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Tuesday 25 March 2014 24 Jumadal I 1435 - Volume 19 Number 5614 Price: QR2

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Business | 17 Sport | 28

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Emir arrives in Kuwait Malaysian jet EU delegation hints at crashed at sea KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said yesterday that a missing jetliner had crashed into the Indian Ocean, an announce- sponsorship reform ment that was greeted with a demand by China that Kuala Lumpur share all the evidence Visiting European Parliament team satisfied with talks it had on the incident. Citing satellite data analysis by DOHA: A change in the spon- now. I’m very, very confident that migrant workers to change jobs the British company Inmarsat, sorship law is expected to be this time it is not far away,” said freely. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib made by Qatari authorities David, on the sidelines of a press The delegation held discussions Razak said that Malaysia Airlines soon, according to a European conference yesterday. about migrant workers with the Flight MH370, which vanished Parliament delegation visiting “We are absolutely satisfied Prime Minister and Interior more than a fortnight ago while Doha. with what has been told,” he Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah flying to Beijing from Kuala Mario David, chair of the added. bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Lumpur, had crashed thousands delegation, said they had been The delegation will report to the Shura council speaker, of miles away in the southern informed of a significant change the European Parliament about H E Muhammad bin Mubarak Al Indian Ocean. All 239 people on to be made in the ‘kafala’ system; its observations in Doha. Khulaifi, other representatives of board were presumed dead. however, a time frame was not “The next (European) par- the government and the Shura See also page 11 specified. liament, when it convenes next Council, members of the Supreme The six-member delegation September, will certainly do a Committee for Delivery and Death for 529 is on a two-day visit to see the follow-up, but then almost sure, Legacy, which is in charge of prep- working and living conditions of already with the new law,” David arations for the 2022 World Cup, Mursi supporters migrant workers. said. and civil society representatives. “We have witnessed the com- Earlier, speaking at the press The delegation appreciated CAIRO: A court sentenced 529 mitment of the government, and conference, David said the Qatar Qatari authorities’ openness on supporters of deposed Islamist even among the teams that are government should give serious issues related to migrant workers. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Kuwait yes- president Mohamed Mursi to working on the subject. They have consideration to alternatives to Continued on page 4 terday to participate in the two-day Arab summit, which starts today. death yesterday after just two told us at what stage the work is the sponsorship system and allow THE PENINSULA The Emir was received at Kuwait International Airport by Kuwaiti’s Emir hearings. H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. Legal experts said the shock verdict would likely be overturned on appeal because the court had rushed the trial without following the required procedures. See also page 6 Gas from open pizza oven caused restaurant blast G7 snubs Russia DOHA: The explosion in to Woqod, had not exploded — as criminal court after completing incident and samples from the ignited by electric sparks from Istanbul Restaurant at Q-Mart initially suspected — and it had the investigation, according to debris were sent to the lab for some appliance, probably pro- summit fuel station near Landmark remained intact after the blast. earlier reports. analysis. duced by the automatic function- Mall on February 27, which The investigation report vindi- The ministry called a press The investigation team set up ing of a refrigerator, explained Al THE HAGUE: The G7 group of killed 11 people and injured 35, cates claims by senior Woqod offi- conference yesterday to announce by the ministry found that the Obaidly. top economic powers yesterday was caused by gas from an open cials that the 1,000-litre gas tank the findings of the investigation blast had occurred as a result He said there was no proof of said they would hold a meet- pizza oven at the restaurant, was not responsible for the blast. but did not give details about the of gas leaking from a pizza oven sabotage. ing in Brussels without Russia the Ministry of Interior dis- The report also ruled out the case. that was left open. The restau- The explosion was not centred instead of the wider G8 summit closed yesterday. possibility of sabotage, saying that Addressing the press confer- rant was closed at the time of in any particular area and if any that was to have taken place in Announcing the findings of no remnants of any explosives or ence, Brigadier Hassan Ahmed Al the blast, which occurred at 10.11 explosives had been involved the Sochi, as they sought to deepen an official investigation into the other supportive evidence was Obaidly, director of the Forensic am. It had been closed for several impact would have been stronger, Moscow’s isolation over the incident, the ministry said that found at the site. Lab Department at the ministry, hours, since 2 am or 3 am. he said. Ukraine crisis. the LPG tank on the rooftop of The Public Prosecution has said that forensic experts had The gas from the open oven Continued on page 4 See also page 10 the restaurant, which belonged decided to refer the case to a visited the site soon after the filled the restaurant and got THE PENINSULA AGENCIES TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar, UK sign Letter of Intent International maritime defence expo opens DIMDEX 2014 draws participants, warships from 65 countries

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met British Home Secretary Theresa May and her delegation and reviewed relations and issues of mutual interest. They also witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Interior Ministry and the Home Office of the UK and Northern Ireland. UN official to address Rota forum DOHA: Wilfried Lemke, UN peace and encouraging dialogue, met Rota youth and motivated Special Adviser on Sport for collaboration and partnerships. them on the power of sport and Development and Peace, will Since International Year of physical activity in bringing address 450 youth participants Sport and Physical Education in together people from different Officials at the pre-show press conference yesterday. at the Empower 2014 confer- 2005, UN member states have social, economic, cultural and ence which opens on Thursday highlighted the role of sport in religious backgrounds. DOHA: DIMDEX 2014, the Conference (MENC) Director, Al Sulaiti, Managing Director, at HBKU Student Centre. development and peace in their “We have to use sport as a tool fourth International Maritime Clarion Events, followed by a Nakilat and Chairman of NDSQ The sixth conference by Reach national legislation and policies. for development in all over the Defence Exhibition, officially Q&A session with panellists and N-KOM, said: “DIMDEX Out To Asia (Rota) will focus on “I regret that I am not able to world, and NGOs such as Rota, opened yesterday at Qatar where the outline of DIMDEX is an excellent opportunity for leadership, service learning and join this important event that have been at the forefront in uti- National Convention Centre, was discussed. Nakilat, NDSQ and N-KOM to global citizenship under the theme truly empowers young people to lising the power of sport to help seeing participation from more The exhibition and conference raise the profile of their shipbuild- ‘Sports for Youth Empowerment’. take active roles in building com- youth inspire and invoke change than 175 exhibitors as well as space has grown from 12,000sqm ing and ship repair capabilities, In particular, organisers will be munities and have a voice on glo- in their communities,” he said. over 80 delegations from 53 in 2012 to now over 21,000sqm. with emphasis on the high level integrating sports, the environ- bal issues. “‘Sport for Change’ is a philoso- countries and 20 visiting war- Leading manufacturers of naval of service we are able to offer. ment, skills development and the “I am pleased that Rota phy we should all believe in. Use ships from 12. maritime security equipment are Our participation reinforces our Arabic language as key themes of has selected ‘Sports for Youth sport as a medium to create posi- Open daily from today until showcasing their latest solutions companies’ commitment to con- the programme. Empowerment’ as the theme for tive behaviour, break down nega- March 27, it is the largest naval for maritime defence and pro- tinued growth of Qatar’s premier Lemke is providing a video the conference, as sport accu- tive stereotypes and build positive maritime expo to be hosted in the tection of critical offshore infra- shipyard in support of a diversi- message to the conference. rately has the power to change attitudes”, he told Rota youth. Middle East and North Africa structure. Highlights include the fied and sustainable future for Previously, he met Rota youth lives for the better, especially for Essa Al Mannai, Rota region to date. MENC conference on March 26 the country, as outlined in Qatar to share thoughts on sports and young people,” said Lemke. Executive Director, said: “We are Exhibitors are showcasing which will bring together the National Vision 2030.” human development. “I would like to congratulate privileged to have the video mes- domains of the naval and mari- region’s naval commanders and Boeing is showcasing a diverse Lemke, appointed by UN Rota for sharing the same vision sage of Lemke for the event. I am time defence, including anti- their international counterparts. portfolio of products, and capabili- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the UN that sport can be a sure it will help convince young piracy, diving and underwater Sessions will discuss unmanned ties it can provide customers in the on 18 March 2008, has acquired powerful tool to promote edu- people to take leadership roles in operations and vehicles, mari- systems, helicopters, protection region. Products include AH-64E extensive experience in sports and cation, health, development and addressing local and international time awareness and technology of offshore critical infrastruc- Apache helicopter, Airborne Early politics. peace. Sport unites people of all developmental issues of concern and naval aviation. ture, maritime border security, Warning & Control surveillance As special adviser, he is respon- social classes, cultures, religions to them, especially in the area They also showcasing interna- C4ISR technologies and special aircraft, AH-6i light attack and sible for promoting understand- and backgrounds in a positive and of sustainable development and tional warships and vessels of dif- operations. reconnaissance helicopter, F-15 ing and support for sport as an educational way,” he added. sports.” ferent classes, including frigates, LNG shipping company Nakilat and F/A-18 tactical fighters and instrument for development and Heading to the forum, Lemke THE PENINSULA corvettes, minesweeper and the and its shipyard joint ventures, unmanned aerial systems, includ- Kilo Class submarine, berthed at shipbuilder Nakilat Damen ing ScanEagle and Integrator. Doha Commercial Port. Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) and Boeing’s large space fea- This year, the naval and mari- ship repairer Nakilat-Keppel tures models, visual displays, an time industry has seen a very Offshore & Marine (N-KOM), are Advanced F-15 fighter simulator, high demand for surface ships showcasing world-class capabili- console demonstrators and prod- and growth in amphibious ves- ties of Qatar’s premier shipyard. uct information via video displays. sels being showcased at DIMDEX. Nakilat, NDSQ and N-KOM Its maritime capabilities in com- The Qatar Naval Aviation and are promoting Erhama Bin Jaber mand, control, communications, Amphibious Forces, which work Al Jalahma Shipyard and Qatar’s computers, intelligence, surveil- in collaboration with Emiri Naval marine industry and are diamond lance and reconnaissance area are Forces, are also taking part. sponsors of the event. also featured. Warships arrived yesterday, fol- Delegates from around the Thales, which has been oper- lowed by a pre-show press confer- world are visiting Nakilat, NDSQ ating in Qatar for over 30 years ence hosted by Staff Brig. (SEA) and N-KOM at stand H5-15. and is a long-standing partner of Abdulbaqi Al Ansari, Deputy Nakilat and NDSQ are also the Qatar Armed Forces, is also Chairman and Board Member, exhibiting two vessels at Doha participating. It is highlighting its Tim Porter, Managing Director, Commercial Port — an 11-metre- activities in underwater warfare, Defence & Security, Clarion long ultra-high-speed craft and above water solutions, maritime Events, Bob Nugent, Market a 98-metre-long frigate, both surveillance systems, naval com- Analyst and Media Support, AMI customised for use by maritime munications, and electronic war- International, and James Souza, security forces. fare systems at its Stand H4-35 Wilfried Lemke, UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, (fourth right) with Rota officials and youth. Middle East Naval Commanders Engineer Abdullah Fadhalah (Hall 4). THE PENINSULA Fifth round of aid given to Syrian refugees

DOHA: The fifth round of duties and committed to stand- relief allocated by Qatar Red ing by our Syrian brothers in Crescent (QRC) has been dis- their tragedy. We spare no effort tributed to Syrian families in to alleviate their suffering until Friesian, the Mount Lebanon they return home in complete Governorate, in the presence security and with untouched of UN High Commissioner for dignity.” Refugees (UNHCR), AntHnio Distribution campaigns con- Guterres. tinue across Lebanon under Guterres thanked the Emir the supervision of QRC and in H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad cooperation with the Office of Al Thani for the government’s UNHCR as part of an agree- efforts to mitigate the suffering ment with UNHCR, in which of refugees. QRC pledged to provide $20m So far, more than 2,000 of worth of international-standard targeted 24,000 families have relief. Under the deal signed benefited from Qatari aid, each last December, the UN agency receiving five bed mattresses, undertakes distribution of five woollen blankets, one Qatari aid across Lebanon. Basic supplies allocated by QRC in Lebanon before distribution. hygiene kit, one tarpaulin sheet, During interviews with some and one heater with attached families on the sidelines of the funnels and containers, in addi- event, one elderly woman talked before she received aid for the bitter cold in the region. tion to heating oil coupons. about how she and her family first time. The Emiri grant was wel- Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, had been living in sever dis- Aid distribution is an attempt comed by families, most of Secretary-General, QRC, said, tress for six months in Lebanon, to change the difficult situation whom received aid for the first “QRC remains dedicated to its hardly finding food and warmth, facing refugees, worsened by the time. THE PENINSULA

HMC appoints new dentistry chairman DOHA: International dental “Prof de Vries’ extensive back- opportunities to share world-class expert Professor Johann de Vries ground in dental leadership, edu- knowledge among our clinicians (pictured) has been appointed cation and practice, coupled with to achieve the best possible out- as Chairman of the Department strong dedication to his patients comes for our patients.” He most of Dentistry at Hamad Medical and solid knowledge of the region, recently held the position of Dean Corporation (HMC). uniquely positions him to lead at University of Adelaide’s School He has 30 years of dentistry the department,” said Hanan Al of Dentistry, Australia. experience functioning in clinical, Kuwari, Managing Director, HMC. The department is based in education and senior leadership “His appointment is part of Rumailah Hospital and the OPD roles. our commitment to establish Annex. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 National Library to unveil new identity Logo inspired by design of new building under construction

One of the winners receiving his prize at the event. The new Qatar National Library building under construction in Education City.

DOHA: Qatar National researchers and the community. founded the Heritage Collection Four-day global food festival Library (QNL) will unveil “Resources include free offer- in 1979, and it now provides an its new brand identity today, ing of a vast collection of online unparalleled array of historical inspired by the architec- databases to all residents. sources about Qatar and the tural design of its new build- “The new logo has been region. It includes writings by ing under construction in inspired by the unique archi- travellers and explorers who draws over 120,000 visitors Education City. tectural design of QNL’s new visited the Gulf over the centu- The new logo is emblematic building, which symbolises the ries, Arab manuscripts, histori- DOHA: More than 120,000 visi- with demonstrations by TV Chef Um Sara, the second prize win- of the library’s state-of-the-art library’s vision of bridging with cal maps and globes, as well as tors attended the fifth annual Ramzi Choueiri, Chef Aysha Al ner, won 100,000 Privilege Club facilities and use of latest tech- knowledge Qatar’s heritage and scientific instruments and early Qatar International Food Tamimi and others. Qmiles and six tickets to Dinner nologies to bridge the country’s future,” said Dr Claudia Lux, photography. Festival (QIFF) which con- Thousands of social media users in the Sky. past and future through knowl- Project Director, QNL. QNL’s heritage material, doc- cluded on Sunday at Museum of across Qatar took to Instagram, Mohamed Nageeb won the edge sharing. The brand launch coincides umenting a wealth of Arab and Islamic Art (MIA) Park. Twitter and Facebook to share third prize of 75,000 Qmiles and Over the past week, QNL has with the 20th annual confer- Islamic history, will be featured They treated themselves at 55 fun at the festival. four tickets to Dinner in the Sky. been teasing the public with ence and exhibition of Special through its Qatar Digital Library food stalls while enjoying numer- Organisers Qatar Airways and The hashtag #QIFF2014 had glimpses of its new logo on social Libraries Association (SLA) Portal, which will encompass ous family-friendly entertainment Qatar Tourism Authority con- been very during the four days of media platforms, without reveal- in Qatar this week. It brings other valuable digital content options, including shows featuring ducted social media contests on the festival, garnering more than ing its identity. together some of the world’s drawn from archives in the Gulf break dancers Pizzaioli, Delicious Instagram and Twitter which 934 mentions on Twitter. Instead, the library has cap- leading practitioners and experts and on Islamic civilisation. Food Comic Korean Chefs Nan-ta were an instant hit. More than 1,150 photos from tured the essence of its vision in the field of librarianship. In addition to book discus- and the Chefs’ Parade. Entrants were encouraged to the exhibition have been sub- through a series of cryptic Many high-profile guests and sion events and training ses- Many also enjoyed unique din- share photos of the festival on mitted to the Instagram contest phrases and descriptions. dignitaries, including Prince sions, QNL is offering free online ing experiences, including Dinner Instagram and Twitter using the and more than 2.5 million users “QNL is supporting Qatar on Charles, Prince of Wales, have access to its resources, includ- in the Sky, the BBQ Donut and hashtag #QIFF2014. were reached among Twitter its journey from a carbon-based viewed QNL’s impressive Arab ing latest bestsellers, classical Dinner on a Dhow. Abdulaziz Al Ajail won the first users, mentioning Qatar Airways, economy to a knowledge-based and Islamic Heritage Collection. works, concerts, top academic The Qatar Airways Cooking prize of two Qatar Airways round including retweets/replies, during economy by providing infor- H E Sheikh Hassan bin journals and documentaries. Theatre kept foodies entertained trip tickets to Brazil. the festival. THE PENINSULA mation resources to students, Mohammad bin Ali Al Thani THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME US National Day celebrated 6,482 sent home over health issues last year Found unfit during mandatory check-ups: Commission

DOHA: More than 80 per- A total of 452 workers were diseases. cent of foreigners who were found infected with hepatitis B People found infected with denied residential permits and and 83 with hepatitis C and 3,353 active TB virus are referred to repatriated last year on health were found unfit following x-ray Hamad Medical Corporation grounds were women, Medical of the chest. for treatment before leaving the Commission data shows. Newly recruited workers country but those having Aids are A total of 6,482 people, includ- undergo two tests — x-ray of the deported immediately. ing 5,274 women, were found chest and blood check-up, Dr People with a previous TB unfit during mandatory medical Ibrahim Al Shar, Director of the infection may be repatriated check-ups for residential permits, commission, told the daily. if they don’t belong to catego- Al Sharq reported. Chest x-ray is the same for all ries that have special skills and The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Women were also diagnosed categories of workers to check TB expertise. and the US Ambassador Susan L Ziadeh cutting a cake to mark the US National Day on Sunday. With them are with Aids, but were less in but blood tests are different for Unlike other GCC countries, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (third left), the Assistant Minister of number compared to men. Of the different segments. Qatar does not deport expat Foreign Affairs H E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi (second left) and other senior officials from the Foreign 194 people who tested HIV posi- However, blood tests for HIV/ workers who get HIV/Aids or tive, 141 were men and 53 women. Aids is mandatory for all. tuberculoses during their stay in Ministry. Business leaders, educators and members of the diplomatic corps were also present. Active tuberculosis virus was People working at eateries, the country. detected in 269 people, including food outlets and health facilities On the contrary, they are pro- 238 men and 31 women, while as well as domestic helps must vided with proper medical serv- 2,125 people were found to be suf- undergo additional tests for hepa- ices and treatment, said Al Shar. European Parliament team fering from the disease. titis B and C and other infectious THE PENINSULA urges stronger Qatar ties DOHA: A delegation of the 2005,” Angelika Niebler, head of and culture. The main challenge European Parliament has called the delegation, told a press con- in the fields is to combine moder- for deepening strategic ties ference yesterday. nity and tradition and empower between EU and Qatar. “The delegation calls for deep- women in Qatari society, it said. The parliament’s standing dele- ening strategic ties between EU “A strengthened EU-Qatari gation for relations with the Arab and Qatar,” she adding. partnership in all these fields Peninsula is on a two-day visit to The team held separate meet- would contribute to achiev- Doha. ings with the Prime Minister and ing Qatar’s goal of developing As a key supplier of LNG to Interior Minister H E Sheikh a knowledge-based society and Europe, Qatar is a vital partner Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa economy. The delegation encour- for European energy security, the Al Thani, the Speaker of Shura ages Qatari efforts to diversify the delegation said, welcoming Qatar’s Council H E Muhammad bin country’s economy,” Niebler said. FROM LEFT: Brig. Hamad Al Duhaimi, Director, Operations Department at General Directorate of Civil Defence, commitment to support EU in its Mubarak Al Khulaifi and the The delegation also discussed Brig. Ali Khujaim Al Adhbi, Assistant Director, Capital Security Department, and head of inquiry team, Brig. Hassan efforts to diversify sources of its Minister of Culture, Arts and political and security situation Ahmed Al Obaidly, Director, Forensic Department at the Interior Ministry, and Col. Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, energy supply. Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin in the region, in particular the Director, Public Relations Department at the ministry during the press conference at the headquarter of National Given the extent of trade rela- Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and dis- Syrian civil war, the volatile situ- Command Centre yesterday. tions with Qatar, the delegation cussed issues of mutual interest. ation in Egypt, the Middle East hoped the country can promote The also met senior govern- peace process, GCC relations and a region-to-region free trade ment officials and representatives latest developments in Iran. agreement. of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, It also praised Qatar’s efforts Blast probe report sent to prosecution “EU–GCC relations have devel- Qatar Investment Authority and to mediate in international con- oped positively in the past few Qatar Gas. flicts and encouraged all GCC Continued from page 1 of the accused, Al Adhbi said and asked to replace them with years, although negotiations on The delegation noted that countries to resolve their differ- Assistant Director of the security agencies were respon- electric stoves. a free trade agreement – which there was possibility of expand- ences through dialogue, according Capital Security Department and sible for gathering information, A Civil Defence team has would expand trade significantly ing cooperation in areas such as to Niebler. head of the inquiry team, Brig. Ali and it is not their responsibility been conducting inspections to – have been at a deadlock since research, education, technology THE PENINSULA Khujaim Al Adhbi, said the role to accuse any one. “All the infor- ensure all eateries abide safety of the team was to gather evi- mation collected from the people procedures. Most of them have dence in collaboration with other involved, witnesses and surveil- responded positively while some security agencies such as Civil lance cameras have been referred were shut for failure to abide by Defence, Criminal Investigation to the public prosecution which regulations. and Criminal Evidences and will decide who shall be accused Al Duhaimi urged the public Information. based on the findings.” to report anything they notice “The team utilised the serv- The Director of the Operations which can harm safety of people ice of experts and technicians Department at General and properties. to collect evidence and samples Directorate of Civil Defence, Brig. The Director of Public from the scene, in the presence Hamad Al Duhaimi, said after Relations Department at the of public prosecution representa- the incident, the directorate had ministry, Col. Abdullah Khalifa tives who supervised investigation taken measures to ensure effec- Al Muftah said the operating proceedings.” tive implementation of the law room receives reports and com- He said the findings have been to protect citizens, residents and plaints round-the-clock on 999. forwarded to the public prosecu- public and private properties. The department also welcomes all Angelika Niebler (second left) and Mario David (second right) with other members of European Parliament, at the tion to complete its own investiga- As part of it, restaurants at fuel type of communications, inquiries press conference yesterday. ABDUL BASIT tion and proceedings. stations have been banned from and information through its chan- To a question on the number using LPG cylinders and tanks nels. THE PENINSULA Meeting on religious freedom begins

DOHA: A meeting to all and share experiences. promote religious free- They will also present dom and inter-religion attitudes and experiences cooperation within the of governments and reli- framework of the follow- gious dialogue institu- up initiative of ‘Istanbul tions and challenges in 16/18 to combat intoler- the protection of religious ance and discrimination freedom. based on religion’ began Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al at the Marriott Hotel Nuaimi, Board Chairman Doha yesterday. of Doha International It brings together repre- Centre for Interfaith sentatives of 50 countries Dialogue, delivered the to discuss issues concerned keynote opening address. with religious freedom for QNA EU team calls for time table for reforms Continued from page 1 “The Qatari authorities have also assured (us of) aim- ing at raising awareness among migrant workers about their rights, the planned construction of new accommo- dation centres with appropriate facilities, and efforts to establish effective monitoring mechanisms,” said David. However, the delegation stressed the importance of effective implementation of existing legislation aimed at protecting migrant workers, establishing a credible time table for planned reforms and ensuring they are guaranteed via benchmarks. The delegation urged authorities to step up efforts to enforce a ban on confiscation of passports and ensure accountability and prosecution of all violators of laws designed to protect migrant workers. It also discussed the condition of domestic workers, women’s rights and human trafficking with officials and visited detention and deportation centres and spoke to some migrant detainees. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Pakistan National Day marked

The Assistant Foreign Minister H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi (second left) and Pakistan Charge d’Affaires Malik Mohamed Farooq cutting a cake in the presence of Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla Thani Al Thani (left), Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (second right) and another dignitary during a reception marking Pakistan’s National Day at the Diplomatic Club on Sunday. ABDUL BASIT Circle of Sound arriving for British Festival 2014 DOHA: The music duo Circle With a growing musical vision, honoured to welcome them to of Sound is arriving for the first Circle of Sound will launch its Doha on their first visit to Qatar.” time on March 30. They will second album Anti Hero in Qatar. Datta said: “We are thrilled to perform at Al Rayyan Theatre, It features collaborations with be performing in Doha. This is Souq Waqif, as part of the iconic musicians Nitin Sawhney such an exciting opportunity for British Festival 2014. and Anoushka Shankar. The us to support the festival. Circle of Sound is a col- performance in Doha will be the “Having collaborated with laboration between composer first stop on the Anti Hero inter- British Council over the past few Soumik Datta on the 19-string national tour. years, we have had the privilege sarod, and drummer Bernhard Martin Hope, Director of of working with some incred- Schimpelsberger. British Council Qatar, said: “We ible local talent. We have been Hailed as the ‘vanguard of are excited to be welcoming Circle amazed by the dedication and British Asian music’ (BBC), their of Sound. As music brings people skills local musicians hold. It’s sound resonates with deep Indian of all backgrounds and walks of truly inspiring.” ragas, urban beats, glockenspiels life together in a way no other The Circle of Sound perform- and a spirited rock attitude. activity does, this performance ance is as part of the festival, a They have now expanded to speaks its own language to all collaboration between the council, include orchestral strings, live residents in Qatar. the British embassy and UKTI. electronics and award-winning “After the Circle of Sound’s Tickets can be purchased at special guests, including singer- premiere at Alchemy 2011, they Virgin Megastore in Villaggio and songwriter Fiona Bevan, Laura have toured the world, represent- Landmark malls: http://tickets. Stanford, Rosabella Gregory and ing the best of new British music, virginmegastore.me. Danial Keane. winning over audiences. We are THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Trial of Gaddafi 529 Mursi backers sentenced to death sons, aides to 16 acquitted; Brotherhood demands army downfall, relatives decry court verdict open on April 14

CAIRO: An Egyptian court The 545 defendants in the TRIPOLI: The trial of two sons yesterday sentenced to death case were charged with murder, and dozens of top aides of top- 529 supporters of ousted attempted murder and stealing pled Libyan dictator Muammar Islamist president Mohamed government weapons in connec- Gaddafi is to open on April 14, a Mursi in connection to an tion with an attack on a police prosecution official said in a sur- attack on a police station that station in August in the town of prise announcement yesterday. killed a policeman, convicting Matay in Minya province. One Seif Al Islam Gaddafi, Saadi them after only two sessions in police officer was killed in the Gaddafi and former spy chief a mass trial that raised an out- attack. The violence was part of Abdullah Senussi are among more cry from rights activists. rioting by Islamists around the than 30 officials from the ousted The verdicts are subject to country, sparked when security regime who are to stand trial on appeal and would likely be over- forces stormed two pro-Mursi sit- charges ranging from murder to turned, rights lawyers said. But ins in Cairo, killing hundreds of embezzlement. they said the swiftness and harsh- people on August 14. Former premiers Al Baghdadi ness of the rulings on such a large After the verdict was Al Mahmudi and Bouzid Dorda scale deepened concerns that announced, families of the defend- are also among those going on Egypt’s courts have been politi- ants protested outside the court trial from April 14, Seddik Al Sour, cised and that due process is being building in Minya, shouting, spokesman for the state prosecu- swept away amid a months-long “We will not be silenced” and tor’s office, told a news conference. crackdown on Mursi’s Muslim “down with military rule”. Police Charges against Gaddafi’s sons and Brotherhood supporters since the arrested three people from the aides include murder, kidnapping, military removed the president protest. Fears of a backlash by complicity in incitement to rape, last summer. Mursi supporters prompted secu- plunder, sabotage, embezzlement Egyptian authorities are hold- rity officials to go on alert around of public funds and acts harmful ing a series of mass trials of Mursi Minya province. to national unity. supporters, with anywhere from The Muslim Brotherhood, which Saadi Gaddafi, who was extra- dozens to hundreds of defendants has been largely driven under- dited from Mali earlier this month, at a time that have already raised ground, responded by calling for is to stand trial in the same case, worries among rights observers. the “downfall of military rule” said Sour. His older brother Seif Al Yesterday’s verdicts by a court in on its official website. Mohamed Relatives of supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi cry outside the courthouse, in the southern Islam, Gaddafi’s former heir appar- the city of Minya, south of Cairo, Mahsoub, who served as minister province of Minya, yesterday. ent, is being held by rebels in the were the first such mass trial to of legal affairs under Mursi, used western city of Zintan who have issue death sentences. his Facebook page to describe the time to review the hundreds of verdicts, warning that abuses of and other Islamist supporters refused to transfer him to Tripoli The court held two sessions. In court’s decision as “a ruling calling documents in the case, but the justice will fuel a backlash against have staged near-daily demon- for the trial. Sour said he could the first on Saturday, the judge for the execution of justice”. request was declined, El Koumi the military-backed government strations that usually descend stand trial via video conference angrily shouted down requests Mohammed Zarie, a Cairo- said. When the lawyers protested, that replaced Mursi. “Now the into violent street confrontations from his detention cell in Zintan. by defence lawyers for more time based human rights lawyer who Youssef shouted that they would coup is hanging itself by these with security forces. The military- Sour said the trial date was set to review the prosecution’s case was not involved in the case, said not dictate what he should do and void measures,” he said, speaking backed government has arrested at a hearing yesterday that was for the hundreds of defendants. the verdicts reflect has Egypt’s ordered court security to step in to the Qatari-based Al-Jazeera some 16,000 people in the ensuing “open to the public”, although In yesterday’s session, security judiciary is turning “from a tool between him and the lawyers. Mubashir Misr TV station. crackdown, including most of the the media were not informed forces barred defence lawyers for achieving justice to an instru- A security official in the court- Today, another mass trial Brotherhood leadership. in advance. According to state from entering the courtroom on ment for taking revenge”. “This is room said the defendants and the against Mursi’s supporters opens At the same time, militant news agency Lana, 23 out of 37 orders from the judge, the provin- way over the top and unaccept- lawyers disrupted the proceedings in a Minya court with 683 sus- bombings, suicide attacks and defendants were present, includ- cial police chief said. able,” he said. “This verdict could by chanting against the judge: pects facing similar charges. The other assaults — mostly by an ing Senussi and Mahmudi. “We didn’t have the chance be a precedent both in the history “God is our only refuge!” defendants in that case include Al Qaeda-inspired group — have The defendants are being pros- to say a word or to look at more of Egyptian courts and perhaps, “This is a black day in the his- Brotherhood leader Mohammed increased, targeting police and ecuted for gross abuses during than 3,000 pages of investigation tribunals elsewhere in the world.” tory of courts and in the world,” Badie, who also faces multiple military forces in retaliation for the 2011 uprising during which to see what evidence they are The offices of the interim presi- another defence lawyer, Yasser other trials, and senior members the crackdown. The authorities veteran strongman Gaddafi was talking about,” Khaled El Koumi, dent and prime minister did not Zidan said. “ I know that the of the group from Minya province. have blamed the Brotherhood for overthrown and killed. They were a lawyer representing 10 of the immediately respond to requests court of appeals will overturn Egypt’s military toppled Mursi the violence, branding it a terror- charged last October. In February, defendants, told The Associated for comment on the verdict. the verdict but what I am crying in July after four days of massive ist organisation and confiscating Human Rights Watch said Seif Al Press. All but around 150 of the During the first session on about is the downfall of the justice demonstrations by his opponents its assets. The group has denied Islam and Senussi had complained defendants in the case were tried Saturday, defense lawyers asked in Egypt today.” demanding he step down for abus- any links to the attacks and has of having had no legal represen- in absentia. The judges acquitted the presiding judge, Said Youssef, A senior Brotherhood figure, ing power during his year in office. denounced the violence. tation during interrogation and 16 defendants. to postpone the case to give them Ibrahim Moneir, denounced the Since then, Mursi’s Brotherhood AP/REUTERS pre-trial hearings. AFP

Benflis slams Bouteflika’s 15-year reign

BLIDA: Algerian presiden- tial candidate Ali Benflis yes- terday slammed the record of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, saying the ailing incumbent had failed to push through reforms despite 15 years in power. At a rally in Blida, west of the capital, the former prime minis- ter described as “unsatisfactory” the state of the country’s health and education sectors, judiciary Journalists stand in court’s cage during their trial for allegedly spreading and civil freedoms. “He who is false information, in Cairo, yesterday. unable to rule should not blame others... Fifteen years were not enough for their reforms and Jazeera’s Greste says today they demand another five,” he said of Bouteflika’s bid for a fourth term. The 77-year-old leader’s deci- charges baseless sion to seek re-election on April 17 despite serious health problems, CAIRO: Al Jazeera’s Australian were raided by police. Police later which confined him to hospital in reporter Peter Greste, on trial leaked footage of the arrest and Paris for three months last year, in Egypt with fellow journalists, an interrogation with Fahmy, in has drawn heavy criticism not only said in court yesterday that he which he tried to explain to them in opposition ranks but also from and his colleagues have spent how journalists work. some within the regime. three months in jail on “base- “We want to be free. We didn’t “Neither the doctors nor the less” charges. do anything wrong,” Fahmy told patients are satisfied with the Greste was speaking to report- reporters at yesterday’s hearing. state of the health sector... The ers from a caged dock as the court Egypt’s interim president Adly teachers lack everything, and heard testimonies from five wit- Mansour has pledged to help when they protest they are nesses, including three secu- resolve the controversial trial, in repressed by the police,” Benflis rity officers. The case, in which letters written to the families of told the crowd of around 800 17 others are also charged, has Greste and Fahmy. people. sparked an international outcry “The letters from the president In his speech on the second and fuelled fears of a crackdown are very important. They guaran- day of election campaigning, the on the press by Egypt’s military- tee the trial will be fair and they former judge and justice minis- installed authorities. state the judiciary is independ- ter reserved particularly scath- Greste and two other journal- ent,” Fahmy said. The trial was ing criticism for the Algerian ists with Al Jazeera English are adjourned to March 31. judiciary. “The judges have their charged with spreading false news The prosecution insists the jour- hands tied and obey the execu- and supporting the blacklisted nalists colluded with the Muslim tive, from appointments to Muslim Brotherhood of deposed Brotherhood and falsely sought to promotions to dismissals... The president Mohamed Mursi. portray Egypt in a state of “civil judiciary is not independent, “We haven’t seen any evidence war.” Before joining Doha-based which is why it doesn’t prosecute in the court that possibly justify Al Jazeera, Greste worked for the corruption,” he said. the charges or our imprisonment. BBC. He received the prestigious The human rights defender We spent three months in prison Peabody Award in 2011 for a docu- served as prime minister during based on baseless charges,” Greste mentary on Somalia. Fahmy previ- Bouteflika’s first term in office, said. Security personnel were ously worked for CNN. and is considered the biggest deployed outside the caged dock Baher Mohamed, their pro- threat to the ailing president’s and the defendants, including ducer is also on trial, while re-election chances. He was side- Al Jazeera English bureau chief Britons Sue Turton and Dominic lined from politics after running Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, wore Kane, and Dutch journalist Rena against the president in 2004, white prison uniforms. Netjes — who was indicted even winning only 6.4 percent of the Greste and Canadian-Egyptian though she did not work for the vote, compared with Bouteflika’s Fahmy were arrested in December channel — are abroad and being 85 percent. in a Cairo hotel suite they used tried in absentia. AFP as a bureau after their offices AFP TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Israelis, Palestinians endorse Arab peace plan Majority of Palestinians back extending talks with Israel beyond April 29 if inmates freed: Poll

JERUSALEM: A newly formed spar over the drawing of future group of Israeli and Palestinian borders, the status of Palestinian politicians yesterday urged the refugees, security arrangements Arab League to renew a com- and Israel’s demand that it be rec- prehensive peace offer to Israel, ognised as a Jewish state. saying such a gesture would give After months of deadlock, a much-needed boost to trou- Kerry has given up hopes of bled US-backed peace talks. brokering a deal and is scram- The group called on the Arab bling to persuade the sides to League to make a bold statement agree to extend talks beyond at its summit in Kuwait this week, his original April deadline. The saying this would pressure nego- Palestinians seek the West Bank, tiators to consider the 2002 Arab east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip Peace Initiative. The landmark — territories captured by Israel plan offered Israel peace with in the 1967 Mideast war — for a dozens of Arab and Muslim coun- future state. They have demanded tries in exchange for a withdrawal that a future border with Israel be from all territories captured in based on the pre-1967 lines. the 1967 Mideast war. The Arab initiative could theo- In a letter released yester- retically provide a way out of the day, the group said the initiative deadlock. Last year, shortly before “provides the fundamental foun- peace talks resumed, Kerry per- dation for a just, comprehensive suaded the Arab League to renew and lasting peace”. Known as the its offer and sweeten it by say- Prague Forum, the group consists ing Israel and the Palestinians of Israelis, Palestinians and other could modify their final border Arab parliamentarians. It was away from the 1967 lines through unveiled after over 40 politicians mutually agreed land swaps. and leaders began secret meetings Kerry praised the gesture at in Prague in February. the time. But Israel has never Hilik Bar, chair of the Knesset formally responded. Mohammed Caucus for the Solution of the Al Madani, who heads an offi- Arab-Israeli Conflict, praised cial governmental committee the new coalition for its efforts. in charge of outreach to Israel, A new cement block (centre) is lowered into place as repair work on Israel’s controversial separation barrier takes place after Palestinian protesters “It’s one thing to have a peace accused the Israeli government opened a hole two days ago, at the Aida Palestinian refugee camp near the West Bank town of Bethlehem, yesterday. agreement between Israel and of “foot-dragging” and “wasting Palestine,” said Bar, a member of time” while diminishing the pros- most Palestinians would reject veteran Palestinian prisoners the talks beyond their April 29 And a narrow majority of 51 the opposition Labour Party. “It’s pect of a feasible agreement. “We extending the faltering negotia- in four batches, in exchange for deadline. percent would support talks con- another thing to have Israel and continue to speak of a just peace,” tions. Some 65 percent of 1,200 the Palestinians refraining from Palestinians have rejoiced at tinuing if Israel froze its settlement Palestine as a joint partner in a he said, “but we don’t see it.” Palestinian adults interviewed pursuing legal action against the releases, seeing the inmates’ construction in the occupied West much bigger neighbourhood.” Meanwhile, a majority of this month by the Palestinian the Jewish state in international imprisonment as political, but Bank — a key sticking point that Israel and the Palestinians Palestinians would support Centre for Policy and Survey courts. Israelis have criticised the govern- has angered Palestinian negotia- relaunched peace talks last July, extending peace talks with Israel Research would support talks But after the release of a total ment for freeing men who were tors, and derailed the last round agreeing to talk for nine months. beyond an April deadline, but running to the end of the year of 78 inmates so far, Israeli cabi- convicted of killing Israeli civilians. of talks in 2010. The poll was con- The current round of peace only in exchange for the release “if Israel agrees to release more net ministers have warned that Should there be no releases beyond ducted in the West Bank and Gaza talks brokered by US Secretary of additional prisoners, according Palestinian prisoners”. the remaining prisoners will the 104 already agreed, 55 percent Strip between March 20-22, and of State John Kerry have faced to a poll published yesterday. Israel pledged, when talks not be freed on March 29 unless of Palestinians would reject carry- had a three percent error margin. daunting challenges as both sides Without this condition, began in July, to release 104 the Palestinians agree to extend ing on the talks, the survey said. AP/AFP

Syria aid access ‘challenging’ Militants kill 20 Saudi clerics urge faithful to security men shun ‘Islamic’ superhero series UNITED NATIONS: UN chief in Yemen raid Ban Ki-moon reported yester- Battle for control in Syria day that humanitarian access ADEN: Suspected mili- RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top cler- Al Sheikh, said. The original comic WHO’S IN Mostly government Mostly rebel Kurds to Syrians remains “extremely CONTROL tants killed 20 members ics have declared an Islam-inspired strip version, first released in 2006, challenging” a month after the Contested Islamist and jihadi groups* of Yemen’s security forces cartoon series, which earned praise had already ran into opposition from world body demanded a lifting in a dawn raid on a check- from US President Barack Obama, Muslim hardliners not only in Saudi of sieges and bombardments of TURKEY point yesterday, state a “work of the devil” that Muslims Arabia but also in Kuwait, where it residential areas. news agency Saba said, should not watch. The television ver- was created and produced by media Ban called on the government in an attack officials said sion of superhero comic book The 99 executive Nayef Al Matawa. Ras al-Ain and the opposition to take meas- Azaz bore the hallmarks of the is being aired by Saudi-owned satel- The comics — produced in English Tel Abyad ures to ease the delivery of relief al-Bab local branch of Al Qaeda. lite channel MBC3, based in Dubai. as well as Arabic — won praise, how- supplies, notably medicine, to 9.3 The Yemeni interior But in a religious decree carried by ever, not only from Obama but also Kasab Aleppo million Syrians in need. “One Raqqa minister suspended senior Saudi websites yesterday, the clerics from Kuwait’s Emir, H H Sheikh month after the passing of Security security officials in the east- ruled the series blasphemous because Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, for their Latakia Council resolution 2139, humani- Deir al-Zor ern province of Hadramout the superheroes of its title are based message of moderation and cultural tarian access in Syria remains Hama where the attack took place on the 99 attributes ascribed to Allah dialogue. They have been sold around extremely challenging for humani- and ordered an immediate in the Holy Quran. “The 99 is a work the world and have also spawned a tarian organisations,” Ban said. Homs SYRIA investigation, Saba said. A of the devil that should be condemned merchandise range and a theme park Mediterranean “Delivering lifesaving items, in Sea local official said the troops, and forbidden in respect to Allah’s in Kuwait as well as the Arabic- particular medicines, remains dif- Qara who belonged to a paramili- names and attributes,” the clerics, language television series. ficult. And the assistance reach- Nabak Deir Attiya tary unit under the Interior led by the kingdom’s mufti, Abdulaziz AFP ing people continues to fall far Ministry, were mostly short of what is required to cover LEBANON Damascus IRAQ asleep when the raiders even their basic needs,” he said. Otaiba attacked the checkpoint, Ban was referring to a UN located some 120km east Golan Security Council resolution passed Heights Deraa of the provincial capital Al unanimously February 22 that JORDAN 25 miles Mukalla. called for the lifting of sieges and ISRAEL 50 km “A terrorist attack, an end to bombardments of resi- involving four armed vehi- dential areas with barrel bombs. Source: Reuters *Including Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Nusra Front cles, surprised a security The resolution, which Russia sup- Staff, 24/03/2014 checkpoint ... resulting in ported after negotiations, pro- 20 members of the special vides no sanctions against those than at the start of the year. Homs, Nubl and Zhara and in sev- security forces being mar- who fail to respect it. Ban condemned “the continued eral localities on the outskirts of tyred,” Saba quoted a secu- While it leaves open the door heavy shelling, including the use of Damascus. Most, about 175,000, are rity source as saying. There to sanctions against violators at barrel bombs by the Syrian govern- under siege from the Syrian mili- was no immediate claim some later point, based on Ban’s ment forces in residential neigh- tary, and the remainder by oppo- of responsibility for the report, that would require another bourhoods, as well as the terror acts sition forces. The United Nations attack. A security source in decision by the Security Council. in Syria by extremist groups who are has identified 258 “priority zones” the capital Sana’a said two The report estimated that 3.5 mil- attempting to impose radical ideolo- where improved humanitarian members of the security lion people were trapped in areas gies in some parts of the country.” access would have an especially forces had been seized and under siege or difficult to reach According to the report, 220,000 positive impact. taken away by the militants. because of fighting, a million more people are living under siege in AFP REUTERS

Gunmen attack, burn displaced camp in Darfur KHARTOUM: Gunmen have attacked veteran columnist Mahjoub Mohamed Salih said UNAMID, which deployed additional and burned a camp for displaced people wrote in The Citizen. peacekeepers after about 1,000 people in Sudan’s Darfur region, peacekeep- Events in the region “are heading towards sought safety at their compound. ers said yesterday, adding to an upsurge catastrophic results” without a quick cor- Korma is northwest of El Fasher, the of suspected militia violence which has rection, he said. UNAMID said in a state- state capital. Local sources said militiamen wreaked havoc. ment that about 300 heavily armed men were suspected in the latest attacks. The African Union-United Nations attacked the camp, “setting fire to dozens Rebels from Darfur’s black tribes rose up Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has reported of shelters and stealing livestock belonging in 2003 seeking an end to what they said a series of attacks on villages in the region to the residents”. About 3,000 sought refuge was the domination of Sudan’s power and this month, but the Khor Abeche camp in at the nearby UNAMID base but one person wealth by Arab elites. In response, govern- South Darfur, assaulted on Saturday, was who could not flee apparently died in the ment-backed Janjaweed, recruited among an unusual target. blaze, UNAMID said. the region’s Arab tribes, shocked the world Recent unrest and a soaring number The attack occurred about 75km north- with atrocities against civilians. of displaced has evoked comparisons with east of the South Darfur state capital Over the past two years, Sudan’s deterio- the early stages of war in Darfur, which Nyala. On the same day hundreds of fami- rating economy has led to worsening crime captured the world’s attention more than lies approached another UNAMID base, in and intercommunal clashes, a February a decade ago. “The situation in Darfur is Korma North Darfur, reporting that nearby report by UN chief Ban Ki-moon said. It beginning to deteriorate for the worse, and Kobe town had been attacked. added that some cash-poor paramilitaries has gone back to the days of deepening cri- “One fatality was reported, alongside the have joined the tribal fighting over gold and sis 10 years ago, and even surpassing it,” looting of property and burning of houses,” other resources. AFP TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Seeking Chinese support Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE US First Couple have been thousands of kilometers apart in the last few days. While Michelle Obama is on a trip to China where she deals with the much- Tvaunted ‘soft issues’, Barack Obama is taking up the ‘harder issues’ with Chinese President Xi Jinping in The The last black mayor of Hague. While Obama was appreciating art on the sidelines of a nuclear summit in the Netherlands, Michelle and her daughters were appreciating the history behind China’s fabled terracotta warriors in Xian. The US first lady, who visited the Great Wall of China on ‘Chocolate City’? Sunday, has deftly avoided wading into controversial territory by BY CHARLES D. ELLISON Harlem was black retail while DC was an independent former Republican steering clear of political subjects like rights, democracy and free black wholesale. Conceptualisation ver- who will have plenty of time to raise speech. The US president, however, seems to be doing a lot of n awkwardly timed remarks 24 sus decision-making. Grassroots versus money and troops for the ground game talking in the Netherlands’ capital. During his meeting with Xi, hours after dramatic campaign- grasstops. in November. Catania showed up at 40 Obama discussed the Ukrainian crisis that has left the interim corruption allegations were levelled Now, Chocolate City finds itself percent against Gray’s 43 percent in administration in Kiev behave like a lame duck government. Iagainst him, Washington Mayor remarkably Saran-wrapped into a pulpy a hypothetical Washington Post poll- Vincent Gray defied rumours of his gentrifying fondue of vanilla, caramel and ing match back in January, but that China abstained from a West-backed UN Security Council political death spiral. fudge complexions. Wicked-fast socioeco- was before black millionaire Jeffrey resolution condemning Crimea’s referendum on joining Russia. “I did not break the law,” pronounced nomic transitions have brutally displaced Thompson dropped a dime on Gray this In his meeting with Obama yesterday, Xi talked of “greater the mayor to a very pro-Gray crowd of its black core and moved them into the week in the wake of a plea deal with space where China and the United States are cooperating” and several hundred earlier this month who suburbs. Black population shifted from federal prosecutors. agreed with the US president that Beijing and Washington complimented the moment with stand- 70 percent in 1992 (when I first arrived) If Catania is that strong against an should forge a new “major power relationship.” up chants of “four more years.” to just more than 50 percent now in the extremely wounded Gray, then he’ll be That night in a District of Columbia city. Alas, this is the fate of black urbana: eating Bowser (a presumed primary The tragedy of such foggy declarations between heads of auditorium, Gray may have temporarily Gotham resets invigorated by recession, winner) for lunch in the general elec- state is that they remain just declarations. This must be the reenergized “Chocolate City.” But the urban blacks sandblasted by waves of tion, even as an independent. All it takes umpteenth time that Beijing and Washington have declared campaign now headed to a hotly con- young, hipster and mostly white urban is years of Catania earning goodwill with their intentions of getting closer tested April 1 Democratic primary for professionals and adventurous startup black voters in some of the city’s poorest Obama is on certain issues. However, the two his hoped-for re-election finds a black pioneers. Meanwhile, suburban poverty wards and the respect of a rising young have never been able to jettison urban apotheosis is on the rise. electorate that’s watched his fanatically trying to a shell of what it Nationally, that change is hitting an precision-guided crusade to fix DC pub- differences to move ahead on vital was more than old-guard black political establishment lic schools. seek China’s issues. China has been steadfast in two decades ago. hard, long complacent and apathetic But, more importantly, DC houses the standing behind Syria’s Bashar Al Detroit — a hulking, Put simply: behind the security blanket of their largest concentration of queer residents support over Assad along with Russia while the bankrupted mass of Vincent Gray will protest machines. Detroit — a hulking, in the country at 10 percent, an entire US and other powers condemn the likely be remem- bankrupted mass of abandoned build- 5 percentage points ahead of Hawaii abandoned buildings bered as the last ings — just elected its first white mayor in second at 5 percent, according to the Ukraine brutishness of the Syrian regime. — just elected its black mayor of in four decades, still reeling from the Gallup. The city’s queer population will crisis, but he Beijing has been a supporter of Washington, DC. apocalyptic mismanagement of con- come out strong for Catania, perhaps North Korea’s shadowy regime first white mayor This is a very victed former mayor and political family setting the stage for a rather public will find it which has been accused of severe in four decades, difficult real- scion Kwame Kilpatrick. Post-Katrina schism between the city’s influential hard to change rights abuses and of stifling dissent. still reeling from ity for many New Orleans elected its first white white queer elite and its quickly dete- The hubris of North Korea is longtime black mayor after three decades of black rule, riorating black political bloc. Catania the apocalyptic Washingtonians worn out from corruption and malfea- is in a position from which he can eas- Beijing’s mind. often driven by Beijing’s support. mismanagement of who’ve war- sance, while recently convicting former ily cobble together a coalition of disen- This was on full display yesterday convicted former ily watched Mayor Ray Nagin as if rudely shutting chanted black voters, disgusted white when the reclusive nation issued a warning to the United States the transfor- the Big Easy’s black political chapter voters, underappreciated Latino voters that it would take nuclear “measures” if the US does not end mayor and political mation unfold. for good. and ambitious queer voters looking to what the communist state described as provocations. At the family scion Kwame Washington The District of Columbia is next. Yet, make a mark. meeting, the Chinese president took on Obama over allegations Kilpatrick. always stood out the shockwaves will reverberate nation- The five black candidates in an over- among black ally, given its influence as the centre of crowded Democratic primary field are that the National Security Agency had secretly broken into America’s prized things. not only threatened by split votes. Nor communications of the Chinese mobile giant Huawei. Such cultural possessions. It was always A recent Washington Post endorse- is it so much the shadowy campaign prickly issues often come between better relations among the the nation’s capital, but it was the ment of Councilwoman Muriel Bowser financing that’s draping a dark cloud two powers. The Ukrainian crisis offered Beijing an opportunity undisputed hub for the nation’s larg- for the Democratic primary seemed to over the city’s tight-fisted black politi- to take the side of the West, which was led by the United States est concentration of middle-class resurrect hopes that perhaps it was just cal machine. Demographics had been African-Americans. It didn’t have the the end of black male dominance in local leaning in this direction for some time, in criticising Vladimir Putin’s adventurism in a province of music or arts muscle of New York City, politics. And recent polls show Bowser this latest episode simply accelerating a Ukraine, a former Soviet Republic. But the abstention by China Philadelphia, Detroit or New Orleans neck in neck with the incumbent. forgone conclusion. Whiter newcomers has kept its policy in a zone of uncertainty— was it with Putin or (because Go-Go music never really But, any Democratic nominee will want their bike lanes, dog parks and with Ukraine? took off), but it didn’t need that, as be a deer in headlights once the gen- better schools sans the stigma of Marion Obama is seeking China’s support over the Ukraine issue. It the unparalleled nexus of black politi- eral election arrives, and they find Barry on a crack pipe. In 2014, I predict would be a major victory for Washington if it can make Beijing cal, academic and business interests themselves facing seasoned white and Chocolate City will melt into a history earned the city its flavourful nickname. openly gay Councilman David Catania, tour. WP-BLOOMBERG change its stance on Ukraine. But it is hard to think that it can. The other side Quote of EU-China relations the day

RESIDENT Xi Jinping arrived agreements to be signed. The EU is countries and cooperation with them be either shelved or narrowed by com- in the Netherlands on China’s largest trading partner and China in a wide range of fields is equally vital paring notes, and they should never Saturday to begin his first is the second-largest trading partner of to the economic growth and prosperity stand in the way of development of Ptrip to European Union since the EU. Both agreed to the China-EU of Europe. bilateral ties. taking office more than a year ago. 2020 Strategic Agenda late last year, Increasing political cooperation and Even in economic cooperation, On the issues His tightly scheduled trip, which which lays a solid foundation for coop- consultations between the EU and trade disputes need to be handled in includes attending the Nuclear Security eration in a wide range of areas, such China will also be conducive to the set- such a manner that the win-win coop- of the East and Summit in the Hague and a visit to the as food, agriculture and biotechnology. tlement of regional and world conflicts. eration trend is not derailed, and is European Union headquarters as well With China accelerating its urbani- Despite the increasing economic instead consolidated with the settle- South China as four major European countries, zation and the transition of its eco- cooperation between China and the ment of specific problems. President points to the importance China and nomic structure, closer cooperation EU, the development of their relations Xi’s visit will undoubtedly also update Sea, the US side the EU have attached to their relations. with its EU partners is of great impor- has not been without problems and the leaders of the EU countries and the However, the significance of his tance for China, as the technology and setbacks. That explains why both sides leaders of other European countries ought to adopt an visit goes far beyond his meetings experience of these countries can help should strive for greater political trust. with China’s priorities in its new reform objective and fair with the leaders of the Netherlands, ensure the advancement of its urbani- They may have different understand- drive and China’s political will to pro- France, Germany, Belgium and the zation is more sustainable. At the ings on human rights and other ideo- mote world peace and development. attitude... Xi Jinping EU Commission and the specific same time, China’s investment in EU logical issues, but such differences can China Daily Chinese President TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 West must take responsibility over Libya Who could object to the removal of Colonel Gaddafi? But what has happened since then shames Western interventionists. BY OWEN JONES attacked with rocket-propelled grenades, and journalists have been assassinated. t’s called the pottery store rule: Some human rights abuses began “you break it, you own it.” But it in the tumultuous days that followed doesn’t just apply to pots and mugs, Gaddafi’s removal, and were ignored but to nations. In the build-up to by the West. Ever since the fall of his the catastrophic invasion of Iraq, dictatorship, there have been stories of Iit was invoked by Colin Powell, then US black Libyans being treated en masse as secretary of state. “You are going to be Gaddafi loyalists and attacked. In a sav- the proud owner of 25 million people,” he age act of collective punishment, 35,000 reportedly told George W Bush. “You will people were driven out of Tawergha in own all their hopes, aspirations and prob- retaliation for the brutal siege of the anti- lems.” But while many of these military Gaddafi stronghold of Misrata. interventions have left nations shattered, The town was trashed and its inhabit- Western governments have resembled ants have been left in what human rights the customer who walks away whistling, organisations are calling “deplorable hoping no one has noticed the mess left conditions” in a Tripoli refugee camp. behind. Our media have been all too com- Such forced removals continue else- plicit in allowing them to leave the scene. where. Thousands have been arbitrar- Libya is a striking example. The ily detained without any pretence of due UN-authorised air campaign in 2011 process; and judges, prosecutors, lawyers is often lauded as a shining example of and witnesses have been attacked or even successful foreign intervention. Sure, killed. Libya’s first post-Gaddafi prosecu- the initial mandate – which was sim- tor general, Abdulaziz Al Hassadi, was ply to protect civilians – was exceeded assassinated in the town of Derna last by nations who had only recently been month. selling arms to Muammar Gaddafi, and But it is the militias that filled the the bombing evolved into regime-change post-Gaddafi vacuum who represent despite Russia’s protests. But with a the greatest threat to Libyans’ human murderous thug ejected from power, who rights and security. “Libya has been sit- could object? ting on the international community’s Heavily armed vehicles belonging to the military council of Cyrenaica region, under the control rebel leader Ibrahim Jathran, defending Today’s Libya is overrun by militias back burner as the country has slipped the area near Jathran’s hometown Ajdabiya on Saturday. and faces a deteriorating human rights into near chaos,” warns Human Rights situation, mounting chaos that is infect- Watch. In an attempt to integrate mili- ing other countries, growing internal tias into the state machinery, the weak billions of dollars. Although Jadran’s Muslim Brotherhood and other elements seems remote, however much the coun- splits, and even the threat of civil war. central government pays 160,000 mem- forces initially only drew support from are better organised than many of their try’s strife is safely hidden away from the Only occasionally does this growing crisis bers of these often violent gangs $1,000 a the Magharba people, other ethnic groups rivals, helping to remove the prime min- headlines. creep into the headlines: like when an oil month and charges them with upholding have now joined his struggle. It is these ister, push through legislation, and estab- It is dividing along every fracture line tanker is seized by rebellious militia; or authority. forces which hijacked a oil tanker this lish alliances with opportunistic militias. imaginable: whether it be ethnic, tribal, when a British oil worker is shot dead When residents of Benghazi – the month, prompting threats from Libya’s Ominously, Libya’s chaos is spilling regional or political. Most Libyans have while having a picnic; or when the coun- heartland of the revolution – protested prime minister that it would be bombed across the region. The country is awash failed to even register for upcoming try’s prime minister is kidnapped. against militia rule in June last year, until US forces captured it this weekend. with up to 15 million rifles and other elections. According to Amnesty International, 32 people were killed in what became Clashes have broken out in Jadran’s home weapons, and a report by the UN panel There is a real prospect of the country the “mounting curbs on freedom of known as “Black Saturday.” In another town of Ajdabiya. In painful echoes of of experts this month found that “Libya collapsing into civil war or even breaking expression are threatening the rights protest in Tripoli last November, 46 died Iraq’s nightmare, a car bomb exploded at has become a primary source of illicit up. Unless there are negotiated settle- Libyans sought to gain.” A repressive and 500 were injured. Under militia rule, a Benghazi military base last week and weapons.” These arms are fuelling chaos ments to its multiple problems, Libya will Gaddafi-era law has been amended to Libya is beginning to disintegrate. Last killed at least eight soldiers, and Libya’s in 14 countries, including Somalia, the surely continue its descent into mayhem, criminalise any insults to officials or the summer forces under the command of main airport was shut on Friday after a Central African Republic, Nigeria and and the region could be dragged into the general national congress (the interim the warlord Ibrahim Jadran took con- bomb exploded on its runway. Niger. Russian-made weapons bought by mire with it. parliament). trol of eastern oil terminals, demand- One of the great perversities of the Gaddafi’s regime are being given to fun- No wonder Western governments and One journalist, Amara Al Khattabi, ing autonomy and more resources for so-called war on terror is that funda- damentalist Islamist rebels. journalists who hailed the success of this was put on trial for alleging corruption Cyrenaica, the long-neglected oil-rich mentalist Islamist forces have flourished In what has all the hallmarks of mis- intervention are so silent. But here are among judges. Satellite television sta- east of the country. Oil exports collapsed as a direct consequence of it. Libya is no sion creep, a small number of US soldiers the consequences of their war, and they tions deemed critical of the authorities from about 1.5 million barrels a day to exception, even though such movements are being sent to Tripoli to begin train- must take responsibility for them. have been banned, one station has been fewer than 500,000, costing the country often have little popular support. The ing troops. But a stable future for Libya THE GUARDIAN Ukraine, Crimea factions must unite Australia: The growing threat to media plurality It is very similar to the propos- Diplomacy is als put forward by Kissinger about a week ago in the Washington BY SCOTT LUDLAM the only way Post. Since then, Russia has also put forward a plan for interna- s we know, Australia has one of the most concentrated media tional supervision of a transition markets of any democracy. When you turn on your free- out of the crisis. process in Ukraine. That would to-air television, you know that you’re receiving your news seem to be a further development Afrom one of only six major companies. Radio broadcasting The alternatives of Kissinger’s proposals. comes from five major companies and when you open a newspaper, it I am not aware of any response is even more concentrated, with just four major companies delivering from the West. Clearly, if propos- your daily news. are sanctions, als were accepted, there would be Why then would this government even consider reducing the rules a possibility of peace in Ukraine that remain in protecting media diversity in Australia? We know that which will be and the crisis could disappear. some media companies have been circling to position themselves in The alternative seems to be sanc- the hope that this government will be a pushover and withdraw those tions and more sanctions. Each rules that protect what media diversity remains. ineffective or time the European Union speaks, And now the fix is well and truly in. In questions I put to government or America speaks on this ques- senators this week, only one reason was given to justify deregulating war, which tion, it reminds me more and media ownership and increasing the concentration of market power: more of the League of Nations the Internet. There is no doubt that the Internet is a major disrupting would rapidly in the 1930s. Impotent, ineffec- factor, and a proliferation of independent online comment, analysis tive, useless. That carries its own and news services attests to the slow breakup of the strictly broadcast sharp danger. When ineffec- model of news and current affairs. escalate into Pro-Russian protesters carry Russian flags during a rally in the eastern tive actions do not result in the And yet when you look at the top news and current affairs sites in response which is sought, it is this country, they are owned by the very same media incumbents that Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Sunday. nuclear war. easy then to revert to a military own the largest broadcasters and newspapers. The raucous online response, which is no answer to diversity held up by those with an interest in blind deregulation only to end the crisis. Ukraine, as an compromise and live together, if this problem. occupies a small fraction of market share, while familiar 20th-century BY MALCOLM FRASER independent country, is 23 years they want a single unified country. If there were a military names still control by far the largest proportion of popular online old. Half the country is pro- That places a heavy responsibility response, Ukraine itself would content. he belief that the Cold European and speaks Ukraine; on the European Union, and on probably be the greatest loser, Behind the cover of this digital red herring, the volume is rising War was over may well a very significant minority is America, to forget much of their but others would also pay a higher to remove protections against further media consolidation. If this all have been a delusion. pro-Russian and speaks Russian. rhetoric of past times, to forget price. It would be difficult to stop seems somewhat academic, consider the following. TPushing Nato to the bor- The European Union and Nato their seduction and promises such a war becoming a nuclear Lift the so-called “two out of three rule” governing how many plat- ders of Russia was motivated by give every appearance of trying and to tell the pro-Europeans in war. Between them, the United forms can be owned in a given market, then watch News Corporation Cold War attitudes, and bound to to seduce Ukraine to join Europe Ukraine: you must negotiate, you States and Russia have 2,000 acquire control of Channel 10, buy up the rights to AFL broadcasts and be opposed by Russia. President and to become part of Nato. must learn to live together. There nuclear weapons on a state of use loopholes in the anti-siphoning regime to send the games behind Gorbachev believed he had a The current government was is no safe haven in the European high alert. the Foxtel paywall. firm agreement that Nato would installed, as much as anything, Union. They should also be told There is no point in continuing Consider another example – the so-called reach rule for broadcast- not move one yard east. He was because of riots in the streets that a unified Ukraine should not the argument about who started ers, which will soon be well and truly overrun by online radio. If we probably wrong in that belief, but against the previously elected become part of Nato, at any point this and how it went wrong. abolish this restriction without also locking in strong local content it was still his belief and he had government. The West has spoken in the future. Nato, in my view quite inadvis- obligations on regional broadcasters, regional Australians will be the argued for it fiercely. much of legality. The legality of the Russia, for its part, would need ably, moved to the borders of losers. In reading the Western press current government of Ukraine to take equivalent actions in rela- Russia and what has happened Combined with the Abbott government’s impending cuts on funding of recent events in Ukraine and is not without question. Legality tion to the pro-Russian element in the Crimea will not be undone for the ABC, which will almost certainly lead to cuts in regional news Crimea, with few exceptions, will not resolve the present crisis. in Ukraine. Learn to live together, by Russia. These events create services, media laws should matter to all of us. commentators say that Putin is Pragmatic, diplomatic, common learn the art of diplomatic com- today’s reality. It can still be dealt The greatest issue here is not market share for one media proprietor wrong and the West is right, that sense and recognition of history promise, and establish the basis with through diplomacy, through or another, but the health of our democracy. Media organisations and all problems have been caused by and of what is now in place are for a new constitution and new a quiet analysis of what is nec- the journalists on their payroll play a crucial role in holding powerful Putin and the West is being rea- essential if the current situation elections. Put aside the view that essary, to build a unified country people and institutions to account. Should the media organisations sonable and constructive. Distrust is not to lead, inevitably, to war Europe can give one faction total out of the rest of Ukraine. That themselves accumulate too much power, there is no-one left with between Russia and the West is between Russia and the West. victory, or that Russia can give is the most that can he hoped for, substantial audience reach to watch the watchers. A vibrant, diverse greater than at any time since the The way forward should be the other faction total victory. If by peaceful means. There is no sign media ecosystem is essential to a functioning democracy, and any fall of the Soviet Union. clear. The two factions inside war is to be avoided, if there is to that leaders in the West, at this threats to water down the laws that keep it that way should be vigor- On the American side, Henry Ukraine must be told that be a way out of this crisis, actions point, will be prepared to settle for ously opposed – no matter what your political views. Kissinger has spoken of a way they have to learn the art of of this kind should be pursued. what is possible. THE GUARDIAN THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Ukraine pulls out all troops from Crimea US and Chinese presidents discuss Crimea on sidelines of nuclear security meet at The Hague

THE HAGUE/FEODOSIA: members include countries with US President Barack Obama Lavrov scoffs widely varying relationships to conferred with major indus- Moscow. trialised allies in the Group Central and east European of Seven yesterday on how to at G8 expulsion countries that were once under pressure Russia over its sei- THE HAGUE: Russian Moscow’s domination and have zure of Crimea after Ukraine Foreign Minister Sergei joined the EU in the last decade told its remaining troops Lavrov said yesterday he are mostly urging caution due to to leave the region for their saw no “great tragedy” if the risk to their economies. own safety. Moscow was expelled from But German Chancellor Obama, who has imposed the Group of Eight (G8) Angela Merkel, the EU’s most tougher sanctions on Moscow club of leading nations for powerful leader, has taken a than European leaders over its its annexation of Ukraine’s tough line with Putin and sup- takeover of the Black Sea penin- Crimea peninsula. ported EU moves to reduce the sula, sought backing for his firm “If our Western partners bloc’s long-term dependence on line at a meeting deliberately think that this format has Russian energy. called to exclude Russia, which outlived itself, then so be it. At The seizure of Crimea has been joined in 1998 to form the G8. the very least, we are not try- largely bloodless, apart from one “As long as the political envi- ing to hold on to this format, Ukrainian soldier and one pro- ronment for the G8 is not at hand, and we see no great tragedy Moscow militia member killed in as is the case at the moment, if it (the G8) does not meet,” a shootout last Tuesday. Ukraine’s there is no G8 — neither as a con- Lavrov told reporters after troops left behind in Crimea have crete summit meeting or even as holding separate talks with been besieged inside bases while a format for meetings,” German both US Secretary of State offering little resistance. Chancellor Angela Merkel said John Kerry and Ukraine’s In Feodosia, Ukrainian troops before the talks. interim Foreign Minister hugged each other in farewell She said she did not expect the Andriy Deshchytsya. after their base was overrun. hour-long session of leaders of the As Lavrov was speaking, Some chanted “Hurra! Hurra!” United States, Japan, Canada, G7 leaders were meeting in defiance. One marine in full Germany, France, Britain and nearby to decide whether to uniform who declined to identify Italy, plus the European Union, to inflict further punishment himself wept and blamed the gov- decide on new sanctions, although From left: French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, US President Barack Obama on Moscow. for its actions on ernment in Kiev for the chaotic the leaders would discuss possible and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attend a G7 meet at the official residence of the Dutch Crimea. end to the standoff. further measures to be taken if AFP “Yesterday we had an agree- prime minister in The Hague yesterday. the situation escalates. ment: we would lower our flag and Since the emergency meet- militarily on its neighbour’s Ukrainian people,” Obama said Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed White House Deputy National the Russians would raise theirs. ing held on the sidelines of a territory. after a meeting with Dutch to hold a first meeting with his Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told And this morning the Russians nuclear security summit in The White House officials accom- Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy reporters Obama hoped the G7 attacked, firing live ammunition. Hague was announced last week, panying Obama expressed con- “We’re united in imposing a cost Deshchytsya on the sidelines of leaders would foreshadow “what We had no weapons. We did not President Vladimir Putin has cern yesterday at what they said on Russia for its actions so far.” the nuclear security summit, a economic sanctions Russia would fire a round,” said one marine, signed laws completing Russia’s was a Russian troop buildup near He also discussed the crisis Russian diplomatic source said. be faced with if it continues down Ruslan, who was with his wife annexation of the region. Ukraine and warned that any fur- at a meeting in The Hague with The first 50 out of 100 observers this road”. Katya and 9-month-old son. Russian troops forced their way ther military intervention would Chinese President Xi Jinping, who dispatched by the pan-European Another G7 official said the Although Russian forces into a Ukrainian marine base in trigger wider sanctions than the has voiced support for Ukraine’s OSCE security watchdog arrived main point of the G7 meeting was have not entered other parts the port of Feodosia early yester- measures taken so far. sovereignty but refrained from in Ukraine yesterday to monitor “to show the isolation of Putin”. of Ukraine, NATO says they day, overrunning one of the last In what has become the big- criticising Russia. The West potential trouble spots and report The leaders were also expected have built up at the border. The remaining symbols of resistance. gest East-West confrontation wants Beijing’s diplomatic sup- back to the 54-nation organisa- to cancel plans for a G8 meet- Western military alliance also In Kiev, acting president since the Cold War, the United port in an effort to restrain Putin. tion. Russia relented late last ing at the Russian Olympics site fears Putin may have designs on Oleksander Turchinov told par- States and the European Union Moscow formally annexed week and agreed on a mandate in Sochi, for which preparations a part of another former Soviet liament the remaining Ukrainian have imposed visa bans and asset Crimea on March 21, five days after prolonged wrangling, but were frozen after Moscow seized republic, Moldova. troops and their families would be freezes on some of Putin’s closest after newly-installed pro-Moscow the monitors will not be allowed Crimea, he said. Despite the disruption to East- pulled out of the region in the face political and business allies. But regional leaders held a referen- to enter Crimea. Persuading Europeans to sign West relations, Washington wants of “threats to the lives and health they have held back so far from dum that yielded an overwhelm- Western officials are now on to tougher sanctions could other diplomatic business with of our service personnel”. measures designed to hit Russia’s ing vote to join Russia. Kiev and focussed less on persuading Putin be difficult for Obama. The EU Moscow to continue. That effectively ends any wider economy. the West denounced the annexa- to relinquish Crimea — a goal that does 10 times as much trade US Secretary of State John Ukrainian resistance, less than “Europe and America are tion as illegal. seems beyond reach — than on with Russia as the United States, Kerry also held talks with Russian a month since Putin claimed united in our support of the In one sign of a possible eas- deterring him from seizing other and is the biggest customer for counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Russia’s right to intervene Ukrainian government and the ing of tension, Russian Foreign parts of Ukraine. Russian oil and gas. The EU’s 28 REUTERS 9/11 museum Washington state mudslide to open on May 21 death toll eight, 108 missing NEW YORK: A museum com- OLYMPIA: As many as 108 quicksand forced rescue workers or slow in alerting loved ones memorating the September 11, people were unaccounted for to suspend their efforts at dusk and local officials as to their 2001 attacks will open on the in Washington state two days on Sunday. Some workers, mired whereabouts. former site of the World Trade after a deadly mudslide north in mud up to their armpits, had The potential number of vic- Center in May, it was announced of Seattle hit dozens of homes to be dragged to safety. tims swallowed by the mudslide yesterday. The museum, based and killed at least eight people, A spokesman for the Snohomish was higher on a Saturday, with where the Twin Towers used to county officials said yesterday. County Sheriff’s Office said eight many people at home, than it stand near a permanent memo- Emergency management offi- bodies had been found by Sunday might have been on a weekday rial which opened in 2011, will cials said they expected the tally evening in the 2.6 square kilome- when more residents would comprise two exhibitions, the of missing to dwindle sharply as tre disaster zone of tangled debris, have been at work or school, foundation in charge of the many of the people initially unac- rocks, trees and mud. Another Pennington said. He also noted project said. The museum will be counted for following Saturday’s eight people were injured in the that an unspecified number open to the public from May 21. slide turn up safe, but they landslide. of construction workers were Artifacts on display include expressed doubts about find- On Sunday night, officials put in the area of the slide at the personal belongings of those ing more survivors buried in the the number of missing at 18 or time. who died, pieces of the destroyed muck and debris. more, but yesterday morning Authorities cast growing doubt buildings, photos, audio and video The landslide was triggered Pennington said various agencies on the chances of finding anyone footage as well as first person after a rain-soaked hillside had collected reports — some else alive in the debris and mud testimonials. AFP along State Route 530 near specific and others vague — of that is up to 5 metre deep. Oso, Washington, gave way on 108 people who remained unac- “The situation is very grim,” Pregnant woman, Saturday morning, washing away counted for after the disaster. said Travis Hots, Snohomish at least six homes in an area about “The number is, I think no County District 21 Fire Chief. 90km northeast of Seattle. question, going to decline dramat- “We’re still holding out hope soldier killed in In all, at least 49 homes had ically. But it is a number that we that we’re going to be able to find some damage from the slide, said want to just go ahead and disclose people that may still be alive. But Venezuela unrest John Pennington, director of the and say, ‘That’s what we’re work- keep in mind we haven’t found Snohomish County Department ing with,’” Pennington said. anybody alive on this pile since CARACAS: A pregnant The scene of a mudslide which destroyed several homes and killed at least of Emergency Management. Authorities are hoping many Saturday in the initial stages of woman was shot dead near eight people in Oso, Washington, USA, yesterday. The search for victims resumed of those turn out to be survivors our operation.” Caracas and a soldier was killed early yesterday after treacherous who were either double-counted REUTERS in the western state of Merida, officials said, as the death toll from weeks of anti-government protests in Venezuela rose to 36 yesterday. Supporters of both sides and members of the security forces Steenkamp was sometimes scared of Pistorius, trial hears have been among those killed in the nation’s worst unrest in a PRETORIA: Oscar Pistorius’ and that he mistook her for an “We are living in a double found 90 percent of them to be decade, sparked by demonstra- girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, intruder hiding in a toilet at his standard relationship. Every five normal, often loving, interactions. tions against socialist President said she was scared of the South luxury Pretoria home. seconds I hear about how you However, another exchange Nicolas Maduro that kicked off African track star in a text However, text messages dated another chick. You really backed up the testimony of an ear- last month. message sent less than three between the pair in the weeks have dated a lot of people yet you lier witness who said the 27-year- Francisco Garces, mayor of weeks before he shot her dead, leading up to the shooting painted get upset if I mention one funny old athlete fired a pistol under a Guaicaipuro municipality near a police expert told his murder a picture of a volatile, stormy story with a long-term boy- table in a packed Johannesburg the capital and a member of the trial yesterday. relationship, with Steenkamp friend,” the Steenkamp message restaurant and then asked his ruling Socialist Party, said the The Olympic and Paralympic accusing Pistorius of continual continued. friend to take the blame. 28-year-old pregnant woman athlete is on trial for the mur- jealousy and outbursts of anger. “You make me happy 90pc of “Angel please don’t say a thing was shot dead on Sunday during der of 29-year-old model and “I’m scared of you sometimes the time and I think we are amaz- to anyone. Darren told everyone a protest. “We categorically reject law graduate Steenkamp on and how you snap at me and of ing together but I am not some it was his fault. I can’t afford for the demonstrations that caused Valentine’s Day 2013. how you will react to me,” one Pistorius weeps in court yesterday. other bitch you may know trying that to come out. The guys prom- this death,” Garces told reporters. He has pleaded not guilty to message sent by Steenkamp on to kill your vibe.” ised not to say a thing,” the mes- The protests began in February murder, saying he was deeply January 27, 2013, said. the court on Day 14 of the trial, Moller said he had analysed sage sent by Pistorius on January with sporadic demonstrations by in love with Steenkamp, who he As police expert Francois Pistorius sat in the dock, his head thousands of mobile phone mes- 11, the day of the incident, said. university students. REUTERS had been dating for a few months, Moller read out the messages to buried in his hands. sages sent between the couple and REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Taiwan riot MH370: Grieved relatives shocked police retake Hysterical scenes in China after Malaysia says plane crashed; agonising 17-day ordeal ends govt building

BEIJING: Relatives of Chinese TAIPEI: Taiwan riot police passengers aboard a miss- unleashed water cannon yes- ing Malaysia Airlines flight terday to dislodge hundreds screamed, cried and collapsed of demonstrators who had on the ground yesterday after stormed government head- the Malaysian prime minister quarters in violent scenes announced the jet ended its that dramatically escalated journey in the remote Southern a days-old protest against a Indian Ocean, ending an ago- trade pact with China. The nising 17-day ordeal. assault came after President At the Beijing hotel where Ma Ying-jeou refused to back many of the relatives are stay- down on the trade pact, reject- ing, family members erupted in ing opposition claims that he shouts and tears after they heard is effectively handing Taiwan’s the news, wailing and in some economy over to Chinese con- cases dropping to the floor. One trol after six decades of politi- woman screamed out: “It’s not cal separation. Premier Jiang possible, it’s not possible!” before Yi-huah, whose office is in the collapsing. building, said at least 110 people At least four people were were injured, including 52 police stretchered out, having appar- officers. Two water cannon ently been overcome with emotion. trucks were then deployed, Others lashed out at reporters. A family member of a passenger aboard Malaysia Airlines MH370 cries as she is surrounded by journalists after watching a television broadcast of a eventually subduing the crowd “Something is being withheld, news conference, at the Lido hotel in Beijing yesterday. RIGHT: Another family member is rushed to an ambulance after she collapsed. and clearing the building. something is being withheld!” shouted another man. Others west of Perth, Australia. closely followed by anger for some, Rebels kill two struggled to accept what they had Several Chinese media outlets with one sobbing woman leaving Search for lost jet to go been told. “I want to tell the jour- reported on their official Weibo the room shouting “murderers, soldiers in Quezon nalists...the information they just microblogs that family members murderers”. MANILA: Communist guer- sent...is not true!” said one lady. received a text message saying Some relatives lost control rillas killed two Philippine Flight MH370 vanished from that “we have to assume beyond as they departed, with one man on: Malaysia Airlines soldiers yesterday, military civilian radar screens less than reasonable doubt” that none of throwing punches and kicks at officials said, their first deadly an hour after take-off from Kuala those on board survived. the media crowd Inside the room, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Chinese satellite information attack since two senior rebel Lumpur for Beijing with 239 peo- China has repeatedly pressed heavy clouds of tobacco smoke Airlines yesterday told rela- indicated more floating objects. leaders were arrested. A group ple — more than half Chinese the airline and the Malaysian gov- hung overhead, with almost every tives of the 239 people on board An Australian-led multina- of soldiers were ambushed by nationals — on board on March ernment to give more information man drawing heavily on ciga- a missing passenger jet that “we tional air and sea search has rebels in Quezon province, 8. No confirmed sighting of the to family members and ensure rettes. Many faces were pale with have to assume” the plane went been scouring the vast ocean and about 150 kilometres south- plane has been made since, but they are being properly looked shock, and most people stared down in the southern Indian there were two separate sightings east of Manila, local spokes- much debris has been found in after. Some relatives had threat- into space, almost oblivious to Ocean, but vowed the search for on Wednesday of possible debris man Lieutenant Colonel Oliver waters off Australia which might ened hunger strikes and protests other relatives around them. the jet would continue. from the plane. Crew members Maquiling said, leaving a lieu- be part of the missing plane. in front of the Malaysian embassy. Candle after candle was posted on “Malaysia Airlines deeply of an Australian P-3 Orion plane tenant and a regular soldier Malaysian Prime Minister “We know we have no hope left China’s hugely popular weibo micro- regrets that we have to assume reported seeing two objects, dead and four others wounded. Najib Razak said fresh analy- now,” one bereaved relative said. blog sites, in electronic tributes to that MH370 ended in the south- Australian Prime Minister Tony He said that the soldiers had sis of satellite information from Most were too distressed to talk. the dead. “I just can’t believe it nor ern Indian Ocean,” the airline said Abbott told parliament. been on a “medical mission” British company Inmarsat had A few simply covered their heads, accept it, after having searched so in a statement to the families, cit- The Australian naval ship and blamed the New People’s shown that the last position of the hiding their emotions as they ran many days, and waited so many days, ing new analysis of satellite data. HMAS Success, equipped with Army (NPA) for the attack. aircraft was in the Indian Ocean a gauntlet of journalists. Grief was only to finally receive news of the “On behalf of all of us at a crane, was in the area, about crash!” wrote one user. “It’s impos- Malaysia Airlines and all 2,500km southwest of Perth, and Thailand gears up sible to imagine how these desperate Malaysians, our prayers go out will attempt to recover the objects. Technical fault diverts plane families could handle it.” to all the loved ones (of those on The US Navy has added to the for polls anew Some Chinese have embraced board) at this enormously painful sense of an approaching denoue- BANGKOK: The Thai HONG KONG: A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 271 people far-fetched conspiracy theories in time,” the statement continued. ment, ordering a specialised device Election Commission (EC) from Malaysia to South Korea yesterday was forced to make an the period since the plane disap- “We know there are no words sent to the region to help find the met yesterday to discuss unscheduled landing in Hong Kong after a technical fault involv- peared, and there were those who that we or anyone else can say “black box” flight and cockpit voice preparations for a new gen- ing an on-board generator, the airline said. refused to believe the plane had gone which can ease your pain. We will data — crucial in determining eral election after the charter Flight MH066 departed from Kuala Lumpur at 11.37pm bound for down. One woman at the Lido hotel continue to provide assistance what happened to the plane. The court ruled Friday to annul Seoul’s Incheon airport. The flight, however, was diverted to Hong approached reporters, wailing, say- and support to you.” high-tech device can locate black the February 2 nationwide Kong’s international airport where it landed safely at around 3am, ing she believed her daughter was The airline vowed in its state- boxes as deep as 20,000 feet, the balloting results. The EC said the airline said. Malaysia Airlines said the Airbus A330-300 jet was being “hidden” and had not died. ment that the ongoing search for US Seventh Fleet said. The 30-day earlier it would have to have diverted because of an inoperative generator. There was no loss of The official newspaper of the plane and an intensive investi- signal from the black box is due to alternatives before organis- power because an auxiliary generator took over. China’s ruling Communist Party, gation into its fate “will continue, fail in less than two weeks. ing the election — whether to All 271 passengers were transferred to other carriers, the airline the People’s Daily, wrote on its as we seek answers to the ques- As part of an investigation into meet with the caretaker gov- said, while the return flight from Incheon to Kuala Lumpur was microblog that many questions tions which remain”. the crash, Malaysia Airlines said ernment for consultation, or cancelled. Passengers have been transferred to other flights for the remained to be answered, includ- Hopes of a resolution to the that 27-year-old co-pilot Fariq to invite all political parties return leg. A spokeswoman for the Hong Kong airport said the ing why the plane ended up in the mystery rose after a weekend Abdul Hamid was flying the for talks to reach an agree- plane landed safely less than 30 minutes after it notified the airport. Indian Ocean and what exactly in which an Australian aircraft Boeing 777 for the first time with- ment, according to (MCOT REUTERS the new satellite evidence was. spotted a wooden pallet, strap- out a so-called “check co-pilot” online news). AGENCIES REUTERS/AFP ping and other debris, and French looking over his shoulder. AFP Oppn concedes US First Lady skips rope defeat in Maldives Victims of MALE: The main opposition party in the Maldives yesterday accused authorities of under- Rana Plaza mining the latest parliamen- tary elections, but conceded disaster defeat after a bitterly-fought campaign. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had file claims criticised the Supreme Court’s DHAKA: Families of sacking of the elections chief Bangladesh textile work- and his deputy just before ers killed in the Rana Saturday’s election, but never- Plaza tragedy started theless decided to face the polls. submitting claims for “How can we call this a free compensation yesterday, vote when the Supreme Court 11 months after the dis- sacks the chief elections com- aster that killed more missioner and his deputy two than 1,100 people. weeks before the election?” MDP The first batch of 22 spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor claims were filed with said. “But, we concede defeat.” officials overseeing a $40m The commission’s top two have compensation fund, made yet to be replaced and President up of donations from lead- Abdulla Yameen himself raised ing Western retailers in doubts on Thursday if the elec- US First Lady Michelle Obama jumps ropes with students on her visit the wake of the country’s tion could be held by a depleted to the ancient walled city in Xian, Shaanxi province, China, yesterday. worst textile disaster. panel of three. AFP Wahid Soruar, a Bangladesh official over- seeing the claims process from the industrial area of Savar outside the capital, US, Japan in plutonium return deal said all families of the dead workers and those injured would be paid in coming THE HAGUE: Japan pledged (FCA) northeast of Tokyo, which hundreds of kilogrammes in months. yesterday to return hundreds experts said made a tempting tar- weapons-usable material,” US “We’ve launched the of kilos of weapons-grade ura- get for extremists. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz claims processing today. nium and plutonium given to According to reports, Japan has told journalists. Hopefully, claims for all Tokyo for research during the more than 300kg of plutonium and “The material will be trans- 3,600 survivors and ben- Cold War era, in the first major almost 200 kilos of highly-enriched ported to the United States for con- eficiaries will be proc- deal announced at a summit on uranium 235, supplied by Britain version into proliferation-resistant essed within three to four nuclear security. and the United States and now forms,” he said. “It affirms that months,” Soruar said. “By removing this nuclear stored at the FCA facility in Tokai most research and development All families will receive material, we can prevent the about 140km from the capital. can be done without using weap- a minimum 50,000 taka risk of nuclear terrorism,” Japan’s Japan does not have the bomb ons-grade material,” Moniz added. ($650) by April 24, the special nuclear advisor, Yosuke but the material could be used to “This is a very significant first anniversary of the Isozaki, said on the sidelines of the build dozens of nuclear weapons. announcement because it removes tragedy, as an advance 2014 Nuclear Security Summit The announcement is seen as a this nuclear material from a payment on their total (NSS) in The Hague. major victory in President Barack potentially dangerous situation,” compensation claims, said Washington has been press- Obama’s push to secure the Miles Pomper, a senior researcher the International Labour ing Tokyo over the return of world’s radioactive civilian stock- at the Monterey Institute of Organisation (ILO), which weapons-grade material, stored piles. “This is a very significant International Studies, said. is backing the fund. at Japan’s Fast Critical Assembly nuclear security pledge engaging AFP AFP TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Afghan poll campaign Province seeks Afghan attack Rs50bn for security needs claims ‘highly PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has sought Rs50bn from the federal government, making a case for extra financial help to meet its security cost and police depart- disturbing’ ment’s needs, according to officials. A senior finance manager Tendency to blame Pakistan ‘unhelpful’ said that the centre had been informed that the province ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- claimed by the Taliban, was the needed the money to buy mod- terday said it was “highly dis- work of “foreign intelligence serv- ern gadgetry for its police force, turbing” to see attempts being ices” — a phrase normally meant improve surveillance and meet made to implicate it in an to mean neighbouring Pakistan. security cost in the wake of mili- attack on a Kabul hotel that left “Witness testimony and pre- tancy. “The request for the extra nine civilians dead, including an liminary information analysis financial support was made at the AFP journalist. show that the attack was directly highest level,” he said. Afghanistan said on Sunday executed or carried out by for- The provincial government has the attack on Hotel Serena was eign intelligence services outside moved the federal government planned “outside the country”, in the country,” the council said in after, according to sources, police a veiled reference to Pakistan. a statement. “Another informa- department sought funds from it The National Security Council tion of National Directorate of to materialise plans and proce- (NSC), chaired by Afghan Security shows that earlier when dures vis-à-vis modernisation of President Hamid Karzai, also one Pakistani diplomat entered the force. alleged that a Pakistani diplomat the hotel to use its sport club, “The police higher-ups have got was seen scooping out the cor- he filmed the corridors and staff a long wish list of buying modern ridors of the hotel ahead of the objected to it,” the statement said. weapons for the force, installing Thursday night raid. NDS is Afghanistan’s main closed-circuit television cam- “It is highly disturbing that intelligence agency. Supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Dr Abdullah Abdullah listen to his speech during an election cam- eras at important public places, attempts are being made to some- Victims included AFP jour- paign in Badakhshan yesterday. Abdullah has lost at least eight supporters and volunteers in attacks, but said imparting training to the force how implicate Pakistan in this nalist Sardar Ahmad, his wife he was not discouraged. The vote is on April 5. and alike,” said another official, terrorist incident. We reject the and two of their three children, privy to the matter. insinuation,” Pakistan’s foreign along with another Afghan, two According to one official, the ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Canadians, an American and a provincial finance department Aslam said in a statement. “The Paraguayan. The couple’s young- received a request some months tendency to immediately blame est son, Abuzar, 2, sustained bullet Peshawar polio worker found dead ago for providing Rs25bn for the Pakistan is unhelpful and should wounds to the head, chest and leg. police establishment to materi- be discarded.” He is showing signs of improve- PESHAWAR: Police yesterday shot several times, he said. Afghanistan are the only coun- alise its plans. Since the province She said Pakistan has con- ment, doctors said. found the bullet-riddled body “It is not yet clear whether she tries where the disease remains didn’t have an ample fiscal space demned the attack. “A Pakistani “Abuzar is alive because he of a kidnapped female health was killed for taking part in polio endemic. to provide the funds, said the offi- has also sustained serious injuries was brought very quickly to the worker dumped in a field in vaccination drives,” Shah said. Pakistan recorded 91 cases of cial, the matter was taken up with and remains under treatment.” hospital,” Luca Radaelli, medical northwest Pakistani yesterday, Some 56 people have been killed polio last year, up from 58 in 2012, the federal government. Pakistan was the main sup- coordinator at the Italian-run an official said. in militant attacks on anti-polio according to the World Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief porter of the former Taliban Emergency Hospital, said. “He Salma Ghani, about 32 years teams in Pakistan since Dec 2012. Organisation. Victims are left Minister Pervez Khattak made a regime in Afghanistan, and is undergoing evaluation, and we old, was taken by five unidenti- Militant groups such as the dead, paralysed or with withered formal request to Prime Minister Afghan officials have long voiced have to be careful because any- fied men from outside her house Pakistan Taliban oppose immu- limbs. Nawaz Sharif during a meet- suspicions about connections thing can happen. He has started in Peshawar, the main city in nisation, saying it is a cover for Pakistan’s failure to defeat polio ing between the two in the last between the hardline movement feeding orally and is alert in bed northwest Pakistan on Sunday. US spying. stands in stark contrast to its week of January this year. “The and Islamabad’s powerful intel- with his eyes open.” The bullet Senior police official Rahim Violence, and the threat of it, neighbour and great rival India, demand for providing Rs50bn ligence services. fragment has been removed from Shah said Ghani’s body had been have badly hampered a campaign which recently celebrated the made part of a long list of issues NSC said the attack carried his skull and he is being treated recovered from a wheat field on to stamp out polio in Pakistan, eradication of polio three years that the provincial chief execu- out by four teenage gunmen and for other wounds. AFP the edge of the city. She had been which along with Nigeria and after its last case. AFP tive raised at the meeting with Sharif, underlining Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s growing needs to improve its security apparatus,” said the finance manager. Hindus urge Karachi officials to save their temple INTERNEWS KARACHI: Hindus in Pakistan’s com- damage to the building’s structure. stay order,” Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the financed by developer Bahria Town, which Suicide attacks mercial hub Karachi yesterday urged Pakistan’s Chief Justice Tassaduq patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council said. wants a road to link up to a skyscraper it authorities to halt construction work on Hussain Jillani yesterday ordered local The temple has long been a fixture on the is building some hundreds of metres away plot foiled in an underpass, which they say endangers authorities to provide an impact report city’s Clifton Beach, a popular recreation from the temple. But Vankwani said even a 150-year-old temple. within two weeks, but a Hindu commu- spot adjacent to Karachi’s most upmarket the skyscraper was built on “evacuee prop- Afghanistan The minority community said vibrations nity leader said that may be too late to neighbourhood. Pakistan Hindu Council erty” -- land abandoned by Hindus at the from excavation work on a road being built save the temple. says the temple holds a grand mela every time of India’s partition. Under the law, such KABUL: Afghan intel- just metres away from the Ratneshwar “Heavy machinery is at work right now year, attracting some 25,000 pilgrims. property is meant to be protected by the ligence foiled coordinated Mahadev Temple could cause irreparable and it is our request that the court issue a Construction of the underpass is being government. AFP suicide attacks plot in south- ern Helmand province of Afghanistan by arresting Road accident victims a group of suicide bomb- ers along with weapons and explosives. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) announced that the militants were looking to carry out at least five sui- cide attacks in various parts of Helmand province, according to the Afghan Khaama Press. NDS in a statement said that the militants were appointed by Quetta Council to target the presidential and provincial council elections. The statement further added that Afghan intelligence oper- atives discovered and seized a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) along with two motorcycle-borne IED and a rickshaw packed with explosives during an oper- ation in Lashkargah city. According to NDS officials, A Pakistani, who has yet to identify the body of his deceased brother, grieves over the coffins of victims at least five suspected militants including a Taliban leader rec- before their burial in Edhi morgue in Karachi yesterday. Forty people were killed in a collision between ognised as Ismatullah Sharwal two buses and two cargo trucks on a coastal highway. were among those arrested in connection to the attacks plot. Afghan intelligence opera- tives also seized an AK-47 rifle, Push for indefinite Taliban ceasefire 2 pistols, 2 improvised explo- sive devices (IEDs) and 15kgs ISLAMABAD: A day after surgical air strikes in the tribal Both sides are now making of explosives during the opera- Pakistan and Taliban nego- areas. efforts to pursue the crucial tion, NDS added. tiators agreed on the venue “Meaningful negotiations second phase of talks quietly of a proposed meeting, a sen- cannot take place if the cease- - avoiding unnecessary media 14 rebels killed ior government official said fire is not extended, ideally attention. Major Aamir, who they would push Tehreek-e- for an indefinite period,” said was part of the previous gov- in Afghan raids Taliban Pakistan to indefi- Rustam Shah Mohmand, a ernment committee, confirmed nitely extend its ceasefire. member of the government’s that his panel could have con- KABUL: Fourteen Taliban “We would like the ceasefire negotiating team. tinued had its activities been rebels were killed in opera- to be extended for an indefinite “We are expecting to hold kept away from the media glare. tions by Afghan security forces period, this will be our first job the first direct meeting with Taliban intermediary and International Security when we meet TTP Political the TTP Shura in the next Professor Mohammad Ibrahim Assistance Force in the past Shura,” he said. three days.” The maiden meet- said yesterday that there was a 24 hours across the country. The TTP had announced ing between the government “strong possibility” that an ISI The Interior Ministry said a one-month “unconditional committee and Taliban Shura official would join the peace in a statement joint forces car- ceasefire” on March 1 to restore could not take place so far due process. He admitted that there ried out operations in which peace efforts after they hit a to disagreement on the venue. was still a trust deficit between two rebels were injured and 12 roadblock due to the slaying On Saturday, however, the two the two committees which, he arrested. Large quantities of of 23 paramilitary troops by sides evolved consensus on the hoped, would be bridged after heavy and light weapons were the group’s Mohmand chapter. possible location which was not the face-to-face meeting. also seized. AGENCIES The government also called off shared with the media. INTERNEWS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Ex-MP quits Jaswant takes BJP, to contest as independent PATNA: Senior BJP leader and on Modi after four-time Bihar MP Lal Muni Choubey yesterday announced that he has quit the party and will contest as an independent filing nomination from Buxar. Lal Muni Choubey was upset after he was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls. BJP ‘NaMo chant reeks of arrogance’ fielded another leader Ashwini Kumar Chaubey who was health BARMER, Rajasthan: Rebel A long-time associate of BJP minister in the Nitish Kumar BJP leader Jaswant Singh yes- stars Atal Bihari Vajpayee and government and hails from terday publicly took on its prime L K Advani, Jaswant Singh said Bhagalpur. ministerial candidate Narendra returning to the BJP in 2010 after “I have resigned from the BJP Modi after entering the Lok his expulsion earlier was a mis- and am announcing here that I Sabha polls as an independ- take. “The way I was expelled will contest as an independent ent, saying his conduct betrays after the BJP Shimla conven- from Buxar,” Choubey, who was arrogance. tion, even a ‘chaprasi’ (peon) isn’t considered close to former prime Hurt after being denied the expelled like that,” Jaswant Singh minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP ticket to contest from told the rally. said at a press conference here. Barmer, the Bharatiya Janata “Perhaps it was an emotional Choubey’s announcement came Party (BJP) veteran also accused weakness that I joined the BJP on a day when another senior BJP party President Rajnath Singh again though all my relatives and leader Jaswant Singh filed his nom- and Rajasthan Chief Minister friends had sought to dissuade ination from Rajasthan’s Barmer Vasundhara Raje of betraying the me.” F olk artists show a placard saying ‘come and vote’ to grab attention of the people for the upcoming Lok Sabha seat as an independent candidate. BJP’s ideology and turning it into Jaswant Singh, elected to the election in Bangalore, yesterday. Choubey said that he will also another Congress. Lok Sabha in 2009 from Darjeeling campaign against BJP’s prime “Ye NaMo, NaMo ka jo tama- in West Bengal, wanted to contest ministerial candidate Narendra sha hai (the circus around NaMo from the Lok Sabha election from Sibal hits out at ‘Modi ki sarkar’ slogan Modi who is contesting from chants), it reminds me of 1975 Barmer this time. Varanasi. “I will visit Varanasi to (Emergency rule). It reeks of But the ticket was given to NEW DELHI: Congress leader “Modi ki sarkar”? Is the govern- “Voters will have to think what campaign against Modi,” he said. arrogance,” Jaswant Singh told former Congress leader Sonaram Kapil Sibal yesterday lashed ment of an individual,” Sibal said is happening,” Sibal said. He said that he was hurt by the the media here after filing his Choudhary, who recently joined out at BJP’s prime ministerial at a press conference here. On the denial of a ticket to way the BJP is treating its stal- nomination papers. the BJP. candidate Narendra Modi and Sibal, who is seeking re-election Jaswant Singh from Barmer in warts like Vajpayee, L K Advani “There is no effort to take eve- Talking to a television news said the party’s slogan of “Modi to the Lok Sabha as the Congress Rajasthan, Sibal said people who and Jaswant Singh. “I cannot toler- ryone along. This is a dangerous channel, Jaswant Singh chal- ki sarkar” was unconstitutional candidate from Chandni Chowk had served the party for over ate humiliation to Vajpayee, Advani route, better if they tread with lenged Choudhary’s ability to as India cannot be run by an constituency in Delhi, said he three decades were not being and Jaswant in the party,” he said. caution,” he added. win, saying he (Choudhary) lost individual. was raising questions as a citizen given importance in the BJP. Choubey reiterated that top Jaswant Singh did not say any- the recent assembly elections to Law Minister Sibal also took a of India. “Will an individual run Sibal said there were reports in BJP leaders have been neglected thing else about Modi but was a BJP candidate. dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party this country, a democracy of 120 a section of the media about the by the party and said that unsparing of Rajnath Singh, a Faced with an embarrassing over denial of Lok Sabha ticket crore people? Will there be a gov- prospect of the exchange rate of Vajpayee is being treated like a Modi confidant, and Vasundhara situation it did not bargain for to former union minister Jaswant ernment of an individual? In its rupee against the dollar improving living dead while Advani and Raje. ahead of the Lok Sabha battle, Singh. own way, it is unconstitutional,” dramatically if there is a govern- Jaswant have been ignored. “They have betrayed me,” he the BJP spoke in contrary voices. He criticised the BJP over its he said. ment headed by Modi. “An atmos- Choubey added he was hav- earlier told a gathering of his sup- “We cannot comment on his slogan “Ab ki bar, Modi sarkar Attacking Modi, Sibal said phere (is being created) that Modi ing no ties with the Rashtriya porters, saying it was he who had decision. As far as the party (This time it will be Modi’s the Gujarat chief minister has is remedy to every patient... an Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). “I recommended Rajnath Singh and is concerned, he is a respected government)”. no experience of working at the artificial thing is being presented was never a member of RSS and Vasundhara Raje for the posts leader and we still respect him,” “Is Modi linked to himself or centre, and added that the BJP before people,” he said. have nothing to do with it,” he said. they now hold. BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the BJP? What is the meaning of had been hijacked by Modi. IANS IANS And sounding emotional, in New Delhi. Jaswant Singh said he felt But BJP’s M Venkaiah Naidu “extremely relieved” yesterday launched a mild attack on him. Varanasi set for epic battle as Kejriwal comes calling and sought the support of the “The party has given him lot of people of Barmer, his home turf, respect. He was made leader of saying it was a question of their the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, VA R A NASI: AAP star Arvind busy tailoring a locally-flavoured the Beniyabagh ground where Other volunteers in the honour too. he was a cabinet minister,” said Kejriwal arrives here today to winning strategy which they say Kejriwal will hold his rally today. ‘nukkad natak’ group come “The BJP has become like the Naidu. “If he was denied a ticket kickstart an epic Lok Sabha will “humble” Modi when the Saman, a niece of former from Allahabad, Varanasi and Congress, indulging in vote bank for some political reason, going battle that his supporters say Hindu holy city votes for its next chief election commissioner S Lucknow. politics. It has abandoned its prin- against the party is not good.” will surely “humble” BJP’s Lok Sabha representative May 12. Y Qureshi, said that by Monday A former income tax officer- ciples and ideology.” The Congress used the oppor- prime ministerial candidate And as they speak of a “99 per- evening they would have com- turned-activist-turned-politician, In an obvious reference to tunity to attack the BJP. Narendra Modi. cent surety” of the former Delhi pleted 150 street skits in just 10 Kejriwal is likely to hold a ‘ref- Congress leaders now joining “It is against our culture and As a morning train brings chief minister taking on the BJP days. erendum’ at the rally Tuesday the BJP, Jaswant Singh said the tradition to disrespect the elders. Kejriwal into this ancient city on heavyweight, they say confidently “Through these skits we tell seeking people’s approval for his recent entrants had no connec- But when you have an individual the banks of the Ganges, around that the AAP leader will preside people about the value of electing decision to take on Modi. tion with the BJP ideology. for whom it is just I-me-myself, it 350 young men and women spread over the BJP’s political waterloo. the right candidate and take up The die, however, has been cast The former external affairs is authoritarianism of the worst out in Varanasi are planning a There is a team of volunteers the cause of the anti-corruption and it is just a matter of a formal minister dared the BJP to remove kind,” party leader Anand Sharma “phaadu debut” (rocking debut) led by Saman Qureshi from New movement. We stress that their announcement, said an insider in him. “I will not say goodbye till said in a clear attack on Modi. for their leader. Delhi which is holding 20-minute vote can make all the difference,” the Aam Aadmi Party team. the party says goodbye.” IANS This team of 25-something is ‘nukkad nataks’, largely near she said. IANS RSS trying to break AAP: Yogendra Congress fields Sunil Jakhar GURGAON: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak the AAP. We thought it was a routine complaint,” Sangh (RSS) is using dirty tricks to infiltrate he said. “We sidelined Ramesh Yadav but didn’t in Punjab the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), senior party expel him because he was attached with the AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said yesterday. from the beginning. NEW DELHI: Continuing its “AAP’s Gurgaon district convener (Ramesh “Five days ago, a party worker gave us an eight- move to field party bigwigs in Yadav) was caught on sting saying ‘AAP is a cobra minute audio tape in which he (Ramesh Yadav) Punjab, the Congress yesterday that will bite the BJP’,” Yadav, the AAP candidate called the AAP as a ‘B’ team of the Congress and announced that it was fielding in Gurgaon, told the media here. a ‘cobra’ and ‘worse than cancer’. Sunil Kumar Jakhar, the leader “The AAP face (in Gurgaon) was actually “He was giving directions to someone to spoil of opposition in state assembly, working for the BJP,” he added, referring to the AAP’s game and saying he will send 15 men as its candidate from the state’s Ramesh Yadav. and they can be used as AAP workers. Ferozepur seat for the Lok Ramesh Yadav created a ruckus during party “RSS is a financially sound institution and is Sabha elections. leader Arvind Kejriwal’s Gurgaon public rally at using all the tricks and tactics to infiltrate the Jakhar, son of former union Bhim Nagar on Sunday evening and later quit AAP because the Congress has already accepted minister and Lok Sabha speaker the party along with his supporters. defeat but the BJP is facing a strong challenge Balram Jakhar, is the sitting Yogendra Yadav revealed that he was caught from AAP,” he said. Congress legislator from the on sting last week asking AAP workers to cov- Yogendra Yadav said a fortnight back a few Abohar seat in Punjab. ertly support the Bharatiya Janata Party, which people from the AAP joined the BJP in the pres- Two other Congress candidates considers the RSS its ideological parent. ence of BJP’s Gurgaon candidate Rao Inderjeet announced in the list from Punjab “We have been receiving massages from some Singh but it was claimed that over 250 AAP include Sadhu Singh Dharamsot Gurgaon party workers that Ramesh Yadav was workers had left the party. from Fatehgarh Sahib and creating hurdles for people who wanted to join IANS Joginder Singh Panjgrain from Faridkot. Last week, the Congress had fielded former Punjab chief min- ister Amarinder Singh from the Amritsar seat to take on Bharatiya Janata Party heavy- weight Arun Jaitley. The Congress also announced former union minister Ambika Soni for the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat in place of sitting MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, a grandson of former chief minister Beant Singh. The party released a list of 16 candidates that included union Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena from Dausa in Rajasthan, but kept up the sus- pense on its candidate for Varanasi to take on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. The party announced two candidates from Karnataka, one from Maharashtra, two from Rajasthan, one from Uttar Pradesh, three each from Tamil Labourers carry a banner of Rahul Gandhi for installation at a ground where Rahul is scheduled to attend a Nadu and West Bengal. public rally today, in Sepahijala district in Tripura, yesterday. IANS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Andhra couple Second IM bomb expert arrested arrested for Bihar resident Monu in custody; Waqas had 46 days training in Pakistan: Police killing techie

NEW DELHI: A second Indian blasts in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar, Kathmandu airport in the first first bomb explosion following “Just after completing his daughter Mujahideen (IM) bomb-making Opera House and Dadar West — week of September in 2010 and shootout outside Delhi’s Jama diploma in food technology from expert, who was part of the as well as the 2012 low intensity took him to Delhi for the Jama Masjid on September 19, 2010. Faisalabad in Pakistan, Waqas HYDERABAD: A couple was terror outfit’s plan to create blasts in Pune and the twin bomb- Masjid bomb attack. “First time in 2009, Waqas was went to join ‘jihad’ and came in arrested for allegedly murder- mayhem in India during the ings in Hyderabad in 2013. Sources said Monu has been sent for 21 days’ training at the contact with Taz Mohammed. To ing their young software engi- coming Lok Sabha polls, has All these terror attacks left a acting upon the directions of the Naushera camp of Lashkar-e- test his enthusiasm for jihad, Taz neer daughter for marrying been arrested, informed sources total of 43 dead and 253 injured. absconding top IM operative Riyaz Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan. As he Mohammed accepted Waqas’s outside their caste in Andhra said yesterday. Sources said Monu along with Bhatkal, who is involved in several was not satisfied with his train- request to provide him training,” Pradesh. P Hari Babu and Sources said Tehsin Akhtar Waqas, who was arrested on cases of terror attacks in India. ing, he was again sent for 25 days’ said Srivastava. Samrajyam, who were abscond- alias Monu, 22, resident of Friday from Rajasthan by Delhi “Monu stayed in India for a few training at a Waziristan-based Waqas, along with 20 other ing since Sunday, were arrested Samastipur in Bihar, has been Police, was planning to carry out months and was planning terror camp ‘Margas e Aksa’ in the end young men in the age group of 19 by the police in Guntur. arrested by Delhi Police. major attacks in India during the attacks during Lok Sabha polls of 2009,” Srivastava said. to 20, was sent for his first 21-day Pachala Deepthi (25), who had Senior Delhi Police officials general election. after receiving lakhs of rupees in The official said that these “daur-e-aam” training that was married her colleague against were, however, tight-lipped over Police had also recovered explo- hawala money,” said a source. training sessions were called carried out between 5.30am to the wishes of her parents, was the arrest. sive materials, detonators, and Meanwhile, Srivastava added “daur-e-aam” and “daur-e-khas” 5pm every day, he said. found murdered Sunday within According to the sources, Monu electronic circuits/timers from that Waqas had taken 46 days’ by IM members. Waqas told his interrogators hours after returning home from was involved in the 2010 bombing the possession of the terrorists. training in Pakistan. Waqas’s first training was that the boys went for prayers Hyderabad. at Varanasi’s Sheetla Ghat dur- Special Commissioner of Police According to Srivastava, Waqas organised by Taz Mohammed, after getting up early, had break- The parents, who had brought ing the evening ‘aarti’, the cooker (Special Cell) S N Srivastava during his interrogation revealed who collected donations on behalf fast and then were imparted reli- her home by promising to honour bomb blast outside Jama Masjid said that Monu was the IM that the training sessions took of the frontal charity organisation gious teaching at a mosque. their marriage in the presence of here the same year, the 2011 serial operative who received Waqas at place before he carried out his of the LeT, the Jamat-ud-Dawa. IANS relatives and friends, allegedly strangled her to death after tying her to the bed. The murder came to light Precarious act after Deepthi’s husband A Kiran Kumar went to their home. Withdraw Aadhaar card Deepthi, a software engineer with an IT firm in Hyderabad, fell in love with her Kiran Kumar, who hails from in East Godavari notification: Court district. Kiran Kumar, who joined a multinational firm in the US NEW DELHI: Directing that not implementing it?” asked last year, and Deepthi decided the biometric data of Aadhaar Justice Chauhan. to marry but the girl’s parents card holders not be shared The apex court Sep 24 last year opposed the alliance. with any investigating agency ruled that Aadhaar Card was After failing to convince her or government department, not mandatory for availing the parents, Deepthi married Kiran at the Supreme Court yesterday benefits of various government the Arya Samaj office in Hyderabad frowned at the central govern- schemes. on Friday. Her parents rushed to ment for not implementing its Apparently displeased over the Hyderabad the next day and took order that non-possession of non-implementation of the court’s the couple to Guntur by promising Aadhaar vard would not handi- order on not making Aadhaar to solemnise the marriage in the cap a person from availing serv- mandatory, Justice Chauhan told presence of relatives and friends. ices from the government. Prasaran that he has been receiving They made Kiran and his Staying the order of the Goa a number of letters, making vari- friends stay in a hotel and took bench of Bombay High Court ous complaints including that they their daughter home, where they asking the Unique Identification were not getting their marriages and executed the murder plan. Police Authority of India (UIDAI) to properties registered as the authori- said Deepthi’s parents fled after share fingerprint details of a rape ties insisted on an Aadhaar card. killing her. accused with the CBI, a bench of In one case, one lady said that IANS Justice B S Chauhan and Justice “my marriage is not being reg- Workers try to dismantle a car which was used for a television show advertisement in Mumbai yesterday. J Chelameswar restrained the istered because of the lack of UIDAI from “transferring infor- the Aadhaar card and some say mation or data with them of an my property is not getting reg- Aadhaar Card holder to any agency istered because of the lack of or department without the express Adhaar card”, Justice Chauhan After nearly six years, Kosi flood probe report submitted consent of person concerned”. told Prasaran as he sought to The court asked Solicitor address the court on the UIDAI General Mohan Prasaran to plea challenging the Bombay High PATNA: A commission probing its final report to Bihar Chief report has been delayed by nearly were destroyed and at least withdraw the notification making Court order to share the biomet- an embankment breach in the Secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha six years. It has already spent over 840,000 acres of crops damaged. possession of Adhaar Card man- ric details of a rape accused with Kosi river that caused Bihar’s here at his office,” an official said. Rs1.5 crore of public money till date. The state government datory for availing the benefits of the investigating agency. worst floods in 50 years sub- But in view of the ongoing cam- The Kusaha embankment appointed the Walia commission certain government schemes. Issuing notice on the plea chal- mitted its report yesterday to paigning for the Lok Sabha polls, near the India-Nepal border on after the opposition said the cause “You issue instructions with- lenging the high court order, the the state government nearly six the report will not be made public, the Kosi river was breached on of the breach should be probed. It drawing the notification making court said that “no person should years after it was set up. he added. August 18, 2008. Five districts of was asked to examine all aspects Aadhaar Card mandatory for be deprived of any services for not “One-man inquiry commis- According to officials, the com- north Bihar were flooded, killing related to the efforts to maintain availing the services wherever possessing the Aadhaar Card, if sion headed by Justice Rajesh mission was expected to submit its at least 250 people and rendering the utility of the Kosi project (it is) applicable. We have already he/she is otherwise eligible”. Walia, retired chief justice of the report in six months. But its term nearly three million people home- since its inception in 1953. passed stay order. Why you are IANS Patna High Court, has submitted was extended 10 times and the less. More than 300,000 houses IANS Online vote for NRIs? May be by next poll

OT that too many of the candi- distinction between the two resulting in the dates inspire an uncontrollable urge THE NR EYE denial of the NRIs’ right to vote would be Nto vote for them, but citizens of a in violation of article 19(1) as well as arti- democratic country can and should have a cle 21 of the Constitution. It also quotes a desire to do the one thing they can to par- Moiz Mannan report by the International Institute for ticipate — cast their ballot. Democracy and Electoral Assistance that Notwithstanding all the appeals from In the present case of the UAE doctor, 20 Asian countries (among 114 worldwide) numerous organizations of non-resident Shamseer Valayil Parampath, the plea has have already adopted external voting prac- Indians (NRIs) all over the world, represen- been moved against the law in question tices such as personal voting, postal voting, tations made by major Indian political par- is Section 20(A) of the Representation of proxy vote, and electronic voting. ties, industrialists and even the Ministry of Peoples (Amendment) Act of 2010. Over the years, scores of NRI organisa- Overseas Indians Affairs, it seems unlikely Section 20(A) had amended an earlier tions, including those affiliated to India’s that the demand for external voting (online, requirement that required a person to be major political outfits, have demanded vot- postal or proxy) would be fulfilled as the “ordinarily resident” in his native constit- ing rights. When the amendment regard- country elects its 16th Lok Sabha in the uency to have his name registered in the ing residence was made, they termed it as coming months. electoral roll. Even possessing or owning a “farce” played on overseas Indians, par- There is even a petition, yet again, in the property was not enough proof of his resi- ticularly the blue-collar workers who could Supreme Court of India asking for the rules dence to give him the right to vote. never possibly be physically present in India to change to remove the “discrimination” Section 20(A) had changed all that when it at the time of voting. against NRIs of requiring their physical pres- was introduced in a 2010 amendment to the Earlier this year, a delegation of Bharatiya ence at their native place to be able to vote. A Representation of Peoples Act. The provision Janata Party (BJP) leaders met Chief successful medical professional and recipient recognised the right to vote of a person “absent, Election Commissioner V S Sampath seek- of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from the UAE temporarily or not, from his place of ordinary ing a mechanism for postal ballot facility has reportedly knocked on the doors of the residence in India owing to his employment, or voting at an Indian mission abroad or Supreme Court of India with this plea. education or otherwise outside India”. online voting to allow NRIs to participate We can’t really expect the court to pro- But the petition argues that the amend- in elections. vide any relief at this juncture. In August ment goes no further. In fact, it claims “Postal ballot forms can be made avail- 2010, the apex court had disallowed a Section 20(A) short changes the NRI by able either at the official website of Election plea by Qatar-based non-resident Indian giving him the right to vote on one hand, Commission of India or can be provided Ahammed Adyottil regarding voting rights but asking him to be physically present here through Indian consulates overseas posts. to the country’s overseas citizens. The court to actually exercise his franchise. NRIs could then post it back to the speci- rejected the petition on law points rather “This paints the entire process of empower- fied address. Such ballots can be marked and than on the merits of the appeal. ment as a farce as the intention behind the sent after nomination closure date along The fact that millions of Indians living law cannot be fully exercised. A well-to-do with their Identification proof as specified by and working abroad must and should have businessman living abroad will have the finan- Election Commission of India. Citizens should a say in deciding who rules them cannot be cial ability to travel to India to vote whereas a be allowed to use E-POST Service or Indian denied. The Supreme Court’s refusal to allow migrant labourer will not. This runs entirely Embassy Service,” the BJP petition said. Adyottil’s plea was understandable. The anathema to the intent of the Constitution However, none of this has yielded any learned bench, comprising Chief Justice S as enshrined in Article 14,” the petition said. result. All authorities approached by NRIs H Kapadia and justices K S Radhakrishnan Seeking recognition of the right to exter- have pointed toward the Election Commission. and Swatanter Kumar, averred that the nal voting, the PIL said the existing pro- Media reports last month said the EC was court could not consider a public interest visions create two distinct categories of considering a proposal to allow external vot- litigation (PIL) concerning policy matters haves and have-nots among the 1,00,37,761 ing following many representations made by such as the issue of voting rights. NRIs (as on May 2012 as per the Ministry expatriate Indians. Of the three options — The judges also pointed out to Adyottil’s of Overseas Indian Affairs) residing abroad postal ballot, voting at an Indian mission counsel that they would not like to inter- as less than 12,000 have enrolled themselves abroad or online voting — officials favour fere in the matter because a Bill pertaining as voters in the electoral rolls. the last. Indian missions do not have enough to voting rights of NRIs was pending with The plea said it was incumbent upon resources to organise voting and there isn’t the government. They were referring to the the government to ensure that NRIs too enough time to mail paper ballots abroad and Representation of the People (Amendment) have the same rights and freedom as those get them back in time for counting. Bill, 2006. enjoyed by citizens living in India. It said any THE PENINSULA

TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Dubai Festival of Lights

Fajr (Dawn) 4:17 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:33 Zuhr (Noon) 11:40 Asr (Afternoon) 3:07 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:48 Isha (Night) 7:18

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy with chance for scattered High: 26° High: 26° High: 26° Low: 20° Low: 20° Low: 19° rain may be thundery at times.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:33 17:48 11:00 & 00:00 07:45 & 17:00 7-17/22 KT Men walk on an illuminated bridge in downtown Dubai, with the Burj Khalifa tower in the background, during the Dubai Festival of Lights, which is THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW inspired by French city Lyon’s Festival of Lights. Illuminations and artistic light installations are on display in the Emirati city from March 20 to 29. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 31/22 Mostly cloudy 29/20 Chance of rain MAKKAH 32/22 Partly cloudy 30/22 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 24/19 Partly cloudy 25/19 Clear Warmest years occurred in 21st century BAHRAIN 28/18 Partly cloudy 28/15 Partly cloudy GENEVA: SANAA 27/12 Partly cloudy 27/13 Partly cloudy Thirteen of the decade on record, the WMO seven years, starting with 2007, variability and greenhouse gas RIYADH 33/19 Partly cloudy 33/17 Partly cloudy 14 warmest years on record noted, and added that the last which scientists were “stunned” induced climate change. These occurred this century, accord- three decades had been warmer by at the time. annual statements document a DUBAI 33/22 Chance of rain 27/21 Chance of storm ing to the UN. than the previous one. “Many of the extreme events of striking long-term trend, and one BAGHDAD 28/17 Mostly cloudy 26/15 Partly cloudy Publishing its annual cli- The WMO reiterated its earlier 2013 were consistent with what thing is clear: that our continuing mate report, the UN’s World finding that 2013 was the sixth we would expect as a result of greenhouse gas emissions are a THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Meteorological Organisation warmest on record, with temper- human-induced climate change. crucial driving force in the chang- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER (WMO) said that 2013 continued atures 0.5C above the long-term We saw heavier precipitation, ing climate.” a long-term warming trend, with average (1961-1990). The south- more intense heat, and more THE GUARDIAN ATHENS 20/12 Clear 20/14 Partly cloudy the hottest year ever in Australia ern hemisphere was particu- damage from storm surges and WASHINGTON 05/-1 Snow 03/-4 Clear and floods, droughts and extreme larly warm, its report said, with coastal flooding as a result of sea SYDNEY 26/21 Thunderstorm 26/19 Chance of rain weather elsewhere around the Argentina experiencing its second level rise — as typhoon Haiyan so LONDON 11/04 Rain 11/03 Chance of rain world. warmest year on record and New tragically demonstrated in the Michel Jarraud, the WMO’s Zealand its third warmest. Philippines,” said Jarraud. PARIS 11/05 Rain 13/05 Chance of rain secretary-general, also said there Arctic sea ice in 2013 did not Prof Sir Brian Hoskins, direc- ISTANBUL 16/09 Rain 16/10 Mostly cloudy had been no ‘pause’ in global reach the record lows seen in 2012 tor of the Grantham Institute MANILA 31/24 Partly cloudy 32/24 Partly cloudy warming, as has been alleged by for minimum extent in the sum- for Climate Change at Imperial DHAKA 34/23 Partly cloudy 36/23 Clear climate change sceptics. “There is mer, but was at the sixth lowest College London, said: “2013 with DELHI 31/17 Rain 29/19 Mostly cloudy no standstill in global warming,” on record. The WMO noted all its mixture of record warmth ISLAMABAD 23/12 Partly cloudy 25/11 Partly cloudy Jarraud said. seven of the lowest Arctic sea- and extreme weather shows a 2001-2010 was the warmest ice extents took place in the past now familiar mixture of natural Tuesday 25 March 2014 24 Jumadal I 1435 Volume 19 Number 5614 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QFB awaits regulatory nod for listing New Sonata

well-planned diversification of Bank’s total investment hits QR2.1bn economic resources, development of diverse energy portfolio and BY SATISH KANADY promise of sound returns and are support of the financial sector. continuing our work to develop During the year, QFB continued DOHA: The Qatar First Bank new areas of growth, including to surge ahead with key develop- (QFB) yesterday announced the commercial bank operations. ments across all business lines. that it will go for listing on QFB has invested a total of QFB’s year-on-year growth over the Qatari bourse once it gets QR2.1bn in 18 transactions since the past five years is a clear testa- the regulatory approval. “We inception, in different sectors and ment to our prudent strategy that are all set for listing. We have across geographies spanning a has propelled the bank towards been waiting for the regulatory broader GCC, MENA, Turkey and becoming a regional Shari’ah- nod for long,” QFB Chairman UK. The investments cover broad compliant financial institution.” Abdullah bin Fahad bin Ghorab sectors including energy, financial “Our long-term prospects Hyundai Motor Co’s Sonata sedan during its launch in Seoul yesterday. Al Marri (pictured) said services, industrials, real estate remain solid, driven by strong fun- yesterday. and healthcare. damentals, and we are commit- Talking to The Peninsula, Al The QFB in its fifth full year ted to continuing to provide our Marri said the bank has com- of operation, invested a total of investors and clients with well- pleted all the mandatory regu- QR244m in 2013. Of this, 22.2 per- of QR2bn was fully subscribed in structured products and a world Amlak suspension to be lifted latory procedures that it was cent investment is in the health the financial year 2013. class service from an independent, supposed to do ahead of the list- sector. Energy and financial sec- In line with the capital increase, experienced Islamic bank.” ABU DHABI: The shares bin Saeed Al Mansouri told ing. “We have been waiting for tor account for 18.3 percent each the bank made clarifications to its Ahmad Meshari, QFB Acting of indebted mortgage lender reporters on the sidelines of an their approval for long. I am sorry and 8.9 percent investment is in local and foreign ownership limits Chief Executive Officer, said: Amlak will resume trading on event in Abu Dhabi. to say that we are not getting the the real estate sector. in its Articles which would ben- “During 2013, we focused our the Dubai bourse in the sec- Plans to merge with rival right support from the regulatory Addressing the annual and efit any future placements of new efforts on developing our com- ond half of this year, the United Tamweel, shares of which were body,” Al Marri said. extraordinary general assem- shares. These steps would further mercial banking activities build- Arab Emirates’ economy minis- also suspended in 2008, failed to The Shariah-compliant bank bly meeting yesterday, Al Marri strengthen the bank’s commit- ing on our successful model in ter said yesterday. materialise and Tamweel was active in private equity invest- noted the Bank took steps to ment and preparedness for its investment banking. Our invest- Trading in shares of Amlak, delisted last year after its parent ments was planning a listing on enhance its liquidity position participation in Qatar Exchange ment line of business continued which is in the process of restruc- Dubai Islamic Bank acquired all the local bourse since 2012. It and shareholder base by increas- by attracting a wider spectrum to perform well in line with our turing debt that sources put at of its mortgage affiliate. had also announced its decision ing its authorised capital by 25 of local and foreign shareholders expectations as our portfolio com- nearly $2bn, was suspended in Amlak, in which Emaar to hire Credit Suisse as a finan- percent to QR2.5bn. The funds in line with the upgrade of Qatar panies posted positive results.” November 2008 as credit mar- Properties has a 45 percent stake, cial adviser. Expressing his dis- are aimed at facilitating further Exchange to ‘emerging market’ The AGM/Extraordinary kets dried up and Dubai real has been in talks with a six-mem- may over the delay in getting the growth in the asset base and as status, Al Marri said. meeting approved all the items in estate prices began a 50 percent ber creditor committee to address approval from Qatar Financial well as positioning the bank for QFB’s Chairman said: “Despite the agenda including the distribu- fall from their peak. Dh7bn ($1.9bn) of debt, sources Markets Authority (QFMA), Al the full operations of its com- the economic backdrop in 2013, tion of 8 percent of paid up share “Our target is to list the com- said. “We are progressing well Marri said the bank is commit- mercial banking business. He Qatar witnessed a great eco- capital to QFB shareholders. pany in the second half of this on that one (restructuring),” Al ted to its shareholders with the also announced that its capital nomic ascendency, boosted by THE PENINSULA year,” economy minister Sultan Mansouri said. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar well-placed for stable LNG supply Reliability must for Asia-Pacific’s energy needs: RasGas

DOHA/SEOUL: Asia’s grow- leadership panel discussion enti- and commercial expertise to ing energy requirements calls tled ‘Developing the Next Wave deliver a secure, safe and reliable for supply from a diverse port- of Gas Supply to Asia-Pacific supply of LNG today and for years folio of established liquefied Markets’ on the inaugural day of to come,” said Al Mohannadi. natural gas (LNG) producers the four-day event, Al Mohannadi Speaking on the growing uses of and developers with proven highlighted the fact that Asian LNG, Al Mohannadi pointed out records of reliability and sta- customers need to remain focused that it is not only sought for fuel bility, said RasGas Company on projects with strong and eco- in power generation and industrial Ltd’s (RasGas) Chief Executive nomically viable resources which uses, but has rapidly gained accept- Officer Hamad Rashid Al are serviced by reliable and expe- ance as a fuel for shipping and Mohannadi at Gastech, cur- rienced developers and operators. large-scale road haulage. He cited rently being held in Seoul, “Qatar’s stable political and the shift towards LNG powered South Korea. economic environment provides ships in Australia, South Korea The Gastech conference and context for the continued reli- and the European Union all of exhibition is held approximately able supply of LNG from existing which are pushing ahead with pilot once every 18 months. This is LNG production facilities with schemes, backed by policy makers. RasGas’ ninth consecutive partic- a compelling and proven track “Qatar recently launched a ipation in the industry event for record that is undisputedly world project to convert a Q-Max ves- which it is also a strategic spon- class. I believe the country is ide- sel to use LNG as an alternative sor. The Qatar delegation was led ally positioned to lead the global to heavy fuel oil. This allows us to by HE Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh shift toward the increased use of further reduce emissions and pro- Al Sada, Minister of Energy and gas and to meet the expanding vide greater flexibility of marine RasGas Chief Executive Officer Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi speaking at an executive leadership panel discussion Industry. requirements for LNG in Asia. fuel supply,” he added. on the inaugural day of Gastech in Seoul, South Korea. Speaking on an executive And RasGas has the technical THE PENINSULA

Qatar bourse slips China oil giants’ Shell sees no major impact on profits up despite again, down 0.72pc weak economy higher US gas export to Europe SEOUL: Growing interest in sending more said market liquidity would not be so big as DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended industrial sector fell 1.42 percent, SHANGHAI: China’s major US natural gas to Europe does not hold a that of crude oil. The pace of China’s gas in the red area again — down while insurance sector added 0.94 onshore oil firms Sinopec and big threat for Asian gas markets, although demand growth will also be key to how mar- for a fourth straight session — percent. PetroChina said profits rose in such exports would help improve spot mar- kets develop over the next few years as new when trading closed yesterday at Elsewhere in the region, Dubai’s 2013, despite weakness in the ket liquidity for the super-chilled form of supplies emerge from Australia, East Africa, 11,258.51 points, down 0.72 percent, bourse ended a six-day rally yester- world’s second largest economy. the fuel, a Shell executive said yesterday. North America, Russia and the Middle East. or 81.61 points, from the previous day as retail investors took profits, Sinopec—a listed unit of China Tension over the future of Ukraine is “A big question mark ... is how fast China closing of 11,340.12 points. while banks dragged down Bahrain Petrochemical Corp—saw net profit prompting the European Union and United will grow, and within that, how fast the gas Local individual investors and after a merger in the sector fell edge up 3.5 percent year on year to States to look at deepening their economic market will grow,” he said, noting that gas is institutions as well as foreign retail apart. The rest of the region was 66.1bn yuan ($10.6bn), it said in a ties. Europe is hoping to tap the abundant “really low” in China’s energy mix compared investors were all net sellers yes- mixed. statement, with revenue up 3.4 per- energy resources of its key ally to reduce with 20-25 percent in Asia. terday, while foreign institutions The main Dubai market index cent at 2.9 trillion yuan thanks to dependence on Russia, which feeds a bulk of China has set a target of raising natural were buying. The volume of shares opened higher but then moved “stable” domestic demand. the region’s gas demand. gas’ share of its energy mix to 8 percent by was up at 15,845,672 from Sunday’s into the red as heavyweight Emaar “China’s economy kept turn- It is still unclear how much US gas might 2015, from around 5 percent now. 11,707,429 and the value of shares Properties slid 0.8 percent in low- ing for the better, so demand for eventually go to Europe because Asia is a As for the development of a spot market for increased to QR505,786,828.53 from volume trading. oil and petrochemical products in more lucrative export market. Some US law- LNG, Wetselaar said: “It is clear that with a QR440,316,298.89. Abu Dhabi’s bourse closed up 0.2 the domestic market grew stably,” makers also oppose shipping domestic gas rise of North American exports where many Among the top losers were percent thanks to blue chips such as Sinopec chairman Fu Chengyu said. overseas, worried prices would rise at home. of the cargoes are not sold on a long-term Industries Qatar, whose shares National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which This year, “China’s industrialisation Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will in the basis, and have more destination flexibility, were down 1.69 percent to QR175, added 1.8 percent. Bank of Sharjah and urbanisation push will facilitate meantime remain tight due to Japan’s post- the spot market in the future will be bigger Barwa Real Estate lost 1.87 percent dropped 6.6 percent after going stable growth in demand from the Fukushima demand, until new supply comes than it has been in the past.” to QR34.20, Vodafone Qatar fell ex-dividend. oil and petrochemical markets, and onstream from Australia, Angola and Papua Gas investors will still need to sell much of 0.91 percent to QR11.97 and Doha Bahrain’s bourse was the Gulf’s provide room for development of the New Guinea, Maarten Wetselaar, executive their gas on a long-term basis to finance their Insurance decreased by 2.09 percent biggest loser, shedding 1.4 percent. company.” Sinopec was held partly vice president of Royal Dutch Shell’s inte- LNG projects, and that will remain the main to QR22.51. Khaleeji Commercial Bank fell 2 per- responsible for a deadly pipeline grated gas division, said in an interview. portion of the gas market, he said. “The (spot) The banking and financial sector cent after the lender and unlisted explosion that killed more than 60 “The effects are relatively minor on the volumes on the market and liquidity of the index was down 0.28 percent, while Bank Al Khair failed to agree people in the eastern city of Qingdao scale of the global gas market, even on the market will never be anything near crude oil consumer goods and services sec- on the terms of a merger and in November, and caused losses of scale of the global energy market,” Wetselaar markets,” he said, especially considering the tor index dropped 0.31 percent. The dropped the plan. QNA & REUTERS more than $100m. said of potentially higher US LNG exports technical features of LNG and the expense Separately, PetroChina saw net to Europe. involved in storing and shipping the fuel. profit jump 12.4 percent year-on- “I wouldn’t expect them to disrupt any of Meanwhile, the world’s top two buyers year to 129.6bn yuan in 2013 “despite the short-term, medium-term flows going Japan and South Korea, along with China the complex global and domestic eco- around Asia,” he said. Wetselaar is in South and other Asian gas importers, have been nomic environment”. Revenue for Korea for an international gas conference unhappy about paying higher prices than PetroChina, a listed unit of China this week. And while US LNG exports — the United States and Europe due to strong National Petroleum Corp, rose 2.9 which are expected to start up from Texas regional demand. Asian buyers took about percent from a year earlier to 2.3 and Louisiana next year — would help to 70 percent of global LNG exports last year. trillion yuan, the company said. AFP relieve overall supply tightness, Wetselaar REUTERS

Thales to expand footprint in Qatar, Mideast

DOHA: Thales, a global tech- aerospace, space and transpor- nology leader in aerospace, tation domains. It is a key region transportation and defence in our development strategy. and security markets, is plan- Our objective is to significantly ning to expand its footprint develop our industrial footprint in Qatar and the Middle East in the Middle East,” she said. through subsidiaries, partner- Innovation is in the DNA of ships and joint ventures (JVs). Thales, a high-tech corporation “We have identified a number which dedicates 20 percent of of potential contracts in the its annual revenues to research coming years. To address the and development. “We want to region’s needs, we are looking to bring innovation closer to our enhance our industrial footprint, customers and promote dia- to develop talents and to initi- logue with them on new devel- ate innovations,” said Pascale opments. This is why we have Sourisse (pictured), SEVP, decided to launch a Thales inno- International Development vation hub in Qatar, a strategic of Thales. “We currently have country for the Group,” she said. around 1,200 people in the “We are beginning by develop- Middle East, but we still want ing expertise in cyber security to expand locally through sub- last few years, we have extended IHS Jane’s is forecasting and In-Flight Entertainment,” sidiaries, partnerships and JVs. our footprint in various other around 7 percent annual growth she added. A very good example is our part- areas including security for crit- for defence expenditures in the In November 2013, Qatar nership with Qatar University ical infrastructures, space, rail Middle East, from now to 2017. University and Thales signed a to support the human develop- and air transportation,” Sourisse In addition, there are strong MoU for the academic develop- ment needs of both Qatar and said. “For instance, Qatar needs in the field of security ment, research and training of Thales,” she said. Airways and Thales jointly (urban security, cyber security. future Qatari professionals. Thales was established in opened a technology research, In case of air traffic, IATA plans In 2013, the company gener- Qatar in the early 80s, and it development and training sustainable world-wide expan- ated revenues of €14.2bn with has been working closely with centre at the Qatar Science sion, and last year observed 65,000 employees in 56 coun- the Qatari armed forces since & Technology Park (QSTP). growth of more than 11 percent tries. Thales had a very good then. In 2012, it was awarded a Together, we set up a technical in the Middle East. In the rail year in 2013, with orders from contract to modernise the elec- laboratory to develop expertise sector, UNIFE forecasts yearly emerging markets rising 30 per- tronics of the four Qatar Emiri on In-Flight Entertainment and investments of around $12bn in cent to €4.57bn. We signed 19 Naval Forces Barzan-class fast Connectivity (IFEC) systems,” the Mena, with annual growth large contracts above €100m, attack vessels. Thales is also a she said. She added that Thales of about 5 percent. 10 of which were within the key partner of the Air Force and wants to be increasingly present “Market fundamentals are emerging markets. Among these the Army. locally, with the objective of good and the needs directly 10 large contracts, seven were “We originally focused on serving the country’s interests correspond to what Thales can signed in Mena. defence equipment but, over the and Qatar National Vision 2030. offer in the defence, security, THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 China slows as Ruble enters Crimea as official currency SIMFEROPOL: The ruble entered force as Crimea’s offi- cial currency yesterday as Russia seized complete control eurozone picks of the peninsula, but businesses were still dealing mainly in the Ukrainian hryvnia. “From this day, we can offi- up momentum cially make payments in rubles. The hryvnia remains in use until the 1st of January, 2016,” Crimea’s pro-Moscow prime minister Beijing PMI falls to 8-month low Sergiy Aksyonov said on Twitter. His deputy Rustam Temirgaliev, LONDON: China’s huge manu- domestic demand. cited by Russia’s RIA Novosti facturing engine stuttered in “Usually, for the month of news agency, said pensions would the early part of 2014 while a March, the PMI will rebound, be paid in rubles, and that 300m return to growth in French because after Chinese New Year, rubles ($8.3m) had been set aside business activity this month there should be some activity for this. Russia’s official ITAR- suggested a solid, broad-based coming back, but this PMI is dis- TASS news agency said, in a recovery was taking shape in appointing,” said Wei Yao, China report issued at midnight, that the eurozone, surveys showed. economist at Societe Generale in “today the ruble was officially put Weaker-than-expected read- Hong Kong. into circulation” in the Black Sea ings from China pointed to a “The government probably will peninsula. The law Russia’s parlia- contraction in the first three have to provide some supporting ment adopted last week on annex- months of the year and will raise measures.” ing Crimea declares the ruble the market expectations of govern- Earlier this month, sources said territory’s official currency, but ment stimulus to arrest a loss of the central bank in Beijing was that there would be a period of Russian naval infantry sodiers and local residents wait in line to withdraw money from an automated teller machine momentum in the world’s second- prepared to loosen monetary pol- transition until January 1, 2016. outside a Russian bank VTB in the Crimean city of Sevastpol yesterday. largest economy. icy in order to keep the economy On the ground, however, “It tells you something about growing at 7.5 percent. banks and shops were still deal- the extent to which market con- Last year, China’s economy ing almost exclusively in the received a letter.” A staff member for rubles, but tills at some paid in both,” said Igor Dolgopolov. cerns about a slowdown in China grew 7.7 percent, the same pace Ukrainian hryvnia. “We haven’t at a Post Office in Sevastopol said large supermarkets are ready to One hotel said it was accept- are justified,” said Peter Dixon at as in 2012. received any instructions on the that pensions would be paid in take them,” said a grocery store ing payments in rubles but giving Commerzbank. “In the eurozone, Premier Li Keqiang said last adoption of the ruble,” said an rubles, “but we don’t know when”. employee. change in hryvnia. The develop- the economy is bowling along at week investment and construc- official at a Sevastopol branch of Store operators in Crimea’s A municipality spokesman said ments came as Ukraine ordered a reasonable pace.” tion plans would be accelerated to Italian bank UniCredit. main port city also indicated they that the ruble had successfully its outnumbered troops to with- A solid expansion in both the ensure domestic demand expands An employee at Oschadbank were still in the dark about the entered into circulation. “For the draw from Crimea after Russia’s eurozone’s manufacturing and at a stable rate. Further signs concurred, saying: “We’re not ruble’s adoption. “Our cash regis- time being, prices will be denomi- seizure and annexation of the services industries in March, of a slowdown in China pushed aware of anything. We haven’t ters still haven’t been configured nated in two currencies, and can be peninsula. AFP and growth in its second-big- European shares lower yesterday, gest economy France, meant the although robust data from France bloc’s recovery pace barely slowed and Germany limited their decline. from February’s 2-1/2-year high. The eurozone’s composite PMI, But the threat of deflation in which is seen as a good growth Nokia handset the region was highlighted by indicator, edged down to 53.2 Virgin needs new runway for expansion surveyed firms’ increasing will- from February’s 32-month high ingness to cut prices to attract but Markit said it indicated a 0.5 DUBAI: Virgin Atlantic that Little Red would increase short-haul operation into Europe sale to Microsoft customers. percent economic expansion this founder Richard Branson its routes to attract transatlan- and one or two other cities in the Data due later from the United quarter, stronger than the 0.3 dangled the carrot of further tic feeder traffic after Delta Air UK, but there is still a lot of poli- delayed to April States is expected to show manu- percent predicted in a poll earlier investment in the British air- Lines acquired a 49 percent stake tics to go before a new runway facturing growth in the world’s this month. line’s domestic carrier Little in Virgin Atlantic in 2012. is built.” HELSINKI: Finnish telecom top economy eased this month Having lagged the recovery in Red as he stepped up the cam- But Virgin has suffered a dif- Heathrow, Europe’s biggest air- company Nokia yesterday said from February’s near four-year much of the eurozone in recent paign for a third runway at ficult past few years in the face of port, was shortlisted last year as the sale of its handset busi- record high. China’s flash Markit/ months, France’s index surged London’s Heathrow airport. soaring fuel costs, increased com- a location for a new runway, but ness to US technology giant HSBC Purchasing Managers’ through the 50-point threshold Warning that Britain is in petition and the global economic its site near residential areas west Microsoft would be delayed by a Index (PMI) fell to an eight- to reach its highest level since danger of “slipping into the dark downturn. Its 2012/13 results of London makes its expansion a few weeks until April 2014. month low of 48.1 in March from August 2011, while German com- ages” without additional capacity showed a loss of £93m, against toxic issue for local voters, green Nokia said that it continued February’s final reading of 48.5. posite figures showed growth at Heathrow, Branson said Virgin an £80m loss a year earlier. groups and the Liberal Democrat to make progress with Microsoft The index has been below 50 since slowed from February’s 33-month would look to expand Little Red “Little Red was some crumbs political party, which is part of in the closing conditions and the January, indicating a contraction high but remained strong. into Europe only after a third we were given when British Britain’s Conservative-led coali- integration planning, but was in the sector this year. “The best news in March saw runway is built. Airways bought British Midland tion government. still waiting for the approval of Output and new orders both manufacturing and services out- Little Red was launched by — it’s very difficult to get slots at Different expansion plans for “certain antitrust authorities in weakened but new export orders put not only return to growth in Virgin last year, offering routes Heathrow so we grabbed them,” airport capacity around London Asia which are still conducting grew for the first time in four France but expand at the fastest from Heathrow to Manchester Branson told reporters at a news have been on and off the table their reviews”. The European months, the survey showed, rate for 31 monthst,” said Howard and the Scottish cities of Aberdeen conference in Dubai yesterday. since the 1970s, but with demand Commission already approved suggesting the slowdown has Archer at IHS Global Insight. and Edinburgh, after rival British “We don’t have any plans to for air travel expected to double the takeover of the mobile phone been driven primarily by weak REUTERS Airways bought short-haul oper- expand it until a new runway is in Britain to 300 million passen- business in December, seeing ator British Midland. built at Heathrow. Then we will gers a year by 2030, the crunch is “only modest overlaps” between Some analysts had suggested want to set up a much bigger coming to a head. REUTERS the two companies. AFP QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 100.13 1.37% Aa2 AA Indian Toyota Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.63 1.09% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 119.88 2.34% Aa2 AA workers down Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 113.50 2.72% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 108.38 3.28% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 155.00 4.82% Aa2 AA tools despite Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 117.25 5.18% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 108.25 5.19% Aa2 AA end to lockout Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 103.69 0.68% Aa2 AA BANGALORE: Employees at Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 111.00 3.07% Aa2 AA Toyota’s auto assembly plants in Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 102.38 1.27% A1 A- southern India failed to return Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.25 1.93% A1 A- to work yesterday at the end of QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.13 1.12% NR NR a week-long lockout after refus- QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.25 1.11% Aa3 A+ ing to sign codes of conduct, QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.25 1.86% Aa3 A+ their union said. Although around 500 staff Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.25 2.02% A2 A- gathered outside the twin plants Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.13 1.32% A2 A- near Bangalore for the start of Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 124.25 2.83% A2 A- their shifts, they did not clock Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 107.25 3.55% A2 A- in after managers insisted they Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 103.63 4.59% A2 A- sign the agreements, according to Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 102.25 1.05% Aa3 A a local union chief. Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.50 3.12% Aa3 A “As we are against giving or signing any undertaking, none Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 108.13 3.87% Aa3 A of us has entered the factory for SOVEREIGNS the first shift which began at 6:00 Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P am,” Prasanna Kumar, president Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 100.33 -4.99% Aa2 AA of the Toyota Kirloskar Motor Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.63 2.19% Aa2 AA Ltd Union, said. “The undertak- ing is against our rights as work- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 107.75 1.53% NR NR ers. We have a right to protect Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.88 2.25% NR NR our interests and ensure that our Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 124.50 3.51% NR NR welfare is not jeopardised.” Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 117.38 3.92% NR NR Operations had been expected Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 102.88 0.46% Aa2 AA to resume after Toyota announced Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 114.38 2.94% NR BBB at the end of last week that it had Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 107.50 4.08% NR BBB decided to lift the lockout follow- ing a meeting with labour groups Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 102.50 5.26% Caa1 B- which was chaired by a local gov- Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.25 3.58% NR BBB- ernment mediator. However, unions

*Periodic Distribution Amount said at the time that the demand IMPORTANT NOTE: for employees to give a written Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which undertaking of good conduct before is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services resuming work was “harsh” and Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary also demanded that Toyota reverse data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not a decision to suspend 17 workers. take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds The Japanese firm suspended can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant production on Monday of last liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not week after long-running efforts to a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. hammer out a new pay deal failed. Toyota said some employees had resorted to deliberate stop- pages of the production line, abuse and threats to supervisors and continuous disruptions to busi- ness for several weeks. AFP TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS TCS brand Investors flock value zooms to Portugal, 58 percent to $8.2bn BANGALORE: Brand value Greece markets of Indian IT bellwether Tata Consulting Services (TCS) zoomed 58 percent this fiscal (2013-14) to $8.2bn from $5.2bn Outlook for the bailed-out improves the last fiscal with recognition as the world’s fastest growing LONDON: Yield-hungry inves- performers in Europe so far this global IT services brand. tors are flocking back to Greek year, having risen about 14 percent. According to the London- and Portuguese markets, The STOXX Europe 600 index is based brand valuation firm Brand shunned by international buyers close to where it began the year. Finance, TCS brand value grew for four years, as the outlook for Greek and Portuguese 10-year faster than its global peers IBM, the bailed-out countries improves bond yields have fallen roughly whose brand value grew 10 percent and alternatives look more expen- 150 bps this year to roughly 7 per- year-on-year (YoY) to $41.5bn from sive or increasingly risky. cent and 4.4 percent, compared $37.7 percent; HP 23 percent YoY to Portuguese and Greek shares with 50-90 bps falls in fellow $19.8bn from $16.1bn and Accenture and bonds have been the best per- peripheral states Spain, Ireland 22 percent YoY to $11bn from $9bn. formers in Europe in 2014, and and Portugal, whose bonds yield “The record growth represents funds invested in them are mak- 3-3.5 percent. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right) with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the a quadrupling of our brand value ing a killing, Thomson Reuters While the small size of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. from $2.3bn in 2010 and we rank data shows. Greek and Portuguese markets among the industry’s top four Investors say they are driven discourage some investors, it also brands for the second consecutive by economic improvement, which means that a relatively modest China faces serious obstacles: IMF year,” the Mumbai-based company provides fresh impetus to an inflow of money into those coun- said in a statement here yesterday. initial bounce triggered by the tries has a large price impact. Brand Finance has awarded the European Central Bank’s pledge Funds invested in Portuguese BEIJING: International suggested that the economy has Inequality and environmental TCS brand a rating of AA+, which in 2012 to save the euro. shares, for example, took in a net Monetary Fund (IMF) chief continued to lose momentum pollution have been deteriorat- is a top rating in the industry. Potential investment alter- ¤30m in January, nearly as much Christine Lagarde yester- this year. Manufacturing activity ing as China’s economy grows, “Calendar year 2013 was excel- natives are also less tempting. as in the whole of 2013, after day urged China to carry out contracted in March at its worst Lagarde said. lent for us, with rapid business Tensions between the West and steady outflows over the previ- reforms to make its economic rate in eight months, according “For growth to be sustain- growth, driven by global demand Russia and global growth concerns ous three years, Thomson Reuters growth model more inclusive, to British bank HSBC’s prelimi- able, it needs to be inclusive, its for digital services and our repu- cloud the outlook for similar-yield- Lipper data showed. cleaner and sustainable. nary purchasing managers’ index benefits need to be more widely tation for industry leading deliv- ing emerging markets, while a Their asset under management, “While headline growth num- (PMI) released yesterday. shared, and it needs to be envi- ery and execution,” TCS chief 1-1/2 year rally has shrunk returns however, were still a meagre 381 bers remain impressive, this dis- To unleash China’s next-stage ronmentally viable,” she said. executive N Chandrasekaran elsewhere in euro zone debt. million euros, or a quarter of what guises some serious obstacles that growth potential, the government China’s leadership says it wants said on the occasion. The $11.6bn “It’s not so much an interest- they were in 2007. The picture is need to be overcome,” Lagarde should increase the role of the to transform the country’s growth global software major has a rep- rate-driven rally but much more similar in Greek stock funds. said in a speech at a forum in service sector and private inves- model away from an over-reliance utation for its ability to deliver a structural shift and a percep- Even after their recent Beijing. tors, Lagarde said. on often wasteful investment, and industry-leading IT services and tion that the euro crisis is behind rebounds, Greek and Portuguese “The challenge is clear: to make A globally integrated financial instead make private demand the digital transformation projects us,” said Franz Wenzel, chief shares trade at steep discounts growth more inclusive, friendlier system will be “essential” to sup- driver for the country’s future across sectors and markets. strategist at AXA Investment to their European peers, based to the environment, and more port China’s next transformation, development, even if it may lead “We are making efforts in each Managers, which manages assets on the value of their assets, sustainable,” she said, according she said, adding more competi- to slower growth rates. market we operate in to localise worth about ¤550bn ($760bn). Datastream data showed. This to the text of the speech as pre- tion and transfer of knowledge It has also declared “war” on pol- our brand presence and play a After nearly crashing out of compares with hefty premiums pared on the IMF’s website. will benefit Chinese banks. lution, vowing to shut down tens of stronger role in the economic, the eurozone in 2012, Greece’s before the crisis. China’s gross domestic product A gradual opening up of China’s thousands of coal-fired furnaces and social and community fabric of recession is easing, while the Junk-rated Greek bonds still (GDP) grew 7.7 percent in 2013, capital account will make the remove millions of high-emission the regions. It is gratifying to Portuguese economy is already offer higher yields than those unchanged from the year before. economy more resilient to shocks vehicles from the roads this year. see that result in another year rebounding. Lisbon is due to exit for the rest of the euro zone Though stronger than most other and strengthen the potential role Beijing earlier this month has of strong performance, with our its international bailout in about and emerging countries such as economies, it remained the coun- of the yuan as a global currency, set its growth target for this year company emerging as the fastest two months. Romania and Hungary. Portugal’s try’s worst result since 1999. she said. China has been pursuing at 7.5 percent, the same as that growing brand in our industry Greece’s ATG and Portugal PSI yield is comparable to Poland’s. A string of economic indica- such an agenda since the global set last year. worldwide,” Chandrasekaran said. 20 stock indexes have been the best REUTERS tors announced recently have financial crisis. AFP IANS Slow Asian crude oil output growth opens way for more imports

SINGAPORE: Oil producers is also light sweet,” said Thailand- recovery from existing projects.” from Africa to the Americas based independent oil analyst Still, the volume of the addi- have a growing opportunity to John Vautrain. tional imports depend not only supply crude to the Asia-Pacific, Asia will require an additional on how fast regional oil demand as the region’s output stagnates 300,000 barrels per day(bpd) of grows versus flattening output and massive refining capac- low-sulphur or sweet crudes in growth, but also on how desper- ity comes online in China and 2014 compared with last year, to ate suppliers from other regions India. meet demand from new refiner- become as export opportunities Asian refiners import — mostly ies and for blending with cheaper, slump in other markets. from the Middle East — more low quality oil, according to an oil Asia-Pacific oil demand overall than twice the volume of crude company analyst. is forecast to grow 500,000bpd, or produced regionally, and have The Asia-Pacific, which pro- 1.5 percent, to 30.6 million bpd this been taking more shipments from duces mainly sweet crudes, had year, with China’s oil use rising 3.4 West Africa since 2009. The last been expecting a boost this year percent and India’s 2.4 percent, two years they have also been buy- from higher output in Indonesia according to the International ing more from Europe, Canada and Malaysia. But project delays Energy Agency. and South America whenever in the Southeast Asian nations That is measured against Asian prices and shipping costs allow. highlight challenges in meet- oil output that is expected to rise Now, with regional producers ing the broader region’s growing just 110,000 bpd, or 1 percent, to struggling to hold supply steady as demand, especially given a lack of reach 8.35 million bpd in 2014, mature fields decline, Kazakhstan, big oil discoveries. according to consultancy Wood Nigeria and Mexico are looking to “It’s an increasingly mature Mackenzie. ship more crude to Asia as the US region particularly for oil,”said Potential substitutes to fill shale oil boom slashes the need for Andrew Harwood, southeast the gap are not only sweet crude imports there. Asia upstream analyst at Wood grades from Africa, but also high- “US imports are down and Mackenzie. “Going forward sulphur grades from theMiddle what they are not importing are there’s probably going to be East and Latin America, Vautrain mostly light sweets from Africa fewer discoveries ... with a greater said. because crude produced in the US emphasis required on increasing REUTERS

Engineers India Chubu, GAIL agreement bags $40m Oman contract to consider joint LNG buy NEW DELHI: State-run infra- TOKYO: Japan’s Chubu to get a better deal from suppliers. structure company Engineers Electric Power said yesterday State-run Korea Gas Corp India Ltd (EIL) yesterday said it has signed a deal with India’s (KOGAS) and a Japanese com- it has bagged a $40m contract GAIL to consider cooperation in pany bought natural gas jointly for the Liwa Plastics project of joint procurement of liquefied on Monday and such cooperative Oman Refineries and Petroleum natural gas (LNG), as Asian purchases will become more com- Industries Co (Orpic). buyers look for stable and lower mon, the head of state-run Japan “EIL has been awarded a project prices of the fuel. Oil, Gas and Metals National management consultancy (PMC) Rising demand for LNG in Asia, Corp (JOGMEC) said. contract by Orpic for their Liwa already the top destination for the Asian prices are at least three Plastics Project in Sohar, Oman fuel, has helped push its price to times the cost of natural gas in against international competitive near-record levels and now buy- the United States, where a boom bidding competition from interna- ers such as India, Japan and South in shale oil and gas has sharply tional consultants for an estimated Korea are trying to find ways to reduced prices. contract value over $40 million,” cut their soaring gas import bills. Asian importers say they are the company said in a statement. The two firms had been consid- charged an excessive premium The contract scope also ering a preliminary deal on joint over other regions because of a includes the gas extraction plant purchases since January. India, practice of linking LNG contracts at Fahud as well as transfer of Japan and other Asian countries to oil prices. They also want more natural gas liquids from Fahud that together import 70 percent of flexibility in contracts over ship to Sohar, it added. the world’s LNG met in December destinations to free up the market. IANS to discuss forming a buyers’ club REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Record Argentine soy UK’s neglected regions BY ADAM PRICE The problem is partly a problem of eco- launch a distinctive music scene, and has nomics itself. Economists, with their intel- used gathering points like the Watershed, crop to pump exports f you split your time as I do, between lectual roots in 19th-century physics, build and now the Engine Shed in the buzzing London and your native Wales, you general models of the world to generate Temple quarter, to create what Watershed soon develop a sense of deep discon- universal prescriptions. But real-world managing director Dick Penny calls Bristol’s BY HUGH BRONSTEIN nection. The crane count in London economies tend to follow the Anna Karenina “real respect” for “difference and inven- rises inexorably higher, but economic principle: successful places are more or less tion”. Instead of chasing old-style inward rgentina will put downward pressure on world food Igrowth where I was born is running, in the alike, while the poor performing ones are all investment, cities should be chasing talent prices by exporting more soy this year, even as grow- most recent figures, at a decidedly depress- uniquely miserable. Poverty and economic – taking a leaf out of the book of the Arch ers hedge against the country’s dysfunctional financial ing -4 percent. underdevelopment may be universal prob- Grant fund in Missouri that attracts 20 new Asystem by hoarding a bigger chunk of what is expected A blank stare of inter-generational hope- lems, but they need custom-built solutions global start-up founders to St Louis annu- to be a record high crop. lessness haunts the faces of the families in as they almost always arise for particular ally with its promise of a $50,000 sweetener. The biggest harvest ever seen on the Pampas farm belt started what was once the engine room of the world. reasons in particular places. Perhaps we could even devolve immigration last week, setting the stage for increased exports from the world’s It is hard not to feel, as even the playboy This means we need a radical shift in as Canada has done in the case of Quebec. No 3 soybean supplier. The size of the expected crop increase will Prince Edward said on a visit to 1930s south our mental models of how change happens. Policymakers are perhaps beginning to at the same time allow growers to stockpile a larger percentage Wales, that “something must be done”. But Micro tinkering and macro pump priming rediscover economics’ lost art: the power of the crop than last year. the elusive search for that “something” have have failed to attack the roots of deep pov- of imagination. We need lots of it because Farmers are hanging onto their soybeans to use as a unit of sav- meant we are now more unequal than ever. erty; a new “mesoeconomics” – micro and no two places are alike. But new solutions ings preferable to Argentina’s anaemic peso, which has weakened Britain desperately needs a new approach, a macro’s forgotten middle sibling – aimed at locally will need new local finance. The £2bn by 18.2 percent this year. They use beans to barter for everything growth lab for its nations, regions and poor. the intermediate scale of the region, the city earmarked so far for the City Deals is a step from seeds to pickup trucks, restricting supply and supporting The “wrong kind of recovery”, like the and its neighbourhoods may prove a better in the right direction, but it is less than 5 international soy prices over the last year. wrong kind of snow or the recent flooding bet. Less growth engine, with its levers of percent of what Lord Heseltine originally “Farmers will sell more volume of soybeans this season. But fiasco, is perhaps a symptom of our small centrally directed power, more growth lab, said was needed. And the taxes already or because the harvest is expected to be so much bigger than it was island syndrome. The conditions on the a network of local experiments prototyping soon-to-be devolved to the Celtic rim can last year, sales will represent a lower percentage of the overall crop,” ground are always an afterthought, a doodle the future like the policy equivalent of the so far be categorised as either unusable or said Pablo Adreani, head of AgriPAC consultants. He expects sales of in the margin for the Whitehall mandarin. 3D printer. unnoticeable. 20.75 million tonnes for March through May, or 38 percent of total Yet many people find themselves marooned The good news is that economics is enter- Local economic growth, if it is to be genu- projected 2013/14 production compared with 22.19 million tonnes from the mainstream simply because of the ing a new golden age of applied creativity. inely self-regenerating, needs to be funded in the same three month period last year, which represented 47 places in which they live. Anglesey, anchored Importing outside insights, from geography by the proceeds of its own failure or suc- percent of Argentina’s total 2012/13 soybean harvest. off Wales’s northern coast, is, for exam- to neuroscience, and exploiting the power of cess. So along with the new localism being In March-May 2012, Adreani’s research shows growers sold ple, now the poorest part of Britain. With big data is helping us understand local econ- touted for public services, we need local 26.47 million tonnes, or 68 percent of 2011/12 production. an average income of slightly more than omies in unprecedented levels of detail and economic powerhouses run on their own Despite being a top source of soy and corn used as animal feed as £10,000 in 2012, in the global prosperity complexity. The power of place-based eco- steam. Assigning corporation tax locally for far away as Asia, where an emerging middle class wants more beef league it teeters just above Malaysia. nomics is on the rise everywhere. Diversity, all firms with profits of less than a million and chicken in its diet, Argentina’s economy has been pounded This is not a new or uniquely British prob- in terms of ethnicity, skills or mindset, is – the backbone of our regional economies – down by one of the world’s highest inflation rates. The trend of lem. Income inequality has been rising in increasingly a key factor. The phenomenal would give mayors and first ministers £20bn growers hoarding crops to compensate for financial uncertainty many developed countries for the best part of success of the city of Boulder in Colorado, annually, a revenue source tied to the suc- has been more than matched however by soy production increases three decades. The plight of rust belt regions the start-up guru Brad Feld argues, is based cess of their own policies and a budget line made possible about by Argentina’s all-out embrace of yield- bypassed by new markets and technologies on its magnetic attraction to the smart, and against which they could borrow to invest. It bolstering genetic seed technology. is a global phenomenon from Merthyr to even slightly weird, from the 60s hippy era is the real devolution dividend, from Wales The Rosario grains exchange expects Argentina’s upcoming Michigan. Which makes it all the more sur- onwards. In the UK, Bristol harnessed its to Walsall, we are still waiting for. soy harvest to come in at 54.7 million tonnes versus 48.3 million prising that the policy cupboard is bare. own unique collection of sub-cultures to THE GUARDIAN in 2013. The Argentine government called the 2013 crop at 49.3 million tonnes and has not yet issued a 2014 forecast. Argentina’s record high soy crop was 52.7 million tonnes col- lected in 2010, according to the agriculture ministry. As of March 12, the agriculture ministry says soy exporters along with producers of soy oil and soy meal had purchased 7.1 million tonnes of the beans expected to come in this year, down EU’s eastern members’ trade ties with Russia from 9.4 million tonnes sold by the same point in 2013. The lower forward sales figure can be explained in part by lower Four quarters to Q3 2013. international soybean prices. “It will be a very trying year because of the increases in inflation, Russia as % of total imports Russia as % of total exports Trade balance with Russia - $ bln and with less operating capital available at a higher cost from the banks,” said David Hughes, who manages thousands of hectares of farmland in Buenos Aires province. “The only easily tradable Lithuania 31.4% Lithuania 19.7% Estonia 1.05 currency we have is the soybean. So we will take a lot of care on how and when we sell our crop,” Hughes added. Bulgaria 19.6 Latvia 16.6 Slovenia 0.98 He said he agrees with Adreani’s forecast that this year’s record crop will mean higher export volume, but represent a smaller 11.0 11.8 Latvia 0.9 proportion of the overall harvest versus 2013 crop. Poland Estonia Investors have long clamoured for President Cristina Fernandez 10.0 5.3 -1.28 to tighten fiscal policy in a bid to control inflation and slow the Slovakia Poland Croatia outflow of central bank reserves, which have tumbled 33.7 percent over the last year to $27.2bn. Hungary 8.8 Slovenia 4.8 Romania -1.31 The peso has weakened 36 percent over the last 12 months to 7.975 per US dollar, while private economists say consumer prices Latvia 8.3 Czech Rep. 3.3 Czech Rep. -1.95 are rising at a rate of more than 30 percent per year. Wall Street hopes Argentina’s economic policies will move in Croatia 7.7 Hungary 3.0 Lithuania -4.51 a market-friendly direction after Fernandez’s second term ends late next year. But with the race to replace her wide open, there Czech Rep. 5.1 Croatia 2.8 Hungary -5.32 is no guarantee of that. Her muted reaction to high inflation has done nothing to increase business confidence. 4.6 2.8 -5.58 “The government is slowly coming to grips with what has to Estonia Slovakia Slovakia be done, but there is no sense of urgency. Jumps in the value of the dollar later in the year cannot be ruled out,” said Guillermo Romania 4.2 Romania 2.7 Bulgaria -5.8 Nielsen, a Buenos Aires-based economist and former Argentine finance secretary. Slovenia 1.8 Bulgaria 2.5 Poland -11.17 “So the incentives for not selling the harvest are stronger this year than last. Farmers will sell part of the crop in order to make urgent payments, such as taxes and payroll, that cannot be bar- Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream, IMF, quarterly data to Q3 2013. tered in beans. But,” he added, “the attitude of selling the least amount of the crop possible will continue.” Staff, V. Flasseur, 24/03/2014 REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Co-op can thrive if it sticks to its fundamental principles

BY PAULINE GREEN business. But is it inherently so? over 42 million consumers in the who own it. Leading a co-opera- in Manchester, and isolating the The media coverage of the Certainly not. United States, and with its larg- tive business is a complex mix of executive group from everyday unexpected early release of the he Co-op’s heart beats I urged a different governance est 300 co-operative and mutual professional skills, respect for the contact with the remaining ves- report into the Co-operative to a different rhythm. approach in 2008 when the two businesses having a combined participatory model of ownership, tiges of co-operative knowledge Group’s governance by Lord So said a Guardian largest consumer co-operatives turnover of $2.1trn, co-operatives and adherence to our globally rec- and experience. Myners exacerbated these Tleader column trying to in the UK merged to create the already play an important role in ognised principles. Second, there appeared to be concerns. put some sense into the changes Co-operative Group and intro- the global economy. It requires someone prepared a move away from the acknowl- If ever there were a time for the at the top of the Co-operative duced a new constitution. So In many countries they are the to understand and work with edged conceptual framework of co-operative movement to show Group. But the recent convul- changes are needed. But there are backbone of the real economy the grain of a business that has a co-operation. its mettle, this is it. The group has sions at the heart of the group other huge, complex and success- – supporting local communi- quite different raison d’etre from There was no talk any longer serious problems: the recruitment threaten the very future of this ful co-operative business in other ties, urban and rural, through a the predominant business model of the “principles and values” of of the next chief officer is more difference, and what it means to parts of the world. huge worldwide network of small in the UK. the movement, but of “ethics and vital than ever. The new CEO be a co-operative. As someone who has played enterprises in local agriculture, Over the last year, as the values”. must have an understanding of, Unlike most businesses where a senior role in the UK’s co- community finance and just about new management at the group This may seem like nit-picking, and commitment to, co-operative the bottom line is profitability, operative movement for some every sector of the economy. rightly moved to deal with the but to tinker with or omit any of values and principles, and dem- the rhythm of a co-operative is 30 years, and currently chairs This is not a “worse” model of huge problems presented by the these principles is deeply worry- onstrate the capacity to repair different. It has a triple bottom the International Co-operative business but a different model Co-operative Bank, and its poten- ing precisely because they are the the damage done to the relation- line – investment in the business, Alliance, I have watched with that provides the distinctive tial impact on the group itself, co-operative ethics and values: ship between members and the an economic return to members, increasing concern and despair as, rhythm of the co-operative pulse. two things became clear. to change them is to stop being executive. and care for the community. So first, the Co-operative Bank fell Yet after the coverage of the First, at a time when group a co-operative. The seven global For this to work, the eyes of the yes it is a business, and it must out of the movement’s hands, and, group’s problems, you could be members should have been con- principles are at the core of the Co-operative Group need to lift make profits, but it does not need second, the relationship between forgiven for thinking the co- sulted about how they wanted co-operative difference and are upwards, beyond internal person- to maximise profit at the expense executive management and lay operative model is not suited for their co-operative to develop, the a major unique identifier in the ality politics and power struggles of member interests. members of the Co-operative modern business. exact opposite happened. corporate world. and towards the thriving co-oper- Members own their co-opera- Group fell apart so spectacularly. If that is the case, how is it that Virtually all those with knowl- These two problems were com- ative movement in the UK and tive. This is the critical relation- Right through the financial col- the investor-led business model edge of how to manage decision- pounded by the ill-judged “Have internationally. ship that Euan Sutherland, who lapse and recession, the co-opera- – which failed so disastrously for making in a co-operative were Your Say” survey, which crys- We have the right people in the recently resigned as chief execu- tive movement has been growing us all during the global financial removed from the most senior tallised fears among members movement to manage our busi- tive of the Co-operative Group – across the world. collapse – is still suitable for the level. This was compounded by about the downgrading of their nesses. We have the right models claiming that it was ungovernable Owned by nearly 1 billion of the global banking sector? moving the entire new execu- ownership rights by asking lead- in the movement to govern our – struggled with. world’s citizens, employing tens of The current problems at the tive management team from the ing questions that appeared to be co-operatives. If we put them The group might look ungov- millions around the world, with Co-operative Group come down Manchester head office to an an attack on principles such as an together we can have a successful ernable when viewed through the 25 percent of the global insurance to a culture clash between the office in London, thereby under- economic return to members and Co-operative Group once more. prism of a stock market listed market, providing electricity to management and the members, mining confidence and morale member control. THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 11,258.51 0.72 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 16,646.69 0.72 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,452.86 0.71 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,882.2 0.66 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,733.46 0.28 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5362.075 8.11 0.15 5477.3 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,909.48 0.31 % QR156.2717 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4309.27 -26.01 -0.6 4432.5 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 3,948.47 1.42 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9705 QR 6.0537 QE All Share Insurance 2,816.07 0.94 % Dj Indu Average 16302.77 -28.28 -0.17 16588.25 14395 Euro ...... QR 4.9844 QR 5.0543 QE All Share Real Estate 2,099.53 1.41 % QR 2.3660 CA$ ...... QR 3.2163 QR 3.2801 QE All Share Telecoms 1,499.49 0.50 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,952.89 0.81 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0853 QR 4.1427 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 21846.45 409.75 1.91 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0352 QR 0.0359 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.2916 QR 3.3573 Iseq Overall/D 4871.1 -43.77 -0.89 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 24-03-2014 23-03-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0594 QR 0.0606 Index 11,258.51 11,340.12 Karachi 100 In/D 26391.41 -374.08 -1.4 27427.04 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0376 Change 81.61 27.19 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0799 QR 0.0815 % 0.72 0.24 Nikkei 225 Index 14475.3 251.07 1.77 16164.01 13995.86 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 8.47 9.25 $ 106.70 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1883.97 1536.03 Taka ...... QR 0.0466 QR 0.0475 Volume 15,845,672 11,707,429 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0373 QR 0.038 Value (QAR) 505,786,828.53 440,316,298.89 Straits Times/D 3111.83 38.44 1.25 3187.8 2953.01 Trades 7,022 8,430 $ 103.48 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3316 QR 0.3411 Up 12 | Down 24 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 24-03-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED

A C C-A/D 1283.7 17 39939 Chowgule St-T/D 11.17 -0.58 2813 Goodricke-B/D 141.95 1.05 10523 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 170.6 -3.5 408417 Punjab Chem.-B/D 70.35 -0.45 6806 Kingfisher/D 408.643 -4.5 1705798 Aarti Drugs-B/D 267 2.8 2526 Cimmco-B/D 13.8 -0.55 2101 Goodyear I -B/D 424 -5.5 28157 Kabra Extr-B/D 29.6 0 81168 Radico Khait-B/D 149.05 -4.1 224468 Land Secs Grou/D 1027.95 -5 410637 Aban Offs-B/D 507.05 1.6 512368 Cipla-A/D 391.2 -3.15 165369 Hcl Infosys-B/D 37.85 -0.9 1246730 Kajaria Cer-B/D 339.6 -2.45 16039 Rallis India-B/D 163.1 0.45 10228 Legal & Genera/D 208.3 2.3 14535751 Ador Welding-B/D 136.85 1.65 3123 City Union Bk-/D 51.25 1 91700 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 7.73 -0.03 233270 Kalpat Power-B/D 89.25 -1.45 119630 Rallis India-B/D 163.1 0.45 10228 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.284 0.92 29813037 Aegis Logis-B/D 160.45 4.55 46083 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1389.3 -3.25 13166 Himat Seide-B/D 56 0.15 35414 Kalyani Stel-B/D 55.5 -0.95 33014 Reliance Indus/D 365.4 3.75 132381 Marks & Sp./D 458.9 -0.8 881591 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 130.95 7.75 116441 Colgate-A/D 1350 4.25 5759 Hind Motors-B/D 6.94 -0.01 42474 Kanoria Chem-B/D 26.95 0.1 5101 Ruchi Soya-B/D 27.85 -0.25 45013 Next/D 6720 20 106800 Alembic-B/D 15.6 -0.19 205546 Container Cor-/D 877.65 41.1 3708 Hind Org Chem-/D 11.01 -0.48 10953 Kg Denim-B/D 13.55 0.06 5327 Saur.Cem-B/D 14.15 -0.05 17269 Pearson/D 1002 -9 648660 Alok Indus-B/D 6.16 0.21 5241425 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 50.65 -0.05 5372 Hind Unilever-/D 581.95 9.3 98446 Kilburnengg-B/D 21.45 -0.05 3841 Savita Oil-B/D 509 -56.45 18225 Prudential/D 1328.5 -9.5 1326962 Apollo Tyre-A/D 148.1 2.9 751962 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.69 -0.03 3350 Hind.Petrol-A/D 284 5.45 247784 Kinetic Eng-B/D 42 1.25 2532 Til Ltd.-B/D 155.65 -4.15 2529 Rank Group/D 151.7 -0.3 226867 Asahi I Glass-/D 59 4.25 2074857 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 48.6 2.35 5216 Hindalco-A/D 121.5 0.3 721022 Kopran-B/D 21.3 -0.6 150104 Timexgroup-B/D 9.95 0.45 61582 Rentokil Initi/D 124.8 -0.3 364336 Ashok Leyland-/D 19.25 0.75 2831286 Dhampur Sugar-/D 39.7 -0.05 15940 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 860.1 18.25 174875 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 14.52 0.02 79575 Tinplate-B/D 48.55 -0.6 8443 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1078 -2 1151337 Ballarpur In-B/D 11.96 0.05 263884 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2749.15 -37.35 9837 I F C I-A/D 24.35 0.05 793472 Lumax Ind-B/D 319.9 -2.4 74391 Ultramarine-B/D 52.5 -0.95 6892 Rsa Insrance G/D 93.55 -0.2 3313786 Bata India-A/D 1142.4 30.55 23856 E I H-B/D 64 0.8 25560 Idbi-A/D 60 0.8 207364 Lupin-A/D 951 -0.75 30211 Unitech P -A/D 11.89 0.23 4325495 Sainsbury(J)/D 310.44 1 4659645 Bayer Crop-B/D 1401 -1.35 2465 E.I.D Parry-B/D 132.3 0.3 72138 Ifb Agro-B/D 175.05 2.1 1660 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.19 0.39 74715 Uppergsugar-B/D 28.75 -2 2350 Schroders/D 2607 -22 92814 Beml Ltd-B/D 289.5 22.25 621747 Eimco Elecon-T/D 200 6.45 3264 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 80.1 -1.5 15500 Mah.Seamless-B/D 174.4 3 3736 Severn Trent/D 1869 -19 239789 Bh Electronic-/D 1059.95 43.45 11871 Electrosteel-B/D 14.98 0.3 94053 India Cement-B/D 55.65 0.9 52925 Mangalam Cem-B/D 111 0 14729 LONDON Smith&Nephew/D 916 -6 482947 Bharat Bijle-B/D 456.25 -5.25 11853 Emco-B/D 24.8 -0.9 50736 India Glycol-B/D 93.35 3.25 129954 Maral Overs-B/D 17.7 -0.8 1734 Smiths Group/D 1295 -28 522000 Bhartiya Int-B/D 214.85 -11.15 15549 Escorts Fin-B/D 2.75 -0.07 2310 Indian Hotel-A/D 70.55 -0.35 50312 Mastek-B/D 206.65 -6.55 23292 3I Group/D 399.5 -3.5 249089 Standrd Chart /D 1201.5 1 2361193 Bhel-A/D 188.2 1.25 310699 Escorts-B/D 118.25 1.5 554096 Indo-Bcount-B/D 39.5 1.2 27488 Max India L-A/D 200.95 0.4 121651 Assoc.Br.Foods/D2755.5381 -2 167514 Tate & Lyle/D 649.5 0 444711 Bom.Burmah-B/D 94.75 0.1 28622 Essar Oil-A/D 49.55 -0.75 621751 Indusind-A/D 490.85 19.6 238638 Mrpl-A/D 43.75 1.75 147087 B Sky B/D 939.6276 -7 1409507 Tesco/D 293.868 3 5959154 Bombay Dyeing-/D 54.05 -0.8 204458 Eveready Indu-/D 44.45 1.45 87570 J.B.Chemical-B/D 124.25 -1.45 47984 Nahar Spg.-B/D 97.2 -5.7 26362 Barclays/D 235.218 -0.65 15357013 Unilever/D 2409 -11 885958 Camph.& All-B/D 186.8 16.8 7734 F D C-B/D 130.6 -2.25 31787 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 52.95 2.5 7607 Nath Seeds-T/D 3.69 0.17 1952 Bg Group/D 1069 7 1713648 United Util Gr/D 795.5 -9 495155 Canfin Homes-B/D 185.05 -1.9 5724 Federal Bank-A/D 91.5 0.35 751795 Jagson Phar-B/D 9.81 -0.35 3917 Nepc India-B/D 2.85 0.07 21611 Bp/D 470.4 1.65 7859699 Vodafone Group/D 224.396 -2.75 17733945 Caprihans-B/D 40 0.55 2596 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.89 -0.02 53285 Jamnaauto-B/D 65.75 3.1 1933 Nrb Bearings-B/D 48.3 -1.55 30617 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3209.925 -29 926879 Whitbread/D 4167 -31 83694 Castrol Ind-T/D 288 -0.9 22752 Finolex-B/D 190.6 -4.4 28869 Jbf Indu-B/D 76.5 -1.4 85563 O N G C-A/D 321.2 13.15 324683 Bt Group/D 381.8 -5.3 4841701 Century Enka-B/D 132.75 -0.9 61628 Gail-A/D 370.35 17 155064 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.41 0 11438 Oil Country-B/D 36 -0.3 2780 Centrica/D 332.8672 -5.1 5114893 Century Text-A/D 342.95 4.7 80010 Gammon India-B/D 13.13 -0.15 14037 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.67 0.07 52593 Onward Tech-B/D 44.95 -2.55 221965 Gkn/D 383.1 -0.9 1922252 Chambal Fert-B/D 38.7 -0.75 70591 Gangotri Tex-B/D 0.81 -0.01 2650 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.11 -0.22 3805 Orchid Chem-B/D 50.1 -0.05 153907 Hsbc Holdings/D 606.475 0.8 12490280 Chola Invest-B/D 254 3.5 2246 Garden P -B/D 39.25 -0.35 4167 Jik Indust-T/D 0.94 0.02 3500 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19.8 -1.95 45454 Imperial Tobac/D 2416.1258 -24 543137 TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Hill’s 28 points help Lakers hammer Magic Raptors come from behind to defeat Atlanta Hawks

ORLANDO: Jordan Hill eighth in the Western Conference Injury ravaged Denver (32-38) scored a career-high 28 points NBA Results and dropped to 2-2 on their played their first game without and grabbed 13 rebounds, help- Toronto 96 Atlanta 86 franchise-record eight-game J J Hickson, who tore his right ing the Los Angeles Lakers end Phoenix 127 Minnesota 120 homestand. ACL and was lost for the season a four-game skid with a victory Denver 105 Washington 102 Markieff Morris scored on Friday. over the Orlando Magic. 25 points and grabbed eight Kyle Lowry scored a game- Sacramento 124 Milwaukee 107 Nick Young scored 13 of his 26 rebounds, and the Phoenix high 25 points and the Toronto points in the fourth quarter for Brooklyn 107 Dallas 104 Suns rallied for a win over the Raptors came from behind to the Lakers (23-46), who handed Cleveland 106 NY Knicks 100 Minnesota Timberwolves. defeat the Atlanta Hawks. the Magic their ninth consecutive LA Lakers 103 Orlando 94 The Suns (41-29) trailed after The Raptors overcame a defeat. Orlando (19-52), the worst each of the first three quarters, 14-point deficit and took their road team in the NBA at 4-34, have failed to capitalise on an Atlanta but outscored the Timberwolves first lead of the second half when lost 23 of their past 24 games. loss earlier in the day. New York 34-17 in the fourth. DeMar DeRozan hit a jumper to Victor Oladipo led Orlando trails the Hawks by three games With 48 seconds to play, Eric make it 85-84 lead with two min- with 21 points and 10 assists. for the eighth and final Eastern Bledsoe put Phoenix on top 120- utes remaining. DeRozan finished Arron Afflalo added 18 points, Conference playoff spot. 118 and they sealed it at the free with 21 points. while Tobias Harris had 16 points The Brooklyn Nets got the big throw line. Paul Millsap and and DeMarre and nine rebounds. shots and big stops when they Kevin Love emerged with Carroll each had 17 points for The short-handed Cleveland needed them most in rallying to game-high totals in points (36) Atlanta (31-37). Cavaliers, using just nine players, beat Dallas in overtime. and rebounds (14) for Minnesota With the win, Toronto (39-30) beat the Knicks 106-100 to end Joe Johnson scored 22 points, (34-34). matched their win total at home New York’s eight-game winning sending the game into overtime Kenneth Faried had 20 points last season at 21. The Raptors streak. Cavaliers (27-44) guard with a shot with 9.9 seconds left and eight rebounds as the short- now have a winning home record Jarrett Jack scored a season-high in regulation, including six to seal handed Denver Nuggets over- in consecutive seasons for the 31 points and recorded 10 assists, it in the extra session. came a 14-point deficit in the first first time since 2006-07 and including 13 points in the fourth The Nets (37-31) won for the quarter to defeat the Washington 2007-08. quarter. 11th time in their last 13 games, Wizards. DeMarcus Cousins scored 32 Jack started in place of as they continue to climb in the Washington (36-34) pulled to points and pulled in 12 rebounds, Cleveland’s leading scorer, Kyrie Eastern Conference playoff pic- two with 10 seconds to go but the Isaiah Thomas added 30 points Los Angeles Lakers’ Kendall Marshall (right) takes a shot while defended Irving, who is out due to a biceps ture. Brooklyn, fifth in the East, Nuggets closed it with free throws. and Rudy Gay had 24, and the by Washington Wizards’ Al Harrington during the first half of their NBA injury. are eyeing a top-four seed with 14 Randy Foye had 17 points and for- Kings rolled to a victory over the game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, yesterday. Carmelo Anthony scored 32 games left in the regular season. ward Darrell Arthur added 15 off hapless Bucks. points for the Knicks (29-40), who The Mavericks (42-29) fell into the Nuggets bench. REUTERS Ducks end four-game home skid NFL may expand rosters ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: for Thursday games The Anaheim Ducks were eager to get back on track and the NEW YORK: Amid complaints Jets owner Woody Johnson said Florida Panthers paid the price. that Thursday games force play- Sunday at the NFL owners’ meet- Corey Perry and captain Ryan ers who are banged up to hit ings in Orlando, Florida, accord- Getzlaf each had a goal and two the field without enough time ing to The Philadelphia Inquirer. assists, and the Anaheim Ducks to recover from their games on The 49ers were more tight- snapped their four-game home the Sunday before, the NFL is lipped. “Right now, he’s under skid with a 6-2 victory over the considering a change: Allow contract with the Philadelphia Florida Panthers in their National 49, not 46, players to suit up on Eagles,” 49ers general manager Hockey League game yesterday. Thursdays. Trent Baalke said according to “We had the puck and didn’t The proposal (which is techni- CSNBayArea.com. “We’ve not turn it over too much. We played cally a bylaw change, not a rule made any contact with the Eagles with the puck and found each change) would raise the number relative to a trade for DeSean other. Everybody was moving,’’ of active players for games on Jackson. As of this moment, those said Perry, who notched his team- any day other than Sunday or reports are totally misleading and leading 37th goal of the season to Monday, other than in Week false.” give the Ducks a 5-2 lead at the One. So that would include the New York Jets owner Woody 11:56 mark of the second period. Thursday games in Weeks 2-16, Johnson said he called commis- “We got back to doing what we the two Saturday games planned sioner Roger Goodell before the need to be doing,’’ said Getzlaf, for Week 16 this season, and any team signed quarterback Michael who is second in the NHL in scor- other game that happens to fall Vick last week. ing with 79 points. ‘’We find a way on a day other than Sunday or “We’ve checked - we’ve talked to get open and get shots. Tonight, Monday for whatever scheduling to everyone. Commissioner we clicked better.’’ reason. Goodell, I had one conversation David Backes scored in the If passed, the rule would result with him about Mike,” Johnson third period and backup goal- in only four of the 53 players on said at the NFL meeting in tender Brian Elliott stopped 33 the roster being declared inac- Orlando. “I think he’ll be a real shots for the shutout as the St tive for a Thursday game, giving positive to help us get better. Not Louis Blues recorded a victory coaches three extra bodies and only at the quarterback position over the Pittsburgh Penguins. giving teams some extra depth. but also as a team.” Anaheim Ducks’ right wing Teemu Selanne shoots a goal against Florida Panthers’ goalie Dan Ellis during the Backes’ goal, his 24th of the This rule probably wouldn’t Johnson was asked when he third period of their NHL match at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, yesterday. season, came with 8:40 remain- change the fact that players aren’t spoke to Goodell before sign- ing when he tipped in a shot by crazy about playing on Thursdays. ing Vick on Friday. “I spoke to left winger Alexander Steen. month, was outstanding in post- Both teams are in the sev- Leafs for three goals in the first But it might be a small step him a while ago. I don’t remem- Elliott, who was relegated to a ing his third shutout of the season. enth playoff spot in tight races 22 minutes to set up their victory. toward keeping players fresher ber exactly when,” Johnson said. backup role after the acquisition The Blues increased their point in their respective conferences Damien Brunner put the Devils when they’re coming off a short “We didn’t talk about evaluat- of goaltender Ryan Miller from total to a Western Conference- - Minnesota in the West, and ahead early in the first period, work week. It’s a rule the owners ing Michael Vick in terms of his the Buffalo Sabres in a trade last leading 103. Matt Moulson’s goal Detroit in the East. then Patrik Elias and defenseman should pass. throwing motion. Just in terms of 2:15 into overtime gave Minnesota Mike Fisher and left winger Jon Merrill scored 32 seconds Two teams mentioned as a pos- (him as a) person. He was, very a come-from-behind win over the Gabriel Borque scored goals as the apart early in the second period sible destination for Philadelphia very supportive. Not really char- NHL Results Detroit Red Wings. Minnesota lost Predators beat the Blackhawks to break the game open. Eagles wide receiver DeSean acter references but to see what Ny Islanders 2 Columbus 0 to the Red Wings 3-2 on Saturday for the second time in nine days The Maple Leafs (36-29-8) Jackson are the San Francisco he’s like and have a conversation. St. Louis 1 Pittsburgh 0 and they trailed 2-0 after the first having recorded a 3-2 victory on dropped their fifth successive 49ers and the New York Jets. Quarterback’s a really important New Jersey 3 Toronto 2 period but fought back to get the March 14. The Predators got 29 game and have fallen to eighth If the 49ers are interested, they position so we’re going to do our Nashville 2 Chicago 0 win. saves from Pekka Rinne, though place in the Eastern conference. are not saying. But the New York due diligence.” The Baltimore Charlie Coyle had a goal and they lost defenseman Seth Jones The Devils (31-28-13) are five Jets did not deny that Jackson is Ravens acquired offensive line- Minnesota 4 Detroit 3 an assist, and right winger Jason to an upper-body injury in the points behind the Maple Leafs, on their radar. man Jeremy Zuttah from the Vancouver 4 Buffalo 2 Pominville and left winger Zach first period. The New Jersey keeping their slim playoff hopes “We’re looking at a number Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2015 Anaheim 6 Florida 2 Parise also scored for Minnesota. Devils blitzed the Toronto Maple alive. AGENCIES of players, including DeSean,” draft pick. REUTERS Major leagues a big hit Down Under but legacy uncertain

SYDNEY: There can be little for those lucky enough to be able While Australia’s connection Craig Shipley, an Australian-born the cricket bat or rugby ball and “We’ve spent a lot of money, doubt Major League Baseball to afford tickets - Australia’s rep- with the sport goes back to the former major league player now pick up a baseball glove as Shipley are happy to do that and will con- (MLB) hit a home run with its utation as a sports mad country tour that sporting goods mogul on the Diamondbacks staff. did, a ballpark may be longer in tinue to do that.” first visit to Australia in a cen- is not exaggerated and the chance Albert Spalding organised in “I hope that the growth in par- coming. The 79-year-old went on to tury after nearly 80,000 fans to see some of the finest athletes 1888, the local MLB-owned ticipation leads to a better play- Major League Baseball’s com- suggest that while Australia swarmed to the Sydney Cricket in the world up close was never league is very much a minor ing pool and we have a great need missioner Allan “Bud” Selig would not have to wait 100 years Ground over the weekend to get going to be passed up. player in the country’s fiercely for a baseball-specific facility. responded with few specifics for another visit, Europe was the a taste of America’s pastime. How much impact it will have competitive sports market. “Not a 50,000-seater stadium, when asked what the league was most likely destination for the As the Los Angeles Dodgers on the popularity of baseball in So much so, in fact, that for the a boutique stadium, that the peo- going to do to leverage the inter- next overseas series. and Arizona Diamondbacks the long-term, however, remains week the Sydney Cricket Ground ple of Australia can go to and see est stoked by the series. “I want to play some regular- started the long journey back to a moot point. was magnificently transformed how baseball is best viewed. “We own the league here, we’ve season games in Europe,” he said. the United States, though, there The previous six overseas into a ballpark, it was the only “If those two things can come done a lot of things,” he said. “But we’re going to examine all was little certainty about what opening series were played in baseball stadium in Australia’s out of this, that would be great.” “We’ve got to work hard with the possibilities. The nice part of all had been left behind beyond the Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan, biggest city. “I hope that it leaves While the series may have people here ... we really need to of this is we’re now getting over- detritus of thousands of hot dogs countries already boasting well- a legacy and part of that legacy provided inspiration for some continue to work really hard to tures, really good ones, from all and nachos. Memories certainly established baseball cultures. is a growth in participation,” said Australian youngsters to eschew build baseball up. over the world.” REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Matt Every clinches upset win over Scott First Tour win for Matt; Masters champion finishes third

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: An emotional Matt Every clinched Arnold Palmer his first PGA Tour victory Invitational scores in dramatic fashion when he MIAMI: Leading scores after the final round surged past a faltering Adam of the Arnold Palmer Invitational (par 72, Scott to win the $6.2m Arnold USA unless noted): Palmer Invitational by one stroke in Florida yesterday. 275 Matt Every 69-70-66-70 “It’s tough man. You just never 276 Keegan Bradley 71-67-66-72 know if it’s going to happen,” a 277 Adam Scott (AUS) 62-68-71-76 teary-eyed Every told NBC after 278 Jason Kokrak 67-71-67-73 edging fellow American Keegan 279 Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-73-69-68, Bradley at Bay Hill in Orlando. Erik Compton 72-68-70-69, Francesco Australian Scott, the Masters Molinari (ITA) 67-70-69-73 champion, finished third. 280 Brandt Snedeker 67-71-74-68, Ryo Every, who started the final Ishikawa (JPN) 65-74-70-71 round four strokes behind Scott, 282 Sean O’Hair 71-75-69-67, Graeme Karrie Webb of Australia poses with the JTBC LPGA Founders Cup charged to the front with four McDowell (NIR) 68-77-67-70, JB trophy after winning in the final round at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, birdies in a sizzling five-hole Holmes 68-69-72-73, Freddie Arizona, yesterday. stretch around the turn. Jacobson (SWE) 71-68-70-73 The 30-year-old built a three- shot lead, before bogeying the 16th 283 Harris English 69-71-75-68, Lucas and 18th holes, missing a five- Glover 72-74-68-69, Kevin Chappell 71-70-71-71, Kevin Na 70-71-71-71, Karrie Webb rallies to footer at the last that opened the door for Bradley. George McNeill 71-72-69-71, Matt Bradley, however, missed a Jones (AUS) 71-71-69-72 30-foot birdie putt that would 284 Camillo Villegas (COL) 71-73-73-67, claim Founders Cup have forced a playoff, while Scott Brian Davis (ENG) 70-74-71-69, Gary finished two shots behind after a Woodland 73-71-70-70, Vijay Singh PHOENIX: Karrie Webb 76. Nobody in the top 25 shot a (FIJ) 72-73-68-71, Brendan Steele rolled in a half dozen birdies LPGA Founders worse final round. 68-74-70-72, Ian Poulter (ENG) 68-71- on her final eight holes as she Cup scores “You get there so many times 69-76 came from behind to capture PHOENIX: Leading scores after the fourth and it’s nice to get it done,” said 285 Brooks Koepka 74-70-72-69, Nicholas the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup round of the LPGA Founders Cup (par 72, Every, who had a 70 to finish at Thompson 71-73-71-70, Trevor yesterday. USA unless noted): 13-under-par 275. Immelman (RSA) 69-72-71-73, Davis The 39-year-old Australian “That (missed at the last) was Love 70-73-69-73, Chesson Hadley closed with a nine-under 63 to 269 Karrie Webb (AUS) 66-71-69-63 a bummer. Would have been to 69-68-69-79 finish with a 19-under 269 and 270 Stacy Lewis 66-71-67-66, Amy Yang celebrate there, but I’ll take it.” win this event for the second time (KOR) 67-69-67-67, Azahara Munoz Every grew up in nearby in three years. (ESP) 68-71-64-67, Mirim Lee (KOR) Daytona Beach and Bay Hill was in his 93rd start on tour. “I stood on 10 tee and thought 64-67-70-69, Lydia Ko (NZL) 67-66- the first place he ever watched a But it might never have been if 20-under would have a chance. I 67-70 PGA Tour event. not for a piece of luck at the par- thought at 19-under I’d definitely 271 Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 67-71-67- The PGA Tour suspended him four ninth on Sunday, where his be in a playoff, if anything, not 66, Jessica Korda 69-66-66-70, So drive went dangerously left and standing here as a winner,” Webb Yeon Ryu (KOR) 68-67-68-68 The World Rankings Matt Every of the United States celebrates with the trophy after win- nearly out-of-bounds. stated. “I wasn’t nervous, it was 272 Cristie Kerr 73-69-63-67, Inbee Park Instead, the ball narrowly out of my control really. My job 1. (1) Tiger Woods (US) 9.48 ning the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in (KOR) 66-69-70-67 stayed in-bounds and to the right was done, and I just had to wait 2. (2) Adam Scott (Australia) 8.52 Orlando, Florida, yesterday. 273 Michelle Wie 66-70-67-70, Lizette of the cart path, bouncing forward and see.” Salas 69-67-69-68, Caroline Masson 3. (3) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 8.32 almost 100 yards, from where he This was Webb’s second win of (GER) 70-71-66-66 4. (4) Jason Day (Australia) 6.95 for three months during his “If one of my friends likes to punched his second shot to 15 feet the year, and 41st of her career on 5. (5) Phil Mickelson (US) 6.41 rookie season in 2010 for conduct smoke marijuana every now and and made birdie to close within the LPGA Tour. Last year’s win- Webb made a birdie on the 6. (6) Justin Rose (Britain) 6.12 unbecoming a professional after then, I’m not going to say, well, one shot at the turn. ner Stacy Lewis earned a share of ninth hole to make the turn at he and two others were arrested you can’t be my friend anymore,” Scott, meanwhile, was left to second at 18-under by shooting a 13-under, where she was still six 7. (7) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 6.06 on misdemeanor charges of mari- he added. “I don’t do it, but I don’t rue his inability to close the deal six-under 66 at the Wildlife Golf shots behind. Ko, 16, faltered to 8. (9) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 5.99 juana possession in Iowa. frown upon it.” in his final start before defending Club. Lewis tied with Amy Yang bogeys on the ninth and 11th to 9. (8) Dustin Johnson (US) 5.89 The charges were later dropped He also said he disagreed with his Masters title April 10-13. (67), Azahara Munoz (67), Mirim slip into a share of the lead at 10. (10) Zach Johnson (US) 5.84 but the PGA Tour suspension, how the PGA Tour handled his The world number two, who Lee (69) and New Zealand’s Lydia 18-under. Meanwhile Webb was 11. (11) Matt Kuchar (US) 5.44 which was announced by Every’s situation. “If they would have had a chance to take over as world Ko (70). red hot around the turn. 12. (12) Bubba Watson (US) 5.33 management company, remained. thrown a month at me instead of number one from Tiger Woods, Lee led after the first two After a par on 17, Webb made 13. (13) Jordan Spieth (US) 5.25 “I don’t do drugs,” Every told three, that would have been nice,” led by eight strokes after 35 holes, rounds, while Ko was atop the a 20-footer for birdie at the last reporters at a news conference Every said. but played the final 37 holes in leaderboard entering the final to end at 19-under. 14. (15) Graeme McDowell (Britain) 4.74 at the Sony Open in Honolulu in The PGA Tour did not com- four over. His score got higher round. Ko was finishing the 10th hole 15. (14) Steve Stricker (US) 4.62 2012. “It was a crappy deal, man. ment. Every lost his PGA Tour each day, as he shot 62 68 71 76. Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum as Webb headed to the club house, 16. (16) Jason Dufner (US) 4.58 Wrong place, wrong time, perfect card that season and was rele- His putter deserved him on (66), Jessica Korda (70) and Ryu then to the range in case someone 17. (17) Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 4.49 storm, and you know, I got three gated to the secondary tour for a Sunday, no more conspicuously So-Yeon (68) tied for seventh caught her and forced a playoff. 18. (28) Keegan Bradley (US) 4.37 months out of it. It’s over with. year before earning his way back than at the par-five 16th, where place at 17-under 271. Munoz, Yang and Lee all had 19. (18) Ian Poulter (Britain) 4.30 I’m not mad at the tour. They to the big stage. he had a chance to make an eagle Webb started the day six birdie attempts on the 18th hole 20. (19) Brandt Snedeker (US) 4.28 did what they had to do. I totally Now he is off to the Masters, and tie Every, only to three-putt strokes behind Ko, and she played to try and get into a playoff, but understand it. But it’s over with. and $1.116m richer after winning from 20 feet. REUTERS 10 groups ahead of the leader. none were successful. AFP All Blacks coach Hansen alarmed at Australia launches sleeping pill abuse new domestic rugby WELLINGTON: Sleeping pill abuse is emerg- ing as a major problem among elite athletes and SYDNEY: Australia will Canberra will have one team Australian Rugby Championship, rugby union cannot afford to ignore the issue, All launch a new domestic rugby each. lasted just one season in 2007 Blacks coach Steve Hansen (pictured), warned competition aimed at bridg- “The National Rugby before folding under the weight yesterday. Hansen was speaking after the New ing the gap between the club Championship is an important of financial losses of A$4.7m Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) revealed last week and provincial game later this strategic development for the ($4.27m). that All Blacks Cory Jane and Israel Dagg took year, the Australian Rugby growth of rugby in Australia,” Pulver is confident such a fate prescription sleeping pills while on a night out in Union (ARU) announced said ARU Chief Executive Bill will not befall the NRC, especially Auckland during the 2011 World Cup. yesterday. Pulver, the driving force behind as a television deal has already He said such behaviour was particularly con- at the London 2012 Olympics, when they used it Initially featuring nine teams, the competition. been sealed with the dominant cerning when the pills were mixed with energy at a “bonding session” and misbehaved at their the competition will bid to emu- “For rugby fans it will provide domestic digital sports broad- drinks — a combination that reportedly achieves an living quarters. Hansen acknowledged that the late New Zealand’s National an opportunity to engage with an caster, Foxtel. amphetamine-like high without breaching doping All Blacks’ gruelling schedule was like being on a Provincial Championship and elite rugby competition during Two tenders for franchises rules. “The sleeping pills and the fizzy drink and “ferris wheel”, but said they needed to be educated South Africa’s Currie Cup, which the second half of the year, once were rejected but they have been the alcohol, if you keep continually doing it, is going about finding less harmful ways to wind down. have proved highly successful in the Super Rugby competition is informed they will be considered to be harmful,” Hansen told commercial radio. He said when Jane and Dagg were initially breeding talent for Super Rugby completed. for inclusion if and when the com- “Long term it’s not going to be a great thing for caught, the scale of the problem across the sport- and the test arena. “For players it represents the petition expands. the athlete, and short term it can also create one ing world was not clear. Despite having produced missing link in their develop- “Our vision for the future of the or two problems with how they behave. That’s not “At that point, we thought it was an isolated inci- two World Cup winning sides, ment pathway towards Super NRC involved expansion of the the way the All Blacks want to live.” dent and didn’t see it as a big issue. It’s now become Australian rugby has always had Rugby and ultimately Wallaby number of teams involved in the Australia’s National Rugby League said last week apparent that’s not the case in other sports,” he less playing depth and a relatively selection.” coming years and we look forward that it was introducing tests for sleeping pills amid said. “So are we going to be naive and ostriches restricted geographic spread com- All Super Rugby players will to welcoming new teams into the rising concerns about their abuse. and keep our heads in the sand, saying it couldn’t pared to its two major southern be obliged to play in the compe- competition as soon as 2015,” said The move followed warnings issued to several be happening in our sport?” hemisphere rivals. tition and Wallabies players will Pulver. New Zealand players about mixing sleeping pills Jane said on Monday that he could remember The National Rugby be allocated to a team and made National Rugby Championship and energy drinks at last year’s Rugby League nothing about his infamous night out in 2011, Championship (NRC) will run available if they are not required teams: World Cup in England, where the Kiwis reached describing the experience as “embarrassing” and for 11 weeks from August this for national duty. Brisbane City, Queensland the final only to go down 34-2 in a lacklustre dis- “scary” — but insisted he did not intend to abuse year and feature teams in five The ARU will solicit ideas from Country, North Harbour Rays, play. In addition, Australian swimming great Grant the medication and had not mixed it with energy of Australia’s eight states and fans on social media for ways of the Sydney Stars, Greater Hackett sought treatment last month for addiction drinks. The winger said he and Dagg took two pills territories. adjusting the laws of the game or Sydney Rams, New South Wales to sleeping medication Stilnox. each — intending to go to bed — but made a last- Rugby heartlands New South improving the matchday experi- Country, University of Canberra The same drug was at the centre of a scandal minute decision to get something to eat nearby. Wales and Queensland will have ence in the competition. Vikings, Melbourne Rising, involving the Australian men’s swim relay team AFP four and two teams respectively, The last attempt to launch Perth Spirit. while Melbourne, Perth and such a competition, the REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

ATC Cup winners

Japanese riding trio Ywuta Date, Tsurugi Kitami and Ayumu Sasaki are seen at the prize distribution ceremony following the ATC Cup held at Losail International Circuit. Also seen are Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of QMMF, and other officials. A total of 16 riders finished the 12-lap race. Six riders did not finish the race which was won by Date with a time of 27 minutes 07.242 seconds. Kitami finished second (0.628 seconds adrift of Date) while Sasaki (0.659 seconds behind) ended in third spot. Date, Kitami and Sasaki were joined by riders from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Singapore.

Sheikh Saoud chairs meeting Al Jaber unveils of GCC basketball Federations Mellouli Swimming MANAMA: Sheikh Saoud bin Academy objectives Abdulrahman Al Thani (pic- tured), the Secretary-General DOHA: Khaleel Ibraheem “The QSA has great confidence of Qatar Olympic Committee Al Jaber, the president of that Melouli effort through the and president of Qatar Qatar Swimming Association academy will educate , train and Basketball Federation chaired (QSA) announced that QSA turn the children and young gen- the first meeting of the Heads is planning to make “ Mellouli eration into world swimmers. As of GCC Basketball Federations Swimming Academy” as inter- well as the Academy is open for held here on Sunday. national swimming sport facil- all citizens and expatriates ” said In his welocme speech, Sheikh ity to contribute positively in Al Jaber. Saoud greeted the officicals and turning Qatari swimmers into The proposed Academy will said that the strategic objective international champions. include multiple training pro- for the GCC Basketball move- In press release Al Jaber said: grams for different age catego- ment is to reach the highest level It is great honour that the acad- ries who will be in domestic and internationally. emy holds the name of Oussama external training camps, where Senior GCC basketball offi- Mellouli, Tunisian Olympic Melloulli and his Assistants will Khaleel Ibraheem Al Jaber, cials including Abdulrahman champion, who enjoys great sup- rehabilitate the swimmers in President of Qatar Swimming Askar, the Secretary General port from fans and lovers here in a positive manner” Added Al Association. of Bahrain Olympic Committee, State of Qatar. Jaber. THE PENINSULA Adel Al Asoumi, President of Bahrain Basketball Federation, Abdullah Al Kandari, President of Kuwaiti Basketball Federation, Mohammed Abdulshakoor, QFA delegation to attend AFC Asian Cup president of KSA Basketball Federation, Fareed Al Zadjali, president of Oman Basketball Draw Ceremony in Sydney tomorrow Federation, Abdulatif Al Organising Committee headed by is selected to organise this festival Fardan, Deputy president of Mohammed Ali Hobesh in order in September. UAE Basketball Federation, to discuss all topics related to the The meeting also decided to DOHA: Qatar Football of QFA Abdul Aziz Saud Al held at the famous Sydney Mohammed Ali Hobesh, Head development of the GCC basket- hold a series of administrative Association (QFA) will attend Mohannadi, and Qatar coach Opera House - will be attended of GCC Basketball Organizing ball movement. training sessions for Directors of the AFC Asian Cup draw cer- Djamel Belmadi. by coaches and officials of teams Committee and Saadoon Al The meeting ended into a GCC Basketball Federations also emony to be held in Sydney Director of the national team that will feature in the Asian Cup Kawari, the Secretary General series of decisions including the agreement was dully signed to tomorrow. Ahmed Khalil, and Director of to be held in Australia in January of GCC Basketball Organising support of the GCC nominees organise the GCC Club Basketball President of QFA Sheikh Marketing and Communication next year. Committee. at the Arab, Asian and inter- 3x3 Championship on May 23 and Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari are Qatar hosted the event in 1988 The meeting came upon an invi- national arenas and to organise 24 in Bahrain. Al Thani is heading a delega- also part of the delegation. and in 2011. tation from the GCC basketball grassroots festival where Qatar THE PENINSULA tion that includes Vice President The draw ceremony - to be THE PENINSULA

Islamic Triathlon Championship staged at Sealine

The 15th edition of Islamic Triathlon Championship was held at Sealine Beach under the supervision of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and in col- loboration with the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation (QSAF), Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and Qatar Endurance Committee (QEC). The Endurance race was held at the Marathon Village in Sealine, followed by the Swimming event in Sealine and Shooting events that took place at the QOC annual winter camp (Al Ennah). There was an increase in the number of participants that reached 31 in senior category representing Qatar (10), Egypt (9), Yemen (4), Saudi Arabia (3), Syria (2), Sudan (1) and Palestine (1). Eight play- ers participated in the junior category from three countries: Qatar (5), Egypt (2) and Yemen (1). The registration proce- dures were open for all participants from Qatar, the GCC and member countries of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF). The ISSF regulation allows the participants from Islamic countries to compete, provided that they must be physically fit and pass the examinations prescribed by the committee, also the number of participants will not be less than 20 and not exceeding 50. TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Steyn, Duminy sparkle as South Africa post key win A brilliant two-over spell from Dale Steyn hands game to South Africa

DHAKA: Dale Steyn and JP Duminy (pictured below) led South Africa to a thrilling South Africa two-run win over Group One cricketer rivals New Zealand yesterday Dale Steyn that kept them in the hunt for (third right) a semi-final spot at the World celebrates Twenty20 in Bangladesh. the wicket Wily Mishra South Africa, who lost their of New opening match to Sri Lanka, Zealand struggled early on and needed a batsman leads India’s blistering unbeaten 86 off 43 balls Nathan by Duminy to reach 170 for six. McCullum bowling New Zealand seemed to be with team- cruising in their reply thanks to mates Kane Williamson’s 35-ball 51 and during the revival Ross Taylor’s 62. ICC World They needed 31 off 24 deliveries DHAKA: Underrated Amit Twenty20 with seven wickets in hand but Mishra (pictured) has trans- match at a brilliant two-over spell from formed India’s seemingly inad- Steyn (4-17) turned the match the Zahur equate bowling resources into on its head. Ahmed match winners, giving the The fiery paceman dismissed Chowdhury former champions a perfect the dangerous Corey Anderson Stadium in start in the World Twenty20 in for seven in the 18th over and Chittagong Bangladesh. then picked up two for four in yesterday. The leg-spinner picked up the the last over with the Kiwis, who South Africa Man-of-the-Match awards in beat England in their first match, won by 2 two almost identical wins over requiring seven for victory. runs. Pakistan and the West Indies Taylor, needing three off the in group two of the Super-10 last ball, was run out. round, pushing India closer to the “I was thinking all the time, semi-finals. Dale is my trump card and I need Scoreboard Mishra grabbed two for 22 in to bring him back in the game four overs to restrict arch-rivals because he was bowling beauti- SOUTH AFRICA: NEW ZEALAND: Pakistan to 130-7 and fashion fully,” South Africa captain Faf Q de Kock c Ronchi b Mills ...... 4 M Guptill c de Kock b A Morkel ...... 22 his team’s seven-wicket win on du Plessis, who missed the Sri Hashim Amla c and b Anderson ...... 41 K Williamson c de Villiers b Steyn ...... 51 Friday. Lanka match with injury, said at On Sunday, the 31-year-old South Africa Faf du Plessis c N McCullum b Southee .....13 B McCullum st de Kock b Tahir ...... 4 the presentation. AB de Villiers b N McCullum ...... 5 R Taylor run out ...... 62 claimed two for 18 in four overs to “But with the way they were cricketer keep defending champions West Dale Steyn JP Duminy (not out) ...... 86 C Munro c Amla b Tahir ...... 7 hitting the ball... it was a fantastic D Miller c and b Anderson ...... 6 C Anderson c Miller b Steyn ...... 7 Indies down to 129-7 in a match celebrates effort from Dale. A Morkel b Southee ...... 13 L Ronchi c de Kock b Steyn ...... 5 India again won by seven wickets. his team’s “We were in huge trouble at the D Steyn (not out) ...... 1 N McCullum c du Plessis b Steyn ...... 4 Mishra, who has recently spent start. JP took his time and then victory during Extras: (W1) ...... 1 T Southee (not out) ...... 0 more time on the bench than on hit it sweetly at the end. Fantastic the ICC World Total: (for 6 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 170 Extras: (LB2, W4) ...... 6 the field, has played just three effort and one of the best innings Twenty20. Did not bat: M Morkel, Imran Tahir, L Tsotsobe. Total: (for 8 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 168 Twenty20 internationals despite I have seen him play.” Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-32, 3-42, 4-97, Did not bat: K Mills, M McClenaghan. making 13 Test and 23 one-day Leg-spinner Imran Tahir also 5-131, 6-159. Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-66, 3-117, 4-140, appearances since his debut in played a key role, taking two for Bowling: Mills 4-0-29-1, McClenaghan 4-0- 5-148, 6-164, 7-168, 8-168. 2003. 27, but paceman Morne Morkel 30-0 (1w), Southee 4-0-46-2, N McCullum Bowling: Duminy 3-0-30-0, Tsotsobe 4-0-29- But he has continued to hone had a day to forget as he went for 4-0-24-1, Anderson 3-0-28-2, Williamson 1-0- 0 (1w), Steyn 4-0-17-4, M Morkel 3-0-50-0 his skills in domestic cricket 50 in three overs. 13-0 (1w), A Morkel 2-0-13-1, Tahir 4-0-27-2 (2w). where he has been a consistent “Credit to South Africa for performer for Haryana state and the way they hung in there... the various franchises he has We probably should have won it played for in the Indian Premier pretty easily,” New Zealand cap- League. tain Brendon McCullum said. “I am a positive thinker, I do “But you can’t probably take Hapless Netherlands shot out not worry about the negatives,” it to the last over against such Mishra said, when asked how he a quality bowler like Dale Steyn. prevented frustration from creep- “Little bit of luck today and we ing into his game. would have got across the line but “I always try to improve credit to South Africa for their for 39 by Sri Lanka at T20 Cup myself, talk to our coaches and performance.” the captain. I do not think about Earlier, Hashim Amla (41) DHAKA: Sri Lanka skittled the fact that I am sitting on the and Duminy fought back with a qualifiers Netherlands for 39, a bench match after match. I am 55-run stand after South Africa record low total in Twenty20 just happy that everyone has sup- had slumped to 42 for three. Internationals, to romp to a ported me and kept faith in me.” The fourth-wicket partnership nine-wicket win and close in on Indian captain Mahendra was broken in bizarre fashion a semi-final place at the World Singh Dhoni, who has usually pre- when Amla thumped a ball from Twenty20 yesterday. ferred Ravichandran Ashwin and Anderson and it hit Duminy’s bat Paceman Angelo Mathews blew Ravindra Jadeja as his first-choice at the non-striker’s end before the Dutch top order away with a spin options, was delighted at the spooning up for the bowler to three-wicket burst while spinner way Mishra was shaping up. complete an easy catch. Ajantha Mendis mowed down the “I am really happy for him,” Duminy was full of improvised lower order as Netherlands folded Dhoni said. “I could feel he was a strokes, bludgeoning 10 fours and in 10.3 overs. little nervous against Pakistan, so three sixes as his side added 70 Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera I just told him to spin and flight runs in the last five overs. (14) but chased down the target in the ball and use the variations he REUTERS five overs to top Group One with had. I was very comfortable the four points after their second suc- way he bowled after that. It is cessive victory in the tournament. good to see the bowlers doing so It was also the biggest victory well, but there is still a long way in Twenty20 Internationals in to go in this tournament.” terms of balls to spare. India will take on hosts “We let a few people down here Bangladesh on Friday and tonight,” losing captain Peter Australia on Sunday in their last Borren said at the presentation two matches, needing to win both ceremony, terming it “just shock- Ireland in their previous match Mathews came up with to top the group. ing batting” by his team. to qualify for the super 10 stage, a three-wicket burst to Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar “We are representing more offered little resistance to a Sri reduce the minnows to set up the win against the West than just us here. We’re repre- Lankan side eyeing their maiden nine for four in four overs. Indies by conceding just three senting the associates and we’ve World Twenty20 title. The Dutch gloom was runs in three overs with the new to regroup pretty quickly.” Nuwan Kulasekara dismissed reflected in a partial flood- ball, but Dhoni was still searching Put into bat at Chittagong’s Stephan Myburg with his third light malfunction in the for bowlers for the last few overs. Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury delivery before the sorry Dutch second over that held up Ravindra Jadeja bowled a Stadium, the Dutch, who stunned could open their account and play for a short while. mixed last over against the West Lasith Malinga’s dou- Indies, being hammered for three Scoreboard ble strikes further pegged sixes despite taking two wickets. ABOVE: Sri Lanka cricket back the Dutch before Against Pakistan, Mohammed NETHERLANDS: 6-33, 7-36, 8-39, 9-39 captain Dinesh Chandimal Mendis (3-12) wrecked Shami gave away 15 runs in the S Myburgh c Malinga b Kulasekara ...... 0 Bowling: Kulasekara 2-2-0-1, Mathews 4-0- (second left) celebrates the the lower order to com- last over. M Swart c Sangakkara b Mathews ...... 0 16-3, Malinga 2-0-5-2, Mendis 2.3-0-12-3 wicket of Netherlands batsman plete the rout. “We need one more bowler, W Barresi c Chandimal b Mathews ...... 1 SRI LANKA: captain Peter Borren with For Netherlands, only besides Shami, to bowl at the T Cooper lbw b Mendis ...... 16 K Perera c Swart b Jamil ...... 14 bowler Angelo Mathews (left) Tom Cooper (16) reached death,” Dhoni said. “We will face P Borren lbw b Mathews ...... 0 T Dilshan (not out) ...... 12 and team-mates during the double figures while five of a few big-hitters in the games to B Cooper run out ...... 8 M Jayawardene not out ...... 11 ICC World Twenty20 match at his team mates were out come.” Mudassar Bukhari b Malinga ...... 4 Extras: (NB1, W2) ...... 3 the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury for a duck. India were fortunate that L van Beek b Malinga ...... 1 Total: (for one wkt; 5 overs) ...... 40 Stadium in Chittagong Kenya’s 56 all out in 18.4 aggressive West Indies opener overs against Afghanistan Chris Gayle was run out for a P Seelaar c Mathews b Mendis ...... 3 Fall of wickets: 1-20 yesterday. RIGHT: Sri Lanka in Sharjah last year was I am now,” said Borren. “This is 33-ball 34 in the 13th over. T Gugten (not out) ...... 0 Did not bat: K Sangakkara, D Chandimal, A cricketers Mahela Jayawardena Ahsan Jamil lbw b Mendis ...... 0 Mathews, T Perera, N Kulasekara, S Senanay- the previous lowest score in the real shame. There’s pressure India won the inaugural World (left) and Kumar Sangakkara Twenty20 Internationals. “This on us because we’re striving for Twenty20 title in 2007 under Extras: (LB6) ...... 6 ake, B Mendis, L Malinga wait with umpires after stadium Total: (all out; 10.3 overs) ...... 39 Bowling: is not something we saw coming... more fixtures, more funding... this Dhoni but failed to make the Van der Gugten 3-0-22-0 (1nb, 1w), floodlights malfunctioned. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-9, 5-25, Jamil 2-0-18-1 (1w) I bet the guys there (in dressing sort of performance doesn’t help.” semi-finals in the next three edi- room) are pretty embarrassed, as REUTERS tions. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Abidal risks Messi hat-trick sees Barca World Cup place after Monaco past Real in 7-goal thriller no-show

PARIS: Eric Abidal did his Real Madrid coach slams referee’s decision to throw out Sergio Ramos chances of earning a place in France’s World Cup squad no good by going AWOL on Sunday MADRID: Barcelona moved to there were many. “However, it after the defender was over- within a point of Real Madrid at was the key moment. We were looked for Monaco’s Ligue 1 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the top of La Liga as they twice winning 3-2 and controlling the game against Lille. came from behind thanks to a game well, but it is much more celebrates after scoring a Abidal, who was diagnosed with Lionel Messi hat-trick to edge difficult to control the game with penalty against Real Madrid a cancerous liver tumour in 2011 a thrilling El Clasico 4-3 at the a player less.” during La Liga’s second and had a liver transplant the Santiago Bernabeu. The game got off to a blister- ‘Clasico’ of the season at following year, has struggled this The sides went in level 2-2 at ing start as after Neymar and Santiago Bernabeu Stadium season, showing a worrying lack half-time as a record 19th goal Benzema had early efforts easily in Madrid on Sunday. of pace at both club and interna- against Madrid from Messi can- saved, Barca opened the scor- tional level. celled out Karim Benzema’s dou- ing when Messi played in Iniesta The 34-year-old was omitted ble after Andres Iniesta had put behind the Real defence and the from Didier Deschamps’s squad Barca in front. Spanish international smashed to face Netherlands in a friendly Cristiano Ronaldo then put the ball in off the underside of earlier this month. Real Madrid back in front from the bar. Deschamps has repeatedly the penalty spot, but the hosts Benzema had a great chance to said there is no room for off-field were reduced to 10-men when equalise five minutes later when dramas in the France team, and Sergio Ramos pulled down he spooned Angel Di Maria’s cut- stressed players have to be per- Neymar inside the box 10 min- back over after a great a jinking forming for their clubs if they are utes later and Messi levelled once run from the Argentine had taken to be picked for the June 13-July more from the spot. him past three Barca defenders. 12 tournament in Brazil. And the Argentine won the Messi could then have made it Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri game with another penalty seven 2-0 when he fired wide with the said leaving the centre back out minutes from time after Iniesta type of opening he is normally on Sunday was a sporting deci- had been felled by Xabi Alonso. deadly with as he raced onto Cesc sion, and made it clear Abidal, A first defeat for Real in 32 Fabregas’ fine through ball. who took part in Les Bleus’ Wo rl d games means Atletico Madrid Benzema made amends for his Cup qualifying campaign, would remain top of the table thanks to earlier miss 20 minutes in when be asked to explain himself. their better head-to-head record Victor Valdes just failed to keep “It’s his problem, I know he was against Los Blancos with Barca out his header from Di Maria’s at home. He did not stay for the still in third. cross. game,” Ranieri said. “If there is a “The league starts a new now,” The Frenchman then com- problem I will talk with the club. said Barclena boss Gerardo pleted a rapid turnaround for the I want to know why he left. Martino. hosts as Javier Mascherano mis- “He came with us (to the pre- “More than the mathemati- judged another Di Maria centre game camp) and he left. He was cal distance we were behind, the from the left and Benzema took a not on the bench. He left.” impression was people wrote us touch before firing past the help- After recovering from a stom- off. Atletico Madrid were always less Valdes. ach bug, Abidal was in the frame in the fight and I think that after Gerard Pique had to make for a place in the squad but this result we are too. a vital clearance off the line to Ranieri went with Nicolas Isimat- “We knew if we didn’t win prevent a hat-trick of Di Maria Mirin, who slotted in while Abidal tonight it was over for us. We assists for Benzema. second period also fell to Benzema Ronaldo was unmoved, though, Messi converted from the spot to was not fit. still don’t have matters in our Barca responded before half- after a terrific run and pass from as he got up to take hammer make it 3-3. “He had had a good week, he own hands, but we’ll now fight time and were level when Messi Gareth Bale, but this time Valdes the resulting spot-kick low past Alves then struck the inside of had trained every day, but I pre- till the end.” controlled a loose ball inside the managed to make the save low to Valdes’ outstretched right hand. the post from 25 yards as Barca ferred another player.” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, area and slotted home at Diego his right. However, the game turned went in search of the goal that meanwhile, lamented Ramos’ Lopez’s near post. Carlo Ancelotti’s men did again 25 minutes from time when would salvage their title chances. Bayern fined, game-changing red card when Benzema could still have put retake the lead on 55 minutes Messi released Neymar and he And they got it when Mallenco Madrid had just gotten them- Madrid in front at the break as when referee Alberto Undiano was brought down by Ramos. awarded a third penalty of the sanctioned for selves back in front. his looping header from Dani Mallenco controversially awarded Real’s captain for the evening evening as Iniesta tumbled “I haven’t seen it again and it is Carvajal’s cross crept inches past a penalty for a trip on Ronaldo by was shown his 19th red card for inside the area and Messi again offensive banner difficult for me to comment on the the post. Alves despite the contact appear- Los Blancos for denying a clear dispatched it perfectly high past decisions of the referee because The first opportunity of the ing to take place outside the area. goalscoring opportunity and Lopez. REUTERS BERLIN: UEFA have fined Bayern Munich 10,000 euros ($13,774) for an offensive banner Barcelona’s Lionel and ordered part of the Allianz Messi (centre) Arena to be closed for their and Real Madrid’s 5 things we Champions League home quar- Xabi Alonso (left) ter-final against Manchester and Luka Modric United. challenge for the European football’s governing ball at Santiago body punished holders Bayern learned from after their fans displayed a banner Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on carrying the text “Gay Gunners”, Sunday. aimed at opponents Arsenal dur- ing the Champions League last 16 El Clasico second leg 1-1 draw in Munich on March 11. Bayern progressed to the MADRID: A Lionel Messi his tally for the season to 34 in as quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate inspired Barcelona blew the La many games. having won the first leg 2-0 in Liga title race wide open on ** Barcelona still need a London and have drawn David Sunday as the Argentine’s hat- centre-back Moyes’ United with the first leg trick handed the Catalans a 4-3 Barca were bailed out by their at Old Trafford on April 1 and the win over Real Madrid at the star man, but their defending at return in Munich on April 9. Santiago Bernabeu. times, particularly in the first UEFA’s Control and With Barca, Real and new lead- half, was woeful. Disciplinary body have also ers Atletico Madrid now all sepa- Messi’s international teammate ordered the closing of a sec- rated by just one point with nine Javier Mascherano was the main tion of the Allianz Arena for the games to go, sports experts look culprit as he badly misjudged Munich leg and warned that a at what can be learned from the Angel di Maria’s cross for Karim repeat offence will carry a 50,000 seven-goal thriller. Benzema’s second goal which put euros fine and a future match to ** Real have a problem with Madrid 2-1 in front. be played behind closed doors. big games Carles Puyol’s departure from Defeat may have been Los the club at the end of the season Russian sponsor Blancos’s first in 32 games in all should free up funds to bring in competitions, but they have now the high quality central defender no problem for taken just one point from a pos- Barca have needed for the past sible 12 against Barca and Atletico two years since Puyol has become Schalke boss Football League blocks in the league this season. a peripheral figure due to injuries. Carlo Ancelotti’s men also just ** Ramos red midst a prob- BERLIN: Schalke 04 boss managed to draw at high-flying lem for Madrid Clemens Toennies says he has Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, Madrid, by contrast, appear no problem with the club’s main which doesn’t bode well with dif- to have three excellent central sponsors, Russian gas-giants Italian takeover of Leeds ficult away trips to Sevilla and defenders in Sergio Ramos, Pepe Gazprom, despite the ongoing Real Sociedad to come in the next and Raphael Varane. Crimea crisis. LONDON: The Football League disqualified Cellino from acting Cellino has a previous crimi- three league games. However, Ramos’ propensity “No, I see no problem at all. For blocked Massimo Cellino from as a club director after an Italian nal conviction in Italy for fraud ** Messi is back to his best to get himself sent-off at crucial me there is absolutely nothing to taking control of Leeds United court fined him 600,000 euros and was banned for four months The four-time World Player of moments remains a problem as complain about,” Toennies told yesterday after the Italian was ($826,900) last week by an Italian last year by the Italian Football the Year said it would take him he saw red for the 19th time as a German daily Bild with Schalke fined for tax evasion, throwing court for failing to pay import Federation after Cagliari sold 10 games to hit top form after Real player and already the third third in Germany’s top-flight. the English second tier club into duties on a yacht. tickets for a match supposed to being sidelined for two months time this season. Gazprom have been Schalke’s turmoil. “The (Football League) board be played behind closed doors. by a hamstring injury at the end ** Atletico the real winners main sponsor since 2007 and Cellino, president of Italian agreed unanimously that the Leeds last won the English title of last year. of the day give the Royal Blues 17m euros Serie A club Cagliari, had agreed decision of the Italian Court in 1992 and remain one of the best He looked as good as ever on Whilst the world media’s atten- ($23.46m) of sponsorship per year to buy a 75 percent stake in does constitute a disqualifying supported clubs outside of the top Sunday as he not only scored tion was focused on the Clasico with the current deal running former English champions Leeds condition under its Owners’ and flight. three times, but also set up battle on Sunday night, Atletico until 2017. but the new deal was conditional Directors’ Test,” the League said However, they are marooned in Barca’s first goal, scored by quietly moved top earlier in the Toennies, chairman of Schalke’s on clearance by the Football in a statement. mid-table with no real chance of Andres Iniesta, and the penalty day with a comfortable 2-0 win supervisory board, also said he has League. The English soccer authorities promotion this season. from which Sergio Ramos saw a over Real Betis. a good relationship with Russia’s Dubai-based GFH Capital, who have been under pressure to take Fans’ hopes that the GFH take- game-changing red card for a foul Diego Simeone’s men now have president Vladimir Putin. bought Leeds in December 2012, a tougher line on scrutinising club over would herald a new era have on Neymar. matters in their own hands due to “I am no world leader, but we’re had planned to retain a 25 per- owners after Birmingham City been dashed and the uncertainty Messi became the all-time their better head-to-head record pleased when we see each other,” cent stake in the club had the deal boss Carson Yeung was jailed in over the club’s future ownership leading scorer in El Clasico as against Real, but still have to said Toennies. “He always asks been ratified. Hong Kong this month for money has weighed on the team this sea- he moved onto 21 goals from 27 travel to Barcelona on the final about Schalke and we have a good However, the League’s board laundering. son. REUTERS matches against Madrid and took day of the season. AFP relationship.” REUTERS Tuesday 25 March 2014 24 Jumadal I 1435 Volume 19 Number 5614 Sport Price: QR2 South Africa Barcelona beat edge past New Real Madrid in Zealand El Classico

Sport | 26 Sport | 27

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ATP-WTA Miami Results Federer and Murray cruise MIAMI: Results on Sunday from the sixth day of the WTA and ATP Miami Masters (x denotes seeded player): Men 3rd round Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt Florian Mayer through Miami sweatshop (GER) injury walkover, groin Andy Murray (GRB x6) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP x32) 6-4, 6-1 Australian Open champion Li Na of China also advances in Miami Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x11) bt Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 MIAMI: Two-time winner Tommy Robredo (ESP x16) bt Julien Roger Federer and defending Benneteau (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 champion Andy Murray eased Roger Federer of Switzerland Roger Federer (SUI x5) bt Thiemo de Bakker into the fourth round of the returns the ball to Thiemo De (NED) 6-3, 6-3 ATP and WTA Miami Masters, Bakker of the Netherlands producing efficient wins in heat during a third-round match Richard Gasquet (FRA x9) bt Kevin Anderson and humidity yesterday. at the Sony Open in Key (RSA) 6-3, 6-4 Fifth-ranked Federer pounded Biscayne in Miami, Florida, US, Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, yesterday. Federer won 6-3, x15) 7-6 (7/1), 7-5 6-3 in just over an hour while 6-3. BELOW: Andy Murray of British sixth seed Murray downed David Ferrer (ESP x4) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) Britain hits a backhand against practice partner Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-2 Feliciano Lopez (not pictured) 6-4, 6-1. Women on day seven of the Sony Open. Ivan Lendl, the coach from 3rd round whom Murray parted company Murray won 6-4, 6-1. in recent days, was sitting in the Li Na (CHN x2) bt Madison Keys (USA) 7-6 player box to watching his former (7/3), 6-3 protege’s triumph. Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Barbora Zahlavova Federer was all business against Strycova (CZE) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 the free-swinging de Bakker, whom he has now beaten once in Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) bt Kaia Kanepi each of the last three seasons. (EST) 6-2, 6-1 The 32-year-old Swiss broke Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x3) bt Elena for victory in the final game, with humid. They are not easy Li won the decider on the Vesnina (RUS) 7-5, 6-3 de Bakker saving a pair of match conditions.” first of four set points to seize Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x10) bt Alize points but also double-faulting at Murray will line up next against the match momentum in front Cornet (FRA) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 a crucial moment in the game. French 11th seed Jo-Wilfried of a sparse crowd. The Chinese Federer secured his 21st match Tsonga, who outlasted Marcos number one recovered from an Venus Williams (USA) bt Casey Dellacqua win of the season when a back- Baghdatis 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5. early break in the second set, (AUS) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 hand from the Dutchman floated Murray has won eight of their eventually reaching 5-2. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) bt Alja long. nine ATP meetings, the most Li then saved a pair of break Tomljanovic (CRO) 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2) “I’m feeling really good with recent last year on grass at points in the final game thanks my game,” said Federer who next Queen’s. to Keys’ unforced errors and took Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x11) bt Sloane faces either French ninth seed Tsonga trailed a set and was victory after one hour, 41 minutes Stephens (USA) 6-1, 6-0 Richard Gasquet or 17th-seeded down 5-1 in the second-set tie- as her opponent again misfired. South African, Kevin Anderson. breaker when he suddenly found “It was a pretty tough match,” “My confidence is high and I’m some much-needed form, rallying Li said. “She played well, big serve, Argentina’s Del Potro to moving well. I’m excited about to win after two and a half hours. big forehand, especially when she how I’ve been playing.” The Frenchman fired 16 aces was 3-1 down and then come back Murray polished his record to and needed only one break 5-3 up and served for the first set. undergo wrist surgery 9-0 over Spaniard Lopez in only of serve to make the winning “During that time I didn’t 73 minutes. The Scotsman, who difference. think about too much. I say, ‘OK, MIAMI: Juan Martin del Potro will undergo surgery today on his does much of his off-season train- Also advancing at the hard- try to hit the ball, try to do what troublesome left wrist after a visit to his US doctors in Minnesota, ing in Miami, improved to 21-6 in court event was Chinese world you have to do, and I think saving the player announced. his part-time hometown. number two Li Na, the reigning the set points at least kept me in The Argentine world number eight has been bothered by the problem “It’s not always that easy to feel Australian Open champion who the first set. since early January when he first felt pain in an opening match at the comfortable against him because dispatched American Madison “This changed the match a lit- Australian Open a few days after winning the Sydney tournament title. there is not loads of rhythm with Keys 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. tle bit, because after that I was He withdrew from events in Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami. the way he plays,” Murray said. Li spent nearly an hour sur- feeling her level drop.” “After a period of medical treatment which we tried to be competi- “But I moved well, returned viving the first set, saving two Li won despite seven double tive on a tennis court, and following new examinations done today, my well. It was obviously a more com- set points on the serve of 38th- faults, 26 unforced errors and just doctor Richard Berger decided that I should have surgery to fix the fortable scoreline than the other ranked Keys. 11 winners. She broke on five of problem on my left wrist,” Del Potro said on his Facebook page. day (Murray needed three sets to The American committed 10 chances against an opponent “It is not an easy decision, it is not the happiest moment of my beat Australia’s Matthew Ebden). a backhand error on her first whom she has now beaten on two career. I experienced a similar situation and I know how hard it is to “I don’t know how hot it was, chance and double-faulted on the of three occasions. be out of the tour.” but when we came over at like second before Li got the break for Li is playing in Miami for the It is unknown how long he will be out of the sport. Del Potro under- Kei Nishikori of Japan during his 7-6 9:30 it was already 80 Fahrenheit 5-4 in a set which eventually went eighth time, reaching four quar- went an operation on his right wrist after winning the US Open in (7/1), 7-5 win over Grigor Dimitrov of (23 Celsius) and it was extremely into a tiebreaker. ter-finals. REUTERS 2009 and missed much of the next season. REUTERS Bulgaria at the Sony Open. United go into Manchester derby with new confidence English Premier League fixtures LONDON: Today’s Manchester game but there is an added importance Brendan Rodgers’s side have joined German clubs reject LONDON: Fixtures from the English premier league matches: derby is the highlight of five midweek of winning the big games,” Moyes told the title chase with six successive vic- matches as the Premier League con- reporters. tories, scoring 24 goals in the process. goalline technology Today (all times GMT) tinues almost without pausing for “It’s not been something we have Having won 6-3 at Cardiff at the week- Arsenal vs Swansea City (1945) breath following another eventful done well enough this season, so it end, they will be expected to defeat BERLIN: Germany have opted not Manchester United vs Manchester City (1945) weekend’s football in England. would be nice if we could get it in this another of the relegation-threatened to bring in goalline technology after Newcastle United vs Everton (1945) Manchester United, 18 points behind game. sides, Sunderland, at Anfield tomorrow. the clubs from the top two divisions leaders Chelsea, have no chance of “Their ability to score goals would be The combination of Uruguay’s Luis voted against it, the football league Wednesday, March 26 (GMT) retaining their title but are keen to in anybody’s mind because if you look Suarez and England’s Daniel Sturridge (DFL) said yesterday. West Ham United v Hull City (1945) stop third-placed Manchester City suc- at the record this year they have been continues to demolish opposing The technology is already being Liverpool vs Sunderland (2000) ceeding them as champions. terrific.” defences. Suarez’s third hat-trick of used in other countries, including the Saturday, March 29 Badly beaten 4-1 by their local City trail Chelsea by six points but the season on Saturday took him to 28 English Premier League, and champi- Manchester United vs Aston Villa (1245) rivals in September, United have have three games in hand and with a goals for the season, despite missing the ons Bayern Munich had called for it to home advantage this time and go into superior goal difference would go top first five matches because of suspen- be brought in to the Bundesliga. Crystal Palace vs Chelsea (1500) the game buoyed by successive vic- by winning two of them. They will sion. Sturridge has provided many of “I can announce the clubs of the Southampton vs Newcastle United (1500) tories over Olympiakos, to reach the again be without their leading scorer, the assists as well as scoring 19 times Bundesliga and the second Bundesliga Stoke City vs Hull City (1500) Champions League quarter-final, and Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero, himself. opted to do without it,” DFL presi- Swansea City vs Norwich City (1500) West Ham. who has a hamstring injury but cap- For Sunderland, it is one of two dent Reinhard Rauball told reporters West Bromwich Albion vs Cardiff City (1500) Saturday’s 2-0 win at Upton Park, tain Vincent Kompany is available after games in hand on the teams immedi- yesterday. where acting captain Wayne Rooney suspension. ately above them. Swansea City, four He said half of the top-flight clubs Arsenal vs Manchester City (1730) scored one of the goals of the season City have been solid in defence, not points in front of Gus Poyet’s side, have had voted in favour but a two-thirds Sunday, March 30 from more than 50 metres, helped conceding in the last three league dropped into the bottom six and will majority was needed. Fulham vs Everton (1230) ease the pressure from manager David games, but despite scoring five times fear a backlash today in their game at In the second division only three of Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (1500) Moyes, who has struggled in his first without reply against bottom-of-the- Arsenal. The London side suffered a the 18 teams had voted for technology season after taking over from Alex table Fulham on Saturday, their total of humiliating 6-0 defeat by Chelsea on to come in. Monday, March 31 Ferguson. 76 goals is now six fewer than rampant Saturday in Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th “This issue is off the table for now,” Sunderland vs West Ham United (1900) “You get three points for winning any Liverpool. match in charge. REUTERS said Rauball. REUTERS