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THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 • 20 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6395 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Qatar to give $100m loan to Palestine QR750,000 bid for Smart cameras 377773 car plate DOHA: At least one bidder has quoted QR750,000 ($206,000) to buy a unique car plate number to detect major 377773 in an online auction the traffic department is holding for 24 online easy-to-remember car plate numbers. The auction will close at 10pm today and traffic violations the result will be announced on Sunday. The lowest bid yes- terday was for QR130,000 for a New surveillance system launched car plate number (338383). In Qatar, people have the craze for DOHA: Common traffic viola- control in all parts of the country, unique mobile phone and car tions like use of mobile phones ease traffic movement and moni- numbers. THE PENINSULA while driving, wrong overtaking tor traffic violations in time,” the and failure to fasten seat belts ministry said in a statement. Qatar plans to issue will now be captured in smart The smart cameras will also cameras with the Ministry of detect speeding, low speed, jump- child nutrition law Interior launching a new and ing signals and other violations Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Emiri Diwan extensive surveillance system. “that pose a threat to public yesterday. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani also attended the talks. Qatar, represented DOHA: Qatar has plans to issue The project named “Talaa” safety,” explained the Director of by Qatar Development Fund (QDF), and the Palestinian Authority signed an agreement under which QDF will a law related to child nutrition. Dr aims to promote traffic safety by Central Operations Department Tawiq bin Ahmed Khoja, Director provide $100m as interest-free loan to the PA for developmental projects. See also page 5 detecting all types of violations at National Command Center General, Executive board, health specified in the traffic law, the Col Sayeed Hasan Al Mazrou. ministers’ council for corporation Ministry said yesterday. The Traffic Department on council said Qatar has taken sev- Smart cameras are being several occasions had warned eral steps to fight obesity among installed on roads and highways motorists against reducing speed children aged five to 19. across the country that are moni- on highways below the required He was speaking at a function tored from a central control room. levels, saying this can cause a Ashghal unveils QR10bn projects at the SCH yesterday which saw The project has been launched major problem to other motor- the launch the “Qatar Dietary by the Central Operations ists and lead to traffic accidents. Guidelines”. He said Qatar has put Department of the National Like speeding, this has also been for Mesaieed and Al Wakra up a plan to reduce the use of fatty Command Center at the Ministry considered a violation of the law. oil in bakeries and replace palm oil in collaboration with the General Al Mazrou said more than with corn oil. He urged all the GCC Directorate of Traffic and General 23,000 violations were detected DOHA: Southern areas of the coordination with the Ministry stages and features, and what has countries to implement this pro- Directorate of Information Systems during a trial run of the project country are in for major expan- of Municipality and Urban been achieved so far. posal. THE PENINSULA (Security Systems Department). conducted last month. Most of sion and overhaul. Planning (MMUP), held the com- Brochures were also handed See also page 3 The Traffic Department had them were due to mistakes of the Ashghal yesterday announced munity event yesterday to show- out and included general infor- earlier pinpointed the most com- drivers. He said all the cameras major development works for Al case infrastructure and building mation on the projects, guidelines mon traffic violations as use of can be controlled from the oper- Wakra and Mesaieed that will go projects in the south of Qatar. to ensure the safety of residents mobile phones while driving, not ations room which monitors vio- on over the next three years at Representatives from various and visitors of the area, as well as TODAY’S EDITION OF wearing seat belts and overtak- lations by zooming vehicles and a total cost of QR10bn ($2.7bn). organisations, businesses, schools, contact details for Ashghal and THE PENINSULA ing from right. The surveillance capturing the numbers plates as And, interestingly, the Public and residents of Al Wakra and community engagement officers INCLUDES cameras on roads and intersec- well as the location. Works Authority has begun inter- Mesaieed attended the event at Al responsible for each project. tions have so far been used to Owners of the vehicles will then acting with the local community to Wakra Municipality. It aimed at The event saw a lot of inter- detect only two major violations — be informed about the violations explain the development projects familiarising the community with action from the audience who speeding and jumping signals. The by text messages sent through following public complaints about various important projects Ashghal showed interest in what was being other violations were being moni- Metrash to avoid any embarrass- inconvenience caused to residents is implementing in the South. presented, and asked numerous tored by traffic patrols deployed ment while renewing road per- due to the development works. A detailed presentation pro- questions that were answered by GUIDE in select areas. mits, said Al Mazrou. Called an Integrated vided a comprehensive overview project engineers. APRIL 2015 “This (the new project) will Continued on page 3 Community Outreach of the projects being implemented, Continued on page 6 contribute to tightening security THE PENINSULA Programme, Ashghal, in including their components, THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Cabinet expresses confidence Emir meets Sudanese FM on Iran framework deal

DOHA: The Cabinet expressed law on the issuance of military No. 13 of 1988 on the expropria- hope that the framework deal judicial law and took the appro- tion of real estate and temporary signed in the Swiss city of priate decision thereon. seizing them for the public inter- Lausanne between Iran and The military judicial law est as well as the regulations and Group (5+1) on the Iran’s included rules related to the decisions issued for its implemen- nuclear programme would lead enforcement of law, regulation of tation, including the preparation to a final agreement to enhance the military judiciary, formation of official periodical pricing lists security and stability in the of functions of military courts, for lands of different plots of land region and the world. the military prosecution, the located within the boundaries of The Cabinet reiterated Qatar’s legal affairs directorate, military cities and villages and the assess- firm position calling for main- crimes and penalties, interna- ment of due damages for the taining the Middle East a zone tional human law crimes, military expropriation. free from all weapons of mass judicial inspectorate, inspection, The cabinet took necessary destruction including the nuclear interrogation, preventive deten- measures for the endorsement of: weapon, while guaranteeing the tion, filing the case and start- A bilateral agreement on the states of the region’s right to the ing procedures before a military reciprocal administrative assist- peaceful use of the nuclear energy court, trial proceedings, trial in ance for the optimum implemen- in accordance with the standards absentia, authenticity of judg- tation of the customs law and and measures of the International ment and ways of impeachment, the suppression, detection and Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the enforcement of military fight against custom violations and under its supervision. judgments. between the State of Qatar and The Prime Minister and The cabinet also approved a the People’s Democratic Republic Interior Minister H E Sheikh draft cabinet decision amending of Algeria. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa the formation of two committees An agreement on news coop- Al Thani presided over the to price real estate expropriated eration and exchange between weekly regular session at the for public benefit. The two com- Qatar News Agency (QNA) and Emiri Diwan. mittees shall practice the func- Algerian Press Service (APS). The Cabinet reviewed a draft tions and duties stipulated in law QNA Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Talks focused on bilateral relations and means of boosting them. Qatar Dietary Guidelines launched First nation in the region to introduce national dietary guidelines for healthy living BY FAZEENA SALEEM eat to reduce cholesterol, blood (2011-2016), part of the National sugar, weight and improve psy- Health Strategy, which aims to DOHA: The Supreme Council chical activity. This will be like a reduce morbidity and mortal- of Health (SCH) yesterday guidance which will be referred to ity attributable to chronic non- launched guidelines for healthy people,” he said. communicable diseases (NCDs) eating, in a bid to reduce the “We work with public, private in Qatar. risk factors of non-communica- sectors, academics, clinical per- Non-communicable diseases ble diseases which cause a con- sonnel and people from the food accounted for 34.4 percent of the siderable percentage of deaths industry to communicate the total deaths recorded for the year in the country. message of healthy eating among 2013. ‘The Qatar Dietary Guidelines’ people,” Dr Al Marri added. The rate of people with a BMI offers insights and guidance for Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin of 30 or more is 41 percent. This healthy eating. It includes eight Hamad bin Al Thani, Director is based on a recent Stepwise recommendations that discuss of Public Health, SCH, and Survey that was sponsored by the different tips for achieving an Dr Tawiq bin Ahmed Khoja, Supreme Council of Health, with overall healthy lifestyle. Director General, Executive help from the WHO. According to Qatar is first in the region board, Health Ministers’ Council the survey, 16.7 percent of adults to introduce a national dietary for GCC states, were present in Qatar suffer from diabetes, and guideline and it’s prepared by with several other officials at about 33 percent of them do not the Health Promotion and a ceremony held to launch the know that they suffer from this Non-communicable Diseases/ Qatar Dietary Guidelines at condition. Public Health Department at Marsa Malaz Kempinski at The Some of the other worrisome SCH. Pearl. findings concerning lifestyle dis- Adopting behaviours mentioned The guidelines includes eating ease in Qatar: 16.4 percent of in the Qatar Dietary Guidelines a variety of healthy food, main- adults are smokers, 91 percent will help to reduce risk factors taining a healthy weight, doing eat less than five servings of fruit for chronic non-communicable physical activities, drinking water, and vegetables per day, 46 percent diseases such as cardiovascular getting vitamin D from the sun, have a low level of physical activ- diseases, diabetes and cancer, adopting a safe and clean food ity, 70 percent are overweight, 41 From left: Dr Mohammad bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of Public Health, Supreme Council of Health (SCH); Dr said Dr Salih bin Ali Al Marri, preparation methods and breast percent are obese, 17 percent have Tawfiq bin Ahmed Khoja, Director General, Executive Board, Health Ministers’ Council for GCC States and Dr Salih Assistant Secretary General of feeding. an elevated blood-sugar level and bin Ali Al Marri, Assistant Secretary General of Medical Affairs, SCH, during the Qatar Dietary Guidelines Launch Medical Affairs, SCH. The guidelines were launched in 22 percent have increased choles- “These are simply dietary line with the National Nutrition terol levels. Conference at the Kempinski Hotel, The Pearl-Qatar, yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT guidelines about what we should and Physical Activity Action Plan THE PENINSULA Delegates to present findings on crime prevention DOHA: Delegates at the Prevention and Criminal and Criminal Justice, and the from April 12 to April 19 , QF Doha Youth Forum on Crime Justice kicked off yesterday United Nations Office on Drugs is providing an opportunity to Prevention and Criminal with a series of comprehensive and Crime (UNODC). develop the local youth, and is Justice will today present workshops and plenary sessions The event represents a unique helping to unlock human poten- their findings, which have designed to enable participants opportunity to engage the youth tial and promote a culture of been modelled around three to create, build, and refine their in a series of issues related to creativity and innovation. UN designated themes. solutions to global issues. crime prevention and criminal The Forum’s second day of A total of 150 delegates will Jointly organised by Qatar justice, alongside the role and workshops provided a unique present their findings on the Foundation for Education, function of the UN. It encour- opportunity for the delegates Rule of Law, New and Emerging Science and Community ages students to discuss issues to interact with each other, Crime, and Public Participation. Development (QF), the Forum related to the region and find and participate in discussions The chosen recommendations is taking place at the Qatar applicable solutions, which will designed to further their com- will then be presented by stu- National Convention Centre be presented as the Doha Youth munication skills. It also enables dents to the UN Congress on and will conclude tomorrow. It Forum Declaration. Through participants to work alongside Crime Prevention and Criminal is being organised in cooperation this Forum, which precedes one of the world’s most pres- Justice next week. with the Organising Committee the 13th UN Conference on tigious global organisations, the The second day of the of the United Nations 13th Crime Prevention and Criminal United Nations. Doha Youth Forum on Crime Conference on Crime Prevention Justice taking place in Qatar THE PENINSULA Lulu hosts African Food Festival Trained staff to operate cameras Continued from page 1 Lt Col Hassan Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari, Assistant Director of Central Operations Department, said there are trained staff to use and operate these cameras. “This project will help reduce traffic jams and force the drivers to comply with traffic rules. It will also create a safe driving environment and provide the required data about traffic movement and areas witness- ing traffic jams and accidents. The cameras will be visible for motorists,” he said. A total of 124 officers have been Director of Lulu Group International, Mohammed Althaf, along with Ambassadors Saad Cachalia (South trained for the project who work Africa) Hamodi Check (Central African Republic), Krzysztof Suprowicz (Poland), and Minister Counsellor in four shifts to ensure their avail- ability round the clock, said the at the Embassy of Kenya, Daniel Tanui, inaugurating the African Food Festival as part of the ongoing ministry. ‘Food Fiesta 2015’ at the Al Gharrafa branch of Lulu Hypermarket yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QA expands code-share deal with S7 Airlines

DOHA: Qatar Airways has sengers to travel to additional Kazan, Omsk, Perm, Rostov, enable Qatar Airways pas- “It has been a period of rapid Executive, Qatar Airways. strengthened its relation- destinations. Saint Petersburg, Samara, Sochi, sengers travelling to Moscow expansion for Qatar Airways, The code-share expansion fol- ship with oneworld mem- Qatar Airways first launched Tyumen and Yekaterinburg. to travel onwards to the addi- with new route launches around lows a period of major route and ber S7 Airlines, with the a code-share agreement with S7 Likewise, S7 Airlines’ pas- tional destinations of Abakan, the globe and significant fleet fleet expansion for Qatar Airways, implementation of additional Airlines late last year, allowing sengers can book from Moscow Anapa, Barnaul, Bratsk, Chita, growth. The further addition of which has seen the recent addi- code-share routes across Qatar Airways’ passengers travel- to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Ho Chi Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kemerovo, these code-share routes, with tion of 12 new destinations to the its network. The expansion ling from Doha to be able to con- Minh City (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, oneworld member S7 Airlines, airline’s route network. of this agreement will now nect onto destinations with S7 Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Nizhnekamsk, Nizhny Novgorod, provides our passengers with The five-star airline now offers enable Qatar Airways pas- Airlines including Chelyabinsk, Phuket (Thailand) via Doha. Novokuznetsk, Novosibirsk, an enhanced and unrivalled its passengers a choice of 146 key The expansion of Tomsk, Ufa, Ulan Ude, Volgograd, global network and enhances business and leisure locations this agreement with Voronezh and Yakutsk (Russia), our competitive offering,” said around the globe. S7 Airlines will now all under one unified code. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief THE PENINSULA

Katara to host Asean Festival Workshop on DOHA: Visitors at preventing Katara Cultural Village will have the opportunity to get acquainted with heat stress the rich and diverse cul- ture of Southeast Asia DOHA: With tempera- at the Asean Festival to ture started rising, the be held from April 30 to Supreme Council of May 2. Health (SCH) is holding The seven members a workshop on Saturday of the Association of on heat stress and ways Southeast Asian Nations to prevent it. (Asean) present in Qatar The workshop aims to including Malaysia, raise awareness among Singapore, Brunei, employers on how to pro- Indonesia, the Philippines, tect workers from heat Vietnam and Thailand will stress and deal with emer- take part at the festival gency situations. with a range of events and The event is being activities such as musical organised in collabora- and folkloric perform- tion with the Ministry ances, art exhibitions and of Labour and Social traditional dishes. Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and Malaysian Affairs, Hamad Medical While the cultural Ambassador Dato’ Ahmad Jazri Mohamed Johar. Corporation and Qatar shows will be staged at the Petroleum. Katara Drama Theatre, Ahmad Jazri Mohamed Johar the Asean festival which will serve Occupational health stalls will be put up at the to discuss ways to enhance cul- as a tourism and cultural journey experts and officials from Katara Corniche for the tural cooperation through the because of the seven countries’ the SCH as well a number various exhibits showcas- Asean festival. rich and diverse cultures. of private companies and ing the unique aspects of “Katara is keen to host eve- Ambassador Johar expressed institutions will take part the culture of each Asean- rything new and open to other appreciation of Katara’s efforts in the event. member country. cultures to realize our humani- and its leading role in the cul- The event also aims to Katara General tarian mission seeking to build tural movement in Qatar and his raise awareness among Manager Dr Khalid bridges of communication admiration of its architecture, companies about the sum- bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti between nations, said Dr Al facilities, centres and world class mer working hours. recently met Malaysian Sulaiti. theatres. THE PENINSULA Ambassador Dato’ He invited the public to witness THE PENINSULA

Two Asians jailed for immoral act

DOHA: A Criminal Court has strange sounds coming from invited him and he entered the sentenced an Asian maid and a inside. So he called the police. house by jumping the bound- man to a year in jail for enter- The police headed to the kitchen ary wall. The maid took him to ing in a house without permis- adjacent to the room of the her room. When he heard the sion and having consensual housemaid where both the cul- sound of knocking the door, he sex. The court has also ordered prit were hiding behind a door. hid behind it. them to be deported after serv- The police opened the door and The defence lawyer requested ing the jail term. caught them. the court to acquit the duo since The man entered the house of The man admitted to the they were not caught red-handed. the maid’s sponsor at night with Public Prosecution that he had But the court took the confessions her help. committed the crime. He said he of the convicts as evidence and The sponsor told the Court knew the maid and had several sentenced them to a year in jail, that when he reached home his telephonic conversations before. Al Sharq reports. wife had complained about some On the day of the incident, she THE PENINSULA

Qapco holds workshop on CV writing DOHA: Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C recently conducted a workshop with engineering students at Qatar University high- lighting key tips for a suc- cessful job interview. As the students are about to com- mence their profesional career, the objective was to prepare them for their upcoming interviews and to assist them by focusing on strategic skills to make a strong impression. On the occasion of this continuous development initiative between educa- tion and industry sectors, more than 80 promising engineering students from the College of Engineering at Qatar University attended the workshop. QAPCO presented communication ideas and practical tools that help planning a succesful inter- view. Role-plays and CV writing exercises were also organized. “At QAPCO, it is our role to support the tal- ented youth of Qatar by pro- viding them with the means to reach their aspirations, Eng Abdulla Najji, QAPCO Learning & Development Department Manager said. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Qatar Airways Qatar to give to carry Armani, Missoni products

DOHA: Qatar Airways has become the first international $100m loan carrier to carry products by two of the world’s most renowned Italian brands Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty and Missoni. Every element of the to Palestine new Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty amenity kit has been given a signature touch. The Assistance for development projects exclusively designed kits sup- plied by Harmony, offer an DOHA: Qatar, represented by one payment, was approved in unprecedented level of sophis- the Qatar Development Fund conjunction with the current ticated luxury and comfort, (QDF) and the Palestinian visit of the Palestinian President ensuring passengers are kept authority yesterday signed an Mahmoud Abbas to Doha. refreshed and relaxed through- agreement under which Qatar On this occasion, Dr Saeb out their journey. supports to the Palestinian Erekat, on behalf of President “We are delighted to collabo- government with $100m as an Mahmoud Abbas and the rate with these renowned luxury interest-free loan to be allocated Palestinian people, extended brands to provide our First Class for the developmental projects thanks to the Emir H H Sheikh and Business Class passengers with according to the priorities of Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, refined luxury and comfort on board the Palestinian government. the government and people of with exclusive amenity kits. These QDF General Managaer Qatar for their support to the Qatar Development Fund (QDF) General Manager Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari (right) and Chief Negotiator of the brands are distinguished by their Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari signed Palestinian issue, not only in Palestinian Authority Saeb Erekat exchanging the signed documents. sophistication, superior quality, for the Qatari side while Chief the financial field, but also in luxury and eminence – attributes Negotiator of the Palestinian the political, diplomatic and that also define Qatar Airways’ sig- Authority Saeb Erekat signed for media fields and for enabling the pioneering in goodness, he said Israeli war machine in the Gaza adding that this amount is not a nature service for our passengers,” the Palestinian side. Authority to continue its efforts adding that it was the first state Strip. He explained that this loan part of the financial safety net said Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief The loan, which will be received to defend the Palestinian people. to help in the reconstruction is a kind Qatari response to the approved recently by the Arab Executive, Qatar Airways. by the Palestinian authority in Qatar has always been after the destruction done by the Palestinian request for assistance, summit. QNA Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty products include ‘Acqua di Gio’ and ‘Armani pour Homme’ together with Armani men skincare products, and the new feminine Giorgio Armani fragrance ‘Si’ range and ‘Crema Urban planners to attend Future Cities Summit Nera Extrema supreme reviv- ing cream’, as well as eyeshades, DOHA: Over 350 senior exec- of resources, future development initiatives, to sustainable infra- Ismael, National Information Qatar’s important position in socks, earplugs, a nourishing lip utives and urban planners, and ways of making future cities structure, ICT innovation and Assurance Manager, Cyber the GCC and its National Vision balm by Rituals Cosmetics and a including government officials, work better in the Middle East. telecommunications. Security Division, (QCERT) 2030, coupled with Doha’s emer- hair brush for female passengers. developers and investors from The summit, organised by global Sessions focusing on Qatar ICT Qatar; Dr Fethi Filali, Head gence as a major city only serve to First Class passengers on over- across the GCC region, will conference producers, Expotrade, and the special initiatives taken of Technology Development and underline the importance of such night flights will also enjoy styl- gather here early next week will be inaugurated by Abdulla up by Qatari government bod- Applied Research, Qatar Mobility a platform which will showcase ish and luxurious sleeper suits to exchange ideas on sus- Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Managing ies such as ICT Qatar and Qatar Innovations Center (QMIC); the latest solutions, technology designed by Italian fashion house tainable urban development Director, Qatar Rail. Rail are among the highlights of Cyril Anand, Assistant Director, and innovation in global smart Missoni paired with Missoni at the upcoming ‘4th Annual The two-day summit will fea- the event. Business Development Support, city development. slippers. The exclusive Missoni Arab Future Cities Summit ture presentations, panel discus- Some of the speakers Ooredoo Qatar; Mohamed Sleiman, Also of special interest is the sleeping kit has been created to Qatar 2015’ to be held from sions and networking sessions by and panelists at the sum- General Manager, Alfardan summit’s focus on Qatar’s initia- guarantee comfort and relaxation. April 13 to 14 at the Ritz- renowned experts from across mit include Hamad Ibrahim Properties among others. tives and progress in this move A collection of Rituals skincare Carlton, Doha, said a state- the world. With sustainable Al Bishri, Deputy CEO, Qatar Brad Hariharan, Regional towards sustainable develop- products are also offered in Qatar ment yesterday. urban development as the core Rail; Dr Rainer Schnepfleitner, Director, Expotrade Middle East, ment. We are very happy to Airways’ First and Business Class The event will also be attended theme, the summit will feature Department Manager Regulation said, “The Arab Future Cities present this platform for knowl- restrooms. The range includes by academics and cutting-edge topics ranging from smarter cit- and Competition Affairs, Summit seeks to promote sus- edge-sharing and networking items such as hand wash, fragrance technologists who will discuss the ies enabled through IoT, energy Communications Regulatory tainable urban development as to our speakers, delegates and and lotions. progress, efficient management efficiency and government Authority (CRA); Ashraf Ali its main focus. sponsors.” THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Shafallah Center holds autism conference Experts share experiences, research results

DOHA: Shafallah Center for Children with Special’s first Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis Conference, provided a platform for experts and prac- titioners in the field of behav- ioural analysis to share their experiences, research results, as well as best practices, which contribute to the development of the programmes and serv- ices provided for children living with autism in the region. Ezdan Group officials cutting a cake to mark the opening of Althuraya restaurant. Shafallah welcomed del- egates and professionals rep- resenting many educational institutions in the region. It Ezdan Hotels opens oriental brought in many experts in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), including Dr Mohammad Al Attrash, Director ‘Althuraya’ restaurant of Psychological Services and DOHA: Ezdan Hotels, a sub- like the sport cafe that was estab- residential units, aiming to satisfy Family Support, Shafallah sidiary of the Ezdan Holding lished to provide superior serv- all guests and provide better com- Center, and Thomas M Caffrey, Shafallah’s Executive Director Mohamed Badr Al Sada (right) at the Group, yesterday announced ices to guests to follow the most fort and super quality to them. Penn State University. conference. the opening of ‘Althuraya’ res- important sporting competitions He noted: “The opening of this Shafallah’s Executive Director taurant located in the fourth of the champion leagues from restaurant comes in the frame- Mohamed Badr Al Sada gave evaluate the behavior utilised by concept of behavioral analysis to floor in Ezdan Hotels Towers in around the world, in addition to work of the facelift and revamp the opening speech in which he the specialists and practitioners the audience, and the long history West Bay, said a statement. Game Zone room, where guests measures and processes taking emphasised the commitment of in the center, which was adopted of changes and development this The restaurant boasts of a can play billiards, darts, tennis place in Ezdan Hotel units, as we, Shafallah Center to seek the lat- by the American Association for science has gone through to reach capacity of up to 200 guests and a table, foosball and more. at Ezdan spare no effort to develop est technology and best practices Behaviour Analysis, representing the form that we know today. unique oriental design that com- Nasser Mohammed Al Abdulla, and upgrade our services to cover that will hopefully make a differ- a major breakthrough in the reha- The second and final day of bines tradition with modernity. Deputy Group CEO of Ezdan, all the needs of the towers attend- ence in the treatment of autism bilitation of people with autism. It the conference was full with rich The restaurant will be open to said the restaurant is an excellent ees of all walks of life and tastes.” in Qatar. will be the first of its kind operat- content, where Caffrey concluded all tenants and visitors of the tow- addition to Ezdan series of restau- Group General Manager Al Sada said: “At Shafallah, ing in the Arabic language. “ his series of lectures with a final ers starting eleven in the morn- rants that feature diverse choices of Ezdan Hotels Hasib Kayali we always strive to provide the The first day of the conference presentation titled “Building and ing to eleven in the evening. The of world cuisine with the best chefs said that the restaurant name appropriate care and rehabilita- included three lectures discuss- Expand Limited Boosters and facility will be an additional value to meet all tastes and cultures. ‘Althuraya’ (Chandelier) was cho- tion for children who live with ing the behaviors of autistic chil- Interests. Dr Irshad Shaefallah, a to the quality of services available Abdulla added that the restau- sen as an expression of its luxu- autism, as well as develop our dren and methods of treatment. psychiatrist at Shafallah, concluded at the fourth floor of the towers, rant is an important addition to rious and traditional decoration, tools and programs that suits the Dr Mohammed A Attrash kicked the conference with a lecture on besides the swimming pools for Group’s services and complement which voices out the attractive environment surrounding those off with a keynote lecture titled the role of psychiatry in the evalu- adults and children, a number of the ongoing renovation processes oriental setting. children here in Qatar. Last year, “Where we are now, and where do ation and treatment of people with restaurants and other services taking place in the towers and the THE PENINSULA we developed a methodology to we go from there,” introducing the autism. THE PENINSULA East West Corridor to connect with new Mesaieed-Salwa Road

Continued from page 1 connect with the and New Doha Port. This project will create a free A site tour was held on the sidelines of the event new Mesaieed flowing road connecting Mesaieed and Al Wakra to the East West Corridor project, part of the to Salwa Road areas directly to Doha city eliminating the need to Expressway Programme, to demonstrate the con- south of the travel through Al Wakra city, in addition to increas- siderable progress made on the project. The tour Industrial Area. ing the road capacity. The project is expected to commenced at the Airport Street Interchange and The project will be completed in Q1 of 2018. The third part of the went through to Al Aziziya Extension Interchange, provide new Expressway project is New Orbital Highway and both of which are due for construction as part of links to sev- Truck Route – New Doha Port to Orbital Highway the project works. Tour participants also viewed eral main roads (Phase 1). The New Orbital Highway and Truck the bridges, columns and utilities currently under and residential Route project in its four phases encompasses the construction. Ashghal said it will continue to engage areas in the construction of 190km main dual carriageway and communities about the progress of its projects and south area, and 22 multi-level interchanges. The project aims at any traffic delays during the implementation stages. will connect the reducing traffic congestion within Doha city, and An overview of the projects was provided to the New Orbital separating the heavy trucks from the general traf- people. The Expressway Projects includes East Highway and fic flow by providing heavy vehicles with their own West Corridor which comprises the construction Truck Route separate lanes, allowing traffic to flow freely and of 22Km dual carriageway with five lanes in each to the Hamad safely, improving air quality, and reducing noise. The direction, and comprises the construction of eight International Orbital Highway will also facilitate the movement multi-level interchanges. The East West Corridor Airport. The An Ashghal official explains a project to a participant at a community event yesterday. of people and goods around the country. begins at the Airport Street, south of the Air Force project is The first phase of the project is located to the Roundabout, and runs past Barwa Development to expected to be completed in Q1 (first quarter) of of an approximately 11Km dual carriageway with south west of Doha, and includes the approximately 2018. five lanes in each direction. It starts at Al Mashaf 45km of a major new dual carriageway with four lanes It also includes Al Road and stretches to Mesaieed Road, creating the in each direction as well as four two-level interchanges Wakra Bypass project main bypass to Al Wakra city. The project also linking the New Doha Port to Al Wakra Bypass as which is located to the includes the construction of a tunnel (subway) and well as to the other phases of the project. The first west of Al Wakra, and five two-level interchanges that will link the south of phase will also include the construction of a road link- includes the construction Al Wakra city to the Hamad International Airport ing Mesaieed Road to the East-West Corridor, and is

expected to be completed in Q2 of 2017. These projects will improve connectivity and enhance traffic safety in the south of Qatar by separating traffic with flyovers, underpasses and tunnels and replacing roundabouts with signalised junctions. Infrastructure improvements will include storm water drainage net- works, treated sewage effluent networks, electrical, telecommunication, and surveillance networks, the imple- mentation of Intelligent Transport Systems, street light- ing and dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. These projects will also create new links to Al Wakra’s heritage sites as well as residential and commercial devel- opments, increase the capacity of roads, and enhance connectivity to the various sports establishments which are currently being developed in preparation for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Development of local roads, infrastructure and drain- age projects in local areas. These projects include roads and infrastructure in Al Wakra West. The project includes the development of current tem- porary unpaved local roads and surface water drainage network. It is divided into three packages: The project will provide the area with roads and infrastructure, including the construction and maintenance of old and incomplete roads, the construction of pedestrian and cycle paths, installation of street lighting, signage, and landscaping. The project will also include the provision of Treated Sewerage Effluent (TSE) distribution system, storm water collection and disposal network, fuel sewer trunk main and pump station, and an irrigation network. All three packages are expected to be completed in Q2 of 2017. Roads and infrastructure development for government residential division Project in south of Al Wukair The project includes the development of roads and infrastruc- ture of around 4,119 plots of land spread over an area of approximately 13,290,000 Sqm The project is divided into two stages. Roads and infra- structure for Al Wakra (North-East) project includes the development of roads and infrastructure for around 502 land plots spread over a total area of 678,578 Sqm. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

PM meets UN official CMC member elected unopposed

DOHA: A sitting places, government offices and contestants, one is a sitting mem- member of the Central schools. Slogans that hurt religious ber, Sheikha Al Jefairi (from Old Municipal Council sentiments or are against social Airport ward), while the others (CMC) who is seek- values and traditions of the Qatari include Fatima Al Kuwari, Fatima ing re-election has community are banned. Al Ghazaal, Fatima Jisaimani, and technically won over Electric or telephone poll can- the fifth and last one, Aamaal Al a month before the not be used to put up posters and Mohannadi—all from different con- election to the civic banners. stituencies. body is due since no Among the five women THE PENINSULA rival has challenged his bid. Jassem Abdullah Al Malki, from Constituency No 1 (that includes New Doha) and present vice-chairman of the CMC, is the sole con- testant in his ward this time. He and five women are among 131 candi- dates who will be try- Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with the Executive ing their luck in the Secretary of the 13th United Nations Congress for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Dr Dimitri Vlassis. CMC election due on May 13. The final list of the contestants was announced yesterday. A supervisory com- Nepal govt criticised for mittee for the CMC poll at the Ministry of Interior has said each candidate must person- ally seek its approval to rise of manpower mafia kick off canvassing. It has announced that use of slogans that try to fan sectar- Former envoy says his suggestions for action ignored ian or tribal passions is strictly banned. DOHA: A f o r m e r Ne p a l i a m b a s - for Labor and Employment, The poll super- sador to Qatar has accused the Tek Bahadur Gurung, who had visory commit- government in Kathmandu of detailed discussions with Qatar’s tee has a dedicated turning a blind eye to the prob- Minister of Labor and Social media panel with a lem of local recruiters squeez- Affairs, H E Dr Abdullah bin Captain (Mubarak Al ing money from Qatar-bound Saleh Al Khulaifi, during his visit Boanain) heading it. workers. to Kathmandu earlier this week, The panel, like in Surya Nath Mishra said that told enapltimes.com the Nepali every CMC election during his tenure as envoy in government is committed to held every four years, Doha, he came across many implementing a zero-cost recruit- outlined the conditions Nepali workers who had paid ment deal (whereby Qatar-bound for canvassing. “Don’t more than Rs100,000 (QR3,660) workers will be hired and sent launch personal attack to manpower agencies in Nepal free of cost). on your rival directly or to come to Qatar for work. “I will soon visit Qatar and find indirectly at any cost”. “I had recommended action out what we can do to ensure that And no posters or against many manpower agen- Nepali workers get to go there banners can be used or cies that illegally charged money without paying a single rupee,” election speeches can from migrant workers but no one Gurung was quoted as saying. be given in religious at the Department of Foreign Kathmandu-based nepaltimes. Employment (DoFE) did any- com quoted an unnamed labor thing,” Mishra was quoted by rights activist as saying that nepaltimes.com as saying. there is a stranglehold of man- DoFE is part of Nepal’s Ministry Surya Nath Mishra power mafia and it has a nexus of Labor and Employment and with Nepali politicians so tight regulatory body for local labor agencies demand cut from their that many are skeptical that market. Nepali counterparts. the zero-cost deal will never be The online newspaper said that “The Qatari government needs implemented. Qatar and Nepal had already to regulate its recruitment agen- Ganesh Gurung, an expert on signed an agreement in 2005 cies,” he said. “We just pass on migration and the remittance which says that all costs of hir- what they charge us to the Nepali economy, said everyone except ing Nepali workers must be borne workers.” the poor and illiterate migrant by Qatari companies. But Mishra Nepali recruiters workers, knew about the zero- But Kumud Khanal of the were not above blame. “It may cost deal but no one was willing Nepal Association of Foreign be true that Qatari manpower to implement it. Employment Agencies (Nafea), agencies also demand a cut for “On the sidelines of several umbrella organization of Nepali finding jobs for the workers, but international conferences, I have manpower agencies, said that the Nepali recruiter charges the drawn the attention of Nepali and clause of the agreement was never worker much more than what Qatari officials to the problem,” implemented. they give to the Qataris,” Mishra Gurung said. He said Qatari manpower said. Nepal’s Minister of State THE PENINSULA

Foreign Minister meets Yemeni counterpart

DOHA: Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah met with visiting Yemeni Foreing Minister Riyadh Yaseen and his accompa- nying delegation. During the meeting they discussed the latest developments in Yemen. Jordanian official meets Qatar envoy AMMAN: President of Jordanian Senate Abdul Rauf Rawabdeh met Qatar’s Ambassador Zayed bin Saeed Al Khayareen, on the occa- sion of the end of lattter’s tenure in the kingdom. They discussed bilat- eral relations and means of enhancing them. Qatar, Morocco discuss ties RABAT: Director of Department of Protocol at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Rida El Fassi met with Qatar’s Ambassador Abdullah bin Falah Abdullah Al Dosari. QNA THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Road to reforms Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

YANMAR President Thein Sein has failed not only in ensuring the security of minorities in his country, but in keeping key promises he made Mto the people, the most important of which was constitutional changes. He held crucial talks in the capital England’s arrogant nationalism Naypyidaw yesterday with influential allies and rivals to discuss this issue even as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is intensifying efforts to lift a constitutional ban on her presidential bid. Despite her star power, Suu Kyi is banned has been a gift to the SNP from the country’s top job under a provision in the junta-era constitution barring those with a foreign spouse or children BY SUZANNE MOORE so capable. She was accused of double- feel utterly disenfranchised from the from the presidency. The 69-year-old’s two sons are British, dealing, of supporting the Tories rather economic forces that control them. The as was her late husband. Yesterday’s talks follow a similar EFUDDLEMENT is the than Labour. Someone, somewhere was SNP may simply preside over more aus- meeting of key political figures in October, and come as the English virtue – or is it the trying to undermine her, although no terity. Independence will continue to country braces for elections seen as a key test of reforms in English vice? It belies real English voter can vote for her. be fought for over a barrel of oil and the former junta-run nation. Banger, real outrage, and it is It is incredible to me that Scottish its shifting price. There will be uncer- everywhere right now in the coverage independence was not taken seriously tainty. There always is. The world is looking forward to Myanmar’s election of the election. It is a sentiment often until two weeks before the referen- This is the bit that bewilders the because it expects a new government to the address multiple voiced with amazement that what hap- dum, while Farage, appearing ever- superficially polite English commenta- crises plaguing the country, including an armed conflict pens in Scotland will be a determining more incapable and self-centred, has tors and their attitude of “well, they lost and its persecution of Rohingya minority. Myanmar has factor in what happens in our elec- been taken very seriously indeed. This a referendum and it is settled”. There is long struggled to contain armed ethnic groups that rely on tion. How dare the Scots be so damn tells you everything that is wrong with a refusal to understand that an organic networks across the porous border with China’s southern influential? Westminster. It can only recognise its social movement does not fall apart This, after all, is not what we were own, and in its own terms. Farage is once it feels its own power. How can Yunnan province. The talks touched on a landmark draft told mattered, is it? For two years, recognisably one of its own – an ex-Tory the SNP behave as if it won? Perhaps ceasefire agreement forged last week with several ethnic we have been told that the key force broker – masquerading as an insurgent. because it is engaging outside the bub- armed groups. The draft peace deal with rebels was hailed as in British politics was Ukip. Kippers, The independence movement headed ble. It is the English view of politics a historic first step, though the we were told each week as a different by the SNP is not unproblematic, but its here that looks very narrow. Were the agreement awaits formal approval one said a different mad thing and had embodiment of a populist, civic nation- Scots who lost merely never to speak of from the ethnic armed groups. to resign, were alism remains something that both the independence again? Who decides that Myanmar the shape-shift- Tory and Labour establishment see these conversations are over? Go tell President The onus is on President ers. Everything inherently as “other” and destabilising. the Catalans to stop. Tell the Kurds not Thein Sein to enable a complete hinged on per- An innate English arrogance sees the to call for a state of their own. Thein Sein transition to democracy which sonalities, not Scots’ desire for self-determination as To speak of others’ nationalism as will allow Suu Kyi to contest the The Westminster issues. So, here, actually being about England. And lo, brash and vulgar is the very way that must fulfill his election and become president. have another this self-fulfilling prophecy is now being England enacts its own. The left does slice of Farage played out. it as much at the right. This is a dead- The country plunged into isolation set has failed promise with and ignore those It suits us English not to see our own eyed view that does not address that we when a military regime seized to understand interchangeable nationalism, to keep it vague with our are in an entirely new situation here. a complete power in 1962 but has has won the Scottish small Scottish unwritten constitution as a declaration The English must have the conversa- praise for enacting widespread women. What of laissez-faire superiority. The fear tion the Scots have had. It is happening transition to economic and political reforms nationalist have they to do that nationalism can only belong to right now anyway. It can be expressed since it emerged from outright with the price of the far right actually masks a national through the politics of an insular and democracy. movement gilts? identity that is ever-more central- callous retro-identity – Ukip – or it can military rule in 2011, also drawing Well, most of ised around the political, cultural and be expressed as an inclusive nationalism an influx of foreign investors to its and focused the political class financial dominance of London and the that extends outwards, but holds to its untapped markets. The country and their embed- south-east. heart the necessity of citizens to have stands to benefit immensely if the promised reforms are irrationally on ded hacks have The unthinking response of many on more say in their own destinies. undertaken and the problems of ethnic tensions are solved Ukip instead. been entirely the left to the rise of the SNP – hardly This refusal to countenance one amicably. But Thein Sein hasn’t proven his sincerity fully. His wrong: things a radical party – has been the mantra version of English nationalism while have changed, but that “all nationalism is bad”, that we at the same time enacting another via efforts have been half-hearted, and precious time has been not in ways they need international cooperation in a glo- the utter negligence of entire parts of lost. There are growing concerns reforms are backsliding in want to admit. The SNP will have a balised word. This argument is clearly the United Kingdom is visible to anyone certain areas, including human rights and press freedom. lot of influence – and Ukip will have inadequate as civic identities shift and outside the political class. Or indeed The world is particularly concerned about the military Douglas Carswell. inclusive national identities are taken anyone who gets on a train. This is why government’s inaction on the Rohingya issue. The government The disconnect between what has up all around us. we are not having the election we were happened and what we were told was The left cannot cheer on Syriza or told we were having, the one in which has chosen to watch as a spectator as Buddhist extremists go happening was forced out into the Podemos without seeing their connec- all that mattered was Nigel, the one in on a killing spree. Even Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has failed open with the barmy row of a leaked, tions to a particular terrain and history. which English self-determination and to stand for the oppressed minorities for fear of reprisals from quite possibly non-existent, memo. Surely we know that when independ- supremacy were taken for granted. Buddhists. But a new government will be in a better position Nicola Sturgeon, a woman unknown to ence movements start, they don’t just Ukip are fading while the SNP flames. to address these issues. It’s time for the president to step aside most English people until the leaders’ stop: they morph, they resurface. The The power balance is indeed shifting. and give powers to a new team debates, was deemed dangerous and desire for self-determination seems to It’s time to speak about England. . destructive because, frankly, she seems me a sensible response to those who THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of State Bank autonomy the day T IS encouraging that the but was drowned out by the protests, state to respect their mandate. Elected do some damage to the sitting govern- government has signalled its outside parliament, that began that governments have routinely had to ment if used for political point-scoring. renewed resolve to the IMF to pass month. This time the government face headwinds from the military and But such fears are misplaced. Ilegislation updating the State Bank’s appears to have signalled seriousness bureaucracy, both of whom have Regulators, particularly as important autonomy. The IMF has been given a of purpose in seeing the passage of sought to circumscribe the powers as the State Bank, need to be insu- commitment that this will be done legislation that does more to protect the of the elected rulers. They have also lated from political interference because Our next stand by June, and the new legislation will State Bank from political interference — been wary of autonomous actors going the duties they perform have long-term include language to bring it in line with and there is limited room for failure. The rogue and engaging in a game of politi- effects and should not be allowed to and battle will international standards. The issue has first step in the grant of such autonomy cal point-scoring rather than focusing become entangled in the short-term been the most important sticking point should be the removal of the secretary on the discharge of their obligations in a thinking that is typical of politics. And be here in the in all reviews of the current programme, finance from any decision-making role fair and professional manner. Given the for autonomy to really matter, it must be and the government has been showing on the State Bank board. powers that the State Bank exercises, coupled with proper appointments at land of Anbar considerable reluctance in undertaking Governments have historically such as management of the exchange the top in order to ensure that the per- to completely this reform. Legislation was drawn up in resisted an autonomous State Bank rate, the conduct of monetary policy, son has no political ambition and brings April last year, and the Fund found that for various reasons, principal amongst auctions of government debt and regu- considerable credibility and expertise to liberate it. it did not meet international standards. them being the difficulties they face latory oversight of banks, there is a feel- the spheres of banking and economics. Haider Al Abadi Another attempt was made in August, in getting other organs and pillars of ing that in the wrong hands these could DAWN Iraqi Prime Minister THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 ARAB PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Syrian regime, the leader of Syrian conspiracy Mr President, you have created a miserable and loser regime since it failed to protect Syria and its people from terrorists.

being one of the few Arab armies a stud for their horses? Who made remaining like a thorn in the side the Iranians flaunt day and night of the Zionist Israeli enemy. that without them Bashar Al Assad I agree with you that they have wouldn’t withstand for one hour? dismantled the Iraqi army and Would you have allowed Iran now it is time to destroy the brave to behave this way, if indeed you Syrian army. That’s fine! have an independent national deci- I won’t argue that Syria is the sion, Mr President? Don’t you feel only Arab country that managed ashamed and inferior when you to stock on food and drug by secur- hear Haytham Manna, an “honest ing a strategic stockpile of wheat national opposer”, who accuses the for decades and establishing drug regime that it doesn’t have control factories that secured medication over its own decision, and that the BY DR FAISAL AL-QASSEM to the Syrians, even exporting the influential people responsible for surplus abroad. Syria are located in Tehran and fter four years on the I will not disagree with you that not in Damascus? Syrian Revolution, I fully there is the conspiracy to destroy How do you respond to the inter- agree without any hesi- Syria’s industrial infrastructure, national envoy to Syria Lakhdar Atation with the Syrian especially in Aleppo, which had the Brahimi when he repeated exactly regime, the mass media and all its most important factories in Syria, Haytham Manna’s words? Now you allied forces that Syria came under and produced the best products. will say that the conspiracy was a satanic plot aimed at its destruc- Also I will not disagree with behind delivering the reins of power tion, the displacement of its people you that the conspiracy targeted to Iran. Of course, this is nonsense. and the elimination of its historic against Syria’s economy, which If you behaved wisely in the A Civil Defence member helps a girl who survived what activists said was a surface-to-surface missile attack by and strategic role in the region. started recovering nicely in the first beginning of the revolution and Iran forces of Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, at Aleppo’s Bab Al Hadeed district. I agree that this conspiracy tar- decade of this century. If you say and Russia didn’t fool you to con- geted the “beating heart of Arabs” that Syria was a victim of a con- front people with iron and fire, you to choke the last breath of Arab spiracy, I will tell you: Syria has wouldn’t have become just a puppet the dignity of the soldiers, and the United States and Israel here; probably destroyed 20 percent nationalism in the region. been exposed to the most heinous at the hands of the mullahs. then demand them to take pride America didn’t even fire a rose on of Syria, but you have destroyed I will not disagree but rather conspiracy known to the Arabs Why didn’t you tell Iran, which in themselves. It must be a joke! your army, instead it endowed its the remaining 80 percent through agree with you that what is during their recent history. told you it is able to eliminate the Would the world seclude, encircle aircrafts to help you in eastern and your barbaric acts and scorched- required is to finish off all who What else do you want? We are Syrian Revolution the way it did and kick you out from Arab and northern Syria when actually ISIS earth policy, because your army raise an Arabism slogan reminding in full agreement! for the Green Revolution, that you international organisations, and began to threaten you. Then, don’t is the only one who has the real Arabs of their identity and wanting Then let me ask you now: who don’t wish to open the gates of hell deprive Syrians of basic needs if you tell us that America destroyed your destructive military power. to reunite them under a single ban- carried out this conspiracy against on Syria? Why did you agree to didn’t commit crimes against them? army as it did in Iraq. Who is it then the co-conspir- ner. That’s absolutely fine! Syria, and who provided it with crush the revolution rather than Would the Syrian people find Finally, let’s talk about the mas- ator to destroy Syria? It is cer- I agree with you that what is all the reasons for success? Who accept people’s demands? Would themselves in the stomachs of sive destruction that made Syria tainly you and your army. Okay required is to destroy any Arab destroyed Syria’s role in the region, you have become an Iranian game whales and fish on the high seas if look like World War II demolitions don’t get upset: who carried out regime that dreams to have a real and turned it from a player to a if you didn’t let things out of your you didn’t prefer a criminal military and probably worse. Factories and the vile conspiracy? You have independent national decision. I playground? Who transformed hands because of your foolish cal- solution over a civil resolution since silos have been turned to rubble certainly done so and you keep will not disagree with the Syrian Syrian from an actor to being acted culations? Would you have lost con- the early days of the revolution? due to your barbarism. You didn’t complaining day and night about President when he said not long ago upon? Isn’t it the one who involved trol over your independent national We will not disagree that Syria leave a plant, school, mosque or a cosmic conspiracy. in a meeting with a North Korean it in an internal conflict, and opened decisions? was an incubator for all resistance silo except that you have burned Finally, even if armed gangs official that Syria and North Korea all the doors for everyone to come The head of Arabism is wanted in movements in the region. That’s under the pretext that terrorists have actually succeeded in dis- are targeted by America, because and tamper with Syria’s security, Damascus. It is true! But who made fine! But who has now destroyed have entered it; and then complain placing fifteen million Syrians they wished for an independent making it an arena for settling Syrians hate their Arab identity? this incubator except your indiscre- about the destruction of Syria, and destroying three-quarters of national decision, and refused the international, regional and Arab Isn’t it the one who didn’t leave tion and arrogance? its renaissance and its economy. Syria, it remains a stain in your imperialist and Zionist hegemony accounts? The initiator is always any weapon except that he used it Would you have made use of all I will not disagree with you that forehead and the forehead of your on the world... That’s fine, Mr the one who oppresses more. And against them for just demanding a your mercenaries if your army is armed gangs have contributed to army, Mr President, because it President! I will agree on the alli- who started this dangerous game? little oxygen of freedom? How do still able to cope with the conspir- the destruction and displacement. means one thing: that you have ance of reluctance and resistance, It’s the regime that is currently you want Syrians to be proud of acy? What made the Syrian army However, this huge destruction created a miserable and loser and will endorse that Syria’s head is complaining about the conspiracy. their identity if you have released reach this miserable situation? Is needs aircraft, cruise missiles, regime since it failed to protect wanted, because it is the main pillar Who made Syria now a humili- the worst kinds of military and it the conspiracy or your reckless tanks, armoured vehicles, very Syria and its people of these ter- in repelling the forces of domina- ated follower to regional powers security monsters against them? policy? You throw your army in the heavy artillery, rocket launchers, rorists; therefore it is responsible tion and global arrogance. That’s such as Iran? Who made the Iranian The policy you followed with midst of hell and then complain and chemical weapons, which are for the success of the conspiracy. all right! General Qasem Soleimani appear in Syrians after they revolted is quite about the conspiracy. only partially available with terror- You complain about a conspiracy I agree with you one hundred the media as the real Syrian leader similar to what you’re doing with Yes, the enemies of Syria want ist groups. Certainly they will not and you have entirely carried it out. percent on the conspiracy that — militarily and politically? Who Syrian soldiers when they join the to eliminate the Syrian army, but be able to make all of this terrible The author is a columnist Syria wants to strike the heart of made the least significant Iranian army for the first time. For as long by your Lord, who leads the mili- devastation with their weaponry. and presenter on Al Jazeera the Syrian army by dismantling it, official statement that Damascus is as we’ve seen that officers trample tary? You cannot directly accuse Terrorist groups could have TV channel Russia-US competition over the Iranian cake

slowly toward a temporary agreement the Iranian arena is very negative; Russia and economic pressure that Russia holds in that has been extended twice for the hope defeated Iran in two major wars during the the face of Europeans at the emergence of of compromising and reaching a compre- first half of the nineteenth century, and any disagreement between these two sides. hensive lasting agreement for the Iranian carved out parts of the Iranian territory. nuclear programme. Early in the twentieth century, Moscow Russian fears Iran’s nuclear programme was estab- also played the role of economic hegemony Accordingly, it is natural to wonder why lished during the Shah’s era by the over Iran, and shared the influence over Russia would accept to be a party in a Americans. Khomeini criticised the pro- the Iranian territory with Britain during deal that brings harm to its interests and gramme from exile and considered it a the era of the Constitutional Revolution strategies? waste of wealth and people’s money. (1905-1911). Indeed, Moscow, while it aligns with Years after the revolution, the nuclear Currently, there is a good political and Tehran at the current time with the oppo- programme is revived again, but this time economic relation between these two coun- site side, Washington and European capi- BY DR MOHAMMED AL SULAMI with a technical support from the Russian tries, but it didn’t wipe the history with tals, doesn’t want to spoil the negotiations side. its wounds as it didn’t change the Iranian and be viewed as the reason behind blocking Russia knows that any agreement will public mood toward Russia. the final agreement with Iran. fter decades since the collapse lead to create an alliance or even a sub- However, Moscow will not accept any of the Soviet Union, and after stantial convergence between Washington Militarisation and the economy agreement to be against its interests, being away from the international and Tehran, which in turn would be very On the other hand, Russia played few whether in Eastern Europe or the Middle Apolitical arena and the balance detrimental to the interests of Moscow military deals with Iran, where Moscow East. It is logical, in addition to interna- of global superpowers, Russia rises again not only on the Iranian but also on the withdrew from supplying Iran with S-300 tional competition, that Washington and to come back as an essential player and European level. ballistic missiles; recently it proposed to Moscow are on the board of the same “ship.” influencer holding the keys of the political I have hinted and stated that Moscow replace that with “2500 Ante” as a reward From here, we believe that Russia would conflicts and games. would use the negotiations with Iran in the if Tehran drops its complaint against block access to a final and comprehensive Since the end of the eighties, the United light of its disagreement with the United “RosoboronExport” that is present in the solution which in turn may result in an States of America has constituted a uni- States and Europe if Moscow doesn’t Court of Geneva, which Iran issued when alliance or a significant rapprochement polar axe in the world, but Moscow has receive an acceptable settlement in rela- the company stopped the first deal. between Iran and the United States, unless shaken off the dust of those years to become tion to the Ukrainian crisis. More importantly, Russia is aware of the there was a Russian coordination with Iran an important figure in the world driven by Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign risk of Western economic openness to Iran, concerning the nature of the situation after A production line at the Iran Alloy Steel the great ambition of the current President, Minister, was very clear when mention- especially since American, German, and the agreement or the period in which there Company in the city of Yazd, central Iran. Vladimir Putin, who often longed to build ing after one of the negotiation sessions French companies became ready to launch will be commitment to an agreement before modern and powerful Russia, a country that “If we are forced on it (referring to their products in the lucrative Iranian mar- going beyond or retracting it. Hence, this that doesn’t accept to be marginalised or the Ukrainian crisis), we’ll take retaliatory ket, whenever the agreement of the Iranian may be the closest scenario to reality, from any coming Russian or Iranian move will to limit its role in the light of the changes action.” He referred to the nuclear talks nuclear file is finalised. my personal perspective. be preceded by a study of gains and losses. that beset the world on the political and between the 5+1 group and Iran. When the relations between Tehran and In other words, by virtue of its good Iran is also going to be in an embarrass- economic levels. Western capitals return to normal, Iran understanding of the nature of the regime ing situation in front of its followers on one Perhaps Iran will be one of the com- A crisis of confidence will become a strong competitor to Russia in Tehran, Russia knows that Iran will not hand, and its supporters and allies in the petition grounds between Moscow and Here the question is: Does Tehran have on exporting gas to Europe; it is strongly continue further in the commitment to an recent past on the other hand. Washington in the foreseeable future. trust in Moscow? It is rare to find a report promoted due to its geographical location agreement expected with the 5+1 group, Economic openness drips the Iranian We will not go far when talking about or an analysis that addresses this issue in and the size of its production of natural gas. and therefore Moscow is currently silent politicians as well as foreign companies’ the nature of the nuclear programme and this particular context. The matter that makes Moscow doesn’t but supports Iran in this regard. saliva. However, this may make Iran lose the extent of its peace usage; what concerns My humble knowledge of how Iran thinks basically want to think about; let alone Perhaps the signing of the recent armed the Russian side that knows much more us is the reflection of American-Russian makes me sure that Iran’s political, intel- know how indicators for Iran to attain this and military cooperation between Moscow of what Iranians know about the secrets disagreements on the progress of negotia- lectual and ideological leadership doesn’t position have emerged on the ground. and Tehran also supports this idea. of their nuclear plants and military force; tions, and more importantly on the post- trust Moscow, but it benefits from it during The Iranian gas is a good alternative for Moscow is the mistrusted side in Iran’s negotiations stage. time of crises, and this is for many reasons the European countries from the economic Iranian calculations perception. including the common interests between and strategic point of view, in terms of low- Finally, everyone is aware that in the Here lies the equation of the Iranian cal- The establishment of nuclear power these two countries. cost and geographical location of Iran. Most first place the political game is built on culations and the dangers of at least taking The nuclear negotiations between Iran History is always present in the Iranian importantly, the replacement of Russian the principle of calculation of interests and decisions in the next few years. and the Group of 5+1 (US, France, Britain, imagination on the official and public levels. with the Iranian gas gives the European threats to each of the strategic, political, The author is a political analyst China, Russia, and Germany) goes very Yes, historically, Russian presence on side a chance to escape from the political economic, and military branches. Therefore and specialist in Iranian affairs THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com More dead as Houthis battle in central Aden First emergency medical shipments arrive in Aden

ADEN: Houthi forces fought Scores of people have been killed, undertaking all good initiatives street-by-street battles with water and electricity have been and efforts that help in reaching local militia in the old centre of cut off in central neighbourhoods, this political solution,” Morteza Aden, as the first boatloads of and hospitals have struggled to Sarmadi said. emergency medical aid reached cope with the casualties. Iran’s Alborz destroyer and the south Yemeni port city, “It’s nearly catastrophic,” said Bushehr support vessel would which relief workers say faces a the International Committee of patrol the Gulf of Aden and Red humanitarian catastrophe. the Red Cross spokeswoman in Sea to protect Iranian shipping Residents saw a dozen bodies Yemen, Marie Claire Feghali. from piracy, navy chief Rear strewn on the streets and said “Shops are closed, so people Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said. several buildings were burnt cannot get food, they cannot get United Arab Emirates Foreign or demolished by rocket fire. water. There are still dead bod- Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Mosques broadcast appeals for ies in the street. Hospitals are Zayed said Iran was meddling jihad against the Houthis, Iran- extremely exhausted.” in the conflict and elsewhere in allied fighters who have taken A boat carrying 2.5 tonnes of the region. “There is systematic over large areas of Yemen. medicine docked in Aden yes- action that has been going for The Houthi attack in the cen- terday, the medical aid group years in the idea of exporting tral Crater neighbourhood, backed Medecins Sans Frontieres said. the (Iranian) revolution,” he said by tanks and armoured vehicles, MSF said it was the first ship- in Abu Dhabi after talks with was at least partially repelled, ment it had delivered to the city Yemen’s foreign minister. residents said, and Houthi gun- since the fighting escalated. A military spokesman for the men had also been driven from The ICRC said a surgical Saudi-led coalition said Iran had some northern neighbourhoods. team also arrived by boat in the right to send ships to interna- Iran, which denies arming Aden, which has a population of tional waters as long as they had the Houthis, has condemned the one million. The World Health no aggressive intent. Saudi-led offensive. Tehran sent Organisation says at least 643 But he repeated accusations An armed member of Houthi taking pictures of a house destroyed by an air strike of the Saudi-led alliance which two warships to the Gulf of Aden people have been killed in the that Iranians in Yemen had sup- targeted a Houthi dominated neighbourhood in Sana’a yesterday.. yesterday, saying they would pro- conflict and more than 2,200 ported, trained and equipped the tect Iranian shipping. wounded. Tens of thousands of Houthi fighters, adding that any Aden has been the target of families have been displaced. of them who remained “are now Egypt and Morocco have also sup- previously said Oman was ready in Washington’s covert drone a three-week-old assault by the Iran has called for an immedi- in the same trench as the Houthi ported the campaign. to help mediate between the two war against Al Qaeda fighters in Shi’ite Muslim fighters, who ate halt to the air strikes by the militias, and will face the same The foreign minister of Oman, sides but he did not believe the eastern Yemen, has been taken control the capital Sanaa. Their Saudi-led coalition which includes fate”. the only member of the Gulf combatants were ready to come over by soldiers loyal to former campaign prompted Tehran’s four other Gulf Arab states, and State media in the United Arab Cooperation Council (GCC) not to the table. president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who rival Saudi Arabia and its allies appealed for dialogue. Emirates says Saudi Arabia has participating in the bombing cam- Overnight, warplanes struck Al are allied to the Houthis. to launch air strikes against the Its deputy foreign minister said deployed 100 jets in its air cam- paign, called for a short humani- Anad airbase, about 50 km north There were also air strikes Houthis. Yemeni factions should form a paign, alongside 30 from the UAE, tarian truce after meeting his of Aden, local officials said. against Houthi positions in the The fighting has had a devas- national unity government. “We 15 each from Kuwait and Bahrain, Iranian counterpart in Muscat The base, which once housed town of Dhalea, further north tating impact on parts of Aden. in the Islamic Republic of Iran are and 10 from Qatar. Sudan, Jordan, yesterday. Yusuf bin Alawi US military personnel involved from Al Anad. REUTERS Iran, Pakistan urge US hurries arms to Yemen peaceful end to coalition

ADEN: Washington deep- ened its involvement in the Yemen conflict Saudi-led air war in Yemen yesterday as aid agencies ISLAMABAD: Iran and pursue this aim, while insisting scrambled to deliver help to Pakistan pledged to work to it stands ready to defend Saudi civilians caught up in the find a negotiated solution to the territorial integrity. campaign now heading into conflict in Yemen, as the Saudi- Zarif said a “consensus” was its third week. led air campaign against rebels emerging around the Iranian US Deputy Secretary of nears its third week. four-point plan, following talks State Antony Blinken said Iranian Foreign Minister with Oman, Turkey and Pakistan. Washington was stepping up Mohammed Javad Zarif laid out But Aziz appeared cool on Iran’s weapons deliveries and intel- a four-stage plan for talks, call- idea of an immediate ceasefire, ligence sharing in support of ing for an immediate ceasefire fol- saying it “would consolidate the the Saudi-led coalition. lowed by humanitarian assistance, existing ground position”, which “Saudi Arabia is send- dialogue among Yemenis and the currently has Houthis in control ing a strong message to the formation of an “all-inclusive of large parts of Yemen, including Houthis and their allies that government”. the capital Sanaa. they cannot overrun Yemen by “It’s up to Yemenis to decide Instead he called for “a more force,” Blinken told reporters Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (left) listens during a joint press briefing with Adviser to Pakistani how to do this, we can only facili- comprehensive resolution on in the Saudi capital. “In sup- Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad yesterday. tate as neighbours... as countries facilitating an intra-Yemeni dia- port of that effort we have with some influence one way or logue to create the possibility of expedited weapons deliver- another,” he said at a joint press some kind of negotiated solution”. with which it has long enjoyed ies,” he said after talks with conference after talks with his Saudi Arabia has vowed to close military and economic Defence Minister Mohammed Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz. bomb the rebels into surrender to ties but also not wanting to get Qaeda offers gold bounties bin Salman and other Saudi “We can all help bring this prevent them establishing a pro- involved in a war that could fan officials. about but these are the four Iran state on its doorstep. sectarian tensions at home. DUBAI: Al Qaeda is offering a bounty of gold for the killing or A US defence official said lines on which my government Zarif rejected the claims in Pakistan’s parliament is weigh- capture of Yemen’s ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Shia rebel that US was sending primarily operates.” Islamabad and said “fighting will ing up the Saudi request to send leader Abdulmalik Al Huthi, in a message posted online. precision-guided munitions. Saudi Arabia has pressed not resolve this problem”. ground troops, aircraft and naval The Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), US Defence Secretary Pakistan, a close and longstanding “We are not bombarding any- vessels to join the coalition. classified by the United States as the network’s deadliest franchise, Ashton Carter acknowledged ally, to join its coalition against one,” he said. “Our planes are Aziz said that after three days said the two men were “heads of evil”. “In support of the jihad of our yesterday that the fighting the Houthis but Islamabad has so not there hitting hospitals and of discussions there was a “broad Muslim brothers in Yemen,” AQAP said it was offering a “reward in Yemen was complicating far resisted. bridges and flour factories.” consensus” among lawmakers of 20 kg (44 pounds) of gold to whoever kills or captures” Saleh or Washington’s counter-ter- Pakistan has called for dialogue Islamabad finds itself in an that Pakistani involvement in Huthi. It posted the pictures of both leaders, who belong to the Zaidi rorism efforts but vowed they and, in addition to Zarif’s visit, awkward position on Yemen, the war in Yemen “would not be sect of Shias — a minority where almost 70 percent are Sunnis. AFP would go on regardless. AFP held talks with Turkey on how to reluctant to offend oil-rich Saudi, advisable”. AFP

Jordan River baptism site UN warns of ‘slaughter of innocents’ in Syrian refugee camp without aid

LONDON: United Nations offi- the warring parties to allow access disease rising daily. cials warned yesterday of a for aid and evacuations. “When you have public health potential “slaughter of innocents” “The level of inhumanity that system completely shot to pieces, unless aid and assistance reached Yarmouk has descended to is frankly when you have such terrible levels a Palestinian refugee camp in unimaginable,” Chris Gunness, a of food insecurity ... disease is going Syria where thousands of civil- spokesman for the UN Relief and to soar,” said Gunness. ians are trapped up in a vicious Works Agency (UNRWA), told the “We have tragic pictures of chil- battle. Thomson Reuters Foundation in a dren and others scooping up water Some 18,000 civilians, including Skype interview from Jerusalem. out of holes in the streets.” 3,500 children, are caught in the “The situation is absolutely des- Gunness said UNRWA had not camp outside Damascus just a few perate. We need urgently to have been a regular presence in the camp miles from President Bashar Al humanitarian access, which is why for at least two years so it was Assad’s palace. The camp largely UNRWA is calling for all parties to impossible to estimate the number fell under Islamic State control exercise influence with their clients of people now ill or the death toll. last week and is surrounded by the on the ground so that we can get The war in Syria has killed 220,000 Syrian army. into the camp.” people and displaced millions of The Yarmouk camp, which was Gunness said since the fighting Syrians. home to half a million Palestinians escalated a week ago, UNRWA aid The United Nations has said it before the conflict began in 2011, convoys have not been able to enter is extremely concerned about the has been held by anti-Assad insur- the camp and the already dire situ- safety and protection of Syrian and gents and besieged by government ation has become more desperate Palestinian civilians at the Yarmouk troops since the early days of the with people left without water, food camp. Gunness said an estimated 94 war and many have already fled. or medicine and the growing risk civilians, including 43 women and Greek Orthodox Christians walk on the shade of a palm tree thrown on a deck at the Jordan River baptism But as fighting intensified in of disease. 20 children, managed to leave the site of Qasr Al Yahud, outside Jericho, West Bank, yesterday. The site is where Jesus is believed to have been and around the camp, the remain- Gunness said a few Palestinian camp on Sunday and were provided baptised by John the Baptist. Tens of thousands of Orthodox Christians have flocked to religious sites dur- ing refugees have been left without charities had managed to get some with humanitarian support so there ing Holy Week, which concludes with their Good Friday, and the Holy Fire ceremony before Easter Sunday. food, water and medical supplies supplies to the camp but otherwise was no reason why more could not prompting aid agencies to call for people were cut off with the risk of be helped to safety. REUTERS THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Iraqi forces move against IS in Anbar New offensive in Sunni heartland

BAGHDAD: Iraqi security State control. forces launched a new offensive Shia militia have played a lead- against Islamic State insurgents ing role in reversing the insur- in the Sunni Muslim heartland gents’ advances, but officials from of Anbar yesterday, seeking predominantly Sunni Anbar have to build on a victory over the expressed reservations about a jihadist group last week in the role for Shia paramilitary forces city of Tikrit. on the battlefield. Fighting began in the west- At a news conference in Jordan, ern province’s desert terrain as Iraq’s defence minister said Abadi Prime Minister Haidar Al Abadi would oversee the distribution of was touring Anbar, visiting Iraqi weapons to Sunni tribal fight- army units and pro-government ers in Anbar, “They will play an Sunnis, his office said. important role,” Khaled Al Obaidi “Our next stand and battle said. “The battle for Anbar has will be from Anbar to liberate it begun.” LEFT: An officer in the Kurdish Peshmerga forces speaks to an elderly man from Iraq’s Yazidi minority in the village of Al Humeira, 35 km southwest of entirely,” Abadi said in a post on Iraqi officials have argued for Kirkuk, yesterday after the IS freed more than 200 Yazidis it held captive for months. RIGHT: Forces help elderly people in Al Humeira. his official Facebook page. “We some time that Anbar should be will prevail in Anbar as we pre- the next major battleground, or vailed in Tikrit.” that operations should be car- Army officers said Islamic ried out there in parallel with the State militants were driven back northern province of Nineveh, of IS frees over 200 Yazidis in Iraq yesterday in the Sijariya area east which Mosul is capital, in order of the Anbar capital Ramadi and to isolate Islamic State in its stra- KIRKUK: More than 200 eld- overpowered Kurdish forces in jihadists had decided to release positions in batches. Yazidi com- Falluja — the region’s two key cit- tegic bastions along the Syrian erly and infirm Yazidis were the Sinjar area and proceeded to the Yazidis, whom they consider munity leaders were there to ies, where the ultra-radical Sunni border. “In Anbar there are freed yesterday by Islamic State purge its Yazidi population, killing devil-worshippers, but the group receive them and an ambulance group has been dominant. spots under government control militants who had been holding hundreds and taking thousands previously freed 200 more it was was on standby. Islamic State was retreating and the troops are fighting IS,” them captive since overruning captive. holding under similarly mysteri- Yazidi activists say many from Sijariya, trading mortar fire Deputy National Security Adviser their villages in northwestern The woman, who asked not to ous circumstances. remain in the hands of IS, which with government forces, military Safaa Al Sheikh said in late Iraq last summer. be named, said she had told her Some of the Yazidis said they has often subjected women to sources said. March. “You have these spots and A Reuters reporter saw the son and two young daughters to had been held in the IS strong- rape or sexual slavery. The United A senior Iraqi officer in Ramadi can expand from them. We don’t group of 216 people, which run away as the militants closed hold of Tel Afar most of the time, Nations said last month Islamic said the purpose of clearing have this situation in Mosul.” included two Christians, handed in, but stayed behind herself but in the days leading up to their State may have committed geno- Sijariya was to secure supply Iraqi and US officials have come over to Kurdish forces near the because she was unwell and did release, they were moved from cide against the minority. routes to the nearby Habbaniya to see the value in striking Anbar city of Kirkuk. Some were too not want to slow them down. one town to another in Islamic The Yazidis are an ancient, pre- air base and to weaken the jihad- now after months of debate over exhausted and disoriented to “I had lost hope of seeing State’s self-proclaimed caliphate. dominantly Kurdish people who ists’ grip on territory connecting whether to try first to take Mosul, speak. my children again, but today it The Yazidis thought they were follow their own religion derived Ramadi and Falluja. where IS declared its “caliphate” One elderly woman said she has happened,” she said as they being led to their execution, but from Islam, Christianity and Large parts of Anbar had and unfurled its campaign across had been captured by the insur- embraced her and wept. instead, were piled onto a mini- Zoroastrianism. slipped from the government’s Iraq last summer. gents last August when they It was not clear why the radical bus that drove them to peshmerga REUTERS grasp even before Islamic State “Watching Tikrit has reminded overran the northern city of people how difficult urban war- Mosul last June and surged fare is,” said a senior Western dip- through Sunni areas of Iraq. lomat on condition of anonymity. Security forces and Shia para- The goal, the diplomat said, was militaries have since regained to cut off IS supply routes from Toll from ‘IS Egypt charges some ground, although core Sunni Syria to make it harder for it to Erdogan accuses press territories remain under Islamic reinforce Mosul. REUTERS car bombs’ in 379 with Aleppo hits 27 in prosecutor’s killing murder over ANKARA: Turkish President regular weekly speech to village BEIRUT: The toll from two Recep Tayyip Erdogan yester- chiefs from across Turkey at the 2013 unrest alleged Islamic State group car day launched one of his bitter- presidential palace in Ankara. bombings overnight of rebels est tirades against journalists, Kiraz was killed when police in Syria’s Aleppo province has accusing the press of being an launched an operation to rescue CAIRO: Egyptian prosecu- risen to at least 27 people, a accomplice in the killing of him from the far-left militants. tors pressed murder charges monitor said yesterday. a prosecutor in Istanbul last The authorities have insisted that against 379 people yesterday Three local commanders were week. the two captors, who were both over the deaths of policemen killed in one of the attacks, the The government has reacted killed, fired the fatal shots. and civilians during the Syrian Observatory for Human furiously to the publication Turkish media made wide use bloody dispersal of Islamist Rights said, describing the inci- of images showing prosecutor of the image circulated on social protest camps in the capital dents as an apparent IS attempt Mehmet Selim Kiraz held captive media by the militants of the in 2013. to expand in the northern prov- by a left-wing group with a gun prosecutor a gun to his head, with It was not immediately ince. One bomb hit a base in the held to his head earlier this week, the popular Hurriyet daily putting clear how many of the defend- village of Hawar Kilis, near the temporarily blocking access to it on the front page the next day. ants were in custody but it Turkish border, killing at least Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. “In Western countries consid- was the latest in a string of 18 rebels, the Britain-based “The (press) establishments ered to be the cradle of democ- controversial mass trials to be Observatory said. who opened their pages and racy, such a situation could never announced over the violence The second targeted a joint screens to terrorist propaganda take place,” added Erdogan. that followed the army’s over- rebel office in the town of Marea were complicit in the murder of “In these countries, press throw of Islamist President and killed nine, including the our prosecutor,” said Erdogan. institutions which become tools Mohamed Mursi in July that three commanders. “I strongly condemn the organs of propaganda of terrorism and year. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi (left) delivering a wepaon to a Sunni An earlier report gave an over- of the press who were on the side terrorists would be subject to a Prosecutors charge that the volunteer at Habbaniyah base in eastern Ramadi city, west of Iraq, yesterday. all toll of 15. AFP of the terrorists,” he added in his formal ban,” he added. AFP defendants took part in an “armed sit-in” at the capital’s Nahda Square in August 2013, and in “armed marches that attacked civilians” in several parts of Cairo. “Their action resulted in Spanish king visits Lebanon after peacekeeper’s death casualties among policemen and civilians,” a prosecution MARJAYOUN: Spain’s King contribute to make Spain and the statement said. Felipe VI yesterday visited world more secure and stronger,” Cairo’s Nahda and Rabaa Spanish troops stationed in the king added. squares were the locations southern Lebanon, where Israeli Israeli security sources acknowl- of protest camps set up by artillery killed a Spanish peace- edged on Tuesday that it was Israeli Mursi’s supporters that were keeper in January. fire that killed Soria Toledo, 36, on broken up by police on August The king paid tribute to Corporal January 28. They said the firing 14, 2013 at the cost of hun- Francisco Javier Soria Toledo and followed an attack on Israeli forces dreds of lives. the 12 other Spanish serviceman by the Shiite militia Hezbollah. Human Rights Watch killed over the years in Lebanon Israel occupied parts of Lebanon described it at the time as on peacekeeping duty during his for 22 years until 2000 and the “one of the largest killings of visit to Spanish soldiers deployed two countries are still technically demonstrators in a single day with the United Nations Interim at war. The 10,000-strong UN in recent history.” Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the force now monitoring the border Prosecutors charged that Marjayoun. includes some 600 Spanish soldiers during the dispersal of the “I want... to pay a heartfelt and troops from 35 other nations. Nahda Square protest camp tribute to all Spanish soldiers who The king met with Lebanon’s the defendants used “force have given their lives to fulfil their Prime Minister Tammam Salam and violence against the duty during missions, especially on Tuesday during the first day of police”. Corporal Francisco Javier Soria his visit to the country as well as “This led to the killing of and the others who have died for with representatives of the Spanish two policemen and wounding this same mission,” he said. community in Beirut. of 27 others,” they said. “They will remain in our mem- Lebanon “has suffered a lot in its Other charges pressed ories forever. I am proud of you, recent history and Spain wishes it against the defendants of what you are, of what you do,” a future of peace and harmony”, include illegal imprisonment added Felipe, who is on his first Felipe said. “I hope that the spirit and torture, forcibly resisting visit to Lebanon since he took the of harmony of Lebanese people the security forces, weapons throne in June 2014. willing to handle the rich and Spain’s King Felipe VI (left) salutes the troops parading during a welcome ceremony with military honours on the possession, occupying public “Have no doubt, thanks to your sometimes difficult mosaic of dif- occasion of his visit to the Spanish military base of Miguel de Cervantes in Blat, near the town of Marjeyoun, property and blocking public dedication, your work, your disci- ferences that makes up this coun- Lebanon, yesterday. Felipe arrived at the base to visit the some 558 Spanish soldiers deployed in the territory. transport. AFP pline and your love of service, you try will always prevail.” AFP THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS Jury finds Tsarnaev guilty of Boston bombings Bomber faces death penalty or life in prison without parole; second phase of trial to begin next week

BOSTON: Boston bomber his lawyers as the court clerk read 11, 2001 attacks on New York, willing bomber alongside his elder the teachings of US-Yemen cleric body that wasn’t destroyed,” said Dzhokhar Tsarnaev faces the out the verdict. He occasionally Washington and Pennsylvania. brother, who was killed by police Anwar Al Awlaki, who was killed Chakravarty of Martin. death penalty after a jury unan- fidgeted, hooked one hand into Government prosecutors por- while on the run. in a drone strike in 2011. Minutes later, Tsarnaev casu- imously convicted him yester- his trouser pocket and swayed trayed Tsarnaev, at the time a “He wanted to terrorise this The one-month trial featured ally bought milk, then headed to day of carrying out the 2013 slightly, dressed in a blue sweater 19-year-old enrolled at University country. He wanted to punish harrowing videos, filling the court the gym, laughing and joking with attack, the worst in the United and dark blazer. Seventeen of his of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, as America for what it was doing to with the screams of victims and friends and posting a message on States since the 9/11 Al Qaeda convictions carry the possibility a callous terrorist who carried out his people,” assistant US attorney the sight of blood, and heart- Twitter calling himself a “stress hijackings. of the death penalty and survivors the bombings to punish the United Aloke Chakravarty told the court breaking testimony from survi- free kind of guy”, prosecutors said. The 12-person jury took a day- were in court to hear the verdict. States. Tsarnaev’s lawyers admit- in an emotional closing statement vors and relatives of the victims. Defence lawyer Judy Clarke, who and-a-half to find the 21-year- Three people were killed and ted that he planted one of the on Monday. “That day they felt Prosecutors said the brothers has saved some of America’s most old former student guilty on all 264 others wounded, including 17 pressure-cooker bombs concealed they were soldiers, that they were carried out the attacks as part- notorious convicts from the death 30 counts related to the April who lost limbs, in the twin blasts in a backpack, but portrayed him mujahideen and they were bring- ners to avenge the deaths of fellow penalty, said Tsarnaev deserved 15, 2013 attacks, the murder of at the city’s marathon nearly as a feckless accomplice, bullied ing their battle to Boston,” added Muslims overseas after learning to be condemned but that the a police officer, a car jacking and two years ago. Tsarnaev was or manipulated into taking part Chakravarty. how to build pressure-cooker attacks would never have hap- shootout while on the run. arrested four days later, hiding by his more radical elder brother. They portrayed a calculat- bombs through Al Qaeda English- pened without Tamerlan. The Muslim immigrant of and injured in a boat on which Massachusetts has not exe- ing killer — a marijuana-smok- language magazine “Inspire.” “For this suffering, destruc- Chechen descent, who took US he had scrawled a bloody message cuted anyone since 1947, and ing, laid-back student who had They emphasised the appall- tion and profound loss there is citizenship in 2012, now faces the apparently justifying the attacks Roman Catholic bishops in the recently failed a number of exams ing injuries that killed eight- no excuse. No one is trying to death penalty or life in prison to avenge the US wars in Iraq and state reiterated their opposition and become an avid reader of the year-old Martin Richard, Krystle make one,” she said. Tamerlan without parole when he is sen- Afghanistan. to the death penalty on Monday, Islamist literature that investiga- Campbell, 29, and Lingzi Lu, 23, built the bombs, murdered tenced by the same jury at the The marathon bombings when the first phase of the trial tors found on his computer. They and the murder of police officer Collier, downloaded the bomb- second phase of the trial. That shocked the relatively small wrapped up. Prosecutors spent claimed he was self-radicalised Sean Collier, who was shot five making instructions, brought phase could start early next week, northeastern city of Boston and four weeks building their case, as early as high school, plot- times. “His entire body was the ingredients, the backpacks Judge George O’Toole said. revived fears of terrorism in the calling 92 witnesses in an effort ted the attacks up to a year in shattered, broken, eviscerated, and his fingerprints were all over A pale Tsarnaev stood next to United States after the September to paint Tsarnaev as an active and advance and was influenced by burnt. There wasn’t a part of his the evidence, Clarke said. AFP

Cop sacked after shooting UKIP losing black suspect dead in US steam in key battlegrounds CHARLESTON: The white he tried to run from Slager, then police officer who fatally shot a is handcuffed as he lay fatally LONDON: Britain’s two biggest fleeing black man in the US city of wounded. Slager was charged political parties have picked North Charleston has been fired with murder on Tuesday, and up support in some closely after he was charged with mur- could face a sentence of up to life fought electoral districts at the der, the mayor said yesterday. in prison or the death penalty. expense of the anti-European Speaking at a highly charged A group of protesters stood Union UK Independence Party, press conference frequently outside city hall and briefly opinion polls showed yesterday. interrupted by residents angered blocked traffic Wednesday morn- Less than a month before a at America’s latest high-profile ing, chanting and holding signs general election which is too police killing of a black man, with slogans such as: “Stop racist close to call, Lord Ashcroft Polls Mayor Keith Summey said the police terror.” said UKIP had lost support to city had moved quickly to fire the Protesters in the press con- the Conservative Party of Prime officer after Saturday’s shooting. ference yelled, “No justice, no Minister David Cameron and to Ed “I will also let you know that peace,” as Summey struggled to Miliband’s Labour Party by up to 10 the officer ... was terminated. ... keep order. The mayor announced points in nine of 10 constituencies He is no longer here,” he said, that the police department would covered by its latest polling. Other vowing to speed the introduction buy more than 100 body cameras opinion polls have also shown UKIP of body cameras to be worn by for officers to wear in the future. losing some of last year’s surge in police to record alleged abuses. Scott’s father, also named support from voters. In Washington, White House Walter, said the family was dev- The polling covered Conser- spokesman Josh Earnest said astated by his son’s death, but was vative-held seats where Labour he had not spoken to President grateful for the video evidence. is the main challenger and found Barack Obama about the case, but “The way he was shooting that gun, Cameron’s party was ahead in five that video footage of the shooting it looked like he was trying to kill a of them, Labour in the lead in four was “awfully hard to watch.” deer or something running through others and a tie between the two “It’s an example of how body the woods. I don’t know whether parties in the other one. The poll- cameras worn by police officers it was racial or something wrong ing was based on interviews with Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron speaks with children during a visit to Sacred Heart RC primary school in could have a positive impact in with his head or what,” the father 10,006 adults between March 28 Westhoughton, near Bolton, yesterday. Britain goes to the polls on May 7. terms of build and trust between told NBC’s Today Show. and April 4. REUTERS law enforcement officers and the “I thank God they had the communities they serve,” he said. video. God has my back. When The officer, 33-year-old Michael I saw it, my heart was broken. Slager, has been charged with mur- I said, ‘It can’t be.’ I saw it. I der after he was filmed shooting couldn’t take it anymore.” Several Walter Scott, 50, repeatedly in the killings of unarmed black men by Four-way talks back after a scuffle that began with police officers in recent months Le Pen family feud deepens a traffic stop for a broken tail light. have sparked sometimes violent on Ukraine to An unidentified passer-by protests across the United States PARIS: A bitter family feud have descended into a strategy its voter appeal as she readies a recorded the chilling incident, in with demonstrators alleging rac- between National Front leader somewhere between scorched bid for the French presidency in which Scott is seen being shot as ism in the nation’s police. AFP Marine Le Pen and her father earth and political suicide,” 2017. Polls suggest she could make be held in Berlin Jean-Marie deepened yesterday Marine Le Pen, who took over the it into the second-round run-off as she accused the 86-year-old party from her father in 2011, said of a presidential election but is PARIS: The French, German, founder of the far-right party in a statement issued by the FN unlikely to win. Russian and Ukrainian foreign of sabotaging its efforts to move in her name. She added she would oppose her ministers will meet in Berlin $300m jewel heist under probe into the political mainstream. “His status as honorary presi- father’s bid to lead the party in on Monday for a follow-up on LONDON: Thieves may have got away with a record haul of Jean-Marie Le Pen, who last dent does not give him the right the southern region of Provence- the fragile ceasefire agreed in diamonds after a brazen heist in London’s diamond district net- week defended a past comment to hijack the National Front with Alpes-Cote d’Azur in December February to end a year of bloody ted an estimated £200m worth ($300m) of gems, media reported that Nazi gas chambers were a vulgar provocations seemingly local elections where the party is war in eastern Ukraine. yesterday. Burglars broke into a vault at a safe deposit centre “detail of history”, was quoted designed to damage me but which hoping to make gains after strong “I will be in Berlin (on Monday) in Hatton Garden, where many jewellers had left their stocks on Tuesday as calling France’s unfortunately hit the whole move- performances in town hall and evening,” French Foreign Minister over the long Easter weekend, and cracked open 70 secure boxes, Spanish-born Prime Minister ment,” she said of his remarks departmental votes. Jean-Marie Le Laurent Fabius told reporters, the police said. Reports suggested that the thieves may have Manuel Valls “the immigrant” and made in an interview with the Pen said he would defend his candi- with his press office later adding hidden inside the building, emerging after staff went home to defending Philippe Petain, leader far-right magazine Rivarol. dacy at an April 17 party leadership he would be attending a four-way abseil down a lift shaft and smash into the vault. Members of the of the war-time government that Marine Le Pen has tried to rid meeting and dismissed the accusa- meeting on Ukraine, where pro- London police’s Flying Squad are investigating. AFP cooperated with Nazi Germany. the anti-immigrant party of its tion that he was becoming a liability Russian separatists have waged “Jean-Marie Le Pen seems to anti-Semitic image and widen for the party. REUTERS an insurgency in the east that has left more than 6,000 dead. Speaking after talks in Paris with his Ukrainian counterpart French air traffic controllers strike hits flights Pavlo Klimkin, Fabius said the embattled country’s leader Petro Most Americans support Poroshenko would visit the French capital on April 22. A ceasefire agreed in the Belarusan capital renewed ties with Cuba Minsk in February appears to be largely holding in Ukraine’s east, MIAMI: A majority of renewed relations and 25 percent despite isolated, deadly clashes. Americans support the restora- were opposed. “There has been some progress tion of US diplomatic relations Queried about the US sanctions on the gound in implementing the with Cuba as well as sanctions on slapped last month on Venezuelan package of February 12 Minsk Venezuelan officials, according to officials linked to human rights measures, despite too many vio- a poll released yesterday ahead abuses, 50 percent said the pun- lations where pulling back heavy of a regional summit likely to be ishment was appropriate, while weapons is concerned,” Fabius said. dominated by those issues. 20 percent said it was not strong Klimkin said the situation was The Marist College poll found enough and 13 percent thought it “very tense”, pointing to the two that 59 percent of those respond- was too extreme. soldiers and rebel who were killed ing said they agreed with the re- For Hispanics, the proportion over the past 24 hours in isolated establishment of relations between varied slightly: 52 percent said clashes. He added that OSCE the United States and the island’s the sanctions were appropriate, 16 monitors in the east who were communist regime, severed for percent said they were too weak, trying to make sure the ceasefire more than half a century. 19 percent too strong. holds did not “have effective con- Another 26 percent were The Summit of the Americas in trol” in the rebel strongholds of opposed and 15 percent had no Panama on Friday and Saturday Donetsk and Lugansk. opinion, according to the poll, is expected to bring US President One of the key points agreed in A traveller walks in front of a flight information board with various of them listed as ‘cancelled’ due to a 48-hour which was commissioned by Barack Obama and Cuba’s the Minsk deal was that all hos- strike of air traffic controllers over work and pension conditions, at the Charles de Gaulle International Airport’s Telemundo and MSNBC televi- President Raul Castro face to face tages and illegally detained prison- Terminal 2, in Roissy, near Paris, yesterday. Nearly 40 percent of flights were cancelled in France. sion networks. for the first time since their land- ers must be released and exchanged Among Latins who participated mark December 17 decision to nor- on an “all-for-all” basis. in the poll, 56 percent supported malise relations. AFP AFP THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Kenya freezes Junta, Suu Kyi bank accounts with suspected hold talks on terrorism links

NAIROBI: Kenya has sus- pended a series of bank ceasefire deal accounts suspected to be linked to financing terrorism, days after the university massacre of almost 150 people by Somalia’s Charter change discussion tomorrow Al Qaeda-linked Shebab, the treasury said Wednesday. NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar’s The NLD is expected to hoo- “Actions taken are consistent President Thein Sein held rare ver up votes in the election in with the international law on talks yesterday with influential November, the first countrywide financing terrorism.... we pro- allies and rivals including oppo- vote that the party will have con- duced a list of persons and enti- sition leader Aung San Suu Kyi tested in 25 years. ties who may have been involved as she intensifies efforts to lift a Despite her star power, Suu Kyi in facilitating terrorism activi- constitutional ban on her presi- is banned from the top job under ties,” said top treasury official dential bid. a provision in the junta-era con- Kamau Thugge. The long-awaited talks in the stitution barring those with a “There will be intensive inves- capital Naypyidaw, which follow foreign spouse or children from tigations to be able to estab- a similar meeting of key political the presidency. The 69-year-old’s lish whether indeed they were figures in October, come as the two sons are British, as was her involved.” country braces for elections seen late husband. Kenyan President Uhuru as a key test of reforms in the She has received a wide range Kenyatta on Saturday warned former junta-run nation. of support, including from US Shebab fighters his government The closed-door talks — President Barack Obama, for National League for Democracy Chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi (right) attends a meeting hosted by Myanmar will respond to their killing attended by the president, Suu her move to change the constitu- President Thein Sein in Naypyidaw yesterday. of almost 150 students in the Kyi, parliamentary speaker Shwe tion—a charter she has decried as “severest way” possible, with Mann and a few dozen other polit- “unjust” and written specifically change the constitution. a possible referendum as early as first step, though the agreement warplanes on Monday attack- ical figures — touched on a land- to keep her out of power. A military MP said limited May on amendments approved by awaits formal approval from the ing Islamist bases in southern mark draft ceasefire agreement But observers say she has amendments were possible but parliament. ethnic armed groups. Somalia. forged last week with several accepted that it is unlikely she would not be made because of Suu Kyi has previously pushed Myanmar, formerly known as But Kenyatta also warned that ethnic armed groups, Myanmar’s will be able to become president mounting pressure. for “four-party” talks on the dem- Burma and ruled by the British the masterminds behind last Information Minister Ye Htut at this time. “Some people are saying some ocratic transition, involving just until 1948, was plunged into iso- Thursday’s attack were inside told reporters. Last year the NLD gained (clauses) have to be changed... Thein Sein, the army chief Min lation by a military regime that Kenya, not Somalia. Discussions will resume tomor- five million signatures — around maybe it’s OK if we don’t change Aung Hlaing and Shwe Mann. seized power in 1962. “The planners and financiers of row and be whittled down to a 10 percent of the population — them,” Phay Kyaing said. The president has resisted It has won praise for enacting this brutality are deeply embed- smaller group of six participants, in support of its bid to change The NLD meanwhile has those calls, saying it would widespread economic and politi- ded in our communities,” he said. including Thein Sein and Suu Kyi, another constitutional provision. admitted the military veto meant exclude ethnic minorities. cal reforms since it emerged from “We will not allow them to he added. This enshrines the military’s it could not win a parliamentary The former general has set his outright military rule in 2011, also continue their lives as normal, Changes to the constitution will effective veto over any amend- vote on the issue. sights on an end to the ethnic drawing an influx of foreign investors the full force of the law will be be on tomorrow’s agenda, “among ments to the charter by reserving The country’s powerful insurgencies that have plagued to its untapped markets. But there brought to bear with even greater many issues” including the sign- them a quarter of parliamentary speaker, Shwe Mann, last year the country for around 60 years are growing concerns reforms are intensity that has been the case ing of a binding nationwide cease- seats. ruled out any major changes as a key goal of his tenure. backsliding in certain areas, includ- in previous years.” fire — a prized aim of Thein Sein’s The army has indicated it will to the constitution before the Last week’s draft peace deal ing human rights and press freedom. The treasury have given no administration. oppose any efforts to significantly November polls, despite mooting with rebels was hailed as a historic AFP details on the exact accounts frozen. However, there are huge flows of money both ways between the neighbouring nations, for trade and business, as well as in life- Death row Filipina’s family begs Indonesia for her life line remittances to war-torn Somalia from relatives in the region. MANILA: The family of into her suitcase before flying us... they threatened to kill us one one in Indonesia if she flew there Daniel Candelaria, 12, was strug- With no formal banking sys- a Filipina on death row in from Malaysia. by one,” said 59-year-old Cesar immediately, according to her gling at school and may have to tem in the impoverished coun- Indonesia made a tearful appeal “Please don’t kill my sister. She Veloso. parents. repeat eighth grade. try, diaspora Somalis turn to for her life yesterday, insisting is innocent. If you kill her, you The family is from a poor farm- “My sister’s a loving person, Veloso’s youngest, Mark money transfer services to send that an international drug syn- will have blood on your hands,” ing town about three hours’ drive she’s so kind. But she trusts too Darren, 6, copes by singing his money back home support their dicate duped the single mother Veloso’s elder sister Marites north of Manila, and Veloso had much. We don’t engage in vices mother’s favourite song, a Filipino families, sending some $1.3bn of two. Veloso-Laurente said in a plea sought to provide for her two or anything illegal, no cigarettes, ballad called: “Just wait”, which (¤1.1bn) each year, dwarfing Mary Jane Veloso, 30, has been to Indonesian President Joko young sons by working as a maid no alcohol,” her elder sister said. has become an anthem of hope foreign aid. in an Indonesian jail for five years Widodo. overseas. When Veloso was arrested, her for the family. The day-long seige on Garissa after being caught at Yogyakarta With tears streaming down The single mother initially sons were aged just one and seven Veloso’s mother, 55, insisted University, situated near the airport with 2.6 kilogrammes his cheeks, Veloso’s father said worked for nine months in Dubai and they too have become victims. that if her daughter was involved border with Somalia, claimed of heroin, and is among a batch the syndicate that used her as an in 2009 but was forced to come “It’s as if they lost all hope... in the drug trade, her family 148 lives, including 142 students, of foreigners facing imminent unwitting drug mule had pledged home after her employer tried to they are worried about what would have seen some benefits three police officers and three execution. to kill all family members if they rape her, according to her father. would happen to them if their of it. soldiers. But in an interview in Manila, reported the racket to authorities A family friend then offered mother never came back,” the Instead, she shares a cramped The massacre was Kenya’s her parents and sister said a or went to the media. Veloso work as a maid in Malaysia. Veloso matriarch, Celia, said as brick and wood shanty with her deadliest attack since the 1998 crime syndicate involving a friend “Life’s been hard. We’ve been When Veloso got to Malaysia her two grandsons sat quietly husband and six grandchildren, bombing of the US embassy in had deceived her, and she did not living in fear. My daughter’s she was told the job was no longer next to her. including Veloso’s sons. Nairobi. know the drugs had been sown recruiters have been threatening available but there was another She said the eldest son, Mark AFP AFP

Indian militants Raising ferry would given life terms in Bangladesh cost $110m: S Korea

DHAKA: A court in Bangladesh’s SEOUL: South Korea said yes- the final cost would be greatly depend- north yesterday sentenced two terday it would cost $110m to ent on weather conditions, technologi- Indian insurgents to life in prison raise the Sewol ferry, as pres- cal uncertainties... etc,” said senior for using Bangladeshi territory to sure grows to salvage the vessel ministry official Yeon Yeong-Jin. carry out militant attacks across before the first anniversary of Yeon said the government had the border in Assam, a prosecu- its sinking. already spent 185 billion won — tor said. The 6,825-tonne passenger ship most of it on the lengthy search Ranjan Chowdhury, alias Major sank off the southwest coast on and rescue operation and finan- Ranjan, and Prodip Marak were April 16 last year with the loss cial support for victims’ relatives sentenced in a district court in the of more than 300 lives — most of — and had budgeted a further 140 town of Kishoreganj amid tight them high school students. billion won in future compensa- security over their roles in a sepa- Ahead of next week’s first anni- tion payments to families. ratist movement in neighbouring versary of the tragedy, hundreds of The tragedy sparked nation- India’s northeast Assam state. parents of the dead students — some wide grief and outrage as it “Both were present in the court with their heads shaved and clad became clear that regulatory when the judge convicted them in white mourning robes—marched failings, official incompetence and and then sentenced them to life in 35km to Seoul from their home the ship’s illegal redesign were the prison under the country’s arms town of Ansan over the weekend. main causes. Park’s administra- act and anti-terrorism act,” chief They were joined by hundreds tion was widely criticised for its prosecutor Shah Azizul Haque said. more supporters for a rally in response to the disaster, and her The pair were arrested in Hundreds of rescued foreign fishermen, mostly from Myanmar and Thailand, are gathered by Indonesia’s illegal the capital on Sunday that called approval ratings have only just 2010 in Bangladesh, from where fishing task force accompanied by Thai officials during an operation at the private Indonesian fishing firm Pusaka on the government to bring the begun to recover. they planned attacks in India as Benjina Resources, located in remote Benjina island of Maluku province. sunken vessel to the surface and After months of political bick- members of the United Liberation ensure a fully independent inquiry ering, parliament passed a bill in Front of Asom (ULFA). into the disaster. November initiating an independ- “Both are senior officials in Jakarta probes alleged fishing slavery A total of 295 bodies were ent investigation into the sinking. ULFA and they had been using recovered from the ferry, and nine But relatives have accused the Bangladesh territory for years victims remained unaccounted for government of trying to influence to carry out guerrilla war in the JAKARTA: The Indonesian foreigners from several Southeast embarrassing for Indonesia,” she when divers finally called off the the probe by appointing officials Indian state of Assam before they government has announced Asian nations, engaged in slavery said, announcing plans for the dangerous search of its interior to key posts in the 17-member were arrested with arms and it will form a special team to and torture in the remote east of special team. last November. inquiry committee. explosives,” the prosecutor said. investigate allegations of slav- the country. The International Organisation President Park Geun-Hye More than 50 people have been It is the second time Bangladesh ery in the fishing industry, as The issue was a priority when for Migration has estimated up to promised Monday to “actively put on trial on charges linked to the has convicted Indian insurgents officials prepare to return hun- President Joko Widodo chaired 4,000 fishermen may be stranded consider” raising the Sewol, tak- disaster, including 15 crew mem- after ULFA’s general secretary dreds of foreign crewmen to a cabinet meeting late Tuesday, in remote parts of Indonesia, ing into account the opinions of bers — who were among the first was sentenced following his arrest their homelands. with fisheries minister Susi mostly dumped by illicit fishing the relatives and salvage experts. to climb into lifeboats. The Sewol’s in 1997. The head of the fisheries min- Pudjiastuti declaring afterwards operators. At a briefing yesterday, the captain was jailed in November for India has long maintained that istry’s illegal fishing task force, Indonesia must show it is serious It believes the large majority of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries 36 years for gross negligence and separatist groups from its restive Mas Achmad Santosa, said about tackling the problem and those working in the illegal fishing said the salvage operation — if dereliction of duty, while three northeast have set up camps in several fishermen had claimed stamping out illegal fishing. industry in Indonesia are victims approved — would cost around other senior crew members were Bangladesh. that an Indonesian company, “We must solve this. It should of trafficking. 120bn won ($110m). sentenced to jail terms. AFP which employed more than 1,000 never happen again, because it is AFP “And that is only an estimate, as AFP THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Afghan defence US soldier killed in Afghan ‘insider attack’ minister nominee Troops open fire on American team drops out

JALALABAD: An American Monica Cummings, the US after two days soldier was killed yesterday in a embassy spokeswoman, said the firefight between US and Afghan incident occurred after a sen- KABUL: The Afghan cabi- troops in eastern Afghanistan, ior US official held a meeting net’s latest choice for defence the first apparent insider attack with the provincial governor in minister dropped out yes- since Washington announced a Jalalabad. terday, just two days after delay in troop withdrawals from “All Chief of Mission personnel being nominated for the job, the country. of the visiting party are accounted underlining tensions between So-called “green-on-blue” for,” she added in a statement, the president and rival par- attacks — when Afghan soldiers without offering any more details. ties within the national unity or police turn their guns on inter- The Taliban did not immedi- government. national troops — have been a ately claim responsibility for the General Mohammad Afzal major problem during Nato’s long attack, and Western officials say Ludin was to have taken charge years fighting alongside Afghan that most such attacks stem from of the country’s army at a time forces. personal grudges and cultural when most foreign troops Yesterday’s attack marked the misunderstandings rather than have withdrawn and Afghan second such fatal incident since insurgent plots. forces are battling the resil- the start of the year, highlighting The killings have bred fierce ient Taliban insurgency largely long-simmering tensions between mistrust among local and foreign alone. Afghan and foreign forces. forces even as the rate of such Ludin explained that the nomi- The gunfight erupted after an incidents has dropped in recent nation had caused internal tur- Afghan soldier opened fire on an years. moil and he feared it could be American delegation outside the Most Nato combat troops divisive. governor’s compound in Jalalabad, pulled out of Afghanistan last “I feel that some may use my the capital of the militant-infested year but a small contingent candidacy as an excuse to cre- province of Nangarhar. remains, including roughly 10,000 ate problems for my country, so “US soldiers returned fire, American soldiers. I am withdrawing,” he said in a killing the shooter and wounding The US soldiers, along with statement. two other members of the Afghan other Nato troops and private The former Soviet-era com- National Army. We are investigat- contractors, are focusing on mander was the second to be ing to find out the motive behind training Afghanistan’s national nominated for the job after the the shooting,” Nangarhar police security forces. cabinet rejected the first in chief Fazel Ahmad Shirzad said. One of the worst insider Afghan National Army soldiers (ANA) (right) arrive at the compound of a provincial governor’s office in Jalalabad January. An American soldier, who was attacks took place last August yesterday. The partnership between the part of a unit devoted to training when US Major General Harold President Ashraf Ghani and and advising Afghan forces, was Greene was killed — the most special security measures in President Barack Obama last keep the current level of 9,800 US his former rival, chief executive also killed, US officials said. senior American military officer recent years to try to counter month reversed plans to shrink troops until the end of 2015. Abdullah Abdullah, has been The “incident in Jalalabad to die in action overseas since the the threat. the US force in Afghanistan this The Taliban, waging a deadly showing signs of strain and the today resulted in the death of Vietnam War. The Afghan military, which has year by nearly half, an overture to insurgency since they were ousted defence nominee’s reversal is one Resolute Support service Three American contrac- been built from scratch since the the country’s new reform-minded from power in late 2001, warned the latest indication of widening member”, said a brief statement tors were killed in an apparent fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, leader, President Ashraf Ghani. that the announcement would dam- division. from Resolute Support, the new insider attack at Kabul airport in has also struggled with “insider Hosting Ghani at the White age any prospects of peace talks as “It was a one-sided selection, name for the Nato mission in January. attack” killings, high casualty House for their first presidential they vowed to continue fighting. made by the president,” said a Afghanistan. Nato troops have adopted rates and mass desertions. head-to-head, Obama agreed to AFP spokesman for Abdullah, explain- ing the team’s objections to the nomination and Ludin’s decision to withdraw. Abdullah and Ghani have Pakistani MPs struggled to form a cabinet and over six months into their govern- speak out against Islamabad closer to $1bn copter, weapons deal ment, have only eight ministerial appointments. Yemen intervention ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and helicopters, 1,000 Hellfire missiles, in South Asia”. The equipment ‘loiter’ capability — you can hang The delay is demoralising the United States moved closer engines, targeting and positioning “will not alter the basic military around, find the target, knock it the country’s security forces ISLAMABAD: Pakistani to a billion dollar defence deal systems and other equipment. But balance in the region,” the agency out,” he said. “Right now Pakistan and stifling the economy as members of parliament spoke this week, after US authorities negotiations are not complete. said. is using its fast jets for counterin- investment and development out against getting involved notified Congress of a proposal The helicopters and weapon Pakistani defence officials did surgency work.” projects have been left in limbo in Yemen yesterday as they to supply helicopters and mis- systems were designed for coun- not reply to requests for com- Pakistan is also trying to final- over the lack of leadership in resumed a one-sided debate on siles to sharpen up Pakistan’s ter-terrorism and counter-insur- ment. The United States has been ise a deal to buy eight submarines ministries. a Saudi request to join a cam- counter-terrorism efforts. gency operations, especially in the pushing Pakistan to take action from China for a reported cost of Commenting on the episode, paign against Iran-allied Houthi US ally Pakistan, a nuclear- mountainous Taliban strongholds against the Taliban as it with- between $4bn to $5bn. some Afghan lawmakers said forces in Yemen. armed nation of 180 million along the Afghan border, the US draws most of its combat troops China supplied 51 percent Abdullah’s team, many of whom Iranian Foreign Minister people, is fighting a Taliban insur- Defence Security Cooperation from neighbouring Afghanistan, of the weapons Islamabad are Tajiks, were angered by the Mohammad Javad Zarif was due gency in its northwest, a separa- Agency said. which is facing its own Taliban imported in 2010-2014, decision to nominate Ludin in Pakistan later on Wednesday tist insurgency along its Iranian On Monday, the agency noti- insurgency. according to the Stockholm because he is a Pashtun like the when he is likely to urge Pakistan border in the west, and has a fied Congress of the proposed James Hardy, the Asia-Pacific International Peace Research president. to reject the Saudi request. heavily militarised and disputed sale, noting it would “contribute editor for IHS Jane’s Defence Institute (SIPRI), which tracks Afghanistan’s government of “The Yemen war is not our border with arch rival India in to the foreign policy and national Weekly, said the helicopters would global arms sales. national unity was formed in war...Our advice to the govern- the east. security of the United States by help modernise Pakistan’s ageing This year’s budget allocated September 2014 after months of ment is that the army should not The $952m proposal involves helping to improve the security fleet, some of which had problems $7bn to the military. The police tension over who won the presi- go (to Yemen),” said opposition the United States supplying of a country vital to US foreign with spares and maintenance. received $800m. dential election. member of parliament Shireen Pakistan with 15 AH-1Z attack policy and national security goals “Attack helicopters give you REUTERS REUTERS Mazari. “As Muslims, we are duty bound to counter any threat to Burdened life holy shrines but there is no such threat today.” Opposition Senator Tahir 3,400 renounce Pakistan Hussain Mashadi said the “aggressors” were the Saudis and the victims were the Yemenis. “Now the aggressors are asking nationality in five years another sovereign state, Pakistan, to come to provide military aid to ISLAMABAD: More than registration body accordingly.” Saudi Arabia.” 3,400 Pakistani citizens have The applications have been Last month, a Saudi-led coali- renounced their nationality in referred to the departments con- tion began conducting air strikes the last five years after adopt- cerned for verification and will be in Yemen against Houthi rebels. ing the citizenship of other finalised after completion of the Saudi Arabia and Yemen share a countries while another 1,500 required aggregate stay in Pakistan. border and Saudi Arabia says it is want to give up their associa- The citizenship renuncia- afraid that instability might spill tion with the homeland. tion applications come despite over to its territory. Around 251 Pakistanis have Pakistan’s dual-nationality Saudi Arabia wants its staunch adopted the nationality of Canada, arrangements with 16 countries: ally, Sunni-majority Pakistan, 171 of the United States, 145 of the United Kingdom, Egypt, to join the coalition, and has Australia, 121 of New Zealand, France, Jordan, Italy, Syria, requested ships, aircraft and 75 of Norway while 54 chose to Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland, troops. Pakistan’s parliament become citizens of Denmark. The Netherlands, Australia, United began debating the request on rest went for the citizenship of States, New Zealand, Sweden, Monday and no legislator has spo- other countries in Europe and the Canada and Ireland. ken in support of sending troops Middle East, immigration officials Apart from these figures, the for Saudi to use in Yemen. told The Express Tribune. country produced over 26,000 reg- REUTERS “The 3,400 cases of renun- istered asylum seekers last year the An Afghan labourer pulls his cart loaded with plastic chairs along a street in Kabul yesterday. ciation of Pakistani nationality highest number on record at the have been successfully handled,” United Nation High Commission writes Immigration and Passport for Refugees (UNHCR). Pakistan Director-General Muhammad currently ranks sixth among the Safdar in a progress report sub- 44 industrialised countries with Govt to increase power tariff by three percent mitted to the interior ministry. the most asylum seekers, accord- Around 1,534 applications of ing to the UNHCR. Pakistanis, who want to renounce The US Citizenship and ISLAMABAD: The govern- not accounting for while deter- Currently, according to Nepra a Rs0.60 per unit surcharge in their citizenship, are in process Immigration Services (USICS) and ment of Pakistanis set to impose mining the prices. calculations, the government is January 2015 to cover costs in the currently while 141 cases of citi- Department of Homeland Security another electricity surcharge After the fresh adjustment, paying an average of Rs13.81 per electricity sector. It has also levied zenship registration pending for data reveals that 4,113 asylum that will increase the average which will be third of its kind, unit to power generation compa- a Rs0.30 per unit surcharge. many years have been also decided. applications of Pakistanis were prices by about three percent the average effective tariff for nies, called the determined tar- The government will levy the The immigration officials said received between 2002 and 2014. aimed at bringing down overall customers of the state-owned iff. The notified tariff, which is third surcharge by withholding over 5,000 Afghan refugees had Around 1,736 applications were power subsidies to Rs200bn by power distribution companies what consumers pay, is currently price decreases that might other- also applied for the citizenship of approved, 115 were denied while end of this fiscal year, slashing (which serve all of Pakistan Rs12.42 per unit. wise have gone through on account Pakistan. Another 117 applica- 1,742 were “adjudicated referred”, its subsidy bill by two-thirds except Karachi) will increase to The differential between the of lower fuel costs for oil-fired ther- tions from foreign women mar- which means cases that the USICS compared to the previous year. Rs12.78 per unit, helping the gov- determined and notified tariff is mal power generation in February. ried to Pakistani nationals are cannot approve. “Such cases are The Rs0.36 per unit sur- ernment cut the power subsidies what the government has to pay in The government said that it being processed at regional pass- referred to the federal immigration charge will be levied to recover by another Rs20 billion, showed subsidies, an amount which will be stood ready to take advantage port offices across Pakistan. courts, where a judge makes the the additional cost of power gen- the Memorandum of Economic reduced to Rs1.03 per unit after the of lower world oil prices to bring “Afghan refugees’ applications final determination on their eli- eration and distribution that and Financial Policies (MEFP) latest surcharge is implemented. additional costs into the tariff are being considered,” a senior gibility,” Tim Counts, the USCIS the National Electric Power that the International Monetary This will be the third such base set by Nepra. immigration officer said. spokesperson, had told the Tribune. Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is Fund released yesterday. increase. The government slapped INTERNEWS “We have also contacted the top INTERNEWS THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Situation in the Bank launched to fund country worse than emergency, small businesses says Mamata KOLKATA: Hitting the streets to protest against the land ordi- Prime Minister announces more relief for farmers nance of the Narendra Modi government, West Bengal Chief NEW DELHI: Prime Minister have almost remained outside the The primary product of Mudra Minister Mamata Banerjee yes- Narendra Modi yesterday net of formal institutional finance bank will be refinance for lending terday accused the NDA regime launched a bank with a cor- in spite of their large contribu- to micro businesses where initial of throttling the voice of the pus of Rs20,000 crore to extend tions to the economy,” he said at products and schemes have been opposition and the media to credit of up to Rs10 lakh to small the event, attended among others divided into three categories — land the country in a situation businesses and regulate micro- by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shishu, Kishor and Tarun. worse than an emergency. finance institutions, to promote “Providing access to insti- Accordingly, loans up to “The Congress had imposed the their growth, add to the coun- tutional finance to such micro Rs50,000 will be given under the Emergency. Now there is more try’s output and create jobs. and small business units and Shishu for units in their forma- than Emergency in the country. The move is aimed at benefiting enterprises will not only help in tive years, between Rs50,000 to The doors for journalists have some 58 million small businesses improving the quality of life of Rs5,00,000 under Kishor scheme been closed. Those raising their in the country, who account for a these entrepreneurs, but also turn for enterprises in operation for a voices against the government, mere four percent of institutional them into strong instruments of few years and up to Rs10,00,000 are being gagged. “They are try- funding, despite employing over growth and employment genera- under Tarun for established firms. ing to silence the critics by letting 120 million people, many from tion,” the finance ministry said. In his budget speech deliv- loose the CBI, ED (Enforcement unprivileged strata of society, the The initiative will also lay down ered on February 28, the finance Directorate), or the NIA (National officials said. the norms for responsible financ- minister had said that while are Investigation Agency),” said The prime minister also used ing practices for micro-finance were 5.77 crore small businesses Banerjee, who led the rally from the forum to announce relief for institutions so that the small in India, mostly individual pro- Moulali to Mayo Road. farmers after the recent rains businesses do not face hardship prietorships, these bottom-of- Attacking Modi, Banerjee said that are feared to have dam- over indebtedness, while getting the-pyramid entrepreneurs found his government was “fanning aged some standing crops. The a fair environment for repayment. it difficult, if not impossible, to communal violence” and indulg- input subsidy has not only been “The perception is: Big busi- access formal systems of credit. ing in lies. enhanced by 50 percent, but it will ness creates more wealth. But a “I, therefore, propose to cre- The Trinamool Congress chief also be extended even if 33 per- closer look presents a different ate a Micro Units Development said the BJP’s list of achievements cent crops are destroyed against kind of picture,” Modi said “Big Refinance Agency (Mudra) Bank, was virtually barren. “They only 50 percent now. business provides work to only with a corpus of Rs20,000 crore click selfies, fan communal violence. On the new banking scheme, 1.25 crore people but the micro and a credit guarantee corpus of Their favourite job is to divide the Modi said he was delivering on sector towards which one hardly Rs3,000 crore. Mudra Bank will people on the basis of religion. They a promise made. “After ‘bank- ever glances, fill the stomachs of refinance micro-finance institu- only indulge in lies,” she said. ing the un-banked’ with the Jan 12 crore people.” tions through a Pradhan Mantri Iterating her party’s strong Dhan Yojana, it’s time to ‘fund Mudra bank, he said, was Mudra Yojana,” he added. opposition to the land ordinance, the unfunded’,” he told the event directed at street vendors, tai- “These measures will greatly Banerjee said: “From the outset, to launch what is formally called lors and roadside mechanics, increase the confidence of young, our position is clear, and we stick the Micro Units Development and who make up the 5.77 crore micro educated or skilled workers who to it. We are totally against this Refinance Agency — Mudra. entrepreneurs, and that this new would now be able to aspire to land ordinance. We won’t allow “Mudra is our innovation of measure had the potential to become first generation entrepre- anybody to forcibly acquire land.” funding the unfunded,” the prime bring about a major transforma- neurs; existing small businesses, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greets party members as she She said the Trinamool was being minister said. “Millions of com- tion. “In one year our established too, will be able to expand their takes part in a rally organised to protest against the central government’s targeted because of its strident mon men and women in this banks will also adopt the Mudra activities.” Land Acquisition Bill in Kolkata yesterday. opposition to the land ordinance. country, who run small businesses, model.” IANS IANS

Salman drunk Modi thanks Sharif for helping rescue Indians from Yemen at the time NEW DELHI: Prime Minister for evacuating the 11 Indians from arrived in New Delhi on a spe- State Minister for Diaspora K C at the places of exit,” said Joseph. Narendra Modi yesterday Yemen, and called it a “gener- cial plane. They were received Joseph said two flights were leav- The minister said due to opera- of accident: thanked his Pakistani counter- ous gesture”. “It is a very posi- by Pakistan High Commissioner ing from Djibouti for India and tional issues, at times the flights part Nawaz Sharif for his coun- tive, good and generous gesture,” Abdul Basit. another 600 Indians were waiting that land in Mumbai do have a Prosecution try’s assistance in evacuating 11 Jaishankar said. “Pakistan took The foreign secretary said India at the airport there to fly back. large number of Keralites. Indians from strife-torn Yemen. great trouble and we need to also evacuated 409 nationals of “See, the biggest problem today “Yesterday (Tuesday) there MUMBAI: Attempting to fur- “I welcome our 11 citizens appreciate that,” he said. 32 countries, including Pakistan, is neither the Indian embassy were 300 Keralites waiting at the ther nail Salman Khan in the who’ve returned from Yemen with “In adversity, the best side Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. there nor the centre or the state Mumbai airport who arrived from 2002 hit-and-run case, the pros- assistance from Pakistan. Thank of every one comes forward. According to government officials, governments have any clue about Yemen for their onward journey ecution yesterday cited evidence you PM Nawaz Sharif for your Everyone has been coming for- at least 26 countries, including the the exact number of Keralites to Kerala. Due to constraints of to prove that the Bollywood star humanitarian gesture,” according ward to help people. Difficult situ- US, Britain, Russia and France, who remain in Yemen. “Today the seats, 66 of them were put on var- was indeed under the influence to an official statement from the ations do call for countries to help apart from Asian nations, sought points of exit in Yemen are Sana’a ious flights that left for Kerala. of alcohol and his Toyota Land Prime Minister’s Office. “Service each other,” he said. India’s help in evacuating citizens airport and three ports and the A total of 116 of them were put Cruiser vehicle did not have any to humanity knows no borders. In a display of bonhomie, from war-torn Yemen. embassy has informed Keralites on two air conditioned coaches mechanical defects. Glad we helped many countries 11 Indians were evacuated by who are working in the interior of a train, bound for Kerala. The Public prosecutor Pradeep in evacuation from Yemen.” Pakistan Navy on April 4 from 1,723 KERALITES BACK parts to make arrangements to rest of them are refusing to go Gharat had on Tuesday forcefully “The help India extended Al Mukalla port, which is overrun Meanwhile, A total of 1,723 reach these places of exit. to the Kerala House there and argued that Salman and his friend included help to our neighbours by the Al Qaeda. Pakistan Navy Keralites have been brought back “The biggest advantage is that are protesting. See, we are doing Kamaal Khan had fled from the Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, ship PNS Aslat on Tuesday took from Yemen following the fight- both — the Saudi authorities and our level best. Tomorrow we have accident site without helping the Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” the Indians to Karachi along with ing there but many more are yet the rebel forces — there are show- decided to hire a chartered flight victims on the night of September Modi said. 171 Pakistanis. The Indian nation- to return, a Kerala minister said ing consideration to our people to bring them and those who are 28, 2002. Continuing his argu- Earlier, Foreign Secretary S als were then flown to their home yesterday. and it is only with the help of arriving later in the day.” ments, Gharat told Additional Jaishankar appreciated Pakistan country yesterday. The Indians Speaking to reporters here, these people that they can arrive IANS Sessions Judge D W Deshpande that there was no tampering with the actor’s blood samples. He connected the evidence Kashmir protest of four prosecution witnesses — medico Shashikant Pawar of Sir J J Hospital who took the PM embarks today blood sample, Bandra policemen Vijay Salunkhe who accompa- nied Salman to the hospital, and on three-nation tour Sharad Gorade who carried the sample to the Forensics Science Laboratory and chemical analyst NEW DELHI: Prime Minister headquarters and later attend D Balachander who analysed the Narendra Modi embarks today a lunch at the French National blood sample. on a three-nation tour of Assembly. In the late afternoon, “Balachander has proved that France, Germany and Canada he will call on President Francois the accused (Salman) has con- that will focus on boosting trade Hollande, during which both sides sumed alcohol. The analysis and economic ties, including in will hold talks. revealed the presence of 62mg alco- defence and railways, keeping in On April 12, the prime minister hol in 100ml blood. There is no rea- mind the government’s Make in will fly to Hannover in Germany son to doubt the witness,” Gharat India initiative. to attend the Hannover Messe said, explaining the procedure the The prime minister, who will fair that has India as the partner chemical analyst had adopted for Jammu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem (teaching assistants) employed by the government shout slogans dur- arrive late today in Paris, earlier country. Modi would unveil a bust checking the blood sample. ing a protest to demand the release of their pending salaries of past several months, in Srinagar yesterday. said that his eight-day visit was of Mahatma Gandhi at the City Gharat said that after Pawar focused on supporting India’s Hall in Hannover. Later, along took the blood sample, he sealed national economic agenda, espe- with German Chancellor Angela it properly so there was no pos- cially job creation for the youth. Merkel, Modi will attend the fair sibility of tampering, the police All three destinations are G-7 opening in the evening. constable delivered it to the industrialised democracies, with On April 14, he will arrive in Bandra police station’s then Kerala clears real estate ordinance an economic interest, said Foreign Canada. This will be the first in-charge, Senior Inspector Secretary S Jaishankar at a media visit by an Indian prime minis- Kishan Shengal, and then it THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To stream- The most affected are the Kerala diaspora who briefing ahead of the visit. ter to Canada since 1973. Modi was taken by Gorade to chem- line real estate development in Kerala and to have reportedly fallen victim to errant builders. In France, Modi will be will interact with the sizeable ical analyst Balachander who eliminate fly-by-night operators, the state gov- Kerala Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi accorded a ceremonial wel- Indian community in Canada, received it intact. ernment has approved the Kerala Real Estate Ali said that through this measure, they were con- come and immediately hold said Special Secretary for the On the question of defence (Development and Regulation) Ordinance, Chief fident of protecting the interests of investors who two back-to-back roundtables Americas R. Swaminathan. Modi arguments pointing at mechani- Minister Oommen Chandy said yesterday. pay for a flat or a villa. with top French CEOs, one will visit Ottawa, Vancouver and cal defects in the vehicle leading “This ordinance was cleared by the cabinet and “The Real Estate Appellate Tribunal will be a focused on infrastructure and Toronto during the Canada trip. to the accident, Gharat cited the through this, we expect to prevent frauds taking quasi-judicial body and would have enormous powers the other on defence technology. On April 14, he will be in Ottawa evidence of investigation officer place in the real estate sector. Through this ordi- to ensure that land deals are fair. Right from the “Infrastructure is high prior- and on April 15, he will be accorded Rajendra Kadam who had not nance, two regulatory bodies — the Real Estate time advertisements appear from real estate devel- ity for the government, and the a ceremonial welcome after which touched the vehicle or started Authority and the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal opers, the construction period and after the property French companies have exper- he will meet Canadian Governor the ignition and it was taken — will come into being to look into all aspects of new is handed over, everything will be under scrutiny. tise and capability. Defence and General David Johnston. He will to the police station, where a flats, villas and commercial buildings,” Chandy said. “Those who do not complete their project on time nuclear energy are also important also meet Prime Minister Stephen region transport office inspector The measure has been sent to Governor P would be fined. We are confident that through this, facets,” Jaishankar said, adding Harper over a working lunch. Modi Rajendra Keskar inspected it. Sathasivam for its issuance. Of late, the number there will be no more apprehensions by the inves- that the cooperation will focus on will then move to Toronto and The arguments will continue of complaints by people who have paid money for tors,” said Ali. Chandy said that Kerala, through this the Make in India initiative of the attend an event with the diaspora before Judge Deshpande today. buying flats and villas promoted by real estate com- ordinance, has become only the second state after government. and later attend a reception by IANS panies have gone up drastically. Maharashtra to have such a stringent law. IANS Modi will visit the Unesco Harper. IANS THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME RoboCup Iran Open Man survives perilous trip Fajr (Dawn) 4:00 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:18 clinging to jet Zuhr (Noon) 11:36 landing gear Asr (Afternoon) 3:05 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:55 JAKARTA: An Indonesian man Isha (Night) 7:25 hitched a high-stakes ride to the country’s capital by clinging to the landing gear of a commercial plane, officials said yesterday. The 21-year-old Mario Steven WEATHER Ambarita sneaked onto the tar- mac at an airport in Sumatra Today Friday Saturday Weather on Tuesday before clambering Conditions: aboard the Boeing jet’s landing Partly cloudy Sunny Sunny gear, air transport ministry direc- Relatively hot tor general Suprasetyo said. daytime with The stowaway then sat there for the hour-long flight to the interna- High: 36° High: 33° High: 33° some clouds. Low: 23° Low: 25° Low: 26° tional airport just outside Jakarta, where he was discovered upon landing. “He really put his safety in danger as the plane flew as high Spectators watch as robots from the German Nao Team Humboldt from the Berlin United University and Dutch as 34,000 feet, where the oxygen Nao Team from the Van Amsterdam University take part in a football game during the RoboCup Iran Open is very thin and temperatures DOHA - SUN & SEA 2015, in Tehran yesterday. are below zero degrees Celsius,” Suprasetyo said. SUN TIDE SEA Ambarita admitted he’d been SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND planning the daring adventure for 05:18 17:55 07:00 & 20:30 02:15 & 13:15 06-12/06 KT a year, staking out the airport in advance. Local reports suggested THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW Nearly 9pc of Americans have record the man was desperate to visit his birthplace Jakarta. Suprasetyo HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER said the passenger still managed to walk when the plane landed, but MUSCAT 34/26 Sunny 36/26 Sunny of anger and access to guns: Study was staggering and had a bleeding MAKKAH 42/26 Sunny 42/23 Cloudy ear. “But his condition is now fine.” KUWAIT 32/25 Sunny 35/26 Sunny WASHINGTON: Around nine with mental illness, the tradi- led by Harvard University in the The man is still being ques- BAHRAIN 32/25 Sunny 35/26 Sunny percent of American adults who tional legal approach has been early 2000s. The study concluded tioned, and could face a one-year SANAA 28/12 Mostly sunny 28/12 Sunny have a record of impulsive and to prohibit firearms from invol- there was little overlap between jail term if charged with putting RIYADH 37/24 Sunny 39/26 Cloudy angry behaviour have access to untarily-committed psychiatric participants with serious mental the Garuda flight in danger. DUBAI 36/23 Sunny 37/25 Sunny guns, says a study out yesterday. patients,” said Jeffrey Swanson, illnesses and those with a history The transport ministry has BAGHDAD 39/23 Sunny 37/18 Sunny These researchers also reported a professor in psychiatry and of impulsive, angry behaviour and sanctioned local airport authori- that 1.5 percent of adults acknowl- behavioural sciences at Duke access to firearms. ties for negligence and promised THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW edge feeling impulsive anger and University in North Carolina and The researchers found that to improve security across the carrying guns outside their home. lead author of the study. anger-prone people with guns archipelago to prevent similar HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER These people are usually young “But now we have more evi- were at higher risk for a range of incidents in the future. AFP ATHENS 13/09 Showers 15/08 Cloudy or middle aged men who some- dence that current laws don’t fairly common psychiatric condi- WASHINGTON 14/11 Scattered showers 28/09 Scattered T-storms times lose their temper, break necessarily keep firearms out of tions such as personality disor- things or get into fights, said the hands of a lot of potentially ders, alcohol abuse, anxiety and SYDNEY 19/14 Mostly cloudy 22/13 Partly cloudy the study, co-authored by psy- dangerous individuals,” he wrote. post-traumatic stress. But only a LONDON 19/06 Mostly sunny 19/11 Partly cloudy chiatrists at Duke, Harvard and The researchers looked at data very small fraction suffered from PARIS 21/08 Sunny 21/12 Mostly sunny Columbia universities. from 5,563 face-to-face inter- acute symptoms of major disor- ISTANBUL 08/07 Rain 10/05 Cloudy The study was published in views conducted in the National ders such as schizophrenia. MANILA 33/23 Partly cloudy 33/23 Partly cloudy the journal Behavioural Sciences Comorbidity Study Replication, In 2012, a total of 11,622 peo- DHAKA 34/24 Partly cloudy 34/24 Partly cloudy and the Law. “As we try to bal- or NCS-R. This is a nationally ple were killed by firearms in the DELHI 34/21 Sunny 35/21 Mostly sunny ance constitutional rights and representative survey of mental United States, according to fed- ISLAMABAD 29/17 Sunny 27/16 Scattered showers public safety regarding people disorders in America that was eral statistics. AFP Thursday 9 April 2015 20 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6395 Price: QR2

Shell to take over BG Group for $70bn

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Islamic Holding QNB records QR2.7bn Q1 net profit Group posts 8.9 percent growth in loans and advances; assets increase by 9.4 percent QR3.42m Q1

DOHA: QNB Group, the which is considered one of the percent from March 2014 to reach net profit region’s largest lender and one best ratios among financial insti- QR54bn ($15.0bn) as at March 31, of the world’s strongest banks, tutions in the region. 2015. Earnings per Share reached DOHA: recorded a net profit of QR2.7bn The Group was able to main- QR3.8 ($1.1), compared to QR3.5 Islamic ($735m) for three months ended tain the ratio of non-performing in March 2014. Holding March 2015, up by 10.1 percent loans to gross loans at 1.5 percent, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) Group yester- compared with the correspond- a level considered one of the low- calculated as per the QCB and day disclosed ing period of last year. est amongst banks in the Middle Basel III requirements stood its financials On the back of a strong 8.9 East and Africa, reflecting the at 15.1 percent as at March 31, for the first percent growth rate in loans high quality of the Group’s loan 2015, higher than the regulatory quarter (Q1) and advances, the bank’s total book and the effective manage- minimum requirements of the ended March assets increased by 9.4 percent ment of credit risk. The Group’s Qatar Central Bank and Basel all other rating agencies and is financial institutions by Global 31, 2015, from March 2014 to QR502bn conservative policy in regard to Committee. The Group is keen considered one of the highest Finance. and reported a net profit of ($137.8bn), the highest ever provisioning continued with the to maintain a strong capitalisa- in the region. This is a result of Based on the Group’s continu- QR3.42m, up 15.5 percent com- achieved by the Group. The loans coverage ratio reaching 129 per- tion in order to support future QNB Group’s strong financial ous strong performance and the pared to QR2.96m in the corre- and advances reached QR345bn cent in March 2015. strategic plans. position, high quality of its assets expanding international presence, sponding quarter last year. ($94.9bn). At the same time QNB Group During March 2015, Fitch and leading position in the finan- QNB improved its ranking within The announcement came after The Group’s prudent cost con- increased customer funding by 6.8 Rating agency upgraded QNB cial sector. the Brand Finance Global Top 500 the Board of Directors meeting trol policy and strong revenue percent to QR369bn n ($101.4bn). Group to AA-/F1+ on the back As a result of the Group’s high Banking Survey 2015 and is now held yesterday which was headed generating capability allowed it to This led to the Group’s loan to of the strength of State of Qatar’s credit ratings and outstand- the biggest bank brand by value by Dr Yousef Ahmed Al Neamah maintain an efficiency ratio (cost deposit ratio reaching 94 percent. sovereign rating. QNB Group has ing asset quality, it was selected in The Middle East and Africa. (pictured), Chairman and to income ratio) of 21.7 percent, Total equity increased by six maintained its credit rating from as one of the world’s 50 safest THE PENINSULA Managing Director of the Group. Dr Yousef said the company has recorded a strong perform- ance and positive results which is an indicator of growth potential depending on the opportunities RMB clearing centre available. He added that the national economy is witnessing strong growth in all fields, especially to open on April 14 the Qatar Exchange. “We seek to discover new opportunities for value has increased sharply from investment, achieving an ade- BY SATISH KANADY $400m in 2004 to $10.6bn in 2014, quate return for the shareholders a twenty-six fold in 10 years. In and better rates of growth, God DOHA: The ceremonial launch the same time, the cooperation for willing.” and the signing ceremony project contracting also expanded establishing the first offshore a lot, by the end of last year. Renminbi (RMB) clearing cen- Chinese companies have Former IFSQ tre in Qatar, for the Middle signed more than $8bn projects East and North Africa (Mena) contracts in Qatar, involving civil CEO ordered to region will be held on April 14. construction, roads and bridges, H E Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud ports and telecommunications. pay $70,000 Al Thani, Governor of Qatar Besides, cooperation in the field Central Bank, Gao Youzhen, of financial service, aviation DOHA: The QFC Civil and China’s Ambassador to Qatar and tourism is also processing Commercial Court has ordered and Jiang Jianqing, Chairman, well, which has become a new Mark Phillip Recardo to pay Industrial and Commercial Bank cooperation highlight. Qatar $70,000 to the Qatar Financial of China will attend the event. has become one of our most Centre Regulatory Authority Cui Bin, Head of the Economic important business partners in due to serious misconduct com- and Commercial Office of the the Middle East and the Gulf mitted over a period of more Embassy of China in Qatar yes- region. Currently an estimated than two years. terday told The Peninsula that he 100 Chinese companies are oper- Recardo was the former Chief cannot tell when the RMB clear- ating in Qatar, of them 30 are Cui Bin, Head of Economic and Commercial at the Embassy of China in Qatar, Saleh Hamad Al Sharqi, Deputy Executive Officer of International ing centre will exactly begin its major companies. General Manager of Qatar Chamber, and Gavin, General Manager of AJ Exhibitions and Events at a press conference Financial Services (Qatar) LLC formal operations. The ceremo- THE PENINSULA at Qatar Chamber yesterday. (BAHER AMIN) (IFSQ). In September 2014, the nial launch will be held on April Regulatory Authority announced 14, he said. that it had taken disciplinary Having a renminbi clearing 300 Chinese firms to take part in Made in China expo action against Recardo. He was bank in Qatar would not only found by the QFC Regulatory serve the Chinese currency fund DOHA: At least 300 major various countries to introduce order to meet Qatari businessmen bridge for the mutual cooperation, Authority to have carried out flows in and out of the country Chinese companies will partici- their respective products to the and explore investment opportuni- offering convenience and assist- investment management activi- through trade and investment, pate in the ‘Made in China 2015” Qatari market. ties in Qatar as well as participate ance for China enterprises and ties, without appropriate client but will help Qatar attract busi- exhibition to be hosted by Qatar The ‘Made in China in the ‘Made in Qatar Exhibition. product’s entering into Qatar consent, that were outside IFSQ’s ness from other Middle Eastern from December 14-16, 2015. Exhibition’ demonstrates Cui Bin, Director from market. scope of authorisation. As a result countries in the region to pursue The organisers are expecting China’s interest in Qatar as Economic & Commercial Gavin, General Manager of of the Regulatory Authority’s dis- trade through Qatar. at least 30,000 visitors to the well as the need to promote Counselor’s office of Embassy of Abdulaziz Jassim Exhibitons & ciplinary action, Recardo was According to analysts, the three-day event. Chinese products since it is a China in Qatar said many repu- Events, partner and exclusive fined $70,000. clearing deal with China appears Deputy General Manager leading commercial and invest- table Chinese companies and contractor for “Made in China Due to Recardo’s failure to to represent a win for Qatar in of Qatar Chamber (QC) Saleh ment hub. products will be showcased in the 2015” China is currently working pay the financial penalty, the its competition with other Gulf Hamad Al Sharqi told reporters Qatar has become the focus exhibition. on to change the popular per- Regulatory Authority took action financial centres, particularly yesterday that more than 50 per- of attention of many investors “As we know, Qatar is still ception that “Chinese products in the court to seek an order Dubai, which is the region’s larg- cent of the exhibition’s total space and there is a growing interest expanding the project invest- are cheap and poor in terms of compelling Recardo to pay the est banking hub. has already been booked and that in organizing various exhibitions ment to fulfill the nation vision quality”. financial penalty. In a judgment Cui said the economic and more than 30,000 visitors are in all sectors in Qatar, Al Sharqi 2030 and to host the FIFA 2022 He said a team of quality dated 3 March 2015, the court trade cooperation between Qatar expected to visit the three-day said. world cup, there will be many new assurance officials will be visit- determined that Recardo failed and China has experienced a exhibition. He noted that a delegation rep- opportunities for China-Qatar ing Qatar during “Made in China to pay the sum of $70,000 and that rapid development over the last Qatar hosts a series of exhi- resenting the 50 Chinese compa- cooperation. I wish the Made in 2015” exhibition. the sum is owed as a debt to the few years. The bilateral trade bitions and foreign expos by nies will visit Doha next month in China Exhibition will be a new THE PENINSULA Regulatory Authority, pursuant to Article 59 of the QFC Financial Services Regulations. Michael Ryan, CEO of the Regulatory Authority, said: “This court judgment confirms that Oil retreats as US crude inventories continue to surge financial penalties must be paid and the Regulatory Authority will take the necessary action to NEW YORK: Oil futures fell “The report is very bearish with crude contract rose 1.2 million capacity utilisation. Exporting Countries (Opec) recover them.” sharply yesterday after govern- the large crude oil inventory build barrels, the EIA said, and that The reported build sent US joined the effort. THE PENINSULA ment data showed the largest and the somewhat surprising rise was a much bigger jump than RBOB gasoline futures went into Iraq and Libya also increased weekly increase in US crude in gasoline inventories,” said John expected. sharp retreat, down 9.20 cents at their output for March, further BMW recalls 80,000 inventories since 2001 and a Kilduff, partner at Again Capital US crude oil imports rose $1.7689 a gallon. adding to Opec production, which day after Saudi Arabia reported LLC in New York. 869,000 barrels per day (bpd) to The EIA data arrived a day came to about 31.5 million bpd vehicles in China record production in March. Brent May crude was down 7.7 million bpd and this sign of after Saudi oil minister Ali al- last month, according to ana- HONG KONG: German car- US crude oil inventories surged $2.67 at $56.43 a barrel at 12.53pm competition from foreign pro- Naimi said that Saudi Arabia’s lyst Olivier Jakob at Swiss-based maker BMW has recalled 10.95 million barrels to a record EDT (1653 GMT), having fallen as ducers also was cited by Kilduff output would likely remain Petromatrix. almost 80,000 of its vehicles 482.39 million in the week to low as $56.31. and other analysts as another around 10 million bpd after post- “With such a level of OPEC in China due to flaws in their April 3, the Energy Information US May crude was off $3.07 bearish feature of the EIA ing a record high of 10.3 million production it will be difficult engines, China’s quality regula- Administration (EIA) said in its at $50.91, having fallen as low as report. bpd in March. to escape large stock-builds tor said yesterday. Some 53,310 weekly report. $50.78. Petrol inventories rose 817,000 Naimi also said the kingdom throughout the year,” he said in X3 vehicles produced between A Reuters survey of analysts Crude oil inventories at the barrels, compared with analysts’ stood ready to “improve” prices a note. October 2011 and December had yielded a forecast for a build Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub expectations for a one million but only if producers outside the REUTERS 2013 have been recalled. of 3.4 million barrels. and delivery point for the US barrel drop, as refiners increased Organization of the Petroleum AFP

THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Shell to take over rival BG Group for $70bn Oil plunge evokes previous era of major mergers

LONDON: Royal Dutch Shell director at JBC Energy Asia. with $1.6bn of BG shares chang- agreed to buy smaller rival BG “That said, Shell is still taking a ing hands and $3bn of Royal Group for £47bn ($70bn) in big gamble because if the price Dutch Shell shares. the first major energy indus- of oil and gas doesn’t go back up BG stock has tumbled nearly 28 try merger in more than a dec- (in the next 24 months), I would percent since mid-June, when the ade, closing the gap on market imagine this might put them in a slump in global oil prices began. leader US Exxon Mobil after a difficult position in terms of cash The agreed price is around 20 plunge in prices. flow.” percent above BG’s share price Anglo-Dutch Shell will pay a Shell said on Wednesday the of a year ago. mix of cash and shares that val- deal would boost its proven oil “In buying BG, Shell is mak- ues each BG share at around 1,350 and gas reserves by 25 percent. ing a bold strategic bet that oil pence, the companies said. This Stitched together by Shell prices will recover towards the is a hefty premium of around 52 CEO Ben van Beurden and BG $70-90 level in the medium term,” percent to the 90-day trading Chairman Andrew Gould, the tie- said Henderson Global Investors. average for BG, setting the bar up follows a halving of oil prices Brent crude was trading below high for any potential counter- since last June, putting a pre- $57 a barrel yesterday. bid by a company such as Exxon, mium on access to proven assets Barclays bank said Shell would which has said it would also use rather than costly exploration. have to persuade its shareholders the downturn in oil markets to Record low interest rates have that it can control capital spend- Andrew Gould (left), Chairman of BG Group and Jorma Ollila, Chairman of Shell as they announce the takeover expand. made it easy to raise cheap fund- ing at the new company and show deal at the London Stock Exchange yesterday. The third-biggest oil and gas ing for big deals. BG’s portfolio can deliver the deal ever by enterprise value will “We have been scanning quite a promised growth options beyond is expected to be taken out by a detailed conversation with anti- flurry of mega-deals, saying many bring Shell assets in Brazil, East few opportunities, with BG always Brazil, “something that, in our capital markets raising, according trust authorities, but was unlikely oil majors cannot afford to put Africa, Australia, Kazakhstan and being at the top of the list of the view, has been far from evident to the offer documents. to lead to forced asset sales. stretched balance sheets under Egypt. BG has some of the world’s prospects to combine with,” Van of late”. With BG, Shell would be the The halving in crude prices has further pressure. most ambitious projects in lique- Beurden told a conference call. One source close to the deal leading foreign oil company in created an environment similar to “If you’re looking to the next fied natural gas (LNG), where “We have two very strong port- said a counterbid was unlikely. Brazil. Analysts at investment the turn of the millennium, when big deal, Exxon Mobil stands out demand is growing as consumers folios combining globally in deep The source said a US company bank Jefferies said they now large mergers reshaped the indus- as most likely to pull the trigger,” turn away from more polluting water and integrated gas”. such as Exxon may be doubly expected Shell to surpass Exxon try. Back then, BP acquired rivals said Wood Mackenzie. “But don’t fuels such as coal. Britain’s BG had a market capi- wary of getting into a takeover as the world’s largest publicly Amoco and Arco, Exxon bought expect a wave of late ‘90s-style Shell is already the world’s talisation of $46bn at Tuesday’s battle after the failure of drug- traded oil and gas producer by Mobil and Chevron merged with consolidation.” leading LNG company and it close, Shell was worth $202bn and maker Pfizer’s attempted takeo- 2018, with output of 4.2 million Texaco. Shell has long been seen as would get BG’s capacity in LNG Exxon, the world’s largest energy ver of AstraZeneca last year. barrels of oil equivalent per day. “A deal of this size would cer- a potential buyer thanks to its logistics — complex infrastructure company by market value, was The deal represents a wind- Global LNG production was tainly be getting everyone inter- healthy cash flow and relatively that includes terminals, pipelines, worth $360bn. fall for Shell’s adviser Bank of 246 million tonnes last year. The ested in running the ruler over low oil price breakeven. specialised tankers, rigs, super BG’s bonds traded up strongly America Merrill Lynch. BG’s new Shell-BG group would have potential combinations in the The deal, which should gener- coolers, regasification facilities on the deal and its shares closed advisers are Goldman Sachs and 18 percent of world output. natural resources sector,” said ate pretax synergies of around and storage points. up 27 percent at 1206 pence. Shell the smaller Robey Warshaw. Van Beurden said the presence Paul Gait, an analyst at Bernstein £2.5bn per year, will result in BG “We are seeing a gasification of shares fell five percent to 1982.5 BAML has underwritten a of two large players in Australia, Research. shareholders owning around 19 energy demand. Shell clearly rec- pence. They were the most traded £3.025bn bridge loan that will be Brazil and China and the But some industry watchers percent of the combined group. ognise this,” said Richard Gorry, stocks across Europe yesterday, syndicated to other banks and European Union might require a were reluctant to predict another REUTERS

Qatar Exchange gains 113.62 points; regional bourses bullish EU re-imposes sanctions on DOHA: Qatar Exchange index and services, up 1.28 percent to upgraded the country’s sovereign Dar Al Arkan, the most heavily Qatar climbed 1.0 percent, pulled continued its green run yester- 7,065.71 points. debt. traded stock, fell 0.8 percent. up by Barwa Real Estate, up 3.6 Iranian bank, day, gaining 113.62 points, or 0.96 Transport index gained 1.10 Brent crude had rebounded But petrochemical firms percent. The stock has been in an percent when the bourse closed percent (2,445.8 points), indus- sharply in the past two days and attracted buying after previously uptrend since the end of March, trading at 11,947.45 points. tries 0.75 percent to 3,983.95 although it pulled back slightly being beaten down by weak oil when the company’s chairman shipping firms Indices of all sectors made points, insurance 0.53 percent yesterday, it remained above $58 prices. Saudi Basic Industries , the Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali outlined fair gains yesterday. The mar- (4,143.23 points), banks and finan- a barrel, about $1 above its levels biggest petrochemical producer, planned projects for this year. BRUSSELS: The European ket capitalisation increased to cial services 0.21 percent (3,183.11 when Gulf stock markets were gained 2.5 percent to SR84.50; any Dubai fell, however, as active Union re-imposed sanctions on QR642.40bn from QR637.96bn points) and telecoms 0.18 percent open on Tuesday. break above the late March high low-priced stocks pulled back. an Iranian bank and 32 Iranian registered on Tuesday. (1,327.42 points). The Saudi stock index climbed of SR86.25 would trigger a minor Dubai Parks and Resorts, which shipping companies yesterday, The traded value decreased QSE’s Total Return index 0.6 percent to 8,852 points in double bottom pointing up to the had repeatedly tested and failed using new legal grounds, after slightly to QR365.23m with a gained 0.96 percent (18,565.41 increasing turnover. It rose fur- 94 riyal area. to break the 0.98 dirham level in the measures were struck down volume of 9,559.645 shares from points), QSE Al Rayan Islamic ther from chart support at the Jarir Marketing, Saudi Arabia’s recent days, dropped 3.7 percent to by a European court. 4,888 transactions compared to index 1.51 percent (4,435.42 March low of 8,497 points, which second-largest retailer by mar- 0.90 dirham. Gulf Finance House, Coming days after Iran and QR365.57m with a volume of points) and QSE All Share index was tested and held on Sunday, ket value, rose 2.8 percent after which had jumped 8.6 percent six major powers reached a 8,207,340 shares from 4,430 trans- 0.89 percent (3,189.68 points). and may now be at least a short- posting a 22.7 percent increase on Tuesday in its heaviest trade framework agreement to end actions on Tuesday. Meanwhile, most other regional term bottom for the market. in first-quarter net profit to since January 2014, after a 15 per- a long-running dispute over Real estate index made most stock markets rose yesterday, Real estate stocks, which began SR247m ($65.9m); analysts polled cent leap on Monday, was again Iran’s nuclear programme, the gains today, up substantially by buoyed by firmer oil prices, recovering this week from a sell- by Reuters had forecast on aver- the most active stock and fell 2.8 EU’s move is a signal that the 3.02 percent to 2,532.67 points as Egypt climbed after rating off caused by a plan to tax unde- age a profit of SR231m. percent. 28-nation bloc will keep up sanc- followed by consumer goods agency Moody’s Investors Service veloped land, lost steam; Among other Gulf markets, AGENCIES tions pressure on Iran until a final nuclear deal is sealed. The EU’s second-highest court annulled an EU asset freeze on Protest against outsourcing Bank Tejarat and 40 Iranian ship- ping companies in January, find- PwC helps US expats ing fault with the legal grounds given by the EU. The EU, as it has done in other cases, responded by re- deal with tax returns listing Bank Tejarat and 32 of the Iranian shipping firms, including DOHA: With the regardless of income. Hamburg-based Ocean Capital US tax season in full US taxpayers who Administration GmbH, using new swing, PwC’s US com- have combined for- legal grounds. pliance tax and advi- eign accounts that Eight firms were not put sory team are helping exceed $10,000 will back on the list published in the Qatar residents with also need to file a EU’s Official Journal yesterday. US interests to navi- foreign bank account The measures take immediate gate the complex reporting, commonly effect. intricacies of US tax known as a FBAR The framework agree- law. For those living form. ment, reached last Thursday in Qatar, the need to Investing in busi- in Switzerland, clears the way comply with stringent US tax ness interests outside of the for negotiations on a settle- requirements still remains. US can cause exposure to com- ment aimed at allaying Western US taxes are to be filed by all plex tax issues that can become fears that Iran wants to build US persons. This includes US expensive without proper upfront an atomic bomb and in return citizens and green card holders planning. Ownership interests in lift economic sanctions on the or a foreign national who spends businesses outside the US may Islamic Republic. Demonstrators clash with military police officers during a protest in Brasilia, yesterday. Workers staged protests time in the United States, such as have additional annual reporting Sanctions on Iran will only be in 12 cities across Brazil against a proposed law that would allow businesses to outsource their workforce. a Qatari or a GCC national who requirements that must be sub- lifted after a final deal, which the travels to the US for business or mitted to the Internal Revenue six powers and Iran aim to reach employment or individuals who Service.Certain foreign invest- by June 30. are born in the US but have never ments maybe subject to oner- In its reasons for restoring lived there. ous and complex reporting, for the asset freeze on Bank Tejarat, Paris unveils €2.5bn in tax breaks “One of the major problems is instance foreign mutual funds. the EU said the bank “pro- that many people have miscon- Failure to timely file these addi- vides significant support to the ceptions on who needs to file a tional reporting requirements Government of Iran by offering PARIS: Prime Minister “unprecedented measure” will strong and resilient we’ve been tax return or which activities can result in substantial penal- financial resources and financing Manuel Valls announced yester- allow companies to deduct 140 missing ... the investment engine.” must be reported,” says Stephen ties starting at $10,000. services for oil and gas develop- day a five-year, ¤2.5bn ($2.7bn) percent of the value of their The investment tax breaks Drake (pictured), Tax Partner– Transfers of property or cash ment projects.” programme of tax breaks to industrial investments against are in addition to the ¤40bn that PwCQatar.“It is crucial to have by US persons may also have tax The shipping firms were all encourage industrial invest- their taxable benefits over five the French government plans a thorough and current under- implications under US tax law. listed because they are owned by ment and accelerate France’s years, as well reduce their busi- to give companies in tax breaks standing of US tax law to avoid This applies whether the transfer Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping sluggish growth rate. ness taxes. “To accelerate the through 2017. As the number of legal and financial ramifications.” was in the form of a gift or inher- Lines, which was previously put With tepid investment by com- economic recovery we need to unemployed remains stuck near A misconception many US per- itance, or if the transfer comes under sanctions. panies seen as a key restraint remove all the obstacles, use all a record of just under 3.5 million, sons have is that if the exclusion from a foreign corporation or The EU had already given to growth, Valls announced the the tools, and investment is a key Valls criticised companies for not for foreign earned income exceeds person. “Non-compliance with US notice to a lawyer representing exceptional tax break for indus- tool,” Valls told journalists. holding up their end of the bar- their income, it is not necessary tax filing obligations may result in the shipping firms in March that trial investments made over the After coming in at a meek 0.4 gain in terms of maintaining and to file. All US citizens, green card substantial civil and criminal pen- it intended to put them back on next 12 months. percent, Finance Minister Michel creating jobs. holders and many others living alties,” continued Stephen Drake. the sanctions list. What Valls heralded as an Sapin said “for growth to become AFP abroad must file US tax returns THE PENINSULA REUTERS THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Brazil inflation Greek prime minister courts Russia rate climbs to No Greek request for Russian aid; talks focus on energy projects, pipeline extension 8.13 percent BRASILIA: Prices in Brasil MOSCOW: Greek Prime had said Moscow might consider spurted 1.32 percent in March, Minister Alexis Tsipras won lifting the food import ban on the biggest monthly jump in 12 pledges of closer coopera- Athens in the tit-for-tat battle years, lifting inflation in Latin tion from Russia at talks in over sanctions, Putin said: “The America’s largest economy to the Kremlin yesterday but counter-measures have of course 8.13 percent on an annualised President Vladimir Putin said hurt Greece, but this isn’t our basis, official figures showed Athens had not asked for money fault ... We simply couldn’t have yesterday. to ease its debt crisis. acted otherwise: we can’t make an The monthly rise was the The visit, as Athens seeks funds exception for this or that country highest since February 2003, the to make debt repayments, caused of the euro zone as a whole.” national statistical institute IBGE concern in some European Union The two leaders said, however, said, confirming an inflationary states that Greece could break that they had discussed future trend that continues to run well ranks over economic sanctions areas of economic cooperation. ahead of the government’s target on Russia to secure aid or use the In particular, these included the ceiling of 6.5 percent. trip to pressure its EU allies to idea of extending Turkish Stream, The latest uptick, the highest release financing. a gas pipeline that will be built figure for March in 20 years, is But both leaders said Greece under the Black Sea to Turkey, a blow to Brazil’s hopes of rein- had not made any request for to Greece. vigorating an economy struggling financial aid and Putin appeared “Greece is interested in explor- with sluggish growth and a cor- to rule out easing a ban on Greek ing investment initiatives for the ruption scandal at state oil giant agricultural imports, imposed as construction of a Greek pipeline Petrobras. Prices have risen 3.83 part of Russia’s response to the to transfer natural gas from the percent so far this year. EU’s economic sanctions. Greek-Turkish borders to the Double-digit hikes in energy “The Greek side has not mainland,” Tsipras said. bills introduced after a tariffs addressed us with any requests for Putin also said that the energy review in February underpinned aid,” Putin told a news conference, projects under discussion might the overall upward trend, the seated beside the tieless Tsipras at involve the provision of Russian IBGE said in a statement, not- a white desk with the Greek, EU loans, and that Russian firms ing an average increase of 22.08 and Russian flags behind them in would be interested in partici- percent for consumers. a Kremlin reception hall. pating in any Greek privatisation “With these rises the consumer “We discussed cooperation in tenders. is paying 36.34 percent more on various sectors of the economy, In a symbol of their political average this year for energy use including the possibility of devel- solidarity, the two leaders also Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (second right) during a meeting and over the past 12 months bills oping major energy projects,” the issued a joint statement about at the Kremlin in Moscow, yesterday. are coming in 60.42 percent more Russian leader added, giving few next month’s 70th anniversary expensive,” IBGE said. details and at times looking dis- of the end of World War Two in on May 9 because of Moscow’s role might encourage Athens to break spokeswoman said Germany Brazil’s leftist President Dilma tracted and tired. Europe, criticising “attempts to in the Ukraine conflict. the party line on sanctions, and had no reason to think Athens Rousseff, re-elected last October Russia is not in a good posi- falsify history”. Greece, meanwhile, has com- believe Greece could be using has softened its stance towards but saddled with a burgeoning tion to offer aid as it faces its The issue is politically sensitive plicated talks over its debts by its efforts to warm up ties with sanctions, adding that “so far corruption scandal at Petrobras own economic crisis, aggravated in both countries in the context demanding hundreds of billions Moscow as leverage in attempts Greece has supported all the implicating dozens of political by the sanctions, a drop in global of the Ukraine conflict and the of euros in war reparations from to get its EU and International decisions linked to sanctions and allies, has responded to the down- oil prices and the rouble’s decline Greek debt stand-off. Germany, its largest creditor. Monetary Fund partners to we hope that will continue to be turn with budget cuts. against the US dollar. Many Western leaders will skip Some EU states fear that release funds. the case”. But she has promised to pro- Although Russian ministers Russia’s Victory Day celebrations deals between Russia and Greece In Berlin, a foreign ministry REUTERS tect social programs for the work- ing class, bedrock of support for her Workers Party. Aside from energy, key areas stoking the March price hikes Banque Saudi were housing, up 5.29 percent; food and beverages, rising 1.1 Fransi Q1 net profit Foreign bank subsidiaries good for stability: IMF percent; and education, up 0.75 percent. In contrast, telecom- rises 22.7 percent WASHINGTON: International swings in capital flows in economic crises can be exacerbated by sharp 2008 crisis, the IMF noted. munications fell 1.16 percent. As banks have slowed cross-border downturns, the IMF said. changes in lending policy by global Banks, especially those in prices soar, Brazil’s central bank DUBAI: Banque Saudi Fransi, lending since the financial crisis, “Cross-border lending is a par- banks. Europe, have retrenched in order has been steadily raising interest the lender part-owned by but their local affiliates are fill- ticularly volatile form of cross- In a domestic crisis, domestic to strengthen their capital foun- rates, to a current 12.75 percent. Credit Agricole, posted a 22.7 ing the gap in a positive sign for border capital flows,” said Gaston banks will sharply tighten lend- dations and meet tougher require- As Rousseff’s administra- percent rise in its first-quarter greater financial stability, the Gelos of the IMF’s Monetary and ing, constricting economic activ- ments from regulators. tion attempts to stave off a sec- net profit, it said in a statement IMF said yesterday. Capital Markets Department. ity. The same happens with loans But the proportion of their ond recession in two years, the yesterday, beating analysts’ The slowdown in cross-border “Around domestic crises, for- from outside the country, the IMF global loan business from foreign negative numbers are piling forecasts. lending since 2008, especially by eign-owned affiliates tend to said. subsidiaries has grown. up. Industrial production has The kingdom’s fifth-largest European banks, has in part been reduce their credit less than But foreign bank branches “Domestic credit is less affected declined, public accounts have bank by assets said it made replaced by a surge from Asian domestic banks.” within a country, the study says, during times of global stress in deteriorated and joblessness is SR1.05bn ($279.9m) in the three banks, the International Monetary The study suggests that coun- cinch up their loan books less countries that are home to banks rising, albeit from historic lows. months ending March 31, com- Fund said in a new report. tries on the receiving end of quickly and tightly, effectively with large international operations,” Brazil signed off last year with pared with SR856m in the same But global banks are also lend- international capital flows would taking a larger role in supporting the study said. “A high reliance of just 0.1 percent GDP growth—a period a year earlier. ing more from their subsidiar- do well to encourage more local growth. subsidiaries on domestic deposits far cry from the 7.5 percent seen Six analysts surveyed by ies inside recipient or “host” branches of foreign banks. Both cross-border lending and for their funding is also found to five years ago—and the market Reuters expected the bank to post countries. The study, from the IMF’s lat- the number of international banks help stabilize lending during both forecast for this year is for a con- an average net profit of SR867.6m And that is likely good for coun- est Global Financial Stability subsidiaries in recipient or “host” domestic and global stress.” traction of 1.0 percent. for the quarter. tries that are vulnerable to sharp Report, addresses how economic countries have declined since the AFP AFP The bank attributed its rise in net profit to an increase in total operating income, which gained 13.5 percent on the correspond- ing period of 2014 to SR1.59bn, without elaborating. Avaya opens office Profits from special commis- sions also increased 7.4 percent over the same timeframe to 963 million riyals. at Doha Tower Central bank DOHA: Avaya, a leading pro- enables the company to quickly vider of solutions that enable mobilise the technical support keeps Egyptian customer and team engagement services needed for rapid response across multiple channels and to critical customer needs. pound steady devices, yesterday opened a Avaya has already been serving new office in Doha. The office Qatar-based customers from the CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank is located in the Doha Tower on telecom, hospitality, construction, kept the pound steady at 7.53 to the Doha Corniche. oil and gas industries and gov- the dollar at a foreign exchange With a larger in-country team ernment organizations for more auction yesterday, while the coupled with a strategy to expand than a decade, working through currency weakened slightly on the company’s ecosystem of part- a number of leading system inte- the black market. ners, Avaya’s investment in Qatar grators. The company’s contact The central bank has kept demonstrates the company’s com- center, unified communication the official exchange rate steady mitment to the region and its busi- and mid-market communication for more than two months nesses. The company plans to help technologies are deployed by lead- after letting the pound weaken local channel partners expand both ing enterprises in the country. at the start of the year in an technical and specific industry sec- Avaya and its partners are attempt to wipe out black mar- tor skills to deliver the network- currently engaged in a number of ket trading. ing infrastructure, engagement digital transformation projects, The bank said it offered $40m solutions and services needed for building mobile-enabled engage- at auction yesterday and sold a sustainable and dynamic busi- ment environments across many $38.4m at a cut-off price of 7.5301 Mohamed Ariff (centre), Managing Director of Avaya, Ziad Halwani (third left), Regional Sales Leader, and other ness environment in today’s world. key services-based sectors. pounds per dollar, unchanged officials cut a cake to mark the opening of the office at Doha Tower yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) A stronger local presence also THE PENINSULA from its last auction on Monday. The central bank typically holds dollar auctions of $40m every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The auction did not take place on Sunday, when Apple faces local battles as it prepares global payment push the bank instead sold $281m in the interbank market to meet outstanding demand for staple FRANKFURT: Apple has made whole lot more magic as it looks to “Every market will have dif- Apple users who have already con- to assemble at home, where the commodities. mobile payments look easy, after extend the service to international ferent local players, different nected credit and debit cards to contactless market is relatively The rates at which banks are a decade of mostly failed experi- markets. Unlike the consumer partnerships, different local iTunes accounts. new, they say. “Apple doesn’t need allowed to trade dollars are deter- ments by banks, telecom operators electronics business where Apple standards, different economics, But industry executives and blanket coverage to start,” Morgan mined by the results of the official and retailers to woo consumers regularly rolls out new computers different levels of cooperation,” analysts say that as the Silicon Stanley’s Humphrey said. “(It) can auctions, giving the central bank away from cards and cash. or phones in dozens of countries said Morgan Stanley technology Valley firm gears up to push into negotiate with a smaller number of effective control over exchange Apple Pay has taken the United at once, there is no such thing as analyst Andrew Humphrey. a handful of new markets in the banks in each market.” rates. States by storm since its launch a unified payments market. Apple Pay allows consumers Americas, Asia and Europe this Industry experts say the most likely One trader in the parallel mar- in September, and the company Each country is inhabited by using new Apple phones, tablets year, it must step gingerly, one targets are advanced mobile markets ket said the pound was trading has said it already accounts for often warring banks, credit card and smartwatches to buy goods market at a time. such as China, Japan and Britain, and at 7.65 on Wednesday, slightly around $2 out of every $3 spent associations, telecom operators by simply holding the device up It is expected to turn to pre- aggressive adopters of new payments weaker from the 7.63/64 to the using “contactless” payments on and retailers, while payment pref- to readers installed by store mer- ferred partners in new countries systems like Australia, Poland and, to dollar quoted on Monday. the three big US card networks. erences and regulatory regimes chants. Its potential global cus- rather than the broad coalition of a lesser extent, Canada. AGENCIES But the tech giant will need a can vary widely. tomer base is huge: the 800 million financial service players it managed REUTERS THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Total Return Index 18,565.41 0.96 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,435.42 1.51 % QE All Share Index 3,189.68 0.89 % RATE QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,183.11 0.21 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low Services QE All Share Industrials 3,983.95 0.75 % GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Transportation 2,445.8 1.10 % All Ordinaries 5928.313 35.112 0.6 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Real Estate 2,532.67 3.02 % QR141.7984 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Insurance 4,143.23 0.53 % Cac 40 Index/D 5154.39 3.2 0.06 5166.77 4076.16 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.4054 QR 5.4819 QE All Share Telecoms 1,327.42 0.18 % Euro ...... QR 3.9277 QR 3.9823 QE All Share Consumer Goods & Dj Indu Average 17875.42 -5.43 -0.03 18288.6 15855.12 7,065.71 1.28 % QR 1.9799 Services CA$ ...... QR 2.9029 QR 2.9599 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,976.52 0.85 % Hang Seng Inde/D 26236.86 961.22 3.8 25297.8 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7583 QR 3.8142 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6169.42 36.49 0.59 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0301 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7815 QR 2.8373 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31887.3 286.57 0.91 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 08-04-2015 07-04-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0592 Index 11,947.45 11,833.83 Nikkei 225 Index 19789.81 149.27 0.76 19778.6 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 113.62 102.19 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0811 QR 0.0828 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 0.96 0.87 $ 58.43 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 2.75 3.68 Straits Times/D 3460.68 -4.94 -0.14 3476.2 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 9,559,645 8,207,340 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0362 QR 0.0369 Value (QAR) 365,232,019.80 365,576,831.21 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3058 QR 0.3119 Trades 4,888 4,430 $ 56.37 Up 33 | Down 06 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 08-04-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 181.1 6.5 57463 Cimmco-B/D 97.1 -2.4 13803 Himat Seide-B/D 83.05 0.55 26164 Kalyani Stel-T/D 145.2 0.6 41745 Orient Hotel-T/D 22.4 1.8 10602 Hsbc Holdings/D 589.3 2.4 12749341 A C C-A/D 1635.35 -16.05 21168 Cipla-A/D 736.4 8.5 263638 Hind Motors-T/D 7.2 0.24 86499 Kanoria Chem-B/D 44.5 0.05 13584 Orient.Carb.-T/D 500.5 7.2 9126 Imperial Tobac/D 3164 -14 683152 Aarti Drugs-B/D 816.5 32.75 159286 City Union Bk-/D 96.5 -0.25 91734 Hind Org Chem-/D 15.65 -0.41 20084 Kg Denim-B/D 24.1 0.2 32816 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19.6 0.3 6642 Kingfisher/D 365.6 -3.1 1900504 Aban Offs-A/D 454.25 -6.8 281121 Cmc Ltd-A/D 2026.05 60 8118 Hind Unilever-/D 912.9 1.9 561361 Kilburnengg-T/D 57 2.25 67857 Punjab Chem.-B/D 204 -0.3 47081 Land Secs Grou/D 1277.6951 1 392960 Aegis Logis-B/D 670.25 1.5 21551 Colgate-A/D 2095.15 -5.4 17201 Hind.Petrol-A/D 672.6 29.1 313613 Kinetic Eng-B/D 44.7 0.2 1620 Radico Khait-B/D 94.75 1.75 63259 Legal & Genera/D 284.6 1.5 2826439 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 240.5 -3.45 80622 Container Cor-/D 1675.95 33.6 9191 Hindalco-A/D 137.95 1 500793 Kopran-B/D 51.65 -0.3 103645 Rallis India-A/D 226.9 -4.95 18232 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.9 -0.2 38467501 Alembic-B/D 40.45 0.3 420948 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 170 -0.2 2637 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1299.15 -29.55 86332 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 503.2 45.7 78011 Rallis India-A/D 226.9 -4.95 18232 Marks & Sp./D 555 -6 2652775 Alok Indus-A/D 8.28 0.08 1440171 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 84.1 1.85 2727 I F C I-A/D 34.8 0.95 1010155 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 44.15 -0.8 3302 Reliance Indus/D 420.3 1.7 106539 Next/D 7089 10 121972 Apollo Tyre-A/D 181.55 1.2 374411 Dhampur Sugar-/D 38.35 0.9 82415 Idbi-A/D 73.6 -0.7 469555 Lgb Broth-B/D 518.5 6 2440 Ruchi Soya-B/D 44.9 0.25 58282 Pearson/D 1443 0 634481 Asahi I Glass-/D 139.2 1.05 14686 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3755.85 77.4 28515 Ifb Agro-B/D 295.3 6.3 4992 Lloyd Metal-B/D 7.36 0.36 9701 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 596.25 2.35 10847 Prudential/D 1689.5 -7.5 1184917 Ashok Leyland-/D 73.15 -0.25 945031 E I H-B/D 109.55 0.45 19746 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 680.25 19.25 31896 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 11.85 0.57 99054 Salora Inter-B/D 53 2.6 11352 Rank Group/D 190 0.4 33707 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1312.2 -0.55 2351 E.I.D Parry-A/D 172.4 2.2 20543 India Cement-A/D 100.2 4.45 443480 Lumax Ind-B/D 342.8 7.6 5527 Saur.Cem-B/D 45.05 0.05 90798 Rentokil Initi/D 138.7 0.7 405893 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.14 0.62 260026 Eicher Motor-A/D 16501 550.6 6230 India Glycol-B/D 100.3 -2.2 47847 Lupin-A/D 2081.2 -9.2 42434 Thirumalai-B/D 86.4 2.3 2089 Rolls Royce Pl/D 954.5 2.5 1443884 Bata India-A/D 1127.05 -5.45 22536 Electrosteel-B/D 18.85 -0.1 727113 Indian Card-B/D 116.3 10.3 2138 Lyka Labs-T/D 54.3 -0.15 40048 Timexgroup-T/D 20.2 0.45 118512 Rsa Insrance G/D 433.4 1.8 1037284 Bayer Crop-A/D 3260.05 -64.1 3271 Emco-B/D 36.05 1.25 93599 Indian Hotel-A/D 115.4 2.3 44009 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 160 5.2 5410 Tinplate-B/D 64.2 6.65 323810 Sainsbury(J)/D 274.0662 4.6 4833055 Beml Ltd-A/D 1159.35 -0.4 64349 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.4 -0.24 14181 Indo-Tcount-T/D 474.2 70.7 120272 Mah.Seamless-B/D 210.4 -1.15 8219 Ucal Fuel-B/D 113.7 -0.8 45844 Schroders/D 3280 2 70626 Bh Electronic-/D 3678.35 89.6 37188 Escorts-A/D 138.4 2.8 483397 Indusind-A/D 901.3 -6.1 59318 Maha Scooter-B/D 888.5 5.5 1374 Ucal Fuel-B/D 113.7 -0.8 45844 Severn Trent/D 2143 6 178665 Bhansali Eng-T/D 21.4 -0.45 70513 Essar Oil-T/D 108.65 -0.2 45857 J.B.Chemical-B/D 217 0.75 40470 Mangalam Cem-B/D 284.1 10.4 12975 Unitech P -A/D 17.6 0.5 10888684 Smith&Nephew/D 1172.5 18 929204 Bharat Bijle-B/D 634 -10.5 1698 Eveready Indu-/D 286.5 4.4 85538 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 38 0.2 16175 Maral Overs-B/D 29.6 -0.75 10342 Univcable-T/D 39.4 1.85 3813 Smiths Group/D 1139 1 458709 Bhel-A/D 235.1 1.85 381597 F D C-B/D 168.95 13.45 109950 Jagson Phar-B/D 33.6 -0.9 38003 Mastek-B/D 407.8 1 143082 Standrd Chart /D 1102 7.5 2728656 Bhuwalka Stl-T/D 9.24 0.44 3501 Federal Bank-A/D 130.35 -0.35 152858 Jamnaauto-B/D 223.9 -17.4 4445 Max India L-A/D 469.3 3.05 15038 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 641.5 -1.5 763029 Bom.Burmah-B/D 469.4 -9.1 95764 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.54 0.11 62857 Jbf Indu-B/D 237.5 2.5 36034 Mrpl-A/D 72.5 -0.4 65793 Tesco/D 249.15 -1.8 12226054 Bombay Dyeing-/D 70.95 1.45 705685 Finolex-A/D 286.5 -1.9 6728 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.77 0.08 262368 Nahar Spg.-B/D 97 5.8 20379 Unilever/D 2895 -19 719916 Camph.& All-B/D 274.2 10.9 12223 Forbes-B/D 2015.5 222.5 2829 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.15 0.08 48322 Nation Alum -A/D 47.3 -0.05 80490 3I Group/D 490 1.3 423152 United Util Gr/D 966.5 4.5 741896 Canfin Homes-B/D 628.5 -11 5397 Gail-A/D 409.05 8.25 67129 Jik Indust-T/D 0.93 0.04 15000 Navneet Edu-B/D 108.95 5.9 23921 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2962 -2 423955 Vodafone Group/D 224.69 -0.7 17548508 Caprihans-B/D 72.75 -0.5 1432 Gammon India-T/D 19.65 0.2 94128 Jindal Drill-B/D 179.8 2.6 1044 Nepc India-T/D 2.55 -0.09 9092 Barclays/D 257.0281 -1 10424345 Whitbread/D 5286.5056 -30 111123 Castrol India-/D 469.95 4.65 34001 Garden P -B/D 26.4 0.3 19132 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 125.85 5.8 462497 Neuland Lab-B/D 374 33.5 19492 Bg Group/D 1229.563 319.1 49625369 Century Enka-B/D 163 3 13388 Godfrey Phil-B/D 459.75 1 1836 Jmc Projects-T/D 214.7 11.4 64563 Nrb Bearings-B/D 130 0.8 4814 Bp/D 462.614 7.9 36434732 Century Text-A/D 707.55 -18.45 190453 Goodricke-B/D 160.4 4 42890 Kabra Extr-B/D 75.75 1.65 6923 O N G C-A/D 312.85 -5.55 272365 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3605 -26 765327 Chambal Fert-B/D 74.4 -0.45 283180 Goodyear I -B/D 570.25 19.75 8401 Kajaria Cer-A/D 777 -1.3 9597 Ocl India-B/D 452.4 2.35 1129 Bt Group/D 445.375 -2.15 7781504 Chola Invest-B/D 590.1 -8.55 3999 Hcl Infosys-B/D 56.35 2.2 937079 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 122 1.4 2213 Oil Country-B/D 34.1 0.05 1998 Centrica/D 261.6 2.1 8689141 Chowgule St-T/D 25.5 0.5 1289 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.36 -0.13 1757711 Kalpat Power-B/D 225.6 0.9 31160 Orchid Chem-B/D 57.15 -0.15 164584 Gkn/D 359.78 -2.8 1239961 THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

New York Knicks’ Chris Copeland celebrates a basket during the Knicks’ Spurs rout Thunder to 85-75 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff basketball series stretch winning streak in New York in this May 16, 2013 file photo. Copeland NBA: Leonard scores 28 points; Pelicans, Heat also win and his wife were stabbed outside a New York City NEW YORK: Kawhi Leonard with 25 points and nine assists. nightclub yesterday scored 26 points to lead the San Hawks 96, Suns 69 and hospitalised Antonio Spurs to a victory over The Atlanta Hawks, who set with non-life- the Oklahoma City Thunder. a team record with 19 straight threatening injuries. The Spurs (52-26) stretched wins earlier in the season, now their winning streak to eight also own the franchise mark for and now trail the idle Houston victories in a season with their Rockets by only a game-and- 58th. NBA player, wife stabbed a-half for second place in the DeMarre Carroll made all but Western Conference and the lead one of his nine shots and the in the Southwest Division. Hawks held the Phoenix Suns to The Thunder (42-36) have lost 31.3 percent shooting. outside NY City Club four straight games and six of The Hawks are 58-19 with five their last seven. They are now two games left. The 1986-87 and 1993- NEW YORK: NBA player girlfriend, police said. Two games behind the New Orleans 94 teams won 57 games. Chris Copeland of the Indiana Atlanta Hawks players were Pelicans in the loss column for The loss was the sixth in seven Pacers and his wife were stabbed taken into custody for interfer- eighth in the West with only four games for the Suns, who fell to during a dispute outside a New ing with the arrest and trying to games left in the regular season. 39-39 and are out of the race York City nightclub early yes- prevent police from setting up a Russell Westbrook led the for the final playoff spot in the terday and hospitalised with crime scene. Thunder with 17 points on 7-for- Western Conference. non-life-threatening injuries, Police identified them as Pero 16 shooting. Heat 105, Hornets 100 according to police and media Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, Pelicans 103, Warriors 100 Goran Dragic led a balanced reports. 30, both of Atlanta. Anthony Davis scored 23 of effort with 28 points and five The Indiana Pacers forward, 31, “We are aware that Chris his game-high 29 points in the assists as the Heat defeated the was stabbed once in the abdomen, Copeland was injured early this second half, including a running Charlotte Hornets in a pivotal and his wife Katrine Saltara, 28, morning in New York City,” said jumper in the lane and two criti- game in the race for one of the was slashed in the arm and chest. Larry Bird, Pacers president, on cal free throws in the final 1:21, to Eastern Conference’s final playoff Another unidentified woman, Twitter. power the New Orleans Pelicans berths. 23, was slashed in the abdomen, “Our thoughts are with Chris to a victory over the Golden State With Boston and Indiana idle, according to the New York Police and those injured.” Warriors and into the eighth the Heat (35-43) moved into Department. The three stabbing victims playoff position in the Western ninth place and within a half A 22-year-old suspect, identi- were taken to local hospitals, Conference. game of the Celtics for the final fied in media reports as Shezoy police said. The Pelicans (42-35) moved playoff spot. Bleary, was in custody. Charges Copeland previously played a half-game ahead of Oklahoma Miami moved a half-game were pending, police said. for the New York Knicks, which City (42-36) for the final play- ahead of the Pacers. The Heat Police confirmed details of the were scheduled to play the Pacers off spot in the West after the also moved to a game-and-a- incident outside the 1 Oak night- at Madison Square Garden on Thunder lost at home against San half behind idle Brooklyn for the club in Manhattan’s Chelsea Wednesday night. Antonio. seventh seed with four games neighborhood but would not con- The Hawks were scheduled The Pelicans trailed the remaining. firm the identities of the victims to play the Brooklyn Nets at Warriors (63-15) by 12 points at Hornets guard Gerald San Antonio Spurs’ forward Kawhi Leonard in action during the first half or the suspect. the Barclays Center, also on halftime but rallied back. Henderson led all scorers with of the NBA game against Golden State Warriors at AT&T Center, in this The fight was called into police Wednesday. Stephen Curry led Golden State 29 points. April 5, 2015 file photo.. at about 4am, police said. Copeland is now in his third Clippers 105, Lakers 100 “They were engaged in a verbal season in the NBA, having played Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick dispute in front of the location,” several seasons in Europe after his NBA Results scored 27 points each as the the Grizzlies hold the number career-high 31 as the Sacramento Officer Sophia Mason, a NYPD college career at the University of Atlanta 96 Phoenix 69 Clippers completed the four-game three spot based on a 2-1 head- Kings beat the Minnesota spokeswoman, said. Colorado Boulder. season-series sweep of the Lakers. to-head record – but the teams Timberwolves. “The males engaged in a con- In his first season with the Miami 105 Charlotte 100 The Clippers continued their play Saturday in Staples Center. Gay, back after missing three frontation, and that’s when the Knicks, he averaged 8.7 points New Orleans 103 Golden State 100 quest for home court in the first The Lakers sunk to 20-57, giv- games with concussion symptoms 22-year-old male stabbed the a game before signing with the round of the playoffs, moving to ing them the NBA’s fourth-worst after being injured March 30 in 31-year-old male,” Mason said. Pacers, where he has spent the San Antonio 113 Oklahoma City 88 53-26 to remain in fifth place in record. Houston, was 9-for-17 shooting A folding knife was recovered last two years. This season, the Sacramento 116 Minnesota 111 the West. Kings 116, Timberwolves 111 and also pulled seven rebounds as from the suspect, she said. 6-foot-8, 235-pound Copeland The Clippers are now tied with Rudy Gay scored 33 points, Sacramento snapped a five-game The 23-year-old woman was is averaging 6.2 points and 2.2 LA Clippers 105 LA Lakers 100 Memphis in the standings, but and forward Omri Casspi added a losing streak. AGENCIES believed to be the suspect’s rebounds per game. REUTERS MLB: Freeman, Simmons lead Braves to big win over Miami

NEW YORK: The Atlanta Braves scored seven runs in the first inning and cruised past the Miami Marlins. First baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Andrelton Simmons each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead Atlanta. Third baseman Chris Johnson also Atlanta added two hits and two RBIs. Braves’ The Ottawa Senators celebrate a goal scored by right wing Mark Stone Atlanta (2-0) will now go for a first sweep against Miami (0-2) in the (61) in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire baseman next match. Centre in Ottawa on Tuesday. Freddie Orioles 6, Rays 5 Steve Pearce went 2-for-4 with Freeman a home run and the Baltimore rounds Senators snatch win Orioles scored first times in the the bases first inning en route to a win over and the Tampa Bay Rays. scores a Orioles reliever Kevin Gausman run during from jaws of defeat gave up two runs in 2 1/3 innings the first to earn the win. Zach Britton inning NEW YORK: The Ottawa New York (52-21-7) also tied pitched a perfect ninth for the against Senators rallied from three the franchise record for regular- save to improve Baltimore to 2-0. the Miami goals down in the first period season wins set in 1993-94. Rockies 5, Brewers 2 Marlins at to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins Wild 2, Blackhawks 1 Jordan Lyles worked six innings Marlins 4-3 in overtime. The Minnesota Wild clinched of two-run ball, and the Colorado Park on Mark Stone’s second of the their third consecutive play-off Rockies hit six doubles for the Tuesday. night with 2:17 left in the extra berth with a 2-1 win over the second consecutive day en route session gave the Senators play-off Chicago Blackhawks. to a victory over the Milwaukee hopes a boost and prevented the Mikael Granlund and Jason Brewers. Penguins from sewing up a berth. Zucker scored and goaltender The Rockies’ (2-0) offence Ottawa (41-26-13) are now Devan Dubnyk stopped 32 of 33 picked up where they left off tied with the Boston Bruins for shots for the Wild (45-27-8). Monday, belting out 12 hits. Nick the final wild card spot, but the AGENCIES Hundley accounted for three Bruins have a game in hand and hits, while third baseman Nolan win the tie-breaker between the Arenado, second baseman DJ two teams. NHL Results LeMahieu and shortstop Troy Sidney Crosby opened the scor- NY Rangers 4 New Jersey 2 Tulowitzki finished with two lineup in check, while third base- Fielder drove in two runs and ing for the Penguins (42-26-12) Philadelphia 5 NY Islanders 4 apiece. man David Freese provided all the the Texas Rangers defeated the Baseball Results with his 28th goal of the season. Ottawa 4 Pittsburgh 3 Padres 7, Dodgers 3 offense in the Angels’ 2-0 win over Oakland A’s 3-1, avenging the 8-0 Atlanta 12 Miami 2 Rangers 4, Devils 2 Wil Myers’ RBI single drove the Mariners. loss they suffered on opening day Baltimore 6 Tampa Bay 5 The New York Rangers Detroit 3 Carolina 2 in the go-ahead run in the ninth Wilson held the Mariners (1-1) of the league. Colorado 5 Milwaukee 2 clinched the President’s Trophy Winnipeg 1 St Louis 0 inning as the San Diego Padres to two hits over eight scoreless Fielder went 2-for-3 and for winning the most points in Minnesota 2 Chicago 1 defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers innings to give the Angels (1-1) reached base in the first inning Arizona 7 San Francisco 6 the regular season and locked up Colorado 3 Nashville 2 7-3. the win. when he was hit by a pitch. Texas 3 Oakland 1 home-ice advantage throughout Angels 2, Mariners 0 Rangers 3, Athletics 1 Center fielder Leonys Martin and Calgary 3 Arizona 2 LA Angels 2 Seattle 0 the playoffs by defeating the New Los Angeles left-hander C.J. Colby Lewis pitched six strong shortstop Elvis Andrus each had Jersey Devils 4-2. Edmonton 4 Los Angeles 2 Wilson kept Seattle’s rebuilt innings, first baseman Prince two hits. AGENCIES San Diego 7 LA Dodgers 3 THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Tiger Woods of the United States reaches for a golf ball on the practice range during a practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, yesterday. CENTRE: Bubba Watson of the United States poses with a gold PING putter head to commemorate his victory at the 2014 Masters, prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament yesterday. RIGHT: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland catches a golf ball on the practice range during a practice round at the Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. Best Quotes From Augusta National What they were saying at the McIlroy, Watson eye Tiger Masters on Tuesday: %Tiger Woods on his troubled buildup to the Masters: — “I worked my butt off. That’s the easiest way to kind of describe it. I worked hard.” %Rory Mcilroy to writers at in Masters showdown his press conference: — “I’m just here to play golf and you guys can write the stories, and I won’t read them and we’ll Northern Irishman eyeing first green jacket, third major crown in a row move on.” %Bubba Watson on new poll AUGUSTA, USA: Tiger Woods the motivation to keep at it, and to get here,” McIlroy said. “It’s play golf and you guys can write out in you. Older champions, the saying he was the player most last won a major title in 2008 just like everyone else, I’ll be look- always a great week.” the stories and I won’t read them veterans, they get excited around fellow pros would not help in a and hasn’t won the Masters in ing for his score and seeing what Woods has been idle for more and we’ll move on.” here. That’s why everybody comes fight: a decade, but top-ranked Rory he’s doing.” than two months since withdraw- Asked to name a favorite, back. They want to be a part of — “Obviously, I’ve never been in a fight in my life, so if I was in McIlroy will be watching out for Defending champion Bubba ing after 11 holes at Torrey Pines McIlroy selected Watson. this. It energizes them.” a fight, it was my fault. I caused him this week all the same. Watson can match Woods, Jack in February. And that came off “I’d say Bubba is. He has won Spieth, who settled for sec- somebody to get angry. So yeah, The 79th Masters opens today Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the a career-worst 82 in the second here two of the last three years,” ond behind Watson last year I wouldn’t help myself either.” at Augusta National with McIlroy only players to win back-to- round at Phoenix. McIlroy said. “Perfect game for after leading on Sunday with a % seeking his first green jacket and back Masters crowns and match “I’m excited to be back playing this course. Been playing really chance to win his Masters debut Jordan Spieth on Tiger Woods quip that he was in dia- third major crown in a row to Nicklaus as the only ones to win at this level,” Woods said. “I feel well. Seems confident every time and become the event’s young- pers when Woods first won the complete a career Grand Slam three green jackets in a four-sea- like my game is finally ready to he tees it up. est champion, says he longs for Masters in 1997: while Woods, who has fallen to son span. compete at the highest level.” “He has been right up there his the chance to battle Woods for a — “I can’t confirm that. I’m 111th in the world rankings, con- Factor in young stars seeking McIlroy is just fine with Woods, last few events. So if you’re look- green jacket. embarrassed; I just came out of tends for a 15th career major a first major win such as Jordan who has struggled simply to finish ing at someone that will do well “It has been a dream of mine diapers a couple years ago. So I after a nightmare year of injuries Spieth and Jason Day, sprinkle in 72 holes over the past 12 months, this week, I think Bubba is the to be in contention with Tiger probably was.” and inconsistent form. some skilled past champions such taking the lion’s share of atten- main guy — not trying to put any Woods in a major championship % Henrik Stenson on being “I think everyone is just curi- as Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson tion with his strong practice pressure on him or anything.” and at Augusta,” Spieth said. asked the reason that has kept ous to see how he comes back,” and mix in the stunning backdrop rounds even as McIlroy tries to Watson knows that Woods, 39, “The magic he brings to this him from placing no better than McIlroy said of Woods, who has of Augusta National’s treacherous join a career Grand Slam list that will draw extra energy from his tournament and every major 14th at Augusta fallen to 111th in the world rank- greens and towering pines with includes only Woods, Nicklaus, Masters history, which includes championship, it is a dream I — “Not playing better than 14th, ings. “I don’t think you should the dramatic legacy of Amen Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and eight top-six finishes in his past think for everybody to try and I guess.” ever underestimate him. He has Corner and Rae’s Creek and the Gary Player. nine appearances. take Tiger down on the back nine %Ben Crenshaw on the steely done things on the golf course scene is set for an impressive first “It is such a big story, Tiger “Tiger has taken enough time of Augusta. But (I’m) certainly countenance of young fellow that are pretty special. major of 2015. coming back at the Masters after off to where he wants to be back rooting for him. He wouldn’t be Texan Jordan Spieth “I had a good chat with him on “It’s the anticipation factor, the a bit of a lengthy period where and obviously he’s pretty good here if he wasn’t ready, and (I’m) — “You know, when I first met the putting green. He feels good. hype, everything else, it feels the he has not been around,” McIlroy around this place, so he is excited,” excited to see him back at the top him, I tell you, I’ll never forget He has been working hard. He has same because it’s always exciting said. “But still I’m just here to Watson said. “This place brings it of his game.” AFP it. I looked right at him and he looked at me and I thought I was Five Masters looking at Wyatt Earp. He just had that look about him, just Lahiri eager for Rookies To Watch McIlroy emerging as wonderful.” Not since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 % Phil Mickelson on how he has a player won the Masters on thought Tiger Woods would per- his debut. There are 20 Masters the new face of golf form on his return to competiton Masters debut rookies in the 2015 field, below — “Well, I haven’t spent time the record of 24 set last year. with him, no. He hasn’t been AUGUSTA, USA: Anirban more accurate than it used to be, Here are five to look out for: AUGUSTA, USA: Tiger Woods out on tour. I haven’t seen him Lahiri knows that being the new and I think my mental side. %Erik Compton (USA) may have slumped outside the much. But I know as much as face of Indian golf means the “The biggest change has become — The 35-year-old had two heart world’s top 100 golfers but he anybody and I’m as curious, transplants, in 1992 and 2008, pressure he will feel today when in believing that I can compete remains king of the sport’s mar- too.”. to deal with a rare condition. he makes his Masters debut will and beat a lot of the world?class Qualified with a second place keting values even though Rory be all the more severe. players.” at last year’s US Open behind McIlroy is on course to take that List Of Past The 27-year-old from Bangalore Lahiri will become just the Martin Kaymer. title too, according to a business qualified for the year’s first major third Indian golfer to play in the %Anirban Lahiri (IND) study released yesterday. Masters Winners on the back of four tournament Masters after Jeev Milka Singh The 39-year-old Woods, who — The 27-year-old Asian number List of last 20 winners of the Masters wins in the last year, including in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and Arjun will attempt to save his night- one has won four tournaments golf tournament at Augusta National Golf two co-sanctioned European Tour Atwal in 2001. Singh’s tie for 25th in the last year and is being mare year at The Masters this Course: wins at the Malaysian Open and in 2008 remains the benchmark. touted as the new face of Indian week, still has an 81 per cent glo- Indian Open. Lahiri has played in two golf. He is just the third Indian bal awareness, according to the (USA) unless otherwise stated) He is currently the Asian British Opens and one PGA to play in the Masters. Repucom sports marketing data Rory McIlroy signs autographs 2014 Bubba Watson % number one and is 34th in the Championship, but the Masters is Brooks Koepka (USA) group. World number one McIlroy for fans at the Augusta National 2013 Adam Scott (AUS) — Went to Europe to hone his world rankings, a position that an altogether different challenge from Northern Ireland has 33 per Golf Club yesterday. 2012 Bubba Watson ensures him of his first start at that has seen him seek advice game after coming out of Florida cent. State University and enjoyed 2011 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) an Augusta National course he from many quarters. But The Masters and other his overall marketability,” said a immediate success. Transformed 2010 Phil Mickelson had only ever seen on television Singh and Atwal were obvi- that into his first US PGA Tour majors this year could prove Repucom spokesman. before last weekend. ous sounding boards and dur- victory in Phoenix earlier this decisive in how long Woods, But he has already lost some 2009 Angel Cabrera (ARG) Enough to unsettle the hardiest ing his short time in Augusta he year. now ranked 111th in the world, marketing battles to McIlroy. 2008 Trevor Immelman (RSA) of souls, but Lahiri believes that has had a 15-minute chat with %Morgan Hoffmann (USA) remains in the eye of sponsors The Irishman recently replaced 2007 Zach Johnson the progress he has made over the three-time winner Nick Faldo and sports equipment makers. Woods as the new face of the — Former hockey player who 2006 Phil Mickelson last two years will stand him in and played nine holes in practice switched to golf and played on Woods still has a major draw- official PGA Tour video game. good stead. with another former green jacket a winning Walker Cup team. ing power. Repucom said that McIlroy now has sponsorship 2005 Tiger Woods “I think over the last 24 months winner Vijay Singh. Turned pro in 2012 and had of the 85% of people they sur- deals worth more than $40 mil- 2004 Phil Mickelson my game has improved in vari- His short-term ambitions a breakout year in 2014. Took veyed in the United States who lion a year and his global recogni- 2003 Mike Weir (CAN) fourth place in the Arnold ous levels,” he said after playing though remain modest — “just to declared they would watch The tion is higher than young rivals 2002 Tiger Woods the course for the second time on go out there and enjoy myself” — Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Masters on television, 12% said Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler last month. 2001 Tiger Woods Monday. but in the long term he is aim- they would not bother if Woods combined, according to the study. % “Technically speaking, I think ing high both for himself and his Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) was not playing. Repucom chief executive Paul 2000 Vijay Singh (FIJ) — One of the most consistent 1999 Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) I’ve had a very mild graph going cricket-loving country. performers on the European “The reason why Tiger is still Smith said: “There is an “exciting upwards, nothing meteoric, I “It’s obviously very exciting Tour in recent years. Has been regarded so highly as a marketing generational shift in the sport” 1998 Mark O’Meara would say. back home. There’s going to be a in top form this year with four force is the fact that he is rec- and “the majors will, this year, 1997 Tiger Woods “But we have tried to improve lot of people up through the night top-10 finishes in his first four ognised. His high profile is really play an even greater role in shap- 1996 Nick Faldo (ENG) on most parameters, including my watching the Masters coverage tournaments. Has yet to make what is ensuring he stays at a ing who brands align themselves driving, which has become a lot this year,” he said. AFP his mark in the United States. relatively high level in terms of to”. AFP 1995 Ben Crenshaw THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Wounded Mercedes keen to bite back in China SHANGHAI: Mercedes will German outfit will be happy to record-extending fourth win in be looking to reassert their race at a circuit that suits the car China. Formula One dominance at the with track temperatures far less Fernando Alonso was another In this file Chinese Grand Prix this week- demanding on the Pirelli tyres. driver given a rude awaken- picture taken end after the team received “We left Malaysia with plenty ing in Malaysia and while the on March 29, the loudest of wake-up calls in to think about. It may have been Spaniard put a brave face on an 2015, Ferrari’s Malaysia by Sebastian Vettel’s a good result for the sport... but early withdrawal on his seasonal German driver revitalised Ferrari. for us, it was a wake-up call,” debut for McLaren after missing Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes Mercedes motorsport head Toto Melbourne due to concussion, the Sebastian one-two ahead of Nico Rosberg in Wolff said. sight of his old employers storm- Vettel (right) the season opener in Melbourne “Our opposition has raised its ing to victory must have left a bit- leads ahead last month, the pair enjoying a game and we must now raise ours tersweet taste. of Mercedes Sunday stroll around Albert Park even further. As we have said Undeterred and insisting he AMG Petronas that left the rest of the field trail- since Melbourne, we expect a was happy to rejoin a team with F1 Team’s ing in their wake and fans fearing season-long battle for both world whom he spent one unhappy sea- German driver the worst. championships and we must son in 2007, Alonso firmly believes Nico Rosberg Another procession was maximise every opportunity,” he the car is making rapid improve- during the expected in Malaysia but Vettel added. ments since a disastrous season- Formula One and Ferrari had other ideas with “China is the next chance to opener and double retirement last Malaysian both winning a race for the first do that... a circuit which has time out. Grand Prix in time since 2013, thanks to a car been a good hunting ground for “The steps we took between Sepang. that was much kinder on the the team.” Australia and Malaysia were tyres in the sweltering heat and Hamilton beat Rosberg to the extremely impressive,” the double a tactical masterclass from race chequered flag in Shanghai a year world champion said. engineers. ago and while recent trends make “That sort of progress really Mercedes are now fully aware Mercedes favourites at the 5.451 gives the whole team belief and Williams and Red Bull will expected to battle with Ferrari public spat with engine suppliers they have a real title fight on their km Hermann Tilke-designed confidence in the path we’re tak- also be hoping for a more posi- for second place but have been Renault and were unable to back hands from a team that stumbled circuit, Ferrari won the race in ing, so I hope we can keep moving tive weekend after two races that well beaten by Vettel in Australia up an impressive qualifying ses- from one crisis to another in a 2013 and will be keen to prevent forwards every time we take to starkly exposed their early-season and Malaysia, while Red Bull sion in Malaysia during the race. winless 2014 campaign, but the the Briton from registering a the track.” limitations. The former had been have become bogged down in a REUTERS

Bangladesh call up Gambhir shines as Kolkata uncapped Talukdar for trounce Mumbai in opener Pakistan ODIs DHAKA: Bangladesh yesterday Defending champs win by 7 wickets as 50,000-plus home fans cheer named uncapped opener Rony Talukdar in a 14-man squad for the first two of their three KOLKATA: Powered by an in a rollicking 49-run stand of One Day Internationals (ODIs) enterprising half century from only 25 balls to kick start the against Pakistan this month. skipper Gautam Gambhir and Knights’ title defence with a bang. Talukdar has been rewarded a cameo from Surya Yadav, Replying to Mumbai Indians’ KKR captain for consistent performance in defending champions Kolkata formidable innings, KKR had a Gautam domestic competitions, hav- Knight Riders (KKR) trounced faltering start losing last year’s Gambhir ing top-scored in the Dhaka Mumbai Indians by seven wick- top scorer Robin Uthappa (9) raises his bat Premier League with 714 runs at ets in the eighth IPL opener with only 13 on the board in the after making an average of 51 – including two at the Eden Gardens here third over. fifty during centuries. yesterday. The dashing opener had scored the opening “We have been keeping an eye Young gun Yadav (46 not out; an incredible 660 runs to pilot IPL match on him for quite some time,” said 20b, 1x4, 5x6) and big hitting the Knights to their second IPL against the chief selector Faruque Ahmed in Yusuf Pathan (14; 12b, 1x4, 1x6) crown last year. Mumbai a statement. took KKR to a winning 170/3 with But the gutsy Gambhir joined “He was scoring runs consist- Indians at nine balls to spare as Mumbai hands with young gun Manish ently. So we thought this is high the Eden skipper Rohit Sharma’s elegant Pandey to take the advantage time to call him for national duty,” unbeaten 98 went in vain. away from the Mumbai side. Gardens he added. The visitors had notched up Pandey, who enjoyed a reprieve, in Kolkata, Talukdar replaces the experi- 168/3 earlier in the evening before was aggressive from the outset, yesterday. enced Imrul Kayes, who scored a 50,000-plus crowd at the giant while Gambhir started off cau- just nine runs in three matches colosseum. tiously, and then came up with in the World Cup in New Zealand Yadav and Pathan were involved some scintillating strokes. and Australia. Bangladesh announced its Scoreboard The 85-run partnership was boundary through the extra cover elegant best hitting boundaries squad – which also includes broken in the 12th over when off Vinay Kumar. at will. right-arm medium paceman MUMBAI INDIANS KKR Pandey (40; 24b, 2x4, 3x6) per- Earlier, riding on a brilliant With the duo of Anderson and Abul Hasan – for only the first RG Sharma* not out ...... 98 RV Uthappa c Harbhajan Singh b Anderson ..9 ished to a catch attempting a unbeaten 98 by skipper Rohit Rohit upping the ante the pres- two ODIs, and will name its squad AJ Finch c UT Yadav b Morkel ...... 5 G Gambhir* c Rayudu b Bumrah ...... 57 slog-sweep. Sharma, Mumbai scored a for- sure on the hosts was evident as for the third and final match at AP Tare c UT Yadav b Shakib Al Hasan ...... 7 MK Pandey c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh ....40 Gambhir (57; 43b, 7x4, 1x6) midable 168/3. they spilled three catches. The a later date. AT Rayudu c Pathan b Morkel ...... 0 SA Yadav (not out) ...... 46 rode on three dropped chances, In trouble at 37/3 inside the visitors clobbered 88 in the last With paceman Shafiul Islam CJ Anderson (not out) ...... 55 YK Pathan (not out)...... 14 to race to his 50 in the 14th over. sixth over, Mumbai Indians took six overs to set the Knights a nursing an injury, Hasan was Extras (LB 1, W 2) ...... 3 Extras (LB 2, W 2) ...... 4 He, however, departed in the next the battle into the opposition’s challenging asking rate of 8.45. preferred over Al-Amin Hossain, Total (3 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 168 Total (3 wickets; 18.3 overs) ...... 170 over. camp with the elegant Rohit (65b, The Knights’ trump card Sunil who was sent home from the Did not bat: KA Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, SL Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, AD Russell, PP Needing 38 runs from the last 12x4, 4x6) stitching an unbeaten Narine, bowling with a remodelled World Cup for a breach of team Malinga, R Vinay Kumar, JJ Bumrah, PP Ojha Chawla, SP Narine, UT Yadav, M Morkel four overs, Surya Yadav took 131-run partnership with Corey action, was wicketless conceding discipline. Fall of wickets 1-8, 2-37, 3-37 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-98, 3-121 the hosts closer to victory hit- Anderson (55; 41b, 4x4, 3x6). 28 in his four overs. South African “Al-Amin did not do any- Bowling: UT Yadav 3-0-36-0; M Morkel 4-1- Bowling: SL Malinga 4-0-27-0 (1w); R Vinay ting three lusty sixes of Jasprit Continuing his good run at pacer Morne Morkel was pick of thing significant since the World 18-2; Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-48-1 (2w); SP Nar- Kumar 3.3-0-21-0; CJ Anderson 2-0-21-1; JJ Bumrah to make the chase a run- the hallowed stadium where he the bowlers with figures of 2/18. Cup. So we decided to recall ine 4-0-28-0; AD Russell 3-0 -21-0; PP Bumrah 3-0 -38 -1 (1w); PP Ojha 2-0-23-0; a-ball affair. had scored a record shatter- CSK and Delhi Dare Devils Abul Hasan,” said Ahmed while Chawla 2-0-16 -0 Harbhajan Singh 4-0-38 -1 Fittingly, it was Yadav who hit ing 264 while playing for India will meet in the second match in explaining the decision. the winning runs with an elegant in November, Rohit was at his Chennai today. AGENCIES Paceman Mashrafe Mortaza was retained as the captain although he will miss the first ODI on April 17 because of a one- Sangakkara takes ‘Leading Cricketer’ accolade match suspension due to slow- over rate during the World Cup match. LONDON: Sri Lanka great record 2,868 international runs Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan Kumar Sangakkara has been in the calendar year, including a Year is an award dating back to will lead the side for that match named as the Leading Cricketer triple century. 1889 and is generally based on a in his absence, before Mortaza in the World in the 2015 Wisden His feats, which added to an player’s performances in the pre- returns for the second and third Cricketers’ Almanack. already brilliant career, included ceding English season. one-day matches on April 19 and Meanwhile Australia’s Meg a man-of-the-match performance By tradition, it can only be won 22. Pakistan will also play two Lanning has been chosen as the in Sri Lanka’s World Twenty20 once in a career and the 2015 Tests and one Twenty20 match cricket ‘bible’s’ inaugural Leading final win over India last year. list included Sri Lanka captain on their month-long tour. Woman Cricketer in the World Sangakkara also scored his first Angelo Mathews, England ris- Azhar Ali will lead Pakistan’s – the first time the England- Test hundred at Lord’s last sea- ing stars Moeen Ali and Gary ODI squad while Misbah-ul-Haq based annual has bestowed such son, a century which came during Ballance and two notable county and Shahid Afridi will lead the an award in 152 editions of con- Sri Lanka’s Test series win over players in Adam Lyth and Jeetan Test and Twenty20 teams respec- tinuous publication dating back England. Patel. tively. Sarfraz Ahmed will be the to 1864. He later confirmed Wisden’s Booth’s critique of the ECB was vice-captain of ODI and T20 But editor Lawrence Booth judgment by scoring a record four broad and scathing, the Wisden teams. was stinging in his criticism of successive hundreds at the recent editor writing: “A few wins might All matches will be played at the England and Wales Cricket World Cup in Australia and New have deflected attention from a the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Board for their “mishandling” of Zealand. charge sheet that would include Dhaka, apart from the first Test the Kevin Pietersen affair that In a tribute to Sangakkara, set the mishandling of the Kevin to be held at Khulna. AFP saw the star batsman axed from to retire from all international Pietersen affair, worrying Test the England set-up. cricket later this year, Booth said: attendances outside London, a Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara bats in the nets during a training session Sangakkara joined India’s “Choosing (him) just felt natural. head-in-the-sand attitude to the at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in this March 17, 2015 file photo. Squad Virender Sehwag as the only two We’ll miss him when he’s gone.” one-day team, and – not yet a players to be named as Wisden’s Lanning, who at the age of 21 decade after the 2005 Ashes had Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Rony Leading Cricketer in the World became the youngest person ever presented English cricket with a Whitaker had called (Alastair) Clarke trumpeted Downton as a Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, for a second occasion. to captain Australia, led her side golden chance to attract a new Cook ‘our exceptional leader’; ‘man of great judgment’. Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, The 37-year-old left-handed to the World Twenty20 title and generation to the sport – a fall Paul Downton, the ECB’s new It was a nexus of self-preserva- Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir batsman and wicketkeeper won finished 2014 at the top of both in the number of recreational managing director, hailed [Peter] tion -- yet, as the wagons circled, Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel the award after a stellar 2014 that the women’s ODI and Twenty20 players. Moores as the ‘outstanding coach the wheels kept threatening to Hossain and Abul Hasan. saw Sangakkara score an all-time batting rankings. “National selector James of his generation’; chairman Giles come off.” AFP THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Horse Racing Results P/A Maiden Plate Distance: 1200m Running Time: 1:17:60 Istibdad, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Muhjah, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon Al Taweel, I. Al Malki, Alberto Sanna Thoroughbred Maiden Plate Distance: 1800m Running Time: 1:54:15 Akeed Misk, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Lantern’s First, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert King Of Doha, Debbie Mountain, T. O’Shea Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 0 - 60 Distance: 1800m Running Time: 1:54:48 Count Curlin, Mohammed Jassim Ghazali, Trainer Jassim Al Ghazali (left) holds up eight fingers, signifying his eighth victory of the day, as jockey Stephan Ladjajd poses with Lupie after winning the Mesaimeer Cup at the Qatar Harry Bentley Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: QREC Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani hands over a trophy to Jassim Al Ghazali (left) yesterday. First Peninsular, Z. Mohsen, Ali Al Showeikh Mallak, O. Al DhafaS. Golam P/A Graduation Plate Distance: 1200m Lupie steals show on Running Time: 1:17:08 Khafouqi, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Naamah, M. Salama, Gerald Avranche Bony Des Vialettes, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 50 - 70 Bentley’s six-star night Distance: 1200m Running Time: 1:10:58 Horses trained by Jassim Al Ghazali win all eight races of the day Saakhen, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Half Turn, M. Al Yaqout, Gerald Avranche DOHA: Lupie battled to a one-and-a-half-lengths behind Al Saakhen finished half-a-length Elastomer, I. Al Malki, Alberto Sanna deserving Mesaimeer Cup win Hareth while Moaddie, who had ahead of Half Turn, who was rid- P/A Handicap Rated 70 - 100 on a day when popular British Sanna in the saddle, topped the den by Gerald Avranche. Sanna jockey Harry Bentley stole the 13-entry race in third spot. guided Elastomer to third spot. Distance: 1800m limelight with six consecutive With just over a month to go in In race four, Bentley powered Running Time: 2:01:93 winners at the Qatar Racing the 2014-15 season, Bentley said to victory with Khafouqi, who and Equestrian Club (QREC) he could top the 100-mark in the finished the 1200m race ahead of Rasi, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley here. remaining nine-race days. Naamah and Bony DesVialettes. Al Khattaf, J. Smart, Marco Monteriso Ridden by Stephan Ladjajd, “Yeah, great going,” Bentley In race three, Bentley sealed West De Faust, M. Hussain, Evert Pheiffer Lupie edged Victory Laurel and said after his sixth win of the his second win of the day when Sandbetweenourtoes to nail day. “On paper it is a race you he guided Count Curlin to the Ras Laffan Cup Local Thoroughbred the win in the feature race at should win. I thought he should finish line. First Peninsula — rid- Conditions the QREC as trainer Jassim Al win again,” he added. den by Ali Al Showeikh — and Distance: 1900m Ghazali celebrated an astonishing “I have beaten some nice horses Mallak — ridden by So Golam — eighth win of the day. this season,” Bentley, 22, said. finished in second and third spots Running Time: 2:02:69 Clocking a time of 1:09:34, “He’s done well. The evening’s respectively. Bentley’s first win of Al Hareth, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Lupie powered to victory in the been great,” the Briton added. the day was recorded with Akeed 1200m dirt track race. Alberta Bentley has managed an Misk who edged Lantern’s First Absher, M. Hussain, Marco Monteriso Sanna was astride Victory Laurel astonishing 84 wins this season QREC Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani hands over a and King of Doha to the top spot Moaddie, H Al Jehani, Alberto Sanna while Bentley’s six-race win to go along with 47 second-place trophy to jockey Harry Bentley yesterday. PICTURES: JUHAIM in the 1800m race. streak was snapped in the feature finishes. Ladjadj picked his first win Mesaimeer Cup Thoroughbred race when he finished third with “Yeah, it is possible,” Bentley “After the sixth win, I felt to win ahead of Al Khattaf, ridden of the day with Istibdad in the Conditions Sandbetweenourtoes. said when asked about the possi- that there was a chance to win by Marco Monteriso, and West De 1200m opening race. Muhjah rid- Distance: 1200m Earlier, Bentley guided Al ble century mark this season. “It’s all eight as we had a few strong Faust, who had Evert Pheiffer in den, by Gaetan Faucon, finished Running Time: 1:09:34 Ghazali-trained Al Hareth to vic- realistic. It’s going to be hard but contenders in the last two races. the saddle. second while Sanna, ridden by Al tory in the Ras Laffan Cup. Al I will give it a go,” he said. It is an amazing feeling to win all Minutes earlier in race five, Taweel, finished third. Lupie, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Hareth clocked a time of 2:02:69 Trainer Al Ghazali said: “I the races on the card. Bentley Bentley was in the saddle when The riders return for today’s Victory Laurel, I. Al Malki, Alberto Sanna in the 1900m race. always dream of winning all the and Ladjadj did well to fulfill my Saakhen topped the 1200m feature race at the QREC — the Absher, ridden by races in a card and today I man- wishes,” Ghazali said. race ahead of Half Turn and Loyalty Cup. Action starts at Sandbetweenourtoes, Jassim Al Ghazali, Marco Monteriso, finished aged to see this happen.” In race six, Bentley guided Rasi Elastomer. 4pm. THE PENINSULA Harry Bentley

Gabon to host Figo disputes CAF claim of 2017 Africa Auxerre reach all-Africa backing for Blatter Cup of Nations French Cup final CAIRO: Gabon won a three- CAIRO: FIFA presidential country contest against Algeria PARIS: Second division -- that last defeat coming in candidate Luis Figo yesterday and Ghana yesterday to host the Auxerre turned back the 1989 against Marseille. On four disputed the Confederation of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations foot- clock on past glories as they of those occasions they went on African Football’s claim that all ball tournament. beat holders Guingamp 1-0 on to lift the Cup. 54 votes from the continent will The result of a vote among 14 Tuesday to reach the final of Relegated in 2012, Auxerre go to incumbent Sepp Blatter in Confederation of African Football the French Cup. won a league and cup double the presidential elections next (CAF) executive committee Frederic Sammaritano scored under legendary coach Guy month. members was announced mid- the only goal of the game for the Roux in 1996 while also lifting The former Portugal inter- afternoon in a Cairo hotel after unfancied outfit, currently 8th the Cup in 1994, 2003 and 2005. national, in Egypt at the CAF the three candidates made short in Ligue 2, after 15 minutes. The Bourgogne side, who saw Congress to canvass for votes, presentations. Sitting back, relying on the Eric Cantona, Bacary Sagna and told Reuters he did not believe all The Gabonese were co-hosts pace of their counters and Abou Diaby rise through their Africa was solidly behind Blatter, with neighbours Equatorial despite being down to 10-men ranks, had previously knocked who seeks re-election on May 29 Guinea of the 2012 Cup of Nations. when Jamel Ait Ben Idir saw red out Strasbourg, Jura Sud Foot, against Figo, Prince Ali bin Al They will be the second suc- after 73 minutes, Auxerre man- Le Poire-sur-Vie and Brest. Hussein of Jordan and the Dutch cessive central African country aged to hold out Guingamp, who Auxerre will be the twelfth football association President to host the championship after featured in the Europa League second-tier club to reach the Michael van Praag. Equatorial Guinea this year. this season and are currently final of the French Cup -- the “I feel there’s a lot of respect for Choosing Gabon ended a 1,529- 11th in Ligue 1. first since Guingamp beat CAF among all the African feder- day saga over who would host Sammaritano’s strike was Rennes in 2009. ations but I’m positive that (CAF the next edition of the biennial enough for Auxerre, who are The second semi-final sees president) Mr (Issa) Hayatou did African football showpiece. no pushovers in the Coupe de injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain not speak in the name of the 54 South Africa were selected as France, having won five out of take on Saint-Etienne on members of the confederation,” 2017 hosts four years ago, but six matches they have played Wednesday, with the final set said the former Barcelona and The President of the Dutch Football Federation, Michael van Praag traded tournaments with 2013 at this stage of the competition for May 30. AFP Real Madrid midfielder. (right) and former Portuguese International Luis Figo attend the 37th hosts Libya because of post- “Even when he (Hayatou) Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly in Moamer Gadhafi-era violence in Auxerre’s announced he would support the Egyptian capital Cairo on Tuesday. the north African state. supporters Blatter, we could notice a differ- As deadly Libyan inter-militia run onto the ence from past congresses when because they feared reactions on all previous occasions when fighting intensified, the oil-rich pitch after a statement like that normally is against them, their federations the CAF chief has promised a country were forced to withdraw they beat followed by a standing ovation. and even their countries,” said block of African votes, many have as 2017 hosts as well. defending “This time we heard just a nor- Figo. broken ranks. Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, champions mal applause, which confirms my “It also to end this kind of When Blatter came to power Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe then Guingamp idea that a lot of African coun- atmosphere that I decided to be in 1998, Hayatou pledged Africa’s applied to stage the 16-nation, to reach tries understand and agree with a candidate. Football should be votes to rival Lennart Johansson three-week tournament. the need to change for the bet- about a beautiful game and people of Sweden but most defied him to But CAF dropped Kenya, Sudan the French ter of everyone, especially the should be able to express them- vote Blatter into power. and Zimbabwe from the bidding Cup final, at national associations. selves freely and openly.” When Hayatou stood against contest, saying they did not meet the Stade “In fact there were federation The CAF congress in Cairo Blatter in 2002, almost half the the criteria to host the tourna- de l’Abbé- presidents who ensured me they ended on Tuesday with Hayatou African countries voted for the ment. And Egypt later withdrew, Deschamps would vote for me but they were declaring Africa’s complete sup- Swiss rather than their own con- saying it did not wish to compete on Tuesday. reluctant to saying this out loud port for Blatter’s re-election but federation President. AFP against Algeria. AFP THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Atletico Madrid’s French Delight for Lekhwiya as striker Antoine Griezmann (right) celebrates with his Sadd suffer ACL agony team-mate Fernando Torres after Bunyodkor’s loss leaves them on verge of elimination scoring a goal against DOHA/TASHKENT: It was Real a day of contrasting fortunes for Qatari teams at the AFC Sociedad Champions League (ACL) at the yesterday. Vicente While Qatar Stars League Calderon (QSL) leaders Lekhwiya earned Stadium an important 1-0 win over in Madrid Bunyodkor in Doha, Lokomotiv yesterday. inflicted a 5-0 defeat on former champions Al Sadd at Tashkent. Lokomotiv’s victory means the race to qualify for the last-16 from Group C is wide open but La Liga: Atletico Bunyodkor’s loss leaves them on the verge of elimination. In Tashkent, Marat Bikmaev scored twice inside the first 15 hard on Real’s heels minutes and the Uzbek side added three more in the second half as MADRID: Atletico Madrid “It was important to win here they exacted revenge on Al Sadd, made a typically aggressive and stay strong at home so we who had won their first leg clash start to lay the foundations for a could get the three points and 6-2 in Doha last month. 2-0 victory at home to mid-table stay in the battle for a Champions The win helped Lokomotiv Real Sociedad on Tuesday that League place,” Griezmann told move up to third spot with lifted the champions to within Spanish television. four points and open up Group two points of second-placed Atletico, whose 15 clean sheets C where all four teams now Real Madrid. this season are only bettered by Diego Simeone’s men came leaders Barcelona’s 16, have 65 AFC Champions roaring out of the blocks at the points in third with eight games Calderon and, after Arda Turan left, with Real on 67 ahead of their League Results had thumped a volley against the match at another Madrid club, Group A Lekhwiya’s players celebrate after scoring a goal against Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor during an AFC Champions post in the second minute, Koke’s Rayo Vallecano, on Wednesday. inswinging delivery from a corner Real, who crushed Granada Lekhwiya (QAT) 1 (Vladimir Weiss 43) League match at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday. moments later was headed into 9-1 on Sunday, are four adrift of Bunyodkor (UZB) 0 entertain hopes of qualifying for In Doha, a solitary goal from edging ahead of Dostonbek his own net by Sociedad defender Barca, who host Almeria earlier Persepolis (IRN) 1 (Mehdi Taremi 61-pen) Al the next phase. Vladimir Weiss in the 43rd Khamdamov and curling his shot Mikel Gonzalez. on Wednesday. Nassr (KSA) 0 Coach Vadim Abramov had minute was enough for Lekhwiya. beyond Akbar Turaev with the Antoine Griezmann made it 2-0 Sevilla, in fifth, drew level on 61 Group C demanded a reaction from his Weiss’s goal ensured that outside of his right foot. in the 10th minute when he fol- points with fourth-placed Valencia Lokomotiv (UZB) 5 (Marat Bikmaev 7, 14, players after their humiliation Lekhwiya remain in contention The Qataris pushed for a sec- lowed up Koke’s saved effort and thanks to a 2-1 win at Levante Sanjar Shaakhmedov 54, Damir Kojasevic in Doha and they responded in for a place in the Round of 16, just ond throughout the second half, clipped the ball into the roof of on Tuesday, Kevin Gameiro and 79, Ruslan Koryan 90+1) Al Sadd (QAT) 0 style with a seventh minute strike two points behind Group A lead- with Sebastian Soria denied by the net for his 16th La Liga goal Jose Antonio Reyes putting the Group E from Bikmaev, who tapped in a ers Persepolis. Bunyodkor goalkeeper Turaev 18 of the campaign. Europa League champions 2-0 up rebound after Ikromjon Alibaev’s The Iranians lead the way with minutes from time while, seven The France forward’s lack of and Kalu Uche replying for the Binh Duong (VIE) 1 (Dieng 90+3) Jeonbuk effort was parried by goalkeeper nine points while Saudi Arabia’s minutes later, the Uruguay-born celebration was a reminder that home side. Hyundai Motors (KOR) 1 (Eninho 31) Muhannad Naim. Al Nassr fill third spot, two points Qatar international spurned he played for Sociedad for five Valencia hold on to fourth, Shandong Luneng (CHN) 4 (Wang 4, Urso Bikmaev doubled the lead in behind Lekhwiya with Bunyodkor another chance, this time shoot- years before joining Atletico in which carries a place in 34, Montillo 37, Yang 49-pen) Kashiwa the 14th minute after knock- rooted to the bottom with only ing over the bar from close range. the close season. Champions League qualifying, Reysol (JPN) 4 (Leandro 23, Kudo 29, ing down a cross from Jasur one point from their opening four More heroics from Turaev Sociedad, who have improved thanks to a better head-to-head Cristiano 32, 76) Khasanov and drilled a left-footer games. in the dying minutes ensured since former Manchester United record, which is used to sepa- Group G past the goalkeeper. Lekhwiya dominated posses- Bunyodkor stayed in with a manager David Moyes took over rate teams with the same points Suwon Samsung FC (KOR) 3 (Kwon 51, Sanjar Shaakhmedov made sion in the opening 45 minutes, chance of picking up something as coach in November and are rather than goal difference. Seo 59, Yeom 65) Brisbane Roar (AUS) 1 it 3-0 in the 54th minute to all and it was thanks to a fine indi- from the game, but the Uzbek side 10th, never looked like getting Malaga, in seventh, suffered (DeVere 76) but seal the result before substi- vidual effort from Weiss that the were incapable of building on the back into the game, substitute a setback in their quest for a tutes Damir Kojasevic and Ruslan hosts took the lead. performance of their goalkeeper Esteban Granero coming closest Europa League berth when they Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 1 (Makino 74) Korian put the issue beyond doubt Weiss picked the ball up just and slipped to a third loss of the for the Basque club with a curling were beaten 1-0 at lowly Eibar. Beijing Guoan (CHN) 1 (Yu 33) in the final 10 minutes. inside the penalty area before 2015 competition. AGENCIES free kick two minutes from time. REUTERS Benteke hat-trick keeps Villa out of trouble

BIRMINGHAM: Christian good. The second goal especially disappointed we have not got right foot. Agbonlahor headed just Benteke scored a potentially was excellent,” said Villa manager three points.” wide from Leandro Bacuna’s cross priceless hat-trick as Aston Sherwood. Villa started brightly at Villa shortly before half-time and with Villa avoided slipping into the “We need him between now and Park, but it was QPR who took a Villa continuing to dominate early Premier League relegation the end of the season, but it was seventh-minute lead when Bobby in the second half, Ramsey took zone by drawing 3-3 at home disappointing to give away scruffy Zamora’s feathered cross was action by introducing Karl Henry to Queens Park Rangers on goals. headed in by Phillips. and Armand Traore. Tuesday. “It might be a very important However, Villa quickly forced The changes had an immedi- After Matt Phillips put QPR point. Only time will tell, but we the visitors back and drew level ate effect as within three min- ahead, a Benteke brace gave Villa need to win games. It is a point in just three minutes later when utes the visitors were level, with control, only for second-half goals the right direction though.” Benteke was allowed to drift 36-year-old Hill claiming his first from Clint Hill and Charlie Austin Chris Ramsey’s QPR moved infield from the left and curled Premier League goal by heading to leave QPR on the brink of a above Burnley on goal difference, a shot past QPR goalkeeper Rob in Phillips’s corner. win that would have taken them but they are now two points from Green. Twelve minutes from time, out of the bottom three at their safety having played a game more Green saved twice from Phillips turned creator again, opponents’ expense. than fourth-bottom Hull City. 19-year-old midfielder Jack wriggling past Kieran Richardson But Benteke completed his “The point was better for Grealish, making his first league and crossing for Austin to slam treble with an inch-perfect 83rd- them,” said Ramsey, who worked start for Villa, and Sandro blocked home his 17th goal of the league minute free-kick to take the as Sherwood’s assistant at from Ron Vlaar before Benteke campaign. Belgian striker’s tally to seven Tottenham Hotspur last season. put the home side ahead in the But Benteke had the final say goals in five games and leave Tim “We would have loved to have 33rd minute. by bending a free-kick over the Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring a goal against Sherwood’s side three points won the game and been above Gabriel Agbonlahor beat Sandro QPR wall and in off the post past Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on Tuesday. above the bottom three. the line. Based on the perform- to the ball and freed Benteke, who the despairing dive of Green. “Christian Benteke was very ance in the second half, we are eluded Hill and scored with his AFP Kehl thunderbolt puts Dortmund into Cup semis

BERLIN: Veteran midfielder Kehl’s speculative half-volley last eight ties, Dortmund join VfL Hoffenheim centre-back Tobias Sebastian Kehl rolled back flew perfectly off his boot and into Wolfsburg in the draw for the Strobl to the ball to head home the years to score Borussia the Hoffenheim net on 107 min- semi-finals. on 57 minutes. Dortmund’s extra-time winner utes to the delight of home fans at Dortmund, who last won Both sides had their chances to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory Borussia’s Westfalenstadion. the German Cup in 2012, went late on as Aubameyang and over Hoffenheim in Tuesday’s Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp ahead after centre-back Subotic Subotic fired wide while Eugen German Cup quarter-final. showed his delight at Kehl’s win- smashed his shot in off the post Polanski forced Langerak into a The 35-year-old Kehl scored ning goal as he doffed his cap on with 19 minutes gone. diving save and Firmino drilled his first German Cup goal when the sidelines in the direction of The lead lasted just 102 seconds his shot just past the post. his fierce drive from outside the the ex-Germany international. as winger Sebastian Rudy floated At the end of normal time, area put Dortmund in the semi- Dortmund had taken an early in a deep corner which found Dortmund’s Jakub Blaszczykowski finals for the third time in four lead but Neven Subotic’s goal was attacking midfielder Volland forced Hoffenheim goalkeeper years. almost immediately cancelled out unmarked at the edge of the area Oliver Baumann into a diving “That was an amazing shot,” by Hoffenheim’s Volland. to slam his shot home. save. said Dortmund’s director of sport Brazil international Roberto The hosts then found them- Kehl’s winner settled the mat- Michael Zorc. Firmino put Hoffenheim 2-1 up at selves 2-1 behind after 28 minutes ter in extra-time, but Hoffenheim “All in all, we deserved to be a half-time before Pierre-Emerick when Subotic stumbled in pos- captain Andreas Beck could have goal better and that win is good Aubameyang equalised midway session only to see Brazil striker made it 3-3 when he headed over for the soul.” through the second-half. It stay Firmino dart onto the loose ball the bar with the 120 minutes up. But Hoffenheim goal-scorer 2-2 at the end of normal time. and chip Dortmund goalkeeper Earlier, Wolfsburg took a step Kevin Volland could not hide his With holders Bayern Mitchell Langerak. towards their first silverware disappointment. Munich at Bayer Leverkusen Borussia, who were missing since winning the 2009 Bundesliga “When you lose because of a on Wednesday and third-divi- captain Mats Hummels with title when a Ricardo Rodriguez Neven Subotic and Sebastian Kehl (right) of Borussia Dortmund celebrate Sunday league goal like that, then sion Arminia Bielefeld hoping a thigh injury, equalised when penalty sealed their 1-0 quarter- after their victory over Hoffenheim in their quarter-final of the German it’s really bitter,” said the 22-year- for an upset against Borussia right-back Erik Durm put in a final win at home to Freiburg. Cup in Dortmund on Tuesday night. old Germany international. Moenchengladbach in the other great cross and Aubameyang beat Thursday 9 April 2015 20 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6395 Sport Price: QR2

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FROM LEFT: Katara to Bahrain’s Abdullah, host Beach Qatar’s Waleed Al Sharshani and Bahrain’s Touch Rugby Ibrahim Al Dusari at the podium from April 17 ceremony of laser standard class, yesterday DOHA: The Beach Touch at the Katara Rugby Challenge will kick Cultural Village. off at the Cultural Village RIGHT: Qatar’s Foundation-Katara, on April Faris Al Bakri 17 Katara Beach No 4, it was announced yesterday. (left), Bahrain’s The sports meeting will be Dawood Al hosted by Qatar Touch Rugby Sadiq (centre) (QTR), with the participation of and UAE’s Saed the Cultural Village Foundation- Al Zaidi at the Katara as a cultural partner of podium following the event. the laser radial The beach competition is the class event only one of its kind that will be at the GCC organised officially in the Middle Beach Games. East and has some strong interest PICS: BAHER AMIN and backing. The Director General of Cultural Village Foundation- Katara, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, said: “Katara has also hosted FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 AFC Qualifier Qatar, and the second GCC beach games. In addition, Katara hosts Al Sharshani wins gold for traditional marine events such as the Dhow festival, the Senyar Championship, and the Menya competition.” Touch Rugby has been enthral- ling hundreds of thousands around the world since the early Qatar, Faris collects silver 60’s and the Katara beach tourna- ment weekend will be no different. The open division contest aims Duo shines in sailing; Qatari outfits reach basketball 3x3 semi-finals to pip the best of the best on the prominent soft sand and highlight the physical and social attributes DOHA: Qatari sailors, yester- that Touch Rugby has to offer. day bagged two more medals QTR is affiliated and endorsed for the hosts at the second GCC by the Federation of International Beach Games, winning a gold Touch (FIT) acting as the gov- and silver medal in different erning body of ‘Touch Rugby’ in category races at the Katara Qatar. Cultural Village. Touch Rugby or Touch, as it is It was yet another good day at known, is a minimal contact sport the multi-sporting gala for the that is played worldwide. home athletes as both Qatar A The game is the world’s fastest and Qatar B also advanced into Action growing sport and is participated the semi-finals ot the basketball in over 82 different countries from the 3x3 competition. including Qatar. basketball However, Qatar’s Waleed Al The Touch World Cup to be Sharshani stole limelight on the 3x3 match staged in Australia later this penultimate day of the event between month will see 93 teams from 25 by winning gold medal in laser Qatar and countries competing across nine standard class with Bahrain’s UAE at the divisions. Abdulla and Ebrahim Al Dosari GCC Beach The Katara 2015 - Beach winning the silver and bronze Games at the Touch Rugby tournament is pre- medals respectively. Al Gharafa dicted to attract a great deal of The hosts got their second Club, media attention both here and medal when Faris Al Bakri yesterday. abroad and as such Integrated clinched silver medal at the laser PICTURES: Engagement Communication radial class. Dawood Al Sadiq of KAMMUTTY VP (IEC) has been appointed mar- Bahrain won gold medal in the keting partner for the event. event while Saeed Al Zaidi of the IEC General Manager, Joe UAE claimed the bronze medal. Kharrat indicated the impor- Meanwhile, Qatari outfits also tance of sponsors and partners excelled in basketball 3x3 compe- saying: “Their presence not only tition, which kicked off at the Al provides plenty of entertainment Gharafa Club, yesterday. and activities on the day but it Qatar B team dominated Pool reiterates their commitment to A by winning two of their three Qatar’s national Vision 2030”. group matches, beating UAE B The all day spectacular will see (21-12) and Kuwait A (21-18) Qatar’s finest touch rugby teams comfortably. They lost their only vying for the most prestigious match against Bahrain (19-21). all the children here today who displayed fine show in the com- swimming, stretching 10 kms will than 300 athletes from the six beach title of year. In Pool B comprising five teams, have witnessed the live sporting petition and won the gold medal be competed today besides the GCC members; Bahrain, Kuwait, VIP’s, dignitaries, families, Qatar A finished second to seal action will leave with a newfound by winning all their matches. final of the football event. Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE friends and lovers of sport are all their place into the last four of the passion for sports.” Apart from the finals of the The GCC Beach Games, which besides hosts Qatar. expected to embrace the color, event. They won three matches The Qatar handball team basketball 3x3 event, open water began on April 3 gathered more THE PENINSULA movement and excitement of this out of the four matches with knock out event. unbeaten UAE A leading the pool. Teams will be divided into The semi-finals and the final of Qatari team’s round robin groups before the event will be played today – advancing into the elimination officials the last day of the eight-day GCC knockout phase ultimately lead- look at the Beach Games. ing to the finals. Commenting on the overall proceedings It is noteworthy that Cultural success of Team Qatar, Director of basketball Village Foundation – Katara, has of PR and Marketing at the Qatar 3x3 match provided adequate parking to Olympic Committee, Mohamed Al against accommodate the large number Fadala said: UAE. RIGHT: of teams and supporters expected, “We are very pleased with the Action from while QTR has arranged a free performance of all of our athletes, football match bus shuttle service from Doha especially the handball and vol- between Rocks to the venue. leyball teams.” Bahrain and The event is open and free to He added: “To see such an UAE at the Al all public. outstanding performance in an Gharafa Club Further information could intensely competitive tourna- yesterday. be gained from website: towww. ment is testament to all the ath- qatartouch.qa letes. It is our sincere hope that THE PENINSULA