draghi’s saviour BY DAVID GOODMAN and ANDRE TARTAR against the rising dollar E MAY be reluctant to admit it, but the biggest ben- efits from Mario Draghi’s bond purchases are likely BY WILLIAM PESEK global headlines. It may soon be the first foreign-exchange research at Standard to come from the plunge in the euro. The European Chinese company to default on dollar bonds Chartered in Singapore. H Central Bank’s quantitative-easing programme will AN Asia beat the rising-dollar — and could set off a domino effect across In recent weeks, central banks in India, boost euro-region inflation by 0.3 percentage point this year, curse? The question is far from Asia’s biggest economy. Thailand and South Korea have surprised with a weaker exchange rate doing most of the work, according academic considering the cen- Fortunately, the region seems better pre- markets with rate cuts. But Asia’s window for to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. The euro tumbled to a tral role that a strengthening pared to withstand currency swings than further cuts may be closing as policy makers 12-year low as the purchases, which increase the money supply, US currency played in sparking in 1997. “People are watching the rise of the take stock of how many local borrowers could entered their second week. the region’s 1997 crisis, as well dollar nervously this time around, but this face default if currencies fall too far. That goes “That’s the transmission mechanism that might be the most power- Cas Latin America’s own financial woes a dec- cycle is fundamentally different from a key especially for China, where dollar loans are a ful,” Hans Joerg-Naumer, head of capital-markets analysis at Allianz ade earlier. When the dollar slides, liquidity structural perspective,” notes economist fast-growing risk to stability. Global Investors, which oversees $412bn, said by phone from Frankfurt flows into emerging markets, pumping up Glenn Maguire of Australia & New Zealand As Bloomberg economists Tom Orlik and on March 11. “They want to keep the euro exchange-rate low.” ECB growth and assets. As the dollar rallies, it Banking Group in Singapore. Fielding Chen write in a new report, the “dol- President Draghi is counting on his ¤1.1 trillion ($1.16 trillion) QE can act like a gargantuan money magnet “We must take into account the incred- lar’s strength is China’s weakness.” A weaker plan to rescue an economy that’s barely out of a recession and drawing much-needed investment away ible journey many Asian economies have yuan, they argue, “would add to repayment where consumer prices have been falling for three months. While from the developing world. made from low-income, to middle-income, costs, adding to financial stress for debtor he acknowledges the economic benefits a weaker euro can bring, With the dollar now experiencing what even to higher-income since 1997.” Maguire firms.” Standard Chartered’s Henderson takes Draghi has consistently denied targeting the exchange rate, which many observers believe may be its third offers up several reasons for optimism. Asian heart from the fact that central banks are smacks of unfair advantage among the global policy community. “super-cycle” rally in 30 years, emerging exchange rates generally aren’t pegged to the encouraging corporations to trim or hedge In addition to stoking inflation, a weaker currency makes exports markets have reason to worry. dollar anymore. Current-account balances their dollar debts before the Fed taper begins. more competitive. While the other main effect of QE — tumbling Since the 2008 global crisis, outstand- are less worrisome, and many countries have Still, even if underlying fundamentals are bond yields from Germany to Spain — may help governments’ ing dollar-denominated credit to non-bank stockpiled substantial currency reserves. stronger now, the inevitable flow of capital borrowing costs, it’s less likely to have a direct impact on growth. borrowers overseas has surged to $9 trillion There are fewer currency mismatches out of local stock and bond markets will pose “The euro weakening is probably the strongest case for a better from $6 trillion, according to the Bank for between assets and liabilities. Banking sec- serious management challenges. economy in Europe,” said Poul Kobberup, chief investment officer International Settlements. (That figure is tors are stronger and central banks are far Both central banks and government policy at PFA Pension in Copenhagen, which oversees about $60 billion. roughly equivalent to China’s annual eco- more transparent than they once were. makers should be acting nimbly and proac- “It’s been weakening quite dramatically.” The euro slid to $1.0458 nomic output.) Chinese companies alone owe Still, if emerging markets worldwide tively to stabilise their economies. That at one point on Monday, the weakest since January 2003, and has at least $1.1 trillion. slide into chaos, Asia won’t be immune. As means devising so-called macro-prudential plunged 13 percent this year, putting it on track for its biggest ever In emerging economies with volatile local recently 2013, remember, when the Fed first policies, including limits on capital to defend quarterly decline. The eurozone’s reliance on exports — overseas currencies such as India and Malaysia, started talking about tapering its bond-buy- against turmoil. Governments should bat- shipments account for almost half of the 19-nation region’s gross issuing debt in dollars can be a smart and ing program, India and Indonesia quickly ten down the hatches, narrowing current- domestic product — makes that slide particularly helpful. pragmatic strategy — until it isn’t. With the found their currencies in freefall. account deficits even further and widening Europe’s shared currency has been falling for months as Draghi dollar up sharply almost across the board In particular, the region may come to surpluses. They must prepare emergency fis- prepared markets for his bond purchases and the dollar rallied on since the start of 2014 — 23 percent versus regret the still relatively high level of non- cal-stimulus packages, yet also stay focused the Federal Reserve’s plans to raise interest rates as soon as this the euro and 13 percent versus the yen — financial sector dollar debt. It stood at on investments that raise productivity and year. The average rate on euro-area sovereign debt has also shrunk, and the Federal Reserve set to raise rates, around 10 percent of gross domestic prod- competitiveness so that in the long run their declining to 0.424 percent on March 11, the lowest since at least borrowers are going to have a harder time uct on average in mid-2014, compared with economies are less dependent on credit and 1995, Bank of America Merrill Lynch indexes show. paying back what they owe, let alone taking roughly 11 percent in 1997. That “poses a foreign capital. It may not be 1997 again in Goldman Sachs cut its forecast March 13 on the euro, predicting out new loans. potentially new source of vulnerability” Asia. But the region has 9 trillion reasons it will fall about 3 percent to $1.02 in three months and reach parity That helps explain why the Shenzhen as Fed rate interest rates hikes begin, to be ready if things go awry. in six months. The median of 34 responses to Bloomberg’s econo- property developer Kaisa is suddenly making says Callum Henderson, global head of WP-BLOOMBERG mist survey also calls for euro- dollar parity, with many respondents saying the decline will benefit the economy. “As the recovery gains steam, there should be a notable upward tick in headline and core inflation, supported by the depreciation of the euro,” Christopher Matthies, an economist at Sparkasse Suedholstein in Neumuenster, Germany, wrote in his response to Bloomberg’s QE survey, conducted March 6-12. The currency decline “is mainly caused by the upcoming tightening of the Fed and the QE programme of the ECB,” he wrote. A 10 percent slide in the euro against its major peers adds 0.3 percentage point to GDP, according to an estimate by ING DiBa, and the shared currency is already down 9.6 percent in the past three months versus a basket of its Group of 10 counterparts. Even so, Draghi has a ways to go before he translates these losses into tangible economic benefits. Euro-zone GDP grew just 0.9 percent last year, while consumer prices dropped 0.3 percent in February from the same month in 2014. Not everyone thinks he’ll be successful, either. Peter Dixon, an economist at Commerzbank, said the cheaper euro may struggle to boost growth given the weakest peripheral economies aren’t big exporters and global demand remains poor. “It’s not much point hav- ing a weaker currency if demand isn’t that dynamic,” Dixon said by phone from London. “Demand matters.” Questions are being asked as to whether the euro is falling too fast. QE risks “overshooting,” and the “exchange-rate decline is larger than we had expected,” Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco said over the weekend. He also said the bond- buying program reduces economic uncertainty. The ECB is becoming more optimistic about the economy and boosted its outlook for 2015 growth to 1.5 percent this month, from a previous estimate of 1 percent. Options trading should give policymakers confidence that further euro losses are in store, too. The premium for three-month options to sell the euro over contracts allowing for purchases widened to a new high of 2.6 per- centage points in February and was at 2.04 percentage points as of 8:34am New York time on Monday, data compiled by Bloomberg show. That shows traders are betting additional declines are more likely than a rally. QE programmes “definitely drive the currency down,” said Ben Pace, the New York-based chief investment officer at HPM Partners LLC, which oversees $5.5bn. “Market participants think it’s going to help exports and eventually help the economy.” WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Rise of Turkish Islamic banks chimes with Erdogan’s ideals

BY ECE TOKSABAY and think-tank. “It’s part of efforts to secular Turkey may seem an decades of dominance by a secular DAVID DOLAN turn Istanbul into a financial hub, unlikely champion of Islamic bank- elite following the collapse of the and also Erdogan’s aversion to ing. Regulators last month took Ottoman Empire. Erdogan has ELLING fruit from interest rates, which he views as control of Islamic lender Bank alienated liberal Turks by champi- a cart in a working- usually prohibited by Islam.” Asya, which has seen its profits oning religious education in state class neighbourhood of Erdogan’s insistence that high and capital base tumble since it schools and urging women to have Istanbul hasn’t made interest rates cause inflation — became caught up in a feud between more children. But he has become Mehmet rich, but he’s an argument that goes against Erdogan and a US-based cleric a hero of the pious masses. Sadamant his modest savings won’t mainstream economics — and that whose followers founded the bank. Islamic lenders accounted for ever see the inside of a bank. those who defend them are guilty But the row, analysts say, is not just over 5 percent of Turkish “Getting paid interest is a sin,” of treason have unnerved financial indicative of Ankara’s wider views banks’ total assets as of January, he said, piling bunches of grapes markets in recent weeks. on the $1.8 trillion global Islamic more than twice the level of a dec- onto a rusty set of scales in the His demands that the central finance industry. Bank Asya’s ade ago, according to data from conservative Fatih district. “I keep bank cut rates more sharply, and woes, rather, are part of Erdogan’s the banking regulator. my money partly in gold and under tirades against its monetary pol- efforts to crush the network of The four existing Islamic lend- the pillow,” the 67-year-old said, icy, have helped send the lira down cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom he ers — Albaraka Turk, Bank Asya, declining to give his surname. 12 percent this year to a series of accuses of seeking to usurp him Turkiye Finans and Kuveyt Turk Like Mehmet, at least 8 percent record lows. through a “parallel state” of fol- — have nearly 1,000 branches and of Turkish adults do not have a The headquarters of Turkey’s Halkbank in Ankara. But they have gone down well lowers in institutions including employ more than 16,000 people, bank account for religious reasons, among his core conservative sup- the police and judiciary. both more than treble their levels according to a 2014 World Bank Two state-run banks — indirectly related to state-run porters, including a class of indus- Emre Deliveli, an economist of 10 years ago. report, because of the prohibition Halkbank and Ziraat Bank — are bank Vakifbank, the third new trialists who have thrived over the and columnist for the Hurriyet As the sector grows, observant in Islam against paying interest. pushing ahead with plans to launch entrant. The government, which past decade on cheap loans and Daily News, said Turkey’s motiva- Turks with conventional bank Under President Recep Tayyip Islamic units this year, joining four issued a debut $1.5bn Islamic bond relative political stability. tion in expanding Islamic finance accounts look likely to make the Erdogan, an authoritarian leader existing private Islamic lenders. three years ago and last year pre- “I feel relieved to have access was largely about attracting for- switch and swell those numbers. with roots in Islamist politics and Ziraat, Turkey’s largest unlisted sented a legislative framework to an Islamic bank, because it is eign investment. “I see it as an “Banking is a system of exploi- an aversion to usury, Turkey is lender, is due to launch its Islamic for publicly owned Islamic banks, within the laws of our religion,” effort to profit from the demand tation but we have to use it in hoping it can turn disdain for tra- business in May, while Halkbank wants the industry’s assets to dou- said 25-year old Oznur, clad in for Islamic finance outside of business,” said 38-year-old Berat ditional banks among the pious has said it expects to have its busi- ble to $100bn by 2023. high-heeled boots and a gold col- Turkey,” he told Reuters. Tasci, a baker eating lunch in into a boom in Islamic finance, ness ready by the end of this year. “Erdogan is very keen to pro- oured headscarf, as she walked Erdogan’s rhetoric on interest front of a Fatih kebab shop. “We where, instead of interest, banks Turkey’s banking regulator also mote Islamic banking in Turkey,” away from an ATM at an Islamic rates plays into his ideal of restor- know it’s a sin, but we have to do charge service fees and depositors this month approved the estab- said Fadi Hakura, a Turkey expert bank in Fatih. ing Turkey’s Islamic heritage to it. Do I like it? No, absolutely not.” share in bank profits. lishment of an Islamic lender at Chatham House, a London-based At first glance, constitutionally the heart of public life after nine REUTERS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,761.11 1.70 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,064.2 1.57 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,271.99 1.39 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,132.28 1.42 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,183.85 1.34 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5769.684 -18.28 -0.32 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 3,860.14 1.92 % QR135.7659 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,464.99 0.79 % Cac 40 Index/D 5047.56 37.1 0.74 5010.8 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,361.33 0.79 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.3507 QR 5.4254 QE All Share Insurance 4,123.56 1.22 % Dj Indu Average 17749.31 -145.91 -0.82 18288.6 15855.12 QR 1.8391 Euro ...... QR 3.8108 QR 3.8641 QE All Share Telecoms 1,321.87 2.54 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8252 QR 2.8802 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,049.44 1.18 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23949.55 126.34 0.53 25101.96 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6020 QR 3.6525 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6127.14 -84.97 -1.37 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0298 QR 0.0303 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7562 QR 2.8115 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32454.91 -474.18 -1.44 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 16-03-2015 15-03-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0574 QR 0.0586 Index 11,761.11 11,964.15 Nikkei 225 Index 19246.06 -8.19 -0.04 19335.8 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0362 Change 203.04 116.51 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0833 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 1.70 0.96 $ 54.00 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 4.27 2.62 Straits Times/D 3376.04 13.27 0.39 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0474 Volume 7,613,824 7,372,780 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0361 QR 0.0368 Value (QAR) 380,510,850.73 292,253,471.61 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2901 QR 0.2958 Trades 5,138 4,710 $ 51.78 Up 00 | Down 35 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 16-03-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 151.7 13.4 6339 Cimmco-B/D 118.15 5.6 26562 Goodricke-B/D 159.8 2.7 22551 Kajaria Cer-A/D 761.6 -5.8 3910 Orchid Chem-B/D 60 -1.2 158363 Kingfisher/D 355.8 1.1 1939087 A C C-A/D 1585.25 -28.15 20324 Cipla-A/D 695.35 -8.8 410704 Goodyear I -B/D 551.5 -5.75 12000 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 120.1 -2 2380 Orient Hotel-T/D 21.1 0.4 5068 Land Secs Grou/D 1228 8 346966 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1527.5 29.5 9434 City Union Bk-/D 96.4 -1.9 30312 Hcl Infosys-B/D 55.9 -1.05 658318 Kalpat Power-B/D 214.2 -6.4 15573 Oudh Sugar-B/D 20.45 3.2 173946 Legal & Genera/D 290 4.2 4501020 Aban Offs-A/D 457.65 -10.55 248064 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1916.55 -15.95 8475 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.85 1.45 3480144 Kalyani Stel-T/D 143 -2.8 91186 Patspin India-/D 7.3 -0.02 1900 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.34 0.34 32011252 Aegis Logis-B/D 533 9.4 15576 Colgate-A/D 2037.95 -29.9 6025 Himat Seide-B/D 81.15 -1.15 17501 Kanoria Chem-B/D 36.6 -0.4 13360 Punjab Chem.-B/D 135.6 -3.2 5697 Marks & Sp./D 495.3 1.7 701450 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 274.25 6.1 84026 Container Cor-/D 1667.4 5.4 7957 Hind Motors-T/D 6.93 -0.09 172980 Kg Denim-B/D 22.45 -0.7 7409 Radico Khait-B/D 90.9 -1.65 35217 Next/D 7502.4 155 146477 Alembic-B/D 37.65 -1.35 167517 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 161 4.3 4832 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.6 -0.4 15555 Kilburnengg-T/D 45.75 -0.5 4816 Rallis India-A/D 242.25 0.35 18964 Pearson/D 1469.1 15 360344 Alok Indus-A/D 8.21 -0.33 2499271 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.07 0.05 7083 Hind Unilever-/D 932.3 -9.8 120601 Kopran-B/D 42.65 -0.15 75388 Reliance Indus/D 430.1 -6.45 42383 Prudential/D 1692.5 22.5 1825789 Apollo Tyre-A/D 169.25 -0.65 398863 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 78 -2 6756 Hind.Petrol-A/D 627.9 5.9 69348 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 41.75 1.75 3635 Ruchi Soya-B/D 44.25 -0.05 105871 Rank Group/D 189.3142 0.5 4881 Asahi I Glass-/D 156 2.85 26987 Dhampur Sugar-/D 37.85 -0.65 10320 Hindalco-A/D 126.9 -4.8 958476 Lgb Broth-B/D 513.5 -3.75 3279 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 608.65 1.75 30292 Rentokil Initi/D 140.1 2 342788 Ashok Leyland-/D 73.3 0.85 1874918 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3313.95 -59.65 10713 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1305.7 -22 111782 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 10.5 -0.22 34796 Saur.Cem-B/D 42 -0.45 14004 Rolls Royce Pl/D 963 -6.5 1668124 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1352.05 -18.3 2642 E I H-B/D 102.5 -0.6 14152 I F C I-A/D 35.4 0.1 667110 Lupin-A/D 1863.55 -14.5 75565 Timexgroup-T/D 16.9 -0.15 39398 Rsa Insrance G/D 419.7 -0.8 929781 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.3 -0.22 219099 E.I.D Parry-A/D 178.05 -1.75 8847 Idbi-A/D 75.3 1.05 364002 Lyka Labs-T/D 45 -1.45 19234 Tinplate-B/D 58.3 -0.9 37827 Sainsbury(J)/D 261.1 2 4091122 Bannari Aman-B/D 980 -15 3704 Eicher Motor-A/D 15803.25 -76.05 3709 Ifb Agro-B/D 288.5 10 14716 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 159.8 -3.8 4621 Ucal Fuel-B/D 105.7 -5.8 15982 Schroders/D 3248 40 149344 Bata India-A/D 1177.45 13.65 13654 Eimco Elecon-T/D 412.6 -21.7 6209 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 584.5 19 33525 Mah.Seamless-B/D 203.05 -3 10210 Ultramarine-B/D 64 -2.2 8709 Severn Trent/D 1952 6 381277 Beml Ltd-A/D 1025 1.4 80561 Electrosteel-B/D 19.55 -1.35 235275 India Cement-A/D 94.15 -2.05 89619 Mangalam Cem-B/D 276.8 -5 6501 Unitech P -A/D 19.3 -0.15 6213543 Smith&Nephew/D 1139.15 6 328453 Bh Electronic-/D 3264.5 -60.7 23197 Emco-B/D 35.2 -0.7 31520 India Glycol-B/D 85.1 -3.25 23578 Maral Overs-B/D 27.35 -0.7 3365 Smiths Group/D 1178.15 15 218429 LONDON Bharatgears-B/D 75.2 -0.95 7262 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.85 -0.05 4648 Indian Hotel-A/D 103.5 -2.25 90889 Mastek-B/D 427.8 -20.7 120252 Standrd Chart /D 958.2 3 2449107 Bhel-A/D 258.3 3.7 372829 Escorts-A/D 137.4 -2.85 204969 Indo-Tcount-T/D 419.5 -6.2 7049 Max India L-A/D 457.45 -10.85 210642 Tate & Lyle/D 615.5 2.5 243097 Bom.Burmah-B/D 464 -13.9 96010 Essar Oil-T/D 102 -0.7 168240 Indusind-A/D 877.5 2.35 94377 Mrpl-A/D 63.6 -0.45 574668 3I Group/D 483.7 2.7 392499 Tesco/D 239.5 6.65 5186940 Bombay Dyeing-/D 71.2 -1.3 345701 Eveready Indu-/D 273.8 10.1 123136 J.B.Chemical-B/D 206.95 17.55 151805 Nahar Spg.-B/D 91.8 -2.8 7176 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3034 50 394190 Unilever/D 2874.25 29 504553 Camph.& All-B/D 274.7 -1.5 3464 F D C-B/D 156.8 -0.45 7703 Jagson Phar-B/D 30 0.5 13447 Nation Alum -A/D 46.65 -0.55 119706 Barclays/D 252.5 2.5 8151171 United Util Gr/D 890.5 -3.5 575032 Canfin Homes-B/D 585.5 -15.25 17926 Federal Bank-A/D 136.55 0.7 111558 Jbf Indu-B/D 222.6 -0.2 137784 Navneet Edu-B/D 109.55 -3.2 4523 Bg Group/D 810.1 11 4278130 Vodafone Group/D 221.4 2.45 10338596 Caprihans-B/D 73.2 -2.95 2687 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.05 0 30599 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.51 0.01 13087 Nepc India-T/D 2.49 -0.09 36402 Bp/D 417.2 -1.05 9299110 Whitbread/D 5375 40 71592 Castrol India-/D 471.1 -3.05 18543 Finolex-A/D 267.5 -2.7 11984 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.12 -0.16 138919 Neuland Lab-B/D 354.4 -8.1 10502 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3677.5 33.5 502768 Century Enka-B/D 155.5 -1.2 10715 Gail-A/D 381.25 -5.95 100718 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 8.14 1.35 1236641 Nrb Bearings-B/D 136 -2.8 10352 Bt Group/D 449.03 -2.7 3388486 Century Text-A/D 598.05 25 317011 Galada Power-T/D 22.1 -1.15 11432 Jik Indust-T/D 0.89 0.04 4827 O N G C-A/D 312.1 -1.75 785061 Centrica/D 236.1455 -1.7 4634710 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.5 0.1 49553 Gammon India-T/D 19.7 -0.35 77701 Jindal Drill-B/D 186 -2.3 4200 Ocl India-B/D 435 -0.5 2890 Gkn/D 371.9 3.2 1202665 Chola Invest-B/D 588 7 3059 Garden P -B/D 27.3 -0.1 6633 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 108.2 1.7 162375 Oil Country-B/D 32 -0.7 5096 Hsbc Holdings/D 560.9 -0.4 6002555 Chowgule St-T/D 25 -1.15 17838 Godfrey Phil-B/D 472.75 -0.35 3501 Jmc Projects-T/D 173.3 -6.8 3821 Onward Tech-B/D 51.7 4.85 10704 Imperial Tobac/D 3142 46 520578 TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Westbrook sparkles as Thunder post key win NBA: Yet another deflating loss for the Chicago Bulls

NEW YORK: Guard Russell Westbrook scored 36 points NBA Results and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Sacramento Oklahoma City 109 Chicago 100 the Oklahoma City Thunder Kings’ Houston 100 LA Clippers 98 to a 109-100 victory over the centre Denver 118 New Orleans 111 Chicago Bulls yesterday at the DeMarcus Cleveland 123 Orlando 108 Chesapeake Energy Arena. Cousins San Antonio 123 Minnesota 97 The Bulls (40-28) have dropped reacts after Portland 113 Toronto 97 five of their last six games and fouling out This combination of file photo shows caddy Steve Williams (left image) Phoenix 102 NY Knicks 89 are tied in the loss column with during the embracing golfer Tiger Woods and Mike Hicks embracing late golfer Atlanta 91 LA Lakers 86 the Washington Wizards for second Payne Stewart. A group of caddies have filed a class-action lawsuit fourth in the Eastern Conference half of the against the PGA Tour, seeking $50m in compensation for wearing bibs Standings. NBA game Gasol answered with a jumper, adorned with the logos of tournament sponsors. Filed on March 10, 2015 The Thunder (37-29) are now but Westbrook took the points against the in the US Northern District of California Court, the suit estimates the value a game ahead of the New Orleans right back when he raced coast- Washington of sponsorship on caddie bibs at $50m annually, and notes that caddies Pelicans for eighth place in the to-coast for a layup that sealed Wizards, at neither receive a share of that revenue nor have they given their consent Western Conference. the win. to the Tour for “commercial use of their likenesses or images.” The suit Thunder center Enes Kanter the Verizon Shooting woes plagued both alleges that the Tour has “treated caddies as second-class participants posted 18 points and 18 rebounds Centre in teams at the start of the game. in the game,” citing an example from the 2013 Barclays during which the for his sixth double-double since Washington, The Bulls shot a woeful 29.2 in being traded to Oklahoma City. DC, USA, the opening quarter while the wives and children of caddies were kept outside of a caddie-designated Center Steven Adams added 14 Thunder were even worse at 20 shelter during a rain storm. The suit also notes the lack of “basic health points and 11 boards. percent. care coverage and access to pension plans” for caddies. Forward Nikola Mirotic paced However, the Thunder out the Bulls with 27 points off the free throws to get the Bulls within throws. He then came up with a rebounded Chicago 22-14 in the bench. Center Pau Gasol scored two. steal sprinted the court for the first quarter of the tense game, 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting. After a Kanter miss, Bulls layup over Bulls guard Aaron and Kanter set a franchise record Forward Joakim Noah scored 15 guard E’Twaun Moore was fouled Brooks to give Oklahoma City a for rebounds in a quarter by pull- points, but was limited to three by Adams on a layup attempt. 99-95 lead. ing down 10. Spieth sinks rebounds. Adams fouled out and Moore Westbrook found guard After trailing Oklahoma City The Thunder held a 94-90 closed gap to one. Anthony Morrow for an open by eight, the Bulls stormed back advantage with 4:06 on the clock. With 1:27 left in the contest, 3-pointer, which he drained with to tie the game at 47-47 heading Mirotic connected on a pair of Westbrook made one of two free 40.6 seconds left. into halftime. REUTERS play-off birdie New York Rangers maintain for title win PALM HARBOUR, UNITED speed just to make the playoff,” STATES: Jordan Spieth sank Reed said. “It had to be a matter a dramatic 28-foot birdie putt of time before someone was going on the third play-off hole yes- to make a birdie and I was 0-for-3 their grip on top spot in NHL terday to win the $5.9m Valspar hitting the greens in the playoff Championship and capture his and that’s how it went.” NEW YORK: Goaltender Cam second career US PGA Tour At the second play-off hole, the Talbot made 38 saves as the NHL Results title. par-4 16th, Reed again blasted out New York Rangers maintained Detroit 5 Pittsburgh 1 The 21-year-old American of a bunker and saved par while their grip on top spot in the NY Rangers 2 Florida 1 rolled a tension-packed putt over Spieth missed a 12-foot birdie league with a 2-1 victory over Carolina 3 Columbus 2 a ridge and into the cup at the putt and O’Hair had a 10-foot the Florida Panthers. St Louis 3 Dallas 0 par-3 17th on Innisbrook resort’s birdie chance for the win. Since starting goaltender Ottawa 2 Philadelphia 1 Copperhead course to defeat com- O’Hair’s putt lipped out off Henrik Lundqvist left the lineup patriots Patrick Reed and Sean the right edge and the drama Washington 2 Boston 0 with a neck injury February 2, the O’Hair and take the $1.062 million continued. Rangers are 15-2-3. Anaheim 4 Nashville 2 top prize. “I hit the putt I wanted to hit. I James Sheppard and defense- “I guess it was just my day,” hit a great putt there. I hit it right man Matt Hunwick scored for the Spieth said. on my line,” O’Hair said. “It just Rangers (44-17-7). RIGHT: Washington Capitals’ Spieth, who shared second at wasn’t meant to be.” Goaltender Dan Ellis stopped center Nicklas Backstrom (19) last year’s Masters, will jump to a The playoff then went to 17, 32 shots for the Panthers (31- passes the puck as Boston career-best sixth in today’s world when Reed again found a bunker, 24-14), who are battling the Bruins center Chris Kelly (23) rankings and will be among the O’Hair missed a long birdie try Washington Capitals and Boston defends in the third period at favorites at next month’s Masters, and Spieth ended matters in fist- Bruins for the final playoff spots Verizon Center. The Capitals where top-ranked Rory McIlroy pumping fashion. in the East. won 2-0. will try to complete a career Spieth’s thoughts drifted back Blues 3, Stars 0 Grand Slam by winning the green to his two-under-par 69 round, in St Louis Blues winger Vladimir jacket for a third consecutive which he sank an 11-foot birdie Tarasenko scored his 34th goal of Penguins. Henrik Zetterberg Senators 2, Flyers 1 Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored in major triumph. putt at the par-3 13th, a 32-foot the season and backup goaltender added a goal and an assist, and (shootout) regulation for the Senators while It was the third victory in five birdie putt at the par-5 14th, res- Jake Allen stopped all 28 shots he Riley Sheahan also scored for Senators goalie Andrew Jakub Voracek tallied for the months for Spieth even though cued par from a greenside bunker faced to earn his fourth shutout Detroit (38-19-11), who had lost Hammond stopped 27 shots Flyers (29-27-15). his only other US PGA victory at 16 and pitched to six feet at 17 of the season as the Blues blanked two games in a row and were 1-4 through overtime and all three Hurricanes 3, Blue Jackets 2 came in a playoff at the 2013 after finding deep rough. the Dallas Stars 3-0. in their previous five. he faced in the shootout to lead Justin Faulk, Ron Hainsey and John Deere Classic. Spieth took “It was crazy back nine,” Spieth After a scoreless opening Pittsburgh (39-20-10) lost Ottawa past Philadelphia 2-1. Brad Malone scored second period the Australian Open crown in said. “Just the scrambling com- two periods, St Louis (44-20-5) their second game in as many Hammond became the second goals as the Carolina Hurricanes November and the Hero World ing in, the par saves... you want to also got goals in the third from days despite getting captain and goalie in NHL history to give up beat the Columbus Blue Jackets Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods feed off the energy of the crowd.” Alexander Steen and T J Oshie. leading scorer Sidney Crosby two or fewer goals in each of his 3-2 for just their second win in last December. O’Hair sank four birdies in six Dallas fell to 32-28-10. back after he missed Saturday’s first 11 games as a starter. Boston seven games. Reed, Spieth and O’Hair each holes, the last of them a 29-footer Red Wings 5, Penguins 1 game against Boston because of Bruins netminder Frank Brimsek Goaltender Anton Khudobin finished 72 holes on 10-under at 16, to reach the playoff with a Teemu Pulkkinen scored twice an undisclosed ailment. holds the record of 12 games, set had 22 saves for the Hurricanes, par 274, one stroke ahead of round of 67, the same as Stenson and Marek Zidlicky had a goal Evgeni Malkin did not play yes- in 1938. who had been 1-4-1 since Feb. 28, Sweden’s third-ranked Henrik and one stroke more than Reed and two assists as the Detroit Red terday because of a lower-body Bobby Ryan scored the only including a 4-3 shootout loss to Stenson. American Ryan Moore, needed in his last round. Wings broke out of a funk with injury he sustained on Saturday, goal in the shootout to lift Ottawa Columbus five days earlier. the 54-hole leader ahead by three Moore made the turn two a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh officials said. (33-24-11) to the win. REUTERS with six holes to play, made bogeys ahead of Spieth with no other on three of them and finished two rival inside four shots but missed shots adrift. a five-foot par putt at 10. He The play-off began at the par-4 responded with birdies at 11 and 18th hole and Spieth missed a 12, matching Reed and O’Hair, Boxing: Pacquiao undergoes Cycling: Experienced Porte ‘in 10-foot birdie putt for the victory but then Moore missed a seven- while Reed, who made a 31-foot foot par putt at the 13th and a birdie putt on the hole in regu- 15-foot par putt at 16. random blood, urine testing top form’ ahead of Giro d’Italia lation, needed an eight-foot par Needing a birdie at 18 to make LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao (pictured) was given a NICE, FRANCE: Sky’s Richie Porte asserted yesterday he feels save to stay in the playoff. the playoff, Moore found deep random drug test Saturday, only two days after the US Anti- in the form of his life following his second Paris-Nice title in three “I hit a perfect putt perfect rough and made bogey. AFP Doping Agency revealed the Filipino boxing icon years. and future foe Floyd Mayweather agreed to The 30-year Australian, who trailed leader Tony Gallopin by 36 Olympic-style testing. seconds going into the final day’s time trial, hopes this win can boost A report on GMA News in Pacquiao’s home- his confidence ahead of the Giro d’Italia. Jordan Spieth land detailed that he had given blood and urine “I relish this win even more than two years ago,” the Tasmanian- celebrates samples to a medical technician that made an born cyclist said. “In between times I had a bad season (in 2014).” with his trophy unannounced visit to Pacquiao’s training area in “I wasn’t sure I could win this Paris-Nice. I had lost time on after winning Los Angeles. Saturday,” Porte explained. “There was too much tyre pressure, it the Valspar Pacquiao agreed to the extra doping protocol as was not ideal. It was like riding on ice. But I was confident. I know Championship part of the contract signed to fight unbeaten US the climb very well, I’ve done it many times during training and on the third rival Floyd Mayweather on May 2 in Las Vegas in sometimes even faster than today.” play-off hole a long-awaited bout that figures to shatter boxing Porte, who finished the early season classic stage race 30 seconds during the revenue records. clear of Polish world road-race champion Michal Kwiatkowski, hopes final round Both Mayweather and Pacquiao must make themselves available to bank on this performance heading to Italy in May when he will at Innisbrook for random blood and urine tests and provide US anti-doping offi- lead Team Sky. And the Paris-Nice triumph will undoubtedly shore Resort cials with travel itineraries. They will also be tested after the fight. up his Giro d’Italia team leadership stakes. Copperhead Samples will be examined for human growth hormone (HGH), “I am 30 now, my hair is getting grey. I am happy to be part of erythropoietin (EPO) and other substances. such a strong team”, he explained. Course in Drug testing was an issue in 2010 when talks for a Mayweather- “My confidence is boosted. I feel I am in the best shape of my life. Palm Harbour, Pacquiao showdown failed. Mayweather accused Pacquiao of using I will head to the Volta a Catalunya and the Giro with a team that Florida, performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao denied the claim and sued is improving every day. And then, we’ll have the Tour de France yesterday. Mayweather, a dispute the two settled out of court. REUTERS with Chris (Froome).” REUTERS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

ICC World Cup Quarter-finals Edgy Proteas confront Wednesday March 18 Sri Lanka (A3) vs South Africa (B2), Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Thursday March 19 Bangladesh (A4) vs India (B1), ‘chokers’ tag once again Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) South Africa feel the strain ahead of World Cup quarter-final in Sydney Friday March 20 Australia (A2) vs Pakistan (B3), Adelaide Oval SYDNEY: South Africa coach before a quarter-final defeat by Saturday March 21 Russell Domingo insisted his New Zealand four years ago. Opener Amla side had faced up to their Asked about South Africa’s New Zealand (A1) vs West unwanted tag of cricket’s serial habit of ‘choking’ in crunch Indies (B4), Wellington convinced “chokers” ahead of a World Cup games, Domingo said: “It’s been Regional Stadium quarter-final with Sri Lanka in part of South African cricket for Semi-finals Sydney tomorrow. quite some time, every time we De Kock Despite boasting some of the get to these events it’s going to be Tuesday 24 March world’s most outstanding one-day questioned. We’ve spoken about SF1 - Winner QF1 (NZ vs players during the past two dec- it, we’ve faced the fact that in the WI) vs Winner QF3 (SL vs will soon be ades, the Proteas have not won past we have let opportunities slip SA), Eden Park, Auckland a knockout match at the World by us. Hopefully, we have learnt back in the Cup since being allowed into the from the mistakes that previous Thursday 26 March 1992 edition ahead of the end of sides have made at events like SF2 - Winner QF2 (Aus vs apartheid. this.” Pak) vs Winner QF4 (BD vs runs That tournament infamously He added: “And by all means Ind), SCG, Sydney saw South Africa lose in the semi- we want to avoid that happening Final: SYDNEY: South Africa’s finals to England at the Sydney to us. But at the end of the day, Hashim Amla is convinced his Cricket Ground after the rain we just want to play good cricket Sunday 29 March struggling opening partner rule in use at the time left them if the opportunity arises. If some- Melbourne Cricket Ground Quinton de Kock will be soon with the impossible task of scor- body is in that stage of the game be back among the runs as the ing 22 runs off one ball. under pressure, we try to focus on Proteas look to bury their rep- “I was in Matric (second- things we’ve done really well and utation as World Cup “chokers” ary school), I was 16-years-old. not get too caught up in the past.” Centuries set in the knockout stages. There’s nothing we can do about Domingo added: “We know Amla, described as the “rock” what happened in 1992, all our we’ve come here with a clean ton of records of the team by skipper AB de South Africa’s captain AB energy is focused on what we need slate...We come here knowing that Villiers after his 159 against de Villiers (right) is seen to do leading into this game,” said if we play to the best of our abili- in World Cup Ireland earlier in the tourna- the now 40-year-old Domingo at ties, we’ve got a good chance of ment, has not consistently pro- with team-mate Rilee the SCG on Monday. winning on Wednesday.” ADELAIDE: The opening duced his best form so far. Russouw during a train- “The legacy of 1992 has very The Proteas have again used round of the World Cup wit- With 307 runs to his name, ing session in Sydney little bearing on now, we want to the services of South Africa-born nessed 35 centuries compared to though, his performances with yesterday. play our game on Wednesday.” explorer Mike Horn in a bid to just six in the entire 1975 tour- the bat have far outstripped South Africa lost in the World ease the pressure on their side. nament, seemingly proving once those of 22-year-old De Kock, context of the game, sometimes favourites but losses in pool Cup quarter-finals in 1996 and “He’s done a lot scarier things and for all that one-day cricket whose six innings have produced you get a loose ball up front and games to India and Pakistan went out on tournament net in the world than facing Dale is a batsman’s game. just 53 runs. you manage to score from that, have dented the confidence of run-rate after a tie with eventual Steyn or Morne Morkel, he’s Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara With the South Africa open- unconsciously you score quickly,” their fans. champions Australia in a thrilling done some extreme things,” said heads the list of century makers, ers charged with laying the plat- the 31-year-old told reporters. Amla said it was important for semi-final in 1999. Domingo. smashing four consecutive hun- form for some prolific batting “But I haven’t consciously been the more experienced players to Another tie, this time with Sri “He will put it all into perspec- dreds to become the first batsman down the order, it is something any more attacking. Quinny will step up in knockout stage. Lanka in Durban, after a fail- tive for us over the next couple in all one-day internationals to of a concern heading into their come good at some stage. “There is no doubt that when ure to correctly interpret the of days about what pressure and score four in a row. quarter-final against Sri Lanka “My game plan is to bat for as you get to the knockout stages Duckworth/Lewis rule for rain- fear’s like and being out of your The 37-year-old left-hander in Sydney tomorrow. long as possible and to set the you want to be the guy to score affected matches -- which owed comfort zone, because he’s been in is in the form of his life, scoring Amla is well aware of the role game up for the guys to have the big runs to put the team in a its origin to what happened to the that situation a lot of times with 105 not out against Bangladesh, the duo play for the side, how- fun at the end. When you do set good position,” he added. Proteas in 1992 -- meant home real-life experiences, not just fac- 117 not out versus England, 104 ever, and on Sunday dismissed the game up, we have players “Everybody in the team, espe- side South Africa bowed out at ing a cricket ball. against Australia and 124 in the the idea that De Kock’s string of who can blow teams away at the cially the senior guys, wants to the initial group stage when they “He’s been with us before and game with Scotland. failures was also making him bat death.” be the guys to make the big plays were the main hosts of the 2003 adds a lot of energy, he connects Surprisingly it was non-Test more aggressively. South Africa arrived at for us -- with the bat, or with the World Cup. with the players, it’s great fun side Afghanistan who got the “You’ve got to look at the the tournament as one of the ball.” REUTERS Then came a 2007 semi-final to have him with us,” Domingo better of him, dismissing the vet- loss to Australia in the Caribbean added yesterday. REUTERS eran for seven while Sangakkara managed just 39 in the first game against New Zealand. Spinner Herath likely to be “It’s one of the rarest things you can see, him playing four Sri Lanka’s Dilshan (hundreds) in a row. I’m lucky to fit to face South Africa be here to watch all four innings,” said Sri Lanka chairman of SYDNEY: Sri Lanka’s front-line spinner Rangana Herath is recov- selectors Sanath Jayasuriya on ering well and looks likely to face South Africa in tomorrow’s World Monday. Cup quarter-final at Sydney Cricket Ground, chief selector Sanath has no plans to quit Sangakkara’s team-mate Jayasuriya said yesterday. Tillakaratne Dilshan, India’s Herath, 36, split the webbing between two fingers on his bowling MUMBAI: The pressure will be Shikhar Dhawan, Zimbabwe’s hand trying to take a return chance off Jos Buttler in a thumping on former captain Tillakaratne Brendan Taylor and Bangladesh defeat of England on March 1. Dilshan to continue to play a batsman Mohammad The left-armer missed the last two pool matches against Australia pivotal role for Sri Lanka when Mahmudullah have all notched and Scotland but the stitches have been removed from the wound and he loses his prolific batting part- two hundreds in the current he will be given until training today to prove his fitness. ner after the World Cup. tournament which kicks off its “Rangana is recovering fast and I hope he will be alright,” Jayasuriya Kumar Sangakkara, the sec- Sri Lankan quarter-finals from tomorrow. told reporters beside the nets at the SCG. The stitches have been taken ond highest run-getter in one- Of the 35 hundreds in the 42 cricketer off and he’ll be ready for the match. That’s what I’m thinking, it will day internationals behind Sachin matches in the group stage, Sri Tillakaratne depend on today and tomorrow, probably tomorrow.” Tendulkar, will retire from the Lanka had eight while South The Sri Lankans have been bedevilled by injury problems at this 50-over format after the tourna- Dilshan bowls Africa had five, India saw four and World Cup but all-rounder Angelo Matthews has recovered from an ment leaving a huge hole in Sri during a training the West Indies and Australia, Achilles issue and will lead the side tomorrow. Lanka’s batting lineup. session at the three each. Leg-spinning all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna was brought into the Opening batsman Dilshan and Sydney Cricket Batsmen from Bangladesh had squad, effectively as a stand-in for Rangana, and took 1-77 in the loss number three Sangakkara added Ground ahead two (both by Mahmudullah) so to Australia last week at the SCG, a ground which has a tradition of 210 runs against Bangladesh, 130 of his team’s did eliminated England, Ireland providing some turn for spinners. versus co-hosts Australia and 195 2015 World and Zimbabwe (both by Taylor). Rangana has taken three wickets at a cost of 49 runs in his previous against minnows Scotland and are Cup quarter- New Zealand, Pakistan, United two ODI matches at the SCG but Jayasuriya said spin bowling would the second most successful pair in final match Arab Emirates and Scotland all not necessarily be crucial to Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching the semi- ODIs with 20 hundred-run stands against South one century each. finals for the fourth straight World Cup. between them. Africa in Sydney England’s Dennis Amiss was “We have fast bowlers, we have spinners, we don’t have any concrete Sangakkara’s solid batting tomorrow. the first batsman to score a World plans, we’ll just stick to the basics,” he said. REUTERS technique is in sharp contrast Cup hundred in the inaugural to the more dashing, innovative event held in England in 1975. Dilshan. The contrasting styles There were just six centuries in SL want hard-working only swelling the problems for that first tournament. an opposition captain, who also But bowlers dominated the has to contend with the left-right second edition of the World Cup Sangakkara to play on combination when setting a field -- also held in England -- when against them. only two hundreds were scored, SYDNEY: Kumar Sangakkara is working as hard to improve his Dilshan, who is famous for going forward. “My ambition is young captain Angelo Mathews. both by eventual winners the game in his final one-day tournament as he did when he first broke his ‘Dilscoop’, a shot he plays by to continue playing ODI and T20 Dilshan, also a former skipper, West Indies. into the Sri Lanka team a decade and a half ago, said chief selector going down on one knee to hit the cricket,” Dilshan said during the gave up playing tests two years Gordon Greenidge hit a cen- Sanath Jayasuriya. bowler over the wicketkeeper’s early weeks of the World Cup. back to make room for younger tury against India in the group Sangakkara’s form at the World Cup has been little short of sensa- head, mixes power with bat speed. “After the World Cup I will players in the side and will not phase before master blaster Viv tional and is a big part of Sri Lanka’s run to the quarter-finals, where He can smack boundaries with have to discuss with my captain hesitate doing it again in other Richards sealed the title for the they will meet South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow. minimum footwork, as Australian and the team management what formats when he feels the time West Indies with 138 not out Unsurprisingly, Jayasuriya would like him to continue beyond the fast bowler Mitchell Johnson my future role in the team will is right. in the final against England at current tournament, after which the 37-year-old plans to retire from found out to his cost when the be,” Dilshan said. “I will do the same in the other Lord’s. the 50-over format. Sri Lankan hit him for six fours “If they think that I have a role two formats also if I think I am The 1983 event -- also held in In Sri Lanka’s last pool match against Scotland, the elegant in an over. to play I will continue to repre- not good enough to be in the side,” England - saw eight hundreds lefthander became the first batsman to score centuries in four suc- While the 37-year-old sent my country. With my present he said. while the next edition, in 1987 in cessive one-day internationals and secured the World Cup record for Sangakkara leads the table of form and fitness I guess I can “I haven’t taken that decision the sub-continent, had 11. The most dismissals by a wicketkeeper. run-getters at the ongoing World easily play for another two-three yet because two key players are number went down to eight in “Unbelievable,” Jayasuriya told reporters at the SCG yesterday. “It’s Cup with four consecutive centu- years, even till the next World retiring from ODI cricket and 1992 when Australia and New one of the rarest things you can see, him playing four in a row. I’m ries, Dilshan is not too far behind Cup in 2019.” I believe my experience will be Zealand co-hosted the event for lucky to be here to watch all four innings. with two hundreds and a fifty and At 38, Dilshan still remains one valuable to the captain and the the first time. In 2003 in South “I’m very happy and what I want, as chairman of selectors, is for is fourth on the list. of Sri Lanka’s best fielders and is team in the two formats. Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, 21 him to continue his form right throughout the World Cup. And with Mahela Jayawardene also a very useful off-spinner. “We have problems with hundreds were scored while four “I would love him to keep playing. He can go on longer. It all depends also set to retire from all formats The absence of Sangakkara and openers. years later in the Caribbean, the on him,” the 1996 World Cup winner said. “The way he’s playing is really after the World Cup, Dilshan Jayawardene in the team after the “If I can help them fill that void figure dropped slightly to 20. good. It’s confidence for the boys also and all the players are playing knows he will be the guiding light World Cup will also mean that using my experience I will quit.” The 2011 World Cup saw 24 really well too.” REUTERS for Sri Lanka’s young batsmen he will be the only go-to man for REUTERS hundreds. AFP TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 ‘ Last resort’ Sarfraz Asia’s Test sides defy solves Pakistan’s opening conventional wisdom problem India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh prepare for quarter-finals ADELAIDE: It was Pakistan’s last roll of the dice that saw ADELAIDE: Co-hosts India’s quarter-final opponents them throw Sarfraz Ahmed Australia and New Zealand may at the iconic Melbourne Cricket (pictured) into the role of be the teams to beat, but the Ground on Thursday will be opener at the World Cup and striking feature of this World Bangladesh, the surprise team the gamble looks to be paying Cup is Asia’s four Test nations of the tournament who knocked off. defying conventional wisdom to England out in the league. With their opening partner- make the quarter-finals. Bangladesh went through India’s Shikhar ships producing a total of 22 runs The belief that Asian cricket- almost the entire last year with- Dhawan in four matches, Pakistan brought ers struggle on the hard, bouncy out a win in Test or one-day Sarfraz in to partner Ahmed wickets Down Under was thrown cricket, but the tactical acumen of hits a shot Shehzad against South Africa on out of the window as India, Sri their Sri Lankan coach Chandika during their March 7 in act of desperation. Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh Hathurusinghe and fast bowling World Cup The pair moved ahead from the group adviser Heath Streak has paid match against put up 30 stages. Three more wins will see dividends. Zimbabwe runs for the a team crowned the 2015 champi- Two consecutive centuries by at Eden Park wicket but ons -- just like Pakistan did when Mohammad Mahmudullah and in Auckland, that figure, the World Cup was last held in incisive fast bowling by Rubel in this March while more Australia and New Zealand in Hossain and young Taskin Ahmed 14, 2015, file than the 1992 -- and another victory for led the turnaround for the Tigers, photo. previous four Asia cannot be ruled out. and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza partnerships “There is no reason why an promises more from his side. combined, Asian side can’t win this time,” “We are hungry for success would have legendary Pakistani fast bowler and I am confident we can reach been higher Wasim Akram, who was part new heights,” said Mortaza, whose had Shehzad of the 1992 winning team, said. team sent India crashing from the not fallen “They have played well and first stage of the 2007 World Cup cheaply as deserve to go through. In a knock- in the Caribbean. Mortaza said Sarfraz went out situation, past form will really his biggest challenge was to check contenders for the last four. Sri contest between Sri Lanka’s in- Pakistan, described by South on to score 49. not count. Everything depends on the growing excitement in the Lanka, who take on the powerful form batsmen and the Proteas’ African coach Russell Domingo as On Sunday, Sarfraz put on an how you play on that day.” team over making the knock-out but inconsistent South Africa in attack led by Dale Steyn. “predictably unpredictable”, lived unbeaten 101, while opening part- Defending champions India rounds for the first time and the tomorrow’s first quarter-final at Coach Marvan Atapattu is con- up to that reputation by bouncing ner Shehzad made 63 for a stand bounced back from a dismal tour prospect of playing before some the Sydney Cricket Ground, have fident that Sri Lanka, the 1996 back from two defeats to win four of 120 as Pakistan crushed Ireland of Australia prior to the World 90,000 spectators at the MCG. the prolific Kumar Sangakkara in champions who lost in the finals in a row. in a seven-wicket win that sealed Cup to record six straight wins “Everyone is excited about the their ranks. in both the last two editions, are And as they prepare to tackle the 1992 champions’ place in the in the league, which surprised game but as a professional unit The 37-year-old left-hander, equipped to deal with the pres- mighty Australia at the Adelaide quarter-finals. many, but not team director Ravi we must focus on the task ahead,” playing one-day cricket for the sures of a knock-out game. Oval on Friday, skipper Misbah-ul It was Pakistan’s first century Shastri. he said. “It’s a chance to show the last time, has already hammered “Over the last few years in big Haq was convinced his team can of the tournament and one they “I’m not one bit surprised,” world that we are among the top an unprecedented four consecu- tournament matches, I’ve seen win the tournament and repeat hope signals an end to the prob- the former all-rounder told the teams.” tive centuries and tops the batting people raise their game and raise the feat of their 1992 predecessors. lems at opening which dogged Wisden India website. “What we The India-Bangladesh match charts with 496 runs. the whole team,” he said. “Of course we can win the them even before the start of the are looking forward to now is means that at least one Asian With the 38-year-old “These guys can do it again. World Cup,” Misbah said after tournament. to carry on the good work. Not team will be guaranteed a place Tillakaratne Dilshan having made When it comes to pulling together knocking Ireland out of the race. A week before the World Cup, think too far ahead, but keep the in the semi-finals, but Sri Lanka 395 runs with two hundreds, it and working towards a common “We have the momentum.” Pakistan lost regular opener momentum going.” and Pakistan will also be strong promises to be an enthralling goal, we’re among the best.” REUTRES Mohammad Hafeez to a calf mus- cle injury and had to fly in Nasir Jamshed as a late replacement. Australia’s They plucked Younus Khan out Glenn Maxwell Starc is the difference in of the middle order and thrust (second right) him into the opener’s role against celebrates Australia’s Cup campaign India, but that gamble backfired with team spectacularly in a 76-run defeat mates Brad MELBOURNE: Publicly labelled “soft” by former test bowler by their arch-rivals. Haddin, Shane Warne only a few months ago, paceman Mitchell Starc Shehzad partnered the woe- Michael (pictured below) has come of age at the cricket World Cup and fully out-of-form Jamshed in Clarke and could prove key to Australia’s hopes of winning a fifth trophy. the next three matches before Shane Watson The 25-year-old left-armer currently leads the wickets tally at the Pakistan decided to gamble on after taking tournament with 16 scalps at the end of the pool phase, one ahead of Sarfraz, whose form coming into the wicket of a clutch of bowlers with 15, but with an eye-popping average of 8.50. the World Cup was not very flat- Once known as the “lesser Mitchell”, Starc has put Australia’s Scotland’s tering either. most feared strike bowler Mitchell Johnson firmly in the shade, the Richie “We tried him when we came fellow left-armer taking a modest nine wickets at an average of 22.66. here in New Zealand ... in these Berrington at “The ball’s coming out nicely. I can’t complain. It’s coming out conditions he was not up to the Bellerive Oval consistently well, but more importantly we’re winning games,” Starc mark,” Pakistan captain Misbah- in Hobart, said in comments published by The Australian newspaper. “That’s all ul-Haq said after the win against Tasmania, on that matters. “I’ve been working on different plans, whether that Ireland. Saturday. be in training or in a game, and it’s nice to see them coming off.” “He was not getting runs some- Starc’s form at cricket’s global showpiece has elevated him to the where. He was just finding it dif- most lethal wicket-taker in the one-day game. ficult, even in the nets.” The Adelaide Oval has one of Australia’s slowest pitches, particu- However, Jamshed’s poor form larly since its redevelopment as a venue for Australian Rules football prompted them to try Sarfraz at matches, but Starc’s pace, bounce and variation could prove a handful the top, admitted Misbah. West Indies confident for Pakistan when the teams clash in the quarter-finals on Friday. “Once we tried our specialist Starc has set the tone for Australia’s campaign, capturing the opener (Jamshed) we were just team’s first World Cup wicket in the opener against England when left with no choice, and we just a flustered Moeen Ali tried to pull a short ball only to be beaten for got Sarfraz back at the top, and Gayle will regain fitness pace and caught at mid-on. He all but bowled out New Zealand with he responded really well.” a six-wicket haul that dragged his team into the match after they After the loss to India, Pakistan were skittled for 151 in Auckland and appeared ripe for humiliation. then fell to West Indies in their WELLINGTON: West Indies game. But we’ll sit down, discuss His ability to swing the ball both ways and into right-handed bats- second pool match. They squeezed believe Chris Gayle (pictured) and see what conditions we’re up men has prompted comparisons with Pakistan great Wasim Akram. past Zimbabwe by 20 runs and will have a major impact on against and make a decision,” said Straight-shooter George Bailey, who led Australia against England then beat minnows United Arab Saturday’s World Cup quarter- Holder. before making way for regular captain Michael Clarke, said Starc Emirates by 129 in another final against New Zealand even Big-hitting New Zealand bats- was “more feared” as a ‘death bowler’ in the final overs than either unconvincing display. if he’s only half fit. man Kane Williamson said the of South Africa pace duo Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Stumper-batsman Sarfraz was Gayle missed Sunday’s six- Black Caps will be wary of the Only a few months ago, however, Starc was making headlines then given the chance at opener wicket win over the United Arab potential match-winning creden- after outspoken pundit Warne remarked that he looked “a bit soft” and scored 49 in their campaign- Emirates in Napier, which secured tials of Gayle. when struggling for line and length on a baking, hot day during a reviving win against South Africa the West Indies’ place in the last “Everyone knows what Chris test match against India in Brisbane. to go with the six catches he took eight, after failing to shrug off his Gayle can do and he is one of the For a sporting country that values toughness above all qualities in behind the stumps. latest back problem. biggest match winners in world elite sport, there are fewer criticisms On Sunday, he scored his In his absence, Johnson cricket, so it’s important we put more scathing than the ‘S-word’ maiden ODI century and the Charles, originally summoned to a little bit of focus on him,” said and Warne was moved to clarify his team hope he will carry that replace Darren Bravo, seized his Williamson whose mighty six comment after a subsequent media form through to their quarter- opportunity to impress with a fine gave New Zealand their tense storm. Competing with a bull-pen of final against Australia in Adelaide innings of 55. one-wicket win over Australia in fast bowlers for the third seamer spot on Friday. “Chris had the same back Auckland last month. behind Johnson and Ryan Harris, Former captain Inzamam-ul- problem over the last year, and “When he plays well, he takes Starc has struggled to cement his Haq saw traces of batting great sometimes he has good days any team down in world cricket. place in Tests. Javed Miandad in the 27-year- and sometimes he has bad days. But the nature of cricket is that if His 15 matches have yielded 50 old’s knock. Obviously, he’s a key player for us, you bowl well, you can get anyone wickets at a modest average of 35.44. “Sarfraz’s elevation to the and his fitness is key going into out and we’ve got players who are He was dropped after the “soft” opener’s slot in the last two the quarter-final,” said captain world class players as well that effort in Brisbane, but returned for matches gave Pakistan’s middle- Jason Holder. can take games away, so it’s going the final Test against India in Sydney order enough cushion,” Inzamam “I’m sure he’ll be up for it even to be exciting game between two and took five wickets for the match. wrote in his column for the if he’s not a hundred percent. It’s teams with match winners Before the Test he said he wasn’t International Cricket Council an important game and he’s a big New Zealand have won 23 of “losing sleep” over Warne’s criticism. (ICC) website. player, you know what big players century against the UAE will put the 53 completed ODIs against But in a neat piece of symmetry, “Sarfraz reminds me Javed can do on big days. I’m sure he’ll the pressure on Gayle’s opening the West Indies but lost their last his first wicket in the Sydney match Miandad’s art of rotating the be up for it even if he’s not 100 partner Dwayne Smith to keep meeting, in Hamilton in 2014, by -- having India opener Murali Vijay strike. Whenever batsmen takes per cent.” his place after a miserable tour- 203 runs. nicking behind -- happened with singles and twos, it not only dis- Gayle, 35 has had a roller- nament in which his top score is However, the Black Caps Warne behind the microphone for the turbs and frustrates the bowlers coaster tournament with his just 31 in six innings. will still be favourites to make host broadcaster. Warne praised the but disallows them to explore the World Cup record 215 against “Obviously, Johnson had a very the semi-finals of the World bowler and has since jokingly claimed weak areas of the batsmen. And Zimbabwe in Canberra on good day,” he said. Cup, having won all of their six credit for his brilliant form. that’s what exactly Sarfraz did on February 24 being the only time “And I would say he’s pretty group games in the first round. AFP Sunday.” REUTERS he has got past 50. Johnson’s half much secured a spot for the next REUTERS TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Mike Di Meglio of Avintia Racing com- petes during the MotoGP pre-season testing at Losail International Circuit on Sunday night. RIGHT: Movistar Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo and Mike Di Meglio. PICTURES BY: BAHER AMIN Dovizioso tops day two at Losail Ducati rider dominates during testing in Qatar, breaks Stoner’s Circuit record of 2008

DOHA: Andrea Dovizioso of the top spot with a 1’54.907 as the Honda. Marquez had been search- Ducati Team set the fastest time evening wore on. ing for his ideal race setup while on day 2 of the MotoGP test at Not only was this the quickest Pedrosa evaluated a new set of Losail International Circuit on time of the test so far, but it was front forks on his RC213V. Sunday night, as less than 1 sec- 0.2s faster than Casey Stoner’s After a difficult first day of ond separated the top 14 riders. Circuit record set in 2008, and he testing, where both riders com- Overcast conditions greeted the was the only rider to break the plained of not getting a “good teams as they arrived at the 5.4 1’55 mark. feeling” around the Losail km Circuit at Losail, with most The Ducati Team had brought Circuit, Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi riders preferring to wait until the a new exhaust for its riders to test Jorge Lorenzo improved his of Movistar floodlights came on before head- and we also saw the reappearance time from day one by 3 tenths Yamaha team ing out on track. of “winglets” on the Desmosedici and finished in fourth place. negotiates a The dust on the circuit that for the first time since 2010. The His teammate Valentino Rossi turn during the had affected riders yesterday Italian manufacturer just missed set his quickest lap late on in the MotoGP pre- seemed to not be such an issue out on another 1-2, with Iannone evening, improving by almost season testing. today thanks to all of the on-track finishing in third just 0.197s back half a second from Saturday, activity, and it didn’t take long from his team-mate and only and finishing in 5th (+0.674) just for Marc Marquez to lay down a 0.013s behind the 2nd placed one-thousandth of a second faster marker early on in proceedings by Marquez. than the Honda of Pedrosa. setting a time faster than anyone The reigning MotoGP Cal Crutchlow was once had managed on day one. Champion led the timesheets for again the leading satellite rider Marquez traded fastest laps most of the day on his Repsol and managed another impres- with the Ducati’s of Andrea Honda but had to settle for sec- sive showing on his CWM LCR Iannone and Dovizioso through- ond place, 0.184s behind Dovizioso, Honda as he ended the day in 7th out the day, but it was the GP15 of with his team-mate Dani Pedrosa (+0.717s), setting his best time Dovizioso that eventually claimed in 6th on the other factory Repsol late on, despite an earlier crash. a 1’55.765, good enough for 10th Scott Redding on the Estrella 0.238s back in 18th ahead with the His teammate, class rookie Jack place and just 0.674s behind Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Racing Avintia Racing Ducati of Mike Di Miller managed to improve today Marquez. Honda again finished within a Meglio between them. by almost half a second to finish Yonny Hernandez finished second of the leader in 13th place Stefan Bradl crashed early in 21st place (+1.851). in 11th on the Pramac Ducati, (+0.896s) as he was one of the on, but was unhurt as he In 8th place, just 0.024s behind almost a second quicker than busiest guys out on track com- ended the day in 20th ahead his compatriot Crutchlow, was his teammate Danilo Petrucci, as pleting over 50 laps. He was also of the Pramac Ducati of Bradley Smith on his Monster he continues to regain his confi- one of the only riders to complete Danilo Petrucci and his Athinà Eugene Laverty Tech 3 Yamaha. The British rider dence following his recovery from a full race simulation as he man- Forward Racing teammate of Drive M7 Aspar tried out a different swingarm as a shoulder injury. aged a 16-lap stint late on in the Loris Baz in 23rd (+2.029s). test laps at Losail. he once again outperformed his The Team Suzuki Ecstar day. Octo Ioda Racing’s Alex De team-mate Pol Espargaro in 9th, GSX-RR’s of Aleix Espargaro The Avintia Racing Ducati of Angelis on the open class ART even if it was by just one-hun- and Maverick Viñales were 12th Hector Barbera was in 15th place, bike separated the two factory dredth of a second. and 14th respectively, with both with Nicky Hayden on the Open Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Karel Abraham improved his riders struggling to improve on class Drive M7 Aspar RC213V-RS RS-GP’s of Alvaro Bautista (24th) best time from day one by almost their times from day one as they in sixteenth. and Marco Melandri (26th) a second to once again be the continued work on the setup of The American’s teammate respectively at the bottom of the leading Open class rider, setting their ECU. Eugene Laverty was a further timesheets. THE PENINSULA Red Bull threaten F1 pull-out

MELBOURNE: Red Bull advi- to the starting grid and Daniel Horner said it wasn’t “healthy” to voiced frustration at the growing sor Helmut Marko warned the Ricciardo was sixth out of just 11 have one team dominant and he number of restrictions, taking a Red Bull Formula team could pull out of Formula cars to finish. called for F1 to rein in Mercedes reduced role. One over its rules and organisa- The debacle, for an outfit which and their superior engine. “Take nothing from Mercedes, One driver Daniel tion after a disappointing open- dominated F1 between 2010 and “On this evidence, we are set they have done a super job. They Ricciardo of ing race in Australia. 2013, prompted a dark warn- for a two-horse race at every have a good car, a fantastic engine Australia poses for Marko said the Austrian team ing from Marko as he spoke to grand prix. Is it healthy to have a and two very good drivers,” a photo with a fan was “unhappy” with the cur- German-language media. situation like this?” Horner told Horner said. as he arrives for rent situation, as team principal “We are unhappy with the way reporters. “The problem is that the gap is the Australian F1 Christian Horner called for new Formula One is regulated and “The FIA, within the rules, so big that you end up with three- Grand Prix at the regulations to level the playing run,” Marko said. “Therefore we have an equalisation mechanism tier racing, and that is not healthy Albert Park Circuit field. will also be thinking about an exit and that needs to be looked at.” for Formula One.” in Melbourne on Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton scenario if the cost-benefit analy- He said Red Bull had to He added: “I fear the interest Sunday. and Nico Rosberg tore away to a sis no longer adds up.” weather several rules-changes will wane. I didn’t see much of one-two finish in Melbourne, 30 He added that Red Bull, owned during its time at the top, includ- Mercedes on the television and seconds ahead of the next driver, by Austrian energy-drink billion- ing bans on double-diffusers and I can only imagine that it isn’t in an ominous sign for the other aire Dietrich Mateschitz, would flexible bodywork. interesting watching a proces- teams. evaluate their position later in The team is also undergoing sion, so the producer was looking Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat suffered the year. internal changes with design for other battles going on in the a gearbox problem on his way Despite Red Bull’s years on top, guru Adrian Newey, who has race.” AFP Austrian team right to be upset, says Ecclestone

LONDON: Formula One’s put in when he was there that in changes.” Under a complicated contemplate an F1 exit,” he told Bull were winning to give others to turn a wheel on the track in commercial supremo Bernie the event...that a particular team system of tokens, manufacturers German-speaking media. a chance. Melbourne. Ecclestone has backed Red or engine supplier did something can make limited changes to their “Yes, the danger is there that “Double diffusers were banned, They missed all three practice Bull’s call for action to rein in magic -- which Mercedes have engines during a season but not Mr Mateschitz loses his passion exhausts were moved, flexible sessions and Saturday qualifying, Mercedes’ engine advantage and done -- the FIA can level up wholesale revisions. for F1.” bodywork was banned, engine blaming software problems, which make races more competitive things. Renault-powered Red Bull have Ecclestone pointed out that mapping was changed mid-season ruled them out of the race. after a one-sided start to the “They (Mercedes) have done been frustrated by their inability Red Bull had committed to at -- anything was done to pull us However, they escaped sanction season. a first class job which everybody to keep up with Mercedes who least 2020 but recognised the risk. back,” he said. with stewards deciding to take no However, the 84-year-old acknowledges. We need to change dominated Formula One last year “Whether they will, who Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff action after an enquiry decided played down talk of the former things a little bit now and try and and cruised to an easy one-two knows?,” he said. “Dieter is a accused Red Bull of moaning the team had made “all reason- champions walking away from level things up a little bit,” added win in Sunday’s season-opening sporting guy and I don’t think because they were losing. able endeavours” to get the cars a sport they dominated only the Briton. Australian Grand Prix. he’ll stop because he’s being Meanwhile, Ecclestone indi- ready. recently. Ecclestone said it was not a Red Bull motorsport adviser beaten. He’s more likely to stop cated yesterday that Manor “We should have never ever, “They are absolutely 100 per- case of doing everything possible Helmut Marko suggested his if he was winning.” Marussia had no intention of ever allowed Manor to do what cent right,” Ecclestone said yes- to stop Mercedes but simply to team, who won four champion- Red Bull made a dismal start to competing in Formula One’s they’ve done. It’s our fault. I terday when asked about Red allow other manufacturers more ships in a row before being left in the season with Daniel Ricciardo Australian season-opener and predicted this would happen,” Bull principal Christian Horner’s flexibility. the Mercedes slipstream, might finishing sixth and lapped in his will pay a price for their failure Ecclestone said. statement that the governing “What we should have done pull out if billionaire owner home race. to race. “They had no intention of FIA should apply an “equalisa- was frozen the Mercedes engine Dietrich Mateschitz lost interest. New Russian team mate Daniil The struggling team, who racing in Australia. Zero. They tion mechanism” to narrow the and leave everybody else to do “We will evaluate the situa- Kvyat withdrew before the start emerged from the remains of the couldn’t have raced if someone gap. what they want so they could have tion again as every year and look with a gearbox failure. failed Marussia outfit after going had gone there with a machine “There is a rule that I think caught up,” he suggested. “We into costs and revenues. If we Horner said the rules had into administration and missing gun and put it to their head. (former president) Max (Mosley) should support the FIA to make are totally dissatisfied we could changed constantly when Red the last three races of 2014, failed AGENCIES TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Rashid Hamad Al Athba tops in Double Trap at the Emir Shooting and Archery Cup

Rashid Hamad Al Athba (centre), winner in Double Trap Men at the Emir Shooting and Archery Cup, poses for a picture along with silver medal winner Rashid Ali Aladbi, third place finisher Masoud Ali Aladba and officials of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday. Masoud Hamad Al Athba came fourth. RIGHT: Rashid Al Athba in action. Arsenal travel to Monaco with renewed confidence Atletico look to home comforts to oust Leverkusen

PARIS: Arsenal were on the Arsene Wenger of Giroud’s spell floor after losing 3-1 to Monaco with the Tours club. last month but the Londoners “He’s come out and become an have rebuilt confidence enough international footballer. You need to believe they can overturn some mental strength to do that.” their Champions League deficit Wenger is likely to start Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Igor Sijsling of Netherlands during in today’s return match. Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade- day seven of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Since being beaten in the last- Chamberlain in midfield after in Indian Wells, California, yesterday. 16 first leg at The Emirates, the they were rested on Saturday. Gunners have bounced back by Like Arsenal, Monaco’s self- knocking Manchester United out belief is also high after they of the FA Cup and by overcom- brushed Bastia aside 3-0 in Ligue ing West Ham United, Queens 1 on Friday thanks to an Anthony Federer, Nadal cruise Park Rangers and Everton in the Martial double. Premier League. Martial started after coach “I think we have pulled our- Leonardo Jardim rested Dimitar selves together,” midfielder Berbatov and the 19-year-old at the Indian Wells Francis Coquelin told the club’s forward produced a sterling per- website (www.arsenal.com). formance as Monaco remained INDIAN WELLS, United his campaign on a successful note, “There are quite a lot of things fourth in the table. States: Former champions blitzing Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-2 in to change after you lose 3-1 at Only once this season have the Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal the joint WTA and ATP hard- home but we’ve done that in principality club conceded three breezed through their Indian court tournament. recent games. goals or more, a 4-1 defeat at Wells openers and Serena Federer, who is making his “We haven’t conceded many Girondins de Bordeaux in August. Williams stepped up her come- 15th appearance in the California goals and we’ve been scoring goals “The ingredients we need to back from a 14-year boycott desert, advances to the third as well. We haven’t lost a game qualify? We’ll need to make sure with a similar crushing victory round, where he will face Italy’s since Monaco and confidence is we don’t concede or concede as yesterday. Andreas Seppi, who beat Federer high.” few as possible, keep calm what- Second seed Federer opened his earlier this year at the Australian France striker Olivier Giroud, ever happens...and take our bid for a fifth Indian Wells title by Open. who had a terrible game in the chances,” said defender Wallace. easing to a 6-4, 6-2 second round “It was important to get a good first leg, also seems to be back to “A draw would be a great result victory over Argentina’s Diego start. I had to stay focused and try his best and scored the opening for us thanks to our good win in Schwartzman. Nadal also opened to stay aggressive on the return goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the first leg.” which isn’t always easy,” Federer West Ham. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid said. “(Responding) is one of his will once again have to rely on ATP and WTA Indian “It was a bit breezy and I had to strengths. This is a boy who their formidable home form be careful at times but it is good played at the age of 22 or 23 in as they look to overcome a 1-0 Wells Results to get the first win.” division three,” said manager first leg deficit against Bayer The 17-time Grand Slam win- INDIAN WELLS, United Leverkusen to reach the quar- ner Federer is ranked second States: Results at the ATP ter-finals today. Last season’s in the world and has a shot at and WTA BNP Paribas Open Champions League beaten finalists have failed to reclaiming the top ranking with tennis tournament on Sunday: win a game since falling to Hakan a good showing at Indian Wells. Fixtures Calhanoglu’s stunning strike at Women Third Round: Serena Williams Federer said he is looking for- (USA x1) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ x28) 6-2, Fixtures from the Champions the Bay Arena three weeks ago. ward to getting another shot so However, they have won 20 of 6-0; Heather Watson (GBR) bt Agnieszka soon at Seppi who beat him in League Last 16 second leg Radwanska (POL x7) 6-4, 6-4; Elina Svitolina matches their last 22 European games at four sets at the Australian Open the Vicente Calderon, including (UKR x23) bt Lucie Safarova (CZE x10) 7-6 in January. Today (all times in GMT) wins in all three of their group (7/5), 7-5; Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x27) bt “It was a tough match. It Monaco (France) vs Arsenal (England) (1945); games earlier this season without Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x8) 3-6, 7-5, slipped away from me,” Federer Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs Bayer Leverkusen conceding a goal. Another clean 6-4; Karolína Pliskova (CZE x14) bt Garbine said. (Germany) (1945) Muguruza (ESP x19) 7-5, 6-4; Simona Halep Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud controls the ball during a training sheet is likely to be in order if Top seed Serena Williams Tomorrow (ROM x3) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA x26) session at the club’s complex at London Colney, north of London, yes- Diego Simeone’s men are to stepped up her comeback from a Borussia Dortmund (Germany) vs Juventus 6-1, 3-6, 6-1; Carla Suárez (ESP x12) bt terday, ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Monaco progress to the last eight with 14-year Indian Wells boycott by (Italy) (1945); Barcelona (Spain) vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 7-6 (7/4), in Monaco today. goals of their own in short sup- storming into the fourth round Manchester City (England) (1945) ply in recent weeks. AGENCIES 6-7 (5/7), 6-0; Sloane Stephens (USA) bt with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x22) 7-6 (7/4), error-prone Zarina Diyas. 1-6, 6-4. World number one Williams Men Second Round: Milos Raonic (CAN x6) needed just 53 minutes to dis- Sunderland sack manager Poyet: Club bt Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-3, 6-4; Aleksandr miss Diyas, blasting six aces and Dolgopolov (UKR) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) breaking the world number 32 six SUNDERLAND, United ‘great escape’ and With time running Brighton manager’s fortunes had 6-1, 7-6 (7/4); Donald Young (USA) bt Jeremy times in front of a crowd of about Kingdom: Sunderland sacked cup final appear- short, and a trip dipped sharply since he pulled off Chardy (FRA x31) 6-4, 6-2; Lukas Rosol 10,500. their manager Gus Poyet (pic- ance, which will to West Ham on what he termed “a miracle” to (CZE) bt Martin Klizan (SVK) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3; “This is going in the right tured) yesterday, less than 48 live long in the Saturday, the club keep Sunderland in the top flight Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x11) bt Nick Kyrgios direction,” Williams said. “I was hours after a humbling home memory of every are expected to act last season, engineering four wins (AUS) 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4); Michael able to be a little more consist- loss to fellow Premier League Sunderland fan. quickly. in a row to stave off relegation. Berrer (GER) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x22) ent today.” strugglers Aston Villa. “Sadly, we have Local press The game appeared to be up for 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-1 abandon; Robin Haase Former US Fed Cup player The Uruguayan paid the price not made the reports suggest the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham (NED) bt Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x7) 6-3, Sloane Stephens defeated two- for a poor run of results that has progress that any former Rangers midfielder after Saturday’s match 3-6, 6-3; Roberto Bautista (ESP x15) bt time Grand Slam winner Svetlana left the Black Cats fourth from of us had hoped for boss Dick with angry fans confronting him Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-4, 6-3; Andreas Seppi Kuznetsova 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-4 bottom after Saturday’s 4-0 rout, this season and we Advocaat, cur- close to his dug-out before the (ITA x30) bt Victor Hanescu (ROM) 6-4, to set up a clash with Williams the club’s sixth game without a find ourselves bat- rently in charge of majority of the 46,000 crowd 6-4; Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) bt Igor Sijsling with the winner advancing to the win. tling, once again, at Serbia’s national trudged away long before the final (NED) 6-4, 6-2; Jack Sock (USA) bt Gilles quarter-finals. In a statement Sunderland, one the wrong end of team, could be whistle.Poyet becomes the sixth Muller (LUX x33) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7); Roger Diyas had seven double faults point above the relegation zone, the table. We have appointed on a managerial departure of the cur- Federer (SUI x2) bt Diego Schwartzman and committed a rash of unforced announced: “Sunderland AFC therefore made temporary basis. rent Premier League season, after (ARG) 6-4, 6-2; Steve Johnson (USA) bt Ivo errors, especially in the final have parted company with head the difficult deci- Poyet was in Neil Warnock (Crystal Palace), Karlovic (CRO/N.21) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5); Gilles game, when she had three in a coach Gus Poyet this afternoon.” sion that a change charge at the Alan Irvine (West Bromwich Simon (FRA) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 6-3, 4-6, row to bow out in calamitous Chairman Ellis Short added: “I is needed.” Stadium of Light for 17 months, Albion), Alan Pardew (Newcastle 6-2; Tommy Robredo (ESP x17) bt Andrey fashion. Williams is playing in her would like to thank Gus for his The north-east side said “an having taken over from Paolo Di United), Harry Redknapp Golubev (KAZ) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4; Tomas first tournament since winning a endeavours during his time at the announcement will be made in due Canio. (Queens Park Rangers) and Paul Berdych (CZE x9) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) sixth Australian Open crown and club, in particular last season’s course” regarding his successor. The 47-year-old former Lambert (Aston Villa). AFP 6-1, 6-4. a 19th Grand Slam title. AFP Tuesday 17 March 2015 26 Jumada I 1436 Volume 20 Number 6372 Sport Price: QR2 Spieth clinches Arsenal travel Valspar title in to Monaco with Available every Wednesdays in confidence all leading supermarkets and play-off shops in Qatar & Bahrain Sport | 23 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780

FIFA gives Rio Doha set to host ISF convention Games green light to Manaus Representatives from 51 countries to participate in the four-day meet RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: FIFA’s Organising Committee DOHA: The convention of the ISF with ISF members, experts yesterday confirmed Manaus International School Sport and authorities,” said the QSA as a sixth city chosen to host Federation (ISF) will begin in Secretary General. soccer action at next year’s Rio Doha tomorrow with participa- Al Hitmi reaffirmed the impor- Olympics. tion of representatives from 51 tance of the Doha convention as There had been fears in countries. it will lay the foundations for the Brazil that the 41,000-capacity To conclude on March 20, the ISF strategy during the upcom- Amazonia Arena, built for last convention is an indication of ing years. year’s World Cup at a cost of $270 the great trust the ISF has in The convention will conclude million, would end up as a “white the organisational abilities of the on Saturday with a meeting for elephant” as Manaus boasts no Qatar School Sport Association the ISF Executive Committee top flight football club to fill it. (QSA) and Qatar. with attendance of Qatar’s Moreover, FIFA had initially The QSA, under the leader- Abdulrahman Al Muftah, the indicated it opposed staging ship of Rabea Al Kaabi, has com- QSA Executive Committee. matches some 3000km (1870 pleted its arrangements for the Workshops and plenary sessions miles) away from the host city. ISF convention to be hosted at on various themes in relation to But world soccer’s governing Doha Marriot Hotel with attend- world school sport development body relented amid concern over ance of 81 officials representing 51 are on the agenda. Some experts whether pitches in Rio and fel- countries in addition to the chair- will take part in the task forces low World Cup venues Brasilia, persons of the Continental School in order to bring external ideas Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo and Sport Federations. along with the expert of the ISF. Salvador would stand up to mul- The Qatari delegation will be Many members have already tiple use in early rounds. chaired by the QSA Secretary mentioned ideas and propositions “The Olympic Football General Ali Al Hitmi and will to develop the ISF. Tournaments will be a fantastic include the QSA Executive Thus the convention will be the opportunity to revive the great Director Abdulrahman Al moment for them to attend any atmosphere seen during the 2014 Muftah and the QSA Assistant of those workshops to share and FIFA World Cup, not only in Rio Secretary General Nasser Al examine their projects. de Janeiro but also in the other Malki. Each workshop will end up five cities,” said Marco Polo Del QSA Secretary General Ali into five recommendations that Nero, chairman of the Organising Al Himi stressed that selecting Ali Al Hitmi (right), Secretary General of Qatar School Sport Association (QSA) and another official speaking to will be approved by the Executive Committee for the Olympic Doha to host the event was due reporters ahead of Wednesday’s convention of the International School Sport Federation (ISF). The meet will Committee in October 2015 and Football Tournaments. the trust the ISF officials have in begin in Doha on Wednesday with participation of representatives from 51 countries. later on, will be adopted by the Del Nero, who will next month the organisational abilities of the general assembly in July 2016. assume the presidency of the Qtari hosts. Al Hitmi said that the ISF of the ISF Executive Committee. “The ISF Convention offers Moreover, a report book, Brazilian Football Confederation Last year, he recalled, the ISF officials got their positive impres- “Doha convention will be first the opportunity to national asso- addressed to all national and (CBF), said the Games were an members elected the representa- sion about Qatar and its abilities meeting for the ISF members ciations to exchange, discuss international federations, will be opportunity to use the World tive of the state of Qatar to be during the 2009 Gymnasiade after the electing its new presi- and develop together the Vision published in order to convey rec- Cup infrastructure “to unite the a member in the ISF Executive when the current ISF President dent and members a year ago” Al 2030 by drafting the first stra- ommendations regarding school country for a major event once Committee during its election. Laurent Petrynka was a member Hitmi added. tegic ideas for the future of the sport. THE PENINSULA more. “I am confident that the partic- ipating teams will have an unfor- gettable Olympic experience,” Del Nero added. Rio 2016 President Carlos Longevity result of Nuzman, who last month said the first ever Olympics to be staged in South America must be the “Games of Brazil” and not just planning: Federer Rio. “The inclusion of Manaus in INDIAN WELLS, California: competed in at least 30 tourna- the Rio 2016 Olympic schedule Known for his classic ground- ments each year and Federer will enrich the tournament with strokes and graceful move- cited the example of Russia’s Roger Federer of a visit of the football players to ment around the court, Roger former world number one Yevgeny Switzerland during one of the most iconic locations Federer gave intriguing insight Kafelnikov, who clinched the his match against in the world,” Nuzman said after at the BNP Paribas Open yes- 1996 French Open and the 1999 Diego Schwartzman of a FIFA Organising Committee terday on how carefully he has Australian Open. Argentina at the BNP meeting in Zurich. mapped out his career. “If you look back, Kafelnikov Paribas Open at Indian The 58-match football tourna- Just over a decade ago, the used to play 30 or 32 events back Wells Tennis Garden ment will be staged at seven sta- Swiss master became world in the day,” said the 33-year-old yesterday. diums in six cities. number one for the first time Swiss, a 17-times grand slam sin- Rio will see opening week but, instead of deciding to “chase gles champion. “I said that’s not action at the Olympic stadium, money or more tournament vic- something I really want to do. also known as Engenhao and tories”, he and his team opted to “If I play, I want to play good. I which reopened earlier this year focus on extending his competi- want to play injury-free if possi- for Rio league action after under- tive career for as long as possible. ble, but of course all the top guys, going two years of repairs, as well “The idea was always (about) we also play hurt. as the Maracana. The Engenhao trying to be around the game “But the goal was to stay will also stage track and field for a long time,” world number around for a long time. I did get events. two Federer told reporters after inspired by seeing 32-year-olds, Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena cruising into the third round of 35-year-olds, and actually I felt has also been chosen despite the BNP Paribas Open with a they almost did me a favour that cost fears expressed by city commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over I could play against them.” authorities. Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman. Federer, who believes he is ISF World Schools Tennis Championship concludes With 16 men’s and 12 wom- The Swiss, who is making his playing some of the best tennis en’s teams competing FIFA had 15th appearance in the California of his career at the age of 33, says judged the initially proposed four- desert, advances to the third he continues to learn about the city structure could mean some round, where he will face Italy’s game and is proud to be able to stadiums hosting more than one Andreas Seppi, who beat Federer inspire younger players through match a day during the August earlier this year in the third his own example. 3-20 football event. round of the Australian Open. “My best memories are play- The women’s qualifiers kickoff Federer is ranked second in the ing against the guys I used to on August 3 with men’s action world and has a shot at reclaim- see on TV,” he said. “It’s not like starting a day later as Brazil’s ing the top ranking with a good I’m doing the young guys now a men, five-time world champi- showing at Indian Wells. favour to still be around, but I ons, target the only major crown “And for that in 2004, when think down the stretch it might still to elude them. The Selecao I became world No. 1, I took a be appreciated (by them). lost the 2012 final to Mexico at decision with my fitness coach at “For me, it was important try- Wembley. the time that we’re going to plan ing to stay around for as long The legendary Maracana, long-term. Whatever we will do, as possible because I do love the which hosted Germany’s World we will plan long-term. game. I’m happy the plan worked, Cup final win over Argentina in “Sure, we can chase money that at 33 I’m still being super July, is scheduled to host semi- or more tournament victories. competitive and healthy and final and final matches, the latter We can play more frequently, happy to be on tour. the day before the Games’ closing train harder, whatever we will “I still believe I can improve my ceremony. do. But we decided we will try game ... I think you have to try to The players and officials who took part in the eighth edition of the ISF World Schools Tennis Championship, Men’s Olympic football features to stay around 20 tournaments reinvent yourself. Tennis is actu- pose for a picture along with officials of Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), Qatar School Sports Association (QSA), players aged up to 23 plus three during the year, which is a lower ally one of those sports where I and International School Sports Federation (ISF). Boys and girls from 16 countries took part in the champion- over-age players while there is no number.” feel like you can always do better.” ship which was organised by QTF in co-operation with QSA, under the guidance of the ISF. age limit for the women. AFP During the 1990s, many players AGENCIES