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SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 • 24 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6370 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Qatar Museum events Weather to be Ministry helps unstable from tomorrow 5,000 expats DOHA: The country is expected to experience unstable weather conditions from tomorrow, for a week, with a rise in temperature and chances of scattered rains, return home according to the Meteorology Department. Light to scattered rains are Amnesty team visits MoI Department expected today as well, with the weather remaining hazy and DOHA: The Ministry of Interior international principles which cloudy. The day time temperature has provided air tickets to more led to the voluntary surrender of during the week could soar up to than 5,000 expatriates held up a number of expatriate workers 29 degrees Celsius. at its Search and Follow-Up who violated the law. Requests by Strong dust winds are also Department to send them back such workers communicating their expected on Tuesday, Wednesday home, a senior official said. interest to return home have been and Thursday. Brig Nasser Mohammed Al entertained by the Department The unstable weather has Sayed, Director of the Department, and they are sent home after com- been attributed to an extension said that the Ministry has come to pleting the necessary procedures. of low pressure in the upper air the rescue of a number of inmates The Amnesty delegation was over the eastern Mediterranean who could not afford to buy an air received by Al Sayed and Brig area. This may result in scattered ticket to go home. Abdullah Saqr Al Mohannadi, head rains. The turbulence could pre- This came during a briefing to of the Human Rights Department Under the guidance of Qatar Museums Chairperson H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, vail until April 22. a delegation from the Amnesty at the Ministry and other sen- Qatar Museums officially launched the new Fire Station building and its Artists in Residence programme as The rise in temperature could International that visited the ior officials. The delegation was well as the inaugural ‘555’ exhibition, in Doha yesterday. The event was attended by Minister of Culture, Arts lead to formation of clouds and Department to know about the told about the various measures thunderstorms. and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari. See also page 2 living condition of migrant work- being taken by the Department The south-easterly to southerly ers there, the Qatar News Agency to improve the living condition of winds would blow with moderate reported yesterday. “Although we the inmates. An office of the Public to fresh speed gaining momen- receive huge number of people, Prosecution and a court dealing tum from Tuesday turning the they are not being detained finally with residency issues have been weather dusty. as the Ministry has provided air set up at the Department as part THE PENINSULA tickets to more than 5,000 people of the legal procedures. Anti-Houthi alliance formed who were not able to pay for a The delegation toured the Many feared dead ticket to reach their destination,” facilities at the Department SANA’A: Yemeni political forces It also includes dissident south- political parties as Muslim Al Sayed was quoted as saying. which include separate accom- who oppose the Shia militia ern members of the General Brotherhood-linked Al Islah, in Vanuatu cyclone Al Sayed said the Ministry was modations for men and women, that has seized control of Sana’a People’s Congress, the party of hardline Sunni Islamist Al keen to implement the princi- dining hall, hair cutting salon for formed an alliance against it former president Ali Abdullah Rashad and the Nasserist SUVA, FIJI: Super Cyclone ples of the Universal Declaration men, mosque for men and women, yesterday, saying they want Saleh, who is suspected of back- Unionist People’s party. Pam, a maximum category five of Human Rights of the United sports and entertainment facili- to restore state authority and ing the Houthis. It aims to restore Meanwhile, Houthi gunmen storm, smashed into Vanuatu in Nations while dealing with expa- ties, clinic, among others. Only rebuild weakened security forces. state authority and “prevent the attacked the Sana’a office of local the South Pacific with gusts of up triate workers who end up at the 100 people have been put in a block The newly formed National collapse of the army and secu- human rights advocacy group to 320km an hour yesterday and Department. Accordingly, the that can actually accommodate up Salvation Bloc groups Sunni rity forces and rebuild them,” Siraj Development, said a Siraj wreaked widespread devastation. ministry transferred the sponsor- to 150 people, the team was told. Muslim and secular parties, as said a statement after a meeting official. Najla Al Zamari said they The UN had unconfirmed ship of several workers when it The delegation appreciated the well youth groups, tribal alliances in Sana’a. And it criticised “ille- destroyed computers and accused reports of 44 people killed in one was proved that there were sub- facilities and the interest of the and members of the Southern gitimate” measures taken by the staff of “collaborating with foreign province and Vanuatu President ject to abuse by their sponsors. ministry to improve the services Movement, which seeks greater Houthis and rejected the state countries, of “immoral activity” and Baldwin Lonsdale appealed for The Department has adopted at the Department, QNA reported. autonomy for the formerly inde- being controlled by militias. allowing men and women to mix. international help. AFP its procedures in line with the THE PENINSULA pendent south. The bloc includes such major AFP See also page 13 SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Condolences offered for ‘Artists in residence’ launched Al Dari’s death Qatar Museums unveils new Fire Station building and inaugural ‘555’ exhibition AMMAN: H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday con- veyed condolences and consola- DOHA: Qatar Museums (QM) launched in tribute to ‘The Art tion of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim officially launched the new Centre’, the first artist in resi- bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Fire Station building, ‘Artists dence initiative that took place in Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin in Residence’ programme and Doha in the early 1990s and ran Khalifa Al Thani to the sons the inaugural ‘555’ exhibition for a decade. of the late Dr Sheikh Harith yesterday. Curated by H E Sheikh Hassan Suleiman Al Dari, Chairman, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani, Association of Muslim Scholars Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the exhibition aims to showcase a in Iraq, in Jordanian capital. He Chairperson, QM, was present. pivotal era in the development of also conveyed condolences to the Since 2012, a QM team has arts not only in Qatar, but also the family and members of the clan been working on renovating the region. “Our measure of success of the deceased. old Civil Defence Building (com- as a residency is to see how young monly known as the old Fire artists we support will be able to Qatar chairs rights Station) in preparation for host- ‘fly away into the world’ and be ing the new ‘Artist in Residence’ continuously creative. panel meeting programme. “At the end of their nine It preserved the original façade months, we hope they will have GENEVA: The International to honour the heritage and tradi- developed and honed their artis- Coordinating Committee tions and recycled many features, tic identity and voice and that we of National Human Rights keeping the original integrity of will be able to introduce them to Institutions yesterday held first the building intact. opportunities, contacts and open- in a series of meetings in Geneva. The ‘Artist in Residence’ pro- ings to enable them to manage It was presided over by Dr Ali gramme is scheduled to com- their art, get themselves noticed bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman, mence in September and will and help cultivate a career,” said National Human Rights Council. continue for nine months. Al Khalifa. The session focused on les- It includes 20 artists from Equipped to host the 20 artists sons learned from the review in various disciplines, including selected to join the Fire Station, The new Fire Station building which is hosting ‘Artists in Residence’ programme and the first ‘555’ exhibition. Geneva of all human rights coun- art, photography, design, archi- the building is home to 24 studios (BELOW) Some of the paintings on display. SALIM MATRAMKOT cils last year. It also discussed tecture, among others. It has and a gallery space for exhibitions the relationship between human received more than 150 applica- and community interaction. rights councils and their gov- tions to date. The programme will Twenty studios will be open to ernments and violence against first be open to Qatari artists and these artists, while four will be women and human trafficking. residents of Qatar and later to reserved for visiting artists. regional artists. The Fire Station will also fea- GCC Awqaf “It’s a great pleasure to wit- ture a park, a library, an arts and ness the opening of the new Fire crafts shop, a cinema, a plaza, and meeting today Station building today. This build- a restaurant to foster an interac- ing has served the community tive environment and engage the DOHA: GCC Awqaf under- very well in the past 30 years and local community. secretaries will hold their first will now continue to do so in a The residency programme will meeting here today in prepara- different context,” said Hala Al also offer the 20 artists weekly tion for the second meeting of Khalifa, Director, Fire Station. mentoring programmes, and the committee of GCC Awqaf “The Artist in Residence per- access to QM, special exhibitions, and Islamic Affairs Ministers fectly reflects QM’s vision of lectures and QM’s curators. to be held in Doha next month. enriching the lives of all those who The Fire Station was built in The two-day preparatory meet- live in and visit Qatar. Through 1982 for Civil Defence. The build- ing aims to prepare the agenda for this residency programme, we ing had been occupied by the fire the second meeting. The minis- hope to nurture and support a brigade until late 2012 when it ters meeting aims to consolidate vibrant local art scene and give was handed over to QM for pres- Arab-Islamic orientation of civi- young and emerging artists a ervation and conservation and lisation in the Gulf society, pro- shared space to experiment, cre- recycling elements of the original mote intellectual moderation and ate, grow and flourish.” architecture. good citizenship and develop joint The 555 exhibition was THE PENINSULA action. QNA Overwhelming customer response to high-end models at motor show

DOHA: Most high-end car mod- The prices of some luxury and (NBK), authorised dealer els at 2015 Qatar Motor Show ultra-luxury models ranged between of Mercedes-Benz cars in have evoked an overwhelming QR700,000 and QR2.5m. Qatar, was quoted as say- response from customers, accord- “We displayed luxury models at ing by a local Arabic daily ing to some luxury car dealers in this year’s show, but focus was on yesterday. the country. Mercedes-Benz S-Class. So far we “The revised prices International carmakers that have sold about 10 units of these of some models, which showcased their latest models, models to businessmen and sen- witnessed a significant included BMW, Mercedes, Porches, ior government officials,” Sheikh reduction from the esti- Maserati, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani, Deputy mated prices, was one of among others. Chairman, Nasser Bin Khaled the important factors for high demand.” Mohamed Kandeel, Chief Operating Officer, Alfardan Group – Automotive Division, said: “Maserati’s four- door sedan models, the Quattroporte and Ghibli, the top-of-the-line S Q4 variant we displayed have received very good response from customers.” The Q4 accelerates the Quattroporte and Ghibli from 0-100km/h in 4.9 and 4.8 seconds — faster than their rear-wheel drive counterparts — up to 283km/h and 284km/h. The BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car, is one of the most preferred among Qataris. Kandeel said his com- pany has sold all units of 2014 models of BMWi8 imported last year. Each was sold at about QR675,000. The daily said there were six Rolls- Royce models sold in the Middle East, and one of them came to Qatar — at QR2.5m. According to reports, Qatar has been the fast- est-growing market for Rolls-Royce motor cars in the Middle East, with its Doha dealer achieving about 40 percent increase in sales over the last cou- ple of years. This dem- onstrates the success of the company’s business strategies and increasing strength of Qatar’s ultra- luxury car market. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ooredoo: SIP-Trunking QC implements water and for businesses launched DOHA: Ooredoo has announced business’ promise. that its world class IP voice plat- With SIP–T, Ooredoo will offer form now has a new business grade customers an ultra-modern, efficient sanitation projects in Mali voice service — SIP-Trunking. and flexible alternative to the older SIP-T is a direct connection Primary Rate Interface connectiv- DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) from a business’s private voice ity (PRI). has implemented water and infrastructure to the Ooredoo Next “SIP-T has been launched to sup- sanitation projects in Mali. Generation network so that compa- port Qatar’s business sector and The projects come within nies can carry multiple voice serv- their communication needs. The the framework of QC’s ongo- ices through their existing data links milestone demonstrates not only ing efforts to support regions and become unleashed from their old our leadership in business services, suffering a severe shortage of legacy systems. but also our dedication to launching drinking water and targeted the Voice services are essential to ground-breaking technology. regions of Koulikoro, Ciego and ensure businesses stay connected “SIP-T frees companies from their Mopti. to customers and suppliers. legacy voice circuits and delivers Wells were built in SIP-T has the ability to deliver a real cost savings for companies,” said Nangusegu, Dgopala, Soufara, fully redundant voice network which Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Cuima and Krango villages means businesses can continue to Officer, Ooredoo Qatar. where a large number of poor receive calls without any service SIP-T has been launched using and marginalised people were interruptions even if a cable is cut latest technology so that businesses provided with access to safe — a first for corporate voice services can get the most value from the drinking water at a cost of in Qatar. company’s bigger and faster fibre about QR150,000. The launch of SIP-T is a mile- network. The wells are 18-metre to stone for Ooredoo’s business voice It is part of Ooredoo’s wider cus- 60-metre deep, providing over services and demonstrates the com- tomer experience enhancement in three cubic metres of water pany’s commitment to provide lat- 2015, which will see the company per hour, and benefitting the est and best services for businesses update customer services and opera- villages and their surrounding in Qatar as part of their ‘better for tions. THE PENINSULA areas, where residents were in dire need of clean, safe water, a lack of which leads to diseases Villagers take water from one of the wells dug by Qatar Charity. and deaths. Through these projects, QC elders, mayors, heads of villages Otabogo village in Koulikoro, neediest groups. Qatargas extends support aims to contribute to the reduc- and other officials, women’s and benefitting some 1,600 people, The projects were launched tion of the spread of diseases youth groups and beneficiaries. the clinic in Tibana village in the by Jassim Abdullah Jassim, and epidemics and the wells Guests expressed joy at the same area is benefitting 12,000 Adviser and Representative of were accompanied by a health establishment of such a vital people, and an artesian well was the QC CEO, during a visit to to Qatar Red Crescent awareness campaign, promoting and important project at this drilled in Connie Babogo village Mali, where he was briefed on the importance of water and its difficult time and praised QC’s in Dogoduma, providing drink- QC Office’s activities, imple- impact on health. role in alleviating the suffering ing water for 450 families. The mentation of income-generating The projects are expected to of the people of Mali, particu- projects cost about QR175,000, projects, including ownership of significantly improve the health larly in relation to the provi- benefiting around 15,000 needy sheep and sewing machines, and status of the local population. sion of water. QC carried out people. the drilling of an artesian well. The projects were delivered many water projects and built A further batch of projects QC opened a school and a to residents in the presence a mosque and clinics, benefit- were carried out in the areas mosque in Ngba Cordora and of a large number of people, ing 15,000 people from many of economic empowerment and continues to carry out devel- including local religious fig- villages. the provision of potable water, opmental and cultural projects. ures, imams of local mosques, The mosque was built in benefitting thousands from the THE PENINSULA HIA wins three Skytrax awards Officials at the ceremony.

DOHA: Qatargas has made a Operating Officer – Administration, DOHA: Hamad International Airport (HIA) financial contribution to Qatar Red Qatargas. has won three international prizes at the Crescent. The donation included As part of its corporate social Skytrax Airport Award Ceremony held on the funds raised at the 16th annual responsibility initiatives, Qatargas sidelines of the Passenger Terminal Expo 2015 Qatargas Golf Open late last year, is keen to build enduring partner- in Paris. with an additional contribution ships with organisations that strive HIA won the Best Airport in the Middle East from the company. to improve the lives of the needy and award and came in second as the Best Airport in A ceremony was held at Qatargas’ deserving people around the world. Performance and Services. It also won the ninth head office in Doha to acknowledge Its support to QRC is in line with position as the World’s Best Airport in Transit Qatargas’ contribution. the company’s initiatives to make Services. The awards place Qatar in a strategic Saad Shaheen Al Kaabi, Fund a significant contribution towards position on the international aviation map as HIA Raising and Investment Manager, achieving human development goals offers passengers unique services, with passengers QRC, presented a certificate of appre- of Qatar National Vision 2030. being able to complete travel procedure easily and ciation to Ghanim Al Kuwari, Chief THE PENINSULA at record time. Passengers from over 160 countries around the world participated in the Skytrax annual poll, which asked them to evaluate services offered by airlines and airports. Winners are determined based on passenger reviews of airport services such as arrival, connection, shopping, security, and oth- ers. “The HIA family is excited to win the awards, especially as we competed with the world’s pres- tigious and long-standing airports,” said Badr Al Officials with one of the awards. Meer, Chief Operating Officer, HIA, after receiv- ing the awards. “I received the awards on behalf to our efforts to pro- customers at the airport,” it has achieved. of HIA staff and our partners who contributed vide the best services he added. He said HIA plans to to our passengers. The Al Meer said the awards improve, develop and expe- awards are a testimony are a great achievement dite services to passengers. to their hard work and by HIA, which has been in HIA also recently won the they encourage all of us operation for less than a world’s Best Strategic to continue our endeav- year, while the best inter- Project 2015 by American ours to ensure full pas- national airports need an organization ‘CG/LA’. senger satisfaction. average of five years to “This is a recognition of “The awards are val- adjust their operations not just the airport, but uable as they are won after opening to win such also of Qatar and its people based on passenger awards. and establishments. We as choice and experiences He said improvements Qataris see these awards with airline compa- HIA will witness soon, such as a source of pride for our nies. The awards also as the opening of the VIP country and dedicate this reflect the level of our Lounge and First-Class recognition to every pas- performance in the Lounge, will deepen the senger via HIA”. entire engagement with successes and excellence THE PENINSULA Women empowerment a priority of Qatar: Envoy NEW YORK: Qatar proper work and enhanc- pays special attention ing social protection for to the issue of women them in all strategies and empowerment with national plans. regard to the practice of She said Qatar is a political, social and eco- member of international nomic rights which has and regional conventions been enhanced through and agreements that the constitution and leg- enhance women’s rights islations, Sheikha Alya such as the Convention Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, on the Elimination of All Qatar’s Permanent Forms of Discrimination Representative to the Against Women. UN, told the 59th session Qatar has adopted a of the Commission on the policy to protect human Status of Women. rights in general and She said Qatar was women’s rights in par- keen to exercise equal- ticular in Qatar National ity between citizens and Vision 2030, in which one has worked to integrate of the pillars is the promo- women issues, particularly tion and empowerment of those related to providing women. QNA SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Qatar provides $10m aid for Syrian refugees

items in accordance with inter- Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, in cities across the country. 10,000 tents, 315,000 blankets distributed in Turkey national standards and UNHCR Secretary-General, QRC, said: The number of refugees in distributes them to refugee fami- “QRC will continue to fulfil its camps is over 202,000. To date, lies in Turkey. commitments and stand by our over 313,000 non-camp refugees About 7,000 tents were sup- Syrian brothers in their calamity. have been registered, although plied to UNHCR warehouses to “We will spare no efforts to the Turkish government esti- be distributed to the inhabitants alleviate the suffering of Syrian mates that the number is signifi- of five refugee camps throughout refugees until they return home, cantly higher. Turkey. Another agreement was enjoying security and dignity.” Refugees living outside camps signed last month to distribute The influx of Syrians into face enormous challenges in additional 3,000 tents. Turkey has surpassed ini- accessing essential services and Also, 315,000 blankets were tial projections. According to very often their living conditions distributed to non-camp Syrians a recent survey by Disaster are substandard. More refugees registered with UNHCR in eight and Emergency Management are expected to arrive, which provinces, totalling 354,745 refu- Presidency, the main government poses major challenges to Turkish gees. About 95,000 blankets were agency responsible for the Syrian authorities and humanitarian distributed in Gaziantep, 83,100 operation, about 36 percent of organisations. Additionally, this in Urfa, 60,000 in Hatay, 20,000 in refugees in Turkey are in camps will increase the economic and Kilis, 30,000 in Mardin, 13,000 in in 10 provinces in the south and social burden on the host com- K Maras, 8,900 in Osmaniye and southeast of Turkey, while the munities. 5,000 in Adana. remaining 64 percent are living THE PENINSULA

Officials with winter relief assistance.

DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent to refugees. From the very beginning of the (QRC) Office in Turkey has Represented in Qatar winter, distribution was resumed resumed implementation of the Development Fund, Qatar offered in refugee camps in Turkey winter relief programme for the a grant of over $30m of which under QRC supervision, in coop- Syrian refugees in the country. $20m was for Syrian refugees in eration with the Office of UN The programme was launched Lebanon and $10m for the Syrian High Commissioner for Refugees last winter following directives refugees in Turkey. QRC was (UNHCR), as per an agreement of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim assigned the task of supervising signed by both in February 2014. bin Hamad Al Thani to pro- the programme and delivering the According to the deal, QRC vide urgent winter assistance assistance to eligible beneficiaries. purchases $10m worth of relief

Qatar committed to sustainable development: Minister DOHA: Minister of Municipality mental and human areas as one infrastructure, as well as develop- and Urban Planning H E Sheikh of the goals of Qatar National ment projects, are all contributing Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Vision 2030. to sustainable development. He Abdulaziz Al Thani, also Head, In a speech marking Arab said Qatari towns joining Arab Higher Committee of Arab City Day held under the theme cities celebration to commemo- Towns Organisation Award ‘Towards a comprehensive and rate the founding of Arab Towns Foundation, has stressed that sustainable cities’, the Minister Organization on 15 March 1967, Qatar is committed to achiev- said the remarkable progress aimed to highlight efforts of Arab ing sustainable development in witnessed by Qatar in all fields towns and institutions towards social, economic and environ- and in particular cities and their realising its themes. QNA SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QU, US varsity extend clinical training deal Focus on joint academic, social and cultural activities

Odetta Necana, First Lady of Albania, with officials at Shafallah. First Lady of Albania visits Shafallah DOHA: Coinciding with her on cutting-edge facilities pro- programmes offered at the centre. official visit to Qatar to discuss vided at the centre. Necana praised the centre and Officials from Qatar University and Xavier University of Louisiana at the event. means of developing cultural Mohamed Badr Al Sada, its advanced equipment, pro- collaboration between Qatar Executive Director, received the grammes and expertise to serve DOHA: Qatar University students. them to become future healthcare and Albania, Shafallah Centre delegation and they were intro- the children with special needs (QU) and Xavier University Also present were CPH professionals. for Children with Special Needs duced to the centre’s objectives, and the country’s efforts and of Louisiana (XULA), the US, PharmD students Rihab Al It also includes academic staff (Shafallah) welcomed Odetta policy and strategy to serve chil- vision to build the leading world- have signed an agreement to Kaissi, Sara Hyder, Hebatalla exchange, joint educational pro- Necana, First Lady of Albania, dren with mental disabilities in class centre in Qatar and the extend the clinical training deal Affifi, Fatima Hammo, Safae Abu grammes and research projects. and her delegation to brief them addition to various services and region. THE PENINSULA signed in 2011 to strengthen Yousef and Wessam El Kassem CPH students will participate links through joint academic, who completed clinical rotations annually in four-week elective social and cultural activities and at XULA and XULA PharmD clinical/academic internships promote intercultural relations students Sarah Zaini and Amanda in a teaching hospital setting at HMC marks World Kidney Day between faculty and students. Grego, and John Tyrell, PharmD XULA, under the supervision of The memorandum of under- student from Medical University academic pharmacy practitioners. standing was signed by QU of South Carolina, another of Their counterpart students President Prof Sheikha Abdulla CPH international partner site. from XULA will participate Al Misnad and XULA Clinical The deal facilitates exchange annually in international phar- Professor Dr Sara Al Dahir of undergraduate and graduate macy education and practical in the presence of QU College students between QU and XULA internships in Qatar under the of Pharmacy (CPH) Dean Dr to help them gain advanced phar- supervision of CPH faculty. Ayman El Kadi, QU faculty and maceutical practices and prepare THE PENINSULA

Five-a-side school football contest held as part of British Festival DOHA: As part of the British Festival 2015, Qatar Football Hamad Medical Corporation marked World Kidney Day on Friday at Katara under the theme ‘Kidney Health for Association, British Council, All’. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to overall health and reduce the frequency and Evolution Sports Academy and impact of kidney diseases and associated health problems, especially among people with chronic diseases (EVO) yesterday organised such as diabetes and hypertension. BAHER AMIN the Hadaf five-a-side School Football Competition at International School of London. This Year’s edition featured four U-15 British schools’ teams play- ing against five U-15 Independent schools’ teams. The competition was attended by British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton, Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting Executive Director, Operations, QFA, Martin Hope, Country Director, British Council, and Tommy Westermoreland, General Manager, EVO. An award ceremony was held after the final match honouring British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton (left) and Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting the first and second place teams. Executive Director, Operations, QFA, honouring one of the winning teams. Hopton said: “I am delighted the second Hadaf Cup has been Georges Park in England in May competition by providing referees organised as part of the British to train and play two international to officiate the matches, gifts for Festival 2015 building on the suc- friendly matches. The UK will the first and second place teams, cess of the Qatar UK 2013 Year continue to support Qatar’s prepa- and volunteers to help in organ- of Culture. As Qatar prepares to rations for a successful World Cup ising the championship. We are host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, in 2022. I congratulate all schools also giving the first and second I could not think of a more rel- for their participation. Win, lose place teams a once in a lifetime evant way to emphasise that foot- or draw, football is a game about opportunity to visit Al Gharafa ball is a sport that brings our two teamwork and sharing and this Stadium on May 23 for the Emir countries ever closer together. competition is a visible demon- Cup final match. The trip will give “This was further empha- stration of our shared values and students the chance to visit play- sised earlier this week with the partnership through sport.” ers’ changing rooms, pitch, media announcement that the Qatar Al Kuwari said: “We are and TV areas, VIP tribune and national football team will base pleased to collaborate with other operational areas.” themselves at the state-of-art St British Council to support the THE PENINSULA

Siwar Choir performs

Al Jazeera Children’s Channel presented the annual Siwar Choir as part of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture organised under the patronage of Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari at Katara Amphitheatre yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 School students attend Yalla Natural Roadshow Next roadshow at MIA Park from March 24 to 28

DOHA: Hundreds of school- children had the chance to do some exercise and learn about healthy lifestyles when Yalla Natural Roadshow came to Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). An initiative of the ‘Your HMC officials with nurses and midwives at the graduation ceremony. Health First’ campaign organised and run by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), the roadshow aimed to show people First batch of HMC nurses, benefits of regular exercise and eating fresh, organic food, and supports QF’s commitment to make an informed community aware of healthy living. midwives completes training The Yalla Natural trailer rolled into Education City last Sunday DOHA: Hamad Medical of continuing nursing education programme was communication and stayed there until Thursday, Corporation (HMC) is trans- programmes will ensure all HMC and developing practice using attracting hundreds of children forming continuing education nurses and midwives practise the educational methods and tools.” from schools across the country for its nurses and midwives, same high standards across the Haila Salim, Assistant to join in the fun and get healthy. providing patients and their full range of medical specialities. Executive Director, Nursing, The event was so popular that families with the safest, most “One of the first of these pro- Women’s Hospital, expressed students and teachers from Al effective and most compassion- grammes is Essential Midwifery support for the programme and Shamal made a 100km journey ate care. Skills training,” said Maureen underscored the importance of down, along with their counter- Last year, HMC became the Brown, Assistant Executive developing the role of nurse-mid- parts from schools from Al Khor. first healthcare organisation Director, Midwifery Education, wives in Qatar. Students and staff at QF were in the GCC to be recognised by Women’s Hospital. Professor Ann-Marie Cannaby, also invited to try some food and American Nursing Credentialing “We initiated the programme Chief Nursing Officer, HMC, learn something new about their Center as a provider unit of last August to continue to build on delivered the welcome address at health. Attractions included dem- high quality continuing nursing skills of our nurses and midwives a ceremony at HMC’s Hotel and onstrations of healthy, nutritious education. who provide care for women in Club to celebrate the successful dishes, an exercise class and Building on that success, a plat- Qatar during pregnancy, labour, completion of the programme by the chance to make your own form of foundation programmes birth and the post-natal period. its first batch of participants. smoothie on Your Health First Students make smoothie on ‘Your Health First’ smoothie bicycles at the are under development; the suite “The focus of the evidence-based THE PENINSULA smoothie bicycles. roadshow. Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean, WCMC-Q, said, “The college has educating them about nutrition Everyone who takes part in Yalla a commitment to help improve and exercise.” The roadshow will Natural can tweet about their the health of the community be at MIA Park from March 24 experiences and share healthy and through initiatives like Yalla to 28 when it takes part in Qatar pictures with the community by College of Pharmacy to host Mideast Natural we are doing that. International Food Festival. using the hashtags: #YallaNatural “Healthcare should not always Along with cookery demon- #YHF and #SahtakAwalan. be reactive, rather it should be strations and exercise classes, People can also visit Your Interprofessional Education forum proactive, preventing people from the public will be offered free Health First on Facebook, Twitter getting ill so they never need to recipe cards, nutritional infor- or Instagram and share informa- see a doctor or the inside of a mation packs and exercise cards, tion on the produce they have DOHA: Qatar University and safety in caring for patients. The fifth event hospital. That is what the Yalla and they will be able to weigh grown, healthy meals they have (QU) College of Pharmacy The college is well-placed to lead ‘Interprofessional Education – Natural initiative — and the Your themselves and find out vital created and exercise sessions in has announced its win- this event that will engage dis- Symposia to Qatar’ last month, Health First campaign — is about, health statistics like BMI using which they have taken part. ning the bid to host the first cussions on IPE and will be of led by Prof Lesley Diack and improving people’s health by equipment carried by the trailer. THE PENINSULA Middle East conference for benefit to participants.” Dr Sundari Joseph from Robert Interprofessional Education Dr El Kadi said the college Gordon University UK, included (IPE) this December. initiated the first IPE Qatar industry leaders, faculty mem- The college was hand-selected Committee in 2013 and plays bers from Qatar institutions such by Centre for the Advancement a leading role in incorporating as QU, WCMC-Q, University of of Interprofessional Education the concept in all health science Calgary, CNA-Q, Sidra Medical Qatar, US students attend workshops (CAIPE), the IPE world leader, programmes represented on the and Research Centre and Dean, based on QU’s lead role in the committee. Faculty of Pharmacy, King DOHA: Students from learning event as part of a unique expressing one’s identity and culture Middle East in raising aware- He said IPE has been endorsed Abdulaziz University, Saudi the US and Qatar educational and cultural immersion through Arabic language. ness and encouraging IPE into since 2010 by leading health Arabia, Prof Zainy Banjar, and attended workshops at exchange trip in Qatar, called Aber. This year’s trip, which includes 60 curricula. organisations such as World Vice-Dean, Clinical Training & Museum of Islamic Art Aber is an annual educational US and Qatari students and 10 US The conference will bring Health Organisation and Lancet Development, Dr Abdulrahman (MIA) and the Host Art exchange that stems out of QFI’s and Qatari teachers, will centre on together faculty members Commission. Alahdal. and Planting event as Arabic Language and Culture the theme of art. Events include a from across the Arab world to The bid was announced fol- Diack said: “The symposia, part of a Unique Cultural Programme, which aims to expand community service project ‘Deliver learn about integrating an IPE lowing a year of five IPE events research undertaken by QU/ Exchange Trip to Qatar. the study of Arabic language and cul- Flowers to Residential Compound’ approach into their curriculum. organised by the college. These Robert Gordon University IPE On behalf of Qatar ture among public school students in calligraphy and geometry workshops Dr Ayman El Kadi, Dean of included the most recent two- research team and recent edu- Foundation International the US, Brazil and other countries. at MIA and desert safari with US the college, said: “IPE is still day forum ‘Interprofessional cational initiatives at QU put it (QFI), a Washington, Aber takes on a different theme students. a relatively new term to the Education – Symposia to Qatar’ at the forefront of IPE devel- DC-based non-profit each year but with the same goal of THE PENINSULA Middle east although it has and collaborative activities with opments in the Middle East. It member of QF, dedicated been gaining momentum world- College of Arts and Sciences would be a great outcome of the to connecting cultures and wide in response to the need to Human Nutrition Programme, conference to see an IPE net- advancing global citizen- prepare health and social care Weill-Cornell Medical College work established in the Middle ship through education, professionals to collaborate Qatar (WCMC-Q) and College of East.” we would like to invite you more closely to improve quality North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q). THE PENINSULA to a special student service Qatari envoy praises ties with Belgium BRUSSELS: Qatari Ambassador to Belgium Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani yesterday said his country’s relations with Belgium will expand in all fields in the future. Sheikh Ali was speak- ing during a luncheon ban- quet hosted in honour of Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders. The envoy expressed satisfaction with the first round of talks between Qatar and Belgium in Doha on February 17. Qatar attends UN conference

DOHA: Qatar is taking part in the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by Sendai City, Japan, with participa- tion of heads of state and gov- ernment officials from more than 168 countries. Qatar’s delegation is headed by Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director-General, Public Security, and Chairman, Standing Committee for Emergency. QNA SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Israeli vote in balance; campaign ends today Netanyahu trails rivals; 20 percent of voters undecided

JERUSALEM: Three days the one who can build a coali- On Channel 2’s “Meet the ahead of Israel’s general election, tion commanding a majority of Press” programme last night, the there was growing uncertainty at least 61 seats in the 120-strong two came face-to-face — albeit yesterday over who will win the Knesset. with Netanyahu appearing by premiership, with polls showing That task will be all the more video link. incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu harder as there are at least 11 Their brief exchange focused on trailing his centre-left rivals. party lists to reckon with from security and diplomatic issues. The final two surveys released across the political spectrum as Campaigning is due to close on Friday night by private televi- well as ultra-Orthodox and Arab tonight with a major rally in Tel sion channels gave the Zionist parties. Aviv by right-wing parties — a Union, headed by Labour leader Under the proportional system, week after the centre-left mobi- Isaac Herzog, a four-seat lead over voters choose party lists rather lised thousands of supporters in Netanyahu’s Likud. than individual candidates, with the coastal city. A poll by Channel 10 showed seats distributed according to the It is not clear if Netanyahu, who Likud winning 20 seats, compared percentage of the vote received. is trying to clinch a third consec- with 24 for the Zionist Union, Analysts believe the next three utive term in office, will attend while a survey issued by Channel days will be crucial, as 20 per- today’s rally. Arab-Israeli Member of Parliament with the secular Balad party, Haneen Zuabi speaks during a campaign meeting 2 also showed Likud four seats cent of voters have said they are But the feisty prime minister behind, 22 to 26. undecided. has stepped up public appear- ahead of the Israeli general election, in the Jaffa district of Tel Aviv, yesterday. The results echoed surveys But it could take weeks of ances in recent days, giving released earlier on Friday — negotiations before the name of interviews to major newspapers Union victory “will cause such a “I am not dealing with retire- former Shin Bet internal security the final day that opinion polls the new prime minister is known. and television channels to push monumental shift in policy that ment. I am dealing with victory,” agency chief, wrote on Facebook could legally be published before Friday’s polls had put The Joint the centrepiece of his campaign: it is a danger, and anyone who Netanyahu said. that Herzog should become the Tuesday’s election — which both List, a newly formed alliance of security. wants to stop it has to vote Likud The Zionist Union has said if next premier “because Netanyahu predicted a win for the Zionist Israel’s main Arab parties, in third Netanyahu has warned that to narrow the gap.” it wins Herzog and Livni would has failed in almost every area”. Union. place, with 13 seats and predicted a win by the Zionist Union — a The premier warned such a share the premiership, each serv- Herzog told Channel 2 yester- But Israel’s complex electoral that the centre-right Yesh Atid coalition of Herzog’s Labour party result would mean Israel hav- ing two years. day the election was “a choice system, where many parties are could win 12 seats. and centrist HaTnuah of former ing to share Jerusalem with the Herzog has received endorse- between despair and hope”. vying for power, means the task Although consistently trailing chief peace negotiator with the Palestinians, who want to set up ment by several prominent figures “The Israeli public is fed up with of forming a new government in the polls, Netanyahu has come Palestinians Tzipi Livni — would the capital of their future state in Israel, including former presi- Netanyahu and knows that I’m the does not automatically fall to the out fighting, and analysts say he affect security. in the mostly Arab eastern part dent Shimon Peres, who said on only one who can replace him,” he winning candidate or list. may be better placed than Herzog On Thursday, he told the of city Israel considers it eternal Thursday he was “level-headed”. said. Israel’s new premier will be to form a coalition. Jerusalem Post daily that a Zionist capital. On Friday, Yuval Diskin, a AFP

Protest in Yemen Clashes break out between Libyan militia alliance, IS TRIPOLI: Rare clashes between the head of the self-declared gov- denounced “terrorism”, Fajr Libya fighters from the Islamic State ernment there, Omar Al Hassi, maintains links with the radical group and the Fajr Libya militia said of IS that “we won’t allow this Ansar Al Sharia, which is present coalition erupted yesterday in cancer to spread”. in Sirte but does not recognise IS’s the central city of Sirte, security Without elaborating, he said IS presence in Libya. and militia officials said. in Libya is working with figures of Ansar Al Sharia has been clas- It was the first report of fight- the former regime. sified as a terrorist organisation ing between the two groups since Sirte, 450 kilometres east of by the United Nations. February, when Fajr Libya said it Tripoli, has been a bastion of IS has expanded its influence had sent reinforcements to Sirte Islamist extremism since the from Syria and Iraq where it has to restore security there. 2011 revolt that toppled and killed set up a “caliphate” and gained That move came following Gaddafi. a foothold in Libya, where it has reports that IS-affiliated jihadists Libya has been plagued by chaos claimed several bombings. had seized government buildings, since then, with armed militias Nufliyeh, a town 120 kilometres the local university and a state battling for control of its cities and east of Sirte, is considered the IS radio station in the hometown oil wealth and rival governments stronghold in Libya along with of deposed dictator Muammar and parliaments vying for power. Derna in its far east and which Gaddafi. Fajr Libya, which includes was hit by the Egyptian air strikes A local security official said the Islamist militia, last summer over- in February. fighting broke out at midday in the ran Tripoli, where the General In other developments, air eastern part of Sirte, where the National Congress elected after forces loyal to the elected govern- jihadists have positions, but he was Gaddafi’s downfall had refused to ment carried out strikes on Fajr unable to say what started it. disband following new polls in June Libya warehouses and positions in He later said the clashes that produced a new parliament. the port of Zuwara, west of Tripoli, “stopped at night”. It installed its own government an official said. General Mohammed Al Ajtal, a in competition with the interna- That came after Fajr Libya commander with Fajr Libya, spoke tionally recognised one allied with planes targeted the airport in of “fierce fighting” and said one of the new parliament, and emerged Zintan, southwest of the capital, Anti-Houthi protesters demonstrate in Yemen’s central city of Ibb yesterday. The rise to power of the Iran- his men had been killed. as a key player. whose powerful militia is allied backed Houthis since September has deepened divisions in Yemen’s already complex web of political and At a press conference in Tripoli, While it has regularly with the government. AFP religious allegiances.

Kuwait arrests Islamist leader Turkey not headed toward dictatorship: Erdogan KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait has arrested the leader of the Islamist ANKARA: Turkish President June 7 parliamentary elections. dictatorial tendencies. executive presidency), it will Ummah Party for allegedly insulting Saudi Arabia on television, the Recep Tayyip Erdogan yes- The opposition has frequently But the president said yes- happen.” interior ministry said. terday dismissed claims that accused Erdogan of having terday: “If people want (the AFP Hakem Al Mutairi was arrested on the orders of the public pros- a new constitution expand- ecutor for “grossly insulting Saudi Arabia” during an interview, the ing his powers would install a ministry said in a statement. “dictatorship”. Mutairi is the head of the Ummah Party, a group of Islamist and con- “They say the presidential sys- servative politicians founded in 2005 but still not officially recognised. tem would bring dictatorship. Is The group said Mutairi was arrested by the secret police on Friday there dictatorship in the United and interrogated over remarks he made on television in December about States, Mexico or in Brazil?” the death of the head of Ummah Party in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Erdogan said in the western Al Mufreh. province of Canakkale. It said Mutairi speculated that Mufreh may have died from poison- “Change is inevitable. The build- ing at a hospital in Turkey. ing of a new Turkey is inevitable. AFP A new constitution is inevitable. A presidential system is, God willing, inevitable,” Erdogan said. The co-founder of the rul- ing Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), who Hamas blames PA for Gaza violence was elected president in August GAZA CITY: The Hamas-held interior ministry in the Gaza Strip after more than a decade as yesterday accused security forces reporting to the rival Palestinian prime minister, wants to cement Authority of being behind a wave of violence in the coastal enclave. his role as Turkey’s number Spokesman Iyad Al Bozum accused “members of the former security one with a US-style executive establishment in Gaza” of “exploiting the difficult conditions, especially presidency. since the last war, to spread chaos and confusion with explosions, car The August vote marked the burnings and shootings”. first time the president—cur- The war to which he referred was last summer’s conflict with Israel. rently a largely ceremonial post— Palestinian Authority security forces were ousted from Gaza in 2007 was directly elected. by fighters from the Islamist Hamas movement’s armed wing. Constitutional amendments Bozum did not elaborate, but explosions have targeted vehicles used require the support of more than by Hamas in recent months, as well as some owned by members of PA two-thirds of the 550-seat parlia- president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party. ment, or at least 367 votes. Unemployed Turkish teachers shout slogans beside a banner bearing a picture of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu He told a news conference investigations had shown the incidents The AKP, which currently has and a slogan, which translates as “40,000 teachers want to be appointed by April” during a demonstration calling were “the result of plans by security chiefs in Ramallah”, headquarters 312 seats, is aiming for a signifi- for the creation of new opportunities for teachers, in Ankara yesterday. of the PA in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AFP cant boost in numbers following SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

America warns Iraqi forces Western oil workers in poised for final Saudi of attacks

RIYADH: Western oil work- ers in Saudi Arabia risk being Tikrit assault attacked or kidnapped by “ter- rorist” groups in the Opec king- pin, the US embassy in Riyadh said in a warning posted online. Snipers, bombs slow advance The US mission said it “has information stating that, as of TIKRIT: Iraqi commanders of bombs concealed underneath. early March, individuals associ- were plotting a strategy for On a roof, a government ated with a terrorist organisa- flushing out the few remain- marksman wearing a white head- tion could be targeting Western ing Islamic State group jihad- scarf and who gave his name as oil workers, possibly to include ists from central Tikrit, a city Haj Abu Maryam said that by those US citizens working for one commander said yesterday noon, he had already killed two oil companies in the Eastern would be liberated within three enemy snipers. Province, for an attack(s) and/or days. On the roof of Tikrit kidnapping(s)”. The massively outnumbered University, at the northernmost The statement, which was pub- IS fighters are completely boxed tip of Tikrit, members of the lished on the embassy website late Iraqi troops and Shia volunteers take up positions at a military barracks near Tikrit, in northern Iraq, yesterday. in but protected by snipers and Imam Ali Brigades, a Shia mili- on Friday, did not identify the thousands of bombs they planted tia, were firing mortars on the source of the threats and said across the city. large neighbourhood of Qadisiya. no details were available on the That has slowed the progress More than 200 rounds have planned attacks. of the broad alliance of forces been lobbed into Qadisiya over Saudi Arabia is taking part in battling IS, which is keen to the past five days. IS used chlorine gas: Iraqi Kurds US-led air strikes that began in minimise casualties on the way to Troops, police, Popular September against the Islamic what would be the biggest victory Mobilisation units, Shia mili- ARBIL: Iraqi Kurdish authori- Chemical Weapons Convention, carrying the bomb so there were State jihadist group in Syria, yet against the jihadists. tias and Sunni fighters eager to ties said yesterday they had which prohibits all use of toxic no casualties from the incident raising concerns about possible Karim Al Nuri, a top leader retake their own city launched evidence that Islamic State had agents on the battlefield. except for the suicide bomber. retaliation. of the Badr militia and spokes- the huge assault nearly two used chlorine gas as a chemi- The Kurdish allegation could About a dozen peshmerga Westerners in Saudi Arabia man of the volunteer Popular weeks ago. cal weapon against their pesh- not be independently confirmed. fighters experienced symptoms have come under attack four Mobilisation units, said it would Tikrit is seen by commanders merga fighters. Peter Sawczak, spokesman for of nausea, vomiting, dizziness or times since October. take no more than “72 hours” to as a key stepping stone on the The Security Council of the the Dutch-based Organisation weakness, the source said. The latest was last month when liberate Tikrit from IS, which way to reconquering IS’s north- semi-autonomous Kurdish for the Prohibition of Chemical The statement said the analy- US defence contractor Vinnell seized it last summer. ern hub of Mosul, and the out- region said in a statement that Weapons, said: “We have not had sis was carried out in a European Arabia said two of its American The last defenders are holed come of the battle seems in little the peshmerga had taken soil a request from Iraq to investi- Union-certified laboratory employees were shot at in Eastern up in the city centre and “sur- doubt, but there is more at stake and clothing samples after an gate claims of use of chemical after the soil and samples were Province, where most of the king- rounded from all sides”, Nuri for the government than just ter- Islamic State suicide bombing in weapons in Iraq, and the OPCW sent by the Kurdish Regional dom’s oil wealth is concentrated. said. ritorial gain. northern Iraq in January. It said cannot immediately verify the Government to a “partner Saudi police said that one of Speaking from the outskirts of The operation is seen as a laboratory analysis showed “the claims.” nation” in the US-led coalition them was wounded but results Tikrit, near the village of Awja, test of Baghdad’s ability to instil samples contained levels of chlo- The Kurdish statement said that is fighting Islamic State of the investigation that followed he said “their number is now 60 discipline in the array of fight- rine that suggested the substance the January 23 suicide car bomb- militants in Iraq and Syria. have not yet been revealed. to 70”. ing forces involved in the war was used in weaponised form.” ing by Islamic State took place on The source described the sam- In October, a Vinnell employee An lieutenant colonel in the against IS. Chlorine is a choking agent a highway between Mosul and the ples as “leftovers from the suicide was shot dead and another army’s elite counterterrorism Shia militias have been accused whose use as a chemical weapon Syrian border. A Kurdish secu- bomber”, but declined to identify wounded at a petrol station in forces was more conservative of serious crimes and abuses in dates back to World War One. rity source said that the pesh- the laboratory. Riyadh, in what Saudi authorities about the battle’s evolution, say- reconquered areas, including It is banned under the 1997 merga fired a rocket at the car REUTERS have said was not a “terrorist- ing “battles in cities are difficult revenge attacks on Sunnis. related” incident. for all armies”. In a report released late on after retaking the Turkmen town peshmerga forces were also already died in this operation, A Dane was wounded in Reporters in a northern Friday, Human Rights Watch of Amerli in September. involved in a large operation which was launched on March November as he was driving away neighbourhood of Tikrit saw said government and allied forces As Iraqi federal and allied southwest of the oil hub of 9 and aims to seal off the IS from his workplace when he was dozens of craters on a single had also “engaged in deliberate forces prepared for the final Kirkuk. stronghold of Hawijah. fired upon from another car. street, caused by the explosion destruction of civilian property” assault on Tikrit, Kurdish Several peshmerga have AFP AFP

US does not want to see Syria regime ‘collapse’: CIA

NEW YORK: CIA Director feared who might succeed Assad. effort is only now getting off the John Brennan said on Friday Speaking at an event at the ground. the United States does not want Council on Foreign Relations, he Washington’s stance is that to see a chaotic collapse of the said that “extremist elements” Assad should have no role in Syrian regime as it could open including the IS group and Al Syria’s future but President the way to Islamist extremists Qaeda veterans are “ascendant Barack Obama’s administration taking power. right now” in some parts of Syria. and other governments wanted to The spy agency chief said “The last thing we want to see a political solution that would Washington had reason to do is allow them to march into ensure a representative govern- worry about who might replace Damascus.” ment, he said. President Bashar Al Assad if his “That’s why it’s important to “None of us, Russia, the United government fell, given the rise of bolster those forces within the States, coalition, and regional the Islamic State group and other Syrian opposition that are not states, wants to see a collapse jihadists in Syria. extremists,” Brennan said. of the government and politi- “I think that’s a legitimate The US military is funding the cal institutions in Damascus,” concern,” Brennan said when training and arming of “moder- Brennan said. asked if the US government ate” Syrian rebel forces but the AFP Assad relative assassinated in Syria BEIRUT: An influential rela- one of the Syrian president’s cous- Believed to be in his late forties, tive of Syrian President Bashar ins, was killed by five bullets to the Mohamed Al Assad gained infamy Al Assad, once infamous for head in the village of Qardaha,” in the 1980s as one of the founders smuggling, has been assassi- Observatory director Rami Abdel of the government-linked mafia nated in a dispute over control Rahman said. known as the “shabiha”. of a key government stronghold, He said the assassin was as yet The group prospered by engag- a monitor said yesterday. unknown, but that the killing was ing in smuggling and dealing in The Syrian Observatory for thought to be the result of “a dis- contraband, protected by its ties Human Rights, a Britain-based pute over influence” in Qardaha, with the government. monitor, said Mohamed Al Assad which is the ancestral village of The regime in turn used the was shot dead on Friday in Latakia the ruling Assad family. shabiha to put down political province, the heartland of the There was no immediate men- dissent, most notably since the president’s Alawite community. tion of the death in Syrian state uprising against the government “Mohamed Al Assad, the son of media. that began in March 2011. Known as “Sheikh Al Jabal” or “Lord of the Mountain”, Mohamed Al Assad amassed wealth between 1989 and 1994 from his role in the shabiha, before going into busi- ness in the Qardaha area. “He made hundreds of millions of Syrian pounds and is consid- ered one of the leading members of the Assad family in Qardaha, with hired thugs in his pay,” Abdel Rahman said. The former smuggling kingpin was wounded in 2012 in a dis- pute with another local resident, giving rise to speculation about whether the conflict was feeding tensions in the pro-government bastion. Assad’s father Hafez was born Civil defence personnel remove debris at a site damaged by a car explosion in Qardaha, and Latakia province near a Free Syrian Army headquarters in Maarat Al Nouman, south of Idlib, remains a stronghold of support for his government. yesterday. AFP SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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GYPT’S STRUGGLE to emerge from economic turmoil has received a major boost with the Gulf countries pledging a further $12bn of investments Eand central bank deposits for the country at an international summit on Friday, a big boost to President Why euro is collapsing Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as he tries to reform the economy after years of political upheaval. It’s a huge amount, and if deployed BY MATT O’BRIEN to boost Europe’s extraordinary weak sensibly, can help the country put its economic troubles economy, the European Central Bank behind. The aid offer also reiterates the close ties between ext summer is looking (ECB) is buying bonds with newly Cairo and its Gulf Arab allies. Without liberal economic aid like the best time to take printed money, aka quantitative eas- The last time the dollar from the GCC, Egypt wouldn’t have been able to come out of that European vacation ing, while the Federal Reserve is far you’ve been thinking enough along that it’s getting ready to was worth more than the financial turmoil that followed the revolution. about. That’s because the raise rates. That means interest rates Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE each offered $4bn to Neuro has already fallen to a 12-year low are falling, sometimes into negative ter- the euro was all the way Egypt, which is grappling with militancy as it attempts to of $1.06, and should keep falling for at ritory, in Europe, and, at least on the back in December 2002, improve the investment climate four years after a popular least another year. In fact, it shouldn’t short end, rising in the US. uprising that touched off protracted turmoil. The UAE said it be long until the dollar is worth more. Think about it like this. Would you just three years after rather buy a German 10-year bond that would deposit $2bn of its pledge in the Egyptian central bank, % A brief history pays 0.25 percent or a US 10-year bond the common European while $1bn of Saudi’s pledge would go to the bank. Oman that pays 2.1 percent? Investors, espe- said it would give $500m in grants and investment over the The last time the dollar was worth cially big European ones, are answering currency came into next five years. But the summit in Sharm El Sheikh would more than the euro was all the way back that by moving their money out of euros serve another key purpose – it will help build confidence in in December 2002, just three years after and into dollars. And voilà, the euro has existence. investors and project an image of stability in the country the common European currency came fallen from $1.39 last year to $1.06 today. into existence. But in the years after The simpler way to think about Indeed, the Fed is done buying bonds, when foreign companies and that, the euro this, though, is that the US economy and, unlike almost every other central tourists are still hesitant and gained strength is in a lot better shape than Europe’s. bank, is preparing to raise rates. That’s Egypt doubtful. Cairo wants to double as the continent Unemployment is 5.5 percent here and pushed the dollar up against every cur- foreign investment in this fiscal The US imported less falling fast, while it’s 11.2 percent there rency, but especially the euro now that year to $8bn and some companies and exported and barely falling at all. Now a stronger the ECB is printing them. wouldn’t have have given positive signals. economy is in a more. The euro economy should mean a stronger cur- soared to an all- rency, because it needs higher interest % How low will the euro go? been able to For example, General Electric lot better shape time high of $1.59. rates to keep inflation in check — which said it would invest $200m in It was enough should make it a more attractive place That depends on how much, if at emerge from a manufacturing and training than Europe’s. that, in 2007, to put money. all, the Fed raises rates, and how long facility which it sees as part of an Unemployment former Federal But, as Europe has found out, the the ECB buys bonds. On the one hand, economic economic hub being built near the Reserve Chair opposite isn’t true. Higher rates don’t there’s no sign of any inflation or bub- Alan Greenspan make your economy strong if it’s actu- bly behavior that would force the Fed Suez Canal. is 5.5 percent crisis without wondered if ally weak. And even though that will to raise rates. But on the other, the Fed Sisi has the onerous task of here and falling the euro would push your currency up in the short run, has been pretty clear that it wants to pulling the country out of the replace the dol- it will make it fall even more in the start normalizing policy in June because liberal aid current economic morass if fast, while it’s lar as the world’s longer one. That’s the mistake the ECB unemployment is already normal-ish. from the Gulf political upheavals are to be kept 11.2 percent reserve currency made — twice, actually! — in 2011, when And on top of that, New York Fed at bay. Unemployment is still — in other words, it raised rates to fight some fleeting oil President William Dudley has even said the benchmark inflation. The result was a double-dip they might have to hike rates in quick states. high, tourism in the doldrums and there and that everyone recession that almost tore the common succession if long-term rates don’t go prices are rising. Discontent is barely falling at uses in case of currency union apart, and has only just up too — which seems pretty likely with still very high among the people emergency. Even ended. To make up for that, the ECB has Europe’s low bond yields pushing ours and freedom has been considerably curtained. all. supermodel Gisele had to do more than it otherwise might down. The ECB has promised to keep Sisi has been able to make some positive moves on the Bundchen report- have, cutting interest rates into nega- buying bonds until at least September economic front. He has won praise from foreign investors edly insisted on being paid in euros tive territory and buying ¤60bn of bonds 2016, and even longer than that if infla- rather than dollars. That’s quite a a month. The euro, in other words, is tion is still too low. Now Europe’s infla- by cutting fuel subsidies that imposed a heavy burden on consensus. But it turns out that these falling so much more today, because it tion numbers are already picking up a the state and by implementing other reforms. He told the reports of the dollar’s death were greatly didn’t fall like it should have yesterday. little bit, but, as The New York Times’ conference that his vision for Egypt’s economy centred on exaggerated. Since then, the euro has The US, meanwhile, has been print- Paul Krugman points out, markets improving state finances and encouraging private sector fallen 24 percent against the dollar in ing money like it should have, at least seem to believe it will be a good while investment through legislative reforms and respecting less than a year, and made everyone for- most of the time. It started Quantitative longer before Europe’s economy — and get its grand ambitions. Easing in 2008, expanded it in 2009, by extension, its monetary policy — is contracts in order to achieve growth rates of six percent restarted it in 2010, and re-restarted anywhere close to normal. Add it all up, over five years and reduce unemployment to 10 percent. % What happened? it in 2012 with a promise to keep going and Deutsche Bank expects the euro to The head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), until unemployment came down. It keep falling to $0.90 by the end of 2016 a global development institution, said he was encouraged by Robert Frost can help us here. Two worked. Now all these starts and stops and $0.85 by the end of 2017. Egypt’s reforms but called for further action to improve the monetary policies have diverged in, well, are why the dollar kept going up and So now you know when to buy those investment climate. Egypt’s decision to build a new $45bn not a wood, and Europe has finally taken down and up again these past few years, plane tickets. the path well traveled by. Specifically, but now that it’s over, it’s only going up. WASHINGTON POST capital is another major step towards economic revival• The other side Quote of AAP needs to set aside controversy and get back to governance the day HAT A MONTH could be a forgiven by the electorate later and given might have attracted the youth in larger not much movement has taken place long time in politics is being a massive mandate to govern Delhi. But numbers. One wonders if the same thing on governance. As regards the central proved repeatedly by the Aam now what is happening is far worse and could happen now, given the way the two government its each step is being moni- TAadmi Party (AAP), the party this is just what the people expected factions are trading charges in public. tored month by month because good Change is inevitable. supposedly the harbinger of hope and a not to happen in a party like AAP, which For example, Yadav wanted the governance had been the BJP’s plank. The building of better society. The surfacing of an audio swears by ethics and probity in public life. audio clip of the ‘conversation’ that took It should happen in the case of clip in which Arvind Kejriwal is reportedly First, the latent tensions in AAP were place between Kejriwal and former AAP the Delhi government also. Full state- a new Turkey trying to engineer a split in the Congress hopelessly exposed and acquired the MLA Rajesh Garg to be referred to the hood for Delhi had been Kejriwal’s to be able to form the government look of an ugly power struggle between party’s internal lokpal. Regardless of election promise. What are the steps is inevitable. A again is very unfortunate, regardless Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan and that, AAP and Kejriwal should immedi- the government has taken towards of whether the tape is genuine or not. Yogendra Yadav, and this led to the ately come out with a statement on this realising it? Once Mr Kejriwal is back new constitution It points to deep fissures in the party. expulsion of the latter two from the whole matter and clear the air. Else, it from Bengaluru after his treatment, he is inevitable. A Last year when Mr Kejriwal took the pre- party’s highest decision-making body. would mean keeping the people of Delhi should go back to the AAP manifesto. cipitate decision to resign as chief minister Messrs Bhushan and Yadav had been in uncertainty. It is going to be a month Bringing to the foreground what mat- presidential system his well-wishers put it down to his activist the dominant ideologues of AAP and their since Mr Kejriwal was sworn in as chief ters to the people can be one way of is, God willing, nature, partly for which he had become presence could have posed an intellec- minister of Delhi. But apart from keep- healing the rifts in the party. Recep Tayyip Erdogan popular and also partly for which he was tual challenge to many other parties and ing his promises on water and power, The Hindustan Times inevitable. Turkish President SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 The Sisi leaks: A lesson for the revolution and analysing. People had the right democratic transition in the Arab to accept or reject our conclusions, region. because no matter how rational Confronting all these forces they might be, they remained the would not have been possible with- product of analysis. out unity in the ranks of the forces But the irrational quest for of change in Egypt. But those power — and the arrogance of such forces chose rivalry over unity, a quest — has ended up corrobo- even as the counter-revolutionary rating our rational analysis and forces were closing ranks. the inferences drawn from it. It The regime is not going to learn has reinforced the idea that when the right lessons. It will only learn rational analysis is coupled with that it must prevent leaks in access to facts and knowledge of future, and that it must be more the actors and interests at play, brazen when lies no longer work BY DR AZMI BISHARA and all the dots are appropriately in the face of the evidence. connected, then it is possible to It is the revolutionary youths, bbas Kamil was the probe political secrets temporarily the Muslim Brotherhood and the director of Abdel Fattah hidden from the public eye. political forces that were calling Al Sisi’s office when he for change and allied themselves Awas defence minister, The road to counter-revolution with the coup against their oppo- and was promoted along with his Indeed, these are not indeci- nents who should learn the right boss — who is now the president of pherable runes. The new leaks lessons. Egypt. And he is a treasure trove have provided incontrovertible And when they have studied of information. evidence to vindicate our analy- their mistakes, they will have to In any normal society, he would sis against the backdrop of hate- ask yet more questions. have been a priceless catch for his- mongering hysteria. How do we deal with those sec- torians and journalists alike. For the benefit of the reader, let tions of the public — and I don’t The recent leaks from Sisi’s us recapitulate: know how big, exactly, they are office shed light on major politi- • The first ever democratically — that yearn for stability and are cal scandals that could have been elected president of Egypt did not not so concerned with the lies, the expected to rock the entire gov- actually govern. Rather, it was the bribery, the contacts with foreign ernment and society. Not only apparatus of the state, including entities? did the scandals involve financial the army and the intelligence How do we deal with those sec- A file photo of Khairat El Shater (second left), deputy leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, sitting behind bars and political corruption, they also agencies, that were in charge. It tions of the public that are easily contained proof of a conspiracy proved impossible to confront with other Brotherhood members in a court on the outskirts of Cairo. The justice system was used by the state mobilised by rumours and accusa- with foreign actors to stage a coup them and force them to bow down to undermine elected institutions during Mohamed Mursi’s rule. tions against an elected president against an elected administration. to democracy or to replace them, of contacting foreign governments, But since the current admin- due to the lack of unity among the no longer content with the historic as an arbiter, and it was crucial because of their affiliation to the when his job is to contact foreign istration in Egypt is not a demo- forces of the revolution and the deal that gave them independence to establish institutions to oversee previous regime. But it was the governments, all while his subor- cratic regime — rather, a regime waning spirit of January 25. In and maintained their privileges transitional justice. military and security leadership dinates conspire with foreign gov- led by those who staged a coup short, the revolution had to seize under an elected civilian admin- • The media, dominated by that took the initiative, with the ernments to stage a coup against against democracy — it is unlikely power but could not because of the istration; they wanted a return to capital, was governed as much army ultimately carrying out a him? that this factor would give it rea- disunity of revolutionary forces. full power. Meanwhile, the elected by political interests as by short- coup. Answering these questions son to pause. • The chaos during the transi- government did not press ahead term profit. In coordination with None of this negates the fact requires careful thought, and a Yet its image is quickly eroding, tional period was the result of the with the measures it had started the security establishment, the that mistakes were made — by serious discussion regarding the along with its demagogic and pop- state refusing to cooperate with vis-a-vis the army, seeking once media played a major role in turn- the government led by the Muslim need to educate people on the val- ulist veneer. The regime is going the elected administration. Some again to conclude a deal with its ing legitimate discontent with the Brotherhood, by the revolution- ues of citizenship and democracy. to have to rely increasingly on of this chaos was engineered. leaders. elected administration into a farce, ary youths and by those who first No political force can use the brute force, unless it can somehow • Foreign countries were provid- • The justice system was used mobilising the incitement dictated participated in the revolution and instruments of democracy for attain major economic and social ing financial support to activities by the state as an instrument by a genuine counter-revolution. then allied themselves with the its own benefit without working achievements — an unlikely turn against the elected administration. to undermine elected institu- • Segments of the population leaders of the coup. at the same time to educate the of events — if it is to dissuade peo- • The Egyptian top brass tions, including parliament and that were rightfully resentful of But the initiative lay with public about it. ple from demanding rule of law, changed their collective mind after the presidency, and to hinder the the government, and who had the establishment, with the top Intellectual, academician and greater freedoms and respect for the dismissal of Husain Tantawi democratic transition. For this legitimate grievances, took part brass, backed by the justice sys- the General Director of The Arab human rights. and Sami Anan and decided to try reason, it was crucial to reform in the protests alongside forces tem, the media and capital, along Center for Research and Policy Previously, we were assessing and take power in full. They were the judiciary before accepting it that were hurt by the revolution with regional allies opposed to Studies Sense of siege in US police Facing new test, Cuba’s BY LAUREN ETTER and police chief, said turning the justice TIM JONES A Gallup poll last year system into a cash machine is the revolution circles back worst thing cities can do, especially o America’s police, the shooting found that a quarter in areas sensitive to race. BY NICK MIROFF has that too, of course, as do plenty of other of two of their own in Ferguson, Couper says police need to spend liberal democracies whose citizens enjoy far TMissouri, reinforces a sense more time in communities. lmost 54 years after its turn toward more freedom and prosperity. that they’re under siege. of blacks had little or “If the police retreat now, it’s all the Soviet Union, Cuba is at another Few believe they have anything to lose by “The bottom line is, any police lost,” he said. “We’re gonna be like Adefining moment. With its state-run economic liberalisation, or that Cuba could officer who puts on a uniform has to be no confidence in the some third-world country where economic model exhausted, US relations on stop being a place where people look out for concerned,” said Pat Camden, spokes- police are like an unjust government.” the mend and the long Castro era coming to a their neighbours, help strangers in the streets man for Chicago’s Fraternal Order of police. Twelve percent President Barack Obama set up a close, a subtle shift is under way to once more and live without fear of gangs or criminals. Police, Lodge 7. task force last year to find ways to ease make Cuban nationalism the meaning of its They do not see a trade-off, or worry that There are fewer walking the streets of whites shared the tensions that erupted after Ferguson. revolution. Younger generations of Cubans will Cuba will end up more like Mexico or the after cities made the thin blue line A report by the group last week said have to decide if they believe that. Dominican Republic than Miami. even thinner because of the reces- same view. departments need to invest in more The revolution’s many detractors say it has “We have no alternative to opening up to sion. Unions have clashed with pub- protective equipment and counselling been little more than a ruse for the Castros private enterprise,” said Roberto Veiga, a lic officials over cuts to pension and in New York City, said, “9/11 happens to help officers do their jobs. to remain in power. If so, they are nearly out founder of the civil society group Cuba Posible, health benefits. At the same time, and everybody looks at police officers In Chicago, a city with teetering of time. Fidel is 88 and too frail to appear which advocates gradual reform. “But the police have been confronted by accu- as heroes. Today they are the villains finances, officers are issued protec- in public. His brother, Raúl, is 83, and says younger generations don’t see a risk to the sations of racism, some of which were of the nation.” tive vests, which last about five years he will step down in 2018, leaving him three sense of equality and dignity that are positive reinforced last week when the Justice The gulf between police and com- before wearing out. They are required years to redefine Cuba’s relationship with the achievements of the revolution.” Department said the St. Louis suburb munities has been reinforced by the to buy replacements with their own United States and hand off an economic and Since taking over for his brother in 2006, used the courts and cops to squeeze use of military gear, such as night- money, according to Camden, the political system capable of enduring beyond Raúl Castro has allowed Cubans to travel fines from blacks to keep itself afloat. vision goggles, helmets and armoured police union official. the brothers’ rule. abroad, buy and sell their homes and run small A midnight Thursday ambush vehicles intended for counterterror- Democratic Governor Andrew They have long depicted their revolution as businesses. The purpose of these liberalisation at the Ferguson Police Department ism. Since 1997, more than 8,000 law- Cuomo wants New York to pay for an evolutionary process, not something that measures is for more socialism, he insists, not was the latest conflict in that city enforcement agencies have received bulletproof vests for officers, body ended with guerrilla victory in 1959. They also less, and state-run companies will remain the since Darren Wilson, a white officer, $5.4bn worth of such equipment, cameras and protective glass for patrol insisted Cubans be for it or against it, and two core of Cuba’s model. shot and killed Michael Brown, an according to figures from the Defence cars in high-crime areas. generations later, this has produced a kind of Cuba’s updated version of socialism is one unarmed black 18-year-old, in August. Department. San Francisco Police Department collective revulsion at politics. that eagerly partners with foreign capitalists Police have yet to arrest a suspect in Municipal financial strains have also officers aren’t changing tactics in light In the years before failing health forced to run heavy industries and all-inclusive tour- Thursday’s shooting, which injured the taken a toll. Retirement and budget of the recent violence, said Officer Albie him aside, Fidel Castro declared a “battle of ist resorts. It is building luxury hotels and golf two officers. cuts reduced the number of police Esparza, a spokesman. Fundamentally, ideas” in a last-ditch effort to rescue younger courses with Chinese bankers. It appears ready Officers have been on edge for officers to 390,000 in 2013, 14 percent he said, nothing has changed. Cubans from the ideological contamination to roll out a red carpet for US businesses will- months. In New York, two were shot fewer than four years earlier, accord- “We’ve always been targets by sim- they had incurred in the post-Soviet austerity ing to help break the trade embargo. and killed in December while sitting ing to FBI figures. ply putting on our uniform,” he said. period. He wanted to warn them against the But with every tentative turn toward mar- in their squad car. In September, a Some cities are relying on citations, “You are a target, you respond to calls, temptations of capitalism, individualism and ket economics, Cuban socialism becomes more Pennsylvania trooper was killed and tickets and arrests to raise revenue. officers get killed.” materialism. It was too late. slippery, less coherent, sending believers in another wounded when a man opened David Couper, a former Madison WP-BLOOMBERG Cuba today is a place where many young the revolution looking for meaning elsewhere. fire on a barracks. people idolise the United States and display lit- Some appear to be turning back to the same Such attacks are rare. From 2003 tle patience for the state-run economic model Cuban nationalism Castro offered long ago. through 2012, an average of 53 law- that has left much of their country in ruins. It’s an interpretation of the revolution that enforcement officers died each year as There is no stigma anymore toward entrepre- reaches back to Cuba’s founding as a nation, a result of attacks while on duty, 11 of neurship or private business. Real estate agents and the bitterness left by the 1898 Spanish- which were unprovoked or premedi- in Havana’s newly liberalised housing market American War whose very name left Cubans tated, according to FBI statistics. In signal quality with the phrase “construción out after their excruciating three-decade fight 2013, the most recent year for which capitalista,” meaning a property that was built for independence. The United States kept figures are available, there were 27 in the pre-Revolutionary period, when people Guantanamo Bay, and for decades afterward such deaths, only five of which were cared about aesthetics and workmanship. it reserved the right to intervene on the island unprovoked. Indeed, nearly everything beautiful about at its whim. But on the streets, anger at police Cuban architecture comes from this era, and Castro’s revolution, in this version, was the has boiled over in cities from New the more communist authorities had to pro- event that truly fulfilled the wishes of inde- York to Oakland, California. A Gallup mote the island’s attractions for its tourism pendence hero José Martí and ended US domi- poll last year found that a quarter of industry, the more Cubans themselves began nation of the island. blacks had little or no confidence in to internalise their “capitalist” heritage as a On government calendars and stationery, the police. Twelve percent of whites better time. 2015 is “Year 57 of the Revolution,” and that shared the same view. In the Raúl Castro era, Cuba’s revolution- too is a milestone of sorts. Public attitude toward law-enforce- ary politics have receded. Gone is the constant The period between Cuba’s founding as a ment officers has long fluctuated based churn of rallies and marches denouncing “the republic in 1902 and the Castros’ rebel vic- on the events of the day, a phenom- Empire.” There is no spellbinding leader tory — the country’s entire pre-Castro history enon that’s gained new force during speaking for hours on end. — spans just 56 years and seven months. By the social-media age. Ask young Cubans today what the purpose the next Jan. 1 anniversary of their revolu- Maria Haberfeld, a professor at the Demonstrators protest in front of the police station in Ferguson, Missouri. of the revolution was and chances are they’ll tion, they will have been in power even longer. John Jay College of Criminal Justice say free health care and education. Canada WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS

Obama: More Rebublicans up work needed to improve pressure on veterans’ care PHOENIX: Making his first stop at a troubled veterans facility in Hillary emails Phoenix that sparked a political crisis for his administration, US President Barack Obama said on Friday that progress has been Hand over email server: Brooks made but more work is needed to address delays for care. NEW YORK: Republicans yes- unacceptable for so many ques- Obama joined a group of vet- terday sought to keep up the tions to remain unanswered.” erans and lawmakers, including pressure on Hillary Clinton, the Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, Arizona Senator John McCain at presumed frontrunner for the the chairman of the committee, the medical centre that prompted Democrats in the 2016 presi- issued a subpoena for Clinton’s outrage after revelations that wait- dential election, over her use of emails. He has also called for an list delays had been covered up. personal email while serving as independent review of her private “We all know that there have been secretary of state. email server. significant problems at this facility: Congresswoman Susan Brooks, “By handing her server over The kind of cooking the books and a member of the House com- to a neutral, third-party arbiter, unwillingness to face up to the fact mittee investigating the deadly Secretary Clinton can help us A plane assists in putting out a forest fire at the hills in Valparaiso City, northwest of Santiago, yesterday. that veterans were not being ade- September 2012 attack at the move forward with figuring out quately served went on too long and, US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, what happened to our people,” as a consequence, we didn’t fix what used the weekly GOP public radio Brooks said. “Because this isn’t needed to be fixed,” Obama said after address to call on Clinton to hand about Hillary Clinton, or Trey Residents return after fleeing meeting with the group. “There is over her email server in order to Gowdy, or me. It’s about the four still more work to do.” answer “vital questions”. brave Americans we lost … The Widespread delays and other “We need to know why the secu- people who knew them – who systemic problems at the Phoenix rity at our embassy was left inad- loved them – deserve the truth.” forest fire near Chile port city facility and others around the equate,” the Indiana lawmaker said. Gowdy wants Clinton to appear country sparked the resigna- In January 2014, a Senate before his committee on at least VALPARAÍSO, CHILE: Secretary Mahmud Aleuy. “We said Aleuy, in sharp contrast with tion of then Veterans Affairs report found that the government two occasions – to testify about Thousands of residents of are working on the fire’s edges,to last year’s fire, which destroyed Secretary Eric Shinseki in 2014. had failed to deliver a “standard of her emails and to give a testi- Valparaiso began returning to halt its spread,” he told a press thousands of homes, particularly Obama said his administration care” needed to protect its staff in mony about the September 2012 their homes yesterday, hours conference. in the city’s poorer neighbourhoods. was chipping away at problems to Benghazi. The report faulted the attack. In January 2013, Clinton after fleeing a still-smouldering The fire began on Friday at a The wooden structures with ensure wait times were shorter and State Department, then under gave testimony on Benghazi forest fire that threatened the landfill in an area of grassland their tin roofs, perched precari- access to care was better. But he Clinton, for not acting on seven before a Senate committee. At treasured Chilean seaport city, and pine forest near a major thor- ously on the coastal city’s tinder- said trust in the VA system still intelligence reports that warned the beginning of this year, Elijah a Unesco World Heritage site. oughfare connecting Valparaiso dry hillsides, had been quickly needed to be rebuilt. The adminis- of possible security threats prior Cummings, a Maryland Democrat The fire claimed one life and with several villages. Six civilians engulfed. “The situation distresses tration announced the creation of to the attack. and ranking member of the House led to thousands of evacuations and 15 firefighters were report- the population, which still lives a new advisory group made up of Another report, called “Benghazi committee, said Clinton had in the historic seaside city, often edly injured, with two of the fire with the memory of last year’s fire,” public officials and leaders from the on the record” and critical of agreed to testify before it. called the “pearl of the Pacific.” crew in serious condition. Jorge Castro, mayor of the city of private sector to advise on further Republican concentration on “She said: ‘I’ll do it, period.’ The But although it continued to blaze Meanwhile, a 67-year-old some 270,000, told the press. improvements. That solution did the attack, was released by the fact is she was very clear. She yesterday and was responsible woman died from a heart attack, Authorities, who asked the pub- not sit well with McCain. Democrats on the House commit- did not hesitate for one second,” for numerous injuries overnight, authorities said, after the national lic to avoid travelling to the region, “It is truly stunning that nearly a tee in September 2014. “You can Cummings told CNN in January. authorities said the fire no longer emergency office declared a red have dispatched soldiers and police year after the scandal of VA health continue to argue but one thing you Clinton has asked the state poses a risk to human life. alert for Valparaiso and the for night patrols, and sent seven care was first uncovered, President can’t argue is that the questions department to release her emails. Most of the 7,000 people who neighboring city of Vina del Mar. aircraft and eight helicopters. Obama used his long-overdue visit have not been asked or answered,” Of the 62,320 emails she sent and had been evacuated after Chile A total of 300 hectares of land Meanwhile, the main road to the Phoenix VA to announce the said Washington Democrat Adam received as secretary of state from declared a state of emergency on was burned, no houses were leading to Santiago was closed creation of yet another advisory Smith at the time. 2009 to 2013, she did not preserve Friday were permitted to return destroyed and all evacuees had due to the flames, which lapped committee to study the problem,” Nonetheless, yesterday, Brooks 31,830, according to her office. home, after the fire’s “marginal” been permitted to return home dangerously close to a power the senator said. “The truth is that asked: “Why were requests for “After her work-related emails nighttime spread, according to except for around fifty who plant and high voltage towers at while thousands of Arizona veter- additional security denied? Why were identified and preserved, one official. remained in shelters, Aleuy said. certain points during the night. ans continue to experience unac- was our response not sufficient? Secretary Clinton chose not to keep But high temperatures and The port city, visited by thou- Valparaiso’s historic centre is ceptable delays in VA care, the Why were some members of the her private, personal emails that strong winds prevented fire crews sands of tourists every year, is still known for its cobbled streets and Obama Administration has been administration slow to acknowl- were not federal records,” her office from completely extinguishing the rebuilding following deadly blazes colored houses dating from the slow and reluctant to fundamen- edge a terrorist attack had said in a nine-page statement. flames, particularly on the city’s last April that killed 15 people. city’s glory days in the mid-19th tally reform VA operations.” actually occurred? It is simply THE GUARDIAN hillsides, said Deputy Interior “We have no major difficulties,” century to the early 20th. AFP REUTERS

Crimea annexation anniversary Ferguson Choose hope over fear, mayor resists calls to resign Miliband urges Britons

FERGUSON: The mayor of BIRMINGHAM: The leader or the many, a failing Tory plan Ferguson rejected growing calls of Britain’s main opposition or a better plan for working fam- to resign in the aftermath of Labour party, Ed Miliband, who ilies. Britain can do better than a blistering US government hopes to become prime minis- this,” Miliband said at Labour’s report into the fatal police ter on May 7, urged voters to spring rally in Birmingham, cen- shooting of unarmed black choose hope over fear at a rally tral England, where he unveiled teenager Michael Brown. for activists yesterday. a pledge card of five key election Mayor James Knowles struck a Miliband is fighting Prime vows. Today I urge the British defiant tone in a flurry of inter- Minister David Cameron for the people to choose optimism, to views with US news media as keys to Downing Street in a knife- choose a country for the many, St Louis County police kept up edge race which commentators to choose our plan for working the search for the gunman who predict could result in another families, to decide to hope.” wounded two officers amid an coalition or a minority government Labour is being advised by David otherwise peaceful demonstration for Britain. The centre-left party, Axelrod, who helped orchestrate on Wednesday. which governed Britain from Obama’s rise to the White House. “Right now, this community 1997 to 2010 under Tony Blair Eight weeks before the election, needs leadership,” Knowles, a and Gordon Brown, says it wants Labour is on 32 percent sup- white Republican in his early to share the profits of economic port compared to 33 percent for 30s who was re-elected mayor by recovery more evenly across Cameron’s Conservatives, the sen- acclamation four months before society and protect the state-run ior partners in Britain’s coalition Brown was shot and killed on National Health Service (NHS). government, according to a rolling August 9, told NBC News. Children take part in the flash mob segment of the “This is dedicated to you, Russia!” theatrical performance “That is the choice at this average of opinion polls compiled He said he enjoys “continued to celebrate the first anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, in central election — the pessimists or the by the UK Polling Report website. support from a lot of residents” Simferopol, yesterday. optimists, fear or hope, the few AFP in his St Louis suburb of 21,000. Two-thirds of the population is African-American, but the city government and police force are predominantly white. “This community needs some- Childless Britons head overseas to find surrogate mothers one who is going to stay around and work toward bringing us together, moving us forward. And LONDON: Childless Britons desperate to about five times higher, the group claims, number of interested Britons how best to their national borders for solutions to their I’ve committed to doing that. And start a family are fuelling a growing global because only a small number of the surro- pursue surrogacy in an ethical way. infertility. This may be driven by a desire to so has the rest of the city council.” trade in surrogate mothers by paying up gacy agencies contacted gave details of how Of the 271 British cases recorded, 170 avoid regulation or legal constraints in some On CNN, Knowles — a to £85,000 for a child, research reveals. many clients they had helped. That could had a child born in Thailand, 68 in America countries. Surrogacy is legal in the UK, but Ferguson native and one-time UK citizens are statistically the likeli- mean about 450 British people or couples and 23 in India, FTS’s survey shows. Six we suffer from a chronic shortage of women civilian employee of its police est in Europe to look abroad for a way of a year are choosing this method. It often babies were born in Georgia and two each willing to do it. So I think it’s inevitable that force — said that if citizens having a child, as increasing numbers of proves to be a lengthy, complicated and in Ukraine and Mexico. women who need it will look elsewhere.” really want him to go, a recall infertile straight couples and gay men and expensive process, and can lead to compli- Thailand last month banned commer- Previous research by Everingham has process exists for ousting dis- women engage the help of agencies in coun- cations over the legal status of the babies. cial surrogacy following the case of a boy found that surrogacy costs about £34,000 in liked elected officials. “There are tries such as Thailand, India and the US to The numbers of Britons opting for cross- known as baby Gammy, which made head- India and about £85,000 in the US. While ways to remove me if that is the find a suitable surrogate. border surrogacy is rising. Using someone lines worldwide last August. Pattaramon India, until recently a popular destination will of the people,” he told the Figures provided for the first time by else to carry a child for you is legal in the Chanbua, the Thai surrogate, alleged that for international surrogacy, has also intro- all-news network, one of many in some of those agencies show that 271 indi- UK, but only if it is done on altruistic Australian couple Wendy and David Farnell duced restrictions, Greece has recently the United States giving satura- viduals or couples from the UK have had a terms, with the would-be parents paying had rejected Gammy when they discovered relaxed its laws to allow heterosexual for- tion coverage to the story. baby in that way over the past three years. the woman “reasonable expenses”, such as he had Down’s syndrome, but took his twin eigners to strike surrogacy deals. The trade Tension has gripped Ferguson The figures were collected by Families loss of earnings up to a maximum of about sister, Pipah, back to Australia with them. is also growing in Mexico and Nepal. since August 9, when local police Through Surrogacy (FTS), an Australia- £15,000. Commercial surrogacy is illegal. “This trade is part of a general phenom- A Department of Health spokesman said: officer Darren Wilson shot and based not-for-profit group that helps peo- “Even though surrogacy is legal here, enon of medical globalisation,” said Professor “We advise anybody considering surrogacy killed 18-year-old Brown, a sus- ple worldwide to arrange a surrogate at Britons go abroad because it’s commercial Allan Pacey, a fertility expert at Sheffield arrangements in the UK or abroad to seek pect in a petty corner-store shop- home or abroad, and discourages exploita- surrogacy, and therefore quicker – you are University. “With increasing opportuni- sound legal advice and to use licensed fer- lifting, after an altercation on a tion of the women involved, who are almost paying for the service,” said Paul Gittins, a ties for travel and the lower cost, combined tility clinics in order to protect the welfare residential street. always from a poor background. spokesman for a conference FTS is holding with easily accessible information over the of both the children and adults involved.” AFP However, the real figure is likely to be in London this week to advise a growing Internet, some couples are looking outside THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Vanuatu in aid plea after super storm Unconfirmed UN reports put death toll at 44; international aid agencies scrambling to send relief

SUVA, FIJI: Vanuatu’s president “The sheer force of the storm com- made an emotional appeal for inter- bined with communities just not set up national assistance yesterday after his to withstand it, could have devastating island nation was hit by a calamity of a results for thousands across the region.” cyclone, wreaking devastation in what Aurelia Balpe, head of the Pacific is feared to be one of the region’s worst regional office of the International weather disasters. Federation of Red Cross and Red Though the full extent of the damage Crescent Societies, said that while there is unknown, the UN had unconfirmed were reports of casualties in Port Vila, reports of 44 people killed in just one they had greater fears for outlying south- province while aid agencies described ern islands, home to more than 33,000 scenes of destroyed homes, downed trees people, where communications had been and blocked roads as a result of Super cut. World Vision said more than 2,000 Cyclone Pam, a maximum category five people had already sought refuge in emer- storm. gency shelters in Port Vila, but warned Media including the Wall Street Journal that it could take weeks to reach more cited the country’s Disaster Management remote islands affected by the storm. Office in saying six people were killed and Residents of Port Vila spent the night a state of emergency declared over the hunkering down as the terrifying storm tropical cyclone, which had gusts of up raged. to 320 kilometres an hour. “The scene here this morning is com- Vanuatu’s President Baldwin Lonsdale plete devastation — houses are destroyed, led appeals for international assistance, trees are down, roads are blocked and telling delegates at a UN conference on people are wandering the streets look- disaster risk reduction in Japan that he ing for help,” said Save the Children’s spoke with a “heart that is so heavy”. Tom Skirrow. Unicef spokeswoman Alice “I stand to appeal on behalf of the Clements described the cyclone as “15-30 government and people of Vanuatu to minutes of absolute terror” for “every- the global community to give a lending body in this country” as it passed over. hand in responding to these very cur- The storm crossed the main Vanuatu rent calamities that have struck us,” island and a group of islands further Lonsdale said. south after affecting the Solomon Islands “Fellow heads of state, governments, and Tuvalu, where there were no reports and development partners, we have all of fatalities. experienced a form of disaster at one United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon, time or another. Today we appeal for your Local residents walk past debris as a wave breaks in Port Vila, the capital city of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, yesterday. speaking from Japan, said while the assistance.” impact was not yet clear, “we fear Aid agencies were scrambling for infor- the destruction and damage would be mation and preparing to send teams to supplies of food, shelter and medicine and $1.05m from the European Union. for the Coordination of Humanitarian widespread”. Vanuatu, whose main island is home to from today, when the airport in the capi- “A disaster of this magnitude has not Affairs in the Pacific. France, which will host a crucial UN more than 65,000 people, with a UN dis- tal Port Vila is expected to reopen. been experienced by Vanuatu in recent Unicef New Zealand Executive Director climate change summit in December, aster assessment and coordination team Australia offered assistance and said history — particularly in terms of the Vivien Maidaborn, meanwhile, said that meanwhile said the “tragedy once again expected to arrive late today. medical and search and rescue staff were reach of the potential damage and the “early reports are indicating that this highlights the danger posed to the planet NGOs have also launched appeals and on standby. Donations included $2.9m ferocity of the storm,” said Sune Gudnitz, weather disaster could potentially be one by extreme weather events, exacerbated are hoping to start flying in emergency from Britain, $733,750 by New Zealand who heads the United Nations Office of the worst in Pacific history”. by climate disturbances.” AFP

Boko Haram can no longer Maldives ex-president gets 13 years in jail take a town in MALÉ, MALDIVES: Former Maldives president and opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced Niger: Minister to 13 years in prison on a terrorism charge after what rights groups said was ABIDJAN: Boko Haram are a “flawed” trial, sparking international no longer in a position to seize concern over the honeymoon islands. a single town in Niger, a Niger Nasheed called on his supporters to take government minister said yes- to the streets to protest against the sen- terday, following a regional tence after a trial his party said was “bla- effort to boost the fight against tantly politicised”. the Islamist group. “I appeal to all of you today to stay cou- Thousands of troops from Niger rageous and strong, to confront the dictato- and Chad, which had gathered in rial power of this regime,” his office quoted southeastern Niger, launched a him as saying. major ground and air offensive Nasheed, the Indian Ocean archipelago’s against the Islamist group last first democratically elected leader, was con- Sunday and succeeded in retaking victed late on Friday under the country’s embraced multi-party elections following the northeastern Nigerian town tough anti-terror law of ordering the arrest three decades of rule by former strongman of Damasak. of a chief judge when he was president in Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. “Democracy “The situation is totally under January 2012. jailed for 13 years on March 13, 2015,” said control. There is no longer any The 47-year-old was then taken to MDP spokeswoman Shauna Aminath. chance that Boko Haram will take Dhoonidhoo prison on an island near the “Nothing good will come out of this. It’s a city... The risks of attacks occur- capital Male. Maldives police keeep watch as supporters of former president Mohamed Nasheed gather a sad, sad, sad day for the Maldives,” she ring are very much reduced by Nasheed’s lawyers resigned before the in the streets of the capital Male in the early hours of yesterday. RIGHT: File picture of added. the elimination of all the poten- end of his brief trial, saying it was biased Mohamed Nasheed. Regional power India, whose prime min- tial actors,” Mohamed Bazoum, and aimed at destroying his political career. ister cancelled plans to visit the Maldives Niger’s Minister of State at the It came amid growing opposition to the night-time rallies over the past year to pro- with Nasheed’s supporters across Male over the unrest, said it was “deeply con- Presidency, said during a visit to government of President Abdulla Yameen test what they call growing authoritarian- after the verdict. cerned” and was monitoring the situation Ivory Coast. and will effectively prevent Nasheed from ism, which has damaged the atoll nation’s Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party closely, while Washington, London and the “It’s a feeling of total calmness running for president at the 2018 elections. image as a tourist paradise. (MDP) said the verdict dealt a blow to European Union also expressed concern. that prevails with the idea that The opposition has held regular Local media reported that police clashed the young democracy seven years after it AFP Boko Haram is rather a thing of the past,” he said. He said the situation was a far cry from the “real, totally irra- tional panic” that had gripped Niger after the first attack by the 3 Chinese quarry workers Nigeria-based Boko Haram on its 33 killed, dozen missing as neighbour in early February. More than 13,000 people have abducted in Nigeria been killed and some 1.5 mil- lion made homeless in the Boko ferry capsizes in Myanmar Haram conflict since 2009, while LAGOS: Gunmen abducted Chinese nationals were kidnapped recent cross-border attacks YANGON: Rescuers it was overloaded with three Chinese workers after a in the state, while an American launched from Boko Haram were frantically search- goods,” the police officer shootout that left a police officer missionary was taken from her strongholds in Nigeria on neigh- ing for survivors yester- said, adding that the ship dead in central Nigeria, police school last month. bouring countries have increased day after an overloaded was listed as carrying 214 said yesterday. The missionary, who works security fears. ferry sank in rough passengers and crew. But “Three Chinese nationals were in the village of Emiworo where A regional coalition has claimed waters off the coast of locals said they feared the abducted by some unknown gun- her Free Methodist Church runs a series of successes in rebel-held western Myanmar kill- ferry was packed with men within the early hours of a community organisation, was territory in recent weeks, as part ing more than 30 people unregistered ticket hold- Friday,” a senior police officer told released last week. of an operation to clear and con- and leaving at least a ers who would not have AFP, requesting anonymity. State police said they were una- trol northeast Nigeria in time for dozen more missing. shown up on the ship’s He said the gunmen had ware of any ransom paid for her Nigeria’s general elections set for The “Aung Takon 3” manifest, a common stormed a quarry outside Lokoja, liberation. March 28. There has not been a went down late Friday practice on the impover- the capital of Kogi state, and Foreign nationals have often Boko Haram attack reported in after leaving the town ished nation’s often over- engaged the policemen on guard been kidnapped in Nigeria by Niger for nearly two weeks. of Kyaukphyu on its way crowded ferry network. in a shootout. local gangs who typically release Regional forces have been par- to Sittwe in western “We don’t know how “One policeman was killed hostages following a ransom ticularly active in the Gamboru Rakhine state, police many are still missing while another sustained gunshot payment. area of Nigeria on the border said. because some people were wounds,” he said. He said the Such abductions are espe- with Cameroon. The borders “The latest death toll is A survivor (second right) from the capsized ferry that on board without official assailants escaped with their hos- cially common in the southern, of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and 33 — four men including sank arrives at Kyaukphyu jetty in western Myanmar’s tickets,” Hla Shwe, a local tages on foot through the bush, oil-producing Niger Delta, where Cameroon converge in the region a monk and 29 women. Rakhine state yesterday. from Ngaputhone village, adding that police were on their expatriates working with large oil around Lake Chad. Last week’s At least 12 persons are which lies a few kilome- trail. companies have been a frequent joint Niger-Chad offensive that still missing,” a police tres away from where the It was unknown whether the target. retook Damasak came the day officer in Sittwe town told AFP, speaking on condi- ship went down, told AFP by telephone. “There are kidnappers were planning to A number of people seized by after the leader of Boko Haram, tion of anonymity. many dead bodies which didn’t appear yet,” local MP demand a ransom. Kogi state has Nigerian Islamists have been Abubakar Shekau, pledged alle- He added 169 people had now been rescued, and Maung Lone added, also by telephone. “We estimate seen a wave of abductions target- killed by their captors, while giance to the Islamic State (IS). that no foreigners were believed to be on board about 300 people were on board.” ing foreigners this year. others have died during botched AFP the ship. “We suspect that the boat sank because AFP Two weeks ago, two other rescue operations. AFP SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Gene study on Pakistanis in London begins Study aims to improve health care

ISLAMABAD: Queen Mary population, such as heart disease University has started the and diabetes. world’s biggest ever genetic About 10 percent of the study of Pakistanis and Bangladeshi population living Bangladeshis living in East in Britain and between 30 and London to understand the role 40 per cent of Pakistanis are in of genes in sickness and health families where parents are either for researchers to find genetic first cousins or similarly related, clues as to why they are dispro- Professor van Heel said. portionately affected by certain “Much of the genetic studies diseases. have been about rare disease and At a briefing in the univer- perhaps about adverse effects of sity to launch the East London parental relatedness in terms Genes and Health study, scien- of rare disease. No one has ever tists including Professor Richard looked at a healthy adult popula- Trembath and Professor David tion,” Professor van Heel said. Van Heel, accompanied by “We want to understand the Pakistani and Bangladeshi com- breadth of genetic variation in munity figures, explained that the Bangladeshi-Pakistani com- the study would involve around munities, some of whom will be 100,000 people of Pakistani and the offspring of closely-related British and coalition troops gathering for a Service of Commemoration for those who served in Afghanistan and to mark the end of UK Combat Operations Bangladeshi origin. parents,” he said. in the country at the Afghan National Army Officers Academy (ANAOA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. They will be asked questions People of South Asian origin about their health issues linked are more likely to suffer from cer- to genetics, including genetic tain common disorders, such as effects of marriages within the diabetes and heart disease, than same family. the wider general population, said Afghanistan gave CIA money to Al Qaeda: NYT Pakistani and Bangladeshi Professor Richard Trembath, communities in East London have Vice-Principal of Queen Mary. WASHINGTON: About The newspaper said letters and handed over to Al Qaeda. He presidential palace under some of the highest rates of poor “We’re interested in how these $1m provided by the CIA to about the ransom payment were was released two years later after President Hamid Karzai was health in the UK. rare alterations, the so-called a secret Afghan government found in the 2011 raid by US Navy Afghanistan paid Al Qaeda $5m, a used to buy the support of war- This research will tackle this knockouts, are distributed in the fund ended up in the hands of SEALS who killed Bin Laden at fifth of which was CIA money that lords, legislators and others, as problem by studying the genetic population,” Professor Trembath Al Qaeda in 2010 when it was his compound in Abbottabad, came from an Afghan government well as expenses for clandestine code and medical records of local said.” used to pay a ransom for an Pakistan. fund that received monthly cash diplomatic trips and housing for South Asian people with the When you look across all popu- Afghan diplomat, the New York The communications were sub- deliveries from the agency, the senior officials. Afghan officials aim of improving understanding lations, you will see them in all Times reported yesterday. mitted as evidence in the trial of Times said. told the newspaper the payments of the links between genes and populations, both copies [of the Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Abid Naseer, who was convicted The newspaper said an have slowed since Ashraf Ghani environmental factors in causing gene] having been lost, but you’ll Laden had at first been con- this month in New York of sup- Al Qaeda official wrote Bin Laden became president in September. certain diseases. see them very rarely in the gen- cerned about the payment, fear- porting terrorism and plotting that the ransom money would be In addition to the Al Qaeda These findings will then con- eral population,” he said. ing the CIA knew about the to bomb a shopping center in used for weapons, operational correspondence, the Times said tribute to improving healthcare “You will see them in greater money and had tainted it with Manchester, England. needs and payments to fami- its story was based on conversa- and the long-term prevention frequency in populations poison, radiation or a tracking Times said Abdul Khaliq lies of Al Qaeda fighters held in tions with Afghan and Western and treatment of a number of where there is closer parental device, the Times said, and sug- Farahi was the Afghan consul Afghanistan. officials but that the CIA declined diseases particularly affecting relatedness.” gested it be converted to another general in Peshawar, Pakistan, The Times said the cash the to comment. local communities and the wider INTERNEWS currency. when he was kidnapped in 2008 CIA delivered to the Afghan REUTERS

Tough life Unverified SIMs Pakistan court orders of Pakistani expats to be Lakhvi detained again ISLAMABAD: The alleged immediately able to confirm the blocked mastermind of the 2008 issuance of any new order. Mumbai attacks was detained For now, Lakhvi remains in jail, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan afresh for one month after a but India has reacted angrily to Telecommunication Authority Pakistani court cancelled a news of his possible release. (PTA) and telecom opera- detention order against him, his Releasing Lakhvi would violate tors have decided to deactivate lawyer said on yesterday. “Pakistan’s professed commit- unverified SIMs being used by It is the latest round in a tus- ment to combat terrorism, includ- Pakistanis living abroad, but sle over Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ing its recently stated policy of these SIMs will not be trans- accused over the terror siege that not differentiating amongst ter- ferred to other subscribers for left 166 dead, which has worsened rorists”, India’s foreign ministry an year. already strained ties with India. spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said It has also been decided that Lakhvi was granted bail by an Friday, adding that his govern- those SIMs on roaming by anti-terror court in December, ment had “conveyed its outrage” Pakistanis living abroad will infuriating New Delhi, but quickly to Pakistan. be verified through Biometric slapped with a detention order Throughout the three-month Verification System (BVS) by under public order laws. back and forth over Lakhvi’s transferring on the name of their The Islamabad High Court sus- detention, he has never been close relatives by showing CNIC pended that order, only for the let out of Adiyala Prison in or passports or another valid Supreme Court to reinstate it in Rawalpindi. identity. January. The Mumbai attacks were The PTA has also devised On Friday the high court once blamed on banned Pakistani Standard Operating Procedures again set aside the detention militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (SoPs) for verification of SIMs for order, only for a new one to be (LeT). India has long seethed at old persons, the disabled, the ail- issued hours later. Pakistan’s failure either to hand ing and those with allergies. Afghan children collect coal from a brick factory on the outskirts of Jalalabad yesterday. The coal is used to “The new order detaining over or prosecute those accused “But those SIMs will be closed light fires at their homes. Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi for one of planning and organising the down for Pakistanis living abroad month was issued late on Friday,” violence. who come here and use them in Lakhvi’s lawyer Rizwan Abbasi Lakhvi and six other suspects the country. told AFP. have been charged in Pakistan but However, all such SIMs will Abbasi claimed that the new their cases have made virtually no not be transferred to any other China held rounds of talks with order was “illegal, unconstitu- progress in more than five years. subscriber for one year period”, tional and contemptuous,” argu- Delhi accuses Islamabad of pre- officials in PTA confirmed yes- ing that detention orders could varicating over the trials, while terday. If those Pakistanis will not be issued repeatedly. Pakistan has claimed India failed come into the country within an Taliban, says Abdullah Abdullah “We will challenge it in the high to hand over crucial evidence. year, they can open their closed court.” No Punjab officials were AFP SIMs after undertaking biometric NEW DELHI: China has held Afghan war, but Chinese officials over the group. verification. rounds of talks with the Taliban have not provided many details. In February, a Pakistani army According to official documents and asked the Islamist militants China’s Foreign Ministry delegation brought word to of PTA, the PTA devised special to hold direct talks with the spokesman Hong Lei said this Afghanistan’s President Ashraf SOPs for old age persons and Afghan government, the head week that reports its diplomats Ghani that Taliban leaders had US troop pullout not as planned disabled. of Afghanistan’s power sharing in Islamabad met last month with signalled they were willing to WASHINGTON: The United States has abandoned plans to cut It states that National Database government has said. Taliban representatives “do not open talks, according to senior the number of US troops in Afghanistan to 5,500 by year’s end, and Registration Authority The Chinese have held “one, accord with reality”. Pakistani and Afghan officials. the Associated Press reported yesterday, but a senior US official (Nadra) shall share revised hard- two or three” rounds of talks Abdullah, speaking at the Since then, senior representa- told Reuters no decision has been made. ware interface for accommodating with the Taliban in the past few India Today Conclave 2015 in tives of the militant group have Many of the 9,800 US troops currently in Afghanistan would prob- the re-verification of old age sub- months, Abdullah Abdullah said New Delhi, did not say where the visited Islamabad where they ably remain well into next year, although no final decision on num- scribers and overseas Pakistanis. at a conference organised by an meetings took place. were told to end a rift between bers had been made yet, AP reported, citing unnamed US officials. On the franchises, the cellular Indian media group. He said Afghanistan had begun two leaders that could under- President Barack Obama probably will use a Washington visit by operators will open a separate “They asked the Taliban to have to improve relations with China mine a peace process, two Taliban Afghan President Ashraf Ghani this month to announce the new desk where first of all efforts will talks directly with the Afghan under the previous president, sources said. Abdullah’s backing withdrawal timeline, AP said. be made to verify SIMs of old government, that’s a good mes- Hamid Karzai, with the idea of the nascent process to negoti- Ghani has asked the United States to slow the pace of withdrawal. persons. sage,” Abdullah said, adding that that Beijing could use its influ- ate an end to the 13-year insur- Defence Secretary Ash Carter said on a visit to Kabul last month If effort will not succeed then he did not know what the out- ence over Pakistan to help bro- gency is crucial because many that the United States was considering slowing the planned draw- their CNIC will be scanned and come would be of China’s efforts. ker peace talks. China has close of his supporters represent the down of US troops. Under the current plan, the United States would sent to Nadra for verification of China’s foreign minister last ties with Afghanistan’s neighbour vehement anti-Taliban wing halve the number of troops in Afghanistan to just over 5,000 this their name, address and other month said during a visit to Pakistan, which is widely believed that fought against the hard- year, gradually winding down to a “normal” US Embassy presence details. Islamabad that Beijing was willing to harbour the Taliban’s top lead- line Islamists when they held by the end of 2016. REUTERS INTERNEWS to help mediate talks to end the ers and exert considerable control power until 2001. REUTERS SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Modi gifts houses in Sri Lanka Congress says govt Demonstration of regional power as PM visits Tamil heartland spying on Rahul JAFFNA, SRI LANKA: Narendra Modi visited Jaffna NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on the party’s future course. yesterday, making a highly yesterday termed as “routine” a Alleging a Delhi Police officer symbolic first trip by an Indian visit by a policeman to Congress was “found snooping” at Rahul prime minister to Sri Lanka’s vice president Rahul Gandhi’s Gandhi’s residence a few days war-ravaged northern Tamil house to make queries — includ- ago, he said when the Special heartland after urging greater ing on his physical appearance Protection Group personnel autonomy for the island’s larg- — even as the party termed it stopped him, it was found he was est minority. “political espionage” and sought trying to fill up a form with “very The Jaffna peninsula in Sri an explanation from Prime interesting somewhat weird ques- Lanka’s far north was worst hit Minister Narendra Modi. The tions” about Gandhi’s name, his by the country’s 37-year civil war BJP dismissed the Congress’ father’s name, his height, gait, eye that killed at least 100,000 people, allegations as ridiculous. and hair colour, dress and shoes. mostly Tamils, and remains heav- Police Commissioner B S Bassi “More importantly the tele- ily militarised. said Assistant Sub-Inspector phone numbers and addresses of Officially, Modi was there to Shamsher Singh of the Special each of his (Gandhi’s) associates, launch construction of a cultural Branch had gone to get a pro- friends, what he does, where he centre funded by India and for- forma filled and left it at Gandhi’s goes,” Singhvi said. mally hand over thousands of office March 3. He said the pro- “This kind of political espio- houses to families made destitute forma was not person-specific and nage, snooping, surveillance by decades of war. gathering such information about and intrusion in political oppo- But his visit was also a demon- “vulnerable people” and revisiting nent’s life may be the Gujarat stration of regional superpower it was part of the Special Branch’s model but not the Indian model,” India’s support for Sri Lanka’s duties. Singhvi said, referring to the oft- Tamils, who share close cultural “If he (the policeman) had gone quoted Modi’s Gujarat model of and religious ties with those in with an ulterior motive or for development. the southern Indian state of snooping, he would not have left Taking potshots at Modi, who Tamil Nadu. the proforma behind... There was served as Gujarat chief minis- On Friday, he held talks no snooping, no instruction from ter for almost 13 years, he said: with Sri Lanka’s new President the government of India. There “Track record may show that Maithripala Sirisena and urged is no pressure on police,” he said. it has been a model perfected the government to fully imple- Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets a Tamil family while handing over Indian-funded homes in Jaffna, some 400 He said they had such infor- in Gujarat. Indeed not only for ment a 1987 constitutional pro- kilometres north of Colombo, yesterday. mation about Bharatiya Janata political opponents but for, we are vision giving Tamils greater Party president Amit Shah and told, large number of tales about autonomy in the majority-Sin- legislative authority. with rubble as a legacy of the alleged atrocities committed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi judges, journalists and private halese nation. Jaffna’s top Tamil politician, heavy bombardments that they the final stages of the war that and police have also visited persons.” “Sri Lanka has lived through C V Wigneswaran asked Modi to endured over the decades. ended in May 2009. residences of Congress leader Demanding a comprehensive decades of tragic violence and guarantee a political settlement Tens of thousands of troops are The UN Human Rights Veerappa Moily and BJP veteran explanation by Home Minister conflict,” Modi said on Friday. for Sri Lanka’s Tamils as he wel- still garrisoned in Jaffna despite Council this year delayed releas- L K Advani. Rajnath Singh or the prime min- “You have successfully defeated comed the Indian leader to the international calls for a scaling- ing a report on alleged war Bassi, however, admitted that ister, he said that it was not a terrorism and brought the con- region. back of numbers, although there crimes by Sri Lankan forces to “some shortcomings had been Congress-centric issue and the flict to an end. You now stand at “We seek justice and fair play were no soldiers in evidence dur- give the new government time noticed (about the kind of ques- party will raise it in parliament. a moment of historic opportu- and dignity,” Wigneswaran said. ing Modi’s visit. to establish a credible domestic tions in the proforma being used “....It is something which every- nity to win the hearts and heal Modi is only the second for- Sirisena came to power in mechanism to investigate alle- since 1999) and these will be body should stand up for, stand the wounds across all sections of eign leader to travel to Jaffna January promising ethnic recon- gations that up to 40,000 Tamil rectified.” up against. It is something which society.” after British Prime Minister ciliation and accountability for civilians were killed. His reaction came minutes no law permits.” India has long supported David Cameron, who travelled alleged war crimes committed by But the UN has also urged after Congress spokesperson He said India is a proud democ- greater autonomy for the minor- there during a Commonwealth security forces under the com- the government to immediately Abhishek Manu Singhvi con- racy, not a police state. “This ity group, but Tamil leaders said summit in Colombo in November mand of former leader Mahinda release Tamil detainees and demned police’s “unnecessary and kind of political espionage is Modi’s comments were particu- 2013. Rajapaksa. demilitarise former conflict areas weird inquiries” about Gandhi condemnable.” larly strong. While reconstruction has The United Nations has said it to build confidence. and launched a strong attack on BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu A Tamil council was elected begun in some parts of Jaffna city, is encouraged by his government’s Hundreds of Tamils are the Modi government. The con- Trivedi however ridiculed espi- in September 2013, five years many neighbourhoods and sur- commitment to ethnic reconcili- believed to be in custody troversy erupted at a time Gandhi onage charges levelled by the after the war ended, but it lacks rounding villages are still strewn ation and accountability for the without trial. AFP is on “leave of absence” to reflect Congress. IANS

Rage at Lakhvi

Members of the right-wing Shiv-Sena burn posters bearing the image of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is accused of planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as they protest in New Delhi yesterday. Cough cured, Kejriwal Marriage called off after groom set for Delhi return fails to bow BENGALURU: Delhi Chief Being aware of Kejriwal’s hec- Minister Arvind Kejriwal has tic schedule and engagements, GHAZIABAD: A groom learnt recovered from chronic cough the doctors have advised him to the hard way just how impor- and high blood sugar after a maintain strict diet, take food at tant it is to bow before the bride nine-day naturopathy treat- prescribed times and go to bed so that she can garland him. ment at a private hospital here, early to get up early. A bride here walked out of a a senior doctor said yesterday. “As Kejriwal is unable to extend marriage on Friday night when “Kejriwal’s chronic cough and his stay here due to the upcom- the groom was playfully lifted a blood sugar are under control, ing budget session (of the Delhi little too high beyond her reach as he recovered well under our legislative assembly) and other during the marriage ceremony. treatment,” Jindal Naturecure pressing engagements, we have The marriage was called off and Institute medical director Babina prescribed a regime comprising the groom’s family ended up Nandakumar told IANS. naturopathy treatment, diet and paying Rs500,000 to the bride’s With his 10-day stay at the exercises,” she said. side for organising the marriage institute hospital ending on today, Kejriwal’s blood sugar has come function. Kejriwal will be returning to down to 130 pp (postprandial) Both the man and the woman, Delhi tomorrow by evening flight. and 90 fasting from a high of 300 who would have been husband “As Kejriwal has responded mg/dl when he was admitted on and wife, came to know each well to the naturopathy system March 5. other while working in a multi- of medicine, including yogic exer- “Frequency of Kejriwal’s national company in Pune and cises, diet, specific therapies and chronic cough has also come decided to tie the knot. The walking, he has been advised to down. He has shown remarkable bride’s family lives in Ghaziabad continue with them till his health improvement on both counts,” while the groom is from Pune in stabilises,” she said. Nandakumar said. IANS Maharashtra. IANS SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Volcano ash on flowers

Fajr (Dawn) 4:28 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:44 Zuhr (Noon) 11:43 Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:44 Isha (Night) 7:14

WEATHER Weather Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: Clear Clear Clear Hazy to misty at places at first ,

High: 27° High: 28° High: 26° partly cloudy to Low: 20° Low: 21° Low: 22° cloudy at times with chance of light to scattered rain.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:44 17:44 00:30 & 10:45 08:15 & 17:30 12-22/25 KT Flowers covered in volcanic ash are seen after an eruption of Turrialba volcano, at El Roble near Turrialba in Costa Rica. The volcano belched a column of gas and ash up to 1km into the air in its most powerful eruption in two decades. THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 29/22 Clear 30/24 Clear MAKKAH 38/22 Clear 38/23 Clear Cash-cow Clarkson gives BBC major headache KUWAIT 29/16 Clear 29/17 Clear BAHRAIN 28/21 Partly cloudy 28/19 Partly cloudy LONDON: Hosts of motoring his column for the Sun newspaper. million people in Britain, around to have to compensate foreign SANAA 29/11 Clear 29/12 Clear television shows rarely generate To his supporters, Clarkson is a 40 percent of them female. broadcasters for cancelling the RIYADH 33/19 Partly cloudy 32/19 Partly cloudy headlines, but the furore over humorous, straight-talking man- It has also become a global hit remaining shows in the current DUBAI 31/22 Mostly cloudy 31/23 Partly cloudy the suspension of “Top Gear” of-the-people standing up to the with more than 350 million view- series that was being filmed when BAGHDAD 27/11 Clear 28/13 Clear host Jeremy Clarkson reveals petty bureaucracy and political ers in 214 countries and earns Clarkson was suspended. much about British society and correctness which they blame for around £50m ($73m) in revenue Uncertainly also looms over a THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW national broadcaster the BBC. the country’s ills. each year for the broadcaster’s sold-out live event in Stavanger, Clarkson, who was already on In the eyes of his detractors, he commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. Norway, which is due to be held HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER his last warning from the BBC, is a boorish bigot who speaks only But the BBC now faces a on March 27 and 28. ATHENS 16/09 Mostly cloudy 14/09 Partly cloudy was suspended on Tuesday follow- for out-of-touch white men and dilemma over whether to keep its Many believe that commercial WASHINGTON 13/02 Partly cloudy 19/09 Partly cloudy ing a “fracas” with an assistant whose friendship with the coun- troublesome star or risk further concerns have allowed Clarkson producer which is now subject to try’s most powerful figures belies trouble down the line. to stay on despite a series of con- SYDNEY 23/14 Partly cloudy 26/18 Partly cloudy an investigation. his anti-establishment posturing. “It is a bureaucratic machine troversies over race. LONDON 09/04 Chance of showers 11/03 Partly cloudy He hinted yesterday that Caught in the middle is the that must try to please everybody, Most damaging for Clarkson PARIS 11/03 Cloudy 15/04 Clear he could be about to leave the BBC, for whom Clarkson has because everybody pays for it,” have been accusations of using ISTANBUL 09/06 Chance of rain 08/05 Cloudy broadcaster, calling himself a worked since 1988, turning the said The Economist weekly, refer- the N-word while reciting an old MANILA 32/21 Partly cloudy 33/19 Partly cloudy “dinosaur” and adding: “The day show from a specialist pro- ring to the yearly licence fee paid nursery rhyme in leaked footage, DHAKA 35/23 Clear 35/23 Clear must come when you have to wave gramme aimed at petrolheads by British television viewers. something the presenter denied. DELHI 25/15 Chance of storm 26/15 Clear goodbye to the big monsters” in into a weekly hit watched by five In the short-term, it is likely AFP ISLAMABAD 15/10 Rain 22/09 Clear Luxury living Gandhi’s statue unveiled has minister slammed on near Churchill’s in London LONDON: A statue of Indian inde- British premier to visit the site of a pendence leader Mahatma Gandhi notorious massacre in Amritsar in 1919 social media was unveiled yesterday at the sym- where troops under British control bolic heart of the British establish- gunned down hundreds of unarmed ATHENS: Photographs of ment that once loathed him for his protestors. Greek Finance Minister Yanis campaign against imperial rule. He described the killings as “shame- Varoufakis in his beauti- Gandhi joins figures including ful” but stopped short of a public ful Athens home in a French Britain’s World War II leader Winston apology. celebrity magazine has caused Churchill, who described him as a half- Cameron has also made boost- a storm on social media as his naked “fakir”, in London’s Parliament ing economic ties between India and ministry admitted it may raid Square, opposite Big Ben and the Britain — home to some 1.5 million the country’s social security House of Commons. members of the Indian diaspora — a funds to stave off bankruptcy. Indian Finance Minister Arun priority. Varoufakis is seen in Paris Jaitley unveiled the bronze statue at a When he came to power in 2010, he Match at a piano in his living ceremony attended by Prime Minister said he wanted to double trade with room, and dining in some style David Cameron, Bollywood superstar India by this year. on the roof terrace of his “love Amitabh Bachchan — who gave a Jaitley, who has described the rela- nest at the foot of the Acropolis”, speech quoting Gandhi’s principles — tionship with Britain as a “partnership while telling the magazine how he and Gandhi’s grandson, Gopalkrishna of equals”, said the unveiling marked abhorred the “star system”. Gandhi. the coming together of the world’s old- “There is always a relationship Hundreds of people gathered to est and largest democracy. between a democratic deficit and watch, while a band played Indian But he noted the irony of Gandhi’s a deficit of values,” he added. classical music and Indian flags flew statue being located so close to that of Paris Match also revealed that around the square. Churchill, who was fiercely opposed to Varoufakis and his wife, the glam- Despite such pomp, Gandhi was Indian independence. orous artist Danae Stratou, are historically resented by many in The statue, which stands nine feet about to move from their present Westminster as the leader of the non- (2.7 metres) high, is by respected home in a building owned by violent campaign for Indian independ- sculptor Philip Jackson and is based her industrialist family at the ence from Britain, which was granted on a photograph of Gandhi taken when foot of the Acropolis, to a larger in 1947. he visited London in 1931. apartment. In a speech at the event, Cameron It marks 100 years since Gandhi The reaction on social media hailed Gandhi as “one of the towering returned to India from South Africa, was instant and unforgiving of figures in the history of world politics” where he was repeatedly jailed for the finance chief in Greece’s new and said that the statue would give him pressing the rights of Indians and hard-left Syriza government “an eternal home in our country”. started his non-violent campaign of which has described the country’s The unveiling marks the latest step civil disobedience. financial plight as a humanitarian in Britain’s efforts to recast both its It faces the Houses of Parliament crisis. past and present in India, once known and is situated between the statues of Financial Times economics Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan poses beside the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament square in as the “jewel in the crown” of the anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela editor Chris Giles tweeted: “The central London yesterday. Gandhi joins figures including Britain’s World War II leader Winston Churchill, British empire. and US president Abraham Lincoln. humanitarian crisis in Greece... who described him as a half-naked “fakir”, in London’s Parliament Square. In 2013, Cameron became the first AFP Un-put-downable... Highlight of the morning.” Varoufakis’s fellow economist Benn Steil, of the US Council on Foreign Relations, joked, “Lifestyles of the rich and famous, Syriza edition”. AFP Terrorism of rogue European owl ends in Dutch city

THE HAGUE: A rogue owl European eagle owl is suspected of in a temporary facility awaiting a getting heavier,” the city said, athletics clubs were attacked last that has terrorised a northern more than 50 attacks on humans, transfer once a proper permanent adding “many people were afraid month, with one runner requir- Dutch city for the past year, swooping silently from above and home has been found,” it added. to go out of their homes.” ing stitches for six head wounds forcing citizens to arm them- leaving many of its victims bloody The large owl is suspected of a As the owl is a protected ani- caused by the nocturnal bird of selves with umbrellas at night, and bruised. spate of mysterious attacks on cit- mal, the city had to get special prey’s talons. has finally been caught, officials “The animal was trapped by a izens over the last year, prompt- permission to trap the creature. Owl experts have said the bird’s announced Friday. falconer today,” the Purmerend ing the city to advise evening Once that was granted, a falconer behaviour was unusual, meaning Dubbed the “terror owl” by city council said in a statement, strollers to arm themselves with set out on a bird-hunt. it was either raised in captivity residents of Purmerend north issued Friday evening. “It’s in good umbrellas for protection against In one of the owl’s many and associated humans with food. of Amsterdam, the aggressive health and is currently being kept aerial assaults. “The attacks were assaults, two members of a local AFP Sunday 15 March 2015 24 Jumada I 1436 Volume 20 Number 6370 Price: QR2

Indian business team eyes Qatar opportunities

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 International N-power a strong option for Qatar: Expert Institute of Doha needs a bouquet of energy resources: Former UK Atomic Energy Authority chief Finance meeting

BY SATISH KANADY that needs a bouquet of energy Things are fast changing. Every process of launching more nuclear begins today resources. It’s not ideal for any country needs an energy mix. plants. China, India, Vietnam, DOHA: Nuclear power must country to rely on just one energy Right now you may have got a lot Turkey… all these countries are DOHA: QNB will host be a strong energy option for source”, she said during her of gas or oil. But there will be a in the process of building new and be the main sponsor of Qatar to meet its ever-growing recent Doha visit. day when these resources will run nuclear power plants. “ the International Institute energy demand and to fulfil Lady Judge, who is cur- out. Never depend on one energy Lady Judge said nuclear energy of Finance (IIF) Spring its commitment to sustainable rently the Deputy Chairperson source, that’s dangerous and is the only real answer to the prob- Membership 2015 Meeting to development. As the neigh- of the Tepco Nuclear Reform uneconomic… That’s why even lem of Climate Change. Everybody be opened at The Ritz-Carlton bouring Abu Dhabi is set to Monitoring Committee and the energy giants like Saudi are knows that nuclear doesn’t emit here today. launch the region’s first nuclear Chairperson of its Nuclear Safety considering nuclear power. carbon. “I strongly believe the Prime Minister and Interior power plant in 2017 and Saudi Task Force, is actively involved in It seems Qatar is overly con- world needs a bouquet of energy Minister H E Abdullah bin Arabia in the making of its the upcoming Abu Dhabi nuclear cerned about the safety side of sources. It needs oil, it needs gas, Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, own nuclear plants, there is no power plant and was an Advisor having a nuclear plant. But the it needs coal it needs renewable Minister of Finance H E Ali point in Qatar, which is physi- to the launch of nuclear power fact is Saudi Arabia and Abu to make feel better about people Shareef Al Emadi, H E Sheikh cally so close to these two coun- plant in Jordan. Dhabi are building nuclear plants, about carbon emission it”. Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, tries, shying away from nuclear She recalled that it was almost and Qatar is right in the middle. On Qatar’s potential for solar Governor, Qatar Central Bank, power, Lady Barbara Judge, seven years ago she first talked Fukushima was an accident…In energy, she commented: “ Yes, I Qatar, Ali Al Kuwari, QNB Group former Chairperson of the about the need for Qatar consid- fact, no source of energy is risk- think solar is excellent for this Chief Executive Officer, Ben United Kingdom Atomic Energy ering benefits of nuclear energy, free in the world, Lady Judge said. part of the world. You can always Kruger, Group Chief Executive, Authority, told The Peninsula in at an event in Qatar. Abu Dhabi Germany’s energy transi- use it as a top up resource. But I Standard Bank, Luis Maria Linde, an interview. began working on it almost dur- tion has created a lot of mess don’t believe solar will solve the Governor, Bank of Spain, and “The GCC countries are per- ing the same year and it is now in that country’s energy sector. entire problems. It’s just one part other prominent speakers from fect places to build nuclear in the final phase of launching its In the UK, we did not stop after of the solution”. around the globe will address the power plants. Qatar is a country power plant. Fukushima and we are in the THE PENINSULA Lady Barbara Judge two-day event. Approximately 700 delegates, will attend the event. Ali Al Kuwari, QNB Group Chief Executive Officer said: “As the host and lead sponsor of the Kahramaa awards QR17bn meeting, QNB has been working closely with IIF to coordinate this year’s meeting that features an impressive and influential line- water reservoir deals up of industry experts and public sector officials”. DOHA: Qatar General reservoir location is 1 km2. The “We are confident that this Electricity & Water Corporation reservoirs are unique in design. gathering of elite experts, opinion- (Kahramaa) announced that it The locations of the mega res- formers and decision makers will has started awarding contracts ervoirs are selected near to desal- strive to provide more innovative for the QR17bn worth strate- ination facilities at Ras Lafan to financial solutions to address the gic mega reservoirs project and the north and Ras Abo Fontas evolving and pressing economic the accompanying pipelines at a to the south. They are also con- requirements of future and current total capacity of 2300 MIG. nected to the existing water net- generations “added Al Kuwari. The projects come within work to meet the rapid population Tim Adams, CEO of The Kahrama’s plans to increase increase. Of the total QR17bn Institute of International Finance Qatar’s strategic water storage contract works, 55 percent of said; “We are excited to host our facility and ensure water supply works will be awarded to Qatari Spring Membership Meeting in to all areas as per Kahramaa mis- companies. Contracts include Doha and thank QNB for being sion of ‘providing high quality and excavation and landscape, main our hosts and lead sponsor. This sustainable electricity and water pipelines and accompanying pipe- event will be a unique opportunity for better living’ in Qatar. lines installation, and reservoirs for IIF members and public sec- The strategic project of the construction. tor officials to discuss global oil mega reservoirs is considered as On the other hand, the designs market volatility, global financial the largest expansion of Qatar of the second phase have been A delegation looks at a scale model of the new Egyptian capital displayed at the congress hall in the Red Sea stability, and other issues critical water storage ever. In the first developed to meet Qatar require- resort of Sharm El Sheikh yesterday. to our industry.” phase, it aims to increase the ments up to 2036. It includes 40 The IIF meeting in Doha country’s strategic storage of reservoirs with a total capacity of will cover issues central to the water till 2026 . The projects 3800 MIG. The mega reservoir is Egypt nets billions at investment meet ongoing global finance industry consist of 24 reservoirs at a total one of the vital strategic projects. agenda, with a particular focus on capacity of 2300 Million Gallons. It aims to increase Qatar water current fluctuating developments Each reservoir will have a total strategic storage to meet the SHARM EL SHEIKH: Egypt said. Another possible ¤6bn are in attending the three-day gather- in the oil markets, their resultant capacity of about 100 MIG and is future needs in order to improve had secured billions of dollars the pipeline with memorandums ing. Cairo University political sci- impact on the global economy, and considered as the largest concrete water security and Kahramaa in investment deals and aid of understandings inked for more ence professor Mostafa Kamel Al potential geopolitical implications. reservoir in the world. The res- services. pledges at a conference. power plants. Sayyed said that, “if it weren’t for THE PENINSULA ervoirs will be constructed in five The Qatar General Electricity Among the deals was a ¤4bn The largest deal was penned the for the political aspect, I think locations including Um Baraka, and Water Corporation is the ($4.2 bn) agreement with German with British Petroleum for a we wouldn’t have seen the enthu- Um Salal, Rawdat Rashid, Abu sole transmission and distribu- conglomerate Siemens for a 4.4 record investment of $12bn in siasm of several representatives of Abbot to decide Nakhla, and Al-Thumama. The tion system owner and operator gigawatt power plant in the Egyptian gas fields with Russian the Arab and Western states. Even first phase also covers the instal- (TDSOO) for the electricity and energy-starved country, and an partner DEA. China and Russia are standing by on China-backed lation of 650 km pipelines with water sector in Qatar. additional 2 gigawatts in wind About 100 countries and Egypt for the same reason. large diameters. The space of each THE PENINSULA power, a company spokesman international organisations are AFP bank membership SYDNEY: Australia expects to make a decision within weeks on whether it will seek to join the China-backed Asian QDB backs Qatari firms Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday. Australia’s decision on whether at Big 5 Jeddah meet to become a founding member of the institution risks upsetting DOHA: Supported by Qatar aluminum and glass sales and either key strategic allies the Development Bank’s (QDB) installation, fibre optics, gypsum United States and Japan, or top export promotion arm, Tasdeer, works, electrical works, and inte- trading partner China. 26 Qatari companies successfully rior design and construction. Britain this week said it has debuted ‘Made in Qatar’ goods Hassan Khalifa Al Mansouri, sought to become a founding and services at Big 5 Jeddah 2015, Executive Director of Tasdeer, member of the AIIB because it which took place from 9 to 12 said: “We are pleased to continu- was in its “national interest”, March in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ally see such strong participation making it the first Western Big 5 Jeddah 2015 is one of the from Qatari companies at Big nation to embrace the institution, largest construction exhibitions in 5 – one of the top construction which would finance infrastruc- the region and a powerful platform exhibitions in the region. Through ture projects in the Asia-Pacific. gathering stakeholders, profes- Tasdeer, QDB plays a critical role “Our position all along has been sionals, and specialists across the in supporting Qatari companies that we are happy to be part of Middle East and North Africa’s through trade and export promo- some thing which is a genuine (MENA) booming construction tion and countless other services multilateral institution such as and building trades sectors. for the private sector. Our par- the World Bank, such as the Asia The QDB-backed Qatar ticipation in Jeddah follows a suc- Development Bank. What we are Pavilion at Big 5 Jeddah was cessful, multi-year run at Big 5 not prepared to do is to sign onto comprised of companies spanning Dubai and we are thrilled to be something which is just an arm many segments of the construc- expanding the reach of Qatari of one country’s foreign policy. “ tion industry including: plastics companies in strategic markets.” Abbott told Sky News Australia. QDB officials and representatives of Qatari firms at the event. manufacturing, wood processing, THE PENINSULA REUTERS SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

QIMC selects Will China meet 2015 growth target? Khatib & Alami Slower investment growth, weak global demand for Chines goods slow economy: QNB report design for Lusail

DOHA: In his presentation to the shadow banking sector, the take advantage of lower expected shadow banking system. 35.5 percent in 2013 to 14.7 percent City project the National People’s Congress report said. future prices. Inflation averaged In response, the government in 2014. A relaxation of the cap on on March 5, Chinese Premier The lower targets for 2015 1.1 percent in the first two months plans a number of measures to bank deposit rates has attracted DOHA: Qatar Industrial Li Keqiang outlined the govern- indicate that the government of 2015 and is likely to remain low combat these headwinds and keep funds away from shadow banking. Manufacturing Company ment’s plans and targets for the expects China’s economic slow- as further house price declines growth in line with its target. Additionally, local government debt (QIMC) yesterday announced Chinese economy. Specifically, down to continue. The slowdown push down rent inflation and First, a fiscal stimulus is expected management is being strength- it has selected the design of the government has lowered its is expected to be broad-based as low global commodity prices in 2015 — higher spending will lead ened and bond market develop- Khatib & Alami (K&A) for target for economic growth this as the government also revised depress foreign inflation. The to an increase in the fiscal defi- ment encouraged to bring shadow one of its real-estate projects year to around 7 percent. A QNB down targets for investment risks posed by deflation are partic- cit target to 2.3 percent of GDP banking debt into the regulated located in the waterfront dis- Group report expects growth in growth, retail sales and foreign ularly acute for China because of in 2015, compared with an actual sector. New borrowing guidelines trict of Lusail City consisting 2015 to be broadly in line with the trade. Furthermore, there are high debt levels (over 200 percent deficit of 1.8 percent in 2014. issued in 2013-14 made local offi- of an iconic high-rise sea view, government’s target, but slightly a number of headwinds facing of GDP including the traditional Second, low inflation provides cials accountable for borrowing strategically prime located resi- lower than 7 percent due to the Chinese economy that could and shadow banking systems) as room for the authorities to loosen decisions and prohibited further dential building. domestic and foreign headwinds. present downside risks to growth. deflation increases the real value monetary policy further. The cen- borrowing through local govern- “We are pleased to take part China’s growth was 0.1 percent First, global demand is expected of future debt payments. tral bank has lowered its inflation ment financing vehicles, which had in the development of Lusail below the official 7.5 percent tar- to remain subdued in 2015 result- Fourth, China faces a nexus target from 3.5 percent to three been heavily used to raise debt in City. Our aim is to continuously get in 2014, the first sub-target ing in a continued slowdown in of connected risks in real estate, percent, but this remains well above the shadow banking system. enhance the investment opportu- outturn since 1998. This was investment growth. local government debt and shadow current inflation. The central bank China’s new growth targets nities in our country. This iconic mainly the result of slower invest- Second, the government has banking. Average house prices in already cut lending and deposit illustrate that the authorities building is a reflection of K&A’s ment growth, a weakening of glo- sought to boost private consump- 70 Chinese cities fell 5.1 percent in rates at the end of February by 25 have acknowledged the inevita- wide experience in setting up high bal demand for Chinese exports tion to replace investment as the the year to January 2015 owing to basis points and also cut the reserve bility of the growth slowdown. standards and specifications in and lower growth in private main driver of growth. However, excess housing supply. Local gov- requirement ratio (RRR) for banks The authorities are expected to building design. It’s a guarantee consumption. At the same time, consumption growth is lagging ernments have borrowed heavily by 50 basis points to 19.5 percent at implement a sufficient fiscal and that will greatly benefit our future inflation came in below target at (retail sales only grew by 12 per- in the past, including through the beginning of February. Further monetary stimuli to achieve the tenants,” said Abdul Rahman Al two percent on lower commodity cent in 2014, less than the govern- the shadow banking system, to interest rate and RRR cuts are growth target and are taking reg- Ansari, CEO of QIMC. prices and slowing rent inflation, ment target of 14.5 percent) and finance large real estate develop- expected during 2015 to help bring ulatory action to mitigate against “We designed a winning pro- notwithstanding the numerous the share of private consumption ments and other infrastructure inflation in line with target and economic risks. They have sub- posal concept considering the fiscal and monetary stimuli pro- in the economy (around 36 percent projects. This has led to grow- boost the economy. stantial resources to support the client’s profile and the prime vided by the authorities through- of GDP) is expected to remain well ing concerns about the build-up Third, the government is intro- economy at its disposal, includ- location of this project, seizing out 2014. Particularly worrisome below advanced economy levels. of excessive credit in the shadow ducing regulations to increase ing $3.8 trillion in international the challenging opportunity to is the decline in Chinese house Third, deflationary risks are banking system and the poten- transparency and bring shadow reserves. Therefore, we expect create a unique, high-rise land- prices in 2014 that has negatively rising, which could represent a tial fallout. Further declines in banking out of the shadows. growth to be broadly in line with mark on the waterfront of Lusail. impacted asset quality in the drag on growth as consumption real estate prices could trigger Reforms have helped slow credit the target, the report added. We are looking forward to work banking system, particularly in and investment are delayed to defaults across the official and growth in shadow banking from THE PENINSULA on this project with an esteemed company such as QIMC and Hill International team,” said Oussama Dimachkieh, Director of Building Design Services at K&A. The design selected by QIMC Swiss govt was evaluated highly effective, both in term of space planning resists pressure and energy conservation. The outer facade reflects a to lessen modern look, while projecting some aspects of traditional archi- tecture. With a total built-up area franc shock of 36,000 m2, the 26-story high project will consists of a total of GENEVA: Switzerland’s gov- 148 apartments divided into one, ernment has shrugged off two and three-bedroom and two requests by political parties underground parking. to lessen the economic impact K&A is an international, of the removal of a cap on the diverse, and multidisciplinary value of the Swiss franc, the consulting firm with decades of Swiss national news agency experience working at the fore- reported yesterday. front of one of the fastest chang- In written answers to ques- ing urban landscape on the planet. tions put by seven political par- K&A brings together integrated ties before a parliamentary debate teams of world-class specialists next week, the Federal Council, and cutting-edge technology to Switzerland’s cabinet, said very help shaping and designing some little action could be taken. the world’s highest ambitions in Switzerland’s central bank, buildings, infrastructure, and the Swiss National Bank, set off urbanism. Since 1984, it has con- a surge in the franc in January Amar Singh (centre), Mohammed bin Ahmed Tawar Al Kuwari (left) and M S Bukhari with other leaders during the interaction session. (BAHER AMIN) tinuously ranked among the Top when it gave up a three-year old 100 International Design Firms policy of holding the value of cur- by Engineering News-Record rency to 1.20 francs per euro. Indian business team eyes opportunities in Qatar (ENR). The currency gained to 0.86 Hill International, the Project francs per euro before slowly Management consultant for this receding. This month, it has been DOHA: A visiting Indian busi- provides world-class infrastruc- everything; the vision, the will including Mohammed bin Ahmed project, is a global leader in man- weaker than 1.05 francs per euro. ness delegation is looking for ture facilities and cheap power, and huge resources”. Tawar Al Kuwari , Vice Chairman of aging construction risk, providing That is expected to do huge dam- opportunities in Qatar’s upcom- he said. Another delegation member Qatar Chamber; Dr Ibrahim Saleh project management, construc- age to Swiss exporters and tour- ing economic zones and infra- Singh said his latest visit to Jayaprada, an actor-turned poli- Al Naimi, chairman of the Doha tion claims and consulting serv- ism and prompt many shoppers to structure sector. Qatar is also aimed at re-connect- tician, noted Qatar also offers International Center for Interfaith ices to clients for major projects. go across the border to Germany, The delegation, headed by ing with his friends and people great investment opportunities Dialogue (DICID; Saif Muhammed THE PENINSULA France and Italy. Industrialist and senior politi- of Indian origin. He said he was in the sport and entertainment Al Kuwari; Jamal Sherida Al Right-wing parties asked for cian Amar Singh, said the Indian surprised to see the rapid growth sector. Qatar has great poten- Kaabi and Muhammad Althaf, tax breaks and lighter regulation; business team is also interested in of Qatar over the past few years. tial to emerge as one of the best Regional Director of Lulu Group of Heinz slashes left-wing parties wanted capital Qatar’s education sector. He praised the Qatari leadership destinations in the region for Companies in Qatar, were among controls and more protection of During an interaction sec- for making Qatar as one of the investors in filmmaking. The others who attended the event. 7,400 jobs in workers, the SDA news agency tion being hosted by Satco ‘most happening places’ in the country has attractive locations Qatar’s Satco International reported. But the Federal Council International, here on Tuesday, world. “There are some places to woo filmmakers from India. Group General Manager M.S. 20 months said there were “scarcely any Amar Singh said the Indian in the world that have resources India’s Bollywood can do won- Bukhari hosted the luncheon in rapid and targetted measures” delegation is keen on exploring but lacks vision, while others ders in Qatar with the support of honour of visiting Indian busi- NEW YORK: HJ Heinz, the that could constrain the strength investments in Qatar’s hydrocar- have vision but no resources. Or and cooperation from of Qatari ness delegation and the specially ketchup maker backed by of the franc in the short term. bon sector as well. Qatar is an there may be both but no will to authorities. invited Qatari businessmen. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire REUTERS ideal investment destination as it execute them. In Qatar, there is Leading Qatari businessmen, THE PENINSULA Hathaway Inc., has slashed about 7,400 jobs in 20 months as his partners at 3G Capital worked to boost profitability. Heinz had 24,500 full time employees as of December 28, Doha Bank hosts meet the Pittsburgh-based company said on Friday in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. That compares on economic ties with 31,900 as of April 28, 2013. Buffett and 3G took the com- KUWAIT CITY: Doha Bank more closely with the Asian finan- pany private in June of that year. hosted a conference in Kuwait cial system to boost resilience and Buffett gets $720m annually from on developing economic and enhance its economic cooperation his $8bn preferred stake in the trade relationships between with countries such as China and company, while 3G managers run Asian economic powerhouses India which have been fuelling operations. such as China and India and the global growth engine. China, “Heinz is run far better under countries in the fast-growing Hong Kong, Singapore and India Alex Behring, chairman, and GCC region. Titled “Synergetic had attracted significant foreign Bernardo Hees, CEO, than would Opportunities between direct investment in 2014. India be the case if I were in charge,” Emerging Asia and the GCC”, has consistently been among the Buffett said in his annual letter the conference brought together top 10 trading partners of Kuwait. to Berkshire shareholders last regional and international Kuwaiti investments in India are month in which he also praised experts from diverse fields. in excess of $ 2.5 billion. India’s 3G co-founder Jorge Paulo The event was held at JW growth is expected to be between Lemann. “I knew immediately Marriott Hotel. 8 – 8.5 percent in FY 2016 and the that this partnership would work Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO consumer price inflation was at well from both a personal and of Doha Bank, said. “Over the 5.1 percent in Jan 2015. The cur- financial standpoint. And it most last two decades, the GCC States rent account deficit for FY 2015 is definitely has.” have experienced rapid economic expected to be below 1.3 per cent 3G’s initiatives include the reduc- growth, driven by oil and gas of GDP and the fiscal deficit tar- tion of 4,050 corporate and field revenues and booming financial get of 4.1 percent of GDP for FY positions to save about $250 million services and tourism sectors. This 2015 will be achieved. The surge a year, and the closing of five fac- period also saw the region emerg- in growth in Indian economy tories, eliminating 1,600 positions ing as a major investment desti- will lead to increased trade and and reducing annual costs by about nation for infrastructure projects. investments between India and $80m. Both efforts were previously To drive the next stage of growth, GCC. ” disclosed by the company. Doha Bank officials and other dignitaries during the conference. the GCC should look to integrate THE PENINSULA WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Obama’s tone signals rejection of Keystone Project to create only 300 jobs: President

WASHINGTON: Facing re- Backers, including congres- election and $4 a gallon pet- sional Republicans, say finishing rol, President Barack Obama the Alberta-to-Nebraska segment sounded like an enthusiastic would create thousands of jobs supporter of the Keystone XL and improve US energy security pipeline at a March 2012 cam- by strengthening ties to a key ally paign rally. in Canada. Officials and award recipients during the honouring ceremony. “I’m directing my administra- For months Obama has been tion to cut through the red tape, knocking down the case for it, break through the bureaucratic while saying he was awaiting the McDonald’s honoured at Qatar CSR Report event hurdles, and make this project a outcome of the State Department priority,” he said in a speech in report before making up his mind. Cushing, Oklahoma, referring to During a White House press DOHA: McDonald’s Qatar has Mcdonald’s Qatar Marketing overall success of Qatar on the practices and wish them the very a southern leg of the long-delayed conference in December, Obama participated in the annual Qatar Manager by Professor Sheikha world map and are committed to best for the future.” project. said: “There’s been this tendency CSR Report for 2014. The launch Al Misnad, Qatar University CSR initiatives that aim to bene- Ghada Kamal said: “One of Those days are gone. Now when to really hype this thing as some event and honouring ceremony President. fit all sections of the community. McDonald Qatar’s key brand Obama describes the next pro- magic formula and — to what ails took place at Qatar University Kamal Saleh Al Mana, It’s very important for organiza- attributes is being a “good neigh- posed Keystone segment he says the US economy. And it’s hard in the presence of several dig- Managing Director of Al Mana tions to actively embrace CSR bor” and genuinely involved in it will only create about 300 jobs. to see on paper where exactly nitaries including government Restaurants & Food Co, said: initiatives that aims to provide our community. We actively He calls the Calgary-based pipe- they’re getting that information officials, educationalists, ambas- “We at McDonald’s Qatar are a better environment for con- seek opportunities that benefit line builder TransCanada Corp. from.” sadors, partners, sponsors and committed to serve the society tinued growth and develop- the society and bring a smile to a “foreign company” and says He’s even denigrated the guests who have contributed to we operate in. As a Qatari busi- ment of Qatar in line with our every member of the community. the oil won’t benefit American project overseas. the success of the Report. ness entity, our priorities are National Vision. I would like to Our objective is to spread hope motorists. “Understand what this project McDonald’s Qatar was rec- to promote international best congratulate the team behind and happiness and work with tar- And last week, he even said the is: It is providing the ability of ognised for their efforts during practices in Qatar and further the CSR report to highlight the geted organizations to bring about process of extracting crude from Canada to pump their oil, send the launch ceremony and was support national progress and efforts of individuals and organi- change and make a difference to the Alberta oil sands is “extraor- it through our land down to the awarded a trophy. The trophy economic development for all. zations making a difference to our society.” dinarily dirty.” Gulf where it will be sold every- was presented to Ghada Kamal, We want to contribute to the our community and sharing best THE PENINSULA After years of review, Obama where else,” Obama said during a may be finally nearing a deci- visit to Myanmar in November. sion on the $8bn project. The In the South Carolina address State Department has restarted last week, Obama called the proc- a review it had paused while ess for extracting oil in Alberta Turkish central a challenge to the pipeline’s extraordinary dirty and said Brazilians rally behind Petrobras route worked its way through Keystone wouldn’t provide many Nebraska’s high court. And permanent jobs. bank’s credibility by vetoing Republican-backed For pipeline opponents, his SAO PAULO: Unions and uncovered in Brazil. Investigators demoralize and privatise it. This legislation last month to force comments are being taken as backers of President Dilma say the nation’s biggest construc- is something we do not accept must be raised: approval, Obama preserved for confirmation that their rallies Rousseff marched in sev- tion and engineering firms paid and will fight to prevent it from himself the final say. and protests have brought the eral cities in Brazil, mostly at least $800m in bribes and happening,” said Natael Mendes, While the White House insists president around to their way of to show support for state-run other funds to Petrobras execu- a metalworker and union mem- Finance Minister Obama hasn’t made up his mind, thinking. oil company Petrobras as it tives and politicians in exchange ber who gathered with others some analysts say his rhetorical “It would be extraordinarily dif- is engulfed by a corruption for inflated contracts with the on a main Sao Paulo avenue. BURSA, TURKEY: The shift suggests otherwise. ficult for him to approve Keystone scandal, but also to bolster the oil firm. Some of the money was “The scandal must be inves- Turkish central bank’s hand “Our view is that it’s pretty after all these things he’s said, leader. allegedly funneled into the cam- tigated and those guilty must must be strengthened by crystal clear it’s not going to be from an integrity standpoint,” Most of the peaceful demon- paign coffers of the Workers’ be punished. But it cannot be increasing its credibility, approved under this administra- said Elijah Zarlin, a senior cam- strations drew less than 1,000 Party and its allies. used to justify the destruction Finance Minister Mehmet tion,” said Patrick Kenny, an ana- paigner for Credo Action, an advo- people by midafternoon, accord- The scandal has sent approval of Petrobras.” Simsek said yesterday. lyst at National Bank Financial cacy group that opposes Keystone. ing to police and local news media, ratings for Rousseff’s government Another marcher in Sao Paulo, The bank has found itself at the in Calgary. Environmentalists expect Obama though authorities estimated to an all-time low of 23 percent in Lais Mendonza, a seamstress, said heart of a political storm in recent TransCanada first applied to to reject the project, he said. several thousand gathered in recent polling. that she was at the demonstra- months, after sustained criticism build Keystone XL in September Zarlin worked for Obama during Sao Paulo’s central area by early There have also been calls from tion to back Rousseff for what of its rates policies by President 2008 to link Canada’s abundant his 2008 campaign for president. evening. some corners to wrest control of her Workers’ Party had done to Tayyip Erdogan alarmed mar- crude with a cluster of refiner- Burdett Loomis, a political sci- The demonstrations came Petrobras from the government’s help poor Brazilians since it took kets and sent the lira plunging to ies along the shores of the Gulf ence professor at the University ahead of planned anti-Rousseff hands and further privatise the power in 2003. record lows. of Mexico. After objections to its of Kansas in Lawrence, said protests planned for today, which company, which now is state-con- “She and the PT are being Erdogan, a vocal advocate of original proposal, the company Obama’s more critical comments have garnered much interest on trolled but has private investors attacked from all sides by the low interest rates to promote split the project in two and, with on Keystone fall in line with a social media. and shareholders. wealthy who cannot accept what growth, has repeatedly lashed out Obama’s support, built the lower more aggressive political posture Petrobras is at the center of “We’re all here to defend they have done to help the poor,” at the bank’s failure to aggres- section within the US that didn’t in general. what federal prosecutors call the Petrobras from those who are Mendonza said. sively cut rates in the run-up to need a presidential permit. WP-BLOOMBERG biggest corruption scheme yet using the corruption scandal to REUTERS crucial parliamentary elections in June. The lira has lost more than 10 percent of its value against the Gulf Air bags CIO 100 award dollar this year over concerns of HK retailers political interference, although it Bolivar drops as dollar has rallied in recent days after Erdogan met central bank gover- forecast nor Erdem Basci to discuss their differences. slowest growth demand swamps supply Speaking at an economic con- ference in the western city of in four years CARACAS: Venezuela’s latest Some economists and ana- Bursa, Simsek said the recent currency reform is only four lysts had been optimistic about currency volatility could have weeks old and already it has the market when it debuted last short-term adverse effects but HONG KONG: Hong Kong been written off as the latest in month. The system is the govern- said that the elections - in which retailers’ sales in January were a series of half-hearted flops. ment’s fifth attempt in 12 years the ruling AKP is expected to the lowest since 2003 and rev- When the bolivar began chang- to meet demand for dollars and remain the largest party - would enue growth this year will likely ing hands in the government’s quash illegal trading fueled by mark an end to recent economic be the slowest in at least four new system four weeks ago at currency controls. fluctuations. years, hit by a drop in visitors about 170 per dollar, it was close The announcement fueled “After the election, Turkey from the mainland who have to the black-market level of 190 at speculation that the government will return to a high growth been put off in part by rising the time. Since then, Venezuela’s might sell some of its petrodollars path due to its strong reform hostility among Hong Kongers. currency has tumbled 31 percent at a level well above the primary programme and political stabil- Fifteen listed Hong Kong in street trading while sliding just rate of 6.3 bolivars, which would ity,” he stated. retailers with a market value of at 7 percent in the sanctioned mar- have raised more cash domesti- Simsek said the Turkish econ- least $100m, including Emperor ket. The disparity signals the gov- cally to reduce the budget deficit. omy had a slow start to 2015 and Watch & Jewellery Ltd, the dis- ernment is probably interfering Instead, fewer than two percent that first quarter indicators were tributor of brands such as Rolex in the new market’s rate, which of official transactions have been “not very good,” but added that and Tag Heuer, are forecast to was supposed to be free-floating, going through the new market. growth of close to 4 percent was post 7.5 percent growth in com- said Asdrubal Oliveros, direc- The Simadi system replaced a achievable this year if conditions bined revenue this fiscal year, tor of Caracas-based consulting different government-sanctioned in Europe improved, geopolitical according to Thomson Reuters firm Ecoanalitica, which claims marketplace where the bolivar risks diminished and domestic data. That would be the slowest a 35-year history of tracking the was trading at 52 per dollar. demand increased. pace in the four years for which Venezuelan economy. Based on the current black- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister comparable data is available. The new market, known as market rate of 274 per dollar, the Ali Babacan said on Friday that “Hong Kong for a long time has Simadi, was among President Venezuelan currency has weak- messages regarding central bank been the shopping destination of Nicolas Maduro’s most high- ened 72 percent in the past year, monetary policy should come only choice for mainland Chinese, but profile efforts this year to restore the most in the world. Demand from the bank itself, in an appar- there is a strong backlash and a per- confidence in an economy reel- for dollars has increased as the ent attempt to quell concerns ception of real negative sentiment ing from the collapse in prices more than 50 percent drop in about government interference towards the mainlanders, turn- for Venezuela’s crude exports oil prices over the past year in policy. ing a lot of mainland Chinese off,” and facing shortages of imports as has swaps traders pricing in a The Turkish economy is said James Roy of China Market basic as toilet paper and cooking 1-in-2 chance that Venezuela thought to have grown less Research Group in Shanghai. oil. The new exchange was set up will default on its bonds in the than 3 percent last year, More than 40 million mainland for banks and brokerages to trade next year. according to officials, while Chinese visited Hong Kong last year, cash and swap bonds at a rate The soaring black-market rate inflation remains stubbornly vastly outnumbering the former agreed among themselves, outside “demonstrates a reluctance to buy above a five percent target set British colony’s population of 7.2 mil- of government-set fixed-rate sys- bolivars,” according to Siobhan by the central bank. lion, but the pace of growth in arrivals Gulf Air recently won Computer News Middle East’s (CNME) tems where a dollar fetches as few Morden, an analyst at Jefferies Higher growth was necessary slowed sharply at the start of the year, annual CIO 100 Award for the 4th consecutive year, becoming the as 6.3 bolivars. Group LLC who has been cover- to avoid slipping into the “mid- data show. In early March, mainland first organisation and first airline in the Middle East to do so. Gulf “Simadi hasn’t met people’s ing the country for almost two dle income trap”, according to Chinese tour groups visiting Hong Air Director of Information Technology Dr Jassim Haji received expectations,” Oliveros said by tel- decades. The Simadi platform Simsek, and this would only be Kong were only about one-fifth of the the award from Hazem Bazan, Dell Middle East’s Gulf & Levant ephone. The black market, “for all doesn’t appear to be truly free, achieved through continued levels before mid-February. Regional Director. its flaws, is the only market that and “it’s too small to matter.” structural reforms. REUTERS works,” he said. REUTERS AGENCIES SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Indebted Afren MSCI faces hurdles in China index inclusion agrees $300m Beijing urged to take bolder reforms for getting shares included in Emerging market index funding lifeline LONDON: Indebted oil pro- HONG KONG: China must that make it difficult and expen- investment quotas, also did not But these firms first want to was encouraged by China’s plan ducer Afren has reached a make bolder market reforms sive to move money in and out of respond to requests for comment. see China solve critical invest- to extend Stock Connect to the $300m deal with bondholders before Chinese-listed shares can China’s capital markets. MSCI is expected to discuss ment obstacles relating to the Shenzhen market, but the project that will provide it with vital be included in key MSCI emerg- “In my view, most of those adding China ‘A’ shares — the Stock Connect system and its required “greater transparency and funding by June at the expense ing market benchmark indexes, issues remain,” said one MSCI yuan-denominated shares listed quota-based institutional invest- improved operational efficiency.” of diluting its current investors’ leading global fund managers insider who didn’t want to be on the Shanghai and Shenzhen ment programmes. “For us as asset managers, stake to only 11 percent of the and MSCI insiders said. named because the subject is exchanges — in May, before These investment restrictions Shenzhen coming on line, flexibil- company. Anticipation that MSCI would highly sensitive. “I’d be very sur- announcing a decision in June. include confusion over whether ity on quotas and a commitment Afren shares dropped by as push ahead with plans to include prised if we manage to get ‘A’ MSCI declined to confirm the foreign investors can enforce their on both sides to address some of much as 26 percent in heavy trad- locally-listed China ‘A’ shares shares included even this time date of its May meeting. rights to assets held in China; the more technical issues around ing after the announcement, the in its Emerging Markets Index, around going by the preliminary Chinese regulators, keen to limits on how frequently inves- ownership and settlements, are biggest faller on the London Stock which is tracked by $1.7 trillion chats I’ve had.” attract more long-term institutional tors can repatriate capital out of key hurdles which must be over- Exchange on Friday. They traded of funds, increased following the Chinese shares listed overseas money, are scrambling to tackle China; uncertainty over whether come ... We also need full clarity 15 percent lower at 0950 GMT. November launch of the Hong already account for 18.9 percent of other market constraints, and still China will raise caps on invest- on whether the capital gains tax The stock has been battered Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect MSCI’s emerging markets index. hope to persuade global investors ment quotas; and a lack of clarity exemption is permanent,” Sunny over the past few months by the trading scheme, which has helped Including all China’s domestic to give MSCI the green light, fund over taxation of capital gains. Ng, head of portfolio strategists slump in oil prices, the dismissal open up China’s tightly-controlled shares could trigger the largest- managers and lawyers said. “We welcome greater access to Asia ex-Japan at State Street of top executives and disappoint- capital market. ever global equity rebalancing, As part of its lobbying cam- China’s capital markets, which Global Advisors, said. ing returns from a field in Iraqi But, despite strong lobbying by and drive up that figure to 27.7 paign, the CSRC last month sent the inclusion of ‘A’ shares in glo- Shelly Painter, regional manag- Kurdistan. Beijing, some of the world’s big- percent. Some predictions suggest a delegation to New York and bal indexes could provide,” Kevin ing director for Asia at Vanguard “We see this complex transac- gest fund managers want China $300bn will eventually flow into Boston to reassure investors that Hardy, head of Beta Strategies in in Hong Kong, told Reuters last tion as the only solution for Afren to go further with its market the China market. China is committed to capital Asia Pacific and Country Head month that the company had and unsurprisingly equity share- reforms. That lack of support is A spokeswoman for MSCI market liberalization. of Singapore, BlackRock, said in had several conversations with holders are the losers, but it could likely to scupper Chinese hopes declined to comment. The A second individual familiar a statement. “However, the key Chinese regulators to explain be worse,” Canaccord Genuity that global index compiler MSCI China Securities Regulatory with MSCI’s thinking said MSCI to the China ‘A’ share investment that investment quota caps analysts said in a note. would add China-listed stocks at Commission (CSRC) did not was still trying to persuade major opportunity success lies in the would currently make it difficult The London-listed firm had its annual review in June. respond to requests for comment. clients, which include investment majority of the regulatory and for Vanguard to back ‘A’ share tried to arrange a sale to competi- MSCI, too, is disappointed by a China’s State Administration of giant BlackRock and other index operational issues being resolved.” inclusion. tors in previous months, but lat- lack of progress on several issues Foreign Exchange, which controls funds, to back its plan. Hardy added that BlackRock REUTERS est takeover talks with Nigeria’s Seplat failed last month. The recapitalisation plan includes a debt-for-equity swap, Agreement on natural gas trade extension of some debt facilities, issue of new shares to some exist- Microsoft’s ‘Einstein’ to ing noteholders and an up to $75m equity offering to all shareholders. Afren, which defaulted on its 2016 bonds this month after miss- take on Apple’s Siri ing an interest payment, said a deal with noteholders would result in SEATTLE: Microsoft is work- sifting through emails for data, the provision of $300 m of net total ing on an advanced version of for instance. funding before the end of June. its competitor to Apple’s Siri, Still, Microsoft believes its work The company, which has not had using research from an artifi- on speech recognition, search a permanent chief executive since cial intelligence project called and machine learning will let it last July, added that it was close to “Einstein.” transform its digital assistant into appointing a new CEO and would Microsoft has been running its the first intelligent ‘agent’ which name new directors to the board. “personal assistant” Cortana on anticipates users needs. By com- Afren, due to report detailed its Windows phones for a year, parison, Siri is advertised mostly full-year results by the end of and will put the new version on as responding to requests. Google’s March, also said it expected $2 the desktop with the arrival of mobile app, which doesn’t have a billion worth of impairment Windows 10 this autumn. Later, name like Siri or Cortana, already charges on reserve estimates of Cortana will be available as a stan- offers some limited predictive its assets and that it had nar- dalone app, usable on phones and information ‘cards’ based on what rowly missed its 2014 oil produc- tablets powered by Apple Inc’s iOS it thinks the user wants to know. tion target. and Google Inc’s Android, people Microsoft has tried to create Like fellow oil producers across familiar with the project said. digital assistants before, without the globe, Afren has been forced “This kind of technology, success. Microsoft Bob, released in to adjust to a lower oil price and which can read and understand 1995, was supposed to make using as a result said on Friday it would email, will play a central role a computer easy, but ended up reduce capital expenditure and in the next roll out of Cortana, being the butt of jokes. The Office cut costs that could lead to job which we are working on now Assistant nicknamed ‘Clippy’ suf- Guatemalan President Otto Perez (left) greets Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez as Mexico’s losses. for the fall time frame,” said Eric fered a similar fate a few years later. President Enrique Pena Nieto looks on during the signing of an agreement relating to trade and transporta- REUTERS Horvitz, managing director of “We’re defining the competitive tion of natural gas at the National Palace in Mexico City. Microsoft Research and a part of landscape... of who can provide the Einstein project, in an inter- the most supportive services that view at the company’s Redmond, make life easier, keep track of Washington, headquarters. things, that complement human The plan to put Cortana on memory in a way that helps us get machines running software from things done,” said Horvitz. Tokyo investors eye Fed, BoJ meetings this week rivals such as Apple and Google, Outside his door stands “The as well as the Einstein project, Assistant”, a monitor showing a TOKYO: Meetings of the US “We haven’t seen any clear stay strong for the time being,” the past week. Factory robotics have not been reported. Cortana woman’s face that can converse Federal Reserve and Bank of signs of an earlier-than-expected Okumura said. giant Fanuc led the Tokyo market is the name of an artificial intelli- with visitors, has access to Horvitz’s Japan will be key trading cues rate hike but the market remains On Friday, the Nikkei 225 at higher as it soared 13.20 percent gence character in the video game calendar and can book meetings. for Tokyo investors next week quite nervous about the US stance the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended to 26,870.0 yen ($221) on Friday. series “Halo.” On his desktop, Horvitz runs after the Nikkei broke the on monetary policy.” above 19,000 points for the first The spike came as Japan’s lead- They represent a new front in ‘Lifebrowser’, a program that 19,000 level for the first time in Markets will also be look- time since 2000 as foreign inves- ing Nikkei business daily pub- CEO Satya Nadella’s battle to sell stores everything from appoint- 15 years. ing to comments from BoJ chief tors pile into Japanese shares and lished an interview in which the Microsoft software on any device ments to photos and uses machine Few expect policy action from Haruhiko Kuroda to see if further the country’s public pension fund firm’s boss said he was eyeing ways or platform, rather than trying to learning to identify the important either central bank, but investors monetary easing measures are in — the world’s biggest — steers to boost shareholder returns, and force customers to use Windows. moments. A keyword search for are keen to see if the Fed offers store to boost the flagging econ- more of its bond-heavy portfolio said the company, long known for Success on rivals’ platforms could his university professor instantly more clues about an expected omy. Some analysts say the Nikkei into stocks. its secrecy, would set up an inves- create new markets and greater brings up photos and video from interest rate hike later this year, will keep marching closer to the The benchmark index rose 1.39 tor relations department. relevance for the company best the last time they met. which has pushed up the dollar 20,000 level, lifted by the positive percent, or 263.14 points, to close That comes fewer than two known for its decades-old operat- Cortana could tell a mobile against the yen, amongst other impact of a weak yen on Japanese at 19,254.25. Over the week, the months after US hedge fund Third ing system. phone user when to leave for currencies. exporters and an expected pick up Nikkei rose 1.49 percent. Point said it had invested in Fanuc The concept of ‘artificial intelli- the airport, days after it read an “The market will focus on the in consumer spending. The broader Topix index of all and planned to push for change, gence’ is broad, and mobile phones email and realized the user was Fed next week,” said Yoshihiro “There may be some adjust- first-section shares added 0.89 noting the firm was sitting on and computers already show dex- planning a flight. Okumura, general manager at ment in the market, but the cur- percent, or 13.70 points, to end at $8.5bn in cash and had no debt. terity with spoken language and REUTERS Chibagin Asset Management. rent buying sentiment is likely to 1,560.33. It rose 1.26 percent over REUTERS

Target challenged Delphi plans driverless auto demo

DETROIT: Delphi Automotive, expected as more than 9 billion hands-free highway driving tech- a supplier of automotive elec- people move to large megacities nology on a Cadillac in two years. tronics, is undertaking the within the next 25 years. The Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz longest test of a driverless car, market for autonomous technol- already sells a system that can going coast to coast with a spe- ogy will grow to $42bn by 2025 pilot a car on the freeway, as long cially outfitted Audi Q5 sport- and self-driving cars may account as the driver keeps a hand on the utility vehicle. for a quarter of global auto sales wheel, and by 2016 will have a The SUV will cover about by 2035, according to Boston hands-free system, according to 5,600km from San Francisco to Consulting Group. Boston Consulting. Mercedes this the New York City area start- Delphi will take a south- year unveiled a self-driving con- ing March 22, said Jeff Owens, ern route before completing its cept car, with seats that can face Delphi’s chief technology officer. journey at either the George each other, rather than the road. Company engineers, including a Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, Six screens let passengers moni- trained driver, will be in the Q5 New Jersey, or Liberty State Park tor information about the vehi- the whole trip, he said. Arrival is near the Statue of Liberty. cle and the outside world, using planned for early April, to coin- Self-driving cars that move in technology that responds to eye cide with the New York Auto harmony like schools of fish are movements and gestures. Show. expected to one day ease traf- Delphi’s self-driving concept “We will gain more miles expe- fic congestion while improving SUV has 20 sensors and cam- rience than anybody else has been safety on the road. They will also eras that constantly read the able to achieve so far,” Owens, who let commuters multitask while road, traffic and the surrounding plans to ride part of the way, said traveling, improving productivity. environment, Owens said. High- at a March 11 briefing in Troy, Ford Chief Executive Officer speed computing technology from Michigan. “I’m excited for the Mark Fields said in January that Ottomatika and Nvidia, as well as A Target employee returns carts to the store in Falls Church, Virginia. With shallow pockets but a deep com- drive. We’re going to learn a lot.” an automaker probably will intro- cameras from Mobileye, help the mitment to promote “living wages”, women’s advocacy group UltraViolet has peppered Target Corp with cheap Automakers are racing to put duce a self-driving vehicle within vehicle to instantly make complex location-focused online ads, challenging it to match Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s promise of $10-an-hour base pay. autonomous cars on the road five years. General Motors Co said decisions. as a solution to global gridlock in September it will introduce WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Billions in foreign aid to keep Ukraine afloat Kiev should carry out difficult reforms to receive rest of IMF aid; below-market level gas prices major hurdle

KIEV: With the first billions The government isn’t fighting for around $4bn and equivalent to rates, audit the regional gas over a business deal in India, a energy sector reform plans. of dollars foreign aid in its an approval or popularity rating,” nearly six percent of the country’s firms and meter the flow of gas case he says is politically moti- In a statement to Reuters, pocket, Ukraine’s government Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk gross domestic product, according throughout the supply chain, vated. His representatives there Lyovochkin’s party denounced can now stay afloat long enough said on Wednesday. to the government. according to a government docu- were not available to comment. the government’s proposed energy to embark on its radical reform Restructuring the energy sec- To reduce the deficit, gas ment sent to the IMF. A spokesman for his company, plans as “blind adherence to drive, but the hard part is only tor is probably the most urgent prices, long-kept far below the In an example of the powerful Group DF, confirmed it held demands from the IMF”. just beginning. task, but also potentially the market rate, are set to triple. But interests that could be affected, stakes in regional gas firms but “The government has no clear Ukraine received the first trickiest in an economy still built even that won’t fully sort out the stakes in several of the regional declined to comment on prices plan of reform for the country’s $5bn on Friday of $17.5bn in aid on cheap fuel from its days as part problem, made worse by a com- gas firms are held by billionaire they charge customers. A spokes- energy sector and the decisions promised by the International of the energy-rich Soviet Union. plicated multi-level pricing struc- industrialist Dmytro Firtash, man for Regional Gas Company that have been taken will lead to Monetary Fund. But to receive the Energy intensive industries are ture, under which Naftogaz sells who also controls a large chunk (RGC), a management firm for the collapse of Ukraine’s energy rest, it must implement reforms owned by powerful businessmen gas through around 25 regional of Ukraine’s chemical industry, around 20 Ukrainian gas distribu- system.” that mean taking on vested inter- who influence political parties and companies that supply final cus- among the biggest industrial con- tors which includes some owned So far public opposition to ests including pensioners, public the media. tomers, creating opportunities for sumers of gas. or part-owned by Firtash, said the government’s austerity drive sector workers and some of the “It will be very difficult to carry middlemen to siphon off profits. Like other powerful busi- no instances had been recorded has been muted. Many ordinary country’s most powerful oligarchs. out reforms as there will be con- Regulations require Naftogaz nessmen, Firtash thrived under of its firms selling gas for house- Ukrainians say they are ready Even if it manages to placate flicts of interests,” said Mykhailo to charge a lower wholesale price Viktor Yanukovich, the pro-Rus- hold prices to industry. to put up with pain if it means a those groups and can start turn- Gonchar, the director for energy for gas for household use than for sian Ukrainian president ousted Firtash holds a controlling stronger country in the long run. ing around the economy, all its programmes at the Nomos Center industrial customers. last year, but still retains political stake in Inter TV, Ukraine’s lead- Citizens’ resolve will be tested. work could by undone by another thinktank. “It’s impossible to check if all influence even though Yanukovich ing broadcaster, along with a busi- The government has told the nosedive in the hryvnia currency, State natural gas firm Naftogaz that gas goes where it is meant has been replaced by pro-Western ness partner, Serhiy Lyovochkin, IMF it will cut the number of or by a renewal of fighting with collects far less from its custom- to,” Naftogaz chief executive leaders. who is also deputy head of a employees paid out of the budget pro-Moscow separatists in east- ers than it pays to import gas, Andriy Kobolev said at a briefing Firtash himself is currently liv- parliamentary faction called by three percent in the course of ern Ukraine. much from Russia, the coun- on Wednesday. ing in Austria, where he is free on Opposition Bloc. The bloc, with this year, including a 20 percent “Without reforms today we will try Kiev now sees as its mortal Under proposed reforms, bail after being arrested a year 40 seats, is the third largest in reduction in the workforce in the not have a tomorrow. Our gov- enemy. Naftogaz ran a 110bn hry- Naftogaz will bring retail and ago at the request of U.S. authori- parliament, where it is committed civil service. ernment is fighting for tomorrow. vnia deficit last year, now worth industrial prices closer to market ties who accuse him of bribery to trying to halt the government’s REUTERS

Sky Trax award for San Francisco airport US oil CEOs seek lifting export ban

WASHINGTON: About a industry job cuts, oil-production dozen US drilling executives, levels and the idling of oil rigs, including ConocoPhillips Chief said one of the people who was Executive Officer Ryan Lance, briefed on the discussions. were in Washington this week Frank Benenati, a White House trying to persuade White spokesman, didn’t respond to a House officials and lawmakers request for comment. to lift the 40-year ban on US oil Administration officials, includ- exports, according to two peo- ing Energy Secretary Ernest ple familiar with the meetings. Moniz, have called the restric- Chief executives from the lobby- tions antiquated, and they are ing group Producers for American being reviewed in a years-long Crude Oil Exports, or PACE, met study in the department. with White House senior energy US oil supply will expand this year policy adviser Brian Deese March by about 750,000 barrels a day to 11 seeking a rollback of the US 12.56 million a day, up from a projec- oil export ban imposed after the tion of 12.41 million in last month’s 1973 Arab oil embargo, according report, the Paris-based IEA, which to two people, who asked not to be advises 29 nations, said in a monthly identified because the discussions market report. The agency boosted weren’t public. estimates for North American out- Producers are eager to lift the put in the fourth quarter of 2014 by ban because oil in the US is selling 300,000 barrels a day. for about $10 less than the global US energy policies severely benchmark. The meeting preceded restrict crude exports while a report Friday by the International applying no such limits to prod- Energy Agency that record US ucts processed in refineries. US crude supplies may soon test the refiners are exporting record limits of the nation’s storage capac- amounts of petrol while producers A passenger walks by terminal two at San Francisco International Airport on Friday in San Francisco, California. According to a passenger ity, further threatening prices. contend with depressed oil prices. survey conducted by SkyTrax, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was named the best airport in North America for customer service. “We’ve had a series of very The US has surpassed Russia and SkyTrax collected over 13 million questionnaires at 550 airports around the world. productive meetings with sena- Saudi Arabia as the world’s larg- tors from both parties and the est producer of oil and natural administration and look forward gas, according to the US Energy to continuing those conversations Information Administration. in the months ahead,” said George Exxon Mobil CEO Rex French prosecutor seeks trial in HSBC Swiss bank Baker, PACE’s executive director, Tillerson, who isn’t a member in a statement that didn’t outline of PACE, also urged the govern- what the talks included. ment and Congress to allow U.S. PARIS: The French finan- payers ended last month. laundering related to tax fraud hidden assets at more than ¤5bn. CEOs from 11 of PACE’s 16 exports of oil and gas in a speech cial prosecutor’s office has The probe was sparked by and unlawful soliciting of clients, HSBC’s Swiss private bank said member companies flew to in Washington Thursday night. requested that HSBC’s Swiss whistleblower Herve Falciani, a the source said, adding that the the request for trial was a nor- Washington to meet with admin- “With free trade in energy and private bank be sent to trial in former IT employee at HSBC, “habitual” manner of the alleged mal step that did not prejudge the istration officials and lawmakers, common-sense regulatory reforms, France to answer charges over who leaked the bank’s client data fraud made it an aggravated crime. result of the case. “The outcome including Marathon Oil Corp the US energy industry can a suspected tax-dodging scheme to the media, including French Another, non-judicial, source close of the matter is not determined as CEO Lee Tillman, Chesapeake strengthen US energy security and for wealthy customers, a judicial daily Le Monde. to the case said there had been talks of today,” a spokesman said. Energy Corp CEO Doug Lawler continue to pioneer the innovations source said yesterday. Parent company HSBC on a plea deal which had failed. The bank now has one month and Occidental Petroleum Corp that make possible the safe and The request brings the Swiss Holdings Plc, the world’s second Under French law, the Swiss to respond to French judicial CEO Steve Chazen, according responsible development of energy,” unit one step closer to facing trial largest bank, faces a separate bank risks a fine amounting to authorities, after which magis- to the group. They also briefed Tillerson said in remarks to the after an investigation led by local ongoing French investigation. half the value of the funds subject trates will have the final word on federal officials and lawmakers Economic Club of Washington DC. magistrates into an alleged fraud Prosecutors want the Swiss to the suspected fraud. Le Monde whether to hold a trial. on market conditions, including WP-BLOOMBERG involving thousands of French tax bank tried on suspicion of money estimated on Friday the amount of REUTERS

Expo 2015 in Milan Treasuries post weekly gain

NEW YORK: A decline in yield dropped 13 basis points, or The difference between yields wholesale inflation and a 0.13 percentage point, this week. on 10-year Treasury Inflation renewed drop in crude oil prices The securities posted the big- Protected Securities and compa- is making investors more con- gest weekly gain since January as rable US notes, a measure known fident to own Treasuries before global investors facing negative as the break-even rate that sig- the Federal Reserve meets this yields in Europe from European nals traders’ inflation outlook week to consider raising inter- Central Bank buying are drawn during the life of the debt, fell to est rates later this year. to higher-yielding US securities. 1.69 percentage points, the lowest US debt posted a weekly gain Stocks fell, with the Standard level since February 17. and risk sentiment ebbed after & Poor’s 500 Index declining The Fed’s favored gauge of a report showed the producer for a third straight week, amid inflation, the five-year, five- year price index unexpectedly declined speculation a stronger dollar will forward break-even rate, projects last month and was down from a weaken earnings growth, prompt- as of March 10 that consumer year earlier. The Fed, which has ing risk-off sentiment. prices will increase at a 1.90 per- pledged to be “patient” on tight- “It’s general risk-off,” said cent rate starting in 2020.After ening monetary policy, is caught Stanley Sun, a New York-based the Fed’s March 17-18 meeting, between a strengthening labor strategist at Nomura Holdings investors will watch the central market and a stagnant inflation Inc, a primary dealer. “The bank statement to see if it alters environment. stronger dollar is putting pres- the wording to describe its policy “Any low inflation number is sure on stocks.” stance. good for Treasuries,” said Thomas Crude oil futures traded below By removing patient, “it doesn’t Simons, a government-debt econ- $45 a barrel in New York on mean they have to move rates, but omist in New York at Jefferies increased production forecasts and it means they have the option of Group, one of the 22 primary the International Energy Agency doing that,” said Guy Haselmann, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (right) gestures as he speaks next to Italian Agriculture Minister dealers that are obligated to bid projection that record US invento- an interest-rate strategist at Maurizio Martina (left) and Commissioner of Expo 2015 Giuseppe Sala during a news conference at the US debt sales. “It suggests liftoff ries may begin to strain the coun- Bank of Nova Scotia in New York, Expo 2015 work site near Milan. The theme of this year’s Expo is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, is probably quite a ways away.” try’s storage capacity. The PPI a primary dealer. “The market- and it will run from May 1 to October 31. Benchmark 10-year yields were dropped 0.5 percent in February place is fairly prepared for that.” little changed at 2.12 percent. The and 0.6 percent from a year ago. WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Weak euro to help European Weak rand double-edged sword firms, force US rivals to adapt for mining firms in South Africa BY TOM BERGIN and MARTINNE GELLER

HE euro’s slide towards parity with the dollar will pro- BY ED STODDARD and forthcoming wage talks in the gold, coal and increases as they grapple with power con- vide a much-needed boost for European companies this SILVIA ANTONIOLI diamond sectors. straints and declining grades in an industry year and force US rivals to adapt their businesses or risk “A weaker rand will help the margins in that has long been in a state of decline. Tlosing market share. While currency hedging arrange- HE sliding rand is a double- the short-term but you will have inflation- But the potential for more revenue-drain- ments mean the benefits may not be seen straight away, the cur- edged sword for mining com- ary pressure on the ground,” said Markus ing strikes is high. AMCU led a five-month rency’s weakness has already cheered European chief executives panies in South Africa, with Bachmann, Johannesburg-based fund man- strike in the platinum sector last year and by making their products cheaper overseas and lifting the value cost inflation, wage claims ager for Craton Capital. its often violent rivalry with NUM will also of dollar-based sales. and potential labour unrest stoke labour tensions as the unions compete “We have been handicapped by the strength of the euro, but outweighing the gains that ‘WORKER INFLATION’ for members: Their turf war has killed doz- now it seems that the wind is turning and we intend to make the Texporters traditionally derive from domes- Headline inflation slowed to 4.4 percent ens since 2012. most of this very positive currency effect that will help us deliver a tic currency weakness. in January from 5.3 percent in December, Most recently, workers from both unions nice increase of our sales and our profits in 2015,” Jean-Paul Agon, The drop in the rand , near 13-year lows but that trend may reverse given that the clashed in February at a mine operated by CEO of French cosmetics group L’Oreal told investors last month. against the dollar, should benefit diversi- rand’s fall this year coincides with a scorch- Sibanye Gold. Both sides are battling for Other companies predicting a tail wind from the around 20 fied mining giants such as Anglo American, ing drought that threatens production of members from a declining labour force in percent drop in the value of the euro over the past six months to BHP Billiton and Glencore as well as domes- the staple maize crop. order to be the main representative of the $1.06 on Friday include jet manufacturer Airbus, German car and tic companies such as gold producers Gold The most-traded July contract is up mostly black workforce as it attempts to truck maker Daimler and French engineering groups Schneider Fields and Anglo Gold Ashanti. about 25 percent in 2015, which will drive up get its share of the post-apartheid economic Electric and Alstom. Some US companies also see positives from The rand has lost 7 percent so far in 2015 food prices, creating a perfect inflationary dividend. the weaker euro, including lower borrowing costs, better perform- against the dollar, which has risen against storm just as gold miners’ wage talks loom. Still, some analysts see a silver lining in ance at European units which export, stronger demand from Euro emerging market currencies across the South African miners on average have the higher rand gold prices, especially for zone-based customers and, for the leisure sector, increased travel board on expectations of US rate hikes. The eight dependants, so their disposable income companies that get all or most of their pro- into the continent. flip side of this is that the rand gold price is closely tied to food costs. duction from here. “A company like Sibanye, However, most US groups that discussed the currency in recent has increased over 4 percent this year even “Food prices are going to increase, clearly which produces everything in South Africa, weeks including Apple, Dupont, Priceline , Caterpillar and General as the spot gold price in dollars has fallen there is a worker inflation which is differ- might start to look like a buying opportu- Electric, have warned they may face headwinds in Europe and 2.5 percent over the same period. ent from average inflation,” NUM General nity now,” said Daniel Sacks, a portfolio elsewhere, and some, including Xerox, have cut earnings guidance That’s good news for mining companies Secretary Frans Baleni told Reuters. manager at Investec. as a result. These companies have said they are now looking to in the country who benefit from mostly He said the union’s demands in wage Sibanye is trading just over a third below cut costs, increase the portion of inputs they source from inside cheaper costs but higher income from sales talks in the gold, coal and diamond sectors, its intrinsic value of 35 rand, according to the euro zone and adopt new pricing policies, to try and maintain of their commodities. which should start in April or May, would Thomson Reuters StarMine, based on its market share and margins. However, those gains may evaporate in be “definitely above inflation, we are looking likely earnings growth trajectory over five “US companies exporting goods to Europe could face margin the face of inflationary pressures which at quite high figures, informed by minimis- years. Harmony Gold, which extracts over pressure from price adjustments or promotions in Europe,” said are poised to lift costs longer term and will ing the level of inequalities.” 90 percent of its output in its domestic base, James Targett, analyst at Berenberg. With euro weakness likely strengthen the resolve of the South African NUM’s arch rival the Association of will also get a boost as it has marginal mines to persist due to the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing labour force — no strangers to strikes — to Mineworkers and Construction Union heavily exposed to the rand/gold price. programme and a likely hike in U.S. interest rates on the back of a obtain bigger pay rises. (AMCU) has not yet signaled what its However both companies also have labour- stronger US economy, longer term planning is a must. “You have to South Africa’s National Union of demands will be, but they will almost cer- intensive operations and a have had a history think about where your revenues are, where your manufacturing Mineworkers (NUM) said on Thursday tainly also be high. of union conflict, which will put them on the is and where you’re buying your raw materials from,” he added. it may push for wage hikes of as much as Gold mining executives have repeat- front lines of any labour disputes. 100 percent for its lowest paid members in edly said they can ill afford above-inflation REUTERS TIME LAG Many companies said hedging contracts would mean the impact of the lower euro would take time to feed through. Paris-based Alstom and Swiss-headquartered engineer ABB, which has manu- facturing plants in the euro zone, said it may not be felt until the second half of the year. Airbus said it was fully hedged for 2015, 2016 and “largely” for 2017, leading analysts to predict it could be 2018 before the group experienced any meaningful uplift. In the meantime, the weaker euro may actually weigh on some European companies’ earnings because companies must report drops in the values of hedging instruments, which move in the opposite direction to companies’ revenues. “In itself, the drop in the euro is some good news. It should have a positive impact on our revenues, and our operating income. But, of course, in the short term it will have—it will be a drag on our profitability rate,” Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of Gucci and Puma owner Kering, said on an analyst call last month. Kering said it was switching to the use of options, paying a premium to hedge against currency moves, rather than entering swap contracts which must be revalued each quarter with the changes in value put through the user’s profit and loss account. U.S .companies like Google and PepsiCo. said hedging would mitigate their losses in the short term. However, businesses are also looking at how they can reconfigure their operations to limit the hit from a weaker euro and capitalise on any opportunities. A number of companies said they would look at cutting costs. Others said they would try and push through euro price rises in Europe to try and compensate for the fact the euro is now worth less, although deflationary pressures across the continent means companies have little pricing power. US conglomerate 3M said it was looking at pegging some prices to the dollar and even rene- gotiating the prices at which it purchases goods. Many companies said they were considering locking the benefits of the euro into their supply chain. ABB CEO Uli Spiesshofer said his company was looking at “taking further advantage of euro- based suppliers”. Nick Gangestad, CFO of 3M said his company was aim for more “regional self-sufficiency”. This strategy may reduce costs in the short term but it poses risks. For some US companies, the lower currency will be a boon for long-struggling European subsidiaries. US-based Caterpillar said it had been forced to downsize its excavator plant in Grenoble in recent years but that the weak euro could help drive its recovery. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate REUTERS

Commodities mostly drop on soaring dollar, China woes LONDON: Many commodi- “Of course, the oversupply story US oil-drilling activities. “Behind $1,166. Palladium fell to $791 from By Friday on the London Metal Brazil. “Price weakness in soft com- ties fell this week as the dollar in oil markets is keeping prices the facade of stability, the rebal- $823 an ounce. Exchange, copper for delivery in modities such as sugar and coffee struck a 12-year peak against low but a stronger dollar just ancing triggered by the price col- BASE METALS: Base or three months climbed to $5,837 has been driven by the slump in the euro, with sentiment hit also exacerbates any weakness. lapse has yet to run its course, industrial metals mainly fell after a tonne from $5,747.50 a week the Brazilian real, together with by weak data in key consumer “With the dollar expected to be and it might be overly optimistic a stream of weak economic data earlier. improved growth prospects,” said China. one of, if not the, strongest per- to expect it to proceed smoothly,” from China, which is a major con- Three-month aluminium Saxobank’s Ole Hansen. “Most commodity prices fell former this year, the downside the Paris-based IEA said. sumer of raw materials. However, slipped to $1,754.50 per tonne By Friday on the ICE Futures further this week, undermined risks to commodities remain much By Friday on London’s copper rose on “speculation that from $1,795. Three-month lead US exchange, Arabica for delivery by the continued strength of the higher than to the upside.” Intercontinental Exchange, Brent China will loosen its lending poli- reversed to $1,790.50 a tonne from in May slid to 132.30 US cents a US currency and soft economic The market won limited sup- North Sea crude for delivery in cies to increase the flow of credit,” $1,806. Three-month tin dipped pound from 134.45 cents a week data from China,” said Capital port on the back of unrest in oil April slid to $55.99 a barrel from said analyst Alastair McCaig at to $17,425 a tonne from $18,090. earlier. On LIFFE, Robusta for Economics analyst Julian Jessop. producer Iraq, where thousands $60.10 a week earlier. On the New trading firm IG. Three-month nickel decreased May dropped to $1,771 a tonne The European single currency of Iraqi troops and militiamen are York Mercantile Exchange, West Chinese output, retail and to $13,880 a tonne from $14,310. from $1,866. sank on Friday to $1.0466 — the battling jihadist fighters. Texas Intermediate or light sweet investment growth have all fallen Three-month zinc retreated to SUGAR: New York sugar prices lowest level since January 2003 — The US Department of Energy crude for April dived to $45.28 a to multi-year lows, official data $2,011.50 a tonne from $2,016. neared a six-year low as traders on expectations of a US rate hike reported that crude oil inventories barrel from $48.94 a week earlier. showed Wednesday, the latest COCOA: The market touched fretted over Brazil’s struggling later this year. The euro edged surged by 4.5 million barrels in the PRECIOUS METALS: Gold anaemic indicators to raise expec- one-month lows on the back of the real currency. “Buying interest closer to dollar parity after the week of March 6 to 448.9 million. forged its lowest level since tations of more government sup- rebounding greenback. was limited as weakness in the European Central Bank began That was the highest level since December, at $1,147.69 per ounce, port for the world’s second-largest “Prices were lower in reaction Brazilian real against the US dol- its quantitative easing stimulus the beginning of the weekly data on dollar strength. economy. to continued strength in the US lar continued,” added Scoville. on Monday. A surging greenback series in 1982. “The main driver behind the Industrial production, which dollar,” said Price Futures Group By Friday on LIFFE, a tonne makes commodities priced in the Crude futures sank further on weakness and the move into over- measures output at China’s fac- analyst Jack Scoville. of white sugar for delivery in May US unit more expensive for hold- Friday after the International sold territory has been the relent- tories, workshops and mines, By Friday on LIFFE, London’s reversed to $369.60 from $373.80. ers of other currencies. Energy Agency (IEA) warned less rally of the dollar,” said Saxo rose 6.8 percent year-on-year futures exchange, cocoa for deliv- On ICE Futures US, unrefined OIL: World oil prices fell over the price outlook amid bulg- Bank analyst Ole Hansen. in January and February, the ery in May declined to £1,994 a sugar for May dropped to 13.09 US sharply as traders focused on the ing global supplies. By Friday on the London Bullion National Bureau of Statistics tonne compared with £2,037 a cents a pound from 13.50 US cents. strong dollar, while record-high The oil market collapsed by Market, the price of gold fell to (NBS) said. week earlier. RUBBER: Prices nudged lower US crude stockpiles added to the about 60 percent between June $1,152 an ounce from $1,175.75 a That was the lowest for six On ICE Futures, cocoa for May on Chinese demand worries. The global supply glut. and late January due to oversupply week earlier. Silver slid to $15.50 years, since a reading of 5.7 per- recoiled to $2,839 a tonne from Malaysian Rubber Board’s bench- “Dollar strength has been a big in world markets, a weak global an ounce from $15.99. cent in December 2008, and fell $2,978 the previous week. mark SMR20 on Friday dipped to driver of commodity weakness this economy and the rising dollar. On the London Platinum and short of a median forecast for COFFEE: Futures also fell on 141.00 US cents a kilo from 142.20 week,” said analyst Craig Erlam at Prices have since rebounded Palladium Market, platinum growth of 7.7 percent in a survey the back of the falling real cur- US cents a week ago. trading firm Oanda. somewhat following a slowdown in slipped to $1,115 an ounce from of economists by Bloomberg News. rency in coffee’s biggest producer AFP SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Ferrari upbeat after bright start Down Under Hamilton grabs pole, Vettel to start from second row

MELBOURNE: Ferrari are we could have done today. The eyeing a spot on the podium progress we made through quali- in the Australian Grand Prix fying is real and hopefully we can behind the tearaway Mercedes carry that on for the race.” pair, after off-season recruit AGENCIES Sebastian Vettel qualified on the second row of the race grid Australian Grand Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (centre) reacts after scoring a goal yesterday. against Werder Bremen during a Bundesliga match in Bremen yesterday. The four-time world champion, who switched to the Italian giants Prix Qualifying from Red Bull, finished fourth in qualifying behind the crack Results Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton 1. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes-Mercedes Bayern cap perfect and Nico Rosberg to give Ferrari 1m 26.327s a shot at some points after a poor 2. Nico Rosberg GER Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 2014 season. 26.921s While Vettel and teammate week with 4-0 win 3. Felipe Massa BRZ Williams-Mercedes 1m Kimi Raikkonen were around 1.4 27.718s to 1.5secs slower than Hamilton’s BERLIN: Bayern Munich and Franck Ribery, who picked best lap time of 1:26.327 it was 4. Sebastian Vettel GER Ferrari-Ferrari 1m put the finishing touches on up knocks during the 7-0 rout a big improvement for Ferrari, 27.757s a perfect week’s work as they of Shakhtar Donetsk in the who were a well-beaten fourth 5. Kimi Raikkonen FIN Ferrari-Ferrari 1m defeated Werder Bremen 4-0 Champions League on Wednesday, behind Mercedes in last season’s 27.790s yesterday to extend their lead at had little effect as Bayern picked constructors’ championship. 6. Valtteri Bottas FIN Williams-Mercedes 1m the top of the Bundesliga to 14 up their 20th victory in 25 league “We can be happy with the 28.087s points. outings against just one defeat. whole weekend,” Vettel said. 7. Daniel Ricciardo AUS Red Bull-Renault 1m Pep Guardiola’s side made it Elsewhere, Eintracht “It is a shame to miss only the 28.329s three wins in seven days, scoring Frankfurt consolidated their tiny bit to be P3. But the battle for 8. Carlos Sainz Jr ESP Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 14 goals and conceding just one, as place in the upper half of the table the podium is on for tomorrow. 28.510s they not only padded their lead in with a routine 4-0 win over third- “A pity to miss a tiny bit only. 9. Romain Grosjean FRA Lotus-Mercedes 1m the domestic flight but also quali- from-bottom Paderborn. For the team it must be satisfy- 28.560s fied for the Champions League Alexander Meier got the home ing and we can be happy to be in quarter-finals. side on track with a goal after 27 10. Pastor Maldonado VEN Lotus-Mercedes P4 and P5. German international striker minutes before Marc Stendera, 1m 29.480s “The gap with the two cars Thomas Mueller grabbed his Stefan Aigner and Nelson in front is huge. But everyone is 11. Felipe Nasr BRZ Sauber-Ferrari 1m 28.800s fourth goal of the week with a left Haedo Valdez also got on the happy. 12. Max Verstappen NED Toro Rosso-Renault foot shot past Raphael Wolf to put scoresheet in a feisty afternoon 1m 28.868s “Team Ferrari and all the staff German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia Ferrari drives the champions 1-0 in front on 24 encounter that featured eight yel- are very motivated and have a on the pit lane during the third practice session at the Albert Park Circuit 13. Daniil Kvyat RUS Red Bull-Renault 1m minutes at the Weser-Stadion. low cards. 29.070s great spirit.” for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday. Austrian defender David Alaba Mainz picked up a crucial 2-0 Brazilian Felipe Massa, who 14. Nico Hulkenberg GER Force India-Mercedes then scored his second league victory over Augsburg, thanks to was third-fastest in qualifying in front of us, and I am sure they are 35 years to win his home GP on 1m 29.208s goal of the season to cushion the a dinstinctive Asian flavour, as his Williams, said he senses a big going to come but for the moment Sunday. 15. Sergio Perez MEX Force India-Mercedes advantage. they eased their relegation fears. improvement in Ferrari. Ferrari is really strong and they “We made progress through the 1m 29.209s Polish international Robert Shinji Okazaki added to his “Mercedes are in a different have made a big step forward session which is promising, it was 16. Marcus Ericsson SWE Sauber-Ferrari 1m Lewandowski added the gloss record as the highest Japanese category. For sure it’s not great compared to last year. so good to feel the car for once 31.376s with two late goals to round out scorer in Bundesliga history, with to see this difference, but we keep “So I am sure tomorrow we and push it properly,” Ricciardo 17. Jenson Button GBR McLaren-Honda 1m the scoring. the opener on 32 minutes, before working, we keep fighting and I need to be a bit more worried said. 31.422s While Bremen, who came into former South Korea captain Koo hope we can get as close as we about Ferrari but we need to keep “I think seventh is where we are the weekend five points behind the Ja-cheol guaranteed the points in 18. Kevin Magnussen DEN McLaren-Honda 1m can,” Massa said. our eyes open for Red Bull and now and I’m happy we achieved European places, toiled bravely the final minute. 32.037s “Red Bull is not really there for even for the others.” that as the weekend hasn’t gone they were unable to breach the Hertha Berlin missed the the moment and I am sure that Daniel Ricciardo finished a well until now and qualifying was 19. Will Stevens GBR Manor Marussia-Ferrari goalline of Pepe Reina, who chance for three valuable points Red Bull will get there because struggling seventh in his Red Bull the first time I used the soft tyre. no time was standing in for first-choice as they were deprived victory in they are really strong. and had his problems as he bids “I’m really happy with seventh 20. Roberto Merhi ESP Manor Marussia-Ferrari ‘keeper Manuel Neuer. the final minute by a Joel Matip “Last year they finished in to become the first Australian in as realistically that’s the best no time The absence of Arjen Robben equaliser for Schalke. AFP Serena makes winning return to Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California: earlier in the day, storming into marred by some spectators who mixture of power serving and Serena Williams returned to the third round with a 6-3 6-1 booed and heckled the American blistering ground strokes, helped Serena Indian Wells on Friday after demolition of American Alison and her family. by several unforced errors by the Williams a 14-year boycott due to racist Riske. The heckling was in apparent Romanian. reacts abuse she suffered in the 2001 Williams said she was over- response to Serena’s sister Venus Spurred on by shouts of “Come during her final and got her bid for a third whelmed by the reaction coming having withdrawn from their on Serena” and “Go Serena” from second- BNP Paribas Open title off to back to play at the venue and that semi-final that year just minutes the crowd, the American won four round a winning, though somewhat Niculescu’s style had taken some before the match. games in a row to take a topsy- match error-prone, start. getting used to. “It feels overwhelming, walk- turvy opening set in an hour. against On a sultry evening at the “I have never played anyone ing out and having everyone here After trading early service Monica Indian Wells Tennis Garden in like her, and I was struggling to cheering me,” she said. “It’s been breaks in the second, Williams Niculescu front of a sell-out crowd, the find my rhythm,” she said in a really worth it, coming back here.” finally sealed victory on her American world number one courtside interview after being Williams, watched by her fourth match point when her of Romania overcame a nervous start on repeatedly thwarted by an unor- mother Oracene and sister Isha, opponent netted a backhand, end- at the BNP the stadium court to battle past thodox opponent who used a was broken in the opening game ing an encounter that lasted just Paribas Romania’s Monica Niculescu 7-5 heavily sliced forehand. “It was a and trailed 0-2 before gradually over two hours. Open in 7-5 in the second round. really tough match.” finding her range. Earlier in the day, Radwanska Indian Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, Williams had skipped the She won the next three games broke Riske twice in the opening Wells, the seventh seed and a losing showpiece event after winning but was broken again in the set and three times in the second California, finalist at Indian Wells last year, her second title here in 2001, seventh, then trailed 3-5 before to triumph in just over an hour. on Friday. had a much easier time of it beating Kim Clijsters in a final clawing her way back with a REUTERS Moosa wins race at Shamal Sports Club Mavericks crush Clippers Qatar National team rider Moosa Said won the Men’s Elite race, DALLAS: The Dallas Then Clippers center DeAndre organised by the Qatar Cycling Mavericks were smarting for NBA Results Jordan threw an errant downcourt Federation at Shamal Sports Club two days after getting blown Charlotte 101 Chicago 91 inbounds pass that Mavs forward on Friday. Brendan Maloney won out at home, and they made Philadelphia 114 Sacramento 107 Dirk Nowitzki intercepted. the shorthanded Los Angeles While chasing the pass, the the Men’s B category and Isora Boston 95 Orlando 88 Clippers pay the price. 290-pound Davis barreled into Sosa Caballero won the women’s Toronto 102 Miami 92 A season-best 38-point second Nowitzki, sending him crashing A Grade race. More than hundred quarter and a big night from for- Oklahoma City 113 Minnesota 99 to the floor with 1.3 seconds left. riders of all ages took part in the ward Chandler Parsons from long Dallas 129 LA Clippers 99 Nowitzki walked to the other end race. The Women Masters race range gave Dallas a much needed Denver 114 Golden State 103 and made two free throws for a was won by Caroline Van Aartrijk, charge in a 129-99 thumping of Atlanta 96 Phoenix 87 91-78 lead heading into the fourth Wekend Warriors Men’s race Los Angeles on Friday, ending a Portland 118 Detroit 99 quarter. was won by Athol Thomson and three-game home losing streak to At that point the Clippers, still Weekend Warriors Women’s race the Clippers. for the first time in a game since playing without All-Star forward was won by Joud Nachat from Parsons set the tone in the first February 20. Blake Griffin and reigning Sixth the Qatar Cycling National team. half with four 3-pointers. He fin- While the Clippers got as close Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, The trophies were presented ished the game 5 of 6 from beyond a 65-62 with 8:57 left in the third folded and the blowout was on. by Ibrahim Mohammed, QCF the arc for a team-high 22 points. quarter, the Mavs regained con- Dallas, which drained 16 of Public Relations Manager, and Dallas, which had lost five of trol, then opened it up in the final 28 shots from beyond the arc, Jock Hughson from Qatar Chain its last seven games, led 59-51 at seconds of the quarter, thanks to received outstanding perform- Reaction. “We are very happy with the half, extended the lead a bit a little help from Los Angeles. ances from its bench, led by Barea the first race in the series of races in the third quarter and blew it With Dallas ahead 87-78, and guard Devin Harris. organised by QCF in partnership open early in the fourth. Clippers forward Glen Davis com- Both consistently broke down with Ooredoo and Rayyan Water Just a couple minutes into mitted a late shot-clock foul on the Clippers’ defense and each the final quarter the Mavs, who the perimeter, which allowed the scored 15 points. They combined Company,” said QCF Technical have lost by at least 15 points Mavs to reset. Guard J.J. Barea to go 11 of 15 from the floor and 4 Secretary Andre Filip. five times since the All-Star capitalized with a floater with 2.9 of 6 from beyond the arc. break, built a 20-point cushion seconds to go. REUTERS SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Raina and Dhoni ensure clean slate for India; Australia win Defending champions register sixth victory; hosts win against Scotland

SYDNEY: India and Australia 92 for four. India can look ahead wrapped up their World Cup to a quarter-final in Melbourne group campaigns in style against Bangladesh on March 19. yesterday. “I had a good partnership with Defending champions India, MS Dhoni. We lost wickets early who had already made the last on but what we did was really eight, ruined Brendan Taylor’s good. When my team needed me farewell party with a hard-fought most I needed to deliver,” said Pietersen could six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe Raina. in Auckland for their sixth win in Taylor, who shared partner- India’s MS Dhoni skip IPL to six games in Pool B. ships of 83 with Sean Williams hits a six during Suresh Raina survived two (50) and 106 with Craig Ervine their Cricket World push England dropped catches during his (27), admitted his side had not Cup match against unbeaten 110 -- his fifth one-day been consistent enough. Zimbabwe at Eden international century -- as India “We played some brilliant recall bid chased down a 288-run target in cricket, and have been shoddy Park in Auckland, LONDON: England batsman 48.4 overs. at times. It hasn’t been a lot in yesterday. Kevin Pietersen (pictured) Taylor had anchored it though, just a few dropped could push his bid for an inter- Zimbabwe’s 287 all out with a catches, and maybe finishing off national recall by missing the punishing 110-ball 138 in what the death bowling, but overall we Indian Premier League in was his last international after have played some good cricket,” favour of playing English county signing a deal with English county said the 29-year-old. cricket. Nottinghamshire. Australia wrapped up sec- The 34-year-old, who won 104 The skipper smashed 15 bound- ond spot in Pool A behind New Test and 136 one-day caps, has aries and five towering sixes in Zealand as Mitchell Starc took not played international cricket his second successive century for 14 to help rout Scotland by for 14 months after being sacked after making 121 against Ireland, seven wickets in rainy Hobart. following England’s 5-0 Ashes although Zimbabwe had already Scotland collapsed to 130 all “Now it’s the knockout stages. day after by the death of their Zealand’s North Island. A wash- whitewash in Australia. been eliminated from a tourna- out in an innings which featured We need to play at our best and I coach Bob Woolmer. out would send Jason Holder’s Pietersen has signed for IPL ment in which they lost five of six five noughts and where only think if we do, we can win,” said In Napier, the West Indies men tumbling out of the tour- side Hyderabad but incoming games. Matt Machan, with 40, looked Clarke. should beat the United Arab nament -- they need two points England and Wales Cricket Board Raina was dropped twice -- on dangerous. Scotland have still to win a Emirates to grab fourth spot from a victory, the solitary point (ECB) chairman Colin Graves 47 and 71 -- as he and skipper Australia captain Michael World Cup match -- having now but they will have one eye on the awarded for a no-result will not suggested this month that he Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who Clarke then promoted himself taken part in three editions -- a skies. be enough. could be recalled to the England made an undefeated 85, put on to the top of the order ahead of run of 14 games. Cyclone Pam, thousands of kil- Further complicating matters, set-up if he “scores a lot of runs” a match-winning and unbroken their quarter-final in Adelaide on Australia are still awaiting ometres away in the South Pacific, the West Indies must soundly beat for a county. fifth-wicket partnership of 196 March 20 by making a run-a-ball their quarter-final opponents could blow away their chances if the UAE by 70 runs to ensure a England’s dismal showing at after India had been in trouble at 47. although it seems likely they will it brings heavy rainfall to New place in the last eight. AFP the World Cup, where they were avoid South Africa who appear set knocked out in the group stage Scoreboard for a Sydney clash with Sri Lanka Scoreboard with two wins from six games, has on March 18. led to calls for Pietersen’s return. ZIMBABWE 43-3 (2w); M Sharma 10-1-48-3 (1w); Ashwin Six of the eight quarter-final- SCOTLAND Cummins 7-1-42-3 (1w); S R Watson 3-0-18- Pietersen does not have long C Chibhabha c Dhawan b Shami ...... 7 10-0-75-1 (1w); Jadeja 10-0-71-0. ists are known -- New Zealand, K J Coetzer c Smith b Starc 0 1; M G Johnson 4-1-16-1 (1w); G J Maxwell to make his mind up, however, as H Masakadza c Dhoni b Yadav ...... 2 INDIA Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, C S MacLeod c Warner b Starc ...... 22 4-0-24-1 (1w); J P Faulkner 3-0-15-0 (1w). the IPL starts on April 8, with S Mire c Dhoni b M Sharma ...... 9 R G Sharma c Sikandar Raza b Panyangara 16 India and South Africa. M W Machan c Faulkner b Cummins ...... 40 AUSTRALIA the County Championship getting B Taylor c Dhawan b Shami ...... 138 S Dhawan b Panyangara ...... 4 That leaves 1992 champions P L Mommsen c Starc b Watson ...... 0 M J Clarke c Leask b Wardlaw ...... 47 underway on April 12. S Williams c&b Ashwin ...... 50 V Kohli b Sikandar Raza ...... 38 Pakistan, 1975 and 1979 winners F R J Coleman c Clarke b Johnson ...... 0 A J Finch c Coleman b Taylor ...... 20 “That’s what I’m looking C Ervine c and b M Sharma ...... 27 A M Rahane (run out-Sikandar Raza/Taylor) 19 West Indies and non-Test side R D Berrington c Warner b Maxwell ...... 1 S R Watson c Cross b Davey ...... 24 at,” Pietersen told Fox Sports Sikander Raza b M Sharma ...... 28 S K Raina (not out) ...... 110 Ireland battling for the remain- M H Cross c Haddin b Cummins ...... 9 J P Faulkner (not out)...... 16 Australia when asked if he would R Chakabva c Rohit b Yadav ...... 10 M S Dhoni (not out) ...... 85 ing two places out of Pool B. J H Davey b Starc ...... 26 D A Warner (not out) ...... 21 play county cricket. “It just makes T Panyangara c Yadav b Shami...... 6 Extras (B-1, LB-2, W-12, NB-1) ...... 16 Their fates will be decided on R M L Taylor c Haddin b Cummins ...... 0 Extras (LB-2, W-3) ...... 5 perfect sense to explore different T Mupariwa (not out) ...... 1 Total (for 4 wkts in 48.4 overs) ...... 288 Sunday, with Pakistan facing M A Leask (not out) ...... 23 Total (for 3 wkts in 15.2 overs) ...... 133 things. T Chatara b Yadav ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-21, 3-71, 4-92. Ireland in Adelaide almost eight I Wardlaw b Starc ...... 0 Did not bat: S P D Smith, G J Maxwell, B J “There will be a change of scen- Extras (LB-2, W-7) ...... 9 Bowling: T Panyangara 8.4-1-53-2 (2w); T L years to the day since they were Extras (LB-1, W-8) ...... 9 Haddin, M G Johnson, M A Starc, P J Cummins. ery at board level with the ECB Total (all out in 48.5 overs) ...... 287 Chatara 10-1-59-0 (1nb, 6w); T Mupariwa 10- knocked out of the 2007 World Total (all out in 25.4 overs) ...... 130 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-88, 3-92. and I’ve always expressed my Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-13, 3-33, 4-126, 0-61-0 (2w); S F Mire 5-0-29-0; S C Williams Cup by the Irish. Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-36, 3-37, 4-50, 5-51, Bowling: I Wardlaw 5-0-57-1 (1w); R M L desire to play for England again 5-235, 6-241, 7-276, 8-285, 9-286, 10-287. 5-0-31-0. It will be an emotional occasion 6-78, 7-79, 8-95, 9-130, 10-130. Taylor 5-0-29-1; J H Davey 5-1-38-1 (1w); M A if I get the opportunity. Bowling: Shami 9-2-48-3 (3w); Yadav 9.5-1- Result: India win by 6 wickets. for Misbah-ul-Haq’s team as that Bowling: M A Starc 4.4-1-14-4 (1w); P J Leask 0.2-0-7-0 (1w). “It seems encouraging but I’ve defeat in Jamaica was followed the got a few steps that I’ve got to climb.” Pietersen believes he could work under England coach Peter Moores again despite the pair Pakistan, Ireland set for do-or-die duel falling out in 2009. Moores, who was reappointed ADELAIDE, Australia: St Patrick’s Day on March 17 in seasoned batsman Niall O’Brien outscored the inconsistent as England coach in April, was Plucky Ireland take on buoy- 2007 by knocking out Pakistan declared in the Dublin-based Pakistanis so far, which should sacked following the “irretriev- ant Pakistan in a winner- from the World Cup with a three- Independent newspaper. make them feel comfortable on able breakdown” of their rela- takes-all World Cup clash wicket win at Kingston’s Sabina “We still have it in our own what is expected to be a run-laden tionship and South African-born at the Adelaide Oval today Park in Jamaica. hands and know that several pitch, despite the rivals’ potent Pietersen quit as captain. that promises an enthralling A day later Pakistan’s disap- teams would love to be in the posi- bowling attack. “I can’t captain because I don’t encounter between two highly pointment turned into grief when tion we find ourselves in. Pakistan Pakistan’s batsmen have think my relationships are great, combustible teams. their English coach Bob Woolmer will be an extremely difficult test crossed 250 just once in the tour- but I played under Andy Flower The last league match in the was found dead in the bathroom but it’s still up to us.” nament when they hammered 339 and probably had a pretty worse month-long group stage will steer of his hotel room, causing disbelief Pakistan lost their opening two for six against the inexperienced relationship with Flower than I the winner into the quarter-finals in the entire cricket world. matches against old foes India and UAE at Napier. did with Moores,” he said. and leave the loser facing a tricky A long investigation proved the West Indies, but bounced back In contrast, Ireland have sur- Pietersen, who is also sched- run-rate countback against the inconclusive as police overturned to win the next three to prove passed 300 twice against the West uled to play for St Lucia Zouks West Indies. their initial assessment of mur- once again they are one of the Indies and Zimbabwe, thrashed in the Caribbean Premier League A likely win for the West Indies der or suicide to declare that most unpredictable sides in world UAE for 279-8, scored 259 against in June and July, said he would over the United Arab Emirates Woolmer, 58, died of natural cricket. India and managed 210 versus the be open to playing both Test and earlier on Sunday will bring them causes. Victories against Zimbabwe South Africans. one-day cricket for England. level with Pakistan and Ireland on Since then, the two sides have and the United Arab Emirates Pakistan’s batting coach Grant “When you don’t play any form six points to set up a keen finish played four one-day matches, all were followed by a stunning suc- Flower said his team can’t afford of international cricket and you’ve for the knock-out rounds. hosted by Ireland, with Pakistan cess over mighty South Africa in to slip up any more. had it for such a long time, any- Defending champions India winning three and the fourth Auckland where they bowled the “I do expect the batsmen to thing, absolutely anything,” he and South Africa have already game ending in a tie. Proteas out for 202 after mak- deliver,” the former Zimbabwean said. Pakistan Leg spinner Yasir taken two of the four quarter- Pakistan and Ireland have ing 222. star said. “You miss it so much when Shah does catching exercises final spots from Pool B, while co- endured a bumpy ride at this Ireland began by chasing down “That is what they are there you’re not playing. during a training ahead of hosts Australia and New Zealand World Cup, but now find them- the West Indies’ 304 for seven for. They can bat a lot better than “I’ve been lucky to play the their next 2015 Cricket World have already qualified from Pool selves at par going into their in a rousing batting display and they have. Big Bash, play the IPL or play Cup Pool B match against A along with Sri Lanka and must-win match with three wins also beat UAE and Zimbabwe, but “I would like to believe our best the Caribbean League. But Test Ireland at the Adelaide Oval, Bangladesh. each from five games. were no match for Test nations is yet to come. If we don’t, I don’t cricket, one-day cricket, playing yesterday. It’s been eight years almost to “It will be the biggest game India and South Africa. think we will go much further in for your country is very special.” the day when Ireland celebrated in Ireland’s cricket history,” The Irish batsmen have the tournament.” AFP AFP

Starc glad as plan comes together Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (second right) celebrates HOBART, Australia: tournament bowling charts with rescued an improbable win for with team-mates Australia’s Mitchell Starc looked 16 wickets in five matches at a Australia over fellow co-hosts New Brad Haddin forward to the knockout stages stunningly low average of 8.50 Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park in of the World Cup with confi- apiece. “I’ve been working quite a match they eventually lost by just (left), Michael dence after taking four wickets hard with Craig McDermott one wicket. But since then it’s been a Clarke (sec- in the co-hosts’ comfortable win (Australia’s bowling coach) since largely smooth ride into the quarter- ond left) and over Scotland in their final Pool the one-day series in Zimbabwe. finals for Clarke’s men, bidding to Shane Watson A match in Hobart yesterday. I look forward to continue with win Australia’s fifth World Cup title after taking Michael Clarke’s men were (my form) through the back-end and first on home soil. the wicket of already through to the quarter- (of the World Cup),” said Starc. “As long as we’re winning Scotland’s finals but there was no easing up “Yeah, the ball is coming out games, confidence is going to be Richie from left-arm fast bowler Starc nicely, I can’t complain at all. high, and especially going into the Berrington at at Bellerive Oval. Well, it’s coming out consistently, knockout stages, taking a bit of the Bellerive The 25-year-old took four for but more importantly we’re win- momentum,” said Starc. Oval in Hobart, 14 in just 4.4 overs as Scotland ning games and that’s all that Australia recalled fast bowler Tasmania, were shot out for 130 after Clarke matters,” the New South Wales Pat Cummins for yesterday’s yesterday. won the toss. paceman added. match, in place of spinner Xavier That left Starc topping the Starc’s brilliant six for 28 almost Doherty. AFP SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Naser Ali Al Humaidi (cen- tre, top row), Qatar’s Torrente winner in the Trap event at the Emir Shooting and Archery Cup 2015, poses for storms to victory a picture with Masoud Hamad Al Athba, silver Selio and Al Hameli crash out in Doha medal winner and Rashid Taleb Al Athba, DOHA: American Shaun of the CTIC China Team as the Torrente of Qatar Team won the 2015 Grand Prix of defending World Champion did third place action packed opening round of his best to chase down Torrente finisher at the 2015 UIM F1 H2O World Qatar Results only to finish runner-up for the Losail Shooting Range Championship on Doha Bay. 1. Shaun Torrente (QAT) Qatar Team 36 laps second straight year and now yesterday. Yesterday Torrente once again 2. Philippe Chiappe (FRA) China CTIC Team has a record six podiums in his showed he is the class of the field @0.95sec 13 starts on Doha Bay. when it comes to his teams home “After the 21 laps and then the 3. Erik Stark (SWE) Team Nautica @2.47sec waters as the driver from Miami, accident I wasn’t totally sure I Florida set the pace all afternoon 4. Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Sweden was ready to push in these chal- and survived a very rough 1.76 km @4.70sec lenging conditions,” said Philippe. race circuit in a race that ended 5. Alex Carella (ITA) Team Abu Dhabi @5.54sec “I am truly happy to finish, take Engachov maintains golden run; with 15 of the 36 race laps under 6. Marit Stromoy (NOR) Team Nautica L1 a podium, finish and leave here a yellow caution flag. 7. Youssef Al-Rubayan (KUW) F1 GC Atlantic with 15 points. Now the rest of the The Qatar Team driver now Team L1 field head to my home waters and has won the last two times here I can’t wait to race in France in Naser reigns supreme in Trap 8. Filip Roms (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing on the teams home circuit and Team L1 front of so many of my loyal fans three of his last four starts on the 9. David Del Pin (ITA) Team Abu Dhabi L1 in June. It will be electric.” DOHA: Oleg Engachov main- five-turn “bullring” just inside the The final place on the podium tained his winning streak at 10. Duarte Benavente (PRT) F1 GC Atlantic Gulf. went to Swedish driver Erik Stark the Emir Shooting and Archery Emir Shooting and Archery Cup 2015 Results Team L2 With the win, the Qatar Team of Team Nautica as the rookie-of- Cup 2015 to pick up his fourth has won six of the last seven 11. Xiong Ziwei (CHN) China CTIC Team L2 the- year driver from 2014, who gold while Naser Ali Al Humaidi 25m Center Fire Pistol Men Hamad Ghanem Alnaimi Grand Prix’s here and with the right-hand corner he lost con- was just starting his eighth Grand upstaged Masoud Hamad Al Oleg Engachov On Friday victory Torrente leads the World trol briefly, stuffed the boat, and Prix, earned his second podium Athba to win the Trap event. Maltsev Konstantin 50m Rifle Prone Junior Men Drivers Championship with 20 it snapped back up right into the of his career earning 12 points in Yesterday Engachov, gold medal Riaz Rustam Khan Mohsen Ahmed Al Ali points. path of Al Hameli. The two boats the process. winner at last year’s Asian Games 50m Rifle Prone Women Junior Mohammed Saad Al Mubarak Torrente, who led from violently collided flying into the Jonas Andersson who had in South Korea, won the 25m the pace boat produced “roll- air both barrel rolling to a stop won this race back in 2008 came Center Fire Pistol overcoming the Khuloud Jamal Al Saeed Nayaf Mubarak Al Hajri ing start” because of the rough bringing out the pace boat for home a fine fourth place in his challenge of Maltsev Konstantin. Aysha Ibrahim Al Mutawa conditions deemed by the UIM the remainder of the event. Both Team Sweden boat ahead of past Konstantin had to settle for the Noora Salem Al Mohannadi 50m Rifle Prone Men Commissioner, to be too severe drivers were lucky to escape seri- winner and three-time World silver, Riaz Rustam took bronze. 50m Rifle Prone Women Ali Rashid Al Muhannadi thus cancelling the traditional “Le ous injury. Champion Alex Carella of Team In Trap, 30-year-old Naser won Bahiya Mansour Al Hamad Skoromnov Viacheslav Mans” start, dropping the green “The team handed me a per- Abu Dhabi who struggled with the gold medal shoot-out against Akhlagi Mehbubeh Abdulla Ali Al Madeed flag after two laps and powering fect set-up today, with a new his qualifying set-up but ran a Masoud Hamad Al Athba 11-10. Trap Women Junior away to over an 11 second lead in boat and a great step-up I guess strong race finishing fifth after Rashid Taleb Al Athba took the Matara Fahad Al Assieri less than 10 laps. all our hard work paid off testing starting tenth. bronze. Naser was thrilled with Trap Men Badria Al Binali On lap 22 two-time World earlier this week getting ready Norwegian woman racer Marit his performance. Naser Ali Alhumaidi Lolwa Al Obaidli Champion Sami Selio made a for the season opener here,” said Stromoy charged up from 14th “The competition was tough. Masoud Hamad Alathba Rowdah Al Qahtani great move past second year man Torrente. to take sixth moving up farther Some of the top shooters who Rashid Taleb Alathba Trap Women Erik Stark for fourth and as he “Now we head to what I hear than any other driver on the day have won medals at the Asian Trap Junior Men Meitha Al Binali headed to the right-hand turn will be another rough water cir- in her Team Nautica BABA boat, Games and World championships Anjelo Scalzone Kholood Al Khalaf on the backside of the race cir- cuit and for me this is something while Kuwaiti driver Youssef are participating in the event. So cuit he slid past Emirates Team that I relish and can’t wait to get Al-Rubayan came home seventh this is a sweet victory for me,” Abdullah Mishaab Amna Al Abdulla driver Ahmed Al Hameli into to France in June.” after qualifying fourth earlier in said Naser. THE PENINSULA third place but as he pinched in Finishing a close second was the day for the F1 GC Atlantic from the outside going for the French pilot Philippe Chiappe Team. THE PENINSULA

Bahiya Mansour Al Hamad (centre), win- American Shaun ner in the 50m Rifle Torrente of Qatar Team Prone for Women in action in the open- is seen with other ing round of the 2015 podium winners UIM F1 H2O World Akhlagi Mehbubeh Championship on and Matara Fahad Doha Bay yesterday. Al Assieri.

FACTBOX West Indies vs UAE Windies’ Cup dream hinges on weather WELLINGTON: Factbox NAPIER, New Zealand: The between players and management on today’s World Cup Pool B West Indies will have one eye on that has marred their campaign. match between West Indies the skies and the other on the Certainly, UAE captain Lara bowled over by and United Arab Emirates at scoreboard as they seek to keep Mohammad Tauqir indicated McLean Park in Napier: their World Cup campaign alive that the intimidating mystique WEST INDIES in a must-win clash with the that once surrounded the men schoolboy’s kindness Captain: Jason Holder United Arab Emirates today. from the Caribbean had evapo- Coach: Stuart Williams The two-time champions’ hopes rated after their four-wicket loss WELLINGTON: West Indies Squad: Holder, Marlon Samuels, Sulieman of a quarter-final berth hinge on a to Ireland. legend Brian Lara was so Benn, Johnson Charles, Jonathan Carter, convincing victory in Napier after Tauqir vowed the UAE, win- impressed with a letter he Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, a series of unconvincing perform- less at this year’s tournament, received from an eight-year- Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre ances in Pool B, including a shock would be no pushovers in Napier old New Zealand lad that he Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, loss to Ireland. after providing stubborn resist- popped into his school unan- Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor. They currently lie fifth in ance against what he considered nounced for an impromptu the group and to advance must superior teams. game of cricket. Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to snatch fourth place off Pakistan “We have played 50 overs The record-breaking left- Ireland by four wickets; beat Pakistan by 150 or Ireland, who play each other against Pakistan. We have almost hander was in New Zealand as runs; beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs (Duckworth/ UAE’s batsman Amjad Javed on Sunday in Adelaide. played 50 against South Africa. a celebrity guest at the New Lewis method); lost to South Africa by 257 But a cyclone thousands of kilo- These are positive signs,” he said. Zealand Open golf tournament runs; lost to India by four wickets. metres away in the South Pacific “We have to play the game to “I don’t see the West Indies as when he received a batch of wel- Top performers: Gayle (279 runs), Marlon could blow away their chances if give ourselves a chance so we strong as India or South Africa come letters written by pupils at Samuels (194 runs); Jerome Taylor (11 it brings heavy rainfall to New want sunshine. We need two and we would like to put up a bet- the Arrowtown school in Central wickets) Zealand’s North Island by Sunday. points badly and we need it big.” ter show.” Otago. Brian Lara UNITED ARAB EMIRATES A washout would send Jason Further complicating matters, The West Indies have never Lara said yesterday he found Captain: Mohammad Tauqir Holder’s men tumbling out of the West Indies must soundly met UAE in a one-day inter- the letter from young Hugh Coach: Aaqib Javed the tournament -- they need two beat the UAE by 70 runs or more national and Holder was confi- Hodgson, listing things he could Hugh said he told Lara where Squad: Tauqir, Khurram Khan, Amjad points from a victory, the solitary to ensure they have a better run dent his team would get the job do in the historic gold-mining to hire a gold pan and to “go to Ali, Amjad Javed, Andri Berenger, Fahad point awarded for a no-result will rate than Pakistan and Ireland. done against the Gulf amateurs, town, was so touching he decided the river and find some gold.” Alhashmi, Manjula Guruge, Kamran Shazad, not be enough. Holder is also sweating on weather permitting. to meet the youngster and his Lara, who holds the record Krishna Chandran, Mohammad Naveed, Forecasters say a cyclone- the fitness of key batsman Chris He said the match was a chance schoolmates. for the highest Test score with Nasir Aziz, Swapnil Patil, Rohan Mustafa, related downpour is due on Gayle, who missed training on for the West Indies to wrest back “He sent me a very nice let- 400 not out against England in Saqlain Haider, Shaiman Anwar. Monday, although the New Wednesday as he struggled with control of their own destiny and ter and after a good day of golf 2004, spent nearly an hour at Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to Zealand weather is notoriously a back injury. make the knockout stages, when yesterday it put that extra smile the school taking the children Zimbabwe by four wickets; lost to Ireland by fickle and they warn rain is still The explosive left-hander has he believed the team would finally on my face to read it at my hotel, through warm-up drills before two wickets; lost to India by nine wickets; lost possible on Sunday. been in patchy form but showed hit their straps. Lara said. a game of cricket. to Pakistan by 129 runs; lost to South Africa Team manager Richie how dangerous he can ben blast- “What I can control is the game “It was so nice of him and his Hugh’s classmate Sophie by 146 runs. Richardson was confident the ing a World Cup record 215 against UAE, and I can assure classmates in Room 8 to write Rasmussen won bragging rights weather gods would smile on the against Zimbabwe. you that we are going to win that letters to myself and some of on the day and will go down in Top performers: Shaiman Anwar (309 West Indies. The fact that the West Indies’ game by all means,” said Holder. the other players. This is a great history as the eight-year-old girl runs), Khurram Khan (150 runs); Mohammad “It’ll be fine on Sunday,” the qualification hopes are so tenuous “We just need to be aggressive place and it only got better to who bowled out the great Brian Naveed (eight wickets) former batting great told the local is testament to the erratic form and finish this preliminary round have a welcome like that. Lara. AFP Head-to-head: No previous meetings Hawkes Bay Today newspaper. and pre-tournament bickering in a good manner.” AFP SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Marc Marquez Factbox Nationality: Spanish Superstar Marquez eyes Date of birth: 17 February 1993 (age 22) Cervera, Lleida, Spain Current team: Repsol Honda Team Bike number: 93 MotoGP World Championship another title triumph Active years: 2013–2014 Manufacturers: Honda Championships: 2 (2013, 2014) MotoGP world champion wants to be ‘100 percent ready’ for first GP 2014 Championship position 1st (362 points) BY RIZWAN REHMAT Starts, Wins, Podiums, Poles Fastest laps, Points DOHA: Double world cham- 36, 19, 30, 22, 23, 696 pion Marc Marquez of Spain is Moto2 World Championship targeting the final pre-season Active years: 2011–2012 testing in Qatar with absolute Manufacturers: Suter-Honda seriousness, knowing three Championships: 1 (2012) days of fine-tuning at Losail 2012 Championship position International Circuit will set Marc Marquez of 1st (328 points) him up nicely for the opening Honda Repsol speeds Starts, Wins, Podiums, Poles Grand Prix on March 28. out of his garage at Fastest laps, Points The Honda Repsol rider Losail International 32, 16, 25, 14, 7, 579 scorched the 2013 and 2014 sea- Circuit during MotoGP sons to leave rivals stunned with 125cc World Championship his breathtaking start in MotoGP pres-season testing Active years: 2008–2010 racing but the 22-year-old is not yesterday. Marquez Manufacturers: KTM, Derbi taking anything for granted ahead will start the 2015 Championships: 1 (2010) of the first race in 2015. MotoGP season as 2010 Championship position “This final pre-season testing the double world 1st (310 points) is really important. All riders champion, having Starts, Wins, Podiums, Poles think of being careful. I am think- won the titles in Fastest laps, Points ing of being 100 percent ready,” 2013 and 2014. The 46, 10, 14, 14, 9, 467 Marquez said. opening race of the % Marquez is the current “At the moment it feels good. 2015 season will be MotoGP world champion. He is I feel ready for this season. The held at the same one of four riders to have won pre-season has been good,” he venue on March 28. world championship titles in added in an interview before the PICTURES: BAHER AMIN three different categories after first session of testing last night. Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and “We have improved and that is Valentino Rossi. important to us but looks like it % He is the older brother of will be a tough season because the 2014 Moto3 world champion opponents have also improved and Álex Márquez. it will be hard,” Marquez said. % Marquez became the first “But we will see what happens. rider since Kenny Roberts in Everybody is at zero points on 1978 to accomplish the premier the championship. We will try to class title in his first season. start in a good way here in Qatar,” Marquez warned. bike. I think this year I will be all the time because you could think too much about it. I want to When asked about his main less aggressive but I don’t want arrive on the day of the race all keep pushing and keep winning,” Things you didn’t know about rivals in the new season, Marquez to lose this feeling of explosive tired and fatigued. The stress can Marquez said. minced no words. riding because sometimes that make you feel tired,” he said. “Sometimes when you think “I always pay attention to top makes the difference (in winning Marquez said he follows a sim- about it you feel ‘I have done this magnificent Marc Marquez three riders and that is Valentino and losing),” he said. ple routine during a Grand Prix once so you can relax’. I don’t Question: Which one of the two world titles is special? Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Team-mate of compatriot week. want to get that feeling. Answer: Of course the first one because the first world title is always Pedrosa. We will see but I think Pedrosa, Marquez said fighting “Before the start of first prac- “I am young, I am 22. I want to special. I didn’t expect to win in my first MotoGP season. That was Jorge will be stronger than last for wins is in his blood. tice, you are thinking “I will fight keep pushing. As I said before I really special. year,” Marquez said “When I was a baby my father for victory on Sunday’. Then you want more and more. The target Question: Do you miss the life of a regular 22-year-old boy after “Also Valentino. Every year he and grandfather explained that I see how practice and warm-up from now until the next season becoming world champion? gets older but looks the opposite. should always try to be the best. goes,” he explained. will be to fight for the title. I have Answer: Maybe I have lost some aspects of my life. I can’t lead a Looks like he is becoming younger Of course you can work on that “Then before the race you to manage the pressure,” he said. naturally free life but I have advantages now. What I miss is being and younger (smiles). He has philosophy,” Marquez said. plan according to who has done Marquez, who hero-worships a normal guy over a weekend. When my friends go out for a party improved his level,” Marquez said. “But for me it (winning) is what during the week. You think Rossi, said he was in awe at the or to a get-together, I say ‘no’ to my friends because I have race the Marquez said racing under never enough. I think it (being ‘maybe some rider will be stronger manner in which the Italian giant next week. In Spain people recognize me. They stop me for photos. lights was easy. competitive) is something that so I need to be smarter to finish has dominated the sport for most In another way I like it because I am living my dream. “Night race is nice. It is one of you are born with,” he added second so that we take points for part of two decades. Question: Which is your favourite football team? my favourite races. It is a special quickly. championship’. “When I was growing up, Answer: My favourite team is Barcelona. I live close to Barcelona. race. In the morning you can go Marquez, a die-hard Barcelona “Every race is same and impor- Valentino Rossi was my hero. I am a great supporter of Barcelona. I like Messi. I like Neymar to the pool and race in the night fan, said riders must learn to stay tant,” he said. What Valentino has achieved was also. He has a good style. I also like (Andreas) Iniesta and Javier (laughs),” the Spaniard joked. relaxed during competitions and “You get nervous (smiles) incredible,” Marquez said. (Mascherano). They are really good on a soccer pitch. “It is incredible - you are rid- plan their build-up prior to a race. before the start of the first race “It is so difficult to win nine Question: What’s the most satisfying moment of your career? ing at night and because of the “Of course you feel in control because in the winter break you world titles but what he is doing Answer: Last year in Valencia, the feeling of winning the title was amazing lights here it feels like after so many years. You have are completely relaxed. But I like now it is more important than incredible because my brother had also won the Moto 3 title. That daytime,” he added. more experience. You manage the it. I like to be there on the grid,” ever before. feeling was incredible. When you see your brother is also in the top Marquez said he will be aim- times better,” Marquez said. he added. “We should not forget he was level, it felt great. He is 18. He is young. He will start Moto 2 soon. ing for risk-free runs in the new “In 2013 with two weeks to go Marquez, who won the world with Ducati and he struggled a lot I will help him to achieve his dream (of being in MotoGP). season set to commence at Losail before the start of that season, championship in his debut but he came back Yamaha. Question: What do you think about promising Qatari riders? International Circuit on March I was nervous with excitement. MotoGP season in 2013, said he “You saw him in the pre-season Answer: When we come here for MotoGP opener, I follow their 28. And now I know that on the day does not think too much about tests, he is like a young rider. He performances in the Qatar championship. I think it will be impor- “Compared to 2013 and 2014, of the race I will be nervous but his incredible start in the high- is doing a lot of laps. tant that some day a Qatari rider will grow and arrive at the top I have more experience now,” I know it is more important to est form of bike racing. “He is pushing like a 22-year- level. Some of them are racing in Spanish Championship. I think Marquez said manage the times. “Honestly I didn’t realise how old,” he added. the talent is there. THE PENINSULA “Now I think more of the “You don’t want to be nervous well I have done. I don’t want to THE PENINSULA A Final pre-season testing gets D under way at Losail Circuit DOHA: It was what the fans had been waiting for - the roar of MotoGP class engines as Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi hit the track for the new season’s final pre-seasong testing at Losail International Circuit. The test is being carried out between 4pm and 11pm local time to allow teams to prepare for the conditions they will face in the first race of the season at the same circuit in two weeks, which takes place at 9pm at night under the floodlights in Qatar. An air temperature of 28 degrees greeted that teams as they arrived, therefore a lot of riders didn’t plan on taking advantage of the early part of the afternoon to head out on track, preferring to wait until sunset when the cooler track temperature will not only mean better grip but will also allow the teams to collect more relevant data for the forthcoming race. Yamaha will continue the development of their full seamless shift gearbox at Qatar after announcing during the week that they would be using it for the 2015 season, having tested an “evolution” of their previous gearbox at the second Sepang test, a report on motogp.com said. The Ducati Factory Team brought two GP14.3 bikes for riders Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso to ride during the early after- A: Marc Marquez noon before switching to the new GP15 machine they debuted at the of Honda Repsol last test in Malaysia in the evening. is seen talking It was a quiet start to the test with just a handful of riders heading to team officials out on the 5.4km circuit before 6pm with most of those testing just inside his garage at testing some electronic updates and waiting for the track conditions Losail International to improve. It was Dovizioso who led the way after three hours with Circuit yesterday. B: the times starting to tumble, registering a 1’55.898, while Rossi was Marquez’s backroom the first rider to crash as he fell at turn 8 on just his 3rd lap on his staff flashes a sign Movistar Yamaha YZR-M1 but was not injured. during testing. C: Meanwhile, Aprilia have settled upon the bike they will use for the 2015 MotoGP season, after deciding between two variants at the Jorge Lorenzo takes second Sepang test. a breather during D: The Italian manufacturer has returned to the premier class a year testing. Valentino ahead of schedule to allow them to develop an upgraded version of last Rossi prepares to years ART bike, before debuting an all new prototype machine in 2016. ride out his Yamaha In a recent interview with Crash.net, Aprilia Racing Team Manager B bike. C Romano Albesiano stated that their aim for the first race in Qatar would be to finish in the points. AGENCIES SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony reacts after his side’s defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley yesterday. RIGHT: Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring a goal against West Ham United during an English Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. Burnley blow to Man City’s title hopes Champions crash to shock 1-0 defeat as Giroud helps Arsenal bolster top four bid

LONDON: Manchester City second leg trip to Barcelona in side are aiming to qualify for the and six clear of fifth-placed bench to criticise boss Gus Poyet. Hull held on for a 0-0 draw at wasted a chance to put pres- midweek and added to the grow- Champions League via a top- Liverpool. “A day like today you need to the King Power Stadium despite sure on Premier League lead- ing pressure on Pellegrini. four finish for the 18th year in a “It was a convincing win and a analyse very carefully as it’s not Tom Huddlestone’s dismissal for ers Chelsea as the champions City captain Vincent Kompany row and they are well on course very important one as well. That’s acceptable. There is nobody to a second booking. crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at and midfielder Fernandinho had after a fifth successive league the kind of game we want to play,” blame but ourselves,” Poyet said. West Brom ground out a struggling Burnley yesterday. both returned to the starting line- victory. Wenger said. “When it doesn’t “When you are a fan and you 1-0 win against Stoke at the Manuel Pellegrini’s side would up after the pair were left out of It was also the ideal prepara- work it is questioned but that is see your team performing like we Hawthorns, with the only goal have moved within two points their last game against Leicester tion for next week’s Champions the game we love.” did in the first-half I would do the in the 19th minute from Brown of Chelsea with a victory, but following reports of a dressing League last 16 trip to Monaco, Aston Villa’s revival under new same.” Ideye. AFP instead they departed Turf Moor room row. who hold a 3-1 lead from the first manager Tim Sherwood gathered Crystal Palace pushed second with their hopes of retaining the But the third bottom Clarets leg. pace as they boosted their bid bottom QPR deeper into the title hanging by a slender thread took the lead in the 61st minute Giroud broke the deadlock to avoid relegation with a cru- relegation mire with a 3-1 vic- English Premier after a lacklustre performance when Kompany’s header only seconds before the break as the cial 4-0 win at fellow strugglers tory over their London rivals at was punished by George Boyd’s reached the edge of the penalty France striker cut in from the Sunderland. Selhurst Park. League Results second half winner. area, where Scotland midfielder right edge of the penalty area to Villa had scored only four away Alan Pardew’s side swept into Arsenal 3 (Giroud 45, Ramsey 81, Flamini 84) City remain five points behind Boyd drove a fine low left-footed lash an unstoppable left-footed league goals all season, but they a three-goal lead by half-time West Ham 0; Burnley 1 (Boyd 61) Manchester Chelsea, who can extend that strike past City goalkeeper Joe shot into the far corner. have been transformed since thanks to strikes from Wilfried City 0; Crystal Palace 3 (Zaha 21, McArthur advantage to eight with a victory Hart. Wales midfielder Aaron former Tottenham boss Sherwood Zaha, James McArthur and Joel 40, Ward 42) QPR 1 (Phillips 83); Leicester against Southampton at Stamford City had a strong penalty Ramsey got Arsenal’s second, took charge and have now won Ward. 0 Hull 0; Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 4 (Benteke Bridge today. appeal turned down in stoppage- and his first since December, in their last two league games to Matt Phillips produced one of 16, 44 Agbonlahor 18, 37); West Brom 1 To make matters worse for time when Pablo Zabaleta tum- the 81st minute when he played a climb above Sunderland, who the goals of the season in the clos- (Ideye 19) Stoke 0 City, Jose Mourinho’s side will still bled under a challenge from Ben one-two with Giroud and finished drop to fourth bottom after their ing stages, but the winger’s bril- Today’s Matches have one more game in hand after Mee. with aplomb. sixth consecutive game without liant drive, from at least 40 yards facing Southampton. Arsenal cemented their posi- Mathieu Flamini came off the a win. out, came too late to spark a QPR Chelsea vs Southampton (1330 GMT); Manchester United vs Tottenham (1600 GMT); The dismal defeat, their first tion in the top four as Olivier bench to seal the points with an Christian Benteke and Gabriel fightback. Everton vs Newcastle (1600 GMT) against Burnley since 1974, was Giroud’s blistering strike inspired 84th minute goal that lifted the Agbonlahor both scored twice Bottom of the table Leicester the worst possible warm-up for a 3-0 rout of West Ham. Gunners four points ahead of before half-time, prompting angry wasted a chance to improve Tomorrow’s Match City’s Champions League last 16 Arsene Wenger’s third-placed fourth-placed Manchester United Sunderland fans to surround the their survival hopes as 10-man Swansea vs Liverpool (2000 GMT) Saint-Etienne Messi double moves Barcelona four points clear keep up MADRID: Barcelona moved “I don’t consider this to be corner and move two goals clear four points clear of Real Madrid the most important week (of of Cristiano Ronaldo in the fight European bid at the top of La Liga as a double the season) but a great week. It to be La Liga’s top goalscorer. from Lionel Messi eased them will decide if we can get to the Enrique then replaced Neymar to a 2-0 win at Eibar yesterday. quarters or not of the Champions and Rakitic with Pedro Rodriguez with win at Metz The Argentine overcame his League because City have a lot of and Xavi Hernandez, the latter PARIS: Saint-Etienne kept up recent penalty yips to open the quality.” making his 750th appearance for their bid for European football scoring from the spot and then It took the Catalans half an the club. next season and added to rele- headed in his side’s second from hour to break down Eibar’s well- Atletico remain in fourth, gation fears for Metz with a 3-2 Ivan Rakitic’s corner. organised defence with a sweep- a point behind third-placed victory in Ligue 1 yesterday. Madrid have the chance to ing move that led to Borja Ekiza Valencia, as they had to settle Leaders Lyon are not in action reduce the gap back to a point handling a shot from Messi. for a 0-0 draw at Espanyol after until Sunday, when they travel to ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico The four-time World Player of Miranda saw red in first-half third-placed Marseille who are between the two sides when they the Year had missed five of his last stoppage time for an elbow on four points off the pace, while face Levante today. 11 penalties for club and country, Abraham. Paris Saint-Germain, one point Champions Atletico Madrid but made no mistake from the Despite being a man light, behind Lyon, travel to seventh- are now nine points off the top, spot as he thumped the ball home Atletico still created the better placed Bordeaux. though, as they had Miranda left-footed. chances after the break and were It will be the first game for sent-off in a 0-0 draw at Espanyol. Barca could have been further desperately unlucky when referee Laurent Blanc’s defending cham- Barca boss Luis Enrique made ahead at the break as Luis Suarez Inaki Vicandi Garrido ruled out pions, who are in the hunt for seven changes with Wednesday’s fired just off target from Rakitic’s Antoine Griezmann’s sweetly four trophies, since their heroic meeting with Manchester City in chested pass. struck volley from Diego Godin’s Champions League victory over the Champions League, as well as Neymar was then denied from knock-down for an apparent push Chelsea on Wednesday. the Clasico, in mind. a narrow angle by Jaime Jimenez by the Uruguayan. Saint-Etienne move back And he warned both Barca’s after a lovely through ball by Raul Garcia then had the best within a point of fourth-placed next opponents that they couldn’t Messi. chance of the match 12 minutes Monaco, who crushed Bastia 3-0 be in a better state heading into But it was to be Messi himself from time when he was played in on Friday, thanks to goals from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) celebrates with team-mate Rafael those match. who put the game beyond any by Griezmann, but Kiko Casilla Ivory Coast striker Max-Alain Alcantara (left) after scoring a goal against Eibar at the Ipurua Stadium “We arrive at the Clasico as doubt in usual circumstances as made a brilliant save low to his Gradel, Mevlut Erding and Yohan in Eibar yesterday. leaders and in a perfect state,” he was left free inside the area to right to deny the Spanish inter- Mollo. said Enrique. head Rakitic’s cross into the far national. AFP Visiting coach Christophe Galtier said he was pleased with the win but disappointed that his side conceded twice. “We scored Qatar University wins inaugural University Cup three goals, and they were good goals, well constructed and well DOHA: Qatar University Operations, said: “We would Foundation has a dedicated mis- developed but we didn’t control were crowned University Cup like to congratulate Qatar sion to unlock the country’s the match because we conceded champions after beating Qatar University on winning the first human potential. It is committed twice,” said the Saint-Etienne Aeronautical College 1-0 at the ever University Cup. We are all to providing resources and tools coach. Qatar Foundation for Education, very proud of the level of football to the community to demonstrate “We are conceding too many Science and Community exhibited on the field since the their skills, talent and sporting goals, but the most important Development’s (QF) Pitch 3 competition began on February endeavours in line with QF’s thing is that our strikers are here yesterday. 26. We look forward to working goal to promote healthy and scoring and that gives them The University Cup, a collabo- again with QF next year for the active living. The University Cup confidence. ration between QF and the Qatar new season in which we will be has been a great showcase for “We should have wrapped up Football Association (QFA), launching the University Super students to display their talents the match before but fortunately brought together six colleges and Cup for the first time ever.” and, in doing so, foster community we scored the third goal,” added universities from across Qatar. “QFA is constantly seeking spirit.” Galtier. The University Cup is a clear new ways to promote football The University Cup has built The defeat leaves Metz nine example of the QFA’s ongoing at the university level through links between higher education points from safety and in danger commitment to provide a plat- joint initiatives with local enti- institutions and students across of returning to Ligue 2 with just form for college and university ties and organisations,” Al Kuwari Qatar, reinforcing the impor- nine matches to save their top students to be able to play football said. tance attached to the wide range flight status. and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Mohammed Al Naimi, of educational and social benefits Qatar University players and officials pose with the trophy after winning Paris Saint-Germain will look Hamad Al Kuwari, the QFA’s Director of Community Affairs to pursuing study at university. the University Cup in Doha yesterday. to recapture the Ligue 1 lead from Acting Executive Director of at Qatar Foundation, said: “Qatar THE PENINSULA Lyon at Bordeaux today. AFP Sunday 15 March 2015 24 Jumada I 1436 Volume 20 Number 6370 Sport Price: QR2 Hamilton of Qatar’s Mercedes Torrente takes pole storms to win

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar’s Nasser seals win in Kuwait Abu Dhabi’s Al Qassimi a distant second; tyre woes cost third-placed Al Rajhi

KUWAIT CITY: Nasser Saleh “I had a good strategy here and Al Kuwari’s uncle Abdullah Al- Al Attiyah’s rich vein of form it worked. I managed my pace and Kuwari rounded off the top six continues and the Qatari coasted that was important. I did not take with his former Irish co-driver to an emphatic record-break- risks. It’s not all about winning all Killian Duffy. ing fifth victory in the Kuwait the stages. Now we have a good Despite losing several minutes International Rally yesterday. lead in the championship.” on the opening day, Salah bin Partnered to a fourth suc- Abu Dhabi Racing’s Al-Qassimi Eidan proved that all was not lost cessive win this year by French Citroën DS3 RRC won two stages and the Kuwaiti driver stormed co-driver Matthieu Baumel, the and shadowed Al-Attiyah to the back through the field to claim Ford Fiesta RRC driver won nine finish for the second time this seventh and victory in the Group of the 13 gravel special stages and season. He and Chris Patterson N category. reached the podium at Marina lost a little time in the dust on Despite brake issues, Germany’s Crescent in Kuwait with a win- Friday but picked up another haul Edith Weiss finished her second ning margin of 1min 02.1sec. of valuable championship points successive event in a fine eighth The success was his 56th to keep the heat on the Qatari in overall and second in Group N in the FIA Middle East Rally the eight-round series. once Kuwait’s Saleh Aly retired Championship (MERC) and he Two punctures and a one- on the 11th stage. now stands just four wins short minute time penalty cost a sub- Abu Dhabi Racing junior of the magical 60 set by Dubai’s dued Yazeed Al Rajhi any chance Mansoor Bel Helai restarted Mohammed Ben Sulayem between of victory, but he and Ulster co- under Rally 2 and benefited from 1984 and 2002. Baumel claimed driver Michael Orr reached the the demise of overnight leader his fifth MERC win and now finish in third place and set two Mohammed Al-Sahlawi to claim draws level with Steve Lancaster fastest stage times. ninth overall and first in the and Nabil Njeim in equal sixth in The 2012 event winner Khalid two-wheel drive section with his the list of most co-driver wins in Al Suwaidi complained that the Citroën DS3. Qatar’s Rashid Al the MERC. tracks were difficult to follow at Naimi rounded off the top 10. The “I am so happy to keep this times and admitted to losing his second round of the FIA MERC run of wins going and extend my way on occasions. He finished was organised by the Basil Salem lead in the championship,” said in a solid fifth behind Abdulaziz Al Sabah Motor Racing Club A surge of power from Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah during the Kuwait Rally yesterday. Al Attiyah. Al Kuwari and Marshall Clarke. (BMRC). THE PENINSULA Win for Lekhwiya; Qatar SC stun Al Sadd 2-1

DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) leaders Lekhwiya edged ten-men Umm Salal 2-1 in a closely contested round 22 match to consolidate their posi- tion at the top while contenders Al Sadd did their title chances more harm after going down 2-1 to Qatar Sports Club. Yesterday, playing at their home ground the Red Knights struck in the 13th minute through a counter attack. Ismael Mohammed broke down the right and send a cross first time into the box where Sebastian Soria, laying in wait, made it look easy as he applied the faintest of touches to make it 1-0. Umm Salal stepped up their game and began to dominate last season’s champions but then a major turning point in the match occurred when El Sayed was sent off for the second bookable offense of the match. However, Umm Salal showed their quality as they continued to show signs of danger against Lekhwiya. After the second half Umm Salal continued where they had left off and despite the one man disadvantage the boys in white equalised. A hopeful ball from the back was sprayed out to the right wing, Qatari international Khaled Muftah didn’t know that Salal winger Jeddo was on his tracks and intercepted the ball beauti- fully; one on one with the keeper the winger coolly slotted home the equaliser in the 56 minute. The game was hanging in the balance and the next goal would certainly seal the win for either Action from the Qatar Stars league (QSL) match between Al Sadd And side. Qatar Sports Club at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday. Slowly but surely Lekhwiya started to dominate and a throw in found Vladimir Weiss on the points after a real scare from the Harbaoui struck in the 26 and left wing, the Slovak turned and visitors. 29th minute to give coach Abdulla ran across the front of goal before The win puts Lekhwiya at 52, Alberik side full points. letting rip with a dipping shot seven points clear of Al Sadd with Abdelkerem Hassan pulled which bounced awkwardly past just five games to go. one back for Al Sadd in the 47th keeper Baba Malik. At Al Sadd Stadium, a brace minute. In another match, El Lekhwiya really didn’t seem from Hamdi Harbaoui helped Jaish trounced Al Gharafa 3-0. impressive but once again did Qatar SC to register a 2-1 win Round 22 action continues just enough to get all three over Al Sadd. today. THE PENINSULA