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Qatar, Albania sign agreements Special car Fine, jail for number auction next week selling expired, DOHA: The Traffic Department is planning to organise an auc- tion for special car numbers for the public next week. The auction, which is expected damaged food to attract large number of people, will be conducted in an open and transparent way under the super- vision of a special committee, Al Food law made stricter Sharq reports. The committee was set up with DOHA: Anyone found dealing insects, or germs or if it is pre- participation of the department in expired food will face impris- pared or stored in an improper of legal affairs at the Ministry of onment for six months to one manner. Interior, and other concerned sec- year or fines worth QR7,000 to The food is considered harmful tions of the ministry. QR15,000 or both, the Ministry to health if it contained radiat- THE PENINSULA of Municipality and Urban ing material, insects, insecticides, Planning has warned. or poisoning material and if it is Recent amendments in the handled by a person(s)who suffer Shooting in country’s food monitoring law also from communicable diseases or stipulate that those selling food produced from dead animals or Kansas City that can harm human health face animals which had been suffering jail for one year to two years and from communicable diseases. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Albanian leaves 3 dead fines worth QR15,000 to QR30,000 The rules will also apply if the Prime Minister Edi Rama witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation or both, Al Sharq reported, quot- food is mixed with soil, or con- between Qatar and Albania, and an agreement on regulating the use of Albanian labourers in Qatar. OVERLAND PARK: Three ing a Ministry statement. tained banned colours or preserv- people were shot and killed Anyone dealing in expired food atives that harms human health yesterday afternoon in subur- or that which is not fit for human According to the amend- ban Kansas City, and a spokes- consumption will face two years ment, the Qatar Authority for woman for a local hospital said to four years in jail and fines Standards and Specifications at a 15-year-old boy is in critical worth QR15,000 to QR30,000 or the Ministry of Environment War at turning point: Assad condition. both, if the sold food had a harm- has also been given the power Overland Park city spokesman ful effect on someone’s health or if to decide on closure of err- Sean Reilly says two people died it led to chronic diseases. ing outlets. Earlier, this power BEIRUT: President Bashar ... by the army and armed forces which international powers that at the Jewish Community Center The offender will face four was limited to departments at Al Assad said yesterday that in the war against terror and in ... back the rebels have described as of Greater Kansas City campus years to eight years in jail and the Ministry of Municipality Syria’s three-year conflict was terms of national reconciliation”, a “parody of democracy”. and one was killed at Village fines of QR30,000 to QR60,000 or and Urban Planning and the at a “turning point” due to his state news agency SANA reported. Opposition activists said yester- Shalom, which is a retirement both if the expired or spoilt food Supreme Council of Health. forces’ military gains against In recent months, govern- day that at least 20 people were community that is several blocks resulted in someone’s death, the A sticker will be placed at the rebels, state media said. ment forces, backed by Lebanon’s killed when warplanes attacked away from the center. Overland daily said. outlet saying that it (or the spe- Assad’s allies have portrayed Hezbollah fighters, recaptured Douma, a town near Damascus. Park Fire Department spokesman The Law (No. 4 of 2014) amend- cific area of the outlet) has been him as confident and in control several rebel-held areas and bor- A day earlier, rebels and the gov- Jason Rhodes said that one person ing some provisions of Law No. 8 closed for violating the food moni- and they expect him to run for der towns, closing off rebel supply ernment blamed each other for of interest is in custody. of 1990 on monitoring of food for toring law, and the decision will and win a presidential election routes from Lebanon and secur- an alleged poison gas attack on The Jewish Community Center human consumption has speci- be published on the website of in July — a turnaround from ing the main highway leading Kfar Zeita village in the central posted on its Facebook page that fied violations of the law as well the department that has taken last year when he looked on the north from Damascus towards province of Hama that they said a “shooting incident” happened as punishments. the decision. verge of defeat as rebels advanced central Syria, Homs and the wounded scores of people. near its White Theater entrance It can be confirmed through The amendments allow the towards Damascus, struck in the Mediterranean. US ambassador to the United and the building is on lockdown. laboratory tests whether the food authorities to close down an heart of the capital and took con- The government has also Nations Samantha Power told Overland Park Medical Centre is fit for human consumption, it erring out for “not more than trol of key areas. struck localised truces in dis- ABC’s “This Week” that the said a 15-year-old boy who was can harm human health, it is 60 days” straightway. Earlier, Addressing graduate students tricts in and around Damascus, attack was so far “unsubstanti- brought from the scene of the spoilt or genuine. outlets were closed initially for and staff of the political sci- ending sieges on rebel-held ated”. “But we’ve shown, I think, Jewish Community Center is Punishments will be imposed if one month, and the closure was ence department in Damascus areas, many of which lasted for in the past, that we will do eve- in critical condition. There is a it is confirmed that the contents, extended to two months and University: “(Assad) pointed out more than a year, causing severe rything in our power to establish heavy police presence at the cam- taste, colour, smell or expiry date then three months if the viola- that there is a turning point in hunger and death. Assad is pre- what has happened and then con- pus. The entrance to the campus of the food have been changed tion was repeated. the crisis in Syria in terms of the paring to run for a third term sider possible steps in response.” is blocked off. or if the food contained worms, THE PENINSULA continuous military achievements in an election expected in July REUTERS AGENCIES

Forest fire in Chilean port city kills 11 Foreigner dies Israel confiscates of MERS virus in Saudi, eight land in West Bank

JERUSALEM: Israel has car- It was not immediately clear more infected ried out a new land appropria- whether the reported appropria- tion in the occupied West Bank, tion was part of sanctions that JEDDAH: A foreigner has died the Haaretz daily said yesterday, Israel has begun to impose in from MERS while eight people in a move that could complicate response to the April 1 signing including five health workers efforts to extend troubled peace by Palestinians of 15 international have been infected in the Saudi talks with the Palestinians. conventions and agreements city of Jeddah, where the spread Haaretz said the Defence during the current crisis in of the coronavirus among med- Ministry declared nearly 250 US-brokered peace negotiations. ics has sparked panic. acres of territory in the Gush Mohammed Shtayyeh, a senior The death of the 45-year- Etzion settlement bloc just south official in the Palestinian negoti- old man, whose nationality has of Jerusalem “state land”. ating team, said the move showed not been disclosed, brings the Asked by Reuters about the Israel was more concerned with nationwide toll in the world’s report, the ministry declined to expanding its control of West most-affected country to 68. The comment but said it might have Bank land than in peace talks. health ministry late on Saturday A forest fire burns in Valparaiso city, northwest of Santiago, Chile, yesterday. At least 11 people were killed and something to say in the coming “(The Israeli government) will announced the death of the man 500 houses destroyed by the fire, which rampaged over 1,700 acres of forest and hilly residential neighbour- days. The land appropriation, the do everything possible in order to and said five health workers — hoods including, La Cruz and Las Canas. See also page 11 left-leaning newspaper said, was turn its occupation into annexa- two women and three men — the largest in years and could tion of our land. The decision ... is and three other people had been eventually lead to the expan- simply a reflection of (Israeli Prime infected by the virus in Jeddah. sion of several settlements and Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s The announcement came days authorisation of a settler outpost will to strengthen settlements and after panic over the spread of the Kiev gives rebels deadline Libyan premier resigns built without Israeli government bury the two-state solution,” he said. virus among medical staff led to KIEV/SLAVIANSK: Ukraine has given pro- TRIPOLI: Libya’s interim prime minister permission in 2001. Speaking before the Haaretz the closure of the emergency room Russian separatists a today morning deadline to handed his resignation to parliament yesterday, The measure, which falls short report appeared, Israel’s chief at the city’s main public hospital. disarm or face a “full-scale anti-terrorist opera- just one month into the job, saying gunmen had of annexing the land to Israel, is peace negotiator, Tzipi Livni said Health Minister Abdullah tion” by its armed forces, raising the risk of a mil- tried to attack his family. Abdullah Al Thinni’s based on an Israeli interpreta- on the YNet news site that she is Al Rabiah visited hospitals in itary confrontation with Moscow. Angered by the resignation adds to the growing chaos in Libya, tion of an Ottoman-era law that optimistic the statehood negotia- Jeddah on Saturday in a bid to death of a state security officer and the wound- where the government has struggled to control allowed the confiscation of tracts tions will be extended beyond the calm residents. The total cases ing of two comrades near the flashpoint eastern brigades of former rebels nearly three years that had not been planted or cul- original April 29 deadline for a of infection by the Middle East city of Slaviansk, acting president Oleksander after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. The General tivated for several years in a row. deal. “I believe that we are close Respiratory Syndrome, which Turchinov gave rebels occupying state buildings National Congress, the country’s parliament, has Haaretz said the heads of enough to a decision on the part first appeared in the kingdom until 0600 GMT to lay down their weapons. “We not yet officially recognised Thinni’s resignation nearby Palestinian villages that of both leaderships, encouraged in September 2012, has hit 189, will not allow Russia to repeat the Crimean sce- and will decide what to do at its next session on claimed the land as theirs were by the Americans, to continue the the ministry said. AFP nario in the eastern regions of Ukraine,” he said. Tuesday, a GNC spokesman said. informed of the move last week negotiations,” she said. See also page 10 See also page 11 See also page 10 and have 45 days to appeal. REUTERS MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME New DIFI research ROTA team leaves for Indonesia programme on DOHA: Twenty-four students, five teachers and a trainer from five Independent secondary schools have left for a seven-day visit to an Qatar families soon education project in Indonesia. The trip under the Reach Out to BY FAZEENA SALEEM Asia (ROTA) Volunteer Programme in collaboration with Indonesian DOHA: In a new initiative, Doha International Family Titian Foundation and under spon- Institute (DIFI) is preparing to start a research pro- sorship of Vodafone Qatar, involves gramme focusing on families in Qatar. students from Al Ieman Independent It will provide information for policymakers on family Secondary School, Al Bayan issues, Noor Al Malki, Chairperson, Conference Planning Independent Secondary School, Committee, DIFI, told this daily. Amna Bint Wahab Independent The institute focuses more on family issues on an inter- Secondary School, Al Sailiyah national level. Independent Secondary School “We are engaged in preparation for research projects and Qatar Independent Secondary focusing on Qatar and the Arab region with partners in School. and outside the country,” she said in an email interview. The girls will participate in stu- “We are working on developing a special programme, dent-led activities and workshops The volunteer team will visit S D Banyuripan Elementary School in Bayat Village in Yogyakarta. focusing on families in Qatar, and aim to provide research on sports, environment, English evidence to inform policymakers about family issues. language, and art. involved in hand-on work on these The students will visit S D chaperoning my students. It is always “We intend to build strategic partnerships with key “We are delighted to see Qatari projects. Volunteers commit them- Banyuripan Elementary School in exciting to join these trips and I am stakeholders in Qatar. We have started the process. It female students get engaged in inter- selves to an exhausting programme Bayat Village in Yogyakarta. The looking forward to knowing people is a long term project and we are very committed to it,” national community service, thanks of work and activities during the school has 194 students in grades and the culture of Indonesia and she added. to ROTA’s continuous efforts to make trip but, in the end, gain from an 1 through 6 and seven classrooms working with students. I am con- The programme will share its findings with stakehold- international volunteering accessi- immensely rewarding and fulfilling where volunteers will give workshops. vinced that by the end of the trip, ers in government, research organisations and NGOs. ble for all. Vodafone Qatar is proud experience,” said ROTA Executive “Our programme is designed to I will end up discovering the true About the institute’s present work, she said DIFI is to sponsor ROTA’s International Director Essa Al Mannai. immerse students in the local culture essences of life; sharing and giving”. an international organisation but its work now is more Outreach Programme and encour- ROTA’s relationship with the and ensure they benefit from a posi- Amina Al Jassim, student from focused inwards — on the Arab family. age youth to reach out to the world foundation began in 2006. In the tive learning experience through- Qatar Independent Secondary School “Our international focus is what gives us a greater and help,” said Dana Haidan, Head, aftermath of the May 2006 earth- out the visit, while leaving time to said, “It is an honour to be part of insight into how to benefit Arab families’ rights in Qatar,” Corporate Social Responsibility, quake in Klaten District, ROTA enjoy their visit to Indonesia,” said ROTA’s volunteer programme as it she said. Vodafone Qatar. supported the construction of a Mohamed Abdulla Saleh, ROTA’s gives me an opportunity to realise DIFI is the only organisation in the region that will be “ROTA’s international volunteer vocational school in the district. The National Programmes Director. my belief that every child has the focusing on policy-oriented research on the Arab family trips provide unique opportuni- partnership with the foundation con- Noora Al Kubaisi, teacher at capacity to succeed in school and life, which is needed to inform policymakers at a time when ties for Qatar-based volunteers to tinues and the latter remains a big Al Bayan Independent Secondary if only they have access to a quality families in the region are under unprecedented pressure be exposed to the incredible work supporter of international volunteer School, said, “I have been on sev- education, and this is what ROTA is due to globalisation and impacts of conflicts and political ROTA contributes to Asia and get trips. eral volunteer trips with ROTA doing”. THE PENINSULA and economic instability, according to Al Malki. Through its work, DIFI is enhancing understanding of the Arab family worldwide to support positive changes on national, regional and global levels. “DIFI informs the region about developments in fam- ily and policy on the international level and shares best Events to mark 40th anniversary of Qatar-Korea ties practices from our region internally. In a way we are the bridge between our region and the world when it comes DOHA: The South Korean Three professional modern and Towards the end of the show, the the Doha skies. The demonstra- to family issues,” said Al Malki. embassy, in celebration of the 40th traditional music and dance teams groups will team up and showcase tion will take place in the afternoon DIFI is hosting a two-day Empowering Families: A anniversary of diplomatic relations are visiting Doha to put up an a performance, combining moder- hours, and a kite-making workshop Pathway to Development, an international conference to between South Korea and Qatar, enthralling show for audience of all nity and tradition. The event will for a limited number of people will be mark the 20th anniversary of International Year of the has lined up cultural events show- ages. also feature a Qatari traditional folk held at 4.30pm on both days. Family on Wednesday. casing Korean traditions, arts and They are The Gwangdae – a group music team, The Pearl, which will The events aim to promote The conference is a nongovernmental gathering and culture. of young artists who have been pre- be opening the event with an Ardah Korean culture, encourage cultural will constitute a global platform for discussion and debate. Spread over three days, the senting their reinterpretation of tra- performance. The Korea-Qatar exchange and enhance relationship Policymakers, NGOs, experts, academics and other events start on Thursday with a ditional performing arts, Coreyah – a culture show is open to the public, in the cultural field. They will be held stakeholders from all around the world will share views Korea-Qatar culture show at Qatar folk music group of four traditional starting at 7.30pm. in cooperation with the Ministry of and experiences regarding the centrality of the family National Convention Centre, fol- musicians, one guitarist, and one Huge kites representing both Culture, Arts and Heritage, RasGas, and its role in society. lowed by Korean kite flying events world percussionist, and Morning of countries will be brought from Korea Katara Cultural Village Foundation THE PENINSULA at Museum of Islamic Art Park on Owl – an internationally recognised by Korean Kite Fliers Association, and Museum of Islamic Art. Friday and Katara on Saturday. B-boy performance team. which will display their skills over THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 70pc survey respondents expect cost of living to rise in 6 months DOHA: About 51 percent of respond- compared to six months ago. last six months, while 32 percent say year, 50 percent would prefer a used use in the next one year, with 49 percent ents in Qatar share a positive senti- However, for 39 percent it has there has been no change, and 31 percent vehicle and 31 percent plan to invest preferring a used vehicle and 44 percent ment that their personal financial remained the same and 37 percent say have seen a decline. Almost 45 percent in property within the next one year. will seek a new one. position will improve in the next six their situation has declined. This has say their savings have dropped compared Among property investors, 52 percent Nearly 19 percent of respondents plan months, while 70 percent expect the affected savings of 58 percent who report to 12 months ago. will look for new properties, and 44 per- to invest in property within the same cost of living to increase within the seeing a decrease in their savings com- The economy’s outlook is positive, cent will prefer apartments. period, with new apartments being the period, a Bayt.com and YouGov survey pared to last year. with 51 percent anticipating their finan- Respondents in Qatar are interested most popular consideration. shows. About 39 percent are optimistic that cial situation to change for the better in buying desktop or laptop (29 per- The top three consumer goods The Consumer Confidence Index in the next six months things will get within the coming six months, despite cent), furniture (26 percent) and LCD respondents plan to buy include desk- survey in the Middle East and North better though 78 percent anticipate the the expected increase in cost of living or plasma TV (18 percent) in the next top or laptop (26 percent), furniture Africa (Mena) reveals that 17 percent cost of living to increase. within the same period by 70 percent. six months. (18 percent) and LCD or plasma TV (16 of respondents feel that their per- In Qatar, 30 percent report that their Of 41 percent considering buying a About 30 percent of respondents in percent). sonal financial situation has improved, financial position has improved in the vehicle for personal use in the next one Mena plan to buy a vehicle for personal THE PENINSULA 24 countries to take Commercial Bank launches self-service card kiosk part in Project Qatar DOHA: Commercial Bank yes- terday announced the launch of DOHA: Project Qatar 2014, the exhibition space. East, said: “There are many its first self-service card kiosk 11th International Construction Mohammed Al Afari, Vice- construction and infrastructure which allows customers to get Technology and Building President, Marketing, Emirates projects in Qatar, in preparation their debit or credit cards pro- Materials Exhibition, to be held Steel, said: “This is the third time for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. duced, delivered and activated, at Qatar National Convention we participate in Project Qatar. “This year $40bn is going to instantly, at the touch of a Centre (QNCC) from May 12 It is one of the leading trade be invested in various projects in button. to 15, will see pavilions of 24 exhibitions and one of the most this booming market. “The kiosk is part of our countries. important events for us to attend “Project Qatar 2014 is defi- strategy to implement technol- They include Austria, in the GCC. nitely the place to be which is ogy-based initiatives that make Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, “Due to its diverse range of why the French pavilion organ- banking simple and effortless for France, Germany, Greece, India, exhibitors and attendees, Project ised by UBIFRANCE will gather all our valued customers. Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Qatar has offered us many nearly 30 companies offering “This is yet another customer- Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, opportunities and this year we state-of-the-art technologies centric initiative introduced by Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, plan to feature our entire range and know-how for the building the bank in Qatar,” said Abdulla Romania, Spain, Turkey, the of products, giving us a plat- industry. Saleh Al Raisi, CEO. UAE and the UK. form to showcase our expertise “Some of these companies are “Commercial Bank has always “International pavilions have in steel and enhance our access active in the Qatari market and used technology to make bank- been fundamental to the suc- to the lucrative Qatari and GCC many are looking forward to ing more convenient and easily cess of Project Qatar, which has markets.” Project Qatar 2014 to network accessible through alternative a long history of attracting many “Project Qatar is evolving with partners and distributors.” channels, including ATMs, the global exhibitors and visitors. every year in a market poised Project Qatar 2014 will also Internet, mobile and phone The pavilions offer international for exceptional growth. unveil an advanced business-to- banking to name a few,” Al Raise exhibitors a central platform to “Taking part in such an event business matchmaking platform added. showcase their expertise, prod- allows us to network effectively, for companies to meet potential “Our continuous adoption of ucts and services,” said Rawad have direct contact with end cus- partners and suppliers. innovative technologies in Qatar, Sleem, Project Manager, Project tomers and build upon the excel- Visitors and exhibitors will such as the kiosk, demonstrates Qatar. lent business partnerships and also benefit from an advanced our commitment to improve and The kiosk at the bank’s D Ring Road branch collection centre. Countries making their debut opportunities we made at last mobile application that will pro- develop our proposition to meet in 2014 are Indonesia, Palestine year’s successful exhibition.” vide detailed bespoke informa- our customers’ preferred way of 7.30am to 4pm. Not only is the kiosk simple, and Romania. The company is a gold sponsor tion about the event, including banking,” he said. The bank said cards will be easy and quick to use, but it also The expo will feature 2,100 of the event. the exhibitors’ list, show event Customers can use the kiosk at ready to use instantly, so there gives customers more flexibility companies from 47 coun- Francois Sporrer, French planner and other specialised Commercial Bank’s D Ring Road will no longer a need for custom- and convenient ways to do their tries, covering QNCC’s entire Trade Commissioner and mobile features for the event. branch collection centre, which ers to call the bank to activate banking transactions 41,500sqm indoor and outdoor Director, UBIFRANCE Middle THE PENINSULA is open Sunday-Thursday from their cards. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Self-transformation helped Education outcome religion survive: Expert poor in Qatar: Expert DOHA: Self-transformation younger demographics. BY JABER AL HARAMI Conflicts between policymakers from traditional to the modern “Religion survived in the 20th and executive authorities could be has enabled religion to survive century by making this kind of DOHA: The outcome of educa- another reason. in the world, says Dr John O transformation, by finding modes tion in Qatar is not up to the Excessive dependence on Voll (pictured), Professor of for expressing eternal unchang- mark and not equal to what is imported solutions to improve Islamic history at Georgetown ing truths in ways meaningful to being spent by the country on the outcome of education without University in Washington, DC. the social and political context in education, a senior educationist proper studies culturally, socially In a lecture on ‘Religion in which people live,” he said. says. and technically could be a reason 21st Century Global Affairs’ at On the secularisation theory’s “In general, the outcome is of failure. It is not necessary that Georgetown University Qatar perceived failures in correctly poor The education sector is not a solution that was a success in (GU-Q) campus in Education gauging the resurgence of reli- meeting the ambition of Qatar some place could give same results City, he reflected on the chang- gion’s influence, Dr Voll defended that is working hard to build in another place. ing role of religion in modern life. it, saying: “The theory is built on knowledge-based economy. It is Making investments in build- “Look at how many social sci- the idea that modernisation will not up to the standard to meet job ings before workforce, I would entists in the 1960s promised us change traditional religion, not market needs. It is not ready for like to point out that development that religion was going to disap- traditional society was going to end religion, and change prac- specialised higher education and To a question about the reason plans usually need trained and pear. Of course, it didn’t, so what disappear, and traditional reli- tices associated with traditional forgets to talk about its capability of failure of education, Al Horr experienced workforce to imple- I want us to think about is this gion as part of traditional society society.” to compete globally,” Dr Abdulaziz said our education reform project ment it, lack of workforce or poor question: Why is religion still would disappear, but they weren’t Dr Abdullah Al Arian, Al Horr, (pictured) CEO, Qatar (in Arab and GCC countries) one would cause failure of reform around?” talking about the end of religion, Assistant Professor of History at Financial and Business Academy, is based on individuals rather initiatives in most cases. In answer, Dr Voll pointed to but about transformation of tra- GU-Q introduced him, saying: “Dr told Al Sharq. than on the country or institu- Reluctant of men to work as the prevailing theory that religion ditional society.” Voll was my mentor during my Qatar ranked 61st among 65 tion. Individual initiatives for teachers is a global phenomenon did not disappear because “alter- Through photographic slides, intellectual foundation. And now, countries in international exami- reforms stopped wide participa- not only in Qatar. However, Qatari natives failed” — modern secular- he contrasted Islamist move- it’s a pleasure that he takes part nations in 2009 and 51st among tion and put burden on the person women are not exited to join the ism, which was previously hailed ments in the 20th and 21st cen- in the class I teach through the 57 countries in 2011. Countries concerned. education sector because opera- as the replacement for religion, turies, and demonstrated how RPX virtual classroom in Doha, like Yemen, Indonesia, Azerbaijan Another reason is ignoring tors of independent schools are failed to meet the needs of mod- major Muslim leaders around and such a treat for our students, and Kazakhstan only came after previous works and starting from not eligible. They are being taken ern society. the world in the previous cen- especially since this is his final Qatar in the list, he added. zero with new strategies and at random training programmes He, however, suggested that the tury were very modern in their semester of teaching.” The findings suggest that plans. Some times, old achieve- so they feel insulted. actual reason religion is on the dress, unlike religious leaders of The RPX technology allows education outcome of Qatar is ments are being criticised and There is more than 90 percent rise is because traditional religion today whose personal appearance GU-Q students to take under- less than 100 points in an aver- scrapped. Old works are not being job nationalisation for females has changed, taking “a different is strongly connected to specific graduate course classes from well- age international education rate utilised as the foundation stone to in primary school level, Dr Horr form from the religion of the pre- cultural identities. known professors in Washington, and more than 200 points from lay the next brick of development, added. vious century.” He cited the shift from “popu- DC and allows students in advanced countries. he added. THE PENINSULA He began by establishing the lar religion” to “pop star religion” Washington to learn from the pervading theories of the 1960s, in the rise of well-known religious world-class faculty in Qatar. saying: “What both said is that TV personalities who appeal to THE PENINSULA

Strange Wonders expo QA flights to Al Hofuf from May 15

DOHA: Qatar Airways is within the Gulf,” said Akbar Al two-class configuration of 12 adding Al Hofuf in Saudi Baker, CEO. There will be four seats in Business Class and 132 Arabia to its increasing list of flights per week to Al Hofuf from in Economy Class. The aircraft destinations. May 15. Strong passenger demand features seatback TV screens, It recently increased frequen- has prompted the airline to dou- providing passengers in both cies to two of its destinations in ble its weekly flight frequency to cabins with the next generation Saudi Arabia. Gassim, while flights to Madinah interactive on board entertain- “We remain committed to were recently increased from five ment systems. opening up access to new desti- to seven per week. Increases in frequency on the nations in the Middle East and The additional destination of Al other two routes will provide around the world. As we con- Hofuf, through Al Ahsa Airport, business and leisure passengers to tinue to expand our network and is further proof of increasing con- all three destinations with more receive more aircraft, we will sumer and business demand on flexibility and greater choice to keep looking at opportunities these popular Saudi routes. connect onto QA’s extensive global to add capacity to our network Al Hofuf route will be oper- network covering six continents. and further strengthen our links ated with an Airbus A320 in a THE PENINSULA

Turkish Festival draws over 33,000 visitors

DOHA: The first Turkish Turkey’s traditional and handi- visitors which is high and encour- Festival has attracted more craft industry, including carpets ages us to work more to maintain than 33,000 visitors of vari- and glass manufacture, as well as this trust given by our audience.” ous nationalities to Katara to delicious dishes. The festival has deepened explore the Anatolian civili- Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al strong ties between Qatar and Engineer Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi (fourth left), CEO, Msheireb Properties, Caitlin Doherty (third left), sation and enjoy traditional Sulaiti, General Manager, Turkey, he said, adding Katara Exhibitions and Speaker Curator, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Allyson Vanstone (third right), music and dances performed by Katara, said events and activi- is ready to host another cultural Dean, VCU-Q’s School of the Arts, and other officials during the opening reception for the Faculty Exhibition Turkish troupes. ties witnessed a record number festival to further Turkish and 2014 ‘Strange Wonders’ at Msheireb Enrichment Centre yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P The three-day festival which of visitors. “Events in Building other countries’ cultures. concluded on Saturday displayed 3 attracted more than 33,000 THE PENINSULA Top honours for The Secrets of my Success DOHA: Resolution Productions of Qatar has been recognised for the second consecu- tive year at New York Festival World Film & TV Awards. It was awarded a silver medal in the public rela- tions category for its film The Secrets of my Success created and produced on behalf of RasGas Qatar. Hailed as the “Oscars” of the industry, the award is the highest honour a film production company can award on behalf of our cli- win. The jury comprises ent RasGas. To be included some of the world’s lead- in such an esteemed gal- ing TV and film executives, lery of some of the world’s including representatives most highly skilled and from the BBC, ESPN, CBS, talented TV & film mak- Al Jazeera, CNN, Disney ers is a testament to skills, and ABC. More than 1,000 creativity and dedication of entries were received from the Resolution Productions over 50 countries, repre- team and the vision of its senting all five continents. client, RasGas. This is the second award “Winning for the sec- for the Doha-based com- ond year in a row is an pany. It also won the Black outstanding achieve- Dolphin Award at the 2013 ment which demonstrates and 2014 Cannes Corporate international standard of Film & TV Awards. filmmaking coming out of Aela Callan of Al Jazeera this region. We accept this English’s 101 East pro- award on behalf of the peo- gramme hosted the event ple of Qatar and the fan- and took home an award. tastic team at Resolution Simon Ferguson, COO Productions.” You can (pictured), said, “We watch the film at www. are proud and humbled resolutionproductions.tv to accept this prestigious THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Livestock market Pearl-Qatar triathlon attracts over 200 to be relocated DOHA: The Ministry of Urban DOHA: More than 200 pro- triathlon was taking place at The Planning has a comprehensive fessional and amateur athletes Pearl-Qatar. “We had a great plan to upgrade the Central took to the waters and streets crowd, and the weather was on Market in Abu Hamour which between Qanat Quartier and our side. People seemed to have includes relocation of the live- The Pearl-Qatar Boulevard for enjoyed the course, especially stock market to outer area. the first triathlon on the island. the bike ride through the scenic The statement came after Al Many came from other GCC Pearl-Qatar Boulevard.” Sharq reported that residents of and Middle East countries for The top three in each category Abu Hamour had complained the event which had two routes: received financial prizes, bringing about foul smell due to the live- Sprint and Olympic: 750 metre to 30 the number of winners in all stock market. and 1.5km swim, 20km and 40km five categories each of the Sprint Residents welcomed the deci- bike ride and 5km and 10km run, and Olympic tracks. sion and demanded that the plan respectively. They included Open men/ should be implemented soon. “It’s a fabulous venue, and fits women, Masters men/women and They said relocation of the perfectly with our strategy to Open men/women Relay. livestock market will help pro- mobilise the community, young Premier Online, the region’s tect their health. The unpleas- and old, to adopt a healthier, leading provider of event registra- ant odour was the main cause of active lifestyle,” said Roger tion, online race services, sports discomfort for them, especially Dagher, Director, Corporate timing and consultancy, formed children, they said. Communications, United the judging panel. Development Company, the mas- Ronald Molit, who won the QU researcher ter developer of The Pearl-Qatar. (Open Men) in the Sprint cat- Participants at the event. “We are thrilled to see an over- egory, said he had worked hard honoured whelming interest in the triath- for the competition and would the lon considering the athletic level experience of competing in The Molit, said. Like bungee jumping, drag rac- the horizons of sports-lovers and DOHA: Dr Mariam Al Ali needed to compete requires a high Pearl-Qatar. “I’m grateful to The Pearl- ing, fly boarding and paddling, all reinforcing the positioning of the Al Maadeed, Director, Qatar degree of professional training, so Completing a triathlon is seen Qatar for giving us the impetus recently hosted at The Pearl- island as lifestyle destination. University’s (QU) Centre obviously people in Qatar hold a as a major achievement and to push our limits and be part of Qatar, the triathlon promises to The Qatar Olympic Committee for Advanced Materials, dear commitment to sports and crossing the finish line – no mat- such a mega event bringing us add value to the island’s reputa- has dubbed the triathlon a profes- has been awarded the Gulf competitive challenges.” ter your place in the track – can together with other athletes from tion of attracting extreme and sional sporting competition. Petrochemicals & Chemicals He was delighted that a huge be a hugely rewarding experience” the region.” crowd-pleasing sports, widening THE PENINSULA Association Plastic Excellence Award 2014. She emerged the winner from among researchers from academic and research insti- tutions, research centres and industrial companies in the GCSP journal indexed Push for easier air ticket process Gulf and Middle East. She was recognised for her achievements BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB consolidated in an easy to read in research on innovative new at global database format to help customers decide products, processes and applica- DOHA: The New Distribution an appropriate package.” tions of plastics and the quality DOHA: QScience.com and who also established Qatar Capability (NDC) programme The controversial programme, and excellence of her published the Global Cardiology Science Cardiovascular Research of IATA to make customers’ air approved by the IATA Passenger articles in international journals and Practice (GCSP) have Centre (QCRC) within Qatar ticket buying decision process Services Conference in October, and presentations at regional announced that the GCSP Foundation for Education, easier and faster, is expected 2012, has garnered praise and and global conferences. journal is now indexed in Science and Community to be launched early next year criticism from nearly every busi- He work has focused on PubMed Central (PMC), the Development. across the world, including ness in the travel distribution environmental sustainability world’s largest and most Through articles and the Qatar. industry. through polymer and plastic widely-used biomedical litera- GGSP journal, QCRC demon- The initiative by International According to reports, a conversion to environmentally- ture database. strates QF’s thought-leadership Air Transport Association (IATA) US-based advocacy organisation friendly materials, as well as PMC is a free database of in cardiology and treatment of aims at revolutionising air travel raised concerns, saying imple- being a leading advocate in full-text articles on life sciences heart diseases within the inter- industry through an XML-based mentation of NDC may require collaboration with industry and biomedical topics. Citations national research community. data transmission standard for IATA, told this daily in a recent “unacceptable privacy compro- for innovation and research and abstracts of GCSP articles GCSP attracts high level communications between airlines interview. mises” related to customers’ per- towards social and economic will also be retrievable in PMC research from all over the world and travel agents to provide con- “We hope customers will be sonal information and additional development. through keyword and author to QF and QScience.com. This solidated information in a simpli- able to see benefits of NDC from financial burden on distributors searches. helps QF continue to promote fied manner. next year, but it depends on how and consumers. Top author to Journals accepted to research excellence in Qatar The Montreal-based IATA rep- pilots and trials move forward. Tyler said: “Some people were PMC undergo review by the while attracting top talent from resents 240 airlines or about 84 Implementation will be progres- saying that 12 months ago, but attend forum Literature Selection Technical all over the world. percent of global air traffic. sive over the next five years.” they are not saying that anymore Review Committee, chartered With the inclusion of QCSP in Since about 60 percent of air- Tyler, who was here for the as people have learned more about DOHA: Middle East Forum by National Institutes of Health. PMC, QF is able to position itself line tickets are sold by travel preparation of the 70th AGM of the programme. We have done a for Quality and Safety in The primary consideration in as part of the world’s research agents, including online travel IATA in June, said: “It has always better job in explaining it. Healthcare 2014 next week selecting journals for indexing is elite through its research agencies, the new system, accord- been there that any innovative “We have now reached agree- will host Dan Heath, leading scientific merit, which includes publication programme from ing to analysts, will pose serious technology is good for some and ments with many open allies and author and Senior Fellow from factors such as validity, impor- QScience.com. threat to the survival of non- bad for other… People who don’t umbrella organisations, includ- Duke University CASE School tance, originality and contribu- Arend Kuster, Managing IATA travel operators. They will do what customers want will find ing BTC, and people are happier of Business, the US, as the tion to the field. Director, QScience.com, said: have to implement it to remain life very difficult. That is business. about that. keynote speaker. Journals must demonstrate a “Depositing GCSP content in competitive or quit. “With NDC, customers will no “No third party is going to be Heath, co-author of Switch: high level of quality, credibility, PubMed Central will make it “This is a standard we are longer be required to open many forced to be a partner for using How to Change Things When and objectivity related to their more discoverable to research- offering to the market which is windows or browser and try to NDC. It will only happen if it Change Is Hard, No. 1 on the peer review process and ethical ers, health professionals and the ultimately going to make things remember what all different makes business sense for the New York Times and Wall Street guidelines. public. This acceptance reflects better for customers. People will offers are from different airlines value chain. They may be required Journal bestseller lists, will also GCSP was started by our publishing commitment of either adopt that value or go out in terms of fare, volume of lug- to invest in new technology, but hold a similarly titled lecture. QScience.com and Sir Magdi high quality, reputable manu- of business. It is a need of the peo- gage permitted, types of meal, fee that is happing in every business Delegates will be able to iden- Yacoub, a renowned surgeon scripts.” ple that we have to offer,” Antony for entering lounge and so on. All all the time to improve efficiency.” tify mechanics of human behav- and cardiovascular researcher THE PENINSULA Tyler, Director-General and CEO, benefits offered by airlines will be THE PENINSULA iour that could help them make important change. The forum at Qatar National Convention Centre, is a prod- uct of continued collabora- tion between Hamad Medical Epilepsy ‘can be managed with proper treatment’ Industrial Area road project: Corporation and US-based Institute for Healthcare DOHA: Experts have (WCMC-Q) gathered attitudes about epilepsy,” proper treatment,” he said, First phase to open in June Improvement, a leading organi- urged people with epi- to mark World Day for said Dr Hassan Al Hail, cautioning against resort- sation for health and healthcare lepsy to seek early advice Epilepsy Awareness. HMC’s Senior Consultant ing to non-medical treat- DOHA: Public Works Authority’s (Ashghal) Industrial improvement globally. as the chronic neuro- The meeting was organ- Neurologist and President ments which ‘may cause Area Road Project has entered its final phase. Almost 80 About 3,000 healthcare logical disorder can be ised by neurologists to of Qatar Chapter of the harm to the patient’. percent of it has been completed. administrators, executives and managed with proper increase awareness and International League Around 50m people suf- The first phase is expected to open by early June 2014 senior leaders, practising physi- treatment. medical understanding of Against Epilepsy. fer from epilepsy. In many when several roads, bridges and tunnels will be opened to cians, patient and family advis- Around 200 healthcare epilepsy. “Our message to peo- parts of the world, social traffic, Al Sharq reported. ers and nurses are expected to professionals from Hamad “The day highlights the ple with epilepsy is not to stigma attached to the dis- Contracting companies are completing pavements of main attend. Medical Corporation importance of early diag- be afraid to inform their ease prevents people from roads. Installation of lampposts has been completed along (HMC) and Weill Cornell nosis and treatment as doctor because the condi- taking treatment. main roads. Heavy machines are working overnight to meet 60 violations of Medical College in Qatar well as changing negative tion can be managed with THE PENINSULA the deadline. THE PENINSULA grazing ban DOHA: Inspectors from the Environment Protection Department at the Ministry of Environment caught 60 Qatar Friendship Fund Tunisia unveils project for youth violations of grazing ban, and for dumping waste and using DOHA: Qatar Friendship Fund support a comprehensive incuba- Youth unemployment in the bird-call-whistles last month. (QFF) Tunisia, Tunisiana (part tion programme and a coaching Middle East and North Africa The ministry is working to of Ooredoo) and Microsoft and nationwide knowledge-shar- (Mena) averages at around 27 educate farm owners to com- launched Intilaq, a $18m incu- ing approach, to encourage young percent, with Tunisia seeing ply with its decision issued to bation programme to enable people to pursue entrepreneurial unemployment rates of 40 per- protect the environment, Qatar young entrepreneurs in Tunisia ambitions in the ICT sector. cent among university graduates News Agency reports. to launch ICT-related start-ups. “The initiative will have a sig- and 24 among non-graduates. But a few people were caught “QFF strives to give a boost to nificant impact since it will estab- Ooredoo and its companies for defying the ban and were the youth, giving them support lish a unique economic platform across the world are taking a referred to Public Prosecution. and accompanying them step-by- for start-ups, enabling the devel- multi-faceted approach to the Some vehicles were also step into their projects. We hope opment of the sector. issue, working with national and caught for dumping waste in to have a direct impact on those “Last year, Startup Factory international partners to support unauthorised areas. Several who will build Tunisia’s tomorrow was a resounding success that entrepreneurship, employment whistles to call birds were and enhance its economy in the discovered significant untapped and education programmes. confiscated. long term,” said Abdullah Nassir potential, and today we move into Intilaq is the latest in a series of A motor, used for digging on Al Homidi, Qatari Ambassador to higher gear with larger ambi- initiatives to enable young people a public land near a farm to take Tunisia and QFF President. tions,” said Kenneth Campbell, to learn more about starting their stones, was also seized. Intilaq is the next stage in the General Manager, Tunisiana. business, and provide them with It is considered violation evolution of the Start-up Factory, “The partnership between QFF, knowledge and financial resources because it is acquisition of pub- Tunisia’s first end-to-end sup- Microsoft, and Tunisiana will to manage a start-up. Officials at the launch. lic property and destroying the port programme for start-ups allow us to continue to support “Intilaq is a first in Tunisia. It land. launched by Tunisiana in 2012. entrepreneurs and their ideas works to promote, develop and creativity. Microsoft will share Bridaa, General Manager, THE PENINSULA/QNA With the support of QFF and into successful projects, in a sus- strengthen the capacity of Tunisian expertise in the field of informa- Microsoft in Tunisia. Microsoft, it is being expanded to tainable and lasting way.” youth to propel innovation and tion technology,” said Mohamed THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 MIDEAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Iran scraps plan Iran overturns to send warships to Atlantic: Fars ex-US Marine’s TEHRAN: After a tense week of diplomacy between American and Iranian representatives, Iran has called off a deployment of warships to the Atlantic death sentence Ocean, the semi-official Fars news agency said yesterday, shelving plans for its vessels to Court hands Hekmati 10 years jail approach US maritime borders in response to the US navy’s TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme presence in the Gulf. Court has overturned the death A senior Iranian naval com- sentence handed to a former US mander was quoted in February Marine convicted of espionage, as saying that several warships with the penalty being cut to would be sent towards US mar- 10 years in jail, media reported itime borders in the Atlantic, yesterday. although the Pentagon said at Amir Hekmati, a dual the time that it was not con- US-Iranian citizen, was arrested cerned and that many countries in August 2011, put on trial and operated in the ocean’s interna- found guilty of spying for the tional waters. CIA. In January 2012, he was Yesterday, Fars quoted navy sentenced to death. His lawyer commander Admiral Habibollah was quoted yesterday as saying Sayyari as saying: “Due to a that the sentence had now been change in schedule, the battle overturned. Group-29 of the naval forces of “The death sentence was over- the Iranian navy will not head to ruled in the country’s Supreme the open waters of the Atlantic Court and reduced to a 10-year Ocean and the mission will pos- jail term,” attorney Mahmoud sibly be given to another group.” Alizadeh Tabatabaei told the He gave no reason for the deci- Sharq daily newspaper. sion but said warships’ missions Hekmati, born in the United A file image grab taken from a video were likely to change “depending States to Iranian parents, served aired by the official Iranian state TV on the situation in the region”, as a US Marine and as a private on December 18, 2011 allegedly such as a rise in piracy in the contractor who provided transla- shows Amir Hekmati confessing Gulf of Aden. “So [the] Group- tion services. His family insists he to a “mission” to infiltrate the 29, which consists of the Sabalan was visiting Iran to see relatives. intelligence ministry. destroyer, Khark logistics carrier US lawmakers and his family and two helicopters … will not go had appealed to Iran to free him, to the Atlantic Ocean and will saying it would serve as a good- The panel said Iran’s “non- return home within days,” Sayyari will gesture after Tehran reached observance of international was quoted as saying. an interim deal with the United norms” in the case was “of such The US and its allies regularly States and other powers on sus- gravity as to give the deprivation stage naval exercises in the Gulf, pending its nuclear programme. of liberty of Hekmati an arbitrary saying they want to ensure free- The former Marine’s father, Ali character.” dom of navigation in the waterway Hekmati, who lives in Michigan, is US President Barack Obama through which 40 percent of the suffering from a brain tumour and raised the case of Hekmati and world’s seaborne oil exports passes. has appealed for his son’s release. two other US citizens in a land- Iran, whose entire 1,800km The UN Human Rights Council’s mark telephone conversation last southern border runs along the Working Group on Arbitrary September with Iranian President Gulf and the adjacent Gulf of Detention in December faulted Hassan Rowhani. Since Iran elected Oman, has often said it could block Iran for not charging Hekmati the more moderate Rowhani, the the Strait of Hormuz, which con- for six months after his arrest Hekmati family has seen hopeful nects the two waters, if Tehran and for letting his lawyer see him signs with the ex-Marine’s grand- came under military attack over only briefly, without access to the mother being allowed to visit him. its disputed nuclear programme. case file. AFP THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Afghan outcome Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE first results from Afghanistan’s presidential elections have come as predicted. The country is heading to a run-off, with two prominent candidates, Tboth former ministers, emerging as frontrunners. The Capitalism simply isn’t working election commission has unveiled only a snapshot of the overall vote: ten percent of the results from about three-quarters of Afghanistan’s provinces. As an election official said, changes are likely in the days ahead as more results are announced, and here are the reasons why but a run-off is almost a certainty and Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister and mujahideen fighter, is most likely to win the maximum votes. The tally gave Abdullah Abdullah BY WILL HUTTON always have done (excepting a few peri- Silicon Valley start-ups, can ever make a slim lead at about 42 percent, followed by the former finance ods such as 1910 to 1950), then inevitably sufficient new money to challenge the minister and World Bank technocrat Ashraf Ghani at 38 UDDENLY, there is a new econ- the stock of capital will rise dispropor- incredibly powerful concentrations of percent. Lagging far behind in third place with less than ten omist making waves – and he is tionately faster within the overall pat- existing wealth. In this sense, the “past percent was Zalmai Rassoul, a moderate former minister widely not on the right. At the confer- tern of output. Wealth inequality rises devours the future”. It is telling that the believed to be the current President Hamid Karzai’s preferred Sence of the Institute of New exponentially. Duke of Westminster and the Earl of Economic Thinking in Toronto last week, The process is made worse by inher- Cadogan are two of the richest men in successor. Winning barely five percent – but still enough to Thomas Piketty’s book Capital in the itance and, in the US and UK, by the Britain. This is entirely by virtue of the potentially influence a runoff – was a hardline Islamist, Abdul Twenty-First Century got at least one rise of extravagantly paid “super manag- fields in Mayfair and Chelsea their fami- Rasul Sayyaf. According to Afghan electoral law, there will be a mention at every session I attended. You ers”. High executive pay has nothing to lies owned centuries ago and the unwill- runoff between the top two candidates. have to go back to the 1970s and Milton do with real merit, writes Piketty – it ingness to clamp down on the loopholes What is important is that the run-off needs to be held as Friedman for a single economist to have is much lower, for example, in mainland that allow the family estates to grow. peacefully and fairly as the first election and if that happens, had such an impact. Europe and Japan. Rather, it has become Anyone with the capacity to own in Like Friedman, Piketty is a man for an Anglo-Saxon social norm permitted an era when the returns exceed those of Afghanistan will experience its first ever peaceful, democratic the times. For 1970s anxieties about infla- by the ideology of “meritocratic extrem- wages and output will quickly become transfer of power. It is interesting to note that there were no tion substitute today’s concerns about ism”, in essence, self-serving greed to disproportionately and progressively serious charges of fraud or violations which show the high level the emergence of the plutocratic rich keep up with the other rich. This is an richer. The incentive is to be a rentier of satisfaction of the candidates and their impact on economy and soci- important element in Piketty’s thinking: rather than a risk-taker: witness the First snapshot of over the electoral process. Of cours ety. Piketty is in no doubt, as he indicates rising inequality of wealth is not immu- explosion of buy-to-let. Our companies e there were some accusations, in an interview in table. Societies can indulge it or they can and our rich don’t need to back frontier Afghan elections today’s Observer challenge it. innovation or even invest to produce: and videos and photos of alleged New Review, that Inequality of wealth in Europe and US they just need to harvest their returns shows two violations circulated on social media. the current level is broadly twice the inequality of income and tax breaks, tax shelters and com- candidates in But the situation is far better than Economist of rising wealth – the top 10% have between 60% and pound interest will do the rest. the 2009 election that returned inequality, set to 70% of all wealth but merely 25% to 35% Capitalist dynamism is undermined, lead position. A Hamid Karzai to power, when Thomas Piketty’s grow still further, of all income. But this concentration of but other forces join to wreck the system. now imperils the wealth is already at pre-First World War Piketty notes that the rich are effective more than one million votes were free and fair message is bleak: very future of levels, and heading back to those of the at protecting their wealth from taxation eventually thrown out as fakes. the gap between capitalism. He has late 19th century, when the luck of who and that progressively the proportion of run-off can Going by the enthusiasm of people, proved it. might expect to inherit what was the the total tax burden shouldered by those change the and the huge turnout of voters rich and poor It is a startling dominant element in economic and social on middle incomes has risen. In Britain, history of the despite huge efforts by the Taliban threatens to thesis and one life. There is an iterative interaction it may be true that the top 1% pays a to disrupt the polls, it can be easily extraordinar- between wealth and income: ultimately, third of all income tax, but income tax country. destroy us. ily unwelcome to great wealth adds unearned rentier constitutes only 25% of all tax revenue: surmised that democracy is taking those who think income to earned income, further ratch- 45% comes from VAT, excise duties and root in Afghanistan. The campaigning capitalism and eting up the inequality process. national insurance paid by the mass of was powerful, intense and all regions inequality need each other. Capitalism The extravagances and incredible the population. of the country were covered. Afghans flocked to the polls in huge requires inequality of wealth, runs this social tensions of Edwardian England, As a result, the burden of paying for numbers, and although dozens of polling stations in rural and right-of-centre argument, to stimulate belle epoque France and robber baron public goods such as education, health insecure areas came under Taliban attack, the voting overall risk-taking and effort; governments America seemed for ever left behind, but and housing is increasingly shouldered trying to stem it with taxes on wealth, Piketty shows how the period between by average taxpayers, who don’t have the was not seriously disrupted by violence. It was a serious lesson capital, inheritance and property kill 1910 and 1950, when that inequality wherewithal to sustain them. Wealth for Taliban too. The militants realised that people could not be the goose that lays the golden egg. Thus was reduced, was aberrant. It took war inequality thus becomes a recipe for threatened to stay inside their homes and they prefer democracy Messrs Cameron and Osborne faithfully and depression to arrest the inequality slowing, innovation-averse, rentier econ- than their ancient, strict version of religion. Afghanistan needs champion lower inheritance taxes, refuse dynamic, along with the need to intro- omies, tougher working conditions and a strong and elected government to face the challenges after to reshape the council tax and boast duce high taxes on high incomes, espe- degraded public services. Meanwhile, the about the business-friendly low capital cially unearned incomes, to sustain social rich get ever richer and more detached the full exit of US troops from the country. Despite serious gains and corporation tax regime. peace. Now the ineluctable process of from the societies of which they are part: doubts about the ability of any government in Kabul to crush the Piketty deploys 200 years of data to blind capital multiplying faster in fewer not by merit or hard work, but simply Taliban, there is no doubt that a strong government can achieve prove them wrong. Capital, he argues, hands is under way again and on a global because they are lucky enough to be in huge success. The first results from Afghanistan’s presidential is blind. Once its returns – investing in scale. The consequences, writes Piketty, command of capital receiving higher election show the country is headed for a runoff next month anything from buy-to-let property to a are “potentially terrifying”. returns than wages over time. Our col- between former ministers, with two other candidates securing new car factory – exceed the real growth For a start, almost no new entrepre- lective sense of justice is outraged. of wages and output, as historically they neurs, except one or two spectacular THE GUARDIAN enough of the vote to potentially act as kingmakers. The other side Quote of Internet financing boom the day HE success of online wealth all emerged. However, they are small guarantees. With Alipay, on the other annum. Yu’ebao has used the oppor- management products such in size compared to Yu’ebao’s more hand, people can conveniently and tunity to attract money from deposi- as Yu’ebao has pushed than 500 billion yuan ($80.5 billion). It safely use credit cards online. Another tors by offering an annualized return TInternet financing into the is clear that Internet financing is espe- online financial product, Aliloan, which of around 6 percent. The National spotlight and it even appeared in the cially popular in China. provides credit loans to small- and Yu’ebao has already accumulated government work report in March this That seems strange considering micro-sized enterprises, experienced over 500 billion yuan, which is about 3 Security and year. the fact that the US takes the lead in fierce growth because China does not percent of China’s total personal cur- The root cause of the flourishing both the Internet and financing. But it have enough small financial agencies rent accounts, and it will continue to Defence Council has Internet financing in China lies in the can be explained by China’s underde- to do the job. attract funds if the current control over deficiencies of its traditional financing veloped traditional financing products, The tight control over interest rates deposit rates is not lifted. decided to launch products, which fail to meet market which do not meet people’s needs. has led to similar success for online It is the deficiencies in traditional a full-scale anti- demand, says a Beijing News column. For example, Alipay as China’s wealth management products. China financing that led to the Internet Internet financing has also been third-party payment service emerged has a tight control over deposit inter- financing boom in China. That also terrorist operation flourishing in developed coun- as China’s most popular on-line est rates, which is 0.35 percent a year tells us there is a huge demand for tries such as the United States - shopping payment choice because for current accounts and 3 percent for proper financial products in China involving the armed Oleksander Turchinov P2P financing, crowdfunding, and traditional banks had complicated one-year deposits; however, the basic and there should be deeper financial forces of Ukraine. Internet insurance instruments have procedures and lacked security interest rate for loans is 6 percent per reform. China Daily Acting Ukraine President MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Crimea won, Putin tries not to lose Ukraine Reclaiming Crimea 60 years after it was gifted to Ukraine by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, apparently on a whim, has been a domestic triumph for Putin.

BY TIMOTHY HERITAGE Russian president is likely to con- tinue for a some time, and the LADIMIR Putin political opposition in Moscow looks likely to go has for now been neutralised by down in history Putin’s success in Crimea. as the Russian leader who won SIGNS OF UNEASE back Crimea, but But business and political Vhe is fighting to avoid also being sources say there is growing remembered as the man who let unease beneath the surface as Ukraine escape from Moscow’s the euphoria fades and the harsh sphere of influence. reality sets in of Western sanc- The next six weeks will be deci- tions — and the prospect of more sive in that battle as Ukraine pre- if Russia does not cooperate with pares to elect a president on May the West. 25, agree a new constitution and With Russia’s economic prevent pro-Russian separatists growth stuttering almost to a in the east breaking away. halt, and capital flight rising to Reclaiming Crimea 60 years nearly $64bn in the first three after it was gifted to Ukraine by months of this year, there is Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, plenty of cause for concern about apparently on a whim, has been a taking on the financial burden of domestic triumph for Putin. But propping up Crimea — a region losing the ability to exert influ- long on pensioners and faded ence over Ukraine would be a high Black Sea resorts. price to pay for that and might, Some business leaders and gov- with time, seriously detract from ernment officials are also wor- the achievement. ried by the war of words with Even though Ukraine and the West, a threat of a return Pro-Russian supporters attend a rally in downtown Kharkiv, Ukraine, yesterday. Russia ceased to be in the same to Soviet-era isolation after two country when the Soviet Union decades of building relations with in a political climate where criti- the president. Central to Putin’s that if there is no risk of the crisis regions might even pursue differ- fell apart in 1991, economic, politi- richer states and even hostility cising Putin over Crimea has tactics now is a build-up of troops worsening, no one will bring him ent foreign policies, the industrial cal and cultural links remained abroad towards wealthy Russians become all but impossible, his on the border with Ukraine, a into discussions on Ukraine.” east aligning with Russia and the strong and Moscow retained a and their children studying at ability to retain Moscow’s influ- show of force that has fuelled Ukrainian-speaking west embrac- lot of political and economic influ- foreign institutions. ence in Ukraine will be crucial to fears in Ukraine and the West BIG BROTHER ing the EU. ence in Kiev. “There are people who are his capacity to maintain popular that he could send in troops to The troops also serve as a Viewing that as a mandate “Putin is now looking for a disorientated. They won’t say support for his actions. annex eastern regions such as reminder to Ukraine’s new lead- for more Crimean-style refer- model where Moscow retains this in public but there is a split Moscow’s influence in Kiev Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv ers that “Big Brother” is watching endums on secession, Kiev has some degree of influence,” said over whether what is happening has been under threat since where Kiev accuses Moscow of and is still a force to be heeded. promised to devolve powers to Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin is good for the country,” said a President Viktor Yanukovich fled fomenting unrest and backing They provide the backdrop as the regions but rejects “federal- spin doctor. “I think the next six Russian businessman in Moscow to Russia on February 22 after separatists. Russia pushes its demands, in ism”. It has also shown sensitiv- weeks will be key because Putin with liberal political views who three months of protests sparked The Ukrainian government daily Foreign Ministry state- ity to Russian speakers’ rights by can’t afford to let the Ukrainian did not want to be identified. by his decision to spurn political said that it was sending security ments lambasting the West and dropping plans for a law enforc- election produce an unacceptable Political scientist Stanislav and trade agreements with the forces into the eastern city of Ukraine’s government, and in ing the use of Ukrainian for offi- formula for Russia and he can’t Belkovsky went further in an EU and strengthen economic ties Slaviansk where the pro-Russian public remarks led by Putin and cial purposes. afford to look indecisive. “He interview with liberal radio sta- with Moscow instead. militants have seized control of by his wily and experienced for- Moscow made no secret of sup- needs a quick solution.” tion Ekho Moskvy, suggesting The installation of a govern- the local police headquarters. eign minister, Sergei Lavrov. porting Yanukovich and cannot Yet at first glance, Putin does not the mood had started to change ment that looks West instead of Putin has his loyal parlia- Threats to cut off gas supplies expect to find his successor at all look to have an urgent problem. His since US sanctions hit members East has increased the danger ment’s consent to use the army to Ukraine over its $2.2bn unpaid as sympathetic as the former gov- ratings have risen to their high- of Putin’s inner circle as well as for Russia of losing its ability if Russian speakers are deemed bill, raising the prospect of dis- ernor of Donetsk — but Ukrainian est in years since Russian forces other individuals and officials. to steer events in a country it to be in danger — a tactic famil- ruptions to deliveries to west- leaders are all well aware that took over Crimea and Moscow “Two weeks ago the Russian regards as a buffer between it iar from Crimea. Russian state ern Europe that pass through feuding with Russia can only hurt annexed the peninsula after a hast- elite were in a state of euphoria,” and the West and as the historic media have paved the way for this Ukraine, also keep pressure on them in the long run. ily arranged referendum among its he said. “It seemed Russia had cradle of Russian civilisation. by depicting Ukraine as beset by Kiev and help Russia to press its Even if Moscow cannot hope 2 million people. won a huge geopolitical victory For many of Russia’s 144 mil- marauding groups of neo-fascists. demands. for a president who openly favours Moscow’s political and busi- and we should be proud. lion people, bonds to Ukraine’s 46 But sending in the troops would The Russian demands, sure to Russia, it can see to it that any ness elites rallied behind Putin “Now, today, the elite are million are familial and emotional, risk a new, much tougher round of be outlined at talks in Geneva on future leader will be obliged to as the West imposed sanctions slipping into in a state of mild though for the Kremlin and its Western sanctions or even a mili- Thursday with the United States, seek a working balance in rela- over what its leaders called an depression. They understand that allies in business, Ukraine’s tary conflict which could be costly, EU and Ukraine, include an tions between east and west. If illegal redrawing of borders that a problem is coming. industries, concentrated in the inflict heavy Russian losses and insistence that Ukraine remain Putin has his way, he will be able revived Cold War-era conflict. He “So when real sanctions hit, Russian-speaking east, and its dent the 61-year-old president’s outside Nato and the EU, that its to show Russians he has done all signed Crimea’s annexation last when people realised the real markets, are also a draw. popularity. regions are given more autonomy he can to keep Moscow’s influence month after setting out dreams estate, healthcare, education in For supporters of the new The border build-up may be and Russian speakers guaranteed in the country. of a greater Russia in a speech the West, which they have got Ukrainian government’s pro- mainly a negotiating tactic with more rights to use their language Kremlin aides insist Putin is greeted by cheers in the Kremlin. used to in the last 20 years were Western course, Putin is also Western leaders: “The military rather than Ukrainian. not concerned about his place in His vision of repairing the break- in danger, they got worried.” concerned not to let Ukraine are there in principle so that peo- The idea of a federal system of history and is driven by the best up of the Soviet Union would flourish in a way that might ple agree to talk to Putin about governance for Ukraine has been interests of Russia. The verdict bring the “near abroad” back DAMAGE CONTROL inspire his Russian opponents to Ukraine’s future,” said Pavlovsky, floated for several months by the on his action may, in any case, be under Moscow’s wing. Although such concerns are try to emulate the “Euromaidan” who advised the president until Kremlin. In February, Putin’s lead a long time coming. The show of unity behind the likely to remain below the surface protesters of Kiev and overthrow three years ago. “Putin realises adviser on Ukraine suggested REUTERS Media ethics and responsible journalism BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT frequently taught in schools of journal- the question of the extent to which it liberties. The question is also cultural: Commission on Freedom of the Press. ism. Journalistic ethics tend to dominate is ethically acceptable to break the law Generally, eastern cultures are more The commission found five basic pil- INCE the advent of the popu- media ethics, sometimes almost to the in order to obtain news. For example, community-oriented, valuing harmony lars for all media: The media should lar press and yellow journalism exclusion of other areas. undercover reporters may be engaging over individualism, while western cul- provide a truthful, comprehensive and in late nineteenth century and Topics covered by journalism eth- in deception, trespass and similar torts tures cherish individual liberties — quite intelligent account of the day’s events the beginning of the twentieth ics include: News manipulation, news and crimes. often at the expense of social harmony. in a context which gives them meaning. century in America, critics can manipulate and be manipulated. Ethics involves what is right, equitable, In either case, these orientations are not The media should serve as a forum for Shave been concerned about the ethics of Governments and corporations may dutiful, responsible fair, and just. Ethical mutually exclusive. the exchange of comment and criticism. the press. Sex, crime and violence were attempt to manipulate news media; gov- practice is as important in media as it is Nearly all people and societies have The media should project a representa- since then the main themes of most news ernments, for example, by censorship, in any other walk of life with high levels at least some concern for both individu- tive picture of the constituent groups and entertainment. Today the media are and corporations by share ownership of public impact. Generally, a discussion als and communities. Either of the two in the society. inventing reality and fabricating what the control the editorial policy of the news of ethics involves ethical traditions, reli- orientations, taken to the extreme, can The media should present and clarify people are reading, watching and listen- media. The methods of manipulation are gious traditions and moral principles. produce social dysfunctions. the goals and values of the society. The ing to. The media have been used exten- subtle and many. Truth may conflict with Some would argue that ethics cannot An extremely libertarian society may media should provide full access to the sively by those who control public opinion many other values and be a victim dur- be taught — a person is either ethical have great inequities in wealth and day’s intelligence. Journalism has a very to reach their objectives. The media work ing wars, conflicts…etc. Public interest is or is not ethical. While it is true that a resources. An extremely communitarian strong ethical code, including prescriptive within a framework of set agendas, val- a term which is not easy to define at all, sense of ethics may vary in strength from society may stifle freedom and initiative. advice to seek the truth and report it; ues and ideology to manufacture consent but widely used to manipulate the news. person to person, a complete lack of eth- All professionals have specific ethical to act independently; and to be account- and maintain the status-quo. Observers Publication of private life of celebrities is ics or compassion is considered to be a codes based on long tradition. Probably able. It also has proscriptive advice, such and scholars are not happy with how the not necessarily justified simply because symptom of mental illness. When we are the best known is the Hippocratic Oath as minimise harm, don’t plagiarise, don’t media is reporting wars, conflicts, pub- the information is true. confronted with an ethical dilemma, we in which a physician vows to abstain take money from sources, don’t lie, and lic affairs…etc. Many of the problems Privacy is also a right, and one which often use a combination of ethical tools to from doing harm. don’t be afraid of criticism. nations and peoples around the globe are conflicts with free speech. Fantasy is understand the situation and judge what Similarly, the Society of Professional To wrap up, one can conclude that the facing are due to stereotypes, manipula- an element of entertainment, which is best to do. We think about our duty, Journalists code of ethics says that the issue of ethics in journalism is more than tion, distortion and misinformation. is a legitimate goal of media content. about the impact on other people, about media should “minimise harm” and codes of ethics, professional associations Media ethics is more of a decision- Journalism may mix fantasy and truth, whether an action is virtuous or just or have “compassion for those who may and training and continuing education. making process than anything else. It is with resulting ethical dilemmas. Photo potentially prejudiced. be affected adversely by news coverage.” The problem is complex given the fact a daily practice, it is a way of thinking, journalists who cover war and disasters Understanding the range of ethical Reporters, editors, broadcasters, adver- that the journalist confronts from time to viewing things and acting. The concept, confront situations which may shock the tools helps us approach ethical chal- tising executives and others in the mass time some conflicts of interests and some the understanding, the environment, the sensitivities of their audiences. The ethi- lenges in a more thoughtful way. These media need to understand and rely on situations where it’s not an easy task to culture of the country are important fac- cal issue is how far should one risk shock- philosophical traditions in ethics have ethical codes to guide them. Journalists take a decision whether to side with this tors determining the ethics of a profes- ing an audience’s sensitivities in order emerged in various eras of human history. are ethically bound to seek the truth, party or the other one or with the truth. sion that has been under fire since its to correctly and fully report the truth. Outgoing, communitarian people may be to act independently and to serve the (Dr Kirat is a professor of Public Relations early days. The ethics of journalism is Journalistic ethics may conflict with the more concerned with the greater good of public interest. and Mass Communication at the College of one of the most well-defined branches law over issues such as the protection of the whole group, while introspective peo- The best overview of media eth- Arts and Sciences, Qatar University.) of media ethics, primarily because it is confidential news sources. There is also ple may be more concerned with personal ics comes from the 1947 Hutchins THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Gaddafi sons’ war crimes trial begins today Saif Al Islam, brother Saadi face accusations of masterminding campaign of murder and torture during civil war

TRIPOLI: The war crimes trial by violence. Security fears mean Until the revolution, Saif Al 40,000 pages of evidence. heightened this month with the Senussi or even speak to him by of two sons of Libya’s former that the Gadaffi trial has moved Islam enjoyed the high life, being Central to the case are tele- release of a video made by prison phone?” said Amal Alamuddin, dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, to the capital’s maximum security entertained at Buckingham phone intercepts allegedly record- guards, apparently without a law- one of the ICC defence team. begins amid tight security in Al Hadba prison, which has been Palace and enjoying links with ing the accused ordering war yer present, showing Saadi sup- Libya insists the trial will be fair Tripoli today, in a case causing ringed with armoured cars, barbed Prince Andrew and Tony Blair. crimes, and a video that judges in posedly confessing to his crimes. and transparent. “I can assure sensation at home and contro- wire and machine-gun nests. Saadi, 40, is best known for his The Hague say is genuine, show- The trial is also controversial you that the trial will be according versy among rights groups. In a sign of the power of the mili- failed attempts to become a pro- ing Senussi ordering his follow- because the international crimi- to the correct legal procedures,” Saif Al Islam Gaddafi and his tias, units holding Saif Al Islam in fessional footballer, being signed ers “to be ready to destroy these nal court, which has charged Saif said Ahmed Lamin, a government younger brother, Saadi, are accused the mountain town of Zintan have by three Italian Serie-A clubs in filthy groups altogether”. Al Islam and Senussi, has yet to spokesman. of orchestrating a campaign of refused to hand him over to the quick succession, but managing But rights groups say vio- agree to Libyan requests to try And Libyans themselves are murder, torture and bombardment authorities. Instead, he will stand just two appearances in three lence against judges and lawyers, both at home. eager to see the trial of their of civilians during Libya’s eight- trial over a video link. years. Prosecutors say he was which have seen the rule of law Judges at The Hague ruled that former tormentors. “This case is month civil war in 2011. The defendants are accused of responsible for troops firing into suspended across much of the Saif Al Islam must be sent to the going to be an example, not just Appearing with them are masterminding a chain of mas- the crowd during a Libyan cup country, leave a question mark ICC, and his lawyers are appeal- for the old guys on trial, but for Gaddafi’s former spy chief, sacres in the early days of Libya’s final in 1996. over the trial. “Militias and crimi- ing against a decision that Libya the new guys in power,” said a Abdullah Al Senussi, two former revolution, and of later rounding Investigators have released nals have harassed, intimidated, is fit to try Senussi, 64. His ICC Tripoli photographer Magdi El prime ministers and 34 senior up, torturing and killing hundreds few details of the case, but doc- threatened and in some cases legal team, led by Ben Emmerson Nakua. “The message for the new officials: Much of the dictator- of opponents. The two brothers uments filed by Libya with the assassinated judges, prosecutors, QC, say Libya refused them per- guys is that any abuses, no matter ship’s surviving elite. are also accused of plundering international criminal court witnesses,” said Hanan Salah, of mission to visit their client. how you see yourselves, you will The trial is going ahead despite state coffers to fund extravagant show an extensive charge sheet, Human Rights Watch. “How can you have a fair trial be made to account for them.” much of the country being gripped playboy lifestyles abroad. more than 200 witnesses and Concern about due process was if they don’t let the lawyers visit THE GUARDIAN

Saudi likely to Libyan PM quits close shops early to boost after one month employment TRIPOLI: Libya’s interim The post of interim prime min- prime minister handed his res- ister is becoming difficult to fill. A RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is ignation to parliament yester- suitable candidate must be able to expected to make shops close day, just one month into the bridge deep political divides in a at 9pm instead of midnight job, saying gunmen had tried to parliament inter-laced with mili- later this year, Saudi Gazette attack his family. tia rivalries. reported yesterday, in a move Abdullah Al Thinni’s resignation With no real national army, aimed at encouraging employ- adds to the growing chaos in Libya, Libya is struggling with its tran- ment by making sales jobs more where the government has strug- sition to democracy as the bri- attractive. gled to control brigades of former gades of former rebels who once The policy, first announced rebels nearly three years after the fought Gaddafi refuse to disarm last year, has been approved by a fall of Muammar Gaddafi. and often challenge the state’s government committee, the daily The General National Congress authority. reported. The move might face (GNC), the country’s parliament, Thinni was appointed in March some public criticism in a country has not yet officially recognised after the GNC voted out his pred- where many people prefer to shop Thinni’s resignation and will ecessor, Ali Zeidan who had failed late in the evenings. decide what to do at its next ses- to end a standoff with rebels who Supporters of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika attend the last election campaign rally in Algiers. The kingdom is trying to push sion on Tuesday, a GNC spokes- were occupying vital oil ports. young Saudis to take jobs in the man said. Thinni said he would The final blow was Zeidan’s fail- private sector by closing a gap in stay in his post until the GNC ure to stop a tanker from illegally Algeria presidential campaign ends pay, benefits and working hours selects a new prime minister. loading crude oil at one of the with government posts, which has “We are meeting now and we’re blocked ports. been the main source of national looking for someone to replace Thinni’s government reached ALGIERS: Final campaign closing, the 69-year-old Benflis held “When a candidate threatens employment for decades. him,” Mohamed Ali Abdallah, an agreement to reopen two rallies were held for Algeria’s his last rally later the same day in walis (governors) and the author- Sales jobs, traditionally held by head of the GNC’s planning and ports, but the return of steady presidential election yesterday Rouiba in the east of the country. ities to beware for our families expatriates, have often been seen budget committee, said. oil revenues is not a given. The after the incumbent Abdelaziz The aim of Bouteflika’s accusations and children in case of (election) as menial in Saudi Arabia, but the In his resignation letter, Thinni two largest ports, Es Sider and Bouteflika and his only real rival against him were “to cover up the fraud, what does that mean?” government is trying to encourage said he and his family had been Ras Lanuf, remain closed pending Ali Benflis waged a war of words. inability of the president candidate Bouteflika asked. Benflis had said young people to take such positions victim of a “cowardly attack” and negotiations over the division of The 77-year-old Bouteflika, to mobilise the population,” he said in televised remarks that “fraud to address long-term unemploy- he could not “accept to see any the country’s oil wealth. despite ailing health and not even in a statement, quoted by national is ‘haram’,” or forbidden. “Fraud ment. A committee composed violence because of my position”. The attack on Thinni’s family is appearing in person on the cam- news agency APS. and usage of fraud is haram. I am of officials from the commerce, “I have decided therefore to the not the first time that a prime paign trail, remains favourite to Late on Saturday, Bouteflika speaking to (governors): you have municipal and rural affairs, present my apologies as I cannot minister has been threatened. win a fourth term in Thursday’s made a rare television appearance family, think about protecting Islamic affairs and electricity accept this temporary position,” Zeidan, who fled to Europe after poll in the North African nation. — only his second since campaign- them,” Benflis said. ministries has finished studying the letter said, without giving he was removed from his post, was Presidential aides wound up ing began — to accuse the man He is seeking to reverse the issue and will soon report, the details about the incident. Ahmed briefly abducted from his hotel by the campaign on his behalf in who was once his prime minister Bouteflika’s fortunes following 10 English-language daily reported. Lamin, a spokesman for the prime a militia last year. He often com- Cherage, southwest of the capital, of fomenting violence. He accused years in the political wilderness, “Sources close to the commit- minister’s office, said no one had plained of being unable to govern where they praised the “miracle” Benflis of “terrorism via the tel- after running against and losing tee expected the closure of shops been hurt in the attack, which he because of political rivalries and of Bouteflika taking Algeria “from evision”, in reference to warnings heavily to his former ally in the to be effective before the advent described as a “near miss” outside pressure from militias. darkness into light”. the former premier made against 2004 election. of Ramadan in early July,” it said. Thinni’s family home. REUTERS With the campaign officially electoral fraud. AFP REUTERS

Alleged ‘terrorist’ Dubai airport to cut 26pc flights who fought in during runway work Syria held in Egypt DUBAI: Airlines flying into Dubai are preparing for diver- sions and schedule changes as the emirate’s main airport plans CAIRO: Egypt has arrested a to reduce the number of flights it handles during construction veteran of the Syrian civil war work on its runways. Dubai International will cut flights by 26 on suspicion of planning terror- percent for an 80-day period, Dubai’s airports authority said yes- ist acts inside Egypt, the state terday. The cut-back will occur between May 1 and July 20 as news agency repor ted yesterday. first one runway and then the other is closed for resurfacing The Egyptian prosecutor’s office and other construction work, Dubai Airports said. During that in Suez City ordered the arrest of period eight airlines which now fly into Dubai International Wael Ahmed Abdel Fattah for 15 will divert to the emirate’s new Al Maktoum International days, Mena reported, adding that Airport, which opened to passenger traffic last October. he was suspected of working with Islamist militant groups. Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet Mena said Abdel Fattah, a former oil company employee, bat- JERUSALEM: Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met yesterday tled in Syria alongside the Nusra in a fresh bid to save their teetering US-brokered peace talks, a Front, seen as the most effec- Palestinian official said. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat tive rebel group fighting Syrian was meeting in Jerusalem with his Israeli opposite number, Justice The Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. President Bashar Al Assad. Minister Tzipi Livni, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Since the army toppled president special envoy Yitzhak Molcho, he said. There was no immediate Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim word from the Israeli side, which was to observe the seven-day Israel police, Palestinians clash at Brotherhood last July, Islamist mil- Jewish holidays of Passover from sunset today. itants based in the Sinai Peninsula have stepped up attacks on police First case of MERS case in Yemen and soldiers, killing hundreds. The Al Aqsa compound, five arrested insurgency has spread to Cairo and SANA’A: Yemen reported its first case of the deadly MERS other cities, where senior security coronavirus yesterday in a further spread of the deadly strain JERUSALEM: Five people Mount area,” he added, using the compound, saying six Palestinians officials have been targeted. in the Middle East two years after its outbreak in neighbouring were arrested after Palestinians Jewish term for the site where were wounded in the clashes. Militant violence and political Saudi Arabia. “Medical personnel have recorded one case of the and Israeli police clashed at tradition says the biblical Jewish “What I have seen today turmoil have dealt a heavy blow coronavirus in Sana’a and the victim is a Yemeni man who works the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque temples once stood. reflects the nature of the Israeli to tourism, which was a critical as an aeronautics engineer,” the semi-official Al Thawra news- compound in Jerusalem’s Old Witnesses said members of the plans to take over the city by source of hard currency during paper quoted Public Health Minister Ahmed Al Ansi as saying. City yesterday, police said. Palestinian Islamist movement every method possible,” he added. more stable times. Police spokesman Micky Hamas were among the protest- “Jerusalem should be the exam- The Egyptian state and mili- Bomber kills seven policemen in Iraq Rosenfeld said the violence ers at the compound. “Five people ple to the rest of the world, an tants are old foes. Islamist-leaning erupted when police opened one suspected of being involved in the open city to all.” soldiers assassinated President KIRKUK: A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle of the walled compound’s gates to clashes were arrested and there Shaath also said “only a limited Anwar al-Sadat in 1981, mainly at a checkpoint in northern Iraq yesterday, killing seven police, and non-Muslim visitors. “Stones and will be other arrests,” Rosenfeld number of Palestinian Christians” because he signed a peace treaty gunmen shot dead three people, officials said. The suicide bomb- a number of Molotov cocktails said. were able to join Palm Sunday cel- with Israel. It took former presi- ing at the police checkpoint northwest of Kirkuk also wounded 11 were thrown at police,” he said. A senior Palestinian offi- ebrations in Jerusalem “mainly dent Hosni Mubarak years to put police officers. North of Baghdad, gunmen attacked a police officer’s “Police responded by using stun cial, Nabil Shaath, condemned due to (a) lack of permits.” down an Islamist insurgency in house, killing his father and brother. AGENCIES grenades and entered the Temple “Israeli aggression” at the Al Aqsa AFP the 1990s. REUTERS MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Ukraine plans attack on rebels Inspectors probe ‘Islamist Armed men in east Ukraine alarm Nato; Russia warns Kiev takeover’ at 15 UK schools LONDON: The government has extremist views”. Speaking on a KIEV/SLAVIANSK, ordered inspections of 15 schools in visit to Birmingham, he said: “It’s Ukraine: Ukraine’s armed Britain’s second biggest city after not acceptable, we can’t have that forces plan to launch a “full- allegations that they are being happening in our country and Ofsted scale anti-terrorist opera- taken over by Islamic hardliners, have all the powers they need to tion” against pro-Russian officials said yesterday. intervene.” separatists, acting president A row has been brewing in Ofsted monitors educational stand- Oleksander Turchinov said Birmingham for weeks since the local ards but the Sunday Times newspaper yesterday, raising the risk of council received an anonymous letter said it would also look into whether a military confrontation with alleging a plot to force a change of religious conservatism was getting in Moscow. leadership at four state-run schools. the way of learning in Birmingham. Angered by the death of a The aim was apparently to impose If this was found to the case, Ofsted state security officer and the a conservative religious agenda, turn- could declare the schools inadequate wounding of two of his comrades ing parents against head teachers by and replace governing bodies and near the flashpoint eastern city telling that the school is corrupting head teachers, the newspaper said. of Slaviansk, Turchinov gave their children with sex education, The 10 members of parliament rebels occupying state buildings promotion of homosexuality and (MPs) representing Birmingham last until this morning to lay down making them take part in Christian week wrote to Gove to express their their weapons. prayers. concerns. He blamed Russia, which Unnamed school staff have since However, a governor at one of the opposed a pro-Europe upris- made accusations about gender seg- schools allegedly targeted in the plot ing that forced Moscow-backed regation and the bullying of non- has hit back, saying it was the victim former president Viktor Muslim staff. of a “witchhunt” and denying allega- Yanukovich to flee, for being The central English city has one tions of extremism. behind the rash of rebellions the highest Muslim populations in David Hughes said that in his 15 across Russian-speaking towns the country. The 2011 census found years as school governor at the Park in eastern Ukraine. 22 percent of residents were Muslim, View School academy there had “The blood of Ukrainian compared to 4.8 percent nationwide. not been a single complaint about heroes has been shed in a war People rally in Tbilisi yesterday against Georgia’s cooperation with Russia and to condemn what they call Birmingham City Council has extremism or radicalism in the which the Russian Federation “Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine.” been trying to get to the bottom of school. is waging against Ukraine,” he the alleged plot and this week froze The spokeswoman for the said in an address to the nation. east. “The National Security and in Slaviansk, interior minister a car, with a pool of blood between the recruitment of school governors Department for Education said: “The “The aggressor has not stopped Defence Council has decided to Arsen Avakov said. “There were his legs. A rifle lay next to him. pending the outcome of its inquiries. allegations made in relation to some and is continuing to sow disor- launch a full-scale anti-terrorist dead and wounded on both sides,” The separatists are holed up Education Secretary Michael Gove schools in Birmingham are very seri- der in the east of the country.” operation involving the armed he wrote on his Facebook page. in the local headquarters of the has now ordered formal inspections ous and we are investigating all evi- With East-West relations forces of Ukraine,” he declared. The Russian news agency RIA police and of the state secu- by the Ofsted watchdog of 15 schools dence put to us in conjunction with in crisis, Nato described the Ukraine has repeatedly said reported that one pro-Moscow rity service, while others have across the city, a spokeswoman for Ofsted, Birmingham City Council and appearance in eastern Ukraine the rebellions are inspired and activist was killed in Slaviansk erected road blocks around his ministry said. the police. of men with specialised Russian directed by the Kremlin. But in clashes with forces loyal to Slaviansk, which lies about Earlier this month, Prime Minister “It is absolutely vital these inves- weapons and identical uniforms action to dislodge the armed mili- the Kiev government. “On our 150km from the Russian border. David Cameron warned that “we tigations are carried out impartially, without insignia — as previ- tants risks tipping the stand-off side, another two were injured,” However, details of the fight- will not accept any school being without pre-judgement.” ously worn by Moscow’s troops into a new, dangerous phase as RIA quoted pro-Russian mili- ing remain sketchy. A state- run by extremists or promoting AFP when they seized Crimea — as Moscow has warned it will pro- tant Nikolai Solntsev as adding. ment from the administration a “grave development”. tect the region’s Russian-speakers Russian TV broadcast grainy of the eastern Donetsk region Though the Ukrainian mili- if they come under attack. footage of what it said was the body indicated the security officer tary did not resist the Russian One Ukrainian state security of the militant. The images, which may have been killed between takeover of Crimea with force, officer was killed and five were Reuters could not verify inde- Slaviansk and the nearby town Turchinov threatened robust wounded on the government pendently, showed a man in black of Artemivsk. action against the rebels in the side in yesterday’s operation clothes, slumped against the door of REUTERS

At least 36 At least 11 dead in Chile blaze dead in Mexico VALPARAISO, Chile: At least eleven people flames advanced down the slopes of the city have died in a huge fire in Chile’s port city of towards its port and heritage-listed center, bus crash Valparaiso famous for its Unesco-listed his- driven by strong winds. toric center, officials said yesterday. More than 200 inmates at a women’s prison XALAPA, MEXICO: A bus The blaze, which started in woodland near were evacuated due to “large amounts of smoke slammed into the back of a the city on Saturday and whose cause is under produced by the fire,” said Tulio Arce, regional badly parked trailer-truck and investigation, destroyed 500 homes and forced prison guard director. burst into flames in Mexico yes- the evacuation of more than 5,000. With the city spread out over more than 40 terday, killing at least 36 peo- “So far, there are at least 11 fatalities from the hills, emergency vehicles had trouble getting ple and injuring four others, fire,” police official Colonel Fernando Bywaters to their destinations. “My brother’s house was authorities said. told Radio Cooperativa. entirely burnt. We had only finished it two weeks Most of the roof and tires of The latest death toll came as President ago. We tried to save something but it was truly the bus were reduced to ashes Michelle Bachelet arrived in the hard-hit city, an inferno,” one resident, Cristobal Perez, told by the highway accident in the 120km west of the capital Santiago, to coordi- the Chilevision television network. southeastern state of Veracruz, nate the emergency response after declaring it “I started to become overcome by the smoke according to television images. a disaster zone. “This is the worst catastrophe along with my two dogs. It was terrible — impos- “The trailer-truck was on the Valparaiso has ever seen,” the regional adminis- sible to breathe,” another resident told the chan- shoulder of the highway at kil- trator, Ricardo Bravo, told reporters. nel. The vast blaze has caused cuts to power and ometer 135 ... when the bus hit The military has taken over security in the drinking water in many areas. the back of the trailer, which popular tourist hub, located on the Pacific coast Chile’s interior minister said the disaster caused this regrettable accident,” with a population of 270,000. decree issued by Bachelet Saturday had activated Governor Javier Duarte said. At dawn, pockets of fire were still active and an “exceptional” constitutional provision allow- “In addition to crashing, the firefighters warned that extinguishing them was ing the military to be called in to help. bus caught fire, which makes the complicated by the area’s hilly geography, narrow The navy, which has a major base in the port investigative work to identify bod- streets and persistent strong winds. city, immediately responded by taking over secu- ies more difficult,” he told Milenio Overnight, many residents watched helpless, rity. It deployed uniformed personnel into the television. Federal police con- from distant vantage points, as the hills burned streets to maintain order and to help with the cluded that the truck was badly bright red. Thick smoke clouded the sky. evacuations. parked, the state government Hundreds of firemen were hopelessly out- Valparaiso is one of Chile’s most important said. A state prosecutor was sent matched in their battle to limit the blaze. They ports. It lived its era of glory from the mid-19th to investigate the crash. were forced to retreat time and again as flames century to the early 20th as a stopover point for At least 36 people were con- reduced homes to cinders, a wall of red towering ships steaming down South America and to firmed dead, said government above them. round its southern tip into the Atlantic Ocean. spokesman Alberto Silva Ramos. Early in the morning, massive tongues of AFP AFP MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES No mid-flight phone call from MH370: Malaysia No passengers cleared in criminal probe: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia investigations that are being done deliberately diverted and its yesterday rejected claims that now not only by the Malaysian communication systems manu- phone calls were made from police but the FBI, MI6, Chinese ally switched off as it was leaving Flight MH370 before it van- intelligence and other intelligence Malaysian airspace, triggering a ished, but refused to rule out agencies,” he said at a press con- criminal investigation by police any possibility in a so far fruit- ference in Kuala Lumpur. which has revealed little so far. less investigation into the jet’s Hishammuddin also said no Several theories have been put disappearance. passenger on the plane had been forward, including hijacking, a The New Straits Times, quot- cleared in the criminal investi- terrorist plot or a pilot gone rogue. ing an anonymous source, had gation into the fate of the flight, But authorities are grasping at reported on Saturday that co- clarifying an earlier indication straws as to the fate of the plane pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid made a from Malaysia’s police chief. without crucial data from the jet’s call which ended abruptly, possi- “The Inspector-General of “black box” flight recorder, which bly “because the aircraft was fast Police said at that particular has yet to be located, and without moving away from the (telecom- point in time there is nothing any wreckage. munications) tower”. to find suspicion with the pas- Several sonic ‘pings’ which There had also been uncon- senger manifesto but... unless we authorities have said are consist- firmed reports of calls by the find more information, specifically ent with a black box have been Malaysia Airlines plane’s captain the data in the black box, I don’t detected by ships in the search Zaharie Ahmad Shah before or think any chief of police will be in area in the remote southern Buddhist devotees offer prayers for the missing Malaysian Airline plane MH370 in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia, during the flight. a position to say they have been Indian Ocean, off the west coast yesterday. Malaysian Transport Minister cleared.” of Australia. Hishammuddin Hussein told The police chief also clarified But Australia’s Joint Agency kilometre area yesterday, 2,200 confidence the black box recorder submersible,” he said. reporters yesterday that authori- last week that passengers had not Coordination Centre, which is kilometres northwest of Perth. from MH370 is located,” he said in “By that stage we hope we will ties had no knowledge of any calls categorically been cleared since leading the search, said yester- They include Australia’s Ocean an interview on Saturday. have narrowed down the search from the jet’s cockpit. the investigation was ongoing. day that another 24 hours had Shield which is using a US Navy “The surface search area is still area on the seabed to as little per- “As far as I know, no,” he said Pilots Fariq and Zaharie have passed without a confirmed sig- towed pinger locator to pick up about 50 kilometres by 40 kilome- haps as a square kilometre.” when asked if any calls had been come under intense scrutiny since nal, increasing fears that batter- the hoped-for black box signals. tres,” he added, saying that the Despite his confidence that the made. the plane vanished en route from ies in the beacons attached to the Australian Prime Minister object of the current hunt was signals so far detected are from However, he added that he did Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 plane’s two black boxes may now Tony Abbott told Chinese to detect as many transmissions MH370, Abbott reiterated the not want to speculate on “the people on board on March 8, with have run flat. state television the search was from the “fast fading” black box huge challenges. realm of the police and other still no clue as to the cause of the The last pings were detected narrowing. beacons. “I stress the difficulty of the international agencies” investi- disappearance. on Tuesday. “We’re narrowing down “When we think we’ve got task and the danger of false hope gating the case. Investigators last month There were 12 aircraft and 14 the undersea area where we everything we can through and unrealistic expectations.” “I do not want to disrupt the indicated that the flight was ships combing a 57,506 square believe now with a high level of this means we will deploy the AFP

Indonesia poll outcome dims reform hopes, say analysts Abu Sayyaf rebel killed JAKARTA: Prospects for victory at the polls. The early parliament also increased to 10 hugely complex for foreign inves- to push through a reduction in much-needed reforms in count indicates the PDI-P will from nine, with many small par- tors to navigate. fuel subsidies, which gobble up a in clashes Southeast Asia’s top economy have to form a large coalition to ties making gains, a result that Economic nationalism has huge chunk of the state budget, are in doubt after a worse-than- put Widodo forward at the July will mean the notoriously frac- also been rising in recent years, although it eventually succeeded. MANILA: An extremist has expected election perform- presidential polls, meaning deci- tious legislature is as hard to observers say, pointing to policies But hopes that the 560-seat been killed in fighting between ance by the main opposition sion-making will remain cumber- work with as ever. such as a ban on the export of lower house of parliament would soldiers and Abu Sayyaf rebels left Indonesia staring at an some and reducing the chances of “The legislature is more frac- some unprocessed mineral ores, be more stable following the elec- in the southern Philippines, unwieldy coalition government, swift economic reform, analysts tured than it was in the last which has hit foreign miners, tions have been dashed, analysts a day after 12 people died in a analysts warn. said. parliament,” Paul Rowland, a and moves to stop foreign banks said. Market reaction after the similar shootout, the military The Indonesian Democratic A party or coalition of par- Jakarta-based independent ana- taking majority ownership of election showed investors’ dis- said yesterday. Party of Struggle (PDI-P) won ties needs 20 percent of seats in lyst told AFP, adding that “mar- Indonesian lenders. comfort — Jakarta stocks plunged Troops in the strife-torn island around 19 percent of the vote at parliament, or 25 percent of the ket-oriented” policies would be A key problem seen as hindering more than three percent and the of Jolo were on patrol when they Wednesday’s elections, according national vote, to put forward a unlikely. reform in recent years has been rupiah lost ground against major clashed with the Islamist guer- to initial results, putting it in first presidential candidate. Indonesia is a G20 economy and the ruling coalition of President currencies. rillas on Saturday, said military place but with less than the 25-30 The small National Democratic one of the world’s fastest-grow- Susilio Bambang Yudhoyono, “It was quite a disappointment spokesman Lieutenant Colonel percent expected. party at the weekend became the ing — it expanded by 5.8 percent which was made up of six parties, for investors,” said Fauzi Ichsan, Romeo Zagala. The party had been buoyed by first to say it would support the last year—but investors have long and the quarrelsome nature of a senior economist at Standard Intelligence reports indicated the popularity of its presidential PDI-P, although negotiations are criticised policymakers’ failure to parliament, observers said. Chartered Bank, adding the busi- that at least three Abu Sayyaf candidate, Jakarta governor Joko still ongoing with other parties realise its potential. Parliament last year blocked ness community had hoped the fighters were wounded in the Widodo, frontrunner to be the and the final shape of any coali- Infrastructure is poor and ministers’ attempt to water down PDI-P could form a smaller and clash, he added. country’s next leader, but failed to tion remains unclear. corruption endemic, while the the mineral ore ban and the gov- more manageable coalition. Government forces on Friday translate this into overwhelming The number of parties in bureaucracy is enormous and ernment faced a tough battle AFP launched an operation in Basilan island, another southern strong- hold of the Abu Sayyaf, to capture two top leaders of the Al-Qaeda- Defence exhibition linked group which is accused of beheadings and kidnappings. Philippine fishermen They failed to apprehend either Puruji Indama or Isnilon Hapilon. Seven Abu Sayyaf fighters, two soldiers and three members want bounty for Croc of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighting on the side of the DAVAO, Philippines: a motorboat. Philippine military were killed in Fishermen in the southern Dapudong said the fishermen Friday’s violence. Philippines are demanding a were asking 40,000 pesos ($900) Zagala said Saturday’s clashes reward for a crocodile they said for the crocodile, estimated to in Jolo were not related to the they caught accidentally, but weigh 100kg but did not say what operation to capture the two officials insisted yesterday they they would do to it if they were not chiefs. would not pay for the reptile. paid. It was not clear where the Authorities in Mlang town on fishermen were keeping the ani- Japan orders the southern island of Mindanao mal while the wrangle continues. said they were trying to convince Dapudong warned that the chicken cull after the fishermen to hand over the crocodile could die from stress or 2.5-metre long crocodile to them escape and harm residents. bird flu outbreak for safekeeping. “Somebody told Mlang’s mayor Joselito Piñol has them that the local government sought legal assistance from the TOKYO: Japan has ordered the would give rewards but it’s not Department of Environment and slaughter of some 112,000 chick- true. We exerted all means to Natural Resources on what to do ens after officials confirmed convince them but we failed,” said with the crocodile. He is also ask- yesterday bird flu infections at Hernand Dapudong, the town’s ing other town officials to help. a poultry farm in the south. disaster monitoring chief. It is not yet known whether the DNA tests confirmed the H5 The fishermen said they had reptile is a critically-endangered strain of the virus at a farm in accidentally netted the crocodile Philippine crocodile or the larger, Kumamoto prefecture that kept in Mindanao’s sprawling Liguasan more common saltwater crocodile 56,000 birds, after its owner marsh on Saturday. They then which is not threatened and is found reported Saturday a lot of sud- Scale models of military helicopters are on display at the 14th Defence Services Asia exhibition, in Kuala brought the creature, tied up in several Asia-Pacific nations. den deaths among his poultry, Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. More than 27,000 trade visitors from 50 countries and about 1,000 companies with rope, into nearby Mlang on AFP the agriculture ministry said in from the global defence and security industry participate in the show. a statement. Officials also ordered the cull- ing of another 56,000 birds at a separate farm run by the same owner after treating it as a loca- tion of possible infections, the US plans first cabinet visit to Taiwan in 14 years ministry said. It was the first confirmed outbreak of bird flu in WASHINGTON: The top discuss cooperation, her agency But tensions have abated mark- US Agency for International authorities” and deliver a Japan in three years. US environmental official will said in a statement. edly since President Ma Ying-jeou Development, visited Taiwan in speech at the National Taiwan The ministry has however been visit Taiwan in the first trip The trip would be the first by a was elected in 2008 on a platform 2011. Shah technically does not University. warning farmers about infection by a cabinet-level leader from cabinet-level US official to Taiwan of improving relations with China have cabinet status. The trip comes as Ma faces a risks, citing the continued spread Washington to the Chinese- since 2000 when then US presi- through economic and cultural Still, McCarthy’s visit—which growing challenge to his Beijing- of the disease in Asia, including claimed island in 14 years, offi- dent Bill Clinton sent transporta- cooperation. had long been expected—was friendly policies, with student- neighbouring South Korea. cials said yesterday. tion secretary Rodney Slater. China has appeared eager to announced with a low-key state- led protesters seizing control of Local authorities on Saturday Gina McCarthy, the admin- China frequently protests any support Ma and in February ment over the weekend. parliament to protest a services banned movement of chickens istrator of the Environmental hint of international recognition held its first meeting with a The Environmental Protection agreement with China that crit- from the two affected farms Protection Agency, will travel for Taiwan, which it considers a Taiwanese official since their 1949 Agency said that McCarthy ics charge would subordinate the as well as other farms in their to Taiwan and Vietnam from province awaiting reunification, split. China had a muted reaction would meet environmental offi- island. vicinities. Monday through Wednesday to by force if necessary. when Rajiv Shah, the head of the cials and “other leading Taiwan AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Gunmen free Abdullah leads in first Afghan results most abducted Run-off likely as Ashraf Ghani trails behind; results announced for 26 provinces villagers

KABUL: Former foreign min- and Baghlan) and two in the east PESHAWAR: Gunmen yester- ister Abdullah Abdullah is (Nuristan and Paktika). The oth- day freed most of the Pakistani leading his closest rival Ashraf ers are Daykundi in the centre, villagers they had kidnapped Ghani in early results from southern Ghazni and Wardak and from a hashish festival in the the Afghan presidential elec- the western province of Ghor. remote mountainous northwest, tion, the Independent Election The United Nations Assistance a government official said. Commission (IEC) said yester- Mission in Afghanistan welcomed The gunmen, suspected to day, but figures indicate a likely the announcement as a “first be Taliban, raided the festival run-off vote. snapshot that will regularly be on Saturday and seized around The eventual winner will have updated by the IEC”. 100 men. Around 40 were to lead the fight against a resur- “I urge presidential candi- released that day, and most of gent Taliban as US-led combat dates and their supporters to the rest on Sunday, the official troops prepare to leave at year- display patience while vote tally- said. end, and strengthen an economy ing is completed,” said Jan Kubis, The official asked for anonym- reliant on declining aid money. UN Special Representative to ity because he was not authorised “Today we announce the par- Afghanistan, in a statement. to speak to the media and negoti- tial results of 26 provinces with Abdullah, who was born to an ations for the remaining captives’ 10 percent of votes counted, these ethnic Pashtun father and a Tajik release were continuing. include (provinces) in the north, mother, is more associated with Seven men were still believed south, east, west and Kabul,” said the northern Tajiks. to be held. The raid took place Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani, the IEC More than seven million people on the border between Khyber chief. defied bad weather and Taliban and Orakzai, two tribal regions “With 500,000 votes from 26 threats of violence to vote in the in northwest Pakistan that border provinces Dr Abdullah is lead- April 5 first round of the election, Afghanistan. ing with 41.9 percent; Dr Ashraf earning praise from world leaders. Initial reports suggested the Ghani has 37.6 percent and is in Ahead of the vote there were men may have been seized because second; and Zalmai Rassoul has fears that a repeat of the massive they supported the government 9.8 percent in third position.” fraud which blighted Karzai’s re- against the Taliban. Nuristani stressed the figure election in 2009 would undermine But local media reported that was only partial and could change the winner’s legitimacy at a test- the men had been attending drastically in coming days, when ing time for the war-torn country. a hashish festival, which local more partial results would be But the Election Complaints channels described as a gather- announced. Commission announced Sunday ing where men came together to A run-off election between the there had been “less fraud” in the smoke and sell large quantities of two leading candidates will be current poll. Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani (centre), head of the Afghan Independent Election Commission, at a press conference hashish. Large quantities of the triggered if no single candidate “We have received 1,892 com- in Kabul yesterday. drug were also seized, local televi- gains more than 50 percent of the plaints with evidence, (includ- sion reported. vote when the final results are ing) 1,382 through phone,” said to discuss the partial results. who fought the Taliban during Zalmai Rassoul, another Pashtun, The Taliban insurgents have announced in late May. spokesman Nader Mohseni, add- Abdullah, an ophthalmolo- their 1996-2001 rule and was was seen as Karzai’s favourite — a been fighting to overthrow the But Nuristani cautioned against ing that 870 of the complaints fell gist by training, came second assassinated two days before the charge which he denied. government and impose a strict reading too much into the early into the most serious category. in the 2009 election to current September 11, 2011 attacks on the All three pre-election favour- form of Islamic law on Pakistan, a results. “These results are change- “We will review all the com- President Hamid Karzai, in a United States. ites have pledged to protect wom- nuclear-armed nation of 180 mil- able... today one candidate might plaints. Based on the reviews and vote that was internationally Ghani is a former World Bank en’s rights, reach out for a peace lion people. be leading but when we announce numbers provided by the observ- denounced as fraudulent. economist and globally renowned deal with the Taliban and sign a They are officially against the more results another candidate ers there has been less fraud in He was a resistance fighter intellectual, who has shed some bilateral security pact with the drug trade, although many com- might be leading,” he said. this election compared to the pre- against the Soviet occupation in of his wonkish image during his United States that would allow manders are known to tax and Of the eight provinces for which vious one,” he said. the 1980s and was a close friend current campaign and is more at least 10,000 troops to stay for smuggle narcotics such as hashish results have not been announced, Ghani’s camp was set to hold a and adviser to Ahmad Shah favoured by the country’s major- the next ten years. and opium. two are in the north (Badakhshan press conference later on Sunday Massoud, a revered Tajik leader ity Pashtuns. Former physician AFP REUTERS

Official held for illegal release Talks with militants at crucial phase, says minister ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- but there have been no attacks on prisoners. After their release, the in South Waziristan, calling — as well the sons of slain former of prisoners terday announced its talks with the ground since. number of total freed noncombat- them “non-combatant Taliban Punjab governor Salman Taseer the Taliban militants to reach “Formal comprehensive talks ant prisoners will go up to more prisoners”. and former prime minister Yousaf ISLAMABAD: The disclosure an accord will enter a “com- will start from the next meet- than 30,” Khan said. Khan also suggested that the Raza Gilani, and other abductees of illegal release of three pris- prehensive” phase in days, with ing which will hopefully take The government began nego- talks should be held in Peshawar, in return for its concessions to oners from a Karachi prison in both sides set to put forward place within the next couple of tiations with the TTP through capital of the northwestern TTP demands. 2010 has shaken up the inte- formal agendas, after weeks of days,” Khan told reporters in intermediaries in February to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, He, however, did not make any rior ministry and prompted the negotiations. Islamabad. try to end the Islamists’ bloody which has been heavily hit by predictions about the possible Federal Investigation Agency The announcement came from “You will get to know the main seven-year insurgency. attacks from the TTP, but the outcome of the talks. (FIA) to arrest the central the country’s Interior Minister agenda both from the government The umbrella militant group militants are yet to announce “If we are moving along the character of the scam — an offi- Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan days side and the other side in the next had demanded the release of their willingness for this. process of peace through the cial of the ministry. after the infighting between the meeting. The next meeting will what they called “non-combatant” The earlier meetings for direct dialogue, the whole process will Informed sources revealed that Taliban groups killed more than come up with the comprehensive prisoners and the establishment talks with TTP leaders have taken continue, and God forbid if it fails, the prisoners had separately been 60 people and a ceasefire dead- agenda from both the sides,” he of a “peace zone” where security place at undisclosed locations I don’t have to announce it. You convicted in the United Kingdom line by the militants expired on said. forces would not be present. in the tribal region bordering will all know,” he added. — two of them of murder and the Saturday. He said that the government is In March the Taliban handed Afghanistan where the Taliban The peace talks were a key third of a drugs-related crime. Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), in the process of releasing more over a list of 300 people includ- militants have their hold. campaign pledge for Prime They were supposed to serve part which announced a ceasefire last than 30 noncombatant Taliban ing women, children, and old men, Khan said that the government Minister Nawaz Sharif before he of their sentences in Pakistan month and then extended it for prisoners in a bid to take the dia- seeking their release. has also taken up the issue of the was elected to office for a third under an agreement with the six more days on April 6, has not logue process forward. Last week, the government release of a senior academic — time last year. UK. announced any further extension, “We will release up to 13 more handed over 19 tribesmen based Professor Mohammad Ajmal AFP The three were from Punjab and should have been kept in a prison in that province. But a sec- tion officer of the interior minis- Eking out a living try, Ali Mohammad — now under arrest — managed to send them to Bomb-proof wall around the Karachi Central Jail. In his communication with the prison authorities, he dis- torted facts about the length of Musharraf’s house sentences they had served in the UK and asked them to calculate ISLAMABAD: Millions of the inspector general of Islamabad remission thus paving way for rupees are being spent on build- police and asked him to issue a their instant release. ing a security wall around the recommendation for building the The Director of FIA’s farmhouse of former presi- wall. Islamabad zone, Inam Ghani, said dent retired General Pervez The CDA started erect- the remission was not applicable Musharraf in Chak Shahzad to ing the wall after bringing in in these cases, but was illegally ensure his safety. about a dozen concrete blocks calculated and granted to the According to sources, the that were 12-foot high, five-foot prisoners. interior ministry had sought wide and six-inch thick. Cranes When the UK High Commission recommendations from various and other machinery were also in Islamabad expressed a desire to departments concerned about the brought in to place the blocks see the prisoners, a drama was security arrangements around the around the farmhouse in the staged in collusion with a sub- farmhouse. form of a wall. inspector of Punjab police. He Officials of police, the inte- A CDA official said the wall booked the three in a case show- rior ministry and the Capital would be erected at the front ing that liquor had been recovered Development Authority said it and on both sides of the premises from their possession. had been suggested that the wall within two weeks. “It will be a INERNEWS Fereshta, 11, searches through garbage for recyclable items in Mazar-i-Sharif yesterday. Tens of thousands should be built around the farm- concrete wall with steel rods that of children in Afghanistan, driven by poverty, work on the streets. house, as had been done for the can absorb shock of more than embassies and foreign missions. 50kg of explosives.” The officials said the step had The police officer said the wall been taken after a number of would help avoid human error influential people, including leg- in the security arrangements Demand for jobs puts PML-N in a quandary islators and bureaucrats living and also reduce the manpower in Chak Shahzad complained required at the place. “It will help of inconvenience because of the avert penetration into the farm- ISLAMABAD: The govern- government, we also want jobs for in the Utility Stores Corporation. The story is not too different for security arrangements. house by scaling its walls, besides ment of Pakistan led by Prime our voters, but unfortunately, the In Pakistan Steel Mills, nearly the Pakistan International Airlines, A police officer said the legis- explosive attacks from the sides, Minister Nawaz Sharif has lifted PPP hasn’t left much room for us. 6,000 people were given jobs which employs an unprecedented lators and bureaucrats disliked especially after sunset.” the ban on recruitment of daily Every other federal government between 2008 and 2013, which 1,000 employees per aircraft. search of their vehicles and saw He said 198 police personnel wagers, but is confronted with department is said to be over-staffed.’ not only contributed towards Earlier, the PML-N had it as a breach of privilege. were posted around the farm- an unsettling scenario of already The source said the PPP and its bankrupting it but also left no resisted relentless pressure by In the last week of February, house and the Park Road, along bloated federal ministries and allies offered contract jobs to 4,451 room for improvement of its party lawmakers for lifting the the ministry approved construc- with 105 personnel of Rangers. divisions which leaves little room persons in the Utility Stores while affairs. The ruling party law- ban on jobs. On April 3, however, tion of the wall “as soon as pos- Seven police pickets and eight to offer jobs to constituents. 4,645 people were inducted into the maker alleged that most of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sible” and issued directives to the vehicles patrol the area round According to a source in the rul- organisation on daily-wage basis. recruitments were made on removed the ban. CDA, the officials said. the clock. ing party, ‘like any other party in There is currently no vacancy political basis. INTERNEWS In reply, the CDA approached INTERNEWS MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA YSR Congress AIADMK, DMK promises ‘golden era’ in take people for Telugu states

HYDERABAD: Promising to bring back the ‘golden era’ of late granted: Modi Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in both Seemandhra and Telangana, the YSR Congress yesterday released its separate election Cong on poverty tourism: BJP leader manifestos for the two states. The party promised that if CHENNAI: BJP’s prime minis- central government of treating voted to power, it would launch terial candidate Narendra Modi the states as its slaves and not a new scheme called “Aamma yesterday charged Tamil Nadu’s respecting regional aspirations, Badi’ under which Rs500 for AIADMK and DMK with tak- Modi said the new government every school-going child will be ing the people for granted and would not do so. credited directly in the mother’s did not bother about their wel- “I am a four-time chief min- bank account. fare, and asserted a third force ister. As a chief minister I have The party also promised Rs100 — his party-led six-member alli- experienced how the current cen- subsidy on cooking gas, provision of ance — would fulfil their wishes. tral government treats the states 150 units of power supply for Rs100, He also urged Prime Minister badly. The next government that construction of 5 million houses for Manmohan Singh to clarify would come in will work with the poor, two lakh jobs for women in whether his government had state governments shoulder to rural areas, Rs200bn calamity relief considered parting with Siachen shoulder to solve the problems of fund for farmers and waiver of Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir the people,” Modi said. Rs2000 bn loans of self-help groups. for the benefit of a neighbouring He said the BJP led National The manifestos focused on both country. Democratic Alliance (NDA) is welfare and development. YSR Clad in veshti (traditional a formation of 25 parties which Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Tamil dhoti) and a saffron col- have a pre-poll alliance. Reddy said the party would bring our shirt, Modi took the two Modi said the problems and Arun Jaitley (centre), a senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arrives to pay homage at the Jallianwala back the ‘Golden Era’ of his late Dravidian parties head on, in his requirements of each region in Bagh memorial in Amritsar yesterday. Jaitley wanted the new government to approve five big-ticket investments father. He claimed that YSR led the speech made in Hindi. India are different and the NDA quickly to signal it means business. state on the path of development “Tamil Nadu’s people are government would use the central and prosperity and implemented caught between AIADMK and funds based on the needs. several pro-poor schemes. He DMK,” he said. He said developmental plans NCP workers refuse to campaign vowed to continue those schemes. “When one party comes to will also be made based on the Jagan said Arogyasree, the free power, the other one focuses on location of the state — for instance healthcare scheme for poor, would how to unseat the party in power. the coastal states would have a be extended to a super special- Both the parties are not bothered port-based development model. for Rane, boycott Pawar rally ity hospital in every district in about the welfare of the people. Modi said the health of Seemandhra. He said this would But there will be a new future in Congress is very pathetic as its RATNAGIRI, Maharashtra: Kesarkar, who was leading the alliance partners,” Pawar said at compensate the loss of Hyderabad Tamil Nadu,” Modi said. big leaders have run away from In an unprecedented show of anti-Rane brigade. Following this, the rally, also attended by Chief for the region. Referring to the Bharatiya fighting the elections. indiscipline, around 400 NCP Kesarkar tendered his resigna- Minister Prithviraj Chavan. For those who undergo surger- Janata Party-led six party alliance He said the Congress party workers yesterday refused to tion as legislator. The party also “We have issued him (Kesarkar) ies under Arogyasree, Rs3,000 per in Tamil Nadu, Modi said with the remembers the poor only during campaign for Congress can- slapped a show-cause notice to a show-cause notice and suitable month will be given till they return third force coming, the people’s the elections and charged the par- didate Nilesh Rane and also Kesarkar, asking him to explain action will be taken accordingly,” to work. The party also promised wishes will be fulfilled. ty’s Vice-President Rahul Gandhi boycotted party chief Sharad his anti-party activities. Pawar said. to build a new state capital for According to him, the third - not mentioning his name directly Pawar’s election rally here in The embarrassed NCP leader- State NCP executive president Seemandhra on par with Hyderabad. force has shaken the two parties — of going on “poverty tourism”. Maharashtra. ship was left with no option but Jitendra Awhad warned that Jagan said if the party was voted to and they have to junk their old “For him huts are now poverty Rane, elder son of Congress to sack district party chief Bala rebellion or anti-party activities power, it would make both the states ways. tourism destinations. He will take leader and state Industry Minister Bhise and replace him with Victor “would not be tolerated and would power surplus by 2019. Modi, the Gujarat chief minis- photos visiting them. This govern- Narayan Rane, is contesting from Dantes. be dealt with a firm hand”. An eight-lane corridor from ter, said the 2014 general election ment considers poor’s homes as the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Bhise and Kesarkar had openly Since the start of the election Srikakulam to Bangalore and will lay the foundation for how tourism destination,” Modi said. Sabha constituency in coastal declared that “come what may, season, barring minor skirmishes, Chennai, food processing, stor- India will be in the next century Referring to his own poor child- Konkan region. no campaign for Rane” and had the Congress-NCP combine has age and packaging facilities in and the new government that hood, Modi said he can under- Prior to Pawar’s rally for Rane, requested Pawar not to address been unitedly campaigning for every district, petro university in would come in would respect the stand the pains of poor people. the rebel Nationalist Congress the rally. their respective candidates all Visakhapatnam, employment oppor- regional aspirations. Charging the UPA government Party leaders and activists gave a “It is unfortunate that some of over the state. tunities in petroleum sector, steel “This government has to go as weak, Modi said even smaller grand welcome to the union agri- my party activists are refusing Burying old differences, Sharad plant in YSR Kadapa district, metro and new government has to take nations around India — Sri Lanka, culture minister when he arrived to campaign for the UPA candi- Pawar even shared the dais with rail in Visakhapatnam, development charge. This is an election of Bangladesh and Pakistan — are here. date (Nilesh Rane). The national Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at a of existing airports are among the hope,” he said. threatening it. Pawar reportedly gave an earful interest must remain supreme rally in Vidarbha last month. other promises made by the party. Charging the Congress led IANS to rebel NCP legislator Deepak before any differences among IANS IANS

Maoists attack polling party in India can be role model in conducting smooth elections Bihar, no casualty NEW DELHI: The sheer scale Akok, who had witnessed includes senior election offi- launched by the poll panel and the awareness campaigns fail to of the Indian general election has the arrangements for the Delhi cials from Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, the Systematic Voters Systematic bring voters to polling booths, “ PATNA: A polling party in left them marvelling. Members assembly polls in December last Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Voters’ Education And Electoral Muiugeta said. Bihar’s Nawada Lok Sabha of an international delegation year, said “India has become a the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sri Participation(SVEEP) - an initia- He said the Ethiopian gov- constituency was yesterday that is in India to witness the learning center for developing Lanka and a few other developing tive to motivate people to come ernment wants the Election attacked by Maoists while Lok Sabha elections are highly countries of the world. Despite countries. out and vote. Commission of India to guide and returning to the district head- impressed by the smooth con- being the world’s largest democ- “The Indian government can be He also appreciated the use of provide training to his country to quarters after conducting a duct of polls and say India has racy and being prone to hassles the perfect partner for a young the newly-introduced paper trail make them “election oriented” to repoll at a polling booth. There become a learning centre for like population, problems due to a country like South Sudan in the in EVMs and wants it to be used conduct the polls smoothly. were no casualties, police said. other developing countries. multi-party system and frequent area of training of staff and use in his country too. Muiugeta was also amazed to The polling party was returning “We visited a model polling violation of the model code of of the Electronic Voting Machine Muiugeta said he had seen know that unrecognised politi- from Dania polling booth when it was station in Delhi and witnessing conduct by political parties, the (EVM) system, which are very EVMs with paper trail in Belgium cal parties are allowed to contest attacked, a police official in Nawada the magnificent arrangements for Election Commission of India is essential for smooth conduct of which had been kept for demon- polls in India, which is not allowed district said. A gun battle ensued voters. It also shows that polls of able to conduct polls in a very polls,” said the CEC of South stration, while in India it was in Ethiopia. There are a total of between police and the Maoists after such magnitude can be conducted smooth manner,” Akok said. Sudan, which became an inde- used in selected polling stations 72 recognised political parties in the rebels opened fire at the polling in such a smooth manner. This Akok is part of the 30-member pendent nation in 2012 and its of the national capital. Ethiopia. India has a staggering party. None of the polling officials or would help the other developing delegation from 19 countries that poll panel was set up a year ago. “During my visit to polling 1,617 unrecognised political par- police personnel were injured. countries too,” Abednego Akok, visited polling stations in other Muiugeta, a senior election stations in Delhi, i witnessed the ties while there are six national Meanwhile, repolling in 33 Chief Election Commissioner of states as well as the national capi- officer from Ethiopia, praised immense excitement among the and 47 state recognised parties. booths in five of the six parlia- South Sudan, said. tal. Besides Akok, the delegation the awareness campaigns voters whereas in Ethiopia even IANS mentary constituencies of Bihar that went to the polls April 10 ended peacefully yesterday. Parties asked to submit meeting Four killed in rebel videos in six hours attack in Kashmir KOLKATA: In the wake of a series of hate speeches by politi- SRINAGAR: Suspected mili- rules at state level in the disputed cal leaders in various states, tants yesterday killed two Muslim-majority Himalayan the Election Commission has policemen guarding the home of region, and the party workers instructed parties to submit a pro-India politician in Indian were unharmed. unedited video recordings of their Kashmir in the first such attack The militants fled into nearby public meetings to the poll panel. in the restive region since mustard fields after snatch- “Political parties will now have national elections got under ing the police officers’ weapons. to submit unedited CDs of video way, police said. Government forces chased them, recordings of their public meetings Two rebels sprayed bullets sparking the gunbattle as rein- to the EC within six hours of such towards the home of a National forcements from a nearby army a meeting,” assistant CEO, West Conference politician who was camp also moved in, the officer Bengal, Amitjyoti Bhattacharya inside meeting party workers in said. told media persons here. the town of Khrew, 25km south “Both the attackers were later The chief electoral officers have of the main city of Srinagar, an neutralised and the snatched been asked to closely monitor cam- officer and a party official said. weapons also recovered,” paigns on a day to day basis and “The two policemen died before Inspector General Nalin Prabhat initiate quick legal action against reaching hospital,” the officer at from the federal Central Reserve politicians delivering hate speeches, the scene said on condition of Police Force said. as per the EC order. The EC has anonymity. At the time, Masoodi was in also directed that it would be the The attack sparked a gunbattle a “closed door meeting” with responsibility of the district magis- with government forces on patrol party workers discussing election trate and police superintendents to in the area that left both of the campaign plans, said National start simultaneous proceedings for militants dead, the officer said. Conference spokesman Junaid the model code of conduct violations. Yawar Masoodi, a youth leader Azim Mattu. IANS A soldier calls for a vehicle after a gunbattle with suspected militants at Khrew, south of Srinagar, yesterday. of the National Conference which AFP

MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME US museum’s canoe proves a Fajr (Dawn) 3:54 1,000-year-old Shorook (Sunrise) 5:13 Zuhr (Noon) 11:34 historic find Asr (Afternoon) 3:04 MINNESOTA: For 46 years, Maghrib (Sunset) 5:57 a canoe thought to date to the Isha (Night) 7:27 1700s sat in the back of a dis- play case as a minor exhibit at a small museum run by a volunteer historical group in WEATHER Minnesota. But this week, archaeologists who conducted radio carbon tests Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: on the canoe said it was crafted Partly cloudy Clear Mostly cloudy almost 1,000 years ago, making it Fine and the oldest canoe in the state and relatively hot shedding light on early navigation during the day of Minnesota lakes. High: 36° High: 35° High: 35° “It was a total shock,” said Russ Low: 26° Low: 26° Low: 27° with some clouds. Ferrin, president of the Western Hennepin County Pioneer Association museum. “It’s been kind of in a background display; Lead vocalist Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. not much was made of it.” DOHA - SUN & SEA The association got the canoe in SUN TIDE SEA 1960 and placed it in the museum Muse, Pharrell fire up Coachela starting in 1968, Ferrin said. WIND SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW The dugout canoe was hollowed 05:13 17:57 04:00 & 17:00 10:30 & 22:45 14-12/16 KT out of a single large tree, said Ann Merriman, nautical archaeologist amid cooler temperatures THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW for Maritime Heritage Minnesota, which researched the age of the INDIO, California: British alerted by text message of high of the electronic music collabora- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER canoe and seven others as part rockers Muse and R&B singer winds on the field. tive Major Lazer, for Aerosol Can. MUSCAT 35/27 Partly cloudy 36/27 Partly cloudy of a Maritime History Minnesota Ph a r r el l s er v e d up mu s ic a l h i g h- Ahead of Muse, R&B singer The dust storm caused problems MAKKAH 36/27 Partly cloudy 39/28 Clear project. lights at the Coachela Valley Pharrell brought uptempo tracks for Pharrell, whose voice started Indians made dugout canoes by Music and Arts Festival on to the festival, kicking his set off cracking by the end of the set. “I KUWAIT 32/22 Partly cloudy 33/24 Partly cloudy first burning out the centre of a Saturday amid windy weather with Lose Yourself To Dance, his want you to be patient with my, BAHRAIN 37/21 Partly cloudy 34/22 Clear felled tree trunk and then carving and cooler temperatures. collaboration with French elec- the dust is messing with my voice SANAA 28/13 Partly cloudy 28/12 Partly cloudy the inside, she said. Muse frontman Matt Bellamy tronic music duo Daft Punk. right now,” he said before leading RIYADH 43/23 Partly cloudy 43/27 Clear The canoe was found in delivered high-energy perform- The singer sang some of his older the crowd into a sing-a-long of his DUBAI 34/25 Partly cloudy 36/26 Partly cloudy 1934 buried in mud in Lake ances of the bands hits songs hits with his group N.E.R.D., such Oscar-nominated song “Happy.” BAGHDAD 32/15 Thunderstorm 30/20 Partly cloudy Minnetonka, a large body of including Hysteria, Resistance, as Lapdance and She Likes To Move One of the biggest draws of the water in suburban Minneapolis, and Magic, but a large portion of and songs from his new album day was 17-year-old New Zealand THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW by a family building a dock, Ferrin the Coachella crowd left the field GIRL such as Marilyn Monroe. newcomer Lorde. The singer has HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER said. early as high winds swept sand The 41-year-old singer got the had a stellar year in which she It passed through various and dust across the festival field. crowd dancing with his 2013 hit saw her single, Royals, top charts ATHENS 21/13 Chance of rain 22/15 Partly cloudy museums until the pioneer asso- Muse performed a catalogue of collaborations, including Blurred across the world. WASHINGTON 26/19 Partly cloudy 21/02 Chance of storm ciation acquired it and later put its hits including Time is Running Lines with Robin Thicke and Get REUTERS it on display at an old schoolhouse Out, and Starlight, where Bellamy Lucky, with Daft Punk. Pharrell SYDNEY 20/16 Chance of rain 21/16 Chance of rain converted to a museum, Ferrin walked through the crowd and performed both solo on Saturday. LONDON 16/07 Partly cloudy 15/06 Partly cloudy said. The museum is only open climbed onto a platform among Pharrell brought out some star PARIS 17/06 Partly cloudy 16/06 Clear Saturdays and by appointment. the audience during the song. power for his set, collaborating ISTANBUL 16/09 Partly cloudy 17/11 Clear Merriman said she had seen a The band also sang a cover with rapper Nelly on his 2002 MANILA 33/25 Mostly cloudy 29/24 Chance of storm picture of the canoe but did not of grunge rock band Nirvana’s hit Hot In Herre, Busta Rhymes DHAKA 39/25 Clear 39/26 Partly cloudy know where it was until she went Lithium, dedicating it to Nirvana’s on the rapper’s song Pass The DELHI 36/22 Chance of rain 35/23 Partly cloudy looking for more at the museum. late lead singer Kurt Cobain, who Courvoisier Part 2, Snoop Dogg ISLAMABAD 29/15 Partly cloudy 29/16 Partly cloudy “We were looking for that canoe committed suicide 20 years ago. for the rapper’s songs Drop it like and there it was,” Merriman said. Festival goers in the desert its Hot, Gwen Stefani for her hit REUTERS town of Indio, California, were Hollaback Girl, and DJ Diplo, part Monday 14 April 2014 14 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6035 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 IMF no longer Disruptive capital flow a worry: Qatar forces structural Qatar, group countries express concern over exchange volatility at IMF meet adjustment

BY SATISH KANADY economies, including through WASHINGTON: The high quality spending and labour International Monetary Fund DOHA: Qatar, together with market reforms.” has changed and no longer its 13-member Group countries Al Tayer said the Fund could imposes tough “structural including four GCC nations, play a bigger role in efforts to adjustment” programmes as it has expressed serious concerns mobilise external financing to did in poor countries two dec- at the International Monetary the Arab Transition Countries ades ago, IMF chief Christine Fund (IMF) meeting over the (ACTs). The ACTs are currently Lagarde said. potential for disruptive capi- confronting rising public aspira- Told by a journalist from tal flows and exchange rate tions for improved economic and Ghana that many people there volatility in Emerging Market social conditions following regime had “a phobia for the IMF” due Economies (EMEs). changes. In some ACTs, there is to the harsh conditions of its past They urged the Fund to a limited fiscal space to improve structural adjustment programs continue its analysis on the infrastructure, health and educa- in Africa and South America, implications of the normalis- tion, and to provide an adequate Lagarde responded: “Structural ing of monetary policies in the social safety net. adjustment? That was before my Advanced Economies (AEs). The The Group countries said they time, I have no idea what it is. We country and the group members are encouraged by the signs of a don’t do that anymore.” were looking forward to the low- growing momentum in the global The crisis lender is sensitive income countries’ planned work recovery. Although the recovery to charges it dictates socially and on financial sectors surveillance, remains uneven in AEs, the more economically harsh reforms on the review of debt limits and their favourable business confidence is countries availing themselves of financial deepening efforts. reassuring. Growth in EMEs and its support. In recent years, it Addressing the 29th meeting LICs is projected to remain mod- has come under heavy criticism of International Monetary and erate, with a further slowdown for the austerity polices — mostly Financial Committee (IMFC) in growth expected in China. government spending cuts and tax on behalf of 13 countries, includ- Nonetheless, the global outlook hikes — that have accompanied ing Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Oman is subject to significant downside its rescue programs for Greece, and Kuwait, in Washington on risks. These include the possibility Portugal and others. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (right) with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim at the IMF and World Saturday, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, of protracted low growth in the Lagarde, speaking in a press Bank Joint Development Committee meeting in Washington . Minister of State for Financial AE, which could be exacerbated conference during the IMF/ Affairs, UAE urged IMF to main- by geopolitical tensions and by World Bank spring meetings in tain caution before any premature exceedingly low inflation. Washington, stressed that the withdrawal of accommodative mon- On the issue of the much- Countries must reform for stability: IMF conditions the IMF places now etary policies. “It is encouraging delayed implementation of IMF’s in loan programmes are decided that consolidations in the AEs have ownership structure and govern- WASHINGTON: Increasingly have to undertake structural that’s going to be a continuing together with recipient govern- helped support long-term growth. ance, Al Tayer said : “We remain fickle capital flows mean that reforms over the medium term to challenge,” he said. ments. “Seriously, you have to Further consolidation efforts in opposed to an increase in the countries have to implement protect themselves as the global “It’s partly reflecting a change realise that we have changed the Europe, however, will need to sup- weight of GDP in the formula domestic reforms to protect economic recovery enters a new in the structure of global finance way in which we offer our finan- port long-term growth,” he said. He as this would further erode the their stability, the International phase. The IMFC, comprised of — more capital flows, and also cial support,” she added. also stressed the need for struc- representation of the majority Monetary Fund’s powerful two dozen of the world’s leading a changed composition, with a “It’s really on the basis of part- tural reforms in the labour, product of emerging markets and devel- advisory board said. finance ministers and central greater share that’s been taken nership. There is always in part- and financial markets. oping countries and the small- After many emerging econo- bankers, singled out increased up by bond funds, a greater share nership a bit of hardship to go Al Tayer said the Middle East est LICs. We support retaining mies were hobbled by sharp capi- volatility in capital movements that’s been taken up by mutual with it,” she said. economies are expected to pick up openness and variability; how- tal outflows over the past year, as one of the key challenges for funds, ETFs.” This translates to “If the Fund is called upon to growth in 2014 and 2015. “While ever their measurement should the IMF’s steering committee, the global economy. more frequent, more sudden reac- help, it’s because the country feels some oil exporters were subject be improved. We also support the International Monetary and “What we have observed is tions to changes in risk percep- it cannot decide certain things on to declines in oil production, the retaining reserves in the quota Financial Committee, said that more herdlike behaviour in the tion -- exactly what hit emerging it own, it needs back-up support, effect on growth was somewhat formula.” more volatility was to come, espe- markets, more herdlike behaviour economies last year when their financing to make sure that it has offset by public spending. Most The other countries in the cially as the US tightens mone- driving capital flows,” Tharman growth slowed and interest rates access to enough funding.” economies have substantial buff- Group included Egypt, Iraq, tary policy. said at the end of the IMF/ picked up worldwide as the US She added that the IMF also ers to withstand lower oil prices…. Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Singapore Finance Minister World Bank spring meetings in Federal Reserve began its move offers countries technical assist- The GCC countries have actively Syria and Yemen. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Washington. “That’s not going away from its crisis-era easy ance and help building the capac- pursued policies to diversify their THE PENINSULA chair of the IMFC, said countries to be a short-term phenomenon, money policy. AFP ity to manage an economy. AFP Markets slip, Qatar index down 1.39pc Saudi bourse changes DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended Thursday. Among the top losers goods and services sector index percent to 4,759 points after closing price calculation in the red area when trading were Qatar National Bank, whose dropped 0.10 percent. The indus- gaining 4.8 percent last week on closed yesterday at 12,225.19 share was down 1.74 percent to trial sector lost 0.19 percent a relatively light news flow and RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s stock last trade with a value exceeding points, down 172.02 points, or QR192.50, Industries Qatar while insurance sector added 0.39 with most first-quarter results exchange introduced yester- SR15,000. In future, the closing 1.39 percent, from the previous lost 1.46 percent to QR181.80, percent. yet to come. day a new method for calculat- price will be the average of all closing of 12,397.21 points on Commercial Bank of Qatar fell Most stock markets in the Gulf Abu Dhabi’s bourse edged down ing the closing prices of traded trades in the final 15 minutes, Thursday. 3.59 percent to QR67.20 and fell as investors booked profits only 0.2 percent as some of the shares, to limit excessive specu- weighted by the volume traded The volume of shares was fell International Islamic Bank after a particularly strong week bigger names dodged the profit- lation and manipulation in the at each price. to 29,338,180 from Thursday decreased by 4.31 percent to and Saudi Arabia’s Al Rajhi Bank taking bout. At 5,163 points, it Gulf Arab region’s largest stock “The new method is part of 39,124,982 and the value of shares QR79.90. The banking and finan- published first-quarter earnings remained just above its 2008 peak market. efforts to increase market effi- decreased to QR925,573,279.75 cial sector index was down 1.64 that missed analysts’ estimates. of 5,159 points, which it surpassed The closing price of a stock has ciency,” the exchange said in a from QR1,429,441,242.59 on percent points while consumer Dubai’s bourse retreated 1.7 last week. QNA & REUTERS in the past been the price of the statement. REUTERS

EU to approve bank rules this week

LONDON: The European of national governments to an a lot of legislative activity, but I Union will sign off on a slew extent few federalists would have am not sure it will be as frantic of major reforms this week to dared to dream of, as policymak- as it was in the last five years,” allow failing banks to be wound ers want to avoid more taxpayer Veron said. down without public money, bailouts of banks and euro zone On Tuesday the European clearing its desk before elec- countries. Parliament will approve two tions in May that may lead to a From November, the European major reforms to make it easier slower pace of legislation. Central Bank will directly super- and quicker to close failing banks This week is the final ple- vise top lenders in the single cur- so they don’t collapse messily or nary session of the European rency area, adding to three new require taxpayer money. Parliament before it breaks up EU regulators for banks, insur- It will also rubber-stamp a ahead of the vote in May. ers and markets launched in 2011 sweeping reform of securities The welter of rules the bloc has with binding powers over member markets that will draw commodi- approved since the worst finan- states. “There is no question that ties under the regulatory net for cial crisis in a generation began the regulatory tidal wave and cen- the first time, and crack down on unfolding from a corner of the US tralisation have been triggered by high frequency trading, a type of housing market in 2007 is funda- the crisis,” said Nicolas Veron, EU ultra fast computerized trading mentally reshaping the banking policy specialist at Brussels think the FBI is probing. and securities industry. tank Bruegel. It is the assembly’s last plenary The rule changes also “After this week, I think a session before it goes into recess strengthen the bloc’s grip on pause is unlikely but a decelera- as lawmakers campaign ahead of A woman holds a sign reading “No to austerity, share the riches” in a demonstration against austerity in Paris. capital markets at the expense tion would be good. There will be elections in May. REUTERS MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Real estate transactions hit QR4.2bn in March Doha registered highest transaction value

DOHA: Real estate transac- Salal, Al Wakra and Al Khor fol- Ezdan Weekly report of the tions in Qatar reached QR4.2bn lowed with recorded 121, 98, 91 first week of April from March in March with Doha munici- and 58 transactions, respectively, 30 until April 3, 2014 revealed pality registered the highest leaving Al Shamal municipality transactions worth QR1334m transaction value by recording at the bottom of the table with compared to QR1,866m in the QR1.5bn covering an approxi- recorded number of transaction previous week, a decline of 28.5 mate 37 percent out of overall reaching only 16 transactions. percent according to the recent transaction value of the month The real estate sector has also weekly bulletin issued by the Real Muntajat delegation at GPCA Plasticon and Plastivision. comparing to the rest of the registered impressive growth on Estate Registration Department six municipalities, according to weekly basis. at the Ministry of Justice, point- monthly report released by real Ezdan Holding Group said that ing that the average daily value of estate firm Century 21 Qatar. Qatar’s real estate sector has real estate transactions amounted Al Rayyan registered second continued its growth at the level to about QR266.8m compared to Muntajat promotes petrochem highest transaction value in of the number of transactions QR373.2m in the previous week. March by registering transactions executed during the first week of Back to transactions during worth QR1.3bn followed by Al April, despite the decline in the the first week of April, Doha Wakra which witnessed transca- transaction value by 28.5 percent Municipality ranked first, acquir- industry at GPCA PlastiCon tions worth QR410m. Umm Salal compared to the previous week, ing real estate transactions worth and Al Da’ayem municipalities recording about 228 transactions QR746.9m compared to QR631.7m DOHA: Qatar Chemical and polymer products to customers per year until 2016, we are well recorded QR381m and QR347m, worth QR1.3bn compared to 417 in the previous week, an increase Petrochemical Marketing and industry stakeholders from positioned to capitalise on oppor- respectively followed by Al Khor worth QR1.9bn in the previous of 18.2 percent with the imple- and Distribution Company around the world during the exhi- tunities to meet global growing and Al Shamal municipality week. mentation of 45 transactions (Muntajat) represented Qatar’s bition that ran in conjunction demand,” said Al Abdulla. where transaction value stood at Al Daayen Municipality compared to 55 in the previous downstream industry at the with PlastiCon. The migration of marketing, QR137m and QR22m. acquired the largest number of week, acquiring 56 percent of the just-concluded PlastiCon 2014, Commenting on the company’s sales and distribution activi- The number of transactions transactions implemented dur- total transactions of the week. the International Conference participation, Abdulrahman Ali ties for QAPCO and Qatofin’s registered across the seven ing this week, with the execution As for the top deal in Doha for Plastic Conversion, Al Abdulla, CEO of Muntajat, LDPE and LLDPE to Muntajat municipalities reached 867 trans- of 57 deals acquiring 25 percent Municipality, it was a QR130 m and Plastivision 2014, the said: “This is our second partici- was accomplished in July 2013, actions mainly dominated by of transactions implement in this deal from the sale of a residential International Plastics, Printing pation in PlastiCon and our first increasing the company’s portfolio vacant plots making 67 percent week. While Doha and Rayyan building and a number of shops and Packaging Exhibition and time exhibiting at Plastivision and to 90 percent of Qatar’s chemical of total transactions. Al Rayyan municipalities remarkably in the Pearl area of 7520 square conference, held in Sharjah. we are delighted with the positive and petrochemical production. registered the highest number emerged through implementing meters at QR18.6 thousand per The annual GPCA PlastiCon feedback and relations we have Muntajat is delivering on its of transactions reaching 332 fol- 45 transactions each, noting that square meter, among other prop- 2014 conference, now in its fifth established. Our participation at promise to be the gateway for lowed by Doha which recorded 151 land transactions represented erty units. edition, was held on April 7 to both events reinforced Qatar’s Qatar’s chemical and petrochemi- transactions. Al Da’ayen, Umm 56.8 percent of total deals. THE PENINSULA April 9. Muntajat returned to position in the plastics industry cal products. The company has the regional event with a larger and introduced the value proposi- shipped more than 9.2 million delegation to represent Qatar tion of Qatar’s chemical, polymer tonnes of chemicals, polymers and at the forum that is focused on and fertiliser products to custom- fertilisers produced in the State of highlighting the key role of plastic ers and peers in the region.” Qatar to more than 80 countries innovation in market and product “Muntajat understands the role around the world since the begin- QDB, Qatar Shell to empower SMEs development. that plastic plays in daily life, and ning of the products transition in Exhibiting at Plastivision, with global plastics consumption February 2013. DOHA: Qatar Shell through as part of Qatar National Vision Wael Sawan, Managing Muntajat showcased Qatar’s predicted to rise by 4 percent THE PENINSULA its partnership with Qatar 2030. At QDB we remain commit- Director and Chairman of Qatar Petroleum in Pearl GTL, and ted to accelerating the growth of a Shell Companies, said: “As a part- in collaboration with Qatar thriving private sector to diversify ner of Qatar Petroleum in helping Development Bank (QDB), will the national economy. Therefore, monetise Qatar’s gas resources, reveal seven new supply chain through our support of these new we, at Qatar Shell share QP’s CBQ foreign opportunities at the upcoming SME business opportunities, offered passionate commitment to small QNB offers flat rate of ‘SME Business Opportunity by Qatar Shell to the local market, and medium enterprises and local Workshop’ scheduled on April we continue to develop domestic content development.” ownership limit 16 at Al Sharq Village & Spa. enterprise in-line with our mandate The business opportunities to be QDB and Qatar Shell have to elevate the Qatari private sector revealed at the workshop include 1.8pc on Toyota, Lexus upped to 25pc partnered to allow Qatari enter- to a world-class standard.” the manufacture of large open- prises to tender to become the “Through these opportunities, head steel drums; the manufacture DOHA: QNB is currently run- a down payment. For example, a supplier of choice for Pearl GTL, we provide the Qatari private of low voltage cables; the manufac- ning an exclusive offer with customer can lease the luxurious DOHA: The ownership of for- the world’s largest gas to liq- sector with access to funding and ture of electrical cable trays; the 1.8 percent flat rate on Toyota Lexus LX 570 for only QR4,583 eign investors in Commercial uids plant delivered by Qatar advisory support, while achiev- maintenance, repair and recerti- and Lexus models distrib- per month for three years, Bank of Qatar (CBQ) has been Petroleum and Shell. The event ing multiple win-win objectives: fication of ATEX two-way radios; uted by Abdullah Abdulghani, compared to a loan payment of limited to 25 percent of the will also shed light on Shell’s ten- SMEs will win new business and the maintenance and servicing of Al-Tadamon Motors and QR10,244 for the same period. total shares of the Bank, Qatar der process and QDB’s advisory achieve high performance levels, offshore diesel generator sets; the Al-Tariq Automobiles. This “Motary” lease programme will Exchange announced yesterday. and financial role. and Qatar Shell, through localis- servicing of custody flow metres; offer is valid until April 30 on help customers save approxi- A statement issued by the bourse Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, CEO, QDB, ing its supply chain, will directly and the supply of welding inspec- all Toyota and Lexus models. mately QR5,661 each month. said the Qatar Central Securities said: “We believe that SMEs are the oversee the quality and perform- tors for onsite technical support. In addition, QNB is also offer- The low monthly lease pay- Depository has amended its sys- cornerstone of Qatar’s economy ance of the awarded SMEs.” THE PENINSULA ing a discounted interest rate ments include full comprehen- tem in compliance with the deci- on its “Motary” Vehicle Lease sive insurance with agency repair sion of the Ministry of Economy Programme for Toyota and Lexus during full lease period. QNB’s and Commerce based on a resolu- models. Under this, customers Motary Programme also allows tion adopted at the EGM of CBQ can save up to 55 percent on customers to easily replace or to amend the relevant article monthly payments compared to upgrade their cars at the end of regarding the foreign ownership loans, without the requirement of the lease. THE PENINSULA limit. THE PENINSULA

The Shorebase team. RasGas unit posts safety milestone DOHA: The Offshore Support supplier striving for excellence, of an incident-free workplace is team (Shorebase) of the these safety records demonstrate achievable,” said Atef Al Mohsin, Offshore Asset Department our commitment to excellence in Offshore Asset Manager. of RasGas Company Ltd every aspect of our operations. I Putting the achievement in recently celebrated the com- am very proud that implement- perspective, Faisel Al Hajri, pletion of a Safety Milestone of ing safe work behaviours is an Emergency Management Systems 17 years without a Lost Time ongoing focus in RasGas,” he said, Manager said, “When you sub- Incident and 13 years without a addressing a special ceremony stantiate the numbers associated Recordable Incident. held at Al Waha Club, Al Khor with the achievement, a successful Congratulating the Offshore to mark the occasion. 17 years Lost Time Incident-Free Asset team at Shorebase for its “This has been made possible and 13 years without a recordable unparalleled safety achievement, through continuous commitment incident is approximately 6,200 Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, in following RasGas’ safety strat- days of safe work, which adds up RasGas Chief Executive Officer egies, systems and processes in to an achievement of almost 9 said that the achievement is the daily work,” said Al Mohannadi. million man hours without lost result of giving primary impor- “RasGas is indeed a trend- time injury – that is a truly out- tance to safety in all our work. setter in safety. It has demon- standing safety performance.” “As a world-class global energy strated that our ultimate goal THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Greece to Europe banks cut 80,000 jobs in 2013 issue more Only three of the top 30 banks added jobs last year, and totalled less than 770 bonds after LONDON: Europe’s largest Stoxx Europe 600 Banks index Antoine Morgaut, chief exec- conditions of its €41bn European headcount, which came in a year banks cut their staff by another rose 19 percent, outpacing the 17.4 utive for Europe and South rescue. when the bank sold operations in 3.5 percent last year and the percent increase in multi-sector America at recruiter Robert Italy’s Unicredit, which reduced Latin America. sale success prospect of a return to pre-cri- stocks. But despite the improved Walters does not expect the the highest number of staff, 8,490, At Bank of Ireland, where a sis employment levels seems far outlook, Europe’s 30 largest industry’s employment to ever said in its annual report that 6.3 percent fall in headcount was off, despite the region’s fledgling banks by market value cut staff return to what it was in its hey- some of the reductions were the the fifth-largest in the region, a ATHENS: Greece will issue economic recovery. by 80,000 in 2013. day of 2008. Then, the 25 of the result of a project to outsource IT redundancy programme was the more bonds after last week’s Spurred into action by falling Recruitment consultants warn top 30 banks with comparable functions to joint ventures. main reason. successful five-year debt sale revenue, mounting losses and workers’ hopes for a turnaround figures employed about 252,000 Belgium’s KBC cited asset sales Routine streamlining contin- that ended a four-year drought, the need to convince regula- this year could be misplaced, bad more than the 1.7 million they do as a major reason for its 7,938 ued last year. HSBC the biggest the head of the debt agency said tors they are no longer “too big news for countries like Spain today. “It’s been a bubble for 20 reduction in headcount, 22 per- employer in the pack, cut head- yesterday. to fail”, banks across the globe where tens of thousands of bank years,” said Morgaut. cent of its workforce. The bailed- count by 6,525, or 2.5 percent of “The bond sale was just the first have shrunk radically since the layoffs have helped drive unem- “In speciality areas we are out bank sold Russian offshoot its global total. The bank came step,” Stelios Papadopoulos, head 2008 collapse of US bank Lehman ployment to 26 percent. However, seeing a bit of an upside but it Absolut Bank and Serbian busi- through the crisis without a bail- of the public debt management Brothers sparked the financial while painful for the people who is quite marginal and it will stay ness KBC Banka. Staff figures for out, but has slimmed down over agency told Kathimerini daily. crisis. Last year, the tide of bad have lost their jobs, the reduc- like that for the next six to nine Absolut Bank were not available, the last three years by closing or Greece on Thursday raised news began to turn for European tion of large banks’ workforces months,” he added. while KBC Banka’s most recent selling dozens of businesses. €3bn at under 5.0 percent inter- banks, which are among the through a combination of asset The most dramatic of last figures show 501 staff at the end Only three of the banks — est, a move welcomed by its region’s largest employers. sales and redundancies means year’s job cuts came from major of 2012. Barclays, Handelsbanken and EU-IMF creditors. A day later, Helped by recovering econo- banks won’t have as big an impact restructurings, such as Spain’s Spain’s BBVA also cited asset Deutsche Bank — added jobs last visiting German Chancellor mies and receding fears for the on overall employment in future Bankia which shed 23 percent sales as the driver of its 6,547 year, and those totalled less than Angela Merkel said Greece’s eurozone’s future, the benchmark crises. of its workforce to help meet the reduction in staff, or 23 percent of 770. REUTERS return to the international bond markets showed “renewed confi- dence” in the crisis-hit country. The PDMA chief yesterday Protest against oil exploration said Greece wanted to “pique the interest of foreign investors, so Nigeria eyes funds to they can focus on the real reform carried out in the country”. The aim was also “to permit comparison with the five-year spark agriculture boom bonds of other states, as this is the most common midterm maturity LAGOS: Can investors get rich while job creation and improv- period for public debt,” he said. by backing Nigerian agricul- ing food security are national Athens also believes that the ture? An increasingly loud cho- priorities, the best way to spark successful sale will lower the rus of voices say that answering an agriculture boom is to focus cost of treasury bills, which have this question may be the most on profit, said agriculture minis- been Greece’s staple choice of debt pressing challenge facing ter Akinwumi Adesina. “It is not issue for the past four years. Africa’s most populous country, about bread,” he told a conference “It was done to lower the ahead of defeating Boko Haram of business and government lead- average borrowing cost of the Islamists or curbing rampant ers last month. “It is about mak- Greek state by squeezing the corruption. ing money.” excessive cost of treasury bills,” Nigeria last week jumped ahead Armed with degrees from Papadopoulos said. of South Africa as the continent’s elite US universities, includ- Greece has lately sold three- biggest economy after the re-cal- ing Harvard Business School, month and six-month treasury culated results of national output Nigerian Kola Masha returned bills at between 3 and 4-percent were announced. But in terms of home in 2007 looking to launch interest. The newspaper said that per capita income, Nigeria’s global a business with a positive social Greece could next issue three- ranking is still a grim 121, with impact. From 2007 to 2010, year, seven-year of 10-year bonds, 84 percent of its 170 million peo- Nigeria had one of the world’s depending on market demand. ple living on less than $2 per day, fastest growing economies. Athens found itself frozen out according to 2010 World Bank However, the number of people of debt markets in 2010 after it estimates. unemployed also rose by 16 per- People dressed in black form a human chain as they protest against oil exploration off the coast of the revealed its public accounts had Experts agree that agriculture cent each year. Youths were espe- Balearic Islands, at Playa de Palma yesterday. According to Repsol, the deep waters off the Canaries been falsified, and was forced to offers the best chance to generate cially hard hit, with 56 percent could hold a deposit of up to 2.3 billion barrels of oil. seek a bailout from the EU and millions of new jobs quickly. But out of work in 2010. AFP IMF to avoid defaulting. AFP MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Investors hail Abu Dhabi ports expect year-end spike ABU DHABI: State-owned Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Dhabi Ports Co (ADPC) expects a Abu Dhabi Louvre museum, and surge in shipping traffic towards construction of a nuclear power the end of this year as work on station, where the first reactor Sun Pharma’s major infrastructure projects in is expected to start operations in the United Arab Emirates capi- 2017 and others are planned to tal gathers pace, the company’s follow in 2020. chief executive said. ADPC is owner, operator and Container traffic at Khalifa developer of Abu Dhabi’s civilian Port is expected to climb to non-oil ports, and also its indus- Ranbaxy buy around 1.1 million twenty foot trial zones. It is therefore expected equivalent units (TEUs) in 2014, to benefit from expansion plans up 22 percent from 905,000 TEUs scheduled for industries located Sun Pharma shares soar on deal in 2013, when traffic rose 17 per- in the adjacent Khalifa Industrial cent, Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi Zone Abu Dhabi, which is pro- NEW DELHI: On the surface, Sun, pluses far outweigh minuses (pictured) said. Meanwhile, gen- jected to provide 15 percent of Sun Pharma’s $3.2bn purchase because the purchase will give it a eral and bulk cargo traffic at the Abu Dhabi’s non-oil gross domes- of Indian generics rival Ranbaxy, broader range of drugs in its medi- emirate’s Khalifa and Zayed ports tic product by 2030. which is in deep trouble with US cine cabinet, a robust drug pipeline combined is expected to top 12 “Through Khalifa Port, regulators over safety lapses, and a wider geographical reach, million tonnes this year, up from Emirates Aluminium (Emal) for may not look like a great deal. analysts say. 9.3 million tonnes in 2013 and next year there will be a spike.” is only about 40km north along example receives all of its raw But Sun Pharm’s shares rock- With the acquisition, Sun will roughly the same volume in 2012. Khalifa Port, built on a man-made the Gulf coast. Shamisi’s projec- materials and exports its alu- eted on last week’s announce- be the world’s fifth-largest gener- “It is going to be a big jump island roughly half-way between tions, however, suggest demand minium to all over the world, ment it was buying Ranbaxy ics pharmaceutical company and but all the givens that we have at Abu Dhabi and Dubai, came on related to Abu Dhabi’s construc- and now that they are increasing from Japanese drugmaker Daiichi nearly double its annual sales to the moment are pointing towards stream in 2012 after Zayed Port, tion projects will keep activity at their capacity, this will increase Sankyo, which struggled unsuc- $4.2bn. The merged company will it,” Shamisi said. “We expect a which had been serving Abu Khalifa growing for a while. the traffic as well,” Shamisi said. cessfully to resolve the Indian have operations in 65 companies big rise in the last quarter of this Dhabi for over 40 years, reached Abu Dhabi is investing billions Emal’s $4bn project to boost its company’s regulatory woes after and 47 plants across five conti- year in general and project cargo, full capacity. of dollars in infrastructure, real aluminium production capacity its 2008 $4.6bn acquisition. nents. Also crucially it will become because most of the vital projects The new port faces competi- estate and tourism to diversify from around 800,000 tonnes a year Investors gave the thumbs-up, the biggest Indian drugmaker by in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will tion from other rapidly growing its economy beyond oil. Strategic to 1.3 million is ahead of schedule banking on Sun’s history of nurs- sales in the United States and the be in the maturing stage. We facilities in the region including projects underway or in the pipe- and expected to near completion ing ailing companies back to health largest domestically with a 9.2 per- expect from September and into Dubai’s huge Jebel Ali port, which line include the expansion of Abu in mid-2014. REUTERS and the new clout it will gain in cent market share, compared with the fast-growing global generics Abbott Laboratories’ 6.5 percent, market. “It’s a risk, but well-cal- Mumbai’s Angel Broking said. culated and backed by Sun’s track That difference represents record of turning around trou- a “huge gap in the highly frag- bled assets,” DG Shah, secretary mented Indian pharmaceutical New UAE law general of industry group Indian market” where demand is acceler- Al Rajhi Bank Q1 earnings slip Pharmaceutical Alliance. Sun, ating, said Angel Broking analyst with its decades of experience in Sarabjit Kour Nangra. DUBAI: A l R a j h i B a n k r e p o r t e d companies issue brief earnings expensive to hire foreign work- to award 10pc formulating knock-off drugs that Sun will also get much larger a slump in net profit for the first statements early in the report- ers and therefore pushing up have brought it alliances with US revenues from beyond India and three months of 2014 yesterday, ing period before publishing more companies’ costs, have hurt the of government giants such as Merck, “is like a the United States, especially from marking the second quarter in detailed results later. profits of construction firms and white knight to bail out Ranbaxy emerging markets such as Russia a row that Saudi Arabia’s larg- An increase in operating prompted some banks to increase from the FDA mess”, Shah said. and Brazil. “In high-growth emerg- est listed lender has posted a expenses is usually interpreted their provisions for exposure to work to SMEs New Delhi-based Ranbaxy is ing markets which are 50 percent big decline in earnings. by analysts to mean higher pro- the construction sector. It was not unable to export drugs to its key of Ranbaxy’s sales, it provides a The bank made SR1.71bn in visioning for bad loans. Naveed clear whether this was a factor in ABU DHABI: Planned United US market from all four of its strong platform which is highly the three months to March 31, Ahmed, senior manager at Global Al Rajhi’s latest earnings decline. Arab Emirates legislation aim- Indian manufacturing plants due complementary to Sun Pharma’s down 16.9 percent from SR2.05bn Investment House, estimated Al The fourth-quarter net profit ing to boost the growth of to bans imposed by the US Food strengths,” said Angel’s Nangra. in the same period a year earlier, Rajhi had posted a roughly 50 dropped 19.1 percent, which was small and medium-sized enter- and Drug Administration (FDA) Industry observers said Shanghvi it said in a bourse filing. Analysts percent year-on-year increase also due to increased impairment prises will require 10 percent of over quality problems. would have done his homework on had expected the bank to post an in provisions. “We believe that allowances. The bank reported a future federal government con- Mumbai-based Sun, founded Ranbaxy and not overpaid. average net profit of SR2.05bn for the results were disappointing drop in profits for the third quarter tracts to be awarded to small three decades ago by tycoon “It’s absolutely a distress sale by the quarter. and that the bank’s asset quality of last year, albeit a marginal one. and medium-sized enterprises, Dilip Shanghvi, a billionaire Daiichi and a good, cheap buy by Al Rajhi said in the statement requires more reading into,” he The decline in first-quarter earn- the economy minister said with a shrewd reputation, says Sun,” the former India managing that the profit drop was due to said in a research note. ings at Al Rajhi contrasts with yesterday. it is aware of the “magnitude” of director of Pfizer, Kewal Handa, an increase in operating expenses; Labour market reforms in positive results reported by some “We want to encourage govern- Ranbaxy’s regulatory woes. But for told CNBC. AFP it did not elaborate. Saudi Saudi Arabia, making it more other Saudi banks. REUTERS ment agencies to support SMEs to meet their purchasing, service and consulting needs,” Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri told reporters. NBK Q1 net up 3.2pc on The Minister also said a UAE “development bank”, which he did not name, would assign up to 10 percent of its annual financing to core banking revenues SMEs, because obtaining access to funds was one of their main DUBAI: National Bank of as CEO from Ibrahim Dabdoub, challenges. In addition, small and Kuwait, the Gulf Arab state’s who ran NBK for three decades medium-sized enterprises will largest commercial lender, and helped transform it from a receive tax incentives. reported a 3.2 percent rise in local lender into the Gulf’s fifth The government is keen to pro- first-quarter net profit yester- largest bank by assets. mote small and medium-sized day, edging ahead of analysts’ Sager said that NBK’s first- enterprises in order to reduce expectations. quarter profit was mainly driven unemployment among UAE citi- Net profit was Dh83.9m by core banking revenues. Net zens and help them establish their ($298.6m) in the three months operating income grew 7.6 per- own companies, a step towards to the end of March, compared cent year-on-year to Dh158.4m, diversifying the economy beyond to Dh81.3m a year ago, it said while loans and advances rose 9.6 oil. in a bourse filing. Five analysts percent to Dh10.95bn during the The law is expected to be in a Reuters poll had predicted period. enacted within three months or Dh80.70m in net profit on average During the first quarter, the less, Mansouri said, adding that it for the quarter. bank’s non-performing loans to would boost small and medium- NBK, which opened a new gross loans ratio dropped to 1.93 sized enterprises’ contribution office in Dubai in March, saw its percent from 2.72 percent a year to gross domestic product to 70 international banking profit grow earlier. percent by 2020 from 60 percent 15.5 percent in the first quarter The bank’s vice chairman in 2011. of this year. Nasser Al Sayer said last month Most state spending in the Group chief executive officer that Kuwait’s domestic operating UAE is conducted not by the fed- Isam Al Sager said the bank environment was improving. The eral government but by the gov- would maintain a strategy focused market is seeing some accelera- ernments of the country’s seven on diversification, international tion in the tendering, award and individual emirates. Mansouri expansion and a stronger push execution of some large infra- did not say whether the new law into Islamic finance. structure projects. would influence that spending. Earlier this year he took over REUTERS REUTERS

BHP polishes up nickel unit for demerger

A man walks past the head office of BHP Billiton in central Melbourne. Breakthroughs in the way BHP Billiton processes nickel ores could help the world’s biggest miner find a buyer for its ailing Nickel West division. MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Long-delayed new town an Money flow tensions bode emblem of UK housing hole

HERE Britain’s first new town in over 40 years is due to be built there is little more than a gaping hole — a poorly for global economy Wsymbol of the huge housing shortage successive govern- ments have failed to fill. BY JASON LANGE For almost 10 years the project has languished, first as develop- monetary policies that might hurt the recovery,” a senior US Treasury official ers worried about its scale and then as the financial crisis ham- global economy. told reporters. mered the construction industry. OR a bunch of people who just He argued that years of easy money Officials in rich countries have largely Now, under a new government-backed plan, more than 20,000 agreed the global economy is policies in the developed world had pushed rejected a call by Rajan call for increased new homes will be built in Ebbsfleet, 20 miles east of London and doing better, top officials from emerging markets to hold bigger dollar coordination of monetary policy. just 17 minutes from the centre of the capital on a high-speed the world’s rich and poor nations reserves so they can intervene in currency Vitor Constancio, the vice president of rail line. sound rather worried. markets to protect their economies from the European Central Bank, said a more But that is just a drop in the ocean, according to a report by a FFor poor nations, the easy monetary poli- big swings in capital flows. cooperative approach among policymakers former Bank of England policy-maker published in March which cies in advanced economies are leading to The need to hoard is only growing, as would work if emerging markets allowed said Britain was short of one million homes. big swings in capital flows that could desta- it now appears that the United States, their currencies to strengthen more, but The dearth has helped fuel a jump of nearly 10 percent in British bilise emerging markets. For rich countries, Europe and Japan could keep easy money that this had already failed. house prices over the past year, and much more in London, bring- the hoarding of currency by developing policies in place for several more years. “There was never the acceptance of some ing with it echoes of past booms and busts. nations is blocking progress toward a more “You have to consider the feedback or spill- degree of appreciation in the emerging “We’ve had to reshape colossal, almost biblical, amounts of land,” stable global economy. over effects on other economies,” Brazilian economies,” he said, speaking on the same said Jeremy Kite, leader of the local council in Dartford, the near- Those tensions, which have been brewing central bank chief Alexandre Tombini said panel as Tombini and Rajan. est main town, who has been working with the site’s owner, Land for years, seemed to be rising as finance of rich nation policies, speaking alongside The root problem could be that central Securities, to get building started amid disused chalk quarries. ministers and central bank chiefs from the Rajan. bankers are trying to do too much because Construction in England slumped after the 2007-2009 financial Group of 20 economies gathered last week Developed countries, led by the United their governments are doing too little. crisis when banks, alarmed by a 20 percent tumble in property in Washington, as evidenced by harsh words States, argue their stimulus efforts are Most economists think politicians around prices, stopped lending. from Washington and Delhi. in the best interest of emerging nations the world could do a lot more to help their In 2013, 110,000 homes were built, the second-lowest reading Both rich and poor say they are acting because they lift the global economy. They economies grow. But rich nations are hesi- since records began in 1978 and down from 177,000 in 2007. in their own self interest, and what makes say the poor’s reliance on currency inter- tant to rely on deficit spending and poor A rebound is likely. Work has started on almost 25 percent more the conflict so intractable is that both have ventions is holding the world back. countries habitually lag in promoting com- homes than a year ago, but even if house-building gets back to very rational arguments. Emerging markets often build dol- petition in their markets. pre-crisis levels, Britain is still likely to face a housing shortage Even though the G20 agreed the global lar reserves by keeping their curren- If the governments stepped up, mone- that could unbalance its economic recovery. economy was on better footing, the tensions cies weak to spur more exports, forcing tary policies wouldn’t have to play such an The central bank is watching closely as it considers when to suggested little progress ahead in rebalanc- developed economies to borrow to cover outsised role in spurring economic growth start raising interest rates from record lows. ing the global economy away from a state their import tab. Many economists feel and maintaining financial stability. Eswar Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has warned that where the rich world borrows massively to heavy borrowing by the world’s biggest Prasad, an economist at the Brookings Britain’s housing market can move rapidly “from stall speed to buy things from the poor world. consumer, the United States, fuelled the Institution and Cornell University, said this warp speed”, a major concern given the country’s high level of “This is not a healthy place,” Raghuram asset bubble that sparked the 2007-09 bodes poorly for future global growth. home-ownership. Rajan, governor of Reserve Bank of India, financial crisis. “We end up having the central bankers The International Monetary Fund last week pointed to the told a panel ahead of the G20 meeting. “Resistance in many emerging mar- fight proxy battles on behalf of politicians risks presented by the country’s “surging” house prices. Rajan has become a leading agita- kets to moving more quickly to mar- who are feckless and not willing to do the There is alarm even in the real estate sector. The Royal tor for reforming the global monetary ket-determined exchange rate regimes right thing,” he said. “I don’t see this moving Institution for Chartered Surveyors said last week the lack of order, and he urged central bankers in are hindering the rebalancing needed in a productive direction.” property for sale was now a major concern. There was a “desper- advanced nations to avoid experimental to ensure a lasting, strong global REUTERS ate need for more”, it said. Last month’s report for the Home Builders Federation, drawn up by former BoE policymaker Kate Barker, estimated that the number of new privately built homes would need to almost tre- ble to 260,000 a year to bring down Britain’s rate of house price inflation nearer to that in the rest of Europe. Reaching that level is likely to be many years off because the industry has been so ravaged and also because of a shortage of land which can be built on. John Stewart, the HBF’s director of economic affairs, said building 200,000 homes a year by 2020 was more realistic. “The industry’s capacity has been severely hit by the crash of 2007-08,” he added. Stocks of bricks are down to two months’ supply, their “lowest level in living memory”, said Martin Warner, chief executive of brick manufacturer Michelmersh. The Federation of Master Builders, which represents small and medium-sized construction firms, said bricklayers were pushing for pay rises of between 10 and 15 percent. Keith Adey, the chief financial officer of home-builder Bellway, said he expects his company to complete 20 percent more homes in the current financial year, but that annual growth thereafter was likely to slow to 10 percent. For both Adey and Stewart, the bigger long-term constraint is the supply of land. Since the 1980s local authorities have gained increasing pow- ers to determine what type of housing is built on what land, and to demand payments from developers for infrastructure such as schools and clinics. “We have moved away from a system where private house build- ers were market-responsive - if demand picked up, you found more land, built more houses and away you went - to a system that is virtually managed by the state,” Stewart said. Stewart was hopeful that local authorities would show more flexibility, citing planning reforms introduced in 2012 that place a greater onus on local authorities to make sure they have suf- ficient housing in their areas. “This is the best chance that we’ve had in 25 years to right some of the wrongs in the planning system.” Dartford council leader Kite, a Conservative, said he was keen to see more homes in his area, but that local politicians had to carefully manage development. “We don’t want loads of sprawling houses, we want a rounded community,” he said. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate REUTERS NRIs can benefit from poll-driven stock rally HE tea he sold as a more attractive to do business in dispensation at investors feel Sensex has rallied 12.5 percent Democratic Alliance had come to young man might not and with India if he comes to rule the Centre, for- THE NR EYE that any single but the BSE Mid-cap index has power in 1999, the Sensex jumped have found many buy- the country. While sticking to its eign institutional party, in this gained as much 16.3 per cent. 6.4 per cent in the three months fol- ers, but as a favourite opposition to FDI in multi-brand investors pumped Moiz Mannan the BJP, would Both in 2004 and in 2009, the lowing the elections. But the eupho- for India’s top political retail, the BJP has promised to in about $6bn be in such a Mid-cap index had outperformed ria did not last long. In the one Tjob, Narendra Modi’s promise of recharge the economy, improve into Indian equi- command- the Sensex by an average five per- year after the elections, the Sensex a pro-business regime has appar- infrastructure, quicken oil and ties in the quarter that ended in ing position as not to be held to cent a month ahead of elections. dropped 13 percent. The market ently sold well, particularly with gas exploration and reform the December, according to a report ransom by regional satraps, the Kishor Ostwal, CMD CNI trend was different in 2004 when foreign investors. tax system to attract investors. this month by Bank of America markets like it. Further, the mar- Research, was quoted by Business a Congress-led coalition formed Non-resident Indians (NRIs) Already, India’s two benchmark Merrill Lynch analysts. The figure ginalisation of the Left parties Standard as saying, “The best the government. That is because it whether or not they were able to stock indexes, the S&P Sensex stood at $700m in the previous at the all-India level is probably performers will be the mid-and had to rely on the communist par- vote in the Lok Sabha 2014 elec- and the CNX Nifty, have each quarter. They have bought close another factor boosting the senti- small-caps, which are still lan- ties to remain in power. In the first tions and regardless of their polit- rallied to new highs, defying the to $5bn worth of stocks since ment of the foreign investor. guishing as compared to the large- three months, the Sensex was down ical affiliations, would do well to weakness in other major emerg- January this year and foreign Needless to say, this is a good cap peers. I feel the FIIs will turn 6 percent, though over the year it come on board the Indian equity ing markets. The rupee is up over institutions’ holdings in Sensex time for investors who are look- their attention to the mid-cap and was up 16 percent. market at this time when opinion 14 percent since its low last year. member companies were at an ing to make some quick gains. the small-cap segment very soon.” This time, experts opine, the and exit polls are driving the sen- Foreign investors have played eight-year high. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are Analysts at Angel broking have present rally may not continue for sitive indices skyward. a major role in this surge. As It is the prospect of stable and advised to look at mid and small said in a recent report that “Banks, long and the market is more likely Over the past six months or the outcome of the elections has firm governance that has broken caps which have been out-per- Auto, Capital goods, Infra and other to move sideways. If the BJP comes so, as the election fever gripped become clearer, foreign investors the trend of earlier years. It is forming the overall indices. The cyclical sectors are all likely to to power, the Sensex is bound to the world’s largest democracy, have ploughed more than $2bn unusual for the Indian markets to strong performance of mid-caps benefit substantially from an eco- jump. However, over a longer poll pundits have been near- into Indian equities in February jump in pre-election months, par- suggests more investors are now nomic upturn, policy reforms and period, it is possible that the Sensex unanimous in giving the best and March, a reversal from the ticularly after 1996 when coalitions confident of a strong coalition at declining inflation. Moreover, these can slide, depending on what a new chance of winning to the National outflows at the start of the year. became the new political strategy the Centre led by the Bharatiya sectors are still trading at highly government can deliver. Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by It was the BJP’s success in to make up for shortfalls in parlia- Janata Party after the elections, beaten down valuations making it A recent Nomura report stressed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). the provincial elections to four mentary majority. In most election driving up market activity to a an ideal time to invest in them.” that in the months after the elec- Love him or hate him, Narendra Indian states late last year that years, the market had actually two-month high. The average At the same time, investors tions, the market ultimately tends Modi has been too omnipresent in apparently inspired some amount fallen just before the elections — daily turnover in the cash market should be aware of the volatility to reflect economic realities. India’s the media to ignore. His immedi- of confidence in foreign inves- in 2004, by more than 10 percent. is at R18,391 crore, the highest that political upheavals bring to the economy still faces challenges, and ate past shows him as a business- tors. Ever since those elections, The main reason for the pre- since February 2012. market. As we mentioned earlier, the underlying structural problems friendly ruler, albeit of one Indian the stock indices have steadily election jitters, obviously, has been Since mid-February, after the the time is ripe to make quick gains won’t be easy to fix, even if a new state. The implicit and explicit climbed. Spurred by the prospects uncertainty which was as unavoid- opinion polls started to drive and then sit back and watch a bit. government takes over. promise is to make it easier and of a stable and firm pro-business able aspect of coalition politics. If market sentiment, the 30-share When the BJP-led National THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,225.19 1.39 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,230.39 1.39 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,962.56 1.11 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,168.67 0.93 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,992.79 1.64 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5477.537 17.265 0.32 5477.537 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,521.68 0.10 % QR155.1485 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4437.22 -5.46 -0.12 4496.54 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 4,298.65 0.19 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.0671 QR 6.1524 QE All Share Insurance 3,172.32 0.39 % Dj Indu Average 16437.18 0 0 16631.6 14444.03 Euro ...... QR 4.0173 QR 5.0870 QE All Share Real Estate 2,450.44 0.91 % QR 2.3778 CA$ ...... QR 3.3071 QR 3.3721 QE All Share Telecoms 1,652.51 0.06 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 2,193.18 2.00 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.1174 QR 4.1747 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 23186.96 343.79 1.51 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3952 QR 3.4614 Iseq Overall/D 5034.73 19.61 0.39 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 13-04-2014 10-04-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0601 QR 0.0613 Index 12,225.19 12,397.21 Karachi 100 In/D 29250.54 309.53 1.07 28961.02 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0379 Change 172.02 22.18 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0814 QR 0.0830 Nikkei 225 Index 14300.12 0.43 0 16164.01 13995.86 % 1.39 0.18 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 17.78 19.44 $ 107.41 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1897.28 1536.03 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0475 Volume 29,338,180 39,124,982 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0378 QR 0.0385 Value (QAR) 925,573,279.75 1,429,441,242.59 Straits Times/D 3203.58 -6.34 -0.2 3228.81 2953.01 Trades 11,982 16,340 $ 104.37 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3453 QR 0.3554 Up 12 | Down 26 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 13-04-2014

Commodities power ahead as stock markets weaken

OMMODITIES rose for of 2,164,000 contracts, represent- to other US ports as well as the million barrels per day. a third successive week, ing a value of USD 131.4 billion. A Weekly Commodity Update continued rise in inventories, could US oil production is running thereby going against net short position is currently only eventually lead to lower prices at the highest level since 1988 the stock market down- seen in copper while the exposure especially considering the recently which has helped stockpiles rise C BY OLE HANSEN trend. Some of the key drivers of agriculture commodities such established flow of oil south from to a four-month high. The Energy were a weaker dollar, a dovish US as corn, wheat, live and feeder cat- (Head of Commodity Cushing to the region. Information Administration Fed and geopolitical and weather- tle have all reached the highest Strategy, Saxo Bank) Brent crude saw its premium (EIA) also reported that the US related concerns. Gains were seen levels in at least 12 months. over WTI narrow to 4 US dollars is now meeting 87 percent of its across all sectors, not least indus- Turning to the individual per- per barrel for the first time since energy needs, the highest level trial metals where nickel and alu- formances, it was generally a good winter. Some forecast for rain and reaching a low of $10,750/ last September on a combination since 1989 as proven US reserves minium were strong performers. week with only a handful showing into next week may help condi- tonne last April. Following the of WTI-positive drivers but also reach the highest level in 36 years, The energy sector was led higher a negative performance, especially tions across the US wheat growing recent break above 15,000 invest- rising headwinds in the global primarily driven by new technolo- by gasoline and WTI crude while cotton which came under pres- areas and this has left the price ment funds and consumers have market place. Brent crude, being gies such as unlocking crude from the agriculture sector received a sure from signs of slowing export with limited upside at this stage. been bidding it up and if the supply transported by sea, is the global shale formations. strong boost from surging coffee demand from the US, the world’s Nickel led the industrial metal outlook continues to deteriorate a benchmark and therefore more Gold continued to recover from prices. largest exporter. High prices in the sector higher as it climbed for a move back towards 18,900 cannot sensitive to changes in the global the 100-plus dollar sell-off seen The DJ-UBS commodity index, US following the smallest crop in tenth day on concerns that an iron be ruled out. outlook for supply and demand. during March and after mov- which will change its name to four years has seen international ore export ban from Indonesia Crude oil rose during the week The potential for rising supplies ing back above $1,300/oz it made Bloomberg Commodity Index on buyers switch to other producing and worries about a disruption of as geopolitical concerns mitigated from Libya together with slowing steady but not particularly con- July 1 following a deal between the regions such as India which is cur- Russian exports would limit global potential price-negative funda- demand from Asia and China in vincing progress towards key levels two companies, rose by 1.4 percent rently expecting record production supplies. The metal, which is a key mental news. WTI crude got an particular has therefor impacted of resistance. The minutes from and reached a one-year high. this year. Extreme winter drought ingredient in the making of stain- additional boost from strong gaso- the price of Brent the most and the latest Federal Open Market Investor appetite for commod- in the US may reduce the coming less steel, has performed strongly line demand but the continued rise left the it struggling to make it Committee (FOMC) meeting ity exposure remains high and production even further and this since January when the Indonesian in domestic crude inventories, not back up towards $110/barrel. turned out to be less hawkish than demand has picked up again fol- may eventually lend renewed sup- government prohibited the export least in storage facilities along OPEC reduced its estimates for what Janet Yellen, the Fed chair, lowing the March correction. This port to the price. of unprocessed ores. The longer the Mexican Gulf, may eventually how much it needs to produce by initially had led the market to has primarily benefited energy CBOT wheat dropped for a this ban remains in place the pose a threat to the current rela- 100,000 to 29.6 million barrels per believe, and this gave gold an initial and agriculture commodities. The second week as an improved out- higher the risk of a global deficit tive price strength of WTI crude. day due to the continued increase boost. It was further supported by total net-long commodity position look for production outside the emerging following years of sur- The increased availability of non- in US and Canadian production. renewed dollar selling and a drop held by hedge funds and money US helped mitigate some of the plus production. Nickel is a great exportable crude on the Gulf coast, Meanwhile, in its monthly report, in US ten-year government bond managers through futures and concerns related to the US winter momentum play as seen in the his- the fact that only a limited number the International Energy Agency yields back towards the lower end options in 24 US traded commodi- crop which has struggled through torical charts. It reached a high of vessels have permission to trans- (IEA) left its forecast for global of their current 2.6 to 2.8 percent ties has risen to a new record high the very cold and unusually dry of $29,425/tonne before collapsing port domestically-produced crude demand in 2014 unchanged at 92.7 range. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Baseball Results NY Yankees 7 Boston 4 Tampa Bay 1 Cincinnati 0 Hawks clinch play-off spot Cleveland 12 Chicago White Sox 6 Minnesota 7 Kansas City 1 St Louis 10 Chicago Cubs 4 Nowitzki dazzles in Mavericks’ win over Phoenix; Atlanta qualify Colorado 1 San Francisco 0 Baltimore 2 Toronto 1 Philadelphia 5 Miami 4 ATLANTA: The Atlanta points, eight rebounds and five Milwaukee 3 Pittsburgh 2 Hawks clinched the eighth assists in defeat. The game was Goran Dragic (1) of the Phoenix Atlanta 6 Washington 3 play-off spot in the Eastern tied 49-49 at halftime and 51-51 Suns drives to the basket against Houston 6 Texas 5 Conference yesterday as Jeff before DeMarre Carroll capped Brandan Wright (34) of the Dallas LA Dodgers 8 Arizona 5 Teague scored 25 points in a a 7-1 surge with a three pointer Mavericks and team-mate Shawn Detroit 6 San Diego 2 98-85 win over the defending from the left side for a 58-52 Marion (0) in their NBA game at champion Miami Heat. Hawks lead with 7:26 left in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, NY Mets 7 LA Angels 6 Lou Williams scored 23 points third quarter. Miami never got Texas, yesterday. Oakland 3 Seattle 1 for Atlanta who claimed the final within four the rest of the game. playoff berth in their conference. Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki Atlanta had a 25-21 record on scored 21 of his 23 points in the Brewers February 4 but went into a 6-20 second half and Monta Ellis tal- tailspin before winning six of its lied 37 as the Dallas Mavericks last eight National Basketball beat Phoenix 101-98 to clinch a edge Pirates Association games. play-off berth yesterday. “It’s satisfying to get a win By winning their final home and be in a groove that we’re in,” game of the season, the Mavericks for eighth Williams said. left Phoenix and the Memphis The Hawks qualified for the Grizzlies to fight it out for the straight win postseason for a seventh straight eighth and final playoff spot in season. They scored 29 points off the Western Conference. 20 Miami turnovers. Brandan Wright finished with MILWAUKEE: Jim Henderson Dwyane Wade scored 16 first- 12 points, 11 rebounds and three got the big out, and made the big half points on a perfect seven-for- blocks for the Mavericks, who play. seven shooting. He finished with are back in the postseason after Henderson pitched a score- 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting for they had a 12-year streak snapped less inning of relief, getting a the Heat, who are tied with the last season. Eric Bledsoe finished Andrew McCutchen to pop out Indiana Pacers for the top seed in with 29 points, six assists and and applying the tag on a runner the Eastern Conference. four steals, while Channing Frye cut down at home in the eighth, as Wade missed his last nine poured in 21 points for Phoenix, Milwaukee ran its winning streak games because of a hamstring which is one-half game behind the to eight with a 3-2 victory against injury. LeBron James posted 27 Grizzlies. The Suns host Memphis Pittsburgh yesterday. today. With runners on first and Dallas trailed by as many as third and one out, McCutchen NBA Results 13 early in the second half. But hit a towering popup behind home LA Clippers 117 Sacramento 101 Nowitzki’s layup with 6:42 to go whittled the deficit to 99-98 free-throw line and Morris failed in the Eastern Conference with plate. Lucroy made the catch and Charlotte 111 Philadelphia 105 in the fourth staked it to its first with 52 seconds remaining in the on a potentially tying triple in the the win, a result which eliminated Travis Snider attempted to tag Washington 104 Milwaukee 91 lead, 88-87, since halfway through fourth. final seconds. Meanwhile, the the New York Knicks from the up from first, but Lucroy alertly Atlanta 98 Miami 85 the second quarter. The Mavs Ellis split a pair of free throws Atlanta Hawks qualified for the playoffs race. threw to shortstop Jean Segura Boston 111 Cleveland 99 built their advantage to 99-91 with 20.9 seconds left to make National Basketball Association Atlanta, who hold the long- covering the bag. As Snider with 2:25 remaining, but Bledsoe it 100-98 and Wright blocked play-offs for the seventh straight est streak of postseason appear- retreated toward first, Starling Houston 111 New Orleans 104 drove in for a layup, Markieff Bledsoe’s driving layup on season yesterday with a 98-85 ances in the East, will meet either Marte broke for home but was Dallas 101 Phoenix 98 Morris sunk a pair of foul shots Phoenix’s next possession. win over the Miami Heat. The Miami or Indiana in the first tagged out by Henderson (1-0) Denver 101 Utah 94 and Bledsoe’s three-point play Ellis again connected from the Hawks claimed the eighth seed round of the play-offs. AGENCIES covering the plate to end the inning. “My focus was just to get my glove out in front of the plate. I actually really didn’t know where I was positioned on the plate,” Henderson said. Terpstra takes surprise “I’m glad I covered home in the first place. Some pitchers just hang out by the mound.” After making the tag and recording an extremely rare 2-6-1 Paris-Roubaix victory double play, Henderson spiked the ball to the ground as he left the ROUBAIX, France: Dutch Terpstra’s team-mate Boonen another Vanmarcke-Cancellara field. rider Niki Terpstra attacked had started hostilities 64km out acceleration breached the pelo- “It was in the moment and just over 6km from home to stun when he attacked on the Beuvry- ton’s gap to the leaders and McCutchen is always a tough out a host of favourites and win the la-Foret cobbled section. almost immediately, that pair for me,” Henderson said. Paris-Roubaix race after 257km He helped close down the gap went on the attack. Lucroy said he broke to cover of racing yesterday. to the early breakaway and took Degenkolb, Boonen’s team- the plate but backed off when he The race had seemed set for a host of dangerous riders, includ- mate Zdenek Stybar and Sagan saw Henderson was already there. a sprint finish among 11 riders ing Briton Geraint Thomas, with went with them, with 2012 “That was a really weird play but Terpstra took advantage of him. Tour de France winner Bradley but it’s got to be the top play. It the marking of favourites Tom The BMC team of Belgian Greg Wiggins in a group of six chasers was awesome,” Lucroy said. Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Van Avermaet, who was second in who kept the gap at only 15-20 Pirates manager Clint Hurdle Peter Sagan to go solo and win in last week’s Tour of Flanders, led seconds. said Snider breaking from first the Roubaix velodrome after five the chase, with Cancellara -- the Wiggins’s Sky team-mate base planned. hours 38 minutes and 57 seconds. reigning champion here and win- Thomas worked hard with Boonen “It’s a play that we have in place German sprinter John ner in Flanders -- biding his time. and Terpstra to join the quintet in that we work on all spring that Degenkolb won the sprint for A lead group of six opened up front with 9km left. won us a ball game last year. We second 20 seconds later with a 50-second lead but with 38km That made Degenkolb, as the tag at first, draw the throw to Cancellara third. left, Belgian Sep Vanmarcke -- best sprinter, the main dan- second and then send the runner Having finished fifth two years second to Cancellara last year german and as the favourites from third. Marte breaks on the ago and third last year, 29-year- and third in Flanders -- led a watched each other to see who throw, they had to make a base- old Terpstra, who rides for Omega counter-attack, taking Cancellara would make a break for home, ball play. We tried to steal a run,” Pharma, finally delivered on his with him. Terpstra jumped away with just Hurdle said. immense potential on the biggest That closed the gap to under over 6km remaining. Carlos Gomez hit a leadoff Spring Classics stage of all. 30 seconds before they sat up and Initially no-one reacted and he homer and Lucroy drove in the It was an anti-climax to what Sagan was next to try to close the quickly eked out a lead of over tiebreaking run with an eighth- seemed set to be the most thrill- distance, which he managed with 10 seconds, at which point it was inning single. ing Paris-Roubaix finish in many 24km left. clear the rest were racing for sec- Gomez got Milwaukee started years. Within a few more kilometres, ond. AFP with a 432-foot drive to center field off Edinson Volquez , and Khris Davis scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 in the second. Pittsburgh tied it in the third on Starling Marte ‘s groundout San Jose Sharks’ centre Joe Pavelski (8) and Phoenix Coyotes’ centre and Travis Snider ‘s single, snap- Mike Ribeiro (63) battle for the puck during the third period of their NHL ping Yovani Gallardo ‘s scoreless game at Jobing.com Arena yesterday. streak to start the season at 14 2-3 innings. Gallardo struck out Pedro Alvarez to end the inning with two runners in scoring posi- tion. The right-hander then held Bruins finish with the Pirates scoreless over the next three innings, striking out the side in the fifth. Lucroy singled to right in the best record in NHL eighth to drive in Ryan Braun , who slid in ahead of the throw to BOSTON: The Boston Bruins David Krejci scored twice and the plate. Francisco Rodriguez got beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 yes- Tuukka Rask made 24 saves for his fourth save in four attempts. terday to clinch the Presidents’ the Bruins who finished with Gallardo went six innings, giv- Trophy which gives them the best record in the NHL for ing up two runs and six hits. He home-ice advantage through- the first time since the 1989-90 struck out six and walked one. He out the National Hockey League season. Patrice Bergeron scored is 11-4 in his career against the play-offs. his 30th goal and Greg Campbell Pirates. had a single in front of a crowd of Volquez, making his second NHL Results 17,565 at the TD Garden Arena. start of the season along with The Bruins were coming off one relief appearance, gave up Boston 4 Buffalo 1 shootout losses in each of their two runs and four hits in 6 1-3 Philadelphia 4 Pittsburgh 3 last two games. Boston will face innings. He struck out four and Montreal 1 NY Rangers 0 Detroit in the opening round of walked two. Ottawa 1 Toronto 0 the playoffs after Columbus beat The Pirates threatened in the Columbus 3 Florida 2 Florida Saturday to clinch the sixth when Andrew McCutchen Nashville 7 Chicago 5 top wild-card spot in the Eastern doubled with one out and moved Conference. Boston closes the to third on a groundout. Gallardo San Jose 3 Phoenix 2 regular season today in New struck out Russell Martin looking Omega Pharma Quick Step team rider Dutch Niki Terpstra celebrates on the podium after winning the 112th Paris Edmonton 5 Vancouver 2 Roubaix cycling race, in Roubaix, France, yesterday. RIGHT: Terpstra celebrates with the trophy on the podium. Jersey before starting the play- to end the inning. Anaheim 4 Los Angeles 3 offs at home. AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Red Bull look Watson all set for Masters to overturn Ricciardo penalty duel with young gun Spieth PARIS: World champions Red Bull believe they can overturn Daniel Ricciardo’s Australian American gunning for second crown in three years; Jimenez in the hunt Grand Prix disqualification today and reinvigorate their 2014 challenge. AUGUSTA, Georgia: Bubba The FIA’s International Court Watson squandered an early of Appeal will meet in Paris to five-stroke advantage and was decide whether or not to reinstate caught by 20-year-old Jordan Ricciardo’s second-place finish in Spieth as the youngster tied Melbourne. him for the lead at the end of a He was stripped of his place pressure-packed third round of after the team were found guilty the Masters yesterday. of breaching fuel flow regulations. Spieth, playing with patience A reinstatement would be and discipline belying his years, worth 18 points which would lift posted a solid two-under-par 70 the driver into third spot in the to join Watson on five-under 211 championship, albeit 31 points on a warm, sunny day at Augusta behind leader Nico Rosberg National that baked the famed and 20 back from the German’s greens to lightning speeds. Mercedes teammate, Lewis “Patience,” Spieth said about Hamilton. the key to his round. “We could They would also propel the tell early on the greens were team into second place in the ridiculous. You had to put the ball constructors championship where on the right spots and not let your they would be 38 points behind focus stray for one moment.” runaway leaders Mercedes, ahead Spieth, who began the day four of next weekend’s Chinese Grand behind overnight leader Watson, Prix in Shanghai. put himself in position to make “Those points are vital. Every Masters history on Sunday as vic- point is vital,” Red Bull team tory would make him Augusta’s principal Christian Horner told youngest champion, putting him autosport.com. ahead of Tiger Woods who was 21 “We have got a very strong when he triumphed in 1997. case. As more races have pro- Watson, the 2012 champion, gressed, issues have become more needed to curl in a four-foot par- evident -- and new evidence has saving putt at the last to retain a come to light, new understand- share of the lead on a day when ings have come to light. he struggled on the heavily con- “So hopefully we can present Bubba Watson of the US hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the third round of the 2014 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf toured greens. our case fairly and get our second “It was the firmest I’ve seen it Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, yesterday. RIGHT: Jordan Spieth hits a tee shot on the 3rd hole in the third round of the 2014 Masters Tournament. place back that Daniel deserves in years out here,” said Watson from Melbourne.” who only missed one fairway but but that disappeared under a spell name in the Masters record books performance was turned in by big deal to him,” said Watson of Widespread rule changes this needed 33 putts. of bogeys that turned the year’s as the oldest champion, surpass- long-hitting American Gary Spieth who seems destined for year include a 100 kilo (about “I had a couple of three-putts. first major into a taut battle on a ing Jack Nicklaus who was 46 Woodland who took advantage of greatness after winning the U.S. 135 litres, 36 gallons) cap on If you two-putt those you’re right crowded leaderboard. when he won in 1986. his early start on greens not yet Junior Amateur in 2009 and 2011, fuel as well as a fuel-flow limit there and you’ve got a two-shot Watson wobbled with three Jimenez vaulted into conten- baked to a crisp to fire a six-under joining Tiger Woods as the event’s of 100 kilos per hour, designed to lead. bogeys in four holes from the tion by matching the lowest 30 on the front nine and tie the only multiple winners, and who encourage steady use of fuel. “All in all, a good day,” Watson fourth, striking delicate chip Masters score by a player over Masters record. became the youngest PGA Tour Red Bull insist Ricciardo’s car said, looking on the bright side. “If shots and sand blasts too far while 50 held by Ben Hogan (1967) and Woodland had four birdies and winner in 82 years last season at kept to the correct fuel flow in somebody told me on Monday I’d leaving some downhill putts short Fred Couples (2010). an eagle to match the record low the age of 19. Melbourne, saying a faulty FIA have a 74 and still be tied for the in fear of rolling well by. “I feel very nice. Beautiful day for the outward half by Johnny Still, the final round at Augusta sensor wrongly showed it broke lead I’d have taken it all day long.” The poor stretch dropped out there, just light breeze some- Miller (1975), Greg Norman is something special. the limit. One stroke back were Matt Watson into a tie with Blixt and times. It’s great,” said the pony- (1988), KJ Choi (2004) and Phil “You know the roars, you know “I think we need to look at a Kuchar, who used some brilliant Thomas Bjorn of Denmark at tailed Spaniard. Mickelson (2009). the history of the game,” said more robust system,” Horner said chipping to register a 68, and five under with nine holes to play Three shots behind the co-lead- He climbed within three shots Watson. “As a kid we’ve always as the controversy rumbled on Masters first-timer Jonas Blixt before the American moved back ers were England’s Lee Westwood of Watson before stumbling at dreamed about Sunday afternoon, into the second race of the season of Sweden (71). in front with a birdie at the 10th. (70), Bjorn (73) and American Amen Corner as he ended with a having a chance on the last hole in Malaysia last month, adding Another shot adrift on 213 Ten players were bunched Jim Furyk (72). 69 for 216, even par. or birdying the last four like Charl that he had raised his concerns were American Rickie Fowler within two shots of the lead at Americans Couples, 54, and Adam Scott, last year’s win- Schwartzel did in 2011. with technical officials. (67) and 50-year-old Spaniard the turn. Blixt also reached five- Kevin Stadler, U.S. Open cham- ner, struggled on the greens and “On Sunday that’s a big deal “In many respects I think per- Miguel Angel Jimenez who had under after back-to-back bird- pion Justin Rose of England and posted a 76 for 217. because that’s the day they give sonally it would be easier to get seven birdies and one bogey in a ies from the 15th but a bogey at Australian John Senden were tied The next test for young Spieth out the green jacket so it makes rid of it and just say, ‘You’ve got tournament-low 66. 17 dropped him back and Spieth at one under par heading into will be contending with the pres- all of us nervous and makes all of 100 kilos, use it how you like but An eagle at the par-five second emerged as co-leader. what could be a wild shootout for sure cooker that is Masters us sweat a little more and makes that’s all you’ve got’.” hole helped Watson improve his At the other end of the age the year’s first major. Sunday. every putt mean that much more.” Horner said some teams 36-hole lead to a five-shot cushion spectrum, Jimenez could put his Another record-tying “He’s young, nerves are no REUTERS were buying “boxes” of the sen- sors, which cost 15,000 pounds ($25,000) to buy and calibrate, and testing them all to find out which gave the most advanta- geous readings. Ricciardo, 24, has endured a Santoso shocks Lee to win Singapore Open roller-coaster start to his Red Bull career after replacing fellow SINGAPORE: Unseeded Australian Mark Webber at the Indonesian Simon Santoso world champions. pulled off a major shock when His Melbourne disqualification he thrashed badminton’s world was followed by a retirement in number one Lee Chong Wei to Malaysia where he also copped a win the Singapore Open for the 10-place grid penalty for the third first time yesterday. round in Bahrain. The 28-year-old, considered a At the Middle East track, he rank outsider against Malaysia’s qualified third, started in 13th imperious Lee, upset the form spot due to his Malaysia rap book in style with an emphatic before storming to a fourth- 21-15, 21-10 victory in just 48 min- place finish, just missing out on utes in the Singapore final. a podium place. Santoso reeled off nine straight “It was an awesome race; it points to stifle Lee’s second-game was exciting,” said Ricciardo, revival and take the match, drop- whose world champion teammate ping his racquet to the court and Sebastian Vettel managed just a raising his arms in celebration in sixth-place finish. front of a bemused crowd. “We got close to the podium, The third Superseries tourna- I think within half a second, so ment win for the 52nd-ranked I was doing all I could. The car Santoso cements a stirring come- came to me as the race went back by the former world number on and I was happy with how I three, who dropped out of the moved up through the pack.” top 100 last year following back Meanwhile, Ryan Hunter-Reay problems. claimed his sixth career pole by “I am really satisfied with my holding off teammate James performance especially after Hinchcliffe on Saturday at the beating one of the best players, Grand Prix of Long Beach. Lee Chong Wei, in the final. I am The American completed really happy and proud,” Santoso his lap around this 1.968-mile, said. Simon Santoso of Indonesia displays his winning plate after defeating Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia during the OUE Singapore Open badminton 11-turn temporary street circuit “I am really happy (because) tournament men’s final, yesterday. Santoso beat Lee, 21-15, 21-10. RIGHT: Santoso gestures after defeating Wei. in one minute, 7.8219 seconds to it’s been a while since I beat take the top starting position for Chong Wei and also because I today’s IndyCar race. Hunter- fought hard from the qualifica- take care not to get an injury arch-rival Wang Yihan for the managed to make a comeback,” women’s doubles final. In the Reay also claimed his first pole tion rounds here in Singapore.” at the competition,” the 33-time second year in a row. Wang said. men’s doubles, China’s Cai Yun at Long Beach. The 2012 IndyCar It was only Santoso’s second Superseries tournament winner Wang, upset by Li in the 2012 “I feel that I was quite lucky and Lu Kai beat Taiwan’s Lee champion had qualified second win in 11 matches against the told reporters. Olympic final, won 21-11, 21-19 -- and I think those two points Sheng-mu and Tsai Chia-hsin here in 2010, 2011 and 2013. All-England champion, who had “I just tried and just enjoy for aided by two critical net points affected (Li).” 21-19, 21-14. “What a qualifying session,” lost just once this year. But Lee, Singapore and not go so hard,” -- after trailing the top seed for China’s Bao Yixin and Tang And Tontowi Ahmad and Hunter-Reay said. “You never 31, downplayed the loss, saying it Lee said. most of the second game. Jinhua, beneficiaries of a walko- Liliyana Natsir comfortably knew who was going to put in the was “only the Singapore Open”. Earlier, Olympic champion Li “I feel that both of us performed ver in the semis, upset Danish top defended their mixed doubles title best lap. It was anybody’s session. “This is just a Superseries, Xuerui refused to speak to media to the best of our abilities but at seeds Christinna Pedersen and with a 21-15, 22-20 win over fellow It’s a good start for us, but tomor- there are still many other after she lost the women’s final one point I was trailing behind Li Kamilla Rytter Juhl 14-21, 21-19, Indonesians Riky Widianto and row is going to be challenging.” important tournaments. I just to her Chinese team-mate and and on this part I did better as I 21-15 in a marathon, 71-minute Puspita Richi Dili. AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Pacquiao avenges loss to Bradley The Filipino ring icon defeats the American to regain WBO Welterweight world title

LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao only way he could win the fight. avenged a polarizing loss to But as the pace slowed in the Timothy Bradley and regained later rounds, Pacquiao dominated, the World Boxing Organization putting together multi-punch welterweight world title yester- combinations that kept Bradley day with a 12-round unanimous off balance. decision over the previously “I tried, I really tried,” said unbeaten American. Bradley. “I wanted that knockout. The Filipino ring icon improved I kept trying to throw something to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 over the top, that’s what the plan wins inside the distance as he was.” recaptured the title he lost to But Bradley trainer Joel Diaz Timothy Bradley Bradley on June 9, 2012. said he knew the plan had gone of US (left) Although he couldn’t get his out the window when Bradley first knockout win since 2009, defends against came to the corner after the first Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight Manny Pacquiao round saying he thought he had promise to come out with more of Philippines torn his right calf muscle. aggression, denying Bradley’s during their Diaz tried massaging it, but avowed aim of sending him into WBO World Bradley told him to stop because retirement with another defeat. Welterweight it hurt. “I think I can go another two Championship “From that point on, I knew I years,” said Pacquiao, who had title match at didn’t have much to work with, been stung by Bradley’s pre-fight the MGM Grand because our plan was to dominate claim that at 35, Pacquiao had lost Arena in Las Pacquiao and we couldn’t do it,” the fire that had made him one Vegas, Nevada, Diaz said. of the most feared fighters in the yesterday. The injury was later diagnosed world. as a strain, and Bradley said he “I’m so happy to be world had “no excuses”. champion again,” Pacquiao said. “Manny is a great fighter, one “Tim Bradley was not an easy of the best in the world maybe the fight.” best ever,” he said. Bradley, who said he fought After throwing few punches from the first round with a right in the 11th, a desperate Bradley calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 swung wildly in the 12th, and knockouts. Pacquiao finished the fight with “Life goes on,” Bradley said of a cut over his left eye from a clash his first pro defeat. “It’s back to of heads late in the final round. the gym. Not a big deal.” Roach said Pacquiao needed Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored stitches to close the jagged cut. the bout 118-110 for Pacquiao, The third saw both fight- Even the WBO said upon “I knew I had to do more this “killer instinct,” with Bradley say- Pacquiao’s next opponent while both Michael Pernick and ers exchange at a furious rate, review that Pacquiao should have time than I did the last time,” he ing it was clear that Pacquiao was could be the winner of the May Canada’s Craig Metcalf saw it Pacquiao again landing the more won that fight on June 9, 2012. added. Pacquiao had launched “going for it”. But trainer Freddie 17 bout between Mike Alvarado 116-112 for the ‘Pacman,’ whose damaging blows. Instead he saw a 15-match fight his comeback from the back-to- Roach said Bradley’s unexpected and Marquez. If Marquez wins, every move was cheered by the But Bradley rocked Pacquiao winning streak end, and went on back 2012 defeats with a lopsided strategy of seeking a big knockout he could meet Pacquiao for the star-studded crowd of 15,601 at in the fourth, and Pacquiao said to be knocked out later in 2012 by points win over Brandon Rios last blow of his own caught him and fifth time. the MGM Grand Garden Arena. California’s “Desert Storm” was Juan Manuel Marquez. November. Pacquiao by surprise. “I have no problem with fight- After a tight first round, an improved fighter from the one “Bradley is better from the first That victory was a clinical dis- “He was swinging for the fences ing Marquez again, but that’s Pacquiao made his power felt in who took that bitterly debated fight,” Pacquiao said. “He hurt me play of boxing skill. Saturday’s all night,” Roach said of Bradley, up to my promoter, Bob Arum,” the second. split decision in their first fight. on the chin.” victory showcased more of the old who said he thought it was the Pacquiao said. AFP Price and Taylor qualify for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup

DOHA: Gerry Price and Mike “It was a brilliant day and well Brazil and Turkey. Taylor booked a place in the done to our winners, Gerry and Winners of the Grand Final final round of the 2014 Turkish Mike - we look forward to seeing will play in the 2014 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup, one you in Antalya in November.” Airlines Open pro-am, while all of the sport’s largest and most It was also a memorable day finalists are to enjoy a seven-night exciting amateur tournaments, for Ian McInerney and Wendy stay in an all-inclusive hotel, two took place at Doha Golf Club Greenhalgh, who each won two rounds of golf and VIP passes to recently. business class flights and a seven- the Turkish Airlines Open, the The third of 50 qualifiers for night stay at the five-star Maxx $7,000,000 European Tour event, the global event, which enjoyed Royal Hotel in Antalya after their from Thursday to Sunday. great acclaim in its inaugural edi- scorecards were chosen in the Turkish Airlines, which was tion last year, featured 72 play- free prize draw, with every player recently voted Europe’s best air- ers, all personally-invited guests who took part in the qualifier hav- line for the third consecutive year, of Turkish Airlines. ing been entered. launched the World Golf Cup in Price and Taylor are the latest The first qualifier got under 2013. It featured 12 qualifying winners to join the Grand Final in way in India in March, with dates events and was won by China’s Antalya, Turkey, this November. scheduled to take place in coun- Han Liang. His prize for victory “We would like to congratulate tries all over the world, including was partnering world number everyone who took part in the Hong Kong, South Africa, Great one and 14-time major cham- Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Britain, South Korea, Japan, pion Tiger Woods in the Turkish qualifier in Doha,” said Mehmed China, Spain, the United States, Airlines Open pro-am. Kursad Caymaz, General Manager Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, THE PENINSULA for Turkish Airlines Doha. Argentina, Sweden, Jakarta, QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West taking part in the Moto2 race of the Grand Prix of the Americas. QMMF Racing Team’s West finds good rhythm in Austin

AUSTIN: On the last four laps previous best time, Ramos had to “Turning is much better and of qualifying for the Grand Prix settle for 32nd place on the grid even though the bike is still not of the Americas, QMMF Racing but plans to attack in the race. gripping, it is more controllable. Team rider Anthony West found West said: “I wasn’t really Before, it was really aggressive, a good rhythm with his Speed happy this morning, because the kicking me out of the seat and Up prototype and gained confi- bike didn’t feel good. I still couldn’t messing up my lines. Now I am able dence to be able to fight for a top get the bike to turn or get enough to slide it and keep it under control. ten position in the Moto2 race. grip, so we concentrated on solv- It should be good for the race. My The 32-year-old Australian had ing these issues and finally got the aim is the same as it was at Qatar: struggled with set-up issues in the bike to turn better. In qualifying, I To get a good start and fight for a free practice session on Saturday probably didn’t really understand Top Ten position,” he added. morning. Further changes to his how the bike was until the end of “In the third free practice ses- machine improved both cornering the session. sion this morning, I went quite a and grip, but West needed some “I just couldn’t get it to work, lot quicker than yesterday. I was a time in the crucial qualifying ses- also because there was a lot of full second faster than on Friday, sion to find the right riding style. traffic and I didn’t get a good which gave us confidence for Without any slipstream on his run. In the end, I went out on qualifying this afternoon. I was fastest lap, he eventually climbed my own. I told myself that I had convinced I would end up with a up to 19th place on the starting to relax, because every time I’m good position on the grid, but it grid and is now looking forward getting frustrated, I ride slower was not meant to be. We had a to claw his way towards the front because I become too aggressive few small problems with the bike in the race. on the bike. So I tried to relax, to and I couldn’t improve further, I Spanish team-mate Román understand the bike and on the was in fact a bit slower than this Ramos continued his steady last four laps, I felt really good morning. But we will keep work- improvements in the morning with the bike. It turned out that ing to solve these problems in session, where he took another we made a huge step in compari- order to be well prepared when Geery Price and Mike Taylor, winners of the Doha round of the 2014 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup pose with second off his previous best time, son to how it felt this morning. it counts tomorrow. I definitely officials of Turkish Airlines at Doha Golf Club. The winners qualified for the Grand Final in Antalya, Turkey, but ran into a few small set-up I did my time completely alone want to make up a few positions due to be held this November. problems in the qualifying in the without any slipstream and now in the race,” Ramos said. afternoon. Unable to match his I’m confident for the race. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Kipsang sets London Marathon record Kiplagat wins women’s race; Farah finishes in eighth place

LONDON: World record- champion, finished in eighth the crowd deserve and the people dropping a water bottle and stop- holder Wilson Kipsang won the place having failed to break Steve supporting me. ping to pick it up. Dibaba finished men’s London Marathon in a Jones’s British record of 2:07:13, “But the field was tough. You’ve 14 seconds adrift. course record two hours, four which has stood since 1985. got Olympic champions just fin- In the men’s wheelchair race, The winners of both the men’s and women’s London Marathon, Kenyans minutes and 29 seconds yester- “I will be back,” Farah told the ishing now. It was the strongest David Weir’s bid for a record sev- Wilson Kipsang (left) and Edna Kiplagat, pose for a photograph with day as Britain’s Mo Farah found BBC. field ever put together by the enth London title saw the Briton Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta in London, yesterday. BOTTOM: life tough on his debut over the “I’m not going to finish it London Marathon. just edged out in a sprint finish Kipsang crosses the line to win the men’s race. distance. like this. I gave it my all but “I’ve gone straight in at the by Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, who Kipsang’s smashed the previous I’m disappointed I didn’t go out deep end, but that’s what athlet- won in a time of 1:32:39. London record of 2:04:40 set by there and give what the crowd ics is all about.” “This is a really sweet victory fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai deserve.” The two-times reigning world and it feels great to finally win in 2011. British distance great Brendan champion Edna Kiplagat won in this race,” said Hug. “It is great to It was a second London victory Foster, commentating on the race, 2:20:21 in with Florence Kiplagat compete against David Weir and for Kipsang, the 2012 champion, urged Farah to stick to defending three seconds further back in sec- also great to beat him.” who outpaced compatriot Stanley his track gold medals at the 2016 ond place. Weir added: “It is disappoint- Biwatt in the finishing straight. Olympic Games in Rio. After breaking away from the ing but I felt strong all the way Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, However, the 31-year-old Farah field, the pair remained close through but Marcel was just that last year’s winner was third, and refused to be rushed into a deci- together until the final bend when bit ahead.” Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was sion on his future, saying: “It was Edna Kiplagat surged ahead. In the women’s wheelchair race, fourth. pretty tough. I’m disappointed but Florence Kiplagat could not Tatyana McFadden of the United Kenya celebrated a race double you try things and sometimes it respond and Edna Kiplagat broke States successfully defended her as Edna Kiplagat, runner-up for doesn’t work, but you have to give the finish line tape several yards title just a month after winning a the past two years in London, won it a go. in front. cross-country skiing silver medal the women’s event. “You learn -- life goes on.” Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, the at the Winter Paralympics in Kipsang and Mutai were always Farah, not helped by missing Olympic and world 10,000 metres Sochi. among the leading men’s group a drink station shortly after the champion, marked her marathon The 24-year-old won in a and gradually pulled clear of the half-way mark, added: “I gave debut by finishing in third place. course record 1:45:11, more than field. it a go. That’s all I could do. I’m She had looked set to challenge a minute-and-a half clear of Swiss Farah, reigning Olympic and just disappointed I didn’t go out the Kenyan duo for much of the runner-up Manuela Schar. world 5,000 and 10,000 metres there and give a bit more what race but paid a heavy price for AFP

ATP Monte Carlos Djokovic hits fast forward in Monte Carlo Masters Results MONTE-CARLO, MONACO: Novak Djokovic “I’m excited to be defending, Club riding a 10-match win streak admitted yesterday that the last to his ranking of third. Roger MONACO: Results from the believes he has hit the reset but- but I don’t change the way that after completing the Indian- time he played truly well on the Federer, the fourth seed and a late first day of the ATP Monte- ton on his 2014 season at exactly I approach any event,” said the Wells-Miami double for the first surface he loves was the 2013 wild card entry, was arriving on Carlo Masters yesterday (x the right moment as the world second seed, who now has coach time in his career. He stands 20-6 Roland Garros final, when he Sunday as he competes in Monte denotes seeding): number two enters the Monte Boris Becker back in his corner in Monte Carlo. Djokovic is seek- won the grand slam title for an Carlo for the first time since 2011 First Round Carlo Masters eager to begin his after the German’s recent hip ing to become the fifth player to eighth time. where he lost in the quarter-finals Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Igor Sijsling (NED) 1-6, title defence. surgery. successfully defend his crown in “This is an important part of to Jurgen Melzer. 6-2, 7-6 (7/5); Nicolas Mahut (FRA) bt Dominic The Serb, who is based in the “My state of mind right now is Monte Carlo following Bjorn Borg the season for everyone, not just First-round play got under- Thiem (AUT) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) principality, ended Rafael Nadal’s all that I had hoped for, I do have (1980), Thomas Muster (1996), me,” said the Spaniard. way yesterday, with 17th seed bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-1, 5-7, 6-3; Alexandr eight-year title streak a year ago confidence, especially after a slow Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003) and “I don’t automatically switch Alexandr Dolgopolov beating Dolgopolov (UKR x17) bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) although the Spaniard still went start to this season. Nadal (2006-2012). from hardcourt to clay, I need Latvian Ernests Gulbis, 6-2, 6-4. 6-2, 6-4 on to defend his French Open “Going onto the clay always Top seed Nadal, meanwhile, time to make the adjustment. I Jeremy Chardy earned a crown. feels like a new beginning, it will is trying to keep the pressure only play on clay for five -- maxi- French win, beating Igor Sijsling Bogota WTA Result Djokovic said he was bolstered be very important to start well, on himself as low as reasonably mum six -- tournaments per year, of the Netherlands, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 BOGOTA: Results from the by his back-to-back Masters tro- hopefully with another win. But possible. I need time to adapt.” (7/5). Russian Dmitry Tursunov seventh and final day of the phies from the US last month then again, with the level of com- Spain’s world number one said Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka defeated Holland’s Robin Haase WTA tournament in Bogota as he beat Roger Federer in petition out there, no one can pre- that he goes into his most potent takes the third seeding, with the 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 while Austrian young- yesterday (x denotes seeding): Indian Wells and topped Nadal dict anything.” period of the year unsure of any- Australian Open winner over ster Dominic Thiem went down to Final for a third straight match to win Djokovic enters the competi- thing except the fact that noth- Nadal eager to show that he can Nicolas Mahut, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Caroline Garcia (FRA x5) bt Jelena Jankovic (SRB Miami honours. tion at the Monte Carlo Country ing will be easy. The 27-year-old hang with the elite and live up AFP x1) 6-3, 6-4 Verdasco, Almagro Cornet wins fourth to meet in Houston final career title in Poland KATOWICE, Poland: France’s Alize Cornet won her fourth HOUSTON: Fourth seeded career title yesterday when she Fernando Verdasco beat saved a match point on her way Santiago Giraldo in straight to a 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 7-5 victory sets to reach his first final of over Italy’s Camila Giorgi in the 2014, where an all-Spanish bat- Katowice final. tle awaits. Cornet, the world 22, added Verdasco eased past Giraldo the Poland title to trophies at 6-4, 7-5 in the first semi-final Budapest in 2008, Bad Gastein match at the US men’s clay court in 2012 and Strasbourg last year. championship. The 24-year-old had knocked Former world number seven out world number three Agnieszka Verdasco will try to earn his first Radwanska in the semi-finals. title since 2010 against third “What a match. It was defi- seed Spanish compatriot Nicolas nitely a huge fight, which is what Almagro, who advanced when I expected, and I had to save a American Sam Querrey was cut match point to win the title, so down by a back injury. it feels very special,” said Cornet “He’s really dangerous on clay,” who faced match point at 4-5 in Almagro said of Verdasco. the decider. “He’s serving well. It will be a “I gave everything I had. I’m nice final. We are going to do our so happy I could win here at best.” this beautiful tournament in Almagro lost in last year’s Katowice.” Houston final to American John Yesterday’s three-hour, Isner. 11-minute match is the fifth- Verdasco, who advanced to his longest match of the year and 19th final on the Tour, is seeking the longest WTA final since the to snap a six-match losing streak three-hour, 12-minute Osaka final in finals since hoisting his fifth in October 2012. trophy on the clay of Barcelona Giorgi was contesting her first in 2010. WTA final, having never been to Fourth seeded Verdasco became a quarter-final prior to this week. the first player since Marcel Meanwhile, France’s Caroline Granollers in 2008 to reach both Garcia opened her WTA account the singles and doubles finals in in Bogota yesterday, the world Houston. number 74 taking her first title Verdasco overcame a 3-5 deficit French tennis player Caroline Garcia celebrates her victory after defeat- with a 6-3, 6-4 upset over Serbian in the second set in windy con- ing Serbian Jelena Jankovic, during the final match of the Claro Open top seed and former world number ditions on Saturday at the River Colsanitas in Bogota, Colombia, yesterday. one Jelena Jankovic. Oaks Country Club. He won four Garcia, the 20-year-old fifth consecutive games for the victory seed, made it a WTA double for in 91 minutes. backhand return long. Verdasco title. The Houston final will not France as earlier her compa- France’s Alize Cornet poses with her trophy after beating Italy’s Camila Verdasco converted on five will face Almagro for the 10th feature an American for just the triot Aliza Cornet saw off Camila Giorgi in their final match at the WTA BNP Paribas Katowice Open ten- of six break points, clinching time in their careers. second time since 2000. Giorgi in three sets to win in nis tournament in Katowice, Poland,yesterday. the match when Giraldo sent a Almagro is aiming for his 13th AFP Katowice, Poland. AFP MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Atletico extend lead in La Liga Simeone’s side leads by three points; Costa hurt in goalpost collision in 2-0 victory

MADRID: Atletico Madrid Costa’s injury is not as serious as half-time when he got nowhere extended their lead at the top of first feared. near the ball as he came off his La Liga with 2-0 win at Getafe “Diego is fine. We don’t need to line to collect a Koke corner yesterday, but victory came worry, it was just a scare,” he said. and left Godin with the simple at a price as Diego Costa was “We are where we wanted to task of heading the ball into an stretchered off after colliding be with five games to go. Our dis- unguarded net for his sixth goal with the goalpost as he scored course has changed from game of the season. his side’s second goal. to game, now we have final after It was Getafe who threatened Uruguayan defender Diego final.” from a corner early in the sec- Godin took advantage of a goal- Despite their exertions in ond-half as Juan Rodriguez forced keeping error from Jordi Codina knocking Barca out of the Thibaut Courtois into a fine save to head home the opener from Champions League on Wednesday low to his left. Koke’s corner five minutes before to progress to the semi-finals for Courtois then made a more half-time. the first time in 40 years, Simeone comfortable save to deny Adrian Costa then saw a second-half made just two changes from the Colunga before Atletico were penalty saved by Codina after side that started in midweek. given a golden chance to seal the Angel Lafita received a red card Top scorer Costa returned up three points 25 minutes from for pulling down Miranda, but the front after a hamstring injury time when Lafita hauled down Spanish international redeemed in place of Adrian, whilst Mario Miranda as the Brazilian defender himself by slotting home Adrian Suarez also replaced Tiago in attempted to get on the end of Lopez’s low cross six minutes midfield. another corner from Koke. from time. The visitors were first to Lafita was shown a straight red Costa was immediately stretch- threaten when Costa just failed card for denying a clear goalscor- ered off, but Atletico confirmed to reach David Villa’s dangerous ing opportunity, but Costa missed he has just suffered a flesh wound cross to the back post. his third penalty this season when meaning he should be fit to face However, both sides strug- Codina dived to his left to save his Elche in Los Rojiblancos’ next gled to create chances from open spot-kick and recovered well to outing on Friday. play thereafter with the major- also block Raul Garcia’s follow- Diego Simeone’s men now lead ity of opportunities coming from up effort. city rivals Real Madrid by three set-pieces. Costa did eventually double points with five games remain- Godin came close on 27 minutes Atletico’s advantage when he ing, whilst reigning champions when his header from Koke’s cor- bravely slid in to turn Adrian’s Barcelona are a further point ner was beaten away by Codina. cross home for his 34th goal of Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa reacts in pain as his team-mates stand over him during their Spanish first divi- behind in third. However, the keeper undid his the season before colliding with sion match against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium in Getafe, outside Madrid, yesterday. And Simeone confirmed that good work five minutes before the post. Appou, 43, May’s double sends Saints to Scottish Cup final GLASGOW: A Stevie May dou- scored a superb solo second in think anyone could begrudge us they cut through the St Johnstone corner was knocked back into the comes off ble helped St Johnstone come the 84th minute as Saints gained the victory.” defence for a 16th minute opener. box by James Dunne and, with his from behind to beat Aberdeen revenge for their League Cup Dons boss Derek McInnes Adam Rooney laid the ball off back to goal, May took a touch 2-1 to set pu a date with Dundee semi-final defeat to the Dons. couldn’t hide his disappointment. to Peter Pawlett who fed McGinn before swivelling and rifling a shot bench to United in their first ever It is ninth time lucky for “We came here to win. We felt and the Northern Irishman kept under the legs of the despairing appearance in a Scottish Cup the Saints, who had previously we had to play very well to win his cool to roll the ball under Alan Langfield. final yesterday appeared in eight cup semi-finals and I don’t think we had any real Mannus. The momentum switched to beat Milla The Dons had taken a 16th without ever making a final, and control of the game if truth be St Johnstone were quick out Aberdeen and the Dons should minute lead through Niall ends the Dons hopes of mak- told,” McInnes said. of the traps after the break and have been ahead in the 68th McGinn who applied a cool finish ing it a cup double this season “I need to congratulate St Frazer Wright was first to test minute when the unchallenged to a free-flowing move that cut after claiming the League Cup Johnstone. I thought they showed Langfield with a headed flick-on Robson sent a header straight at age record right through the St Johnstone in March. They now face Dundee enough tenacity and determina- that May came close to connect- Mannus from six yards out. defence. United who beat Rangers 3-1 on tion to make it their day and they ing with. Robson then turned provider However, Saints came out fly- Saturday. St Johnstone manager are a good side.” Aberdeen had a chance to as he picked out the unmarked JOHANNESBURG: Mauritius ing in the second half and grabbed Tommy Wright was full of praise Aberdeen had demolished St increase their lead in the 57th McGinn at the back post with striker Kersley Appou took a deserved equaliser through for his players. Johnstone 4-0 in their League minute when McGinn broke down his cross from the right but the the record of being the oldest Scotland under-21 striker May “To come from a goal behind Cup semi-final meeting in the left wing before cutting the striker put his header wide of the African national-team foot- in the 61st minute. against a quality side like February and started brightly ball back to Pawlett at the edge target. baller away from Cameroon leg- May was denied a second by Aberdeen shows the measure of at Ibrox with Robson flashing a of the box but he wildly sliced his May sent the Saints fans wild end Roger Milla this weekend. Langfield before Barry Robson their performance,” Wright, said. shot just wide after his free-kick shot out for a throw-in. when he headed the ball to Steven Appou came on as a substitute and Niall McGinn missed “It means a lot to the club and rebounded back to him off the St The Dons were left to rue that MacLean before collecting the 10 minutes from the end of a 2015 good headed opportunities for the supporters. They’ve had so Johnstone wall. missed opportunity four minutes return and drilling a fierce strike Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Aberdeen. many semi-finals and so many The Dons faithful didn’t have to later when May fired St Johnstone beyond Langfield from just inside Mauritania aged 43 years and 354 With time running out May disappointments and I don’t wait long to celebrate though as level. David Wootherspoon’s the box. AFP days. Milla held the record since playing against Russia in the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42 years Cricket stars among team and 39 days. Appou can now set his sights on the world record of 46 years and 217 days held by former US Virgin owners in new India league Islands footballer MacDonald Taylor senior. NEW DELHI: Cricket stars of his home city of Kolkata, an All Dhoni to promote football for its “I was glad to play,” Appou told Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav India Football Federation state- sports channel. It also launched AFP after his country lost the Ganguly and leading Spanish ment said. Hindi-language commentary on first leg of a first round tie 1-0 in club Atletico Madrid are among Other team heads include Premier League games to ensure Mauritanian capital Nouakchott. the owners of teams in a new Bollywood stars Salman Khan wider viewership in smaller towns “I plan to continue playing.” India football league set to (Pune franchise), Ranbir Kapoor where English is spoken less Appou lines up with local club start this year, organisers said (Mumbai) and John Abraham commonly. Pamplemousses and scored 10 yesterday. (Guwahati), the statement said Meanwhile, Fulham manager goals in 24 previous appearances The Indian Super League, fea- without elaborating on the finan- Felix Magath is confident his side for Mauritius after making his turing foreign and Indian talent cial obligations for each owner. can complete the task of avoid- international debut 14 years ago. in teams based in eight cities, is The remaining three teams ing relegation from the Premier National coach Akbar Patel due to start nationwide in mid- will be owned by media house League, a feat that appeared to recalled him to the national squad September and run until the end Sun group (Bangalore), TV be beyond the London club just a after a lengthy absence for the of November. cable distribution company DEN few weeks ago. trip to Mauritania. Organised by the All India Networks (Delhi) and three busi- A goal from Hugo Rodallega, The tall striker has played for Football Federation, the league is nessmen who will co-own Goa, the the Colombia forward, was various Mauritian sides during being backed by India’s Reliance statement said. enough to beat Norwich City -- a career that included only one Industries, which is controlled by “The management takes great the club directly above them in brief spell abroad when he moved the country’s richest man Mukesh pride in announcing the winning the table - 1-0 at Craven Cottage to neighbouring Indian Ocean Ambani, and by sports manage- bids as a good mix of corporates on Saturday. island Reunion. ment giant IMG. and celebrities,” it said. That added to last week’s win at He could be in action again for Former international stars The made-for-television event, Aston Villa, where Rodallega also his country next Sunday when such as Thierry Henry, Robert to be broadcast by the Rupert scored the decisive goal, means the return match is staged at the Pires, Hernan Crespo, Fredrik Murdoch-owned Star TV network, that although Fulham are still in Stade George V in Curepipe on Ljungberg, Dwight Yorke and has already run into fierce opposi- the bottom three, they are now the Indian Ocean island. Louis Saha are among those who tion from India’s top clubs. only two points behind Norwich Mauritania, three places above have reportedly signed up to play The clubs have yet to con- with four games remaining. Mauritius at the lower end of the in the league. firm they will release players Swansea City and West 54-nation FIFA Africa rankings, Tendulkar, who retired last for the tournament, which they Bromwich Albion are now three won the match through a mid- year as the world’s leading bats- said earlier would threaten their points ahead of them. first half Amadou Ba goal. man in both Test and one-day existence and ruin the exist- “There is still hope,” said The midfielder from French cricket, has joined hands with ing national I-League domestic Magath, the former Bayern Ligue 1 club Bastia curled a free- Hyderabad-based investor Prasad competition. Munich manager. kick past Mauritius goalkeeper Potluri to co-own the Kochi city Last year similar plans by “In the last weeks I was hope- Aboobakar Augustin at a near- franchise. football officials in West Bengal ful we would be able to man- full 40,000-seat Stade Olympique. “I will always remain a sports- state for a franchise-based age the situation and win some Morocco-based Moussa man at heart who is keen to posi- league featuring fading stars like games and now we have won two Karamoko squandered several tively impact the sporting fabric Argentina’s Crespo and Italy’s games in a row. It helps us to be chances to give Mauritania a of the nation,” Tendulkar said in Fabio Cannavaro failed to take confident. bigger lead before goalkeeper a statement. off. “And now there are more peo- Souleymane Diallo rescued the “The Indian Super League India, ranked a lowly 145th in ple than four weeks ago who are home team with two reflex saves. presents a great opportunity to the world and 25th in Asia, has thinking we will stay in the league. The match was the first of develop a platform for youngsters seen a surge in football’s popu- We didn’t play so well but there 128 stretching to November that to learn and enhance their tal- larity due to live television cov- was a lot of pressure on the play- will decide which 15 countries ent to develop into outstanding erage of matches played around ers. At the moment, three points join hosts Morocco at the 2015 players.” the globe. is the only thing that counts. tournament. Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady vies for the ball with Sheffield United’s Ganguly, a former India Test Star TV, which also beams “Two wins in a row is very nice Mauritius qualified for the 1974 Bob Harris (left) during their FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley captain, will team up with La Liga English Premier League matches but it is not enough to stay up so Africa Cup of Nations -- then an Stadium, in London, Britain, yesterday. leaders Atletico and three Indian to the country, roped in India’s we have to take care we get more eight-team event. AFP businessmen to co-own the team cricket captain Mahendra Singh points.” AGENCIES Monday 14 April 2014 14 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6035 Sport Price: QR2

NBA: Hawks Kipsang clinch play-off sets London spot Marathon record

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Hull fightback clinches Cup Emotional Liverpool on top Final berth

LONDON: Hull City staged a stirring second half fightback to book their first FA Cup final as Chelsea stay in title hunt appearance with a thrilling 5-3 win over Sheffield United at Wembley yesterday. Steve Bruce’s side survived a Rodgers’ side defeats Man City to inch closer to Premier League title stern test from the League One underdogs in a sensational semi- final and will face Arsenal on May LONDON: Liverpool beat the victory by installing Liverpool 17 in the first major Cup final in Manchester City 3-2 in a dra- as title favourites. Hull’s 110-year history. matic and emotionally-charged “Today is an historic day as United led through Jose Baxter game at Anfield yesterday to Liverpool have never been favour- and although Yannick Sagbo move within touching distance ites to win the Premier League equalised Stefan Scougall restored of the Premier League title. title since its formation over 20 their advantage before half-time. Demba Ba’s goal earned Chelsea years ago,” said a spokesman for The Premier League team a 1-0 win at 10-man Swansea William Hill. finally made their extra qual- City and kept them two points City felt they should have had ity tell after the interval and behind leaders Liverpool with four a late penalty for a handling goals from Matty Fryatt, Tom matches left in the season. offence by Martin Skrtel, but they Huddlestone, Stephen Quinn and Chelsea visit Liverpool in a paid for a poor first half-hour in David Meyler secured victory in potential title decider on April 27 which they fell behind to goals by Hull’s first FA Cup semi-final for when victory for Jose Mourinho’s Raheem Sterling, the 19-year- 84 years despite Jamie Murphy’s team could let in City, who trail old who hopes to win a place in late reply for United. the Merseyside club by seven England’s World Cup squad, and “We are absolutely delighted. points but have two games in Skrtel. We needed one hell of a turn- hand. Spanish international David around but the one thing you Emotions were running high all Silva led a City revival by scoring can’t do with this team is write day at Anfield as the club com- in the 56th minute and forcing an them off,” Bruce said. memorated 25 years since the own goal from Glen Johnson five “There are always going to be Hillsborough disaster in which minutes later. nerves and it is how you handle 96 of their supporters died at an But 12 minutes from the it. We certainly found it difficult FA Cup semi-final. end a mis-kick by City captain in the first half, but we won OK There was a minute’s silence Vincent Kompany gave Philippe in the end.” United boss Nigel before kick-off and captain Countinho the opportunity to Clough added: “We are proud of Steven Gerrard, whose 10 year- drive in the winner. the players’ efforts, but we are a old cousin was one of those killed, In stoppage-time midfielder bit disappointed because we were finished the afternoon in tears Jordan Henderson was sent off for so close.” before gathering his team in a a lunging tackle at Samir Nasri Clough’s men, the first third celebratory huddle. and he will miss three of the last tier team to reach this stage Gerrard refused to talk up the four games. Liverpool’s Philippe Courtinho (obscured) celebrates scoring against Manchester City with team-mates during of the competition since 2001, possibility of Liverpool’s first title The crucial one of those looks their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, yesterday. had already defeated Premier since 1990 after leading his side to to be the visit of Chelsea, who League opposition in Aston Villa a 10th successive victory. laboured to beat relegation- and Fulham en route to the last “That win means so much, that threatened Swansea despite play- “The pressure is still on the in hand we will be a point behind clear chances to win the game. four and they snapped tigerishly is such a big result for us,” he told ing most of the match against 10 teams above and below us.” Liverpool, who still have to play They also played very well, espe- into their tackles in the opening Sky Sports. men. Manchester City’s manager Chelsea. The title does not finish cially the first 20 minutes. moments. “But nothing is ours yet. The Chico Flores was sent off for Manuel Pellegrini insisted his today.” “There was a clear penalty Hull were unable to establish important thing now is not to get two yellow cards in the first team can still regain the Premier Pellegrini, who joined City when Martin Skrtel had a hand- any momentum and it was no carried away with that result.” quarter of an hour, the Spanish League title they lost last season from Malaga last May, has said ball but I don’t think the result more than the Blades deserved Manager Brendan Rodgers, who defender’s second dismissal in six despite Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by it would be “bad for football” if today was because of the referee, when they took the lead in the has revitalised the team in two weeks. leaders Liverpool. Chelsea won the title because they who had a good game.” 19th minute. seasons since taking over, hailed Chelsea dominated from then The result left them seven are too defensive but he was more Four of City’s final six games John Brayford crossed from “a remarkable performance”. on but could not break through points behind the Merseysiders complimentary about Liverpool. are at home, where they have won wide on the right and Baxter “I thought we were incredible until Ba, whose goal knocked with two games in hand, the “It was a very pretty match 14 of 15 League games this season. timed his run perfectly to poke today,” he said. “We showed so out Paris Saint-Germain in a first at home to bottom club as it was two teams who like to After hosting Sunderland they home at the near-post. much spirit and quality. We have Champions League quarter-final Sunderland on Wednesday. attack,” he said. “We deserved entertain West Bromwich Albion, United’s dominance in the first been put under pressure in a very on Tuesday, scored in the 67th “We are still going to fight,” the a better result. We are very then play away games at Crystal half was so pronounced that their big game but you can see from the minute. Chilean told Sky Sports. unlucky. Palace and Everton before home supporters broke into chants of quality of our football that we are “Patience was the key today,” “A lot of things will happen “We played very well second matches in the final week of the ‘Ole’ as their team played keep- coping with it.” their captain John Terry told Sky between now and the end of the half when there was only one campaign against Aston Villa and ball for a long spell. British bookmakers reacted to Sports. season. If we win our two games team on the pitch and we had West Ham United. AGENCIES AFP Marquez wins in Texas to extend perfect start

AUSTIN: World champion At the front, Marquez charged champion last season, stormed Marc Marquez cruised to vic- away from the field and was never from sixth place on the grid under tory in the Grand Prix of the threatened, keeping Pedrosa in rain-filled skies to take victory by Americas yesterday to register second place. 4.009sec from pole sitter Esteve his second win in two races this Italy’s Andrea Iannone on a Rabat. season but he admitted it was a Ducati carved his way through Vinales, riding a Kalex, boring triumph. the field from ninth place and set- had finished in fourth spot in The Spaniard repeated his tled into third in the early stages. Qatar where fellow Spaniard maiden Texas MotoGP success Valentino Rossi, on the second Rabat, also on a Kalex, had tri- from 2013 when he also won from factory Yamaha and who was run- umphed. Dominique Aegerter of pole position. ner-up in Qatar behind Marquez, Switzerland was third Sunday on Marquez, who won the sea- was fourth at the halfway mark. a Suter. son-opener in Qatar last month But the veteran Italian slipped Australia’s Jack Miller won his despite breaking his leg four back down the field as he strug- second successive Moto3 race. weeks earlier, finished 4.174sec gled with grip on his front tyre. The 19-year-old, who cap- ahead of Honda teammate Dani Such were his problems that tured his maiden race victory Pedrosa with Ducati’s Andrea even the satellite Yamaha riders in Qatar, had started on pole Dovizioso taking third place, a of Aleix Espargaro and Bradley on his KTM. huge 20 seconds off the lead. Smith comfortably swept past He then survived a series of “I am so happy for this vic- him. challenges from fellow KTM rider tory. The start was good and the Marquez’s lead over Pedrosa Romano Fenati, who was second, 25 points important for the team had grown to five seconds with and Efren Vazquez on a Honda, on even if the race was a little bor- four laps to go while Dovizioso, the last two laps to secure victory. ing,” said Marquez. who had started in 10th, was up “I felt strong on the brakes. In a dramatic start, the 2010 to third. That’s always been one of my and 2012 world champion Jorge Rossi was eventually eighth, strong points, maybe too strong Lorenzo had a jump start from 45sec off the pace, while Lorenzo as it can kill the exit speed,” said fifth on the grid. fought his way back to 10th place. Queensland native Miller who The Spaniard had to endure a Spain’s Maverick Vinales won won by just 0.069sec. Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Marquez of Spain (L) and an unidentified team member wave from the podium compulsory ride-through the pit his first career Moto2 race with “But here it works really well. after winning the MotoGP race at the US Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas lane on his factory Yamaha at the a commanding victory. I’m stoked to have won, I led every in Austin, Texas, USA, yesterday. end of the first lap. Vinales, the Moto3 world lap.” AFP