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THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 • 6 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6381 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Emir praises Indian expats; concludes tour Qatar, India sign slew of agreements, including on prisoner swap Emir invites Indian president, PM to Qatar DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin the swap will mostly benefit Indian busi- The Indian side highlighted the expe- Hamad Al Thani has lauded the large nessmen who are jailed for business- rience and expertise its companies had Indian expatriate community in Qatar related offences like issuing cheques acquired in infrastructure development, and said it is highly respected due to that bounced due to insufficient balance including in power generation and trans- its peace-loving nature and ability to in their bank accounts. mission, civil construction, railways and do hard work. The Emir, in an interview published by metros, hospitals, airports, housing, roads He said his country owes a lot to the The Times of India yesterday, said there etc. It conveyed the interest of Indian Indian community for its contribution to were an estimated 631,000 Indians in companies to be a partner in the infra- development. Qatar and they were working in different structure development projects under- The Emir held official talks with Indian occupations — from labourers to doctors taken by Qatar in preparation for the leaders, including President Pranab to engineers. FIFA 2022 World Cup and the develop- Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra The Emir was yesterday accorded a ment plans under vision “2030 for Qatar”. Modi and Vice-President Hamid Ansari, ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of The Indian side invited Qatar to par- during his two-day official visit to New the Presidential Palace yesterday. ticipate in projects creating mega indus- Delhi that concluded yesterday. The Emir met President Pranab trial manufacturing corridors, including Indian’s External Affairs Minister, Mukherjee who hosted a banquet din- the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor. Sushma Swaraj, also called on him, QNA ner in his honour. Qatar expressed keen interest in the reports. The Emir was in India with a Earlier, the Emir held talks with flagship — “Make in India” programme. large delegation that comprised minis- Prime Minister Modi. He received The Indian side also informed the Qatari ters, senior bureaucrats as well as busi- Vice-president Hamid Ansari. He also side of the Clean Ganges Programme and nessmen. It is interesting to note that received Minister of External Affairs and Digital India Programme. many Qatar-based Indian businessmen Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj The two sides condemned terrorism were part of his entourage. and Minister of State for Petroleum and in its all forms and manifestations and Among a series of agreements the two Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. affirmed that it threatened all societies countries signed is one that paves the They noted that bilateral relations and was not linked to any race, colour way for Indian prisoners in Qatar to be acquired a new momentum following or faith. shifted home (to India) where they can the landmark visits of Father Emir The Emir extended invitations to the spend the remaining jail term. H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani President and Prime Minister of India to Likewise, Qatari prisoners in India to India in 1999, 2005 and 2012 and visit Qatar at a mutually convenient time, can be brought to Doha to spend their received strong impetus with the visit which were gladly accepted. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (left) remaining prison term here. of the then Prime Minister Manmohan THE PENINSULA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi yesterday. Indian community sources here said Singh to Qatar in November 2008. See also page 4 Tough rules for Yemen rebels seize Aden airport, close in on president ADEN: Yemeni rebels closed in The escalating turmoil in Acting foreign minister Riyad allegiance to the rebels and seized on President Abdrabuh Mansur Yemen — which borders Saudi Yassin warned in Egypt that the Aden’s international airport. Hadi as they seized Aden’s Arabia and lies close to key ship- fall of second city Aden would Aides to Hadi said however nursery licence airport yesterday, prompting ping routes — pushed up world oil mean the “start of civil war” as that the Western-backed presi- warnings of a full-blown con- prices on fears it could threaten he drummed up Arab military dent had been taken to a safe DOHA: Qatar has imposed of licensed nurseries and a nurs- flict and pleas for urgent foreign Middle Eastern petroleum support for Hadi. His comments haven “within Aden”. AFP tough conditions for the licens- ery found having a child above intervention. producers. came as army units switched See also page 8 ing of child care facilities or four in its care will be punished. nurseries after the Villaggio An applicant wanting to set Mall fire tragedy of May 2012 in up a nursery must first seek which several children died in a character certificate from an illegal crèche. the Criminal Evidence and To begin with, rules ratified by Information Department — CEID Nissan Urvan the Cabinet stipulate that only of the Interior Ministry — that Qatari graduates are entitled to undertakes finger printing. recalled over apply to open a nursery. Likewise, the manager and staff Also, only a Qatari woman, also members of a licensed nursery with a university degree, can be must also seek those certificates hose defect appointed as a nursery’s manager. from the CEID. DOHA: The Ministry of The licensee, even if a woman, The application for licensing Economy and Commerce, in col- cannot be the manager. then goes to the Civil Defense laboration with Saleh Al Hamad The Cabinet yesterday Directorate of the Interior Al Mana Company, dealer of approved a draft decision of the Ministry. Its inspectors will visit Nissan vehicles in Qatar, has Ministry of Labour and Social the premises of a potential nurs- announced recall of Nissan Affairs setting rules for classify- ery and check if the place is safe Urvan models of 2013-2014 due ing nurseries and specifying the from risks like fire. to a defect in the turbocharger qualifications of their staff. Children in all nurseries must cooling supply hose that reduces The decision also talks of be kept on the ground floor. The efficiency of the engine. licensing conditions for the Traffic Department is informed The Ministry said that it will nurseries and the licensing fee, later and its officials will need to coordinate with the dealer to fol- as well as the fee nurseries would clear the premises saying they are low up on the maintenance and be charging for child care, Qatar safe to house a nursery. repair and will communicate News Agency (QNA) reports. Then, business registration with the customers to make sure The Social Affairs section of and licensing will be required that the necessary repairs are the Labour Ministry has a Family from the Ministry of Economy carried out. The Ministry has Development Department (FDD), and Commerce. This ministry urged all customers to report which is the licensing authority will also approve the nursery’s any violations to the Consumer for the crèches (nurseries). signboard. Protection and Anti-Commercial Children aged two months to Continued on page 6 Fraud Department. four years can be left in the care THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

TODAY’S EDITION INCLUDES SPECIAL Baby born mid-air on QA flight

SUPPLEMENTS ON DOHA: A Boeing 777 bound from Miami to Doha was forced to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland after a pregnant pas- senger gave birth mid-air to a baby boy, officials said yesterday. The birth took place just hours after the Qatar Airways flight took off 44th Anniversary from Florida on Sunday morning and before the pilot was able to make of the Independence & the emergency landing in Gander, Newfoundland, eastern Canada. National Day With the help of two doctors travelling on the plane the woman gave birth to a healthy boy, Brian Hicks, safety manager at Gander International Airport, told AFP. AND “Thirty minutes before the plane was preparing to land, she gave birth to a baby boy,” said Hicks. “There were two doctors onboard, they assisted with the birth.” He added: “That’s the youngest passenger we’ve ever had at Gander.” The plane was on the ground for some two hours while the mother and newborn were taken to a local hospital, before it then flew on to the Gulf. The unnamed mother, who was thought to be travelling alone, and the baby boy are said to be doing well and are thought to still be in Canada, Hicks said. AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Jobs for persons with Leaders greet special needs to be QRC finishes monitoring Greek president DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh compulsory in private firms Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent a cable of con- DOHA: Private companies required to comply with two of polio drive in Syria gratulations to Greek President having more than 25 work- percent reservation for peo- Prokopis Pavlopoulos on his ers will be legally bound to ple with special needs, but country’s Independence Day. employ at least one person the rule will apply only to Ninth campaign early next month under QRC’s supervision Deputy Emir H H Sheikh with special needs in a job companies with more than Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani he or she can do. 25 workers and for jobs to DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent 241,427 (Idlib), 6,614 (Latakia) and month, under the $10m polio vac- sent a similar cable to Pavlopoulos. A draft law approved by be specified by the ministry. (QRC) has completed supervision 28,873 in Hama. cination project executed by Unicef Prime Minister and Interior the Cabinet yesterday says A draft decision of the of the eighth polio vaccination Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, and regional and global organisa- Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah at least two percent of jobs Cabinet was also ratified to campaign in Syria, co-imple- Secretary-General, QRC, said: “We tions, including QRC, to alleviate bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani in state, mixed and private form a committee for people mented with Unicef, World Health have completed the campaign as suffering of about 4.5 million Syrian also sent a congratulatory cable sectors should be reserved with special needs to look Organisation (WHO) and other part of our attempts to improve children directly affected by the to Pavlopoulos. for people with special after their rights. It will local and global humanitarian the living conditions of our Syrian four-year crisis in their country. needs. be known as the National organisations. brothers in and outside of Syria, Signed by Al Mohannadi and Ministry to mark And they should be Committee for Persons with For over 10 days, the campaign cater for their basic needs and pro- Dr Ibrahim Al Ziq, Gulf Area employed in jobs based Disabilities”, to be set up by continued in seven governorates, tect the next generation against Representative, Unicef, the agree- Earth Hour on their ability to do the the Cabinet, and chaired by four of which — Aleppo, Latakia, physical impairment. ment covers humanitarian devel- job and as specified by the the undersecretary of the Idlib and Hama and their coun- “A few oral vaccine drops can cre- opment, protection and response DOHA: The Ministry of Ministry of Labour and ministry. Another panel in tryside parts — were supervised by ate a productive citizen who serves in favour of women and children, Municipality and Urban Social Affairs, reports Qatar which people with special QRC. his homeland.” including but not limited to the Planning has called on its News Agency (QNA). needs will have direct repre- QRC’s mission in Gaziantep, He expressed happiness over coop- lives, survival and development of departments and officials to Prime Minister and sentation will be formed to Turkey, held a training course for eration with Unicef over the past young children; gender equality in switch off unnecessary lights to Interior Minister H E take care of their healthcare 114 supervisor at its premises and in years, which culminated in a five- basic education; HIV/Aids in chil- mark the Earth Hour on March Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser and other matters. They Syria to improve their supervisory, year memorandum of understanding dren; protection against, prevention 28 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired will also access public and planning, follow-up and assessment to serve as a general framework for of, and response to all forms of vio- World Wildlife Fund is organ- the weekly Cabinet session private facilities and med- skills. Then, they were aligned across their relations, through exchange of lence, exploitation, and abuse; and ising the global event to raise at the Emiri Diwan. ically-equipped means of the four governorates to accompany experiences, cooperation in projects, promotion of applicable policy com- awareness about climate change. Business owners in the transport to carry them to vaccinators. According to initial and other joint actions. pliance and partnership building for “Through our participation, we private sector will also be places. THE PENINSULA results, vaccinated children totalled QRC is to supervise the ninth the protection of children’s rights. can a send a message to the world 768,254, 491,340 of whom in Aleppo, campaign, to be launched early next THE PENINSULA that we are assuming our respon- sibility as part of the world to face climate change,,” Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Fireworks at park H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Draft law makes waste of power, said in a statement addressed to the ministry staff and officials. Through its social media and water punishable offence accounts, the ministry has urged DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft law that would its employees to participate in the make wastage of electricity and water a punishable offence. event. The draft is being referred to Advisory Council for review and recommendations, reports Qatar News Agency (QNA). Thundery showers According to the draft, people found wasting the utilities will be fined QR10,000 ($2,746). forecast today Use of drinking water for washing cars, equipment or building premises will be an offence. DOHA: The Meteorology Leaving taps open or using water hoses will be punishable with Department has forecast strong the above fine. winds today and thundery Owners or tenants of all types of buildings found wasting water showers by the evening. will be taken to task. The weather is expected to Building owners and tenants leaving lights in the exterior of their be cloudy, with chances of scat- premises between 7am and 4.30am will be fined. tered rains and thunderstorms Utility distributor Kahramaa will make arrangements to have in the later part of the day, said switches installed and its officials will use them to switch off such the department. Temperature in lights and street lights if they are on between 7am and 4.30pm. Doha would be between 17 and 28 A display of fireworks at Al Rumailah Family Park on the Corniche last evening. SALIM MATRAMKOT The aim is to aid water and electricity conservation measures. degrees C. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA HOME THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Non-urgent HGH 3 more health centres join Seha patients could DOHA: Three more primary It has asked citizens to bring their be diverted to health centres — Omar Bin Qatari ID and Health Card when vis- Khattab, Al Gharafa and Al Daain iting centres to undergo a Seha eli- HMC hospitals — have joined the national health gibility check, see a doctor, and avail insurance scheme Seha, taking the of other services. Eligible patients DOHA: Non-urgent total number to five. West Bay and will have to sign a Seha consent form patients transported by Airport centres have been provid- before proceeding as normal, PHCC ambulances to Hamad ing Seha since last October. said. Expatriates will be able to access General Hospital (HGH) The scheme will be implemented PHCC services using their health card. might be diverted to in all primary health centres in a Seha has covered all citizens for basic other hospitals within phased manner, Primary Healthcare health needs and will be extended to Hamad Medical Corporation (PHCC) said yesterday. expats next year. THE PENINSULA Corporation (HMC) dur- ing the weekend (Friday and Saturday). However, HGH’s Emergency Department will continue to take walk- in patients and trauma cases. Alternative arrange- ments are being made due to infrastructure upgrades and maintenance work at HGH to ensure we provide the safest, most effective and compassionate care to our patients, said a state- ment yesterday. To facilitate improve- ments to our facilities and services, including enhanc- ing and expanding critical care services, HGH has undertaken maintenance work over two weekends. The final phase of the will be during the weekend and some areas of the hos- pital will be without power. A portion of the HGH Emergency Department will be without power, the statement said. “The work has been carefully planned by our engineering experts in partnership with our clini- cal teams so that we expect full power to be restored within hours to each area impacted. “To ensure minimal dis- ruption to patients and visitors, we are taking measures to ensure we continue to provide seam- less and high quality care to our patients,” the state- ment added. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar, India sign six agreements Deal on transfer of prisoners will enable them to be near their families, help in social rehabilitation

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reviews a guard of honour and (RIGHT) with Vice-President Hamid Ansari in New Delhi yesterday.

The Emir with a business delegation.

NEW DELHI: Qatar and India with President Pranab Mukherjee signed six agreements, including and Vice-President Hamid Ansari one on transfer of sentenced pris- and met top businessmen and oners, as visiting Emir H H Sheikh investors. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani He attended a dinner banquet held talks with Prime Minister hosted by Mukherjee in his honour. Narendra Modi on energy, invest- The Emir’s delegation was present. ment and people-to-people ties Besides bilateral ties, discussion yesterday. between both sides focused on latest The Emir and his delegation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and other officials at Hyderabad The Emir, who was in New Delhi developments in the Middle East. House in New Delhi. on a two-day visit, was accorded a Qatar, the largest source of India’s ceremonial reception in the fore- liquified natural gas (LNG) imports The agreements, besides transfer cooperation and exchange of news. families and help in their The Emir sent cables court of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the at 86 percent, is keen to boost energy of prisoners, are: A memorandum External Affairs Ministry spokes- social rehabilitation, said to Mukherjee and Modi, morning. ties. Qatar expressed interest in of understanding for cooperation person Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: an official statement. expressing appreciation External Affairs Minister Sushma Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and in information and communication “India Qatar discuss energy, invest- The Emir is accom- for the warm reception Swaraj called on him, after which he India is seeking to invest in major technology, an MoU between the ment & people to people ties. 6 panied by a high-level and hospitality accorded to held talks with Modi at Hyderabad infrastructure projects in Qatar Ministry of Earth Sciences and Qatar agreements signed.” delegation, comprising him during the visit which House. which is hosting the FIFA World Meteorological Department for sci- Under the agreement on transfer ministers, senior officials contributed to exchanging The Emir also held separate talks Cup in 2022. entific and technical cooperation, an of prisoners, Indians convicted in and captains of industry. views on issues of com- MoU between Diplomatic Institute Qatar can be brought home to serve He arrived in New Delhi mon concern, promoting of Qatari Foreign Ministry and their remaining term and Qataris on Tuesday night from historic relations to serve Foreign Service Institute of India’s convicted in India can be sent home Colombo. the best interests of both External Affairs Ministry, an MoU to serve their sentence. He was earlier in nations, wishing them good for cooperation in the field of radio The deal would enable the sen- Islamabad as part of his health and happiness, and and television and an agreement for tenced people to be near their three-nation South Asia the Indian people further tour. progress and prosperity. Later, the Emir Father Emir H H returned home. He was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa seen off at Palam Military Al Thani visited India in Base Airport by Minister 1999, 2005 and 2012 and of State for Information former Indian prime min- and Broadcasting ister Dr Manmohan Singh Rajyavardhan Singh, visited Qatar in November senior officials, Qatari 2008. Ambassador to India Around 600,000 Indians Ahmed Ibrahim Al work in Qatar, compris- Abdullah and Indian ing the largest expatriate Ambassador to Qatar community in the country. Sanjiv Arora. IANS/QNA Qatar-India trade and investment reached $16.7bn in 2013-14 NEW DELHI: Trade and investment between Qatar and India reached $16.7bn in 2013-14, a section of Indian media said. Qatar is the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India. There is a large market for Qatar’s LNG, oil and petrochemical sectors in India, The Economic Times said. Qatar’s RasGas company has a sale and purchase agreement with Petronet and has been supplying the Indian market since 2004, the report said. Last December, India received its biggest shipment of LNG at Petronet LNG Ltd’s Dahej import terminal in the western state of Gujarat. Qatar’s major imports from India have increased in recent years, mainly food and construction materials. India is also negotiating a free trade agreement with Qatar under the India-GCC Framework Agreement, the daily added. QNA HOME THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 WISH unveils Safer Care Accelerator programme

DOHA: The World Innovation in national policy and global agen- leaders from the global health- Summit for Health (WISH), das. In response to this challenge, care community. The ‘Safer Care a global initiative of Qatar the ‘Safer Care Accelerator’, a Accelerator’ programme is part Foundation (QF), in partner- year-long programme, will bring of WISH and Imperial College ship with Imperial College together an international group London’s Leading Health Systems London, has launched a ‘Safer of healthcare organisations con- Network (LHSN) initiative. Care Accelerator’ programme cerned with unprecedented costs Professor Lord Darzi of to share global best practices in — financial and physical — associ- Denham, Executive Chair, WISH, care and treatment to expedite ated with poor patient safety. said, “Last year, over 5bn euros improvement in patient safety. Members will exchange was spent on patients who con- Patient safety is the third big- insights, experiences and data on tracted infections while receiving gest killer in the US and costs patient safety, culminating in the care in the EU alone. $1trn a year. publication of a global report. “The WISH report offered val- Errors in treatment and care So far, 15 organisations in uable case studies and evidence to claim about 400,000 lives each six continents have joined the support policy level recommenda- year and one in 10 patients is effort, including Hamad Medical tions to start turning the tide on harmed while receiving hospital Corporation. these figures. care. WISH is spearheaded by QF “The LHSN Safer Care Failure to address the growing to inspire and diffuse healthcare Accelerator allows healthcare concern of patient safety contrib- innovation and best practice. providers to share their insights, utes to waste in the healthcare It is aligned with QF’s vision learn about best practices and system and skyrocketing costs. and mission to unlock human access key analytics. It is estimated that about one- potential and reinforces Qatar’s “This multidisciplinary third of US healthcare spending pioneering role as an emerging approach offers us a comprehen- was consumed by waste in 2011. centre for healthcare innovation. sive toolkit from which to improve Patient safety is a serious public The past two WISH summits safety records and with it, patient health issue but often overlooked have been held in Doha, attracting experience.” THE PENINSULA Shop closed down for selling substandard heaters DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has intensified crackdown on out- lets selling substandard electri- cal appliances. The ministry said yesterday it has closed down another outlet for two weeks at Al Asmakh for selling electric heaters that do not meet Qatari standards and speci- fications. Two days ago, the min- istry had announced the closure of an outlet in Industrial Area for two weeks for similar violations. Fifty-one heaters were seized during surprise raids by inspec- tors from the ministry. Samples Notices displayed at the entrance of the outlet. were sent to Standards and Specifications Authority for 13 of the law. It urged consum- which receives complains and checking their specifications. ers to report any violations to the suggestions on hotline 8005000 The ministry said the outlet Consumer Protection and Anti- and email [email protected] had violated Articles No. 6 and Commercial Fraud Department THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ooredoo partners with Fortinet for security solutions for businesses DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday 210,000 clients around the world, environment from the network announced that Fortinet will be to develop a new range of secu- to the end-user.” its preferred security partner, rity solutions that can work in Penel said: “Fortinet provides in a comprehensive agreement networked, application or mobile MSSP services to some of the that will provide companies in environments — an essential Middle East’s leading telecoms Qatar with the highest level of resource for companies looking providers, and the agreement digital security. to manage the next generation of reinforces Fortinet’s leadership The partnership, signed by security threats. position in providing highly reli- Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Waleed Al Sayed, Chief able security solutions to meet Nasser Al Thani, Chief New Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, demanding requirements. Business Officer, Ooredoo, and said: “We are aiming to work with “Working with Ooredoo, we are Alain Penel, Regional Vice- the world’s best partners on our deploying our solutions on one of President, Middle East, Fortinet, bigger, faster network — which the region’s most robust networks will add a new dimension to is why we are confident in our and extending the highest level Organisers and participants pose for a group photo at World Down Syndrome Day event. Ooredoo’s portfolio of security choice of Fortinet as a security of security outside the office net- services. partner. work and out onto devices.” Under the MSSP (managed “Working with Fortinet, we aim Ooredoo offers some of the security service provider) agree- to develop comprehensive security most advanced communication ment, Fortinet technology will solutions that meet the security solutions in the region, with next 190 Down Syndrome be offered with Ooredoo business and performance requirements generation services including; services, so that customers can of government agencies, retailers, Smart Home Automation, Out of deploy anti-spam services, fire- hospitality, energy and finance Country Disaster Recovery, Cloud walls, VPNs and anti-virus solu- organisations. Our customers Security, Cloud Email Security tions without compromising the will enjoy maximum security and Solutions, Smart Healthcare kids under treatment performance of their network minimal complexity, thanks to a Solutions, Smart Cloud Ooredoo will also work with consolidated security based on a Marketplace, M2M Solutions and HMC’s Child Development Centre providing support Fortinet, which has more than single technology and a unified more. THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Clinics at Child physiotherapy services. Dr Haitham El Bashir, Development Centre of Hamad HMC celebrated World Down Head of the centre, said: Medical Corporation (HMC) are Syndrome Day with a full-day event, “On this day, we cel- treating 190 children with Down featuring fun-filled activities for chil- ebrate these children for Nurseries’ rented premises deals must be approved Syndrome. dren with the condition and their their unique capabilities Continued from page 1 And to authenticate the own- carry out checkups of the man- The centre provides support, clini- families. More than 150 people gath- and achievements and let If a nursery is being housed in ership of premises, a certificate ager and workers and clear them, cal consultation and child develop- ered at the event celebrated for the them know that they are rented premises, the rent agree- will be needed from the Real and only then could the Family ment services for children with the fifth year at HMC. invaluable to us and we ment should be ratified by the Estate Registry of the Ministry Development Department pro- condition, from birth until 14 years. Hosted by Child Development and also encourage parents to Ministry of Municipality and of Justice. vide the licence to a nursery. Physicians at the centre follow a Rehabilitation Services at HMC’s speak to us about their Urban Planning. The Medical Commission must THE PENINSULA clinical guideline protocol that incor- Rumailah Hospital, the event aimed concerns and meet other porates international best practices to provide a platform for greater parents like them.” and offer follow-up to children every interaction between healthcare pro- Fatima Mustafa, Acting three to six months. fessionals, patients and their families. Assistant Director, Child ScorePlus honoured The centre’s Early Intervention This year’s celebration was held Rehabilitation, said: “We Programme accepts children from under the theme, ‘My Opportunities, believe that given the a very early age and includes par- My Choices’, advocating equal oppor- right opportunities, sup- ent-to-parent counselling, family tunities, rights, and life choices for port and care for children and group, occupational and speech children with Down Syndrome and with Down Syndrome, they therapies, special education and stressed the role of their families. can function as normally as anyone in society. They can attend mainstream schools, enjoy social activi- REPORTERS ties with friends and fam- ily, attend universities and A reputed media house in Qatar is have jobs.” looking for reporters for immediate Individuals with the condition have 47 chro- appointment. mosomes in their cells instead of the usual 46. Candidates should have an excellent According to World Health command of English and Organisation, the esti- mated incidence of the experience in reporting. condition is one in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births around Eligible candidates ScorePlus has been recognised as the top performing international partner of The Princeton Review in academ- the world. ics and student growth for the third consecutive year, thanks to consistently positive feedback from students THE PENINSULA may send their CVs to and their outstanding score improvement on standardised tests. The award was presented at The Princeton [email protected] Review’s annual congress in New Delhi, India.

Quality Retail Group to open sixth outlet DOHA: Quality Group of Companies is open- ing its sixth retail outlet, Quality Hypermarket, in Bin Mahmoud on Saturday at 4pm. Shamsudheen Olakara, Managing Director of the Group, said in a state- ment that the outlet will be ready from Saturday onwards with more inno- Quality Retail Group’s sixth outlet in Bin Mahmoud. vations to cater to the wide variety of needs and expec- tations of customers from all classes. The hypermarket in the heart of Doha will give unique shopping experi- ence to citizens and for- eigners in the country. It is designed in three floors with a total area of 100,000 square feet. On the ground floor, there are shops and kiosks like pharmacy, optical, counters for flowers and chocolates, coffee shops, ATMs of leading banks, automatic utility payment machines in addition to a spacious supermarket for food and non-food items. The first floor has mobile phone and watch shops, beauty parlours for men and children, fash- ion shops, garments and readymade, footwear, home furniture and decor, sta- tionery, fashion jewellery, among others. The second floor is for electric, electronic, IT and technology and home appliances of leading global brands. Spacious and con- venient parking is ready for the customers. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Netanyahu Second Kuwaiti minister quits over grilling Israel suspends KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti to form next Commerce and Industry Minister Abdulmohsen Al Mudej resigned government yesterday, two days after an East Jerusalem MP called for him to be ques- JERUSALEM: Israel’s presi- tioned in parliament, the second dent has asked Benjamin such case in as many weeks. The Netanyahu to form the next official Kuna news agency said government after his shocking the emir accepted the resigna- building plan election victory that exposed tion of Mudej, a liberal, Western- deep divisions with key ally educated minister appointed in Washington. January 2014. President Reuven Rivlin Last week, Electricity, Water Plan involves 1,500 settler homes formally handed the task to and Public Works Minister Netanyahu after he secured Abdulaziz Al Iraheem quit after JERUSALEM: As tension AFP, Netanyahu’s office neither enough support from his right- he had indirectly accused some mounts with Washington, confirmed nor denied the report, wing and religious allies to form lawmakers of taking bribes to grill Israel’s outgoing government saying the plan “was not sent to a coalition, guaranteeing him- him. MP Roudhan Al Roudhan has suspended a controver- the prime minister’s office”. self a third consecutive term as filed a request on Monday to grill sial plan to build hundreds of “Regarding other plans that prime minister. Netanyahu’s vic- the minister for allegedly violat- new settler homes in annexed were not brought up this week, tory last week dramatically exac- ing the commercial law. The law- east Jerusalem, a news website there will be a discussion on the erbated a diplomatic crisis with maker held Mudej responsible for reported yesterday. matter when the new government Washington, bringing his thorny not forcing the board of directors The plan involves the construc- is in place,” it said. relationship with US President of a local company to hold a meet- Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry tion of 1,500 homes in the settle- While unable to confirm details Barack Obama into sharp focus. ing, resulting in heavy losses for Abdulmohsen Al Mudej attends a parliament session at National Assembly ment neighbourhood of Har Homa in the report, Seidemann said the In a bid to ramp up votes, small shareholders. AFP in Kuwait City yesterday. where Prime Minister Benjamin plan was for construction on pri- Netanyahu veered sharply to the Netanyahu gave a controversial vate land west of Har Homa that right, vowing there would be no speech on the eve of March 17 had been shelved a year ago but Palestinian state on his watch, elections, pledging to build thou- was now being brought up for ini- promising to increase settlement sands of new homes if returned tial approval. construction and warning that to office. He said there had been an unof- Arab Israeli voters were going Tehran insists on lifting all His remarks on east Jerusalem ficial freeze on east Jerusalem “in droves” to the polls. construction, along with com- construction since the approval ments ruling out a Palestinian in late September of thousands of Palestinian PM state, have sparked a bitter spat housing units in Givat HaMatos, a sanctions in any N-deal with Washington. settlement suburb currently being pleads unity in Ynet said the Netanyahu’s office built. DUBAI: Any deal over Iran’s and China. Their talks over Iran’s activities for at least a decade in had frozen the plans due to their “Since the approval of Givat war-battered Gaza nuclear programme must disputed nuclear ambitions are exchange for an end to sanctions “political sensitivity”. HaMatos — and I’m speaking involve the immediate lifting due to resume this week. that have crippled its economy. Daniel Seidemann, director of exclusively about east Jerusalem GAZA CITY: Palestinian prime of all sanctions, Iran’s foreign Supreme Leader Ayatollah A senior Iranian nuclear nego- settlement watchdog Terrestrial — there have been no new tenders, minister Rami Hamdallah minister said yesterday, show- Ali Khamenei, who has the last tiator, Hamid Baidinejad, said the Jerusalem, said that given the no new plans deposited for public urged rival factions to set aside ing no sign of compromise on word on all matters of state in remaining sticking points were “highly problematic” nature of review and no new plans approved their differences, even as pro- a major hurdle in world power the Islamic Republic, said last “inter-related”. the plan and Netanyahu’s current — which is quite remarkable,” he testers gave him a cool reception negotiations. week that the immediate lifting “It’s not going to be a situ- standoff with Washington, it had said. This plan is a private initia- in war-battered Gaza yesterday. “This is the position that the of sanctions must be a part of any ation where the sanctions are “a ring of truth” to it. tive, meaning that Netanyahu’s It was only Hamdallah’s second government has insisted on from nuclear accord. first stopped and then we talk “This would be a particularly ability to block it would be lim- visit to the Gaza Strip since a the start,” Mohammad Javad Western officials have consist- about other issues,” the semi- inflammatory plan and I think ited, he said. unity government agreed on by Zarif was quoted by the official ently rejected that demand, with official Fars news agency quoted that he’s afraid that the ceiling “Netanyahu is obviously going rivals Fatah and Hamas took Irna news agency as saying. a senior European negotiator last Baidinejad as saying. “Everything would cave in on him,” he said. to be very cautious at the moment office last June. Iran wants all the sanctions week reiterating that this was must be resolved together.” The report quoted given the nature of his relations “We have come here today to imposed by the United Nations, “out of the question”. Meanwhile, US Secretary of unnamed housing ministry with the US. On the other hand, strengthen national reconciliation European Union and United This week’s negotiations State John Kerry left Washington and Jerusalem municipality his authority to hold up a private and to restart dialogue with all States on its energy and financial are expected to kick off with a for a date with history, hoping sources as saying two meetings plan is limited,” he said. Palestinian factions,” Hamdallah sectors removed at once if there meeting between Zarif and US to seal a deal reining in Iran’s to discuss advancing the plans If the plan were given the green told a news conference in Gaza City. is a deal, while Western powers Secretary of State John Kerry nuclear ambitions for years to had been cancelled for reasons light, it would complete a ring He vowed that civilian workers of want them dismantled gradually. today. The major powers are push- come. After months of closed- that were unclear. of settlement neighbourhoods Hamas’s de facto administration The speed of lifting sanctions ing for a political framework agree- door negotiations, Kerry and his Planning officials said around east Jerusalem, effectively in Gaza would go on the payroll of is one of the elements being dis- ment by March 31 that would pave team was headed once again for Netanyahu’s office had not given cutting off the Holy City from the the West Bank-based Palestinian cussed by Iran and the six major the way for a comprehensive deal talks in Switzerland with Iranian the green light for the meetings. southern West Bank. Authority (PA), which is dominated powers—the United States, with Iran by June 30 under which Foreign Minister Mohammad In response to a question from AFP by the Fatah party. AFP Britain, France, Germany, Russia it would curb sensitive nuclear Javad Zarif. REUTERS/AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Mursi, 24 others Cartoonists fined to be tried for insulting for ‘insulting Erdogan ANKARA: A Turkish court has fined two leading cartoon- judiciary’ ists after convicting them of insulting President Recep CAIRO: Ousted Egyptian Tayyip Erdogan in a caricature. president Mohamed Mursi and Ozer Aydogan and Bahadir 24 others, including promi- Baruter from the weekly satiri- nent Islamists and secular fig- cal magazine Penguen were each ures, will go on trial May 23 for initially sentenced to 11 months insulting the judiciary, a court in prison by a criminal court in official said yesterday. Istanbul. The trial will be the fifth for Lawyers representing Erdogan Mursi, who faces the death sen- demanded that the court punish tence if convicted in the other the cartoonists for “insulting a cases for espionage and violence. public official”, Hurriyet newspa- Mursi and the others are per reported. accused of having shown disre- Penguen had no immediate spect to court rulings in com- comment, but the cartoonists ments on social media and in were quoted by Hurriyet as deny- interviews. Among the defendants ing the charges. They were ini- is Alaa Abdel Fattah, one of the tially sentenced to 11 months in activists who called for protests prison but the court immedi- that led to the downfall of former ately reduced this to a 7,000 lira president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. ($2,740) fine because of good con- Already in prison for par- duct during the trial. People seek shelter during a gunfire at an army base in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden yesterday. Sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard at ticipating in an illegal protest in November 2013, he has been a Yemen army base in the centre of Aden and Houthi militia forces were within about 20km of the city’s northern entrance. charged over comments on Twitter Assad meets several months ago about legal pro- ceedings concerning 2011 raids on far-right Belgian the offices of foreign civil society groups. Amr Hamzawy, a well- Yemen: Saudi intervention likely politician known political science professor and former member of parliament, DAMASCUS: Syria’s and human rights lawyer Amir Country edges towards all-out civil war as Houthis advance President Bashar Al Assad yes- Salem will also stand trial. Along terday received a delegation of with Abdel Fattah, they backed the ADEN: Yemen edged closer to facing the prospect of civil conflict legitimate authorities against protect interests from Houthi Belgian lawmakers led by far- army’s 2013 ouster of Mursi. all-out civil war yesterday as in the wake of the Arab spring the advance of Houthi militias aggression”, according to Reuters. right Flemish nationalist Filip TOP MUBARAK-ERA MIN- rebels advanced on the south- protests. on Aden. The phrase “all neces- These latest diplomatic moves Dewinter, state media reported. ISTER FREED ern city of Aden, the stronghold The rebel advance came as the sary measures” is understood to appeared to set the stage for a State news agency Sana said A former interior minister of the country’s president, and a likelihood increased of a military include military intervention. military intervention by neigh- Assad met the delegation to dis- under Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni military intervention by neigh- intervention by Saudi Arabia, Hadi’s foreign minister echoed bouring Arab states, who see the cuss the conflict in Syria, in which Mubarak was freed from jail yes- bouring Saudi Arabia appeared which is amassing forces on the the call in a statement carried country as a key battlefield with more than 215,000 people have terday after being cleared of graft more likely. border. US officials said that by the Saudi agency, in which regional rival Iran, which backs been killed since March 2011. charges, the state news agency Shia Houthi rebels seized Al Saudi Arabia was moving heavy he declared that he had formally the Houthis. Assad criticised European reported, the latest senior official Anad air base, a key military facil- equipment, including artillery, asked the Arab League for a Similar diplomatic moves led by countries, without naming them, of the old regime to be released. ity between Taiz — Yemen’s third- to areas near its border with military intervention in Yemen. the Gulf states in the Arab League for “making a serious mistake by While Egyptian courts largest city, which fell under rebel Yemen, raising the prospects of Riyadh Yassin told reporters and the UN security council led allying with countries that support have been gradually absolving control last week – and Aden, in an intervention. in Egypt that he would call for in 2011 to the military interven- terrorism that distorts Islam”. Mubarak-era figures, they have a renewed push for control of the The Saudi move came hours “urgent intervention” at an Arab tion in Libya against the regime of “Terrorist organisations and been handing down lengthy sen- country’s south. after a letter from Hadi to the League summit due to start on Muammar Gaddafi. Gulf powers those who support them do not tences to liberal and Islamist The rebels, members of the UN security council’s president Saturday. “In Yemen we are rac- also intervened in Bahrain to put represent true Islam, which activists in cases ranging from Zaydi offshoot of Shia Islam, calling for an intervention. ing against time for this Arab an end to an uprising that same rejects all forms of violence,” Sana political protests to acts of vio- seized control of the capital, The letter, segments of which military intervention to hap- year that threatened the Sunni quoted Assad as telling the delega- lence. A court last week acquit- Sana’a, last year and placed the were posted on the official Saudi pen as soon as possible,” he told Al Khalifa monarchy, which rules tion. The group of lawmakers was ted the former minister, Habib Al country’s president, Abdrabuh Press Agency’s website, called reporters in Sharm Al Sheikh. over a Shia majority. The Gulf led by Dewinter, head of Belgium’s Adly, of charges of illegal profiting Mansur Hadi, under house arrest on the international commu- The Saudi foreign minis- states had already expressed their far-right Vlaams Belang party and and squandering 181m Egyptian in February. nity to use “all necessary meas- ter, Prince Saud Al Faisal, had explicit backing of Hadi as the a controversial figure accused of pounds ($23.72m) of public funds. Hadi fled to Aden this month. ures” under chapter seven of the warned on Monday that Arab legitimate authority in Yemen. xenophobia. AFP Yemen is the latest Arab country UN charter to defend Yemen’s countries might take action “to GUARDIAN NEWS AFP IS takes on Libya’s rival govt forces

TRIPOLI/BENGHAZI: the western city of Misrata, response to a suicide bomb- a rival faction seized the capital Militants claiming allegiance have clashed several times with ing on Tuesday which killed in August and reinstated a pre- to Islamic State (IS) fought the militants and had set up seven people in Benghazi. Two vious assembly, challenging the forces loyal to Libya’s two checkpoints near the power more people had been killed elected parliament which is also rival governments in the cen- station. by a rocket hitting residential based in the east. tral city of Sirte and further There was also heavy fight- buildings. Both governments rely on east in Benghazi, a Libyan ing between Islamists and Militants claiming ties to former rebels who helped news agency and residents forces loyal to Libya’s inter- Islamic State have exploited topple Gaddafi and are now said yesterday. nationally recognised govern- the turmoil in Libya, where caught in a power struggle. In In Sirte, IS militants killed ment, which is based in the two governments and parlia- Benghazi the official premier five members of a force loyal to east in Benghazi, after IS mili- ments fight for control four Premier Abdullah Al Thinni the government that controls tants claimed a suicide attack years after the ousting of has allied himself with general Tripoli, a Tripoli-based news on an army post in the port Muammar Gaddafi. Khalifa Haftar who in May agency said. city. Taking advantage of the secu- started his own fight against Two military sources said War planes attacked sus- rity vacuum, just as Islamic Islamists. the attack near a power sta- pected Islamist positions early State did in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State militants have tion on Sirte’s western out- yesterday, residents and mili- militants expanded recently in claimed several attacks includ- skirts appeared to be a suicide tary officials said. Gunfire and Sirte, taking over government ing the storming of a Tripoli bombing, but gave no further rocket propelled grenades could offices, universities and a radio hotel in January and the details. be heard in several districts. station. beheading of 21 Egyptian Copts Fighters loyal to the Tripoli Military officials had vowed The recognised government from Sirte. government, sent to Sirte from air attacks on Islamists in has been based in the east since REUTERS

Saudi beheads drug smuggler RIYADH: Saudi author- ities yesterday beheaded a man found guilty of smuggling drugs into the ultra-conservative king- dom, the interior minis- try said, amid a surge in executions this year Faisal bin Rafaa Al Ashjaie was convicted of smuggling “a large amount of amphetamine pills,” the ministry said in a state- ment on the official SPA news agency. His beheading in the northwestern region of Jawf brings to 54 the number of death sen- tences carried out in Saudi Arabia so far this year, compared with 87 in all of last year, according to AFP tallies. By comparison, Iran has executed more than 1,000 people since January last year, the UN special rap- porteur on Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, said last week. AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Probe team listens to cockpit recorder Aircraft was repaired Monday; 72 Germans among victims

SEYNE-LES-ALPES, operation has been set up. FRANCE: Investigators have “Dear Angela, dear Mariano, extracted cockpit voice record- rest assured ... we will find out ings from one of the black everything,” a visibly moved boxes of the Airbus plane that Hollande told German Chancellor smashed into the Alps and Angela Merkel and Spanish expect to have a read-out of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, their content within days, an pledging to get to the bottom of official said yesterday. what caused the crash. “France The casing of a second black stands by you.” box has been found but not the Merkel replied: “It feels good box itself, French President that in a difficult hour like this Francois Hollande said as he that we’re standing so closely came to the remote Alpine region together in friendship. Dear with the leaders of Germany and Francois, I’d like to say to you Spain leaders to pay tribute to the a heartfelt ‘thank you’ in the 150 victims of Tuesday’s crash. name of millions of Germans “We just have been able to who are deeply appreciative of extract a useable audio data file,” this German-Franco friendship.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande Remi Jouty, director of France’s Hollande and Merkel had ear- and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy arrive yesterday in a field to pay BEA air incident investigator told lier flown over the nearby ravine homage to the crash victims in the southeastern French village of Le Vernet. a news conference at its head- where the Germanwings airliner quarters outside Paris. came down. area showed the A320 was not But here we see nothing at all,” But it was too early to draw any Germanwings said 72 Germans likely to have exploded in mid-air, said pilot Xavier Roy, coordinat- conclusions about the causes of were killed in Tuesday’s crash, suggesting a terrorist attack was ing air operations. the crash, he said. the first major air passenger dis- not to blame. Roy said teams of investigators “Detailed work will be carried aster on French soil since the “It is inexplicable this could had been dropped by helicopter on the file to interpret the voices 2000 Concorde accident just out- happen to a plane free of tech- onto the site and were working and sounds that can be heard on side Paris. Spanish officials said nical problems and with an roped together at altitudes of the file,” he said, adding that he 51 Spaniards were among the experienced, Lufthansa-trained around 2,000 meters. expected to have more analysis of victims. pilot,” Lufthansa chief executive It would take at least a week the voices in “a matter of days”. A simple tribute ceremony Carsten Spohr told reporters in to recover all the remains of the Jouty declined to give details of took place on a site with a view Frankfurt. victims, he said. the recordings. While stressing in the distance of the mountain Lufthansa said the 24-year-old As well as Germans and it was too early to form a clear against which the Airbus crashed. plane had on Monday underwent Spaniards, victims included two picture, he said the crash sce- French officials arranged it to repairs to the hatch through Americans, a Moroccan and nario did not appear to be linked give the families a mental image which the nose wheel descends citizens of Britain, Argentina, to depressurisation and he ruled of the area in which their rela- for landing. A spokeswoman said Australia, Belgium, Colombia, out a mid-air explosion having tives died. that was not a safety issue but Denmark, Israel, Japan, Mexico taken place. Earlier, Lufthansa said it could that repairs had been done to and the Netherlands, officials Most of the victims are not explain why the Airbus run reduce noise. said. However, DNA checks to German or Spanish, including 16 by its low-cost Germanwings Police and forensic teams on identify them could take weeks, German schoolchildren returning unit crashed. Investigators said foot and in helicopters investi- the French government said. to Duesseldorf airport after a trip the remoteness of the crash site gated the site about 100km north Germanwings said it cancelled to the Barcelona region. meant it could be days before of Nice where the airliner came one flight yesterday and was using Hollande, Merkel and Rajoy a clear picture of the tragedy down en route to Duesseldorf 11 planes from other carriers for A search-and-rescue worker at the crash site of the Germanwings Airbus thanked search teams and met emerged. from Barcelona. about 40 flights after some of its A320 that crashed in the French Alps, above the town of Seyne-les-Alpes residents in the village of Seyne- However, they said the fact that “When we go to a crash site we crew members had refused to fly. in southeastern France, yesterday. les-Alpes, where the salvaging debris was restricted to a small expect to find part of the fuselage. REUTERS

In heated debate, US being beaten in information war with Russia: Study Cameron says he WASHINGTON: The United With an annual $730m budget, propaganda. But it argues that adds. Despite a modest expansion said this month, “Our nation is not lame duck States is losing an information the BBG runs US government the political firewall separating of programming since Russia’s is getting beat by (Russian war to Russia, Islamic State and broadcasting to foreign audi- them from US national secu- annexation of Crimea last year President Vladimir) Putin prop- other rivals, says a new report ences, including radio, television rity agencies is “overblown,” and and backing of separatists in aganda and our international LONDON: British Prime that calls for a strengthening in and digital efforts. Among them the broadcasters are not always eastern Ukraine, Washington is broadcasting is floundering. It’s Minister David Cameron denied US counter-propaganda efforts are the Voice of America and in tune with US foreign policy being out-gunned by the Kremlin, unacceptable.” he had become a lame duck and an overhaul of the govern- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, objectives. Western diplomats, congressional Royce, a California Republican leader during his final debate ment’s international broadcast- widely credited with countering “Competitors with anti-US aides and other experts said. who sponsored legislation with in parliament before a tight ing arm. Soviet influence behind the Iron messaging are fomenting an The Ukraine crisis is “the bipartisan support to reform the national election as he sought to The study is the latest to high- Curtain during the Cold War. information war — and winning most serious challenge US inter- BBG, issued his statement follow- leverage his economic record to light problems in the Broadcasting The report, seen by Reuters, is — while US international broad- national broadcasting has faced ing the resignation this month of give his party an elusive lead in Board of Governors (BBG), a fed- based on assessments from 30 for- casting is challenged to keep pace since the fall of the Soviet Union,” the agency’s CEO, Andrew Lack, stagnant opinion polls. eral agency created in 1994 which eign policy and public diplomacy with competitors and changes in said report co-author S Enders after just six weeks on the job. Contesting the closest and also is tasked with maintaining professionals. the media landscape,” it says. Wimbush, a former BBG governor Lack returned to NBC News, most unpredictable British elec- a firewall between the State It does not advocate turn- “US international communica- and director of Radio Liberty. where he was president from 1993 tion since the 1970s, Cameron’s Department and government- ing government-funded broad- tions strategy should be rebuilt House Foreign Affairs to 2001. Conservative Party is neck-and- funded news operations. casters into instruments of US from the ground up,” the report Committee chairman Ed Royce REUTERS neck in opinion polls with the opposition Labour Party with nei- ther on course to win an outright majority. Argentina forest fire In febrile scenes, Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband used the opportunity to rehearse Ukraine arrests two their attack lines before the May 7 election to cheers and jeers, with Miliband quipping that officials on live TV Cameron’s surprise decision to rule out a third term meant he had announced his retirement. KIEV: Ukraine yesterday dra- penny, they steal from people,” Cameron’s remarks about his matically arrested two top he added. future, in which he named three officials on graft charges at a Interior Minister Arsen Avakov possible successors and said he televised cabinet meeting hours said the two men were suspected wouldn’t seek another term if re- after the president sacked a of overpaying for public procure- elected in May, are widely seen to powerful oligarch as regional ments from companies includ- have backfired, sparking a media governor. ing Russian oil giant Lukoil, and frenzy about his successor and The dramatic shake-up came channeling the excess funds into talk of him becoming a lame duck as the beleaguered authorities, offshore accounts. leader. already struggling to combat Overnight, President Petro “Would the prime minister pro-Russian separatists in the Poroshenko announced that bil- agree with me that it is entirely country’s east, tried to make lionaire Igor Kolomoisky had fair now to refer to him as lame good on pledges to tackle ram- offered to step down as governor duck?,” Labour lawmaker Stephen pant graft and curb the influence of the key industrial region of Pound asked Cameron. of the country’s powerful business Dnipropetrovsk after a dispute REUTERS Fires rage in the Los Alerces National Park in the Patagonian province of Chubut, some 1,900km southwest magnates. over control of the country’s larg- of Buenos Aires in Argentina, yesterday. Police detained Sergiy est oil producer ended up with Bochkovsky, director of Ukraine’s armed men storming the offices state emergencies service, and his of two state-controlled oil firms. deputy Vasyl Stoyetsky, in full “The president of Ukraine con- glare of journalists and photog- firmed Igor Kolomoisky’s request US judges split over challenge to pollution rule raphers, accusing them of “high- to resign” at a meeting between level” corruption. the two men in Kiev, the presi- Prime Minister Arseniy dency said in a statement. WASHINGTON: The US nine-justice court, with liberals Chief Justice John Roberts also says they could be worth billions Yatsenyuk said the sight of hand- The banking tycoon was Supreme Court appeared backing the US Environmental suggested he was troubled by the of dollars, including a reduction cuffed officials being marched out appointed to the post after the closely divided yesterday as it Protection Agency’s rationale disparity between the costs and in mercury poisoning, which can of a government meeting served ouster of Kremlin-backed presi- weighed whether the Obama and conservatives hostile to the benefits of the regulation, saying lead to developmental delays and as a warning to other officials sus- dent Viktor Yanukovich last administration had to consider government’s arguments. it was a “red flag” for him. abnormalities in children. pected of graft, with international year and he has proved a bul- costs before deciding whether to The conservatives, including The challengers, including The challengers appealed after backers in the West demanding wark against the pro-Russian regulate emissions of mercury Kennedy, asked questions that industry groups and some states, an appeals court upheld the regu- Ukraine stamp out corruption. rebellion rocking neighbouring and other hazardous pollutants indicated they were concerned say the costs are $9.6bn a year but lation in June 2014. “This will happen to everyone eastern regions. mainly from coal-fired power that it was not enough that the the benefits are only worth a few Companies opposing the rule who breaks the law and sneers at He funded a powerful volun- plants. agency implicitly considered costs million dollars. include Peabody Energy Corp, the the Ukrainian state,” Yatsenyuk teer militia group that has played Justice Anthony Kennedy could when issuing standards for spe- The government says it did not nation’s largest coal producer. said. “When the country is at war a leading role in fighting the be a possible swing vote on the cific pollution sources. quantify some of the benefits, but REUTERS and when we are counting every insurgents. AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Editorial Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Ghani’s gamble ASHINGTON’S decision to freeze the US China’s influence set to climb troop levels in Afghanistan at 9,800 through the end of the year paints a rather rosy picture Wof Afghanistan’s progress in the fight against Taliban. Half of the 9,800 troops were scheduled to leave in as US thwarted on new bank the months ahead and President Obama announced that he would slow the planned withdrawal after a White House EVEN decades after the end Laurenceson, deputy director of the development push stems from eco- meeting with the new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. A of World War II, the interna- Australia-China Relations Institute in nomic self-interest. With much of the joint US-Afghanistan statement released by the White House tional economic architecture Sydney. nation’s almost $4 trillion in foreign- said the change was being made “based on President Ghani’s Scrafted by the US faces its big- ADB Cooperation currency reserves earning little, “they request for flexibility in the US drawdown timeline. gest shakeup yet, with China establish- Asian Development Bank President see this as an opportunity to improve ing new channels for influence to match Takehiko Nakao on Wednesday said the their rate of return over Treasuries,” The decision conveys two messages. First, the its ambitions. institution would seek to cooperate with said Nicholas Lardy, who’s studied administration’s confidence in Ghani, who Obama praised Three lending institutions with at the new Chinese lender. China for more than three decades repeatedly during the visit, and second, an improvement in least $190 billion are taking shape under “Once it formally starts, I plan to and is a senior fellow at the Peterson the situation on the ground, with Taliban failing to throw any China’s leadership, one of them infor- cooperate with it,” Nakao said in Tokyo. Institute for International Economics major surprises in the form of attacks after the induction of mally referred to as a Marshall Plan “It would be impossible to be hostile. in Washington. -- evoking the postwar US program to Lots of countries need funds, and it is Silk Road Ghani. rebuild an impoverished Europe. Also natural that we will cooperate. It would China plans to spend $40bn to revive Ghani’s first visit to the US has helped strengthen this year, China’s yuan may win the be to the benefit of international society, the centuries-old Silk Road trade route relations between the two countries and made cooperation IMF’s blessing as an official reserve cur- the region and Japan.” between Asia and Europe, an idea raised between the two sides smoother. Relations between Ghani’s rency, a recognition of its rising use in The new China-backed institutions by Xi in a 2013 speech in neighbouring predecessor, Hamid Karzai, and the US government were trade and finance. -- the infrastructure bank, a $50 billion Kazakhstan. acerbic and had been steadily deteriorating for years. But the China’s clout has been expanding for development bank in conjunction with Some analysts have likened the plan decades, as its rapid growth allowed it fellow BRICS nations and a $40 billion to the postwar effort to help Europe that new president has chosen a policy of reconciliation and he to snap up a ris- fund to revive the ancient Silk Road helped establish the US as a regional was effusive in his praise of US help to his country during his ing share of the trade route -- are being set up after economic power. A detailed plan may address to the Congress. Obama too lauded Ghani for taking world’s resources, years of frustrated attempts by China be unveiled at China’s Boao Forum on “the mantle of commander in its exports pen- and other emerging nations to revamp conference starting Thursday, where chief in a way that we have not To lure countries etrated global the existing international financial Xi is scheduled to speak, according The new seen in the past from an Afghan markets, and its institutions to better reflect the shape to Australia & New Zealand Banking to join, China has bulging finan- of the global economy. Group Ltd. Afghan president.” offered to forgo cial assets gave it A key sticking point is the US’s fail- Announced in July, the BRICS’ The delayed departure of US power to make big ure for more than four years to approve New Development Bank, to be based president troops will come as a relief to veto power at the individual loans shifts in the International Monetary in Shanghai with initial capital of $50 Afghan forces who are still finding and purchases. Fund’s ownership structure, which billion, is the third building block of a is following the Taliban too formidable. Last new development Now, the creation would give emerging markets more China-centered international economic of international influence and install China as the third- architecture. year’s fighting season was one of a policy of bank, the Wall lending institu- largest member nation, up from sixth. Reserve Currency the bloodiest for Afghan civilians Street Journal tions is leverag- The changes have been held up by the The increasing influence of the reconciliation. and security forces since the US ing that economic refusal of the US Congress to ratify world’s second-largest economy has invasion in 2001. Keeping the reported this influence closer to them, even though the White House and extended to the existing institutions. extra US troops through the end the political and governments around the world support The IMF in late 2015 will conduct its of this year would ensure the Afghan forces continue to make week. diplomatic are- them. next twice-a-decade review of the bas- nas, as US allies Veto Power ket of currencies its members can count improvements to ensure that far-flung units have the food, defy America to back China’s initiative. The US still has veto power on major toward their official reserves. IMF chief ammunition and intelligence required to fight on their own. Power Vision decisions made by both the IMF and Christine Lagarde said in Beijing this Ghani is trying the path of diplomacy and negotiations Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision the World Bank, and a lock on selecting week that the yuan “clearly belongs” to end the insurgency and bring peace and stability. He of achieving the same great-power the president of the World Bank. Both in the basket and the fund would work is deviating from the policies of Karzai and working on status enjoyed by the US received a institutions are increasingly unrepre- with China to that end. different formulas to persuade the Taliban to choose the major boost this month when the U.K., sentative and undersized compared with China in recent years has gained Germany, France and Italy signed on demands they face. several high-ranking jobs for Chinese path of negotiations. His government is working closely to the Asian Infrastructure Investment “The real tragedy is, compared to the nationals at the World Bank and IMF. with Pakistan for this purpose. This change of policy has Bank. The AIIB will have authorized billions we spend on defense to support At the World Bank, China last year invited huge criticism from some quarters, but Ghani seems capital of $100bn and starting funds of US global leadership, Congress under- almost doubled its contribution to a to be determined to try out his formula. His tactics haven’t about $50bn. mined it by refusing to provide the fund for the poorest nations to help produced results on the ground so far. The international Canada is considering joining, which chump change needed to reform the support a low-interest, $1 billion loan would leave the US and Japan as the only IMF,” said David Loevinger, former US to the unit. To lure countries to join, community is keenly watching the situation, and Ghani Group of Seven holdouts as they ques- Treasury Department senior coordina- China has offered to forgo veto power will have to take the responsibility for both the failure and tion the institution’s governance and tor for China affairs and now an ana- at the new development bank, the Wall success. environmental standards. Australian lyst at TCW Group Inc. in Los Angeles. Street Journal reported this week. The new president should also focus his energies on Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s cabinet “Congress can abdicate its international With assistance from Christopher equipping the Afghan army to take on the Taliban. The US approved negotiations to join too. responsibilities. What it can’t do is stop Anstey in Tokyo, Andrew Mayeda in help is only temporary, and after that the government in “China’s economic rise is acting as China from playing a bigger role in man- Washington, Birgit Jennen in Berlin a huge pull factor forcing the exist- aging the global economy.” and David Tweed in Hong Kong. Kabul will be fighting a lonely battle. ing architecture to adapt,” said James Part of China’s international BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of India flounders as H1N1 spreads the day HE influenza A(H1N1) virus ill-prepared India is in managing and last year by India in a public database. Collaborating Centre for Reference continues to kill people in India, preventing the spread of an infectious While the government continues to and Research on Influenza, Tokyo, although its spread is not at a disease that could cripple it. The Pune- vehemently deny new mutations in the told the journal. The failure to share Tgalloping pace. As on March based National Institute of Virology had circulating virus, it has thus far failed to the full genome sequence data with We have come 21, the number of people affected sequenced the haemagglutinin (HA) support the claim convincingly. the WHO reference laboratories and/ was over 32,200, and the death toll in protein. But it is not known if it has A March 14, 2015 report in The or deposit them in public databases, here today to excess of 1,900. The worst-affected completed the sequencing of the whole Lancet makes it abundantly clear severely hampers global efforts to study States are Gujarat and Rajasthan. genome of the circulating virus strain; it that India has not shared some criti- the evolution of the virus. India has no strengthen In Gujarat, the number of cases has had not done so till the end of February cal information with the World Health national influenza policy either, to vac- crossed 6,300 and the death toll is 2015. The Ministry of Health and Family Organization that would help determine cinate doctors and health-care workers national 410. In Rajasthan, the cases number Welfare rubbished the results of a study if the circulating strains are the same who run the highest risk of contract- reconciliation and over 6,400 and the death toll is 400. published on March 12 in Cell Host & as the two strains that have shown ing the infection; it only “recommends” The possibility of the actual numbers Microbe by a Massachusetts Institute resistance to the anti-viral drug. “We vaccination of health-care workers. The to restart dialogue being much more than government of Technology team that claimed three have not yet received detailed infor- time has come to take influenza more data indicate cannot be ruled out. The mutations in the HA protein in the 2009 mation in regard to the characteristics seriously, especially since H1N1 and with all Palestinian influenza virus circulating in the country pandemic virus strain. The team found of the circulating viruses [in India]”, H3N1 have become seasonal influenza. Rami Hamdallah since last year has revealed how mutations in two samples deposited Masato Tashiro, Director of the WHO THE HINDU factions. Palestinian Prime Minister THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Why Iran fears a Saudi-Pakistani alliance

hostility towards Saudi Arabia in The Iranian media Pakistan by inciting some groups close to Tehran to carry out often dwells on marches against Saudi Arabia. It is also working to estab- the fear that Saudi lish pro-Iran groups in Pakistan that may be called the “Pakistani Arabia will get Hezbollah”, with the aim of exerting political and security nuclear weapons pressures on Islamabad, particu- larly with regard to its relation- from Pakistan. ship with the Gulf countries and its support for Arab causes. It BY DR MOHAMMED AL Iran fears the Saudi-Pakistani also wants to counter Pakistani SULAMI alliance for many reasons. influence in Afghanistan, where Pakistan can become a gateway Tehran is seeking political and he visit of Pakistani for Saudi influence in the Central economic dominance. Prime Minister Nawaz Asian countries that Tehran The fact is that Iran does not Sharif to Saudi Arabia, considers its backyard. These favour cooperation or solid rela- Twhere he met the countries, which declared inde- tions between the Gulf states and Custodian of the Two Holy pendence after the collapse of the a nuclear state like Pakistan. It Mosques King Salman bin Soviet Union, are close to Iran cul- annoys the Iranian government, Abdulaziz, represents another turally and historically, but differ which sees itself as the only step in Saudi diplomacy during ethnically and religiously, as they regional power. It does not want the past few weeks. are mostly Sunni Turks. to see the Gulf states in alliance First there were visits by kings, So, while these countries have with any other regional entity, Emirs and Sheikhs of GCC coun- cultural and historical ties with particularly the neighbour on tries, then a visit by Egyptian Iran, with Farsi being spoken its eastern flank, a region where President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, in Tajikistan, from a sectar- Iran has major security concerns. who was followed by Turkish ian perspective they are closer The political conditions and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. developments in the region This is not mere coincidence, Ninety percent of the peo- require the Gulf countries, Saudi since the region is witness- ple in these countries, except Arabia in particular, to work ing many developments, which in Azerbaijan, are Sunnis, and for closer relationships with A file photo of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with the then Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the present allows us to conclude that there therefore they don’t trust Iranian Pakistan and the Central Asian is something behind these visits. influence in the region. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. states. Saudi-Pakistani relations have Moreover, Saudi Arabia can The Arab region has witnessed an Islamic and regional perspec- acquire economic and commer- since Pakistan has a long border apprehension about an alliance about the convergence of views of an expansion of Iranian influence tive. This special relationship is cial clout in these countries by with Iran and it worries that between Riyadh and Islamabad, Pakistan and the Gulf states on over the past few years, which perhaps what piqued the curios- investing in development, tour- it will have to counter Saudi but often shows displeasure at developments in the region, espe- has whetted Tehran’s appetite for ity of countries that are trying to ism and industrial projects, influence on its eastern front, a any Pakistani support for the cially events in Bahrain, and its further expansion. dominate the region and wishing which could affect Iranian influ- region that poses major security Gulf states. support for the Bahraini govern- Diplomatic and political work that this relationship wouldn’t ence there. and political challenges to the For example, Iran expressed ment with regard to the interven- and the use of soft power in exist. Moreover, Pakistan has huge central government in Tehran. displeasure over the fact that tion by the Peninsula Shield forces Pakistan and Central Asia will Iran tops the list of these manpower, a powerful mili- The Iranian regime believes Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina to maintain security in that coun- contribute to forcing Iran to countries. Iran is often wary of tary and nuclear weapons. The that if it doesn’t stop interfer- Rabbani had visited Riyadh in try. She also expressed the former retreat and shift from an offen- alliances in which it doesn’t have Iranian media often dwells on the ing in the internal affairs of Gulf 2011 and 2013 and met high- Pakistani government’s readiness sive to a defensive mode in the a role. So it goes without saying fear that Saudi Arabia will get states Saudi Arabia may change ranking Saudi officials. to improve security cooperation region. that Iran seeks to prevent any nuclear weapons from Pakistan. its strategy and start doing the She also met prominent figures with the Gulf countries to ensure The author is a columnist and alliance that will marginalise its This is why Iran fears a Saudi- same in Iran. from other Gulf countries, includ- security and stability in the region. political analyst specialising in regional role. Pakistani alliance, especially Iran tries to hide its ing Bahrain, and spoke afterwards Iran is also trying to create Iranian affairs There exists a soft Islamic State Expect more Iranian BY DR KHALID AL which I will talk about later. natural right to rule the world. which the IS uses as justification and Houthi manoeuvres HAROUB The “soft IS” has expanded Their intellectual and ideologi- for not fighting Israel, saying it and rooted itself in the Arab cal extremism is intolerant and cannot do so before cleansing the here are mountains of chal- nstead of interpreting the region by “religionising” politics not open for discussion, debate ranks of hypocrites. lenges facing the Gulf from Islamic State’s actions from and politicising religion — proc- or compromise. You are either Before fighting the “enemy”, Tall sides, the latest of which Ian Islamic perspective and esses carried out by regimes that with the Nazis (who profess the the “savage IS” has its own was the military manoeuvres car- condemning it for deviating from have used religion to gain politi- superiority of the Aryan race) projects that distinguish it from ried out by thousands of Houthis the scripture, something they are cal legitimacy, and by Islamist or against them, or you are with any prior purveyors of murder. It earlier this month in Kitaf area in often criticised for, it would be movements that have deepened the IS, because they represent boasts of its killings and slaugh- Saada governorate, which borders better to return to the original the confusion between religion the “absolute truth”, or are ter, unlike most practitioners of Najran in Saudi Arabia. religious text and reflect on the and politics, creating an explo- “misguided.” genocide, who tried to hide their According to the Houthis’ interpretations and explanations sive social and political situation. If you are in neither camp, you crime. spokesman, the goal of the exercise that have prevailed, leading to The competition between these are considered an “obstacle” in In the case of IS the number of was to prepare for any challenge the creation of IS. two forces led to an increase in the path of the cosmic project killings has been much less than and initiate military operations. Such a reading will lead us extremism and the use of the and deserve displacement and that in other cases of genocide The manoeuvres came in the BY DR ZAFER to the shocking conclusion that language of exclusion, with the killing with cold-blooded cer- because their strategy is to deter midst of a political situation that MOHAMMAD AL AJMI the IS is a natural product of result that the views of the “soft tainty and conviction. and scare by spreading terror in looks like it was created in response the rigid and intolerant inter- IS” have spread in all directions. According to the Nazis, geno- the ranks of the “enemy.” That’s to Iranian demands, which have been pretations of religious text that The result of the gradual and cide served their project to lead why they publicise their killings. warmly received by the Houthis in order to get closer to Tehran and have been spreading in Arab and firm “IS-isation” of our reli- humanity to a better future. For They do their slaughter and receive Iran’s economic support. A Houthi delegation recently returned Muslim communities for centu- gious culture is the creation of a the IS, it leads the world to a burning in front of cameras, from Iran after a 10-day visit. They signed several strategic agreements, ries and have gained influence favourable environment for the caliphate and rule over the world. showing blood dripping and the including one for a year’s worth of Iranian oil supplies, in addition to during the past half century. emergence of the “savage IS”, The genocidal mania that took victims in the hands of their renewing their loyalty to Tehran. Popular, simple, friendly and which has ideas and convictions over Nazi Germany consumed executioners before they become The timing of the manoeuvres coincided with Iranian war games in mystic religiosity that character- of the “soft IS”, which has been European Jews and affected all lifeless corpses. Such hideous the Strait of Hormuz. But Tehran didn’t succeed in showing its strength ised social, cultural and every- growing among us for decades. the countries and communi- “slaughter” is seen by hundreds as much as it did in hiding its vulnerability to the United States, and day life has disappeared from the The ideas of the “savage IS” ties that rejected and opposed of millions of people. that was the intent. religious scene in the Arab world. are similar to those of other Nazism. So Hitler fought in all The IS wishes to win through Although the aim was to test new weapons, Iranian generals’ state- The unilateral Salafi interpre- genocidal ideologies, which claim directions, north, east, south and terrorism, which is another issue ments declared otherwise. It should be noted here that unlike in most tation of religious text attacks to provide the only path to sal- west, from the Soviet Union to that requires us to go back to the countries, Iranian generals make more statements than their politicians. creative and ingenious thought in vation and have a messianic Britain. interpretation of religious text The Iranian manoeuvres were a message to Washington, primarily our communities aimed at under- zeal. Those who believe in geno- The genocidal mania of the IS, and its application from the per- related to their nuclear talks. They were also a political message to those standing the role of religion in cidal ideologies such as Nazism, which wants to “cleanse the ranks spective of the “savage IS”. who use the Strait of Hormuz and a message to the P5+1 states that daily life. and in the divine law, as in the of hypocrites”, doesn’t spare The author is a columnist and have military equipment stationed on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. In this free space, different case of IS, think they have a anyone. It is an awful obsession academic The difference between the Iranian and Houthi manoeuvres was in sections of society, regardless of size. Tehran involved the majority of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards their degree of religiosity, coex- and several military divisions, including ground, artillery, missile, air isted peacefully. Therefore, sec- and naval forces. tarian forces retreated to the The Houthis used heavy weapons, including tanks, artillery and background. But now, religious Katyusha rockets. Also, the Iranian war games continued for several groups armed with thoughts of days, while the Houthis finished theirs in only a few hours. exclusion and claiming that oth- I estimate that the recent Houthi manoeuvre were nothing but an ers are disbelievers or religiously introduction to the application of new strategies pursued by Tehran. corrupt have taken centre stage, Therefore, we’ll often see the Houthis demonstrating their strength, resulting in deep rifts between with or without reason, since they don’t believe in using soft power. different sections of society. They can uplift their innate savage nature only by moving from using This is just one religious machine guns to using rockets. interpretation, characterised by What happened was a military manoeuvre deliberately provocative to Salafism, which claims for itself neighbouring countries. Therefore, it was short enough to give political perfection and ownership of and military messages to the Arab Gulf states. “absolute truth” while labelling These manoeuvres were carried out to justify the increase in Iranian the rational, mystical and tolerant military aid to the Houthis, who will hold these exercises whenever asked interpretations, including those to show their strength when negotiating with their rivals. In addition, of different sects, as void and such manoeuvres have a psychological and political impact. unacceptable as they don’t have When we try to find out what was behind the Houthi manoeuvres, the “desired Salafi strictness.” we realise that the rules in this region have changed. Even the Houthis It is easy to see how narrow noticed after performing their manoeuvres that they increased confu- fundamentalism and Salafism sion in the regional political scene, allowing them to change the rules. has led to extremism. Next, the Houthis will probably try to get Saudi Arabia preoccupied Such thinking, which empha- at its borders, and try to divert the attention of the decision-makers sises strict interpretation of from what is happening in the north and east. religious text, represents the What is worrisome is that such manoeuvres might take place later “soft IS,” which nestles in our in sync with Iranian war games in the other corner of the Arabian midst without us paying atten- Peninsula, thereby closing Hormuz and Bab El Mandeb at the same time. tion to stopping its spread. Iran has some of the most sophisticated sea mines and announcing That is the IS that created A file photo showing a Jordanian pilot captured by IS fighters after his plane went down near Raqa in Syria. One manoeuvres on both sides of the Arabian Gulf for planting and clearing the environment for the crea- difference between the IS and past genocidal groups is that it boasts about its killings. mines in both straits would be enough to subjugate the world. tion of the killer and savage IS, The author is CEO of Gulf Monitoring Group THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA Thai PM Poll: Nigeria lashes out to shut land, at media BANGKOK: Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha lashed out at journalists yesterday, saying he would “probably just execute” those who did “not report the sea borders truth”, in the latest outburst aimed at Thailand’s media. Last month Prayuth said he Court ruling allows Buhari to contest had the power to shut down news outlets. Yesterday, he took ABUJA: Nigeria’s President rule ended in 1999. The court an even harsher line. “We’ll Goodluck Jonathan has ordered adjourned the case until April probably just execute them,” the closure of the country’s 22, leaving Buhari free to stand said Prayuth, without a trace of land and sea borders before this against Jonathan in the March a smile, when asked by reporters weekend’s general election, the 28 election. how the government would deal interior ministry said yesterday. Jonathan’s supporters had with those that do not adhere to The closure will take effect sought to disqualify the former the official line. from midnight (2300 GMT yes- military ruler on the grounds that “You don’t have to support the terday) until the same time on he had forged his secondary school government, but you should report Saturday, after polling closes for certificate, a charge the ruling the truth,” the former army chief presidential and parliamentary People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said, telling reporters to write in a elections. The ministry said in has widely publicised and which is way that bolsters national recon- a statement that the move was seen more as a smear campaign ciliation in the kingdom. designed “to allow for peace- than a serious accusation. Prayuth, who is also prime ful conduct of the forthcoming “They are interlopers and busy A boy holds a collage of condolence messages as he and others queue to pay their respects to late former prime minister, heads the ruling junta national elections”. bodies who want to waste the time minister Lee Kuan Yew near Parliament House in Singapore yesterday. or National Council for Peace and Nigeria is bordered by Benin to of this court,” Justice Adeniyi Order. He toppled the govern- the west, Cameroon to the east Ademola said of the plaintiffs who ment of Prime Minister Yingluck and also had borders with Chad brought the petition. Shinawatra in a coup last May, and Niger in the north. Both the PDP and Buhari’s Thousands pay tribute to Lee that followed months of protests In the last elections in 2011, All Progressives Congress (APC) aimed at ousting Yingluck. about 1,000 people were killed in have mounted so far unsuccessful Known for his abrupt manner clashes after opposition candidate challenges to the eligibility of each SINGAPORE: Singaporeans societies. The government led by Gurkha Contingent — a special and impulsive remarks, Prayuth Muhammadu Buhari was beaten other’s candidates to rule Africa’s wept on the streets and queued his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien guard force — played Auld Lang launched a crack down on dissent- by Jonathan for the presidency. biggest economy, most populous in their thousands yesterday to Loong, apparently surprised by Syne. As the motorcade left the ers after seizing power in May. The two men are again contest- nation and top oil producer. pay tribute to founding leader the heavy turnout on day one, government complex, many in the He has said Thailand is not ready ing this year’s election, with many Investors, electoral observers Lee Kuan Yew after his flag- announced that Parliament House crowd along the route to parlia- to lift martial law, which gives the predicting that the vote — delayed and foreign powers will be closely draped coffin was taken on a would stay open for 24 hours a ment were in tears as they raised army sweeping powers, including for six weeks because of military watching how Nigeria conducts gun carriage to parliament for day until Saturday night due to cameras and mobile phones to for arrest and detention. operations against Boko Haram this election. Past polls have been public viewing. the “overwhelming response from record the historic event. In January the junta forced — is too close to call. marred by ballot box stuffing, More than 26,000 had filed members of the public”. Some threw flowers on the a German foundation to cancel The head of Nigeria’s army thuggery and in some cases com- past the coffin before sundown, Lee will be cremated on Sunday path of the carriage, while office a forum on press freedom say- vowed a violent crackdown on pletely fictitious results, although a government spokesman said, after a state funeral expected workers watched from high-rise ing Thailand was at a sensitive election-related unrest, as secu- the one that gave Jonathan his and thousands more were in line to be attended by several Asia- buildings. juncture. Since taking power, the rity tightened before the vote. first elected term in 2011 was outside despite warnings that it Pacific leaders even though he President Tony Tan and his junta has made full use of martial Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth deemed the fairest yet. could take them up to eight hours was just an MP when he died. wife Mary were the first to pay law, which also bans all political Minimah said the armed forces, In a separate case this week, to view the casket. Applause and shouts of “We their respects, bowing three times gatherings. police and other organisations had the Nigerian federal high court After a two-day private wake love you!” and “Lee Kuan Yew!” before Lee’s closed coffin in the Prayuth was particularly criti- made “adequate arrangements” in Lagos barred the military from for the family, Lee’s coffin was broke out as the dark brown parliament’s foyer. cal of the Thai-language Matichon for security at this Saturday’s poll. deploying near polling stations taken early yesterday from the wooden coffin, covered by the Queues snaked around the cen- daily newspaper, accusing the Minimah said heightened secu- during the election. Neither side Istana government complex, Lee’s red-and-white Singapore flag, tral business district despite the paper of siding with ousted rity would be in place both for the is likely to concede defeat, rais- workplace for decades as prime emerged from the Istana in a tropical heat and humidity. former prime minister Thaksin presidential and parliamentary ing fears that violence could fol- minister and cabinet adviser, to tempered glass case perched on In true Singaporean fashion Shinawatra and his allies. vote on Saturday as well as on low whatever the outcome. When the legislature. It will lie in state a gun carriage pulled by an open- the crowds were orderly, with “Don’t think I don’t know that April 11, when gubernatorial and Buhari lost to Jonathan in 2011, there until the weekend. topped military truck. free drinking water and portable your writing is pro the previ- state assembly elections are held. 800 people died in three days of The 91-year-old patriarch died Earlier, in scenes that evoked toilets set up for mourners. ous administration,” he told a Meanwhile, a Nigerian court riots that left some 65,000 home- on Monday after half a century Singapore’s colonial past, the Police commandos helped direct Matichon reporter shortly before effectively blocked an attempt less. Western powers fear even in government, during which the carriage stopped in front of the traffic flow and priority queues boarding a plane to Brunei. to bar Buhari from running in worse or more protracted blood- city-state was transformed from main Istana building, from where were created for the elderly, preg- “The previous Interior Ministry what looks set to be the closest shed this time around. a poor British colonial outpost Britain administered the island, nant women and disabled. bought many advertising spaces presidential race since military AGENCIES into one of the world’s richest as a bagpiper from the local AFP from you.” REUTERS

Jobless rate falls in Philippines Jailed Maldives Abe unlikely to attend ex-leader says his appeal has China’s war parade TOKYO: Japan’s prime min- foreign minister said Abe would be been scuttled ister is set to rebuff a prickly welcome if he is “sincere”, and that invitation to a Chinese military Japan should face up to its wartime COLOMBO: Jailed former parade, a report said yesterday, past and not “lose its conscience”. Maldives president Mohamed as the former World War II Asked whether Abe would Nasheed has been prevented enemies jockey over the telling be invited to the march, Wang from appealing against his of their shared history. Yi said: “We will extend invita- controversial 13-year jail sen- Tokyo has not officially replied to tions to the leaders of all rele- tence after authorities refused Beijing’s comments on the march, vant countries and international to release documents needed to being held to mark the 70th anni- organisations. We welcome the prepare his case, his spokesman versary of the end of the con- participation of anyone who is said yesterday. flict, but it is unlikely that Prime sincere about coming.” The spokesman said the hon- Minister Shinzo Abe will go, the China’s foreign ministry regu- eymoon islands’ first democrati- Yomiuri Shimbun reported. larly urges Japan to “show sin- cally elected president has been The parade will officially cele- cerity” over history, signalling denied a copy of the trial proceed- brate “Victory Day of the Chinese that it does not believe Tokyo is ings, which he needs to lodge an People’s War of Resistance earnest enough. Abe has said he appeal before a looming deadline. Against Japanese Aggression”. will release a fresh statement on Filipinos look for job vacancies during a job fair inside a shopping Mall in Manila yesterday. The number of “The criminal court has tried Beijing regularly invokes World War II this year, one that unemployed Filipinos fell in January as the booming services sector created more jobs, the government said. to block the appeal at every step Japanese wrongdoing last cen- will “in general” stand by previous The jobless rate was down to 6.6 percent, from 7.5 percent in the same month last year, said Socio-Economic of the way,” spokesman Hamid tury, a strategy that experts say apologies for wartime misdeeds. Abdul Ghafoor said in Colombo. is intended to burnish the rul- However, the exact wording of Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. The figure translates to 2.63 million jobless Filipinos, versus 2.96 million “It is not that he does not want to ing credentials of the Chinese the statement is being carefully in 2014, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. appeal, but he is not being allowed Communist Party. watched for any signs of back- to file his papers.” Earlier this month China’s sliding. AFP Nasheed’s office said the deadline for filing the appeal is Thursday. A Maldivian high com- HK leader warns against protests mission (embassy) spokesman in Colombo, Hussain Mazin, said it was not until Sunday. Myanmar charges 69 protesters HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s be sympathetic,” chief executive movement... the Hong Kong The Maldives government has leader warned activists yester- Leung Chun-ying said, referring garrison of the Chinese People’s resisted international pressure YANGON: A Myanmar court and its response to other recent day that the public would “not to the pro-democracy protest Liberation Army was never to release Nasheed, jailed this laid charges, including rioting, protests had been more measured. be sympathetic” to more pro- movement known as “Occupy called out from their barracks,” month under tough anti-terror yesterday against 69 students But tensions had mounted in the democracy protests as the city Central”. Leung said. laws for ordering the arrest of a involved in a protest two weeks week prior to the crackdown, as prepares for the next phase of Leung, who was speaking at an “It was a reassuring sign on the chief judge in 2012 when he was ago that was broken up in a security forces blocked the students controversial political reforms. investment conference in Hong part of the central government president. police action that drew sharp from marching to the commercial Parts of the Asian financial cen- Kong, added that the Chinese of the faith and confidence in the Western countries, India and criticism from Western govern- capital of Yangon to protest against tre were brought to a standstill by government had “confidence” in Hong Kong government and its the UN’s human rights chief have ments, a student activist said. an education bill they said would mass street blockades at the end Hong Kong’s handling of the pro- police force.” expressed concern over his trial, Police clubbed students, monks stifle academic freedom. of last year, sparked by restrictions tests, which lasted for more than Leung also said pro-democracy while his lawyers have said the and journalists with wooden Ei Po, a student activist who from Beijing on how Hong Kong’s two months before rally sites were lawmakers who supported the case was aimed at destroying his batons to disperse protest- waited outside the court in next leader will be chosen. cleared in December. Occupy Movement could be “pun- political career. ers, according to a witness who Letpadan where judges laid charges China announced in August Rumours swirled at the time ished” by voters in the election for The high commission in reported the clashes in the town against 69 protesters, said the that candidates running to that the People’s Liberation Army the city’s legislature in 2016. Colombo denied Nasheed has of Letpadan, about 140km north court also issued arrest warrants become chief executive in 2017 — (PLA), which maintains a garri- Authorities in the southern been stopped from lodging the of Yangon, on March 10. for four leaders of the All Burma hoped to be the first ever public son in the city, would be deployed Chinese city are pushing for a appeal, saying he had refused to Western countries have encour- Federation of Student Unions. vote for the city’s leader — would if Beijing felt Hong Kong author- public vote to go ahead for the sign a copy of the case file and aged the semi-civilian government “The government is scared of be vetted by a pro-Beijing com- ities were unable to handle the city’s next leader but say it must thereby had prevented it from that took power in Myanmar in the students so they intention- mittee. “I can say that the public, demonstrations. adhere to Beijing’s framework. being finalised. 2011 after 49 years of military ally suppress students from the if Occupy happens again, will not “Throughout the Occupy AFP AFP rule to pursue political reforms, ABSFU,” said Ei Po. REUTERS THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Suicide bomber hits Kabul killing seven Taliban warn on US troop pullout

KABUL: A suicide car bomber September after protracted killed seven people in Kabul power-sharing negotiations, yesterday as the Taliban Ghani has sought to establish a warned that Washington’s deci- peace process with the Taliban to sion to slow the withdrawal of end their 13-year insurgency. US troops from Afghanistan Supportive signals from will hamper peace efforts. Pakistan, which has long held US President Barack Obama on significant influence over the Tuesday reversed plans to with- Taliban, have boosted hopes for draw around 5,000 US troops possible dialogue. from Afghanistan this year, an The Taliban, who have waged overture to the country’s new a bloody insurgency since being reform-minded leader, President toppled from power in 2001 in Ashraf Ghani. a US-led invasion, have always Hosting Ghani at the White denied talks with the government. House for their first presidential They maintain they will not head-to-head, Obama agreed to negotiate while foreign troops keep the current level of 9,800 US remain on Afghan soil. troops in Afghanistan until the Nato’s combat mission end of 2015. ended in December, leaving the “Obama’s announcement 350,000-strong Afghan security to continue to keep troops in forces to lead the fight against the Afghanistan is a response to the Taliban. peace efforts,” Taliban spokesman The decision means they will Zabihullah Mujahid said. have air and other crucial US “This damages all the prospects support through this year’s fight- Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani (left) addressing a joint meeting of Congress on the floor of the US House of Representatives, in the US Capitol in for peace. This means the war will ing season, which begins in weeks. Washington, DC, yesterday. go on until they are defeated,” he But the militants voiced said. defiance. Hours later, a suicide car “When there were more than Ghani thanks Americans in speech to Congress bomber struck close to the presi- 100,000 troops on the ground, dential palace in Kabul yesterday, they could not beat us — now with killing at least seven people and 10,000 they cannot do anything,” WASHINGTON: Afghan whose relations with Washington months ago, said Americans have Western-style suit, unlike Karzai, wounding dozens more. Mujahid said. President Ashraf Ghani grew bitter and mistrustful in his provided an inspirational gift of who addressed Congress in 2004 It is the first suicide bombing The US still plans to reduce addressed the US Congress yes- final years in office. “hope” to his nation, not only by in resplendent Afghan garb. in the Afghan capital in nearly a its military contingent in terday, thanking “the people Hailing a revived “partnership” combatting extremism but in Karzai’s relationship with US month and highlights the fragile Afghanistan to a “Kabul-based of the United States” for their with Washington, the Afghan helping more than three million officials was fraught with ten- security situation as the country embassy presence” by the end of service and sacrifice over a dec- leader also gave a nod of recogni- girls enrol in primary schools sion in his final years in office. He prepares for the start of the tra- 2016, but the rate at which troops ade of war in Afghanistan. tion to the US Congress’ role in and raising the average Afghan refused to sign a bilateral secu- ditional spring-summer fighting will pull out during that year has “We owe a profound debt to buttressing a nation ravaged by lifespan from just 44 years in 2002 rity agreement, a move Ghani season. Ghani condemned the yet to be decided, Obama and the 2,315 servicemen and women the Taliban and poverty. to over 60 today. acknowledged led to “lost momen- attack as “inhuman and un- Ghani said in a joint statement killed and the more than 20,000 “The service of American men “I would like to return that gift tum, and both partners had to Islamic”, while police said the on Tuesday. who have been wounded in serv- and women, civilian or military, in of re-born hope by offering the operate under uncertainty.” target of the rush-hour blast Obama said Afghanistan ice to your country and ours,” our country has been made pos- American people a partnership But Ghani stressed that both appeared to be civilians. remains a “dangerous place,” but Ghani said, after receiving a sible by the bipartisan support with a nation that is committed to sides “made up for the loss,” Interior ministry spokesman insisted the decision to maintain warm welcome from members of of the Congress of the United the cause of freedom and that will with President Barack Obama Sediq Sediqqi said all of those higher troop numbers for longer the House of Representatives and States,” he said. join the fight against the growing able to hold to his promise of killed and wounded in the attack was not a change in his policy the Senate. “On behalf of our own parlia- threat of terrorism.” ending all US combat opera- were civilians, and included of ending America’s frontline Ghani presented a sharp con- ment and people, I salute and Ghani addressed members of tions in Afghanistan by the end women and children. involvement soon. trast, both in style and substance, thank you.” the House of Representatives of 2014. Since coming to power in AFP to his predecessor Hamid Karzai Ghani, who took office six and Senate wearing a dark AFP

Six condemned Pakistan freezes over $102m foreign terror funds for murder ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Army Public School in Peshawar, against designated individuals and apprehended and 57 cases were several mosques and madrassas Pakistan have frozen a number the government formulated the entities associated with notorious registered under anti-money across the country, according to executed of accounts used to funnel action plan in a bid to purge the global terror networks. laundering and 17 were detained the official. They have also sealed Rs10.2bn ($102m) in cash to country of all kinds of terrorism. The official, who did not want and nine cases registered under 40 shops that were selling and ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- terror suspects, officials over- “To choke terror funding [in all to be named, revealed that civil- suspicious transactions, he added. distributing hate material. terday hanged six prisoners seeing the National Action Plan shapes] is our top priority, this is ian and intelligence agencies have In an ongoing crackdown Senator Colonel (Rtd) Tahir condemned for murder, officials (NAP) said. our strategy to weaken foreign- arrested 150 people, half of them against those who delivered hate Mashhadi of Muttahida Qaumi said, bringing the total executed Law enforcement agencies also funded militants,” said Hamid clerics, in violation of laws deal- speeches and violators of loud- Movement (MQM) believes the since the death penalty was recovered Rs101.7m ($1.02m) Ali Khan, national coordinator of ing with hawala, hundi, suspicious speakers, the law enforcement law enforcement agencies, par- resumed in December to 61. either from clerics or workers of the National Counter Terrorism transactions and anti-money agencies registered 5,017 cases ticularly the Federal Investigation Four went to the gallows in banned organisations, they said. Authority (Nacta). Under UN laundering by registering cases against clerics while 4,647 of them Agency (FIA), need to take prisons across Punjab province These actions — taken with the Security Council resolutions 1,267 against 130 individuals who were were arrested, he said. tougher action to stop foreign and two others were hanged assistance of the State Bank of and 1,373, he explained, Pakistan getting money from foreign coun- Over 3,758 clerics were held financial support to seminaries/ in the southern city of Sukkur, Pakistan — are part of the over- is bound to stop terror funding. tries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, in Punjab, 508 in Khyber- terrorist organisations. including a seminary teacher who all efforts to throttle the flow of Another senior official of the Nigeria, Australia, the US, the Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), 197 Sindh, “Better financial regulation slit the throat of a student. foreign funding to terrorists and interior ministry said both the UK, Hong Kong, the UAE and 94 Islamabad, 86 Balochistan and system can lead us to choke ter- Pakistan restarted executions proscribed organisations in the UN resolutions bound member Kuwait. 30 clerics were detained in Gilgit- ror funding and this will, for sure, in December as part of a crack- country. states not only to take measures The agencies held 83 people Baltistan (G-B), he said. help our law enforcement agencies down on militants and criminals Nine days after militants against terrorists but also estab- and registered 64 cases under Police have confiscated more to net more criminals,” he said. after Taliban militants gunned mounted a bloody attack on the lish a global sanctions regime hawala and hundi, 50 people were than 1,466 instruments from INTERNEWS down 154 people, most of then schoolchildren, at a school in the restive northwest. A moratorium had been in Graduating commandos force since 2008. It was initially lifted only for those convicted 30 allied with Taliban of terrorism offences, but the move was extended to all capital offences this month. Meanwhile, the Federal killed in air strikes Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan is to settle the contro- DERA ISMAIL KHAN: killed 11 Pakistani Taliban mili- versy over the age of the murder Pakistani jet fighters killed 30 tants in Kunar in northeastern convict Shafqat Hussain that had militants allied to the Pakistani Afghanistan, intelligence officials made the government put off his Taliban in a missile attack in said on Wednesday, hours after execution for 30 days. the mountainous northwest- a strike killed at least nine mili- “This is not a political issue. ern Khyber region yesterday, tants in the same area. They said This is a question involving life or including the group’s spokes- six or seven senior Taliban com- death for somebody,” said Interior man, intelligence officials said. manders had been killed, a claim Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali The air force has been pound- the Taliban denied. Khan breaking the news to the ing positions in the Tirah Valley “I am sitting here in Kunar media here on Wednesday. for days and the military says it along with several other peo- A FIA panel would look into “all has killed scores. At least seven ple but our fighters and com- aspects of the case” to ascertain if soldiers have also been killed. manders haven’t been killed in a the convict was a juvenile in 2004 The 30 killed in yesterday’s drone strike,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, or not, he said, making it clear that attack in the Sipah district were spokesman for the Taliban fac- the decision to stay the execution from the Lashkar-e-Islam, which tion, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had nothing to do with any exter- announced an alliance with the Jamaatul Ahrar, told Reuters. nal pressure or internal influence. Taliban earlier this month, the The Pakistani and Afghan In reply to a question, he said intelligence officials said. The cas- Taliban share a similar jihadist medical test was not a feasible ualties included group spokesman ideology but operate as separate option to determine the age of Salahuddin Ayubi, the officials said. entities. No one tracks drone Shafqat Hussain as such test pro- Members of the group said strikes in Afghanistan, but duced best results when a person they could neither confirm nor Taliban commanders say that is around 18 or 19. The accuracy Female Pakistani police commandos salute during their passing out ceremony in Hyderabad yesterday. Some deny the intelligence officials’ fighters there have been increas- of the test declines for people aged 1,084 police commandos, including 37 female police commandos, attended the graduation ceremony.a version of events and said they ingly targeted since late last year. 24 or 25, he said. were checking. A US drone strike REUTERS AGENCIES THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

One rescued, Army’s Kargil response was ‘sluggish’ two missing Govt obtains stay from SC on AFT’s quashing of policy to have unit commanded by 37-year-old colonel as Navy plane

NEW DELHI: The government combat unit to a colonel at the followed the recommendations of were needed to accommodate counsel Meenakshi Lekhi con- crashes in Goa yesterday told the Supreme age of 37 followed an examination Ajay Vikram Singh Committee, these officers after they exited tested Rohatgi’s assertions, say- Court that Indian army’s of why the army’s response in the which besides other things, had combat command as in the army ing that A V Singh Committee PANAJI: A Dornier surveil- response during Kargil war conflict was “sluggish”, he said it investigated the army’s “sluggish” hierarchy’s pyramid, not everyone report did not only talk about the lance aircraft of the Indian was sluggish as it sought and was found that while an Indian response. could be promoted to brigadier. combat units but of a larger age Navy with three personnel on obtained a stay of the Armed army combat unit was being com- The government had created Having some reservations on profile at brigade level. board crashed into the Arabian Forces Tribunal’s order quash- manded by a colonel aged 41, his 1,500 additional posts of colonel Rohatgi’s stand, the court won- Senior counsel Shekhar Sea off the coast of Goa on ing the 2009 policy to have a counterparts in the Pakistani and — 750 in 2004 and another 750 in dered how could pro rata disbur- Naphade, appearing for another Tuesday night. One navy officer combat unit commanded by a Chinese army were aged 37 years. 2009 — a larger chunk of which sal of the posts would not favour set of aggrieved officers, said has been rescued, but the other colonel at the age of 37 years. The AFT order was coming in was to go to these three arms for combat units as it would be on the that 12 Lieutenant Generals have two — including a woman officer As a bench of Justice T S the way of promotion policy in the a better age profile of the com- basis of their respective strengths opposed the policy, but Rohatgi whose husband is also in the Thakur, Justice R Banumathi army reducing the age of a colonel mand structure. and these were in a much larger countered that they were out navy — are still missing, offi- and Justice Amitava Roy stayed to 37 years, he said. Rohatgi said that the 750 posts number. of 84 but had acknowledged cials said yesterday. the tribunal’s March 2, 2015 order The tribunal quashed the created in 2004 for improving the “You can’t affords to have dis- policy decisions rested with the The aircraft was from the 301 quashing the 2009 policy under January 21, 2009 policy which age profile of combat units had gruntled, dissatisfied and frus- government. Naval Air Squadron based at INS which newly-created 750 posts weighed in favour of infan- been mistakenly disbursed across trated officers in other wings of The tribunal order said that Hansa near Dabolim in Goa. of colonels were not disbursed try, mechanised infantry and the army on a pro rata basis, but army,” it said. government would create super- It was on a training sortie across the army on pro rata basis, armoured corps insofar the 750 since this did not achieve the Rohatgi however said that if numerary posts to accommo- and communication was lost at Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi newly-created posts of colonels desired objective, a pro rata dis- the tribunal’s order was to be date Lieutenant Colonel P K 10.02pm on Tuesday, after which told the court that the response in were concerned, saying that it tribution of another 750 posts was implemented then the entire pol- Choudhary and other officers the aircraft “ditched” in the sea, Kargil war was “sluggish”. was violative of the constitution’s not followed in 2009. icy will have to be unscrambled. denied promotion on the basis of an officer said. Telling the court that the pol- article 14 (equality before law). Besides improving the age pro- Appearing for the officers who quashed policy subject to merit. The aircrew onboard the air- icy of giving the command of a The government move had file, the additional posts of colonel had approached the tribunal, IANS craft comprised three officers — two pilots and one woman observer, the navy said in a statement. Fire in Ahmedabad textile mill One survivor, Commander Nikhil Kuldip Joshi, was picked Son of MP governor up by a passing fishing boat from a fishing hamlet off Karwar and transferred to a naval Fast Interceptor Craft. found dead in Lucknow “He is presently in the Naval Hospital at Karwar and is LUCKNOW/BHOPAL: Three daughters-in-law of Ram reported to be stable,” the navy Shailesh Yadav, son of Madhya Naresh Yadav, Shailesh Yadav’s said. Pradesh Governor and former two children as well as three serv- A board of inquiry has been Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister ants were present in the house at ordered to probe the crash. Ram Naresh Yadav, was yes- the time. Navy chief Admiral Robin terday found dead under mys- On hearing the news about the Dhowan rushed to Goa from New terious circumstances at his death, Chief Minister Akhilesh Delhi yesterday morning and met father’s residence in Lucknow. Yadav and Congress leader Rita the families of the aircrew, offi- The Congress described the Bahuguna Joshi reached the house cials said. death as “unnatural” and and offered their condolences. Dhowan also met Commander demanded a CBI probe into it. Joshi termed the death “natu- Joshi, who was fished out of the The 50-year-old Shailesh ral” and asked people not to polit- sea after the crash. Yadav was an accused in the icise the issue. The navy chief took stock of scam in the Madhya Pradesh However, the Congress party the search and rescue opera- Professional Examination Board wrote letters to the govern- tion, before returning to Delhi in or Vyapam, and was reportedly ments of Madhya Pradesh and the evening. A total of 12 ships, under severe stress for the past Uttar Pradesh demanding a including two ships from the few weeks. probe by the Central Bureau of Indian Coast Guard, and four He was found dead in the pri- Investigation (CBI). aircraft have been deployed for vate residence of his father at “Shailesh Yadav’s death was not search operations. Mall Avenue in Lucknow. a natural one. He was an accused A firefighter tries to extinguish a fire that broke out in a textile mill in Ahmedabad yesterday. No casualties were IANS While family sources said in the Vyapam scam, but the alle- reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown, a fire official said. Shailesh Yadav died due to brain gations have not yet been proved. haemorrhage, police officials tak- The cause of his death must be ing up investigation into the death made public. This will be possible told IANS that an autopsy would only if the death is investigated be conducted to ascertain the by the CBI. Manmohan challenges coal block summons at SC cause. “We have requested the govern- Shailesh Yadav, sources said, ments of Madhya Pradesh and was evading notice from the Uttar Pradesh to look into our NEW DELHI: Former prime of alleged offences. but cannot be described as crimi- petition said. It argued that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) demand,” said Satyadev Katare, minister Manmohan Singh Special Court Judge Bharat nal in the absence of any material. “existence of powers of the prime which is probing the Vyapam Leader of Opposition in the yesterday moved the Supreme Parashar, who is holding trial of “The impugned order holds minister under rules of business scam, and was holed up in the Madhya Pradesh assembly. Court challenging the summons cases rooted in coal block alloca- that the allocation was violative and the role of a prime minister house in Lucknow. The Special Task Force (STF) issued to him by a special court tion scam, on March 11 summoned of law and of the rule of law. It in a Westminster model of parlia- He was charged with taking of police had registered a case over the allocation of Talabira Manmohan Singh as an accused fails to identify any statute, rule ment” escaped the notice of the bribe from 10 applicants appear- against Shailesh Yadav, and he II coal block in Orissa to for allocating Talabira II coal block or even a regulation that was vio- special court judge. ing for the contractual teachers’ was also issued summons. Kumarmangalam Birla-owned in Orissa to Hindalco in 2005. lated. It proceeds on the premise Defending the decision taken examination in Madhya Pradesh. The STF had also visited Hindalco in 2005. Besides the former prime min- that a departure from a guide- by the then Prime Minister The sources also said proper- Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh while The matter is likely to be men- ister, the court also summoned line (applicable to the Screening Manmohan Singh, the petition ties of Shailesh Yadav were on the searching for him. tioned for an early hearing today. Birla and then coal secretary Committee) by the prime minis- by Birla said: “The final decision verge of being attached by inves- Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Birla too moved the apex court P.C. Parakh under offences of ter is a per se a violation of the arrived at by the prime minister tigating agencies. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh challenging the December 16, criminal conspiracy and breach rule of law — a proposition that is was based on his assessment of the He was found lying dead near Chouhan on Wednesday visited 2014, and March 11, 2015, orders of trust of the Indian Penal Code, contrary to the settled law on the right balance between the interest his bed around 7 a.m. by a servant. the private hospital in Bhopal for summons issued by the special and provisions of the Prevention subject,” reads his petition. of the state government and that of The servant saw blood oozing in which Governor Ram Naresh court. The court trying coal scam of Corruption Act. “The guidelines incidentally a central public sector undertak- out, and informed family mem- Yadav was undergoing treatment cases did not accept the closure In his plea, Birla contended that did not — as they could not — ing. The state government felt it bers about it. They called a doctor, for some undisclosed illness. reports by the Central Bureau making a representation for seek- impinge on the discretion of the would subserve public interest if an who declared him dead. Ram Naresh Yadav’s other two of Investigation (CBI) in respect ing a share in combined coal block Prime Minister’s Office in deal- allotment was made to Hindalco, Family members said Shailesh sons are Kamlesh Yadav and Ajay of allocation of share in com- was not illegal as the prime min- ings with these matters — they and the prime minster partly Yadav was alone in his room on Naresh Yadav. bined coal blocks Talabira-II and ister was exercising his discretion, did not purport to constrain the agreed with this assessment.” Tuesday night. IANS Talabira-III and took cognizance which could at best be arbitrary powers of the prime minister,” the IANS

Spring bloom Police probe Modi to visit France, threats to burn down Bengal Germany and Canada

Catholic school NEW DELHI: Giving a fillip to hold bilateral discussions with India’s ‘Link West’ foreign pol- Chancellor Angela Merkel and KOLKATA: Police in eastern icy, Prime Minister Narendra other leaders. India said yesterday they are Modi will go on an eight-day The prime minister will be in investigating letters found at a official visit to France, Germany Canada from April 14 to 16. “In Catholic school which threaten and Canada from April 9 to 16. each of these countries, he will to burn it down, renewing fears External affairs ministry visit cities other than the capi- about the safety of the Christians. spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, tals,” Akbaruddin said. Police have stepped up security announcing the tour, said: “The In Canada, Modi is to make at St Capitaneo School in West prime minister’s visit to these stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Bengal state after the discovery countries reflects the ‘Link West’ Vancouver. This was announced of the five letters, threatening aspect of India’s foreign policy. We by the Canadian High Commission arson unless it was closed and its see this as an opportunity to rein- here. 13 nuns removed from the area. force our strong links with these Modi’s visit will be the first “We are trying to trace the countries, with a focus on invest- bilateral tour to Canada by an source of the letters. It’s too early ments and technological tie-ups.” Indian prime minister since 1973. to comment on the authenticity Modi’s first destination would The visit to Canada will provide of the letters but we are taking be France from April 9 to 12, an opportunity for the leaders “to no chances,” district police chief where he will have meetings reaffirm the close relationship Celling Simik Lepcha said. The with French President Francois between Canada and India and to incident comes just over a week Hollande. discuss ways to further broaden its after an elderly nun was raped He will also interact with vari- scope”, the high commission said. during a robbery at a separate ous sections of the French soci- “Increased cooperation in the convent school in the same state. ety and members of the Indian fields of science and technology, Staff alerted police on Sunday community, who are residents in innovation, education, security, to the letters which were found France, the spokesperson said. counter-terrorism and energy are in the compound of the school’s Modi’s second destination expected to feature prominently hostel, said West Bengal police A Kashmiri shepherd boy herds a flock of sheep in an almond garden on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. will be Germany. He will be in in discussions,” it said in a press Inspector General Anuj Sharma. Almond bloom heralds the arrival of the spring season in Kashmir after a long spell of winter. Germany from April 12 to 14 for release. AFP the Hannover Messe. He will IANS

THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Boat mail delivery Mars has

Fajr (Dawn) 4:16 nitrogen, Shorook (Sunrise) 5:32 Zuhr (Noon) 11:40 says Nasa Asr (Afternoon) 3:07 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:48 WASHINGTON: Nasa’s Isha (Night) 7:18 Curiosity rover has found nitro- gen on the surface of Mars, a significant discovery that adds to evidence the Red Planet could once have sustained life, the WEATHER space agency said on Tuesday. By drilling into Martian rocks, Today Friday Saturday Weather Curiosity found evidence of Conditions: nitrates, compounds containing Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Clear nitrogen that can be used by living Moderate organisms. The Curiosity team temperature has already found evidence that other ingredients needed for life, High: 28° High: 26° High: 28° daytime and partly Low: 17° Low: 19° Low: 19° cloudy to cloudy such as liquid water and organic with chance of matter, once existed at the site scattered rain may known as Gale Crater. be thundery at “Finding a biochemically acces- time by evening. sible form of nitrogen is more support for the ancient Martian DOHA - SUN & SEA environment at Gale Crater Mail carrier Andrea Bunar rides along a stream in her yellow mail boat at the start of the mail delivery per boat being habitable,” Jennifer Stern SUN TIDE SEA season in Lehde, Germany, yesterday. The post office begins to deliver mail per mail boat after a winter break of Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight WIND SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW in the Spreewald region. Center in Greenbelt, Maryland 05:32 17:48 08:30 & 22:15 04:00 & 14:30 06-16/22 KT said in a statement. Nitrogen is essential for all THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW known forms of life, because it’s a building block of DNA and RNA. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER However, “there is no evidence to suggest that the fixed nitrogen MUSCAT 33/26 Sunny 33/27 Sunny BBC drops Top Gear host Clarkson molecules found by the team were MAKKAH 37/24 Sunny 37/25 Sunny created by life,” NASA cautioned. KUWAIT 29/16 Mostly sunny 28/13 Sunny LONDON: The BBC announced But Hall said: “There cannot be Clarkson was suspended on “The surface of Mars is inhos- BAHRAIN 26/19 Scattered showers 24/18 Partly cloudy yesterday that it was dropping one rule for one and one rule for March 10 over what the BBC said pitable for known forms of life.” SANAA 27/12 Mostly sunny 27/12 Sunny one of its most popular pre- another dictated by either rank, at the time was a “fracas”. The research team suggested RIYADH 31/18 Showers 26/17 Scattered showers senters, Top Gear host Jeremy or public relations and commer- An internal investigation that instead, the nitrates are DUBAI 28/21 Partly cloudy 28/17 Sunny Clarkson, for physically attack- cial considerations.” The BBC revealed that he launched an ancient and likely came from BAGHDAD 24/11 Mostly sunny 27/12 Sunny ing a producer. said it would now “look to renew “unprovoked physical and ver- meteorite impacts, lightning and “It is with great regret that I Top Gear for 2016” and put out bal attack” on “Top Gear” pro- other non-biological processes. THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW have told Jeremy Clarkson today the final episodes in the current ducer Oisin Tymon after filming Curiosity is currently at the that the BBC will not be renew- series of the programme, which on March 4. The physical attack foot of Mount Sharp, an 18,000- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER ing his contract,” BBC Director- had been postponed. lasted around 30 seconds and saw foot mountain formed by sedi- ATHENS 17/14 Rain 18/13 Scattered showers General Tony Hall said. A spokesman for Prime Clarkson strike the producer, giv- mentary layers. AFP WASHINGTON 24/07 Scattered showers 12/01 Showers Clarkson’s contract with Top Minister David Cameron, a ing him a swelling, bleeding lip Gear, a motoring show which friend of Clarkson’s who initially for which Tymon sought help at SYDNEY 26/13 Sunny 24/13 Mostly sunny draws more than 350 million backed him, said that “aggres- a hospital. LONDON 13/02 Showers 12/04 Mostly cloudy viewers around the world, is sive and abusive behaviour is not Clarkson subsequently made a PARIS 11/04 Showers 13/08 Showers thought to expire at the end of acceptable in the workplace”. “If number of attempts to apologise ISTANBUL 18/09 Clear 16/10 Rain this month. His departure will you do something wrong at work to Tymon after the incident in a MANILA 32/23 Partly cloudy 33/22 Mostly sunny have financial implications for there can be consequences,” the hotel where the team was staying DHAKA 34/24 Mostly sunny 33/24 Mostly sunny the British broadcaster, as its spokesman said. in Yorkshire in northern England, DELHI 36/20 Partly cloudy 36/23 Sunny commercial arm BBC Worldwide More than a million people and then reported himself to BBC ISLAMABAD 32/17 Mostly cloudy 29/16 Mostly sunny earns around £50m ($75m) a year had signed an online petition for management. from the show. the BBC to reinstate Clarkson. AFP Thursday 26 March 2015 6 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6381 Price: QR2

QNB first to deploy NCR’s CxBanking

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatari stocks Oil dynamics dip on Yemen, Q1 earning to throw big worries

DOHA: Qatari stocks down yesterday as fund manag- surprises in Q1 ers predicted declines in first quarter GCC corporate earn- ings due to oil slump. Qatar Exchange’s (QE) benchmark Price slump to hit company results index declined 1.45 percent in a broad sell-off to settle at BY SATISH KANADY Developer UDC is expected to Ezdan Holding Group Chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani (second right) with Groups 11,503 points. Of the 39 traded announce its first quarter results Deputy Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani (second left), CEO Ali Al Obaidli (right) and Board Member stocks, 29 declined. DOHA: The changing oil mar- on April 26, 2015. Abdul Basit Ahmed Al Shaibi at the AGM in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT The entire sector indices ket dynamics is expected to On the Q2, 2015 outlook, ended red with the banks and throw up ‘surprising’ first another analyst said, the oil price financial services declining the quarter results for many Qatari trending is going to be a big direc- most by 2.09 percent. The QE companies. The first quarter of tion for Qatari stock market. “If Ezdan holds AGM, approves index drop was mainly led by this year witnessed sharp slide oil stabilises on $60-$70, it’s good QNB and Industries Qatar (IQ) in the oil prices and this is going and we are not expecting any neg- falling. The banking major QNB to be reflected in the Q1 results. ative impact on the stock market. fell 2.02 percent as IQ declined The oil price drop is expected to But again it is very important to 4pc dividend recommendation 2.18 percent. put a damper on energy-related be in picking stocks.” A section of market watchers companies. The GCC Earnings Review DOHA: Ezdan Holding Group its mission, armed with unfailing shareholders of the Gulf said the instability in Yemen is “The oil prices declined most -2014 released yesterday by the yesterday held its Annual faith, and a knowhow that reads Cooperation Council (GCC) as also having a negative impact during the end of fourth quarter “Global Research” noted Qatar General Meeting (AGM) which and analyses our reality to safely equal to Qatari nationals in terms on the regional stock market. extending it to the first quarter. ranked third, after UAE , Bahrain approved all agenda of the meet- reach to the future we aim for.” of share ownership will have a good “Whilst events in Yemen are The crude was trading about $85 and Kuwait, in the growth rate ing, including the Board’s rec- He added that last year the impact on the performance of the somewhat impacting regional per barrel during the opening of of corporate earnings last year. ommendation to distribute cash Group made successful steps Group’s share during the coming markets, we remain of the view first quarter. Today, the global The UAE has been the best- dividend of 4 percent of the nom- that began by fully implement- period, noting that this comes as a that the recent selloff in equi- benchmark Brent was traded at performing market in the region inal value of shares, equivalent ing investment operations, and continuation of the decision of the ties is mainly driven by high $56 per barrel. This kind of drop during 2014, recording a 30.2 to 40 dirhams for the year ended enhancing the efficiency of all its previous Assembly to allow non- stock valuations, especially and volatility will have a huge percent year-on-year increase, December 31, 2014. operations to achieve maximum Qataris to own up to 49 percent of when considering current vol- impact on the first quarter cor- followed by Bahrain’ 15.0 percent The shareholders also approved profitability. “The Group has pre- Ezdan Holding Group shares. atility in oil prices”, said a top porate earnings,” a top market increase and Kuwait’s 7.6 percent the recommendation of adjusting cise and specific objectives consist- Ali Al Obaidli, CEO of the analyst. watcher told The Peninsula. growth rate. the Group’s strategy to sell real ent with its principles and mission, Group, said: “We would like to “Brent dropped 45 percent “This kind of drop will have QE’s corporate earnings rose 6.1 estate and buy shares in listed or and based on two pillars, raise prof- congratulate the shareholders of over the past six months, how- more direct profits of the compa- percent year-on-year to $11.9bn under establishment companies in itability rates on one hand, and Ezdan Holding Group, as the finan- ever regional stocks declined nies whose products are directly during 2014, driven by the banks order to make way for diversifica- support the community on the cial results of 2014 reflect record only by 15 percent, mainly linked to the oils chemical compa- and financial services and real tion of investments. other, while staying committed growth in profits, we express our because investors continue to nies, but the companies that use estate sectors. Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin to the laws of the market and full thanks to everyone who contrib- believe that oil price will even- oil as energy as a cost will benefit. Gains in real estate were Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of transparency,” he said. uted in support us in order to tually recover back to $70. The The Q1 results will gives us exact driven by a more than doubling Ezdan Holding Group, said: “In this Sheikh Khalid said Ezdan reach the position we enjoy today. volatility is affecting both busi- picture how the earnings have of earnings of Barwa Real estate, year of 2015, Ezdan Holding Group Holding does not hesitate to sponsor This also means that the Group ness as well as investor senti- impacted by the oil price slide which contributed 50.7 percent celebrates 55 exciting years since national initiatives as an expression fulfilled its promises, made sev- ment, and when coupled with for the first time. There are big to the earnings growth. This its foundation, and that this long of its love for this country, and he eral years ago, to meet the aspira- political instability such as surprises in store,” he said. was partly due to higher rental journey represents but a legacy to added that the Group has devoted tions of its shareholders and make the recent events in Yemen, it A series of listed companies earnings and increase in capital be proud of.” a fixed share of its profits to charity Ezdan a leading Group in the local is inevitable that some inves- are expected to announce their gains. UDC rose 93.9 percent and “Last year’s record profits are and humanitarian work, mention- and regional market with a pres- tors will prefer taking profits first quarter results during the Ezdan grew by 21.4 percent. The the best testament to the success ing the noble act of Sheikh Thani tigious and privileged position in and cautiously observe from second week of April. Banking increase in Ezdan Real Estate was of the Group in its strategy, and it bin Abdullah Al Thani who allo- the business world.” the sidelines until thinks calm major QNB announced it would mainly because of higher operat- sends a great message that Ezdan cated 22.8 percent of the Group’s The net profit in 2014 increased down,” Afa Boran, Head of disclose its first quarter results on ing income ascribed to many new Holding Group carries deep wisdom shares to charity, which is QR310m by 27 percent to QR1.36bn in 2014 Asset Management, Amwal April 8. Gulf Warehousing yester- real estate projects and improving and insight within its core, and has based on last year’s profits. compared to QR1.07bn earned dur- said. day announced it will announce productivity. all the strength and determina- He asserted that the General ing the previous year. “Like Syria, Libya, and Egypt, its financial results on April 23. THE PENINSULA tion for moving towards achieving Assembly’s approval to treat THE PENINSULA Yemen in our view is an isolated event which is unlikely to have any material impacting on GCC markets in the medium term. We continue, however, to stay close to the Iranian develop- Telefonica sells O2 to Hutchison Whampoa for £10.25bn ments as a permanent solution will most likely have an impact on regional oil prices as well as MADRID: Spain’s Telefonica been reached after the finalisa- £9.25bn and a further £1bn later spending spree by Hutchison’s business empire in January. regional equities, and we think said it would sell British tel- tion of the process of due dili- once O2 reaches an agreed cash owner, Hong Kong investment Hutchison already owns this presents risks and buying ecom giant O2 to Hong Kong gence on O2 UK,” the Spanish flow level, it said. tycoon Li Ka-shing, one of Asia’s Britain’s Three mobile phone opportunities at the same time, group Hutchison Whampoa for firm said in a statement, adding It hopes to wrap up the deal by richest men. network — if he merged O2 with and of course, key to success is £10.25bn in a deal that could the deal was worth the equivalent June 30, 2016 — a deadline that Li, 86, who is worth $30.6bn that company, he would reduce always being very selective and create Britain’s biggest mobile of $15.2bn. Subject to regulatory may be pushed back to September according to Bloomberg’s to three the number of players in evaluating stock fundamentals,” phone firm. approval, Hutchison Whampoa 30, 2016 in certain circumstances. Billionaires Index, announced a Britain’s fast-consolidating wire- he said. THE PENINSULA “A definitive agreement has will make an initial payment of It is the latest purchase in a sweeping re-arrangement of his less telecoms sector. AFP

Qatar to treat GCC investors as locals Facebook expands

DUBAI: Qatar’s stock exchange will treat investors from Gulf Cooperation messaging features Council (GCC) countries as local cit- izens from today when calculating SAN FRANCISCO: new features at its annual whether foreign ownership in listed Facebook Inc yesterday developer conference in San companies has reached permissible opened up its Messenger Francisco, for the first time limits, the bourse said. service for developers to allowing developers to create The move will in effect allow foreign create apps and for consum- apps that function inside the investors, from both the Gulf and out- ers to communicate directly Messenger app, which has side the region, to hold bigger stakes in with retailers, in the social more than 600 million users. listed Qatari companies, most of which media network’s latest Forty different apps will be have ceilings on total foreign ownership effort to expand its reach. available on Messenger in the of 25 or 49 percent. The push to transform coming days, allowing users of However, the decision looks likely Facebook’s messaging service the service to send each other to have little immediate impact on into one that operates inde- sports clips and animations, investment flows since foreign owner- pendently of the company’s Facebook said. ship limits for most stocks are far from social media network comes Another feature will allow being used up. as it faces intensifying com- consumers to use Messenger Foreigners own just 7.3 percent of petition from Twitter Inc to send a text message to Qatar National Bank and 6.8 percent of and Google Inc, as well as make a restaurant reserva- Industries Qatar, two local companies from fast-growing messaging tion or to receive a notifica- with the heaviest weightings in global apps such as Snapchat and tion that a product purchased benchmarks. REUTERS Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg giving a keynote address at Facebook F8 in San Francisco, California yesterday. WeChat. online has shipped. Facebook unveiled the REUTERS THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Heinz, Kraft to Greece fails in bid for early cash release merge in deal EFSF says Athens not entitled to €1.2bn; raises pressure for reform list to avert bankruptcy led by 3G, Buffett

BRUSSELS/ATHENS: Greece Tsipras, who is struggling to ministers decided last month, sale of state assets this year and “I have to recognise that I investments failed in a bid to secure a quick secure fresh funds to keep his gov- when they extended Greece’s savings through later retirement was very pessimistic during the cash payment from the euro- ernment afloat while he presents bailout agreement, to transfer and a merging of pension funds. last weeks because there was no NEW YORK: Ketchup maker zone rescue fund to help stave a comprehensive reform plan and that money back to the EFSF in However, both reforms are bit- progress whatsoever,” Juncker told HJ Heinz Co, owned by 3G off potential bankruptcy next argues for debt relief. Luxembourg where it would be terly opposed by Tsipras’ leftist the European Parliament. Capital and Warren Buffett’s month, raising pressure on A source familiar with Greece’s available for bank recapitalisation Syriza party, and ministers have “But now we are back in a nor- Berkshire Hathaway Inc, is Athens to deliver a convincing financial position said Athens should Greece need it in future. already halted several planned mal process and I do think that we acquiring a majority stake in reform programme within days. would run out of money on April The German stance made clear privatisations. can come to a conclusion that will Kraft Foods Group Inc to cre- Athens had appealed for the 20 without new cash. that despite the improved atmos- Greece is also hoping to secure be both in favour of Greece — we ate the third-largest North European Financial Stability EU paymaster Germany, to phere in relations between Tsipras another €1.9bn in profits made by love Greece — and the European American food company, execu- Facility to return €1.2bn ($1.32bn) which Tsipras made a fence- and Chancellor Angela Merkel, the European Central Bank on Union,” he said. tives said yesterday. it said it had overpaid when it mending visit this week after Berlin has not softened its posi- past purchases of Greek govern- The ECB slightly loosened Shares of Kraft were up more transferred bonds intended for weeks of acrimony between Athens tion in substance. ment bonds, but the eurozone has its leash on Greek banks on than 38 percent near $85 in bank recapitalisation back to and Berlin, was among the coun- Tsipras has promised to deliver tied that to approval of its reforms Wednesday, increasing the amount morning trading. the Luxembourg-based fund this tries that opposed handing back a full list of planned reforms by by the institutions representing its of emergency cash they can bor- The deal would provide Heinz month. But senior eurozone offi- the €1.2bn. “We see no reason next Monday, but it is not clear main creditors — the International row from the Greek central bank with access to Kraft brands, cials agreed in a telephone confer- to release it,” German Finance whether it will include measures Monetary Fund, the ECB and the to above €71bn, from €69.8bn pre- which it says are in 98 percent of ence that Greece was not legally Ministry spokesman Martin agreed by the previous conserva- European Commission. viously, a banking source said. North American households and entitled to the money, although Jaeger told a news conference, tive-led government such as priva- Commission President Jean- However, wearing its other hat include well-known names like they said they would consider how adding that EFSF funding was tisations and pension reform. Claude Juncker told the European as the eurozone’s banking supervi- Oscar Mayer and Jell-O. Heinz’s to deal with the issue in the future. made available to Greece last year Eurozone officials have said it Parliament he had been “very pes- sor, the ECB ordered Greek banks international presence provides The decision by the Eurogroup as a safeguard during bank stress will be hard for Athens to make simistic” about Greece in recent in a letter not to increase their an opportunity to sell those Working Group was a setback tests but had not been needed. the budget numbers add up with- weeks but now believed its bailout holdings of short-term govern- brands overseas. for leftist Prime Minister Alexis Jaeger said eurozone finance out a forecast €4bn due from the process was back on track. ment debt. REUTERS Kraft stockholders would get one share in the combined com- pany, to be called the Kraft Heinz Co, and a special cash dividend of $16.50 for every share held. Heinz shareholders will own 51 IMF ‘Plan B’ on percent of the combined company Catalyst inks MoU with German tech firm and Kraft shareholders the rest. Packaged-food makers such reforms could DOHA: Catalyst, a local soft- as Kraft are battling sluggish ware development company yes- demand as consumers shift to slash US power terday signed a Memorandum products perceived to be healthier. of Understanding (MoU) with Kraft has overhauled its sen- WASHINGTON: a German tech company, 004 ior management over the past Washington’s block on crucial GmbH, to establish a joint ven- few months and has said it will IMF reforms has pushed the ture (JV) in Qatar to pursue develop products to meet chang- crisis lender into discussions e-commerce business opportu- ing consumer preferences. of other options, with one pro- nities in Qatar and the MENA However, “the board saw the 3G posal potentially slashing US region, said a statement. opportunity as more compelling,” voting power nearly in half. The MoU, singed by Sheikh Kraft Chief Executive Officer John Talks on “Plan B” have Turki bin Faisal Al Thani, Cahill, who will be vice chairman emerged because patience has Chairman of Catalyst and Robert of the combined company, said run out with the US Congress’ Hein Founder and CEO of 004 on a conference call. The com- failure to ratify the 2010 GmbH, coincided with the visit of bined publicly traded company is reforms originally strongly sup- German Vice Chancellor, Sigmar expected to save about $1.5bn in ported by the White House. Gabriel and his accompanying annual costs by the end of 2017. It The reforms would both delegation to Qatar. will have eight brands worth over realign the power of members The new company will focus on $1bn each, the companies said. on the IMF executive board, e-commerce business activities Kraft Heinz will be led by boosting emerging countries ranging from services and mar- Heinz CEO Bernardo Hees and like China and India, and dou- ketplaces to e-commerce hubs and have revenue of about $28bn, ble the capital resources the other e-commerce related opera- about half that of market leader bank uses to support countries tions. The JV brings together the Sheikh Turki bin Faisal Al Thani, Chairman of Catalyst, and Robert Hein, Founder and CEO of 004 GmbH, along PepsiCo in 2014. in financial crisis. leading e-commerce technology with other officials at the signing ceremony. Berkshire Hathaway will own Brazil’s executive director provider, 004 GmbH, and the more than 320 million shares in at the IMF, Paulo Nogueira technology company Catalyst to the combined company, which will Batista, has outlined a plan to create 004 Arabia. The new ven- management, product content “E-Commerce in the Mena solutions. By partnering with have about 1.22 billion shares out- “delink” the two components of ture will offer a one-stop shop creation (text and photography), region is at a relatively early Catalyst, 004 Arabia will have the standing, Buffett said. “We will be the reforms in a way that could for e-commerce with the know- marketing, customer service, pay- stage. Due to the structured local power to realize a rapid and in the stock forever,” he said. allow them to go ahead without how, infrastructure, speed to ment processing and accounting nature of the Mena retail mar- sustainable growth path without Brazilian private equity firm 3G requiring the US Congress to market and credibility to become services. 004 Arabia will also build ket, we see a great opportunity to compromising on quality or serv- Capital and Berkshire Hathaway approve them. the top e-commerce enabler for a local technical team to support help existing retailers take their ice. A local team with full Arabic acquired Heinz for $23.2bn in After that happens, the the region. the projects. The core develop- businesses online. Internet usage support across the technology 2013. The Kraft deal is unlikely resources increase could also 004 Arabia will focus on pro- ment of the 004’s SaaS-technology is mobile, shopping is local, and solutions and services will be a to face antitrust hurdles as there be enacted separately. AFP viding the e-commerce serv- and e-commerce process portfolio 004’s technology provides exactly key factor to our success,” said is little overlap in products, ana- ices such as shop creation and will take place in Germany. what is needed for omni-channel Hein. THE PENINSULA lysts said. REUTERS

‘Qatar-India UAW meeting relations special’

DOHA: Doha Bank CEO R Seetharaman participated in the CEO’s meeting with Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in New Delhi. After the meeting he mod- erated the session “Sovereign investment fund and investment fund opportunities” at Qatar India Join economic and Business meet. Speaking at the conference, he gave insight on Qatar economy. He said: “Qatar’s National Vision 2030 (QNV2030) builds on a soci- ety that promotes justice, benevo- lence and equality. “Qatar, with its enlightened vision has brought a new set of governance.... Qatar’s economic growth is expected to rise to 7 percent this year and inflation at 3 percent. Private sector can play a key role in non– hydrocarbon diversification.” He also highlighted the ration- ale for doing business in Qatar. He said: “Qatar welcomes and encourages foreign participa- tion through several attractive incentives.” He also gave insight on bilateral United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams speaks to delegates at trade between Qatar and India. the UAW Special Convention on Collective Bargaining at Cobo Center THE PENINSULA yesterday in Detroit. Approximately 900 delegates from UAW unions in the US and Canada attended the event. Gulf Air suspends Sana’a operations

DOHA: Gulf Air, the national “The national carrier apolo- also advised to visit the airline’s carrier of the Kingdom of gises to its passengers for any website gulfair.com for regular Bahrain, confirmed the suspen- inconvenience caused and all updates,” the airlines said in a sion of its five weekly flights to affected passengers are being statement yesterday. and from Sana’a International contacted by the Gulf Air World The airline hopes to resume Airport from today until fur- Wide Contact Centre which can services to Sana’a as soon as ther notice due to safety and be reached 24/7 on +973 17373737 operational conditions permit security concerns and in light for additional information, or to and it will continue to monitor of recent developments in the answer any queries, or facilitate and assess the security situation Yemeni capital. rebooking options. Passengers are in Sana’a. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Crash heavy blow to Lufthansa image Germanwings’ parent company already battling bitter labour dispute and ferocious competition from rivals

FRANKFURT: The deadly Staff were still reeling from premium airlines such as a dozen walkouts in the past 12 pilots,” Wissel told the business crash of a jet belonging to low- the shock yesterday, with some Austrian Airlines and Swiss. But months in an increasingly bitter daily Handelsblatt. cost carrier Germanwings deals Germanwings crews saying they Spohr is fighting hard to expand dispute. Grounding hundreds of Until this week, Germanwings a body blow to the image of its were not in a position to fly. But in Lufthansa’s low-cost business and aircraft and stranding hundreds has had a clean safety record since parent company Lufthansa, addition to the tragic human toll, take on rivals such as Ryanair and of thousands of passengers, the it was set up in 2002. already battling a bitter labour the accident could have a drastic Easyjet, and fierce competition strikes cost Lufthansa an esti- “We’ve never had a total loss of dispute and ferocious competi- impact on the company’s strategy, from airlines in the Gulf. mated €232m ($254m) last year aircraft in the company’s history tion from budget rivals, analysts aviation analysts said. “The crash As part of the strategy, Spohr alone, hitting 2014 profits. until now,” a company spokes- said yesterday. is a tragedy and means a sharp hit wants Germanwings and its other And there is still no end to the woman said. “These are very hard days, for Lufthansa,” said DZ Bank ana- discount airline, Eurowings, to dispute in sight, even if unions have Lufthansa, too, is regarded as an undoubtedly one of the hardest lyst Dirk Schlamp. handle most of the group’s short- said they will put it aside for now extremely safe airline. days in the history of Lufthansa,” “Lufthansa stands for techni- and medium-haul flights taking off following the crash. The last fatal crash involving the airline’s finance chief Simone cal competence and reliability and landing in Germany outside Gerald Wissel, who heads one of its jets was when an A320 Menne said, after the group held and the crash could lead to a sub- the two main hubs of Frankfurt the Hamburg-based Airborne that caught fire on landing near a minute’s silence for all 150 peo- stantial damage to its reputation. and Munich. Consulting, said Spohr’s low-cost Warsaw in September 1993, killing ple aboard Germanwings flight Moreover, the crash could endan- An overhaul of the pilots’ costly ambitions could now be in jeop- two people and injuring 54. 4U 9525, which went down in ger the company’s low-cost con- pension provisions is one of the key ardy. The pilots of the doomed Its most serious accident hap- the French Alps en route from cept, too,” he said. factors to the success of that strat- Germanwings aircraft had more pened in Nairobi in November Barcelona to Duesseldorf. In the past, Lufthansa, which egy. And Lufthansa wants to scrap than 10 years experience and 6,000 1974, with a total of 59 deaths. Lufthansa Chief Executive celebrates next month its 60th an arrangement under which pilots hours of flying with an Airbus The A320 jet that went down Carsten Spohr, who only took over anniversary, has enjoyed an impec- can retire at 55 and receive up to A320 under their belt. Tuesday in France was bought by at the helm of the company last cable reputation. But in recent 60 percent of their pay until they And if it emerged that a pilot Lufthansa in 1991 and been in con- A ‘no entry’ sign stands in front May, had already described the months, it has suffered bad press reach the statutory retirement age error had caused the crash, “every- stant service since then, passing of German airlines Lufthansa and crash, which the German carrier as a result of a long-running indus- of 65. But pilots are fighting tooth one will then start asking whether to Germanwings in January 2014. Germanwings signs at Duesseldorf has described as “inexplicable”, as trial dispute with its pilots. and nail to hold on to their ben- Germanwings undergo the same Spohr insisted that it was in “per- airport. a “dark day” for the company. The Lufthansa group includes efits and have staged more than stringent tests as Lufthansa fect condition.” AFP QNB first to deploy NCR’s CxBanking Annual Brookings Doha

DOHA: Qatar National Bank Energy Forum opens (QNB) will be the first bank in Qatar to deploy NCR’s CxBanking Activate Platform DOHA: The Brookings Doha to transform the banking serv- Center (BDC) and Brookings ices in the nation, said a state- Energy Security Initiative (ESI) ment yesterday. launched the two-day “Brookings QNB has signed a software pro- Doha Energy Forum 2015” yes- fessional services agreement with terday. This year’s Forum takes NCR Corporation, a global leader on the theme “Energy Stability in consumer transaction tech- or a False Sense of Security: nologies, to successfully migrate How Changes in Geopolitics, to NCR Consumer Experience Political Economy, and Markets Banking (CxBanking) software Alter the Energy Landscape.” — APTRA Activate. This private, closed-door con- The Bank will also be one of the ference is the fourth in an annual first large financial institutions in series that examines the relation- the Middle East to move its self- ship between the Middle East, service network to the Windows 7 established energy markets in platform, enhancing security and Europe and the United States, user experience. and emerging Asian powers. The APTRA Activate multi- This year’s Forum will shed light channel platform integrates on three principal themes: the smoothly with the bank’s current changing geopolitics of energy, infrastructure and will empower the implications of political and QNB customers to have consist- FROM LEFT: Adel Al Malki, Habib Hanna and Hicham Yamout at the function. economic changes in the Middle ent experience across the bank’s East and Asia for energy produc- entire self-service channel in an vision for transforming banking introduction of unauthorised code said Habib Hanna, NCR’s Area tion and consumption, and the advanced and secure environ- service through innovative soft- on the network, and maintaining Managing Director for South Gulf shifts in global energy markets ment. “Our agreement with NCR ware platforms that will help us its integrity and availability. and Pakistan. and their consequences for pric- will deliver the latest software innovate faster and improve our “As one of the premier financial “Through this new software ing. The Forum provides access to technology to help transform customer experience.” institutions in the region, QNB platform, QNB customers will and engagement on these topics the QNB banking experience As part of its endeavour to continues to find new ways to experience a faster and more con- through a series of speeches, ple- changing global energy landscape. so we can sharpen our focus on provide secure banking environ- delight their customers with out- venient banking experience and it nary sessions, and breakout group Attendees include a range of offi- customers and better under- ment for its customers, QNB has standing service and convenience will allow the bank to drive cus- discussions. cials, experts, leaders of national stand their needs — a key pillar already installed NCR Solidcore and the adoption of NCR’s latest tomer engagement to a new level H E Mohammed bin Abdullah oil companies, and representatives of our business strategy,” said Suite for APTRA, a compre- software solutions will allow the through safe, secure, and inte- Al Rumaihi (pictured), Minister’s of the corporate sector. Adel Al Malki, General Manager hensive ATM whitelisting soft- bank to provide consistent bank- grated transactions,” said Hicham Assistant for Foreign Affairs “Constant political uncertainty Information Technology at QNB ware that protects ATMs from ing experience across digital Yamout, Country Manager NCR delivered the key note address. and the changes in the geopoliti- Group. “NCR brings a unique insider attacks by preventing the and physical banking channels,” Qatar. THE PENINSULA A High-Level Session followed, cal landscape pose a number of including presentations by challenges for energy producers in Abdelkader Amara, Minister the world, and particularly in the of Energy, Mines, Water and Middle East,” said Salman Shaikh, Environment, Kingdom of director of the Brookings Doha Morocco; Amos Hochstein, Center. “This year’s Forum seeks Milaha to support ‘Made in Qatar’ expo as golden sponsor Special Envoy, Bureau of Energy to analyse and address changes in Resources, US Department of global energy markets by bring- DOHA: Qatar Navigation Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. the partnership agreement with economy, society, sport and State; Toshihiko Fujii, Deputy ing together government officials, (Milaha) has announced to The four-day exhibition, which Milaha’s CEO Khalifa Ali Al education.” Commissioner for International business leaders, and industry extend its support as a golden will be held in cooperation with Hitmi at the chamber venue. Al Sharqi added: “Milaha’s Affairs, Agency for Natural experts from around the world sponsor to the upcoming ‘Made the Ministry of Energy and Milaha will also exhibit its participation in the exhibi- Resources and Energy, Japan; and for valuable, in-depth discussion in Qatar’ exhibition, which is Industry, aims at attracting products at the exhibition. tion symbolizes to the interest Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent in a framework that encourages to begin from May 19 at Doha investments in the manufac- Al Hitmi said: “As a leading to highlight the national prod- Secretary, Department for Energy ground truth understandings.” Exhibition Centre, said a state- turing sector while promoting national company, Milaha is uct’s position and competitive- and Climate Change, United Subsequent to the Forum, the ment yesterday. and showcasing locally manu- committed to its responsibilities ness. We appreciate the leading Kingdom. Brookings Institution will release The fourth edition of the factured products. QC’s Deputy towards Qatar’s society and to its roles played by the company in The Forum convenes promi- the “Brookings Energy Forum event is being organised by the General Manager and Head vision that aims at maintaining the industrial sector and in the nent industry experts and poli- 2015 Policy Paper,” summarizing Qatar Chamber (QC) under the of the Organising Committee traditions, values and modernity. national economy.” cymakers from around the world the Forum’s context and principle patronage Emir H H Sheikh Saleh Hamad Al Sharqi signed We are mainly keen to support THE PENINSULA for an in-depth discussion of the findings. THE PENINSULA

QIB hosts Knight Frank Wealth Report launch

DOHA: Qatari Islamic Bank from leading industry analysts by QIB’s Private banking custom- QIB’s Group Chief Executive (QIB) hosted its private bank- and commentators. Much of ers who are interested in proper- Bassel Gamal said it was suitable ing customers on the occasion of the report’s content is informed ties investment worldwide, QIB for QIB to host such an event Knight Frank’s presentation of by the results of its unique senior managers, Knight Frank that is exclusively dedicated for its “2015 Wealth Report”, yes- Attitude Survey, which is based officials and a team from QIB-UK, its Private Banking Customers: terday. Knight Frank is a glo- on a detailed survey of almost a wholly owned subsidiary of “The report, being presented for bal residential and commercial 500 leading private bankers and QIB headquartered in London, the first time in Qatar, is part of property consultancy. wealth advisors from across the together with representatives QIB’s efforts to introduce to our ‘The Knight Frank Wealth globe, and reflects the attitudes from Orange Field Group & BLP the latest trends in wealth distri- Report’ is an annual award-win- of their ultra-wealthy clients who International Law Firm. bution throughout the world. The ning publication that examines have a combined wealth of over Topics covered in the presenta- report paints a clear picture of and analyses the performance $1.7 trillion. tion included the drivers, oppor- the Global Property Market’s per- of prime property markets, glo- Covering many aspects of the tunities and threats from global formance, thus helping customers bal wealth distribution and the lifestyles of ultra-high-net-worth wealth distribution, prime resi- formulate a comprehensive vision behavioural direction of wealthy individuals (UHNWIs) — with dential property markets, global on investments in this vital sector individuals towards property a net worth of over $30m, from cities of importance to UHNWIs, that is attracting growing interest and other wealth-related topics, wealth creation to philanthropy, attitudes of these UHNWIs to from High Net Worth Investors including luxury spending trends. from property investments to lux- property and investments, luxury around the globe”. The Wealth Report con- ury spending trends, the survey’s spending trends, and much more. Knight Frank is a residential tains a huge amount of data, findings offer a unique insight into Tom Bill, Head of London and commercial property consul- Officials at the launch of the report. not only from Knight Frank’s the attitudes of the super-wealthy. Residential Research from Knight tancy founded in London. own research teams, but also The Doha event was attended Frank , presented the report. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Niger on track Australia may join China-led bank for solid growth Abbott wants to know how much power Beijing would hold in AIIB before formal decision despite dip in commodity: IMF SYDNEY: Australia is “well to reassess its stance. The Wall part of Washington’s strategic lays out clear rules on when and a former Japanese vice finance and truly” disposed to join the Street Journal reported this week “pivot” toward Asia, it is close to what conditions it will provide minister for international affairs, DAKAR: Niger is weather- China-led Asian Infrastructure that China had proposed to forgo joining as well. “We are certainly loans, Finance Minister Taro Aso told a news conference in Tokyo. ing a fall in the price of its Investment Bank (AIIB), Prime veto power at the AIIB to attract well and truly disposed to joining said on Tuesday. By custom, the ADB is headed key exports and remains on Minister Tony Abbott said, but more countries to join the new something which is in fact a genu- Japan is hesitant to join out by a former senior official from track to grow by an average wants to know how much power bank. inely multilateral institution with of concern over China-led lend- the Bank of Japan or the country’s of 5.6 percent over the next Beijing would hold in the institu- Chinese foreign ministry transparent governance, clear ing practices, Tokyo’s relations finance ministry. two years, the International tion before a formal decision. spokeswoman Hua Chunying said accountability and with major with Washington and the AIIB’s The World Bank has also said it Monetary Fund’s resident Fairfax Media citing govern- that each country’s stake in the decisions made by the board,” potential rivalry with the Asian is discussing cooperation with the representative said. ment sources, reported the federal AIIB would decrease as new mem- Abbott told reporters. “That is Development Bank (ADB), the AIIB. Abbott said he has discussed Uranium and refined oil cabinet has approved Australia ber countries are brought into really the fundamental thing for Manila-based multilateral insti- the matter with US President accounted for roughly two- signing a “memorandum of under- the organisation. She dismissed us, would major decisions be made tution dominated by Japan and Barack Obama and Japan’s Prime thirds of Niger’s exports in standing” on joining the AIIB. the notion that Beijing sought by the board and is it going to be the United States. But ADB chief Minister Shinzo Abe and would 2013. While volatile oil prices Australia, South Korea and — or gave up — veto power as an a multilateral institution rather Takehiko Nakao said his institu- continue talking to them. can make revenues uncertain, Japan are the notable regional “impossible proposition”. than one that is controlled by any tion could cooperate with the AIIB Speaking to the Australia China the price of uranium — which absentees from the bank, which The AIIB has been seen as a one country,” he said at a news and co-finance projects if stand- Business Council, Treasurer Joe makes up 40 percent of exports the United States had warned significant and possibly historic conference in Canberra. ards for loans were met. Hockey said it was important to — is contractually determined against. Despite Washington’s mis- setback to US efforts to extend Japan, however, is cautious “When it is formally established, secure the country’s best inter- annually and lags international givings, US allies Britain, France, its influence in the Asia Pacific about joining while South Korea co-financing would be a major way est in a well governed bank that markets. Germany and Italy announced this region to balance China’s growing has said it is yet to decide. of complementing ... We’d like to will work to promote greater “The negative impact of month they would join the bank, financial clout and assertiveness. Tokyo “does not need to sign in” proceed with co-financing” and infrastructure and growth in the the fall of commodities prices leading the Obama administration Although Australia is a vital on joining the bank unless China other ways of cooperation, Nakao, region. REUTERS has, so far, been manageable,” the IMF’s Ahmed Zorome told Reuters. “Overall, the medium-term outlook remains Monsanto stocks slip after cancer report favourable and growth is expected to average 5.6 percent in 2014-2016.” Moody’s slashes Niger’s $8bn economy prob- ably grew by around 6.5 per- cent last year, accelerating from 4.1 percent in 2013, driven Ukraine rating to by agriculture and government infrastructure projects, the Fund said in December. Zorome said there was no just above default evidence that spending on security was jeopardizing the budgetary balance. Niger WASHINGTON: Ratings firm posted a budget deficit of 2.7 Moody’s cut Ukraine’s sovereign percent of GDP in 2013. debt rating to one notch above Pakistan bond Niger is taking part in a default on Tuesday, saying credi- regional operation against tors will be forced to take deep rating upgraded Islamist militant group Boko losses in a debt restructuring. Haram in northern Nigeria, “The key driver of the down- KARACHI: Moody’s as well as stepping up secu- grade is the likelihood of exter- upgraded Pakistan’s dollar rity in its own north against nal private creditors incurring bonds rating one notch from traffickers and jihadi groups substantial losses as a result of stable to positive on the back operating across the border in the government’s plan to restruc- of the country’s improving neighbouring Libya. ture the majority of its outstand- macroeconomic indicators. “However, security-related ing Eurobonds” and other debt, The financial ratings firm outlays are frustrating Moody’s Investors Service said. said its decision came in view the government’s develop- Ukraine’s long-term issuer and of Pakistan’s strengthening ment programmes, as scarce government debt ratings were foreign exchange reserves. resources which could have downgraded to Ca from Caa3, and Militant-plagued Pakistan Activists protest against the production of herbicides and GMO (genetically modified organisms) food prod- been directed to infrastructure the outlook remained negative, the has been trying to boost its ucts outside Monsanto headquarters in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Monsanto fell 1.7 percent after the United building and poverty reduction firm said. Also included in the gov- flagging economy since Prime Nations’ International Agency for Research on Cancer said that the company’s popular weedkiller Roundup are diverted,” he added. ernment’s debt restructuring plan Minister Nawaz Sharif was is suspected of causing cancer in humans. REUTERS is the external debt of state-guar- elected nearly two years ago. anteed entities and selected other “Moody’s Investors Service state-owned enterprises, and the has revised the outlook on Eurobonds issued by the capital Pakistan’s foreign currency city of Kiev. government bond rating to Moody’s said the debt restruc- positive from stable,” the com- Mahindra in talks to buy Italy’s Pininfarina turing was aimed at provid- pany said in a statement. ing $15.3bn of the four-year, Pakistan issued $1bn in five- MILAN: India’s Mahindra & One of the sources said the expense of independent design worked at Pininfarina for more $40bn bailout arranged by the year Sukuk Bonds. AFP Mahindra is in talks to buy a talks were at an advanced firms. The group, which today than six years, according to his International Monetary Fund majority stake in luxury car stage, but the other two said also designs buildings, interiors, LinkedIn profile. and other multilateral and bilat- designer Pininfarina in what the companies were far from an furniture and electronics, among Tassin is the lead designer at eral creditors for Ukraine, which Moody’s believes that the likeli- would be the latest Asian bid agreement. others, reported a 2014 net loss Mahindra Reva, the company’s is fighting a war with pro-Russian hood of a distressed exchange, and for an iconic Italian brand, “It will be a nice acquisition of €1.3m. Its net debt stood at electric car business. Among his separatists in the east. hence a default on government three sources with knowledge for (Mahindra), but it’s not a €45m at the end of 2014 and is top projects is Halo, a sporty- The IMF approved $17.5bn debt taking place, is virtually 100 of the matter said yesterday. must have, so they will be very expected to rise this year. looking electric car that was on for the bailout on March 11, in percent,” the ratings firm said. Shares in Milan-listed cautious on valuations,” one of If the talks succeed, display at the auto show in New exchange for the government’s The outlook for the country’s Pininfarina, which has designed the sources said. Pininfarina could become the Delhi in 2014. successful implementation of rating remained negative. cars for Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls- Turin-based Pininfarina’s latest Italian industrial brand to Mahindra has earned a rep- economic, budget and monetary Moody’s said that Ukraine’s Royce and Cadillac, jumped 21 market capitalisation as of be snapped up by an Asian buyer utation for buying distressed, reforms. Crucial to the program government and external debt will percent to €4.96, their highest Tuesday night was $135m. after China National Chemical undervalued companies, ana- is a restructuring of the country’s remain at very high levels even if in nearly a year on hopes of a The company has been loss- Corp on Sunday agreed to buy lysts said. In 2010, it bought debt. Kiev says it wants a volun- it successfully implements reforms takeover by India’s largest maker making for years and has a bank into tyre-maker Pirelli in a troubled South Korean auto- tary deal with creditors, but some and cuts its debt burden. of sport utility vehicles. debt that is almost equal to its €7.3bn deal. maker Ssangyong Motor and have already expressed opposition. “These solvency challenges are A spokesman for Pininfarina market value. It has been strug- Mahindra’s link to Pininfarina last year it acquired a majority “Although negotiations over the the key reason for maintaining a said the company did not com- gling to stay in business as car goes back to 2013 when the stake in France-based Peugeot’s specific details of the restructur- negative outlook on the govern- ment on market rumours. companies have moved to hire Indian company hired Hubert loss-making scooter business. ing are only now getting underway, ment’s downgraded ratings.” AFP Mahindra declined to comment. more in-house stylists at the Tassin, a former designer who REUTERS

Weak US business spending data points to tepid first quarter growth

WASHINGTON: US business The Commerce Department since last June on expectations investment spending plans fell said non-defence capital goods that the Fed will start raising for a sixth straight month in orders excluding aircraft, a rates this year after keeping its February, likely weighed down closely watched proxy for busi- key short-term lending rate near by a strong dollar and weak glo- ness spending plans, dropped 1.4 zero since December 2008. bal demand, leading economists percent last month after a down- Construction and mining to further lower their first- wardly revised 0.1 percent dip in equipment maker Caterpillar Inc quarter growth estimates. January. warned in January that lower oil The Commerce Department’s The so-called core capital goods prices would hurt its business durable goods report yesterday orders were previously reported in 2015. Procter & Gamble, the was the latest data to suggest to have increased 0.5 percent in world’s largest household prod- economic growth braked sharply January. They last rose in August. ucts maker, already has said that early in the year, in part due to The dollar fell against a basket full-year sales are likely to fall 3 bad weather and a now-settled of currencies on the dour report, percent to 4 percent because of labour dispute at the country’s while US stocks were trading the dollar. busy West Coast ports. lower. Prices for US Treasury Economists polled had forecast While economists largely debt were marginally weaker. core capital goods orders gaining view the slowdown in activity as Business spending on capital 0.3 percent last month. temporary, softer growth could goods has been hurt by a strong Shipments of core capital prompt the Federal Reserve to dollar, which has cut into the goods, which are used to calcu- delay raising interest rates until overseas profits of multinational late equipment spending in the later in the year. “Today’s report companies. Lower crude prices government’s gross domestic provides strong evidence that also have acted as a drag, forc- product measurement, rose 0.2 the manufacturing sector is feel- ing oil firms to either delay or cut percent last month after slip- Workers walk past Caterpillar excavator machines at a factory in Gosselies. US business investment spending ing some considerable heat from back on investment projects. ping by a revised 0.4 percent in plans fell for a sixth straight month in February. Caterpillar Inc warned in January that lower oil prices would hurt the stronger dollar,” said Anthony The dollar has gained about 13.2 January. They were previously its business in 2015. Karydakis, chief economic strate- percent against the currencies of reported to have gained 0.1 per- gist at Miller Tabak in New York. the main US trading partners cent in January. REUTERS THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,503.72 1.45 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 17,749.18 1.45 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,200.36 1.08 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,069.63 1.36 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,129.72 2.09 % Services GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 3,717.6 1.25 % All Ordinaries 5937.089 2.554 0.04 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Transportation 2,388.24 0.91 % QR140.4781 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Real Estate 2,329.82 0.62 % Cac 40 Index/D 5046.81 -41.47 -0.82 5106.04 4076.16 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.4039 QR 5.4789 QE All Share Insurance 4,160.28 1.22 % Dj Indu Average 18011.14 0 0 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.9769 QR 4.0326 QE All Share Telecoms 1,326.93 0.26 % QR 2.0034 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8922 QR 2.9492 6,889.54 0.16 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 24528.23 128.63 0.53 25101.96 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7827 QR 3.8369 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6106.18 -35.21 -0.57 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0302 QR 0.0308 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8505 QR 2.9065 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31086.51 -224.22 -0.72 35055.94 31259.41 CRUDE OIL 25-03-2015 24-03-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0579 QR 0.0590 Index 11,503.72 11,673.45 Nikkei 225 Index 19746.2 32.75 0.17 19778.6 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 169.73 152.16 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0806 QR 0.0822 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 1.45 1.32 $ 55.50 SL Re ...... QR 0.0270 QR 0.0276 YTD% 6.37 4.98 Straits Times/D 3419.02 5.76 0.17 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 6,041,021 8,077,731 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0362 QR 0.0369 Value (QAR) 272,843,755.17 403,811,720.60 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3066 QR 0.3127 Trades 4,002 4,729 $ 52.93 Up 08 | Down 29 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 25-03-2015

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 176 -2.8 11447 Chambal Fert-B/D 64.35 -1.85 49852 Garden P -B/D 25.15 -0.6 40106 Jmc Projects-T/D 175.7 -0.5 27384 Orient.Carb.-T/D 398 -11.7 5470 Hsbc Holdings/D 585.2 6.9 9189364 A C C-A/D 1581.2 -1.75 9555 Chola Invest-B/D 555 -15.45 2763 Godfrey Phil-B/D 440 -4.45 2542 Kabra Extr-B/D 74.1 -1.1 14853 Orient.Carb.-T/D 398 -11.7 5470 Imperial Tobac/D 3183 -2 622026 Aarti Drugs-B/D 645 18.75 39479 Chowgule St-T/D 24.75 -0.45 5515 Goodricke-B/D 148 -4 7205 Kalpat Power-B/D 204.7 -4.55 19031 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19.6 -0.5 24910 Kingfisher/D 365.6 -1.6 2040543 Aban Offs-A/D 424.1 -9.45 149684 Cimmco-B/D 91.2 -4.8 6740 Goodyear I -B/D 525 3.75 4897 Kalyani Stel-T/D 131.8 -2.2 41283 Punjab Chem.-B/D 162.2 13.8 40718 Land Secs Grou/D 1277 -9 437317 Aegis Logis-B/D 564.9 -18 8414 Cipla-A/D 710.1 0.2 173746 Hcl Infosys-B/D 50.7 -1.35 409642 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39.25 -0.35 8749 Radico Khait-B/D 85.95 -2.35 48268 Legal & Genera/D 293.56 -0.9 2402176 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 213.4 -2 83501 City Union Bk-/D 96.3 -0.35 504599 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 14.2 -0.7 1194740 Kg Denim-B/D 20.65 -0.65 19070 Rallis India-A/D 214.8 3.3 121105 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 80.59 0 47664843 Alembic-B/D 34 0.1 190808 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1917 -23.75 18860 Himat Seide-B/D 79.65 -1.3 16104 Kilburnengg-T/D 45.9 0.45 18987 Rallis India-A/D 214.8 3.3 121105 Marks & Sp./D 542 0 1312255 Alok Indus-A/D 6.84 -0.12 1623239 Colgate-A/D 2031.5 -25.9 9422 Hind Motors-T/D 6.19 -0.03 162507 Kopran-B/D 44.8 -0.15 75471 Reliance Indus/D 394 -6.25 33440 Next/D 7245 20 171398 Apollo Tyre-A/D 161.55 -0.1 94550 Container Cor-/D 1588.8 27.4 70531 Hind Org Chem-/D 13.35 -0.65 20181 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 298 -5.9 6842 Ruchi Soya-B/D 42.85 -0.9 131071 Pearson/D 1505 -3 938141 Prudential/D 1747.5 4 1233780 Asahi I Glass-/D 136 -4.05 5324 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 165.3 0.8 3717 Hind Unilever-/D 884 -3.65 71977 Lloyd Metal-B/D 7.49 -0.26 38402 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 613.5 2.85 10728 Rentokil Initi/D 141.1 -0.7 320036 Ashok Leyland-/D 67.35 -0.15 1054535 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 65.35 -4.65 4887 Hind.Petrol-A/D 629.45 -2.35 164686 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 9.9 0.39 238958 Saur.Cem-B/D 47.2 -5.85 5339711 Rolls Royce Pl/D 978.5 -10 1236007 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1304 6.7 2501 Dhampur Sugar-/D 35.25 -0.15 37500 Hindalco-A/D 132.8 -0.4 280644 Lupin-A/D 2009.2 -1.95 79105 Thirumalai-B/D 78.5 -0.35 1973 Rsa Insrance G/D 436.2 -2.9 626717 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.3 -0.09 690719 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3501.15 -11.8 19402 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1355.3 -4.3 120080 Lyka Labs-T/D 46.9 -0.3 41669 Timexgroup-T/D 16.9 0.4 50591 Sainsbury(J)/D 269.6 -2.8 1611404 Banaras Bead-B/D 34.15 -1.6 3106 E I H-B/D 103.7 1.15 15630 I F C I-A/D 33.4 -0.15 617160 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 147.5 0.4 97339 Tinplate-B/D 54.5 -1.55 68217 Schroders/D 3347 7 145036 Ucal Fuel-B/D 107 7.4 91274 Bata India-A/D 1150.9 -13.75 7357 E.I.D Parry-A/D 164 -0.15 63761 Idbi-A/D 72.95 -0.5 353916 Mah.Seamless-B/D 195.25 -5.45 12114 Severn Trent/D 2085 -12 283211 Bayer Crop-A/D 3276.2 -39.7 15594 Eicher Motor-A/D 15551.25 37.6 3396 Ifb Agro-B/D 241 -5.4 3353 Mangalam Cem-B/D 255.4 1.2 10294 Ucal Fuel-B/D 107 7.4 91274 Smith&Nephew/D 1172 4 687299 Beml Ltd-A/D 1029.8 -30.25 42926 Eimco Elecon-T/D 389 1.4 4495 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 581 5.5 4236 Mastek-B/D 384 -11.1 87867 Ultramarine-B/D 61.45 0.05 6161 Smiths Group/D 1208 -5 445682 Bh Electronic-/D 3189.15 -54.1 20051 Electrosteel-B/D 17.35 -0.3 131160 India Cement-A/D 91.8 -0.05 120751 Max India L-A/D 437.65 -0.55 47127 Unitech P -A/D 15.75 -1.1 9923425 Standrd Chart /D 1102.5 -17.5 3565599 Bhansali Eng-T/D 21 -0.65 72162 Emco-B/D 32.05 -2 48246 India Glycol-B/D 83.7 8.05 159112 Mrpl-A/D 64.25 1 60699 Tate & Lyle/D 600.68 -1.5 476906 Bharat Bijle-B/D 601 -9 2050 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.09 0.04 19797 Indian Hotel-A/D 109.9 4.9 100931 Nahar Spg.-B/D 82 -1.2 44474 LONDON Tesco/D 242.15 -1.5 5113911 Bharatgears-B/D 70.95 0.95 3494 Escorts-A/D 132.1 1.25 152866 Indo-Tcount-T/D 387.9 11.4 5795 Nation Alum -A/D 43.55 -1.1 92462 Unilever/D 2903 -4 1001074 Bhel-A/D 236.6 -2.9 442101 Essar Oil-T/D 110.55 2.1 267281 Indusind-A/D 870.45 -12.6 54241 Navneet Edu-B/D 101 0.6 66578 3I Group/D 501.5 0 279341 United Util Gr/D 953 -3.5 573276 Bom.Burmah-B/D 434.95 -8.45 45454 Eveready Indu-/D 263 1.6 28177 J.B.Chemical-B/D 195.8 3.45 21037 Nepc India-T/D 2.3 -0.11 25818 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2930 5 349885 Vodafone Group/D 225.1 -1.85 22929721 Bombay Dyeing-/D 63.9 -0.6 720120 F D C-B/D 153 -2.9 12992 Jagson Phar-B/D 26.05 -0.2 22287 Neuland Lab-B/D 324.5 -2.6 2583 Barclays/D 252.4 -6.05 18357666 Whitbread/D 5320 -15 203360 Camph.& All-B/D 241 -9 7180 Federal Bank-A/D 136 3.55 93782 Jbf Indu-B/D 203 11.7 351923 Nrb Bearings-B/D 136 1 5312 Bg Group/D 884.6 3.8 3796318 Canfin Homes-B/D 560 2.5 10848 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.25 -0.22 27318 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.4 -0.02 22020 O N G C-A/D 309.65 -4.35 518947 Bp/D 446.6 2.45 7400020 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3650 -14 942834 Caprihans-B/D 68 -1.1 3073 Finolex-A/D 279.45 4.15 380629 Jct Ltd-B/D 2.7 -0.12 141096 Ocl India-B/D 424 -26.1 438320 Bt Group/D 468.15 2.65 7558741 Castrol India-/D 470.55 -1.85 21842 Forbes-B/D 1751.5 47 4407 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.21 0.04 38295 Oil Country-B/D 29.9 1.9 9064 Centrica/D 257.9 1.3 5247305 Century Enka-B/D 147.6 0.6 23570 Gail-A/D 380.1 -9.9 351731 Jik Indust-T/D 0.9 -0.02 10109 Orchid Chem-B/D 50.55 -1.85 141247 Gkn/D 370 -2.1 3281633 Century Text-A/D 567.35 8.85 99341 Gammon India-T/D 17.1 -1.25 167451 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 100.25 -1.1 104873 Orient Hotel-T/D 19.05 -0.95 9694 THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

FROM LEFT: MotoGP riders Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Aleix Espargaro are seen at a pre-event press conference at Losail International Circuit yesterday.

MotoGP Free practice key to sound action to reach 207 territories start in 2015: MotoGP stars DOHA: Dorna Sports yester- day announced that the 2015 MotoGP season will reach a Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi mean business ahead of first GP record broadcast coverage across the globe with 87 net- works in 207 territories show- BY RIZWAN REHMAT ing the 18-race full-throttle spectacle. DOHA: Improved times in pre- Europe: season testing would count for In both France and Germany, little if riders can’t make the Eurosport Discovery has top-10 bracket at this week’s free increased its MotoGP offer- practice sessions, MotoGP stars ing drastically across numerous Marc Marquez and Valentino areas, offering a fully personalized Rossi said yesterday. programme with full coverage of Just a week ago, Ducati were every session and race throughout the happiest of the manufactur- the weekend. ers after dominating proceed- This includes its commentary ings during the first two days team, as well as dedicated pit-lane of pre-season testing at Losail and paddock presenters along International Circuit. with camera crews giving the full The Italian manufacturer com- MotoGP experience. pleted a 1-2 on Saturday and only British audiences will continue missed out on achieving the same to benefit from BT Sport as its feat on the second day by 0.013s. pay TV provider for a full and The third day was cancelled extensive live coverage from all 18 due to rains. races throughout the whole week- “We were here for the testing end, while free-to-air broadcaster last week. The feeling was good ITV4 will retain its 52-minute then, but everything looks really, highlights programme on Monday really tight with the times. It will evenings after the race. be interesting,” Marquez said at Asia & Oceania: a pre-event press conference The popularity of the MotoGP yesterday. championship has been growing “The times were incredible in drastically in the Asian region Malaysia. Last week (in Qatar) over recent years, which the ever- there were many riders with simi- increasing range of TV coverage lar good results. If you don’t push reflects. in the practice, you can go into Cross continental network Q1,” the two-time world cham- Two-time world champion Marc Marqeuz of Spain smiles during a pre-event press conference at Losail International Circuit yesterday. RIGHT: Nine- Fox Sports Asia, which covers pion said. time world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy listens to a question during the same news conference. Both will be seen in action during the opening countries including Singapore, “Yamaha riders and my team- Grand Prix of the new MotoGP season this Sunday. BELOW: Jorge Lorezno answers a question. Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, mates are really strong like every Taiwan and the Philippines, will year but it looks like Ducati did continue broadcasting all of the a big step in Malaysia, especially more difficult,” the Yamaha giant “The first race is always spe- I think this is what everybody But those little problems need to races live, as well as their preced- here last week,” the Honda Repsol warned. cial. You feel a bit different. The wants on Sunday,” the affable be addressed quickly so we are in ing qualifying sessions. star said. Rossi rued missing one session pressure is there and you feel it’s Italian said. the top. Trans7 continues to bring the “This week they will be there of testing at Losail Circuit last like your first day at school,” Rossi Marquez said he feels ready for “But I feel strong - physically motorcycle-racing spectacle to but I think it is good for the week after a heavy downpour left said with a smile. the new season. and mentally but we have to dem- MotoGP-mad fans in Indonesia championship to see more manu- the race track under water. “(In 2013), the battle was funny “Yes, here we go! We are here onstrate that on the track,” the Japanese viewers will get a facturers in the front,” he added. “Unfortunately we missed one between me and Marc because for another start to our champi- 27-year-old Spaniard said. boost from 2015 in a new three- Rossi, the nine-time world day of testing (because of rain last Jorge was in the front,” Rossi said onship,” Marquez said. “This year luckily the front year deal, with G+ offering all QP champion across three formats week). We try to do the simula- when asked about his battles with “I feel better than last year. I tire will be softer. This will help,” and races live. of bike racing, echoed Marquez’s tion so that things could be clear,” Marquez and Lorenzo. look forward to starting the sea- Lorenzo said. “But I need to be India’s Ten Sports will broad- sentiments. Rossi said. “But I was able to beat him to son in a good way. Because it is stronger in the practice to be cast live QP and races in a new “The free practice is important “From what we saw in the tests the second place. Unfortunately important and we were here for ready for the race,” he added. exclusive agreement. because you have to stay in top in Qatar is that two Ducatis are Marc was able to beat me for the the testing also,” he added. “Looks like a close season but America: 10,” Rossi said. closer to Marc. They are very first place last year. Former champion Lorenzo said you can’t tell what will happen. Across the Pacific it remains “Because I looked at the times fast in one lap. We have to work “We have had great races and he was fitter than ever before During the testing we saw many a Fox theme as US channel Fox last year also - the difference because we want to try to stay I enjoy those competitions a lot,” having dropped weight in recent riders were close. Ducati did well. Sports 1 will continue to high- between the top 10 riders is not a with them and try to fight for the he said. months. “The Yamaha engineers also light local rider Nicky Hayden’s lot,” the 36-year-old Italian added podium,” he said. “Last year it was strange “I feel stronger and lighter did well. I am happy about the progress with every MotoGP during the same press conference. Rossi, who won in Qatar in because all manufacturers didn’t from last year. I have lost 5 kilos improvements we’ve made,” race live, the Moto2 race on SDD “We have to work in the race 2005, 2006 and 2010, said he was come here and (yet) they were in body weight,” Lorenzo said. Lorenzo, winner in Qatar in 2012 and a delayed Moto3 race. At the but you have to be faster and if you feeling ‘excited’ to be starting the very strong in the race. “It’s going to be hard. During and 2013, said. US Grand Prix however there are not in the top 10 it becomes season this week. “It was a big group in MotoGP. the tests, we had some problems. THE PENINSULA will also be live or SDD MotoGP qualifying. Canada’s RDS has renewed its contract to broadcast the Grand Prix racing numbers you need to know MotoGP race live in French, as well as the support classes as DOHA: Here are a few inter- record is Mike Hailwood. GP career he has only missed and the eighth under floodlights. delayed highlights. esting points to consider before 94 - Dani Pedrosa’s third place four races, after breaking his leg 9 - This will be the ninth Central and South America has the season’s opening race on finish in the final race of 2014 at at Mugello in 2010. successive year that the Losail a similarly exciting race coverage, March 29. Valencia was the 94th time that 19 - The victory by Marc International Circuit has hosted with Argentina’s ESPN+ offer- 150 - Karel Abraham will be he has stood on the podium in Marquez at the final race of 2014 the opening Grand Prix event of ing both the MotoGP and Moto2 making his 150th Grand Prix the MotoGP class. One more top in Valencia was his 19th victory the year. races live, as well as a variation start at the Qatar GP. He will three finish for Pedrosa and he in the MotoGP class, the same 5 - The two riders with most of live, SDD and delayed Moto3 be the first Czech rider to reach will equal the number of premier- number of premier-class wins GP victories at Losail, having race coverage. the milestone of 150 grand prix class podiums of Mick Doohan. that Barry Sheene achieved dur- amassed five wins each, are Casey Middle East & Africa: starts. Only Valentino Rossi, with 160 ing his career. One more win for Stoner (4 x MotoGP, 1 x 250cc) In the Middle East, continental 150 - At the Qatar Grand Prix top three finishes, has more podi- Marquez and he will equal the and Jorge Lorenzo (2 x MotoGP, network beIN Sports will broad- Bradley Smith is scheduled to ums in the premier class than 20 premier-class career wins 2 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc). cast all MotoGP qualifying prac- become the youngest ever British Pedrosa and Doohan. achieved by Freddie Spencer. 5 - Yamaha have been the tices and races live across the rider to reach the milestone of 20 - 2015 is Valentino Rossi’s 12 - This will be the twelfth most successful manufacturer in region. 150 Grand Prix starts across all 20th successive year as a Grand occasion that a Grand Prix event MotoGP at this circuit with five Africa has a similar continent- classes; the current holder of this Prix rider. During this lengthy has been held at the Losail circuit wins. THE PENINSULA wide agreement with SuperSport. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Dakar Rally star Roma set QMMF Racing Team’s chief rider Anthony West of for Sealine Australia is seen during one of the challenge riding sessions at the pre-season DOHA: There is just over a testing at Jerez, week to go before entries offi- Spain, last cially close for this year’s week. West, who Sealine Cross-Country Rally, welcomed Julian the third round of the 2015 FIA Simon as his new World Cup for Cross-Country riding partner at the Rallies and round two of the end of last season, FIM Cross-Country Rallies said he is in a better World Championship, which position to improve will take place on April 18 to 24. his lap times Officials at the Qatar Motor compared to stats and Motorcycle Federation recorded last year. (QMMF) have received interest from across the world from teams keen to face the challenges of five gruelling selective sections across the Qatar desert. Two-time Dakar Rally winner Joan ‘Nani’ Roma is the latest addition to the list of entrants already received for the Sealine event, which gets underway from the Losail International Circuit on Monday, April 20. Roma, 43, won the Dakar Rally on a factory KTM motorcycle in 2004 and followed in the foot QMMF Racing Team ready steps of the French duo of Hubert Auriol and Stéphane Peterhansel to repeat his winning feat in a car – a Mini All4 Racing – in 2014. The Spaniard has yet to announce his co-driver for this year’s Sealine event, although for tough Moto2 battle Frenchman Michel Perin has been his regular navigator in recent years. I think we are moving in the right direction, says Anthony West Roma began his enduro racing career as early as 1991 by finish- ing second in the 125cc category BY RIZWAN REHMAT of the Spanish Junior Cross- Country Championship. DOHA: QMMF Racing Team He graduated to the senior rider Anthony West is pleased European series the following sea- with the changes made to his son and went on to win a sequence bike as he goes head long into of gold and bronze medals at the the new season’s first Moto2 prestigious International Six Days race at Losail International Enduro (ISDE). Circuit this Sunday. He first competed in the Dakar Anthony West West, who welcomed Julian Rally in 1996 and began to carve is seen with Simon as his new riding partner out a career on two wheels in at the end of last season, said he QMMF President cross-country rallying, initially is in a better position to improve Nasser bin Khalifa with the BMW team and then his lap times compared to stats Al Attiyah in with KTM. recorded last year. this file photo Roma’s first taste of rallying “I think we are moving in the taken at Losail in a car was in the 2004 Qatar right direction. There’s a lot of International Baja at the wheel of a Mitsubishi things I requested last year that Circuit last Pajero MPR9 with the late Henri didn’t happen,” West said in an season. RIGHT: Magne as his co-driver. interview yesterday. West’s new He finished second that time “I think from where the bike team-mate Julian out behind Qatar’s leading was last year to where it is now, Simon. driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah’s it will be easier to do better lap- Chevrolet Pro Truck and went on times,” the 33--year-old former to finish third, second and fourth MotoGP rider added. in the Dakar Rally before his vic- “My lap-times are more con- tory in 2014. sistent then they were last year The German X-raid team that after we made the changes to runs factory and customer Mini the bike. I could only do one or All4 Racings won the Sealine two laps fast as it was difficult to Cross-Country Rally last year manage that bike. with Al-Attiyah and has entered “It was easy to lose traction a strong driver line-up this year. then. But now it is like the other be strong and 100 percent. That So we have made changes to the bike. It was easy to lose traction session at a race track, there were One notable addition to the bikes as in you can make mistakes wasn’t the case last year. We are bike. It’s not the team but the then. But now it is like the other inputs from me and very little X-raid customer line up will be and still be fast. just trying to improve that with manufacturer which didn’t listen bikes as in you can make mistakes inputs from my team-mate. And the young Briton Harry Hunt, “Each lap is faster so I think the bike. We made some changes to me last year so much. Now that and still be fast. Each lap is faster remember he had a completely who is also set to tackle the Abu qualifying will be better also,” the after the last Grand Prix. We there’s Simon, they are listening so I think qualifying will be bet- different riding style. He wasn’t Dhabi Desert Challenge this com- Australian added. changed suspension brands. From to me a bit more (smiles). We are ter also. on the pace. So I had to set the ing weekend with the experi- Excerpts from a candid chat the first moment when we put in going to get some new parts so it Question: Do you see podium bike 100 percent on my own. So I enced German navigator Andreas ahead of this week’s Grand Prix the new suspensions, we were will all help us getting more speed finishes along the way in 2015? didn’t have the chance to get the Schulz. Hunt has made the switch of Qatar. going faster than before. So we consistently in each race track. Answer: I hope so. As long as information from other riders from more conventional special Question: What are your are looking good for the new sea- Hopefully it should work better the changes me and Simon are because everyone tries different stage rallying - where he won the realistic goals in the new son. I am quite confident that it at all circuits. requesting are made then I am things when they exit on to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge season? will make us consistently faster. Question: Last year you said sure we can be on the podium. If race track. You lose that informa- (IRC) 2WD Cup for the second Answer: I am happy to con- Question: Do you feel you you wanted to replicate your these changes don’t happen, then tion so we had to do everything time in 2012 - and will compete tinue with QMMF. Everybody’s are in a better position to be form in qualifying sessions on it is going to be tough for us. So ourselves last year. We had to a in Qatar for the first time. been really good in Qatar; my consistent than you were at the race-day also. Is that the plan we are still waiting to see what fight a lot. We had to put in a lot The QMMF continues to make mechanics and my team mem- start of 2014? for 2015 also? happens in the first race. more to get the bike settings in. ground-breaking improvements bers. There’s a lot of good peo- Answer: Yes, preparation-wise. Answer: I think if we get the Question: Do you think lack Whereas it would be easier for within the organisation of the ple. I am just happy to continue. I think we are moving in the right changes to the bike the way I of experience of your team- other riders (last year). Sealine event and the federation I just hope we can have better and direction. There’s a lot of things want, then everything goes well. mate last year pulled you down? Question: Would you be giv- has been granted an FIA waiver consistent results. Last year we I requested last year that didn’t I think from where the bike was Answer: It made it harder ing motocross a thought in for sporting and environmental started quite good but then we happen but with Simon - my new last year to where it is now, it will in terms that he wasn’t at the future? reasons in connection to the way had some problems during test- team-mate here - he came from be easier to do better lap-times. same level as me. So that made it Answer: Motocross was some- that competitors navigate their ing with the bike. None of those a different bike last year, a Kalex. My lap-times are more consistent harder. Kalex, for example, had 15 thing that I wanted to do when I way across the selective sections problems got resolved so it’s got He’s come to the team. It has then they were last year after we other riders to take information first got into bike racing when I through the desert. more difficult as the year went helped me a lot. The things I was made the changes to the bike. I from. From gearing to suspension was about 11 or 12. But my dad “To validate any route way- on. Everybody is so strong in the complaining about are gone as he could only do one or two laps fast settings and there were many thought it was too dangerous and point, a competitor must pass championship and you need to is confirmed for the new season. as it was difficult to manage that other things to look at. After one I didn’t do it. Then I went road within 90 metres of it this year,” racing which is just as dangerous said clerk of the course Pedro but I would definitely like to give Almeida. Moto2 Stats and Facts it a good go. I definitely need six “In the current FIA regula- %For the last four years, the winner of the Qatar Moto2 race has gone on to clinch the world title: Stefan Bradl months to a year’s training to be tions, to validate a WPE (eclipse in 2011, Marc Marquez in 2012, Pol Espargaro in 2013 and Tito Rabat last year. up with those fast (motocross) waypoint) or a WPM (hidden %Tito Rabat won the Moto2 race at Qatar last year from pole position. He is the first rider since the Moto2 guys. It is a different sport. It’s waypoint), which represents 95% championship was introduced in 2010 to attempt to defend his world title, and could be the first rider to become not the same as road racing at all. of the waypoints at the Sealine a double World Champion in the Moto2 class. Question: It’s a very spectac- event, a competitor must pass %In addition to Rabat, the only other past Qatar GP winner who is currently competing in the Moto2 class is ular sport, wouldn’t you say? within 200 metres of it. Luis Salom, who won the Moto3 race at Losail in 2013. Answer: Oh yes! For me I “This means in the regulations %Mika Kallio has finished second at Qatar on three occasions: in the 125cc class in both 2005 & 2006, and watch road racing and I am like for our event this year, validat- in the Moto2 race last year. ‘it is fast and it is pretty crazy’ ing waypoints becomes a more %Three of the riders in the Moto2 class in 2015 have competed in all eleven previous Grand Prix events to when you see it. For me, I enjoy accurate task for co-drivers and be held at the Losail circuit: Mika Kallio, Julian Simon and Simone Corsi. motocross a lot more. I think that makes it more difficult for driv- % Thomas Luthi has finished on the podium twice in the Moto2 class at the Qatar Grand Prix; 3rd in both way because I don’t race it so I ers, especially in sand dunes and 2011 and 2014. Luthi also qualified on pole at Losail in 2012 and was leading the race starting the final lap, look at it with enjoyment. I wish difficult terrain.” before a clash with Marquez at Turn 1 resulted in him running off the track and eventually finishing fifth. Luthi I was as fast as them but it needs Entries close on Thursday, won the final Moto2 race of the 2014 season and in Qatar will be aiming to take back-to-back wins for the first a lot of training. If I get a chance I April 2. Full details on costs and time in his GP career. would give it a go but it feels quite concessions are available at www. THE PENINSULA special on the bike. qmmf.com, organisers said yester- THE PENINSULA day. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Pietersen returns to English cricket with Surrey

LONDON: English county Ford and everyone at the club Pietersen, 34, has agreed to sit “I will be meeting Mr Graves Surrey yesterday confirmed the has been exceptionally supportive. out the Sunrisers’ entire league face to face. I think he is open to return of flamboyant batsman “There is a fantastic group programme, but he could be discussing drawing a line in the Kevin Pietersen, who is bidding of lads here, and I hope we can recalled if they reach the IPL sand in terms of what’s gone on.” to force his way back into the deliver what the great Surrey fans knockout phase, which runs from However, despite Graves’s England team. want to see — lots of runs and May 19-24. comments, other figures in the Pietersen was axed by the comprehensive victories.” The South Africa-born bats- England hierarchy have played England and Wales Cricket Board Stewart added: “A Kevin man is England’s all-time lead- down the prospect of a comeback (ECB) in February last year, but Pietersen with ambitions to play ing run-scorer in all formats and for the outspoken batsman. incoming ECB chairman Colin for England and a real determina- he reiterated his desire to end his National selector James Graves has suggested a return to tion to score big runs for Surrey international exile. Whitaker said last week that county cricket would enhance his will be a huge asset to us.” “Even if this does not work Pietersen was “not part of our chances of an England recall. Pietersen has revealed that he out and I do not get back in the plans”, while captain Alastair He agreed a release from the will donate his wages to his own England team, I will at least Cook described the chances of majority of his contract with Kevin Pietersen Foundation, end my career knowing I gave it his former team-mate making a Indian Premier League side the which he set up to help under- another shot,” Pietersen added in comeback as “very unlikely”. Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday privileged children. his Telegraph column. Pietersen was dropped after and will therefore be available to “I always said this was not “I would kick myself for a England’s 2013-14 Ashes series play for Surrey from the start of about money, and I will be donat- long time if I walked away now, whitewash in Australia, with ECB the county season in April. ing my full Surrey wage to my without having a go. The public managing director Paul Downton “I’m absolutely thrilled to be foundation,” Pietersen wrote support since this all started has citing his “disengagement” with back at Surrey,” Pietersen, who in his Daily Telegraph column, been incredible and helped make his team-mates during the last was de-registered by Surrey at shortly after his return to Surrey up my mind to pursue this chance Test in Sydney. the end of last season, told the was confirmed. to play for England again. He subsequently released an club’s website. Surrey begin the 2015 County “All I am looking for is a fair autobiography in which he alleged “It’s a club very close to my Championship season with a opportunity to play for England that a bullying culture had taken heart and (director of cricket) match against Glamorgan in again. I just want a blank sheet of root in the England changing Kevin Pietersen has signed a contract to return to Surrey this summer. Alec Stewart, (coach) Graham Cardiff that starts on April 19. paper, and to be judged on merit. room. AFP NZ want fairytale farewell for Vettori Hopefully we’ve got one more game, one more big finish for him, says McCullum

WELLINGTON: Brendon “He’s played a lot of his cricket the single greatest sporting event McCullum yesterday conceded with bumps and bruises and nig- that they’ve ever been to, which Semi-final buzz Daniel Vettori had probably gles and strains,” McCullum said. is pretty amazing, to be a part of played his last international “People probably don’t realise that.” The semi-finals of the World innings on home soil, saying but he’s had to overcome quite The Black Caps skipper said Cup have got social media and New Zealand were intent on a bit to continue to back up and the assured manner in which the cricketing world buzzing giving the veteran a fairytale get out there and represent New New Zealand chased down with excitement. send-off in the World Cup final. Zealand. He’s a tough customer South Africa’s imposing total on “David will be fine. He knows the rules, as we Vettori was in the middle and he’s been an amazing servant Tuesday was a hallmark of a team all do, and his rules are no different than the at Auckland’s Eden Park on for New Zealand cricket.” that had developed into a cohesive rest of ours.” Tuesday night when the Black McCullum said he was still unit over the last two years. — Australia captain Michael Clarke backs Caps clinched a spot in Sunday’s savouring the “special” semi-final “I looked around the group and temperamental opener David Warner to title decider in Melbourne with a win, New Zealand’s first in seven saw that everyone was pretty behave himself in Thursday’s semi-final dramatic one-ball-to-spare vic- attempts, and had not yet thought calm,” McCullum told reporters against India in Sydney tory over South Africa. about the tournament decider. of how his team dealt with the “I heard Davey (Warner) say he was not going The 36-year-old Vettori, who “We’ll deal with the final in the intense pressure of the match to get involved in all that stuff. Someone has scored a crucial boundary at the next couple of days. Today it’s all situation. got to do it and I think I might put my hand up. death to help seal the four-wicket about letting (the South Africa “I was pretty calm for most of It’s part of the game.” win, has been coy about his future win) sink in,” he said. it but towards the end I started — Australia fast bowler Mitch Johnson plans but McCullum said “this “When you’ve achieved some- hoping ... the boys would be able offers to step in on Warner’s behalf for was potentially his last game on thing as special as we have, you to pull it off. sledging duties New Zealand soil”. don’t want to park it too quickly. “I had immense faith in them.” “Look a bit of sledging is okay as long as bound- “Last night with him out there You have to allow yourself the Faith is exactly what coach aries are not crossed. The Indian team will not at the end, that’s a memory he’ll opportunity to stop and smell the Mike Hesson had in Elliot, whose cross the line, but we will not back down either.” never forget,” McCullum told roses and identify what’s been the innings of 84 not out justified his — India batsman Rohit Sharma reporters. catalyst to your success.” inclusion in the World Cup squad “I talked to Dale Steyn today in Auckland and “Hopefully we’ve got one more The New Zealand skipper, who after somewhat surprisingly hav- must say that my respect for him is enormous. game, one more big fairytale fin- scored a Test triple century last ing been out of the team for 14 True cricketing gentleman.” ish for him and then we’ll have a year, said the feeling when Grant months. “We have been confident — Former England spinner Graeme Swann few beers.” Elliott smashed a six to send the all along in terms of what we do,” on encountering the South African fast The Black Caps skipper said Black Caps into the final was the Hesson said. “We know the brand bowler, whose side were knocked out of Vettori, who claimed his 300th best of his career. of cricket we want to play, we are the World Cup by New Zealand one-day international wicket “That was without doubt the pretty confident that is a good “He did say when I saw him at the end ‘does this New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori (right) and Brendon McCullum celebrate earlier in the tournament, was best feeling I’ve been a part of,” style for us. We have got a chance mean I get to come to Melbourne?’ There’s a bit after their side’s victory over South Africa in the semi-final of the World still experiencing pain from a he told reporters. to put on a good show on Sunday of irony there, I suppose. He’s shown how he Cup, at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday. back injury that almost ended “I’ve had many people con- and we will prepare for that.” important he is to us so I’m sure he is looking his career. gratulate us today and say it was AGENCIES forward to Melbourne.” — New Zealand skipper Brendon Showing one’s true colours McCullum on semi-final star Grant Elliott, who was not selected for a 20-man group South Africa’s comedy of which visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a scouting mission in October as his chances of being picked in the World Cup squad were considered to be errors is no laughing matter slim “Hopefully we’ve got one more game, one more SYDNEY: Another World Cup with none of his eight overs on Under Pressure) became appar- big fairytale finish for him and then we’ll have semi-final but another failure Tuesday producing a wicket. ent, with captain AB de Villiers a few beers.” to get to the final has left many “You’ve got an in form bowler fumbling a run-out of Corey — McCullum on aiming to give veteran South Africa fans questioning (Abbott) who’s got bounce and Anderson and Grant Elliott spinner Daniel Vettori a winning send-off what their side must do to reach he’s got pace and has bowled so benefitting from another failed on Sunday one-day international cricket’s well in the last couple of days. run out attempt and a dropped “The bigger the expectation, the more that’s showpiece match. You’ve got to be so brave to catch. asked, the bigger they stand up. I honestly don’t Tuesday’s dramatic four-wicket change that bowling line-up,” Anderson (58) helped Elliott think this World Cup final is going to daunt these defeat by New Zealand in a rain- former South Africa spinner Pat added 103 for the fifth wicket guys.” affected clash at Auckland’s Eden Symcox told local radio. before the South Africa-born — Former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Park was the fourth time the Dale Steyn is widely acknowl- Elliott, raising his game, com- Oram Proteas had made it to the last edged as the best fast bowler of pleted a match-winning 84 not “50-50 call because of a single factor — MS four — and the fourth time they his generation, his Test average out. Dhoni knows how to win World Cups and that hadn’t reached the final. of just over 22 runs per wicket “I didn’t take that (run-out goes quite a long way.” In 1992 they were undone by the placing him among cricket’s all- chance) unfortunately, but yes if — Former England captain Michael unfairness of the rain rule then in time greats. you want to see it that way that Vaughan on the Sydney semi-final force which left them needing an But a return off 11 wickets in I cost us then I’ll gladly take it,” between India and Australia impossible 21 off one ball to beat eight matches at this World Cup said a distraught de Villiers. England, while in 2007 they were was modest for a man of his class Former South Africa captain “I honestly think that Australia will win on Thursday, I think they’ve got the right balance swept aside by Australia. and on Tuesday his 8.5 overs cost Graeme Smith, writing on the An Indian artist paints the face of a young man with the image of the Indian However, Tuesday’s clash had an expensive 76 runs. ICC’s website, said: “The Proteas in the team.” national flag and the Cricket World Cup trophy in Ahmedabad yesterday, — Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee echoes of South Africa’s 1999 tie Steyn also needed lengthy missed the half-chances that on the eve of the semi-final between India and Australia in Sydney. with Australia — a result that saw treatment for a leg problem dur- counted and it ultimately cost the Australians into the final on ing the final over, and this was a them. superior net run-rate — in that further setback for a South Africa “Most tellingly they seemed to the Proteas squandered chances side who throughout the tourna- deviate from their pre-planned Elliott forces Proteas to introspect to win the game. ment, had to ‘fiddle’ 10 overs from bowling strategy to McCullum But this time around a selec- a fifth bowler — reviving a long- by bowling poor lengths which tion decision may have hampered standing criticism they had been allowed him to dictate the pace AUCKLAND: Kevin Pietersen The 36-year-old Elliott, known made it my home, I had aspira- South Africa even before the excessively cautious in selecting of the game,” he added. may be South African crick- to team-mates as “Shunt” and tions of playing international match started. an extra batsman rather than an Inevitably, South Africa’s latest et’s most high-profile expatri- “Magic”, left his home country in cricket for New Zealand,” Elliott Fast bowler Kyle Abbott, who additional bowler. World Cup loss will revive accusa- ate talent, but Grant Elliott’s 2001 and seven years later made told local media when he was first took an excellent one for 27 off a The Proteas may well have tions of “choking”, yet in recent World Cup showstopper left his Test debut for New Zealand. called into the squad. tight six overs during the quar- made a 350-plus score had not years they have won Tests from the Proteas once again cursing His Test career has since “It’s a really tough move ter-final victory over Sri Lanka, rain intervened, but a total of 281 improbable positions against sides another of their lost sons. stalled — the last of his five caps because you always grow up was dropped to make way for for five, which left New Zealand as good as Australia — not the Elliott, born in Johannesburg came back in 2009 — but he has thinking you’re going to be a Vernon Philander — who missed needing a revised 298 in 43 overs, act of a bunch of mentally weak and schooled at the same St thrived in one-day internationals Springbok or a Protea.” several matches including the last looked enough when the Black players. Stithians College in the city even if his selection for the World Whereas other South Africans eight clash this World Cup with a Caps were 149 for four. However, blows often come which also nurtured England’s Cup came as a surprise for those have left to pursue international hamstring injury. Yet it was from then on that thick and fast in the one-day Cape Town-raised Jonathan expecting the more flamboyant cricket under a different flag Philander’s first over was sav- the worth of England 2003 Rugby game, with the fall-out from this Trott, dealt the blow that killed Jimmy Neesham to get the nod. because of the quota system in aged for 14 runs by New Zealand World Cup-winning coach Clive latest loss leaving South Africa off South Africa’s latest attempt “I came for a lifestyle change operation, Elliott insists his move captain Brendon McCullum and Woodward’s oft-repeated phrase with four more years of World to win a World Cup in Tuesday’s and also for my cricket. As soon to New Zealand was purely con- he was taken out of the attack, of ‘T-CUP’ (Thinking Clearly Cup hurt. AFP semi-final epic in Auckland. as I arrived in New Zealand and tractual. AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

FACTBOX Australia

Australian vs India captain Michael SYDNEY: Factbox on Clarke bats Thursday’s cricket World Cup during a semi-final between Australia training session and India at the Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Cricket Ground AUSTRALIA yesterday. Captain: Michael Clarke RIGHT: Indian Coach: Darren Lehmann captain Squad: Clarke, Aaron Finch, David Warner, Mahendra Shane Watson, George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Singh Dhoni Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Brad (right) talks to Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, coach Duncan Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Fletcher during Mitchell Starc. a practice Results so far at 2015 World Cup: session (Matches 7, Won 5, Lost 1, 1 abandoned) in Sydney Beat England by 111 runs (Opener Aaron yesterday, Finch’s 135 and a 5-33 from paceman ahead of their Mitchell Marsh gave the co-hosts an easy World Cup win); Match abandoned against Bangladesh semi-final (Match called of due to heavy rain in match against Brisbane); Lost to New Zealand by one wicket Australia today. (Mitchell Starc’s 6-28 could not compensate for a batting collapse); Beat Afghanistan by 275 runs (David Warner top-scored with 178 in an Australia’s run-feast); Beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs (Glenn Maxwell smashed 102 in 53 balls to outshine Kumar Sangakkara’s ton); Beat Scotland by seven wickets (Starc led Scotland’s rout and Australia chased down target in 15.2 overs); Beat Pakistan by six wickets (Hazlewood’s 4-35 restricts Superpowers collide in Pakistan to 213 and Australia chases down target after a few hiccups) Top performers Maxwell (301 runs): The middle-order batsman has been in red-hot form, smashing bowlers to all corners of the ground and often with unconventional shots. He has scored blockbuster semi-final 66, 1, 88, 102 and 44 not out in five knocks and also took five wickets with his off-spin. Warner (288 runs): Warner made the most of the Afghanistan bowling, scoring 178 against I’m really confident both teams will put on a great show, says Clarke them in Perth and has averaged 57.60 in the tournament. SYDNEY: Sparks can be Australia’s meetings with India confidence it will not mitigate too That has given the side such and Josh Hazlewood. However, Starc (18 wickets): The left-arm seamer is expected to fly when confident, are rarely dull. heavily against them today. confidence that batsman Rohit Hazlewood, who took 4-35 in the second in the list of wicket-takers and has well-balanced teams from crick- If familiarity between the two Clarke admitted it was a “no Sharma said it was irrelevant quarter-final victory over taken wickets at an average of 9.77. He has eting superpowers Australia and sides has not quite bred contempt, brainer” that Indian fans would whether there was spin on offer Pakistan, looks likely to get the bowled fast and accurate. India clash in a mouthwatering the frequent heated exchanges in outnumber those of Australia, at the SCG or not. nod ahead of off-spinner Xavier Key to beating India: Starc will have to make World Cup semi-final at the their clashes indicates at the very while the SCG has always offered “If you look at the tournament, Doherty to keep Australia early inroads and the frontline batsmen need Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) least a fierce competitiveness. something for the one area of the we’ve taken 70 wickets in seven unchanged for the first time in to deliver against India’s bowling attack today. “The fact we’re playing India game where the visitors can be games, distributed between the the tournament. which has dismissed opponents in all seven The match pits four-times now is extremely special,” said to have a distinct edge, spin spinners and the fast bowlers,” India have only altered their matches so far. champions Australia, the top- Australia captain Michael Clarke bowling. he said. line-up during their title defence INDIA ranked team in one-day cricket, said yesterday. Australia can look to their “So it doesn’t matter how the because of an injury to paceman Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni against title holders India, the “I think you’ll see two teams at record of having lost just one of wicket behaves. If it suits the fast Mohammed Shami and are also Coach: Duncan Fletcher dominant financial power in the top of their game wanting to 14 one-day internationals at the bowlers or the spinners, we’ve got likely to be unchanged. Squad: Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, world cricket. play their best cricket, I’m really ground against India and to their everything covered in those two “We’ve played a lot of cricket Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart The winners will go on to face confident both teams will put on utter dominance of their meetings areas. We just need to keep doing against India,” Clarke added. “We Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, the other co-hosts New Zealand a great show.” since the tourists arrived Down what we’ve been doing. We’ve know their strengths, we know Ambati Rayudu, Akshar Patel, Ravichandran on Sunday in another of the In the Test arena at least, home Under last November. played some really good cricket their weaknesses, and we know Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed great arenas of the game, the advantage has been the decisive India have been transformed in the World Cup and it’s just a they’re a very good team. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma. Melbourne Cricket Ground. factor in their meetings in recent since the start of the World Cup, matter of two more hurdles.” “We have to execute our skills While today’s clash will have to years. however, with a newly potent Australia, by contrast, would as well as we possibly can, and Results so far at 2015 World Cup: go some way to match the tense It has less of an impact in the bowling attack firing alongside clearly welcome a wicket to if we do that, I have confidence (Matches 7, Won 7) climax of New Zealand’s victory one-day game and there is good their always fine batting to take favour their quick bowlers that we can beat any team we play Beat Pakistan by 76 runs (Kohli ton secured over South Africa on Tuesday, reason for India to have some them to the last four unbeaten. Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson against.” REUTERS win against arch-rivals); Beat South Africa by 130 runs (Dhawan’s hundred and some tight bowling sunk South Africa); Beat United Arab Emirates by nine wickets (Ashwin spun Kohli hails ‘wonderful’ Indian web around UAE to set up a small chase); Beat West Indies by four wickets (Shami led India’s Rohit a strong bowling display to beat West Indies); Sharma Beat Ireland by eight wickets (Dhawan addresses bowling before Australia match century helps chase down modest target); a news Beat Zimbabwe by six wickets (Unbeaten conference SYDNEY: The transforma- 196-run stand between centurion Raina and in Sydney tion of India’s bowlers at the Dhoni bails India out); Beat Bangladesh by yesterday — World Cup has been “wonder- 109 runs (Rohit Sharma’s 137 took India to on the eve of ful to watch” and the reigning 302-6 and Bangladesh were all out for 193 the second champions will have a great with Yadav taking 4-31). World Cup chance of reaching the final if Top performers so far semi-final. 10 Australian wickets tumble Dhawan (367 runs): Has batted himself back today, says Virat Kohli. into form and will have to continue the good India’s bowlers were hammered work. His partnership with Sharma at the all over Australia from the start top will be crucial for the holders against the of December to mid-February as formidable pace attack of Australia. the team lost a Test series 2-0 Kohli (304 runs): He has failed to convert his and failed to win a single match starts after scoring a ton against Pakistan in Mission is to win in the following Tri-series, which the opening match. He had gone without a also featured England. half-century since that 107. Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami (17 wickets): Has impressed in World Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Cup debut with his ability to bowl at a lively Sharma have upped their game World Cup: Rohit pace and clever use of the bouncer. considerably at the World Cup, SYDNEY: Like a racehorse After struggling in their lead- however, and have combined with Yadav (14 wickets): He has bowled short and trained to peak for the big race up games, India have bowled out the strong spin-bowling depart- fast and has been able to swing the new ball after months of preparation, their opposition in each of their ment to forge a potent attack. with good control. India’s cricketers are confident seven World Cup matches, as With the help of a sprinkling Key to beating Australia: Need to bat well they have timed their run to well as piling on the runs with of run-outs, the Indian bowlers against Starc in the opening overs and Kohli perfection at the World Cup. the bat. have dismissed the opposition in needs to bat long against the co-hosts who Beaten by Australia in the “We’re playing some different all seven matches on their way to have been unbeaten against India in the four Border-Gavaskar Test series, cricket now,” said Rohit. the semi-finals. months across all formats. then by Australia and England “So what happened (before) Kohli, the leading light in the Australia vs India head-to-head in the Tri-Series, India’s hopes of we never wanted to carry into much-vaunted Indian batting Total played: 117 winning the World Cup seemed the World Cup. We always spoke line-up, said everyone was aware Australia won 67, India won 40, no result 10 slim when the tournament about this. We know how impor- of the areas where improvement At Sydney Cricket Ground started more than a month ago. tant the World Cup is and to was required and he was grati- Played 14, Australia won 12, India won 1, no However, after seven straight come out and play some good fied by the way the pacemen had result 1 wins, India are starting to cricket.” responded. India’s Virat Kohli leaves after a practice session in Sydney yesterday. resemble the team that won the Rohit was dropped from “The way the bowlers have Last match: Jan. 26, 2015 - Rain washed sport’s greatest spectacle four India’s squad for the 2011 World reacted and the way they have “That’s probably been the dif- Kohli’s team-mate Rohit out play after 16 overs. years ago. Cup but has been making up for performed with the compo- ference, and if we continue to do Sharma felt his side would be suc- “Our mission is to win the lost time after being promoted sure and the confidence and the that we have a great chance come cessful irrespective of whether the Sheffield Shield World Cup,” said batsman Rohit to open the batting. aggression all together, it’s been game day.” wicket took turn or assisted fast Sharma. “So when we finished Last week he was named wonderful to watch,” he told India have not beaten Australia bowlers. SYDNEY: Victoria won their the Tri-Series, I know it was two man of the match after scor- Cricket Australia’s website. in any format since they arrived “It does not worry us what sort 29th Sheffield Shield title and a half months then, none of ing his first World Cup century “So we expect the bowlers to Down Under in late November of wicket we get because we are after the five-day final against the guys thought about going in the quarter-finals against step up if you want to beat qual- but Kohli thinks Thursday at confident of doing well on any Western Australia ended in a back. Bangladesh. “We’ve all played ity sides in the world and the way the Sydney Cricket Ground is surface,” said Sharma. draw at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval “We were right there and we big games ... so it brings the best they have done this in this World the perfect opportunity to break “We have taken 70 wickets in yesterday. Victoria took the title just wanted to feel history. Yeah, out of everyone during those Cup has been commendable. that cycle. seven matches, bowled out the by finishing top of the competi- it’s been tough, but ... we have to big matches,” he said. “So, yes, “We’ve played the right kind of “There couldn’t be a better time opposition every time, so we know tion’s point standings after the make the last four months we we’re looking forward to this and cricket and the difference now is for us,” he said. “It’s an opportu- what we need to do. Our seamers season’s 10 regular rounds. spent here work by staying in the hopefully it will be an exciting how our bowling attack has come nity for us to do justice to the way have done well and so have the Scores: Western Australia 421 semi-finals and finals.” contest.” REUTERS into play in this World Cup taking we’ve played so far in Australia, spinners. We are ready for any- and 293 for 2 declared; Victoria 70 wickets in seven games. and we haven’t had the results.” thing that we get.” AGENCIES 381 and 158 for 4. AFP THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

LEFT: Danell Leyva of the US is seen in action on the pommel horse at the 8th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at Aspire Zone in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Oukraine’s Oleg Stepko in action. KAMMUTTY VP

Warm-ups start at 4:00pm while finals begin at 5:30pm today. Brazilian star Hypolito

LEFT: sparkles on first day Qatar’s Ahmad Al Dayani in action on Spectacular start to 2015 World Challenge Cup in Doha the pommel horse at Aspire DOHA: Things got down to busi- Academy ness for the 123 gymnasts com- in Doha peting at the 8th edition of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World yesterday. Challenge Cup where qualifica- Al Dayani tions began with Brazilian Diego has Hypolito impressing in his first resumed routine in floor exercises. competing The competition has begun after a to unfold at the famous Aspire year out of Academy for Sports Excellence, action due a venue for scores of prestigious to an injury. sports events every season. In the men’s floor exercises, Hypolito (15.400) gave a memo- rable performance on floor with tight and clean landings to seal qualification. American Jacob Dalton also showed commendable precision (15.350) as did Croatia’s Tomislav Markovic; Petro Pakhnyuk and Shotaro Shirai with (15.100). In the pommel horse routines, was next with a unanimously In the floor exercise, hospitality’. He also reaffirmed it did not take long for Armenian fantastic performance (15.350) to Steinbruger impressed with her that the FIG Challenge Cup Harutyum Merdinyan to put his suggest a real stab at the podium. 14.300 points in the qualifying is a rehearsal for the World talent on display, keeping an edge In the horizontal bar, American rounds. Championships in 2018. on competition (14.800) and an Danell Leyva and his 15.250 will Romanian Jurca was fluid On another topic away from eye on Ukraine’s Oleg Stepko be hard to beat in the finals. and elegant in her exercise gymnastics, he said that the (14.750). His near-perfection exercise with (13.800) followed by the 2022 FIFA World Cup ‘will be a Olympic champion Arthur oozed elegance yesterday. It was Portuguese Martins who could successful event as Qatar pays a ABOVE: Zanetti of Brazil looked good and ravishing and utterly artistic be another podium threat in the great attention to sports in gen- Germany’s showed it off with a 15.750 point gymnastics, as one fan put it! coming days. eral and gymnastics in particular.’ Antonia Alicke to emerge as a strong candidate In the women’s vault, Swiss Also yesterday, the President of Meanwhile, Mohammad Al for the podium in the finals. Giulia Steingruber dominated the Portugal Gymnastics Federation Maraghi, Board Member of QGF performs during Armenia’s Davtyan Vahagn was qualification with 14.150 but is up met with QGF President and offi- and head of the Public Relations the qualifying 0.30 points shy of his adversary, against Vietnam’s Phan Thi Ha cials and said he is delighted by Committee said: “The tourna- session at while Romania’s Andrei Muntean Thanh and Slovenian Teja Belak his visit to Doha. ment is successful at all levels. Aspire Academy looked to be a strong prospect for (13.850). He said he visited Doha when The heads of participating del- yesterday. LEFT: the finals. In the uneven bars, Ana Filipa the first edition of the tournament egations have lauded the level of Jacob Dalton In the men’s vault, Armenia’s Martins of Portugal was the first was staged in 2008 and stressed organisation and the available of the US is Artur Davtyan looked in sublime to start but mucked up her land- that he saw a great development facilities.” a picture of form and showed it off with a ing with one-step and a touch of in every thing including sports Al Maraghi told media that the concentration 14.950 point vault. the hands. facilities and organisation. event is witnessing a great fan on the floor He was followed by Japan’s A neat performance and a “Even those of the cognos- turnout as the finals will be con- exercises Shotaro who landed with an smile to match was produced centi would agree that gymnasts tested by the world’s best gym- yesterday. extra measure of precision, best- by Romanian Laura Jurca who here in Doha have elevated their nasts over the course of the next ing Muntean and Ferhat Arican showed good execution devoid technical level and presented a two days. of Turkey with 14.525. of excessive risk (13.150). She well-crafted and technical form Al Maraghi reaffirmed that In the parallel bars, ster- was followed by Lucie Perdreau of gymnastics without neglecting all the participating stars were ling work by Azerbaijan’s Oleg (13.050). execution,” he said. ‘happy and satisfied by the level Stepko was obvious as he pro- In the beam, Thanh took the He added that the level of the of organisation as they said that duced a tally of 15.650 followed by event hands down (14.050), carv- competition is very high and Qatar really deserves the level it Colombian’s Jossimar Calvo with ing a comfortable gap between extended his appreciation to ‘Ali has reached.” 0.05 difference. herself and Brazil’s Daniele Hitmi and the Qatar Gymnastics Competition Manager Al Romanian’s Marius Berbecar Hypolito. Federation (QGF) for their Buainain said: “I am proud that Qatar has the best gymnastics training centers in the region, RIGHT: which are ready to host the par- Youna ticipating teams.” Dufournet QGF President Ali Al Hitmi Madeleine said the on-going event is a test of France event considering the 2018 World in action at Championships will be staged at Aspire Zone the same venue. yesterday. According to Al Hitmi, gym- LEFT: Ali nasts from Armenia, Australia, Al Hitmi, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil President Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech of Qatar Republic, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iraq, Gymnastics Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Federation, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Mongolia, speaking Netherlands, Norway, New to media Zealand, Portugal, Puerto Rico, during the Qatar, Romania, Singapore, 8th FIG Slovenia, Switzerland, Taipei, Artistic Turkey, USA, Uzbekistan, World Venezuela and Vietnam are cur- Challenge rently seen in action in Doha. Cup The finals will be staged today yesterday. and tomorrow with today’s pro- gramme starting at 4:00pm. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Bentley spurs Al Hareth to Halul Island Cup victory

Jockey Harry Bentley, riding Al Hareth, celebrates after winning the Halul Island Cup Local Thoroughbred Conditions race at the Qatar racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Bentley spurs Al Hareth to victory in the 1200m dirt-track race. The Jassim Al Ghazali-trained horse left Absher, trained by M. Hussain and ridden by Marco Monteriso, and Battash, trained by Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya and ridden by Gaetan Faucon, in second and third place respectively to win prize money of QR57,000. Laudrup, Dioko are Uzbekistan and Iran best of the month

DOHA: Al Ahli’s Congolese hat-trick in 11 minutes against Al striker Alain Dioko and Wakrah. romp into quarter-finals Lekhwiya’s coach Michael In round 23 Dioko was on the Laudrup were chosen as the score sheet again, this time res- QSL’s best player and manager cuing a point for his side against Qatar have another bad day but Fan Zone wins hearts respectively of this month. Umm Salal, again with the vital It was Laudrup’s second man- equaliser coming in the second ager of the month award this half. DOHA: Uzbekistan and Iran here to watch and support these season. The winners were cho- March also saw Dioko break his roared into the quarter-finals of two teams while also having a fun sen by the QSL’s Competition own personal goal-scoring goal- the FIFA Beach Soccer World time. This fan zone is great.” and Football Development tally in the QSL of 22 goals. He is Cup 2015 — AFC Qualifier Qatar The Fan Zone is operational Department. currently leading the race for the yesterday. The Lebanese also on each match day and includes Laudrup’s side has been top scorer award with 24 goals in made it to the final eight, thanks sand sculpture workshops for unbeaten in the month of March, 23 games. to the Iranians’ 8-1 thrashing of kids, a mini beach soccer field and notching three wins and a draw. Statistics provided by Prozone, Thailand, as did the Bahrainis. beach soccer workshops, a speed Grinding out victories has been the QSL’s preferred statistical Hosts Qatar, however, had shot booth, soccer tricks shows, the hallmark of his team and this partner, shows Dioko’s lethal another woeful day at the Katara a Batak reaction wall, football has been typified by tight QSL finishing has kept Al Ahli in the beach here, losing 8-0 to Oman. tables, instant photo booths, face victories against Al Kharaitiyat, hunt for Qatar Cup qualification. The Omanis were terrific on painting workshops and con- Umm Salal and Al Arabi this In March, the pacey striker has both ends of the pitch for nearly cession stands with a variety of month, which have all but assured averaged 1.5 goals per game, along the entire 36 minutes of play. delicious foods and snacks. There Lekhwiya their fourth QSL title. with 4.3 shots on goal per match. They steadily built on their pre- is also a large central display of The player of the month award Al Ahli’s counter attack play vious accomplishments and goals, art produced by children from recognises players who make an caters to the strengths of Dioko. getting two goals local communi- outstanding impact on their team. His explosive pace coupled with Yesterday’s Results in the first and ties as part of Dioko’s goals have been cru- shooting accuracy has helped his second periods Uzbekistan 6-1 Iraq (Group C) the SC’s Jeeran cial to his side’s rise up the QSL side remain unbeaten in March. and hammer- Vietnam 4-6 Kuwait (Group B) programme. table this season, having bagged On average, he has racked up ing in four in the Bahrain 8-2 Laos (Group A) Bella, from an impressive haul of six goals an impressive 320m per game at third and final Japan 5-0 China (Group B) Russia, said: “It is in four matches in the month of sprinting speed. It’s also impor- frame. Qatar 0-8 Oman (Group A) very well organ- March. tant to note that all of Dioko’s Oman fin- Iran 8-1 Thailand (Group D) ised, and a great He started the month with an goals came in the second half of ished first in place for teenag- impressive brace against Al Sadd. games in March, either rescuing Today’s Matches their group and ers to hang out Dioko was amongst the goals or securing points for his side. will face China 4.15pm: Uzbekistan vs Lebanon and learn more again in week 22 with a quick-fire THE PENINSULA in their quar- 5.30pm: Iran vs UAE about football. It ter-final match 6.45pm Oman vs China is also a nice chill- today. Qatar did 8pm: Japan vs Bahrain out zone for teen- not finish with a agers. I support win in the event, but they will Lebanon in this tournament and have another bite at the cherry I think the organisers have done when they face FC Barcelona in a really good job.” a friendly on Saturday. Japan’s coach Marcelo Mendes Meanwhile, the fans have been said: “The fan zone is very nice, I having a ball at the adjacent Fan think the kids are enjoying it a lot, Zone put on by the Supreme and the tournament is really good Committee for Delivery and because between the games people Legacy (SC) at Katara beach. have a place to have fun. The fan One of those to attend the SC’s zone completes the tournament.” Fan Zone was Nasser Al Dossari Japan are the favourites in the A Qatari player tries to dribble past an Omani defender during a group- who said: “We’re here having a tournament but there’s no doubt stage match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 – AFC Qualifier great time, as you can see with my that everyone who has come to QSL’s manager of the month Michael Laudrup (left), of Lekhwiya, and Qatar at Katara beach in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: SALIM MATRAMKOT kids playing foosball. I’m Emirati Katara beach has been a winner. player of the month Al Ahli’s Alain Dioko with their awards. and my wife is Qatari, and we’re THE PENINSULA Serena to fight through pain at Miami Qatar set to begin

MIAMI: World number one more than anything.” Serena Williams is prepared to The 33-year-old American fight through pain to get onto admitted that she had not imag- Davis Cup campaign the court tomorrow and begin ined being able to play Miami after defending her title at the ATP her knee problem, but added, “It DOHA: The Qatari men’s ten- Group II in 2016. Qatar began its and WTA Miami Open. takes a tremendous amount for nis team is set to begin their participation in the Davis Cup The 19-time Grand Slam sin- me to stop. I don’t know if that’s Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone in 1992 and has played in Asia/ gles champion, forced out before a good thing or that’s a bad thing, Group III campaign in Malaysia. Oceania Zone Group II on three her Indian Wells semi-final last but I think I will be OK.” The Qatari team arrived in occasions. They made it from week against eventual champion With all seeds on the men’s and Malaysia 10 days ago and held a Group IV to Group III last year. Simona Halep, said Wednesday women’s draws given byes, first training camp to get ready for the The Qatari squad are holding that she expects to “manage pain” round matches for the remain- event. intense training sessions in the when she opens in the second der continued, with Swiss teen- The Qatari squad includes morning and evening. They also round against Romanian Monica ager Belinda Bencic advancing Jabor Al Mutawa, Ali Al Sayegh, participated in a number of local Niculescu. over veteran Daniela Hantuchova Jassim Al Zeyarah, Mousa and international tournaments to “I’m just managing where I am Defending women’s champion Serena Williams of the USA addresses a 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) and Briton Heather Shanan, Mubarak Shanan, prepare for this event, including right now,” Williams said. “Just news conference in Miami, Florida, yesterday. Watson defeating Russian Abdullah Shanan and Mohammad the futures championship in Doha trying to stay out of as much pain Evgeniya Rodina 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. Al Khanji in addition to coaches and Paris. as possible and see what happens. “I don’t want to put too much just definitely expect to do the Americans Christine McHale Younis Al Aynawi, Greogre Banas, Khalid Al Khelaifi, Board I know I’m going to have to man- pressure on it before,” she said. best that I can. and Alison Riske both advanced, Luis Lobez, Alex Lashenko and Member of the Qatar Tennis age the pain. I think if I’m in that “I’m just here in Miami, so I’m “Whether that’s winning or just joining Pauline Parmentier in the Ibrahim Al Khelaifi, Deputy Head Federation and head of the mental state, OK, you might be just going to go for it and see what stepping out on the court, that’s second round after the French of the National Teams Committee national team’s committee, said: in a little pain. You just have to happens.” what I’m going to have to do. I player beat Kiki Bertens 4-6, 6-2, and Head of Qatar’s delegation. “We are confident that our young figure out the best way around it.” The top seed will be bidding don’t feel any pressure because I 6-3. The Asia/Oceania Zone Group men will be able to qualify to The Niculescu match is a for a record eighth trophy at have won this title a few times, so On the men’s side, American III features Cambodia, Hong Group II in 2016. We depend on repeat of the second round a fort- her home event, capturing her I feel good about being here. Donald Young will line up against Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, our new technical staff, includ- night ago in Indian Wells, which seventh last year when she beat “When I hit on the court today, British third seed Andy Murray Turkmenistan, Syria, Vietnam ing the international star Younis Williams won in two difficult sets, China’s Li Na in the final. I just feel so good out here in after advancing when opponent and Qatar. At the end of the Al Aynawi whose experience will and will probably bring her big “I definitely don’t have low Miami. I’m just looking forward Lu Yen-Hsun retired trailing 5-1 competition two nations will be motivate our players.” pain test. expectations,” Williams said. “I to just enjoying myself this year with a neck injury. promoted to Asia/Oceania Zone THE PENINSULA Thursday 26 March 2015 6 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6381 Sport Price: QR2 Leading newspaper from Nepal Superpowers Brazil’s Diego collide in World Hypolito shines

      Cup semi-final in qualifying

Published every thursday by DAR AL SHARQ    ! Tel: 4465 0600 Email: [email protected] Sport | 25 Sport | 26

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ageless Rossi is Qatar take on Algeria today not slowing down ‘Doctor’ eyeing 10th MotoGP world title

PARIS: Valentino Rossi is still confirmed by an impressive series the biggest draw in MotoGP and MotoGP Schedule of testing in Sepang, Malaysia, in after a strong showing last year Schedule for the 2015 MotoGP February. the charismatic Italian’s state- season which gets underway in Just 22-years-old, in 2013 he ment he is eyeing a 10th world Qatar today became the youngest rider to be title doesn’t ring as hollow as it March 29: Qatar (Losail, night race) crowned 500cc/MotoGP world might have done ahead of last champion and the first rookie April 12: Americas (Austin, Texas) year’s championship. since Kenny Roberts in 1978 to April 19: The 36-year-old, who has Argentina (Termas de Rio Hondo) win the title. earned the nickname ‘Il Dottore’ May 3: Spain (Jerez de la Frontera) Marquez is understandably (Doctor) according to his father May 17: France (Le Mans) wary of Rossi but even more so Graziano because in Italy it is a May 31: Italy (Mugello) of Lorenzo. title that demands respect, has June 14: Catalonia (Barcelona) “You never know with not won the title since 2009 and June 27: Netherlands (Assen) Valentino,” Marquez told MCN experienced several fallow years, Sport. July 12: Germany (Sachsenring) especially during an unhappy “I didn’t expect his level. I three-year spell at Ducati where August 9: Indianapolis (Indianapolis, USA) expected more like last year he finished as low as seventh in August 16: Czech Republic (Brno) (2013) but he will be there because 2011. August 30: Britain (Silverstone) his motivation is there and Dani However, a change to Yamaha September 13: San Marino (Misano) (Pedrosa) is always constant. has re-energised the exuberant September 27: Aragon (Motorland Aragon, “Maybe he won’t be better or Members of the Qatari national football team train ahead of their friendly match against Algeria at Lekhwiya rider and last year’s superb sea- Spain) worse than you but he will always Stadium today. It will be the Maroons’ first international encounter after the Asian Cup. They will take on Slovenia son, which included two victories October 11: Japan (Motegi) be there and you need to pay and another 11 podium finishes attention with him. But I expect in another friendly on Monday at the same venue. Today’s match starts at 7pm. October 18: Australia (Phillip Island) saw him finish runner-up but 65 Jorge will be the strongest rival.” points adrift of Spaniard Marc October 25: Malaysia (Sepang) Lorenzo, who will be seeking a Marquez, who is threatening to November 8: Valencia (Valencia, Spain) better start to last term where he eclipse even his achievements the MotoGP championship, said failed to finish in Qatar, backed up after winning two successive he was looking to get a good start Marquez’ prediction he would be titles. to the championship, unlike last the big danger after finishing the Hence Rossi, who with 108 wins year where both he and team- testing session in Malysia second in all categories, has legendary mate and two-time world cham- fastest. compatriot Giacomo Agostini’s pion Jorge Lorenzo struggled in “I am better this year because overall race record win of 122 the first half of the season while I have not had to undergo sur- in his sights, is upbeat about Marquez had the title virtually gery in the off-season. Yamaha his chances of securing a magi- sewn up in winning 11 of the first and I finished well last year, but cal 10th title overall and eighth 12 races — the latter’s Honda while we’ve taken a step forward in the 500cc/MotoGP category team-mate Dani Pedrosa winning with the new updates to the bike, beginning at the season-opening the other one. the favourite is still Honda and Qatar Grand Prix this weekend. “I am fully focused on a good Marquez,” the 27-year-old said. “I will just be focused on deliv- start to the new season and I “Last year I was the rider with ering my best, on winning as want to be immediately competi- the most points from Germany many races as I can,” said Rossi tive,” said Rossi, who is contracted to Valencia and finished the in February at the team’s launch to Yamaha till 2016. Championship very strongly. If we of their bike for the upcoming “I am sure both of us will start can start at the same level or even season. the new season with a great desire stronger, then we can definitely “So... yes, I am also thinking to to win.” aspire to win the championship.” my 10th title.” Marquez, though, will be a for- AFP Rossi, who is the oldest rider in midable obstacle to overcome, as Also see pages 22 and 23

TOP: (From left) MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo attend a pre- event press conference at Losail International Circuit, on the outskirts of Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Valentino Rossi of Movistar Yamaha negotiates a turn during a MotoGP pre-season testing session that was held at the Losail International Circuit earlier this month.