Page 01 Feb 27.Indd

ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Home | 3 Business | 13 Sport | 21

Doha teacher’s ouster Qatar stocks edged Al Shaqab Racing’s Al makes waves in India. higher in February Mourtazez left all six The Indian embassy on blue chips. The rivals in the shade to win has denied forcing the benchmark index was up H H The Emir’s Sword, teacher’s resignation. 4.59pc at 12,445 points. with a commanding run.

FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 • 8 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6354 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Emir meets Kerry in Washington, DC Deputy Emir unveils Hamad Port

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met US Secretary of State John Kerry at his residence in Washington, DC yesterday. Talks dealt with regional and international developments and issues of common interest. The Emir’s delegation was present. See also page 2 Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Transport H E Jassim bin Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti and other officials at the event.

DOHA: The New Doha Port of vehicles and construction the first phase of the project, being built in Mesaieed has equipment. which will help increase its Emir: Qatar deserves to been named Hamad Port. The 4km-long, 700-metre capacity, will be fully operational It will serve as the main wide and 17-metre deep facility in late 2016. He said immersion gateway for Qatar’s trade with can accommodate the biggest of the port’s basin in water is one the world and will be partially vessels in the world. It will be of the most important phases of opened before the year-end. equipped with 12 cranes from the the project. host 2022 World Cup Deputy Emir H H Sheikh roof to the quay, rubber gantry Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani cranes for containers and mobile Qatar Ports Management, said yesterday renamed the port and cranes, forklifts, tugboats, guid- once fully operational, Hamad ‘Event not for Qatar alone but for entire Arab world’ immersed its basin in water at ance boats and docking boats. Port’s capacity will be six mil- the project site in Umm Al Houl Speaking on the occa- lion containers a year. It will be DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh and shown that Qatar deserves to standard we have for all specific in Mesaieed. sion, Minister of Transport connected with GCC countries Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani host the World Cup. World Cup construction sites, The partial opening of the port and Chairman of Hamad Port through road, sea and rail net- said yesterday that investiga- To a question on the Arabic then a big step will be contributed includes loading and unload- Steering Committee H E Jassim works. Continued on page 3 tions had proved that Qatar language, he said he supports to working conditions and that ing stations to allow import bin Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said THE PENINSULA deserves to host the FIFA encouragement to the language will be part, again, of the power World Cup in 2022. and added that it must be taught of the World Cup,” Valcke said. He said preparations to hold and learnt not only in the region He recalled that FIFA the coveted world soccer event but also overseas. President Sepp Blatter, during were progressing in full swing. The Emir described Qatar’s his July 2014 meeting with the Qatar to spend $225bn on Kuwait marks Addressing students and fac- relations with Saudi Arabia as Emir, had deliberated on ongo- ulty members of Georgetown strong and historic when asked ing labour rights reforms. The national days University in Washington, the about his recent visit to the king- football’s governing body expects development projects Emir said he was happy and dom. He also talked about Qatar’s a solution to the problem in the KUWAIT: Kuwait cele- proud that Qatar had won the bid efforts to diversify the national near future but cautioned changes DOHA: Thanks to investments is likely to be 46.4 percent by brated 54th National Day on to host the World Cup. economy and said that it would cannot happen overnight, he said. in FIFA 2022-linked infra- year-end, Al Attiyah said. Wednesday and 24th anniver- He said the win was not for benefit citizens and the coming “We are not expecting a deci- structure projects, Qatar’s non- Real GDP growth this year is sary of the liberation from Iraqi Qatar alone but for the entire generations, QNA reports. sion tomorrow morning but this hydrocarbons sector has been expected to be 7. 5 percent, he told occupation yesterday. Arab world and the region. On Wednesday, FIFA problem will be solved before 2022 growing rapidly as part of a eco- the Middle East Conference 2015 Thousands of citizens and The Emir was invited by the Secretary-General Jerome Valcke World Cup. We want to ensure nomic diversification strategy, ‘Impact of Oil Prices Falling on the expatriates gathered on Arabian chancellor to visit the university. said he had visited stadiums, that this is taken on the top of the according to Administrative Middle East and North Africa’ in Gulf Road to celebrate the days, He spoke on issues, including including Al Wakra Stadium agenda and will be solved before Control and Transparency London yesterday, reports QNA. with children and families lining Qatar’s fight against terrorism and workers’ housing, and added the World Cup when all attention Authority Chairman H E He said Qatar hoped to spend up on street sides, spraying water and spending on education and that progress has been made in will be on Qatar.” Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah. $225bn over the next five to seven and waving flags. development as well as Arab the standards of workers’ rights Valcke said the 2022 World Cup The share of the non-oil sec- years on projects, including the Cruising along Gulf Road is a Spring. in all World Cup-related projects. will be a compact event as it will tor in the GDP by the year-end ongoing new port, rail and sports popular activity during the cel- Answering questions, the Emir “I have to say that if the stand- save effort of transferring partici- is expected to cross 50 percent- infrastructure projects, ebrations of both days, with car said investigations into alleged ard for all construction sites pant teams between cities. mark and the energy sector’s con- Continued on page 3 and motorcycle groups holding wrongdoings had proved nothing in Qatar reaches the level of THE PENINSULA tribution to the national economy THE PENINSULA rallies. The Q8 Old Cars Team paraded from Green Island to Shuwaikh Beach. Kuwait won independence from Britain on June 19, 1961. The late Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah Al Alert over souq mouse Saudi envoy resumes duties from Aden Salem Al Sabah, the 11th ruler, signed the independence docu- DOHA: A video of a mouse among consumers, with some DOHA: Saudi Ambassador to Qatar closed their embassies and legitimate president. By moving ment with Sir George Middleton, snuggled up in a sack of dried finding it disturbing as the mouse Yemen, Mohammed Said Al evacuated staff mid-February, cit- their embassies from Sana’a, GCC the British commissioner in the peas had gone viral within hours was seen sitting on food for Jaber, will resume duties from ing deteriorating security. states intended to send a message Arabian Gulf. after a social media user posted humans. Mice have been known the southern city of Aden where Meanwhile, an official told of support to Hadi and the Yemeni it in Instagram yesterday. to cause food poisoning through Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Asharq Al Awsat on the condition people who oppose the Houthi Kuwaiti-born IS The 15-second video taken in faecal contamination. Mansour Hadi holds court after of anonymity that the remaining coup, said the official, who accom- Souq Waqif by Instagram user The Ministry of Municipality he fled Sana’a where he was put GCC ambassadors will resume panied GCC Secretary-General killer was Briton n3mon generated hundreds of and Urban Planning has inten- under house arrest by Houthi duties from Aden once embassy Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani on his views and comments from social sified crackdown on restaurants rebels, reports Al Arabiya. offices are secured. The six-mem- visit to Aden on Wednesday. WASHINGTON: The Islamic media users, some of whom ques- and retail food outlets in recent Saudi Arabia joined Western ber GCC condemned the Houthi UN Secretary-General Ban State (IS) executioner seen in tioned the safety of food and other years and the souq — popular states earlier this month in takeover and the group’s dissolu- Ki-moon earlier held talks with videos beheading Western hos- items in the souq thousands visit among Qataris and expatriates, evacuating its embassy following tion of parliament on February Houthis and urged them to lift the tages was identified by media daily to buy. “They have rats. is in the spotlight, especially a power grab by the Houthis, who 6, which it described as a “coup.” house arrest on Prime Minister outlets yesterday as Mohammed It’s disgusting,” commented an when Ramadan and Eid holidays control Sana’a. The Qatari ambas- Hadi fled Sana’a on Saturday, Khaled Bahah and Foreign Emwazi, a computer program- Instagram user who saw the video. approach. Continued on page 3 sador resumed work in Aden on retracting his resignation and Minister Abdullah Al Saidi. mer from a well-off family in The video has raised alarm THE PENINSULA Wednesday. Saudi Arabia and re-assuming his position as the AGENCIES West London. The Kuwaiti-born jihad- ist in mid-20s went to Syria in 2012 and bore a grudge against British authorities who had twice detained him, reports The Cold spell to continue for another week Washington Post. British authori- ties chose not to identify him ear- DOHA: The cold spell supposed to have ended Al Mannai said there was nothing unusual lier due to operational reasons. yesterday is to continue for another week, a about the average temperature this time of the Emwazi first appeared in a veteran weather forecaster said. year. Several years ago, the mean average was 5.2 video in August as he apparently It is because the Siberian high pressure, accom- degrees C in February, he said, adding he couldn’t killed US journalist James Foley. panied by a cold mass, is still affecting the Arabian recall the year. He said even during the current It is believed he was later seen in Peninsula, Abdullah Al Mannai, Head, Weather cold snap, a few days ago the average tempera- videos as he beheaded US jour- Forecasting and Analysis Section, Department ture in Qatar’s remote areas was 7 degrees. So nalist Steven Sotloff, British aid of Meteorology, told this newspaper. He said the far this year the average temperature is still high. worker David Haines, British cab- dusty weather is also likely to continue for a day After February ends, average temperatures this driver Alan Henning and US aid or two as northwesterly wind will be moving from February and the corresponding month last year worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, the colder regions of Europe over desert areas and will be compared. Continued on page 3 No reprieve from the dusty and windy weather can be expected for a day or two. also known as Peter. See also page 8 will stir up dust. THE PENINSULA AGENCIES FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, and (RIGHT) with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain, at the Capitol, the seat of the US Congress. Qatar-US ties discussed in Emir’s meetings Sheikh Tamim meets Congressmen, Arab-Americans

WASHINGTON: Emir on assuming his job and wished Lew at his residence. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad him success in his duties. The Discussions during the meet- Al Thani met senior US offi- two reviewed areas of coopera- ings dealt with relations between cials at his residence here and tion, particularly in the military Qatar and the United States and at the Capitol yesterday. sphere, and discussed regional prospetcts for developing them, Among those who met the and international issues, espe- as well as a number of issues of Emir was newly-appointed US cially developments in the region. common interest. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. The Emir also met US At the Capitol, the seat of the The Emir congratulated Carter Treasury Secretary Jacob US Congress, the Emir had a meeting with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John Boehner, and several mem- bers of the US Senate The Emir also met the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain, Intelligence Committee Chairman Senator Richard Barr, the Deputy Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed, and the Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein. The Emir later met the Senate Foreign Relations Committee The Emir with US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew. Chairman, Robert Menendez, and members of the Committee. Relations between the two consolidation of cooperation praised the strong relations in all areas. Discussions during countries, prospects for increas- and friendship between the two between the two countries and the meeting dealt with the work ing cooperation and the lat- countries. said the Emir’s visit would boost and achievements of Arab intel- est developments in the Middle The Emir expressed thanks communication and coordina- lectuals in the West, which help East were discussed during the and appreciation for the warm tion between the two countries build bridges between nations. meetings. reception, praising the excellent and strengthen their strategic The role played by these figures The Emir also attended a relations between Qatar and partnership. as representatives of the Arab reception hosted by members the US, and said bilateral rela- Yesterday, the Emir met at and Islamic nation, with a view of the Society of Qatar Friends tions in various fields, particu- his residence several Arab- to bringing closer the intellectual at the Congress (the American- larly investment, will be further Americans working in the fields and cultural visions of the East Qatari Caucus), at the Congress strengthened. of American-Islamic relations, and the West, was also discussed. premises. Views on regional and interna- human rights, medicine, devel- The meeting was attended by Talks during the reception tional issues of mutual interest opment, economics and interna- members of the official delegation The Emir with with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John dealt with topics of mutual were also exchanged. tional politics. accompanying the Emir. Boehner, at the Capitol. interest, especially regarding The members of the Society The Emir praised their efforts QNA

QIIB hosts Qatar Academy students

DOHA: In line with its distinct role in education and The discussion centred on choos- International Islamic’s (QIIB) talent development. ing a career path and the impor- policy of supporting nation- and Addressing the students, Al tance of assiduity in gaining community-building activi- Shaibei said youth carried the excellence and success in life. ties, the bank recently hosted hopes of the nation for a bright During their visit to vari- students from Qatar Academy. future. ous departments at QIIB’s main The students were invited to The students were given the branch, the students also got the spend a day at the bank’s main opportunity to meet and interact opportunity to see presentations branch, where they were able with the QIIB’s senior manage- on Islamic banking operations, to get acquainted with differ- ment, represented by Jamal Al customer service, and types of ent aspects of Islamic banking Jamal, Deputy CEO, Ali Hamad banking service and products. in general, and QIIB’s functions Al Museifri, Head of Human They also visited the bank hall and and services in particular. Resources and General Services, the Major Client Department to The Bank’s CEO, Abdulbasit Ehab Eshehawi, COO, and Masoon feel and experience various serv- A Al Shaibei, met the students Al Asfar, Head of Finance, and a ices provided by the bank. and praised Qatar Academy for number of directors of the bank. THE PENINSULA

People march along the Corniche to mark Qatar Environment Day, yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT March marks Qatar Environment Day DOHA: About 2,000 peo- as school students in the march. to raise environmental awareness ple attended a march at the The events were held in col- and promote an environmental Corniche yesterday organised laboration with the Supreme culture in the country. We are by the Ministry of Environment Education Council and Qatar happy to see the huge response to mark Qatar Environment Scouts Association. from citizens and expatriates.” Day. Speaking on the occasion, He said a campaign had been The Environment Day activi- Dr Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al going on throughout the year with ties had the theme, “My environ- Thani, assistant undersecretary various activities such as clean- ment and I am responsible.” at the ministry, said, “This day ing of beaches and coastal areas, Several senior officials from reflects Qatar’s grave concern waste recycling and protection the ministry and members of the related to the environment, which and restoration of green areas in Qatar Academy students with officials of International Islamic at the bank’s main branch. diplomatic corps joined hundreds has now become an international the desert. of Qataris and expatriates as well issue. This occasion is intended THE PENINSULA FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Camel race ends

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani presented gold gifts to the winners of four rounds of camel racing at the Al Shahaniya Racetrack yesterday. The gold dagger and gold prize went to H E Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and H E Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for winning the four rounds of the final event of the festival for The Emir’s sword. Doha teacher’s ouster ‘2022 projects boosting non-oil sector’ Continued from page 1 to climb gradually and reached barrel is less than in other coun- He said FIFA-related projects over $115 and then began to fall, tries and producers, especially were providing huge incentives and these prices continued at shale oil production whose cost for investment in non-oil and gas that level for several years. is high. makes waves in India sectors. Al Attiyah said oil prices were He stressed the need for Al Attiyah reviewed latest not always stable and depended adopting new policy for draft- developments in oil prices and on factors such as the contraction ing and controlling budget and Indian embassy denies forcing teacher’s resignation their impact on the exporting of the global economy and the financial reforms to cope with the and importing countries, invest- production of shale oil in the US. situation. ment opportunities in Qatar and He said in the global oil market In his keynote speech before BY MOBIN PANDIT and Zaheer. He talked of Modi’s “past newspaper, had tagged the Indian government efforts in the area of there was currently a surplus of the meeting, Al Attiyah said FAZEENA SALEEM history” and said the caricature embassy, Doha, in his tweet. transparency and fight against 2m barrels a day and that was Qatar’s investments aimed to was justified. He named the teacher and said corruption. putting pressure on prices, which expand production capacity, cov- DOHA: The Indian media yes- Hakim Perumpilav was criti- she had posted “derogatory photo In a statement on the sidelines, are going down. ering crude oil, liquefied natural terday lapped up a report filed cal of the Indian embassy in Doha on Fb”, details available suggest. he said oil prices had been fluc- Al Attiyah said fluctuating oil gas, refined products and pet- by this newspaper which said and said it shouldn’t intervene in A reply from what appeared to tuating since 1985, when prices prices were not considered a bad rochemicals industry. Qatar’s that an Indian school here had matters like this. “What’s going be India’s external affairs minis- dropped significantly and that thing and must be handled and investments in the energy sector forced a woman teacher to quit on?,” he asked, wondering if India try said it “condemn such disgust- decline continued until 2000, adapted, especially in the Gulf in the past five years exceeded after she posted a cartoon of was turning “fascist abroad”. ing acts” and “requested school to when the average price of a bar- and North African countries $80bn, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Reinstate the teacher,” said investigate thoroughly”. rel plunged to $18 and then began where the cost of producing a THE PENINSULA on her Facebook account. yet another commentator. Still Contacted for comment, the The report went viral back another, A Z Parker, asked, teacher said she was targeted home, as India’s two main “where were these people when because she had been campaign- English-language news agencies, funny cartoons were out pooh- ing against the ideology of Hindu the Press Trust of India (PTI) poohing former PM Manmohan rightists. and India Abroad News Service Singh and (Congress president) She insisted yesterday that her (IANS), flashed it quoting The Sonia Gandhi?” name and photograph not be used Peninsula. “Very sad; it is the death of by this newspaper. Free Product Recall Some major national newspa- freedom of speech,” said one Following her Facebook post- pers also picked up the report commentator. ing, she was first suspended by and they included the English- But Shabna Aziz said there the school for three days pending language Hindustan Times, were proper ways to protest. an inquiry by the management. Business Standard and Hindi daily “Derogatory comments and cari- However, after she withdrew Nai Dunia. catures are not acceptable from the controversial cartoon from Several news portals used the a teacher”. her Facebook account and apolo- report, which also went viral on The Indian embassy, mean- gised, she was reinstated by the the social media, both in India while, denied having put pressure school. This happened last week. and in the large Indian expatri- on the school to force the teacher But on Wednesday she was ate community in Qatar. to resign. suddenly asked by the school to Some commentators on social India’s ambassador said he put in her papers, which led to media said they disapproved of denied any such allegation and suspicions in some sections of the the cartoon as it was derogatory added that all Indian schools in Indian expatriate community in and showed a dog emptying its Doha functioned independently Qatar that the school was under bladder on a cutout of the Indian and had their own managements. external pressure to take such premier’s face. In remarks to this newspaper, action. But many others suggested in Sanjeev Arora said: “I categori- Some people suspect the role of their comments that India being cally deny any such allegations”. the embassy in getting the school a free country the teacher had the It now emerges that a per- to act against the teacher. right to express her views. son, Manoj Sirsa (the name as it The development has also led The teacher said she had picked appeared on his Twitter account, to fears in sections of the Indian up the caricature from the social Manoj@manojsirsa), had tagged expatriate community as some media, where it was circulating. the teacher’s Facebook posting to people think they might be tar- “I don’t see anything wrong India’s external affairs ministry geted for literary criticism or with the cartoon,” said a com- and the minister. critical portrayal in dramas of mentator on social media in Sirsa, according to Twitter Indian political figures in power. DODGE & JEEP Qatar, who gave his name as details looked into by this THE PENINSULA Dodge Durango &Jeep Grand Cherokee Manufacture Year 2011- 2014 Little likelihood Doubts expressed over video Continued from page 1 of rains Inspectors who have done surprise raids on these retail outlets Continued from page 1 have found violations related to expiry dates and poor handling, storage and display of items. Inoperative Sun visor lamp He said there was little chance of It can be noted that food items sold in these outlets, like the one Defect rains and that was why the dust being seen in the video, are displayed without any cover or protection lifted up by winds, causing a sand- from contamination. storm, was not settling down. Some people, though, have expressed doubts about the veracity Meanwhile, the daily forecast from of the video, saying it was perhaps not taken by accident but was Contact the Authorized dealer to replace the Met office for today said there filmed intentionally. will be high winds and dusty weather “Maybe somebody bought the mouse from a pet shop in Souq Process sun visor wiring guidance inshore, reducing visibility to 2km Waqif and made a video of it,” said a comment. or less at times at places early in the Others, however, believe the video is authentic as the mouse morning. appears to be a house mouse, not a pet. THE PENINSULA The seas will be rough due to high winds and there will be some clouds. United Cars Almana (Aer Sales) A northwesterly wind will blow at Contact 44489933 speeds ranging from 12 to 22 knots, occasionally going up to 30 knots. By evening the wind will lose its $140bn allocated for infrastructure intensity and the night will be cold. In For any consumer protection issues the seas, the wind could gather speeds Continued from page 1 of up to 35 knots at times. The port will be able to handle 1.7 million tonnes of general goods, Please contact us on the hotline 8005000 Day temperatures forecast for one million tonnes of foodgrains and 500,000 vehicles. Work on the today are between 21 degrees C (Al project began in 2010. Ruwais) and 24 degrees (Doha), while The minister said Qatar had allocated over $140bn for the devel- MEC_QATAR MEC_QATAR MEC_QATAR MEC_QATAR the minimum will likely be 12 degrees opment of infrastructure and transportation projects over the next in Abu Samra, 13 degrees in Al Wakra five years as part of a programme to achieve Qatar National Vision www.mec.gov.qa | [email protected] and Al Khor, and 15 degrees in Doha. 2030 objectives and further prosperity and sustainable develop- THE PENINSULA ment. THE PENINSULA FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ISLAM Love: A necessity of faith BY THERESA CORBIN God calls ver the past couple years of reading and listening to lec- Himself tures about Islam and com- Oparative religion, I have started Al Wadud, a to look at the three major monotheistic religions in a different light. I started to realise that Christianity superlative tends to appeal more to the emotions. Christians will tell you that God is love term for love and that their faith is a rich, inner expe- rience. This is true and a beautiful way which has been to look at faith. In Judaism, on the other hand, educa- translated as tion remains one of the highest princi- ples. There is an emphasis on learning tenets and laws. To many Jews, religion the ‘One who is a life-long cerebral process. This is a noble and very beneficial practice. is full of loving But Islam combines the two. God is love. God calls Himself Al Wadud a super- kindness’. lative term for love which has been trans- lated as the “One who is full of loving kindness”. Religiosity should be a per- guided. It is for all of this and for the love sonal and emotional feeling of connect- of God that we love Prophet Muhammad edness to the Creator. God says in the (PBUH): Say to them (Muhammad): If you Quran: Those who have believed and whose love God, follow (and love and honor) me, hearts are assured by the remembrance of and God will love you. (3:31) Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance The love between believers is a nat- of Allah hearts are assured. (13:28) ural one. As the expression goes, any Likewise, In Islam, education is vital. whom You have bestowed favor, not of those attributes, how He speaks about them thankful to the Creator for all that He friend of so and so is a friend of mine. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who have evoked your anger or of those who in the Quran (More here), and how has created, for all that we have. This is In this way, do the believers find mutual said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation are astray. (Quran 1:6-7) the Prophet tells us about God in the a powerful way to feel love for and con- love-through their shared love of God upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah, 224) Much has been written and commented Hadith. One Example is God’s attribute nection with God. We can (and should) and His Messenger (PBUH). We have So there is a lifelong obligation to con- on about gaining religious knowledge. It is — Mercy. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) even thank Him for giving us the mind, love for each other as Muslims because tinue to acquire knowledge. In fact, the a major focus for new Muslims especially. said: “Verily, there are one hundred parts the heart, the tongue- the ability to thank we realize that we are all creations of first verses of Quran revealed to Prophet But it is so important to also emphasise of mercy for Allah, and it is one part of this Him. God, we are all struggling in the path Muhammad (PBUH) had to do with growing in love for God, our deen, our mercy by virtue of which there is mutual love Through this love of God we can find to God, and we want to help each other gaining knowledge: Prophet, our families, our spouses, our between the people and ninety-nine reserved love for the rest of God’s creation. Once in this path. Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has brethren, and all of God’s creation. for the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim, 2753) we establish our love of God, we can form The Prophet said: “None of you will believe created (all that exists). He has created man Love, and all that it entails- compas- And one of God’s name is the Most a bond with the Prophet (PBUH). God until you love for your brother what you love from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). sion, empathy, tenderness, etc. — is an Merciful — ArRahim. God Tells us in the sent him to mankind to convey God’s for yourself.” (Bukhari & Muslim, 13) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. essential part of an Islamic way of life Quran: And indeed, your Lord — He is the message and mercy to mankind. If we love God, each other, and all of Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He that we sometimes overlook. And there Exalted in Might, the Merciful. (26:9) In the face of extreme tests and oppo- God’s creation as we should- with mercy, has taught man that which he knew not. are many different ways we should be To love God, we must talk to Him. The sition, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gentleness, patience, compassion, and so (96: 1-5) experiencing this love in Islam. five prayers a day is prescribed to us so stood up and spoke the truth about God. much more- we will be rewarded for it. We cannot leave out knowledge. If we The love for God is the love we should that we can get closer to God, to return to He spoke the truth about guidance. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: do, we will be those who are lead astray. be seeking first and always. We cannot Him in worship. Supplication is another Through death threats, insults, torture, “Allah Almighty will say on the Day of We cannot leave out love either. If we do, offer love to others when our own hearts way to find love for God. Asking Him for fear, loss of property and the death of Resurrection: ‘Where are those who loved one we will be those who have earned God’s are empty. So we must first fill our hearts His favors by using His beautiful names loved ones; the Prophet remained stead- another for the sake of My majesty? Today, on anger. And we ask God to save us from with the source of love-God. To love God and attributes is a great way to feel more fast. Even when it seemed like the world the day when there is no shade but My shade, these fates every time we pray. Guide us we must first get to know Him. connected to God. was against him, he conveyed God’s mercy I will shade them.’” (Muslim, 377) to the straight path. The path of those upon Get to know God’s names and To love God, be thankful to Him. Being to mankind, to us so that we could be www.onislam.net Freedom of thought and expression BY S A MAWDUDI betrayed the cause of Islam, since on the occasion assuming the reins of authority begins to tyrannise government deprives its citizens of this right, and of the Battle of Badr when there were heavy odds individuals or groups of men or the entire popula- prevents them from performing this duty, then it f the Government suspects that a particular indi- against the Muslims, he had risked his life for them. tion of the country, then to raise the voice of protest is in direct conflict with the injunction of God. The vidual has committed a crime or he is likely to Secondly, his family was in fact in danger at Makkah. against it openly is the God-given right of man and government is not in conflict with its people, but is commit an offence in the near future then they Therefore, if he had shown some human weakness no one has the authority to usurp or deny this right. in conflict with God. In this way it is at war with Ishould give reasons for their suspicion before a for his children and written this letter, then this If anyone tries to usurp this right of citizens then God and is trying to usurp that right of its people court of law and the culprit or the suspect should be punishment was quite sufficient for him that his he rebels against God. The talisman of Section 1444 which God has conferred not only as a right but as allowed to produce his defence in an open court, so that secret offence was divulged in public and he had been may protect such a tyrant in this world, but it cannot an obligation. As far as the government which itself the court may decide whether the suspicion against disgraced and humiliated in the eyes of the believers. save him from the hell-fire in the Hereafter. propagates evil, wickedness and obscenity and inter- him is based on sound grounds or not and if there is God has referred to this offence of Hatib in the Holy feres with those who are inviting people to virtue good reason for suspicion, then he should be informed Quran but did not propose any punishment for him FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION and righteousness is concerned, according to the of how long he will be in preventive detention. except rebuke and admonition. Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and Holy Quran it is the government of the hypocrites. The correct method of dealing with such cases The attitude and activities of the Kharijis in the expression to all citizens of the Islamic State on the Islam has also given people the right to freedom of in Islam is exemplified in the famous decision of days of the Caliph Ali are well-known to the students condition that it should be used for the propagation of association and formation of parties or organizations. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which of Muslim history. They used to abuse the Caliph virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wick- This right is also subject to certain general rules. took place before the conquest of Makkah. The openly, and threaten him with murder. But whenever edness. This Islamic concept of freedom of expres- It should be exercised for propagating virtue and Prophet was making preparations for the march they were arrested for these offences, ‘Ali would set sion is much superior to the concept prevalent in the righteousness and should never be used for spread- to Makkah, when one of his Companions, Hatib ibn them free and tell his officers: “As long as they do West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil ing evil and mischief. Abi Balta’ah sent a letter through a woman to the not actually perpetrate offences against the State, and wickedness to be propagated. It also does not We have not only been given this right for spread- authorities in Makkah informing them about the the mere use of abusive language or the threat of give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive lan- ing righteousness and virtue, but have been ordered impending attack. The Prophet came to know of use of force are not such offences for which they can guage in the name of criticism. The right to freedom to exercise this right. Addressing the Muslims, this through a Divine inspiration. He ordered ‘Ali be imprisoned.” of expression for the sake of propagating virtue and the Holy Quran declares: You are the best com- and Zubayr: “Go quickly on the route to Makkah, at Imam Abu right- munity which has been brought forth for mankind. such and such a place, you will find a woman carry- Hanifah has eous- You command what is proper and forbid what is ing a letter. Recover the letter from her and bring it recorded the ness is improper and you believe in God ... (3:110) to me.” So they went and found the woman exactly following Human rights, the West and Islam-3 not only This means that it is the obligation and duty of the where the Prophet had said. They recovered the saying of the a right entire Muslim community that it should invite and letter from her and brought it to the Prophet. This Caliph Ali: in Islam enjoin people to righteousness and virtue and forbid was indeed a clear case of treachery. To inform the “As long as they do not set out on armed rebellion, but an obligation. One who tries to deny this right them from doing evil. If the entire Muslim commu- enemy about a secret of an army and that too at the the Caliph of the Faithful will not interfere with them.” to his people is openly at war with God, the All- nity is not able to perform this duty then “let there time of a war is a very serious offence tantamount to On another occasion Ali was delivering a lecture in the Powerful. And the same thing applies to the attempt be a community among you who will invite (people) treachery. In fact one cannot think of a more serious mosque when the Kharijis raised their special slogan to stop people from evil. Whether this evil is perpe- to (do) good, command what is proper and forbid crime during war than giving out a military secret there. Ali said: “We will not deny you the right to come trated by an individual or by a group of people or the what is improper, those will be prosperous” (3:104). to one’s enemy. What could have been a more suit- to the mosques to worship God, nor will we stop to give government of one’s own country, or the government This clearly indicates that if the entire Muslim able case for a secret hearing; a military secret had your share from the wealth of the State, as long as you of some other country; it is the right of a Muslim and nation collectively begins to neglect its obligation been betrayed and common sense demanded that he are with us (and support us in our wars with the unbe- it is also his obligation that he should warn and rep- to invite people to goodness and forbid them from should be tried in camera. lievers) and we shall never take military action against rimand the evil-doer and try to stop him from doing doing evil then it is absolutely essential that it should But the Prophet summoned Hatib to the open court you as long as you do not fight with us.” it. Over and above, he should openly and publicly contain at least a group of people which may perform of the Mosque of the Prophet and in the presence of One can visualise the opposition which Ali was condemn it and show the course of righteousness this obligation. As has been said before this is not hundreds of people asked him to explain his position facing; more violent and vituperative opposition can- which that individual, nation or government should only a right but an obligation and on the fulfilment of with regard to his letter addressed to the leaders of not even be imagined in a present-day democratic adopt. The Holy Quran has described this quality which depends success and prosperity here as well as Quraysh which had been intercepted on its way. The State; but the freedom that he had allowed to the of the Faithful in the following words: “They enjoin in the Hereafter. It is an irony with the religion of God accused said: “O God’s Messenger (may God’s blessings opposition was such that no government has ever what is proper and forbid what is improper” (9:71). that in a Muslim country the assembly and association be on you) I have not revolted against Islam, nor have been able to give to its opposition. He did not arrest In contrast, describing the qualities of a hypocrite, that is formed for the purposes of spreading evil and I done this with the intention of betraying a military even those who threatened him with murder nor the Quran mentions: “They bid what is improper mischief should have the right to rule over the country secret. The truth of the matter is that my wife and did he imprison them. and forbid what is proper” (9:67). and the association and party which has been formed children are living in Makkah and I do not have my The main purpose of an Islamic Government has for propagating righteous- ness and virtue should live tribe to protect them there. I had written this letter so RIGHT TO PROTEST AGAINST TYRANNY been defined by God in the Quran as follows: “If we in perpetual fear of harassment and of being declared that the leaders of Quraysh may be indebted to me and Amongst the rights that Islam has conferred on give authority to these men on earth they will keep illegal. Conditions here are just the reverse of what may protect my wife and children out of gratitude.” human beings is the right to protest against gov- up prayers, and offer poor-due, bid what is proper has been prescribed by God. The claim is that we are ‘Umar rose and respectfully submitted: “O ernment’s tyranny. Referring to it the Quran says: and forbid what is improper” (22:41). The Prophet Muslims and this is an Islamic State5 but the work Prophet, please permit me to put this traitor to the “God does not love evil talk in public unless it is has said: “If any one of you comes across an evil, he that is being done is directed to spreading evil, to cor- sword.” The Prophet replied: “He is one of those by someone who has been injured thereby” (4:148). should try to stop it with his hand (using force), rupt and morally degrade and debase the people while people who had participated in the Battle of Badr, This means that God strongly disapproves of abu- if he is not in a position to stop it with his hand there is an active and effective check on the work being and the explanation he has advanced in his defence sive language or strong words of condemnation, but then he should try to stop it by means of his tongue carried out for reforming society and inviting people would seem to be correct.” the person who has been the victim of injustice or (meaning he should speak against it). If he is not to righteousness. Moreover the life of those who are Let us look at this decision of the Prophet in per- tyranny, God gives him the right to openly protest even able to use his tongue then he should at least engaged in spreading righteousness and checking the spective. It was a clear case of treachery and betrayal against the injury that has been done to him. This condemn it in his heart. This is the weakest degree spread of evil and wickedness is made intolerable and of military secrets. But the Prophet acquitted Hatib right is not limited only to individuals. The words of of faith” (Muslim). This obligation of inviting people hard to bear. on two counts. Firstly, that his past records were the verse are general. Therefore if an individual or to righteousness and forbidding them to adopt the Al Tawhid Journal, vol. IV No. 3 very clean and showed that he could not have a group of people or a party usurps power, and after paths of evil is incumbent on all true Muslims. If any (To be continued) FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Five bombs explode in Cairo, one killed Blasts hit pizzeria, police station and cellphone firms

CAIRO: One person was killed spokesman Hany Abdel Latif said. and caused no casualties. yesterday in a bombing outside a The offices were closed at the But several have killed police- pizzeria in the Egyptian capital time of the explosions. Hours men, including two senior officers as four other blasts hit a police later, an explosion outside a police killed while attempting to defuse station and offices of cellphone station in the north of the capital bombs planted outside the presi- companies, a health official said. wounded a police conscript and dential palace in June last year. The bomb tore off the legs of three passersby, police officials Those bombs, and several oth- the victim who was pronounced said. It was not immediately clear ers that killed policemen in Cairo, dead in hospital, health minis- why the cellphone companies were claimed by the Ajnad Misr try spokesman Hossam Abdel were targeted, but Abdel Latif militant group. Ghaffar said. Two other people said authorities had been on the In the Sinai Peninsula where were wounded. The restaurant alert for attacks in the runup they are based, militants who have was next to a branch of the to parliamentary elections next pledged allegiance to the Islamic Britain-based cellphone provider month. State (IS) group have killed Egyptians inspect the damage outside the offices of the Britain-based cell phone provider Vodafone after a Vodafone. Militants have set off dozens scores of soldiers and policemen bombing in capital Cairo yesterday. Two other bombs targeted its of bombs in the capital since the since Mursi’s overthrow. offices in another neighbour- army overthrew Islamist presi- The IS affiliate in Sinai set Militants, who have focused Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, officials where they are waging an insur- hood and a third bomb went off dent Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 up branches in the Nile Delta, their attacks on security forces, have said. gency. In January, simultaneous outside a branch of United Arab and cracked down on his support- targeting police headquarters were also believed to be planning Sisi was elected to office in car bombings and mortar attacks Emirates-owned Etisalat, damag- ers, killing hundreds of protest- in Cairo and other cities before attacks on the embassies of coun- May 2014 pledging to eradicate on security headquarters in the ing the store fronts but causing ers in street clashes. Most of the police killed and arrested most of tries that have backed the former the militants, but has had limited peninsula killed at least 30 people, no casualties, interior ministry bombs have been rudimentary their operatives last year. army chief and now President success, especially in the Sinai most of them soldiers. AFP

Jordan, Israel sign Kuwait celebrates National Day Two Egypt policemen deal to help save Dead Sea arrested over torture death AMMAN: Jordan and Israel CAIRO: Egypt’s prosecution service yesterday ordered the arrest signed a deal yesterday to build of two policemen accused of torturing and beating to death a law- a pipeline to link the Red Sea yer jailed after a pro-Islamist protest, state media and lawyers said. with the shrinking Dead Sea and The victim, Karim Hamdi, “was arrested on Monday, referred to combat regional water shortages. the prosecution on Tuesday and on Wednesday his lawyers found out The official Petra news agency he was dead,” Malik Adli, a lawyer who represents protesters, said. said that the agreement signed Adli said he did not know why Hamdi, a 28-year-old father of two, in the Jordanian capital, Amman, was arrested. His death has sparked outrage among his colleagues. would set in motion the imple- But the head of the bar association in northern Cairo, Mohammad mentation of the first phase of a Othman, said Hamdi was arrested for taking part in a protest of sup- long-awaited project. port of the banned Muslim Brotherhood. It follows a letter of intent A forensics spokesman, Hisham Abdel Hamid, told AFP the victim signed in Washington in died after suffering “blows to several parts of his body with a blunt December 2013 by representa- object”. State-run Mena news agency said two National Security Police tives from Israel, Jordan and the officers were arrested and remanded in custody pending an investiga- Palestinian Authority that capped Kuwaiti men gesture during celebrations marking the 54th Independence Day and the 24th anniversary of the tion into Hamdi’s death. Mena said the pair “are accused of beating more than a decade of negotia- end of the Gulf war with the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, in Kuwait City yesterday. and torturing a civilian, leading to his death in the Matariya police tions. AFP station” in northeastern Cairo. AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

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

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

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

Lure of votes Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

S THE March 28 elections approach, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan seems to be overtly worried about bringing peace to his suffering Apopulation. Yesterday, he visited the Boko Haram hub This time around, Russia-Ukraine of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria. Putting up a brave face, the embattled Nigerian leader said he went there to see the devastation first hand. Coming as it does after years of neglect in the face of sustained Boko Haram atrocities on Nigerians, gas dispute is mostly hot air Jonathan’s stance seems forced. The Nigerian leader didn’t seem too bothered when about 200 girls were kidnapped by the BY PETER GRAFF and PAVEL Islamist militants in the same region and he was accused by the POLITYUK the make-or-break crisis it once was. sources say there is a far simpler rea- international community of neglecting his people. The EU shrugged off Miller’s and son why they have not ordered more The Islamist group is spreading its wings rapidly by carrying Putin’s threats that cutting off Kiev Russian gas: out attacks and challenging the might of the Nigerian state. he rhetoric is as melodra- could cause supply problems for They don’t need it. At least not yet. Boko Haram attacks claimed the lives of about 35 people matic as ever, but this time European customers further down- A new source of supply since last in central Nigeria yesterday as Jonathan tried to send an around Russia’s threat to cut stream. Nothing of the sort happened year — so-called “reverse flow” in off Ukraine’s natural gas is during the six-month shut-down last which gas is sent back east to Ukraine impression in Maiduguri that he cares for his people. T mostly hot air. year. from Europe through pipes originally The Nigerian leader is eyeing gains in the elections that After months in which Kiev has been The timing of the latest quarrel is no built to take it West — means Kiev were delayed from February 14 to March 28. His administration faithfully paying for gas and Moscow coincidence. The winter season of high is less dependent on Moscow than in has been accused of neglect and misgovernance in the face of reliably supplying it under a deal bro- demand is ending, and the temporary, years past. atrocities committed by the militant group. kered by the European Union, this week EU-mediated winter supply deal is due “All these threats by Gazprom are not A number of terror attacks in the country yesterday showed has seen the quarrel erupt anew. to expire at the end of next month. Both particularly frightening for us, as the Russia, which has cut off the gas sides are gearing up to negotiate terms situation has radically changed com- that Jonathan’s claim of the insurgency nearing its end is just three times in the past decade, including to replace it. pared to last autumn,” said Zemlyansky. hot air. It shows how astute a politician the Nigerian leader is. for six months last year, has once again “What’s been happening the past “We’ve passed through the winter sea- It has been said that Boko Haram is tied with Al Qaeda in threatened to switch off supplies unless few days, these statements by Miller son — the mild weather really helped the region. Looking at the way Boko Ukraine sends more money within days. and Putin, is all just a prelude for talks us, as well as decreased consumption Haram leader Shekau challenges After a public announcement by between Russia and Ukraine over a sum- by industry.” Nigerian President the Nigerian government, it might Russian gas giant mer deal,” said Valentyn Zemlyansky, He estimated Ukraine would con- Gazprom’s boss a gas industry analyst in Kiev and sume about 35 billion cubic metres Goodluck as well be true. Alexei Miller former spokesman for Ukraine’s gas of gas in 2015. That is not far out of Jonathan’s Even yesterday, Jonathan that Kiev had put firm Naftogaz. line with what it produces itself and remarks that made comments that suggest the European sup- The threat to “cut off” Kiev’s gas is no imports from Europe, although it will insurgency is coming to an end. His The timing of the plies in jeopardy, longer quite what it sounds like. In the be important to build up reserves for the Boko Haram statement is not only misleading, it Vladimir Putin past, Kiev bought its gas from Russia on next winter’s peak. latest quarrel is no personally jumped credit. That meant that Ukraine could Ukraine did need gas from Russia points to a lackadaisical approach to militancy is coincidence. The in on Wednesday. find itself asking for more gas, only for to get through the past winter, but the nearing its end governance. The Russian Russia to refuse to supply it. actual amount of gas it says it ended up The Opec member is in the winter season of president said Nowadays, Kiev pays for any Russian buying under the EU-brokered deal was is aimed at throes of an insurgency that has high demand is Ukraine’s lack of gas it receives with cash up front. If comparatively small. misleading the to be acknowledged seriously by ending, and the “financial disci- Russia does halt gas to Ukraine in com- Ukraine’s Naftogaz says it spent Abuja. Jonathan’s challenger in pline” could cause ing days as Putin threatened, it won’t $830m buying 2.39 billion cubic metres population. temporary, energy shortages be because Moscow has decided to cut of Russian gas in total over the three the elections, Muhammadu Buhari EU-mediated winter across the conti- Kiev off; it will be because Kiev hasn’t winter months of peak demand. That yesterday said that it is not possible supply deal is due to nent — a refer- ordered any. works out to around 26 million cubic to talk to Boko Haram as they don’t ence to the fact In public, Ukraine says it is not buy- metres per day, less than it produces want peace. Buhari’s comments show that the former military expire at the end of that Russia sup- ing more Russian gas because Moscow itself and less than it receives in reverse officer is serious about fighting militancy in the West African next month. plies about 30 violated delivery terms and may have flow from Europe. state. His comments point to a stance that is not foggy, quite percent of the sent some gas that Kiev had paid for to Ukraine may still need to buy gas EU’s gas needs, separatist areas without its permission. this year to replenish its reserve tanks unlike Jonathan who has been beating about the Bush over his half of that via The issue which smelled to Putin like before next winter, but with global approach to the terror group. Ukraine. He accused Kiev of threaten- “genocide” is political dynamite for both energy prices falling and warm weather The terror group, initially focused on opposing western ing to cut off gas to separatist regions sides. But in practice, the volumes for coming, there is little rush. Ukrainian education, has been spreading its footprint in a way that not in the east of the country, an act which rebel areas are small and Kiev couldn’t gas officials believe there is still only threatens law and order but poses a serious challenge he said “smells of genocide”. cut them off if it tried, because rebels capacity to increase the reverse flow Kiev has responded by accusing and Russians control pipes at the border. from Europe. to the administration of Jonathan, who is seeking reelection. Russia of failing to meet its contractual Brussels has summoned Russian For now, Kiev does not want to trum- The administration has been heavily criticised for failing to do obligations under the EU-brokered deal. and Ukrainian officials for talks next pet its newfound safety from Russian enough to curb the power of the group, especially because it But for all the noise from both sides, week, including over payment for rebel threats to its supply, in part because failed to get the kidnapped girls released. the natural gas feud which has divided regions. Moscow raised the possibility Moscow’s growling helps motivate It is important for the Nigerian government to sound serious the two neighbours since long before yesterday of supplying the rebel areas Europe to focus on the reverse flows, about tackling militancy. Jonathan’s administration shouldn’t Russian-backed separatists went to war for free. said one Ukrainian gas industry source. against Ukraine last year is no longer In private, Ukrainian gas industry REUTERS be seen as careless in this regard. The other side Quote of Greek reform plan hinges on providing effective, specific policies the day

ILL Greece make sincere boost tax revenue by stiffening steps to be facing financial collapse, financial negotiations will pan out. efforts toward fiscal prevent tax evasion and to push ahead uncertainty has increased in Greece, Even this latest reform plan has reconstruction? Concrete with fiscal reconstruction by cutting where deposit outflows from banks provoked howls of protest from within Wpolicies need to be wasteful government expenditure. have surged. the Greek ruling party, which has properly determined for achieving this A statement issued by the EU posi- The administration of Prime Minister trumpeted an anti-austerity stance. objective. tively welcomed the Greek plan, saying Alexis Tsipras, which gained public The austerity policies implemented so The European Union has approved the list of measures was “sufficiently support based on its “anti-austerity” far have already produced side effects What is destructive a structural reform plan submitted by comprehensive.” However, the vital campaign pledges, presumably had including a sluggish economy and an in my view is making Greece as a condition for the extension content of the plan still lacks many little choice but to reach some sort of unemployment rate of more than 25 of financial aid to that nation. details. The International Monetary deal with the EU so it could avert the percent. There is mounting discontent a bad deal that This aid program was due to expire Fund, which along with the EU has looming crisis. Barometer for eurozone among the public. As Greece sets its paves the way for a at the end of February. The EU mem- extended assistance to Greece, was If Greece is unable to conclude an sights on a deal with the EU, it will not ber nations will now move ahead with quite right to criticize the plan as being agreement with the EU by the end of be easy to calibrate the views of the nuclear Iran. That’s domestic procedures necessary to “not very specific.” April after submitting a more detailed ruling coalition parties about continuing destructive. ensure the four-month extension can The Greek government’s cash flow reform plan, the extension of sup- fiscal austerity, nor to convince Greek be ratified. is already in a very tenuous situation. port will be back to square one. At citizens to go along with these steps. John Boehner The Greek reform plan promised to Due to concern that the nation could this point, there is no telling how the Yomiuri Shimbun US House Speaker FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Pro-Israel lobbies maligning Qatar Qatar has been facing a media and political campaign for many years by some pro-Israel lobbies and its right-wing alliances with support and encouragement of some Arab countries disappointed with the Qatari stance towards freedom and dignity in the Arab world and because of its independent foreign policy.

he pro-Israel lobby supported they were committed to working to give by some Arab countries seem- equal opportunities to different factions ingly are trying to malign Qatar in Iraq such as Sunnis, Shias and Kurds Tin the West and exaggerate the to coexist. differences in the Qatari and US poli- On Yemen and Libya, Obama said his cies on Middle East issues, observes the country was working with the countries Doha-based Arab Center for Research of the region to find a political solution and Policy Studies. to the crises there. In an analysis of the visit of the Emir Regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Obama told the Emir that the aim of the to the US and his meeting with US ongoing negotiations is to stop Iran from President Barack Obama, the Center said developing nuclear weapons and the US Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, yesterday. that areas of agreement between Qatar will continue pressuring Iran to change and the US are wider compared to the its policies which have some negative differences. impact on the stability of the region, but It was explained by the Emir in his There is baseless allegation against Qatar Gaza as supporting Muslim Brotherhood Perhaps there is a joint lobby compris- this will be through diplomatic channels. article in New York Times (published of having relations with extremist groups (MB) in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia. They ing Israel and some Arab countries which Qatar is one of the countries that have shortly before his meeting with Obama). such as Al Nusra in Syria, some other would cite hosting wanted MB leaders tries to malign the image of Qatar in adopted a political dialogue approach The Emir said in his article that mili- groups in Syria and Libya as well as in Qatar as proof but Qatar does not see western media, especially the differences towards Iran although it has differences tary solution is not sufficient to defeat Taliban. Hamas as a terrorist movement and it regarding Qatar’s relations with the Arab with Iran on the Syrian issue. terrorism and meet the strategic chal- Qatar is not denying having a chan- is not hosting MB as a political faction. revolutions and its support to Gaza dur- Obama said the US wanted to see a lenges facing the Middle East and the nel of communication with some Islamic On the other hand it is hosting political ing the Israeli aggression. Despite being situation of peace and stability in the World. Terrorism should be addressed factions in a way that enables it to play a refugees who fled suppression in their a strong ally of the US, Qatar has its MENA region that can create educa- within the social, political and economic mediatory role which on many occasions own countries by other political factions. own views regarding issues and crises in tion and employment opportunities to contexts by addressing its root causes. saved the lives of hostages. At the same And even this policy is under the condi- the region. the youth. And political leaders should have the time it categorically denies allegations tion that the guests should not involve During the joint press conference courage to negotiate inclusive and plu- that it is supporting Al Nusra and other themselves in political activity in Qatar. by the Emir and Obama after their ralistic solutions to regional disputes and extremists groups. According to a Wall Street journal meeting at the White House, Obama dictators should be brought to justice. Qatar facilitated the negotiations report, some members of the US National described Qatar-US relations as a solid Many in the West think that Islam is between the US and Taliban on request Security Agency pressured president partnership . the problem behind the terrorist threat from Washington. Last year this resulted Obama during his first tenure to close Despite the positive environment of but the problem is hopelessness among in the release of an American soldier in the American military base in Al Udaid, that joint press conference, some US the youth which can be seen even in some exchange of five Taliban prisoners in accusing Doha of supporting armed media are focusing on the differences The Emir believes European cities. Guantanamo Bay. groups in the Middle East. because Doha is adopting independent terrorism will The Emir said there should be joint Also there is an allegation that Qatar The Pentagon rejected this allegation foreign policy approaches. This is annoy- Arab-American efforts to find political is not strictly implementing the law and renewed the contract in 2013 while ing some in Washington and some oth- resurface if the solution to the Syrian crisis and the dif- on fighting terrorism. For instance, in the US Department of State believes that ers in the region especially Israel, said aspirations of the ferences have surfaced on this point. September 2014, an official from the US Qatar played a very important role in the Center. Obama administration believes priority Department of Treasury alleged that achieving ceasefire between Israel and During the press meet, the two lead- Arab youth and their should be to defeating IS and the fate of a Qatari businessman supported an IS Hamas in 2014. There are others who ers expressed their opinion on a number ambition towards Assad regime can be tackled later. leader with $2m. believe that only Qatar can take up some of issues: The Emir believes terrorism will One month later another official from mediatory roles such as the one that Regarding Islamic State militants, freedom, justice, resurface if the aspirations of the Arab the same department accused Qatar secured the release of the last American Obama stressed Qatar’s important role dignity and youth and their ambition towards free- of not moving to stop funding terror- solider imprisoned by Taliban. in the international coalition and com- dom, justice, dignity and economic secu- ism. Qatar denied this allegation and it If we see the relation between the two mitment of the two parties to defeat IS economic security rity is not achieved. believes that if they have proof they will countries in its wider strategic context it in Iraq and Syria. Qatar has been facing a media and not hesitate to produce it. is based on common interests as Qatar On Syria, the two leaders said they will are not achieved. political campaign for many years by Qatar believes all Arab and western is an investor in the US. According to continue supporting the moderate oppo- some pro-Israel lobbies and its right countries fully control movement of the Qatari Minister of Finance, H E Ali sition while both believe that no peace wing alliances with support and encour- money and people, although Qatar has Shareef Al Emadi, Qatar is planning to and stability are possible in Syria without agement from some Arab countries taken strict measures to monitor trans- invest $35bn in technology infrastructure getting rid of Bashar Al Assad. Despite the agreements expressed in disappointed with the Qatari stance fer of money to track suspicious funds in the US in the next five years. In brief, However, Obama said that he does the joint press conference there seem to towards freedom and dignity in the Arab going to militant groups. Qatar is maintaining independence in its not have a clear opinion how that can be be some differences regarding prioritising world and because of its independent They ( the critics) consider Qatari sup- political decisions and foreign policy in a achieved. He discussed this issue with the or how to deal with some issues between foreign policy. port to Hamas by hosting its senior leader smart way while respecting its relations Emir. Regarding Iraq, the leaders said the two parties. The differences can be listed as follows: in Doha and its continuous support to with the US. National and Liberation Day of Kuwait How a Miss Turkey BY ABDULLAH BUWAIR could end up in jail hese two glorious anniver- saries are very important BY ADAM TAYLOR Tfor everybody in Kuwait Erdogan in particular. The case — citizens and expatriates — against the former Miss Turkey who impatiently wait for cel- erve Buyuksarac won has been brewing for some time. ebrations every year. This year, Miss Turkey in 2006. Buyuksarac was questioned however, their joy was multiplied MNow, just under a dec- by police about the poem last by the honouring of the Emir ade later, the former model may month. “I don’t precisely recall H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad be jailed for insulting the Turkish the content I have shared on my Al Thani as Humanitarian Leader president. Instagram account,” she said, and Kuwait as a Humanitarian On Wednesday, Buyuksarac’s according to a report from Cihan Centre. We wish September 9 is lawyer told reporters that an news agency. “However, I might also considered a national anniver- Istanbul prosecutor is attempting have taken excerpts from Twitter, sary to be celebrated just like the to take Buyuksarac to court for other social media websites or the national days, because on this day insulting a public official. If found cartoon magazine Uykusuz.” in 2014, the Emir was honoured guilty, she could face up to two “I shared it because it was as the Humanitarian Leader and years in prison, the Associated funny to me,” she added. “I did Kuwait as a Humanitarian Center Press reports. not intend to insult Recep Tayyip by the UN. Buyuksarac’s legal woes stem Erdogan.” This year, we are celebrating from her use of social media. The Insulting the Turkish leader Kuwait’s 54th National Day and former model now works as an has become a risky proposal since 24th Liberation Day. Kuwait inde- industrial designer and writer, yet Erdogan made the leap from the Kuwaiti children play with water guns during celebrations marking the Gulf state’s 54th National Day and 24th pendence was declared on June she retains a large online fan base prime minister’s office to the Liberation Day, in Kuwait City, yesterday. 19, 1961 during the reign of the and has almost 15,000 followers on president’s office last year — a late Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Instagram and 30,000 on Twitter. move that was result of term Al Sabah, who assumed power leadership in handling various made annual contributions to the Palestinian people. Prosecutors allege that her insult limits imposed by his Justice and in 1950. His coronation was on regional and international issues UN’s Commission for Refugees We have to review the against Recep Tayyip Erdogan Development Party (AKP) that February 25, and thus everybody and its constant work to achieve Affairs, sent relief aid to the vic- Independence Day, during which appeared in an Instagram post has been criticised as a power agreed to merge both anniversaries international security and peace, tims of the tsunami throughout Kuwait turned a leaf of a long his- from last summer. grab. More than 60 people have in one, and ever since Kuwait has Kuwait is also keen on building the Indian Ocean, to earthquake tory during which ancestors gave While the post has since been been charged for their mockery been celebrating its National Day and cementing relationships with victims in Iran and Morocco in the best examples of strife and deleted, Hurriyet Daily News of Erdogan since August: Just a on February 25. Kuwait has been Arab, friendly and international addition to humanitarian relief hard work to achieve decent living describes it as a satirical text couple of months ago, a 16-year- steadily achieving much in terms countries. aid to Zimbabwe and Niger to conditions and defend their land, titled “The Master’s Poem.” It old high school student was of development and progress for Humanely, Kuwait never alleviate the sufferings resulting and started a new phase of a fully had originally appeared in the arrested after making a speech the Kuwaiti people as well as citi- hesitated to reach its hands out from drought and famine there. It sovereign state working on prov- Turkish magazine Uykusuz, a in which he described Erdogan as zens’ welfare under the wise lead- to help and aid brotherly and also sent financial aid to Lebanon ing its presence and contributing satirical publication which prides “the thieving owner of the illegal ership of the Al Sabah family since friendly countries in times of dis- in the aftermath of the war in in peacemaking and building the itself on mocking the Turkish palace.” independence. Thanks to its wise tress and disasters. Kuwait has addition to constant aid to the lives of human beings. political establishment and WP-BLOOMBERG FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Four Bangladeshis UK spies tried to recruit Emwazi, the killer John among five dead in Saudi fire LONDON/WASHINGTON:The and Britain used a variety of investigative stopping me from living my new life in my masked “Jihadi John” (pictured), killer techniques including voice and facial rec- birthplace and my country, Kuwait”. RIYADH: Four Bangladeshi who fronted Islamic State (IS) beheading ognition as well as interviews with former Cage said Emwazi was detained in workers were among five people videos has been identified as Mohammed hostages to identify the man, with whom Tanzania, where he went for a safari holi- killed when fire engulfed their Emwazi, a British computer program- MI5 had already had dealings. day with two friends in August 2009. sleeping accommodation in ming graduate from a well-to-do London But security officials made great efforts He was deported to Amsterdam and Saudi Arabia, Dhaka’s embassy family. The black-clad militant brandish- to avoid publicly naming Emwazi, fear- interrogated by MI5 and a Dutch intelli- said yesterday. ing a knife and speaking with an English ing that would make him more difficult gence officer and then sent back to Britain. The blaze erupted at about accent was shown in videos released by IS to catch. They were uneasy that the name It was impossible to verify the version 1:30am on Monday (2230 GMT apparently decapitating hostages includ- was revealed. There was no answer at two of events given by the charity, which drew Sunday) in the container in which ing Americans, Britons and Syrians. addresses in west London where Emwazi criticism for shifting the responsibility for the workers slept, the embassy’s The 26-year-old militant used the vid- was listed to have lived. Neighbours Emwazi’s crimes. “I think this is an attempt to labour counsellor said. eos to threaten the West, admonish its described the family as “normal people” deflect attention from Jihadi John,” said Shiraz “They are burned so badly that Arab allies and taunt President Barack and “friendly”. “This is the first time any- Maher Senior Fellow at the International it is very difficult to identify” the Obama and British Prime Minister David thing like this happens in this neighbour- Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, remains, but DNA analysis will be Cameron before petrified hostages cower- hood,” said Fatima Al Baqali. “We have to King’s College London. “They’re trying to done, said the counsellor, asking ing in orange jump suits. be careful now. I didn’t know this family lay the blame for this at the feet of the not to be named. Emwazi’s name was first disclosed by and I usually know everyone here.” British government,” he told Sky news. The incident occurred at Naser the Washington Post, citing unidentified Asim Qureshi, the research director of The Cage charity, which also worked Furniture Factory in the Gulf former associates, but two US government Arabic speaker, said MI5 tried to recruit Cage a charity that campaigns for those with Michael Adebolajo, the Muslim cov- coast city of Dammam. sources who spoke on condition of anonym- him and then prevented him from trav- detained on terrorism charges, said that ert who with an accomplice killed a British Police found five bodies in the ity confirmed to Reuters that investigators elling abroad, forcing him to flee abroad although he could not be certain Emwazi was soldier in London in May 2013, said both container in which six people, believed Jihadi John was Emwazi. without telling his family. He travelled to John, there were some “striking similarities”. men had been victims of undue pressure including a Pakistani and an Dressed entirely in black, a balaclava Syria around 2012. Qureshi painted a picture of a kind from the security services. Indian, normally lived. covering all but his eyes and the bridge of MI5 does not publicly comment on such and thoughtful young man who faced After becoming frustrated following “We are waiting for the police his nose and a holster under his left arm, claims. The British government and police harassment from MI5, which apparently three failed attempts to return to Kuwait, report” about the cause, the Jihadi John became a menacing symbol refused to confirm or deny his identity, cit- suspected he wanted to join the Somali and changing his name to Mohammed Al counsellor said. Saudi Arabia of Islamic State brutality and one of the ing an ongoing security investigation. Islamist militant group al Shabaab. Ayan, Emwazi left his parents’ home and employs millions of foreign world’s most wanted men. “We don’t confirm or deny matters relat- Qureshi said British spies had tried to slipped out of Britain. Four months later, workers who perform a range Hostages called him John as he and ing to intelligence,” said a spokeswoman for recruit Emwazi. “There’s one character police visited the family home to say they of jobs from manual labour to other Britons in Islamic State had been Cameron, who has ordered spy agencies that I remember, one kind person that I had information he had entered Syria. His management. nicknamed the Beatles. Emwazi was born and soldiers to track down the killer. remember and then I see that image and family thought he was in Turkey doing aid in Kuwait but came to Britain aged 6 and “Jihadi John” rose to notoriety in August there doesn’t seem to be a correlation work. He is implicated in the killing of vic- graduated with a computer programming 2014 when a video appeared showing a between the two,” Qureshi told reporters. tims including US citizens James Foley, Saudi convicted in degree from the University of Westminster masked man raging against the United “I feel like a prisoner, only not in a cage, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig, Britons before coming to the attention of Britain’s States before apparently beheading U.S. in London..,” Emwazi wrote in an email to David Haines and Alan Henning, Japanese embassy bombings main domestic intelligence service, MI5. citizen James Foley off camera. Cage. He felt like “a person imprisoned and Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa, and over An associate of Emwazi, who was a fluent Intelligence services in the United States controlled by security service men, (who) 20 Syrian soldiers. REUTERS NEW YORK: A Saudi man described by prosecutors as one of Osama bin Laden’s most trusted lieutenants was con- Bashir campaigns victed in a federal court in Fighting IS not a priority New York yesterday in con- nection with the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Khalid Al Fawwaz, 52, faces for Turkey: US spy chief up to life in prison after a jury convicted him on four conspir- acy counts on their third day of US-led strikes on IS after group seizes 220 Christians deliberations.

WASHINGTON: Turkey does arms for the IS group, he said. with Washington, he said. Indian, Pakistani not place a high priority on “And of course, the conse- Meanwhile, the US-led coali- fighting Islamic State militants quence of that is a permissive tion carried out air strikes yester- beheaded in Saudi and as a result foreign fighters environment... because of their day against the IS in northeastern are able to travel through the laws and the ability of people to Syria, where the militants have RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yes- country into Syria, U S intelli- travel through Turkey en route to launched a new offensive and kid- terday beheaded an Indian axe gence chief James Clapper said Syria,” Clapper said. napped 220 Assyrian Christians. murderer and a Pakistani her- yesterday. “So somewhere in the neigh- The raids struck areas around oin trafficker, bringing to 34 the Asked if he was optimistic bourhood of 60 percent of those the town of Tal Tamr in Hasakeh number of death sentences car- that Turkey would take a more foreign fighters find their way to province, the Syrian Observatory ried out this year. active role in the war against the Syria through Turkey.” for Human Rights said, without Vijay Kumar Saleem, of India, IS group, Clapper told senators: The spy chief said some other giving information on possible was convicted of killing a Yemeni “No, I’m not.” governments in the Middle East casualties. by striking him in the head with “I think Turkey has other pri- have been reluctant to join the They followed the launch the axe, an interior ministry orities and other interests,” he US-led coalition against the IS Monday of a new offensive by IS, statement carried by the official told the Senate Armed Services group because of Washington’s which kidnapped the Assyrians Saudi Press Agency said. Committee. reluctance to directly confront as it seized territory around Tal The attack took place after a The Turkish government was the Syrian President Bashar Al Tamr. The town remains under dispute at the farm where they more concerned with Kurdish Assad’s regime. the control of Kurdish forces, but worked, it said, adding that opposition and the country’s But the “brutal savagery” at least 10 surrounding villages Saleem was executed in Riyadh. economy, the director of national of the IS militants, including have been seized by IS, along with Authorities also carried intelligence said. the beheadings of hostages and the captives. out a death sentence against “Public opinion polls show in the immolation of a captured Many of those abducted are the Pakistani, Hafiz Wifaq Turkey they don’t see ISIL as a Jordanian fighter pilot, “have had said to be women, children or eld- Rasoul Shah, in the holy city primary threat,” said Clapper, a galvanizing effect on opinion in erly. The Observatory said nego- of Madinah. using an alternative acronym the Mideast region,” he said. tiations were ongoing “through “Investigations led to his con- Supporters listen to Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir during for the extremists. The effect of There was more willingness to mediators from Arab tribes and fession and he was tried and an election campaign rally ahead of the April 13 elections in Madani, Turkey’s approach was to allow a cooperate with the United States a member of the Assyrian com- found guilty,” a separate interior capital of east-central Al Jazirah state, yesterday. “permissive” climate for foreign in the war effort, with some coun- munity” to secure their release. ministry statement said. recruits heading to Syria to take tries now sharing intelligence AFP AGENCIES British artist posts mini video on squalid Gaza Palestinian ministers let out of Gaza for cabinet meeting LONDON/GAZA: The eminent but anony- mous British street artist known as Banksy RAMALLAH: Israel allowed two Gaza-based has posted a mini-documentary on his banksy. Palestinian ministers to travel to the West Bank for a co.uk site showing squalid conditions in Gaza cabinet meeting yesterday for the first time since the six months after the end of the war between unity government took office in June, officials said. the enclave’s Islamist Hamas rulers and Israel. Housing minister Mufid Hasayneh and justice minister Israel was criticised over the large number of Salim al-Saqa passed through the Israeli-controlled Erez Palestinian civilian deaths during the conflict, border crossing and arrived in Ramallah, government including by its main ally the United States. Over spokesman Ihab Bseiso said. “It is the first time they 2,100 Palestinians were killed during the fight- have done so since the government was formed,” he said. ing, most of them civilians and many of them The Israeli authorities confirmed the ministers had children, while 67 Israeli soldiers and six civil- been allowed to travel to the West Bank but gave no ians were killed. The two-minute documentary indication why the restrictions were eased. was posted yesterday and like many of Banksy’s The international community has urged Israel to lift its murals and other art is politically charged and blockade of the territory, which includes travel and goods whimsical at the same time. It starts off with a restrictions, warning of a worsening security situation view of clouds from an airplane window while and eventual explosion of violence if it remains in place. text on the screen says “Make this the year you Of the 17-member Palestinian cabinet, four are based discover a new destination”. in Gaza and the rest in the West Bank, where presi- That destination is Gaza, which the film, dent Mahmud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority (PA) has using mostly text rather than narration, says is its headquarters. The government was formed on the “watched over by friendly neighbours” - mean- back of a unity deal between the Palestine Liberation ing Israel which patrols the sea and land borders Organisation, which dominates the PA, and Hamas, which apart from a closed crossing with Egypt. The controls Gaza. result is Gaza can only be entered through one of the tunnels shown. Jewish extremists burn Church The film also shows Israeli soldiers on patrol, giving the impression they are in Gaza. The troops JERUSALEM: A group of Israeli extremists from actually are operating at the Qalandia checkpoint Palestinians walk past a mural of a playful-looking kitten, painted by British street artist Banksy, on the ‘Price Tag” gang burnt a section of the Church of the in the West Bank, well known for its mural of remains of a house destroyed by Israeli shelling during 50-day war. Dormition, in occupied Jerusalem, causing significant Yasser Arafat, which appears in the Banksy video. damage, and wrote racist anti-Christian graffiti. Much of the short film focuses on the harsh the United Nations allowing in reconstruction strikes and shelling during the fighting. The gang burnt a study room belonging to the Church, conditions of life in Gaza - bombed-out buildings, materials under tight restrictions. Towards the end the camera focuses on a mural a bathing room, and toilet rooms, used by priests, and rubble-strewn vacant lots and workmen trying “Development opportunities are everywhere” of a playful-looking kitten, presumably painted students of Christian Studies. Member of the Fateh to make repairs. A subtitle says no cement has and there is “plenty of scope for refurbishment”, by Banksy, with a man looking at it and saying Revolutionary Council, secretary-general of the National been permitted into Gaza since the conflict ended. the film’s subtitles say, noting that 18,000 homes in Arabic that at least the cat found something Christian Assembly in the Holy Land, Dimitri Diliani, However, small amounts of cement are now enter- in Gaza were destroyed in the conflict. The small, to play with, because the children in Gaza have said the attack is just the latest of an ongoing cycle of ing the territory under an agreement struck by densely populated territory came under Israeli air nothing. REUTERS violations targeting Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Palestine. AGENCIES FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Net neutrality activists score landmark win US regulator adopts rules banning two-speed Internet

WASHINGTON: US regula- month by Wheeler regulates Critics say the plan amounts tors yesterday approved land- broadband Internet service pro- to old-style regulation based on mark Internet rules that would viders as “public utility” carri- a 1934 law regulating telephone prevent broadband providers ers, revamping the agency’s rules companies, and that the FCC will from separating online traffic struck down by a federal court be hard-pressed to selectively into slow and fast lanes. last year. enforce provisions of the law for The Federal Communications In response to a court decision Internet firms. Commission’s 3-2 vote in favour of which said it lacked authority, the Commissioner Ajit Pai, one so-called “Net neutrality” followed FCC reclassified Internet service of the two dissenters, said the an intense debate in Washington providers as “common carriers” plan “marks a monumental shift pitting backers of online services under a 1934 telecom law, while toward government control of the like Netflix, Twitter and Yelp promising to steer clear of rate Internet”. Pai, echoing comments against big Internet service pro- regulation and other provisions from Republican lawmakers, said viders like AT&T and Verizon. of that law. the plan was adopted following FCC chairman Tom Wheeler The new rule also applies the pressure from the White House. said the plan would foster a concept to mobile Internet car- He added that the effort seeks “to free and open Internet where riers, preventing them from solve a problem that doesn’t exist broadband services cannot be blocking or throttling content for by using legal authority the FCC “gatekeepers” for what is avail- competitive reasons. doesn’t have.” able online. “The Internet is the The vote comes after the And he warned that taxes and ultimate tool for free expression,” FCC received an unprecedented fees under the law, along with Wheeler said ahead of the vote. four million comments, and rate regulation, would eventually “The Internet is too important to after President Barack Obama be applied to broadband, despite allow broadband providers to be urged the agency to adopt rules promises to the contrary. “Read making the rules.” enshrining the concept of “net my lips: more new taxes are com- Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, neutrality”. ing, it’s just a matter of when,” who voted in favour of the plan, The plan prohibits service he said. Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak (left) applauds after Federal Communications Commission Chairman said it would “give those with deep providers from blocking lawful Dissenting Commissioner Tom Wheeler announced the FCC ruling on Net neutrality yesterday in Washington, DC. pockets as well as empty pockets content or slowing one service Michael O’Rielly called the the same opportunity to succeed.” such as streaming video opera- effort a “power grab” and said Internet services with badly anti- your cable service, where the protections on clear authority, the Also voting for the plan tor Netflix, to support a rival like it amounted to “back door rate- quated regulations” and would provider decides what package FCC has preserved and advanced was Commissioner Jessica Hulu. But the years-long bat- setting authority.” lead to “uncertainty for consum- you get and what you can see,” the basic end-to-end nondiscrimi- Rosenworcel, who said: “We can- tle may not end with the FCC In a statement issued after ers, innovators and investors.” Feld said. nation principle that has been not have a two-tiered Internet vote. The ruling is likely to face the vote, telecom and cable giant But Harold Feld at the con- Erik Stallman at the digital essential to the Internet’s evolution, that speeds the traffic of the fresh court challenges, and the Verizon — which filed the chal- sumer activist group Public rights Center for Democracy and as well as its power as an engine of privileged and leaves the rest of Republican-controlled Congress lenge resulting in last year’s Knowledge, called the vote a win Technology, said, “every Internet economic growth and democratic us lagging behind.” could seek to overturn or modify court ruling — criticised the deci- for Internet users. “It means the user should be celebrating today”. discourse,” Stallman said. The plan unveiled earlier this the regulations. sion, saying it would “encumber Internet is not going to be like “By placing open Internet AFP

Chicago reels under snow US jury convicts Bin Laden aide Aljazeera scribe to appear in Paris over Africa embassy bombings NEW YORK: A Saudi man described by prosecutors as one of court next week Osama bin Laden’s most trusted lieutenants was convicted in a federal court in New York yesterday in connection with the 1998 PARIS: One of three Aljazeera bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Khalid Al journalists arrested for flying Fawwaz, 52, faces up to life in prison after a jury convicted him on a drone in Paris will appear in all four conspiracy counts he faced, on their third day of delibera- court next week after pleading tions. US Attorney Preet Bharara said the verdict marked the 10th guilty, a judicial source said conviction through a trial or guilty plea of a defendant tied to the yesterday. bombings, which killed 224 people and injured more than 4,000. The other two television jour- “We hope this verdict gives some comfort to Al Qaeda’s victims nalists have been freed. All three around the world,” Bharara said. Al Fawwaz was not charged with were arrested on Wednesday planning the embassy attacks themselves. Instead, prosecutors for flying a drone in the Bois de said he functioned as one of Bin Laden’s most trusted lieutenants Boulogne park on the western while living in London, disseminating the Al Qaeda leader’s dec- edge of the French capital, for the larations of war to the news media and sending equipment to Al purposes of a television report. Qaeda members in Africa. The trial in downtown Manhattan fea- Their arrest followed two nights tured testimony from several victims of the bombings. A number of of mysterious drone sightings other victims watched from the courtroom gallery. Al Fawwaz was over the French capital, although arrested in London in 1998. He was extradited to the United States Commuters make their way to work as snow falls in Chicago, Illinois, yesterday. As much as 6 inches of a source with knowledge of the in 2012 following a lengthy legal battle. snow fell in some areas of the city as February continues to usher in below average temperatures and above case said the journalists were not average snowfall. involved in the earlier incidents. Allegation against Kirchner dismissed Those unexplained sightings were made near the US embassy, BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine judge yesterday dismissed not far from the Invalides mili- allegations against President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner that tary museum, the Eiffel Tower she tried to cover up Iran’s purported involvement in a deadly and several major thoroughfares bombing of a Jewish centre in 1994. The judge ruled he would leading in and out of the French “discontinue” the case, which was first brought by state prosecu- Immigration to Britain increases capital, police said. Flying drones tor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead in mysterious circum- over the capital is illegal under stances in January the day before he was to appear in Congress LONDON: The number of peo- immigration. Both Labour and has set out plans to restrict EU French law. In October, a 24-year- to discuss his criminal complaint. The scandal plunged the presi- ple moving to Britain surged UKIP said Cameron’s immigration migrants’ access to welfare ben- old Israeli tourist spent a night in dent’s final year in office into turmoil and hurt the government’s last year, an embarrassment for pledge was now “in tatters”. efit payments in a bid to make it jail and was slapped with a $450 credibility ahead of October’s presidential election. The decision Prime Minister David Cameron, “This government’s policy is less attractive to come to Britain. fine for flying one above the Notre by judge Daniel Rafecas sparked divided opinions on whether the whose Conservatives had pledged fatally holed beneath the water Releasing its final migration Dame cathedral. government had a hand in the ruling. About 400,000 Argentine to cut net annual migration to line and is sinking fast,” said data before the election, Britain’s The journalist facing court is a marched last week to demand an independent judiciary. the tens of thousands, close to a UKIP migration spokesman Office for National Statistics 34-year-old British citizen work- national election. Steven Woolfe, describing the (ONS) said the number of ing for Aljazeera’s international Savile ‘abused’ 63 people in hospital Official data published yester- numbers as “absolutely stagger- EU citizens coming to Britain service, who received the drone day showed a net 298,000 peo- ing.” A ComRes poll for ITV increased by 43,000 to 251,000 from the station’s London bureau LONDON: Late British TV star Jimmy Savile abused 63 people ple moved to Britain in the year showed UKIP was by far the during the period. The number in November. He was controlling connected to a hospital he raised money for, according to report to September 2014, a 40 per- most trusted party to control of immigrants from Romania and the aircraft from the ground. The released yesterday, prompting claims of a “whitewash” by a lawyer cent rise from the previous 12 immigration, and 40 percent of Bulgaria, whose restrictions on other two were freelancers aged for his victims. The report issued after an investigation by Britain’s months and more than when the Britons said immigration had a working in Britain were removed 52 and 68, one British and one National Health Service said nine complaints about Savile’s behav- Conservative-led coalition gov- negative impact on the economy. on Jan. 1 last year, was 37,000, up Belgian, who were helping to film iour at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital were ignored over the years ernment took power in 2010. A spokeswoman for Cameron from 24,000 over the same period a segment on drones. but concluded that senior managers “did not know” about the With polls showing the said the figures were “disappoint- in 2013. The unmanned aircraft has been allegations. Lead investigator Androulla Johnstone said the BBC Conservatives neck-and-neck ing” but that the government had With British economic growth confiscated by the authorities. “Our presenter’s youngest victim was eight and the oldest 40 and they with the opposition Labour taken several steps to tackle the outpacing most of the EU it has staff in Paris were attempting to included patients, staff and visitors. party ahead of the May 7 vote levels of migration and the prime become an increasingly appeal- illustrate a piece to camera on and immigration one of voters’ minister did not regret making ing destination for those seeking domestic drones which are widely US panel backs Loretta Lynch as AG top concerns, the rise is awk- the promise. work. The ONS said that between available, while also attempting to ward for Cameron. His party Cameron, who has pledged to October and December 2014 cover the recent drone mysteries in WASHINGTON: The US Senate Judiciary Committee yester- is also under pressure from the re-negotiate Britain’s ties with employment of EU nationals in Paris and wider security concerns day voted to back Loretta Lynch as President Barack Obama’s UK Independence Party (UKIP), the EU ahead of a 2017 member- Britain was 269,000 higher than in France,” Al Jazeera said. next attorney general, clearing way for her expected confir- which favours strong curbs on ship referendum if re-elected, a year earlier. REUTERS AFP mation in the full Senate. The 20-member panel voted 12-8 in favour of Lynch, 55, a career prosecutor who is currently the US attorney in Brooklyn. Only three out of 11 Republicans on the panel voted to endorse her nomination. If confirmed, Lynch would become the first black woman to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement official. She would replace Eric Holder, who has Kiev pulling back arms; US, Russia trade barbs held the post since 2009. German nurse sentenced to life in jail ARTEMIVSK: Ukraine’s military yester- exclusively under the supervision and veri- rebel lines, they say the warring sides have day said that it had started the withdrawal of fication of the OSCE (the Organization for not provided information needed to determine OLDENBURG: A German nurse was sentenced to life in prison heavy weapons from the frontline, bolstering Security and Cooperation in Europe).” what, if any, arms withdrawals have occurred. yesterday for murdering two hospital patients but authorities fear a a stuttering peace plan as the United States Witnesses saw Ukrainian forces yester- “They have to withdraw this equipment far higher death toll after he admitted killing 30 people in a thrill- and Russia traded barbs over the conflict. day towing at least 15 cannons away from and they have to stop supporting separatists.” seeking life and death game. The 38-year-old man, identified only The announced pull-back — a key part of the frontline around the strategic town of The words highlighted the unabated tensions as Niels H, has admitted to injecting his patients with lethal drug a peace deal negotiated earlier this month — Debaltseve. The arms withdrawal, which is between the West and Moscow. Addressing doses in a bid to try to revive them and shine as a saviour before his comes after a shaky truce that was meant to meant to create a buffer zone between the US lawmakers on Wednesday, Secretary of medical peers. “The accused is sentenced to life in prison,” said the come into force on February 15 but only took two warring sides, is due to be completed State John Kerry said Russia and pro-Mos- presiding judge, finding the defendant guilty of two murders and hold across the conflict zone in recent days. within two weeks. Rebels insist they have cow rebels had failed to meet the terms of the two attempted murders, and noting the “severity” of the crimes. “Ukraine is today (Thursday) beginning the already pulled back the majority of their ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin The former nurse was on trial for causing the patients’ deaths in an withdrawal of 100mm cannons from the front- artillery, rocket launchers and missile sys- had put in place policies that “violate all the intensive care ward in northern Germany around a decade ago, but line,” the army said in a statement. tems from some areas. international norms with respect to territory admitted during the trial that he had played his deadly game on 90 “This is the first step in the pull-back But while OSCE monitors have reported and behaviour,” Kerry said. patients, leading to 30 deaths. AGENCIES of heavy weapons and will be carried out seeing some big guns heading away from the AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA Aquino, Hollande appeal for climate action Philippine, French leaders in show of unity

MANILA: French President Typhoon Haiyan smashed into ($56m) to help prevent future Francois Hollande and his the central Philippines with the weather-related disasters. Philippine counterpart Benigno strongest winds ever recorded Aquino praised France’s leader- Aquino appealed yesterday for on land, claiming more than ship in the global warming fight, urgent global action on climate 7,350 lives. emphasising that its emissions of change, seeking to build momen- Hollande will today visit the the greenhouse gases blamed for tum for a planned historic accord small town of Guiuan in the east- global warming were among the at a UN summit in Paris. ern Philippines that was devas- lowest of any developed nation. On the first day of Hollande’s tated when Haiyan hit with winds “We as a developing coun- visit to the Philippines, the lead- of up to 315km an hour. try welcome that countries like ers offered a show of unity they In their joint appeal, Hollande France has emerged as global said could serve as a model for and Aquino highlighted that partner,” Aquino said. rich and poor nations who have people in the Philippines had The goal of the planned Paris long been divided over how to “endured an unprecedented series pact, which must enter into force tackle climate change. of extreme weather events in the by 2020, is to limit warming to “We have a duty to act together last few years”. two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees and that’s why I came here to the “We are reminded that while Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Philippines, to launch an appeal, the developing countries have Revolution levels. to seal an alliance,” Hollande told contributed least to climate Scientists warn that on cur- a business forum ahead of his joint change, they are the ones that suf- rent trends, Earth is on track for appeal with Aquino. fer the most from climate change double that or more — a recipe Hollande is due to host the impacts,” the appeal stated. for catastrophic droughts, fiercer United Nations’ summit in The appeal, in the name of the storms like Haiyan and other December aiming to seal a global two leaders but also including extreme weather events. pact that would save the world their delegations, said the out- However, most followers of the from the catastrophic impacts of come of the Paris summit would UN process are sceptical a pact climate change. impact the lives of billions. can be secured that will be ambi- He came to the Philippines as “We call upon the international tious enough to achieve the two- part of his campaign to ensure community to conclude a univer- degree goal because of the deep success in Paris because the dis- sal, equitable and ambitious cli- divisions between many rich and aster-plagued Southeast Asian mate deal,” the appeal said. developing nations. French President Francois Hollande (left) with Philippine President Benigno Aquino following their speeches during archipelago is seen as a frontline Hollande earlier said France’s Hollande, the first French head the official ceremony and launch of the Manila Call to Action for Climate Change at the Malacanang Palace in state in the fight against climate deepening relationship with the of state to visit the Philippines, Manila yesterday. change. Philippines could be a model of brought a high-profile delegation The Philippines is typically hit co-operation between rich and with him for his two-day visit. of the joint appeal in a cere- Bartholomew I, were also with on “green” sectors, including in by 20 major storms a year and poor nations, which have long His group included Oscar mony at the Malacanang Palace. Hollande. The Aquino government transport, renewable energy and scientists say they are getting been divided over who is respon- winner Marion Cotillard, who Fellow French actress Melanie warmly embraced Hollande’s water treatment, were signed by stronger and more unpredictable sible for fighting climate change. has been a long-time cam- Laurent, as well as UN climate trip as an endorsement of the Filipino and French corporations because of climate change. He announced that France paigner for environment group chief Christiana Figueres and Philippines’ maturing democracy. during Hollande’s visit. In November 2013, Super had offered the Philippines ¤50m Greenpeace and read out part Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch A number of trade agreements AFP Thai junta chief may testify China removes ‘thoughts’ from terror definition over 2010 crackdown BEIJING: Thoughts will not blamed on separatists from the overthrow the state or split the Information in the area is BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta chief yesterday said that he is will- be subject to prosecution under far-western Xinjiang region, country”. tightly controlled and difficult to ing to provide testimony about his involvement in a deadly 2010 China’s new definition of ter- home to the mostly Muslim A revised version by the NPC’s independently verify. military crackdown on anti-government protesters in Bangkok rorism, state-run media said Uighur minority. Law Committee omits the word Beijing has responded by that left more than 90 dead. Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army yesterday. Next week marks the one-year “thoughts”, it said. launching a harsh crackdown chief who seized power last May, is often described as the archi- A panel of China’s rubber- anniversary of the killing of 31 Under the new definition, in the region, with hundreds of tect of the crackdown which ended months of street protests stamp legislature, the National people in a knife rampage at a terrorism will be defined as people jailed or detained on ter- by “Red Shirt” supporters loyal to ousted premier Thaksin People’s Congress (NPC), train station in the southwestern “any advocacy or activity that ror-related offences following a Shinawatra. Earlier this week the kingdom’s anti-graft agency removed the word from a draft city of Kunming, dubbed “China’s — through violence, sabotage deadly May attack on a market recommended that the two civilian leaders in charge at the time of the country’s first-ever anti- 9/11” by state media. or intimidation — causes social that killed 39 people. — former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep terrorism law, the Beijing News According to the Beijing News, panic, threatens public security Last month, Human Rights Thaugsuban — should face an abuse of power investigation for reported. an initial draft of the anti-terror or seeks to coerce state organs or Watch denounced the draft anti- ordering the crackdown. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister The parliament opens its law defined terrorism as “any international organisations.” terror law and called for its over- Prayut said he was willing to submit evidence to the body inves- annual meeting in Beijing next thoughts, speech or activity that At least 200 people are thought haul, arguing that the measure tigating Abhisit and Suthep. week, with terrorism among — through violence, sabotage or to have died in China over the could grant the Chinese govern- the top agenda items following intimidation — aims to cause past year in a series of clashes and ment licence to commit a raft of a series of deadly attacks that social panic, impact national deci- increasingly sophisticated strikes, human rights abuses. South Korea legalises adultery Communist authorities have sion-making, sow ethnic hatred, both in Xinjiang and outside it. AFP SEOUL: South Korea’s Constitutional Court yesterday struck down a controversial adultery law which for more than 60 years had criminalised extra-marital sex and jailed violators for up to two years. The nine-member bench ruled by seven to two that Strike in Bangladesh the 1953 statute aimed at protecting traditional family values was unconstitutional. “Even if adultery should be condemned as Suicide blast immoral, state power should not intervene in individuals’ private lives,” said presiding justice Park Han-Chul. It was the fifth time the Apex Court had considered the constitutional legality of the at bus station legislation which had made South Korea one of the few non-Mus- lim countries to regard marital infidelity as a criminal act. In the in Nigeria past six years, close to 5,500 people have been formerly arraigned on adultery charges—including nearly 900 in 2014. KANO: A suicide bomber blew himself up at a crowded bus sta- Sri Lanka govt slams police inaction tion in Biu, northeast Nigeria, yesterday , while a second COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new government yesterday slammed the bomber was shot dead before he police for dragging their feet over high-profile cases including the could detonate his explosives. murders of journalists and corruption under the previous regime. Babagana Kyari, a civilian Law and Order Minister John Amaratunga demanded concrete vigilante, said “at least 18 people, action on high-profile cases as he publicly rebuked the head of the including three women, died... police force for failing to investigate the 2009 killing of prominent and several others were injured” anti-establishment editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, among oth- although there was no immediate ers. Amaratunga said his government came to power at January corroboration of that death toll. elections pledging action against criminals and corrupt individuals The attack happened after two under former president Mahinda Rajapakse, but police have failed men arrived the Tashar Gandu to show results. “You say you are investigating, but where are the motor park on the edge of the town results? The entire country is getting impatient,” the minister told in Borno state, where one detonated police chief N K Illangakoon at a news conference in the capital. his explosives among passengers and vendors, onlookers said. Labourers rest on a truck as they wait to unload vegetables at a wholesale market at Kawran Bazar during a Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew on life support The suicide bombing is the sec- countrywide strike called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led-20-party alliance, in Dhaka yesterday. ond this week, after 34 people were SINGAPORE: Singapore said yesterday that its founding leader killed in a blast at a bus station in Lee Kuan Yew is still on life support in hospital and being treated the city of Kano, on Tuesday. The with antibiotics for severe pneumonia, after quashing rumours death toll was revised upwards the 91-year-old had died. “He remains sedated and on mechani- from the initial estimate of 10. cal ventilation,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. Another blast hours earlier, US wraps up Ebola mission in Liberia “His doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are contin- also at a bus station, killed 17 in uing to monitor him closely.” Lee, who is widely credited with the commercial capital of Yobe MONROVIA: The United Liberians being able to get back between 300 and 550 confirmed, transforming Singapore from an economic backwater to a rich state, Potiskum, but it was not States staged a military cer- to a normal way of life.” The 101st suspect and probable cases a economy in just over three decades, was brought to the Singapore confirmed as a suicide attack. emony yesterday to end its five- Airborne Division (Air Assault) week. General Hospital on February 5 with severe pneumonia. No group has claimed responsi- month Ebola mission in Liberia, “cased its colours” — the ceremo- The latest data from the World bility for either bombing but Boko with the west African nation in nial folding and stowing of the flag Health Organization shows a No amnesty for war crimes: Nepal court Haram has repeatedly targeted recovery from the worst-ever — in Monrovia, marking the end total of fewer than 400 new cases both places, as well as Biu. outbreak of the virus. of the “Joint Forces Command across the three countries in the KATHMANDU: Nepal’s top court yesterday said two bodies On February 18, 36 people were A force that at one point United Assistance” mission. three weeks to Sunday. set up to investigate war crimes committed during the country’s killed when assailants in a motor- reached 2,800 has been gradu- The Pentagon says around 100 But while cases continue to decade-long civil conflict would not be able to grant amnesty for ised rickshaw detonated explosies ally scaled back since the epi- US troops are to remain in the arise from unknown chains of serious rights abuses. Former Maoist rebels and security forces at Yarmakumi village near Biu, demic began to recede, and the region to strengthen “disease transmission in Guinea and infec- have both been accused of carrying out torture, killings, rape and with most of the victims child Pentagon has announced that preparedness and surveillance tion remains widespread in Sierra “forced disappearances” during the civil war, which ended with a vendors and beggars. “nearly all” troops will be gone capacity” of local governments. Leone, the recovery is much fur- peace agreement in 2006. Two commissions for transitional justice The attacks again underscore by the end of April. Liberia, once the country worst ther advanced in Liberia. set up last week were given the power to grant them amnesty, but the threat posed by Boko Haram, “The importance of the progress hit by Ebola, has registered 4,037 Authorities in Monrovia Nepal’s Supreme Court revoked that power after a mass petition which experts say may resort to we see today means more than just of around 9,600 deaths in the epi- reported just one new confirmed filed by 234 victims. “It is a landmark judgement. The court has such tactics as they are pushed the reduction in the number of new demic, which began in Guinea in case nationwide in the week to addressed the concerns of the victims and paved way to grant them out of captured territory in the or suspected cases of Ebola,” said December 2013. Sunday — a registered contact justice,” advocate Dinesh Tripathi, who represented the victims in northeast by a multi-national mission commander Major General At its height in the final four associated with a known chain of the case, said. No amnesty can be given for serious cases of rights military force. Gary Volesky. months of last year, Liberia and transmission in the capital. abuses on any ground, the court said. AGENCIES AFP “This progress is also about Sierra Leone were recording AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Afghan avalanches toll tops 200 At least 168 people killed in Panjshir province where heavy snow destroyed over 100 homes

BAZARAK, AFGHANISTAN: More than 200 people have been killed in a series of avalanches trig- gered by heavy snowfall around Afghanistan, officials said yes- terday, warning the death toll could rise still further. The bulk of the deaths came in Panjshir province, north of Kabul, where at least 168 people were killed, acting provincial governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri said. The avalanches came after days of heavy snow, which destroyed more than 100 homes in the province and blocked main roads, making it difficult for res- cue workers to reach the stricken villages. “Our death toll has risen to 168 people killed in avalanches in Panjshir province,” Kabiri said, warning that the figure may rise in the coming hours. “We have not seen this much snow in Panjshir, or this many avalanches, for decades,” Kabiri added. Elsewhere, 18 died in the Afghan men attend funeral prayers for the victims of avalanches in Khench district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, yesterday. RIGHT: A police officer talks on a radio, as an excavator remote northeastern province of clears the snow from road. Badakhshan and 12 in Nuristan province in the north. Six were began on Thursday afternoon work in several places in Panjshir. Neighbouring Pakistan has also Kabul to the north. the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan killed in the central province of in the Panjshir village of Khinj, Abdul Rahman Kalantari, head offered to help. Deadly avalanches Large parts of the north of remains among the world’s poor- Bamiyan, four in Laghman and north of Bazarak, the province’s of disaster response at the Afghan are common in Afghanistan’s Afghanistan experienced heavy est nations after decades of one in Nangarhar, both in the main town. Two helicopters have Red Crescent Society, confirmed mountainous areas in winter. snowfall earlier this week. conflict. east — bringing the total toll to brought relief aid to Panjshir from the Panjshir death toll and said it One in the remote far northeast Parts of Kabul were hit by Rescue efforts after disasters at least 209. Kabul, and distributed it among was likely to rise. in 2012 left 145 people missing, power cuts after snowstorms and such as avalanches and flash Rescue teams are still working the affected families, but supplies President Ashraf Ghani presumed dead. avalanches damaged power cables floods, which often hit as snows to recover dead bodies and sur- were limited. expressed his sorrow at the deaths In 2010, another avalanche in the Salang Pass, which was melt in the spring, are frequently vivors trapped in Panjshir, but Much of the digging was being in a statement late on Wednesday killed 165 people in the high- closed to traffic on Wednesday. hampered by lack of equipment. deep snow has hampered efforts done by shovel or even bare hands, and said he had ordered Afghan altitude Salang Pass, which runs Despite the billions of dollars Poor infrastructure makes it to reach isolated villages. Kabiri said, though a photogra- authorities to provide urgent through the Hindu Kush moun- in aid from the international difficult for rescue teams to reach Funerals for the victims pher saw mechanical diggers at assistance to those affected. tain range that connects capital community after the collapse of isolated areas. AFP

Flower field Strong bilateral Two killed as Turkish ties key to trade: Minister diplomatic vehicle KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce attacked in Kabul Khurram Dastagir Khan said yesterday that Pakistan and KABUL: A Taliban suicide Union police vehicle, killing a India need to improve diplo- attack targeting a Turkish passerby. matic relations if they want to diplomatic vehicle belonging More than 13 years after capitalise on trade potential. to the Nato mission killed the Taliban were ousted Talking to the media at two people in Kabul yester- from power after a US-led the office of the Federation of day, highlighting the frag- invasion, their insurgency Pakistan Chambers of Commerce ile security situation as the remains resilient. and Industry (FPCCI), the min- Afghan government presses Nato ended its combat mis- ister said that while there were for talks with the militants. sion in late December, leaving hurdles from the Indian side, he The blast came shortly after a residual force to carry on a hoped the visit of Indian foreign 8am (0330 GMT), not far from training and support mission secretary next month would help the Iranian embassy. to Afghanistan’s 350,000 secu- break the ice. Police said the victims were rity forces, who now lead the Meanwhile, he said the a Turkish national and an fight against the Taliban. progress of liquefied natural gas Afghan passerby. There have been grow- (LNG) terminal was satisfac- Police initially said the ing hopes in recent weeks tory and the first shipment from vehicle was from the Turkish of talks between Kabul and Qatar is due next month. embassy, but a spokes- the Taliban aimed at moving Financial close for power man for the Nato mission in towards reconciliation after projects of 10,400MW had been Afghanistan later confirmed it more than a decade of war. done and some of them would was part of a coalition convoy. Afghanistan’s chief execu- start generation by mid-2017, he A statement from Nato’s tive Abdullah Abdullah said said. Around 3,600MW would Resolute Support mission said on Monday that dialogue be produced by PSDP-financed “one service member died as with the Taliban could begin power plants using LNG, the a result of an attack in Kabul soon and last week several minister said. Responding to a today”. militant commanders said Workers pick flowers in a field on the outskirts of Lahore in Pakistan yesterday. question, he said power outages The coalition said however preliminary meetings in may not end by 2017 but would that Nato’s Senior Civilian Qatar were on the cards. be reduced. Representative in Afghanistan But the Taliban’s central The resolution of security and Ismail Aramaz, who is Turkish, leadership has denied such energy crisis would usher in a was not involved in the inci- moves, indicating the fragile new era for trade and industry, he ISI chief holds talks in US dent and is unharmed. and embryonic state of the said, and added that despite mul- Kabul police spokesman process. tiple problems the government Hashmat Stanikzai gave details There have been several had succeeded in giving desired ISLAMABAD: US-Pakistan deal with the Taliban. trip to the US for discussions on of the attack and death toll, attempts at starting dialogue direction to policies. Referring to security talks are focusing on The Pakistani delegation is intelligence sharing, counter-ter- saying the bomber was driv- in recent years between the the 9th Expo Pakistan, the min- Islamabad’s efforts to facili- also likely to raise the issue of rorism cooperation and imminent ing a Toyota Corolla. Taliban, Kabul and the United ister said it would be better and tate reconciliation between the the banned TTP chief Mullah peace talks between Taliban and Abdul Rahman Rahimi, States -- the Afghan govern- bigger than before. Taliban and Afghan govern- Fazlullah’s activities, who has Afghan government - a process Kabul police chief, confirmed ment’s chief supporter — but ment, diplomatic observers say. been hiding in Afghanistan since that Pakistan is midwifing. the death toll in the blast, for with little success. Reuters reporter The observers, who are moni- he escaped the military operation In an unusual announcement which the Taliban claimed The Taliban opened an office toring ISI chief Lt General in Swat two years ago. about the spymaster’s trip, a responsibility. in Qatar in June 2013 as the died of asphyxiation Rizwan Akhtar’s meetings in The United States is very statement issued by the military’s “A suicide bomber blew him- first move towards a possi- Washington, said that he had had keen on arranging a peace deal public affairs division ISPR on self up targeting a foreign con- ble peace deal, but it shut a ISLAMABAD: An official a series of meetings with senior in Kabul, which it believes will Thursday said: “DG ISI proceeded voy in central Kabul, a number month later after enraging autopsy report on the death US security officials since he pave the way for a complete with- to USA for an official visit”. of foreigners were killed in the the then-Afghan president of Reuters journalist Maria arrived on Monday. drawal of US troops from the The brief statement further attack,” the militants said in a Hamid Karzai by styling it as Golovnina has concluded that Pakistan’s chief sleuth, who has war-ravaged country. said that “during the visit he will text message. the unofficial embassy for a she died of asphyxiation, the come with his Director General The United States, which had meet his counterparts and discuss The area was cordoned off government-in-exile. cause of which “at this stage Counter-terrorism Maj Gen Tariq more than 1000,000 troops in intelligence-related issues.” after the blast, which left debris The election last year of cannot be established.” Qudus, is meeting US policymak- Afghanistan until last year, ended This is Gen Akhtar’s first strewn in the road and nearby President Ashraf Ghani, who Golovnina, 34, the Reuters ers as well as security officials at its combat mission in that coun- official visit to the US since he blast walls spattered with blood. pledged to make peace talks a bureau chief for Afghanistan and the National Security Council, try in December, 2014. assumed charge last year, but it Eyewitness Mohammad Yousuf, priority, as well as supportive Pakistan, was declared dead in an the Department of State and the But it is maintaining a small comes at a time when the Afghan 17, described the moment the signals from Pakistan which Islamabad hospital on Monday Pentagon. residual force to train Afghan reconciliation talks between blast happened. has long held significant influ- after she collapsed in the news Lt Gen Akhtar, who is a guest security forces and also to help Ashraf Ghani government and “The suicide bomber was in ence with the Taliban, has bureau. Pakistan authorities are of CIA chief John Owen Brennan, them conduct major anti-terror- Taliban are set to begin. a Toyota sedan, he detonated boosted hopes for possible conducting a further toxicology will also visit headquarters of the ism operations. During his talks in Washington, himself causing a big bang, dialogue. report, which is expected to take US Central Command in Tampa, The Obama administration had Gen Akhtar has reportedly dis- soon after the explosion there But the Taliban insist talks about a month. “We fully sup- Florida. The Centcom is respon- originally planned to pull all its cussed Operation Zarb-e-Azb and was black smoke everywhere,” are impossible while foreign port Maria’s family, the doctors sible for all US military efforts in troops from Afghanistan in two other steps taken by the govern- he said. troops remain in the country and others who are reviewing her the Pak-Afghan region as well as years. But in recent statements, ment to counter extremist vio- It is the first major attack in and yesterday’s attack served case, and will provide them any the Middle East. US officials have indicated that lence after the Peshawar school Kabul’s heavily secured centre as a stark reminder that the information we can,” Thomson Earlier this week, the State they may prolong their stay if the attack. The ISI chief also shared since early January, when a war is far from over. Reuters, the parent company of Department noted that Pakistan security situation required them Islamabad’s concerns about India, suicide bomber hit a European AFP Reuters, said in a statement. was cooperating with the Afghan to do so. a source said. AGENCIES government in negotiating a peace Lt Gen Akhtar is on a five-day INTERNEWS FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Pachauri’s No hike in railway fares, freight rates up NEW DELHI: Sparing a pas- senger fare hike but raising freight rates again, Minister Suresh Prabhu presented arrest stayed his maiden budget for Indian Railways yesterday, with a slew of measures to improve service quality, safety and reach and a 52-percent jump in plan outlay for 2015-16 at Rs100,011 crore until Mar 27 ($16.7bn). Raising some passenger train speeds by 50 percent on nine Scientist banned from leaving India key routes, faster freight trains, user-friendly ladders to mount NEW DELHI: A court here Luthra however said that his cli- upper berths, wi-fi at 400 sta- yesterday granted protection ent is not medically fit and suffer- tions, more money for escalators, from arrest, until March 27, to ing from various ailments. easier norms for unreserved tick- environmentalist R K Pachauri, Pachauri must be released on ets, 17,000 bio-toilets in trains, in a sexual harassment case. bail as there is less chance of tam- better connectivity in north-east Additional Sessions Judge Raj pering with evidence because he and cameras for safety of women Kumar Tripathi granted the has taken leave from TERI and travellers are among the other interim protection to Pachauri is not in a condition to influence highlights of the budget. while hearing his anticipatory witnesses in the matter, Luthra “There will be no hike in pas- bail application moved on health told court. senger fares. We will focus on grounds. “We are happy that the court improving passenger ameni- The court has directed him to has granted anticipatory bail on ties, including cleanliness,” neither visit the premises of The the basis of a prima facie view Railway Minister Prabhu said in Energy and Resources Institute that no custodial interrogation is a 66-minute speech in the Lok (TERI), not to leave the country required. All conditions imposed Sabha, watched keenly by Prime Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu arrives to present the Railway Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha (Lower House without permission, not influ- by the court are normal and rou- Minister Narendra Modi who had of Parliament) in New Delhi yesterday. ence any witnesses in the case tine conditions to allow a free and handpicked him for the job. directly or indirectly and join the fair investigation of the case,” Even though Prabhu made no Prabhu also seemed to have companies associated with rail- largest railway networks in the investigation whenever required Pachauri’s lawyer Ashish Bhan mention of any revision in freight ruled out the sale or leasing of ways ending in the red. world. “We have to make our by police. said. Pachauri, who has quit as tariff in his speech, as has been surplus land and other assets to Indian industry, by and large, Indian Railways a benchmark However, it has kept the bail head of the UN Intergovernmental the norm in the past, the min- get revenues. “We will monetise welcomed the proposals notably organisation in safety, security application pending and listed the Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ister, nevertheless, revised it our resources rather than sell,” the substantial hike in the plan and infrastructure,” he said in matter for March 27 for further denies the allegations and also upward between 2.1 percent and he said, adding: “Business as usual outlay and the emphasis on pri- a speech peppered with several hearing as it ordered that he must proceeded on leave from TERI, 10 percent, not sparing even com- of asking for budgetary support vate-public partnerships for big- Hindi couplets. not be arrested till next date of where he was the director general. modities like grains, pulses, urea from finance ministry is neither ticket projects. But some captains Playing with words, he also hearing. The 75-year-old was February and coal. sustainable nor necessary.” of industry felt the freight hike invoked God (Prabhu) and said: Opposing the bail application, 21 admitted to a private hospital In the previous budget tabled He pegged a 52 percent jump could have ben avoided. “One of the first things I asked, the public prosecutor said that here on account of a heart prob- by the Modi government in July in the plan outlay for 2015-16 The minister began his speech ‘hey prabhu’ how will all this be Pachauri is not cooperating in the lem, a TERI source told IANS. last year, passenger fares had been at Rs100,011 crore, projecting a with what ails Indian Railways. possible.” Then, amid laughter, he investigation and has appeared The news of his hospitalisation hiked by nearly 15 percent while 16.7 percent growth in passen- “Railway facilities have not went on to add that while ‘prabhu’ before police for questioning came to light Wednesday. the freight tariff was increased by ger earnings and 13.5 percent improved very substantially over as in god did not reply, he took only once. Women activists meanwhile 6.5 percent. in freight. The minister has also the past few decades. A funda- it upon himself, the mortal ‘pra- Police submitted that Pachauri questioned the TERI governing The minister also promised a proposed a 46.5 percent increase mental reason for this is the bhu’, for overseeing the rebirth of has denied his role over exchanges council for not initiating a “disci- vastly improved operating ratio, in market borrowings to bridge chronic under-investment in Indian Railways. of SMSes and conversation with plinary” enquiry against him for which spells out how much money the fiscal gap. Railways, which has led to conges- Earlier, the minister presented the victim. Saying the statement acts of alleged misconduct and is spent on day-to-day operations Soon after the budget presenta- tion and over-utilisation,” he said. a white paper on Indian Railways, of the victim running over 30 demanded that he must be “sus- to earn revenues — an indication tion, Prime Minister Modi gave “As a consequence, capac- which he said will form a trilogy pages has been already recorded pended pending the enquiry”. of the funds left for safety and a thumbs up to Prabhu. “Rail ity augmentation suffers, safety of what plans he had in mind in the matter, it added that his In a strongly-worded letter expansion. budget 2015 is forward looking, is challenged and the quality of for one of the largest such net- questioning is required to conduct to a member of the governing He targetted to bring it down to futuristic and passenger-centric, service delivery declines, leading works in the world along with his further probe in the matter. council, lawyer Indira Jaisingh, 88.5 percent, or the lowest in nine combining a clear vision and def- to poor morale, reduced efficiency, budget for 2015-16 and a Vision The complainant’s counsel activist Kavita Krishnan, former years, from an unsustainable level inite plan to achieve it,” Modi sub-optimal freight and passen- 2030 document to be presented Prashant Mendiratta, noting Planning Commission member of 93.6 percent in 2013-14 and 91.8 said in a tweet, even calling it a ger traffic and fewer financial later in the year. He also set Pachauri is a highly influential Syeda Hameed along with oth- percent for this fiscal. This is bet- watershed moment for railways. resources. This again feeds the four goals to transform Indian person, said more people are com- ers, have sought “suspension” of ter than what the prime minis- The same, however, was not vicious cycle of under-invest- Railways: Improved customer ing forward to lodge their com- Pachauri from his position pend- ter had asked the railways to do a true with the markets, with the ment,” he said. experience, safer travel, modern plaints against him but if he is ing an internal enquiry by the few days ago. sensitive index (Sensex) of the “This must be put to an end,” infrastructure and financial self- granted protection, then they will presiding officer of the internal Globally, a 75-80 percent or Bombay Stock Exchange fall- said the chartered accountant- sustainability. “We will also create not come forward, he said. complaints committee of TERI. lower ratio is seen as a healthy ing some 260 points, or nearly turned-politician, while present- a separate department for taking Pachauri’s counsel Sidharth IANS benchmark. 1 percent, with most stocks of ing the budget for one of the care of cleanliness.” IANS Two govt PDP leader Sayeed in New Delhi to meet Modi officials held JAMMU: People’s Democratic over the draft of the CMP According to the source, after an independent who got elected under governor’s rule on January Party (PDP) patron, Mufti between the two parties as Mufti the Modi-Mufti-Sayeed meet- from Zanskar constituency of 8. The CMP between the PDP and Muhammad Sayeed, yester- Sahib wanted no ambiguity in ing, the BJP legislature party the Ladakh region has joined it. the BJP as per sources in the two in document day flew to New Delhi to meet the wording of the CMP draft. will choose Nirmal Singh as its The BJP has 25 members while parties would be focused mainly Prime Minister Narendra Modi The obstacle has been overcome. leader in the assembly while the two legislators of the People’s on equitable development of all to give formal shape to govern- Mufti Sahib is flying to New Delhi PDP will elect Sayeed to the post. Conference headed by Sajad Gani the three regions of the state. leak case ment formation in Jammu and to meet the prime minister,” a top “After this, both the PDP Lone have already announced The BJP and the PDP have Kashmir. PDP leader engaged in the nego- and the BJP legislature parties support to the BJP. agreed to respect Article 370 that NEW DELHI: Two officials Top sources in the PDP con- tiations with the BJP leadership will elect Mufti Sayeed as their A simple majority of 44 in the governs the relationship between of the Environment Ministry firmed to IANS here that the told IANS. joint leader to head the coalition. 87-member state assembly is India’s only Muslim-majority and the Union Public Service last-minute hiccups that had “The meeting between the Once this is done, the coalition needed to stake claim on govern- state with the rest of the country Commission (UPSC) were occurred in the drafting of the two leaders is scheduled to take will stake claim to power in the ment formation. as envisaged in the constitution. arrested in connection with the common minimum programme place tomorrow (Friday) follow- state,” the source said. Sayeed will Following the failure of any It has also been agreed that the official documents leak case, (CMP) between the PDP and the ing which the CMP would be be chief minister and Singh his political party or a group of par- gradual withdrawal of the con- police said yesterday. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced. The new PDP-BJP deputy. To begin with, six cabinet ties to stake claim to power in troversial Armed Forces Special Delhi Police have arrested were resolved yesterday after- coalition government will take ministers from each party would the state because of the frac- Powers Act (AFSPA) from areas Jatinder Nagpal, who is per- noon after hectic parleys between oath in Jammu on Sunday and be sworn in along with the chief tured mandate in the five-phased where levels of violence had sonal assistant to the joint sec- the leaders of the two parties. Modi and some senior union min- minister. assembly elections late last year, appreciably come down would also retary in the ministry. He was “Yes, a hiccup had occurred isters will attend,” said the source. The PDP has 28 members and Jammu and Kashmir was placed be started. IANS arrested Wednesday night along with Vipan Kumar, who is per- sonal assistant to a member of the UPSC. Funny moment Police said both the accused were detained Tuesday for ques- Parliament disrupted tioning in connection with the petroleum and other ministries’ document leakage case, which was unearthed February 17 night, with over Teresa remarks the arrest of two former multi- tasking staff (MTS) employees of NEW DELHI: India’s Upper Janata Party (BJP), which the Shastri Bhawan. House of parliament was briefly RSS supports, said right-wing Police added that Kumar, who adjourned yesterday after oppo- Hindu groups were fanning reli- was earlier working with the sition members denounced com- gious tension in a country where petroleum and natural gas min- ments by the leader of a Hindu violence between members of dif- istry, used to get important/secret group who said Roman Catholic ferent religions has been common documents from his contacts in missionary Mother Teresa for decades. the ministry, which he had joined had tried to convert people to “First, they’re trying to de- as a stenographer in 1996. Christianity. iconise Mahatma Gandhi,” said Between 1996-2010, Kumar Religious conversion has P Rajeev, a member of parliament used to steal documents from the become a highly emotive issue belonging to the Communist Party ministry with the help from his in India recently, with debate of India (Marxist), referring to contacts and passed them on to whipped up by some support- comments by a BJP lawmaker corporate houses, police said. ers of Prime Minister Narendra that described Gandhi’s Hindu- Nagpal has also joined service as Modi who see multi-faith India as nationalist assassin as a patriot. a stenographer in 1994 at the min- a Hindu-first nation. “Now, they are trying to istry of law and justice, where he Members of the Upper House de-iconise Mother Teresa,” served until 2007. Between 2001- criticised Mohan Bhagwat, head Rajeev said. There has been no 2003, he worked at the ministry of of the country’s most powerful major religious violence since chemicals and fertilizers and used Hindu organisation, the Rashtriya Modi came to power in May. But to procure documents from Vipan Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who at least seven Christian institu- Kumar, Lokesh Sharma (already recently said Mother Teresa tions have been vandalised or arrested earlier) and his other helped the poor to make them have reported arson or theft in contacts, they added. “obligated so that they become recent weeks. On Wednesday, the So far, 16 people have been College students, wearing over-sized goggles, take a selfie during an inter-college Fashion Week competi- Christian”. government pledged to increase arrested in the case. tion in Bhopal yesterday. Political opponents of Modi and security at hundreds of churches IANS his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya in New Delhi. REUTERS FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Oil prices fall Qatar stocks as US crude inventories rise

NEW YORK: Crude oil futures edge higher; fell yesterday, as rising inven- tories in the United States pressured both Brent and US contracts and countered expec- tations for recovering demand. market cap up Brent losses were tempered by those expectations for improving global demand and geopolitical concerns about energy supplies Trading value in February rises from Libya and Russia. Brent April crude was down DOHA: Qatar stocks edged consumer goods and services and 65 cents at $60.98 at 12:19 EST higher in February on blue transportation sector. (1719 GMT), off a $62.63 intra- chips. The benchmark index In the past week, the bench- day peak. On Wednesday, Brent rose a moderate 4.59 percent mark index slipped 0.41 percent, surged 5 percent. US April crude to finish the month at 12,445 with the consumer goods and was down $1.64 at $49.35, follow- points. Banking, real estate and services sector losing the most. ing a gain of more than 3 percent industrial stocks were the main The sector shed 3.53 percent the previous session. Brent’s support. or 266 points compared to the premium to US crude increased Market capitalisation rose by previous week. Real estate and to $12.06 yesterday, the widest 4.09 percent to QR675bn at the Telecoms sectors fell by 1.81 per- Officials pose for a group picture. since January 2014. end of February. International cent and 1.14 percent, respectively. Helping limit Brent losses and Islamic, Al Rayan, Ezdan, Barwa Market capitlaisation fell by boosting its premium to US crude and Vodafone were the top gain- 0.33 percent from the previous was the growing number of Opec ers of the month. week. Trading value during the officials making cautiously hope- Vodafone surged 18.99 percent week decreased by 14.74 per- DBCQ gets new chairman ful comments on the outlook for and International Islamic jumped cent to QR2.27bn. Trading vol- demand for petroleum. Both crude 11.87 percent. Al Rayan gained ume decreased by 23.03 percent DOHA: The Dutch Business share common features: Both through its members and sharing contracts rallied on Wednesday, 7.37 percent. Ezdan and Barwa to more than 48 million shares. Council Qatar’s (DBCQ) annual relatively small in geography information. boosted by Saudi oil minister Ali soared 11.16 percent and 10.56 Widam and Ezdan were top losers general meeting, held at the but high in aspirations, they are The Council facilitates and bin Ibrahim Al Nuaimi saying percent, respectively. Of the 43 of the week. residence of the Ambassador open to the sea, and their inter- promotes the interests of its demand was growing. companies listed, 33 ended the Vodafone Qatar led trading of The Kingdom of The national trade is the basis of their member stakeholders, such as Adding to support for Brent month higher, while 10 fell. value during the week, account- Netherlands, Yvette Burghgraef wealth and economic prosper- Dutch professionals in Qatar this week was President Vladimir Trading value during the ing for 10.29 percent of the total - van Eechoud, elected the new ity. The relations between The (resident and non-resident), Putin’s warning on Wednesday month increased by 22.30 percent trading value, followed by Barwa executive board of the Council. Netherlands and Qatar grew Qatari nationals with general that Russia would halt natural to QR12bn compared to the previ- and QNB. Cees van Amelsfoort is the and developed beyond oil and or business interests in The gas supplies to Ukraine if it did ous month. Total trading volume The banking and financial new Chairman of the board. Julia gas industry. In few years, the Netherlands, Dutch companies not receive advance payment. increased by 62.13 percent to 337 service sector led trading value Dobrea, Yoeri van Rumund, Nino bilateral ties between the two in Qatar and new Dutch entre- Turmoil in Libya has kept million shares. The number of during the week, accounting for Keijner and Jan Brouwer were countries have expanded to col- preneurs in Qatar. production and exports from the transactions rose by 6.94 percent 32.34 percent of the total value. appointed as members of the laboration in several sectors The Dutch Business Council in nation uncertain, adding lift to to 135,557 transactions. The telecom sector led trading Executive Board. such as education, sport, infra- Qatar aims to support the inter- Brent. The banking and financial volume, followed by real estate DBCQ introduced its first structure, healthcare and seaport ests of the Dutch business com- Meanwhile, US crude inven- services sector led trading value sector and the banks and finan- Members’ Directory during the industry, DBCQ said in a state- munity in Qatar. It does this by tories continue to grow, adding accounting for 28.35 percent of cial services sector. event. The directory will be final- ment yesterday. providing a platform where repre- another 8.4 million barrels to stor- the total trading value, followed by Twenty-three companies fell ised shortly and will be distrib- Experiencing an increase in sentatives of Dutch companies in age last week, according to gov- real estate sector and industrials. this week, while 19 ended higher uted among the members, local diversity of Dutch companies Qatar and Dutch nationals repre- ernment data. At the same time The real estate sector led trading and one remained unchanged. Dutch companies, local Qatari and affiliates operating in Qatar, senting non Dutch companies can refinery capacity use fell as refiners volume, accounting for 32.72 per- Yesterday, the market ended mar- and foreign companies, in addi- the Dutch Business Council meet and exchange information do maintenance, helping the deficit cent of the total trading volume, ginally low. The main index fell by tion to public authorities and Qatar can add value as a plat- with each other, as well as with of US April to May crude increase followed by telecoms sector, the 0.21 percent or 26 points down. embassies. form to their activities by sup- invited guests and speakers. to more than $2 a barrel. banking and financial sector, the THE PENINSULA Qatar and The Netherlands porting new arrivals, networking THE PENINSULA REUTERS

Tensions with Qatar Exchange CEO attends WFE meetings in London

Germany over DOHA: Rashid bin Ali Al at the international level. He markets in particular to protect and options exchanges from all Mansoori (pictured), CEO of said QE is aiming to promote their interests against existing over the world, in addition to Qatar Exchange (QE), yester- its achievements and the attrac- and potential challenges. other affiliate and correspondent Greece’s debt day participated in the Working tiveness of the Qatari economy “We have a clear interest in members. Committee and Board meet- through international organisa- activating the WFE role in terms The WFE is an important ATHENS: Fresh tensions ings of the World Federation of tions such as the WFE, which of promoting the best practices reference point for many inter- emerged yesterday between Exchanges (WFE), in London. is one of the most prominent among member exchanges in national investors about the Greece and Germany as atten- Al Mansoori is attending the international organisations in order to protect financial markets investment atmosphere in the tion turned to Athens’s huge debt two-day meeting in his capac- the field of capital markets, and from potential financial crises,” Al member markets. The WFE mar- pile two days after the stricken ity as a member of the WFE through direct dialogue with Mansoori stated. ket operators are responsible for eurozone country secured an Working Committee and Board chiefs and heads of the world’s QE will host the 55th General operating key components of the extension of its bailout. of Directors after he was elected leading stock markets. Assembly and Annual Meeting financial world. Greece, whose economy has as a Board Member of the WFE “QE’s participation in inter- of the World Federation of The WFE exchanges are home shrunk by a quarter in six years, to represent Europe-Middle national events helps support Exchanges (WFE) from October to more than 45,000 listed com- owes ¤320bn ($365bn), equal to East-Africa region for three- Qatar’s position as one of the 19-21, 2015. panies and the WFE statistics 175 percent of its annual economic year term. leading regional markets as we The WFE is also the world’s database covers more than 350 output. Prime Minister Alexis Al Mansoori stated that he take our responsibility to coor- largest gathering of exchanges as indicators and 70 years of data Tsipras, who swept to power last is delighted for of the prestig- dinate the efforts of global mar- it is the trade association of 64 from exchanges worldwide. month on a wave of anger at years ious position reached by the QE kets in general and the emerging publicly regulated stock, futures THE PENINSULA of austerity cuts, wants to use a four-month bailout extension secured on Tuesday to renegoti- ate this debt mountain. Finance Minister Yanis GM to shut plant in Indonesia Varoufakis, the frank-talking BEIJING: General Motors will stop making GM-branded cars economics professor hired by Qantas roars back into black in Indonesia, a battleground for global carmakers, closing an Tsipras to reach a better deal assembly plant, axing some 500 jobs and shifting its focus to with Greece’s creditors, called SYDNEY: Australian carrier fierce competition. The reversal today. What sets this transforma- sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Wednesday to “begin immedi- Qantas yesterday roared back in fortunes — after a record tion apart is that we are reducing The US auto giant, which was the first to set up a car assembly ately” a discussion on this. into the black after an aggres- annual loss of Aus$2.84bn in the costs permanently while at the plant in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy eight decades ago, is But with Greece having already sive shake-up to stem mounting last financial year — comes on the same time delivering Qantas’ best effectively calling time on its attempt to wrestle market share from secured a ¤100bn write-down of losses, posting its best interim heels of a ruthless cost-cutting ever fleet, product and service. dominant Japanese rivals, led by Toyota Motor. its debt to private creditors and result in four years helped by a drive that has seen thousands “We are meeting or exceeding GM Executive Vice President Stefan Jacoby, who oversees mar- two bailouts of ¤240bn, German revival in its international arm. of jobs axed, aircraft deliveries all our targets as we build a sus- kets beyond the Americas, Europe and China, acknowledged GM Finance Minister Wolfgang The Aus$203m ($162m) result deferred and growth at Asian tainable future for Qantas with an got it wrong in going head-to-head with the Japanese in a market Schaeuble expressed his “disbe- in the six months to December 31 offshoot Jetstar frozen. emphasis on growing long-term he dubs their “backyard”. lief” at any such suggestion. “I can’t marked a stunning turnaround Chief executive Alan Joyce said shareholder value.” The partners plan to set up a manufacturing facility near Jakarta see anything in what Varoufakis is from a net loss of Aus$235m the result showed the group was The result was boosted by for their no-frills Wuling brand, but aren’t interested in taking over doing that makes life easier for us,” in the same period in 2013 and executing the right plan. “The deci- strong performances across all of GM’s existing Bekasi plant, a person close to the joint venture said. the veteran German minister was smashed analyst forecasts. sive factor in our best half-year the airline’s divisions, with both GM tried to take on Japanese rivals by locally producing its quoted as telling a parliamentary Underlying profit before tax — result for four years was our com- domestic and international opera- Chevrolet Spin, a strategic, small “people mover” van that has proved group meeting. the airline’s preferred measure plete focus on the Qantas transfor- tions in profit. Domestic earnings a winner in Brazil. But the Spin was too costly to make to be profit- “No more billions for the greedy of financial performance — was mation programme,” he said. improved to Aus$227m while the able in Indonesia as most of the parts had to be imported. GM will Greeks!” screamed mass daily Bild Aus$367m, compared to a loss of “It’s clear that without the international arm moved into the stop making the Spin in Indonesia by end-June and shutter the yesterday under a huge “Nein!” Aus$252m previously, which was impact of transformation, we black with a Aus$59m profit. Bekasi factory, which employs around 500 people. REUTERS (“No!”) headline. AFP driven by record fuel costs and would not be announcing a profit AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Bahrain banks on infrastructure spending Officials hope spending will buoy growth; GCC aid, private capital to insulate projects

MANAMA: Bahrain’s economy is hold- This was because of a pipeline of infra- projecting non-oil growth of around 4.5 elections in late November, which were in the private sector and is funded by fees ing up in the face of low oil prices as structure projects, which will have a con- percent in 2015 — in line with the esti- boycotted by the Shia opposition, and charged on foreign workers, said there policy makers bank on infrastructure siderable indirect impact in stimulating mated non-oil growth of 4.6 percent in it is not clear when the budget will be was no sign so far of a significant eco- spending and the private sector to offset other parts of the economy in coming 2014 — and we expect this momentum to announced. A risk for the economy is that nomic slowdown. shrinking energy sector revenues, offi- months, Kotilaine said. continue in the medium- to longer term.” dwindling government revenues because “If there is a long-term effect on the cials and businessmen said this week. “The projects are primarily funded Meanwhile, Bahrain is a mature oil of cheap oil could reduce deposits in the economy by the oil prices, we will see that The kingdom of about 1.3 million peo- from the GCC Development Fund, pri- producer so future growth in that sec- banking system, tightening liquidity and down the line, where the number of for- ple is among the financially weakest of vate capital, government funds, or FDI tor is likely to be minimal with offshore hurting bank lending. eign workers drops significantly. We don’t the Gulf Arab oil exporters, lacking the (foreign direct investment),” he said. production at capacity and very grad- Domestic assets of banks in Bahrain see that happening now.” huge hydrocarbon and fiscal reserves of “They are hence not sensitive to oil price ual gains expected from the kingdom’s shrank 4 percent from a year ago in Mahmood Al Kooheji, chief executive its neighbours. variations.” onshore field, Kotilaine said. November, the most recent month for of Bahrain state fund Mumtalakat, which Because of the plunge of oil prices since After the Arab Spring uprisings in Overall GDP expanded 5.1 percent which data is available. Lending to the invests in strategic Bahraini enterprises last June, Bahrain’s state budget deficit 2011, rich nations in the six-member from a year earlier in the third quarter private sector was falling even before oil and manages around $10bn of assets, said is expected to balloon to 9.3 percent of Gulf Cooperation Council set up a $20bn of this year, slowing from 5.6 percent in started dropping; it sank 6 percent in the fund would pursue business projects gross domestic product this year from an fund to help Bahrain and Oman maintain the second quarter, according to the most November, its seventh fall in a row and as usual in 2015 and had no plans to sell estimated 5.0 percent in 2014, according social stability through housing and job- recent data. the biggest monthly drop so far. off any assets. to a Reuters poll of analysts. creating projects. A big question overhanging the econ- However, Bahrain’s central bank gov- Former J P Morgan Chase banker So government spending growth is Kotilaine, whose public agency is omy is what measures Bahrain will take ernor Rasheed Al Maraj suggested the Khaled Amro Al Rumaihi was appointed likely to flag, weakening a major support responsible for attracting foreign invest- to limit state spending and raise revenues drop was due to loan repayments and said chief executive of the Economic for the economy. But Jarmo Kotilaine, ment, also said Bahrain had managed to as its budget deficit swells. On April 1 underlying growth in consumer lending Development Board this week, replacing chief economist at the Bahrain Economic diversify its economy enough in recent the government plans to start raising the and some corporate lending remained transport and telecommunications min- Development Board, said construction years to make lower oil prices less dam- price of natural gas for industry. Other strong. He predicted a pick-up in the ister Kamal Ahmed. Local businessmen growth actually accelerated late last year aging. Oil now represents only about a economically painful steps are likely to coming year. said the appointment might aim to rein- - the sector grew 12.3 percent year-on- fifth of Bahrain’s gross domestic product, follow, but they are politically sensitive. Mohammed Ali Bucheery, vice presi- vigorate the agency’s role in attracting year in the third quarter, up from 3.1 down from 44 percent in 2000, he said. The release of the state budget for dent at Tamkeen, a semi-government foreign investment. percent in the second quarter. “As a result of these factors, we are 2015 has been delayed by parliamentary agency that supports Bahrainis working REUTERS

Jordan, Israel FTSE and DAX sign pact for $900m project hit record highs AMMAN: Jordan and Israel signed an agreement to go ahead LONDON: European stocks ($5.40bn) last year following a with a World Bank-sponsored pushed higher yesterday, with £4.0 billion write-down on the project to build a desalination London’s benchmark FTSE 100 retail bank Citizens, part of its plant in the Gulf of Aqaba and index and Frankfurt’s DAX 30 US operations. a pipeline linking the Red Sea index hitting record high clos- “There is little doubt that with the Dead Sea. ing levels as chances of a quick RBS is making progress, with The plant will be built in the US interest rate hike recede. the shares having received some southern Jordanian port of Aqaba The FTSE 100 rose 0.21 per- encouragement from the market on the Red Sea and will desalinate cent to 6,949.73 points, beating by over the last year, rising 11 per- water to be shared by Israelis and a whisker the level set Tuesday cent as compared to a 1.5 percent Palestinians. The brine that is a when it broke a 15-year record. improvement for the wider FTSE byproduct of the process will be Meanwhile the DAX 30 index shot 100,” noted Richard J Hunter, sent north in a 180km pipeline up 1.04 percent to 11,327.19 points, head of equities at Hargreaves to the Dead Sea. The project will boosted by more positive German Lansdown Stockbrokers. “Even cost around $900m. It will take economic data, and in Paris the so, with the finished product still nearly three years to complete. CAC 40 climbed 0.58 percent to some way off and no dividend Jordanian officials said the two 4,910.62 points. to encourage investment in the projects were crucial to providing a Milan gained 1.04 percent and meantime, the general consensus source of fresh water to the king- Madrid rose 0.81 percent. of the shares as a sell is likely to dom, which faces a severe water While there was some posi- remain intact for now,” he said in deficit, and to reviving the shrinking tive data and company results a note to clients. A man holds a monkey as he exchanges currency at a bureau de change while an information panel shows the Dead Sea. “The deal will help satisfy in Europe yesterday to push up Frankfurt shares got a boost exchange rate, in Kiev yesterday. Ukraine’s central bank introduced new capital controls to stem a collapse of the Jordan’s increasing water needs for the markets “...it’s the fact US after data showed unemployment country’s currency, which has lost more than half of its value since the crisis erupted in early 2014. development,” Jordan’s water min- interest rates aren’t going any- in Germany fell in February to ister, Hazem Al Nasser, said after where fast that really counted,” the lowest level since reunifica- the agreement was signed. said TrustNet analyst Tony Cross. tion in 1990 as growth in Europe’s Sterling at 7-year high against euro The desalination plant will “Today’s news of negative infla- biggest economy picks up, official produce at least 80 million cubic tion across the Atlantic means data showed. metres annually. Israel will buy at that monetary policy isn’t going Also on Thursday the GfK LONDON: Sterling rose to a British gross domestic prod- pair but we think ahead of the cost up to 40 million cubic metres. to tighten any time soon and equi- market research institute cal- seven-year high against the uct grew by 0.5 percent between election, those gains could stall.” The rest will go to Aqaba. Nasser ties can continue to climb in the culated that German consumer euro yesterday, as interest rate October and December, slowing Sterling’s recent gains come said the pipeline will pump 300 wake of this,” he added. confidence surged to its highest expectations moved further in from 0.7 percent in the third after a steadying of expectations million cubic metres annually of US Federal Reserve Chair level in more than 13 years. ING favour of British assets just days quarter. That was the slowest for the Bank of England to deliver Red Sea water to the Dead Sea. As Janet Yellen also hinted in testi- DiBa economist Carsten Brzeski before the European Central quarterly growth rate in a year, an interest rate hike early in 2016. much as 2 billion cubic metres are mony to US lawmakers this week said the German labour market Bank embarks on a huge asset- but was broadly in line with In contrast, the European Central envisioned in a future expansion. the central bank was in no hurry “is continuing its success story, buying spree. expectations, and much better Bank is set to begin a more than The idea of linking the two bod- to raise interest rates. providing further evidence of British government bond prices than euro zone growth. one-trillion-euro asset purchase ies of water has been around for The British banking sector strengthening domestic demand.” sharply underperformed German The euro fell to 72.705, its low- programme from next month. more than a century. The Dead was in focus after RBS posted Wall Street stocks failed to Bunds, however, as investors est since December 2007 and Earlier this week, monetary Sea has been found to be reced- new huge losses and Standard gain direction Thursday follow- flocked into euro zone debt ahead down 0.6 percent on the day. policy committee member Kristin ing at a rate of more than 3.3 feet Chartered unveiled a boardroom ing mixed US economic data. The of the launch of the ECB’s bond- Sterling was pegged back against Forbes had the most impact in a every year. Under the deal, Nasser shake-up. Dow Jones Industrial Average was buying programme. the buoyant dollar, trading at raft of comments from BoE poli- said, Israel would also release 50 Shares in Royal Bank of down 0.16 percent to 18,194.64 The pound had earlier drawn $1.5409 after hitting an eight- cymakers, prodding the pound million cubic metres more water Scotland (RBS) sank 4.14 per- points in midday trading. The support from steady economic week high of $1.5554 in Asia. higher by saying rates could rise from the Sea of Galilee, its larg- cent to 386.60 pence after the broad-based S&P 500 shed 0.14 growth in Britain, although a Its gains against the euro soon if inflationary pressures pick est reservoir, to Jordan, beyond state-rescued lender said it will percent to 2,110.86, while the tech- drop in business investment made pushed the trade-weighted ster- up quickly. water-sharing stipulated in a 1994 end investment banking in the rich Nasdaq Composite Index rose some investors cautious ahead of ling index to a 6-1/2 year high. Recent data on the British peace agreement. REUTERS Middle East and Africa and “sig- 0.13 percent to 4,973.40. the general election in May. “Euro/sterling has fallen more economy has been solid while nificantly” reduce its presence in Asian stock markets largely Data yesterday showed firms’ sharply than we are expecting. inflation remains close to zero. Lower petrol Asia and the United States after a rose yesterday and Tokyo hit a investments fell at their sharp- But having said that it is going Sentiment has also been bolstered seventh-straight annual loss. fresh 15-year high, driven by dip est rate in nearly six years in the in the right direction,” said after the FTSE 100 index hit a prices dampen US RBS, about 80-percent owned buying after the previous day’s last quarter of 2014, hit by lower Alvin Tan, currency strategist record, surpassing a previous life- by the British government, said fall, while energy shares gained investment in the petroleum sec- at Societe Generale. “Monetary time high set in December 1999. consumer inflation losses after tax totalled £3.47bn on higher oil prices. AFP tor as global oil prices fell. policy divergence will drive the REUTERS WASHINGTON: US consumer prices fell over the past year for the first time since 2009 as pet- rol prices continued to tumble, which could allow a cautious Management shake-up at UK’s troubled StanChart bank Federal Reserve more room to hold off on raising interest rates. The Labour Department said LONDON: Britain’s troubled will also step down from the presided “over a period of huge bank’s share price surged 5.37 in a structural overhaul. Standard its Consumer Price Index fell 0.1 Standard Chartered announced board in April and leave shortly change and challenge for the percent on Thursday to finish at Chartered saw its net earnings percent in the 12 months through yesterday the exit of its top two afterwards. entire industry”. 976 pence on London’s FTSE 100 fall 16 percent in 2013 as it faced January, the first decline since bosses in a radical management Standard Chartered shares “Bill is a globally respected index, which rose 0.21 percent to increased competition in Asia and October 2009 and a sharp deceler- reshuffle, as the Asia-focused jumped more than 5 percent as banker and has the right expe- a record closing high of 6,949.73 troubles turning around its South ation from December’s 0.8 percent bank battles to transform its investors welcomed the manage- rience and skills to drive the points. Korean unit. rise. The CPI dropped 0.7 percent fortunes. ment shake-up at the group, which group’s new phase of growth,” “Bill Winters is an inspired In August last year, New York from December, the largest fall The lender, facing sliding prof- was fined last year for failing to Peace added. choice and his experience with state’s banking regulator hit the since December 2008. its, slowing growth in emerging detect possible money-laundering. Standard Chartered, shirt JPMorgan will be invaluable in troubled bank with a $300m fine The so-called core CPI, which markets, and scandals including “After more than eight years sponsor of English Premier building on Standard Chartered’s and restrictions on its dollar- strips out food and energy costs, the alleged violation of US sanc- as group chief executive, now is League football team Liverpool, strong foundations,” said Martin clearing business for failing to rose 0.2 percent last month after tions on Iran, said in a statement the right moment to hand over managed to survive the 2008 glo- Gilbert, chief executive at key detect possible money-laundering. December’s 0.1 percent pain. The that chief executive Peter Sands to new leadership,” Sands said in bal financial crisis without state shareholder Aberdeen Asset The punishment came two core CPI was lifted by increases in will step down in June followed by the shock statement. assistance, unlike many of its Management. years after the bank paid US the cost of shelter, recreation and chairman John Peace next year. “Bill and the team will inherit peers. “At its core it is a very good regulators $667m in 2012 to set- apparel prices. In the 12 months Former JPMorgan invest- a more focused and efficient bank However, the bank has suffered bank with a presence in some of tle charges it violated US sanc- through January, the core CPI ment bank head Bill Winters with a superb client franchise and in recent times from a growth the fastest growing parts of the tions by handling thousands of rose 1.6 percent after a similar will replace Sands at the group, a unique network across some of slowdown in emerging market world,” he added. money transactions involving gain in December. which issued three profit warn- the most dynamic markets in the economies in Asia, Africa and The bank last month said it Iran, Myanmar, Libya and Sudan. Domestic petrol prices plunged ings over the last 12 months that world.” the Middle East, the regions from would close a swathe of its global The lender’s 2014 results are 18.7 percent in January, the biggest had sparked shareholder calls for The outgoing chairman praised which it makes about 90 percent equities business and axe 2,000 scheduled for publication on drop since December 2008, after a boardroom cull. Sands, who has been chief execu- of its profits. jobs around the world this year as March 4. falling 9.2 percent in December. Jaspal Bindra, head of Asia, tive since 2006, saying he had In reaction to the reshuffle, the it tries to make savings of $400m AFP REUTERS FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,445.34 0.21 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,812.58 0.21 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,429.96 0.27 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,244.9 0.14 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,294 0.60 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5908.559 18.544 0.31 5908.3 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,047.37 0.29 % QR142.8981 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,441.06 0.41 % Cac 40 Index/D 4874.12 -12.32 -0.25 4899.52 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,454.22 0.14 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6175 QR 5.6962 QE All Share Insurance 4,105.5 0.22 % Dj Indu Average 18209.19 92.35 0.51 18231.1 15855.12 QR 1.9787 Euro ...... QR 4.1112 QR 4.1684 QE All Share Telecoms 1,424.16 0.15 % CA$ ...... QR 2.9040 QR 2.9618 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,276.33 0.27 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24778.28 28.21 0.11 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8270 QR 3.8815 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5879.71 10.79 0.18 5872.35 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0304 QR 0.0310 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8508 QR 2.9065 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33845.3 -50.16 -0.15 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 26-02-2015 25-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0585 QR 0.0597 Index 12,445.34 12,471.96 Nikkei 225 Index 18585.2 -18.28 -0.1 18603.48 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0363 Change 26.62 53.92 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0821 QR 0.0838 S&P 500 Index/D 2115.48 5.82 0.28 2117.94 1814.36 % 0.21 0.43 $ 61.89 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0280 YTD% 1.30 1.52 Straits Times/D 3440.83 3.22 0.09 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0472 Volume 9,653,186 11,182,872 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 454,266,970.50 438,310,650.01 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3165 QR 0.3230 Trades 5,631 5,574 $ 58.59 Up 16 | Down 23 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 26-02-2015

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 139.9 -15.5 3090 Chola Invest-B/D 571.2 -11.4 3856 Hcl Infosys-B/D 50.25 1.95 992412 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 124 -3.2 5010 Oil Country-B/D 35.4 0.15 2372 Imperial Tobac/D 3123 -27 297669 A C C-A/D 1642.65 -9.6 18744 Chowgule St-T/D 24.95 0.25 14002 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.45 -0.25 1163243 Kalpat Power-B/D 238 2.05 13483 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.45 -0.5 104006 Kingfisher/D 358 8.9 2074616 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1275 -8.75 2145 Cimmco-B/D 71.2 -5.3 93028 Himat Seide-B/D 82.25 -0.65 14160 Kalyani Stel-T/D 144.4 -4.1 41953 Orient Hotel-T/D 20.5 -0.45 4439 Land Secs Grou/D 1228 -3 385961 Aban Offs-A/D 469.2 -2.85 184023 Cipla-A/D 659.25 -16.95 146622 Hind Motors-T/D 7.89 -0.11 80713 Kanoria Chem-B/D 38.65 -1 15539 Orient.Carb.-T/D 461 -3.3 2922 Legal & Genera/D 276.675 -1 1424562 Aegis Logis-B/D 416.9 4.5 3741 City Union Bk-/D 99 1.1 38899 Hind Org Chem-/D 17.25 -1.4 46375 Kg Denim-B/D 21.45 -1 30116 Orient.Carb.-T/D 461 -3.3 2922 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.23 -0.01 74231623 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 275.55 -2.25 59012 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1984.65 -22.35 2314 Hind Unilever-/D 888.15 -12.75 48223 Kilburnengg-T/D 45.45 0.25 20066 Patspin India-/D 7.48 -0.01 11051 Marks & Sp./D 503.525 -0.5 879441 Alembic-B/D 37.9 -0.1 154147 Colgate-A/D 1925.35 -20.3 9206 Hind.Petrol-A/D 595.75 -17.7 120925 Kinetic Eng-B/D 40.9 -1.8 1851 Radico Khait-B/D 87.4 -0.75 33481 Next/D 7405 -5 88487 Alkyl Amines-B/D 318 -12.5 10741 Container Cor-/D 1518.95 -54.65 63313 Hindalco-A/D 149.7 -3.8 436533 Kopran-B/D 43.6 -1.2 44541 Rallis India-A/D 242.6 0.65 72311 Pearson/D 1387.36 -25 1111639 Alok Indus-A/D 8.91 -0.03 1006030 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.1 0.01 5864 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1345.7 4.7 146659 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 334.9 -1.7 3269 Rallis India-A/D 242.6 0.65 72311 Prudential/D 1616.5 1.5 729075 Apollo Tyre-A/D 174.85 1.1 401821 Dhampur Sugar-/D 40 -0.4 7006 I F C I-A/D 37.9 0.2 673386 Lloyd Metal-B/D 9.24 -0.05 4793 Reliance Indus/D 443.7 -4.6 54850 Rank Group/D 185.7793 0 4558 Asahi I Glass-/D 130.05 -5 14195 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3248.9 -26.05 40524 Idbi-A/D 73.05 -1.75 324581 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 12.82 -0.67 43392 Ruchi Soya-B/D 43.05 -1.35 140551 Rentokil Initi/D 128.5 -0.8 306543 Ashok Leyland-/D 65.05 -1.9 1263780 E I H-B/D 108.85 -2.7 9928 Ifb Agro-B/D 264 -4 5146 Lumax Ind-B/D 358.1 -6 3437 Saur.Cem-B/D 39.5 -0.25 25875 Rolls Royce Pl/D 941 2 1064760 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1357 -10.05 2904 E.I.D Parry-A/D 176.9 0.9 9177 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 485 -9.9 24799 Lupin-A/D 1702.75 36.65 247503 Timexgroup-T/D 16.25 -0.71 48682 Rsa Insrance G/D 437 -13.3 3173337 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.6 -0.1 179530 Eicher Motor-A/D 15213.8 -398.85 6144 India Cement-A/D 98.25 -0.65 387076 Lyka Labs-T/D 44 0.2 53638 Tinplate-B/D 61.05 -0.75 28697 Sainsbury(J)/D 274.4 2.7 2777627 Banaras Bead-B/D 40 0.2 12862 Electrosteel-B/D 17.2 -0.25 55497 India Glycol-B/D 97.8 -1.5 13173 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 168.1 1.1 4624 Ucal Fuel-B/D 123.2 0.4 11320 Severn Trent/D 2033.5926 -31 136148 Bata India-A/D 1203.65 -41.2 21920 Emco-B/D 38.25 -1.35 55670 Indian Hotel-A/D 109.4 -0.2 60934 Mah.Seamless-B/D 210 2.6 6739 Unitech P -A/D 18.45 0.4 9748551 Smith&Nephew/D 1176 -2 466378 Beml Ltd-A/D 964.05 -16.15 344520 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.19 0.08 10621 Indo-Tcount-T/D 403.3 15.4 33120 Mangalam Cem-B/D 270.4 -1.8 15586 Univcable-T/D 42.9 1 2011 Smiths Group/D 1154 17 159979 Bh Electronic-/D 3650.7 -55.7 57949 Escorts-A/D 131.15 -4.5 179854 Indusind-A/D 846.15 -10 32514 Maral Overs-B/D 28.9 -1.05 23886 Standrd Chart /D 945.5 19.2 11657261 Bharat Bijle-B/D 662.5 -11.5 12262 Essar Oil-T/D 108.05 0.05 55176 J.B.Chemical-B/D 192 4.55 15748 Mastek-B/D 426.7 -4.9 98333 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 593 0 352663 Bharatgears-B/D 70.5 -1.15 7552 Eveready Indu-/D 205.9 -0.2 26389 Jagson Phar-B/D 27.4 -0.7 13424 Max India L-A/D 442.45 1.85 37444 Tesco/D 244.933 4.05 6730406 Bhartiya Int-B/D 405.4 -9.6 5735 F D C-B/D 155.9 -0.85 11952 Jbf Indu-B/D 215.1 -7.1 82686 Mrpl-A/D 62.95 -0.3 69168 3I Group/D 493 1.5 252696 Unilever/D 2835 -6 898565 Bhel-A/D 264.55 -9.5 655554 Federal Bank-A/D 138.8 -1.25 217387 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.56 -0.01 51166 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 23.75 0.7 1800 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3005 11 223921 United Util Gr/D 942.7 -12.5 283438 Bom.Burmah-B/D 423.65 -3.3 40557 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.18 -0.09 23642 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.46 -0.1 156351 Nahar Spg.-B/D 97.8 0.3 26401 Barclays/D 263.2 0.3 6120781 Vodafone Group/D 223 -0.7 13242945 Bombay Dyeing-/D 72.85 -1.1 399186 Finolex-A/D 287.65 7.25 26636 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.12 0.02 8894 Nation Alum -A/D 48 0 75668 Bg Group/D 984 -1 1825631 Whitbread/D 5245 0 155400 Camph.& All-B/D 261 3.8 4013 Gail-A/D 411.8 6.35 140657 Jik Indust-T/D 0.94 -0.01 6718 Navneet Edu-B/D 109.65 -0.95 8463 Bp/D 450.425 1.05 7472517 Canfin Homes-B/D 609 2 8257 Galada Power-T/D 28.5 -1.25 22112 Jindal Drill-B/D 181.3 1.6 4771 Nepc India-T/D 3 -0.06 15807 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3773 42 1085824 Castrol India-/D 464.1 -6.75 52170 Gammon India-T/D 22.15 0.75 251706 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 112.8 -4 295957 Neuland Lab-B/D 310.2 -9.9 4594 Bt Group/D 444.2 0.4 4889666 Century Enka-B/D 154.9 -0.2 8805 Godfrey Phil-B/D 465.2 -13.4 3111 Jmc Projects-T/D 160.5 -1.1 1879 Nrb Bearings-B/D 141.2 -0.9 11639 Centrica/D 248.1 -2.9 5978619 Century Text-A/D 498.7 16.55 164379 Goodricke-B/D 141.3 0.6 15912 Kabra Extr-B/D 82.5 1.35 3153 O N G C-A/D 319.15 2 715151 Gkn/D 367.5 1.8 1080539 Chambal Fert-B/D 67.4 1.95 110167 Goodyear I -B/D 601.25 -11.5 5963 Kajaria Cer-A/D 765.85 -28.35 2873 Ocl India-B/D 498.75 -20 60870 Hsbc Holdings/D 575.9 -1.5 5165261 FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICES

A/C MAINTENANCE & ACCOUNTING SOFTWARES SERVICES CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE GLASS COATING

ARTECH SAMA COOL APOLLO ENTERPRISES 4BHF
"DDPVOUJOH
1FBDIUSFF
2VJDL#PPLT
%ZOBDPN
*OTUBMMBUJPO
.BJOUFOBODF
".$

0O
$BMM
BOE
4FSWJDJOH
PG
BMM
LJOET
$SZTUBM
#POE
(MBTT
$PBUJOH
"HBJOTU
5IF
4VOÚT
)BSNGVM
3BZT
%BD&BTZ
5BMMZ
104
#BS
$PEF
'JYFE
"TTFUT
4PGUXBSFÚT PG
4QMJU
1BDLBHF
6OJUT
'$6
")6
737
VOJU
BOE
$IJMMJFST
)FBU
3FTJTUBODF
4BMXB
3PBE
5FM
44426664 (4.
55830870/33599574 &NBJM
[email protected] Tel:

44375654 E-mail: [email protected] "O
JOJUJBUJWF
PG
4BNB
(SPVQ
8--
5FM
44433199 .PC
66797555 'BY
4444 7709 - &NBJM
[email protected] ADVERTISING OVERSEAS GARDENING NEWSPAPER ART & HANDCRAFT GEM ADVERTISING & PUBLICATIONS SUPPLIES (Overseas Newspaper Advertisements) COLOUR NOTE CO. 5FM
44442001

(4.
55783303 4VQQMJFST
PG
"SU

)BOEJDSBGU
DMBTT
BDUJWJUJFT
GPS
4DIPPMT

/VSTFSJFT
OFYU
EBZ
EFMJWFSZ
5FM
44322868, 'BY
44430640, (4.
77181874 ATTESTATION BLINDS, CURTAINS AND UPHOLSTERY CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY W.L.L. $PNQMFUF
(FOFSBM
$MFBOJOH
4FSWJDFT
GPS
0ME
BOE
/FX
7JMMBT 5FM
44582257 .PCJMF
33189899/ 55565328/77609026 E-mail: [email protected] AL SAFINA AL KHALEEJIA TRD. & CONTG. W.L.L. "MM
LJOET
PG
DMFBOJOH
NBJOUFOBODF
XPSLT

QBJOUJOH 1MFBTF
DPOUBDU

30209670/55465373 E-mail: safi[email protected] AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL ,IBSBCB
4USFFU
#FIJOE
8IJUF
.PTRVF
5FM
44367555 'BY
44367999 (4.
55875920/55860432

COMPUTER TRAINING CENTRE BUYING FAMILY COMPUTER CENTRE AL NOOR CENTRE "M
3BZZBO
$PNQMFY
3BZZBO
3PBE 44435361/44370779 - 44449130 8F
#VZ
#FESPPN
4FU
4PGB
%JOJOH
4DSBQ
"$

$PQQFS
5FM
'BY
1JQFT


"MM
)PVTFIPME
JUFNT
)PVTF
4IJGUJOH

'VSOJUVSF
GENERAL TRADING 3FNPWBM

'JYJOH
$BMM
4IBNJN
 COMPUTER & IT SERVICES BLASTING AND PAINTING

M. PALLONJI QATAR 10
#09

&NBJM
NQBMMPOKJ!RBUBSOFURB 5FM
44606822
'BY
44606977
(4.55879234

BICYCLES & WATER SPORTS

SKATE SHACK "M
"JO


4BMXB
3PBE
'PS
%JSFDUJPO
DBMM
5FM
446-92532 (4.
552-47885/779-36152 - XXXTLBUFTIBDLDPN

CARPET

KASHMIR HANDICRAFT EMPORIUM IMMIGRATION SERVICES )BOENBEF
$BSUQFUT
)BOEJDSBGUT

'VSOJUVSF
"M
.JSHBC
4USFFU
"M
/BTFS
5FM
44432761
(4.
55553407 CAR REPAIRING & INSPECTION

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE CAR INSPECTION & REPAIRING *G
ZPV
OFFE
JOTQFDU
ZPVS
DBS
BOE
EPOÚU
IBWF
FOPVHI
UJNF
*G
ZPV
OFFE
UP
SFQBJS
ZPVS
DBS
BOE
EPOÚU
LOPX
HBSBHFT
JO
*OVEVTUSJBM
"SFB $BMM
Ahmed - 66862151 CRANES, FORKLIFT & BOBCAT HIRE ELITE MIDDLE EAST HEAVY MACHINERY SALE & RENTAL 5FM
44581119 - 'BY
44582035 .PCJMF
66667550 &NBJM
[email protected]

DENTAL

AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX %3
4BFFE
.PIBNNFE
"CEFMLIBMFL
.4
1SPTUIPEPOUJDT
0QQPTJUF
7JMMBHJP
5FM
44513289
'BY
44693086 AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX %3
4BNJ
,IBMJM
&MNPSTJ
&MTIBSPVE
.4
3FTUPSBUJWF
%FOUJTUZ

&OEPEPOUJDT 0QQPTJUF
7JMMBHJP
5FM
44513289
'BY
44693086

AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX %3
.PIBNNFE
/BWFFE
:BXBS
(#
(FOFSBM
4DPQF
%FOUJTU
3BKJW
(BOEIJ
6OJWFSTJUZ
PG
)FBMUI
4DJFODFT 
0QQPTJUF
7JMMBHJP
5FM
44513289
'BY
44693086

ELECTRONICS

SIGNATURE DOHA COMPANY 0QFO
GPS
ZPV
8F
QSPWJEF
B
#VTJOFTT
7JTB
WBMJE
GPS

NPOUIT  5FM
+974 4411 1560 / +974 4411 1561 / +974 4016 5555 .PC
+974 33510958 &NBJM
TJHOBUVSFEPIB!HNBJMDPN

FLORIST IT SOLUTION Software Lab Qatar 10
#PY


%PIB
2BUBS

4PGUXBSF Labs Tel: +974 44622703, 44622705 GSM: 66836037 &NBJM
HPQJOBUI!TPGUMBCRBUBSDPN
8FCTJUF
XXXTPGUMBCRBUBSDPN HR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HELPLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES (DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR QATAR) $FSUJûDBUF
BUUFTUBUJPO
GSPN
*OEJB
6,
64"
"VTUSBMJB
(VMG
$PVOUSJFT
BOE
á
%PDVNFOU
.BOBHFNFOU
4ZTUFN

á
*OWFOUPSZ
.BOBHFNFOU
4ZTUFN

á
1MBOU
.BOBHFNFOU
4ZTUFN $BOBEB

8F
IBWF

ZFBST
FYQFSJFODF

BQQSPWFE
"HFODZ Expertise and capability to develop any kind of Software to suit your specific business needs!!! (4.
77711129
5FM
44351974/44919213 - www.helplinegroups.com PRESTIGE GENERAL SERVICES ASIA ATTESTATION & TRANSLATION SERVICES CENTRE (FOFSBM
$MFBOJOH
GPS
7JMMBT
'MBUT
4PGB
$BSQFUT
'MPPS
5JMFT
.BSCMF
1PMJTI
%BJMZ
4JODF

-FBEJOH
%PDVNFOU
-FHBMJTBUJPO
BOE
5SBOTMBUPST
8FFLMZ
.POUIMZ

:FBSMZ
$POUSBDUT (4.
66752291 5FM
44323040 'BY
44131012 *OEJBO
$FSUJûDBUF
"UUFTUBUJPO
JO

8PSLJOH
%BZT
5FM

&NBJM
QSFTUJHFQBSUOFS!ZBIPPDPN

XXXQSFTUJHFHFOFSBMTFSWJDFTDPN (4.

4PûUFM
'JSTU
'MPPS
/P FURNITURE QUEENS LAND SERVICES AL SADEQ TRAD. & MAINTENANCE CO. #VTJOFTT
4FUVQ
BOE
4QPOTPSTIJQ
(FOFSBM
$MFBOJOH
GPS
7JMMB
'MBU
#VJMEJOH
$BSQFU
4IBNQPPJOH
4PGB
4FUT
.BSCMF
1PMJTI
.BOQPXFS
4VQQMZ

APOLLO FURNITURE %FCU
$PMMFDUJPO
3FBM
&TUBUF
4FSWJDFT
1FTU
$POUSPM

%BJMZ
8FFLMZ
.POUIMZ

:FBSMZ
$POUSBDUT

)PVST
4FSWJDF 
(4.
33020107/33020108 4BMXB
3PBE
5FM
44689522 (3 Lines) .PC
77776917 &NBJM
[email protected] 5FM
4436068 'BY
44353336 &NBJM
BMTBEFR!IPUNBJMDPN
BMTBEFR@!ZBIPPDPN XXXBQPMMPGVSOJUVSFPOMJOFDPN FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 CLASSIFIEDS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17

SERVICES FOR RENT

APOLLO REAL ESTATE IT TRAINING PORTABLE/CHEMICAL TOILETS REAL ESTATE %PIBÚT
MFBEJOH
3FBM
&TUBUF
"HFODZ
DBO
PGGFS
ZPV
B
XJEF
TFMFDUJPO
PG
BWBJMBCMF
BEAM CONSTRUCTION AL MUFTAH SERVICES & RENT A CAR WLL QSPQFSUJFT
"QBSUNFOU
UP
DPNQPVOET
BOE
PGûDF
TQBDF
(JWF
VT
ZPVS
SFRVJSFNFOUT
BOE
MFU
VT
ûOE
/FBS
"M
4BMJZB
4QPSUT
4UBEJVN
$
3JOH
3PBE
.BJO
0GûDF
5FM 44328100/44442003, ZPV
B
QMBDF
UIBU
ûUT
8JUI
PWFS

ZFBST
FYQFSJFODF
JO
%PIB
XF
LOPX
UIF
NBSLFU 5FM
44901760 'BY
44901566 'BY
44414339

.VTIFSJC
#SBODI
0GûDF
5FM
44326840/ 44426649, (4.
33138018 &NBJM
[email protected] 'BY
44312899 &
.BJM
SBD!RBUBSOFURB
8FCTJUF
XXXSBDRBUBSDPN Qatar’s first Real Estate Company under British Management ADAM REAL ESTATE COMPANY Call: Office: 44689522, Maureen 55864352 RECRUITMENT SERVICES "M
,VXBSJ
#MHE
UI
'MPPS
"M
4BEE
/FBS
4FCTUBJO
3FTU
Abubakar 55850815, Peter 55506803, Dexter 55872145 5FM
44366932
'BY
44366931 (4.
55500789 / 55803731 www.apollopropertiesonline.com APOLLO REAL ESTATE 4BMXB
3PBE
(4.

55864352/55506803/ 55872145 5FM
44689522 XXXBQPMMPQSPQFSUJFTPOMJOFDPN
&NBJM
BQPMMPQSPQ!RBUBSOFURB FLATS FOR RENT

HAYA HOMES - THE DOOR TO LUXURY LIVING - 3FTJEFOUJBM
PS
$PNNFSDJBM

-FBTF
BOE
4BMF
INVEST IN QATAR 'BDFCPPLDPN)BZB)PNFT $POUBDU
VT
ûOE!IBZBIPNFTDPN





 BRAND NEW FLATS @ LEADER MIDDLE EAST W.L.L. MUGHALINA 'PS
GBTU

SFMJBCMF
#64*/&44
4&561
-0$"-
410/4034
5SBEF
SCAFFOLDING -JDFODFT
+PJOU
7FOUVSFT
1VCMJD
3FMBUJPOT
7JTBT

3FBM
&TUBUF
4FSWJDFT 5FM
+974 55745147 &NBJM
CJ[RBUBS!ZBIPPDPN
APOLLO ENTERPRISES SCAFFOLDING DIVISION NEAR CORNICHE $POUSBDU)JSF4BMF

4BMXB
3PBE
5FM
44693334 HELPLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES 'BY
44416274
(4.
55521089/55560246/55536285 8F
QSPWJEF
"
UP
;
TVQQPSU
GPS
UIF
$PNQBOZ
'PSNBUJPO
$PNNFSDJBM
XXXBQPMMPRBUBSOFU

&NBJM
BQPMMPTDBGG!RBUBSOFURB One Big Hall + Kitchen + 2 Bedrooms + 2 Toilets 3FHJTUSBUJPO
130
4FSWJDFT

3FBM
&TUBUF
4FSWJDFT
$BMM
/PX
77711129/44351974/44919213 - www.helplinegroups.com Split A/Cs + Covered Parking + MALZAMAT QATAR W.L.L. 4UFFM

"MVNJOJVN
4DBGGPMEJOH
4BMF
)JSF

$POUSBDUJOH
24 Hrs Security - Maintenance. JEWELLERY 5FM
44504266 'BY
44502489 (4.
66715063 www.malzamatqatar.com &NBJM
[email protected], [email protected] CANARA JEWELLERY Rent Semi-Furnished QR.7,000. "M
.BOTPVSB
#JO
%JSIBN
4USFFU
STATIONERY & OFFICE 5FM
44422071, 44357283
&NBJM
DBOBSBKFXFMMFSZ!ZBIPPDPN SUPPLIES Fully Furnished QR.8,000. DBOBSBKFXMMFSZ!HNBJMDPN

XXXDPN OFFICE EXPERTS 3FHVMBS
4VQQMJFS
PG
0GûDF
4UBUJPOFSZ

4VQQMJFT
*5
1SPEVDUT
Please call: 55860022 LIMOUSINE SERVICES BOE
$POTVNBCMFT
BOE
PUIFS
(FOFSBM
$POTVNBCMFT
8F
EP
RENT A CAR GBTU
EFMJWFSJFT

"O
JOJUJBUJWF
PG
4BNB
(SPVQ
8--
AL-JALOUI LIMOUSINE 5FM
44433199 - 'BY
4444 7709 - &NBJM
[email protected] ANNOUNCEMENTS "MM
/FX
$BST
)PVST
4FSWJDF
0O
5JNF
4FSWJDF .PCJMF
 TRANSLATION SERVICES BUYING MEDICAL SERVICES HELPLINE $3JOH
3PBE
/FBS
(VMG
5JNFT
We buy all kinds of used household 5FM
44919213 .PC
77711129 - www.helplinegroups.com items. Office Furniture, Electric and electronics items.. Fridge, A/Cs, TRAVEL & TOURS Freezer, TV & Computers. Call: 55505773

AL SULAIMAN RENT A CAR For advertisements, call: .BJO
0GûDF
%Ú
3JOH
3PBE
5FM
44911711/44911710 'BY
44911699. &NBJM
JOGP!BMTVMBJNBODBSDPN
.VTIFSJC

'BY

"M
,IPS

'BY
 AL MUFTAH RENT A CAR WLL 44557857 .BJO
0GûDF
%Ú
3JOH
3PBE
5


#SBODI
"JSQPSU


(SBOE
)BNBE

"[J[JZB

MASSAGE 3BT
-BGGBO

"M
,IPS

&
.BJM
SBD!RBUBSOFURB

8FCTJUF
XXXSFOUBDBSEPIBDPN NOTICE KOTTAKKAL AYURVEDIC MASSAGE CENTRE LEADERSHIP LIMOUSINE "ZVSWFEJD
.BTTBHF
1IJMJQQJOF

5IBJ
.BTTBHF 
)PVS
4FSWJDF

3FOU
"
$BS
MR. LUIS ANTONIO SY /FBS
#BESJZB
4JHOBM
#JO
.FINPPE .BJO
0GûDF
4BMXB
3PBE

5FM
44440112 UNIFORMS 5FM 44360061 (4. 33453697 (4.
33047637

&NBJM
BCPEBIJTI!IPUNBJMDPN FILIPINO NATIONAL, PASSPORT NO. EB2307531 QATAR ID NO. 25860803436 JABRCO RENT A CAR INTERNATIONAL MASSAGE CENTER (AYURVEDIC) 8F
IBWF
NBOZ
WFIJDMFT
MJLF




NPEFMT
GPS
SFOU
XJUI
B
DPNGPSUBCMF
5IF
BCPWF
TBJE
QFSTPO
JT
MFBWJOH
%PIB
GPS

*OEJBO

5IBJMBOE
3FKVWBOBUJPO
#BDL

+PJOUT
1BJO
1BSBMZTJT
QSJDF
PO
EBJMZXFFLMZ
BOE
NPOUIMZ
.BJO
PGûDF

(4.


#SBODI
NPOUIT
WBDBUJPO
"OZCPEZ
XIP
IBT
BOZ
DMBJN
3IFVNBUJD
%JTFBTFT
)PNF
4FSWJDFT
0QQPTJUF
#BSXB
7JMMBHF

(4.

&NBJM
KBCSDPDPNQBOJFT!IPUNBJMDPN "M
+B[FFSB
57
#JO
0NSBO
5FM 44218166 (4. 77702421 BHBJOTU
IJN
TIPVME
DPOUBDU
VT
PO
UIF
GPMMPX- OASiS RENT A CAR AND TRANSPORTATION MEDIHERB (INDIAN/THAI AVAILABLE) Y06
R&/5
M03&
T)"/
A CAR W*5)
O"4J4
'BY: 44130033 JOH
OVNCFST
XJUIJO

EBZT
GSPN
UIF
EBUF
PG
UIJT
4FQBSBUF
4FDUJPO
GPS
(FOUT

-BEJFT
#BDL
/FDL

+PJOU
$BSF
*OEJBO
5FM
44130011/44130022 (4. 55157587 (Rental)/ 55129615 BEWFSUJTFNFOU
8F
XJMM
OPU
CF
SFTQPOTJCMF
GPS
BOZ
(Transportation) 3FOUBM!0BTJT$BST$PN

0BTJT$BSTDPN "ZVSWFEJD
.BTTBHF
)PMJTUJD
3FKVWFOBUJOH
.BTTBHF
'BSFFK
"M
/BTBS
/FBS
DMBJN
XIBUTPFWFS
BGUFS
UIF
BCPWF
TBJE
EBUF 44690363 66167700 www.mediherbqatar.com .JENBD
3"5FM (4. NICE RENT A CAR ROYAL THAI MEN SPA 4PMVUJPO
GPS
5SBOTQPSU

-FBTJOH
BMM
UZQFT
PG
WFIJDMF

)FBWZ
&RVJNFOU Tel: 44350029 Fax: 44352005 "VUIFOUJD
5IBJ
.BTTBHF
5IBJ
5SBEJUJPOBM
.BTTBHF
"SPNBUIFSBQZ
)PU
0JM
4BVOB
5FM
44413392 (4.
55514223 'BY
44317896 8FCTJUF
niceqatar.com #PEZ
4DSVC
'PPU
.BTTBHF
%Ú
3JOH
3PBE
)JHIXBZ
/FX
4BMBUB
/FBS
"M
"SBCJ
&NBJM
[email protected]/ [email protected] 4UBEJVN5FM 44666745 '# http://facebook.com/royalthaimenspa REGENCY FLEETS "
3FHFODZ
(SPVQ
$P SERVICES 4QFDJBM
$PSQPSBUF
MFBTJOH
BOE
3FOUBM
SBUFT
1SJDF
JODMVEFT
$PNQSFIFOTJWF
*OTVSBODF
MOVERS .BJOUFOBODF
3FQMBDFNFOU
7FIJDMF
FUD
%SJWFO
CZ
7BMVFT
&NBJM
JOGP!SFHFODZüFFUT DPN

5FM
44433822/44554046
'BY
44554047 Branches: "JSQPSU

5FM
44153086 WRAPPING SERVICES #FWFSMZ
)JMMT

5FM
44122131 .PWFOQJDL
5PXFS

4VJUFT
5FM
44966107/30122300 GOLDEN WINGS DOOR TO DOOR 8PSMEXJEF
%PPS
UP
%PPS
4FSWJDF
,FSBMB

*OEJB

/FQBM

AVIS RENT A CAR
1IJMJQQJOFT
0GûDF)PNF4UPSBHF

3FMPDBUJPO .BJO
0GûDF
BU
"M
4IBSJG
5SBEJOH

$POUSBDUJOH
$P
#MEH
BU
5FM




 UIF
KVODUJPO
PG
"JSQPSU
4USFFU
BOE
4VIBS
4USFFU
3PBE
5FM
44667744 / 40108887 -
'BY
44657626 NORTH OCEAN COMPANY W.L.L. BUDGET RENT A CAR 8PSMEXJEF
EPPS
UP
EPPS
4FSWJDF
"JS4FB-BOE
1BDLJOH

3FNPWBMT
5IF
#FTU
$BS
3FOUBM
4FSWJDF
JO
2BUBS
4437 4437/6695 3737 1SPGFTTJPOBM
0GûDF
4IJGUJOH
4UPSBHF
$BMM )FBE
0GûDF

44310411
"JSQPSU
"SSJWBM

"JSQPSU
&NBJM
QBDLONPW!OPSUIPDFBO4$.DPN
XXX
OPSUIPDFBO4$.DPN %FQBSUVSF

40108880 -55808638 (24 Hrs) METAL REPAIRS NATIONAL CAR RENTAL $BST

8%T

1JDLVQT

#VTFT

$IBVGGFVS
%SJWF
$BMM
5547 8150/5547 8151
&NBJM
JOGP!OBUJPOBMRBUBSDPN APOLLO ENTERPRISES WATER TANK CLEANING #FM[POB
1PMZNFSJDT

5FM
44426664 CHAUFFEUR RENT A CAR (4.
55871914/ 55524897 &NBJM
BQPMMP!RBUBSOFURB

:FBSMZ
BOE
.POUIMZ
XJUI
PS
XJUIPVU
ESJWFS
5FM
44445456 JORVJSZ!BQPMMPDIFNJDBMTDPN .PCJMF
55820652

&NBJM
JOGP!DIBVGGFVSRBDPN AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL ,IBSBCB
TU
#FIJOE
XIJUF
.PTRVF
MUSIC EUROPCAR RENT A CAR CO LLC 'BY
443679 99
(4. 55875920/55860432 )FBE
0GûDF
BU
$3JOH
3PBE
5FM
44660677 Airport: 40108888 .PCJMF

55827766/ 55849587 CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY MUSIC HOUSE &NBJM
"ENJO!FVSPQDBSDPNRB &OSPMM
/PX
1JBOP
,FZCPBSE
(VJUBS
7JPMJO
%SVNT
%SBXJOH $MFBOJOH
8BUFS
5BOLT

1FTU
$POUSPM
$BMM

&NBJM
NVTJDIPVTFRB!MJWFDPN AL DAR CAR RENTAL (4. 55565328/ 33189899/ 77609026 5FM
44582257 8FCTJUF
NVTJDIPVTFRBXJYDPNNVTJDIPVTFRBUBS
'BDFCPPL
XXXGBDFCPPLDPNNVTJDIPVTFRBUBS 
)PVST
#JO
0NSBO
"INFE
#JO
"MJ
4U
10
#PY

&NBJM
DBQJUBMDMFBOJOH!HNBJMDPN 5FM
44877789
(4.
55599972/55732070

'BY
44866637 NURSERY BMEBSDBSSFOUBM!IPUNBJMDPN COUNTRY RENT A CAR - BARWA AL WAKRA THE LITTLE HANDS NURSERY "
DBS
IBT
B
DIPJDF
PG
WFIJDMFT
UP
TVJU
ZPVS
OFFET
4QFDJBM
DPTU
QSPWJEF
OJDF
TFSWJDF
UP
PVS
DVTUPNFS
"HF
HSPVQ

NPOUIT
UP

ZFBST
4FQBSBUF
DMBTTFT
GPS
CBCJFT
UPEEMFST

TUVEFOUT
8IBUÚT
NPSF
$PNQSFIFOTJWF
.BJOUFOBODFT

3FQMBDFNFOU
7FIJDMF
$PNF
UP
ZPV
BU
BGGPSEBCMF
XJUI
TQBDJPVT
QMBZ
BSFB
#SJUJTI
.BOBHFNFOU

$BNFSB
1SPUFDUJPO
-PDBUJPO
/FX
SBUFT
FUD
5FM
44154467 (4.
55440424 &NBJM
DPVOUSZSFOUBDBSRB!IPUNBJMDPN 4BMBUB

"M
.BBIFE
4USFFU
BU
UIF
CBDL
PG
#JSMB
1VCMJD
4DIPPM
(4.
55312803 GO RENT A CAR PARTY ITEMS & $PNQFUJUJWF
3BUFT
GPS
$BS
3FOUBM

-FBTJOH
BALLOON DECORATION 5FM +974 44325500 'BY

44375753
(4.
33697075/ 66971703/55241629 &NBJM
JOGPHPRBUBS!HPSFOUBDBSNFDPN PARTY KINGDOM ARKAN RENT A CAR /FBS
+BJEBI
'MZPWFS
/BTSBMMBI
$FOUSF
$BMM
VT
BOE
'FFM
UIF
%SJWF
%SJWFS
GPS
SFOU
5FM 44479997 'BY
44437521 5FM
44353501/ 44366431 (4.
33665445/33874308 &NBJM
JOGP!BSLBOHSPVQBSLBOSFDFQUJPO!HNBJMDPN

E-mail: [email protected] -PDBUJPO
"M
8BLSB
4USFFU
4I
+BTTJN
#JO
.IBNNFE
#VJMEJOH
UI
'MPPS
 FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan (right) celebrates with team-mate Kumar Sangakkara after the former reached 150 runs during their World Cup match against Bangladesh at the MCG in Melbourne yesterday: RIGHT: Afghanistan’s Samiullah Shenwari plays a shot during his innings of 96 runs against Scotland in a World Cup Group A match in Dunedin yesterday. Afghans post first World Cup win; Sri Lanka rout Bangladesh Shenwari shines in tense one-wicket victory; Sangakkara belts 105 in his 400th ODI

SYDNEY: Afghanistan’s looked anything but likely win- looking anything but a No. 11 as our first win in the World Cup remarkable rise continued with ners as they slumped to 97 for he struck the winning boundary and everyone (in Afghanistan) Scoreboard a maiden World Cup win as they seven in pursuit of a modest vic- off Iain Wardlaw three balls into will enjoy this.” beat Scotland by one wicket tory target of 211. the last over. For Scotland, now appearing Scotland Afghanistan: yesterday, while Sri Lanka’s But Samiullah Shenwari had This result, following Ireland’s in their third World Cup, the K Coetzer b Dawlat Zadran ...... 25 J Ahmadi c Machan b Berrington ...... 51 Kumar Sangakkara celebrated other ideas as the 28-year-old’s exciting win over the United Arab wait for a win goes on after they C MacLeod c N Zadran b Dawlat Zadran ...... 0 N Mangal b Evans ...... 7 his 400th one-dayer with a hun- breathtaking 96 with seven fours Emirates on Wednesday, meant looked certain to break their duck H Gardiner lbw Hassan ...... 5 A Stanikzai c Cross b Evans ...... 4 dred in a 92-run victory over and five sixes took Afghanistan to the four non-Test nations taking in Dunedin — the Gaelic name for M Machan b Nabi ...... 31 S Shenwari c Davey b Haq ...... 96 Bangladesh. the brink of a sensational victory. part had produced the two most Edinburgh. P Mommsen c Zazai b Naib ...... 23 M Nabi lbw Davey ...... 1 It’s a long way, in more than When he holed out off spin- exciting finishes of this World “It’s never easy losing a game R Berrington c Zazai b Dawlat Zadran ...... 25 A Zazai lbw Berrington ...... 0 terms of distance, from the rav- ner Majid Haq, Afghanistan Cup — an ideal riposte to the but this is a particularly dif- M Cross c Zazai b Shapoor Zadran ...... 15 Najibullah Zadran c Haq b Barrington ...... 4 ages of war-torn Afghanistan to still needed 19 more runs off as International Cricket Council’s ficult one for us to swallow,” J Davey c Hassan b Shapoor Zadran ...... 1 G Naib c Haq b Davey ...... 0 Dunedin’s University Oval, but many balls with just one wicket proposal to reduce the number of said Scotland captain Preston M Haq c Naib b Shapoor Zadran ...... 31 Dawlat Zadran c Mommsen b Berrington ...... 9 the sedate surroundings ulti- standing. teams involved in the 2019 edition Mommsen, whose side have now A Evans c Nabi b Shapoor Zadran ...... 28 H Hassan (not out) ...... 15 mately proved a happy hunting But the last-wicket duo of in England from 14 to 10. lost all three of their matches fol- I Wardlaw (not out) ...... 1 Shapoor Zadran (not out) ...... 12 ground for the Afghans. Hamid Hassan (15 not out) and “It was difficult because we lowing defeats by New Zealand Extras: (LB12, W12, NB1) ...... 25 Extras: (LB1, W10, NB1) ...... 12 However, Afghanistan, appear- Shapoor Zadran (12 not out) lost early wickets but I did my and England. Total (all out; 50 overs)) ...... 210 Total (9 wkts, 49.3 overs) ...... 211 ing in their first World Cup, held their nerve, with Shapoor job,” said Man-of-the-Match At the Melbourne Cricket Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-38, 3-40, 4-93, 5-95, Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-46, 3-85, 4-88 (Nabi), Shenwari. Ground, Tillakaratne Dilshan 6-132, 7-134, 8-144, 9-206, 10-210 5-89, 6-96 7-97, 8-132, 9-192 Scoreboard After he was out, a despairing smashed an unbeaten 161 off 146 Bowling: Shapoor Zadran 10-1-38-4 (1nb, Bowling: Wardlaw 9.3-0-61-0 (1nb, 2w); Davey Shenwari could be seen sitting balls and Sangakkara marked his 2w); Dawlat Zadran 10-1-29-3 (2w); Hassan 10-1-34-2 (1w); Evans 10-1-30-2 (4w); Haq with his head in his hands. 400th one-dayer with a century 10-1-32-1; Naib 9-0-53-1 (2w); Nabi 10-0-38- 10-0-45-1 (1w); Berrington 10-0-40-4 (2w); Sri Lanka: Soumya Sarkar c Sangakkara b Mathews ..25 1 (2w), Ahmadi 1-0-8-0; Result: Afghanistan won by one wicket L Thirimanne c Taskin b Rubel ...... 52 Mominul Haque c Jayawardene b Lakmal ....1 “It was a very poor shot,” he as Sri Lanka whipped butter- T Dilshan (not out) ...... 161 M Mahmudullah c Herath b Perera ...... 28 admitted. “I was trying to get fingered Bangladesh by 92 runs, K Sangakkara (not out) ...... 105 Shakib Al Hasan c Malinga b Dilshan ...... 46 another six but it was a very good also in Pool A. by Bangladesh, whose maiden never recovered. Sabbir Rahman Extras: (B3, LB2, W9) ...... 14 Mushfiqur Rahim b Lakmal ...... 36 win for us.” Sri Lanka, who were dis- appearance at the iconic MCG top-scored with 53 and Shakib Al Total (for 1 wkt, 50 overs) ...... 332 Sabbir Rahman c Sangakkara b Malinga ...53 Afghanistan captain missed for 233 by New Zealand was marred by five missed Hassan made 46 while Malinga Did not bat: Angelo Mathews, Mahela Jaya- Mashrafe Mortaza st Sangakkara b Dilshan .7 Mohammad Nabi thought his and then struggled to chase down chances. finished with three wickets. wardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karu- Rubel Hossain (not out) ...... 0 side had thrown away their Afghanistan’s 232, finally came Dilshan put on 122 for the first “The boys were wishing me naratne, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasi- Taskin Ahmed lbw b Malinga ...... 0 chance with the bat after restrict- good with the bat after electing wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne luck for my 400th game so it was th Malinga, Rangana Herath. Extras: (LB9, W6) ...... 15 ing Scotland to 210 all out in an to take first strike. (52) and an undefeated 210 for nice to get the hundred,” said Fall of wickets: 1-122 Total (all out, 47 overs) ...... 240 innings where left-arm paceman Dilshan and Sangakkara, who the second with Sangakkara, who Sangakkara. Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-53-0, Rubel 9-0-62-1 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-40, 3-41, 4-84, 5-100, Shapoor took an impressive four hit 105 not out in his landmark added two catches and a stumping Pool A is led by New Zealand (w5), Taskin 10-1-82-0 (w2), Shakib 10-0-55-0, 6-164, 7-208, 8-228, 9-240, 10-240 for 38 in his maximum permitted match, lifted the Islanders to a to his 22nd one-day century. with six points while Sri Lanka Mahmudullah 7-0-49-0, Sabbir 4-0-26-0 (w2) Bowling: Malinga 9-0-35-3, Lakmal 8-0-49-2 10 overs. mammoth 332 for one that proved Bangladesh lost flamboy- have four points, one ahead Bangladesh: (w2), Mathews 5.4-0-36-1, Herath 10-0-43-0, “The pressure was extreme too hot to chase for Bangladesh, ant opener Tamim Iqbal off the of Australia and Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal b Malinga ...... 0 Perera 6.2-0-33-1 (w1), Dilshan 8-0-35-2 (w2) again but Shenwari batted bril- who folded up for 240. second ball, bowled by Lasith Afghanistan are currently fifth, Anamul Haque run out (Mathews) ...... 29 Result: Sri Lanka won by 92 runs liantly,” said Nabi. “It’s good to put Sri Lanka were helped along Malinga, slipped to 41 for three just outside the quarter-final two points on the board. This is by a shoddy fielding display by the seventh over and they qualifying places. AFP Proteas say Windies will Moin returns home blink first in must-win game to angry reception

SYDNEY: Skipper AB de De Villiers, who was run out KARACHI: Pakistan chief the disappointment in the team’s Villiers says the West Indies Five match facts — South for 30 at a crucial stage of South selector Moin Khan (pictured), performance in the World Cup,” will crumble if South Africa Africa vs West Indies Africa’s abortive run chase after ordered back home from the Moin, who won the World Cup apply the right pressure in their Five match facts for Friday's World Cup Pool India’s 307, said the Melbourne World Cup following a visit to with Pakistan in 1992, told a local crunch World Cup Pool B game B game between South Africa and the West defeat had not changed anything a casino, avoided running into television channel. at the Sydney Cricket Ground Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground (14:30 for them. an angry group of youths after “I apologise to the people for (SCG) today. local/03:30 GMT) “Nothing’s changed with our he was ushered out of Karachi my action and I never realised De Villiers says the Proteas’ Since winning a semi-final at the 2006 ICC approach except our confidence Airport yesterday. my action would have such seri- confidence took a “bit of a slap” Champions Trophy, West Indies have lost might have taken a bit of a slap The former Test captain ous repercussions.” in their 130-run mauling by India 16 One Day Internationals out of 18 against in the last game which is maybe slipped away quietly Gambling and last Sunday, but they were ready South Africa, winning just once with one tie. not a bad thing,” he said. into a waiting car as alcohol consump- to bounce back against the West AB de Villiers has faced 29 balls from Jason “It’s maybe a good thing for us the angry youngsters tion is prohibited Indies. Holder in ODIs and scored 62 runs without to make sure we keep our feet on stood outside the in Islamic Pakistan South Africa cannot afford to being dismissed, hitting five fours and six sixes. the ground. We’ve got nowhere to airport armed with and some critics and lose as they would then have to go now. It’s only upwards other- banners and eggs. former Test players De Villiers averages 66.1 in ODIs against beat Ireland, Pakistan and the wise we’re going to stumble out of Television pictures have questioned why West Indies, the highest average of any United Arab Emirates to ensure this tournament,” he said. showed some of the Moin opted to go to batsman against a team, minimum 1,000 they finish near the top of their De Villiers argued against the youngsters smash- the casino. runs scored. pool and secure an advantageous perception that South Africa Afghans celebrate their national ing the eggs on “He has brought quarter-final draw. De Villiers and Hashim Amla have batted were traditionally too tense and team’s maiden World Cup victory, their heads in anger shame to Pakistan The West Indies are coming together four times against West Indies, uptight in big tournaments and in Jalalabad yesterday. Ecstatic after learning Moin cricket and he off a spectacular 73-run victory putting on an aggregate of 466 runs. carried a bloated support staff. Afghans danced in the streets and had left by a side should be black- over Zimbabwe with opener Chris Chris Gayle (79%) has hit the highest “We are in a very good place. fired rifles into the air to celebrate entrance. listed from Pakistan Gayle back to his destructive best percentage of runs in front of square since It’s very easy to say a lot of things the win over Scotland. Six people The Pakistan cricket,” former with the highest ever individual January 2014 in ODIs between Test-playing about our team after our previous were injured in celebratory gunfire. Cricket Board (PCB) Test player Sarfraz nations, minimum 200 balls faced. World Cup score of 215 contain- performance,” he said. In the capital, Kabul, dozens of recalled Moin following his visit Nawaz told reporters in Lahore. ing a record-equalling 16 sixes, “Look, I’m also disappointed jubilant Afghans gathered near the to a Christchurch casino on the Pakistan have so far suffered a while Marlon Samuels scored an the SCG yesterday. “We haven’t about what happened there. We cricket stadium. “Today is one the eve of the team’s match against torrid time at the World Cup in unbeaten 133 in an all-time ODI played well in the last game so only have got the one extra con- West Indies. Australia and New Zealand, los- happiest days in my life to see our record stand of 372. we’ve got to make sure we look sultant in Michael Hussey. Gary The PCB is to hold crisis talks ing both of their matches to date heroes win their first World Cup “They’re a dangerous cricket after our side. Kirsten has been around the team with Moin this weekend. to India and West Indies respec- team. I believe if you put enough “They do have weaknesses in for a long time as have all the match,” Ahmad Yaseen, a 19-year- “I went to the casino to have tively. They are bottom of the pressure on them like any other the team and it’s important to other guys. We don’t have a psy- old boy said while others shouted dinner with some friends. But in seven-team Pool B, which includes cricket team they can crum- push those buttons, especially in chologist that we normally have “Long live Afghanistan”. hindsight it was an inappropri- non-Test playing nations such as ble,” de Villiers told reporters at the pressure situations.” in the World Cups.” AFP ate judgment on my part given Ireland and UAE. AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President and FIM Deputy President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah speaks during a press conference with all the riders at Losail International Circuit, outside Doha, yesterday. Cairoli, Villopoto set to ignite rivalry at MXGP season opener Jeremy van Horebeek will be third racer to look out for under the lights at Losail

BY RIZWAN REHMAT circuit and we have lights which are much better here. I will go out DOHA: Dirt-track racing giant and check the track. I think they Antonio Cairoli of Italy and got every aspect of the circuit well American star Ryan Villopoto equipped,” he said. will go head-to-head in the Belgium’s Jeremy van Horebeek 2015 FIM World Motocross — who finished second behind Championship MXGP opener Cairoli last season in MXGP — at Losail International Circuit said he was ready for the first tomorrow. race of the season to be held Cairoli will ride for Red Bull tomorrow following qualifying KTM Factory Racing knowing sessions tonight. that he has arrived in Qatar well The Yamaha Factory Racing prepared, but the feisty Villopoto, rider won’t be overlooked this who has five AMA Outdoor year. With 12 podiums last year, Motocross championships and from a possible 17, 11 of which five AMA Supercross titles to his were consecutive, a MXGP win name, is ready to test his skills tomorrow is possible in Qatar. against the eight-time world “Last year, I was second in the champion. championship. This year I want to “The championship is at a dif- do one better,” van Horebeek said. ferent level from the past. It’s “That’s the goal. We’ll see. It’s beginning of the new season,” a long season. I had a great off- Cairoli said yesterday. season. We prepared better than “We are looking forward to the America’s star rider Ryan Villopoto (right) shares a moment with QMMF last season,” he said. races. We ran a few races but we President and FIM Deputy President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah at THE PENINSULA are looking at the serious stuff Losail International Circuit yesterday. now,” the defending champion Today’s Schedule said. “I am sure all the have been Actually this place reminds me WMX Free Practice: 4.45pm “For sure the competition will waiting for the start for a long of Las Vegas,” Villopoto said. MX2 Free Practice: 5.15pm be tougher (in 2015),” the 29-year- time. For me, I want to do what “When you come to Las Vegas MXGP Free Practice: 5.45pm old said. “It’s always difficult to I can so that I know I am ready. there’s desert all around and then WMX Time Practice: 6.15pm find something new. Everybody is I will be racing,” the 26-year-old when you reach the big city then getting faster and stronger. said. you see the lights, the skyscrapers MX2 Time Practice: 7.15pm “You try to invent something “This should be interesting for and the hotels etc. MXGP Time Practice: 8pm new. My motivation for the sport me and everybody who’s involved. “Actually, when we arrived here MX2 Qualifying Race: 10pm is the same. I love the bike. Even I think we are ready. I think I will and when I saw the big roads I MXGP Qualifying Race: 10.50 if I was not racing, I would be rid- have to learn very quickly. The said to the guys it reminds me Tomorrow’s Schedule ing as I love the bike. It’s just the guys here are no slouches. They of back home. For me, it’s inter- WMX Warm-up: 4.30pm passion I have for the bike. That’s are really good. esting. Every time we get off the what I bring every day to train- “They will catch me up at some plane, we see something new. MX2 Warm-up: 4.50pm ing also,” the Italian bike legend places and I will catch them up at Every time we go to the US, it’s MXGP Warm-up: 5.10pm added. some places. I think we are going the same. That’s what keeps me WMX Race 1: 6.15pm Monster Energy Kawasaki to have a long season and very interested,” he said. MX2 Race 1: 7.15pm Racing Team’s Villopoto said he good races,” the American said. Villopoto gave his approval to MXGP Race 1: 8.15pm Eight-time world champion Antonio Cairoli of Italy plants a tree at Losail couldn’t wait to begin racing in Villopoto said he is on his racing under floodlights. “Yeah, WMX Race 2: 9.10pm 2015. maiden Qatar trip and he felt it’s good. At Colorado we raced International Circuit, outside Doha, yesterday as part of the QMMF’s Ride MX2 Race 2: 10.10pm Green initiative. PICTURES: BAHER AMIN “So far the preparation’s been right at “home”. under lights one,” he said. good,” Villopoto said yesterday. “It’s my first time in Qatar. “I think here we have a proper MXGP Race 2: 11.10pm MXGP attracting huge audiences

DOHA: The 2015 FIM Italia1 or Italia2, in Slovenia on of the FIM Motocross World Motocross World Championship Sport TV, in Portugal on Sport TV Championship — will continue will kick off today at Losail and in Bulgaria on BNT — which with MXGP’s lovely new host Lisa International Circuit and it will also screen the European Leyland. promises to be a must-see sea- Championship’s EMX125. You can watch the 26mn son of motocross. As MXGP’s popularity contin- Magazine in Europe on Eurosport This year MXGP will receive ues to rise, Youthstream is proud international every Tuesday night extensive television coverage as to continue the long-term col- at around 11pm after each round the championship continues to laboration they have with the of MXGP. It can also be viewed in grow and engage more viewers. European Broadcasting Union Finland on MTV 3, in Germany on The entire season will be broad- (EBU), who broadcast news of Sport 1+, in Portugal on Sport TV, cast live on television in a number each and every round of MXGP in Slovenia on Sport TV, in South of countries across the globe as every Sunday night, and also of America and Latin America on will also be accessible to everyone the partnerships they have with FOX Sports and in Asia on FOX worldwide via www.MXGP-TV.com. SNTV, a renowned sports news Sports Asia. As for the MXGP Live television coverage for this agency, and Motorsport Mundial, in Qatar, which will commence season will take place in the USA a program dedicated to motor today, BeIn Sports Qatar will be on CBS Sports Network, although sport, which also broadcasts news the main local broadcaster. it may be slightly delayed due after each round. THE PENINSULA to the time difference, but will This year MXGP’s 26mn be 100 percent live in Asia on Magazine — which is a filmed pro- Live Coverage in FOX Sports Asia. True Vision will duction that covers all the action, broadcast the event in Thailand both on and off the track, with Qatar and Bandsports will air it in Brazil. highlights from racing in MXGP Today: On BeIn Sports from 3.40pm. In Europe it will be on and MX2, a GoPro on-board lap Tomorrow: On BeIn Sports from QMMF President and FIM Deputy President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah and MXGP riders inaugurate a high- Eurosport2 and MotorsTV. In Italy of the track, as well as the inside tech CCTV marshaling system for Losail International Circuit. it will be covered by Mediaset on scoop from the pits at each round 6.05pm to 12am. FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Ribery ponders taking German Berbatov returns to haunt citizenship

BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s French winger Franck Ribery has revealed he is considering taking German citizenship in an Arsenal; Atletico lose 1-0 interview with daily newspaper Bild yesterday. The ex-France international Unhappy reunion for Wenger as Gunners go down 3-1 to Monaco has played for Bayern since 2007 and when asked whether he wanted to apply for German citi- PARIS: Former Spurs striker zenship, he replied: “Why not? I Dimitar Berbatov rolled back can imagine staying in Munich the years to score as Monaco after the end of my career. pulled off a memorable 3-1 “I have bought a very nice victory over Arsenal in their house, I feel good here and I like Champions League last 16 first the mentality. leg match on Wednesday. “My children are doing well at The 34-year-old -- who played school, they have German friends. for Tottenham from 2006-08 -- “My son Saif was born here, struck the French side’s second he may even one day play for goal as the visitors made it an Germany.” extremely unhappy reunion for Ribery, who turns 32 in April, former coach Arsenal manager says his decision whether or not Arsene Wenger. to apply for German citizenship It meant that none of the three will be because of his family and English sides left in the competi- “the future”. tion have won their first leg games “My eldest daughter Hiziya -- Chelsea having been held 1-1 always makes fun of my German, by defending French champions and I laugh with her,” said Ribery, Paris Saint Germain last week. who was voted German player of The Gunners -- who had not the year in 2008. conceded a goal in three previous “I did not learn the language in visits from French sides in the school, but in my daily life, from competition -- face a huge chal- other people.” lenge when they travel to Monaco Ribery is one of the few foreign next month if they are to reach players comfortable with being the last eight for the first time interviewed in German live on air since 2010. after Bundesliga matches and has Wenger, who spent seven sea- a reputation for being the joker in sons at Monaco before going to the Bayern squad. Japan, said his side had lost their In Germany, a citizen from heads. another European Union country “The heart took over the head can apply for German citizenship and that doesn’t work. Mentally Monaco’s Anthony Martial (right) vies for ball possession with Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade Chamberlain during the Champions League first-leg, round after eight years of residency, by we were not sharp enough to get of 16 at Emirates Stadium, London, England on Wednesday night. RIGHT: Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann and Leverkusen’s proving you can speak the lan- into the game and we paid for it,” goalkeeper Bernd Leno (right) vie for the ball during the Champions League first-leg, round of 16 match in western Germany on Wednesday night. guage and passing a naturalisa- said Wenger. tion test, while retaining their His Monaco counterpart original nationality. Leonardo Jardim, who pro- For Berbatov, a much-maligned think we ruined his evening!” he the better team and there- first win in their last eight knock- Ribery won the Champions duced a celebratory run down figure at times during his spell told BeIn Sport. The night’s other fore we deserved the win,” said out matches in the competition. League title with Bayern in 2013 the touchline to rival that of in England with Spurs and match was an ill-tempered affair Calhanoglu. “The team was exceptional and has won both the German his Portuguese compatriot Jose Manchester United, it was an which saw one player sent off and “I gave it all I had for the goal, and now we have a real chance of Cup and Bundesliga title four Mourinho when Porto knocked especially happy moment. eight other players booked. but we have to play just as well reaching the quarter-finals.” times, with Munich on course to out Manchester United at Old “We are good, a good team and However, German side Bayer in the return leg as we did today Atletico coach Diego Simeone claim a fifth German league title. Trafford in the last 16 in 2004, we wanted to win more than them Leverkusen gave themselves a and then we have a good chance.” admitted his side faced a tough said it was a remarkable night and were were fighting all over glimmer of hope of reaching the The visitors ended the game battle but looked on the bright Champions League for his team. the pitch and we scored more quarter-finals for the first time with 10 men when Tiago was sent side. Paris: Results from Wednesday night’s “Nobody really thought this goals,” said the Bulgarian. as they beat last season’s finalists off for a second bookable offence. “Leverkusen could perhaps Champions League last 16 first leg matches: result was possible but we Monaco joined Bayern Munich Atletico Madrid 1-0. Bayer coach Roger Schmidt’s have killed the game off with At London achieved it,” said Jardim, whose and Manchester United in putting Hakan Calhanoglu scored the boldness in aligning an attacking a second goal but we still have Arsenal (ENG) 1 (Oxlade-Chamberlain achievement is even greater as three past Arsenal in the compe- only goal and become the first formation was rewarded and he a good chance at home,” said 90+1) Monaco (FRA) 3 (Kondogbia 38, Berbatov 53, Ferreira-Carrasco 90+4) he lost the star duo of James tition’s history. player to score against Atletico was extremely proud of his play- Simeone. At Leverkusen, Germany Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao Monaco monarch Prince Albert in the Champions League ers for delivering. “They put us under pressure Bayer Leverkusen (GER)1 (Calhanoglu 57) when they left for Real Madrid II -- who was at the match -- was since Kostas Mitroglou did for “We can be extremely satisfied and we have made things compli- Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0 and Manchester United respec- in a jovial mood afterwards. Olympiakos on September 16. with this result,” said Schmidt, cated for ourselves.” Second legs -- March 17 tively before the season started. “It pains me for (Wenger), I “I think we were clearly who was guiding Bayer to their AGENCIES Played on Tuesday At Manchester, England Manchester City (ENG) 1 (Aguero 69) Barcelona (ESP) 2 (Suarez 16, 30) At Turin, Italy Al Ahli aim to maintain Juventus (ITA) 2 (Tevez 13, Morata 42) Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 (Reus 18) Second leg matches -- March 18 Played on February 18 At Basel, Switzerland winning streak in QSL Basel (SUI) 1 (Gonzalez 11) Porto (POR) 1 (Danilo 79-pen) At Gelsenkirchen, Germany DOHA: Al Ahli will be looking Schalke 04 (GER) 0 Real Madrid (ESP) 2 to register their third succes- (Cristiano Ronaldo 26, Marcelo 79) sive win when they take on Al (Second leg matches on March 10) Shamal in the 19th round match Played on February 17 of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) At Paris here today. Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 1 (Cavani 54) Coach Zlatko Krajncar side are Chelsea (ENG) 1 (Ivanovic 36) in the fifth place behind fourth- At Lviv, Ukraine placed Qatar SC and El Jaish, Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 0 Bayern Munich (GER) 0 which is in third place. (Second leg matches on March 11) Al Shamal, languishing at the English Premier League Fixtures bottom of the league, are without Tomorrow a win and with just seven points West Ham United vs Crystal Palace (1245) compared to Al Ahli’s 26. Burnley vs Swansea City (1500) Al Ahli coach Krajncar said Manchester United v Sunderland (1500) despite having the points advan- Newcastle United vs Aston Villa (1500) tage against their name today’s Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura smiles as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake for Japan’s professional football league J-League’s old- Stoke City vs Hull City (1500) match will not be easy for his West Bromwich Albion vs team est player at the Yokohama FC’s club house after a club training session Southampton (1500) “The game will not be easy. We in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo yesterday. “King Kazu” Miura celebrated On March 1 Liverpool vs will play against Shamal who des- his 48th birthday, ahead of his 30th year as a professional footballer. Manchester City (1200) perately needs points because they Arsenal vs Everton (1405) are in a difficult situation. But we need points too, to climb up the table. It’s a kind of game that will Al Shamal head coach Dragan Cvetkovic during a press conference on be risky for us. We are coming the eve of their Qatar Stars League match against Al Ahli SC in Doha from two good wins. We have to Bosnian Halilhodzic set yesterday. RIGHT: Al Ahli head coach Zlatko Krajncar. maintain the level of performance which we showed in our previous two games,” Krajncar said. Qatar Stars League “When I came here I found a QSL Standings good bunch of players who had Club Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Fixtures for Japan job: Reports good work ethics. I tweaked the Al Sadd 18 13 4 1 45 23 22 43 Today TOKYO: team a bit, tactically and fortu- Lekhwiya 18 13 3 2 39 17 22 42 Al Ahli vs Al Shamal, Japanese football Aguirre, who was sacked earlier Mexican’s head, Japan crashed nately the players adapted quickly El Jaish 18 10 1 7 36 23 13 31 Al Arabi Stadium at 4.45pm, officials were tightlipped yes- this month. out of last month’s Asian Cup to what I wanted and they applied terday as Algeria’s 2014 World But a JFA spokeswoman told in the quarter-finals, accelerat- Qatar SC 18 9 4 5 39 28 11 31 Qatar SC vs Al Gharafa, it in these two games. Now I am Cup coach Vahid Halilhodzic AFP: “No formal decision had ing his downfall as the JFA’s top Qatar Sports Club at 4.45pm, trying to make it more efficient.” Al Ahli 18 8 2 8 34 26 8 26 emerged as the leading can- been made and as such we are not brass looked towards the World Al Wakrah vs Umm Salal, In the other three matches Umm Salal 18 7 5 6 27 23 4 26 didate for the vacant national in a position to make any com- Cup qualifying campaign, which Al Wakrah Stadium at 7.15pm today, Qatar SC take on Al Al Gharafa 18 7 3 8 30 37 -7 24 team job, according to local ment on the issue.” begins in June. Gharafa, while Al Wakrah face Al Shahaniya vs Al Khor, media. The JFA’s silence comes as lit- “Getting through the World Al Kharaitiyat 18 5 7 6 22 25 -3 22 Al Gharafa at 7.15pm Umm Salal and Al Shahaniya The Japan Football Association tle surprise after the fiasco sur- Cup qualifiers is the most impor- square off to Al Khor. Al Sailiya 18 6 4 8 28 34 -6 22 Tomorrow (JFA) were said to be in talks rounding Aguirre, who was fired tant,” JFA chief Kuniya Daini Tomorrow league leaders Al Al Khor 18 5 7 6 25 32 -7 22 Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Arabi, with the 62-year-old Bosnian, over his alleged involvement in a told local media, although he did Sadd face second placed Lekhwiya. Al Arabi 18 5 6 7 31 28 3 21 Al Khor Stadium at 4.45pm broadcaster NHK reported, while match-fixing scandal dating back not rule out appointing a coach Al Sadd has 43 points while Al Wakrah 18 4 4 10 23 35 -12 16 Al Sailiya vs El Jaish, the Nikkan Sports newspaper to a previous tenure in Spain, before next month’s home friend- Al Wakrah Stadium at 4.45pm Lekhwiya have one less. El Jaish Al Shahaniya 18 4 3 11 13 38 -25 15 claimed that Halilhodzic had been having taken charge only after lies against Tunisia on March 27 and Qatar SC, both have 32 Al Sadd vs Lekhwiya, offered an estimated salary of Japan’s World Cup flop last year. and Uzbekistan four days later. points. THE PENINSULA Al Shamal 18 0 7 11 17 40 -23 7 Al Sadd Stadium, 4.45pm $2.27m to replace Mexican Javier With charges hanging over the AFP FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Yesterday’s Results Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 70 — 90 Distance: 1,000m Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 83 — 103 may enter Running Time: 0:57:37 Prize Money 1st QR85500 2nd QR33000 3rd QR16500 4th QR9000 5th QR6000 (Read as horse, trainer and jockey) Rock Up, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Jazz, Mohammed Jassim Ghazali, R. Mullen Nawarah, I. Al Malki, Gary Carter Thoroughbred Conditions (F&M) Distance: 1600m Conditions: FILLIES & MARES ONLY Running Time: 1:33:93 1st QR85500.00 2nd QR33000.00 3rd QR16500.00 4th QR9000.00 5th QR6000.00 Botanica, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley French jockey Julien Auge rides Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtazez to victory in the H H The City Zen, Jassim Al Ghazali, R. Mullen Emir’s Sword race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. LEFT: Italian Rasheeda, Majid Safedeen, Alberto Sanna racing legend Frankie Dettori celebrates after winning the H H The Emir Trophy with Dubday. H H The Emir’s Silver Shalfa Trophy Distance: 2000m Conditions: LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS — 4 Years and Older Running Time: 2:03:57 1st QR285000.00 Al Mourtazez surges late 2nd QR110000.00 3rd QR55000.00 4th QR30000.00 5th QR20000.00 Al Hareth, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley to win Emir’s Sword race Moaddie, H Al Jehani, Marco Monteriso Absher, M. Hussain, Gaetan Faucon H H The Emir’s Trophy Italian legend Dettori spurs Dubday to win H H The Emir Trophy race Distance: 2400m Conditions: L/B P/A — 4 Year Olds and BY RIZWAN REHMAT Older to win. He came home well. Running Time: 2:51:57 Unbelievable,” he added. DOHA: Galloping with unbeat- Al Shaqab’s representative 1st QR456000.00 able pace close to the winning Harry Herbert said: “What a 2nd QR176000.00 post, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al double. This is a special moment 3rd QR88000.00 Mourtazez yesterday left all six for Sheikh Joaan. Not only is he 4th QR48000.00 of his rivals in the shade to win here but these are the two races Qatar’s richest Arabian horse above all that he wanted to win 5th QR32000.00 race, the H H The Emir’s Sword, in Qatar.” Majeed, A. de Mieulle, O.Peslier with a commanding run. Djainka Des Forges, ridden by Masnoon, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Ridden by veteran French Richard Mullen, finished one-and- Ghizwan, J. Smart, R. Mullen jockey Julien Auge and trained a-half length behind Al Mourtazez H H The Emir’s Shalfa Trophy by Thomas Fourcy, Al Mourtazez while Al Majh’Hoor — who had B won the 2,400m marathon nearly Doyle in the saddle — ended the Distance: 1850m two lengths ahead of Julian Smart- race in third spot. Conditions: Thoroughbreds 3 Year Olds trained Djainka Des Forges and Dettori, who won the H H The Only — Open To Non Sheikh, Qatari Owned his stable-mate Al Majh’Hoor at Emir Trophy earlier, finished in Horses Only the Qatar Racing and Equestrian fourth spot on Farh. Running Time: 1:52:49 Club (QREC) here. The win was However, there was delight for 1st QR570000.00 worth a whopping QR1.8m. Dettori who provided Al Shaqab Minutes earlier, Dubday pro- Racing with the day’s first major 2nd QR220000.00 duced one of the best runs of the win in the H H The Emir Trophy. 3rd QR110000.00 season as Italian racing legend Despite getting into an impos- 4th QR60000.00 Frankie Dettori repeated his sible position close to the winning 5th QR40000.00 last year’s show on the famed Al post, Dettori guided Dubday home Shaqab Racing entry to win the with an amazing burst of energy Crescent, Ahmed Kobeissi, Gerald Avranche H H The Emir Trophy as H E to seal his second successive win Itorio, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani that was worth QR1.4m. Lieutenant Kaffee, Jassim Al Ghazali, watched from the stands. Winner of more than 200 Group O.Peslier However, the day belonged to 1 races around the world, Dettori H H The Emir’s Silver Sword Al Mourtazez who clocked a time produced his trademark leap off of 2:39:47. Al Mourtazez, who had the mount and said he was thrilled Distance: 1850m hurt his back after easily winning with the outcome. Conditions: P/A 4 Year Olds Only - Open To the Group 1 Doha Cup last August “We could see potentially it was Non Sheikh, Qatari Owned Horses Only and returned to win a Group 3 going to be dangerous contest,” Qatari trainer Jassim Al Ghazali poses with his trophies at the QREC yesterday. Running Time: 2:30:48 event at Toulouse in late-October, Dettori said. “To win like that, 1st QR570000.00 had a tough trip from France. from a wide draw. Wonderful run! Auge, who rode Mister Ginoux to The dream continues,” he added. for me. He’s a champion horse. 1,850m race ahead of Al Ghazali- QR456,000. In the day’s first three 2nd QR220000.00 victory in the Qatar International Trainer Jassim Al Ghazali was Everyone tried to better him but trained Itorioa — ridden by races, Bentley was unstoppable as 3rd QR110000.00 Trophy on Wednesday, was lost just as pleased. they couldn’t,” the Qatari added. Stephan Ladjadj — and Lieutenant he posted three wins. 4th QR60000.00 for words. “Thank God for putting me in Earlier, Al Ghazali savoured Kaffee — who had Olivier Peslier In race three, Bentley guided 5th QR40000.00 “That was incredible,” Auge this joyous position. I want to give another major win when famed in the saddle. The win was worth Al Hareth to win in the H H Al Murabitoon, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry said. “It’s the best horse in the congratulations to Sheikh Joaan British jockey Bentley brought Al QR 570,000 to owner Mohammed The Emir’s Silver Shalfa Trophy Bentley world, I think. He went in the bin Hamad Al Thani on this Murabitoon home in the H H The Kazim Al Ansari and Sons. while in race two, the 22-year-old front when I wanted him to. It superb win,” Al Gahzali said. “It is Emir’s Silver Sword race, winning Peslier, in race four, delighted British jockey was in the mount Ain Jalout, Jassim Al Ghazali,Stephan was very hard,” Auge said. a big day for racing and big day for the contest ahead of Ain Jalout owners Umm Qarn after guid- when Botanica beat a field of nine Ladjadj “I am very happy I rode this me. I am delighted with this win. and Bahia Du Barthas. ing Majeed to win in the H H entries. Bahia Du Barthas, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P race for Al Shaqab Racing and “Dubday is a fantastic horse. He Bentley’s win — worth QR The Emir’s Trophy ahead of In race one, Bentley was in the Guillambert H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al runs really well in big races. He 570,000 — was clocked in a time Masnoon — ridden by Bentley — saddle when Rock Up topped the H H The Emir’s Trophy (Gr 1) Thani. I am very happy I won two has won so many races. He has of 2:30:48. and Ghizwan — who was handled 11-horse field. All three horses Distance: 2400m Group 1 races for Sheikh Joaan,” made so many people happy,” Al In race four, experienced jockey by Mullen. were trained by Al Ghazali, who Auge said recalling his win on Ghazali said. Gerald Avranche guided Crescent Majeed finished the 2400m completed his 100th win of the Conditions: Thoroughbreds 3 Years Olds & Wednesday. “For me everything was on to win in the H H The Shafala race with a time of 2:51:57 as season on Tuesday. Older “I know the team wanted the line. It wasn’t a normal day Trophy. Crescent finished the Umm Qarn won the top prize of THE PENINSULA Running Time: 2:27:96 1st QR1140000.00 2nd QR440000.00 Horses 3rd QR220000.00 thunder 4th QR120000.00 down 5th QR80000.00 the track Dubday, Jassim Al Ghazali, L. Dettori during a race at Ponfeigh, Debbie Mountain, Liam Jones the Qatar Peter Anders, Z. Mohsen, Marvin Suerland Racing and H H The Emir’s Sword (Gr 1 Pa) Equestrian Distance: 2400M Club Conditions: P/A 4 Years Old & Older (QREC) Running Time: 2:39:47 yesterday. RIGHT: A 1st 1710000.00 spectator 2nd QR660000.00 watches 3rd QR330000.00 the action 4th QR180000.00 at the 5th QR120000.00 QREC Al Mourtazez, Thomas Fourcy, Julien Augé yesterday. Djainka Des Forges, J. Smart, R. Mullen Al Majh’Hoor, J. Smart, B.Doyle FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Navarro stuns Kvitova in Qatar Victoria sets semis date with Venus; Safarova overcomes Petkovic to reach last four

DOHA: Wildcard Victoria Azarenka yesterday continued with her dream run to set a semi-finals date with American legend Venus Williams at the Qatar Total Open. Azarenka yesterday crushed former world number Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-3, 6-1 in 92 minutes on the centre court at Khalifa Tennis Complex. In the day’s first quarter-final, Venus overcame a mid-match cri- sis to beat fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in 2 hours and 16 minutes. The American superstar stut- tered in the second set but recov- ered in the decider to seal the match in her favour. “I fought every point and I guess I will have to play in the same fashion,” Williams said. “I hope I can play in the same way so I could keep my good record here,” she added. “I didn’t serve badly. I did hit a few second serves, but they were deep and with kick. And she just - I think sometimes you get down, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates a point against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their quarter-final match of the Qatar Open at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in you just get relaxed and you start Doha yesterday. Azarenka won 6-3, 6-1. RIGHT: Venus Williams of the US returns the ball to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Venus won 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. PICTURES BY: IBRAHHIM KUTTY to go for broke,” Venus said about Radwanska’s game. Venus said she wants to keep advantage of the wind that was last week. We both knew each going with an eye on next year’s there. I didn’t feel like I grabbed other really good. I need to always Olympic Games in 2016. my opportunities. And then I did a be focused on my game because “Well, I love the game and I feel few too many unforced errors with she’s a really difficult player,” said like I have a lot to give and want my backhand.” Navarro, the world no.34. to play the Olympics,” Venus said Meanwhile, tournament “But today I played really good when asked about her motivation favourite Petra Kvitova of Czech today the second and the final to keep playing at the top level. Republic crash out. Carla Suarez set,” she added. The American, winner of seven Navarro prevailed 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 In the last quarter-final, Lucie Grand Slam titles, said courts in over Kvitova to cause an upset. Safarova of Czech Republic beat Carla Suárez Doha are ‘slow’. Top seed Kvitova - who also Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-2, Navarro of Spain “I think the courts are pretty slow. lost to the Spaniard in Dubai last 6-1 to set up a semi-final clash returns the ball to The conditions have been challeng- week - looked to be cruising into with Navarro. Petra Kvitova of ing because it’s cold or windy, and the last four after taking the first THE PENINSULA Czech Republic I think tomorrow might be windy. set in comfortable fashion, but she during their quar- So I will try to stay focused in these lost 10 successive games as the Qatar Open ter-final match. conditions,” she said. match was turned on its head. Doha: Results from the fourth day of the WTA Navarro won 3-6, Wozniacki, who couldn’t The Wimbledon champion saw Qatar Open yesterday (x denotes seeding): 6-0, 6-3. find rhythm in her loss against all aspects of her game desert her Quarter finals Azarenka, said: “It was a tricky with serves devoid of power, drop Carla Suarez (ESP x9) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE day today. Vika played really shots lacking accuracy and wayward x1) 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 well. She took her opportunities. ground strokes. She attempted a Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Andrea Petkovic I mean, I think the score doesn’t brief revival late in the deciding set, (GER x6) 6-2, 6-1 indicate. I think it was a little but ninth seed Navarro had done closer than what the score says.” enough to allow her to triumph. Venus Williams (USA x7) bt Agnieszka She added: “But end of the day, it “Well, it’s always difficult play- Radwanska (POL x4) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 doesn’t matter. She won the most ing against Petra. She start today Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Caroline important points and she took good really, really good. Yeah, we played Wozniacki (DEN x3) 6-3, 6-1 Nervous Nadal Acapulco Results Acapulco, Mexico: Results yesterday from into Buenos Murray suffers shock the third day of the Mexican Open ATP and WTA tournament (x denotes seeded player): Men Aires quarters Second Round Kei Nishikori (JPN x1) bt BUENOS AIRES: Top-seeded defeat to lucky loser Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 6-1, 6-3 Rafael Nadal overcame some Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR x5) bt Andreas uncharacteristic nerves to surge DUBAI: Andy Murray, the matching him most of the time in Haider-Maurer (AUT) 6-2, 6-3 into the quarter-finals of the former Wimbledon and US the tougher rallies and beginning Kevin Anderson (RSA x4) bt ATP Argentina Open yesterday Open champion who has this to bristle with self-belief. Steve Johnson (USA) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 with an efficient 6-4, 6-0 vic- week risen to world number After this it was mainly a Viktor Troicki (SRB) bt tory over Argentine qualifier three, suffered one of the most question of whether Coric could Santiago Giraldo (COL x7) 6-3, 6-4 Facundo Arguello. remarkable defeats of his career keep his head and not make bad Ivo Karlovic (CRO x6) bt Nadal, ranked fourth in the when he was outplayed 6-1, 6-3 choices. He could and he did. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 world, needed just 64 minutes by Borna Coric, an 18-year-old “It’s one of the biggest wins of Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves Ryan Harrison (USA) bt to win his opening match in the Croatian who only gained entry my life,” said a half-disbelieving Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x3) 7-5, 4-6, 6-0 clay court tournament, booking during his tennis match against to the main draw of the Dubai Coric, who had been fortunate Bernard Tomic (AUS) bt a clash with Federico Delbonis. Argentina’s Facundo Arguello Open as a lucky loser. to survive his previous match in Benjamin Becker (GER x8) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 The Spaniard’s 714th career at the ATP Argentina Open in Murray was a long way below which he trailed 1-4 in the final win gave him sole possession of Buenos Aires yesterday. his best but Coric did enough, set against Marcos Baghdatis, David Ferrer (ESP x2) bt Marinko Matosevic (AUS) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 10th on the all-time list in the with his consistent containing who duly retired with cramp in Open Era, ahead of Boris Becker. and counter-attacking and excel- the tie-breaker. Women Nadal admitted he felt a few “In the second I felt more com- lent focus, to become the youngest “I had no game plan because he 2nd round nerves opening his Buenos Aires fortable and I was able to attack player to reach the semi-finals of doesn’t have any weak spots. I was Maria Sharapova (RUS x1) bt campaign after a semi-final loss more.” the 23-year-old tournament and just trying to maintain the level Mariana Duque (COL) 6-1, 6-2 to Italian Fabio Fognini in Rio last Nadal’s loss to Fognini -- which to justify some of the accolades and stay in the rally as long as I Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) bt Elena week. ended a run of 52 straight semi- which are starting to come his could. I was doing good and I was Bogdan (ROM) 6-0, 6-2 “It’s never easy to open when final clay court wins stretching way. also running very good. That was Caroline Garcia (FRA x3) bt Bethanie you have lost a match like the back 12 years -- saw the Spaniard World number one Novak some of the game plan!” Coric said Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-2, 6-3 one I lost in Rio de Janeiro,” he drop from third to fourth in the Djokovic, who has practised with Borna Coric of Croatia cel- “I am still struggling with the best Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) bt Maria-Teresa said. “I started a little nervous, world, the first time he hasn’t fig- him a few times, called him “def- ebrates after beating Andy players when they play well, and Torro-Flor (ESP) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-5 and Arguello played very well in ured in the top three since August initely one of the most talented Andy was not at his best today.” Murray of Britain during Johanna Larsson (SWE) bt Aleksandra the first set. 2013. This week he’s trying to players in the world right now,” Murray agreed. “I made way their men’s singles quar- Krunic (SRB) 6-1, 6-2 reassert his dominance on clay. and Coric already has a win too many mistakes from the ter-final match at the ATP Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x5) bt Lesya ATP Buenos Aires He is one clay court title away over Rafael Nadal, though the beginning right through to the Tsurenko (UKR) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) from Guillermo Vilas’ record of Spaniard was not fully fit. Championships in Dubai end. I was rushing the points. It Sesil Karatantcheva (BUL) bt Kiki Bertens Results 46 triumphs on the surface. Many pundits believe he will yesterday. was similar to the (Gilles) Simon (NED) 6-1, 6-4 Buenos Aires, Argentina: Results yesterday Delbonis, in a re-match of last quickly rise from his current match in Rotterdam. But he from the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires (x year’s Sao Paulo final, once again ranking of 84 into the top 20. net cord, and very soon he had (Coric) moved well and made a Monica Puig (PUR) bt denotes seeding): triumphed over Italian Paolo It was evident from the start dropped serve twice more. lot of balls.” Sara Errani (ITA x2) 6-1, 6-1 Second Round Lorenzi with a 6-4, 6-2 win. that an upset was on the cards. He was worryingly below par Asked why he had performed so Dubai Open Results Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Facundo Arguello Third-seeded Pablo Cuevas Murray served a double fault both with his error ratio and his far below his best, Murray replied: Dubaï: Results from the ATP Dubai Open (ARG) 6-4, 6-0 reached his third straight quar- and missed with two routine shot selection - it was hard to “I don’t know - I only came off the tennis: ter-final with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 win backhand drives - usually his believe he would have drop-shot- court one minute ago.” Federico Delbonis (ARG) bt Paolo Lorenzi Quarter finals: victory over Guido Andreozzi. most reliable stroke - to drop ted into the net on game point After a moment’s reflection, he (ITA) 6-4, 6-2 Tomas Berdych (CZE x4) bt Sergiy Cuevas produced seven aces serve in the third game, and never or serve-volleyed and then not added: “I don’t know exactly why Juan Monaco (ARG) bt Leonardo Mayer Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to beat the local wild card. He looked like breaking back. chased a lob - and his improve- that was the case, but I’m pretty (ARG x5) 6-4, 6-4 will next face hometown favorite Although Murray won the fin- ment in the second set was brief. sure I know how the match went, Borna Coric (CRO) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU x3) bt Guido Andreozzi Juan Monaco, who upset fellow est rally of the match, a 41-stroke Murray double faulted twice in and I don’t think I’m being wrong Andy Murray (GBR x3) 6-1, 6-3 (ARG) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 Argentine and fifth seed Leonardo mixture of brilliant patterns, a long game to drop serve and go in saying that I made a lot of basic Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Mayer 6-4, 6-4. AFP he only did so with a fortunate 2-4 down, and by then Coric was errors.” AFP Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-1 retired FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 BREAK TIME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2D/Action) 1 – 10:35am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm Focus (2D/Comedy) 2 – 10:30am, 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 & 11:55pm SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER TV LISTINGS The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water TEL: 444933989 444517001 3 (2D/Animation) – 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00 & 4:00pm The Wedding Ringer (2D/Comedy) – 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pm Zarafa (2D/Animation) – 10:45am, 12:30 & 2:15pm 4 Serena (2D/Action) – 3:45, 6:05, 8:15 & 11:00pm The Protector 2 (2D/Action)–10:15am, 2:45 & 11:50pm 13:20 Lion Man: One 11:00 Umeed Ki Ek 5 12:15 Hellriders 08:00 News The Atticus Institute (2D/Horror) – 7:15pm 13:05 Auction Hunters: 08:30 Earthrise World African Nayi Dhun Clash of Empires: Bloodlines (2D/Action) Safari 12:00 Mein Tera Hero – 12:35, 5:00 & 9:30pm Pawn Shop Edition 09:00 Al Jazeera World The Boy Next Door (2D/Thriller) – 10:20pm 13:30 The Liquidator 10:30 Inside Story 13:50 Into The Pride 15:00 Neeli Chatri 6 Boys of Abu Ghraib (2D/Drama) – 3:40pm 13:55 Auction Hunters 11:00 News 14:45 Romeo & Juliet: Waale Youm Maloush Lazmah (2D/Arabic) 14:20 Railroad Alaska 11:30 The Stream A Monkey’s 16:00 Maharakshak – 10:50am, 1:15, 5:40, 8:00pm &12:15am Tale Aryan Captain Sabertooth & The Lama Rama Treasure 15:10 Highway To Sell 12:00 News 7 (2D/Action) – 10:00am, 2:15, 6:30 & 11:00pm 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 12:30 101 East 15:40 Tanked 17:00 Gulf Rangoli & 12:15am; Fort Bliss (2D/Action) 16:50 How It’s Made 13:00 NEWSHOUR 16:35 After The Season 4 – 12:00noon, 4:15 & 8:30pm 17:40 Alaska: The Last 14:00 News Attack 17:30 10 on 10 The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 17:30 Lion Man: One 18:00 Hello Pratibha 8 (2D/Animation) – 3:15 & 5:10pm; Dragon Blade Frontier 14:30 Inside Story (2D/Action) – 10:20am, 12:50, 7:10, 9:30 & 11:50pm 18:30 Overhaulin’ 15:00 Wukan Votes World African 18:30 Jodha Akbar Focus (IMAX 2D/Comedy) – 11:30am, 1:40, 3:50, 19:20 Kindig Customs 16:00 NEWSHOUR Safari 19:00 Jamai Raja 9 6:00, 8:10, 10:20pm &12:30am 20:10 The Liquidator 17:00 News 18:25 Into The Pride 19:30 Aunn Zara Focus (2D/Comedy) 20:35 Auction Hunters 17:30 The Stream 20:15 Tanked 20:30 Zee Connect 10 – 10:00am, 12:10, 2:20, 4:40, 6:50, 9:20 & 11:40pm 21:00 Overhaulin’ 18:00 NEWSHOUR 22:05 Into The Pride Season 4 Zarafa (2D/Animation) – 2:15pm 1 21:50 Kindig Customs 19:00 News 23:00 Wild Things 21:00 Players Serena (2D/Drama) – 4:00pm 22:40 Fantomworks 19:30 Fault Lines With Dominic 00:00 Best of Fear Captain Sabertooth & The Treasure of Lama Monaghan Files Rama (2D/Action) – 6:00 & 7:45pm 23:30 Alaska: The Last 20:00 News The Protector 2 (2D/Action) – 9:30pm Frontier 20:30 Inside Story Still Alice (2D/Drama) – 11:30pm 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 21:00 NEWSHOUR 01:10 Overhaulin’ 22:00 News MALL Fort Bliss (2D/Drama) – 2:45pm 2 02:00 Kindig Customs 22:30 Letter From My Combustion (2D/Action) – 5:00pm 02:50 Fantomworks Child 13:00 The Apple & 12:00 Son Of The Focus (2D/Comedy) – 7:00 & 11:15pm 03:40 Auction Hunters: 23:00 Once Upon a Time The Worm Mask Ab Tak Chhappan (2D/Hindi) – 9:00pm Pawn Shop Edition in Punchbowl 14:30 Dudley Do Right 14:00 Three Men And 3 Fireman (2D/Malayalam) – 2:00, 6:30 & 11:00pm 16:00 Kong Return To A Baby Youm Maloush Lazma (2d/Arabic) – 4:15 & 8:45pm The Jungle 16:00 See Spot Run 18:00 Free Birds 18:00 Syrup 1 Serena (2D/Drama) – 2:30pm Ploddy Police Servitude Combustion (2D/Action) – 4:30pm 20:00 20:00 Car 22:00 A Haunted Youm Maloush Lazma (2D/Arabic) – 6:30pm 22:00 Dudley Do House The Protector 2 (2D/Action) – 9:00pm Right National Captain Sabertooth & The Treasure of Lama 00:00 Rama (2D/Action) – 11:15pm 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 12:00 The Goldbergs 23:30 Kong Return To Lampoon’s 12:40 Hannah Montana 15:30 The Daily Show With The Jungle European 2 Zarafa (2D/Animation) – 3:00pm 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Jon Stewart 01:00 A Cat In Paris Vacation Focus (2D/Comedy) – 5:00, 7:00 & 11:15pm LANDMARK Place 17:00 Late Night With Seth 02:45 Ploddy Police 02:00 Syrup Youm Maloush Lazma (2D/Arabic) – 9:00pm 14:20 Austin & Ally Meyers Car 3 The Protector 2 (2D/Action) – 2:30pm 15:00 Binny And The 18:00 New Girl Fort Bliss (2D/Drama) – 4:30pm Ghost 19:00 Black-Ish Captain Sabertooth & The Treasure of Lama 15:20 Binny And The 20:00 The Tonight Show Rama (2D/Action) – 7:00pm Ghost Starring Jimmy Fireman (2D/Malayalam) – 9:00pm 15:45 Liv And Maddie Fallon

Still Alice (2D/Drama) – 11:30pm 16:10 Violetta 21:00 The Daily Show With 17:00 Jump In! Jon Stewart 12:30 Lincoln 13:00 Inside Combat Ab Tak Chhappan (2D/Hindi) – 2:30pm 18:40 Binny And The 22:00 Family Guy 15:15 Jobs Rescue The Protector 2 (2D/Action) – 5:00 & 9:15pm 1 Ghost 22:30 Curb Your 17:30 Marvel’s The 14:00 World’s Toughest Captain Sabertooth & The Treasure of Lama 19:05 Binny And The Enthusiasm Invincible Iron Fixes Rama (2D/Action) – 7:15 & 11:30pm Ghost 23:00 The Boondocks Man 16:00 Mega Zarafa (2D/Animation) – 3:00pm 19:30 Violetta 23:30 Late Night With Seth 19:00 Man Of Tai Chi- Breakdown Combustion (2D/Action) – 5:00pm 20:45 Sonny With A Meyers PG15 17:00 Brilliant Beasts ROYAL 2 Focus (2D/Comedy) – 7:00 & 11:15pm Chance 00:30 The Daily Show With 21:00 The Amazing 18:00 Hunter Hunted PLAZA Ab Tak Chhappan (2D/Hindi) – 9:00pm 21:35 Sonny With A Jon Stewart Spider-Man 2 19:00 Rebuilding Chance 01:30 Family Guy 23:30 RoboCop Titanic Serena (2D/Drama) – 2:30pm 3 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 02:00 Curb Your 01:30 Empire State 21:00 Brilliant Beasts Fort Bliss (2D/Drama) – 4:30pm 22:25 A.N.T. Farm Enthusiasm 03:30 Lincoln 22:00 Hunter Hunted Youm Maloush Lazma (2D/Arabic)–6:45 & 9:00pm 22:50 Shake It Up 02:30 The Boondocks 23:00 Breakout 23:10 Wolfblood 03:00 New Girl Still Alice (2D/Drama) – 11:15pm

HYPER C RSO S W O RD 1234 5678 910111213 7 Myopic Mr. ___ 35 Round windows 8 Snoozed 36 Opposite of 14 15 16 9 Like a triangle subtracts with sides of 40 Singing the 17 18 19 different lengths praises of 10 Yo-yo and 41 Fairylike 20 21 22 Etch A Sketch 42 Blast from a lighthouse 23 24 25 26 27 11 Prefix with friendly 43 Honolulu’s home 28 29 30 12 Note of 48 What follows phi, indebtedness chi, psi 31 32 33 34 35 13 Singer ___ King 49 Passover feast Cole 50 Hazel eyes or 36 37 38 19 Less funny, as a curly hair joke Yesterday’s answer 51 Dubliners, e.g. 39 40 41 42 43 21 Davenport 52 Gold-medal How to play Hyper Sudoku: 24 Roots (around) gymnast A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper 44 45 25 Anglican Comaneci Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all bishop’s hat 53 Treaty of ___, regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 26 Pasta sauce pact ending the a normal Sudoku. brand War of 1812 54 55 27 Foot-long 54 From a distance How to play Kakuro: sandwich 56 Marlboro or The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any 56 57 58 59 60 30 Old Russian ruler Camel, informally size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells 57 21st word of like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 31 Small sailboat 61 62 63 some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some 32 Exorbitant the Pledge of cells will contain two numbers. interest charge Allegiance However, in a crossword the numbers reference 64 65 66 33 Goes up and 58 Sgt., e.g. clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! down, as a buoy 59 “___ Te Ching” They denote the total of the digits in the row or 34 Physically strong (old Chinese text) column referenced by the number. ACROSS 45 Mauna ___ Within each collection of cells 1 ___, crackle, pop 46 James Bond, for one CPL SCOWLED BRO - called a run - any 5 Shapely shade trees 47 Eerie encounter … or of the numbers 1 9 Beer mug a hint to 23-, 31- and UR I EARHOLE OER to 9 may be used 14 Mani-___ (nail job) 39-Across TAPPANZEEBR I DGE but, like sudoku, 54 Stop on ___ each number may 15 Breakfast or lunch 55 “Yay, we did it!” L I BAT IONBEARERS only be used once. 16 Drink often served with marshmallows 56 Locked up in ERATO TUGAT Yesterday’s 17 Stairway safety feature 60 Secretary, say answer 18 Web designer’s concern 61 Like some Peruvian ruins TILT SNOOP LADE 20 “Relax, soldier!” 62 First, second or reverse SEMI SOFTCHEESES 22 Milky gems 63 “The check ___ the ALLHAI L Sherman’s Lagoon By Jim Toomey 23 Annoyed “Hel-LO!” mail” 25 65 on a hwy., maybe 64 Conductor Solti IDONTFEELLIKEIT 28 Tit ___ tat 65 Elvis’s middle name NEVA ARRAS ELMO 29 Complete 66 “Don’t give me ___!” 31 Japanese compact S.U.V. SPANG CRA I G 36 In addition DOWN EARTHSHATTER I NG 37 Disposable lighter 1 Hose setting 38 2012 Ben Affleck film set 2 “Cool beans!” AR I ZONACARD I NAL in Iran 3 Mademoiselle’s goodbye MTA SOLAR I A EWE 39 Sandwich cookie with 4 Rice ___ (dish) abundant filling 5 Caesar or Charlemagne SSN TWODOOR SED 44 Kind of fin 6 Meadow ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Solar Impulse 2

Fajr (Dawn) 4:43 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:59 Zuhr (Noon) 11:47 Asr (Afternoon) 3:06 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:35 Isha (Night) 7:05

WEATHER

Today Saturday Sunday Weather Conditions: Clear Cloudy Sunny Dust to blowing dust with some High: 24° High: 23° High: 25° clouds and Low: 15° Low: 16 Low: 18 relatively cold at night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:05 17:31 00:30 & 10:30 07:30 & 17:30 20-30/35 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW The Solar Impulse 2 flies over Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi during its first successful test flight yesterday. Two Swiss pilots will attempt HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER to fly around the world in the solar-powered plane in early March to prove that such a flight is possible without using fossil fuels. The plane is the only single-seater solar aircraft that can fly day and night without a drop of fuel. More than 17,000 solar cells on its wings power lithium-ion batter- MUSCAT 26/18 Mostly sunny 22/17 Sunny ies in four electric motors. MAKKAH 38/22 Sunny 38/23 Sunny KUWAIT 25/11 Cloudy 26/12 Sunny BAHRAIN 19/13 Cloudy 23/14 Sunny SANAA 26/07 Clear 26/08 Mostly sunny World art sales RIYADH 23/08 Sunny 24/12 Sunny DUBAI 23/14 Cloudy 23/13 Sunny Double win for Sheeran, BAGHDAD 24/08 Sunny 24/09 Sunny hit new record THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW in 2014 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Smith in Brit Awards PARIS: Global art sales set a LONDON: ATHENS 11/-1 Mostly sunny 06/-4 Partly cloudy British singers Ed fresh record in 2014, driven by WASHINGTON -1/-11 Partly cloudy 02/-8 Mostly sunny Sheeran and Sam Smith took acquisitions from new museums, two prizes each at a glitter- while China maintained its place SYDNEY 29/21 Mostly sunny 34/19 Scattered t-storms ing Brit Awards on Wednesday at the top of the market, data LONDON 10/03 Mostly sunny 11/08 Showers night marred by a mishap that firm Artprice said yesterday. PARIS 09/01 Mostly sunny 09/07 Showers saw Madonna dragged to the Works worth $15.2bn were sold ISTANBUL 15/07 Partly cloudy 11/06 Showers ground by her cape. at auctions during the year, an MANILA 32/22 Mostly sunny 31/21 Partly cloudy Sheeran won British male solo increase of 26 percent on 2013, DHAKA 33/22 Sunny 33/22 Partly cloudy artist and album of the year for Artprice said in its annual report, DELHI 27/17 Sunny 19/16 Thunderstorms “x”, while 22-year-old Londoner produced with China’s Artron. ISLAMABAD 22/09 Partly cloudy 14/10 Rain Smith won British breakthrough A record number of 1,679 sales act and global success award worth $1m or more were recorded after his debut album “In the over the year, four times more Lonely Hour” won worldwide than a decade ago, it added. acclaim. Thierry Ehrmann, founder Spotify woos karaoke users “This is incredible, I really and CEO of Artprice, described didn’t expect this,” Smith told the figures as “an amazing result, STOCKHOLM: Fans of a bedroom sing-along can now look beyond the crowd, while Sheeran called an increase of 300 percent in a karaoke systems as music streaming giant Spotify tries to attract it a great night for British music decade”. their attention by integrating lyrics into its service. that defied those who said “selling He added that the boom was not British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran poses with his British album of the The feature, launched by the startup yesterday in a collaboration records is dead”. being driven by speculators, with with lyrics website Musicxmatch, lets users click a button on Spotify’s As pop veteran Madonna took year award for ‘X’ and his British male solo artist award at the Brit Awards 37 percent of lots going unsold in desktop PC service to have each line of the song appear across the to the stage flanked by muscled 2015 in London on Wednesday night. the West and 54 percent in China. screen as it is sung. male dancers wearing horns, 2014 also saw 125 artworks sell Spotify — which has over 15 million paying subscribers after launch- her long black cape caught and Smith, who had led nominations emotional speech as she accepted for $10m or more, not including ing in Sweden in 2008 — typically charges $10 for a monthly subscrip- dragged her down a set of stage on the night, gave a soulful per- the award for British female solo commission, against 18 in 2005. tion that allows ad-free access to its catalogue of millions of songs. steps in a dramatic fall. formance of his runaway hit “Stay artist, saying it had taken 14 years Greater China, grouping the But the company has come under fire from artists like US pop star But the 56-year-old shrugged off with Me”, which was named Song to achieve and dedicating it to “all mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Taylor Swift and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke for inadequate compensation. the mishap, removing the cape and of the Year at the Grammys in Los the underdogs and all the grafters maintained its market leader sta- The company remained coy about whether the new lyrics feature giving a stomping performance of Angeles earlier this month. that work bloody hard”. tus, accounting for $5.6bn in sales, would also reach mobile or tablet devices but a spokeswoman said it “Living for Love”. Pop veterans Take That also Fans of the world-conquer- followed by the United States. is “always looking at bringing new features to all of our platforms.” The ceremony kicked off with a performed at the event, along ing British-Irish boy band One However, in a sign that a slow- AFP pitch-perfect rendition of “Blank with rock duo Royal Blood, who Direction voted them the winner down in Beijing’s economy and Space” by country music sweet- revealed they had formed in 2013 of British video for “You & I”, a an anti-corruption drive that heart turned pop sensation Taylor just for fun as they accepted the prize accepted by producer Simon has curtailed luxury spending Swift, who won the international award for British group. Cowell on their behalf. may have taken their toll, sales Tower power female solo artist award. Best British single went to US singer-songwriter Pharrell in China were down five percent “I’ve been coming to England Mark Ronson for “Uptown Funk”, Williams’ hit “Happy” rang out compared to 2013. and playing shows for eight years and the DJ paid tribute to the hit’s as he was named international 2014 was an exceptionally and this is my first award. I’m so Hawaiian singer Bruno Mars as he male solo artist, and he sent his strong year in the United States, happy,” Swift said as she accepted accepted the gong. thanks in a video message telling with $4.8bn being spent at US auc- the prize — Britain’s version of a Husky-voiced London singer the crowd it “means the world”. tions, an increase of 21 percent Grammy. Paloma Faith, 33, made an AFP from the previous year. British auction houses also put in a solid performance to secure third place with $2.8bn in sales, up 35 percent from 2013. “More museums were created between 2000 and 2015 than dur- Prince William begins Japan tour ing the entire 19th and 20th cen- turies,” said Wang Jie, president of TOKYO: Prince William was Away from the phalanx of In an apparent concession, how- Artprice.com and Artron group. greeted by hundreds of fans as Japanese cameras set to follow ever, the Duke of Cambridge was The phenomenal expansion saw he arrived for his first trip to the prince throughout his four- to be seated on a specially pre- a new museum opening every day Japan yesterday, before being day tour, William was expected pared chair instead of adopting somewhere in the world, led by whisked off for a nice cup of tea to savour a cup of bitter “macha” the traditional kneeling posture growth in Asia, he said. — green tea, that is. green tea at a traditional teahouse that many Westerners find diffi- “A museum needs a minimum of Even without his pregnant in the garden. cult. AFP 3,000 to 4,000 quality works to be wife, Kate, the prince is assured credible... (and) is not meant to get of a warm welcome all over Japan, rid of its acquisitions,” he added. where people adore the British And even though top valued lots Royal family. represented only a small propor- A crowd of well-wishers and tion of the total market, they were journalists greeted the prince, 32, key to the US and Britain main- at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, where taining their top positions. he appeared immaculately turned Eighty-three of the 125 sales out in a tie, light blue shirt and worth $10m or more were con- dark blue suit, despite the lengthy ducted in the US. These sales flight from England. represent only one percent of lots Soon after his arrival a smiling but 75 percent of US sales volume. William, accompanied by Tokyo Artprice also said that the Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, shel- upper threshold for works could tered under see-through umbrel- soon scale new heights. This las as he boarded a boat to see month, a work by Gauguin sold areas of Tokyo Bay that will play privately for $300m, according to host to some of the main events of the New York Times. the 2020 Olympics. Art, Ehrmann said, “has become The grey, rain-soaked afternoon an investment category in its own One of the two seven-metre-high vertical axis wind turbines installed moved on to a formal tea cere- Britain’s Prince William (second left) is escorted by Tokyo Governor Yoichi right, reliable, stable over time and on the Eiffel tower. The turbines, which generate 10,000 kwh, are on mony in the Hama-rikyu Japanese Masuzoe as he is greeted by schoolchildren on his arrival at the Hama Rikyu much less prone to turbulence that the second floor of the Paris landmark. garden, where lines of flag-waving gardens in Tokyo yesterday. the stock market.” schoolchildren greeted the prince. AFP