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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 PM meets Turkish minister More MERS Uniform food cases in Saudi Arabia, UAE inspection RIYADH: Saudi Health M i n i s t er D r A b du l l a h A l R abi a h yesterday announced that 13 new cases of MERS had been reported in the country: seven in Jeddah, four in Riyadh, one norms likely in Madinah and one in Najran. “This brings the total number of Coronavirus cases to 257,” Inspectors undergoing training Saudi Press Agency quoted Dr Al Rabiah as saying at a press con- DOHA: With the food moni- standards, which will identify the ference. He added that the min- toring law in the country made risks associated with food. The istry was making every effort to stricter, the authorities are inspections will not be limited to contain the virus. working on uniform standards checking the expiry date but go The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met Turkish The Saudi minister confirmed for food inspection to ensure beyond that to the contents and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci yesterday. They reviewed cooperation between Qatar and Turkey and means his Ministry’s readiness to receive that the inspectors carry out ingredients,” said Al Baker. of boosting it. See also page 3 Haj and Umrah pilgrims. their job responsibly, a senior “It’s a new concept that we are Meanwhile, another cluster of official of the Supreme Council trying to implement in the coun- cases has been detected in the of Health (SCH) said yesterday. try, that all inspectors need to United Arab Emirates, and a The amended food monitoring have the same level of qualifica- Malaysian who was recently in law stipulates stiff penalties for tions and skills,” she added. the Gulf has been confirmed as sale of expired or damaged food Qatar has about 300 food New anti-tobacco law will infected, his country said. and authorises the Ministry of inspectors, of whom 250 will be MERS has no vaccine or anti- Municipality and Urban Planning attending the training sessions, viral treatment, but international and other bodies to publicise the being held in different phases. and Saudi health authorities say names of erring outlets. The uniform standards are also the disease, which originated in “We have to be very careful meant to develop a food inspection ban smoking inside cars camels, does not transmit easily when we announce names (of culture in the country wherein the between people and may simply outlets). We are accusing people inspectors will also be responsible DOHA: The new anti-tobacco He was speaking during an amounts on advertisements and die out. in front of others. So we have to for raising awareness. law expected to be issued soon anti-smoking workshop organ- try to bribe decision-makers Health experts have warned, be careful and inspectors should “This is to ensure that food will ban smoking inside cars and ised by the Ministry of Awqaf to stop framing of laws against however, that MERS has the know how to categorise the risks companies are run in the proper grant judicial powers to some and Islamic Affairs yesterday. The smoking. Smoking is on the rise in potential to mutate eventually. (associated with food) and the way and they understand the anti-smoking volunteers, an workshop aimed to strengthen the Arab world while it is declin- Saudi authorities yesterday said violations,” said Wasan Al Baker, international standards for food official of the Supreme Council the role of imams and preachers ing in the United States and that foreign experts would arrive Food Safety and Environment safety,” she added. of Health (SCH) has hinted. in curbing smoking. Europe, he added. in the kingdom soon to help the Health Manager at the SCH. Every year, Qatar destroys a The proposed law, which will A proposal to set up an asso- He called for increasing the government seek a cure for the The Ministry of Municipality large amount of imported food amend the existing anti-tobacco ciation in Qatar for combating prices of cigarettes in Qatar to disease. and Urban Planning said recently that does not meet health stand- law, also includes provisions smoking is awaiting approval curb their use. Cigarettes are The UAE state news agency that it will start publicising the ards, according to another senior to ban use and sale of chew- from the State Cabinet, said Dr cheaper in Qatar compared to WAM said late on Saturday that it names of erring outlets on its web- SCH official. ing tobacco (such as sweika), Al Ahmed Mohamed Al Mulla, head some other GCC countries, said had recorded 12 new cases of coro- site from April 24. “Thousands of tonnes of food Sharq reported, quoting Tariq of the Smoking Cessation Clinic Al Mulla. navirus infections that were dis- Speaking on the sidelines of is rejected and disposed of every Salahuddin, head of the Legal at Hamad Medical Corporation. Citing statistics issued by the covered during “routine checks” a training programme for food year. It mostly gets damaged while Department at the SCH. Cigarettes are the most popu- Civil Defence authorities, he said on people who had come in contact inspectors at the SCH premises transporting, expired or the expiry The fine for smoking in pub- lar medium of tobacco use among about 50 percent of the cases of with infected individuals. yesterday, Al Baker said that date is close. Sometimes, we send lic places will being increased by smokers, followed by shisha and fire in homes, restaurants and WAM quoted the health author- the ultimate aim of the training it back, but that is expensive, so the new law. It will ban smok- sweika. There is another kind of warehouses in Qatar were caused ity as saying that the patients were sessions was to develop uniform we destroy it,” said Dr Mohamed ing inside cars and impose a fine tobacco, called “Al Saud”, which is by smoking. being kept in hospital and “did not standards for food inspection that bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, on those violating this rule. The used mostly by some Arab com- Since the launch of the Smoking pose a danger to the public or to meet international standards. chairman of the National Food new law will give judicial powers munities. The smoking habit is Cessation Clinic, about 35 percent patients”. It expected the patients “All the inspectors, whether Safety Committee. to some anti-tobacco volunteers more difficult to quit than other of the smokers who have visited to be rid of the MERS virus within they are from the SCH or the Continued on page 4 to detect and report violations, types of tobacco use, said Al Mulla. the clinic have quit the habit. 10 to 14 days. municipalities, will follow the same THE PENINSULA Salahuddin said. Tobacco companies spend huge THE PENINSULA AGENCIES

Kuwaiti papers suspended over Ministry campaign to popularise West Bay bus service DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality Bay and the Corniche to allow motorists to suggestions on social media and many are said Mohammed Al Sayed, director of Doha ‘plot’ tape stories and Urban Planning has announced use the bus service during rush hours. appreciating this free service,” said the Municipality. He welcomed the sugges- several measures to popularise the free Two parking areas are already available, ministry. tions and comments given by passengers KUWAIT: A judge has sus- West Bay shuttle bus service launched in near the Post Office and in West Bay — The ministry said such initiatives will to develop the service. A suggestion box is pended two Kuwaiti newspapers January, which has few takers. between Asas tower and Beach tower — the take time to succeed and it will work closely available in each bus. for two weeks after they pub- The plan includes setting up air-condi- Ministry said yesterday. with the Ministry of Transport to improve Fourteen buses shuttle from 6am to 12 lished stories about a recording tioned bus shelters. “The Ministry is trying to find the possi- the services as well as the number of users. midnight throughout the week, connecting that discusses an alleged plot to The Ministry is also planning an innova- bility of establishing new lanes and stops for “We need to be aware of the timing to all tourist sites, business centres, offices, overthrow the Gulf state’s rul- tive campaign named “Irkun Irkab”, which the buses,” Qatar News Agency said, citing start such new projects and the way they commercial complexes, residential areas ing system, their editors said can be loosely translated as “ park your car a ministry statement. The Ministry said the can realise their goals. We cannot ignore the and hotels in West Bay. They stop at 36 yesterday. and get into a bus.” number of passengers had increased about citizens’ attitude towards public transpor- bus stops and the service has a frequency Kuwait has imposed a news As part of the campaign, the Ministry will 63 percent since the launch of the service. tation. The Ministry will keep supporting of 15 minutes, said the Ministry. blackout on a sensitive investiga- provide more car parking areas along West “People are giving comments and such projects to promote public transport,” THE PENINSULA tion into the tape, saying earlier this month that media coverage about it was damaging to the Barca win country. “I do not think we talked about the tape more than any other Sisi, leftist only candidates in Egypt newspaper,” Al Watan editor- CAIRO: The former army general who toppled Egypt’s first freely in-chief Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al elected president will face a leftist politician in next month’s presi- Khalifa Al Sabah said. dential election, as they were the only candidates to enter before “This is a great legal error,” nominations closed, the committee organising the vote said. he said, citing a notice from the The committee had received paperwork from former army chief Information Ministry about the Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and former parliamentarian and presidential verdict against newspapers Al candidate Hamdeen Sabahi, it said at a news conference yesterday, Watan and Alam Alyawm. several hours after the deadline had passed. Sheikh Khalifa, a member of See also page 7 Kuwait’s Al Sabah ruling family, said the newspaper would con- New rule for Bahrain recruiters test the decision and continue to update its website. It would not MANAMA: Bahrain is implementing a new rule for recruit- publish its print edition from ment agencies that will safeguard the rights of workers, says a today, he added. Tradearabia report released yesterday. Alam Alyawm is a publication New rules of Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority separate from Al Watan and is (LMRA) for recruitment agencies require them to deposit $26,500 close to Kuwait’s political opposi- (Bahraini Dinar 10,000) in a bank account to deal with foreign work- tion. Its front page yesterday said ers’ problems, the report says. there was an “uprising against the Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (left) tries to score against Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz during their La The new rules call for a tripartite contract between the employer, closure of the newspaper.” Liga soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona yesterday. Barcelona won 2-1. worker and recruitment agency. REUTERS AGENCIES MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

QRC to redesign Agreement signed to train teachers Gaza schools, Teach for Qatar ties up with Supreme Education Council, Qatar Foundation and QP homes for use DOHA: Teach For Qatar, a non-gov- training, and then places them as teachers by the disabled ernmental organisation that re-invests in independent schools across Qatar for a young talent in the public education sys- two year ‘fellowship’. Fellows continue to DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent tem, has joined hands with key partners receive training, mentorship, and regular will make 47 schools and 26 to train youth to become teachers. reviews throughout their full-time teach- homes in different parts of the Memoranda of understanding were ing jobs. Gaza Strip suitable for disa- signed to this effect between Supreme Upon completion of the two-year teach- bled students, a press release Education Council (SEC), Qatar Petroleum ing placement, Fellows can continue to issued by the organisation said (QP), and Qatar Foundation for Education, contribute to the development of Qatar’s yesterday. Science and Community Development education system through career pathways Funds for the $250,000 project (QF). developed by TFQ alongside Qatari institu- are being provided by Al-Fakhoura The MoUs were signed by tions across various sectors. Campaign and the Programme H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Dr Al Sada, Minister of Energy and of the Gulf Cooperation Council Thani, Chairperson of TFQ, with H E Dr Industry and Chairman of Qatar Petroleum for the Reconstruction of Gaza, Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, expressed QP’s pride in supporting the through the project’s coordinator, Minister of Education and Higher Teach For Qatar mission. He said, “We the Islamic Development Bank Education (on behalf of SEC), H E Dr hope that this agreement would enable (IDB). Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of young professionals with knowledge and QRC Secretary-General Saleh Energy and Industry (on behalf of QP), and skills to help enhance Qatar’s educational bin Ali Al Mohannadi expressed Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President of system, and to actively contribute to the his happiness over the launch of Qatar Foundation. efforts for sustained development”. the project, which will help stu- “Teach For Qatar, alongside our partners, We encourage all those interested to take dents with motor impairments is seeking young people, academic achiev- part in this initiative, and we are fully com- to socialise and reduce their ers, and talented professionals to become mitted to raising awareness about it within exposure to risks due to immo- transformational leaders in the classroom Qatar’s energy sector,” Dr Al Sada added. bility, together with the adverse and the community,” said Sheikha Hind. Qatar Foundation will work closely economic conditions of their “Thanks to the support of these notable with TFQ to provide fellows with access families. institutions, we can inspire exceptional to their expertise and to their unique model Dr Akram Nassar, the head of graduates and young professionals to be of shared services. Al Muhannadi said, QRC’s office in Gaza, said that part of the solution.” Speaking on the sig- “Qatar Foundation is extremely honoured the organisation coordinated with nificance of the agreement with TFQ, Dr and privileged to be joining this exciting competent authorities including Hammadi, said, “TFQ’s goals are in line initiative by providing Teach for Qatar the ministries of education and with the strategic aims of the Supreme guidance, support and expertise as part of social affairs, to survey needs and Education Council, in reinstating nation- overall efforts to further strengthen the began repairing homes, building wide respect for the field of teaching. We public education system in Qatar.” rooms furnished with disabled- are working tirelessly in recruiting Qatar’s TFQ fellows will also benefit from the friendly wardrobes, desks, and top talent to join this group of teachers, training programmes as well as QP’s beds. The project, he added, which will have a tremendous impact on endorsement of TFQ in Qatar’s oil and involves adapting school environ- Qatar’s future generations.” gas community. TFQ is the 32nd member ments for the disabled, specially TFQ is an NGO that attracts young of the Teach For All, recognised as one of designed corridors, entrances, Teach For Qatar Chairperson H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani with the Minister of Energy leaders from various backgrounds and spe- the world’s 100 strongest NGOs in 2013 by bathrooms, and classrooms. and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada at the signing ceremony. cialisations, provides them with rigorous the Global Journal. THE PENINSULA QNA

Quranic Botanic Garden conference to discuss Islam and ecosystem DOHA: The 2nd International with the Commission on other faiths, ecologists, ecosystem Qur’anic Botanic Garden and for Education, Science and The Qur’anic Botanic Garden Forum of the Qur’anic Botanic Ecosystem Management (CEM) managers, scholars from botanic the Commission on Ecosystem Community Development, will aims to identify new initiatives Garden, Islamic Perspectives on of the International Union for gardens, and other disciplines Management. highlight Islamic principles, val- that can help and promote its Ecosystem Management, will Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to exchange ideas and experi- The sessions organised by ues and ethics that promote the conservation and educational open in Doha tomorrow. the Forum will bring together ences about future programmes the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, conservation of plants, cultural programmes. Being held in collaboration Islamic experts and scholars of to serve the objectives of the a member of Qatar Foundation traditions and ecosystems. QNA

Defence minister meets US envoy

The Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Major General Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah with US Ambassador to Qatar Susan Laila Ziadeh in Doha yesterday. They discussed issues of common interest. Elena: Tender tale of two sisters seeking their dreams in New York

DOHA: ‘Elena’, the most-watched Brazilian documentary of 2013, will be shown on Thursday and Friday from 7pm at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) auditorium as Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) Qatar Brazil 2014 Cinema Showcase for this month. ‘Elena’ is an elegant, poetic and visually stunning piece of work by Petra Costa It portrays love and loss in a poetic and delicate style. Elena, a young Brazilian woman, travels to New York with the same dream her mother had: to become a movie actress. She leaves behind a childhood spent in hiding during years of military dictatorship. She also leaves behind Petra, her seven-year-old sister. Elena is the most-watched Brazilian documentary of Two decades later, Petra follows in Elena’s footsteps 2013. — she also becomes an actress and heads for New York in search of her sister. The monthly programme of Brazilian films is She has a few clues about Elena’s whereabouts: presented in partnership with the Qatar Museums home movies, newspaper clippings, a diary and Authority to celebrate the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year some letters. At any moment, Petra expects to find of Culture. Elena strolling through the streets in a silk blouse. Tickets are avaialable at www.dohafilminstitute. Gradually, the features of the sisters are confused; com and at the MIA DFI Ticket Outlet. we can no longer tell one from the other. When Petra Tickets are priced at QR35, and at QR25 for finally finds Elena in an unexpected place, she must students. learn to let her go. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar likely to invest PM meets Tunisian minister $12bn in Turkey Negotiations for investment in power sector

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB of Qatari-Turkish relations is a learned from reliable sources that proof of the sincerity of the inten- an agreement between Turkey’s DOHA: Qatar and Turkey tions, harmony of vision and the Electricity generating company are in talks to boost bilateral existence of many commonalities. (EUAS) and Qatar Holding, a economic ties in a big way by Sheikh Ahmed also said that subsidiary of Qatar Investment exploring and expanding new the visit of the Turkish business Authority, has been signed to con- areas of cooperation, which may delegation to Doha proved both duct feasibility studies on the site. include an investment of nearly sides’ keenness on implementing The Turkish minister, who did $12bn in Turkey’s power sector, the decisions and recommen- not provide further details about Nihat Zeybekci, the Turkish dations developed by the joint the project’s current status, said Minister of Economy said here committees. that both countries enjoy vibrant yesterday. He also noted that it would relations and are looking forward “We are negotiating with have a positive impact on increas- to strengthen trade ties, and also Qatar as it has expressed inter- ing the volume of bilateral create a joint investment com- est in investing in the ambi- trade as well as exploring new pany to invest in third countries. tious coal-field development and investments. “Qatar is a very important power project,” Zeybekci told However, the Qatari side did partner for Turkey. It is like The Peninsula on the sidelines of not mention about any specific my second hometown. Both the The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with Tunisian Qatari-Turkish Business Forum, project it is negotiating with countries have great potential to Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou in Doha yesterday. which was attended by prominent Turkey or agreements being deepen and strengthen mutual business leaders from both sides. signed for investments in coal field cooperation. Over the last ten The $20bn investment project, development or power project. years, bilateral trade has wit- which was initially to be exe- The coal field, which is esti- nessed substantial growth, but cuted with the cooperation of an mated to have a proven reserve we think it is not enough,” he Emirati company, includes devel- of over 4bn tonnes of lignite coal, added. opment of coal mines and building constitutes nearly 45 percent of “The combined GDP of Turkey Qatari, Brazilian students several coal-fired power plants at Turkey’s total reserves. and Qatar is nearly $1 trillion, but the Afsin-Elbistan site, located in According to reports, the our bilateral trade volume in 2013 the Southeastern Anatolian prov- Abu Dhabi National Energy Co stood at merely $774m, which is ince of Kahramanmaras. (TAQA) had signed an agreement less than 0.01 percent of the com- showcase designs at expo The Minister of Economy and in early 2013, but TAQA opted to bined GDP. I just discussed with Trade, H E Sheikh Ahmed bin shelve the $12bn investment plan my brother Sheikh Ahmed to Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, due to political reasons. increase this volume to $1.5bn by DOHA: The National Museum said that accelerated development However, this newspaper has 2015.” THE PENINSULA of Qatar opened yesterday an exhibition featuring the ten final design pieces of Qatari and Brazilian students at the recently concluded “Kheit” competition held as part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture. On view at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) until July 1, the exhibition will travel afterwards to the Museu Belas Artes de São Paulo (MUBA — Belas Artes Museum in São Paulo) and will be open to the public in September. The expo celebrates the two winners of the contest namely Kinda Morshed from Qatar and Carolina Tonnetti dos Santos from Brazil. Held in partnership with VCUQ and the Centro UniversitárioBelasArtes de São Paulo, Qatar’s international stu- Turkey’s Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci (2nd left), Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) Chairman Sheikh dent fashion competition called Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani (left), and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (right), Chairman of Qatari “Kheit” — Arabic word for Businessmen’s Association, at a dinner with the Turkish Minister of Economy and his delegation at Renaissance “thread” — offered an opportu- Hotel yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) nity for students from selected universities in Qatar and Brazil to research women’s and men’s wear from each country, and create and interpret cultural heritage through art and design. Conference on workers’ rights on May 1 The competition was held between February and March and DOHA: Qatar will host a con- to attend the conference. and author of the Amnesty’s participating students designed ference on protection of work- The Amnesty International November 2013 report on Qatar’s pieces that incorporate contem- A designer with her work at the exhibition in Doha. ers’ rights at the Ritz-Carlton will be represented by James construction sector. Gaughran porary heritage styles of both on International Workers Day Lynch and Audrey Gaughran, is the Director of Global Issues countries. and learning in of fashion. As a cultural exchange and dialogue on May 1. Senior governmen- Al Sharq reports. Lynch is at International Secretariat of The competition aimed at legacy project, “Kheit” will be a between institutions and indi- tal officials, representatives of researcher on migrant workers Amnesty International since increasing engagement between competition held annually with viduals in culture, heritage, arts international organisations and in the Gulf with Amnesty since April 2010. the people of Qatar and Brazil in a different country as a way of and design. private companies are expected 2012. He has been lead researcher THE PENINSULA the spirit of innovation, openness sharing knowledge and fostering THE PENINSULA Katara launches culture website DOHA: Katara yesterday launched a cultural forum website aimed at tracking the cultural movement in Qatar and the Arab world as well as highlighting important events and activities in Katara. “The launch of this website keeps pace with the devel- opment of online media and the increasing interest among large segments of people in Qatar, the Gulf and the Arab world,” said Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, adding Katara has always been keen to strengthen its online presence to reach the grow- ing number of people concerned with culture, literature and the arts. Dr Al Sulaiti said the new website will support intel- lectuals, writers, artists and practitioners in the cultural field, as a source of information as well as providing a database and information of interest. He pointed out that the website will be regularly updated on the events, news, activities and cultural programmes. Katara Forum is one of the pioneering programmes in line with Katara’s five-year strategy aimed at encourag- ing artists and intellectuals to participate in the cultural movement. “Katara is always keen to provide platforms to sup- port sustainable development of culture and innovation in Qatar, the GCC and other Arab countries, taking into consideration that producing creative work is an ongoing process,” Dr Al Sulaiti added. The website www.kataraforum.com includes Katara news, cultural forum news, cultural news from the GCC, Arab and other countries in addition to a section on the opinion of writers in the field of culture and art. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME/MIDDLE EAST At least 14 killed in Iraq ahead of vote Suicide attack at Baghdad’s Imam Kadhim University

BAGHDAD: Attacks in Iraq, attacks targeting universities are It has also been fuelled by the including a suicide bombing at relatively rare. In Babil province, bloody civil war in neighbouring a university in north Baghdad, south of Baghdad, a car bomb Syria, which has bolstered mili- killed at least 14 people yester- killed three people and wounded tant groups. day, security and medical offi- four, while two more car bombs In another sign of the reach of cials said. killed three people and wounded militant groups and the weakness The attacks, which come as 26 in Al Rumaitha in Muthanna of security forces, shifting parts of Iraq suffers a prolonged surge in province, further south. Anbar provincial capital Ramadi bloodshed, took place less than And in Saadiyah, north of and all of Fallujah, both west of two weeks before a parliamentary Baghdad, a magnetic “sticky Baghdad, have been outside gov- election that will be a major test bomb” on a vehicle killed an ernment hands for more than for security forces. army lieutenant colonel, while two three months. Officials gave varying accounts police were shot dead at a check- The crisis in the desert prov- of the bombing of Baghdad’s point south of the northern city ince of Anbar erupted in late Imam Kadhim University. of Mosul. December when security forces A police colonel said a suicide Iraqis vote on April 30 in the dismantled Iraq’s main Sunni attacker entered the university first parliamentary election since Arab anti-government protest before setting off explosives, while American troops left the country camp just outside Ramadi. another bomber and a gunman in late 2011. It is the first time anti-govern- were killed by security forces. While they were able to keep ment forces have exercised such An Interior Ministry official violence to a minimum during open control in major cities since said the bombing took place at the provincial polls last year, security the peak of the deadly violence A new Ooredoo Business Services outlet being opened at Jumbo Electronics in Barwa Village yesterday. entrance to the university, while forces have failed to halt a subse- that followed the US-led invasion a second bomber was shot dead. quent year-long surge in unrest. of 2003. The attack killed at least five The heightened violence has Violence has killed more than people and wounded at least 13, been driven principally by wide- 470 people in Iraq this month officials said. spread anger among the Sunni and upwards of 2,700 this year, New Ooredoo service outlet Iraq is hit by daily bombings Arab minority, who say they are according to AFP figures based and shootings that kill hun- mistreated by the Shia-led gov- on security and medical sources. DOHA: Jumbo Electronics yes- provide these services through Village store is a one-stop shop dreds of people each month, but ernment and security forces. AFP terday opened a new shop dedi- Jumbo stores,” said Mohammed for Ooredoo business services. cated to supporting Ooredoo Al Marri, Chief Corporate Customers can access an incred- business services, as demand for Services Officer, Ooredoo. ible range of services — including advanced communications for “Customers can enjoy great value Shahry Smart Packs, 4G My-Fi small and medium-sized com- and impeccable customer service services and the comprehensive panies continues to increase when they select Ooredoo services Office-in-a-Box and enjoy the spe- in Qatar. at the new Barwa Village Outlet,” cial Jumbo Electronics’ customer The new outlet, based in Barwa he said. service experience,” said C V Village, is a one-stop shop for cus- In launching a dedicated Rappai, CEO, Jumbo Electronics. tomers seeking business services, Business Services outlet, Ooredoo As a special introductory offer, enabling them to sign-up quickly and Jumbo Electronics are new Ooredoo business service cus- and easily, learn more about the expanding their long-standing tomers will receive a gift voucher range of Internet and mobile partnership which aims to pro- when they shop at the new out- services available, upgrade their vide customers with more choice let. They can get a QR100 Jumbo accounts and speak to expert and value. There are 12 Jumbo gift voucher with the purchase of business and technology advisers. Electronics shops in Qatar which Shahry Smart services, a QR200 “We are seeing rising demand offer Ooredoo services, and plans gift voucher when subscribing to for dedicated business serv- are in place to continue to expand Business Broadband services, a ices, particularly from small the range of services across the QR300 gift voucher for Internet and medium-sized companies, country. VPN and a QR500 gift voucher and we see a good opportu- “The premium corporate serv- when they buy Ooredoo’s Office- nity to build upon our relation- ices sector is showing strong in-a-Box service. ship with Jumbo Electronics to growth, and our new Barwa THE PENINSULA

Two held with ancient coins Inspectors’ DOHA: The Criminal Investigation the department began a search training in Department (CID) yesterday and investigation operation which arrested two persons who were led to their arrest. During inter- trying to sell ancient coins worth rogation, he admitted that he had two phases $7,000 each. brought coins from abroad as per Iraqi policemen inspect the site of a suicide attack at Imam Al Kadhim University in northern Baghdad yesterday. After getting information that the agreement with his accomplice an Arab and another European to sell the coins for $7,000 a piece. Continued from page 1 were trying to sell antique coins, THE PENINSULA He said all food imports are strictly monitored and importers face a tempo- rary ban if they repeat Indian Embassy to hold violations. The training programme Open House on April 25 on Risk Based Food Safety and Inspection Skills is DOHA: The Embassy of India will hold an Open being organised by the House on Friday, April 25 to address urgent consu- Supreme Council of Health lar and labour issues of Indian nationals. (SCH). The embassy said that written information on issues The training ses- proposed to be discussed with officials should be given sions focus on risk-based from 5.30pm to 6pm. This will be followed by meeting approach to food safety, with Embassy officials from 6pm to 6.30pm. from farm to table. THE PENINSULA Inspectors will be taught of the significant problems that can be associated with food, how these can be pre- vented and what evidence the inspector should look to ensure that the food safe and healthy. One of the accused with the seized coins. The training sessions will be held in two phases. The first phase started yesterday and will be held until June. The second phase will be held between August and November and it will train more than 250 inspectors from SCH and municipalities across the country. They will be taught to have a correct under- standing of interna- tional standards of Food Hygiene Practice and Food Safety Management systems including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). All inspec- tors participating in the training will be assessed and issued a certificate from the UK-based train- ing contractor Campden BRI. The results from the assessments will be used to develop individual training models for the future train- ing of each food inspector. THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Assad regime using chemical weapons: Hollande France has ‘information’: President

PARIS: France has “informa- to the death of two people and tion” but no firm proof that caused more than 100 to suffer Syrian President Bashar Al from suffocation. Assad’s regime is still using Syria has shipped out or chemical weapons, President destroyed approximately 80 per- Francois Hollande said yesterday. cent of its declared chemical “We have a few elements of weapons material, the head of the information but I do not have the international team overseeing the proof,” Hollande said in a radio disarmament process said. interview after he was asked Sigrid Kaag, special coordinator about reports that Assad was cur- of the joint mission of the United rently using chemical weapons. Nations and the Organisation “What I do know is what we for the Prohibition of Chemical have seen from this regime is the Weapons (OPCW), said if the horrific methods it is capable of momentum was sustained, Syria using and the rejection of any should be able to meet its April 27 political transition,” he told the deadline to hand over all declared Europe 1 radio station. chemical agents. French Foreign Minister “The renewed pace in move- Laurent Fabius told the same ments is positive and necessary to radio station there were “indica- ensure progress towards a tight tions, which have yet to be veri- deadline,” Kaag said. Under the fied, that there have been recent terms of the US-Russia brokered chemical attacks”. He said they deal, Syria has until the end of June were “much less significant than to destroy its chemical weapon those in Damascus a few months stockpile if it wants to ward off the ago but very deadly”, and had threat of US air strikes. taken place in the northwest of The agreement was reached the country, near the Lebanese after a chemical attack outside border. A French source close to Damascus last August that the Men inspect a site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Assad in the Dahra Awad neighbourhood of Aleppo yesterday. the matter said that the reports West blamed on Assad’s regime. “had come from different sources, Last week, the OPCW said Syria including the Syrian opposition”. had surrendered almost two-thirds Syrian president visits recaptured Christian town There are conflicting accounts of its chemical weapons, including about one attack that happened many priority chemicals. Damascus in the town of Kafr Zita in the had halted exports temporarily, cit- MAALOULA: Syrian President Bashar Al Damascus and has changed hands multiple of damage to the village,” said Lorain, a central Hama province earlier ing security concerns, but restarted Assad yesterday visited an ancient Christian times, the latest in a series of advances against Maaloula resident in her 20s who was return- in April, with both the govern- transfers earlier in April. town recaptured from rebels last week, state rebels in the Qalamoun mountains region. ing on Sunday after fleeing the fighting several ment and the opposition accusing Speaking on April 14 after Syria media said, as he seeks to persuade minori- During his visit, Assad inspected Mar months ago. Rita, another resident, said she each other of being responsible. had completed its latest shipment, ties that the government is their best protec- Sarkis — a Greek Orthodox monastery dating hoped to return to live in the village but that Activists in the area accused the the OPCW chief Ahmed Uzumcu tion against hardline Islamists. to the fourth century — and damage caused electricity and water were not ready yet. regime of using chlorine gas, say- said “both the frequency and Assad’s Easter visit to Maaloula — a rare “at the hands of terrorists,” state news agency “Still, we’re happy — and we’ll be even hap- ing it caused “more than 100 cases the volumes of deliveries have to appearance outside central Damascus — also SANA said, using the government’s customary pier when those who are being held captive are of suffocation”. increase significantly” if the dead- highlighted growing government confidence term for the rebels. The agency said he also released,” she said, referring to residents who Videos circulated by opposition line was to be met. Norwegian as in recent gains against insurgents around the visited the Mar Thecla monastery, which also are still missing. activists on YouTube showed men well as Danish naval vessels are capital and along the Lebanese border. suffered damage during fighting for the town. Syrian Tourism Minister Bishr Yazigi said and children in a field hospital involved in the process of removing Islamist fighters, including some from the Syrian soldiers and members of the loyalist that damage and theft to antiquities during coughing and showing symptoms chemical materials from the port Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, had taken over National Defence Force militia were stationed the fighting amounted to “billions of Syrian of suffocation. But state television of Latakia in western Syria. The part of Maaloula in December and held several throughout the town, where homes and build- pounds” in losses. Assad’s government has blamed the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al most dangerous are being trans- nuns captive until releasing them in March in ings were burned and damaged by the fighting. consistently tried to portray itself as the pro- Nusra Front, a key force in Syria’s ferred to a US Navy vessel specially a prisoner-exchange deal. “The display of hatred was clear — the tector of the country’s minorities, including three-year armed revolt, for the fitted with equipment to destroy On Monday, government forces retook houses are totally destroyed, the whole village the Christians who account for about 10 per- attack, which it said had lead the chemicals at sea. AGENCIES the town, which is roughly 60km north of was destroyed. I can’t describe the amount cent of the population. REUTERS

Iran’s women Twitter blocks 2 accounts not second on Turkish network class citizens, ANKARA: Twitter blocked official”. It added that it would not two accounts yesterday that give details of the two accounts’ had been used to spread corrup- users to the government. says Rowhani tion allegations against Turkish “Twitter has not provided and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip will not provide user information TEHRAN: Iran’s President Erdogan, his government and to Turkish authorities without Hassan Rowhani admitted yes- his inner circle. valid legal process,” it said. The terday that women in his coun- The move came after high- government, which accuses those try still face discrimination and level meetings between the gov- behind the accounts of publishing cultural barriers but he insisted ernment and executives from the false and harmful content, is also they are not universally treated company last week, and after the pressing the US-based company as second-class citizens. Turkish government provoked a to hand over details on the owners In a speech marking Women’s storm in March by trying to ban of a dozen other accounts. Day in Iran, Rowhani, seen as a the network entirely. @Haramzadeler333 and @ moderate reformer, said more had The two accounts blocked yes- Bascalan appeared to have privi- to be done but that the West did terday — @Haramzadeler333 leged access to information and not offer a model that had to be fol- and @Bascalan — leaked large documents related to a 15-month lowed. The remarks were followed amounts of secret documents police investigation into the cor- by confirmation that the country’s and recorded phone conversations ruption allegations. Erdogan has supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali implicating Erdogan, his family accused a “parallel state” control- Khamenei, had agreed to pardon and associates in a wide-ranging led by US-based Muslim cleric or commute the sentences of some corruption scandal. Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating women prisoners. Between them, @ the graft scandal against him, Yemeni soldiers checking passing vehicles in the capital Sana’a yesterday. Rowhani’s speech was consist- Haramzadeler333 (which trans- using a widespread network of ent with his promise of more lates as “Sons of Thieves”) and @ allies in the police and judiciary. social freedoms, a cornerstone Bascalan (which means “Prime The embattled premier has of the campaign that gave him a Thief”, a play on the Turkish for asked Twitter — which has 10 Air strikes in Yemen kill 35 surprise victory in the June presi- prime minister) had close to one million users in Turkey — to open dential election. million followers on Twitter. Users a liaison office in the country. “I, as the head of the govern- reported that the two accounts He has also criticised the com- ment, confess there are still so were listed as “withheld” when they pany for not paying taxes there. Qaeda militants in two days many deficiencies with regards tried to access them from within Twitter has ruled out any such to the vindication of women’s the country over the weekend. move, refusing to open an office ADEN: Air strikes in south- sources said unmanned drone in 2009 and US cargo planes in rights,” Rowhani told a confer- Twitter’s global policy team in a state that tried to ban it, and ern Yemen killed about 25 aircraft had been seen above the 2010. US congressman Michael ence attended by members of said it withholds content only has rejected charges of tax eva- suspected Al Qaeda members target areas beforehand. McCaul of Texas, the chairman of Iran’s female elite. “Based on the “after due process”, such as after sion. It said its advertising sales yesterday, local tribal sources The United States acknowl- the US House of Representatives Islamic criteria, we neither con- having received a court order, and in Turkey are handled through a said, in the second operation of edges using drone strikes to tar- Committee on Homeland Security, sider men as the first sex nor the in a tweet said it would not do reseller that pays applicable taxes. its kind within two days. get AQAP in Yemen, but it does said AQAP posed “probably the women as the second sex ... they so “at the mere request of a gov’t AFP On Saturday, an air strike not comment on the practice. greatest external threat to the both have the same human dig- killed 10 Al Qaeda militants and Local tribal sources said about 25 homeland itself”. nity and none is superior,” he said, three civilians in central Yemen, bodies had been transferred from “And so I think the fact the drawing warm applause. a country that neighbours top the sites of yesterday’s attacks to administration now is going Iran’s civil rights record is reg- oil exporter Saudi Arabia and is nearby towns. They said at least aggressively against these terror- ularly criticised by international home to al Qaeda in the Arabian three separate strikes had taken ists ... is a very positive sign,” said rights watchdogs and Western gov- Hackers of ONA target Bouteflika Peninsula (AQAP), one of the place after dawn prayers, all tar- McCaul, appearing on ABC News ernments. Among the criticisms group’s most lethal wings. geting Al Qaeda camps. programme “This Week”. levelled at the Islamic republic is MUSCAT: Hackers yesterday In the false letter, the Omani The defence ministry said One official said the militants US officials credit the drone a ban on women travelling abroad targeted the website of Oman’s leader described Bouteflika as a yesterday’s strikes targeted a targeted were among the “lead- strategy for the fact that AQAP is without official permission. official news agency, singling “handicapped” president of the remote mountainous region of the ing and dangerous” elements of no longer able to control territory Arguing that it was misguided out and mocking Algeria’s newly “dictatorship” of Algeria, accord- south. Its website quoted an offi- Al Qaeda and were of different in Yemen as it did in 2011. But to think a woman’s place should re-elected President Abdelaziz ing to newspapers in the Gulf and cial source on the High Security nationalities. Eyewitnesses said critics, including some Yemenis be limited to the home, he ques- Bouteflika as a handicapped North Africa. He also wished Committee as saying that they they had seen Al Qaeda militants and US politicians, say the tioned why “some people think the “dictator”. Bouteflika a “10th tenure” as a were based on information that dragging dead bodies and some strikes and civilian casualties are presence of women is a threat?”, Oman News Agency said its president, in a sarcastic reference “terrorist elements were planning wounded people out of the area. increasing sympathy for AQAP noting that women are guardians website had been hacked and that to the Algerian leader’s 15 years to target vital civilian and mili- and resentment against America. of their own moral standards, not “false” reports were posted on the in power, the reports said. tary installations”. AQAP TOUGH TO BEAT Yemen has been fighting AQAP men. “Is that possible to corner site. The hackers reportedly dis- The letter was removed from Similar wording was used to US drone attacks have killed but the group, which has attacked and marginalise the role of half of torted a news story about a letter ONA’s website. ONA apologised justify Saturday’s strike, in which several suspected AQAP figures, military targets, tourists and dip- the society? Women should enjoy from H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said to its clients, saying it contin- three nearby civilians were also including, in 2011, Anwar Al Awlaki, lomats in the country and taken equal opportunities, security and of Oman to Bouteflika congratu- ues to publish stories that agree killed. The defence ministry did a US-born Islamist cleric accused over territory for long periods, is social rights,” he said. “We will lating him for securing a fourth with the sultanate’s policy of not specify the nature of the air of links to the attempted bomb- proving hard to defeat. not accept the culture of sexual term in Thursday’s presidential “mutual respect with brotherly strikes, but in both cases local ing of a Detroit-bound airliner REUTERS discrimination.” AFP election. and friendly states”. REUTERS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Sisi, leftist only candidates in Egypt election Vote to be held on May 26-27

CAIRO: The former army gen- He has gained cult-like adula- eral who toppled Egypt’s first tion from supporters who see him freely elected president will as a saviour who can end the polit- face a leftist politician in next ical turmoil dogging the country month’s presidential election, as since an army-backed popular they were the only candidates uprising ended Mubarak’s three- to enter before nominations decade rule in 2011. Islamists view closed, the committee organis- Sisi as the mastermind of a coup. ing the vote said. Sisi was seen as the most influ- The committee had received ential figure in an interim admin- paperwork from former army istration that has been cracking chief Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and down hard on the Brotherhood former parliamentarian and and other opponents. Egypt’s best presidential candidate Hamdeen organised political party until last Sabahi, it said at a news confer- year, the Brotherhood has since ence yesterday, several hours been banned and declared a ter- after the deadline had passed. rorist organisation. The elections will be held in a Sisi would be the latest in a line barren political climate after the of Egyptian rulers drawn from the 2011 uprising that toppled auto- military that was only briefly bro- crat Hosni Mubarak raised hopes ken during Mursi’s year in office. Israeli Border Police keep a group of Palestinians sectioned off in Jerusalem’s Old City during clashes that erupted when Palestinians were refused of a robust democracy in the big- The only other contender, Sabahi, entry by Israel onto the Al Aqsa Mosque compound for prayers yesterday morning. Police arrested 16 Palestinians as they clashed with demonstrators. gest Arab nation. Neither candi- heads a political alliance called the date has outlined a strategy for Popular Current and was a mem- tackling poverty, energy shortages ber of parliament under Mubarak. and unemployment that afflict He came third in the 2012 presi- Palestinians may hand territory ‘keys’ to Israel many of Egypt’s 85 million people. dential vote after Mursi and ex-air Abdelaziz Salman, secretary- force chief Ahmed Shafik. RAMALLAH: Palestinian PA to the UN so it will become Strip in 2007 and has since run Israeli commentator Nahum general of the Presidential Sabahi said in an interview last negotiators have warned they in charge of the Palestinian peo- its own administration. Barnea, writing in top-selling Elections Committee, said that month that he doubted Sisi would may pass responsiblity for their ple and the state of Palestine, Abbas’s Palestine Liberation Yediot Aharonot daily on Sunday, Sisi had submitted 188,930 sig- bring democracy if elected, alleg- territory back to occupying which is under occupation, or Organisation (PLO) and Hamas said the Palestinian gambit was a natures endorsing his candidacy ing Mubarak’s former chief of mil- power Israel if peace talks remain that the (Israeli) occupation have periodically held talks on desperate one. to the committee, and Sabahi had itary intelligence was responsible stalled, a senior Palestinian offi- assumes again full responsibility reconciliation but they have come “The Palestinians are play- submitted 31,555. The required for human rights abuses. Sabahi cial said yesterday. for everything.” to nothing. A PLO delegation is ing their last card,” he wrote. number is 25,000. The commit- has said that the country has yet The official said the Palestinians Under the 1993 Oslo accords expected to visit Gaza for more “Cancelling... all their achievements tee will announce the official list to cleanse a “rotten” system or told US peace envoy Martin Indyk which were to have led to an inde- talks within a few days. and all the obligations they made of candidates on May 2 for the create a new breed of politicians, on Friday that unless Israel pendent Palestinian state, the US Secretary of State John under the Oslo accords. “If the vote on May 26-27. Campaigning and argues that Mubarak-era fig- releases Palestinian prisoners as Palestinians received some auton- Kerry nudged Israel and the Palestinians carry out their threat will run from May 3 to 23. ures are making a comeback. agreed and freezes settlement omy in managing their day-to-day Palestinians to reopen peace talks it will have dramatic results. The Tarek Shebl, a member of the Human rights groups says building, they could dismantle affairs. The PA is in a constant in July for a nine-month period. PA will be dismantled, all its secu- committee, said after the news authorities have stifled all the Western-backed Palestinian budgetary crisis and only manages The United States is striving to rity apparatus will be dispersed.” conference that if the winning forms of dissent. Thousands of Authority (PA) of President to pay its civil servants and provide broker an agreement to extend That would oblige Israel to fill candidate does not get 50 per- Islamists have been jailed and Mahmoud Abbas. essential services thanks to gener- those talks beyond their April 29 the vacuum at tremendous finan- cent plus one of the total number the Brotherhood’s top leaders face “The Palestinians informed ous funding from foreign donors. deadline, but so far without success. cial cost, Barnea added. “The (mili- of votes cast, a run-off will be trials. Secular activists have also Indyk that if this Israeli intran- But Israel still retains over- At Friday’s meeting with the tary) will have to find a way to take held. Sisi, who deposed president been rounded up. There are no sigence continues, they have sev- all control of the occupied West Palestinian negotiators, Indyk the PA’s place: to set up a police Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim signs political tensions will ease eral options to resort to,” the Bank and annexed east Jerusalem “had no new ideas to save the force, to take care of education, Brotherhood last year, is expected anytime soon. Palestinian official said. while the militant Islamist Hamas negotiations,” the Palestinian offi- health services, water, sewage.” to win the vote easily. REUTERS “First, handing the keys of the threw off PA rule in the Gaza cial said yesterday. AFP

7 candidates 11 Algerian soldiers killed in ambush Iran N-draft talks next month stand for post ALGIERS: Islamist militants Since the end of its 1990s war fighting in Afghanistan’s civil war, DUBAI: Iran and world powers and difficult work,” said senior killed at least 11 Algerian sol- with armed Islamists, attacks have is believed to be hiding in the east- will begin work drafting a long- nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi, of Libya PM diers in an ambush on a patrol been rarer in Algeria. But Algerian ern mountains. Algerian forces term settlement of Iran’s disputed according to IRNA. in mountains east of the capital officials are concerned about spillo- last year killed two of Droukdel’s nuclear programme at expert-level Hamid Baeedinejad, Director TRIPOLI: The Libyan Algiers, a security source said ver from the turmoil in neighbour- deputies in Bouira, a former talks in New York next month, the General for the Political and parliament yesterday yesterday, in one of the deadliest ing Libya, where fighters linked to stronghold of militants during official state news agency IRNA International Affairs Department began hearing seven can- attacks on the military in years. Al Qaeda have sought refuge in the the 1990s war that was triggered reported yesterday. of Foreign Ministry, will head Iran’s didates who are vying to The troops were searching for southern deserts. when the government cancelled During the May 5-9 meeting, the team at talks on the sidelines of the replace prime minister militants in the Tizi Ouzou region, The army has killed 37 mili- elections that an Islamist party P5+1 world powers and Iran will Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Abdullah Al Thinni who 120km east of Algiers, when they tants in different regions of the looked set to win. start “writing draft of comprehensive preliminary committee meeting, quit last week just days were attacked by fighters from country since January, according “This attack is a response to agreements which will be a complex IRNA said. REUTERS after his appointment. Al Qaeda’s north African branch, to the ministry of defence. AQIM setbacks for AQMI which lost Thinni announced he was Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is mostly based in the Sahel area several of its militants in recent stepping down on April 13, (AQIM), the source said. which crosses southern Algeria, but months, AQMI tried also to dis- five days after the General Another 11 soldiers were over the past few months the army rupt the election but it failed,” National Congress, or par- wounded. The attack came just has killed several militants in the Algerian security specialist liament, tasked him with days after President Abdelaziz eastern mountains, and security Rahmani Anis said. In January forming a new cabinet, say- Bouteflika, 77, was re-elected for a sources say some have been found last year, militants raided ing he had been the victim fourth term following a campaign with weapons traced to Libya. Algeria’s Amenas gas plant near of an attack. that portrayed the aging leader as Abdelmalek Droukdel, the Libya’s border, killing 40 oil con- He had replaced Ali key to continued security for the university chemistry student tractors, most of them foreigners. Zeidan, who was ousted a North African Opec state. who become AQIM leader after REUTERS month earlier by the GNC, Libya’s highest political authority, for failing to rein in the lawlessness gripping the country. Members of the GNC, were due to hear the can- didates present their pro- gramme of government, but no date had been fixed for the vote. The winner needs to secure 120 votes out of 200. Three of the competi- tors are seen as frontrun- ners: Omar Al Hassi, who comes from the eastern city of Benghazi, business- man Ahmed Miitig and Mohamed Buker, former director of the civil state department. But some observers doubt that the GNC, which is deeply divided, will be able to reach a consensus on a candidate. The GNC was elected in July 2012 to an 18-month mandate but stirred popu- lar anger by extending its term from early February until the end of December this year. Under pressure from demonstrators, it later announced early elections but gave no date for the vote. AFP MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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HE good news from Afghanistan is that the former Mujahideen doctor Abdullah Abdullah has strengthened his lead in the presidential race. The TIndependent Election Commission said initial results based on almost 50 percent of the vote out of the total 34 China’s new rights movement provinces showed Abdullah in the lead with 44.4 percent, followed by ex-World Bank official Ashraf Ghani with 33.2 BY TENG BIAO constitutionalism and the rule of law in Chinese people to bear their civil respon- percent of the votes. To win, a candidate must secure more China. Gongmeng provided legal assist- sibilities and to fight for their fundamen- than 50 percent of valid ballots. Failing that, the top two INCE Xi Jinping became presi- ance to victims of injustice and spread tal rights. In May 2012, Xu published an candidates go into a run-off. The results show that even if a dent of China, there has been a the idea of human rights while spear- essay, “The New Citizens’ Movement,” run-off is held, Abdullah is likely to consolidate his position sustained crackdown on advo- heading China’s rights movement. without fanfare. We continued to do a cates of democracy and civil soci- That year, Xu won a local election as an lot of the things that Gongmeng did, but as he already enjoys a comfortable lead. S ety. A couple hundred Chinese citizens independent candidate. In China almost the movement’s initial activities included A trained ophthalmologist turned anti-Soviet resistance have been arrested and tried or await no one takes these elections seriously an education rights campaign and street fighter, Abdullah is a former minister and quit the last trial. Lawyer and activist Xu Zhiyong, because the “representatives” do not demonstrations to call for asset disclo- election after complaining the poll was marred by massive a founding leader of the New Citizens’ really represent the people. Gongmeng sure by officials. ballot box stuffing. He had been due to contest a second Movement, was arrested in July; his tried to change that by encouraging peo- The education rights campaign sought four-year prison sentence was upheld ple to become independent candidates to help millions of children across China round run-off against Karzai. Though this election was this month. The sentences of other New and helping their campaigns. gain access to education where their par- largely hailed as free and fair in the beginning, there have Citizens’ Movement leaders, including In the years that followed, our small ents live, work and pay taxes but don’t been serious charges of fraud later. In western Herat Ding Jiaxi, Li Wei, Zhao Changquing body of rights lawyers, liberal intellectu- have a local household registration. The province, the local poll complaints commission threw out and Zhang Baocheng, were recently als, journalists and citizen activists was campaign, a struggle that lasted more around 100,000 ballots, affecting all the major candidates. A announced: Each will be imprisoned for involved in almost every major case in than four years, eventually forced gov- member of the national watchdog said three other provinces at least two years. China. Gongmeng defended wrongfully ernments on every level to change dis- Many people mistakenly think that the convicted defendants in several death criminatory policies, but Chinese courts - two in the east and one in the north - had also rejected New Citizens’ Movement did not have a penalty cases as well as the entrepre- have since managed to find Xu “guilty” large numbers of votes, though he declined to say how many. chance to do much before being wiped neur Sun Dawu, who was tried for rais- of “disrupting order” by leading this Despite these allegations of fraud, Abdullah is more out. In fact, the crackdown is an attempt ing money from citizens while China’s peaceful effort and for supporting street optimistic. In an interview with to stamp out a growing civil rights banking system was riddled with cor- activities aimed at curbing corruption. a news agency yesterday, he said movement that, though challenged, has ruption. Gongmeng organized the inves- As part of the New Citizens’ Abdullah fraud was a worry, but said the been long in the tigation of forced abortion in Linyi, Movement, like-minded citizens met the making. Shandong province, and Xu was Chen last Saturday of each month, in more Abdullah, who vote was much cleaner than In spring 2003, Guangcheng’s lawyer in the trial that than 30 cities, for dinner gatherings to the 2009 ballot. A candidate a young college sent the blind man to jail for more than discuss public affairs, the rule of law or is leading in expressing confidence in the Since Xi Jinping graduate, Sun four years. Xu represented the leading other topics of interest. These were con- the presidential electoral process is a testament became president Zhigang, was human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng when scious democratic exercises. to its fairness, and Abdullah’s taken into custody Gao’s law firm was shut down. In 2008, Over the past decade, two compet- in Guangzhou for Gongmeng was the key player in getting ing priorities emerged in China: rights race, is well- optimism could be emanating from of China, there has been a sustained failing to produce compensation for thousands of victims of defense and stability maintenance. For experienced to his own confidence about getting the proper resi- melamine-tainted milk formula. the government, stability rules above lead Afghanistan elected in the final round. crackdown on dential permit. Gongmeng also engaged in social all else. Yet more and more Chinese Abdullah is well-experienced advocates of He was violently investigations, research and policy stud- have stood up to demand their rights in this period of and qualified to lead Afghanistan democracy and civil beaten and died ies. In 2005, we wrote a report and made as human beings and as citizens. The in this period of huge challenges. three days later. specific recommendations for improving Chinese government will continue to challenges. society. Sun’s death, which human rights. After the March 14, 2008, crack down on civil society, but no crack- The country needs a strong leader happened about unrest in Tibet, we produced a report down will stop the growing rights aware- to defeat the Taliban and he had the time Internet analyzing the ethnic tensions and mak- ness of millions of Chinese and their proven his caliber and courage use was taking off, sparked a national ing policy suggestions. courage and determination to fight for during the election process. There were threats from Taliban, outcry. Xu Zhiyong, Yu Jiang and I wrote In 2009, Chinese authorities charged their freedom. . “Crimes” they are con- but he was undaunted and vowed to go all the way to realize an open letter to the standing commit- Gongmeng with tax evasion and detained victed of in the course of their struggle the dreams of Afghans. Also, Abdullah will have another tee of the National People’s Congress, Xu Zhiyong. He was released within a will be great badges of honor to them. requesting a constitutional review of month, thanks to overwhelming public In his closing statement to the court, advantage over the incumbent Hamid Karzi – he won’t carry the Custody and Repatriation system, a support, but Gongmeng was fined nearly Xu Zhiyong said: “It does not mat- the tag of a US puppet, and will be able to function freely form of extrajudicial detention targeting 1.5 million renminbi and shut down. ter where you are, what jobs you have, since he would be an elected president. Of course, Karzai migrants that was responsible for the By that time, the government saw Xu whether you are poor or rich; let us say is no longer considered as Washington’s stooge, especially deaths of Sun and untold others. The and me as troublemakers, if not enemies in our hearts, in our everyday lives, on after his prolonged standoff with the Obama administration review never happened, but the State of the state. the Internet, on every inch of Chinese Council, essentially the executive branch, But we continued our work. We land, say with conviction and pride that over signing a security deal. But Karzai was first installed by bowed to public outrage and abolished changed the organization’s name to which already belongs to us: I am a citi- Washington and therefore was hamstrung in carrying out his the barbaric, discriminatory policy. Citizens. We did not want to be, nor zen, we are citizens.” duties independently. Late that year the three of us set up could we be, a regular nongovernmental He called out to fellow Chinese to The first round of Afghanistan’s election has delivered a nongovernmental organization called organization anymore. We wanted a citi- “believe in love and the power of hope for a resounding defeat to the Taliban. It’s up to Abdullah to Gongmeng, or the Citizens League zens’ movement across China. a better future, in the desire for goodness complete this mission once he is elected (better known in English as the Open In 2010, Xu, I and a few others ini- deep inside every human soul.” . Constitution Initiative), to promote tiated the “Citizens’ Pledge,” calling on WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of Measuring poverty the day OLITICALLY, poverty has been that its economic policies had cut in an integrated and comprehensive on the basis of multidimensional depri- a sensitive issue in Pakistan, the number of poor, many global manner. Now the Nawaz Sharif gov- vations — such as healthcare, educa- as it has been in many other organisations like the World Bank ernment has launched the Multi- tion, water supply, income, etc — and There are still so Pdeveloping countries. It is immediately raised questions about dimensional Poverty Index, based on highlight the real situation and intensity no surprise that governments try to the efficacy of the methodology the globally recognised methodology of the deprivation being suffered by the many deficiencies avoid counting the number of poor used to arrive at that conclusion. The and developed by the Oxford Poverty people at the national, provincial and to protect themselves from such an previous PPP-led government did and the Human Development Initiative, district levels. This kind of data should with regards to exercise’s possible political fallout. not even bother to undertake such for measuring the incidence of pov- give policymakers sufficient knowledge the vindication of When they do, they use methods that an exercise, fearing the figures would erty. The index is being released by the about the actual status of deprivation tend to mitigate the actual incidence show a hefty increase in the numbers UNDP’s human development reports that is the lot of different regions and women’s rights. of poverty rather than bring out a true living below the poverty line owing to since 2010. It is also being used by help them formulate policies and allo- Based on the Islamic picture about the level of deprivation the economic slowdown. dozens of other countries and is said cate funds according to the needs of experienced by the people. Therefore, Regularly updated data on the to have helped some such as Nepal the people. It is hoped that the MPI criteria, both men when the government under Pervez poor are crucial to framing economic lift a significant number of people out data will actually be used to pull mil- and women have the Musharraf conducted a survey in policies, allocating fiscal resources and of poverty by ‘building a deprivation lions out of the poverty trap and not the mid-2000s to show to the world undertaking initiatives to target poverty profile’. The MPI will calculate poverty just kept to fill official files. DAWN same human dignity Hassan Rowhani and none is superior. Iran’s President MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 How bombings changed everything in Boston A year after Boston Marathon bombings, the political landscape of one of the nation’s most politically-obsessed cities stands completely altered by the attack.

BY WESLEY LOWERY Obama came to town Thursday, all eyes were on Menino. Menino HE City of Boston had been discharged from the has two great loves: hospital right before the inter- Sports and poli- faith prayer service held at the tics. And, a year Cathedral of the Holy Cross, a removed from the massive church in the South End. Boston Marathon When it was his turn to speak, Tbombings, the influence of that the wheelchair-bound mayor was tragedy on the Boston sports wheeled to the podium by his son, community remain apparent. a Boston police detective who had The marathon is, after all, a race. been working at the Marathon And several Boston sports teams, finish line. Then, the mayor lifted including the Red Sox and Boston himself from his wheelchair in a Bruins, have adopted the “Boston moment of triumph symbolic of Strong” messaging that emerged the city’s resurgence following the after the marathon. attacks. Less well known but no less “We are one Boston,” Menino impactful is how the attack influ- declared during his speech. “No enced the city’s politics. A year adversity, no challenge, nothing later, the political landscape of can tear down the resilience in one of the nation’s most politi- the heart of this city and its peo- cally-obsessed cities stands com- ple.” Here’s how the Boston Globe pletely altered by the attack. summed it up: “In that moment, The 2013 Boston Marathon Menino seemed to embody the was the last as mayor for Thomas fortitude of his city, knocked down People take photos of a sign reading “We are Boston We Are Strong” on Boylston Street, where the Boston Marathon finishes, yesterday. This year’s Menino, a Boston institution who but fighting to stand.” Menino marathon will be held today. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs were detonated near the finish line, killing three people and injuring 260 others. had occupied City Hall’s corner — who, perhaps more than any office for two decades without other person in the last century, Gomez said that his wife and Democratic primary to his Davis captured the national was eventually co-opted by the ever facing a serious electoral defines Boston — was back. children had just left the finish Congressional colleague Ed limelight. Soon, he was every- Red Sox as they dominated the challenge. line when, about 2:50 p.m. the Markey — who would go on to where. On CNN, CBS, ABC. baseball postseason and won the Menino, who had announced SENATE PRIMARY bombs detonated. Several of his beat Gomez in what would be one Profiled in national magazines World Series, the “Boston Strong” just one month before the mara- The special election to replace campaign staffers were still near of the lowest turnout Senate races and newspapers. Appearing messaging has found what seems thon that he would not seek re- John Kerry, who was named the finish line doing advance work in modern Massachusetts politi- before Congressional commit- to be a permanent place in the election, missed the last race of Secretary of State, seemed des- for a post-marathon press confer- cal history. tees. To this day, there is no public New England political lexicon. his time as mayor. As the runners tined to be an afterthought. The ence the candidate had planned. Roughly 1.2 million votes were figure whose face and legacy are In November, after being competed, he was at Brigham state was still exhausted after Obviously, they now note, that cast, a turnout that fell well short more directly tied to the mara- elected the city’s first new mayor Women and Children’s Hospital the exciting election showdown was cancelled. of even the most pessimistic pro- thon bombings. in decades, Martin Walsh invoked for surgery to repair a broken leg, just months earlier between Scott Perhaps due to his military jections and more than 1 million The Globe’s Adrian Walker, one the phrase as he delivered an emo- the latest in a series of serious Brown and Elizabeth Warren. experience, Gomez has said that votes fewer than had been cast in of the city’s best-known political tional and passionate speech in a and at-times long-term hospitali- Then, soon after the Senate he immediately knew it was an the 2010 special election to replace columnists, even suggested that ballroom packed with supporters. zations during his time in office. race had kicked into high gear, attack upon hearing the first Sen. Ted Kennedy just three years Davis should consider throwing “Boston is tough, and we’re His physical absence from the the people of Boston found out explosion and, like many oth- earlier. In fact, Scott Brown — the his name into the then-developing smart, but we’re caring, too. The marathon mirrored his seemingly they would be hosting their first ers who were near the bombing, victor in that 2010 race — received mayoral field. Soon, national out- city proved it in the tragedy that declining political status. Dozens truly open mayoral race in 30 he was encouraged by the pas- more votes alone than Markey and lets were speculating that Davis happened on Marathon Monday,” of politically ambitious figures had years with Menino not seeking sion and dedication of the first Gomez had earned combined. was on the shortlist to be named Walsh declared. “This is Boston begun plotting their mayoral runs re-election. responders. “I saw the best of the next homeland security direc- Strong, and together we’re going the second Menino announced And then, the bombings. Boston moments after literally THE REINVENTION tor — reports that were never to make Boston even stronger.” this term would be his last. By Suddenly, the entire narra- hearing the worst of Boston in Then-Boston Police substantiated and, ultimately, did And the phrase hasn’t gone the time April rolled around, tive race of the largely-ignored the explosions,” Gomez said. Commissioner Ed Davis was not result in a cabinet appoint- anywhere. Just last week, Sen. several candidates had formally Senate primary was upended. For Congressman Stephen embattled. Widely respected by ment for Davis. Ed Markey used the phrase while declared their candidacies and The talk turned to national secu- Lynch, one of two Democrats most of the city’s political class, But his public handling of the discussing the city’s responses to several others were openly dis- rity, terrorism and public safety. vying for the seat, the dilemma Davis faced constant opposi- bombings had vaulted Davis to the attack during an appearance cussing their desire to run. Even Meanwhile, candidates had to wasn’t completely a new one. In tion within and from outside of near-deity status. Now, mayoral on “Meet the Press.” “We were with almost an entire year left walk a fine line — figuring out 2001, Lynch won his first congres- his department during 2012 and candidates who had previously Boston Strong because we were in office, Menino was already when it was appropriate to return sional primary victory in an elec- early 2013 as the city’s minority promised to get rid of Davis were Boston Ready,” Markey said dur- considered a lame duck in some to the campaign trial and working tion that took place on September community called for his head praising him during campaign ing the interview. Boston political circles. for be respectful of a city 11, 2001. The congressman said due to a lack of diversity in the speeches. There’s been an ongoing debate But on Marathon Monday, that Ultimately, Gabriel Gomez — a at the time that he hoped voters department brass and a series Months later, as Menino pre- in Boston about whether “Boston all changed. Menino checked him- former US Navy SEAL — won a would be mobilized by the renewed of allegations of police brutality. pared to clean out his office, Strong” has become an over-used self out of Brigham and Women’s surprise primary day victory, top- sense of patriotism inspired by Meanwhile, the number of shoot- Davis announced his resignation cliche. But, like it or not, expect Hospital several times throughout ping his two better-established the marathon bombings. ings in the city was spiking. — taking a position at Harvard: politicians from the Bay State to the week to attend briefings and opponents in the GOP primary. In an interview soon after the Several of the early entrants his legacy forever boosted by his be declaring the city’s strength for help oversee the massive man- Gomez was an avid runner, and bombings, Lynch said: “There was in Boston’s mayoral race made department’s response to the years to come. hunt for the bombing suspects. He later made running events the a call to arms in response to those dumping Davis central parts of marathon bombings. (Prior to joining The Washington appeared, seated in a wheelchair, most visible part of his general attacks. I hope they’ll be a similar their early campaign platforms. Post in February, Lowery worked as at the city’s daily press confer- election campaign, and had com- call to arms come April 30. The But, as the international media “BOSTON STRONG” a breaking news and local politics ences and insisted that the city pleted the Boston marathon not best way to defend Democracy is looked to Boston in the days after What began as a rallying cry reporter for the Boston Globe). would press on. long before the bombs went off. to participate in it.” the bombings, no figure seized the during the Boston Bruins’ unsuc- When US President Barack In interviews at the time, Ultimately, Lynch lost the moment quite like Davis. cessful Stanley Cup run, and WP-BLOOMBERG Trailing candidates hold power to decide next Afghan president BY KEVIN SIEFF runoff in exchange for a top position in Karzai has worked to create a diverse the next government. team that would win over voters, as well OME of the influential poli- “Different people have been talking as maintain stability in a country with ticians who competed in about a division of governing respon- deep ethnic fractures. Many Afghans Afghanistan’s recent — but sibility that would allow for a broader objected to a government led by people still undecided — presidential range of representation in the govern- from disparate backgrounds, appointed election have begun to accept ment,” said a Western official who spoke to maintain the balance of power, but Stheir failure to win. And with that on the condition of anonymity to discuss even Western officials who are critical of acknowledgment, their power has grown. the sensitive topic. Some observers have Karzai express admiration for what they It appears likely that the election will suggested that the position of prime min- view as his feat of political acrobatics. produce a runoff between two front- ister could be created for the candidate “Karzai spent a lot of time balanc- runners, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah who bows out of the race. ing different imperatives and different Abdullah. That has left the six remain- “If we can by consensus avoid a second regional and ethnic demands on his gov- ing candidates to decide whom they will round, we will,” Sayyaf said. If a second ernment, and however the discussion endorse — a choice that could determine round is held, he said, “the winner will be evolves this time, it will be a big job for the next president. the driver, but we will all be in the bus.” the next president as well,” the Western Ghani and Abdullah have begun quests Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani, head of the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC), So far, both Ghani and Abdullah have official said. to garner that support, crisscrossing speaks during a press conference in Kabul yesterday. publicly rejected the prospect of aban- Many Afghans assume that any coa- Kabul to recruit their former rivals and, doning the race. Abdullah has said that litions formed by the losing candidates with them, the voters whose loyalty they second round would take place for several are part of a larger effort to build a coa- if he is elected, the only position he could will be structured along ethnic lines, with command. In a country still torn by eth- weeks afterwards. But already, there are lition that would resolve the election envision Ghani playing would be “loyal Sayyaf and Rassoul supporting Ghani, a nic and political tensions, coalition build- early signs that the six candidates are peacefully, either before or after an elec- opposition.” fellow Pashtun. But key members of those ing is as crucial as it is delicate. trying to come together as a single, pow- toral runoff. But both Afghan and US officials say candidates’ teams suggest that there is “They ask, and we will decide,” said erful bloc. Earlier this week, they met as A runoff is legally mandated between that avoiding a second round would pre- a strong possibility that Pashtun power candidate Abdurrab Rasul Sayyaf, a a group at Sayyaf’s office. the two front-runners if no candidate vent the violence and unrest likely to brokers will side with Abdullah, an ethnic former mujahideen leader who is not Publicly, each of the eight presidential garners more than 50 percent of the accompany the vote, and many continue Tajik, in exchange for top positions in the expected to win a significant portion of candidates has expressed confidence that vote in the first round, an outcome that to root for such an outcome. next government. votes but still wields significant power, he might still win the election if fraud looks likely based on preliminary results. Another alternative, raised by Sayyaf Although Ghani is Pashtun, the pres- particularly in traditional ethnic Pashtun is eliminated. But several have quietly According to those results, gleaned from and others, is convincing Ghani and ence of former communists such as Gen. communities. conceded that the race is between Ghani less than 10 percent of overall ballots, Abdullah to agree in writing that the Abdurrashid Dostum and Hanif Atmar For now, the public’s focus remains and Abdullah, and it’s now time to go Abdullah won 41.9 percent of the vote loser of a runoff would join the winner’s on his team has upset former Pashtun on the results of the first round and the about the complicated effort of choosing and Ghani 37.6 percent. Rassoul won 9.8 government, avoiding a potentially bloody mujahideen commanders, who spent Afghan election commission’s ability to sides without causing harmful political percent to Sayyaf’s 5.1 percent. post-election standoff. “A coalition would years fighting against the Soviet Union. resolve hundreds of formal complaints of of social rifts. But some Afghan officials are hope- ensure that all Afghans are represented,” “We have our problems with both fraud. The election commission is due to “Who we decide to support will be ful that either Ghani, a Pashtun, or Sayyaf said. “Otherwise, the situation will sides,” said a senior Afghan official, one of assess those complaints and release offi- crucial,” said a top member of Zalmay Abdullah, an ethnic Tajik, could be con- go to the worst.” many trying to decide whom to support. cial results in mid-May, and it’s unlikely a Rassoul’s campaign team. Those decisions vinced to drop out of the race before a Over the last decade, President Hamid WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Nigeria gunmen raze teachers Kiev shootout shatters truce residence KANO: Gunmen in northern Three pro-Russian militants and one attacker killed; Moscow outraged Nigeria set fire to a staff residen- tial building at a girls’ second- SLAVYANSK: A deadly gun- sure of casualties on the other quickly seized upon the latest “propaganda” and “lies”. “This is a sanctions on Moscow if no de- ary school yesterday but the 195 fight in a town in restive east side. Witnesses saw the bodies of violence, saying in a statement clear provocation by the Kremlin,” escalation occurs. He also is pre- students sleeping in their nearby Ukraine yesterday shattered a two dead militants laid out in a that Moscow was “outraged at spokesman Artyom Skoropadsky paring to send ground troops dormitories were unharmed, fragile Easter truce, with Russia truck near the scene. this provocation by the fighters”. said.The deputy head of Ukraine’s to Ukraine’s neighbour Poland, police and a teacher said. The declaring it was “outraged” at The identity of the assailants, It urged Kiev to abide by an National Security and Defence according to a report in The attack in Bauchi state came less the return to violence in the cri- who escaped before militant accord signed in Geneva on Council, Viktoria Syumar, also Washington Post newspaper. than a week after Boko Haram sis-hit former Soviet republic. reinforcements arrived, was not Thursday by Ukraine, Russia, the claimed Moscow was orchestrating Russia already has tens of Islamists kidnapped 129 teenage Three pro-Russian militants known. The Ukrainian interior United States and the European the violence to try to portray Kiev thousands of troops massed on schoolgirls from the Chibok area and one attacker were killed in ministry confirmed there was an Union calling for “illegal armed as having lost control of the east. Ukraine’s eastern border in what of Borno state in the northeast. a firefight at a roadblock close “armed clash” but gave a toll of groups” to lay down their weap- Even Easter, she said on her Nato fears is a state of readi- Forty-four of those girls have to the separatist-held town one dead and three injured. It said ons and end the occupation of Facebook page, “does not stop ness to invade. In the midst of since escaped. Bauchi’s police of Slavyansk, said a local pro- police were investigating. public sites. Russian propaganda from carry- the Cold War-style tensions, the spokesman Haruna Mohammed Kremlin rebel leader, Vyatcheslav The gunfight broke days of rela- Moscow blamed yesterday’s ing out an information war”. Organisation for Security and said they burnt “several build- Ponomarev. tive calm. Western-backed authori- deaths of those it called “innocent The stalled implementation of Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), ings including a staff quarters Vladimir, a masked 20-year- ties in Kiev had announced they civilians” on the Right Sector, an the Geneva agreement threatened which is tasked with monitoring of a girls’ secondary school, an old pro-Russian rebel who was were suspending military opera- extreme-right group that was to deepen the worst East-West the Geneva accord, said it was eight-block police quarters, a at the barricade, said: “Four tions to oust the rebels over Easter, at the vanguard of protests that crisis since the Cold War. sending a high-ranking team to Shariah court and the local gov- cars pulled up to our roadblock which ends today. The last deadly ousted Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin With pro-Kremlin rebels refus- east Ukraine on Sunday. ernment secretariat,” he said. around 2200 GMT on Saturday. clash was last Thursday, when president Viktor Yanukovych ing to comply with its terms, German Foreign Minister We wanted to conduct a check, three pro-Russian militants were in February. Locals, it said, had Washington has been ratcheting Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged CAR on brink of and then they opened fire on killed by Ukrainian soldiers when found the attackers’ cars contain- up pressure on Moscow, which it all parties to abide by the Geneva us with automatic weapons.” they tried to attack a military ing weapons, satellite maps and sees as pulling the strings in the agreement, warning in an interview genocide: Tutu He said there were around 20 base in the southeast port city of Right Sector business cards. Ukrainian insurgency. with newspaper Bild am Sonntag attackers, and confirmed the Mariupol. But a Right Sector spokesman US President Barack Obama “there won’t be many more chances JOHANNESBURG: Nobel three rebel deaths, but was not Russia’s foreign ministry in Kiev dismissed the charge as has threatened to impose more for a peaceful solution.” AFP peace laureate Desmond Tutu warned yesterday that the Central African Republic was “on the brink of genocide”, as he urged warring sides to reconcile their differences and “re-learn to live together”. “Over the past 13 months, the nation’s seemingly Pope calls for incessant struggles for political power and resources have degen- erated into anarchy, hatred and ethnic cleansing — the country stands on the brink of genocide; end to wars some would say it has already commenced,” Archbishop Emeri- VATICAN CITY: Pope negotiate the peace long awaited tus Tutu said. In his message, Francis, in his Easter address and long overdue” in Syria, where Tutu called on people on all before a huge crowd, yester- more than 150,000 people have sides of the conflict — Christian, day denounced the “immense been killed in the civil war, a third Muslim and Atheist — to “rekin- wastefulness” in the world while of them civilians. Millions have dle the spirit of tolerance”. many go hungry and called for fled the country. an end to conflicts in Syria, “We pray in a particular way Scottish couple Ukraine and Africa. for Syria, that all those suffer- “We ask you, Lord Jesus, to ing the effects of the conflict donate £3m put an end to all war and every can receive needed humanitar- conflict, whether great or small, ian aid and that neither side will LONDON: A Scottish couple ancient or recent,” he said in his again use deadly force, especially who won the lottery has donated “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the against the defenceless civil popu- at least £3m ($5m) of their win- world) message. lation,” he said. nings to the campaign for an Francis, marking the second Francis asked God to “enlighten independent Scotland, making Easter season of his pontificate, and inspire the initiatives that them Britain’s biggest political celebrated a Mass to an overflow- promote peace in Ukraine so donors, a newspaper reported ing crowd of at least 150,000 in St. that all those involved, with the yesterday. Colin Weir, a former Peter’s Square and beyond. support of the international com- cameraman, and his wife Chris, The crowd stretched back along munity, will make every effort to a former nurse, are from a sea- all of Via della Conciliazione, the prevent violence and, in a spirit of FROM LEFT: Edouard Elias, Didier Francois Nicolas Henin, and Pierre Torres after their arrival by helicopter from side resort near the Scottish city boulevard between the Vatican and unity and dialogue, chart a path Evreux to the military airbase in Villacoublay, near Paris, yesterday. of Glasgow and won £161,653,000 the Tiber River. Speaking under a for the country’s future”. He also ($271.72m) in the Euromillions sunny sky after a midnight rain- asked for an end to violence in draw in 2011. The Sunday Times storm soaked the tens of thou- Iraq, Venezuela, South Sudan and said its analysis had shown that sands of flowers that bedecked the the Central Africa Republic. French scribes reunited with kin the couple had given at least square, Francis weaved his mes- Francis appealed for more £3m to those campaigning for an sage around the suffering of people medical attention for the victims PARIS: Four French journalists and highly respected war reporter reporter for Le Point magazine, independent Scotland ahead of across the globe. of the deadly Ebola epidemic in taken hostage in Syria were reu- for Europe 1 radio. and freelance photographer a referendum on September 18. He prayed to God to “help us to Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone nited with family and colleagues Francois said the conditions of Pierre Torres, 29, were seized two Opinion polls suggest Scotland overcome the scourge of hunger, and Liberia, and care for those yesterday in an emotional home- their captivity had been “tough”. weeks later, also in the north of will vote to reject independence aggravated by conflicts and by the suffering from many other dis- coming after 10 months in cap- We “stayed 10 whole months in the country, at Raqqa. but that the contest is tighten- immense wastefulness for which eases spread through neglect and tivity during which they were basements without ever see- They were held by the Islamic ing a little and supporters of we are often responsible”. dire poverty. chained together and held in ing daylight”, including a month State of Iraq and the Levant a breakaway have made some Since his election as the first He called for a “halt to the bru- dingy basements. and a half with “all of us chained (ISIL) and the precise conditions ground in recent months. non-European pope in 1,300 years, tal terrorist attacks” in f Nigeria, Looking thin and tired but together”, he said. of their release remain unclear. Francis had made defence of the an apparent reference to Nigerian overjoyed, the men hugged rela- “In a country at war things are Hollande reiterated that France Obamacare alert poor a hallmark of his papacy, Islamist militant group Boko tives and colleagues waiting at an not always simple, when it comes “does not pay ransoms” for hos- often criticising developed nations Haram, which earlier this month air base southwest of Paris where to food, water, electricity, some- tages, and said “all is done through NEW YORK: Americans with and the excesses of capitalism and abducted some 130 girls from a they flew in early yesterday from times things were a bit hairy, the negotiation and discussion”. accounts on President Barack consumerism. school in the north of the country. Turkey. “It was a long haul, but fighting was close by.” A source close to the matter said Obama’s health insurance enroll- The 77-year-old Pope, wearing The Easter Sunday services we never lost hope,” said radio President Francois Hollande French intelligence services had ment website, HealthCare.gov, white vestments for the serv- were the culmination of four hec- reporter Didier Francois, who, said it was “a day of joy for tracked the journalists and were were advised that their pass- ice, prayed for the protection of tic days of Holy Week activities like the rest of the group, had France” as he met the four men “constantly able to locate them”, words had been reset to guard those members of society who are for the pontiff. Next Sunday, he shaved the long beard he grew in at Villacoublay, where they were working to free them with help against the “Heartbleed” bug, in particularly vulnerable to exploi- will canonise Pope John Paul II captivity before the reunion at the due to undergo medical checks. from the US, Britain, Spain and a message posted on the site. A tation, abuse and abandonment - and Pope John XXIII and called Villacoublay base. Francois and photographer Turkey. Turkish soldiers found message on HealthCare.gov said women, children, the elderly and the Second Vatican Council, a “From time to time, we got Edouard Elias, 23, were taken the men abandoned in a no-man’s users who visited the website immigrants. landmark meeting that modern- snatches of information, we knew north of the main northern land on the border with Syria on would need to create a new pass- The Pope called on the inter- ised the Church. that the world was mobilised,” Syrian city of Aleppo on June 6. Saturday, blindfolded and with word to access their accounts. national community to “boldly REUTERS said Francois, 53, an experienced Nicolas Henin, a 37-year-old their hands bound. AFP AGENCIES

Royals at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo ANC set for two-thirds majority: Poll JOHANNESBURG: The swimming pool, chicken run and Zuma’s first term in office has African National Congress amphitheatre at his residence at been rocky. (ANC) is on course to win nearly Nkandla in rural KwaZulu-Natal, The economy slipped into its a two-thirds majority in May 7 and should pay back some of the first post-apartheid recession in elections, a poll showed yester- money. 2009 and has struggled to regain day, confounding analysts who While overall support for the the growth rates it logged before had predicted a fall in support ANC remained largely unaffected the global financial crisis. for South Africa’s ruling party 20 by the Nkandla scandal, the poll The government is expecting years after the end of apartheid. said Zuma’s personal approval economic growth this year of 2.7 The poll, published by South ratings had slipped to 62 percent percent, way below the levels Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, from 65 percent before Madonsela needed to make any in-roads into said the ANC was likely to win delivered her findings. 25 percent unemployment. 65.5 percent of the vote, only a The poll also showed that the The police killing of 34 strik- shade lower than the 65.9 percent Democratic Alliance, the main ing miners at Lonmin Marikana it won at the last national elec- opposition party that already gov- platinum mine in 2012 also drew tions in 2009. erns the Western Cape province, widespread criticism, with many The survey was conducted on was on track to build its national South Africans accusing the April 4, after Public Protector support from 16.6 percent in 2009 ANC-controlled police force of Thuli Madonsela — South Africa’s to 23.1 percent this year. apartheid-style brutality. top anti-corruption watchdog It put support for the Economic Analysts had also expected the — published a damning report Freedom Fighters, a radical left- so-called ‘Born Frees’ — young into a $21m state-funded secu- ist party founded last year by South Africans with no first-hand rity upgrade to President Jacob expelled ANC Youth League experience of white-minority rule Zuma’s private home. leader Julius Malema, at 4 per- — to withhold their support for the Britain’s Prince William holds Prince George as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, gives him a toy during a visit Madonsela judged that Zuma cent. The ANC has presided over ANC, which still uses its defeat of to the Bilby Enclosure at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo yesterday. had benefited unduly from the strong economic growth since apartheid as its main draw card. upgrades, which included a the end of apartheid in 1994, but REUTERS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Ferry disaster: Relatives clash with police Death toll at 58; 244 people still unaccounted for

JINDO: Divers finally began — not far from the disaster site bridge to the mainland by a large pulling bodies yesterday from — where the relatives have been police detachment, and eventually the South Korean ferry that camped out in a gymnasium since they were forced to turn back. sank four days ago with hun- the ferry went down. In a process One of the marchers, Chung dreds of children on board, as that looks set to be repeated with Hye-Sook, said she was appalled families angry at the pace and tragic frequency in coming days, that the authorities had begun focus of rescue efforts scuffled they were checked for IDs and taking DNA samples to ease iden- with police. other particulars, after which their tification of the bodies before the Coastguard officials said 19 bod- relatives were informed and asked entire ferry had been searched. ies had been removed from the ship to make an official identification. “What are those people think- which sank on Wednesday morn- Some of the policemen stand- ing?” Chung shouted. “We are ing, pushing operations further ing guard at the tents were openly asking them to save our children’s along the painful transition from weeping, while the cries of the lives. We can’t even think about rescue to recovery and identifica- family members could be heard DNA testing. I want to save my tion. The confirmed death toll from from inside. Of the 476 people on child first,” she said. the disaster stood at 58 with 244 board the Sewol, 350 were high Three giant floating cranes people still unaccounted for. school students headed for the have been at the disaster site Three bodies were pulled out holiday island of Jeju. off the southwest coast of South of the fully submerged ferry just Devastated relatives have repeat- Korea for days, but the coast- before midnight and another 16 edly denounced what they feel has guard has promised it will not were recovered yesterday, a coast- been a botched, delayed and incom- begin lifting the ferry until it is guard spokesman said. petent response to the disaster. clear there is nobody left alive. It was a key moment for dis- Nearly 200 family members set Investigators arrested its captain traught relatives, who have clung off yesterday on a hike from Jindo Lee Joon-Seok on Saturday along desperately to the hope that some to Seoul — 420km to the north — with a helmsman and the ship’s passengers may have survived in where they planned to march on the relatively inexperienced third air pockets in the upturned vessel. presidential Blue House in protest. officer, identified by her surname Relatives look at the names of recovered victims on a display board at Jindo harbour yesterday. The bodies were placed in tents Scuffles broke out when they Park, who was in charge of the at the harbour on Jindo island were prevented from crossing the bridge when disaster struck. AFP

Manila slum fire Japan stepping Missing jet search up surveillance enters 44th day posture against SYDNEY/PERTH: The Acting Transport Minister China: Reports search for missing Malaysia Hishammuddin Hussein has also Airlines Flight MH370 entered said the government may consider TOKYO: Japan bolstered its its 44th day yesterday as using more AUVs in the search. military surveillance capabili- Australian search officials said After almost two months ties in the southern island region a crucial series of sonar scans of without a sign of wreckage, the of Okinawa over the weekend, the Indian Ocean floor could be current underwater search is reports said, as territorial ten- completed within a week. centred on an area where one of sions with China simmer. The air, surface and under- four acoustic signals believed to be The nation’s armed forces, water search is now focused on from the plane’s black box record- called the Self-Defence Forces, footage taken by a US Navy deep ers was detected on April 8. launched a squadron of four E-2C sea drone, which has narrowed Weeks of daily sorties have early warning planes at its air base its target range to a tight 10km failed to turn up any trace of the in Naha on the main Okinawan circle of sea floor. plane, even after narrowing the island Sunday, the Jiji and Kyodo The Bluefin-21 autonomous search to an arc in the southern news agencies reported. underwater vehicle (AUV) has Indian Ocean, making this the This is the first time such spent the past week scour- most expensive such operation in planes have been based on the ing the remote and largely aviation history. island. At the inauguration cer- unmapped stretch of ocean floor Hopes for further black box emony in Naha, Defence Minister Filipino firefighters spray water as a huge fire rages through a slum area in Manila yesterday. Almost 1,000 some 2,000km northwest of the signals are fast diminishing, Itsunori Onodera said Japan faced families were affected by the fire. Australian city of Perth for signs since the black box batteries are a “dangerous situation” as China’s of the plane, which disappeared now two weeks past their 30-day continual attempts to “change the on March 8 with 239 people on expected life span, search officials status quo by force and threaten board. have said. the rule of law could trigger emer- The remote controlled subma- But while the Bluefin-21’s tar- gencies,” Kyodo News reported. Khaleda Zia forced to Militants free rine is now in its eighth deep sea get range has narrowed, the air “The squadron was newly mission with no sign of wreckage and surface search continues una- established to firmly defend our so far. The drone has searched bated, with daily sorties a week country’s territorial land, sea and kidnapped about half its targeted area, the after Australian search coordi- air,” he told reporters afterwards, wait for trial decision authorities said yesterday. nator retired Air Chief Marshal according to Jiji Press. The Malaysian government Angus Houston said the air and Japan’s air force possesses DHAKA: Bangladesh opposi- Salim said. Zia’s lawyers have engineer in has said the search is at a “very surface component of the search 13 E-2C airborne early warn- tion leader Khaleda Zia was called the charges politically critical juncture” and asked for would end within three days. ing planes at the Misawa base in given a short reprieve yester- motivated, aimed at keeping her prayers for its success. Malaysian REUTERS northern Japan. Four of these have day, with a court postponing a out of politics and destroying her Philippines been transferred to the Naha base. decision on whether to halt her Bangladesh Nationalist Party The number of personnel there will embezzlement trial that could (BNP), which has vowed to top- MANILA: Suspected Islamist be doubled to about 130 by March see her jailed for life if convicted. ple the government of arch rival militants have freed a Filipino 2015. Japan scrambled fighter The former two-time premier Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. engineer they abducted in the jets against approaching Chinese lodged a last-minute legal bid to Zia was indicted just weeks after southern Philippines 53 days aircraft 415 times in the year to try to stop the trial which had been Hasina was re-elected in a January ago, the military said yesterday. March 2014, up from 306 times in scheduled to start today, after she 5 general election which the centre- Bonifacio Salinas was seized by the preceding year, Jiji said citing was indicted on charges of embez- right BNP and its 18 allies boycotted alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf defence ministry statistics. zling more than $650,000. and denounced as a farce. Police group on the volatile southern On Saturday, a ceremony was The High Court in Dhaka had detained thousands of opposition island of Jolo in February along held to start building a radar sur- been expected to rule yester- officials and supporters and charged with his wife, Claire, who was freed veillance unit on Yonaguni, Japan’s day on whether the trial should many more during and after the a month later. westernmost island, despite pro- proceed in a separate court. But election, which was the bloodiest in Local military spokesman tests from islanders fearing the instead it said it would announce the country’s short history. Captain Ryan Lacuesta said the unit will trigger attacks, the reports its decision on Wednesday. Zia’s lawyers argued in the High gunmen released Salinas on a said. Yonaguni lies around 150km “We expected an order today. Court that she has been charged mountainous roadside on Saturday southwest of the Tokyo-controlled But the court heard arguments unlawfully and sought a court night. “He was instructed to walk The Phoenix Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Artemis beginning its Senkaku islands which China also of both sides and has now set order to stop the trial, which was towards the direction of the Jolo dive in search for the missing flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean. claims and calls the Diaoyus. Wednesday for an order,” deputy set to start in a special anti-cor- airport. He met some civilians on AFP attorney general Mohammad ruption court in Dhaka. AFP his way who helped him contact the Marines brigade headquarters,” Lacuesta said. “Engineer Salinas has been reu- nited with his family,” Lacuesta said. He said it “there is no infor- mation” on whether a ransom was Nepal calls off search for missing guides on Everest paid, or who the abductors were. Salinas could not be reached for KATHMANDU: Nepal yes- been unable to identify the loca- chunks and barrelling down help and trudging through snow Buddhist flags, in line with local comment. terday called off the search for tion of bodies and at this stage into the icefall, one of the most to rescue stranded colleagues. “We customs which consider Mount Kidnappings in the region have local guides still missing after it is difficult to find them in the dangerous areas en route to the could see hands, legs and bags Everest to be sacred. been largely blamed on the Abu the deadliest accident on Mount snow,” tourism ministry official summit. above the snow,” Sherpa said. “We basically ask the mountain Sayyaf, a small gang of self-styled Everest killed 13 colleagues, as Dipendra Paudel said. A guide on the mountain Joe Kluberton, Everest for permission to climb, we don’t Islamic militants founded in the climbers recalled the terrifying The guides were among a large recalled how, moments after the Basecamp Manager for cross base camp until we finish 1990s with seed money from Al moments when the avalanche hit. party that left Everest’s base avalanche struck, he and oth- Seattle-based Alpine Ascents the puja (prayer),” he said. Qaeda, according to the police and Rescuers have retrieved the camp before dawn, carrying tents, ers spent hours digging through International, said the local and Two young members of the the military. The group of about bodies of 13 sherpa guides and food and ropes to prepare routes snow, pulling out bodies and res- foreign guides’ speedy response team, Nima Sherpa and Mingma 300 militants operates out of jungle plucked another nine to safety for international clients before cuing injured colleagues. “We saved at least three lives. “We Nuru Sherpam who lost their terrain on Jolo and nearby islands. since an ice and snow avalanche the main climbing season starts heard a roar and when we looked got nine men off the mountain lives in the accident, had recently Local armed forces have been smashed into their expedition on later this month. up we saw a massive ball of snow including three who were criti- been promoted to climbing guides hunting them down with aid from Friday morning on the world’s The avalanche hit them at coming towards us,” said Namgyal cally injured and needed imme- after spending four years working US military intelligence, but the highest peak. an altitude of about 19,000 feet Sherpa, who was climbing the ice- diate medical attention,” said at base camp. group has managed to survive by Authorities have ruled out any in an area nicknamed the “pop- fall when the accident happened. Kluberton, whose team lost four The disaster underscores the hiding among remote poor com- hope of finding more survivors, corn field” due to ice boulders on “My first thought was we were sherpas in the accident with huge risks borne by local guides munities that for years have been and with bad weather hamper- the route, which leads into the all going to die,” the 38-year-old another still missing. who ascend the icy slopes, often fertile grounds for recruitment. An ing efforts, they have now decided treacherous Khumbu Icefall. guide, who has summited the Just 24 hours before the acci- in pitch-dark and usually weighed Abu Sayyaf unit early this month to end the search for the three Dozens of guides were on the peak 11 times, said. Moments after dent, Kluberton’s team had held a down by tents, ropes and food for raided a dive resort across the sea guides thought still buried. move when a huge block of ice climbers heard the sound of crash- day-long prayer ceremony at base their foreign clients, who pays border in Sabah, Malaysia, and “We have decided to stop the broke off from a hanging gla- ing ice, they sprang into action, camp, asking priests to bless their tens of thousands of dollars to kidnapped a Chinese tourist and a search for the missing. We have cier, before splitting into smaller calling helicopter companies for climbing gear and putting up climb the mountain. AFP Filipina resort worker. AFP MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Abdullah widens lead in Afghan vote Results based on 50pc of the vote out of 34 provinces show Abdullah in lead with 44.4pc

KABUL: Former foreign min- Final results are due on May 14, years in power, at a time when made security a top priority. on Sunday that 100,000 votes ister Abdullah Abdullah’s lead and a run-off, if needed, will take Afghanistan readies to stand on Official estimates put the turnout from 27 polling stations have been in the Afghan presidential race place in late May. its own feet as most Western at 60 percent of 12 million eligible invalidated. has widened, the latest official A run-off is seen as a risky troops prepare to leave the coun- voters. But as many as 18 million More incidents of serious fraud tally of votes released yester- proposition in Afghanistan, given try by the end of the year. voter cards are in circulation. have been reported in this month’s day showed, although half of the security concerns, the prospect of Western powers are watch- Evidence of widespread fraud vote than in the previous ballot of votes have yet to be counted. a low turnout and the cost — the ing the process intently after a has taken some of the gloss off the 2009, threatening to undermine Afghanistan’s Independent bill for the first round was put at messy presidential election in third presidential election since the legitimacy of an election Election Commission said initial more than $100m. 2009 resulted in allegations of US-led forces drove the Taliban meant to usher in Afghanistan’s results based on almost 50 per- But Abdullah dismissed the mass fraud and ballot stuffing. from power in 2001. first democratic transfer of power. cent of the vote out of the total 34 idea of deal-making to avoid Foreign donors, who are hesi- Over a million votes are likely Abdullah conceded that fraud provinces showed Abdullah in the another round of voting. “The tant about bankrolling the Afghan to be thrown out, and election was a worry, but said the vote lead with 44.4 percent, followed idea of coalition building in order government after the bulk of Nato officials have also warned that was much cleaner than the 2009 by ex-world bank official Ashraf to avoid a second round is not on troops leaves, will also closely the high incidence of fraud could ballot. A trained ophthalmologist Ghani with 33.2 percent of the the agenda, at least we are not scrutinise the composition of the delay the entire election process. turned anti-Soviet resistance votes it said were not fraudulent. intending to enter that track,” he country’s future government to “High ranking officials all the fighter, Abdullah quit the last “The lead we were expecting, it said. “The people of Afghanistan decide if they can work with the way from governors to MPs were election after complaining the didn’t come as a surprise, but per- deserve to have a clear outcome.” new team. involved in ballot stuffing,” Gul poll was marred by massive bal- haps we were expecting a bigger He said he had spoken with Afghanistan’s allies hailed the Agha Sherzai, one of the nine lot box stuffing. He had been due lead,” Abdullah told Reuters in an Zalmay Rassoul, running in third first round on April 5 a success candidates and former governor to contest a second round run- interview at his home here. “We place with nearly 11 percent of because of the high number of of Kandahar, said. “District com- off against Karzai. While yester- are still hoping the elections will the vote, as the likelihood rises participants and the fact that manders, police officials, everybody day’s count delivered good news be completed in the first round.” of them joining forces to defeat Taliban militants didn’t stage any was involved — the previous elec- for Abdullah, Ghani will be disap- Afghan presidential candidate To win, a candidate must Ghani in a second round. big attacks on polling day. tion, nothing like this happened.” pointed. A week earlier Abdullah Abdullah Abdullah during an secure more than 50 percent of Hamid Karzai was constitu- All leave for hundreds of thou- In Herat province alone, the had 41.9 percent of the vote and valid ballots. Failing that, the top tionally bound to step down as sands of police and soldiers was head of provincial election com- Ghani had 37.6 percent. interview in Kabul yesterday. two candidates go into a run-off. president after more than 12 cancelled as the government plaints commission told Reuters REUTERS

3G, 4G use may cost Pakistan to negotiate LNG Pakistanis more supply pact

ISLAMABAD: While debate customers first. Prepaid custom- on the introduction of next ers would be offered the facility with Qatar generation mobile phone tech- in the second phase. nology is centered on what the For consumers, the auction will ISLAMABAD: As the cabinet government stands to gain from not immediately translate into has finally accorded approval to the auction of licences, few real- the advent of 3G connectivity on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) ise what the advent of 3G and their mobile phones. In fact, the terminal services agreement 4G will mean for consumers in timeframe agreed upon between with Elengy Terminal Pakistan Pakistan, who currently enjoy the Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd (ETPL), the Ministry connectivity at some of the low- Authority (PTA) and mobile of Petroleum and Natural est rates in the world. operators envisions 3G roll out Resources is weighing two pos- The next-generation technology within six months of the auction. sible options before clinching is not cheap and cellular provid- In the first phase, services gas supply deals. ers will hike tariffs once 3G and will be available in Islamabad, The ministry is planning to 4G networks are up and running. Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and negotiate an LNG supply agree- However, amid fierce competition, Quetta and later on in other cities ment with Qatar on a state-to- none of the bidders is talking about from each of the four provinces. state basis as well as float tenders the expected cost to customers. The second phase, which will for LNG import through com- But nearly all operators agree start a year and a half after the petitive bidding, sources say. The that for those who opt in for the auction, envisions the expansion of cabinet in a meeting gave its seal 3G, 4G experience, phone bills 3G services to about 80 more cities. of approval to the LNG services will go up. For example, it costs In the third phase, which will begin agreement signed between Sui Rs17-Rs20 to download 1MB about four years from now, 90 per A policeman stands near the damaged passenger bus at an accident site in Sukkur yesterday. Southern Gas Company (SSGC) worth of data on the current 2G cent of all tehsil headquarters will and ETPL, paving the way for gas networks. While the experience have access to 3G services. purchase from Qatar. will be faster, costs for download- 4G, on the other hand, is According to officials, a ing the same amount of data on a expected to roll out in fif teen cit- Bus crash kills 42 in Sindh Pakistani delegation will visit 3G network will be nearly three ies nearly a year after the auction. Doha soon to discuss the LNG times greater. It will expand coverage to another KARACHI: A speeding pas- police official, said: “Most of the was killed on the spot while the price. Officials of the petroleum Telecom experts say that cel- 80 cities two and a half years senger bus smashed into a trac- passengers were trapped between driver of the tractor-trailer sus- ministry have suggested that a lular service providers will either down the line. More remote areas tor-trailer in southern Pakistan their seats, we rescued them by tained serious injuries. market survey should be con- have to take a hit on their profits will have to wait nearly five years yesterday, killing 42 people cutting the bus body with metal Shah confirmed that over ducted to assess LNG prices in or pass on the added cost to con- for 4G to become operational. including 14 children and injur- cutters.” speeding by the bus was the cause the world market before flying to sumers. ‘Of course, they will have One of the major developments ing more than a dozen others He said the speeding bus was of the accident. Most of the 17 Qatar. This could ensure a best tostrike a balance. It may be pru- associated with this next genera- with many in critical condition, trying to overtake the tractor- injured were in critical condition possible deal for the country. dent to cut freebies and discounts tion technology is the improve- police said. trailer when it veered out of con- and several were transferred to Earlier, Inter State Gas in exchange for better service,‘ a ment of internet penetration in Several passengers were trol. The collision was so severe, a hospital in Karachi after initial Systems (ISGS), a state-owned telecom professional said. the rural areas of the country. trapped inside the pink bus that he added, that 25 passengers died treatment in Sukkur. company formed to deal with Convener of the Internet Next door in Afghanistan, 3G was left badly mangled after the on the spot. Pakistan has one of the world’s gas import projects, and SSGC Service Providers Association of internet services connect its most high-speed crash in the town of The dead included six members worst records for fatal traffic had made efforts to implement Pakistan (Ispak) Wahaj-us-Siraj remote parts to the rest of the Sukkur, 425km north of Karachi of a 10-member family who were accidents due to poor roads, badly the LNG terminal deal within a said the mobile broadband serv- world. But in Pakistan, that will in the province of Sindh. travelling on the bus to visit their maintained vehicles and reckless six-month period. However, the ices would cost far more than not happen for at least four years. Excavators were used to pull relatives in Karachi. driving. previous government had failed those currently available DSL, A PTA official said there were the tractor-trailer from the bus, “We were ten members of one Sixteen people were killed and to do so during its entire tenure fibre-optic or Wimax. The amount security concerns regarding the as rescuers struggled to pull out family. Six of them died,” said 49 injured when an overloaded of five years. of data that could be transferred expansion of 3G and 4G services the stranded passengers. One eye- 18-year-old Maryam Bibi, weep- truck crashed into a ravine ear- The petroleum ministry also over the network would also be to the more remote parts of the witness said he saw several pas- ing. Bibi survived the crash along lier this month in the central supported the gas companies limited. country, adding that most service sengers pleading for help. with her six-year-old brother. province of Punjab. A collision in reaching the LNG deal with A source in one of the mobile providers would need some time “They were screaming and The dead included 14 children between two buses and a petrol ETPL, a pilot project that would companies said initially the 3G to develop technical infrastruc- shouting: ‘save us, save us’,” he and 13 women, said Fida Hussain tanker killed 35 people in south- open Pakistan’s LNG market for and 4G services might be of fered ture in such areas. told reporters. Shah, a senior Sukkur police west Pakistan in late March. international players, officials said. to corporate clients and post-paid INTERNEWS Muhammad Faisal, a senior officer, adding that the bus driver AFP During talks in Islamabad in January this year, Qatar offered to revise the price downward for LNG export in a proposed government- to-government arrangement that would help ease energy shortages. These preliminary talks were held Pakistan commission to probe attack on journalist between a delegation of Qatargas and senior officials of the Ministry of ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s gov- of thousands of people in the res- Petroleum and Natural Resources, ernment yesterday announced tive southwestern province of ISGS, SSGC and Pakistan State Oil. a special commission to inves- Baluchistan. Earlier, during meetings with tigate an attack on a prominent Amir Mir, brother of Hamid officials of the previous PPP-led television anchor which his and also a journalist, on Saturday government, Qatar set LNG price brother blamed on the country’s accused the powerful Inter at 14.7 percent of Brent crude oil powerful spy agency. Services Intelligence (ISI) agency rate when it was hovering around Hamid Mir, who hosts a popu- of responsibility for the attack, say- $110 per barrel in the interna- lar talk show on Pakistan’s Geo ing the wounded television anchor tional market. News channel, came under fire on had felt threatened beforehand. Later, Doha pushed the price Saturday while travelling in a car Last year police defused a bomb down to $17.437 per million metric to his office in Karachi. Four gun- planted under Hamid Mir’s car British thermal units (mmbtu), a men on motorbikes shot at him before it could go off. The mili- 0.5 per cent discount over the pre- and he was hit by three bullets, tary in a statement on Saturday vious rate of $18.002 per mmbtu but survived. described the accusations against for the 20-year lifetime of the The office of Prime Minister the ISI as baseless and “condemned project. The price did not cover Nawaz Sharif said a three-member the incident and demanded an capital cost of LNG terminal and judicial commission would be set independent inquiry”. its charges, import expenses, re- up to investigate. It announced a Shahidullah Shahid, main gasification, wastage and ship- reward of Rs10 million ($102,745) spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban ping costs. The additional costs for any information leading to the Pakistan, denied any role in the will add about $2.084 per mmbtu arrest of the attackers. attack on Hamid Mir despite call- to the quoted price. Pakistan is Mir has long been a critic of ing him “secular and an active interested in importing two bil- the country’s powerful intelli- propagandist against Taliban lion cubic feet per day in the next gence agencies and military for after attack on Malala”. two-and-a-half years. Media representatives protest against the attack on journalist Hamid Mir, in Islamabad, yesterday. their alleged role in the abduction AFP INTERNEWS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Only Cong can ensure development: Rahul Congress leader says Modi making false claims

MUMBAI: Lashing out at the “Modi wants Hindus and the poor, he said Modi’s thinking BJP for indulging in divisive Muslims to fight. What hap- was different. politics and misleading the peo- pens after the riots? You, the “He believes that only two- ple, Rahul Gandhi yesterday poor suffer, they go home. We three industrialists should said only the Congress could want everybody to live and work benefit, while the poor should ensure all-round development harmoniously for the country’s remain where they are. He has and progress in the country. progress. That is the difference given away 45,000 acres of land, Addressing his first rally in between them and us,” Gandhi the equivalent of Thane city to a Mumbai at the suburban BKC said. group at Re.1 per square metre. Grounds, Gandhi targeted Claiming that only the This is the Gujarat model of Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime Congress could ensure all-round development,” Gandhi said. ministerial candidate Narendra development of the country with Referring to Modi’s slogan of Modi for making false claims. the fruits of progress reaching “empowering women”, Gandhi said that in Gujarat, women’s phone calls were tapped, while in Congress party vice president Rahul Gandhi addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally in Mumbai. Sonia cancels Maharashtra tour Bangalore BJP workers assaulted women. MUMBAI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday can- “Women in the country are a superpower,” Gandhi said. Bollywood,” Gandhi said. rally came after his mother and celled her day-long tour of Maharashtra, citing health reasons. strong and don’t need any Enumerating the government’s He also said the textile indus- Congress president Sonia Gandhi She was to address three election rallies in the state — first in ‘empowerment’. Just give them achievements, he said that in the try is in doldrums in Gujarat, cancelled her state election tour Dhule, followed by Nandurbar and Mumbai. respect, the rest will automati- 10 years of UPA, food security while the diamond industry is due to ill health. Congress sources said Sonia Gandhi was unwell, but refused to cally follow,” Gandhi said amid was assured to all poor people. facing crisis and one out of every Chief Minister Prithviraj disclose any details. applause. He said the UPA planned to two children is hungry. Chavan, union ministers Party vice president Rahul Gandhi, along with Nationalist He said if the UPA is voted go ahead and give the benefit of “In fact, compared to the NDA, Sushilkumar Shinde, Milind Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, addressed the Mumbai rally. to power, it would first take up all types of expensive surgery to the UPA has constructed three Deora and Rajiv Shukla, city Actor-politician Raj Babbar and union Health Minister Ghulam the issue of 33 percent reser- the deprived sections, guaranteed times more roads, generated two Congress chief J Chandurkar and Nabi Azad addressed the other rallies on her behalf. vation for women, which has housing and jobs to youth, and times more power. But they don’t state Congress chief Manikrao Sonia Gandhi was to address the poll campaign ahead of been stalled by the opposition in uplift the maximum number of see all this development. They Thakre were also present at the Thursday’s election in Mumbai, which is part of the 19 constitu- parliament. poor to the middle class. want the poor to remain where rally. encies going to polls in the third phase in the state. “We shall open 2,000 all- “But, when Modi came to they are, we want the poor to NCP chief Sharad Pawar could IANS women police stations and give Mumbai, he only said there should progress along with the nation,” not make it due to technical 25 percent police jobs to women. be a university for acting. He for- he said. problems in his helicopter. Only then will India become got the poor, only remembered Rahul Gandhi’s unscheduled IANS Remove ‘mother-son’ regime, urges Modi Democracy reaches out BILASPUR/SARGUJA: In a jibe at the Congress chief He accused the Gandhis of had to do a press conference to to lone voter in forest BJP’s prime ministerial can- at Bishrampur in Sarguja dis- cheating the youth by promising say that the PM spoke 1,100 times didate Narendra Modi yester- trict of Chhattisgarh, he said: them jobs and asked people to in 10 years,” he said. AHMEDABAD: He remains voter should have to travel more day hit out at the Congress-led “She tells the people of Amethi to remove the “mother-son” United Later, addressing a rally one of India’s most prized than 2 km to vote,” Junagadh UPA, terming it a “maa betey take care of her son and tells the Progressive Alliance government. through virtual 3D technique, voters. Mahant Bharatdas Collector Alok Kumar Pandey ki sarkar” (a mother-son gov- country ‘My son will take care He said the youth did not get Modi said Congress does not Darshandas is the lone voter in said on phone. ernment) and urged people to of the nation’. A son who could any jobs but the “jijaji” (brother- think about India beyond election. the midst of Gujarat’s Gir for- “Around four-five polling offi- vote them out. not manage Amethi, how will he in-law) got it. “For us, India is the mother- est, home to the Asiatic lion, for cials will travel to Banej on April The Bharatiya Janata Party manage an entire nation?” Modi said the Gandhi duo land but for you it is ‘Mother’s whom an entire election team 29 night carrying with them the leader also accused the Congress Modi also took pot shots at promised to provide jobs to unem- land’. You need to think beyond sets up a polling booth every polling material, including the of using secularism as a tool to Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert ployed youth of Chhattisgarh but elections,” Modi said in an indi- election — and will do so again Electronic Voting Machine. They divert attention away from the Vadra. failed to do so. rect attack on Rahul Gandhi. on April 30. will be accompanied by forest country’s real problems. On allegations of corruption “During the last Lok Sabha He also questioned why big Darshandas, in his early 60s, guards. On April 30 they will set “I talk about ending graft, against Vadra, Modi referred to election, the mother and son gov- leaders of the Congress were not is the lone occupant of a ham- up the polling booth for the single benefitting farmers, protecting a Wall Street Journal report on ernment had promised jobs to 100 willing to contest the election. let called Banej in Gir forest. He voter,” Pandey said. our mothers and sisters, giving Vadra’s sudden rise in wealth million youth but failed to do so. In a comment on safety of has been casting his vote for the Banej falls under Una assembly jobs to the youth, but all they and said: “They spoke about a They cheated (the youth of) the women, Modi said it was the past elections, including the 2004 segment of the Junagadh parlia- talk about is secularism. Why Class 10 pass youth who had only country as well as Chhattisgarh,” government’s duty to protect and 2009 parliamentary elec- mentary constituency. are they not addressing the real Rs100,000 in his pocket and then Modi said in Bilaspur district of women. tions and the 2007 and 2012 state According to Pandey, the poll problems of the country,” Modi went on to own Rs3bn in three Chhattisgarh. “I am not one of those who elections. team will travel in a SUV from asked at a public rally. years. This is the mother-son He also took a dig at the press says your daughter must be home This time too, the Election Una to Banej. “I am thinking of ways to solve model. You heard about 2G, now conference by the prime min- before sunset. The government Commission of India is making Has the polling team ever these problems but the Congress hear about jijaji (brother-in-law). ister’s communications advisor has to protect women, it is a all arrangements to ensure that encountered lions while travel- is busy finding out a solution for Do we have to leave this country Pankaj Pachauri. duty,” he said. Darshandas, a temple priest, ling to Banej? Modi,” he added. in their hands?” “For the first time, the PMO IANS gets to cast his precious single “A couple of forest guards vote. Darshandas lives in Banej always accompany the polling Tirthdham, a pilgrimage spot team. Till date there has been inside the Gir sanctuary and no incident of any wild animals Poll official directs police to file FIR against SP looks after an ancient Shiva tem- attacking the polling team,” Lalit ple there. Padalia, Joint Chief Electoral JAMMU: In a significant devel- Malik, who is also the assist- misbehaved and manhandled the throughout the election process, With the Election Commission Officer of Gujarat, said on phone. opment, a poll official in Jammu ant returning officer (ARO) for undersigned while I was perform- has been creating hindrances in mandating that no voter should Though in the normal course and Kashmir’s Kishtwar dis- poll duties, wrote to the station ing my election duties as ARO the election process. “ordinarily travel more than 2km polling hours extend through the trict yesterday directed the local house officer Kishtwar direct- 51-Kishtwar. He also accused the police chief to reach the booth”, every elec- day, the election team at Banej police to register an FIR against ing him to lodge an FIR against “He also threatened the of misbehaving with him in a tion time a polling team travels would be able to wind up and its district chief for misbehaving Superintendent of Police Sanjay undersigned publicly in front of meeting earlier. around 35 km to reach the ham- return the minute Darshandas with him and thus hindering the Kotwal. more than 200 people at helipad Kishtwar district is part of the let of Banej inside the Gir forest, has pressed the EVM button poll process. “You are hereby directed to Kishtwar while I was receiving the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, which located in Junagadh district. and his finger is marked with the Additional District Magistrate, lodge an FIR against Sanjay polling staff and election material,” went to polls on April 17. “We are only following the EC indelible ink, said Pandey. Kishtwar, Muhammad Hanief Kotwal, SP Kishtwar, as he has wrote Malik, adding that Kotwal, IANS guidelines, which has said that no IANS

Modi gets fewer Call for boycott Jaya Bachchan to campaign votes than Kejriwal in Time poll against Amar Singh NEW DELHI: BJP prime min- AGRA: All major political par- than four hours, he decided to isterial candidate Narendra ties are now focusing on the postpone the rallies to yesterday. Modi has polled far fewer pop- seventh phase of Lok Sabha Amar Singh, in the past few ular votes than AAP leader elections on April 24 for 117 con- days, has been holding roadshows Arvind Kejriwal in a Time 100 stituencies in 12 states, with a with film stars like Jaya Prada, list of the most influential peo- dozen seats in Uttar Pradesh. Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Raza ple in the world live poll as of According to the revised poll Murad and Asrani. He has a few late yesterday. campaign schedule of Samajwadi more movie actors lined up in the The voting closes tomorrow and Party, Uttar Pradesh Chief run-up to the April 24 polls. the final result will be announced Minister Akhilesh Yadav was to “After (BSP supremo) on April 24. address two rallies in Fatehabad Mayawati’s huge public rally in The person topping the list was and Etmadpur yesterday, along Agra, where she appealed to Dalits US actress Katy Perry, followed by with film actress Jaya Bachchan. and Muslims to close ranks and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Jaya, who is a Rajya Sabha ensure victory of party candidate Arvind Kejriwal, who had as many member of the SP, has been invited Seema Upadhyaya, who trounced ‘Yes’ votes as her and fewer ‘No’s. by the Samajwadi Party to address Raj Babbar (of the Congress) last Modi was at ninth spot, below a meeting from the Fatehpur Sikri time, the support for the BSP popular singer Beyonce KNowles rural seat, from which RLD can- appears to have consolidated,” said and actor Benedict Cumberbatch. didate Amar Singh is contesting. Ved Gautam, a tourist guide. Her However, a tweet showing the It was Amar Singh who, as the emotional “Dalit ke beti for PM” graph and the number of ‘No’ then high-profile party general appeal has touched many voters, votes for Modi had his fans swing- secretary, inducted Jaya Bachchan he added. ing into action, with many voting into the Samajwadi Party and The BJP’s Choudhary Babu ‘Yes’ and urging others on twitter made her a Rajya Sabha mem- Lal, Samajwadi Party’s Pakshalika to do likewise. ber. While he left the party later Singh and Laxmi Choudhary of By late last night, Kejriwal had following differences with party the Aam Aadmi Party are also in nearly 87 percent people voting chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Jaya the fray from Fatehpur Sikri. ‘Yes’ and just 13 percent saying refused to part company with it. Bharatiya Janata Party presi- ‘No’. On Saturday, bad weather dent Rajnath Singh will address In comparison, Modi had over Policemen scuffle with Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) activists in Srinagar on Saturday night during forced cancellation of Akhilesh’s rallies in Anwal Kheda and 62 percent voting ‘No’ and nearly a rally against the general elections. JKLF and several other separatist organisations have jointly appealed rallies in Jalesar and Etmadpur Kheragarh, before he moves on to ‘38’ percent voting ‘Yes’. to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to boycott the parliamentary elections. in the Agra region. After waiting Firozabad for campaigning. IANS at the Lucknow airport for more IANS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Veteran campaigner BJP questions BJP distances Congress commitment itself from to Assam GUWAHATI: BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad yesterday questioned the sincerity of the Congress-led government at the Giriraj remark Centre and in Assam towards development, saying no major industry was set up in the state in the last 10 years. Congress, JD-U move poll panel “Manmohan Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam NEW DELHI/PATNA: The He alleged that Pakistan was since 1991, has been prime minis- BJP yesterday distanced itself trying to stop Modi from becom- ter for the last 10 years, and Tarun from party leader Giriraj ing the prime minister, and some Gogoi the chief minister for the Singh’s remark that Pakistan in India are acting at its behest. last 12 years. I want to ask Gogoi is the place for those opposing “There are many powerful why not a single industry was set its prime ministerial candidate countries that don’t want Modi up in the state in the last 10 years,” Narendra Modi, while opposing to become the prime minister. the Bharatiya Janata Party leader parties like the Congress, JD-U Pakistan is one of them... they said at a press conference here. and RJD slammed the com- have been trying to destabilise “No major power project was ment. The defiant leader, how- India with terror acts,” the BJP set up in the last 10 years even ever, refused to apologise. leader told reporters. though Assam has been reeling The Congress, in a strong “I said there are powers in under severe power crisis,” he said. attack, questioned whether India which are pro-Pakistan... The prime minister has adopted Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who shelter terrorists and don’t a stepmotherly attitude towards like L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj want Modi to become the prime Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally Assam despite being a Rajya and Murli Manohar Joshi, who minister. They consider Pakistan in the western city of Ahmedabad yesterday. Sabha member from the state for allegedly oppose Modi, would their mentor,” he said. over 24 years, he said. also be sent to Pakistan. Both BJP spokesperson Nirmala “I have seen Gogoi often talking Congress and the Janata Dal- Sitharaman said “the party about the Gujarat model of devel- United filed complaints against clearly distances itself from the opment. I would like to tell the the BJP leader with the Election statement”. chief minister that 24,000 villages Commission. Party leader and former Bihar Azhar batting on difficult pitch in Gujarat have electricity supply Rashtriya Janata Dal chief deputy chief minister Sushil 24x7,” Prasad said. Lalu Prasad said BJP leaders Kumar Modi said in a tweet: TONK: For former Indian Niwai, Khandar and surround- an important factor as the recent “Gujarat also has the lowest have no work except to spread “BJP doesn’t approve of irrespon- cricket captain and Congress ing blocks are thickly populated BJP victory in the assembly polls unemployment rate in the coun- hatred and talk nonsense during sible statement given by Giriraj candidate Mohammad Azhar- with the minority community. The is expected to help him. “There try, has 10 percent agricultural campaigning for the ongoing Lok Singh.” uddin, Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Deoli and Uniara belt consists of are 250,000 Jat, Rajput, Vaish growth, higher than the country’s Sabha polls. Party sources said Rajnath constituency is becoming a dif- Dalit pockets that are traditional and Brahmin voters and 150,000 agricultural growth rate. “People will give them (the Singh also pulled up the Bihar ficult pitch to bat on. Congress voters. Kumawats. Besides getting sup- “One can see the situation here. BJP) a fitting reply by voting legislator and sent a message He is facing a tough contest Sawai Madhopur, Gangapur and port from these communities, Modi has been a chief minister for against them,” he told media per- asking him to refrain from mak- from Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria Bamanwas are Meena and Gujjar- Jaunpuria also hopes to get sup- 12 years, and Gogoi has also been sons in Patna. ing such comments. of the Bharatiya Janata Party, dominated regions where polling is port from some Dalit organisa- CM for over 12 years,” he said. Also in Patna, workers of JD-U Terming it “cheap politics to Jagmohan Meena of the National usually reported in bulk. tions,” said a source. The BJP leader also questioned and RJD burnt effigies of Giriraj get cheap publicity”, Congress People’s Party. and Independent Voters of Tonk and Sawai Jaunpuria is renowned for his Congress chief Sonia Gandhi as to Singh and former BJP presi- spokesperson Meem Afzal said: candidate Makhan Lal Meena. Madhopur this time have lavish lifestyle and he has got a why the Assam government had dent Nitin Gadkari — the lat- “Several BJP leaders like (L K) Tonk, which will go to polls on demanded that the local candi- team of workers canvassing even failed to implement the Assam ter targeted for his remark that Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, April 24 along with four other date get development work going, in remote regions. Accord signed by her late husband “casteism is in Bihar’s DNA”. Sushma Swaraj are all against constituencies in the state, is tra- but both the Congress and the BJP “The Modi wave prevails Rajiv Gandhi in 1985. An FIR for inflammatory Narendra Modi. Will they be sent ditionally a Congress stronghold, have parachuted their nominees strongly in the region,” said a “Tarun Gogoi often appreciates speech was also registered to Pakistan as well?” but development has never really into this constituency. BJP leader. The party is looking Madam Soniaji. One must know against Giriraj Singh at a local “Leaders of other parties, Lalu touched the area. The Congress nominated has at the caste combination and some how many offices and institutes police station in Jharkhand’s Prasad, Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Therefore, voters in the assem- Azharuddin, who won the last Lok percentage of Dalit votes may tilt have been opened in Assam in the Deoghar — where he made the Kumar, Jayalalithaa — will all of bly election switched over to the Sabha election from Moradabad in in his favour. The Toda Rai Singh last 10 years,” he said. remarks at an election rally on them be sent to Pakistan,” Afzal BJP and the party won all eight Uttar Pradesh, and BJP brought block has a dominance of Jats and Stating that the northeast was Saturday. wondered. assembly seats falling within the in Jaunpuria, a Gujjar leader and they came out to support the BJP “top priority” for the BJP, Prasad A day after calling those Congress leader Satyavarat Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha native of Haryana. Azhar faced in the assembly election. said the BJP manifesto has a chap- against Modi “pro-Pakistan” ele- Chaturvedi, newly given charge of constituency. protests by local Muslim organi- Jagmohan Meena of NPP and ter for the northeast. “We are ments, he had said: “Those oppos- Bihar and who arrived in Patna R K Meena, a local resident, sations while some BJP workers Independent Makhan Lal Meena going to take measures to acceler- ing Narendra Modi are looking yesterday, said BJP leaders were said: “We have neither industries did not accept Jaunpuria. are making the contest interesting ate the pace of development in the at Pakistan, and such people will trying to create hatred for polar- nor facilities of good roads or basic There are about 380,000 minor- and the Meena lobby has come out region if our government comes to have place in Pakistan and not in isation of votes. “But people of infrastructure.” ity voters in this constituency, and in support of both of them. power (at the Centre),” he said. India.” Gadkari was also present Bihar are more mature than BJP The constituency requires a lot with about 350,000 Dalits, the Makhan has a hold in “The BJP is fighting this elec- at the rally. leaders,” he said. of development work, he added. Congress is hoping to retain this Bamanwas, Khandar and Sawai tion on the development agenda. Giriraj Singh, who is fighting JD-U state president Vashisht Namo Narain Meena of the seat. Madhopur. “He is known for his Our issues are price rise, infra- the Lok Sabha poll from Nawada Narain Singh said BJP was hell- Congress won this seat in the last Analysts predict that if there social services,” said a voter in structure development etc. The in Bihar, remained defiant yes- bent on dividing the country Lok Sabha election because of the is a good percentage of minority Tonk. Congress has no answer for price terday, repeating more or less along communal lines and its Meena voters’ dominance in the and Dalit votes, things may go in There are over 300,000 Meena rise. So they are trying to polarise the same statement in Bihar’s leaders had been insulting the constituency. favour of the Congress. Otherwise, and more than 200,000 Gujjar vot- this election by playing the secular Bhagalpur constituency during people of Bihar. The constituency has over 1.7 the scene looks bleak for the party. ers in the constituency. and communal card,” he said. campaigning. IANS million voters in which Malpura, For Jaunpuria, the Modi wave is IANS IANS

Govt haste on Lokpal slammed Terror groups pick sophisticated NEW DELHI: Senior BJP stopped immediately, and added “Even now if he tries to act leader Arun Jaitley yester- that the effort of Prime Minister with unholy haste, the entire day said the UPA government’s Manmohan Singh’s office to democratic system of India is Indian-made arms, ammunition “unholy haste” in pushing for convene a meeting of the selec- strong enough not to permit him the appointment of a Lokpal will tion committee for filling up the to succeed. The prime minister NEW DELHI: Terror groups interrogators that they were tak- notoriety as a manufacturing destroy its credibility. vacancies in the search committee has nothing to lose except some in India, like the banned Indian ing the help of local criminals to hub of illegally made sophisticated “It would be a gross politi- “should not be allowed to succeed”. residual creditability,” he added. Mujahideen, are relying more on purchase arms and explosives. arms. cal impropriety and violation of “While Manmohan Singh is “The Lokpal appointment indigenously made weapons and That the IM was beginning The IM terror outfit first came the code of conduct if the UPA now in a retirement mode, he controversy refuses to die. The ammunition, from underground to rely on locally-made weapons to notice 10 years ago when it sent would rush through its appoint- must seriously introspect if this UPA government has framed “arms factories”, rather than first came to light in 2011 after an e-mail after the 2007 serial ment at this stage. Besides this, unholy haste in pushing the Lokpal rules under the Lokpal Act. The smuggling them in from abroad. the arrest of an IM terrorist from bombings in judicial courts at the procedure is legally suspect. on the eve of certain departure rules prima facie run contrary to Top Indian Mujahideen opera- Delhi and the recovery of two Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow Such unholy haste will destroy is implemented, he will only be the Act. This is already a subject tives Tehsin Akhtar and Waqas, sophisticated pistols from him. claiming responsibility for the the credibility of the Lokpal even remembered as a prime minister matter of a challenge before the who were arrested last month A year later, two IM operatives, blasts, which killed 18 people. The before it is formed,” Jaitley wrote who subverted institutions at the Supreme Court,” Jaitley wrote on along with three other aides from Asad and Firoz, were arrested and IM is believed to be a byproduct of on his blog. behest of his party leadership,” his blog. the India-Nepal border, have found to be carrying two sophis- the banned SIMI, another indig- He said the procedure should be Jaitley wrote. IANS revealed to Delhi Police that they ticated country-made pistols, the enous terror group, and Pakistan- relied on local markets to procure sources added. based terror groups like the LeT their arms and ammunition, an Police officers believe that and the Jaish-e-Mohammed. official has said. strict vigilance of the security After the 2007 terror bombings, Easter service Special Commissioner of Police forces along the Indian border the IM started forming sleeper S N Srivastava said that the IM areas is another contributory cells by motivating Indian Muslim has begun to rely on what is called factor. Earlier, AK-47s, hand gre- youth for jihad. in local parlance as ‘country-made nades and other weapons were The sleeper cells operate in weapons’ to keep off the radar of easily transferred to India due different states and take orders security agencies. to porosity of the Pakistani and from their overseas “command- “Earlier, members of SIMI Bangladeshi border areas. ers” for undertaking bombings (Students Islamic Movement of Local criminals procure the or terror attacks, another senior India), Lashkar-e-Taiba and other weapons from suppliers, who in officer said. Kashmir-based terror groups used turn get it from underground The Delhi Police Special Cell, to procure arms and ammunition arms factories. They deliver the a specialised unit to counter from overseas. But the IM has consignments to IM terrorists as terrorism, has claimed to have changed its strategy,” Srivastava per their demands, said an officer. busted many such IM modules, said. Delhi Police have spotted such including the Uttar Pradesh, “The IM men are able to easily underground factories mostly in Bihar-Jharkhand, Maharashtra, get country-made weapons from Bihar, Jharkhand and some parts Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya local criminals. This strategy also of western Uttar Pradesh. Pradesh modules — and most puts them at a low risk of arrest,” “The supply of weapons to IM recently the Rajasthan one. said the officer. terrorists is a nexus between sup- In the past 13 years, the Special Another officer said that Tehsin pliers and local criminals,” said a Cell has made a sizable haul of and Waqas were adept at putting police officer. arms and weapons from ter- together explosives for the ter- Delhi Police officials also said ror groups. They included nine ror group. The IM members that illegally made weapons AK-56s, five AK-47s, 32 pistols, were carrying 70 bombs, which sourced from these hidden facto- three revolvers, 1,503 live car- they were planning to use to mar ries used to be delivered to West tridges, 89 kg of RDX, 70 hand Youth carry trays of fruit as offerings during a prayer service on Easter Sunday in a church in Agartala, capital the Lok Sabha elections. The Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai grenades, 558 detonators and 25 of the northeastern state of Tripura, yesterday. arrested IM operatives, all part and some parts of south India. timers. of the Rajasthan module, told Munger in Bihar is gaining IANS

MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Fans go gaga News in Numbers QATAR TRADING over McCartney ECONOMICS CHART: 3 Fajr (Dawn) 3:47 at Uruguay Shorook (Sunrise) 5:07 Zuhr (Noon) 11:33 stadium show Asr (Afternoon) 3:02 MONTEVIDEO: Ex-Beatle Sir Maghrib (Sunset) 6:00 Paul McCartney wowed fans Isha (Night) 7:30 at an Uruguay concert late on Saturday, performing classics from his long career and daz- zling the crowd with his rendi- WEATHER tion of “Let It Be”. McCartney opened the Montevideo show — part of the Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: “Out There” world tour — with Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Clear “Eight Days a Week,” a 1964 Hazy and partly Beatle hit released long before cloudy. many of the audience members GDP ANNUAL GROWTH RATE were born. High: 36° High: 34° High: 33° But age was not a factor as Low: 27° Low: 27° Low: 27° “Macca,” now 71, belted out dec- The annual growth rate in Gross Domestic Product measures the increase ades-old hits like in the good old days with George, John and Ringo. in value of the goods and services produced by an economy over the Sir Paul also played post-Beatle period of a year. Therefore, unlike the commonly used quarterly GDP songs from the 1970s when he was DOHA - SUN & SEA with the band Wings, hits from growth rate, the annual GDP growth rate takes into account a full year of SUN TIDE SEA the solo period that followed, economic activity, thus, avoiding the need to make any type of seasonal and tunes from his latest album, WIND SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW “New” (2013). adjustment. 05:07 18:00 08:15 & 22:00 04:45 & 14:00 05-15 KT But it was the Beatle songs Percent Change in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the 1960s like “Blackbird,” THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW “Yesterday” and “Helter Skelter” ACTUAL PREVIOUS HIGHEST LOWEST FORECAST DATES UNIT FREQUENCY that sent the crowd into a frenzy. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER 5.60 6.90 32.90 -15.30 4.35 | 2013/12 2004 - 2013 PERCENT QUARTERLY The stadium lit up with flashes MUSCAT 33/25 Clear 33/27 Partly cloudy from cell phones and personal MAKKAH 38/26 Mostly cloudy 37/24 Clear cameras when McCartney sang the 1970 Beatle classic “Let It Be.” 32.9 32.9 KUWAIT 39/28 Partly cloudy 38/25 Partly cloudy  The legendary band broke up in BAHRAIN 38/21 Partly cloudy 39/24 Partly cloudy 29.3 28.7 that same year.  SANAA 29/13 Mostly cloudy 29/12 Partly cloudy Two determined female fans  RIYADH 35/25 Mostly cloudy 37/26 Mostly cloudy managed to get onstage for a 21.1 20.6 DUBAI 34/25 Partly cloudy 36/27 Partly cloudy signature from the rock great.  BAGHDAD 36/22 Chance of storm 34/21 Partly cloudy McCartney also honoured the  14.4 request of a loud front-row fan by 10.7 THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW playing “One after 909,” a lesser-  6.9 7.5 7.5 6.1 6.9 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER known song from the “Let it Be” 5. 8 5.2 5.7 5.6 album.  ATHENS 20/11 Chance of rain 26/17 Mostly cloudy More than 45,000 people  WASHINGTON 20/11 Partly cloudy 26/10 Showers crammed into the Centenario -0.9 SYDNEY 25/16 Cloudy 25/16 Partly cloudy football stadium — built to host  LONDON 19/11 Rain 19/11 Mostly cloudy the 1930 World Cup, which PARIS 18/11 Cloudy 21/14 Mostly cloudy Uruguay won — to enjoy the  ISTANBUL 21/13 Clear 21/13 Partly cloudy concert.  MANILA 35/24 Partly cloudy 35/26 Partly cloudy Just before the concert a video -15.3 -15.3 DHAKA 42/27 Partly cloudy 43/27 Clear was released featuring Luis   DELHI 35/23 Partly cloudy 36/24 Partly cloudy Suarez, the Uruguayan football   ISLAMABAD 29/19 Mostly cloudy 31/18 Partly cloudy star and Liverpool player, inter- Source : http://www.tradingeconomics.com viewing McCartney. AFP Music festival package tours sound melodious LONDON: First there were 18-30-style festival getaway in survey, 20pc of festival-goers Sziget in Budapest has linked up trip far more straightforward cash machines and flushing their search for sun, sea... and bought everything in one pack- with B.my.Lake in the Hungarian than finding her own accommo- toilets, then came “glamping” loud music. age in 2013, but 95pc would like countryside. dation. “The festival organisers do (glamorous camping). Now “The European scene is boom- to do so this year. “The indus- BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong everything for you. It’s cheaper, music festivals, once edgy cel- ing and young people are realising try is very healthy, and package recently launched his own pack- and you don’t have to worry ebrations of youthful counter- you can go to a festival abroad and trips are more popular than ever,” age trip, All Gone To Sea, a four- about airport transfers,” she said. culture, have been embraced by get your flights, airport trans- said Barri Coen, head of market- day, all-star Caribbean cruise. “When it comes to proper holi- the travel industry and are being fers and ticket for around £350 ing at Festicket. “The trend is He said: “The idea of a cruise has days, I like to do things my way. offered as package holidays. — the same as a trip to Reading towards smaller, boutique festi- always appealed to me. I love the But in terms of festivals, where European music festivals are [the music festival in south-east vals, and people are increasingly camaraderie and sense of family your only focus is the music and now a rite of passage for many England] or Glastonbury [the tieing them in with their summer that grows out of having a group having fun, why wouldn’t you young people — in the same way festival in south-west England],” holiday plans. We’ve seen a huge of like-minded music lovers come want to make your journey and that Ibiza was for a generation in said Dermot O’Flynn, director of increase in the number of people together. We’re going to recreate stay cheaper and easier?” the late 80s and early 90s — and the Eufest travel company, which booking hotels or apartments.” that familial vibe, but with the Others, however, see festivals Queen Elizabeth with dance music dominating the is selling twice as much apart- Festivals themselves are offer- world’s best DJs, island parties as passe, and package trips as just airwaves for the first time in more ment accommodation in Croatia ing joint ticket packages. Exit in and an amazing boat.” another step in the corporatisa- portrait released than a decade, young crowds are as it did last summer. Serbia has combined with Sea Daisy Cantalmessa, 27, from tion of youth culture. increasingly choosing the Club According to a recent Festicket Dance festival in Montenegro, and Reading, finds booking a package THE GUARDIAN on 88th birthday LONDON: A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, taken by Parachuting on water David Bailey, has been released to mark her 88th birthday today, with the renowned pho- Nintendo’s Game tographer delighting in the “mischievous glint” in her eyes. The black-and-white pho- Boy turns 25 tograph of the smiling mon- arch was taken in March at her TOKYO: Nintendo’s trailblaz- to change their favourite games Buckingham Palace official resi- ing Game Boy marks its 25th on the go just by inserting small dence in London. anniversary today with the cartridges into the device. “I’ve always been a huge fan of portable device’s legacy living Kyoto-based Nintendo, which the queen,” Bailey said. on in cutting-edge smartphone started life as a games card maker “She has very kind eyes with games and among legions of that morphed into a global vid- a mischievous glint. I’ve always nostalgic fans. eogame giant, did not invent port- liked strong women and she is a The Japanese firm released its able gaming. very strong woman.” 8-bit Game Boy on April 21, 1989 But Game Boy’s discount price The monarch is pictured wear- — the same year Soviet troops and popular software blew away ing pearls and a dress by Angela pulled out of Afghanistan, the the competition at the time and Kelly, her personal assistant and Chinese army violently cracked pushed mobile gaming into the senior dresser of 12 years. down on protesters in Tiananmen mainstream. Bailey, 76, has photographed Square and the Berlin Wall fell. “At one point, portable gaming a wide range of people over the Billed as a “handy game was synonymous with the Game decades, including actors, writers, machine”, few knew it would Boy,” said Serkan Toto, a Tokyo- musicians, film-makers, design- turn the console-based industry based games industry consultant ers, models, artists and people on its head, starting a revolu- “It laid the foundation for what encountered on his travels. tion that did for portable gaming we call portable gaming today, The picture was commissioned what Sony’s Walkman had done regardless of whether it is console as part of a British government for mobile music. or smartphone games, because marketing campaign dubbed It also helped turn Super the basic concept is the same... “GREAT”, aimed at encouraging Mario and Donkey Kong into That’s the legacy of Game Boy.” people around the world to visit, global franchises, allowing users Mobility was crucial, remem- study in and do business with bers one 21-year-old Japanese, if Britain. he wanted to escape his parents’ A Buckingham Palace source wrath. said Queen Elizabeth agreed to “With a standing console I sit for the portrait in recognition needed to play in the living room of the campaign’s work. where my parents were watch- Culture Secretary Sajid Javid ing television — they got angry said the portrait was taken to at me for playing it all the time,” A skier uses a paraglider as he tries to cross a 26-metre long pool of water at the foot of a ski slope at the “showcase everything that is the man, who did not wish to give Bobrovy Log ski resort near Russia’s Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, yesterday. 94 skiers and snowboarders great about the UK to an inter- his name, told AFP as he browsed took part in the anual “Gornoluzhnik” amateur event to mark the end of the ski season at the Siberian resort. national audience”. inside Super Potato. AFP AFP Monday 21 April 2014 21 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6042 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Doha Bank posts QR399m profit Pfizer considers Bank records 22.4 percent growth in assets in the first quarter of 2014 $101bn bid for DOHA: Doha Bank recorded an impressive QR399m net profit for the first quarter of 2014 (Q1, 14), up 1 percent, compared to QR395m for the AstraZeneca same period in 2013. The bank increased its first quarter net LONDON: US pharmaceuti- operating income by 8.5 percent cal giant Pfizer has approached to QR697m. British rival AstraZeneca to pro- Announcing the results yester- pose a £60bn ($101bn) takeover, day Sheikh Fahad bin Mohammad Britain’s Sunday Times reported. bin Jabor Al Thani, the Chairman The paper cited senior invest- of the board of directors of ment bankers and industry Doha Bank, said the total assets sources saying that informal con- increased by QR12.8bn, a growth versations about a deal had taken of more than 22.4 percent to place between the two but that no QR70.1bn from QR57.2bn a year talks were currently under way GlaxoSmithKline have been ago. Net loans and advances after AstraZeneca resisted the mentioned as potential suitors, increased to QR43.4bn from approach. Pfizer and AstraZeneca although GSK has publicly said it QR34.4bn for the same period last both declined to comment. is not interested in making a large year, registering a growth of more (From left) Doha Bank Chairman Sheikh Fahad bin Mohammad bin Jabor Al Thani, Managing Director Sheikh AstraZeneca, Britain’s second- acquisition in recent years. than 26 percent. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed bin Jabor Al Thani and Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman. biggest pharmaceuticals group, AstraZeneca, which announces Customer deposits showed a has been frequently touted as a first quarter results on Thursday, year-on-year increase of 30.9 per- 2014 which is a clear demonstra- “Doha Bank was one of the network infrastructure. This potential takeover target as it has a market valuation of around cent from QR33.2bn to QR43.5bn tion of the effective utilisation of receiving banks for the IPO of agreement will enhance mobil- wrestles with patents expiring on $80bn, compared with Pfizer — reflecting the bank’s strong shareholder’s funds and optimum Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding ity and extend high security a number of best-selling drugs, valued at $193bn, according to liquidity position. asset allocation strategies.” Company. The bank announced protocols, enabling customers leaving future growth uncertain. Thomson Reuters data. Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Highlighting the bank’s per- the 100 percent finance option to complete their transactions Despite these problems, the Earnings at AstraZeneca fell Mohammed bin Jabor Al Thani, formance, Dr R Seetharaman, the for IPO subscribers and their any time, any place, and from company has attracted attention 6 percent in the fourth quarter Managing Director of Doha Bank Group Chief Executive Officer, families. Having concluded 10 any device, with even more ease for experimental cancer drugs it is of 2013, and the drugmaker has said: “The bank has become said: “The year 2013 saw Doha successful years of its unique of access and functionality than developing, which could be inter- said it expects them to keep fall- extremely strong over the years Bank achieving significant mile- savings scheme ‘Al Dana’, Doha ever before.” esting for Pfizer which has faced ing in 2014 as generic competition with total equity, as on March stones through capital enhance- Bank announced an all new prize The bank was named the patent losses of its own, notably to Nexium, its popular heartburn 31, 2014, recording at QR10.6bn, ments, international expansion, structure for Al Dana 2014, which ‘Best Retail Bank in Qatar’ by anti-cholesterol treatment Lipitor. and ulcer drug, takes a big bite out registering an increase of 24.7 introducing innovative prod- is one of the best rewarding sav- The Asian Banker in Sydney. The two firms are familiar with of US profits from late May. percent during the last twelve ucts and services. The bank was ings programme in Qatar. This For demonstrating utmost each other’s products working AstraZeneca has suffered a dry months. Through the strategic highly successful in improvising year the campaign is focusing on commitment for public wel- together on projects such as the period in drug discovery in recent utilisation of the shareholder’s on its performance, innovation, a core customer strategy of ‘Al fare and social consciousness, pioneering of a new kind of clinical years and badly needs to find new funds by way of increasing our and quality as well as exceeding Dana for Everyone’ which means the bank received the ‘Golden trial for cancer drugs announced medicines to replace blockbust- performance levels the return on customer expectations. In the there is something for everyone.” Peacock Global Award 2013 for last week. ers such as Nexium and Crestor, average equity is 17.1 percent as on first quarter of 2014, the general Dr Seetharaman added: Corporate Social Responsibility’. Pfizer could use cash it has a treatment for high cholesterol March 31, 2014 one of the best in assembly approved and distrib- “In its constant endeavour to This was received in addition to accumulated through overseas that will lose patent protection in the industry. The bank, given the uted 45 percent cash dividend to enhance customer experience as ‘Environmental Award’ from The subsidiaries, which if repatriated a few years. scale of operations, has achieved a the shareholders and elected the well as reinforce security, Doha Arab Organisation for Social to the US would be heavily taxed. Pfizer’s last big acquisition was very high return on average assets board members for the next three Bank announced an agreement Responsibility. In the past Swiss drug firm in 2009, when it bought US rival of 2.33 percent as on March 31, years term.” with Ooredoo for upgrading its THE PENINSULA Novartis and larger British peer Wyeth for $68bn. REUTERS

Qatar Rail awards construction, liability insurance to QIC-led body

DOHA: Qatar Railways Construction All Risks and Third by the local players in this major Company (Qatar Rail), the com- Party Liability insurance to Phase insurance programme demon- pany which is overseeing the 1 of Doha Metro Project. strates the strength of the domes- construction of the country’s The other five members of the tic risk cover market and their integrated railway network, consortium are Qatar General potential to make robust contribu- has awarded one of the largest Insurance and Reinsurance tion towards the overall economic ever single project tunnelling Company, Al Khaleej Takaful development,” Saad Al Muhannadi and rail construction insur- Group, Doha Insurance Company, CEO of Qatar Rail said. ance policies to a six-member Qatar Islamic Insurance Company “The national insurance indus- consortium of Qatari National and Al Koot Insurance and try has the capabilities to handle Insurance Companies, led by Reinsurance Company. QFC- large scale projects of any size and Qatar Insurance Company registered companies Doha Bank complexity and provide services (QIC), with additional capacity Assurance Company and SEIB of highest standards to its cli- from international reinsurers Insurance and Reinsurance ents,” said Ali S Al Fadala, Senior and QFC registered insurers. Company also participate on the Deputy Group CEO of QIC Group. This is the largest insurance programme. “We, at Qatar Rail, In total a majority (80 percent) programme on infrastructure believe that a strong public pri- of the risk is retained by domes- in Qatar and one of the largest vate partnership (PPP) will fur- tic insurance companies. The lead risk covers related to railways ther strengthen the domestic reinsurer is, Liberty, (UK), and The signing in ceremony of the deal. ever placed in the world. The economy and our model trans- the broker appointed by Qatar awarding of the contract came lates Qatar National Vision 2030 Rail is Marsh. Prasad Aniyil, CEO Marsh an integral part of Qatar’s over- 48 stations (underground 63 km, after Qatar Rail adopted owner into achievable actions through Jon Marsh, Vice Chairman, Qatar observed, “It was yet all railway network and will rank elevated 48 km and at grade 20 controlled approach to insurance our projects that are essentially Global Construction Practice, said, another opportunity for Marsh to among the most modern and km. The Phase 2 will see the con- procurement, Qatar Rails said based on PPP,” said Abdullah bin “Marsh take great pride in our demonstrate our commitment to advanced integrated railways struction of 100 km(underground here yesterday. Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, the appointment to this prestigious Qatar, its insurance market and network in the world. It is to be 37 km, elevated 53 and at grade The National Insurance Managing Director of Qatar Rail. role, which is the beginning of a sig- the Qatar National Vision 2030.” executed in twin stages with the 10 km) with 44 stations. Consortium will provide “The significant participation nificant partnership and journey.” The 231 km Doha Metro forms Phase 1 involving the 131 km and THE PENINSULA Russia stares at recession as Ukraine crisis scars economy

MOSCOW: Russia looks increasingly States has already prompted a massive Ulyukaev, then revealed that the Russian into a deep slowdown. The uncertainty even more strained and internal factors likely to sink into recession in 2014 capital outflow from Russia in the first economy contracted around 0.5 percent created by Ukraine crisis has prompted a have been exacerbated by a high level as the knock-on effects of its standoff three months of the year. But even before in the first three months of the year, further spike in Russia’s already haemor- of uncertainty on currency and finan- with the West over Ukraine hurt an the crisis erupted, Russian growth was compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. rhaging net capital outflows, which dou- cial markets, serious capital flight, an economy already beset by structural starting to slow due to internal problems, That makes it increasingly likely that bled from a year earlier to $50.6bn in unreadiness by investors to take deci- problems. such as slowing consumer spending, sag- Russia will sink into recession this year, the first quarter. It also faces long-term sions in this acute international situa- Data released over the last week ging investment and weakening demand which is defined as two consecutive quar- structural problems, including a weak tion,” Ulyukaev said. showed that Russian is beginning to suf- for its energy exports. ters of shrinking economic output. private sector in a state-dominated econ- Capital Economics pointed to weaken- fer the effects of the worst East-West Finance Minister Anton Siluanov In an unusually frank public assess- omy, low labour productivity and danger- ing growth in industrial production and political crisis since the Cold War. warned this week that Russia’s economy ment from a Russian minister, Siluanov ous dependence on energy exports, which retail sales in the first quarter, which The threat of economic sanctions from may not expand at all in 2014. His coun- said Russia was facing the toughest eco- are now cruelly exposed. they said paints an increasingly “bleak” the European Union and the United terpart at the economy ministry, Alexei nomic conditions since 2009, when it went “The economic situation has become outlook for the country. AFP MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar bourse Ikea plans to roll out more products soon DOHA: Ikea, which has com- pleted a year in Qatar, has seen positive response from consum- extends rally, ers. Buoyed by the encouraging response, the company is plan- ning to roll out more products in coming days. “In the first three months, Ikea up 12.16 points saw over 500,000 visitors walk through our doors. At the close of 12 months, the total number of visitors at our store in Doha Index faces resistance on 2008 peak Festival City was over 1.5m. The Ikea website in Qatar launched DOHA: Qatar’s bourse extended climbed, with Saudi Telecom Co the same day as the store opening its rally on the fourth straight (STC) and rival Etihad Etisalat and received over 280,000 visitors session yesterday on better- (Mobily) gaining 3.6 and 2.1 per- within the first three months who than-expected first quarter cent respectively. have viewed over 3,500,000 pages,” results. The index gained 0.22 Savola Group, which beat ana- said John Kersten, MD, Ikea percent, or 12.16 points, to close lysts’ estimates with a 43 percent Qatar, UAE, Egypt and Oman. 12,578.58 points, lifting the jump in first-quarter net profit, “As we turn a very young age of market cap to QR737bn from rose 2.7 percent one, we have a lot of other excit- the previous session’s QR728bn. In Dubai, the index rose 1.7 ing plans for the market. In just a But the traded value and vol- percent as speculation in mid-cap few months, we will be unveiling ume dropped. Total traded value stocks drove the measure to new the 2015 IKEA Catalogue with a decreased to QR1.09bn from heights. Dubai Investments and whole range of new products and QR1.23bn. Volume slipped to 31 Arabtec advanced 5.1 and 4.3 per- inspirations for our customers,” million shares from 37 million cent respectively, while property he added. shares. firm Deyaar climbed 3.8 percent. The company had opened its John Kersten, MD, Ikea Qatar, UAE, Egypt and Oman. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s Dubai’s stock market has gained first store and launched website in main share index rose the most 43.7 percent in 2014, having more March 2013. About four months and mobile website. Recently, it various tools we introduced last store,” he said. “We have also just in a month to reach a fresh six- than doubled in value last year. later, it launched the website in introduced online shopping also. year and in turn received a great launched our brand new exciting year high as investors shook off “UAE markets continue to per- Arabic in an effort to bring the “The one thing that we have response from our customers,” he range of kitchens called METOD a slight dip in quarterly profit form well, as is Qatar — especially brand closer to the local market. always been overwhelmed with is added. which encompasses innovative from the bourse’s biggest stock. its small- to mid-cap stocks; these In August it launched the 2014 the very warm welcome we have The company has plans to design and style that is easily Speculation in mid-cap stocks are part of the broader recovery Ikea Catalogue. received from the people in Qatar. expand its presence in MENA adaptable to individual needs and helped Dubai gain. The Saudi on Gulf markets,” said Sarwar. In November, the company It drives us to push ourselves region. “We are currently work- budget,” he said. measure advanced 1.1 percent to “But they’ve been rising for introduced Qatar to our annual further and do even better,” said ing on the logistics of opening yet The company also offers a its highest close since June 2008, many months without correc- Soft Toys for Education cam- Kersten. “We have done a lot in another first Ikea store in Oman,” number of services to the cus- up 12.9 percent so far in 2014. tion or consolidation and bubbles paign, collaborating with Qatar this market within a span of just he said. tomers such home delivery and This came despite Saudi Basic are appearing in certain seg- Charity to make a global initiative 12 months. We have tried our best “At Ikea Doha we constantly assembly, planning and installa- Industries Corp reporting that ments where valuations appear locally relevant. Finally it intro- to help the home furnishing retail strive to incorporate more and tion, easy exchange and refund its first-quarter net profit slid stretched. There could be a cor- duced the Ikea mobile application scenario in Qatar evolve with the more of the local culture into our policy. THE PENINSULA 1.8 percent from a year earlier. rection brewing in those sectors, “SABIC is trading at reasonable but for now the momentum is valuations so we shouldn’t expect strong.” a sharp sell-off, but at the same Abu Dhabi dipped 0.3 percent time there doesn’t appear to be as declining bank stocks pulled IBQ gets ‘Private a short-term trigger to take its down the measure. Zain sued for $4.5bn over Iraq buy share price higher,” said Shakeel In Kuwait, Islamic bank Kuwait Sarwar, head of asset manage- Finance House dropped 2.3 per- Bank of the ment at Securities & Investment cent after posting a 13 percent DUBAI: Zain is being sued for its claim,” Zain said in the state- could be calculated. Zain Iraq had Co (SICO) in Bahrain. “The mar- rise in first-quarter profit to Year-Qatar’ award $4.5bn over its 2007 acquisition ment, adding it has now revealed 15.9 million customers as of 2013- ket will now look at petrochemi- KD26.06m; analysts had forecast of an Iraqi telecom operator, the some details of the court case end, generating an annual profit cal product prices and the sector’s KD32.76m. DOHA: International Bank Kuwaiti firm said in a bourse after seeking legal advice. of $360.9m. second-quarter outlook.” REUTERS/ of Qatar (IBQ) was conferred statement yesterday. The anonymous company is Orascom and Kurdistan-based Other large-cap Saudi stocks THE PENINSULA ‘Private Bank of the Year-Qatar’ Zain bought Iraqna for also suing Zain and Iraq’s telecom Korek agreed to set up a $2.2bn award by the International $1.2bn from Orascom Telecom regulator, the Communications joint venture after Korek, which Banker 2014 Banking Awards in December 2007 after the and Media Commission (CMC), later became a unit of France’s for the Middle East. The bank- Egyptian firm dropped out of the jointly for a further $1bn. Orange, acquired a $1.25bn, ing awards identify the leading running for a long-term mobile An Iraqi court in January ruled 15-year national telecom licence. organisations within the bank- licence in Iraq. The Kuwaiti firm that all Zain Iraq’s revenue from The Egyptian firm would have Qatar to keep surplus ing and financial industry that then merged its Iraqi unit, Atheer, its subscriber base transferred owned 70 percent of the venture represent the benchmark of with Iraqna and renamed the to the company as a result of and Korek 30 percent, allowing achievement, corporate govern- entity Zain Iraq, which today is the Iraqna acquisition should be the latter to use Orascom unit cement as buffer: QNCC ance, technological advance- the country’s biggest operator by placed under a legal guardian and Iraqna’s infrastructure. ment and customer services that subscribers. in an Iraqi bank until the case is The partnership was not for- DOHA: Qatar National Cement production as buffer stocks with- help to drive economic growth Zain said in statement that resolved, the statement said, add- malised and Korek entered talks Company (QNCC) Chairman out exporting the extra quantity. in the countries they operate. a company it declined to iden- ing the Kuwaiti company unsuc- to buy Iraqna outright, taking and Managing Director Salem “But we will not hesitate to import “We are truly honored to be tify filed a lawsuit last August. cessfully appealed this decision. over the unit’s assets until 2007- bin Butti Al Naimi said the If the situation demands”, Al Arab recognised as the “Private Bank of This claims Zain’s takeover had Iraqna had about 3 million end. Rivals would be allowed company is currently capable daily quoted Al Naimi as saying. the Year in Qatar”. Winning this stopped the firm buying Iraqna, subscribers at the time of Zain’s to bid for Iraqna if a sale could of meeting domestic cement In the past, when the country ‘s award underlines our firm com- causing it losses of $4.5bn. acquisition and the statement did not be agreed by then, Reuters demands. QNCC is set to domestic demand went up, Qatar mitment towards providing our “Zain Iraq believes its position not explain whether the money to reported at the time, yet Zain increase its production by 18,000 had imported cement at a rate of customers with exemplary serv- in the case is strong as the claim- be placed under the legal guard- agreed to buy Iraqna before this tonnes per day (t/d), in addition 16,000 tonnes per day. Saudi Arabia ice and innovative products, and ant company has failed until now ian’s jurisdiction would be back- deadline passed. Korek declined to 16,000 t/d of clinker. and UAE are Qatar’s preferred specially to cater for the evolving to produce any evidence to back dated to 2007 or how such a sum to comment. REUTERS Talking to a section of Arabic countries of imports. We will be needs of our valued private bank- dailies, Al Naimi said, in view of also looking for importing cements ing clients,” said Jabra Ghandour, Qatar’s huge future demands, the from India, China, Egypt and Managing Director of IBQ. country will keep this surplus Yemen, he said. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA China’s real estate investments up

A sales assistant talks to visitors in front of models of apartments at a real estate exhibition in Shenyang. China’s real estate investments rose 16.8 percent in first three months of 2014 from a year earlier. India asks Toyota to restore work BANGALORE: An Indian loggerheads over pay issues at the Prius hybrid, mostly for the state government has ordered the factories in Karnataka state, Indian market. Japan’s Toyota and its union which they have been negotiat- The statement said all out- to restore operations at its ing for 10 months. “The govern- standing issues had been now two Indian factories after a ment of Karnataka, in order to “referred for adjudication” with- protracted pay dispute halted maintain industrial peace and out elaborating further. work, the company said. harmony, has issued an order ask- The company said last month The demand comes after ing the company and the union to it had recently started “lim- unionised employees refused to restore normalcy in operations, ited production” with the help return to work at two plants near immediately,” the Indian unit of of non-unionised workers and the southern city of Bangalore, the world’s biggest carmaker said supervisors. despite an end to an eight-day in a statement late Saturday. The carmaker has been insist- company lock out last month over The Bangalore complex nor- ing that workers sign a good the pay dispute. mally produces some 310,000 cars conduct pledge before returning Workers and the compa- annually, including the flagship to work, a condition that was ny’s management have been at Camry sedan, the Corolla, and rejected by the union. AFP MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Carmakers woo GM to invest $12bn in China, plans 5 plants BEIJING: US car giant General Motor vie for more market share. said. The five plants will be in launched the XTS, which allowed Motors Corp (GM) plans to invest “We are investing wisely and Wuhan, Chongqing, Jinqiao and us to get to the 50,000 levels. $12bn in China from 2014 to 2017 accelerating our vehicle devel- Shenyang. Four of those will be This year, we will launch another China amid and build more plants next year opment and manufacturing to vehicle assembly plants, while the significant product and next as it steps up its presence to com- keep pace with market demand. fifth one will be an engine plant year, we will launch another,” pete with aggressive rivals in the In total we are investing $12bn in Shenyang. Tsien said. world’s largest auto market. between 2014 and 2017,” Matt The Jinqiao plant will make its China, the world’s largest GM expects its China sales to Tsien, president of GM China. flagship Cadillac sedans. GM aims auto market, is set to expand growth woes expand 8-10 percent this year, in GM plans to build five more to sell 100,000 by 2015 in China, 8-10 percent this year, slightly line with the overall growth of the plants in China next year, as rising from roughly 50,000 last slowing from 2013 when it sold Chinese market, where foreign part of its efforts to ramp up year, executives said. 21.98 million vehicles, up 13.9 firms, such as Volkswagen AG, manufacturing capacity there by “Cadillac’s growth is on the percent from a year earlier. Auto show to display 1,100 vehicles and domestic players like SAIC 65 percent by 2020, executives launch of new products. We REUTERS

BEIJING: Leading global getting out, his red tie matching automobile makers gathered in the paint job. The expo comes as Beijing yesterday for China’s more cities are restricting the BMW’s new biggest car show, expressing number of cars on the road in a confidence in the world’s largest bid to battle pollution and conges- car market even though lack- tion — moves that analysts warn factory site lustre economic growth and could cut into purchases. environmental restrictions have The eastern city of Hangzhou, generated uncertainty. a popular tourist destination, last decision soon Spectators and journalists month became the sixth major crowded around displays at the Chinese city to implement such a BEIJING: Germany’s BMW is Beijing International Automotive restriction, with some estimates getting closer to deciding whether Exhibition, which features more placing the limit at 80,000 car it will build a new factory, its than 1,100 vehicles and opens to plates a year. board member Ian Robertson the public tomorrow, while female China’s car sales surged 13.9 said yesterday, as the luxury car- models drew the attention of percent to 21.98 million vehicles maker expands capacity to meet photographers. last year. But that growth hit a demand in key markets. General Motors, Toyota, speed bump in March, slowing “We are in the final stages of Volkswagen and Hyundai are to a 6.6 percent year-on-year deciding where the plant will be,” among the global manufactur- rise after reaching a record 17.8 Robertson told reporters at the ers on the list of attendees, along percent high in January. China’s Auto China show in Beijing. with SAIC and Dongfeng, China’s economy has also turned in Robertson said several loca- number one and two domestic its weakest performance in 18 tions were under consideration, automakers. “This is obviously months, growing 7.4 percent in though he declined to elaborate. an incredibly important market the first quarter of 2014. “We see niches in the 3 Series for General Motors,” its president Beijing has indicated a will- segment, with the GT and the 4 Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche at a world premiere of the Mercedes Benz S63 AMG Coupe at Auto China 2014. Dan Ammann told reporters, say- ingness to accept weaker growth Series Grand Coupe. These prod- ing China since 2010 had been the as it tries to move the economy ucts are really important today,” US carmaker’s largest market away from investment and toward he said, when asked which prod- which now accounted for a third domestic consumption. ucts might potentially require Daimler to sell DENZA car in China of total volume. Despite the concerns, indus- more capacity. GM’s China president Matt try players and analysts say the Earlier this year, BMW said BEIJING: Daimler said its the car show held in Beijing yes- to charge the car twice a week. Tsien said that “we’re very opti- China market’s importance to it planned to expand capacity DENZA electric car will be eli- terday, Thomas Weber, Daimler’s Rapid economic growth and mistic with regard to the over- global manufacturers cannot be at its plant in Spartanburg in gible for local subsidies in China head of research and develop- urbanisation have turned China all progress in the market” even overstated. the US to boost production lev- when it goes on sale there in ment, said: “DENZA is the first into the world’s biggest emitter though the world’s second-largest “I think the market for cars is els of its sports utility vehicles. September priced at 369,000 complete vehicle that Daimler has of greenhouse gases, resulting in economy was entering a phase of going to continue to be fantastic,” Ramping up production capacity yuan ($60,000). developed together with BYD out- polluted cities and prompting the “more modest growth”. Ford’s Mulally told reporters, add- at Spartanburg to 450,000 cars by DENZA, a local Chinese brand side of Germany.” government to seek ways to pro- At Ford Motor’s display ing that the promise of increased 2016 will make it BMW’s largest jointly developed with Chinese The 5-seater will be produced mote low-emission vehicles in an President and CEO Alan Mulally domestic spending outweighed factory, the company said. partner BYD, forms part of the by Shenzen BYD Daimler New effort to cut back smog. China has rode onto the stage in a bright red concerns about congestion. Robertson said he was confi- German auto maker’s push to Technology, and will have an said it plans to have 5 million elec- Ford Mustang, the latest incarna- China’s overall plan “to move to dent the Munich-based carmaker expand its footprint in the world’s operating range of 300km. It tric vehicles on the road by 2020 tion of the iconic brand which is a consumer-based economy” was would be able to achieve its target largest car market, and to boost said the average daily driving and has offered local subsidies for celebrating its 50th year. a key factor “that reduces risk”, of selling a record 2 million cars economies of scale for electric distance in China is 50 to 80 km electric cars that have been devel- “How cool is that?” he said after he said. AFP or more this year. REUTERS cars. Speaking at Auto China, a day, so customers will only have oped locally. REUTERS

An Infiniti Q30 concept car is displayed at Auto China 2014 in Beijing. Carmakers struggle to meet demand

SHANGHAI/BEIJING: Foresight, a Shanghai-based con- According to IHS, there were Global carmakers are scram- sultant. “There are different tiers just five subcompact SUV models bling to meet the demands of of young professionals. Some are on sale in China in 2010. By 2020, China’s young urban profession- rich and a bit older, others are there will be almost two dozen, als, who want a car that makes more normal,” he said. “But they driving up sales of this segment them stand out, yet don’t always tend to be similar in two traits: to more than 880,000 from 345,650 have the money to splurge on a they want to be different, and last year. Other young profession- top-end model. don’t necessarily have an end- als, maybe small business owners After nearly two decades of less amount of money to throw or higher-earners, are setting their frenzied growth driven mainly around.” sights higher. Zhou, the cram- by the very wealthy, China’s auto Guo, the Hangzhou salesman, school owner, paid about 280,000 market is maturing, yet remains recently took out a loan to buy yuan for a red Audi A3 compact ferociously competitive with an EcoSport crossover for 115,800 sedan. “Audis aren’t flashy, and the manufacturers having to react yuan, while Liu Yao, a 22-year-old A3 is entry-level, so the price isn’t quickly to shifting consumer office worker in Huaibei in Anhui outrageous,” she said. trends. Today’s emerging buyer province, borrowed from his par- A crucial shift for them will be has more modest financial means, ents to buy a Haval M4 mini- to produce more of these models in yet aspires to own a car that’s crossover from Great Wall Motor China, which would cut the price “different”. Co Ltd for 60,000 yuan. as they would not be subject to People like Zhou Wenxi, a Among the less well-off young hefty import duty and other taxes. 32-year-old Shanghai cram-school urbanites, the EcoSport, at 94,800 Volume sales in this premium owner, and Guo Yetao, 23, a soft- yuan, has been a volume seller for compact car sector have trebled ware salesman from Hangzhou, are Ford since its launch last year. to more than 52,000 in the past fuelling two trends: hot demand Sales last year were 59,680, and four years, according to IHS data, for smaller crossover sport util- reached 17,392 in January-March so remain, for now, a tiny niche in ity vehicles like Ford Motor Co’s of this year. China’s total passenger car mar- EcoSport; and more interest in At this week’s Beijing auto show, ket of close to 16.8 million. affordable, entry-level luxury cars car makers including PSA Peugeot Some global luxury brands, like the Audi A3. Citroen, Hyundai Motor and local such as Nissan’s Infiniti, Honda’s There is a potential “seis- firm Haima Automobile Group Acura and GM’s Cadillac, have mic shift” in the influence these will unveil new mini-SUV mod- been late to enter China, and now young urban professionals will els. Chevrolet launched its Trax, see its potential as a market for have on China’s auto market, says a tiny crossover, in China earlier premium cars. Yale Zhang, head of Automotive this month. REUTERS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Pakistan for solar energy push Khodari Q1 net SABIC profit dips, plans profit up 78pc overseas expansion on auction DUBAI: Major Saudi Arabian construction firm Abdullah A Natural gas shortage key constraint for growth M Al Khodari Sons said yes- terday that its net profit for DUBAI: Saudi Basic Industries complained that a lack of ample including a synthetic rubber the first quarter of this year Corp (SABIC) reported a dip in natural gas supplies within Saudi plant at its KEMYA joint ven- jumped 78 percent on the back its quarterly earnings yester- Arabia had emerged as a key con- ture that would come on line in of earnings from an auction of day as its chief executive said a straint on growth there. Natural two to three years. But he said plant and machinery. shortage of natural gas was lim- gas is used as a feedstock for the company was looking at pos- Net profit rose to SR32.63m iting its domestic growth, mak- petrochemical production. “The sible mega-projects in North ($8.7m) from SR18.28m a year ing expansion abroad vital. shortage of gas and many sectors America and China as avenues earlier. The machinery auction SABIC, the biggest listed com- competing for it have made inter- for growth, including potential brought in SR41.3m of income. pany in the Gulf and one of the nal expansion very hard,” Mady projects involving shale gas in Operating profit plunged 96 world’s largest petrochemical told a news conference. North America. percent to SR1.02m, however, firms, said net profit slipped 1.8 Saudi Arabia bans imports of “We are talking with a number partly because of reforms to percent from a year earlier to natural gas and its pricing struc- of potential partners in the US for Saudi Arabia’s labour market SR6.44bn ($1.72bn) in the first ture for domestic supplies has investment in shale gas,” he added which have made it more expen- quarter of 2014. That was slightly reduced the financial incentive without giving a specific time sive to hire foreign workers. Work below the average forecast of ana- to explore for it. frame for any deals. “The cost of permit costs to the company lysts, who had predicted a quar- Foreign companies formed ven- shale gas is reasonable compared increased by SR13.2m. terly profit of SR6.79bn. tures with state oil firm Saudi to oil or alternative materials like Profit was also hurt by an Chief financial officer Mutlaq Aramco to look for gas deposits, coal or solar power.” increase in depreciation costs Al Morished said sales in the but over the past decade they He added, “SABIC cannot keep as the company deployed first quarter climbed to SR49.5bn largely failed to find commercially relying on one market — China equipment for newly awarded from SR46.8bn a year earlier. viable deposits. Saudi authorities will continue to be a strong mar- projects worth SR1.5bn, a 31 But SABIC said lower prices for now want to focus the search on ket but we have to find new mar- percent rise in manpower costs some of its petrochemical prod- unconventional deposits — deep, kets...We have South America, it mainly due to a ramp-up of ucts offset rises in output and high-temperature reservoirs that is growing tremendously and we labour-intensive cleaning projects, sales volumes, while expenses would require more complex and have plans to examine our pres- and a 69 percent leap in financing related to sales and administra- expensive technologies. ence in South America.” Africa charges as the company enlarged tion increased. Mady noted that SABIC had could become an attractive new Pakistani businessmen check a map at the proposed site of the solar its funding base to meet its con- More broadly, SABIC chief several domestic petrochemi- market because of its gas supplies, energy park at Badaiwani Wala village of Punjab province. The govern- tract backlog. executive Mohamed Al Mady cal projects under construction, he said. REUTERS ment plans to harness the solar energy to help tackle the country’s REUTERS chronic energy crisis. Europe’s M&A market heats up, more deals eyed

PARIS: Europe’s mergers and cable operator Ono and private compiled by Bloomberg. Two that almost two-thirds were behind us, that we are no longer become stronger,” said Isabelle acquisitions (M&A) market is equity firm CVC capital taking a of the world’s biggest invest- expecting to launch bids during in a period of intense stress. Enos, deputy director of manage- rebounding after years in the controlling stake in Spanish olive ment banks — Goldman Sachs 2014, mainly because of the size of There’s a feeling that things have ment at B*Capital, a subsidiary of doldrums, as improving market oil producer Deoleo. And German and Morgan Stanley —this week their reserves. Of that, 29 percent started to improve in the past few BNP Paribas. sentiment is prompting compa- private equity group Triton reported better-than-expected of respondents believe that west- months,” he said. The flurry of deals that followed nies to spend piles of cash built bought French engineering giant first-quarter results, buoyed by a ern Europe will have the most Conversely, historically low PR giant Publicis announcement up during the financial crisis. Alstom’s boiler and heat transfer rebound of profits in their M&A active mergers and acquisitions interest rates have also made con- of its merger with US’s Omnicom A flurry of new deals have been equipment unit for €730m. advisory arms. The rise in deals market worldwide this year — the solidation seem more attractive at last year — including Schneider’s announced in the past month “Activity has been gathering has been driven, in part, by the same amount as in China. “The a time when the economic outlook agreement to buy Britain’s alone, including Numericable’s pace since the start of the year, huge war chest of ready money European debt crisis is creating in some sectors is still uncertain. Invensys, LVMH’s purchase of purchase of Vivendi’s SFR mobile globally, in Europe and now in built up by companies during many opportunities,” said KPMG Difficult market condi- Italian cashmere clothier Loro phone unit in France, the merger France. The first quarter was the global financial crisis which managing director Phil Isom. tions were key drivers in both Piana and Essilor’s buyout of its of Swiss cement group Holcim very strong in terms of announce- erupted in 2008. Consultancy Rising equity market valua- Numericable’s bid for SFR in the Transitions Optical venture — and French rival Lafarge and ments,” said Fabien Laurenceau, Deloitte in January estimated tions have also given bosses of face of new competition from new was as impressive as it was brief. the tie-up of Sopra and Steria to a strategist at Aurel BGC. that the world’s top 1,000 firms stable companies more opportu- rival Free, and Lafarge’s decision “The cycle is usually like this: create a new French technology Worldwide, the value of deals had accumulated about $2.8 nities to take on debt and pounce to merge with Holcim after sev- when the markets recover first services giant. announced in the first three trillion of cash on their balance on weaker rivals, according to eral restructurings. there are IPOs, then friendly British companies have also months of the year jumped 26 sheets as they waited out the Laurenceau. “One sees more large-scale deals and mergers, and the ulti- been on the move, with mobile percent to $637bn compared to storm in financial markets. “Already, the confidence of sen- operations because the environ- mate is the hostile takeover,” phone giant Vodafone launch- 2013, the best start to the year A KPMG survey of over 1,000 ior business leaders shows that ment isn’t what it was, so (com- he said. “There is a more fertile ing a €7.2bn purchase of Spanish since 2007, according to data dealmakers earlier this year found the major economic risks are panies) are coming together to ground than last year.” AFP

Sub-Saharan Africa UK pushes Telus to buy startup Mobilicity Malaysian fund unveiled by Carlyle NEW YORK: Telus Corp, one the acquisition would create undue had solicited 25 organisations for of Canada’s dominant telecom concentration of ownership of proposals. Jake Enwright, spokes- providers, has reached a new wireless spectrum. Under a deal man for Industry Minister James firms to bid for PARIS: Carlyle this week “Confidence for PE in Africa agreement to acquire struggling blocked in June, Telus would have Moore, said when asked about the became one of the first major is certainly increasing. Track wireless startup Mobilicity, in a paid C$380m. latest deal: “We will not approve defence deals private equity players to launch records are deepening, growth renewed bid to overcome gov- Mobilicity said in announcing spectrum transfer requests that a dedicated sub-Saharan Africa is strong, risks are manageable ernment objections on competi- the new deal that the Canadian decrease competition in our wire- KUALA LUMPUR: The fund, underscoring the growing and (firms) continue to rate tion grounds. market for commercial mobile less sector.” The proposed deal is United Kingdom’s Ministry investor interest in the conti- the region highly amongst their Mobilicity said late Thursday services has changed since January supported by approximately 95 of Defence is encouraging nent’s growing middle class. emerging market options,” said that it agreed to be acquired by with recent auctions of spectrum. percent of the holders of the com- Malaysian companies to bid The US-listed alternative the report. Other investors, like Telus for C$350m and that a The company has 165,000 active pany’s 15 percent senior unsecured for UK Armed Forces supply investment manager has raised Carlyle, are being drawn by the court-appointed monitor has rec- subscribers and offers lower-cost debentures due in 2018, it said. contracts. $698m — almost $200m above potential of the region’s rapidly- ommended the transaction. The unlimited talk and text plans. Mobilicity, formerly known as Speaking to Bernama news its initial target — from both growing middle class. deal is still subject to government Mobilicity said it reached the Data & Audio Visual Enterprises, agency, UK Trade and Investment African and international inves- The African Development approval. The government last new deal after Telus submitted filed for court protection from for Defence and Security tors wanting to profit from the Bank, one of the fund’s corner- year twice blocked attempts by the only acceptable bid among five creditors last year after running Organisation (UKTI DSO) Senior region’s expanding pool of con- stone investors, estimates that Telus to buy Mobilicity on grounds it received. The company said it short of cash. REUTERS Spokesperson Adam Thomas said, sumers with extra cash to spend. about a third of the region’s “We want to see more Malaysian Marlon Chigwende, co-head one billion people are now mid- companies looking to the United of the firm’s sub-Saharan Africa dle class consumers, which they Kingdom for future market.” buyout advisory team, said the define as someone who earns Test run at Indonesian facility “We see tremendous develop- fund would focus on invest- at least $4 a day and has some ment in the industrial sector in ments in the consumer, logistics, money to spend beyond the bare defence and security and we see financial services and telecom- necessities. no reason why Malaysian compa- munications sectors. So far it The bank says that by 2060 nies should not be in the UK,” said has made two investments: the that could have grown to more Adam Thomas. Export Trading Group, a supply than 42 percent of the popu- Thomas spoke on behalf of chain manager headquartered lation, at more than a billion Minister for Defence Equipment, in Tanzania and J&J Africa, people. Support and Technology Philip a logistics business based in “The region has been the fast- Dunne who was in Kuala Lumpur Mozambique. est growing developing market in for the 14th Defence Services “The success of the fundraising the world outside of China,” said Asia Exhibition and Conference, reflects investors’ appetite for the David Rubenstein, co-founder of Bernama news agency said strong economic growth that the Carlyle, which manages assets yesterday. region has experienced over the worldwide worth about $189bn. “We also have one of the most last decade, as well as the pros- However, tapping into that open procurement system in the pects for future economic devel- growth is not without risks. world and there is no barriers to opment across the continent,” Earlier this month the Malaysian market at all,” he said Chigwende said in a statement. International Monetary Fund and added, “over 40 percent of UK Sub-Saharan Africa attracts cut its sub-Saharan Africa 2014 defence budget is allocated to for- a tiny proportion of the world’s growth forecast by 0.7 of a per- eign companies.” private equity cash — only a centage point to 5.4 percent, The official also said that com- quarter of the amount invested citing concerns about domestic panies could apply online for a in India alone, on a basis adjusted strife and shaky demand for nat- publication called “Contracts for gross domestic product — but ural resources. Bulletin” that lists every contract that is beginning to change. “External risks are particularly available. The number of private equity important for natural resource In the financial year 2012-13, deals in the region tripled last exporters, which could suffer the United Kingdom’s Ministry year compared to the level in from a slowdown in emerging of Defence spent approximately 2012, according to a survey by markets and a shifting pattern £18.5bn with third parties to buy Deloitte and Africa Assets pub- in China from investment- to Workers of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energi (PT PGE) during a production test run at Karaha geothermal and support all the equipment lished last month, driven by a consumption-led growth,” the well in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Karaha Geothermal Power Plant is scheduled to supply power to the state and services that the armed growing number of higher-value Washington-based fund warned. electricity company in 2016. forces need to operate effectively, deals in the energy sector. AFP report said. QNA MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Is Starbucks’ Europe China’s whistleblowers HQ move a PR deal? BY JIA LYNN YANG take on big business ention Starbucks in the UK, and many people think of BY ADAM JOURDAN lattes, macchiatos — and tax dodging. The coffee giant and Europe. Indeed, blowing the whistle in GSK’s China sales plunged after police Mhas faced boycotts, protests and general animosity from China can be a risky proposition, with those accusations that it funnelled up to 3bn yuan the British public since reports emerged in 2012 that Starbucks hinese lawyer Hao Junbo wants to who come forward often facing a backlash ($482.99m) to travel agencies to facilitate was paying little to no taxes in the UK despite having hundreds make you rich if you’re a whistle- from the local officials or businesses they bribes to doctors and officials to boost its of stores in the country. blower after a bounty. For big busi- accuse. “Because some clients don’t want to drug sales. The investigation was sparked by It wasn’t illegal — just the usual aggressive tax planning that’s Cness in China he’s a headache, part reveal their identity, they hire us lawyers at least one high-ranking whistleblower, a become standard-issue for multinationals. Still, Starbucks came of a small but fast-growing industry built to blow the whistle on their behalf,” said person with direct knowledge of that inves- under such pressure that it promised last year to voluntarily pay around exposing corporate wrongdoing. Hao. His cut is a negotiated slice of any final tigation said. the British government $16.8m in both 2013 and 2014. The US Securities and Exchange bounty. “Whistleblowers are quite normal in Now, Starbucks is moving again to shore up relations with the Commission received a tip-off a week from Whistleblowers in China have become China. In a place like this there are always Brits. On Wednesday, the company announced that it would move China last year, double the year before and more daring, lawyers and business people some people like that involved because of its European headquarters from Amsterdam to London, adding five times more than in 2011. The attraction said, creating a tougher environment for personal interest — they’re unhappy with a “modest number of senior executives” to HQ operations. The is a recently bulked up offer for as much as companies, especially in sensitive sectors their experience or have conflicts with oth- company also promised that the move will result in its paying a 30 percent of any fine if new information like pharmaceuticals where there have been ers in the company,” the person said. higher tax bill in the UK (although it’s not clear what baseline leads to the recovery of investor money over a spate of probes against corporate corrup- GSK declined to comment. the company is using for that assertion). So did the boycotts $1m. Last year, one Wall Street whistle- tion. “At this point almost every pharma- China’s leaders have also put their weight cause Starbucks to change its behaviour? And why do the British blower pocketed $14m. ceutical company is looking at their internal behind the anti-corruption crackdown, with seem to get so much angrier about corporate tax-dodging than The SEC is just one of many channels rules and procedures and whether they are President Xi Jinping calling on Chinese offi- Americans, who have been relatively apathetic? for this new breed of Chinese whistleblow- being complied with. It is industry-wide,” cials to “sweat” corruption out of the system. On the first question, there are real business reasons — aside ers whose information has helped lead to said Shanghai-based lawyer John Huang, Firms in sectors from energy and autos to from public relations — for Starbucks to move its headquarters. investigations in China of firms including co-founder and managing partner at MWE food and healthcare have come under the The company counts the UK as its fastest-growing market in British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc China, which helps firms negotiate with spotlight. China’s disciplinary watchdog Europe. But tax experts suspect the move could ultimately help and French dairy Danone SA. whistleblowers. also launched an online portal to encourage Starbucks pay even less in taxes. To understand that math, it “It can’t be denied that the financial ben- Huang said the firm had seen whistle- whistleblowers this month. The site allows helps to examine the reasons why Starbucks was paying so little efits are an important incentive,” said Hao, blower-related cases double over the last people to view cases by region and gives in the first place. a Beijing-based whistleblower lawyer. Hao year, adding companies are launching inter- them as easy way to make their own reports. In short, Starbucks’ UK subsidiary was able to substantially advertises online for whistleblowers to get nal investigations, seeking legal assistance There is a small network of lawyers in reduce its taxable income by regularly paying a hefty royalty fee in touch for the chance to “uphold justice and training to deal with issues such as China and even overseas to encourage and to the company’s Amsterdam headquarters. The royalties covered and win a huge bounty too”, though he con- dawn police raids and staff being arrested direct whistleblowers in the country, while use of intellectual property — in this case, Starbucks’ brand and cedes he is yet to collect a reward. after insider tip-offs. official channels have been set up to uncover business techniques. Since the money was shifted out of the UK Hao said signs of stronger government Companies have also recruited law firms, officials’ bad behaviour at state-owned and into Amsterdam, it was taxed at much lower Dutch rates. (For support for Chinese whistleblowers had investigators and compliance experts to stop enterprises and within government. details, check out the paper by University of Southern California helped the sector come out into the open, potential whistleblowers from reporting Activists have also set up forums for law professor Ed Kleinbard titled “Through a Latte, Darkly.”) with 150,000 tips investigated by authori- externally, attempting to defuse the situa- whistleblowers to interact, such as the This technique has become standard for companies with a ties last year. But there is still a way to go tion in-house before it sparks a wider probe. popular ‘People Supervision Net’, a muck- fair amount of intellectual property, such as Google, Apple and to catch up with the well-established “no- It doesn’t always work out and falling foul raking portal headed by prominent Chinese Microsoft. Technology and pharmaceutical firms frequently win-no-fee” lawyers in the United States of a whistleblower can have a serious impact. whistleblower Zhu Ruifeng. REUTERS shift income to countries with extremely low tax rates, such as Bermuda, Ireland and Switzerland. So how would the move to London affect Starbucks’ tax plan- ning? With headquarters no longer in Amsterdam, the company probably would no longer be shifting its income out of the UK, the- oretically leaving more income to be taxed at higher British rates. But Starbucks could reduce its overall tax bill in Europe: Oddly enough, even as British citizens have been howling at Starbucks’ tax avoidance strategies, their government has added a slew of new ways for companies to lower their tax bills — if they move their corporate headquarters in-country. One of these new rules is called the Patent Box, which gives a special low tax rate to any royalty income received in the UK, according to Kleinbard. The law is under review by the European Union, but if it holds up, it’s not hard to imagine Starbucks’ other European units shifting royalty income to the UK to benefit from the low tax. David Murphy, a British accountant and tax activist, says there’s yet another possibility: The new business-friendly tax policies pushed by George Osborne, the UK’s equivalent of US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, allow companies to pay no taxes on dividends shared between different units within the same firm. Murphy imagines it’s possible for Starbucks to turn royalty income from other European units into dividends that could be passed to the UK subsidiary entirely untaxed. Regardless of how Starbucks handles its taxes, it’s unlikely the relocation will appease British consumers unhappy that corpo- rate tax-dodging is coinciding with big cuts to cherished social programs. “Politically, we are more sensitive about it,” Murphy said over the phone from London. “It’s become very easy for poli- ticians to say, ‘Look at these big, nasty, multinational companies. They aren’t paying any taxes. You’re suffering cuts. They’re not.’” Starbucks also owns physical stores, with plenty of competi- tors, making it much easier to boycott than some other offenders. “How do you avoid Google? What are you going to use? Bing?” Murphy said. Partly inspired by the British Starbucks protests, an American writer announced this week that she’s avoiding Apple products because of the company’s aggressive tax planning. “It’s a small thing I can do,” Lisa Sanders wrote in Slate. “And perhaps I can recruit others to my cause.” Although a protest here and there can raise awareness, it is unlikely to change policy. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate After US debut, Weibo has to answer two bosses

BY GERRY SHIH with censors at home raise the one is the Party and one is the discourage the creation of user Weibo. The agency noted that Meanwhile, Chinese authori- & YIMOU LEE question of whether the firm stockholders,” said Min Jiang, a generated content,” it said. Weibo while growth in Weibo dropped 9 ties have closed dozens of Weixin known as the “Twitter of China” professor of communication stud- spokesman Matthew Lindberg per cent in 2013, mobile messag- accounts in recent months, eibo Corp may eventually be derailed by gov- ies at the University of North said the company could not imme- ing services saw explosive growth, according to media reports in executives ernment interference. Carolina, Charlotte who studies diately respond to questions about with apps such as WeChat logging China, suggesting that content on Thursday Over the past year, a series of Chinese Internet issues. censorship on Thursday. more than 78 million new users. shared on the closed messaging toasted the detentions of influential online Jiang said the Chinese govern- On its face, the opportunity Though it remains unprofit- platform has not escaped official Chinese social commentators may have hurt ment enacted a series of poli- for Weibo remains enormous, able, Weibo boosted revenues scrutiny. Xue, who confessed to Wmedia firm’s debut at Nasdaq’s Weibo’s user numbers, some cies — requiring real names on with China boasting more than almost three-fold to $188.3m in the prostitution charges, was New York headquarters. Hours researchers say. social media in early 2012 and 600 million Internet users. But 2013 from $65.9m in 2012, while released on bail this week on earlier in Beijing, Charles Xue, A study released in January introducing new laws prohibit- while Weibo could see healthy its net loss fell to $38.1m in 2013 grounds of serious illness, the a Chinese-American venture by Britain’s Telegraph news- ing “rumour-mongering” last growth, Mizuho analyst Marvin from $102.5m the previous year. government said, but not before capitalist and prominent Weibo paper and East China Normal September — after the Facebook- Lo said the public relations Still, many analysts argue he sent a message to the public. user, celebrated a different kind University in Shanghai claimed and Twitter-fueled Arab Spring effect from censorship contro- that Weibo will remain competi- In September, Xue, who has of coming-out: his release after that the number of Weibo posts protests swept the Middle East. versies could hurt, especially as tive precisely because its public 12 million followers on Weibo, eight months in jail. have fallen as much 70 percent “Especially after the Arab Weibo competes against Weixin broadcast platform differs from appeared in handcuffs and prison The timing of the two events, since its peak in 2012, after the Spring there has been a top-down — the messaging app operated by messaging tools like WeChat. garb in a state TV interview and though coincidental, highlights government required users to push to implement policies that rival Tencent Holdings Ltd that In the US market, Twitter has apologised for “irresponsible the fundamental challenge for display their real names to post have a real impact on the user has gained enormous popular- established as an influential social posts,” saying that “freedom of Shanghai-based Weibo: progress- content. However, the compa- population,” Jiang said. Chinese ity partly because it is private by media company even though mes- speech cannot override the law.” ing from being a microblogging ny’s regulatory filings said that officials have argued the necessity nature. Weixin, known as WeChat saging apps such as Whatsapp — Separately, a Chinese court phenomenon in China to becom- monthly active users have grown of containing malicious rumours internationally, may now have acquired by Facebook for $19bn convicted a microblogger for the ing an entrenched member of for eight straight quarters, and Internet defamation in order about 400 million users, accord- — enjoy higher user adoption and first time under its new online the international social media including a 34-percent gain to to uphold social order in the ing to forecasts by Barclays. Its engagement rates. rumour-mongering laws. Qin industry. 144 million in the quarter ending world’s most populous country. revenue may reach almost $500m Weibo Chairman Charles Chao Zhihui, a microblogger with 12 Xue’s arrest for soliciting pros- last month. In its prospectus distributed this year, Barclays said. said Weibo and Weixin could both separate Weibo accounts, pleaded titutes stemmed from a govern- Investors chasing growth aren’t to potential investors, Weibo The China Internet Network thrive. “Weibo is more public, guilty to spreading lies and was ment campaign launched last fazed for now. Weibo shares rose described the new online speech Information Centre, a state-run more media-centric. WeChat is sentenced to three years in prison autumn to clamp down on online 19 percent from its offered price laws as a risk. “The implemen- agency tracking Internet sta- more a private network, more for inventing a false story about dissent, political analysts claim. of $17 on Thursday, the eighth- tation of this newly promulgated tistics, said in its annual report communication-centric. A lot of the government paying compensa- Now, as Weibo celebrates its best debut for a US listed tech judicial interpretation may have a released in January that it saw a people in China use both. They tion to a foreign passenger killed warm reception on international stock this year. “Weibo has to significant and adverse effect on decline in social media use, par- are quite complementary to each in a train crash, according to the financial markets, its conflicts answer to two different bosses: the traffic of our platform and ticularly among microblogs like other, Chao said. Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,578.58 0.22 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,732.01 0.08 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,121.1 0.51 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,246.29 0.25 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,092.61 0.31 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5412.58 32.281 0.6 5500 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,543.18 0.31 % QR152.9773 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4390.26 44.91 1.03 4496.54 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 4,375.66 0.53 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.0856 QR 6.1711 QE All Share Insurance 3,257.32 0.06 % Dj Indu Average 16262.56 89.32 0.55 16631.6 14444.03 Euro ...... QR 5.0170 QR 5.0874 QE All Share Real Estate 2,493.58 1.14 % QR 2.3156 CA$ ...... QR 3.2779 QR 3.3424 QE All Share Telecoms 1,690.87 1.23 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 2,241.25 0.49 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.1221 QR 4.1804 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 22696.01 24.75 0.11 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0353 QR 0.0360 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3728 QR 3.4393 Iseq Overall/D 4890.53 43.04 0.89 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 20-04-2014 17-04-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0599 QR 0.0610 Index 12,578.58 12,550.98 Karachi 100 In/D 29458.15 362.38 1.25 29491.62 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0374 QR 0.0381 Change 27.60 97.12 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0814 QR 0.0830 Nikkei 225 Index 14417.68 420.87 3.01 16164.01 13885.11 % 0.22 0.78 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 21.19 20.92 $ 109.27 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1897.28 1536.03 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0475 Volume 31,538,028 37,110,091 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0375 QR 0.0382 Value (QAR) 1,095,408,657.12 1,238,380,332.58 Straits Times/D 3253.2 6.88 0.21 3249.04 2953.01 Trades 14,405 12,111 $ 105.88 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3427 QR 0.3497 Up 14 | Down 17 | Unchanged 07 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 20-04-2014

Base metal prices mixed; gold shines, silver falls

LONDON: Commodity time in more than eight months, crude stockpiles is indicative of the previous week. Three-month six-month high at $1,392.22 an tight supply concerns, also due markets diverged last week as after autonomy-seeking rebels of weak demand in the world’s aluminium decreased to $1,875.50 ounce in April as investors sought to weather patterns in Brazil, the dealers took their leads from agreed to lift their blockade of biggest economy and top oil a tonne from $1,895. Three-month to shelter from Russia-Ukraine world’s largest producer of sugar. the unrest in Ukraine and data eastern ports. consumer. lead advanced to $2,143 a tonne tensions before falling last week By Thursday on LIFFE, the out of China and the United Libya’s oil output is likely to On Thursday, Brent North Sea from $2,124.75. Three-month tin on profit-taking. price of a tonne of white sugar States, the world’s two largest quadruple from current levels crude for delivery in June traded dropped to $23,445 a tonne from By Thursday on the London for delivery in August edged up to economies. and hit 1 million barrels per day on London’s Intercontinental $23,563. Three-month nickel Bullion Market, the price of gold $469.60 from $468.10 on Friday of OIL: Prices were mixed as trad- by mid-June following the deal, Exchange had jumped to $109.44 rallied to $18,000 a tonne from dropped to $1,299 an ounce from the previous week. On ICE Futures ers weighed escalating Russia- Opec Secretary-General Abdullah a barrel, compared with $107.78 $17,464. Three-month zinc climbed $1,318 on Friday of the previous US, the price of unrefined sugar for Ukraine tensions, which could El Badri said last week. for the May contract on Friday to $2,071.50 a tonne from $2,056.75. week. Silver retreated to $19.62 an July rose to 17.60 US cents a pound affect energy supplies heading In China, the world’s biggest last week. On the New York PRECIOUS METALS: Prices ounce from $20.09. On the London compared with 17.05 US cents for West, against news of an expected consumer of energy, the National Mercantile Exchange, West mainly fell, while the World Gold Platinum and Palladium Market, the May contract. resumption of Libyan crude Bureau of Statistics reported that Texas Intermediate or light Council forecast that China’s platinum decreased to $1,437 an COCOA: Cocoa futures stead- exports. Futures were depressed the world’s number two economy sweet crude for May fell to annual demand for gold could ounce from $1,454. Palladium ied. By Thursday on LIFFE, in part by a surge in US crude expanded 7.4 percent year-on- $103.85 a barrel from $104.21. jump around 20 percent by gained to $801 an ounce from $794. cocoa for delivery in July dipped inventories but won support from year in January-March. That BASE METALS: China’s 2017 as more of its increasingly COFFEE: Futures slid after to £1,857 a tonne compared with better-than-expected Chinese was slightly up on the 7.3 percent growth data lent support to base, wealthy population seek new ways coffee from the more than two- £1,861 for the May contract on growth data, traders said. median forecast in a survey of 13 or industrial, metals as a wind- to make money. year highs hit the previous week Friday of the previous week. On Brokers Phillip Futures said economists by AFP. ing down of trading for the Easter The forecast by the WGC comes due to fears of tight supplies fol- ICE Futures US, cocoa for July events in Eastern Europe con- In the US, the Energy break prompted profit-taking. after China became the world’s lowing drought in top producer inched down to $2,984 a tonne tinued “to peg crude prices at Information Administration’s Nickel extended recent gains largest gold-consuming nation in Brazil. By Thursday on the ICE from $2,985. elevated levels”. Traders are con- weekly oil inventory report showed on Indonesia’s ban on exports of 2013, overtaking India. Annual Futures US exchange, Arabica for RUBBER: Prices in Kuala cerned that any full-scale armed commercial crude stocks jumped the metal that is used to make demand for gold in the form of delivery in July slumped to 191.80 Lumpur extended losses on conflict in the region will disrupt 10 million barrels in the week to rechargeable batteries. Indonesia jewellery, coins and bars is set to US cents a pound, compared expected weak demand from major supplies and send oil and gas April 11 -- far above the 1.5 million- in January imposed a ban on hit “at least 1,350 tonnes by 2017”, with 204.70 cents for the May importer China, the world’s second prices rocketing because Ukraine barrel gain projected by analysts. exports of mineral ore including the WGC said in a report on China. contract on Friday of the previ- largest economy. By Thursday, the is a major conduit for Russian gas The rise was “the biggest one- nickel, copper and bauxite. That would represent a rise ous week. On LIFFE, London’s Malaysian Rubber Board’s bench- to western Europe. week increase in US crude oil On Thursday on the London of nearly a fifth from the coun- futures exchange, Robusta for mark SMR20 fell to 181.60 US The oil market was also hit by supplies in 13 years”, Singapore’s Metal Exchange, copper for deliv- try’s record consumption of 1,132 July dropped to $2,086 a tonne cents a kilo from 181.85 cents on news that Libya is preparing to United Overseas Bank said in a ery in three months fell to $6,648 a tonnes last year. Gold, seen as a from $2,140. Friday of the previous week. resume oil exports for the first note to clients. A surge in US tonne, down from $6,692 on Friday haven investment, had forged a SUGAR: Prices gained on AFP MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Durant leads Wawrinka wins Thunder to win over Grizzlies in Monte Carlo OKLAHOMA CITY: Kevin Durant scored 33 points yester- day to lead Oklahoma City to a Roger Federer loses in all-Swiss final 100-86 triumph over Memphis in game one of their NBA Western Conference play-off series. MONTE CARLO: Stanislas his baseline and was prevented Durant connected on five of six Wawrinka signalled his French Monte Carlo from attacking. Federer saw off shots from the field as he deliv- Open ambitions when he beat a break point in the fourth game, ered 13 points in the fourth quar- Roger Federer 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-2 Masters Results Wawrinka banging his racket on ter, when the Thunder thwarted in an all-Swiss Monte Carlo his head in frustration after his the Grizzlies’ comeback bid and Masters final yesterday. MONTE-CARLO, Monaco: passing shot went long. Federer took a 1-0 lead in the best-of- Third seed and Australian Results on the eighth day of was more composed, breaking for seven series. Open champion Wawrinka recov- the ATP Monte Carlo Masters 3-2 as Wawrinka’s usually reliable Oklahoma City had dominated ered from the loss of the opening yesterday (x denotes seeding): backhand sailed long. the first half and led by 22 at set to claim his maiden Masters Final: Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x3) bt Roger Another long backhand from halftime. title on the Monte Carlo clay just Federer (SUI x4) 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. Wawrinka gave Federer the open- But their lead dwindled to just six weeks before the start of the ing set after 42 minutes. two points, 74-72, after Mike May 25-June 8 grand slam tour- Malaysian Open Wawrinka opened a 2-0 lead in Miller’s three-pointer with 8:46 nament in Paris. the second set, only for his oppo- left in the game. “I am really happy, after hav- Results nent to steal his serve straight Durant -- front runner for the ing won a first grand slam title KUALA LUMPUR: Results back with a stunning backhand league’s Most Valuable Player to win a Masters, it’s outstand- from the last day of the WTA down the line passing shot. award -- found Serge Ibaka under ing,” Wawrinka told a courtside BMW Malaysian Open yester- Federer saved more break the basket for a three-point play interviewer. day (x denotes seeding): points in the fourth game, includ- on the other end to spark a 13-1 “Roger, you’re the best player ing one with a superb forehand scoring run that let the Thunder Singles Final: Donna Vekic (CRO x7) bt ever, it’s always special for me to winner as the second set went rebuild a more comfortable Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x1) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 play against you and I hope we into a tiebreak. cushion. (7/4). will have a great year you and Federer saved two set points “I just wanted to be aggressive,” me.” Doubles Final: Timea Babos (HUN x1)/ before Wawrinka finally finished Durant said. “They hit us pretty Federer, whose only defeat in Chan Hao Ching (TPE x1) bt Zheng Saisai it off with a smash. hard in that third quarter, so we 14 previous encounters against (CHN x4) / Chan Yung Jan (TPE x4) 6-3, 6-4. Wawrinka broke in the first needed some points.” Wawrinka had occurred in Monte game of the decider with a fore- Russell Westbrook added 23 Carlo in 2009, said: “I had a great old self for almost an hour but the hand winner down the line as points, 10 rebounds and five week. Congratulations to Stan, I 17-times grand slam champion Federer looked disorientated. Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka (right) and Switzerland’s Roger Federer assists and Ibaka had 17 points, hope it will continue for you like was eventually overwhelmed by Federer went to the net to save pose with their trophies at the end of the final match of the Monte- nine rebounds and four blocks in that for years.” his opponent’s power. another break point at 2-0, but Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament, in Monaco, yesterday. Stanislas the win. Fourth seed Federer, who had Wawrinka played with great a crosscourt forehand earned Wawrinka defeated Swiss compatriot Roger Federer 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies beaten an injured Novak Djokovic depth and power as Federer was Wawrinka a second break and a to win the Monte Carlo Masters. with 21 points and 11 rebounds. in the semi-finals, was his brilliant eventually pushed back far from 3-0 lead. REUTERS Mike Conley and Marc Gasol fin- ished with 16 points apiece. It’s the third time in four Struggling seasons that the Thunder and Grizzlies are meeting in the Germany, Czech Republic in final playoffs. Nadal seeks Oklahoma City ousted PRAGUE: The Czech Republic Open champion Stosur 4-6, 6-0, Memphis in the second round fol- advanced to their third Fed Cup 6-4 in two hours 14 minutes to lowing the 2010-11 season, but the homeground finals in four years after beat- give Germany an unassailable 3-0 Grizzlies eliminated the Thunder ing defending champions Italy lead over Australia. in the Western Conference semi- solution 4-0 in the eastern Czech city of The Australian pair of Casey finals last season. Ostrava yesterday. Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty While the Thunder were able Petra Kvitova, the world prevented a wipe-out when to hold off a Memphis team that MADRID: World number one number six and a former they claimed the “dead” doubles nearly turned the tide with a Rafael Nadal targets a ninth Wimbledon champion, first saw rubber 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 10-2 over 31-13 scoring edge in the third Barcelona Open title this week off 20th-ranked Roberta Vinci Julia Goerges and Anna-Lena quarter, the Los Angeles Clippers desperate to prove his shock 6-3, 7-5 in an hour-and-a-half to Groenefeld for the tie to finish couldn’t do the same against the Monte Carlo Masters quarter- hand the Czechs an unassailable 3-1. Golden State Warriors. final exit is not a sign of decline. 3-0 lead. Germany will play either the The Warriors overcame 21 The 13-time Grand Slam cham- Klara Koukalova and Andrea Czech Republic or Italy in the turnovers to edge the Clippers pion failed to reach the final of the Hlavackova then earned the final. 109-105 in their series opener and Monte Carlo Masters for the first fourth point for the hosts after Left-hander Kerber showed snatch home court advantage. time since he was 16 as he was beating Camila Giorgi and Karin great resilience to bounce back in Klay Thompson scored 22 defeated in straight sets by fellow Knapp 6-2, 5-7, 11/9 in a dead the pivotal singles rubber, fighting points and pulled down seven Spaniard David Ferrer. doubles rubber on the hard court Czech Republic’s players Andrea Hlavackova, Lucie Safarova and Petra off the 19th-ranked Stosur to take rebounds for the Oakland-based It was his earliest loss in the of Ostrava’s CEZ Arena. Kvitova celebrate after Kvitova defeated Italy’s Roberta Vinci at the 2014 victory and put Germany into this Warriors. principality since 2003 and came The Czechs, who lifted the International Tennis Federation Fed Cup World Group semi-final match year’s final. David Lee added 20 points for 12 months after his eight-year trophy in 2011 and 2012, will host in Ostrava, yesterday. The Czech team will meet Germany in the final. Germany last won the competi- the Warriors and Stephen Curry winning streak at the event Germany in the Fed Cup final on tion in 1992 when Steffi Graf and added 20. was ended in the final by Novak November 8-9. second match point to take the Kvitova then breezed past Giorgi Anke Huber starred in the team The game was tied 52-52 at Djokovic. “I’m happy we’ve made it and set 7-5. 6-4, 6-2. which defeated Spain. halftime, but the sixth-seeded “I just have to keep working it will be a pleasure for the whole “The tactic was quite difficult, The Czech Republic and Italy The Germans took a firm Warriors outscored the Clippers to try to find the solutions in country to host the finals again,” her chops are quite unpleasant on have been taking turns as Fed grip on the semi-final, winning 35-27 in the third quarter and Barcelona. I am going to try and said Kvitova, praising her fellow the hardcourt so I had to move Cup champions for the last five Saturday’s opening two singles led by as many as 11 in the fourth play well there and fight for the players on “a superb team”. my feet fast and play returns to years, with Italy lifting the trophy rubbers in the best-of-five match period. matches,” said Nadal, who insists In the first set yesterday, her forehand side,” Kvitova said. in 2009, 2010 and 2013. tie. The Clippers clawed their way his faltering form is not the con- Kvitova took advantage of Vinci’s “I have recently improved my Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber “It’s a very special moment for back, with two three-pointers sequence of the back injury which two straight double faults to take movement so now it’s more pleas- put Germany into their first me and the whole team,” Kerber from All-Star point guard Chris struck him down in his Australian a 5-3 lead before winning 6-3. ant to play longer exchanges.” Fed Cup final in 22 years with a said. Paul knotting the score at 102- Open final defeat to Stanislas In the second set, the fast-serv- “And I have also improved my fighting victory over Australia’s “It feels great. I played a good 102 with less than three minutes Wawrinka. ing Czech broke Vinci’s serve to serve, which is a mental advan- Samantha Stosur in the semi- match but it was a tough one to play. “After what happened in take a 4-3 lead but failed to con- tage,” Kvitova said. final in Brisbane yesterday. because Sam was playing also very But Paul, an 86 percent career Australia it was a little bit harder firm the break in the next game. On Saturday, Lucie Safarova World number seven Kerber tough and I have never beaten her free-throw shooter, missed two for me to find again the intensity, But Kvitova did the same thing first beat Italy’s number-one fought back from dropping the before. AGENCIES crucial foul shots in the closing the confidence, the inside power for a 6-5 lead and converted her player Sara Errani 6-4, 6-1 and opening set to beat former US stretch as the Warriors held on that always I have,” added the for the victory. AFP 27-year-old. “Even if I won Rio, I played the final in Miami, there remains Sharapova targets hat-trick in Stuttgart NBA Results something in my mind and in my EASTERN CONFERENCE game.” STUTTGART, Germany: Maria She has a 3-1 lead in her series against the At Toronto Despite recent setbacks, Nadal Sharapova (pictured) opens her claycourt 27-year-old with her most recent win coming Brooklyn 94 Toronto 87 is still firmly the favourite for a season in Germany this week where she in the third round at Miami. (Brooklyn leads series 1-0) ninth title in Barcelona where he hopes to claim a hat-trick of Stuttgart titles In addition to Sharapova and Angelique At Indianapolis has only ever lost once, again as a and her 30th WTA career trophy. Kerber, Germany’s number one, Poland’s Atlanta 101 Indiana 93 youngster back in 2003. The defending champion is unbeaten at Agnieszka Radwanska, plus former world (Atlanta lead series 1-0) The Mallorcan will kick off the indoor tournament having won both the number ones Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena WESTERN CONFERENCE his campaign against another 2012 and 2013 crowns on her two previous Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic will also feature At Los Angeles Spaniard Albert Ramos or Nikolay appearances. in Stuttgart. G State Warriors 109 LA Clippers 105 Davydenko on Wednesday and “I’ve competed here for the last two years Having arrived at last year’s tourna- (Golden State leads series 1-0) could have a chance for immedi- and won both times, so I have only positive ment with enough baggage to fill two cars, At Oklahoma City ate revenge against Ferrer should memories,” Sharapova told the Stuttgarter Sharapova admitted she may not be travelling Oklahoma City 100 Memphis 86 the top two seeds reach Sunday’s Nachrichten. light to Stuttgart on this occasion either. (Oklahoma City leads series 1-0) final. “I don’t want to miss out on an experience “I had to let them (the organisers) know The main threats to Nadal in like this.” work to get to her level.” straight away that I’d need another car again Baseball Results the top-half of the draw would Sharapova, who turned 27 on Saturday, Injury to her right shoulder means this time too,” she laughed. appear to come from fellow enjoyed her last title in the 2013 final when Sharapova has dropped to ninth in the world “I’ll be in Europe for the next two months Toronto 5 Cleveland 0 Spaniards Nicolas Almagro and she beat China’s Li Na with a commanding rankings. and therefore I have a lot of gear with me -- St Louis 4 Washington 3 Fernando Verdasco, although display before losing in straight sets to Serena “At the moment, it’s a little hard for me racquets, equipment and a few other things.” Detroit 5 LA Angels 2 he could also face third-seeded Williams in the French Open final. to look at the world rankings, but it’s not a Having won all four Grand Slam titles in Boston 4 Baltimore 2 Italian Fabio Fognini in the semi- World number one Williams, who enjoyed problem,” she insisted. her career, including Wimbledon as a 17-year- Kansas City 5 Minnesota 4 finals. Ferrer has lost four times her 15th straight win over Sharapova in the “Because of my success at Grand Slams, I old in 2004, Sharapova admits there is one title Chicago Cubs 8 Cincinnati 4 in the final to Nadal in the last Miami semi-finals last month, is absent from expect a lot of myself, but I have to be realistic she really wants to claim. Oakland 4 Houston 3 six years and his road to another Stuttgart, but seven of the world’s top 10 will and after an injury like that you need time to “Olympic gold at Rio 2016 would be wonder- Milwaukee 8 Pittsburgh 7 meeting with the king of clay be battling it out to reach next Sunday’s final. get back to your best. ful,” she revealed, having lost the 2012 Olympic Atlanta 7 NY Mets 5 looks trickier as he faces a poten- “I am a person who loves the challenges and “I was out of action for four months and final to Williams. Miami 7 Seattle 0 tial quarter-final against one of I don’t go out of my way to avoid anyone,” said hardly played after last year’s French Open. “I was really impressed by London and there Tampa Bay 16 NY Yankees 1 the in-form Ernests Gulbis or Sharapova when asked if she was glad not to But I’m back to 100 percent now and I want is something unique for a tennis player, as Texas 6 Chi White Sox 3 Alexander Dolgopolov. face Williams in Stuttgart. to win in Stuttgart.” we’re normally on our own, to be part of huge Number four seed Kei Nishikori “Serena has been playing her most success- Sixth-seed Sharapova will face the Czech team and live in the Olympic Village,” she said. LA Dodgers 8 Arizona 6 could also lie in wait for Ferrer in ful tennis in recent years and my aim must Republic’s Lucie Safarova in the first round “It would be a life-long dream to play for Colorado 3 Philadelphia 1 the semi-finals. AFP be to learn from the defeats against her and in Stuttgart. gold again in Rio de Janeiro.” AFP San Diego 3 San Francisco 1 MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Hamilton seals first F1 hat-trick Third straight one-two finish at the Chinese Grand Prix for Mercedes team

SHANGHAI: Lewis Hamilton sealed his first hat-trick of Chinese Grand Prix Formula One wins and led Mercedes to their third straight Results one-two finish at the Chinese SHANGHAI: Results from Grand Prix as the team tight- the Chinese Grand Prix ened their grip on the season yesterday: yesterday. The former world champion got 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) away smoothly from pole and was 294.164 kilometres in 1hr 33min rarely troubled as he finished 18 28.338sec (average speed 188.824km/h) seconds ahead of his team-mate 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) at 18.062 Nico Rosberg, with Ferrari’s 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Scuderia Ferrari) Fernando Alonso third. at 23.604 Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull Racing) outran his team-mate and reign- at 27.136 ing world champion Sebastian 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull Racing) Vettel for fourth spot, with the at 47.778 Force India of Nico Hulkenberg 6. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India) at coming home in sixth. 54.295 But there was a bizarre finish when Hamilton was inadvertently 7. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) at 55.697 shown the chequered flag early, 8. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Scuderia Ferrari) at meaning that the race was later 1:16.335 declared over after 54 laps instead 9. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) at of the 56 completed. 1:22.647 “I was thinking ‘am I seeing 10. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) at 1 lap things?’ I looked up as I was com- Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain lifts his trophy after winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, yesterday. 11. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren ing across the line expecting to do RIGHT: Hamilton celebrates after winning the race. Mercedes) at 1 lap another lap and I saw a chequered 12. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso) at flag,” said Hamilton. 1 lap “I asked the team, ‘Was there Rosberg retained his champi- Mercedes and banged his left rear Rosberg and Vettel became afternoon and with badly grained 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/McLaren a flag? And they said ‘No’ and I onship lead with a dogged second wheel against Alonso’s car. engaged in a wheel-to-wheel tyres, he suffered the ignominy of Mercedes) at 1 lap kept going,” he added. place after fighting past the Red Rosberg, seemingly distracted battle for third place on lap 23 at one point being passed by the The mishap did not change Bulls and Alonso despite telem- by Massa’s overtaking manoeu- from which the Mercedes driver Caterham of Kamui Kobayashi, 14. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus) at 1 lap any race positions apart from etry problems and an early bump. vre, then touched wheels with the emerged in front. much to the Red Bull driver’s 15. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) at 1 lap Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi, For Ferrari, their first podium other Williams of Valtteri Bottas Their fight enable Ricciardo disgust. 16. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) at 1 lap who was demoted from 17th to of the season was sweetly timed on his outside but came through to close on his team-mate and Hamilton made his second and 17. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) at 1 lap 18th after his late pass on Jules for new team principal Marco unscathed. It took Rosberg two Vettel was asked to move over, final stop on lap 38 and emerged 18. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Caterham) at Bianchi was ruled out. Mattiacci, who replaced Stefano laps to get back past Massa and as he had in Bahrain, to let the from the pit lane with a 13-second 1 lap And it did not adversely affect Domenicali this week. when the first round of pit stops quicker Ricciardo through. cushion over Alonso. 19. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia) at 2 laps Hamilton, who had a huge grin But there was more woe for began on lap 12, the Williams But Vettel this time was less Rosberg was flying, however, after his 25th grand prix win McLaren when both Jenson crew could not remove Massa’s accommodating. “Tough luck,” he and after setting the fastest lap 20. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Caterham) at which takes him past legendary Button and Kevin Magnussen damaged rear left. said of Ricciardo’s position over he re-took second place by easily 2 laps Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio finished out of the points. By the time they finally team radio, and he defended his passing Alonso on a straight. Overall standings and level with Niki Lauda and No one was able to come close replaced it, Massa had been fourth place only to be passed a The German remains top of Drivers Jim Clark. to Hamilton, who powered away relegated to last place and the couple of laps later. the standings despite a tough 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) 79.0pts, 2. Lewis Although he has now racked from pole position and in dry, cool Brazilian eventually finished way By lap 33, Rosberg had Alonso weekend when he spun in quali- Hamilton (GBR) 75.0, 3. Fernando Alonso up consecutive wins in Malaysia, conditions, had a four-second down in 15th. in his sights and was told to “push fying and had telemetry problems (ESP) 41.0, 4. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 36.0, Bahrain and now China, the cushion by lap six. Alonso stopped a lap earlier hard” to catch the Spaniard over which meant he had to keep his 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 33.0, 6. Daniel Briton still trails Rosberg by four Behind him Vettel moved up than Vettel in what proved a team radio. Alonso responded by team updated on measurements Ricciardo (AUS) 24.0, 7. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) points in the standings as he seeks from third past his team-mate telling move as, with his rubber pitting, leaving the familiar sight over the radio. After four races 24.0, 8. Jenson Button (GBR) 23.0, 9. Kevin to regain his 2008 world title. Ricciardo, as did Alonso who got up to race temperature sooner, of two Mercedes at the head of out of 19, Mercedes already have Magnussen (DEN) 20.0, 10. Sergio Perez “I can’t believe how amazing a flying start in the Ferrari. he got past the four-time world the field for the third race in a a sizeable lead in the constructors’ (MEX) 18.0, 11. Felipe Massa (BRA) 12.0, the car is. I was able to look after The early drama came behind champion. row until Rosberg himself stopped championship with 154 points, 97 12. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 11.0, 13. Jean-Eric the tyres and then I was racing as Felipe Massa in the Williams Ricciardo pitted after 15 laps, for a second time. more than second-placed Red Vergne (FRA) 4.0, 14. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 4.0 myself,” said Hamilton. dived past Nico Rosberg’s dropping him behind Rosberg. Vettel was having a frustrating Bull. AFP

Westwood ends two-year Wie wins Lotte Championship LPGA Lotte KAPOLEI, United States: 23rd to 13th in the women’s world drought in American Michelle Wie won rankings. Championship scores her first LPGA title since 2010 Angela Stanford took a four- Malaysian rain KAPOLEI, United States: yesterday, firing five-under par stroke lead over Wie and Kim Leading final-round scores 67 for a two-shot victory in the Hyo-Joo into the final round, yesterday from the $1.7m US Lotte Championship. but carded a one-over 73 for a KUALA LUMPUR: Lee LPGA Lotte Championship Wie had six birdies, and not 12-under total of 276 that left her Westwood ended a two-year (USA unless noted, a-denotes even a three-putt bogey at the alone in second place. wait for a title with an emphatic amateur, par-72): final hole at her home course, Ko World number one Park In-Bee seven-stroke victory to clinch Olina, could dim her joy at her of South Korea, still in search 274 Michelle Wie 70-67-70-67 the rain-soaked Malaysian Open third career LPGA crown. of her first LPGA title of 2014, in style yesterday. 276 Angela Stanford 72-64-67-73 “It feels good,” said the 24-year- carded a 67 for 277. She was one The Englishman, who saw his 277 Park In-Bee (KOR) 70-68-72-67 old, who erased a four-shot defi- stroke in front of compatriot Kim, lead trimmed to a single stroke 278 Kim Hyo-Joo (KOR) 68-70-69-71 cit to win with a 14-under par whose 71 for 278 gave her sole on Saturday, cut a composed fig- 279 Chella Choi (KOR) 74-68-70-67, Ryu total of 274, said while talking to possession of fourth place. ure going into the final round as So-Yeon (KOR) 68-70-72-69 reporters. South Koreans Ryu So-Yeon he notched a clean-card score, 281 Haru Nomura (JPN) 73-67-73-68, “I’m just so happy right now I and Chella Choi shared fifth place including four birdies, to finish Amy Anderson 70-72-68-71 can’t think straight,” she said. on 279, Ryu carding a final-round at four-under 68 and reclaim the Wie’s other two LPGA titles 69 and Choi a 67. 282 Katherine Kirk (AUS) 73-70-71-68, title he last won in 1997. also came in North America, Wie’s victory follows three top- Pak Se-Ri (KOR) 68-71-74-69, Katie A four-hour delay due to tor- at the 2009 Lorena Ochoa 10 finishes this year, including her Burnett 71-69-72-70, Cristie Kerr 72- rential rain at the Kuala Lumpur Invitational in Mexico and at runner-up finish at the Kraft 66-70-74 Golf and Country Club did noth- Canadian Women’s Open in Nabisco Championship, the first ing to deter the former world 284 Christel Boeljon (NED) 71-70-74-69, August of 2010 -- but she had major of 2014. number one, who carded two Feng Shanshan (CHN) 73-71-70-70, never before won on US soil. “She’s been playing great,” birdies after the delay. Julieta Granada (PAR) 74-72-67-71 She’s projected to jump from Stanford said. AFP He completed his win in style when he holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the last for an 18-under- PGA Heritage Scores par 270 winning total to cele- England’s Donald HILTON HEAD ISLAND, brate his first title since the 2012 United States: Scores after Nordea Masters. The 40-year- yesterday’s third round of the old was visibly relieved to end his $5.8m US PGA Tour’s Heritage two-year drought and claim a 41st takes Heritage lead (par 71, a-denotes amateur, USA unless noted): career title, including a 13th on Asian soil. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, was going to give myself a lot of 205 Luke Donald (ENG) 70-69-66 “Yes, this win has come at an United States: England’s Luke chances.” 207 John Huh 71-68-68 important time. I am delighted to Donald fired a five-under par 66 American John Huh carded his 208 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 70-70-68, win. You have to play really well Lee Westwood of England poses with the trophy after winning the to take a two-shot lead yester- second straight 68 at Harbour Nicholas Thompson 70-70-68, Jim Furyk to win any tournament by seven Maybank Malaysian Open golf tournament in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. day after three rounds of the US Town Golf Links to move into (USA) 71-66-71, Ben Martin 69-68-71 shots and I played well this week PGA Tour’s Heritage. second place on 207. 209 Russell Knox (SCO) 69-72-68, Brian without making many mistakes,” Donald went into the round Donald gained some quick Stuard 69-72-68, Brian Harman 69-71- he said. Malaysian Open Final Scores with a share of fourth place momentum with an eagle at the 69, Matt Kuchar 66-73-70, Matt Every “I always play well in Asia, behind the leading trio of K.J. par-five second hole. He mixed 69-70-70 especially Malaysia. I just kept KUALA LUMPUR: Scores after the fourth and final round Choi, Jim Furyk and Ben Martin, two birdies with three bogeys on 210 Jason Kokrak 71-73-66, Richard H. Lee my foot down, tried not to com- yesterday in the $2.75m Maybank Malaysian Open at the Kuala who topped the leaderboard after the front nine, but four birdies 70-69-71, Scott Brown 70-69-71, Ted mit any bogeys and give the other Lumpur Golf and Country Club: the storm-disrupted second on his inward run saw him gain Potter 70-69-71 lads any chance,” added Westwood 270 Lee Westwood (ENG) 65-66-71-68 round was completed on Saturday control. 211 a-Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 71-71- who claimed a prize purse of 277 Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 69-71-70-67, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 72-68-69-68, Nicolas Colsaerts morning. “I’ve really played extremely 69, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 69-72-70, Robert Allenby (AUS) 69-72-70, Kevin $458,330. The $2.75m tourna- (BEL) 66-69-72-70 Donald, who has two runner-up well today,” the former world Streelman 69-72-70, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) ment, co-sanctioned by the Asian finishes and two third-place fin- number one said. “Hopefully, 278 Danny Willett (ENG) 70-66-72-70, Rikard Karlberg (SWE) 72-69-67-70, Julien Quesne (FRA) 72-68-71, K.J. Choi (KOR) 70-67-74 and European Tours, saw three 68-69-69-72 ishes in his past five starts in the more of the same tomorrow. I 212 J.B. Holmes 72-71-69, Ken Duke 72-71- runners-up including Austrian $5.8m event, had an eight-under think we’re in for a very windy 279 Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 74-68-70-67, Thomas Pieters (BEL) 75-67-69-68 69, Charley Hoffman 73-71-68, Graeme Bernd Wiesberger who carded the 280 Anirban Lahiri (IND) 72-72-66-70, Eduardo de la Riva (ESP) 69-68-71-72 total of 205 going into Sunday’s day tomorrow, so I’ll need to con- McDowell (NIR) 71-69-72, Martin day’s best score of five-under 67. final round. trol the ball even better.” 281 Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 73-69-71-68, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 68-71-72-70, Jason Knutzon (USA) Kaymer (GER) 73-67-72, Ryo Ishikawa Also sharing second spot were “I’ve always liked this golf Huh came into the week having 75-67-69-70, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 70-67-66-78 (JPN) 77-68-67, Gonzalo Fernandez- South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen course,” the 36-year-old Donald missed the cut in three of his past Castano (ESP) 74-71-67, Kevin Stadler 282 Michael Hoey (NIR) 67-73-73-69, Richard T. Lee (CAN) 69-76-67-70, Scott Hend (AUS) 70-70- and Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, said. four starts, but said he never felt 71-69-72, Bo Van Pelt 69-70-73, Woody ending the tournament on 72-70, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 73-70-69-70, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 70-71-69-72, Ricardo Santos “I’m really happy with the way his game was too far off. Austin 74-71-67, Chesson Hadley 11-under. AFP (POR) 67-71-70-74, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 68-70-70-74 I’m striking the ball. I felt like I AFP 72-67-73, Billy Hurley 70-69-73 MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Spain’s Competitors Marc Coma (seated third from 18 right) speaks during a news conference countries set at Losail International for Sealine Circuit yesterday. Others in the desert frame include (from left) Mohammed challenge Al Balooshi of the UAE, DOHA: FIA World Cup leader Rafal Sonik of Vladimir Vasilyev and defend- Poland, Sam ing Dakar Rally champion Marc Coma will lead their respective Sunderland of car and motorcycle rivals from Britain, QMMF 18 countries into the start of President the 2014 Sealine Cross-Country Nasser bin Rally at the Losail international Khalifa Al circuit, north of Doha, today Attiyah, Paulo morning. Goncalves Ahead of a top class field of Portugal, entered in their respective rounds Mohamed of the FIA World Cup for Cross- Abu Issa of Country Rallies and the FIM Qatar and Cross-Country Rallies World Joan Barreda Championship are five days and of Spain. 1,739.55km of punishing off-road competition through the deserts of Qatar. Intense heat, wind and dust, coupled with tricky navigation and varied landscapes make this one of the most challenging events of its kind on the planet and a crucial test event for com- D rivers, riders wary of petitors keen to prepare for the next Dakar Rally. Both car and motorcycle cat- egories will not only feature the fight for individual glory, but also the battle between manufactur- ers for pride of place at the top challenging Qatar terrain of their respective championship classifications. Mini takes on Toyota in the car It is important to follow your co-driver’s advice, says Nasser Saleh category - through the X-raid and Overdrive Racing teams – and Team HRC Rally (Honda) lines BY RIZWAN REHMAT that it is hard,” Hołowczy, 51, said. up against the Red Bull KTM “There is a lot of navigation prob- Former Dakar Factory Team in the two-wheel DOHA: Sound navigation lems but my car is working nicely. champion Qatar’s category. across Qatar’s desert terrain We always have the possibility to Nasser Saleh Al Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Attiyah, will be key to producing favour- change something. Year by year Attiyah is seen President of Qatar Motor and able times at this week’s Sealine our car is looking better,” the 1997 with compatriot Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Cross-Country Rally, former European Rally Champion added. and FIA vice-president for sport Dakar champion Nasser Saleh “There is possibility to find Mohamed Abu MENA, held a minute’s silence Al Attiyah said yesterday. more power and quality of our Issa at Losail during the motorcycle press Four-time Dakar bike cham- car is fantastic,” he added. International Circuit. conference for the Dubai-based pion Marc Coma of Spain and Coma, a winner in Qatar two BELOW: Al Attiyah British rider Cameron Waugh, Polish World Cup champion years ago, said: “We know riding places a sponsor who lost his life in an accident at Krzysztof Holowczy endorsed Al conditions are tough. We are in sticker on his Mini the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Attiya’s words, saying the secret a special country where terrains two weeks ago. to good results this week would are brutal. Now we have experi- yesterday. Al Attiyah “Our entries have strength in be a combination of smart pilot- ence but we know it is tough for is competing in depth and we look forward to five ing and a manageable number of riders and machines (cars) also. the car category at days of exciting competition on mistakes across Qatar’s notorious The small dunes are also differ- this week’s Sealine the challenging route that our off-road routes. ent to ride. It is important to be Cross-Country Rally team at the QMMF has devised,” “OK, I am the local driver and competitive here.” Al Attiyah said. where Abu Issa will I know the place and the driving He added: “Qatar is very special Abdul Salam Abu-Issa, area really well but the routes ride for me. Last year we couldn’t contest the quad CEO of the sponsoring Salam are changed for every race,” Al win as we lost by three seconds. bike class. International Group, joined Al Attiyah, the 2011 Dakar Rally We can picture how close it is Attiyah initially before leading champion, said yesterday. going to be. We don’t have big quad and motorcycle riders took “It is important to follow your number of centre stage. co-driver’s advice. If you don’t fol- riders here rally in terms of This is a really hard race. The Front-running drivers in the low the co-driver’s advice then you but we know navigation.” trick is not to make mistakes as car category, including Qatar’s get lost and lose a lot of time. It top names Riding for KTM a lot of directions change here. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and is very important to co-ordinate are here. after switching from It is hard condition with a lot Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi, with your co-driver. You need It will be a Honda, Sunderland, of stones. We have to be careful were then presented to the inter- proper advice,” the 43-year-old close race 24, said with a smile: and not make mistakes during the national and local media. added. here. Small “It is a dream come race.” Goncalves added: “There The host nation will be hop- “Of course I would like to win things mat- true to be part of are a lot of fights in the race. ing that the talented rider this race. This is a big event. Most ter. I want KTM. It feels like a There are seven or eight riders Mohammed Abu Issa is able to of the times we have gravel and to fight until child that I ask a lot who can win. We will try to win match and beat Polish rival Rafal small sand dunes to tackle. It is the end. I of questions. It is a again. This is our target.” Sonik in the quad category. important to start well. I missed hope I can great position to be Saudi rally giant Yazeed Al “The experience I gained at the the first three races but I want get a good in.” Rajhi said he wanted to pick up Dakar Rally will stand me in good to win this one,” Al Attiyah said. result.” UAE’s Mohamed points in Qatar this week after a stead, but Rafal (Sonik) is also “The objective is to continue Qatar’s Al Balooshi said: sluggish show in the Dubai Desert very experienced in the Middle racing. Sealine Rally is very Mohamed “Navigation is very Challenge. East and it will not be easy to beat important race in the world. You Abu Issa, demanding. You have “Yes, we were unlucky 10 days him Abu Issa said. see so many Mini and Toyota who made all those points what ago. We lost 60 points. Our plan “The Abu Dhabi Desert drivers here,” the Qatari added. his Dakar you don’t have at here to get back in the points Challenge was disappointing me The drivers and riders will Rally debut home. This is a very race,” Al Rajhi said. with the engine problem and it cover a distance of 1739.55kms in quad bike racing with a fourth- and we need to be careful as the good place to learn for Dakar Home hero Al Attiyah, how- cost me a lot of points towards over five days of gruelling rac- place finish last January, warned terrain is tough,” Issa added. Rally. If you want to go to Dakar ever, issued a clear warning to his the championship,” said Al-Rajhi. ing under temperatures that are rivals about the tough terrain. “It is quite hard and there are then come here. I love Qatar ter- rivals when he said: “I am using “Now I am back with the Toyota expected to touch 40 degrees “Of course I am trying to win lot of experience riders. But I am rain. I like this track.” the same car I drove during this team. I won with them in Russia Celsius this week. but I have to try and not make trying to be consistent. It is a Paulo Goncalves, who won the year’s Dakar Rally. It is a Mini. and Italy. I want to get back into Hołowczy, the veteran Polish mistakes,” Issa said. “I want to home rally for me,” Issa said. Dubai Desert Challenge for the It is a very good and strong car. I contention for the championship. racer, also said Qatar presented navigate well. Last year I crashed British rider Sam Sunderland, first time a couple of weeks ago, think I will enjoy driving in this It’s a busy time for me with the a unique challenge to the drivers. and I don’t want to crash this who is based in the UAE, said: said: “This is our second race. race. It won’t be easy but my car Jordan Rally next week and then “Last year I was second but for year. It is a tough ride (in Qatar). “Hopefully I can win as it is an After I won the Abu Dhabi Desert is ready to win this race.” Argentina the week after.” sure it is a hard rally. It is true We changed a lot of tires last year important rally. It is a difficult Challenge I need to keep focus. THE PENINSULA The 2001 Dakar Rally win- ner Jutta Kleinschmidt and her former Italian navigator Fabrizia Spectator Vantage Pons have been chosen to run as the route verification team. The Point German became the first and only woman in history to win Day 1 – Monday the Dakar with the Mitsubishi SS1 – 28.82 km (1st bike Ralliart team and she will pass 11.45hrs/1st car 13.00hrs) through each stage in advance of approx. the entrants to check the accu- Doha/Salwa Rd racy of the road book and to ensure that weather conditions Leave Salwa Rd at exit 42 turn- haven’t caused any major changes ing right. to the terrain. Follow the route for 11.5kms. Today), motorcycles leave There is a passage control the start podium at Losail from immediately before the cars and 10.00hrs and begin the opening bikes cross the tarmac road. It 164.18km selective section from is possible to see the competi- 11.30am. Cars follow over the Portgula’s Paulo Goncalves (right) joins his Team HRC Rally ahead of this tors for almost 500 metres on Marat Abykayev, the Kazakh FIA and FIM President, who is head of a podium from 11.15am and com- a track parallel to the asphalt week’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally action. Goncalves, who suffered a visiting delegation from the central Asian country, presents traditional mence the stage, which finishes before they turn left and pass a burnt bike at this year’s Dakar Rally, is one of 18 riders competing in Qatar. Kazakh souvenirs to QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah. 2.21km from the Sealine bivouac, bridge over a pipeline. at 12.45hrs. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Maxwell, Miller power Cavani scores brace as Punjab to win over Rajasthan

SHARJAH: Cheteshwar Pujara had the best seat in the PSG clinch League Cup house as the Maxwell-Miller roadshow continued to sparkle and helped Kings XI Punjab Second trophy for the club since their takeover by QSI in 2011 defeat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets with eight balls to spare in the Pepsi Indian PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain from 25 yards that was spectacu- Premier League season seven in won France’s League Cup yes- larly saved by Lopes. Sharjah yesterday. terday, beating Lyon 2-1 in the Brazilian defender Alex then For the second time in as many final at the Stade de France to had the ball in the net following games, Glenn Maxwell and David secure the first leg of a likely a Lavezzi free-kick only for the Miller starred in a massive chase domestic double. offside flag to cut short the PSG for Kings XI. Edinson Cavani was the match- celebrations, but they increased Pujara played through the winner for Laurent Blanc’s side, their lead from a controversial innings, making 40 off 38 balls scoring a first-half brace, one of penalty incident just after the (three fours) but watched which came from a controver- half-hour mark. Maxwell combined the destruc- sial penalty, and while Alexandre Lucas got to a long ball for- tively innovative with the classical Lacazette pulled a goal back in ward from Thiago Silva in front of as he made 89 off 45 balls (eight the second half, PSG proved just Lopes only to go down under min- fours, six sixes) and the explosive too strong for a Lyon outfit who imal contact from the Portuguese Miller 51 not out off 19 balls (six had beaten them in Ligue 1 just goalkeeper. sixes) to take the side across the six days earlier. The incident appeared to take line after Rajasthan Royals had It is the second trophy won by place just outside the box but the set Kings XI a more than compet- the club from the French capi- referee awarded a penalty, and itive target of 192 on a track that tal since their takeover by Qatar while Lopes escaped a red card challenged the bowlers to choose Sports Investments in 2011 and he could do nothing to keep out between discipline and variation. subsequent transformation into Cavani’s emphatically struck kick Earlier, when asked to bat one of the wealthiest clubs in from 12 yards, leaving OL with an first by Kings XI skipper George Europe, following their title tri- uphill struggle to get back into Bailey and aware that KXIP had umph last season. the game. chased down a 206-run target set And their League Cup victory “I’m very disappointed,” said by Chennai Super Kings in Abu -- their fourth in the 20-year his- Lyon coach Remi Garde. “It’s Dhabi, Rajasthan Royals started tory of the competition -- could be sad to lose a final due to a glar- off with an aggressive intent but followed by another Ligue 1 crown ing error like that. What do you none sustained it as long as the as early as next Wednesday, want me to say?” youngest player in their ranks, although they must hope nearest For Cavani, it was his 24th goal Sanju Samson (52 off 32 balls, rivals Monaco lose on Sunday for of the season, although he then three fours, four sixes). that to happen. squandered a good opportunity to Timing was the hallmark of “It is a privilege and an honour PSG players celebrate with their trophies after winning the French League Cup final match against Lyon at complete his hat-trick when he each of his sixes. His decisive foot- to play in a final but you have to the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Saturday night. blazed over after a piercing run work helping him get into position win it, and we won it,” said Blanc. by Lucas. to play the short arm pull, the “It was difficult because Lyon it did little real damage to their three minutes played, Maxwell good work from his strike partner Lyon were down and out at lofted straight drive, the inside were very good, especially in the championship aspirations. playing a one-two with Ezequiel Lacazette. half-time but Garde made a tac- out stroke over extra cover and second half. We’re having a good Two consecutive games without Lavezzi and dinking the ball Gomis then headed an Arnold tical switch eight minutes after the slapped stroke to the sight season but for people to remem- scoring since the loss of 40-goal over advancing Lyon goalkeeper Mvuemba corner straight at the restart, replacing right-back screen. Samson eased into Test ber it we had to win titles and leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic Anthony Lopes for Cavani to poke Nicolas Douchez, who was pre- Mouhamadou Dabo with another match-style batting when Watson that’s the first one.” to injury had also increased the home. ferred in goal to regular PSG forward in Jimmy Briand. took charge at the midway stage PSG had been in the doldrums pressure on misfiring record sign- Lyon, back at the Stade de first-choice ‘keeper Salvatore Lacazette was moved across to after being afforded a life by following their Champions League ing Cavani, but the Uruguayan France for the first time since Sirigu, just as he had been in the the left and three minutes later David Miller. quarter-final exit to Chelsea at produced a superb first-half dis- winning the French Cup two earlier rounds of the competition. he collected possession on the Ajinkya Rahane was sold a the start of the month and their play in which he scored twice and years ago, might have equalised However, Paris were on top and flank and cut inside before beat- dummy by Abhishek Nayar and 1-0 loss in Lyon last weekend had could have had two more goals. moments later, but Bafetimbi Cavani was unlucky not to score ing Douchez with a low shot from was run out. The left-hander heaped pressure on Blanc, even if The opener arrived with exactly Gomis hit the side-netting after with a superb first-time volley 20 yards. AFP stayed a little longer to be able to unleash a delightful straight drive off a Mitchell Johnson no-ball before being deceived by Murali’s Duim of Netherlands wins 3rd Qatar Futures 2014 Kartik’s arm ball that arrived later than expected. AGENCIES Scoreboard

RAJASTHAN ROYALS A M Nayar lbw Kartik ...... 23 A M Rahane (run out-Bailey) ...... 13 S V Samson b Awana ...... 52 S R Watson b Patel ...... 50 S T R Binny c Miller b Johnson ...... 12 S P D Smith (not out) ...... 27 J P Faulkner (not out)...... 8 Extras (B-2, LB-1, W-2, NB-1) ...... 6 Total (for 5 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 191 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-54, 3-128, 4-144, 5-159. Bowling: A R Patel 4-0-22-1; M G Johnson 4-0-29-1 (1nb); P Awana 4-0-40-1 (1w); L Balaji 4-0-46-0; M Kartik 4-0-51-1. KINGS XI PUNJAB C A Pujara (not out) ...... 40 V Sehwag c Binny b Kulkarni ...... 2 W P Saha c Kulkarni b Faulkner ...... 2 G J Maxwell c Smith b Richardson ...... 89 D A Miller (not out) ...... 51 Extras (LB-5, W-4) ...... 9 Total (for 3 wkts in 18.4 overs) ...... 193 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-126. Bowling: K W Richardson 3-0-25-1 (1w); D Netherlands Antal Van Der Duim (centre), winner of the 2nd Qatar Futures, poses for a picture along with Yousef S Kulkarni 4-0-50-1 (1w); J P Faulkner 3.4- Al Obaidly, Secretary General of Qatar Tennis Federation and Tariq Zeinal, Assistant General Secretary at QTF. Action from the Emir Cup basketball match between Al Rayyan and El 0-45-1 (1w); P V Tambe 4-0-26-0; R Bhatia Der Duim defeated Adrien Bossel from Switzerland, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 in the final. Jaish at Al Gharafa Indoor Stadium in Doha yesterday. El Jaish won 84-82. 3-0-38-0 (1w); S T R Binny 1-0-4-0. Dazzling line-up confirmed for IDL Doha 2014

DOHA: A host of reigning and meeting,” said the President of 400m: Pavel Özbilen (UK), Mutaz Essa Barshim 3000m: Almaz Ayana, Genzebe former Olympic Champions, are the Qatar Athletics Association Maslák (Czech (Turkey); (Qatar), Ivan Ukhov (Russia), Dibaba (Ethiopia), Mercy poised to compete at the IAAF Dahlan Al Hamad. Republic), 110m Andriy Protsenko (Ukraine), Erik Cherono, Hellen Obiri (Kenya); Diamond League kick-off meet- “On Friday May 9 at the Luguelin Hurdles: Kynard, Jesse Williams (USA); 400m Hurdles: Eilidh Child ing in Doha on May 9. Qatar Sports Club stadium we Santos Ryan Long Jump: Chris (UK), Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica), The IDL Doha 2014 will feature will have with us the follow- (Dominican Brathwaite Tomlinson (UK), Luis Alberto Lashinda Demus, Dalilah ten reigning or former Olympic ing Olympic Games winners: Republic), (Barbados), Rivera Morales (Mexico), Muhammad (USA); Champions besides 25 current or LaShawn Merritt in the 400m, Josh Mance, Pascal IgnisiousGaisah (Netherlands), Pole Vault: Yarisley Silva former World Champions as well David Rudisha in the 800m, Asbel LaShawn Martinot- Godfrey Khotso Mokoena (Cuba), Jirina Svobodova (Czech as 28 silver and bronze medalists Kiprop in the 1500m, Brimin Merritt, Tony Lagarde (South Africa), Christian Taylor Republic), Anna Rogowska from the IAAF’s flagship event. Kipruto and Ezekiel Kemboi in McQuay (France), (USA); (Poland); Furthermore, 12 athletes from the 3000m Steeplechase, the lat- (USA); Sergey Discus Throw: Gerd Kanter Triple Jump: Keila Da Silva this season’s star-studded line-up ter twice winner at Olympics, Ivan 800m: Shubenkov (Estonia), Ehsan Hadadi (Iran), Costa (Brazil), Caterine Ibargüen have been crowned World Indoor Ukhov in High Jump, Christian David Rudisha (Russia), Piotr Malachowski (Poland); (Colombia), Kimberley Williams Champions and additionally ten Taylor the Olympic Triple Jump (Kenya), David Oliver, WOMEN (Jamaica), Anna Pyatykh have won silver or bronze. Champion in Long Jump, Gerd Nijel Amos Valerie Adams Omoghan Christian Taylor 100m: Shelly-Ann Fraser- (Russia), Olha Saladukha “We are keeping the tradition Kanter in Discus Throw, Shelly- (Botswana), Osaghe, Ryan Pryce, Carrie Russell, Kerron (Ukraine); of bringing on elite athletes in Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100 and Andrew Wilson (USA); Stewart (Jamaica), Blessing Shot Put: Valerie Adams (New Doha alive and we respect our Valerie Adams in Shot Put, both Osagie (UK); 3000m Steeplechase: Ezekiel Okagbare (Nigeria), Alexandria Zealand), Yevgeniya Kolodko commitment for high quality double Olympic Champions.” 1500m: Ayanleh Souleiman Kemboi, Birmin Kiprop Kipruto, Anderson, English Gardner (Russia), Michelle Carter (USA); standards in every field of this MEN (Djibouti), Mekonnen Conselsus Kipruto, Paul Kipsiele (USA); Javelin Throw: Kimberley great one-day event. Introducing 200m: Nickel Ashmeade, Gebremedhin, Aman Wote Koech, Abel Kiprop Mutai 800m: Jennifer Meadows, Mickle (Australia), Linda Stahl a roster like that is an essential Warren Weir (Jamaica), Femi (Ethiopia), Silas Kiplagat, Asbel (Kenya); High Jump: Donald Marilyn Okoro (UK), Janeth (Germany), Sunette Viljoen prerequisite for yet another suc- Ogunode (Qatar), Curtis Mitchell Kiprop (Kenya), Johan Cronje Thomas (Bahamas), Derek Jepkosgei, Eunice Jepkoech Sum (South Africa) cessful Doha Diamond League (USA); (South Africa), Ilhan Tanui Drouin (Canada), Robbie Grabarz (Kenya), Chanelle Price (USA); THE PENINSULA

Monday 21 April 2014 21 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6042 Sport Price: QR2

Drivers, riders PSG capture wary of tough League Cup Qatar terrain with 2-1 win

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English Premier League Results Liverpool move closer to LONDON: Collated English Premier League results yesterday: Everton 2 (Baines 28-pen, Mirallas 43) Manchester United 0 Hull City 0 Arsenal 3 (Ramsey 31, Podolski title, Everton sink United 45, 54) Norwich City 2 (Hooper 54, Snodgrass 77) Liverpool 3 (Sterling 4, 62, Suarez 11) Another hard-fought win helps Liverpool inch closer to rare EPL title Playing today (1900 GMT) Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion Played Saturday LONDON: Liverpool moved coupled with Manchester City’s “It does (hurt), because Aston Villa 0 Southampton 0 closer to a first league title since draw against the same side in it’s part of this club and 1990 with a 3-2 win at Norwich mid-week, had given Liverpool a we want to be in it. We’ll Cardiff City 1 (Whittingham 51-pen) Stoke City 1 (Arnautovic 45+3-pen) City yesterday that sent them huge opportunity to stamp their do everything we can to five points clear in the Premier authority on the title race. get ourselves back in it Chelsea 1 (Eto’o 12) Sunderland 2 (Wickham League. They went ahead in the fourth as quickly as we can,” 18, Borini 82-pen) Quick-fire early goals from minute when Sterling scored from Newcastle United 1 (Ameobi 23) Swansea Raheem Sterling and Luis 25 yards with a fine shot that took says DAVID MOYES City 2 (Bony 45+1, 90+2-pen) Suarez put the visitors in con- a slight deflection off Michael Manchester United Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Paulinho 35, Kane 48, trol at Carrow Road, before Gary Turner. manager David Moyes Hooper replied for fourth-bottom Sterling then teed up Suarez Kaboul 62) Fulham 1 (Sidwell 37) talks to Wayne Rooney Norwich in the 54th minute. to add a second goal in the 11th during their English West Ham United 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Jedinak Sterling appeared to have made minute, making the Uruguayan 59-pen) the points safe with a deflected the first Liverpool player to score Premier League (EPL) shot minutes later, but a late 30 league goals in a season since match against Everton Robert Snodgrass header obliged Ian Rush in 1986-87. at Goodison Park in Liverpool to endure a nervy last Norwich pulled a goal back Liverpool, northern 10 minutes. nine minutes into the second England, yesterday. It was Liverpool’s 11th consecu- half when Hooper tapped home RIGHT, BELOW: tive league victory and means that after Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Liverpool’s English they are guaranteed to qualify for Mignolet miscued an attempted midfielder Raheem next season’s Champions League, punch. Sterling celebrates but Brendan Rodgers’s side now Sterling restored Liverpool’s scoring his second goal have a bigger prize in their sights. two-goal cushion in the 62nd during their EPL match They need seven points from minute with a shot that took against Norwich City at their remaining three games to a cruel deflection off Bradley Carrow Road. win the league and can eliminate Johnson, but Snodgrass’s 77th- Chelsea from the title race by win- minute header set up a nail-biting ning at home to Jose Mourinho’s denouement. home Arsenal’s second goal just desire to do it and I think we can, United target, put Everton ahead side next weekend. Arsenal kept their noses in before half-time from Ramsey’s but it’s down to the quality of the from the penalty spot in the 28th “It was massive,” Rodgers told front of Everton in the race for chested lay-off. performance in every game.” minute after Phil Jones had Sky Sports. the fourth and final Champions Podolski claimed his second The victory provisionally put blocked a shot with his hand and “We said before the game, every League qualifying berth with a goal in the 54th minute, tuck- Arsenal four points clear of Kevin Mirallas added a second victory at this stage of the season, comfortable 3-0 win at future FA ing away the rebound after Hull fifth-place Everton, but Roberto goal shortly before half-time. whether you’re top, middle or bot- Cup final opponents Hull City. goalkeeper Allan McGregor had Martinez’s side trimmed their “What I was pleased with was tom, is important, and I thought Arsenal welcomed Mesut Ozil blocked from the irrepressible lead back to a point with a clinical that the team showed a real focus we showed great courage today. back from a hamstring injury Ramsey. 2-0 defeat of Manchester United. in wanting to win the game,” said “We will go into the next three and he played a part in the 31st- “We kept a clean sheet and we It was United manager David Martinez. “We were very fresh. games looking to perform well. minute move that led to Aaron scored three goals, and overall Moyes’s first visit to Goodison The squad is ready and that’s We want to continue to fight and Ramsey drilling the visitors in I believe the performance was Park since he left to succeed Alex pleasing.” now look to Chelsea next week, front. good,” said Arsenal manager Ferguson last year and it was to Defeat for United means that where it will be an incredible In response, Hull midfielder Arsene Wenger. prove a chastening one, as his side last season’s champions can no atmosphere at Anfield.” Jake Livermore drove a low shot “It’s in our hands. Do we win fell to their 11th defeat of a dismal longer qualify for the Champions Chelsea’s shock 2-1 defeat at against the post, only for Lukas our games? So let’s just focus to campaign. League, after 18 successive sea- home to Sunderland on Saturday, Podolski to emphatically volley win the games. We have a great Leighton Baines, a one-time sons in the competition. AFP Al Shamal keen to reach round two of Emir Cup; Al Shahaniya promise a fight

DOHA: Buoyed by their recent good form, football minnows Al Shamal are eyeing the second round of the Emir Cup which kicks-off with two matches today. Al Shamal, who won promo- tion to Qatar Stars League (QSL) by winning the Second Division, take on Al Shahaniya in their first match of the Emir Cup, the country’s most popular football tournament. The match will be played at Al Arabi Stadium. Al Shamal coach, Silvio D’Alberto yesterday said his team are aiming to reach the second round of the key event. Al Shamal coach Silvio D’Alberto is seen with club player Hassan Mahmoud during a news conference in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Al Shahaniya coach “I would like to congratulate Alexander Gama and club player Saad Hussein during an Emir Cup press conference. Both teams face off in the Emir Cup opener at Al Arabi Stadium my team on becoming a first divi- in Doha today. The match will start at 5:15pm. Today’s Matches sion club. Our match against Al Al Shamal vs Al Shahaniya at Al Arabi Stadium Shahaniya will not be an easy one. - 5:15pm Al Shahaniya is a very good team is very important in keeping the order to avoid being relegated to first division league. We are work- lose once you’re out immediately. Mesaimeer vs Al Makrkhiya at Al Arabi and they have very good midfield,” club in the first division, as well Second Division. Our defence in ing very hard and we will fight all We have prepared very well for Stadium - 7:45pm D’Alberto said. as choosing good players and Qatargas League was one of the the way,” Gama said. our match and are hoping for the “We will play very aggressively working on the players to main- strongest. We can only find out In day’s second match, best result against Al Markhiya.” Round 2 Matches in the match as we don’t want tain their good performance. We how we will perform by testing Mesaimeer will take on Al Al Markhiya coach Peter to be disqualified from the first want to see how far we are from against QSL teams.” Markhiya at Al Arabi Stadium Polack yesterday said: “We lost Muaither vs Qatar SC at Al Arabi Stadium round of the Emir Cup,” he added. the first division clubs, the gap Al Shahaniya coach Alexander Mesaimeer coach Raad Abdul many matches in the league - 5:15pm When asked about his strategy is obviously big but we also have Gama said his players were ‘very Latif said: “I’m honoured to because of many mistakes that Winner of M1 vs Al Khor at Al Arabi Stadium in keeping Al Shamal as a first good players that are able to play motivated’ for a positive result. lead my side in the Emir Cup. were made, whether individually - 7:45pm division club, he said: “There are extremely well in Emir Cup this “The players are working very I hope that our match against or as a team. I hope we perform Winner of M2 vs Al Wakra at Qatar SC two examples in QSL of where year.” hard. We lost against Al Shamal Al Markhiya will leave a good well in the match. We will work Stadium - 5:15pm two of the clubs were relegated He added: “You have to make but we are working very hard to impression. Emir Cup is different very hard to rectify these mis- Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat at Qatar SC and these are Muaither and Al sure your defence is strong qualify for the next round. We from Qatargas League because takes and avoid these errors in Stadium - 7:45pm Ahli, In my opinion, management enough throughout the season in need to prepare well to stay in there’s less matches and if you the Cup.” THE PENINSULA