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TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 • 9 Rajab 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6414 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

PM meets GCC undersecretaries Plan to privatise New rules on bus services DOHA: The government is con- sidering privatising bus trans- port services, the Minister of sponsorship Transport H E Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti has said. He, however, added that no time frame has been set for the plan. “Currently, taxi transport serv- likely this year ices are semi-privatised, and the government is considering pri- vatising bus transport services, while rail and metro services Qatari quota in pvt sector may be hiked remain under state authority. There is as yet no timeline in DOHA: The new sponsor- health and safety on companies’ place for privatising public bus ship and exit permit rules can premises. If any violations are transport, but we believe the pri- be expected sometime this year, discovered, firms are blacklisted Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with undersecretaries vatisation will bring efficiency says Minister of Labour and and cannot receive visas until the of GCC interior ministries on the occasion of their meeting for the preparation of the 16th consultative meeting and improved quality of service to Social Affairs. H E Dr Abdullah violations are resolved. of interior ministers to be held in Doha. passengers,” the Oxford Business bin Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi About the summer timings for Group’s The Report Qatar 2015 said changes to the ‘kafala’ (spon- site workers that are effective quoted the minister as saying. sorship) system, which covers the every year from mid-June until “Looking at regional practices entry and departure of foreign August-end, the minister said and travel behaviour in Qatar, we nationals, fall under the purview that last year some 50 companies are seeking to achieve a 20 per- of the Ministry of Interior. were penalised for violating this Device to help emergency cent share for public transport in “Our ministry’s only input con- regulation. The labour relations the longer term,” he added. cerning labour is that residency department has installed kiosks The Minister said the new port will be contract-based. Once the which are interactive and work- in Al Ruwais will open in January contract expires, the labourer will ers can file complaints in seven vehicles cross signals next year while a general cargo be free to change employers or languages. and “roll-on, roll-off” facilities leave the country,” said Al Khulaifi. There is a proposal to raise DOHA: A new electronic sys- receives signals from the emer- Ashghal had begun installing the at Hamad Port in Mesaieed will In an interview to The Report Qatar the quota of jobs for Qataris in tem has been implemented at gency vehicle unit. These devices system in last April. open by the third quarter of this 2015 by Oxford Business Group, Al the private sector to 25 percent intersections across the city request green light pre-emption Intersections at busy roads and year. The latter will cater to non- Khulaifi said that if during a con- from an existing 20, the minis- that allows emergency vehicles hundreds of meters ahead the nearby hospitals have been given containerised goods and the import tract an employee wants to leave, ter said. to pass through easily by turn- arrival of the emergency vehicle. priority. “Drivers of emergency of vehicles and construction equip- he can apply online through the The proposal is inspired by the ing the traffic lights green. These devices also work on stop- vehicles have received training ment. THE PENINSULA Ministry of Interior and within 72 success to date of Qatarisation in The Emergency Vehicle Pre- ping cross streets traffic in front on how to use this new system hours he will be given an exit permit. the private sector, particularly Emption System (EVPS) has of the approaching emergency and cases that require its use. A “These changes have yet to be banking, financial services and already been activated at 30 inter- vehicle. committee was formed as well Gulf ministers to implemented and are currently industrial sectors. sections in different areas of the Drivers of ambulance or civil including members of Ashghal, awaiting the approval of the Qatarisation has been in place city in the first phase of the ini- defence car will press a button the General Directorate of Civil discuss Yemen Shura (Advisory) Council, which for over a decade, said the min- tiative. Fifteen ambulances and 10 on the remote control to open Defence, and Hamad Medical I expect to be granted sometime ister. The figure approved by the civil defence vehicles are equipped the traffic light on their way and Corporation. This committee RIYADH: Gulf foreign minis- in 2015.” Cabinet is a 20 percent minimum, with remote controller devices that thus, ease the traffic flow ahead of monitors the use of the system, ters will meet this week with About the wage protection sys- which more than two-thirds of can control traffic lights. them. Then the rest of the traf- evaluates it, and makes recom- focus on the war in Yemen, tem (WPS), the proposed online private companies have exceeded. In the second phase of the fic signals in the intersection will mendations and suggestions aim- where a Saudi-led coalition has salary payment mode for low- The minister admitted that project, the smart system will turn red before opening the way ing at improving its performance,” been bombing rebels for the income workers, the minister clari- they faced a dilemma as regards be installed at 50 more intersec- for the emergency vehicles. The said Al Sada. past month, the bloc’s chief said. fied that a fine of QR2,000 ($548) to changing the perception of tions, said Aziz Al Sada, Head of system works through sensors Lt Col Jamal Jaafar Al Ajmi, Thursday’s meeting in Riyadh will be imposed on companies for Qataris towards private sector Safety Operations and Traffic installed in both the vehicles and Assistant Director of the opera- would cover “issues vital to the delaying payments per worker per employment since the substantial Control in the Roads Maintenance the traffic lights. tions department at the General operations of the GCC and devel- day. He hinted that the WPS will increases in the government’s pay Department at Ashghal address- Ashghal is responsible for Directorate for Civil Defense and opments in the region, including be rolled out gradually and cover all scheme. He, however, said that ing a press conference. It will help implementation and development Brendon David Morris, Executive the crisis in Yemen,” said GCC companies in the country within a despite that the ministry has been reduce response time to emergen- of the EVPS, in coordination with Director of the HMC Ambulance Secretary General Abdullatif year after its launch. quite successful in getting nation- cies and enhance traffic safety. Hamad Medical Corporation Service were also present at the Zayani. It comes ahead of a lead- Some 300 inspectors of his min- als into the private sector. The EVPS is a GPS based sys- (HMC) and the General press conference. ers’ summit on May 5. AFP istry randomly inspect housing, THE PENINSULA tem on the traffic lights which Directorate of Civil Defence. THE PENINSULA See also page 6

INSIDE Science centre in flames Page 9 Israel blamed for Gaza school attacks Iran’s sectarian UNITED NATIONS: A United Nations inquiry blamed the Israeli military for seven attacks on UN schools in Gaza that were used as shel- project poses danger ters during the 2014 war. “I deplore the fact that at least 44 Palestinians By Dr Faisal Al were killed as a result of Israeli actions and at least 227 injured at United Qassem Nations premises being used as emergency shelters,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a letter to the UN Security Council. Saudi economy in See also page 7 relation to oil and Four dead in Saudi building collapse Yemen crises By Dr Jasim Hussain RIYADH: Four workers were killed, 14 injured and at least three were still trapped after a convention centre collapsed during con- Fighting corruption struction in Saudi Arabia yesterday, the Red Crescent said. in the Gulf Medics were initially told that about 50 workers were caught under concrete in the site at a university in Qassim, northwest of the capital By Dr Ibrahim Al Riyadh. AFP Sheikh Fire at the Experimentarium, a science centre in Hellerup, north of Copenhagen, yesterday. Unified fund mobilisation a challenge for Nepali diaspora

DOHA: For the 400,000-strong Rough and have been destroyed in the quake. Qatar Red Crescent in its relief walking distance from the city Nepali expatriate community in unconfirmed So it is likely that a meeting Toll passes 4,000 work in quake-affected areas of headquarters of Gorkha district. Qatar launching a unified fund estimates sug- of representatives of some of the Nepal. It was a model village and sent mobilisation drive to aid the quake- gest that there major community groupings may KATHMANDU: Hundreds “It is important because the many Gorkhas to the British and hit back home is a challenging job may be around be convened in a bid to concoct a of thousands of Nepalis volunteers will be able to help the Indian armies. The Gurungs of as there reportedly are more than 140 community coordination committee. spent another night in the Red Crescent do its work more this village are famous. a 100 community organisations associations of Senior community leader and open yesterday after a mas- efficiently since they know the Asked about infighting in the and many of them don’t see eye to Nepalese expa- former International NRNA office- sive quake which killed local language, culture and peo- Nepali community in Qatar and eye with one another. triates, most bearer Sagar Nepal told this news- more than 4,000, as officials ple,” Sagar said. that there were an estimated 140 And none of these organisa- Sagar Nepal of them based paper that efforts would be made warned the final toll could He said he might visit the Red organisations of different hues, tions are recognised by the Nepali on political to raise donations to help fellow yet rise sharply once rescu- Crescent’s office today and discuss Sagar said that wasn’t true. embassy so they remain unregis- ideologies and nationals in Qatar who have lost ers reach cut-off areas. the above proposal with them. “We remain united in the face of tered. “Neither we nor the Qatari regional and ethnic affiliations. their houses in Saturday’s quake. Sagar Nepal said, citing exam- national crisis.” government recognise them,” said Efforts are being made to evolve “We can at least help them ple, that there is a remote village “What I suggest is that even if a source at the embassy. a single forum representative of financially so they can rebuild at home.” He said on an urgent in Gorkha district which is worst half of fellow Nepalese here agree The only organisation the the entire Nepali expatriate com- their homes,” Sagar said. “So basis what was needed to be done affected. Here, 700 to 800 houses to donate a day’s salary the money embassy—and the Nepalese munity in Qatar for the purpose far we have been able to identify was to organise a team of some have caved in and the death toll thus collected could be huge and government—recognise is Non- of launching a joint campaign for some 100 compatriots here who 15 to 20 Nepali expatriate volun- could be in hundreds. help our people in need,” he said. Resident Nepali Association relief of at least those in the expa- have either lost their relatives or teers from here who could take a The village is inaccessible even THE PENINSULA (NRNA). triate community whose houses homes in the devastating tremor month’s leave and go home to help by helicopter and it is at four days’ See also page 4, 12 & 14 TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QU symposium discusses GCC achievements Foreign Minister addresses university symposium

DOHA: The Gulf Studies GCC’s core role and achievements Centre (GSC) in the College in many areas in the region. We of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at also encourage the Gulf Studies Qatar University (QU) hosted Center’s students to contribute a symposium on “The Gulf in enhancing the research port- Cooperation Council States: folio on this topic by producing Role and Accomplishments” innovative projects and scientific yesterday. studies.” Addressing the symposium Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Minister of Foreign Affairs Misnad said: “We are pleased H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al to host this timely forum which Attiyah said: “This significant comes at a time when the Arab symposium which is part of the and the Gulf regions are facing GCC Days is hosted for the first challenges in their security and time in the GCC region in gen- stability systems. This event eral, and Qatar in particular. It H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al highlights the necessity to work reflects the GCC’s contribution to Attiyah addressing the symposium. together in order to overcome ensuring the sustainable growth the challenges from a chang- and development of its states in ing world. It also shows the Gulf various areas such as: the socio- the Arab region. Studies Center’s core role in serv- politic, human development, eco- The first session was led by the ing the wider community and Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, (left) General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, and Khalid Al Sayed, General nomic, and commercial fields. It Center’s Director Dr Abdullah the region, and its contribution Supervisor of Arabic Novel Awards during a press conference at Katara yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) also discusses the GCC’s role in Baabood, and a presentation was to ensuring a sustainable social solving many issues in the Arab delivered by Secretary-General and economic development in region by shaping policies with on “The Achievements of the Arab societies. We look forward the aim to ensure the security GCC and the Benefits of the Gulf to the outcomes and recommen- Katara Arabic Novel festival and the stability of the countries Citizen”. dations that will emerge from in the Gulf and Arab regions.” QU Associate Professor of these discussions, and which will The event, which is held on the Geography Dr Nedham Alshafai help decision and policy makers in sideline of the GCC meeting, is and QU Professor Emeritus of shaping future strategies during to be held from May 18 to 20 aimed to highlight the goals and History Dr Mustafa Aqil gave the this period which is witnessing achievements of the Gulf states, second session which is focused on numerous regional and interna- DOHA: Katara Cultural presence of Arabic novels at the Novel Prize, said that they have and to discuss the GCC’s role in “National Stability and Economic tional changes.” Village announced the launch regional and international levels. received 475 entries in unpub- serving the common interests and Growth in the GCC Countries”. Dr Abdullah Baabood said: of the ‘Katara Prize for Arabic We can say that Katara becomes lished novels category and security of its states. Presenting the third session “This event is a great opportu- Novel’ festival yesterday. The a new station in the world of 236 entries in published novels It drew around 250 officials were QU Assistant Professor of nity to our students to share their festival will start on May 18 and Arabic novel.” category. and experts, including Secretary- International Affairs Dr Khaled ideas and enhance their knowl- will continue till May 21. The He added that there are more There will be five prizes worth General of the Gulf Cooperation Al-Mezaini, Head of the Emirates edge on topics related to the GCC. award winners will be honoured than 700 entries for the competi- $30,000 each in the published Council H E Dr Abdul Latif bin Center for Policy Dr Ibtisam Kutobi, I am pleased that the College of with their prizes on May 20. tion in published and unpublished novels category with a total prize Rashid Al Zayani, QU President Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula Arts and Sciences has seized on The festival includes several sections from all Arab countries, money of $300,000. Professor Sheikha Abdulla Al Dr Khalid Al-Jaber, and Chairman the opportunity to bring together literary activities. mostly from Egypt and Sudan and In the second category, five Misnad, CAS Dean Dr Eiman of the Political Science Department these experts on Gulf issues to Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al non-Arab countries such as Iran, winners will receive $30,000 each. Mustafawi, GSC Director Dr at Kuwait University Dr Abdullah share their invaluable academic Sulaiti, Katara General Manager, Chad and Eritrea. Third category for the best Abdullah Baabood, as well as sev- Al Shayji. They discussed the role and research knowledge. This also said at a press conference yes- A Katara Centre for Arabic novel would be for drama, and eral QU officials, faculty, staff and of GCC in serving the common shows the Gulf Studies Center’s terday: “The Katara prize is first Novel, Qatari Novelists’ Gallery the value of the prize is $200,000. students across QU colleges. interests of the Gulf countries and commitment to serve students at of its kind that considers novels, and seminars on Arabic novels The Katara Prize for Arabic Students exchanged ideas in enhancing the security and the the university by providing them plays and translated works. The will be held during the days of the Novel is committed to the val- and views on the GCC’s accom- stability of the region. with various services and oppor- prize is aimed at motivating out- celebrations. Al Sulaiti added that ues of independence, transpar- plishments, integration process Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al tunities to deepen their knowl- standing Arab novelists and inno- they will also launch Katara prize ency, honesty and fairness in the and role in achieving economic Zayani said: “We are delighted to edge, and strengthen their skills vative writers to move towards stamps. selection of the winners, Al Sayid development, sustainability and see QU students engaged in this and abilities.” new horizons of creativity and Khaled Al Sayed, General stressed. social integrity in its states and important forum that shows the THE PENINSULA excellence and thus to ensure the Supervisor for the Katara Arabic THE PENISULA TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Premier meets Spanish minister

www.swiss-belhotel.com Tel Fax

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with Spain’s Deputy Minister of Economy Tel and Trade Affairs Jaime Garcia Legaz and his delegation. They discussed bilateral relations, particularly in the investment field. Fax

Tel GCC achieves aspirations of Fax

Tel + 974 44298888 citizens: Foreign Minister Fax

GCC Day celebrations conclude in Doha Tel Fax DOHA: During GCC Day cel- the Council’s vision to achieve between member countries of GCC countries’ support for ebrations that concluded here sustainable development for the Gulf Cooperation Council their right to obtain nuclear yesterday, Foreign Minister, all our peoples, the GCC coun- contributed enabled the Council energy for peaceful purposes. Tel H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed tries developed advanced steps to adopt common positions However, they have firm stand Fax Al Attiyah said the GCC lead- in their national develop- towards political issues, and on making the Middle East a ers’ keenness to observe the ment programs and strength- policies that are based on the nuclear-weapon-free zone. “GCC Day” shows their true ened their regional and global principles of good neighbourli- In this context, he pointed desire to uphold the value of partnerships. ness and non-interference in out that the GCC countries have Tel the GCC citizens and empha- “Today, we feel relieved internal affairs, and respect the been holding many strategic dia- Fax size the citizens’ right to effec- after the successes that have sovereignty of each state, and logues with regional countries tive participation in public been achieved at national lev- also to adopt the principle of and organizations in order to www.doha.hilton.com affairs. els and foreign partnerships peaceful dialogue as a means to strengthen relations with them, The Foreign Minister stressed that have been established, settle disputes and provide and and open up new prospects for Tel 44233333 974+ that the Gulf Cooperation based on the frameworks and environment that is based on the expansion of the interests of Council had achieved many priorities approved by that tolerance, moderation, diversity the GCC countries at all levels. Fax 44233000 974+ of the desired objectives for United Nations aiming at and acceptance of others, which the Foreign Minister high- their citizens in all domains: achieving human, economic, gave the GCC a great deal of lighted the commitment of the economic, security, political, social and environmental credibility as an active regional GCC countries to promote the financial, cultural and social, development and others,” the organisation in the region and protection of human rights reported QNA. Minister said. in the world. at the national level through Al Attiyah addressed an event In the economic sphere, the The GCC became a main the collective action to defend as part of the “GCC Day” enti- Foreign Minister pointed out factor to support the Arab, the individual and collective tled “The Cooperation Council that the Council has made Islamic and global issues in rights and the promotion of for the Arab States of the Gulf several strategic objectives international fora, particularly human rights in the world. - the Role and Achievements” at in the financial, commer- the Palestinian issue, the min- Concluding, the Foreign Tel Qatar University in presence of cial, transportation, customs ister said, pointing out that in Minister expressed hope that Fax QU President Dr Sheikha bint and electrical cooperation the fight against terrorism, the the GCC countries will continue Abdullah Al Misned and H E and many other areas, along GCC countries have been able their blessed progress to achieve the GCC Secretary General Dr. with full equality among to successfully confront the the aspirations of the GCC citi- Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. GCC citizens in many areas, unfair attack that tried to link zens, starting from cooperation The Foreign Minister noted whether commercial or others. between Islam and terrorism. and integration up to reach the Tel that in the field of develop- In the political field, the Foreign Meanwhile, the Foreign desired union in all fields. Fax ment and the on the basis of Minister said that homogeneity Minister underlined that the THE PENINSULA

Tel Seventh meeting of GCC Fax interior undersecretaries discusses security issues Tel Fax DOHA: The seventh meeting of interior under- secretaries of GCC member states opened here yesterday. Tel The Director General of Public Security Major General Saad bin Jassim Al khulaifi welcomed the Fax GCC interior undersecretaries and conveyed to them greetings of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. Tel He said that the meeting stems from the collective Fax responsibility against crime in its various forms and manifestations with the view of fighting it and prevent- ing its spread to GCC communities, while taking into consideration the achievements that have been made, thanks to the efforts and cooperation among the GCC States. Al Khulaifi confirmed that such successes would be a stepping stone towards greater achievements in the field of security “especially in the shadow of the current Tel conditions in our region which made it incumbent on us Fax to stand firm in face of them out of keenness on the gains of our peoples and homelands.” He said “topics on the meeting’s agenda show our determination to continue pushing forward the security Tel cooperation”. Fax He referred to the security implications of the current situation in Yemen on GCC states and the importance of examining the effects that could be produced and www.marriottmarquisdoha.com then making the appropriate recommendations to the face such implications. Tel + 974 44195000 He prayed Allah to have grace on the GCC martyrs Fax + 974 44195100 for the duty of protecting their homelands. Major General Al Khulaifi, meanwhile, thanked the Gulf Cooperation Council General Secretariat and all its staff for the fruitful efforts to prepare for this meeting, praying the Almighty Allah that the meeting would be a success. QNA TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Sudan president Workshop discusses curbing Mers greeted DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yes- Meeting brings veterinary, health and agriculture organisations and professionals together terday sent a cable of congratula- tions to President Omar Hassan DOHA: A three-day regional Al Bashir on the occasion of his workshop on Middle East re-election as president Sudan. Respiratory Syndrome (Mers- Deputy Emir H H Sheikh CoV), opened here yesterday, is Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani discussing the latest research and Prime Minister and Interior and findings related the disease Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah that so far infected 1,118 people bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani all over the world leading to 448 sent similar cables to Omar Al deaths. Bashir on the same occasion. The workshop is organ- ised jointly by Ministry of Greeting sent to Environment, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and Netherlands the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in coop- DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim eration with the World Health bin Hamad Al Thani sent yet- Organisation and the World serday a cable of greetings to Organisation for Animal Health King Willem-Alexander of the OIE). Netherlands on the occasion of his The workshop, held at Doha country’s National Day. Deputy Marriott Hotel, updates on Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin human infections with Mers-CoV Hamad Al Thani and Prime as well as the virus in animals, The participants of the workshop on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Doha yesterday. Minister and Interior Minister and overview of FAO activities on H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Mers-CoV. organisations and renowned pro- epidemiological cycle of Mers- Environment, said that combat- disease and the current knowl- Khalifa Al Thani also sent greet- One of the sessions of the fessionals together in one place CoV,” he added. ing common diseases that can edge in affected countries on the ings to King Willem-Alexander. workshop discusses “One Health” for the first time since the emer- Highlighting the significance of be transmitted between animals potential role of animal species practices in relation to Mers-CoV gence of the novel virus in 2012, the meeting, he said the general and humans is a priority for the in the epidemiological cycle of National Day and the current situation in the allowing for high level of knowl- population of Arab communities Ministry of Environment due to MERS. It also analyses the recent region. Another session touches edge exchange to advance the col- across the Arab Peninsula has the outbreak of new diseases in developments in diagnostic and greetings to Zuma on large-scale sero and virological lective understanding of the virus high expectations of the workshop the recent years, 70 percent of surveillance tools to support ani- screening for Mers-CoV in Africa and its implied challenges posed in order to find the right answers which are common, which poses a mal investigations. DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim and central Asia in camels. on public health.” in relation to the mechanism of challenge to the world that needs The event aims to identify the bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable The workshop will also discuss “Second, it comes after exten- the virus transmission. to be addressed. concrete steps and roadmap for of greetings to President South the virus in the Horn of Africa sive consultations and meetings at He added that cooperation He said the outbreak of coordinated actions at the sub- Africa Jacob Zuma on the occasion and current knowledge and per- different levels in the context of between SCH and the Ministry Coronavirus in the recent years regional level with a view to halt- of his country’s National Day yes- spectives on future activities in animal-human interface. Despite of Environment has succeeded in and its association with camels ing the spread of the disease. terday. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh the region. each of these meetings managed achieving a “recognizable scien- had a significant role in uniting Another objective is discussing Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Speaking at the opening of the to cast light on one of the view tific breakthrough with a genuine efforts between the Ministry of an agreeing on mechanisms for and Prime Minister and Interior workshop, Dr Sheikh Mohamed angles of the killing disease, this support from WHO and Erasmus Environment and SCH to develop intra-regional and global cooper- Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of meeting recognizes the need to Institute of Public Health in a joint system of cooperation ation in investigations, research Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent Public Health at SCH, said sev- integrate efforts of the involved Netherlands.” against the disease and extend the and knowledge sharing and the cables to South Africa. eral aspects make the meeting health and veterinary institu- Dr (Sheikh) Faleh bin Nasser Al umbrella of cooperation to include role of international and regional QNA a unique event. “First, it man- tions through presenting the Thani, Assistant Undersecretary other common diseases. organisations. aged to bring all concerned vet- latest research findings on the for Agricultural Affairs and The workshop aims to present THE PENINSULA Hala India calling erinary, health, and agriculture potential role of animals in the Fisheries at the Ministry of the latest research findings on the rates reduced Daman Health ties up with QDA DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday QRC sets up RFL for Nepal expats launched new offer for all Hala India Key customers, with calls rates decreased to just 10 DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has announced to set up a dirhams (dhs) per minute. The “Restoring Family Links (RFL)” for Nepali expatriates in Qatar who new offer, which is available for have lost contacts with their families in the aftermath of Saturday a period of one month, has been earthquake. The centre was set up in collaboration with the interna- launched to help the large Indian tional partners of QRC and Nepali Non-Resident Association (NRNA). expatriate community stay con- Affected people can approach the QRC at its office located in Old Salata nected with friends and family, area from today. The office will remain open from Sunday to Thursday said the company yesterday. between 10am and 1pm and 4pm and 7pm.The requests will be processed Ooredoo is anticipating strong immediately and get quick response with full secrecy. demand for the offer as India is QRC also formed a team of experts and volunteer to provide physi- currently the highest called inter- ological support to the Nepali nationals in Qatar traumatised after losing national country by Ooredoo cus- near and deer in the disaster as a social solidarity, Qatar News Agency tomers in Qatar. (QNA) reported. QRC has already launched a drive to collect QR12m for The promotion, which will run the relief of the affected people in Nepal and allocated an initial amount until May 22, will decrease call- of QR1m to send urgent humanitarian aide to Nepal. ing rates to India for all new and THE PENINSULA existing Hala India Key customers, saving customers nearly 50 percent on the current rate of dhs19 per minute. To take advantage of the offer, customers need to subscribe to the India Key by sending the Daman Health Insurance Qatar has teamed up with Qatar Diabetes Association to raise awareness on SMS ‘IND’ to 121. The subscription Coronary Artery Disease for their members and explaining the risk factors, interventional, surgical and will cost QR1 per week and the key Pharmacological treatment. Picture shows officials during a meeting. will be automatically renewed. THE PENINSULA Qatar Cool takes part in Earth Day celebrations DOHA: Qatar Cool took part in the global Earth Day initiative on April 22, 2015 by organizing two events that were aimed at raising environmental awareness amongst its employees and the future generations of Qatar, respectively. In a statement the company said that the first event was dedicated to its staff, where approximately 100 of them gathered with their families at the outdoor amphi- theater in The Pearl-Qatar (TPQ) and watched a docu- mentary film about the reduction of energy consumption on a personal level. This activity is in line with Qatar Cool’s efforts in encouraging its employees to adopt a green attitude not only at the office but also at home as the company has been active in many environmental initiatives in the past such as earth hour and no paper day, to name a few. The company was also involved with Vision International School (VIS) in Al Wakra in organizing an earth day presentation to around 300 students explaining the different ways of saving energy and the importance of energy conservation in today’s world. In addition, Qatar Cool announced an art competition for VIS students to express their own ideas about saving the environment through art. Qatar Cool will reward the winner of the competition with a valuable prize and a tour of the world’s largest district cooling plant located in the man-made island. Yasser S Al Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Cool, comments: “Our belief in the societal impact of spreading environmental awareness stems from our belief in the benefits of the district cooling service that we provide. Through such environmental initiative, we strive to educate the gen- eral public about the merits of adopting a green attitude and conserving the use natural resources – all in line with our commitment to support the realization of the environmental pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.” THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 SEC approval for 75 Defence Minister meets Ukraine official new schools: Minister National curriculum framework being developed

DOHA: The Supreme Education outstanding educational records and educators at public schools, Council (SEC) has granted ini- and invite them to operate in improving communication with tial approval to 75 new private Qatar.” stakeholders and society, and schools and kindergartens, He said the SEC had devel- developing our IT capabilities. which entails a 31 percent oped a new system for licencing Qatar is now working on pre- increase, Minister of Education and evaluating private schools, paring a comprehensive policy for and Higher Education H E while implementing the gov- higher education, and establishing Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali ernment’s grants to private a national qualifications frame- Al Hammadi said. education through educational work, an ambitious project that “We are witnessing a lot of vouchers that allows Qatari stu- will map out the skills required interest from existing school dents to choose from the diversi- in the coming decades, said the operators and new investors, fied curricula offered at private minister. with numerous requests to open schools. The National Centre for new private schools and kinder- Al Hammadi said the SEC is Educational Development is offer- gartens,” the minister was quoted currently expanding infrastruc- ing unique training opportunities as saying by the Oxford Business ture to respond to demographic to teachers and educators, helping Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Major General Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah met yesterday Chairman of Group (OBG) in its just-released changes and new urban devel- them achieve their full potential. the Ukrainian-Qatari Friendship Group at the Ukrainian Parliament Andrey Artemenko and his delegation. They The Report Qatar 2015. opments, while continuing to “In order to give students the discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them. Asked how is the SEC facili- reduce the number of students best opportunities, we are devel- tating investment for local and per classroom. oping the national curriculum international private education “We are building new schools to framework, coupled with the in the state, the minister said, meet the growing need for public LitNum initiative, to increase lit- “We believe that investment in schools and to replace old build- eracy and numeracy skills at an Court orders bank to pay QR1.2m education is very rewarding, ings. In the 2014/15 academic year, early stage. In higher education, whether in private schools or we inaugurated 13 public schools we have 23 colleges and universi- private colleges and universi- and nine kindergartens. We aim ties, both public and private, and ties… As for investors, we allow to increase the number of public we hope to develop more to fur- in damages to sacked employee them to have full ownership over schools by more than 33 percent ther expand the choice on offer private schools, helping them get by 2017,” said the minister. to students. We also have a schol- DOHA: Qatar’s highest court performance was reevaluated the bank had terminated the an additional plot of land and a SEC operates with six focus arship programme that sends has ordered a local bank to pay and it was under-average. He was employee’s services without any loan with reduced interest rates areas: leadership and strat- Qatari students to renowned uni- an employee QR1.2m ($330,000) accused of misleading the bank reason since he did not violate from the Qatar Development egy, student success, organisa- versities in 50 countries around in damages for removing him for personal gains. His services Article 64 of the Labour Law. Bank. Internationally, we tional development, technical the world,” said the minister. from his job in an unfair way and were terminated a little later Based on this finding the court seek out private schools with skills development of teachers THE PENINSULA in violation of the terms agreed without any justification. has ruled the verdict. to in his employment contract. The employee challenged the The bank went in appeal but The man, a Pakistani national, termination in a lower court. The the higher court upheld the ver- joined the bank in early 2008 court asked an expert to prepare dict of the lower court, reported on a five-year contract. He was a report on the case. Based on local Arabic daily Al Raya. The Companies fined QR100,000 each for given an incentive by the bank of this report, the court ordered the court ruled that the employee’s QR300,000 for excellent perform- bank to pay QR1,240,615 to the summary dismissal was illegal. ance in 2007. employee. Article 64 of the Labor Law says violating environment protection rules Afterwards, he was promoted The lawyer of the bank argued that a worker shall file a grievance DOHA: A lower court has fined several local companies QR100,000 each for violating environ- to the position of a senior execu- that the employee’s services were before the employer before chal- mental protection rules. These companies were involved in dumping sewage water through water tive manager and he was given a terminated as part of an adminis- lenging any penalty (dismissal) tankers in undesignated places on the sly at night trying to hoodwink the authorities. Some other raise a few months later. He was trative restructuring of the bank imposed on him (by the employer) companies were involved in extracting sand from natural reserves or areas from where sand selected as a member of the man- and according to his job contract in court within seven days. He could extraction is not allowed. These companies had no license to extract sand. Some companies were agement committee of the bank both parties were free to make then go to the labor department if fined since their heavy vehicles destroyed greenery as they were driven in grassy land to carry out as well. their own decisions. the employer does not respond. He their illegal activities. The vehicles were caught by inspectors from the Ministry of Environment, However, as soon as the chair- And his dismissal took place can approach a court if the labor local Arabic daily Al Raya reports. man of the bank’s board changed, accordingly. But the court department does not decide the THE PENINSULA the employee fell on bad days. rejected the argument. matter within seven days. He was notified that his The court instead ruled that THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Hunger, death stalk millions in Yemen war 150,000 people flee air strikes

ADEN/DUBAI: Hospitals gotten,” she added. Hundreds of bereft of electricity, homes Saudi-led air strikes and dozens crushed by air strikes, thou- of ground battles across Yemen sands on the move in search of have left millions in the impover- water, shelter and food: Yemen’s ished country hungry and 150,000 humanitarian plight, long frag- fleeing for their lives. ile, has become disastrous after At least 1,080 people have been a month of all-out war. killed, according to the United In a reversal of a journey long Nations, their bodies often undertaken by those fleeing dis- crushed under bombed homes or aster, war and famine, some left to fester in war zones. More Yemenis have resorted to escap- than 4,000 have been wounded. ing to less unstable zones in the An Arab alliance’s month-long Horn of Africa. campaign against Iran-allied Hospitals in the capital Sana’a, Houthi rebels has yet to loosen A boy waits for his father in front of a damaged factory after an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition struck a missile base in Sana’a yesterday. too short of petrol to run ambu- their grip over the capital Sanaa lances, blared appeals to private or beat back their gains in fronts drivers with enough fuel to col- across hundreds of miles in Arab coalition vows two-pronged strategy lect the dead and injured lying in Yemen’s south. the street after a big air strike on Behind the struggle for the capital Sanaa last week. country’s future, average Yemenis SANA’A: A coalition of Arab taking part in the coalition. deteriorating relations between rebels against the government of The bombing of a missile depot bear the brunt of fighting. The states vowed to coordinate “We have no other choice but Tehran and Riyadh, after recent President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, set off a explosion which shredded United Nations say 12 million peo- political and military efforts to succeed in the test of Yemen,” heavy criticism by Iran’s supreme the sources said. Also in Abyan, dozens of homes and sent a mush- ple are “food insecure” or going to restore order in Yemen as Sheikh Mohammed said, quoted leader and other top officials. warplanes targeted rebel posi- room cloud towering over the city. hungry, a 13 percent increase Saudi-led warplanes yesterday in UAE daily Al-Ittihad. “Today, Saudi Arabia is stepping tions on the outskirts of Loder, Crammed with wounded peo- since the conflict started. launched new air strikes on In New York, the UN Security in the footsteps of Israel and the the province’s second largest city, ple, some hospitals lacked the A blockade has choked off Iran-backed Houthi Shia rebels. Council went into closed-door con- Zionists,” the official IRNA news witnesses said. electricity or generator fuel to imports of food and medicines, The raids killed at least 12 sultations on the crisis in Yemen agency quoted Jafari as saying. Clashes were ongoing south- perform surgery, and aid officials while combat has interrupted Houthi insurgents and allied forces and to hear former envoy Jamal The Saudi government said west of Loder between rebels and say some bodies are now being fuel supplies to the country’s 25 as fighting continued across sev- Benomar give a final report. US yesterday the nine Arab countries southern forces that have sided stored in commercial refrigera- million people. eral provinces, military and local Secretary of State John Kerry, that make the coalition want to with Hadi, they added. tors or hastily buried when fetid The shortages have warped sources said. Sheikh Mohammed who was to meet his Iranian help Yemen “reinstate security Fierce fighting also raged in morgues lack power. daily life and crippled hospitals. bin Zayed Al Nahayan, the Abu counterpart, said he would urge and stability, away from any the central city of Taez, with the “Ambulances can’t run, there’s Hisham Abdul Wahab, a resi- Dhabi crown prince and armed Mohammed Javad Zarif to help hegemony or foreign meddling warring parties using tanks and very little electricity and not dent of the district lashed by last forces chief of the United Arab ease the violence in Yemen, warn- that aims to foment sedition and rocket-propelled grenades inside enough fuel for generators. In week’s blast, said he tried but Emirates (UAE), said the coali- ing the country’s future should not sectarianism.” residential areas, officials said. a water-scarce country like failed to stay on. tion is now working on military be decided by “external parties”. The latest air raids hit five At least 16 civilians were killed Yemen, that means you can’t even “Some people began return- and political fronts to reestablish Iran’s Revolutionary Guards schools converted by the Huthis in Taez on Sunday, before coali- pump water,” said International ing to the neighbourhood, but the legitimate authority in Sanaa. chief, meanwhile, said Saudi Arabia into military bases in Ataq, the tion warplanes reportedly hit rebel Committee of the Red Cross the strikes began again and now The campaign’s new phase is was verging on collapse as Tehran’s capital of the southern province positions east of the city overnight. spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali. they’re leaving a second time. The based on a “multilayered strategy, position strengthened, compar- of Abyan, military sources said. The UN says more than 1,000 peo- “It’s a catastrophe, a humani- place is devastated: there are no including military, as well as poli- ing Riyadh to Israel because of The raids killed at least 12 insur- ple have been killed in fighting in tarian catastrophe. It was diffi- roads, no water and no electricity. tics and development, to reestab- its intervention in Yemen. The gents and troops loyal to former Yemen since late March, when cult enough before, but now there Nobody’s left but thieves,” he said. lish the legitimacy,” he said on a remarks by General Mohammad president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who Riyadh assembled the coalition in are just no words for how bad it’s REUTERS visit to his troops in Saudi Arabia Ali Jafari were a further sign of has allied himself with the northern support of Hadi. AFP

Mauritania, Algeria in diplomatic crisis NOUAKCHOTT: Mauritania The website’s editor, Moulaye A Mauritanian envoy of a Sudan’s Bashir re-elected and Algeria were embroiled in a Brahim Ould Moulaye M’Hamed, similar rank was then declared diplomatic row yesterday after has been questioned by police, “persona non grata” by Algeria KHARTOUM: Sudan’s the tit-for-tat expulsions of dip- accused of damaging Mauritania’s and returned home on Sunday, President Omar Hassan Al lomats over a contentious news relationship with Morocco by Mauritanian diplomatic sources Bashir was elected to another article on drugs being smuggled spreading “lies and false allega- said. five years in office, results from Morocco. tions”, a Mauritanian security Both expulsions were con- showed yesterday, despite inter- Mauritanian online news portal source said. firmed yesterday by the Algerian national war crimes charges Al-Bayan has angered the author- Belkacem Cherouati — the chief foreign ministry, according to the and a vote marred by low turn- ities in Nouakchott by publishing adviser in the Algerian embassy national APS news agency, which out and an opposition boycott. an article claiming they had com- in Noukchott — was accused of said Algeria’s announcement Bashir, 71, took more than 94 plained to the United Nations that being the article’s main source came “in response to the unjusti- percent of the vote in the election Morocco was flooding Mauritania and expelled last week, security fied decision of Mauritania”. held earlier this month, the elec- with drugs. sources said. AFP toral commission said, prompting the opposition to reject the result as a “joke”. National Electoral Commission chief Mokhtar al-Asam announced Palestinian Bashir’s victory to a Khartoum news conference to cries of “Allahu charged in akbar!” (God is greatest) from the long-serving president’s support- ers. Only little-known candidates Jerusalem had run against Bashir and his closest competitor — Fadl El Sayed JERUSALEM: The Jer- Shuiab of the Federal Truth Party usalem District Attorney — took just 1.43 percent of the vote. yesterday charged a Bashir’s ruling National Sudan’s President Omar Hassan Al Bashir waves to supporters during Palestinian with delib- Congress Party also dominated victory celebrations at the National Congress Party headquarters in erately running down results in a simultaneous par- Khartoum yesterday. two Israeli pedestrians liamentary election, taking 323 last month, killing a man of 426 seats. The elections took “We will not talk about the figure.” His group, along with and seriously injuring a place over four days from April number or proportion of votes we rebels in Darfur who have been woman, the justice min- 13, with voting extended by a day obtained, but we thank God and fighting Khartoum’s forces since istry said. after turnout appeared minimal. the Sudanese people, who gave a 2003, had vowed to disrupt the It said in a state- Asam said the participation rate lesson in fairness and transpar- ballots across their region. ment that 37-year-old was more than 46 percent. ency,” he said. Thousands of sup- During the four-day vote, a Khaled Kutina, a resi- Western governments criti- porters cheered him, waving flags handful of polling stations in the dent of the West Bank cised the elections, which were and pictures of Bashir as he spoke troubled areas were attacked and village of Anata just out- held amid deepening economic at the NCP party headquarters on ballots stolen. side Israeli-annexed east woes and conflicts in the Darfur, Monday afternoon. Bashir has promised to launch Jerusalem, was charged Blue Nile and South Kordofan The mainstream opposition the national dialogue with the with murdering 26-year- regions. Bashir is wanted by the and rebel groups — which urged opposition after the election, and old Shalom Yohai Cherki International Criminal Court on voters to stay away from polling rebels from Darfur and South and the attempted murder charges of war crimes, crimes stations — rejected the vote from Kordofan were due to participate. of 20-year-old Shira Klein. against humanity and genocide in the beginning. But fighting still rages in the He is accused of driving Darfur, where the UN says more “Nobody recognised the elec- regions, and the election results into the couple “with great than 300,000 people have been tion, it is a one-party, one-person came the day after rebels and force” as they stood at an killed and more than 2.5 million election process, and of course the Sudanese military said there east Jerusalem bus stop on displaced. we have been saying so all along,” had been major clashes in South April 15. National police Norway, the United States said Arnu Lodi, a spokesman for Darfur state, with both claiming chief Yohanan Danino at and Britain slammed Sudan for the Sudan People’s Liberation to have inflicted heavy losses on the time called it a “hor- its “failure to create a free, fair Army-North. the other side. rible attack”. and conducive elections environ- The SPLA-N launched an Career soldier Bashir took According to the charge ment” while the European Union insurgency against Bashir’s gov- power in an Islamist-backed take- sheet, Kutina had become said the vote could not produce ernment in the South Kordofan over in 1989, the last in a series of enraged at delays caused a “credible” result because of and Blue Nile areas in 2011, com- coups that marked Sudan after its by Israeli checkpoints as Bashir’s failure to engage the plaining of economic and political independence from joint British he drove his parents from opposition in national dialogue marginalisation. “The SPLA-N and Egyptian rule in 1956. Anata to the family home talks he promised last year. doesn’t recognise the elections, let He has since overseen the in the east Jerusalem neigh- But at a victory rally on alone the results,” he told AFP by country’s split with South Sudan bourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Monday afternoon, Bashir hailed telephone. “It’s a joke and I don’t after a 22-year civil war. AFP the elections as free and fair. think anybody can believe that AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Israel responsible for Gaza shelter attacks: UN No weapons in UNRWA schools: Hamas

UNITED NATIONS: A United avoid harm to sensitive sites, in Nations inquiry blamed the the face of terrorist groups who Israeli military yesterday for are committed not only to tar- seven attacks on UN schools in geting Israeli civilians but also Gaza that were used as shelters to using Palestinian civilians and during the 2014 war. UN facilities as shields for their “I deplore the fact that at terrorist activities,” said foreign least 44 Palestinians were killed ministry spokesman Emmanuel as a result of Israeli actions and Nahshon. at least 227 injured at United The Israeli military said its Nations premises being used as prosecutors have filed charges emergency shelters,” Secretary- against three soldiers for alleged General Ban Ki-moon said in a theft from Palestinians in Gaza, letter to the UN Security Council. the first indictments served over “It is a matter of the utmost the July-August warfare. gravity that those who looked The army said approximately to them for protection and who 120 other investigations were still sought and were granted shelter open. there had their hopes and trust The Gaza war ended with an denied.” Egyptian-brokered truce after The UN chief, in presenting about 2,200 Palestinians, most a summary of the report, vowed of them civilians, and 73 Israelis, to “spare no effort to ensure mostly soldiers, were killed. that such incidents will never be UN spokesman Farhan Haq repeated.” declined to comment on whether The board of inquiry investi- the findings of the report would gated the attacks on the schools be taken up by the International run by the UN Palestinian refu- Criminal Court (ICC), which the gee agency UNRWA from July Palestinians have joined. 8 to August 26 last year, but it “It’s not our business to deter- also shed light on the discovery of mine what cases the international weapons caches at three schools. court takes up,” he said. The schools were vacant at Hamas said the report was the time but Ban noted that important since it proved Israeli “the fact that they were used by “war crimes against Palestinian those involved in the fighting to civilians in the (UNRWA) store their weaponry and, in two shelters.” cases, probably to fire from, is “We call on the world to send Palestinians carry a man who inhaled tear gas fired by Israeli troops in Hawara village near the West Bank city of Nablus, yesterday. unacceptable.” the murderous occupation (Israel) The UN chief urged Palestinian leaders to international courts, three UNRWA schools, which schools being used as emergency “By the time it became appar- GPS coordinates of the schools authorities to investigate. and we call on the (Palestinian) were empty from refugees, shelters. ent that the strike would coincide and numerous notifications about Israel has repeatedly maintained Authority to investigate this according to the report,” Abu The report gave specific details with the motorcycle passing by the presence of displaced people... that Hamas militants were using report and to persecute the occu- Zuhri said. of the projectiles used such as the school gate, it had no longer the hit was attributable to the civilians as human shields and UN pation (Israel) in international Ban said he had set up an ad tank shells and high explosive been possible to divert the mis- IDF,” the Israeli defense forces, premises as storage sites for weap- courts,” Hamas spokesman Sami hoc group of senior UN officials mortars, and included explana- sile,” the report quoted the Israeli said UNRWA spokesman Chris ons during the 50-day war. Abu Zuhri said. to advise him on possible future tions from the Israeli military. government as saying. Gunness. In response to the report, The Islamist movement that courses of action. A missile fired by Israeli forces UNRWA welcomed the find- Gunness also stressed that the Israel’s foreign ministry said rules Gaza de facto also rejected The board of inquiry con- on August 3 that hit a school ings of the report and said they inquiry’s findings were “fully con- criminal investigations have been the notion that three facilities firmed that UNRWA officials in Rafah, killing 15 people, was were in line with its version of sistent with the statements made launched against those linked to were used as weapon caches. sent twice-daily communica- aimed at a motorcycle carrying the facts. “The inquiry found that by UNRWA that we did not hand the attacks on shelters. “We deny having any informa- tions to the Israeli military with three militants from Palestinian despite numerous notifications any weapons over to Hamas.” “Israel makes every effort to tion about any weapons in the precise GPS coordinates of the Islamic Jihad, the report said. to the Israeli army of the precise AFP

IS kills five Iran leads calls for Israel journalists to give up N-weapons working for UNITED NATIONS: Iran East. The planned zone was yesterday led calls by non- agreed at the previous conference Libyan TV aligned nations for Israel to in 2010, but there was no action give up its nuclear weapons as on the proposal. BENGHAZI: Islamic State a major conference got under- The 190 signatories of the NPT militants have slit the throats way on advancing prospects for opened a month-long conference of five journalists working for a a nuclear-free world. to review progress over the past Libyan TV station in the east- Iranian Foreign Minister five years in reducing the nuclear ern part of the country, an army Mohammad Javad Zarif threat with much of the focus commander said yesterday. addressed the conference on the centered on the fate of US and The reporters had been miss- nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Russian stockpiles. ing since August, when they left (NPT) ahead of a meeting with UN chief Ban Ki-moon implic- the eastern city of Tobruk after US Secretary of State John Kerry itly criticized the United States covering the inauguration of the on the landmark nuclear deal and Russia for failing to advance country’s elected parliament to reached this month. nuclear disarmament, a setback travel to Benghazi. Their route Zarif insisted that the he said marked a return to a Cold took them through Derna, a mili- 120-nation Non-Aligned War mindset. tant Islamist hotspot. Movement (NAM) is demanding In a speech delivered by his Faraj Al Barassi, a district army that “Israel, the only one in the deputy Jan Eliasson, Ban said a commander in eastern Libya, said region that has neither joined the nuclear-free world was the “his- Civilians search for survivors under the rubble of a site hit by an air strike by forces loyal to Syria’s President militants loyal to Islamic State NPT nor declared its intention to toric imperative of our time.” Bashar Al Assad in Jusef village, in the Jabal Al Zawiya region of Idlib, yesterday. were responsible for killing the do so, (...) renounce possession of “I am deeply concerned that journalists, whose bodies were nuclear weapons.” over the last five years this proc- found outside the eastern city of Israel is considered a nuclear- ess seems to have stalled,” the UN Damascus residents fear the worst Bayda. armed state although it has never leader said. “Five bodies with slit throats acknowledged its status and has The secretary-general com- were found today in the Green refused to join the NPT, a treaty plained that instead of stepping DAMASCUS: Some Damascus Damascus in 90 days. We’re in a others will have to flee,” warned Mountain forests,” Barrasi told that imposes obligations on up nuclear disarmament “there residents now fear the worst trap,” said hawker Salim Afghani. tailor Hashem. Reuters, referring to a sparsely signatories. has been a dangerous return to after Islamist coalition gains “No one in the world can help “In any case, the city will be populated area east of Benghazi. Israel is sending an observer to Cold War mentalities.” against the military in northern us. Damascus could be destroyed, destroyed just like the Palestinian He did not say when the five jour- the month-long NPT conference Since it entered into force in Syria. Despite regime reassur- just like Jisr al-Shughur.” refugee camp recently at Yarmuk” nalists were believed to have been for the first time in 20 years. 1970, the world has seen a drastic ances, could jihadists infiltrate State television has reported on the capital’s outskirts. killed. Zarif said non-aligned nations cut in warheads, but UN officials the capital? the fall of both Jisr Al Shughur The entry on April 1 of mili- The reporters — four Libyans are also seeking “as a matter of have raised alarm over the failure “We are trembling with fear. If and Idlib, despite the “heroism” of tants from the Islamic State and one Egyptian — had been high priority” to set up a nuclear- to move toward deeper cuts. the extremists get in there’ll be soldiers in the face of “the arrival group sparked fighting and bom- working for Barqa TV, an eastern free-weapons zone in the Middle AFP fighting in the streets. Everything of thousands of terrorists who bardments in Yarmuk, but most television supporting federalism will be destroyed,” said marble came from Turkey”. of the damage there dates from for eastern Libya, other journal- merchant Mohammed Ayman in A senior security official says clashes between regime forces and ists said. the Damascus city centre. there is no reason to panic. rebels in 2013. Brussels-based International There are few outward signs of “The recent developments and Hyam, a 50-year-old doctor in Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Erdogan raps Akinci the trepidation felt by many. The a few terrorist successes have general practice, puts up a calm a group promoting press free- traffic is as bad as usual, and the caused these feelings,” he said. front. “The war isn’t finished. dom, said the reporters had ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became shops are all open. “In reality, what happened in There have always been highs and been kidnapped at an Islamic embroiled in a war of words with the newly elected leader of However, morale is low among Idlib was just one round in the lows. But Damascus will not fall State checkpoint and were killed northern Cyprus yesterday, bluntly telling him he should be many residents because the news current battle. And on the ground, easily,” she said. recently. careful about what he says. from the front is not good. the army has things in hand, with She believes that “recent rebel “We are deeply shocked by Mustafa Akinci, who won a run-off poll in the breakaway Turkish On Saturday, Al Qaeda- the terrorists practically under successes are aimed at bolster- this brutal slaughter,” said IFJ Republic of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, drew Ankara’s ire when he affiliated Al Nusra Front fighters siege in Jisr Al Shughur.” ing their hand” ahead of negotia- president Jim Boumelha. “ISIS said Turkey and the TRNC should enjoy a relationship of “brotherly and other rebel groups took the He blamed “media propaganda” tions under UN auspices expected (Islamic State) aims to horrify countries” rather than mother and child. The election of Akinci, a key regime town of Jisr al-Shu- for the current unease in the in May between members of the but we can only feel great sor- former mayor of northern Nicosia and a vocal advocate of recon- ghur in the northwest less than a capital, calling it “a kind of psy- opposition and the regime. row and further resolve to see the ciliation with the internationally recognised Cyprus government, month after seizing Idlib, capital chological war waged by terrorist In the north in Aleppo, Syria’s killers held responsible for their has raised hopes of an end to the island’s decades-long division. of the province of the same name. groups to spread fear”. second city and once its teeming crimes.” But Erdogan told reporters at an Ankara airport: “Mr president These latest losses in the north The gloom of many Damascus commercial capital, the feeling of Militants loyal to Islamic State (Akinci) should listen to what he says.” can be added to important rebel residents is especially felt because fear is palpable in government- have exploited a security vacuum Turkey, the only country to recognise the TRNC, has often gains in the far south in Daraa of the latest setbacks, whereas controlled districts. in Libya, where two governments referred to it as the “yavru vatan” or “baby homeland”—a label province, where both the ancient previously they were used to mili- “Many people have been saying and parliaments allied to host of rejected by some Turkish Cypriots. town of Bosra Al Sham and the tary gains being offset by failures in recent days that Aleppo could armed groups are fighting each Turkish troops invaded northern Cyprus in 1974 in response to main border crossing with Jordan since the conflict erupted in 2011. fall, like Idlib and Jisr al-Shu- other on several fronts four years an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece, and Turkish have fallen. “If the jihadists enter Damascus ghur,” said Tony, a web designer after the ousting of Muammar Cypriots declared their breakaway state in 1983. “I heard on an Arab TV chan- they’ll massacre people they see reached by telephone. Gaddafi. AFP nel that the rebels will be in as close to the regime and the AFP REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Riding into a row Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HEN the Second World War ended 70 years ago, little would have world leaders of the time realised that decades later it would be fought Win myriad other ways. As the eastern flank of Ukraine burns and the West points a finger at the Kremlin Britain’s strange silence on for stoking a war in the former Soviet Republic, tempers are rising ahead of the 70th Soviet victory celebrations. A Russian bike club whose members are fiercely nationalisticand close to Russian President Vladimir Putin European Union’s future has been stopped by Poland at the border with Belarus. The Night Wolves had planned a 6,000 kilometre road trip BY CLIVE CROOK government has offered no blueprint it as though it matters. through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria — nothing that even suggests a coher- The Treaty of Lisbon, signed in 2007, and Germany to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the he British election on May ent negotiating position. I don’t know introduced a “yellow card” procedure: Soviet victory over Nazis. They passed through Belarus on 7 is too interesting for the whether John Kerr (a former head of If a third or more of national parlia- Sunday.The bikers probably didn’t have an inkling of what country’s good. Neither the the British Diplomatic Service) is right ments declare that a proposal from was coming as all their stops after Belarus were planned TConservatives nor Labour to say that the government buried the the European Commission (the EU’s expect to win a majority of seats in reports. There wasn’t much to bury. executive arm) violates the principle of for countries that are part of the club of US-allied nations Parliament. Everything will depend on Better to say the reports appeared with- subsidiarity, the EC is obliged to pause. vehemently opposed to the Kremlin and policies of Putin. deals struck after the vote — an idea to out trace. That’s not good enough: In that case, The bikers have been denied entry by Poland despite which other countries are accustomed, What then should the Tories be say- the plan should be scrapped. A simi- having Schengen visas to enter the territory. Germany has but not Britain. Never have the election ing? I agree with most of what Janan lar procedure should be established for announced that its border guards would deny entry to the promises of the two big parties seemed Ganesh recommends in his Open repealing laws already passed. group. As the 70th anniversary of the war approaches, the so irrelevant. Europe memo to the prime minister. This change, and others pushing the Even allowing for this dynamic, the He’s right, in particular, to note that same way, could go into effect without a tension between Moscow and the West is palpable. Putin was offers of Labour and the Conservatives Britain has no good choices: “There is a new treaty: The EC would be told, thank as always uninhibited on Sunday in justifying the annexation are weirdly thin in one respect. This very strong argument that the EU is a you for complying voluntarily. This mat- of Crimea by saying that a historical wrong has been righted. was supposed to be an election about complacent, hidebound organisation in ters because many EU governments are To mark 15 years in power, the Europe. To dent the popularity of the a stagnant continent in the wrong part reluctant to start a new round of treaty Poland’s denial Russian strongman said in an UK Independence Party and deal with a of the world and on the wrong side of changes. interview that Soviet leader long-standing rift history. There is a less strong argument Britain would be right, nonetheless, in his own team, for actually leaving it. It is possible to to press for a new treaty, even if with of entry to Nikita Khrushchev transferred Prime Minister be fervently eurosceptic and reluctantly no great expectation of success. Why? a Russian the peninsula from Russia to David Cameron pro-membership at the same time, for My main disagreement with Ganesh Ukraine in 1954. Then Ukraine has promised that sheer want of better options.” concerns his view on the EU’s formal bike group was a Soviet republic and the Guided by the if he’s re-elected Sad but true. Britain is a medium- commitment to “ever closer union.” move was seen as symbolic. he will negotiate sized country off the coast of Europe. It’s Purging that is important — and doing new terms for the no use wishing it were somewhere else. so requires a new treaty. underscores Despite being a statesman and principle “more country’s mem- Granted, Canada is a small country “The idea of rewriting the commit- the fraying a prominent one at that, Putin Europe where bership in the attached to the US, and, as I’ve pre- ment to ‘ever closer union’ to something fails to realise that revisionist European Union, viously argued, hasn’t suffered unduly. less messianic would make us feel more ties between history is not good. If one were necessary, less then put the But Ganesh is also right to be cynical at ease in the project, perhaps, but it Kremlin and to subscribe to his version of where possible,” result to a stay- about Europe’s response to Brexit, if it would not make any tangible differ- geopolitics laced with self- or-go referendum. happens. Sure, it would be in the EU’s ence. The EU is integrationist because Britain could You might interests to negotiate a friendly divorce its members want it to be, not because a the West. justifying theories of international therefore expect of the kind that appeals to British euro- legal clause mandates it,” Ganesh wrote. relations, a number of enclaves, and should detailed back- sceptics, one that maintains full British In the past, the EU has been inte- islands and peninsulas would be and-forth about access to EU markets and vice versa, a grationist for both reasons. Regarding changing hands forcefully, triggering numerous wars and low argue for more what Britain deal like the one Canada has with the what the members want, I’m not sure intensity conflicts. “subsidiarity.” wants from the US. Friendly divorces are generally in they’re any longer convinced that ever It is not clear how many western leaders will share the EU, and what its the interests of both partners — yet closer union makes sense. One or two options outside aren’t so common. If Europe decided to may have noticed what the single cur- stage with the Russian president on May 9, the day Russia the union would take revenge on its ex-partner, it could rency — once justified as a vital step marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in a grand be. This hasn’t happened. Labour calls inflict real economic damage. toward ever closer union — has done for ceremony. But it is evident in the run up to the historical Brexit unthinkable, without saying why Guided by the principle “more Europe their economies, not to mention their gala that tempers have started rising between Moscow it’s unthinkable. And Cameron hasn’t where necessary, less where possible,” domestic politics. and the West. The bikers denied entry into Poland had said how the current terms would need Britain could and should argue for more Be that as it may, enshrining per- to change for him to recommend voting “subsidiarity” — the idea that decisions petual integration in the EU’s consti- visited Crimea to celebrate its annexation by Russia. Seven yes in the referendum. should be made by national govern- tution has made a tangible difference. decades after the world got rid of Nazis, the world has been Cameron’s officials have compiled ments unless (as Americans might It’s a principle that is flatly at odds with unable to get rid of the spectre of authoritarianism and reports on the “balance of competences” put it) there’s a compelling interest subsidiarity, and one that instructs the self-righteousness. If nations start rising above smaller between the EU and national govern- that requires action at the EU level European Court of Justice, supposedly differences to look at the larger picture of change and ments, but these are mainly compendi- to advance. There’s support for this the judicial guarantor of subsidiarity, to betterment, the world would be a much better place to live ums of opinions and anecdotes, no more approach in other countries. Europe give that interest less weight. than a prologue to what’s required. The recognises the notion, but hasn’t applied WP-BLOOMBERG in. The other side Quote of Common interest the day HIS is starting to look like China has firmly opposed turning fishing grounds at Panatag Shoal have ecosystems. With China in control of Mission: Impossible. Once the maritime dispute into a multilateral been shooed away by the Chinese the sea, it also becomes more difficult again, the Philippines is asking issue, preferring instead to negotiate with water cannons. Such scenarios to stop its fishermen’s harvesting of With these Tthe nine other members of bilaterally with every claimant to the will increasingly be seen in other parts endangered marine life such as sea the Association of Southeast Asian resource-rich waters. While express- of the South China Sea if ASEAN, turtles, giant clams and seahorses. elections, the Nations to come up with a Code of ing openness to bilateral negotia- divided by individual interests, contin- ASEAN members that have resisted Conduct in the South China Sea that tions, however, Beijing has unilaterally ues to shy away from taking a com- discussing the maritime dispute during Sudanese people will be binding on ASEAN and China, and aggressively reclaimed reefs and mon stand. the grouping’s regular meetings think which is currently busy doing whatever created artificial islands with gun Chinese reclamation activities will it is a problem of individual states. gave the world a it pleases in the disputed waters. emplacements across the disputed also extend its maritime entitlements Recent developments show these This time, Manila’s plea comes with waters, which can accommodate not under the United Nations Convention ASEAN members to be hiding their lesson in ethics, a warning that China will soon achieve just its fishing boats but also naval ves- on the Law of the Sea. Environmental heads in the sand, refusing to look up they gave the de facto control of the entire area, sels including submarines. An airstrip advocates have pointed out that the until they are staring the Chinese navy which is a vital commercial shipping is taking shape on one of the new activities have already destroyed in the eye – within spitting distance of world a lesson in route and a site for regular naval exer- islands. thousands of hectares of coral for- their shorelines. cises among ASEAN states and allies. Filipinos going to their traditional ests, endangering fragile marine THE PHILIPPINE STAR integrity. Omar Hassan Al Bashir Sudanese President TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Iran’s sectarian project poses danger

incites sectarian wars. Never! It to stop the Iranian project. has become an obvious reality, In the eighties, America especially since the Shia cres- teamed up for its interests with cent became a full moon after Al Qaeda against the Russians Iran began to envelop its Persian in Afghanistan, despite the enor- Empire project with deliberate mous difference in attitudes sectarianism. between them. It is noteworthy that a sen- Even the head of Al Qaeda, ior Arab media reporter visited Osama bin Laden, admitted Tehran in 2009, before the Arab that at one point of time, the spring outbreak and two years American and Islamic organiza- before the appearance of any signs tion’s interests fought at the same of sectarianism, when a promi- front against the Soviets. nent Iranian official literally The question now is if America asked him: “Why don’t you show teamed up for its interests with programmes about the sectarian those it considered “terror- conflict in the region?” ists”, why don’t Arab countries The reporter answered: ally with the same groups that “Where is the sectarian conflict scare Iran in the region in order in the region? There is no con- to face its threats, especially in flict to be covered by the media.” Iraq and Syria? BY DR FAISAL AL The Iranian official answered: Some may wonder: Do you want QASSEM “This is true, but I think in the the Arab countries to ally with near future you will address this ISIS and other terrorist groups to he one who wants to topic in abundance.” As if Iran confront Iran? Others will reply: ignite a sectarian war was paving the way for the out- Doesn’t Iran ally with Shia ter- in the region to burn break of a sectarian conflict in rorist groups such as the “ban- Teverything and kill the region. danas of falsehood”, “treachery everybody is crazy and vile. It’s If we look at the latest devel- Houthi supporters carry weapons during a rally protesting Saudi-led military operations in Sana’a, Yemen. Corps” and Hezbollah and others, only enemies and predators who opments, we will see how Iran to exploit them for its project? encourage sectarian wars in our began to intervene in Iraq, Isn’t politics originally a game country. Syria, Lebanon and Yemen on a terribly erred in starting to fight plans to carve out a dominant strengthen its sectarian alliance. of interests? Why is it lawful for No sane patriotic person debunked doctrinal basis. It sup- some Sunni Islamic parties and striking power from Shias, while Consequently, there must be Iran but unlawful for the Arab accepts igniting sedition and reli- ported Shias in Iraq, Lebanon groups and classified them as making the leaders of the Islamic convergence, even in creating alli- countries? Have Shia terrorist gious conflicts in this already vol- and Syria, and the Houthis in terrorist movements, while Iran countries of the Sunni majority ance with the Islamic groups that groups graduated from Harvard atile part of the world. However, Yemen in terms of clear sectar- has been gathering all sectarian a fugitive power. It is now time Iran fears. It is well known now University and the Sorbonne, since Iran is blatantly working ian grounds. factions in the region under its to correct errors. and according to the same Iranian while Sunni groups passed out of on the formation of a Shia alli- It is true that Iran’s ambition wing to use them for empower- No matter how extreme the leadership that the Islamic State Tora Bora? ance on doctrinal basis, the other is to revive the Persian Empire, ing its imperial project. Sunni movements , parties and (ISIS) has become the biggest To begin with, there are no side shall also promptly assemble Baghdad being its capital as pre- The result was that Iran groups become, they won’t be threat to the Iranian project in morals or principles in politics forces on the same basis, not to viously declared by Iranian Vice has scored many points at the more dangerous than Iran’s the region. which is basically unclean. If you engage in a sectarian war with President, but it is clearly fighting expense of others who looked to sectarian project that is hostile That’s why Iran has entrusted wish to beat your opponent, you Iran and its allies, but to pre- using Arab Shias to accomplish be shooting themselves in their toward countries of the region, the task of fighting ISIS in Iraq must play a dirtier game. vent the outbreak of a sectarian its goal. feet. Wasn’t it wrong to fight especially after the United States and Syria to one of its most impor- British Prime Minister conflict. Therefore, exploiting the sec- firmly rooted Sunni Islamist lifted sanctions on Iran, and it tant military leaders, Qasem Winston Churchill said: “If the As we know, the possession of tarian factor to achieve its impe- movements and declare them will have a huge budget to con- Soleimani, who now declares devil has helped me in attacking nuclear weapons doesn’t mean rial dream. Since this alliance or “terrorists”, while it was pos- tinue its expansion. himself as the leader of the war the Nazi enemy, I will speak well the destruction of the world or Crescent has become a reality, it sible to build an alliance with If Iran was expanding under against ISIS. of him in the House of Commons.” of the opponent, but it creates a can only be met with a rival alli- them and take advantage of Western sanctions, what will it No one asks moderate Arab Dear Arabs, learn from fear balance that, in fact, protects ance that will not fight a fierce their strength on the ground to do when all the military and eco- states to share power with ISIS, Churchill before it is too late. the world. sectarian war, but create the confront the Iranian tide? nomic sanctions are removed? but it is not a bad idea to take Dr Faisal Al Qassem is a column- Talking about sectarian con- desired deterrent. Iran has managed with the There is no doubt it will continue advantage of the danger of these ist and presenter at Al Jazeera TV flict in the region no longer Some Arab countries have help of its flagrant sectarian its expansion and will thoroughly militant groups and exploit them channel. Saudi economy in relation Fighting corruption in the Gulf they are very skilful at achiev- Dhabi government depart- ing an abnormal efficiency in ment has been established to practicing corruption! fight corruption and promote to oil and Yemen crises In our Gulf States, there are integrity. Just like in Bahrain, many hard working and vital the public prosecutor plays his According to official sources, the compared to revenues of $191bn, organisations trying to fight role in investigating govern- actual expenditure for the fiscal year and thus the expected deficit was financial and administrative ment corruption cases separate 2014 amounted to about $300bn. monitored to be around $39bn. corruption, but they sometimes from any state authority. This is more than the number There is a possibility that there seem like someone trying to From 2011, the Saudi that was adopted by the general will be an expected increase in the clap with one hand! Arabian Cabinet approved budget of $230bn, which is exciting budget deficit to reach $106bn, Our states signed multiple national strategies recom- and a sign that the authorities are taking into consideration lower oil international anti-corruption mended to protect integrity and interested in providing more condi- prices and therefore, oil revenues agreements and treaties that fight corruption. Subsequently, tions for achieving better economic (Jadwa Investment is the source of are sanctioned by the General the National Authority for growth rates. this expectation). The figure may Assembly of the United Nations. Combating Corruption was Certainly, the size of public spend- be much less in the event of reach- BY DR IBRAHIM AL However, what is the real established, which has since ing in Saudi Arabia is qualitatively ing better prices but there is almost SHIEKH impact of these agreements on been very active. strong as it forms 39 percent of GDP. an agreement that it would not be the ground? What is the effect The Sultanate of Oman has On the negative side, this statistic surprising to Saudi Arabia to adopt of these treaties and those bod- established a separate body for BY DR JASIM HUSSAIN reveals the large relative presence the option of borrowing for the first t is well-known that the ies on all forms of development financial audit. The president of the public sector in the domestic time in 15 years. ghoul of corruption has in our countries? of the body is of the rank of a t is clear that the ongoing events economy, competing with the pri- The other option is to benefit become a sly-monster phe- Kuwait has a National minister and is appointed by in Yemen didn’t lead to a rise in vate sector for obtaining services from the Kingdom’s general reserve. Inomenon getting what it Assembly since 1963 and an royal decree. It controls and Ioil prices. Perhaps we can say and banking facilities, for example. Saudi Arabia has a huge sovereign wants and spreading its arms Audit Bureau that was estab- supervises all state ministries that the crisis in Yemen has put an The size of Saudi Arabia’s GDP wealth fund estimated at about to places you may not even lished with a decree in 1964, and institutions and independ- end to falling oil prices, a phenom- reached nearly $780bn without any $763bn, according to the latest data think of. and then amended in 1977. ently submits its report to the enon that began in 2014. close competitor among Arab coun- from Sovereign Wealth Institute. Corruption has become a This is, of course, other than head of state. It is not surprising that oil tries, the Middle East and North This figure accounts for roughly large tribe with new crimes the legislations and the strik- What has been mentioned prices are essential to the welfare Africa. Saudi Arabia’s GDP ranks in 11 percent of the size of sovereign depending on circumstances, ing role of the press and civil above confirms that goodwill of the Saudi economy, whereas the the list of top 20 largest economies wealth in the world, which is consid- time and place. societies. exists and similar initiatives are Kingdom remains the largest oil in the world. ered by all accounts a huge fortune. We thought it was confined In Bahrain, the topic has on their way. In addition, inter- exporter in the world. This probably explains why Saudi Saudi Arabia ranks below the UAE to stealing public money, but varied since 1973 to the 2002 national conventions and trea- The level of production in Saudi Arabia and no other Arab country is with respect to the size of sovereign we later found out that it is Constitution. There is also the ties exist in which our countries Arabia reaches about 9.8 million a member of the Group of Twenty, wealth whereas Saudi Arabia has a multifaceted and quite diverse. Shura Council and the Anti- have been engaged with the barrels per day, nearly 7 million which includes major world econo- balance that is nearly $1.1 trillion or It includes bribery, manipula- Corruption Commission, as aim to stop abuse and waste of of which are allocated for export. mies such as the United States, about 15 percent of global wealth. tion and embezzlement of funds well as the Office of Financial public funds. But it is expected that the domes- China, Japan and several EU coun- In all cases, the Yemeni crisis through waste, abuse, money and Administrative Control, in What I want to say is that tic demand for oil products will tries like Germany, France and doesn’t allow the opportunity of laundering, accounting crimes, addition to the role of the public there are other steps to be increase and bypass exports due Britain; as well as Brazil, India, reducing costs, but it may cause forgery and many other types. prosecutor who is supposed to taken into consideration in to economic growth — especially of Russia and South Africa. the opposite as it requires expenses. Of course, it goes beyond that open any issue on corruption this field. industries — and population growth. In every respect, the boost spend- Even in the event of a political solu- by using influence and power based on authority endowed to Mixing business and politics It is noteworthy that Saudi ing shares contribute to raising the tion to the crisis in Yemen, Saudi abuse politically, religiously and it by royal decree. is a disaster that is affecting the Arabia had the honour of being real GDP growth, which was 2.7 per- Arabia is expected to lead the administratively. This is combined with a development and credibility of the largest oil producer in 2013 by cent in 2013 to become 3.6 percent reconstruction process. As I told you, it is a large list of projects approved in political and economic reform producing 13 percent of the global in 2014. This has been achieved par- On the other hand, the continuity tribe of bad behaviours that has the Parliament to strengthen in our countries. output. Russia and the US came in tially due to the absence of inflation- of another challenge which is the invaded the entire world. It is this trend, most notably the If political decisions overlap second and third by contributing ary pressures, as a result of many unemployment among the youth well-defined in our countries financial disclosure law, which political power pockets, it will about 12 percent and 11 percent. issues like the decline in oil prices. stands as an option for expenses in through the unfair distribution recently began to be applied. not produce independent deci- The oil sector plays a pivotal role The GCC economies have suffered the public sector. In fact, it is not of wealth and social injustice In addition to the press, there sions and will not benefit the in the Saudi economy, account- a lot between 2007 and 2008 in what wrong to assume a link between that could vary from country are civil society organisations country and the citizen. ing for nearly 85pc of the general is known as imported inflation, at the maintenance of public sector to country. to support this trend. I think that the partnership Treasury revenues, the same per- the time of the synchronised phe- expenditure and the need to address Corruption is seen in the At the Arab and Gulf level, of those agencies in our coun- centage with respect to export earn- nomena of rising prices and fall- unemployment. West in a more settled way Qatar is doing much better on tries must be activated to pro- ings, as well as 50pc of GDP. These ing dollar. However, at the time There is no doubt that unem- where political and economic the Corruption Perceptions tect and promote our internal figures confirm that the Kingdom’s when there was no reason for the ployment among youth is disturb- lobbies have control over super Index. Gulf systems, at least from the economy has a long way to go in importer of oil to raise the prices of ing; a specialised report that was empires, hence dominating Qatar has established a viewpoint that “the best one to order to achieve the desired eco- exported products under the guise released by the end of 2014 by the westerners whether they like national body of management hire is the one who is strong nomic diversification. of continuously declining oil prices. World Economic Forum, revealed it or not! and transparency control in and trustworthy.” At the very least, the phenom- Looking ahead, there has been that the unemployment rate among There is a strange situation 2011 that will soon be re-organ- Finally, I would like to enon of falling oil prices provides increased speculation recently over young Saudi people is around 28pc. that I cannot decode — the ised by a government decision. emphasise that there is good- an opportunity to search for real- a hypothesis, which says that Saudi This number is considered the germ of corruption has a great In addition to the role of the will requiring drastic decisions istic alternatives to suit the Saudi Arabia might go for the option of worst in the GCC followed by ability to adapt to all condi- legislative council, the press in audit and accountability, economy. Logically, it is better to borrowing to cover the expected Bahrain and Oman. This is due to tions. It doesn’t recognise laws, and civil society organisations which will certainly protect the look for alternatives in light of the shortfall of its 2015 budget. people under the age of 20 forming treaties and audits because it is support that function. governmental system internally relatively high crude oil prices. It is noteworthy that the 2015 almost half the population. able to make a virtual environ- UAE has achieved a good and externally. Fortunately, economic condi- fiscal year’s budget was prepared The writer is economist and ment that attracts all people to position in the Corruption The writer is a columnist and tions in Saudi Arabia are very good. to include expenditures of $230bn, researcher on GCC economies. this disease, and you find that Perceptions Index. An Abu researcher. TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE Pro-Kremlin Ukraine seeks EU help amid shelling bikers to Berlin Bid to boost humanitarian support barred at

KIEV: European leaders yes- possible a civilian assessment mis- Polish border terday resisted Ukraine’s sion... to assess the humanitarian demands for peacekeepers to situation” in Ukraine. BREST: Ten pro-Kremlin bik- stabilise its war-torn east, as The conflict between govern- ers on a controversial ride to monitors reported a surge in ment troops and pro-Russian Berlin to celebrate Soviet vic- shelling near a strategic gov- rebels has killed more than 6,000 tory in World War II were yes- ernment-held city. people in the past year and dis- terday denied entry into Poland Top European Union officials at placed more than a million, at the Belarusian border, Polish a summit with the former Soviet according to the United Nations. border guards said. The bikers state did however agree to boost The EU leaders pressured include members of the Night humanitarian support as Kiev Ukraine’s government to speed Wolves, a fiercely nationalist fights separatists in the east up reforms to clean up Ukrainian club closely linked to Russian whom its Western allies accuse politics and business in return for President Vladimir Putin. Russia of backing. closer ties with the bloc. They had planned to ride Observers from the “You have a powerful enemy, 6,000km through Belarus, Poland, Organisation for Security and but you also have a lot of friends. the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) You can count on their help, but Austria and Germany before say shelling is rumbling on in it will not be enough unless you ending their trip in Berlin to cel- the east despite a ceasefire deal yourself change Ukraine,” Tusk, a ebrate the Red Army’s role in vic- signed in the Belarusian capital former Polish prime minister, said tory over Nazi Germany. Minsk in February. in Ukrainian on arrival in Kiev. “They refused entry to Poland Ukraine’s pro-Western He spoke after visiting a memo- for all participants” said Andrei President Petro Poroshenko called rial to protesters killed during last Bobrovsky, head of the group of 10 on the EU officials “to deploy an year’s uprising against Ukraine’s bikers. Polish officials carried out international peacekeeping mis- pro-Russian former president a three-hour search of all their sion in our country which will Viktor Yanukovych, whose oust- belongings, Bobrovsky added. contribute to the complete fulfil- ing preceded the current conflict. Wearing sunglasses and ment of the Minsk accords”. Poroshenko’s government touted black leather jacket adorned Kiev’s European and US allies recent reforms such as the set- A general view of the Ukraine-EU summit in Kiev yesterday. with “Road of Victory” patches, are reluctant to send weapons ting up of a new anti-corruption Bobrovsky said he “was added to or troops to Ukraine for fear of bureau. He said he was aiming for much-needed investment for Throughout Sunday they Union’s victory in World War II the blacklist, had a visa annulled escalating the conflict, which Ukraine to be ready to apply for their battered economy. “observed sporadic to continuous on May 9 are out of the way. and was forbidden from entering has damaged their relations with EU membership within five years. Western officials point to exchanges of fire involving small “The Ukrainian security serv- the Schengen zone.” Moscow. But he warned the country mounting evidence that Russia arms, machine gun, rocket pro- ices are examining this situa- He said the bikers’ much touted “We know about Ukrainian first needs more help to stabi- is sending arms and troops to pelled grenade and automatic gre- tion carefully. They are ready to arrival at the Polish border was expectations today, but it’s impos- lise the east, where separatists the separatists, but Moscow has nade launcher,” it said. immediately react to any provoca- met with “a lot of special forces” sible to send a military mission,” have seized partial control of two repeatedly denied that. Shyrokyne lies a few kilome- tion,” Ukrainian military spokes- and helicopters hovering over- said Donald Tusk, the president regions and are exchanging shell The OSCE said its monitors tres from the port of Mariupol, man Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told head. “It was not very nice treat- of the European Council of EU fire with government forces. had witnessed “the most intense the biggest city still under govern- reporters yesterday. He said one ment,” he said, suggesting that leaders, after meetings with Ukraine’s leaders were to shelling” near the flashpoint town ment control in the conflict zone. Ukrainian government soldier Europe was “scared” that their Poroshenko yesterday. meet other international officials of Shyrokyne since fighting began Separatists have threatened a new had been killed and three injured ride would lead to a growth of Tusk did say however that on Tuesday at a conference to there in mid-February, as well as offensive against Mariupol after at the front in the past day. pro-Russian sentiments. the EU would “send as soon as showcase their reforms and lure movement of heavy weapons. commemorations of the Soviet AFP The bikers did not meet the necessary criteria to be allowed entry into Poland, Polish bor- der guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki told reporters at the Terespol border post. Ban, Renzi and He did not elaborate but said Kazakh president wins fifth term individuals could be denied entry for lacking identification docu- Mogherini in ments, a visa or a stated rea- ASTANA: Kazakhstan’s Pres- choice in Kazakhstan’s early slammed “significant restric- Rights activists said that sup- son for the trip. Bikers’ entry symbolic ident Nursultan Nazarbayev presidential election in which tions” on freedom of expres- port is the result of ignorance and requests will be dealt with on a yesterday extended his grip on the country’s deeply marginal- sion and media freedom. “Voters propaganda, reinforced by crack- case-by-case basis, he added. power in the oil-rich, ex-Soviet ised opposition did not field a were not offered a genuine choice downs on the press and Internet. Dozens of Polish bikers, who migrant meet nation with 97.7 percent of bal- candidate. between political alternatives,” “People believe that thanks to said they were grateful to the lots in an election slammed by The only two other contenders, said Cornelia Jonker, head of the Nazarbayev we live in a wonderful Night Wolves for their hospital- ROME: UN Secretary General Western observers as deeply figures widely seen as pro-govern- OSCE monitoring mission. country,” said Dina Baidildayeva, ity during earlier rallies in Russia, Ban Ki-moon, Italian Prime flawed. ment, scored less than three per- Nazarbayev’s latest win was a blogger and activist. were waiting to welcome them at Minister Matteo Renzi and EU Nazarbayev, who has run the cent between them. Reacting to celebrated across the country “People can’t think critically the border Monday. foreign policy chief Federica huge Central Asian country Western criticism, the 74-year-old of 17 million with fireworks and because the education system is “The Polish authorities’ deci- Mogherini met on a ship off since before the break-up of the president issued a mock apology. flash mobs, with some saying peo- built in a way that oppresses inde- sion is outrageous,” Polish biker Italy yesterday in a show of Soviet Union in 1991, improved “I apologise that for super- ple were genuinely pleased with pendent thinking and encourages Wiktor Wegrzyn said, adding that “solidarity” after a series of his already eye-popping scores in democratic countries these figures the outcome. “People say elections children to be submissive.” the Poles would ride to Berlin in migrant boat tragedies. previous elections to win a fifth are unacceptable,” Nazarbayev, on in our country are not real,” said While witnesses saw long place of the Night Wolves and The event comes just over a term in power. course to reach three decades in Abai Khuseinov, a student in queues snaking out of polling sta- leave flowers at war memorials week after more than 750 people The Central Election power, told reporters. Almaty. “So what is this happi- tions Sunday in a vote noticeable along the way. drowned in the Mediterranean’s Commission claimed a record “But I can’t do anything ness? Fake happiness?” for its relaxed atmosphere, some Russian state channels closely worst migrant shipwreck. turnout of 95.22 percent in about it. If I interfered, it would A recent Ipsos MORI survey voters complained at being asked followed the bikers’ setback at Photos posted on Twitter Sunday’s vote which was called a be undemocratic of me.” The poll showed 91 percent of Kazakhs to vote by their employers, a com- the border, some providing live showed the three boarding the year ahead of schedule. Western Organization for Security and were either satisfied or very satis- mon practise across the former coverage. Italian naval ship San Giusto off observers slammed the lack of Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) fied with his performance. Soviet Union. AFP AFP the coast of Sicily late Monday afternoon. A UN Twitter account also posted images showing Ban, Mogherini and Renzi talking as they made their way to the vessel. The leaders aim to “assess Berlin on back foot the situation and help ensure European solidarity for the efforts undertaken to save the lives of migrants crossing the over spying reports Mediterranean Sea”, the EU said in a statement on Saturday. BERLIN: Long portrayed as between Washington and Berlin. The visit is part of a string of a victim of snooping by allies, The documents cited by Bild meetings that Mogherini has Chancellor Angela Merkel’s gov- refer to NSA attempts to keep planned, citing “the need for a ernment yesterday grappled with tabs on telephone numbers and common effort to address the issue embarrassing reports of German email addresses at EADS, the of migration, from tackling root spying on European firms on aerospace and defence group now causes to facing the emergencies”. behalf of the United States. known as Airbus, and Eurocopter, The trip takes place eight days The German chancellor’s office which now goes by the name of after a shipwreck off the Libyan was informed in 2008 during Airbus Helicopters. coast killed over 750 people fleeing Merkel’s first term of German The government has so far war and poverty as they tried, like involvement in US economic indicated fault may lie with the thousands more, to reach Europe. espionage but did not react, the organisation of the intelligence Last Sunday’s disaster came Bild daily reported Monday, citing services. “It was definitely known after two other migrant ship- intelligence agency documents. for years in the chancellery that wrecks left up to 450 people dead. Hard on the heels of media the NSA tried, with German Yesterday, an Italian navy ship Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband leaves the ARC Theatre & Arts Centre after making a speech on living reports last week, questions have help, to monitor German com- reached the southern port of standards in Stockton-on-Tees, northeast England, yesterday. now arisen about the oversight panies,” Bild said. “It is unlikely Taranto with 274 migrants on and management of Germany’s and would be highly unusual if the board after they were rescued at BND foreign intelligence agency head of the chancellery would not sea. Under pressure to deal with Conservatives lead Labour by 6 points as well as its supervision at the have been informed about such a spike in the number of migrants highest political levels. an occurrence,” the source added. undertaking the perilous journey to The US National Security That post, which includes supervis- Europe, EU leaders held emergency LONDON: British Prime point at 9 percent while anti- hoping to hold onto enough seats Agency (NSA) sought to spy ing the intelligence services, was held talks on Thursday and decided to Minister David Cameron’s European Union party UKIP had to offer themselves up as a coali- on businesses in Europe such as in 2008 by current Interior Minister triple funding for the bloc’s mari- Conservatives have extended slipped by two points to 11 per- tion partner to whichever of the Airbus via the BND’s monitor- Thomas de Maiziere, a conservative time surveillance operation. their lead over the opposi- cent. Support for the Greens was big two has more seats. ing station at Bad Aibling in the ally of Merkel. Brussels also wants United tion Labour Party to six points up by three points at 7 percent. The picture is complicated southern state of Bavaria, the Opposition parties, who hold Nations approval for an EU mili- ahead of a national election on Sterling hit a seven-week high by the Scottish National Party mass circulation newspaper said. just 127 of the 631 MP seats in tary operation against the peo- May 7, according to the lat- against the dollar shortly after (SNP), which does not feature in Bild said it had seen two docu- parliament, seized on the issue, ple smugglers who organise the est survey published by Lord the poll came out. The election is national polls like the Ashcroft ments sent by the BND to the chan- with the ecologist Greens calling hazardous crossings, often aboard Ashcroft Polls yesterday. shaping up to be the most unpre- one as it is fielding candidates cellery in Berlin in 2008 and 2010 for heads to roll and the far-left overcrowded boats. Britain and The poll, conducted by tel- dictable since the 1970s. Most polls only in Scotland, which accounts to inform it of the NSA snooping. Linke party demanding a federal France are set to demand a UN ephone between April 24 and suggest neither the Conservatives for 59 of 650 Commons seats. Germany reacted with outrage at inquiry for “treason”. Bild said, Security Council resolution to take 26, found support for the nor Labour will win a majority of Polls suggest the SNP is on revelations in 2013 by fugitive US again citing an unnamed source action in Libyan territorial waters. Conservatives at 36 percent, up 2 seats in the House of Commons, course to almost wipe out Labour intelligence leaker Edward Snowden from the German parliamentary Mogherini on Sunday said it would percent since the previous poll on meaning that smaller parties could and other parties in Scotland, with that the NSA was conducting mas- committee on the NSA, that not be easy for the EU to secure a April 17-19. Support for Labour hold the balance of power. the latest one on Monday suggest- sive Internet and phone data sweeps, Germany apparently chose to UN mandate, or the approval of was unchanged at 30 percent. The Liberal Democrats have ing the nationalists could win 57 including in Germany. close its eyes to the information the Libyan authorities, which have The Liberal Democrats, jun- seen their ratings collapse since of Scotland’s seats leaving Labour The revelations, which included to avoid upsetting its coopera- not yet formed a unity government. ior coalition partners to the the 2010 election that brought and the Liberal Democrats with claims the NSA tapped Merkel’s tion with the NSA, especially on AFP Conservatives, were down one them into government, but are just one each. REUTERS mobile phone, strained ties counter-terrorism. AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Defence lawyers launch bid to save Boston bomber from death BOSTON: Defence lawyers on the run in April 2013. Bruck under the influence of his mother religion, dressing in black and The defence is expected to which applies to 17 of 30 counts asked a jury yesterday to sen- showed the Boston courtroom a Zubeidat Tsarnaeva who “turned coaching Tamerlan. take two weeks to make their on which he has been convicted. tence Boston bomber Dzhokhar picture of America’s only federal to fundamentalist religion and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev “was the case. Tsarnaev, thin and pale, If even one hesitates, Tsarnaev Tsarnaev to life in America’s “supermax” prison in the wilds of made sure Tamerlan followed,” helpful kid,” “a good kid,” his showed no emotion. will spend the rest of his life “super-max” federal prison, Colorado, where he said Tsarnaev Bruck said. lawyer said. After their parents, Even during the most harrow- behind bars. portraying a lost teen control- would live out the remainder of He was consumed with the suffering from psychological ing testimony, he has refused If anyone can get Tsarnaev off led by a radical older brother. his days in obscurity. idea of jihad, going to Russia in problems, moved back to Russia to look at his victims, many of the death penalty, experts believe “As awful as his crime was, life “You will punish him and pro- an effort to fight when Tsarnaev in 2012, Tamerlan became the whom have walked on prosthetic it is lead defense attorney Judy in prison faced with what he has tect society at the same time,” was a 17-year-old at high school only adult reference for his little limbs to the witness box. Clarke, who is a tireless opponent done is a better choice for eve- Bruck said. There would be and coming back to the United brother, Bruck said. Tsarnaev’s convictions leave of capital punishment. ryone,” said lawyer David Bruck “no martyrdom” for the killer States six months later. Speaking He was “a lost teenager with the jury only two sentencing Over the last 20 years she has in his opening statement at the who claimed the attacks were softly, the lawyer portrayed an very little motivation on his own, options: the death penalty or life saved some of America’s most penalty phase of Tsarnaev’s trial. to avenge US wars in Iraq and itinerant family history and cul- raised to take directions from without parole. notorious killers from death: The 21-year-old former stu- Afghanistan. “He will be securely ture where authority stemmed adults” and when Tamerlan began An opinion poll published in the Susan Smith who drowned her dent was found guilty this month locked there, he will never be from the father and older brother. to “go off the rails, he pulled his Boston Globe newspaper yesterday two children; “Unabomber” of carrying out the 2013 bomb- heard of again,” Bruck told the It was a “nomadic” life of “tur- younger brother” with him. found that just 19 percent of res- serial murderer Theodore ings that killed three people and court. He stressed over and over moil” moving from Kyrgyzstan to One of the first witnesses, imam idents in Massachusetts believe Kaczynski; Zacarias Moussaoui, wounded 264 in one of the deadli- the influence that 26-year-old Dagestan, before they settled in Loay Assaf narrated two incidents Tsarnaev should be put to death. convicted over the 9/11 attacks; est attacks in the US since 9/11. Tamerlan waged over his younger the Boston region in 2002. at a mosque in Boston’s twin city of In Boston, the number fell to 15 Eric Rudolph, who bombed the The immigrant of Chechen brother, then 19. Tamerlan was But the American dream Cambridge in 2012 and 2013 when percent with nearly 66 percent of 1996 Atlanta Olympics; and descent was convicted on all 30 shot dead by police while on the “began to crumble,” he said. Tamerlan furiously chastised him city residents favoring a life sen- Jared Lee Loughner, who shot counts related to the bombings, run after the bombings. Father Anzor fell sick. Zubeidat, for talking about Thanksgiving and tence, the paper said. Representative Gabrielle Giffords the murder of a police officer, a He was aggressive, “failed never accepted by her husband’s Martin Luther King, saying they Jurors have to agree unani- in Arizona in 2011. carjacking and a shootout while everything” and became radical family, turned to fundamentalist were not Islamic. mously on the death penalty, AFP

Freddie Gray burial service Lynch sworn in as US Attorney General Second African American in the job

WASHINGTON: President and at her hearings in the Senate Barack Obama’s choice for Judiciary Committee, was also US Attorney General, Loretta present yesterday at her emotional Lynch, was sworn in at her new swearing-in. job yesterday, becoming the Lynch won confirmation just first African American woman last week, after nearly a half- to hold the post. year-long delay, after Republicans A career prosecutor known for refused to bring her nomination trying high-profile anti-terrorism to a vote as a sign of opposition trials in New York, Lynch, 55, said to her remarks that they inter- she was “honored beyond words” preted as supporting Obama’s Mourners watch as pigeons are released at the burial service of Freddie Gray at Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, yesterday. Freddie to take over the job of the nation’s immigration policies. Gray died on April 19 from a spinal injury sustained while in police custody. Gray’s death has sparked protests that led to clashes with police and top prosecutor. The delay in her confirma- arrest of dozens of people over the weekend. Lynch vowed “to not just rep- tion was also driven by a stand- resent the law and enforce the off between Democrats and law, but to use it to make real the Republicans in Congress over promise of America — the promise abortion language tucked into a of fairness. The promise of equal- bill on human trafficking. ity. Of liberty and justice for all,” Vice President Joe Biden offi- Batman theatre she said in remarks after taking ciated at yesterday’s ceremony, Reporters caught between her oath. Lynch served twice as US which was held in the confer- gunman trial Attorney for the Eastern District ence room of the US Justice of New York, and has come to be Department. “Ladies and gentle- starts in Colorado known as a relentless federal pros- men, it’s about time. It’s about terrorists, govts: Watchdog ecutor who put mobsters and ter- time this woman is being sworn CENTENNIAL: James Holmes, ror suspects behind bars. in,” he said, alluding to the his- NEW YORK: Journalists are journalists, press freedom advo- Amanpour said widespread the allegedly disturbed gunman Her office has prosecuted more torically long delay, which had under threat from terror groups cates and news organizations, the political turmoil and rapid trans- accused of opening fire in a packed terrorism cases since the 9/11 attacks become a political sore point for and governments who restrict report said. mission of information through Batman movie premiere, killing 12 of 2001 than any other office. Just many Democrats and as well as civil liberties in the name of Governments are also abusing the Internet was making conflict people, finally went on trial yester- last week, she announced a 25-year some Republicans in Washington. fighting terrorism, a US-based anti-terror and national security reporting more risky than ever. day, nearly three years after the prison sentence for an American The issue was resolved last week. media watchdog said in a new laws to silence criticism, it added. “From government surveil- shocking massacre. from New York who admitted he Lynch takes over from Eric report released yesterday. Ethiopia has charged most lance and censorship to computer The 27-year-old, who has tried to join an Al Qaeda group. Holder, who in his six years as “Journalists are being caught in journalists behind bars with pro- hacking, from physical attacks to pleaded not guilty due to insan- In previous years, she success- attorney general had a combative a terror dynamic, in which they moting terrorism. Egypt recently imprisonment, kidnapping and ity, listened calmly as the judge fully prosecuted the terrorists relationship with the Republican- are threatened by non-state actors sentenced three reporters to life in murder, the aim is to limit or oth- gave preliminary remarks at the who plotted to bomb the Federal led Congress, which voted to find who target them and governments prison because of alleged connec- erwise control the flow of informa- trial, which could see him face Reserve Bank and the New York him in contempt for not providing that restrict civil liberties including tions to the Muslim Brotherhood. tion — an increasingly complicated the death sentence for the 2012 subway. She also went after cor- all the documentation lawmakers press freedom in the name of fight- In a foreword, CNN chief inter- effort, with higher and higher shootings. rupt public servants and politicians were seeking during a congres- ing terror,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s national correspondent Christiane stakes.” The troubled graduate student in both parties, and won billions sional gun trafficking probe. executive director. Amanpour highlighted the mur- Journalists in Europe contend — who had a shock of orange hair of dollars in settlements in fraud She assumes the US attorney The myriad threats, “from ders of journalists in Syria and with limitations in the name when first seen after the attack cases involving major banks. general post — just the second surveillance and self-censorship of eight journalists with Charlie of privacy, a rise in right-wing — sported neatly-trimmed brown The daughter of a librarian African American in the job after to violence and imprisonment,” Hebdo. “With well over 1,000 jour- extremism and homegrown ter- hair and beard for yesterday’s mother and a North Carolina Holder — as the nation wrestles make it “the most deadly and nalists having been killed since rorists, the CPJ said. first court session. minister father, Lynch attended with its response to a spate of dangerous period for journalists 1992, and with the deadly attack In the United States a focus on Holmes has been in custody since Harvard College and then controversial cases in which police in recent history,” Simon added. on Charlie Hebdo early in 2015, it national security “forces journal- the night of the mass murder in Harvard Law School. Her father, and other law enforcement have Non-state actors, criminal is clear that the threats are not ists to think and act like spies to Aurora, Colorado on July 20, 2012, who was seen in the Senate gal- used lethal force against unarmed organizations and violent political limited to bad years, nor are they protect their sources,” it added. which also left 70 people injured. lery during her confirmation vote, black men. AFP groups pose a significant threat to going away,” she wrote. AFP He allegedly dressed up as Batman villain the Joker. Prosecutors were to spend two hours making their opening arguments on the first Abe to meet Obama today day of the trial proper, before a presentation of the same length Novelists boycott NY gala by defense attorneys. If convicted, Holmes could face NEW YORK: Six prominent protecting freedom of expression the death penalty. Much of the novelists are boycotting a New against government oppression. trial is expected focus on whether York literary gala next week to “A hideous crime was com- he was sane at the time of the protest against French satirical mitted, but was it a freedom-of- massacre. A panel of 12 jurors and magazine Charlie Hebdo being speech issue for PEN America 12 alternates was selected after honoured with a freedom of to be self-righteous about?” the attorneys questioned over 1,000 expression award. newspaper quoted him as saying of the 9,000 residents of Arapahoe Australia’s Peter Carey, in an email interview. County who received summons Canada’s Michael Ondaatje, “All this is complicated by PEN’s since January, when jury selec- British-born Taiye Selasi, and seeming blindness to the cultural tion began. Americans Teju Cole, Rachel arrogance of the French nation, The trial is likely to hear some Kushner and Francine Prose have which does not recognize its moral grisly and harrowing evidence. withdrawn from the May 5 PEN obligation to a large and disempow- The defence was still fighting the American Centre gala. ered segment of their population.” judge’s decision to let the jury see They informed PEN over the On January 7, two brothers graphic images of the crime scene, weekend of their decision not claiming to avenge the maga- including a 90-minute silent video to attend the glittering annual zine’s depiction of the Prophet of the inside of the theater. event, which is also a key fund- Muhammad (PBUH) stormed Witnesses said Holmes threw raiser, a month after the Charlie the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, smoke bomb-type devices before Hebdo award was first announced. killing 12 people. opening fire randomly with weap- “They’ve all been in touch with Gerard Biard, Charlie Hebdo’s ons, including an AR-15 military- us to say they didn’t feel comfort- editor in chief, and essayist Jean- style rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and able attending,” PEN executive Baptiste Thoret, who escaped a .40-caliber pistol. In prelimi- director Suzanne Nossel said. the attack by arriving late to nary hearings, prosecutors said The US and Japan flags fly together outside the White House in Washington yesterday. Japanese Prime Minister Carey, a two-times Booker work, will accept the PEN/Toni Holmes had enough ammunition Shinzo Abe will meet with US President Barack Obama today as part of his eight-day visit to the United States. Prize winner, told The New York and James C Goodale Freedom to kill everyone in the crowded Times that the award stepped of Expression Courage Award on theatre showing The Dark Knight beyond PEN’s traditional role of behalf of their colleagues. AFP Rises. AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA Nepal rejects Nepal scrambles to organise quake relief Taiwan rescue Death toll crosses 4,000; health system creaking under pressure; hundreds flee Kathmandu team offer,

KATHMANDU: Nepalese offi- International Airport was hobbled Many of Kathmandu’s one emerging as reports of devasta- Survivors spoke of trying to cials scrambled yesterday to get by many employees not showing million residents have slept in tion began to come in from other stay flat on the ground while says minister aid from the main airport to up for work, people trying to get the open since Saturday, either parts of the country. the tremors shook the forested people left homeless and hungry out, and a series of aftershocks because their homes were flat- High in the Himalayas, hun- mountains. Some were stuck for TAIPEI: Taiwan’s foreign by a devastating earthquake which forced it to close several tened or they were terrified that dreds of climbers were staying hours afterwards, unable to move minister said yesterday the two days earlier, while thou- times since the quake. aftershocks would bring them put at Mount Everest base camp, because of injuries. government of earthquake- sands tired of waiting fled the Home Minister Bam Dev crashing down. where a huge avalanche after the “There is nobody helping peo- devastated Nepal had rejected capital Kathmandu for the sur- Gautam was supervising aid deliv- Yesterday, thousands streamed earthquake killed 17 people in the ple in the villages. People are its offer of a 20-man rescue rounding plains. ery and arranging for passengers out of the city. Roads leading from single worst disaster to hit the dying where they are,” said A. B. team, but denied diplomatic By afternoon, the death toll to leave the country. Kathmandu were jammed with world’s highest mountain. Gurung, a Nepali soldier who was pressures were behind the from Saturday’s 7.9 magnitude Government officials said people, some carrying babies, try- Rescue teams, helped by clear waiting in Dhading district for an decision. earthquake had climbed to more they needed more supplies of ing to climb onto buses or hitch weather, used helicopters to air- Indian helicopter that had gone to The Taipei-based crew was put than 4,000, and reports trickling food, medicines, specialised res- rides aboard cars and trucks lift scores of people stranded at his village Darkha. on standby on Sunday with much in from remote areas suggested it cue services and body bags. “The to the plains. Long queues had higher altitudes, two at a time. In Kathmandu, sick and of the Nepalese capital in ruins would rise significantly. morgues are getting totally full,” formed at the airport. In Sindhupalchowk, about a wounded people were lying out and more than 3,500 confirmed A senior interior ministry offi- said Shankar Koirala, an official in “We are escaping,” said Krishna three-hour drive northeast of in the open, unable to find beds dead, but were told aid was being cial said it could reach as much as the Prime Minister’s Office who is Muktari, who runs a small gro- Kathmandu, the death toll had in the devastated city’s hospitals. prioritised from neighbouring 5,000, in the worse such disaster dealing with the disposal of bodies. cery store in Kathmandu, stand- reached 875 people and was Surgeons set up an operating the- countries. in Nepal since 1934, when 8,500 Families lit funeral pyres for ing at a road intersection. expected to rise. In Dhading, close atre inside a tent in the grounds “The Nepalese told us that people were killed. the dead in towns and across the Meanwhile, the extent of to the quake’s epicentre west of of Kathmandu Medical College. it would first accept such aid Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan countryside. Nepal’s disaster was only just Kathmandu, 241 people were killed. REUTERS from neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan, con- sidering the chaotic conditions in Nepal, and to take advantage Everest climber not of the golden window for res- cue operations,” Minister David Lin said at a press conference yet ready to quit in Taipei. China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and shares NEW DELHI: Climber Nick firm. Injured avalanche survi- a border with Nepal, has also Cienski has not given up on vors were flown down the moun- dispatched a 62-member rescue his world record bid to scale tain on Sunday, but many of the team to Kathmandu along with six 8,000-metre peaks this cal- more than 300 foreign climbers a group of medics. endar year, despite narrowly attempting to scale Everest were More than 90 people have been escaping a huge avalanche on staying put for the time being. killed in India and China since the Mount Everest on Saturday set Phil Crampton, expedition quake struck. off by an earthquake that killed leader of New York-based climb- Lin denied local media specu- thousands of people in Nepal. ing outfit Altitude Junkies, said lation that politics were a factor The avalanche unleashed by the on Sunday that many teams in the Nepalese government’s 7.9 magnitude quake blew tents, were hunkering down. It wasn’t decision, but he was unable to people and gear hundreds of feet, yet clear whether his team would explain why Nepal had accepted only just missing his team, the pull out of base camp or press on. a team from Japan, even though Canadian said yesterday by sat- Crampton was on the 8,850- Tokyo is around 1,500km further ellite telephone from base camp. metre mountain a year ago when away from Kathmandu than A day after helping to recover an avalanche struck the Khumbu Taipei. the bodies of 12 of at least 17 icefalls, killing 16 sherpa mountain Nepal does not recognise avalanche victims, Cienski ago- guides, in what was until now the Taiwan, considered by China as nised over whether to continue worst climbing tragedy on Everest. part of its territory awaiting to be his quest in the poor Himalayan “I think we are all just going to reunited since their split in 1949 nation struck by a greater trag- wait and see what happens,” he at the end of a civil war. edy. More than 3,700 people have said by phone from the camp. “I’m Lin said, however, that Taiwan’s died. not familiar with any teams leav- government, civil aid and religious “We are still sorting through a ing base camp yet. I think a few groups were working together to lot of emotions; 24 hours ago we teams went down the valley for E arthquake victims stand in line to get food from a community kitchen in Kathmandu yesterday. send several medical groups to were wrapping people’s body parts a few days. They plan to return.” Nepal yesterday. in bags,” said Cienski, speaking Last year’s avalanche killed of the rewards of the high-end Experience which advertises a “For me personally it’s probably “We now are centring our over the noise of helicopters only sherpas who, unlike their climbing business. standard fee of $65,000 to climb too early to say how I feel about relief efforts on medical serv- evacuating climbers two-by-two foreign employers, have to run the This year, the feeling at Everest Everest. Cienski said most expert that. I wouldn’t want to continue ice, rehabilitation and raising from further up the world’s tall- gauntlet through the treacherous base camp was that the earth- sherpas had returned to their vil- if it made anybody uncomfortable funds for the Nepalese people,” est peak. Khumbu icefalls many times to quake and avalanche were indis- lages to see whether their families to continue — sherpas included in he said, adding that Taiwanese “So on the one hand the reality ferry equipment and supplies to criminate in taking the lives of and homes were safe. that,” he said. Cienski, who first government has donated of that ... and on the second hand, advanced camps. local and foreign climbers, and Only if they return, and are came to the Himalayas as a 21-year- $300,000 in humanitarian aid we are climbers and this is sort of Fury among the sherpas caused so the season may continue. willing to press on, would Cienski old in 1987, plans to climb Everest, to Nepal. what we do. the cancellation of last year’s Among those who died were three continue in his Mission 14 quest Lhotse and Makalu this spring, fol- As of late yesterday, 21 “And so, does it make sense to climbing season and led to prom- Americans and one Japanese. (mission14.org), through which lowed by Cho Oyo, Shishapangma Taiwanese travellers in Nepal continue?” said Cienski, an execu- ises of better pay for the guides, Cienski is backed by a team he is seeking to raise awareness and Manaslu later in the year. were still unaccounted for. tive with a US outdoor apparel who see a relatively low share from Russell Brice’s Himalayan against child sex trafficking. REUTERS AFP

Sri Lanka seeks to restore Asean warns sea reclamation ‘may undermine peace’ LANGKAWI: Reclamation A statement to be issued at the mention China by name. Other photos showed a runway foreign ministers to “urgently presidential work in the disputed South close of the one-day summit in Along with Taiwan, Association and ship harbour taking shape on address this matter” under dia- China Sea, where China has Malaysia notes “serious concerns” of Southeast Asian Nations Fiery Cross, also in the Spratlys, logue mechanisms set up between constructed an airstrip and over land reclamation on reefs (Asean) member-states Vietnam, which was little more than a reef the bloc and China. term limits other structures on coral reefs, whose sovereignty is contested. The the Philippines, Malaysia and when work began late last year. But it stopped just short of a threaten to “undermine peace, work has triggered fears of tighten- Brunei claim parts of the sea, Similar work is taking place at call by the Philippine foreign sec- COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s gov- security and stability” in the ing Chinese control over the seaway. which is rich in energy reserves a handful of other sites, according retary, who on Sunday challenged ernment yesterday unveiled a region, Southeast Asian leaders “We share the serious con- and fishery resources, and is a vital to defence analysts, who say the Asean to “finally stand up” to bill that will restore a two-term warned yesterday. cerns expressed by some leaders conduit for much of world trade. construction drive will give China Beijing by demanding an imme- limit for presidents and ensure Beijing’s assertion of sover- on the land reclamation being Satellite photos released earlier a permanent forward presence far diate halt to the reclamation. the independence of the police eignty over almost all the sea — undertaken in the South China this month provided fresh evi- out at sea from which to project Albert del Rosario had warned and the judiciary, undoing moves also claimed in parts by several Sea, which has eroded trust and dence of the scale of the Chinese its growing power. his regional peers in Kuala by the country’s former strong- other Asian nations — has set off confidence and may undermine programme, depicting a flotilla The closing statement by Lumpur that China was “poised man to consolidate power. alarm bells with its neighbours peace, security and stability,” of vessels dredging sand onto a Malaysia — which holds the rotat- to consolidate de facto control” The presidential term limit was and beyond as China stakes its said the statement by summit feature known as Mischief Reef ing chair of 10-member Asean of the sea. removed by Mahinda Rajapaksa claim with growing boldness. chair Malaysia, which did not in the Spratly Islands. this year — instructs the region’s AFP as he gave himself more control over the administration after winning a second term in 2010. His successor Maithripala Sirisena came to power on a man- date of reducing the powers of the Indonesia rebuffs bids presidency. The amendment, presented by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to parlia- to delay executions ment, seeks to establish inde- pendent commissions to run 11 CILACAP/SYDNEY: reporters that such concerns public institutions and removes Indonesia said the execution of should have been conveyed a the president’s power to make nine drug traffickers would go decade ago when the case when appointments to them. Members ahead this week, rebuffing last- through the courts. will vote on it today. minute appeals from Australia The other seven who were In a rare address to the assem- and the Philippines to spare informed at the weekend that bly appealing to MPs to pass the their nationals and ignoring a they would face the firing squad as amendment, Sirisena said they decision by the Constitutional early as today are four Nigerians, were “privileged” to support the bill. Court to hear a final challenge. an Indonesian, a Brazilian and a “It is a meritorious act,” he said. Australia began the day with a Filipina. The bill, however, falls short plea for a stay in the execution of Philippines President Benigno of his election pledge to scrap Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Aquino appealed to Widodo at a the presidency and transfer Chan, saying reports that their summit of Southeast Asian nations most of the executive powers trial had been tainted by corrup- to spare the Filipina, a mother-of- to parliament, re-establishing a tion needed to be investigated. two who says she was duped into Westminster-style democracy Foreign Minister Julie Bishop carrying drugs into Indonesia. such as Sri Lanka had before 1978. said allegations that judges Widodo said he was sym- The Supreme Court earlier this requested money to commute the pathetic and would consider month held that such transfer death sentences were “very seri- the plea, but later Indonesia’s of power required approval at a ous” and called into question the Attorney General said there national referendum, which the integrity of the process. would be no clemency for Mary government says is too costly. Activists hold a candlelight vigil for death row prisoner Mary Jane Veloso outside the Indonesian embassy in Indonesian President Joko Jane Veloso. AFP Makati, Philippines, yesterday. Widodo brushed that off, telling REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Pakistan’s new Military bid to cybercrime law to twist tighten control media’s arms

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of media, civil on Karachi society and legal fraternity as well as information technology experts yesterday castigated the government over what they ‘Mission creep’ targets MQM: Critics called an attempt to infringe the right of freedom of expres- ISLAMABAD: The chief of It would also give the army lev- sion through proposed legisla- Pakistan’s main spy agency erage over Pakistan’s economic tion on cybercrime. is spearheading a campaign hub. That complements other The government has got to wrest control of the teem- steps taken in the last two years approved the Prevention of ing port city of Karachi from to tighten its grip on national Electronic Crimes Bill 2015 from a powerful political party, the security, foreign policy and the the National Assembly’s stand- military’s latest, and some say judiciary through the introduc- ing committee and forwarded it boldest, foray into civilian life in tion of military courts. to the House for legislation. recent years. The army’s increasing influence In an interactive session According to military officials, could make it harder for Prime organised by National Press police officers and members of Minister Nawaz Sharif to deliver Club Islamabad, the participants the Muttahida Qaumi Movement a rapprochement with India that expressed their serious appre- (MQM) party which has tradi- he promised when he won elec- hensions over some controversial tionally dominated Karachi, tions in 2013. clauses in the proposed legislation. Rizwan Akhtar has decided the Critics call it “mission creep” They asked the government to time for policing the city from the and say the army’s power grab is review the ambiguous terms that sidelines is over. a setback for Pakistan, where the can be misused for arm twisting “There is a quiet, creeping military has ruled for about half of media persons, social media takeover of Karachi by the mili- the country’s history. R esidents remove a damaged tree from a street following heavy rain and winds in Peshawar yesterday. activists and the society at large. tary,” said a government offi- But police in Karachi are seen They said that government cial close to Akhtar, head of the as too weak or corrupt to stamp has got political objectives behind Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) out violence effectively, so many ‘Mini-cyclone’ in Peshawar kills 44, cybercrime bill and wants to gag agency, which traditionally acts residents are willing to rely on freedom of expression and freedom as an extension of army power in the military despite its history of of speech through the legislation. Pakistan. coups and accusations of rights Usama Khilji, a free speech “Karachi is just too big ... too abuses. military called in to boost rescue campaigner, said the government much land, too much business, Last month, paramilitary failed to take civil society and rep- resources. No one party will be Rangers swooped on the MQM’s PESHAWAR: A severe storm capital of northwestern Khyber The military has been called resentative of IT industry into allowed to rule Karachi from headquarters in Karachi, seizing in northwest Pakistan, dubbed Pakhtunkhwa province, and in in to boost rescue efforts, using confidence over the cybercrime now on,” added the official, who arms and detaining “criminals”, a “mini-cyclone”, has killed 44 parts of two nearby districts, ground-penetrating radars, con- legislation. “In a democracy, it is declined to be named. including a fugitive convicted of people and injured more than Nowshera and Charsadda. crete cutters and sniffer dogs, unfair for a government to come The sweltering, violent murder. 200, officials said yesterday, Ghani said at least 29 people according to a tweet by the army up with legislation on a sensitive metropolis is Pakistan’s largest It was a direct challenge to the raising their previous death toll. were killed in Peshawar, 10 in spokesman. issue without active participation and wealthiest city. It accounts authority of Hussain, who, despite Intense rain and strong winds Charsadda and five in Nowshera. Safety standards, particularly of the citizens and relevant stake- for half of national revenues and living in London since he fled buffeted the city of Peshawar and Aamir Afaq, a senior offi- in construction, are very lax in holders,” he said. hosts the stock exchange, central murder charges in Pakistan in adjacent districts late Sunday, cial of the provincial disaster nuclear-armed but economically He said the government wants bank and a giant port. 1991, leads the party and remains felling trees, causing dozens of management authority, con- underdeveloped Pakistan. to serve its political objectives The military’s crackdown in one of the country’s most power- roofs and walls to collapse and firmed the death toll and said Many of the more than 200 through the legislation as some Karachi started late in 2013, ful figures. blocking many roads. that efforts were underway “to killed in last year’s heavy mon- of the clauses of the bill infringe when the murder rate soared and The army has long accused The injured include nearly 100 provide food, shelters and emer- soon rains died after roofs upon freedom of expression of the mutilated bodies were dumped in the MQM of racketeering, kid- children, according to officials, gency medical services to the collapsed. citizens. alleyways daily. nappings for ransom and tar- while farmers have seen their affectees”. Poor construction was also “If the bill is passed in its The operation, which escalated geted killings in Karachi. Police produce badly affected. A reporter in Peshawar said blamed for the collapse of the present form, the government last month, is officially aimed at recorded 2,507 murders in the “At least 44 people have been rescue workers were removing Margalla Towers apartment block will get the legal powers to block criminals and militants, but some city in 2013, up from 278 in 2006. killed and 202 wounded. The fallen trees to open roads while in Islamabad in a 2005 earth- news websites, blogs, Facebook say MQM is the real target. MQM denies the charges storm followed by heavy rain engineers from mobile phone quake, killing 78 people. and Twitter accounts,” he said. Army spokesmen did not against it, but says that, while and hailstorm has severely dam- companies were repairing the The city of Peshawar is also at Khilji, however, said that he is respond to requests for comment. it has cooperated with Rangers aged wheat crops and orchards,” towers. the forefront of Pakistan’s bat- not against the bill but some of its Weakening the MQM’s grip, in the past, the party will resist Provincial Information Minister On Sunday evening, flood tle against a homegrown Islamist clauses must be amended. and particularly that of exiled attempts to break it up. “What is Mushtaq Ghani said. waters from the torrential rain insurgency that rose up in 2004 Tahir Malik, Professor at leader Altaf Hussain, would free happening now (raids and arrests) Ghani said that authorities reached a depth of a metre (three following the US-led invasion of National University of Modern space for other political parties is inconceivable to us,” said MQM were estimating the losses and feet) in some parts of the city, Afghanistan and the migration of Languages, said that a society can- seen as more sympathetic to the leader Haider Abbas Rizvi. “But expressed fear that hundreds of which is home to more than three Al Qaeda and Taliban militants not progress without critical think- military, like Pakistan Tehreek- they will not be able to dismantle cattle have been killed. million people. to the country’s border tribal ing and fair competition to acquire e-Insaf, led by former cricketer the party, if that is the plan.” Electricity was still sus- Initial estimates had put the areas. modern techniques and skills. Imran Khan. REUTERS pended in Peshawar, the death toll at 26 with 180 injured. AFP INTERNEWS

PPP faces Taliban attack threatens big loss in Internal rift costs PTI heavily RAWALPINDI: Development from Rawalpindi with PTI chief in many wards despite offering cantonment schemes including the multi-bil- Imran Khan representing the tickets. northern Afghan city lion Metro Bus Project, effective constituency in the parliament. Political analysts and party campaigning, organisational Other opposition parties - workers pointed internal rifts KABUL: Heavy fighting broke into the city itself, in the board polls restructuring and a host of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and other weaknesses as the main between Afghan security southern district of Gul Tepa, related developments were some the Pakistan Muslim League- cause of the humiliating defeat of forces and Taliban insurgents Basel said. ISLAMABAD: A rout in of the factors that contributed Quaid, the Awami Muslim League PTI. that killed more than 30 com- Afghan security forces used Saturday’s local government to the ruling party’s thump- (AML), the Pakistan Awami The PTI had formed a com- batants threatened a major artillery in defence. elections in cantonment areas ing victory in Rawalpindi and Tehreek (PAT) and the Jamaat- mittee comprising local MPAs northern city yesterday, offi- “The sound of heavy weapons of Pakistan has prompted soul- Chaklala cantonment boards’ i-Islami (JI) - failed to clinch even and office-bearers of the north- cials said. fired by Afghan forces can be searching within the Pakistan elections. a single seat out of the 20 seats of ern Punjab chapter to select The battle on the outskirts heard in the city,” said Kunduz People’s Party. The Pakistan Muslim League- the two cantonments. candidates. Initially, the com- of Kunduz, part of an inten- police spokesman Sayed Sarwar In background interviews, a Nawaz (PML-N) routed all The PPP, which ruled the mittee selected three candidates sifying wave of attacks after Hussaini. number of PPP leaders and office- the rival parties including the country for five years, etches on from each ward asking them to the departure of most foreign Fighting continued into the bearers said that top leadership’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) harsh memories, as two of its withdraw in each other’s favour troops, led President Ashraf evening, but Afghan forces lack of interest in the party’s despite the fact that the party had charismatic leaders were slain through mutual understanding to Ghani to delay his departure pushed the Taliban back with reorganisation after its defeat bagged one National Assembly in the city in the past. The party pave way for one candidate. on a state visit to India by sev- help from reinforcements from in the 2013 general elections and one provincial assembly seat even couldn’t find candidates INTERNEWS eral hours. Kabul and other areas, said local was responsible for the current Officials said hundreds of army commander Qadam Shah situation. Taliban militants had attacked Shaheen. Some PPP members even com- police and army checkposts in “We will win the fight soon,” plained about “lack of vision” in Women painters the province of Kunduz, the he said. the leadership after the assas- insurgents’ last stronghold before Militants this month launched sination of former chairperson US-led forces drove them from major attacks in another north- Benazir Bhutto. power in 2001. ern province as part of their The local government elec- Now they threaten to overrun spring offensive, Badakhshan, tions in 42 cantonments held on parts of the provincial capital, and yesterday fired on a govern- Saturday proved to be a contest after fighting that killed eight ment delegation meeting soldiers between PML-N and the Pakistan Afghan security personnel and at there. Tehreek-i-Insaf. least two dozen Taliban, a spokes- Their rockets and gunfire nar- Of the 199 wards, according to man for the provincial governor rowly missed the group, led by unofficial results, PPP managed said. Ahmad Zia Massoud, head of to win in only seven. “The threat level is very high, Ghani’s governance commission, When contacted, PPP spokes- but with new reinforcements, a close aide said. man Farhatullah Babar termed our security forces have gained The delegation withdrew by the party’s performance in the morale,” said Abdul Waseh Basel, helicopter. elections “disappointing”, saying the spokesman. Afghanistan’s long war has that those who were given the The insurgents overran seven also been complicated by some powers to make decisions would army and police checkpoints in disgruntled Taliban commanders have to say something in their central Kunduz and two districts, declaring allegiance to Islamic defence. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah State, the Middle Eastern jihadist He, however, denied a percep- Mujahid said in an emailed movement that controls swathes tion that the party had gone into statement. of Iraq and Syria. the LG elections unprepared. Presidential spokesman Ajmal Nato’s Campbell said that such Many PPP members believe Obidy said Ghani left for India reports had been increasing and that the party lacked the vision late on Monday afternoon. He “there’s a little bit of money pass- of Benazir Bhutto and it would had delayed his departure for ing back and forth”, but the coa- continue to face the same New Delhi to meet Nato’s General lition and Afghan government humiliation in future if the John Campbell. were working to prevent IS from leadership did not reorganise Afghan women during a painting session in Herat yesterday. The government and international community have Battles were raging about sending weapons or fighters to the party. turned their back on female human rights defenders threatened by mounting violence, Amnesty International said. 6km south of Kunduz city, offi- Afghanistan. INTERNEWS cials said. Islamist insurgents also REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Quake toll mounts to 72 Weather delays flights to Kathmandu NEW DELHI: The toll in India (ATC) clearance,” the airline following Saturday’s earthquake tweeted. Most Indian airlines has gone up to 72, with Bihar are also making efforts to operate accounting for 56 deaths, a top additional flights to bolster res- official said yesterday. Home cue and evacuations operations in Secretary L C Goyal, addressing Nepal. But like on Saturday and the media at a joint press con- Sunday, inclement weather and ference with Defence Secretary logistical constraints continued to R K Mathur and Foreign disrupt operations. Secretary S Jaishankar, said 12 “Six flights are guaranteed by people died in Uttar Pradesh SpiceJet today (Monday). We are following the earthquake. trying for two more flights,” Ajay “The number of casualties is Jasra, general manager for corpo- 72. It is 56 in Bihar, 12 in Uttar rate communications for SpiceJet, Pradesh, three in West Bengal said. “We are also operating a spe- and one in Rajasthan,” Goyal said. cial relief flight — a 186-seater He said 175 people were injured Boeing 767-800 to fly back early in Bihar, 35 in West Bengal, 70 morning today.” in Uttar Pradesh, nine in Sikkim The special relief flight SG 8451 and seven in Rajasthan. will leave at 11 p.m. and return at Saturday’s earthquake, meas- 3.25 a.m. on Tuesday. uring 7.9 on the Richter scale, and “ On Sunday, we flew back 584 its aftershocks have left over 3,700 passengers from Kathmandu and people dead and 6,500 injured in in the morning, another 186 pas- Nepal. Two days after the dev- sengers have been brought back astating earthquake in Nepal, from Nepal,” said Jasra. Indian carriers continued to face The carrier also notified an air traffic congestion and park- email address so that accred- ing constraints at Kathmandu’s ited non-government and relief- Tribhuvan International Airport related organisations could fly (TIA), leading to delayed depar- relief material, doctors and rescue tures and arrivals, airline officials personnel to Kathmandu for free. here said yesterday. However, air Similarly, Indigo airlines was Teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) with materials on their way to earthquake-hit Nepal yesterday. traffic over Nepal reduced a little operating an extra flight in addi- by evening thus allowing depar- tion to the usual single and return ture of flights of Indian airlines. flight it operates to Nepal. According to global flight Indigo is only charging the tracking website www.flightra- applicable taxes of Rs1,656. “We We stand by Nepal: Home Minister dar24.com, by 7 pm yesterday, Air are not charging anything our- India flights AI 248 and AI 216 selves for the ticket.” NEW DELHI: The government yester- and Nepal. The people of Nepal are part of if there is some authentic information, govern- departed from TIA. Earlier in the Air India extended a conces- day condoled the deaths in the devastating our family. I want to assure that India is with ment will act on it,” he said. Rumours have day, SpiceJet flight SG 041, sched- sion. It had scheduled four addi- earthquake in Nepal that has also affected its people and with the people of Nepal in this been afloat on social media and through mes- uled to depart for Kathmandu tional flights yesterday. parts of India, and said it was standing by hour of crisis,” he said. sages giving time for a ‘predicted’ earthquake. from Delhi at 12.30 p.m., took off In total, the flag carrier was its own people as well as its neighbour in Members of the Lok Sabha decided to The Rajya Sabha also condoled the deaths at 1.13 p.m. So was the case with slated to operate seven flights their hour of crisis. donate a month’s salary for the relief work in in Nepal and expressed commitment from the Air India flight AI 213 -- it was from India to Kathmandu on Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nepal. A proposal by Parliamentary Affairs Indian side to help the people of the neighbour- scheduled to depart at 7.20 a.m. Monday — four from New Delhi, meanwhile, said people should not believe in Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in this regard was ing country. Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid but took off at 1.02 pm, officials at two from Kolkata and one from rumours being spread predicting earthquakes, quickly accepted by the opposition. Ansari said the house stands in solidarity with the Indira Gandhi International Varanasi. The national carrier has as members from both houses condoled the In the Rajya Sabha, Prasad cautioned people the “friendly people of Nepal”. Airport here said. also cut the airfare to Rs4,700, deaths in the quake. against rumour mongering. Members also appreciated the government’s “Our first flight AI 1213 from inclusive of taxes, from Rs.4,000 it Home Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in “There are messages coming on social media efforts for the relief and rescue work. Over Delhi has landed in Kathmandu was charging for a one-way ticket the Lok Sabha, assured “every possible help” that at 9 pm earthquake would come, or at 8 3,800 people have died and more than 5,000 today after holding in the air for originating from Delhi, Kolkata for the quake victims. p.m. earthquake would come. Such rumours were injured in the 7.9 earthquake in Nepal. over an hour for air traffic control and Varanasi to Nepal. IANS “We condole the loss of lives here in India should be ignored. There is no basis to it, and The toll in India was 72. IANS Army sets up Spain appeals for help sub-headquarter at quake epicentre to evacuate citizens

NEW DELHI: Reaching the NEW DELHI: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia- area which is declared as the Margallo Y Marfil called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here epicentre of Saturday’s 7.9-mag- yesterday and requested Indian assistance in evacuating his coun- nitude devastating earthquake, try’s citizens from quake-hit Nepal. the Indian Army has now set up Modi said that India was committed to helping all nations affected by a headquarter at Barpak village the earthquake and assured him of all possible assistance for Spanish in Nepal’s Gorkha district, offi- nationals. Both sides also discussed possible avenues for cooperation cials here said yesterday. in the sectors of railways, Smart Cities and renewable energy, said an So far, at least 203 civilians have official statement. been evacuated to safe areas and Modi also invited Spanish companies to participate in the ‘Make in 47 civilians evacuated to hospitals India’ initiative and set up manufacturing bases in India to connect in a joint effort with the National with the global supply chain. Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Congratulating Spain on their election to the UNSC for a non- and the Indian Air Force. permanent seat for 2015-17, Prime Minister Modi urged Spain to take “Helicopters are being the lead in coordinating international efforts to combat terrorism. employed to evacuate people Modi also accepted the invitation of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano from inaccessible areas and adhoc Rajoy to visit Spain in 2016. Earlier, the Spanish minister held bilateral helipads are being constructed at talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He is here on a remote and inaccessible areas,” an three-day visit from April 26. IANS official statement said. Indian resident Dalimi Baishya, who was injured in the earthquake in Nepal, arrives at Loknath Gopinath Bordoloi Officials said the number of International Airport in Guwahati yesterday. dead bodies seen from helicop- ters in Barpak is around 150 at this village, around 80 km from Nepalis in Maharashtra Kathmandu and right at the epicentre. “Around 60 people are already there. This includes a medical worried about kin back home team of 11-12 people and engi- neering task force of around 40 MUMBAI: Around 300,000 any other details,” Tiwari said. social media has greatly helped the people,” an army official said. “We Nepali people, who work and There are an estimated migrant population in Maharashtra will send 200-300 people there... live in Maharashtra, are wor- 300,000-plus Nepalese living in remain in touch with their near that is the area most effected.” ried about their relatives in Maharashtra, including around and dear ones and also learn of the The team at Barpak will be quake-hit Nepal and are chip- 200,000 in Mumbai alone, he said. disaster in different parts of the under Brigadier J Gamlin of the ping in to help them tide over A majority are employed in the Himalayan state. Indian Army. the unprecedented crises. hotel industry as cooks, chefs or Disaffection mounted in Nepal Four Dhruv Advanced Light “It’s a huge tragedy, and the waiters, while many more are in yesterday as people hit hard by Helicopters and two Cheetah scale of devastation is something the security industry and a few the country’s worst earthquake helicopters are under induction unseen before in our country. We are well-settled in big and small in 81 years alleged poor relief to Pokhara, where a helicopter are trying to collect funds, organ- businesses. and rescue work, a point frankly base is being established. ise volunteers and send as much Terming the situation in Nepal admitted to by officials. Three field hospitals,18 medi- relief material as possible,” said as “very grim”, he said there was Prime Minister Sushil Koirala cal teams and one engineering Shaligram Tiwari, president of severe power shortage, erratic told a meeting of political parties task force with five earthmoving the United Nepal Organisations food and water supply, limited here that poor infrastructure and equipment are already in place in (UNO) here. transportation, families were lack of expertise had rendered the the affected areas. At least three families from living in the open braving the post-quake operations ineffective. Satellite phones, blankets, and Mumbai, who suffered personal cold weather, now compounded The “rescue, relief and search tents have been sent, and more is tragedies, have left for home, he by rains, and the main tourism operations have not been effec- on way. The army is now consid- said, adding that his own home industry has been dealt a deathly tive”, he said. “The lack of devel- ering using roadways to send the in Syangja, around 200 km from blow. He said that as an imme- opment in institutions has had a relief material. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu, was badly damaged. diate step, the United Nepal severe impact in calamities man- pension paying office at Pokhara “Unfortunately, there are no Organisations has set up a trust agement so that we couldn’t make is functioning as a Multi-National reports coming from the area of and asked their own people in it happen as we thought. Coordination Centre. the quake epicentre Lamjung dis- India as well as Indians to donate Yesterday, a group of people The Uttar Pradesh govern- trict. It is a remote mountainous towards earthquake relief. sheltered in the premises of the ment has set up four relief camps region and has been totally dev- A team of volunteers is being Constituent Assembly staged a along the India-Nepal border to astated. All focus seems to be on readied to go to Nepal to help noisy protest while confronting attend to earthquake victims in Kathmandu region only. We are after getting the green signal from policemen, demanding the supply the Himalayan country, an official Human Rights activists light up candle during a prayer for earthquake not aware of the disaster mag- the Nepal embassy in New Delhi, food and drinking water. here said yesterday. nitude in Lamjung, casualties or Tiwari added. However, he said the IANS IANS victims, in Kolkata yesterday. TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Ghani’s visit delayed due to Taliban attack Afghan president to meet PM Modi today

NEW DELHI: Afghan The visit comes amid Ghani’s tell India how much it values its President Ashraf Ghani arrived pro-Pakistan approach since contribution towards rebuilding in New Delhi on a three-day becoming President last Afghanistan. The fact cannot be visit after delaying his depar- September. denied that he is visiting India ture for a few hours following a His government has not after his trips to Pakistan and major Taliban attack in Kunduz only sent Afghan cadets for China. We don’t want to be left province, reports said. military training to Pakistan in cold,” an official said. Ghani conferred with Nato’s but was also conducting joint During the meeting, India is top commander General John military operations with them expected to reiterate its concerns Campbell and Afghan security on Afghan soil, evoking sharp about the security of its interests officials following the Taliban reactions from his predecessor and nationals. attack on police and army check Hamid Karzai. The Indian side would also posts in the northern Kunduz The Ghani-Modi meeting will like to know what kind of role province. provide an opportunity to the the new Afghan leadership has Kunduz has been the scene Indian side to recalibrate its in mind for India and its future of bloody clashes between the approach towards the war-torn strategy to contain security Taliban and Afghan security country in which it has heav- threats now that most of Nato forces over the past three days. ily invested in several projects combat troops have pulled out More than 2,000 reinforcement including in infrastructure and of Afghanistan. troops have been deployed to the social sectors. Another strategic issue which province since Sunday. India has so far invested is expected to figure during talks Ghani left Kabul late last after- over $2bn in reconstruction of would be a transit agreement noon. This is his first visit to India Afghanistan. involving India, Afghanistan after he took over office seven While there is some uneasi- and Iran using Chabahar, an months ago. ness in New Delhi over Ghani’s Iranian port developed with Today, the Afghan president Pakistan policy, some feel that Indian help. will be accorded a ceremonial even Karzai had started with This would provide India more Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani is received by the Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha at Air welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. warming up towards Islamabad sustained access to Afghanistan Force Station Palam in New Delhi yesterday. He will later go to Rajghat to and it was only in later years and thereby, to Central Asia with- lay a wreath at the memorial to he turned to India for strategic out going through Pakistan. Ghani will later be called on by He will later make a special and Industry (FICCI), the Mahatma Gandhi. assistance such as military aid External Affairs Minister several union ministers, includ- address at the Indian Council of Confederation of Indian Industry In a first structured bilateral including weapons. Sushma Swaraj will call on him at ing of Commerce and Industry World Affairs. (CII) and the Associated meeting after they assumed office, Significantly, Ghani has already the Dwarka Suite at Rashtrapati Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ghani will call on President Chambers of Commerce of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pakistan after assuming Bhavan after which he will leave Defence Minister Manohar Pranab Mukherjee and attend a (Assocham) before concluding the and Afghan President will hold office during which he explored for Hyderabad House to hold talks Parrikar and Health Minister J special banquet. visit on April 29. talks today to chalk out future possibility of reviving peace talks with Prime Minister Narendra P Nadda. Tomorrow, Ghani will hold a Ghani will also deliver the key- engagement plan and share views with Taliban. Modi. Vice President Mohammad joint interaction with business note address at the Indian Council on key issues of regional security “What we are looking at is also Both sides will make media Hamid Ansari will also call on leaders from the Federation of of World Affairs. and Taliban. that the Afghan President should statements. him. Indian Chambers of Commerce AGENCIES

Rains in Srinagar Court strikes down SPP’s appointment in Jaya case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme of prosecuting agency, the court Jayalalithaa has approached Court yesterday ruled as bad in said: “The appointment of a the high court, challenging her law Tamil Nadu’s appointment public prosecutor, as envisaged conviction along with three oth- of a special public prosecutor under section 24(1) CrPC in the ers in disproportionate assets (SPP) in hearing of former chief high court is different than the case by a Bangalore trial court minister J Jayalalithaa’s appeal appointment of a public prosecu- on September 27, 2014. by the Karnataka High Court tor for the district courts ...” The Bangalore court has sen- against her conviction and sen- The “notification appointing tenced Jayalalithaa to four years tencing in a corruption case. (Bhavani Singh) did not enable in jail with a fine of Rs1bn. Holding the appointment of G him to represent the state of Besides Jayalalithaa, Bhavani Singh as flawed, a bench Karnataka in appeal (before the her aides N Sasikala, V N of Justice Dipak Misra, Justice R high court)”, it said. Sudhakaran and J Elasvarasi K Agrawal and Justice Prafulla C The apex court verdict came were sentenced by the trial Pant also said there was no need on the plea by DMK leader court. They too have appealed for fresh hearing in Jayalalithaa’s K Anbazhagan, challenging before the high court. appeal in the disproportionate the Tamil Nadu government’s The matter was heard by the assets case. appointment of Bhavani Singh three-judge bench of the Supreme “Though the appointment (of as the SPP before the high court. Court following April 17 split Bhavani Singh) is bad in law, yet Noting that Anbazhagan had verdict by the bench of Justice Vehicles pass through rain waters accumulated on the roads in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir, yes- there is no justification to direct filed written submissions, run- Madan B Lokur and Justice R terday. The Meteorological department has predicted continuous light to moderate rain and thunder showers for de novo hearing of the appeal, ning into more than 40 pages, Banumathi. for the next 24 hours. regard being had to the duties of before the trial court, the court While Justice Lokur held that the appellate judge, especially in a said: the appointment of Bhavani Singh case pertaining to the Prevention “Therefore, we are inclined vitiated the hearing of the appeal of Corruption Act, 1988,” the to permit him (Anbazhagan) to before the Karnataka High Court, court said. file a written note of submissions Justice Banumathi found no legal Tihar jail introduces morning ragas Pronouncing the judgment, within 90 pages before the learned infirmity in Bhavani Singh’s Justice Misra said that “Tamil single judge/appellate judge.” continuation as SPP as he was NEW DELHI: Asia’s largest Majumdar, who figures in the He was accompanied by Nadu had no authority to appoint Similarly, the court granted appointed for the case and his prison complex, Tihar Jail, yes- Guinness World Records, per- Kalpesh Sachala on the flute and the a Bhavani Singh as the public permission to Karnataka to file appointment was not revoked by terday introduced its inmates formed on the inaugural occa- Ustad Akram Khan on the tabla. prosecutor to argue the appeal” a written submission within 50 the Karnataka government. to ‘morning ragas’ to augment sion yesterday in the presence of “The subtle nuances of the and it was “Karnataka which is pages, and said these “shall be The disproportionate assets their rehabilitation process. almost 2,000 inmates. flute, a rhythmic jugalbandi the sole prosecuting agency and considered by the learned sin- case against Jayalalithaa and Tihar Jail Director General Majumdar began his recital between the flute and the tabla it was alone authorized to appoint gle judge and the considera- three others related to the period Alok Kumar Verma took the with Ahir Bhairav followed by mesmerized the prison inmates the public prosecutor”. tion should be manifest in the from 1991-1996 involving Rs.66.65 initiative in collaboration with a “pahari dhun” and two popu- to the extent that they not only Holding that the appointment judgment”. crore when she became the chief Legends of India, a registered lar compositions — Mahatma joined the chorus but some of the of Bhavani Singh as public pros- However, written note of sub- minister of Tamil Nadu for the society organising live perform- Gandhi’s “Vaishnava Jana To” inmates later expressed their ecutor before the trial court did missions, if any, by Bhavani Singh first time. The case lasted for ances of renowned artistes. and Rabindranath Tagore’s “Ekla desire to learn music in prison,” not make him eligible to appear shall not be considered by the about 18 years. Grammy nominee Pandit Ronu Chalo Re”. said Verma. IANS before the high court on behalf judge, it added. IANS Modern day slavery too often goes unpunished in India

NEW DELHI: A shortage of human trafficking, prosecution Thousands of Indians — largely child welfare officers in New prosecution does not result in a toughened penalties, could help specialised legal care and pro- and punishment of offenders must poor, rural women and children Delhi, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, conviction,” said the study. deliver justice to many victims, tection means that victims of be pursued as well as legal action — are lured to cities each year said that despite thousands of “Victims are often harassed, said the report. trafficking and bonded labour to seize the assets and profits of by traffickers who promise good people being rescued, many per- intimidated, and become vulner- “Section 370 offers significant in India fail to get justice and traffickers,” said the report. jobs but sell them into domestic or petrators went unpunished. able to social stigma, on top of potential to address all forms of perpetrators continue to buy “While prosecutions alone will sex work or to industries such as For example, although 2,313 poor investigations, slow trials slavery in India, especially forced and sell people with impunity, a not bring an end to trafficking, brick kilns and textile workshops. bonded labourers were identi- and insensitive court environ- labour - which, prior to the intro- report said yesterday. there is immense potential to use In many cases, they are not fied and released between 1996 ments, resulting in the victim duction of Section 370 was not The study by the Freedom legal strategies to deliver justice paid or are held in debt bondage. and 2005 in Uttar Pradesh — a feeling further victimised.” treated as a serious offence and Fund and Thomson Reuters to victims, deter potential perpe- Some go missing, with their fami- northern state with a population It said charities had difficul- carried very weak penalties,” it Foundation said charities on trators and put traffickers out of lies unable to trace them. of around 200 million — only 225 ties finding committed lawyers said. the frontline of anti-trafficking business,” it added. In January, hundreds of chil- prosecutions were initiated. at an affordable cost or pro bono “It is vital that NGO staff and efforts were unable to support India is home to more than 14 dren trafficked and enslaved to One of main reasons for the low and called for specialised training lawyers share strategies, are victims to pursue their cases in million victims of slavery, rang- make bangles were rescued by rate of prosecutions and convic- for lawyers dealing with human trained on how to ensure maxi- court as they were chronically ing from bonded labour to pros- police in the southern city of tions, said the report, is the lack trafficking cases and effective mum use of the provision, and under funded and poorly trained. titution, according to the 2014 Hyderabad. Some of the children of victim protection. data collection for the purpose of that experienced lawyers under- “Traffickers are motivated by Global Slavery Index. The index were as young as six. “NGOs stated that after vic- prosecution. take important cases that will high profits and the low risk due found India had by far the great- The report, which is based on tims are rescued and a criminal India’s new anti-trafficking law, make use of the section to its to weak law enforcement and low est number of slaves of the 167 interviews with NGOs, lawyers, case is lodged, often the subse- Section 370, which has expanded fullest extent.” levels of prosecution. To tackle countries surveyed. survivors, police and government quent police investigation and the definition of trafficking and REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Pyramid site

Fajr (Dawn) 3:39 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:01 Zuhr (Noon) 11:31 Asr (Afternoon) 3:00 Maghrib (Sunset) 6:03 Isha (Night) 7:34

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Sunny Suuny Suuny Hot during day and slight

High: 37° High: 37° High: 38° dust with some Low: 24° Low: 25° Low: 26° clouds.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:01 18:03 00:15 & 14:30 08:15 & 18:00 08-16/20 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Tourists ride on camels next to the Pyramid of Khufu on the Great Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, yesterday.

MUSCAT 37/26 Sunny 36/25 Sunny MAKKAH 41/26 Sunny 39/24 Sunny KUWAIT 39/24 Sunny 39/25 Sunny BAHRAIN 34/24 Sunny 34/24 Sunny Instant self-test HIV kit on sale in UK SANAA 28/11 Sunny 28/11 Sunny RIYADH 38/23 Sunny 39/23 Sunny LONDON: Britain’s first comfortable,” explained BioSure added. The kit reacts to antibod- Higgins Trust, said it was “great DUBAI 35/23 Sunny 36/24 Sunny legally-approved HIV self- founder Brigette Bard. ies — proteins made in response to see the first self-test kits being BAGHDAD 37/20 Sunny 38/21 Sunny testing kit went on sale online Early diagnosis reduces the risk to the virus — in a drop of the approved. yesterday, promising a result in of passing the disease on to other person’s blood, producing two “However, it is important to THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW just 15 minutes with a 99.7 per- people and also raises the suc- purple lines in the event of a posi- make sure people can get quick cent accuracy rate. cess rate of modern treatments, tive diagnosis. access to support when they get HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Developers hope the BioSure which now make the disease The self-test, which is only their result.” ATHENS 24/16 Sunny 25/16 Sunny HIV Self Test will help identify manageable. available via the Internet, can Currently, those who fear they WASHINGTON 21/10 Mostly sunny 23/12 Partly cloudy the estimated 26,000 people in “Over 40 percent of people liv- only detect antibodies three may have been infected have to Britain who have HIV but do not ing with HIV are diagnosed late, months after the patient has collect a blood sample at home SYDNEY 19/13 Showers 19/15 Rain yet know. meaning they have been living become infected, and is not effec- and send it to a laboratory, wait- LONDON 14/06 Mostly sunny 13/04 Showers “Knowing your HIV status is with HIV for at least four years,” tive during this initial period,and ing five days for the result. PARIS 15/07 Partly cloudy 15/08 Cloudy critical and the launch of this said Deborah Gold, chief executive all positive results must be con- There are almost 110,000 people ISTANBUL 24/14 Partly cloudy 20/12 Sunny product will empower people of the National Aids Trust (NAT). firmed by professional health in Britain living with HIV, which MANILA 35/25 Mostly sunny 36/25 Partly cloudy to discreetly test themselves “People diagnosed late are 11 workers, experts said. can lead to AIDS if the sufferer’s DHAKA 28/23 T-storms 29/24 T-storms when it is convenient to them times more likely to die in the Rosemary Gillespie, chief exec- immune system becomes badly DELHI 38/26 Sunny 34/25 Sunny and in a place where they feel first year after diagnosis,” she utive at HIV charity Terrence damaged. AFP ISLAMABAD 33/19 Mostly sunny 27/18 Scattered T-storms Syrian bands rock Beirut’s alternative music scene BEIRUT: Syrian rock bands Arabic term for Syria’s ubiquitous fleeing war are finding safety state-subsidised bread — say their and new fans in neighbouring self-titled first album, released Lebanon, where they are revi- in December, attempts to give a talising a Westernised scene young man’s “narrative of what with their focus on Arabic musi- happened in Syria”. cal heritage. “We just tell the story as Dozens of Syrian bands and if we’re telling it to a friend,” independent artists have now Maghrebi said. become mainstays of the Beirut Khebez Dawle have much to music scene, performing emotive recount about Syria’s war, which and often bleak songs in front of they fled in 2013, a year after a concert-goers eager for fresh faces. fellow band member was killed. In a bright Beirut apartment, They say arriving to the safety two members of Khebez Dawle, of Beirut breathed new life into Electric guitarist Tarek Khuluki (left) and drummer Dani Shukri. an alternative rock band from the band after their friend’s Damascus, practise surrounded death. producers, filmmakers, venue themselves, because we’re more Hisham Jaber, artistic director by freshly hung laundry, balls of “The main thing that allowed owners and financiers. open, because we listen, because at the Metro Al Madina venue yarn and cups of tea. us to start up again was that we Members of Syria’s Tanjaret we have venues where they can that has hosted several Syrian “You’re still alive, under the were in Beirut. Half the problem Daghet, Arabic for pressure play.” acts, says the new arrivals have siege?” sings Anas Maghrebi, the was gone,” Maghrebi says. cooker, left Syria for Lebanon in The Syrian bands are now a revived Lebanon’s “stagnant” band’s lead singer, in their song In contrast to Syria, where 2011. While practising in their regular sight at Lebanese under- underground scene. “Ayesh”, which means alive in they faced violence and few ven- cluttered single-room under- ground venues, where they say “Now, there’s movement, Arabic. “You loved and you grew ues, studios or opportunities for ground studio one day, the band high-energy audiences have there’s life. There are even mixed up. You spent your life savings on growth, rock bands see Beirut as got a surprise visit from their encouraged them. Syrian-Lebanese bands,” he says. a house — and now that house is an incubator for their talents. Lebanese neighbour. But instead “The audience here helped us For Khazen, this positive influ- gone. And you’re still alive.” Lead singer and bass guitarist “When we came to Beirut, of asking them to turn their music out a lot because they’re willing to ence comes from Syrian musi- Syria’s four-year-old conflict Khaled Omran of Syrian band and we saw that there’s no pres- down, Raed Al Khazen compli- pay for a ticket to come see some- cians’ strong link with traditional has left more than 220,000 peo- practices in the Lebanese capital sure here, we said we want to mented Tanjaret Daghet on their one who writes their own music,” Middle Eastern music and their ple dead and has forced millions, Beirut. take advantage of everything. hard rock sounds and eventu- says Tarek Khuluki, guitarist for command of the Arabic language. including artists and musicians, Everything we couldn’t have in ally became their producer. “The Tanjaret Daghet. While Lebanese bands often to flee to neighbouring countries. While some Syrian artists sing Syria, we want to have here,” says opportunity that these guys got “We met so many people here sing in English, the Syrian bands Many civilians in Syria live in about everyday challenges and Bashar Darwish, Khebez Dawle’s here, they would have never gotten who opened up our minds and tend to perform in Arabic, and areas besieged by the regime or societal pressures, many use their guitarist. in Syria,” says Khazen. made us say, why not?” says use more traditional Middle armed groups, cutting off their music to talk about their experi- In Lebanon, Syrian musicians “The Lebanese scene gave Khaled Omran, the band’s lead Eastern scales and harmonies. access to food and medical aid. ences of war. Khebez Dawle — the have made connections with them the freedom to express singer and songwriter. AFP New York state to turn lights out for migrating birds NEW YORK: On their arduous less peril to worry about bright lights stars, using constellations to guide them. lizard-like head so flat and large it can Building and the Time Warner Center. flights North to their breeding from state-owned and managed build- But outdoor nighttime lights, especially swallow small birds whole — spent several “This is a simple step to help protect grounds, birds migrating up the ings in New York. New York Governor in bad weather, can disorient the birds and days just a few blocks from Times Square, these migrating birds that make their US East Coast will have one Andrew Cuomo yesterday said that state cause them to crash into windows, walls, perched atop a branch in New York City’s home in New York’s forests, lakes and riv- buildings will turn off non-essential out- floodlights or the ground. Bryant Park on 42nd Street. ers,” Cuomo said in a statement. door lighting from 11 p.m. until dawn The phenomenon, called “fatal light Now bright lights will be turned off by Lights Out efforts are already protect- during peak migration in the spring and attraction,” has killed an estimated 500 New York state during the spring rush ing birds in the east coast cities including fall. million to one billion birds annually in the north from April 15 until May 31 and again Baltimore and Washington, and in other The state is along the Atlantic Flyway, United States, the governor’s office said, during the fall migration south to warmer US metropolitan areas including Chicago, one of four major routes for birds coming citing US Department of Agriculture climes from Aug. 15 until Nov. 15. Minneapolis and San Francisco, according North in the spring from their warmer data. By joining with the National Audubon to Audubon. winter hideouts. Migrating birds even fly right through Society’s Lights Out program, the state Bird lovers can learn more about the To get here, many migrating species — the towers and canyons of New York City. buildings follow other well known struc- Lights Out program by visiting the state’s including colorful warblers and other song Earlier this month, a Chuck-will’s-widow tures that have also agreed to limit lighting, new website www.iloveny.com/birding. birds — fly at night and navigate by the - a brown, nocturnal insect-eater with a including Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler REUTERS Tuesday 28 April 2015 9 Rajab 1436 Volume 20 Number 6414 Price: QR2

UK govt tells BP it would oppose takeover

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 S Korea plans major investment in Qatar QIMC reports QR39m net Seoul eyes energy-intensive downstream industries, says official profit in Q1 BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB the huge imports of Qatari gas waste and recycling business. consumer goods items, and this by South Korea. “In addition, we are also look- trend is expected to continue in DOHA: Qatar Industrial DOHA: South Korea, one of “Our main concern is to reduce ing forward to manufacturing the future. Manufacturing Company Qatar’s largest trading part- the trade balance with Qatar. eco-friendly materials by using Commenting on the challenges (QIMC) has reported a net profit ners, is planning to make huge For that we are trying to bring household waste and papers faced by Korean investors in of QR39m in the first quarter of investments in Qatar, espe- Korean companies to set up fac- which may also find use in Qatar’s Qatar, he said that although the 2015 (about $10.7m), down by cially in the energy-intensive tories in Qatar,” said Kwang II booming construction sector,” Lee institutions are well-established over 15 percent, compared to downstream industries, aiming Lee (pictured), Director, Kotra— told The Peninsula on the sidelines by the government, but there are QR46m (about $12.63m) for the to reduce its huge trade deficit Commercial Section of the Korean of an event here recently. difficulties in “finding trust-wor- same period in 2014. with the Gulf state, according Embassy, adding, “we have iden- He noted that the areas of thy partners” with good business The net profit is due to the to a senior official of the Korean tified some promising sectors in bilateral cooperation between the orientation. He also said that in decrease of profits in QIMC sub- Embassy in Qatar. Qatar’s downstream industries, two countries have further deep- this regard some seven Korean sidiaries and associates as a result The trade volume between such as aluminum, petrochemi- ened and widened over the last companies, including two from of the inclusion of operating Qatar and the Republic of Korea cals among other sectors.” few years resulting in a steady the aluminium industry, are par- expenses that will not be repeated stood at $26.63bn (QR96.97bn) in Lee said: “Korea is planning to trade growth of an average six ticipating in the ‘Invest in Qatar’, officials working in the indus- in the rest of year accounts. 2014, marginally (about 1.4 per- manufacture ‘after-market auto percent (year-on-year), with the forum, which is concluding here. trial sector. He said there are This has reflected on the earn- cent) down compared to $27bn parts’, such as high brand wheels exception of 2014. The two-day forum, organ- 40 Korean companies operating ings per share of QR0.82 com- (about QR98.32bn) in 2013. (rims) and other aluminium The areas of mutual economic ised by the Doha-based Gulf in Qatar (including 25 big and pared to QR0.97 for the same Qatari exports to South Korea products used in the automotive cooperation between Qatar and Organisation for Industrial 15 mid-sized companies), with a period in 2014 and the total share- in 2014 were $25.73bn, while industry.” South Korea, according to Lee, Consulting (GOIC), provided combined capital exceeding $1bn. holders’ equity has reached about imports totalled $905m with the He said Korean companies are have widened further to include unique opportunity to meet inves- Joint Qatari-Korean companies QR1.41bn compared to QR1.50bn trade balance highly lopsided in also exploring investment oppor- several new sectors, such as tors, entrepreneurs, technology numbered 115, with a capital of for the same period of 2014. favour of Qatar, largely due to tunities in the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, electronics, and other suppliers, decision-makers and $2bn. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Minister at Punch unit Now, Google Milaha posts QR365m Q1 profit

launches portal DOHA: Qatar Navigation (Milaha) yesterday posted a to buy patents 4 percent rise in net profit to QR365m for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to SAN FRANCISCO: Google QR349m in the corresponding announced yesterday it is set- period of last year. ting up an online marketplace The company’s operating rev- for those who want to sell pat- enues jumped by 12 percent to ents to the Internet giant. “We QR786m in the first quarter of invite you to sell us your patents,” 2015 against QR699m for the same Google patent deputy counsel period in 2014. The operating Allen Lo said in a blog post. profit stood at QR279m against Lo said the “Patent Purchase QR273m for the same period Promotion” is an “experimental in 2014, showing an increase of marketplace for patents that’s 2 percent. Earnings per share simple, easy to use, and fast.” increased to QR3.21 in the first He noted that patent own- quarter compared to QR3.08 for Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani and Khalifa Ali Al Hetmi. ers who want to sell often face the same period in 2014. difficulties. “The usual patent “We are very pleased to have marketplace can sometimes be started 2015 so strongly over- Each of Milaha’s core segments as well as higher VLGC rates challenging, especially for smaller all,” said Sheikh Ali bin Jassim — Maritime & Logistics, Gas relative to Q1 2014. In addition, participants who sometimes end Al Thani, Chairman of Milaha. & Petrochem and Offshore — the segment benefited from the up working with patent trolls,” he “And while we hope to maintain improved their combined bottom full year effect of 19 harbour ves- said. “Then bad things happen, like the momentum, we know that line by 71 percent relative to Q1 sels, some of which were received lawsuits, lots of wasted effort, and general market conditions for our (first quarter) of 2014. through mid-year 2014. generally bad karma. Rarely does offshore segment are weakening, Continued strong growth in Milaha Offshore improved sig- this provide any meaningful ben- and that our capital segment is trade volumes, driven by the nificantly from Q1 2014 despite efit to the original patent owner.” heavily tied to uncertainties in ramp up in project activity in weaker market conditions driven The new marketplace aims “to the local equity market. It will be Qatar, resulted in a 25 percent by the steep decline in oil prices remove friction from the pat- a challenging year,” he said. increase in revenue and 175 per- and the cutbacks on capital ent market” and will include a “The core businesses have done cent increase in net profit for spending by oil majors in the “streamlined portal” from May extremely well to take advan- Milaha Maritime & Logistics, region and beyond. 8 through May 22 where patent tage of favourable market condi- with a positive impact on Port The actively managed invest- holders can tell Google about pat- tions where possible, while also Services and Container Shipping ment portfolio of Milaha Capital, ents they’re willing to sell at a maintaining strong cost disci- units in particular. despite outperforming the Qatar price they set. pline,” said Khalifa Ali Al Hetmi, Milaha Gas & Petrochem’s rev- Exchange index, was negatively “As soon as the portal closes, President and CEO of Milaha. enue grew by 39 percent and its impacted by the volatility in we’ll review all the submissions, Strong year on year growth in net profit by 45 percdnt, on the Qatar’s equities market in the and let the submitters know the core businesses more than off- back of stronger performance first quarter, driving a 31 percent French Economy and Industry Minister Emmanuel Macron (centre) whether we’re interested in buy- set a decline in the returns from in its fully owned and operated decrease in the segment’s net looks at a new 8-speed automatic transmission 8HP50, during a visit at ing their patents by June 26.” AFP Milaha’s investment portfolio. product tanker and gas carriers, profit. THE PENINSULA the Punch Powerglide factory in Strasbourg, eastern France, yesterday. Volkswagen investors hope Piech exit may usher in change

BERLIN: Investors hope that Preference shares in Volkswagen Empire-building at VW, which under the once-close Winterkorn- Volkswagen will be able to revive rose more than 5 percent, nearly only a year ago took full control Piech alliance, which led VW to profitability at its core division, making up for a slide in value of Swedish truckmaker Scania, almost double sales to €202bn last cure underperformance over- during the two-week boardroom should play a smaller role in the year and nearly triple group profit, seas and bury lingering plans for battle. The shares were trading post-Piech era, analysts said, not- has papered over structural short- acquisitions after the resignation up 4.2 percent at €242.80 as of ing that Piech had appeared keen comings at the German behemoth, of Chairman Ferdinand Piech. 1224 GMT. The exit of Piech, who to buy Fiat Chrysler’s Alfa Romeo analysts have said. Piech, the mastermind of VW’s spearheaded VW’s campaign to brand. Under Piech’s nine years Winterkorn is aiming to revive global expansion and a towering make everything from motorcy- as CEO, VW bought ultra-lux- flagging profitability at the core figure at the German group for cles to 40-tonne trucks, also curbs ury brands Bugatti, Bentley and namesake division, pushing plans more than two decades, stepped the risk of purchases while VW is Lamborghini, integrated Spanish to increase cost savings to €5bn a down on Saturday after losing cutting billions of euros of costs volume unit Seat and raised its year by 2017 as the group sheds its a showdown he had provoked at its core brand and revamping stake in Czech division Skoda. volume-driven focus. with Chief Executive Martin operations, Evercore ISI said. “The sheer complexity of VW is “More than 600,000 workers Winterkorn. “Piech’s departure is good news starting to hit the wall,” said Ingo build slightly fewer vehicles than Almost 80 percent of VW inves- for VW,” said Evercore ISI ana- Speich, a fund manager at Union market champion Toyota with tors expect the carmaker’s stock lyst Arndt Ellinghorst, who raised Investment which holds 0.6 per- 350,000 workers,” wrote Ferdinand market value to increase after his recommendation on the stock cent of VW preference shares. Dudenhoeffer, head of the Center Piech’s departure as it may help to “buy” from “hold”. “VW has a “There are numerous trouble spots of Automotive Research at the unlock greater earnings potential better chance to turn itself into at VW that urgently need to be University of Duisburg-Essen. at the 12-brand group, a survey by a more profitable and valuable tackled now.” “The problems strike at the heart advisory firm Evercore ISI showed. business.” The relentless push for scale of VW.” REUTERS Ferdinand Piech gets out of a VW 1-litre XL1 car in Hanover. TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Bulgari to British govt tells BP it develop would oppose takeover Dubai resort Authority has little power to prevent any bid with Meraas DUBAI: Italian jeweller Bulgari LONDON: Britain’s warning to knight anymore,” said a top oil more we thought the British gov- and Dubai developer Meraas potential suitors of BP is a sign investment banker on condition ernment might ask us to step in,” Holding plant to build a luxury of the oil major’s vulnerability to of anonymity. Peter Voser, Shell’s chief executive resort and residential project on a takeover bid and that a more Industry sources say the gov- at the time, said in 2013. a man-made island off the coast politically palatable tie-up with ernment’s stance is more than BP, formerly British Petroleum, of Dubai as the emirate steps up Royal Dutch Shell no longer just political posturing, with opin- is still struggling with US spill its expansion as an international seems to be an option, banking ion polls deadlocked ahead of a liabilities and is weakened by its tourist destination. and industry sources said. May 7 election. huge exposure to Russia, though The 1.7 million sqft Bulgari Despite championing a lais- Rather, it is a response to spec- its finances are much stronger Resort and Residences project will sez-faire policy towards takeover ulation that Shell’s move for BG than five years ago and its mar- cover about a quarter of Jumeirah deals, Britain has always had a could be the start of a wave of ket value is 60 percent higher at Bay Island, joined to Dubai’s main- special interest in BP, dating back industry consolidation similar to $131bn. “I think any government land by road bridges. to the creation of the company via the one at the end of the 1990s — will be very serious about not It will feature a 101-room hotel, an unusual government invest- during another oil price decline. allowing BP to be bought,” said 165 residential apartments, 15 ment master-minded by Winston Rumours of bids for BP from US another major investment banker. mansions and eight penthouses Churchill. But in the past when rivals ExxonMobil and Chevron, But with its open-door policy A section of the BP Eastern Trough Area Project oil platform is seen in the and will be completed in the first the company has looked vulner- as well as Shell, have moved the on takeovers, Britain on paper North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen in Scotland. quarter of 2017, Meraas’s Chief able, there was always the pros- company’s stock at least three has little power to prevent a Hospitality Officer Cherif Hosny pect that Anglo-British peer Shell times over the past year. bid for BP. “The UK has no real Earlier in April, it ordered ago saying he was concerned said yesterday. could act as a “white knight” and Five years ago, Shell did work legislation in place to allow the Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman about the bid and shared a com- Hosny did not give the cost of agree to a merger deal that would on a rescue bid, when BP was government to invoke some legal to sell his North Sea assets — its mitment to the UK retaining its the project or the expected sales preserve British interests. struggling to plug oil gushing basis to prohibit a takeover,” a first such order in the sector. leading global role in pharmaceu- value of the residential proper- With Shell now tied up with a from its Macondo well in the US London-based legal adviser to the Last year, many politicians ticals business. ties, which will go on the market $70bn takeover of BG, that seems Gulf. oil industry said. also expressed opposition to US Yesterday, Miliband said he in the next few days. The project much less likely, prompting the BP was going through a leader- “The government has very little drugmaker Pfizer’s bid for Anglo- had not seen the BP reports, but will be entirely financed by govern- outgoing government to break ship crisis; a weak pound dragged formal power to block a bid. The Dutch rival AstraZeneca, though added: “You know that we’ve set ment-owned Meraas, with Bulgari, cover and say it would oppose any the dollar value of the firm down decision is for the shareholders of the deal fell apart before the out quite clearly our attitude to acquired by Paris-listed LVMH in bid for BP. “Everyone is thinking to as low as $80bn; and the price BP and for the board to recom- strength of their feeling could be these issues which is we do need 2011, licensing its brand for an that Shell is probably out of the of credit default swaps on BP mend what is good for the com- put to the test. to take particular care about undisclosed amount. “Hotels are ... game for a while. So inevitably, bonds showed that even its sol- pany,” he added. Ed Miliband, leader of the main strategically important compa- not a business venture for Bulgari it makes BP more vulnerable as vency was in question. “It wasn’t Still, London has flexed its Labour party, wrote to Prime nies and what happens to them.” — it’s a design, communication you don’t have Shell as a white so much that we wanted to buy, muscles in recent months. Minister David Cameron a year REUTERS and public relations way of differ- entiating our brand,” said Silvio Ursini, Executive Vice-President of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. Ritz-Carlton will operate the hotel under the Bulgari name. Greece shakes up EU-IMF talks team, keeps Varoufakis “We don’t have the operating know-how,” said Ursini, adding the hotel’s 20 beachside villas will help ATHENS: Greek Prime Brussels, the radical left gov- He reacted by quoting former shouting match between finance country needs to avoid default and average room rates become “by far Minister Alexis Tsipras shook ernment insisted that it would American president Franklin ministers, Eurogroup chief Jeroen a possible exit from the euro. the highest in the market”. up the team handling crucial continue to support the maver- Delano Roosevelt (FDR), who Dijsselbloem reportedly phoned But the government in Athens, Rooms at the Burj Al Arab, the talks with its creditors after ick economics professor against spurred major reforms in the Tsipras after the meeting,” elected in January on an anti-aus- world’s only seven-star hotel, range relations between his embattled “manipulated” media attacks. United States after the Great Christian Schulz, a senior econo- terity ticket, has resisted pressure from Dh4,995 ($1,361) a night to finance minister and the EU hit A government source claimed Depression. mist at Berenberg said. to continue with a policy of cuts Dh32,950, excluding taxes and fees. a new low. that the changes did not affect “FDR, 1936: ‘They are unani- “Tsipras called German chan- in return for the cash. The Bulgari link-up is the lat- A government statement said Varoufakis, who will be in charge mous in their hate for me; cellor Merkel on Sunday, with A survey published Sunday est property venture by Meraas, a “political negotiation team” of Tsakalotos’ “political team”. and I welcome their hatred,’” German sources describing the showed that seven out of 10 which is owned by Dubai’s ruler would be formed under junior for- “This changes nothing as far as Varoufakis tweeted on Sunday. tone of the talk as ‘positive’. Greeks want their radical left- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid eign minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Varoufakis is concerned,” the Analysts saw Greece’s reshuf- However, as long as the institu- wing leaders to reach an agree- al-Maktoum and has about 12 a 55-year-old Dutch-born eco- official said. “He will continue to fling of its negotiators, with tions and Eurozone finance min- ment with their creditors, and local real estate projects. Meraas nomics professor, to assist the represent Greece at Eurogroup another coordinating team to ister can’t certify that Greece gave Varoufakis an approval rat- is also majority shareholder in troubled talks after months of meetings.” be formed to support talks with is doing the requested reforms, ing of just over 51 percent. Dubai Parks and Resorts, which fruitless discussions on Athens’ The move on Monday came EU-IMF officials in Athens, as a Greece can’t get fresh money,” he A self-styled “erratic Marxist”, is building a $2.9bn tourist attrac- new loan deal. after a stormy Eurogroup meet- bid to placate its creditors. added. Varoufakis. 53, courted contro- tion in the emirate. Dubai aims to While some see the move as ing in Riga last week where “To bypass Varoufakis and Greece has been trying to nego- versy in March when he and his double annual tourist numbers to an attempt to sideline Finance Varoufakis was reportedly “iso- make clear the seriousness of the tiate a deal that would unlock wife posed for glitzy Paris Match 20 million in 2020 from 10 million Minister Yanis Varoufakis, whose lated” by his fellow finance situation to the Prime Minister $7.8bn in remaining EU-IMF bail- magazine inside their beautiful in 2012, and treble tourism income negotiating style has infuriated European ministers. directly following the Riga out money that the debt-ridden Athens apartment. AFP over that period. REUTERS

Bloom Holding, Rotana in deal Al Jaber-Empire Group to set up showroom for Chinese products

BY SACHIN KUMAR private companies. The show- “It is not practical for business- room is expected to be opera- men to visit China every week. DOHA: Al Jaber-Empire tional in six months. By having products here in Doha, Group will soon set up a show- The showroom will allow Qatar the showroom will reduce the room in Qatar that will show- based companies to talk directly frequency of visits of company case Chinese industrial goods to China based manufacturers. representatives to China because for Qatari companies. “The showroom will have engi- most of queries regarding prod- “The showroom will be purely neers and officials of the compa- ucts will be solved here,” said for business community so that nies to answer the queries Qatari Raaphorst. they can see and feel the product companies,” said Raaphorst. The companies which have here. The showroom will not be Currently products from China signed up to display products in for consumers,” Bart Raaphorst, come in Qatar after changing showroom include manufactur- General Manager, Al Jaber – multiple hands and travelling ers of granite, marble, fasteners, Empire Group told The Peninsula many locations. piping products, windows and on the sidelines of an event Usually a Chinese manufacture doors and other project related organised in Qatar Chamber of has regional agent in China, who products. Commerce & Industry. “Top qual- sends his products and queries This initiative is backed by in ity manufacturers from China to agent in Dubai. This agent China by various government will be displaying their products in Dubai works in coordination agencies in order to ensure the in B2B (business to business) with another agent in Qatar who quality of companies and prod- environment,” he said. remains in touch with companies ucts, said Raaphorst. This initia- Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of Bloom Holding, and Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO of Rotana Hotel Management, The chamber yesterday organ- in Qatar. tive will also improve the image at the sidelines of Cityscape Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Abu Dhabi-based real ised a meeting for Chinese busi- The showroom will save time of Chinese products in Qatari estate developer Bloom Holding announced that Rotana Hotel Management will operate its 188-key hotel ness delegation with Qatar based and cost of Qatari companies. market. THE PENINSULA apartments within ‘Park View’, a mixed-use development set to take shape in Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. Growth pause, Greek crisis could keep Fed mum on rate rise

WASHINGTON: The Federal Since last year, it has indi- then, economic conditions have is prepared to be patient again,” September, but the Fed will have growth following the first quar- Reserve dropped its reference cated mid-2015 for increasing eased, with the strong dollar — said Chris Low, chief economist to feel confident in ongoing eco- ter,” Fischer said. to ‘staying patient’ before rais- the benchmark federal funds itself a function of expected rising at FTN Financial. nomic strength.” Analysts at Deutsche Bank ing interest rates in its policy rate from zero percent, where it rates — hitting US sales abroad, Patrick Newport and Stephanie But some of the decision hinges said the key is still what infla- statement in March. has stood since December 2008 to with inflation still extremely low, Karol at IHS Global insight said on just how anxious the FOMC is tion looks like — the Fed wants But signs are, that could be its bring the US economy back from and with the US labor market policymakers are trying to deter- to get the very first increase out it stronger, to show the economy stance today, when it concludes a disastrous recession. showing some weakness. mine how much of the slowdown of the way, so jittery markets can has momentum. “The trajectory a new two-day monetary policy That would start a slow tight- That, and concern that Greece in the first quarter was due to the focus on the medium-term trend of inflation will be integral for meeting amid a US growth slow- ening of monetary policy, which could default on its debts within bad winter or to the stronger US rather than the ice-breaker. determining whether interest down and a potential financial could see the federal funds rate weeks and spark more financial dollar, dock strikes on the West “Rates can’t stay at zero for- rate normalization will begin this eruption from the Greek crisis. around one percent at year-end. turmoil, are strong reasons why Coast and a dorp in oil prices. ever,” Fed Vice Chair Stanley year,” they said. The Federal Open Market The removal of the pledge to the FOMC might seek to temper “Recent economic data are not Fischer said earlier this week. With the impact of the oil price Committee, led by Fed Chair remain “patient” from the pol- expectations about a June hike providing much clarity,” they said. He suggested that the Fed plunge now mostly figured in, Janet Yellen, has put much of icy statement last month was a this week, according to analysts. “We expect that second quar- should not bend its policy direc- they said, inflation should pick up the financial world on edge for clear indicator that the first rate Speeches by central bank offi- ter economic activity will be tion for what is likely a momen- toward two percent — the Fed’s months waiting for its first rate hike could come as early as June, cials in the past few weeks showed stronger than in the first quarter, tary weak spot in the economy. target — by the end of the year. hike in nearly nine years. Yellen said at the time. But since “shifts in tone suggesting the Fed paving the way for a rate hike in “We’re expecting a pick-up in AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Global investors Cap Gemini to acquire IGATE for $4bn start $1.9bn Combined group will have almost half of its employees based in India lawsuit against Norway’s move PARIS: Cap Gemini SA, a operating margin would be above French information technol- 10 percent. OSLO: An Oslo court started ogy services company, said it Cap Gemini, whose market to hear a $1.9bn lawsuit by a will buy US-based rival IGATE capitalisation was about €13bn group of international inves- Corp for $4bn in a deal that ($14bn) at the close of business tors against Norway yesterday, would make North America on Friday, said it would pay $48 in a case that challenges the into its biggest market and a share for IGATE. The US com- country’s reputation as a pre- hand IGATE’s founders a $1bn pany’s shares added 3.5 percent dictable place to do business windfall. to $47.45 yesterday. with little political risk. Cap Gemini also raised its 2015 Cap Gemini will finance the Investors including Allianz, sales forecast in a statement that deal partly through about $1bn of UBS, the Abu Dhabi Investment was pushed up to coincide with its own cash, along with an equity Authority and two Canadian the announcement of the deal. Its portion that will not exceed a 6 pension funds are suing Norway shares climbed nearly 8 percent. percent dilution of the French over its decision to cut tariffs for IGATE, which has strength company’s share capital. More using the Gassled pipeline net- in the financial services sector, than $2bn would be financed work, arguing it was liable for has grown quickly since its 1996 through debt. Cap Gemini said the 15bn crowns ($1.9bn) in lost stock market listing. Cap Gemini it had the backing of sharehold- earnings they would suffer as a said IGATE has been recording ers representing 54 percent of result through 2028. double-digit growth and a 19 per- IGATE’s share capital. The firms, many of which cent operating margin. Its 2014 Ashok Trivedi and Sunil bought into Gassled in 2011 revenue was $1.3bn. Wadhwani, the Indian-American through a 17bn crown deal for The acquisition would signifi- co-founders and co-chairmen of state-controlled Statoil’s 24 per- cantly bolster the French compa- IGATE, own 12.81 percent and cent stake, argue the tariff cut ny’s presence in North America. 12.99 percent, respectively, of the benefits gas producers, the very IGATE does about 80 percent shares and could collect more firms that sold them their stakes. of its business in North America, than $1bn between them. “Statoil has an interest in and would represent 30 percent With the acquisition, Cap this,” Jan Jansen, one of the law- of the combined group’s esti- Gemini would add new clients President of Cap Gemini Paul Hermelin at a press conference yesterday at the Capgemini headquarters in Paris. yers representing the plaintiffs, mated 2015 revenue of €12.5bn such as General Electric Co and who own 45 percent of Gassled, ($13.58bn). Royal Bank of Canada. employees there, or 48 percent of to at least 5 percent from its pre- expected to close in the second told the court in the trial that The deal would enhance earn- IGATE employs 33,000 people its workforce. In a separate state- vious forecast of between 3 per- half of this year. Bank of America will run until mid-June. “First ings by 12 percent in 2016 and 16 globally, with 75 percent of them ment, Cap Gemini said sales grew cent and 5 percent. Corp advised IGATE while Lazard they sell their share and then percent in 2017, according to Cap in India. The combined company by 10.5 percent in the first quarter The deal will require various Ltd advised Cap Gemini on the they benefit from the change in Gemini. The combined group’s would have more than 100,000 and raised its 2015 growth target regulatory approvals, and was transaction. REUTERS tariffs.” “The companies who bought the stakes are ... investing in infrastructure because the return is safe and long-term, it is what you call ‘long money’,” Inpex wins 5pc stake in new Abu Dhabi oil concession Jansen said. Shareholders, in the 8,000km gas network, which include TOKYO/ABU DHABI: Japan’s expired in January 2014. Abu Dhabi no deadline for awarding further told reporters. “This is an epoch- agreement, but Japanese public Canada’s Public Sector Pension Inpex Corp became the first National Oil Company (ADNOC) stakes in the concession, suggest- making event and this pact will broadcaster NHK said earlier it Investment Board, say the tariff Asian oil company to get a stake said it had granted Inpex a 5 per- ing Abu Dhabi was in no rush to contribute greatly to Japan’s sta- was expected to be worth $1.1bn. was a fundamental condition of in a new 40-year onshore oil con- cent stake in the new concession. make a decision about other bid- ble procurement of oil,” Miyazawa Other bidders for the conces- their investment. cession in Abu Dhabi, joining The fields produce 1.6 million ders in the tender. said. It is the first major stake in an sions include Occidental Petroleum The state, which presents its France’s Total in developing the barrels per day (bpd) and output The Inpex concession gives oil concession Japan has obtained Corp, Italy’s ENI, China National case next month, rejected the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) is expected to rise to 1.8 million Japan, which imports almost all since 2009. Petroleum Corp, Norway’s Statoil claims, arguing that returns were biggest oilfields. from 2017. Total became the first of its oil and is the fourth-biggest Japan holds stakes in oilfields and Korea National Oil Corp. above agreed levels and fees were Nine Asian and Western com- oil major to renew the concession, importer, the ability to procure producing 610,000 bpd and the The concession signed with so high that they discouraged panies bid for stakes in the Abu putting peers under pressure to oil without passing through the ADCO concession will boost the Total was effective from January new offshore investment. Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil improve terms after the local part- chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz figure by 15 percent when produc- 1, 2015, and covers Abu Dhabi’s 15 The government said profit Operations (ADCO) concession ner said the French firm made the at the entrance to the Persian tion is expanded to 1.8 million bpd. principal onshore oilfields that rep- from oil and gas should be after a deal with the Western best offer. Last week, ADNOC’s Gulf, Minister of Economy, Trade Inpex did not disclose the value resent more than half of the Gulf derived from the fields, not from majors dating back to the 1970s director general said there was and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa of the deal due to a confidentiality emirate’s production. REUTERS the infrastructure, and that pipe- line tariffs needed to be cut from October 2016 because the pre- dicted return had been achieved. The government, which is the biggest shareholder in Gassled with 45.8 percent, said the actual Dubal Holding looks for China plans to merge scores return was 10 percent in 2012 and was seen rising to 10.5 percent in 2028, well above its long standing stakes in energy projects policy of granting investors a 7 of major state companies percent real rate of return. DUBAI: Dubal Holding, the hold- investment in energy, mining, The tariff reduction was first ing company for Dubai’s stake in commodities and other industrial SHANGHAI: China is consid- their foreign counterparts. “The energy and telecommunications. announced by Norway’s previous, Emirates Global Aluminium and projects. Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) ering merging scores of its big- State-owned Assets Supervision A reduction in the number of centre-left government that lost other assets, is considering possi- merged in 2013 with Abu Dhabi’s gest state-owned enterprises and Administration Commission state firms would follow a 2013 power in late 2013, but the new ble acquisitions in local and inter- Emirates Aluminium to create to create around 40 national has issued an internal document Communist Party meeting known centre-right administration reaf- national energy projects, it said. Emirates Global Aluminium, the champions from the existing to promote the process,” Xinhua as the Third Plenum, at which firmed its support for the cut in The firm was looking for equity world’s fifth-largest aluminium 112, the official Xinhua news quoted an unidentified source as leaders pledged to loosen the one of its first decisions after interests related to coal, solar, gas, company with an enterprise value agency said yesterday. saying. state’s grip over the world’s sec- taking office. and other alternative sources of of about $15bn. The report said state firms SASAC manages state-owned ond largest economy by allowing Gassled transports gas from energy, Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Dubal in January said it had would be merged or acquired, but assets of enterprises under the the market to play a decisive role. platforms in the North and chief executive of Dubal Holding, raised a $1.8bn seven-year loan for gave no timelines or details about direct supervision of the central China’s top two train mak- Norwegian Seas to processing said in a statement following the general business purposes. Emirates which companies would merge. government, which now number ers, state-owned China CNR plants in Norway and terminals inaugural annual general meeting. Global Aluminium, in its first full But it said the M&A would 112, according to its website. Corp and CSR Corp, last year in Britain, Germany, France Kalban said this would fit in year of operations, generated a net help build a stronger competi- Although China has made the announced they would combine and Belgium, supplying about a with the aim of Dubal Holding, income of Dh3.7bn in 2014, up by tive edge among the SOEs and state sector far leaner since the into a single huge conglomer- fifth of the European Union’s gas wholly owned by the Investment around 75 percent on the combined prevent cut-throat in-fighting, late 1990s, government-backed ate to compete with foreign needs. Corporation of Dubai, to take a income of Dubal and Emal in the which was causing many of the companies still dominate large players and prevent in-fighting Statoil itself is not involved in leading role in Dubai in terms of previous year. REUTERS Chinese giants to lag behind sectors of the economy such as between them. AFP the case. REUTERS

Alpen Capital gets CSR Label

Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents the CSR Label 2015 to Rohit Walia, Executive Chairman, Alpen Capital (ME) Ltd. Alpen Capital, Dubai, was recognised for its Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility efforts by the chamber and was awarded the CSR Label for the fourth consecutive year. TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Deutsche Bank rejig to cut €200bn in assets Plans to exit 7-10 countries but invest in India, China

FRANKFURT: Deutsche Bank will take with a grain of salt, offering by the end of 2016 and will cut €200bn ($217.5bn) in given their chequered history,” close up to 200 branches — more investment bank assets and exit said Omar Fall, an analyst with than a quarter of its retail net- a tenth of the countries in which Jefferies International. work — by 2017. it operates as part of a restruc- The strategy announcement The reconfiguration is expected turing programme designed to comes a day after Deutsche to cost a total of €3.7bn and pro- boost earnings and cut risk. reported a 50 percent drop in duce annual cost savings of €3.5bn. After sticking with its costly first-quarter earnings, with hefty The bank did not say how many universal banking model in the legal charges eroding gains in jobs would be lost or which coun- aftermath of the financial crisis, investment banking revenue. tries it would exit. Germany’s largest bank is under British and US regulators fined In its investment bank, the pressure from investors to follow the bank a record $2.5bn for group’s main profit driver, it will rivals such as UBS and Credit manipulating benchmark inter- pull back its dealings in repur- Suisse by culling unprofitable est rates, with the potential for chase agreements and swaps, operations. further fines from other market which are used by banks and com- Shares in the German lender investigations. panies to hedge risk, and redeploy Deutsche Bank co-CEOs Anshu Jain (right) and Juergen Fitschen address a press conference in the headquarters dropped by more than 3 per- “Please wait, in just a few up to €70bn in leverage to other of the bank in Frankfurt yesterday. cent in early trade, the biggest months we will be back with trading areas such as equities and faller among European banks, as strong details,” Jain told analysts emerging market debt. managers by 15 percent in key can base statements at this time.” is also aiming for a dividend pay- investors doubted whether co- seeking more details about the While it switches gears in its markets. The plan, which includes spend- out ratio of 50 percent in 3-5 chief executives Anshu Jain and plan. The bank said it would give investment bank, Deutsche plans Asked for more detail on spe- ing up to €1bn on digital technol- years. The company said it would Juergen Fitschen would meet further updates in 90 days. to expand its asset and wealth cific aspects of the plan, Chief ogy, is also designed to boost the step up investments in India and their new targets. “There are 2020 As part of the overhaul, management business by up to Financial Officer Stefan Krause group’s leverage ratio to least 5 China but reduce the number of targets and savings/investment Deutsche will sell its Postbank 10 percent a year until 2020 and told analysts: “We really have no percent from 3.4 percent at the its foreign offices to about 63 from plans which we and the market retail division via a stock market boost the number of relationship detailed planning upon which I end of the first quarter. Deutsche 70. REUTERS Labour unions flex muscles in German corporate shake-ups

BERLIN: After years of wan- modest restructuring. The VW IW economic institute in Cologne. a one-off payment of €150 per have more to do with Germany’s cost cuts last year when labour ing influence, German unions and Deutsche sagas reached their Lesch is one of the authors of worker which amounts to roughly practice of “Mitbestimmung”, or cried foul, and has involved unions are flexing their muscles again, climax after a week in which an IW study published last month 3.7 percent on an annualised basis co-determination, than with the in the discussion over how to unleashing waves of strikes, striking German train drivers that highlighted the rising influ- for 2015. wages debate. implement €5bn of planned cuts. securing generous pay deals — pushing for more pay and a ence of German unions after a Last year, negotiated wages Under the system, labour rep- When Piech attacked and shaping strategy at some of shorter working week — caused prolonged period of crisis. plus special payments climbed resentatives receive half of the Winterkorn for profitability the country’s most high profile severe disruptions to both freight The report points out that by 3.2 percent on average in seats on the supervisory boards shortfalls, struggles in the US companies. and passenger traffic across the Merkel’s “grand coalition” has Germany, data from the Federal of big companies. When manage- market and VW’s lack of progress Members of engineering union country. introduced a number of labour- Statistics Office shows. ment debates big strategic deci- in developing a budget car, labour IG Metall played a decisive role in Their walk-outs have coincided friendly reforms, including a After a decade of wage stag- sions, unions have a say. rallied around the CEO. pushing out powerful Volkswagen with pilot strikes at Germany’s nationwide minimum wage. It nation during the “sick man of This has led to a degree of con- On Saturday, VW’s power- chairman Ferdinand Piech over flagship airline Lufthansa and a also notes that after an extended Europe” days in the early 2000s, sensus and harmony in German ful works council chief Bernd the weekend. The shock depar- high profile two-year wage battle period of declining membership, labour unions have been embold- labour relations that countries Osterloh and former IG Metall ture of Piech, a dominant figure at between Verdi and online retailer the number of Germans belonging ened by a resurgent economy and like France can only dream of. chief Huber combined with the VW for over two decades, leaves Amazon. to unions has stabilised and begun calls from Berlin’s European part- But as the VW and Deutsche premier of Lower Saxony, the IG Metall’s former national leader The transport strikes prompted to inch higher. ners for Germans to spend more Bank cases suggest, it can also company’s home state and a top Berthold Huber as acting chair- Chancellor Angela Merkel’s gov- IG Metall, Germany’s biggest to help rebalance the euro zone. prevent a company from taking shareholder, to boot Piech out. man of Europe’s biggest carmaker. ernment to draft a new law in union with roughly 2.3 million Politicians in Berlin have given radical decisions that may ulti- “Winterkorn has emerged from At Deutsche Bank, opposition December to limit the power of members, has registered yearly their tacit approval to bigger mately be necessary to preserve this power struggle as the man from the Verdi union to a whole- smaller unions. membership increases for the deals and even Jens Weidmann, competitiveness. of the unions,” said Ferdinand sale disposal of the lender’s retail “We’ve had periods in the past past half decade. the hawkish president of the Volkswagen CEO Martin Dudenhoeffer, director of the operations helped convince co- where wage conflicts escalated, In February, IG Metall secured Bundesbank, came out publicly in Winterkorn has taken a concili- Center Automotive Research and CEOs Anshu Jain and Juergen but by German standards what what economists estimated to be favour of inflation-busting wage atory approach with the carmak- a former head of market strategy Fitschen to ditch their preferred we’re seeing now is quite unu- its biggest pay increase in eight increases last year. er’s unions. He ditched consulting at German carmaker Porsche. shake-up plan and opt for a more sual,” said Hagen Lesch of the years: a 3.4 percent raise plus Recent events at Volkswagen firm McKinsey as an adviser on REUTERS

India to outpace China Fitch cuts Japan’s credit rating Itqan Capital to add brokerage by one notch over debt fears RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Itqan Capital, an Islamic investment firm, plans to develop a Shari’ah- TOKYO: Fitch yesterday cut April 2014 — to 8.0 percent from structural fiscal measures in its compliant brokerage arm and is its credit rating on heavily 5.0 percent — for the first time budget for the fiscal year April nearing the launch of a $200m indebted Japan by one notch, in 17 years, in a bid to generate 2015-March 2016 (fiscal year education private equity fund, its saying it has not done enough more revenue to pay down its eye- 2015) to replace a deferred con- chief executive said. to plug a budget gap left by its watering national debt. sumption tax increase,” the rat- The firm is building its capability decision to delay a sales tax rise. But the increase slammed the ings agency said. as the asset and wealth manage- The move saw Japan’s rating brakes on growth and pushed “The government is set to ment arm of Bahrain’s Al Baraka trimmed to “A” from “A+”, several Japan into a brief recession just as unveil a new fiscal strategy in the Banking Group, which operates months after rival credit agency the economy, plagued by years of summer of 2015. The details of the in 15 countries, said Adil Dahlawi, Moody’s also downgraded Japan’s deflation, appeared to be turning strategy will be important, but managing director and CEO of credit rating. a corner. The downturn prompted the strength of the government’s Itqan Capital. The new business will Moody’s cited “rising uncer- Abe to put off a second sales tax commitment to implement it will be developed as a joint venture with tainty” over the national debt rise to 10 percent, which was ini- be even more important and will Bahrain-based brokerage Mubasher and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s tially scheduled for later this year. only become clearer over time.” Financial Service, and would use faltering efforts to kickstart the “Fitch’s downgrade reflects the Fitch’s downgrade comes amid the branch network of Al Baraka to world’s number three economy. fact that the Japanese govern- rising calls for Tokyo to get the launch in an initial five countries, Tokyo raised the sales levy in ment did not include sufficient nation’s debt under control. AFP Dahlawi said. REUTERS

United Spirits moves to oust chairman Mallya

MUMBAI: The board of United Kripalu said the report, sub- certain conditions. Under the Spirits Ltd, majority-owned mitted to the United Spirits board takeover pact, Mallya will con- by Britain’s Diageo Plc, has after the auditor’s inquiry, showed tinue in the role for as long as begun a procedure to remove that between 2010 and 2013, funds his group firm United Breweries its chairman and former owner were allegedly diverted from the Holdings owns at least 1.3 million Vijay Mallya (pictured) due to company to some of Mallya’s United Spirits shares. alleged financial irregularities group firms, including Kingfisher It currently owns more than 4 in the company. Airlines. million shares of United Spirits, Mallya has denied the allega- Mallya said in his statement the latest stock exchange data tions and said in a statement he that the auditor’s report was show. Diageo said on Monday it would not resign as chairman. based on “half truths and twisted would consider its agreements The development is the latest to facts”, adding Diageo had taken with Mallya and United Breweries hit Diageo, which has faced a legal four months for its due diligence in view of the inquiry report and battle and a failed tender offer If Mallya refuses to resign, of United Spirits before taking the materials provided to it. since it paid a high price in 2012 the board will recommend that control of the company. “It is, Mallya, who styles himself as for United Spirits, hoping that shareholders remove him, Anand therefore, surprising that such ‘King of the Good Times,’ sold Indian janitors clean the facade of a high-rise building in Mumbai yes- India’s increasingly wealthy con- Kripalu, who was named the prior period matters have become most of his shares in United terday. India’s economy will grow much faster than forecast this year sumers will spend more on alcohol. company’s CEO by Diageo last the basis for actions today,” Spirits and gave management and next and outpace rival China, the IMF said, citing falling oil prices The United Spirits board said year, said in a letter to the stock Mallya said. “I do not intend to control to Diageo at a time when and a reform drive by the government of Prime Minister Narendra it had “lost confidence” in Mallya exchanges on Saturday. “The resign as a Director of USL and his Kingfisher Airlines had been Modi. The IMF said in its World Economic Outlook update that Asia’s — “without making any determi- inquiry also suggests that the shall pursue the contractual obli- grounded by debts, safety con- number three economy would expand 7.5 percent in 2015, up from nation as to fault or culpability” manner in which certain transac- gations with Diageo PLC.” cerns and unpaid staff. But he a 6.3 percent prediction made in January, and remain the same next — after an inquiry into the compa- tions were conducted, prima facie, Diageo said it had certain con- played down any link between the year. It had previously tipped 6.5 percent expansion in 2016. ny’s financial accounts in the past indicates various improprieties tractual obligations to retain United Spirits sale and problems few years found irregularities. and legal violations,” he wrote. Mallya as chairman, subject to at his airline. REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Poland invites a flood of Deflation? Oil’s rebound ECB cash, risks exports BY MARCIN GOETTIG could be next headache ushioned by growth and facing elections, Poland is becom- ing an outlier in central Europe, where other countries are BY JAMIE MCGEEVER year or maybe even 2016, the to core US inflation rising 0.9 five-year eurozone inflation trying to curb the growing strength of their currencies in euro plummeted and global percentage points a year later. expectations in five years and is Cthe face of the eurozone’s massive money-printing plan. hisper it, stocks rose to new historical That would lift inflation above the ECB’s favoured gauge, has Hungary, Romania and Serbia have all cut rates this year to but the next peaks. But many of these market the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent climbed to 1.7 percent from a prevent their currencies from gaining too much, as the European challenge for moves have stalled, some even target, which hasn’t been met for record low beneath 1.5 percent. Central Bank’s programme feeds €60bn a month into the conti- financial mar- reversing. Inflation assumptions three years. This still falls short of the nent’s economy through September 2016. kets and poli- baked into index-linked bonds Economists at UBS estimate ECB’s inflation target of “below, The Czech Republic has put a cap on the value of the crown and Wcymakers may not be deflation, have rebounded, the euro is up that a $15 rise in oil would raise but close to” 2 percent, but Mario pledged to intervene to keep it from rising but the remarkable surge in oil five weeks out of the last six, and US inflation by 0.6 percentage Draghi and his colleagues will be Poland, on the other hand, says it will not cut interest rates from prices from the six-year low asset prices of oil exporters such points over the next year, $25 relieved it is at least moving in the current 1.5 percent, even though the zloty has risen nearly 7 touched in January. as Russia have recovered a large would equate to 1.0 percentage the right direction. percent against the euro since the start of 2015 — more than any Since then, Brent crude futures chunk of last year’s dramatic oil- point and $35 would add 1.4 per- US inflation expectations have other regional currency. And with Polish bonds providing a signifi- have risen 45 percent. If that led slump. centage point. Their equivalent also rebounded from multi-year cant yield premium over negative or rock-bottom euro yields, more is sustained or even increased “Deflation fears are overdone estimates for the eurozone are: a lows. Two-year inflation expec- cash is likely to flood in, barring a major flare-up in neighbouring throughout this year, inflation and we’re seeing some upside sur- $15 rise adds 0.5 percentage point tations have risen to 1.6 percent Ukraine or a Greek exit from the eurozone. next year could rise significantly, prises now, although risks of per- to headline inflation, $25 equates from -0.16 percent as recently “Poland is clearly more confident than its neighbours of sustaining posing questions for policymak- sistent low inflation remain,” said to 0.8 percentage point and $35 as mid-January, notes David relatively strong growth without a weaker currency,” said Manik ers largely committed to ultra- Ruben Segura-Cayuela, periph- equals 1.1 percentage point. Absolon, investment direc- Narain, a strategist at UBS in London. loose policy. No fewer than 27 eral euro zone economist at Bank Even the most extreme of these tor at Heartwood Investment Indeed, all recent data show a recovering economy, which the central banks around the world of America Merrill Lynch in scenarios is unlikely to sway the Management. The 10-year government expects will grow at 3.4 percent this year. While infla- have eased monetary policy to London. “A positive oil shock has European Central Bank, the Fed breakeven rate, the difference tion is currently at minus 1.5 percent, the government expects it some extent this year in a battle a detrimental effect on growth or any major central bank from between the nominal Treasury to reach 1.7 percent by next year. The housing market, at least in against deflation, slowing growth and activity, and could generate the course they are steering — a yield and the real yield on infla- Warsaw, is robust. or both. some volatility.” €1 trillion QE bond-buying spree tion-linked bonds, has risen to 1.9 What’s more, presidential and parliamentary elections are due These measures have ranged There are various estimates on from the ECB through September percent from 1.53 percent. this year, and a strong currency plays well with voters enjoying from interest rate cuts to bond- how much changes in the oil price next year, and a probable rate rise That drift higher should con- cheaper vacations and imported goods, analysts note. buying “quantitative easing” affect growth and inflation. from the Fed late this year. tinue as long as oil prices remain There are also 550,000 Poles holding mortgages denominated programmes. All have been in Brent crude futures have risen And if monetary policy is firm, lifting the breakeven rate in Swiss francs. They saw monthly payments jump after January, response to the fall in inflation $20 from January’s low to $65 a unlikely to choke off any rebound back towards the longer-term when the Swiss central bank abandoned its cap on the franc. A rates and inflation expectations barrel LCOc1. That’s a 45 percent in inflation expectations, that average back above 2 percent, weaker zloty would exacerbate their plight, probably to the detri- driven by the 60 percent collapse increase. WTI futures CLc1 have underlines the need for markets said Iain Stealey, fund manager ment of the ruling Civic Platform. in oil prices over the latter part jumped $15 from March’s low to build in higher future inflation of the JP Morgan Global Bond “Poland has some of the strongest cyclical numbers in terms of last year. to $58 a barrel. That’s a rise of rates than they were doing at the Opportunities Fund. of industrial output and retail sales, plus there is the fact that Investors’ bets on the timing almost 40 percent. turn of the year. “We’ve already seen some Europe’s economy continues to improve. This is causing them to of the first interest rate increase Deutsche Bank’s chief interna- Inflation markets have already movement. But there might still hold back,” said Koon Chow, investment strategist at Swiss private from the US Federal Reserve tional economist, Torsten Slok, reacted. The so-called five- be room for that to continue fur- bank UBP. were pushed back to late this says a 50 percent increase equates year forward, which measures ther,” he said. REUTERS A side effect of Poland’s reluctance to curtail zloty appreciation is likely to be more investment flows from funds fleeing the euro- zone’s negative yields — Polish 5-year bonds yield a respectable 2.0 percent-plus. In fact, Poland’s inflation-adjusted rate of 3 percent is the highest among 23 big economies, bar Brazil and Nigeria, data shows. The zloty jumped 1 percent on Monday, approaching recent 3 1/2-year highs. Chow reckons if the zloty appreciates further, Poland will have no choice but to follow its neighbours’ lead and stem appreciation. A 25 bps rate cut by mid-year is likely, he says. So far, of all the countries struggling to contain their curren- cies, the Czech Republic has gone furthest. It cut interest rates to near zero in 2012, and in late 2013 declared it would keep the crown weaker than 27 per euro to ward off deflation. However, the Czech economy was in recession in 2012 until early 2013. In contrast, Poland has grown robustly for the last 20 years. That makes deflation a far greater threat for Prague. Hungary, meanwhile, resumed policy easing in March, cut- ting rates to a record-low 1.8 percent and signaling more ahead. Government plans to cut Hungary’s high banking tax show its intention to ask banks to increase lending, analysts say. That makes low interest rates a necessity. Romania and Serbia have also cut rates and both have intervened in currency markets to tamp down the leu and dinar . All that has taken some steam out of those currencies. The forint, for instance, is down about 1 percent since the April 21 rate cut. A key motivation, of course, is trade. Exports, mostly to the euro zone, accounted for 88 percent of Hungary’s annual economic output, World Bank data for 2013 showed. Czech exports were 77 percent of gross domestic product. Poland, by in contrast, with 40 million people, has a healthier domestic market, with exports comprising just 46 percent of GDP. Still, for some, central bankers’ lack of concern is worrying, especially as the zloty’s impact is already being felt among export- ers. The exchange rate, currently 4 per euro, is just 3 percent off 3.91. Beyond that level, companies say, exports become unprofitable.. And business sentiment has worsened this year, with the zloty’s appreciation and falling prices having “negatively affected sales margins, both export and domestic ones”, according to a central bank poll, which also predicted “relatively low exports dynamics” ahead. At less than 4 zloty to the euro, “exporters will be in a difficult situation,” Chow said. “Also, you can’t assume European growth will remain firm. It’s not an environment where monetary conditions should be tight.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Lagos port a bottleneck for top economy

BY TIM COCKS to pile up traffic and costs. Privatising the port operators declined to be named. name printed, said that once all “The big companies operating “Apapa port is hell on earth,” in 2006 eased congestion dra- He added that Nigerian the costs of shipping, formal in a straight and narrow way do he road leading to the wrote commentator Tokunbo matically, and Finance Minister authorities inspect 70 percent of and informal, are factored in, he not have these problems. Often Lagos port, which han- Oloke in The Tribune late last Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in 2012 cut cargo, compared with around 5 needs to sell his second hand cars they don’t get checked at all.” dles nearly everything year. “A place where people the number of government agen- percent in the European Union. at four times the initial buying Yet shipping agent Tolu Tthat Africa’s biggest groan, curse, sweat, get infuri- cies allowed to inspect cargo. “The reason is: that is the number cost just to turn a profit. Mustapha says long delays put economy imports, is one of the ated, experience unending pain “There were about 15 different that you find to be unclean,” said The shipping and waiting everyone at a huge disadvantage, most congested in a megacity and sorrow.” agencies extorting money from Monye. charges are also huge because because it isn’t long before the whose traffic jams are legendary. That is a problem for foreign importers, and each would do A spokesman for the Nigeria “Nigeria just exports oil, so many accumulated cost exceeds the Wide enough to accommodate firms looking to cash in on the a separate inspection,” former Customs Service did not respond containers go back empty.” consignment’s value. only two lanes on either side, incipient consumer boom in presidential adviser Sylvester to a request for comment, but “The whole thing is a shake- He said a client he worked along it move the goods that Africa’s most populous nation, Monye said. the head of customs at Apapa, down,” he said. “If you don’t pay, for bringing in $25,000 worth of Africa’s top crude producer uses and Jonathan’s successor as “Now we have seven, and the Eporwei Edike, was quoted in the nothing gets done. Even if they diapers gave up when demurrage its huge oil receipts to buy — president, former military ruler president introduced a regime local press last week as saying find nothing untoward.” took him over that threshold. everything from designer wear Muhammadu Buhari, will need to that all the inspections must hap- that “If we notice any irregulari- A fuel importer says every “A lot of people just abandon to dried fish, champagne and crack down hard if he wants to pen simultanouesly.” ties anywhere, we tackle them agency will ask for bribes. “If you their goods. The port is full of shampoo. keep a reputation as a man with Importers however, say that immediately,” and that “we are don’t pay they will say, sorry sir, abandoned consignments,” he The Apapa port is also one zero tolerance for graft. rule is not always followed, and not sparing erring officers.” we’re clearing your papers still, it said, which authorities auction. of the biggest bottlenecks in an A trip to Apapa, a virtual city those seven can still hold back Monye said other improve- may take a while,” he said. “And There is a long list of ills that economy throttled by power cuts of piled up containers by a lagoon, shipments while they await ments Jonathan introduced they mean it will take an eter- Nigerians are hoping Buhari’s and institutional dysfunction. took four hours past lines of fuel bribes. included making it a 24-hour nity. Your shipment will just rot incoming government will Reforms to this behemoth by trucks. That was despite vol- A reporter saw a man in uni- operation instead of 9 to 5 and there.” quickly address — growing inse- President Goodluck Jonathan umes being relatively low owing form hold up a truck for half an rebuilding the 30-year-old road Monye said firms with proper curity, an Islamist insurgency in and previous administrations of to a weaker naira and oil prices. hour before the driver reluctantly with a foot of concrete under- paperwork had no problems. the northeast and corruption in his People’s Democratic Party Workers report much longer handed over cash. neath it. “The problem is two dimen- the oil sector. (PDP) brought huge improve- waits. “They’ve all got a scam going, But extortion remains the big- tional,” he said “And the other But for Nigeria’s dynamic and ments over the past decade, Companies have to bring per- from the guy that wheels your gest gripe of importers. side is the bribe givers who don’t fast growing economy, finishing shippers say, but bad roads and ishable goods through the port, trolley out to the senior customs Onyadinka, a durable goods do their documentation properly the job of port reform must be extortion by officials in a tangle where bureaucratic delays can officers,” says an official at con- importer from a small self-owned and are used to just paying their near the top. of government agencies continue mean a shipment spoiling. tainer company at Apapa who firm who declined to have his last way out of trouble.” REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,192.21 1.26 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,947.33 1.26 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,641.72 1.53 % RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Index 3,255.85 1.24 % GOLD QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,253.4 1.44 % Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5954.847 48.074 0.81 5963.5 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,032.04 0.94 % QR139.1284 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Cac 40 Index/D 5231.33 29.88 0.57 5269.5 4076.16 QE All Share Transportation 2,484.72 1.21 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.4709 QR 5.5472 QE All Share Real Estate 2,646.97 1.59 % Dj Indu Average 18080.14 21.45 0.12 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.9205 QR 3.9750 QE All Share Insurance 4,124.11 1.34 % QR 1.8626 CA$ ...... QR 2.9670 QR 3.0261 QE All Share Telecoms 1,310.54 0.40 % Hang Seng Inde/D 28433.59 372.61 1.33 28213.63 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7799 QR 3.8361 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,348.4 1.58 % Services QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6319.91 21.55 0.34 6363.4 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0303 QR 0.0308 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8183 QR 2.8737 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33844.29 69.17 0.2 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 27-04-2015 26-04-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0569 QR 0.0580 Index 12,192.21 12,040.06 Nikkei 225 Index 19983.32 -36.72 -0.18 20252.12 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 152.15 9.79 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0815 QR 0.0833 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2120.92 1820.66 % 1.26 0.08 $ 65.01 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 0.76 2.00 Straits Times/D 3515.85 2.85 0.08 3549.85 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 18,298,346 6,910,126 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0357 QR 0.0364 Value (QAR) 719,920,143.11 205,689,391.22 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2979 QR 0.3039 Trades 7,620 3,502 $ 61.57 Up 33 | Down 06 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 27-04-2015

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 180 -9.9 5861 Cipla-A/D 628.5 -9.3 122001 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 13.5 -0.3 1065460 Kanoria Chem-B/D 42 -3.25 11279 Radico Khait-B/D 88 -1.55 45434 Imperial Tobac/D 3337 32 839921 A C C-A/D 1494.45 -39.6 17005 City Union Bk-/D 92.5 -2.85 31255 Himat Seide-B/D 79.75 -1.05 21939 Kg Denim-B/D 20.8 -1.4 32711 Rallis India-A/D 215.35 3 38689 Kingfisher/D 355.3 0.1 1843784 Aarti Drugs-B/D 655.5 -18 15026 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1896.5 0.25 3870 Hind Motors-T/D 6.31 -0.27 21799 Kilburnengg-T/D 55 -3.9 18446 Reliance Indus/D 381.55 -10.7 24497 Land Secs Grou/D 1278 9 586010 Aban Offs-A/D 405.25 -10.85 159197 Colgate-A/D 1975.1 -56.3 18651 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.97 -0.56 14504 Kinetic Eng-B/D 45.9 1.2 4483 Ruchi Soya-B/D 41.3 -0.35 57046 Legal & Genera/D 264.84 1.5 5083790 Aegis Logis-B/D 645.75 -39.75 15113 Container Cor-/D 1606.25 37.95 21734 Hind Unilever-/D 867.45 -22.1 92748 Kopran-B/D 47.5 -2.85 183000 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 555.05 -17.7 3222 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.55 -0.55 46639203 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 223.55 -17.75 97587 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 185 -9.3 5793 Hind.Petrol-A/D 588 -36.55 116573 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 405.5 -19.2 1772 Salora Inter-B/D 46.2 -8.75 4281 Marks & Sp./D 546.5 -8 2549116 Alembic-B/D 34.25 -1.8 108212 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 78.05 2.55 1837 Hindalco-A/D 130.1 -1.15 664269 Lgb Broth-B/D 486.5 -9 1717 Samtel-T/D 8 -0.19 13574 Next/D 7206 30 164460 Alkyl Amines-B/D 314 -6 3780 Dhampur Sugar-/D 35.55 0.5 66969 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1211.85 -32.9 341775 Lloyd Metal-B/D 6.8 -0.2 2210 Saur.Cem-B/D 40.75 -0.65 31091 Pearson/D 1366 6 1172831 Alok Indus-A/D 6.97 -0.38 1268648 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3380.95 -104.9 19454 I F C I-A/D 32.35 -1.55 475354 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 9.4 -0.25 23484 Tanfac Indust-/D 22.1 -0.67 18751 Prudential/D 1665 33 1879693 Apollo Tyre-A/D 169.7 1.45 285153 E I H-B/D 104.1 -1.15 24381 Idbi-A/D 73.35 -3 1004807 Lumax Ind-B/D 314 -13.4 4170 Timexgroup-T/D 23 0.45 137317 Rank Group/D 191.2 -1.8 55718 Asahi I Glass-/D 127 3 12497 E.I.D Parry-A/D 159.5 -0.5 18733 Ifb Agro-B/D 255.5 1.7 2163 Lupin-A/D 1722.8 -35.65 77524 Tinplate-B/D 57.45 -1 35428 Rentokil Initi/D 136 0.1 287693 Ashok Leyland-/D 65.6 -1.8 2136800 Eicher Motor-A/D 14765.7 54.9 8012 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 592 -10.5 3128 Lyka Labs-T/D 51.85 -4.95 42103 Ub Engineer-Z/D 7.54 0.35 1899 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1053.66 4 1832072 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.7 -0.48 378856 Electrosteel-B/D 18.45 0.25 343670 India Cement-A/D 88 -8.25 327280 Mah.Seamless-B/D 195.25 -3.3 8954 Ub Engineer-Z/D 7.54 0.35 1899 Rsa Insrance G/D 421.2 -1.1 2283346 Bata India-A/D 1010 -6.1 15286 Emco-B/D 31.2 -1.75 28602 India Glycol-B/D 91.25 -1.1 11227 Mangalam Cem-B/D 254.9 -12.3 7057 Ucal Fuel-B/D 103.2 -6 20623 Sainsbury(J)/D 265.8 -2.3 2500645 Bayer Crop-A/D 3561.65 -193.95 3276 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.16 0.13 3653 Indian Hotel-A/D 105.4 1.35 33943 Maral Overs-B/D 31.5 -2.95 30559 Ucal Fuel-B/D 103.2 -6 20623 Schroders/D 3332 26 89983 Beml Ltd-A/D 931.7 -59.7 59652 Escorts-A/D 121.4 -6.55 163657 Indo-Tcount-T/D 410.3 -6.1 13676 Mastek-B/D 389 -0.3 88622 Ultramarine-B/D 68.1 -0.55 2283 Severn Trent/D 2190 -8 222933 Bh Electronic-/D 2975.3-149.35 23613 Essar Oil-T/D 103.5 -3.1 67787 Indusind-A/D 820.25 -12.1 99247 Max India L-A/D 408.9 -16.45 51649 Unitech P -A/D 14.9 -0.8 5957077 Smith&Nephew/D 1180 -4 733538 Bharatgears-B/D 69.4 -2.95 3106 Eveready Indu-/D 280.5 -18.1 164525 J.B.Chemical-B/D 212.75 -14.4 36560 Mrpl-A/D 68.45 -2.15 46672 Smiths Group/D 1135.72 1 176153 Bhel-A/D 226.8 -6.7 228307 F D C-B/D 153.7 0.7 23783 Jagson Phar-B/D 28.35 -1.5 22561 Nahar Spg.-B/D 89.45 -2.7 6694 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 1099 29 4915646 Bom.Burmah-B/D 401.2 -21.9 67098 Federal Bank-A/D 123 -3.6 232708 Jbf Indu-B/D 215.1 -9.3 26175 Nation Alum -A/D 46.1 -0.2 92082 Tate & Lyle/D 622 17 1124639 Bombay Dyeing-/D 63.25 -2.3 212727 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.3 -0.5 33546 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.5 -0.02 14393 Navneet Edu-B/D 95.3 -4.1 26202 Tesco/D 219.25 -5.6 23716034 Camph.& All-B/D 237.6 -19.4 5474 Finolex-A/D 272 -6.75 31210 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.18 -0.1 73183 Neuland Lab-B/D 355 -24 10701 3I Group/D 510 1.5 369875 Unilever/D 2979 5 835062 Canfin Homes-B/D 655 -28.5 15107 Forbes-B/D 1546 -131.75 1801 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.17 -0.13 14496 Nrb Bearings-B/D 118.3 4.4 188675 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2806 35 677781 United Util Gr/D 1002 -1 842732 Caprihans-B/D 79.55 -4 5866 Gail-A/D 361.35 -7.75 43692 Jik Indust-T/D 1 0.04 11090 O N G C-A/D 309.4 -6.4 187409 Barclays/D 261.9 0.15 15551790 Vodafone Group/D 233.14 0.9 12628933 Castrol India-/D 453.15 -8.7 29749 Gammon India-T/D 19.25 -1.3 54513 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 106.7 -5.65 297083 Ocl India-B/D 388 -10.45 2377 Bg Group/D 1172 4.5 1407224 Whitbread/D 5443.2 110 217459 Century Enka-B/D 171.8 -10.5 34783 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.35 -0.05 4000 Jmc Projects-T/D 193 1.7 6015 Oil Country-B/D 35.3 -0.85 6291 Bp/D 475.15 -3.25 10238788 Century Text-A/D 648.3 -39.85 228737 Garden P -B/D 30.65 -3.25 56256 Kabra Extr-B/D 70 -1.95 2388 Onward Tech-B/D 48.5 -6.05 4127 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3739.35 -7.5 876472 Chambal Fert-B/D 65 -1.3 31816 Godfrey Phil-B/D 476.55 -29.05 5523 Kajaria Cer-A/D 708 -53.4 39266 Orchid Chem-B/D 50 -2.05 83648 Bt Group/D 466.988 -0.55 4665859 Chola Invest-B/D 613 35.15 13556 Goodricke-B/D 145.8 -4.7 13137 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 118.9 3.2 4881 Orient.Carb.-T/D 455 -31.5 3596 Centrica/D 267.3 2.8 8125003 Chowgule St-T/D 23.6 0.25 10268 Goodyear I -B/D 596 -8.25 5453 Kalpat Power-B/D 226.3 -10.8 21268 Orient.Carb.-T/D 455 -31.5 3596 Gkn/D 365.3 2.3 1131099 Cimmco-B/D 100.35 -7.75 25558 Hcl Infosys-B/D 42.75 -3.95 633724 Kalyani Stel-T/D 132.4 -7.3 39822 Punjab Chem.-B/D 194.4 -9.8 22663 Hsbc Holdings/D 647.8 18.1 33469185 TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Seventh Smash Tennis Cavaliers, Wizards book Championship begins

DOHA: The seventh Smash Tennis Championship is being second-round berths held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex from April 27 to May 10 by Mavericks stay alive in play-offs with 121-109 victory over Rockets Smash Academy in co-oper- ation with the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF). BOSTON: Battered but Around 350 players will be unbowed, the Cleveland NBA Play-off competing in categories includ- Cavaliers defeated the Boston ing: boys singles under eight years Celtics 101-93 yesterday to Results of age, boys singles under-nine, reach the second round of the Eastern Conference U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-18; boys NBA play-offs. At Boston doubles U-12, U-18; girls singles With 27 points, 10 rebounds and U-9, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-18; men’s Cleveland 101 Boston 93 eight assists from LeBron James, singles; men’s doubles; ladies sin- (Cleveland win series 4-0) the Cavs withstood the early exit gles; ladies doubles; mixed dou- of star forward Kevin Love with At Washington bles; veterans singles and veterans a dislocated shoulder to complete Washington 125 Toronto 94 doubles. a 4-0 sweep of the Celtics in the (Washington win series 4-0) Smash Tennis Championships best-of-seven Eastern Conference Western Conference is one of the most important first-round series. At San Antonio events on QTF’s calendar with Love was hurt in the first quar- LA Clippers 114 San Antonio 105 its high participation levels and ter battling Celtics big man Kelly (Series tied 2-2) intense competition. Olynyk, who yanked Love’s left Sultan Khalfan, the At Dallas arm as they chased a loose ball. Tournament Director, said: Love grabbed his left shoulder Dallas 121 Houston 109 “Qatar Tennis Federation knows as he ran down the court, past his (Houston lead series 3-1) the importance of this tourna- team’s bench toward the locker LEFT: Cleveland Cavaliers forward ment in enhancing the experi- room. He said later he had “no LeBron James (right) drives past ence of our national team players doubt” Olynyk’s move was inten- Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder and it also offers the opportunity tional and James agreed. at the TD Garden in Boston on to assess the level of our players “I saw the replay and it didn’t before entering into a period of Sunday night. BELOW: Washington look like a basketball play,” James summer camps.” Wizards guard John Wall (front) said. “I’ve seen a lot of tie-ups He added: “Of course, we can- in my day and that was a little reacts during the final minutes of not ignore the role played by this different.” the game at the Verizon Center in event in expanding the base of the The incident touched off a Washington on Sunday night. game in Qatar. It represents an string of increasingly physical The third-seeded Bulls missed opportunity for those who play plays that threatened to over- a chance to sweep the Bucks tennis to enter into a competi- whelm a game that the Cavs had on Saturday, but will try to fin- tion and enjoy the game.” well in hand. ish them off when they take a Smash Tennis Academy is a Cleveland’s Kendrick Perkins 3-1 series lead into game five in Qatari training school which was was whistled for a foul and also Chicago on Monday. established in 2006 with the goal picked up a technical foul in the The Celtics, who scraped into to develop the game of tennis in second quarter after shoving the play-offs with a late-sea- Qatar through the latest train- Boston’s Jae Crowder to the court son run in what was billed as a ing techniques and experienced while setting a pick. rebuilding year, were swept for coaching staff. Crowder, who had been guard- the first time in 11 seasons. THE PENINSULA ing James near the sideline, also Elsewhere in the East on received a technical foul after he Sunday, the Washington Wizards and Perkins jawed at each other. marched into the second Cleveland’s J.R. Smith was round with a 125-94 romp past ejected in the third quarter for Toronto. Baseball Results hitting Crowder across the face as Marcin Gortat had 21 points Detroit 8 Cleveland 6 he defended the Celtics forward and 11 rebounds and John Wall Chicago Cubs 5 Cincinnati 2 under the basket. added 14 points and 10 assists for Tampa Bay 5 Toronto 1 After a small push from the Wizards, whose victory was Miami 6 Washington 2 Crowder in his back, Smith con- never in doubt. Baltimore 18 Boston 7 nected with his right hand as he It marked the first time the Philadelphia 5 Atlanta 4 wheeled around toward the ball. club have swept an opponent in a Crowder left the game with seven-game playoff series. Milwaukee 6 St Louis 3 what the Celtics said was a After winning just two first- Chicago White Sox 3 Kansas City 2 sprained left knee suffered when round sets in 34 prior seasons, Chicago White Sox 5 Kansas City 3 he fell on the play. Washington have now reached Texas 5 LA Angels 4 Kyrie Irving added 24 points the second round two seasons in Houston 7 Oakland 6 and 11 rebounds for Cleveland a row. Minnesota 4 Seattle 2 and Iman Shumpert contributed “To get to four is the hardest Pittsburgh 8 Arizona 0 15 points and 10 rebounds off the game and I’m really proud of our bench. group,” said Wizards coach Randy eighth-seeded Brooklyn. The Barea and Al-Farouq Aminu their — including five straight in the San Diego 3 LA Dodgers 1 It was the first play-off series Whittman, whose team raced to Hawks lead that series 2-1. first starts of the post-season and fourth quarter that helped thwart sweep for Cleveland since 2009, a big lead and led by as many as Meanwhile, the Dallas both produced double-doubles. a Houston rally — and pulled when they needed the minimum 37 in the second half. Mavericks stayed alive in the Barea scored 17 points and down 12 rebounds. Orioles crunch to get past Detroit and Atlanta “They were locked in... That play-offs on Sunday with a 121-109 handed out 13 assists, enlivening Monta Ellis scored 31 points for back in James’s first stint with his was a workman-like four wins victory over the Houston Rockets. a starting lineup that has been the Mavs, who will try again to 18 runs to home-state club. for us.” Down 3-0 in their best-of-seven without injured Chandler Parsons avoid elimination when they visit They will face either Chicago or The Wizards next face Western Conference first-round and Rajon Rondo. Houston for game five tomorrow. thrash Red Sox Milwaukee in the second round. either top-seeded Atlanta or series, the Mavs opted to give J.J. Aminu added 16 points AFP BALTIMORE: Delmon Young had three hits and five RBIs, Bud Norris pitched into the sev- enth inning and Baltimore bat- tered Boston 18-7. Blues fall to Wild Chris Davis added three hits, Relieved Lee handed including his fourth home run of the season and a two-run double, as the Orioles took the deciding 4-1, lose series 4-2 contest of the three-game series. Jimmy Paredes tripled, dou- backdated doping ban MINNESOTA: Minnesota left bled and singled to drive in three winger Zach Parise had a pair NHL Play-offs runs as part of Baltimore’s 20-hit KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian plummeting to 30th in the world of goals as his team clinched a attack. shuttler Lee Chong Wei (pic- and it could drop further with his play-off series on home ice for Quarterfinal Norris (1-2), who began the tured) was a relieved man yes- world championship final defeat the first time in franchise his- day with a 17.42 ERA, allowed terday after being handed a to China’s Chen Long disqualified tory, beating St Louis 4-1 to Results three runs on seven hits over 6 backdated eight-month ban for by the BWF. win their Western Conference 2/3 innings. doping by the Badminton World Lee was allowed to keep the play-off series in six games on 1 2 3 T Rays 5, Blue Jays 1 Federation, leaving him free to two Asian Games bronze medals Sunday night. Montreal 1 0 1 2 Chris Archer made his fourth go for gold at the Rio Olympics he won in Incheon, South Korea, Right wingers Justin Fontaine Ottawa 0 0 0 0 consecutive start without giving next year. in September as he hadn’t yet and Nino Niederreiter also scored (Montreal win the best-of-seven series by up an earned run and Brandon Lee tested positive test for dex- been notified of his failed test. for Minnesota and goalie Devan 4-2) Guyer hit a home run to lift amethasone at last year’s world Lee will be free to take part in Dubnyk had 30 saves as the Wild 1 2 3 T Tampa Bay. championships. Dexamethasone the May 10-17 Sudirman Cup, one advanced to a second-round Archer struck out seven and Minnesota 1 1 2 4 is an anti-inflammatory that does of the first events with qualifying showdown against the Chicago gave up just two hits in seven not enhance performance but is points for the Rio Games. Blackhawks. St Louis 0 1 0 1 innings to improve to 3-2. The on the list of banned substances. The year long qualifying cam- The match-up will mark a (Minnesota win the best-of-seven series Rays won their fifth straight The 32-year-old could have paign for Rio begins next Monday. third consecutive season with by 4-2) game and are in first place in the been suspended for up to two supplement that Lee was taking, Malaysia will be eligible to a Minnesota-Chicago play-off American League East. years but will be eligible to com- the BWF said. enter two singles players in the series. Center T.J. Oshie scored of a shot by right winger Jason Cubs 5, Reds 2 pete again on Friday after he “I am of course relieved,” Lee men’s and women’s Olympic tour- for the Blues, who failed to Pominville that Elliott stopped. Miguel Montero homered and voluntarily stood down last year said in a news conference in Kuala naments if they are both ranked advance past the first round for Niederreiter scored an empty- Jake Arrieta pitched six solid when he was first told about the Lumpur. inside the top 16 at the ranking the third straight year. net goal for the final margin. innings, lifting Chicago to their positive sample. “I accept the result. I will cut off. Jake Allen started the game Canadiens 2, Senators 0 best start since 2008. The BWF said Lee had been review back, and maybe...will be Lee is also likely to take in goal for the Blues, stopping 11 The Montreal Canadiens finally Montero went 2-for-4 with a negligent but the backdated sanc- stronger mentally for the com- part in the Southeast Asian of the 13 shots he faced. He was closed out the Ottawa Senators at homer and two RBIs for the Cubs tion was “correct and fair”. petitions to come.” Games in June before the World lifted in favour of Brian Elliot the third time of asking. (10-7), who swept the abbreviated “The panel is convinced this is Lee, the winner of 55 titles Championships in Jakarta in after Fontaine scored in the sec- Backed by a 43-save perform- two-game series. Saturday’s game not a case of doping with intent to around the world, had his case August. ond to make it 2-0 for Minnesota. ance from goalie Carey Price, was postponed due to rain. cheat,” the world governing body heard by a three-member panel Lee, Malaysia’s favourite sport- Elliott finished with six saves. the Canadiens beat the Senators Arrieta (3-1) survived a rough said in a statement. in Amsterdam on April 11 and ing son, remains enormously Minnesota led 2-1 early in the to take the first-round Eastern patch in the middle innings and The anti-inflammatory drug, faced the prospect of a career- popular in his homeland and was third period and was weathering Conference playoff series 4-2 and allowed two earned runs on four which is prohibited in compe- ending ban. nominated last week for the coun- a Blues momentum swing when advance to a match-up against hits in six innings. Todd Frazier tition, was found on the cas- The lengthy absence from try’s 2014 sportsman of the year Parise capped off a rush to the either Detroit or Tampa Bay. hit his fifth homer for Cincinnati. ing of gelatin capsules of a food the court led to his ranking award. REUTERS net, knocking in the rebound REUTERS REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Pakistan look to bounce

back as veterans return Shahid Afridi Misbah, Younis boost visitors; in-form Bangladesh target Tests win Seniors should

KHULNA, Bangladesh: Pakistan hope the return of either step up skipper Misbah-ul Haq and experienced batsman Younis Khan will help them bounce or step down, back on the miserable tour of Bangladesh when a two-Test says Afridi series opens in Khulna today. The tour has been a nightmare for the Pakistanis so far, with a KARACHI: Pakistan’s T20 3-0 whitewash in the One Day captain and seasoned all- International (ODI) series being rounder Shahid Afridi has said followed by their first-ever defeat that senior members of the to Bangladesh in a Twenty20 national cricket team should international in Dhaka earlier either step up their game or this week. step down themselves to give a The two senior players were chance to new budding players. not part of the limited-overs Pakistan suffered an unprec- squad with Misbah, who turns 41 edented 3-0 defeat in ODI series next month, having quit one-day against Bangladesh before losing cricket after the World Cup and the first Twenty20 against the Younis, 37, said to be rested for neighbours. the series. Afridi felt seniors’ below- Younis is only 506 runs away par show was affecting team’s from overtaking Javed Miandad’s performance. tally of 8,832 runs as Pakistan’s “The fact is that the senior leading Test scorer and holds players are letting down the the Pakistan record of 28 Test team,” said Afridi while speaking centuries. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim (right) and Tamim Iqbal look on during a to reporters in Karachi. “They are very experienced practice session ahead of the first Test against Pakistan at the Sheikh Abu Naser “We can’t expect to win much and Pakistan has usually done Stadium in Khulna, yesterday. RIGHT: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq attends a with our current poor form. well when they are around,” said practice session on the eve of the opening Test. Pakistan cricket is going through 19-year-old batsman Sami Aslam a tough phase,” he said. ahead of the opening Test against “If the seniors don’t contrib- Bangladesh. “Both are world-class players Australia and England in the Test Of the seven wins, five came Shakib told reporters in Khulna. ute, then the problems would and they are sure to make the dif- standings. against fellow Test minnows “If Pakistan have an experi- only increase. We need to experi- ference in the series.” “Tests are entirely different Zimbabwe and two against an enced batting line-up, we too have ment with youngsters and form Teams Pakistan, who fielded a new- and I am pretty confident my under-strength West Indies side a number of batsmen in form. And a potent combination before the Bangladesh (from): Mushfiqur Rahim look side in the one-day series team will do better in this for- in 2009. we have a better bowling attack World Twenty20, but for that we (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Litton Das, retaining just four of the squad mat,” said Aslam, who could make Bangladesh have lost all eight and the fielding too is good. This need the support of the estab- Mominul Haque, Sakib Al Hasan, Mohammad who played in the World Cup, his Test debut after making a flu- Tests against Pakistan, but lead- will be a tight series,” added the lished players.” Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom, Soumya Sarkar, have selected nearly the same ent 45 on his one-day debut last ing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan captain. The senior all-rounder who Taijul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Test squad that beat Australia week. hoped the confidence gained from Wicket-keeper Mushfiqur retired from ODIs following the Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Shahid. 2-0 and drew with New Zealand A confident Bangladesh are the limited-overs wins would Rahim returns to lead the Test World Cup said he is ready to quit Pakistan (from): Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Babar 1-1 in the United Arab Emirates looking to improve their under- ensure a better showing in the side in place of limited-overs cap- from T20 as well. Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Asad before the World Cup. whelming Test record, having won longer format. tain Mashrafe Mortaza. “If I feel that I’m going to be a Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Ranked only eighth in one- just seven and lost 70 of their 88 “I think this will be a good The second Test will be played burden, then I’ll quit the format Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Sarfraz day cricket, Misbah’s squad are matches since being granted full series if we can show the same at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in well before next year’s ICC World Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan. fourth behind South Africa, status in 2000. level of play and confidence,” Dhaka from May 6 to 10. AFP Twenty20 in India.” AGENCIES Ko downs Pressel for Late birdies spur Rose to LPGA Classic crown Zurich Classic triumph SAN FRANCISCO: World for the first playoff hole, where Ko number one Lydia Ko birdied missed a long birdie putt for win NEW ORLEANS: Justin Rose the second play-off hole to beat and Pressel then came up short capped a marathon on Sunday Morgan Pressel on Sunday and on her 10-footer. AFP with back-to-back birdies at the win a second straight Swinging last two holes to clinch the US Skirts LPGA Classic crown. Phil Mickelson PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic by Ko, the New Zealand sensation Swinging Skirts one stroke in a thrilling finale. who turned 18 on Friday, earned Rose had six birdies in his six- her first victory as a professional Classic Scores Mickelson under 66 in the final round of the at this event last year. SAN FRANCISCO: Leading New Orleans tournament – which With the win she notched her final-round scores on Sunday was beset by weather delays – and seventh LPGA Tour title and fifth at the LPGA Tour’s Swinging withdraws from victory represents a satisfying fol- since the start of the 2014 season. Skirts Classic (x-won at sec- low-up to the Englishman’s share She fired a two-under par 70 in ond playoff hole. USA unless WGC Match Play of second behind Jordan Spieth at final round to finish 72 holes tied noted, par-72): the recent Masters. with Pressel at 8-under par 280. His 22-under-par total 266 280 x-Lydia Ko (NZL) 67-72-71-70, Pressel signed for a fourth SAN FRANCISCO: Phil gave him a seventh US tour title, Morgan Pressel 69-72-67-72 round 72. She had birdie putts Mickelson withdrew from by one stroke from American to win both in regulation and 281 Brooke Henderson (CAN) 70-65-72- the upcoming World Golf Cameron Tringale. at the first playoff hole, but 74 Championships Match Play Tringale could have forced a instead remains in search of her 282 Kwak Min-Seo (KOR) 72-67-69-74 Championship on Sunday for playoff with an eagle at the final third LPGA Tour title. Brooke 283 Feng Shanshan (CHN) 70-70-71-72 personal reasons. hole, but settled for a birdie that Henderson, the 17-year-old 284 Jang Ha-Na (KOR) 68-71-77-68, The five-time major champion gave him a seven-under 65 and Canadian who led after the sec- Amy Yang (KOR) 72-68-75-69, Stacy said he was sorry to miss the elite sole possession of second place ond and third rounds, closed with Lewis 69-71-71-73 event, which is moving this year on 267. a two-over par 74 to finish third 285 Lee Mi-Rim (KOR) 74-68-73-70, Kim to Harding Park in San Francisco. Boo Weekley also closed with on seven-under 281. Pressel, play- Sei-Young (KOR) 74-69-70-72 “TPC Harding Park is a ter- a 65 on the rain-softened TPC ing in the last group just behind rific setting for match play, so it’s Louisiana course to grab third 286 Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 69-68-78-71, Justin Rose of England poses with the trophy after winning the Zurich Ko, landed her approach at 18 unfortunate that I won’t be able place on 268. Jim Herman (65) Sakura Yokomine (JPN) 71-67-77-71 Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on Sunday in Avondale, about 20 feet from the pin and to play this year,” he said. and Australian Jason Day (69) Louisiana. couldn’t convert for the victory. 287 P.K. Kongkraphan (THA) 68-76-71- The 44-year-old American left- shared fourth on 269. They returned to par-five 18th 72, Sandra Gal (GER) 74-67-72-74 hander is the third player from the top 64 in the world to pull out World Rankings Day and Rose had gone into the the green, stopping in the fairway. of the event. 1. (1) Rory McIlroy (Britain) ...... 11.21 final round tied for the lead at 16 His eagle chip was close, but he England’s Luke Donald and 2. (2) Jordan Spieth (US) ...... 9.08 under after finishing their third could only tap in for birdie. South African Tim Clark are the 3. (3) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) ...... 7.35 rounds on Sunday morning. “It was a great week for me. other two. Mickelson’s withdrawal Rain and thunderstorms had I missed the cut last week, went 4. (4) Bubba Watson (US) ...... 7.18 opened a place for Finland’s halted play every day. home regrouped, worked on a few Mikko Ilonen in the field. 5. (5) Jim Furyk (US)...... 6.71 “All week, I just tried to stay things just to tighten up my game Mickelson has played the WGC 6. (9) Justin Rose (Britain) ...... 6.58 patient,” Rose said. and came out and had a great Match Play 11 times since 1999. 7. (6) Jason Day (Australia) ...... 6.45 “I missed a couple short ones at week,” he said. He lost in the first or second 8. (7) Dustin Johnson (US) ...... 6.17 11 and 12, but then it was impor- Day had five birdies and one round five times, and his best fin- 9. (8) Adam Scott (Australia) ...... 5.92 tant to hit that wedge shot really bogey in his third-round 68, while ish was a quarter-final loss to fel- 10. (10) Sergio Garcia (Spain) ...... 5.64 tight at 13. If I didn’t birdie 13, I Rose had climbed up the leader- low American Davis Love in 2004. would have really felt like I was board with a bogey-free 65 in the 11. (11) Jimmy Walker (US) ...... 5.35 The 44-year-old is coming off a leaking some oil,” he said. third round. runner-up finish at the Masters. 12. (12) J.B. Holmes (US) ...... 4.85 “That was important for Rose finished with a flourish, That was his first top-10 finish 13. (13) Rickie Fowler (US) ...... 4.57 some momentum and then to rolling in a 10-footer at the 71st of the season, and first since his 14. (14) Matt Kuchar (US) ...... 4.48 make those last two putts on hole and a 13-footer at the last, runner-up finish at last year’s the 15. (15) Patrick Reed (US) ...... 4.44 the last two greens made up for and has now won at least one US PGA Championship. 16. (16) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) ...... 4.39 everything.” PGA Tour title in six straight This year the tournament has a 17. (17) Martin Kaymer (Germany) ...... 4.33 Shortly after Rose made his seasons. new format featuring round-robin birdie at 18, Tringale missed an That streak is second only to Lydia Ko of New Zealand imitates a “selfie” as she poses with the winner’s 18. (18) Phil Mickelson (US) ...... 4.19 play in 16 four-player groups, so eight-foot birdie attempt at 16. Dustin Johnson’s eight straight trophy after winning the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic presented by 19. (19) Billy Horschel (US) ...... 3.81 CTBC at the Lake Merced Golf Club on Sunday in Daly City, California. that an early match defeat doesn’t At 18 Tringale’s second shot seasons with a title among cur- mean an automatic exit. AFP 20. (20) Brooks Koepka (US) ...... 3.55 barely cleared the water short of rent players. AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 In-form Al Rayyan look

Tottenham to continue winning run Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane walks Emir Cup: Football giants meet Al Wakra in Round 2 off the pitch after the DOHA: Six-time champions Al English Rayyan will be looking to con- Premier tinue their winning run when League they meet Al Wakra in Round football 2 of the prestigious Emir Cup, match today at the Al Arabi Stadium. against Al Rayyan, spurred with their Southampton return to the Qatar Stars League Al Rayyan’s at St Mary’s (QSL) following the Qatargas players Stadium in League triumph last week, outwit- celebrate a this April ted Markhiya 5-0 in their opening goal against 25, 2015 file Emir Cup clash on Friday. Al Markhiya photo. Brazilian striker Rodrigo during the Tabata who scored a brace in the opening one-sided victory will be a player match of the to watch in today’s encounter. Emir Cup at Al Rayyan last won the Emir Grand Hamad Cup in 2013. Stadium in On the other hand, Al Wakra who nearly escaped demotion in Doha, in this the second division after finishing April 25, 2015 on 12th position in the QSL must file photo. be looking for consolation. Meanwhile, Mesaimeer will hope to advance into Round 3 as Kane named best young they meet Al Khor in other match of the day at Qatar Sports Club. Mesaimeer prevailed over Muaither 2-1 in the first after a player after stellar year thrilling battle. In other match of the day, Al LONDON: It took Harry Kane – versus Hull City and has never Shahaniya and Al Khairaitiyat four years to become an over- looked back. will lock horns at the Al Arabi Qatar Cup: Fans get into groove night sensation at Tottenham “Harry has had a massive Stadium. Hotspur in a season that began impact on English football this Al Khairaitiyat who finished on the bench but is ending with a season,” Argentine Pochettino ninth in the QSL must be eye- Young Player of the Year award said when Kane was short-listed ing an easy sailing against Al as tickets sale for final begins as a full England international. for the PFA awards last week. Shahaniya who were demoted His peers in the Professional “I don’t think too many people after being confined to 13th posi- DOHA: More fans are expected filled day so we urge fans to buy 30 April (subject to availability). Footballers’ Association (PFA) expected Harry would show the tion in the QSL. to attend the Qatar Cup final their tickets as soon as pos- Tickets are also available at the had no doubt the 21-year-old performances that he has.” Al Shamal and Al Sailiya will on the May 1 compared to last sible to avoid disappointment.” QSL Experience activities at striker who has scored 30 goals After Kane scored his 30th play in the other Round 2 match year, as increasing numbers He added: “There’s not just the Landmark Mall, Katara and Al for Spurs and one for England 79 goal in all competitions against at the Qatar Sports Club. of people in Qatar get behind promise of watching a great Khor Mall. A full list of venues, seconds into his debut, was the Newcastle United last week, the Al Shamal was the other team their local teams. match, all ticket holders will also dates and times can be found at outstanding young performer of Spurs manager added: “I congrat- which got demoted after getting Qatar Stars League (QSL), be entered into the prize draw qsl.com.qa. the campaign. ulate him. a wooden spoon in the lucrative the highest professional league to win some fantastic prizes and Tickets for the Family Section He was also voted runner-up “He deserves this moment. It league. As many as 18 first and in Qatari football, is urging fans can also enjoy some excellent will be available to buy in person for player of the year behind is an historic thing. He is happy second division teams are partici- to buy their tickets for the final match day entertainment.” at the QSL Experience and Qatar Chelsea forward Eden Hazard. in the changing room. His team pating in the Emir Cup. between El Jaish and Lekhwiya Tickets denomination for the Sports Club. No-one could have imagined mates and supporters are happy, THE PENINSULA as soon as possible. Qatar Cup final ranges from Fans can purchase a maximum how his season was going to pan and so is the club. Tickets for the match are on QR10 to QR150. of two tickets per person (no out, with Kane also captaining “It is his first full season in the sale now and have already been QR150 tickets include parking limit for Family Section tickets). the club that nurtured his talents first team and he has the poten- Emir Cup Matches selling fast. and catering. Children aged 10 The Qatar Cup Final will kick and becoming the first Tottenham tial to be even better.” 5:15pm: Mesaimeer vs Al Khor at Qatar SC Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, and under can go for free in the off 18:45 at Lekhwiya Stadium. player since Gary Lineker in 1991- Kane started training with Stadium Executive Director of Marketing QR10 section. Previously referred to as the 92 to hit the 30-goal mark. Spurs when he was 11, turning 5:15pm: Al Shahaniya vs Al Kharaitiyat at Al & Communications commented: Tickets can be purchased Heir Apparent Cup, Qatar Cup Spurs manager Mauricio professional at 17 in 2010. Arabi Stadium “We’re delighted at the sup- online from tickets.qsl.com.qa is the pinnacle of the Qatar Stars Pochettino preferred Roberto Although he made his debut 7:45pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Wakra at Al Arabi port people in Qatar are giving and at Qatar Sports Club (Gate League and is one of Qatar’s most Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor for the club a year later, a long Stadium their local teams. We expect the 5 ticket booth) from 2pm to prestigious events on the sport- as his front two for Premier and winding road still lay ahead 7:45pm: Al Shamal vs Al Sailiyah at Qatar SC Qatar Cup final to be an action 9pm daily, up to and including ing calendar. THE PENINSULA League matches at the start of of him. Stadium the campaign, with Kane the Kane was loaned to Leyton third-choice striker among the Orient, Millwall, Norwich City substitutes. and Leicester City before return- Van Gaal Champions League trophies reach Berlin But he gave the youngster a ing to White Hart Lane last starting role in Europa League season. rues United’s Michael Mueller, matches, and Kane grabbed He brings more tomthe team Mayor of Berlin, his chance. While Soldado and than goals, though, with his ability Liverpool boost puts the Champions Adebayor were misfiring in the to hold the ball up and bring oth- League trophy of the league, Kane was scoring in ers into play and the Spurs fans Men’s competition Europe with the turning point have recognised the rare home- LIVERPOOL: Louis van Gaal on a podium in the coming at the end of October. grown talent as something special said Manchester United had Red Town Hall in He got a hat-trick against with a chant that he is “one of encouraged Liverpool in the Berlin, Germany, Asteras Tripolis to take his tally our own”. race for a Champions League yesterday. The to six in four European games, With a strong physique, Kane place after losing 3-0 to the trophies of the then came on to score a last- not only plays as a striker, but Merseysiders’ near-neighbours Men’s and Women’s minute winner against Aston makes runs from deep in his Everton on Sunday. Villa in the league before netting own half, and many have com- Champions League Goals from James McCarthy, what proved to be the winner ver- pared him to Teddy Sheringham were handed over John Stones and Kevin Mirallas sus Asteras in Greece. who played a similar role for at Goodison Park left United anx- to the city of Berlin With the Tottenham fans Tottenham, Manchester United iously looking over their shoul- prior to the Men’s clamouring for him to start in and England. If Kane enjoys ders at fifth-placed Liverpool as final (June 6) and the the league, Pochettino gave him half the success treble-winner they aim for the top four finish Women’s final (May his chance in November against Sheringham had, he will have a that will bring Champions League 14). Stoke City. He started the fol- glittering career to look back. football to Old Trafford next lowing week too – and scored REUTERS season. Liverpool trail United by seven points but have a game in hand and will have played two matches before United next take the field Hernandez stars for Madrid in thriller – against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday– meaning van Gaal’s MADRID: Javier Hernandez struck twice as Real of another lightning break when he struck the post from side may only have a one-point Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Real Hernandez’s pass. cushion by the time they kick-off. Liga by reducing the Catalans’ lead to two points with a Madrid’s However, Ancelotti’s men only had seconds to wait for “I know that,” he said. enthralling 4-2 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday. Mexican the third goal to arrive and there was a touch of fortune “I have said that to the play- Nolito fired the hosts into an early lead before goals striker Javier about it as Rodriguez’s shot was deflected past the help- ers – you have given light to your from Toni Kroos and Hernandez turned the game around. Hernandez less Sergio Alvarez. opponents. Santi Mina brought Celta level, but James Rodriguez’s celebrates Celta began the second period with the same intensity “I hope it won’t happen again. deflected effort put Madrid in front once more before the after scoring as they had the first and the home fans were screaming But, as a coach, I know that it will break and Hernandez rounded off the scoring in style 22 against Celta for a penalty when Orellana tumbled inside the area under happen again (some time),” added minutes from time. during their pressure from Kroos, but the referee was unmoved. a rueful van Gaal. Hernandez had starred with the only goal of the tie as La Liga at Hernandez then sealed the three points in stunning Sunday’s reverse also repre- Real beat Atletico Madrid for the first time in eight meet- fashion as he controlled Sergio Ramos’s brilliant ball over Balaidos sented a miserable return to ings this season to reach the Champions League semi-finals the top before slamming past Alvarez for his fourth goal. Stadium Goodison for former Everton in midweek. Earlier, Europa League holders Sevilla maintained their midfielder Marouane Fellaini However, they were pushed onto the back foot straight in Vigo on push for a return to the Champions League with a comfort- who missed a glorious chance to away by a Celta side that had already claimed the scalps Sunday. able 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. equalise, was booked for a foul of Barcelona and Atletico in La Liga this season. Unai Emery’s men had edged out Zenit St Petersburg in on Ross Barkley and then sub- Nolito opened the scoring after just nine minutes as he a gruelling 90 minutes to make it back to the semi-finals of stituted at half-time, in part to eased past the weak challenges of Dani Carvajal and Asier streak continued with a fine low finish after a neat one- the Europa League with a 2-2 draw in Russia on Thursday. avoid a dismissal. Illarramendi before leaving Iker Casillas flat-footed with two with Rodriguez. Victory moves the Andalusians a point above Valencia in “There were several reasons I a low shot that rolled in at the near post. Yet, again the lead was short-lived when Fabio Orellana’s the fight for a top four finish, although Los Che can move brought him off,” said van Gaal. Celta’s lead lasted only seven minutes as Cristiano through ball split the Madrid defence wide open and Mina back into the final Champions League place should they “The first was he was booked Ronaldo’s dangerous cross from the right was cleared only slotted into an empty net at the second attempt after his avoid defeat at home to Granada on Monday. and I found that the Everton play- as far as Kroos at the edge of the area and the German initial effort came back off the post. At other end of table, Almeria gave their hopes of sur- ers provoked him and I was not so curled home just his second goal for Madrid. Celta’s offensive approach was allowing Madrid plenty of vival a huge boost with a 2-0 win over strugglers Eibar sure he would end match.” AFP The visitors then went in front as Hernandez’s scoring space to counter-attack and Ronaldo nearly took advantage thanks to goals from Thievy Bifouma and Verza. AFP TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Qataris win three medals in Arab Athletics Championship

Qatari athletes pose with their national flag during the 19th Arab Athletics Championship in Manama. The Qatari athletics team continued their dazzling performance by winning three silver medals on Sunday. Rashid Al Mane confidently won the silver medal in the triple jump event behind Algeria’s Essam Nima, who claimed the gold, while Khalid Al Subae of Kuwait won the bronze. Likewise, Mohammed Qeeda won the silver medal in the javelin throw, behind Egypt’s Ehab Abdulrahman, who seized the gold medal, while Al Sharee Abdullah of Morocco took the bronze. The Qatar athletics team comprising Femi, Samuel Watson and Eid Al Kawari claimed the silver medal in the 100x4 relay, Kuwait won the gold medal and Iraq clinched the bronze medal. Asia ‘ready’ to usher in new era in track and field: Al Hamad Doha prepares to stage Asian Youth Athletics Championships from May 8 to 11

BY RIZWAN REHMAT towards sporting excellence,” he added. DOHA: Asia is ready to usher Apart for the medal ceremony in a new era in track and field for the top three finishers per when Doha stages the four- event, a diploma will be handed day Asian Youth Athletics to athletes ranked in places four Championships next month, top to eight. sports official Dahlan Al Hamad “Make no mistake: we focus said yesterday. on a long-term strategy that will The May 8-11 championships bear fruit in the years to come,” will be the first prime time com- Al Hamad said. petition for Asian athletes under “We fully understand that the age of 17, details revealed Asian athletics need to change and yesterday. improve,” he said. “We are confi- The President of the Asian dent that our concerted efforts Athletics Association (AAA), Al will be crowned by success.” Hamad, said: “This competition “We keep our eyes and ears has been designed to push young open. We listen, learn and imple- athletes to aim higher. We firmly ment the best practices with a believe that the future of the common goal: to raise the bar of athletics is in the hands of the youth athletics in Asia,” the QAF younger generation.” President added. He added: “What we need to do THE PENINSULA is find ways to inspire them and engage them and the Asian Youth Athletics Championships is a per- Young Guns In fect tool towards this direction.” More than 400 athletes and an Track and Field additional 170 officials, coaches % Global youth competitions in athletics and medical staff from 40 coun- have started only recently although at regional tries will camp at the Qatar SC level the Americans are considered the pio- Stadium for the four-day compe- neers with the first ever South America Youth tition, Al Hamad said. Championships held in 1973. “Our strategic approach is to % boost athletics and explore ways Central America joined in 1975 with a joint-event along with Juniors. to encourage the youth in partic- The President of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), Dahlan Al Hamad (left), speaks during a news conference in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: ABDUL BASIT ipating in sporting activities all %Oceania followed in 1993, Africa came next across Asia. Our focus is on the There is huge potential in Asia,” as a qualification competition Oman features the second event. Only the host nation holds only recently in 2013, while Europe will start the long-term planning and the devel- Al Hamad pointed out. for those trying to win a berth largest delegation with 30 ath- the right to take part with a third series next year in Tbilisi, Georgia. opment of this amazing sport,” “This event will make us aware at the 2015 IAAF World Youth letes, ahead of India (26) and athlete per discipline. % IAAF introduced the World Youth Al Hamad, also the President of our potential. We only put the Championships to be held in Cali, Kazakhstan (25). Al Hamad said the first Asian Championships in 1999 and thus far the pin- of Qatar Athletics Federation stress on giving the region’s youth Colombia, from July 15 to 19. The championships will com- Youth Championships, held only a nacle global competition for Youths has only (QAF), said. the chance to rise. “I am sure (AAA) member mence on May 8 at 8pm with the week ahead of the IAAF Diamond been staged in Europe, Africa and America. “We have worked hard, hand in “When we talk, yes we say countries would want to be here in Boy’s Decathlon 100m, but will League Doha 2015 at the same % 13 Asian nations have won 117 medals hand with our trusted partners that the whole (of) Asia (is) still Doha. The number is really, really officially kick-off at 5.30pm with venue, will be a benchmark event (39 gold – 40 silver – 38 bronze), with China at the IAAF and the National not fully awake. When we calcu- big. China is participating with 60 the opening ceremony. for the development of athletics being the most successful among Asians with Athletics Federations in order late, we see that Asia is half of athletes. India is also sending a All disciplines, including the in Asia. 22-17-8. Qatar is ranked second with 4-4-2. to deliver an exciting first edi- the world, population-wise. The huge contingent,” Al Hamad said. walking events, will be staged at “It is an honour and privi- % Furthermore, Asian athletes from eight tion of the Asian Youth Athletics economy of Asia is the biggest in “I know the AAA member states the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium lege, as President of the Asian different countries won at least one medal at Championships,” he said. the world and it will grow fur- are pushing to participate in the (also known as the Qatar SC Athletics Association, to fully the 2010 and 2014 Youth Olympic Games, held Al Hamad termed Asia as a ther. Sixty percent of the world’s Doha event.” Stadium). embrace our motto: “Together both in Asia (Singapore and Nanjing). “sleeping giant”. youth lives in Asia. If we add all Qatar will field at least 20 ath- Only athletes born between moving forward,” Al Hamad said. %The Chinese even topped the medal stand- “This is a figure of speech,” Al this together then we will see the letes, Al Hamad said. 1998 and 1999 are eligible to com- “I invite all friends of sport to ings in 2014 with six gold and a bronze. Hamad said with a smile. biggest (athletics) movement in “We are around 20. We haven’t pete. Every athlete may enter in come to the Stadium from May % “This does not mean we are life,” he said. finalised our squad but we will be up to two individual events plus 8 to 11, cheer for the athletes In all Asians seized 10 gold, 14 silver and not working. We represent half of The Doha leg had an added fielding at least 20 athletes,” Al the relay and each country may participating and see the stars of seven bronze medals at both Games. the world in terms of population. charm for Asia’s athletes: it serves Hamad said. register up to two athletes per tomorrow making their first steps Source: THE PENINSULA India is not bidding for 2024 Games, says IOC President

NEW DELHI: India is seri- different reasons, we think it but wants to have this well-pre- the 2010 Commonwealth Games, only in sports but in particular ous about hosting an Olympics maybe a little bit too quick now pared,” Bach said on his first visit which was marred by charges in sports. India could be a pow- but is not planning a late for India to have a successful to India since becoming the IOC of corruption and construction erhouse in sports.” bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in 2024,” Bach President. “He also considers that delays. Once a hockey powerhouse Games, International Olympic told reporters. building such a successful candi- Bach said he and Modi agreed who won the event in eight sum- Committee (IOC) President Boston, Hamburg and Rome dature from now to September India should now focus on their mer Games, cricket-mad India Thomas Bach (pictured) said have launched bids for the 2024 15 is maybe a little bit difficult. athletes performing better in remains an Olympic under- yesterday. Games while Paris is expected to So we will stay in contact for the Olympics. achiever and had to wait until The German’s meeting with join them before the mid-Septem- future but for 2024, we share the “India is a sleeping giant and 2008 for its first individual gold Prime Minister Narendra Modi ber deadline. The host City will be same opinion.” we were then at length discussing medal. fuelled speculation about a possi- selected in 2017. Three-times host of the 50-over how we can wake up this sleeping “Sought @Olympics President ble Indian bid for the 2024 Games. “We were very happy to see cricket World Cup, India staged giant. We are more than happy to Mr. Bach’s support in making “We were aware of this specu- the Prime Minister is sharing the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982 assist because we think that 1.2bn India a hub for sports infrastruc- lation and quite frankly, we were the opinion. He is seriously look- in New Delhi. people with about 80m young ture & technology,” Modi tweeted. a little bit surprised because, for ing into an Olympic candidature The Indian capital also hosted people have a huge potential, not REUTERS TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Schumacher’s Williams Resurgent Rossi aims to son wins on relaxed over his debut F4 £42.5m extend the MotoGP lead weekend ‘hangover’ OSCHERSLEBEN, LONDON: British Formula GERMANY: Michael One team Williams insisted yes- Schumacher’s 16-year-old son terday they were still “on track” Marquez in doubt for Jerez after finger surgery Mick sprayed the winner’s despite announcing a £42.5 m champagne after capping an loss for 2014. impressive debut weekend in Team chiefs blamed the deficit MADRID: MotoGP world German Formula Four with the on the ongoing “hangover” from champion Marc Marquez’s par- Valentino first victory of his motor racing some poor results, notably in 2013 ticipation in next weekend’s Rossi (left) career yesterday. when Williams finished ninth in Spanish Grand Prix is in doubt receives Competing for the Dutch-based the Constructors’ Championship after he broke a finger during a the win- Van Amersfoort Racing team, the -- their worst placing in history. crash in training, Spanish media ner’s trophy German lined up second on the This led to reduced prize money reported on Saturday. from Qatar grid for the last of three races at and sponsorship after Williams Marquez broke the pinky finger Motor and Oschersleben and made a quick -- who improved to third last year on his left hand after suffering the getaway to lead from the start. -- made a £11.9m profit in 2013. Motorcycle fall whilst dirt track racing and Schumacher, who leads the “While 2014 at first glance was Federation was operated on in a Barcelona rookie standings and is fifth over- disappointing, it really was what we hospital soon after. President all in the championship, ended the anticipated. We’re on track,” chief “He showed up with a deform- Nasser bin 30-minute race behind the safety executive Mike O’Driscoll said. ity in the left pinky on his left Khalifa Al car with Australian team mate “What we are reporting today hand and scans revealed a frac- Attiyah at Joey Mawson second and fellow is essentially a hangover. We ture,” Doctor Xavier Mit, who the Losail rookie Thomas Preining third. expect 2015 to be materially, sig- carried out the surgery told International The teenager, whose seven- nificantly, better than 2014.” Spanish sports daily AS. Circuit after times Formula One world cham- Former champions Williams, “Therefore we decided to treat winning pion father suffered severe head currently third after four races the injury, as we would with any the Qatar injuries in a 2013 skiing acci- this year, reversed a “decade of other patient, by fixing a titanium MotoGP dent in France, made his single- decline” in 2014 after the nadir plate to his finger. in this file seater debut on Saturday with the of ninth overall in 2013. “That allows us to start the picture of world’s media in attendance. Revenues from the commercial recovery period in 24 hours and March 30 He finished ninth in that race, rights holder are paid a year in to have the chance to run at the this year. after starting 19th, and was arrears, however, meaning that Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.” awarded a trophy and podium the 2014 figures reflect the pre- Marquez is only fifth in the appearance as the highest-placed vious year’s dismal showing and world championship standings rookie. reduced sponsorship income. after three races this year. fans appetites in anticipation Marquez will surely have other supermoto race this week to see “All in all I am pretty satisfied O’Driscoll said Williams had After a fifth-placed finish in of another great battle now the plans though, as he became the if his rehabilitation is on course to about how the race went. We pressed the reset button in 2013, the opening race of the season Championship has landed in first rider to win the race from allow him to return to action in had three safety car phases and with a change of key personnel in Qatar, he won the Grand Prix Europe. pole position last season to claim Jerez. The man who has filled in (I had) pretty good restarts, so as well as a decision to divest the of the Americas in Austin, but Last year at Jerez, Rossi and his first victory at the Spanish for Pedrosa for the last two races, all in all I am quite happy about company of non-core businesses a crash towards the end of the Marquez fought it out in the early circuit. Despite trailing Rossi HRC test rider Hiroshi Aoyama, the race,” Schumacher said after and develop advanced engineer- Argentina Grand Prix last week- part of the race, before Marquez by such a margin in the stand- is on standby to race once more that debut. ing. Williams, for whom 2014 was end left him 30 points adrift of went on to take the victory, with ings, the reigning MotoGP World should the Spaniard not be fully The German finished 12th in their best season in a decade, are championship leader Valentino Rossi in second and Pedrosa Champion Marquez said that he recovered in time. the second race on Sunday, with currently third after four races Rossi. third. This year the 36 year-old is not panicking yet despite his Rossi’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo the grid reversed for the finale so this year. Founded by Frank Marquez’s Honda teammate Italian will be hoping to go one injury, as he was 30 points behind will be looking to get his sea- that he started second. Williams, whose daughter Claire Dani Pedrosa is also currently better, and add to his impressive his teammate Pedrosa after six son back on track, having failed The 2014 world junior kart- is now deputy team principal, the sidelined due to a forearm injury. tally of 6 MotoGP victories at races in 2013, and still went on to to finish on a podium in the first ing runner-up was lucky not to team made its Grand Prix debut Rossi currently holds a six- the Spanish Circuit. Rossi is the win the title. three races of a MotoGP season be hit from behind at the start in 1978 and has since won nine point advantage over the Ducati most successful rider in history Repsol Honda have not made for the first time in his career. The by British team mate Harrison constructors’ titles and seven GP15 of Andrea Dovizioso in the at Jerez, having taken 8 victo- an official decision on who will be Spaniard will be boosted by sup- Newey, teenage son of multi- drivers’ championships. World Championship standings, ries across all classes, and is one Marquez’s teammate come the ple title-winning Formula One Its last overall success in both port from his home crowd, and the and a thirty-point lead over the of only 3 non-Spanish riders to weekend, as they await news on designer Adrian Newey. Formula One championships fact he took back-to-back victo- fifth-placed Marquez. Rossi and have stood on the top step in the how well Dani Pedrosa’s recov- Newey was penalised with a came in the 1997 season when Marquez’s clash at the previous MotoGP™ class, along with Casey ery from arm pump surgery has ries at the Jerez circuit in 2010 and drive-through penalty for jump- Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve took race in Argentina has whetted Stoner and Loris Capirossi. gone. Pedrosa will take part in a 2011. AGENCIES ing the start. AFP the drivers’ title. AGENCIES Saeed of Team QMMF excels at Superbike championship

DOHA: Team QMMF return “In the first race things went to the FIM CEV series with well for the first few laps, but renewed energy and with the the bike began to shake and that aim of fighting for top positions made me lose positions on the with rider Saeed Al Sulaiti of final laps. It meant I dropped the Qatari team focussed on from thirteenth to seventeenth,” the task ahead in the Superbike Saeed said, who finished in the 16 class. and 17th positions. The first race of the year was “For the second race we ran challenging for Saeed, as he a better setup, that allowed me faced a completely unfamiliar to claim my first championship track. point. I am very happy with The Qatari, part of the QMMF the work we’ve done, and the structure in the Endurance World result, so I want to thank the Championship, was unable to team, QMMF and the President attend testing scheduled at the for giving me the opportunity to Portimao Circuit because of a return to this championship,” he clash with the first race of the Saeed Al Sulaiti of Team QMMF added. endurance series. He thus began in action at the FIM CEV series. Luis R Solano - Team Saeed Al Sulaiti of Team QMMF poses for a group picture with riders taking part in the FIM CEV series. his campaign at a circuit known Coordinator of QMMF Team for its hilly terrian. I focused on learning the track, was optimitic of a good result Both the team and Saeed since it was the first time that I inthe European Superbike to flat circuits like Qatar, so this a bit of pace and was on the verge I think that in the coming races were up to the challenge, and had ridden at this circuit. I could Championship “We are very track is like a roller coaster for of entering the points, but in the we can be fighting to get amongst scored points in the first round not test here because it coincided happy with this start to the him and involved added difficulty,” second race he came out very the top ten. The next races are of the Superbike European with the race at Le Mans but, in season, because we achieved Solan said. motivated and claimed his first at circuits that Saeed knows, and Championship. any case, we managed to improve very positive results. For Saeed The positions obtained today points in the championship. This this will help us to fight for these “The weekend has been good with every lap and got a good time this was his first experience in are an excellent way to start the is very positive because it places positions,” the QMMF Team offi- for me. In the first free practice in the qualifying session. Portimao Circuit and he is used season. In the first race he lacked us in a good starting point, and cial said. THE PENINSULA Three-day Rally Jeddah begins from Thursday

JEDDAH: Rally officials have drive shaft failure. The major- Main competition for Al-Rajhi Al-Shammeri on the impressive announced an impressive provi- ity of the entrants are from is likely to come from the expe- entry list. sional entry list of 39 cars and six the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, rienced Emirati Yayha Al-Helai Atif Al-Zarouni makes the motorcycles for this weekend’s although there are also two par- and his co-driver Khalid Al-Kendi switch from the motorcycle and FIA-sanctioned Rally Jeddah, ticipants from France, drivers in a Nissan Patrol. The pair led quad class to use a British-built which is being supported by and co-drivers from the UAE and the recent Abu Dhabi Desert Rage Buggy for the first time in Mohamed Yousef Naghy Motors entrants from Lebanon, Russia, Challenge after one stage and Saudi Arabia. The Emirati and (MYN Motors) – Land Rover. Poland, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. missed the Sealine event in Qatar his fellow UAE co-driver Suhail Officials have now transferred All six motorcycle and quad riders to prepare for Rally Jeddah. Al-Ali are seeded at 18 with to rally headquarters at the are local entrants. Other leading Saudi entrants their new car.The event is being Al-Nakheel Beach Resort and are “We are delighted to see so include last year’s Ha’il winner organised with the support of the finalising all last minute prepara- many regular faces and new Ibrahim Al-Muhanna (Nissan), higher committee of Rally Jeddah, tions before the ceremonial start names on our entry list and we former MERC regular Ahmed which incorporates the General and three-kilometre prologue welcome everyone to the second Al-Sabban (Ford) and the experi- Presidency of Youth Welfare, stage in Obhur on Thursday Rally Jeddah,” said chief organiser enced Saudis, Ahmed Al-Shegawi Jeddah Municipality, the Jeddah evening. Abdullah Bakhashab. (Nissan), Rajeh Al-Shammeri Chamber of Commerce and Inaugural event winner “A lot of hard work has gone (Nissan) and Saeed Al-Mouri Industry, the Saudi Commission Yazeed Al-Rajhi tops the list of into devising a challenging route (Isuzu). for Tourism and Antiques in the car entrants with French navi- and we are having to keep an Lebanese driver Emil Kneisser Mecca region and a branch of the gator Alex Winocq in a power- eye on this all the time, because and his Russian navigator Aleksei Saudi Red Crescent in Mecca. ful Hummer Dbug. The Riyadh strong winds have changed the Kuzmich have travelled straight Support has also been received driver is due some better fortune face of the desert in places and from the Sealine event in Qatar from Jeddah police and traffic after losing second overall at last we need to make sure that our to compete in Jeddah and join the departments and civil defence Ibrahim Al Muhanna will be looking for a podium finish in Rally Jeddah week’s Sealine Cross-Country road books are accurate and likes of Ahmed Al-Malki, Moteb administration. which begins from Thursday. Rally in Qatar with a last stage up-to-date.” Saud Al-Shammeri and Sami THE PENINSULA Tuesday 28 April 2015 9 Rajab 1436 Volume 20 Number 6414 Sport Price: QR2

Cavaliers Pakistan look and Wizards to bounce advance back in Tests

Sport | 23 Sport | 24

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Al Kuwari storms to WRC 2 victory

DOHA: Abdulaziz Al Kuwari stages and eventually finished the Finn almost 11min 50sec off eased through yesterday’s final fourth. Ahead of him in the final the lead after a tough day in his leg of XION Rally Argentina podium place was Jari Ketomaa. Fiesta R5. to win the WRC 2 support cat- The Finn finished more than Broken power steering egory and climb to second in the 12 minutes behind Al Kuwari slowed him this morning and championship standings. despite power steering problems then he stopped to change a Although the Qatari did not and a puncture on his Fiesta R5, puncture in the final stage win a stage during the four- but stretched his championship before a spin ended a day he day gravel rally, he avoided the lead to 18 points. wanted to forget. problems that affected his rival Simone Tempestini dropped Broken power steering delayed to bring his Ford Fiesta RRC to seven minutes in the final stage Simone Tempestini, but he was the Villa Carlos Paz finish with to drop from fourth to sixth in his fourth and led the Production a 2min 48.5sec advantage over Subaru Impreza but still won the Car Cup within WRC 2 in a Paraguay’s Diego Dominguez. Production Car Cup within WRC Subaru Impreza. “It was one of the roughest and 2. His problems allowed Didier Yurii Protasov won all three most difficult rallies I’ve driven in Arias into fifth. stages (one was cancelled follow- my life,” he said. Earlier, Al Kuwari stretched ing an accident) but is fifth after “We learned to be clever and his WRC 2 lead to virtually three receiving a 15-minute penalty last took it steady. In fact on Saturday minutes during the second leg of night for driving on a public road and Sunday I drove like a taxi XION Rally Argentina. with three wheels on his Ford driver!” The Qatari hit a rock in the Fiesta RRC. Al Kuwari’s win was never in opening stage but enjoyed a clean It preceded his heroic efforts to doubt once Yurii Protasov’s rear run through the rough gravel replace the rear wheel, damper suspension fell off his Fiesta RRC stages thereafter to return to the and driveshaft after the unit flew in Friday’s final stage. rally base in Villa Carlos Paz with off his car near the end of SS3 The Ukrainian ran 500 metres a 2min 55.4sec lead in his Ford yesterday. to retrieve the unit before replac- Fiesta RRC. Didier Arias completes the ing it, but he was handed a Diego Dominguez held second top six, while Radik Shaymiev 15-minute penalty for driving a in a Fiesta R5, despite dropping stopped with mechanical prob- short distance on the public road 30sec in the opening test when lems after SS8 and the Russian Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (second right) celebrates with his co-driver Marshall Clarke (left) at the XION Rally with only three wheels. the Paraguayan went off the road. has retired from the rally. Argentina. Al Kuwari won the WRC 2 support category to climb to second in the championship standings. He won all but one of the Jari Ketomaa is a distant third, THE PENINSULA

Scoreboard

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD KINGS XI PUNJAB Stage set for ‘fight of the D A Warner c Miller b Patel ...... 58 M Vijay (run out-Vihari/Ojha) ...... 12 S Dhawan c Vijay b Johnson ...... 1 M Vohra b Boult ...... 5 G H Vihari c Vohra b Anureet Singh ...... 9 S E Marsh b B Kumar ...... 1 M C Henriques b Sandeep Sharma ...... 30 G J Bailey c Sharma b Henriques ...... 22 N V Ojha c Miller b Patel ...... 28 D A Miller c Boult b Sharma ...... 15 R S Bopara c Saha b Johnson ...... 0 A R Patel b Boult ...... 17 W P Saha c P Kumar b Boult ...... 42 A Ashish Reddy (not out) ...... 22 century’ in Las Vegas R Dhawan lbw B Kumar ...... 4 K V Sharma (not out) ...... 1 M Johnson (not out) ...... 4 Extras (LB-1) ...... 1 Anureet Singh c Warner b P Kumar ...... 0 Total (for 6 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 150 Sandeep Sharma (not out) ...... 1 Mayweather stands to make $150m and Pacquiao $100m Did not bat: P Kumar, B Kumar, T A Boult. Extras (LB-2, W-5) ...... 7 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-56, 3-76, 4-121, Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 130 5-123, 6-136. Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-13, 3-45, 4-53, 5-72, LAS VEGAS: The countdown Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-1-35-1; M G 6-116, 7-123, 8-126, 9-127. is on to Saturday’s showdown Johnson 4-0-39-2; Anureet Singh 4-0-27-1; M Bowling: T A Boult 4-0-19-3 (2w); B Kumar between Manny Pacquiao and Vijay 3-0-16-0; A R Patel 4-0-25-2; R Dhawan 4-0-23-2 (1w); P Kumar 4-0-34-1 (2w); K V Floyd Mayweather, the $400m 1-0-7-0. Sharma 4-0-22-1; M C Henriques 4-0-30-1. “fight of the century” with a place in boxing’s pantheon of Manny Pacquiao of greats on the line. the Philippines (cen- More than five years in the tre) celebrating his making, it’s an epic clash of victory over Chris styles and personalities, pitting Sunrisers edge Algieri of the US (not the craftsmanship and defensive pictured) after their savvy of “Money” Mayweather world welterweight against explosive southpaw championship box- Pacquiao -- an iconic figure in his ing bout at the Cotai native Philippines. past Kings XI Arena in Macau in The welterweight world title unification bout looks set to this November 23, MOHALI: Sunrisers Miller (15) perished when trying smash boxing records for world- 2014 file picture. Hyderabad defeated Kings XI to blast one out of the ground to wide viewership and revenue, Punjab by 20 runs in an Indian leave his team doomed at 72 for with Pacquiao promoter Bob Premier League match at the five. Arum predicting it could gener- Punjab Cricket Association Spinner Karn Sharma took the ate as much as $400m. Stadium here yesterday. important wicket. With a 60-40 purse split Set 151 for victory, Kings XI Just when they looked down in favor of Mayweather, the could only manage 130 for nine. and out, two dropped catches in unbeaten American stands to and do what we do best,” says runs a darker Mayweather story, Mayweather’s last knockout The win propelled Sunrisers as many overs brought them back make an eye-watering $150m and Mayweather, who brings an studded by incidents of domestic win was back in 2011 and he too to the fifth spot in the stand- into the game. Pacquiao $100m. impeccable 47-0 record with 26 violence. has showed signs of ring-wear, ings with six points from seven Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Fanned by instant Internet knockouts to the bout, along with It only makes Mayweather the though that has not stopped him matches while Kings XI were Saha (42) and Axar Patel (17) publicity and social media, glo- the World Boxing Council and perfect foil for Pacquiao. going into the fight as the favorite. placed at the bottom with four capitalised on it to put on a 44-run bal interest in the contest has World Boxing Association wel- At 38, Mayweather is two Even so, the bout tantalizingly points after seven games. sixth-wicket partnership to raise skyrocketed. terweight world titles. years older than World Boxing brings together two of the most Manan Vohra (5) and Austrlian Kings XI’s hopes of an improbable The precious 500 tickets for Mayweather, trained by his Organization champion Pacquiao, talented fighters of their genera- Shaun Marsh (1) exited early in win. But untimely dismissals of seats at the 16,800-capacity MGM father Floyd Sr and continu- who is nevertheless considered tion in a clash that recalls such the chase of 151. Both of them Patel and then Saha in the 18th Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas ing a family boxing legacy that the more ring-worn of the two, past classics as Joe Frazier’s vic- were dismissed by dragging the over extinguished their chances. that were put on sale directly to stretches back for decades, is clos- with his record of 57-5 with two tory over Ali in 1971, the first ball onto the stumps while trying Earlier, a disciplined bowling the public at face values ranging ing in on the iconic 49-0 record drawn and 38 knockouts. fight of their epic trilogy. to force the pace. effort helped Kings XI restrict from $1,500 to $10,000 sold out of 1950s legend Rocky Marciano, The only fighter to win eight “The whole country stopped,” The task was on skipper Sunrisers to 150 for six. in minutes. who retired as an undefeated world titles in as many weight the promoter Arum recalled of George Bailey (22) to rebuild the Australian opener David Promoters are even selling heavyweight champion. divisions, Pacquiao’s stock plum- the immense interest in that fight innings. But he too perished early Warner was the star of their 10,000 tickets to Friday’s weigh- The American has held 11 titles meted with two defeats in 2012, at Madison Square Garden. in trying to go over the top, only innings, hitting a rapid 58 off 41 in, at $10 a pop. in five weight divisions, his untar- including a crushing one-punch Whether Pacquiao- managing to give a simple catch balls, but he was not backed up by The audience on fight night will nished record and unabashed knockout by Mexico’s Juan Mayweather will surpass Ali- to mid-off. his teammates as Sunrisers could read like a who’s who of A-list swagger making him the high- Manuel Marquez. There were Frazier -- or any other “fight of It left Kings XI struggling at only manage 150. celebrities, casino high-rollers est-paid sportsman in the world, rumors of impending retirement. the century” -- in lasting signfi- 45 for three. Their troubles were Sent into bat, they lost Shikhar and others with the wherewithal according to Forbes. He has since won three fights, cance is immaterial, Arum said. compounded when India Test Dhawan (1) early. to snaffle tickets that are going Underlining his gift for provoc- although in his last bout, in “This fight is tremendous,” he opener Murali Vijay (12) was Warner then took over the at secondary sales outlets such as ative self-promotion, Mayweather November, he was unable to finish said. involved in a mix-up to be run task of scoring briskly but after StubHub for as much as $100,000. last week compared himself off Chris Algieri despite knocking “The interest is tremendous. out for 12 runs, leaving the team his departure in the 10th over, the The staggering financial fig- favorably to heavyweight icon him down six times. And we should really wrap our- reeling at 53 for four in 8.2 overs. scoring rate dropped. ures and celebrity sideshows have Muhammad Ali. Pacquiao hasn’t knocked out an selves around that fact rather Kings XI were in desperate All the later batsmen struggled only boosted the fight’s cross-over “I know there will be a back- opponent since a TKO of Miguel than compare it to fights of need of a partnership to steady to up the ante some late lusty appeal. lash, but I couldn’t care less,” Cotto in 2009 -- the same year another era.“One thing is clear: their sinking ship. But instead blows from Asish Reddy helped “The only thing the fighters can Mayweather said. he crushed Ricky Hatton in two it’s the biggest fight of this cen- they were dealt a huge blow Sunrisers to reach 150 to give do is go out there and perform, But beneath the glitzy surface rounds. tury.” AFP when South African dasher David them a fighting chance. IANS