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Home | 2 Business | 17 Sport | 28 Qatar’s mid-term Qatar pushes 2022 World census or up GCC banks’ Cup may not mini-census will retail revenue need cooling begin tomorrow. in 2014. systems.

TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 • 11 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6386 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 PM opens Gulf Disability Society Forum Qatari firms to Hospital beds acquire 49pc of Shandong to be doubled Group for $5bn BY SATISH KANADY

DOHA: Qatar’s Suhaim Bin Hamad Enterprises and in 15 years Qatra for Investment & Development Group (QID) yes- terday announced their plans to Bridge to link HGH, Medical City acquire 49 percent of China’s petrochemical giant Shandong DOHA: Over the next 15 years infrastructure and service deliv- Dongming Petrochemical hospital beds in Qatar will be ery model and will result in last- Group worth $5bn. doubled from the existing 2,100 ing benefits to our patients and Announcing the plans, Ibrahim to 4,200 and the number of spe- the nation,” said Dr Hanan Al El Tinay, Chief Executive of QID, cialist clinics will cross 1,000, Kuwari, Managing Director, said the deal is expected to be according to a master plan HMC, addressing a news confer- Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani opened the 15th Gulf finalised by the end of this year. unveiled by the Hamad Medical ence yesterday. Disability Society Forum at Doha Marriott Hotel yesterday. Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani (second left) The fund would be used to sup- Corporation (HMC) yesterday. She said that an expansion to was also present. The Society awarded honorary membership to Prime Minister in recognition of his efforts port a number of projects that All HMC facilities around the the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to integrate people with disability into the society. Shandong is currently working Hamad General Hospital (HGH) (NICU) at the existing Women’s on. Once the acquisition deal is will be expanded and unified Hospital, a new Communicable finalised then completion dates under the umbrella of Hamad Bin Diseases Hospital and Ambulatory for these projects will be set, El Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC), Care Centre will be completed Tinay added. a developing healthcare, research and open for patients in the first Haj operators face QR300,000 As per the tripartite agree- and education hub located off the phase of the plan. ment, 1,000 mixed oil, non-oil and C-Ring road opposite HGH. The renovated NICU is planned LNG/CNG stations will be built They will be connected to one to be open by the end of this year, within a 300km radius of China’s another by a pedestrian bridge and adding 26 beds to the existing 80, fines for contract violations Dongming’s Heze refinery. This walkways across the C-Ring road. to care the critically ill newborns. covers regions from China’s six The 15-year ‘HMC Facilities The Communicable Disease DOHA: The licensed Haj permission will expire with the years renewable for a similar provinces. The project presents Master Plan’ unveiled yesterday Hospital would open by late this and Umrah tour operators end of the season. Those found period. The licence will be can- the opportunity for Shandong will see the massive expansion of year or early 2016, with 65 beds (Muqawils) in Qatar will face operating without a permission celled if the licence holder fails to Dongming Petrochemical to HMC facilities in central Doha. within the Al Rumailah compound. up to QR300,000 in fines if they will face fines up to QR500,000. meet the conditions specified in develop retail operations to The Master Plan includes reno- It will provide care for patients fail to provide the services to The law has stipulated a similar the law, in the case of his death or consume their products. 1,000 vation and expansion of existing with transmissible diseases such the pilgrims as agreed in the punishment for Muqawils who fail cancellation of the services. retail stations can consume one hospitals, new specialised hospi- as tuberculosis, SARS and MERS contract, according to the new to fulfil the requirements specified If a violation of the law is third of the Dongming refinery tals, a metabolic centre, neuro- and HIV-AIDS. It will also pro- law (No 3 of 2015) regulating in the licence to ensure a safe and reported, the legal affairs sec- output, Liu Cheng Zhang, Vice- sciences centre, diagnostic and vide travel vaccinations and after Haj and Umrah services. comfortable pilgrimage. tion at the Ministry of Awqaf Chairman Shangdong Dongming treatment centres, a school of travel care for those who fall ill. Muqawils operating without a The licence holder must be a and Islamic Affairs will conduct Petrochemical Group said. clinical services and expansion of The expansion work at the main licence will face heftier fines up to Qatari residing in Qatar and the an investigation and decide the THE PENINSULA physiotherapy, critical care, chil- Paediatric Emergency Center QR500,000. It is also not permit- licensed company should be fully action accordingly. See also page 17 dren’s services, blood bank and (PEC) in Al Sadd is also sched- ted to operate with more than one owned by a Qatari, as per the The action will range from a mental health services. uled to be completed by end of this licence which is punishable with Qatari commercial law. In excep- mere warning to preventing from More autonomy “We have the opportunity to year. Cases treated by the PEC QR300,000 in fines. tional cases, the licence can be operating tours for a period not completely rethink how, what and include neurological, respiratory, Besides the licence, the oper- issued to a company jointly owned more than a year or cancellation for NHRC likely where Hamad delivers care to our cardiac, hematologic, metabolic ator is required to obtain a by Qataris and non-Qataris of licence temporarily for maxi- patients. This Master Plan is a and gastrointestinal emergencies. separate permission from the with approval from the Prime mum seven years or permanently. DOHA: A draft law approved major expansion and modernisa- Continued on page 5 authorities concerned to conduct Minister. Continued on page 5 by the Advisory Council yester- tion of the country’s healthcare THE PENINSULA Haj trips every season and that The licence will be for three THE PENINSULA day seeks to give more auton- omy to Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC). The draft also seeks to cancel INSIDE the representation of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs on the Page 9 Woman investor loses QR17m, takes brokerage to court NHRC and replace it with the Ministry of Justice. Now, a rep- Fall of Sana’a as bad resentative each from the interior as that of Mosul DOHA: A woman stock inves- the jail term and fined the bro- The woman said in her com- those papers were about. “I went ministry, labor and social affairs tor has taken a brokerage com- kerage company QR200,000 plaint filed through the Public on putting my signatures on those ministry, foreign affairs ministry By Dr Faisal Al pany and its officials to court ($55,000). Prosecution that she owned papers with full trust in the bro- and justice ministry will be on the Qassem after they told her that she lost The Court of Appeals has stocks worth QR17m and one fine kers,” said the woman. board of the NHRC. all her shares collectively val- adjourned the hearing in the mat- day the brokerage company called After a year when she called No officials of the NHRC, Saudi should ally ued at QR17m ($4.7m) in regu- ter to May 17 and asked details her and said why she had left the the brokers she was told by including board members, would with Turkey to lar trading. of trading in her stocks from shares idle and that she should them she had no shares left in be liable to be taken to court for confront Iran A lower criminal court where the Qatar Central Securities instead trade in them. her name. The woman said she making statements or announce- By Dr Marwan the case first went found the man- Depository. She said she visited the bro- checked her bank account and ments within their specialisation ager of the brokerage firm and his The higher court has also kerage company and they asked after that approached the cus- and NHRC premises couldn’t be Kabalan deputy guilty and sentenced them asked a representative of Qatar her to sign some papers which tomer care department of Qatar raided by law-enforcement offi- to three years in jail. Exchange and the two officials she did. She said she was asked Exchange (QE). Later, she went cials without the presence of a The court said the duo be from the brokerage firm concerned to sign more than 50 papers over to the Public Prosecution. public prosecutor, QNA reported. deported after they have served to also be present on May 17. time and she didn’t know what THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Iran talks stretch into night hours Palestinians observe Land Day LAUSANNE: Marathon talks aimed at curtailing Iran’s Pakistan troops to join nuclear programme stretched into the night yesterday as negotiators grappled with the remaining “tricky issues” block- Saudi in Houthi fight ing a deal with a deadline just hours away. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will chief Sartaj Aziz, would go to Saudi “There still remain some dif- send troops to Saudi Arabia to Arabia today and then decide. ficult issues,” Kerry told a CNN give military support to a coali- Meanwhile, an air strike killed reporter. “We are working very tion of mainly Gulf states fight- at least 40 people at a camp for hard to work those through. We ing Yemeni Houthi rebels, a displaced people in north Yemen are working late into the night senior government official said yesterday, humanitarian workers and obviously into tomorrow.” yesterday. said yesterday. Russian Foreign Minister Pakistan would join a Saudi- Yemen’s state news agency Sergei Lavrov left the crunch led military coalition conducting Saba, which is under the control talks with Iran in Switzerland air strikes against the Shia rebel of the Houthis, said the camp at after a series of meetings, Russian forces, the official said. Haradh was hit by Saudi planes. media reported. The air strikes are targeting A Saudi military spokesman said He will only return if there is the rebels’ southward advance on the kingdom was seeking clarifi- a “realistic” chance of a deal, his the port city of Aden, the last bas- cation on the incident. “It could spokeswoman said. tion of Saudi-backed president, have been that the fighter jets Kerry said there was “a little Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. replied to fire, and we cannot con- more light ... today, but there are Pakistan’s Defence Minister firm that it was a refugee camp,” still some tricky issues. Everyone Palestinians burn tyres in fields to mark Land Day in the village of Khuzaa, east of Khan Yunis, yesterday. The Khawaj Asif denied that the country Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri knows the meaning of tomorrow.” day is observed in remembrance of six Arab Israeli protesters who were shot dead by Israeli police and troops had made a decision to send troops said. AFP during mass demonstrations in 1976 against plans to confiscate Arab land in the Galilee. to Saudi Arabia, saying a delega- AGENCIES See also page 6 tion led by him and foreign policy See also page 6 TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

PM meets Ecuador minister Emir to attend Mini-census QU graduation on May 20 set to begin DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will honour the men’s graduation ceremony of Qatar University’s Class of 2015 on May 20. tomorrow H H Sheikha Jawahir bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, wife of the Emir, will grace the women’s ceremony on May 21. Digital devices to record data Both ceremonies will be held at Qatar National Convention BY SACHIN KUMAR social, economic and urban demo- Center. graphics of the community, the This year, the number of gradu- DOHA: The Ministry of Minister said. The key feature ates has increased considerably Development Planning and of this census is the use personal from 1,269 students last year (989 Statistics in collaboration with digital assistance (PDA) devices men and 280 women) to 1,560 stu- the Ministry of Municipality by officials to input data. The dents (460 men and 1,100 women) and Urban Planning will begin devices are loaded with latest who will be graduating with Qatar’s mid-term census or maps to enable officials to work Bachelors, Masters, and diplo- mini-census from tomorrow. in designated work areas with mas from all colleges. This year’s Data from the two-month long administrative boundaries using batch also includes 180 outstand- census of population, housing and geospatial information systems. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met the Minister of ing students. establishments will help govern- This latest technology will Finance of Ecuador, Fausto Herrera Nicolalde, in Doha yesterday. THE PENINSULA ment department and its agen- make the process of collecting cies in formulating developmental data fast, efficient and accu- plans. The statistics will show pop- rate. The preliminary results of Qatar striving for ulation demographics, distribu- the census will be announced in tion, buildings, land use and other August, he said. regional peace: factors. The census will cover The Minister urged citizens and Al Wakra Hospital opens everyone including Qataris and residents to cooperate with field Deputy Speaker expatriates. officers and give them accurate Minister of Municipality and information to ensure the success HANOI: Deputy Speaker of Urban Planning H E Sheikh of this census since the Ministry neurology, evening clinics the Advisory Council Issa bin Abdulrhaman bin Khalifa bin of Development Planning and Rabia Al Kuwari said yester- Abdulaziz Al Thani and Minister Statistics is working to develop an DOHA: Several new clinics Outpatient Department at AWH announced the opening of day that Qatar was working for Development Planning and integrated statistical programme. with different specialisations and can be accessed following evening clinics for some of its hard on establishing peace Statistics H E Dr Saleh bin The Minister of Municipality have started to function at the referral from either a Primary high-demand clinical services and stability regionally and Mohammad Al Nabit announced and Urban Planning said the out- Al Wakra Hospital (AWH) — Health Care Corporation (PHCC) like orthopaedics, respiratory/ internationally. details of the census at a joint press come of the census will help the a member of Hamad Medical physician or an HMC physician pulmonary, oral and maxillofacial, Speaking at the 132nd Inter- conference held here yesterday. Ministry formulate policies and Corporation (HMC). via an internal referral. gastrointestinal, urology, nephrol- Parliamentary Union, Al Kuwari Around 400 census officials will plans. He called on all sectors and The new clinics include one In some cases, referrals from ogy, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), said that Qatar has taken big collect data in Qatar’s fifth popu- members of the society to take on neurology, besides a range of physicians at private healthcare dermatology, and cardiology. The steps in terms of democracy and lation census which will continue part in the census so that the evening clinics. facilities may also be accepted. hospital will also start evening building institutions that respect up to May 2016. The first census state can work on developing its The Neurology Clinic offers This new service covers emer- clinics for general surgery and the rule of law, praising Emir was conducted in 1986, second services for the future. comprehensive consultation, gency cases at AWH that need physiotherapy. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad in 1997, third in 2004 while the “All the data collected by enu- evaluation, and treatment for all urgent neurological consultation These clinics are intended to Al Thani for the role played in last full Census was conducted merators will be captured through kinds of neurological problems and support. decrease appointment waiting this regard. in 2010. Dr Al Nabit urged citi- their special devices (PDAs) and that result from disorders in the “Since the opening of this time for patients and also accom- Al Kuwari stressed in his zens, residents and all stakehold- sent to the central processing nervous system, such as muscle clinic, we have already provided modate more patients. The hours speech that the Palestinian ers to cooperate for the success centre at the Ministry where the weakness, multiple sclerosis, epi- neurology consultation to more of operation for these clinics are issue remains the top priority in of the census. A country’s general data will be subject to review and lepsy, movement disorders and than 35 patients and we are from 3pm to 5pm from Sunday the Arab and Islamic world. Al census gives a statistical over- quality control to validate their dizziness. The clinic is managed receiving more patients each day. through Thursday. Kuwari noted that the Palestinian view of the community during a accuracy,” said Mansoor Ahmed by Dr Abbas Elsiddig Khalid El We receive all kinds of neurology AWH now offers valet parking people have been subjected to hor- specific period in the context of Al Malki, Director of Information Hadi, Consultant Neurologist, and cases. However, the most common for patients, families, and visi- rific Israeli violations, in addition multiple and dynamic variables. System Department, Ministry is open on Mondays and Tuesdays cases include patients with stroke tors in an effort to create a more to the political and economic siege The data collected lays the foun- of Development Planning and from 7.30am to 12noon. and epilepsy,” Dr Elsiddig said. user-friendly hospital experience. enforced on Gaza Strip. dation for statistical analysis like Statistics. THE PENINSULA The clinic is part of the In addition, AWH has also THE PENINSULA QNA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

350 trainees to Qatar Charity learn disaster management aid benefits at QRC camp

DOHA: The 10-day Sixth 56,000 in Yemen Disaster Management Camp by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) will begin today at the Marine Scout Camp, Al-Khor, under QC to sponsor 10,000 orphans the patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) The convoy was organised in H E Sheikh Abdullah bin has sent in-kind assistance to collaboration with ‘Sanad Ahl Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. orphans, widows and the poor Al-sham’ and the Turkish IHH A press conference this morn- in Yemen. Humanitarian Relief Foundation. ing will announce the launch The in-kind donations came The distribution is not the and agenda of the event, which within the framework of QC’s first made in Yemen. Late this wraps up on April 9. Top QRC ‘Taif’ project and benefitted month, QC distributed in-kind executives including Saleh bin around 56,000 people in the gov- assistance for the benefit of more Ali Al Mohannadi, Secretary- ernorates of Sana’a, Amanah, than a thousand Yemeni fami- General, and Rashid bin Saad Al Aden, Hodeidah and Dhamar, lies affected by recent events that Mohannadi, the camp director, including Ethiopians living as led to the displacement of thou- will be present. refugees in Yemen and orphans sands of families in the Hajjah The organisers have finished at the Al-Rufaqaa Orphanage. governorate. preparations for the start of the The assistance was sent in This assistance came within camp, which is being attended by response to the difficult cir- the framework of QC’s support 350 trainees from QRC and 25 cumstances being experienced for the Yemeni people, after Qatar Charity aid being handed over to a woman in Yemen. Qatari and Arab institutions, in by people in Yemen due to the the organisation raised over addition to 45 disaster manage- security situation and resulting QR23m. More than 3,000 food and support for the return of the milk, oil and rice, and basic via the provision of medicines ment trainers. displacement. baskets and more than 1,200 displaced to their areas of origin, household items. and medical supplies for 12,000 The participants will undergo ‘Taif’ project involves the pro- mattresses and blankets were in light of the fact that there are QC also plans to implement a displaced people, and a project to intensive training involving the- vision of in-kind assistance to also distributed. around 120,000 displaced peo- project to sponsor 10,000 orphans, combat malnutrition in children oretical and practical exercises areas experiencing severe crises, As part of this campaign, QC ple in Abyan, Taiz, Sana’a and 2,000 people with disabilities, under 5, targetting 4,000 children, to be announced at the press and has recently sent 12 trucks seeks to implement a number of Lahj. The project aims to help 3,000 students and 1,000 elderly as well as pregnant and lactating briefing. weighing 120 tonnes to Syrian urgent projects, including nutri- 10,000 families via the distri- people, in addition to a project to women. The camp receives wide refugees on the Turkish border. tional support for the displaced bution of food like flour, sugar, support primary health services THE PENINSULA regional and international atten- tion as the only Arabic-speaking specialised training event on such a scale. It is aimed at building a well- trained base of volunteers who respond to disasters in time and Experts discuss ways to preserve dignity during conflict effectively, enhance coordination with relevant organisations and DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) large scale displacement; destruction of authorities, minimise casual- recently co-organised an international public utilities such as sewerage, electric- ties and property loss, and help conference — ‘Preservation of Human ity, water, and food supply systems; and use the society recover from future Dignity at Times of Armed Conflicts’ in of human shields. disasters. Dakar, Senegal. He attributed the issue of preserving QRC has successfully organised The two-day conference was co-organ- human lives and dignity during traditional five training camps in 2006, 2007, ised with the Senegalese Red Cross Society wars and internal armed conflicts to the 2012, 2013, and 2014, graduat- and the Islamic Committee of International disrespect for IHL rules, commending the ing hundreds of volunteers who Crescent (ICIC). QRC was represented by religious families for reviving the legacy of would later play an effective role a delegation headed by Dr Fawzi Oussedik, ancestors and support for IHL. He called in responding to disasters in other Director of QRC International Relations, for putting an end to the escape from pun- countries. together with Professor Mostafa Khaiati ishment and prosecution by war crime per- The camp has established and Radia Sahrawi. petrators as this is detrimental to justice itself as an event that distin- More than 40 specialists in International and post-conflict reconciliation attempts. guishes Qatar Red Crescent not Humanitarian Law (IHL), Islamic scholars During the conference, Dr Oussedik only inside Qatar, but also across and sheikhs representing religious families distributed Holy Quran copies as gifts to the region. in West Africa, who play an important role participating West African scholars and The visibility of the camp in the political and social arenas in their sheikhs. and the patronage of the Prime countries and contribute to the creation On the sidelines of the conference, Minister reflect the importance of a culture of IHL in the region attended Dr Oussedik held meetings and delibera- attached by Qatar to the man- the conference. tions with the President of the Senegalese agement of natural disasters The event included presentations on the Red Cross, Abdoul Azize Diallo, Chairman and international cooperation significant functions of religious families. of the Consultative Board, Imam Omar to respond to and reduce their Dr Oussedik stressed the need to respect Al-Deen, and representative of the impact. IHL rules, which are starkly violated, and International Committee of the Red Cross Capacity building is a strate- to apply them more strictly and effectively (ICRC), Ibrahima Tounkara. He also visited gic priority under Qatar National to protect human lives and dignity. some Senegalese Red Cross-run schools Vision 2030, as the only way to Dr Fawzi highlighted the tolerance of and joined the children in their activities. create a culture of preparedness Islam and its relation to IHL, calling for The delegation took a tour of Gorée and knowledge of the latest dis- measures to stop the exposure of civilians Island to watch the projects implemented aster response tools around the Participants at the conference in Dakar pose for a group picture. during armed conflicts to drastic forms of by QRC, notably the mosque and Quran world. genocide; deformation of national identity; study centre. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA 37 research grants Qatar Foundation’s teaching forum on May 9 DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Education Development for undergraduates Institute is set to organise the second annual Teaching and Learning Forum on May 9 at DOHA: Qatar National the type of research underway the Qatar National Convention Research Fund (QNRF), a at the undergraduate level. This Centre. member of Qatar Foundation, progress is significant since it The event organised by the has awarded 37 grants in the directly impacts Qatar’s jour- Education Development Institute, 17th cycle of its Undergraduate ney towards a knowledge-based which falls under the umbrella of Research Experience Program economy. It continues to become QF’s Pre-University Education (UREP). evident that Qatar’s youth are Office, will promote professional They have been selected out of increasingly beginning to under- development and lifelong learn- 126 research proposals submit- stand the importance of how ing. Serving as a platform to ted by student teams from seven scientific research adds a new facilitate the unlocking of human universities. dimension to their educational potential, the Institute is helping This latest UREP cycle will experience, and we look forward to fulfil the Qatar National Vision engage a total of 147 under- to seeing this continued interest 2030’s objective to transform the graduate students and 74 faculty from youth across the country,” country into a knowledge-based members. Among the 37 awarded he added. economy. proposals, 26 went to Qatar First launched in 2006, UREP Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif University, three to Texas A&M is QNRF’s longest running pro- Al Thani, Director of Institutional University at Qatar, and two each gramme, with two cycles per year. Development, Pre-University to Weill Cornell Medical College To date, around 2,450 students Education Office, said: “We are in Qatar, Northwestern University have taken part in UREP, with delighted to announce that reg- in Qatar and the University student teams from universities istration for the second annual of Calgary in Qatar. The two across Qatar conducting research Teaching and Learning Forum is remaining grants were awarded under the mentorship of their now open. In 2014, over 300 teach- to Georgetown University School professors, in areas of direct rel- ers attended the conference, and of Foreign Service in Qatar evance to the QNRS. this year we are expecting more Qatar Foundation’s annual Teaching and Learning Forum is set to be a big draw. and Ahmed Bin Mohammed UREP aims to promote ‘learn- than 800 participants, which Military College. ing by doing’ and ‘hands-on’ demonstrates incredible growth The conference is set to bring with a presentation on ‘Leading a technology, and mathemat- “As an entity tasked with mentorship activities as effec- in just one year.” together K-12 teachers, who pro- Culture of Innovation’. ics from K-12; ‘Early Childhood spearheading the Qatar National tive methods for undergraduate “The aim of this Forum is to vide elementary and secondary The 90 different workshops Education’, which focuses on edu- Research Strategy (QNRS), education. create opportunities for teachers education at levels ranging from on offer to participants through cational practices for children QNRF proudly plays a significant In addition to a research-based in Qatar to share their knowledge kindergarten up to year 12, from the day is a significant expansion from the ages of six months to five role in helping students acquire education, participating students with other teachers within the across the country to network, from the 30 available in 2014. years; ‘Innovation and Practice the skills necessary to conduct gain experience in team-based community. By offering this plat- discuss, and collaborate with These sessions will be divided in Arabic Language Teaching’, research at the post graduate research collaboration with form that empowers teachers to each other. into four main themes, includ- which focuses on Arabic teach- and doctoral level,” said Dr Abdul faculty, post-doctoral fellows, reach their full potential, we are Additionally, Sir Ken Robinson, ing ‘STEM (Science, Technology, ing techniques for K-12 students; Sattar Al Taie, Executive Director graduate students, and other helping to foster excellence and an internationally recognised Engineering, and Mathematics)’, and Innovation and ‘Practice in of QNRF. undergraduates or research staff support QF’s vision to unlock the leader in the development of which focuses on innovative Any Subject using Technological “With each UREP cycle, we in Qatar. human potential of future genera- education, creativity and innova- teaching and learning of science, or Non-Technological Techniques bear witness to the evolution of THE PENINSULA tions,” she said. tion, will be the keynote speaker design technology, information for K-12’. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Conference seeks more social inclusion for disabled Need to talk less about ‘special’ and more about ‘definitely able’; 10 buses donated to Shafallah Centre

DOHA: Participants at the Definitely be made an issue. That’s what this con- Pairing their perspective with the expe- helped visiting students create new art going long after the closing.” Able conference that concluded ference has done for disability in the rience from the international speakers works that they were able to take home Representatives from education, acces- recently expressed hope for a more region,” said conference host and dis- resulted in a rich dialogue that lays out as a memory of their visit. sibility and technology brought innova- inclusive society and greater opportu- ability champion Simon Minty. many areas and opportunities for collabo- British Council Qatar Director Martin tive thinking and challenging ideas to the nities for the disabled. He encouraged stakeholders in the rative work in the future towards inclu- Hope, said, “We received fantastic table conference presented by Sasol and The artists, scholars and government community to keep improving, and not sion for all,” said Marjo Louw, President response to the conference and exhibi- the British Council, in partnership with representatives laid out their vision for to worry about getting things right the of Sasol Qatar. tion, with people coming from all walks of Qatar Museums. the conference’s legacy, from having more first time. The accompanying Ilham Art life to see the art created by the disabled Along with the many ideas and con- disabled adults as visible role models to “We believe that the conversation Exhibition saw hundreds of visitors artists. It is not disabled art, however, cepts shared, tangible and lasting ges- disabled children in the community, the about inclusion for disabled people come to appreciate works of art from it is art inspired by the MIA collection tures were made toward increasing enactment of policies that help increase has now started in earnest. We thank seven disabled artists inspired by the and the experiences of the talented art- inclusion for disabled people in Qatar. access to assistive technology, and the the many participants from the Qatar collection of the Museum of Islamic Art. ists who created them. British Council Oryx GTL announced at the conference start of a change in perception of dis- government and civil society organisa- School groups, including the Al Ruqayya is pleased to have worked with partners that it will donate 10 specially equipped ability in society. tions including the Ministry of Labour Preparatory came to see the art and hear across society to make this ground break- buses to Shafallah Centre to enable “We need to talk less about ‘special’ and Social Affairs, Supreme Education about the artists who created the works ing event a possibility. We will continue to mobility for disabled students to travel and more about ‘definitely able.’ Before Council and others that took the time as a means of demonstrating the abilities work on the issue of inclusion via cultural from home to school. something becomes a non-issue it must to be with us during the conference. of persons with disabilities. MIA trainers understanding and keep the conversation THE PENINSULA

Community policing, the Sudan experience Young leaders from 23

DOHA: A workshop being held by the Community Policing nations call for peace Department at the Ministry of Interior is focusing on the DOHA: Young leaders from activities that have enhanced Sudanese experience in com- across the Middle East and Asia our capabilities to build peace- munity policing. vowed to make a difference in ful societies, which is the main Lt Col Ahmad Zayed Al their communities by urging theme of the year. I have benefit- Mohannadi, Director of for peace amid turbulent times ted a lot from this event. It helped Community Policing Department, across the region at the recently me learn about various cultures, opened the workshop at the Civil concluded Empower 2015 youth nationalities and backgrounds.” Defence officers’ club on Sunday. conference hosted by Reach Out Aisha Al Joudi, a Bahraini par- Officers from Civil To Asia (ROTA). ticipant, said: “We have learned Defence, Drugs Enforcement In its seventh year, Empower the principles of peaceful coex- Administration, Al Fazaa and 2015 hosted 450 youths from 23 istence through our interaction Traffic Department are par- countries. and discussion with many young ticipating in the event titled #EMPOWER2015, the confer- people who came from the East “community policing and commu- ence’s official Twitter hashtag, and the West. We may not have nication with local communities”. became the number one trend- the same opinions, but we have Capt Abdul Aziz Muhammad ing topic in Qatar, with an online learned here that disagreement Al Rabeea and Capt Ibrahim conversation generating around does not damage amicability.” Muhammad Ibrahim Mabyuo 12,000 tweets by young people Beth Hat, a British partici- from the Ministry of Interior of from the Middle East, North pant, said: “Thanks to Empower Sudan gave lectures at the work- Africa, Europe, Asia and North conference, I have seen how the shop. Al Mohannadi said that the America who came to Doha cooperation between East and workshop is intended to exchange for the event. The hashtag also West youth can make a difference experiences of Sudan Interior ranked among top Twitter trends and positive change globally. Our Ministry in community policing worldwide. interaction and cooperation will that helped a lot to establish rela- At the close of the conference, not be only limited to Empower, tions between police and commu- Officers from Civil Defence, Drugs Enforcement Administration, Al Fazaa and Traffic Department participating in a special task force was formed we have already formed network- nity members. a workshop on community policing held at the Civil Defence Officers’ Club. to give young people more voice ing groups to share our projects Capt Abdul Aziz Al Rabeea in building ‘peaceful and inclu- with each other after Empower said that community policing in had helped the police force win major projects of Sudanese CPP, internal coordination with police sive societies for sustainable conference.” Sudan is known as Community the support of public. working methods of CPP, security and use of values in attracting development’ across the region. Muhannad Al Bahari, a par- and Popular Police (CPP) that The three-day workshop will and community groups in resi- community members and build- The task force of 20 youth lead- ticipant from Libya, said: “We had many achievements in deal- see presentations on Sudanese dential neighbourhoods, compre- ing relationships with the local ers convened a special session have learned a lot from Empower ing with people. Their initiatives concept of community policing, hensive security and method of community. THE PENINSULA to identify recommendations workshops aiming to enhance that support the United Nations youth skills for achieving peace- Post-2015 Development Agenda. ful societies. The best thing I have The recommendations will be learned from this conference is the cornerstone of a Global that we are dealing with a person Advocacy Campaign that will seek as a human being and not based Malabar Gold & Diamonds lures customers with 25kg gold to create links with key youth on his or her nationality.” forums, conferences and meet- “Current events around the DOHA: Leading jewel- lets in GCC and Singapore from worth QR500, the customers get every QR5,000 spent on diamond ings around the world including world, especially in this region, lery retailer Malabar Gold & tomorrow. a chance to enter raffle draws to jewellery till April 25. the World Humanitarian Youth have challenged our notions of Diamonds announced details ‘The Great Gold Rush’ gives win 2 kg of gold in 2 draws. Those Keeping the convenience of Summit, which Doha will host in peaceful societies and forced of its much-awaited campaign customers unprecedented oppor- who buy diamond jewellery worth customers in mind, the jeweller September this year. a rethink of what we can do to — ‘The Great Gold Rush’ to tunities to win a whopping 25 QR500 will get 2 raffle coupons also offers advance booking facil- Tunisian participant Ahmed improve human security, pros- celebrate the festive season. kilos of gold with special facili- and double their chance to win. ity. Customers can book jewellery Alratibi, said: “The gathering perity and happiness,” said Essa The campaign will run at all ties like advance booking. With Customers can also avail of a in advance by paying a percentage discussed several topics through Al Mannai, ROTA’s Executive Malabar Gold & Diamonds out- every purchase of gold jewellery free one gramme gold coin for of the cost. THE PENINSULA its workshops, meetings and Director. THE PENINSULA

Qatar University students at the workshop. QU students learn analytical skills

DOHA: Qatar University creative problem solving, (QU) students at the analytical thinking and College of Business & importance of team spirit Economics (CBE) partici- and presentation skills, pated in a 4-hour event — among others. “THINK BIG” Workshop Students were divided and Competition — into teams and partici- recently in collaboration pated in live examples of with McDonald’s Qatar. problems to which they had Over 135 students, most to find creative solutions of whom were from CBE with limited resources and and the rest from other time. The programme laid colleges, took part in the emphasis on the impor- event that was aimed at tance of thinking outside enhancing skills among the the box and helped instill students and encouraging in them the confidence to creativity and innovation. overcome challenges and The interactive work- make a strong impact. shops included sessions on THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Deputy PM meets Sudan leader Tour operators hail new Engineers to law on Haj and Umrah

Continued from page 1 Mohammed Yusuf Al All licence holders must adjust Hammadi, an established Haj and face action their status according to the pro- Umrah tour operator said the law visions of the new law within a will end the chaos in the sector maximum of six months from created by some illegal operators. the date of enforcement. The “There are tour operators who Minister of Awqaf and Islamic don’t commit to the agreements over absence Affairs will issue the executive they made with the pilgrims. regulations for the law. They offer some services and Several citizens and tour oper- the pilgrims end up with some- Many violating residence rule ators believe that the new law will thing else as they reach the holy curb the influence of middlemen premises. This law is expected to DOHA: Qatar is mulling action of Municipality and Urban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed and unlicensed agents in the sec- end such practices,” a local Arabic against engineers employed Planning. bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud with Leader of Sudanese Liberation tor, with strict punishments stip- daily quoted him as saying. THE PENINSULA by foreign consultancies oper- Khalid bin Abdul Rahman Al and Justice Party Bahar Idriss Abu Garda in Doha yesterday. ulated in the law. ating in its territory who are Saad who also heads a committee not permanently based here that accredits engineering consul- and come in every six months tancies, said there are a total of 33 just to retain their residence foreign and 217 local consultan- permit (RP). cies licensed in the county. Falling oil prices won’t hit rail projects: Qatar A panel that registers engi- Another common violation neers says it is coordinating noticed is that some people sub- with the Ministry of Interior mit forged engineering degrees DOHA: Qatar said yesterday Distance rail project (that will be of Qatar Rail, Abdullah bin Dukhan and Al Shamal as also to know travel details of all and even experience certificates falling oil prices wouldn’t affect linked to the GCC rail network) Abdulaziz Al Subei, and the Messaieed, the hub of Qatar’s engineer-employees of overseas seeking registration. its ambitious rail projects and in the second half of this year. director of Long Distance Rail downstream industries, and Ras consultancy offices. “Recently, we have caught an the country will be fully ready Work on the (Long Distance) Network, Abdulrahman Al Malki, Laffan, the centre of upstream Action will be taken against Asian who had a forged degree,” to join a GCC-wide rail network project is expected to begin next spoke to reporters. industries, will be linked to each those engineers who are reg- Al Saad told local Arabic daily by 2018. year, Qatar Railway Company Both passenger and freight rail other through both passenger and istered with the committee as Al Watan in comments published The three massive rail projects officials told reporters here yes- networks will be developed as freight lines, the officials said. employees of overseas consul- yesterday. — Long Distance, Doha Metro and terday on the sidelines of an part of the regional rail system Asked that Qatar was lagging tancies but actually don’t stay There are a total of 10,050 engi- Lusail Light Rail — will together event. and Doha will be directly linked behind while Saudi Arabia had in Qatar. neers registered with the com- cost an astronomical QR130bn According to the officials, the to Saudi Arabia. gone much ahead in launching the There are some foreign engi- mittee and only 85 of them are ($35.7bn), officials said. GCC secretariat-general is quite The city will also be linked to GCC rail project, the officials said neering consultancy firms that Qatari,” he said. They, however, didn’t give the keen to ensure that the regional Manama directly but only passen- Saudi Arabia is a big country so it simply do table work and sign A GCC-wide engineers’ regis- breakup of costs for the above rail project is ready within the ger trains will ply between Doha has been working on the project papers and do not physically tration committee is being set up three projects. Tenders would agreed deadline. and Bahrain. for quite some time. supervise building construction. at the GCC general secretariat likely be floated for the Long The Managing Director Doha will also be linked to THE PENINSULA “Their job ends when a build- and registration rules will be ing plan is approved by the unified for the six member states, authorities. They should actu- said Al Saad. ally supervise the construc- He said it is mandatory for all tion as they are legally bound, engineers based in Qatar to reg- for they have signed an under- ister with the committee. Fines Number of ambulance points to increase to 40 taking to the effect,” said the and jail terms await those who fail head of Engineers Registration to register. Committee at the Ministry THE PENINSULA Continued from page 1 will increase from 2,100 to 4,200 and car park- Wakrah hospitals will be increased to 500 by Expansion of the PEC will create an addi- ing spaces will increase from 8,000 to 24,000. 2030. tional 945sqm of space and include such fea- Also, specialist clinics will increase from 400 “Major expansion and modernisation of tures as a larger family waiting area, male and to more than 1,000 and the operating theatre healthcare services will help people not to Firm shut for selling fake pens female waiting areas and a pharmacy. capacity will increase from 40 to more than 90. travel to Doha for specialist services unless A centre to provide ambulatory care includ- The Master Plan also seeks to transform in a very critical situation,” said Dr Al Kuwari. DOHA: The Ministry of global brands. In a press state- ing medical care, diagnosis, observation and HMC’s service delivery in areas outside of Once the HMC Master Plan is fully imple- Economy and Commerce has ment posted on its website treatment using clinical technology and pro- Doha with a network of new ambulatory mented by 2030, Qatar will have a new hospi- clamped down on a company yesterday, the Ministry said it cedures provided on an outpatient basis, is care centres across the country. Hubs for tal for tertiary care, a new hospital for cancer based in Al Wakra and shut it discovered from the company planned to open soon within the HBKMC. secondary care will also be created at Al care, a new metabolic centre, a hospital in Al down for a month as punish- premises some 6,000 fake pens As part of the plan there are measures to Khor, Al Wakra, and Cuban Hospitals using Shamal, psychiatric unit at Al Wakra hospital, ment for distributing counter- of prominent international increase the number of ambulance points the model of one programme of care across children’s development centre at Al Wakra feit pens of different famous brands. THE PENINSULA in the country from 20 to 40 by end of next multiple sites. and a new blood donor unit. year. Between 2015 and 2030, hospital beds The number of beds at Al Khor and Al THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Ex-Israel PM found guilty in 45 dead in air strike on graft retrial Yemen displaced camp JERUSALEM: A Jerusalem court found former Israeli pre- mier Ehud Olmert guilty of cor- ruption yesterday in a retrial Riyadh open to talks with all who ‘respect Yemen stability’ of allegations he received enve- lopes of cash from a US busi- ADEN: An air strike killed consequences of an air strike on nessman, the verdict read. at least 45 people at a camp Iran visit still on the camp,” said Pablo Marco, It was the latest legal blow in for displaced people in north MSF operational manager for a humiliating fall from grace for Yemen yesterday, humanitar- despite ‘Yemen Yemen. the debonair man who took over ian workers said, in an attack Mazraq, in the province of as prime minister in 2006 after which apparently targeted row’: Erdogan Hajja next to the Saudi border, is his mentor and predecessor Ariel nearby Houthi fighters who are a cluster of camps that are home Sharon lapsed into a coma from battling President Abdrabuh ANKARA: President Recep to thousands of Yemenis displaced which he never recovered. Mansur Hadi. Tayyip Erdogan yesterday by over a decade of wars between “We find the defendant guilty of Yemen’s state news agency insisted he was still plan- the Houthis and the Yemeni state, fraud and a breach of trust,” the Saba, which is under the control ning to visit Iran next week, as well as East African migrants. Jerusalem district court verdict of the Houthis, said the camp at despite a war-of-words with The fighting has brought civil read, “and of the felony of fraud Haradh was hit by Saudi planes. the Islamic republic trig- war to the Arabian Peninsula’s under aggravated circumstances.” It said the dead included women gered by the Yemen crisis poorest country, which was Sentencing for the 69-year-old, and children, and showed the bod- and his accusations Tehran already sliding into chaos with who already faces a six-year prison ies of five children laid out on a was seeking domination of a growing southern secessionist sentence in a separate bribery case blood-streaked floor. the region. movement and a covert US drone that he has appealed to the supreme A Saudi military spokesman Majority Sunni Muslim campaign — now stalled —against court, is scheduled to begin on May said the kingdom was seeking Turkey has said it supports Al Qaeda in the east. 5, the verdict stated. Olmert has clarification on the incident. the Saudi-led operation against The growing power of the always insisted on his innocence, “It could have been that the Iran-allied Houthi Shia rebels Houthis, part of a Shia minority describing the allegations against fighter jets replied to fire, and in Yemen to restore order in that makes up about a third of the him as “a brutal, ruthless witch- we cannot confirm that it was a the country. population, also means Yemen has hunt”, and his lawyers said he would refugee camp,” Brigadier General Meanwhile, Iran announced become the latest stage for Saudi appeal the latest conviction. Ahmed Asseri said. “We will ask yesterday it had “invited” the Arabia’s power struggle with Iran. He had initially been acquit- the Yemeni official agencies to Turkish envoy to the foreign The two regional rivals support ted of fraud and corruption in confirm that,” he told reporters. ministry for an explanation opposing sides in Syria’s civil war the case, escaping in 2012 with a The International Organisation after Erdogan said last week and in neighbouring Lebanon. A pall of smoke rises from an alleged weapons storage depot at a military $19,000 fine and a suspended jail for Migration, which initially that Tehran’s bid for domi- Tehran also supports and arms camp of Houthi rebels after an air strike of the Saudi-led alliance, in Yemeni sentence for breach of trust. reported 45 deaths, said 40 peo- nation of the region could no Shia militias in Iraq, although it But new evidence came to light ple were killed and 200 wounded longer be tolerated. denies Riyadh’s accusations that capital Sana’a yesterday. during his trial in the other cor- — dozens of them severely hurt. “We are keeping the pro- it supports Yemen’s Houthis mili- ruption case, and prosecutors again A humanitarian worker said gramme of our visit (to Iran) tarily. In the capital Sana’a, con- Egyptian warships shelled a col- In a cabinet statement, the pressed the charges. In return for earlier that the strike hit a truck but we are watching develop- trolled by the Houthis, jets struck umn of Houthis advancing along Custodian of the Two Holy a reduction in sentence, his former of Houthi militiamen at the ments in Yemen,” Erdogan around the presidential palace the coastal road. It was the first Mosques King Salman of Saudi secretary and confidante Shula gate to the Mazraq camp, near told reporters at Istanbul overnight and made more raids known report of naval forces tak- Arabia said his country was open Zaken brought to the court secret Haradh, killing residents, guards airport before heading on a throughout the day. Most of the ing part in the conflict. to a meeting of all Yemeni politi- recordings of conversations she had and fighters. visit to Slovenia, Slovakia and air strikes, launched on Thursday, A Reuters reporter heard cal parties willing to preserve with Olmert. The medical aid organisation Romania. AFP have taken place so far only at heavy explosions and saw a Yemen’s security, under the Medecins Sans Frontieres said night. thick column of black smoke ris- auspices of the six-nation Gulf Palestinian at least 34 wounded people were In the south, Houthi fighters ing from the area about 15 km Cooperation Council, most of brought to a hospital in Haradh Al Mazraq camp have been liv- closed in on the port city of Aden, northeast of Aden and witnesses which are part of Riyadh’s anti- charged with which it supports. Another 29 ing in very harsh conditions... the last major stronghold of Hadi reported at least one plane fly- Houthi coalition. were dead on arrival. “People in and now they have suffered the supporters, and residents said ing nearby. REUTERS trying to join IS JERUSALEM: Israeli pros- ecutors yesterday charged a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem with allegedly trying to join the Islamic State jihad- Iran N-deal may spur proxy wars: EU official ist group in Syria, the Shin Bet domestic security agency said. BRUSSELS: A nuclear deal sanctions that are crippling its with Iran would be seen as a Khalil Adel Khalil, born in 1990 with Iran may spur proxy Working on tricky issues: Kerry economy. reward for Tehran’s alleged and a resident of A-Tur neighbour- wars in the Middle East as Mostly Sunni Saudi Arabia is “aggression” in Yemen. hood, had been inspired by IS vid- Sunni Muslims try to coun- LAUSANNE: US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday leading air strikes in Yemen to “The agreement being formu- eos and in August resolved to join ter an increasingly wealthy that he and his global counterparts would be working into the try to halt advances by Iranian- lated in Lausanne sends a mes- it in Syria, a Shin Bet statement and powerful Shia Iran, the night to resolve “tricky issues” blocking a nuclear deal with Iran. allied Shia Houthi fighters, the sage that there is no price for said. It said Khalil, who worked European Union’s counter- “There still remain some difficult issues. We are working very latest front in its widening con- aggression and on the contrary as a para-medical assistant at a terrorism coordinator said hard to work those through. We are working late into the night and test with Iran for power in the — that Iran’s aggression is to be state-owned psychiatric hospital, yesterday. obviously into tomorrow,” Kerry told a CNN reporter in Lausanne, region. rewarded,” he said, referring to used sports facilities at Jerusalem’s Gilles de Kerchove told the adding “everyone knows the meaning of tomorrow” when a deadline Their proxy struggle is also Iranian support for Shiite Huthi Hebrew University to physically European Parliament one impor- for the outlines of a deal expires at midnight. AFP playing out in Syria, where rebels in Yemen. prepare for combat in the ranks tant cause of terrorism was “this Tehran backs Bashar Al Assad’s “The moderate and responsi- of IS, which holds swathes of ter- war by proxy from the Sunni government against mainly Sunni ble countries in the region, espe- ritory in Syria and Iraq. world which feels a bit on the will have even more money. “It is Iran by proxy,” he said. rebels, and Iraq, where Iranian- cially Israel and also many other He is alleged to have flown defensive because of the rise of a sophisticated country, with a Major powers are trying to backed Shia militias are playing countries, will be the first to be from Israel to Greece and then Iran”. vision, more and more powerful reach a preliminary agreement a major role. hurt by this agreement,” said to Turkey where he contacted an Asked if a deal to curb Iran’s in the Middle East, and therefore with Iran aimed at stopping Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has waged a IS agent who led him to a safe nuclear ambitions being negotiated on the Sunni side there might be it from achieving the ability Benjamin Netanyahu warned campaign against a nuclear deal house near the border with Syria. in Switzerland would have an impact, a temptation for some to support to develop a nuclear bomb, in world powers yesterday that with Tehran. AFP he said: “Yes, of course, because Iran extremist groups to fight against exchange for an easing of any nuclear deal they strike AGENCIES Mortar attack on historic Damascus souk kills one

DAMASCUS: A mortar attack on a historic souk in central Damascus yesterday killed one person and wounded dozens, Syria’s official news agency said. “Terrorists launched two mortar rounds on Tarek Ben Ziyad Street, in the Al Hariqa market of Damascus, which killed one person, wounded 30 others,” Sana reported, citing a high-ranking police source. Situated within the walls of the Old City, the souk is one of the oldest and most famous marketplaces in the capital, popular among tourists and locals alike. Syria’s civil war began to encroach on the capital in the summer of 2012, the year after it broke out. Since then, Damascenes have been living under almost daily mortar shelling that has seen dozens of people killed, many more wounded and left a trail of destruction. Rebel groups typically fire on Damascus from their bases on the outskirts of the city. In a report published last week, Human Rights Watch criticised armed opposition groups in Syria for conduct- ing indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, which are considered war crimes. Iranian filmmaker with ties to Canada arrested in Iran

OTTAWA: A Toronto-based filmmaker with Canadian residency has been arrested in Iran, his family said yesterday. Mostafa Azizi, 53, returned to his birth country in February to care for his ailing father, and was considering moving back when he was arrested on February 1, his son Arash said. “He wanted to move back to Iran,” Arash said. “Especially after (Iran’s government) said that Iranians abroad can return home, he was among many who wanted to use the opportunity to come back home.” He said Azizi was being held in Tehran’s Evin Prison and has been charged with insulting Iran’s Supreme leader and spreading propaganda against the Islamic establishment. Azizi’s son also said his arrest may have been connected with social media posts he made. AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Bomb threat: UN seeks $8.4bn at major Turkish plane makes emergency Syrian donor conference landing in Morocco ISTANBUL: A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Istanbul to Brazil made an Kuwait’s Emir to open third international meet today emergency landing in Morocco yesterday after a bomb threat, KUWAIT CITY: A UN envoy with no reduction in violence and Syrians have been forced to flee the company said. warned yesterday of a “horri- children particularly affected. their homes, the UN Office for the However, a search on the fying” humanitarian situation The aid is urgently required to Coordination of Humanitarian Boeing 777-300ER plane bound brewing in Syria as non-govern- provide life-saving assistance to Affairs (OCHA) said. for Sao Paulo from Istanbul mental organisations pledged half of Syria’s population as sev- Of the $8.4bn needed, $5.5bn found the warning was false and more than $500m for refugees eral UN aid agencies have said is for refugees in neighbour- the plane is being allowed to con- on the eve of a major donor they remain underfunded and ing nations and $2.9bn for peo- tinue on its route, it added. The conference. warned they could halt or down- ple inside Syria, it said. “We flight was “diverted to Casablanca The United Nations has size their operations. don’t have a specific target (for Mohammed V International launched an appeal to raise $8.4 The Third International Tuesday’s conference). We hope Airport,” the company said in a bn for Syria this year and hopes Humanitarian Pledging Conference donors will pledge generously like statement. to receive major pledges at the will be chaired by UN Secretary they have in the previous two con- “The necessary investigation donor meeting today in Kuwait. General Ban Ki-moon and opened ferences,” OCHA spokesman Jens onboard has now terminated “Failing to meet the required by Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Laerke said. and it has become clear that the funds risks resulting in a hor- Ahmad Al Sabah. “We aim to raise the $8.4 bil- notice in question was untrue.” rifying and dangerous humani- At the first and second con- lion throughout the year and the The state-run Anatolia news tarian catastrophe,” Abdullah ferences, also hosted by Kuwait, Kuwait pledging conference will agency said that a written note Al Maatuq, UN special envoy for pledges of $1.5bn and $2.4bn were be an important step.” warning of a bomb had been found humanitarian affairs, told a meet- made. International aid agency Oxfam in one of the plane’s toilets. ing of NGOs. However, the United Nations yesterday criticised the interna- It was found by cabin crew who Among the aid groups which has complained that not all tional response to the Syria cri- alerted the pilot who decided to gathered yesterday, Turkey’s pledges were honoured. In a sis, saying the funds were woefully ask for permission to land at the IHH Humanitarian Relief report on the worsening human- inadequate. nearest possible airport. Foundation made the largest itarian crisis in Syria released “Wealthy countries meet- pledge of $100m. last week, Ban said devastation ing today in Kuwait to pledge UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Other donors included Qatar’s from the fighting had left around aid have a chance to turn this Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos (left), with Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs Two cops shot, Red Crescent Society and 7.6 million people internally dis- around, but they must dig deeper and Labour and Minister of State for Development and Planning Affairs Kuwait’s International Islamic placed. Another 3.9 million have than last year. Failure to do so Hind Al Sabeeh (centre) and UN Special humanitarian envoy to the Gulf injured in Riyadh Charity Organisation. sought refuge in neighbouring will have a devastating effect and Chairman of International Islamic charitable organisation Abdullah UN humanitarian affairs chief countries. on millions of civilians in Syria Matouq,in Kuwait City yesterday. RIYADH: Unknown gunmen Valerie Amos said the donor “Every day brings more death, and its neighbouring countries,” shot and injured two policemen response at Tuesday’s conference displacement and destruction,” Oxfam said. based on the size of their econo- UNRWA, said it wants $415m to in a patrol car in Saudi Arabia’s “needs to be comprehensive”. the UN report said. It said less than 10 percent of mies, and overall appeals are only support the 560,000 Palestinian capital Riyadh late on Sunday, She said the humanitarian situ- With the conflict now in its European nations have pledged 9.8 percent funded. The UN aid refugees registered in Syria. the state-owned Saudi Press ation had deteriorated in Syria fifth year, almost half of all their “fair share” so far in 2015 agency for Palestinian refugees, AFP Agency quoted a police spokes- man as saying yesterday. Police are conducting an inves- tigation into the shooting, which came from another car, the spokesman added. He said the injured officers were being treated Filipino killed, five wounded in Libya rocket attack in hospital and were in a stable condition. ZAWIYAH, LIBYA: A Filipino Tripoli, the source said. death of one of its citizens. dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with There was no immediate con- Saudi Arabia’s security forces oil worker has been killed and The four Filipinos were rid- “Our embassy in Tripoli con- rival militias and governments firmation by Libya’s internation- have in the past been targeted by five others wounded in a rocket ing in a car when the attack took firmed that one Filipino died in battling for its oil wealth. The ally recognised administration of Sunni militants such as Al Qaeda attack on a coastal town west place, the source said, adding that (a) bombing in Zawiya,” spokes- security source said Zawiya falls the attack. But a photographer in and supporters of the Islamic of the Libya capital, a Libyan a Sudanese man and a Libyan man Charles Jose said in a text under the control of Fajr Libya, Zawiya saw the apparent impact State group across the country. security source said yesterday. man who were driving separate message. a militia coalition that in August of a rocket attack in the middle They have also been targeted Three other Filipino oil work- cars were also wounded. Libya has been wracked by seized Tripoli, where it has of a road near a shuttered school by some radical members of the ers were wounded in Sunday’s The foreign ministry spokes- conflict since the 2011 uprising set up a rival government and in the town. Shia minority in the Qatif area in attack on Zawiya, 40km west of man in Manila confirmed the that toppled and killed veteran parliament. AFP Eastern Province. AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Arab unity Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE decision of Arab League states to form a joint military force is a reaction to the fast-changing, newly emerging geopolitical equations in our region. TIt’s a timely and wise decision and takes birth from the realization that Arabs need to take control of their own future and meet their common threats jointly, relying less on Obama’s next earthquake outside powers and forces whose priorities and interests are shifting in response to new developments. The plan for a joint military force was announced at the BY JACKSON DIEHL and Palestinians must come about as much sought by the Palestinians, would Arab League summit held at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, the result of negotiations and not as be very specific, some of Israel’s big- where leaders expressed their unswerving support for the RESIDENT Barack Obama’s an imposition by outside parties. At gest priorities would be covered by rhetorical assault on Benjamin the United Nations, it has been a given much vaguer language. A description Saudi-led military action against Houthis in Yemen. The Netanyahu last week was in that Washington will veto resolutions of security arrangements would glide decision also comes in the backdrop of negotiations being in Ppart the product of pique. But that aim to compel Israel to accept over the question of exactly how the Switzerland over Iran’s nuclear programme. All indications it also set the stage for what could terms. West Bank and Gaza would be pre- are that the talks are inching towards a deal, albeit a be another crockery-breaking bid by Now Obama is contemplating going vented from becoming a launching pad temporary one. Iran’s neighbours and other Arab countries Obama for a foreign policy legacy, on forward with a resolution that was for attacks on Israel, while the thorny a par with his opening to Cuba and drafted last year by Secretary of State question of Palestinian refugees would are already concerned about the increasing influence of Iran would-be nuclear deal with Iran. John Kerry and his Mideast negotia- be dispatched with a call for an “agreed in the region, which will further strengthen with the signing By declaring Israeli-Palestinian tions team at the State Department. solution.” of a nuclear deal that will pave the way for a lifting of peace negotiations dead and blaming The language was drawn up in The result could be to complicate economic sanctions against Tehran. Some experts say Arabs Netanyahu, Obama laid the predicate response to efforts by the Palestinians any eventual trade-off of Israeli con- are seeking to bolster their independent regional security for a decision to go forward with a and France to win support for Security cessions on territory for Palestinian measures as they see the Iran nuclear accord as a betrayal of US-backed UN Security Council res- Council resolutions following the col- give on the “return” of refugees, since olution that would set the terms for lapse of Kerry’s attempt to get Israeli the Security Council would already Washington’s commitment to protect countries in the region. a final peace settlement. Envisioned and Palestinian assent to a “frame- have mandated Israel’s position. The details of the proposed force are yet to be worked as an updating of work agreement.” France announced The US draft probably would out and in the coming days, leaders will decide on the UN Resolution on Friday that it would renew its ini- have one element that would please leadership of the force, whether 242, which has tiative, giving Obama a fresh prompt. Netanyahu and infuriate Palestinian it will have a single command been part of Obama chose not to proceed in leader Mahmoud Abbas, however: a or a coalition of national units By declaring the framework November after appeals by Netanyahu’s stipulation that Israel would remain The plan to for the Mideast domestic opponents, who were hoping the homeland of the Jewish people. etc. Participation in the force is peace “peace process” to defeat him in this month’s elec- Abbas’s categorical rejection of that form a joint voluntary for member countries negotiations dead since the 1960s, tion. Now that the White House’s principle helped to cause the break- military force but it will have the presence of the idea would be Israeli nemesis is on his way to form- down of Kerry’s diplomacy, and it major Arab powers like Saudi and blaming to mandate the ing another right-wing government, would almost certainly mean that Arabic, other GCC countries and solution to the that constraint no longer applies. As the Palestinians would join Israelis in by Arab questions Israelis in the case with restoring relations rejecting the resolution. Egypt etc. Netanyahu, and Palestinians with Cuba, Obama can also disregard Why go forward with a text that leaders is a The idea of a joint Arab Obama laid the have been unable the domestic political considerations both sides would spurn? Obama’s hope force has been there for a long to agree upon for that restrained him before he began would be that his initiative could win timely and time but was lying dormant predicate for a decades, such as his “fourth quarter” in office. unanimous support from the Security due to the disparate interests decision to go the future sta- Administration officials indicated Council and thus set the terms of ref- wise decision. of member countries and the tus of Jerusalem. last week that the president has not yet erence for a future settlement, pre- forward with Not incidentally, decided whether to support a French sumably under different Israeli and lack of a credible threat which it would provide resolution or offer a US alternative. Palestinian leaders. He could eventu- necessitated its activation. But a US-backed Obama with the If he does make the attempt, Obama ally become the grandfather of Middle the diplomatic and political Mideast legacy is likely to find himself bedeviled by East peace; at a minimum, diplomats landscape of our region is changing and there is an urgency Security Council he has craved the same thorny issues that have pre- who now talk of the “Clinton param- in the air and a realization that a failure to act now could resolution that since his first day vented negotiations from succeeding eters” from 2000 would henceforth prove costly. New alliances are emerging, old alliances are in office. all this time. speak of the “Obama framework.” would set the Whether or The first is which parameters for There would be other effects, of either strained or fraying and time has come for Arabs not it acceler- Palestinian statehood to include in a course, among them an unprece- to take up the responsibility of protecting their turf from terms for a final ated Palestinian UN resolution. The administration’s dented breach in US-Israeli relations hostile forces. statehood (and language would probably stipulate that and a vast acceleration of the global The current unity in the fight against Houthis can serve peace settlement. most likely Palestine’s territory would be based on movement to boycott and sanction as a foundation and benchmark for future cooperation. Saudi it wouldn’t), Israel’s pre-1967 borders with the West the Jewish state in the likely event it Obama’s initia- Bank and Gaza Strip, with territorial resisted the UN terms. But judging leaders have reiterated that the military action in Yemen tive would set off an earthquake in swaps to allow Israel’s annexation of from Obama’s demeanor in assailing will continue until it achieves its objective, which is to expel US foreign relations and for Israel’s some Jewish settlements. Most likely Netanyahu last week, the president Houthis and reinstate the government of Mansur Hadi. This standing in the world. For nearly it would declare that Jerusalem would might welcome that legacy, too. is primarily an Arab operation, though Western countries half a century, the United States has be the capital of both nations. Diehl is The Washington Post’s dep- have declared their support. The success of the operation has taken the position that the terms for Israeli officials, who are aware of the uty editorial page editor. WP-BLOOMBERG the potential to change the power balance in the region. a peace settlement between Israelis US draft, say that while these terms, The other side Quote of Towards safer skies the day HE Germanwings Airbus A320 health issues that he concealed from his always, this act of mass murder could has launched the search for a solution crash in the French Alps that employer raises disturbing questions. It have been stopped. The EU and the to this problem, of accessing the cock- killed 150 people including the underscores the fragility of the human European Aviation Safety Agency are pit from outside, if the plane has been Tco-pilot who was responsible factor which is truly the critical element now considering the introduction of a commandeered from within. The quest for it, raises a difficult question for the in the rigorous processes required similar rule. now includes a technological solution We are keeping aviation industry: can it determine with for aviation. The Lubitz issue showed Flight safety has so far focussed on — one that enhances ground control finality that a pilot is fit in all respects that the annual medical examination threats from the passenger side, and the of aircraft features, including the cabin the programme before a flight? Despite the rigorous of pilots done under strict European 9/11 terror episode led to fortification door, remotely. On the human factor physical and psychological testing Union regulations can fail to identify of the cockpit. In exceptional circum- aspect that cannot be overemphasised, of our visit (to processes in place, that may not be psychological problems such as stances, such as an emergency affect- the solution lies partly in destigmatising possible. Civil aviation is among the depression. Significantly, last year’s ing the pilot and the cockpit area, the mental health issues. This is particularly Iran) but we most regulated sectors because of mysterious Malaysia Airlines MH 370 crew can use a code that opens the relevant to the present-day workplace, are watching the risks that flying entails for everyone disappearance also involved a captain cockpit door briefly, or it even opens where the emphasis is on productivity. — the passengers, crew and people who may have been disturbed. Had the automatically if the pilots are immobilised Stress and aviation do not go together, developments in on the ground. The revelation that EU a ‘two-person’ cockpit rule such as due to depressurisation. But if they are and pilot recruitment tests are designed Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the in the U.S., which requires two crew in a position to act, pilots can override to exclude those who crack under pres- Yemen. Recep Tayyip Erdogan Germanwings aircraft, had mental members to be present in the cockpit this mechanism. The crash in the Alps sure. THE HINDU Turkish President TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Fall of Sana’a as bad as that of Mosul

What is the difference between understand what I am talking IS storming the city of Mosul and about, not to mention the chang- Iranian-supported Houthis tak- ing demographic map of Iraq and ing over Sana’a? Why is the first the eradication of Sunnis in many incident considered terrorism but areas by settling of Shias. not the second one? Please do not The world didn’t act to pre- misunderstand me here; I don’t serve the identity of Iraq and oppose what you are doing at all. Syria from Iranisation and But for God’s sake, isn’t your fight Persianisation. against IS in Syria and Iraq in the America and its partners, interest of Bashar Al Assad and including the Arabs, are con- the Iranian regimes? cerned by the danger posed by Iran classifies IS as the great- “Sunni” IS. est threat to its national secu- Finally, I have a simple ques- BY DR FAISAL AL QASSEM rity. That’s why it has chosen its tion: Can’t we consider this inter- most prominent general, Qasem national campaign against IS an o that no one misunder- Soleimani, to lead the battle attempt to facilitate the Iranian stands the title of my arti- against IS in Iraq. task of occupying the rest of the cle, I will say: Fight the The IS also poses a threat to Arab capitals through US and Sway you like against the Assad’s regime. It will not be sur- official Arab support? Islamic State (IS); prepare armies, prising if one day we find IS forces Isn’t it funny that some Arabs make alliances between dozens of at the Syrian coast, or even in the complain a lot about Iranian countries and attack IS in Syria, heart of Damascus, cutting off the encroachment since its revo- Iraq, Libya and everywhere. Keep heads of Assad’s supporters. lution, but nevertheless par- the world media busy with reports If IS strikes all this fear in the ticipated in the elimination of of the evil acts of the IS. Tell the Iranians and their allies in Syria, Saddam Hussein, who was a bul- world that IS is the largest and Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, then wark against Iranian intrusion? wildest terrorist organisation, doesn’t the international coalition They complain even more which is in no way related to consider its anti-IS fight an indi- about the Iranian expansion in human civilization; nobody will rect support to Iran and Assad? the region after the fall of the object! What more do you want? Some pose the question more eastern gate, which was protected No one will accuse us now of being simply: After all the inflictions on by Saddam Hussein. pro-IS; thank God! Syria and Syrians, wouldn’t the The strange thing is that some Since I have cleared my con- Assad regime relax once you get Arabs are committing the same science, while maybe exaggerat- rid of its biggest threat, IS? mistake now. Rather than having A file photo of Shia Houthi rebels in army uniform patrolling Sana’a in a vehicle taken from the army. ing a little bit in demonising IS, I “Who will remain on the ground IS stand like a watchdog against kindly request you now to answer to deal with Assad’s army and Iranian hegemony, they are taking some basic questions that millions its Shia allies other than IS?” ablation first? Is it the terrorist Sana’a. We didn’t hear any inter- famous Iranian military com- part in the elimination of IS and of ordinary Arabs are asking when — This was a question posed by group or the terrorist state? national censure of Iran after it mander, Qasem Soleimani, lead- others, opening the way for Iran they see the international effort Mohammed Sham on Twitter. It’s fine, we probably don’t know openly acknowledged its occupa- ing Iranian invading forces in Iraq to swallow more Arab capitals. being undertaken to eliminate IS We do not mean that we are IS your plans in Syria after you elimi- tion of some Arab countries. and Syria, on television. We did We beg you not to stop eradi- in Iraq, Syria and Libya. supporters, but we have the right nate IS, but the most important While Arab and Western air- not hear any comments from the cating IS, but we also plead for Why were you all fired up to ask this question: Why are you question is: Don’t you consider the craft were striking the IS in US about the Shia militias from your answer: Why don’t you stop when IS took over an Iraqi city? eliminating the IS monster but international campaign against IS Iraq and Syria, the Houthis were Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, the Iranian and Shia occupation You took quick decisions without leaving the Assad monster alone? an attempt to facilitate the pene- invading Sana’a and slaughtering Iraq and Lebanon led by Soleimani and terrorism? going to the UN Security Council IS slaughtered many people in a tration, expansion and occupation Yemenis in the streets in front of in southern Syria or in Tikrit, Is it that you consider occupa- or consulting anyone else to fight very ugly way, and burned others by Iran of Arab countries? television cameras and the US Iraq. tion and terrorism by the Sunni IS and drive it out of Mosul and barbarically; however, Bashar Al A few weeks ago, one of the embassy. We didn’t even hear a Iraqis and Syrians are wor- IS unlawful, and the same by other Iraqi areas before fighting it Assad burned an entire country in Iranian Revolutionary Guards small comment, let alone con- ried that their countries will lose Iranians and Shias lawful? later on Syrian territory through a neurotic fashion, and displaced boasted that Iran was celebrating demnation of the Iranian-Houthi their Arabic identities after they The author is a columnist a new Syrian army under the 15 million from their homes... the occupation of the fourth Arab invasion. become Iranian Shia colonies. Just and presenter on Al Jazeera TV apprenticeship of America. Which one is more deserving of capital after the Houthis seized Just weeks ago we saw the visit the old city of Damascus to channel Saudi Arabia should ally with Turkey to confront Iran

conflict with Iran. So Saudi Arabia act as a counterweight to Iranian its industrial and economic devel- Turkey’s capacity to face Iran decided to support Mubarak and Considering Egypt influence across the Arab region, opment, Egypt received interna- As a result, Turkey looks like his regime till the end. especially after the fall of Syria tional and Gulf assistance worth the only regional power that can The second issue, which causes strong due to its and Iraq. billions of dollars as gifts for its confront Iran. concern to Saudi Arabia in the In its battle against the Muslim stand against the Iraqi inva- Turkey’s population is about 70 same degree as the Arab revolu- large population is Brotherhood Saudi Arabia missed sion of Kuwait and for making a million, its national income is over tions, is the alternatives to the the truth about Egypt — that it contribution to peace by putting $830bn and it ranks 17th in the regimes, which are mostly Islamic has become a weak country. This pressure on the Palestinians to world. political parties, with the Muslim a mistake. Egypt’s fact made Saudi Arabia realise accept Israeli demands. This was For years Turkey has seen Brotherhood leading the way. later that it had paid more than apart from its commitment to annual growth rates of 5-6 percent, Egyptian Muslims and Saudi big population is it could expect to get in return implementing the Camp David and even 8 percent sometimes. Arabia have a strong bond that from Egypt. Accords. The country has a stable politi- began in the 1950s because of their a burden, not an It also missed the fact that So what are the results of 35 cal system, a developed industrial BY DR MARWAN opposition to Nasser’s regime, but Egypt may become a burden in years of peace in Egypt and isola- base and an educated workforce. KABALAN this relationship turned sour when advantage. Based any alliance, especially in a fierce tion in Iran? The Turkish government has an the Muslim Brotherhood backed battle against Iran. The result is that Egypt, with ambitious plan to make the coun- Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. on current data, Saudi Arabia began to realise a population of 90 million, has try the 10th-ranked economy ince the outbreak of the Arab However, this wasn’t the only these facts when the final stage of a national income of $272bn. by 2023, when the country will Spring revolutions at the end thing that made Riyadh decide Egypt’s potential Iran’s nuclear talks approached. According to the International celebrate the centennial of the Sof 2010, Saudi Arabia has to work with Mubarak’s regime The Obama administration is Monetary Fund, Egypt was Turkish republic, which means changed its diplomatic approach, to bring down the Muslim using its war against IS as a tool ranked 41st in the world in 2014, that Turkey will be competing from being quiet to being a little Brotherhood’s rule in Cairo and for leading the to achieve a nuclear agreement, after the Philippines, Chile and with the likes of South Korea, aggressive in speaking out, which block their ambition to lead the which will enable Iran to reha- Nigeria. Mexico, Spain, Australia and even has reached the point where it Arab Spring countries; the Muslim region is almost bilitate itself on the international We must keep in mind that Canada. has challenged American policy Brotherhood also posed a chal- arena; then Iran will be given the Egypt’s ranking is close to that The Turkish economy is double on some regional issues, notably lenge to the Saudi interpretation non-existent. role of the policeman of the region. of Greece, which is smaller and the size of Iran’s economy, three its stand on the January 25 revolu- of Islam and Islamic leadership. has a population a tenth in size. times that of the Egyptian econ- tion in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood’s rise At a time when it was facing the Egypt’s capacity to face Iran Egypt still suffers from serious omy and bigger than the combined The Arab Spring revolutions empowers the successful Islamic forces of the Iranian camp in the As a priority, Saudi Arabia economic problems, has high economies of those two countries. created threats for Saudi Arabia models in the region. Turkey has north and south of the Arabian should focus on preventing Egypt rates of illiteracy, unemployment Turkey has the most developed on two levels. a charismatic leadership embodied Peninsula — the regimes of Nouri from coming under the influence and poverty, and its military industrial base in the region and First, the revolutions targeted in Recep Tayyip Erdogan and it is Al Maliki, Bashar Al Assad, the of Iran through Russia, and not dominates the economy. the entire Muslim world. the regimes. Saudi Arabia has old the leader of the Islamic trend in militias of Hezbollah, the Houthis, rely on Egypt to hold off this influ- In addition, Egyptian influence The Turkish military is the sensitivities with the concept of the region — a position the Arab and many others — Saudi Arabia ence. According to the equations is on its last legs in the region second biggest in Nato after that a revolution, inherited from the Spring helped it gain. entered into a conflict with the of the dominant powers in the and in Africa, where Ethiopia has of the US. Geopolitically, Turkey days of Arab nationalism, when This became clear from the Turkish and Muslim Brotherhood region, a confrontation with Iran ignored Cairo’s concerns on the is located between Europe, the Riyadh saw many thrones fall. visit of Erdogan to Arab Spring camps across the region. requires capabilities that Egypt issue of building dams on the Nile. Middle East and Russia, which The Egyptian revolution/coup countries in 2012, especially to Fighting on two fronts at the lacks at present. On the other hand, the enables it to control the shortest “infection” of July 23, 1952 passed Egypt, although his recommen- same time was fraught with seri- Considering Egypt strong due national income of Iran, which land and sea routes between these over Jordan in 1957 and was then dation for a secular state wasn’t ous risks, especially since Riyadh’s to its large population is a mis- had 80 million people according three regions. transmitted to Iraq in 1958 and to welcomed by most Muslim trust in Washington was at its take. Egypt’s big population is a to the 2013 census, has reached Turkey’s weak point is lack of Yemen in 1962. Brotherhood leaders. lowest after the Americans read- burden, not an advantage. Based $350bn, putting it in the 32nd energy resources, but this can be However, Saudi Arabia’s abhor- In this way, the Arab Spring ily dumped their ally Mubarak and on current data, Egypt’s potential rank globally despite its isolation overcome if the political alliances rence for any kind of uprising is posed an ideological challenge to wanted to reach a deal with Iran, for leading the region is almost and confrontation with the West. in the region are changed, espe- due to the Iranian revolution of Saudi Arabia, represented by the their old enemy whom they show non-existent. Iran has managed to build influ- cially those that link it with the 1979, which opened two gates of Muslim Brotherhood leading an respect these days. To see how weak Egypt has ence over most of the region, from Syrian conflict, and if it is liber- hell, nationalism and sectarianism important country like Egypt that However, the war waged by become, we need to compare the Afghanistan in the east to the ated from blackmail by Russia for Saudi Arabia and the rest of could compete with it for leader- Saudi Arabia against the Muslim Egyptian and Iranian experiences Mediterranean Sea in the west and Iran, who provide it oil and the region. ship of the entire Muslim world. Brotherhood contributed to reduc- over the past 35 years. and Yemen and the Horn of Africa gas. Despite the fact that Saudi It also posed a geopolitical chal- ing Turkish influence after the After the Iranian revolution of in the south. As for the war against IS, Arabia mobilised after the success lenge in the sense that from an coup in Egypt in July 2013, and 1979, Iran became isolated. In the Iran is negotiating with world Turkey is the only regional power of the Tunisian revolution, and ally Egypt could become a rival, or ultimately benefited Iran. same year Egypt signed a peace powers over its nuclear pro- that can confront IS and contain responded by hosting the ousted even an enemy — something that The blow received by the treaty with Israel and it began gramme. In addition, it is close to its influence geographically, ideo- president, Zine El Abidine Ben would empower Turkey region- Brotherhood branch represented receiving $2.2bn in annual aid getting the know-how for making logically, militarily and politically. Ali, it only sensed danger when ally. This was at a time when Iran by Yemen’s Al Islah party ended from America. a nuclear weapon. Turkey is a Sunni power ruled the revolution moved to Cairo. was doing all it could to defend its with the Houthis taking con- When it started to reap the Speaking of scientific research, by an Islamic government that During Hosni Mubarak’s rule, influence in the Fertile Crescent, trol of Sana’a, and as a result fruits of peace, Egypt was expected Iranian universities are consid- provides a successful administra- especially since the Iraqi invasion as it tried to tighten the noose on Iranian influence in the south to get off its shoulders the burden ered very good in teaching diverse tive and economic model. It has a of Kuwait in 1990, Egypt has been Saudi Arabia. Since it was under of the Arabian Peninsula was of the conflict with Israel. On the branches of knowledge. military that can fight IS. In any the most important regional ally threat, Riyadh took action bearing strengthened. other hand, Iran had started its All this will make it very hard battle with IS, Turkey will surely of Saudi Arabia. The revolution in in mind that it had to win this bat- Saudi Arabia did a lot to win eight-year-long war with Iraq, for Egypt to act as a counter- win. All the factors mentioned Cairo was enough to take all issues tle. But the question is how? Egyptian support in its regional which cost it hundreds of millions weight to Iran. Egypt will more above make clear why Saudi back to the days of the Arab cold conflict with Iran and Turkey. But of dollars, besides human casual- likely become a big burden for Arabia should forge a strong alli- war and the conflict with Egypt at War against all though Riyadh was relieved by the ties estimated to exceed one mil- its allies before it comes under ance with Turkey, even if that the time of Gamal Abdel Nasser. Saudi Arabia followed a strategy end of the Muslim Brotherhood’s lion dead and disabled. other regional and international ends its alliance with Egypt. This happened when Saudi Arabia that is a bit strange, since it aims rule, Yemen’s fall awakened it to While the policy of contain- influences. The author is a columnist and was busy with its existential to defeat all its opponents at once. the limited capacity of Egypt to ment used against Iran thwarted academic researcher TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 EUROPE 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Spanish hospital Windsor Castle faces first labour dispute conducts complex face transplant LONDON: Staff at Windsor Castle, “These workers are loyal to their out extra unpaid duties, including giving recruits starting on 14,400 pounds a year. one of the residences of Britain’s Queen employer and absolutely committed to tours of the castle for which visitors were The spokeswoman for the Royal MADRID: A Spanish hospital Elizabeth, are considering withdrawing ensuring visitors are given the royal charged, acting as interpreters and provid- Collection Trust denied the staff were said yesterday it has success- some services to tourists such as guided treatment,” PCS General Secretary Mark ing first aid. “The proposed action would paid low wages and said they could earn fully carried out the world’s tours in a dispute over low pay, a labour Serwotka said in a statement. involve the withdrawal of this goodwill, a performance-related increase of up to most complex face transplant, union said yesterday. “It is scandalous that staff are so appall- severely affecting services provided to visi- 2.5 percent. Benefits included a 15 percent reconstructing the lower face, The Public and Commercial Services ingly paid and expected to do work for free tors,” the union said. non-contributory pension and a free lunch. neck, mouth, tongue and back Union (PCS), which has 120 members out that brings in money for the royal family.” The spokeswoman for the Royal Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest of the throat of a man terribly of Windsor’s 200 staff, said this would be A spokeswoman for the Royal Collection Collection Trust, which employs the staff inhabited castle in the world, having been disfigured by disease. the first industrial action specifically to Trust, which manages activities for tour- involved in the dispute, said the trust did a family home to British kings and queens A team of 45 physicians, affect part of the Royal Household, the ists at Windsor, said revenues from sales not expect any interruption to the running for almost 1,000 years, according to the nurses, anaesthesiologists and services that support the monarchy. and admissions were used for the care and of tours and that the voluntary activities Royal Collection website. Queen Elizabeth other health professionals car- The PCS said it would ballot members at conservation of the royal art collection and described by the PCS were not compulsory. spends most of her private weekends there ried out the 27-hour operation in Windsor between March 31 and April 14, did not go to members of the royal family. The PCS said workers at Windsor were and resides there for a month over Easter early February at Barcelona’s Vall and if there were a decision to take action The PCS said staff at Windsor were paid less than the widely recognised liv- every year. d’Hebron University Hospital, the it would begin from the end of the month. paid low wages and were expected to carry ing wage of £7.85 ($12) per hour, with new REUTERS hospital said in a statement. “This is the first time that a transplant of this complexity is performed in the world,” the statement said. “The patient evolution after the surgery was successful, similar to any transplant patient at the hos- Cameron starts pital. Now he is already at home and only comes to the hospital to do routine checkups.” The patient, a 45-year-old knife-edge man who does not wish to be identified, had suffered a condi- tion called arteriovenous mal- formation for the past 20 years, causing a massive deformation poll campaign of his tissues. “The patient, due to the evo- lution of his illness, had impor- tant functional alterations, such Outcome of May 7 poll uncertain a vision and speech problems, and the risk of severe bleeding that LONDON: Campaigning in part: Scotland. Standing in front put his life in danger,” the hos- Britain’s closest election in of his Downing Street office after pital said. decades began yesterday after meeting the Queen, Cameron told The man had been exam- Prime Minister David Cameron voters he had presided over an ined in several other hospitals, met Queen Elizabeth to tell her economic recovery that needed including the Mayo Clinic and parliament had been dissolved, cementing. Harvard Medical School in the teeing up a fraught battle to “In 38 days you face a stark United States, which had consid- govern a $2.8 trillion economy. choice,” he said. “The next prime ered him to be inoperable but the Cameron made the journey to minister walking through that Barcelona hospital ruled surgery Buckingham Palace to see the door will be me or (Labour leader) British Prime Minister and Conservative party leader David Cameron gives a speech at a General Election Rally was his only treatment option. monarch in an armoured limou- Ed Miliband. You can choose an at The Corsham School in Chippenham, south west England, yesterday. The operation reconstructed sine as TV crews buzzed overhead, economy that grows ... or you can two thirds of the man’s lower a formality marking the end of choose the economic chaos of Ed become, Cameron and Miliband uncertainty. One gave Labour a deepest downturn since World face, including his pharynx, the five years of coalition government Miliband.” will join the leaders of five other four point lead, the other put the War Two to become one of the hospital said. between his Conservatives and the Miliband, speaking at an event parties on Thursday for a seven- Conservatives ahead by the same fastest-growing in the industrial- The Vall d’Hebron University centre-left Liberal Democrats. meant to dispel criticism his party way TV debate. margin. ised world, many Britons haven’t Hospital in 2010 carried out the Britain excels at set-piece is anti-business, said Labour Both the Conservatives and Most polls put the two neck- felt the benefit as wages have world’s first full face transplant on constitutional events. The con- offered a fairer economic plan and Labour say they want to bet- and-neck. None gives either party stagnated. a man who suffered an accident sequences of the May 7 election warned Cameron’s plan to hold ter manage immigration and enough support to govern alone. If Cameron is re-elected, he has that left him without a nose and — which polls predict nobody will an EU membership referendum pump more money into the state That means the winner may need promised to deliver an EU mem- deformed his jaw and cheekbones. win with an outright majority — posed a “clear and present” dan- health service. The main dif- to rule in minority, relying on bership referendum by the end of The hospital said the man now look more disorderly. ger. “It is a recipe for two years ference between them is on a others on an issue-by-issue basis, 2017, raising the spectre of Britain lives a normal life. Membership of the EU could of uncertainty in which inward still-yawning budget deficit. The or enter a formal coalition with leaving the world’s largest trad- The first face partial transplant hang on the outcome as does the investment will drain away,” he Conservatives promise to cut it another party. ing bloc, something the United was when doctors carried out in future of the increasingly frayed said. faster, Labour says it would do The contest is freighted with States and much of UK business France in 2005 on a woman who relationship between the United In a sign of how fragmented so more slowly. Latest opinion contradictions. Even though the has made clear it doesn’t want. had been mauled by her dog. Kingdom and its most restive Britain’s political landscape has polls underscored the electoral economy has rebounded from its REUTERS AFP

UK couple found shot dead at Hunt resumes for Alps plane crash DNA, black box SEYNE-LES-ALPES, have described the grim task as at which the plane smashed Lubitz deliberately shut his pilot on a collision course with the home in Spain FRANCE: Investigators sift- “unprecedented” given the tricky into the rock. French officials colleague out of the cockpit and French Alps. The flight, en route MADRID: An elderly British ing through the wreckage of the mountain terrain and the speed have said that co-pilot Andreas then locked the Airbus A320 to Duesseldorf from Barcelona, couple has been found shot doomed Germanwings plane in crashed into the mountainside dead in their villa in south- the French Alps were forced at a speed of 700km an hour, eastern Spain, Spanish police yesterday to resume the hunt Pilot showed suicidal tendencies in past instantly killing all on board. said yesterday. Police discov- on foot as bad weather ham- Authorities are hoping to build ered the body of the two, both pered helicopter flights. DUESSELDORF: The co- spokesman for the prosecu- “Nor have particular circum- a more sturdy road to the crash aged 77, at their home in Xalo “The teams will get to the site pilot believed to have deliber- tor’s office in the western city of stances been identified in his site — both to ease access for near Benidorm on Spain’s Costa via the path that is already in ately crashed a Germanwings Duesseldorf. He said in a state- personal or professional environ- forensic experts and for fami- Blanca, on Sunday after friends existence,” said Yves Naffrechoux plane was treated for suicidal ment that prosecutors would “not ment to offer verifiable evidence lies who want to see where their were unable to contact them, a of the local mountain police. tendencies “several years ago”, take part in speculation about the about a possible motive,” he said. loved ones perished. A bulldozer Guardia Civil spokesman said. Authorities are hoping to iden- before he received his pilot’s deceased co-pilot’s motives”. Medical files did not point and several specialised machines “Some of their friends became tify more DNA strands from the licence, German prosecutors Herrenbrueck said based on to any “organic disorder”, were already working away at the worried and called police to go 150 people who died in Tuesday’s said yesterday. the evaluation of medical docu- Herrenbrueck said. site to bolster the road access. look for them at their home when crash, as well as locate the jet’s “In the ensuing years and up ments and the testimony of But he added that Lubitz The director of operations at they were not able to reach them. second black box that should pro- until recently, he had doctors’ people who knew the co-pilot, underwent psychotherapy sev- Germanwings, Oliver Wagner, They had been shot in the head,” vide more clues as to the circum- visits and was written off sick Andreas Lubitz, there was still eral years ago, before he became told reporters that 325 grieving the spokesman said. stances of the tragedy. but showed no sign of suicidal no indication that he had told a pilot in 2013, “for a long period relatives had so far made the trip There were no signs of break- Forensic teams have isolated tendencies or aggression towards anyone of his plans or left behind due to diagnosed suicidal tenden- to the village of Seyne-les-Alpes, in and nothing appears to have almost 80 distinct DNA strands others,” said Ralf Herrenbrueck, a suicide note. cies”. AFP close to the crash site. been stolen from the house, the from the pulverised aircraft and AFP spokesman said. Police would not name the vic- tims but British media identified them as Peter Tarsey, a former Merkel in Finland British diver who competed for Britain at the 1956 Olympics in Lithuania claims one-third of Australia, and his wife Jean. The couple had reportedly Russian diplomats are spies been living in the region for the last 18 years and have two grown VILNIUS: Lithuania yesterday in January, breaking Russian giant sons, one who lives in London alleged that one-third of Russian Gazprom’s monopoly on gas supplies and the other on the Spanish diplomats in the EU and Nato Baltic in the Baltic states. holiday island of Majorca in the state were working for spy agencies, “We are a Natofrontier coun- Mediterranean. and warned that Moscow could test try hugely affected by unfriendly the alliance with unconventional propaganda, incitement of ethnic tactics. minorities directed against our state Court orders Serb war Lithuania’s intelligence agency said and its interests,” President Dalia it kicked out three Russian spies last Grybauskaite said Monday respond- criminal back to cell year, adding that Moscow was increas- ing to the findings. THE HAGUE: The UN ingly interested in the Natomember’s In a separate report also released Yugoslav war crimes tribunal military infrastructure. Monday, Lithuania’s military intelli- yesterday revoked the provi- “One-third of Russian diplomats gence pointed to the danger of Russia sional release of ailing Serb working in Lithuania are intelligence launching a so-called “hybrid war” on ultra-nationalist leader Vojislav agency officials or are linked with intel- Baltic Natomembers by using “uncon- Seselj after he vowed not to ligence agencies,” the State Security ventional or covert military measures” return to the court. Department said in its annual report. to test the alliance’s commitment to The International Criminal Among those expelled was former collective defence. Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia consul in the Lithuanian port of “We cannot rule out that Russia (ICTY) “orders the trial chamber Klaipeda Vladimir Malygin, whom may resort to such measures against to immediately revoke Seselj’s Vilnius identified as a Russia Foreign one of the alliance’s members hoping provisional release and order Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel is welcomed by Finland’s Prime Minister Alexander Intelligence Service (SVR) official. that Natowould not be able to respond his return to the United Nations Stubb upon her arrival in Helsinki yesterday. The two leaders were expected to discuss the situation The report said Malygin was seek- in due time and manner,” reads the Detention Unit,” in The Hague, in Ukraine and Russia as well as the financial situation in the eurozone. ing information about Lithuania’s first document. court documents said. AFP floating LNG terminal which opened AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Boston bombing jury hears of grisly deaths Prosecutors wind up case against accused Tsarnaev Woman charged with pretending BOSTON: Two of the people Chinese exchange student Lingzi call about a minute before the killed in the Boston Marathon Lu’s legs, causing the 23-year old blast. In one photo, he is just feet bombing were torn apart by one to bleed to death within min- (about a meter) behind Richard of the blasts that ripped through utes, Boston medical examiner and his younger sister, who was to be a victim to get money runners and onlookers at the Katherine Lindstrom testified. badly injured but survived. finish line, medical examiners “Her injuries were caused by debris Defence lawyers opened the BOSTON: A woman from Boston will appear in this is about killing the messenger. I went after the testified yesterday as prosecu- hitting her body and going through trial earlier this month with a court next week after being charged with claim- governor and the mayor’s charity, and I didn’t shut tors wound up their case against her body,” Lindstrom said. “They blunt admission that Tsarnaev ing she was injured in the Boston Marathon up about it, and I caused them trouble.” accused bomber Dzhokhar would have been very painful.” had done everything of which he bombing, which prosecutors say netted her tens Conley’s office said the indictments were based on Tsarnaev and defence attorneys Tsarnaev, 21, is charged with had been accused by federal pros- of thousands of dollars. video surveillance, witness testimonies and state- began calling witnesses. the April 15, 2013, bombing that ecutors. But they contended that Joanna Leigh, 41, is scheduled to be arraigned in ments Leigh gave to investigators after the bomb- Tsarnaev faces death or life in killed three and injured 264, he had done so out of a sense of Suffolk County Superior Court for larceny and mak- ing and the comments she made in media reports. prison if convicted. It is not clear and the fatal shooting of Mas- subservience to his older brother ing a false claim to a government agency. She was Investigators said that Leigh was also given more if Tsarnaev will testify in his own sachusetts Institute of Technology rather than his own anger at his at the Boston Marathon in 2013, but was not hurt than $18,000 from a state fund, more than $1,700 defence. police officer Sean Collier three adopted country. by the bombs, according to Suffolk County District from students and faculty at a middle school and Massachusetts’ Chief Medical days later as he and his brother By painting Tamerlan as the Attorney Daniel Conley’s office. About two weeks more than $9,000 donated to an online fundraiser, Examiner Henry Nields showed prepared to flee the city. driving force behind the attacks, later, she claimed she was hurt after running toward which they say refers to her in the third person but the jury 8-year-old Martin The brother, Tamerlan the defence hopes to spare the the second blast to help people, Conley’s office said. was set up using her own email address. Richard’s bloodstained gray New Tsarnaev, 26, died in the early younger Tsarnaev a death sen- She was given $8,000 from One Fund Boston, an She “saw an opportunity to take advantage of England Patriots T-shirt with morning hours of April 19 after tence and persuade the jury to organisation set up in the wake of the bombing to kind-hearted individuals who wanted to help” vic- holes that correlated with injuries a gunfight with police that ended determine that he should spend help victims. However, that is a fraction of the $2 tims of the bombing, William Evans, the Boston to the child’s torso. when Dzhokhar inadvertently ran the rest of his life in prison. million she had initially sought before refusing to police commissioner, said in a statement. On the 15th day of testimony in him over with a hijacked car. Defence lawyers will be limited turn over medical records, prosecutors said. At least four other people have been charged with Tsarnaev’s trial at Boston federal Prosecutors have said Tsarnaev in how much evidence they put One Fund, which announced that it would no fraudulently trying to get compensation stemming court, Nields said a piece of shrap- left the bomb that killed Richard forward about the relative blame longer accept donations last December, says it has from the bombing. Last year, a New York woman nel appeared to have gone straight and Lu in front of The Forum res- of the two brothers before the jury handed out nearly $80m to more than 200 victims pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than through Richard’s body. “It would taurant. The third person to die, decides Tsarnaev’s fate. and their families. However, it has also been criti- two years in jail after getting nearly half a million be difficult to say the precise loca- 29-year-old restaurant manager If the jury finds him guilty, the cised by some victims who say that people who did dollars from the fund thanks to medical records tion due to the size of the open- Krystle Campbell, was killed by trial will enter a penalty phase, not stay in the hospital for long periods of time officials later deemed were fake. ings in the abdomen,” he testified. another bomb, prosecutors said. when both sides will call another were not properly compensated. One of the people A month later, two brothers seeking compensation Nields was the 92nd and final wit- The jury saw surveillance pho- round of witnesses before the who complained: Leigh, who said her injuries were were found guilty of claiming that their aunt had lost ness called by the prosecution. tos and video of Tsarnaev stand- same jury determines whether worth more than the $8,000 she was given. her legs in the attack, even though she had died a Shrapnel from the same home- ing in the crowd in front of the Tsarnaev should be sentenced to She told the Boston Globe that she thinks the decade earlier. Earlier this year, a woman in Maine made pressure cooker bomb that restaurant, with a backpack at his death or life in prison without the charges were just a response to her criticisms. “I was arrested for trying to get more than $20,000 for killed Richard punched through feet, making a 19-second phone possibility of parole. REUTERS don’t think this is about me; I think this is because injuries investigators said she didn’t suffer. I spoke out about the One Fund,” she said. “I think WP-BLOOMBERG

Dedication ceremony Obama plans first presidential trip to Kenya

WASHINGTON: Barack Kenya’s president Kenyatta had human rights and fundamental Millions of Americans trace Obama will make a long-awaited been under investigation by the freedoms”. “The president’s trip their ancestry to the African return to Kenya this July, visit- International Criminal Court in will create another opportunity continent, and more than 100,000 ing his father’s homeland for The Hague. for dialogue with the govern- Americans live in or visit Kenya the first time since becoming Kenyatta was indicted on five ment and civil society on these each year, they said. Obama had US president, the White House counts of crimes against human- issues.” Kenyatta had attended a visited Kenya multiple times announced yesterday. ity for his alleged role in 2007-08 US-Africa summit in Washington before entering politics and in During the much-delayed visit, post-election violence that killed in 2014 but did not hold a bilateral 2006 as a US senator, when he Obama will attend a summit to nearly 1,200 people. The 53-year- meeting with Obama. visited his father’s home village encourage entrepreneurship and old son of Kenya’s founding father The White House hopes that a Nyang’oma-Kogelo and took a meet the country’s controversial protested his innocence until the visit will also do more to cement very public HIV test. leader Uhuru Kenyatta. Obama’s case was dropped in December. ties between the United States and The president’s heritage has late father was from a small village Prosecutors complained that the African continent, which has spurred domestic controversy, near the shores of Lake Victoria. they had been undermined by a received billions in Chinese invest- with some hardline political foes He met Obama’s white American lack of cooperation by the Kenyan ment in recent decades. “Just as claiming he was not born in the mother in Hawaii, where they had government, as well as the brib- President (John) Kennedy’s his- United States and so was ineligi- a son before divorcing. ing or intimidation of witnesses. toric visit to Ireland in 1963 cel- ble to become president. Obama America’s first black presi- A White House official said that ebrated the connections between allies say this is thinly veiled rac- dent has visited sub-Saharan Obama and Kenyatta would meet Irish-Americans and their forefa- ism and the president has often Africa four times since taking during the visit. thers, President Obama’s trip will made light of the controversy. “If office in 2009, but political scan- The official said the United honour the strong historical ties I did not love America, I wouldn’t dal has blocked a presidential States regularly raises “con- between the United States and have moved here from Kenya,” he visit to his ancestral home. For cerns with the Kenyan gov- Kenya - and all of Africa,” White recently joked. much of Obama’s time in power, ernment about restrictions on House advisers said in a blog. AFP

Morales’ party suffers losses Cop injured in gate-crashing attempt at NSA

WASHINGTON: A National US President Barack Obama embraces Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow Security Agency police officer of former US senator Ted Kennedy during the dedication ceremony for was among those injured when the Edward M Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in Boston someone tried to crash a vehi- cle yesterday into the entrance yesterday. The institute, which is envisioned as a way to inform the pub- gate at the NSA headquarters lic about the role of the United States Senate, opens to the public today. at Fort Meade, Maryland, the agency said in a statement. One of the vehicle’s occupants was killed when NSA police opened fire, and the second occu- Obamacare ‘death panel’ pant was wounded and taken to a hospital, the statement said. The injured NSA police officer challenge rejected was also taken to a hospital, it said. WASHINGTON: The US a “death panel” because of its Their motive was not imme- Supreme Court yesterday intended role in trimming costs diately known but officials said Democratic and Social Unity party candidate Ruben Costas (right) casts his vote at a polling station in Santa declined to hear a new challenge within Medicare, the govern- there was no evidence the inci- Cruz, Bolivia, yesterday. President Evo Morales’ Bolivian Governing Party suffered heavy losses in regional to President Barack Obama’s ment healthcare programme for dent was linked to terrorism. and mayoral elections, ceding capital La Paz and others to the opposition, according to IPSOS exit polls. healthcare law that took aim at the elderly and disabled. Lower One official said investigators a bureaucratic board labeled by courts threw out the lawsuit. In were looking into whether drugs some Republicans as a “death its August 2014 ruling, the appeals were involved. panel” because it was designed court said that the plaintiffs had Several federal law enforce- to cut Medicare costs. not shown they had suffered any ment officials said two people The high court left intact a rul- harm that they could sue over. tried to ram the gate and then ing by the San Francisco-based On the IPAB claim, the court attempted a U-turn. NSA guards Chile floods toll rises to 17 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals noted that under the terms of the began firing at the vehicle, one of that threw out the lawsuit. The healthcare law, the board acts only the officials said. SANTIAGO: At least 17 peo- was “bleak” and that the death survived the mine collapse ordeal, court’s action in an unsigned if Medicare spending increases “The shooting scene is con- ple were killed in flash floods toll was likely to rise. Luis Urzua, said they had been order was a victory for Obama at a certain level. The earliest it tained and we do not believe it that hit a normally arid region Those who lost their homes located. administration, which has faced a could ever take any action that is related to terrorism,” the FBI of northern Chile last week, in the floods included several of “Physically they’re fine, but... barrage of legal challenges to the could potentially reduce Novack’s said in a statement. “We are and about the same number the 33 miners who were trapped they lost everything,” he said. 2010 Affordable Care Act, often Medicare reimbursements would investigating with NSA police remain missing, authorities said underground in the same region “The region is going to take a long called Obamacare. be in 2019. and other law enforcement yesterday. for more than two months in 2010, time to recover. It’s like a tsunami In the case that the justices The plaintiffs, represented by agencies.” The latest death toll from the then rescued in an operation that hit us.” rejected yesterday, Arizona-based the Phoenix, Arizona-based con- The FBI added it was working devastating floods was released captured worldwide attention. The downpour began late business owner Nick Coons and servative Goldwater Institute, with the US attorney’s office in after five more bodies were found Rescued miners Ariel Ticona, Tuesday and lashed the area for Dr Eric Novack, an orthopedic also challenged a provision of the Maryland to determine whether late Sunday and early Monday, as Esteban Rojas, Victor Segovia hours, turning riverbeds that had surgeon, sued in 2011 in litiga- law, known as the individual man- federal charges were warranted. rescue workers continued deal- and Victor Zamora all lost their been dry for years into torrents. tion backed by a conservative date, that requires Americans to NBC News, quoting unnamed ing with the aftermath of the tor- houses to the raging floodwaters The interior ministry legal group. Among other things, obtain health insurance. Those sources, said the two, dressed as rential rains in Atacama region, in small mining towns in the declared a state of emergency on they challenged the Independent claims were also rejected. The women, were driving a stolen car. home to the world’s driest desert. Atacama interior. Wednesday and sent in the mili- Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, Supreme Court upheld the con- A gun and drugs were found in Chilean President Michelle Ticona, Rojas and Segovia had tary to maintain order and help a 15-member government panel stitutionality of the individual the vehicle, a Ford Escape, the Bachelet had warned at the week- initially been reported missing, with the cleanup effort. dubbed by some Republicans as mandate in 2012. REUTERS network said. REUTERS end that the situation in the area but the leader of the group that AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Sri Lankan Another blogger minister warns Tiger rebels hacked to death could regroup

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new government warned yesterday in Bangladesh that defeated Tamil Tiger rebels could regroup and orchestrate another conflict, six years after their defeat in the island’s sepa- Ideological differences cited as motive ratist war. Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith DHAKA: A Bangladeshi blog- mock fundamentalist Islamic Perera made the comments after ger was hacked to death in views. members of his government Dhaka yesterday, the second Deputy Police Commissioner pushed for the European Union such attack on a critic of reli- Biplob Kumar Sarker said the to again blacklist the separatist gious fundamentalism in the motive for the killing appeared Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam mainly Muslim country in less to be “ideological” differences (LTTE). than two months. with fundamentalist groups in Perera said members of the Three knife-wielding attackers Bangladesh. LTTE had millions of dollars in set upon 27-year-old Washiqur “So far what we’ve gathered foreign assets that could be used Rahman near his home yesterday after primary interrogation of the to fund another guerrilla war at morning, weeks after the murder two suspects is that they killed home. “Their front organisations of an American atheist blogger him because he criticised hardline operate businesses abroad, they in Dhaka triggered international Islamists,” he said. run petrol stations, supermarkets outrage. Officially secular Bangladesh Bangladesh police officials parade suspects before media representatives in Dhaka yesterday, after blogger and have shipping companies,” Police said they had arrested has seen a rise in Islamism in Washiqur Rahman was hacked to death. the minister told reporters in two suspects at the scene and recent years. Colombo. retrieved three knives, but a third Fellow blogger Asif Mohiuddin, Bangladeshi origin who was to protect humanist writers. activists calling for protests later “Even though they have been escaped. who survived a brutal attack hacked to death with machetes Police have arrested one suspect yesterday. defeated on the ground, there is Deputy Commissioner Wahidul by Islamists in January 2013, in Dhaka last month. over the death of Bangladesh- “He was murdered because we a real danger of their trying to Islam said Rahman had been described Rahman as a “fellow His death sparked uproar, with born Roy, who was also the author have a culture of impunity here. regroup.” “brutally hacked to death”. warrior”. hundreds of secular activists hold- of a series of books including the He was a progressive free thinker Perera said the EU last week “They hacked him in his head “He is a friend of mine and a ing protests for days to demand controversial best-seller “The and was against religious funda- placed the LTTE back on its ter- and neck with big knives and once fellow warrior. He was an atheist justice. Virus of Faith”. mentalism,” said Imran Sarker, ror list following a request last he fell on the ground they then and a believer in humanism,” said Witnesses said Roy and wife Roy’s murder followed the 2013 head of a Bangladeshi bloggers’ year by Sri Lanka’s now prime hacked his body,” he said. Mohiuddin in a Facebook message were returning from a book fair killing of atheist blogger Ahmed network. minister — after a European court Rahman’s blog did not appear to from Berlin. when they were both hauled Rajib Haider. “We condemn this attack and last October ordered the LTTE’s focus on religious issues, although The two suspects in custody off their rickshaw on a busy A court this month ordered have urged all bloggers to join removal from the blacklist. fellow writers said he opposed are aged about 20 and are both street by at least two attack- seven university students and a protests.” “The European Union took religious fundamentalism. students of madrassas or Islamic ers who then slashed them with Muslim cleric to stand trial for Sarker said Rahman blogged the action following a request Police said he used a Facebook schools, Islam said. machetes. his murder. under the pseudonym Kutshit from our Prime Minister (Ranil page under the name Washiqur The killing bears strong simi- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Fellow bloggers and secu- Hasher Chhana, which translates Wickremesinghe) in November Babu to post articles written by larities to the murder of Avijit secular government has faced lar writers reacted angrily to as Ugly Duckling. (when he was the leader of the other writers that appeared to Roy, an American blogger of criticism for failing to do enough the latest attack, with secular AFP opposition),” Perera said. President Maithripala Sirisena, elected in January, has taken steps towards reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils following the decades-long war that ended Nigeria’s Buhari gains early ground amid vote tally fears in 2009. His government has pledged to investigate war crimes allegedly ABUJA: Nigerian presidential won 484,000 votes there. scandals over billions of dollars in such as Rivers have prompted but in many places proved to be committed during the conflict in challenger Muhammadu Buhari The city, scene of three days of missing oil receipts and the erup- suspicion among diplomats, less chaotic than previous elec- sharp contrast to former strong- recorded thumping majorities bloodletting after Buhari lost to tion of an Islamist insurgency in observers and the opposition, tions in Africa’s biggest economy man Mahinda Rajapakse who in key northern states yester- Jonathan in the last election in which thousands have died have whose sympathisers took to the and top oil producer. insisted no civilians were killed day, as the United States and 2011, was tense but quiet as the undermined Jonathan’s popularity. streets in protest. At least 15 people were shot by his troops. Britain expressed concerns results trickled in, with the roads Although the early results will Police fired tear gas at a dead on polling day, most of Sri Lanka has previously said about meddling with the vote empty of traffic and many shops hearten the Buhari camp, they crowd of 100 female support- them in the northeast where that the LTTE extorted money count. and homes shuttered. are far from conclusive in an ers of Buhari’s All Progressives Boko Haram has declared war on from Sri Lankans abroad to Buhari, a 72-year-old former Buhari, a northern Muslim, election forecast to be the clos- Congress (APC) demonstrating democracy in its fight to revive a finance their campaign for an military ruler who has cam- also won 1.9 million votes in Kano est since the end of military rule outside the regional offices of the mediaeval caliphate in the sands independent homeland in the paigned as a born-again democrat against 216,000 for Jonathan, an in 1999. INEC election commission. of the southern Sahara. island’s northeast. intent on cleaning up the corrupt indication of the political polari- In his native Rivers state, the “Their intention was to destroy However, the US and Britain Sri Lankan forces crushed the politics of Africa’s most populous sation that has deepened over the volatile and hotly contested home INEC materials,” a policeman at said that after the vote there were Tigers’ leadership in the 2009 nation, won 1.1 million votes in the last five years under Jonathan’s of Africa’s biggest oil and gas the scene said. worrying signs of political inter- military campaign, sparking alle- flashpoint city of Kaduna. People’s Democratic Party (PDP). industry, Jonathan won a massive The weekend vote was marred ference in the centralised tallying gations that up to 40,000 Tamil President Goodluck Jonathan, Although the economy has been 95 percent of the vote. by confusion, technical glitches, of the results. civilians were killed. a 57-year-old southern Christian, growing at seven percent or more, The results coming from states arguments and occasional violence REUTERS AFP

Durian fans Malaysia unveils Myanmar, rebels agree terrorism bill amid Islamic draft ceasefire deal YANGON: Myanmar peace Conflicts were fuelled in part by State fears negotiators agreed the draft tussles over the country’s rich text of a historic nationwide resources. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s ceasefire agreement yester- The quasi-civilian government, government yesterday unveiled day, as the country edges closer which took power after decades a new anti-terrorism bill that to ending decades of conflict of army rule in 2011, has made a allows lengthy detentions with- between ethnic minority groups peace agreement with an array of out trial, as worries grow in and the government. rebel groups a cornerstone of its the Muslim-majority country The tentative deal, which political reforms. over the appeal of the extremist comes as heavy fighting between Observers say the looming elec- Islamic State (IS) group. the military and rebel groups con- tion, expected in November, has Authorities have expressed tinues to ravage a northern bor- added urgency to these efforts, increasing alarm as scores of der area, sets out the framework with fears that local political jock- Malaysians have either gone for a countrywide ceasefire — a eying could override wider moves abroad to join the IS jihadists, or key target of the government as to achieve peace. have been arrested for seeking to the nation heads towards crucial Lengthy negotiations have travel to Syria or on suspicion of elections later this year. stumbled on a range of thorny supporting the group. But the draft, which was negoti- issues, including the concept of a The political opposition, which ated by representatives of the gov- federal military, while continued is reeling under a government ernment and the 16 ethnic armed fighting in northern Kachin and crackdown on its opponents, groups involved in the talks, will Shan states has overshadowed the immediately denounced the pro- only officially be signed after a talks. posed Prevention of Terrorism H undreds of Indonesian revellers prepare to grab a towering stack of durian fruits during the durian festival in conference of the rebel groups. Unrest in the Kokang region Act (Pota), saying this would give Wonosalam village in eastern Java island. Indonesia’s passion for the exotic smelly fruit is given tribute annually “This is the first step to signing of Shan state began last month the government another tool to at a well attended parade capped by a mass free for all grab all you can. a nationwide ceasefire agreement and shook relations with China as suppress peaceful dissent. and to move to political dialogue,” tens of thousands fled heavy fight- According to the bill, suspects said Naing Han Tha, who led the ing on the border. The clashes can be detained for two years ethnic group negotiators. have heightened fears over the without judicial review. The No date has so far been given peace process. detentions can be extended by a Four S Koreans killed in Nepal bus crash for the rebel conference. Myanmar has reached indi- board to be set up under the law. But negotiators said they had vidual ceasefires with 14 of the The government made no managed to find mutually accept- 16 major armed ethnic groups, public comment about the bill KATHMANDU: Four South larger vehicle coming from the is receiving medical treatment able ground on most points, add- but deals have so far proved elu- on Monday, but Home Minister Korean tourists along with opposite direction at Dhadhing, in Kathmandu along with five ing that some more difficult sive with the Ta’ang National Zahid Hamidi was earlier quoted their driver were killed in a bus about 70km from Kathmandu, the other other injured. The other sections were excised from the Liberation Army in Shan state, by Malaysian media as saying it crash in central Nepal yester- officer said. 10 who were hurt were taken to agreement. “Now we have an which is fighting alongside the would “only be used to curb ter- day, police said. “Three South Korean tourists a hospital near the scene of the understanding,” said Hla Maung Kokang rebels, as well as the rorism” and not against govern- Another South Korean and and the microbus bus driver died accident. Swe, one of the senior government Kachin Independence Army. ment critics. 15 others were injured in the on the spot. Two other South Deadly crashes are relatively negotiators, at a press conference. The Kokang rebels, who spilled It is highly likely the bill will be crash, which happened as the Koreans were injured and taken common in the impoverished “There is nothing left to dis- back into Myanmar in February passed due to the government’s tourists were returning to to Kathmandu, but one died while Himalayan nation because of poor cuss. From our side, we are ready after being driven out by the army control of parliament. A previous the capital Kathmandu from in treatment,” Malla said. roads, badly maintained vehicles to sign,” he added. in 2009, are not directly involved draconian internal security law the popular tourist town of “We are in contact with the and reckless driving. Myanmar has been racked by in the peace talks, but the eth- that allowed detention without Pokhara, said police officer South Korean embassy officials, Last November 47 people died unrest since independence from nic armed group negotiators are trial was scrapped in 2012 amid Prakash Malla. they are heading here to receive when an overcrowded bus plunged Britain in 1948 as insurgencies pushing for the fighting to be part public pressure for political reform. Their minibus was overtak- the bodies.” into a river in the country’s west. flared among minority groups of future dialogue. AFP ing and appeared to have hit a The injured South Korean AFP demanding greater autonomy. AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Panel fears US troop decision hurting peace plan Presence of US troops a key Taliban objection to talks; Ghani’s request for more US support may erode trust

KABUL: The official body over- to slow the pace at which it would to negotiate peace with the Taliban’s official spokesman, thousands of soldiers remain to troops in Afghanistan, other seeing the Afghan peace proc- wind down a force of 9,800 sol- Taliban and has some 70 members. Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned train local forces and provide potential stumbling blocks include ess and other influential players diers, and allow them to stay Some senior regional diplo- the US move. support including gathering possible demands that the con- in the region have criticised through the end of 2015, could mats and Afghan power brokers “The Afghans will never accept intelligence. stitution be changed and how President Ashraf Ghani for further complicate the process. say the US decision makes little foreign occupation and have the Around 1,800 soldiers are also Taliban fighters are reintegrated pushing for US troops to stay Under the previous plan, US difference on the battlefield, but patience and determination for a engaged in fighting Taliban and Al into society. longer, saying it could hurt the forces were to have been cut to could further erode already frag- long struggle,” said Mujahid, who, Qaeda remnants in Afghanistan. “Power sharing is not the most chances of ending the Taliban about half their current levels ile trust between the Taliban and given the fractious nature of the Afghan commanders wel- controversial issue compared with insurgency. by year-end, and the change has the government. movement, does not necessarily comed Obama’s decision, Taliban demands that the consti- Talks between the govern- angered the Taliban, which has They fear that by seeking addi- reflect the views of the entire although US air support has tution be extensively rewritten,” ment and Taliban have yet to stated that foreign troops against tional US military support, Ghani leadership. been gradually wound down said Taliban expert Antonio begin, although militant leaders which it has fought must not be is sending the wrong message to President Barack Obama still and is only used in emergencies, Giustozzi, who has studied the have signalled that they are ready allowed to stay. the Taliban, which was ousted intends to withdraw US troops by hampering their ability to battle movement for a decade. to negotiate through Pakistani “This will certainly compli- in an American-led operation in 2017, but by delaying the reduc- the Taliban. “The issue of reintegrating the mediation. The conflict costs cate the peace effort, because the 2001 and is fighting to return to tion this year, he hopes to bolster Little has been said publicly Taliban’s full-time armed force; thousands of lives each year. Taliban have long wanted foreign power and impose a strict inter- under-resourced Afghan forces about what the Taliban may nobody talks about it, but how Progress towards highly sensi- troops and US forces in particular pretation of sharia. during the traditional fighting demand before coming to the this problem is approached will tive talks appears to have stalled, to leave Afghanistan,” High Peace One of the more outspoken season which begins in spring. negotiating table, but even if talks determine the success of the in part over divisions within the Council spokesman Shahzada parliamentarians in Kabul, Abdul Although Nato’s US-led mis- did begin, experts said the process (Taliban’s) leadership in drag- Taliban. Shahid told Reuters. Qader Zazai, said the decision sion in Afghanistan, which num- could take years. ging its fighters towards a politi- The US announcement during The High Peace Council was would have a “negative impact” bered 130,000 at its peak, has As well as how to divide power cal settlement.” Ghani’s recent visit to Washington appointed by Ghani’s predecessor on the peace process, while the formally ended combat duties, and objections about foreign REUTERS

Solidarity with Yemen Safety plans riding on Action against 70 schools for ‘unfeasible’ action plan failing barbed ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s to do something on a war-footing safety is essentially riding on basis,” said one of the authors. wire test the government’s National While the authors believe that Action Plan (NAP) drafted in all 20 points comprising the NAP PESHAWAR: A northwest- the aftermath of the December are relevant, as far as their imple- ern Pakistani province is tak- 16 attack on Peshawar’s Army mentation is concerned, “huge ing criminal action against Public School but the authors of resources, experts’ detailed input 70 schools that have failed to the much-vaunted counterter- and research work are required to tighten security with meas- rorism strategy deem it unfea- make the plan workable”. ures such as installing barbed sible, a document put together On the contrary, the experts wire following a December high in haste rather than after care- could only focus on the situation school attack that killed 132 ful deliberation. in the Federally Administered children. Under the NAP, the govern- Tribal Areas during the “precious The government of Khyber ment aims to crack down on ter- hours” allowed them. Pakhtunkhwa made it compul- rorism across the country and at “Karachi, Balochistan, sec- sory for all schools to hire armed the same time supplement the tarian clashes, Afghan refugees, guards, raise the height of bound- anti-terrorism offensive in north- banned organisations, seminary ary walls with barbed wire and west Pakistan. reforms and the policy on prox- install closed-circuit televison. Combining foreign and domes- ies were completely ignored dur- Pakistan is in mourning after tic policy initiatives to ultimately ing the discussions,” revealed an December’s attack on the army- eradicate banned organisations, expert. run high school in the northwest- the action plan provided the The government’s focus at the A ctivists march in support of the Saudi government’s fight against Houthi rebels in Yemen at a rally in Quetta ern city of Peshawar. Six gunmen framework for the 21st consti- time of drafting the NAP was yesterday. believed linked to the Pakistani tutional amendment that made the situation emerging from the Taliban killed 153 people in all. it possible to set up speedy trial Peshawar massacre that had left The 70 schools taken to task military courts to dispose of ter- 150 people, most of them children, are in Kohat, south of Peshawar, rorism cases. dead. which Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The plan also led to the removal The Tehreek-e-Taliban Govt reluctant to register case Education Minister Mohammad of a seven-year moratorium on Pakistan is an internal threat Atif Khan described as “danger- the death penalty and to obliga- with an external presence, but ous”. Khan told officials to hold tory re-verification of all mobile this problem could not be fixed meetings with school officials subscribers through fingerprint in the action plan, and the experts against students over IS pledge before taking action, he said. recognition. could also not make recommenda- “We extended the deadline sev- The authors of the NAP say tions on the required policy shift ISLAMABAD: The govern- prepared by Superintendent of code or in the General Clauses eral times to enable the owners the government did not allow towards our neighbours. ment of Pakistan is reluctant Police City Rizwan Omar Gondal Act, 1897 and must therefore, be and principals to make security them enough time to devise a The experts did not have to register a case against the and sent to Inspector General of understood in its ordinary dic- arrangements, but finally we comprehensive counterterrorism enough time to discuss the civil- Shohada Foundation and stu- Police Tahir Alam Khan for fur- tionary meaning of “carrying on decided to take action in those and counter-insurgency plan to ian oversight mechanism with the dents of Jamia Hafsa on charges ther legal action. war”. areas whose security risk level ensure civilian supremacy in the focus on empowering the police; of waging war against the state The report was then forwarded The prosecution department is very high, such as Kohat,” the implementation process. as a result, the security forces and inviting the self-styled to the police prosecution depart- also suggested that because the minister said. An expert said his request for have been assumed to lead the Islamic State militant group ment for a legal opinion, who matter related to the sovereignty The province enforced the allowing at least two weeks for front. commonly known by its Arabic reported that the words spoken of the country, the case should be security measures even though doing proper homework to adopt a The experts said that after the acronym Daesh to avenge by the students in the video and sent to the appropriate forum and the school targeted on December suitable counterterrorism approach abolition of the magistrate sys- Operation Silence, which was the content of the press release legal advice sought before pro- 16 also had CCTV and security was also turned down. “The docu- tem and in the absence of a local launched against the Lal Masjid reportedly fall under offences laid ceeding further. guards, which did not help stop ment was prepared in a few hours government, there was no “cap- in 2007, officials of the interior out in sections 121, 121A, 505(1)b According to an official from the bloodshed. without meaningful deliberation.” tain” at district level to head the ministry and police officers said. and 505(2) of the Pakistan Penal the interior ministry, “police offic- When asked if the cost of the When the authors were con- machinery possessing legal and In December, the Shohada Code. ers reminded a senior government measures might be a reason tacted by the federal government, executive powers. Foundation had issued a press Section 121 and 121-A of the functionary in a few meetings, but for non-compliance, Khan said they were told to put together the An official of the interior min- release and a video message, invit- code deals with offences related were asked to wait for a response. anyone who ran a school had action plan in the least possible istry said that only those experts ing the head of Daesh to come to to ‘waging war’ against Pakistan. Now, whenever the senior func- the responsibility to protect the time. “When we requested some who had a lifetime’s worth of Pakistan to avenge the deaths of The expression “waging war”, tionary is reminded about the children. time to think about it, we were experience had been selected for their brethren. according to the legal opinion matter, he expresses his displeas- “It seems as though I have a told that this was an urgent issue drafting the NAP. After the press release and video submitted to the police depart- ure in no unclear terms.” shop selling CCTV cameras and and there was no other option but INTERNEWS message went public, a report was ment, has not been defined in the INTERNEWS am pressuring school owners to buy them,” he said. “I have no personal interest in asking them to hire security Joy ride guards and install CCTV cam- eras, but will never allow some- Aitzaz named Senate one to jeopardise the safety of the children.” opposition leader Dr Habib wins R&D

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan independent senators from Fata Effort Award People’s Party leader and sen- had submitted a request to the ior lawyer Chaudhry Aitzaz Senate chairman seeking Ahsan’s ISLAMABAD: Professor Dr Ahsan has been appointed as appointment as the leader of the Habib Ahmad, Chairman of the leader of the opposition in opposition. the department of genetics, Senate (the Upper House) for The PPP at present has 26 Hazara University in northwest the second consecutive term senators whereas the MQM and Pakistan, has been awarded after his nomination by Senate the ANP have eight and seven the R and D Effort Award-2015 Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani. members, respectively, in the by the Directorate of Science The Senate Secretariat has upper house. The PML-Q and the and Technology, Khyber already issued a notification in BNP-A have three members each Pakhtunkhwa province for his this regard. in Senate where despite winning contribution in the field of sci- Ahsan enjoys the support of the maximum number of seats in ence and higher education. all the opposition parties rep- recent polls, the ruling PML-N is Dr Habib, who is also dean of resented in Senate, except the in minority. the Hazara University’s faculty of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and With Ahsan’s appointment as science, had won the civil award, Jamaat-i-Islami. leader of the opposition, all the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, in March 2011 After election of its six candi- main posts in Senate have been for his contribution towards dates as senators in March 5 polls, filled. Prime Minister Nawaz Cytogenetics. the PTI has got representation in Sharif has already appointed Earlier, he had won the civil Senate for the first time and it Raja Zafarul Haq as leader of society’s National Talent Award has decided to continue to play the house whereas newly elected in 2008 and the Productive the role of an independent oppo- Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has Scientist Award consecutively sition group in the upper house. been appointed as the parliamen- in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was As many as 46 members tary leader of the ruling PML-N awarded the Best Performance Afghan children enjoy a ride in Kabul yesterday. belonging to the PPP, ANP, in Senate. Award 2011. MQM, PML-Q, BNP-A and two IANS AGENCIES TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Bharat Ratna, Padma awards conferred Two journalists get Padma Bhushan

NEW DELHI: The coun- Bhushan. try’s high civilian honours — People from the sports world the Bharat Ratna and Padma included well-known wrestler awards — were yesterday con- Satpal, who received the Padma ferred by President Pranab Bhushan for his outstanding per- Mukherjee on a galaxy of prom- formance in various international inent people who have done the tournaments. country proud. Renowned badminton player Bharat Ratna, the highest civil- P V Sindhu and Indian hockey ian award, was bestowed posthu- team captain Sardar Singh both mously on freedom fighter and received the Padma Shri. eminent educationist Madan The Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Mohan Malaviya at an investiture Bhavan was overcrowded as rela- ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan tives and friends of the recipients yesterday evening. occupied most of the chairs. Vice Former prime minister Atal President Hamid Ansari, Modi, Behari Vajpayee, who too was hon- many cabinet ministers and gov- People look for missing residents following a landslide due to heavy rainfall in the village of Laden at Chadoora, some 40km west of Srinagar, yesterday. oured with the Bharat Ratna, was ernment officials were present. RIGHT: A resident carries a child through the rising waters in a neighbourhood of Srinagar. presented the medallion and the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind scroll of the award last week at his Kejriwal was also present at the residence because of his ill health. awards ceremony. He was seen President Mukherjee presented interacting with the media freely the Padma Vibhushan, Padma after the function. 17 die as floods ravage Kashmir Bhushan and Padma Shri to a Relatives and friends of the host of leaders and prominent recipients cheered when the names SRINAGAR: Up to 16 people A vehicle carrying cattle on “I left everything behind and public and private properties were people from various walks of life. of their loved ones were announced were killed yesterday as a dev- way to Udhampur from Doda was shifted out of my home with my damaged in the incessant rains. The awards, which are announced to receive the awards. Some of astating flood in the Kashmir caught in flash floods in Jammu. family hardly four hours after it An avalanche warning was on the eve of the Republic Day them put their hands up while Valley forced thousands to A young man, Angrez Singh, was looked like the rain was unending sounded in the higher reaches of every year, this year included clapping and were seen pointing flee to safer places as rain-fed washed away. on Saturday night,” he said. the state. All examinations have two Bharat Ratnas, three Padma at the recipients of the honour. streams rushed down the moun- In Srinagar, a worried Chief Flood waters inundated the been postponed till April 3. Inter- Vibhushans, 12 Padma Bhushans On March 27, President tains, flooding parts of Srinagar. Minister Mufti Muhammad Jammu-Srinagar highway at district connectivity has been and 34 Padma Shris. Mukherjee made a break with A man was washed away by a Sayeed visited the water-logged Pampore town, 12km from severely affected in the Kashmir BJP leader and former dep- protocol to drive down to swollen river in Jammu region. city centre Lal Chowk and inter- Srinagar, snapping road links Valley. The weather office has uty prime minister L K Advani, Vajpayee’s Krishna Menon Marg As the water level in the acted with traders and common between the state’s winter and forecast better days. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash residence to confer the high- Jhelum river rose menacingly, people. He assured the traders that summer capitals. The Jhelum was “There will be a decrease in pre- Singh Badal and Jagadguru Swami est honour on the nonagenarian a high alert was sounded in the the government would take up on flowing at 22.8 feet at Sangam cipitation from today (Monday). Rambhadracharya received the Bharatiya Janata Party leader region. Fearing a repeat of the priority basis providing relief to in Anantnag, at 19 feet at Ram Another western disturbance is Padma Vibhushan. who has been keeping ill health. terrible September 2014 floods businessmen who suffered in 2014. Munshi Bagh in Srinagar and at likely to hit the state on April 2 Journalists Swapan Dasgupta Ansari, Modi as well as former that killed over 200 people, entire Sayeed announced Rs25 crore 11.55 feet at Ashim in Bandipora, but the intensity is going to be and Rajat Sharma, Microsoft prime minister Manmohan Singh families deserted their homes in from the Chief Minister’s Relief an official said. much less,” Sonam Lotus, director founder and philanthropist Bill and Advani were among those low-lying areas. Fund for the worst hit Kashmir People living along the banks of of the local Met Office, said. Gates and his wife Melinda who attended the presentation For Nisar Hussain, 65, who lives Valley and Rs10 crore for Jammu Jhelum were told to move to safer The central government was in Gates were awarded the Padma on that day. Modi expressed his in Gogjibagh area of Srinagar region. places. And residents in flood- constant touch with Jammu and Bhushan. The Gates couple, how- gratitude to Mukherjee for going with his 60-year-old wife and Flood-hit resident Nisar said prone areas of Srinagar, espe- Kashmir and monitoring the flood ever, could not come to personally to Vajpayee’s home to personally 27-year-old daughter, this was the he had to quickly shift his family cially those in Rajbagh, Jawahar situation, officials said. Home receive their awards. hand over the award. second uprooting in six months. after a flood alert was sounded by Nagar, Wazir Bagh and some Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Poet-lyricist Prasoon Joshi, A photograph of the presi- A landslide in Laden village the authorities on Sunday night. more places, hurriedly shifted to Chief Minister Sayeed. filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali dent presenting the medallion in Budgam district buried two “This is traumatic. My daughter safer places. The process began on Union Minister of State for and playwright Tarak Janubhai to Vajpayee was released later. houses, trapping 16 people from refused to live at Gogjibagh after Sunday evening. Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Mehta were some of the well- Vajpayee, 90, was the first non- two families under the debris. news about the rising Jhelum Many shopkeepers along the Abbas Naqvi visited the Kashmir known people who received the Congress leader to serve India for a While six bodies were found by river was flashed on TV,” he said. Residency Road and Lal Chowk Valley. Two teams of the National Padma Shri. full five-year term (1999-2004). His evening, all others are feared Ghulam Rasool, a 56-year-old commercial hub moved their mer- Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Rajat Sharma shook hands earlier two stints in office lasted 13 killed, officials said. The dead in flood-hit Rajbagh, did not even chandise to safer places. These have been deputed and four other with Prime Minister Narendra days and 13 months, respectively. included four women, a man and wait for the authorities to issue were the worst hit in 2014. teams are on stand-by. Modi as he stood to receive Padma IANS a 22-day-old baby. the flood warning. Authorities said more than 80 IANS

Membership drive SC to hold final hearing in Blanket ban on chewable Babri conspiracy case tobacco in Delhi NEW DELHI: The Supreme Modi government triggering Court will take up on April 1 for speculation whether there would NEW DELHI: A blanket ban final hearing the CBI’s appeal be any shift in the stand of the on all forms of chewable tobacco challenging 2010 Allahabad High government from the one taken came into effect in the national Court verdict discharging of L K by the UPA government. capital from yesterday, with Advani and 19 other senior lead- The notice on the CBI plea was Health Minister Satyendra Jain ers of BJP and Hindu outfits the issued March 3, 2011 and the matter asserting that the move will charges of criminal conspiracy has been listed before the court 23 help save the government’s as in the demolition of the Babri times. The CBI which had moved well as people’s money in treat- Masjid on December 6, 1992. the Apex Court on February 18, ing oral cancer. A bench of Chief Justice H L 2011 nearly nine months after the Health department teams Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra Allahabad High Court verdict May accompanied by Delhi Police per- will hear CBI’s appeal which 20, 2010, has yet to persuade the sonnel would fan out in the capi- was last listed before the Apex court on the justification for delay tal to conduct surprise checks for Court on February 5 when it was in challenging the high court order. ensuring strict implementation of directed to be listed for final hear- Besides Advani, other accused the ban, Jain told reporters. ing on “1st April, 2014 before an include senior BJP leaders M M Besides, the government would appropriate bench”. Joshi, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti also launch awareness cam- Though the matter is pend- and former UP chief minister paigns about the harmful effects ing before the Apex Court since Kalyan Singh, and VHP leaders of tobacco on health. “Gutka, Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur have their photograph taken by Delhi March 3, 2011, but it for the first Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, tobacco, paan-masala are items Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Maken at the launch of an online and application-based mem- time it is coming up for hearing Hari Dalmiya, Sadhvi Ritambrara, which are harmful to health. The IANS bership drive of the Congress Party in New Delhi yesterday. after formation of the Narendra and Mahant Avaidyanath. teams have been told to be active in this regard. They will keep a strict vigil,” Jain said. The ban notification prohibits manufacture, storage, distribu- tion or sale of tobacco which is Fresh allegations levelled against Chandy govt, ministers either flavoured, scented or mixed with any additive. Health officials, however, said “no such ban will be THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ganesh Kumar, a film actor by reporters after coming out of the “He is levelling baseless alle- also,” said Ramesh soon after enforced on cigarettes”. Two whistleblowers appeared profession, yesterday turned emo- Lok Ayukta’s court that he fears gations and he will be proceeded he emerged after a three-and- The officials said there was a to create fresh trouble for the tional in front of the Lok Ayukta for his life but will not seek any against legally and politically by a-half hours session before the Delhi government notification Oommen Chandy government when he said that he knows that sort of police protection. me,” he said. magistrate. in September 2012 which was in yesterday by levelling fresh he is exposing a corrupt minister “I have given clinching evidence Meanwhile, whistle blowerbar He said he had full faith in the pursuance of a series of Supreme allegations against four Kerala and hence even his life and hon- to expose the numerous corrupt owner Biju Ramesh, who last judiciary. “First I was threatened, Court directions to ban gutka in ministers — three of whom our are at stake. deals of Kunju. I am different year alleged Finance Minister K then when I failed to yield, they the city. were not named but said to be He told the court that a from other politicians who claim M Mani took a bribe of Rs1 crore, started cajoling me requesting me But since the ban mentioned of the Congress. detailed probe should be ordered to have lots of documents when appeared before a magistrate and not to appear before the magis- the term ‘gutka’, tobacco retail- The first whistleblower was into the manner in which Kunju, they level allegations against gave a statement. trate to give the statement. Now I ers had started selling the com- former minister K B Ganesh who started off as a worker in a others. Here, I have placed all “All along when I raised the feel a lot relieved that I have done ponents of gutka (betel nut and Kumar, whose Kerala Congress- factory in Kochi in 1983, owns the documents, which speak for bribe charges, I was challenged my job. I did this so as to help the raw tobacco) in separate pouches. Pillai has now been booted out huge wealth today. themselves of the massive corrup- from several quarters to give evi- investigation that’s already going So the purpose of banning of the ruling United Democrat Neither Kunju’s wife nor chil- tion that has taken place, before dence. I today had an in-camera on in the case,” he said. gutka was not served, health offi- Front alliance. dren had jobs to save this much the Lok Ayukta. This government sitting and the magistrate took Communist Party of India- cials said. Therefore, the health After lashing out last yeaer in money and as Kunju’s known pro- has institutionalised corruption,” my 30-page statement. I have not Marxist state secretary Kodiyeri department came up with a new the assembly against his former fession was that of a politician, he alleged. only said but also given audio evi- Balakrishnan claimed Chandy is proposal to ban all raw chewable cabinet colleague, PWD minister hence his wealth has to be probed Meanwhile Kunju charged dence to substantiate my allega- protecting Mani because he wants tobacco products in Delhi, an offi- V K Ebrahim Kunju by alleging into, he said. Ganesh Kumar of resorting to tions which include not just Mani to shield the three Congress min- cial said. widespread corruption his office, Ganesh Kumar told personal attacks. but three other state ministers isters also. IANS IANS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Saudi help sought to rescue citizens from Yemen Over half of 4,000 nationals are nurses; 80 flown out by air, 400 by ship; Air India planes on standby in Oman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Djibouti today. They will be flown the ordeal suffered by 46 Indian telephone. “This is cruel. My con- India asked Saudi Arabia yes- home by the Indian Air Force. nurses kidnapped in Iraq last science does not allow me to leave terday to help evacuate its citi- Minister of State for External year as Islamic State militants them like that.” Scarcity of food, water, zens from Yemen, where more Affairs V K Singh would also be advanced on Tikrit. The nurses Meanwhile, navy officials said than 4,000 Indians, over half of reaching Djibouti today to over- were freed in June, in an early two ships, destroyer INS Mumbai them nurses, are caught up in see the operations. External diplomatic triumph for Modi, and stealth frigate INS Tarkash, says returnee to Kerala fighting. Affairs Ministry spokesman but the fate of 39 Indian build- have left Mumbai for Yemen. Prime Minister Narendra Syed Akbaruddin said that in ing workers captured in Mosul Defence Ministry spokesper- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a shortage of food and Modi’s office said he had spoken Djibouti, the government was remains unclear. son Sitanshu Kar said two C17 water in Yemen and continuous bombing and shelling is taking by telephone with the Custodian stationing five diplomats, includ- New Delhi has issued a series Globemaster aircraft of the air place in the country, an expatriate has said on returning to Kerala. of the Two Holy Mosques King ing three senior officials of the of warnings this year to Indian force would fly to Djibouti today to Rueban Jacob Chandy, who arrived here in the morning, said the Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi ministry, to assist in the efforts. nationals to leave Yemen, the bring back the stranded Indians. atmosphere is not conducive to live in Yemen with food and water Arabia and requested Riyadh’s The nurses, mostly from last of them shortly before Saudi These will be utilised as appro- becoming increasingly scarse. “support and cooperation in the Kerala, are often hired on Arabia launched air strikes last priate given the circumstances “I worked with a Dubai-based oil company in (Yemen capital) evacuation of Indian citizens from harsh terms with middlemen Thursday against Iranian-allied that are evolving in the region. Sana’a. I was the only Indian in the company, which gave me a ticket Yemen”. taking up-front fees. Hospitals Houthi militiamen. Akbaruddin said. to fly home. The day before yesterday (Saturday) around 79 people King Salman assured Modi are reluctant to let them leave Indians returning from Yemen Indian ship INS Sumitra was boarded a Yemen airline flight and flew to Djibouti. We were put on a of all possible assistance to help because they would have to close said the situation, especially in also in the region. “Its services Qatar Airways flight to Doha and then I reached here,” Chandy said. them leave, it said in a statement. without foreign staff. Aden, was grave. “They can- will also be utilised to ensure Two youth also reached Kochi from Yemen yesterday. They waited Two Air India planes on standby Sajeesh Mathew’s wife, not go out of their residences. the safety of Indian nation- on an airport in Yemen for a few days before taking a flight, he said. in neighbouring Oman were una- 29-year-old nurse Asha, has Many are running out of water als who will be repatriated or “All those who flew from Yemen had to buy their own tickets. The ble to fly in to the Yemeni capital worked for three years at the Al and food,” said Lijo George, an IT evacuated by sea.” condition is difficult in the country. The Indian embassy is doing its Sana’a yesterday despite what Naqib Hospital in the port city worker who returned to Kerala Asked whether India had best to help people. Sana’a is in hilly terrain...there is heavy bombing Indian officials said earlier were of Aden, scene of fighting follow- on Monday from Sanaa. any plans of intervention in the in these areas after sunset and it continues till sunrise,” said Chandy. Saudi assurances that an air cor- ing the flight of Saudi-backed Speaking from the Military region, diplomatically or politi- The ban on flying through Saudi Arabian airspace is a hurdle, ridor would be opened. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi Hospital in Sana’a, paramedic cally, the spokesperson said the Diaspora Minister K C Joseph said. “Two Air India planes have been Eighty Indians were flown last week. Ranjith Cheerakathil said he and first priority of a government is waiting at two airports in the Middle East to reach Yemen after they out on Sunday to Djibouti, on “The areas around the hospi- his wife, a nurse, had decided to to ensure the safety of its nation- get clearance. The Indian embassy is working hard and is ensuring the opposite shore of the Gulf of tal are now under the control of stay. Most of the 240 Indian staff als. “We are focussed on that right that Indians take these flights,” Joseph said. Aden, but no evacuation flights the Houthi rebels,” said Mathew, were waiting for a flight out. “Most now. All other issues are not pri- Joseph refuted reports that those who were returning have to buy were possible yesterday, for- whose wife is one of 35 Indian of the operations in the hospital mary to our quest to ensure the their own tickets. “Evacuation is done for free. People do not have to eign ministry spokesman Syed nurses at the hospital. will be shut down when they leave. safety of our nationals. After that spend money till they reach home. People should understand that the Akbaruddin said. He said 400 Although no Indian casualties There will not be anybody to care come all our goals in terms of for- only way we have for a safe evacuation is through diplomatic options. Indians were being evacuated by have been reported, the nurses’ for those who suffer injuries in eign policy,” he added. We are doing everything possible,” Joseph added. “If we are able to air- sea from Aden and would reach predicament in Yemen recalls the attack,” Cheerakathil said by REUTERS/IANS lift stranded people, we will do it. We are doing our best,” added Joseph. IANS Modi meets Jack Ma Kerala actor, four women get bail Unseasonal rain kills 12

KOCHI: Budding Malayalam NEW DELHI: The fury of by lightning in Serab village late and its surrounding areas were actor Shine Tom Chacko and unseasonal rain in different on Sunday evening. Three others lashed by moderate to heavy rain four women, arrested for pos- states of north and east India sustained burns, and were admit- accompanied by strong winds. sessing and consuming cocaine, since Sunday evening has left at ted to hospital. A central team headed by union were granted bail by the Kerala least 12 people dead and damaged In Firozabad, farmer Hari Food and Public Distribution High Court yesterday, after standing crops in thousands of Singh reportedly died of shock but Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and spending 59 days in custody. The hectares, officials said yesterday. police attributed his death due to Minister of State for Agriculture bail was granted soon after the In Bihar, at least 10 people, tension at home. Another farmer, Sanjeev Kumar Balyan will visit Kerala Police filed the charge including two children and a Raghuvir, collapsed and died on Chandigarh today to assess the sheet at a lower court here. The woman, were killed on Monday Sunday, unable to bear the loss to damage to crops in the region, government prosecutor opposed when they were struck by light- his standing crop in Bajna village. said a spokesman of the agricul- the bail. While granting bail, ning in two separate incidents, The weather changed abruptly ture department. the court asked the accused to officials said. Three deaths — of in western Uttar Pradesh on Haryana Chief Minister provide details of their pass- the children and the woman — Sunday evening as unseasonal Manohar Lal Khattar said that ports and mobile phones besides were reported from two villages rain, accompanied by lightning the state government has already directing them to report to in Munger district, two people and thunder, lashed the region. ordered special girdawri (field the police twice a week. The each in Patna and Jamui dis- Earlier in March, the area had assessment) to assess the crop accused were arrested during tricts and one each in Bhagalpur, received more than 80mm of rain- loss of farmers due to the freak a midnight raid in January at Darbhanga, and Banka districts. fall, which caused considerable weather. He said the state govern- a posh flat. Of the four women, Heavy rains, accompanied by damage to crops. ment has also sought Rs500 crore one is an assistant director, strong winds, uprooted trees, dam- In Punjab and Haryana, the relief from the Centre to compen- two others are models and one aged houses and brought down food grain states, rainfall and sate farmers for their losses. works in Dubai. power cables across the state. high velocity winds damaged In Himachal Pradesh, various Weather department officials said more standing crops in various areas were lashed by thunder- A monkey that that the rainfall was unseasonal. parts in the past 24 hours, officials showers while the upper reaches In Uttar Pradesh, at least two said in Chandigarh. Many parts of experienced snow, causing the train drivers dread people were killed in lightning Punjab were lashed by high veloc- temperatures to drop sharply. strikes in Agra district and two ity winds and sharp rain. Shimla, which recorded a low PATNA: This is one prob- others were reportedly electro- At some places in Punjab and of 8.2 degrees Celsius, experi- lem that has sent train driv- cuted in Firoazabad and Agra Haryana, trees were uprooted enced rain and hailstorm. The ers scurrying for cover — a districts as the widespread and branches snapped due to the majestic Dhauladhar ranges near monkey that has attacked rain, accompanied by thunder strong winds. Following rain, the Dharamsala wore a fresh blanket three of them in Bihar’s West and lightning, flattened stand- maximum temperature dipped at of snow, as did the nearby hills of Champaran district after a Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets China’s Internet tycoon Jack Ma, ing crops. most places on Sunday by two to picturesque tourist resort Manali. IANS train overran another mon- founder of giant online merchant Alibaba, in New Delhi yesterday. Two people died when struck four degrees Celsius. Chandigarh key. The monkey has attacked the drivers near the Valmiki Nagar railway station “to take revenge for the death of one of its siblings”, said A K Jha, a railway official. Jha said the monkey was killed when Salman’s driver owns up to hit-and-run accident it came under the wheels of a goods train last week, trig- MUMBAI: In a dramatic twist when the accident took place and no other witnesses have spo- Shocked by the accident, of the incident. Later, he went gering a spate of attacks by in the retrial of Bollywood on September 28, 2002 leaving ken about him,” he said. Salman, who was sitting on the to the Bandra police station to the rogue monkey. A driver of actor Salman Khan’s 2002 hit- a pavement dweller dead, public Ashok Singh told the court left seat attempted to open the lodge a complaint, but said nobody a goods train was attacked on and-run case, his driver Ashok prosecutor Pradeep Gharat told that he was at the wheel of the door, but it was jammed. So he there listened to him and he was Saturday by the monkey. He Singh yesterday told a court the media here. Toyota Land Cruiser which was alighted from the right side or the made to wait on a bench outside. had to be rescued by railway here that it was he who drove Gharat pointed out that the not speeding when its tyre burst, driver’s door, Ashok Singh said to Subsequently that morning, officials. The monkey attacked the killer vehicle, but the pros- only person who appeared to but the car dragged to the left and questions posed by defence lawyer Salman was summoned to the another goods train driver but ecution appeared unconvinced agree with Ashok Singh’s version he lost control over it. As he tried Shrikant Shivade. police station and charged with he was thankfully able to lock by the confession. was Salman. He said the defence hard to hit the brakes, the vehi- Endorsing Salman’s earlier the accident, making him (Ashok himself in the engine cabin. The 43-year-old Ashok Singh had put up the driver to save the cle had already climbed the steps statement in the court last week, Singh) suspect something was told the court of Additional Bollywood actor. “I have not seen of the American Express Bakery, Ashok Singh said that shortly wrong as his statement was not Rahul to return to Sessions Judge D W Deshpande any complaint or any record about resulting in the death of a sleep- after the accident, he dialled police recorded. action on April 19 that he was driving the vehicle Ashok Singh (being the driver) ing pavement dweller. control No.100 and informed them IANS

NEW DELHI: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is likely to attend a farmers’ rally here on April 19, senior party leader India, Japan to deepen defence ties Digvijaya Singh said yesterday. To be addressed by Congress TOKYO: India and Japan yesterday reaf- security in the region,” the statement said. president Sonia Gandhi, the firmed their strong defence ties, as visiting The visit, Parrikar’s first outside the country rally to protest the BJP’s failure Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called on since he took charge as defence minister, is being to implement its poll promises Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also met his viewed as an attempt by the two countries to join will be “attended by all senior counterpart Gen Nakatani. forces for countering China’s growing influence leaders of the Congress...When According to an official statement, while call- in the region. I say senior leaders, it includes ing upon Abe, Parrikar said Japan was the first The statement said Parrikar and Nakatani Rahul Gandhi as well,” Digvijaya country he was visiting after assuming office, briefed each other on the security environment Singh said. Missing from action which clearly conveys the importance India surrounding each country and their respec- for over a month, the 44-year- attaches to strengthening bilateral defence and tive defence policies. “They reviewed strategic old vice president has been on security cooperation. developments relating to international security a “leave of absence’ since the He said he would like to see a strong partner- situation with emphasis on the inter-connected budget session of parliament ship with Japan in defence equipment and tech- Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. that began on February 23. nology. On his part, Abe said he wants to build “They were of the view that in the inter-con- The party contended Gandhi’s a strong relationship with India not only in the nected Indo-Pacific region, India-Japan special absence premised on his need to economic field but also in defence and security. strategic and global partnership has a key role chart out party’s future course “He said a strong India-Japan partnership in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) welcomes India’s Defence Minister Manohar in “isolation”. is not only in the national interest of the two the statement said. Parrikar at the start of their meeting at Abe’s official residence in Tokyo yesterday. IANS countries but is also important for peace and IANS

Tuesday 31 March 2015 11 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6386 Price: QR2

Optimise cross- border network: Qatar Rail

Business | 20

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 UAE law for Qatari firms, Shandong in $5bn deal 100pc foreign To acquire 49pc of China’s petrochemical giant ownership of

DOHA: In a major private sector construct 1,000 mixed oil, non-oil third of the Dongming refinery’s deal, Qatar’s Suhaim Bin Hamad and LNG/CNG stations within output. This strategy promotes firms soon Enterprises Group and Qatra a 300-km radius of Dongming’s natural gas-based fuels. As the DUBAI: The United Arab Investment and Development Heze refinery. This 300-km radius government in China is placing Emirates is at an advanced Group (QID) announced a $5bn includes regions from 6 provinces. greater value on gas and promotes stage of drafting a foreign worth agreement to acquire 49 Most of the covered area is under- competition and private invest- investment law that would percent of China’s petrochemi- developed, meaning high growth ment, this will largely benefit the allow 100 percent foreign cal giant Shandong Dongming potential, compared to more project and the firms.” ownership of businesses in Petrochemical Group. mature costal markets where Parties agreed to build LNG and some sectors, the economy With an estimated total asset of retail is relatively saturated and LPG port and storage facilities in minister said yesterday. QR15bn (RMB26bn), Dongming competition is high. China coast such as Shandong or Sultan bin Saeed al-Man- Petrochemical is China’s largest Dongming’s Heze is the only Jiangsu province. souri, speaking at an interna- independent refiner. major refinery in the radius, giv- Based in Zhuangzi, Shandong tional investment conference Announcing the plans, QID ing the project a unique product Dongming Petrochemical Group is in Dubai, did not specify the Chief Executive Ibrahim El Tenay supply cost advantage, offering a large-scale petrochemical enter- sectors or say when the law said the deal is expected to be the opportunity to procure com- prise group integrating crude might be passed. The process finalised by the fourth quarter of petitively-priced fuels, said Li oil processing, petrochemical of drafting and enacting major this year. The transaction, if com- Xiangping, Chairman, Shandong industry, fine chemical industry, laws in the UAE often takes pleted, will include various new Dongming Petrochemical Group. chlor-alkali industry, coal chemi- years. projects and expansion of cur- “The project presents the cal industry, thermoelectricity, Li Xiangping, Chairman, Shandong Dongming Petrochemical Group (second But the initiative may mark rent projects., the most impor- opportunity for Shandong logistic transportation, construc- left) with Liu Cheng Zhang (left), vice chairman, Shandong Dongming a more aggressive push by the tant being the launch of an LNG Dongming Petrochemical to tion and installation, import and Petrochemical; Sheikh Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani, chairman, Qatra Arab world’s second biggest storage facility with a capacity of develop retail operations to con- export trade, real estate develop- Investment and Development Group, and Ibrahim El Tinay (right), CEO, economy to attract invest- 3 million metric tonnes. sume their own products. 1,000 ment and sales terminal of refined QID, in Doha yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP ment. At present, foreigners The partners agreed to retail stations can consume on oil product. THE PENINSULA generally cannot own more than 49 percent of any UAE firm unless it is incorporated in a special “free zone”. A new companies law, anticipated to take effect within months, was originally Qatar lifts GCC banks’ retail revenue in 2014 expected to relax this restric- tion, but that reform was BY SATISH KANADY Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait BCG’s annual banking performance achieved high growth rates in 2013, banks increased by 17.1 percent, dropped because of strong have shown higher double-digit indices measuring the development have shown double-digit reductions as a result of strong increases in opposition from some Emiratis DOHA: The retail banking rev- growth rates. In parallel, Saudi of banking revenues (operating in loan-loss provisioning. Banks in revenues of banks in Qatar, Saudi who feared they could lose out enues in the GCC witnessed an Arabia and Oman suffered a sharp income) and profits for leading the UAE and KSA were also able Arabia and UAE.. to foreigners. uptick of 7.9 percent in 2014, decline in retail profits. Middle East banks. to reduce in the single digits. This “In 2014, 80 percent of the banks Mansouri said, however, largely due to a 12.5 percent According to a new study by The The index includes 40 banks is the strongest reduction in LLPs in the region were able to achieve that the UAE was determined surge in Qatar. Qatar ranked Boston Consulting Group (BCG), from across the GCC, captur- since 2010. In 2014, the growth of growth as a result of positive mar- to diversify its economy beyond top followed by the UAE and the banking industry in the Middle ing almost 80 percent of the total bank revenues exceeded the growth ket developments which facilitated oil and saw foreign invest- Bahrain. Kuwait witnessed a East maintained double-digit rev- regional banking sector, said Dr in the main customer segments by revenue growth and reductions ment as a key way to do this. healthy 6.3 percent growth and enue growth in 2014 with a 10.0 Reinhold Leichtfuss, a Senior about 2 percent. This is attributed in loan-loss provisions,” said Dr “Economies face pressures banks in Saudi Arabia recorded percent increase, stemming largely Partner & Managing Director at to several significant acquisitions Leichtfuss. from changes in the interna- 3.4 percent growth in their retail from major customer segments BCG’s Dubai office and the Head of foreign banks. About 15 to 25 banks achieved tional environment, including revenues. such as retail and corporate bank- of BCG’s Financial Institutions The corporate segment reached double-digit growth rates both in the drop of the oil price,” he GCC retail profits maintained ing as well as international busi- Practice in the Middle East. a new top index level in revenues revenues and in profits, while three said. single-digit growth in 2014 with ness and treasury. In 2014, loan-loss provisions in 2014 by growing 8.8 percent. to eight banks witnessed negative While Mansouri did not say 3.6 percent, which is slightly lower Based on the banks’ 2014 annual dropped in all countries with In 2014, banks in Saudi Arabia growth in revenues or profits over- how the new foreign invest- compared to 2013 when retail prof- results released in the first quarter the exception of Oman. In fact, excelled in corporate banking rev- all or across customer segments. ment law would work, it may its grew by 5.8 percent. Banks in of 2015, the newest study is part of banks in Qatar and Kuwait, which enues. On average, profits of GCC THE PENINSULA require fully foreign-owned firms to transfer technology in sectors that are strategi- cally important for the UAE. Officials have previously said Oman Air orders they are keen to attract tech- Saudi Aramco signs $10bn dual-currency loan nology for industries such as aerospace. 20 Boeing 737s; New foreign direct invest- KHOBAR: Saudi Aramco, the It is also reflective of a trend five-year piece that has an option to buy it at an agreed mark-up, ment (FDI) in the UAE rose to double fleet kingdom’s state oil giant, has among the world’s top oil compa- to be extended by a year on two and which gets around Islamic 25 percent to $13bn in 2014, signed a $10bn loan with 27 nies, which raised a record amount occasions and will pay an interest finance’s ban on charging interest. Mansouri said, adding that the SINGAPORE: Flag carrier financial institutions, it said of debt in the first two months of rate of 12 basis points (bps), the Of this, SR7.5bn has the same government aimed to raise FDI Oman Air has ordered 20 Boeing yesterday, taking advantage of 2015 as they used ultra-low bor- document showed. five-year lifespan with extension to 5 percent of gross domestic Co 737 aircraft as part of a plan favourable market conditions rowing costs to prop up dividends, The remainder consists of a options, with SR3.75bn lasting product in coming years. GDP to double its fleet to 70 planes to securing better borrowing balance sheets and acquisition $1bn 364-day facility paying 10 for 364 days and also having an was Dh1.540 trillion ($420bn) by 2020, Chief Executive Paul terms. funds. bps, which is renewable annually. annual renewal option. They pay last year, he said. Gregorowitsch said yesterday. The loan will replace an existing Aramco’s new revolving credit The statement didn’t disclose a profit rate of 11 bps and 9 bps Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia The order includes both the $4bn facility due to mature later agreement is denominated in how many times the cash could respectively. will use multi-billion dol- current generation of 737s, which this year, the statement said, and both US dollars and Saudi riyals be rolled over. Among the banks to back the lar infrastructure projects to will be delivered from 2017, as well is the latest example of companies and is a standby loan, the world’s There is also borrowing worth dollar-denominated tranches were attract foreign investment as the re-engined 737 Max planes in the Gulf region using the high biggest oil exporter said in its SR11.25bn ($3bn) structured as a Bank of China, Bank of Tokyo- in sectors such as transport, that will come from 2019, he said amount of cash in the local bank- statement, meaning the cash will sharia-compliant murabaha — a Mitsubishi, Citigroup, Deutsche healthcare and industrial at the launch event of the airline’s ing system to lower their funding only be taken up when the com- cost-plus-profit agreement where Bank, HSBC, JP Morgan, Standard equipment, a senior economic first direct flight to Singapore. costs and increase the lifespan of pany needs it. The dollar portion one party agrees to buy merchan- Chartered, and Sumitomo Mitsui official said. REUTERS Ten of the planes will come their lending. totals $7bn. This includes a $6bn dise for another, which promises Banking Corporation. REUTERS directly from Boeing and the rest from leasing companies, he added. Oman Air plans to use these air- craft to grow its domestic net- work, as well as key regional markets like the Gulf and India, With blog, Bernanke has new platform to make old argument he said. Oman Air has 36 aircraft, including 10 Airbus A330s and 21 NEW YORK: Ben Bernanke wrote, with perhaps a touch of Fed, ultimately determines the 737s. This year, it will also receive (pictured) launched a blog hope, in his introductory blog post. real rate of return attainable by the first two of nine Boeing 787s yesterday, giving the former Bernanke’s 2006-2014 stint atop savers and investors,” he wrote it has on order as well as six more Federal Reserve chairman a the US central bank was marked on the blog hosted by Brookings 737s. new pulpit from which to make by the brutal financial crisis and Institution, where he is a distin- It also plans to choose between an old argument: why interest a frustratingly slow recovery that guished fellow in residence. the 787 and the A330neo, the rates need to be so low. prompted him to drive rates to “The best strategy for the Fed re-engined variant of the Airbus Bernanke, who handed the near zero and launch three rounds I can think of is to set rates at a widebody planes, for its medium reins of the US central bank to of bond purchases, to stimulate level consistent with the healthy and long haul requirements. Janet Yellen last year, has been the economy. operation of the economy over The airline will eventually have hitting the conference circuit The Fed is expected to begin the medium term, that is, at the 25 narrowbody planes and 45 wide more in recent months ahead tightening policy later this year. (today, low) equilibrium rate,” bodies by the end of the decade. of the planned publication of his But in the past, both Bernanke Bernanke added. Meanwhile, Dutch airliner book this autumn. and Yellen have been criticised “There is absolutely nothing KLM said it is buying 17 planes “Now that I’m a civilian again, for keeping rates artificially and artificial about that!” from Brazilian manufacturer I can once more comment on eco- dangerously low and, as Bernanke The blog, which Brookings said Embraer for $764m, and placed nomic and financial issues with- noted in his blog, hurting seniors’ may also occasionally touch on an option to buy 17 more. out my words being put under the savings. “The bottom line is that baseball, a passion of Bernanke’s. AGENCIES microscope by Fed watchers,” he the state of the economy, not the REUTERS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Nayeem Khan is Sheikh Faisal firm signs JV with Aiana QFB’s new COO

DOHA: Qatar First Bank (QFB) yesterday announced the To set up global hotel management appointment of Nayeem Khan as Chief Operating Officer DOHA: Sheikh Faisal bin demand for value added offerings (COO) of the bank. Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of in the upper upscale hospitality Nayeem brings with him a Al Sawari Holding and Qatari segment and offers hotel owners wealth of experience gained over Business Association, and an effective management solution nearly 25 years in the financial Amruda Nair, Joint Managing from an experienced team of hos- services industry. He will be Director and Chief Executive pitality specialists. The joint ven- responsible for overseeing opera- Officer, Aiana Hotels &Resorts ture, with both partners having tional planning and streamlining LLC, have signed a joint ven- an equal share, will be based in IT and administrative functions. ture agreement to create Aiana Doha and operate under the name Commenting on the new Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel Aiana Hotels & Resorts LLC. appointment, Ahmad Meshari, management company with the H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Acting CEO of QFB, said: “We are fabled Indian service ethos at its Al Thani, Minister of Economy pleased to have Nayeem on board heart. and Commerce, stated at the as our COO. Nayeem brings a The new joint venture com- signing ceremony that “Qatar is wealth of experience and a depth pany Aiana Hotels & Resorts taking an unprecedented leap in of knowledge, particularly in cli- will embody a hospitality brand of development due to the economic ent service operations, which will upscale hotels and leading opera- boom the country is experiencing be critically important to QFB tor of hotels, resorts and serviced at all levels, clearly illustrated by as we seek to expand our private apartments in the Middle East, the projects we are set to carry banking and wealth offerings.” Indian sub-continent and South out over the next few years, espe- Before joining QFB Nayeem East Asia. The joint venture com- cially in infrastructure.” was employed at Bank Julius Baer bines the resources and visionary “I am delighted to witness the where he played an instrumen- entrepreneurial skills of Sheikh signing of the memorandum of tal role in building up the Asian Faisal with the hospitality exper- understanding with the aim of Dignitaries at the signing ceremony. (Singapore, Hong Kong) franchise tise and passion of Amruda Nair, introducing a new brand to the of the Bank. He also had a key role herself a third generation hotel- Qatari hospitality market that is is a great synergy in the similar in key destinations starting with introducing a brand I am confi- in integrating Merrill Lynch’s pri- ier, driven by a desire to redefine already home to several interna- way that we travel. This is why the property in Doha with many dent will become the preferred vate wealth business with Julius hospitality today. tionally renowned names”, added we want to bring Aiana as a new more to follow in Western Europe choice of travellers seeking Baer in Asia. Nayeem was Head of Aiana Hotels & Resorts reflects Sheikh Ahmad. lifestyle hotel brand to the Middle (London) and the US.” authentic and immersive expe- International Operations, manag- the strengths of its principals — Sheikh Faisal said: “Given East and will continue to support Amruda Nair said: “With riences that will stay with them ing Operations at six of the Bank’s business excellence and Indian the long standing relationship Aiana through our ambitious the launch of Aiana Hotels and long after they have checked out.” eight Booking Centers globally. hospitality to cater for the growing between Qatar and India, there expansion plans for acquisitions Resorts, I am delighted to be THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA State Holding is exploring investments in Fujairah

DOHA: State Holding, a Qatar based in Fujairah in particular. Our goal is investor in industrial and real estate to achieve even more diversity in our sector, is exploring investment oppor- investment portfolio, via focusing on vital tunities in Fujairah, especially in the sectors such as construction materials. construction materials related sec- The Forum is also a unique platform for tors, as part of the company’s efforts communicating and exploring invest- to diversify its investment portfolio, ment opportunities in the Emirate.” said a statement yesterday. He said: “We are always keen on taking The company is taking part at the all opportunities to expand our invest- ongoing ‘Third International Forum ment portfolio in the region. Fujairah for Industrial Rocks and Construction is an important investment attraction Materials Forum and Expo’ being held today, especially with the unique location in Fujairah under patronage of Sheikh it occupies and the great efforts accom- Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, plished by the government to establish a Supreme Council Member and Ruler of positive investment environment.” the emirate. The three-day event will He added: “In its preparation for conclude tomorrow. the World Cup 2022 and other impor- Abdullah Al Shaheen, Vice Chairman tant events, Qatar is witnessing great and Managing Director of State Holding, prosperity in various sectors, especially said: “Participation at the event is an infrastructure and construction, which opportunity for us to play a pivotal role is a great opportunity for collaboration that suits our position as a main inves- with Fujairah in the field of construction tor in vital sectors in the region and materials.” THE PENINSULA

MO-RTC hosts first SPE meet

Participants at the Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre.

DOHA: The Society of Petroleum applicable solutions to clearly defined Engineers (SPE), Qatar Section, problems in oil and gas production. chaired by Sheikh Faisal Bin Fahad The centre is a part of 10-year, $100m Al-Thani of Maersk Oil Qatar, held investment in applied research in Qatar. the first steering committee meeting With its focus on increasing oil recovery of the year at Maersk Oil Research and protecting the marine environment, and Technology Centre (MO-RTC). MO-RTC will continue to pioneer new “It’s such a great opportunity to host technologies and harness the best tal- SPE Qatar Section Steering Committee ent to support the same. Through close at MO-RTC. SPE is well known of being collaboration between academia and the largest individual-member organisa- the energy sector, the centre will help tion serving managers, engineers, scien- develop the capabilities of Qatar’s people tists and other professionals worldwide and institutions, support Qatarisation in the upstream segment of the oil and and ensure a competitive, diversified and gas industry. As an industry we play an knowledge based economy. MO-RTC important role to enhance SPE members embodies the commitment to a sustaina- industry experience and to help them ble development and achieving the objec- achieve their true potentials” said Jassim tives of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Al Khori, SPE Qatar Section Deputy During the meeting, SPE Qatar Chair, and MO-RTC Technical Manager. Section Strategic Plan and Event Committee members had a tour Schedule were discussed in length through MO-RTC laboratory and lis- among many other topics. The SPE has tened to a presentation about the centre. more than 124,000 members in 135 coun- MO-RTC in Qatar — Maersk Oil’s first tries participate in 190 section and 295 global research and technology centre university chapters and they are united — supports the aim of maximising Al by the SPE vision to enable the global Shaheen field’s long-term production oil and gas exploration and production potential. The pioneering work that industry to share technical knowledge takes place in the centre will help to needed to meet the world’s energy needs improve oil recovery rates by focusing in a safe and environmentally responsi- on research that creates practical and ble manner. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 India makes UnitedHealth first crude buys Catamaran oil purchase for reserve

LONDON: India has bought for $12.8bn the first oil for its strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), trade sources said yesterday, mark- ing the start of a round of Boost for pharmacy benefit business purchases by the world’s fourth- biggest oil consumer to build up NEW YORK: UnitedHealth emergency stockpiles. Group said it will acquire Oil prices have almost halved in smaller rival Catamaran for Horizon to buy the past year due to excess global $12.8bn, in a move they said production, leaving traders look- would give them more pricing Hyperion Officials at the signing ceremony. ing for any signs of new demand power in the pharmacy benefits to help absorb the surplus. business. The sources said state-refiner UnitedHealth will combine for $1.1bn Indian Oil Corp bought a 2 million Catamaran with its own phar- LONDON: Ireland’s Horizon Al Emadi Enterprises signs MoU with barrel cargo of Iraqi crude from macy benefit manager (PBM) Pharma Plc struck a deal to Chinese trader Unipec, which will OptumRx, which would propel the buy US drugmaker Hyperion load in May for shipping to the combined company to third place Therapeutics Inc for about first stage of India’s SPR on the in the industry behind Express $1.1bn to boost its rare-dis- Belgian brand American Outfitters country’s east coast. Scripts and CVS Caremark. ease drug business. In addition, state-refiners IOC “This combination is expected Hyperion has two drugs DOHA: Al Emadi Enterprises, Qatar, Al Emadi Enterprises has in a classical European setting. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp to create a dynamic competitor on the market that are used the developer of the new Alhazm grown to become one of Qatar’s Delivering the realisation of the Ltd will buy another three Very in the PBM market by combin- to treat urea cycle disorders project, has recently signed a leading companies since it was vision behind Alhazm, Darzi is the Large Crude Carriers between ing the strengths of Catamaran’s (UCD), inherited metabolic Memorandum of Understanding founded in 1999 by Mohammed newly established luxury retail them for the Vizag SPR storage industry-leading technology plat- disorders that affect about (MoU) with a Belgian fashion A K Al Emadi, CEO of Al Emadi division of Al Emadi Enterprises, site in Andhra Pradesh. form with the data and analytics 2,100 people in the United brand, ‘American Outfitters’, Holding. which will spearhead the choice While the first 8 million bar- capabilities of Optum,” the two States. Hyperion’s drugs had which has become the first One of the most prominent of international luxury retailers rels for Vizag are relatively small said in a statement. combined US sales of about retailer for the venue. developers in Qatar, the company destined for Alhazm. The Belgian compared with the global market, Pharmacy benefits managers $114m in 2014, even though The recently visited offi- has been instrumental in develop- fashion brand will occupy a promi- totalling less than 10 percent of manage prescription drug claims only about 675 people are being cial Belgian delegation, which ing major strategic projects in the nent position in AlHazm. daily demand, India’s purchases between health insurers and treated. REUTERS included government ministers country, one of which is the new American Outfitters is a high could ramp up later this year as insurance plan members. and members of the Belgian royal Alhazm. fashion clothing line for women the country completes construc- Through their negotiations the combined entity to be a com- family, were also present at the The commercial centre will be and kids, known for its effortless tion of the next phase. with drug suppliers, drug costs petitive force in the PBM indus- signing ceremony. offering a combination of luxuri- chic with a great eye for detail Two SPR sites, at Padur and to insured patients can be heavily try” and bring down drug costs As one of the key privately ous brands, fine dining restaurants, which has now become a worldwide Mangalore on India’s west coast, discounted from the sticker price. for clients, they said. owned real estate companies in coffee shops and a cultural centre success story. THE PENINSULA will have a capacity of 29.3 mil- UnitedHealth will pay $61.50 The industry currently brings lion barrels and are expected to per share for Catamaran, a in $100bn in revenues annually, a be ready by October. 27.3 percent premium over figure expected to quadruple by India is heavily reliant on fuel Catamaran’s closing price Friday. 2020, according to UnitedHealth. imports, producing less than a In early trade Monday Catamaran “Catamaran’s capabilities are Avaya to start third of the nearly 3.7 million shares were up 24.3 percent at impressive and their leadership Ready to invest $1bn barrels per day it consumed in $60.05, while UnitedHealth gained team has delivered the fastest 2013, data from the US Energy 3.7 percent to $122.39. growth in the industry,” Optum new courses for Information Administration UnitedHealth it will finance the Chief Executive Larry Renfro said shows. Its fast-growing economy deal using available cash and new in a statement. in Ukraine, says Soros has become the world’s fourth- debt, and expects it to be com- “We believe the combination IT professionals largest oil consumer after the pleted by the end of this year. of the two companies will create VIENNA: George Soros (pic- United States, China and Japan. The two companies together a unique offering in the industry DOHA: Avaya, a leading pro- tured), Chairman of Soros China’s own SPR purchases, expect to fill one billion prescrip- unparalleled by current partici- vider of solutions to enable cus- Fund Management, is ready which have helped support oil tions in 2015, which “will enable pants.” AFP tomer and team engagement, to invest $1bn in Ukraine if prices during the global supply has announced that it plans Western countries help private glut, are expected to slow this to create a new industry cer- investment there, and sees a 1 year with commercial and stra- tification programme to drive in 3 chance Greece will leave tegic storage space almost full. expertise in SDN-Fabric based the euro, the billionaire finan- China’s strategic stocks were Teva to buy US drug developer networking. cier told Austrian newspaper estimated in January at more The Avaya Certified Expert-Fx Der Standard. than 30 days’ worth of crude Auspex Pharma for $3.5bn programme aims to bridge the Soros has previously urged the imports. It plans to eventually current skills gap in the Middle West to step up aid to Ukraine, build reserves of around 600 mil- TEL AVIV: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said it would buy East between traditional, hard- outlining steps toward a $50bn lion barrels, or about 90 days of US neurology drug company Auspex Pharmaceuticals Inc for an ware-intensive networking tech- financing package that he said import cover. equity value of $3.5bn to boost its portfolio of treatments for the nologies and next-generation, should be viewed as a bulwark India’s SPR should cover central nervous system. software-defined fabric-based against an increasingly aggres- approximately 13 days of imports Teva, the world’s largest maker of generic drugs, will offer $101 per networking, the company said in sive Russia. when it is completed by the end share in cash, representing a premium of 42.4 percent to Auspex’s a statement yesterday. “The West can help Ukraine of this year. The east coast Vizag Friday closing price, the companies said. In February Teva — Israel’s The announcement was made by increasing attractiveness for in 1992, also put the chance of facility has two compartments of biggest company by market value and revenue — said it was ready at the annual Avaya Technology investors. A political risk insur- Greece leaving the eurozone at a 7.55 million barrels and 2.20 mil- to return to making acquisitions after a year focused on cutting Forum in Dubai, with more than ance is necessary. This could take third. Last week he put it at 50:50. lion barrels, with the smaller to costs under its new Chief Executive Erez Vigodman. 500 technology and networking the form of mezzanine financing Michael Vachon, spokesman for be used by HPCL for its 166,000 This is the first major deal for Vigodman, a turnaround specialist professionals from across India, at EU interest rates — very close Soros, said yesterday in a state- bpd refinery at the site. brought in last year to reduce costs and improve profit that had been China, Russia, the Middle East to zero,” he said in an interview ment: “Soros said he would con- The VLCC cargo Basrah IOC squeezed by rising competition. Teva’s biggest selling drug, multiple and Africa regions in attendance. published yesterday. sider investments in Ukraine if bought from Unipec, the trading sclerosis injectable treatment Copaxone, faces competition from A 2013 report by the “I stand ready. There are Western leaders demonstrated arm of China’s state-backed oil oral treatments and cheaper generics in coming years. Bernstein International Data Corporation concrete investment ideas, for that they were prepared to producer Sinopec, was purchased analyst Aaron Gal said the acquisition was a good strategic fit for (IDC) showed that emerging example in agriculture and infra- ‘do whatever it takes’ to save at a premium of 50-60 cents to Teva as the company looks to boost growth, and also leaves financial networking technology skills in structure projects. I would put in Ukraine, including providing the official selling price of the room for a bigger deal in future. “To the extent Teva would like to the Middle East, such as those $1bn. This must generate a profit. adequate budgetary support and Iraqi grade, the sources said. make a transformative deal in the generic space, this deal is small required for cloud computing, My foundation would benefit from political risk insurance. Separate from the SPR pur- enough not to impact that potential,” Gal said. mobility, and virtualisation, rep- this ... Private engagement needs “Under those conditions, Soros chases, IOC has re-floated a ten- Auspex’s main product, SD-809, is being developed for the treatment resented 38.4 percent of the total strong political leadership.” said he would review investments der seeking a million barrels of of chorea, abnormal involuntary movement associated with Huntington’s networking skills gap in 2012, The Hungarian-born hedge in the energy, agriculture and heavy grades for April first half disease, tardive dyskinesia and Tourette syndrome. REUTERS growing to 46.3 percent in 2016. fund magnate, who made his information technology sectors.” loading, traders said. This tender THE PENINSULA name betting against the pound REUTERS will close today. REUTERS

Car sales plunge in Russia

Employees talk with customers at Nissan and Datsun showroom in Russia’s Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk yesterday. Industry-wide new car sales in Russia plunged 38 percent in February from the same month a year earlier, continuing a sharp decline in 2014 as the economy weakened due to lower oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Optimise cross-border McDonald’s starts table network: Qatar Rail service in Meet on railway interoperability, standardisation, safety Germany DOHA: Qatar Railways indicative of the two-day event’s Rail aims to contribute to Railway FRANKFURT: McDonald’s Company (Qatar Rail) importance. Following the key Interoperability, Standardisation Corp is introducing table kicked off yesterday the first note opening speeches by Abdulla and Harmonisation in the Middle service in Germany as it International Conference Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Qatar Rail’s East in general and the GCC reinvents itself as a “modern, on Railway Interoperability, Managing Director, Jean-Pierre region in particular.” progressive burger company” Standardisation and Loubinoux, UIC Director General, He added: “In commitment under new Chief Executive Harmonisation in the Middle and François Davenne, OTIF to Qatar’s National Vision 2030, Steve Easterbrook, it said. East with a vision to develop a Secretary General, the conference our company adheres to Qatar’s Diners at its Frankfurt coherent, integrated, and com- focused on three major topics that national transportation objectives Airport restaurant in Germany, petitive rail transport system to discussed “legal interoperability enunciated in the Qatar National one of the company’s toughest serve the region’s economy and framework”, “railway harmoni- Development Framework markets, will now be able to society. sation and standardisation”, and (QNDF). In addition to the Doha be served at their table after Organised by UIC, the “Railway Safety”. Metro and the Lusail City Light placing an order either at the International Union of Railways; Participating companies mainly Rail Transit, Qatar Rail envis- front counter, a digital kiosk UIC Middle East; OTIF, the included OTIF, UIC, CIT, SRO ages the development of a Long Qatar Rail Managing Director Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie at the meet. or with waiter carrying a tab- Intergovernmental Organisation – Saudi Arabia, Etihad Rail – Distance Rail that will form part let PC. “This is completely for International Carriage by UAE, Oman Rail, Moroccan of the planned GCC cross-border 2020, aiming to develop an inte- for urban public transport are new for McDonald’s,” Thomas Rail; CIT, the International Rail State Railways, UIC – Africa, railway network that will enable grated rail transport system in planned or in construction”. He Brand, head of development Transport Committee; and hosted TCDD – Turkey, RAI – Iran, a higher level of cooperation the region. noted: “The presence of multi- and restaurant innovation by Qatar Rail, the first day of the Sina Rail Pars Transport – Iran, between the member states, and He said: “Currently, the ple perspectives underlines the for Germany, told a company conference provided a unique AFRA – Afghanistan, Huawei play a crucial role in the sustain- Middle-East Region is the part imperative need to use common magazine. The special edition opportunity to discuss the lat- Technologies - China, Alstom able development of each coun- of the World with most ambi- standards, common rules for oper- was handed out to guests at est developments in optimising Transport - France, and Qatar try’s economy.” tious projects and most advanced ations, and common legal systems. the reopening after renovation international cross-border rail Rail. Loubinoux, on his part, praised achievements in the field of rail With interoperability and seam- of the restaurant, McDonald’s’ transport. Al Subaie said: “By bringing Qatar Rail’s efforts to host the transportation. less cross-border operations, rail- biggest in Germany, which has The varied participation of together local, regional and inter- conference, and shed light on In nearly all countries, high ways will be able to offer all the more than 500 seats. industry leaders from the railway national experts from the railway UIC Middle East’s vision and performance railway systems for advantages of the rail system to Easterbrook, a Briton and and transportation sector was industry at UIC RAME, Qatar strategic action plan for 2013 to passenger and freight as well as the markets”. THE PENINSULA 47-year-old company veteran, is only the second non-American to take the job. His challenge is to halt a slide in sales around the world. Weakness in France and Germany contributed to a 1.1 percent decline in compa- China offers lessons for Saudi market opening rable sales in Europe in the fourth quarter. Britain, France, Russia and Germany together HONG KONG: Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia and its economy is Those limits are unlikely Saudi Arabia may join MSCI’s investors. High valuations will accounted for 67 percent of has taken inspiration from the almost 13 times as large. to be tested in the near-term. emerging markets index more be the ultimate brake, however. European revenue in 2013. east as it prepares to open up. Yet the desert kingdom’s draft China has only very gradually swiftly than China, which is still Saudi stocks now trade at 16.2 McDonald’s said earlier this The oil producing kingdom rules on foreign investment increased its allocated quota to waiting for inclusion more than times earnings. month it would remake itself is copying China’s cautious resemble those introduced by qualified foreign institutional a decade after it began opening That’s on the high side when after competition from Chipotle approach as it prepares to grant the People’s Republic in 2002. investors. Even now, the total up its market. compared with most other large Mexican Grill Inc, Chick-fil-A foreigners direct access to its To limit hot money flows, eli- sum of foreign capital invested For now, however, both remain emerging markets. The bench- and other chains bit into US $523bn stock market in the first gible investors must have at least under the scheme amounts to “off benchmark” bets, making mark Tadawul index has risen 7 restaurant sales. Easterbrook half of this year. $5bn of assets under manage- more than $72bn — or less than any losses fund managers incur percent in the past three months has already said McDonald’s China’s experience over the ment. In aggregate, foreigners two percent of the country’s $4 from investing there are harder — despite a 3 percent decline in USA will switch to chicken past decade suggests the open- will be able to own no more than trillion market capitalisation. to defend. Besides, large sover- the crude oil price. raised with fewer antibiotics, ing of the Middle East’s big- 20 percent of any single stock The Shanghai stock market eign wealth funds in the Gulf are China’s experience suggests putting it more in step with gest market will be a whimper and a maximum of 10 percent only opened to Hong Kong inves- already able to tap the kingdom’s that Saudi Arabian investors Chipotle and Chick-fil-A. rather than a big bang. China of the value of the total stock tors last November. market directly with no limits should temper their expecta- REUTERS has fifty times as many people as market. Demand may be soft too. as they are considered local tions. REUTERS Japan factory output drops in February EU warns Greek reform

TOKYO: Japanese fac- tory output fell by a worse- list ‘not there yet’ than-expected 3.4 percent in February, data showed yester- day, adding to the gloom envel- BRUSSELS: The EU warned outcome. Tsipras said last week oping the world’s third largest that Greece and its creditors had that the reforms would be ready economy as it struggles to over- yet to hammer out a new list of by Monday, but Greek officials and come last year’s sales tax rise. reforms despite talks lasting all experts from the creditors were The latest month-on-month weekend aimed at staving off still negotiating towards a final list. figures missed economists’ bankruptcy and a euro exit. “The fact that experts worked median forecast of a drop of less “We’re not there yet,” European through the entire weekend and than two percent and reversed a Commission spokesman Margaritis continue today is a positive sign 3.7 percent rise in January. Schinas told reporters when asked that shows the willingness and The data come days after sep- about the progress of the talks. seriousness of both sides to engage arate figures showed inflation “This is why the talks should ben- with each other,” Schinas said. stalled last month with a key efit from further fact-finding in The final list must be accepted measure of prices flat for the first Athens that should continue.” by the 19 finance ministers of the time in nearly two years —dealing Experts from the IMF and the eurozone, who would then decide another blow to Prime Minister EU are scrutinising reform plans whether to release bailout funds Shinzo Abe’s bid to conquer that Greek Prime Minister Alexis to cash-strapped Greece. deflation and revive the sluggish Tsipras agreed earlier this month Schinas said eurozone officials economy. to provide, in a bid to receive would likely hold a conference call “Today’s figures confirm that the last €7.2bn of Greece’s €240bn this week, and then decide whether the economy slowed in the first bailout. to call a full meeting of finance quarter of 2015,” Marcel Thieliant Pierre Moscovici, the EU’s eco- ministers after Easter, which falls from Capital Economics said in a nomics affairs commissioner, said this Sunday. note after the industrial produc- the talks were proving hard work. This pushes any resolution of tion data were published. Japan’s auto giant Honda Motor engineer Ryo Mukumoto displays the company’s new compact sports car S660 “We are working with a posi- the Greek crisis later into April “We stick to our forecast that tive spirit. It’s not simple, it’s and risks alarming financial mar- at the Honda’s headquarters in Tokyo yesterday as Japanese factory output worse than expected. Japan’s GDP will be flat this year not easy,” Moscovici, the former kets, which are already spooked rather than expand by 1.0 percent French finance minister, told the by fears that Greece is out of cash as expected by the consensus.” industry ministry left its tepid at a moderate pace,” it said in the Chinese New Year holiday as European parliament. and verging on default and a cata- Commenting on the fac- view unchanged. “Industrial pro- February report. Some econo- another factor that dampened He said his team was working strophic exit from the euro. tory output data, Japan’s duction shows signs of increase mists pointed to the week-long demand for imports. AFP “day and night” to find a positive AFP India proposes platform to help start-ups raise cash at home

MUMBAI: The Securities and chairman of Prime Database shares. Among the requirements price could be decided on the Exchange Board of India (SEBI) which tracks primary capital SEBI said it could relax is India’s basis of metrics other than earn- is considering an alternative markets, welcoming the proposals. requirement for a lengthy lock-in ings per share and price earnings RBI gives lenders more flexibility investment platform targeted at SEBI’s proposed changes come period of up to three years for a ratio — given few start ups are the country’s booming Internet as many Indian start-ups includ- “promoter” investor, who holds at yet profitable. “If the capital rais- MUMBAI: Banks can now divert as provision against bad loans start-ups, relaxing some key ing online marketplaces Flipkart least 20 percent. That has been ing process in India is not made a bigger share of the capital cushion required to be set aside to requirements to encourage and Snapdeal are preparing for reduced to a minimum of six further relaxed for such issuers, guard themselves against an economic downturn, the Reserve them to list at home. initial public offerings, hoping to months. The lock-in has been a they may be driven to list on stock Bank of India (RBI) said, easing pressure on a struggling sector. In a discussion paper published raise capital and to give some of key concern for some of India’s exchanges outside India,” SEBI India currently mandates that banks set aside funds for emer- yesterday, the SEBI said it would their early backers an opportunity start-ups and their advisers, as said in the discussion paper. gency use in a so-called counter cyclical capital buffer. Up to half relax rules, but would also limit to cash in on investments worth they move towards full public “Considering the role of such that buffer, held as of December 31, can now be used for provision fundraising on the platform from billions of dollars. share offerings but investors hold companies in nation building and against bad loans, up from 33 percent allowed formerly, the RBI said. institutions and wealthy investors Most are reported by indus- smaller stakes and typically aim to their potential in terms of gen- The RBI move would allow banks to lower provisioning against — as opposed to retail investors, try analysts to be looking abroad, be more nimble with investments. erating employment and income bad loans, helping their profitability, said Manish Ostwal, a senior who have flocked to Internet list- specifically at Nasdaq listings in SEBI also relaxed rules on as well as fostering innovation, it research analyst at brokerage Nirmal Bang, although he doubted it ings — given what it said were the United States, due to tougher the amount of disclosure which is imperative that necessary ena- would be game changer. “Basically it is some relief to the profit and the risks involved. “SEBI is rec- rules at home, and a lack of listed firms need to provide on the bling environment is provided for loss statement, but overall, from the economic value prospective, I ognising a change in the market rivals, which makes it harder to use to which funds will be put. these enterprises to flourish.” don’t think it will have a major impact,” Ostwal said. REUTERS scenario,” said Prithvi Haldea, put a fair value on newly traded It said, moreover, that the issue REUTERS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Falling knife slashes Lufthansa CEO faces biggest shale deal-making test after plane crash BY JOE CARROLL, JAVIER BLAS and BRADLEY OLSON BY RICHARD WEISS than predecessor Christophe Franz, who had The critical question now is whether the HEN Whiting Petroleum put itself up for sale this clashed with staff over his sober analysis of tragedy will bring factions that have devel- month, the oil industry appeared on the brink of a EUTSCHE Lufthansa’s the twin threat to Lufthansa from European oped within the company together or foster deal surge that would dramatically redraw the energy Carsten Spohr faces a career- discount rivals and the fast-growing carriers soul searching, further splits and a sense Wlandscape. defining test of his capabili- of the Gulf, with their superior network con- of crisis. Instead, Whiting decided it was better off selling shares and ties as chief executive in the nections and higher-rated cabin products. Spohr moved early to reiterate his belief borrowing more money to surmount a cash shortfall brought on aftermath of a crash that That’s won Spohr little credit with that, despite the emerging explanation of by tumbling crude prices. The lesson? Takeover fever driven by could widen divisions at a unions or the financial community, with the crash, Lufthansa’s pilots “are the world’s the oil-market crash is yet to really heat up because share prices Dcarrier already riven by labour unrest over pilots staging 22 days of strikes, the worst best.” The company’s flight-crew union has haven’t fallen as fast or hard as crude. his cost-cutting plans. in Lufthansa’s history, and two earnings meanwhile put the conflict with manage- It may be later this year or early 2016 before buyout candidates With the tragedy being blamed on one downgrades and a profit slump leaving it ment over benefits on indefinite hold, while resign themselves to a long-term market slump and lower valua- of the company’s own pilots, Spohr must with seven buy ratings among 31 analysts the UFO union representing cabin attend- tions, said David Zusman, chief investment officer at Talara Capital deal with the emotional impact on staff and a 5 percent stock drop this year after a ants said its members are pledged to stand Management LLC. and questions posed about training and 10 percent fall in 2015. as one with the airline and pilots. “Nobody wants to catch a falling knife,” Chris Pultz, portfolio monitoring methods, while continuing to Data collected by Bloomberg show the “Our confidence in our pilots is unbro- manager of a merger-arbitrage fund at Kellner Capital in New push crew to accept savings he has said company also has the lowest aggregate rat- ken,” said UFO head Nicoley Baublies. York. “The last thing anyone wants to do is price a deal now, only are vital in stopping the business slipping ing in the 29-member Bloomberg World “While our world has been shaken last- to have oil fall to $30 a barrel later on. There’s a lot of skittishness.” from aviation’s first tier. Airline Index, which was so even before ingly, we will get through this catastro- Whiting, a potentially juicy prize as the biggest oil producer Complicating matters is the fact that the the crash. Six hedge funds have shorted the phe as a family of fliers.” Lufthansa itself in North Dakota’s Bakken shale, isn’t the only one fending off crash came at the same Germanwings low- stock in anticipation of a further slide. has observed minutes of silence at various bargain seekers. Tullow Oil, an Africa-focused group seen as a cost unit around which Spohr is seeking to With the Germanwings crash in the bases, created a forum for mourning on perennial takeover target, earlier this month tapped lenders to rebuild Lufthansa’s short-haul network. French Alps on Tuesday being laid at the its intranet, laid out books of condolence restore its finances. In North America, Encana, Noble Energy, Without that switch, the company seems door of the Airbus A320’s first officer, at some sites, and published an employee RSP Permian and Carrizo Oil & Gas have sold new shares, effec- set to continue losing traffic to discount Lufthansa’s top-notch safety reputation newsletter dedicated to the tragedy. tively blocking deals. rivals such as Ryanair Holdings Plc and is on the line and more than 118,000 staff In strategic terms, Lufthansa may be thank- For oil producers squeezed by heavy debt and a collapse in crude EasyJet Plc at a time when travelers may across eight airline units and subsidiaries ful that the Germanwings name is already set prices below $50, issuing new shares and rolling over old loans, be reconsidering their loyalties to a carrier that span engineering to inflight food have to gradually disappear as the business is folded when given the choice, remain lesser evils than a corporate fire that had pitched its safety record as a sig- been left reeling. into the company’s Eurowings brand, which sale. So far this year, the oil and natural gas sector has seen deals nificant selling point. A crash that initial theories suggested though smaller is reckoned to have greater worth nearly $1.9bn, the lowest quarterly figure in at least five years, “Task number one has to be to calm their might have resulted from a freak depres- potential appeal in foreign markets. Spohr according to Bloomberg data. In the first quarter of 2014, energy employees as best they can,” said Addison surization incident or aircraft systems fail- must still, though, reconcile labour groups to deal making reached $27.9bn. Schonland, an aviation industry consultant ure now reaches to the heart of Lufthansa’s his plan to transform short-haul operations “Every time there’s a market downturn, you always have this at AirInsight from Baltimore, Maryland. own practices and culture, with the com- outside Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub into a true chorus of suggested interest in takeovers,” said Vincent Piazza, “This event it out of the blue. Lufthansa has pany’s staff-screening program called into low-cost player. global energy research coordinator at Bloomberg Intelligence in such a sterling reputation that it’s almost doubt, together with rules allowing a pilot to “Such a shocking event might get peo- New York. “In reality, few deals of any consequence occur.” beyond belief that this happened.” remain unaccompanied in the cockpit when ple to realize they should not waste energy A disconnect between company valuations and the crude market Spohr, previously in charge of the main the other has left. on internal disagreements,” AirInsight’s is adding to buyers’ uncertainty. Since Dec. 15, stock values in an airline brand and elevated to CEO last May Lawsuits and compensation claims are Schonland said. “I would hope this gives index of 20 U.S. producers have bounced back an average 7 percent, only after the company spent almost five also likely to take a financial toll, even everyone pause and helps to focus attention even as oil fell another 15 percent to $47.51 a barrel on Tuesday. months trying and failing to find an outsider, before the possibility of a revenue hit from on working together.” The price crash was so swift that many companies may be wait- has adopted a more conciliatory approach any slump in bookings is taken into account. WP-BLOOMBERG ing for the market to stabilize before agreeing to major acquisitions, said Osmar Abib, who leads the global energy practice for Credit Suisse Group. “You’re going to see a much bigger flow of announce- ments in the second half of the year because by then, people will have adjusted to the new environment,” Abib said.

FINDING COMMON GROUND Buyers and sellers need time to find common ground on valu- ations, Scott Sheffield, chief executive officer at Pioneer Natural Resources, said in an interview at the Howard Weil Energy Conference in New Orleans. “It’s going to take at least mid-summer or late in the year for oil prices to bottom and to start going up again and for people to develop their own views,” Sheffield said. Much will depend on where oil prices settle. Sheffield said he sees a rebound to $60 a barrel by the end of the year, with prices ranging from $60 to $80 over the next five years. A $60 price over the long term will lead to more consolidation, he said. Another possible deal-driver: the availability of capital from loans and equity offerings may dry up, particularly if the US Federal Reserve increases interest rates. Companies that own drilling rigs and provide equipment and field services to the producers are most prone to consolidation during bear markets, Piazza said. During the last crude slump in 2009-10, 247 oilfield-services deals with a combined value of $32 billion dwarfed the 51 transactions among oil producers, which amounted to just $6.6bn, he said. Money is certainly waiting in the wings for a flurry of acquisi- tions. The world’s four largest buyout firms, including Blackstone Group and Carlyle Group, have amassed a $30bn war chest for deals. “This is one of the best periods, if not the best, to invest in global energy,” said Marcel van Poecke, head of Carlyle International Energy Partners. Piazza of Bloomberg Intelligence said the biggest oil companies are more likely to snatch up individual assets and business units of smaller rivals, rather than acquire entire corporations. Exxon Mobil is among buyers indicating they’re particularly interested in acquiring drilling assets that expand on their existing oil fields. For those companies with an appetite for wholesale corporate takeovers, the best approach may be to bide their time, said Pultz at Kellner Capital. “You’re not going to lose anything by waiting,” Pultz said. “You’ll probably get it cheaper a few months from now.” WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Deflation rings wake-up call to Eastern Europe’s central banks

BY AGNES LOVASZ “Every month, it’s just another country attracts capital inflows, TD Securities in London, said. they abandoned that stance last signalled they needed to be con- wake-up call for the central banks central bank Governor Marek Central bankers are navigating week. Hungarian rate setters low- vinced inflation would eventually ENTRAL banks across to cut interest rates,” Simon Belka said in an interview this an uncharted territory, where ered their forecast for 2015 infla- accelerate before lifting borrowing the European Union’s Quijano-Evans, the London-based month, adding that thus far he accelerating economic growth is tion to zero after prices fell the costs. As the exit from the most eastern countries are head of emerging-market research hadn’t seen any reason for con- accompanied by low inflation. most since the 1960s, while lift- aggressive easing in the Fed’s 100- overcoming their aver- at Commerzbank, said by phone. “If cern in that regard. With the economy growing at ing their estimate for economic year history draws closer, riskier sion to chasing defla- you have a spread in your central The Polish currency, which last more than 3 percent pace in the expansion to 3.2 percent from emerging-market assets will Ction with monetary easing, and bank rate versus the ECB, you’re week advanced to the strongest last five quarters, Poland’s central 2.3 percent. Poland’s Finance become less attractive. investors are betting that the going to see inflows, you’re going versus the euro since January bank hesitated on reducing borrow- Ministry is starting work on next The Fed’s “tame behaviour” pro- new rate-cut cycles are just get- to import disinflation, deflation and 2013, appreciated 0.1 percent ing costs further until March, even year’s budget with the assumption vided some “bullishness” to emerg- ting under way. there’s very little you as a central against the 19-member common as Poland is grappling with its long- that gross domestic product may ing markets, “but as soon as we Poland, where prices have been bank can do other than cut rates.” currency at 2:14pm in Warsaw. est bout of negative price growth. advance faster than its current approach the second half, nervous- falling since July, ended a five- Traders are wagering more “The market has started to ride Sounding a note of caution, forecast of 3.4 percent in 2015. ness will return,” Schottmueller said month pause with an interest- interest-rate cuts both in Poland the ECB QE wave with vigor,” Polish policy maker Andrzej From the perspective of growth, by e-mail. “Central banks are aware rate cut this month. Hungary on and Hungary. Forward-rate Gabor Ambrus, an economist at Bratkowski ruled out more rate “central banks would be comfort- of that; therefore, they may not cut March 24 lowered its benchmark agreements predicting Polish Royal Bank of Scotland Plc in cuts in response to a stronger able to refrain from further rate rates as low as they could.” Easing is after a seven-month interlude, fol- borrowing costs in six months in London, said. “Rate cuts are here to zloty. Bratkowski, who was the cuts”, Marcin Adamczyk, who being considered even in the Czech lowing deflation in nine of the last Poland are trading 17 basis points stay, and they can get much deeper first to call for the start of an eas- helps manage $7bn in emerging- Republic, where interest rates are 11 months. Czech policymakers are below the Warsaw Interbank than generally anticipated.” ing cycle in 2012, said on his per- market debt at ING Investment at what the central bank calls a weighing whether to weaken the Offered Rate. The spread between The forint is getting a boost after sonal website that inflation is set Management in The Hague, said “technical zero” and there’s been a koruna and Romania’s central bank Hungarian six-month FRAs and the National Bank of Hungary cut to pick up and reach the central by email. “It’s more the fear of limit to currency gains in place as is forecast to cut rates today. the Budapest Interbank Offered its main interest rate to 1.95 per- bank’s 2.5 percent target in the additional deflationary pressure an instrument to combat deflation With economies plugged into Rate is 29 basis points. cent from 2.10 percent, a smaller third quarter of 2016. created by strengthening curren- since November 2013. the euro region, their main export The Romanian central bank reduction than the 20 basis points Policy makers in Hungary had cies than the export competitive- Policymakers on March 26 market and source of funding, will cut its key rate by a quar- predicted by most analysts in planned to keep borrowing costs ness worries” driving policy. left the key rate unchanged for eastern EU nations are struggling ter point to a record 2 percent, Bloomberg survey. The currency steady throughout 2015 until Even so, the room for easing a 19th meeting and left a limit to control downward pressure on according to 18 of 19 economists has kept appreciating even as the persistence of declining con- is limited as the Federal Reserve to the koruna’s gains at 27 per prices. The European Central in a Bloomberg survey. Governor Gyorgy Matolcsy said sumer prices swayed them. Even prepares to raise rates, according euro. Recent currency strength Bank’s ¤1.1 trillion ($1.2 trillion) In Poland, the central bank’s “cautious” easing may continue. as March government releases to Peter Schottmueller, who helps prompted the panel to warn that bond-buying plan is complicating vow to keep rates unchanged after “An extension of the favourable showed retail sales jumped the manage $17bn as head of emerg- they may move the cap, meant to the task by strengthening the cur- a half-point cut to 1.50 percent on forint momentum may embolden most in almost 11 years and indus- ing-market fixed income at Deka be in place until at least July 2016, rencies of the euro area’s neigh- March 4 hinges on the zloty’s abil- the NBH,” Cristian Maggio, head trial-output growth was double Investment in Frankfurt. to a weaker level. bors, which offer higher rates. ity to avoid strengthening as the of emerging-market strategy at the pace predicted by economists, Fed officials on March 18 WP-BLOOMBERG TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,586.83 0.86 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,005.03 1.29 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,248.73 1.43 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,105.12 1.28 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,153.73 1.19 % GOLD Services Buying Selling All Ordinaries 5816.257 -72.679 -1.23 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 3,808.94 1.80 % QR139.0638 QE All Share Transportation 2,384.66 0.17 % US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Cac 40 Index/D 5077.02 42.96 0.85 5106.04 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,383.4 1.63 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.3533 QR 5.4279 QE All Share Insurance 4,147.07 0.72 % Dj Indu Average 17712.66 34.43 0.19 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.9259 QR 4.9812 QE All Share Telecoms 1,325.42 1.15 % QR 1.9623 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8549 QR 2.9109 6,844.58 0.59 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 24855.12 368.92 1.51 25101.96 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7606 QR 3.8130 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6037.85 31.37 0.52 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0301 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7642 QR 2.8196 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 28927.04 -1030.79 -3.44 35055.94 29847.26 CRUDE OIL 30-03-2015 29-03-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0576 QR 0.0588 Index 11,586.83 11,488.41 Nikkei 225 Index 19411.4 125.77 0.65 19778.6 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 98.42 77.65 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0805 QR 0.0822 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 0.86 0.68 $ 55.45 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 5.69 6.49 Straits Times/D 3454.26 4.16 0.12 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 7,741,352 7,416,600 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0360 QR 0.0367 Value (QAR) 394,719,887.56 317,700,364.06 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2976 QR 0.3035 Trades 5,604 3,571 $ 52.14 Up 27 | Down 10 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 30-03-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 162.3 -5.7 6200 Cimmco-B/D 86.45 4.1 22129 Hind Motors-T/D 6.08 0.07 88128 Kg Denim-B/D 21 1.35 13062 Patspin India-/D 7.15 -0.82 5081 Imperial Tobac/D 3065 -37 1046315 A C C-A/D 1590 40.15 23292 Cipla-A/D 702.5 8.65 126897 Hind Org Chem-/D 13.95 1.15 24188 Kilburnengg-T/D 50 5.75 177541 Punjab Chem.-B/D 175 17.6 37348 Kingfisher/D 367.6 9.8 3043830 Aarti Drugs-B/D 656 39.5 26562 City Union Bk-/D 96.4 0.85 33322 Hind Unilever-/D 862.1 11 74628 Kinetic Eng-B/D 44 0.3 3222 Radico Khait-B/D 87.4 5 71850 Land Secs Grou/D 1257 -11 725271 Aban Offs-A/D 423 16.8 224274 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1918.05 33.95 6981 Hind.Petrol-A/D 627.65 9.3 93972 Kopran-B/D 45 2.25 86123 Rallis India-A/D 221.25 7.5 31922 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888.5 10.2 35999 Max India L-A/D 446.15 11.1 51199 Unitech P -A/D 16.35 0 7466003 Severn Trent/D 2085 -3 332401 Beml Ltd-A/D 1062.6 57.9 125887 Escorts-A/D 127.75 2.35 98809 J.B.Chemical-B/D 198.8 2.1 62171 Mrpl-A/D 67 2.1 44946 Univcable-T/D 40.15 0.7 11572 Smith&Nephew/D 1134 -8 1025262 Bh Electronic-/D 3248.6 143.3 35386 Essar Oil-T/D 110.1 -1.15 163864 Jagson Phar-B/D 26.6 1.75 16146 Nahar Spg.-B/D 89.95 6.05 27252 Uppergsugar-T/D 39 2.8 27557 Smiths Group/D 1136 -26 967411 Bhansali Eng-T/D 21.75 0.65 82278 Eveready Indu-/D 259.1 12.4 47520 Jamnaauto-B/D 241 9.3 2456 Nation Alum -A/D 44.75 2.5 121699 Standrd Chart /D 1116.5 13.5 2239687 Bharat Bijle-B/D 626.25 21.25 3830 F D C-B/D 151.3 4.15 14116 Jbf Indu-B/D 212 3.1 22515 Navneet Edu-B/D 103.25 4.25 18186 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 600 1.5 259034 Bharatgears-B/D 73.6 3.25 4734 Federal Bank-A/D 131.9 0.75 126088 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.38 0.01 22615 Nepc India-T/D 2.31 0.06 24896 Tesco/D 240.45 2.2 6498043 Bhel-A/D 238.6 6.05 243358 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.35 0.24 15662 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.1 0.16 337447 Neuland Lab-B/D 321.9 -2.5 27045 3I Group/D 486.5 1.1 678359 Unilever/D 2878 27 1389892 Bom.Burmah-B/D 457 26.5 73004 Finolex-A/D 288.1 10.2 16518 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.22 0.29 6138 Nrb Bearings-B/D 132 -1 6088 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2844 -1 219101 United Util Gr/D 932.5 -10 706233 Bombay Dyeing-/D 64.2 3.2 312488 Gail-A/D 382 2.8 46119 Jik Indust-T/D 0.9 0.04 49063 O N G C-A/D 314.7 10.6 571553 Barclays/D 245.85 1.6 13774915 Vodafone Group/D 223.3 -1.4 15423355 Camph.& All-B/D 255 2.5 2243 Gammon India-T/D 17.5 1 131163 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 96.3 1.4 190280 Ocl India-B/D 432.65 19.75 2566 Bg Group/D 847.9 -25.4 6082926 Whitbread/D 5210 -30 154065 Canfin Homes-B/D 595 40 16418 Garden P -B/D 24.6 -0.15 11771 Jmc Projects-T/D 187.9 12.7 8979 Oil Country-B/D 29.4 0.45 2485 Bp/D 444.65 1.05 13432020 Castrol India-/D 464.2 1.2 21669 Godfrey Phil-B/D 424.05 0.1 3917 Kajaria Cer-A/D 796.9 16.8 5342 Onward Tech-B/D 51.25 1.9 15486 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3561 9 1005731 Century Enka-B/D 151 6.6 6785 Goodyear I -B/D 510.5 1.75 7751 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 117.8 0.9 2127 Orchid Chem-B/D 52.25 4.35 220222 Bt Group/D 450.55 -3.45 8051211 Century Text-A/D 639 30.85 295948 Hcl Infosys-B/D 51.45 2.9 622330 Kalpat Power-B/D 224.85 15.65 15113 Orient Hotel-T/D 19.45 -0.35 5948 Centrica/D 257.164 -2.2 4826368 Chambal Fert-B/D 64.4 -0.35 44507 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 13.8 0.4 961567 Kalyani Stel-T/D 135.7 9.3 67750 Orient.Carb.-T/D 440 25.9 10616 Gkn/D 361.2 1.1 1445945 Chowgule St-T/D 25.4 0.95 5048 Himat Seide-B/D 80.3 4.15 16361 Kanoria Chem-B/D 40 1.85 18895 Orient.Carb.-T/D 440 25.9 10616 Hsbc Holdings/D 583 4.5 7863566 TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Woods drops out of top 100, Mcllroy retains No.1 status

NEW YORK: Tiger Woods has and a loss of form. He shot a the green jacket for the first time play a practice round together on Tiger Woods dropped outside the top 100 in round of 82 at the Phoenix Open and complete his set of winning Tuesday,” he told Reuters after watches the world golf rankings for the in January, the worst of his pro- all four Majors. posting a final day 74 for a seven- his errant first time since 1996. fessional career. Meanwhile, United States over-par total in the Texas Open. tee shot on The 39-year-old former world Woods hopes to return to play Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III “But one of my toes on my right the seventh number one and 14-times major in next week’s US Masters, the will miss a practice round next foot is just giving me so much champion, who has not played first major of the year. week with European rival Darren trouble it needs an operation. hole during since pulling out of the Farmer’s Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy con- Clarke in order to undergo toe “It’s been bothering me for the second Open in early February due to tinues to maintain a healthy lead surgery. some years and has been dislo- round of the back problems, has slipped to at the top of the world rankings Love was set to meet with cated for some time so I’ve been Hero World 104th in the rankings. with the first Major of the season, Clarke for the first time since told I need surgery to get it put Challenge at The American first topped the the Masters, set to begin on April both were appointed respective back into the joint. the Isleworth list in 1997 and has spent 683 9 at Augusta. 2016 captains at this week’s Shell “The fact is the longer I have Golf and weeks as world number one, more The Northern Irishman leads Houston Open. left it, the worse it’s got and I Country than twice as long as any other Sweden’s Henrik Stenson who Love, however, has advised offi- guess it’s just all worn out. Club in player. is 3.19pts back in number two cials in Houston he will be with- “So I’ll miss out on catching Windermere, Woods’s last major title was while Americans Bubba Watson drawing from the event to have up with Darren but I’m sure he’ll Florida, in this the 2008 US Open but he won and Jordan Spieth are three and the operation. understand, and besides there will December five PGA Tour events in 2013 and four with Australian Jason Day “I was looking forward so much be other chances where we can 2014 file topped the rankings in May 2014 completing the top five. to catching-up with Darren in get together before the year’s out.” photo. before suffering injury problems McIlroy is attempting to win Houston as we’d organised to AGENCIES World Rankings 1. (1) Rory McIlroy (Britain) ...... 11.00 2. (2) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) ...... 7.81 PGA: Local favourite Walker 3. (3) Bubba Watson (US) ...... 7.57 4. (6) Jordan Spieth (US)...... 6.90 5. (4) Jason Day (Australia) ...... 6.50 6. (5) Adam Scott (Australia) ...... 6.41 7. (9) Dustin Johnson (US) ...... 5.99 8. (8) Sergio Garcia (Spain) ...... 5.86 clinches Texas Open trophy 9. (7) Jim Furyk (US) ...... 5.78 10. (13) Jimmy Walker (US) ...... 5.57 11. (10) Justin Rose (Britain) ...... 5.30 The 36-year old beats Spieth by four shots, Horschel finishes third 12. (11) Rickie Fowler (US) ...... 4.69 13. (12) Martin Kaymer (Germany) ...... 4.64 14. (14) Matt Kuchar (US) ...... 4.58 NEW YORK: Hometown Cristie Kerr favourite Jimmy Walker 15. (15) Patrick Reed (US) ...... 4.54 poses with became the first multiple win- 16. (16) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) ....4.20 ner on the PGA Tour this sea- the winner’s 17. (18) Billy Horschel (US) ...... 4.06 son by claiming a four-stroke trophy after her 18. (17) Victor Dubuisson (France) .....3.66 -20 under par victory over Jordan Spieth in 19. (19) Brooks Koepka (US) ...... 3.64 victory during the Texas Open at TPC San 20. (20) J.B. Holmes (US) ...... 3.61 Antonio on Sunday. the final round Walker, who stormed to a of the LPGA KIA nine-shot win at the Sony Open Classic at the in Hawaii in January, began the Aviara Golf Club US PGA Tour Texas day with a four-shot lead and was in Carlsbad, never seriously threatened as the California on Open Scores San Antonio area resident shot a Sunday. two-under 70 for an 11-under-par Scores from the US PGA Tour 277 total. Texas Open at the par-72 course “It’s at home and it’s cool and on Sunday in San Antonio, Texas you can feel the support,” Walker, Kerr fires 65 to capture 277 Jimmy Walker (US) 71 67 69 70 36, said. 281 Jordan Spieth (US) 71 69 71 70 “It doesn’t happen very often to 284 Billy Horschel (US) 72 70 71 71 win in your hometown.” 285 Chesson Hadley (US) 71 72 71 71; Spieth, who struggled on the 17th career LPGA title Daniel Summerhays (US) 71 73 72 69 front nine with three bogeys, put on a late charge to whittle CARLSBAD, US: Cristie Kerr her streak of sub-par rounds to 286 Ryan Palmer (US) 70 75 73 68; Dustin Walker’s seven-shot lead down fired a seven-under-par 65 on 28 as she prepares for the year’s Johnson (US) 78 72 68 68 to four. Sunday to win her 17th career first major tournament, next 287 Scott Pinckney (US) 73 72 69 73; Texan Spieth, who won his last LPGA title, taking a two-stroke week’s Ana Inspiration at Rancho Chris Kirk (US) 71 71 73 72; Brendan tour start two weeks ago at the victory over South Korea’s Lee Mirage. “I made a lot of good Steele (US) 74 68 72 73 Valspar Championship, made four Mi-Rim at the Kia Classic. putts,” Ko said. 288 Charley Hoffman (US) 67 72 79 70; birdies in a row from the 14th but The 37-year-old American “I wasn’t hitting it in close but Kyle Reifers (US) 77 68 75 68; Jason Walker held off Spieth’s charge made nine birdies, including four when I had the chance I made it. Kokrak (US) 72 71 71 74; John with birdies of his own at 16 and in a row from the 13th through A 67 here is good and I improved Peterson (US) 74 72 74 68 17 to retain his lead. 16th holes, to finish 72 holes on my place from last year, so it’s 289 Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) 79 67 70 73; FedExCup champion Billy a tournament-record 20-under- good and I’m ready for the first Cameron Percy (Australia) 72 74 74 Horschel finished third at 284 par 268 for her first LPGA victory major next week.” 69; Matt Kuchar (US) 72 74 74 69; after a final-round 71. since the Kingsmill Championship Ko hopes to add her first major K.J. Choi (South Korea) 75 70 73 71; “It plays hard, sometimes it’s 22 months ago. title to the Australian and New John Merrick (US) 72 72 72 73 hard to make pars,” Walker said “I just found something,” Kerr Zealand Open crowns she won 290 Zach Johnson (US) 71 71 72 76; Kevin of the fast-running, wind-blown said. “I’m really happy right now.” earlier this year. Na (US) 72 68 75 75; George McNeill TPC San Antonio, which played A tearful Kerr had vowed Kerr took the $255,000 top (US) 74 70 75 71; Bryce Molder (US) to an average of two-over 74 on Jimmy Walker poses with the Valero Texas Open trophy after winning to win after her caddie, Greg prize some 43 starts after her 73 74 71 72; Pat Perez (US) 78 71 69 Sunday. the final round of TPC San Antonio AT&T at Oaks Course on Sunday in Johnston, mourned the death of prior LPGA triumph, overcoming 72; Aaron Baddeley (Australia) 68 71 “I felt like I was leaking a lit- San Antonio, Texas. his father last week. a three-shot deficit to Kim with a 76 75 tle oil there, wasn’t putting very “I played for both of us this sizzling round. 291 Matt Jones (Australia) 77 71 68 good, and I finally smoothed out week,” she said. “I said I was Kerr began a run of five birdies 75; Kevin Kisner (US) 76 70 76 69; the putting stroke a little bit and also began the 2013-2014 cam- the top 10 in three of last year’s going to do it and I did it. Golf has in six holes at the par-5 fifth and Shawn Stefani (US) 79 70 72 70; started making some.” paign as the tour’s first multiple four majors including a tie for always given me special moments ended it at the par-5 10th. After Gary Woodland (US) 75 75 68 73 Despite his big lead, Walker winner. eighth at the Masters, said he like this and I’m grateful for it.” stumbling with a bogey at 12, she 292 Brice Garnett (US) 76 72 74 70; Phil admitted that playing partner Walker won his first three would be spending Monday and Lee was second, undone by a ran off her longest birdie streak Mickelson (US) 70 72 74 76; Brendon Spieth was hard to ignore. PGA Tour events in eight starts Tuesday at Augusta National to double bogey at 17, with world to seize the lead. Todd (US) 73 70 75 74; Harris English “But Jordan, holy cow. I’m going last season, becoming just the prepare before heading to the number one Lydia Ko of New Her edge grew to three strokes (US) 75 72 73 72 to have nightmares about that fourth player in 20 years to win Houston Open. Zealand third on 271, American when Kim made a double bogey guy,” said Walker. three times in eight or fewer “I’m excited to go,” said Walker. Alison Lee fourth on 272 and at 17 and even though Kerr took 293 Marc Warren (Britain) 74 74 75 70; The decisive victory underlined starts, joining Tiger Woods, Phil “I’ve been looking forward to it. South Korean world number two a bogey at 18, Kim could not hole Matt Every (US) 78 71 71 73; Hudson another strong start to the season Mickelson and David Duval. All this just keeps adding momen- Park In-Bee fifth on 273. her approach for an eagle to force Swafford (US) 79 71 70 73; Billy for the late-blooming Walker, who The American, who finished in tum and confidence.” REUTERS Ko, 17, fired a 67, stretching a play-off. AFP Hurley III (US) 74 74 73 72

Pittsburgh beat Cavaliers earn close win San Jose in CLEVELAND: LeBron James Covington led the 76ers with shoot-out scored a game-high 20 points NBA Results 19 points, but Philadelphia’s upset and added 11 rebounds with Indiana 104 Dallas 99 bid faltered on 4-of-10 free throw six assists on Sunday as the Boston 106 LA Clippers 119 shooting in the fourth quarter. PITTSBURGH: David Perron Cleveland Cavaliers edged Miami 109 Detroit 102 It was the Sixers fourth loss and Sidney Crosby had shoot- Philadelphia 87-86 for their 16th Phoenix 97 Oklahoma City 109 in five games, dropping them to out goals, and Pittsburgh won consecutive home triumph. San Antonio 103 Memphis 89 18-56, the third-worst record in its second home game in as Australian-born Kyrie Irving the league. many days, 3-2 over the San Cleveland 87 Philadelphia 86 added 17 points while Kevin Love The Cavaliers do not take the Jose Sharks on Sunday night. had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn 107 LA Lakers 99 court again until Thursday, when In other matches Anaheim and the Cavaliers, who improved to New Orleans 110 Minnesota 880 they play host to James’ former Chicago claimed victories over 48-27 and stretched their Central Washington 91 Houston 99 club, the Miami Heat. respective rivals. AGENCIES division lead over Chicago to 2 1/2 Cleveland lost twice at Miami games. From there, the 76ers missed this season but beat the Heat at Russian big man Timofey their final five shots, four by Ish home last month. NHL Results Pittsburgh 3 San Jose 2 Mozgov scored off a rebound for Smith, and four free throws as James left Cleveland for Miami the last of his 14 points to give well while the Cavaliers missed in 2010 and led the Heat to the New Jersey 1 Anaheim 2 Cleveland an 87-83 lead with 4:03 their final six shots, three of them next four NBA Finals, capturing Winnipeg 3 Chicago 4 remaining. by James. two titles. Ottawa 2 Florida 4 Robert Covington answered Mozgov had 10 rebounds and But James departed Miami last NY Islanders 5 Detroit 4 Robert Covington (left) and Henry Sims (right) of the Philadelphia 76ers with a 3-pointer for the 76ers six Tristan Thompson grabbed nine July and rejoined his home-region Carolina 1 Boston 2 seconds later with what turned rebounds for the Cavaliers, who club, saying he wanted to lead try to stop LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second Nashville 2 Calgary 5 half of their NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday. out to be the last of the game’s have won five of their past six the Cavaliers to their first NBA scoring. starts. crown. AFP NY Rangers 2 Washington 5 TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT The ‘goat’ may have lost but New Zealand celebrate

WELLINGTON: The New by seven wickets was quickly proudly deserved a better showing Zealand team has been dubbed replaced on Radio New Zealand than what they had.” a “goat” but in an endearing way with talk of how the New Zealand In two years, New Zealand have as the country celebrated their team exceeded expectations and risen from rock bottom to being a appearance in the World Cup could only get better. “Under whisker away from the top of the final rather than mourned the McCullum and (coach Mike) cricket world. loss yesterday. Hesson, halcyon days lie ahead,” On January 2, 2013 in the first “This New Zealand cricket said the national broadcaster. innings of the first Test against team is our GOAT, the Greatest Bars and restaurants had put South Africa, they were rolled Of All Time,” wrote the Herald on on extra staff with many released for a disastrous 45 in Cape Town Sunday’s Andrew Alderson. early as crowds dwindled once it and from that humiliation came “One hell of a ride,” added The became evident the result would urgently needed change. Press on the front page of its not go New Zealand’s way. “Not just from an internal souvenir edition, while the New Even ardent fans who had point of view but also externally Zealand Herald admitted: “We crossed the Tasman Sea to how we are viewed by the public,” were done by a better team.” watch the final at the Melbourne captain McCullum said. New Zealand captain Brendon Cricket Ground found it hard to “It was essential to all of us that McCullum’s World Cup philoso- sit through New Zealand in their we wanted the public support and phy of “no regrets” struck a chord death throes. the best way to go about that is with an enthralled public. Regan Tait told Radio New to make sure you’re out there and Former Black Caps fast bowler Zealand he left the MCG early trying to represent New Zealand Jonathan Millmow said seven when the game became difficult with everything you’ve got.” weeks “of rollicking entertain- to watch. A winning culture, including ment” had been replaced by a “I’m not happy. But very proud 14 of their past 21 ODIs, and a below par effort on the day when to be a Kiwi and the whole cam- humble attitude has won them it counted most. paign has been amazing,” he said. the public support they craved. “There will be post mortems, “They performed a little bit under “Well done Black Caps. I but they should be short and par, but they should still hold don’t usually watch cricket but I New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum (centre) and his team stand after losing in the 2015 World Cup final respectful of a side and a campaign their heads really high.” watched your stunning perform- against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday. that has been pretty much inch Fan Andy Bryant said his ances. Hold your heads high and perfect until the entire cricket thoughts were mostly with the be proud,” one reader said on the world’s eyes set upon them,” he players. Fairfax Media website. allies in nearly all facets of life McCullum went over to Michael the Aussies mocked Grant Elliot wrote in The Dominion-Post. “They’ve done so well over the There was also room for a except sport where they are bit- Clarke and shook his hand as he after his dismissal? Baz and this Despair at the ease with which last four to five weeks. Proud of gentle dig at the Australians who ter rivals. was leaving the field for his final team has significantly more class,” Australia wrapped up the final them, but gutted for them. They serve as New Zealand’s closest “Did you see the bit where ODI? As opposed to the bit when wrote another reader. AFP Magic Moments at the World Cup SYDNEY: Magic moments in the 2015 Cricket World Cup which concluded on Sunday: Ali replaces Misbah as Captain Morgan or invisible man? - England captain Eoin Morgan was introduced as ‘Eoin Rogers’ by the mayor of Wellington when the team arrived in the New Zealand capital. Morgan, 28, shrugged off the gaffe: “I’ve been called a lot worse. She got the hardest part right.” Rambo inspires Afghanistan - Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan became a cult hero, charging in with bandanna Pakistan’s ODI captain strapped tightly around his head, with cheeks painted in the colours of the Afghan flag. He admitted his hero was Rambo but unlike Sylvester Stallone’s on-screen lone wolf, he performed a nifty cartwheel when he took a wicket. Hassan was also at the non-striker’s end when Shapoor Zadran hit the winning runs in the historic win over Scotland. Sarfraz named vice captain for ODI and T20 teams Gayle takes tweet revenge - If West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron was trying to get Chris Gayle fired up ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s when he retweeted a call from a fan to pension off the star opener, it certainly did the trick. cricket chiefs yesterday named “Gayle goes... Can’t buy a run. Let’s give him a retirement package ... Can’t fail repeatedly and batsman Azhar Ali as the still front up based on reputation,” was the fan’s post retweeted by the Windies boss. national side’s new One Day Two days later, Gayle smashed the first-ever World Cup double century in the win over International (ODI) captain, Bangladesh. despite the fact he has not made Joyce freed on bail the 50-over team in more than - Ireland’s Ed Joyce had a lucky break when he survived the ball hitting the stumps while two years. Pakistan’s batting against the United Arab Emirates in Brisbane. The 30-year-old replaces Amjad Javed thought he’d struck with his fourth ball when an inswinger beat left-hander Misbah-ul-Haq, who retired newly appointed Joyce’s defence and caused the LED lights on the bails to flash. But although the off-bail was from ODIs following Pakistan’s disturbed, it landed back in its groove and Joyce was not out. World Cup quarter-final exit at One Day Choke’s on you, Maxwell the hands of eventual champions International Australia. captain Azhar - Glenn Maxwell joked with the Auckland crowd that New Zealand would crumble in their Ali has played just 14 ODIs, Ali speaks at a pursuit of a modest 152-run target to defeat his Australians in the pool phase by turning to the the most recent in January 2013, media briefing fans and making a choking gesture by clasping his hands around his throat. Moments later, when he contributed two with the in Lahore, Kane Williamson launched a six over Maxwell’s head for a dramatic one-wicket win. bat as Pakistan beat arch-rivals yesterday. That’s pants, Yasir India by 85 runs at Kolkata’s Eden - Pakistan leg spinner Yasir Shah made a brave but fruitless, diving attempt to prevent a four Gardens. in the win against South Africa in Auckland. Worse was to follow as millions of TV viewers He was not even included around the world got a glimpse of Yasir’s pristine white Y-fronts as his trousers got caught in in the final 15-man World Cup the boundary ropes. squad, but Pakistan Cricket Board Sound of Wahab hands clapping (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan - In a tense quarter-final between Pakistan and Australia, Wahab Riaz peppered Shane Watson insisted he had proved himself in with a series of short balls before eyeballing and applauding the veteran all-rounder. Wahab the domestic Pentangular Cup. also blew him a kiss for luck during one of the tournament’s most hostile spells of fast bowling. “Azhar Ali has been appointed Watson had the last laugh as he was dropped by Rahat Ali before leading his team to victory, captain because of his leadership skipper. Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Misbah led the side in 87 of his are unforgettable,” said the new although both men were later fined. skills, team spirit and character,” Ahmed was named vice-captain 162 ODIs, winning 45 of them, captain. Guptill best ever -- again Khan told reporters. for both ODIs and T20s, a move and has been a beacon of dogged “It is a very difficult task to - New Zealand opener Martin Guptill smashed a World Cup record 237 in the quarter-final “I know Azhar Ali was not in that appears to cement his place stability in the often-turbulent replace him and it (Misbah’s against the West Indies, passing the previous best of 215 set by Gayle against Zimbabwe earlier the team in the last two years but in the side. world of Pakistani cricket in departure) will create a huge gap in the tournament. He also beat his own personal record of 189, the previous best score in a his performance in the pentangu- The 27-year-old was left out for recent years. especially in one-day cricket.” one-day international by a New Zealand batsman. lar series proved that he deserves the early matches of the World Ali acknowledged he had a hard With Afridi also bowing out of to be the captain.” Cup but when he was finally act to follow. the 50-over game, Pakistan face a Clarke signs off in style Ali was also named as vice- called up, he responded with some “It’s a huge responsibility and period of rebuilding in the coming - Australia captain Michael Clarke dedicated the World Cup title to Phillip Hughes, the team- captain for the Test side, which dazzling glovework and Pakistan’s I hope that all players will sup- years, with the batting in particu- mate who died after being hit on the head by a bouncer last year. Misbah will continue to lead, while first century in the tournament port me. I salute him (Misbah- lar in need of improvement after “I’m sure everybody standing on this stage will say we played this World Cup with 16 players,” big-hitting allrounder Shahid since 2007 in the last group game ul-Haq), the way he served and some shaky performances at the said Clarke who made a 74 in the final. Afridi stays on as Twenty20 against Ireland. the way he played. His services World Cup. AFP “This victory is dedicated to our little brother Phillip Hughes.” Starc truth a lesson for future

SYDNEY: Amidst all the blaz- Australian paceman Jason “One of the things we might England, who will host the 2019 ing hitting witnessed at the 2015 Gillespie. look at is allowing an extra tournament, was that the past World Cup, the value of one of Starc was one of several left- fielder out of the ring in the last two World Cups have now been cricket’s enduring constants arm quicks, including New 10 overs...That might be a sensible won by the host nation in India was proved again -- nothing Zealand’s Trent Boult, who also change.” and Australia. slows a run-rate quite like tak- took 22 wickets, to star at this New Zealand may have lost Plenty of colour, excitement ing wickets. World Cup. their maiden World Cup final and no little skill was provided Few matches better demon- Both bowlers were well-sup- but on the way they won eight in the early stages by the four strated this point than Australia’s ported by aggressive fields set straight matches and in so doing non-Test or Associate sides, with dominant seven-wicket win over by their respective captains in disproved the theory that in order Afghanistan’s Shapoor Zadran, New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Australia’s Michael Clarke and to play good aggressive cricket, it the UAE’s Shaiman Anwar and Melbourne. McCullum, whose sides also is also necessary to verbally abuse Scotland’s Josh Davey all making Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell showed the value of a genuine or ‘sledge’ your opponents. a name for themselves. Starc, deservedly named Man-of- five-man attack. “New Zealand’s semi-final win Meanwhile Ireland, for the the-Tournament for a haul of 22 Nevertheless, this tournament over South Africa was a bril- third World Cup in a row, enjoyed wickets at a stunningly meagre witnessed the most 300-plus and liant example of how you could success against Test nations with average of just over 10 apiece, even 400-plus totals at a World play attacking, hard cricket and wins over the West Indies and summed up his brilliant six weeks Cup. not worry about the man,” said Zimbabwe. in the final’s opening over. Crowds loved the big hits but Richardson. Yet, as things stand – despite The dynamic Brendon many within cricket weren’t so The Black Caps also showed Richardson leaving the door open McCullum, New Zealand’s inspi- sure, with the fielding restriction that with the ICC now being to change – the 2019 World Cup rational captain, couldn’t lay a that means just four men are run by the ‘Big Three’ of India, will feature 10 teams (the same bat on the first couple of balls he allowed outside the 30-yard cir- Australia and England – whose number as there are Test nations) faced and was then yorked for a cle in the last 10 overs under fire. dire effort in crashing out in the rather than this year’s 14. duck by an express Starc delivery “In the old days you had one first round was no surprise – that Remarkably, the next World off the third. area you couldn’t defend, now talent, good organisation and Cup is scheduled to last slightly Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc (right) celebrates the wicket of New “What this World Cup has there’s two and if a good batsman strong leadership can help com- longer than the 44-day mara- Zealand batsman Luke Ronchi during the World Cup final in Melbourne clearly shown is that a fast, full is set, as a bowler you’ve got very pensate for a small playing base thon of 2015 as there will be more on Sunday. and straight yorker is a very little price,” said ICC chief execu- and a lack of financial clout. ‘marquee’ matches demanding good delivery,” tweeted former tive David Richardson. One crumb of comfort for prime-time television slots. AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

The Australian cricket team poses with the World Cup trophy at a fan day celebration in Melbourne’s Federation Square yesterday. Power reigns supreme at World Cup After 49 games, ICC hails 11th edition of the tournament as the ‘most popular ever’

MELBOURNE: The ICC hailed four while 400 became the new New Zealand’s Trent Boult, who scraped into the last eight only South Africa went some way the 11th cricket World Cup as 300. formed the most dangerous new to be pounded into the ground by to shedding the “chokers” tag by Kiwis dominate the “most popular ever” and And popular it was. Fans ball attack in the tournament New Zealand, for whom Martin winning their first World Cup although most neutrals would crammed into grounds all over with Tim Southee. Guptill scored a record 237 not knockout match in the quarter- ICC’s team of have preferred New Zealand to Australia and New Zealand in New Zealand’s aggressive play out, surpassing Chris Gayle’s final against Sri Lanka only to win Sunday’s final, there is no their hundreds of thousands — was a major highlight in a pool bludgeoning 215 earlier in the reacquire it after defeat to New the tournament doubt Australia were worthy of the final tally for all 49 matches stage that took a month to whittle tournament. Zealand in the semis. their fifth title. was just over a million — and 14 teams down to eight. Likewise, Sri Lanka’s Kumar That Eden Park match, decided MELBOURNE: New Zealand Michael Clarke’s side had the record numbers tuned in around Afghanistan made a welcome Sangakkara proved that pro- on the penultimate ball by a Grant may have been thrashed by best blend of deep batting, strong the world on TV. World Cup debut and secured lific batting could still be about Elliott six, was sporting drama at Australia in the World Cup fielding and, most importantly, Yet when the last six had been their maiden victory over stroke play and not just destruc- its very best, even if it was the final but they dominate the wicket-taking bowlers which hit, the final batting power play Scotland in a Dunedin thriller, tive violence with an ODI record only one of the seven knockout International Cricket Council’s made them fitting winners of a concluded and the majority of while Ireland beat West Indies four successive centuries in his matches that proved a contest. (ICC) team of the tournament tournament where power was the 93,013 fans at the Melbourne and Zimbabwe only to miss out and Mahela Jayawardene’s last Australia skipper Clarke released yesterday with Brendon king. Cricket Ground were celebrat- on the knockout stage in the final campaign. bowed out of the 50-over game McCullum named captain. The big hitters, extraordi- ing a home win, the Player of the game of the pool phase. Misbah-ul-haq’s Pakistan a world champion for a second The New Zealand skipper is nary batsmen like New Zealand’s Tournament was left-arm fast Both advanced the cause of the briefly revived memories of their time after the final, hoping quit- one of five Black Caps in the Brendon McCullum, South bowler Mitchell Starc. “associate members” though their triumphant 1992 campaign by ting one dayers might extend his side that also includes three Africa’s AB de Villiers and The Australian was, by consen- battle to prevent the ICC reduc- starting poorly before storming career in test cricket, which he Australians. Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, lit sus, a worthy recipient. ing the number of teams in the into the knockout stages only to still regards as the pinnacle of the “McCullum was chosen as up the tournament and showed The days of containing batting 2019 tournament to 10, is one they bow out to Australia. game. the captain following his aggres- how much the 50-over game has sides in one-day cricket appear to look like losing. Champions India brushed off a While he is not alone in that sive, innovative and inspirational transformed. be over and the best way to stop England came and went poor run-up to the tournament thought among the game’s pur- leadership during the 44-day With improvised shots that runs being scored is now simply unloved and unmourned after a to romp unbeaten into the semi- ists, the 2015 World Cup proved, if tournament that was the cor- sometimes defy conventional to take wickets. calamitous campaign in which finals, where they too fell victim nothing else, there is still a place nerstone of his team’s progres- description, they pounded and Starc took 22 at the cost of just they failed to beat any of their to Australia’s pace with skipper in cricket for a format between sion to the final,” the ICC said in peppered the boundary at all over 10 runs apiece, his stingy test playing opponents. Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceding the Test and Twenty20 games. a statement. points as six became the new average putting him ahead of Jason Holder’s West Indies they had done well to get that far. REUTERS The other New Zealanders in the line up are Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, and Booed Srini bailed out by Sachin Daniel Vettori. Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith Dynasty beckons for and Mitchell Starc were selected from the world cham- pion Australian side along with South Africans AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, with Sri triumphant Australia Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara as wicketkeeper-batsman. MELBOURNE: Dark sun- “And I think the boys should such is their record of regenera- Brendan Taylor of Zimbabwe glasses were the order of the be really proud of what we’ve tion and innovation, they will was named 12th man. day for Australia’s triumphant achieved.” back themselves to defend their The selection panel said bats- cricket team yesterday as they Clarke enjoyed a fairytale fin- title in England in 2019. men Mahmudullah (Bangladesh) paraded the World Cup trophy ish to his one-day career, hitting Left-arm seamer and player of and Shaiman Anwar (United to hundreds of fans at a public a team-high score of 74 in front the tournament Mitchell Starc, Arab Emirates), fast bowlers reception after a night of heavy of a record crowd of over 93,000 already a frightful prospect for Umesh Yadav and Mohammad partying at the Melbourne and making bowling changes that most batsmen, is 25 and can only Shami from India, Pakistan’s Cricket Ground. led to immediate wickets. get better if his fitness allows. Wahab Riaz as well as South With voices hoarse and “(Clarke) was a great captain. He will not be short for qual- African spinner Imran Tahir and complexions pasty after a few He’s been an aggressive captain ity fast bowling company, with India’s Ravi Ashwin were unlucky snatched hours of sleep, players on the field, sets aggressive fields. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins to miss selection. grinned and sometimes grimaced He’s got to be somebody that and James Faulkner all under “The panel had an extremely as their team-mates battled to we’ll definitely miss,” Australia 26, not to mention a fit James difficult choice of selecting a communicate their elation to a paceman Mitchell Johnson told Pattinson, who missed selection 12-member squad at the back relentless MC and a large media reporters. for the World Cup by dint of a of an outstanding tournament,” throng. Australia have now won four lack of preparation after a long panel chairman and ICC General “A little hungover,” Australia’s of the last five World Cups, their battle with injury. Manager, Cricket, Geoff Allardice retiring one-day captain Michael quarter-final loss to eventual Australia may not want for said. Clarke said at Melbourne’s champions India at the 2011 batsmen either, with David “The panel eventually came N Srinivasan (left), the ICC chairman who handed over the World Cup Federation Square, when asked tournament the only interrup- Warner, Glenn Maxwell and up with this side, which, in their trophy to Australian captain Michael Clarke, stands with batting legend how he felt a day after his team’s tion to their dominion over one- Smith all easily young enough for view, was the most balanced out- crushing seven-wicket win over day cricket dating back to 1999 a tilt at back-to-back trophies. Sachin Tendulkar during the presentation ceremony in Melbourne on fit that is capable of beating any New Zealand in the final. in England. Though the personnel will Sunday. After Australia’s sweeping victory on Sunday, when presenter side on any given day,” Allardice “I think I speak for everybody Along with Clarke, who will be important, Australia’s drive Mark Nicholas read out the names of those on the dais, Srinivasan was added. AFP in that sense. No, look, I think continue to captain the Test side, to remain top of the heap will welcomed with a bellowing “boo” from the audience at the Melbourne we’re extremely proud. The fact a number of seasoned players are be essential as teams plot their Cricket Ground. Nicholas was smart enough to quickly introduce the next there was a lot of expectation and likely to have played their last downfall over the next four years. guest — Sachin Tendulkar. The boos turned to cheers and no one cared ICC Team added pressure put on us at the World Cups, including Johnson, Opening batsman Warner laid about Srinivasan. Breaching the ICC’s constitution, which mandated Martin Guptill (NZL), Brendon McCullum (NZL start of the tournament being a all-rounder Shane Watson and any doubts about that quality to that ICC President A.H.M Mustafa Kamal give away the cup, Srinivasan - capt), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Steve Smith home World Cup was something wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. rest. “Our goal is to be number decided to give away the trophy himself. Srinivasan was not too happy (AUS), AB de Villiers (RSA), Glenn Maxwell (AUS), we embraced from the first ball But Australia will be able to one in all formats,” he said. after Kamal — a Bangladeshi minister — criticised the “substandard” Corey Anderson (NZL), Daniel Vettori (NZL), Mitchell Starc (AUS), Trent Boult (NZL), Morne of the tournament. retain the bulk of their squad and REUTERS umpiring during the India-Bangladesh quarter-final. Morkel (RSA), Brendan Taylor (ZIM - 12th man) TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

India’s women athletes box, Verdasco upsets Nadal shoot, wrestle for recognition

NEW DELHI: For India’s female badminton champion while Serena, Murray win Saina Nehwal, newly crowned world number one, it’s been a tough climb to the top in a 14-time Grand Slam champion says he ‘needs to fix again the nerves’ patriarchal country that has long neglected women athletes. Although badminton is keenly MIAMI: Fernando Verdasco followed in India, cricket has long upset second seed Rafael been the national obsession, over- Nadal 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 on Sunday shadowing all other sports and in a third-round match-up of whose male stars command eye- Spaniards to advance at the popping sums. ATP and WTA Miami Open. “It’s difficult to play any other Nadal, a four-time Miami sport in a cricket-mad country, runner-up, leaves the Masters especially if you are a woman,” Series hardcourt event without a said Nehwal on the sidelines of title again this year after his 11th the Indian Open in New Delhi, appearance. a title she clinched on Sunday Verdasco, ranked 34th, defeated night after downing Thailand’s Nadal for the second time in a row Ratchanok Intanon. after losing their first 13 meet- “But I’m glad mindsets are ings, although that most recent slowly changing. Girls have prior meeting came three years started saying that if boys can do ago in Madrid. it, girls can do it as well,” Nehwal, “Obviously always beating a who becomes the first Indian player like Rafa is one of the big- women to reach the number one gest victories that you can have spot this week when the latest in tennis,” Verdasco said. “It’s a rankings are released. huge victory and it’s always really With the defeat of India’s crick- nice to play in an almost packed eters in the World Cup semi-final stadium against one of the best last week in Australia, Indian players in history.” media have been quick to hail Also advancing with victories the 25-year-old, who has battled on Sunday were world number injuries and a string of defeats by one Serena Williams and Britain’s the dominating Chinese, as the Andy Murray. country’s new sporting hero. Nadal saved a match point in She joins a series of women — the eighth game of the second set from boxing’s Mary Kom to tennis star Sania Mirza — who have suc- ceeded on the world stage, outper- ATP and WTA forming the men who have long received the lion’s share of atten- Miami Open tion and resources back home. A new advert showing on Results Rupert Murdoch’s Star Sports MIAMI: Results on Sunday Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day seven of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Sunday. urges viewers to “check out” from the sixth day of the ATP RIGHT: Serena Williams hits a backhand against Catherine Bellis at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Miami on Sunday. the skills and determination of and WTA Miami Open (x these women, who include shoot- denotes seeded player): trailing 5-2, but Verdasco closed “I’ve been able to be under would become the ninth active competing in Miami for the 15th ers, hockey players and five-time out the shocker a game later with control, control my emotions player to reach 500 victories if time since debuting as a teen- world champion Kom. Women’s Third Round: Simona Halep a return winner. during, let’s say, 90 percent of my he wins his next match against ager herself in 1998, a year before The one-minute video, pro- (ROM x3) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA x30) 6-4, 7-5; The 14-time Grand Slam cham- matches, something that today South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, Bellis was born. duced this month for International Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x24) bt Angelique pion said after the defeat that his is being tougher to be under self who eliminated Argentina’s Williams will next face Russian Women’s Day, also takes a swipe Kerber (GER x13) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Serena formerly untouchable game needs control,” Nadal said. Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-4. Svetlana Kuznetsova, a winner at male chauvinistic attitudes, Williams (USA x1) bt Catherine Bellis (USA) work and the mental side may “But I’m going to fix it. I “I obviously want to try and over German 13th seed Angelique with the women sweating through 6-1, 6-1; Sara Errani (ITA x11) bt Garbine now be his weak link. don’t know if in one week, in six win more, and hopefully still have Kerber 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. gruelling practice sessions and Muguruza (ESP x21) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1; Flavia “I need to fix again the nerves, months, or in one year, but I’m quite a few years ahead of me left Aiming for a third consecutive defiantly asking: “You wanna Pennetta (ITA x15) bt Victoria Azarenka the self control on court. It’s not going to do it.” to add to that number. It’s a lot Miami title, Williams stretched check me out?” “Then check out (BLR) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6); Sloane Stephens a tough issue to fix. I’m going to Verdasco said he tried to of wins. It’s not easy these days to her win streak to 14 matches at my serve, my bull’s eye, check out (USA) bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-4, 6-4; keep trying,” Nadal said. remember how he played in the win that many matches, so that’s Crandon Park. Her career Miami my black eye, check out my med- Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Tatjana Malek (GER) “I’m practicing with the right first set as he fought back after a good sign,” said Murray. record now stands at 69-7. als (pause) my Olympic medals”. 6-4, 7-5; Sabine Lisicki (GER x27) bt Ana attitude, I think. I’m arriving in losing the second. In women’s play, Williams Williams wrapped up the affair Although women say their Ivanovic (SRB) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. an important part of the sea- “I tried to play back again crushed a teen less than half in 41 minutes with 15 winners and successes are being increasingly Men’s Third Round: Kevin Anderson (RSA son for me (clay). I didn’t want as I was the first set. I tried her age, defeating American five breaks of the prodigy’s serve. recognised, they still struggle to x15) bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG x24) 6-4, 6-4; arrive to that part of the season to keep calm and be aggres- Catherine Bellis 6-1, 6-1. Bellis committed 21 unforced make a living — in contrast to the Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Santiago Giraldo with that loss of today, obviously, sive, but of course at the same The 15-year-old challenger errors. country’s cricketers who were (COL x27) 6-3, 6-4; Dominic Thiem (AUT) bt but that part of the season will time you cannot be too aggres- was no match for the 33-year-old “If you break down her age and showered with gifts including Jack Sock (USA) 6-4, 6-3; Adrian Mannarino arrive.” sive,” Verdasco said. “It was very Williams, a 19-time Grand Slam her ability and how well I think luxury cars and hard cash when (FRA x28) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI x7) 7-6 Nadal, who will seek his sixth windy, and many times you need champion bidding for a record she handled the moment and how they won the last World Cup in (7/4), 7-6 (7/5); Gael Monfils (FRA x17) bt French Open title in a row in to adjust.” eighth trophy here. well she played, I think it was 2011. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x11) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4); two months and bid for his Murray won his 499th career Bellis, the junior world number good,” Williams said. When the glitzy Indian Fernando Verdasco (ESP x29) bt Rafael Nadal 10th crown overall on the red match, downing Colombian one, found herself in a major test Third seed Simona Halep Premier League kicks off next (ESP x2) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3; Tomas Berdych (CZE clay of Roland Garros, says he Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 6-4 to reach against the game’s current domi- defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-4, month, cricket’s flamboyant all- x8) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 will work on his control no mat- the fourth round. nator in her first WTA appear- 7-5 to continue the momentum rounder Yuvraj Singh stands to (7/3), 6-1; Juan Monaco (ARG) bt Guillermo ter how long it takes to recover The 27-year-old Scotsman, win- ance since the US Open. she took from last week’s title at make $2.6m after being bought Garcia-Lopez (ESP x23) 7-5, 6-4. his top form. ner of the title in 2009 and 2013, World number one Williams is Indian Wells. AFP at a player auction for the event. “In India you can’t make a pro- fession out of sport unless you are a cricketer,” said Heena Sidhu, who last year became India’s first world number one pistol shooter, No luck for West as Simon Ferrari put fizz back although she has since fallen to 16 in the rankings. “When I started out seven, eight years back it was really earns three points in Qatar into Formula One tough to break through,” added Sidhu, saying Indian society still DOHA: QMMF Racing Team bit like another test for me since SEPANG, Malaysia: As circuit chief Razlan Razali, during has traditional expectations of rider Julian Simon finished his we missed out so much due to bad Sebastian Vettel nurses his negotiations with Ecclestone for women. first Moto2 Grand Prix on a weather in the pre-season. I now hangover, Bernie Ecclestone can Malaysia’s new deal. “But I think “It’s not as if people come high note and rode to 13th place know much more about the bike raise a toast to the F1 gods after only now he listens.” marching to your house (demand- at the season-opening race in and I have a much better feeling, a weekend to savour in Malaysia Ecclestone posited a range of ing you quit) but what society Qatar on Sunday. which transformed into a good gave the sport a reason to smile potential solutions, ranging from thinks affects the parents and On the spectacular, flood-lit race pace. again. a “Grand Slam” series of elite eventually it trickles down to the Losail International Circuit, he “At the start, another rider Crisis loomed like the black races to awarding points instead children,” she said. had a good start but got held up almost took me out in turn two clouds over Sepang after the of grid places for qualifying. Sports writer Prem Panicker when another rider crashed in the and I lost many positions. But German Grand Prix’s axing, deaf- But the 84-year-old ringmaster said slowly changing attitudes second turn. then I got back to my rhythm, ening complaints from teams and admitted his hands were now tied have given rise to a generation of Down in 23rd place after one passed many riders and finally a soporific first race in Australia. with much power held by private successful women on the sport- lap, the 27-year-old Spaniard got a few valuable points.” But out of the blue, Vettel and equity firm CVC, the major share- ing fields. clawed his way back into the A disappointed West said: “I Ferrari punctured Mercedes’ holder, and F1’s squabbling teams. “As we moved into the 2000s, point rankings as the race went tried to ride too hard, then I over- dominance, while Malaysia put Huge overheads and falling disposable incomes increased, on. Simon could have had a bet- did it on the front and crashed. pen to paper on a new, three-year profits mean many observers parents were more willing to ter result without the first-lap- But the biggest problem was the deal which secures the race until think the sport is headed for a allow their daughters to engage in incident, but he was nevertheless gearbox. On the first lap, I was 2018. tipping point this year, which (sporting) activities. As demand happy with his performance and in a good position. Come sec- While Formula One’s problems could force deep reforms. increased, so did coaching facili- the Speed Up prototype bike. ond lap, I was behind Luthi and are hardly solved, Ferrari’s resur- “I think 2015 is going to be a ties,” Panicker said. Simon’s team-mate Anthony felt comfortable there, but then gence will at least pique interest watershed in Formula One, on “I don’t think it is any one fac- West also seemed set for a strong the problems with the gearbox in a sport which was again becom- many fronts,” Force India deputy tor as it is an indication of a pro- result when he battled with Tom QMMF Racing Team’s Spanish started. On every lap at the end ing dangerously one-dimensional. team principal Robert Fernley gressive attitudinal shift, aided by Luthi, the eventual third, in the Moto2 rider Julian Simon (right) of the main straight, when I was Signs of the crisis were clear said. “And it’s going to have to external factors.” opening stages of the race. with Qatar Motor and Motorcycle in sixth, it would automatically when Ecclestone resorted to ask- re-look at itself in a very in- The likes of Nehwal and Mirza, But much too soon, the 33-year- Federation President Nasser bin go back to fifth. And at other ing media what should be done depth way in 2015 to make sure who has racked up 24 doubles old Australian ran into gearbox Khalifa Al Attiyah at the Losail times, I would shift to third and it about a championship struggling that it addresses the concerns of titles including the Miami Open problems that made him lose time International Circuit, near Doha, would go back to second. Or in the with financial and structural the fans, the teams, the TV, the this month, have also inspired on every lap. Trying to keep up long corners, it would jump from difficulties. media, the whole group. Because girls to take up sport, according on Sunday. with the front-runners anyway, fourth to third. It happened every Two teams fell by the wayside I don’t believe that we’re doing a to experts. he finally pushed the front too which earned him three points on lap and I lost time, so I pushed last year and Germany, a heart- good job at the moment at that.” A Bollywood movie has been hard and crashed. the Moto2 standings, Simon said: harder until I ran into problems land of F1, joined South Korea and Razali said Malaysia wanted made about Kom, who overcame Both riders are confident for “I am happy because I improved with the front. It’s unfortunate, India in dropping off the schedule. only a three-year extension, grinding poverty and an initially the next race in Austin, Texas, in in every practice session, almost because I could have stayed with “I think sometimes we (pro- shorter than the customary five disapproving father to win her two weeks. on every lap and the bike is much Luthi and his group until the end moters) tell him what to do and years, because of caution over the titles including an Olympic bronze After his 13th place finish better now. This race was a little of the race.” THE PENINSULA he doesn’t listen,” said Sepang health of the sport. AFP medal. AFP TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Euro 2016 Qualifying Results Germany will hit top form PARIS: Results in Euro 2016 qualifying on Sunday: Group D At Tbilisi Georgia 0 Germany 2 (Reus 39, Mueller 44) At Glasgow, Scotland Scotland 6 (Maloney 18-pen, 34-pen, S in crucial qualifiers: Loew Fletcher 29, 77, 90, Naismith 39) Gibraltar 1 (L Casciaro 20) Group F At Belfast World champions to meet Poland, Scotland and Ireland in next matches Northern Ireland 2 (K Lafferty 33, 38) Finland 1 (Sadik 90+1) At Ploiesti, Romania BERLIN: World Cup win- Romania 1 (Keseru 21) Faroe Islands 0 ners Germany will be at their Group I best when they take on Euro 2016 qualifying rivals Poland, At Elbasan, Albania Scotland and Ireland later this Albania 2 (Mavraj 77, Gashi 81) Armenia 1 year after their current period (Movsisyan 4) of experimentation, coach Playing later (1845 GMT) Joachim Loew has said. Group D The Germans drew 2-2 in a At Dublin friendly against Asian champions Republic of Ireland vs Poland Australia on Wednesday before a FROM LEFT: Group F 2-0 victory at Georgia in a Euro German players At Budapest qualifier on Sunday when marco Thomas Hungary vs Greece Reus and Thomas Mueller scored Mueller, Bastian goals. Group I While easing past the Schweinsteiger, At Lisbon Georgians to stay on track for Marco Reus, Portugal vs Serbia qualification, Germany missed a Andre Schuerrle Played Saturday string of chances again as they and Jonas Group A struggled with their finishing. Hector applaud At Astana Loew, who has extended his fans after the Kazakhstan 0 Iceland 3 (Gudjohnsen 20, B contract recently to 2018, has UEFA EURO Bjarnason 32, 90+1) said he wants to tinker with his 2016 qualifying At Prague team that won the World Cup last group D against Czech Republic 1 (Pilar 90) Latvia 1 (A year to make it more flexible and Georgia in Visnakovs 30) adaptable to different opponents Tbilisi, Georgia At Amsterdam around the world. on Sunday. Netherlands 1 (Huntelaar 90+2) Turkey 1 A three-man defence and more (Burak Yilmaz 37) attacking fullbacks have been two of his experiments, with the Group B coach also trying to find a good At Haifa, Israel mix of youth and experience after Israel 0 Wales 3 (Ramsey 45+1, Bale 50, the departure of three key play- 77) ers following the World Cup and At Andorra la Vella the return of several long-term Andorra 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 (Dzeko absentees, including Marco Reus, 13, 49, 62) Ilkay Guendogan and Holger At Brussels Badstuber. Belgium 5 (Fellaini 21, 66, Benteke 35, He has also announced more Hazard 67, Batshuayi 80) Cyprus 0 young players in the squad from days later. “After that our forces Scotland on September 4 and 7 to play matches and train,” Loew last year, with the speedy winger Group H September onwards. will then be very focused for our respectively, said. “In the second half of the on target in both games. At Baku “We now have a test in the games in September, October and They take on Ireland, who are year we are always better.” “He had a lot of bad luck in Azerbaijan 2 (C Huseynov 4, Nazarov 90+2) summer against the United November.” on eight points, on October 8. While Germany are expected the past months and used a lot Malta 0 States and there I can still try Germany, who have 10 points “Experience shows that at that to qualify for the tournament in of strength and energy to come At Zagreb some things out,” Loew said of along with Scotland, with Poland time we are always in much better France, Loew is delighted to have back. Our game is more versatile Croatia 5 (Brozovic 30, Perisic 54, Olic 66, their June 10 friendly before they a point ahead to top Group D, form because we have the chance Reus back and in goal-scoring when he is playing and also much Schildenfeld 87, Pranjic 90+4) Norway 1 face Gibraltar in a qualifier three host the Poles and travel to to be longer together as a group, form following a string of injuries more dangerous.” REUTERS (Tettey 81) At Sofia Bulgaria 2 (Popov 11, Micanski 17) Italy 2 (Y Minev 4-og, Eder 84) Hat-trick hero Fletcher gives Scots big win Played on Friday Group C GLASGOW: Steven Fletcher second in Group D, level on points Casciaro equalised a minute later. At Skopje became the first Scotland player with Germany who won 2-0 away A quick breakaway saw him Macedonia 1 (Trajkovski 9) Belarus 2 to score a hat-trick since 1969 to Georgia. collect a defence-splitting pass (Kalachev 44, Kornilenko 82) as the Scots coasted to a 6-1 Scotland manager Gordon before sending a fine finish At Zilina, Slovakia victory against Group D min- Strachan raised a few eyebrows through the legs of Marshall in Slovakia 3 (Nemec 10, Weiss 21, Pekarik nows Gibraltar at Hampden on prior to the match with his team goal. 40) Luxembourg 0 Sunday. selection with Russell Martin the Scotland restored their lead Scotland’s At Seville, Spain Shaun Maloney opened the only recognised centre-half in a when a weak Fletcher header striker Spain 1 (Morata 28) Ukraine 0 Steven scoring in the 18th minute after three-man defence. crept in as the much-maligned scoring from the spot following a Gibraltar named just one sen- Sunderland striker ended a six- Group E Fletcher soft penalty award. ior professional in their starting year international goal-drought. At London celebrates That was expected to open the line-up as Preston North End The hosts were then awarded England 4 (Rooney 6, Welbeck 45, Sterling after he floodgates, but Gibraltar grabbed defender Scott Wiseman took his another penalty when Naismith 58, Kane 73) Lithuania 0 scores his an equaliser just over a minute place amongst a team made up of was hacked down and Maloney At Ljubljana second goal later as policeman Lee Casciaro a fireman, customs officers and expertly dispatched the spot-kick. Slovenia 6 (Ilicic 10, Kampl 49, Andraz during the pounced to score his nation’s first policemen. The home side added a fourth Struna 50, Novakovic 52, Lazarevic 73, B Euro 2016 competitive goal and spark wild However, the side that had con- before the break when Ikechi Ilic 88) San Marino 0 qualifying celebrations amongst the 1,000 ceded 21 goals without return in Anya broke into the box and cut At Lucerne, Switzerland against strong travelling support. their previous four games nearly the ball back for Naismith, who Switzerland 3 (Schaer 17, Xhaka 27, Gibraltar at Fletcher restored Scotland’s caused an upset in the eighth drilled it into the net. Seferovic 80) Estonia 0 Hampden advantage with a 29th-minute minute when David Marshall Substitute Jordan Rhodes fired Group G Park in header, Maloney added a third had to scramble to keep Joseph a fierce strike into the side net- At Vaduz Glasgow, with another penalty five min- Chipolina’s cross from sneaking ting before Scotland eventually Liechtenstein 0 Austria 5 (Harnik 14, Janko Scotland on utes later before Steven Naismith in. made it 5-1 in the 77th minute. 16, Alaba 59, Junuzovic 74, Arnautovic Sunday. made it 4-1 in the 39th minute. Scotland rallied and took the Rhodes was the provider as he 90+3) Fletcher headed home his sec- lead when Maloney buried a swung in a sensational delivery At Chisinau ond in the 77th minute before his penalty past Jamie Robba after from the right for Fletcher to Moldova 0 Sweden 2 (Ibrahimovic 46, 90th-minute strike completed his he went down under a challenge send a downward header bounc- 84-pen) hat-trick – the first by a Scotland from the ‘keeper. ing past Robba. player since Colin Stein put four The home fans had barely Fletcher completed the scor- At Podgorica past Cyprus in 1969. begun celebrating when they ing as he arrowed a shot beyond Montenegro vs Russia - match abandoned The win moves Scotland to were stunned into silence when Robba in 90th minute. AFP after 66 minutes due to crowd trouble Zidane aims for Real ‘England have regained fear factor’ and France hot seats LONDON: England have “uncomfortable positions”. “You regained the fear factor follow- England’s don’t want to go into games and PARIS: World Cup legend “I was a player in this team and ing a run of “aggressive” wins Wayne teams enjoy playing against you,” Zinedine Zidane says he wants it would be good, one day (to be since the World Cup last sum- Rooney Rooney said. to be the coach for Real Madrid coach), but for the moment there mer, skipper Wayne Rooney has (centre) Italy game will be key test for or France. is a coach (Didier Deschamps) said. gestures as Hodgson’s men, little over nine The former Juventus and Real who is doing a great job. But yes Roy Hodgson’s side left Brazil coach Gary months since the Azzurri tri- star, who has been learning the I have this target, this ambition,” on a low after becoming the first Neville (right) umphed 2-1 in their World Cup ropes as coach of Real’s reserve Zidane said. Zidane said he has England side since 1958 to exit at looks at a group opener deep in Manaus. side Castilla, set out his ambitions time to wait until taking on a the group stage of a World Cup, phone during “Obviously it will be a different on French channel Canal Plus. bigger post. “I am doing fine at returning home with their lowest the team’s game again on Tuesday,” Rooney Would he take over the Real Madrid.” ever points tally. Juventus said. job? “Yes I would go for that,” Meanwhile, Armenia coach But since then things have Stadium visit, “Italy will be very good on the he said, while adding “there is Bernard Challandes has stepped turned around and they will ball and there will be times when yesterday in already a coach (Carlo Ancelotti) down in the wake of a 2-1 Euro face Italy on Tuesday looking they are able to play out so we Turin, Italy. in place who is doing a great job.” 2016 qualifying defeat by Albania for an eighth straight win, hav- have to make sure we pick our “Do I feel ready if I was offered on Sunday, leaving the country ing adopted a more aggressive moments right and not get picked the first team? You are never without a win after four games. approach to their games. ‘furies’. We have regained the fear us to close the space off. “With off. ready, but if it happened like that “It is written in my contract “The players are so quick and factor,” said the captain. the players we have got, we have “It is moving in a good direc- I would have to say yes.” that we need to get a certain when we lose the ball we want “There are times when you go to play like that.” tion. We are learning with every The 42-year-old added France, number of points to qualify from to be aggressive and win it back and don’t get it, but that is where England cannot always employ game. We are getting better with whom he won the World Cup the group and in the worst case quickly,” Rooney said. the defence probably doesn’t get the same tactics, but Rooney and there is an excitement back in 1998, to his wish list in the pro- scenario, I should tender my res- “I am sure you have heard the the credit it deserves because believes they are getting better about England,” said the seasoned gramme late Sunday. ignation,” he said. AGENCIES manager talk about those little they are pushing in right behind at judging when to put teams in striker. AFP Tuesday 31 March 2015 11 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6386 Sport Price: QR2 Power reigns Nadal crashes supreme at out in Miami,

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Q22 may not need Qatar beat Slovenia 1-0 cooling systems But research on the technology continues

DOHA: A winter World Cup in Qatar may not require cooling systems to lower temperatures in the stadiums as proposed in the bid for a summer tourna- ment, said an executive from the Gulf state’s 2022 organising committee. Earlier this month, soccer’s world governing body FIFA ended more than four years of uncertainty over the timing of the World Cup in Qatar by announcing it would be played in November and December with the final on December 18. One of the biggest challenges of hosting the tournament in the summer months, when tempera- tures at times exceed 40 degrees Celsius, was cooling down the sta- diums but with the shift to the Dario Cadavid, Technical Assurance and Integration Manager of Qatar’s Slovenia’s Dominic Maroh (left) tries to tackle Qatar’s Abdulkarim Hassan during a friendly match at the Lekwiya winter the organising committee Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, speaks during an interview Stadium in Doha yesterday. The hosts of the 2022 World Cup defeated Slovenia 1-0 with Hassan scoring the is reassessing the situation. in Doha yesterday. only goal of the match in the 46th minute. “The temperatures are lower in the winter so the demand or not research on cooling tech- installed when each ground is for cooling will be lower,” Dario nologies is continuing because constructed, Cadavid said. Cadavid, Technical Assurance and Qatar wants the 2022 stadiums “It’s more difficult to put in Integration Manager of Qatar’s to be available for local league the systems after the stadiums 2022 Supreme Committee for games all year, said Cadavid who are finished... it becomes more Delivery and Legacy (SC) told described this aspect of the bid as expensive and complex because Reuters in an interview. the “legacy” element. the cooling system is integrated “It’s very possible that during There are fewer local matches so that needs to happen now.” that time of the year that cooling scheduled each week in the sum- While declining to detail isn’t required for the winter,” he mer than there will be at the the costs or energy required to added, without giving any details World Cup and they require less bring temperatures down from on the potential cost savings of planning so maintaining cool tem- 40 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees using less energy if the cooling peratures in the stadiums will Celsius, Cadavid said the gen- systems are not used. require lower amounts of energy, eral expense of installing the Qatar always said a summer according to Cadavid. “mechanical” aspects of a stadium World Cup was viable thanks to “...matches in the summer for with a cooling system was 20-30 revolutionary cooling technolo- the local leagues are less frequent percent of the total. gies it is developing for stadiums, than a tournament.. you have two As part of Qatar’s original bid, training areas and fan zones but matches per week so less demand he said the organising commit- there was still widespread con- for energy,” he said. tee will provide all the energy cern for the health of players and FIFA also decided to cut the used for cooling from sustainable fans. length of the 2022 tournament resources including building a 100 However, Cadavid downplayed from 32 to 28 days, meaning more megawatt solar power plant and those concerns. games will be played per day and a installing solar panels in every “In order to provide safety country of Qatar’s size might thus stadium. for the players we need to pro- need fewer stadiums. “This technology has been vide a temperature between 26 The number of stadiums proven so it’s no longer a and 29 degrees... our target is 26 planned for the finals has not fantasy... we are working to make degrees,” he said. been announced but the revo- it more sustainable,” he said. Whether it is used at the finals lutionary cooling system will be REUTERS Revenge on Spanish minds for Netherlands friendly

AMSTERDAM: European another. It is a question of being champions Spain travel to face more deadly.” the Netherlands in a friendly That is an opinion shared by today with the pain from their his coach Vicente del Bosque 5-1 thrashing at the hands of (pictured), who believes his side’s the Dutch at last year’s World performances in recent months Cup still fresh in the memory. have been seen through the prism The hammer blow delivered by of disappointment at the World Louis van Gaal’s men in Salvador Cup. last June was one from which “Everything seems bad and it is Spain never recovered as their not like that. We are doing some defence of the title they won things well,” he said on Saturday. with a 1-0 final victory over the “Spain aren’t so far away from Netherlands four years previously what they were.” in South Africa ended after just Isco, Koke and goalscorer Despite their lean form in front two games. Alvaro Morata all started against of goal Del Bosque’s men will be Just over a year out from Ukraine, while David de Gea confident of overpowering an the European Championship in is expected to get his chance under-strength Dutch side which France there are plenty of ques- ahead of Iker Casillas in goal in has looked a shadow of the team tions over both sides’ form. Amsterdam. which finished third at the World Spain sit only second in Group And Isco believes it is only a Cup since Guus Hiddink replaced C of qualifying after limping to a matter of time before the goals Van Gaal as coach. 1-0 win over Ukraine on Friday, begin to fly in again for Spain Wesley Sneijder’s effort while the Netherlands have plenty after a relatively lean spell in that deflected in off Klaas-Jan of work to do just to qualify hav- front of goal since winning the Huntelaar in injury time could ing won just two of their opening third of three consecutive major only salvage a 1-1 draw at home five games in Group A. tournaments at Euro 2012. to Turkey on Saturday, and they However, there are high hopes “Possibly in the national team will be without the two men who for Spain’s new generation of we are not scoring many goals tore Spain to shreds in Brazil as stars that have graduated from lately, but we are creating plenty both Robin van Persie and Arjen winning back-to-back European of chances and it is something Robben miss out through injury. Championships at under-21 level. that can change from one game to AFP