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The ‘Tamm’ Volunteer Qatar Fuel Additives Team Katusha rider Network was launched Company yesterday Alexander Kristoff yesterday at Hamad officially announced stunned rivals with a well- bin Khalifa University the launch of its carbon timed sprint to take stage Student Centre. dioxide recovery plant. two of the Tour of Qatar.

TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 • 21 Rabial II 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6337 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

OPINION Qatar lines up Understanding Yemeni coup biggest Sport he cap- Tture of power by Houthis in Yemen Day events through a consti- tutional 208 institutions to participate order and their dis- Dr Khalid Al Jaber DOHA: Qatar is all set to mark of Development Planning and solution of today its biggest National Sport Statistics ahead of the Sport Day parliament under the pretext Day (NSD) celebration yet with have shown an increasing health of filling a political vacuum is the participation of 208 govern- awareness among the public, with a clear violation of the peace ment institutions and private 71 percent of the respondents and power-sharing agreement companies. (citizens and expatriates) claim- that exists in the country. Celebrated on second Tuesday ing that they practice some kind Their action also breaches the of February every year, the occa- of sports. GCC initiative and the national sion is aimed at raising awareness The survey was conducted dialogue. in society about sport being vital to in collaboration with the Qatar The Houthi action will destroy healthy living as well as a source of Olympic Committee (QOC) the peace process involving all promoting love and peace among through the website of the Children playing at the Qatar Olympic Committee Sports Village on the Corniche yesterday. BAHER AMIN Yemeni political parties and it different communities. Ministry and QOC. will also undermine efforts by Speaking on the eve of the Of the 1749 respondents to the reason. Eighteen percent cited different venues in the country. lectures which will take place the national, regional and inter- National Sport Day, Minister of survey, 35 percent (620) were the absence of sports facilities in Souq Waqif for the third con- in Aspire, Katara, the Qatar national powers to bring peace Public Health H E Abdullah bin Qataris and 65 percent (1,129) their area while six percent cited secutive year has banned Sheesha Women’s Sport Committee and Al and stability in the country. Khalid Al Qahtani said: “The expatriates. Twenty nine percent health related reasons. at all its restaurants and cafete- Wakrah and Al Khor sport clubs. Some believe that what is National Sport Day has an impor- said they don’t practice sports. The Ministry however, cau- rias on the Sport Day. The Qatar Olympic Committee happening in Yemen is part of tant role in promoting healthy The ratio of citizens and expatri- tioned against taking this survey The NSD activities will take Sport Village located next to the a major Iranian gameplan to lifestyle among citizens and expa- ates practising sports was equal, as representative of the Qatari place at the Corniche, Aspire main post office will allow visi- change the power equations in triates and creating a sport culture the Ministry said yesterday. public opinion saying the partici- Zone, Qatar Foundation, The tors to learn basic skills in sports the region and reduce the stra- in the community. Participation Of the respondents, 1,000 were pation was voluntary. Pearl Qatar, Katara, Museum including handball, basketball, tegic importance of key play- in the Sport Day activities by dif- male and 749 females. As shown The fourth NSD will see min- of Islamic Art Park, sport clubs, shooting, table-tennis and foot- ers. Tehran wants to weaken ferent entities and the public has by previous surveys, a major fac- istries, authorities, sport federa- youth centres, public parks and ball as well as healthy eating and the three major powers in our been increasing every year,” tor hindering people from practis- tions and other institutions as other sport facilities. general wellness. region — Israel, Turkey and Findings of an online sur- ing sports was lack of free time, well as private companies hold An important part of the NSD Continued on page 3 Saudi Arabia — by strengthen- vey conducted by the Ministry with 43 percent citing this as the various sport activities spread in programme is 12 awareness THE PENINSULA ing the so-called Shia crescent. US President Barack Obama is willing to enter into a deal with Iran on its nuclear programme. At the same time, many believe that the resist- Yemen crisis ance axis led by Iran – which Hamas lauds Attiyah’s courageous Israel remark includes Lebanon, Syria, Iraq talks resume and Yemen – can be better DOHA: A Qatar-based sen- Qatar’s Foreign Minister for his The Minister also asked why such jihadi organisations”. used to fight Sunni extrem- ior Hamas leader yesterday “strong, courageous statements Israel wanted to be recognised The exchange between the two ists in the region. These coun- under shadow praised the state’s “courageous” and response to the lies of the as a Jewish state. “The world ministers was reported in sev- tries can achieve what the US Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid ‘Zionists’, and his defence of is fighting a group calling itself eral media outlets, including on drones have failed to achieve. of walkout bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, after Hamas and the resistance during Islamic State, and you want to Al Jazeera Arabic. The Iran-led axis of countries an apparent spat with Israel’s the Munich security conference”. come and say (you are) a Jewish Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, are sworn enemies of Israel SANA’A: Yemeni political fac- Intelligence Minister Yuval At Sunday’s conference, Attiyah state,” he said. who is based in the Gulf state, was and so keeping them busy tions resumed UN-brokered Steinitz at a German security said during a panel discussion that In response, Steinitz questioned told by Attiyah last month that he fighting Sunni extremists will talks yesterday aimed at resolv- conference. failure to make progress in the why Qatar is “supporting a jihad- remained welcome amid reports mean Israel will have no head- ing the country’s political crisis In a statement, Izzat Al Israeli-Palestinian peace process ist organisation like Hamas or that the Palestinian leader had ache, keeping confrontations but one group quickly walked Rishq, a member of Hamas’ was “the main igniter to all the Islamic State, instead of putting been asked to leave. between the two at the level of out, underlining the difficult political bureau in Doha, backed turbulence in the Middle East”. all its efforts into eliminating AFP exchanging correspondences. path ahead. Continued on page 2 The Nasserite pan-Arab party THE PENINSULA left the talks saying it had been threatened by a powerful Shia Dust storm lashes Doha militia that grabbed power last INSIDE week. Jeep Patriot Saudi Arabia yesternday joined recalled in Qatar other countries in denouncing the Page 9 militia, known as Houthis, for DOHA: The Ministry of carrying out a “coup”. Economy and Commerce has Arab military boots Yemen has been engulfed in cri- ordered a recall of Jeep Patriot, sis since veteran strongman Ali 2013-2014 models from the at Israel’s service Abdullah Saleh was forced from local market for manufacturing By Dr Faisal Al power in 2012 following a bloody defects in the headlights. Kassim year-long uprising against his The recall campaign has been rule. launched in collaboration with The crisis escalated after the United Cars Almana, dealers of Moderate Islamism Houthis last month took con- Jeep Patriot to protect the consum- in the Arab world trol of key government buildings, ers’ rights, the ministry said in a prompting Western-backed presi- statement yesterday. The Ministry By Mubarak Fahd dent Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to will follow up the issue and keep in Al Duwaila tender his resignation. touch with the customers to make The Houthis on Friday said sure that the cars are recalled and they had dissolved parliament and repaired, said the release. created a “presidential council” The ministry has urged the to bring the country out of crisis. public to report to the Consumer A CELEBRATION OF UN envoy Jamal Benomar has Protection Department if they SPORT warned Yemen is at a “cross- Vehicles moving on the Corniche road under a hazy sky after strong dust winds lashed the country yester- come across any commercial fraud. roads” and urged political leaders day. The dusty weather is expected to continue today causing poor visibility in some areas, according to the THE PENINSULA to “take up their responsibilities Meteorology Department. IBRAHIM RO and achieve consensus” as he bat- tles for a negotiated solution. But as the fresh talks got underway behind closed doors in a Sana’a hotel yesterday, the Secret HSBC files cause global shockwaves Nasserite party walked out and vowed not to return. “We will not return to the table of nego- GENEVA: Secret documents included the names of celebrities, Europe’s biggest bank was stolen The documents showed that tiations,” Nasserite party chief published online alleging bank- alleged arms dealers and politicians by an IT worker in 2007 and passed HSBC opened Swiss accounts Abdullah Nooman told reporters. ing giant HSBC helped wealthy — though inclusion on the list does to French authorities, but had not for international criminals, busi- He charged that the Houthis customers dodge millions of not necessarily imply wrongdoing. been previously made public. nessmen, politicians and celebri- were insisting on holding talks dollars in taxes caused global The documents published at the The International Consortium ties, according to the ICIJ. The TODAY’S EDITION based on the “constitutional dec- shockwaves yesterday and spot- weekend claim the London-based of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revelations renewed calls for a INCLUDES A 20-PAGE SPECIAL laration” under which they took lighted the financial dealings of bank’s Swiss division helped clients obtained the files via French crackdown on sophisticated tax SUPPLEMENT ON over the government on Friday. the world’s ultra-rich. in more than 200 countries evade newspaper Le Monde and shared avoidance by the wealthy and AFP The cache of files made public taxes on accounts containing $119bn. them with more than 45 other multinational companies. AFP NATIONAL SPORT DAY See also page 4 in the so-called SwissLeaks case The huge cache of files from media organisations worldwide. See also page 18 TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Tamm Volunteer Network to boost civic responsibility Silatech, SDC, ROTA and QCVA are partners in the programme

DOHA: The ‘Tamm’ Volunteer Network, which brings together volunteer pro- grammes and initiatives in Qatar into one online data- base, was launched yester- day at Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center. Co-founded by Silatech, the Social Development Centre (SDC), Reach Out To Asia www.swiss-belhotel.com (Rota), and the Qatar Center for Voluntary Activities (QCVA), Tel the network was launched at Fax a press conference held in the presence of H E Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, the Doha Tel Film Institute and Rota. Fax Through the Tamm portal (www.tamm.qa), young people can search for the volunteer opportunities of most interest to them, understand what they Tel can expect from their volunteer Fax experience, and learn about the many benefits that can be gained through volunteering. Tamm encourages all organi- Tel + 974 44298888 zations interested in volunteer- ing activities and with volunteer The Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority Board of Trustees H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Fax programs to join the Tamm Thani during the launch of the ‘Tamm’ Volunteer Network at Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center. network. Any organization can post its volunteer opportunities programs give us the chance to is proud to be a founding part- the joys of volunteering, provid- Tel on the portal and find the best give back to our community, to ner of Tamm Portal, through ing yet another opportunity to possible volunteers for their gain new friends and share new which we strive to involve give back to the country that Fax projects. experiences, and, for young peo- Qatar’s young men and women has given us so much.” Tamm provides free training ple, the opportunity to grow and in the development and assist- Aisha Al Kuwari, Chairperson both to volunteers and member develop valuable skills that will ance of their community.” of QCVA, said “Tamm connects Tel organizations, including expert help ease their entry into adult- Essa Al Mannai, Rota’s organizations interested in vol- Fax training for youth, as well as hood and the working world. Executive Director, said: “Rota unteering activities together assistance in choosing the type We look forward to strength- is proud to be a co-founder of with volunteers in order to of volunteer programs that best ening the culture of volunteer- the landmark Tamm initia- bring future partnerships and fit their interests and abilities, ing in Qatar through the Tamm tive alongside our good friends new volunteer opportunities Tel including valuable overseas network.” Silatech, SDC and QCVA. As throughout Qatar. The network Fax volunteer opportunities. Tamm Amal Abdul Latif Al Mannai, the first online portal to match unifies the efforts from different provides organizations with Executive Director of the SDC volunteers and high quality vol- organizations and provides them www.doha.hilton.com information about best prac- and Chairperson of Tamm, said, unteering opportunities inside with best practices in volunteer tices in volunteer programs, and “Volunteer work is a very com- Qatar, Tamm makes an invalu- programs. Tamm will also help Tel 44233333 974+ will organize an annual forum mendable activity. Through peo- able contribution to promoting QCVA in achieving our future to keep member organizations ple’s donation of their time vital a culture of volunteerism and plans and will be a centralized Fax 44233000 974+ updated on best practices. work is achieved that wouldn’t social responsibility among the source of information and tools According to Silatech CEO often be otherwise. That’s why Qatar’s diverse youth. It will for volunteers’ organisations.” Dr Tarik M Yousef, “Volunteer the Social Development Center allow young people to experience THE PENINSULA

Advisory Council holds Tel Fax weekly session DOHA: The Advisory Council held yesterday its weekly regular meet- Tel ing of its 43rd Ordinary Fax Session under the chair- manship of Speaker H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi. Tel The Council discussed a Fax draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 3 of 2007 concerning exploi- tation of natural wealth Katara General Manager Dr Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (sixth left in the back row) and Bahraini Ambassador Wahid resources, and decided to Mubarak Sayar (seventh left in the same row) with some of the artists. Tel refer its recommendations Fax to the Council of Ministers. The Council also Works by 60 Qatari artists on display reviewed a draft law on the issuance of a safety list for DOHA: A diverse array of works works are represented in the Qatari Fine Arts Exhibition is Tel ships with smaller payloads by 60 Qatari artists is featured at expo are Moody Al Hajri, Badria one of the most important galler- that are not covered by inter- the Qatari Fine Arts Exhibition Mohammed Al Shraim, Hassa ies held annually in the Cultural Fax national maritime treaties in which opened on Sunday at Al Muftah, Hamda Al Thani, Village, which attracts Qatari art- the GCC States and decided Katara Building 13. Ameera Al Ajji, Dana Al Marri, ists. In addition to professional to submit it to committee for The works, produced by artists Hassan Al Mullah, Talal Al artists, the gallery comprises services and public utilities to from different generations and Qassimi, Abdulzaziz Al Haj, Issa novice artists who are seeking to Tel study it and submit a report schools of art, range from paint- Al Mullah, Mohammed Al Jidah, display their creative talents and Fax thereon. QNA ings to sculptures to ceramics Yousud Al Sada, Khalifa Al communicate with other artists providing a rich panorama which Obaidly and Ahmad Al Musaifiri. in bid to exchange expertise, said documents the development of Katara General Manager Dr Dr Al Sulaiti. Houthis lack arts in the country. The exhibi- Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, along Twenty of the participating art- tion is organised by Qatar Fine with Bahraini Ambassador Wahid ists are young male and female art- legitimacy Arts Association and runs until Mubarak Sayar, inaugurated the ists who are creating a mark in the Continued from page 1 the end of the month. expo in the presence of diplomatic country’s art scene with their dis- Among the artists whose representatives, artists and media. tinct works. THE PENINSULA The situation in Yemen Tel is unlikely to turn in favour Fax of Houthis. They lack regional and international legitimacy. No countries Six health centres to remain closed today recognise them except Iran DOHA: Six health centres Rayyan , Madinat Khalifa, Al will function from 7am to 9pm. Tel and a select few. Houthis will remain closed today on Muntaza, Umm Ghwailina, Abu Dental services at Al Shehaniya, Fax will also find it difficult to the occasion of the National Baker Siddiq, West Bay, Omar Al Khor and Al Shamal health control the whole country Sport Day, the Primary Health Bin Khattab and Messaimeer Centers will be available from due to the strong resist- Care Corporation (PHCC) said health centers will function from 7am to 2 pm and the dental www.marriottmarquisdoha.com ance from a majority of yesterday. 7am to 2pm and from 4pm to facility Al Wakra Health Center the people including Zaidi Umm Salal, Al Daayen, Al 11pm. Dental services will oper- will operate in two shifts: from Tel + 974 44195000 Shias, which are not sup- Karana, Abu Nakhla, Airport, ate in two shifts; from 7 am to 2 7 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm Fax + 974 44195100 porting them. Al Gharafa health centers will be pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm. to 9 pm. It seems that the game closed. Pre-marital examination Al Khor and Al Shamal health Al Jamiliya, Al Kaaban, Um being played out in Yemen is clinics at the health centers will centers will function from 7am to Bab and Al Ghwairiya health controlled from outside despite also remain closed. 2pm and from 4pm to 11pm. The centers will operate round-the- the huge consequences it will PHCC has also announced the Al Wakra health center will work clock according to an on call sys- cause to a country which was working hours in other health from 7am to 11pm. tem. once a happy state. centers on the Sport Day. Al Al Shehaniya Health Center THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Sheikha Al Mayassa tours National Physical Activity Sports Village

DOHA: Chairperson of the Guidelines launched Qatar Museums Authority Board of Trustees H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Standard reference for all healthcare facilities Thani toured the Sports Village yesterday. Established by Qatar DOHA: Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Olympic Committee (QOC) in Hospital launched the first “National Physical cooperation with sports federa- Activity Guidelines” at a symposium yesterday at tions, the village will host today The Torch Doha. sports events and activities held The aim of the symposium was to make health profes- on the occasion of Qatar Sports sionals aware of the recommendations and benefits, as Day. well as the precautions, of exercise for their patients, and Accompanied by QOC how to offer them easily when including them within their Secretary-General H E Sheikh policies. The newly launched “National Physical Activity Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Guidelines” is a standard reference for all healthcare and a number of officials, Sheikha facilities. Al Mayassa inspected different This comes in the framework of strengthening Aspetar’s wings of the sports village, where efforts to provide its services at the community level and she was briefed on the prepara- to promote the concept of physical activity to be part of tions taking place in sports village the prevention and plans for many of the chronic diseases to receive the public in the morn- facing primary healthcare, such as diabetes and roughness ing. She praised the diversity of arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease and cardio- sporting events that will be held vascular disease treatment providers. in the village. QNA “The “National Physical Activity Guidelines” provide practitioners and other health care providers with a sim- ple, fast, and effective tool for using physical activity as a highly effective prescription for the prevention, treatment, National Sport and management of more than 40 of the most common chronic health conditions encountered in primary prac- Day with PSG tice,” said Dr Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari, Director of Healthy Lifestyle Programme at Aspetar. DOHA: Paris Saint Germain’s The lecturers have addressed several critical themes disease with the recommendation of raising the fitness in (PSG) and Qatar Tourism to illustrate the importance and the role of health- Dr Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari, Director of Healthy Lifestyle these patients as well as healthy people to achieve the best Authority will celebrate Qatar care practitioners and their understanding of “National Programme at Aspetar, addressing the symposium at The results at the level of public health. National Sport Day with fans Physical Activity Guidelines” by addressing their appli- Torch Doha. The symposium brought together leaders and experts attending the PSG vs Caen cations in a scientific manner and highlighting the latest in physical activity and health from different backgrounds match in Paris on February 14. studies in the field. age groups of the community regarding the most common and sectors, as well as international experts. Supporters will be able to cel- The discussions focused on the instructions for different chronic diseases and the recommended exercises for each THE PENINSULA ebrate sports themselves while also learning about the impor- tance Qatar places in sports as a vehicle towards a healthier and Katara to more dynamic society. Match day celebrations of Qatar National Sport Day at Parc host over 100 des Princes will feature: Dribble with PSG stars: Young activities supporters’ agility will be tested Continued from page 1 in a dedicated football dribbling area. Each Another major venue is Katara young fan will receive a video of which will host over 100 sports his/her performance, featuring activities under the theme ‘Live PSG players amidst Qatar’s iconic Sports.’ The programmes catered landscapes. to different segments of society Citroën Golden Bar: QTA and comprising of sports activities and French automotive brand Citroën competitions with the participa- will reward one lucky supporter tion of 48 entities. Twenty-four who manages to hit the goal major organisations and com- crossbar from 20 metre away dur- panies will mark NSD in Aspire ing half-time. The lucky winner Zone’s 2.5sq km facilities with will be entitled to an all-expenses 30 activities. A fun run, family paid trip for two to Qatar. cycling, beach soccer and syn- Supporters on the pitch: QTA cronised swimming are among has a year-round programme of the highlights of today’s occasion. activities for PSG supporters with Qatar Foundation (QF) will the most popular being the VIP celebrate the day with a special seat upgrades on each champi- walkathon through Education onship match day at Parc des City under the theme ‘Unlock Princes. For this match in partic- Your Inner Athlete,” in which ular, four lucky winning support- each stage of the walk will include ers will also attend the warm-up educational activities to inspire on the pitch! men, women and children to lead Hospitality with a Qatari fla- healthier and more active life- vour: The stadium’s hospitality styles. A total of 40 activities have areas will take on a Qatari atmos- been lined up to the participants. phere with guests being able to NSD events and activities interact with a falcon, calligra- will also be held in Al Rayyan, pher, and even participate in quiz Mesaimeer, Al Markhiya, Al competitions leading to prizes like Gharrafa, Salwa Road, Al Khor, trips for two to Qatar. Al Wakrah, Umm Salal and Al THE PENINSULA Children playing handball at the QOC Sports Village on the Corniche yesterday. Shahaniya. This year’s Sport Day coincides with a reported statement by Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Police Sports Federation to hold events for MoI officials Al Thani, Secretary General and CEO of the Qatar Olympic Committee that Qatar “will not DOHA: As part of National in 5 places. The events will start arm wrestling, 100, 400 and 1600 Department are also prepared coordination with Community stop” bidding for major interna- Sport Day celebrations, govern- at 7.00 am till 12.00 pm. The metre race in addition to football to different sports activities. Policing Department. tional sporting events after the mental and non-governmental main centre of the events will be matches and other entertainment Different sports activities, Col Adil Malallah, vice chair- 2022 World Cup and a potential institutions in the state will Suheim bin Hamad Stadium. events for kids and body fitness like collective warm up, circuit man of QPSF, said that the QPSF Olympics. organise variety of events in The Qatar Police Sports programmes. training, cycling and other rec- had selected places for their activ- “After the World Cup and different parts of the country. Federation, Military Pension Police Warehouse Department, reational activities will be held ities areas away from main roads after the potential Olympics we The Qatar Police Sports Committee, Qatar Cancer Society Dukhan Security, South for girls in Al Hidaya Secondary and main stadiums. He urged will not stop, we are continu- Federation holds different sports and Centre for People with special Security, Criminal Evidence and Girls School. the participants to strictly keep ing because we already have the activities for Ministry of Interior needs at MoI will take part in the Information Department, Search QPSF also arranged pro- safety measures and to prefer infrastructure and we have facili- officials in ten places unlike last events held at Suheim bin Hamad and Follow up Department, grammes in Alkhor Sports walking if the places are near to ties,” Sheikh Saoud was quoted as year’s event whereas the QPSF Stadium. Penal and correctional insti- club for senior citizens and their residences. saying by AFP yesterday. had organised activities only The events include tug of war, tutions, Abu Samra Border persons with special needs in THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Call for team-based approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder

DOHA: International experts developmental disorders of child- Psychiatry and Founding Chair a call for a balanced system of in the field of paediatric psy- hood. Educating clinicians and of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell care, Sidra will work with other chiatry, psychology and genetics families about ASD is vital for Medical College — Qatar. institutions in Qatar to develop came together to participate in improved diagnosis, management Symposium attendees heard and expand community and spe- the Sidra Symposia Series event and outcome. the latest updates on research cialised mental health services for on Autism Spectrum Disorder “It is important to raise aware- from Qatar on the role of genetic children and families. (ASD). The event addressed ness of ASD among medical pro- etiology in ASD, techniques for Closing the event, Dr Azeem diagnosis and management of fessionals and general public with communication, speech and lan- remarked that all healthcare pro- the condition, emphasising the events like the Sidra Symposia guage assessments and interven- fessionals involved in caring for need for a holistic, team-based Series, which help provide tions, as well as an overview of children with ASD should engage approach to care. knowledge and education about current epidemiological trends, in a team-based approach to care. ASD is characterised by early the condition. This can facilitate diagnosis and treatment in ASD. Sidra will have capabilities to pro- onset socialisation and communi- appropriate intervention early Qatar has set out ambitious vide interdisciplinary assessment cation difficulties, associated with in a child’s life. Research has plans for building a strong men- for ASD, as well as make appro- restricted interests and behavio- shown that early intervention is tal health care infrastructure in priate child and family centered ral rigidities. However, despite extremely important for positive the country and, in December recommendations to improve the a growing body of research on long-term outcomes,” said Dr 2013, announced its comprehen- quality of life for children with ASD, these complex conditions Muhammad Waqar Azeem, who sive approach to delivering mental ASD and their families. International experts who attended the Sidra Symposia Series event on are among the least understood will be Sidra’s Inaugural Chair of health care services. In line with THE PENINSULA Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME / MIDDLE EAST

Qatar signs cooperation Qatar Airways agreement with New Zealand announces up to in education 40pc discount DOHA: Qatar and New Zealand yesterday signed a cooperation agreement covering the fields of DOHA: T o m a r k t h e N a t i o n a l The bookings can be made education, higher education and Sport Day, Qatar Airways by visiting any Qatar Airways’ scientific research. yesterday announced a four- sales office, travel agent or The Minister of Education and day promotion offering cus- at qatarairways.com/sports- Higher Education and Secretary tomers in Qatar up to 40 day. The savings are based on General of the Supreme Education percent discount on airfares return fares and include taxes, Council (SEC) H E Dr Mohamed to all its destinations across and the seats are limited and bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi and Europe, the Middle East, subject to availability. New Zealand’s Minister of State- Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Ehab Amin, Qatar Airways’ Owned Enterprises and Associate Americas. Senior Vice President Trade Minister Todd McClay The offer is valid from today Commercial (Qatar), said: “In signed the agreement. (00:00 hours) until February support of Qatar’s vision of The agreement includes devel- 13 (23:45 hours) for tickers promoting sports, we are cel- opment of cooperation aspects booked for travel until June ebrating Qatar’s 4th National between the two countries in the 15, this year. Sports Day by offering our fields of education, higher educa- The airline said yesterday valued customers an exciting tion and scientific research such that no blackout dates apply four-day promotion to explore as exchanging expertise, visits during this travel period, and the world for less and travel and the best educational prac- terms and conditions will apply. with us to their next adventur- tices. A number of senior officials Customers need to review the ous destination.” attended the signing ceremony. The Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohamed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi and New Zealand’s details at the time of booking. THE PENINSULA QNA Minister of State-Owned Enterprises and Associate Trade Minister Todd McClay signing the agreement.

Al Attiyah meets Benin counterpart DFI picks projects for Qumra DOHA: The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah yesterday met with Inaugural edition scheduled from March 6 to 11 in Katara visiting Benin Foreign Minister Dr Nassirou Bako-Arifari and DOHA: Thirty-one projects and 5 from the rest of the world. support to move their projects to group, whose combined wealth of his accompanying delegation. have been selected to take Nineteen of the 31 projects are the next stage.” experience brings a rich layer of They discussed ways to part in the inaugural edition of in development and the remain- “At the heart of Qumra are expertise to our programme.” strengthen the bilateral relations Qumra scheduled from March der is in post-production or final the projects participating in our Garcia Bernal joins pre- as well as a number of issues of 6 to 11 in Katara, the Doha stages. inaugural edition. Every aspect of viously announced Qumra common interest. Film Institute (DFI) announced Directors and Producers this event is geared towards giv- Masters Mauritanian direc- yesterday. attached to each project will ing these first and second-time tor Abderrahmane Sissako Cambodian Deputy Twenty-three narrative feature attend the sessions where they filmmakers access to the knowl- (Timbuktu - nominated for Best films, four feature documentaries will be linked with seasoned edge, inspiration and development Foreign Language Film at this PM meets Asst FM and four short films will partici- industry experts through a series opportunities that will allow them year’s Academy Awards); Iranian pate in a focussed programme of of bespoke meetings tailored to to move ahead in their careers.” actor Leila Hatami (Leila; A PHNOM PENH: Deputy industry sessions designed to pro- their project’s needs. In addition to the industry Separation); Romanian auteur Prime Minister and Minister of pel their work to the next stage of The sessions will comprise one- programme, the Qumra Projects and Palme d’Or winner Cristian Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom development. on-one meetings, script consulta- participants will attend a series Mungiu (4 Months, 3 Weeks and of Cambodia Hor Namhong Twenty-two projects were tions, pitching sessions, working of master classes and screenings 2 Days; Beyond the Hills); and met yesterday with Qatar’s selected from the Institute’s breakfasts, rough-cut screenings presented by some of the leading Bosnian writer/director Danis Assistant Foreign Minister H funding programmes and nine and feedback sessions as well as figures in world cinema today. Tanovi (An Episode in the Life of E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al are by independent filmmakers an exclusive presentation of ‘Final Mexican actor, director and an Iron Picker; Tigers, No Man’s Rumaihi and his accompanying from Qatar who were identified Cut’ screenings where 20-minute producer Gael Garcia Bernal Land - winner of Academy Award delegation. through the Institute’s ongoing excerpts of recently finalised (Amores Perros; No; Deficit) has for Best Foreign Language Film Al Rumaihi handed over engagement with local industry. projects will be presented to lead- been confirmed as the fifth mas- in 2001) an invitation from Qatar’s The emphasis is on supporting ing festival programmers, sales ter to participate. The event will also include Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mexican actor, director and first- and second-time filmmak- agents and distributors. Al Remaihi said: “The partici- public screenings curated with Mohammed Al Attiyah to the producer Gael Garcia Bernal ers with projects in development DFI CEO Fatma Al Remaihi pation of our Masters is integral input from the Qumra Masters Cambodian Foreign Minister to and post-production stages. said: “Qumra was created as to Qumra which is founded upon featuring their work alongside visit Qatar. They also discussed The projects represent 29 coun- a direct response to the needs have developed over the past five a commitment to the mentor- new voices in cinema selected bilateral relations and ways of tries of production with a total of of emerging filmmakers. It is years and expanding on them ship and creative development from films supported by the developing them in various fields. 11 projects from Qatar-based film- closely bound to the year-round further by connecting filmmak- of emerging filmmakers. I am Institute’s grants and co-financ- The meeting was attended by makers, 15 from the Middle East initiatives of the DFI — unit- ers with industry mentors who delighted to welcome Gael Garcia ing programmes. Qatari envoy Jabor bin Ali Al and North Africa (Mena) region ing many of the programmes we will provide creative and practical Bernal as the fifth member of this THE PENINSULA Dosari. QNA Netanyahu mulls changes Risk of civil war hangs over Yemen to Congress speech SANAA/RIYADH: In talks that could pull Yemen back JERUSALEM: Israeli officials are considering amending the for- from the brink or pitch it into mat of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned address to full-scale civil war, the powerful the US Congress next month to try to calm some of the partisan Houthi movement will attempt furore the Iran-focused speech has provoked. this week to draw rivals into Netanyahu is due to address a joint session of Congress about Iran’s a new presidential council to nuclear programme on March 3, just two weeks before Israeli elections, run the Arab world’s poorest following an invitation from John Boehner, the Republican speaker country. of the house. Boehner’s invitation has caused consternation in both Walkouts by two of the parties Israel and the United States, largely because it is seen as Netanyahu, on Monday served to highlight a hawk on Iran, working with the Republicans to thumb their noses their fear of being used as pawns, at President Barack Obama’s policy on Iran. and the challenge facing United It is also seen as putting Netanyahu’s political links to the Republicans Nations envoy Jamal Benomar ahead of Israel’s nation-to-nation ties with the United States, its in trying to steer the factions strongest and most important ally, while serving as a pre-election towards an agreement. campaign booster. As a result, Israeli officials are considering whether For all sides, the coming days Netanyahu should speak to a closed-door session of Congress, rather will be crucial: the Houthis, than in a prime-time TV address, so as to drain some of the intensity despite controlling the capi- from the event, a source said. tal Sanaa, have until now been Another option is for the prime minister to make his speech at the reluctant to assume formal power, annual meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in while their rivals must choose Washington the same week, rather than in Congress. whether to cooperate or confront Yahya Al Houthi (centre), brother Abdel Malik, the leader of the Shia Houthi group which controls Sana’a, attends “The issue has been under discussion for a week,” said a source them. a meeting at the parliament in the Yemeni capital with other political factions under UN auspices yesterday. close to the prime minister’s office. “(Netanyahu) is discussing it with Failure in the negotiations Likud people. Some say he should give up on the speech, others that could spell a surge in violence, a conflict that turns into a broader of popular opinion ... Some people their forces are backed by he should go through with it.” humanitarian disaster and the civil war”. who were sympathetic to them “Popular Committees” of local But Netanyahu told voters from the Russian speaking community collapse of Yemen into a failed have now lost their sympathy and fighters. While now allied to the on Monday evening that he was determined to discuss Israel’s objec- state from which militant groups HOUTHI CALCULATION are angry,” said April Longley- group, these may have deeper loy- tions in Washington to an emerging deal with Iran but he did not say like the regional arm of al Qaeda, The Houthis started off as a Alley, Arabian Peninsula special- alties to other Yemeni figures. if that meant a public speech in Congress. which has attempted attacks on revivalist group for Yemen’s Zaydi ist at International Crisis Group. Meanwhile, although their “I am ... determined to go to Washington to present Israel’s position U.S.-bound planes, can plot and Shia sect in the north, before “They have also pushed too leader Abdel-Malik Al Houthi has to the members of Congress and the American people,” Netanyahu launch operations. morphing over the past decade far with their constitutional tried to take on the mantle of a said, repeating that nuclear weapons in Iran’s hands would constitute Two weeks after President into a revolutionary movement announcement and are already national leader, many of the four- an existential threat to Israel. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and his with national ambitions, and an seeing pushback from political fifths of Yemenis who are Sunni, An opinion poll by Israel’s Army Radio yesterday said 47 percent of cabinet quit, leaving ministries ally of Iran. parties and other groups, espe- particularly outside the group’s people think Netanyahu should cancel the address, while 34 percent directionless and efforts to save In a lightning push through cially in the south and central northern heartland, distrust the say he should go ahead with it. the country’s shredded finances northern Yemen and into Sanaa parts of the country.” Houthis. Since the issue arose, there are signs it is having an impact on his in limbo, it is increasingly clear last year, the group took advan- Since taking control of Sanaa The declaration of a new presi- poll ratings ahead of the March 17 election. that Yemen needs a government. tage of splits in the old ruling in September, the Houthis have dential council was immediately Obama said his decision not to meet with Netanyahu followed basic Britain’s special envoy to the and tribal elite and of wide- tried to play a double game, forc- rejected last week by the gov- protocol of not meeting with world leaders before an election. country, Alan Duncan, was quoted spread anger at years of govern- ing the government to act on ernors of southern and eastern “Some of this just has to do with how we do business, and I think it’s last week warning of “an utterly ment failure to bring economic their behalf but avoiding the provinces, the areas that once important for us to maintain these protocols because the US-Israeli dysfunctional non-government, development. responsibility of ruling a deeply formed the independent state of relationship is not about a particular party,” Obama said at a joint news a proxy conflict between Iranian Now their biggest risk is over- divided country. South Yemen and which are home conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington. and Saudi interests, increased reaching themselves. “This is the Street support for them is to the country’s oil. REUTERS attacks by al Qaeda... tribal turning point for them, in terms sometimes overstated because REUTERS TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Gulf leaders No reason to reassure Sisi after audio leak

RIYADH: Gulf leaders have extend Iran reassured Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi about the strength of their ties, official media said yesterday, after he allegedly made offensive remarks about their countries talks: Obama in a leaked recording. The reassurances came in tel- ephone conversations initiated ‘Issues no longer technical now’ by Sisi, after a satellite television station aired the audio recording WASHINGTON: US President in the US Congress for spelling in which he apparently suggests Barack Obama said yesterday out ahead of time the sanctions that Gulf states have more money that there was no reason to Iran would face if there is no than they need and that Egypt extend nuclear talks with Iran deal, which the US administra- should have some. once again, stressing the ques- tion vehemently opposes. The official Saudi Press Agency tion now is whether Tehran Republicans have further said that the Custodian of the truly wants an agreement. angered the administration by Two Holy Mosques King Salman “I don’t see a further exten- inviting Israel’s Prime Minister bin Abdulaziz Al Saud assured sion being useful if they have not Benjamin Netanyahu to address a Sisi that Riyadh’s support for agreed to the basic formulation joint meeting of Congress early next Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi welcoming his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on his arrival at Cairo’s Cairo was “unchangeable” and and the bottom line that the world month to make his case against a international airport yesterday. that nothing could harm the requires to have confidence that deal. Obama acknowledged “a very “strategic and exemplary” links they’re not pursuing a nuclear real difference” with Netanyahu, between the two sides. weapon,” Obama said at a joint and reiterated his opposition to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince press conference with German sanctions moves by Congress. Putin arrives in Egypt in bid to Mohammed bin Zayed Al Chancellor Angela Merkel. Obama said he and other allies, Nahayan told Sisi that “any Obama said the issues stand- including Britain’s Prime Minister attempts of hatred will not ing in the way of a comprehensive David Cameron, agree “that it does impact on relations between the agreement were no longer techni- not make sense to sour the negotia- expand Russian influence two countries, which are strong cal. “The issues now are — does tions a month or two before they’re and growing”. Iran have the political will and the about to be completed.” CAIRO: President Vladimir of Sisi. Experts say Putin’s visit put up on Cairo’s main roads Quoted by the official WAM desire to get a deal done?” he said. “And as I’ve said to Congress, Putin arrived yesterday in is also aimed at showing that he greeting the Russian leader in news agency, Sheikh Mohammed His comments followed a White I’ll be the first to work with Egypt as Russia seeks to expand is not isolated internationally, Russian, Arabic and English. said the United Arab Emirates House meeting with Merkel, whose them to apply stronger meas- its reach in the Arab world’s despite the crisis in Ukraine. “The Sisi himself visited Russia when stood alongside Egypt in its country along with the United ures against Iran. But what’s the most populous country at a time leaders will pay special attention he was defence minister soon efforts to “strengthen security States is a member of the P5+1 rush?” he said. He noted that if when Cairo-Washington ties to ramping up trade and eco- after ousting Mursi amid deterio- and its development”. group negotiating with Tehran. the negotiations fail to produce an remain frayed. nomic ties between the two coun- rating relations with Washington, Sisi has already had similar Two deadlines for reaching a agreement, the “options are nar- Putin’s first visit to Egypt in a tries,” the Kremlin said ahead of and followed it up with another telephone conversations with the permanent agreement on Iran’s row and they’re not attractive”. decade comes after a 2011 popular the visit. trip in August 2014 as president. rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait. nuclear programme have passed, The US and Germany are joined uprising that ousted ex-strong- They will hold formal talks At their meeting last summer at Saudi Arabia, the UAE and and scepticism about Tehran’s by Britain, China, France and man Hosni Mubarak, whom he today and sign several agreements Putin’s summer residence in Sochi, Kuwait are the main financial intentions have been growing. Russia — the so-called P5+1 — in leader met on his previous trip after which Putin and Sisi will the two discussed Russia supplying backers of Sisi’s government, Under an interim agreement, the negotiations with Tehran. US in 2005. hold a joint news conference, Sisi’s weapons to Egypt, which is fight- having pledged around $12bn to Iran has diluted its stock of fis- Secretary of State John Kerry met President Abdel Fattah Al office said. They are also expected ing an insurgency in the Sinai it since he came to power. sile materials from 20 percent in Germany with his Iranian coun- Sisi welcomed Putin on arrival to discuss Iraq, Syria and Libya, Peninsula that has killed scores of Asked by the private Egyptian enriched uranium to five percent terpart Mohammad Javad Zarif to at Cairo’s international airport as well as the Israeli-Palestinian policemen and soldiers. Moscow television channel Al Hayat about in exchange for limited sanctions step up efforts to reach an agree- where the two leaders held talks conflict. has sought to secure a larger slice the leaks, Prime Minister Ibrahim relief. But negotiators now must ment. But Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for half an hour, officials said. Russia had hosted Sisi’s prede- of the Egyptian arms market after Mehleb denounced the several reach a political consensus by Iran’s supreme leader, was quoted From the airport they proceeded cessor Mohamed Mursi during his Washington suspended some weap- pro-Islamist channels that aired March 31 and then a final deal as saying he agreed with the to Cairo Opera House in the capi- one-year presidency. But Russia ons deliveries in the immediate the recordings and said: “No setting out the agreement in Americans that it was better to tal’s central district of Zamalek was also one of the first countries aftermath of Sisi’s crackdown on one in Egypt believes this talk ... technical detail by June 30. have no deal than a bad deal. for a cultural evening. to endorse Sisi’s presidential bid Mursi supporters. These are lies.” Meanwhile, pressure is growing AFP Putin is a key non-Arab backer last year. Posters of Putin were AFP AGENCIES Lack of evidence led to retrial of Aljazeera scribes: Court

CAIRO: An Egyptian court The three were arrested in Two defendants were acquitted, said it ordered a retrial of Al December 2013 just days after while the remaining three— also Jazeera journalists due to a the authorities designated the foreigners — were convicted in lack of evidence showing their Brotherhood as a “terrorist absentia for spreading “false alleged links to the blacklisted group”. Greste was deported on news”. Muslim Brotherhood, state February 1 under a presiden- The Court of Cassation yester- media reported yesterday. tial decree after the retrial was day gave its reasoning for over- The Court of Cassation had ordered. turning the lower court’s ruling. on January 1 ordered a retrial In a bid to secure his own depor- “The criminal court’s verdict of three Al Jazeera journalists, tation, Fahmy has renounced his lacked evidence to support its overturning a lower court’s ver- Egyptian nationality and is await- ruling,” the appeals court said, dict which found them guilty of ing a return to Canada, where he according to state news agency aiding the Islamist movement. also has citizenship. However, MENA. “The criminal court was The lower court had sen- the third journalist, producer hasty in pronouncing its verdict. tenced Australian Peter Greste, Mohamed, remains in jail as he “The court did not wait for Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed only has Egyptian nationality. medical and legal reports which Fahmy and Egyptian producer The three journalists were it had requested after several Baher Mohamed to up to 10 years among 20 defendants initially defendants spoke of being under in jail for spreading “false news” tried by the lower court. Of the physical and moral pressure” to during their coverage of protests rest, 12 were Egyptians who make confessions, the appeals after the ouster of president were found guilty of belonging court said. Mohamed Mursi in 2013. to a “terrorist organisation”. AFP

UN plans new Libya talks

TRIPOLI: The UN mission in Libya said yesterday that it plans to hold new meetings on the future of the troubled North African country this week. UNSMIL — the United Nations Support Mission in Libya — said that meetings will be held in both Libya itself and in the Swiss city of Geneva. No precise informa- tion was given on the meeting in Libya, except to say that it would take place “later this week”. “The specific venue and exact timing of this round are subject to the completion of the logistical and security preparations,” the UN statement said. It said that “a parallel dialogue track” bring- ing together Libyan political par- ties and activists will take place in Geneva, also later in the week. Preparatory talks between the Members of the Libyan Police are seen on their vehicles as they prepare commanders of various armed for deployment during the start of a security plan put forth by the Tripoli- factions are also planned, it said, based government to increase security in the Libyan capital, at Martyrs’ again without elaborating. Libya Square in Tripoli, yesterday. has two rival governments and parliaments. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

15 killed in Baghdad bombings Bahrain closes Youth in Gaza Alarab channel flock to Hamas permanently DUBAI: Bahrain announced yesterday the permanent clo- sure of a new pan-Arab news channel owned by a Saudi bil- training camps lionaire that took to the air for less than 24 hours. The Alarab News Channel had vowed to practise “objective” journal- Leaders defend military training ism in a politically-charged Middle East region where leading regional GAZA CITY: Hatem is only 14 youngsters to join the camps. broadcasters have been accused of but has already lived through Hamas insists that teaching bias. “It has been decided to halt the three wars with Israel. Now the children how to fight is a legiti- activities of Alarab, the channel not young Gazan says he is making mate part of “resistance” activities having received the necessary per- sure he’ll be ready to fight in against Israel. But the camp, which mits,” a statement from the Bahrain the next one. accepts boys and men aged 14 to 21, Information Affairs Authority said “The Israelis killed my niece has incensed human rights activ- yesterday. last summer. Now I want to kill ists who accuse Hamas of exploit- Shortly after its launch on them,” he said after completing a ing children traumatised by war. February 1, programming was week-long youth training camp Hamas has been running sum- A woman with her children walks past the site of a suicide bombing attack in the Shia neighbourhood of interrupted after Alarab broad- with militants from the Ezzedine mer camps for youngsters for Kadhimiya in Baghdad yesterday. At least 15 people were killed in two bombings in and around Baghdad. cast an interview with a Shia al-Qassam Brigades, the armed years, but this week-long session opponent of the kingdom’s Sunni wing of the Islamist Hamas move- was a much more serious affair. rulers. The interview sparked ment. “I will become a resistance Run for the first time by mili- criticism in the pro-government fighter,” the boy said proudly dur- tants from the Qassam Brigades, Bahraini daily Akhbar Al Khaleej, ing a graduation ceremony in Gaza. there were no “fun” sessions — which said it learnt that Alarab Hatem is one of 17,000 young- and no mid-week visits to Gaza’s was taken off the air for “not sters who graduated late last zoo. “They were trained inten- IS pulls out forces from Aleppo adhering to the norms prevalent month from two military training sively in using light and heavy in Gulf countries”. camps where Hamas said it was weaponry and were taught how to AMMAN: Islamic State has Syria since last summer, being State had sent fighters from Mohammed El Oifi, a specialist in preparing the next generation to ambush, so they can lead the next withdrawn some of its insur- driven from the Kurdish town of Aleppo to reinforce front lines Arab media at Sorbonne Nouvelle fight against Israel. Last summer, battle for liberation,” the Brigades gents and equipment from areas Kobani by Kurdish militia backed with Kurdish forces and allied University in Paris, said that the Israel and Hamas militants fought said on its website. northeast of the Syrian city of by US-led air strikes. Syrian gov- Syrian opposition groups that had interview gave “the impression a 50-day war that killed nearly Hamas has rushed to defend Aleppo, rebels and residents ernment forces waging a separate seized the initiative of the Kobani that he had not respected the hos- 2,200 Palestinians and 73 on the the military training. “The say, adding to signs of strain in campaign against the group have defeat to launch new attacks on pitality of Bahrain” by giving voice Israeli side, and left swathes of the Western media accuse Hamas the Syrian provinces of its self- also inflicted losses on it recently. the group. to an opposition figure, something impoverished enclave in ruins. It of militarising society with their declared caliphate. “There are tactical withdraw- “The front has expanded,” said “very sensitive”. was their third conflict in less than training camps, but what has the The group, which has recently als. It’s not a complete with- Rami Abdulrahman, who runs the The head of media at Bahrain’s five years, following an eight-day West done to stop the enemy from lost ground to Kurdish and Syrian drawal,” said the leader of a Observatory, adding that the jihad- information ministry, Yusuf bombardment in 2012 and a 22-day carrying out its crimes?” senior government forces elsewhere in mainstream rebel group, citing ist group still had control over a Mohammed, said that “coopera- war in late 2008 and early 2009. Hamas official Bassem Naim said. Syria, has pulled fighters and contacts in Islamic State-held wide expanse of Aleppo province. tion with Alarab’s administration Children were on the frontline “What have we gained from 20 hardware from several villages in areas near Aleppo. Other groups Last week, two Islamic State is ongoing, in order to resume its of the latest conflict, with UN years of futile negotiations?” areas northeast of Aleppo, they had not moved to take the evacu- fighters said the group had staged broadcasts and complete necessary figures showing about 500 were The latest round of US-led said. But it has not fully with- ated areas because Islamic State withdrawals from Kobani to rede- measures as soon as possible”. Jamal killed. And just five months after peace talks between Israel and the drawn from area. had not fully pulled out, he added. ploy forces to Iraq. Islamic State Khashoggi, Alarab’s general man- the war ended, thousands of Palestinians broke down in April The Syrian Observatory for But he said IS appeared to be is also under pressure from the ager, could not be reached for com- those who survived signed up to 2014 and the war in Gaza has Human Rights, which tracks the preparing for a fuller pullback, heaviest US-led air strikes since ment yesterday. Prior to the launch join the Hamas training camps. further distanced any hope of a war using a network of sources on saying they had even dismantled the start of the year. of Alarab, he said the channel was “I want to join the Qassam return to negotiations to end the the ground, said Islamic State had a bakery in the town of Al Bab, At least 70 Islamic State fighters “not going to take sides”. Brigades because they are the decades-long conflict. “We are an redeployed forces from Aleppo some 40km northeast of Aleppo. have been killed by an escalation of Although its news programmes strongest in Gaza,” said 15-year- occupied people and international province to join battles further “They are still there, but they the strikes since the group released stopped within hours of the old Mohammed Abu Harbid, who law guarantees us the right to east with Kurdish forces and have pulled out the foreign fight- a video showing it burning a cap- launch, Alarab continued to show also took part in the training. resist,” Naim wrote on Facebook. mainstream rebel groups. ers, the heavy equipment, changed tive Jordanian pilot to death last promotional material with a mes- With the humanitarian situ- But local human rights groups Islamic State-held areas north- their positions,” the rebel com- week, the Syrian Observatory for sage that programming had been ation in post-war Gaza growing are accusing Hamas of exploiting east of Aleppo mark the western mander said. Four other rebels Human Rights said. interrupted for “technical and steadily worse, a fresh flare-up children for political purposes. edge of a domain that expanded gave a similar description of the Residents and activists in administrative reasons, and we’ll with Israel seems likely. And “We are not disputing the right of rapidly in Syria and Iraq last year movements by Islamic State, Aleppo said they saw Islamic be back soon, God willing”. But at with many schools being used to an occupied people to resist, but it after the jihadists seized the Iraqi which swept across northern State convoys evacuating several about 1204 GMT the promotional shelter the displaced and unem- must be done by adults, not chil- city of Mosul. Syria last year buoyed by its light- small villages in northeastern material stopped and the screen ployment standing at 41 percent, dren,” one human rights activist Last month, the group suf- ening advances in Iraq. Aleppo, and heading eastwards. displayed only Alarab’s green and it was not difficult to convince said. AFP fered its first major setback in The Observatory said Islamic REUTERS white logo. AFP

Lebanon weather Saudi central bank chief for energy Tech-sceptic Erdogan subsidy reforms sends his first tweet DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s cen- tral bank governor called for ISTANBUL: He has compared Erdogan but it has now been taken reforms to the country’s lav- social media to the “murderer’s over by the presidential adminis- ish system of energy and water knife”, proudly declared he does tration for the president’s tweets. subsidies, which drain billions not “tweet or schmeet” and over- It has already been verified by of dollars from the state budget seen blanket bans on Twitter. Twitter as an official account. and encourage waste by keeping But has Turkey’s famously tech- “The account in question has down prices for consumers. nology-phobic President Recep just been opened. It’s his excel- In a speech published on the Tayyip Erdogan finally lost his lency’s own account. Tweets from central bank’s website late on hostility to Twitter? him are signed ‘RTE’,” Mucahit Sunday, Fahad Al Mubarak gave Erdogan, currently on an offi- Kucukyilmaz, the head of public no indication that the government cial visit to Colombia, yesterday communications at the presiden- actually planned concrete action. sent his first ever personal tweet tial office, told the Anatolia news In May 2013, Economy and from the account @RT_Erdogan, agency. Planning Minister Muhammad the presidential administration He added that official tweets Al Jasser called for sharp cuts in announced. Appropriately enough from his staff on the account will subsidies, saying they distorted for the Islamic-rooted leader, it was be posted without the signature. the economy. No such action fol- a tweet denouncing smoking on “He wanted to make a start on lowed. Nevertheless Mubarak’s Turkey’s national anti-tobacco day. a meaningful day like this,” he speech, delivered at an economic “Get a grip of yourself added referring to the anti-smok- A high-rising wave on the seafront of Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday. According to the Lebanese Meteorology workshop organised by the Saudi against this poison,” Erdogan ing campaign. Department, Lebanon has been under the effects of a rainstorm for several days, with a steep drop in temperature. government and the IMF, may wrote, using the hashtag Kucukyilmaz did not say what indicate that the Custodian of the #SigarayaTeslimOlma (Don’t give had prompted apparent change of Two Holy Mosques King Salman in to cigarettes) and signing off heart on Twitter by Erdogan, who bin Abdulaziz Al Saud plans to with his initials RTE. has dominated Turkey for over a take a fresh look at the issue. The account handle had in the decade first as prime minister and “One of the existing challenges past been used by supporters of now as president. AFP 2.5m on brink of famine in South Sudan is enhancing the efficiency of the local consumption of energy and NAIROBI: Over 2.5 million scenario” was that violence if South Sudan’s leaders end their water, which resulted in distor- South Sudanese are on the brink “intensifies” in the dry season intransigence and promote the tion and a large waste of those of famine, with the civil war likely when military vehicles can move well-being of the people, rather important resources in addition to to intensify, the United Nations around more easily. than their own rivalries and polit- increasing the financial burdens on Egypt to probe stadium deaths said yesterday as it launched a The UN also said it expected that ical machinations,” she said. the government,” Mubarak said. $1.8bn aid appeal. peace agreements “may not effec- Over half the country’s 12 mil- “This requires a review of CAIRO: Egypt yesterday violence, his office said, as fans UN emergency relief coordi- tively or immediately end hostilities.” lion people need aid, according to price subsidies, which should be ordered a probe into a stampede blamed the police. nator Valerie Amos said she had Top US official Anne C Richard said the UN, which is also sheltering changed in a gradual and elabo- and clashes at a Cairo stadium The radical supporters of one witnessed “first hand the continu- that no conflict around the world some 100,000 civilians trapped rated manner, to ensure that sub- that left 19 dead, as pressure of the clubs involved in Sunday’s ing widespread devastation and today filled Washington with as inside UN camps ringed with sidies continue to target low- and mounted on authorities over match, Cairo-based Zamalek SC, destruction” and an “untenable “much frustration and despair” as barbed wire, too terrified to ven- medium-income segments of the the country’s latest outbreak of accused the authorities of carry- level of suffering” after returning this “man-made” crisis. ture out for fear of being killed. community, taking into account violence. ing out a “planned massacre”. from a three-day visit to South Richard, US Assistant The UN estimates that 2.5 mil- the social impacts of any change.” Egypt suspended all major The Ultras White Knights, Sudan. “We need the fighting to Secretary of State for Refugees, lion people are in a state of emer- Mubarak did not elaborate on football games indefinitely after who have been at the forefront stop and peace restored,” she told said some areas were “teetering gency or crisis, steps just short of how reform would work. But soon Sunday’s violence, which broke of previous anti-government an international donor conference on the brink of famine”, and that famine. Almost two million have after he took power, King Salman out when police fired tear gas and protests, said on their Facebook in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, people “continue to suffer and been forced from their homes and created a platform to push contro- birdshot at disruptive fans. page that most of the victims had where $529m was pledged. die unnecessarily because their 500,000 of them have fled abroad versial economic changes in the Egypt’s hard-core football fans been trapped inside a metal enclo- “The conflict has had a dev- leaders are unwilling to do what to neighbouring countries. future if he wishes. He abolished have been repeatedly involved in sure that was only set up at the astating impact on South Sudan it takes to restore peace.” President Salva Kiir and rebel 12 committees and councils, cre- the country’s explosive political grounds the day before the match. but if peace doesn’t come quickly, Washington, a key backer of leader Riek Machar have been set ating a new Council of Economic mix and Sunday’s violence showed Others also pointed fingers at it will also have a significant South Sudan’s independence in a March 5 deadline to strike a final and Development Affairs to sub- once again the willingness of the authorities, including several regional impact,” she warned. 2011, pledged a further $273m in peace agreement, but previous dead- stitute for some of them. The new police to use force. youth groups who demanded the After seven failed ceasefires, aid, but was also deeply critical of lines have been repeatedly ignored council is chaired by his son Prince President Abdel Fattah Al resignation of Interior Minister the UN said in its appeal for the warring leaders. despite the threat of sanctions. Mohammed bin Salman. Sisi ordered an investigation “to Mohamed Ibrahim. cash the “most likely planning “This aid can only be effective REUTERS REUTERS uncover the root causes” of the AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Girls face rising No decision yet on arming Kiev: Obama violence in fight Russia cannot redraw Europe’s borders ‘at barrel of a gun’, says US President for education:

WASHINGTON: US President the Ukraine crisis posed a threat UN rights office Barack Obama said yesterday to the “peaceful order of Europe.” that no decision had been made “For somebody who comes GENEVA: High-profile attacks on whether to send weapons from Europe, I can only say, if we such as the abduction 300 to Ukraine to help Kiev bat- give up this principle of territo- schoolgirls by Boko Haram in tle pro-Russian separatists, as rial integrity, we will not be able Nigeria and the shooting of he warned the West would not to maintain the peaceful order Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan allow Russia to redraw Europe’s of Europe,” Merkel said. “It’s are a fraction of what is suf- borders by force. essential.” fered by girls trying to get an Obama, who has faced increas- Critics of Obama’s cautious for- education, the UN human rights ing calls from domestic critics to eign policy approach are already office said yesterday. supply the outmatched Ukrainian demanding decisive US action to Many of the attacks are done army with more weapons to shore help Kiev fight the separatists in the name of religion or culture, up its faltering defences, said he in eastern Ukraine, even if this while others are gang-related, was still mulling his options. deepens a standoff with Putin. notably in El Salvador and “The possibility of lethal Nine Ukrainian troops have other parts of Central America, defence is one of those options been killed in the past 24 hours Veronica Birga, chief of the wom- that’s being examined. But I have and seven civilians also died, en’s human rights and gender not made a decision about that Kiev said yesterday, with fight- section at the UN human rights yet,” Obama told a joint press con- ing particularly intense around office, said at a presentation to ference with German Chancellor the town of Debaltseve, a major launch the report. Angela Merkel. rail and road junction northeast Such violence is on the rise, the Merkel and many European of the city of Donetsk. UN report said, citing acid attacks nations believe weapons would At a security conference in and poisoning by the Taliban in not overturn the military mis- Munich over the weekend, Merkel Pakistan and Afghanistan, girls match between Ukraine and pro- said it was uncertain whether fur- from a Christian school in India Russian forces allegedly backed by ther negotiations would lead to a abducted and raped in 2013, and Moscow, and would simply esca- deal with Putin but argued that Somali girls taken out of school late a conflict that has left 5,400 all opportunities for a diplomatic and forced to marry Al Shabaab people dead in less than a year. solution should be pursued. fighters in 2010. Merkel has sought to negoti- Merkel, who with French “Attacks against girls accessing ate a peace deal with Russian President Francois Hollande is US President Barack Obama listens to German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) during a joint news conference at education persist and, alarmingly, President Vladimir Putin after due to meet Putin tomorrow in the East Room of the White House in Washington DC, yesterday. appear in some countries to be joining crisis talks in Moscow Belarus, has come under fire from occurring with increasingly regu- last week with French President US foreign policy hawks in the over the past year and meeting said. “The principle of these sanc- “Nobody has ever talked to the larity,” the report said. “In most Francois Hollande. A summit Republican-controlled Congress him in Russia, Australia and Italy tions remains but the implemen- president in the tone of an ulti- instances, such attacks form part of leaders of Ukraine, Germany, who want defensive weapons sent in recent months. tation will depend on results on matum - and could not do so even of broader patterns of violence, ine- France and Russia is tentatively to the Ukraine army. Last week, Merkel and Hollande the ground,” he said. “We will see if they wanted to.” quality and discrimination.” Many planned for later this week, after “The Ukrainians are being met Putin in Moscow and followed by Monday and see how the meet- Obama has to decide whether to of the attacks in at least 70 countries Merkel leaves Washington. slaughtered and we’re sending this up with a conference call on ing in Minsk went.” supply weapons, impose tougher between 2009-2014 involved rape Obama meanwhile warned that them blankets and meals,” Sen. Sunday also including Ukrainian Sanctions imposed in stages by sanctions on Russia in the hope and abduction, the report said. the West could not allow Russia John McCain said at the Munich President Petro Poroshenko. The the EU and United States since of forcing Putin to compromise, In Mali, Sudan, Iraq, to rewrite Europe’s borders “at conference. “Blankets don’t do four are due to meet in Minsk Moscow annexed Crimea from or throw his full weight behind Afghanistan and Pakistan “very the barrel of a gun.” “We continue well against Russian tanks.” tomorrow, but so far no break- Ukraine last March have badly the revised German-French peace strict dress codes have been to encourage a diplomatic resolu- But Merkel made clear her through has emerged in the nearly hurt the Russian economy, adding initiative, even though US officials imposed through the use of vio- tion to this issue,” Obama said. opposition to arming Kiev. “I year-long conflict that has claimed to problems created by plunging accuse Putin of shredding a prior lence, including sexual violence “And as diplomatic efforts con- understand the debate but I over 5,000 lives. prices of oil, the country’s main cease-fire agreement signed in on schoolgirls”, she said. Some tinue this week, we’re in absolute believe that more weapons Meanwhile, European Union export. September. attacks were based on opposition agreement that the 21st century will not lead to the progress foreign ministers approved Moscow warned that Putin will In Kiev, military spokesman to girls’ education as a means for cannot stand idle, have us stand Ukraine needs. I really doubt visa bans and asset freezes on not be spoken to in the language Vyacheslav Seleznyov said gov- social change and others because idle and simply allow the borders that,” she said. more Ukrainian separatists and of ultimatums. Asked about media ernment forces had come under schools were seen as imposing of Europe to be redrawn at the A Russian Speaker who grew Russians. But they will wait at speculation Merkel had issued attack from the rebels on about Western values including gender barrel of a gun.” up in East Germany, she has least until February 16 before him an ultimatum at talks on 100 separate occasions in the past equality, she said. She warned Merkel, meanwhile, said that taken the lead in pursuing a dip- imposing the measures to give arranging a summit on Ukraine, 24 hours. As well as the nine dead, that depriving girls of education abandoning the principle of ter- lomatic solution, speaking with peace efforts more time, French Kremlin spokesman Dmitry 26 troops had been wounded. has serious knock-on effects. ritorial integrity at the heart of Putin by phone dozens of times Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Peskov told Govorit Moskva radio: AGENCIES REUTERS

Snowfall in southern Italy Gunshots fired Nigeria vows to crush Boko Haram at police in Marseille as leader dismisses regional threat ABUJA: Nigeria yesterday more than 13,000 lives since 2009, Nigeria maintains that the housing estate vowed to crush Boko Haram would be defeated, he said. involvement of troops from Chad within six weeks as its leader Boko Haram last week opened and Cameroon is part of an MARSEILLE: Police said yes- warned a new regional fight- up a new front in Niger after existing agreement to fight the terday that they came under ing force “will not achieve any- sustained attacks in Cameroon’s Islamists between countries in the fire as they rushed into a hous- thing” and the rebels launched far northern region, which led to Lake Chad region. ing estate in the French city of a fresh cross-border attack. the deployment of Chadian troops On Saturday, Nigeria and Marseille after residents alerted National Security Adviser alongside Cameroon forces to its neighbours — Chad, Niger, them that hooded people had Sambo Dasuki, who this week- repel further strikes. Cameroon and Benin — agreed shot “Kalashnikovs” in the air. end secured a delay to Nigeria’s The Islamist group has widened to muster 8,700 troops, police The outbreak of violence in La presidential elections, said “all its offensive in recent weeks in and civilians for a wider, African Castellane, an estate known as known Boko Haram camps will the far north-east of Nigeria in Union-backed force against Boko a drug trafficking hotspot, came be taken out” by the time of the an area not far from Lake Chad Haram. just hours before Prime Minister rescheduled vote. where the borders of all four The size of the new force had Manuel Valls visited the south- “They won’t be there. They countries converge. previously been set at about ern port city to hail the progress will be dismantled,” he said in an Yesterday, militant fighters 7,500 but Shekau, whom the made in fighting crime. interview when asked what gains raided a prison in Diffa, south- United States estimates as having It was not clear what sparked could be made against the Islamists east Niger, but were repelled, just between 4,000 to 6,000 fighters at the violence at a time of high jit- before the new polling date of hours before the country’s parlia- his disposal, dismissed the threat. ters following the Paris attacks March 28. Nigeria has previously ment voted on deploying troops “You send 7,000 troops? Why last month, but Marseille is set deadlines to defeat the insur- for the regional fight-back. don’t you send seven million? This known for rampant gang-related gents that have come and gone. Boko Haram earlier released is small. Only 7,000? By Allah, it gun crime that has even prompted But Dasuki said that even if the three new videos on YouTube, is small. We can seize them one- calls for the army to be sent in to goal was not achieved, “the situa- one of them a 28-minute speech by-one. We can seize them one- police tough neighbourhoods. tion then would surely be condu- from its leader Abubakar Shekau by-one,” he said in Arabic. In a speech to security forces on cive enough for elections”, with no in an undisclosed location flanked Shekau also directly threatened his visit, Valls said the shots, which need for a further postponement by eight masked fighters. Chad’s President Idriss Deby, left no one hurt, were “unaccept- to voting. In it, he dismissed the threat whose forces have attacked Boko able” and said the push to reduce A local tradesman clears an unusually heavy dumping of snow in the Greater regional co-operation from regional forces, stating: Haram in the northeast Nigerian crime was a “long-term struggle.” town of Camigliatello, near Cosenza, southern Italy, yesterday following made it more likely that the “Your alliance will not achieve towns of Gamboru and Malam According to a source, residents overnight snowfall driven by high winds which caused numerous school rebels, whose fight to create a anything. Amass all your weap- Fatori in recent days. in the housing estate — where a hardline Islamic state has claimed ons and face us. We welcome you.” AFP closures and avalanche alerts. 25-year-old was shot dead last month in a settling of scores — alerted police earlier Monday that “five to ten” hooded people had fired “Kalashnikovs” in the air. Police rushed to the scene to deal with the situation, and on Vatican child protection watchdog pulls its punches their arrival, they were shot at while still in their cars, said local VATICA N CIT Y: A new Vatican child importance. In its Assembly, members by the full force of the law. The Vatican accused of exactly the kind of cover-up public security director Pierre- protection panel called yesterday for abus- agreed on an initial proposal to submit to watchdog panel said that part of ensuring Francis alluded to in his letter to clergy. Marie Bourniquel. ers within the Church to be held account- Pope Francis for consideration. Moreover, accountability “is raising awareness and The Pope helped trigger the investiga- Children at a creche in the able for their actions, but stopped short of the Commission is developing processes to understanding at all levels of the Church tion that led to the charges after being 7,000-strong estate, where saying how this should be achieved. ensure accountability for everyone in the regarding the seriousness and urgency approached by one of the former altar boys football star Zinedine Zidane The Pontifical Commission for the Church — clergy, religious, and laity - who in implementing correct safeguarding in the southern city of Granada. famously grew up, were moved to Protection of Minors, which counts two work with minors.” procedures.” In his letter to the clergy, Francis said a neighbouring school. Security victims of clerical abuse among its 16 mem- Ahead of the Commission’s first full To this end, the commission also agreed bishops had to take full responsibility for forces were still hunting for those bers, said it would prepare materials for a meeting over the weekend, Francis sent a “to develop seminars to educate Church the safety of minors and vulnerable adults who fired the Kalashnikovs, and day of prayer for victims and that it was message to Catholic clergy warning them leadership in the area of the protection of in their dioceses. They must also ensure riot police will deploy in the making an initial proposal to Pope Francis. that they must no longer cover up sexual minors.” The Vatican’s efforts to demonstrate that Vatican instructions on how to handle estate over the next few days, The multinational panel did not divulge abuse, as the Catholic hierarchy in many that it is serious about tackling the problem sexual abuse cases are implemented, and Bourniquel said. what the proposal was: A move likely to draw countries did for years. are being played out against the backdrop procedures put in place to ensure future Police say much of the violence criticism from victims’ groups who accuse Critics say such warnings are meaning- of an unravelling scandal in Spain, where 10 compliance, the pontiff said. in Marseille is linked to turf wars the Church of failing to take decisive action less unless the Church specifically instructs priests and two Catholic lay workers were Francis’s willingness to speak publicly between multiple rival gangs bat- to stamp our paedophilia within its ranks. its servants that any and all evidence of charged last month with the sexual abuse of about the issue has helped the Church undo tling for control of the drugs trade In a statement, the 16-member panel abuse within its ranks should be imme- altar boys between 2004 and 2007. some of the huge damage it suffered in the in the city’s poorest neighbour- said: “The Commission is keenly aware diately handed over to civil authorities It is the biggest case of its kind yet in 1990s and 2000s as the scale of clerical hoods. AFP that the issue of accountability is of major to ensure abusing priests are dealt with Spain, where the Church has long been abuse began to become apparent. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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LOBAL bank HSBC has plunged headlong into trouble and will have a lot of explaining to do before it can hold its head straight again. News broke Gyesterday that HSBC Holdings held Swiss accounts for drug cartels, arms dealers, tax evaders and fugitive Nigeria’s elections: diamond merchants. It said the Swiss division of the bank helped clients in more than 200 countries evade taxes on accounts containing $119bn. The news, whose publication was coordinated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), sent shockwaves across the world. In Democracy postponed the coming days, the London-based bank will cringe under BY REMI ADEKOYA Then, on Saturday, Nigeria’s elec- Jonathan to buy time in a campaign intense scrutiny. Its hard-built reputation as “the world’s toral commission (INEC) announced he seemed to be on the verge of losing. local bank” has suffered a grievous blow. All of the bank’s REE and fair elections dis- that, while it was “substantially ready” Although an Afrobarometer poll specialists will not be able to repair this damage fully. tinguish true democracies to conduct elections on 14 February, suggested the election was too close In Britain, after the revelations, Prime Minister David from those merely masquer- it felt compelled to postpone voting to call, Buhari seemed to have greater Cameron defended his 2011 appointment of the bank’s former Fading. Though nominally for six weeks (until 28 March). This momentum in recent weeks. The democratic since the end of military was because the country’s military retired general was drawing large chairman, Stephen Green as a trade minister. Margaret rule in 1999, Nigeria has yet to hold “could not guarantee security for the crowds and picking up high-profile Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, vowed to a presidential election free of ballot- election”. endorsements. get to the root of the problem. “Today’s shocking revelations rigging, voter intimidation and other Attahiru Jega, head of the INEC, Even a former PDP president, about HSBC further expose a secretive global industry decidedly undemocratic practices. The said Nigeria’s service chiefs had told Olusegun Obasanjo, refused to support serving a wealthy elite,” Hodge said, adding that the bank ruling PDP party has ensured victory him they needed to concentrate on Jonathan, saying his party colleague would not be allowed to escape responsibility for its role in for itself, by hook or by crook, in every military operations meant to defeat the had “failed” as president. The army’s single Nigerian presidential election dreaded Islamist Boko Haram group timing of its latest Boko Haram offen- cheating the British government out of millions of pounds of conducted since 1999. within six weeks, and would thus “be sive seems suspiciously convenient for tax. Relentlessly optimistic, Nigerians unable to provide their traditional sup- Jonathan. In India, where the government of Narendra Modi came had hoped this year’s presidential polls, port” during a February election. Some fear his next move will be to to power with a promise to bring scheduled for 14 February, would be The military, which now claims it go after Jega, the electoral chief, and back billions of dollars of black different. This time, we would get it will do in six weeks what it has been replace him with someone more pliant. money stashed abroad, the new right.Nigeria, unable to do in six years, thus forced Key Jonathan allies are already call- The world’s recently declared the electoral commission’s hand, trig- ing for Jega’s removal, saying he is in revelations have created a storm. Africa’s biggest gering the postponement. cahoots with the opposition. local bank In the released list appears economy, would In response, the opposition APC Experience tells me Nigeria’s ruling several prominent businessmen, prove that its party called the development a major party will try to use the extra time to has suffered including Ambanis, the country’s The decision to democracy was setback for Nigerian democracy, and a guarantee Jonathan’s victory by any richest businessmen, and several developing. highly provocative decision. means necessary: bribery, intimida- a global blow push back the For a while, Given the extensive media coverage tion and outright rigging. I hope I am politicians. Despite the election with the reality was of Boko Haram’s increasingly bra- wrong. promise, the Modi government has election by six benevolent. For zenattacks in north-eastern Nigeria, While resistance to any attempt SwissLeaks been dithering on bringing back weeks is good the first time international observers could well see at undermining Nigeria’s democracy black money because the offenders since 1999, oppo- reason for the postponement. After all, must be driven from within, the inter- revelations. are the most powerful from the news for the sition parties a reported 1.5 million people have been national community also has a role to business and political class. But the united behind a displaced by the violence. They would play. government, but single presiden- probably have been unable to vote in Foreign media, governments, latest exposure will pile pressure tial candidate, February. NGOs and everyone else interested on the government, forcing it to do bad news for Muhammadu Holding an election in the mid- in Nigeria’s progress need to watch something to save its face. Nigerians who Buhari, a former dle of an insurgency is not ideal, Jonathan’s next moves closely and HSBC has tried to defend its action with beautiful words. military ruler. but it would not be a novelty either. apply maximum pressure on him and In a written response, it admitted its compliance efforts believed they This levelled the Despite its own share of insecurity, his allies to conduct credible polls. had been insufficient but pointed out that the bank had playing field. Afghanistan managed to conduct a Nigeria’s rulers cannot be allowed to were finally on After weeks credible presidential election last believe they can get away with steal- undergone “a radical transformation” since 2007 and now of spirited cam- year. So did war-torn Ukraine. Even ing another election. The consequences enforced far more stringent reporting requirements. the verge of true paigning by Isis-infested Iraq organised parlia- of that could be disastrous. Jonathan’s The revelations will have grave consequences. Big banks democracy. both candidates, mentary polls in 2014. apparent determination to cling on have been under scrutiny for their wayward ways after the a January poll So either the generals are once to power at all costs risks plunging European financial crisis and there have been calls for tight showed Buhari again calling the shots in Nigeria or Africa’s most populous nation into a and the current they are following the instructions of political crisis that could fast spiral out monitoring of their activities. These calls will intensify, and president, Goodluck Jonathan, run- Jonathan, their commander-in-chief. of control. European governments are likely to tighten the screws. ning neck and neck. The election was Both options give cause for concern. Yes, Boko Haram must be battled, Also, this is the act of a whistleblower. A former HSBC declared too close to call. The opposition is not alone in its because they represent a deadly threat employee, Herve Falciani, is the man behind the SwissLeaks Nigerians usually know the win- scepticism of the official reasons for to Nigeria’s stability. Unfortunately, revelations, and comes after the Edward Snowden leaks. ner of a presidential election months the postponement. Social media was Jonathan and his ruling party might This will embolden scores of others to steal data in public before voting day, so this was a refresh- abuzz with Nigerians criticising the well prove to be an even deadlier one. ing change. This was real democracy. decision. Some consider it a ploy by THE GUARDIAN interest, and they must be encouraged and supported. The other side Quote of Managing differences key to US-China ties the day HE invitation the US the rest of the world. This is because China sea over territorial waters, China integration of Asia or for China’s peace- government has extended to how the bilateral relations between the and the US have different stands. ful development of its amiable relations President Xi Jinping for a state two countries develop is not just in the However, these differences, even with its neighbours. Tvisit, and the similar invitations interests of both, it is also in the inter- though some of them concern the core To a large degree, how to manage And as diplomatic extended to major Asian countries, ests of world peace and development, interests of China or the US, should differences is always a topic high on efforts continue this which were announced by US National and because US-China relations have never stand in the way of improving the agenda of any meeting between Security Adviser Susan Rice on Friday, long been characterized by differences bilateral relations, which, to a large the leaders of China and the US, as week, we’re in absolute has been viewed by some as a signal on some major issues, which have dis- extent, transcend the interests of both their relations cannot develop with- agreement that the 21st of United States deepening its “pivot rupted the smooth development of ties countries alone, given the responsibility out interruptions should both not be to Asia.” over the past several decades. both countries share to maintain world aware of where to toe the line so as century cannot stand Although the details of President Xi’s On the question of the US’ arms peace and development. not to infringe upon each other’s core idle, have us stand idle visit are yet to be announced, a meet- sales to Taiwan, on the question of the The US’ “pivot to Asia” has intensi- interests. The atmosphere of a relaxed ing between the leaders of the biggest Dalai Lama, (who attended a National fied some of its differences with China, stroll Xi Jinping and his US counterpart and simply allow the developed country and the biggest Prayer Breakfast last week, along with although the latter has reiterated on enjoyed in the Zhongnanhai Compound borders of Europe to be developing country always catches US President Barack Obama, who different occasions that it welcomes in Beijing in September last year is what redrawn at the barrel the attention of many, not just in the delivered a speech), on China’s dis- the US’ presence in Asia, so long as we expect will help this visit to further Barack Obama two countries concerned, but also in putes with some countries in the South it is not meant to cause trouble for the China-US ties. China Daily of a gun. US President TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Arab military boots at Israel’s service

wrath of the mob in the Arab street.” Benn has warned the United States against trying to “spread democracy without a watchdog.” Israel is wholeheartedly with the military dictatorships of the Arab world since its leaders have crafted political, military and economic strategies to dominate and control the region and sup- port the dictatorships’ military and security systems. It is the most effective and safe method BY DR FAISAL AL KASSIM for the Zionist state and the most intelligent way to meet its needs o not be fooled by Arab and maintain its security. generals’ hostility to It is absurd and naive that Israel; it is no more Arab liberals believe Israel or Dthan a show meant America prefers them over Arab for domestic audiences. It is not generals. The last thing they intended to be acted on, ever. desire is to encourage the spread This is not due to Arab weak- of democracy or liberalism in ness; it is rather that the gener- our region. Believe me, Israel als do not wish to act on their will not overthrow any dictato- “hostility”. rial Arab regime unless it finds Woe and destruction to those a more tyrannical alternative. who try to put that hostility into Democracy is a red line. practice; they will receive a bit- In order to open the eyes of ter punishment. It’s just a pill those taken in by American and to numb the masses, or a tool to Israeli slogans on democratising release the people’s pent up emo- the region to eliminate totalitar- tions rather than prepare them ian and oppressive regimes, I just for the battle of liberation. want to remind you of what an There are plenty of indications Israeli politician once said when that the alleged anti-Israeli feel- asked about the role of Israel ings that have existed for decades after the fall of the Soviet Union are nothing more than a show. If and the end of its mission against the generals’ regimes were really communism and socialism in the hostile to this enemy, they would Arab region. have treated their people in a “One of the most important People walk on rubble as others try to put out a fire after air strikes followed by shelling by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in the Douma completely different way. They future Israeli tasks is to protect wouldn’t have stepped over them the Arab military regimes from neighbourhood of Damascus, yesterday. The Syrian regime will not fall until Israel wants it. with their heavy boots for dec- falling in the face of any revolu- ades, deprived them of dignity tion or coup,” he said. advocates of democracy and free- All Syrian factions know very have offered the Israeli enemy. have some life left; and when he and eradicated all challenge and Let’s take the case of the dom fighters just to please the well that the Syrian regime will When the Syrian people has finished his mission, Israel resistance to the enemy. Syrian regime. It is clear that enemy. Therefore do not dream not fall until Israel wants it. The revolted, Israel, which controls and America will throw him into Israeli writer Aluf Benn says: there is a transparent alliance of achieving true democracy or Assads made the people of Syria the US decision-making process, the garbage bin the way they did “Israel’s regional policy is based between the dictatorship’s secu- liberating your land before get- kneel for five decades in order gave Assad’s regime the green with other tyrants who were once on arrangements and a fear rity apparatus and the Zionist ting rid of the tyrants’ military for Israel to sleep well, and light to turn Syria into a ruin. their loyal agents. equilibrium with Arab dictators, state, and this applies to the boots and burying them, since turned Syria into a quagmire Bashar Al Assad will continue The author is a columnist and whose authority is a natural bar- entire Arab region. they are the biggest protectors of corruption. This is the best burning Syria on Israel’s behalf presenter on Al Jazeera televi- rier to protect Israel from the Arab prisons are filled with and guarantors of Israel. service the Syrian regime could as long as Syria and its people sion channel Moderate Islamism in the Arab world Key role of Indian labour in the Gulf BY DR JASSIM HUSSEIN The sex ratio in most countries of labour for the Gulf region. the year; I confirm that it is not espite the fierce is around 50-50; however, there is Remittances account for seasonal. media campaigns uring my recent visit to a male predominance in the GCC between 3 and 4 percent of the During my last visit, I gath- Ddistorting the work New Delhi, Hyderabad and population, apparently due to GDP of India, which is among the ered that Emirates is the largest of moderate Islamic move- DBangalore, I had the oppor- the fact that the vast majority of 10 largest economies in the world. foreign carrier flying to India. At ments and falsely accusing tunity to check the latest statis- migrant workers, including Indians, However, this figure rises to about that time, my source insisted that them of extremism... tics regarding Indian labour in the is male. 20 percent in some local economies, travel between India and Dubai Despite the obstruction Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) For many, this is because lim- such as in Kerala. was perhaps more frequent than of any meaningful work by states. This effort fell within the ited-income labourers cannot bring It is noteworthy that a large flights between some Indian cities; moderate Islamic groups, framework of broader research on their families to live with them in number of Indian workers in the and “this is not a joke,” he added. who are associated with the welfare of migrant workers in the Gulf. This, in turn, opens new GCC come from southern Indian Other carriers such as Qatar terrorism... the GCC. business opportunities, as the states such as Kerala, Andhra Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Despite the billions spent Of the nearly 22 million Indians migrant workers need to transfer Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This is Air, Fly Dubai and Air Arabia fly to abort the revolutions of who live and work abroad, approxi- money to their loved ones back a reflection of international trade to various cities of that sprawl- oppressed Arabs at the mately six to seven million work home. going back a long time. Other states ing country, which is considered hands of dictators, who have BY MUBARAK FAHD AL in the GCC states. This is based World Bank statistics indicate such as Rajasthan also send many a subcontinent. We can easily say deprived them of a dignified DUWAILA on statistics from the ministry that India received remittances of workers to the Gulf. that air traffic between the GCC life... in charge of migrant workers, up to $69bn in 2013 — the highest During a visit to Kerala at the states and India is heavier than Despite the hiring of contained in a book on the latest figure globally. It is believed that end of 2013, I heard from a state that between some Arab countries. many writers to challenge the credibility of Islamists and their developments in the Gulf published one-third of this amount came official that there was a shortage in Finally, Indian expats face many intentions... by the Institute for Defence and from the GCC. Kerala in some skills such as elec- challenges, including the GCC In spite of the restrictions put on Islamic national figures who Security Studies in New Delhi. Increasing the relative impor- trical technicians because of migra- trend of nationalising jobs, espe- are opposed because of their affiliation with Islam... South and Southeast Asia hosts tance of remittances in the econ- tion abroad. On the other hand, I cially in positions that are in great I firmly believe that the future belongs to Islam, its support- the largest number of Indian work- omy through money exchange repeatedly heard residents of the demand among citizens in coun- ers and followers! ers, not the GCC, which comes in transactions increases the value state being told: “If you love Kerala, tries that suffer from unemploy- The Muslim nation has passed through these circumstances second place. However, Indian of the dollar at the end of the day. please leave in order to make room ment among their nationals. in recent years just to prove and reveal certain facts that oth- labour is more noticeable in the These transfers are considered for others and bring in money.” There is also a proposal to set a erwise would have been hidden from the public; it wouldn’t be Gulf due to some demographics, important for the sustainability Undoubtedly, business must be time limit on the length of stay of possible without this exact sequence of events that recently mainly the difference in popula- of the Indian economy in general two-way to ensure prosperity and foreign workers in the GCC. This took place. tion size between the Gulf and and the economy of some states continuity. The GCC airlines ben- issue is visited every now and then. Events have proved that moderate Islamism in the Arab Southeast Asia. in particular, especially Kerala, efit tremendously from the move- The author is an economist and world, represented mostly by the Muslim Brotherhood, has It is not surprising that Indians India’s most important source ment of Indian labour throughout a researcher in GCC economies principles that don’t yield to narrow interests. The Muslim account for the largest number of Brotherhood movement has also proved its credibility. After expatriates among GCC workers. insisting on respect for the people’s will during elections, it More importantly, Indians consti- did not change its stand after its leaders were imprisoned, tute at least one-third of the popu- its youth killed and its supporters pursued in most Arab and lation in Bahrain, Qatar and the foreign countries. United Arab Emirates. On the other hand we saw secular and leftist parties with The number of Indians in the liberal trends fall when they abandoned their principles because GCC is perhaps higher than desir- they didn’t serve their interests. able at a time when both the GCC Our opponents see the future confined to worldly life, so their and India wish to reduce the size horizons are narrow and their views are focused on this short of the immigrant workforce, which life. Thus they do everything to achieve worldly gains, even at is employed at the expense of the the expense of human lives and moral values. local population. We, meanwhile, see this life as short in comparison to the In this respect, the Gulf is dis- everlasting hereafter, and it is only a harvest of the afterlife; tinct from the rest of the world in and real success belongs to one who meets God with good deeds allowing foreign workers to com- and a clean heart. pete with their own citizens in Even in this life we will eventually be victorious over our their countries. This constitutes enemies. Remember, during the battle of the trench, Prophet an application of the principles of Muhammad (PBUH), in spite of his weakness and the struggle globalization and is evidence of the Muslims were facing against the enemy, told them that they openness of the GCC economies. would defeat the Persians, Romans and Abyssinians. Therefore, encouraging locals to Ten years later, Omar delivered the bracelets of the king of work and promoting competi- Persia to Suraka, as promised by the Prophet (PBUH). tiveness in local employment is Today we lose and suffer, the same as our adversaries, but the essential. difference is that we hope from God for what they don’t. We In contrast, many economies expect Paradise and its eternal bliss when we suffer in this world. or economic entities such as the God Almighty has given humans the responsibility of looking European Union place restrictions over the Earth and doing justice, and respecting human rights on foreign labour in order to keep and God’s laws. We have to strive to achieve that to the best employment opportunities open for of our ability; it will be wonderful if we manage to succeed, locals. otherwise the everlasting hereafter is dearer to us. The presence of Indian labour The author is a writer and political analyst has an impact on the demographic Workers from the Indian subcontinent at a construction site. composition of the GCC states. TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Record snowfall hits Boston British hostage Cantlie Over 1,800 flights cancelled; winter storm warnings remain in effect appears in new IS video LONDON: A new propaganda NEW YORK: A third win- video by Islamic State featuring ter storm in two weeks para- the British photojournalist John lysed parts of the northeastern Cantlie (pictured), in which he United States yesterday, can- says it is the “last film in this celling hundreds of flights and series”, has appeared online. shutting down schools and pub- The documentary-style produc- lic buildings in Boston. tion is titled From Inside Halab, the The storm is expected to dump ancient name for the Syrian city of up to two feet of snow in Boston, Aleppo. Cantlie reports on a range which The Boston Globe news- of topics including education, drone paper said had already seen the strikes and Shariah law. highest 30-day total of snow in The hostage, who appears well recorded history. The newspa- in the film, has been held cap- per said more than 61 inches had tive for more than two years by fallen in the city by yesterday, IS militants and has featured surpassing the total of 58.8 inches in a range of videos, including a set in 1978. series titled Lend Me Your Ears. More than 1,840 flights were He has also featured in two pre- Cantlie, who is in his 40s, is cancelled, including 70 percent vious Inside videos, Inside Ayn Al then seen sitting in a Shariah law of flights at Boston Logan air- Islam, which is in Kobani, Syria, court, explaining how it functions. port and 55 percent from New and Inside Mosul, the Iraqi city. “Unlike the laws of democratic York’s LaGuardia airport, the In the latest video, Cantlie countries which change to fit every FlightAware website said. Schools describes the “advance and circumstance or to fit every differ- were closed and non-essential stretch” of Islamic State as ent week, the rules of Shariah are employees ordered to stay home “remarkable and breathtaking”. remarkably simple,” he says. in Boston, again suspending jury He says huge sections of Aleppo “For example, if you are con- selection in the terrorism trial of have been “smashed to rubble” victed of robbery with the correct 2013 Marathon bombings suspect by bombings by both the Syrian number of witnesses and such Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. and US air forces. But he then forth, you have your hand cut off. The National Weather Service moves on to show how the city is Sounds harsh but you’re not going said winter storm warnings A subway train sits at a station during a winter snow storm in Brookline, Massachusetts, yesterday. apparently still functioning well to commit the same crime again remained in effect for much of the under Isis rule, with a “thriving and it will dissuade others from northeast, from Delaware to south- is forecasted to cause many chal- warned residents to have their suburban region west of the cap- economy”. doing the same.” ern Maine. It predicted another lenges for the Commonwealth.” roof checked by a contractor ital city of Hartford, where the Cantlie reports on education Cantlie later interviews a nearly 20 inches of snow will fall in “Please stay informed, respect to determine if snow needed to winter weather advisory remains under IS. He says: “One of the French IS member about the North Weymouth and Norwell in parking bans, help your neighbours be removed to prevent collapse. in effect until 6am today. Winds of common accusations of the West attacks last month at the offices Massachusetts, and more than 12 shovel sidewalks, driveways, nearby “Travel will be slow at best on up to 25mph are expected in the is that under Islamic State educa- of the satirical magazine Charlie inches in Boston and Amsterdam fire hydrants, and be safe as road well-treated surfaces … and Berkshires of Massachusetts, just tion will suffer, religious studies Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in New York state. crews work on snow cleanup.” quite difficult on any unplowed or north of Connecticut. and changes to the curriculum in Paris. Speaking in French, the Much of Boston’s public trans- The city has already broken untreated surfaces,” the National East central New York is also don’t quite fit their image of pro- man says: “The three attacks only portation, including trains, are its record for the snowiest week, Weather Service warned. expecting snow between 8 and 14 gressive schooling. But here in made us happy.” operating with delays. New according to the National Weather Surrounding New England inches. Southern New England Halab, these young men here are Cantlie’s father Paul, 80, died England was being pummelled by Service. The city recorded 34.2 cities are unlikely to escape the is expecting up to 6 inches, learning Qur’an recital and lan- from complications following snow yet again, the third storm inches of snowfall, breaking a weather. Northern Connecticut, around New Haven and Fairfield, guages and with any luck they will pneumonia last year. His sister, in less than a month to prompt nearly decade-old record by 3 most of Rhode Island, and south- Connecticut. New York City is form the mujahideen for the next Jessica Cantlie, has previously travel delays and school closures. inches. Yesterday, the city also east Massachusetts are predicted expecting around an inch of snow, generation in this region.” appealed for direct contact with “This storm marks our third broke its 30-day snowfall record to receive between 10 and 14 with sleet and freezing rain accu- After spotting a drone flying the militants holding him. major snow storm we have expe- when 61.6 inches had fallen in just inches of snow. mulations of about one-tenth of above the city, the film cuts to Isis has posted a number of vid- rienced in nearly two weeks,” 16 days. The previous record of 58.8 Much of north-west an inch. There is a 60 percent the apparent aftermath of an air eos of hostages being murdered, the governor of Massachusetts, inches had held since 1978. Connecticut is also expect- chance that Boston could see strike, and Cantlie explains that including the British aid worker Charlie Baker, said. “The cumu- The city has received so much ing heavy snow. Between eight more snow on Thursday morning. the “Islamic State fire brigade” Alan Henning last year. lative effects of the total snowfall snow that the mayor’s office and 14 inches is expected in the AGENCIES are on the scene. THE GUARDIAN

Mexico defends probe of 43 UK Police Federation votes in favour of Tasers LONDON: The Police Federation must be informed by appropriate missing students has voted for all frontline uni- assessments of existing threat formed officers to be offered a and risk, the high standards of MEXICO CITY: The Mexican Taser (pictured) to provide pro- training must not be diluted and attorney general’s office hit tection from terrorists. they should only be carried by back yesterday at new criticism The vote yesterday puts pres- those who volunteer to do so.” of its conclusion that 43 miss- sure on police chiefs, some of Since the terrorist threat level ing students were slaughtered, whom have voiced their opposi- was raised, police chiefs and rep- after foreign experts said the tion, and the Home Office. The resentatives of Britain’s 127,000 probe was marred by mistakes. interim national board of the rank-and-file officers have been An Argentine-led team of Police Federation, essentially its considering how to counter that forensic experts said that while cabinet, voted unanimously for threat. The threat level for police they could not exclude the pos- the radical change, which was was raised by the Joint Terrorism sibility that the students were revealed by the Guardian last Analysis Centre based within MI5 incinerated in a landfill by a drug month. after the terrorist attacks in Paris gang, there was “no scientific evi- It comes after the threat level in which three police officers were dence” to say that for sure. of terrorist attack for police killed, followed the next week by But the attorney general’s office officers was raised last month to the thwarting of a plot in Belgium issued a statement rejecting the “severe”, meaning an attempt to where police were again the target. “little sustained arguments” of kill a police officer by terrorists British counter-terrorism the Argentine forensic anthro- is assessed as being highly likely. officials believe they have uncov- pology team, which was hired by Steve White, chair of the Police ered plans to attack officers and parents of the 43 young men to Federation, said after the vote: every uniformed frontline officer after police were called to reports provide extra funds to provide the Islamic State propaganda earlier participate in the probe. “This is a step in the right direc- would change the face of British of an argument. stun guns and train thousands of this month renewed a call for fol- “It is unacceptable that — in the tion and we will now work with policing, which is traditionally Under the plans, officers would extra officers in their use. lowers to attack the police. face of a body of evidence, expert ACPO (Association of Chief Police largely unarmed. Critics also say be offered the option of carrying Tasers deliver a 50,000-volt Tight gun control in Britain (investigations), confessions, state- Officers), individual chief officers, the plans would put the public at a Taser and receiving training in shock to incapacitate people and means the biggest danger comes ments and investigative inspec- the Superintendents’ Association risk from having the stun guns their use if they are deemed to be some officers are expected to from a terrorist with a knife or tions—there are attempts to sow and the Home Office to progress fired at them. Some police chiefs at risk because they work on the refuse to carry them. machete, similar to the fatal May doubts that around 40 people were this as a matter of urgency. are also opposed. frontline and in uniform. Police chiefs are also concerned 2013 attack on soldier Lee Rigby executed and incinerated in that “We have long called for a wider Taser use has been linked to Home secretary Theresa May about the cost of issuing Tasers to outside Woolwich barracks in location,” the statement said. rollout of Taser. Now the time is at least 10 deaths in England is expected to come under direct every officer, and training them, south London. At present, about Attorney General Jesus Murillo right for all operational police and Wales over the past decade. pressure today over providing which could run to tens of mil- 10 percent of officers are trained Karam declared on January 27 that officers to have the option to carry In 2013, factory worker Jordan extra money for Tasers when she lions of pounds. Commander Neil to use Tasers. The training takes he had the “legal certainty” that the Taser, which I believe will provide Begley, 23, died two hours after a meets White. The meeting was Basu, the national policing lead two to three days and costs £1,000 aspiring teachers were murdered greater public reassurance.” Greater Manchester officer fired already scheduled but the fed- on Taser, said: “While I would an officer. in the southern state of Guerrero Critics say issuing Tasers to a stun gun at him at his home eration wants the government to support an extended rollout, this THE GUARDIAN in September after corrupt police handed them over to the gang. Only one of the students was identified among the charred remains. Human rights groups have criti- Canada reports H5N1 bird flu cized Murillo Karam’s conclusions, Haiti faces more anti-govt protests saying the investigation relied too virus in British Columbia much on witnesses in a country where authorities often get coerced PARIS: Canada reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic PORT-AU-PRINCE: Anti- crisis after the previous prime the government announced lower confessions. The case has sparked bird flu virus H5N1 in the province of British Columbia, the government street protesters minister was forced to resign in fuel prices, reducing petrol to 195 angry protests, engulfing President World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said yesterday. plan to shut down Haiti’s capi- December and parliament was gourdes ($4.25) per gallon from Enrique Pena Nieto in the biggest The outbreak was detected on February 2 in a backyard poultry tal for two days as the country dissolved over the failure to hold 215 gourdes ($4.62). crisis of his administration. flock in the province of British Columbia, where bird flu cases of plunges deeper into political municipal and legislative elections. “We are asking for petrol prices Parents of the students have the separate H5N2 strain had been reported in December, it said, and economic crises even as For three months, President to be reduced to 100 gourdes refused to believe their sons are citing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). many prepare for the annual Michel Martelly has faced radical ($2) a gallon,” said Assad Volcy, dead, saying they do not trust the The agency stressed that H5N1 avian influenza had not been Carnival, normally a time of government opponents calling for one of the leaders of the protest authorities. The Argentine experts reported in a commercial poultry flock in Canada and that the virus peaceful revelry. his removal, with students joining movement. More than 6 million noted that several fires had been found in British Columbia was different from a strain circulating in Protest organisers warned resi- the protests last week. Haitians, about 60 percent of the set at the landfill since 2010, mean- Asia. High pathogenic H5N1 bird flu first infected humans in 1997 dents of the capital to stay off the Haiti’s government badly needs population, live on two dollars a ing physical evidence collected in Hong Kong. It has since spread from Asia to Europe and Africa streets during the two-day strike to raise cash from the sale of gaso- day, according to a recent World at the site could belong to other and has become entrenched in poultry in some countries. over petrol prices, saying that line to pay off its mounting fuel Bank report. events unrelated to the case. “Based on the limited partial sequence of the H5 and N1 gene those who ventured out would debt with Venezuela’s preferential The US State Department But the attorney general’s office segments obtained this far, it appears very likely that this is the risk their lives. Prime Minister PetroCaribe programme, which and the United Nations peace- responded that all evidence links same or a very similar virus to the ... H5N1 virus in Washington Evans Paul made an appeal for has ballooned to about $1.5bn. keeping force in Haiti have so the site of the ashes to the day the State, but more sequencing will be needed to make a final conclu- calm via Twitter over the week- The government “cannot lower far stood by Martelly, praising students went missing, and that sion,” the CFIA said. The H5N1 strain of bird flu was found earlier end and said the government the price of gas. It’s not that we his efforts at compromise, and any “opinion to the contrary is this year on a green-winged teal in the US state of Washington near would guarantee security. do not want to, it’s because we urging all sides to agree to hold hypothetical and far from reality”. the border with Canada. REUTERS The impoverished Caribbean are not able to,” Paul said. After the overdue elections. AFP nation is in the midst of a political a one-day fuel strike last Monday, REUTERS TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Bangla military denies planning power takeover Warning against ‘imaginary’ reports

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s power- least 80 people dead, hundreds ful military has denied specu- of others injured and cost the lation it plans to intervene to impoverished economy nearly end deepening political unrest, $10bn, according to business warning the media against leaders. reporting on any “imaginary” While mainstream media army role in the crisis. have kept comments on possible The military said it respected military intervention to a mini- the constitution and laws of mum, speculation has been rife Bangladesh which has witnessed on social media and on Internet at least 19 military-backed coups news portals. and has been ruled by two mili- In 2007, the military stepped in tary dictators since independence after months of political unrest in 1971. raised fears about the credibility “The armed forces is a patri- of upcoming elections. It installed otic organisation that is totally a military-backed caretaker gov- respectful to the country’s consti- ernment, which ruled the country tution and laws,” the military said for two years before holding free in a statement late on Sunday. and fair polls. It said it was forced to speak Opposition leader Khaleda Zia out against “speculative and called for the current blockade imaginary” media reports about of roads, railways and waterways Activists of the ruling party supported Awami League’s labour front Sramik League gather for a march towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party the military stepping in, because after police confined the former Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office in Dhaka yesterday. they “could create confusion two-time premier to her office on among the people”. January 3. alliance which boycotted a general arrested, but the unrest shows injured. “They threw three pet- in attacks blamed on opposition Bangladesh has been paralysed Zia denies her Bangladesh election last year on the grounds no sign of abating. rol bombs targeting the train ... activists as part of the blockade. since early January by the oppo- Nationalist Party is behind the it would be rigged. Late on Sunday, suspected but all of them hit the engines,” On Sunday, national police chief sition-led nationwide transport violence, but has vowed to con- Authorities have deployed anti-government protesters fire- Bangladesh Railway spokesman Shahidul Haq urged bus opera- blockade aimed at toppling Prime tinue the blockade until Hasina thousands of troops and police bombed a passenger train trav- Zahurul Islam said. tors to stay off the roads after Minister Sheikh Hasina. agrees to new polls. to guard vehicles and more than elling from the eastern Indian More than 1,000 buses, trucks 9pm. Spiralling violence has left at Zia leads a 20-party opposition 10,000 protesters have been city of Kolkata, but no one was and vans have been firebombed AFP

Bangladesh to get $300m World Bank Kin of Australians on Indonesia death row in emotional appeal loan for child health JAKARTA: The mothers of Indonesia last month executed conference, the women called on Chan’s brother Michael, who simply reject the men’s pleas on two Australian drug smugglers six drug offenders, including five President Joko Widodo, the vice attended the event, added: “If we the basis of a drug emergency. DHAKA: Bangladesh is to on death row in Indonesia tear- foreigners. president, the attorney general can show the president that these Widodo has been a vocal sup- get a $300m loan from the fully begged authorities yester- Yesterday the families of Chan and “the Indonesian people to guys have done such an amazing porter of capital punishment and World Bank’s International day to “spare our sons’ lives”, as and Sukumaran, who in recent show mercy on our children”. job with what they’ve had to deal warned Indonesia was in a state Development Association (IDA) their lawyer revealed plans for days have been on the resort “I understand the serious crime with, I just want them to have of emergency due to drugs, with to help improve child nutri- a last-gasp legal bid. island of Bali where the men are my son committed. They are both that second chance to show that dozens of people dying every day. tion after a deal was signed Andrew Chan and Myuran held, visited Jakarta to appeal for very sorry for this. We are very to other people.” “I don’t think the president yesterday. Sukumaran, ringleaders of the so- authorities to spare the lives of sorry for this. They are not the Earlier, their lawyer Todung can use that blanket argument to The project will provide finan- called “Bali Nine” drug smuggling the men, who are in their early same people who committed that Mulya Lubis said he planned one refuse all the clemency applica- cial help to about 600,000 of the gang, were arrested in 2005 and 30s. crime almost 10 years ago,” Raji last attempt to save their lives by tions,” he said, adding: “It is unfair, country’s poorest mothers. sentenced to death the following “We beg you for mercy for our Sukumaran added. challenging in an administrative it is unjust, it is unacceptable.” “The project will help poor year after being caught trying to sons, we beg you to spare our sons’ She said the pair had been court Widodo’s decision not to The lawyer added the chal- mothers learn how to improve traffick heroin out of Indonesia. lives, we beg you that they not be rehabilitated and were now the pardon them. lenge was “probably the only the nutrition of their young chil- They lost a legal bid last week killed,” said Sukumaran’s mother “driving force” behind improv- Both men lost their appeals for legal recourse left for us” and he dren and also provide an income to have their cases reviewed, Raji Sukumaran, sobbing as she ing the notorious Kerobokan jail presidential clemency in recent hoped the attorney general would supplement to enable them to effectively dashing their final read from a statement signed by on Bali, through starting pro- months. exclude the pair from any execu- better act on that learning,” said hope of avoiding the firing squad. her and Chan’s mother, Helen grammes that ranged from paint- The legal move has been rarely tions this month while the legal Johannes Zutt, the World Bank’s Jakarta has said they will be exe- Chan. ing and photography to dance and attempted before, but Mulya said process was ongoing. country director for Bangladesh. cuted this month. At an emotionally charged press sewing. he did not believe Widodo could AFP Despite Bangladesh’s record of reducing child mortality, it remains among the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of Prison visit malnutrition and 41 percent of children below the age of 5 have Thailand and US begin Singapore stunted growth, according to the World Health Organisation. The project will cover 42 of the police probe poorest sub-districts in northern scaled down drills Bangladesh that lag behind in death threat nutrition indicators and is expected NAKHON NAYOK, Thailand: stopped short of giving a specific to benefit 2.7 million people. The United States said yester- date. His military government “The project will break the day its relationship with long- has said martial law will remain against Lee cycle that binds poor children time ally Thailand was going in place indefinitely. to poor nutrition and cognitive through a “challenging” period Washington has sent 3,600 SINGAPORE: Singapore deficiencies,” said Mohammad as the two sides began a major troops for this year’s exercise, police said yesterday they were Mejbahuddin, senior secretary in military exercise, scaled down down from 4,300 last year, the investigating after Facebook the Finance Ministry. over Washington’s concerns US Embassy in Bangkok said in posts showing photographs of about the junta leadership. an e-mailed statement. bullets were addressed to the Japan seizes Cobra Gold, the largest “Cobra Gold is a symbol of long- prime minister of the city-state, military exercise in the Asia- standing and continuous mili- which prides itself on its stabil- scribe’s passport Pacific, has been held annually tary cooperation,” said General ity and security. in Thailand for more than three Wuttinun Leelayudth, Thailand’s “Police confirm reports have been over IS fear decades, but the United States deputy Supreme Commander, told lodged and investigations are ongo- scaled the drill back this year attendees. “The training shows ing,” a Singapore Police Force spokes- TOKYO: Tokyo defended yes- after sanctioning Bangkok for transparency in terms of these man said without providing further terday its confiscation of the last year’s coup. relationships.” details about the posts tagging Prime passport of a Japanese journal- “We can’t deny that this period The exercise comes as Thailand Minister Lee Hsien Loong. ist planning to travel to Syria, is a challenging one and has seeks to counterbalance its ties A post on the Facebook page as the country reels from the necessitated a modified Cobra with Washington by cozying up to “GM Pheonix” on Friday evening execution of two citizens by Gold as Thailand manages its regional superpower China which showed the photo of a bul- Islamist extremists. return to democracy,” US charge says it supports the Thai military let placed on camouflage fabric Chief Cabinet Secretary d’affaires Patrick Murphy told the government. accompanied with the caption: Yoshihide Suga said the govern- Cobra Gold opening ceremony at Ian Storey, senior fellow at “Lee Hsien Loong let’s play a ment took travel documents away a military academy in Nakhon the Institute of Southeast Asian game. Find me if you can coz this from freelance photographer Nayok, east of Bangkok. Studies in Singapore specializing bullet will go through your head Yuichi Sugimoto, 58, for his own The Thai army took control in Asian security issues, said that soon.” safety, after learning of his plan to last May saying it needed to cancelling the exercise could have “I forgot something. There’s cover refugee camps in the war- restore order after months of had major security implications in a guy wearing black hoodie just torn country. “‘Islamic State’ has political unrest that killed nearly the region. left a bomb at Changi Airport not expressed its resolve to continue 30 people. The United States “Cancelling them would have sure which bag,” the post added. killing Japanese,” Chief Cabinet responded by freezing $4.7m of created an opportunity for Beijing A second post on Saturday Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. security-related aid and cancel- to strengthen its strategic ties to evening showed a picture of two “If a Japanese national enters ling some security cooperation. Bangkok, and that is clearly some- bullets in a magazine. It was cap- Syria... we have assessed that Comments by a visiting US thing that is not in Washington’s tioned: “Lee Hsien Loong.. eve- there is a high risk that the per- envoy last month, including that interests in the context of U.S.- ryone deserves a second chance.” son would face immediate danger Thailand immediately lift mar- China competition in Southeast On Sunday, a third post showed to his life, like being captured by tial law which has been in place Asia,” he said. a screengrab of a notice that ISIL (militants) and other Islamic Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa (centre) emerges from since May, further strained ties. More than 10,000 troops from the page had been reported to extremists,” he said. Suga said the the main prison hospital in Colombo yesterday, after visiting his former Senior Thai ministers responded 24 countries are taking part in Facebook for “promoting the sale government had given consider- health minister Tissa Attanayake who has been remanded on criminal by telling the US not to meddle in the multinational exercise includ- of a firearm”, and informing the ation to both the principle of a charges of forgery. Attanayake is accused of forging the signatures of Thailand’s political affairs. ing Japan, South Korea and group that its audience had been free press and the government’s the new President Maithripala Sirisena and new Prime Minister Ranil Last week Prime Minister Indonesia. China and India will restricted to those who are 18 and responsibility to protect the safety Wickremesinghe in a false document aimed at discrediting them during Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former participate in humanitarian exer- over. The GM Pheonix comment of Japanese nationals. the election campaign earlier this year. army chief, said a general elec- cises, said Wuttinun. on the post read “Lmao”. AGENCIES tion would take place in 2016 but REUTERS AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHILIPPINES House suspends hearing on Bangsamoro law Mamasapano clash makes meeting deadline impossible, says chairman of House committee drafting BBL

MANILA: The House of He and his members have been timetable,” Rodriguez said. without justice. We will resume simultaneously with the voting for to investigate the Mamasapano Representatives has indefinitely holding closed-door sessions for the He said his committee would our work when justice is being Aquino’s successor, members of encounter. suspended hearings on the pro- past two weeks, writing the House ver- convene today just to receive implemented,” Rodriguez said. Congress and local officials in May Roxas and PNP officer-in- posed Bangsamoro Basic Law sion after conducting 36 public hear- the reports on the Mamasapano Isabela Representative Rodolfo 2016. charge Deputy Director General after the killing of 44 police ings and consultations in Mindanao carnage it has sought from the Albano III said he supports the For his part, Ifugao Leonardo Espina have both commandos in Maguindanao and other parts of the country. military, Philippine National committee decision to tempo- Represeantative Teddy Baguilat claimed that they were left in the last January 25 derailed its The draft BBL is a product of 17 Police, Office of the Presidential rarily suspend work pending the said with what happened in dark about the operations. timetable in passing the BBL, a years of peace negotiations between Adviser on the Peace Process, and results of investigations, “but we Mamasapano, the viable option Military officials also blamed congressman said yesterday. the government and the Moro Autonomous Region in Muslim cannot have the BBL hanging on the BBL is to have the plebi- sacked SAF commander Chief “We cannot meet our self- Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Mindanao. “After that, we are indefinitely.” scite on its territory in May 2016, Superintendent Getulio Napenas imposed deadline of endors- whose men, together with those of suspending hearings and the work “If this is what will bring peace instead of the election of its offi- over the failure to provide proper ing our version of the BBL this its breakaway faction Bangsamoro of the committee indefinitely until and development to Mindanao, cials. “That is if the Senate will coordination. month and having it passed by Islamic Freedom Fighters, had an the results of two investigations then let us have it. Let us pass approve it,” he said. Also invited to the public hear- the House before our Lenten encounter with policemen out to are out so we will know what hap- it,” he said. Meanwhile, Interior and Local ing were resigned police chief break next month because of arrest two terrorists. pened,” he said. He said the House and the Government Secretary Manuel Alan Purisima, presidential peace this unfortunate incident in The policemen had killed These investigations are those Senate have enough time before Roxas II is going to attend the adviser Teresita Deles, Defense Mamasapano,” Cagayan de Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin of the House committees on pub- the expiration of President Senate inquiry that will tackle the Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Oro City Representative Rufus Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano lic order, peace and reconcilia- Aquino’s term on June 30, 2016 breach of security, violation of chain Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Rodriguez said yesterday. and were mowed down while they tion, and national defence, and to approve the BBL. of command as well as operational Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Rodriguez chairs the 75-mem- were withdrawing. the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Aquino administration has lapses in the Mamasapano carnage. Catapang, government chief peace ber special committee drafting “I even doubt if we can fin- “We will also wait for the iden- promised the MILF that it would Senator Grace Poe will con- negotiator Miriam Coronel- the House version of the pro- ish our work in the committee tification by the DOJ of those work for the approval of the pro- vene the Senate committee on Ferrer, and Gov. Mujiv Hataman posed law that would create a new before our annual mandatory responsible for the death of our posed law within its term. In fact, public order and dangerous of the Autonomous Region in Bangsamoro region in Muslim adjournment in June. We are no policemen and the filing of charges it planned to have the election drugs today after senators filed Muslim Mindanao. Mindanao. longer following any deadline or because we cannot have peace for the officials of the new region resolutions asking the committee THE PHILIPPINE STAR Operation was my call: CHR completes initial probe on Action force chief Mamasapano MANILA: Resigned Philippine part, not to inform the OIC PNP National Police chief Alan beforehand. I informed him when incident Purisima was the “focal person” the troops were already on the who regularly updated President ground,” Napeñas said in reply to MANILA: The Commission on Aquino and provided vital infor- a question posed by Sen. Antonio Human Rights (CHR) yester- mation through text messages Trillanes IV. day announced that it has com- to the PNP Special Action Force The hearing on the pleted its initial investigation during the January 25 operation Mamasapano incident conducted into the Mamasapano encoun- in Maguindanao, sacked SAF by the Senate committee on pub- ter between police commandos chief Director Getulio Napenas lic order and dangerous drugs and Moro rebels which resulted told the Senate yesterday. chaired by Senator Grace Poe to the deaths of 67 persons Napenas, however, took respon- resumes today. including five civilians. sibility for the SAF operation that Napenas explained that In a statement, CHR Chair neutralized a top terrorist but led Purisima told him to keep the Loretta Ann Rosales said that the to the deaths of 44 SAF comman- information from Espina and scoping mission conducted by the dos in Mamasapano. Roxas for the operation called team has established facts that “ Facing a Senate inquiry yester- Oplan Exodus. engender belief that violations of day, Napenas said he was the one “Don’t tell the two about it, at human rights and international who decided to act on intelligence least until we get there. Let me humanitarian law have been vio- provided by Purisima and proceed take care of General Catapang,” lated during the incident.” on January 25 with the operation Napenas quoted Purisima as However, Rosales said that to get Malaysian explosives expert telling him in Filipino, referring she could not divulge the infor- Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan and to Armed Forces chief General mation and evidence gathered by Filipino cohort Basit Usman even Gregorio Pio Catapang. the CHR team. “It will be up to if Purisima was under six-month Earlier during the hearing, the joint investigation team...com- suspension. Napenas said President Aquino Relieved Philippine National Police - Special Action Force Director Getulio Napenas Jr speaks during the Senate posed of three working groups... It was also a judgment call on was updated at least three times probe on Mamasapano clash, at the Senate, in Pasay City, south of Manila, yesterday. to authorize their release in due his part, Napenas said, to follow by Purisima and his security course,” Rosales said. Purisima’s instruction to inform officials on developments in the resigned police chief, Napenas To this Napenas responded: the entry,” Napenas revealed as She noted that the CHR inves- PNP officer-in-charge Deputy the police’s operations against revealed during the hearing that “Sir good pm, the plan for the having told Purisima in a text tigation has no “political or per- Director General Leonardo Marwan. he and Purisima had traded text operation is a go on the timeline, message. sonal considerations.” Espina and Interior Secretary PNP Intelligence Group messages about the operations. January 23 to 26.” “There is no problem in the “This is simply a fulfilment of Manuel Roxas II about the opera- Director Senior Superintendent Apparently to stress that Napenas added that he had target area as of the moment, at the CHR’s constitutional duty to tion only when it was underway. Fernando Mendez was also Purisima had prior knowledge also informed Purisima about the target area, preparations con- investigate all forms of human Napenas said the instruction, present during the meeting at of the Mamasapano operations, the operational plan of the SAF tinue so the troops are ready once rights violations...I wish to settle which Purisima told the Senate Malacanang. Napenas referred to a text mes- in Mamasapano, including the the situation in the entry route this issue once and for all-- CHR’s was an “advice” and not an order “On January 9, 2015, we sage he got from the resigned details and assumptions on the is good,” Napenas said in his text purview is to determine whether because he was suspended, was (Purisima and Mendez) went PNP chief last January 19 or six so-called Time of Target (TOT). message. or not before, during or after the given after a mission update given to Malacanang and met His days before the actual operations. “The troops will move from “The warring factions engage incident in Mamasapano, the most to President Aquino in his official Excellency at the Bahay Pangarap At 6:31pm of January 19, Zamboanga to Central Mindanao and the entry of Philippine Army relevant human rights and IHL residence called Bahay Pangarap for mission update and the new Napenas said Purisima’s text on January 21-22, 2015, while will be the factor denying our safe (international humanitarian law) in Malacanang Park on January 9. concept of operations,” he said. message read: “Leo what is your intelligence will closely moni- entry,” he added. standards were met,” Rosales said. “It is a judgement call on my Claiming that he was close to plan?” tor the situation en route to THE PHILIPPINE STAR THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Two killed, Philippines, Indonesia 10 injured in Davao del Sur sign three accords MANILA: President Benigno The two leaders also agreed to road accident Aquino III and Indonesian boost cooperation in protecting President Joko Widodo signed migrant workers and improving DAVAO CITY: At least two three agreements yesterday trade and investment. people were killed and 10 oth- during the latter’s state visit in Aquino said the two countries, ers injured in a vehicular acci- the Philippines. which both have long coastlines, dent in Davao del Sur yesterday, In a joint statement deliv- had agreed to work closely on local police said. ered in Malacanang, Aquino maritime issues. Investigators were still deter- and Widodo said they signed “The cooperation is imminent mining what caused the mishap memoranda of agreement on in people-to-people contact. The involving a passenger van and a cooperation in combating drug exchange of students, teachers truck along a highway in Matanao trafficking, technical vocational will be beneficial,” Widodo said. town, in Mindanao’s Davao del education training and coopera- “President Widodo and I had Sur province, at around 3pm tion in education research and a fruitful discussion. We spoke local time, said Antonio Rivera, training. about possible areas that could be Southern Mindanao regional Both sides signed an agreement boosted through increased coop- police spokesperson. on combatting drug crime, despite eration,” Aquino added. The vehicles were coming from ongoing efforts by Manila to pre- Aquino noted that the opposite direction when the acci- vent the execution of a Filipina on Philippines and Indonesia agreed dent occurred in Sinawilan vil- Indonesian death row for heroin to coordinate more closely on the lage, and authorities were looking smuggling. issue of maritime affairs. into reports that the truck driver Widodo and Aquino announced “We are more encouraged to had fallen asleep behind the after talks that they had overseen further improve our approach to wheel, causing the bigger vehicle the signing of a memorandum to maritime boundary limitation, to swerve and hit the oncoming exchange intelligence on drug border cooperation and coopera- Philippine President Benigno Aquino (right) stands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during a welcoming van, Rivera told Xinhua by mobile trafficking, but made no mention tion in combating unreported ille- ceremony at the presidential palace in Manila yesterday. phone. of the woman’s case. gal fishing,” Aquino said. Twelve people, mostly van pas- Despite his image as a reformer, Widodo arrived at the leaders to visit fellow mem- tensions in the region due to con- calming rising tensions between sengers, were rushed to local hos- Widodo’s government recently Philippines on Sunday afternoon ber states of the Association of flicting territorial claims over the Manila and Beijing over territo- pitals but two of them died upon executed six convicted drug for his three-day introductory Southeast Asian Nations. South China Sea. rial disputes in the South China arrival, the police spokesperson smugglers and is preparing to state visit. He assumed office “We are both encouraged to China claims almost all of these Sea, according to analysts. said. execute 11 more — among them in October last year, replacing further improve our approach to waters which include vital shipping In August, then-president-elect Traffic accidents kill at least a other foreigners. former President Susilo Bambang maritime boundary cooperation, lanes and fishing grounds. This con- Widodo told Japan’s Asahi news- thousand people in the Philippines “The Philippines and Indonesia Yudhoyono. The Indonesian leader border cooperation and coop- flicts with the territorial claims of paper that Indonesia, which has due to bad roads, poorly-main- hold similar positions on a vari- offered a wreath on the monument eration in combatting illegal and the Philippines as well as Vietnam, better bilateral ties with China tained vehicles and speeding driv- ety of regional and international of the Philippine national hero, Dr unreported fishing,” he said. Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. than the Philippines, stood ready ers, according to police. issues,” Aquino said after talks Jose Rizal, before meeting Aquino. However the two leaders China regards Indonesia as to act as an intermediary. THE PHILIPPINE STAR with his Indonesian counterpart. It is tradition for new state made no mention of the growing having a potentially pivotal role in AGENCIES TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Former Punjab Afghan militant governor likely to become with IS link killed PTI’s president

ISLAMABAD: Former gov- ernor of Punjab Chaudhry in drone strike Muhammad Sarwar who met Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Sunday is likely to be made par- Ex-Gitmo detainee among six killed ty’s president soon. Sarwar, who recently resigned LASHKAR GAH, Brian Tribus. He declined to say as the governor of Pakistan’s larg- Afghanistan: A missile-fir- if the missile was launched by a est province citing deep-rooted ing drone killed at least six in drone. and rampant corruption as one Afghanistan yesterday includ- Rauf has been influential in of the major reasons for his res- ing a veteran militant believed Afghanistan’s jihadi movement ignation, called on PTI chief here to have defected to Islamic for well over a decade. at his Bani Gala residence and State (IS) from the Taliban, Media reports last month stayed with him for over an hour. Afghan officials said. said he had begun recruiting for It was one-to-one meeting that The senior militant, former Islamic State, part of a push by has not gone down well with PTI Guantanamo Bay detainee Mullah the movement to gain traction vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Abdul Rauf, was killed in vio- beyond its stronghold in Iraq and Qureshi, who is reportedly lence-plagued Helmand, officials Syria. unhappy over Imran’s ‘overtures’ in the southern province said. Afghanistan’s main intelligence to Sarwar and publicly announc- Provincial police chief Nabi Jan agency, the National Directorate ing his willingness to welcome Mullahkhel said Rauf was trav- of Security (NDS), said in a state- him in the party fold. elling in a car when the drone ment Rauf was in charge of IS in Sarwar has a clean track record attacked. The other casualties southwestern Afghanistan and he and has special interest in carry- included his brother-in-law and was killed just after mid-day in Afghan security officials check people on a roadside as part of increased security measures following a former ing out philanthropist activities, four Pakistanis, Mullahkhel said. “a successful military operation”. Taliban commander Khadem, who reportedly defected to the Islamic State movement in southern Afghanistan, which drove him to leave England The United States operates Islamic State last month was killed in US drone attack in Helmand Province, yesterday. and start his political career in drones over Afghanistan and announced it was expanding into Pakistan, but landed in the Punjab neighbouring Pakistan. Khorasan, a term Islamists use to pledged allegiance to IS, appar- by the anti-secrecy group close to Taliban leader Mullah Governor House. While Helmand officials said describe a region encompassing ently drawn by its successes in WikiLeaks in 2011 said that Rauf Omar, and that after his return “Shah wants a frank and open six people had been killed, the US Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Middle East. had tried to pass himself off as to Afghanistan in 2007 he had discussion in the party ranks army said coalition forces used a declared a former commander Helmand’s deputy governor, a low level Taliban worker who become the Taliban’s shadow gov- before offering any major slot to “precision, guided munition” to from the Pakistani wing of the Mohammad Jan Rasulyar, said “delivered bread,” but that inter- ernor in Uruzgan province. the ex-governor but this has not kill eight people who were con- Taliban “governor” of the region. Rauf’s membership of IS could rogators suspected he was more Guantanamo interrogators happened so far,” a source close sidered a threat. Although there is little not be confirmed but his associ- senior. said Rauf had revealed detailed to him said. “We are working to confirm the evidence of operational ties ates were dressed in black outfits Also in 2011, Newsweek mag- knowledge of Afghanistan’s opium If Sawar formally joins PTI he identities of those killed in the between IS and the Taliban, often worn by IS members. azine reported that Rauf had trade. will be the second prominent poli- strike,” said a spokesman, Colonel a number of militants have A US military report released once led an elite fighting force REUTERS tician of Kashmiri origion to do so after ex-AJK premier Barrister Sultan Mehmood joined Imran’s team. Already Lord Nazir has been appearing in PTI’s rallies and meetings. Red Cross saw twice as many dead Afghan fighters in 2014 These three, among other things, can have a deep impact on politics in Kashmir, which pri- KABUL: The International they fight. US-led foreign forces, have a deplorable impact on the the war began, as Nato troops having started to work for Islamic marily revolves around PPP and Committee of the Red Cross who officially ended their com- Afghan population,” said the head began to withdraw and Taliban State. PML-N, it is believed. removed more than twice as bat mission in Afghanistan of ICRC in Afghanistan, Jean- insurgents tried to disrupt a pres- The Red Cross said civilians Imran and Sarwar exchanged many dead combatants from at the end of 2014, mainly use Nicolas Marti. idential election. were frequently caught up in the views on the current political Afghan battlefields in 2014 than their own evacuation and health “For the victims of the con- The Red Cross only retrieves fighting but that the past year scene and the latter apprised his in the previous year as fight- services. flict, the situation might dete- casualties when called on by com- had seen an 18 percent decline in host of the events that led to his ing intensified, the charity said The number of injured fight- riorate even further as the batants to do so, usually when the patients accessing medical serv- quitting as governor of Punjab. yesterday. ers rose by more than a third funding of humanitarian aid injured or dead are behind enemy ices due to the worsening security Imran appreciated him for this The ICRC retrieved the last year, the charity said, ascrib- dwindles in the country,” he said lines. situation. bold decision, it was learnt. remains of 1,372 dead fighters in ing the increase to heightened in statement More than 10,000 foreign sol- The United Nations has said at The slot of PTI president fell the 12-month period, up from 620 violence in remote regions of Despite the formal end to for- diers remain in Afghanistan least 3,188 Afghan civilians were vacant following the resignation the year before. Afghanistan that also restricted eign participation in the war, and continue to engage in com- killed in the intensifying war with of Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in The Red Cross, a neutral civilians’ access to healthcare. Afghan troops remain locked in bat when needed. On Monday a the Taliban in 2014, making it October last year, who had devel- party in the war, retrieves cas- “Persistent and fierce fight- a fierce fight with Taliban mili- US drone strike killed at least the deadliest year on record for oped differences with Imran over ualties mainly for the Afghan ing, including serious violations tants trying to gain territory. Last six alleged militants, including a non-combatants. some of his decisions. security forces and the militants of the rules of war, continue to year was the most violent since senior commander suspected of REUTERS INTERNEWS

Bread seller Senator completes full term on court’s ECP awaits mechanism stay order to check MPs’ assets PESHAWAR: Senator Adnan Khan of the Pakistan People’s Party ISLAMABAD: In the absence politicians turned from million- (PPP) has completed his term of of any potent accountability aires to billionaires in such a six years on a stay order of the mechanism in Pakistan, the short span of time. Peshawar High Court as the gov- assets of some of leading politi- The top electoral body has ernment has announced the sched- cians, including Prime Minister repeatedly announced its inten- ule for the next Senate elections. Nawaz Sharif, have increased tion to set up a ‘political finance In February 2009, the Peshawar manifold over the past few wing’ to ensure politics in the High Court (PHC) had granted years. country remain corruption free. stay order in a writ petition to Premier Nawaz, who was a mil- However, no progress has been Adnan Khan, allowing him to lionaire in 2011-2012, became a made on the idea which was contest the Senate elections sub- multi-billionaire by the year 2014, floated in the ECP’s previous five- ject to the verdict of the court. according to a comparison of the year plan in 2010. Interestingly, the stay orders details of his assets and liabilities The proposal, which is also part in other cases were not prolonged submitted to the country’s top of the five-year plan the body but in the case of Adnan Khan electoral body. announced last year, envisions the stay order remained in place Before contesting the 2013 gen- a ‘mini National Accountability for his complete term of six years eral elections, Nawaz, like every Bureau (NAB)’ compris- as senator. He got the stay order other candidate, had to attach a ing officials from ECP, NAB, against the orders of the return- certificate of his assets for the pre- the Federal Board of Revenue ing officer and Appellate Tribunal vious financial year (2011-2012). (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan as he had been disqualified by the According to records available (SBP) and the National Database courts concerned from contesting with the Election Commission and Registration Authority the Senate elections. of Pakistan (ECP), the value of (NADRA). INTERNEWS his assets then stood at Rs261m ECP officials said the electoral ($2.61m). body had sent a set of proposed A boy carries bread on his head to sell in Kabul yesterday. When he submitted details legal reforms to parliament before of his assets for 2012-2013 in the 2013 elections took place. September 2013, after his party But when the parliamentary had swept the May 2013 polls and panel headed by Pakistan Peoples after he had assumed the prime Party (PPP) Senator Jahangir Birthplace of Sikh sect converted into govt school minister’s office, the declared Badar proposed some changes for worth of his assets had ballooned laws pertaining ECP, there was to Rs1.82bn. no mention of any accountability ISLAMABAD: The Nirankari attracts hundreds of Nirankaris comprises several, almost crum- made donations for the gurdwara. Nawaz’s wealth appeared to mechanism for lawmakers, the sect’s place of worship, sanctified every year from Amritsar, India bling small rooms, once a three- Compared with temples and have doubled when he submitted officials said. because this is where the first who visit to pay their respects to storey hall and a Samadhi. The other historic buildings in the the details of his assets for 2013- Another parliamentary panel marriage according to the Sikh the birthplace of their beliefs. third floor of the hall collapsed in city, the gurdwara is relatively 14 last year. It stood at a com- was set up under Finance religious traditions was solem- “Due to regular recitation the earthquake in 2005. in good condition and is prop- bined worth of Rs2.36bn, details Minister Ishaq Dar last year to nised, still stands with grandeur (of a hymn) by Diyal Singh The room where Guru Granth erly taken care of by the school available with ECP showed, regis- bring about comprehensive legal and past glory. The historic Sikh known as ‘Dhan Narankar’, the Sahib used to be kept is now administration. tering an almost tenfold increase and constitutional reforms to temple carries a stock of stories Gurdwara and even the market the principal’s room. Inside the “Nirankaris who often visit, when compared to the premier’s revamp the country’s electoral bespeaking reverence drenched were named Nirankari Gurdwara room, there are white marble thank us for taking care of their assets in 2011-2012. system. in a romance of faith. and Nirankari Market,” said Iqbal plaques carrying inscriptions in place of worship,” Sanaullah said. Due to his industrialist fam- Following its first meeting on Birthplace of the Nirankari sect Qaiser, author of Historical Sikh Gurmukhi. Above the inscrip- The building was constructed ily background, Prime Minister August G last year, it held many of Sikhism, it was constructed Shrines in Pakistan. tions from Granth Sahib, the by a reformist, Bhai Dayal Singh, Nawaz has shares in several more huddles and received over by Bhai Dayal Singh, a reform- The gurdwara currently school administration has writ- who was born in 1783. He would industries and family businesses. 1,200 reform proposals includ- ist during the era of Maharaja functions as a school called ten Quranic verses. recite ‘Dhan Narankar’, which But since ECP has no mecha- ing stringent accountability Ranjit Singh and is located in Government Shimla Islamia High A small plaque, according to translates to “Creator of every- nism to determine how lawmak- of politicians — from different the bustling Nirankari Bazaar, School. school Principal Qazi Sanuallah, thing is great”. ers made their fortunes, there is stakeholders. Rawalpindi. The Gurdwara The white marble-clad building carries the names of those who INTERNEWS no way to determine how leading INTERNEWS TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Manjhi expelled from JD-U, seeks floor test Nitish Kumar stakes claim to form govt in Bihar

PATNA: Battle lines were Manjhi was still defiant. “I am clearly drawn in Bihar yester- not running away. I am ready to day as Chief Minister Jitan Ram prove my majority in the state Manjhi, expelled from the ruling assembly whenever Governor JD-U, sought to prove his major- Tripathi invites me for it,” he told ity on the floor of the assembly the media outside Raj Bhawan even as his predecessor Nitish after meeting Tripathi. Kumar staked claim to form the Terming the ongoing move to government and accused Manjhi replace him “a conspiracy against of “horse-trading”. a Mahadalit”, he said he requested Days after Manjhi refused to the governor to provide him the quit and dug in his heels, things chance to prove his majority Feb came to a boil yesterday, with 19, 20 or 23. The assembly session Nitish Kumar meeting Governor will begin February 20. Keshri Nath Tripathi and for- Nitish Kumar Hours earlier, the JD-U mally staking claim to form the expelled Manjhi from the party, next government. and blamed the Bharatiya Janata “Manjhi is encouraging and Party for orchestrating the epi- horse-trading,” Nitish Kumar sode. “Manjhi has been expelled from told the media outside Raj Bhavan the party (for six years). He has President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam (second right) and his wife Mary Tan being welcomed by the Indian here after he, along with Janata- been indulging in anti-party activi- President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Dal United chief Sharad Yadav ties,” JD-U leader K C Tyagi said in Delhi yesterday. and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Delhi yesterday. “All the things that Lalu Prasad, met the governor. happened were scripted. Operation Nitish Kumar, along with 130 Jitan Ram Manjhi has been orches- legislators of his JD-U, the RJD, trated by BJP president Amit Shah,” Indian-Singapore talks the Congress and the Communist he added. Party of India, marched to Raj In Patna, JD-U leader Shrawan Bhavan. Manjhi, hand-picked by Kumar, who is considered close then chief minister Nitish Kumar to Nitish Kumar said that the as his replacement when he quit party has also informed Governor focuses on smart cities last year after the JD-U’s rout in Jitan Ram Manjhi Tripathi about Manjhi’s expulsion. the Lok Sabha polls, also met the Nitish Kumar was re-elected NEW DELHI: Singapore and relations between the two coun- northeast India, projects to scale governor and sought to prove his Delhi,” he said, referring to the the JD-U legislature party leader India yesterday discussed devel- tries. President Tan met Prime up investments in the new devel- majority in the assembly but by chief minister’s meeting in Delhi on Saturday. JD-U spokesperson opment issues, especially the Minister Modi and External opment initiatives launched in “secret ballot”. with Prime Minister Modi. Neeraj Kumar said the numbers Narendra Modi government’s Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj India and enhancing exchanges In the 243-member assembly, “We, including Sharad Yadav are with Nitish Kumar as he initiatives of Smart Cities, during which they held wide- with India, said a ministry of the JD-U has 115 legislators — and Lalu Prasad, have informed enjoys the support of the major- skill development, connectiv- ranging discussions on boosting external affairs statement. most of whom are reportedly with Governor Tripathi that majority is ity of the party legislators and its ity and also boosting linkages bilateral ties and strengthening Both sides agreed on sharing of Nitish Kumar. It is backed by 24 with us and we are ready to prove allies, the RJD and the Congress. with northeast India as visit- cooperation on regional and inter- experiences in science and tech- legislators of the RJD, five of the it in the state assembly any time According to JD-U sources, ing Singapore President Tony national issues to raise the part- nology, space and other areas to Congress, two Independents and either today (Monday), or within only 12 party legislators are with Tan Keng Yam held talks with nership to a higher level. enhance productivity and effi- one from the CPI. 24 or 48 hours,” he said. Manjhi. Meanwhile, Manjhi’s loy- Prime Minister Modi here. The talks covered new focus ciency as well as broadening coop- The Bharatiya Janata Party Nitish Kumar said they will alist JD-U legislator Rajeshwar Tan, accompanied by his wife areas which are part of India’s eration in fighting terrorism. (BJP) has 88 legislators and is wait for the decision of the gov- Raj petitioned the Patna High Mary Tan, is on a four-day state development process, which The discussions reflected the supported by three Independents. ernor to invite him to take oath Court against Sharad Yadav visit to India from Feb 8 on the include the Smart Cities and spirit of mutual trust, under- Nitish Kumar accused Manjhi and form the next government. who, he contended, “illegally” and invitation of President Pranab urban rejuvenation initiatives, standing and cooperation that of trying to organise defections But he warned that if the gov- “unconstitutionally” summoned a Mukherjee. The Singapore presi- promoting skill development, characterise the unique and spe- to stay in power. “It appears that ernor failed to invite him soon, legislature party meeting which dent’s maiden visit to India is also measures to speed up connectivity cial relations between the two Manjhi has got a horse-trading they will parade their legislators elected Nitish Kumar as its new part of celebrations to mark the and coastal and port development, countries, the statement said. licence after he met Modi in before the president in Delhi. leader. IANS 50th anniversary of diplomatic strengthening linkages with the IANS

WiFi city ‘Woman’ has Cases registered against twins despite VHP for defying ban discovery she BENGALURU: Police yes- his speech in Hindi was suddenly terday registered three cases flashed on two giant screens even is mostly male against the Vishwa Hindu as hundreds of people were leav- Parishad (VHP) for defying a ing the venue. NEW DELHI: A “woman” who ban on its international work- “Showing the video clip con- discovered she had mostly male ing president Pravin Togadia taining Togadia’s speech is a clear chromosomes has given birth from speaking directly or indi- violation of Police Commissioner to healthy twins after intensive rectly at a function here. M N Reddi’s February 7 order in treatment in what doctors said “We have registered three cases which he banned even telecasting or yesterday was the “rarest of under sections 143, 180 and 188 broadcasting his speech in an audio- rare cases”. of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) video manner to maintain peace and The 32-year-old had an inter- against VHP’s Karnataka unit law and order,” Alok Kumar said. sex condition in which she had the secretary Keshava Hegde and Catching hundreds of policemen on physical appearance of a woman its organisers for airing a pre- security duty at the venue by sur- but had more than 95 percent XY recorded video clip of Togadia at prise, the audience heard Togadia chromosomes, fertility specialist their function late Sunday in vio- saying that no one need teach Sunil Jindal said. lation of the ban imposed by the Indians religious tolerance. The woman underwent more police commissioner and upheld In a veiled attack on US than 12 months of hormonal by the high court,” Additional President Barack Obama’s recent and other medical treatment to Commissioner of Police Alok remarks that “acts of intoler- develop her “infantile uterus” to Kumar told reporters here. ance in India would have shocked allow her to eventually conceive Though Togadia was barred Mahatma Gandhi”, Togadia said and give birth on Friday to a boy Students browse the Internet with their smartphone in Calcutta yesterday. Calcutta, capital of West Bengal, from participating in the group’s Obama should teach tolerance to and girl. “This is akin to a male has become India’s first fully WiFi-enabled metro city. Telecom company Reliance JIO is reportedly providing Virat Hindu Samajotsava on those who indulge in religious con- delivering twins,” said Jindal by the services.The WiFi services will be initially free of charge. the National College grounds, a version and acts of violence in the phone from Meerut city, some 10-minute audio-video containing name of their religion. IANS 70km northeast of New Delhi. “She did not undergo puberty and never menstruated. When we investigated further we found that she had a very small vagina and an infantile uterus.” Japanese tourist drugged, raped by guide Jindal said his team of doctors discovered during their research NEW DELHI: A Japanese motorbike during the day,” Jain northwest of Delhi, an attack Japanese tourist. The woman Operators, said. “We have been that there had only ever been five woman has accused an Indian said. that sparked candlelit vigils and was allegedly held hostage for issuing instructions to tourists reported cases of such pregnan- tourist guide of drugging and “The accused offered to drop other protests. a month after travelling to the not to accept help or food from cies in the world. then raping her in the historic her at the hotel in the evening The woman’s body was dis- Buddhist shrine of Bodh Gaya in strangers,” he said. “It’s nothing short of a medical city of Jaipur, police said yes- but took her to a desolate area... covered dumped in a field and Bihar state. Jaipur and the rest of miracle. We are really happy that terday, the latest in a series of and allegedly raped her.” an official has said an autopsy In the latest case, the woman Rajasthan state draws thousands we could pull it off.” sex attacks on foreigners. The man fled after the wom- showed stones, blades and sticks has undergone a medical exami- of tourists every year to its pal- He said the woman was star- The 20-year-old said the guide an’s screams were overheard by had been inserted inside her. nation and was helping police try aces and forts built by the former tled to learn she had the con- offered to show her around villagers who rushed to help, “Eight accused have been to identify her attacker, Jain said. Maharaja rulers, some in dusty- dition, but was determined to Jaipur, famous for its grand pal- according to local media reports. arrested and one is absconding” The Japanese embassy said it pink sandstone. undergo the treatment to get aces and forts, on Sunday before “The tourist alleged that she and those held have “confessed was gathering information about Sex attacks against women pregnant. assaulting her on the outskirts was offered some food which to the crime”, Yash Pal Singal, the attack and could offer no fur- from Western countries have “Even she did not know she of the “Pink City” in the evening. might have been laced with drugs,” Haryana state director-general ther comment. received major media coverage had this condition and was flab- The woman said she was given Jain said, adding that blood tests of police, said. The incident risks dealing in India while similar attacks on bergasted when we told her about food laced with drugs before being have been conducted to deter- India has faced intense scru- another blow to the country’s local women have drawn only a it. But the husband was very sup- attacked by the man thought to mine the type of drugs used. The tiny over its efforts to curb vio- tourism industry. Britain and fraction of the attention. portive and told her ‘no matter be aged about 25, Dharam Chand case is the latest in a string of lence against women following France revised their travel In January 2014 a 51-year- what you continue to be my wife’,” Jain, police inspector-general for high-profile sex attacks that have the fatal gang rape of a medi- advisories for India last January, old Danish tourist was robbed he said. Her husband’s sperm was Jaipur district said. highlighted high levels of violence cal student in New Delhi in warning visitors about the risk of and gang-raped at knifepoint used to fertilise a donor egg which “The 20-year-old tourist had against women in the world’s sec- December 2012, which sparked sexual attacks, after two cases of in Delhi. In 2013 a Swiss cyclist was then implanted in the wom- arrived in Jaipur on Sunday and ond most populous country. a global outcry. foreigners being raped. holidaying in the central state of an’s now developed uterus. met the accused man near the Police arrested eight men yes- Last month six men from “After such incidents tour- Madhya Pradesh was robbed and The babies were born through hotel who introduced himself as terday over the brutal gang-rape the eastern city of Kolkata ism is the first casualty,” Gour raped by five men, all of whom caesarean section, weighing 2.25 a tour guide,” Jain said. “They and murder of a Nepali woman were charged with kidnapping Kanjilal, executive director of were later jailed for life. kilos (4.9 pounds) and 2.50 kilos went to a couple of places on his earlier this month in Rohtak city and gang-raping a 22-year-old the Indian Association of Tour AFP (5.5 pounds) each. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 1,195 Indians have accounts in Swiss bank Black money in HSBC bank’s Geneva branch: 350 accounts assessed, 60 cases filed

NEW DELHI: The central govern- “The details that have come out today apparently brought out the names Indians, who figured on a list of account “Why doesn’t the BJP government act ment has completed assessment of (Monday) are the ones we already have.” of persons holding undisclosed bank holders in HSBC’s Geneva branch that against HSBC officials? They will spill 350 foreign accounts while tax-eva- “The question is not about names but accounts in HSBC, Switzerland,” the India has obtained from the France. the beans. (The) US did precisely that,” sion proceedings have been initiated evidences that we need. Some new names ministry said. Of these, no balance has been found in former Delhi chief minister Kejriwal against 60 account holders as part of have been revealed whose veracity would “He has been requested to share 289 accounts, according to the SIT report tweeted. its crackdown on black money, Finance be checked by authorities,” he said. information available with him in submitted to the Supreme Court. He added: “But (the) bigger question Minister Arun Jaitley said yesterday. Jaitley said the assessment of the regard to undisclosed bank accounts of “Out of the 628 persons, 201 are either is — what did first (the) Congress and “About 60 prosecutions have so far balance accounts will get completed by Indians in HSBC, Switzerland and other non-residents or non-traceable, leaving now the BJP do? Nothing? Why?” been launched for wilful attempt to evade March 31. destinations. His response is awaited,” 427 cases as actionable,” the report said. Bedi, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s taxes [S/276C(1)] and failure to furnish The finance minister said the govern- it added. “An amount of Rs.2,926 crore has been chief ministerial nominee in Delhi, said accounts and documents etc [S/276D],” ment could not proceed on the “Swiss Some prominent names in the media brought to tax towards the undisclosed in a tweet: “Truly criminal, inhuman the finance ministry said in a release leaks” reports on the basis of some names. report have reportedly denied having balances in the accounts (79).” when poor man’s money is stolen. This here. “Top hundred names have been pub- the Swiss bank accounts. The govern- India has no official estimates of illegal has caused huge gap between haves and “Show Cause Notices before launching lished in a newspaper. Some of these ment had submitted a list of about 628 money stashed away overseas, but the have nots. prosecutions have been issued in a large names already figure in the earlier list such account holders to the Special unofficial ones range from $466 billion She said the Indian Express disclo- number of other cases wherein further available with the government. Necessary Investigation Team appointed by the to $1.4 trillion. sure was “evidence of where our national action is underway,” it added. investigation will be taken up in all the Supreme Court for the recovery of black AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal yester- wealth, meant for infrastructure (and) Reacting to a media report that 1,195 new cases, expeditiously,” the finance money. day urged the government to act against nation building went ... Truly criminal. Indians were in the list of clients who ministry said in its statement. The authorities, in December, said HSBC Bank to unearth details of Indians “All involved in HSBC scam must get held accounts in HSBC bank’s Geneva “Income Tax department is already that in case of money stashed in foreign holding black money abroad while BJP’s exemplary punishment,” she added. branch from 2006-2007, Jaitley said: in touch with the whistle blower who accounts, the disclosure relates to 628 Kiran Bedi called it “stolen” money. IANS Stage set for vote count in Delhi election thriller

NEW DELHI: The stage is volunteers. Four LED televi- set for counting in the Delhi sions sets have been installed in assembly polls today with the the open by AAP for workers to poll panel having made all nec- see trends and results. Kejriwal essary arrangements and can- is expected to arrive at party didates anxiously awaiting the headquarters in the afternoon to outcome of the fiercely-con- address people. tested election that has national In its maiden election ramifications. December 2013, the AAP stun- The mood is upbeat in Aam ningly won 28 seats compared to Aadmi Party with the exit polls 31 of BJP and formed a govern- saying that it will win the polls to ment with Congress backing after 70-member assembly. Bharatiya a hung assembly. The AAP gov- Janata Party workers appeared ernment resigned after 49 days. apprehensive due to exit poll AAP leader and former trans- results predicting a defeat but port minister Saurabh Bharadwaj party leaders have expressed confi- Arvind Kejriwal said the party was sure to get a dence about a comfortable victory. majority. “We will surprise eve- The Congress appears recon- ryone the way we did in 2013,” he ciled that it will finish third and said. party leaders are hoping its tally BJP’s chief ministerial can- is not worse than eight it won in didate Kiran Bedi, who yester- the 2013 election. day addressed BJP workers at The Election Commission has Karkardooma in her Krishna Supporters of Awami Ittihaad Party shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar demanding the return of the remains made elaborate arrangements for Nagar constituency and expressed of Kashmiri separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru. Guru was executed on February 9, 2013 and buried inside a high counting across 14 centres in the gratitude for their support, said security prison in New Delhi over his alleged role in the attack on parliament in New Delhi in 2001. national capital. Counting will the party was expecting a victory. start at 8 am. and a picture about “Our workers have worked the likely winner is expected in hard and we are confident to win the next two hours. the polls,” she said. Afzal Guru’s hanging wrong, Though it is a working day Bedi also who distributed a pic- for residents of the capital, the torial book about her life to the trends are expected to be closely workers, saying it will inspire followed on radio, television and their children. badly handled: Tharoor the web. Congress, which exit polls have The result will have wider Kiran Bedi predicted will finish a distant NEW DELHI: Terming February 9, 2013.Several separa- people sustained injuries in a firing political ramifications, particu- third, is apparently not keeping Parliament attack convict Afzal tists leaders were detained or put incident in Palhalan (Baramulla) larly for the BJP, which is the too much expectations. Guru’s hanging “wrong and badly under house arrest and prohibi- area. One injured person identi- party in power at the centre and outside some centres where P C Chacko, who is party handled”, Congress leader Shashi tory orders clamped in Srinagar fied as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, aged has had a good electoral run since EVMs have been kept. The proc- incharge of Delhi, said that the Tharoor yesterday said his body in the wake of protests called by 24, son of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, the Lok Sabha election. ess of counting will be video party did not believe in exit polls should have returned to the fam- them on the second anniversary resident of Bhagat Mohallah, Over 10,000 security person- graphed. and they were waiting for actual ily. “I think the hanging was both of Afzal Guru’s execution. Palhalan succumbed to injuries on nel, including from the paramili- AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, results. Party leaders said that wrong and badly handled. Family Curfew-like restrictions were way to hospital,” a police official tary forces have been gaurding who spent a relaxed day Sunday they were keeping their fingers should have been warned, given a imposed in Safakadal, Maharaj said here. 20,000 electronic voting machines and watched a movie with some crossed. Delhi saw a voter turnout last meeting and body returned,” Gunj, Khanyar, Rainawari and Another injured person — (EVM) which contain the votes party leaders, Monday met of 67.14 percent Saturday and 673 he tweeted on second death anni- Nowhatta police station areas in Riyaz Ahmad Bhat of Palhalan cast in Delhi polls Saturday. party workers and volunteers candidates are in the fray. versary of Guru. the old city and Maisuma police — is undergoing treatment in hos- With margins expected to be from New Delhi seat which he According to the exit polls, the Tharoor’s comments come station area in the commercial pital, the official said. “Police have slim on many seats, political par- is contesting. AAP was likely to get between 31 after five Congress legislators hub of Lal Chowk. taken cognizance of this highly ties have asked their candidates AAP workers have planned and a staggering 54 seats while in Jammu and Kashmir said in Meanwhile, a youth was killed regrettable and unfortunate inci- to keep a close watch on count- massive celebrations ahead for the BJP could bag 17 to 35 seats. a signed statement that Guru’s and another injured yesterday in dent. FIR has been registered into ing and immediately raise any anticipated victory. The Congress, which ruled Delhi hanging was a “mistake”. Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla the matter. The incident is being suspicion. Stages have been erected for 15 years till December 2013, Guru, who was given a death district as security force opened investigated and all concerned are Volunteers of AAP have been outside the AAP office in East would win at most four seats, they penalty in the 2001 Parliament fire in a clash with stone-pelt- being questioned to ascertain the keeping a round-the-clock watch Patel Nagar for the media and said. IANS attack case, was hanged on ing protesters, police said. “Two facts,” he added. AGENCIES

Christians protest Allow Doordarshan Two Indians win honours to share World Cup telecast, SC urged at Grammy Awards LOS ANGELES: Two Indians Kej’s “Winds Of Samsara” won NEW DELHI: The Supreme — Ricky Kej and Neela Vaswani the Best New Age Album trophy. Court will hear today the cen- — took home a Grammy Award For “Winds of Samsara”, which tral government and Prasar each at the 57th edition of the symbolises peace and harmony, Bharti’s plea challenging the musical extravaganza held here Kej teamed up with South African Delhi High Court order by which Sunday night. The latter’s nar- musician Wouter Kellerman. The public broadcaster Doordarshan ration of the audio of the book “I website of their album describes was barred from sharing with Am Malala: How One Girl Stood the project as a “truly global cable operators the live feed Up For Education And Changed effort”, which draws inspiration provided to it by ESPN and Star The World” won her the trophy. from two cultures. which hold exclusive telecast- Vaswani, who stays in New This year, Anoushka Shankar, ing rights for the Cricket World York, bagged a Grammy in the Indian sitarist and daughter of Cup 2015. Best Children’s Album category late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, A bench of Justice Ranjan for recreating Pakistan’s Nobel missed a Grammy gong. She was Gogoi and Justice Pinaki Chandra laureate Yousufzai’s book in nominated for her album “Traces Ghose will hear the plea this audio form. It reaches out to tell of You” in the Best World Music afternoon. The plea was directed a tale of a brave teenaged girl who Album category. She lost to to be listed for hearing after risked her life for the right to go Angelique Kidjo’s album “Eve”. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to school. The Grammy Awards were mentioned the matter yesterday The story relates Malala’s brav- dominated this year by Sam before the bench headed by the ery and determination in the face Smith and Pharrell Williams, and Chief Justice H L Dattu. The Delhi of extremism, detailing the daily saw a string of performances by High Court last week had barred challenges of growing up in a popular names, adding to the glitz Doordarshan from sharing the live Christians shout slogan as they condemn the recent attack on a New Delhi church, in Mumbai yesterday. world transformed by terror. and glamour of the annual gala. feed. IANS Meanwhile, Bangalore-based IANS TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Year of the Sheep

Fajr (Dawn) 4:55 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:12 Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 Asr (Afternoon) 3:00 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:25 Isha (Night) 6:55

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Moderate temperature High: 26° High: 26° High: 29° daytime and partly Low: 20° Low: 22° Low: 19° cloudy with slight dust to blowing dust at times and relatively cold by night. DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:12 17:25 08:15 & 21:30 01:45 & 15:15 17-25/30 KT THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 25/22 Clear 25/22 Clear MAKKAH 35/23 Clear 33/23 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 33/18 Clear 29/16 Partly cloudy BAHRAIN 29/19 Partly cloudy 29/19 Clear SANAA 26/09 Clear 26/09 Clear A floral display of goats made from chrysanthemum blooms ahead of the Lunar New Year at the Gardens by the Bay greenhouse in Singapore yester- day. The Chinese Lunar New Year on February 19 will welcome the Year of the Sheep (also known as the Year of the Goat or Ram). RIYADH 31/19 Partly cloudy 32/19 Partly cloudy DUBAI 30/19 Clear 31/19 Clear BAGHDAD 24/16 Clear 23/10 Clear THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Shark bites HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Hackers can get into ATHENS 06/01 Chance of rain 07/01 Partly cloudy off man’s legs WASHINGTON 06/-1 Chance of snow 06/01 Partly cloudy SYDNEY 29/19 Partly cloudy 29/19 Clear in fatal attack LONDON 08/03 Cloudy 08/03 Mostly cloudy most ‘connected cars’ SYDNEY: A man was killed PARIS 07/01 Cloudy 07/01 Partly cloudy yesterday after both his legs ISTANBUL 04/03 Chance of showers 04/03 Chance of rain WASHINGTON: Virtually all practices” raises questions about information,” the report said. were apparently bitten off by MANILA 29/21 Partly cloudy 29/22 Partly cloudy “connected cars” on the road are the need for new US rules from The report obtained responses a shark in eastern Australia, DHAKA 28/16 Partly cloudy 27/16 Clear vulnerable to hackers who could the National Highway Traffic from 16 major global manufactur- a day after a surfer suffered DELHI 20/10 Partly cloudy 20/12 Clear steal data or gain control of the Safety Administration (NHTSA) ers: BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General serious injuries in the same ISLAMABAD 22/07 Clear 23/08 Partly cloudy vehicle, a report from a US sena- or other federal agencies. Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar area. tor said yesterday. “Drivers have come to rely on Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes- Police said the man, thought The report prepared by the these new technologies, but unfor- Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, to be Japanese, died at popular staff of Senator Ed Markey said tunately the automakers haven’t Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and tourist spot Shelly Beach near the wireless connectivity and done their part to protect us from Volvo. Ballina, some 187 kilometres Internet access available on the cyberattacks or privacy invasions,” Letters were sent to Aston south of Brisbane. vehicles opens up security gaps Markey said in a statement. Martin, Lamborghini and Tesla, A group of surfers helped that could be exploited for mali- “Even as we are more con- but those manufacturers did not get him out of the water and cious purposes. nected than ever in our cars and respond. first aid was administered, but The study found these security trucks, our technology systems The study noted that the two to no avail. weaknesses in “nearly 100 percent and data security remain largely major coalitions of automobile “We have a young male we of cars on the market” and noted unprotected.” manufacturers recently issued a think is a Japanese national, that most automobile manufactur- The report said the manufac- voluntary set of privacy princi- but enquiries are still ongoing. ers were unaware of or unable to turers appeared to take little or no ples by which their members have Around 9.45 this morning he report on past hacking incidents. action following disclosures from agreed to abide but said it was not has been the victim of a shark The senator’s staff, which col- researchers in 2013 and 2014 about clear how these principles would attack,” Detective Inspector lected data from 16 major auto these vulnerabilities. be interpreted. Cameron Lindsay told the local manufacturers, cited earlier stud- The report pointed out that The US-based Alliance of Northern Star newspaper. ies on some vehicles which showed hackers can gain access to a car Automobile Manufacturers said “There was quite a number how hackers can get into the con- via Bluetooth wireless connec- in a response to a query that it of witnesses we’ve been talk- trols of some popular vehicles, tions, the OnStar system for had not seen the report but that ing to. We believe that either causing them to suddenly acceler- remote assistance, malware in its members “believe that strong the attack, or just prior to the ate, turn, de-activate brakes, acti- an Android smartphone which is consumer data privacy protec- attack, was captured on video.” vate the horn, control headlights, paired with the vehicle, or even tions and strong vehicle security A local cafe owner, identified and modify the speedometer and an infected CD in the car sound are essential to maintaining the only as Karen, told reporters gas gauge readings. system. continued trust of our customers.” the shark came from nowhere. The report also noted that “These findings reveal that The statement added that “It just came up between many of these connected cars col- there is a clear lack of appropri- automakers “pledge to provide a bunch of surfers,” she said. lect data on driving that could be ate security measures to protect heightened protections to the “They weren’t even that far Former England footballer David Beckham speaks during the launch of ‘7’, kept in violation of privacy. drivers against hackers who may most sensitive types of consumer out. He lost both his legs.” an initiative with children’s charity Unicef, in London, yesterday. It said that the “alarmingly be able to take control of a vehi- information — protections that go Police only described his inconsistent and incomplete state cle or against those who may wish beyond similar principles in other injuries as “substantial”. of industry security and privacy to collect and use personal driver industry sectors”. AFP “At this initial stage we believe he died because of lack of blood despite some really Beckham launches ‘7’ heroic efforts by the people Quirky art that have tried to save him,” Lindsay said. fund for kids in danger Beaches in the area were closed after the fatality, which LONDON: Footballing leg- years as a goodwill ambassador came just one day after Jabez end David Beckham pledged for the UN Children’s Fund. Reitman, 35, was attacked to change the lives of millions “Everything I have done, my while sitting on his surf board of children yesterday as he football career, my family, has led off Seven Mile Beach near launched “7”, a new fund with to this point — this is the moment Byron Bay, only 30 kilometres Unicef to protect the world’s for me to do what I can to help north of Ballina. most vulnerable youngsters. children in every corner of the He suffered a cut to his back “Over the coming years I am world. This is something I want and puncture wounds to his going to work with Unicef to my own children to be proud of,” buttocks. raise millions and speak out for added Beckham, a father of four. “Something just jumped out children all over the world,” said Beckham also asked his fans to of the water and just grabbed Beckham. back his call to world leaders to me at my hip and dragged The fund — named after put children first as they negoti- me off my board and took Beckham’s lucky number on his ate new global development goals. me under the water,” he told England and Manchester United The launch of “7” comes after the Australian Broadcasting shirts — will focus on children at one of the worst years for children Corporation. risk of violence, abuse or disease. on record, Unicef said. “I just came back up and I “Today, the need to help chil- More than 15 million chil- paddle, paddle, (and) paddled dren has never been greater and dren were exposed to extreme about 60 metres back into the since retiring I have more time violence in conflicts in 2014 and shore.” and I want to do so much more,” millions more were hit by natural Sharks are a regular fea- said Beckham, who is marking 10 disasters. ture in Australian waters, and The Ebola epidemic in West swimmers and surfers have Africa has also left thousands had their share of encounters orphaned and many more out of with the animals this summer school. Fatalities, however, are rare Worldwide, some 168 million — although two teenagers died children are engaged in child in shark attacks in December. labour and many others are vic- Experts say attacks by tims of sexual violence, traffick- sharks are increasing as water ing and female genital mutilation, A woman looks at the artwork ‘Bad Timing, Lamb Chop!’ (2004-2005) by Swiss artist Urs Fischer in central sports become more popular. Unicef said. London yesterday. The work, valued at £600,000-800,000, will be auctioned on February 12. AFP REUTERS Tuesday 10 February 2015 21 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6337 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil rallies Commercial after Opec Bank profit sees greater demand

NEW YORK: Oil rose for a third straight trading session yester- surges 20.9pc day as Opec forecast greater demand for crude this year than previously thought and projected Full-year net profit touches QR1.9bn less supply from countries out- side the group. DOHA: The Commercial Bank and the full year contribution and H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (seventh right), the Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed The Organisation of the of Qatar QSC delivered a net consolidation of ABank. ABank Al Humaidi (eighth right), the Minister of Environment, and Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, (sixth right) Chairman of Petroleum Exporting Countries profit of QR1.9bn for 2014, a 20.9 contributed QR638m, 24.7 percent forecast demand for its oil will Qafac and CEO of RasGas with other officials during the launch of CO2 Recovery Plant yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP percent increase in profitability of the total net interest income. Net average 29.21 million barrels per compared to 2013. On a quarterly interest margin decreased margin- day (bpd) in 2015, up 430,000 bpd basis, Commercial Bank gener- ally to 2.72 percent as compared to from its previous forecast, while ated a net profit of QR387m in the third quarter of 2014 at 2.77 slashing its outlook for crude sup- the fourth quarter of 2014, an percent. Non-interest income was Qafac unveils new plant ply growth in non-Opec countries. increase of 29 percent compared up 6.1 percent to QR1.3bn for the Data last week showing the US to fourth quarter 2013. year ended December 31, 2014 com- oil rig count at a three-year low The Board of Directors recom- pared with QR1.2bn in 2013 with also bolstered prices, which were mended a combination of a cash ABank contributing QR211m. The to reduce CO2 emissions attempting to find a floor after a dividend payout of QR3.5 per share overall increase in non-interest brutal selloff in crude that wiped and the issue of one bonus share for income was due to higher net fee out over half of the market’s value every 10 shares held, for approval at and commission income and was BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB Petroleum Chairman, and offici- for transportation. While saving since June. Benchmark Brent oil the annual general assembly sched- partially offset by lower income ated by key ministers of Qatar resources, we are also benefiting was up $1.20, or 2 percent, to $59 a uled to be held on March 18. The from investments securities and DOHA: Qatar Fuel Additives and H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed economically. After conducting barrel by 1900 GMT, after a hitting financial results and profit distribu- foreign exchange. Company (Qafac) yesterday offi- Al Humaidi, the Minister of a thorough feasibility study to a session high of $59.61. tion are subject to the approval of The net provisions for loans and cially announced the launch of Environment. examine the technical and eco- US crude futures rose $1.75 the Qatar Central Bank. advances were QR623m for 2014, up its carbon dioxide (CO2) recov- Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, nomical benefits of the project, a to $53.44 a barrel, having risen The net operating income is up 3 percent from QR604m provided ery plant. Once operational, the Chairman of Qafac and CEO of cost analysis showed the project $2.30 earlier to an intraday peak 13.6 percent to QR3.9bn for 2014. in 2013. The non-performing loan facility will capture and reuse RasGas Company, said: “As one has definitely helped increase our of $53.99. Both US crude and Total assets increased by 2.3 per- ratio has increased to 3.79 percent 500 tonnes of CO2 per day, which of the largest and most modern production and profit. This is a Brent have gained nearly 20 per- cent to QR115.7bn. Customer loans as on December 31, 2014 compared is equivalent to the CO2 emitted CO2 recovery plants in the region, wonderful outcome that we will be cent since a January 29 rebound and advances are up by 8.5 percent with 3.71 percent at the end of by 32 million cars per year. the facility will reduce greenhouse able to share with companies that inspired by better confidence in to QR72.5bn and earnings per September 2014 and the coverage Designed to dramatically gas emissions and is a great step assume prioritising the environ- the crude supply outlook following share reached QR5.93. Customers’ ratio has increased to 74.3 percent decrease CO2 emissions in the forward towards creating a better ment, comes at a steep price tag.” a seven-month-long selloff that deposits reduced by 2.9 percent to as on December 2014 compared to atmosphere, the world-class plant and brighter future for the next Khalid Mubarak Rashid Al halved prices. Some traders were QR61.6bn as on December 31, 2014, 68.3 percent in September 2014. will recover CO2 daily to the level generation.” Hitmi, COO of Qafac, said: “At pessimistic though that the rally compared with QR63.4bn as on Impairment provisions on the absorbed by about 4.2 million trees Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari, CEO Qafac sustainable development will last. December 31, 2013. investment portfolio reduced to in ten years. The captured CO2 of Qafac, said: “Methanol is a describes an approach to planning “It was mainly hedge fund, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor QR50m for 2014 compared with will be turned into a high valued chemical building block used in and decision-making that aims speculator driven and smacks of Al Thani, Chairman, Commercial QR110m in 2013. product called methanol. making hundreds of products that to achieve a realistic and lasting price-overshooting,” said Anuraag Bank, said: “2014 marks the forti- The growth in lending since The launch was held under the touch our daily lives from paints, reduction of social and economic Shah, portfolio manager at the Los eth year since the incorporation of December 2013 has been generated, patronage of H E Dr Mohammed plastics, furniture, carpeting, car disparities. While doing so, it is Angeles-based Tusker Investment Commercial Bank as Qatar’s first mainly, in the government, con- bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of parts, windshield and washer fluid. also our desire to protect the envi- Fund, which manages nearly $100m private commercial bank. In that tracting, services, commercial and Energy and Industry, and Qatar It is also a fuel we depend upon ronment.” THE PENINSULA across commodities. REUTERS time, the bank has grown to become retail sectors. Loans and advances the leading private commercial to customers of QR13.1bn at ABank bank in Qatar, helping to build the were included as on December 31, nation in a period which has seen 2014. Investment securities were a huge transformation of Qatar’s down by 21 percent to QR11.6bn economy and society....” as on December 31, 2014 com- Hussain Al Fardan, Commercial pared with QR14.7bn at the end Qatar index edges up on strong earnings Bank’s Vice Chairman and of December 2013. The reduction Managing Director, said, “Solid in investment securities is mainly DOHA: Qatar’s bourse added Indices of five sectors gained, QR 47.75. Barwa Real Estate share in a row, a positive technical sign. annual performances from due to the maturity and sale of 0.3 percent, or 43.4 points, while industries and telecommuni- dropped 3.62 percent to QR49.25. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark edged up Commercial Bank, our alliance Government bonds. Investment to close at 12,667.33 points as cations went down slightly. Other stock markets in the 0.6 percent. Kuwait’s index slipped banks, UAB and NBO, combined securities of QR1.4bn at ABank Qatar International Islamic Insurance sector advanced the region were mixed yesterday as 0.1 percent and National Industries with a strong performance from were also included. Bank jumped 3.2 percent. The most, with a 1.24 percent gain to the oil price rally continued, while Group, owned by the Kharafi fam- our Turkish subsidiary, ABank, Abdullah Saleh Al Raisi, lender reported a 10 percent hit 3,967.99 points followed by real some news was negative for local ily, fell 1.0 percent after a techni- has meant that Commercial Bank Commercial Bank’s CEO, said, increase in 2014 net profit and estate, which was up 0.73 percent companies. Dubai outperformed cal committee in the public works delivered net income of QR1.94bn, “Commercial Bank’s full year finan- proposed a cash dividend of to 2,600.84 points. 20 companies the region as its index rose 1.2 ministry recommended that all a 20.9 percent improvement com- cial performance demonstrates QR4 per share yesterday, up gained, 18 went down while four percent and neared major tech- bids to build a new terminal at pared to 2013.” the value of the re-focusing of our from QR3.75 it paid for 2013. remained unchanged. nical resistance. the country’s international airport The net interest income was strategy undertaken earlier in the The traded value reached Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Saudi Arabia’s stock index rose be rejected. Egypt’s stock market QR2.5bn for 2014, 17.9 percent year. Across our franchise, we are QR1.313bn with a volume of Company share led the gainers with 0.5 percent to 9,390 points, closing edged down 0.7 percent as some of higher than in 2013, reflecting a driven by a returns based approach 42,364,854 shares from 12,350 a 6.81 percent increase to touch above its 100-day average, now at the recent top gainers pulled back. strong growth in lending activities to our markets.” THE PENINSULA transactions yesterday. QR51 from the previous closing at 9,325 points, for the second session QNA/REUTERS

Hassad Food acquires equity interest in Oman’s A’Saffa Foods

DOHA: Hassad Food, Qatar’s added processed meat products. percent natural feed, produced in premier investor in the food and Nasser Al Hajri said: “We are a highly equipped feed mill and agriculture sector, has acquired very excited about this acquisi- slaughtered according to Sharia’h. a significant minority equity tion which is a strong testament Company plans to expand exist- interest in A’Saffa. The transac- that Hassad Food is on the right ing poultry operations and diversify tion which was announced yes- track towards achieving its vision into other parts of the value chain terday in Muscat was concluded in becoming a leading global pro- that complements its business over and signed by the Chairman vider of high quality food products.” the next three to five years. of Hassad Food, Nasser Al “Hassad’s mission is to invest in Saleh Mohammed Al Shanfari, Hajri, and Mohamed bin Obaid efficient, profitable, growth-ori- Chairman, A’Saffa Foods, said: Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Arab ented global brands, contributing to “We are very happy with the deal. Authority For Agricultural the welfare of Qatar and the region A’Saffa Foods has managed to Investment & Development. by providing high quality products establish its presence regionally A’Saffa Foods SAOG, formerly while using the latest technology in and now it has become amongst the A’Saffa Poultry Farms, is the larg- harmony with the environment and top respected food companies in est integrated poultry project in the adhering to the highest standards the GCC. To have a strong partner Sultanate of Oman over a 40 sqkm of corporate social responsibility. I shareholder on board like Hassad farm area situated in Thumrit, am confident that this partnership Food of Qatar, I am confident that Southern Oman. The state-of-the- is in line with what we are trying to the company will further progress art project facilities produces high achieve in supporting the economic its way to an even stronger pres- Chairman of Hassad Food, Nasser Al Hajri, and Mohamed bin Obaid Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Arab Authority For quality fresh and frozen poultry development and integration with ence globally which will impact meat products and its 100 percent the GCC market” Al Hajri said. positively on our shareholders of Agricultural Investment & Development, in Muscat. owned subsidiary produces value A’Saffa chickens are fed with 100 the company.” THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Business Optimism Index: Trade, hospitality sectors hit 6-year high

DOHA: Qatar’s private sector Handball World Championship. Hospitality, the leading Qatari- terms of selling prices, SMEs were owing to a strong outlook on profit- in the hydrocarbon sector and 39 remains highly optimistic about More than 2.8 million tourists based global developer of hotels and more optimistic than large compa- ability and hiring. percent of respondents within the the country’s economic prospects visited Qatar in 2014, an 8 percent leisure facilities, expressed confi- nies, anticipating a higher volume Respondents in both the hydro- non-hydrocarbon sector citing in the first quarter of 2015, a increase compared to 2013, accord- dence in the prospects for sustained of sales, new orders and net profits, carbon and non-hydrocarbon seg- intensifying competition as a major recent business survey shows. ing to figures released this week by growth in the hospitality sector. during the next quarter. ments have expressed increased challenge. The fall in crude prices According to the Business the Qatar Tourism Authority. “2014 marked a year of accomplish- Prashant Kumar, Associate optimism in relation to the overall posed the second biggest challenge Optimism Index (BOI) released by Deputy CEO of the QFC ments for Katara Hospitality and, Director, Research and Advisory business environment. 22 percent for the hydrocarbon sector, with 12 Dun and Bradstreet and sponsored Authority Yousuf Al Jaida said as a QFC-registered company, we Services at Dun and Bradstreet, of respondents in the hydrocar- percent of respondents expecting by the Qatar Financial Centre sustained optimism among Qatar’s are well positioned to benefit from said, “The results of the BOI are a bon sector and 23 percent of non- an adverse impact on their business. (QFC) Authority, confidence in private sector is an indication of high tourism inflows in 2015 with testament to the resilience of the hydrocarbon businesses stated that Against a backdrop of plum- Qatar’s trade and hospitality sec- the country’s positive business several new hotel openings,” said Qatari economy at a time when they did not expect any obstacles to meting oil prices, businesses in the tor has risen to its highest level environment. “Both international Al Mulla. significant downside economic impact their operations during Q1, hydrocarbon industry appeared since 2009. The BOI for the trade and local firms seeking to tap into The positive outlook for the hos- pressures are building in many oil- 2015 compared to a corresponding to be more cautious in terms of and hospitality sector increased to Qatar’s fast growing economy can pitality and the strongest optimism producing countries.” 48 percent and 47 percent respec- committing investment in capital 57 in Q1, 2015 amid expectations benefit from unrivalled incentives level since 2011 in the finance, real Businesses in the hydrocarbon tively in the previous quarter. expansion plans. Firms in the non- of higher tourist inflows to Doha by establishing a presence in the estate and business services sector sector have also maintained a posi- Concerns over increased compe- hydrocarbon sector, on the other during upcoming business and QFC,” he said. pushed the composite non-hydro- tive outlook despite the slump in oil tition, however, seem to have gained hand, have held a firm and steady sporting events in the wake of the Hamad Abdulla Al Mulla, CEO carbon BOI up by 4 points on a prices. The hydrocarbon BOI has momentum over the previous quar- outlook in terms of capital expan- nation’s success in hosting the 2015 and Board Member of Katara quarter on quarter (q-o-q) basis. In strengthened by 5 points, mainly ters, with 38 percent of respondents sion plans. THE PENINSULA

QIMC records HSBC admits Swiss bank QR160.9m profit

DOHA: The Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company failings over client taxes (QIMC) has recorded a net profit of QR160.9m for the full-year 2014, compared to QR141.6m from a year ago period. The Calls for probe against HSBC unit after tax evasions assets increased by 9.7 percent to QR1.7bn in December 2014, LONDON/ZURICH: British wealthy clients to avoid European details of accounts and clients at on year-on-year basis. bank HSBC Holdings Plc taxes and colluded with some to the end of 2006 and early 2007. Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin admitted failings by its Swiss conceal undeclared accounts from French authorities have obtained Mohammed bin Jabor Al Thani, subsidiary in response to media domestic tax authorities, the data on thousands of the custom- Chairman, QIMC, noted the reports it helped wealthy cus- Guardian added. ers and shared them with tax total equity of the shareholders tomers dodge taxes and conceal The reports triggered politi- authorities elsewhere, including has increased by 11.6 percent millions of dollars of assets. cal debate in Britain ahead of a Argentina. to QR1.5bn in 2014, compared “We acknowledge and are parliamentary election in May. Falciani could not be reached to the previous year’s QR1.3bn. accountable for past compliance Margaret Hodge, a senior opposi- for comment. He has previously The earnings per share reached and control failures,” HSBC said tion Labour Party lawmaker, said said he is a whistleblower trying QR3.9 compared with QR2.98 for late on Sunday after news outlets UK tax authorities had done too to help governments track down the same period of 2013. Sheikh including French newspaper Le little. “All the other countries have citizens who used Swiss accounts Abdul Rahman said the Board Monde and Britain’s The Guardian collected much more,” she told to evade tax. has agreed to recommend the published allegations about its BBC Radio’s Today programme HSBC said the Swiss private Ordinary General Assembly for Swiss private bank. yesterday. “We are never asser- banking industry, long known for the distribution of 30 percent The Guardian, along with other tive enough, aggressive enough to its secrecy, operated differently cash dividend. THE PENINSULA news outlets, cited documents protect the taxpayer.” in the past and this may have obtained by the International David Gauke, a Conservative resulted in HSBC having had “a Consortium of Investigative lawmaker and a junior minister number of clients that may not QNB mandates Journalists (ICIJ) via Le Monde. in the finance ministry, criticised have been fully compliant with HSBC said that its Swiss arm HSBC and said the case lifted the their applicable tax obligations.” banks for loan had not been fully integrated into lid on poor banking behavior at Its private bank, especially its HSBC after its purchase in 1999, the time. “Clearly HSBC have got Swiss arm, had undergone “a DOHA: QNB Group has man- allowing “significantly lower” questions to answer. Clearly the radical transformation” in recent dated lenders to arrange $3bn standards of compliance and due behaviour that is set out in these years, it said in a detailed four- loan facility for general business diligence to persist. disclosures reveal behaviour in page statement. purposes. Barclays Bank and The Guardian alleged in its 2005 to 2007 that is not what we HSBC shares fell 1.5 percent by HSBC will act as coordinators for report that the files showed would expect from a major bank,” 1130 GMT yesterday, in line with the three-year loan facility, with HSBC’s Swiss bank routinely he said, calling tax evasion “com- a drop by the broader European The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi allowed clients to withdraw pletely unacceptable”. banking index . HSBC’s Swiss pri- UFJ, Deutsche Bank, Mizuho “bricks” of cash, often in foreign The HSBC client data were vate bank was largely acquired as Bank, Standard Chartered and currencies which were of little use supplied by Herve Falciani, a part of its purchase of Republic Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp in Switzerland. former IT employee of HSBC’s National Bank of New York and as lead arrangers and bookrun- HSBC also marketed schemes Swiss private bank, HSBC said. Safra Republic Holdings, a US ners, QNB said in a filing to bourse A woman walks past an HSBC bank branch in London yesterday. which were likely to enable HSBC said Falciani downloaded private bank. REUTERS yesterday. THE PENINSULA

G20 plan for investment targets Turkey lira dips Eurozone, Greece face off to record low as as markets take fright runs into major opposition Erdogan attacks ATHENS/ISTANBUL: ISTANBUL: Group of 20 finance Greece and its eurozone part- officials look likely to reject a central bank ners engaged in brinkmanship proposal to set countries spe- yesterday, with leftist Prime cific investment targets to spur ISTANBUL: Turkey’s lira Minister Alexis Tsipras insist- a global economy which appears sank to an all-time low and ing his country would not extend increasingly reliant on the United bond yields rose yesterday as its reform-linked bailout and States for growth. President Tayyip Erdogan once Germany saying it would get The meeting of finance ministers again criticised central bank no more money without such a and central bankers in Istanbul policy, adding to pressure on programme. comes as Greece casts a new shadow the bank after repeated calls for European Commission over Europe, cheap oil plays havoc it to cut interest rates to boost President Jean-Claude Juncker with inflation and growth forecasts growth. warned Greeks not to expect and a strengthening dollar threat- The lira sank to 2.4950 against the eurozone to bow to Tsipras’ ens emerging economies. the dollar but rebounded to trade demands in a growing confron- Deputy Prime Minister Ali at 2.4852 by 1211 GMT, also hit tation which spooked financial Babacan said Turkey — G20 chair by expectations the US Federal markets and prompted US and for 2015 — preferred to set bind- Reserve might raise interest rates Canadian pleas for calm and ing national investment targets and mid-year after solid US employ- compromise. that the idea was under discussion. ment data, which bolsters the Escalating the rhetoric, Greece’s But it appeared to be struggling to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan (right) and US Federal Reserve dollar and reduces appetite for finance minister said the eurozone win support. Board Chair Janet Yellen before the G20 meeting in Istanbul yesterday. riskier emerging-market assets. could collapse “like a house of “It would be quite complicated Erdogan said late on Sunday cards” if Athens were forced out. Greek Finance Minister Yanis and a bit theoretical,” French is doing what it can, according to manageable number for each that the central bank’s approach A Greek finance official said he Varoufakis addresses the parliament Finance Minister Michel Sapin European sources familiar with the country to deliver on. “Keep your to managing fluctuations in the did not believe Juncker, IMF chief in Athens yesterday. told reporters. “I am pushing for a G20 agenda. word, or explain,” was how Babacan exchange rate is wrong. Last Christine Lagarde or German global objective. Europe can set its Its eurozone peers France and explained the strategy. week he questioned whether the Chancellor Angela Merkel would own target and deliver on it, but I Italy have urged more investment Coming good on those pledges bank should remain an independ- let Greece go bankrupt, but Merkel markets. Visiting Austria, Tsipras don’t support precise objectives for in the struggling single currency could add more than $2 trillion ent institution after repeatedly said Greece needed to come up said he was confident of striking everyone else.” bloc. “We need to be bolder in to the global economy and create urging the bank to cut interest with a sustainable proposal. a compromise with European A G20 source said the idea had Europe in terms of risk taking ... I millions of new jobs over the next rates to reduce inflation. But “I think what counts is what partners in the coming days and already been taken off the table. hope that policy action will indeed four years, International Monetary Central Bank Governor Erdem Greece will put on the table,” renewed his appeal for a “bridge” US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew facilitate stronger private sector Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Basci, speaking at an Institute of Merkel said at a news conference arrangement until June to allow said last week the United States investments, especially infrastruc- in a blog post. International Finance G20 meet- in Washington. time to negotiate a restructuring could not be “the sole engine of ture investments,” Italian Economy German Finance Minister ing, persisted in sounding a note Tsipras set out plans on Sunday of Greece’s debt. growth” and a senior US official Minister Pier Carlo Padoan told Wolfgang Schaeuble suggested he of caution on inflation. to scrap Greece’s “cruel” austerity A senior finance ministry offi- said Washington’s message would a financial gathering in Istanbul was worried about the financial The central bank expects con- programme, ruled out any exten- cial in Athens told reporters that again be that Europe is not doing ahead of the G20 meeting. market impact if the new Greek sumer prices to rise more slowly sion of its €240bn EU-IMF bailout, restructuring the debt and lower- enough. G20 leaders agreed measures leftist leader, Alexis Tsipras, car- later this year, but there was still which runs out at the end of this ing the targeted primary budget Germany, with its hefty current last year to raise their collective ried out his threat to exit Greece’s some way to go towards meeting month, and vowed to seek repa- surplus, before debt service pay- account surplus, has come under gross domestic product growth by international bailout agreement. the 5 percent year-end target, rations from Germany for World ments, were among Greece’s pressure at successive G20 meet- an additional 2 percentage points Canadian Finance Minister Joe which will in turn boost growth, War Two. His uncompromising non-negotiable “red lines” for any ings to spend more. over the next five years above the Oliver said there had to be com- Basci said. Inflation was 7.24 per- maiden policy speech to parlia- EU negotiation. Germany, the Berlin has rejected that sugges- level projected in 2013. promise. “It’s clear that Greece has cent in January. “If we can achieve ment triggered a further slide in eurozone’s main paymaster, has tion in the past and is likely to argue The pledge, called the Brisbane got to be prepared to make some inflation close to 5 percent by the Greek bank stocks to near record insisted the radical new Greek that its rising domestic demand and Action Plan, entails about 1,000 changes, and I think a wholesale end of this year, this will be a big lows and a sharp spike in govern- government must respect commit- plans to increase investment, largely commitments, now likely to repudiation of their debt is not on contribution to Turkey’s growth,” ment bond yields, sending wider ments made by its conservative- through the private sector, shows it be slimmed down to a more the cards,” he said. REUTERS he said. REUTERS jitters around Europe’s financial led predecessor. REUTERS

TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS India is world’s fastest growing major economy Govt changes growth calculation method according to global practices; Economy expanded 7.5pc in last quarter

NEW DELHI: Taken at face and the base year. Under the new the economy is still suffering from economic activity. But the statis- interest rate cut in 20 months, Fund (IMF) last month also pre- value, India yesterday became method, the economy expanded slack. “The government has itself tical fog makes it harder for poli- faces a similar dilemma; whether dicted India would overtake China the fastest growing major econ- 7.5 percent year-on-year dur- been saying that tax collections cymakers to assess the size of the to lower interest rates again. next year as the fastest growing omy in the world after its stat- ing the last quarter, higher than are slow due to a slowdown in fiscal and monetary aid required “After this number, the RBI major economy with 6.5 percent isticians changed the way they 7.3 percent growth recorded by the economy, but the other wing to help spur even faster growth will need to understand the annual growth compared with 6.3 measure Asia’s third-largest China in the latest quarter. of the government is saying that needed to generate jobs for mil- dynamics of the high GDP num- percent for China. economy and showed it clocked New Delhi also revised up GDP growth has been good,” said lions of young Indians entering bers,” said Saugata Bhattacharya, However, listless corporate faster growth than China in the growth for the first half of fiscal A Prasanna, economist at ICICI the labour force. The data is key chief economist at Axis Bank. spending and mounting bad loans December quarter. 2014-15 to 7.4 percent from the Securities Primary Dealership for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley “This pushes back the timeline at Indian banks remain a drag. It marks a dramatic turna- 5.5 percent reported earlier and Ltd. “That means either one part as he drafts the annual budget. for rate cuts. Any hope of an off- While stressed corporate bal- round for an economy that a forecast the full-year GDP growth of the economy is not taxed or Presenting the 2015-16 blue- cycle rate cut in March, even if ance sheets are hindering a recov- fortnight ago was assumed to be to accelerate to 7.4 percent from a there is an issue with the data.” print on February 28, Jaitley is the budget is consistent with low ery in private capital spending, struggling to gain momentum revised 6.9 percent a year earlier. India now measures GDP by widely expected to boost capital inflation-driven fiscal policy, does rising bad banking assets are under Prime Minister Narendra The new estimate is sharply market prices instead of factor spending and offer tax breaks not exist now.” making banks wary of lending to Modi’s reform-minded govern- higher than the Reserve Bank of costs, to take into account gross to an under-performing manu- Despite the statistical adjust- companies. “There is clearly the ment. Prior to Modi’s election last India’s (RBI) growth projection value addition in goods and serv- facturing sector. But with GDP ments, India’s growth outlook has need to look at the credibility May, the economy had endured of around 5.5 percent for the year ices as well as indirect taxes. The data showing the economy sud- been bolstered by falling oil prices, associated with these numbers,” its weakest phase of growth since under the old method. base year has been shifted to denly motoring again, the fiscal cooling inflation and Modi’s steps said Jyotinder Kaur, princi- the 1980s. The reading has left economists 2011-12 from 2004-05 earlier. stimulus could stoke inflation. to make it easier to do business. pal economist at HDFC Bank. The statistical recovery is in confounded as it is at odds with The government’s statistics RBI Governor Raghuram Portfolio investors have pumped “Nothing on the ground has sub- large measure due to changes both other indicators such as indus- department says the new method Rajan, who switched the mon- more than $7bn so far this year stantially changed to show that in the way authorities calculate trial production, trade and tax is more in line with global prac- etary policy to a new easing into the country’s financial mar- we are out of the trenches.” gross domestic product (GDP) collection figures, which suggest tices and gives a better picture of cycle in January with the first kets. The International Monetary REUTERS Nissan raises its BG parachutes turnaround CEO full-year net profit early after $6bn forecast to $3.5bn writedown LONDON: Britain’s BG Group TOKYO: Nissan said yesterday the fiscal year, reflecting rising US rushed in its new chief executive it had raised its full-year net sales of our latest models and a nearly a month early yesterday profit forecast to $3.5bn, thanks normalising yen-dollar exchange after reporting a $6bn writ- to cost cutting efforts and a rate,” he said in a statement. edown last week that under- cheaper yen, while booming “We anticipate good full-year lined the huge turnaround task US and European sales offset a results as our product offensive he faces. Helge Lund, Statoil’s plunge in Japan caused by last and positive momentum in North former CEO, will have to work April’s sales tax hike. America and Western Europe off- against the clock if he is to rep- The Japanese automaker said it sets volatility in other markets. licate the success he wrought expected to make a profit of 420bn Given these trends, along with during 10 years at the helm of yen ($3.5bn) in the year to March the continuing impact of currency the Norwegian oil giant. 31, up from an earlier forecast of movements and cost controls, we BG, a much smaller rival, has 405bn yen. Nissan’s announcement are today revising upward our suffered dwindling gas reserves in came as it said net profit for the full-year financial forecast.” Egypt that led to a profit warning nine months to December rose 23.6 For the nine-month period, last year even before the collapse percent year on year to 338.8bn Nissan said the popularity of in oil prices significantly devalued yen. Operating profit for the term key models such as the Altima some of its other assets. jumped 39 percent to 417.9bn yen and Rogue in the all-important Making matters worse, those on sales of 8.09 trillion yen, up 11.1 US market had helped the bot- A woman cleans the floor in the showroom of Nissan at its global headquarters in Yokohama, Tokyo, yesterday. difficulties played out amid man- percent from the previous year. tom line. Retail sales volumes in agerial turmoil: Lund’s arrival For the year to March, the com- the US rose 10.9 percent to 1.03 briefing at Nissan global head- motorists to rush to buy vehicles after its domestic rival and the makes him the third CEO in as pany is expecting to earn an oper- million units, improving the com- quarters in Yokohama. before April, causing a sudden world’s biggest automaker Toyota many years and BG had no CEO ating profit of 570bn yen on sales pany’s market share to 8.1 percent Nissan also reported a 13.4 per- and prolonged drop of auto sales also raised its full-year net profit at all for almost twelve months of 11.15 trillion yen, also marking from 7.8 percent in the same cent rise in European unit sales, in their home market. forecast to a record $18.1bn, also after Chris Finlayson departed increases from earlier projections period a year earlier. while the figure in China rose 5.2 For the year to March, Nissan citing a weak yen, cost cuts and post-profit warning. for 535bn yen and 10.80 trillion For the third quarter, the percent. But unit sales dropped revised down its unit sales fore- strong demand in the key North Lund, who was initially due to yen respectively. Solid US sales, growth in the US market and 10.5 percent in Japan, where the cast to 5.30 million from an earlier American market. start on March 2, will most imme- cost-cutting programmes and a cheaper yen “outweighed the market was hit by a consumption projection for 5.45 million, reflect- But other main rival Honda diately be judged on his ability to favourable currency movements negative effects of slowing demand tax hike in April and weak con- ing softness seen in Japan, China cut its full-year net profit fore- meet new production targets. contributed to the robust earnings, in some markets, notably China sumer confidence, Nissan said. and Europe. Still, the revised cast to $4.6 billion, as it grapples BG was forced to cut its pro- said Nissan President and Chief and Japan as well as the continu- Japanese automakers have unit sales expectation marks an with soaring recall costs, includ- duction guidance three times over Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. ing political and economic situ- struggled to deal with prolonged increase of 2.2 percent from the ing from an exploding airbag cri- an 18-month period that resulted “Nissan delivered solid financial ations in Russia,” corporate vice effects of the tax hike from five to unit sales achieved last fiscal year. sis involving parts produced by in last year’s profit warning. It is results in the first nine months of president Joji Tagawa told a press eight percent, that pushed many Nissan’s performance came Takata. AFP now targeting up to 14 percent growth in output and 650,000- 690,000 barrels per day in 2015 on the back of rising production at new projects in Brazil and Australia. “If you look at the past ADNOC set to decide on revised concession bids from BP, Shell several years, BG has run through about three different CEOs. Each one has been afflicted by over- DUBAI: Abu Dhabi National Oil renewed its concession. to get 10 percent stakes, if they for Onshore Oil Operations Corp, Norway’s Statoil, Korea promising and underdelivering,” Company (ADNOC) is expected “BP and Shell have made their agree to ADNOC’s terms, while (ADCO) concession which became National Oil Corp. and Japan’s said Allen Good, senior equity to respond this week to revised (revised) offers, their bids are Asian newcomers may take the available after a 40-year deal with Inpex. Each company submitted a analyst at financial advisory firm bids from BP and Royal Dutch received well,” a second source remaining shares, a second source Western oil companies expired in proposal for a 5 percent stake and Morningstar. Shell for stakes in a 40-year said. ADNOC could make its said. “Shell has been present in January 2014. ExxonMobil, Shell, another for a 10 percent stake. Experts are also looking to onshore oilfield concession, announcement “soon”, the source Abu Dhabi for over seven decades, Total and BP each held 9.5 percent The fields produce 1.6 million Lund to cash in some of BG’s industry sources familiar with said. ADNOC signed an agree- and our aspiration is to continue equity stakes in that ADCO con- barrels per day (bpd) and are assets at a healthy price — some- the matter said yesterday. ment on January 29 with Total to be a partner in the Emirate’s cession. Shell, Total and BP have expected to reach 1.8 million bpd thing he did with elan at Statoil, BP and Shell were asked to giving the firm a 10 percent energy future,” a Shell spokesman made new bids, while Exxon has from 2017. In the new concession, turning the sleepy state-owned raise their signing bonus, which is stake in the new concession to said. BP could not immediately be decided against bidding. the companies are expected to oil firm into a multi-billion-dol- paid in advance in cash, one source help operate the United Arab reached for comment. Other bidders include US firm receive a per-barrel fee of around lar international oil major largely said, in line with that offered by Emirates’ biggest oilfields. A total of nine firms bid for Occidental Petroleum Corp, Italy’s $2.85 versus $1 under the previous by reducing its ownership of France’s Total, which has already Shell and BP are also expected stakes in the Abu Dhabi Company ENI, China National Petroleum concession, source said. REUTERS upstream assets. BG has been reviewing its port- folio for over a year now in need to shed excessive costs. Analysts Ant Financial seeks funds are eyeing parts of its LNG busi- ness, particularly in Tanzania, to Millions feared missing go on the chopping block, along with a 50 percent stake in BG’s Queensland Curtis LNG export plant, which could fetch $5-10bn. in alleged Bitcoin scam Equity analysts at Barclays Bank say they would like BG to HONG KONG: Investors in a One investor said she spent speed up its disposal programme Hong Kong-based Bitcoin trad- HK$1.3m in swap options for the to above $3bn per year but that ing company fear they have virtual currency last September. may prove tough with oil prices fallen victim to a scam after it She said salespersons had told down nearly 50 percent in the last closed down, a lawmaker said her she would recoup her invest- year. Underselling its assets would yesterday, adding losses could ment in four months and make be as problematic for BG as not total HK$3bn ($387m). around 200-300 percent profit in divesting them, but former col- Leung Yiu-chung said his one year. leagues say Lund is up to the task. office recently received reports The cryptocurrency was cre- “He’s a very careful player but from dozens of investors in Hong ated in 2009 by a computer algo- he’s got guts,” noted Terje Halmo, Kong who paid a total of HK$40m rithm designed by one or more a consultant to the LNG industry ($5.16m) into the scheme run anonymous people. and former employee at Statoil, online by MyCoin, but the total It has since become a form where Lund oversaw the sale of loss may be vastly more. of e-money that offers a largely around $22bn worth of Statoil “The number of cases is anonymous payment system and assets in his last three years at increasing. These two days I can be stored either virtually or on the firm. A sales assistant sits under Alipay logos at a train station in Shanghai yesterday. China’s most widely used received calls about more than a user’s hard drive. But its develop- Whatever Lund does first, online payment platform Alipay run by Ant Financial Services Group, an affiliate of Chinese e-commerce titan 30 cases. We estimate more than ment has been marred by concerns investors are hoping for early Alibaba, is in negotiations for funding that have reached a “critical stage” and value the company at $30bn. 3,000 people and HK$3bn are about links to illegal activities and signs that he is in control of the involved,” he said. a lack of oversight. AFP situation. REUTERS TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,667.33 0.34 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,013.25 0.34 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,460.06 0.25 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,274.22 0.32 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,271.52 0.39 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5770.149 -4.525 -0.08 5803 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,090.89 0.12 % QR145.7946 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,471.99 0.43 % Cac 40 Index/D 4651.4 -39.63 -0.84 4707.24 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,600.84 0.73 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5100 QR 5.5868 QE All Share Insurance 3,967.99 1.24 % Dj Indu Average 17824.29 -60.59 -0.34 18103.4 15733.69 QR 1.9999 Euro ...... QR 4.0942 QR 4.1511 QE All Share Telecoms 1,438.94 0.13 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8862 QR 2.9433 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,368.84 0.24 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24521 -158.39 -0.64 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9089 QR 3.9654 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5583.87 -29.51 -0.53 5639.89 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0305 QR 0.0311 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8187 QR 2.8741 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 34570.3 -86.64 -0.25 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 09-02-2015 08-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0581 QR 0.0592 Index 12,667.33 12,623.93 Nikkei 225 Index 17711.93 63.43 0.36 17850.59 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0357 QR 0.0364 Change 43.40 103.27 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0813 QR 0.0829 S&P 500 Index/D 2055.47 -7.05 -0.34 2093.55 1791.83 % 0.34 0.82 $ 58.15 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 3.11 2.75 Straits Times/D 3418.02 -13.34 -0.39 3441.66 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0474 Volume 42,364,854 40,253,031 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0372 Value (QAR) 1,313,883,355.02 1,133,245,608.51 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3126 QR 0.3189 Trades 12,350 11,302 $ 54.60 Up 20 | Down 18 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 09-02-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A C C-A/D 1504.35 -4.15 24505 Chola Invest-B/D 531.4 -18.45 4400 Godfrey Phil-B/D 496.9 -28 6643 Jmc Projects-T/D 163.95 0.85 6528 Orient.Carb.-T/D 452 -14.9 5488 Centrica/D 293.24 -3.2 4429625 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1193 8.2 2883 Chowgule St-T/D 25.95 -0.8 5786 Goodricke-B/D 143 -0.4 3025 Kabra Extr-B/D 88.55 3.6 9294 Orient.Carb.-T/D 452 -14.9 5488 Gkn/D 372.9 -6.5 925120 Aban Offs-A/D 463.3 -11.95 146310 Cimmco-B/D 74.3 1.9 9704 Goodyear I -B/D 570.05 -23.05 19764 Kajaria Cer-A/D 770.15 4.05 50402 Patspin India-/D 8.99 1 1801 Hsbc Holdings/D 611.6 -9.2 6358789 Aegis Logis-B/D 418 -10.8 2153 Cipla-A/D 629.65 -25.55 174845 Hcl Infosys-B/D 45.1 -0.85 279085 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 101.6 -3.05 4431 Punjab Chem.-B/D 107.9 3.8 3650 Imperial Tobac/D 3033 -11 368725 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 279.75 -16 57979 City Union Bk-/D 94.45 0 46140 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.05 -0.65 2786555 Kalpat Power-B/D 229.15 -3.65 67010 Radico Khait-B/D 87.45 -7.5 195047 Kingfisher/D 335.8 -2.2 2350186 Alembic-B/D 38.9 -2 135648 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1900 -45.65 2419 Himat Seide-B/D 80.05 -3.4 27411 Kalyani Stel-T/D 135.75 -6.4 42486 Rallis India-A/D 227 -0.95 27260 Land Secs Grou/D 1276 -26 581914 Alok Indus-A/D 9.49 -0.27 1292901 Colgate-A/D 1835.5 -37.95 15213 Hind Motors-T/D 7.25 -0.14 56356 Kanoria Chem-B/D 40.05 -2.2 24055 Rallis India-A/D 227 -0.95 27260 Legal & Genera/D 265.8 -3.1 1642525 Apollo Tyre-A/D 187.15 -26.25 2917965 Container Cor-/D 1367.95 4.1 3118 Hind Org Chem-/D 18 -0.85 11036 Kg Denim-B/D 22.1 -1.05 37755 Reliance Indus/D 432.45 -22.05 45123 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 74.91 -0.9 25653743 Asahi I Glass-/D 133.1 -3.15 12780 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 152.8 -12.5 10302 Hind Unilever-/D 899.95 -5.45 92428 Kilburnengg-T/D 42.05 -4.1 33918 Ruchi Soya-B/D 35.7 -0.05 29977 Marks & Sp./D 477.8 -3.5 891223 Ashok Leyland-/D 57.5 -3.35 1865226 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 88.05 -1 4647 Hind.Petrol-A/D 573.75 -9.55 192247 Kinetic Eng-B/D 43.3 -0.4 2443 Salora Inter-B/D 39.15 -4.3 3844 Pearson/D 1363 -12 680615 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1402 -24.15 1892 Dhampur Sugar-/D 39.55 -1.2 13669 Hindalco-A/D 146.45 -0.9 338564 Kopran-B/D 50.2 -1.3 87425 Saur.Cem-B/D 42.05 0.5 39935 Prudential/D 1605.5 -14.5 1047562 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.7 -0.15 508302 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3109 61.35 22467 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1270.85 -8.65 78335 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 357.9 -16.8 11985 Sterling Tool-/D 326 23.5 15443 Rentokil Initi/D 121.5 -0.8 229178 Banaras Bead-B/D 43.05 -0.8 4040 E I H-B/D 109.55 -0.55 21472 I F C I-A/D 35 -1.95 1039480 Lgb Broth-B/D 567 -2.8 2493 Tanfac Indust-/D 19 -1.9 2714 Rolls Royce Pl/D 897 -15 2496586 Bata India-A/D 1329.9 -33 13923 E.I.D Parry-A/D 176.25 7.4 42755 Idbi-A/D 64.35 -1.45 420405 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 12.78 0.27 17479 Thirumalai-B/D 79.35 -1.6 4991 Rsa Insrance G/D 439.9 -14.4 1909628 Bayer Crop-A/D 3410 -37.1 3070 Eicher Motor-A/D 15113.9 -470.65 4583 Ifb Agro-B/D 273.2 -14.2 2097 Lupin-A/D 1545.15 -22.4 40522 Til Ltd.-T/D 447.45 -7.8 20282 Sainsbury(J)/D 266.3 -3.5 2181362 Beml Ltd-A/D 855.95 -45.15 73469 Eimco Elecon-T/D 445.1 21.15 2277 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 454.05 -7.65 2568 Lyka Labs-T/D 38.15 1.8 52925 Timexgroup-T/D 17.05 0.09 51664 Schroders/D 2926.8 -41 101820 Bh Electronic-/D 3313.55 -101.95 14792 Electrosteel-B/D 16.9 0 206319 India Cement-A/D 98.2 -3.25 529579 Mah.Seamless-B/D 205.1 -3.25 43215 Tinplate-B/D 57.25 -1.35 65038 Severn Trent/D 2064 -32 287418 Bhansali Eng-T/D 17.8 -0.8 2352 Emco-B/D 37.9 -0.5 40309 India Glycol-B/D 100.4 -3.05 19286 Mangalam Cem-B/D 295.2 -16.3 74997 Ucal Fuel-B/D 138.85 -0.45 30390 Smith&Nephew/D 1195 -2 654748 Bharat Bijle-B/D 616.4 12.95 8807 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.5 0.2 5970 Indian Hotel-A/D 120.1 -0.25 42193 Mastek-B/D 375.5 3.7 107443 Ultramarine-B/D 67.8 1.4 3942 Smiths Group/D 1164.46 -22 370973 Bharatgears-B/D 70.55 -3.3 5535 Escorts-A/D 114.35 -8.05 506022 Indo-Tcount-T/D 440.9 1.65 18667 Max India L-A/D 457.3 -14.05 36475 Unitech P -A/D 15.8 -1.05 7117734 Standrd Chart /D 925.356 -12.6 2992739 Bhartiya Int-B/D 410.5 -1.7 2284 Essar Oil-T/D 114.05 1.8 118269 Indusind-A/D 825.3 -19.4 51122 Mrpl-A/D 54.25 0.35 104038 Univcable-T/D 44.8 0.5 2546 Tate & Lyle/D 576.5 3 1360828 Bhel-A/D 258.75 -5.45 285786 Eveready Indu-/D 193 -2.25 66069 J.B.Chemical-B/D 182.35 -6.85 12909 Nahar Spg.-B/D 89.65 -0.35 24351 Tesco/D 230.55 1.85 6122048 Bom.Burmah-B/D 415.9 0.85 100314 F D C-B/D 154 -4.2 16117 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 44 -0.1 3985 Nation Alum -A/D 48.65 -0.65 121062 LONDON Unilever/D 2798 -4 1110728 Bombay Dyeing-/D 73.95 0.35 632329 Federal Bank-A/D 140.6 1.05 262277 Jagson Phar-B/D 33.35 -0.65 9701 Navneet Edu-B/D 105 -1.9 32744 United Util Gr/D 963.5 -30 1094118 Camph.& All-B/D 288 -26.3 9589 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.5 -0.23 22224 Jamnaauto-B/D 185.15 4.2 8580 Nepc India-T/D 2.75 -0.14 23872 3I Group/D 473.1 -3.4 232034 Vodafone Group/D 230.15 -1.25 13863471 Canfin Homes-B/D 589.95 -4.9 11268 Finolex-A/D 279.9 0.45 49620 Jbf Indu-B/D 245.4 -1.75 46258 Neuland Lab-B/D 322.8 -24.75 10719 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3004 -38 244150 Whitbread/D 4813.72 -91 218488 Caprihans-B/D 80.6 -0.25 2448 Forbes-B/D 2103.4 -72.45 2100 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.62 -0.03 4400 Nrb Bearings-B/D 123.05 -2.05 2708 Barclays/D 250.95 -4.5 10791543 Castrol India-/D 476.7 -3.9 58243 Gail-A/D 400.95 -19 269877 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.73 -0.27 332334 O N G C-A/D 356.25 5.3 353151 Bg Group/D 943.6 8.7 3016169 Century Enka-B/D 160.4 -0.15 4066 Galada Power-T/D 24.7 -1.3 3275 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.18 0.1 12704 Ocl India-B/D 552 0.05 3213 Bp/D 451.8 1.2 8193665 Century Text-A/D 494.4 -11.3 115063 Gammon India-T/D 20.7 -1 82000 Jindal Drill-B/D 157.25 -2.75 15283 Oil Country-B/D 33.85 -0.15 2775 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3588 -40 747301 Chambal Fert-B/D 60.95 0.15 163917 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.5 -0.07 1896 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 105.05 -3.95 422983 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.6 -2.15 175397 Bt Group/D 435.6 -7.4 6399998 TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Loffreda, Lutter remain Raptors top Spurs, deny on top at Radical ME Cup

DOHA: A night worth remem- drivers tussle their way to acquire bering for sure for French pair, a podium finish. The team, Ollie Loffreda and Lutter, as they Smith and Eric Zimmerman, took ‘Pop’ milestone victory remain in the lead in the third home the pole position this time Radical Middle East Cup held over the previous winner Russian at Losail International Circuit driver Sergey Shalunov from the over the weekend. team ArloidIntraHouse. For the Johnson stars with 20 points; Grizzlies down Hawks During the first race, Lucco three consecutive races, Lucco racing team finished on the third team has been very driven to position and sees to position uphold their top spot. TORONTO: James Johnson visit Indiana. Popovich, who has themselves on the second spot in “We are very grateful to finish scored 20 points, including a go- coached the Spurs to five NBA the second round of the race. this race in top position. There ahead three-pointer in the last championships, remains one tri- Loffreda and Lutter were the are a lot of really good drivers minute, as Toronto edged San umph away from becoming the fastest drivers with a time of in the circuit all eyeing for one Antonio 87-82 yesterday to deny ninth coach to record 1,000 NBA 2:00.458 during their free prac- goal that you have to look out to. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a wins. tice session. And for us to maintain in the top 1,000th NBA win. With his team’s next victory, “Familiarising the track is three spot means pressure for us,” Trailing 82-79 with 1:49 he’ll join former Utah Jazz coach something a good driver consid- Loffreda said. remaining, Toronto scored the Jerry Sloan as the only coaches Nicolas ers as it helps them navigate their “Nonetheless, it was a fantas- last eight points of the game to to notch that many wins with a Batum way in the race. As for me, this tic night drive. Exhausting but end a run of seven straight losses single franchise. has become very handy as the ecstatic at the same time,” he (right) of the to the Spurs. In a see-saw battle, San race took place in the evening,” continued. Portland DeMar DeRozan added 18 Antonio went on a 9-0 scoring said LudovicLoffreda, one of The fourth Radical Middle points and Jonas Valanciunas run early in the third quarter to Trail Blazers Lucco racing team driver. East Cup will take place in Dubai delivered eight points and 16 take an eight-point lead. defends In this third of the sixth race, 25 Autodrome on the February 26 rebounds for the Raptors. Toronto coach Dwane Casey against qualified and competitive Radical and 28. THE PENINSULA Tim Duncan had 12 points and called for a timeout and the Josh Smith 12 rebounds and Marco Belinelli Raptors bore down on defence, of the scored 12 as well for the reign- with the Spurs connecting on just Houston ing NBA champion Spurs, who 25 percent of their shots from the Rockets started a nine-game road trip field for the rest of the game. during with the defeat. Coming out of the timeout, their NBA The Spurs, who shot just 33.3 Toronto reeled off 10 straight game at percent from the floor, will try points to regain the lead and the the Toyota to get back on track when they Raptors took a 64-58 lead into the Center, fourth quarter. yesterday. A three-pointer by San NBA Results Antonio’s French point guard Oklahoma City 131 LA Clippers 108 Tony Parker tied the game with Cleveland 120 LA Lakers 105 five minutes to play. Memphis 94 Atlanta 88 Belinelli hit his second three- Indiana 103 Charlotte 102 pointer of the quarter with two Minnesota 112 Detroit 101 and a half minutes to play and Chicago 98 Orlando 97 a layup from Parker less than a minute later gave the Spurs an Portland 109 Houston 98 82-79 lead. Toronto 87 San Antonio 82 A minute later, Kyle Lowry with six assists as the Memphis with 11 points and 15 rebounds Philadelphia 3 Washington 1 was cutting into the lane when he Grizzlies defeated the Atlanta in the match. Point guard Jeff NY Islanders 3 Buffalo 2 found Johnson wide open beyond Hawks in a showdown of two Teague led Atlanta (42-10) with Tampa Bay 5 Anaheim 3 the three-point line and Johnson of the NBA’s best teams of the 22 points and six assists. Dallas 3 NY Rangers 2 made the shot to put Toronto championship. The score was last tied with Winnipeg 5 Colorado 3 ahead for good. Marc Gasol had a double-dou- 3:25 remaining in the game but French pair, Loffreda and Lutter, remain in the lead in the third Radical Middle Grizzlies 94, Hawks 88 ble with 16 points and 10 rebounds Memphis finished out with an 8-2 Montreal 3 Boston 1 East Cup held at Losail International Circuit, in Doha over the weekend. Mike Conley scored 21 points and Zach Randolph doubled up run. AGENCIES NHL: Lightning bounce back

Qatar Steel to beat Anaheim Ducks 5-3 team which entered the NEW YORK: One day after defeat the Florida Panthers. The final of QS falling behind 3-0 in a home NHL Results Predators (35-12-6) now lead the Ice Hockey loss, the Tampa Bay Lightning Chicago 4 St Louis 2 Central Division by four points Tournament bounced back nicely, jump- Nashville 3 Florida 2 over the St. Louis Blues, who lost poses for a ing out to a three-goal lead on Philadelphia 3 Washington 1 earlier Sunday. picture. the way to a win against the NY Islanders 3 Buffalo 2 The Panthers (23-17-11) also Anaheim Ducks by 5-3. Tampa Bay 5 Anaheim 3 got a strong game in goal from Tampa Bay (34-16-5) got a Roberto Luongo. Dallas 3 NY Rangers 2 key two points in the standings Stars 3, Rangers 2 (Overtime) against Anaheim (34-13-7), which Winnipeg 5 Colorado 3 Ales Hemsky scored 1:02 into came into the game leading the Montreal 3 Boston 1 overtime to give the Dallas Stars NHL with 75 points. a victory against the New York The Lightning now lead the Canadiens 3, Bruins 1 Rangers. East with 73 points, including a The Montreal Canadiens fin- The victory ended a three- league-best 22 home wins. ished off a four-game season game losing streak for the Stars. Qatar Steel to play for title Brian Boyle finished with two sweep of the rival Boston Bruins. The Rangers (30-16-5) lost two goals to lead the way for Tampa First-line wingers Dale Weise straight since starting goaltender Bay. and Max Pacioretty both scored Henrik Lundqvist left the lineup DOHA: Qatar Steel Ice tournament again for the sec- and appreciation to Qatar Steel’s Anaheim trailed 5-1 in the a goal and set up another, and with a vascular injury. Hockey team has qualified for ond year on the country’s Sports management for their posi- third period, and got scores by Carey Price stopped 34 shots, los- Flyers 3, Capitals 1 the final of the QS Ice Hockey Day, in coordination with Qatar tive contributions to support- Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Brewer and ing a shutout on a goal by rookie Wayne Simmonds scored his Cup Tournament being organ- Winter Sports Committee, the ing different community events Sami Vatanen. right winger David Pastrnak with first even-strength goal since ised by Qatar Winter Sports organiser of the event,” he said. and activities and particularly Blackhawks 4, Blues 2 4:31 left in the game. Dec. 23 to give Philadelphia a Committee, taking place con- “Our participation in the Sports sports. He hoped that coopera- Marian Hossa scored a power- The Bruins (28-18-7) then third-period lead, and goaltender currently with the country’s Day celebrations stems from our tion between the two sides would play goal at 11:19 of the third pressed for the tying goal but Ray Emery stopped six shots in Sports Day. belief in the importance of sports continue, for holding more hockey period to break a 2-2 tie and lift didn’t really come close. Montreal relief of starting netminder Steve The tournament started last and its basic role in making the tournaments in the future. the Chicago Blackhawks to a win (34-15-3) defenceman Andrei Mason to lead the Flyers to a win Saturday at Vilagio Complex in society fit, strong, more produc- Qatar Steel is taking this initi- over the St. Louis Blues. Markov’s long, empty-net goal over the Washington Capitals. Doha, with 14 team participat- tive, and capable to continue its ative in the context of supporting Hossa finished with two goals sealed it with 30.5 seconds The Flyers’ (23-22-8) win was ingin the event. The final will be march towards development,” he the sports on one hand, spreading for the Blackhawks (33-18-2) remaining. their fifth in six games (5-0-1), played today. added. ice hockey game in Qatar, and to who also got 25 saves from Corey Predators 3, Panthers 2 but they lost Mason to a lower- Ali Bin Hassan Al Muraikhi, Adel Al Mutlaq, General encouraging the youth to practice Crawford. (Shootout) body injury in the process as the Managing Director and General Secretary of Qatar Winter Sports, it, on the other hand. The Blues (34-15-4), coming Rookie Filip Forsberg got the goaltender skated off while flexing Manager of Qatar Steel expressed praised Qatar Steel’s imitative to Qatar Steel also re-affirms its off their worst loss of the season, tying goal in regulation and the his right leg at 11:18 in the second his delight at holding QS Ice hold the Ice Hockey tournament continual support of the country’s 7-1 Friday night in Chicago, suf- winning goal in the shootout period. Alex Ovechkin scored the Hockey Cup Tournament. for the second year running. community activities in general. fered only their second home loss as the Nashville Predators ral- lone goal for the Capitals (28-16- “We are pleased to hold this He also extended his thanks THE PENINSULA in regulation since November 11. lied from a two-goal deficit to 10). AGENCIES Hirscher wins super-combined at Worlds Marcel Hirscher BEAVER CREEK, US: “It is unbelievable,” said 31st-fastest time in the opening Starting 30th, Jansrud was skiing of Austria with Austria’s Marcel Hirscher Hirscher, who won the sla- downhill leg, but then finished with an injured shoulder after he claimed his second world ski lom crown at the 2013 World with a stellar slalom run, top- jammed it on a race gate earlier in his gold medal title on Sunday, winning the Championships in Austria. ping Jansrud and defending world the week. Jansrud charged down at the medals super combined after posting a “You have to push as hard as combined champion Ted Ligety of the slalom track to post an aggre- ceremony for blistering slalom run from the you can and take chances, and if the United States. It marked the gate time of 2:36.29, 0.19 seconds the 2015 World number one starting position to you don’t it is your fault, and I first career World Championship behind Hirscher. Alpine Ski seal the victory. took chances.” medal for Jansrud, who finished Ligety, who won both the Championships The 23-year-old Hirscher The super-combined is a down- just off the podium in fourth ear- super-G and combined at the men’s grabbed the gold at the hill and one run of slalom, with lier this week in the super-G. 2013 Worlds, said the conditions combined in Beaver Creek World Alpine both portions taking place on Hirscher charged out the gate for the slalom were better for Vail, Colorado Championships by charging out the same day. Hirscher won on first and his time of two mins the early starters. Ligety said he on Sunday. the gate first, then watching the Sunday by posting the top aggre- 36.10 secs in slalom was chal- takes more pleasure in his World rest of the 44-strong field fail to gate time over the downhill and lenged immediately by number Cup wins that he has achieved in catch him, including silver medal- slalom. two starter Ligety, who finished Beaver Creek than Sunday’s com- list Kjetil Jansrud of Norway. Hirscher registered the with a total time of 2:36.40. bined bronze. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Becker turns Boxing worlds logo unveiled down Davis Cup job offer Qatar to host eleven-day AIBA World Championships in October BERLIN: Boris Becker has ruled himself out as a possi- BY RIZWAN REHMAT ble candidate to take over as Germany’s Davis Cup captain DOHA: Qatar yesterday while he continues to coach unveiled the AIBA World world number-one Novak Boxing Championships logo at Djokovic. the Sports Village on Corniche, The 47-year-old German took almost eight months before over as Djokovic’s coach last sea- Doha gets ready to attract son and helped the Serbian star ‘record number of entries’ at the claim his eighth Grand Slam title 11-day tournament. by beating Britain’s Andy Murray Qatar Olympic Committee in the recent Australian Open (QOC) Secretary General Sheikh final. Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani “The job as Davis Cup team joined Qatar Boxing Federation boss, I can’t imagine right now,” (QBF) President Yousuf Ali Al the three-time Wimbledon Kazim in unveiling the logo. champion told Germany’s Tennis Al Kazim said the hosts can Magazin. confirm that 65 countries will be Germany face 2014 finalists represented at the event. France in Frankfurt on March He said the number will see a 6-8 in a World Group first-round gradual increase with final tally to tie. be announced in August. Becker was linked to the “Normally there are 196 coun- vacancy over the weekend when tries that feature at an event like German Tennis Federation (DTB) this. However, we will know more vice-president Dirk Hordorff about the exact number of coun- told Munich-based newspaper tries represented at our event in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that due course of time,” Kazim said Becker “was not at the bottom” yesterday. of a list of candidates. “I think we will get record Even though Becker has unof- number of entries.” ficially turned down the job, Qatar will feature eight boxers Hordorff told SID, an AFP sub- at the event that will be held from sidiary, that he “prefers to have October 8 to 18, Al Kazim said. a personal interview with candi- Hamad Al Attiyah Indoor Hall dates” and “did not want to rule opposite Al Sadd Stadium will out any possibility”. stage the AIBA event. Carsten Arriens was fired as “Competitions will be held in 10 Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (second right) and Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) Germany’s Davis Cup captain last categories,” Al Kazim said. President Yousuf Ali Al Kazim (second left) pose for a picture after unveiling the logo of the AIBA World Boxing Championships. The event will be week and the DTB are eager to fill Al Kazim said the logo was held in Qatar from October 8 to 18. PICTURES BY: BAHER AMIN the vacancy as quickly as possible. designed by QOC in conjunction AFP with QBF. “You see there are two colours host this year’s premier boxing Handball Championships which in the logo - one is red and the championships. featured 24 countries. ATP Tour Singles other blue. Those are the colours “It is very exciting for AIBA to Doha hosted the 2006 Asian Standings used in boxing,” Al Kazim said. explore new horizons and we are Games and the 2011 Pan Arab 1 (1) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 13045 “When the colours are mixed looking forward to visit Doha in Games. you get yellow which represents 2015,” AIBA President C K Wu The 2015 International 2 (2) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 9205 the head of a boxer. It also repre- said at the time. Paralympic Committee (IPC) 3 (3) Rafa Nadal (Spain) 5745 sents our environment,” he added. “We are delighted with the Athletics World Championships 4 (4) Andy Murray (Britain) 5460 “You see the words Doha which trust and confidence of the AIBA will also be staged in October. 5 (5) Kei Nishikori (Japan) 5205 is our capital,” he said. Executive Committee,” Al Kazim Two days ago, Qatar Cycling 6 (6) Milos Raonic (Canada) 4845 “This will be the first time that said. Federation (QCF) unveiled 7 (7) Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 4660 an AIBA World Championships “We have no doubt that the route map and the logo of 8 (9) Stanislas Wawrinka( Switzerland) 4050 will be held in the Middle East,” the AIBA World Boxing the 2016 World Road Cycling Al Kazim said. Championships Doha 2015 will Championships to be staged in 9 (10) David Ferrer (Spain) 3965 “We will be approaching BeIN be one of the best in the history Doha in October 2016. 10 (8) Marin Cilic (Croatia) 3945 and Al Kass Sports Channel to of the sport and that new stand- In May last year, Doha see who will cover our event live,” ards will be set in this brand new was awarded the 48th WTA Tour Singles he said. region for AIBA. Artistic Gymnastics World Standings Two years ago, Doha beat “The AIBA EC Members Championships, to be held in 1 (1) Serena Williams (US) 9776 Thailand in the race bid to know that we will not let them 2018. down. A year later in 2019, Doha 2 (2) Maria Sharapova (Russia) 8210 “I want to take this opportunity will become the first city in the 3 (3) Simona Halep (Romania) 6571 to express my gratitude to Sheikh Middle East to hold the IAAF 4 (4) Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 6480 Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al World Athletics Championships 5 (5) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 4565 Thani, QOC Secretary General, In 2021, Qatar will assemble 6 (6) Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4425 for his full support and his guid- the best continental teams for Getachew Molla (in blue) lands a punch on Jomah Arbabi Othman dur- 7 (7) Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 4365 ance in this successful bid,” Al the Confederation Cup, exactly ing their Bantamweight bout of the Doha Open Championships at Qatar 8 (8) Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 4270 Kazim added. a year before it stages the 2022 SC Indoor Hall in this May 2014 file picture. The event was staged by 9 (9) Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) 3285 This year’s boxing worlds fol- FIFA World Cup. Qatar Boxing Federation. low last month’s Men’s World THE PENINSULA 10 (10) Angelique Kerber (Germany) 3130

Kim wins Bahamas LPGA Day wins in nail-biting title as Ko keeps top rank Torrey Pines play-off PARADISE ISLAND, LA JOLLA, United States: Farmers Insurance regulation was rolling briskly Bahamas: South Korean Australia’s Jason Day parred toward the water hazard, but rookie Kim Sei-Young won a the second hole of a four-man Open stopped just short of the hazard play-off yesterday to capture sudden-death playoff on Sunday La Jolla, United States: Leading final-round line and he closed with a par. the Bahamas LPGA Classic to win the $6.3m Farmers scores yesterday from the $6.3m US PGA Tour He had put himself in conten- while teen Lydia Ko kept the Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Farmers Insurance Open (x-won at second tion with birdies at 15 and 16 -- world’s top ranking, foiling With his third US PGA Tour playoff hole, USA unless noted, par-72): where he drained a 47-footer. a number-one bid by Park triumph, the 27-year-old Day will 279 x-Jason Day (AUS) 73-65-71-70, “I had a great save at 17 from In-Bee. rise from eighth to number four J.B. Holmes 69-70-68-72, Scott a plugged lie in the bunker,” Day Kim sank a five-foot birdie in the world, overtaking Adam Stallings 70-72-68-69, Harris said. “Then, learning from my putt on the 72nd hole to reach Scott to become the top-ranked English 68-66-73-72 mistake on 18 and taking that the playoff, then followed with a Australian. into the playoff... the hard work 280 Charles Howell 72-70-70-68, Alex six-foot birdie putt on the same He out-lasted JB Holmes -- is paying off.” Prugh 70-70-69-71 18th green on the first extra who fell short with a bogey at the The foursome returned to the hole to defeat Thai teen Ariya second playoff hole -- and defend- 281 Martin Laird (SCO) 68-68-76-69, par-five 18th to start the play- Jutanugarn and compatriot Yoo ing champion Scott Stallings and Shane Lowry (IRL) 74-67-72-68, off. All four reached the green in Sun-Young and win the crown Harris English -- both eliminated Nick Watney 71-65-72-73, Jimmy regulation. English rolled his long in only her second US tour at the first extra hole. Walker 72-66-70-73 birdie effort within a foot of the appearance. “It’s an amazing feeling because 282 Zac Blair 72-70-71-69, Michael hole and he tapped in for par. “I feel really great,” Kim said. I’ve been working so hard for this. Thompson 65-73-74-70, J.J. Henry Stallings followed with his “I was really nervous. I just I just kept visualizing myself hold- 68-71-73-70, Carlos Ortiz (MEX) birdie try from about 15 feet out, focused on my game. I can’t find ing the trophy this week, kind of 73-70-68-71, Jhonattan Vegas and he missed left. the words. Just crying.” like what I did at the (WGC) (VEN) 67-69-73-73, Spencer Levin Holmes had played his third Kim, 22 and a three-time win- Match Play,” Day said. 68-70-70-74 shot to three feet and he con- ner on the Korean Tour, fired “I just said, I’m not going to 283 Colt Knost 69-72-71-71, Chad verted that for birdie. Day, who a five-under par 68 in the final stop, I’m not going to stop. Collins 75-66-75-67 shared second place at this event round to join Jutanugarn and Yoo “I’m just really proud of myself last year, rolled in his short birdie on 14-under 278 and force a play- to be able to hang in there and unable to convert his par attempt. putt to extend the playoff. off on the par-5 18th hole. grind it out.” Day, Holmes, Stallings and Alex Prugh with a 71 and Yoo, who won a major title Day’s tee shot at the second English all finished 72 holes on Charles Howell with a final-round at the 2012 Kraft Nabisco extra hole, the par-three 16th on nine-under 279. Day carded a 68 shared fifth place on 280, one Championship, found a greenside the Torrey Pines South Course, final-round 70, Stallings a 69 stroke in front of Scotland’s bunker with her playoff approach flew straight over the flagstick while Holmes and English, who Martin Laird, Ireland’s Shane while 19-year-old Jutanugarn put and left him a long birdie attempt. shared the overnight lead, carded Lowry and Americans Nick her approach in the left rough. Jason Day poses with the championship trophy after his victory at the His putt went right, but left even-par 72s. Watney and Jimmy Walker. Kim then blasted her second shot Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South in La Jolla, California, him a tap-in for par. Day had a bit of luck just The biggest names in the field to the back edge of the green. yesterday. Holmes, meanwhile, flew the to make the playoff. His chip didn’t make it to the weekend. AFP green and after chipping on was from behind the green at 18 in AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Ibra rescues point for PSG Lyon stay top after draw; Monaco unbeaten run ends

PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic They even took a surprise early scored a controversial penalty as lead through Cameroon youngster Paris Saint-Germain snatched a Clinton N’Jie on 31 minutes, his 1-1 draw at Ligue 1 leaders Lyon second goal of the season, follow- yesterday. ing a clever one-two with Nabil Champions PSG could have Fekir. gone top with victory but needed Ibrahimovic lost all of his duels a highly contentious retaken pen- with Lopes while Edinson Cavani alty just to earn a share of the and David Luiz both failed to spoils at the Stade Gerland. convert chances, leaving coach They remain third, two points Laurent Blanc frustrated. behind their night’s hosts, Blanc was left scratching his and level with second-placed head trying to find an answer as Marseille, who drew 1-1 at Rennes to how his side managed to fail to on Saturday. win a match in which they domi- Swedish giant Ibrahimovic saw nated possession and created the Saud Al Mohannadi, Vice-President of Qatar Football Association in his first penalty attempt saved by lion’s share of chances. this file picture. goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, but he “When you have the chances, had another chance seconds later you need to score because you when the referee decided Lyon never know what can happen players had encroached on the next”, said Blanc. QFA VP Al Mohannadi penalty area too early. PSG pressed relentlessly in the “If you follow the rules, it’s a second half and Ibrahimovic came fair decision. It was a nice game close with headers twice that but we should have won it. Lopes forced Lopes into excellent saves. to run for FIFA post had some nice saves but we should Lyon could even have extended have scored,” said the 33-year old their lead late on but Fekir and DOHA: Qatar will make Makudi, China’s Zhang Jilong striker after the game. Arnold Mvuemba missed good another attempt to get an offi- and Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al On his second try, he made no chances. cial elected onto FIFA’s all- Hussein, who is running for the mistake, equalising in the 69th And the leaders will feel hard powerful executive committee FIFA presidency later this year, minute. done by after that re-taken pen- ahead of their hosting of the are the AFC’s current represent- “I stopped the first penalty so alty, despite maintaining their 2022 World Cup. atives on the FIFA Exco. it’s tough to see the referee giv- advantage at the top of the table. Qatar Football Association Meanwhile former Dutch mid- ing a second one. It’s a shame, I “We played a very good PSG (QFA) Vice-President Saud Al fielder Edgar Davids is willing to don’t know what else to say,” said side so we’re happy to get that Mohannadi has announced plans offer his experience in helping Lopes. draw. We had to show sacrifice to stand in April elections for young kids develop their football, “There is no anger, just and solidarity,” said coach Hubert the role and also that of Asian the one-time Juventus star said frustration.” Fournier. Earlier, Monaco’s recent Football Confederation (AFC) on the sidelines of the Al Kass With Ligue 1 top scorer charge up the standings came vice president. Cup. Lyon’s French defender Samuel Umtiti (right) vies with Paris Saint- Alexandre Lacazette out injured, to a shuddering halt when they Al Mohannadi’s candidacy fol- Davids, who retired in 2011, Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos during the French L1 match the young Lyon side held its own conceded a first goal in over 800 lows the failed bid of Hassan Al met with Hamad Abdullah Al at the Gerland Stadium in Lyon on Sunday night. thanks to a fine performance minutes to fall 1-0 at ten-man Thawadi to be elected on to the Kuwari, Acting Chief Operating from Lopes. Guingamp. AFP world governing body’s executive Officer and Director of committee in 2013. Marketing and Communications, Al Thawadi was beaten 28-18 QFA, and discussed football mat- French Ligue 1 in a head-to-head vote with ters in detail. Pep targets tiki-taka for Bayern’s Bahrain’s Salman Bin Ebrahim “The meeting was very fruit- Results Al-Khalifa, who was also elected ful and we were able to discuss AFC President. many important things. We PARIS, France: French Ligue Qatar have suffered relent- talked about football and ways Champions League challenge 1 results on Sunday night: less criticism since being to develop the game in Qatar,” Lyon 1 (Njie 31) Paris SG 1 (Ibrahimovic awarded the right to host the Al Kuwari said. BERLIN: As Bayern Munich But after three below-par from defender David Alaba gave 69-pen); Guingamp 1 (Levêque 51) Monaco World Cup for the first time in Davids said: “I am a football steam towards an inevita- domestic performances so far Bayern three more league points 0; Nice 0 Nantes 0. a 2010 vote and having a voice fan first. I came here to discuss ble 25th German league title, in 2015 by Bayern’s own lofty in Stuttgart, but Guardiola wants On Saturday at FIFA’s top table could help football in a country that loves Pep Guardiola wants a return standards, the Spaniard will use more. quieten the backlash. this sport. I am happy at the Rennes 1 (Toivonen 27) Marseille 1 (Ocampos to “tiki-taka” football in the this week for some fine-tuning “The win was important The dates of the tournament reception I got here. It is my first 60); Montpellier 1 (Dabo 90+3) Lille 2 (Roux 9, Bavarian giants’ assault on before their European assault for the psyche, but also for remain undecided, with FIFA visit to this country.” Lopes 53); Reims 1 (Moukandjo Bile 42) Lorient the much-coveted Champions recommences. (our place in) the table,” said considering a range of options He added: “I have a very good 3 (Gassama 50, Guerreiro 63, Jeannot 85); League title. The 2013 Champions League Guardiola. because of concerns about the impression of how football is Evian/Thonon 0 Bordeaux 1 (Khazri 11); Caen “We’re not perfect, I know winners travel to Lviv on “The result was important searing temperatures in Qatar loved in this country so I am 2 (Privat 17, Feret 72-pen) Toulouse 0; Bastia that. We have to improve,” said February 17 to face Shakhtar for our preparations against in June and July, when the World thinking of establishing sports 2 (Kamano 65, Boudebouz 79-pen) Metz 0. Bayern’s perfectionist Spanish Donetsk, due to the political situ- Hamburg and Donetsk, but we Cup is traditionally held. projects here so that we could coach after Saturday’s routine ation in Ukraine, in their last 16 have to improve to reach our On Friday The QFA said Al Mohannadi, get more kids playing this amaz- 2-0 league win at bottom side VfB first leg clash. level.” Saint-Etienne 3 (Nguemo 18, Mollo 57, Erding previously their general secre- ing sport.” Stuttgart. Hamburg are Bayern’s next There has been a nervous 83) Lens 3 (Touzghar 60, 69-pen, Chavarría tary, had “enjoyed decades of Davids was quick to note Under Guardiola, Barcelona domestic opponent in Munich energy to Guardiola since Bayern 77). association with football in var- that ‘Doha is fast developing as dominated Spanish football by on Saturday in their final warm- were thrashed 4-1 at second- ious capacities” and completed a sport hub of the world.” winning 14 titles from 2008 up, but Guardiola wants to show placed Wolfsburg on their return La Liga his application before tomorrow’s He said he would like to offer until 2012, with their fast-paced the north Germans no love on from the winter break at the end deadline. ‘every service to develop the passing, dubbed “tiki-taka”, to Valentine’s day. of January. MADRID: Spanish La Liga Japan Football Association game of football in Netherlands keep the ball away from the “We have to find our game, Guardiola sailed close to the results on Sunday night: Vice President Kozo Tashima and Qatar’. opposition. that is our goal for the next few wind in the 1-1 draw at home to Cordoba 1 (Cartabia 10) Almeria 2 (Michel 61, and Malaysian Football A combative, energetic, and Bayern are used to enjoying games,” said Guardiola. Schalke last Tuesday by storm- 66); Getafe 2 (Vazquez 30-pen, Pedro Leon 85) President Tengku Abdullah creative midfielder, Davids was around 70 percent possession “The key is less running and ing out of his technical area Sevilla 1 (Krychowiak 66); Espanyol 1 (Sergio Sultan Ahmad Shah have nicknamed “the Pitbull” by Louis under Guardiola, are eight points more play, make the pass as to remonstrate with assistant Garcia 89) Valencia 2 (Piatti 62, Pau Lopez already announced plans to run van Gaal because of his marking clear in the Bundesliga and on quickly as possible.” referee Markus Hacker after a 85-og); Athletic Bilbao 2 (Rico 60, Aduriz 66) for the executive committee. ability and his aggressive tack- course for a third straight league An Arjen Robben first-half Robert Lewandowski goal was Barcelona 5 (Messi 16, Suarez 26, De Marcos Al Khalifa, Thailand’s Worawi ling. AGENCIES title. goal and a wonderful free kick disallowed. AFP 61-og, Neymar 65, Pedro 86). Arsenal eager to Leadership: Lesson for Sport concludes in Doha hunt down Foxes LONDON: Arsenal will try to A whirlwind 24 hours followed recover from their north London City’s home defeat by Crystal derby defeat by Tottenham Palace on Saturday that left them Hotspur when they face bot- rooted at the foot of the Premier tom-of-the-table Leicester City League table, with earlier sugges- at the Emirates today. tions that their manager of three- The Gunners have become syn- and-a-half years had been sacked onymous with managerial stabil- proving incorrect. ity during French boss Arsene Both sides will have a point to Wenger’s more than 18 years in prove, with Arsenal anxious to charge of the club. revive their bid for a top four fin- Leicester, by contrast, were ish, having fallen to sixth after compelled to issue a statement Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Spurs. late Sunday insisting Nigel The Gunners will be strength- Pearson was still their manager. ened by the return of Alexis Sanchez to the squad after the Chile forward was forced to sit English Premier out the trip to White Hart Lane with a hamstring problem. League Fixtures And they will draw some com- (All times in GMT) fort from the fact Manchester Arsenal vs Leicester City (1945) United failed to beat West Ham on Sunday, with the 1-1 draw Hull City vs Aston Villa (1945) ensuring Louis Van Gaal’s fourth- Sunderland vs Queens Park Rangers (1945) placed side remain within touch- Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (2000) ing distance, with just a two-point Tomorrow gap separating Arsenal from the Speakers and delegates, who participated in Josoor Institute’s workshop titled Leadership: Lesson for Sport, pose for a group picture at Qatar National Chelsea vs Everton (1945) Dutchman’s team. Convention Centre in Doha yesterday. The workshop concluded yesterday. Josoor Institute partnered with LeadersTM, a global event, publishing Manchester United vs Burnley (1945) On paper, today’s match should be a routine victory for Wenger’s and consultancy business, to deliver the professional development workshop. In efforts to continue to empower and educate the many people who Southampton vs West Ham United (1945) side who cruised to a 5-0 vic- will play an integral role in Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the two-day professional development workshop focused on sharing best Stoke City vs Manchester City (1945) tory over Aston Villa on their practices in organisational leadership and management as well as valuable leadership lessons based on the experience of influential global figures Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United (2000) last home outing. But events at from across government, the sports and events industries and its related fields. World-class speakers delivered sessions over two days from some West Bromwich Albion vs Swansea City Leicester have added an element of the world’s best-known sports, business and academic organisations. (2000) of uncertainty. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Ivory Coast win African Nations Cup on penalties An Ivorian supporter smiles as she arrives at the Houphouet Boigny Goalkeeper Barry the hero as The Elephants end 23-year title drought Stadium in Abidjan yesterday.

BATA, Equatorial Guinea: before feeding Atsu, whose first Ivory Coast finally won the time shot hit the upright before Massive crowds African Nations Cup after a bouncing back into play. decade of close calls as they An Ivorian mistake gave Ghana greet victorious edged neighbours Ghana 9-8 on the first chance of the second half penalties after a goalless draw with Atsu speeding away before Elephants following extra time in Sunday’s passing inside to Asamoah Gyan, final at the Bata Stadium. who was off target with his effort. ABIDJAN: Hundreds of thou- Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry Gyan had been doubtful for sands of supporters at the air- converted the decisive spot kick the final with a pelvic injury but port and on the streets of Ivory to deliver the trophy for a country passed a late fitness test. Coast’s commercial capital who had been heavily fancied for Mubarak Wakaso blasted over Abidjan welcomed home the the previous five tournaments but the top with a strong effort from national football team yesterday flopped in all of them. well outside the penalty area mid- after its victory at the African It was a second title for Ivory way through the second half as Nations Cup in Equatorial Coast whose only previous success the midfield stranglehold kept Guinea. came when they also beat Ghana chances to a minimum. Supporters, who had watched in a similar post-match marathon However, Atsu’s strong run- their Elephants team lose in two shootout 11-10 in Dakar in 1992. ning down the right tested the finals during a decade that saw Their triumph came on a night Ivorian defence again when he their country descend into polit- when 22 people died outside an provided Gyan without another ical turmoil and two civil wars, Egyptian soccer match after chance after 72 minutes but it poured into the streets follow- security forces barred fans from was blocked. ing the win in a party that lasted entering the stadium, the public As the game approached 90 much of the night. prosecutor’s office said. minutes a scramble in the Ghana “This cup must bring us peace. Most of the dead were suffo- penalty area, after Brimah could The politicians must be like the cated when the crowd stampeded only parry the ball, gave Ivorian players. They must be united and after police used teargas to clear substitute Seydou Doumbia a create peace for us, their people!” the supporters trying to force half-chance but he too was said supporter Bakary Diomande. their way into a league match thwarted by a quick defensive President Alassane Ouattara, between two Cairo clubs, Zamalek recovery. who travelled in his motorcade and Enppi, doctors and witnesses Doumbia missed another half- through the celebrating crowds said. chance at the start of the second Sunday night, declared yesterday The trouble highlighted the half of extra time when striker a national holiday and called upon problems facing African football Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure (third from left) holds aloft the trophy after the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Gervinho found a second wind Ivorians to come to the lagoon- and overshadowed the thrilling Bata Stadium in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Sunday. and the game had to go to penal- side national stadium to show climax to the Nations Cup tour- ties to separate the teams. their appreciation for the team. nament in Equatorial Guinea, who Barry, who was only play- with different countries after suc- Yaya Toure had the game’s first Ghana’s agonising shootout “It’s wonderful. We had an fan- stepped in as hosts after Morocco ing because of injury to Sylvain cess with Zambia in 2012, when effort on goal after 10 minutes but defeat means they are still wait- tastic team and a coach without was stripped of the hosting rights. Gbohouo, saved from Ghana goal- they edged the Ivorians in a his free kick went straight into ing for their first Nations Cup equal ... The Ivorian people are A total of 22 kicks were needed keeper Razak Brimah and then, shootout. Brimah’s arms. success since 1982. proud,” Ouattara said following to settle the 2015 title with the after requiring treatment for an Two hours of action delivered Gervinho fed Max Gradel with Morocco were stripped of the the victory. Ivorians missing their first two injury, got up to slot home the few chances as the tired-looking a clear chance on the right of the tournament having asked for a Cheering crowds decked out attempts. decisive spot kick. teams fought out an error-strewn attack soon after but he blasted postponement amid concerns over in Ivory Coast’s national colours It came down to the keepers to Victory for the Ivorians also midfield battle, although Ghana’s a hurried shot wide. the spread of the Ebola virus and swamped the airport and packed settle matters after all the out- handed Frenchman Herve Renard Christian Atsu came close to Ghana’s first effort was inches have been banned from the next the 15km route that brought the field players had taken a penalty the distinction of becoming the scoring with a snap shot that hit away from a goal as Andre Ayew two African Nations Cups. team from the airport to the city each with the score at 8-8. first coach to win the Nations Cup the post after 26 minutes. weaved across the penalty box REUTERS centre. REUTERS Magical Messi inspires Barcelona in five-star performance

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s since a defeat by Real Sociedad had a header saved from point- for a high tackle on Suarez. Lionel Messi was at the heart of which led to a reported bust-up blank range by Iraizoz. Substitute Pedro Rodriguez another devastating attacking between coach Luis Enrique and “I am very self-critical and I scored Barca’s fifth from close show as they thumped Athletic the Argentina forward. get angry with myself but I knew range with Messi again playing a Bilbao 5-2 in La Liga on Sunday “It is a privilege to play along- that the goal was going to come,” part in the build up. to move within a point of lead- side two phenomenons (in Messi said Suarez. Barcelona coach Luis Enrique ers Real Madrid. and Neymar) and I need to enjoy “The save that Gorka made rotated his squad by bringing The Catalan side took full it,” Barcelona striker Luis Suarez against me was amazing. I wasn’t Ivan Rakitic and Xavi into mid- advantage of Real’s 4-0 derby told reporters. nervous but I do get worried field while Jeremy Mathieu played defeat by champions Atletico “We knew that it was going when I feel I am not helping the instead of Javier Mascherano at Madrid on Saturday with a daz- to be a difficult game but we got team.” centre half. zling display that moved them early goals that helped, although Mikel Rico pulled a goal back With Athletic going out to onto 53 points, three ahead of they (Athletic) did keep fighting for the hosts in the 59th minute attack it meant an open game Atletico. to the end.” but their celebrations had barely where the quality of Barca’s for- Earlier Valencia’s Pablo Piatti Barca took the lead from a died down when Oscar De Marcos ward moves shone through. set them on the way to a 2-1 vic- Messi free-kick that deflected put the ball into his own net after They played with the rhythm tory at Espanyol as they moved up off the wall and wrong-footed Messi knocked a cross goalwards. and intensity to their passing to fourth by leapfrogging Sevilla keeper Gorka Iraizoz after 15 Messi was at the heart of game that had been missing since who slumped to a 2-1 defeat at minutes. most of Barca’s play and set up their golden spell under former Getafe. The Argentine then played in Neymar for a clinical finish after coach Pep Guardiola. Messi had a hand in all five goals Suarez who fired home from 20 65 minutes. Barca will now look to transfer Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Athletic and has been in inspired form metres to lift the pressure off the Athletic kept attacking with their good form into a berth in the Bilbao d at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Sunday night. in a nine-match winning streak Uruguay forward who had not Aritz Aduriz scoring but then King’s Cup final starting tomor- in all competitions for Barca scored in six games and earlier they had Xabier Etxeita dismissed row. REUTERS Spain, Portugal challenge FIFA FIFA approves Ronaldo slammed for four candidates third-party ownership ban for presidential partying after defeat

MADRID: The Spanish and The practice allows investors to lifeline for financially poorer clubs election MADRID: Real Madrid star team-mates. “The online social Portuguese professional football buy all or a percentage share of a to be able to compete. Cristiano Ronaldo drew criti- networks were on fire with fierce leagues yesterday announced player’s rights and then receive The Spanish and Portuguese LAUSANNE: A FIFA elec- cism in the changing room by criticism from fans,” reported their intention to challenge their share of an often lucra- leagues argue that an outright toral committee yesterday partying for his 30th birth- Madrid sports newspaper AS. FIFA’s ban on third-party tive transfer fee when they move ban would infringe the compe- approved incumbent Sepp day hours after a 4-0 defeat by Disgruntled Twitter users even ownership of players to the between clubs. tition regulations enshrined in Blatter and three rivals for rivals Atletico, Spanish media generated a special hashtag, #lafi- European Union’s competition FIFA announced in December article 101 of the Treaty of the an election for the presidency reported yesterday. estadeladeshonra, or “party of commission. that third-party ownership would Functioning of the European of football’s global governing Leading sports daily Marca disgrace”. “The prohibition of third-party be outlawed from May this year, Union. body to be held on May 29. called the Portuguese striker’s “It was a trending topic all day ownership constitutes an eco- hoping to bring an end to a sys- Moreover, they claim that the Blatter, who has been in the birthday bash after Real’s Madrid from 12:00pm,” AS said. nomic agreement that restricts tem critics have labelled corrupt. training of young players will be post since 1998, is opposed by derby defeat in the league on Cristiano’s agent Jorge Mendes the economic liberty of clubs, UEFA president Michel Platini affected by the loss of income and Dutch federation President Saturday “The Party of Discord.” told Cadena SER radio station players and third parties without has dubbed the practice a danger that third-party ownership is cur- Michael van Praag, Jordanian “Pictures of the celebration on Sunday he himself was “very any justification or proportional- to the game, saying many players rently carried out legally in the Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, did not go down well with Real annoyed” by the photographs. ity,” the leagues said in a joint were no longer in control of their majority of professional leagues a FIFA Vice-president, and Madrid’s captains” Iker Casillas “When there is an event that statement. own sporting careers and often across the world. Portuguese football great and and Sergio Ramos, Marca wrote is totally private and then you see “This ban damages the clubs, transferred to “generate revenue Under FIFA’s proposals, exist- former Ballon d’Or winner Luis yesterday. someone is leaking pictures of it, principally those with less eco- for anonymous individuals who ing agreements with third parties Figo. Ronaldo hosted teammates clearly you get annoyed,” Mendes nomic resources, preventing them just want to get their hands on will be allowed to continue until A FIFA statement said including second-choice goal- said. from sharing with third parties some of the money in football”. the end of their contractual obli- all four had passed “integ- keeper Keylor Navas, defender The agent said the player was the economic rights of the profes- Third-party ownership has gation and any new agreements rity checks” so they could be Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Luka “gutted at the defeat” — a claim sional players in their squads and already been banned in the before the new law comes into allowed into the election. Modric, Sami Khedira and James echoed by other figures close to manage their financial obliga- English Premier League, but it force will be subject to a one-year At the FIFA Congress the Rodriguez, who recently had foot to Ronaldo, including Chelsea tions in the most prudent form.” remains a common practice in time limit. winner has to get the majority surgery, newspapers reported. and former Real manager Jose The leagues claim that the South America as well as in Spain Third-party ownership has of the 205 FIFA members. Participants including Mourinho. complaint could lead to a multi- and Portugal, where the majority already been banned in the Blatter, who will soon be Colombian singer Kevin Roldan, “People spent the first million euro fine for FIFA, as of South Americans take their English Premier League, but it 79, is strong favourite to win who was invited to entertain two hours of the party encourag- well as compensation for the first step into European football. remains a common practice in a fifth term but faces a strong guests at the party, posted pho- ing him because he was sad about clubs, players and third parties However, advocates of the sys- South America as well as in Spain European-led opposition. AFP tographs on social networks of the defeat,” Mendes said. affected. tem believe it provides a crucial and Portugal. AFP Ronaldo and various grinning AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Pakistani batsman Younis Khan plays a shot against Bangladesh during a warm-up match for the 2015 World Cup at Blacktown Sports Park in Sydney yesterday. RIGHT: Chris Woakes (right) of England bowls as Lendl Simmons of the West Indies looks on during their warm-up match at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. England, Pakistan win warm-up ties Fast bowlers Chris Woakes and Irfan gear up for World Cup with five-wicket hauls

SYDNEY: Seamers Chris Woakes dismissed dashing their opening World Cup game Pakistan owed their victory Woakes and Mohammad Irfan opener Chris Gayle off the third Pakistan vs B’ladesh England vs Windies against Australia in Melbourne to Sohaib Maqsood, who made a geared up for the World Cup ball of the first over for a duck Brief scores from yester- Brief scores from yesterday’s on Saturday. brilliant 93 not out to help his with five-wicket hauls to help and off the very next ball had day’s World Cup warm-up World Cup warm-up match Pakistan pulled Bangladesh team overhaul the target in 48.1 England and Pakistan register Darren Bravo, who also failed to match between Pakistan and between England and West back from an impressive 190-3 overs. wins in the warm-up games in score. Bangladesh at Blacktown Indies at the Sydney Cricket in the 40th over, taking the last Maqsood hit nine boundaries Sydney yesterday. He then dismissed Dwayne Olympic Park Oval Ground seven wickets for 56 to dismiss and two sixes during his 90-ball England beat the West Indies Smith (21) in his fourth over to Bangladesh 246 all out in 49.5 overs them for 246 in the final over. knock. He added 51 for the fourth (Mohammad Mahmudullah 83, Tamim Iqbal West Indies 122 in 29.3 overs (Lendl Simmons by nine wickets while Pakistan leave the West Indies reeling on 45; Chris Woakes 5-19); England 125-1 in Bangladesh were lifted by wicket with Haris Sohail (39) and downed Bangladesh by three 35-3. 81; Mohammad Irfan 5-52); Pakistan 247-7 Mohammad Mahmudullah (83) 63 for the fifth with Umar Akmal, in 48.1 overs (Sohaib Maqsood 93 not out). 22.5 overs (Moeen Ali 46) wickets. Lendl Simmons top-scored and Tamim Iqbal (81), with the who also made 39. Pakistan win by three wickets. Woakes took 5-19 in 7.3 overs with 45 with four boundaries England won by nine wickets. pair adding 168 for the third Pakistan play England in of skilled swing bowling to dismiss and a six before Woakes returned took 2-34. Opener Moeen Ali hit James Taylor made 25 not out wicket. their second warm-up game on the West Indies for a paltry 122 in for his second spell to dismiss 46 off 43 balls with nine bounda- and helped add 55 in an unbroken But lanky paceman Irfan Wednesday before taking on title- 29.3 overs. England chased down Simmons and Andre Russell to ries and put on 70 for the opening second-wicket stand. brought Pakistan back into the holders India in their first World the target for the loss of just one cap an impressive day. wicket with Ian Bell, who made The victory will give England game with 5-52, his last three Cup game in Adelaide on Sunday. wicket in 22.5 overs. Fellow fast bowler Steven Finn 35 not out. much-needed confidence before wickets coming in the slog overs. AFP Guptill, rain save Proteas edge Sri Lanka by Kiwis against five wickets in Christchurch Zimbabwe CHRISTCHURCH: Opener CHRISTCHURCH, New Martin Guptill hit a fighting Zealand: South Africa beat Sri hundred before rain saved New Lanka by five wickets with just Zealand’s shambolic batting in three balls to spare in a thrill- a World Cup warm-up game ing rain-interrupted World Cup against a spirited Zimbabwe warm-up yesterday. yesterday. Sri Lanka smashed 279 for Guptill hit the 86-ball century seven in their innings, which was as New Zealand wilted to 157-7 in reduced to 44.4 overs after rain 30.1 overs after winning the toss, stopped play at Hagley Oval in before heavy rain washed out the West Indies captain Jason Holder speaks at a press conference in Sydney Christchurch. match. on Sunday, ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup which begins from Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan Seamers Elton Chigumbura February 14. laid the foundations for a big (2-21) and Tinashe Panyangara Sri Lankan total when he belted (2-28) jolted the New Zealand exactly 100 off just 83 deliveries, batting, with wickets falling at which included 15 boundaries and regular intervals at Bert Sutcliffe two sixes. Oval. Move on from Bravo, He was well supported by New Zealand’s batting stars the Sri Lankan captain Angelo Brendon McCullum (eight) and Mathews, who made a quick- Quinton de Kock (front) of South Africa runs between the wickets with Kane Williamson (six) fell by the fire 58 off 49 balls, and Dimuth his captain Hashim Amla during a World Cup warm-up match against Sri fifth over, before Guptill added 43 Pollard loss: Holder Karunaratne, who chipped in with Ross Taylor, who made 11. Lanka at the Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch yesterday. with 46 off 61 deliveries. Guptill hit 13 boundaries and SYDNEY: West Indies cap- players around the dressing room Kyle Abbott was the pick of Parnell bagged two wickets. When tricky when they lost de Kock and two sixes before he fell to part- tain Jason Holder yesterday and made my decision and being the South Africa bowlers, taking the rain stopped and the South Amla in the first over after play timer Sikander Raza just before described the loss of Dwyane captain is a huge thing for me. 3-37 while all-rounder Wayne Africans started their reply, they resumed, then three more wickets rain brought the game to an end. Bravo and Kieron Pollard as “I’ve seen myself to be a leader were initially set 230 to win off before the end of the 23rd over. New Zealand open their World “huge” but wanted the former in most teams I’ve put myself 30 overs under the Duckworth- Left-arm spinner Rangana Cup campaign in Group A with champions to move on during into. I’ve led teams before. I led South Africa vs Lewis method. Herath snatched three wick- a game against Sri Lanka at the World Cup. West Indies Under-19 and I was Despite being without their ets for Sri Lanka, leaving South Christchurch on February 14, Drafted in surprisingly as cap- vice-captain on the West Indies Sri Lanka captain AB de Villiers, who was Africa requiring 21 off the last 14 while Zimbabwe meet South tain just two months before the A team. It’s not something that rested as a precaution because of balls, but Rilee Rossouw (16 not Africa in Group B match at Brief scores from yesterday’s World Cup, Holder said selection I’m fresh to. tightness in his hip, the Proteas out) and Vernon Philander (13 Hamilton a day later. AFP World Cup warm-up match matters were beyond his control. Holder hoped his team will lift made a flying start. not out) safely guided the Proteas between South Africa and “They are two players who itself after a 4-1 one-day defeat in Quinton de Kock (66) and to victory. Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval, have done well in world cricket,” South Africa. Hashim Amla (46) put on 115 for South Africa will play their New Zealand vs Christchurch. Holder said when asked what “Yes, we’ve been inconsistent the opening wicket in 15 overs final warm-up against New effect will the dropping of the two and not played to the best of our Sri Lanka 279-7 in 44.4 overs (Tillakaratne before the rain returned, forcing Zealand in Christchurch on Zimbabwe key players will have on his team. abilities but we have some world- Dilshan 100, Angelo Mathews 58; Kyle Abbott another delay. Wednesday, while Sri Lanka will Brief scores from yesterday’s 3-37); South Africa 188-5 in 24.3 overs “I am not the selector. It’s out beaters in our team. It’s all about South Africa’s target was face Zimbabwe the same day. World Cup warm-up match (Quinton de Kock 66; Rangana Herath 3-22). of our control. Not having them putting it all together.” reduced to 188 off 25 overs, leav- The World Cup starts on between New Zealand and would be a huge loss to any side. Holder was confident he would South Africa won by five wickets on D/L method ing them needing 72 of 10 overs Saturday when New Zealand Zimbabwe at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, But it’s beyond our control and we form a good rapport with senior after rain reduced Sri Lankan innings to 44.4 with 10 wickets in hand. meet Sri Lanka in Christchurch Lincoln. have to accept it and move on.” players. overs instead of 50. South Africa’s target was What seemed like an easy and Australia play England in New Zealand 157-7 in 30.1 overs (Martin Guptill Th 23-year-old became the “I have built a relationship with revised to 188 in 25 overs. chase suddenly began to look Melbourne. REUTERS 100). Match abandoned after rain. youngest man to lead the West some of the senior players. Being Indies in the wake of a players’ captain has not been that difficult strike over a payment row with thus far. We didn’t do too well in the West Indies Cricket Board South Africa but we didn’t have Khan injury scare gives Pakistan fresh fears (WICB). our full-strength team out there. The tussle resulted in West I have a good relationship with all SYDNEY: Pakistan were hit by respectively. On Sunday, opener Star spinner Saeed Ajmal’s Indies abandoning the tour of the guys.” a fresh World Cup injury scare Mohammad Hafeez also withdrew remodelled action was declared India in October last year. He described dashing opening yesterday when fast bowler from the 15-man squad with an legal on Saturday but the ruling Bravo and Pollard were the batsman Chris Gayle as a key Sohail Khan was sidelined by a ankle injury as fitness problems came too late for his inclusion in leading players behind the strike player for the side. calf problem during a warm-up mount for the 1992 champions. Pakistan’s squad. and their axing was described “Chris is big player for any game against Bangladesh. “Sohail suffered a cramp in his Paceman Rahat Ali and opener as “vengeance” by former West team he plays for,” Holder said. The 30-year-old, a surprise calf muscle and as a precaution he Nasir Jamshed have been given Indian paceman Michael Holding. “He’s a world beater. He’s been a inclusion in the squad, bowled six did not bowl after six overs,” said late call-ups and will join the But chief selector Clive Lloyd top batsman for us for a number overs and took one wicket before a team media officer. “He can still squad on Wednesday. and the WICB dismissed the of years. We just want him to be he walked off the field at Sydney’s run without any problems and we Pakistan will play another charge. his normal self and get the best Blacktown Olympic Park Oval. hope he will be fine soon.” warm-up game, against England, Holder said he accepted cap- out of him.” Although the injury is not Pakistan’s bowling stocks are on Wednesday, before open- taincy after much deliberation. West Indies open their World thought to be serious, it comes being severely tested after Gul ing their World Cup campaign “Yes, I had to think about it. It Cup campaign with a tricky after frontline pacemen Umar was ruled out before the squad against arch-rivals and defend- was a delicate time. So I gave it game against Ireland at Nelson Sohail Khan Gul and Junaid Khan were forced was announced and Junaid Khan ing champions India on Sunday. some thought and spoke to a few on February 16. AFP out with knee and thigh problems had to withdraw later. AFP TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Riders in action in the second stage of Tour of Qatar from Al Wakra to Al Khor, yesterday. RIGHT: Stage winner Alexander Kristoff (left) of Team Katusha celebrates his victory along with the CEO of the Qatar Cycling Federation, Ahmed Al Humeidi on the podium. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT

Cycling Results Top 10 riders in stage 2 1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha Gutsy Kristoff outshines big 3:49:51 2 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 3 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 5 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step 6 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling names in desert sandstorm 7 Adam Blythe (GBr) Orica GreenEdge 8 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team Norwegian grabs lead with victory in second stage, Wiggins struggles 9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing 10 Ian Stannard (GBr) Team Sky General classification after stage 2 BY RIZWAN REHMAT 1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 7:39:31 DOHA: Team Katusha rider 2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step Alexander Kristoff of Norway 0:00:01 yesterday stunned experi- enced rivals with a well-timed 3 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing sprint to take stage two of the Team 0:00:03 Tour of Qatar where British 4 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team cycling legend Bradley Wiggins 0:00:04 dropped more time in the desert 5 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step challenge. 0:00:08 The 27-year-old Norwegian 6 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team won the bunch sprint off the 0:00:09 Corniche stretch in Al Khor 7 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:10 ahead of Italy’s Andrea Guardini 8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling (Astana) and Belgium’s Greg Van 9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing Avermaet (BMC Racing). Slovakia’s Peter Sagan fin- 10 Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo ished in fourth spot followed by Points classification after stage 2 four-time Qatar champion Tom 1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step 21pts Bonnen of Belgium. 2 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 17 Sky Team’s Wiggins, the Tour 3 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team de France champion in 2012, was 15 held up by strong crosswinds, 4 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 15 eventually crossing the finish line 5 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 14 9 minutes and 18 seconds back to end all chance of overall victory. 6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Oslo-born Kristoff said it was Team 12 a tiring stage that started in Al 7 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling 9 Wakra and concluded in Al Khor. 8 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr 9 The riders completed a distance 9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing 7 of 194.5kms. 10 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 6 “It was a very long sprint,” Team classification after stage 2 Kristoff said after picking up the golden jersey for the first time 1 Etixx-Quick Step 22:59:09 this week. 2 BMC Racing Team 0:00:09 “I bridged up to Terpstra and 3 Astama Pro Team 0:00:15 Guardini who had a little gap, and 4 Team Katusha 0:00:24 with 500 meters to go I went full 5 Orica Greenedge gas,” Kristoff, winner of two Tour 6 Team Sky 0:00:42 de France stages last year, said. 7 Team Giant-Alpecin 0:02:00 “I felt I had it under control but Guardini is a fast guy, I was 8 Tinkoff-Saxo 0:03:02 9 IAM Cycling 0:03:17 only sure when I crossed the fin- Norway’s Alexander Kristoff (right) of Team Katusha lifts his hand in jubilation after winning the second stage of Tour of Qatar, yesterday. ish line. I am really happy today 10 FDJ 0:03:32 with this victory,” he added. The stage winner was not both- favourites, 15 men eventually Greg Van Avermaet ahead of ered about heavy winds in Doha. made it clear to the finish in Al Mathew Hayman and Michael “The windy conditions today Khor where Kristoff conquered Morkov. Led by the riders of suited me very well. In Norway his first ever stage in Qatar. Etixx Quickstep, mainly Boonen, I live at the coast. We even have While the riders had strug- around 40 riders powered away. more wind there,” Kristoff said gled against the wind on stage The only big names missing after confirming he had just a one, the conditions were a lot were Marcel Kittel (TGA) and one-second lead over Boonen. more favourable for the second Wiggins. Overnight leader Spain’s Jose and longest day of the event: a Meanwhile, the front five saw Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) also 194.5km ride from Al Wakra to their lead drop down dramati- failed to impress as he finished Al Khor Corcniche. cally. They were finally caught by just over three minutes adrift. The 141 riders at the start the Golden Jersey group at the Day two of the Tour of Qatar knew the wind would make the 123-km mark. was the scene of one of the most day a fast one, but little did they Sixty riders eventually bunched spectacular stages in the history imagined that a sandstorm would up together again before another of the event. hit the pack as soon as they left big split occurred. A sandstorm hit the peloton in Al Wakra. The second bonus sprint (at the first hour of what was to be Straight from the start, making 157.5-km mark) was clinched by an action-packed stage. the best of the strong tailwind, Boonen ahead of Nikolas Maes After a tremendous bat- the favourites’ teams moved to (EQS) and Marcus Burghardt tle between the teams of the the front and managed to break (BMC). the pack apart. At the front of As the pace continued being the wind and sand swept race, impressive, several riders failed to Tour of Qatar were the likes of Rojas, Boonen, as keep up. Overnight White Pearl well as Sagan, Fabian Cancellara, Jersey owner Arnaud Demare Stages Kristoff, Adam Blythe and (FDJ) was the first to drop out Stage 3: Tuesday, February 10 - Losail to Heinrich Haussler. followed by Rojas. Four-time Tour of Qatar winner Tom Bonnen of Belgium (left) receives a bouquet from a QCF official. RIGHT: Losail - 10.9km individual time trial The front group’s lead grew to With 25 kilometres to go, only Slovakia’s Peter Sagan of Tinkoff-Saxo after winning the White Pearl Jersey for the best young rider yesterday. Stage 4: Wednesday, February 11 - Al 45 seconds over the first chasing 15 riders remained at the front: Thakhira to Mesaieed - 165.5km bunch but things calmed down Niki Terpstra, Boonen, Maes and the peloton bunched up again (EQS), Sagan, Maciej Bodnar Rowe, Ian Stannard (SKY), Despite a few attempts, victory ever success in his sixth appear- Stage 5: Thursday, February 12 - Al Zubara at the 50km mark. (TCS), Jasper Stuyven (TFR), Adam Michael Blythe (OGE) and was to be decided after a group ance at the Tour of Qatar. Sagan Fort to Madinat Al Shamal - 153km After intense battle in the Burghardt, Van Avermaet (BMC), Haussler (IAM). The front group sprint. Without the slightest claimed the White Pearl Jersey Stage 6: Friday, February 13 - Sealine wind, the first intermediate sprint Kristoff (KAT), Andrea Guardini, remained together all the way to team-mate, an exhausted Kristoff for the best young rider. Beach Resort to Doha Corniche - 124.5km (at 108.5-km mark), was won by Rusian Tleubayev (AST), Luke the Al Khor Corniche. flew to victory claiming his first THE PENINSULA Tuesday 10 February 2015 21 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6337 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ambitious Qatar eye more worlds International federations approaching us to host championships: Sheikh Saoud

DOHA:Qatar “will not stop” approached by holding its first football leagues, such as Spain’s bidding for major interna- the international ever Formula La Liga and England’s Premier tional sporting events after the federations ask- One race. Qatar League, Sheikh Saoud said that 2022 World Cup and a poten- ing us to organ- also said earlier was ultimately up to the country’s tial Olympics, the head of the ise their world this year that it sporting bodies. country’s most powerful sports championships. was “inevitable” However, he added Qatar would organisation said. “Because now it would make be interested in such events. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman they have seen another bid to “In Qatar we are open to any Al Thani (pictured), Secretary that Qatar keeps host a Summer potential sport even because we General of Qatar Olympic it’s promises, Olympics, having see the benefit and added value Committee (QOC), said the once we say we already unsuc- for countries and for Qatar we ambitious state was “open to any will organise cessfully bid for already have the infrastructure potential sport”. this event at this the 2016 and for it.” This could theoretically mean level, we do it.” 2020 Games. Last December, Qatar hosted bidding for a second football He added that Outside Qatar, the Italian Supercoppa between World Cup, hosting matches from meant Qatar it has confirmed Juventus and Napoli. The Premier foreign football leagues, as well as has gained “the its global sport- League has also looked at poten- a large number of other sporting trust” of inter- ing presence by tially holding matches outside the events. national sport- buying French UK. Shrugging off corruption alle- ing bodies. football side Paris Saint-Germain, Sheikh Saoud said each sport- gations Sheikh Saoud said the The country recently and sponsoring events such as the ing event hosted by Qatar is a country is even being directly hosted the World Handball Goodwood horse racing festival in challenge. approached by different interna- Championships and this year Britain. “One of the main objectives tional sporting federations asking will host a huge number of events The country has put sport at behind organising big events it to host “world championships”. including the World Amateur the heart of its “National Vision because when you are deal- A young boy plays with a ball during his visit to the Sports Village on “After the World Cup and after Boxing Championships and the 2030” for Qatar which aims to ing with the highest author- the Doha Corniche yesterday. A number of sports federations have set the potential Olympics we will not paralympics World Athletics ensure a “vibrant and prosperous ity for any kind of sport, you up their stalls at the Sports Village ahead of today’s National Sport Day. stop, we are continuing because Championships. economy that provides economic always will learn from their Sports fans and aspiring sportsmen get a chance to dabble in different we already have the infrastruc- It has also been awarded the and social justice”. experience.” sports activities and also receive expert advice from the technical staff. ture and we have facilities,” he World Athletics Championships Asked if Qatar was open to “I think in Qatar we are PICTURES BY: BAHER AMIN said. in 2019 and this week said it was boosting that presence by stag- advancing day-by-day,” he added. “I mean... we are now being close to finalising contracts on ing league games from foreign AFP