ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Home | 5 Business | 19 Sport | 28 Travellers Gulf Warehousing Volleyball: Emir urged to take Co net profit Cup action precaution jumps 40 percent kicks off against malaria. in first quarter. from May 3.

SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 • 7 Rajab 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6412 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Over 1,300 killed in Nepal quake Kathmandu landmarks destroyed; airport briefly closed; search on for survivors; thousands sleep in the open

KATHMANDU: Tens of thou- Indian television. sands of people were spending Hospitals across the nation the night in the open under a Emir sends struggled to cope with the dead chilly and thunderous sky after and injured from Nepal’s worst a powerful earthquake devas- condolences quake in 81 years, and a lack of tated Nepal yesterday, killing equipment meant rescuers could more than 1,382 people, collaps- DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh look no deeper than surface rub- ing modern houses and ancient Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ble for signs of life. temples and triggering a land- sent yesterday a cable of Areas of Kathmandu were slide on Mount Everest. Officials condolences to President of reduced to rubble, and rescue warned the death toll would rise Nepal Ram Baran Yadav operations had still not begun in as more reports came in from after an earthquake that hit some remote areas. Among the far-flung areas. Nepal yesterday. The Emir capital’s landmarks destroyed in Nepal urged countries to send expressed his deep condo- the earthquake was the 60-metre- aid to help it cope with the after- lences to the the families high (100-foot) Dharahara Tower, math as the desperate search for of the victims, wishing the built in 1832 for the queen of survivors continued into the early injured a swift recovery. Nepal, with a viewing balcony hours today. QNA that had been open to visitors for As fears of a humanitarian dis- the last 10 years. aster grew, thousands of people A jagged stump 10 metres braved freezing temperatures to high was all that was left of the sleep on pavements, in parks or lighthouse-like structure. As bod- in fields, too afraid to return to Qatari citizens ies were pulled from the ruins, a homes damaged by the quake. policeman said up to 200 people The US Geological Survey safe: Embassy had been trapped inside. put the magnitude of the quake DOHA: The Qatari Across the city, rescuers at 7.9. It said the quake hit at Embassy in Nepal said scrabbled through the rubble of 11:56am local time (0611 GMT) at yesterday that all Qatari destroyed buildings, among them Lamjung, about 80km northwest citizens and the diplomatic ancient, wooden Hindu temples. People search for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings at Durbar Square in Kathmandu yesterday. of Kathmandu. delegation were in good Foreign climbers and their The quake tore through the health after the earthquake Nepalese guides around Mount middle of highways in the capi- that hit the country. The Everest were caught by the trem- tal and also caused damage to embassy called on Qatari ors and a huge avalanche. An Nepalese workers in shock the country’s only international citizens in Nepal to be on Indian army mountaineering team airport which was briefly closed. guard. The embassy added found 18 bodies on Mount Everest, Aftershock tremors could be felt that citizens in need of help where an avalanche unleashed by BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB I reach home’.” He said after this some mobiles networks are still more than two hours after the can call 0097714721631 and the earthquake swept through base brief conversation, the phone in operation in some areas. initial quake. 009779802400000. QNA camp. More than 1,000 climbers DOHA: Many Nepalese work- got disconnected and since then “My wife, who was supposed to The home ministry said the had gathered there at the start of ers in Qatar are in a state of he has been continuously trying land in Doha today, is stranded death toll had reached 1,382. the climbing season. shock and grief as they are not for several hours but could not at Katmandu as the airport has A police spokesman said more action plan and lots needs to Aid groups readied staff to go able to establish contacts with get through. “The only source of been shut. But I am a bit relieved than 630 of them were killed in be done,” said Information and to Nepal with supplies to pro- their loved ones back home as information about the earthquake after talking to my brother in-law Kathmandu Valley and at least Broadcasting Minister Minendra vide clean water, sanitation and the devastating 7.9 magnitude is Facebook, which does not tell on his land phone,” said Deepak 300 more in the capital. Rijal. “Our country is in a moment emergency food. A spokesman for earthquake has disrupted com- anything about my own people,” Prasad, who works with a leading “We have launched a mas- of crisis and we will require tre- Nepal’s home ministry said the munication lines in different Kamal said. hypermarket. sive rescue and rehabilitation mendous support and aid,” he told government had released around parts of the country, including “A friend of mine flew yester- Prasad expressed his concern, $500m as emergency funds for the capital Kathmandu. day by Flydubai airline, but there saying: “Although the aid and rescue operations. “My wife is pregnant. I am very is no news of him -- whether he rescue teams have started pour- Neighbouring India, where 44 worried about her safety, but I am has reached home or is stranded ing in from overseas, including people were reported killed in not able to get any information in Dubai,” he said. According to from India, there will be an acute the quake and its aftershocks, through any of the three numbers reports, Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan shortage of food, water, and other was first to respond to calls for I have,” said Arjun Bahdur, a resi- International Airport was shut essential items in the Nepal’s big- help, sending military aircraft dent of Baglung district of Nepal. yesterday following the earth- gest city as the local supply lines with medical equipment and relief Kamal, another resident of the quake, resulting in the cancella- have been severely damaged in teams. Offers of help poured in same district, who gave only his tion of scores of flights from and the earthquake.” from governments around the first name, said: “The only informa- to the airport, including Nepal According to him, the scale of world, with the United States and tion I have about my family is that Airlines, Flydubai, Air Arabia, damage will be very huge because the European Union announc- my wife is alive, but I don’t know Jet Airways and several flights of most of the old houses in the ing they were sending in disas- about my children and the damage Qatar Airways. country, including in Kathmandu, ter response teams. There were the earthquake has caused to my But some Nepalese here are are made of mud and cement similar offers from Sri Lanka house and my village. planning to fly to neighboring blocks with very little use of steel. and Pakistan. In Europe, Britain, “After several attempts I spoke India and use the land routes to Another Nepalese, Abdul Hakeem, Germany, Norway and Spain also to my wife for a few minutes while reach home as quickly as possible working as an electrician, said: “As pledged support and assistance. she was on her way back home to join their families as they are we come from an area close to the China’s official Xinhua news from her parents’ village, but she not able to contact them. Indian border, most of the villag- agency said that 13 people were was nearly 300 metres away. She A source told The Peninsula ers carry an Indian number on killed in the Tibet region. could only say, ‘I can see from that most of the mobile services standby, as the local networks often A man and woman hold each other after the quake. AGENCIES here, the house is standing, but are dysfunctional. However, he provide poor connectivity.” See also pages 5, 12 & 14 can’t tell you anything more until said some fixed line phones and THE PENINSULA

Britain’s Conservatives Qaeda, allies take regime take three-point lead Qatar Chamber to study over Labour, says poll holdout in northwest Syria private school problems BEIRUT: Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate and its allies seized the last LONDON: Prime Minister David major government-held city in Idlib province yesterday, in a blow Cameron’s Conservative Party has taken a DOHA: Amid complaints about a severe well as the high rents. He said the purpose of that could expose the regime’s coastal heartland to rebel attack. 3 percentage point lead over the opposition shortage of private schools in the country, the study is to identity the major obstacles fac- The capture of Jisr Al Shughur in the northwestern province comes Labour Party, according to a Survation poll the Qatar Chamber, representative body of ing private education and take it up with the nearly a month after the same coalition of opposition forces, known for The Mail on Sunday newspaper ahead of the private sector is conducting a survey competent authorities to find suitable solutions. as the “Army of Conquest”, overran the provincial capital. The city’s the May 7 election. among investors and school operators on The study conducted through a question- fall opens up a strategic assault route for the rebels to Latakia prov- The poll put the Conservatives up 3 per- the obstacles facing private education. naire will focus on many issues including legis- ince, a bastion of President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, analysts said. centage points on 33 percent, with support QC Vice-Chairman and Head of Education lation and regulations relating to establishing Shortly after the city’s capture, a string of villages in neighbouring for Labour dropping 4 percentage points to Committee Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar an educational institution and to what extent Hama province also fell to rebels. See also page 10 30 percent. Al Kuwari told this daily yesterday many they are clear, comprehensive and fulfill the With less than two weeks to go before the investors have been complaining about the requirements. May 7 election, most opinion polls have shown long procedures for opening new private The questionnaire also seek feedback the Calls for talks grow in Yemen voters fairly evenly split between Britain’s schools. duration needed for issuing private licenses, two main political parties, meaning neither With a rapid increase in the country’s admission age, efficiency of the electronic reg- TAEZ: Fierce fighting raged yesterday in south Yemen between is likely to win enough seats to hold a clear population, the number of applications seek- istration system and the current school fees Iran-backed rebels and loyalists of exiled President Abdrabuh parliamentary majority. ing a licence to set up private schools have standards. Mansur Hadi, as pressure mounted for the warring factions to The poll put support for the anti-Euro- increased. Besides the increase in demand He called on private schools and investors hold political talks. Sources said that clashes had left at least 90 pean Union UK Independence Party (UKIP) for schools, the restrictions imposed on the in this sector to participate in the survey by people dead in towns in the south of the country. US Secretary of at 18 percent, while support for the Liberal number of students in each class has caused expressing their views and suggestions. He said State John Kerry called on the anti-government forces to enter into Democrats, the junior partner in the coalition, the current shortage of seats, he added. the findings of the survey will be sent to the political dialogue to end the conflict. The UN said Mauritanian dip- was at 9 percent. The Greens were on 4 percent. Many investors are also complaining of a authorities concerned for follow-up and action. lomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has been confirmed as Secretary REUTERS shortage of purpose-built school buildings as THE PENINSULA General Ban Ki-moon’s new envoy to Yemen. See also page 7 SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Scaffolding work without training risky: Experts CISRS-certified Aecor begins operation in Qatar

DOHA: People working on the industry recognised scaffold also because a scaffolder with a scaffoldings in the construction training scheme in the UK for CISRS certificate is recognised industry without proper train- over 40 years. worldwide. ing are at a high risk of falling It is the preferred scaffold- The programmes range from from heights, say safety experts. ing qualification of all the major new entrants to advanced Specified training is compul- organisations worldwide recog- ‘craftsmen. Accredited courses sory for workers as working on nised by government enforcing for scaffold inspectors and scaf- scaffold ring is the most dan- bodies (HSE). folding supervisors will be avail- gerous activity in the construc- Aecor scaffolding training cen- able at the centre. Rick Statham tion field, said experts attached tre is a company certified under closed the session by highlight- to Aecor, a training provider CISRS standards recently and ing that his company currently company based in Doha, dur- will be operating in Qatar at Al operates training centres in the ing the launch of a programme Khor providing qualification for UK, UAE, Korea and India as of Certified Scaffolder Training scaffolders with formal training well as new centre run by Aecor Courses in Qatar at a conference and assessment including prac- in Qatar. on Thursday. tical, theoretical and health and “There is a need for this part David Mosley Managing safety sessions. of the world for professional Director of Construction Industry “We believe there is a good scaffolder training, worldwide Francesco Bax (right), General Manager, Marcegalia Gulf; Rick Statham (second right), Joint Managing Director, Scafforlders Record Scheme opportunity in oil and gas and statistically highest percent- Safety and Access Middle East; David Knowles (third left) of Access Midle East, Ajman, UAE; David Mosley (second (CISRS), opened the conference construction contractor sectors age of fatality in construc- left), Managing Director of Construction Industry Scafforlders Record Scheme, and Ricki Morgan, Country Manager saying that falls from heights here. We see there is a clear appe- tion field is due to falling from for Qatar, CCC; during a seminar in Doha. (SALIM MATRAMKOT ) remain the most common kind tite in Qatar for quality training heights. Lot of construction is of accidents on construction sites. in this particular moment,” Rick going on in Qatar, safety stand- Manager of Marcegalia Gulf. labour activity, but you need to that a mason, a carpenter or Many of these incidents can be Statham, Managing Director of ards are already there, but an Speaking about the common have specific skills that have to a steal fixer can be used on a avoided by effective planning and Safety and Access UK partner international training scheme mistakes by people working on be taught and learnt. The most scaffolding just because he is by training people with proper of Aecor told this newspaper. would enhance the safety,” scaffolding he said: “Many con- common mistake in the con- available.” methods by CISRS and has been He said that training is useful said Francessco Bax, General sider scaffolding as a general struction industry is to consider THE PENINSULA

Team for Qatar Airways, Aspire Academy’s Africa project named

DOHA: The names of the Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, reach the heights of international final 15 footballers selected for said: “We are extremely excited to football through training and the Qatar Airways & Aspire see the inaugural Qatar Airways development at their Academy Academy – Football Dreams & Aspire Academy – Football located in Senegal. Each year, the Africa team have been officially Dreams Africa team becoming programme selects a number of announced. a reality. And we are very proud 13-year-old boys who go through The select group of 13-year- to have our name associated with a rigorous assessment process old boys who make up the Qatar such a wonderful and life-chang- in the hopes of being selected Airways & Aspire Academy – ing programme, which will see to attend the Academy. Having Football Dreams Africa team, these young boys build on their already tested two million foot- represents a number of coun- natural talent, making them into ball players since the beginning tries across Africa, including footballers worthy of playing at of the programme eight years Ghana, Gambia, Burundi, Uganda, a professional level. We wish the ago, Aspire Football Dreams is Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Cameroon boys the very best of luck at their the largest-ever talent search in and Mali. match in Barcelona.” football. Those selected the team will Aspire Academy Director This is the first year that now enter a five-year programme General Ivan Bravo said: “The Qatar Airways has partnered at the Aspire Academy in Senegal, match in Barcelona is going to be with the Aspire Academy Aspire where they will train, compete, a great experience for the selected Football Dreams programme in study and learn to manage their players and we are very thank- Africa. Over the last year, Aspire Four Seasons Hotel Doha officials cutting a cake to mark the beginning of the 10th anniversary celebrations. lives and careers successfully, ful that Qatar Airways joined us Football Dreams coaches, staff with the goal of one day playing in this initiative. Breaking into and more than 4,000 volunteers for a professional club or their the world of professional football assessed 400,000 13-year-old foot- Four Seasons marks 10 years in Doha respective national teams. demands a lot of hard work. It ball players, at approximately 650 The players, who have been is opportunities like this trip to football fields in 14 countries. Of playing together for almost one Spain that might motivate the those, 35 boys were selected to fly DOHA: Four Seasons Hotel dated more than 1,120,000 guests. General Manager of Four Seasons month since coming together as young players to put in even more to Senegal, home of the Aspire Doha kicked off a year of cel- “After 10 incredible years, Four Hotel Doha. To commemorate the a team in March, will have an effort in order to reach their goal Football Dreams Academy, for ebration to mark the hotel’s 10th Seasons Hotel Doha continues to be anniversary, the hotel is offering excellent opportunity to show of becoming professional football their final assessment, which anniversary. Recognised as a glo- a recognised leader in hospitality a decade worth of promotional off their skills when they travel players.” included rigorous training and bal hospitality leader for the past thanks to our exceptional employ- opportunities that range from spa to Barcelona this May to play a Launched in 2007, Aspire matches against Spanish youth decade, Four Seasons Hotel Doha ees, intuitive service standards and and culinary, to a chance to win an friendly match against the FC Football Dreams gives young team RCD Espanyol, before the first opened its doors on April 23, valued guests,” said Rami Sayess, annual visit for the next 10 years. Barcelona Under-15 team. football players from develop- final selection was made. 2005, and has since accommo- Regional Vice-President and THE PENINSULA Qatar Airways Group Chief ing countries the opportunity to THE PENINSULA Ooredoo wins TMT Innovation Award

DOHA: Ooredoo has won the ‘TMT Innovation Award’ at the TMT MENA Awards 2015 held in Dubai last week. The award recognises Ooredoo’s innovative partnership with Rocket Internet, Germany’s biggest incubator for online companies. Ooredoo and Rocket Internet joined forces in August 2014 to create the Asia Pacific Internet Group (APACIG), a partnership that aims to build and fund online start- ups, with ventures ranging from online retail and mar- ketplaces to classified services. Since its launch, APACIG has become a leading online platform in Asia, building top Internet compa- nies that have continued to grow and expand through 2015. In addition to successfully managing the operations of 14 companies across 15 markets within the Asia Pacific, APACIG has launched four new ventures in the past year (ShopWings, Printvenue, Helpling and SpaceWays) and expanded its online jobs classifieds venture, which is known as Work.com.mm in Myanmar, into Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Nepal under the Everjobs brand. The company has also facilitated the merger of two of Asia Pacific’s leading online comparison shopping businesses, PricePanda and Getprice under the “Next Commerce” banner, with the aim of creating a market- leading network across the region. Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: “This award is a testament to the successful partnership we have established with Rocket Internet in 2014. The attrac- tiveness of this partnership is that it enables Ooredoo to enrich people’s lives in Asia, where there is a big entre- preneurship community and a notable need for funding and support. eCommerce is part of Ooredoo’s strategy to invest in new businesses and develop ideas that will grow to become full-fledged business with continuous revenue streams. We are delighted to be recognised for our efforts in supporting young entrepreneurs and seeing their brilliant innovations come to light.” THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME NHRC discusses labour conditions with QPMC Firm hands over report on worker status to rights panel

DOHA: In the context of pro- related to human rights. To that Darwish, QPMC Director of moting human rights con- end, NHRC is actively engaged Administration, presented the siderations in the workplace, with local companies to urge them labour report and the current sta- the National Human Rights to adopt policies and procedures tus of workers, for the National Committee (NHRC) visited that attach utmost importance to Human Rights Committee dele- the offices of Qatar Primary the human element including liv- gation represented by Jaber Saleh Materials Company (QPMC) to ing and working conditions under Al Huwail, Saad Sultan Abdullah discuss their recent submission the employer’s auspices. and Hala Al Ali who joined the of a report on labour conditions. QPMC CEO, Engineer Eisa discussion panel, discussing pro- NHRC’s attending members Al Hammadi said that the com- posals that could be adopted by commended QPMC’s efforts pany believes that progress in QPMC to progress even further towards achieving optimal work- any business depends on sound in upholding workers’ rights. ing and living conditions for their risk assessment which includes Dr Latifa Al Darwish high- employees and labourers. retaining human capital through lighted that QPMC urges its Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, the provision of favorable working employees, contractors and NHRC Assistant Secretary- conditions. workers to adhere to the highest General said that the committee Therefore, all QPMC’s employ- standards of safety, through stat- is keen on maintaining human ees are partners in the commit- ing HSE criteria clearly to the NHRC delegation with Dr Latifa Al Darwish and QPMC delegates. rights by supporting all that ment to maintaining health and parties concerned, and ensuring would respect these rights in safety, as key elements in ensur- sound implementation through in line with Qatar National programs of safety at work. the country’s growing construc- the corporate sphere, stressing ing work efficiency, productivity continuous training and access Vision 2030. This goal can only QPMC is tasked by the gov- tion sector, capitalizing on three the government’s commitment and sustainability. to references on latest devel- be achieved through concerted ernment of Qatar with the pro- core values: quality, reliability and to the enactment of all inter- Also during NHRC’s meet- opments in health, safety and efforts of both management and duction and supply of primary efficiency. national conventions and laws ing at QPMC, Dr Latifa Al environmental practices (HSE), staff to implement the plans and materials in line with the needs of THE PENINSULA

Chief-of-staff visits Qatari forces in Saudi Qatari Businesswomen Association KHAMIS MUSHAIT, Saudi support the legitimacy in Yemen. them the greetings Minister of Arabia: Chief-of-Staff of the The Chief-of-Staff and the del- State for Major General Hamad Qatari Armed Forces H E egation were greeted on arrival at bin Ali Al Attiyah. holds ‘Etiquette Princess’ course Major General (Pilot) Ghanem King Khaled Air Base in Khamis The delegation was briefed on bin Shaheen Al Ghanem and Mushait by Commander of Southern the progress of the Operation DOHA: Qatari Businesswomen Association has delegation visited the Qatari Command in Saudi Arabia Major “Restoring Hope”. He com- partnered with Executive Training Solutions, forces who participated in General Mutlaq bin Salem Al Azima. mended the cooperation and joint in sponsorship with Al Faisal Without Borders the Operation ‘Determination Chief-of-Staff conveyed the action between the armed forces of Foundation, to conduct an Etiquette course Storm’ and now taking part in greetings of the Commander in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, thanks “Etiquette Princess”. This course, which is the the Operation ‘Restoring Hope’ Chief of the Armed Forces to the to the wise guidance of the wise first of its kind in Qatar, is aimed at girls between in Yemen, as part of the regional Qatari troops taking part in the leadership of the two countries. 9-13 years old. This course which started yester- coalition led by Saudi Arabia to operations. He also conveyed to QNA day will run till tomorrow. Vice-Chairwoman of the Qatari Businesswomen Association, Aisha Hussain Alfardan, (pictured) said: “This partnership arises from the association’s Doha Festival City Media Roundtable interest to provide training opportunities in differ- ent fields. This training will help girls from 9-13 years old gain principles, skills and develop their personality to become future leaders”. This training greatly supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030, specifically the Social Development pil- lar. This pillar gives a notable focus on empowering women; enhancing their capabilities and encouraging them to participate fully in the political and eco- nomic spheres, especially in decision-making roles. “We believe conducting such training is very important in order to help build and shape Qatar’s youth. We are pleased to conduct this training in partnership with the Qatari Businesswomen taking into consideration the Arab Culture and the Association and the support of our sponsor Al-Faisal Gulf’s Regional Values. Without Borders Foundation,” Rima Arab, Founder Etiquette knowledge will enable the young girls and CEO of Executive Training Solutions. “Seats to present themselves with confidence, know how to were completely booked within 48 hours of the act, show respect to others, and build healthy rela- course being advertised. This proves the awareness tionships with others from different backgrounds. of the Qatari community regarding the necessity of The girls will learn how to represent their coun- conducting such courses,” she added. try’s image in an international, eloquent manner. Introducing behavioral and communication skills Executive Training Solutions is a Canadian Company to Qatari girls in this age group will help shape them specialized in training and consulting business eti- The participants during Doha Festival City Media Roundtable held at the Multipurpose Hall at the Gate Mall into the successful leaders they are meant to be. It quette, protocol, soft diplomacy, leadership, executive yesterday. (BAHER AMIN) will help build their character, leadership skills and presence and international sport events protocol. show them how to deal with other cultures, while THE PENINSULA Workshop on Mers virus to begin tomorrow

DOHA: A workshop will be held on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (Mers-CoV) tomorrow for healthcare experts in the region. The workshop is organised jointly by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Ministry of Environment, and the Supreme Council of Health in Qatar in collaboration with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organisation (WHO). The workshop which brings the all disciplines together for the first time on MERS-CoV will mainly discuss the current status of the disease in the region and the African Horn with focus on the role of ‘One-Health’ aiming at its control based on sharing the updated results of the laboratory diagnostic tools and experimental studies. The three-day event in Mariot Hotel, will engage repre- sentatives from Gulf Cooperation Council and several oth- ers from countries affected by the disease in the Arabic region with more than 120 experts from veterinary, animal and human health, epidemiology, environmental health departments besides concerned UN agencies and representatives from several universities and interna- tional research institutes. THE PENINSULA Assistant Foreign Minister meets Canadian officials

OTTAWA: National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Canada Richard Fadden has met with Qatar’s Assistant Foreign Minister H E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi and his accompanying delegation. They discussed bilateral relations and exchanged of views on a number of issues of common interest. Al Rumaihi met separately with Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Boehmn, and Deputy Minister of International Trade Christine Hogan. The meetings were attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Canada Fahad bin Mohammad Yousuf Kafoud and the delegation accompanying the Assistant Foreign Minister. QNA SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Travellers urged to take precaution against malaria HMC observes World Malaria Day

DOHA: As several residents to areas near bodies of water. from their travel. Early diagno- make plans for their sum- “Simple precautions can help sis and treatment of malaria is mer vacation, Hamad Medical prevent getting infected during important as the infection can Corporation (HMC) is taking visits to malaria-endemic areas, quickly progress to severe ill- the opportunity to raise aware- such as using mosquito-repel- ness, which can sometimes result ness on the dangers of malaria lent creams and mosquito nets in death. and the importance of tak- (particularly insecticide-treated As well as travellers coming ing preventive measures while nets), wearing long sleeves and from malaria-free countries and travelling abroad. long pants to cover your skin, and people with a lower immune sys- The awareness program also avoiding going outside at night,” tem due to other reasons such coincides with the observance of said Dr Al Soub. as illness, people at greater risk World Malaria Day. “People who plan to travel of developing severe illness from While malaria is not endemic should consult their doctor or malaria also includes children, The Omani team which will participate in International University Arabic Debating Championship. in Qatar, hundreds of cases are visit a clinic that offers travel pregnant women and the elderly. diagnosed every year due to peo- medicine, such as the one at The World Health ple who become infected when Mesaimeer Primary Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2013 to Debate championship begins today they travel to malaria-endemic Centre, preferably two to three 2015 theme for World Malaria countries. Dr Hussam Al Soub, weeks before their departure, so Day is: “Invest in the Future: Senior Consultant of HMC’s they can get general advice and Defeat Malaria”, which highlights DOHA: Under the patronage of because of its wide international training workshops for the coaches Infectious Diseases Unit said: be given prophylactic (preven- the advances made in prevent- H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad participation. of different teams participating “People who have resided for tive) medications if needed. It ing and controlling malaria, and Al Thani, the Vice-Chairman of QatarDebate have arranged in the championship began in a long time in Qatar and other is important to start taking this calls for continued international Qatar Foundation for Education, for several social media competi- November 2014. Forty two coaches malaria-free countries may have medication before travel, during investment and action to elimi- Science, and Community tions during the tournament in were trained from most of the uni- lower immunity to the disease travel and after coming back, as nate malaria worldwide. Development, QatarDebate – a addition to the announcement of versities that are participating for and are thus vulnerable to seri- advised by their doctor. There are Malaria is caused by parasites member of Qatar Foundation a competition on Twitter which the first time in the championship. ous illness.” currently no licensed vaccines that are transmitted to people – will launch the 3rd edition was launched on the 19th of this Mukhtar added that Malaria transmission is more against malaria,” said Dr Al Soub. through the bites of infected of the International University month. It is sponsored by Ispot QatarDebate do not interfere in intense in warmer regions People coming back from their mosquitoes. It can be a deadly Arabic Debating Championship for the second year, targeting the selection of coaches, rather closer to the equator. However, travel should visit their health disease, affecting about 198 mil- today at the Qatar National QatarDebate fans on social media. the participating universities are even in countries where malaria centre immediately if they experi- lion people and killing an esti- Convention Centre. Sixty seven Preparations leading up to the ones who choose the coaches is endemic, people can opt to ence chills, fever, headache, diar- mated 584,000 in 2013, mostly teams representing 33 Arab the Championship have been and the role of QatarDebate is stay in elevated or mountainous rhoea, nausea and or vomiting, among African children, accord- and Non-Arab countries will immense and well in advance. to then provide training and regions where transmission is and tell their doctor if they sus- ing to the WHO. compete in the Championship. Nazar Mukhtar, Debate Coach follow-up. less likely to occur compared pect they may have been infected THE PENINSULA This year’s edition is unique at QatarDebate, said that the THE PENINSULA

QRC appeals for QR12m for Nepal earthquake relief, allocates QR1m

DOHA: The Qatar Red Crescent news on the earthquake to assess of providing healthcare as well rescue efforts continue, hospitals The epicenter was 80km for Earthquake Technology had pre- (QRC) has issued an emergency the situation and define needs as water and sanitation services, in the capital continue to func- Kathmandu in Lamjung, Gorkha viously estimated that a large- appeal to raise QR12m to sup- based on available information. shelters and food provisions in tion but are stretched to capac- district which suffered significant scale earthquake in mid-Nepal port the Nepal earthquake vic- Despite the scarcity of early addition to kitchen and hygiene ity. Powerful aftershocks continue damage. Most casualties reported could displace over 1.8 million tims and allocated QR1m for assessment reports due to the kits, blankets and food packages. to be felt, causing a risk of fur- to date were in the Kathmandu people, kill over 100,000 and relief operations concerning outage of telecommunications According to several reports, ther damage to many buildings valley where buildings have col- injure a further 300,000. health, shelter, water, sanitation and destruction of main roads the earthquake caused build- and increasing the climate of lapsed in the densely populated The tremor was felt nationwide and restoring family links. to remote villages, the situation ing to collapse in the capital fear amongst the local popula- areas, including historic buildings and as far as India, Pakistan Tibet An emergency operation room reports issued by the Nepalese Kathmandu and over 802 people tion many of who are fearful of such as the Darahara Tower. and Bangladesh. was set up 30 minutes after the government include the necessity have been killed. As search and returning to their homes. Nepal’s National Society for THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Literacy rate among Qatar Workshop on ‘Yemen after the Storm’ women rises: Report Ratio of literate women aged 15 to 24 higher than men

DOHA: The ratio of literate allows them to get better job in light of the state’s policy that females in Qatar aged 15 to opportunities along with the encourages women to participate 24 years was higher than that change in Qatari society’s view of in paid jobs in different sectors of literate males in the same women and their role in economic, of the economy, and the large category during 2006-2013, social and cultural sphere and the number of graduated women in shows the 2014 Millennium involvement of large numbers of scientific disciplines needed by the Development Goals report males in the labour market at an labour market, said the report. released by the Ministry of early stage as soon as they receive The data show a modest per- Development Planning and a high school certificate,” said the centage of women in the Central Statistics. report. Municipal Council (CMC) elec- This ratio reached its high- Despite the rise in ratio of tions, as only one of the four Dr Khalid Al-Jaber, Editor-in-Chief at The Peninsula, and Azmi Bishara, an intellectual and academician, at a est level in 2006, jumping to 112 Qatari women in the labour force women who ran in Qatar’s quad- one-day academic workshop on ‘Yemen After the Storm’ organised by the Arab Center for Research and Policy percent, due to state policies from 34.7 percent in 2006 to 37.2 rennial municipal elections car- Studies at the Sheraton Doha yesterday. A select group of scholars discussed the conflict currently under way aimed at spreading education in percent in 2008, this propor- ried her constituency in 2011, in Yemen and its likely outcomes. The task ahead is for the country’s politicians to arrive at political solutions all regions. tion declined to 33.8 percent in (which constitutes 3.4 percent that will save the country additional bloodletting and a possible civil war, the speakers said. The participants According to statistical data, 2013, while the Qatari women’s of the total seats of the coun- also examined the regional and wider global contexts which gave rise to Iran’s interference in the Arabian Qatar is very close to achieving share in the national labour force cil) in a new confirmation of the Peninsula and the GCC military reaction. (AYYOUB ABDULLA) gender equality in primary school remained low compared to the formidable challenges faced by enrolment rates, as the ratio of males who account for two-thirds women’s political empowerment female to male students rose from of the Qatari labour force. programmes. 95 percent in 2006 to 96 percent The participation of Qatari “Qatar has achieved remarka- in 2013, says the report. women in the labour market ble progress in eliminating gender Consumption of ozone-depleting The same thing could apply is expected to rise gradually in disparities in the area of providing to the ratio of female to male in the coming years with the large opportunities at all levels of edu- secondary education, despite the number of Qatari females who will cation. However, the participation decline from the level achieved in graduate from the Education City, of Qatari women in the labour substance sees major decline 2006, but it came close to equality particularly in medicine, media market is still low, which requires throughout the 2006-2013. and engineering, as Qatari women encouraging women to enter non- DOHA: Consumption of decline of 275 percent. The use “The state has taken a series As for higher education, the started to engage in academic dis- traditional professions, such as ozone-depleting substances of the remainder of the ozone- of measures and practical steps proportion of female and male in ciplines relevant to those jobs, said scientific professions, trades and in Qatar witnessed a major depleting substances will come to in the framework of the National tertiary enrolment reached 187 the report. crafts. Qatari women’s political decline between 2006 end during the next two decades, Development Strategy 2011- percent between 2007 and 2012, Statistics also show a decline participation is still low despite and 2013, shows the 2014 said the report. 2016 to confront the growth despite the subsequent decline, in Qatari women’s share in non- the fact that many women reach Millennium Development Average per capita car- of carbon dioxide emissions by the ratio remained later at high agricultural work, which dropped decision-making and leadership Goals report. bon dioxide emissions in Qatar investing in clean technology, levels reaching 175 percent in 2013 from 15 percent in 2006 to 12.8 positions, which requires a plan The country managed to reduce amounted to 40 metric tons in and establishing a mechanism and is among the highest globally. percent in 2013. to increase their representation the consumption of organic chlo- 2010, compared to 11 metric for reporting on carbon dioxide “This can be explained by The Qatari women’s share in in elected national councils,” con- rine and fluorine compounds from tons in countries with very high emissions in the country,” said encouraging female students to paid employment outside the agri- cluded the report. about 326 metric tons in 2006 to human development, and 4.3 the report. obtain a college degree, which cultural sector is expected to rise, THE PENINSULA about 87 metric tons in 2013, a metric tons in the world average. THE PENINSULA Average monthly income of Qatari household hits QR88,200

BY SACHIN KUMAR households (99 percent) exceeded percent of the Qatari households proportion of Qatari household working population compared development projects, particularly QR10,000 since 2007, with a in 2007 and increased to 44 per- expenditure gives an indication of to the women in working-age in the construction sector, which DOHA: The average Qatari noticeable improvement during cent in 2013. the high standard of living, which in Qatar rose from 45.4 percent relies heavily on them. household’s monthly income the recent period The Qatari households’ aver- is among the highest at the inter- in 2006 to 52.3 percent in 2013, The proportion of the work- reached QR88,200 and QR24,400 As per the report, in 2001 the age monthly expenditure reached national and regional levels. with an increase of 6.5 percent. ing people to the total popula- for non-Qataris in 2013, average monthly income of 21 per- QR49,700 while spending on food Qatari households spent The same proportion concern- tion is expected to rise, due to the according to ‘The Millennium cent of heads of Qatari households and drinks around QR8,033 (16 QR8,033 in 2013, which is equiv- ing the male population rose implementation of infrastructure Developments Goals for the was ranging between QR5,000 percent of total Qatari household alent to 16 percent of the total from 93 percent in 2006 to 96.1 projects ahead of hosting the state of Qatar 2014’. and QR10,000, which constitutes expenditure). monthly expenditure. percent in 2013; this increase is 2022 FIFA World Cup, which The report shows that 77 per- only one percent of heads of The average Qatari monthly The proportion of the work- attributed high proportion of the requires hiring more workers cent of Qatari households earn Qatari households in 2013. Heads household’s expenditure rose ing population compared to working population to the male from various countries around more than QR30,000 in 2013, of Qatari households with aver- from QR22,366 to QR 40,757 a the population in working-age population, due to the demand the world. and the average monthly income age monthly income more than rise of 82.2 percent. It is worth increased from 80.4 percent in for male expatriate workers for THE PENINSULA of almost all heads of Qatari QR50,000 income constituted 27 mentioning that the rise in the 2006 to 86.9 percent in 2013. The the needs of implementing several Ezdan celebrates Earth Day DOHA: Ezdan Real Estate community education. lecture addressed climatic condi- Company, a subsidiary of Ezdan Ezdan Holding Group Deputy tions and changes in the world and Holding Group, organised vari- CEO Nasser Al Abdulla said that their impact on the environment ous events to celebrate the the group and its subsidiaries are as well as human heritage. Earth Day, which falls on April making strenuous efforts to par- Ezdan Mall Company has 22 every year. Earth Day is cele- ticipate in the community events. adopted an initiative to plant 22 brated to raise awareness to pre- He added that the group has million trees by 2022, a unique serve the natural environment. made a number of fruitful initia- initiative launched during the The celebration was held in col- tives, in this context, including the opening of Ezdan Mall Gharrafa laboration with the Friends of the increase of the afforestation and in mid-April 2013. Such initiative Environment Centre and the Al green areas in its residential com- was incorporated in line with Wakra Municipality. pounds. The group also is keen to the Qatar National Development The events, that took place provide positive ideas that would Vision, which aims to serve the in Ezdan Village-11, aim at rais- help establishing the foundations state environment and preserve it. ing awareness regarding energy of environment conservation. Ezdan Holding Group’s efforts conservation and consump- During the event, a tree plant- in the field of community service tion efficiency in addition to ing operation in collaboration have been recognised, as the Group increasing the green spaces. In with Al Wakra Municipality, was was awarded for the best initiative this regard, Ezdan Real Estate organised in which participants in social responsibility in a compe- Company joined hands along with planted a number of tree saplings. tition organized by Dar Al Sharq, “Friends of Environment Centre” A lecture entitled “Climate change in which the Group has partici- of Qatar Foundation, which is a and its impact on human herit- pated through social responsibility non-profit civil organization that age” was delivered by Mohamed brochure that exclusively included seeks to establish the concept of Hashem, Director of ‘A Flower a number of its social initiatives. environmental conservation and Each Spring’ Programme. The THE PENINSULA A girl joins Ezdan Real Estate Company officials in planting a sapling.

Globers Fashion opens Imagine Cup Qatar Qatar 7th best country in finals tomorrow DOHA: Microsoft Qatar opens global resilience index the fourth Imagine Cup Qatar finals tomorrow, at the Marsa DOHA: Qatar’s economy con- H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Malaz Kempinski Hotel, The tinues to attract international Al Thani, the efforts of the gov- Pearl, Doha, event organisers attention after occupying sev- ernment and the support of the announced yesterday. enth place globally in terms of Qatari people in the country’s bid Teams from Qatar University, the ease of business, in a the for development and progress. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, resilience index released yester- He noted that Qatar was enjoy- Texas A&M University in Qatar, and day by FM Global. Qatar was the ing excellent political and eco- Manchester University will take part. top country in the Middle-East. nomic conditions in terms of the Microsoft Qatar is partner- Commenting on the report, administrative system and the ing with sponsors ICT Wll this Minister of Economy and strong infra-structure. He high- year. Microsoft Qatar General Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed lighted the improvements cur- Manager Naim Yazbeck said bin Jassim Al Thani said that rently being made to legislations through the event the company Qatar made important steps last as well to improve transparency engages with students on technol- year that led to its high ranking and limit corruption. ogy and innovation. this year. The index measures business Teams taking part will present The Minister added that flexibility of countries in view of their ideas to a panel of judges South Indian film actor Fahad Fazil, with other officials, cutting a ribbon to mark the opening of Globers Fashion becoming the top country in the monetary, risk quality and supply from Microsoft, QCRI, Mada, showroom on Airport Road Doha. (KAMMUTTY VP) Middle-East in ease of business chain variables. QBIC, WISE and ICT Wll. reflected the wisdom of Emir QNA QNA SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Israel kills two Clashes rage in Yemen; calls for talks grow TAEZ: Fierce fighting raged yesterday in south Yemen between Iran-backed rebels and loyalists of exiled President Palestinians Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, as pressure mounted for the war- ring factions to hold political talks. The Houthi rebels, who have after attacks overrun large parts of the country and forced Hadi to flee overseas, have demanded a complete end to Knife-wielding teenager killed a month of Saudi-led air strikes against them as a condition for HEBRON: Israeli security actions” of security forces at the UN-sponsored talks. forces yesterday shot dead a two checkpoints “saved lives”. Sources said yesterday that Palestinian man who stabbed an Al Zaim checkpoint, where the clashes had left at least 90 people officer in the West Bank hours suspect was shot dead shortly dead in towns in the south of the after a knife-wielding teenager before midnight, lies on the main impoverished country. was killed at an east Jerusalem highway east from Jerusalem. Former strongman Ali Abdullah checkpoint. Clashes broke out in Ghannam’s Saleh, who still holds sway over In Hebron in the south of the home neighbourhood yesterday as army units allied with the Shia Israeli-occupied West Bank, a young Palestinians in Al Tur pro- rebels, late on Friday urged the border police officer shot dead a tested against his killing. Houthis to heed UN demands to A nine-year-old girl sits with her grandmother in a hospital where she is being treated for injuries sustained from Palestinian man who was stab- Dozens of protesters threw withdraw from territory they have bing a colleague at a checkpoint stones and rolled burning tyres seized. an air strike by a Saudi-led coalition, in Sana’a, yesterday. near the Tomb of Patriarchs, or at Israeli security forces, who US Secretary of State John Ibrahimi Mosque as it is known responded with tear gas and rub- Kerry also called on the anti- the rebel-held presidential pal- to Muslims, police said. ber bullets. government forces to enter into ace which was Hadi’s last refuge Mauritanian confirmed as UN envoy Spokeswoman Luba Samri said More than 25 Palestinians were political dialogue to end a conflict before he fled to neighbouring the policeman was in moderate taken for medical treatment, the that the UN says has killed more Saudi Arabia last month, military UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations yesterday confirmed condition with stab wounds to the correspondent said. than 1,000 people since late March. officials said. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, a Mauritanian diplomat, as the new head and chest. Samri said one officer had suf- “This has to be a two-way Air strikes also hit the rebel- special UN envoy for Yemen. The 20-year-old suspected fered minor injuries from a stone street,” Kerry told reporters, held Al Anad air base in Lahj He replaces Jamal Benomar, who resigned last week following assailant, named by Palestinian to the face and police had used adding: “We need the Houthi and north of Aden, which housed US what diplomats said was sharp criticism of his performance by Gulf media as Assad Al Salayma, died “riot dispersal means” to quell we need those that can influence troops supporting a long-run- countries. of his injuries en route to hospital the protest. them to make sure that they are ning drone war against Al Qaeda UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday notified the UN in Jerusalem. No arrests were made. prepared to try to move... to the before the fighting forced them to Security Council on Thursday of his intention to name Ould Cheikh Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinians in east Jerusalem negotiating table.” withdraw. Ahmed to the post, but was awaiting the reaction of the council and Palestinians from gaining access declared a general strike. In the key port city of Aden Residents in Lahj said that the the parties to the conflict in Yemen before confirming the nomination. to the area after the attack. A Palestinian information cen- and in the adjacent Lahj province rebels had captured “dozens” of A UN statement announcing that the nomination has now been Just before midnight on Friday, tre said that police were refusing alone, 46 rebels died in ongoing civilians they accused of helping confirmed said Ould Cheikh Ahmed “will work closely with the mem- Israeli police shot dead a 17-year- to release Ghannam’s body for clashes and 12 hours of intense the coalition by providing informa- bers of the United Nations Security Council, the Gulf Cooperation old Palestinian who tried to stab burial unless the family agreed air strikes that lasted until early tion about rebel targets. Council, governments in the region and other partners, as well as the their colleagues at a checkpoint to restrictions on the number of yesterday, a military source close There was also fighting late on United Nations country team for Yemen.” in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, mourners. to them said. Friday in the eastern province of Ould Cheikh Ahmed is taking over the Yemen peace process after Samri said. The boy’s father rejected the A medic in Aden said eight pro- Marib, home to some of Yemen’s serving for four months as the head of the UN Ebola mission in The youth from the Al Tur Israeli terms, the Silwan informa- Hadi militiamen were killed and most important oilfields, army Ghana. neighbourhood, identified by tion centre said on its Facebook 32 were wounded. officers and witnesses said. He brings hands-on experience in the poor Arab country, having Palestinian activists as Ali Al page. The military source and pro- Loyalist troops shelled rebel worked as the UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen from 2012 to Ghannam, got past one checkpoint Israel routinely places Hadi militiamen said that coalition positions in the Sarwah district, 2014. AFP but was brought down at a second restrictions on the funerals of warships were also taking part in where clashes raged around the one near Al Zaim after charging Palestinians killed in suspected the shelling. country’s main oil export pipeline. and are struggling to access investigation into the civilian deaths. it armed with a cleaver. political violence to prevent them The coalition has kept up air The 435-kilometre line links healthcare, water, food and fuel. “Some of the Saudi Arabian-led There were no police casualties. becoming the focus of protests. strikes days after announcing Marib’s Safir oilfields with the Ras It estimates that at least 551 of air strikes appear to have failed Police distributed a photograph There was no immediate claim its campaign was entering a new Isa terminal on the Red Sea coast, those killed since late March were to take necessary precautions to of a knife and cleaver they said the of involvement by any Palestinian phase aimed at resuming the and control of it has been a key civilians and included at least 115 minimise harm to civilians and suspect had been carrying. militant group in Ghannam’s political process, delivering aid goal for the rebels and their allies. children. damage to civilian objects,” said Jerusalem police commander actions and he had no known and fighting “terrorism”. The UN says millions of people Amnesty International its MENA deputy head, Said Moshe Edri said the “determined affiliations. AFP Warplanes’ targets included have been affected by the conflict wants an urgent Boumedouha. AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR KHALID AL-JABER [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial

New turn Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

VEN AS THE world, and our region in particular, grapple with multiple crises, the civil war in Syria has been pushed to sidelines of our consciousness. ENews from Syria seldom makes it to the top Cuba has shown sanctions don’t because the world has grown weary of fighting in the country and world powers have lost interest in finding a solution. The opposition and the government forces have been locked in a kind of stalemate for some time, with both work, so why keep using them? sides unable to make significant progress to end the conflict in their favour. BY SIMON JENKINS think like democrats. Sanctions can interest in sanctions continuing, and But the news that came from Syria yesterday was be briefly effective against democra- Rouhani needs every card he can play disturbing. Islamist insurgents including Al Qaeda’s wing HE DAYS ARE long gone cies (against Britain during Suez), yet against his hardliners. Yet Washington in Syria, Nusra Front, captured the northwestern Syrian when Labour was torn apart tend to make democracy less effective and London still hold hard to sanctions. by ban the bomb. For the through isolation (as probably in Russia They have all the diplomatic subtlety of town of Jisr Al Shughur for the first time in the four- party leader, Ed Miliband, and Iran). Game of Thrones. year-old conflict. The capture of the strategic town is the the Trident missile is what The BBC’s Bridget Kendall has just The one true coercion that dictator- latest in a series of setbacks for government forces in the THS2 is for David Cameron. It is politi- returned from a determined search for ships understand is an army firing guns. south and the north. Opposition fighters and the Syrian cal tokenism, machismo, image candy. critics of Vladimir Putin across Russia. It worked against Serbia, against the Observatory for Human Rights said the town, on a road Am I big on defence, Miliband said to She can hardly conceal the fact that Taliban, and against Saddam, just as between the coastal city of Latakia and city of Aleppo, was an interviewer. “Hell, yes.” Look at my sanctions have bolstered support for the the absence of an army has not worked weapons. regime. They have entrenched a siege against Syria or Islamic State. But such now fully controlled by insurgents. The rise of Islamists is For Britain (and France), nuclear economy, silenced criticism of Putin and force is advisable only when that army bad news for the Syrian opposition which represents the bombs are to foreign policy what encouraged his chauvinist belligerence. is liable to win – rarely the case against entire Syrian population. The latest victory of terrorists Olympics are to proper sport: chauvin- They have also divided and weakened AK47s – and when it is ready to occupy will embolden them and weaken the opposition. If Al ism bereft of intellectual justification or Europe. They are the most dangerously territory indefinitely. As for armadas Qaeda wins more territory, it value for money. But what of weapons counter-productive policy imaginable, of costly ships and planes, they are th will consolidate their position that actually hurt people? This week the and all because “something must be hangovers from 20 -century conflicts. United States was still refusing to lift done about Ukraine”. Britain’s present defence (or rather and push the country into a economic sanctions on Cuba, even while None of the countries targeted by attack) policy is where medicine was in The Islamist prolonged bloodbath. After admitting their failure for half a cen- sanctions threaten the safety or survival the days of wart-charmers and bleeding. taking the town, the fighters are tury to bring down the Castro regime. of Britain. All are based on the “eco- Sanctions have become as sacred to fighters have continuing their assault with the Indeed, the effect of sanctions is Cuba’s nomic fallacy” that money is what moti- western armouries as nuclear bombs aim of pushing the army from chief tourism appeal. vates power in a modern state. Attack were 50 years ago. No one dares ques- At the same time America and Britain the money, especially of a regime’s “cro- tion them for fear of being thought a the few remaining government seized Jisr Al are resisting Iran’s demand for sanc- nies”, and policy must change. Yet years dove or a wimp. They cost little to the areas in the province of Idlib. tions to be lifted following the inspec- of business articles about the Russian aggressor but make them feel good. Shughur in By taking Jisr Al Shughur, the tion of its nuclear plants this summer. economy “facing collapse” (along with They repress trade rivals. They attract insurgents have edged closer to In the case of Russia, pressure is on for the Cuban, Iranian and Syrian ones) macho adjectives, such as tough, mean- Syria. It’s time the coastal province of Latakia, sanctions to be tightened in response to must make Putin laugh. So a babushka ingful, targeted and smart. They are which is President Bashar Al Putin’s constant provocations along his freezes and an oligarch’s daughter can’t chiefly aimed at domestic consumption. for the world to western flank. They are the “something” shop at Harrods? Big deal. It is like Only the poor (and a handful of rich) in Assad’s stronghold, and they are that can always “be done”. Harold Wilson pledging that sanctions the victim states suffer. intervene. now less than eight kilometers Sanctions remain in place against against Rhodesia would work in “weeks Influencing policy in foreign coun- from villages loyal to the North Korea, Burma, Zimbabwe, Syria, not months”. They lasted 14 years. tries short of war is a mug’s game. It is government near the coast. Jisr Libya, Somalia, Congo and other weak Iran is a relative newcomer to the realistic only where it takes the form of is more important because it is and vulnerable states, irrespective of ranks of regimes stabilised by western diplomatic, trade and cultural exchange, very close to the coastal area which is a regime area. Assad whether they achieve any policy goal. sanctions. It has seen just 36 years of and strengthens the professional and They have become the default mode of their not toppling clerics and not stop- merchant class from which brave criti- now must be preparing for an all-out attack to recapture western diplomacy, the acceptable face ping them going nuclear. The current cism of authoritarian government tends the lost ground. of aggression, a casual flick of contempt detente resulted from the election of to emerge. Yet sanctions suppress such It’s time for Arab countries and the West to act fast on by the rich against the poor. a reformist leader, Hassan Rouhani, groups and drive them into exile, as now Syria before the situation gets out of control. They need to Surveys of economic sanctions always opposing the domestic chaos of his pred- in Russia and Iran. plan a strategy that will liberate Syria from the clutches equate “hurting” with “working”. Lots ecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There The idea that economic warfare would of things hurt, such as torture, but that is no doubt that sanctions hurt Iran and ever cause Iraqis to rise up against of Assad and give power to the legitimate opposition. doesn’t make them work. The studies it would like them to end. But that does Saddam, or Libyans against Gaddafi, or The price of inaction and prevarication will be very high. by the Chicago academic Robert Pape not make them effective. Cubans against Castro, was always daft. Islamists must be weakened by supporting the opposition in the 1990s on the futility or counter- The west cannot conceivably conquer The idea that it will turn Russia against and Assad must be forced to relinquish power. productivity of almost all the century’s Iran or bomb it into submission. A mili- Putin is beyond absurd. Yet such war- With Yemen also in flames and the Islamic State 115 uses of sanctions have never been tary attack would merely speed an arms fare remains British government policy. wreaking havoc, the Arab countries have enough turmoil seriously challenged. Yet sanctions’ sup- race and force the country back towards And in Labour’s manifesto, sanctions porters persist in rosy-tinted language fundamentalism. Only the soft power of are no more questioned than nuclear on their doorstep to focus attention on Syria. But the latest about their “signalling”, their “pressure economic and cultural exchange might weapons. Stupid still rules. advances mean Syria too will force itself to the forefront, mixes” and their “changing the calculus avert that danger. Neither the west nor THE GUARDIAN forcing the world to take notice• of repression”. They all assume dictators the Iranian people have the remotest The other side Quote of A resounding victory for MQM the day HE VOTERS in NA-246 have perceived as perhaps the most free and But that was before the establish- While the enhanced security did ensure spoken, and spoken decisively. fair that Karachi has seen in a long time, ment’s recent excesses against the MQM a more peaceful and transparent elec- As the unofficial numbers began the MQM’s share of valid votes, 74 per- — the public humiliation of its cadres, tion, it was the duty of the provincial Tto pour in from the 213 polling cent, was around the same in NA-246 the tell-all eleventh hour ‘confessional’ by election commission and its appoint- This has to be a stations in the constituency, it soon during the last elections, a figure that Saulat Mirza, etc — which appear to have ees to act as referees — the Rangers’ became clear that the MQM’s Kunwar was then allegedly boosted by ballot only succeeded in polarising the elector- overt involvement in the electoral proc- two-way street. We Naveed Jamil would win hands down stuffing. The PTI’s share of the votes ate along parochial lines and engen- ess could set an unwelcome precedent. need the Houthi and in what is considered to be his party’s polled went up from 17 percent in the dering a siege mentality among MQM Given its travails of late, this is for the bastion. While his victory was expected, general election to 19 percent this time. supporters. In response, they turned up MQM a sweet victory indeed — one that, we need those that the huge margin by which he outpolled The JI’s share remained more or less in droves, on a weekday in hot weather, for a change, is not marred by allega- can influence them his main rivals was not. According to the same. It was however the turnout and voted for the party they perceive is tions of unfair means. The party obviously official results, there were 95,644 votes — nearly 37 percent — that made the best-placed to protect their interests. has a substantial vote bank, but it should to make sure that cast in his favour compared to 24,821 biggest statement. By-elections are Even in this democratic exercise, the not see this vindication at the hustings for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Imran notorious for low turnouts; even in the establishment’s heavy footprint was dis- as an excuse to go back to its politics of they are prepared to Ismail and 9,056 for Rashid Naseem, last by-poll in NA-246 in 2004, less than cernible everywhere, from the multiple protest and questionable tactics to either try to move... to the the Jamaat-i-Islami candidate. 25 percent of registered voters both- checking of identity cards to even count- ‘control’ the city or manipulate political John Kerry Significantly, in this by-election, ered to stamp the ballot papers. ing the votes at some polling stations. developments on a wider scale. DAWN negotiating table. US Secretary of State SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Nuclear deal a gift to Iran moderates?

In effect, the reformists will the Soviet detente with the West not compete with the traditional that was accompanied by an arms discourse by offering concessions race with the former Soviet Union to the West or the Arabs, but by and Eastern Europe. resorting to Iranian patriotism. Those events gradually weak- They will stress the need to lift ened Communist orthodoxy, rep- all sanctions, and emphasise the resented by the ruling Communist overlap between Iranian patriot- parties, and its discourse, as ism and Persian nationalism that a result of the contradiction has a sectarian nature, against between it and the actual way of Iran’s pan-Islamic discourse, life and relations with the West. which has recently become a From this standpoint, the nuclear sectarian discourse. It is in this agreement and a detente with the context that we should see the West could represent a positive BY DR AZMI BISHARA remarks made by President historical juncture, particularly Hassan Rowhani’s adviser regard- in the eyes of the reformist forces. ranian reformists and US ing the return of the Persian In this context, I cannot avoid liberals celebrated the agree- Empire whose alleged capital is comparing the current Iranian ment in Lausanne despite its Baghdad. regional expansion to the Soviet Iambiguity. They wanted to What should draw our atten- expansion in Afghanistan in prepare public opinion and push tion more than the details of the the late 1970s. That expansion for a final agreement after over- Lausanne agreement is that those appeared as though it was a Soviet coming differences on the details celebrating the deal in Iran are advance, while economic, social, that have not yet been agreed the same people who took to the and intellectual weakness even- upon. streets in support of the Green tually turned it into an adventure The top echelon of the Iranian Revolution, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, that drained the Soviet regime. establishment, represented by and the reformist movement, Iran appeared to be at the the Supreme Leader, is express- against the coalition comprising height of its power after the ing reservations about popular the Supreme Leader and then- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif waves to well-wishers on his arrival at Mehrabad airport in Tehran ouster of the Taliban regime in Iranian celebrations over the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad following the signing of a framework nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers in Switzerland. collaboration with the US occu- framework agreement (see Ali (who was not just a hardliner but pation of Afghanistan, and then Khamenei’s statements from a revolutionary of a special kind, less committed to Iran’s geostra- welcome, encourage the Iranian the election of Hassan Rowhani, the ouster of the Saddam Hussein April 9, 2015), because the lead- allied to the hardliners). tegic interests. leadership to open up to the West. in addition to the impact of inter- regime, also in collaboration with ership understands the reasons Clearly, those reformists push- On the contrary, they see This, they believe, paves the way national and US sanctions that the US occupation. and motives behind this senti- ing in the direction of focusing Iran’s geostrategic interests as for Iran’s political and economic crippled the Iranian economy Iran expanded noticeably in ment. For this reason, the lead- on Iran’s internal issues, and for a regional power in the event an development in the manner they and became a major grievance of the Arab Orient, a move whose ership is stressing the need to broad political, social, and eco- understanding is reached with desire. broad segments of the population. legitimacy was based on a gen- reach an agreement that would nomic reforms beginning with the West over the distribution of Opening up to the West is not eral Islamic discourse revolving lift the sanctions, while preserv- personal freedoms and tackling their roles, though they are averse a conspiracy against the Arabs, How will the agreement around the Palestinian issue and ing nuclear activity, or what the the corruption of the clergy, are to Iranian intervention in Arab just like Iran’s support for change Iranian foreign policy? hostility to the US, as well as a Supreme Leader likes to call the the ones most invested in a break- affairs because of its requirements Palestinian or Lebanese resist- For this reason, the impact of more targeted sectarian discourse Iranian nuclear industry. through with the West and the related to the discourse champi- ance was not a conspiracy along- an agreement, if it were to be seeking to win over the loyalty of The coming days should reveal United States. These people come oning resistance and Palestine, side Israel. Rather, this process signed on June 30, will not be Shia Arabs. Gradually, the con- to us what we do not know yet. from social segments that aspire and because it leads to having is the result of socio-political felt only on Iran’s foreign policy. tradiction between the two dis- However, we cannot ignore the to lead a Westernised way of life shared interests with the Arabs dynamics in Iran, expressed by Nor will it resemble a conspiracy courses began to appear, until the confluence of interests between more than they aspire to the way against Israel and the West. the Green Revolution and then hatched between two static actors second nearly effaced the first. the reformists in Iran and the US of life that the religious estab- For this reason, the reformists by the intricate bypass lanes that that are not influenced by the deal, The author is an intellec- administration, which has forced lishment is working to impose in eager for the Lausanne agree- were opened for the reformists because it is a process of interac- tual, academician and General the traditional Iranian establish- Iran. ment, who gave the members in the complex structure of the tion that could produce results Director of The Arab Center for ment to go on the defensive. However, the reformists are not of the negotiating team a hero’s Iranian regime, culminating with similar to the ones produced by Research and Policy Studies Do N Koreans believe the propaganda? Despite violence, South BY ANDRAY ABRAHAMIAN degree of manipulation or to exaggeration. But do North Koreans believe it? As Meanwhile, many Western news outlets for the Kim Jong Un stories — it is hard Africa draws migrants ecent rumours about North Korean are quite happy to quote South Korean to know whether they are even true or textbooks exhorting a young Kim articles as authoritative. not. In trying to find out, one can fol- BY BRIAN LATHAM Immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia RJong Un’s prowess as a driver and Finally, it is undeniably a strange cul- low Huffington Post quoting UPI quoting and the Indian subcontinent predomi- sailor have sparked a renewed cycle of ture to most of us, with information con- South Korean TV quoting a textbook that ngry mobs who have burned nantly run convenience shops in town- blogs and articles musing on just how trols that are unparalleled in the 21st nobody has as evidence. It seems unlikely foreigners alive and ransacked ships, where they pool finance to buy weird North Korea is. Why is their prop- century that make it hard to get reli- that North Korean textbooks really are Atheir businesses in South Africa goods in bulk, often allowing them to aganda so odd, we ask. Do they believe able information. They also have customs claiming Kim could drive at age three, as aren’t enough to deter more immi- sell products for less than their South it all? and rhetoric that are often extreme or this is pretty much physically impossible. grants flocking in who say conditions African rivals. When it comes to lionised feats of do not conform to our standards. Kids in But beating an adult in a sailing race when are worse at home. “Foreigners do undercut South the leaders, there are two kinds of tales the DPRK do sing songs for “their father nine-years old? Sure, why not? At least seven people have been killed African workers in terms of wages, that we hear, as non-Koreans. The first Kim Jong Un,” for example. Koreans still More broadly, there are over 24 million in the past two weeks, thousands have but that’s a worldwide trend,” Wendy are the “real’ legends, i.e. those actually engage in self-criticism sessions, a ritual people in the DPRK. There are trusting been displaced and the army has been Landau, a researcher at the University propagated by the Democratic People’s long gone elsewhere. State media did refer people, cynical people, simple people and deployed in Johannesburg and the east- of the Witwatersrand’s African Republic of Korea (DPRK). These are to US President Barack Obama in racist smart people. In what way they interact ern port city of Durban to end attacks Centre for Migration and Society in usually quite incredible, but not unbe- terms last year. with the information environment they on immigrants. Still, of the 30 mainly Johannesburg, said by phone. “They’re lievable. So, for example, we’re told that This strangeness drives a seemingly face very much depends on who they are undocumented immigrants who spoke often employed in precarious jobs with- the dynasty’s founder, Kim Il Sung, wrote insatiable demand for news on the place, as individuals. Generally, however, it is to Bloomberg in Johannesburg, only out benefits or formal contracts, often patriotic slogans in beautiful calligraphy as editors well know. North Korea drives fair to say most people accept the stories three said they may leave. they’re self-employed or in the infor- at age three and founded a proto-political clicks in this contemporary media envi- of their leaders’ heroics as truth. But we “Go back to what? I left because of mal sector.” party at age 13. Kim Jong Il was born on ronment. As audiences, we drive weak should remember that the stories they political violence in 2008. Now I must Xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg the sacred slopes of Mt Baekdu and as journalism onward: we love to read about hear are usually not as weird as the ones leave again from here because of polit- earlier this year mainly involved the a middle school student repaired trucks the place because we just can’t believe we hear. ical violence?” Takesure Gumbo, 26, looting of foreign-owned shops in while also organising ideological study ses- what they’re saying or doing. REUTERS a waiter from Zimbabwe, said in an Soweto, a township southwest of the sions. These kinds of stories are primarily interview with six fellow nationals at a city. The latest violence included the meant for the domestic audience to con- traffic light in northern Johannesburg. torching of car repair shops and auto- vince them of the merits of their uniquely “No, my family needs the money I dealers owned by Nigerians in central qualified leaders. Education on Kim Jong send. I work hard and live in squalor Johannesburg. Un’s exploits will certainly be growing. so I can send most of my wages home.” South Africa is home to 1.7 mil- The second kind of myth exists almost The latest bout of violence is the lion foreigners out of a population of exclusively in international media and worst since 2008, when 62 people were about 54 million, census data from 2011 often consist of truly unbelievable tales. killed and more than 50,000 displaced. shows. Estimates from the University The best example is, of course, the “Kim While the violence has been blamed of Witwatersrand, known as Wits, put Jong Il got 18 holes-in-one the first time on South Africa’s sluggish economic the population of Zimbabweans alone he golfed” story. This appears to have been growth and a 24 percent unemployment in South Africa at 1.5 million. generated during an in-country conversa- rate, the size of Zimbabwe’s economy For every South African employed in tion with a visiting journalist, according has halved since 2000. Immigrants the informal sector, there are almost to friends of mine present. It has since have also moved to South Africa from two migrants, according to a 2012 become canon. You can read varying ver- impoverished nations such as Somalia, survey by the government’s statistics sions of it, always attributing it to “North Malawi, Angola and the Democratic agency and the Migration for Work Korean media” or “North Korean propa- Republic of Congo. Research Consortium, which is part ganda,” but invariably linking to some Some of them, especially from coun- of Wits. other Western media, if there is a cita- tries like Zimbabwe, where most people Comments made by King Goodwill tion at all. Kim Jong Il scoring a perfect speak English and the education sys- Zwelithini, the Zulu monarch, may 300 the first time he bowled is another tem is superior to that of South Africa, have fueled the recent violence. He was such tale. find work ahead of locals, which is a cited last month by Durban’s Mercury North Koreans have never, ever heard source of tension. newspaper as saying foreigners were of these stories, unless they’ve been told “It’s not my fault I am more employ- taking South African jobs and should them by a foreigner. They exist purely in able than South Africans because I’m leave the country. His office has said a fantasy version of North Korea we too educated and they’re not, it’s their his speech was misinterpreted and this often indulge in. We let this version take fault,” Gumbo said, shaking his head. “If week he called for the attacks to end. hold for several reasons. they want work, they should tell their “I blame Zwelithini,” said Tafadzwa First, the bar is exceptionally low for government to do something about Nguruwe, 25, a Zimbabwean who works journalism on North Korea. It is a dif- their schools.” as a bank clerk in Soweto. “It’s a tribal ficult place to cover, no doubt, but to all South Africa is ranked by the World thing. It’ll happen every few years.” too many journalists this seems to mean Economic Forum in a 2014-15 report About 20 people died in xenophobic a free pass. There is no punishment for as having the worst math and sci- violence in 2009 and 2010, while 4,000 getting it wrong. With Kim Jong Il’s golf ence scores of 144 countries, while were displaced and 200 foreign-owned story, for example, everyone just knows Zimbabwe is ranked 66th. Zimbabwe’s shops looted, according to Landau. In the tale; there is no need to find out if it education system is ranked 43rd, 2011, 120 deaths were recorded during is actually true. while South Africa comes in at 140th, the year, including five people who were Second, South Korean journalism on beating only Egypt, Angola, Yemen burnt alive, she said. North Korea is problematic — we should and Libya. Still, the immigrants plan to stay. remember the two countries are locked in In Johannesburg, migrants from “Go back to DRC for what?” said a 70-year propaganda war. South Korean other African countries have displaced Jean Membwe, 38, from the Democratic journalistic culture allows for stories to be South Africans from jobs such as wait- Republic of Congo, who guards cars out- built around a single anonymous source, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits Korean People’s Army pilots who have completed a ers and pump operators at gas stations. side a Johannesburg mall. “Compared so without attribution or cross checking, tour of battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu. They also guard cars for tips and work with home, this is paradise.” this leaves reporters open to a higher as gardeners and maids. BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Nusra Front, allies seize key city in Syria Victory opens up assault route to regime bastion

BEIRUT: Al Qaeda’s Syrian The Observatory also reported said that both Ariha and the Al affiliate and its allies seized that government forces summar- Mastumah base were now under the last major government-held ily executed at least 23 prisoners rebel siege, along with another city in Idlib province yesterday, in a detention facility before they military base called Al Qarmid. in a blow that could expose the withdrew. While last month’s capture regime’s coastal heartland to State media did not acknowl- of Idlib city was hailed by many rebel attack. edge the city’s fall, saying only in the opposition because it was The capture of Jisr Al Shughur that “units from our valiant army only the second provincial capital in the northwestern province successfully redeployed on the entirely lost by the regime, the comes nearly a month after the outskirts of Jisr Al Shughur to seizure of Jisr Al Shughur may same coalition of opposition forces, avoid casualties among innocent prove to be strategically more known as the “Army of Conquest”, civilians”. important. overran the provincial capital. State television later reported “This city is more important The city’s fall opens up a stra- that troops were “locked in fierce than Idlib city because it is close tegic assault route for the rebels battles at the entrance of Jisr Al to Latakia province and regions to neighbouring Latakia prov- Shughur and axes leading to it”. controlled by the regime in the Residents flee Jisr Al Shughur city after rebels took control of it yesterday. ince on the Mediterranean coast, The jihadists, meanwhile, hailed northeast part of Hama province,” a bastion of President Bashar Al victory on their official Twitter Abdel Rahman said. Assad’s regime, analysts said. accounts. It lies on the road leading to Shortly after the city’s capture, “The mujahedeen have entered the regime’s Latakia bastion, and Syria’s former intelligence chief dead a string of villages in neighbouring the city centre. The city has been is also close to the border with Hama province also fell to rebels. liberated,” Al Nusra said. Turkey, which is a leading backer BEIRUT/AMMAN: Rustom power broker and deeply involved played by Lebanese Shia group “(Al Qaeda affiliate) Al Nusra One of the group’s official of the uprising against Assad. Ghazali, Syria’s last chief of in internal political affairs after Hezbollah and Iran in the Syrian Front and the Islamist brigades accounts published multiple pho- “For the opposition as a whole, intelligence in Lebanon who the end of civil war in 1990. offensive to wrest back large now have complete control of Jisr tographs of Al Nusra fighters in it would open up the route into was a suspect in the killing of Lebanon’s ties with Syria hit parts of southern Syria from Al Shughur,” Syrian Observatory the city, some holding their black Latakia from Idlib and Hama, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik rock bottom after the assassina- rebel hands. for Human Rights chief Rami flag and others reciting “prayers which could significantly enhance Hariri, has died in Damascus, tion of Hariri in 2005 and accu- Several sources said that Abdel Rahman said. of thanks” for the city’s capture. any future offensive on Latakia,” Lebanese media reported. sations of Syrian involvement, Ghazali had a fallout with “There are some ongoing bat- It also published a photo of said Charles Lister, a visiting fel- A Lebanese source with ties to which Damascus has always the powerful head of Military tles outside the city, to the south some of the prisoners reportedly low at Brookings Doha Centre and Damascus also said that Ghazali denied. Intelligence Rafik Shehadeh. and east.” executed by government forces, a Syria specialist. had died on Friday. The cause and Demonstrations in Lebanon Ghazali was born in 1952 in the The Britain-based monitoring showing at least 14 bodies, some “At the end of the day, this circumstances of his death were over the killing of Hariri forced village of Qarfa in Syria’s Deraa group said the bodies of at least 60 piled on top of one another, in a needs to be seen as more than just not immediately clear. There was Syria to withdraw its 15,000 sol- province. He was appointed in regime loyalists had been seen on room with blood-smeared walls. an offensive on Jisr Al Shughur, no mention of his death on state diers in April that year, ending 2002 as head of Syrian military the streets of the city, which was Jisr Al Shughur became the there’s a much bigger strategy media and the Syrian govern- three decades of military pres- intelligence in Lebanon replac- overrun by thousands of rebels. regime’s de facto provincial capi- playing out.” ment made no statement. ence in its smaller neighbour. ing Ghazi Kanaan, who was In the wake of the capture, the tal after the Army of Conquest Yesterday afternoon, the Ghazali, in his 60s, succeeded UN investigators questioned made interior minister. In 2005, Observatory said government coalition overran Idlib city last Observatory said several rebel Ghazi Kanaan as head of mili- Ghazali in September 2005 as a Kanaan was found dead on his planes carried out at least 30 air month. groups had seized at least five tary intelligence in Lebanon suspect in the Hariri killing. He desk. The authorities said he strikes on and around the city. With the loss of Jisr Al Shughur, villages in Hama province not far in 2002 during Syria’s tutelage was widely believed to be on the committed suicide. “At least 10 people have been the regime holds only a few areas from Jisr Al Shughur. over Lebanon, which lasted until list of people to be brought to the Ghazali was appointed head killed in the city in the strikes, in the east of the province, includ- The group said the advance Damascus pulled its troops from tribunal to testify in the coming of political intelligence in 2012 both civilians and fighters, and ing the town of Ariha, a military appeared to be linked to the city’s the country in 2005. months. shortly after a powerful blast dozens more are injured, with base in Al Mastumah and an air- capture, although Al Nusra was He was one of Syria’s key Opposition reports say he had killed and injured a number of the toll expected to rise,” Abdel base at Abu Duhur. not involved in the Hama fighting. operatives in Lebanon when been dismissed over his alleged top military and security officials. Rahman said. But an activist from Idlib AFP Damascus was the country’s main opposition to the prominent role REUTERS Thousands mark Gallipoli centenary Four displaced Iraqis GALLIPOLI PENINSULA: Leaders and dignitaries from kidnapped, killed Australia, New Zealand and Turkey led thousands at dawn BAGHDAD: Four men who While pro-government forces ceremonies on Turkey’s Gallipoli had fled Iraq’s western Anbar hold pockets of territory in the peninsula yesterday to mark the province for Baghdad were kid- province, the Islamic State jihad- 100th anniversary of a World napped by gunmen yesterday ist group controls large areas, War One battle that helped and later found shot in the head, and there has been heavy fighting shape their nations. security and medical officials between the two sides that has dis- The Gallipoli campaign has said. placed tens of thousands of people. resonated through generations “Unknown gunmen wearing The killing of the four men that have mourned the thousands military uniforms broke into one came a day after a woman and of soldiers from the Australian of the houses in the Bayaa area... two children were shot dead in and New Zealand Army Corps and kidnapped four men who the Abu Dsheer area, also located (ANZAC) killed by machine-gun were displaced from Anbar,” a in the capital’s south. and artillery fire as they struggled police colonel said on condition of Images that were widely shared ashore on a narrow beach. anonymity. online showed the body of a By the time allied forces with- “Less than half an hour later, woman and a young boy lying on drew, defeated, after eight months, their bodies were found” in the a bloodstained mat with a baby the fighting would eventually claim Bayaa area in southern Baghdad, bottle nearby, while a little girl’s more than 130,000 lives, 87,000 of blindfolded with gunshots to the body lay on a couch. them on the side of the Ottoman head, the officer said. All three were shot in the head, Turks, who were allied with impe- A medical official confirmed apparently at close range, in kill- rial Germany. that the bodies of four men had ings that interior ministry spokes- Australian Prime Minister been discovered, saying their man Saad Maan said may have Tony Abbott, New Zealand Prime hands and legs were bound and been related to “a family problem,” Minister John Key and Britain’s they had all been shot in the head, though the investigation into the Prince Charles laid wreaths as though there were other gunshot incident is ongoing. bagpipes played at Anzac Cove, wounds as well. But rumours circulated online just north of where ANZAC sol- Anbar is a massive desert prov- that the three were killed by dis- diers first landed, in front of more ince that stretches from the bor- placed people from Anbar, raising Men dressed as New Zealand WWI soldiers stand in front of the Ataturk Memorial, draped with the Turkish flag, than 10,000 people. ders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi the possibility that the four Anbari Abbott told the crowd of lives on Chunuk Bair, near Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, during a memorial service yesterday to mark the 100th anniversary Arabia to the western approach to men might have been killed in lost in a campaign that helped of the land campaign of the Battle of Gallipoli in Canakkale. Baghdad. revenge. AFP forge Australia’s identity. “Like every generation since, we who as a young officer led the soldiers from Australia and New Key in his speech at the ceremony. are here on Gallipoli, because we defence. He later founded mod- Zealand fought under their own The Allied forces also included believe that the ANZACs repre- ern Turkey, the secular republic flags and is seared in the national British, Irish, French, Indians, IS suicide bombers kill four at sented Australians at our best,” that emerged from the ruins of the consciousness as a point where Gurkhas and Canadians. he said. “It’s the perseverance of Ottoman empire. their nations emerged from the Approximately 58,000 Allied sol- those who scaled the cliffs under Turks marched the route the shadow of the British empire. diers died, roughly half of them Iraq-Jordan border crossing a rain of fire. It’s the compassion Ottoman Turkish 57th Regiment, “To us, Gallipoli is also a byword from Britain and Ireland, accord- BAGHDAD: The Islamic State group claimed an attack yesterday of the nurses who attended to the the first in action, took at dawn for the best characteristics of ing to the Gallipoli Association. by French, Belgian and Senegalese suicide bombers on the Iraq- thousands of wounded.” 100 years ago before suffering ter- Australians and New Zealanders, Only 11,000 have known graves Jordan border that officials said killed at least four Iraqi security For Turkey, Gallipoli is also a rible losses in one of the bloodiest especially when they work side by on the Gallipoli peninsula. Others personnel. national touchstone, heralding the battles of World War One. side, in the face of adversity,” said simply have their names inscribed The bombers detonated explosives-rigged vehicles, one of them a lorry, rise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Gallipoli marked the first time New Zealand Prime Minister John on memorials. REUTERS at checkpoints on the Iraqi side of the Turaibil crossing, said Sabah Karhout, the head of the Anbar province council. He put the toll at four dead and eight wounded. The deputy head of the crossing, Khaled Alwan, and army Colonel Erdogan slams leaders over Armenian ‘genocide’ Jabr Khailan, both confirmed the attack but gave higher tolls. The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group claimed the assault in a state- ISTANBUL: Turkish President — to which Turkey has strong “We would have wished that Erdogan went on to accuse the ment posted online, saying the bombers were from France, Belgium Recep Tayyip Erdogan yester- objection. Putin had not gone to Armenia, EU — whose parliament voted to and Senegal. day lashed out at the European During commemoration cer- nor Mr Hollande” Erdogan told call the events a genocide on April It said the bombers targeted the main checkpoint at the crossing, a Union and world leaders who emonies in Armenia on Friday, a meeting of businessmen in 15 — of “not telling the truth” and mess hall and sleeping quarters for security personnel, and an army have recognised the 1915 mas- French President Francois Istanbul. said: “Hey European Union! Don’t patrol. sacres of Armenians as genocide Hollande urged modern-day “The last countries to speak of offer us any thoughts, keep them Iraqi security forces control pockets of territory in Anbar, a vast desert on the centenary of the events. Turkey to recognise the mas- genocide are Germany, Russia and to yourself.” province that stretches from the borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Erdogan accused the leaders sacre as genocide while Russian France. What happened during The Turkish leader also accused Arabia to the western approaches to Baghdad. of France, Germany and Russia President Vladimir Putin too used the two world wars that had been the United States of siding with But much of the province is held by IS, which spearheaded an offen- of “supporting claims based the label, though only once. initiated by Germany in the past Armenia, though President sive last June that overran swathes of territory north and west of the on Armenian lies” after they German President Joachim century is before our eyes,” he said. Barack Obama sidestepped the Iraqi capital. described the slaughter of an Gauck qualified the mass kill- “They should first, one-by-one, contentious term by using the Some areas have been out of government control for longer than that. estimated 1.5 million Armenians ings as genocide a day before the clean the stains on their own his- Armenian term Medz Yeghern, Anti-government fighters seized parts of Ramadi and all of Fallujah, to by Ottoman forces as genocide centenary. tories,” he said. meaning great catastrophe. AFP its east, in early 2014. AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Lib Dems rule out Scottish deal Horsemeat trafficking UKIP’s Farage dismisses health rumours ahead of election ring cracked

LONDON: The leader of THE HAGUE: Police from Authorities in France, which Britain’s Liberal Democrats seven European countries have have been investigating the group ruled out joining a government detained 26 people in a crack- for two years, estimate that some that relied on support from down on a horsemeat traf- 4,700 horses unfit for human con- Scotland’s nationalists, raising ficking ring, two years after a sumption were slaughtered and a potential obstacle to a coali- tainted meat scandal rocked smuggled into the food chain tion deal with the opposition the continent, the EU’s judicial between 2010 and 2013, Eurojust Labour Party after a national agency Eurojust said yesterday. said. The animals were killed at election on May 7. Eurojust said the swoop coor- an abattoir in the south of France, Nick Clegg, deputy prime min- dinated by Eurojust and French the French source said. ister who may again be kingmaker authorities “succeeded in stop- Dozens of commercial and after a knife-edge election, also said ping an organised criminal net- private premises were searched he would prefer to line up with the work involved in trade in illegal in the raids and more than 800 party that wins most parliamen- horsemeat.” horse passports seized, along with tary seats, another potential hin- Friday’s operation involved medication, microchips, computer drance to a deal with Labour. hundreds of police and officials equipment and ¤37,000 ($40,100) The centrist Liberal Democrats in France, Belgium, Germany, in cash. have been the junior partner in a Ireland, Luxembourg, the The arrests come two years coalition with the Conservatives Netherlands and Britain, the after the furore triggered by the since 2010, disappointing many European Union agency said. discovery that horsemeat was of their voters by working with Eurojust did not say where the being passed off as beef in burg- a right-leaning party. They are arrests took place but the Dutch ers and other meat products sold forecast to lose around half of public prosecutor’s office said across Europe. their seats, meaning they could three people were arrested in the Millions of meatballs, sausages, struggle to form a coalition gov- Netherlands. French authorities burgers and ready meals were ernment with Labour. had requested the trio’s extradi- pulled at the time from super- In an interview with the tion, the prosecutors added. market shelves over the find, Financial Times yesterday, Clegg Demonstrators wave Saltire flags, the national flag of Scotland, during a pro-independence rally in Glasgow Media in Belgium, meanwhile, making it one of Europe’s biggest said he could not work with the yesterday, urging the Scots to put their UK general election vote on May 7 towards a political party that supports said four Belgian nationals, food scandals. Scottish National Party (SNP), independence from England. including the alleged ringleader, A Dutch court earlier this month which seeks independence for were arrested in France. sentenced Dutch meat trader Willy Scotland, or the anti-EU UK could pull the plug any time he millions of voters flocking instead could win the most seats but see Eurojust confirmed that a Selten to two-and-a-half years in Independence Party (UKIP). wants,” he said of the former SNP to once marginal parties, includ- Labour’s Miliband as having more Belgian was the main suspect in jail for his role in the fraud. Selten “I totally rule out any arrange- leader. ing in Scotland where the SNP options to form a coalition. the group, which is accused of was convicted of falsifying docu- ments with the SNP — in the The closest election in a gen- looks set to make major gains. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, introducing horsemeat unfit for ments that presented 300 tonnes same way I rule out any arrange- eration has baffled Britain’s Labour, which looks to be all the leader of anti-EU UK human consumption into the food of horsemeat as pure beef. ments with UKIP — because political classes who are por- but wiped out in its once strong- Independence Party, yesterday chain through the “falsification, Eurojust did not say whether there is no meeting point for ing over opinion polls and hold of Scotland, has ruled out a dismissed rumours he was seri- suppression and/or modification there was any connection between me with one party that basically Westminster seat predictions formal coalition with the Scottish ously unwell but said he had been of official health documentation”. this week’s raids and the 2013 wants to pull our country to bits to see who might rule the $2.8 nationalists but left the door open dogged by chronic back pain that The suspect, who was operat- scandal. While many consumers and another party that wants us trillion economy after the vote. to an informal deal. The SNP has has hampered his ability to cam- ing out of his homeland, had been at the time reacted with horror to pull out of the EU,” Clegg said. Opinion polls indicate nei- said it would never work with the paign for the May 7 election. under investigation in Belgium to being duped over the nature of “I would never recommend ther the Conservatives of Prime Conservatives. The 51-year-old Farage has been since November 2012, the agency, the beast from which their meat to the Liberal Democrats that Minister David Cameron nor Clegg said he would open talks dogged by speculation of ill health which is based in The Hague, said. was sourced, horsemeat is popu- we help establish a government Ed Miliband’s Labour will win on May 8 with the party with the since he appeared tired and sub- Further arrests were made in lar in several European countries, which is basically on a life sup- an overall majority in the 650- biggest mandate. Most analysts dued on the campaign trail. Germany and Belgium, a French including France and Belgium. port system, where Alex Salmond seat parliament. Surveys show think Cameron’s Conservatives REUTERS judicial source said. AFP

Pro-Kremlin Chile volcano spews ash and fire; flights cancelled bikers ride PUERTO VARAS: Chile’s the total number of evacuees to domestic flights operated normally Calbuco volcano kept villagers around 6,500. but some international flights on edge yesterday as it spewed Additionally, about 300 farmers were cancelled. Three flights for Berlin fire and ash after two powerful were affected by the eruption and were scrapped at Montevideo’s eruptions blanketed the region authorities planned to evacuate Carrasco International Airport, in suffocating volcanic debris. about 4,000 sheep and cattle. and authorities urged people to defying bans “The volcano remains unsta- “I’m afraid and still thinking use face masks to avoid inhaling ble, and eruptions, principally about leaving, but over the long- ash particles. MOSCOW: Dozens of bik- ash, will continue for now,” the term, I would still return to my Southern Chile’s verdant land- ers from pro-Kremlin gang the National Geology and Mining land,” said Carolina Bayern, who scape, meanwhile, has turned Night Wolves yesterday set off Service said in its latest report. took refuge in a school in Puerto turned gray as ash has set- on a ride to Berlin ahead of the Chilean authorities have Varas with other evacuees. tled over vast expanses of farm anniversary of Soviet victory in declared a state of emergency, Raul Rangel, who also was land, especially in the immedi- World War II, despite Poland and sent in the army and evacuated staying at the school, said he was ate disaster zone around the Germany barring the riders. a 20km radius around Calbuco, no longer afraid of the volcano. volcano. “There are fields that The bikers gathered yesterday which is located in Los Lagos, a “I respect it,” he added. “My will be unusable for a long time,” morning in a Moscow suburb to region popular with tourists for house collapsed, and everything Agriculture Minister Carlos launch the ride to Berlin, planned its scenic mountain landscapes is destroyed, and I feel such great Furche told Radio Cooperativa. to retrace the 6,000km march of dotted with volcanoes and lakes sadness.” On the other side of the secu- Soviet troops through Belarus, with black-sand beaches. The ash cloud, meanwhile, rity perimeter, the evacuation Poland, the Czech Republic, Authorities ordered the pre- continued to drift eastward over area was turned into a scattering Slovakia and Austria. ventive evacuation of some 2,000 Patagonia and Argentina, reach- of ghost towns blanketed with ash The Night Wolves’ long-haired, people from three more towns at ing Buenos Aires 2,000km away, up to three feet thick, witnesses heavily tattooed leader Alexander risk of flooding from snow and ice where some airlines cancelled said. Experts have cautioned that A view of the Calbuco volcano from Puerto Varas, Chile. A large column of smoke Zaldostanov led a column of bik- melting high in the mountains flights to and from the United a third eruption could still follow. streamed from the volcano, prompting new warnings that it could erupt again. ers waving red flags with portraits due to the volcano’s heat, bringing States and Europe. In Santiago, AFP of Stalin and the wartime slogan “For the Motherland! For Stalin!” out of the gang’s clubhouse in northwestern Moscow. Royal visit Organisers said around 30 Gaps remain in bikers aimed to travel the entire Serb party in Bosnia route to Berlin, but it was unclear whether they would be allowed to probe of Baltimore pass through after both Warsaw man’s death and Berlin moved to ban the rid- threatens secession ers. A German government source BALTIMORE: An investigation said that “entry has been refused SARAJEVO: The largest Serb in which SNSD currently holds a into the death of a black man in to certain leaders of the Night party in Bosnia said yesterday majority, will call a referendum Baltimore police custody is still Wolves and visas obtained on false that it would push for a refer- to break from the Bosniak-Croat trying to figure out what hap- pretences have been annulled”. endum on independence for Federation, the other half of Bosnia. pened, the police commissioner Polish Prime Minister Ewa the country’s autonomous Serb “Based on the referendum said as the city braced for a major Kopacz described the rally as Republic in 2018, setting it on a results, the Serb Republic authori- protest over the incident. a “provocation” and Warsaw collision course with the West, ties... will propose to the Federation Police Commissioner Anthony on Friday refused entry to any unless the region is granted a peaceful dissolution and mutual Batts said police would release organised biker group” giving its greater powers. recognition,” it said, adding that surveillance camera photos reason organisational concerns. The threat represents poten- the region would pursue member- involving the death of Freddie Russia’s foreign ministry said it tially the greatest challenge to ship of the European Union. Gray, 25, who died on Sunday a was “indignant about the refusal Bosnian statehood since it split In response, the office of Bosnia’s week after being arrested. A pre- of Polish authorities” and accused from federal Yugoslavia and international peace overseer, who liminary autopsy report said he Warsaw of lying about the real descended into war that killed has the power to fire officials and had suffered a spinal injury. reasons it was barring the bikers. 100,000 people from 1992 to 1995. overturn laws, said that under the Gray’s death has sparked days The Night Wolves are closely The SNSD party, which is led 1995 peace accord, neither entity of protests in the largely black linked to President Vladimir by the Republic’s nationalist pres- has the right to secede. city of about 620,000 people. Putin, who has joined the bikers ident Milorad Dodik, adopted a Dodik argued that the Serb “We’re getting closer and the several times at rallies, riding a resolution making the independ- Republic’s own constitution and picture is getting sharper and Harley-Davidson trike, and called ence threat official party policy. laws left room for self-determi- sharper as we move forward,” Batts them his “friends”. Dodik accuses state authori- nation. He has long advocated told a news conference, adding that The bikers said they were ties in Bosnia of trying to usurp Bosnia’s dissolution, putting him “multiple gaps” still remained. not discouraged by the bans. autonomous powers granted at odds with Western powers that The incident was the latest in Zaldostanov, 52, said: “We won’t to the Serb Republic under a have invested thousands of troops a string of deaths of black men at change our plans or our route. US-brokered peace deal. and billions of euros in securing the hands of police, including in If they don’t let us all come in “The Serb Republic cannot sovereignty for the Balkan state. Ferguson, Missouri, and New York together, then we will enter one accept any further takeover of its Leaders of Bosnia’s Muslim City, which have prompted waves by one, using numerous differ- authorities by the state under the Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs and of protest across the United States. ent entry points. If we give up on guise of reform,” he told reporters Catholic Croats share little Gray and a second man fled this rally, then we would have to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Westminster Abbey for a service to after an SNSD convention. common vision of their coun- when officers approached them in a give up on everything else: May 9 commemorate ANZAC Day and the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli, The resolution states that try’s future, frustrating reform high-crime area on April 12, police (Victory Day holiday in Russia)... in central London yesterday. unless the Serb Republic is able efforts and progress towards the said. Gray was nabbed and arrested our history and all our values.” to strengthen its autonomy by the European mainstream. for carrying a switchblade knife. AFP end of 2017, the regional assembly, REUTERS REUTERS SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

People search for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu Durbar Square, after the earthquake. RIGHT: R escue workers gather at the collapsed Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu yesterday. Death, panic on Everest a year after tragedy Mountaineers plead for help as earthquake triggers avalanche; heavy snow hampers rescue by helicopters

MOUNT EVEREST: Climbers peak. “Huge disaster. Helped Just below base camp, Nepal to abandon their attempt on the compounding fears for climbers feet, sending people running out on the world’s highest mountain searched and rescued victims bureau chief Ammu Kannampilly summit last April during the there. of their homes and onto streets pleaded for help yesterday after through huge debris area. Many said she was caught in the earth- chaos and recriminations that Tourist guide Naba Raj Amgai choked with thick dust. a massive earthquake triggered dead. Much more badly injured. quake and its aftershocks that followed the deadliest avalanche had just returned home from a “The ground underneath me an avalanche at Everest base More to die if not heli asap,” he ripped though large parts of then to ever hit Everest. mountain-biking trip when his was shaking. I thought I was camp, killing at least 18 people later tweeted. Himalayan Nepal, leaving more Medics already at base camp for home in the capital Kathmandu going to sink into it,” said Hari and sparking panic. Eighteen people were con- 800 people dead nationwide. the climbing season were work- began to shake, sending a fridge Adhikari, a 60-year-old vegetable Base camp was crowded with firmed dead on the mountain and “We are both ok... snowing here ing hard to “save lives”, doctor and television smashing to the seller. foreign mountaineers and their rescue efforts were under way but so no choppers coming,” she said and mountaineer Nima Namgyal ground. In Patan, a densely packed sherpa teams at the start at the heavy snow was preventing heli- in an SMS on approach to base Sherpa said on his Facebook page He and his wife bolted for the neighbourhood, a Reuters climbing season when the ava- copters from reaching climbers, camp while on assignment. “I yesterday. stairs. Outside, his neighbours reporter heard neighbours lanche hit, destroying camps and an official said. hurt my hand — got it bandaged “Many camps have been were pouring onto the street, screaming as the first tremor hit. sending slabs of ice crashing in “There might be over 1,000 and told to keep it upright to stop destroyed by the shake and wind shouting and crying. “I was eating near the city what was described as a “huge people there right now, including the bleeding.” from the avalanche. All the doc- “It was horrible,” said Amgai, centre in Kathmandu when sud- disaster”. foreign climbers and Nepalese The avalanche and earthquake tors here are doing our best to who was standing out on the denly the tables started trembling “Running for life from my tent. supporting staffs. Rescue heli- come just one year after a disaster treat and save lives,” Sherpa said. street several hours later. “I still and paintings on the wall fell on Unhurt. Many many people up copters have not been able to on Everest killed 16 guides and “Big slabs of ice” hanging haven’t gone back inside.” the ground,” Devyani Pant, an the mountain,” tweeted Romanian fly because of the weather,” triggered an unprecedented shut- near camp two, further up the Eyewitnesses described scenes Indian tourist in Kathmandu, told climber Alex Gavan who had Gyanendra Kumar Shrestha, an down of the 8,848 metre peak. mountain from base camp, came of panic and confusion in the Reuters. “I screamed and rushed been preparing to ascend nearby official in Nepal’s tourism depart- Some climbers are return- crashing down after the earth- Nepali capital when the ground outside.” Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest ment, said. ing this year after being forced quake, with poor communications started shaking beneath their AGENCIES

Man held over landing drone on roof of Abe’s office Indonesia informs

TOKYO: A Japanese man was The unemployed man blogged he added. “The suspect planned morning. Traces of radiation were arrested yesterday for alleg- that the drone had carried sand to disrupt operations at the prime detected but were reportedly too convicts of execution, edly flying a small drone with from Fukushima — where nuclear minister’s official residence”, the low to be a risk to human health. traces of radioactivity onto the reactors went into meltdown spokesman said. In a blog, the writer said he roof of the Japanese prime min- after the 2011 tsunami — and The drone was sent with a put contaminated sand from Frenchman excluded ister’s office, police said. Yasuo a card voicing his opposition to bottle with a radiation marking Fukushima into the bottle and Yamamoto, 40, turned him- atomic energy, reports said. sometime between March 22 and claims to have sent the drone CILACAP, Indonesia: young Australians are executed,” self in to local police in Fukui Yamamoto faces a charge of April 22, when it was found, he to the prime minister’s office at Indonesia said yesterday it has said Foreign Minister Julie prefecture, some 350km west “forcible obstruction of business” said, without elaborating further. around 3.30 am on April 9. officially notified eight foreign Bishop. of Tokyo, late on Friday night by having officials deal with the Staff at the official residence The blogger chronicles how drug convicts that they will be “I again respectfully call on the with an apparent drone control- drone, said a spokesman at the — known as “the Kantei” — dis- he planned to land the drone in executed, but a Frenchman was president of Indonesia to recon- ler, saying he did it to express Tokyo Metropolitan Police. covered the 50-centimetre craft front of the premier’s office, but granted a temporary reprieve sider his refusal to grant clem- his anti-nuclear power stance, The man was being trans- on top of the five-storey structure lost control of the machine. after Paris stepped up pressure ency. It is not too late for a change according to local media. ported to Tokyo for questioning, in central Tokyo on Wednesday AFP on Jakarta. of heart.” The eight — from Australia, Minnie Lopez, a lawyer for Brazil, Nigeria and the Philippines Veloso, said: “We were informed — have been transported to the by Mary Jane herself that she Aliwan Festival in Manila high-security prison island of received the notice that the sen- Nusakambangan where they will tence will be implemented on Radioactive face the firing squad along with April 28.” an Indonesian prisoner, despite The news of Atlaoui’s tempo- soil removed strident international criticism. rary reprieve came after France “Today, just now, we just fin- dramatically stepped up pressure from park ished notifying every convict, nine on Jakarta to change course, and people except for Serge,” a spokes- President Francois Hollande man for the attorney-general’s warned Saturday of “conse- in Tokyo office, Tony Spontana, said, add- quences with France and Europe” ing it would be at least three days if he was put to death. TOKYO: Workers have until the sentences are carried out. Widodo has previously ignored removed radioactive soil from “We have also asked for their the increasingly clamorous a Tokyo playground where last wish,” he added. appeals on the convicts’ behalf extremely high radiation levels Officials said earlier that from their governments, social had worried local residents for Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, who media and from others such as days, official said. Soil under- was expected to be among the band Napalm Death — the presi- neath a slide at the park in the group being put to death, will not dent is a huge heavy metal fan. northwest of the Japanese capi- be included in the forthcoming The Australian government has tal showed radiation readings of batch as he still has an outstand- mounted a campaign to save its up to 480 microsieverts per hour. ing legal appeal. citizens on death row, ringlead- Anyone directly exposed to this Spontana did not give a date ers of the so-called “Bali Nine” level would absorb in two hours for the executions but a lawyer heroin-smuggling gang, stressing the maximum dose of radiation for Filipina Mary Jane Veloso said that they are reformed characters Japan recommends in a year. she had been informed she would after a decade behind bars. Contractors dug out soil from Filipino performers wearing colourful costumes participate in a traditional dance competition as part of the be put to death on Tuesday. Sukumaran has become an the spot on Friday, and the radia- Aliwan Festival in Manila yesterday. Groups from various provinces participated in the festival which showcases The news that the execution accomplished artist during his tion reading went back to normal, the products and culture of each province. procedure is under way, after time in jail. After visiting him on around 0.06 microsieverts per weeks of delays, came after Nusakambangan, one of his law- hour, according to local reports. Indonesian officials met diplo- yers, Julian McMahon, returned Workers suspect the contami- mats yesterday in a town near carrying three of the convict’s nation was from radium, which is Nusakambangan. The consular self-portraits with one dated used for medical tools and a glow- Scuffles as HK govt holds poll campaign officials then travelled to the April 25 and signed “72 hours in-the-dark paint for watches, island to visit inmates. just started”, the Australian reports said. Yukio Takano, the The foreign drug convicts have Associated Press reported. mayor of Tokyo’s Toshima ward HONG KONG: Scuffles broke chaotic scenes following a drive- leader Leung Hiu-yeung told all lost appeals for clemency from Seventy-two hours is the mini- where the park was located, said out yesterday as Hong Kong by visit by the city’s number two reporters. The Hong Kong govern- President Joko Widodo, who mum amount of time that death that the problem that fanned officials toured an urban dis- official, Carrie Lam, in the resi- ment kicked off the promotional argues that Indonesia is fighting a row convicts must be given before fears for the health of area chil- trict on a campaign to win sup- dential region of Kennedy Town campaign to sell the vote plan drugs emergency. The Australian they are executed in Indonesia. dren was likely to end soon. port for a government proposal on Hong Kong island. after its launch but Lam and the government said it had been Earlier, Sukumaran’s sister “The amount of radiation has on choosing the city’s future “Her car just passed by so city’s chief executive Leung Chun- informed that the execution of its Brintha issued an emotional plea been dramatically reduced after a leader which has angered pro- quickly. We couldn’t even see who ying were drowned out by protest- citizens, Myuran Sukumaran and for his life to be spared, urging test excavation” of the soil, said in democracy campaigners. was in the car and we don’t think ers as they visited a middle-class Andrew Chan, was “imminent”. Widodo in a YouTube video to a statement, released late Friday. Protesters said police took they are going to listen to our district late on Wednesday. “Nothing can be gained and “change punishment for humanity”. AFP away at least two people during voices and what we want,” student AFP much will be lost if these two AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Insurgent mortar PM orders probe attack kills five in Afghanistan JALALABAD: At least five members of a family have been into killing of killed after an insurgent mor- tar hit their house in eastern Afghanistan, Afghan provincial authorities said yesterday. rights activist “Five Afghan civilians, four women and a man were killed in an enemy mortar attack in Alingar district of Laghman prov- Sabeen Mahmud shot dead ince late on Friday evening,” pro- vincial police chief, Daud Amin, KARACHI: Pakistani Prime Shaikh, a spokesman for Karachi said. Minister Nawaz Sharif has police, said. Amin said eleven other mem- ordered an investigation into Tariq Dharajo, another senior bers of the family were wounded the killing of prominent rights police official, said no one had yet in the mortar attack. activist Sabeen Mahmud who been arrested and police were Laghman provincial governor was shot dead minutes after she investigating different angles. spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, con- hosted a seminar on abuses in He said Mahmud’s mother told firmed the mortar attack and troubled Baluchistan province. police yesterday that attackers gave the same death toll. Police said Mahmud, who on a motorbike opened fire after Zwak said women and children runs The Second Floor, a cafe in they stopped their car at a traf- were among the wounded in the Karachi that organises debates fic signal. attack. No group immediately and art events, was killed late on Mahmud had on Friday hosted claimed responsibility for the Friday when gunmen attacked a seminar about rights abuses in attack. her car as she departed with her Baluchistan titled “Un-silencing It comes as the Taliban insur- mother from the venue in the Baluchistan Take 2”, featuring gents have announced their upmarket Defence neighbourhood. two prominent Baluch rights annual spring offensive — vowing Mahmud was hit by five bullets activists, Qadeer and Farzana to target Afghan police, army and and died at the scene, police said. Baluch, among other speakers. People carrying the coffin of Sabeen Mahmud, a human rights activist, who was shot by gunmen in Karachi, intelligence officials. Her mother was wounded. Qadeer and Baluch were meant yesterday. Mama Abdul Qadeer, a promi- to speak at another seminar, China to deliver nent Baluch rights activist and “Un-silencing Baluchistan”, at the “When you talk about the academics and students — tor- linking China’s restive west a speaker at the seminar, said prestigious Lahore University of human rights you are considered turing them and dumping their to the Arabian Sea through 50 JF-17 fighters Mahmud had received threats Management Sciences about two as a traitor,” he added. bodies on the streets. Pakistan as part of Beijing’s before the event. weeks ago, but rights activists In March Qadeer was stopped The security services deny plans to expand its trade and in three years “The programme organisers said it was cancelled apparently from attending a conference in the allegations and say they are transport footprint across were already receiving threats.... at the behest of the powerful Inter the United States to speak on the battling a fierce rebellion in the Central and South Asia. ISLAMABAD: China will it is very difficult to talk about Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. rights situation in his province. province. The project dwarfs previous turn over the last batch of 50 Baluchistan in Pakistan,” Qadeer Qadeer said he received death Resource-rich Baluchistan Military spokesman Major efforts to assist Pakistan’s under- FC-1 fighters to Pakistan over said yesterday. threats because of speaking is the largest of Pakistan’s four General Asim Bajwa condemned performing economy, but analysts the next three years, said Li Police initially said it appeared against human rights violations provinces, but its roughly seven the killing as “tragic and unfor- have cautioned that the lion’s Pei, the former head of the air- to be “a result of personal enmity” in Baluchistan. million inhabitants have long tunate” and tweeted that intel- share of the returns would likely craft project under the Aviation but launched a probe after Sharif “I am constantly receiving complained they do not receive a ligence agencies have been tasked go to China. Industry Corporation of China, ordered an investigation into her threats from unknown telephone fair share of its gas and mineral to assist the investigation. But Baluch rebels oppose devel- in a report by the party-run killing. numbers. The situation is becom- wealth. The killing comes as Beijing opment of the key Gwadar port People’s Daily. “A team of three senior police ing worse. Now the agencies are Human rights groups allege the and Islamabad this week while Baluchistan is not inde- Known as the JF-17 Thunder in officers headed by the deputy meeting me directly and ask- security forces commit abuses, signed an agreement to create pendent and refuse for the time Pakistan, the Xiaolong is a multi- inspector general of police will ing me to stop all this practice,” accusing them of picking up non- the China-Pakistan Economic to reach a peace dialogue. role fighter designed jointly by the probe the killing,” Atique Ahmed Qadeer said. militant separatists — including Corridor, a $46bn project AFP Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The aircraft is a sym- bol of the friendship between China and Pakistan, according to Li. Pakistan is currently the only other country that uses the Economic Corridor to connect all provincial capitals fighter. Under the contract signed ISLAMABAD: In order to that the corridor will integrate destinations through network of Motorway project, which was also encompass several special between Beijing and Islamabad, promote domestic harmony and all the provincial capitals into the roads/railways and air/sea links.” started over 20 years ago, is economic zones to be built along Pakistan will receive a total ensure equitable opportunities economic mesh. About the economic nodes now being built from Multan to the routes of the CPEC. number of 110 Thunder fighters of economic uplift for all the It adds that the corridor would of the corridor, the Planning Karachi and is expected to be Such is the promising future from China. regions from what is generally help in consolidation at national Commission earmarks Khunjerab, completed in a few years’ time. of this corridor for both Pakistan Pakistan has already received considered as a game changer level and it will also contribute Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Overall, the Pak-China and China that India has become 60 fighters from China since 2007. for the country the China- to regional integration, harmony Sukkur, Karachi, Quetta and Economic Corridor framework upset not merely because of the Ten of them were devoted to the Pakistan Economic Corridor all and economic development. Gwadar, thus making it a net would be completed in 2030. possible economic gains by the test and evaluation unit, based the provincial capitals would be It also says that the corridor covering almost all the regional The short-term outcome of this two countries but also due to at Minhas, the other 50 aircraft nodes of the corridor. would take the less developed centres and the entire country. framework is focused on power the strategic importance of this were assigned to the 16th and 26th The Planning Commission areas like Gilgit-Baltistan, Thar Although, different major production and Pakistan is project, signed and launched dur- squadrons of the Pakistan Air claims that all the provincial capi- and Gwadar regions into the folds roads, highways and expressways expected to double its power pro- ing the recent visit of Chinese Force. The fighter is considered tals — Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi of active development. would be built and upgraded to duction by 2025. President Xi Jinping to Pakistan. a symbol of national pride by the and Quetta — are “the agreed Dispelling the impression that complete the gigantic project in Under the same project, the Connected with the same people of Pakistan, according to nodes” of the Economic Corridor. the corridor would be the name the years to come, the under- Gwadar Port would be built as project, agreements and memo- Li. The Thunder has been respon- Although, many still do not of one single road, the Planning construction Peshawar-Karachi a leading port in the region to randa of understanding of around sible for escorting the aircraft of know about the routes of the cor- Commission says, “Gwadar, the Motorway would be the key part serve as the gateway of China- $45bn worth were signed between Chinese leaders during their visits ridor, the Planning Commission in gateway of CPEC, will serve mul- of the corridor. Pakistan Economic Corridor. the two countries. to Pakistan. its official website made it clear tiple domestic and trans-national The Peshawar-Karachi The Economic Corridor would INTERNEWS AGENCIES

Sharif arrives in London About 70pc of overseas PPP all set to hold huge remittances from meeting in Lyari Middle East KARACHI: Arrangements leaders of Lyari expect announce- LAHORE: Pakistan’s labour and preparations seemed to be ments pertaining to jobs, develop- force in the Middle East is the on full swing for the Pakistan ment projects and making Lyari biggest contributor to the remit- Peoples Party’s (PPP) public the seventh district of Karachi. tances sent home as almost 70 gathering at Kakri Ground, Keeping the sensitivity of the area per cent of the amount comes Lyari, scheduled for today. in mind, a large number of police from that region alone. The top leadership will visit the personnel were deployed around National Bank of Pakistan party stronghold after a long time the venue on Saturday. Senior police (NBP) SEVP Khalid Bin Shaheen but amid tight security. The gath- officials, including Javed Jiskani, stated this at a press conference ering aims to target Lyari alone. Fida Hussain, Nasir Aftab, Pir here yesterday. PPP expects a warm welcome Mohammad Shah and Tarik Dharejo, Shaheen, who is also the head and a huge presence of support- have also been tasked to look after of global home remittances and ers from the area on the ground, the security measures around the management group at the bank, which is located on Pitcher Road, venue of the public meeting. said out of the total remittances just a few minutes away from “The deployment is more than from the Middle East, 80 per- Karachi Port Trust. the requirement due to multi- cent was sent by the labour class, On the other hand, Lyari resi- ple threats,” said SSP Dharejo. who mainly depended on ‘hundi’, dents who still seem to be angry He said that policemen will also ‘hawala’ and other illegal means with the PPP leadership and be deployed in different areas of for sending money back home. indifferent to the jalsa, expect Lyari to ensure security for the “With efforts of the State important announcements for residents during the gathering. Bank of Pakistan, NBP and British Prime Minister David Cameron (left) greets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif outside 10 Downing the troubled area of the city. Local INTERNEWS other commercial banks, remit- Street in central London yesterday. tances through legal channels have increased. Around 2.5 mil- lion remittance transactions were recorded annually on the NBP system,” he added. Fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles become popular in Pakistan “Overseas workers are availing of the money remitting service through the NBP free of charge KARACHI: Hybrid vehi- followed by Insight Rs1.6m and authorised dealer of Honda Atlas Sources said car importers 300 used hybrid cars have been and this has helped generate cles are becoming popular in Fit Rs1.5m. Toyota Prius 1,800cc Cars. He hinted at Honda’s plans benefited from the concessionary imported. almost Rs160 billion per annum Pakistan, imports data shows, and Aqua are available at Rs2.5m to manufacture the Honda Vezel duties as more than 10,000 used Around one and a half years ago, in remittances through the legal mainly because of their per- and Rs1.6m, respectively. in Pakistan. hybrid vehicles (up to three years the Indus Motor Company (IMC) channel.” ceived fuel-efficiency. Used “The local manufacturers According to figures of Pakistan old) have been imported since July introduced brand new imported The bank is creating aware- Honda Vezel 1,500cc, Insight should seriously consider intro- Bureau of Statistics (PBS), over- 2013, out of which around 8,000 Toyota Prius (Rs4.5m) and Honda ness and encouraging the work- 1,333cc, Fit 1,333cc, and Toyota’s ducing high-tech vehicles as there all imports of cars (more than were under category of 1,300cc to Atlas Cars unveiled imported CRZ ers abroad to send their earnings Aqua 1,500cc are also now seen is a great demand for saving fuel 90pc of which were used) swelled 1,500cc while the rest were luxury Hybrid (Rs3.5m) with warranty through legal channels. on roads after Toyota Prius. cost and driving the latest vari- by 26pc in July-March 2014-15 to brands of above 1,800cc category. and parts availability. INTERNEWS Honda Vezel costs Rs3.5m, ants,” said Shabbir Allibhai, an $185m from $146.6m a year ago. In the last two months, more than INTERNEWS SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

A security personnel stands near a collapsed house after an earthquake in Siliguri yesterday. RIGHT: People gather outside the British Council building after tremors were felt in New Delhi. Delhi, Kolkata feel tremors Quake kills 36 in cars, homes and Metro 25 killed in Bihar, eight in UP and three in West Bengal NEW DELHI: Stuck in a mas- phones went dead. The mad dash repeat tremors at 12.18pm, the sive traffic jam under a flyover towards the exits was exacerbated services were again stopped from NEW DELHI: At least 36 peo- Defence Minister Manohar detector machines, cutters which in the national capital, Upasana as reality sunk in. Some tried to 12.18pm to 12.23pm. ple were killed and more than Parrikar said he has directed all can cut steel, concrete and wood. Chandra thought she was feel- push and shove and make their “I was in the Metro on a 100 injured in India yesterday army units to carry out rescue Goyal said the National ing unwell when she felt her way up the stairs, bypassing the bridge between Pragati Maidan due to the massive earthquake operations and extend full coop- Crisis Management Committee car was moving even while screaming children and worried and Indraprastha stations when that had its epicentre in Nepal. eration to local authorities. (NCMC) in the cabinet secretar- the engine was off. But, before mothers. I first felt the tremor. The train Prime Minister Narendra Modi In order to deal with the situ- iat has already met and reviewed she could think any further, a “Thankfully, some officials and was immediately halted as it was held a high-level meeting on the ation in the affected states, five the situation through video-con- swarm of people started run- responsible citizens, shouted at shaking really badly. I first thought situation and spoke with the chief teams of the National Disaster ferencing with the chief secretar- ning on the road shouting the crowd to not panic. After that the movement was because of ministers of the affected states. Response Force (NDRF) have ies of the affected states. “earthquake, earthquake”. several such calls, the evacuation a train passing on the next train, Twenty-five people were killed already been sent — one to The NCMC will be meeting reg- “I felt like my head was spin- process was more or less control- but turned out it was a massive in Bihar, 8 in Uttar Pradesh and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and ularly to take stock of the situation ning, but with the people running led. People consoled each other. earthquake,” Jerin George, 28, an 3 in West Bengal. one each to Darbhanga, Supaul, and the relief measures. The cen- around within seconds knew it Out on the ground, the streets advertising professional said. President Pranab Mukherjee Motihari and Gopalganj in Bihar. tral government was in constant was an earthquake. Then I felt (Middleton Row, Jawaharlal For Gunja Deo, “today was wrote to the governors of Bihar, Home Secretary L C Goyal said touch with the states and monitor- like I was trapped with no pos- Nehru Road) were choc a bloc the most perceptible earthquake Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the impact of the earthquake was ing the situation very closely. sible escape and looking at the with people. Everybody was vis- that I have ever felt in my almost Sikkim, condoling the loss of lives. felt in many states in India, par- The states will be provided with quake’s intensity I thought the ibly shaken,” Ghosh said. five-year stay in Delhi. I was get- Modi held a high-level meet- ticularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, all possible help from the central flyover would fall,” Chandra, who In Delhi, Mohona Mukhuty, ting late and was waiting for the ing with senior ministers and Sikkim and West Bengal. government, the statement added. works in Noida, said. 36, said that she felt the earth- Metro at Rajiv Chowk station to officials and spoke with the chief The ministry has been in con- Giving details of the quake, L S Like the 27-year-old corpo- quake while she was getting her reach Noida Sector-16 when I ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, stant touch with all the affected Rathore, Director-General of the rate professional, many Delhiites daughter dressed for school. “I first felt the tremors. The tremors West Bengal, Sikkim and Madhya states to assess the situation. India Meteorological Department, felt the tremors that shook the was standing on the floor and were so strong that I felt, some- Pradesh. Each team of the NDRF consists said that after the earthquake, national capital and other parts dressing up my daughter who body pushed me. I felt the ground “The prime minister was of 45 personnel who are fully several aftershocks were felt in of the country after a massive was on the bed and suddenly felt was moving, platform timer was briefed on the inputs regarding equipped with modern equipment India too. “These were after- earthquake measuring 7.9 on the the floor moving. First, I thought swinging and the name plate of the extent of damage to life and to deal with search and rescue shocks measuring five and above Richer Scale struck Nepal. I am unwell, but immediately the station was shaking. When property received so far from var- operations, he said. on the Richter scale,” he said, For IANS correspondent realised it was an earthquake. I my friend told me that it was an ious places in India and Nepal,” The team also includes medi- adding that the highest intensity Sahana Ghosh, several feet picked up my child and ran down- earthquake, some of the people said a statement issued by the cal and paramedic personnel. The aftershock measured 6.6. beneath the ground, in India’s old- stairs without taking my phone started laughing at us. I prayed Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). teams have equipment such as live IANS est metro rail system, the Kolkata and shutting the door. When I to God and grabbed my handbag Metro, the doors refused to shut. reached down, I saw all my neigh- to rush outside the metro station, “The train didn’t move. Like me, bours downstairs,” she said. while moving out I had to per- most of the regular commuters The earthquake struck at suade some commuters to move took it as just another technical 11.41am India time. Many rushed out. They said the tremors have snag. But panic soon spread like out of their offices across the city subsided and there was no need wildfire as the public announce- when they felt the tremors. “I was to move and panic. ment system blared out at us to in a meeting at work when all the “I waited for five minutes out- exit... there had been an earth- TV sets in my office started swing- side my office before entering it. quake,” she said. ing! I think it was as bad a tremor Of course, I saw the TV and came “An ordinary, sleepy Saturday as the one that was felt during the to know that the epicentre was in had suddenly turned extra- Bhuj earthquake in 2001. All of Nepal. The earthquake was fairly ordinary. While some still stood us ran downstairs and saw many massive — 7.5 on Richter scale. I resolute on the platforms waiting others from our building already understood my home state Bihar for things to go back to normal, there,” Dev Khanna, 31, said. must have suffered more damage most made a mad rush for the Following the tremors, the from the earthquake as it is near staircase. As if on cue, cellphones Delhi Metro also first stopped to the epicentre. Anyway, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the situation. buzzed and rang. Near and dear the train services from 11.42am whole thing was quite an experi- ones were calling up. Then the to 11.52am and then due to the ence,” Deo said. IANS Two killed in Nepal; 250 being evacuated Ripple of quake felt in Kochi KOCHI: Tremors were felt in Kochi yesterday with people run- NEW DELHI: At least two special Indian Air Force aircraft further dispatch of 100,000 bottles Prabhu said. Rail Neer is produced ning out of their homes and offices. A disaster management official Indians have died in the 7.9-mag- that also carried other relief per day to supplement the res- by the Indian Railway Catering told reporters tremors were felt in Kochi. “We have checked up nitude earthquake that hit Nepal operations. cue efforts of the Government of and Tourism Corporation Ltd. with officials who monitor earthquakes. There was just a ripple of yesterday, a top diplomat said. “Arrangements being made for India,” Railways Minister Suresh IANS earthquake here,” said an official. Many people were seen rushing Asked about Indian casual- out of tall buildings that houses several offices. “Our office is on the ties India’s ambassador to Nepal seventh floor and close to 12 noon, I felt my pen moving on the table. Ranjit Rae said over phone: “I can I felt my chair was moving. I got up and saw my colleagues run- confirm only two Indian deaths ning,” said an employee. “We heard there could be more tremors, now — one in the embassy and so we came outside our office,” solar judicial commission secretary one in a hospital.” told reporters. A resident said: “I was on the 17th floor and was Asked about other Indian casu- eating. I saw my plate moving. I ran out of the office.” alties, he said it was difficult to give exact figures as the phone lines were down and it was tough Telcos slash call rates to Nepal to contact the proper authorities. NEW DELHI: Aiming to lend a helping hand to the people He said the embassy was in affected by the massive earthquake that hit Nepal, telecom serv- touch with some Indians stranded ice providers in India have slashed their call rates or made it free. in Muktinath and Jomsom, add- “As a small gesture during this hour of crisis, we have decided ing that embassy officials have been to offer all calls on the Airtel network from India to Nepal com- dispatched to hotels and hospitals. pletely free of cost for the next 48 hours effective midnight, The ambassador said that thus enabling customers across the country get in touch with around 250 Indians were being their families and friends in Nepal,” Bharti Airtel said. Bharat evacuated soon. “We are sending Sanchar Nigam Ltd said: “BSNL announces to allow all calls to around 250 Indians by one one Nepal from its network (landline and mobile) as local calls for plane tonight,” he said and added three days with effect from April 25, 2015 as a relief measure at India has sent four planes car- a juncture of disaster occurred due to earthquake in Nepal.” rying National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel. Sniffer 200 from Karnataka stranded in Nepal dogs, equipment for removal of rubble and medical aid have also BENGALURU: Around 200 people from various parts of been sent by New Delhi. Karnataka are reported to be stranded in quake-hit Nepal, an Meanwhile, Indian Railways, official said. Many of the people were pilgrims or tourists to the which produces its own pack- Himalayan nation. The state government has set up four hel- aged drinking water to serve plines, including a toll free number (1070), to enquire or give its passengers, dispatched some details about their kith and kin who may have travelled to Nepal 100,000 bottles of ‘Rail Neer’ to and are stranded. IANS People gather outside a public square after tremors were felt in Bhopal yesterday. the quake-hit country through a SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

60pc turnout in Dust storm at Sangam West Bengal civic elections Violence fails to deter voters

KOLKATA: Over 60 percent Polling in several districts of voters yesterday turned up across north and south Bengal for polling for 91 civic bodies was temporarily suspended after in West Bengal during which a tremors were felt following a man was shot dead while three devastating earthquake that hit others sustained bullet injuries. Nepal. The tremors led to tempo- A Trinamool Congress activ- rary suspension of polling in many ist, identified as Indrajit Singh, booths in the districts of Cooch was shot dead while two women Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, voters sustained bullet injuries North Dinajpur, Murshidabad at Katwa in Burdwan. Another and Howrah. person was shot at in North 24 “While the tremors created Parganas district. panic among the voters for a brief “He (Singh) was shot dead by period, several elderly voters had unidentified people. We have sought to be given medical attention after Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati, in Allahabad yesterday. a report on the incident,” Burdwan feeling uncomfortable and dizzy,” district magistrate Saumitra said a poll panel official, adding that Mohan said. Trinamool leaders 62 percent polling was recorded till have pointed fingers at Congress last reports came in. activists over Singh’s death. In North 24 Parganas’ Titagarh, Claiming ignorance about a voter was allegedly shot in the leg Achuthanandan Singh’s death, State Election while Communist Party of India- Private cord blood banks are Commissioner S R Upadhyay Marxist leader Govind Pal alleged dropped from admitted receiving over 100 com- that Trinamool cadres fired at him plaints of violence and electoral but he escaped unhurt. CPI-M’s Kerala malpractices. “We have received There were also reports of crude fooling the public, say doctors over 100 complaints including bombs being hurled at several state secretariat those for booth capturing, voter places across North 24 Parganas, BENGALURU: Cord blood over 100,000 subscribers and prominent film star for endorse- intimidation, assault on polling Burdwan and Bankura districts THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: banking (CBB) with dubious Cryo Stemcell in Bengaluru says ment and one bank in Bengaluru agents and incidents of firing from resulting in injuries to several Veteran CPI-M leader and benefits has become a money- it has 30,000. Others are not offers “attractive prizes” to moth- at least four different places,” people. Several crude bombs were former Kerala chief minister V making scam in India and needs behind. However, unethical mar- ers who bank with them. “Several Upadhyay told mediapersons. recovered by police in Sonamukhi S Achuthanandan was yester- tighter control to protect gullible keting tactics and inflated prom- nasty marketing methods includ- He said most of the complaints town in Bankura district. day dropped from the party’s parents from being exploited, top ises by these largely unregulated ing bribing the doctors and nurs- were from North 24 Parganas dis- Bharatiya Janata Party MP from 15-member state secretariat, it medical researchers say. banks have alarmed top stem cell ing staff are used for recruiting trict and he has sought reports Darjeeling S S Ahluwalia alleged was announced here. Blood collected from umbili- researchers and professional bod- donors,” says Rao. Hospitals too from the officials concerned. that several party candidates con- The announcement came cal chord after child birth is a ies of gynaecologists. are part of the scam, adds Totey. Even as he admitted that a poll- testing the Siliguri Municipality days after the 91-year-old rich source of stem cells similar “It is time to restrict the Last year, the Competition ing official was injured and EVMs polls, and activists were assaulted Achuthanandan was dropped from to those in bone marrow. These rampant commercialisation of Commission of India fined a Mumbai and webcams were destroyed in by Trinamool goons. the Communist Party of India- cells could some day be used as CBB,” Jyothsna Rao, Secretary hospital that was getting Rs20,000 several booths, Upadhyay refused Left Front chairman Biman Marxist’s central committee. treatment if the child ever falls of the Bengaluru-based Society from a cord blood bank as commis- to comment if the polls were Bose charged the ruling Trinamool Besides Achuthanandan, former ill with certain diseases. of Regenerative Medicine and sion for every patient referred to it. peaceful or not. “Neither I would with turning the polls into a “farce” minister P K Gurdasan and Left The business of harvesting and Tissue Engineering, said. While in the US and Britain opera- say it was not peaceful nor would yet again like the April 18 KMC Democratic Front convenor storage of cord blood for future use “The government needs to tors cannot advertise cord blood as I say it was disturbed. I will not polls. State BJP chief Rahul Sinha Vaikom Viswan were dropped form has surged in the past decade into establish a high powered commit- a “life insurance”, Totey said families make a comment if the poll was too lambasted the poll panel and the secretariat. They were replaced big business with 15 private banks tee to look at this menace at the in India were fooled by claims that it successful since my own views will the Trinamool for “trampling by M M Mani, K J Thomas and T offering this service. They target earliest,” says Satish Totey, a lead- was a cure for all. come across,” said Upadhyay who democracy” in Bengal. P Ramakrishnan. expectant mothers by touting cord ing stem cell researcher and CEO “Stem cell therapy for other has been widely slammed by the Trinamool secretary-general “The new secretariat list was blood as a form of “insurance” in of Kasiak Research in Mumbai. than blood-related diseases and BJP, Left Front and the Congress Partha Chatterjee rubbished the approved by the state committee case their children ever get sick. The original idea for CBB was metabolic disorders are in the for “being inept and spineless”. opposition’s charges and said the members by raising their hands,” The storage does not come for overcoming the difficulty early phase of trials and remain Upadhyay said the panel was polls were peaceful. There are politburo member M A Baby said. cheaply. It costs between Rs50,000 of finding a right bone marrow only speculative,” he said. “I have also verifying the demands for 7,636 candidates contesting for Sources in CPI-M said newly and Rs100,000, and some banks donor for regeneration of blood been very vocal against private repoll made mostly by the oppo- 1,946 wards of the 91 municipal elected party general secretary charge an annual fee. With India cells, Rao said. “But this very use- banks making claims that are sition parties. The BJP which bodies — one Notified Area, two Sitaram Yechury informed the reporting 25 million or more child ful adjunct to bone marrow trans- all futuristic except few of the had called for holding afresh the Municipal Corporations (Siliguri state committee that all issues births a year, CBB is viewed by plantation has been reduced by conditions,” says Jayesh Sheth of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Chandannagar) and 88 concerning Achuthanandan the industry as a cash cow. some companies to the status of the Foundation for Research in polls has demanded repolling for municipalities—spread across would be decided by the central LifeCell, which set up shop in a cosmetic product.” Genetics and Endocrinology in all the 91 civic bodies. north and south Bengal. IANS committee. IANS Chennai in 2004, claims it had LifeCell, for instance, uses a Ahmedabad. IANS

Amit Shah reminds Congress of its Separatist shutdown list of scams hits life in Kashmir JAIPUR: BJP president Amit Shah yesterday criticised the SRINAGAR: A shutdown called Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu opposition, mainly the Congress by separatists yesterday affected national highway and to places of party, for describing the Modi- life in the Kashmir Valley, but tourist attraction in the Kashmir government as pro-corporate police said no untoward incident Valley moved normally despite the despite it contributing about took place anywhere. shutdown. Security forces in riot Rs2 lakh crore to the govern- Separatist leader Syed Ali gear were deployed in large num- ment treasury. Geelani had called for the shut- bers in sensitive places. Addressing a BJP workers’ down against the arrest of another A police officer, however, said no meet here, Shah said: “Congress separatist Masrat Alam under untoward incident was reported again and again calls us a pro- the Public Safety Act (PSA). from anywhere. Separatist leader corporate government, may I Shops and other businesses Masrat Alam was released on remind them that coal, 2G and remained closed while there was March 7 by the Mufti Muhammad CWG scam took place when their no public transport in Srinagar Sayeed government from a jail in government was in power. It was and other major towns of the Baramulla district. your government who distributed Kashmir Valley. Though gov- He was again booked under the coal blocks to corporate houses ernment offices, banks and post PSA and lodged in the Kotbalwal like Jindal and Darda.” “On the offices functioned normally, jail in Jammu earlier this week contrary we adopted transpar- A paramilitary soldier stands guard in front of closed market during a shutdown in Srinagar yesterday. attendance was thin due to non- after he led a separatist rally in ency in allocating coal blocks and availability of public transport. Srinagar. IANS deposited around Rs2 lakh crore of money in the government treasury. Is our government pro- corporate or was your government?” Shah also alleged that under the Congress-rule, the land of poor farmers in Rajasthan and Huge rise in teen rape cases; country mulls new law Haryana was given to members of the families of Congress leaders. NEW DELHI: Rape is the Contrary to popular belief that Justice Board to assess if the sus- As many as 379,283 minors arrested. Maharashtra, with 8,012 “Our government at the Centre fastest-growing crime among juveniles from broken homes com- pect should be regarded as a child were arrested in the period 2003- juvenile arrests, ranked first, fol- is going to complete one year in juveniles; 86 percent of teens mit the most crimes, 81 percent of or an adult. 13 under the Indian Penal Code lowed by Madhya Pradesh (7,365), May and the Modi government arrested for various crimes teens arrested in 2013, lived with Children living with parents (IPC) and special and local laws, Tamil Nadu (3,142), Andhra has undertaken great work dur- come from poor families, only their parents, the data revealed. committed most crimes As men- according to the NCRB. Pradesh (3,133) and Rajasthan ing this period. The opposition six percent were homeless and The figures lend perspective tioned earlier, juveniles living with In 2013, 28,830 kids between the (2,882). The number of juveniles has not been able to say anything less than six percent were girls, to an unfolding national debate parents accounted for more than ages of 16 and 18 were arrested arrested on rape charges rose 288 against us on corruption,” he said. crime data for the last 10 years around a cabinet decision to enact 80 percent of arrests — 35,244 under IPC and special and local percent, as we said, from 535 in Highlighting the Pradhan reveals. a law that proposes trying juve- in 2013, according to the NCRB laws, comprising 66 percent of 2003 to 2,074 in 2013. As many as Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Adarsh Arrests of juveniles in the 16-18 niles as adults. report. No more than 2,462, or juvenile arrests in India. 10,693 juveniles were arrested on Gram Yojana and Make in India age-group increased 60 percent The demand for such a law six percent, of juveniles arrested Of 43,506 juveniles arrested rape charges over 10 years from campaign, Shah said the BJP gov- from 2003 to 2013, the high- arose after a 17-year-old was sen- in 2013 were homeless and 5,800 in 2013, 1,867 (4.3 percent) were 2003 to 2013. ernment is a government for the est among all three juvenile age tenced to three years in a reform lived with guardians. girls. Over 10 years from 2003 Parliament will now decide if poor in the true sense. He said that groups, according to data from facility after he and five others Seventy-seven percent of juve- to 2013, 357,935 boys and 21,348 juveniles can be tried as adults. during the UPA regime, inflation the National Crime Records gang-raped and battered a physi- niles arrested in 2013 belonged to girls were arrested. Madhya One of the major changes include was at a record level. “In 10 years Bureau (NCRB), a division of the otherapy student in a Delhi bus poor families with annual incomes Pradesh, Maharashtra lead in removal of a clause in the law that of their rule petrol and diesel prices home ministry. on December 16, 2012. up to Rs50,000. As many as 8,392 teen arrests From 2003 to 2013, relates to the trial of a person above were not lowered even once. Under Juvenile arrests for rape rose The proposed law provides that juveniles arrested were illiterate Madhya Pradesh reported 75,037 the age of 21 years as an adult for Modi’s government, prices of petrol 288 percent over this period and in the case of heinous crimes com- and 13,984 had gone to primary arrests of juveniles followed by committing serious offences when and diesel are being lowered almost arrests for theft increased 68 per- mitted by adolescents aged 16 to schools. When juveniles arrested Maharashtra with 72,154 arrests. the person was between the ages of every month.” IANS cent, the data showed. 18, for examination by a Juvenile are beyond the law In 2013, 43,506 juveniles were 16 and 18. IANS SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME World Extreme Games

Fajr (Dawn) 3:41 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:02 Zuhr (Noon) 11:32 Asr (Afternoon) 3:01 Maghrib (Sunset) 6:03 Isha (Night) 7:33

WEATHER Weather Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: Sunny Suuny Suuny Slight dust to blowing dust.

High: 32° High: 35° High: 36° Low: 24° Low: 23° Low: 23°

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:02 18:03 11:00 & 23:15 06:45 & 15:00 18-25/30 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER BMX rider Simon Tabron performs on the half-pipe during a demonstration event for the 2015 World Extreme Games in Shanghai yesterday. This MUSCAT 38/28 Sunny 37/28 Sunny year’s Extreme Games will be held from April 28 to May 3. MAKKAH 39/24 Sunny 40/25 Sunny KUWAIT 33/21 Cloudy 37/24 Mostly sunny BAHRAIN 27/23 Cloudy 31/23 Sunny SANAA 28/11 Sunny 29/11 Sunny RIYADH 33/18 Sunny 35/20 Sunny Woman who hit DUBAI 34/22 Sunny 36/24 Sunny BAGHDAD 31/16 Sunny 34/19 Sunny Hopes of vaccine for Venezuela president THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Parkinson’s sufferers gets new home ATHENS 21/13 Mostly sunny 21/15 Sunny CARACAS: A woman who bashed WASHINGTON 18/08 Partly cloudy 17/08 Partly cloudy LONDON: Scientists have raised hopes protein that has become altered in shape and President Nicolas Maduro on the head with that they may be able to create a vaccine this abnormal version causes other proteins a mango has been promised a new house for SYDNEY 19/12 Clear 18/12 Mostly sunny to block the progress of Parkinson’s disease. of the same type to change their shape as her troubles in a surreal tropical tale that LONDON 12/04 Scattered showers 14/03 Mostly sunny They believe new research provides evi- well,” said Barker. “Such abnormal proteins has gone viral in Venezuela. PARIS 19/12 Scattered showers 16/06 Scattered showers dence that an abnormal protein may trigger are known as a prions, and we think one of The 52-year-old president was driving a bus ISTANBUL 17/10 Partly cloudy 20/11 Partly cloudy the condition. them is critically involved in the development through a crowd last weekend in the central MANILA 34/24 Partly cloudy 36/24 Sunny If the theory is correct, researchers say it of Parkinson’s.” state of Aragua when someone in the crowd DHAKA 31/23 Scattered T-storms 30/23 Scattered T-storms might be possible to prime a person’s immune Prions were first proposed to be the causes tossed the fruit at him. “It says: ‘If you can, call DELHI 39/28 Sunny 41/24 Sunny system — using a special vaccine — so it is of fatal brain diseases such as Creutzfeldt- me’,” the former bus driver said later during ISLAMABAD 29/19 Scattered T-storms 32/19 Sunny ready to attack the rogue protein as it passes Jakob in the 1980s, and have since been linked the week, as he displayed the fruit with a name through the body. In this way, the protein to a number of conditions affecting humans and phone number scrawled on it on television. would be prevented from destroying a per- and animals. The connection between prion- “Marleny Olivo had a problem with her son’s dopamine-manufacturing cells, where like proteins and Parkinson’s is of relatively house. (Officials) called her. She was scared. Street performance the disease inflicts its greatest damage. recent origin, however. She couldn’t believe it was true. I’ve approved This new vision of Parkinson’s has been “Prions are abnormal versions of a normal an apartment for you, Marleny, as part of the arousing excitement among researchers. “It protein,” said Barker. “They spread by trans- ‘Grand Venezuelan Housing Mission’,” he has transformed the way we see Parkinson’s,” forming normal proteins with which they added, vowing to eat the mango. said Roger Barker, professor of clinical neuro- come into contact into abnormal versions.” Venezuela’s ever ebullient cybersphere did not sciences at Cambridge University. Again, recent evidence suggests this may occur miss a beat, with the president’s populist gesture Parkinson’s does not usually affect people in the brains of Parkinson’s patients. drawing admiration, plus plenty of jokes. “If for a until they are over 50. However, researchers Several attempts were made to transplant mango they give you apartments, then you know have uncovered recent evidence that suggests brain cells taken from aborted foetuses into what to do: Throw him a pineapple!” quipped it may be caused by an event occurring 10 to the brains of people with Parkinson’s. These Dolar Today, a website that is hated by Maduro. 20 years before its main symptoms — tremors, foetal cells should have restored the abilities of Like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, who died rigidity and slowness of movement — manifest these patients to make dopamine, and although in 2013, Maduro collects heaps of petitions themselves. they did so in some cases, it also became clear during trips, although most are scribbled on “If you ask Parkinson’s patients if, in the that some transplanted dopamine cells devel- paper rather than hurled at him on fruit. past, they have experienced loss of sense of oped the pathology of Parkinson’s. In a habit that delights many poor support- smell or suffer from disturbed sleep or have “That suggests an agent in patients’ brains ers but irritates critics, Maduro — like Chavez problems with their bowels, very often they spread to the foetal cells and affected them as — often personally gives away homes, appli- reply they have,” said Barker, whose work is well,” said Barker. ances or pensions to low-income Venezuelans. backed by the charity Parkinson’s UK, whose As to the identity of the protein trans- However, lacking Chavez’s charm and good Parkinson Awareness week ends today. formed in Parkinson’s, the main candidate is fortune with high oil prices, Maduro’s popular- “Frequently these patients manifest symp- alpha-synuclein, which is found in the brain, ity has plummeted since he took office. toms several years before it becomes apparent though its function is unclear. Roughly 28.2 percent of Venezuelans they have the disease. We now believe there Recent research suggests it could be trans- approved of his management of the country is a link.” Barker and many other research- formed into an abnormal state and play a key in April, according to pollster Datanalisis. ers say toxins get taken up in the bowels of role in development of Parkinson’s. More That was up from March’s 24.7 percent, likely patients and that over the years these are importantly, it is possible that its operations due to his campaign against U.S. sanctions on slowly transported to the central nervous could be blocked by devising vaccines to inter- seven government officials, but still nearly half system until they become lodged in some of rupt its spread through the body and so pro- the level when he became president. the cells of the brain. There, they ultimately tect the brain’s dopamine production. Shortages of food and medicine caused by wreak damage to cells of the mid-brain, where “It is early days, though at least one com- strict currency controls have taken a heavy toll, dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in pany — in Austria — has already begun trials,” particularly the poor, who traditionally have Dancers of the Japanese Butoh group ‘Goldens from Dairakudakan’ motor control, is made. says Barker. “We are probably many years supported “Chavismo”. “A mango shortage is with their bodies painted in gold perform during the Koenji street per- However, this raises a key question: what from such a vaccine for Parkinson’s, but there coming, let’s line up to throw them at Maduro formance festival in Tokyo yesterday. For its seventh edition, some 48 is the nature of the toxin? “There is grow- is no doubt about the level of excitement in and get a new house!” one Twitter user joked. ing evidence to suggest that it is a normal the field today.” THE GUARDIAN REUTERS artists and performers participated in the street performance festival. All new Whitney Museum opens in NY NEW YORK: Four years after District. Sandwiched between “You are entering a new world, the ever before, allows the Whitney to breaking ground, New York’s the Hudson river and the High world of art and freedom,” he said. show far more of its permanent much-loved Whitney Museum Line walkway, the new nine- “Art is about freedom.” collection, and use the outdoors for American art reopens next storey building of concrete, steel “I hope you will feel that the for sculptures and performances. Friday in a futuristic $422m and glass is more than double the building is designed to follow that Weinberg called it a “site for premises built by Italian archi- size of its previous premises on freedom, to make that freedom discovery and risk taking. Here tect Renzo Piano. Madison Avenue. visible.” Besides the exhibition the most important, challenging The celebrated museum of mod- Its asymmetric, angled style rooms and a huge space unen- and courageous artists of our time ern and contemporary American reflects the industrial vibe of the cumbered by structural columns, will have a constant presence.” art has turned its back on the neighbourhood. Its high ceilings, the Whitney has an education The Whitney, which exhibits bourgeois satisfaction of the Upper reclaimed pine floors, vast win- center, library, 170-seat audito- only American art from the 20th East Side to move down town to dows and large terraces fill the rium, conservation centre, cafe and 21st centuries, was founded the achingly cool Meatpacking building with light and offer spec- and restaurant. in 1930 by artist and benefactor tacular views across Manhattan The entire museum, which some Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and the Hudson. say looks a bit like an oil tanker, and has a permanent collection of Europe-based Piano, who covers 20,500 square metres. It more than 22,000 works by more famously built the Pompidou has 40,000 square feet of indoor than 3,000 artists. Centre in Paris in the 1970s, said exhibition space and 13,000 feet of Its inaugural exhibition “America he was after a similar effect. outdoor terrace galleries. is Hard to See” opens on May 1 and The vast, glass hall, which the “This is a transformative runs until September 27, exploring Italian calls “the lobby piazza” was moment for the Whitney,” said the themes, ideas and passions that designed “to let people come in, not museum director Adam Weinberg. have preoccupied American artists be intimidated” and feel welcome Larger and more flexible galler- from 1900 until today. A taxi cab passes by the new Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. he explained at a news conference. ies offer more opportunities than AFP Sunday 26 April 2015 7 Rajab 1436 Volume 20 Number 6412 Price: QR2

GWC net profit jumps 40pc in first quarter

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 VW chief quits after failing to oust CEO Piech isolated in committee vote

FRANKFURT: Ferdinand Piech (pictured), a towering figure at Volkswagen for more than two decades, resigned as its Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani and Stefan Selig with other dignitaries at the luncheon. chairman yesterday after losing a showdown with Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn. Piech, the 78-year-old grandson of the inventor of the Volkswagen Beetle, had previously seen off QBA hosts US Undersecretary other executives who crossed him, for successful cooperation was no including his hand-picked succes- longer there,” the six-member panel DOHA: The Qatari Businessmen partnerships, and overcome any to the Qatari market and the busi- ($3.75bn) in 2013. Moreover, sor as Volkswagen CEO, Bernd said in a statement. “Against this Association (QBA) hosted a obstacles that prevent increas- nessmen association, support the Qatar is the fourth largest des- Pischetsrieder. But this time, he background, Prof Doctor Ferdinand luncheon on Wednesday in honour ing the trade volume. Selig said Qatari businessmen and their tination for US exports in the was unexpectedly isolated in a five- K Piech resigned from his office as of the visiting US Undersecretary the development plan adopted endeavours to enter the US market. Mena, and the US is the largest to-one vote of Volkswagen’s steer- chairman as well as all his super- of Commerce for International by Qatar will create huge invest- It also creates a common platform foreign investor and exporter ing committee last week as labour visory board mandates within the Trade, Stefan Selig, and accompa- ment opportunities for the US for them and their US counter- to Qatar, as the value of Qatar’s representatives, the state of Lower group with immediate effect.” nying business delegation, at the companies. parts for discussing joint ventures imports of US goods exceeded Saxony and even his own cousin The leadership row burst into the Majlis of QBA’s Second Deputy The Qatari side the Qatari- and opportunities, he added. $5bn in 2014, and the most promi- Wolfgang Porsche stood firmly open when Der Spiegel quoted Piech, Chairman Dr Sheikh Khalid bin American relations are strong, and The trade relations between nent American products, which behind Winterkorn. the patriarch of the family that Thani Al Thani. have witnessed a great improve- Qatar and the US have seen a increased its sales to Qatar are “The members of the steer- owns 51 percent of voting rights in Selig said the aim of this visit is ment in recent years. Dr Sheikh noticeable increase in recent the American aircraft, ‘Boeing’, ing committee came to a consen- VW, as saying he had “distanced” to discuss ways of enhancing eco- Khalid said the continuous fol- years, as it increased by 86 per- cars and trucks. There are over sus that, in the light of the past himself from CEO Winterkorn. nomic cooperation, and encourag- low up from the US government cent last year, and the total trade 120 US companies operating in weeks, the mutual trust necessary REUTERS ing businessmen to build strong through these almost yearly visits volume has reached QR13.7bn Qatar. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 GCC likely to be insulated from oil fall: QNB In Qatar and UAE, growth is mainly driven by large investments in non-hydrocarbon sector

DOHA: The GCC is likely to markets (EMs), which are pro- later this year, the Euro Area and gone up by 11.5 percent, hurting around 25 percent) and the region be insulated from the fall in oil jected to grow by 4.3 percent in Japan are engaged in large quan- US exports and corporate prof- is still recovering from the legacy prices for three reasons, QNB 2015. Meanwhile, advanced econo- titative easing programmes. Along its. On the other hand, lower oil of its sovereign debt crisis of 2012. said in its weekly report released mies are forecast to grow by only with low oil prices and falling infla- prices are expected to benefit the Overall, the IMF expects growth in yesterday. Most governments 2.4 percent as the shadows of past tion, loose monetary policy in the US economy by increasing the the euro area to accelerate but to have made significant savings crises continue to cloud the out- Euro Area and Japan has pushed income available to consumers to remain weak at 1.5 percent in 2015. during the last oil boom. Second, look. Although growth is expected more than two dozen central banks spend on non-oil items. The US Lower oil prices are also likely in some GCC countries, like to be around 3.5 percent, the pic- around the world to lower interest economy is also likely to benefit to benefit China. But the renminbi, Qatar and the UAE, growth is ture varies by region and country. rates in recent weeks. from the strong performance of which is managed to remain stable mainly driven by large invest- The world economy has recently The movements in oil prices its labour market. As a result, the against the dollar, has appreciated ments in the non-hydrocarbon been dominated by two factors. and exchange rates have impor- IMF expects US growth to reach against most global currencies, sector. Third, GCC countries First, the sharp decline in oil tant distributional implications. 3.1 percent in 2015, compared to which is hurting Chinese exports. have low levels of public debt, prices, which have nearly halved Lower oil prices shift income 2.4 percent in 2014. In addition, the Chinese economy which allow them to borrow since mid-2014. The fall in oil from oil-exporting countries to The euro area is possibly the is slowing down as the authori- cheaply to finance any short- prices was mostly a result of a sup- oil-importing ones. Exchange rate largest beneficiary from the distri- ties attempt to change its growth term deficits in their budgets. ply shock. Shale oil in the United and the yen have witnessed major movements tend to shift growth butional effects of lower oil prices model from an economy driven by As a result, the GCC is expected States added 1.4 million barrels depreciations while the US dollar from countries with appreciating and exchange rate movements. The investment to one led by consump- to grow by 3.4 percent in 2015 per day (bpd) in 2014, which was has appreciated strongly. In EMs, currencies to those with depreciat- region is an energy importer and tion. “We expect growth to slow to despite lower oil prices. much more than expected. In addi- currencies which are linked to ing currencies. The distributional has therefore seen real incomes stabilise around 7 percent in 2015 In its recently-published tion, Opec decided to maintain its the US dollar, such as the Chinese implications of the two forces are being boosted by lower oil prices. (from 7.4 percent in 2014) in line World Economic Outlook, the production at 30 million bpd when renminbi, have also appreciated likely to dominate the global pic- Furthermore, the euro has depre- with the government’s target. The International Monetary Fund some market participants expected against other currencies. The sharp ture, creating winners and losers ciated by around 23 percent since slowdown in the Chinese economy (IMF) expects global growth to a cut from the group to rebalance exchange rate movements have in the world economy. March 2014, benefiting the region’s and soft commodity prices are hav- pick up only marginally in 2015 to the market. been driven by divergent monetary The US is losing competitive- exports. However, the risk of defla- ing adverse effects on other EMs, 3.5 percent from an estimated 3.4 Second, large movements policies around the world. While ness from the large appreciation tion is still high (the IMF esti- especially Brazil and Russia,” the percent in 2014. Global growth is in exchange rates. Among the the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is of the dollar. Since June 2014, mates the probability of persistent QNB report said. expected to be driven by emerging advanced economies, the euro expected to raise interest rates the broad real dollar index has deflation in the euro area to be THE PENINSULA GWC net profit jumps 40pc in first quarter DOHA: Gulf Warehousing Company growing demands for logistics solutions,” boast the latest in warehouse and dis- vision for the company and the indus- (GWC) announced a 40 percent jump said Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin tribution management systems, technol- try have been so richly and openly in first quarter net profit yesterday. Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani (pictured), ogy, and facilities optimised for small rewarded,” said Sheikh Abdulla. “We The company made a profit of QR40m Chairman, GWC. “This purpose-driven and medium enterprises and start-ups will carry on our way in setting the in the three months to March 31, commitment to operational excellence, in the State of Qatar. highest standard of logistics offerings up from QR28.9m in corresponding support of the Qatar National Vision GWC’s industry specific Ras Laffan in the industry and enduring the com- quarter last year. 2030, and dedication to our shareholders logistics hub continues its expansion as pany’s position as the service provider This strong push forward was shall assure the best possible returns for well, with construction already begun of choice in the country and the region.” reflected in the company’s revenue all stakeholders in the company.” for its 15,000 sqm warehouse. The newly This commitment to returns is exem- streams, with total revenues peaking at The Logistics Village Qatar (LVQ) developed warehouse will boast 1,500 plified across all sectors of GWC, as the QR196m during the first quarter of 2015, Phase 5 Expansion is well underway, sqm Hazmat storage area, and a mix company works towards a variety of a 28 percent increase from QR152.9m with tenders awarded and kick-off of 20–50 tonne overhead cranes, allow- vertical and horizontal expansions to for Q1 2014, said the company. Earnings begun for the two main distribution ing for bulk, rack, and Hazmat storage its service line. per share rose to QR0.85 during this centres, accommodation, and the mas- in one facility, and will add 1,700 sqm The company’s contract logistics period, marking an increase of 39 per- jid will be added. The Bu Sulba Logistics of ISO tank storage facilities for bulk department has scored major contracts cent compared with the 2014 results of Hub has meanwhile begun site prepa- chemical storage and 26,000 sqm of open in the medical, cultural, telecommuni- QR0.61. ration and mobilised for the execution yard storage. The expansion is expected cations, and oil and gas sectors; while “Our path to success has always been of the construction of the SME-centric to be completed in January 2016. the company’s freight department has paved by backing our comprehensive facility, which is expected to be com- “We are privileged that the achieve- successfully executed some of its most service offerings with robust infrastruc- pleted in the first quarter of 2017. The ments our company has made and the challenging project logistics operations ture capable of meeting the nation’s ever over half a million sqmlogistics site will people we have selected to execute our to date. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Deutsche to hive off Postbank in revamp EU ministers back tax Plans to cut back investment banking and slash costs

FRANKFURT: Deutsche operating divisions including trial on Tuesday in Munich over avoidance Bank will cut back investment transaction banking, asset and allegations that he and other banking, sell its Postbank retail wealth management, and its own- former executives worked to pre- chain via a public share offer- branded retail businesses. cipitate the collapse of the Kirch clampdown ing and reduce costs, the group Cost cuts, which are likely to media empire in order to generate said late on Friday, in a restruc- include layoffs, will play a large bountiful advisory fees to restruc- RIGA: European finance minis- turing plan designed to boost role as Deutsche withdraws from ture the group. Fitschen has said ters yesterday backed efforts to profits. low-margin services and grap- publicly that he “neither lied nor fight rampant tax avoidance by Germany’s largest bank is ples with sweeping changes in the deceived” in the Kirch case. multinationals in the wake of the under pressure to revive its per- financial industry that have seen Friday’s plan marks a strategic LuxLeaks scandal, but European formance as new regulations, legal most of its European rivals like about-face for the two men, who Union members face tough nego- headaches and weak markets eat UBS already retreat from capital until recently were trumpeting tiations to work out the details. into returns but investors will markets. Deutsche as Europe’s “last man Under a new plan the bloc’s 28 have to wait until tomorrow for “It’s a very difficult and complex standing” in investment banking countries would share tax deals details of the strategy, which was path,” said Omar Fall, equity ana- and vowing to vacuum up capital agreed with some of the world’s unanimously endorsed by the lyst at investment bank Jefferies. markets business left by retreat- biggest multinationals, ending group’s supervisory board after “But at least they’re being proac- ing rivals. Since the two took the secrecy that allowed member hours of deliberation. tive about doing something about charge in 2012, Deutsche shares states to often compete against In a statement, Deutsche said it the structure of the business, have climbed only 22 percent, well each other to attract business wished “to remain a leading global which is different from the past, below the 84 percent gain for the and investment. The commission, bank based in Germany” but the when they would just raise new Stoxx European Banks index. the EU’s powerful executive arm, new strategy is a step back from capital and say ‘trust me it’ll be Hopes for a restructuring have introduced the plan to ministers a previous commitment to main- different this time.’” caused Deutsche’s stock to rally meeting Riga. tain a universal platform globally The decision comes at a tumul- in recent weeks. “Everyone agreed. No ‘yes offering everything from deriva- tuous time for co-chief executives As part of its investment bank- but’, no conditions,” said French tives to mortgages. Juergen Fitschen and Anshu Jain. ing cuts, Deutsche is expected to Finance Minister Michel Sapin Splitting Postbank but keeping US and British regulators fined reduce its repo business and its after the talks. The plan, which the group’s own-branded retail Deutsche a record $2.5bn on prime brokerage division, which now faces months of arduous nego- chain means Deutsche manage- Thursday for trying to manipulate provides loans and other services tiations, targets so-called tax rul- ment chose the less radical of benchmark interest rates. The to hedge funds. ings, secret deals at the heart of two restructuring models. Under bank has said that neither Jain, The choice to offload only the LuxLeaks scandal. The scan- a more dramatic plan previously who was running the investment Postbank, which Deutsche bought dal last year revealed that some considered, Deutsche weighed bank at the centre of the scan- in steps for around €6bn starting of the world’s biggest companies leaving retail finance entirely and dal, nor other management board in 2008, is a concession to ratings — including Pepsi and Ikea — had becoming a pure investment and members were found to have been agencies concerned that a com- lowered their tax rates to as little commercial bank. involved or aware of the trader plete exit from retail in favour of A flag with the logo of German bank Postbank flying in front of a flag of as one percent in secret pacts with The bank will pull back from misconduct. investment banking would raise parent company Deutsche Bank in Berlin. tax authorities in Luxembourg. some countries but invest in Fitschen, meanwhile, will stand Deutsche’s risk profile. REUTERS The revelations, unearthed by a consortium of investigative jour- nalists, were a huge embarrass- ment to Jean-Claude Juncker, the then-newly installed Commission head who presided over the tax Venezuela may have missed $24bn in oil revenue in 2014 pacts for almost 19 years as Luxembourg prime minister. Under the new regime proposed HOUSTON/NEW YORK: an analysis of publicly available An exact figure for both realized The fact that the country prices on sovereign and quasi- by the Commission, member states Venezuela, struggling to pay for data and estimates based upon and deprived revenues is unavail- holds the world’s largest proven sovereign US dollar-denominated would be forced to reveal tax rul- essential items such as food and past performances of Venezuela’s able given the absence of specific crude reserves has generally debt dropping to levels typically ings made with companies to other medicine amid strict foreign oil sector. But as a result of gen- data from Venezuela’s state- persuaded investors that it can associated with a default. bloc members automatically every currency controls, may have erous financing mechanisms to owned oil company, Petroleos de afford to service its debts, in spite Analysts have found it increas- three months. This proposal “is failed to collect about a third of allied nations through coopera- Venezuela, and the government. of Caracas’ rhetoric lambasting ingly difficult to square how simple, practical, has a swift appli- its potential oil revenue in 2014, tion agreements and imports of Accompanying this story is an capitalist imperialism. PDVSA will bring in enough rev- cation set for January 2016, and an analysis suggests. crude oil and various products, interactive calculator allowing That confidence is eroding enue to meet its obligations, given it’s in reality revolutionary and The Opec member nation Venezuela potentially deprived users to input their own esti- amid the collapse in oil prices its underinvestment in produc- I’m weighing my words,” said EU likely realised just over $50bn in itself of about $24bn in oil revenue mates for some of these unknown and the crumbling of the state- tion operations that jeopardise oil Economics Affairs Commissioner oil revenue in 2014, according to last year, the analysis suggests. elements. led economic model, resulting in output. REUTERS Pierre Moscovici. AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Greece’s governors to lend cash to govt Measure aimed to raise cash to avoid bankruptcy Isolated in talks, finance Germany hints ATHENS: Greece’s governors and other local officials agreed at preparations yesterday to lend cash to the rebel gets cold shoulder near-bankrupt central gov- of a Plan B ernment after Prime Minister RIGA: As the buses carry- for a Greek default. Varoufakis, Alexis Tsipras assured them ing European finance minis- the only male minister at the the measure would last for only ters left for a gala dinner in meeting without a tie, said on Greece a short period of time. the Latvian capital on Friday he was unfazed by the tone of Greek lawmakers approved night, one of the party hung the meeting — which Jeroen RIGA: German Finance a decree late on Friday to force back at the hotel and then wan- Dijsselbloem, the chairman of Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble state entities to lend cash to the dered off alone into the dusk. the eurozone finance ministers, hinted yesterday that Berlin central government in spite of Greece’s Yanis Varoufakis had described as “very critical” of was preparing for a possible protests by municipalities and other dinner plans, he said, Athens. Greek default, drawing a paral- labour unions. The measure, after a bruising first day of In a sign of the coolness creep- lel with the secrecy of German which was approved by 156 law- meetings that underlined his ing in, Dijsselbloem referred to reunification plans in 1989. makers in the 300-seat chamber, isolation as he tries to avert Varoufakis as “the Greek col- At a briefing with reporters caused an outcry by local gover- national bankruptcy. league” to reporters in Riga, after a tense meeting of euro- nors, who met Prime Minister While other ministers were although he addresses him by zone finance ministers on Greece, Alexis Tsipras yesterday to seek feted by their entourages with his first name in meetings. Schaeuble was asked if eurozone an explanation about the neces- food and warm clothing during “I’m not surprised,” finance ministers were working sity of the action. the meeting in Riga, Varoufakis Varoufakis told reporters. on a “Plan B” in case negotiations “We got assurances that the was seen alone at almost every “When you are approaching the on funding with cash-strapped measure is an emergency and turn, eschewing aides or any end of negotiations, the stance Athens fail. temporary one, so it will become security detail. “He is com- hardens.” He denied reports “You shouldn’t ask responsible optional in a short time,” the head pletely isolated,” a senior euro- that he had been insulted by politicians about alternatives,” of the Greek group representing zone official said on condition ministers in Riga. “All these Schaeuble answered, adding one local government officials, Kostas of anonymity. “He didn’t even are false.” only need to use one’s imagination Agorastos, told reporters after come to the dinner to represent While his economic to envisage what could happen. the meeting. “Since he (Tsipras) his country,” the official said of demands have fallen on deaf He indicated that if he were talked to us honestly, and since the event where ministers, ser- ears, Varoufakis has become to answer in the affirmative that our country needs this negotiat- enaded by a Latvian choir, ate an improbable heartthrob in ministers were working on a Plan ing tool now for the negotiations salmon and sea bass. Germany. ZDF public television B — what to do when Greece runs to be completed, we will give it At breakfast before the meet- lampooned its own news anchor out of money and cannot pay back this tool,” he said. ing, Varoufakis and European for enthusiastically comparing its debt — he could trigger panic. Just weeks away from running Central Bank President Mario the minister with Hollywood To explain his position, he drew out of cash, Athens has been tap- Draghi avoided eye contact as tough guy Bruce Willis, while a parallel with the secrecy that ping the cash reserves of public they picked up food at the buffet. Stern magazine published a was necessary during the initial sector entities through so-called Czech Republic’s Minister of Finance Andrej Babis (right) takes a “selfie” The hardening of the mood gushing article on Varoufakis’s stage of planning for German repo transactions to cover its with his Greek counterpart Yanis Varoufakis during an informal meeting against Varoufakis risks deep- “classical masculinity”. reunification in 1989. needs. On Monday it ordered of Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs in Riga, Latvia, yesterday. ening the divide that Greece But some ministers say they “If back then a minister in entities including local govern- must bridge with its creditors resent being lectured by an charge — I was one of them — ments to lend spare cash to the government officials have threat- Athens is locked in a dispute if Athens is to avert default. academic who has studied in would have said beforehand, we state while it tries to reach a deal ened to defy the orders, while with its EU and IMF creditors After three months of largely Britain, taught in Australia have a plan for reunification, then with skeptical foreign creditors others have said they need more over its proposal for a deal to fruitless negotiations, eurozone and the United States and chal- the whole world probably would on new financial aid. “The state information before contributing to obtain cash in exchange for mak- ministers warned him on Friday lenged the theoretical basis of have said: ‘The Germans have is committed to paying salaries central government coffers. ing reforms, and progress has that the radical leftist Greek European policymaking. gone completely crazy.’” and pensions,” the government’s The protests added to pressure been limited. Eurozone finance government will get no more While Varoufakis criticises At the ministers’ meeting on parliamentary speaker, Nikos on Tsipras, whose decision to bat- ministers said after the end of a aid until it agrees a complete the spending cuts demanded Friday, Greece was sharply criti- Filis, told lawmakers, defending tle lenders has become increas- meeting in Riga on Friday that economic reform plan, before by international creditors, his cized for dragging its feet on the legislation. “The money will ingly unpopular. A University of the prospects for a deal were dis- the end of June. Some coun- eurozone peers insist only pain- preparation of reforms that would be earning better interest rates Macedonia poll this week showed tant and time was running out tries are so frustrated by what ful changes can lift Greece out unlock funding from its interna- (than what banks pay).” 45.5 percent of Greeks approved and accused Greece of failing to they see as Greece’s failure to of one of the deepest economic tional lenders even though Athens In a symbolic protest, munici- of the government’s negotiating move quickly. Athens must pay compromise that one minister depressions in Europe since the is quickly running out of cash and pal workers walked off the job for stance, down roughly 30 percent- the International Monetary Fund said it may be time to prepare 1950s. REUTERS without new lending will not be three hours on Friday. Some local age points from February. almost €1bn in May. REUTERS able to service its debts. REUTERS Pepsi dropping Infosys targets $20bn sweetener sales from new services aspartame MUMBAI: Infosys Ltd, India’s regain some ground lost to rivals second-largest software serv- including sector leader Tata from diet cola ices exporter, posted quarterly Consultancy Services Ltd. “It’s net profit that lagged most ana- a long-drawn initiative ... it’s not WASHINGTON: PepsiCo lyst expectations, dampening going to come in immediately, said it was bowing to customer hopes of a quick turnaround said Sarabjit Kour Nangra, vice demand and doing away with after top management changes. president of IT research at Angel the controversial sweetener Bengaluru-based Infosys, once Broking. “Infosys (stock) has to aspartame in its diet line of cola seen as the bellwether of India’s be bought for the long-term and drinks in the US. $150bn IT services industry, has in not for the next one or two years.” Starting in August, Diet Pepsi, recent years struggled to innovate Infosys, which provides IT Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi and Wild and retain market share due to a services to clients like Apple Inc, Cherry Diet Pepsi will be sweet- staff exodus that also impacted Volkswagen AG and Wal-Mart ened with a mixture of sucralose its ability to win lucrative deals. Stores Inc, said fourth-quarter and acesulfame potassium, the Infosys, however, said it was net profit rose to Rs30.97bn, from company said. on track to revive growth and Rs29.92bn a year earlier. Analysts, The blend replaces aspar- expected its revenue to rise to on average, were expecting it to tame, an artificial sweetener $20bn by 2020 up from $8.7bn make Rs31.86bn, according to approved by the US Food and now, as it focuses on acquisitions Thomson Reuters data. Drug Administration but which and wins more new technology For the year ending March has been plagued by criticism for services. 2016, Infosys expects its dollar years that it poses health risks. Under Chief Executive Vishal revenue, two-thirds of which “We recognise that consumer Sikka, brought in last year to comes from clients in the United demand is evolving,” said Seth chart a new strategy, Infosys has States and Europe, to post growth Kaufman from PepsiCo. Reports been making bets on automation of 10 percent to 12 percent, up showed last year that diet cola and other high-margin serv- from 7.1 percent growth in the sales were in sharp decline. AFP ices like artificial intelligence to last fiscal year. REUTERS

Goodyear to invest $500m in Mexico

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (left) walks next to Richard Kramer, President and CEO of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, as they arrive to announce an investment of more than $500m in Mexico at Los Pinos presidential residence, in Mexico City. SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Online merger prods luxury Russia recovery is worth goods makers to Internet BY ASTRID WENDLANDT AND PASCALE DENIS waiting for Western firms he merger of the world’s two biggest online fashion stores, Net-a-Porter (NAP) and Yoox, sends a warning to lux- ury brands to embrace the Internet with more vim after BY JASON BUSH country managing partner for last year in local currency terms its sheer volume — often account- Tyears of resistance. Top brands such as Prada and LVMH’s Russia at audit and consultancy to 86.4bn roubles ($1.67bn). And ing for as much as the rest of Christian Dior still baulk at the idea of selling clothing online as estern com- firm EY. Swedish furniture giant IKEA Central and Eastern Europe, well as through their plush boutiques. panies are The immediate prospects for is pressing ahead with plans to including all other ex-Soviet “Considering the level of sophistication and image of our ready- sticking with Western companies in Russia are invest €2bn in Russia by 2020, states and Turkey, put together. to-wear, we feel the shopping experience has to remain immaculate Russia, wait- dim. Household spending is fall- adding to its 14 shopping centres These high volumes translate into and in-store,” says Stefano Cantino, head of marketing and com- ing for an eco- ing — bad news for multination- by expanding into smaller cities healthy profits even if sales disap- mercial development at Prada. “You need the physical environment Wnomic rebound that they expect als, drawn by the large consumer with untapped potential. “Our point, thanks to traditionally high to try the product on and you need an exclusive service which you will once again bring rich rewards market and an expanding middle plans have not changed,” said “premium” prices charged in the can only get in a boutique.” although some have cut opera- class, which is now tightening its Konrad Grüss, deputy retail man- country. But as more people choose to buy through a website instead of tions to weather the slump. belt. Russian companies have also ager for IKEA Russia. “The needs “Russia was a super-premium going to Rue St Honore or New Bond Street, that position looks Russia is expecting a steep cut spending. are the same in Russia as in the price market and high profit- increasingly untenable. Brands whose goods are not available online recession this year, caused by German industrial group rest of the world: a nice kitchen, a ability. Now it’s going to come risk losing customers to rivals. low international oil prices and Siemens, maker of big-ticket nice bathroom, all the dreams and down,” Thorniley said. “But even Luxury executives understand the Internet will be vital for future Western sanctions over the consumer items such as wash- wishes as everybody else.” if it comes down off those highs sales, particularly to so-called Millennials — web-savvy customers Ukraine conflict even though ing machines and fridges, as well Daniel Thorniley, head of it might not be that bad.” born between 1980 and 2000. Yet top brands such as LVMH’s Louis international tensions have eased. as heavy machinery, has seen CEEMEA Business Group, a Central bank data shows Vuitton, Hermes, Prada and Chanel have been slow to invest in US carmaker General Motors is sales in Russia plunge by about Vienna-based consultancy that investment has slumped. Non- e-commerce as other retail sectors have done in the last decade. the highest-profile example of a half Germany’s Bild am Sonntag researches multinationals in the bank foreign direct investment Some have focused as much on the shopping experience as on Western company significantly reported, citing chief executive region, said for a typical global into Russia was $3.1bn in the first the products themselves, spending heavily on worldwide expansion scaling back its Russian opera- Joe Kaeser. Yet the company says manufacturer in Russia 2015 sales quarter — down from $10.5bn a and revamping stores with help from famous designers. tions, citing long-term challenges it has no plans to curtail invest- growth of 6-8 percent in rouble year earlier and $36.6bn in the “Many luxury brands have not figured out yet how to be innova- after a fall in sales. But there ments in Russia. terms is realistic — barring a re- first quarter of 2013. But firms tive and creative online,” said Anant Sharma of consultancy Matter have not been any major depar- Other global companies, such escalation in the Ukraine conflict. are biding their time while some of Form. “It looks like they are scared to try things out.” tures and others are still planning as confectionary giants Nestle That compares with growth of may have already found that Sharma said many brands’ websites mimicked the appearance investment. and Mars, are also hoping to keep around 12-18 percent two years sanctions and the weaker rouble of Net-a-Porter’s black-and-white portal. “If they had the same Typical sales of global manu- to their development plans. ago. If the rouble remains stable have provided new opportunities. approach to physical retail, we’d all be shopping in whitewashed facturers are expected to grow “We are doing everything we in 2015 — or strengthens as it has “Companies are looking for the rooms with clothes lined up against the four walls.” 6-8 percent in rouble terms this can to continue development done so far this year — such a future and looking for the right Immediately after the Yoox/NAP deal was unveiled last month, year despite the downturn and despite the slowdown of the growth rate would translate into moment,” said EY’s Ivlev. Chanel said it would start retailing online next year. This month, it sales rates of 12-18 percent seen Russian economy. We are still dollars or euros, which “would He said foreign companies see is selling a new jewelry line exclusively through NAP for just three just two years ago are still fresh confident in Russia’s long-term actually make Russia one of the opportunities for local expansion weeks. “The merger between Yoox and NAP sends the message that in executives’ minds. “For every- prospects,” Nestle Russia CEO best markets in the world for cli- in electronics, pharmaceuticals you need to be online or you may be out of the game,” Euromonitor one its absolutely clear that this Maurizio Parnello said last month. ents”, he said. and agribusiness where there are luxury goods analyst Fflur Roberts said. is a big market that will be back Nestle’s sales in the Russia- The Russian market also mat- opportunities to replace imports. Euromonitor expects 40 percent of all luxury goods sales will be over time,” said Alexander Ivlev, Eurasia region rose 13 percent ters for multinationals because of REUTERS made via the Internet in less than five years. Online annual luxury goods sales have been growing at 15-25 percent while the industry’s average growth rate has slumped to 5 percent this year from above 10 percent four years ago as brands have completed big global roll-outs. Analysts estimate that 5-6 percent of luxury goods are purchased online, although that jumps to around 8 percent for leather goods such as shoes and handbags. Designer websites vary in usability but few offer customers as much help as sites like NAP, which shows clothes on models, gives details of fit and sizing and carries styling tips. Prada’s e-commerce site carries no ready-to-wear, sticking to bags, shoes and other accessories. Kering’s Saint Laurent and Gucci have slicker sites, offering a wide range of clothing and proposing complete looks. Saint Laurent also features designer Hedi Slimane’s black and white photographs of musicians such as Marilyn Manson and Marianne Faithful. But Hermes’s iconic €8,000 Birkin or Kelly bags still cannot be bought online — and may take more than year to arrive after being ordered from a store. While many big luxury brands are still figuring out an Internet strategy, high-end department stores already sell their products online. The Neiman Marcus chain, which includes New York’s Bergdorf Goodman, does 24 percent of its business online, up from 15 percent five or six years ago. Last year, it acquired German online fashion retailer My Theresa, aiming to better serve customers outside the United States. London’s Harrods, whose website gets 3 million visitors a month and sells brands such as Valentino and LVMH’s Givenchy, is also stepping up online investment. “Our customer demands an omni-channel shopping experience, and to remain at the forefront of luxury retail we need to respond to this,” Harrods managing director Michael Ward said. Chief Executive Bernard Arnault said at LVMH’s annual general meeting last week that “more and more products would be sold online” and the group was “currently adapting to this situation”. LVMH labels such as Fendi, Kenzo and Emilio Pucci already offer many products online — Fendi sells €750 baguette bags and €6,180 blue feathered dresses — but Louis Vuitton sells only accessories, pens, watches and jewelry. Richemont’s Cartier brand has sold jewellery online in the United States since 2010 and its online store now ranks third behind its two main flagships in terms of sales. Privately owned Patek Philippe, does not sell any of its €10,000 plus timepieces on the Internet, and it has no intention of doing so. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Cable era over after mega merger deal is off

BY JUSTIN FOX of money, deep ties with the mak- called the “trailing millennials” (age think this is some age-specific thing conviction that the cracks will grow that if a Republican had been in ers of TV shows and movies, thick 14-25), it was streaming video, fol- that will fade as they get older is already motivating some pay-TV the White House things would have n February 2014, when Comcast cords snaking into most Americans’ lowed by mobile data plans and and can afford comfier sofas. The providers (Dish Network with its turned out very differently. said it planned to buy Time homes — that the scales seemed gaming: streaming approach to TV — time- Sling TV streaming service and A Republican could be in the Warner Cable, an era of con- heavily weighted in its favour. Just to be clear, the streaming agnostic, device-agnostic, carrier- Verizon FIOS with its mini-bun- White House starting in 2017, and Itinued cable dominance still Not so much anymore. Comcast video services we’re talking about agnostic — is the wave of the future. dles) to break ranks and the lead- if that happens the cable companies seemed likely. Maybe not inevita- formally gave up on the merger, here are also TV that you pay for. And while the cable providers can ing premium-TV channel, HBO, will probably start winning regula- ble, and certainly not eternal, but in the face of likely opposition And while cable and satellite pay in theory deliver that kind of TV to hedge its bets with a standalone tory battles. But that’s two years you could easily sketch a scenario from the FCC and the Justice TV is built around live and sched- too, they tend to be two steps behind streaming service. And here’s the from now, two more years for the in which the cable industry con- Department. In February, the FCC uled programming, it too offers their tech-industry competitors thing — instead of putting its fin- streaming providers —and, perhaps tinued to define the way in which voted to approve even stronger shows on demand. So streaming and deliver clunkier, less-appealing ger in the dike like that nice little more important, the streaming Americans got their home enter- open Internet rules, this time with services and pay TV are, speaking services. They’re also responsible fictional Dutch boy, the US gov- mindset — to hack away at cable’s tainment and lots of other things. a legal justification more likely to broadly, offering the same danged for the actual physical infrastruc- ernment has been out there with dominance. My guess is that there’s The previous month, a fed- withstand court scrutiny (it reclas- service. ture that delivers all these services, a pickaxe trying to break the thing no turning back. eral appeals court had thrown sified broadband as a Title II tele- But they’re not exactly the same. and sometimes breaks down. And so down. I should emphasise that the out the Federal Communications communications service — a utility, Streaming is delivered differently, while Netflix, Apple, Amazon and With the open Internet decision cable companies don’t go away Commission’s “open Internet” basically). And in the meantime, over the Internet instead of as part the like inspire customer loyalty and the opposition to the Comcast- in this scenario. Remember how (aka net neutrality) rules, freeing there are signs all over the place of a cable or satellite programming and even love, the best the cable Time Warner deal, the current home Internet was the most-val- Comcast and other cable companies that cable’s dominance is ebbing. bundle. That’s what makes it easy companies can usually hope for is administration has to a remark- ued service for every generation in to put the squeeze on competing In the annual Deloitte Digital to watch a show on multiple devices moderate customer dissatisfaction. able extent favored one vision of that Deloitte survey? Cable com- streaming services that piggy- Democracy Survey released this using different carriers — and that’s During the past year, the shift to the Internet and TV future over panies are the leading providers backed on cable broadband con- week, respondents were asked to important to those trailing millen- streaming has become apparent in another, and one set of compa- of it, and even with inroads from nections into homes. Comcast’s new name the three media and telecom- nials, who according to Deloitte sinking cable-TV ratings. Another nies (Netflix, Google, Apple, et. al.) Verizon, AT&T and Google’s fiber- X2 set-top box integrated cable and munications services their house- watch only 43 percent of their TV table from the Deloitte survey over another (the cable and phone optic networks they’re likely to streaming in way that kept cable in hold purchased that they valued on actual TVs. Streaming services (apologies to trailing millennials companies). There are good argu- stay in the lead for a while. But charge, and the company would be most. For every age group, home also have more inherent flexibility and others who may find it hard to ments for this approach; on balance that is now more a utility service able to roll it out to millions of new Internet came in first. But after in how they present their offerings read on their smartphones) shows a I would agree that it’s more likely to — “dumb pipes,” as some put it — customers after taking control of that there were some big genera- — contrast Netflix’s personalised growing interest in dispensing with foster innovation and competition than a platform from which to steer Time Warner. The cable industry tional differences. The second most homepage to a cable channel lineup. cable subscriptions altogether: than letting a few cable giants call the development of the Internet had so many advantages over any valued service for everybody 26 and So with younger viewers, stream- This is still a small minority. most of the shots. But I’m not sure and the entertainment business. upstarts that would usurp it — gobs up was pay TV. For what Deloitte ing is clearly winning, and I don’t A crack in the dike, really. But a of this, and it seems pretty clear BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Nicks, Titans Leonard nets career-high 32 reach 1-year deal

NEW YORK: The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms of a in Spurs’ rout over Clippers one-year contract with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. Nicks, a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 2009, Play-offs: Spurs take 2-1 lead; Rockets, Wizards also register victories caught 311 passes for 4,622 yards and 27 touchdowns in five seasons with the Giants. After 1,000-yard LOS ANGELES: Kawhi receiving seasons in 2010 and 2011, Leonard showed why he is wor- foot and knee injuries slowed him thy of being named the defen- in his final two seasons in New sive player of the year, putting Yo rk . his complete game on display He signed with the Indianapolis for the San Antonio Spurs on Colts last year and caught 38 Friday. passes for 405 yards and a Leonard scored a career-high touchdown. 32 points to carry the Spurs Dontari Poe, the Pro Bowl nose to a 100-73 win over the Los tackle of the Kansas City Chiefs, Angeles Clippers and a 2-1 lead reportedly will remain with the in their best-of-seven Western team for at least for another Conference play-off series. season. In the other play-off contests The Chiefs have exercised the Friday, the Houston Rockets and fifth-year option on Poe, keep- Washington Wizards also won to ing him under contract through take commanding 3-0 series leads. 2016, NFL Media’s Albert Breer No team in NBA history has ever reported on Friday. The option lost after taking a 3-0 lead in a year is worth $6.146m. best-of-seven series. New York Jets general man- Leonard not only anchored the ager Mike Maccagnan said he will Spurs’ defence but he wasted no explore the possibility of trading time putting his stamp on the up in next week’s NFL Draft. game offensively. Speculation has the Jets, who He finished 13-of-18 shooting have the No. 6 overall pick, setting with three steals and two blocks, their sights on Oregon quarter- playing less than two minutes in back Marcus Mariota. the fourth quarter with the game San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (left) presents the Defensive player of the year award to Maccagnan, the Jets’ first-year well in hand. Leonard was named team-mate Kawhi Leonard before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers for the GM who was speaking Friday at the league’s top defensive player NBA Western Conference quarter-finals game three at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, his pre-draft news conference in earlier Friday. Texas on Friday. RIGHT: Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (top) goes to the basket Florham Park, NJ, said he is hesi- Boris Diaw came off the bench against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan in the first half of their quarter-finals game. tant to give away draft picks. “We’re going to reach out to every team ahead of us to gauge, NBA Play-off to finish with 15 points and six committed six turnovers and fin- for the Rockets, who trailed by down the stretch for the Wizards to get a value for what they’re rebounds in the win. Two-time ished with just seven points. The 13 in the first half before storm- who are on the brink of reaching looking for in compensation to Results MVP Tim Duncan, who scored Clippers’ reserves also struggled ing back. the Eastern Conference semi- move up in the draft,” Maccagnan Western Conference 28 points to carry the Spurs to as Jamal Crawford missed all but Harden scored 16 in third quar- finals after beating the Toronto said. At Dallas their overtime win in game two, one of the 11 shots from the field ter and knocked down a jumper Raptors 106-99. “That doesn’t mean we’re Houston 130 Dallas 128 finished with just four points on he attempted. The reserves had with 13 seconds left that helped Pierce scored 11 of his 18 points actually trying to go up and get (Houston leads series 3-0) two-of-six shooting from the field. just 30 points on 41 shots. seal the win. in the fourth quarter, including a a player. But you hear what the At San Antonio The Spurs will look to take a James Harden and Dwight “I have seen it a lot this year,” couple of key three-pointers. market value is basically, and then San Antonio 100 LA Clippers 73 commanding 3-1 series lead in Howard set playoff career highs said Houston coach Kevin McHale Marcin Gortat had 24 points what you do is see what unfolds (San Antonio leads series 2-1) Sunday’s game four. as Houston beat the Dallas of Harden. with 13 rebounds, John Wall tal- with the first few picks and who The Clippers won game one in Mavericks 130-128 and are “The guy’s played fantastic lied 19 points and 15 assists and is available.” Eastern Conference convincing fashion and lost a close now just one victory away from and a big game when we needed Bradley Beal added 16 points for The Tennessee Titans hold At Washington contest in game two, but they advancing to the second round. him to play well, he has. He has Washington, who like the Rockets the No. 2 pick and several teams Washington 106 Toronto 99 were overmatched in their first Harden netted 42 points, stepped up.” will look to close out the series on are expected to be interested in (Washington leads series 3-0) game in San Antonio. Chris Paul Howard snatched 26 rebounds Paul Pierce was the catalyst Sunday. AFP acquiring it. AGENCIES

Marc-Andre Rangers edge out Penguins Fleury (29) of the NEW YORK: Carl Hagelin on goal before the Senators got Pittsburgh scored with 9:08 remaining NHL Results their first nearly nine minutes in. Penguins in overtime as the New York Montreal 1 Ottawa 5 But once they did, things fell in makes the Rangers clinched their first- (Montreal lead series 3-2) their favor. first period round play-off series against the NY Rangers 2 Pittsburgh 1 Wild 4, Blues 1 save on Pittsburgh Penguins. (New York win series 4-1) Stopping 36 shots, including all Carl Hagelin The Rangers won the best-of- St Louis 1 Minnesota 4 19 he faced in the third period, (62) of the seven series 4-1 and will face the (Minnesota leads series 3-2) goaltender Devan Dubnyk helped New York winner of the New York Islanders Minnesota take a lead in their Rangers in and Washington Capitals series in the first-round play-off series. Western Conference quarterfi- Game Five of the second round. The win cut Montreal’s lead to nal series with a decision over the Eastern Derek Stepan also had a goal 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for the St. Louis Blues. The Wild lead Conference for the Rangers while goaltender Sunday in Ottawa. the best-of-seven series 3-2 and quarter-finals Henrik Lundqvist stopped 37 Right wingers Bobby Ryan and can clinch the series Sunday in during the shots. Erik Condra, left winger Mike Minnesota. Nick Spaling scored for the Hoffman and defensemen Patrick Pulled in a 6-1 loss 48 hours 2015 NHL Penguins in the second period Wiercoch and Erik Karlsson earlier after yielding all six goals Stanley Cup on a score that was reviewed in scored for Ottawa. on just 17 shots, Dubnyk was back Play-offs Toronto and stood. Pittsburgh Goaltender Craig Anderson in the form that enabled him to at Madison was backed by goaltender Marc- stopped 45 shots for the Senators. lift the Wild from a losing team Square Andre Fleury’s 34 stops. Defenceman Tom Gilbert had at midseason to a playoff squad. Garden on Senators 5, Canadiens 1 the Canadiens’ goal. Carey Price Marco Scandella, Nino Friday in Two first-period goals paced made 20 saves for Montreal. Niederreiter, Mikko Koivu and New York. the Ottawa Senators to a win The Canadiens came out fir- Charlie Coyle all scored for over the Montreal Canadiens in ing, taking the first seven shots Minnesota. REUTERS Yankees crush New York Mets 6-1

NEW YORK: Michael Pineda (9-8) won their being recalled Red Sox 7, Orioles 5 pitched effectively into the third consecutive Baseball Results from the minors. Brock Holt hit a tiebreak- eighth inning and first base- game. Boston 7 Baltimore 5 Right-handers ing three-run homer in the top man Mark Teixeira homered Indians 13, NY Yankees 6 NY Mets 1 Scott Atchison of the eighth inning to give the twice, leading the New York Tigers 1 Philadelphia 1 Atlanta 0 and Anthony Boston Red Sox a victory over the Yankees to a victory 6-1 over Brandon Moss Swarzak worked Baltimore Orioles. Cleveland 13 Detroit 1 the New York Mets, who had drove in seven the eighth First baseman Chris Davis their record-tying 11-game win- runs – five with a Chicago Cubs 7 Cincinnati 3 and ninth, homered for the Orioles (7-10) in ning streak snapped. pair of home runs Tampa Bay 12 Toronto 3 respectively. the eighth as they lost their fifth Jacoby Ellsbury hit a solo home plus two with Miami 3 Washington 2 Cardinals 3, straight. Boston improved to 10-7. run and second baseman Stephen a double -- and St Louis 3 Milwaukee 0 Brewers 0 Phillies 1, Braves 0 Drew lifted a sacrifice fly for the Danny Salazar Colorado 6 San Francisco 4 Jayson First baseman Freddie Yankees (10-7), who won a home struck out a Heyward and Freeman’s ninth-inning error Pittsburgh 4 Arizona 1 game against the Mets (13-4) for career-best 11 Jhonny Peralta allowed the game’s only run to the first time since June 10, 2012. batters in seven Houston 5 Oakland 4 hit their second score, as the Philadelphia Phillies Rays 12, Blue Jays 3 innings to help LA Angels 3 Texas 2 home runs of beat the Atlanta Braves. James Loney hit a two-run the Cleveland LA Dodgers 3 San Diego 0 the season and Ben Revere bounced a ball homer and a double in his return Indians over- Seattle 2 Minnesota 0 Carlos Martinez to Freeman with a runner on a from the 15-day disabled list to power Detroit pitched seven third base and he failed to field it lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a win and hand the skidding Tigers shutout innings as the St. Louis cleanly giving Philadelphia (6-11) against the Toronto Blue Jays. their fourth straight loss. Cardinals beat the Milwaukee the win over Atlanta (8-8). New York Yankees’ Michael Pineda pitches against the New York Mets Catcher Rene Rivera and des- Cleveland’s (6-9) Salazar (2-0) Brewers. Peralta also had two Freddy Galvis went 3-for-4 during the first inning of their match at Yankee Stadium on Friday. ignated hitter Tim Beckham also allowed six hits and walked singles for a 3-for-4 night for the and scored the winning run. hit two-run homers as the Rays three in his second start since Cardinals (11-4). AGENCIES SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Indonesian Masters Leading scores after round three of the CIMB NIAGA Indonesian Swafford leads in New Orleans Masters (par 72): 208 Lee Westwood (ENG) 69-74-65 213 Y.E. Yang (KOR) 73-71-69, Thomas Bjorn American moves to the top with a 66, storms affect second round play (DEN) 66-76-71, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 69-73-71 214 Kalle Samooja (FIN) 69-76-69 NEW ORLEANS: American after struggling earlier this year. 215 Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 71-77- New Orleans Scores Hudson Swafford, who has “Nothing was really clicking Latest leaderboard in the second 67, Khalin Joshi (IND) 71-76-68, benefited from a change to his for me so I kind of changed the Bryce Easton (RSA) 73-77-65, Kalem round from the US PGA Tour putting stroke over the past takeaway with my golf swing, New Orleans Classic at the par- Richardson (AUS) 75-70-70, Wang month, surged into a one-shot and actually my stroke with the Jeung-Hun (KOR) 74-71-70, Yosuke 72 course yesterday in Avondale, clubhouse lead in the weather- putter,” Swafford, who missed six Louisiana Tsukada (JPN) 71-71-73, Chapchai Nirat hit Zurich Classic of New cuts in the first three months this (THA) 68-74-73, Chan Shih-chang (TPE) Holes played rounds Orleans second round yesterday. year before tweaking his putting 66-75-74 -11 Boo Weekley (US) 15 64 The 27-year-old, bidding for stroke, told Golf Channel. Selected scores Hudson Swafford (US) 18 67 66 his first victory on the PGA Tour “I’ve been trying to bring it a 216 Unho Park (AUS) 67-73-76 -10 Cameron Tringale (US) 18 69 65 after competing as a rookie last little more inside and down the Brendon De Jonge (Zim) 18 64 70 Hudson season, took advantage of ideal line. Ever since then, Bay Hill, Jason Day (Australia) 14 67 scoring conditions on a rain-sof- it has kind of kicked in and I’ve Swafford Jerry Kelly (US) 17 70 tened layout at the TPC Louisiana really seen some good golf.” Westwood reacts after Daniel Berger (US) 15 66 as he fired a flawless six-under- Swafford revised his putting putting on -9 Morgan Hoffmann (US) 15 68 par 66. stroke in late March before the the 18th surges to top Steven Bowditch (Australia) 15 68 Swafford recorded three birdies Arnold Palmer Invitational at Justin Thomas (US) 12 68 hole during on each nine to post an 11-under Bay Hill where he tied for 11th Chris Stroud (US) 11 67 round two of total of 133, finishing a stroke place. in Jakarta David Hearn (Canada) 11 65 the Zurich in front of compatriot Cameron Burly Zimbabwean de Jonge, Chad Campbell (US) 18 67 68 Classic of Tringale (65) and Zimbabwean seeking his first PGA victory this -8 Sean O’Hair (US) 18 65 71 New Orleans Brendon de Jonge (70). week on his 225th career start, JAKARTA: England’s former Bryce Molder (US) 18 69 67 at TPC American Boo Weekley, co- carded three birdies and a lone number one Lee Westwood Greg Owen (Britain) 18 66 70 Louisiana in leader overnight with de Jonge bogey in the second round despite stormed ahead to snatch the Retief Goosen (South Africa) 18 70 66 Avondale, after opening with a 64, was at 11 the receptive conditions. third round lead with a seven- Johnson Wagner (US) 12 68 Louisiana under with three holes remaining “I’ve just got to stay aggressive,” under-par 65 at the CIMB Jason Gore (US) 17 70 yesterday. when play was suspended for the said the 34-year-old. Niaga Indonesian Masters Marc Leishman (Australia) 17 74 day due to the threat of approach- “Obviously there’s going to be yesterday. -7 Woody Austin (US) 15 70 ing thunderstorms. a bunch of birdies this weekend Westwood cut a frustrated Justin Rose (Britain) 15 69 The horn sounded at 4.30 pm and the golf course isn’t going to figure in his front-nine but an Brian Davis (Britain) 11 66 local (2130 GMT) to halt the be able to firm up. astonishing back-nine 29 saw Dustin Johnson (US) 14 67 action and the entire afternoon “I am excited about it. I feel like him compile a three-day total of Erik Compton (US) 13 66 wave of players will be back in my game is in good shape so hope- eight-under-par 208 to establish a Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) 11 67 position on Saturday morning to fully keep it going.” five-shot lead going into the final Jim Herman (US) 10 69 complete the second round The cut was projected to fall round at the Royale Jakarta Golf Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) 18 69 68 Swafford, who has recorded at four-under 140 with US Ryder Club. Lee Dong-Hwan (Korea) 18 70 67 just one top-10 in 16 starts on the Cup players Rickie Fowler and Thailand’s Namchok Mark Wilson (US) 18 69 68 2014-15 PGA Tour, was delighted Steve Stricker in danger of miss- Tantipokhakul carded a 71 to Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) 18 70 67 to maintain his improved form ing out. REUTERS tie for second with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and South Korea’s YE Yang on 213 at the $750,000 Levy rallies for Volvo China Open Asian Tour event. It was a tale of two different comeback at Scores nines for Westwood, the double SHANGHAI: Leading scores CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters China Open on Saturday after the third champion, who had started the round of the Volvo China day in seventh place. Open at the Tomson Shanghai A stunning eagle-three on 12 SHANGHAI: Alexander Levy Pudong Golf Club, Shanghai, lifted the world number 33 to the of France fought his way China (par 72): top of the leaderboard. back to the top of the lead- 208 Alexander Levy (FRA) 69-68-71, Wu Five successive birdies from erboard on the third day of Ashun (CHN) 73-66-69, David Howell 13 then saw him sprint away the Volvo China Open yester- (ENG) 68-72-68, Li Haotong (CHN) from the chasing pack, giv- day, overtaking compatriot 71-68-69 ing him a commanding advan- Julien Quesne in the $3.2m tage before the final round 210 Richie Ramsay (SCO) 72-68-70, Prom tournament. beckons. Meesawat (THA) 72-70-68, Magnus Levy was in a group of four With a hat-trick of titles in Carlsson (SWE) 73-72-65, Seve players including England’s David sight, Westwood is determined Benson (ENG) 75-69-66 Howell and China’s Wu Ashun to come on top on his visit to and Li Haotong finishing the 211 Thomas Pieters (BEL) 70-71-70, Jakarta. round with eight under overall Julien Quesne (FRA) 69-67-76 “I’ve been here twice and at the par 72 Tomson Shanghai I won both times so I like to Pudong Golf Club. on six under, including Scotland’s keep that going. I’ve never been “It was the perfect start for Richie Ramsay, Thailand’s Prom beaten before so I’m going in me, but after that I got a little Meesawat, England’s Seve with a big chance tomorrow,” bit nervous, because I haven’t Benson and Sweden’s Magnus he said. played well for three months now Carlsson. Despite Westwood’s healthy so I haven’t been in this position The Swede rocketed 37 places lead, Bjorn believes he still has a for a while,” Levy said, accord- up the leaderboard with a seven- chance to dent the Englishman’s ing to information released by the under 65, the best round of the title aspirations. organisers. day. “I haven’t been playing par- “I’m just really happy to be Quesne, meanwhile, had fired Alexander Levy of France tees off on the fourth hole during the third day of the China Open at Tomson Golf ticularly well. But I managed to playing some good golf again, a blistering five under par on the Club in Pudong, Shanghai, China, yesterday. scramble my way around. It’s that’s more important than me second day of the tournament. very much in his hands but I’ll worrying about winning the tro- But his four-over-par 76 yester- still give a go and see how it goes,” phy again,” he added. day left him four shots behind the yesterday, said that he knew “I felt like there was a score to I did yesterday, when I struggled the Dane said. AFP The quartet of leaders was fol- leaders. “what to expect today, and took be had out there, and I adapted to with the comparative softness of lowed by another group of four Howell, who shot a four under advantage”. the conditions much better than the course,” he said. AFP Swinging Skirts Classic Scores Canadian teen Henderson sets tournament record SAN FRANCISCO: Leading second-round scores on Friday SAN FRANCISCO: Canadian “On my back nine, the greens “Yeah, 17 is young. As you’ve two rounds at seven-under 137. putt at the par-five 14th. Through at the LPGA Tour’s Swinging teenager Brooke Henderson really started to firm up and got seen with Lydia Ko and Lexi Japan’s Sakura Yokomine (67) five holes, Henderson was at four Skirts Classic (USA unless shot a tournament-record a little bit faster. You really have Thompson and even Jessica and China’s Feng Yueer (68) are under for the day. noted, par-72): seven-under 65 to grab a two- to be careful where you place it Korda, there are a lot of great one shot further back and tied for Following a trio of pars from 135 Brooke Henderson (CAN) 70-65 shot lead after the second round on the greens.” names that have been able to third at six-under. World number 15, Henderson drained birdies at 137 Na Yeon Choi (KOR) 69-68 of the LPGA Tour’s Swinging Henderson broke Stacy Lewis’ do it. I’m hoping that I’m one of one Ko is tied for fifth with Kwak the 18th and number two as she 138 Sakura Yokomine (JPN) 71-67, Yueer Skirts tournament yesterday. (2014) record of 138 by three them.” Min-Seo (67), Julieta Granada made the turn. She stumbled to Cindy Feng (CHN) 70-68 The 17-year-old Henderson fin- shots. Henderson is looking for First round leader and defend- (69) and Jang Ha-Na(71). her first and only bogey of the ished 36 holes at nine-under 135 her first victory on the US LPGA ing champ Ko celebrated her 18th Henderson started on the back week at the par-four fifth. 139 Julieta Granada (PAR) 70-69, Ha at the Lake Merced Golf Course. Tour. birthday Friday with a even-par nine and wasted no time moving But Henderson responded Na Jang (KOR) 68-71, Min Seo Kwak “It’s pretty cool,” Henderson Asked if she was ready to 72 to finish tied for fifth. up the leaderboard. nicely by making back-to-back (KOR) 72-67, Lydia Ko (NZL) 67-72 said about setting the record. win her first big tournament, Choi Na-Yeon used a four- After making a par at the 10th, birdies at six and seven to get to 140 Stacy Lewis 69-71, Amy Yang (KOR) “This golf course is tough, and Henderson said, “I think I’m under 68 to seize sole possession Henderson birdied two of her next nine-under. She finished up with 72-68, Shanshan Feng (CHN) 70-70, the conditions are even tougher. ready. of second place. Choi finished three before rolling in an eagle a pair of pars to end at 65. AFP Tiffany Joh 70-70 Nibali focussed on Liege as Astana doping troubles fade LIEGE, Belgium: Tour de teams banned for taking prohib- finished eighth in Liege in 2011 Nibali knows he may need to In terms of the amount of He added: “It’s returned to the France champion Vincenzo ited substances had seen the UCI and 10th in 2008. make another solo bid on Sunday climbing done and the total ver- old route. I’ve done Liege many Nibali said he was focussed recommend to its own Licence “For me and the team there if he is to beat the in-form pair tical distance tackled, it makes it times and it’s different every for today’s Liege-Bastogne- Commission that Astana’s right was never any pressure, except of Michal Kwiatkowski and similar to an Alpine stage on the year. Some years the key was la Liege one-day classic now that to race be revoked. from the media.” Alejandro Valverde, the respec- Tour de France. But Nibali needs Roche-aux-Faucon, some years it his Astana team had seen the But with that weight off his Nibali was beaten by a sur- tive winners of Amstel Gold and a fast race to give him a chance was (the finish in) Ans and some threat of suspension lifted. shoulders, Nibali, who while rid- prisingly strong showing from Fleche Wallonne over the last to break free from the specialist years Saint-Nicolas, so it’s never Astana discovered on Thursday ing for Liquigas came second in Iglinsky in 2012, despite the week. punchers before the end. the same. that their World Tour licence, Liege in 2012 to future Astana Kazakh not being known for his Both of those are more explo- “We (Astana) need to make the “It’s clear a Valverde in the permitting them to take part in teammate Maxim Iglinsky -- one-day classic prowess. sive finishers on an uphill run-in race tough unlike the race last condition we’ve seen, who man- major races such as the Grand ironically one of the five Astana That was the closest Nibali such as at Ans on Sunday at the year with 60-70 riders arriving aged great results at Amstel and Tours, like the Tour de France, riders banned for doping last year came to winning La Doyenne end of the Liege race. together on (the final categorised Fleche-Wallonne, can wait until or ‘Monuments’, such as Liege- -- can now concentrate on landing (the oldest) when he attempted Liege has 10 categorised climbs climb) Saint-Nicolas,” said Nibali. the end (for a sprint-finish in Bastogne-Liege, had been con- a first Monument success. to break away alone. -- and that doesn’t include the “This year the route has Ans). firmed by the world governing “The news (of their licence He was overhauled by Iglinsky, finish in Ans -- ranging from the changed again. At the end there’s “The other (favourites) are body UCI’s Licence Commission. being confirmed) came, we didn’t who had counter-attacked with brutal 1km Cote de Stockeu at a no longer Mont-Theux or the Katusha. We’ve seen the Italian A series of doping scandals celebrate but we were happy Ardennes Classics specialist thigh-burning 12.5 percent aver- variety before the Roche-aux- (Giampaolo) Caruso going well, that saw five Kazakh riders from everything was resolved in the Joaquim Rodriguez, before also age gradient, up to the 4.4km long Faucons (climb). and Dani Moreno and Joaquim Astana’s professional World Tour best way for Astana’s riders and leaving the Spaniard in his wake Col du Rosier, although with a rel- “Many riders will be obliged to Rodriguez won’t be waiting (for and subsidiary Continental Tour staff until 2016,” said Nibali, who in the run-in. atively mild 5.9 percent gradient. try their luck before (the end).” the final climb).” AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Wozniacki beats Halep to reach Stuttgart final STUTTGART, Germany: Wozniacki and two to Halep Caroline Wozniacki reached before the Romanian levelled. her third final of 2015 when Wozniacki turned the screw she saw off Simona Halep after in the third to break her oppo- a marathon match over nearly nent when her 3-1 lead quickly three-hours in yesterday’s became 5-1 and although Halep semi-final clash at Stuttgart’s rallied to bring it back to 5-2, WTA tournament. Wozniacki served out to convert The former world number her fourth match point. one, who ran the 2014 New York Having lost the final in marathon for charity, needed Auckland last January, but won two hours, 58 minutes to claim in Kuala Lumpur in March, the a 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 victory and will 24-year-old will be bidding for now meet either Germany’s her second title in 2015. Angelique Kerber or American There was some consolation Madison Brengle in today’s final. for Romania’s Halep, who will “I felt good right through take over from Maria Sharapova until the end,” said Denmark’s as the second ranked player in Wozniacki. the world on the back of her run “I love these long matches and to the Stuttgart semis on clay Japan’s player Kei Nishikori returns the ball to Slovakian player Martin Klizan during the ATP Barcelona Open ‘Conde de Godo’ tennis tournament in if I can run a marathon, then I court. Barcelona yesterday. can play in great games like that. The 23-year-old was com- “We needed nearly three hours peting in her fourth semi-final and that would be a pretty good of the year after winning the marathon time.” Shenzhen, Dubai and Indian Wozniacki took the first set Wells titles, but had to deal with with the first break at 6-5, but the distraction of a death threat the second was a topsy-turvy on Thursday night which led to Nishikori to play Andujar affair with five of the 12 games heightened security in Stuttgart. in Barcelona Open final finishing in a break — three to AFP Defending champion beats 14th seed Klizan 6-1, 6-2

BARCELONA: Reigning solid player from the baseline champion Kei Nishikori booked and it is very difficult to compete his place in the Barcelona Open with him from there, so I tried final with a 6-1, 6-2 thrash- to pressure his second serve and ing of Slovakia’s Martin Klizan come to the net when I could. In yesterday. the end it was a combination of The 25-year-old Japanese will me playing well and him making face Spain’s Pablo Andujar in some mistakes at the start of the today’s final after he upset com- second set.” patriot David Ferrer 7-6 (7/5), Ferrer twice fought back from a 6-3. break down in the first set before Klizan had won the only previ- 29-year-old Andujar edged it in ous meeting between the two in the tie-break, but serve was much a shock straight sets win over an more dominant in the second as injured Nishikori at last year’s one early break was all Andujar French Open. needed to serve it out. However, there was never any And he called on the crowd in danger of a repeat in the Catalan Barcelona to produce a Davis Cup capital as the world number five style atmosphere to inspire him to romped through the first set in Spain’s Pablo Andujar returns the ball to Spain’s David Ferrer during their another upset in the final. just 28 minutes. semi-final match at the ATP Barcelona Open ‘Conde de Godo’ tennis “I am inspired. I think I have Klizan offered some more tournament in Barcelona yesterday. worked hard and in the end resistance at the start of the sec- things are going very well, and ond set as he held onto his serve happy, but if I want to win the produced what he admitted to there is no better place than here in a marathon opening game that final tomorrow I need to maintain being some of the best tennis of in Barcelona surrounded by my included eight deuces. my concentration and not commit his career to beat Ferrer for the people. Nishikori, though, won the next errors,” said Nishikori. first time. “I hope it will be like a Davis Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki reacts after defeating Romania’s Simona five games to take him to the “Andujar beat me two years ago “This is one of the best games Cup atmosphere. I hope the fans Halep in their semi-final match at the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix brink of victory before serving it in Madrid.” I have played in my career,” said give everything tomorrow. I need in Stuttgart, Germany, yesterday. out comfortably. The other semi-final was much the world number 66. them because Nishikori is playing “I played very well and I am more tightly fought as Andujar “I knew that David is a very very well.” AFP Lavezzi hat-trick leads six-goal PSG to the top

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain quickly got back on track after their Champions League loss to Barcelona as Ezequiel Lavezzi netted a hat-trick in a resound- ing 6-1 win over Lille at the Parc des Princes yesterday. With leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, Maxwell opened the scoring inside the opening minute, Edinson Cavani netted twice and Argentine for- ward Lavezzi got the first hat- trick of his Ligue 1 career to hand the capital club their biggest win since April 2012 and move them three points clear of Lyon at the top of the table. With Lille having won six of their previous seven matches to move into contention for European qualification, this Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva (centre) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) watch their side’s Ligue 1 match against looked likely to be PSG’s toughest Lille at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris yesterday. remaining fixture as they battle it out for the title with Lyon. less than four minutes played, more goals in the final 20 minutes. to Lorient on Friday at the Stade However, the northern club’s Javier Pastore finding Cavani, First Cavani scored his 11th Velodrome as Jordan Ayew scored normally watertight defence who spotted Enyeama just off his league goal of the season from twice for the struggling visitord crumbled as they fell to their big- line and brilliantly chipped the the penalty spot after Lavezzi had against his old club. gest top-flight defeat since a 6-1 Nigerian goalkeeper. been pushed over on the point of A fourth consecutive defeat for hammering at Monaco in April Cavani then set up Lavezzi to shooting by Sebastien Corchia, Marcelo Bielsa’s side was a huge 1985. tap in the third and he struck who was shown a red card for blow to their hopes of qualifying Wounded by the nature of their again from a Blaise Matuidi assist his troubles. for the Champions League, and a Champions League quarter-final just before the break. And then Lavezzi held off two win for third-placed Monaco at loss at the hands of Barcelona, It was not a perfect first half for defenders and finished neatly into Lens on Sunday will put them five PSG came flying out of the blocks Paris coach Laurent Blanc though the bottom-left corner to secure a points clear of OM in the race for and no Lille player had touched as he lost goalkeeper Salvatore superb win for the home side that a podium finish. the ball before they fell behind Sirigu and Aurier to injury. is a big step towards a third con- Later yesterday Bordeaux with just 25 seconds on the clock. Nevertheless, the outcome of secutive league title as they bid to would have the chance to move Serge Aurier crossed low from the the game had been put beyond win an unprecedented domestic level on points with Marseille FROM LEFT: Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and right and Maxwell’s first-time doubt before Marko Basa headed treble. with a win at home to bottom Javier Pastore celebrate after scoring a goal against Lille during a Ligue shot evaded the grasp of Vincent in a consolation for the visitors, It was another high-scoring side Metz, while Saint-Etienne 1 match at Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris yesterday. Enyeama in goal. and the hosts then underlined encounter following Marseille’s entertain Montpellier and Lyon The lead had been doubled with their superiority by adding two spectacular collapse in losing 5-3 go to Reims today. AFP SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Scoreboard

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS G J Bailey c Dhoni b Jadeja ...... 1 Malinga picks four as D R Smith b Anureet Singh ...... 26 D A Miller c Raina b Jadeja ...... 3 B B McCullum c Miller b Patel ...... 66 W P Saha c Ashwin b Nehra ...... 15 S K Raina (run out-Karanveer Singh) ...... 29 A R Patel st Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 9 M S Dhoni (not out) ...... 41 M G Johnson c Nehra b Jadeja ...... 1 R A Jadeja (not out) ...... 18 Anureet Singh c Jadeja b Sharma ...... 10 Extras (LB-2, W-10) ...... 12 Karanveer Singh (not out) ...... 2 Mumbai beat Hyderabad Total (for 3 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 192 Sandeep Sharma (not out) ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-116, 3-144. Extras (LB-3, W-5) ...... 8 Bowling: Karanveer Singh 4-0-43-0 (1w); Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 95 Sandeep Sharma 4-0-32-0; Anureet Singh Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-35, 3-40, 4-55, 5-55, Chasing a modest total, visitors fall short by 20 runs 4-0-40-1 (2w); M G Johnson 4-0-40-0 (2w); A 6-66, 7-69, 8-90, 9-94. R Patel 4-0-35-1 (1w). Bowling: I C Pandey 2-0-17-1 (1w); A Nehra KINGS XI PUNJAB 4-0-16-2; M M Sharma 3-0-10-1; R A Jadeja MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians M Vijay c Bravo b Ashwin ...... 34 4-0-22-3; R Ashwin 4-0-14-2 (1w); D J Bravo bowled their heart out to suc- V Sehwag c du Plessis b Pandey ...... 1 3-0-13-0. cessfully defend a modest total S E Marsh lbw Nehra...... 10 Player-of-the-Match: Brendon McCullum against Sunrisers Hyderabad and earn their second win in the Indian Premier League here yesterday. Chennai conquer After putting up 157/8 on the board, the hosts picked up wick- ets at regular intervals to restrict Sunrisers to 137/8 in 20 overs at Kings XI Punjab to the Wankhede Stadium. The 20-run victory, how- ever, was not enough to pull out Mumbai Indians from the eighth reach top in IPL and last position in the cash-rich league, while Sunrisers are three CHENNAI: Chennai Super of their powers, snaring crucial rungs higher. Kings (CSK) marched to the wickets to set their team on its Lasith Malinga was the pick top of the Indian Premier way to a comprehensive victory. of the Mumbai bowlers, finishing League (IPL) points table They were well supported by with impressive figures of 4-1-23- with a comfortable 97-run vic- veteran pacer Ashish Nehra, 4. He took three wickets without tory over Kings XI Punjab in who grabbed two wickets for 16 conceding a single run in his final their league match at the M.A. runs. over. Chidambaram Stadium here Earlier, an aggressive batting The Sri Lankan was well sup- yesterday. display from the hosts helped ported by Mitchell McClenaghan The home team always had them post a strong score of 192 (4-0-20-3). Spinner Jagadeesha the upper hand after winning for three. Suchith too was economical. the toss and opting to take first CSK won the toss and chose The visitors got off to a fly- strike, posting a formidable 192 to bat. And skipper Mahendra ing start, with opener Shikhar for three. Set a target of 193, Singh Dhoni’s decision was justi- Dhawan striking the ball to all Punjab were never in contention fied by the performance of their parts of the park, as Hyderabad Mumbai Indians bowler Lasith Malinga (third from left) celebrates with his team-mates after dismissing Sunrisers during their run chase. Their batsmen. raced to 39 in four overs. Hyderabad skipper David Warner during match 23 of the IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. batting collapsed spectacularly The opening duo of Dwayne The other opener, skipper to ultimately manage a paltry 95 Smith and Brendon McCullum David Warner (9), was the first to Steyn hit the brakes on the scor- up two wickets in consecutive Bhuvneshwar ended with fig- for nine. started in top gear and piled the go, with Lasith Malinga rattling ing by getting rid of Parthiv (17) deliveries, most importantly that ures of 4-0-26-3. Hyderabad’s With the win, CSK took the pressure quickly on the Punjab the stumps and then giving the in the sixth over. Hyderabad were of Kieron Pollard (33 off 24 balls) other seamers Praveen Kumar summit spot in the standings bowlers, putting up 50 runs on Australian a perfect Indian-style 42/1. who was looking dangerous at the and Dale Steyn got two wickets via a superior run rate with 10 the board in just 4.4 overs. send-off with a namaste. Unmukt Chand also did not death overs. apiece. IANS points from six matches overtak- Even Smith’s (26 runs off 13 Soon after, Dhawan (42 off 29 last long as he was caught at mid ing Rajasthan Royals (10 from balls) departure, after a cameo balls) also departed with Malinga wicket by Dhawan off Praveen Scoreboard seven games). Punjab dropped knock punctuated by three fours taking a catch of McClenaghan. Kumar. to the bottom spot with just four and two sixes, didn’t slow down Incoming batsman Naman Ojha Simmons, however, was looking MUMBAI INDIANS SUNRISER4S HYDERABAD points from six outings. the momentum. (9) also did not last long, as his fluent with the bat as he struck L Simmons b Steyn ...... 51 S Dhawan c Malinga b McClenaghan ...... 42 Punjab needed a strong start McCullum (66 off 44) took attempted big hit went only as the first six of the innings in the P Patel c Vihari b Steyn ...... 17 D A Warner c Rayudu b Malinga ...... 9 to have any chance of chasing over the reins of brisk run-scor- far as the outstretched hands of 10th over. U Chand c Dhawan b P Kumar ...... 5 K L Rahul c Rayudu b McClenaghan ...... 25 the big total, but they began on ing and together with Suresh Kieron Pollard. As the West Indian seemed to R Sharma c B Kumar b Sharma ...... 24 N V Ojha c Pollard b Suchith ...... 9 the wrong foot, losing star man Raina put up a 66 run second- Lokesh Rahul showed promise have the perfect launch pad for K Pollard b B Kumar ...... 33 R S Bopara c (sub) b McClenaghan ...... 23 Virender Sehwag (1) in the fifth wicket stand. but after making 25 off 27 balls, a huge total, bowling changes by A Rayudu c Boult b B Kumar ...... 7 G H Vihari c Patel b Malinga ...... 16 ball of their innings. Their task was made easier by offered a catch to mid-on. Warner worked wonders. Steyn Harbhajan Singh c B Kumar b P Kumar ...... 0 K V Sharma (not out) ...... 2 That marked the beginning the Punjab men who were sloppy Ravi Bopara (23 off 28) seemed devoured Simmons (51; 42b, 4x4, J Suchith (not out) ...... 9 P Kumar b Malinga ...... 0 of their downfall as they lost on the field, dropping several set to finish off the game, but was 1x6). R Vinay Kumar c Ojha b B Kumar ...... 0 D W Steyn c Pollard b Malinga ...... 0 wickets at regular intervals to catches. dismissed by McClenaghan. Wickets then fell at regular MJ cClenaghan (not out) ...... 1 B Kumar (not out) ...... 6 be reduced to 40 for three in 6.3 That put CSK in a strong Earlier, the visitors pegged intervals. Extras (LB-1, W-9) ...... 10 Extras (LB-2, W-2, NB-1) ...... 5 overs and then a precarious 69 position of launching into an Mumbai to a modest total. Mumbai suffered a huge blow Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 157 Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 137 for seven in 12.2 overs. all-out attack in the death overs Opting to bat first, home side when skipper Rohit Sharma Did not bat: L Malinga. Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-52, 3-68, 4-104, None of the batsmen of Punjab, when McCullum perished after Mumbai Indians started off (24 off 14 balls) was caught by Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-49, 3-100, 4-108, 5-126, 6-127, 7-127, 8-127. which boasts of big names like bludgeoning eight fours and carefully, with openers Lendl Bhuvneshwar Kumar at long on 5-126, 6-128, 7-149, 8-149. Bowling: Harbhajan Singh 4-0-36-0; M J Mc- Australian duo of Shaun Marsh three sixes with the score at 116 Simmons and Parthiv Patel scor- while trying to hit a six off the Bowling: T A Boult 4-0-27-0 (2w); B Kumar Clenaghan 4-0-20-3 (1w); S L Malinga 4-1-23- (10) and skipper George Bailey for two in 12.1 overs. ing at a run-rate of just over six bowling of Karn Sharma. 4-0-26-3; D W Steyn 4-0-38-2; P Kumar 4-0- 4 (1nb); J Suchith 4-0-25-1; R Vinay Kumar (1), settled at the crease as the Dhoni (41 off 27) ensured they an over. The final over of the Mumbai 35-2 (3w); K V Sharma 4-0-30-1; 4-0-31-0 (1w). CSK bowlers made merry. his team had a grand stand fin- But Sunrisers speedster Dale innings saw Bhuvneshwar picking Indian spinners Ravichandran ish entertaining the crowd with Ashwin (2/14) and Ravindra some lusty blows towards the Pakistan’s Jadeja (3/22) were at the peak end. IANS Rahat out of England close in on win after Bangladesh Anderson-inspired collapse Tests ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada: England were cruising to vic- Scoreboard KARACHI: Pakistan’s prob- tory at 65 for one at tea in pur- lem-filled tour of Bangladesh suit of a modest target of 143 West Indies (I innings): ...... 299 5-239, 6-257, 7-260, 8-282, 9-307, 10-307. was hit by another injury as on the final day of the second England (I innings): ...... 464 Bowling: J Anderson 22-7-43-4; S Broad 21-2- frontline paceman Rahat Ali Test against the West Indies West Indies (II innings): 71-1; M Ali 24-9-51-3; C Jordan 21-6-69- was yesterday ruled out of the yesterday. K Brathwaite c Root b Anderson ...... 116 1(nb-1); B Stokes 8-0-34-0; J Root 16-7-29-0. Test series, the fifth injury case James Anderson starred with D Smith b Anderson ...... 2 England (II innings): related to the tour. the ball and in the field, trig- D Bravo c Buttler b Broad ...... 69 A Cook (batting) ...... 37 The 26-year-old left-arm pace- gering a collapse which saw the M Samuels c Buttler b Anderson ...... 37 J Trott b Gabriel ...... 0 man played the first two of the home side losing eight wickets for S Chanderpaul c Cook b Anderson ...... 7 G Ballance (batting) ...... 26 three one-day matches before suf- 83 runs, and being dismissed for J Blackwood c Anderson b Jordan ...... 10 Extras (NB-1, W-1) ...... 2 D Ramdin lbw Ali ...... 28 fering a hamstring injury which 307 just after lunch. Total (for 1 wkt at tea) ...... 65 was initially thought to be minor. His country’s leading wicket- J Holder (run out-Anderson) ...... 2 Fall of wicket: 1-2. Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni celebrates after taking a catch Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) taker in Tests, Anderson made K Roach c Anderson b Ali...... 10 To bat: I Bell, J Root, B Stokes, J Buttler, C Jor- to dismiss Kings XI Punjab’s skipper George Bailey during an IPL game said he was out of the two-Test full use of the second new ball D Bishoo (not out) ...... 15 dan, S Broad, M Ali, J Anderson. series, which starts in Khulna in the morning session, remov- S Gabriel lbw Ali ...... 0 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday. Bowling: K Roach 4-0-13-0; S Gabriel 4-1- from Wednesday. “Rahat is out of ing obdurate opening batsman Extras (B-8, LB-2, NB-1) ...... 11 the Test series due to hamstring Kraigg Brathwaite for 116 and Total (all out) ...... 307 10-1; J Holder 1.4-0-11-0(w-1); M Samuels injury. Replacement, if any, will then adding the other key wickets Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-145, 3-224, 4-238, 5.2-0-13-0; D Bishoo 4-0-18-0 (nb-1). be announced in due course,” the of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and PCB said in a statement. Marlon Samuels to finish with century denied England victory in his left ankle badly at the point KKR players also Batsman Sohaib Maqsood (arm four for 43 off 22 overs. the first Test in Antigua a week of delivery. fracture) and paceman Sohail He also held two catches at earlier, with a direct hit of the The manner in which he was Khan were ruled out ahead of the mid-off and ran out Jason Holder, stumps at the non-striker’s end. grimacing in pain throughout the shaken by tremors tour while leg-spinner Yasir Shah the man whose maiden first-class That dismissal effectively ended experience now raises questions (thumb) and paceman Ehsan Adil any realistic chance the West about his chances of being fit for (hamstring) were injured on the Indies had of saving the match the third and final Test starting in KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players took to Twitter trip. Shah, however, recovered and it was left to off-spinning his native Barbados next Friday. yesterday to express how they felt just after an earthquake hit the and will be available for the Tests. all-rounder Moeen Ali to finish Ironically, the delivery that city in the morning. Another Pakistan paceman, off the innings by taking the last left him crumpled in a heap on The city felt the tremors at around 11.41 am, which continued for Mohammad Irfan, is recover- three wickets. the pitch was pulled by Ballance two minutes and then felt another quake at 12.19pm. ing from a hip injury sustained There was one ray of hope through the hands of Marlon “My first experience of an earthquake! Kolkata during the World Cup held in for the Caribbean side when Samuels at square-leg. went from sultry to AC like weather in 2mins. 6.4 on Australia and New Zealand in England started their run-chase Another moment of luck for the the Richter scale here. A serious reminder,” tweeted February-March. as Jonathan Trott played on to Zimbabwean-born left-hander opening batsman Robin Uthappa. On the field, a new-look Shannon Gabriel before he had came just before the interval Skipper Gautam Gambhir (pictured) said he was Pakistan team suffered their scored. when Devon Smith failed to hold praying for the well being of the masses. “Strong worst-ever 3-0 whitewash in However skipper Alastair Cook on to a sharp chance at slip off earthquake, felt here in Kolkata as well. Hope all of the one-day series — their first (37 not out) and Gary Ballance Samuels. u and ur families r safe. Praying for ur wellbeing.” against Bangladesh. They also lost (26 not out) were well-placed at With 40 overs available in the South African pacer Morne Morkel felt the the only Twenty20 on Sunday. England’s James Anderson bowls the interval against a West Indies final session and no hint of rain, tremors and posted: “Nature just gave us a friendly PCB chairman Shaharyar during the final day of the second team fast running out of enthu- England look certain to complete reminder.. Hope everybody is okay.. Live life to the Khan has said he will review the Test match, at the Grenada siasm. Injury was added to insult the victory that will ensure their fullest.” poor performance of the team as National Cricket Stadium in Saint for the hosts when Holder had to retention of the Wisden Trophy — The earthquake, whose epicentre was in Nepal, has resulted in a well as the frequent injuries to George’s yesterday. be stretchered off the field in his the symbol of supremacy in Tests death toll of over 14,00 people in the Indian subcontinent with most players. AFP second over after turning over between these two teams. AFP casualties in the Himalayan nation. The toll is expected to rise. IANS SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Giants ready for action Qatar Cup branded water bottles unveiled as Qatar Cup kicks off Al Sadd to meet El Jaish; Qatar SC face Lekhwiya today

DOHA: El Jaish will defend their Qatar Cup title as the top four Qatar Stars League (QSL) teams will begin their battle for the coveted tournament begin- ning today at the Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium. Lekhwiya’s Head Coach Michael Laudrup (centre), along with the players, The second edition of the pres- poses with Qatar Cup branded water bottles, unveiled yesterday. The tigious tournament will first see Qatar Stars League (QSL) in collaboration with Dana Water launched Doha giants Al Sadd and defend- the limited edition of the water bottles to mark the second edition of ing champions El Jaish battling Qatar Cup. out for a place in the final while the second semi-final will be played between QSL champions Lekhwiya and Qatar Sports Club. Juventus boss relaxed The final of the event will be played on May 1. El Jaish won the inaugural edi- tion of Qatar Cup after defeating ahead of crucial derby Lekhwiya on penalties last April. Hussain Amute’s Al Sadd are ROME: Juventus coach They are eighth in the table desperate for the title this season Massimiliano Allegri sounded on 44 points, five adrift of sixth- after they dropped the QSL title, relaxed ahead of a Turin derby placed Fiorentina and a spot in though they are battling injuries which could see his side retain next season’s Europa League to key players. their Serie A title today. qualifying rounds. “It’s a very important competi- Allegri told a news conference “Torino have done well this sea- tion for us, I know that the game Qatar SC players attend a training session ahead of their Qatar Cup semi-final match against Lekhwiya. he was “in no hurry to end the son in Europe and in the league,” will be very tough as we are fac- league but would like to keep on Allegri added. “They’re a difficult ing El Jaish,” Amute said ahead earning points.” team to face as they’re very good of the match. produced a convincing win over will be looking to finish off a great Juve have a 15 point lead over at slowing the pace of the game.” “We have had some key inju- Jaish (3-1). Then at the begging Qatar Cup Semis season with some much needed Lazio and AS Roma with seven Allegri has rejected claims his ries, Khalfan will be absent for 10 of April Jaish suffered a trouncing (At Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium) silverware. games remaining. A derby win side are fatigued, putting their days, Muriqui is also having issues as Sadd beat them 5-2. Al Sadd vs El Jaish 17:15 Lekhwiya won the league with against Torino (1400 GMT) would negative display against Monaco with back pain.” But Amute believed his team Lekhwiya vs Qatar SC 20:00 one round to pare and a total of secure the club’s fourth succes- in Wednesday’s Champions Al Sadd finished above El Jaish will have to give their best against 62 points. The Cops won 19, drew sive ‘Scudetto’ should both second League quarter-final down to the this season in second place with the defending champions. is the minimum requirement for 5 times and lost only two games placed sides lose out. importance of the occasion. 57 points. “We have the best form the ambitious club. However it the entire season. Lazio are at home to Chievo “It’s true, we played worse than They achieved this by winning going into the competition but won’t be easy as they face more Qatar SC finished in 4th with Verona on Sunday, with Roma at usual, but the end result was far 17, losing just 3 times and drawing I am worried about our recent than capable opponents in the an admirable 46 points, just one Inter Milan on Saturday. more important than playing an 6 matches this season. El Jaish absences, El Jaish remember also form of Qatar Sports Club, who point behind El Jaish. The Kings “We need six more points entertaining match.” finished just below the Wolves have a strong bench.” finished in the top four this sea- won 14, lost 8 and drew 4 times. to win the title,” said Allegri, Juventus qualified for their first with 47 points, a ten point gap In the second semi-final, the son. A feat they last achieved back In the league Lekhwiya won whose side face Real Madrid in Champions League semi-final in between themselves and Al Sadd. spotlight will be firmly fixed on in the 2009/10 QSL season. both encounters against QSC, the a Champions League semi-final 12 years and are also in the Coppa The Soldiers won 15, lost 9 and Lekhwiya Head Coach Michael This has to be largely attrib- first came back in the very first next month. “I don’t think we Italia final, a trophy they have not drew just 2 times. Laudrup who in his first season uted to their new head coach round when the Cops put five past can win it all tomorrow; I haven’t won in a decade. In the league this season Al in charge has already won the Radhi Shenaishil who has been a the Kings with no reply. really thought about it.” “I think our group has been Sadd has had the upper hand league. breath of fresh air for the Kings. The other win for Lekhwiya Juventus haven’t lost the unfairly criticised” said Allegri. winning both games, the first was The Danish football legend is This is the first time that QSC came in round 14 but the score “Derby della Mole”, named after “We could still win three compe- back in round 12. keen to win everything in his has been in the competition since line was much more respectable a Turin landmark, in 20 years but titions, up until now we couldn’t Sadd were at home and sights, and knows that the double the Cup was rebranded and they (3-1). THE PENINSULA Torino have plenty to play for. have done better.” REUTERS Late Fernandinho strike sends City second

LONDON: Fernandinho vol- make ground on the Champions leyed in a dramatic 89th-minute League places after drawing 0-0 Rodgers hails winner as Manchester City at West Bromwich Albion in edged FA Cup finalists Aston captain Steven Gerrard’s 500th Villa 3-2 yesterday to reclaim league game. Liverpool after second place in the Premier Ahead of today’s matches, League table. Brendan Rodgers’s team are A calamitous miskick by Villa seven points below the top four drab draw goalkeeper Brad Guzan allowed in fifth place, but they remain Sergio Aguero to put City ahead in in pole position in the Europa LONDON: Liverpool manager the third minute and Aleksandar League qualifying race after Brendan Rodgers described his Kolarov extended the hosts’ lead Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 at side as “outstanding” despite with a 66th-minute free-kick. Southampton. a goalless draw away to West Villa hit back through Tom Graziano Pelle twice put Bromwich Albion yesterday, Cleverley and Carlos Sanchez, Southampton in front at St which dents their hopes of a both of whom punished errors by Mary’s, put Spurs hit back on top-four finish at the Premier City goalkeeper Joe Hart, only for both occasions, first through Erik League. Fernandinho to claim victory with Lamela, who appeared to score “I thought the players were a back-post finish from Kolarov’s with his arm, and then via Nacer outstanding, their courage and left-wing corner. Chadli. play on the ball. Across the team The win left Manuel Pellegrini’s Tottenham, sixth, trail there were some outstanding per- side nine points below leaders Liverpool on goal difference formances,” Rodgers told the BBC. Chelsea, having played two games and remain a point above There were few goal scoring more, and above Arsenal and Southampton. chances in a match that only Manchester United. The teams finishing fifth and came alive in the second half, Arsenal, a point back with two sixth will qualify for the Europa with Jordon Ibe hitting the post games in hand, visit Chelsea on League, while victory for Arsenal for Liverpool and James Morrison today, while fourth-place United over Villa in the FA Cup final seeing a header cleared off the travel to Everton. would also send the team finishing line for the hosts. It was a cruel outcome for seventh into Europe’s second-tier Liverpool’s season now looks Tim Sherwood’s Villa, victorious competition. to be heading towards a disap- against Liverpool in last week- At the other end of the table, pointing conclusion with defeat end’s FA Cup semi-final, and Burnley, Queens Park Rangers to Aston Villa in the semi-final left them two points above the and Sunderland slipped closer of the FA Cup last weekend at relegation zone, having played a to the relegation trapdoor as Wembley ending their hopes of game more than the three teams Leicester City and Hull City Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov (right) celebrates his goal against Aston Villa with team-mate David Silva winning silverware this season. directly below them. recorded timely victories. during their Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, yesterday. The FA Cup defeat ensured Earlier, Liverpool failed to Bottom club Burnley lost 1-0 Rodgers became the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s at home to Leicester in agonising Stoke City, who equalised through not to win a trophy in his first circumstances, with Jamie Vardy Premier League a powerful Charlie Adam strike three seasons in charge. Liverpool’s notching a 60th-minute winner after Connor Wickham had given Three points at the Hawthorns for the visitors just seconds after Results the visitors a first-minute lead. – on Steven Gerrard’s 500th Steven Burnley’s Matt Taylor had hit the Burnley 0 Leicester City 1 Hull capitalised on their rivals’ league appearance for the club Gerrard post with a penalty. Crystal Palace 0 Hull City 2 slip-ups by ending a six-game – would certainly have boosted reacts Vardy poked the ball over Man City 3 Aston Villa 2 winless run with a 2-0 victory at hopes of a top-four finish. during the the line after Michael Duff had Newcastle United 2 Swansea 3 Crystal Palace, courtesy of a sec- Rodgers’s side are fifth, six English turned a Marc Albrighton cross QPR 0 West Ham United 0 ond-half brace from Senegalese points behind Manchester City., Premier towards his own goal to give striker Dame N’Doye. with Manuel Pellegrini’s team Southampton 2 Tottenham 2 League Leicester a fourth successive win, Free-falling Newcastle United hosting Aston Villa in Saturday’s match which took Nigel Pearson’s side Stoke City 1 Sunderland 1 are also in danger of being sucked evening kickoff. against out of the bottom three. West Bromwich 0 Liverpool 0 into the relegation scrap after los- The Reds do have a midweek West Burnley are now five points ing 3-2 at home to Swansea City. game in hand at relegation Bromwich adrift of safety having played QPR ahead from the penalty spot Ayoze Perez gave John Carver’s threatened Hull City, and Rodgers Albion in a game more than many of the mid-way through the first half side a 20th-minute lead at St has insisted he has not given up Birmingham, teams above them and QPR are after James Collins was penalised James’ Park, but Swansea hit hope of reaching the Champions yesterday. just a point better off following a for handball, but West Ham goal- back through Nelson Oliveira, League spots. 0-0 draw at home to West Ham keeper Adrian saved with his legs. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jack Cork He said it will be “very difficult” United. Sunderland sank into the rel- before Siem de Jong claimed a late to make the top four at the sea- Charlie Austin should have put egation places after a 1-1 draw at consolation for the hosts. AFP son’s close. REUTERS Sunday 26 April 2015 7 Rajab 1436 Volume 20 Number 6412 Sport Price: QR2

SRI LANKA’S WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES Swafford leads Football: Qatar    by one shot in Cup action New Orleans kicks off today LANKADEEPA MIDDLE EAST WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY DAR AL SHARQ                  !"#$%&'()#*#+,'-*,)# Sport | 24 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Watford promoted to Neymar, Messi guide 10-man Premier League in dramatic style

LONDON: Watford clinched Barcelona to crucial victory promotion to the Premier League in dramatic fashion as their rivals slipped up in the Griezmann scores twice for Atletico Madrid in 3-0 win over Elche final seconds yesterday. Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had moved to the brink of reaching MADRID: Neymar scored the scoring on 17 minutes as another the top-flight with a 2-0 win at opener to continue his rich vein La Liga Results stunning pass from Messi fed Brighton earlier in the day, yet of form as 10-man Barcelona MADRID: Spanish league Alba on the left and his cross it seemed like the Championship won a one-sided La Liga derby results yesterday: was dummied by Suarez to allow leaders would be made to wait for against Espanyol 2-0 yesterday, Espanyol 0 Barcelona 2 (Neymar 17, Messi Neymar the simplest of finishes. promotion by the results of the while a double from Antoine 25); Atletico Madrid 3 (Griezmann 55, 76, Barca doubled their advantage chasing pack. Griezmann helped Atletico Raul Garcia 63) Elche 0 eight minutes later in contro- But fourth-placed Norwich Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Playing today versial circumstances as Andres conceded an equaliser in a 1-1 Elche. Malaga vs Deportivo la Coruna (1000), Iniesta’s pass found Suarez in an draw at Rotherham and third- The visitors dominated from Almeria vs Eibar (1500), Sevilla vs Rayo offside position, but the flag wasn’t placed Middlesbrough slumped the off and two goals in eight Vallecano (1700), Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid raised and he picked out Messi at to a 4-3 defeat at Fulham after minutes sealed the win as Neymar (1900) the back post, who squeezed the conceding a last-minute goal. and Messi rounded off excellent Playing tomorrow ball past Casilla at his near post. That was enough to seal team moves. That goal took Messi, Neymar Watford’s return to the Premier Valencia vs Granada (1845) Barca were reduced to 10 men and Suarez’s combined tally for League after an eight-year early in the second period as losing the ball,” said Barca boss the season to 97 and they could absence with one match remain- Jordi Alba was given his march- Luis Enrique. even have reached a century on ing and they will be crowned ing orders for taking his protes- “In the second-half I thought the day had their finishing been Championship winners if second- tations towards referee Mateu we played very well too despite more precise. placed Bournemouth lose to Bolton Lahoz too far, but Luis Enrique’s the fact the sending-off could Casilla made two more terrific on Monday. It was the perfect end men held on comfortably and have created doubts or made us saves to deny Neymar after good to a day that started promisingly could have even added to their struggle a bit more.” work from Suarez just before and for the Hornets as they eased to a lead had Neymar not blazed a Espanyol ‘keeper Kiko Casilla after the break. fifth successive victory thanks to glorious chance over 25 minutes kept his side in the game early The visitors were then reduced goals from Troy Deeney and Matej from time. on as he made two great saves to to 10 men as Alba was sent-off Vydra. Deeney broke the deadlock Victory takes Barca four points deny Neymar and Luis Suarez at in innocuous circumstances for with his 21st goal of the season in clear of Real Madrid at the top the end of moves started by fine his protestations towards the ref- the 29th minute. of the table with Los Blancos not crossfield passes by Messi. eree after he awarded Espanyol a A cross by Odion Ighalo was in action until Sunday when they The Argentine then fed goal-kick. only half cleared by defender Greg travel to Celta Vigo. Neymar with a fine ball over the Barcelona still enjoyed the best Halford and the ball fell kindly for “I think we played the best top, but there was just too much of the chances with 10 men as Deeney to smash home. Deeney first-half of the season in terms purchase on the Brazilian’s finish Messi saw a shot deflected onto then slipped in Vydra for his 15th of dominating all facets of the as it looped over Casilla and over the post before Neymar blazed Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (left) celebrates his goal against Espanyol with goal of the season to wrap up a vic- game. We had the ball in their the bar. over with the goal at his mercy teammate Neymar during their Spanish first division match at Power8 tory that secured promotion just half, moved the ball well, created There was nothing Casilla could from Suarez’s unselfish cut-back. Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat near Barcelona, yesterday. hours later. Watford’s players and chances and pressed well after do to prevent Neymar opening the AFP fans were able to start popping the champagne corks thanks to the efforts of Fulham and Rotherham. Bournemouth can now effec- Schweinsteiger strikes as Bayern wait for title tively clinch promotion with a win over Bolton on Monday BERLIN: Bayern Munich at Borussia Moenchengladbach Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Barcelona coach. Bayern finally relegation with a dramatic 3-2 as that would leave them three are virtually guaranteed their on Sunday, when a Wolves’ “After the Champions League, got the breakthrough when mid- win over Augsburg to climb off points clear of Middlesbrough 25th German league title after defeat or draw would remove all we played with a lot of young play- fielder Mitchell Weiser, who was the bottom of the table and up to with a vastly superior goal dif- Bastian Schweinsteiger’s late mathematical doubt and con- ers. We have heavy legs. You could playing out of position at left- 16th place. ference ahead of next weekend’s goal sealed their 1-0 home win firm Bayern as champions. After see that today, but this is our job, back, beat two defenders on the Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who final round of fixtures. Fifth- over Hertha Berlin yesterday. Bayern’s stunning 6-1 Champions we have to keep our heads clear.” right and put in a cross which has been capped by Germany, was placed Ipswich are on course Schweinsteiger’s 80th-minute League quarter-final win over Guardiola used the depth of found Schweinsteiger unmarked Hamburg’s hero with two goals for a play-off place after beating winner leaves Bayern 15 points Porto on Tuesday, Guardiola’s his squad as teenage midfielder to fire home. including the 71st-minute winner. Nottingham Forest 2-1, while clear in the league table with side struggled to breach Hertha’s Gianluca Gaudino started for the With the title effectively in the Hamburg are the only team to Derby hold the final play-off only four games left and Pep goal despite nearly 80 percent second week running and fellow bag, Bayern are poised to take have never been relegated from berth following their 3-3 draw at Guardiola’s side poised to finish possesion. 18-year-old striker Sinan Kurt the first step towards repeating Germany’s top flight but Bruno Millwall. Brentford, 2-0 winners the weekend with a third straight “The title is almost ours, but we made his debut in the famous their 2013 treble of Champions Labbadia’s side are now only one at Reading, and Wolves, who won Bundesliga title. But Munich’s have to concentrate on other tasks,” red shirt. “We’re down to the League, Bundesliga and German point from safety after picking 1-0 at Wigan, can also still snatch champagne must wait on ice until said Guardiola, whose team host a real bare bones. Every game is a Cup. Earlier, Hamburg boosted up their first win in 10 matches. a play-off berth on the final day. second-placed VfL Wolfsburg play German Cup semi-final against surprise for us,” added the former their hopes of avoiding an historic AFP AFP Volleyball: Emir Cup action kicks off from May 3

DOHA: This year’s Emir’s Cup advance to meet the best three Volleyball tournament will be –Al Rayyan Club, Emir Cup played under a new format defending champions Al Arabi and from May 3, Qatar Volleyball El Jaish. Last year’s runners-up Association (QVA) announced Police and Al Ahli Club will play here yesterday. the first quarter- “The top five final and fight it QVA League The Emir Cup out for a place in teams – cham- the semi-finals, pions Al Rayyan, Schedule to be held from runners-up Al May 10. The Arabi, third- May 3: Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa, 4:45pm; Qatar Emir Cup winner placed El Jaish, Sports Club vs Al Khor, 6:30pm. will be decided fourth-placed May 4: Al Wakrah vs Al Shamal, 6:30pm. on May 16. The Police and Al Quarter-finals semi-finals will Ahli Club - have May 6: Al Ahli Club vs Police, 4:45pm; Al be contested over been directly Rayyan vs winner of Al Sadd/Al Gharafa, the best-of-three placed into 6:30pm. format. the quarter- May 7: El Jaish vs Qatar SC vs Khor, 4:45pm; Al On the open- finals,” said Arabi vs winners Al Shamal/Al Wakrah, 6:30pm ing day matches, QVA Secretary- Semi-finals Al Sadd will take General on Gharafa, while May 10: 4:45pm and 6:30pm Mohammed Ali Qatar Sports Al Mohannadi. May 12: 4:45 and 6:30pm Club will meet The remain- May 14: 4:45pm and 6:30pm Al Khor. The ing six teams May 16: Final: 6.00pm third pre-quar- - Al Sadd, Al terfinal clash Gharafa, Qatar Sports Club, Al will be between Al Shamal and Al Khor, Al Wakrah and Al Shamal Wakrah on May 4. The quarter- An official of Qatar Volleyball Association during the draw ceremony for the Emir Cup held at the Al Arabi Stadium in Doha yesterday. The event which will play in the three pre-quar- finals are scheduled for May 6 and will be contested by the top teams will kick off on May 3 and the final will be held on May 16. ter-finals and the winners will 7. THE PENINSULA