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WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 • 12 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6387 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Qatar to set up fund for Syrian children UN-backed donors’ meet in Kuwait pledges $3.8bn in aid BY DR KHALID AL-JABER The fund, he said, would be destruction is the headline in launched by Qatar and adminis- every region in Syria, without KUWAIT: Qatar has pledged tered by UN agencies, including exception,” said the Emir. to set up a special fund for Unicef, among others. The Syrian economy suffered education of Syrian children Addressing the conference, more than $200bn in losses, at the third International Kuwait Emir H H Sheikh Sabah unemployment rate stands at 57 Humanitarian Pledging Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah percent, while the life expectancy Conference for Syria held in pledged $500m on behalf of his rate has dropped to 55 years, the Kuwait yesterday. International country to support the Syrian rates of poverty have risen, and the donors pledged $3.8bn at the people and urged the UN Security number of Syrian refugees outside conference to help alleviate war- Council to act and end the conflict the country is 3.9 million people, torn Syria’s humanitarian crisis. politically. the biggest refugee society in the Foreign Minister H E Dr He said the conference was world, said the Kuwaiti leader. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah held in the face of the “biggest The crisis in Syria created who represented Qatar in the humanitarian catastrophe wit- safe havens for terrorist groups conference said his country would nessed by humanity in our con- who use the state of instability to be contributing to a sustainable temporary history.” carry out their “sinister plans,” education fund for Syrian chil- Kuwait hosted the first and he added. Sheikh Sabah paid trib- dren. The move, said the minis- second pledging conferences in ute to the five neighbouring coun- ter, would be aimed at preventing 2013 and 2014. The Emir said 90 tries — Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, the emergence of a “lost genera- percent of pledges made at the Iraq and Egypt — hosting some tion” including two million chil- second conference were honoured. 3.9 million Syrian refugees and dren who are currently without “The frightening figures and offering immense humanitarian schooling. documented data about the eco- and relief services, despite the These children will tomorrow nomic and social impact of the heavy burden on their economies be swayed to join terrorist groups, crisis, published lately by inter- and security. he said. “We cannot let this hap- national organisations, based Continued on page 3 Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah attending the opening ceremony of the Third International pen,” said Al Attiyah. on research studies, reveal that THE PENINSULA Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, at Al Bayan Palace in Kuwait City yesterday.

GCC states agree to formulate framework to impose VAT Strong winds

DOHA: GCC states are tak- undersecretaries of the Ministries of a proposal, will be submitted in a report published yester- looking at the possibility of intro- from tonight ing a closer look at the possibil- of Finance of the GCC states was to the Ministers of Finance of day that the 46th meet of the ducing VAT of three to five per- DOHA: The Meteorology ity of introducing value-added held in Doha. the GCC states at their meeting Undersecretaries held here dis- cent on goods and services “along Department has forecast strong tax (VAT) on commodities and On its sidelines, Kuwait’s slated to be held here in May for cussed “the importance of VAT”. with other GCC states”. winds from today night until services. VAT is like sales tax Undersecretary of Finance their perusal. Qatar News Agency The ministerial meeting due in Yunus Khouri, Undersecretary Friday evening. and is also known as goods and Ministry, Khalifa Hamada told (QNA) reported that the meet- May will also discuss issues like at the UAE’s finance ministry, was The condition is attributed to services tax. Kuna that a working team, in ing of the Undersecretaries of the financial coordination among quoted by alkhaleej.ae as saying high pressure extending from Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) collaboration with a legal team, Finance Ministries was chaired the GCC states and labor mar- that the GCC states were working northwest of Saudi Arabia asso- reports that the GCC countries has been assigned to prepare the by H E Khaled bin Hamad Al ket reforms and increasing labor to have a unified mechanism for ciated with fresh to strong north- have in principle agreed to for- framework for introducing VAT Mannai, Undersecretary at force, the daily said. an indirect taxation system. westerly winds. mulate a general framework in GCC states. Qatar’s Finance Ministry. UAE-based alkhaleej.ae, mean- Continued on page 3 The wind would blow at speeds to impose VAT. A meeting of The framework, in the form Arabic daily Al Arab confirmed while, said that the UAE was THE PENINSULA ranging between 17 — 25 KT inshore reaching 35KT at times and from 20 — 30 KT offshore reaching 38 KT at times. The dust winds are expected 50 new private to reduce the horizontal visibil- Heavy gunfire on ity. Some scattered clouds are also expected. Temperature will schools to open be at the regular range with the maximum between 30 – 32 degree this year Saudi-Yemen border Celsius and the minimum at 19 - 22 degree Celsius. DOHA: Fifty new private ADEN: Saudi troops clashed flew overhead, they said. THE PENINSULA schools will open the next with Yemeni Houthi fight- Saudi Arabia said yesterday it academic year beginning in ers yesterday in the heaviest would only send ground troops September this year, a sen- exchange of cross-border fire into Yemen against the Houthi ior official of the Supreme since the start of a Saudi-led militia if such operations became Buhari wins Education Council (SEC) has air offensive last week, while necessary, after the fiercest day disclosed. Yemen’s foreign minister called of clashes on the border since Nigeria poll The SEC received 96 applica- for a rapid Arab intervention on it began air strikes began last tions to open new schools this the ground. week. ABUJA: Muhammadu Buhari year which included 33 schools Saudi Arabia has been leading “There could be a limited yesterday became Nigeria’s following British curriculum and a coalition of Arab states since ground operation, in specific president-elect after defeating 29 schools following American last Thursday in an air campaign areas, at specific times. But don’t Goodluck Jonathan in the first curriculum, a local Arabic daily against the Shia Houthis, who expect there to be a resort auto- democratic change of power ever reported yesterday quoting emerged as the most powerful matically to a ground operation,” in Africa’s most populous nation. Hamad Al Ghali, director of the force in the Arabian Peninsula’s said Brigadier General Ahmed The victory writes a new chap- Private Schools Office at SEC. poorest country when they seized Asseri, spokesman for the Saudi- ter in the country’s often turbu- There were 16 applications Yemen’s capital last year. led coalition. lent history after six military for Indian schools and one for Residents and tribal sources “I don’t want us to concentrate coups since independence in 1960 Bangladeshi school. The requests in north Yemen reported artil- on the land operation as if it is a and 16 years of unbroken civilian also included four French schools, People gather at the site of an air strike in Yareem city of Yemen’s central lery and rocket exchanges along ‘must’ ... if it is possible to achieve rule by Jonathan’s party. three Canadian, five Egyptian, one several stretches of the Saudi the goals through other means,” The gripping contest also province of Ibb yesterday. Air raids by a Saudi-led coalition hit Houthi militia Australian, one Turkish and one border. he said. capped a remarkable transforma- targets across Yemen, striking the group’s northern stronghold of Saadeh, Lebanese. Explosions and heavy gunfire REUTERS tion for the 72-year-old former the capital Sanaa, and the central town of Yareem. THE PENINSULA were heard and Saudi helicopters See also page 7 army general, who led a tough military regime in the 1980s but now describes himself as a “con- verted democrat”. INSIDE Thousands spilled onto the streets of the north’s biggest city, Page 9 Kano, in celebration, shouting Deadline abandoned in marathon Iran N-talks his campaign slogan “Sai Buhari” Being made to tip is (“Only Buhari”) as he took an a tax on Qataris LAUSANNE: The US aban- spokeswoman Marie Harf said. on a road to military action to and “frequent breaks to negotiate unassailable lead with one state doned late yesterday a midnight The announcement came thwart Iran’s nuclear drive, which in smaller groups”. to declare. By Moza Abdel Aziz deadline to agree the outlines late on a sixth day of talks in Tehran says is purely peaceful. A Western diplomat said the Many brandished brooms, his Alishaq of a nuclear deal with Iran but Switzerland aimed at laying Earlier Chinese Foreign army of technical and sanctions party symbol, with which they A winter World Cup will insisted that “enough progress” the groundwork for a deal that Minister Wang Yi left the crunch experts would continue plugging have pledged to sweep away merited extending marathon world powers hope will prevent talks in Lausanne as his French away “for the next hours. All par- years of government waste and have many benefits talks for today. Iran developing nuclear weap- counterpart Laurent Fabius said ties are working hard and are com- corruption. In the northern city By Muhammad Ali Al “We’ve made enough progress ons under the guise of its civilian that the negotiations were “com- mitted to finding a solution.” of Kaduna, supporters of his All Muhannadi in the last days to merit stay- programme. plicated... long and difficult”. Senior Iranian negotiator Progressives Congress (APC) ing until Wednesday. There The stakes are high, with fears A German diplomatic source Hamid Baidinejad said: “We are chanted: “Change! Change!” are several difficult issues still that failure to reach a deal may also said the talks were “difficult” ready to continue. We are not AFP remaining,” State Department set the United States and Israel with a “changeable atmosphere” watching the clock.” AFP See also page 12 WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 HOME 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com QRC’s sixth disaster control camp opens DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) yesterday opened the Sixth Disaster Management Camp (DMC-6) at Marine Scout Camp in Al Khor, under the theme ‘Effective Preparedness.. Better Response.’ Running until April 9, the event is held in coordination with government and non-governmen- tal organisations, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations. Officials announce the opening of the camp. The camp is attended by 350 volunteers from Qatar and The event was announced courses, which, together with abroad, including 54 from 15 open in a press conference at the camp, constitute a complete Mena national societies from the Humanitarian Tent, in the specialized training programme Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, presence of Saleh bin Ali Al to hone the emergency prepar- Palestine, Somalia, Yemen, Mohannadi, QRC Secretary- edness, rescue, coordination, and Turkey, Mauritania, Niger, General, and Rashid bin Saad Al leadership skills among volun- Lebanon, Sudan, Afghanistan, Mohannadi, Director of the camp. teers and local community. Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. The QRC Secretary-General The camp includes specialized It also features 45 trainers said the camp “reflects the impor- training in assessment and field from local and international tance attached by Qatar to the coordination, shelter and reg- organisations. management of natural disasters istration, water and sanitation, As the only specialised train- and international cooperation food and distribution, media and ing event of such a scale in to respond to and reduce their communication in emergency, and Arabic language, the purpose impact. Capacity building is a emergency health care. of the camp is to build a well- strategic priority under Qatar Also in the agenda is general trained base of volunteers who National Vision 2030, as it is the training on sphere standards, respond to disasters timely and only way to create a culture of disaster management and lead- effectively, enhance coordination preparedness and knowledge of ership in humanitarian action, with relevant organizations and the latest disaster response tools emergency operation manage- authorities, minimize casualties around the world,” ment, logistics, psychological sup- and property losses, and help the Throughout the year, QRC port, secure access, and restoring society recover from any future holds numerous basic and family links. disasters. advanced disaster management THE PENINSULA Customs official honoured for 6kg marijuana haul DOHA: The Customs Authority has honoured carried out to curb the entry of illicit materials another official for seizing 6kg of marijuana at that harm the community, said Ahmad bin Ali Al Hamad International Airport (HIA). The contra- Muhannadi, Head, Customs Authority, after hand- band was seized from a suspected passenger from ing over the award. an Asian country. Drug hauls indicate that there are remarkable Two young officials, including a woman, were improvements in the performance of customs offi- awarded for a huge drug haul last week. Their sei- cials due to intensified training programmes held zure included 5kg of marijuana, 107 grammes of occasionally to train inspectors, said Ahmad Isa Al heroin and 3,213 pills of banned tablet Tramadol. Muhannadi, Assistant Head, Customs Authority. Officials are honoured for excellent job they QNA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar Tourism Authority hosts ICCA workshop

www.swiss-belhotel.com Tel Fax

Tel Fax

Participants at the workshop.

DOHA: Qatar Tourism included sessions introducing such as choosing the event ranking of Qatar in the ICCA Authority (QTA) yester- the audience to ICCA and ICCA site, seeking technical advice, Statistics Report, to grant Tel day hosted the International products, as well as touching on and preparing full plans to Qatar a more advanced posi- Fax Congress and Convention the ICCA Statistics report about hold international conventions tion in the report by growing Association (ICCA) workshop Qatar and the services offered and activities,” said Hamad Al the number of ICCA members on international association by the tourism business sector Abdan, Director of Exhibitions in Qatar, including bodies, insti- meetings organization at the in the country. Another session at QTA. tutions, and firms. Tel + 974 44298888 Qatar National Convention tackled ICCA database training; “We will always seek to host ICCA members in Qatar Centre (QNCC). namely the big data and how to such activities with the aim of include the QTA, Qatar Airways, Fax The workshop was designed do business exchange in this supporting our partners from QNCC, Qatar Media Services to provide an introduction about market. the private sector in their bid (QMedia), and Qatar MICE the ICCA and was attended by “We are proud to host this to promote Qatar as a leading Development Institute. Hosting Tel QTA’s partners from the pri- ICCA workshop, particularly destination for business tour- the workshop takes place after Fax vate sector, including profes- that ICCA is regarded as the ism,” added Al Abdan. QTA successfully hosted the sional conference organizers global expert in international Such workshops on how to International Association (PCOs), destination manage- association meetings. We hope organize international conven- of Professional Congress ment companies (DMCs) and that our partners from the pri- tions and conferences are set Organizers Regional Seminar Tel MICE venues, hotels and venues vate sector, including hotels, to provide PCOs, DMCs, event on “Delivering Professional Fax operators, as well as special ven- PCOs, DMCs, and travel agen- management companies and Congress Organization: ues, travel agencies, and event cies highly benefit from this PR agencies with the essential Engaging All” earlier this month management companies and PR workshop, especially that it aims knowledge and latest tips and which attracted a large number agencies. A representative of to provide them with compre- rules on the best ways to attract of PCOs and event organizers Tel ICCA was present at the event. hensive solutions to all issues international conventions. from Qatar and the Gulf.. Fax The workshop’s program relating to organizing events QTA seeks to raise the THE PENINSULA www.doha.hilton.com

Tel 44233333 974+ Nigeria again urged to free Al Jazeera duo Fax 44233000 974+

DOHA: Al Jazeera has once forces fighting Boko Haram in However, Ahmed and Mustafa detained. No explanation has again urged the Nigerian Borno State. are accredited by Independent been presented to us stating authorities to release their The story was done with Electoral Commission in Abuja why they have been detained journalists in Maiduguri now cooperation of the military with the clearance to report and what will happen next. detained for a week without and was part of Al Jazeera’s from anywhere in the country “Ahmed and Ali are officially any explanation. special coverage on the elec- during the election period. accredited to report on the elec- The detention has been tions. Al Jazeera is one of the The statement also said both tion and related issues and had Tel condemned by Committee to most-watched news channels in men were said to be ‘loitering’ worked on a story with coopera- Fax Protect Journalists and Nigeria Nigeria, with millions of viewers in locations, however they were tion of the military. Civil Society Situation Room, a every day. detained in their hotel rooms. “As Nigeria is on the cusp of coalition of organisations work- Equipment were confiscated The statement gave a reminder a democratic civilian transition, ing in support of credible and from the hotel room and both about warnings given to “for- we call on authorities to release transparent elections. men restrained without any eign” journalists, but Idris and Ahmed and Ali. Detaining two Tel Ahmed Idris and producer logical explanation. Mustafa are Nigerians, from the respectable journalists with- Fax Ali Mustafa were restrained in A military statement has northeast. out any reason is unaccept- their hotel in the morning of accused them of “operating An Al Jazeera spokesper- able. They should be released March 24 after returning from without protection, accredita- son said: “It has now been a immediately.” covering a story on the Nigerian tion or due clearance”. week since our colleagues were THE PENINSULA Tel Fax

UAE-based Forum on linguistics in Gulf held Tel Fax DOHA: The Department in the region. The opening lecture was businessmen of English Literature It drew over 200 partici- delivered by keynote speak- and Linguistics at Qatar pants, including faculty and ers Prof Adbulqader Fassi oppose VAT University’s College of Arts students from local, regional Fehri from Muhamed V Tel & Sciences (QU-CAS) hosted and international educational University on ‘Arabic Ways to Continued from page 1 the 5th biennial International institutions. Be Gendered’, and Prof Yasir Fax Khouri, though, didn’t spe- Linguistics in the Gulf The opening ceremony was Suleiman from University cifically name VAT, but it is like Conference. attended by the Dean of the of Cambridge on ‘Arabic sales tax and an indirect tax on The two-day forum aimed to college, Dr Eiman Mustafawi, Language Ideology: Principles consumers. provide a platform for schol- Associate Dean for Research and Applications’. Tel No member-country of the ars and professionals whose and Graduate Affairs, Dr The event featured 34 pre- Fax GCC can take a decision to intro- research interests focus on Mohamed Ahmedna, Associate senters from local, regional duce VAT on its own. language in the Gulf to share Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr and international universities, Any decision regarding VAT research and expertise and Hassan Abdulaziz, and Head of including eight QU graduates. must be taken at the GCC level, promote the study of linguistics the department, Dr Ali Idrissi. THE PENINSULA alkhaleej.ae said quoting experts. Alkhaleej.ae said, quoting experts, that the idea behind VAT is to discourage rising consumer- ism in GCC societies and generate Tel added revenues for the govern- Fund pledges very generous: Ban Fax ments so they could make more outlays for development spending. Continued from page 1 organisations committed more for international aid to help “The levy (VAT) will have a Addressing the closing ses- than $500m. their economies cope with the negative impact on the GCC sion of the Third International Other major contributions tragedy. Tel states,” one expert said. Pledging Conference for Syria, came from Britain with $150 Yesterday’s conference, Fax Some others said they didn’t UN chief Ban Ki-moon wel- million, United Arab Emirates attended by representatives agree with this view and pointed comed the promised funds as with $100m and Norway which from nearly 80 countries, out that the percentage of taxa- “very generous”, news agencies promised $93m. was preceded by a meeting of www.marriottmarquisdoha.com tion was, after all, small. reported yesterday. French state minister for charitable organisations, which Tel But commenting on the web- The amount almost equals development Annick Girardin pledged a total of $506m. + 974 44195000 site (of alkhaleej.ae) some UAE- the combined total of $3.9bn said Paris pledged $22.7m The United Nations has Fax + 974 44195100 based businessmen said they were promised at the two previous (¤20m) in addition to $100m launched an appeal for $8.4bn opposed to the idea since the conferences. (¤87m) as part of the European in 2015 to fund its humanitar- UAE, in particular, was known The European Union pledged pledge. ian operations in Syria, with for attracting huge inflows of for- nearly ¤1.1bn ($1.2bn), double Jordan and Lebanon, which $5.5bn intended for refugees eign investment and that will be the amount the bloc offered together host close to 2.5 mil- and $2.9bn for people inside the affected by VAT. last year while the US pledged lion refugees, were represented war-ravaged country. THE PENINSULA $507m and non-governmental by their premiers who appealed THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME MoI to focus on oral health problems Medical Services Department joins with healthcare providers to create awareness about caries among kids

DOHA: The Ministry of and Beauty.’ Many activities Interior (MoI) has joined with were held to raise awareness and the Supreme Council of Health promote oral health and dental (SCH) and Primary Healthcare hygiene among the public, espe- Centre (PHCC) to tackle and cially schoolchildren. create awareness about oral Awareness programmes are health problems in the country. being organised in collaboration The Medical Services with the SCH, PHCC, Hamad Department of the ministry will Medical Corporation and CNA-Q. work with healthcare providers in A new initiative of PHCC, creating awareness about caries, ‘Beautiful Smile’ targets not only especially in children. schoolchildren, but will begin edu- “The department not only cating pregnant women about the provides services to its staff but importance of oral health by pro- for their families, therefore we viding them with instruction and believe it is important that we join information. with the SCH and PHCC in creat- Starting at one year of age, chil- ing more awareness about den- dren will be brought to Beautiful tal health problems,” Lt. Ahmed Smile clinics and provided with Mohamed Al Yazeedi, Head, screening, early treatment and External Clinics at the depart- prevention methods. ment, said during the closing cer- Nurses in vaccination clinics emony of sixth GCC Oral Health are being trained to look for oral Week 2015. health issues in young children. “This is the first time the Oral health issues continue to ministry has joined other stake- be a significant cause of diseases holders in such an initiative,” he in Qatar and the region. added. Dr Shikha Jassim Al Abdul Jabbar, Head, Dental Department, Dr Abdulla Asad Al Emadi, Consultant, Oral Health, Col. Ahmed Mohamed Yazeedi and According to recent data, Qatar Officials from the SCH, PHCC other officials and participants during the closing ceremony of the sixth GCC unified week for enhancing oral and health at Civil Defence headquarters. has one of the highest number of and dental science students at KAMMUTTY VP dentists in the population ratio North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) (1:1800), but it also has the high- were present. The week was held oral diseases in general and tooth March is dedicated to raising all sections of society and high- ailments. est prevalence of at least 85 per- from March 25 to 31 to create decay in particular. awareness about dental diseases light chronic diseases such as This year, the event was held cent caries in children. a unified Gulf model to combat Every year, the last week of and how to prevent them among diabetes to reduce dental-related under the theme ‘Teeth Health THE PENINSULA

Workshop on cyber probe GCC business school campuses ‘should develop local faculty, research’

DOHA: Branch campuses of management executive education. million students, with only about business schools in the GCC The other challenge is to build 4,000 pursuing master’s degree in should complement their faculty and research capabili- business administration. national universities by devel- ties. For instance, it is essential HEC Paris in Qatar and Qatar oping local faculty and research, to attract some of the best fac- University are positioning them- says an expert. ulty worldwide and develop PhD selves as major players, provid- Demand for business schools programmes to foster research ing postgraduate programmes in is tremendous, especially that and produce local and regional management. management of higher educa- content (case studies and applied “Professionals are consider- tion landscape is fairly scarce. research, among others),” he ing the GCC a place to settle and The localisation of some inter- added. build a career. Thus, they seek national branch campuses is a HEC Paris in Qatar has set up continued education… Business partial response, Prof Laoucine a research office to cater to these schools in the region face the Kerbache, Dean & CEO, HEC needs. A dozen of management challenge to have effective man- Paris in Qatar, told this daily. case studies have been developed agement education in line with A training workshop on ‘Cyber investigation’ by Drugs Enforcement Administration at the Ministry of Interior “The main challenge of man- in collaboration with some com- the countries’ needs for growth concludes tomorrow at CID Training Centre. It is being held with the US Drug Enforcement Administration Dubai agement education in the region, panies in Qatar. and jobs,” said Prof Kerbache. Office. It includes a theoretical study of traditional investigative techniques and skills of interrogation, surveil- including Qatar, is to build up Out of 192 universities in the The European Foundation for lance, operation plan, Internet protocols, use of telecom and social media like WhatsApp and Instagram and a a world-class education system GCC, 89 (46 percent) offer MBA. Management Development’s 2015 practical approach of discussed topics. to develop skills needed for the Of these 51 (57 percent) are based EFMD MENA Conference this growth of the countries in the in the UAE, with 32 in Dubai. month will bring experts to Doha region. Catering to Qatarisation Oman has the largest percent- to discuss challenges and opportu- policies, as in the case of other age (75 percent of universities nities of business education in the GCC countries, is a major chal- offering MBA), Bahrain (69), region. It will be hosted by HEC lenge to business schools since Kuwait (67) and Qatar (15). Paris in Qatar. Free double data on Shahry, many needs are relative to The GCC registered about 1.5 THE PENINSULA Hala packs for two months QA expands code-share deals with 2 airlines DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday download, post to social media The promotion is applica- launched a data promotion offer- sites and transfer double the ble also for all new subscribers DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has announced a strategic code-share Japan, with the addition of 24 new ing double the data for all new documents online at high speeds. who purchase a data pack from announced further expansion of agreement in April last year, domestic code-share routes with and existing Hala and Shahry Depending on their chosen Ooredoo’s Mobile Internet Packs its code-share agreements with shortly after Cathay Pacific first oneworld member Japan Airlines. Mobile Internet Pack customers Shahry or Hala Mobile Internet (MIPs), which start from just Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, started servicing Doha directly on Qatar Airways serves three destina- for free for two months. Pack, customers can sample up to QR15 for Hala and QR60 Shahry enhancing connectivity around 30 March 2014, complementing tions in Japan from its hub in Doha With the offer, Ooredoo cus- 15GB worth of free data. customers. the globe for the travelling public QA’s existing route frequencies to to Osaka, Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo tomers will receive double the The offer is also available for Hala Mobile Internet Packs between these oneworld member Hong Kong. This new agreement Narita. The 24 new code-shares allocated data for their weekly or use on Ooredoo’s bigger and faster come in weekly denominations airlines. offers QA passengers greater flex- with Japan Airlines are Tokyo monthly allowance for the same 4G and 4G+ networks, giving cus- of QR15 for 250MB, QR20 for Cathay Pacific and QA enhance ibility and a wider choice when Haneda to Kagoshima, Hiroshima, price as their regular pack. tomers access to superfast mobile 750MB, QR25 for 1500MB, QR50 their code-share partnership from travelling to Australia, New Kumamoto, Kita Kyushu, Okayama, The offer has been designed to data speeds and the smoothest for 3.75GB and QR100 for unlim- Doha to Muscat and Sao Paulo. QA Zealand, Korea and Japan. The Nagasaki, Matsuyama, Komatsu, cater for next generation custom- browsing experience in Qatar. ited data. serves three destinations in Japan new code-share routes between Takamatsu, Oita, Hakodate, Kochi, ers that seek to bring out the best Existing Shahry Mobile Shahry Mobile Internet Packs from its hub in Doha to Osaka, Doha-Muscat and Doha-Sao Paulo Tokushima, Akita, Miyazaki, Ube, of their smartphone’s capabilities Internet Pack customers will get are available at QR60 for 1GB, Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita will further enhance connectivity Izumo, Aomori, Asahikawa, Obihiro, via Ooredoo’s mobile data. the double data automatically QR80 for 3GB, QR100 for 6GB, and operates the Boeing 787 on its for our passengers. QA has contin- Amami O Shima, Memambetsu, The promotion, which will run for two months. Hala customers QR200 for 15GB and QR400 for daily Tokyo Haneda route. ued to expand its network offering Kushiro and Misawa. until May 31 will allow smart- will automatically receive it with unlimited data. QA and Cathay Pacific first for those passengers travelling to THE PENINSULA phone users in Qatar to stream, every renewal May 31. THE PENINSULA Vodafone rolls out first global retail store concept in Al Aziziya DOHA: Vodafone Qatar global retail concept reflects has rolled out its first global our commitment to take the retail store concept at its new retail experience in Qatar to a store in Al Aziziya, taking its new height. It is our strategy to nation-wide retail footprint outreach with our unmatched to 21 outlets. customer journeys to all four The store features a com- corners of Qatar and offer cus- plete retail transformation tomers with excellent levels of to reflect Vodafone’s world- services and care they expect class look and feel and offers from a brand like Vodafone. a vibrant and delightful retail “Our global store concept is ambience besides the ease and flexible allowing us to adapt it simplicity in line with any to the needs of the local market. other store Vodafone custom- We plan to continue to grow ers will visit across the world. our presence and roll out this The store will cater to one of concept across our other stores Vodafone officials outside the store in Al Aziziya. key residential and commercial to ensure differentiation.” areas and deliver more wel- With a clear and simple set- featuring latest mobile and in their exclusive area and simple service such as the pur- coming and engaging experi- ting, the store boasts unique tablet accessories. the elderly will enjoy a more chase of recharge cards or bill ence with the best tech expert features such as Iconic Top The Tech Zone and consul- comfortable service with the payment, the express check- support. 10 Table with a choice of lat- tation pods provide custom- specially designed consulta- out points and self-service Marc Norris, Chief est bestsellers, a Hero Product ers with advice and support. tion area that’s low in height. machine ensure quicker serv- Commercial Officer, said: “Our zone, and an accessory panel Red customers will get served For customers that require a ice. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QTA wins Best Arab QC begins public service Government Tourism Authority 2015 Award projects in Bangladesh DOHA: Qatar Tourism Cooperation Council (GCC) DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) training will provide qualified Authority (QTA) has won countries, from where 40 per- has begun implementing public medical care at low cost. the Best Arab Government cent of the visitors came in service projects in Bangladesh, A multi-service complex Tourism Authority 2015 2014. for the benefit of 172,000 people, has also been built at a cost of Award, an Arab tourism Some 28 percent of the visi- at a total cost of QR4.6m. QR2.48m, benefitting around award granted by Arab tors originated from various The projects are expected to 60,000 people, incorporating a Centre for Tourist Media. parts of Asia and Oceania, be completed this year and cover full school, benefiting 2,000 stu- QTA won the award based on while 15 percent came from memorisation of the Holy Quran dents at a cost of QR650,000, and official Arab studies and sta- Europe. project, the provision of potable a social welfare centre, which tistics estimating Arab tourist Visits from all world regions water for domestic use and sup- cost QR910,000, benefiting 10,000 flow to Qatar at 27 percent-the have grown substantially over port for orphans including hous- people. QC has recently built 72 highest rate in the Arab world. the past five years, with Asian ing, food, education, clothing, mosques across Bangladesh, at “We share this achieve- and GCC visitor markets medical treatment and vocational a cost of around QR4m, for the ment with Qatar, represented expanding by 107 percent and training. benefit of over 10,000 people; also by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim 102 percent respectively since QC is also implementing health drilling artesian wells at each bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al 2009. Visits from Europe have projects including Qatar Hospital mosque. Thani and Prime Minister also surged 82 percent over the and Medical Institute project at Collective marriages were also and Interior Minister H E past five years. a cost of QR560,000, providing arranged for 22 couples who were Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Hussain Al Mannai, health services to 100,000 peo- all orphans, and after the cere- bin Khalifa Al Thani for the Chairman of the centre, ple and incorporating all forms mony home kits were distributed support granted to the tour- announced the award at a press of treatment, including internal to the newlyweds. ism sector. conference held in Amman, and external clinics and medical QC has also constructed a school “We would also like to share Jordan under the patron- laboratory and radiology, in addi- in Srenger in the Directorate of One of the projects in progress. the achievement with the age of the Jordanian Tourism tion to training members of the Manshi Keng, for the benefit of hospitable people of Qatar,” Minister, and in the presence medical profession such as nurses, more than 1,000 students, at a said Issa bin Mohammed Al of a number of Arab journalists laboratory technicians, radiolo- The trainees will be sent to doctors and specialists in radiol- total cost of QR750,000. Mohannadi, Chairman, QTA. specialising in tourism. gists and assistant pharmacists. work in remote areas, which lack ogy and laboratory analysis. This THE PENINSULA “We are proud of this award, Al Mannai also announced as it constitutes an achieve- 20 other winners of the Arab ment on the Arab tourism tourism awards for 2015. level. The centre launched the It is also the outcome of our awards, known as the “Arab commitment to the National Media Tourism Oscars” in Qatar Airways to boost Jakarta, Bali flights Tourism Sector Strategy 2008, aimed at highlighting 2030, which is an integrated the tourism press in the Arab DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) popular routes in Europe and the continue to offer our passengers Jakarta at 02:30 (next day) long-term plan to support and world. will be boosting its flight Americas for both business and an exceptional five-star service Mondays, Tuesdays and develop the tourism sector The centre sent several frequencies to Jakarta and leisure passengers, while travel- throughout their entire travel Wednesdays through a series of effective ‘media caravans’ to many Arab Denpasar (Bali) from July 5 lers who enjoy the casual ambi- experience.” Departure from Jakarta QR959 programs and projects.” countries including Egypt, and 16, respectively, to meet ence of Bali will be happy to know As one of the fastest grow- at 04:30, arriving in Doha at 08:55 Qatar welcomed more than Jordan and the UAE to pro- the ever-increasing demand on they have double the flight options ing airlines in the world, Qatar Double-daily Doha-Denpasar 2.8 million visitors from the mote their tourist attractions. these popular routes. to choose from when arriving and Airways has experienced rapid schedules from July 16 region and the rest of the world The 2015 award winners The total number of weekly departing into Denpasar. growth in just 18 years of opera- Departure from Doha QR962 in 2014, representing 8.2 per- were announced as part of the flights to the Indonesian capi- Akbar Al Baker, Group tion. Today it flies a modern fleet at 02:25, arriving in Denpasar at cent growth over 2013. Arab tourism ‘media cara- tal city will rise to 21 making it Chief Executive, QA, said: “We of 150 aircraft to 146 key business 17:10 Since 2009, international van’ dispatched to Jordan, a thrice-daily service, while for remain committed to grow- and leisure destinations across Departure from Denpasar visits to Qatar have increased which included 22 journalists Denpasar, QA will commence a ing the Indonesian market and Europe, the Middle East, Africa, QR963 19:05, arriving in Doha at by 75 percent with an aver- from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, full twice-daily operation from are delighted to announce the Asia Pacific, North America and 23:15 age annual growth rate of 13.8 Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and July 16 meaning a total of 14 increase in flight frequencies South America. Departure from Doha QR960 percent. Oman. The visit to Jordan was flights a week to this perennial to both Jakarta and Denpasar. Additional daily flights Doha- at 08:00, arriving in Denpasar at Qatar managed to attract aimed to highlight the coun- tourist favourite. With our enhanced flight sched- Jakarta schedule from July 5 22:45 visitors from several key mar- try’s tourist attractions and The increased frequency ules, superior in-flight prod- Sundays, Mondays and Departure from Denpasar kets, notably the other Gulf landmarks. THE PENINSULA between Jakarta and Doha will uct and the state-of-the-art Tuesdays: Departure from Doha QR961 00:20, arriving in Doha at offer greater connectivity to Hamad International Airport, we QR958 at 13:15, arriving in 04:30. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Kahramaa Qatar Airways to raise builds, upgrades substations capacity to Bengaluru DOHA: The Qatar General Electricity & Water DOHA: Continuing its expan- economic hub and shows enor- Corporation (Kahramaa) has sion plans in India, Qatar mous potential, and our growth constructed new substations Airways (QA) has announced strategy has always stressed the and upgraded another to ensure a significant rise on its flights significance of the Indian mar- service sustainability. This from Doha to Bengaluru (for- ket where we plan to seek more includes new Doha, Khuraitiyat merly Bangalore) from August capacity and increase frequency south, Central market B, Doha 1 to meet the increasing pas- on existing routes,” he said. Industrial F, and Mesaimeer senger demand on the route. As an award-winning five-star North 11/66kv substations. Abu QA operates a Boeing 787 on airline, QA is known for setting Sedra, and Industrial area super the Doha–Bengaluru route with new industry benchmarks and substations (220/132/66/11kv) 254 seats. introducing product innovations have been commissioned and From August 1, the Boeing 787 to further enhance the travel upgraded. will be replaced by a Boeing 777, experience for its passengers. Kahramaa has expanded sev- with a capacity of 335 seats. QA’s Boeing 777 has been eral substations including Wajba “The strengthening of the designed to ensure that its pas- Super 400kv, Lusail LDS2 400kv, route reflects increased passen- sengers can fly long distances Some of the participants with officials. QU north 132/11kv, and Garian ger demand and reaffirms our while immersed in complete Genyhat super 220/132/11kv. continuous expansion strategy comfort and enjoy the airline’s Gharafa substation 132/66/11kv for the Indian market. legendary hospitality, all while will be completed soon. “There are a large number of enjoying fine cuisine and more Kahramaa has constructed expatriates from South India than 1,000 on board entertain- 1,200 students take strategic substations in Mesherib working in Doha, and with our ment options. downtown Doha 1 and Sheraton increasing capacity we aim to The airline recently announced parking substation which will join offer our customers a superior that it will double the number of service before the next summer. travel experience and seamless movies and TV shows on board New substations have been com- connectivity into Qatar,” said over the coming months, increas- missioned in Wajba 66/11kv, and Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief ing the choice of entertainment part in DI finals Abu Hamour super 220/66/11kv. Executive, QA. channels to more than 2,000. “India is growing as an THE PENINSULA DOHA: A total of 220 teams of to America and China, and this Ali Mare, Executive Director VCU-Q lecture on 1,200 students from 70 schools year we have had 70 Schools with of ALF, said “This year’s winners in Qatar competed at the big- 1200 students participating, in who all received their awards in online platforms gest AlFaisal Without Borders all a 600 percent increase on last the closing ceremony– some 150 Foundation’s (ALF) Destination year’s programme. This is why students in 24 teams – will be jet- DOHA: As part of its annual Imagination (DI) (Wajeh Qatar was chosen to host next ting off to the global finals in the Crossing Boundaries Lecture Wujhatak) national finals year’s Conference, which will be US in May as ambassadors for Series, Virginia Commonwealth event at the Qatar National attended by about 3000 students Qatar, highlighting the country’s University in Qatar (VCU- Convention Centre (QNCC). from around the world,” he added. leadership in innovative education Q) presents Greg Rosborough The teams competed fiercely to The Undersecretary of the initiatives.” with a lecture ‘Advancing win the opportunity to fly the flag Ministry of Education and Higher The winners of the tournament Entrepreneurship Through for Qatar at the US global finals Education, Rabia Mohamed Al were chosen based on creativity, Online Platforms’ today at 6pm in May. Kaabi, said: “I am pleased to see originality and innovation in both at its Atrium. Minister of Development, the development of the competi- the planning process in address- The American entrepreneur Planning and Statistics H E Dr tions in this programme year after ing their specific challenges and and designer will talk about Saleh Mohamed Salem Al Nabit; year, and the enthusiasm of such in executing their inventive and his experiences in co-founding ALF Chairman Sheikh Faisal a large number of schools want- imaginative solutions. UGallery, the first online gallery bin Qassim Al Thani and Sheikh ing to participate in this creative The 2015-2016 Challenges that for emerging US artists, which Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani activity. This aligns with the aspi- student teams addressed were offers affordable art for sale. were present. rations of the Supreme Council Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, The lecture will also cover his “One of the essentials pil- for Education to help students Improvisational, Structural, label Abasi Rosborough, a for- lars of our vision at AlFaisal have self-confidence, enhance Service Learning/Project ward-thinking designer mens- Without Borders is an interest their abilities and develop strong Outreach and Early Learning/ wear label based in New York. in education, and to provide an personalities, to be able succeed Rising Stars. Rosborough founded the label A visitor seeks information about oral health at one of the events held to improved quality of life for people in life.” Some 160 schools with 500 with Abdul Abasi, his classmate mark World Oral Health Day and GCC Oral Health Week. in our community – giving peo- Alf Foundation General teams from Qatar and 50 interna- at Fashion Institute of Technology ple something which no one can Manager Abdullatif Al Yafei said: tional teams from the rest of the in New York. Now in its fifth sea- take back. This is why we brought “The final session of this year’s DI world will take part in a four-day son, the label applies architectural HMC urges residents to the DI life skills programme to programme reflects ALF’s mis- tournament in 2016, which Qatar precision to familiar aesthetic Qatar, to empower students and sion to promote innovative edu- will host after being singled out touchstones and global traditions. schoolchildren here,” said Sheikh cational development and the by the US DI Headquarters for Rosborough has extensive expe- maintain oral health hygiene Faisal bin Qassim. “Last year capabilities of our young people its exemplary growth of the DI rience with online platforms. The we saw participation of seven in line with the 2030 Vision to programme in the region. free lecture is open to the public. DOHA: Hamad Medical common oral diseases in Qatar schools and the finalists went support human capital.” THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Corporation (HMC) is encour- are dental cavities, periodontal aging residents to maintain (gum) disease, oral cancer, oral proper oral health hygiene to infectious diseases, trauma from ensure a healthy ‘Smile for Life’, injuries, and hereditary lesions. which was the theme for this “In Qatar, dental caries or cavi- year’s World Oral Health Day. ties are the leading oral health Observed yearly on March 20, problems as our study last year Youth forum on crime from April 9 the day serves as an occasion to provided solid evidence about remind governments, national this,” said Dr Al Darwish. DOHA: The countdown has young people on issues related national approaches to public par- criminologists and experts with dental associations, schools, com- He explained that the study begun for the inaugural Doha to crime prevention and crimi- ticipation in strengthening crime related specialists. munities and families of their conducted on 2,113 students in Youth Forum on Crime and nal justice, as well as familiarise prevention and criminal justice. In this way, the congress pro- important role in raising aware- 12 government and four private Criminal Justice, being organ- them with the role of the UN and The final theme will engage vides an opportunity to share ness of good oral hygiene and schools, divided equally between ised this month by Qatar its functions. It will also discuss young participants on their experience in the fields of habits contributing to good oral boys’ and girls’ schools, found that Foundation for Education, student issues in the region and responses to evolving forms of research, law and policy develop- health to ensure effective preven- about 85 percent of students had Science and Community challenges faced by communities crime such as cybercrime and ment, as well as explore new ideas tion of oral health diseases and some form of tooth decay. Development (QF) in collabo- in fighting and preventing crime. trafficking in cultural property, in the area of crime prevention disorders. Dr Al Darwish has spear- ration with the Organising It will also suggest practical including lessons learned and and criminal justice. “Oral health is essential for gen- headed events for HMC in con- Committee of the 13th United solutions to issues of criminal international cooperation. Students and organisers are eral health and quality of life. It is junction with the Supreme Nations Congress on Crime justice. The student delegates After the forum, selected stu- completing final preparations a state of being free from mouth Council of Health, Primary Prevention and Criminal will role-play the UN congress as dents will be given the once-in- for the event to ensure that par- and facial diseases and disorders Health Care Corporation, Qatar Justice. part of the forum to discuss three a-lifetime opportunity to present ticipants’ voices is brought to the that limit an individual’s capac- Dental Society, College of the The forum is the first of its themes. the findings and chosen recom- forefront at the forum. ity in biting, chewing, smiling, North Atlantic in Qatar’s Health kind in the Middle East and will The first addresses successes mendations from their summit to Following the announcement speaking, and psychosocial well- Sciences School, and Dental be held over three days from April and challenges in implementing the UN congress a few days later. of the event, QF received 185 being,” said Dr Mohamed Sultan Services at the Ministry of 9 at Qatar National Convention comprehensive crime prevention, The UN congress is held every applications from students at uni- Al Darwish, Prosthodontist and Interior. Highlights of the events Centre. It has been timed to pre- criminal justice policies and strat- five years. versities across Qatar. Some 123 Dental Public Health expert at included oral health awareness cede the UN congress that will be egies to promote the rule of law at Its purpose is to encourage the Qatari and international partici- HMC and President of Qatar activities across different schools held from April 12 to 19. national and international level, exchange of ideas between inter- pants have been selected, princi- Dental Society. and shopping malls in Qatar. The forum is a unique initia- and support sustainable devel- national government institutions, pally between the ages of 16 and According to him, the most THE PENINSULA tive launched by Qatar to engage opment. The second questions non-governmental organisations, 26. THE PENINSULA Ooredoo’s Go Hala! campaign College of Education launches promotes ‘Fast Credit’ feature two new programmes DOHA: Ooredoo’s Go Hala! Relations, Ooredoo. is automatically deducted from DOHA: Qatar University’s programme requires 120 credit to meet the expected new roles Campaign has focused on its The company offers the top- the customer’s next top-up. College of Education (QU-CED) hours including a significant and tasks of educators in Qatari ‘Fast Credit’ service, which up option when Hala custom- To offer customers the chance recently announced the estab- field experience component. The independent schools and other ensures that customers can ers’ main balance drops below to share their credit with loved lishment of two new pro- language of instruction is Arabic. education-based institutions always stay connected. QR1, after which they will auto- ones and friends, Hala customers grammes -- Bachelor in Special Students can select from three offering students the opportu- The service, which enables matically receive an SMS from are able to make credit transfers Education and Masters in tracks -- Early Childhood Special nity to develop in three important customers to receive QR5 credit Ooredoo notifying them of the from their mobile to any other Curriculum, Instruction and Education Services, School-Based areas, curriculum, pedagogy and when their balance drops below option to get Fast Credit. number in Qatar with the Credit Assessment. Special Education, and Severe assessment through course work. QR1, has become a key feature By replying with “Yes” to the Transfer Service. The two programmes testify to and Profound Disabilities. Students are required to complete for Ooredoo, as more Hala cus- SMS, customers are instantly Credit is deducted from the the college’s capacity to address Admission requirements a 20,000-word thesis in the final tomers look for instant top-up credited with QR5, at the serv- sender’s Hala account and gifted the national needs for qualified include a minimum of 75 percent stage of their studies. options. ice charge of 50 dirhams. Fast directly to the recipients’ mobile teaching professionals able to average at high school level and Prof Hissa Sadiq, Dean of the “Ooredoo is always looking credit service is only available for phone accounts. meet the requirements of stu- a successful personal interview. college, said, “The College is com- for the latest ways to improve customers who have been with Recharging takes place in dents with special needs and for Qatari students enrolled in the mitted to being a key partner in our customer service and give Ooredoo for more than three real time, with both sender and educators who are able to develop programme are funded by the education reform and continu- back to our users. Hala is the months. receiver immediately notified of and implement quality and sus- Supreme Education Council. ous improvement of education in most popular prepaid service in This credit can be used for the transaction by SMS. A service tainable curricula, instruction Graduates from the programme Qatar. These programmes pre- Qatar and we are looking at ways local and international calls and fee of 50 dirhams is charged for and assessment policies. will be qualified for job opportu- pare professionals who will add to create more innovative serv- SMS, mobile Internet, making each credit transfer transaction. These programmes demon- nities in schools, kindergartens, value to the national efforts in ice to enhance customers’ more and receiving calls while roam- To transfer credit, customers strate the college’s leading role special education centres, educa- developing an educational system control over their accounts,” ing, and is valid for seven days. can simply dial “*130*Recipient in the national education reform tional institutions and education- that meets international standard said Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, The credited amount of QR5, Number*Amount #.” strategies. based media organizations. and best practices.” Director, Community and Public in addition to the service charge, THE PENINSULA The full-time four-year BA The MA programme is designed THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Yemen on verge of total collapse: UN rights chief Explosions rock capital; hundreds flee homes

GENEVA: The UN rights chief on hospitals and other medical raids yet in a six-day operation expressed alarm yesterday at facilities, which have a special led by Saudi Arabia. Huge blasts the situation in Yemen as Arab protected status under interna- were heard overnight in Sana’a warplanes pounded the coun- tional law,” he said. when coalition forces hit a missile try for a sixth day, warning it A government official said that depot belonging to the renegade appeared about to collapse. the rebel attack on Daleh had Republican Guard. “The situation in Yemen is killed eight civilians, including “Sanaa lived through a day extremely alarming, with doz- two children, when they opened of terror due to the continuous ens of civilians killed over fire using tanks and artillery. bombing from early Monday until the past four days,” UN High Since March 27, at least 93 civil- this morning,” said Assem Al Commissioner for Human Rights ians have been killed and 364 Sabri, a 28-year-old resident. “We Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in a injured in the violence, Zeid’s couldn’t sleep from the sounds of statement. “The country seems to office confirmed yesterday. explosions,” said. “The bombing be on the verge of total collapse.” Hundreds more had reportedly was the heaviest I have ever heard Zeid’s comments came after fled their homes in Saada, Daleh in my life,” said another resident. nearly a week of air strikes by and elsewhere, it said. “Private Countries including Pakistan a Saudi-led coalition, which has homes, hospitals, education facili- and China have evacuated vowed to continue the attacks ties and infrastructure in several nationals from the war-torn until Houthi rebels end their locations have been destroyed, country. Indian Prime Minister uprising against President making life even more difficult for Narendra Modi on Monday Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who has the people in the war-torn coun- asked the Custodian of the Two fled to Saudi Arabia. try,” Zeid said. “The killing of so Holy Mosques King Salman bin He said he was particularly many innocent civilians is simply Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for shocked by an air strike on unacceptable,” he said. his support in efforts to evacu- Monday against the Al Mazraq Meanwhile, explosions lit up ate some 4,000 stranded citizens, camp for displaced people in the skies over Yemen’s capital expressing “deep concern” for northwest Yemen. overnight in the heaviest bombing their welfare. AFP Yemeni drivers wait in line to refuel their vehicles at a fuel station in the southwestern city of Taez yesterday. The International Organisation for Migration said at least 40 people had been killed and 200 wounded in the attack, and med- Cost no barrier to Saudi in conflict, say experts ics at a hospital near the camp gave a similar toll. DUBAI: Despite a record budget may eventually run into hundreds Defence estimated its six-month net foreign assets held by Saudi How much it would cost depends Zeid’s office said its staff had deficit caused by low oil prices, of millions of dollars a month, Libyan air campaign in 2011, Arabia’s central bank, which acts on what sort of mission is needed personally verified that at least Saudi Arabia can easily afford its are too small to add a significant which used about 30 planes, cost as a sovereign wealth fund. and who will do the fighting. The 19 people had died and at least military intervention in Yemen extra burden to a budget that at least $315m. Any ground incursion into UN is spending $8.5bn to field 35 had been injured, including and cost is unlikely to limit the allocated $81bn for defence and That figure, which includes Yemen, which Riyadh has not 123,000 troops on peacekeeping 11 children. The camp, which is duration or scale of its opera- security last year. operating costs and replacing ruled out, would cost more. It missions around the world this home to some 4,000 people, was tions, military analysts believe. The government has not dis- munitions, implies Saudi Arabia might resemble France’s inter- year, or about $68,000 per soldier; set up by the United Nations in The world’s biggest oil exporter closed details of the scale and might spend around $175m on vention in Mali since 2013. the United States spent upwards 2009 and recently received at least is acting while it faces the heaviest cost of the Saudi-led air strikes a month of air strikes using 100 French officials have estimated of half a million dollars per sol- 300 new families fleeing unrest in pressure on its state finances for in Yemen since last week, but planes. The Arab alliance conduct- that cost about $3m per day, or dier per year to keep its troops in Saada, the northern stronghold of more than a decade. Because of the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya televi- ing the strikes initially plans a $90m a month. The figure implies Afghanistan and Iraq. the Houthis, the statement said. oil price plunge since last year, the sion reported 100 Saudi planes month-long campaign, but it could that in addition to the cost of air Even spending at the US rate, Zeid also denounced reported government has projected a defi- were participating. last five or six months, a Gulf dip- operations, Riyadh might spend a full-scale invasion and security attacks by Houthi-linked fighters cit of $38.7bn for 2015, and it has Giri Rajendran and Henry lomatic official said. over $500m on a small ground operation by 30,000 troops would on three hospitals in the south- started drawing down the country’s Boyd, research associates at That suggests the air campaign incursion lasting six months. cost in the vicinity of $15bn over ern town of Daleh, causing an foreign reserves to cover the gap. the International Institute for might cost Riyadh more than $1bn. A protracted, large-scale seizure a year, still affordable for Saudi unknown number of casualties. But the current and likely costs Strategic Studies in London, Such a figure would be insignifi- of territory would be many times Arabia. “I roundly condemn all attacks of the Yemen intervention, which noted that Britain’s Ministry of cant compared to the $707bn of more expensive, but still affordable. REUTERS Tikrit ‘liberated’, says Iraq PM

BAGHDAD: Iraq said secu- Tikrit, a Sunni Arab city which IS operation that IS fighters had laid rity and allied forces backed by had controlled since it captured thousands of bombs in streets, US-led coalition aircraft “liber- swathes of Iraq in June. houses and tunnels to make their ated” the city of Tikrit yesterday, Iraqiya state television showed last stand. There no immediate its biggest victory yet in the fight footage of houses previously used information on how many fighters against Islamic State jihadists. by IS in liberated areas but it was were killed, wounded or captured. The operation to retake the not clear whether any pockets of The government has not pro- hometown of former president resistance remained. vided any casualty figures since Saddam Hussein began on March The provincial government the operation started a month 2 and had looked bogged down headquarters was retaken on ago. Iraqi army and police forces, before Iraqi forces made rapid Monday and on Tuesday the Iraqi as well as volunteers and Iran- advances over the past 48 hours. tricolour replaced the black IS backed Shia militias, completely Prime Minister Haider Al flag on the building. surrounded Tikrit within two Abadi “announces the liberation In a statement just minutes weeks of launching the operation. of Tikrit and congratulates Iraqi before Abadi’s tweet, his spokes- There was a lull in fighting security forces and popular volun- man Rafid Jaboori said: “Iraqi when government and allied forces teers on the historic milestone,” forces reached the centre of apparently balked at the number his official Twitter account said. Tikrit, raised the Iraqi flag and of snipers, booby traps, berms and He was referring to paramili- are now clearing the city.” trenches which IS was using to tary groups which played a major Iraqi military officials have defend its city centre redoubt. role in the fighting to retake been saying since the start of the AFP

Obama lifts hold on US military aid to Egypt

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama yesterday told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi that he would lift a hold on US military aid to Cairo, but also said the United States would stop allowing Egypt to buy equipment on credit start- ing in fiscal year 2018. Obama has been review- ing military aid to Egypt since 2013 when the Egyptian army ousted former president Mohamed Mursi. The decision will allow for the delivery of 12 F-16 aircraft, 20 Harpoon missiles, and up to 125 M1A1 Abrams tank kits that had been frozen, the White House said. Obama said he would continue to ask the US Congress for $1.3bn in mili- tary aid for Egypt per year, but has decided to “modern- ize” the aid by discontinuing the use of cash flow financ- ing for military equipment starting in fiscal 2018, the White House said. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Climate leadership Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

S STORMS and floods wallop large swathes of the Earth, bringing death and misery to millions, climate remains a controversial subject. Nature’s fury against Ahuman recklessness has led to enough damage to warrant a climate leadership. And the United States showed it Fighting graft in Ukraine yesterday. As climate scientists and environmental activists look nervously at Paris climate talks seven months away, Washington yesterday pledged to bring down carbon emissions 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. is thankless work The clash between the developed and developing world over owning responsibility for climate change that leads to depleted BY LEONID BERSHIDSKY After the president fled to Russia Georgia got the money by summar- resources and disastrous outcomes has become part of the green early last year, Kozachenko helped the ily cutting plea bargain deals with the narrative trying to shield the earth from the vagaries of man’s HROUGHOUT its 23 years as newly-appointed Justice Minister, Pavlo former officials. Ukrainian law doesn’t activities. Industrialised nations have been held responsible an independent state, Ukraine Petrenko, draft a lustration bill. She allow this, but then strictly speaking for greenhouse emissions that make the earth warmer leading has been one of the most cor- was soon brought into the ministry to nor did Georgia’s. Sakvarelidze figures to reversal of weather patterns, rising sea temperatures and Trupt countries in the world. As oversee the process, without a budget Ukraine could get $5bn just by bring- it tries to clean itself up, the people driv- and with a staff of 15 poorly paid civil ing back 10 to 15 percent of the funds depleting marine and wild life. ing change are predictably frustrated by servants. “It was do it or be sorry later,” that used to be stolen from Ukraine For decades, the United States has been asked to come clean the formidable resistance they face, and she says. in one year. “The Yanukovich people on its climate record. The industrial nature of the American yet remarkably undeterred. Kozachenko has occupied a cramped who fled to Russia don’t like it there,” economy has led to the country contributing substantially Tatyana Kozachenko, 39, was the office in the Justice Ministry for four Sakvarelidze says. “They want to be able to polluting air, water and land in ways often resulting in founding partner in a Kiev corporate months and is happy with what she’s to return, travel to Europe. But what irreversible damage. The Obama administration’s promise of law firm when Ukraine’s “revolution achieved so far. She’s been developing are we offering them except the cer- of dignity” began in 2013. Suddenly, all Excel spreadsheets that track the job tainty of jail terms? What do we really cutting greenhouse emissions by more than a quarter sounds she was doing was pro bono work for moves of Yanukovich-era officials, to see want: a former bureaucrat in prison for revolutionary and should certainly bring about a change in the protesters, serving as a self-described if government agencies have fired them 10 years or 80 percent of what he stole parameters that determine climate change. “legal ambulance”. She had become so as required by the law. Most quit vol- back in government coffers?” The United Nations climate talks frustrated with the stifling, corrupt untarily when the law came into effect Few former officials have been con- United States’ to be held in Paris from November system built under President Viktor last summer, but some managed to hold victed of corruption — related crimes. 30 to December 11 are extremely Yanukovich that on to their positions because the heads There have been suicides by former promise to she felt her day of government bodies closed their eyes Yanukovich allies who remained in crucial after a number of conferences job no longer — or actually wanted people with their Ukraine, but no arrests of major old- substantially have nearly drawn a blank on made sense. experience. regime figures. European sanctions reduce carbon how the burden of a deteriorating Few former “It was all “These are useful people if you want against Yanukovich’s allies have recently emissions by environmental legacy is to be shared decided before to get in on the schemes they were run- begun lapsing, because Ukraine does lit- among nations. officials have one could do any- ning,” Kozachenko says. tle to investigate them. thing about it — Monday, she took one of her spread- “I’d like to see faster changes,” 2025 thrusts it The burgeoning economies of been convicted the kickbacks, the sheets to David Sakvarelidze, who Sakvarelidze says. “The political spec- into a frontal China and India have been reluctant schemes, the raids was put in charge of reforming the trum here is much more fragmented to acknowledge the role they play of corruption- role in curbing on businesses Prosecutor General’s office a month than it used to be in Georgia, and the in increasing the environmental related crimes. that someone in ago. A Georgian national, Sakvarelidze oligarch groups wield a lot of influence climate change. footprint with smaller nations the Yanukovich has trouble typing on the computer in through legislators.” complaining of the burden of having There have family liked,” his office, having never used a Cyrillic In this environment of indecision Kozachenko says. keyboard before. Yet he is working hard and fragmentation, corruption has to pull back from their development plans despite their modest been suicides “I had a client to slash the number of prosecutors and endured. “OK, the standard kickback contribution to greenhouse emissions. who was told to investigators from the current 18,000, has dropped to 15 percent from 30 per- The fracking revolution for producing shale oil and gas in by former give up a fac- so he can double the salaries of the staff cent, but that’s largely because people the US has changed the dynamics of the market. Hydrocarbon Yanukovich allies tory for 30 per- that remain. He was acutely interested have no money to pay it,” Kozachenko reserves in shale deposits are released when water and sand cent of its value, in Kozachenko’s data, which shows him says. The heads of the tax and customs under high pressure are pumped into the earth. This is who remained and when he was where to find Yanukovich holdouts he services as well as the government slow to do it, sud- can fire. financial inspectorate, an anti-corrup- considered to be an environmentally irresponsible act that in Ukraine, but denly there were Kozachenko and Sakvarelidze are tion watchdog, have been suspended pollutes ground water reserves. Seen in the light of a surge in six criminal cases open about their frustration at the slow on corruption charges, and the head of fracking operations, the US pledge to slash carbon emissions no arrests of against him.” pace of change. the state agency for emergencies was below 2005 levels is laudable and sets the stage for the world’s major old-regime While defend- “When reforms began in Georgia in recently handcuffed and led away from largest economy to lead on the green way. That not all nations ing activists in 2003, the entire government budget a cabinet meeting. the Yanukovich- was $700m,” recalls Sakvarelidze, who No matter what’s behind the arrests came forward to meet yesterday’s tentative deadline could be figures. controlled courts, helped implement former President and suspensions, both Kozachenko and a setback for the UN talks. Only 32 of 195 nations submitted Kozachenko and Mikheil Saakashvili’s law enforcement Sakvarelidze like the publicity they their pledges to take steps to fight greenhouse emissions. The a group of like-minded people became reforms in the Caucasus nation. “The generate. European Union, not unexpectedly,put forward its pledge. Among convinced that what Ukraine needed very first year, we retrieved $1.4bn “We need to get rid of the cult of the the emerging economies, Mexico was the first to submit its plan. was lustration — a ban on civil service stolen by officials under the previous civil servant as someone untouchable,” That developing giants like China, India and Brazil have not employment for people who held the regime. Ukraine needs these resources, Sakvarelidze says. top jobs under the Yanukovich regime. but it’s not getting them back.” WP-BLOOMBERG submitted their plans to cut emissions is a cause of worry. The other side Quote of Costly education the day

UMMER is also graduation Metro Manila. Several higher learning The insufficiency is keenly felt even deliberating on proposals to increase time, and the news isn’t institutions have relaxed their rules at the Philippine General Hospital funding for tertiary education schol- good for many of the on tuition payments, but there are where UP students of medicine, arships. Apart from the higher Scountry’s high school Class simply too many families that can’t nursing and related courses undergo appropriation, schemes can be of 2015. Lawmakers studying the afford the cost of tertiary education. internship. implemented to make it easier for We need to think education budget estimate that three Economic hardships force students This year the government is allot- students from low-income house- out of five high school graduates to start dropping out of school as ting P3.5 billion for scholarships in holds to pay for their education. big, we need to cannot make it to college due to early as third grade in this country, 112 state universities and colleges Access to soft loans and study-now- financial difficulties. despite the fact that basic educa- while the Commission on Higher pay-later schemes are among the think broadly In March 2013, behavioral science tion is free. Education has P2.2 billion more as possibilities that can be implemented freshman Kristel Tejada, 16, took her Education gets the lion’s share financial assistance for students. quickly. These will allow more high about how the own life following her inability to raise of the annual national budget after The Technical Education and Skills school graduates to pursue higher military recruits funds for her tuition at the University debt payments, but the amount is Development Authority has P2 billion education, and prevent a repeat of of the Philippines-Manila. Since then rarely enough. Even after Tejada’s for its training and work scholarship the despondency that claimed the and retains service at least two similar cases have been suicide focused national attention on program. life of Kristel Tejada. reported in other schools outside the problem, UP still lacks funding. Lawmakers are currently The Philippine Star members. Ashton Carter US Defence Secretary WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Being made to tip is a tax on Qataris paying double the normal price Every transaction is based on your ‘high’ because you supposedly own an oil well. Many of us have stopped salary and you end up paying double the saying that we are Qataris in order to avoid such irritating situations. normal price because you supposedly But sometimes you have to iden- tify yourself as a Qatari citizen, own an oil well. Many of us have stopped and say whether you are a tour- ist, a patient or a student, espe- cially in some countries where you saying that we are Qataris in order to cannot get anything done except by tipping people right and left. avoid such irritating situations. Therefore, tipping has become an additional financial burden equiva- BY MOZA ABDEL AZIZ Qataris learned of this practice lent to a tax. ALISHAQ from Arabic television series and Who is responsible for this and are exposed to it when they travel how can it be stopped before it he primary concern of to some Arab countries. becomes a disease in our society? our state and its leaders Before the country opened up, Tipping could get a differ- is to provide a decent life Qataris didn’t know of this prac- ent name in the near future and Tto the citizens in terms tice, but following our exposure to the quality of work could heavily of healthcare, education and eco- people of different nationalities depend on it. nomic status proportionate to the and cultures, tipping has become a We urgently need the media to country’s development. sort of psychological and economic highlight this issue and request Even though Qataris are harassment, and a kind of finan- the government to monitor it and among the highest-paid people cial burden on Qataris. try to check it before it becomes in the world, the government For example, if I go to a wom- a social and economic malady and is determined to provide the en’s salon where prices are fixed work begins to depend on payment citizens good health and educa- and also exorbitant, I must tip of money on top of the agreed tional services and ensure their those providing the service in amount. economic stability and safety in order to be better taken care of Perhaps tipping doesn’t exist in A client at a salon having her eyelashes treated. Qatari women get better treatment and friendlier smiles after the light of the political and eco- and given priority during peak many Asian and European coun- nomic conditions prevailing in hours. So a Qatari gets better tipping the staff at salons. tries because their culture calls for the Arab region, which suffers treatment and a friendlier smile excellence in work, which is con- from poverty, lack of security and after tipping. sure that they clean the car labourers, they talk to you as if you bothersome situations during their trary to what happens in our com- instability. If you go to a busy restaurant, properly. are a walking oil well; you must travels abroad. As soon as people munities. Our culture primarily But this high income is costing you can get a table despite the If you are getting maintenance pay a high price because your earn come to know that you are Qatari, emphasises titles and positions, Qatari citizens dearly in the form crowd if you tip the right person, work done in your house, you well. you hear them mention “highest and lately we have introduced of ‘taxation’ within the country which is considered normal. Even must tip the workers’ supervisor The increase in the standard salaries internationally”, and you tipping. and outside. The Qatari, it seems, workers don’t put in their full to ensure that the work is done of living has brought many other are seen as a cash machine; prices We need to increase awareness is at the centre of global attention; effort unless they are tipped from well, on top of the exorbitant price daily annoying experiences, which go up when you book a hotel room of this practice to limit its spread, wherever he goes, he encounters time to time. you have paid to the maintenance are in addition to our monthly or have a drink in a cafe. as it could get worse than what a hitherto unknown phenomenon If you go to get your car washed, company. financial obligations. Every transaction is based on it is now. Let’s put an end to this called “tipping.” you must tip the workers to make If you have hired individual Qataris also encounter your “high” salary and you end up disease while we can. A winter World Cup will have many benefits BY MUHAMMAD ALI AL What brought joy to our hearts MUHANNADI 2022 will also and put an end to rumours was the declaration by Fifa President e, Qataris and resi- help attract Joseph S Blatter in his press con- dents, were pleased by ference that Qatar respected its Wthe decision of FIFA to fans, who can obligations as the host of the host the World Cup 2022 tourna- 2022 World Cup and was will- ment in winter instead of sum- enjoy the games ing and ready to host the event mer. This will be happening for in accordance with the highest the first time in the history of the international standards. FIFA World Cup. in a wonderful The door is open to everyone Holding the World Cup in to visit Qatar to get an idea of winter, from November 21 to atmosphere how preparations for hosting the December 18, will have a big World Cup are going. pay-off and a positive impact, perfectly suited for The FIFA announcement though Qatar has equipped its about holding the World Cup playgrounds with cooling and a winter vacation in Qatar in winter ended the solar energy systems that are debate about whether it should environmentally friendly. followed by be hosted in summer or winter. They will be a legacy for future This will silence envious people generations, and Qatar will be Christmas and New who were spreading rumours and the first country in the world to financed tabloids waging harsh The February 22 Intersection on the street of the same name. use such systems because of the Year celebrations. campaigns against Qatar hosting hot summers in the Gulf region. the global event. One of the salient aspects of be fierce due to the fitness of We are going to respond to holding the final on December 18 the players, who will be in peak them with professional rules, is that it is Qatar’s National Day form since they will start train- excellence in creating large, and will fall on a Sunday, when all ing three or four months ear- environment-friendly sports February 22 Street must be World Cup finals have been played lier, which is unlike exercising facilities, and cooled stadiums since the inaugural event in 1930 in in summer, when the heat and featuring attractive designs Uruguay. The only exception was exhaustion are overwhelming. based on Qatari heritage. the 1966 World Cup in England, It will also help attract fans, That is besides the transport expanded in public interest when the final was played on a who can enjoy the games in and communications facilities Saturday and England won. a wonderful atmosphere per- and big hotels, and celebrations he February 22 Street has The technical level of the fectly suited for a winter vaca- commensurate with the global become one of the most One of the reasons teams will be extremely high tion followed by Christmas event, which will be held for the Tcrowded streets in Doha and the competition is going to and New Year celebrations. first time in the Middle East. due to heavy traffic. The traf- behind this fic congestion has many reasons, therefore, the decision-makers at problem are the the Ministry of Interior should take quick action to end the daily drivers, especially crises on this major street. Many students go to their schools by this street, and locals Asians, since they and expatriates also take this street every morning to go to BY DR RABIAH BIN drive slowly and work, resulting in heavy traffic. SABAH AL KUWARI The same thing happens in the contribute to traffic afternoon when everyone returns home. Congestion returns early in leisurely pace, adding to the con- congestion. Most the evening and at sunset when gestion. Unfortunately, they also those doing night shifts go to work. cause those driving behind them to women also drive Citizens living on this street or become nervous. I wonder where using it daily have to go through are the traffic police to warn those at a leisurely pace. agony every day due to the traf- who drive too slowly. fic congestion resulting from poor The traffic administration employing expatriates, terminate infrastructure planning. We do should find a fundamental solu- the services of those who are over not really know the speed limit on tion to this problem, which is not 60 years of age and deport them to this street; could fixing it at 100 difficult to tackle, in my opinion. reduce the population, permitting kph, 80 kph or less possibly be the We also request them to carefully only the children of residents born solution? consider even temporary solutions in Qatar to stay. This will reduce Reducing the speed limit will to this crisis. the unjustifiably high population most likely worsen the congestion Traffic congestion is not lim- of foreigners, which is a reason for and won’t be the suitable solution ited to this street, and also affects heavy traffic congestion. to the problem. other streets in Doha and its Some people have also suggested One of the reasons behind this adjoining areas because of the expanding February 22 Street as problem are the drivers, especially chaos of employing expatriates. soon as possible and removing A computer-generated image of Lusail Stadium, which is slated to host the opening and final games of the 2022 Asians, since they drive slowly The reasons should be examined some residential and commercial World Cup. It will have a seating capacity of about 86,000. and contribute to traffic conges- and the council of ministers should complexes along it to solve the tion. Most women also drive at a take a quick decision to stop current traffic crisis. WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Dilemma for Israel as Palestinians join ICC today Court to have automatic jurisdiction over any crimes committed in the territory of the PA or by its citizens

THE HAGUE: The Palestinian “The ICC can issue summons preliminary examination of events Israel’s settlement building on States, another non-member of the 13 years since the court was Authority becomes the 123rd to appear in court and arrest since June 13, 2014 shortly before occupied land as illegal. the ICC, undermines the chance set up, to investigate war crimes member of the International warrants. It will say a lot about Israel began a military offensive On the flipside, from the of peace. But their opposition to or crimes against humanity in Criminal Court today, a major a country if it doesn’t respond,” in Gaza. moment the Palestinians join, the court has become less out- cases where local authorities are step that could move its dec- a Palestinian official said. “The Several Palestinian-linked prosecutors will gain the right spoken as they wait for guidance unwilling or unable to deal with ades-long conflict with Israel panic attacks we’ve seen (from NGOs are expected to submit to investigate any alleged crimes from the new government of re- them, the time between a prelimi- into a courtroom. Israel) suggest we are not the only legal arguments and dossiers of on the Palestinian side, even elected Prime Minister Benjamin nary examination and the opening Israel is opposed to the court, ones to take the court seriously.” evidence to the court in the com- against the will of the Palestinian Netanyahu and consider the dis- of a full investigation has often is not a member and has no Israeli officials say they will ing days or weeks, but the state of leadership. That risk was high- advantages of being left out of the taken over a year. plans to cooperate with investi- wait to see what happens once Palestine is not expected to make lighted last week by an Amnesty legal process. Prosecutors have examined gators already looking into pos- the Palestinians have joined the a formal referral to the pros- International report detailing Prosecutors conducting the pre- situations in 20 countries and sible crimes by both sides during court before commenting. ecutor, which would trigger the alleged human rights violations liminary inquiry of alleged crimes opened investigations in just fighting. It was furious when the The benefits of signing up to appointment of a panel of judges. by Palestinians against Israelis committed during the Gaza conflict eight of them. The court has Palestinians announced their the treaty that governs the court An Israel-Palestine case, during the Gaza conflict. have a fine line to tread examin- concluded only three cases, application on December 31 and include diplomatic immunity for experts believe, would exam- Experts said Israel could not ing publicly available information securing two convictions. tried to undermine it by lobbying government officials working with ine battlefield conduct by both block a case from being launched, to assess whether a full criminal A refusal by Israel to cooper- to cut funding to the court. the court, fast-tracked reviews Israeli troops and Palestinian but it could stall the process to investigation is warranted. ate could thwart any attempt by But the Palestinians’ member- of cases it puts forward and the militants in Gaza, but could also trial by starting its own inquiries “If we come up with a decision the court to investigate or charge ship poses a major dilemma for right to nominate judges. consider the Israeli settlements into the conduct of its soldiers, too quickly we’ll be accused of Israeli citizens. In any case dealing Israel. Israel may be stuck on the From today, the court will have on occupied land wanted by the stonewalling investigators, and paying Israel special attention,” with Israel and the Palestinians, legal sidelines unless it makes a automatic jurisdiction over any Palestinians. ultimately refusing to hand over said one senior prosecution offi- experts expect the court to seek major policy shift by cooperating crimes committed in the territory Palestinians seek a state in suspects. cial. “But if we take too long we’ll out alleged crimes that offer scope with or even joining an institution of the Palestinian Authority, or Gaza, the West Bank and East Israeli officials say Palestinian be accused of being afraid of Israel for charges to be brought against born out of the principles of the by its citizens. It has also already Jerusalem, lands Israel captured membership, which has also or the United States.” both sides. Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders. received permission to make a in 1967. Most countries view drawn criticism from the United Few expect a quick decision. In REUTERS

Nationwide outage Prosecutor dies of wounds after hostage shootout

ISTANBUL: An Istanbul prose- cutor died from his wounds after paralyses Turkey security forces stormed the office where members of a far-left ISTANBU: A massive power he said. “It is too early to say now Turkish group took him hostage cut caused chaos and shut down if it is because of a technical rea- yesterday, killing his two captors. public transport across Turkey son, a manipulation, a faultplay, The Revolutionary People’s yesterday, with the government an operational mistake, or a cyber Liberation Party-Front refusing to rule out that the (attack). We are looking into it... (DHKP-C) had published a pic- electricity system had been the We cannot say they are excluded ture of the prosecutor with a gun victim of an attack. possibilities.” to his head and said it would kill The nationwide power cut, the Education Minister Nabi Avci him unless its demands were met. worst in 15 years, began shortly said power would be fully restored Turkish President Recep Tayyip after 10:30am in Istanbul, the soon. The energy ministry was Erdogan said Mehmet Selim Kiraz state-run Anatolia news agency quoted as saying by Turkish media had been shot three times in the quoted the Turkey Electricity that a power cut on this scale had head and twice in the body. He died Transmission Company as saying. not been seen in 15 years. The despite being rushed to hospital for It was confirmed to have hit 49 blackout trapped people in eleva- emergency surgery. of the country’s 81 provinces, from tors while the metro systems in Six hours after the standoff in the Greek border to those in the Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir all a courthouse in central Istanbul southeast neighbouring Iran and stopped working for several hours. began, explosions and gunfire could Iraq and including Istanbul and Rescue teams rushed to sub- be heard coming from the building the capital Ankara. way stations to evacuate stranded and smoke billowed from a window, A gunman poses with prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz with a gun on his head after he was taken hostage in his Several hours later, swathes travellers and bring them to the a witness said. A few minutes later, office in a courthouse in Istanbul yesterday. of Turkey including much of surface. Traffic lights also were two ambulances, sirens wailing, Istanbul were still without power, not working in several spots in raced away from the scene. investigation into the death last involved to be tried in “people’s and endurance for six hours and although public transport systems Istanbul and Ankara, causing Police chief Selami Altinok said March of 15-year-old Berkin Elvan, courts”, and charges against those took all necessary security meas- such as metro lines appeared to huge traffic jams, with offic- authorities had established lines who died after nine months in a who attended protests for Elvan ures,” he said. be working again. ers taking to the streets in an of communications with the hos- coma from a head wound sustained to be dropped. In a brief video message on a “Every possibility, including a attempt to break the logjams. tage-takers, but had been forced in anti-government protests. During the firefight, both cap- widely followed Twitter account terrorist attack, is being inves- The Marmaray metro line which to act when shots were heard The DHKP-C said on its web- tors were killed, Altinok said at describing itself as that of Elvan’s tigated,” said Prime Minister goes underneath the Bosphorus in from inside the room where Kiraz site it wanted the police officer a media conference shortly after family, the boy’s father had Ahmet Davutoglu after the mag- Istanbul also went down while high was being held. it blames for Elvan’s death to the operation had finished. “Our seemed to call on the group not nitude of the outage became clear. speed train services from Ankara Kiraz was leading an confess on television, the officers forces have worked with patience to harm Kiraz. REUTERS He said a crisis cell has been were also halted. Around three established at the energy min- hours after the power cut struck istry to handle situation, which Istanbul, the metro, tramway occurred as President Recep and the Marmaray underground Tayyip Erdogan was out of the system came back on line and country on a visit to Slovakia. resumed operations. Iran N-deal would need Arab cooperation: Saudi Energy Minister Taner Yildiz Power was being gradually also said the authorities were restored to Istanbul with some RIYADH: Iran will not be able to reap Russia, the United States and Germany, which a few hours before a midnight deadline was investigating whether the power reports claiming that 80 per- the benefits of any nuclear deal with world face a 2200 GMT deadline in negotiations with due to expire. outage was due to a technical fail- cent of the city had power again. powers without the cooperation of its Gulf Iran to end a 12-year dispute over Tehran’s “Solutions have been proposed to the parties, ure or a “cyber-attack”. However many private homes and neighbours, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister nuclear programme. they have made their comments ... but the proc- “The most important thing for offices were still without power. said yesterday. Saud asked the six major nations to not ess must continue to reach a solution,” he said. us is to bring the system back to In the heavily industrialised Prince Saud Al Faisal’s comments came “short-circuit the interests of the states of the “The negotiations will end when solutions have life. This is not something we fre- city of Izmit, near Istanbul, the on deadline day to reach a framework agree- region by dangling before Iran benefits that it been found,” Baidinejad said. “We are ready to quently experience,” said Yildiz, cuts prevented many factories ment aimed at stopping Tehran from acquir- will not be able to reap without cooperation continue. We are not watching the clock.” who was travelling with Erdogan. and workshops from functioning. ing nuclear weapons, in exchange for easing with the countries of the region.” He was speaking just after a senior US official He later sought to calm ten- There were conflicting initial crippling sanctions. In Lausanne, a senior Iranian official said admitted that the talks between global powers sions, saying power had already reports about the cause of the Iran insists its nuclear efforts are for purely Iran is ready to keep talking “as long as nec- and Iran could drag beyond a Tuesday deadline been restored to several regions outage, but Turkish grid opera- peaceful purposes. “If the P5+1 wanted to give essary” to agree the outlines of a deal to cur- “if useful. “When we are talking about tomor- and the whole country “would be tor TEIAS said it resulted from Iran a role in the region they should have first tail its nuclear programme, but several issues row, that could be midnight or three o-clock in fully energised again soon”. a severing of power lines between looked to favour an entente between Iran and remain unresolved. the morning,” Baidinejad said. “There are other “We reached 90 percent levels Europe and Turkey, and warned it the Arab states,” Saud told the Shura Council, “We are focused on the issues which are issues, we hope to resolve them today or tonight. in Istanbul. God willing, there’s could take hours before electricity an appointed consultative body. still not resolved,” a member of the negotiat- We can stay as long as necessary,” he added. not going to be a major problem,” is restored. AFP He was referring to Britain, France, China, ing team Hamid Baidinejad told reporters just AFP

IS executes 37 Head of rival govt in Libya civilians in capital sacked, says MP central Syria TRIPOLI: The leader of the failing to fire ministers accused BEIRUT: The Islamic State disputed government in Tripoli, of corruption. One of his aides, jihadist group yesterday executed Omar Al Hassi, was sacked yes- Mohammed Khalifa Al Guwail, at least 37 civilians, including two terday by the parliament in the has now been tasked with han- children, in a raid on a regime- Libyan capital, which is under dling the everyday business of the held village in Hama province of the control of an Islamist- government, according to another central Syria, a monitor said. backed militia, a lawmaker said. parliamentary source. IS “executed at least 37 people, “The head of the government Libya has been wracked by polit- including women and children, by was dismissed by the parliament ical turmoil and violence since the burning, beheading, and firing on in a vote that was backed by the 2011 uprising backed by Nato air them” in the village of Mabujeh, rest of the ministers,” Mahmoud strikes that ousted and killed dicta- said Rami Abdel Rahman, direc- Abdel Aziz said. tor Muammar Gaddafi. tor of the Syrian Observatory for Libya has had two governments The rival parliaments have Human Rights. Syrian state televi- and parliaments since Tripoli was been holding UN-sponsored talks sion reported that 44 people were seized in August by the Fajr Libya in Morocco aimed at ending the killed and 21 injured in the raid. militia coalition and the interna- bloodshed and establishing a pro- Mabujeh lies near a vital road tionally recognised government visional government. that serves as the regime’s only fled to the country’s far east. Abdel Aziz said the GNC had link between the central province The militia appointed Hassi given the two sides a month in of Homs and the northern prov- in August, but lawmakers in which to reach an agreement. “If ince of Aleppo. In late March, the the General National Congress a national unity government is extremist group killed 83 regime (GNC), the alternative parlia- formed within a month, we will soldiers in the region in a bid to A rebel fighter, affected by what activists said was a gas attack, receives treatment with the help of members of ment, challenged his leadership support it,” he said. “Failing that, gain control over the road. the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Civil Defence in Idlib city yesterday. and demanded his departure. we will name a new head of gov- REUTERS Hassi faced criticism for ernment.” AFP WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Kiev failed to Merkel, Hollande edge probe protest violence: closer after tragedies Europe council

KIEV: The Council of Europe Berlin and Paris to step up cooperation on energy, drones yesterday blasted Kiev for failing to properly investigate deadly BERLIN: The leaders of over the past days and weeks into earlier this month to boost spend- violence against demonstrators Germany and France announced one of “brotherly closeness”. ing by €15bn over the next four in last year’s Maidan protests plans to work more closely on eco- In a sign that Berlin and Paris years. In February, French Prime that ended with pro-Russian nomic and security issues after are trying to bridge differences, Minister Manuel Valls rammed an president Viktor Yanukovich’s years of strain, saying the trag- which have centred on economic economic reform bill through par- downfall. edies of the Charlie Hebdo killings policy, they announced nine joint liament by decree. The pan-European rights organ- and air crash in the French Alps investment projects focused on the Merkel and Hollande have also isation said Ukrainian probes into had brought them closer. energy and digital economy sec- taken the lead in the Ukraine crisis, the bloody crackdown that killed Chancellor Angela Merkel and tors. These include joint efforts to negotiating a fragile ceasefire deal scores of people “failed to satisfy President Francois Hollande, whose encourage investment in startups with Moscow and Kiev last month. the requirements of the European relationship has sometimes been and strengthen cooperation in set- They presented a united front on Convention of Human Rights”. tense since the French Socialist ting standards for cloud computing Greece, demanding that it fulfil its During the three months of dem- took power in 2012, met in Berlin and “big data”. The initiatives are to reform obligations, and on Iran, onstrations, “there was no genuine yesterday, a week after a German be pursued at the European level. saying any deal on the country’s attempt to pursue investigations,” pilot steered an airliner into a Separately, the two countries nuclear programme must ensure the report said. mountain in southern France, kill- agreed to cooperate on a new Tehran cannot develop a nuclear The council reviewed records ing 150 people. military observation satellite pro- weapons capability. detailing violence in Kiev’s The disaster came two months gramme and to start the develop- Despite the signs of unity, ana- Independence Square, or Maidan after Islamist gunmen killed 17 ment of a European drone, together lysts say the relationship is no — the focal point of the pro-Euro- people in Paris at Charlie Hebdo with Italy. Though largely symbolic longer one of equals. Germany’s pean protests — from November and a Jewish shop. “Looking back, at this point, the plans suggest the economic success and France’s 2013 to February 2014. Germany and France were tested Franco-German motor that has malaise have created an imbalance “In certain important respects, in the first three months of 2015 powered European integration since that has aggravated tensions. the investigations into the Maidan and we moved closer to each other,” World War Two may be shifting up In her tenth year as chancel- cases lacked practical independ- Merkel told a joint news conference. a gear. For much of last year, politi- lor, Merkel enjoys the support of ence in circumstances where the “I remember the horrible events cians in Berlin were highly critical nearly three in four Germans, while investigating body belonged to the around Charlie Hebdo, but also the of the pace of Hollande’s economic Hollande has the support of just same authority as those under decisive response in favour of free reform drive. The French, mean- one in four French. His Socialists investigation,” the report said. speech, democracy and the fight while, pressed Germany to invest received a drubbing in local elec- As a result, “substantial against terrorism. Together we sent more public money in infrastruc- tions, losing ground to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (centre left) and French President progress had not been made in a signal about how we will deal with ture and other areas. president Nicolas Sarkozy’s con- Francois Hollande swap places as they pose for a picture with members the Maidan investigation”, said the the challenges of our time.” Both sides have shown signs servatives. “The course has been set of the French and the German cabinet yesterday in front of the Chancellery Strasbourg-based Council. Hollande said the Franco- of movement in recent months. and we will stick to it,” Hollande in Berlin. Rights groups have frequently German friendship had “evolved” Merkel’s cabinet approved plans said in Berlin. REUTERS accused Ukraine’s current lead- ers of failing to bring to justice those responsible for the Maidan violence, in particular a three-day bloodbath in February. Dozens of demonstrators who Catalonia nationalists plan 2017 secession from Spain set up camp on the square also disappeared and are still missing. The final days of the protests MADRID: Catalan national- vote for September 27 after Madrid map plan pledged. “The national secession would cause Catalonia to people, according to most polls. were mired in bloodshed and chaos ist parties and associations have blocked their bid for a referendum transition process towards the leave the bloc. “This new road map During a symbolic independence as security forces gunned down signed a road map to secede from on independence. It will be the declaration of a new Catalan state is bad for all Catalans and all other referendum held in November last scores of protesters in what was Spain in 2017 if independence third regional election in Catalonia or republic will begin after the Spaniards,” said Prime Minister year, that the top court in Spain then the worst unrest in Ukraine movements win a September since 2010. September 27 vote, and culminate Mariano Rajoy, whose conserva- ruled unconstitutional, 1.9 million since independence in 1991. Only regional vote. The September vote will act as a at the most after 18 months,” the tive government fiercely opposes out of 6.3 million potential vot- two low-ranking former riot police The election will “serve as a “plebiscite”, Esquerra Republicana, text said. Catalonia’s independence drive. ers cast their ballot in favour of officers are facing trial over the legal mechanism to determine the Convergencia Democratica de The plan also calls for “an man- “It breaks all the ties that have secession. killing of demonstrators. Interior Catalan people’s will”, two main Catalunya and several associations datory referendum on the text of long linked us and forces many Pro-independence feeling has ministry dismissed the report, Catalan nationalist parties and sev- said. the constitution”, followed by a Catalans to no longer be Spanish surged in Catalonia in recent years, calling accusations of obstruction eral associations said in an agree- If pro-independence candidates parliamentary vote and negotia- and European,” he added. fanned by disagreements with the “perplexing and unfounded”. It ment published on Monday. win the vote, they will work on tions to determine Catalonia’s “new Despite holding massive demon- conservative central government took particular issue with criticism Nationalist leaders in the a new constitution and establish relationship” with Spain and the strations in Barcelona, separatists and Spain’s sharp economic down- over the handling of the three days wealthy region of northeastern institutions that would form the European Union. do not form a majority in Catalonia, turn which has left nearly one in of bloodshed ahead of Yanukovich’s Spain have called the snap regional basis of a future state, the road EU officials have warned that which is home to around 7.5 million four people out of work. AFP ouster. AFP

Pilot told Lufthansa in 2009 of depression

BERLIN: Lufthansa said that about a ‘previous episode of severe the co-pilot of the crashed depression’,” Lufthansa said. Germanwings jet had informed “Lufthansa will continue to provide the airline in 2009 that he had the investigating authorities with previously suffered from severe its full and unlimited support.” depression. The airline said it had German prosecutors said that handed additional documents, in Lubitz was diagnosed as suicidal particular medical and training “several years ago”, before he documents, to prosecutors in the became a pilot, but had appeared Masked Spanish Civil Guard officers escort one of two 16-year-old western city of Duesseldorf after more stable of late. minors (centre) after the arrest of a couple and their twin children as “further internal investigations”. Doctors had recently found no part of a police operation in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. All four are These also included email cor- sign he intended to hurt himself said to be Moroccan nationals accused of being involved in a network respondence from co-pilot Andreas or others, said Ralf Herrenbrueck, aimed at attracting Jihadist supporters and sending them to Syria. Lubitz to his flight training school, spokesman for the prosecutor’s where he, at one point, inter- office. However, he was receiv- rupted his pilot training for several ing treatment from neurologists Anne Frank died earlier than thought months, it said in a statement. He and psychiatrists who had signed THE HAGUE: Jewish teenager Anne Frank died in a Nazi later received the medical certifi- him off sick from work a number concentration camp at least a month earlier than her official cate confirming he was fit to fly. of times, including the day of the date of death, a new study said yesterday. “New research... has “In this correspondence he crash. Ripped up sick notes were shed fresh light on the last days of Anne Frank and her sis- informed the Flight Training Pilot found in a flat used by Lubitz, which Patricia Willaert (centre), prefect of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence ter Margot,” the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam said. “Their School in 2009, in the medical docu- authorities believe indicates that department, speaks during a conference in Seyne-les-Alpes, in the French deaths must have occurred in February 1945,” it said. The deaths ments he submitted in connection the 27-year-old was trying to hide Alps, yesterday. of Anne Frank and Margot in the concentration camp were noted with resuming his flight training, his illness from his employer. AFP as between March 1 and 31 by the Red Cross at the time. It uses archives from the Red Cross, the International Tracing Service and the Bergen-Belsen Memorial, together with “as many eye- witness testimonies and survivors as possible.” Four survivors Memorandum of Disapproval reported that Anne and Margot showed symptoms of typhus by late January 1945. “Most deaths of typhus occur around 12 days US, Cuba hold first formal after the first symptoms appeared,” the study said. AFP Rhodes scholarships open to Chinese talks on human rights BEIJING: The Rhodes Scholarships, founded by one of Britain’s most acquisitive colonialists and whose laureates have gone on WASHINGTON: The United for human rights and democracy. to become presidents and prime ministers, are to be opened to States and Cuba met yester- Pedro Luis Pedroso, deputy direc- Chinese students, their administrative trust said. Initially the day to discuss how they intend tor of multilateral affairs and law programme was restricted to 57 students from formerly British- to treat future dialogue on the at the ministry of foreign affairs, ruled territories, plus Germany, with the lion’s share of awards thorny issue of human rights led the Cuban side. going to the US, although it has since expanded. The first Chinese as the countries move toward “This preliminary meeting students will be selected this year and enter Oxford in 2016. AFP restoring diplomatic ties. reflects our continued focus on While no major announce- human rights and democratic Three held as part of Paris killings ments are expected from the principles in Cuba,” a State meeting, it was the first formal Department official said, speak- PARIS: Three men have been arrested as part of an investiga- dialogue tackling human rights ing on condition of anonymity. tion into the Paris attacks in January in which 17 people were between the countries since US “Human rights are a priority.” killed, the Paris prosecutors’ office said. The men are linked to President Barack Obama and The United States has pressed Amedy Coulibaly, one of the three Islamist militant gunmen who US President Barack Obama speaks to members of the press in the Oval Cuban President Raul Castro Cuba to improve human rights perpetrated the attacks, an official in the prosecutor’s office said. Office before signing a Memorandum of Disapproval regarding a joint announced on December 17 they conditions on the communist-led Coulibaly killed a police officer in the Paris suburb of Montrouge resolution providing for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted were seeking to restore diplo- island and expressed concern, and four people in a Jewish supermarket. Since the attacks, by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case matic ties. in particular, about the jailing seven men aged 22 to 33 have been detained and placed under procedures, yesterday in Washington, DC. The resolution is a rarely The US delegation was led of political dissidents and activ- formal investigation by prosecutors on January 20. REUTERS used oversight tool that allows legislators to block regulatory actions. by Tom Malinowski, the State ists and treatment of political Department’s assistant secretary prisoners. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Bangladesh files Nigeria oppn claims historic poll win cases against four over murder Jonathan concedes defeat of blogger ABUJA: Nigeria’s former military leader Muhammadu DHAKA: Bangladesh police Buhari (pictured) claimed a his- yesterday filed criminal cases toric election victory in Africa’s against two Islamic students most populous country yester- and two others for the machete day, sending thousands of jubi- murder of a blogger accused of lant supporters into the streets mocking Islam, the second such chanting “change, change”. attack in recent weeks. Buhari’s campaign spokes- Washiqur Rahman was hacked man said incumbent President to death near his home on Monday Goodluck Jonathan had called the morning in Dhaka, less than two retired general to concede defeat months after the murder of an in the most closely fought election American atheist blogger trig- in Nigeria’s history. gered international outrage. If confirmed, this would be Police Inspector Mohammad the first ever democratic change Salahuddin said three knife- of power in Nigeria and cap a wielding attackers killed the remarkable comeback for the 27-year-old because they believed 72-year-old, who headed a short- Buhari had said that he was he had “defamed Islam” in the lived military regime in the 1980s. “very confident” of victory as country through writings on With just one state to declare, counting of votes showed him social media. Police lodged pre- Buhari is virtually guaranteed pulling well ahead of Jonathan. liminary murder charges against victory. Thousands of jubilant With 36 out of 37 results in, two students of madrassas who Buhari supporters poured into his All Progressives Congress were arrested at the scene, along the streets in celebration, many in (APC) had won 20 states, while with the third who fled and is still northern Nigeria which has borne Jonathan’s PDP was on 15, plus on the run, another officer said. the brunt of the bloody six-year the Federal Capital Territory of An alleged planner of the Boko Haram uprising. Abuja. The final result is awaited attack was also charged and is Many brandished brooms to from Borno state, the heart of the Youth celebrating the victory of main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate now under investigation after the symbolise his promise to clean up Boko Haram Islamist insurgency. Mohammadu Buhari in Abuja yesterday. students named him during police corruption in the oil-rich country “Change, change,” chanted questioning, said deputy commis- of 173 million people. opposition supporters in the opposition has voted a govern- run at the presidency, has been northern states but had launched sioner Biplob Kumar Sarker. “President Jonathan called at northern city of Kaduna. ment out of power in Nigeria’s buoyed by frustration over a probe into claims by the APC of “A case was filed against the 5:15 (1615 GMT),” his campaign In Kano, some young men history,” said APC spokesman endemic corruption, criticism irregularities in Rivers. four people accusing them of the spokesman Shehu Garba said. donned black fedoras — which Lai Mohammed. Buhari was more over Jonathan’s handling of the Jega said later: “I don’t believe murder of the blogger,” Sarker Asked if Jonathan conceded, he his rival Jonathan is rarely seen than 2.75 million votes ahead of Boko Haram insurgency and a that the allegations are substan- said. One of the two arrested had said: “Yes, and General Buhari has without — and put suitcases on 57-year-old Jonathan, after win- stronger opposition. tial enough to require the can- been studying at a top madrassa accepted and thanks him for this.” their heads to mock the presi- ning in the northern states of There was a brief protest by cellation or rescheduling of the in the port city of Chittagong, There was no immediate com- dent as people chanted “Out of Yobe and Adamawa. Jonathan’s PDP before the count elections in Rivers state. We will headed by hardline Islamist group ment from Jonathan, his spokes- Aso Rock” (the presidential villa). The retired army general won resumed yesterday. Former Niger take the results.” International Hefazat-e-Islam. man or the ruling People’s Buhari won a landslide victory in the key prize of Lagos in the Delta minister Godsday Orubebe observers gave broadly posi- The group was behind massive Democratic Party (PDP), but Kano, Nigeria’s second most-pop- southwest but at one point his accused elections chief Attahiru tive reactions to the conduct of protests against secular bloggers in Buhari’s wife Aisha took to Twitter ulous state, securing more than lead was cut to 500,000 votes after Jega of being “partial” and “selec- the vote, despite late delivery of 2013 that left nearly 50 people dead. to celebrate. “We see this as a trim- 1.9 million votes and 89 percent landslide victories for Jonathan tive”. Orubebe claimed Jega had election materials and technical Police launched a crackdown at the phant show of democracy, a change of the vote. in his southern Delta homeland. refused to investigate PDP com- glitches with new voter authen- time on thousands of hardliners for the better,” she wrote. “This is the first time the Buhari, making his fourth plaints about big wins by Buhari in tication devices. AFP who poured into Dhaka demand- ing the execution of bloggers. Monday’s killing bears strong similarities to the murder of Avijit Roy, an American blogger of Bangladeshi origin who was Singapore teen hacked to death with machetes in Dhaka in February. His death in court over Thai junta to replace martial law sparked uproar, with hundreds of secular activists holding protests BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta Yingluck Shinawatra’s democrati- “better atmosphere” in the king- able to prosecute those accused of for days to demand justice. anti-Lee video chief said yesterday that he cally elected government after dom, where dissent has been national security and royal defa- The two arrested for the lat- SINGAPORE: A Singaporean would lift martial law but only months of often violent street strongly suppressed since the mation offences in military courts est murder were brought under teenager arrested after post- after replacing it with a new protests. military takeover. with no right of appeal. heavy security yesterday before ing an expletive-laden YouTube order retaining sweeping pow- It was the latest twist in a dec- But human rights groups The media, meanwhile, has a judge who remanded them in video attacking the country’s ers for the military in a move ade of political conflict broadly expressed alarm that an execu- been muzzled while political gath- custody for eight days for further late founding leader Lee Kuan critics warned would “deepen pitting a Bangkok-based middle tive order could allow Prayut to erings of more than five people police questioning. Yew and Christianity was dictatorship” in the kingdom. class and royalist elite — backed wield even greater powers. Major are banned. In his first public One of the arrested said that charged yesterday with jailable Prime Minister Prayut Chan- by parts of the military and judi- General Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, comments on what might replace they killed Rahman because he offences including obscenity and O-Cha said he had asked the ciary — against pro-Shinawatra a junta spokesman, told reporters martial law, Prayut clearly indi- mocked “Allah and the Prophet”. hurting religious feelings. country’s ailing 87-year-old King urban working-class voters and Prayut felt the decision was nec- cated that the military would “It was our religious duty to kill Amos Yee, a slight student Bhumibol Adulyadej permission farmers from the country’s north. essary because “foreign countries retain significant powers. him. We’ve killed him because with a thick mop of hair, smiled to lift the controversial law, which Speaking to reporters, Prayut were concerned over our use of The former army chief said it will ensure heaven,” he said. and fidgeted as charges were would then be replaced with spe- said a new order to replace mar- martial law”. he would use Article 44 of the Bloggers and other writers along read to him in a district court. cial security measures. tial law would be “issued very Some businesses and tour junta’s interim constitution to with secular activists held a rally He was released on Sg$20,000 The former army chief imposed soon”. Junta officials said the operators have also called for issue a new order protecting and candlelight vigil against the ($14,500) bail. martial law and seized power in measures, which have yet to the controversial law to be lifted. Thailand’s security. murder late on Monday at Dhaka Yee, who at 16 is old enough to May following the ousting of be fully defined, would create a Under the law the army has been AFP University. AFP be tried as an adult, was already known in the local YouTube community for humorous post- ings and a bit role as a child actor in a comedy movie called “We Not Naughty”. Scribes held as arrests Yee, who wore a dark T-shirt over beige trousers and rubber flip-flops, was slapped with three separate charges, including one for mount in Malaysia actions that have the “deliberate intention of wounding the religious KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian actions “appear to go beyond just or racial feelings of any person”. police detained a prominent our reportage” on the story con- Yee was also charged with cir- publisher and a website editor cerning the sultans. culating on his blog an obscene on sedition charges yesterday, “The Malaysian Insider will object — a graphic cartoon of the latest targets in a mount- continue to report without fear Lee with former British Prime ing tally of arrests that a senior or favour despite these arrests. Minister Margaret Thatcher — opposition politician compared It is business as usual,” he said. as well as making threatening, to an infamous 1987 political Facing sliding voter support abusive or insulting commu- crackdown. over repressive tactics and cor- nication under the city-state’s Ho Kay Tat, head of The Edge ruption in his ruling coalition, newly enacted Protection from media group, was arrested along Najib promised in 2011 to end the Harassment Act. with Jahabar Sadiq, chief editor of regime’s authoritarian ways. In an eight-minute video titled The Malaysian Insider news portal But he made an abrupt u-turn “Lee Kuan Yew is finally dead” which is owned by The Edge, the after a further setback in 2013 elec- Yee launched a scathing attack portal said. tions in which the opposition won on the 91-year-old political patri- The latest detentions followed a majority of votes cast, launching arch who was cremated after a the arrests of scores of people in a crackdown on free expression in state funeral on Sunday. In the recent weeks for sedition or for which dozens of opposition politi- video, Yee, who was arrested on assembly violations related to a cians, academics and activists were the day of the funeral, also likened Swiss pilots Andre Boschberg and Bertrand Piccard pose for media on the Solar Impulse 2 in a hangar after it series of demonstrations demand- nabbed last year on sedition and Singapore’s first prime minister touched down at the airport in Chongqing, southwest China, yesterday. ing the release of jailed opposition other charges. Most spent no to Jesus as he launched a tirade leader Anwar Ibrahim or other more than a few hours in custody against Christianity. anti-government protests. before being released. He called Lee, who did not pro- Three other Malaysian Insider Najib’s office did not respond to a fess any religion, a “horrible per- Solar Impulse 2 lands in China editors had already been arrested request for comment, but the pre- son” and challenged the former on Monday over a seemingly mier said last week that freedom leader’s son, Prime Minister Lee SHANGHAI: Solar Impulse 2 270km from Shanghai, but that second flight due to bad weather uncontroversial news report must have limits. Bridget Welsh, Hsien Loong, to sue him. landed early yesterday in China, was delayed due to weather and in Nanjing.” involving the Muslim-majority a Malaysia politics analyst with The judge ordered Yee to the world’s biggest carbon emit- safety concerns, with the team Piccard battled extreme cold as country’s royalty. National Taiwan University, said refrain from making any social ter, completing the fifth leg of its now expecting to stay a few days low as -20 degrees Celsius in the The Edge, however, has also the arrests were a sign of Najib’s media postings while the case landmark global circumnaviga- waiting for better conditions for cockpit and the general unpre- published a string of reports on political weakness, with the pre- is pending. The next hearing is tion powered solely by the sun. the trip east. dictabilities of flying above the the murky dealings of a govern- mier believed to be under pressure scheduled for April 17. With pilot Bertrand Piccard “We are tired but we are mountainous Chinese provinces ment-owned investment company from ruling-party hardliners. Outside the courtroom, his at the controls, the revolutionary still very, very happy to be in of Yunnan and Sichuan. whose board is chaired by Prime Police said the latest arrests teary-eyed father clasped his hands plane landed in Chongqing airport Chongqing,” said mission engi- Flying at high altitude for most Minister Najib Razak. Those stem from a Malaysian Insider and told reporters: “I would like to at 1:35am after a 20-and-a-half neer Michael Anger on the of the journey from Mandalay reports — including questions over report last week. The report said take this opportunity to say very hour flight from Myanmar. project’s website. “In China it was to Chongqing — 28,000 feet at the whereabouts of huge sums of a council of the country’s nine sorry to PM Lee”. But his son later The plane had been expected demanding, this flight, especially its highest point — Piccard had money — have stirred public out- figurehead state sultans opposed smiled and waved to reporters as to make just a brief stop in the for Bertrand but also for the team to use additional oxygen on the rage and tarnished Najib’s image. an Islamic opposition party’s pro- they left the court building. southwestern city and quickly preparing two flights in a row and 1,459km route. In a statement issued before posal for tough Shariah criminal AFP travel on to Nanjing, about then this afternoon cancelling the AFP his arrest, Jahabar said the police punishments. AFP WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Fear lingers Training for teachers after rescue from Yemen Worry over Pakistanis in country

KARACHI: When bombs Pakistanis. Then, bombing by the were flattening the high-rises Saudi-led forces last Wednesday around his residence, reunion night made the situation worse.” with the family appeared to He still shakes with fear while be a dream. The dream came recalling the days he spent with true on Sunday night when other Pakistani families in corri- Qurban Hussain with 501 other dors of their apartment building. Pakistanis landed here in a After the shelling by the Saudi- PIA aircraft that brought them led coalition forces and retalia- from the war-torn Yemeni city tion through anti-aircraft guns of Hodeida. by Houthi forces, “we could not What seems to be the most even hear our own voice”, he says. horrible episode of his life is over, “Most of us were waiting for but fears and concerns for days our turn to die,” he says. “The ahead are not. place I lived at was one of the Hussain, a senior executive of most sensitive areas of Sana’a. In a Pakistani bank operating in the same district, there is a presi- Sana’a, is fond of reading, travel- dential palace, head office of the Kashmir schoolteachers during a weapons training session in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, yesterday. The government ling and socialising, and grasped Yemen forces as well as the offices started special gun-training sessions for female teachers in the city after Taliban attack on an army-run school killed at least 136 students in Peshawar. quite well the culture, hospital- of different ministries.” ity and traditions of various local It was almost a 10-hour drive tribes during his eight-year post- for the 502 Pakistanis in the ing in Yemen. And this awareness convoy of buses led by Pakistan make him worry for the future of ambassador Dr Irfan Yousuf Petrol prices Pakistanis there. Shami, but hopes of meeting their Grooms arrested for fireworks “I think Yemen is among the loved ones back home started fad- few places in the world where ing when they were not allowed set to rise we are respected for being to leave Sana’a. during wedding in Karachi Pakistanis,” said Hussain, sit- “The credit goes to our ambas- ting with his two children, wife sador,” says Faraan Farooqi, “I KARACHI: Two newly-wed under the explosives provisions of celebration. Rights campaign- and a sister. have been there for more than two brothers in Pakistan could be anti-terrorism legislation. ers say Pakistan’s anti-terrorism in Pakistan “I had been there [Sana’a] since years and I know it’s not easy to facing long prison sentences “Very powerful crackers were legislation and anti-terrorism 2007 and you would not believe skip any legal process in Yemen. after police arrested them on being used during the marriage courts are frequently misused to ISLAMABAD: The respite it that from the common man So when we were stopped at a terrorism charges for letting off ceremony creating fear among prosecute cases that have nothing from high oil prices appears to top people in government or checkpoint by the forces, I knew firecrackers during their joint the neighbourhood, a densely to do with militancy. More gen- to have been somewhat short- the armed forces, they all highly we would not be allowed to leave wedding ceremony. populated area of the city,” Abbas erally, Pakistani police are often lived as rising global prices regard Pakistanis. But I have the city without written clearance It is a longstanding, if danger- Golarchi said. criticised for their heavy-handed have caused Pakistani govern- lately seen sentiments changing from the local ministry and our ous, custom at Pakistani weddings Golarchi said the charges are approach. ment regulators to allow for an negatively. endeavour would be wasted. to set off fireworks and fire weap- non-bailable and the five arrested In April last year, police in the increase in domestic fuel prices, “My concern is that if we But it was our ambassador, who ons in the air in celebration, but are in police custody awaiting a eastern city of Lahore booked with petrol prices in particular [Pakistan] become part of any used every diplomatic contact police in Karachi said this time remand hearing expected today. a nine-month-old boy on an expected to go up by 6.3pc in the side, it would not be the same and handled the situation so well the happy couples went too far. If found guilty they could attempted murder charge after coming month. Yemen for Pakistanis,” he says. that we were not only allowed to Police officer Abbas Golarchi, face long prison sentences or his family members allegedly The Oil and Gas Regulatory “I lately started observing that leave but were also served food who booked the grooms along even the death sentence, though threw bricks at officers trying to Authority moved its recommen- sentiments are changing nega- and water.” with three other people, told this is unlikely as no-one was collect an unpaid bill. dations to the Finance Ministry tively among the locals about INTERNEWS AFP yesterday they were charged harmed during the joint wedding AFP and the Petroleum Minister yesterday in which it recom- mended raising domestic prices in response to sustained upward pressure on global prices. The new prices were expected Four hanged to be approved yesterday fol- Imran, Zardari differ on Yemen policy lowing the approval of Prime in Pakistan for Minister Nawaz Sharif. ISLAMABAD: The PML(N) has added a new paragraph to the If prices rise according to murder, kidnap government as well as the lead- policy statement issued yesterday, Ogra’s recommendations, pet- ing opposition PPP have adopted which also reflects on the missile rol prices in Pakistan will likely ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- the policy of fully endorsing systems of Houthis targetting increase to Rs74.69 per litre, a terday hanged four prisoners Saudi Arabia’s policy on Yemen Saudi Arabia. rise of Rs4.40 per litre or 6.3pc. condemned for murder and kid- while the PTI suggests the gov- According to Malik, the added Prices for high speed diesel (HSD) napping, officials said, bringing ernment should stay away from paragraph says: “He (Zardari) are expected to go up by Rs6.25 the total number executed since others’ war. said PPP cannot support militias per litre, or 7.8pc, to Rs86.86 per the death penalty was resumed It is interesting to note that as it is without any legitimacy litre. in December to 65. the PPP’s policy statement is in Yemen and it has established Light diesel oil (LDO) is The four prisoners went to the perhaps much stronger than the missile systems to target the expected to see an increase of gallows in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, government’s policy as Asif Ali Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Rs2.56 per litre, or 4.4pc, to Mianwali and Attock across the Zardari says: “It becomes collec- In case militia succeeds in tak- Rs60.50 per litre. The high- country’s Punjab province. tive responsibility of the interna- ing over the assets and important est increase is expected to be in “The gallows were set up a few tional community to join hands installations of Saudi Arabia they high-octane blended component days before the executions,” a against the (Houthis) militia to would wreak havoc all over the (HOBC), which is expected to see prison official at the jail told AFP. protect Saudi Arabia and Yemen.” world by using those resources. its price rise by Rs7.66 per litre, or The execution at Sargodha Issued by the party’s co-chair- Therefore, it becomes collective 9.6pc, to Rs87.84 per litre. central jail was the first since person Asif Ali Zardari through responsibility of international Kerosene prices are expected to its establishment in 1910. The former interior minister Abdur community to join hands against see the smallest rise of Rs1.5 per convict, Muhammad Riaz was Rehman Malik, the PPP policy the militia to protect Saudi litre, or 2.4pc, to Rs62.94 per litre. executed for murder during an statement would help negate Arabia and Yemen.” Activists protest against the war in Yemen at a rally in Islamabad. “Due to an increase in inter- attempted robbery. those who are trying to give sec- Malik said though some media national crude price, the author- In Attock jail, prisoner Akram- tarian colour to the Yemen issue. persons are trying to question the national community to support Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz ity [Ogra] has suggested an ul-Haq was convicted for kidnap- International news agencies policy statement of the PPP, he Riyadh’s action. Sharif expressed his full support increase in fuel prices,” said one ping a three-year-old girl and report that the Yemeni rebels clarified that he was asked by the Zardari added: “We stand for Saudi Arabia in the opera- official familiar with the regula- charged under anti-terrorism had even positioned long-range co-chairperson to issue the state- with our brothers from GCC and tion, saying: “All potentials of the tor’s deliberations. There is some laws. The remaining two convicts Scud missiles close to the Saudi ment on Asif Ali Zardari’s behalf. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistani Army are offered to the debate on the extent the govern- were hanged for murder. border, but still PTI chairman The written policy state- endorse their action in Yemen to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. ment will increase these prices, A moratorium on the death Imran Khan terms it others’ war ment of the co-chairperson PPP restore democracy as it coincides Sharif added that any threat given Finance Minister Ishaq penalty had been in force since and equates it with the US’ so- fully endorses Saudi Arabia’s with our national policy and our to Saudi Arabia’s territorial Dar’s pledge to reduce the unu- 2008, but executions were called war on terror. policy on Yemen and its mili- historical responsibility and com- integrity would evoke a strong sually high General Sales Tax restarted in December. Contacted yesterday, Malik tary action against the Yemeni mitments towards the Kingdom response from Pakistan. on fuel when prices start going AFP said that the former President rebels besides asking the inter- of Saudi Arabia’.” INTERNEWS back up. INTERNEWS

Blast kills seven members of Afghan family

GHAZNI, AFGHANISTAN: Qasem Disiwal, district chief taken a heavy toll on civilians. A roadside bomb killed seven of Andar, where the explosion The number of civilians killed members of an Afghan family occurred, confirmed the inci- and wounded in Afghanistan including three children in the dent saying the area was heavily jumped 22 percent in 2014, a restive south, officials said yes- mined by the Taliban after they recent UN report said, as Nato terday, the latest civilian casu- retreated following an Afghan troops withdrew from combat. alties ahead of the Taliban’s army operation. The United Nations Assistance traditional spring fighting “Taliban have planted thou- Mission in Afghanistan attributed season. sands of mines in Andar. Afghan the rise to an intensification in The explosion occurred on forces defuse 20-30 landmines ground fighting, resulting in a Monday as the family was head- every day,” Disiwal said. total of 10,548 civilian casualties ing home in a minivan after a No group has so far claimed last year. shopping trip in Ghazni province, responsibility for the blast, but President Barack Obama last a provincial spokesman said. roadside bombs have been a week reversed plans to withdraw “The minivan hit a landmine weapon of choice for the Taliban around 5,000 US troops from planted by the Taliban, kill- in their their battle against the Afghanistan this year, an over- ing seven members of a family, US-backed government and for- ture to the country’s new reform- including three children, three eign forces. minded leader, President Ashraf women and one man,” Shafiqullah The bombs often target Afghan Ghani. Afghan policemen check vehicles on a road leading to Andar district, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, yesterday. Nang told AFP. security forces, but they have also AFP WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Baby among 15 killed by landslide in Kashmir SRINAGAR: Emergency flooded for the second time in accused authorities of not doing workers in Kashmir have recov- less than a year, and one man enough to prevent a repeat of ered 15 bodies including that of was washed away when he tried that disaster, which many said a three-week-old baby after a to cross a flash flood in his car was exacerbated by the state landslide triggered by heavy elsewhere in the state. government’s failure to prepare rains buried several houses. With more rain forecast in the for flooding. The baby was found in his next three days, authorities said Yesterday police said a special mother’s lap under tons of mud, the danger was not over. team set up to deal with the floods police said yesterday, as the grim The state’s top official Gazanfar had received 30,000 calls and task of searching for bodies Hussain said the river level was messages, while plans had been continued. falling in most parts of the region put in place to evacuate people The victims all belonged to two but lakes downstream were from Srinagar. families who after the rains had already full, posing a possible Relief camps have been set up moved into what they thought flood danger. in the city, which was severely hit was the stronger of two houses Memories are still fresh of by the 2014 flood disaster. in Ladden village, 35km west of the devastating floods that hit Many shops remained shut in Kashmir’s main city Srinagar. Kashmir last September, killing Srinagar yesterday, while traders “We have recovered 15 bodies. hundreds. in the main commercial district Efforts are on to find a missing Tens of thousands of people had moved their goods to safer boy who was also in the house,” were left stranded when floods places. The latest floods have local superintendent of police and landslides triggered by heavy largely spared Pakistan. Fayaz Ahmed Lone said. monsoon rains devastated parts of Akram Sohail, chairman of the He said a sole survivor of the the Indian-administered section Disaster Management Authority landslide had refused to leave his of Kashmir and Pakistan’s neigh- in the Pakistan-administered sec- house, and was now “so shocked bouring Punjab province. tion of Kashmir, said it had issued that he is not able to talk”. On the Indian side of the bor- warnings not to get too close to Monday’s landslide hit as der alone, the floods killed around the river. authorities issued a flood warn- 300 people, left thousands more “We have also issued an alert ing for Kashmir after the River homeless and destroyed property for a further rise in water level Jhelum which runs through and infrastructure worth an esti- because of heavy rains and flood- Kashmiri villagers carry the body of a landslide victim during a funeral in the village of Laden at Chadoora some Srinagar rose above the danger mated $16bn. ing on the Indian side,” he said. 40km west of Srinagar, yesterday. level. Homes in Srinagar were Some Srinagar residents have AFP

Saudi assures help in Only 24 five-star Court notice to Advani, hotels allowed to safe pullout of Indians serve liquor NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia has assured India full assistance in safe evacuation of Indians stranded in strife-hit Yemen as in Kerala Joshi over Babri razing Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh flew to Djibouti to oversee evacuation efforts. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin KOCHI: The Kerala High 17 other leaders also given notice over criminal conspiracy Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Court yesterday upheld the liq- Modi on Monday night and assured him of his “full attention to uor policy of the state govern- NEW DELHI: The Supreme Central Bureau of Investigation 2011. The CBI said in its appeal the safety of Indians in Yemen and all possible assistance for their ment and dismissed a petition Court yesterday issued notice (CBI) four weeks to get the papers before the apex court that the early and safe evacuation”. filed by the Kerala Bar Hotel to BJP leaders L K Advani and to support its case challenging the high court ruling discharging The Saudi monarch called up Modi at 9.30 p.m. The prime Owners Association, allowing Murli Manohar Joshi and 17 discharge of Advani and others. Advani and others of the offence minister shared his “deep concern about the safety and welfare only 24 five-star hotels in the others on a petition challenging Additional Solicitor General of criminal conspiracy “is incon- of approximately 4,000 Indians in Yemen”. He also briefed King state to serve liquor. the Allahabad High Court ver- Neeraj Kishan Kaul told the apex sistent with the previous judg- Salman on India’s evacuation plan and requested him for support A division bench of Justice K dict discharging them of crimi- court that the CBI had filed an ment rendered by the Allahabad and cooperation in it. The Saudi monarch “recalled the strong and T Shankaran and Justice Babu nal conspiracy in the demolition affidavit explaining the delay in High Court on February 12, 2001”. close relations between India and Saudi Arabia and assured the Mathew P Joseph said drinking of the Babri Masjid in 1992. filing the petition challenging the The Lucknow bench of the prime minister of his full attention to the safety of Indians”. liquor was not a fundamental Besides the two, union minis- high court ruling. Allahabad High Court had held On Monday, India evacuated 400 from Aden through sea route right and the state government ter Uma Bharti and Rajasthan The apex court, while not- that the trial court committed no by a local craft which took them to Djibouti. In Djibouti, India has made things very clear in its Governor Kalyan Singh — who ing that delay in filing the peti- illegality in taking “cognizance of has stationed five diplomats, including three senior officials of the liquor policy. was Uttar Pradesh chief minis- tion by the CBI was on account joint consolidated chargesheet” external affairs ministry, to assist in the efforts. The bench said the government ter when the mosque was razed of its drafting and approval by and “all the offences were com- V K Singh is to oversee the evacuation operations at Djibouti has every right to frame policies — have also been issued notice. the central government’s senior mitted in the course of the same from where Indians are to be flown back home. and when it is done, it is just not The Allahabad High Court on law officer, said that the then transaction to accomplish the The Indian Air Force has been asked to deploy two Globemaster the tourism industry that has to May 20, 2010 absolved them of the bench of Justice H L Dattu and conspiracy”. aircraft to ferry those in Djibouti to India. The Air India has sta- be considered, but the society’s charge of criminal conspiracy that Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar on The high court had noted that tioned two flights in Muscat. interest too has to be taken into led to the razing of the 16th cen- February 4, 2013 had asked the the “evidence for all the offences An Indian Navy ship INS Sumitra is also in the region. The account. tury mosque in the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit to was almost the same”. navy is pressing into service two more ships — INS Mumbai and Kerala Bar Hotel Owners town of Ayodhya on December 6, explain the reasons for the delay. The other accused in the case INS Tarkash. Two passenger liners with a total capacity of 1,100 Association representatives said 1992. Allowing four weeks’ time, the include Vinay Katiyar, Ashok are travelling towards Yemen and would reach there in four-five they will appeal in the Supreme An apex court bench of Chief court said it would hear the mat- Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Hari days, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Court against the high court Justice H L Dattu and Justice ter on the question of both delay Dalmiya, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi on Monday. verdict. As a result, around 300 Arun Mishra issued the notice as and merits. Rithambara and Mahant India is also in touch with regional leaders and will seek their bars in the state will now close counsel Kapil Sibal told the court The CBI moved the apex court Avaidyanath. assistance in this difficult situation, he said. down with effect from Tuesday that a fresh application had been on February 18, 2011, nearly nine Giriraj Kishore and Mahant The Saudi Arabia-led aerial bombing campaign against Houthi midnight. Liquor, however, will be moved by Haji Mahboob Ahmed months after the Allahabad High Avaidyanath have passed away, rebels in Yemen continued for the fifth day on Monday. The air available through 344 retail shops challenging the high court verdict. Court verdict. The notice on the and their names will be taken off. strikes are aimed at forcing Houthi rebels to hand power back to owned by the state government. The apex court also gave the CBI plea was issued on March 3, IANS President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. IANS Cops suspended Defence minister in Japan for boozing with No plans for warning prisoners MUMBAI: Two police offic- ers have been suspended after on cigarette packs spending a night out on the town with prison inmates. The pair reportedly spent NEW DELHI: India has sus- legislative changes on the issue, seven hours drinking with the pended plans for bigger health asked the government this two prisoners in a beer bar in the warnings on cigarette pack- month to stall its plans, citing western Indian city of Mumbai ets, the health minister said no Indian study linking smok- last month. yesterday, after a committee ing with cancer. Deputy police commissioner S of lawmakers demanded local “There is no Indian survey Jaykumar said the officers signed evidence that smoking causes report to prove that tobacco con- the two inmates out on the pre- cancer. sumption leads to cancer. All the text that they wanted to make The government announced studies are done abroad,” parlia- enquiries, and took them to a bar. last year that tobacco compa- mentary panel head Dilip Gandhi “We found about it from the nies would have to stamp warn- said. notes in the station diary the next ings across most of the surface Gandhi, a lawmaker from morning and acted,” he said. of packets from April 1, joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata “A full departmental inquiry countries such as Australia and Party (BJP), said the panel will take place and we’ll decide more recently Britain with tough did not “dispute the harmful how to proceed based on the packaging rules. effects of smoking but cannot findings.” But Health Minister Jagat copy paste studies conducted Prakash Nadda said the plans abroad”. — for warnings and a picture of He also warned that millions Jet Airways flight damage caused by smoking across of farmers and others employed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (second left) walks on the deck of Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force’s 85 percent of packets — had now in India’s tobacco industry would helicopter carrier Izumo at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo, yesterday. suffers bird-hit been delayed. lose their jobs if cigarette sales “We have put the order in dropped as a result of the new MUMBAI: A Jet Airways abeyance as the parliamentary packaging. Dubai-Mumbai flight suffered committee wants to deliberate Gandhi is from the southwest- Rajnath visits Bangladesh border a bird-hit shortly before land- on some issues. We stand by our ern state of Maharashtra, one of ing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji commitment to introduce new India’s major tobacco-growing International Airport here yes- picture warnings,” he said, add- states. SILIGURI: Home Minister court said the terrorists involved has been sent for acquiring land terday evening, but there was ing that its introduction would be Up to 900,000 Indians die Rajnath Singh, on a two-day in the Burdwan blast had con- for fencing parts of the border no damage to the plane nor any “delayed a bit”. every year from causes related visit to West Bengal, surveyed spired with Jamaatul Mujahideen that remain unfenced. casualty, an official said. The move is a major setback to tobacco use, the government the India-Bangladesh border and Bangladesh to overthrow the gov- “It was a cordial meet with The captain of flight 9W 541 for health activists who have been has said. visited border enclaves in Cooch ernment in Dhaka. BSF and BGB officers. Besides reported the incident while land- campaigning for an increase from India will record 1.5 million Behar district yesterday. Besides holding talks with offic- visiting the border, the visit was ing, following which a thorough the current 20 percent of packet tobacco-related deaths annually Although scheduled earlier, ers of the Border Security Force also to enquire about the problems inspection of the aircraft was surface which written warnings by 2020, according to estimates by Rajnath Singh’s visit to the bor- (BSF) and the Border Guard that our BSF personnel may have. I carried out. There were 110 pas- now cover. the International Tobacco Control der came a day after the National Bangladesh (BGB), the home was here also to look into how the sengers in the flight, the official A parliamentary panel, Project. Investigation Agency (NIA) in a minister said a letter to the border area development works is from the airline said. which is examining proposed AFP charge sheet before a Kolkata Mamata Banerjee government progressing,” Rajnath said. IANS AGENCIES

Wednesday 1 April 2015 12 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6387 Price: QR2

QNB Group opens office in Vietnam

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 US consumer Oil slide, weak confidence soars; house earnings push prices rising

NEW YORK: US consumer confidence rebounded strongly QE down in Q1 in March amid optimism over the labour market, a hopeful sign that a recent sharp slow- Market dips 4.78pc in first quarter 2015 down in economic activity will be temporary. BY SATISH KANADY Real Estate and Ezdan Holding A combination of harsh winter Company by 13.60 percent and weather, a now-settled labour dis- DOHA: A combination of oil 4.56 percent respectively. pute at the country’s busy West price slides, projected weak Meanwhile, the telecom sec- Coast ports, softer global demand quarterly earnings and geopo- tor led decliners by 10.73 percent and a strong dollar dampened litical tensions pushed Qatari in the same period, weighed by growth early in the first quarter. stocks down 4.78 percent or Ooredoo which lost 16.85 percent. The moderation in activity is 601.9points in the first quarter However, Vodafone Qatar gained a replay of early 2014, when an of 2015, from a year ago. 8.39 percent. Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri, Chairman of Qatar First Bank (centre), during the annual general meeting unseasonably cold winter caused The market settled at 11,711 End of dividend distributions with other board members in Doha yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) a contraction in output, which before closing the first quarter of and return of strong liquidity to was followed by a sharp rebound the year yesterday, down 4.68 per- blue chips pushed the market in growth. cent from the previous quarter. higher, Maher said.The analyst Qatar First Bank interested in Indian “The consumer confidence As for the month of March, the expected the market to recover in report points to a more upbeat main index tumbled 5.90 percent the second quarter of 2015 unless outlook for the recovery ahead,” compared to February 2015, with unexpected political events take said Millan Mulraine, deputy telecoms losing the most by 6.88 place. healthcare sector investment chief economist at TD Securities percent. However, the market Barring Insurance sector, the in New York. extended its rally for the third entire sector indices plunged that QFB is set to open a new Exchange would like companies The Conference Board said on straight session yesterday, lifting in March. Among the bank- BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB merchant bank dedicated to high like ours to join the bourse, but Tuesday its index of consumer the index by 1.08 percent or 124.57 ing stocks, Commercial Bank networth individuals (HNI). It for some reason there is a delay.” attitudes rose to 101.3 this month points. was battered by 20.29 percent DOHA: Qatar First Bank is will be serving its customers from He further said: “Unfortunately from 98.8 in February. That was Last week, analysts said Qatar’s and Doha Bank plunged 13.43 looking forward to make big the same building that houses its it is not in our hands. We ask the well above economists’ expecta- benchmark index might test percent. Bellwether Industries investments in India, espe- headquarters near the Hamad regulator, if there are any other tions for a reading of 96. 11,950 and 12,100 levels if it sus- Qatar (IQ) tumbled 10.32 percent cially in the country’s promis- Medical City along theC-Ring points to be stated we will adhere While consumers were less tains above 11,700. On the down- and Ooredoo lost 12.93 percent. ing healthcare sector, said the Road. to that also.” optimistic about the short-term side, it could find a support at Developer UDC crashed 13.06 chairman of the bank yesterday. “We are opening our first pri- Meanwhile, the AGM approved outlook, they had greater confi- 11,480 and 11,400. On the invest- percent. “We saw that during the vate merchant bank within next the dividend distribution of eight dence in the labor market, with ing strategy, they noted long- Reuters’ monthly survey of recently concluded visit of the two months, which will make QFB percent of the paid up share capi- the share of those anticipating term investors could remain in Asset Managers released yester- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin a full-fledged bank,” he added. tal to QFB shareholders for the more jobs in the months ahead the market as long as the index day showed the Middle East fund Hamad Al Thani, there were talks “We are very excited about it. year ended December 31, 2014. increasing significantly. closes above 10,250. managers may move further into about the opening of the market Our equity business is growing, The bank reported strong The proportion of consumers Market capitalisation was cash as economic and geopolitical for investors. If the market opens and we are expanding fast. Last financial results and continued expecting income growth also squeezed by QR43bn to QR633bn risks in the region rise. and regulations related to part- year we closed three deals, and growth in 2014, as net income rose solidly, which should help to from the previous quarter. The survey of 15 leading fund nership are reformed in India, we looking forward to ink more part- rose by 13 percent from QR140.5m underpin consumer spending. Business and financial por- firms, conducted over the past 10 would like to invest hundreds of nership deals this year.” ($38.6m) in 2013 to QR158.3m “All the conditions are in tal “Mubasher” quoted Ahmed days, shows just 13 percent expect millions of dollars,” said Abdulla QFB, Qatar’s first independ- ($43.5m) in 2014. place for a sizeable acceleration Maher, financial analyst at to raise their equity allocations to bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri. ent Shariah compliant bank, QFB, in its sixth full year of (in consumption) in the second Enmaa Financial Services, as the Middle East in the next three Talking to The Peninsula on the regulated by the QFC Regulatory operation, invested a total of quarter,” said Paul Ashworth, saying: “QE negative perform- months, down from 27 percent in sidelines of the bank’s Annual Authority, is all set to go for list- QR473m ($130m) in 2014. chief US economist at Capital ance during the first quarter of the previous survey. The propor- General Meeting, Al Marri added: ing on the Qatari bourse, but has Presenting an overview of Economics in Toronto. US stocks 2015 was affected by many factors tion intending to cut equity allo- “India is a very interesting mar- been waiting for regulatory nod QFB’s activities and financial were trading marginally lower, including the plunge in oil prices, cations is up to 20 percent from ket, but at the same time it is a bit for long from the Qatar Financial statements for 2014, Al Marri, while the dollar gained against geopolitical events and cash divi- 13 percent. difficult to penetrate, especially Markets Authority (QFMA). said: “2014 has been another a basket of currencies. Prices for dends. The cash dividends led to On the possible equity alloca- for the mid-sized companies like Asked about the latest develop- successful year for QFB…we are US Treasury debt rose. a huge decline in stocks, thus tions to Qatar in the next three ours.” ment on it, Al Marri, who looked pleased with the outcome, we Consumer spending, which pressuring the index to break the months one fund manager said “I do not say that I understand visibly upset, said: “Unfortunately look to the future with a great accounts for more than two-thirds important support levels in the he/she will increase the alloca- the Indian market thoroughly, we don’t have the answer. Our file optimism and we believe QFB is of US economic activity, has been past period”. tion to Qatar, while four said they but the reports we receive sug- is complete. QFB has fulfilled all well placed to take advantage of soft in the last three months, despite During the Q1, 2105 the real will decrease and 10 said they will gest that it is not an easy market.” the mandatory rules required by the growth opportunities in the households receiving a massive estate sector topped gainers by “keep the same”. On the bank’s expansion plans the QFMA. Our shareholders region, and in Qatar itself.” windfall from lower gasoline prices. 6.74 percent due to a rise in Barwa THE PENINSULA in the domestic market he said are pressing, and we think Qatar THE PENINSULA REUTERS

Toyota hydrogen car Opec output hits highest since Oct

LONDON: Opec oil supply has reasons for the rise are the resolu- March. Iraq was hoping to reach 3 jumped in March to its highest tion of involuntary outages - Iraq million bpd of exports this month. since October as Iraq’s exports lifted exports due to improved Saudi Arabia has increased rebounded after bad weather weather and Libya managed to output to within a whisker of 10 and Saudi Arabia pumped at nudge production higher despite million bpd on average in March, close to record rates, a Reuters unrest. sources in the survey said, due survey found, a sign key mem- If the total remains unrevised to higher demand from export bers are sticking to their effort at 30.63mbpd, March’s supply customers and an increased local to regain market share. would be Opec’s highest since requirement in new oil refineries. The increase from the 30.64 million bpd in October 2014, “The Saudis say they are Organization of the Petroleum based on Reuters surveys. responding to higher demand and Exporting Countries adds Saudi Arabia was the driving I tend to believe that, looking at to excess supply in the market, force behind Opec’s refusal last the strong refining margins in despite some signs that the halv- year to prop up prices by cutting Singapore,” said an oil consult- ing of crude prices since June 2014 its output target of 30mbpd, in a ant. Margins are well above the is encouraging higher oil demand. bid to discourage more costly rival annual average in Asia, which Opec supply has risen in March supplies. The group holds its next buys the bulk of Saudi Arabia’s to 30.63 million barrels per day meeting in June, and comments exports. (mbpd) from a revised 30.07 mbpd from Opec officials suggest it will Saudi Oil Minister Ali Ibrahim in February, according to the sur- not alter the policy. Al Nuaimi said on March 22 out- vey based on shipping data and In March, the largest increase put was “around” 10mbpd. The information from sources at oil has come from Iraq, whose south- highest known Saudi output is companies, Opec and consultants. ern oil exports recovered follow- 10.05 million bpd in 2013, accord- “Demand might be a bit ing bad weather that delayed ing to figures from the US Energy stronger than expected at the tanker loadings, according to Information Administration. beginning of the year, but I shipping data and industry Of countries with lower out- don’t think it is strong enough sources. Northern exports were put in March, the biggest decline to absorb the entire oversupply,” slightly lower. was in Angola, partly due to a said Carsten Fritsch, an analyst Based on this survey, Iraq’s force majeure on exports on BP’s at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. exports have come close to Saturno crude stream. Opec’s “There’s still oversupply in the December’s record high of other West African producer A Toyota Mirai hydrogen car during a photo option on the occasion of the Clean-Energy-Partnership following market, which is reflected in the 2.94mbpd, depending on whether Nigeria also exported fewer car- a Franco-German Inter-Ministerial meeting in Berlin yesterday. inventory builds.” tankers at the southern ports on goes in March. Besides Saudi Arabia, the main earlier yeserday actually depart in REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Japan says not bound New Coca-Cola plant in West Java by deadline to join AIIB Tokyo wants guarantee on fair governance from Beijing

TOKYO: As dozens of countries would stay out of the institu- arguing that conditions being met from Europe to the Middle East tion even when it is officially are more important than timing. to Africa jump on the band- established. Views are mixed within the wagon of joining the China- China’s Finance Minister Lou Japanese government, said an backed Asian Infrastructure Jiwei said earlier this month that adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan the AIIB would be set up by the Abe. Japanese media reported on is opting to stay out for now, end of the year. All parties will Tuesday that Abe ordered his rul- with officials believing it can complete talks and sign the char- ing party to study whether to join sign up later if its conditions ter of the AIIB by mid-year, and the AIIB. are met. by year-end will make the charter More than 40 nations includ- Japanese officials have shrugged effective and officially establish ing Britain, Germany, Russia, off the March 31 deadline set by the institution, he said. Australia, Brazil and Egypt have China to become a founding mem- These dates could be consid- announced their intention to join, ber of the Beijing-based bank, and ered key junctures for joining. adding clout to an institution seen say they attach greater impor- Finance Minister Taro Aso as enhancing China’s regional and tance to conditions being met has repeatedly said China has global influence. A worker watches bottles of Coca-Cola pass by on a newly inaugurated production line at the Cikedokan rather than when to join. not resolved Japan’s concerns “The only option for Japan is Plant in Bekasi, West Java, near Jakarta, yesterday. The company inaugurated two new production lines as “It’s not a matter of setting but Japanese officials say nego- to not join,” said the Abe adviser. part of an investment package worth some $500m. a deadline. Our stance remains tiations on Japan joining the “The AIIB is a challenge to the unchanged that we must cau- bank are going on behind the status quo led by the World tiously watch how (China) scenes. China has said it is open Bank and Asian Development guarantees fair governance at to Japan’s joining. Bank (ADB). It’s impossible the AIIB,” a government source “As for whether or not Japan that Japan would join such an TDIC delays fundraising for mall said. is willing to participate, we have institute.” “We have not ruled out the pos- previously said that we wel- “Doing so without the US sibility of either joining or staying come all countries to proactively would hurt our alliance,” he said. DUBAI/ABU DHABI: to start by March or April, a taking over as chairman in out,” the source said, speaking on participate,” foreign ministry Some analysts have said instead Tourism Development & company source told Reuters in November, and Ali Al Hammadi condition of anonymity because spokeswoman Hua Chunying said of joining, Japan can cooperate Investment Co (TDIC) has December. being appointed chief executive he was not authorised to speak yesterday. with the AIIB by co-financing delayed fundraising plans to But three sources said yester- in July in place of James Pringle. to media. She added China would projects through existing insti- build Abu Dhabi’s largest shop- day that the funding had been Two of the sources suggested Japan is caught between respect the wishes of any country tutions such as the ADB, the ping mall in collaboration with delayed. uncertainty about whether the the misgivings about the AIIB “whether or not they join or when Manila-based institution it a unit of French luxury goods They cited recent changes project would go ahead at all, expressed by its biggest ally, the they decide to join”. dominates along with the United firm LVMH, three sources in the senior leadership as one although a third said the company United States, Tokyo’s rivalry One Japanese source said that States. That way it could also aware of the matter said. of the reasons for the stalling. was continuing to work on both with Beijing, and the desire of China has shown some flexibility avoid providing funds to finance The move by the Abu Dhabi TDIC’s Chief Financial Officer, the mall and the financing. some officials and businesses to on setting up a governing board, the AIIB. state-owned investment fund, Shaun O’Connor, left the firm Situated on Saadiyat island, an partner with the rapid growth of which Japan has asked for, to “Some Japanese firms worry coupled with management in December and has yet to be area of the city planned to accom- China, the world’s second-biggest examine and approve loans for they may be at a disadvantage changes at the joint venture and replaced. Deputy finance head modate the local branches of the economy. projects. in procurement if Japan stays lower oil prices hitting spending Matt Matharu is serving as act- Louvre and the Guggenheim, the Washington, worried about Some Japanese officials and out of the institute,” said Toru in the Gulf region, casts doubt on ing chief financial officer. mall is scheduled to hold more China’s economic clout, has business executives have voiced Nishihama, emerging market whether this key part of the emir- O’Connor had been on the than 550 units across 269,000 said it’s still not clear whether concern about the possible disad- analyst at Dai-ichi Life Research ate’s infrastructure plans will go board of the joint venture over- square metres of leasable space, the AIIB will uphold interna- vantage latecomers may face in Institute. “But Japan should not ahead. seeing the project. The joint ven- according to TDIC’s website. tional standards of governance, ensuring good governance prin- jump on the bus thinking it’s TDIC declined to comment on ture is made up of TDIC and L Creating cultural and leisure and social and environmental ciples at the AIIB and securing bound for treasure mountain. the project or its funding plan. Real Estate, a global property attractions forms one part of safeguards. infrastructure contracts funded We must think whether we TDIC had been in talks with development and investment fund Abu Dhabi’s plan to diversify its The Japanese government by the bank once it begins have a lot of money to spend, banks late last year to raise the sponsored by LVMH. economy away from a reliance on source said unless China resolves operations. taking into account our public cash for The District, with a view Two other senior leadership oil and gas, the single-biggest con- Japan’s concerns about the AIIB, But other government officials finances.” to finalising a deal by the end of changes in the past year at TDIC tributors to revenues. it could be possible that Japan have brushed aside such concerns, REUTERS January, allowing building work involved Ali Majid Al Mansouri REUTERS

Sterling hits Yoox agrees to buy Richemont’s Net-a-Porter in all share deal one-week high PARIS/MILAN: Italian online Yoox boss, founder and minority 1980 and 2000. Online luxury is not believe it’s a structural change already nearly 10 percent fashion retailer Yoox has agreed shareholder Federico Marchetti yet very profitable: Both Yoox’s and that will gain traction as younger on Monday after Yoox and to buy Net-a-Porter, its upmar- will become chief executive and NAP’s operating margin is less than generations of more ‘digitally Richemont confirmed reports against euro on ket rival, in an all share deal shape strategy. five percent compared with more minded’ managers get to the top,” they were in talks, were up more that creates an industry leader “Between us, we have changed than 25 percent for most big luxury said Gian Luca Pacini at Intesa than eightpercent by 0901 GMT better GDP data in the booming online luxury the fashion industry somehow brands such as Gucci. Sanpaolo in Milan. at ¤25.14, valuing Yoox at ¤1.56bn. market, with combined sales of and we will continue to change But the pair hope their bigger NAP, which is regarded as hav- Richemont shares were down LONDON: Sterling rose to a ¤1.3bn ($1.4bn). it,” Marchetti told journalists in size will help cut warehouse, logis- ing helped make online shopping more than one percent. one-week high against a strug- Net-a-Porter (NAP) owner a conference call yesterday. tical, back-office and distribution an entertainment experience, The combined business will gling euro yesterday after data Richemont will receive 50 per- The online luxury goods indus- costs, lifting margins. specialises in current season and generate adjusted earnings before showed the British economy cent of the combined Yoox Net- try is still in its infancy, making Yoox operates the online off-the-runway items and advises interest, tax, depreciation and grew at a faster pace in the a-Porter Group but its voting up only around five percent of sales of fashion brands such as customers on what to wear them amortisation (EBITDA) of around fourth quarter of last year than rights will be capped at 25 per- total luxury sales because many Ermenegildo Zegna and Kering ‘s with. It also published the fashion ¤108m in 2014 and annual syner- previously estimated. cent, putting Yoox effectively in brands put off Internet expansion, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent magazine Porter. gies of around ¤60m by the third Gross domestic product charge of the combined business. worrying it would not offer cus- and also sells items at a discount. Marchetti said NAP would full year, the two companies said. between October and December “Today, we open the doors to tomers the same high-end experi- Analysts said the deal could help have the same valuation as Yoox If Yoox shareholders approve grew by a quarterly 0.6 percent, the world’s biggest luxury fash- ence as their stores. boost Yoox’s chances of retaining once the deal was completed in the deal in June, the new group the Office for National Statistics ion store. It is a store that never But many executives now believe luxury brands that might other- September. Analysts valued NAP will launch a rights issue of around said, compared with 0.5 percent in closes, a store without geographi- the Internet has redrawn battle lines wise have wanted to take their at around 1.5 billion euros, above ¤200m ($216m) in the fall to fund a previous reading and matching cal borders,” said NAP founder between luxury brands and will be online operations in-house once Yoox which stood at 1.32 billion growth, with Richemont expected the pace of growth in the third Natalie Massenet, who will over- key to driving future sales, particu- they gained experience. euros on Friday before news of to fund around half the sum, a quarter. see editorial content of the group larly among the so-called Millennials, “I’m positive on the outlook the potential deal came out. spokesman for the Swiss group said. The euro fell to a low of 72.46 as executive chairman. web-savvy customers born between for the online luxury market. I Yoox shares, which gained REUTERS pence, from 72.785 pence, down 0.8 percent on the day. Against the dollar, sterling recouped losses to trade at $1.4800 having traded Sprint agrees to lawsuit settlement at around $1.4765 before the data was released. Turkish growth beats “Sterling was outperforming the euro as a function of the move in euro/dollar but the better than expected UK GDP data increased forecasts, misses target the propensity of sterling to do better than the euro,” said Jane ISTANBUL: Turkey’s economy a consultancy. Foley, senior currency strategist grew a better-than-expected 2.9 “The combination of weak at Rabobank. percent last year but still fell growth, a parliamentary election “The upward revision in GDP short of a government target, and fragile sentiment puts the again provides reassurance that data showed yesterday, a sign central bank in a very difficult the recovery is very much on the central bank could face more spot to say the least.” track. The fact that consump- political pressure for a rate cut Economic growth in 2014 tion remains strong suggests that before June’s general election. exceeded the 2.7 percent expected there is no real risk of the Bank The slowdown from 4.2 percent in by economists, but missed the of England having to cut interest 2013 is a major headache for the rul- government’s target of 3.3 per- rates.” ing AK Party, which has had a solid cent, the data showed. Output The growth data provided some record on the economy since coming was hampered by global market respite to the pound which has to power in 2002 and is aiming for a volatility, geopolitical develop- struggled in the past few days on sweeping victory at the polls. ments and bad weather, Deputy growing expectations that the President Tayyip Erdogan Prime Minister Ali Babacan said. Bank of England will keep inter- wants the party he founded to Although 2014 output beat est rates lower for longer and on gain a two-thirds majority, which expectations, economists say first- rising uncertainty from a general would allow it to push through a quarter growth is expected to be election next month. constitutional change and create lacklustre. “Even though inflation is very an executive presidency. He has Finance Minister Mehmet low and is likely to stay low for fulminated against interest rates Simsek said Turkey’s $800bn some time, as long as the con- in the election run-up, raising economy would nonetheless sumer is consuming and confi- investor concern about central improve after the polls. dence is high and wages are not bank independence. “Delayed investment and con- being cut, it is so difficult to say “The central bank was already sumption due to financial volatil- that the UK has a deflationary People walk past a Sprint store in New York. Sprint Corp has agreed to a $131m settlement of a class-action under attack from the govern- ity slowed down growth somewhat mindset,” said Foley, adding that lawsuit accusing the third-largest US wireless carrier of defrauding investors about problems dating back to ment when Turkey was growing in the first quarter of 2015,” he the next move by the BoE was its $36bn merger with Nextel Communications Inc in 2005. at a faster clip,” said Nicholas said in a statement. likely to be a rate hike. Spiro of Spiro Sovereign Strategy, REUTERS REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Mideast funds moving to cash as risks rise Oil, US monetary policy and Yemen are concerns; bulls and bears now even in Saudi equities, says survey

DUBAI: Middle East fund survey was launched in September of analysts think the conflict will the most richly valued in the Gulf benefit the economy, but in the Electro Cables Egypt posted net managers may move further 2013 that the bears outweigh the be limited and contained within Cooperation Council and is just short term there could be losers. profit jumps of 231 and 466 percent. into cash as economic and geo- bulls for both equities and fixed Yemen’s borders, so there will be slightly cheaper than developed Property stocks such as Dar Al The public share offer of food political risks in the region rise, income simultaneously. no damage to the economies of the market benchmarks such as the Arkan took a hit last week when maker Edita saw the institutional a monthly Reuters survey of Oil prices are one reason; Gulf oil states. But the intervention Dow Jones Industrial Average, the government decided to tax tranche priced at the top of its asset managers shows. after rebounding in the first two has made markets more volatile. which trades at 16.0 times earnings. undeveloped urban land with the range last week; it was 13.4 times The survey of 15 leading fund months of this year, they again The shift of sentiment can “The Saudi market has had a aim of bringing down prices and oversubscribed. firms, conducted over the past 10 showed weakness in March. be seen most clearly in Saudi good run-up year-to-date,” said making housing more affordable. Sarwar from SICO said Egypt days, shows just 13 percent expect Any international deal on Iran’s Arabian equities, where 20 per- Shakeel Sarwar, head of asset Egypt is the one equities mar- was set to benefit from cheaper to raise their equity allocations to nuclear programme this week cent of managers now expect to management at Securities & ket where fund managers remain oil and valuations there looked the Middle East in the next three could be positive for the region’s increase their allocations and the Investment Co in Bahrain. “From clearly bullish; low oil prices will “decent”. “In the Middle East and months, down from 27 percent in development but push oil down same proportion intend to reduce the fundamental point of view, I help state finances, not hurt them North Africa region, Egypt looks the previous survey. The proportion further because of the prospect them. A month ago, 53 percent think the market is fairly valued.” as in the Gulf, and while Egypt is like one of the markets that will intending to cut equity allocations of more Iranian supply. planned to boost Saudi equity “Also, we have heightened geo- involved in the Yemen conflict, it outperform this year.” is up to 20 percent from 13 percent. The approach of anticipated allocations and none to cut them. political risk because of Yemen.” is geographically distant. Twenty-seven percent of At the same time, seven per- US monetary tightening later Saudi petrochemical compa- Economic reforms being In the last few weeks, a number managers expect to raise their cent expect to raise fixed income this year has cast a shadow over nies are heavily weighted in the pushed by the Custodian of the of companies have reported strong Egyptian equity allocations in the allocations to the region and 13 fixed income. market and oil’s renewed soft- Two Holy Mosques King Salman profit growth for 2014, indicating next three months, down from 40 percent to reduce them, com- And in the past week, the Saudi ness has fuelled concern about bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia in the economy may have recovered percent in the last survey, while pared to proportions of seven and Arabian-led military intervention their valuations. Overall, with a the months after his accession are in most respects from the political none expect to cut them com- 27 percent a month ago. in Yemen has become a signifi- forward price-to-earnings ratio another source of uncertainty. In tumult of the past few years. Cable pared to seven percent. It is the first time since the cant risk factor. The vast majority of 15.2, the Saudi market remains the long run they are likely to makers El Sewedy Electric and REUTERS

Philips to sell stake in Saudi to open bidding for LED arm for $2.8bn Jeddah metro THE HAGUE: Dutch electronics “We feel very comfortable construction giant Philips yesterday said it was to hand over 80 percent of the selling a majority stake in its LED shares... to this consortium which AL KHOBAR: Saudi Arabia and car lighting arm to a consor- has a proven track record,” Van plans to open bidding for con- tium led by China and US-based Houten told journalists in an struction of a metro rail system GO Scale Capital investment early-morning conference call. in the commercial hub of Jeddah fund in a deal worth $2.8bn. Lumileds is a leading supplier this year and begin operating The deal is part of Philips’ of general, car and consumer it in 2020, an official from the broader streamlining move which lighting components and operates state-backed firm managing the will eventually see the 120-year- in 30 different countries, employ- project said. old company transform into a ing some 8,300 people world-wide. The plan for the multi-billion specialist healthcare-lifestyle Founded in 1891 in the southern dollar system suggests Saudi manufacturer. Dutch city of Eindhoven, Philips Arabia is pushing ahead with big “Philips today announced that itself employs around 112,000 peo- infrastructure projects despite it has signed an agreement with a ple globally. the plunge of oil prices since last consortium led by GO Scale Capital Philips, a household name year, which has slashed state through which they will acquire around the world for home appli- revenue and pushed the central an 80.1 percent interest in Philips’ ances, has already in recent years government’s budget into deficit. combined LED components and stripped down its business to “Usually, railway projects take automotive lighting business,” the focus more on advanced lighting 36 months, so by the beginning Amsterdam-based group said. technology and on medical tech- of 2020 the construction phase “Philips expects to receive cash nology where margins are strong should be over,” Osama Abdouh, proceeds, before tax and trans- and less vulnerable to competition chief executive of Metro Jeddah action related costs, of approxi- from emerging markets. Co, said by telephone. mately $2.8bn (¤2.5bn),” it said in “We take Philips’ history as The company quoted the cabi- a statement, with up to another inspiration, but not as a senti- Guests and officials during the opening of the representative office in Vietnam. net as saying in 2013 that the $100m possible in deferred con- ment to guide decisions,” Van approved cost of the project was tingent payments. Houten said yesterday. SR45bn ($12bn) over seven years, After the sale, to be completed GO Scale Capital is a new QNB Group opens office in Vietnam but Abdouh said the cost was in the third quarter of the year, investment fund sponsored unclear because of adjustments Philips will retain a 19.9 percent by GSR Ventures and Oak to the plan. share in the business, it added. Investment Partners with offices DOHA: QNB, one of the world’s At the heart of the QNB expansion plans, the Vietnamese A government official said pre- Philips last year announced it in Beijing, Hong Kong and Silicon strongest banks, has officially Vietnam Office business proposi- economy enjoys one of the fastest viously that the metro would be would split in two, separating its Valley. started operating its Ho Chi tion is the promotion of and stim- growth rates amongst emerging 108km long. Abdouh said, how- healthcare-lifestyle arm from its Its current investments include Min Representative Office” in ulation of developing “East-West” markets. In 2014, the Vietnam ever, that the plan was now for historic lighting section in a move US-based Boston Power, which Vietnam after receiving all the flows of trade between Qatar and economy grew by 6 percent and a 149km system; 20km would be to streamline operations. makes electric vehicle batteries necessary and required regula- Vietnam. it is projected to sustain the same underground but the metro would The split is expected to be com- and China-based Xin Da Yang tory approvals. QNB’s Representative Office growth rate in 2015. mostly use elevated viaducts. pleted some time next year, with which produces electric vehicles. A prestigious Official Office will now take on the role of Supported by its strong eco- More than 200 international analysts predicting that Philips “GO Scale Capital will focus opening event took place at The extending intermediary services nomic growth, rapid banking and Saudi companies attended could eventually sell off Lighting, on expanding Lumileds’ oppor- Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers in the field of investment and penetration, solid current account a briefing on the metro plan in one of its core businesses for many tunities by investing in its global in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday trade with Middle East compa- surplus due to robust growth in Jeddah on Monday. The country’s years. Part of the split included centres of operation and in the in the presence of leading finance nies that are looking to establish export, tourism and private remit- second largest city, with 3.8 mil- creating a separate company for fast growing general lighting and sector dignitaries and business their business in Vietnam or look- tances, the Vietnamese banking lion people, has been struggling some of its lighting activities, automotive industries,” GO Scale officials to commemorate this ing to invest money in the coun- sector has been one of the fastest with inadequate infrastruc- namely its LED and car lighting Capital chairman Sonny Wu said important development within try. In addition, QNB will also act growing performers in the region. ture. The population is officially branches, to be branded under the in Tuesday’s statement. QNB’s International Expansion as a liaison with Vietnamese com- QNB currently operates in expected to reach 4.9 million peo- name of Lumileds. “Together with a customer Strategy. panies that are looking to expand more than 27 countries and across ple in 2020 and 6.3 million in 2033. “We are convinced that together base including the likes of BMW, The speakers on the night into the growing Middle East 3 continents. It was recently with GO Scale Capital, Lumileds Volkswagen and Audi, we expect included the Qatari Ambassador market and facilitate investments. ranked “The Best Bank Brand German jobless rate can grow further, attract more to see significant growth and to Vietnam, Abdulla bin Ibrahim The opening of the QNB by Value in The Middle East and customers and increase scale as unparallelled inroads into new Al Hamar, QNB Regional GM Vietnam Office is another addition Africa” by Brand Finance and falls to new low a stand-alone company,” Philips opportunities such as electric (Asia) M Chidambaram and a to the Group’s growing network of “One of the World’s Top 50 Safest chief executive Frans van Houten vehicles,” Wu said. Senior Representative from The locations in key markets around Banks” by Global Finance in 2014. FRANKFURT: German said yesterday. AFP State Bank of Vietnam. the world. As part of its Asian THE PENINSULA unemployment fell in March to the lowest level since the country reunited in 1990 as the recovery in Europe’s biggest economy continues to pick up speed, data showed yesterday. Huawei’s net profit for The number of people regis- tered as unemployed in Germany fell by a seasonally-adjusted 15,000 to 2.798 million in February, the 2014 rises 32 percent Federal Labour Office said. That was steeper than expected, BEIJING: Chinese telecom- Zhengfei, and is now among the as analysts had been pencilling in munications equipment giant world’s top makers of telecommu- a decline of around 10,000. Huawei’s net profit surged more nications equipment. The unemployment rate — than 32 percent to 27.9bn yuan It operates in 170 countries and which measures the jobless total ($4.5bn) in 2014, it said yester- the company says one third of the against the working population day, helped by demand from world’s population communicate as a whole — slipped to 6.4 per- emerging markets. using its products in some way. cent in March from 6.5 percent The United States has long It is the world’s second larg- in February, also the lowest level seen Huawei as a security threat est network gear supplier behind since west and east Germany reu- due to perceived close links to Sweden’s Ericsson, and has made nited in 1990 after the fall of the the Chinese government, which a large push into consumer prod- Berlin Wall the previous year. it denies, while both the US ucts such smartphones in recent In raw or unadjusted terms, the and Australia have barred it years. Consumer products were the jobless total decreased by 85,500 from involvement in broadband company’s fastest-growing division to 2.932 million and the jobless projects over espionage fears. last year as Huawei saw increased rate eased to 6.8 percent in March Huawei denies such allegations. demand in emerging markets, while from 6.9 percent in February, the In the annual report, Huawei investment in research and devel- labour office said. — which is not listed on any stock opment surged nearly 30 percent Normally, unemployment exchange — said revenue increased year-on-year to 40.8bn yuan, it said. declines in the spring as the by 21 percent to 288bn yuan. “Profit Overseas markets contributed warmer weather allows compa- increase stems from streamlined more than 62 percent of revenue nies in sectors such as construc- management and improvements in with the Europe, Middle East and tion to take on workers. overall efficiency,” Huawei Deputy Africa region the largest contrib- But the current strength of the Chairman Ken Hu said in a statement. utor outside China. As the single economic recovery in Germany The Shenzhen-based firm was largest market, China provided was magnifying that effect, the founded in 1987 by former People’s about 38 percent of turnover. labour office said. Visitors at the Huawei stand at world’s biggest computer trade fair CeBIT in Hanover, Germany. Liberation Army engineer Ren AFP AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Fare milk protest Sri Lanka’s Loopholes could inflation rate drops to limit impact of record low COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s infla- tion rate fell to a record low Saudi land tax in March on the back of dras- tic declines in food and fuel prices after the island’s new government cut taxes on staple Move to release more land for development items, official figures showed yesterday. DUBAI: A planned tax on in the property market can be The Colombo Consumer Price undeveloped urban land may seen in the fact that of 20,460 real Index, the main measure of infla- transform Saudi Arabia’s real estate deals completed between tion in Sri Lanka, showed a year- estate market, boosting con- December and mid-March in on-year increase in prices of just struction and making homes Riyadh and Jeddah, the two main 0.1 percent, according to data more affordable, but poten- cities, 71 percent were land sales, from the census department. tial loopholes could dilute the JLL said. Sales of villas accounted In February, the rate of infla- impact and make the effect on for only 20 percent and apart- tion was 0.6 percent. The previous the market hard to predict. ments, 9 percent. low of 0.5 percent was recorded in Real estate stocks tumbled and If the tax is not applied to January 2004. construction stocks rose last week smaller parcels, owners may be “The main contributor for this after the cabinet backed intro- able to avoid the levy simply by decline was the moderation of ducing the tax, which could help sub-dividing their holdings, or by food prices during the month,” the the government meet promises to building minimal infrastructure Central Bank of Sri Lanka said in build 500,000 new homes and ease on them. A dairy farmer holds a model cow emblazoned with a slogan which translates as “Fair Milk” during a demon- a statement. a housing shortage. By pushing The cabinet has given no details stration in front of the European Parliament against the end of European milk quotas, in Brussels, yesterday. The government of President more land out into the market, of the likely size of the tax, how Maithripala Sirisena, who came the tax could bring down prices, it would be implemented, or a to power in January, reduced the hurting developers who are sit- timetable for introducing it. An prices of food and energy and ting on big land banks. economic council will make pro- lowered utility rates in line with “It should release land for posals to the Shura Council, a top Indian boardrooms scramble to an electoral pledge and ahead of development — people who ear- advisory body; given the money at parliamentary elections expected lier held onto a plot will now likely stake, there may be considerable by mid-year. look at building income-generat- lobbying to water down the tax. Petrol and diesel prices are set ing housing on it,” said Fayyaz Other questions include appoint women before deadline by the government in Sri Lanka, Ahmad, director of property con- whether the tax will be levied at and staple foods are heavily taxed. sultants JLL’s Riyadh operations. a flat rate or on a sliding scale, MUMBAI: Hundreds of India’s director of PRIME Database, number of companies do not follow Sirisena’s government cut “It should benefit construction, and whether holders will be given companies have failed to find said companies were scrambling the norm nobody will be fined and prices on essential goods by but there are a lot of unanswered a lengthy grace period — perhaps women for their boards despite to appoint one female director the deadline will be pushed ahead. reducing the official price of fuel, questions that will determine the one to three years — before pay- a last-minute rush to meet a ahead of the April 1 deadline set It is like if (all people) spit on the and by cutting taxes on more than true impact.” ing tax. mandatory deadline to appoint by India’s market regulator. road nobody can be fined.” a dozen food items, including len- One area of uncertainty is the The answers to these questions at least one female director. “This sort of last-minute rush Ahead of the deadline, regu- tils, rice and sugar. minimum size of land to be taxed, will help to determine whether More than 1,500 companies, pattern is typical when it comes lator, the Securities Exchange The government expects infla- and whether the tax will apply holders transfer ownership to rel- or 33 percent of those on India’s to regulatory compliance,” said Board of India (SEBI), warned tion to remain low in Sri Lanka only to completely undeveloped atives, business contacts or shell two main exchanges have not Haldea, whose firm has compiled that firms face regulatory action this year in line with a global land or also to plots with some companies to avoid the tax. complied with a new law aimed figures on the companies comply- for failure to comply. SEBI chief trend. infrastructure already built. “How effective the government at reversing a lack of women in ing with the order. UK Sinha also said last week he The International Monetary Smaller land parcels are typi- will be in closing these loopholes boardrooms, a group that tracks Some 1,819 companies out of more found it “very shameful” that so Fund has forecast Sri Lanka’s cally “serviced” — connected to will be a big factor in determin- listed firms said yesterday. than 5,000 listed on the National many companies didn’t already economy will grow 6.5 percent utilities such as power and water ing whether the law is effective,” Others, including India’s sec- Stock Exchange (NSE) and the have women on their boards. this year, below the government’s — while larger parcels defined as said Ahmad. ond richest man Mukesh Ambani, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) had SEBI announced the rules target of 7.0 percent. “raw” lack such amenities. Raw “It’s too early to say how the have found unusual solutions — still not announced female directors 13 months ago in a bid to boost plots tend to trade in sizes above law — if introduced — will affect appointing their wives rather as of March 27, the firm said. gender diversity at the top and Istanbul exchange 50,000 square metres, while serv- land prices. Sellers may be able to than opting for outside talent. “It is the height of ridiculous- has already extended its original iced parcels are usually less than incorporate the tax owed into the Ambani’s giant conglomerate, ness. Companies are just being deadline from last October. names new chief 1,000 square metres, said Ahmad. selling price.” Reliance Industries, has appointed lazy. It is impossible not to find During a visit to India earlier this “Some big parcels of say one The idea of the law was raised wife Nita, while industrialist the required number of qualified month, International Monetary ahead of IPO million square metres are sub- about six months ago, Ahmad Gautam Singhania also named wife women from a billion people,” said Fund chief Christine Lagarde said divided into many lots and then noted, so some property develop- Nawaz Singhania as a director of Shriram Subramanian, head of the lack of female workers in India ISTANBUL: Borsa Istanbul these get sold and re-sold, passing ers have probably already been his massive textile manufacturing corporate advisory firm InGovern, is a “huge missed opportunity” for elected a US-educated economist through many hands,” he added. making contingency plans. conglomerate, Raymond Group. based in the southern city of the country’s economic growth. and finance professor as its next The dominance of land trading REUTERS Pranav Haldea, managing Bangalore. “Firms think if a large AFP chairman yesterday, as Turkey’s sole stock exchange gears up for a 2016 public offering. Talat Ulussever, who was elected at the bourse’s annual general meeting, takes the helm Xstrata founder under pressure to make new mining deals at a time when the government wants to jump-start an equity market that has punched below LONDON: More than a year given a feeling that current prices pressure to do something, but the The cash-flow from those mines banking source, who has dealt its weight for years. after he launched his private are at rock bottom and may turn sector is as cheap as it gets.” then financed a series of mostly with Davis over the years. “You Although Turkey has broken fund, former Xstrata boss Mick up again before long. The PR company represent- successful deals that over a dec- get these jobs at the top because into the list of the world’s top 20 Davis is coming under pressure “Mick’s team has been looking at ing X2 declined to comment and ade transformed Xstrata from a you’re a street fighter.” economies, its stock market has to build a new mining empire so many assets closely. But nobody did not make Davis available for $500 million minnow into a $50 BHP Billiton, the world’s larg- not kept pace, with most of the with the $6bn in capital he has wanted to sell to them. Vale didn’t comment. billion FTSE-100 company until it est mining company, decided for trade centred on a handful of raised. want to sell, Rio didn’t want to sell, Davis has gathered $5.6bn was taken over by Glencore, one example to spin off its unloved large-cap stocks. The renowned dealmaker set BHP didn’t want to sell,” said an backing from investors -including of its largest shareholders. assets into a separate firm, The bourse, which has previ- up X2 Resources 18 months ago industry source close to Davis. private equity group TPG Capital, Davis set up X2 with the clear South32, whose shares would be ously said it plans a stock flota- after Glencore’s $46bn takeover With his portfolio still empty, commodities trader Noble Group intent to repeat Xstrata’s success distributed to BHP investors. tion as early as this year, now sees of Xstrata, when he was passed some sources expressed concern and sovereign wealth and pension — motivated also, the sources “You don’t want to look like an the first half of 2016 as “suitable” over for the top job in favour of that some investors’ patience with funds. said, by some antagonism to idiot in hindsight,” a third banker for the listing, its acting general his Glencore counterpart, Ivan Davis may run thin. The former Eskom, Gencor Glasenberg who was a student at said. “BHP said to themselves: manager said yesterday. Prime Glasenberg. A banking source said: “Not all and Billiton executive first set the South African University of we think we’re in a trough, but Minister Ahmet Davutoglu wants Davis has since approached those investors are stuck on min- about building his own empire in the Witwatersrand when Davis we can’t be sure. We’ve a pretty to turn Istanbul into a global finan- most large mining companies ing. So they say: if we can’t spend 2002, when Xstrata first listed, was an accountancy lecturer there. good idea what these assets are cial hub, an ambitious target given looking to buy a variety of assets, on this, we’ll go buy a bank or a and acquired a collection of coal “Mick will want to prove that worth but we can’t be wrong if the challenge from other emerging banking and industry sources supermarket.” assets from giant commodity he can buy assets cheap and we demerge.” market rivals such as Dubai. said, but nobody has agreed to sell “I think Mick is feeling the trader Glencore. turn them around,” said another REUTERS AGENCIES

Looking for a connection India skips Iran oil imports in March

NEW DELHI: India halted the space of a month — indicat- cut their imports over February oil imports from Iran for the ing how Washington is trying to and March to keep the fiscal- first time in at least a decade in maximise economic pressure on year figure in line with sanctions March as New Delhi responded Tehran amid the talks aimed at limits. to US pressure to keep its ship- stopping Iran from gaining the Refiners in India had raised ments from Tehran within capacity to develop a nuclear imports during the April- sanction limits during the last bomb. December period by more than month of negotiations on a pre- “There is pressure from the US 40 percent, leading US authori- liminary nuclear deal. on all Asian buyers to stick to the ties to raise the alarm with India’s Iran and six world powers sanctions regime,” said Johannes foreign ministry ahead of Obama’s have ramped up the pace of Benigni, chairman of JBC Energy visit. negotiations this week ahead of GmbH in Vienna. The sanctions currently the Tuesday deadline for reach- The halt in March comes after restrict Iran’s overall exports to 1 ing an initial accord on a final February imports hit a 1-1/2-year million-1.1 million bpd, with Asian nuclear agreement. Both sides low for monthly imports, which buyers required to keep their pur- have warned it was crucial to together brought India’s annual chases near end-2013 levels. overcome differences that could crude and condensate purchases In February, imports by Iran’s still wreck any chance at a deal. from Iran in the year to March four biggest buyers — China, India is Iran’s second-biggest 31 to an average 220,000 barrels India, Japan and South Korea — buyer on an annual basis after per day (bpd) or 11 million tonnes, though down on-year, bounced China, yet it did not take any slightly below shipments in the back to average 1.02 million bpd, crude from Tehran in March, previous year. a two-month high, government according to tanker arrival data Days ahead of a visit by US and tanker-tracking data showed. from trade sources and ship President Barack Obama to Despite India’s import halt in tracking services on the Thomson India in January, the oil minis- March, shipments are expected to Reuters terminal. try had told Essar Oil, Mangalore resume next month, with at least Refinery sources said this was Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd MRPL and Essar loading Iranian A labourer works amid rolls of underground telephone cable pipes on the side of a road in Mumbai yesterday. the first time in at least a decade and Indian Oil Corp — the Indian oil, trade sources said. that no imports were made over refiners that buy from Iran — to REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

China can’t dominate until it gets handle on debt Buffett quadrupled

BY WILLIAM PESEK

hina’s Xi Jinping made a lot of grand promises over the weekend, pledging a new order where China and Chinese- money on ketchup led institutions such as the new Asian Infrastructure BY MATT LEVINE Investment Bank would promote prosperity across the You could continue to follow Investment Grade capital struc- and innovation. The investor pres- region. But he was on shaky ground — literally. The Boao this logic. If new Heinzkraft is ture for long-term sustainability,” entation touts Heinz’s “big, bold CForum where Xi spoke took place in Haikou, capital of China’s wo years ago, Brazilian worth $83bn, and Kraft share- and that it will “refinance $9.5bn bets on innovation,” including, um, island province of in Hainan, whose local government, it seems, private equity firm 3G holders’ chunk of that is worth of existing Heinz High-Yield debt yellow mustard, and we should may not be able to pay its debt this year. Capital and Warren $41bn, then Heinz’s shareholders’ with Investment Grade debt at spend a minute wallowing in the Much has been written about the $50bn AIIB, which has won Buffett’s Berkshire chunk is worth $42bn. They’re transaction close.” And the com- innovation. support from staunch US allies Australia, South Korea and the UK Hathaway teamed up paying $10bn cash for that, so the pany plans to call Berkshire’s But when shareholders return among others. Xi is clearly relishing what looks like a soft-power Tto acquire Heinz in a leveraged rest must come from the value of preferred stock in 2016, replacing from their adventures in flavour, victory over the US, gleefully touting China as a one-stop shop buyout. Heinz at the time was a the Heinz shares that they’re con- it with debt, “with $450-500m in what they are really excited about for “markets, growth, investment and cooperation opportunities.” $28bn company, but Berkshire tributing: Remember, they bought annualised cash savings,” implying is the promise of “$1.5bn in run- Before he starts writing checks, though, Xi should take a closer and 3G didn’t put up that much Heinz for $8.5bn in cash equity that Heinzkraft expects to issue rate annual cost savings by 2017.” look at China’s own books. Haikou’s is just one of many local gov- money: Each of them contributed (plus Berkshire’s $8bn preferred): debt in the 3 percent area. Here’s a plausible guess at what ernments grappling with a $4 trillion-plus debt pile. If Chinese $4.25bn of equity, and Berkshire And that’s just capital gains. Here is an argument that part that means: “It’s the press-release leaders are going to achieve their growing international aspirations, invested another $8bn in the pre- Berkshire has also gotten 9 per- of 3G’s advantage is “its abil- version of saying they’re going to they’re going to have to be far more ambitious about getting their ferred stock of new Heinz. cent dividends on its preferred ity to nail giant deals that break fire people,” said Meyer Shields, financial house in order first. Today Heinz is acquiring Kraft, stock. Good work everyone! the conventional rules of private an analyst at Keefe Bruyette & At 282 percent of GDP, according to the McKinsey Global more or less: Heinz’s sharehold- [There’s another way of looking equity,” with a longer time hori- Woods. 3G has “eliminated more Institute, China’s total debt now exceeds America’s 269 percent ers, mostly Berkshire and 3G, at the math, which is to include zon than most buyout firms and than 7,000 positions in 20 months and Germany’s 258 percent. Even more worrying: If the credit will end up owning 51 percent of the $10bn that Berkshire and flexibility to partner with specific after taking over Heinz with buildup continues at its current pace, that ratio will explode to the combined Heinzkraft, while 3G are investing today as part of co-investors on specific deals. And Buffett,” cutting full-time employ- 400 percent by 2018. At those levels, China would be dangerously Kraft’s existing public sharehold- their investment, and not just the that’s probably true. But for the ees from 31,900 to 24,500. Note, susceptible to a surge in long-term interest rates that triggers an ers will own the other 49 percent. $8.5bn that they put in two years most part, there doesn’t seem to though, that that’s 3G’s doing, not accelerating series of defaults in economically-vital sectors like Kraft is an even bigger company ago. In that case, they’ve contrib- be much financial magic going Warren Buffett’s: “Historically, real estate. Even if China can avoid a South Korea-like crash, the than Heinz — its equity was worth uted $18.5bn for a thing with an on here. Mostly, 3G is just good that’s not the Berkshire way,” resulting slowdown could precipitate a second wave of default $36bn — so Berkshire and 3G will equity value of about $42bn, for a at operating food companies, and Shields said of the cuts. “Having risks and financial chaos from which Beijing would take years to pay Kraft’s shareholders $10bn in 127 percent return.] Buffett is just good at staying out 3G as cover has worked so far.” recover. China would suddenly be an exporter of deflation, not cash to make up the difference. Not only have 3G and Berkshire of the way of his operating part- It’s a great team, no? Buffett development aid. By my math — based on Sujeet Hathaway quadrupled the value ners. As Heinz’s CEO says in the can look cuddly, 3G can be ruth- Yes, China is still growing 7.3 percent, its potential seems bound- Indap’s math at the Financial of their investment in two years, news release: Over the past two less. Buffett offers Kraft share- less and it’s run by smart policy makers who are aware of where Times’s Lex Live blog, and on but this new deal also delevers years, we have transformed Heinz holders a long-term investor the cracks in the system lie. But then, the conventional wisdom where Kraft’s stock was trading their leveraged buyout. The inves- into one of the most efficient and with a nice halo, while 3G offers said the same of Japan 25 years ago. To gain some semblance of earlier today — the combined com- tor presentation lists as promi- profitable food companies in the them operational expertise and control, Xi’s government needs to do three things immediately: cap pany will have an enterprise value nent “transaction highlights” world while reinvesting behind a track record of successful cost- China’s credit bubble, rein in state- owned enterprises and cre- of about $111bn and an equity the fact that the new company our key brands and continuing our cutting. It’s worked out great for ate a mechanism to begin disposing of bad debts. Trouble is, Xi’s value of about $83bn. will be “strongly committed to relentless commitment to quality them so far. BLOOMBERG government isn’t doing enough to address any of them. Take credit growth. For all the rhetoric about tightening the money spigot, aggregate financing continued to accelerate in February to about $216bn. New yuan loans totaled $164bn, while M2 money supply rose 12.5 percent. That hardly looks like evi- dence of a serious crackdown. On Tuesday, the government even lowered the down payment requirement for some second-home buyers, hoping to revive a slumping property sector. Meanwhile, state companies continue to receive copious financing through a shadow-banking apparatus that the People’s Bank of China and government regulators pledged to curtail back in 2013. As for bad loans, no credible estimate exists thanks to the opacity inherent to China’s political system. According to the well-regarded Chinese journal Caixin, commercial-bank non-performing loans have swelled for 12 quarters now. As of the beginning of December, Caixin estimated that about $136bn worth of loans had gone sour. That’s not a huge problem for a $9.2 trillion economy, but then the number is rising even before the sharp economic slowdown many observers expect is coming. China’s recent move to let local governments convert maturing high-cost debt into lower-yielding municipal notes to be repaid at a future date is a step in the right direction. But it’s too small and unfocused to defuse China’s debt time bomb. In order to steer China off its current trajectory, leaders are going to have to tolerate a bigger hit to GDP. They must also quickly build a transfer mechanism to allow banks, state-run enterprises and entire municipalities to dispose of bad loans. One way would be to emulate America’s deleveraging strategy following the 1980s savings-and-loan crisis, establishing a series of Resolution Trust Corp-like entities. “Given that local governments and state-owned enterprises are responsible for the majority of China’s bad debts, write-offs, funded by central-government bonds, will probably be necessary, and soon,” writes Zhang Jun of Fudan University in Shanghai in a Project Syndicate op-ed. If Japan taught the world anything these last two decades, it’s that trying to delay the pain only courts deflation — which already poses a threat to China — and falling living standards. Last week, Standard & Poor’s downgraded Shenzhen developer Kaisa to default after it failed to make coupon payments on two of its dollar-denom- inated bonds. Once the defaults begin — and places like Haikou run out of money — there’s no telling how wobbly China may become. If he really wants to challenge America abroad, Xi would be smart to emulate some of its boldness at home first. BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Improving US job prospects propel confidence

BY VICTORIA STILWELL “It’s all about the labour mar- overseas economies, slumping on early signs of strength, particu- more jobs to become available in North Carolina, said low gas prices ket,” said Aneta Markowska, chief investment in the oil patch and larly among first-time buyers. the next six months climbed to and an improving labour market mericans in March US economist at Societe Generale a stronger dollar that makes US “The housing market’s in much 15.5 percent from 13.8 percent in are positive for sales. believed more jobs will in New York, whose projection exports more expensive. better shape, getting better all February. Households are confi- While cheap fuel has bigger become available and of 102 for the confidence index Business activity in the Chicago the time,” said Scott Brown, chief dent the recent gains in employ- benefits for lower-income cus- Aincomes will rise, giving was the closest in the Bloomberg area shrank in March for a second economist at Raymond James & ment can be sustained. Just 13.5 tomers, versus the grocer’s mid- consumer confidence a bigger- survey. “Clearly those prospects month as orders and production Associates Inc in St Petersburg, percent of those surveyed said dle-class shopper, “we’ve seen than-projected boost as the first are very good. It seems like that contracted. While the Institute Florida, who correctly forecast the fewer jobs would be available over great traffic growth throughout quarter draws to a close. weakness in spending is really for Supply Management-Chicago gain in home prices. “It still has a the next six months, the smallest the year,” Chief Financial Officer The Conference Board’s sen- temporary.” Inc said that its business barom- long way to go to get back to what share in almost 11 years. Jeffrey Ackerman said on March timent index climbed to 101.3, Purchases barely rose in eter improved to 46.3 from 45.8 in we would consider a steady state.” A report is projected to show 25 at an industry conference. “We the second-highest reading of February, a report from the February, readings lower than 50 Estimates in the Bloomberg employers added almost a quar- feel like the economy is better.” the current economic expansion, Commerce Department showed. signal pullbacks. survey of 70 economists for the ter million jobs in March after an Other sentiment indexes have from 98.8 in February, according The 0.1 percent gain followed a 0.2 Another report showed home Conference Board’s confidence average 293,000 positions were shown signs of turning up after to data from the New York-based percent drop in January. Adjusting prices in 20 US cities appreciated index ranged from 93 to 102. It added over the past six months, falling earlier this year. The private research group issued. for changes in prices, spend- at a faster pace in the year ended averaged 96.9 during the last according to a Bloomberg survey. Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Other reports showed home ing dropped for the first time in in January, indicating residential expansion and 53.7 during the The unemployment rate is fore- Index rose to 45.5 in the period prices are firming and factories almost a year. Stocks fell, paring a real estate is strengthening. The recession that ended June 2009. cast to hold at 5.5 percent, an ended March 22, matching the are struggling. ninth quarterly advance, as com- S&P/Case-Shiller index increased In January, the index rose to 103.8, almost seven-year low. second-highest level since July The pickup in confidence modity producers slipped with the 4.6 percent after rising 4.4 percent the best reading since August The share of respondents 2007, from 44.2 the prior week. bolsters forecasts that spend- price of crude oil. Equities have in the year ended in December. 2007. The group’s consumer that said they expected their Measures of the economy, buying ing, which accounts for almost swung between monthly gains Nationally, prices rose 4.5 percent expectations gauge for the next incomes to grow in the next half climate and households’ financial 70 percent of the economy, will and losses this year as economic in the 12 months through January. six months increased to the sec- year increased to 18.4 percent in well-being all improved. strengthen after bad weather data send conflicting signals on A lean supply of available prop- ond-highest reading in four years, March, the second-most since The University of Michigan final hurt retailers at the start of the whether the economy is strong erties will continue to drive up while the measure of present con- December 2007, from 16.4 percent gauge for March eased to 93 this year. A report later is projected enough to justify higher interest home prices heading into the busy ditions dropped. last month, Tuesday’s Conference month from 95.4 in February, cap- to show payrolls kept expanding, rates from the Federal Reserve. spring selling season as demand is Americans’ assessments of cur- Board report showed. ping the best quarter since 2004 as indicating households will propel While the figures on confidence spurred by rising rents. Builders rent and future labour-market Companies including Fresh the labour market stayed strong growth as a rising dollar hampers may signal a rebound in spending, like KB Home see better times conditions improved. The pro- Market Inc, a natural and organic and gasoline prices leveled off. manufacturing. factories are hampered by weaker ahead as temperatures rise, based portion of consumers expecting food retailer based in Greensboro, BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,711.40 1.08 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,198.59 1.08 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,276.43 0.65 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,133.6 0.92 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,170.4 0.53 % GOLD Services Buying Selling All Ordinaries 5861.923 45.666 0.79 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 3,884.03 1.97 % QR139.3338 QE All Share Transportation 2,408.77 1.01 % US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Cac 40 Index/D 5050.56 -32.96 -0.65 5106.04 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,395.73 0.52 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.3525 QR 5.4290 QE All Share Insurance 4,184.34 0.90 % Dj Indu Average 17976.31 263.65 1.49 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.8911 QR 4.9453 QE All Share Telecoms 1,326.21 0.06 % QR 1.9635 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8272 QR 2.8824 6,908.83 0.94 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 24900.89 45.77 0.18 25101.96 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7205 QR 3.7738 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6024.75 -76.64 -1.26 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0301 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7440 QR 2.7975 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 30233.87 1306.83 4.52 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 31-03-2015 30-03-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0577 QR 0.0589 Index 11,711.40 11,586.83 Nikkei 225 Index 19206.99 -204.41 -1.05 19778.6 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 124.57 98.42 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0807 QR 0.0824 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 1.08 0.86 $ 55.19 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 4.68 5.69 Straits Times/D 3447.01 -7.25 -0.21 3458.71 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 10,325,394 7,741,352 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0361 QR 0.0368 Value (QAR) 564,855,633.84 394,719,887.56 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2955 QR 0.3015 Trades 5,927 5,604 $ 52.22 Up 24 | Down 15 | Unchanged 01 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 31-03-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 168 2.7 2894 Chowgule St-T/D 23.5 -0.8 17501 Godfrey Phil-B/D 419.95 -7.2 4760 Kalpat Power-B/D 217.65 -0.4 19098 Onward Tech-B/D 50.25 -1 13596 Imperial Tobac/D 2980 -88 2130839 A C C-A/D 1556 -26.4 12532 Cimmco-B/D 90.75 4.3 61816 Goodricke-B/D 148.5 0.3 3110 Kalyani Stel-T/D 134.8 -0.9 40362 Orchid Chem-B/D 51.65 -0.6 158334 Kingfisher/D 378.2 13.4 11939647 Aarti Drugs-B/D 651.75 -4.25 11810 Cipla-A/D 711.2 8.7 107889 Goodyear I -B/D 517.25 6.25 11608 Kanoria Chem-B/D 41 0.85 13665 Orient Hotel-T/D 19.95 0.5 2710 Land Secs Grou/D 1259 -5 914763 Aban Offs-A/D 425.7 2.7 247191 City Union Bk-/D 96.3 0.1 68050 Hcl Infosys-B/D 51.6 0.15 480739 Kg Denim-B/D 20.95 -0.1 11329 Orient.Carb.-T/D 453.4 12.3 4080 Legal & Genera/D 278.07 -4.8 4729792 Aegis Logis-B/D 607.9 9.7 35562 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1917.7 -0.35 3137 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 13.25 -0.55 1285676 Kilburnengg-T/D 54.3 3.45 203941 Punjab Chem.-B/D 183.7 9.4 39897 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.75 -0.64 52053215 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 227.7 20.6 281631 Colgate-A/D 2013.45 -11.4 13764 Himat Seide-B/D 80.7 0.4 24827 Kinetic Eng-B/D 44.15 0.1 7262 Radico Khait-B/D 89.2 1.75 52711 Marks & Sp./D 544.6 6.5 1773123 Alembic-B/D 34.65 -0.15 136314 Container Cor-/D 1581.25 26.65 4519 Hind Motors-T/D 6.28 0.16 72153 Kopran-B/D 45.5 0.5 90334 Rallis India-A/D 225.1 5.4 49384 Next/D 7020 -80 199244 Alok Indus-A/D 7.4 0.26 2790402 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 156.9 0.7 2527 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.1 0.15 21991 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 322.4 18.9 3372 Rallis India-A/D 225.1 5.4 49384 Pearson/D 1454 -26 1108409 Apollo Tyre-A/D 168.25 2.85 6099237 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.84 -0.04 10000 Hind Unilever-/D 872.9 10.8 80123 Lakshmi Mach-A/D 3826.55 50.25 2503 Reliance Indus/D 398.1 8.2 167081 Prudential/D 1673.5 -23.5 1970330 Asahi I Glass-/D 144.15 -1.65 7338 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 73.9 1 3004 Hind.Petrol-A/D 650.6 22.95 311778 Lloyd Metal-B/D 6.39 -1.11 21436 Ruchi Soya-B/D 44.9 2.05 99296 Rentokil Initi/D 137.1 1.6 1135439 Ashok Leyland-/D 73.55 -0.45 2214750 Dhampur Sugar-/D 35.7 0.05 16470 Hindalco-A/D 129.15 -2.25 511620 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 10.84 0.45 43519 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 587 -13.4 3224 Rolls Royce Pl/D 957 -4.5 1744102 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.8 0.28 177711 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3492 65.6 9711 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1311.25 5.05 60159 Lumax Ind-B/D 335.8 2.9 3741 Saur.Cem-B/D 43.45 -0.45 48218 Rsa Insrance G/D 425.9 -4.6 1289914 Banaras Bead-B/D 35.9 3.4 2730 E I H-B/D 108.7 -0.7 4241 I F C I-A/D 33.35 -0.45 318433 Lupin-A/D 2007.05 6.25 36146 Timexgroup-T/D 19 1.15 148644 Sainsbury(J)/D 260.5 -1.3 2596197 Bannari Aman-B/D 819 -78.25 28961 E.I.D Parry-A/D 174.8 6.05 10275 Idbi-A/D 71.05 -0.7 416060 Lyka Labs-T/D 49.9 2.35 65156 Tinplate-B/D 54.3 -0.05 50587 Schroders/D 3203 -22 241226 Bata India-A/D 1090.75 12.65 24833 Eicher Motor-A/D 15890.2 -129.5 3514 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 583.5 -6 5680 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 154 3.6 2580 Ucal Fuel-B/D 110.3 -1 10943 Severn Trent/D 2078 -7 401835 Beml Ltd-A/D 1092.35 29.75 120020 Electrosteel-B/D 19 1.7 289925 India Cement-A/D 86.45 -2.85 211831 Mah.Seamless-B/D 197.35 8.6 23199 Ucal Fuel-B/D 110.3 -1 10943 Smith&Nephew/D 1148 3 1032929 Bh Electronic-/D 3347.25 98.65 44685 Emco-B/D 33 0.75 118193 India Glycol-B/D 81.25 -2.05 17473 Mangalam Cem-B/D 265.7 -3.5 2891 Unitech P -A/D 16.2 -0.15 7389582 Smiths Group/D 1128 -1 564634 Bhansali Eng-T/D 22.2 0.55 4688 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.25 0.17 2970 Indian Hotel-A/D 117 3.1 160994 Maral Overs-B/D 26.1 0.6 2360 Standrd Chart /D 1096.5 -23.5 4745433 Bharat Bijle-B/D 613 -13.25 2229 Escorts-A/D 127.05 -0.7 169957 Indo-Tcount-T/D 378.9 -19.6 8155 Mastek-B/D 426.2 35.5 576174 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 597 -3 466714 Bharatgears-B/D 72.65 0.2 2234 Essar Oil-T/D 108.7 -1.4 63138 Indusind-A/D 882.5 -6 43814 Max India L-A/D 435 -11.15 74825 Tesco/D 243.75 2.8 10262642 Bhartiya Int-B/D 417.7 18 2838 Eveready Indu-/D 261 1.9 47813 J.B.Chemical-B/D 200.1 0.65 34415 Mrpl-A/D 67.15 0 156002 3I Group/D 483.3 -7 681615 Unilever/D 2837.25 -50 1289420 Bhel-A/D 234.95 -3.65 485271 F D C-B/D 151.65 0.35 2707 Jagson Phar-B/D 28.5 1.95 60437 Nahar Spg.-B/D 86.8 -2.65 7777 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2823 -32 199929 United Util Gr/D 940.5 -4 1036743 Bom.Burmah-B/D 439.6 -15.55 63512 Federal Bank-A/D 132 0.1 135064 Jbf Indu-B/D 211.4 -0.6 36649 Nation Alum -A/D 46.65 1.9 133115 Barclays/D 242.8 -5 13858229 Vodafone Group/D 222 -2.35 14365127 Bombay Dyeing-/D 63.9 -0.3 301565 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.02 -0.23 67115 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.37 -0.01 47332 Navneet Edu-B/D 99.25 -4 84226 Bg Group/D 836.7 -15.3 3566471 Whitbread/D 5230 -10 172929 Camph.& All-B/D 249.8 -5.9 3368 Fgp Ltd-B/D 1.97 0.08 2648 Jct Ltd-B/D 3 -0.12 76884 Nepc India-T/D 2.32 0.01 4539 Bp/D 439.1515 -7.05 9290977 Canfin Homes-B/D 606 15.5 12952 Finolex-A/D 283.65 -4.45 9167 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.12 -0.1 86228 Neuland Lab-B/D 334 12.1 5038 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3504 -90.5 1598936 Castrol India-/D 474.4 10.2 52695 Gail-A/D 388.85 9 63042 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 105.5 9.2 848561 Nrb Bearings-B/D 132.5 0.4 2892 Bt Group/D 440.1 -8.15 9980063 Century Enka-B/D 149 -1 19769 Galada Power-T/D 22 0.3 2747 Jmc Projects-T/D 183.1 -5.1 9860 O N G C-A/D 306.8 -7.9 279767 Centrica/D 255.9 -1.1 8658709 Century Text-A/D 637.15 -1.85 216160 Gammon India-T/D 17.6 0.25 72624 Kabra Extr-B/D 71.4 -3.15 9323 Ocl India-B/D 456 23.35 2604 Gkn/D 359.8 -4.6 2095325 Chambal Fert-B/D 67.5 3.1 147774 Garden P -B/D 26.25 1.65 10046 Kajaria Cer-A/D 803.3 6.4 6641 Oil Country-B/D 30.35 0.95 9355 Hsbc Holdings/D 576.7 -6.6 9697204 WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 DeRozan scores 42 Alonso stays positive while Ferrari celebrate as Raptors triumph LONDON: One word seemed to encapsulate Fernando Alonso’s Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. The comment, posted on Blazers, Celtics register impressive wins Twitter under a photograph of the sweaty Spaniard walking in his McLaren overalls past the TORONTO: DeMar DeRozan Ferrari garage and the Italian scored a career-high 42 points team’s smiling mechanics, was and matched a career best with simple: ‘Ouch’. 11 rebounds as Toronto beat It was hard not to feel a twinge Houston 99-96 on Monday in a of pity for the double world battle of NBA division leaders. champion, who left Ferrari for DeRozan, who netted 12 points McLaren at the end of last year, in the fourth quarter, was 14-of- as his former employers cel- 27 from the court and 12-of-17 ebrated their first victory since from the free throw line to power 2013. the Raptors to their eighth home Formula One glamour team win in a row over the Rockets. Ferrari are back in business while Atlantic division leader Toronto McLaren, with their new part- improved to 44-30, one game ners Honda, have gone backwards behind Chicago for the third-best so far. record in the Eastern Conference. Alonso, who missed the first Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of McLaren Honda during Southwest division leader race of the season after a crash in third practice session on Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Houston fell to 50-24, level with testing, lasted just 21 laps before in this March 28, 2015 file photo. Memphis for the division lead retiring due to cooling problems and the second-best record in the with the car’s energy recovery Western Conference. system. then but he’s almost done the challenge and a long-term plan Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas World champion Lewis opposite of what I did. It could that will take time to come to scored 15 points and grabbed nine Hamilton, who partnered Alonso have been him today. It’s just fruition. rebounds while Amir Johnson at McLaren in 2007 and whose strange how things turn out.” “To beat Mercedes at the pulled down a game-high 16 own move to Mercedes at the end Alonso was determined to stay moment, you need to do some- rebounds for the Raptors. of 2012 had commentators fearing positive. thing different, you need to risk The Rockets, who saw their Toronto Raptors’ guard Greivis Vasquez (left) congratulates guard DeMar he had made a mistake, felt for “Interesting days ahead!! somehow,” he said. four-game win streak snapped, DeRozan after a play against the Houston Rockets at the Air Canada the Spaniard. Looking forward! Very happy!!,” “I am in the right place, the were led by James Harden with Centre on Monday. Toronto defeated Houston 99-96. “I sat next to Sebastian he exclaimed on his Twitter feed team is so talented, very young 31 points. Dwight Howard sat out (Vettel in the news conference) on Monday. people, a lot of Japanese people after playing Sunday. He has been and thought to myself ‘What is “It definitely has been a very new in Formula One. on limited duty since returning remaining. maintained a Fernando thinking?,” he said after nice weekend for me and a very “It’s a very exciting challenge last week from a knee injury suf- Celtics 116, NBA Results double-digit lead Alonso’s jubilant replacement had nice surprise how the team pro- because we will grow up all fered in January. Hornets 104 Atlanta 101 Milwaukee 88 most of the way. sprayed the winner’s champagne. gressed from Australia to here. If together from the very bottom Trail Blazers 109, Suns 86 Guard Avery Toronto 99 Houston 96 Lakers 113, “I remember when I left we keep this rate we will enjoy it and when we arrive to a podium Guard Damian Lillard scored Bradley scored Portland 109 Phoenix 86 76ers 111 (OT) McLaren and came here very soon,” he had said. position, we will look at each 19 points as the Portland Trail 30 points as Memphis 97 Sacramento 83 Jordan (Mercedes), we were better the That may sound like bravado other and say this has been a very Blazers clinched a playoff berth in the Boston Minnesota 84 Utah 104 Clarkson next year. I had a good feeling but the Spaniard has a new exciting trip.” REUTERS the NBA’s Western Confernence Celtics beat dropped in a Charlotte 104 Boston 116 with a 109-86 victory over the the Charlotte layup with 0.7 Phoenix Suns. Hornets 116-104 Philadelphia 111 LA Lakers 113 seconds left in Vettel’s win Forward LaMarcus Aldridge in an impor- overtime as the added 17 points and seven tant battle for the Eastern Los Angeles Lakers beat the rebounds for the Trail Blazers Conference’s final playoff spot. Philadelphia 76ers 113-111. ‘scared’ (48-25), who won their fourth The Celtics raced to a 14-point Clarkson led all scorers with 26 successive game. halftime lead, led by as many as points while Jabari Brown scored Guard Gerald Green came off 22 in the third quarter, then held 22 points and Wayne Ellington Rosberg the bench to score 13 points for off a late Charlotte comeback had 20 for Los Angeles, which has Runner-up the Suns. that got as close as six in the final the league’s fourth-worst record British BERLIN: Nico Rosberg (pic- tured) Hawks 101, Bucks 88 minute. at 20-53. Formula admits he was ‘scared’ by Forward DeMarre Carroll The win allowed the Celtics Nerlens Noel finished with 19 One driver Sebastian Vettel’s debut victory paced a typical balanced attack (33-41) to move back into a tie points and 14 rebounds for the Lewis for Ferrari in last weekend’s for Atlanta, lifting the Hawks to with Brooklyn for eighth in the Sixers. Malaysian Grand Prix which Hamilton a 101-88 win over the Bucks. Eastern Conference standings. Jazz 104, Timberwolves 84 caught the German’s Mercedes of Carroll finished with 23 points, Grizzlies 97, Kings 83 The Utah Jazz outscored the rivals by surprise. eight rebounds and five assists. Point guard Mike Conley Minnesota Timberwolves by 14 Mercedes Vettel stunned Mercedes’ Milwaukee forward Giannis scored 18 points as the Memphis points in the third quarter en AMG GP world champion Lewis Hamilton Antetokounmpo had 18 points to Grizzlies beat the Sacramento route to a lopsided 104-84 victory. reacts on Sunday at the Sepang lead the Bucks (36-38) who are Kings 97-83 to snap a three-game Utah forward Gordon Hayward on the International circuit with an trying to hold off the Miami Heat losing streak. led all scorers with 22 points and podium at audacious victory, his first behind for the sixth seed in the Eastern Memphis led 75-64 going Trey Burke chipped in 19 points the end of the wheel of a Ferrari. Conference with nine games into the fourth quarter and off the bench. AGENCIES the 2015 The win shook up a season Formula which Mercedes had threatened One Grand to dominate after Hamilton’s Prix of commanding victory in the sea- Malaysia son’s opener in Australia, with in Sepang, Rosberg second, as Mercedes Malaysia dominated. on Vettel, a four-time world cham- Sunday. pion, now has 40 career wins, but it was his first with Ferrari which broke a dry spell stretching back The members to his last victory with Red Bull of the Chicago in 2013. Blackhawks Rosberg said Ferrari have celebrate a win clearly over the Los improved Angeles Kings their at the United car and Center on Monday Vettel’s handling Chicago, Illinois. of it in the The Blackhawks Hamilton ready to sign intense defeated the Kings heat of 4-1. Malaysia bumper Mercedes deal ‘scared’ his Mercedes LONDON: Formula One world out at more than $4,500 an hour rival. champion Lewis Hamilton or $75 a minute. Hamilton, who “After our double victory in is ready to sign a new con- won the first of his two titles with Australia, I said that I wanted tract that, according to media McLaren in 2008, is one of the to see a better show and hoped reports, could net him more three highest paid drivers in the Ferrari would challenge us, but than $40m a year. sport with Ferrari’s Sebastian I certainly didn’t want to lose “It should be done this week. Vettel and McLaren’s Fernando to them,” Rosberg wrote in his NHL: Blackhawks thrash Kings There’s no reason why it shouldn’t Alonso reckoned to earn at least weekly column for German daily be,” the Mercedes driver told what the Briton does. Bild. NEW YORK: Continuing to (47-23-7), who set a franchise British reporters after finishing He is out of contract at the end “I really didn’t expect that make a late-season push up NHL Results record for wins in a season. second in Sunday’s Malaysian of this season and the saga of his much from Sebastian and Ferrari. the playoff ladder, the Chicago Chicago 4 Los Angeles 1 Canucks 4, Blues 1 Grand Prix. negotiations has kept the media That was a total surprise. Blackhawks got the better of a Dallas 3 Calgary 5 The Vancouver Canucks used “Honestly, it’s 99.6 percent busy since last year, when the “Sebastian drove really well, so team in the same boat, defeat- Montréal 3 Tampa Bay 5 a second-period goal from center done. There’s no negotiating left. talks were put on hold for him congratulations from us! ing the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Arizona 1 Buffalo 4 Nick Bonino to break a tie and It’s just legal stuff.” to concentrate on the title battle. “Now we have to sit down as Chicago, who have now won six record a 4-1 win over the St. Louis The BBC reported yesterday Reports since then have regu- a team and see what is going on. Colorado 1 Edmonton 4 of their last nine games, improved Blues. that the 30-year-old Briton, who larly indicated that he was set to “Regardless of whether to 46-24-6 behind backup goalie St Louis 1 Vancouver 4 Centre Shawn Matthias, right has conducted his own negotia- sign, Hamilton telling Sky Sports we took the wrong strategy, Scott Darling’s sensational play winger Radim Vrbata and left tions with Mercedes, would earn last week that he hoped to do so Sebastian would have won the as he stopped all but one of the Jonathan Toews and forward winger Alexandre Burrows also about the same basic salary as in before the Malaysian Grand Prix, race regardless. Kings’ 32 shots. Marian Hossa. scored for the Canucks. his first contract with the team which came and went without an “The Ferrari handled much Los Angeles (37-25-14) scored Lightning 5, Canadiens 3 Oilers 4, Avalanche 1 he joined in 2013. announcement. better in the heat with those tyres their only goal to tie the game Centre Vladislav Namestnikov Goaltender Richard Bachman However other sources indi- The delays have triggered and that scared me. with 32 seconds left in the first scored two goals and assisted on had 29 saves, defenseman Brandon cated the terms would be more speculation that Hamilton could “Sebastian was just too fast, period on Jake Muzzin’s unas- another to lead the Tampa Bay Davidson scored his first NHL lucrative, to reflect his success be considering a shock move to the Ferrari engine is really much sisted wrist shot. Lightning to a 5-3 win over the goal and the Edmonton Oilers and status. Ferrari as a replacement for Kimi better on the straight than it was Chicago regained the lead at Montreal Canadiens. beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1. With bonuses, depending on the Raikkonen alongside four times last year.” 1:37 of the second period when Left winger Jonathan Drouin, Defencemen Justin Schultz and number of race wins and retain- champion Vettel but the driver The Formula One season defenseman Duncan Keith scored right winger Nikita Kucherov Nikita Niktin and left winger ing the championship, the BBC has laughed off that idea. resumes on April 12 at the his ninth goal of the season on the and defenseman Anton Stralman Taylor Hall also scored for the calculated the total amount would “No, don’t be silly,” he said Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. power play, with assists by center also scored for the Lightning Oilers. AGENCIES be “well over $40m” – working when asked about it. REUTERS AFP WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Pietersen Ahmed and Voges get shouldn’t expect England Windies, Ashes call up recall, says Stewart Australia announce 17-man Test squad for twin trips this summer LONDON: Exiled England star Kevin Pietersen shouldn’t SYDNEY: Legspinner Fawad expect an international recall Ahmed, batsman Adam Voges McCullum joins despite his return to county and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill cricket, according to his Surrey were all called up by Australia Birmingham coach Alec Stewart. yesterday for their upcoming Pietersen has rejoined Surrey tour of the West Indies and the Bears for T20s to play in County Championship Ashes campaign in England. Division Two this season in a bid But there was no room in the LONDON: New Zealand to win a Test recall for England’s 17-man squad for allrounders cricket captain Brendon Ashes showdown with Australia James Faulkner and Glenn McCullum (pictured) con- later this year. Maxwell, who were a potent part firmed yesterday he has signed The 34-year-old South Africa- of Australia’s one-day World Cup for the Birmingham Bears for born batsman was sacked by the winning side. the defence of their T20 Blast England and Wales Cricket Board Joe Burns was also overlooked, title. after the 2013-14 whitewash in despite scoring two half-centuries McCullum joins the Bears -- Australia. in Australia’s last Test, against Warwickshire’s T20 name -- on ECB managing director Paul India in January, while paceman a seven-match deal after playing a Downton insists Pietersen will James Pattinson missed out with major role as New not be brought back into the a hamstring injury, opening the Zealand reached fold, while Test captain Alastair door once again for Peter Siddle. the World Cup Cook rated the prospect “highly Australia play two Tests in the final, where the unlikely”, and former England West Indies from June 5, with Black Caps lost to opener Stewart agrees. their five-Test Ashes series start- co-hosts Australia. “If England are winning, they ing in England on July 8. “The have a good West Indies tour Pakistan-born Ahmed, who Birmingham Bears which we expect, then it’s going sought asylum in Australia had a great season to take an injury or a huge loss in 2010, got the nod ahead of last year, includ- of form for a vacancy to become Ashton Agar as the second spin- ing winning the T20 Blast, and available,” Stewart told BBC ner behind Nathan Lyon after a The Australian cricket team poses for photographs with the Cricket World Cup at a fan day celebration in hopefully I can make a big con- Radio Five Live. stellar Sheffield Shield season in Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday. Australia won the World Cup final match against New tribution and ensure that we can “But all Kevin can do and, which he took 48 wickets. Zealand by seven wickets on Sunday. progress in the tournament,” said that’s what he’s said to us, he’s “It’s been an amazing 2015 for McCullum. going to score runs, sit back and me,” said Ahmed, 33, who was “Edgbaston is a fantastic see what happens.” granted citizenship in 2013 and seasons in Sheffield Shield his- Fast bowler Ryan Harris in every game at the moment. But ground to play at and hopefully it Pietersen was reported to have played three one-day internation- tory. He is an experienced player was included in the squad, but watch this space.” will be rocking for the big Friday fallen out with several senior als and two T20 internationals and quality character who will will only play the Ashes series, Australia depart for the West night matches. I’m really excited members of the England squad during Australia’s tour of England add talent and leadership to the remaining in Australia through- Indies on May 19, officials said about becoming a Bear and the before he was axed, but Surrey and Scotland later that year. touring party. out the West Indies tour for the yesterday. challenge ahead.” director of cricket Stewart “I’ve bowled with a big heart “Fawad has worked incredibly birth of his first child. Austrlian Squad: Michael McCullum will link up with the claimed he has never had any and a big chest in every situation.” hard on his game and has dem- While Faulkner and Maxwell Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, Bears after New Zealand’s tour problems with his attitude. Voges won his place on the onstrated throughout the season missed out, selector Marsh cast Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, of England with his first game “He’s been as good as gold with plane for similar reasons, with the that he can be a consistent wicket an air of mystery over his plans Ryan Harris (Ashes only), Josh against Lancashire Lightning on us. If he was a bad character we 35-year-old Western Australian taker. for them. Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, June 26 at Old Trafford. wouldn’t have had him,” Stewart captain smashing 1,358 Shield “Peter Nevill has been on our “We’ve got hopeful plans that I Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, He played a starring role at the said. “Whenever he’s been with runs to be the season’s highest radar for some time and deserves can’t reveal right now for Jimmy Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Chris top of the order in the Black Caps’ us he has been outstanding. He’s scorer and player of the year with his opportunity through weight Faulkner. He’ll be right,” he told Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell run to the World Cup final. helped the youngsters, he’s been an average of 104.46. of runs and performances behind reporters, adding of Maxwell: Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Among his four half-centuries in the nets, he’s put on batting New South Wales keeper Nevill the stumps,” he added. “It’s a tragedy we can’t play him Shane Watson. REUTERS in nine matches was a destruc- clinics and he’s tried his heart out. was picked as Brad Haddin’s tive 77 off just 25 balls against “So hopefully, and I have no understudy, preferred to Matthew England in Wellington. reason to disbelieve it, he will be Wade. Aussies seek Ashes momentum Birmingham Bears director exactly the same this time, if not National selector Rod Marsh of rugby Dougie Brown said: even more hard working and des- said the Test team had performed “Brendon’s dynamic perform- perate to score runs.” AFP very well in recent times, and the MELBOURNE: Australia will resist the temp- “We want to win those two test matches... We’ll be ances in the ICC Cricket World big challenge was to maintain the tation to tinker with their team on tour against fielding our best side to win the two Test matches. I Cup have demonstrated once form away from home. West Indies and plan to field their best 11 in a bid haven’t even spoken to (coach) Darren (Lehmann) again exactly why he is one of the Father Time “We believe this squad has suf- to sweep the two-Test series and build momentum about that but I know that’s the way he operates. most feared batsmen in the game. ficient depth for these important for the Ashes, selector Rod Marsh has said. “It’ll be nice to win 2-0 there and win the first “Securing his availability for Test matches against the West ustralia’s attention has turned to dominating with three Test matches in England. our last seven games has to make flattened at Indies and England and will give the red ball after storming to their fifth World Cup “They’re pretty strong at home. We always seem him one of the biggest overseas us the best chance of success,” he win on Sunday, and selectors sprung a few surprises to struggle against them, in recent years anyway, player signings in the competi- Lord’s said. in their 17-man squad for the tours to the Caribbean in England. tion’s history. Marsh said selectors could not and England in June and July. “It’ll be a fascinating series because we’ve got “His power at the top of the LONDON: After England’s ignore Ahmed and Voges after Uncapped legspinner Fawad Ahmed and veteran a couple of young blokes who are starting to play order and experience of playing cricketers were left battered “sensational seasons” at domes- batsman Adam Voges will be on the plane, with pace- pretty well at the top of the order. in big matches are great assets to and bruised during a dismal tic level. man Josh Hazlewood preferred to Pat Cummins. “We’ve got a couple of old heads that would dearly bolster our already strong squad World Cup campaign, another “They thoroughly deserve their Marsh dismissed the idea that Australia might love to win the series and we’ve got a couple of young as we look to win through to the symbol of the English game took call-up and the opportunity to be keep their powder dry for a big push against tradi- fast bowlers that are not bad either.” quarter-finals and defend our a beating on Monday when the a part of this squad. We believe tional rivals England, who defeated them 3-0 on tour Marsh endorsed Michael Clarke’s deputy Steve NatWest T20 Blast title.” famous Father Time weather that both can play important in 2013 before suffering a 5-0 reverse in the return Smith as a permanent number three in the McCullum is the leading run vane at Lord’s was buffeted by roles in the side if required,” he series Down Under. Australian batting order, which would mean mov- scorer in the history of T20 inter- high winds. said. “I think it’s dangerous to look at it that way,” ing all-rounder Shane Watson down the order as nationals, with 2,105 at an average The vane, situated above the “Adam had one of the great Marsh told reporters. was done during the World Cup. REUTERS over 35, with two centuries. Lord’s Mound Stand clock, fea- REUTERS tures a steel figure of an elderly man with a scythe on his back putting a bail on some stumps, and is synonymous with cricket Vettori calls time on 18-year NZ career in England. But like the country’s national team, who tamely bowed WELLINGTON: Long-serving his country’s most-capped Test Williamson said Vettori would be out of the World Cup at the group New Zealand cricketer Daniel player. He went on to feature in missed. stages, Father Time encountered Vettori called time on his inter- 113 Tests, taking 362 wickets at an “Just his experience in the some unexpectedly fierce turbu- national career yesterday, say- average 34.36 while scoring 4,531 group -- he’s such a leader -- and lence and was left flat on his back ing the World Cup final was his runs including six centuries. to play for such a long time and by gales in north London over the last appearance for the Black Alongside India’s Kapil Dev with so many different players is weekend. Caps. and England’s Ian Botham, he an amazing thing,” he said. The discovery of the fallen New Zealand’s “It was my last game for New is the only player to have taken “He’s had a fantastic career. Father Time sparked concern Daniel Vettori Zealand so it was a lovely way to more than 300 Test wickets and He’s a great bloke and he’ll cer- among staff from Marylebone heads to the finish,” the former captain told scored more than 4,000 runs. In tainly be missed.” Cricket Club, which owns Lord’s. nets during reporters as the team returned his ODI career, Vettori played Vettori was a popular player But Father Time, who has stood from Sunday’s final to a heroes’ 295 matches, taking 305 wickets and the cricketing world was at Lord’s since being donated by training ahead welcome despite being beaten by at 31.71 and scoring 2,253 runs. also quick to pay tribute, architect Sir Herbert Baker in of their 2015 seven wickets by Australia at the New Zealand captain Brendon with Sri Lankan batting star 1926, has previously fallen foul of Cricket World Melbourne Cricket Ground. McCullum revealed that Vettori Kumar Sangakkara tweeting: bad weather more than once. Cup semi-final “Obviously it would’ve been pulled a calf muscle when exercis- “#ThanksDaniel great pleasure He was struck by lightning in match against great to win but I’m really proud ing between innings in the World playing with you mate.” 1992 and, worse, knocked com- South Africa of everyone and the way we’ve Cup final but still managed to Australian Glenn Maxwell pletely off his perch when hit by at Eden Park gone about things the last six send down five overs taking none added: “Congratulations to this a barrage balloon during the Blitz in Auckland weeks.” for 25. bloke on his career! Great bloke, in World War II - before spending in this March New Zealand Cricket added in “In typical Dan style he still great player, and extremely glad the rest of the War in a cellar. 23, 2015, file a tweet: “Daniel Vettori officially went out there and tried to get I don’t have to play against him But he has, as his name indicates, photo. Vettori announced he has played his last the job done,” McCullum said. anymore.” moved with the times and tweets yesterday game for the @BLACKCAPS.” “We’re going to lose one of our South African all-rounder JP these days on behalf of Lord’s announced The left-arm spinner, currently all-time great players, we’re also Duminy was equally glowing in Cricket Ground, including a series an end to his ranked as the 12th best ODI going to lose a great bloke from his praise, tweeting: “Congrats of messages on his latest mishap. international bowler in the world, took 15 wick- the (team) environment as well Daniel Vetorri on an outstanding “NEWS: I’ve was felled by career. ets in the World Cup, the eighth so he’s going to be very hard to career. On of the best of all time. high winds last night! Ouch!,” best performance, including four replace. Been a privilege playing against the tweets began. “Apologies for for 18 against Afghanistan. “We’ll have a nice celebration you.” my poor grammar in the previous The 36-year-old’s announce- for him tomorrow ... and we’ll be Vettori succeeded Stephen tweet - but I’m not feeling my best ment was no real surprise after able to toast the success of his Fleming as his country’s captain after being damaged last night! an 18-year international career. career and his impact on this in 2007 and led New Zealand in 32 “FATHER TIME LATEST: I’ve Vettori played his first Test as game. We’ve been lucky to have Test matches and 82 ODIs, before been diagnosed with copper dam- an 18-year-old against England the privilege of playing with him.” Ross Taylor took over in 2011. age and will be undergoing treat- in February 1997 and became Fellow New Zealander Kane REUTERS ment ASAP.” REUTERS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Johansson predicts easy win for old foe Blatter VIENNA: It is 17 years since “Blatter will win in the first is FIFA,” he said. Johansson’s 17 presidency to Platini eight years Lennart Johansson lost an acri- round, but I can’t give you the years as the head of the European ago but believes the Frenchman monious FIFA presidential elec- figures,” the Swede said in an confederation – the longest reign has done a superb job as his tion to Sepp Blatter and he has interview at last week’s UEFA of any UEFA president – saw the successor. a stark message to the three Congress. expansion of UEFA from 32 coun- “Indeed. He has surrounded men standing against his old foe “He knows how to do it, he tries when he became president himself with intelligent, well- – you have no chance. knows which way to go, how to in 1990 to 52 by the time he left educated people and experienced Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein handle things. because of the political upheavals people. He has been very clever in of Jordan, Dutch FA President “I am not surprised he has in eastern Europe in the 1990s. that way and he stopped depend- Michael van Praag and former remained president since 1998, he Together with his general sec- ing on Blatter. Portugal international Luis Figo is an extremely intelligent man. retary Gerd Aigner, they also “He has openly declared he is are attempting to unseat Blatter Of course, it depends on how you transformed the European Cup no longer supporting him.” from the position he has held use your intelligence. into the Champions League But Johansson regrets that since he beat Johansson by 111 to “But he is smart and a very and saw the expansion of the Platini decided last year not to 80 votes in Paris in 1998. hard worker. I could call him at European Championship from stand against Blatter for the But Johansson, 85, does not 7.30 in the morning and he would an eight-team to 16-team finals. FIFA presidency. think the trio have any hope of be working.” Lennart Johansson Sepp Blatter Looking back he reflected: “I “I asked him to do so. I advised winning and is upset that the Asked what his relationship is miss the years I had with UEFA him to do so because I thought man he wanted to run for FIFA like with Blatter now, or whether because together what we built up that through his work for UEFA president – his successor as the old battle scars have healed, “But I don’t approach him. I see election because his challengers was respect. People knew that we for a number of years he has UEFA president Michel Platini – he replied “No. He doesn’t even no reason to. These are the facts.” will not be supported by the vast tried to be honest, with new rules gained a good reputation. ignored his advice to challenge the say hello when we meet now. He Johansson, now in need of a majority of countries outside of and regulations. “He is the president of the 79-year-old Swiss who is standing avoids me. wheelchair for mobility, still keeps Europe – and Blatter, in their “I learnt a lot from Gerd biggest organisation and he is a for a fifth term of office. “I sit on the first row as an hon- a close eye on the political scene eyes is not “European” despite Aigner. He was very intelligent, former top player – that is not There is little love lost between orary vice-president of FIFA and and although his body might be his Swiss nationality. and very straight-forward. He bad. But he likes to live a nor- himself and Blatter, but Johansson the honorary president of UEFA slowing, his mind is as sharp as “Africa and Asia, they will not was never buying any votes for mal life at all levels, so he was not cannot see the president losing and he is sitting next to me ... but a razor. vote for a European – and Blatter support.” very interested to go for the FIFA the election in Zurich on May 29. he doesn’t “see” me. He believes Blatter will win the is not ‘European’ in their eyes, he Johansson lost the UEFA title.” REUTERS British teams decide Ruthless Japan thrash against Rio participation LONDON: England’s Football been given “an absolute categori- Association confirmed yester- cal reassurance” from FIFA that day that plans to enter British British teams would only be able men’s and women’s football to compete at the Olympics if all Uzbekistan in friendly teams at next year’s Olympic four home nations agreed. Games in Rio de Janeiro have Meanwhile, UEFA has opened been abandoned. disciplinary proceedings against Usami, Shibasaki shine in Blue Samurai’s 5-1 victory The FA wanted to enter Montenegro and Russia after teams for the tournament, Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier but had to scrap the proposals in Podgorica was abandoned in TOKYO: Japan floored after encountering opposition the second half following crowd Uzbekistan 5-1 with an explosive from the football associations of trouble and a scuffle among the performance in a friendly yes- Scotland, Wales and Northern players. terday, with young guns Takashi Ireland. European soccer’s governing Usami and Gaku Shibasaki “After careful discussion, the body said on Monday it was prob- pointing to a bright future for FA has decided not to enter ing the “setting off and throw- the Blue Samurai. either a women’s or a men’s team ing of fireworks and objects” by Shibasaki scored Japan’s third into the Rio Olympics 2016,” the Montenegro and Russia fans on 80 minutes with an outra- FA said in a statement. during the Group G match. geous lob from just inside the “We are disappointed not to Montenegro’s FA (FSCG) is Uzbekistan half, before fellow be able to go ahead, given the also being investigated for “hold- substitute Usami capped a superb fantastic opportunity it would ing a match that did not get cameo by slamming in a fourth have afforded the players and played in full”, UEFA said in a soon afterwards. the broader exposure it would statement. The match was goal- Toshihiro Aoyama triggered have brought to the game in our less when it was abandoned. the rout after just six minutes countries.” The game was first delayed by in Tokyo with a sumptuous long- Great Britain fielded men’s 33 minutes when Russia goal- range volley and Shinji Okazaki and women’s teams at the keeper Igor Akinfeev was hit on doubled the home side’s lead nine London 2012 Olympics, where the head by a flare thrown from minutes into the second half with both sides were eliminated in the Montenegro section of the a classic poacher’s strike. the quarter-finals. ground soon after kickoff. The floodgates opened after But Scotland, Wales and He had to come off and was Shibasaki’s stunner. Uzbekistan Northern Ireland are unwill- taken to hospital with burns. replied two minutes later through ing to repeat the experiment Midway through the second Islom Tukhtakhujaev, only for as they fear jeopardising their half a scuffle ensued between Usami to slalom past three status as independent countries players near the touchline defenders and smash home his in the eyes of world governing and Russia midfielder Dmitri first goal for Japan. body FIFA. Kombarov was hit by a missile There was still time for Kengo Trefor Lloyd Hughes, presi- prompting the referee to aban- Kawamata to register his own Japan’s forward Takashi Usami (left) celebrates with dent of the Football Association don the game. maiden goal for his country, com- midfielder Gaku Shibasaki after scoring the fourth of Wales, said that he had been Football Union of Russia pleting a perfect week for new goal during the second half of an international friendly “livid” when the FA informed lodged protest and wants to be coach Vahid Halilhodzic after match against Uzbekistan at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, him of its plans in a letter in awarded points. Third-placed Friday’s 2-0 win over Tunisia. yesterday. RIGHT: Gaku Shibasaki (front right) kicks January. Russia and Montenegro in fourth Five of Japan’s seven goals the ball to score as Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper Akbar FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce are level on five points from four under the Franco-Bosnian have Turaev (21) tries to stop the ball during the match. had previously stated that he had matches. AGENCIES come from substitutes. “It was a spectacular display,” said Halilhodzic, who replaced opposition, from the side which by example again in a one-sided his skills at training during a loan Javier Aguirre after the Mexican lurched from one crisis to another game watched by 46,000. spell in 2011-12. was sacked over allegations of under Aguirre and Italian Alberto Halilhodzic, who steered “I got long enough on the pitch match-fixing dating back to his Zaccheroni over the past year. Algeria to the knockout stages of to show the coach what I can do,” time in Spain. Talisman Keisuke Honda and the World Cup in Brazil, pumped added the 22-year-old. “I think I “I’d like to say ‘Bravo!’ to the playmaker Shinji Kagawa, whose his fists after Usami’s goal vindi- did that.” players. To score five goals is confidence had been shattered cated his decision to give youth Halilhodzic has been given a special. Nonetheless we won’t get after Japan flopped at last year’s a chance in his first two games. contract through the 2018 World carried away as there is still work World Cup and again at the Asian “It finally feels like my Japan Cup in Russia after being brought to be done.” Cup in January, were buzzing. career has begun,” said Usami, in to rebuild the side following Japan have looked unrecog- Okazaki and Honda scored the who used to draw gasps from their shock quarter-final exit at nisable, albeit against modest goals against Tunisia and they led Bayern Munich’s superstars with the Asian Cup. AFP I miss football to death: Cassano Dortmund’s defenders Mats Hummels (left) Marcel Schmelzer warm up MILAN: Former Italy forward His best years were spent with during a training session in this April 2013 file photo. Antonio Cassano, who ripped Roma, the team he scored 18 goals up his contract with Serie A’s for during season 2003-04. bottom club Parma in January, “I never had as much fun play- says he is desperately missing ing football as with Francesco It’s Man United or no soccer. (Totti),” Cassano said of the Roma “I feel sick without football,” great. the 32-year-old told the weekly As was often the case during Italian magazine ‘Chi’. “I miss it his playing days, constant conflict one, says Hummels to death. with management forced Roma to “I miss the atmosphere in the sell him to Real in 2009. BERLIN: Manchester United- he “often thinks about moving locker room, practice, messing “I don’t think there will be target Mats Hummels has said abroad”, but gave yesterday’s with my team mates. But, most another Cassano in the future,” if he ever transfers abroad it will edition of German daily Bild a of all, I miss the adrenaline rush said the forward who won 39 caps only be to the Red Devils after far stronger indication of his (of the matches).” for Italy, scoring 10 goals. telling Borussia Dortmund he is Manchester thoughts. The former AS Roma, Real Meanwhile, England goal- weighing up his future options. “If I was to transfer abroad at Madrid, Sampdoria, AC Milan, keeper Karen Bardsley has been Borussia’s captain, 26, has a some stage, then it would only be Inter Milan and Bari player charged with violent conduct Dortmund contract until 2017, but to Manchester United,” Hummels appeared in 19 games for Parma after punches were thrown dur- has long been courted by United, is reported to have said. this season, scoring five goals. Italy’s striker Antonio Cassano gestures after national team’s training ing a match between Manchester whose current manager Louis Hummels agent, his father “I’d still like to play but I see session ahead of their Euro 2008 at the National Technical Center of City and Birmingham City wom- van Gaal is looking for a defen- Hermann, is a friend of United myself as a sporting director in Coverciano near Florence, in this May 26, 2007 file photo. en’s teams. sive leader with the English giants boss Van Gaal from when they the future, someone who deals The Football Association said poised to table a bid, according to both worked at Bayern Munich, directly with the players,” said the 30-year-old was charged UK media reports. where Hummels senior was youth Cassano. “I know they couldn’t back and he failed to achieve the 17-year-old by helping Bari defeat after the goalmouth altercation Germany centre-back team co-ordinator until 2012, trick me as I know all the tricks.” results most experts predicted Inter with a brilliant goal in the was missed by match officials but Hummels told Monday’s edition while Van Gaal was head coach Cassano’s indiscipline held him after breaking on the scene as a closing minutes of a Serie A game. caught on camera. AGENCIES of German magazine Kicker that from 2009 until 2011. AFP WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

2nd GCC Beach Games

BEACH VOLLEYBALL – AL-GHARAFA CLUB 18:30 Winner match 21 Final Date Time Teams Date Time Event 10 teams registered in event Winner match 22 April 4 16:00 Kuwait - UAE April 3 8:30 Double Sculls (C2X) Group * final schedule pending draw on 1/4/2015 19:30 Medal ceremony 18:00 Qatar - Bahrain 10:00 Medal Ceremony for Double Sculls winners A Qatar (a) Team A2 Team A3 Team A4 Team A5 3X3 BASKETBALL - AL-GHARAFA CLUB April 5 16:00 Bahrain - Oman April 4 8:30 Single Sculls (C1X) B Bahrain (b) Team B2 Team B3 Team B4 Team B5 9 teams registered in event 18:00 Qatar UAE 10:00 Medal Ceremony for Single Sculls winners Date Time Teams Stage Group A Bahrain (1) Kuwait (1) Qatar (2) UAE (2) April 6 16:00 Bahrain - Kuwait SAILING - KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE April 3 15:00 Team A2 - Team A5 Qaulifiers Group B Bahrain (2) Kuwait (2) Oman Qatar (1) UAE (1) 18:00 Qatar - Oman 46 athletes from 6 countries registered for this event 15:00 Team B2 - Team B5 Qaulifiers Date Time Teams Stage Rest Day Participating Countries: Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, 16:00 Team A3 - Team A4 Qaulifiers April 8 16:00 Kuwait (1) - UAE (2) Qaulifiers April 8 16:00 UAE - Bahrain Kuwait, Oman 16:00 Team B3 - Team B5 Qaulifiers 16:00 Qatar (1) - UAE (1) Qaulifiers 18:00 Oman - Kuwait Date Time Event Stage 17:00 Qatar A - Team A5 Qaulifiers 16:20 Bahrain (1) - Oman Qaulifiers April 9 16:00 Oman - UAE April 6 10:00 - 16:30 Laser 4.7 1st, 2nd and 3rd Race 17:00 Bahrain A - Team B5 Qaulifiers 16:20 Bahrain (2) - Kuwait (2) Qaulifiers 18:00 Qatar - Kuwait Radial 18:00 Team A2 - Team A3 Qaulifiers 16:40 Kuwait (2) - Qatar (1) Qaulifiers 18:30 Medal ceremony Standard 18:00 Team B2 - Team B3 Qaulifiers 17:00 Qatar (2) - UAE (2) Qaulifiers BEACH HANDBALL - AL-GHARAFA CLUB Optimist 19:00 Qatar A - Team A4 Qaulifiers 17:20 UAE (1) - Bahrain (2) Qaulifiers 3 teams registered in event April 7 10:00 - 16:30 Laser 4.7 4th, 5th and 6th Race 19:00 Bahrain A - Team B4 Qaulifiers 17:20 Bahrain (1) - Kuwait (1) Qaulifiers Teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Oman Radial April 4 15:00 Team A5 - Team A3 Qaulifiers 17:40 Qatar (1) - Bahrain (2) Qaulifiers Date Time Teams Standard 15:00 Team B5 - Team B3 Qaulifiers 17:40 Oman - Qatar (2) Qaulifiers April 3 10:00 Bahrain - Oman Optimist 16:00 Qatar A - Team A3 Qaulifiers 17:40 Qatar (1) - Bahrain (2) Qaulifiers 16:30 Oman - Qatar April 8 10:00 - 16:30 Laser 4.7 7th, 8th and 9th Race 16:00 Bahrain A - Team B3 Qaulifiers 17:40 Oman - Qatar (2) Qaulifiers April 4 10:00 Qatar - Bahrain Radial 17:00 Team A4 - Team A2 Qaulifiers 18:00 Kuwait (1) - Qatar (2) Qaulifiers 16:30 Qatar - Oman Standard 17:00 Team B4 - Team B2 Qaulifiers 18:20 UAE (2) - Bahrain (1) Qaulifiers Rest Day Optimist 18:00 Qatar A - Team A2 Qaulifiers 18:40 UAE (2) - Oman Qaulifiers April 6 10:00 Bahrain - Oman April 8 19:00 Medal ceremony Laser 4.7 18:00 Bahrain B - Team B2 Qaulifiers 18:10 Kuwait (2) - UAE (1) Qaulifiers 16:30 Bahrain - Qatar for individuals Radial 19:00 Team A4 - Team A5 Qaulifiers 19:00 Qatar (2) - Bahrain (1) Qaulifiers 17:30 Medal Ceremony events Standard 19:00 Team B4 - Team B5 Qaulifiers 19:00 Oman - Kuwait (1) Qaulifiers OPEN WATER SWIMMING - KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE Optimist April 5 15:00 1st place Group A Semi-final April 9 17:30 Winner Group B - Runner up Group A 4 athletes from 6 countries registered for this event TARGET SKY DIVING – KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE 2nd place Group B Semi-final Participating Countries: Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, 20 athletes from 4 countries are registered in the event 15:00 1st place Group B Semi-final 17:30 Winner Group A - Runner up Group B Kuwait Participating Countries: Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Bahrain,UAE Semi-final 2nd place Group A Date Time Event Date Time Event Stage 18:30 Runner up match 17 - Runner up match 18 3rd 16:00 3rd place Group A 5th and 6th place April 7 10:00 5km April 4 06:00 - 09:00 Target Skydiving 1st and 2nd round 3rd place Group B and 4th place match 12:00 Medal Ceremony for 5km winners 15:00 - 17:00 3rd and 4th round 16:00 4th place Group A 7th and 8th place 19:00 Winner match 17 - Winner match 18 April 9 10:00 10km April 5 06:00 - 09:00 Target Skydiving 5th and 6nd round 4th place Group B Final 13:00 Medal Ceremony for 10km winners 15:00 - 17:00 7th and 8th round 17:00 5th place Group A 9th and 10th place 19:30 Medal Ceremony ROWING - KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE 5th place Group B BEACH FOOTBALL - AL-GHARAFA CLUB April 6 06:00 - 09:00 Target Skydiving Semi-Final 15 athletes from 5 countries registered for this event 17:00 Runner up match 21 3rd and 4th place 5 teams registered in event 15:00 - 17:00 Final Participating Countries: Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait Runner up match 22 Teams: Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman 18:30 Medal Ceremony Stage set for GCC Beach Games Region’s best beach athletes arrive in Doha for the April 2 to 9 sports gathering

DOHA: Over 300 athletes from located at each venue, QOC said across the GCC will participate yesterday. in the 2nd GCC Beach Games, The Beach Games were first which consists of 13 competi- held in Bahrain five years ago. tions across seven sporting dis- Khalid Hamad Al Mohannadi, ciplines set to be held this week. the Executive Director of the The event will run from April Second GCC Beach Games yes- 2 to 9, organisers said yesterday. terday confirmed that the multi- The multi-purpose complex at sporting event featuring seven Al Gharafa Sports Club will host disciplines will be held at three the volleyball, handball, football venues in Doha. and 3x3 basketball events, while “We are expecting partici- Katara Cultural Village, situated pation of over 300 athletes,” on Doha’s stunning Corniche, will Al Mohannadi said earlier last host open water swimming, row- month. ing, sailing and air sports. “Al Gharafa and Katara will be The Qatar Olympic Committee the two venues. Al Gharafa will (QOC) has invited the public to play host to football, handball, come and witness the Games. basketball and volleyball events Commenting on Doha’s hosting while the contests for swimming, of the Beach Games, Chairman rowing and sailing will be held in of the Organising Committee, Katara,” he said. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Basketball has been added to Al Thani, said: “It is an honour to the second edition as the inaugu- be hosting the second edition of ral edition saw the GCC countries GCC Beach Games in Doha. The vying for honours in six disci- hosting of Beach Games is still a plines, he added. Al Mohannadi relatively young concept on the announced Sudaifi as mascot for international sporting calendar the second GCC Beach Games. and we aim to use our staging Sudaifi was the mascot for the of this event to raise the profile 17th GCC Football Championship, of beach sports in Qatar, across it may be recalled. He also prom- the GCC and internationally in ised to hold the event in a befit- order to inspire greater participa- ting manner. tion and assist with their global “All the federations are work- growth and development.” ing together for the event,” said Sheikh Saoud added: “We hope Al Mohannadi. “Arrangements for that Doha’s stunning backdrop, GCC Beach Games are on track ideal conditions and state-of- and we hope it will be a huge suc- the-art facilities will provide an cess.” To a query, Al Mohannadi TOP: A view of the volleyball venue at Al Gharafa Sports Club. The excellent opportunity to showcase said the weather in April will be multi-purpose complex at Al Gharafa Sports Club will host the beach sports to new audiences.” suitable for holding the Games. volleyball, handball, football and 3x3 basketball events during the The concept of a Beach Games In a pre-event interview 2nd Beach Games which will run from April 2 to 9, organisers said was created by the Olympic with Director of Beach Football yesterday. RIGHT: The official logo of the Games: BELOW (left): Council of Asia (OCA) with the Competitions, Abdullah Jassim Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary-General, Qatar staging of the first-ever Asian confirmed that the Beach Football Olympic Committee, visits one of the venues to be used during Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia Competitions will be held in one the seven-day Games. RIGHT (below): A view of an organising in 2008, and is seen as a pioneer in league format with participation committee meeting held in Doha. bringing new sports to the sand. of five teams. There will be media centres THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

QOC honours Qatari athletes in Doha

Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is seen with Qatari athletes who bagged medals at the 4th GCC Women’s Games 2015 held from March 8 to 18 in Muscat, Oman. In the prestigious event, Qatari athletes produced impressive performances, winning a total of 30 medals including 4 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze. The Qatari women teams took part in 10 disciplines including volleyball, shooting (pistol), taekwondo, bowling, athletics for people with special needs, athletics, basketball, equestrian, tennis and handball. Mo Farah set for Doha debut The IAAF Diamond League season kicks off at Qatar SC Stadium on May 15

DOHA: Double Olympic and world cham- European Championships, also holds conti- He’ll be joined by 24-year-old Yenew pion Mo Farah will kick off his 2015 IAAF nental records on the track over 1500 (3:28.81) Alamirew who set the Doha meeting record Diamond League campaign at the Doha and 10,000 metres (26:46.57). of 7:27.26 in 2011, still his career best. Mo Farah 2015 meeting on May 15, 2015, organisers Last weekend, Farah added the half mara- They’ll be backed up by 17-year-old Yomif is seen in announced yesterday. thon to that record list after his 59:32 victory Kejelcha, the 2013 world youth 3000m cham- this file Farah will headline the 3000 metres contest at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, becoming pion and 2014 5000m world junior and 3000m photo taken in the opening leg of the 14-meeting series, the first European to break 60 minutes over Youth Olympic Games champion, who will be marking the 32-year-old Briton’s first appear- the distance. representing the upcoming generation. last year. ance in the Doha leg of the Diamond League. Underscoring his exceptional range, that Leading the Kenyan attack will be The double “I’ve heard so many great things about run came just four weeks after he set a world Isiah Kiplangat Koech, the 2013 World Olympic the track, the crowd and the competition in indoor best of 8:03.40 for two miles. Championships bronze medallist and a 2012 and world Doha,” said Farah, at the moment considered “We are delighted to have one of the great- Olympic finalist. champion will kick one of the world’s finest distance runners. est current Olympic and world champions Joining him will be Thomas Longosiwa, the off his “There are always very strong fields in the at our meeting this year,” said the President 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, who will race 2015 IAAF distances so this will be a great early season of the Qatar Athletics Federation Dahlan Al in Doha for the sixth time. Diamond test on the track for me. I’m looking forward Hamad. Another strong Kenyan in the Doha League to a good performance,” he was quoted as say- “Mo Farah’s first appearance in Doha will field is 22-year-old Caleb Ndiku, the reign- campaign ing in a statement released yesterday. ensure that our tradition of early season dis- ing world indoor 3000m champion and last at the At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, tance racing excellence will continue this year’s Diamond Race winner in the 3000/5000 Doha 2015 Farah joined a short list of history’s most year.” meters. meeting illustrious runners when he became only the In Doha, Farah will face another strong field The field also includes veteran Edwin Soi, on May seventh man to claim the 5,000 and 10,000 where traditional distance running powers the 2008 Olympic 5000m bronze medallist. 15, 2015, metres double at the same Games. Ethiopia and Kenya will continue their fierce His personal best of 7:27.55 came on the Doha organisers He replicated his feat a year later at the Doha rivalry. track when he finished second to Alamirew announced IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Ethiopia will come armed with Hagos in 2011. yesterday. becoming only the second to win both titles Gebrhiwet, the 2013 World Championships Others to watch include Albert Rop of at the same championships. silver medallist at 5000m. Gebrhiwet won Bahrain, the Asian record holder in the 3000m Farah, who also claimed the same dou- the Doha 3000m in 2013 when he set his still indoors (7:38.77) and 5000m (12:51.96) out- ble distance triumph at the 2010 and 2014 standing 7:30.36 personal best. doors. THE PENINSULA

Qatar’s Al Sadd, Al Rayyan reach home to warm welcome Cycling: Wiggins to Al Sadd edge tackle Three

Al Rayyan RIGHT: Team Days of De players and officials of Al Panne to win GCC Sadd celebrate beating Al LONDON: Britain’s world and Handball Rayyan in Olympic timetrial champion the final of Bradley Wiggins (pictured) will the 35th GCC ride for Team Sky at the Three Tournament Club Handball Days of De Panne race this week. Championship Wiggins is building up for a tilt DOHA: Al Sadd, winners of in Abu Dhabi, at the prestigious Paris-Roubaix the 35th GCC Club Handball Spring Classic in just under UAE, on Championship, and runners- two weeks time. He rode Gent- Monday. up Al Rayyan were warmly Wevelgem on received in Doha after the two BELOW: Al Sunday but in teams contested the final in Abu Rayyan players dreadful con- Dhabi, UAE on Monday. and officials ditions with Al Sadd team confidently are received by driving rain claimed the title following their sports officials and gusts of deserving victory over Al Rayyan in Doha. up to 90kph in the final. (56mph) he For the third consecutive year, climbed off his Al Sadd defended their title and bike after less won the match after recording a than 100km 31-27 convincing victory over Al of the 240km Rayyan who managed in the sec- race, in which compatriot and ond place. Sky teammate Geraint Thomas In a festive sport scene, Sheikh finished third. Sultan bin Humaid Al Hossaini, Wiggins was ninth at Paris- the Chairman of Handball Roubaix last year and his crack at Organizing Committee at the this year’s race will be his last in a GCC handed over the Trophy and Sky jersey before returning to the gold medals to Al Sadd team, as track to focus on the team pursuit Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi, for next year’s Rio Olympics. the Secretary General of UAE De Panne is a three-day, four- Handball Federation delivered stage race in West Flanders that the silver medals to runners-up, takes in some of the course used Al Rayyan. in this coming Sunday’s Tour of Ahmed Al Shaabi, the President Flanders. Thomas, who finished of Qatar Handball Association eighth in Flanders and seventh (QHA) congratulated Al Sadd at Roubaix last year, will be one squad and appreciated Al Rayyan of the favourites on Sunday hav- performance in the event. ing won E3 Harelbeke, the first The nine-day championship of four cobbled classics, last week. brought together eight clubs Cobbled Classics special- including Al Rayyan (Qatar), ists Fabian Cancellara and Tom Mudher (KSA), Ahli Sedab Boonen -- who between them (Oman), Al Jazeerah (UAE), Al have won the two Monument Sadd (Qatar), Ahli (Bahrain), Al races 13 times out of the last 20 Kuwait (Kuwait) and Ahli (UAE). editions -- are both out injured. THE PENINSULA REUTERS Wednesday 1 April 2015 12 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6387 Sport Price: QR2

DeRozan fires Japan thrash 42 as Raptors Uzbekistan in down Rockets Tokyo friendly

Sport | 23 Sport | 25

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QFA gears up for Emir Cup 2015 Draw held for Qatar’s top football tournament, 18-team event to kick off on April 24

BY FAWAD HUSSAIN

DOHA: The fate of 18 con- testing teams for Qatar’s most eagerly-awaited football tour- nament was determined yes- terday as draw was held for the Emir Cup 2015 in a glitzy cer- emony in Doha. Country’s football legends joined the current national play- ers along with coaches of the par- ticipating teams and the Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) offi- cials at an impressive ceremony hosted by the QFA at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel. Mansoor Al Ansari, Secretary- General of QFA, Hani Balan, QFA Board Member, Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting Executive Director of Operations of QFA were among the officials who attended the ceremony. The Emir Cup is set to witness the participation of 18 first and second division teams that will compete to win the most coveted title. The prestigious tournament will kick off on April 24 while the final is scheduled to be held on May 23. Al Sadd, the defending champi- ons, have turned all their focus on the Emir Cup as the Doha giants have slim chances to win the Qatar Stars League (QSL) being led by the defending champions Lekhwiya. “The Emir Cup is huge and we’ll definitely give our best,” Al Sadd’s head coach Hussain Amute told reporters following the draw ceremony. Mansoor Al Ansari, Secretary General of QFA gives the opening speech “We are desperate to retain the at the draw ceremony for the 43rd Emir Cup 2015 held at Ritz-Carlton title and all our focus is now on Hotel yesterday. PICTURES: BAHER AMIN the Emir Cup. Undoubtedly it is

the most important tournament QFA is delighted for the fruitful Past Winners of the country.” cooperation that has taken place Season Winner Qatar Sports Club, Al Arabi over the past years,” he said. Sports Club, Lekhwiya Stadium, “The presence of more than 1973 Al Ahli Al Sadd Sports Club and Al one major partner to support the 1974 Al-Esteqlal Gharrafa Stadium will host Emir Cup this year showcases all 1975 Al Sadd the matches of the prestigious the efforts undertaken in order to 1976 Al-Esteqlal tournament. provide a unique championship at 1977 Al Sadd Al Arabi Stadium will play all levels,” Al Ansari added. 1978 Al Arabi host to the opening match of the The draw procedure was con- tournament. ducted by Ali Hmoud Al Naimi, 1979 Al Arabi Earlier, during his welcome Head of Competitions in QFA, 1980 Al Arabi speech at the draw ceremony, and was assisted by four former 1981 Al Ahli the Secretary-General of QFA Qatari football legends; Obaid 1982 Al Sadd said: “We meet again this year to Gomaa (Al Sadd), Majid Al 1983 Al Arabi celebrate this prominent event Sayegh (Al Arabi), Adel Khamees 1984 Al Arabi through which we inaugurate a (Al Gharrafa) and Mohammed 1985 Al Sadd new edition of the most prestig- Ghanim Al Rumaihi (Al Ahli). ious championship in Qatar, the The format of the tourna- 1986 Al Sadd 43rd Emir Cup.” ment, which includes four 1987 Al Ahli When addressing the partners rounds remains unchanged as 1988 Al Sadd of the championship, he added: the matches will be played in a 1989 Al Arabi “You have been partnering with knock-out format. 1990 Al Arabi QFA and continue to partner with Winners from each round will 1991 Al Sadd us to contribute directly to the proceed into the next round. 1992 Al Ahli success of this championship, and THE PENINSULA 1993 Al Arabi 1994 Al Sadd 1995 Al-Ittihad 1996 Al-Ittihad 1997 Al-Ittihad 1998 Al-Ittihad 1999 Al Rayyan 2000 Al Sadd 2001 Al Sadd 2002 Al-Ittihad 2003 Al Sadd 2004 Al Rayyan 2005 Al Sadd 2006 Al Rayyan 2007 Al Sadd 2008 Umm-Salal 2009 Al-Gharrafa 2010 Al Rayyan 2011 Al Rayyan 2012 Al-Gharrafa Ali Hmoud Al Naimi (centre), Head of Competitions of QFA and other 2013 Al Rayyan officials during the draw of the 43rd Emir Cup 2015 held at Ritz-Carlton 2014 Al Sadd Hotel in Doha yesterday.