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Home | 3 Business | 17 Sport | 28 A large number of The Qatar Financial CHI Al Shaqab win guests from Qatar Centre witnessed a earns Australian and Turkey marked remarkable growth show-jumping legend the Qatar Turkey 2015 in the number of new Edwina €165,000 after Year of Culture. firms registered in 2014. Grand Prix victory.

SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 • 17 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6363 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Woqod offers South Korean President attends cultural event discount to promote Shafaf QR100 price cut until May 31

DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod), They are called transparent the sole dealer of LPG cylinders because the customer can see in the country, has launched the level of gas in the cylinder to a new campaign to encourage decide when it has to be refilled, more people to switch from the official said. the metal cylinders to the light Ibrahim Jeham Al Kuwari, CEO weight Shafaf cylinders. of Woqod, said that new facility in Woqod is offering a discount Al Wajbah is the 24th fuel station of QR100 to those exchanging of Woqod in the country. the metal cylinders with Shafaf The company plans to build cylinders that actually cost 100 fuel stations by 2019 and 12 South Korean President Park Geun-hye speaking at a cultural event at the Four Seasons Hotel yesterday. Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E QR365. According to the new new stations under construction Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari is also seen. See also page 2 SALIM MATRAMKOT exchange offer, the transpar- will be completed by the end of ent cylinders are available at this year or the beginning of QR265. next year. The new offer is part of a plan Another project to expand 10 to phase out the metal cylinders existing fuel station is about to CMC polls: Three in four years. The offer launched complete, he added. Hi-tech lab in Abu Samra to test on March 1 will be available until The company also intends to May 31, a senior Woqod official open vehicle inspection centres women among 83 has disclosed. — Fahes — at existing petrol sta- file nominations Speaking on the sidelines of the tions that have enough space for pesticides in fruits, vegetables opening of a new Woqod fuel sta- expansion. tion in Al Wajbah on Thursday, “We have opened the 24th DOHA: The Supreme Council through analyzing samples to Safety at the SCH, said the labo- DOHA: Eighty-three citizens Bul Qassim Al Shaabi, sales fuel station and the 25th will be of Health (SCH) has opened a get accurate and quick results ratory will work as a safety gate including three women have manager at Woqod, said that the opened in Jameelia, a remote loca- new state-of-the-art laboratory according to GCC specifications. to monitor the quality of fruit and filed nominations for forthcom- company was encouraging people tion, this week,” Al Sharq quoted at the Abu Samra border post SCH said that three hours are vegetables entering the country. ing Central Municipal Council to shift from metal cylinders to Al Kuwari as saying. for testing pesticide residues in enough to analyse the samples in the Najat Ali Abdul Malik, labo- (CMC) elections in the first Shafaf because they are more safe “We are trying to provide fuel fruits and vegetables. new lab. The facility comes as part ratories supervisor at the SCH, three days. and easy to handle. stations in all areas where they Dr Saleh bin Ali Al Merri, of a five-year national strategy to set said the new lab can test for more Nominations to the 29 constit- He said currently there are are needed. The company is work- assistant secretary general for up internationally-accredited labo- than 270 pesticide residues with uencies started on March 3 and about 600,000 metal cylinders in ing to build 76 stations in four to medical affairs at SCH, opened ratories in different ports of entry to an advanced level of accuracy of will continue until March 11. The the market while the number of five years,” he added. the facility in the presence of test imported food products. 0.01 part of a million. supervising committee for the Shafaf cylinders is only 150,000. He said Woqod will open sev- senior officials from the SCH, The plan is to make the Central She said there is a future plan elections has set up a hotline No. This explains the company’s new eral fuel stations in downtown Ministry of Interior and the Food Laboratory to a referral lab, to upgrade the lab to handle 400 2342555 to respond to election- campaign to promote Shafaf, Doha soon. The company has Ministry of Environment. with establishment of the new pesticide residues, in addition to related queries. which was launched in 2010. already got land from the govern- The SCH said that the lab is labs in different ports of entry. The establishing a unit for testing THE PENINSULA The official claimed that the ment for this purpose. equipped with the latest tech- 2013-2018 national strategy seeks meat and poultry products. More Shafaf cylinders are absolutely With opening the new facilities, nology that meets international to integrate laboratory services and such laboratories will be set up in safe and no incidents of leakage all areas in Doha will have Woqod standards. It can assess and unify their standards. all the ports of entry in future. Boko Haram or explosion have been reported fuel stations. calculate pesticide residues in Wasan Al Baker, director of THE PENINSULA until now. THE PENINSULA imported fruits and vegetables Environmental Heath and Food Picture on page 2 allies with IS LONDON: Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram Women Mentoring Walk pledged allegiance yesterday to Islamic State, according to an Hadi considers Aden audio clip posted online. The symbolic move highlights increased coordination between jihadi movements across north as Yemen’s ‘capital’ Africa and the Middle East and prompted an appeal from ADEN: Beleaguered President to their headquarters near Aden’s Nigeria’s government for greater Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who international airport and set up international help in tackling the fled to Aden after escaping from barricades, saying they fear an Boko Haram insurgency. Shia militia controlling Sana’a, assault by the Popular Resistance “We announce our allegiance to considers the southern port city Committees, loyal to Hadi. the Caliph ... and will hear and obey to be Yemen’s capital, an aide Several Gulf states have already in times of difficulty and prosper- said yesterday. moved their embassies to Aden ity, in hardship and ease,” read an But tensions were running after an exodus of foreign dip- English language translation of the high in Aden, as special forces lomats from Sana’a in February audio broadcast in Arabic that pur- suspected of links to the mili- over security concerns. ported to be from the Nigerian mil- tia known as Houthis readied Aden, the country’s second itant group. “We call upon Muslims defences against an anticipated largest city, was capital of a once everywhere to pledge allegiance to assault by Hadi loyalists. independent south Yemen. The the Caliph,” it read. The pledge of “Aden became the capital of Houthis named a “presidential allegiance was attributed to Boko Yemen as soon as the Houthis council” after Hadi and Prime Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. occupied Sana’a,” the aide quoted Minister Khalid Bahah tendered Four bomb blasts killed at The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) yesterday organised a Women Mentoring Walk to celebrate Hadi as saying in reference to their resignations in January in least 50 people in the Nigerian International Women’s Day at Aspire Park yesterday. Aisha Alfardan, Vice-Chairwoman of QBWA, and other their takeover of Sana’a several protest at what critics branded city of Maiduguri in the worst women took part. See also page 6 ABDUL BASIT months ago. an attempted coup. After flee- attacks there since Boko Haram Hadi also accused ex-presi- ing house arrest in Sana’a, Hadi militants tried to seize the town dent Ali Abdullah Saleh and the resurfaced in Aden where he earlier this year. REUTERS Houthis of links with Iran, and retracted his resignation. Bahah See also page 12 spoke of his escape from Sana’a remains trapped in the capital. and Houthi demands to integrate Hadi said he escaped his Sana’a IS razes Hatra city Mursi supporter executed in Egypt thousands of their militants into residence through a tunnel link- the army and police and secure ing it to the nearby house of one BAGHDAD/ERBIL: Islamic CAIRO: Egypt executed an president Mohamed Mursi. Most of the other death sentences top government posts. of his sons and travelled to Aden State militants have destroyed Islamist yesterday for a mur- Security sources have described are still under review in a complex His remarks about Aden reflect using back roads. The Houthis ancient remains of the der committed during riots in Ramadan as a radical Islamist system of legal appeals. his determination to hold out oppose a plan for a six-region 2,000-year-old city of Hatra in mid-2013, the first death sen- who is not officially a Brotherhood In one of the most dramatic against Houthi efforts to extend federation, which Hadi hopes northern Iraq, officials said yes- tence carried out against a sup- member. scenes of the upheaval following their influence but are purely to implement, saying it would terday, in their latest attack on porter of the banned Muslim Egyptian courts have sentenced Mursi’s fall captured on video, symbolic because moving the divide Yemen into rich and poor Iraqi antiquities which the UN Brotherhood under President hundreds of alleged Brotherhood Ramadan threw someone off a capital requires a change to the areas. Hadi said yesterday that condemned as barbarism. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. supporters to death in recent rooftop during clashes in the constitution. the Houthis had demanded 135 Hatra lies about 110km south The interior ministry said in a months, many in mass trials con- northern Mediterranean city’s The special forces commander top government jobs and the vice of Mosul, the largest city under statement on its Facebook page demned by foreign governments Sidi Gaber district. An Al Qaeda in Aden, Abdel Hafez Al Saqqaf, presidency for one of their lead- Islamic State control. On Thursday, that Mahmoud Hassan Ramadan and rights groups as violating flag was seen tucked into the back has defied a decree by Hadi sack- ers, Saleh Al Sammad. They also they attacked the remains of the had been hanged for an incident international law. of Ramadan’s trousers. Fifty- ing him and said he will only fol- demanded that 35,000 militia- Assyrian city of Nimrud, south of where children were thrown from The execution came a month seven others were sentenced to low orders from the presidential men be integrated into the armed Mosul, with bulldozers. a building during protests in 2013 after Egypt’s high court upheld the 15-25 years in the case. council in Sana’a. forces and 25,000 into the police. REUTERS against the ouster of Islamist death sentence against Ramadan. REUTERS His men have cut roads leading AFP See also page 10 SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Condolences S Korea keen to forge cultural ties cables sent President Park attends Qatar-Korea to Saudi king, cultural exchange event ‘Fly High’ Kuwait ruler DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh BY FAZEENA SALEEM three-day official visit to Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as part of her tour of four GCC sent a cable of condolences DOHA: South Korea is keen to countries. to the Custodian of the Two forge ties with Qatar in the cul- “We look forward to enhancing Holy Mosques King Salman tural and sports fields and other our relationship with Qatar. Both bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of potential areas to develop part- countries can further develop cul- Saudi Arabia following the nerships, said visiting President tural exchange and ties in sports death of Prince Saud bin Park Geun-hye. activities,” she said. “It’s remark- Sultan bin Saud bin Abdullah Seoul will also contribute sup- able that Qatar will host 2022 Al Saud, praying Allah port to Qatar in hosting 2022 FIFA World Cup. South Korea Almighty to grant the fam- FIFA World Cup as a success- will contribute to making Qatar ily patience and solace and ful event, she said at the Qatar- host it successfully,” she added. rest the deceased in eternal Korea cultural exchange event The cultural event at Four peace. ‘Fly High’ yesterday. Seasons hotel was attended The Emir also sent a cable President Geun-hye is on a by Minister of Culture, Arts of condolences to the Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah following the death of Sheikh Bader Abdullah Al Mohammad Al Salman Al Sabah, praying South Korean President Park Geun-hye with Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Allah Almighty to grant the Kuwari, dignitaries and diplomats at the event. (Left) South Korean youngsters performing taekwondo. family patience and solace and to rest the deceased in eternal peace. and Heritage H E Hamad bin performance, they carried Geun-hye met and congratu- Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, dignitaries national flags of South Korea and lated the performers. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and diplomats. Qatar, symbolising the relation- “We look forward to seeing sent similar cables to King Taekwondo, a Korean mar- ship between both countries. more students learning taek- Salman and Sheikh Sabah. tial art, took the centre stage of South Korean artistes also per- wondo in Qatar,” she said. Prime Minister and Interior the cultural night. Taekwondo formed a song-and-play, ‘Whale of Geun-hye began a nine-day Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah learners from South Korea a Time’, showcasing their coun- regional tour on March 1 and vis- bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al gave breathtaking performance, try’s traditions. ited Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Thani also sent cables of con- together with Qatari children An Arabic performance, ‘Allah UAE. She arrived in Qatar, the dolences to King Salman and learning the martial art. ya omari Qatar’ was staged by last leg of the tour, on Thursday. Sheikh Sabah. QNA At the end of the 20-minute local and South Korean singers. THE PENINSULA

SCH opens lab at Abu Samra border post Utility-efficient mosque opens in Al Merad DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf The facility is equipped with workers for development projects. and Islamic Affairs has opened most advanced systems to ration- The mosque can accommo- a high utility-efficient mosque alise the use of water and power, date 366 worshipers — 300 men in Al Merad. Qatar News Agency reports. in main section and 66 women It has an adjacent facility for It is part of the ministry’s in a separate area. The facility Eid prayer with a capacity to plan to increase the numbers of includes homes for the Imam accommodate about 9,800 wor- mosques all over Qatar to accom- and the Muwazzin. Facilities like shipers, including 8,500 men and modate the fast growing popu- ablution areas and toilets are pro- 1,300 women. lation due to influx of foreign vided. THE PENINSULA

Dr Saleh bin Ali Al Merri, Assistant Secretary-General for Medical Affairs, Supreme Council of Health, opens a new state-of-the-art laboratory at Abu Samra border post, in the presence of senior officials from SCH, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Environment. The lab will test pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. Maternity benefits for Vodafone staff DOHA: Vodafone said yester- day it will become one of the first organisations in the world to introduce a mandatory mini- mum global maternity policy. By the year-end, women work- ing at all levels across Vodafone’s 30 operating companies in Africa, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the US will be offered at least 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave as well as full pay for a 30-hour week for the first six months after their return to work. For Vodafone Qatar, this means its female employees starting maternity leave from now on or those on maternity leave will ben- efit from one extra month (total of 112 calendar days) of paid maternity leave. Vodafone provides one of the highest maternity benefits in Dalya Al Khalaf, Director of Strategy, Vodafone Qatar, and Anita Tomany, Qatar where the standard in the Head of Talent, Capability and Resourcing, announce the new maternity market is 50 calendar days off. policy. Kyle Whitehill, CEO, Vodafone Qatar, said: “Building a diverse Anita Tomany, Head of Talent, Vodafone Group, said: “Too many and inclusive culture is one of Capability and Resourcing, as talented women leave working life the key priorities for our com- part of a week dedicated to because they face a difficult choice pany with a focus on gender women from today until March between caring for a newborn or diversity. Twenty-eight percent 15 that will include competitions maintaining their careers. Our of our employee base is made up and learning and networking new mandatory minimum global of women, we want to retain and activities. Other than the United maternity policy will support over grow this number and are deter- Nations, very few global organisa- 1,000 Vodafone women employees mined to instil a culture in our tions and fewer multinational cor- every year in countries with little company that supports, develops porations have adopted minimum or no statutory maternity care. and rewards our female employ- maternity policies of this kind. “Women account for 35 per- ees with same and equal benefits While many Vodafone subsidi- cent of our employees worldwide their male counterparts receive.” aries offer substantial maternity but only 21 percent of our inter- The announcement coincid- care terms which will continue as national senior leadership team. ing with International Women’s before, the new mandatory mini- We believe our new maternity Day, was celebrated by Vodafone mum global maternity policy will policy will play an important Qatar’s female employees and make a significant difference in role in helping bridge that gap. their children invited to spend a the lives of thousands of Vodafone Supporting working mothers at few hours with their mothers at women employees in countries all levels of our organisation will the company’s headquarters. where there is little or no leg- result in better decisions, a better The announcement was made islative requirement to provide culture and a deeper understand- by Dalya Al Khalaf, Director of maternity support. ing of our customers’ needs.” Strategy, Vodafone Qatar, and Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture marked Musical programme at gala event highlights Turkey’s cultural diversity DOHA: A large number of dis- and mosques and Anatolian vil- tinguished guests from Qatar lages where moments of life were and Turkey took part in a gala celebrated and joy and sadness, to celebrate Qatar Turkey 2015 myths and legends expressed Year of Culture. themselves music and dances. Minister of Culture, Arts and They were part of a collective Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin memory that builds on musical Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of heritage to make future genera- Education and Higher Education tions understand the depth and H E Dr Mohammed Abdul the richness of their culture. Wahid Ali Al Hammadi, Turkish The evening was a reflection of Minister of Culture and Tourism Turkey’s cultural diversity, shaped Omer Celik and other officials by people, geography and his- were present. tory. Folk dances alternated with The event highlighted the reflective and spiritual opuses strong relationship between both played with the traditional flute, countries. ney, along with more upbeat pop- Held under the patronage of ular music. H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint An orchestra delighted the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, audience with traditional clas- Chairperson, Qatar Museums sical and popular music, artists (QM), Qatar Turkey 2015 is the Garip Ay and Ahmet Sula offered fourth consecutive year of culture, a feast for their eyes with Ebru Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari with Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik and other officials following Qatar Japan 2012, Qatar art (marble painting) and callig- at the event. UK 2013 and Qatar Brazil 2014. raphy demonstrations. It celebrates relations between Reflecting on the years of cul- It will also support and inspire strengthened in the field of cul- important year for mutual rec- which will lead to a deeper inter- Qatar and Turkey through cul- ture in general and Qatar Turkey the next generation of cultural ture and arts. ognition of our countries’ cultural national understanding of Qatar tural partnerships between Qatari 2015 in particular, Sheikha Al audiences and ideas. I look for- “Turkey and Qatar are keen to and artistic values.” and its rich culture, and highlight and Turkish organisations, insti- Mayassa said: “I’m excited and ward to what promises to be an strengthen fraternal and broth- ExxonMobil Qatar and QM it as a world-class centre for busi- tutions and individuals. proud to celebrate the strong incredible year.” erly relations by reticulating share a long-term relationship ness and cultural activities. The gala took participants artistic heritage and links between Celik said: “As minister of cul- cultural nets. 2015 will improve based on mutual respect and The year is also supported by into the heart of Turkish music. Qatar and Turkey this year. Doing ture and tourism of Turkey, I am recent political and economic understanding. The company is Qatar Airways as official airline, Singers, musicians and dancers so will promote mutual under- confident that these strong and relations in cultural dimen- supporting the year as platinum and W Hotel as hospitality spon- took them to Istanbul, its palaces standing and strengthen our ties. powerful relations will be further sion, and will be recalled as an sponsor as an important initiative, sor. THE PENINSULA

Free special number worth up to QR6,000 on 50pc off Shahry Smart offer

DOHA: Due to the popularity of upgrading their bundle to benefit from 50, when choosing one of the Shahry Shahry Smart 750 will get a free special Android mobile devices. the ongoing 50 percent off Shahry the discount on their Shahry Smart sub- Smart plans (55, 100, 150, 250, 450 and number worth up to QR6,000. Shahry Smart packs are the biggest Smart campaign, Ooredoo yesterday scription charge for three months. 750). The special number discount will Reserving special numbers is fast and and best post-paid in Qatar, and offer expanded the offer to include a free With the new offer update, new cus- be selected based on the Shahry Smart easy, and can be done through the special local and international minutes/SMS, special number worth up to QR6,000 tomers only will be able to access a free pack chosen by the customer. numbers page on the Ooredoo website at data and free access to the 4G network with every new Shahry Smart special number and half price discount. For example, Shahry Smart 55 cus- http://www.ooredoo.qa/en/etr, or at any for superfast mobile data speeds. subscription. Special numbers enable customers to tomers will be able to choose a free spe- Ooredoo shop. Packs come in denominations of 15, 35, The company announced the 50 per- choose a more memorable one for their cial number up to QR500 in value, or a Customers can also reserve a special 55, 100, 150, 250, 450 and 750, as well as cent off offer for Shahry users last year, service, and the offer will be applicable discount of QR500 for higher numbers number through Ooredoo mobile app Ooredoo’s VIP service Al Nokhba. enabling new and existing customers for the recently released range of number (up to QR6,000). New customers on available for Apple iOS, BlackBerry and THE PENINSULA

One of the workshops on ‘Plan for Your Future’ in progress. Student volunteers attend HMC workshops on career planning

DOHA: Hamad Medical they relate to teamwork were cov- emergencies. Corporation’s (HMC) Health ered,” she said. One workshop was Another workshop saw HMC’s Professions Awareness and held in collaboration with Bedaya Engineering Department famil- Volunteering Programmes Centre for Entrepreneurship and iarise students with support recently organised workshops Career Development and led by service careers at HMC, such as for student volunteers. Mohammad Khalifa, a profes- electrical and electronics engi- Held under the theme ‘Plan sional development expert. He neering, water treatment service, for Your Future,’ the workshops discussed techniques for enhanc- HAVAC, maintenance and medi- aimed to increase their awareness ing self-confidence, achieving cal gases services. about the importance of profes- goals, utilising personal resources, Students also took part in a sional skills development and tolerance, and rules of success. first-of-its-kind multi-discipli- train them in planning for future Another workshop was held nary nursing workshop organised careers. in conjunction with Hamad with Ambulatory Care Services Balqees Al Khazraji, Director, International Training Centre and led by Maitha Al Bouainain, Health Professions Awareness which trained students in deal- Executive Director, Community and Volunteering Programmes, ing with medical emergencies Affairs and Patient Engagement, HMC, said the workshops pro- such as performing cardiopulmo- Ambulatory Care Services. vided students with insights into nary resuscitation, giving first aid, Participants in the nursing healthcare professions and the ensuring safety of first respond- workshop learned about obesity, work environment pertaining to ers in an emergency, dealing with optometry, diabetic screening, them. injuries involving bleeding, obstet- paediatric first aid, nose bleeding, “Topics related to job planning ric emergencies, nervous and prevention of infection, and vital activities such as writing curricu- musculoskeletal system injuries, signs. It also included a trip to lum vitae, attending interviews and human anatomy. Ambulatory Care Service clinics with employers, effective com- It aimed to create a team of to familiarise students with the munication, addressing audience, community volunteers who would work environment. and types of personality and how respond and help in disasters or THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME ‘In war, the only lesson you learn is that no one wins’ Bosnian filmmaker and Qumra Master Danis Tanovic holds first master class

DOHA: At the first master love to have millions of dollars My Love Awaits Me by the Sea. class of the inaugural Qumra, to make films but that doesn’t A still from the film Bosnian filmmaker Danis always happen.” Tanovic talked about his life as In terms of the impact of his a filmmaker, his influences and films on political life in Bosnia, Two film screenings as documenting the Bosnian Civil Tanovic said he didn’t believe he War. was a “man with a mission” but As one of the Qumra Masters, said: “I seriously believe that if my Tanovic will mentor four projects film changes the perception of one part of Qumra today and their filmmakers at the event, person somewhere and that saves including director/screenwriter the life of one person, then you DOHA: Qumra, a new event by Lebanon, Qatar; Arabic; 2013) Shahad Ameen’s fantasy/drama are doing something that makes Doha Film Institute (DFI), will will be screened in New Voices Scales (Saudi Arabia, Qatar), the sense.” today host public screenings of in Cinema section, at 7.30pm at drama Superpower (Qatar), writ- Winning an Academy Award, two films in the Modern Masters Opera House, Building No. 16 in ten by Mohamed Al Mahmeed he said, has given him freedom to and New Voices in Cinema sec- Katara Village. writer/director Yahya Alabdallah’s remain independent. tions, highlighting its focus on Directed by Mais Darwazah, dark comedy Me, Myself & Murdoch “If you can win an Oscar or a promoting the appreciation of her first feature-length docu- (Palestine, Jordan, France, Qatar) Richard Pena (left) moderates the first Qumra Master class with Oscar- major award at a festival, please world cinema and shining the mentary, it had its world premiere and writer/director Emin Alper’s do, it helps,” he joked. “You get winning Bosnian Director Danis Tanovic. spotlight on new talents from at Toronto International Film political thriller Frenzy (Turkey, paid more and it attracts atten- the Arab world. Festival in 2013. It is a voyage of France, Qatar). tion. But in all seriousness, it’s Special guest Gael Garcia discovery and reckoning that con- Tanovic said from a young age the inspiration came from him well-paid hobby and I love it. important to work with people Bernal will participate in a ques- templates the meanings of belong- growing up in former Yugoslavia not being happy about the way With this film, I could do anything who think the way you do, who tion-and-answer session. ing, nostalgia, affiliation and love. he watched films from the East war had been presented in films and I learnt to go with my gut.” you connect with. The funny A compelling reality drama, It charts the first journey of and the West on TV. he’d seen. On making films, he said the thing about being a filmmaker is No (Chile, US, France, Mexico; Darwazah to her native Palestine “Because of my dad I fell in love “In war, the only lesson you key is “Simply story, story, story. that we all have different ways of Spanish; 2012) directed by Pablo to discover the life of Hasan with Italian cinema so my history learn is that no one wins. I don’t If a screenplay is good, I stick to thinking, filming, living. We are Larrain, will be presented in the Hourani, a poet and painter, who of cinema is influenced heavily by think you should make a war film it like a sacred book. I rarely see each a lone wolf working with our Modern Masters section featuring created a fantastical world in Italian cinema,” he said. unless you are anti-war really. good films with bad screenplays. I own little tribe and you have to works of five Qumra Masters over which he was a perpetual child, As de facto member of the “I wanted to tell the story of don’t think you can make a good figure out what is right for you.” the six-day programme. his freedom not limited by the armed forces in his 20s Tanovic the futility of war, about what film out of a bad story — it’s a key On making TV, Tanovic said: Part of a trilogy by Larrain on occupation under which he grew realised it was important that really happens during war. It element. And you have to have a “Yes. TV is a powerful tool. In a Chile, the film is set in 1988 and up. Tickets cost QR35; students someone document the war and makes you realise how fragile life feeling when you read a screen- sense, it is much more powerful outlines the audacious and risky have a discounted price of QR25. what it was like, so when he was is and how easily it can be broken, play — if it doesn’t make you feel than independent cinema days. plan by a young ad executive to They can be bought at Qumra a film student, he broke into his and that the only way to survive something it’s not a good screen- The audience potential for good undermine President Augusto Box Office at Building No. 16 at film school and stole two cameras. such a terrible time is to try and play.” With his film An Episode in TV is huge and when it’s good, Pinochet’s propaganda machine. Katara Village or online at www. “That’s how we started. People find humour in it.” the Life of an Iron Picker, shot with TV is great. My wife and I look Shot in 4:3 television ratio with a dohafilminstitute.com/qumra may despise me for it but if you The film, Tanovic said, was shot 17,000 euros in eight days, Tanovic forward to watching our favourite 1983 video camera, and incorpo- Running until Wednesday, are a filmmaker, you need a cam- in 26 days with one day involv- said even though he didn’t have shows on Sunday night once the rating archival news footage and Qumra is hosting more than 100 era! As a member of the defence ing 27 set-ups, despite it being a screenplay he had a story he children are in bed. I think eve- original TV spots, No plunges into leading film industry profession- forces, we had freedom to go and tough working on a small budget knew he had to tell because he rything affects you in life. I’d say actual events with a realism and als for bespoke mentorship labs, film whatever happened and go film and to a very tight schedule, was angry about the injustice of that the young part of my life was truthfulness rarely captured on master classes, meetings and film wherever we wanted — we were he and the crew had a lot of fun the healthcare system in which a affected by war. The latter part screen. It will be shown at 7pm screenings, to nurture regional gathering material to give to jour- making the film. family in need didn’t qualify for of my career has been affected at Drama Theatre, Building No. talent. nalists who couldn’t go to those “With No Man’s Land I had no help. by my wife and children. Family 16 in Katara Village. Twenty-nine projects in various places.” fear as it was my first film and “I made this film against the comes first and everything else Supported by DFI through its stages of production have been With his first film No Man’s there were no investors or expec- odds,” he said. “But I believe when for me, including making films, grants, My Love Awaits Me by the chosen to take them to the next Land, which he made at 31 after tations. For me, making movies you have something to say you comes second.” Sea (Jordan, Germany, Palestine, stage. THE PENINSULA finishing film school, Tanovic said is not a business, it’s more of a have to just go and do it. We’d all THE PENINSULA

Officials from American Women’s Association of Qatar with the multi-disciplinary team at the Breast Unit. American Women’s Association donates silk painting to Breast Unit DOHA: To promote well-being importance of breast cancer support. We always try to find of women living with breast awareness, coupled with ladies in better ways to improve our cancer in Qatar, American pink abayas, representing local patients’ quality of life, uplift Women’s Association of Qatar traditional dress. The heart- their spirits and help them live (AWAQ) donated a silk paint- shaped lips of the women in the with confidence.” ing — representing the unity painting represent the project. Under the project, about 300 between breast cancer patients, The painting will adorn a wall patients have been provided with their supporters and those try- in the Breast Unit, established in a tote bag, a hand-sewn heart- ing to raise awareness about HGH to provide space to women shaped pillow, which can be the prevention of the disease with breast cancer, ensuring they placed under the arm for com- — to the Breast Unit at Hamad are able to receive the best pos- fort post-surgery, an assortment General Hospital (HGH). sible care with greater privacy of toiletries such as shampoos, Presented to the multi-dis- and dignity. shower gels, body lotions and ciplinary team at the unit, the Clinics within the unit provide dental kits and a personalised painting builds on the success specialist services and support to card wishing patients love and of ongoing Heart Pillow Project women from diagnosis to treat- hope. established between Hamad ment and beyond. AWAQ also provides funds for Medical Corporation (HMC) Cathie McKirdy, Advanced women unable to afford breast and AWAQ last year to support Clinical Nurse Specialist, Breast prostheses. It is also working patients recovering from breast Unit, said, “Dealing with breast with the new Palliative Care Unit cancer surgery. cancer is difficult and patients at HMC’s National Centre for The painting is an amal- often experience conflicting emo- Cancer Care and Research, where gamation of the creativity of tions where they tend to give in it has assisted in hand painting many women who created it at to negative thoughts, resulting in stencils in new rooms, halls and an AWAQ coffee morning. It a loss of self-esteem. the corridors and donated toi- contains the long-established, “We recognise that in addition letries for families there with an international symbol of the pink to treatment, patients require end-of-life patient. ribbon, which represents the psychological and emotional THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Machine learning and QRC provides urgent relief for data analytics forum from tomorrow Afghan snowstorm victims DOHA: Boeing and Qatar day on security and social media Computing Research Institute include Mubarak Shah from 300 families in worst-hit Panjshir Province among beneficiaries (QCRI), a member of Qatar University of Central Florida; Foundation for Education, Noshir Contractor from DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Science and Community Northwestern University; Gary (QRC) has launched an urgent Development (QF), have Delany from Commonwealth relief programme to help vic- announced the speaker line-up Scientific and Industrial Research tims of the snowstorm that hit for the two-day Second Annual Organisation; and Jaideep Afghanistan late in February, Machine Learning And Data Srivastava and Divy Agrawal burying and destroying many Analytics Symposium which from QCRI. homes in several provinces. opens tomorrow at Qatar Supplementing the sympo- Implemented in coopera- National Convention Centre. sium will be a hands-on machine tion with Afghan Red Crescent It is open to students, research- learning workshop for students Society (ARCS), the programme ers and industry experts, and will on Thursday at Carnegie Mellon will help 300 families (2,100 peo- feature top global experts discuss- University in Qatar. It aims to ple) in Panjshir Province in the ing applications, recent advances, introduce the theory and basic northeast. and new solutions in the fields of concepts of machine learning, and This was the worst snow- machine learning and data ana- its application to practical data storm to hit the country in 30 lytics. It demonstrates QCRI’s mining tasks. Registration infor- years. Early reports estimate the endeavours to support QF in its mation for the workshop can be number of casualties in Panjshir mission to build the country’s found at www.mldas.org at 196, in addition to more than innovation and technology capac- “Data mining and machine 200 wounded and 15 missing. ity in line with Qatar National learning are revolutionising the Almost 2,000 homes were Vision 2030. use of data analytics in all facets damaged by snow slides and the The first day will focus on of human endeavour, from rec- population in the region lost live- applying machine learning to ognising and decoding images, to lihood as they generally work as healthcare and medicine. There learning customer preferences, shepherds. will be talks, panels and dis- identifying and predicting dis- To avoid duplication with relief cussions on health records and ease causing genes, understanding efforts of the Afghan government Volunteers from relief agencies remove snow from destroyed homes and (below) helicopters deployed to deliver genomic data, led by David Page social networks and more,” said and humanitarian organisations, assistance to victims. and Mark Craven from University Dr Mohammed J Zaki, Principal mostly focused on food and non- of Wisconsin. Jenna Wiens, from Scientist, QCRI, and Co-chair of food assistance, QRC Office in some money for the time being. University of Michigan and a the symposium. “The overwhelm- Afghanistan chose different areas The heavy snowfall over the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ honouree, ing response to the symposium, to intervene — sheltering and eco- past couple of weeks caused ava- will lead an overview of how to with submissions from 21 coun- nomic empowerment. lanches, which buried hundreds use spatiotemporal patient data tries and over 250 registrations To identify the most needy, a of homes in four provinces in the to improve patient outcomes. from constituents in Qatar, the field assessment was conducted by north, claiming 316 lives and leav- Rich Caruana from Microsoft Middle East and from all over the ARCS staff, committees and the ing several hundred wounded, said Research will present his work on world, attests to the potential of consultative council under certain Mohamed Aslam Syas, Deputy intelligible models for healthcare. data analytics in solving real- criteria — victims with no income; Director, Afghanistan National The second day will focus on world problems in various fields.” families whose breadwinners are Disaster Management Authority. machine learning for graph data, Dr Dragos Margineantu from women or children; and families “The toll is expected to rise fur- security and surveillance. Christos Boeing Research & Technology with widows, orphans, or persons ther,” he added. Faloutsos from Carnegie Mellon (BR&T) and Co-chair of the sym- with disabilities. Due to blocked roads, emer- University will discuss how large posium said: “By focusing on areas QRC’s programme involves gency teams sent to the Panjshir graphs can be mined for fraud of high interest for the machine renovating the snow-stricken Valley were unable to reach the detection. Polo Chau from Georgia learning and data analytics com- homes after investigating broken snow-swept towns along a narrow Institute of Technology will lead munities, our speakers and par- windows and doors and basic ele- valley surrounded by two moun- a discussion of how graph min- ticipants will be able to present ments, which will be repaired or tain ranges, with only one access. ing and visualisation can help and exchange ideas that will drive replaced. Helicopters were used to untangle complicated data trails research on these topics.” Sheep will be purchased and deliver medicines, blankets and left by cyber criminals to cover The agenda and details about the distributed to poor families that other assistance offered by relief their tracks. symposium can be found at www. lost their livelihood — two sheep agencies in remote areas. Other speakers on the second mldas.org THE PENINSULA per family — to help them make THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME GCC Traffic Awareness Introductory seminar on UN congress Week begins today

DOHA: Activities to mark the on traffic signals. Seminars will be 31st GCC Traffic Awareness Week held on ‘Driving decisions and their start today and continue until role in the reduction of accidents’, March 14. This year’s events are ‘Common traffic signals among com- being held under the theme ‘Your munities’ and ‘Motorcycles between decision determines your destiny’, hobbies and risks’. at Darb Al Saie. There will be awareness lectures A traffic exhibition will be inau- on the role of family in reducing acci- gurated by Staff Maj. Gen. Saad dents by Dr Eissa Al Hurr, Qatari bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director- Lawyers Association and Qatar Red General, Public Security, at 6m in Crescent, on ‘Drivers’ behaviours’ the presence of Brig. Muhammad by Sheikh Saaban Al Sinouhri from Saad Al Kharji, Director-General Awqaf, a lecture by Injuries Unit at Col Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah (centre) with participants at an introductory seminar on the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal General Directorate of Traffic, and Hamad General Hospital, another Justice, organised by the Ministry of Interior yesterday. It highlighted the congress agenda in detail. The congress will be held at Qatar National dignitaries from other GCC coun- on ‘Rights of persons with special Convention Centre from April 12 to 19. ABDUL BASIT tries, directors and officers of vari- needs’ by Qatar Awareness Group, ous departments at the Ministry of on traffic violations and Shariah; and Interior. ‘Reduction of traffic violations’ by Dr Preparations have been completed. Muhammad Abdul Rahman. Art Week-long events include work- events will be held by Eid Charity, shops for students on the theme of Mawater, driving schools, and related the Traffic Week and on ‘Your safety agencies and competitions on the HMC hosts forum on safe is your choice’, art and a workshop sidelines. THE PENINSULA anticoagulation management Fashion legend Valentino Focus on anticoagulation therapy to fight cardiovascular diseases

DOHA: More than 300 establishing the clinic in to meet VCU-Q students healthcare professionals from accordance with the highest Qatar and other countries standards to meet the needs gathered at the first Qatar of our patients was recognised International Conference by HMC’s leadership when we on Safe Anticoagulation were awarded the Best Clinical Management, hosted by Practice Award under HMC’s Hamad Medical Corporation’s Stars of Excellence Awards (HMC) Pharmacy Program in 2014,” he added. Department and Al Wakra The two-day forum was Hospital, to discuss new held in partnership with advances and trends in anti- Qatar University’s College of coagulation care and research. Pharmacy and featured speak- “The forum, the first of ers from HMC, the college, its kind in the region, high- Weill Cornell Medical College- lighted the work of Al Wakra Qatar, the US, the UAE, Oman Hospital’s pharmacy-man- and Kuwait. aged Anticoagulation Clinic Dr Ezeldin Soaly, Senior Consultant and Head, Cardiology Department, “We are happy to collaborate (supported by cardiologists), Al Wakra Hospital and Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, with the hospital’s Cardiology Valentino, fashion designer and Founder, Valentino Fashion House, and Giancarlo established three years ago to addresses the forum. Department on the confer- Giammetti, Honorary President of the Fashion House. improve patient outcomes. It is ence, which gives participants the first of its kind in Qatar,” attacks, strokes, and blood clots and manage their medication to an opportunity to share ideas said Dr Ezeldin Soaly, Senior in veins and arteries. maximise its benefits and avoid and discuss the most advanced DOHA: Legendary fashion Doors will open for members of the Consultant, Head of Cardiology The growing problem of car- side effects such as bleeding practices in anticoagulation designer and master couturier community to participate in the Q&A Department at the hospital, diovascular diseases in Qatar, complications from improper care. Valentino will meet students at session at 6pm. There are a limited and Conference Organizing a major cause of death, disabil- medication use or dosage. “It is an excellent example of Virginia Commonwealth University number of seats which will be offered Committee Chairman. ity and impaired quality of life, “The clinic offers specialities, interprofessional education at in Qatar (VCU-Q) for a Q&A ses- on the first-come, first-served basis. Anticoagulation therapy underscores the clinic’s role in including cardiology, surgery, HMC,” said Dr Rasha Al Anany, sion beginning at 6.30pm today. The 2015 edition of Tasmeem Doha helps fight cardiovascular dis- improving patient outcomes. neurology and orthopaedics, Director of Pharmacy at the Valentino was born in Voghera, focuses on the theme ‘playfulness’ as eases by reducing the body’s Dr Soaly said the anticoagu- and has benefited almost 2,000 hospital, and Head, Pharmacy Italy, and founded the Valentino expressed by the Arabizi term 3ajeeb! ability to form clots in the blood lation service helps patients bet- patients since it was created. Education, HMC. Fashion House in Rome in the late (ahh-jhee-b) meaning ‘strange in a and is used to prevent heart ter understand their condition “Our achievement in THE PENINSULA 1950s. He has since established a glit- strange way, cool in a cool way and tering career designing for some of slightly weird in a slightly weird way’. the world’s most glamorous women, It will foster discussions on ‘play- from royalty to Hollywood icons. ful’ processes as a creative means to Gas cylinder blast in restaurant Giancarlo Giammetti, Honourary generate knowledge, technologies and President, Valentino Fashion House, discoveries. will also participate in the Q&A The forum brings together leading session, hosted and moderated by designers, artists and creative think- Sandra Wilkins, Chair, Fashion ers and features programmes coa- Some customers reportedly suf- Design, VCU-Q. lescing into five days of workshops, fered minor injuries following a sus- Conversation will focus on presentations, performances and pected gas cylinder blast at Indian Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum exhibitions. For details, visit www. Coffee House restaurant near Jaidah and possibly address the conference tasmeemdoha.com. Flyover in Doha yesterday afternoon. theme ‘3ajeeb!’. The event supports QF’s mission The restaurant was full of custom- The visit coincides with Tasmeem to unlock human potential through ers when the incident occurred at Doha biennial international art and the development of world-class tal- around 3.30pm. There were no seri- design conference that runs from ent in art and design and will allow ous casualties, sources said. The today until Thursday, organised by the wider public to observe at first VCU-Q in partnership with Qatar hand latest global developments in main glass door was broken, appar- Foundation (QF). the field. THE PENINSULA ently when customers rushed out in panic. No fire was reported after the blast. Police and Civil Defence team rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. Investigation continues.

Women’s Day marked with mentoring walk

Qatari Businesswomen Association officials with some of the participants at the event.

DOHA: Celebrating The ‘Walk and Talk’ matched QBWA aimed to connect much for taking time to partici- International Women’s Day, pioneer Qatari business and young generation with more pate in this function, this is an Qatari Businesswomen society women, along with a new experienced role models to talk opportunity for women in Qatar Association (QBWA) organ- generation of women, to provide while walking outdoors away to pay back to their society by ised a women mentoring walk professional advice and guid- from the formal framework, mentoring the new generation hosted by Aspire Zone and ance. It included participants of discuss professional challenges, of women. sponsored by QNB, RAW ME, Global Ambassadors Mentoring elements for success, and build a “I thank Aspire Zone for facil- IBQ and Patton Boggs. Programme, organised by Vital distinctive interactive relation- itating and hosting the walk, The walk was part of Vital Voices and Bank of America in ship between them. and our sponsors for support- Voices global mentoring walk in Doha last week and participants Aisha Alfardan, Vice- ing it and believing in QBWA’s 53 countries around the world from countries from the Mena Chairwoman, QBWA told the efforts to empower women. to mark the day. region. participants “I thank you very THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Burden of Libya rivals hold first direct talks RABAT: Representatives of Libya’s rival parliaments had their first direct talks yesterday proof on Iran, in negotiations aimed at agree- ing a deal for a national unity government, with the UN talk- ing of “important progress”. United Nations Libya envoy Bernardino Leon had shuttled says Kerry between the two sides on Thursday and Friday during indirect dis- cussions in Skhirat, near the Nuclear talks resume on March 15 Moroccan capital. The two sides are discussing the PARIS: Top US diplomat John of other countries’ concerns, par- form a unity government would Kerry yesterday sought to ticularly Israel. take and the terms for cessation of smooth differences with France “That’s why we will only sign hostilities in the violence-wracked over nuclear talks with Iran, this accord if Iran is permanently North African nation. agreeing with the French that and verifiably excluded from hav- “Things are positive, construc- there were still gaps to overcome ing access to a nuclear bomb,” he tive. Interventions are in a good in the “critical weeks” ahead. told reporters. spirit. But we will have to continue The US secretary of state said it Hammond said after that the working,” Leon tweeted yesterday. was up to Iran to prove its peaceful meeting was “a useful opportu- Libya’s elected parliament is intentions to the world if it wants nity to coordinate our political based in the eastern city of Tobruk a deal on its nuclear programme positions.” while the rival Islamist-backed ahead of the looming March 31 Although a nuclear deal would General National Congress is in deadline. “be great for both sides and, in our the capital, Tripoli. He was speaking to reporters view, for the region as a whole... Participants said representa- after a 20-minute meeting with the outcome is still uncertain. Iran tives of the two sides sat down French Foreign Minister Laurent is going to have to move further in face-to-face for the first time in Fabius in Paris where they tried order to reach a deal which works the presence of Leon, Moroccan to iron out their differing views for us all,” Hammond said. Foreign Minister Salaheddine on the deal. Fabius had expressed his con- Mezouar and Moroccan intelli- France has privately expressed cerns over the deal on Friday, gence chief Yassin Al Mansouri. concerns that the final agreement saying “as regards the numbers, Leon later told reporters that will not include enough iron-clad controls and the length of the patience was necessary. guarantees to stop Iran acquiring agreement, the situation is still “We are currently working on Libyan supporters of “Fajr Libya” (Libya Dawn), a mainly-Islamist alliance, protest against the UN-brokered talks a nuclear bomb. not sufficient.” the major questions, the question in Morocco between Libya’s two rival parliaments, in Tripoli’s Martyr’s Square. “We want an agreement that’s Key issues in the talks which of security, the question of govern- solid,” Kerry said. began in late 2013 include the level ment,” he said. “We want an agreement that of uranium enrichment that Iran “We’re progressing, but these will go back to Libya today to con- proposals on the key elements talks on February 11 at Ghadames will guarantee that we are hold- should be allowed, the degree of are difficult questions that will not sult their leaders before returning regarding security arrangements in southern Libya, again under UN ing any kind of programme that international oversight of its pro- see results today or tomorrow. We to Morocco next week. and a government of national auspices. continues in Iran accountable to gramme and how long an accord must be patient, but I think we Kouani said the two sides had unity to bring peace to the coun- These were the first discussions the highest standards so that we should last. are heading in the right direction.” agreed to be back in Rabat on try,” a statement said. of their kind since a national dia- know in fact that it is a peaceful “It is frankly up to Iran that Moussa El Kouani, a member Wednesday. Leon had been trying for weeks logue was launched at the end of programme.” wants this programme... that of the elected parliament, said the The talks are being facilitated to bring the two sides together. September. Fabius emphasised that any deal asserts that they have a peaceful representatives had agreed on a by the United Nations Support On Friday, he had called the Libya has been wracked by to remove sanctions could not be programme, to show the world “series of principles” that they Mission in Libya, which said “the talks process a difficult one that conflict since the 2011 uprising thrashed out only between Iran that it is indeed exactly what they will examine with their respec- participants agree that important would not create solutions “in one that ousted dictator Muammar and the US. say,” said Kerry. tive leaderships before returning progress has been made so far”. or two days”. Gaddafi, with the two govern- “These are multilateral negotia- Iran has long denied seeking to to “conclude an agreement”. “The parties are determined Before the Morocco meeting, ments and powerful militias now tions and we are making sure our arm itself with an atomic bomb, The discussions were due to end to bridge their differences and representatives of both parlia- battling for control of key cities position is known,” he said. insisting its nuclear programme later yesterday and the delegations have been working on concrete ments had already held indirect and the country’s oil riches. AFP Fabius acknowledged that is for energy production and other progress had been made in the civilian purposes. talks since an interim deal reached Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar on November 2013, but stressed Salehi, who met this week with “differences still remain” which the US Energy Secretary Ernest had to be “overcome” and “there Moniz, insisted “we have over- Egypt shakes up police top brass in reshuffle is still work to do.” come the stalemate over techni- In a show of unity, Kerry said cal issues.” CAIRO: Egypt’s new Interior The changes include appoint- Several explosive devices have criticism over the failure to pre- he had “the same assessment” as The unfinished plutonium reac- Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar ing aides for national security and been set off near phone shops in vent militant attacks. Fabius. tor at Arak as well as the uranium has made major changes to his security in the Sinai Peninsula, Cairo recently, although they have After Mursi’s ouster, Egypt’s “We have made progress, but enrichment site of Fordo had both senior police command, a min- where a growing Islamist insur- been rudimentary. once-hated police force was largely there remain gaps, divergences as figured high in these week’s dis- istry statement said late on gency has killed scores of police- The deadliest attacks have rehabilitated in the eyes of the he (Fabius) said, and we need to cussions, he said. Friday, as security forces strug- men and soldiers. been in the Sinai Peninsula public. close those gaps,” Kerry insisted. “On enrichment and Arak, we gle with ongoing Islamist mili- Police commanders in several where Ansar Beit Al Maqdis, the But it faced renewed flak in Having flown in from London have made very good progress. We tant attacks. governorates and cities, including Egyptian affiliate of the Islamic January when a female demon- on the last stop of a week-long have replied to their concerns... by Abdel Ghaffar was appointed Cairo, were also changed. State group, is spearheading an strator was killed in clashes with trip, Kerry also briefed German making technical proposals while on Thursday after his pred- Egypt has been struggling to insurgency against the security police during a left-wing demon- Foreign Minister Frank-Walter also defending our national inter- ecessor, Mohamed Ibrahim, who crush militant attacks that have forces. stration in Cairo on the eve of the Steinmeier and British coun- ests and our nuclear industry,” spearheaded a deadly police crack- been on the rise since Mursi’s Jihadist groups say their attacks fourth anniversary of the revolt terpart Philip Hammond on the Salehi told Iran television, without down against supporters of ousted removal in 2013. are in retaliation for a government against former president Hosni latest round of talks with Iran, giving specifics. president Mohamed Mursi, was One person was killed and 11 crackdown against Mursi support- Mubarak. Shaima Al Sabbagh which took place over three days US-Iran bilateral talks are due removed in a cabinet reshuffle. wounded in a bomb attack late ers that has left hundreds dead. died of birdshot wounds, and fel- in Switzerland earlier this week. to resume on March 15, most The minister appointed 25 new on Friday outside a mobile phone Ibrahim, who led the police low demonstrators said she was Steinmeier kept up the show of likely in Geneva. commanders to head various top shop and a bank in the textile hub crackdown against Mursi support- hit when police fired to disperse a unity, and said they were conscious AFP security posts in a major shake-up. of Mahallah, north of Cairo. ers, was removed amid mounting march. AFP

Israelis rally against Netanyahu ahead of vote TEL AVIV: Tens of thou- Police said more than 25,000 security situation—the country government is unlikely to press sands of people rallied in Tel people protested in the city’s has broken down,” he told AFP. for peace as members of the Aviv yesterday against Israeli Yitzhak Rabin Square. The rally was one of the larg- current cabinet are opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Organisers said twice as est anti-Netanyahu protests to to the creation of a Palestinian Netanyahu and called for many people attended the rally. be held in the run-up to the state. “change”, 10 days ahead of a “This is a demonstration by March 17 election, and reflects A former head of Israel’s general election. Israeli citizens who are demand- growing dissatisfaction with his Mossad spy agency, Meir Dagan, The protest was organised by ing a change of politics, a peace government. also joined the protest and deliv- the Million Hands grassroots agreement” between Israel and “We hope that the left will ered a fiery address against organisation that campaigns the Palestinians, said one of the return,” said Ben Ami. Netanyahu. for a peace agreement between organisers, Dror Ben Ami. Netanyahu’s Likud party is “Israel has enemies but I do Israel and the Palestinians and “The current government has almost neck-and-neck with the not fear them. What scares me the creation of a Palestinian failed on the social and economic Zionist Union in opinion polls. is the current leadership of the state. fronts and has not improved the Another Netanyahu country,” he said. AFP

Israeli navy kills Palestinian fisherman GAZA: The Israeli navy opened fire on boats off the coast of the Gaza Strip yesterday, killing one Palestinian fisherman, Gaza hospital officials said. Citing security concerns, Israel keeps a naval blockade on Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement, and has designated a six nauti- cal-mile fishing zone off the enclave’s coast. An Israeli military spokeswoman said four ves- sels had strayed from the fishing zone and that the Israeli army opened fire after the boats did not heed calls to halt. Gaza hospital officials named the fisherman killed yesterday as Tawfiq Abu Reyala, 34. The Palestinians say the fishing zone is not big enough to supply the demands of Gaza’s 1.8 mil- lion people, who live under a tight Israeli-Egyptian blockade. Hamas and other Gaza militant groups Mourners carry the body of Palestinian fisherman Tawfiq Abu Reyala during his funeral fought a 50-day war with Israel last July and August. REUTERS in Gaza City yesterday. SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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South Sudan crisis Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

ALKS TO end the South Sudan imbroglio have failed again. The East African group mediating between the South Sudanese government forces and Trebels led by former Vice President Riek Machar is Merkel wants a braver Germany; now planning some tough action: force both sides to form a transitional government. As the world battles multiple crises, South Sudan, the but will Germans let her have it? newest country in the world, has been fighting a battle for its survival. But the crisis hasn’t attracted international BY NATALIE NOUGAYRÈDE attention because of the relative strategic insignificance falls out of the eurozone, not just the in Minsk. If Germany had gone it alone, of the country. Conflict erupted in December 2013 when common currency but the whole her critics would have wasted no time AKE A STROLL down European project will be weakened. evoking the ghost of theRibbentrop- a power struggle within the ruling party turned violent. Berlin’s Unter den Linden It would be a signal of disintegration Molotov pact, with Germany and Russia President Salva Kiir arrested his rivals for allegedly plotting avenue, heading towards the at a time when geopolitical threats carving up eastern Europe. On Greece, a coup against him and ethnic Nuer accused soldiers loyal to Brandenburg Gate, and his- are graver than ever. Berlin paid close perhaps Merkel’s “unifying” task was Kiir of targeting them. Commanders rebelled in three states. tory will ambush you. First, attention to the way Tsipras cosied up made easier by the many provocations Tyou pass by the Willy Brandt Forum, to Vladimir Putin’s Russia after his from within the Tsipras team, includ- Machar, a Nuer, fled the capital, Juba, and became head of paying homage to the German chan- election, and to how he sent one of his ing its frequent references to Nazi war the insurgent forces. Thousands of people have died since the cellor who from 1969 to 1974 invented ministers to Moscow, possibly in the crimes. None of them went down too civil war erupted and almost two million have been driven Ostpolitik, Germany’s overture to the hope of leveraging Russian financial well in Paris or Rome, the capitals that from their homes, according to the United Nations. East and to the Soviet Union. You also support against Brussels’s offer. When Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance Talks have been going on for a year to end the pass near Russisches Haus, a German- the German chancellor recently warned minister, visited in search of allies. crisis, overseen by the Intergovernmental Authority on Russian cultural centre currently com- that Russia might start eyeing up the As strategic positions go, this new Development (IGAD), an African bloc. Kiir and Machar held memorating the 70th anniversary of the Balkans next, she may not just have had German assertiveness is still full of end of what the Russians call the great Serbia, but also Greece, in mind. paradoxes. No doubt Merkel wasn’t talks over the past four days in Ethiopia without reaching an patriotic war. A short walk away, the Strategic Angela is also visible when quite expecting to find herself in such a agreement on key issues including the leadership structure beautiful modern glass dome built on it comes to confronting populist political position when she first got elected. One of an interim administration, top of the Reichstag building comes as forces in Europe. She has taken a clear close observer of the chancellor, who sharing power within ministries a reminder that it was only 15 years stand against Pegida, the anti-Muslim has known Merkel since the start of her It’s time for the and parliament and how to ago that theGerman parliament moved movement in Germany now trying to political career, told me Merkel would re-integrate a fractured army. from Bonn to Berlin – shifting Europe’s spread elsewhere in Europe. She is have much preferred to spend her suc- centre of gravity eastwards. especially worried about the growth cessive terms in office concentrating on African Union “We’re nowhere. There’s German power is now mostly seen in of France’s Front National. German domestic issues such as industrial policy. and the UN disagreement all over,” Machar economic terms. Given its 20th century officials have been asking their French But the fallout from the economic crisis said in an interview in the past, the dream of simply being a bigger counterparts how they intend to block and Russia’s threatening behaviour has to intervene Ethiopian capital on Friday. Switzerland still holds a strong appeal the rise of Marine Le Pen, who wants to pushed her into an altogether differ- Ethiopian Prime Minister to the German public: a country without pull France out of the euro if she comes ent role. any serious external security concerns, to power one day. Those – and they are many – who forcibly to Hailemariam Desalegn, who is focused on prosperity and wellbeing. The European commission recently see Germany as responsible for the resolve the also the chair of IGAD, said the And yet recently Angela Merkel has granted France a two-year extension to economic austerity measures that have mediators will hold the rival put her country on a new course. She bring its budget within EU rules. This fuelled Euroscepticism and the rise of crisis in civil parties to their commitment to is redefining German power. This is gives the French government some radical parties will emphasise the irony war-wracked form a transitional government not happening via grand speeches, but slack in terms of cutting down public of Germany scrambling to fix problems by July of this year. “IGAD, joined through concrete steps and sometimes expenditure – a gift at a time when the that have come about as a consequence discreet messages. And it is happening Front National thrives on the middle of its own policies. Others will ask how South Sudan. by the friends of South Sudan as a result of circumstances, not because class sense of being mistreated. French European Germany’s thinking really is, from Africa and abroad, intends of a comprehensively pre-prepared plan. officials privately admit that German for example when accepting to sideline to implement a common plan and Last year, in quick succession, war broke concerns about the ascent of the far- Poland during the Ukraine crisis. table a reasonable and comprehensive solution to end the out in Ukraine, populist and extremist right in France played no small part in But the bottom line is that Germany crisis,” he added. parties made strong gains in European the Brussels decision. is no longer the country that has fre- Millions of people in South Sudan are living in poverty and elections, and the Greek conundrum I have heard similar comments about quently been portrayed: a nation so returned to the eurozone. Because of all how Germany sees the threat of “Brexit” obsessed with export markets and staring at a bleak future as their leaders fight for supremacy. these crises, Merkel has been reapprais- – a British exit from Europe. Sources globalisation that it might be a more The country is blessed with oil, but is unable to use this ing what her country should be doing as close to the Merkel point out that her suitable fit for the Brics club of emerg- precious resource for the development of the country and Europe’s powerhouse. message to David Cameron has been a ing global economies, somehow turn- its people because of the civil war. The UN Security Council Take the Greek issue. The reason strong warning, along the lines of “don’t ing its back on Europe. One sign of the agreed on March 3 to set up a sanctions committee to why Germany recently decided to play games with European politics”. shift is that the German government give Greece a reprieve (if only for four Countering Europe’s fragmentation has recently indicated it is thinking of identify individuals who are blocking the peace process and months) by pursuing EU financial aid has become the key objective in Merkel’s increasing its defence budget by 2017. committing violations. Punitive actions may include an arms is not just that Alexis Tsipras backed third term. She has become obsessed Checkpoint Charlie, the old border embargo, travel bans and asset freezes. down on most of his earlier demands. It with forging European unity. This was crossing between East and West Berlin, It’s time for the African Union and the UN to intervene is because Germany saw a larger stra- clear on Ukraine as well as Greece. It was once a symbol for Europe’s division, forcefully in this crisis. The people of South Sudan should not tegic question beyond the immediate is the reason why she was quite glad to and hence Germany’s constraints. Visit be held hostage by their leaders who are fighting to further financial issue. have President Hollande of France by now, and you see only a tourist site. The reasoning goes like this: if Greece her side when negotiating with Putin THE GUARDIAN their interests• The other side Quote of Repair work for Senate the day

URVEYING the wreckage that of their parties and the electoral process obvious problem: the PPP and PML-N — triggering another potentially dam- has become the 2015 Senate by the PML-N and PTI; wild speculation will have near-equal representation in the aging round of speculation and allega- elections, this much is already in sections of the media; and a welter of Senate. So which party will get its sena- tions of vote-buying and arm-twisting. Sclear: the upper house of allegations on election day itself, lead- tor elected as chairman? For the PPP, There is also the issue of the PTI. It parliament has a serious repair job ahead ing to unprecedented disruptions of the retaining the Senate chairmanship will has yet to allow its members to return of it in terms of recovering its reputation polling process. That is a stain no house act as a useful riposte to the growing to the National Assembly and if its six and reinstating itself in the public should have and surely not the Senate, criticism that it has been reduced to a senators also stay away from Senate imagination as a forum where serious, which in its composition and design regional party from interior Sindh. proceedings, it will add to the percep- Aden became the sober and informed debate is possible. is meant to be above bare-knuckled, For the PML-N, control of the Senate tion of parliament being an incomplete To be sure, few — if any — candidates winner-takes-all politics. will aid its legislative agenda in parlia- forum. Beyond that perhaps what capital of Yemen as have been elected to the Senate solely Before the Senate can begin to ment and rebut the allegation that it is the Senate should look to focus on soon as the Houthis on the basis of vote-buying and without recover its reputation though, there is essentially a Punjab-only party. But with is ramping up its legislative and over- the support of a political party with the business of avoiding yet more dam- roughly one-fourth of the votes in the sight agenda. The wealth of talent and occupied Sana’a. representation in one of the assemblies. age. When the new members of the Senate each, if the PML-N and PPP do professional expertise — and not plain But the perception of these elections Senate will be sworn in next week and decide to contest the Senate chairman- wealth in monetary terms — in the has been fundamentally shaped by sev- the house will convene to elect a chair- ship, then both sides will need to reach Senate remains high with this new set Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi eral other factors: the mismanagement man and deputy chairman, there is an out to the other parties in the Senate of legislators. DAWN Yemeni President SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Between destroying statues and idols

for not having denounced the bombard- ment of this or that city, and the murder of innocents. What is more important, they asked: People or stones? It is as if a person has to be either against the bombardment of Aleppo and many other Arab cities at the hands of regimes, or against the destruction of everything that reminds us of the feats of civilisation in that country. It is as if you have to stand either alongside a tyrannical regime that has indeed built idols to itself, and that has been exterminating a people without even blinking, or stand alongside killers who slaughter innocents with knives — we can’t tell if they blink or not, as they usually don thick masks. Such debates are among the disgraces of the civil war raging between the vari- ous barbarians of our nations — barbar- ians who have been laid bare since some BY DR AZMI BISHARA of us decided to take us from destroying the idols of tyranny with the hammers hen you denounce a mur- of freedom and democracy, to destroying der and an angry chorus ancient statutes and structures. protests and asks: “What Wabout the killing of this or The bigger picture that person, and what about the bomb- In effect, the obsession with the demo- ing of innocents?” Then know that it lition of statues in the Nineveh museum would be pointless to recall your positions or elsewhere is not a question of religion. opposed to bombardment by aggressor or Indeed, these statues no longer have any dictatorial states. religious significance. No one holds them You are not going to persuade anyone, sacred, let alone worship them. because no one will bother to listen. At any rate, no one worshipped stat- For one thing, the question itself is just ues in the past. Rather, they were always meant to be quarrelsome whataboutery. a material embodiment of what people A picture taken on April 9, 2013 shows a partial view of bas relief dated from the Assyrian civilisation, at the archaeological site of Nimrud It usually stems from the animus of those worshipped in an epoch when religion that lies on the Tigris River around 30 kilometres southeast of Mosul, Iraq’s second city. Nimrud, on UNESCO’s tentative world heritage who denounce the killing of one individ- was inseparable from the forces of nature list, was founded in the 13th century BC and was considered the jewel of the Assyrian era. According to the Iraqi government, IS militants ual but have no qualms about cheering and its seasons, inseparable from the arts bulldozed the site on March 5. the slaughter of an entire people, or at that captured them, inseparable from the the very best, remaining silent about it. communities and their imaginations, and it. These are the ruins of civilisations that produce. Let us all remember here the this land. They are rootless, and for this Or it comes from zealots for an idea, inseparable from combat and warfare. once thrived on the banks of the rivers connection between the word Al-Falah, reason, they want to uproot these coun- sect, group, and so on, who have no prob- In those ancient civilisations, the of this land, and that left their mark on or “success”, in the Muslim call to prayer tries, until all those living on the banks lem about perpetrating injustice for the sacred was not separated from the noble all of humanity. — whose literal meaning is “sowing” — of Tigris and the Euphrates become wan- sake of that which they support, even if and the aesthetic. Those who are demolishing them are and farming the land and Al-’Ibada, “to dering and roving people like them. they themselves are victims; for them, Religion was not a distinct entity from not the advocates of a new religion, fight- worship”, or in Semitic languages, “to Those who have destroyed the stat- what they support is above morality. arts and literature, which did not exist ing the old gods and their representa- toil”. ues have also destroyed mosques, claim- There is no room for the mind and for as standalone human activities [Note: tions, as Abraham had done. Nor are they Those who destroyed statues did not ing they house shrines and idolatrous principles in the folds of these bipolari- Perhaps this fixation with demolition may the bearers of a new civilisation — quite destroy idols, because the statues are no tombstones. ties. What should be done is to help cre- help explain the desire of some “jihadists” the contrary, they are opposed to civilisa- longer that. They want to remove everything that ate a new public sphere that would be to capture Rome. Rome, and Florence, tion and civility in general. Many caliphs and sultans have come stands as a reminder of the people who carried by new generations yet untainted for example, could give those obsessed The demolishers fear the statues, not and gone and yet they did not destroy existed before, and destroy the roots of by these bipolarities, and who are willing with demolishing statues years of non- because they are a threat, having become them, and coexisted with them and the others on this land, to make all equally to struggle against injustice, and strive stop fun]. artistic-cultural artifacts, but because people that cultivated this land. In fact, it rootless. For this reason as well, they are for freedom and dignity. In the present times, these statues they are a reminder that they have noth- is this mixture and interaction that gave kidnapping the native people of the land only represent human heritage, without ing to offer to humanity. rise to the Arab and Islamic civilisation — not because they have a different faith Smashing statues any links to religion or ethnicity in the Indeed, those who can build statues that we hold in high regard. in some cases, but because the victims This idea came to me as I was forcibly present day. They do not represent our can build many other things. Those Those who destroy heritage in this day remind them how alien and fleeting they following up the debate between those immediate past either, but the ancient ancient people did not only sculpt statues, and age are in reality attacking every- themselves are in this land. outraged at the demolition of ancient past of all humanity. but also built cities, left inscriptions on thing that reminds them of the worth- The writer is an intellectual, academi- Iraqi statues at the Museum of Nineveh This is not our direct past, and there is stones, and cultivated the land — also a lessness of their own existence, their cian and the General Director of The Arab in Mosul, and those protesting at them no conflict between us revolving around form of worship — and lived on their own own weakness, and their intrusion in Center for Research and Policy Studies. Myth of vaccine conspiracy US-Qatar partnerships BY SUSAN SENATOR false. No one could say for sure what caused autism, but they cer- or the first three years of tainly could say that it wasn’t a my son’s life, I lived a kind vaccine. In hindsight, it’s easy to empowering women of “Gaslight” experience. understand why some parents of F BY DANA SHELL SMITH Sometimes everything seemed In hindsight, children with autism want to see fine. But other times, ordinary conspiracy and evil where none activities such as piling him into it’s easy to exists. Autism seemed to have sto- arch 8 marks the the stroller and going to the park understand why len my son, and he was getting 104th observance of would feel odd somehow, false. worse. He’d been expelled from MInternational Women’s Something was not right, but I some parents school for his aggression. I needed Day. The creation of International could not say what or why. I felt of children with help, and his therapists kept quit- Women’s Day emerged from the as though I was playing the part autism want to see ting because they were afraid of activities of labour movements of mommy, while the real me was him. I was afraid of him. I was at the turn of the 20th century clenched up somewhere in the conspiracy and sick of my life. in North America and across background, nauseated with an evil where none I hung on, of course. Spring Europe. In its early years, the unnamed fear for my son. came. Somewhere I found the day honoured the women’s rights Nat had autism, but I didn’t exists. strength to keep my family movement, including advocat- know it. It was 1993 when he was together and to try one or two ing for the right to vote and hold diagnosed, and no one in my circle new things with Nat, such as sign- public office, and for ending dis- had a child with autism or even blow apart some young children’s ing him up for a Special Olympics crimination in the workplace. really knew what it was. When immune systems, making them gymnastics team. Nat started to Today, the day is observed as a I had Nat evaluated, I asked susceptible to all kinds of con- do better. Nothing earth-shatter- time to reflect on progress, to call whether I had caused it. “Oh, no, ditions. I was so worn down, so ing, but he was communicating a for change, and to celebrate acts no one believes that anymore,” miserable in those days that I was little more, and he seemed a bit of courage and determination by the doctor said, soothing me with desperate to believe there was a more tolerant of other people. It women who have made a differ- his pragmatic, scientific manner. culprit, something or someone to was the first time I experienced ence in their communities and “Autism is neurological, genetic blame. It was a relief to think that coming through a bad time, find- countries. most likely.” the problem wasn’t my DNA but ing a light at the end of the tun- President Barack Obama has I was grateful to hear this, but an outside aggressor, a mistake nel, with Nat. made advancing the status of only for a little while, because caused by the medical establish- Now I look back and see that women and girls a central ele- the real problem was still autism. ment’s hubris. something was indeed shifting ment of US foreign policy. Our Around the time Nat turned 8, he I wondered, if this is true, what in Nat — and in me. He felt my Secretary of State, John Kerry, hit a rough patch that lasted years. should I do? Shouldn’t I sue some- happiness, he grew confident, he reinforced this message when he He stopped sleeping on any kind one? Kill someone, even? I felt succeeded at more things and said: “No country can get ahead of regular night time schedule, and suffocated by anger and horror felt my approval. The change was if it leaves half of its people he began to exhibit all sorts of dif- and also by not knowing what to gradual. I remember one heart- behind. This is why the United ficult behaviours — false, mania- do next. But the more I thought stopping moment when we shared States believes gender equality cal laughter, hitting and pinching, it through, the less clarity I had. a laugh on the living room couch, is critical to our shared goals of US Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith (right). breaking things. I didn’t know how My husband and my mother and his warm eyes held mine for prosperity, stability, and peace, to get him to calm down, and I told me I had to move on, for how a sliver of a second. I knew he was and why investing in women feared for his safety. And because could we ever really know whether in there, and that was enough. and girls worldwide is critical to to their respective societies. I have met in business, educa- so little was known about autism, the vaccine was the cause? I heard I didn’t get a perfect kid or US foreign policy.” To this end, Global stability, peace, and tion, art, in your offices, and in no one could really help us. In a them. I also heard the whisper of a perfect life. No one does. But I am very gratified to see the prosperity depend on protect- your homes, and I look forward way, I found myself back at the those very early days with Nat, when you’re a young, scared par- US-Qatari partnerships that ing and advancing the rights to hearing more of your stories beginning, researching the condi- when doubt needled me. Something ent, you will grasp at anything to empower women through invest- of women and girls around the and sharing experiences with all tion, trying to figure out why. Why had been off — subtle, but there — make sense of a hardship such ments in education, business, arts, world. We know that progress of you in the years to come. Nat? Why me? before his vaccinations. as autism. I know that firsthand. and culture. From the six US uni- in women’s employment, health, So, in closing, I would like to When I came across the the- So I did more research, and I But the MMR vaccine does not versities at Education City to the and education can lead to greater express my appreciation and ory that the measles, mumps and learned that scientific organisa- cause autism. And more impor- over 1,200 Qatari students, many economic growth and stronger admiration for the girls and rubella (MMR) vaccine could tions around the world — includ- tant, autism is not the only tough of them young women, studying in societies. I am proud that the women of Qatar, the “Sheroes,” cause autism, it made a kind of ing the Centers for Disease thing that can happen in this life. the US, our countries are working US-Qatar partnership promotes and the vital role you play in Old World sense to me. From Control and Prevention and the A return of deadly diseases kept together to ensure that women these ideals through our col- society. what I could gather, it sounded National Institutes of Health — at bay by vaccines would be far participate and contribute eco- laboration every day. I have been Dana Shell Smith is the US as though the vaccine might had proved the vaccine theory worse. WP-BLOOMBERG nomically, politically, and socially impressed by the Qatari women Ambassador to Qatar. SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Iraqi forces face tough IS resistance Tikrit will fall, says top US general

SAMARRA: Iraqi forces faced The US military announced tough resistance from jihadist that a string of 26 air strikes over fighters around Tikrit yester- two weeks had succeeded in forc- day, but the top US military ing IS out of Al Baghdadi, a small officer said ahead of a Baghdad town near a large Iraqi base in visit that victory was only a western Iraq where US advisers matter of time. are stationed. Iran has actively and visibly “Iraqi security forces and supported Baghdad’s biggest tribal fighters from the Anbar operation yet against the Islamic region have successfully cleared State group, but General Martin Al Baghdadi of ISIL (IS), retak- Dempsey insisted US air strikes ing both the police station and north of Tikrit had been key. three Euphrates River bridges,” “The Tikrit operation is only it said. possible because of the air cam- An offensive was also launched paign we’ve been running around this week to recapture Gurma, Baiji,” a town further north, he another town in Anbar which is Shia members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation units backing the government fire howitzers towards positions of the Islamic State group on the outskirts said. just 10 kilometres from the IS of Ad Dawr town during a military operation to retake the Tikrit area, yesterday. The jihadist group’s footprint stronghold of Fallujah and less in Iraq has been shrinking stead- than 30 kilometres from Baghdad ily since federal and Kurdish airport. as pro-government volunteers senior member of his regime still “The numbers are overwhelm- troops went on the counterof- “Gurma will soon be liberated hanging from a bridge in Hawija, at large. ing,” he said, adding that “hun- IS militants fensive roughly six months ago, totally, our forces are on the 75 kilometres north of Tikrit. “There are fierce clashes around dreds” of IS fighters were facing with foreign military backing. edge of town,” a statement from Iraqi forces spent the opera- Ad Dawr, with army aircraft pro- an estimated 23,000 government Baghdad operations command tion’s first days clearing outlying viding support against the threat and allied forces. raze another said late on Friday. areas and are now closing in on of snipers and car bombs,” an Columns of Iraqi military It claimed that 73 militants Tikrit itself, as well as the towns army lieutenant colonel said. trucks and armoured vehicles ancient city Canadian were killed in the first two days of Al Alam and Ad Dawr. Dempsey, speaking to report- along the main road to Tikrit of fighting and a number of Tikrit is the hometown of ers aboard his plane en route to resembled a rush hour traffic BAGHDAD/ERBIL: Islamic soldier killed bombs defused. executed dictator Saddam Bahrain and Iraq, said it was only jam in Washington, “bumper to State militants have destroyed Hospital sources said that Hussein and Ad Dawr that of a matter of time before IS was bumper,” Dempsey said. ancient remains of the TORONTO: A Canadian dozens of wounded government Izzat Ibrahim Al Duri, the most defeated in Tikrit. AFP 2,000-year-old city of Hatra soldier was killed on Friday forces had been brought in but in northern Iraq, the tourism in a friendly fire incident that the bodies of those killed and antiquities ministry said in Iraq, Canada’s defence were handed back to the families yesterday. department said yesterday, directly or sent to Najaf. Iran’s role worries anti-IS coalition An official said that the minis- in the first fatality for the An official with the religious try had received reports from its country during its current authority in the holy city, where ABOARD A US MILITARY and allies fear Iran’s activ- truly be complementary. If employees in the northern city of military mission there. many Shias want to be buried AIRCRAFT: The US mili- ity could aggravate sectarian they can’t, we’re going to Mosul, which is under the control Three other Canadian sol- and which has the world’s largest tary’s top officer said on Friday tensions. have a problem, “ he said. of the radical Islamist group, that diers were injured. cemetery, said the bodies of 64 Iran was bolstering the fire- Referring to Iran’s support for Tehran has provided the Shia the site at Hatra had been demol- The soldiers were with fighters killed in the Tikrit battle power of Shia militias in Iraq Shia fighters, Dempsey said he is militias with artillery, training, ished yesterday. Canada’s special operations and elsewhere had been brought but it remained unclear if “trying to get a sense for how our “some intelligence,” overhead The official said it was difficult forces and were mistakenly in since March 4. Tehran was a help or a hin- activities and their activities are surveillance “of the kind they’re to confirm the reports and the engaged by Iraqi Kurdish The government has provided drance to the fight against complementary.” capable of providing,” he said. ministry had not received any pic- forces following their return to no casualty toll for the much Islamic State jihadists. He said that “we’re alert to But there was no sign that tures showing the extent of dam- an observation post behind the larger operation aimed at retak- General Martin Dempsey, the challenges of having Iran Iranian troops were “in the fight,” age at Hatra, which was named a front lines, the defense depart- ing Tikrit, which was launched speaking to reporters aboard his supporting Shia militia,” and he said, adding he would ask world heritage site in 1987. ment said in a statement. on March 2. plane en route to Bahrain and Tehran’s influence had sparked about that in his meetings in Iraq. A resident in the area said he The soldier killed was Residents living on the road Iraq, said he would raise his con- concerns in the anti-IS coalition, “One of the things that the heard an explosion early yesterday Sergeant Andrew Joseph between Samarra, where the cerns about Iran’s influence in which includes Sunni Arab coun- Iranian influence does is it prob- and said that other people nearby Doiron, who had been based in operation’s command centre talks with Iraq’s leaders — days tries that view Iran as a threat. ably makes the Shia militia more had reported that Islamic State Petawawa, Ontario. The three is located, and Baghdad fur- after Baghdad launched a large- It was not clear if Iran shared militarily capable. Undoubtedly,” militants had destroyed some of injured soldiers, who were not ther south say convoys bringing scale operation to recapture the same strategic goals as the the general said. the larger buildings in Hatra and immediately identified, were back bodies have been passing Tikrit from the Islamic State Washington-led coalition, he said. “But it also makes our coali- were bulldozing other parts. receiving medical care. regularly. group. The international coalition tion partners a litttle concerned.” Hatra lies about 110 km south The Canadian special forces IS fighters used several devas- Shia militias, armed and was committed to a “unified” Dempsey said “the only one of Mosul. It dates back 2,000 years have exchanged fire with tating truck bombs in the early advised by Iran, are playing a Iraq that represented the Sunni that can balance that is the to the Seleucid empire, which con- Islamic State militants at hours of the operation, target- major role in the Tikrit offensive. and Kurdish communities as prime minister of Iraq,” Haider trolled a large part of the ancient least three times since being ing the army, police, Shia militias But the US-led coalition — well as the larger Shia popula- Al Abadi. world conquered by Alexander the deployed to train Iraqi forces and volunteer units. which has no dealings with the tion, he said. “I want to get his views on how Great. It is famous for its pillared and also identify targets for air Undated footage surfaced on Shia fighters — has been mark- “I want to make sure he is seeking to balance that con- temple at the centre of a sprawling strikes. REUTERS the Internet yesterday of the edly absent from the operation that those efforts can cern.” AFP archaeological site. bodies of eight men described REUTERS IS advances on strategic Syrian town Erdogan slams West BEIRUT: Islamic State group jihadists launched a fierce over Syrian refugees assault yesterday in a bid to gain control of a strategic town in Syria’s northeastern ANKARA: Turkey’s President Hundreds of migrants, many Hasakeh province, a monitoring Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised fleeing the strife in Syria, have group said. the West yesterday for taking perished in recent months in the In Hama province, meanwhile, in so few Syrian refugees, while Mediterranean trying to reach government forces conducted pledging to continue his coun- Europe, prompting rights groups air strikes on an IS convoy, kill- try’s open-door policy for people to urge the European Union to do ing 26 jihadists, including a sen- fleeing the four-year-old conflict. more to save lives. ior local commander, the Syrian “Do you know how many dis- “We will never abandon our Observatory for Human rights placed Syrians have been received brothers... We will never close our said. by European countries? 200,000. borders (to Syrians) , we cannot The IS offensive on the We have welcomed two million. do that,” he said. Hasakeh town of Tal Tamr “has What a difference!” the Turkish The Turkish government claims advanced in several surrounding leader said in Gaziantep, which is it has spent $5.5bn to help the areas,” Observatory head Rami near the Syrian border and home Syrians it has welcomed since the Abdel Rahman said. to several refugee camps. civil war began in 2011. More than “Kurdish fighters supported “Western countries, who claim 220,000 people have been killed in by Assyrian militia have fought they are much richer than us, leave the fighting. them off in Tal Nasri,” just south refugees to die at sea,” he added. AFP of Tal Tamr, killing at least eight IS fighters, he said. Two civilians were also killed. Assyrian Christian fighters Charities stop funding rights withdrew from some areas to Tal Tamr itself to join Kurdish forces group linked to ‘Jihadi John’ defending the town, said Osama Residents help a man out of rubble after an air strike by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad in Douma, Edward, head of the Sweden- LONDON: Two charities have stopped funding a rights group in based Assyrian Network for eastern Al Ghouta, near Damascus, yesterday. contact with the man thought to be Islamic State executioner “Jihadi Human Rights. John” before he left for Syria, Britain’s charities regulator has said. “This is the most violent offen- province that links to their bas- Before Syria’s conflict erupted among others Deeb Al Oteibi, one Rights group Cage describes its work as supporting people arrested sive on the town in a long time,” tion to the east in Iraq’s second in March 2011, there were roughly of IS’s self-declared provincial or raided as a result of the “war on terror” following the 9/11 attacks he said. city of Mosul. 30,000 Assyrians in the country, governors. in 2001. It worked with Mohammed Emwazi for over two years and, Since it began its onslaught in In February, IS kidnapped 220 out of about 1.2 million Christians. Islamic State supporters cir- when he was identified by the Washington Post as “Jihadi John” last the province on February 23, IS Assyrians from areas neighbour- In Hama province, a “special culated a statement on Twitter month, its research director Asim Qureshi described him as a “beau- has gained control of at least 10 ing the town, prompting 5,000 operation” by government forces announcing the “martyrdom” of tiful young man” and blamed British intelligence for radicalising him. villages around Tal Tamr, which people to flee the countryside in destroyed dozens of vehicles in an the same man, together with pho- That claim was described as “reprehensible” by Prime Minister lies about 40 kilometres south of fear of the jihadist advance. IS military convoy, Syrian news tos showing him dead and alive. David Cameron’s official spokesman. the Turkish border and is under So far, 23 of the kidnapped agency SANA said. Otaibi was also identified as Abi The Charity Commission, a government body, said on Friday that Kurdish control. have been released in exchange Quoting an unnamed security Ammar Al Jazrawi, likely to be his two charities, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Roddick If Tal Tamr falls, IS would for a “jizya,” or tax paid by source, the agency said Syria’s air nom de guerre. Foundation, have ceased giving money to Cage and will not do so in dominate a key road in Hasakeh non-Muslims. force struck the vehicles, killing AFP future. AFP SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Two Caucasus men held over Nemtsov killing Suspects kept in Moscow prison

MOSCOW: Russia said yester- alleged role in the Ukraine cri- day it had arrested two suspects sis — instead became a massive over the killing of opposition memorial for Nemtsov, with activist Boris Nemtsov, who was tens of thousands swarming the gunned down near the Kremlin streets of Moscow in the larg- in a brazen assassination that est opposition gathering since a shocked the country. wave of anti-Kremlin protests The arrests come a week after in 2011-12. the longtime critic of President Putin, whose rule has seen the Vladimir Putin was shot four steady suppression of independ- times in the back as he strolled ent media and opposition parties, with his girlfriend along a bridge had promised an all-out effort to in the heart of the capital, in view catch those responsible for an act of the Kremlin and Red Square. which he called a “provocation”. “As a result of work that has Russian news agencies reported been done, two men suspected the men were being held in the of committing this crime were high-security Lefortovo prison arrested today, they are Anzor in Moscow, and would appear in Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, court by tomorrow at the latest and the head of state has been to determine whether they should informed,” the head of the FSB remain in custody. Women operating in combat battalions of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk wave while posing for photographers after taking part federal security service Alexander Vadim Prokhorov, the law- in a fashion show during a function in Donetsk yesterday ahead of International Women’s Day today. The women received flowers and gifts after Bortnikov told state television. yer for Nemtsov’s girlfriend the fashion show. He said the two men were from and sole witness to the murder the Caucasus region. Ganna Duritska — who returned “The necessary operational and to Kiev after the killing — told investigative procedures are con- Kommersant radio that he was Russian rebels complete arms pullback tinuing,” said Bortnikov. not sure if she would be sum- The latest killing of a high- moned back to Moscow after the SNIZHNE, UKRAINE: factory serving as an arms depot, the weapons’ range. Alexander from the conflict zone. profile government critic under arrests but was “ready to cooper- Pro-Russian rebels in eastern about 90 kilometres from the Zakharchenko, the head of the “The process is ongoing,” he Putin’s rule prompted an out- ate” with investigators. Ukraine claimed yesterday to rebel hub of Donetsk. self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s said. Questioned about the rebels’ pouring of international condem- Theories have proliferated since have completed their end of a Basurin said the separatists Republic, accused Ukraine’s gov- claim to be first to the finish line, nation and stunned members of the killing over why Nemtsov was February deal with government were withdrawing a total of 26 ernment of failing to live up to its another military spokesman said an opposition who blamed the targetted. forces to withdraw heavy weap- mortars. “They will be stored side of the agreement. Kiev had “no information”. Kremlin for whipping up hatred Some suggest he was assas- ons from the frontline as part with the rest of the military hard- “We have fully removed heavy “The international observers against anyone who expresses sinated for criticising Russia’s of a truce. ware,” he said. An AFP journal- weapons from the line of con- have not yet confirmed that to dissent by referring to them as role in the Ukraine conflict, “Today is the last day of the ist saw four other artillery pieces tact. Ukraine has not yet done us,” Andriy Lysenko said. “traitors”. others for his condemnation of weapons withdrawal,” Eduard inside the Snizhne depot. it,” he told the separatist news The Organization for Security The 55-year-old, a renowned January’s killings at the Charlie Basurin, one of the rebel lead- Under the terms of the agency DAN. and Cooperation in Europe, which anti-corruption crusader who Hebdo satirical weekly in Paris ers told reporters in the town of European-brokered truce signed Zakharchenko threatened to is monitoring the truce and weap- served as Boris Yeltsin’s first dep- by Islamist gunmen. Friends Snizhne, where the separatists in the Belarussian capital Minsk return the arms to their posi- ons withdrawal, has recorded uty prime minister in the 1990s, said Nemtsov had been working presented eight 120mm mortars on February 12, both sides to tions if Kiev did not match the movements on both sides over was shot dead just two days before on a report containing what he that had been moved back from Ukraine’s fratricidal 11-month deescalation. the past two weeks but said that he was to lead a major anti-gov- described as proof of Russian mil- their positions. conflict must move their artil- Army spokesman Anatoliy without full access to the rivals’ ernment rally. itary involvement in the bloody Watched by six international lery back far enough to create Stelmakh told AFP that Kiev inventories it cannot confirm However the protest march uprising by pro-Moscow militias monitors, the separatists towed a buffer zone of between 50 and was continuing to withdraw its how many arms remain on the — called to denounce Russia’s in eastern Ukraine. AFP the arms to a disused brick 140 kilometres, depending on 220mm Uragan rocket launchers battlefield. AFP

Pope helps Italy Officer shoots dead black youth in US White House investigate WASHINGTON: A police forced his way into an apart- of Criminal Investigations, Koval said it would not prosecute the locked down officer shot and killed a ment after hearing sounds of a said. The police chief appealed white policeman who shot an ex-PM’s murder 19-year-old black youth who disturbance inside. for calm. unarmed black teenager in after loud thud allegedly assaulted him in “Once inside the home, the “In light of so much things that Ferguson, Missouri, whose death ROME: Pope Francis is Madison, Wisconsin, the city’s subject involved in the incident have happened not just across sparked riots and outrage. WASHINGTON: The US breaking decades of Vatican police chief said yesterday. — the same one who had been this country but in our own com- But the report did find that Secret Service locked down the silence to help Italy shed light The incident Friday evening allegedly out in traffic and had munity, it is understandable that the St Louis suburb’s local police White House yesterday after a on one of its most notorious touched off protests in the battered someone — this same the reaction at the scene and of force had systematically target- loud noise was heard as report- crimes, the 1970s’ murder of Midwestern university city, and subject then assaulted my officer, some of our citizens is extremely ted African Americans. ers gathered to await President former premier Aldo Moro, the local media reported a heavy and in the context of mutual volatile, emotional and upsetting. US President Barack Obama Barack Obama and wife Corriere della Sera daily said police presence in the area where combat in that sense, the officer We understand that. That’s abso- said Friday that he believes the Michelle’s departure for Selma, yesterday. the shooting occurred. did draw his revolver and sub- lutely appropriate under these racism revealed in the report was Alabama, a pool report said. Francis has given permission It was the latest in a string of sequently shot the subject,” circumstances. “not an isolated incident.” The source of the noise was for Archbishop Antonio Mennini police shootings of young blacks Koval said. “We would urge, obviously, that The president was going to unclear. A Secret Service K9 unit to be interviewed by a parliamen- that have set racial tensions Koval said the officer then everybody exercise restraint, Selma, Alabama yesterday to was investigating a vehicle on 16th tary commission, 37 years after on edge in the United States, administered CPR, and the calm, and allow the Department commemorate the 50th anni- and Constitution Avenue which Moro was kidnapped and killed by igniting a nationwide debate wounded youth was taken to a of Criminal Investigations to versary of a civil rights march borders the South Lawn of the the Red Brigades, a leftist Italian over police tactics in minority hospital where he died. conduct their affairs,” he said. whose violent suppression by White House, agency spokesman militant group. communities. He said an initial search found A large crowd of chanting pro- local police drew national atten- Brian Leary said in an email. Mennini is reported to have Police chief Mike Koval told no gun or other weapon at the testers formed Friday night at tion to the systematic denial of The Washington DC Fire heard Moro’s final confession and WKOW television the police scene. the scene of shooting. African Americans’ voting rights Department, meanwhile, reported served as a go-between between officer was responding to a The shooting was under inves- The shooting comes just days in the racially divided US South. a fire at a food cart on 15th Street the militants and Pope Paul VI, report of a battery and had tigation by the city’s Department after the US Justice Department AFP NW on the east side of the who is believed to have attempted White House. AFP to buy the former prime minis- ter’s release. Francesco Cossiga, president of Italy from 1985 to 1992, confessed Selma an inspiration from Tunisia to Ukraine: Obama before he died that “Mennini managed to reach Aldo Moro in the Red Brigades’ den and we did SELMA, UNITED STATES: Obama said. On March 7, 1965, Missouri, where a white police- not find out about it,” the Italian US President Barack Obama some 600 peaceful activists were man shot dead an unarmed black daily said. AFP declared yesterday on the attacked by police with clubs and teenager on August 9, sparking 50th anniversary of a savagely tear gas at the bridge, a seminal civil unrest and a national outcry. repressed civil rights march in moment in America’s democracy. “I don’t think that what hap- Peru withdraws Selma, Alabama, that it was A few months later, the Voting pens in Ferguson is typical,” a global inspiration for those Rights Act was passed. Obama said Friday, but “it’s not envoy from Chile fighting for freedom. Before the act, it was easier for just a one-time thing.” LIMA: Peru announced yester- “From the streets of Tunis to states like Alabama to restrict Despite what Attorney General day it has withdrawn its ambas- the Maidan in Ukraine, this gen- voter registration through violent Eric Holder called a “searing sador in Santiago to protest eration of young people can draw intimidation and bureaucratic report” into Ferguson’s police alleged espionage by Chile. strength from this place, where racism. department, the government will Relations soured between the the powerless could change the “Selma is about the courage of not prosecute the white police- two countries late February after world’s greatest superpower, and ordinary people doing extraordi- man responsible for killing teen- Peru claimed Chile paid three push their leaders to expand the nary things because they believe ager Michael Brown. members of the Peruvian navy to boundaries of freedom,” he said. they can change the country,” Holder has not ruled out abol- spy on their nation. America’s first black president Obama said. “Selma is about each ishing and replacing the Ferguson Peru’s foreign ministry marked the 50th anniversary of us asking ourselves what we police departments, but he and announced the withdrawal of of the fateful march across the can do to make America better.” Obama stood by the Justice the ambassador in a statement, Edmund Pettus Bridge, where The history of what happened Department decision not to pros- saying he would not return until brutal police repression catalysed at Selma on “Bloody Sunday” has ecute Officer Darren Wilson. Chile provided necessary assur- support for black voting rights. recently returned to prominence “We may never know exactly ances over the incident. “Selma is not just about com- thanks to an Oscar-nominated film what happened, but Officer Lima recalled Ambassador memorating the past,” Obama starring actor David Oyelowo as Wilson, like anybody else who is Fernando Rojas Samanez on said on the eve of the visit, before civil rights leader Martin Luther charged with a crime, benefits February 20 after it made the yesterday’s visit to the town of King. But yesterday’s address from due process and a reason- claims against Chile and detained 20,000 people that is still very came as today’s rights leaders able doubt standard,” said Obama. the alleged spies. poor and now mainly black. wrestle with scandals over police “And if there is uncertainty In a first protest note, Peru “It’s about honouring the leg- treatment of black Americans. about what happened, then you claimed the military members ends who helped change this A probe by Obama’s Justice can’t just charge him anyway were paid for spying by Chile US President Barack Obama (right) greets soldiers after arriving aboard Air country through your actions Department unearthed deep just because what happened between 2005 and 2012. AFP Force One at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, yesterday. today, in the here and now,” police racism in Ferguson, was tragic.” AFP SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

China detains Triple bombing feminists ahead of claims 58 lives Women’s Day

BEIJING: At least four Chinese feminists have been in Nigeria detained ahead of International Women’s Day, a lawyer said yes- terday, in what appears to be a 139 hurt; Boko Haram blamed move by Beijing to head off pub- lic protest linked to the holiday. MAIDUGURI: Three bomb- Market, causing chaos as locals Li Tingting, a young activist ings, including one by a female voiced anger at security forces best known for staging demon- suicide attacker, killed at least who struggled to control the strations in men’s lavatories to 58 people and wounded 139 oth- scene. call for an increase in the number ers in northeast Nigeria yes- Just after 1pm a third blast hit of public toilets for women, was terday, in the latest violence a used car lot which is attached taken away from her home in blamed on Boko Haram. to the busy Borno Express bus Beijing around 11pm on Friday, Many children were among terminal. her lawyer Yan Xin said by phone. the dead in the explosions that There were indications that the Another three Beijing activ- hit two crowded markets and a second and thirds blasts were also ists, all women, have also been busy bus station in Maiduguri, the carried out by suicide bombers detained, Yan said. region’s largest city and capital of but details were not immediately The four activists’ wherea- the embattled Borno state. clear. bouts is unknown, Yan said, add- The Nigerian Islamist mili- Borno’s police commissioner ing that while authorities have tants have relentlessly attacked Clement Adoda gave a toll of 58 not communicated a reason, he Maiduguri throughout their six- dead “for the three locations” and believes the women’s detention year uprising, which has cost 139 wounded. Health officials stand outside La Terrasse restaurant where militants killed five people, including a French citizen “may be related to tomorrow’s more than 13,000 lives and secu- “Normalcy has been restored,” and a Belgian citizen, in a gun attack in Bamako yesterday. holiday”. rity forces in the city have strug- he added, declining to give further Li, who goes by the pseudonym gled to contain the bloodshed. details. Li Maizi, organised protests in Nigeria has since last month Gamandi, who was support- Two foreigners among five killed as Beijing and the southern metrop- claimed key victories over Boko ing rescue workers at Maiduguri olis of Guangzhou three years ago Haram in an offensive being General Hospital, said that “the in which she and other women waged in cooperation with forces dead include women and chil- “occupied” men’s toilets. from neighbouring Cameroon, dren” but said most of the victims militants attack Mali restaurant According to another Chinese Chad and Niger. were men. activist, Li was planning to hold a Several towns and villages in Danlami Ajaokuta, a vigilante BAMAKO: Militants killed Terrasse restaurant and opened part of a counter-insurgency force demonstration on Sunday to pro- the northeast previously captured leader whose fighters have been five people in a gun attack on fire on people. Then he got into against Al Qaeda-linked mili- test sexual harassment of women by the insurgents have reportedly working with military across the a restaurant in Mali’s capital a vehicle in which the other was tants. Mali’s government signed aboard public transportation. been taken back by government northeast, said the security forces in the early hours of yesterday, waiting.” a preliminary peace proposal on Another campaigner, Zheng troops and experts have said that had ordered the closure of all including a French citizen and a “As they fled down a neighbour- Sunday meant to end fighting Churan, has also been taken away in response Boko Haram was businesses in Maiduguri fearing Belgian security officer with the ing street, they shot a Belgian with northern separatists, but from her home in Guangzhou, likely to increase attacks on civil- the prospect of further attacks. EU delegation in the country, man who was in front of his the Tuareg-led rebels demanded the activist said. AFP was not ian targets in major cities. Borno State’s Justice authorities said. house. He’s dead. Not far away more time before agreeing to any immediately able to confirm her A woman with explosives Commissioner Kaka Shehu blamed Mali’s desert north, where they came across a police vehicle accord. detention. strapped to her body blew herself Boko Haram for Saturday’s vio- French forces wrested control of and threw a grenade, killing the European Union foreign pol- China’s ruling Communist up at roughly 11.20am (1020 GMT) lence, describing it as a response territory from separatist rebels driver,” he said. icy chief Federica Mogherini Party has publicly highlighted when she got out of a motorised to the defeats suffered by the and Al Qaeda-linked fighters, is Those killed included a girl said one of the victims of the International Women’s Day, rickshaw at Maiduguri’s Baga insurgents in recent weeks. “The plagued by frequent political vio- who died in hospital, Kanté said. Bamako attack was a Belgian which falls on March 8, with fish market, said the head of the terrorists are angry with the way lence — but this is the first mili- Witnesses said police secured security officer with the EU officials hailing the advancement fisherman’s union, Abubakar they were sacked from towns and tant attack for years in Bamako, the street where the restaurant delegation in the capital. “This of women’s rights and organising Gamandi, who was at the scene. villages and are now venting their in the south. shooting took place because of terrorist act strengthens even events for female journalists in “The bomb was devastating anger,” Shehu said. Three Malians were killed in unexploded grenades. more our resolve to help fight Beijing. because it occurred at a crowded Nigeria postponed its elections the violence in and around La Two international experts with terrorism throughout the “Tomorrow is International area,” said Jamuna Jarmi, a gro- initially scheduled for February Terrasse restaurant, which is the United Nations Mine Action region,” she said. Women’s Day, so everyone is cery seller. to March 28 after security chiefs popular with expatriates, the gov- Service were among the wounded, French Foreign Minister paying attention to national poli- Boko Haram has deployed said they needed more time to ernment said. The attack began at according to initial reports, said Laurent Fabius confirmed a cies related to gender equality, women and even girls as young as weaken Boko Haram. around 1am (0100 GMT) and left Mongi Hamdi, UN special envoy French citizen was among and respecting women is also seven as human bombs in attacks While reported victories in the nine people wounded, said a sen- for the peacekeeping mission to those killed and said the attack a mark of a society’s progress,” across northern Nigeria in recent remote northeast may enable poll- ior security official, adding that Mali (MINUSMA). strengthened France’s resolve to Wu Hongqin, a representa- months, prompting global con- ing in areas previously controlled two people had been arrested. French forces took control of “fight terrorism in all its forms”. tive to China’s National People’s demnation, including from other by the insurgents, rising unrest in Senior police officer Falaye northern Mali two years ago but The French embassy in Mali Congress (NPC), said at a govern- jihadist groups. Maiduguri is likely to raise fear as Kanté said: “There were two insurgents continue to mount said yesterday it had alerted its ment news conference yesterday About an hour later another election day approaches. individuals who were armed and attacks. France has more than citizens and beefed up security. on the status of women. blast rocked the popular Monday AFP hooded. One burst into the La 3,000 soldiers in West Africa as REUTERS AFP

Nepal airport Philippine rebels line up reopens after four-day for voter registration SULTAN KUDARAT, The groups ambushed police comman- Philippines: Hundreds of dos going after Malaysian Zulkifli shutdown Muslim rebels lined up in the bin Hir, one of the world’s most Philippines yesterday to reg- wanted Islamic militants. KATHMANDU: Kathmandu’s ister as voters, keeping faith The fighting left 44 police- international airport reopened with a 2014 peace pact that men dead and sparked a public late yesterday, ending a four-day was thrown into doubt after backlash, causing parliament to shutdown after a plane skidded 44 policemen were killed in a suspend debates on the proposed off its only runway which left botched terror raid. self-rule law. thousands stranded at the start The Moro Islamic Liberation The MILF returned some of the of a busy tourist season. Front (MILF) rebels, unarmed dead commandos’ weapons and Nepalese and Indian experts and wearing civilian clothes, had pledged to go after other militants worked for days to help remove their photographs and finger- sought by the Philippine courts, the damaged Turkish Airlines prints taken at a government but rejected Aquino’s demand A330 after it veered off the run- building in the southern town that it surrender those who took way with 224 passengers on board of Sultan Kudarat to qualify for part in killings. early on Wednesday. voter identification cards. Rebel leaders said they would All the passengers and crew “They are all very eager to take impose their own sanctions on were unhurt in the accident, part,” Von al Haq, spokesman for those found at fault. which led to a runway closure and the 10,000-member MILF’s mili- The Senate and the House of saw scores of international flights tary wing said. Representatives have since said cancelled. Some would be voting for the they will resume discussions on “The aircraft has been removed first time, he added. the bill that they said would likely and the airport is open for inter- Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera (right) greeting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in “This is part of our prepara- pass by mid-June. national travel,” said the air- Colombo yesterday. tions to lead our own govern- Al Haq, the MILF spokesman, port’s General Manager, Birendra ment,” he said, referring to a said Saturday the high rebel turn- Prasad Shrestha. “We urge pas- March 2014 agreement in which out was proof they remained com- sengers to contact their respec- Lankan Tamils seek end to poaching the MILF committed to end an mitted to the peace process. tive airlines and check if they are armed rebellion that has claimed “We’re very confident that the operating flights,” Shrestha said. 120,000 lives. peace process will continue,” said The head of the civil avia- COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s main Sampanthan told reporters after the end of the conflict, the locals As part of the deal, the MILF is Al Haq, adding he last voted in tion authority, Ratish Chandra Tamil party yesterday asked talks with Swaraj. “Some action have been allowed to go out to sea, to disarm and President Benigno 1986 before becoming a full-time Lal Suman, said the shutdown neighbouring India to stop should be taken to resolve this but they are confronted by Indian Aquino is set to legislate an area guerrilla. had left some 21,000 passengers poaching in local waters, say- issue, preferably on an amicable trawlers which enter the area in of Muslim self-rule. Meanwhile, Philippine sol- stranded in the Nepalese capital. ing it was affecting fishermen basis without further delay.” large numbers, Sampanthan said. Rey Sumalipao, regional head diers killed 14 Muslim guerrillas Nepal has launched an inves- struggling to rebuild their lives India has maintained the issue Swaraj was in Sri Lanka on of the government’s Commission in an overnight battle to capture tigation into the accident, which after decades of ethnic war. should be resolved through “dia- a two-day visit to prepare the on Elections, said he expects about a rebel position in the south, an damaged the aircraft’s landing The Tamil National Alliance logue,” but previous talks between ground for next week’s visit by 1,500 members to register within army spokesman said yesterday, gear and front engines and dis- (TNA) said they urged the vis- fishermen of the two countries Prime Minister Narendra Modi the day to allow them to vote in as the number of displaced from lodged its tyres. iting Indian foreign minister had ended in failure. Sampanthan who is due to travel to the north- national and local elections. the military offensive rose to The Himalayan nation is home Sushma Swaraj to ensure that said they did not want force used ern peninsula of Jaffna where Other MILF members are 80,000. to some of the world’s most remote Indian trawlers did not breach the to stop poaching, but defended the much of the fighting took place expected to apply later, he added. The military has mounted and tricky runways, flanked by maritime boundary and destroy fishermen’ right to self defence in during the height of the war. Muslim rebels have been bat- air and ground assault on the snow-capped peaks and terrain livelihoods of people in battle- case they were attacked. Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils tling for independence or auton- Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom that poses a challenge even for scarred northern Sri Lanka. Poaching is a contentious issue. share close cultural ties with omy in the southern islands of the Fighters (BIFF), a small but vio- accomplished pilots. Government “Consequent to Indian trawl- Until the end of the separatist war those in the southern Indian state mainly Catholic Philippines since lent splinter group of the larg- officials last year announced plans ers coming here in unlimited in 2009, local fishermen were not of Tamil Nadu, but relations have the 1970s. est Muslim guerrilla force in to install new radar and weather numbers, the fishing rights allowed to venture out, leaving been strained in recent years over The peace process was thrown Mindanao, after 44 police com- monitoring systems. of local fishermen have been the rich fishing grounds open to the fishing issue. into doubt on January 25 when mandos were killed in January. AFP greatly disturbed,” TNA leader R those from India. However, with AFP MILF forces and other armed AGENCIES SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Gunmen kill Pakistan to offer fighter jets to Bulgaria five in Kabul JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft compete with Western war planes Sufi mosque

ISLAMABAD: Bulgaria is aircraft, such as Lockheed Martin on internal fuel, or 1,100 nauti- customer. While Bulgaria’s eco- by the reaction to Turkey’s pro- attack: Officials to be offered the Pakistan Block 52 F-16s, are almost cer- cal miles (2,037km) for ferry; a nomic situation would appear to posed procurement of the China Aeronautical Complex/ Chengdu tainly unaffordable. service ceiling of 52,500 ft; and a make it a good candidate for the Precision Machinery Import and KABUL: Gunmen attacked Aircraft Industry Corporation Contenders for second hand g-rating of +8.5/-3.5. approximately $30m fighter (a Export Corp (CPMIEC) HQ-9 a Sufi mosque in Kabul last (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder jets include surplus Block 25 It has seven under wing/fuse- comparable Western type would air and missile defence system in evening, killing at least five combat aircraft, according to F-16s from the US Air National lage hard points, and is equipped likely cost double this at least), its 2013. people and leaving six others national media reports. Guard, F-16 midlife upgrade air- with internal GSh-23-2 twin- status as a Nato member would That decision caused a fury, wounded, police officials said. The single-seat, single-engine craft from Belgium, early tranche barrel cannon. not. with Turkey’s alliance partners “A group of armed men entered fighter is to be offered by Pakistan Euro fighter Typhoons from the Weapon options include up As one of the alliance’s new- saying that the Chinese sys- (a Sufi mosque)... and opened fire, as an alternative to the several Italian Air Force, or surplus Saab to four PL-5, -7, -8 or -9 short- est members, Bulgaria is striving tem would never be integrated killing five people and injuring six Western aircraft types that are all Gripens from Sweden. range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) towards achieving full interop- with Nato systems, effectively others,” Kabul police spokesman vying to be selected by Bulgaria as Developed jointly by China or four PL-12/SD-10B medium- erability with its Nato partners, forcing a back down from the Hashmat Stanikzai said. it looks to replace its ageing MiG- (where it is designated the FC-1) range AAMs; two C-802A anti- and indeed this is one of the pri- Turkish government, which Deputy interior ministry 29 “Fulcrum’ and Sukhoi Su-25 and Pakistan, the JF-17 Thunder ship missiles; two anti-radiation mary reasons that it is looking to is now moving away from the spokesman Najib Danish con- ‘Frogfoot’ platforms,. made its maiden flight in 2004. missiles; five 500 kg bombs; twin replace its Soviet-era MiGs and HQ-9 and is restarting nego- firmed the details of the attack, No details pertaining to costs Powered by a single Russian- launchers for up to eight 250 kg, Sukhois. tiations with US and European which took place at around 7pm, or potential delivery timelines designed but Chinese-built MK-20, GBU-12 or anti-runway The JF-17 is not a Nato- suppliers instead. and the toll. Stanikzai said an were revealed. The Bulgarian gov- Klimov RD-93 (RD-33 deriva- bombs; single 1,000 kg bomb or compatible aircraft (although it Being a new and enthusias- investigation had been launched ernment has stated that it will tive) turbofan, it has a top speed GBU-10; or up to three mission can be upgraded to be so), and tic member of Nato, Bulgaria to “identify the attackers and the choose to buy new or second hand of Mach 1.6 (at altitude); a radius- pods. so is not a good fit for Bulgaria will be loath to place itself in motive behind the attack”. Western fighters, or commit to a of-operation of 648 nautical Although widely offered for operationally. a similar position, and for this The rare attack on Kabul’s Sufi further MiG-29 upgrade. miles (1,200km) as a fighter and export with countries such as Politically, such a procurement reason primarily it would seem minority shattered a relative calm The acquisition of ‘new’ fight- 378 nautical miles (700km) as a Argentina, Serbia, and even of a joint Chinese-Pakistani plat- that a JF-17 buy is not likely to that had descended on the Afghan ers is expected to cost more than ground attack platform; a range Saudi Arabia, the JF-17 has yet form would be extremely dif- happen. capital in recent weeks. $282m, although actual new of 971 nautical miles (1,798km) to secure its first international ficult for Bulgaria, as evidenced INTERNEWS Though no group claimed responsibility for the attack in its immediate aftermath, Afghanistan remains plagued by a Taliban insurgency more than 13 years after the militant group No compromise on social was ousted from power. Nato ended its combat mis- sion in late December, leaving a residual force to carry on a freedom: Afghan leader training and support mission to Afghanistan’s 350,000 security KABUL: Afghan President The possibility of the Afghan forces, who now lead the fight Ashraf Ghani said yester- government opening negotia- against the Taliban. day he would not compromise tions with the Taliban raised on the social freedoms intro- hopes for peace efforts, which Uniform price for duced since the Taliban’s 2001 failed to get off the ground ouster as his government works under Afghanistan’s previous all gas fields towards opening peace talks government. with the insurgents to end But the reports have also been ISLAMABAD: As existing gas Afghanistan’s long war. met with some ambivalence, due deposits dry up fast, the gov- “We will not let the price of in part to concerns that not all ernment of Pakistan is mulling peace be greater than the price elements of the Taliban, now a over introducing a uniform gas of war,” Ghani said in a speech fractured group, may be on board. price for old and new fields alike before Parliament after the body’s Taliban representatives have under the Petroleum Policy 2013, winter recess. publicly cast doubt on the possi- a proposal if implemented will “We will firmly safeguard the bility of talks. provide billions of dollars in rev- achievements of the past 13 years Ghani has not commented enues to exploration companies. under former President Karzai,” directly on the reports the The Petroleum Policy 2013 he said. Taliban are finally ready to open offers a wellhead gas price of $6 Ghani did not refer to specific negotiations. per million British thermal units achievements, but these might But he said in yesterday’s (mmbtu) as opposed to the price include more rights for women speech that he has started range of $1.5 to $4 per mmbtu for and greater freedom of speech. “consultation meetings” within existing gas fields, officials say. His assurances came two Afghanistan on the peace proc- In the Petroleum Policy 2001, the weeks after officials in Pakistan ess, in which he called for reli- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani kisses the national flag during the inauguration ceremony of the new session of gas price was below $2 per mmbtu, and Afghanistan said the Afghan gious leaders, politicians, women parliament at Parliament House in Kabul yesterday. which was increased to $4 in the Taliban had signalled they were and youth to be involved. 2009 policy. “Even those wells where willing to open peace talks with “Peace is a national issue, not end of last year, Afghan security The number of Afghan security Ghani said yesterday the gas has already been discovered and Kabul, a push that appeared to be only government’s responsibility,” forces have been struggling to forces fell sharply last year, due in notion Afghan security forces is priced at $1.5 to $4 per mmbtu, the driven by Afghanistan, Pakistan Ghani said. defeat the insurgency, while the part to desertions and casualties, were losing morale was a false higher $6 rate will be offered under and China, which recently offered With the departure of most US Taliban have been unable to hold according to US military data impression. the 2013 policy,” an official said. to help broker the talks. and other foreign troops at the much territory. released on Tuesday. REUTERS AGENCIES

Pakistan, US agree to Reforms panel unveils proposal for tribal regions ISLAMABAD: A six-member people’s administrative, political a pro-investment policy in dif- One-third of Fata’s population, within two years. “All those propos- panel has recommended ‘a mid- and economic grievances can be ferent sectors, including oil and according to the FRC, has been als that were agreed upon by the hold meet on dle road’ for improving the sta- addressed. gas, power, dams and minerals, uprooted by terrorism and coun- previous committees have also been tus of Pakistan’s northwestern It said that Fata legislators, to improve the quality of life of ter-terrorism operations over incorporated in the recommenda- extremism tribal regions through greater key political parties of Khyber- people of Fata. the last decade. A large number tions of the FRC,” said an official. participation of public repre- Pakhtunkhwa and other stake- It was also assigned to prepare of houses, business centres, edu- A tussle appears to be building ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and sentatives in the utilisation of holders should evolve a consensus integrated development and eco- cational institutions, hospitals, between Awami National Party the US will jointly hold an developmental and non-devel- before reviewing the current legal nomic development strategies for roads and government buildings (ANP) and Qaumi Watan Party international conference to lay opmental funds, a highly placed and institutional systems. the tribal areas. have been destroyed. (QWP) and Pashtoonkhwa Milli out the framework for a global source said. Constituted by K-P Governor The ‘middle road’ provides the One of the panel’s recommen- Awami Party (PkMAP) over the action plan to deal with violent The panel known formally as Sardar Mehtab Khan in May 2014, reconstitution of Fata appellate dations is that the Fata appellate future set-up of Fata. Both ANP extremism in South Asia. Fata Reforms Commission (FRC) the FRC is exclusively responsible tribunals, holding of local coun- tribunals should be headed by high and QWP have been demanding a This was agreed upon dur- and headed by former provin- for framing and steering reform cil elections in consultation with court level judges and it should merger of Fata into K-P, while the ing a meeting between Interior cial chief secretary Ejaz Ahmed initiatives. tribal elders and steps for imme- be mandatory for such tribunals PkMAP has historically been sup- Minister Chaudhary Nisar and Qureshi also pressed for “the According to its terms of ref- diate and proper rehabilitation of to decide the appeals within six porting a separate legislature, exec- US Ambassador to Pakistan building of consensus among all erence, the panel is supposed to displaced tribesmen with appro- months. It has also recommended utive and judiciary for the tribal belt. Richard G Olson in Islamabad. stakeholders” so that the Fata recommend ways and means for priate financial compensation. that local council polls be held INTERNEWS According to a senior official, Washington has assured Pakistan of its assistance to convene the conference most likely in July or Back in school August this year. “Consultation with all stakeholders to hold a Govt lifts moratorium on global conference to discuss loom- ing security threats to South Asia is going on. It will take us two to three months to finalise the proc- death penalty of all convicts ess,” he said. An interior ministry state- ISLAMABAD: The federal gov- petitions had been rejected by the ment said Nisar reiterated his ernment of Pakistan has formally president. The sources claim that call to strengthening local com- lifted the moratorium on death the execution of all such prison- munities, winning the trust of penalty of all the condemned ers would start in the next cou- the peace loving majority, build- prisoners, it was learnt yesterday. ple of weeks. They also claim that ing resilience against radicalisa- “The execution of death sen- around 1,000 such condemned tion, addressing factors that drive tences may be carried out strictly prisoners were being kept in dif- towards extremism and focusing as per the law and only where all ferent jails of the country. on education and tolerance. legal options and avenues have been Sources claim that the gov- He said these measures could exhausted and mercy petitions ernment took this decision in a form the “conceptual bedrock for under Article 45 of the Constitution recent meeting, headed by Prime global action plan” in dealing with of Islamic Republic of Pakistan have Minister Nawaz Sharif, follow- violent extremism. been rejected by the president,” says ing which the Interior Ministry The minister praised the White a letter of the Interior Ministry. sent a summary to the Prime House for its stance and observed Following the Army Public Minister’s Secretariat for formal that the need to have serious dis- School (APS) massacre, the mora- approval of executions. cussions on this issue was never as torium was partially lifted only for The sources claim that the sum- great as it is today. He also com- those convicted in terrorism cases mary forwarded by the Interior plimented the US administration and around 20 such prisoners Ministry to the prime minister was and President Obama’s stance, in were executed across the country. immediately approved, as Interior particular, in clearly differentiat- Pakistani students attend class at a reopened school that had been destroyed by militants in Lower Dir district, The latest order has allowed Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan ing between extremism and Islam. some 100km from the once Taliban-infested Swat Valley, yesterday. all the provincial governments was personally monitoring the issue. INTERNEWS to execute all those whose mercy INTERNEWS SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Film ban ‘international suicide’ for country Free speech being obstructed, says director Udwin

LONDON: India commit- she was inspired to make the Narendra Modi to allow the ted “international suicide” by film after watching thousands of screening. banning a documentary about people take to the streets across “If (Modi) spent one hour see- the gang rape and murder of a India to protest the December ing this documentary, he would woman in Delhi, the director 2012 rape and murder of a young see his own statements since he of the film said after a Friday physiotherapy student on a bus. got into power reflected in this night screening in London. India toughened its anti-rape film. The film is saying exactly India last week prohibited the laws in response to the outcry what he’s saying with his ‘Beti release of the film India’s Daughter following the fatal attack but a Bachao’ campaign,” said Udwin, and also asked video-sharing web- rape is still reported on average adding that she was still in shock site YouTube to remove all links every 21 minutes in India, and about the ban. to the documentary. acid attacks, domestic violence Launched in January, the Beti Police said the ban was imposed and molestation are common. Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the as comments in the film by one India’s Daughter features an Daughter, Teach the Daughter) of those convicted of the crime interview with Mukesh Singh, campaign is aimed at improving created an atmosphere of “fear one of four men sentenced to India’s child sex ratio, which skews and tension” and risked fuelling death for the rape, torture and toward boys due to sex-selective public anger. murder of a 23-year-old woman abortions, and gender equality A woman holds a placard during a silent protest titled “Women in Black for Peace” on the eve of International “My whole purpose was to on a moving bus. In the film Singh through access to education. Women’s Day in Bengaluru yesterday. give a gift of gratitude to India, blames the victim for the crime Udwin said she was hopeful the to actually praise India, to sin- and resisting rape. film would eventually be screened gle India out as a country that Singh’s comments grabbed in India and appealed to Modi to Women blame submissiveness and was exemplary in its response to headlines in newspapers and “be a hero globally” and stand up this rape, as a country where one sparked outrage on social media. to his statements promoting gen- could actually see change begin- Some people have questioned der equality. The filmmaker said ning,” said Leslee Udwin, direc- whether the convicts should have her documentary was designed patriarchy for lack of voice: Survey tor of the documentary, during a been given a forum to express to unleash a global campaign to panel discussion. their views. stop violence against women and NEW DELHI: In a survey had an overriding power over treatment, made the appeal in a “The supreme irony is that they Udwin said that banning the to promote their rights. of 1,892 women from various love, indicating that affection nearly one-minute radio message are now accusing me of having film brought India into disre- A website, which was a part of Indian cities, over 60 percent or the emotion of love was not and gave all the credit to his wife wanted to point fingers at India, pute by obstructing free speech, the campaign, was scheduled to of the respondents said that it important enough to society. and mother for his success. defame India, and it is they who one of the essential elements of go live on International Women’s is a combination of patriarchy, A little over 50 percent respond- Stating that his message is for have committed international sui- democracy. The filmmaker said Day on March 8, however Udwin men and the submissiveness of ents felt they have a voice and “all the men in the city”, Kejriwal cide by banning this film.” that if she was given a chance she said that a company behind the women, that had led to their audience, but around 46 percent said: “It is admirable how women The British filmmaker said would persuade Prime Minister website design has pulled out fate and “lack of voice” in the believed their audience and ability fulfil their responsibilities hon- because of “all the fuss” around country. to speak up was not regular. estly and without making any the film. It was unclear if the The results of the survey Is it an The findings also suggested fuss. They play many roles such as website would still be launched unequal world?, conducted by two that not all forms of abuse against that of a mother, daughter, wife, Ban not good in democracy, as planned. active online communities — WE women got highlighted or talked sister and daughter-in-law. They (Women Endangered) and I Am about. Some pointed out the fact do their job and also take care of says Jeffrey Archer BAR COUNCIL NOTICE Who I Am, were released a day that rape seemed to be the only their families.” TO LAWYERS ahead of International Women’s form of abuse or assault against Saluting the tolerance of KOLKATA: British author Jeffrey Archer yesterday said that Meanwhile, the Bar Council Day, via a statement. women. The survey findings also women, he said: “I salute their the ban on airing of the BBC documentary on the December 16, of India (BCI) yesterday issued Conducted over six days observed that women could not rock solid tolerance. There are 2012 gang-rape was not good in a democratic country like India. notice to two defence advocates between the end of February, blame one specific influence that a lot of things that men should “It is not a good thing in a democracy (to ban) and things have for their controversial remarks in 2015 and the beginning of March, has led them to be the lesser sex learn from them (women), but I changed so much...,” Archer said here in response to a question on the documentary. BCI Chairman 2015, the survey took into account or gender in society. have seen that some men com- whether it was right for India to put a curb on the documentary. Manan Mishra said the council the thoughts of women from ment on their dresses and do an Referring to the liberalisation of women in modern India, he said issued notice to defence counsel New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, ‘LEARN FROM WOMEN’ assessment of their character... it came down to what the present generation felt on the ban. “Its M L Sharma and A P Singh, who Bengaluru, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Meanwhile, Delhi Chief they talk absurd things about much more what you think. Its your country and if you feel strongly made several controversial state- Gurgaon and Pune. Minister Arvind Kejriwal yester- women and also molest them. you must make a protest,” he said. ments in the documentary. The Over 50 percent of women felt day called on men “to learn from “Men who do not respect women Archer, former politician, is in India to launch his book ‘Mightier BCI had also issued notice to A that love had no place in society women” and make the national outside can never respect women Than The Sword”, the fifth in the Clifton Chronicle series of books. P Singh over his remarks on the most of the time, while another capital a city where “every woman in their homes,” he said while urg- “Basically if you ban something, everybody wants to see it. I wish rape victim in September 2013, 30 percent were certain of the feels free and lives happily”. ing men in the capital to make the they would ban my book because then everybody wants to have it,” which is still pending. absence of love. They felt that Kejriwal, currently in city a safe place for women. he said, adding he has not seen the controversial documentary. REUTERS/IANS norms that society encouraged Bengaluru for naturopathy IANS IANS

Day Three of coal Tough act for Chandy after Karthikeyan’s demise auction nets THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ... Chandy will have to perform a might go to Chandy’s closest aide sought expert treatment at Mayo Following the death of tough juggling act,” said a senior K C Joseph, state minister for cul- Clinic in the US. Rs12,600 crore Kerala Assembly Speaker G Congress leader. ture and public relations. Karthikeyan (pictured) yester- Congress sources said it would With the death of Karthikeyan, SEVEN-DAY MOURNING NEW DELHI: The govern- day, Chief Minister Oommen not be a surprise if Karthikeyan’s the strength of the Chandy gov- A seven-day mourning was ment stands to gain an addi- Chandy has to perform a tough wife, a retired professor, would be ernment in the 140-member declared in Kerala. The 66-year- tional Rs12,600 crore on Day act as a new Speaker has to be asked to contest elections from Kerala assembly, has come down old Congress leader served as a Three of the coal auction yes- chosen immediately. Aruvikkara assembly constituency, to 74 against 65 of the Left. minister in the Kerala cabinet on terday, potentially swelling its Karthikeyan died at a hospi- which has been Karthikeyan’s seat Soft-spoken and mild-man- two occasions. He was elected to kitty by nearly Rs145,000 crore tal in Bengaluru where he was for a while now. nered, Karthikeyan rose through the assembly six times. from the 19 rounds in the first being treated for liver cancer, Karthikeyan expressed his the ranks by first becoming the Chandy said that Karthikeyan’s tranche and the three rounds the Congress said. He was 66 and desire to resign as Speaker last president of the Kerala Students’ body would be brought from the thus far in the second leg, as per is survived by his wife, a retired year, but Chandy did not allow Union and then of the Youth airport to his official residence the latest data. professor, and two sons. him, finding it difficult to give Congress. here and would be kept there till The Tara coal block in A six-time member of the him a suitable portfolio, the leader A known confidante of late today morning. “The state gov- Chhattisgarh went to Jindal Power assembly, Karthikeyan twice said. Among the front runners chief minister K Karunakaran, ernment has declared a seven-day and the Dumri block in Jharkhand served as a minister. “With well- for the Speaker’s post will be he stood behind him in the 1978 mourning. Today and tomorrow, to Hindalco in the latest round. mannered Karthikeyan passing Minister for Forests and Sports crisis when leaders like A K the Tricolour will fly at half mast,” The third block on offer, Nerad- away, a new Speaker has to be Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan Antony, Oommen Chandy and he said. The Kerala government Malegaon in Maharashtra, went immediately elected. If some- after being divested of the home V M Sudheeran left the party. announced a half-day holiday yes- to Indrajit Power. one from the cabinet is asked to portfolio to accommodate Ramesh He fell ill in the middle of 2014 terday in all government and edu- “Hindalco is highest bidder at become the speaker, then there Chennithala, state Congress pres- and was later diagnosed with liver cational institutions in the state. Rs2,127 (per tonne) for Dumri would be a vacancy in the cabinet ident for eight years. The post cancer. In October last year, he IANS and Jindal Power at Rs126 (per tonne) for Tara coal block,” Coal Secretary Anil Swarup tweeted, as bidding ended. This final bid Working to rebuild a mosque cost works out to Rs9,800 crore for the Tara block and Rs2,100 Mamata critic, another Congress crore for Dumri. Indrajit Power bid the high- councillor join Trinamool est for Nared Malegaon at Rs660 per tonne - or a little over Rs660 KOLKATA: In a setback to flanked by the two new joinees, crore. the Congress, two of its Kolkata announced their formal induction Under the bidding process, Municipal Corporation council- in the party and said their experi- participants are required to sub- lors including prominent leader ence with the city civic body will mit an initial financial bid along Mala Roy — a known critic of help the ruling party. with the technical details. On West Bengal Chief Minister Roy, a founder member of the the actual date of the e-auction, Mamata Banerjee — joined Trinamool, was a close associ- the qualified bidder is permitted the state’s ruling Trinamool ate of Mamata Banerjee once. to anonymously submit as many Congress yesterday. However, she quit in 2005 and final price offers as desired. Roy, who unsuccessfully con- joined the Congress to become a While the highest bid can be tested the Lok Sabha polls from fierce critic of Banerjee. viewed, the name of the bidder South Kolkata constituency last However, speaking to media will not be divulged. Each subse- year, met Trinamool supremo persons during the day, Roy quent bid has to be made with an Banerjee before her formal induc- said she was one of those who increment of Rs2, within the noti- tion. “I have quit the Congress. I formed the Trinamool after “lot fied start and the closing time. want to work for the people and of struggle”. This time, Roy has The successful bidder will then be I was not getting the chance. I’m switched her allegiance with immediately notified thereafter. happy to return to my old party,” the polls to the civic body just The auction has a clause that Roy said after her meeting with a month away. “Roy needs no extractable reserves of the allot- Banerjee. introduction. She is a council- ted coal mine cannot exceed 150 The other Congress councillor lor for close to two decades. Das percent of the annual coal require- who crossed over to the Trinamool has served as a councillor for 30 Kashmiri girls engage in voluntary work to rebuild a mosque damaged in last year’s floods, in Srinagar, yesterday. ment of the specified end-use plant was Arun Das. Trinamool secre- years,” said Chatterjee. over a period of 30 years. tary general Partha Chatterjee, IANS IANS SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Teachers protest Man dies at bus No arrest yet stop with Rs16 lakh strapped to body CHANDIGARH: A property dealer died at a bus stop here in Dimapur under mysterious circum- stances yesterday with Rs16 lakh in cash strapped to his body. Police said the deceased —57-year-old Nar Singh Bedi lynching case — was standing at the bus stop near Sector 29 to catch a bus for Delhi. He collapsed sud- denly after which people at the Nagaland CM admits lapses bus stop called the police con- trol room. The man was rushed DIMAPUR/GUWAHATI: strict action against the people to the Government Medical The Nagaland government involved in the lynching of Khan. College and Hospital in Sector is yet to make any arrest in “Rajnath Singh spoke to 32 where doctors declared him connection with Thursday’s Nagaland Chief Minister T R dead. Police found Rs16 lakh in lynching of a rape accused in Zeliang and asked him to be mind- cash strapped to his body. “He Dimapur, as the central govern- ful of the law and order in the state could be taking such a huge ment yesterday asked the state and take strict action against peo- amount for some property deal to take strict action against ple involved in lynching of a man,” in Delhi. We are investigating those behind the incident. a home ministry official said. the case,” a police officer said. A Nagaland Police official in Meanwhile, the chief minister Police have ruled out foul play Dimapur said efforts were on to admitted to administrative lapses. saying there were no injury identify those involved in the kill- “We have ordered an inquiry into marks on the body. Officials ing of Syed Farid Khan and that what happened. Any officer found Kashmiri contractual teachers march during a protest in Srinagar yesterday. The teachers, whose jobs were said it did not appear that any they would be brought to book guilty in the case will be pun- recently terminated by government, protested against their termination and demanded continuation of their vehicle had hit him either. soon. The Nagaland authorities ished. As of now situation on the services. Thousands of teachers are working on contractual basis in the region. handed over the body of Khan ground is under control,” he said Spectrum auction to his family in Khatkhati area in Kohima. Zeliang on Friday sus- on the Assam-Nagaland bor- pended the deputy commissioner bid sale proceeds der. Later, his body was taken and the superintendent of police NEW DELHI: After Day to his native village in Assam’s of Dimapur district for their fail- Four of e-auctions for radio Karimganj district. ure in tackling the situation. frequency spectrum or air- Tension gripped Badarpur area In Kohima, Nagaland Police Mulayam ‘treated’ for swine flu waves for telecom operators in the district after the arrival of spokesman Joseph Hesso said: yesterday, the government the body as the people became “There is no fresh incident GURGAON/LUCKNOW: over his health.” Family sources deaths between Jan 1 and Feb had a total commitment of agitated over the brutal killing. reported from anywhere in Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam said he complained of unease, high 26, Rajasthan is so far the worst Rs86,000 crore in terms of There was, however, no untoward Nagaland. The situation is nor- Singh Yadav who was admitted fever and breathlessness for most affected state this year. highest bids from the eight incident reported from the area. mal both in capital city Kohima to a private hospital in Gurgaon of the week. HIMACHAL: Swine flu claimed companies in the fray over 24 Khan’s brother Jamal Uddin and commercial town Dimapur.” yesterday for suspected swine Yadav has been unwell for the two more lives in Himachal rounds, an official statement Khan claimed that his brother He said a huge contingent of flu is recovering “well”, his past few days and had taken ill Pradesh, taking the toll to 13, an said here. This is nearly dou- was framed in the rape case as security forces, including para- son and Uttar Pradesh Chief on Wednesday noon after which official said. A man died at the ble the amount the finance the medical examination of the girl, military troopers, were deployed Minister Akhilesh Yadav said. he was admitted to the Sanjay Indira Gandhi Medical College ministry had budgeted for who alleged rape, indicated that in Dimapur, Kohima and other “Netaji (Mulayam Singh) has Gandhi Post Graduate Institute and Hospital here on Friday, while from sale of spectrum this there had been no sexual assault. areas having a mixed population. recovered well. I thank you all of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. another died yesterday, state sur- fiscal at Rs43,161.72 crore, as Syed Farid Khan, a 35-year- Another police official said: for the good wishes and blessings Top doctors reviewed his con- veillance officer Rajesh Guleri said also one-time spectrum fee old second-hand car dealer, was “The situation has improved but for his speedy recovery,” the chief dition and suggested some more and added that 63 samples have and other licence-related lev- accused of raping a 20-year-old we have decided to continue the minister tweeted. Sources said tests, including those for swine tested positive till date. ies. The maximum bids of 86 Naga woman on February 23 and curfew in Dimapur. There has Mulayam Singh was brought to flu, an insider said. GOA: Two more people have were received for Himachal 24 at different locations. Police been adequate deployment of the hospital at 1.30am yesterday. Congress president Sonia tested positive for swine flu in Pradesh circle with a winning arrested him on February 25 and forces in and around the town to According to doctors, he had Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi Goa, in addition to the 12 patients amount of Rs10.43 crore per a lower court sent him to judicial ensure that there is no backlash.” symptoms of swine flu and has expressed concern over the illness who have already contracted the block in the 900 MHz band. custody. The Nagaland and Assam gov- been tested for the same. A K of the Samajwadi Party chief and disease, Deputy Chief Minister Till Day Three, 17 rounds of Khan was dragged out of ernments have put the forces Dubey, medical superintendent of wished him a speedy recovery. Francis D’Souza said. Only one bidding took place with a total Dimapur’s high-security central jail on alert to ensure security to the hospital, said: “His condition is According to health minis- person has died due to swine flu, offer of Rs77,000 crore. by an angry mob, paraded naked the non-locals living in both the better now than what it was when try officials, over 21,000 cases ever since the outbreak last month. and then thrashed to death on states. Assam Chief Minister he came to the hospital,” he said. of swine flu have been reported WEST BENGAL: Four more J&K separatist freed Thursday, forcing the authorities to Tarun Gogoi asked police and Rajendra Chowdhary, party so far this year, making the deaths due to swine flu have been clamp curfew in Dimapur district. other security forces to be alert spokesman and cabinet minister, number of affected people high- reported in West Bengal, taking after four years In New Delhi, Union Home and said no non-local should feel said in Lucknow: “Doctors have est since 2009 when over 27,236 the toll across the state to 13, a SRINAGAR: The Jammu Minister Rajnath Singh asked insecure due to what happened in advised him rest for three days cases were reported. With over health official said. and Kashmir government the Nagaland government to take Dimapur. IANS and there is no reason to worry 5,262 reported cases and 251 IANS yesterday released separatist leader Masrat Alam from pre- ventive detention after more than four years, police said. A day after Holi Alam was arrested during the 2010 unrest in the Kashmir I am being targeted by Valley. He was accused of inciting youth during the unrest in which at least 112 people were killed in bloody AAP leaders: Mayank clashes between unruly mobs and security forces. Chief MUMBAI: Senior AAP leader interviews against me, some old Minister Mufti Muhammad Mayank Gandhi complained cases are being re-opened,” Sayeed had said all separatist yesterday of being targeted by a Gandhi said in a blog. leaders under detention would section of his party for challeng- He wrote that the Aam Aadmi be released. Alam had evaded ing a gag order on March 5 and Party may decide not to fight the arrest for months during the also revealing about the pro- BMC polls (Mumbai) or delay the 2010 unrest. He had made ceedings of the AAP national decision for the same, the leader- fiery speeches at sensitive executive meet. ship of Maharashtra will be chal- places. Alam belongs to the On the same day, former party lenged and discredited by some Muslim League and is believed member Anjali Damania also said individuals and information would to be close to hardline separa- that she had quit the party last be leaked to the media. tist leader Syed Ali Geelani. year because she was “frustrated” “More will come and I will with the party’s functioning. be finally humiliated so much Rajnath Singh fine Gandhi claimed a “concerted that I will quit. That was what NEW DELHI: Union Home attempt” was being made in the was planned for (AAP leaders) Minister Rajnath Singh, who social media to label him “anti- Yogendra Yadav and Prashant underwent a health check-up party and anti-AK (Arvind Bhushan, but they overturned including a cardiology test Kejriwal)” and reiterated his the plan by staying in the party. yesterday, was working “as Women hold their veils as they take part in ‘Huranga’ at the Dauji temple near Mathura yesterday. Huranga is statement that a price might have “Let me see if I can withstand usual” after returning from a a game played between men and women a day after Holi during which men drench women with liquid colours to be paid (by him). the muck that will be thrown,” hospital in Gurgaon. A senior and women tear off the clothes of the men. “A small group of party deci- Gandhi said, expressing appre- home ministry official said sion makers in Delhi has already hensions about the future. that Singh had gone to the removed me from the informal Damania, who was the con- hospital for a “pre-scheduled BBM group. Attacks have begun vener for Maharashtra’s AAP annual routine check-up”. It against me from AAP leader unit, also stated on Saturday why was reported that Singh, 63, Ashish Khetan and others. she had quit on June 5 last year went to the hospital following House to discuss rail, general budgets Some dissatisfied members from along with state secretary Preeti chest pain and was admitted Maharashtra have started giving Sharma-Menon. IANS for a few hours before being NEW DELHI: Financial busi- related appropriate bills and gen- relate to raising FDI limit in the discharged. IANS ness, including a discussion on eral discussion and voting on gen- insurance sector and allocation of the railway and general budg- eral budget for 2015-16 are some coal blocks through open bidding. ets for 2015-16, and considera- of the things that will be taken Discussion and voting on the tion and passing of the bills to up, it added. railway budget for 2015-16 and replace the ordinances will be In the Rajya Sabha, two bills to supplementary demands for Sayeed’s comments ‘treason’: Shiv Sena the main issues before both replace ordinances — The Mines grants for 2014-15 and passing houses of parliament next week. and Minerals (Development and of related appropriation Bills is MUMBAI: The recent comments by Jammu and which fights terrorists 24x7. “However, by credit- Government business in the Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 the financial business to be taken Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on ing Pakistan and terrorists, Sayeed has insulted Lok Sabha for the next week and Motor Vehicles (Amendment) up in the Rajya Sabha during the Pakistan and hanged parliament attack convict Afzal all of them (EC, people and armed forces), and by includes consideration and passing Bill, 2015, passed by the Lok Sabha next week, it said. The govern- Guru are tantamount to “treason” and “contempt of demanding remnants of Afzal Guru, he has crossed of the Right to Fair Compensation have been listed for consideration ment has also proposed consider- Supreme Court”, the Shiv Sena said yesterday. all limits of treason,” the Shiv Sena said in a stinging and Transparency in Land and passing on Monday. ation and passing of the Regional The BJP earlier this month allied with the Peoples edit in party mouthpiece Saamana. Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Statutory resolutions seeking Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, Democratic Party (PDP) to form the government in “After all, Afzal Guru was a criminal, and sym- Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, disapproval of the two related 2014, as passed during the winter Jammu and Kashmir. “Right after the swearing-in pathising with him tantamounts to a contempt 2015, an official statement said ordinances will also be taken up session by the Lok Sabha, in the ceremony at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Supreme Court and a bonfire of Indian laws. If here Saturday. along with the bills. Rajya Sabha next week. was present, Sayeed credited Pakistan and Pakistani- Sayeed continues in this vein, the country will have It said general discussion and Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Both the houses will take up for supported terrorists for allowing the peaceful elections to pay a heavy price,” it warned, adding that even voting on the railway budget for Bill, 2014 is one of the three bills consideration a resolution seek- in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Shiv Sena said. the BJP would have to suffer for allying with PDP 2015-16, demands for Grants on already pending in the Rajya ing approval to constitute a new A day later, Sayeed and his PDP demanded hand- in governing the border state. Account(Railways) for 2015-16 Sabha, for the withdrawal of Railway Convention Committee ing over of the remains of hanged terrorist Afzal Lashing out at the PDP patron, the Shiv Sena said and supplementary demands for which the government has ear- for determination of the rate of Guru — who was guilty of the attack on Indian par- those who know the Sayeed family and their PDP grants for railways for 2014-15 are lier moved motions and the same dividend payable by the railways liament — to the state. The Shiv Sena pointed out would never have allied with it, nor was Sayeed ever part of the business to be taken were deferred following some to the general revenues and other that the credit for successful elections vests with regarded as a patriotic Indian. “The BJP’s courage and up by the Lok Sabha next week. issues raised by the opposition. ancillary matters next week. the Election Commission, the people who queued up stubbornness (to form the government in Jammu and Consideration and Passing of The other two pending bills IANS braving terror threats, and the Indian armed forces Kashmir) is astounding...,” it said. IANS SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BREAK

PRAYER TIME Hubble captures image of ancient

Fajr (Dawn) 4:35 exploding star Shorook (Sunrise) 5:51 CAPE CANAVERAL: Zuhr (Noon) 11:45 Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope and a naturally Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 occurring cosmic magnifying Maghrib (Sunset) 5:45 lens captured surprising multi- Isha (Night) 7:10 ple images of the same exploded ancient star, research published on Thursday shows. The four images captured by Hubble were caused by light WEATHER taking different paths around a massive galaxy cluster located Weather Today Monday Tuesday between the exploded star and Conditions: the Earth-orbiting telescope. Clear Partly cloudy Clear The cluster’s gravity causes Hazy to misty/ passing photons, or particles of foggy at places and light, to bend, a phenomenon pre- dicted 100 years ago by physicist High: 26° High: 26° High: 29° some clouds at first Low: 16° Low: 21° Low: 19° becomes moderate Albert Einstein. temperature Astronomers have been taking daytime with slight advantage of so-called “gravita- dust and misty by tional lensing” to boost Hubble’s night. imaging powers and peer far- ther back in time. By chance, the DOHA - SUN & SEA supernova, which exploded about nine billion years ago, was aligned SUN TIDE SEA with the intervening galaxy clus- SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND ter being used during a Hubble 05:51 17:45 06:15 & 18:45 00:00 & 12:45 03-125/15 KT observation period in 2011. Scientists returned to the THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW images in November to look for supernovae and found the quad- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER ruple rendering, a configuration known as an Einstein cross. MUSCAT 28/18 Clear 31/21 Clear The object, known as Supernova MAKKAH 37/23 Clear 39/25 Clear Refsdal in honor of Norwegian KUWAIT 29/15 Clear 26/13 Partly cloudy astronomer Sjur Refsdal, is the BAHRAIN 26/16 Clear 28/19 Clear first detected multiply imaged SANAA 27/09 Clear 27/09 Clear supernova. It appears about 20 RIYADH 29/16 Clear 33/18 Clear times brighter than its natural DUBAI 31/17 Clear 31/19 Clear brightness due to the combined BAGHDAD 28/14 Partly cloudy 28/13 Partly cloudy effects of two overlapping lenses, said Jens Hjorth with the Dark THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Cosmology Center in Denmark. REUTERS HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

ATHENS 12/09 Mostly cloudy 12/08 Cloudy WASHINGTON 08/01 Clear 14/03 Partly cloudy SYDNEY 30/19 Partly cloudy 31/21 Partly cloudy LONDON 16/07 Mostly cloudy 14/08 Cloudy PARIS 18/07 Clear 14/08 Partly cloudy ISTANBUL 09/06 Partly cloudy 09/06 Cloudy MANILA 32/19 Clear 33/19 Clear DHAKA 31/19 Clear 33/20 Clear DELHI 26/15 Clear 24/13 Chance of showers ISLAMABAD 19/07 Rain 22/09 Clear

       

From Sunday, March 15, The Peninsula Plus will have a new name, better content and more style.

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XXXUIFQFOJOTVMBRBUBSDPN Sunday 8 March 2015 17 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6363 Price: QR2

Fitch upgrade confirms Qatar’s strength

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QFC sees growth in new firms QIB gets annual STP Number of active QFC-licensed companies increases to 177 award from StanChart BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB Established in 2005, the Qatar Currently, the Qatari-owned Financial Centre (QFC) is an active firms in QFC accounts for DOHA: The Qatar Financial onshore centre that provides a around 30 percent of the total, Centre (QFC) witnessed a platform for domestic, regional which comes out to be over 53, remarkable growth in the and international growth. and the number is expected to number of new firms registered Given the fact that tax is one grow with the same pace. in 2014 compared to the previ- of the most important issues “The strong pipeline of firms ous year. for a company, QFC levies a low gives me reason to believe 2015 According to a senior official tax rate of 10 percent on locally may be an equally good year, if not of the QFC Authority, the total sourced business profits, with better than 2014,” he said. number of active QFC-licensed an aim to nurture a competitive Asked about the total amount firms has increased to 177 as on environment that allows busi- of capital invested by these firms, February 28, 2015. nesses to thrive. he said: “This (capital) may not “We have witnessed an over 100 “Our tax amendments have also be the ideal metric to look at, percent increase in the number introduced beneficial changes to because the value that QFC firms of new licensed firms in 2014 the taxation of structures, includ- add to Qatar is in terms of skills, compared to 2013,” said Sheikh ing holding companies and special capacity and ‘knowhow’.” Salman Al Thani (pictured), purpose companies, established in “The QFC does not permit any DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank and reflects the bank’s consistently Chief Financial Officer and the QFC,” he added. kind of manufacturing or trading (QIB), Qatar’s leading Islamic high SWIFT payment standards Director of Tax at QFC Authority. “A point worth highlighting is activities and thus our firms are Bank, has been conferred the which facilitate automated process- “In fact, our broadened approach, regulated activities defined in that local corporates could pre- largely either regulated financial prestigious annual STP Award ing resulting in beneficiary account including tax reforms, has yielded the QFC Financial Services viously only set up such struc- sector firms such as banks, insur- presented by Standard Chartered credits in the fastest time. considerable success with a 30 Regulations (FSR), or in rules tures overseas but with the latest ance and asset management com- Bank for outstanding per- “The award recognises the high percent increase in non-regulated made under the FSR, such as developments to the QFC offer- panies or services sector firms formance in Straight Through level of operational efficiency that firms over the course of 2014.” banks and non-banking financial ing, such structures can now be such as lawyers, accountants, and Processing (STP) and delivery we focus on at QIB. With our expe- Sheikh Salman, in an interview service providers. formed in Qatar as well.” consultants and other, which are of commercial and financial pay- rienced personnel and strong IT with The Peninsula, said: “Out of He said that QFC has also Sheikh Salman said these critical to supporting local busi- ments in US Dollars. infrastructure and delivery chan- the 177 active firms, 112 are non- responded to the international initiatives have helped attract nesses in their ambitions.” The Award was handed over at nels, we are well positioned to regulated and 65 are regulated. ambition and needs of the local a significant and rising propor- In line with the National Vision a meeting held at QIB Head Office continue providing the highest These firms are from a wide range industry by introducing new tax tion of Qatari-owned companies 2030, he noted that Qatar needs (pictured), attended by senior quality service to all our individual of regions and handle diverse regulations that help Qatari- that are benefiting from the QFC to attract the necessary skills and officials from QIB and Standard and institutional customers” said businesses.” owned entities to opt for a zero- Authority’s business-friendly expertise to ensure that economic Chartered Bank. The award rec- C Krishna Kumar, QIB’s Chief The regulated firms are those tax rate on their operations environment to operate outside growth and diversification remain ognises QIB’s state-of-the-art in- Operating Officer. which are permitted to conduct conducted from the QFC. as well as inside Qatar. sustainable. THE PENINSULA house funds transfer architecture THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Fitch upgrade confirms Qatargas to Logistic Zone: Ministry restart Train 4 unveils land allocations on March 25 economy’s strength DOHA: The Ministry of close to Al Shamal high way. Each DOHA: Qatargas has shut Economy and Commerce has plot is available for a lease period down one of its liquefied announced the launch of land of 30 years for QR900 per square Minister of Finance says timing of upgrade is critical natural gas (LNG) produc- allocations to the potential metre in four instalments. The tion plants, known as Train investors in the country’s first rentals also include the mainte- DOHA: H E Ali Sherif Al reflects the strong credit position 4, for planned maintenance Logistic Zone at Jery Al Samur nance cost, management fee and Emadi (pictured), Minister of of the State of Qatar and its abil- and expects output to resume in Umm Salal. insurance premium. Finance, said yesterday that ity to face the challenges faced by around March 25, Reuters The specially-set up Logistic The Committee said the con- Fitch Ratings update of Qatar’s energy markets. quoted two sources with Committee of the Ministry yes- ditions in the contract will be credit rating to AA and a sta- Fitch Ratings had upgraded knowledge of the matter as terday said a total of 21 plots will very flexibile. The investors will ble outlook confirms the strong Qatar’s credit rating to AA for saying. be allocated to the investors as be allowed to build their offices, credit position of the country. long-term debt securities in for- The 7.8-million-tonne-per- part of developing the zone. The labour accommodations and other In a statement released by the eign and local currencies. The year train, shut at the end of decision to develop Logistic Zone facilities in the designated plots. ministry of finance to the press agency also upgraded Qatar’s last month, supplies liquefied is part of government’s plan to The investors can also develop yesterday, the Minister said that position to F1+ for short-term natural gas to Britain, Europe boost the country’s non-hydrocar- facilities to showcase their prod- Fitch’s upgrade is in line with debt securities. AA rating is the and Asia, raising the possibility bon economy and to strengthen ucts in the respective plots allot- other rating agencies such as third highest possible rating that of reduced deliveries from the Qatar’s private sector ted to them. In the event of more Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, can be offered to any country world’s biggest liquefied natu- The estimated project cost of applicants, the eligible investors QNA reported. or institution, it means that the ral gas exporter. the zone is QR133m, and it will be will be selected through a public The Minister, however, added country in question have high- ExxonMobil and Qatar developed within next two years. raffle draw. The raffle draw will that the timing of Fitch’s upgrade grade bonds that have a little risk Petroleum inaugurated the The developers will provide all be held on April 19, 2015. was critical as it comes after the of default. The F1+ is the highest world’s largest LNG project, infrastructure facilities, includ- Interested investors can collect decline of energy prices in global rating that could be given to an known as Qatargas II, which ing water and electricity supply, the application form either from market and the impact this might institution or country for short- includes Train 4 and also Train street lights, storm water drain- the office of Manateq (Economic have on growth prospects for oil term bonds. Such upgrades to 5, in April 2009. age and firefighting equipment. Zone Company) or can apply and gas producers. The updat- credit ratings also helps attract THE PENINSULA The zone is located in a strategic through mails. ing of the rating at such a time investment. THE PENINSULA area linked to a Ring Road, and THE PENINSULA

Doha Bank launches Al India’s budget in line with Modi’s reform agenda: QNB

DOHA: Qatar National Bank a deficit of 3.9 percent of GDP in improve India’s growth prospects. After liberalising diesel prices in Asriya as gift to women said yesterday in its weekly 2015-16 and expects to reach its The announced budget represents October 2014, the government now report that it expects India can deficit target of 3 percent in 2017- a milestone as it sets out reforms plans to follow up with an 8.6 per- DOHA: To coincide with their lifestyles, celebrates their achieve a higher growth rate 18. Notwithstanding continued fis- in the following three key areas,” cent reduction in budgeted spend- International Women’s Day womanhood and ensures their fit- of 8.0-8.5 percent in 2015-16, if cal consolidation, the government’s the report said. ing on subsidies. This is partly due which falls today, Doha Bank ness and well-being. The attrac- the three reform areas outlined medium-term fiscal strategy is 1. Large public investment to to lower oil prices and the de-reg- is proud to have launched “Al tive features include a ladies in the budget are fully imple- growth-friendly, with a larger reduce supply bottlenecks. One ulation of diesel prices. But it is Asriya” —Qatar’s first and only account which can be opened mented, making India one of the share of capital spending at the of the key reasons behind the also a result of a more efficient ladies account-cum-credit for QR5,000, a special pink floral fastest growing economies in the expense of reduced subsidies and underperformance of the Indian delivery of subsidies to recipients. card. In commemoration of this designed credit card as well as world. other cuts in current spending. economy in recent years has been 3. A uniform federal goods and special day, which is dedicated insurance cover. The government is expected However, Modi’s first full budget supply bottlenecks. These are services tax (GST). The govern- to celebrating the achievements The lifestyle benefits of Al to achieve its deficit target of was not merely about fiscal arith- mostly related to the lack of trans- ment has restated its commitment of women across the world, Asriya Ladies Credit Card include 4.1 percent of GDP for the fiscal metics, it also represented a major port infrastructure and power to implement a uniform federal Al Asriya marks its hallmark the fact that it is offered free for year 2014-15 (4.4 percent of GDP statement about the Modi admin- shortages. The budget projects a GST by April 2016. entry to radiate some extra joy life ladies account deposit hold- in 2013-14). This was thanks to a istration’s intentions to implement 25.5 percent increase in capital If the three reform areas out- to the lives of women in Qatar, ers or salary transfer custom- combination of bold moves — such the ambitious reforms needed to spending to address these bottle- lined in the budget are fully imple- the bank said in a statement ers of Doha Bank, along with 2 as the reduction of subsidies — but unleash India’s economic potential. necks directly through increased mented, this growth rates is likely yesterday. supplementary cards which are was also supported by lower global “In our recent 2014 India public investment in transport to be achieved, making India one Al Asriya is designed to provide also offered free for life to female commodity prices which reduced Economic Insight report, we high- infrastructure (railways and of the fastest growing economies attractive features and offers to family members of the primary government outlays. Going for- lighted six key reforms the gov- roads). in the world. fulfil the fine ladies’ needs, match cardholder. THE PENINSULA ward, the government is targeting ernment needed to implement to 2. Reducing the subsidy bill. THE PENINSULA

Greece must reform and forget Syriza’s promises: Coene ECB against

BRUSSELS: Greece must real- Greece issuing ise there is no other way than to Positive reply reform, European Central Bank governing council member Luc from Eurogroup more debt for Coene said in an interview pub- lished yesterday, telling Greeks ATHEN: The head of the short-term they had been sold “false prom- eurozone finance ministers ises” by radical leftists now in responded positively to Greece’s BERLIN: The European power. request for an immediate start Central Bank will not agree The Belgian central bank to technical talks with interna- to Greece issuing more chief said that life outside the tional creditors to conclude the short-term debt because eurozone would be far worse for country’s current bailout pro- that would be tantamount Greek people and warned that if gramme, a Greek government to it illegally financing the Athens wanted to be financed by official said yesterday. Greek government, ECB the eurozone, the ECB and the Greek Finance Minister Yanis Executive Board member International Monetary Fund, it Varoufakis sent a letter to Jeroen Benoit Coeure said in an had to follow the rules. Djisselbloem, outlining the first German newspaper inter- “I do not believe there is a batch of reforms that Greece would view yesterday. radically different way,” he told implement in turn for further aid Echoing comments from Belgian daily De Tijd. “Syriza has by its lenders. “Eurogroup’s head ECB President Mario Draghi, made promises it can not keep,” Djisselbloem sent a letter late Coeure told the Frankfurter he said, adding that the Greek last night responding to Finance Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung people “will understand quickly Minister Varoufakis” the official in comments to be published that they were deceived by false said. “He responded positively to today the ECB would not allow promises.” the Greek minister, underlin- Greece to raise a limit on issu- Like his eurozone colleagues, ing the need for the negotiations ance of short-term debt so that Coene had a clear message for to continue at the Euroworking Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Greece, saying: “Reform is the Group and between the technical can avert a funding crunch. only way ... Tell me where the Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis (centre) upon his arrival to attend the conference ‘Assessing Risk: Business teams in order to implement the “The ECB cannot finance the money should come if the Greeks in Global Disorder’ at the Aspen Institute in Venice, nothern Italy, yesterday. February 20 decision.” REUTERS Greek government,” Coeure do not want reform and do not said. “We’re not allowed to do want to repay other European that. That is illegal.” countries?” On Thursday, Draghi said Greeks voted for Alexis Tsipras, Greece wants immediate talks with Troika on bailout the ECB will resume normal leader of Greece’s far-left Syriza lending to Greek banks only party, in January because of his when it sees Athens is comply- promises to renegotiate the coun- BRUSSELS: Greece asked get €1.8bn of loans remaining Greek public. Eurozone finance technical talks with the three ing with its bailout programme try’s EU/IMF bailout that many eurozone countries for an imme- from the existing €240bn bailout. ministers gave the new Greek institutions. He said Greece and is on track to get a favour- feel punished the country and diate start of technical talks It would also be eligible to get government until the end of April wanted to activate an already leg- able review. drove it into an economic depres- with international creditors on €1.9bn that the European Central to implement the measures that islated, but never created institu- He also made clear the sion. But EU leaders say Greece’s the first batch of reforms that Bank made in profits on buying the previous government has tion — the Fiscal Council — to act eurozone bank would not raise prospects have improved greatly would help conclude its current Greek bonds. And Greek banks agreed to in exchange for the as an independent watchdog to a limit on Athens’ issuance of since it nearly crashed out of the bailout programme and allow would again become eligible to loans. After that, Greece will have monitor government fiscal policy. short-term debt to help the euro in 2010 and, as economic the disbursement of more loans. finance themselves at the ECB’s two months, until the end of June, He also proposed to introduce Tsipras government since the growth returns, urge it to con- The request marks a softening open market operations. to negotiate with the lenders how spending ceilings for various lev- EU treaty barred monetary tinue the reform process. of Greece’s stance. Until now, it “I am now writing to you ... to to finance itself afterwards. els of government and corrective financing of governments. Still cut off from financial has rejected talks with the three convey the Greek government’s In the letter, Varoufakis said mechanisms that would kick in on The tough line, spelled out markets, Tsipras eventually institutions that have supervised view that it is necessary to com- Greece did not want to wait until a quarterly basis if ceilings were after the ECB’s policymak- requested a four-month extension it so far — the European Central mence immediately the discus- April to start such talks. breached. Varoufakis wrote that ing Governing Council met in to its eurozone bailout last month. Bank, European Commission and sions between our technical team “In parallel with these discus- because Greece had a culture of Cyprus, added to pressure on Athens needs to deliver detailed the International Monetary Fund and that of the institutions,” sions concerning the April dead- tax avoidance, he proposed to hire Greece’s radical new rulers to plans to get new loans. — on implementing reforms. Greek Finance Minister Yanis line” the Greek government want large numbers of non-profession- implement promised reforms “If they leave the euro, it will But Greece, which faces loan Varoufakis said in a letter to the to begin “very soon” higher-level als to act as tax inspectors for two under a bailout they had be ten times worse for them. Ten repayments over the coming chairman of eurozone finance discussions regarding a possible months. vowed to scrap but were forced times,” Coene said. weeks and months, is running out ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem. “follow-up arrangement”. The inspectors might be to extend for four months to Eurozone finance ministers will of cash and needs more eurozone Varoufakis proposed that dis- Varoufakis said in the lat- recruited, for example, from avoid running out of money. discuss Greece’s reforms at their credit to avoid bankruptcy. cussions with the institutions ter that Greece wanted the among students, housekeepers Coeure also told the meeting in Brussels tomorrow, If it concludes the bailout, take place in Brussels — avoiding new financing deal to be called and even tourists. They would German newspaper that the but time is short, because Greece which means implementing the connotation of a loss of sov- a “Contract for Recovery and be wired for sound and video and ECB would not allow Greece to is facing big repayments to its reforms the previous government ereignty that visits to Athens by Growth of the Greek Economy.” would gather evidence against raise its Emergency Liquidity creditors and is running out of had agreed to, but which the cur- Troika representatives over the He listed seven reforms that service providers that avoid taxes. Assistance (ELA). REUTERS cash to fund itself. REUTERS rent government rejects, it could past five years have had for the could provide the basis for the REUTERS

SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

MaxPoint Interactive hits NYSE Air France-KLM Nasdaq market to launch Servair stake sale soon share drops in FRANKFURT: Air France- KLM will launch a sale of cater- ing unit Servair soon, seen worth up to around €400m ($435m), and has mandated BNP Paribas fee experiment to manage the deal, sources familiar with the matter said. The Franco-Dutch carrier plans Slashes fees, rebates in 14 stocks to keep a stake in the business, with first bids due before Easter NEW YORK: Nasdaq OMX detailing the first month of its and likely buyers being French Group said its experiment in pricing experiment that it lost buyout groups such as PAI and lowering exchange fees and market share in all but two of Ardian or France-friendly inves- rebates in 14 stocks has so far the 14 stocks as market makers tors such as Advent, one source led to lower market share in provided 16.8 percent fewer rest- said. those names on its exchange as ing orders in those names overall Air France-KLM declined to many electronic market mak- on Nasdaq’s exchange. comment. Advent, Ardian and PAI ing firms sought higher rebates The shares also trade on other also declined to comment. elsewhere. exchanges, such as BATS Global Two sources familiar with the The experiment, which began Markets and Intercontinental matter estimated Servair had on February 2 and will run for Exchange’s NYSE unit, which an enterprise value of €300m to at least four months, includes are not part of the Nasdaq €400m. Servair’s clients include 14 stocks that had their associ- initiative. 120 airlines, and it employs 10,000 ated fees lowered on Nasdaq’s When the rebate-seeking people. Each day, the company exchange to 5 cents per 100 firms pulled back from Nasdaq, MaxPoint Interactive CEO Joe Epperson (centre) rings the opening bell to celebrate his company’s IPO at the produces more than 230,000 meal shares from 30 cents per 100 Investment Technology Group, New York Stock Exchange. The online advertising software provider said it was offering 6.5 million shares trays at 38 airports, providing 83 shares, and their rebates cut to a brokerage that caters to insti- priced at $11.50/share compared with an expected range of $10.50-$12.50. The IPO raised about $75m. million meal trays and cleaning 4 cents per 100 shares from 29 tutional investors, said it began 39 million seats in 2013. Full-year cents per 100 shares. receiving better order execu- turnover was €771m, according to Stock exchanges pay rebates tions at Nasdaq and it actually its website. as incentives to market makers increased the amount of orders Air France-KLM is stepping up that post resting orders on both for the test stocks it sent to the Fiat Chrysler recalls 702,578 vehicles cost cuts and slashing investments sides of the best bid and offer in exchange. in an effort to overcome a stagnat- order to help get trades done for ITG said its order routing ing economy in Europe. other market participants. algorithms look for the markets WASHINGTON: Fiat Chrysler their key rings, leaving only the Fiat Chrysler said it expects to Europe’s second-largest tra- When a broker sends an order that fill their orders the fast- Automobiles is recalling 702,578 ignition key, until the switches begin replacing the defective igni- ditional network carrier after to the exchange to be immedi- est and most completely, and do SUVs and minivans to fix defec- can be fixed. tion switches for the 2008-2009 Germany’s Lufthansa has also ately executed and it hits a rest- not take fees and rebates into tive ignition switches that If there is a key fob, it should minivans and SUVs in April and eased its debt-reduction goals as ing order, the broker is charged account. can unexpectedly turn off the also be removed, Fiat Chrysler the 2010 vehicles in August. a weak euro threatens to lessen a fee that subsidises the rebate. “The brokerage community, engine, according to documents said in documents posted by the Some of the vehicles had previ- the benefits of lower oil prices. But many retail brokers, fund if interested in improving per- posted on Friday by US safety National Highway Traffic Safety ously been recalled for the same Last month, the carrier declined companies and institutional formance on behalf of their cli- regulators. Administration. issue. to give a 2015 profit forecast as it investors have complained that ents, should pay heed,” ITG said The recall covers Dodge Grand The company said road condi- General Motors experienced a unveiled full-year earnings follow- exchange fees are too high, forc- in a note to clients on Friday. Caravan and Chrysler Town and tions or a jarring event may cause similar ignition switch problem ing three profit warnings in the ing them to send their orders to Nasdaq plans to release data Country minivans from 2008 the ignition switch to move into and recalled 2.6 million small cars previous 12 months. Lufthansa private, broker-run trading ven- each month during the experi- to 2010 model years and Dodge the off or accessory position, last year. At least 57 people were and Air France-KLM have both ues that charge less than public ment to show how market par- Journey SUVs from 2009 to 2010. turning off the engine and disa- killed and more than 90 injured been reported to be looking at exchanges. ticipants are adapting to the The automaker is advising cus- bling the air bags, power steering in crashes linked to the defective sales of their food units in recent Nasdaq said in a report change in pricing. REUTERS tomers to remove all items from and power brakes. GM switches. REUTERS years. REUTERS

Newcomers jump into activist investing, eyeing returns and capital

BOSTON: The largest new field of activist campaigns, according to data They join more established hedge returns, and draw inflows: Activist funds newcomers risk falling flat. “This is like activist investors in years is shak- from research firm Activist Insight, up funds that are also promoting activist gained an average 6.3 percent in 2014 — playing sports where you can’t simply ing up corporate America, seeking to from 26 new entrants the same period campaigns, including Kyle Bass’ Hayman with Ackman returning 40 percent — copy your rival’s playbook and hope to tap into billions of dollars in available the previous year, and 15 the year before. Capital and David Tepper’s Appaloosa crushing the average fund’s 3.5 percent replicate success if your team can’t exe- capital and inspired by the outsized The October through March period is Management, which are pushing for increase, Hedge Fund Research data cute well,” said Kingsdale CEO Wesley returns of brand-name agitators like traditionally the most active season, com- former Goldman Sachs banker Harry show. To be sure, an investor who simply Hall. William Ackman and Carl Icahn. ing in the runup to companies’ annual Wilson, who had been a part of the tracked the Standard & Poor’s 500 index The world’s 14 top activists have on The surge could force more compa- meetings, usually held in the spring and Obama administration’s auto task force, in 2014 would have gained 12 percent. average $16bn to deploy in full throttle nies into costly battles with shareholders early summer when boards are elected. to join General Motors’ board. Last year, 71 dedicated activist funds fights, while the newcomers often have over leadership, spin-offs, and buybacks, Among the newcomers are firms like H Activism has picked up dramatically that oversee $119.2bn in assets took in less than $100m in assets, Activist Insight though some of the new entrants risk Partners, Chieftain Capital, Isaac Capital, since the 2008 financial crisis, but it has a record $14.2bn in new money, nearly said. being brushed off if corporate boards find Vertex Capital, Jet Capital and Heng Ren been popular before including in the 1970s three times the $5.3bn they pulled in “There will inevitably be opportun- they lack good ideas or firepower. Investments, some of which are taking to late 1980s when financiers including 2013, HFR said. Meanwhile, about $135bn ists who are trying to ride a momentum “Everyone wants to be an activist these on big names in the corporate sphere. Carl Icahn and Nelson Peltz were called in money is sitting on the sidelines ear- moment,” said Richard McGuire who days. Everyone wants that capital,” said H Partners and Chieftain, for example, corporate raiders for their strong-arm marked for activist strategies, according runs $3bn Marcato Capital Management. Damien Park, head of consulting group are pressuring bedding-maker Tempur tactics used to replace top management to advisory firm Kingsdale Shareholder “But maybe some of them have a good Hedge Fund Solutions. Sealy to change its leadership, while Jet and improve value for shareholders. Services. nose for good ideas and I wouldn’t be as In the last five months, some 45 Capital is complaining about “poor capital The surge comes as activist funds out- Still, with less expertise, fewer con- quick to dismiss them.” hedge funds launched their first ever allocation” at SunCoke Energy. pace traditional long-short-equity rivals’ nections and less cash, some of the REUTERS Barwa Bank wins six Islamic Qatar First Bank receives Finance News awards IFN Deal of the Year award

DOHA: Barwa Bank, Qatar’s DOHA: Qatar First Bank, Shari’ah-compliant service pro- Qatar’s first independent vider, has won six awards for Shari’ah compliant bank author- Islamic Finance News “Deals ised by the QFC Regulatory of the Year 2014”, the result of Authority, received the Islamic industry-wide polling across Finance News (IFN) Qatar financial institutions, profes- Deal of the Year award 2014. sional advisers, fund-managers Bringing together over 400 and investors. regional and global industry pro- Four of the awards, Deal of the fessionals from around the world, Year, Sovereign Deal of the Year, the prestigious annual Deals of Sukuk Deal of the Year and UK the Year ceremony event was held Deal of the Year went to Barwa in Dubai. The gala ceremony cel- Bank for its Joint Lead Manager ebrated achievement among top position for the UK’s £200m Islamic bankers, issuers, advisors debut sovereign sukuk, a land- and Islamic banking and finance mark transaction that saw the institutions. first Sharia’h compliant issuance QFB acted as a co-arranger by a western nation. for Ezdan Holdings Group’s first In addition, Barwa Bank was tranche of its $500m debut syn- awarded Qatar Deal of the Year dication in April of last year. for its role in the cross border The transaction is considered financing for the Ezdan $500m the first fully Shari’ah compliant Islamic International Syndicated international syndication Ijarah Finance. This was the first ever Officials at the award ceremony. for Qatari corporate in the real Officials at the award ceremony. 100 percent Islamic international estate sector. The deal attracted a syndication Ijarah for a Qatari accolades during the prestigious important deals in 2014. Being number of local and international participated in this first of its Islamic capital markets. Nearly corporate, and was able to attract awards ceremony held in Dubai selected as one of five Joint Lead banks and was led by Barwa Bank. kind transaction that met Ezdan 30 transactions were nominated Islamic investors. on March 2. Attending from Managers for the UK’s £200m Commenting on this recog- Holdings objectives while dem- for the 2014 IFN Deal of the year, The Social Impact Deal of Barwa Bank was Arsalaan Ahmed debut sovereign sukuk last year, nition Ahmad Meshari, Acting onstrating the ability of Islamic winners were selected on the basis the Year Award went for Barwa (Oz), Head of Capital Financing. alongside major international and Chief Executive Officer of QFB banks in Qatar to handle complex of comprehensive selection crite- Bank for its Joint Lead Manager Khalid Al Subeai, Acting Chief regional banks, represented the said: “We are very proud to have Islamic financing structures.” ria including structure, location, position in the International Executive Officer of Barwa Bank clearest statement of our cred- received this distinguished award. The Islamic Finance news and deal size amongst other. Finance Facility for Immunisation Group, said in a statement: “We ibility, track record, solid relation- The award is a testament to the Awards is well recognised in the IFN is a leading provider of (IFFIm) $500m sukuk deal using were delighted to receive six ships and delivery and we are very combined efforts that has been Islamic financial industry. information on Islamic finance the funds to buy vaccines. awards from Islamic Finance proud of this deal”. put into this landmark trans- It is considered one of the highly markets and instruments. The Bank also received the News which acknowledge these THE PENINSULA action. QFB is pleased to have credible awards by the global THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

BP drops bid Britons’ inflation expectations slide to oust Gulf Public expectations down to lowest level in more than 13 years, says Bank of England survey spill claims

LONDON: The British pub- records began in January at 0.3 rates could rise relatively soon if rates at a record low until at least past 12 months was 2.2 percent — lic’s expectations for inflation percent, and the Bank of England inflation rebounds strongly. October as inflation remains stub- more than 7 times the CPI rate administrator over the next 12 months fell to has said it could turn negative in The BoE survey showed the bornly below target. in January. its lowest level in more than the coming months. proportion of Britons expecting A similar survey by polling Pay growth outstripped a dwin- LONDON: BP Plc ended its bid 13 years last month, according The survey will be of interest to interest rates to rise in the 12 company YouGov for Citi, which dling inflation rate by the widest to oust the administrator over- to a survey from the Bank of members of the BoE’s Monetary months fell to 36 percent with 37 was published earlier last week, margin since before the financial seeing payouts to businesses England. Policy Committee, which on percent in November. showed the British public’s expec- crisis in December, several meas- and individuals claiming dam- Inflation expectations for the Thursday voted to keep interest The proportion expecting a cut tations for inflation in the next ures of earnings showed, giving ages arising from the 2010 Gulf year ahead fell to 1.9 percent in rates at a record low 0.5 percent, in rates doubled to 8 percent — 12 months fell to 1 percent, their many households a boost ahead of Mexico oil spill, citing steps February, the lowest level since their level for the past six years the highest since August 2012. lowest level in more than six of elections on May 7. the administrator has taken to late 2001, from 2.5 percent in since the depths of the financial The BoE has said it could cut years, in February. Only 8 percent of respondents reduce the threat of fraud. November, the quarterly survey crisis. rates if low inflation becomes The BoE survey typically shows in the BoE’s survey said they The British oil company with- showed. Minutes from February’s MPC embedded, although Governor a disconnect between percep- planned to push for increased pay drew its appeal of a federal judge’s The Bank of England report meeting showed plunging inflation Mark Carney has said he expects tions of inflation and the official with their current employer, up decision not to remove the admin- follows official data that showed persuaded all nine members voted the next move to be a rise. consumer price index. The BoE marginally from 7 percent when istrator, Patrick Juneau, who is British consumer price infla- to keep rates on hold, although Economists polled last week said the median estimate among the question was last asked a reviewing claims under a 2012 tion fell to its lowest level since a minority of them have warned showed the BoE will keep interest respondents for inflation over the year ago. REUTERS settlement tied to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drill- ing rig. The British oil company had Sberbank profits sink long complained that Juneau was awarding excessive payouts, including to claimants who suf- Paris Club chief in fered no harm, and was tainted by a conflict of interest. But it said a review of pay- out procedures by former FBI director Louis Freeh shows that Cuba to expedite improvements have been made, including the addition of “scores” of fraud investigators. “This marks the beginning debt negotiations of a new and more productive relationship between BP and the claims programme,” BP America HAVANA: The chief of the later we will have a negotiation,” President John Mingé said in a Paris Club of wealthy credi- he said at the news conference in statement. tor nations met Cuban finance Havana The British oil company last officials in what he believed Any deal with the Paris Club month raised its estimate of the was an unprecedented official would significantly reduce Cuba’s settlement’s cost to $9.9bn. It visit to Havana to discuss the debt, improve its reputation in originally had estimated $7.8bn. Communist-led country’s debt. financial markets and allow it to Steve Herman and Jim Roy, After previous negotiations issue new debt. lawyers who helped negoti- had stalled in 2000, Cuba and the About a year ago Cuba and the ate the settlement on behalf of Paris Club have moved swiftly in Paris Club resumed talks in a new claimants, said in a joint state- the past year toward negotiations sign the Communist government ment that they hope the British over a total debt that Paris Club was interested in rejoining the oil company’s decision will enable President Bruno Bezard esti- global economy and following the Juneau to “fully focus on getting mated at $15bn to $16bn, with rules of international finance. the remaining claims paid as France being the largest of the Those talks got under way quickly as possible.” 15 creditors. while, unbeknownst to most of People walk past vendors selling flowers near a branch of Sberbank in Stavropol. Sberbank reported a REUTERS Bezard, who is also director- the world, Cuba was also engaged net profit of 11.3bn roubles in the January-February period against 68.2bn roubles ($1.14bn) a year ago. general of the French treasury, in secret negotiations with the said he believed his visit was the United States to restore diplo- first ever to Cuba for a Paris Club matic relations. leader. In the past four years, Cuba has The two sides were in recon- restructured its debt with China, ciliation, the process of deter- Japanese commercial creditors, $5bn Nevada battery plant on track: Tesla mining exactly how much debt Mexico and Russia, each time and interest Cuba owes to each obtaining substantial reductions DETROIT: Tesla Motor Inc on schedule,” Tesla spokeswoman for electricians, according to the updates will be posted as soon as creditor, a prerequisite for actual in what it owed in exchange for said that construction of its Alexis Georgeson said. She added Reno Gazette-Journal. “The Tiger we know more,” the paper quoted negotiations. payment plans it can meet. giant $5bn battery plant in that Tesla is acting as project project has been cut back by 80 a post by the IBEW Local 401 site “We have moved very quickly. The Paris Club is an infor- Nevada remains on schedule manager for the gigafactory and percent at this time,” the newspa- as saying. There is plenty of will on the mal group of 19 creditor nations: despite a newspaper report works with a number of compa- per quoted the IBEW post as say- Tesla told the Reno Gazette- Cuban side and the side of the Australia, Austria, Belgium, saying the electric carmaker’s nies and unions. ing. “This is all subject to change.” Journal the project was on track creditors to begin this work,” Britain, Canada, Denmark, project was delayed. A national job board for the A local branch of the union and disputed reports of delays. Bezard told a news conference in Finland, France, Germany, The Reno Gazette-Journal on International Brotherhood of in Reno, Nevada, also posted a Tesla Chief Executive Elon Havana. Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Friday reported a project delay Electrical Workers updated its message about the plant on its Musk said last month the com- “We are going to close the rec- Netherlands, Norway, Russia, at the site, citing two union job listing for “Project Tiger” — the job referral page, the paper said. pany remains “on plan” to begin onciliation within a few weeks, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and postings. “The project is pro- initial code name for the factory “The major project in the area has battery production in 2016 at the and then a few weeks or months the United States. REUTERS gressing and the gigafactory is — to indicate a change in demand been delayed at this time. Further plant outside Reno. REUTERS Google chief, Huffington see Alcoa mulls more capacity cuts

NEW YORK: US alumi- That could turn into a 14 per- lower cost, globally competitive num giant Alcoa said that it is cent cut in the company’s global commodity business,” said Bob new technology boosting jobs weighing more cutbacks in its smelting capacity and 16 percent Wilt, president of Alcoa’s Global smelting and refining opera- of its refining capacity. Primary Products division. LONDON: New technolo- tions worldwide in the face of Alco said currently 19 percent Aluminum prices have dropped gies are capitalising on the weak prices. of its smelting capacity of 4.17 about 30 percent since 2011, jobs market and in the work- Alcoa, which has been paring million tonnes sits idle. paralleling the slowdown place, said Arianna Huffington operations for more than a year, The company did not indicate in the economy of China, the key and Google executive chair- said it would review over the next where the plants that face pos- consumer. man Eric Schmidt at a London year 500,000 tonnes of smelting sible shutdown are located. At the same time, new refining conference. capacity and 2.8 million tonnes “Alcoa continues to take deci- and smelting capacity has come The Future of Work confer- of refining capacity “for possible sive action, transforming its on line, especially in China, adding ence, staged at Lancaster House, curtailment or divestiture.” upstream portfolio to create a to the oversupply. AFP looked at how technological advancements are changing the shape and even existence of tra- ditional workplaces. Overhauling at Urban Outfitters “While there have been a lot of concerns about machines and technology replacing humans, when it comes to jobs, in fact we are seeing that technology is allowing an enormous amount of new jobs to emerge,” Huffington, editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post online newspaper, said. The conference, held on Thursday and Friday, brought together politicians, business leaders and intellectuals to debate the role of technology in tomor- row’s workplace. Arianna Huffington Schmidt is among the opti- mists, claiming that while some Meanwhile, Carl Benedikt Frey people across the globe, saying people accuse technology of being and Michael Osborne, from the it was essential to create a new responsible for the world’s ills, in prestigious Oxford University, social security net worldwide. reality it is often the solution. have produced a study which esti- Several speakers insisted on He explained how several mates that 47 percent of jobs in the need for deep reforms to projects developed or supported the United States are at risk of professional training to meet the by Internet giant Google had becoming automated in the next challenge of huge numbers of jobs created improvements in educa- 20 years. vanishing. tion in Africa and the health of Philip J Jennings, general sec- France’s digital affairs minister diabetics. retary of UNI Global Union, a Axelle Lemaire called for “major Google’s ultimate objective is Swiss-based international trade French companies to make inno- People shop at an Urban Outfitters store in Pasadena, California. Apparel retailer Urban Outfitters Inc to make people more intelligent, union, voiced concern about the vation imperative and a factor for has been overhauling stores and merchandise at its flagship stores to fight a slump in sales. Schmidt said. millions of unemployed young survival”. AFP SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 22

Petrobras probe With fracking, a new take on shows Brazil’s war on graft far from won an old oil-trading strategy BY DAN MURTAUGH and LYNN 26, the widest gap in more than four years. the initial flood of oil into a low-price envi- BY RAYMOND COLITT DOAN Shale drilling is a two-part process. ronment, Lynn Helms, the state’s oil and Once a rig bores a horizontal tunnel gas director, said in January. HEN President Dilma Rousseff won re-election in IL drillers expecting prices to through the underground shale layers, Apache, the third-largest leaseholder in October, she pledged to crack down on corruption and rebound after the biggest drop another crew blasts it with a mixture of the Permian Basin, has deferred comple- Wend the tradition of impunity. Now some advocates of in six years have come up with water, sand and chemicals to crack the rock tions to trim costs and try to bring its oil such change are themselves being swept up in the country’s larg- an alternative to storing their and release the oil. It’s only after the second to market when prices are higher, Chief est graft scandal. crude in tanks: They’re keeping process, known as hydraulic fracturing or Executive Officer John Christmann said The Supreme Court as soon as Friday is expected to authorise Oit in the ground. fracking, that the well is complete and able on February 12 on a conference call with investigations into dozens of politicians, including leading law- It’s a new twist on an old oil-trading to produce oil. investors. makers, for their role in an alleged scheme of kickbacks from technique known as a contango storage play, The backlog of unfracked wells — call it Anadarko Petroleum Corp expects to have contractors of state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro. in which a trader buys cheap crude in an a fracklog — is one reason that US crude as many as 440 uncompleted wells by the Even after the biggest protests in two decades demanded a oversupplied market and saves it to lock in output is poised to climb even as compa- end of the year. EOG started the year with tougher stance on corruption in 2013, politicians have made little profits at higher future prices. Drillers who nies have idled more than a third of the about 200 uncompleted wells and plans to progress in advancing an anti-graft agenda, and the commotion have spent millions boring holes through rigs that were drilling for oil in October. let that inventory build in the first half of from investigating so many legislators will create further gridlock, petroleum-rich shale rock are just waiting About 85 percent of US wells aren’t being the year, CEO Bill Thomas said. Canadian said Josmar Verillo, head of the board of Amarribo, a Sao Paulo- for prices to go up before turning on the completed right now, Continental Resources Natural Resources, the largest heavy oil pro- based ethics advocacy group. spigot. Chief Executive Officer Harold Hamm said ducer in Canada, has 161 uncompleted wells. “If our political and corporate leadership is compromised with From North Dakota to Texas, more than in a March 2 interview. “Most of these wells, they’re high-rate this system of corruption, how are they going to lead us out of 3,000 wells have been drilled but not tapped, “If you shut off all drilling and just went to wells that decline fairly rapidly so it makes it?” Verillo said in a telephone interview. “There’s entrenched based on estimates from Wood Mackenzie pure completions, you’re still talking about sense to hold off until prices stabilise,” Steve opposition and, I’m afraid, only sustained popular protests will and RBC Capital Markets. Waiting gives a half a year of production growth,” Harold Laut, the company’s Calgary-based presi- be able to shake things up.” producers such as Apache and EOG York, vice-president of integrated energy dent, said in a phone interview on March 5. In her October 26 victory speech, Rousseff pledged a “rigor- Resources a better chance of receiving a research at consulting company Wood “That’s where most of the value is going to ous commitment” to combat corruption, strengthen government higher price. It could also delay a recov- Mackenzie Ltd, said on Thursday by phone. be, in that first production period.” oversight, and push legislation to end impunity. ery by attracting more supply every time The US produced 9.32 million barrels of Producers are pulling back after crude Two months later the head of the Federal Court of Accounts, prices rise. crude the week of February 27, the high- prices fell by more than half since June as which probes government contracts for irregularities, resigned, “Effectively, the rock is the storage,” est level in weekly Energy Information the rapid growth in output — driven in large saying his organisation was underfunded. Troy Cook, an analyst with the Energy Administration data going back to 1983. part by the US shale drillers — outpaced A 2013 anti-corruption law that increases penalties and holds Information Administration in Washington Output will average 9.3 million barrels a new demand from developing countries like businesses more accountable has no bylaws yet, and coalition D C, said by phone. “If you can afford to day this year, up 7.8 percent from 2014, the China and India. partners in Congress wrangle over rival bills to make politicians hang on to it, you could certainly choose to agency predicted on February 10. Oil inven- Delaying completions could also, paradox- more accountable to their constituencies and restrict their cam- wait until the price goes up.” tories at 444.4 million barrels are at the ically, extend the very oil slump companies paign donations. West Texas Intermediate gained 35 cents highest level since 1930. are trying to wish away. If drillers respond One such proposal came from Eduardo Cunha, head of the lower to $51.11 a barrel at 11.53am Singapore time, In North Dakota, home to the prolific to price increases by finishing more wells house of Congress, who is among the politicians to be investigated down more than 50 percent since June. The Bakken shale formation, the number of and adding new crude supply, it would delay by the public prosecutor’s office, the country’s leading newspapers, front-month contract’s discount to year-out unfracked wells ballooned in November as the conditions needed for a rebound. including O Globo, reported this week. Cunha said he doesn’t prices fell to a $12.32 a barrel on February companies slowed crews to avoid releasing WP-BLOOMBERG comment on speculation. Senate Chief Renan Calheiros, who was also mentioned by local media as a target of the investigation, on Friday requested the right to clarify allegations against him before a probe is author- ized, his lawyer said in a letter to the Supreme Court. The presidential press office declined to comment when asked in an e-mail about Brazil’s failure to approve tougher anti-corruption legislation. Part of the kickbacks allegedly paid by contractors in the Petrobras case went to legislators and political parties, includ- ing as much as $200m to the ruling Workers’ Party, according to Pedro Barusco, a former Petrobras services manager who made a deal to turn state’s witness. The party has said that all contributions were within the law. Campaign donations by companies seeking favors from poli- ticians are at the heart of corruption schemes like the one at Petrobras and ought to be banned, according to the Organization of Brazilian Lawyers, or OAB, the equivalent of the American Bar Association. “Campaign financing by private companies creates a poisonous link between politics and corporate interests and urgently needs to be eradicated,” OAB President Marcus Vinicius Furtado Coelho wrote in an e-mailed comment. The OAB last year presented presidential candidates with a plan to combat corruption that would make it a crime for parties to accept undeclared donations. The proposal also would restrict anybody with a criminal record from becoming a civil servant, increase funding of state watchdog agencies, and professionalize public services with stricter hiring criteria. Brazil ranks 69th out of 175 countries in Transparency International’s 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index. While Brazil has adequate public procurement laws, “companies are likely to experience demands for bribes or other irregularities in public contracting,” the group says on its website. Congress and the government are also failing to address one of the biggest causes of corruption -- political appointments to state companies and agencies, said Claudio Abramo, head of Transparency Brasil, an independent, Sao Paulo-based watchdog group. “Politicians have usurped the state apparatus, creating an open door for all sorts of malfeasance,” said Abramo, adding that coalition partners traditionally fight for control of ministries with the biggest project budgets. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate WP-BLOOMBERG When will China’s credit bubble burst? BY MATT O’BRIEN once upon a time, China got rich can fine-tune its housing market are turning the rest away. It’s a it’s borrowing today is going to names like “Golden Elephant by making low-cost things and — and, by extension, economy — problem for local governments, pay back the money it borrowed No. 38” that promise 7.2 percent T’S weird to worry about selling them to rich countries. like this since it has state-owned too. They depend on money from yesterday. How bad is it? Well, returns, but, it turns out, are only China when it’s still grow- Now this was always going to run banks and state-owned companies land sales for revenue, so now that China’s private sector is spending backed by an almost-abandoned ing more than seven percent out once its workforce stopped that it can strong-arm into doing those are drying up, they’re facing something like 13 percent of GDP housing project. In short, anytime a year, but it’s a little less growing and its wages started ris- things that private companies a fiscal squeeze. Some of them have on interest payments alone. So it people find anything that resem- so when you consider how ing faster, as they already have, might not. The only exception are stooped to buying up land them- needs a new borrower — the gov- bles a decent investment, it gets Imammoth its credit bubble has and it got undercut by countries the shadow banks. They’ve been selves in a last-ditch effort to push ernment — to step in and be the bid up until it’s unmoored from gotten. with even cheaper labour. But feeding money into the property up prices, and, hopefully, get others one to spend instead. The good any kind of economic reality. The numbers are historic. it ran out a little sooner than market whether the government to jump in. That’s essentially mov- news, if there is any, is that China And now that’s happening to China’s total debt has sprouted that because the global finan- wants them to or not. So the cen- ing money from your right hand to still has a lot of infrastructure stocks. It’s still nowhere near its from 153 percent of gross domes- cial crisis crippled its customers. tral bank has resorted to engi- your left to make it look like you needs. It wouldn’t have to waste 2007 highs — in fact, it’s barely tic product in 2008 to 282 percent So now China is getting rich by neering credit crunches to try to still have money coming in. money on bridges to nowhere. halfway there — but the Shanghai today. That, according to Goldman making the things it needed to flush out the ones that are the China, in other words, is going But there’s still something ... index has nonetheless been on a Sachs, makes China’s borrowing be a rich country. New houses, most Ponzi-like. It’s another case to have a lot of people looking wrong. It’s a bubble mentality tear the last six months, up 50 per- binge bigger than 96 percent of all subway lines, and roads, all sleek, of careful what you wish for. for bailouts: local governments, that comes out of the fact that cent in that time. Why? Well, it’s others on record. The problem is all modern, and all paid for with Now housing prices are falling state-owned companies, and, last China has more savings than it not earnings. Those are down. No, that, despite all this debt, growth borrowed money. A lot of it came again — 5.1 percent in January on the list, property developers. knows what to do with. Now a it’s the debt. Investors have become is slowing and profits are falling, from unregulated lenders, so- — but this time the government China should avoid a “hard land- big part of the problem is that so exuberant, perhaps irrationally which makes it harder for compa- called “shadow banks,” and was doesn’t want them to. It’s already ing” — that is, an outright reces- China’s banks are only allowed so, that they aren’t just throwing nies to pay back what they owe. So funnelled through local govern- loosening lending standards to try sion — but it could still get a lost to pay people piddling interest their own money into the stock does the fact that inflation is down ments and state-owned com- to prop up prices, and says it will decade. Its growth, which was rates, all so that exporters can market, but borrowed money, too. to just 0.8 percent. It’s no surprise, panies that then ploughed the do more if that’s not enough. It always going to slow down, could borrow for less. That means, Margin accounts, which let peo- then, that China’s central bank money into the property market. probably won’t be. That’s because slow down even more to a relative though, that people don’t like to ple do this, more than doubled in just eased policy for the third Housing prices boomed. But the law of supply and demand, crawl if lower interest rates aren’t keep their money in banks, since 2014. And to give you an idea how time in as many months, cutting maybe too much. Things looked according to one developer, looks enough to get over-indebted com- they’re really losing money on it important this has become to the its benchmark rates by a quarter bubbly enough that the govern- like it’s finally getting its revenge. panies borrowing again. Even if once you account for inflation. market, stocks tanked 7.7 percent of a percentage point, to try to ment tried to rein in lenders in China built too much, at least in they did, though, it wouldn’t help Instead, they pour their money in a single day after the govern- avoid the kind of low growth, low 2011. But that worked a little too its biggest cities, and now there’s a as much as you’d think. into property, snatching up empty ment announced it wouldn’t let inflation trap that the rest of the well, because then things looked glut. It’s already forced one high- China has so much debt now apartments and leaving them like the three biggest brokerages open world has fallen into. wobbly enough that the govern- profile developer into default, and that it doesn’t get as much bang that, because they think those are any new margin accounts for the But it might be too late for that. ment about-faced and tried to now offshore bond markets, where for the borrowed buck as before. a better store of value. Or they next three months. How did China get here? Well, spur lenders on a year later. China they’ve raised most of their money, That’s because more of the money buy shadow bank products with WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Britain ‘KJT’ Holmes keeps Doral lead storms to pentathlon win American leads by two shots; frustrated McIlroy tosses club into water PRAGUE: Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson shed tears MIAMI: JB Holmes hit four of frustration after missing the balls into the water yesterday Puerto Rico Open world record by a mere 13 points but emerged with a one-over 73 as she powered to pentathlon that saw his lead slashed in half Scores gold at the European Athletics after two rounds of the WGC- Indoor championships in Prague JB Holmes RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico: Cadillac Championship, where on Friday night. hits his tee Leading scores after yester- Rory McIlroy made headlines The 22-year-old set a new shot on the day’s second round of the $3m for the wrong reasons. British record at a world-leading US PGA Tour Puerto Rico After a stunning 62 on seventeenth 5,000 points in Prague’s O2 Arena, Open (USA unless noted, Thursday, Holmes had a 36-hole hole during but was a second short in the final par-72) total of nine-under-par 135, his the second 800-metre run to beat the world four-shot overnight lead over round of the 137 Alex Cejka (GER) 70-67 record set by Ukraine’s Nataliya Ryan Moore whittled to two WGC - Cadillac 138 Brandon Hagy 71-67 Dobrynska in 2012. strokes over his fellow American. Championship 139 Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 69-70 “I have tears in my eyes but While Holmes keeps the lead, golf tourna- 141 Jonathan Byrd 70-71, Chesson Hadley unfortunately not from happi- world number one McIlroy spec- ment at TPC 71-70, Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 71-70, ness but unhappiness,” Johnson- tacularly lost his temper, so irked Blue Monster Scott Pinckney 70-71, Joe Curran Thompson, known as ‘KJT’, said was he by hitting into the water at at Trump 70-71, Rod Pampling (AUS) 70-71, Glen after the final run. the par-five eighth that he slung National Doral Day 73-68 “This is my first big major his three-iron into the drink, in yesterday. 142 Chad Collins 70-72, Gonzalo Fernandez- medal and national record, I an uncharacteristic fit of pique. Castano (ESP) 73-69, Billy Mayfair appreciate it a lot.” The 25-year-old from Northern 69-73, DJ Trahan 72-70, Bobby Wyatt “But I felt I was able to go even Ireland, who will try to com- 74-68, Chris Smith 69-73, John Daly further and was ready for the plete a career Grand Slam at 72-70, Guy Boros 73-69, Mark Hubbard world record,” she added. the Masters next month, made 68-74, Ryan Armour 73-69 Johnson-Thompson proved a one of his four bogeys at the hole, solid replacement in the British countering with six birdies in a arrived at 18, where his tee shot third shot. “Only had a few bad HSBC Women’s team for Olympic champion 70 that left him tied for 11th on into the water led to a double- swings, but today every time I had WGC-Cadillac Jessica Ennis-Hill, who is due to one-under 143. bogey to end his round on a sour a bad swing it was at the wrong return from maternity leave later “Frustration got the better of note. time and went in the water,” Championship Scores Champions scores this year. The world junior cham- me,” McIlroy said. Holmes’s second shot at the Holmes said. MIAMI: Leading second- SINGAPORE: Round pion from 2009 took the lead after “I’ve sort of been fighting that par-five first had hit the front “I had four balls in the water, round scores yesterday at the three scores from the HSBC the opening 60 metres hurdles miss basically for the last couple left side of the green but trickled but hit the ball great. It was kind World Golf Championship Women’s Champions at with a personal best of 8.18sec, of weeks.” into the water leading to a bogey. of back and forth. All in all, it was Cadillac Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore then dominated the high jump He stressed that he didn’t think He bounced back with a 12-foot a good day.” Doral in Florida (USA unless yesterday (par-72): contest with 1.95m. After losing his behavior was anything to be birdie at the second. Moore carded a one-under noted, par-72): 203 Park In-Bee (KOR) 66-69-68 the lead with a paltry 12.32m proud of. Holmes was in the water again 71 to remain alone in second 135 J.B. Holmes 62-73 205 Lydia Ko (NZL) 68-70-67, Stacy Lewis in shot put, Johnson-Thompson “It felt good at the time, but at the third for another bogey, but place on 137, one shot in front 137 Ryan Moore 66-71 (USA) 69-69-67 was quick to regain momentum right now I regret it,” he said. “I he got that shot back with a birdie of Australian Adam Scott, whose with a winning 6.89m leap in the 138 Adam Scott (AUS) 70-68 207 Azahara Munoz (ESP) 70-67-70, Anna walked away with a bogey and I at eight, where he landed his third four-under 68 was the low round long jump and a speedy 2min 140 Bubba Watson 71-69, Henrik Stenson Nordqvist (SWE) 69-70-68, Suzann was able to regroup and shoot a shot four feet from the pin and of the day. 12.78sec in 800 metres. Belgium’s (SWE) 69-71 Pettersen (NOR) 71-68-68 decent score.” made the putt. Masters champion Bubba Nafissatou Thiam took the sec- Holmes could no doubt relate to He appeared headed for a big Watson carded a three-under 141 Dustin Johnson 68-73, Alexander Levy 208 Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 70-69-69 ond spot with 4,696 points ahead McIlroy’s frustration. After five finish after birdies at 16 and 17, 69 to share fourth on 140 with (FRA) 68-73, Ryan Palmer 71-70 209 Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 69-66-74, Feng of the Czech Republic’s Eliska birdies and four bogeys he was but found the water at the last Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who 142 Jamie Donaldson (WAL) 70-72, Sergio Shanshan (CHN) 70-71-68, Jessica Klucinova with 4,687 points. one-under for the day when he and missed the green with his posted a 71. AFP Garcia (ESP) 73-69 Korda (USA) 72-67-70 The men’s 60 metres hurdles turned into a French party with Pascal Martinot-Lagarde taking Germany’s Cejka the top honours in 7.49sec ahead of Dimitri Bascou (7.50) and leads by one in Perfect Park in Wilhem Belocian (7.52). Martinot-Lagarde scored his Puerto Rico first big win since leaving the jun- ior category after finishing second at the indoor worlds in Sopot in RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico: pole position 2011 and third at the indoor Euro German veteran Alex Cejka, in Gothenburg in 2013 and the still seeking his first PGA Tour SINGAPORE: The top at nine-under but they appear to Euro in Zurich last year. victory, birdied three of his last three players in women’s golf be too far back to mount a chal- five holes to grab a one-shot lead will square off for the HSBC lenge against the smooth-swing- European Indoor after the second round of the Park In-bee of Champions title today with ing Park. The tricky Serapong Puerto Rico Open yesterday. South Korean Park In-bee hold- Course on Sentosa Island has South Korea Championships The 44-year-old, who was born ing a two-shot advantage over tripped up many but the South is seen in in communist Czechoslovakia world number one Lydia Ko and Korean has negotiated her way PRAGUE: European Athletics and moved to Germany aged front of the American Stacy Lewis. around 54 bogey free holes in an Indoor Championships results nine as a refugee with his father, leaderboard Five-time major winner Park exemplary display. on Friday night: fired a five-under-par 67 in blus- at the eighth put herself in prime position to “I hit a lot of shots really close Men 60M Hurdles tery conditions on the Trump hole during claim one of the few titles miss- and probably could have made a 1. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (FRA) 7.49sec round three International course in Rio ing from her glittering resume couple two, three more. Hopefully 2. Dimitri Bascou (FRA) 7.50 Grande. of the HSBC by producing a third bogey-free my putter works tomorrow,” the 3. Wilhem Belocian (FRA) 7.52 That left Cejka at seven-under Women’s round of the week as she fired a Korean said. 137, a stroke in front of little- Champions four-under-par 68 on Saturday She opened yesterday’s third Long Jump known American Brandon Hagy Golf for a 13-under 203 total. round with five straight pars 1. Michel Torneus (SWE) 8.30 metres (67), who is playing on a spon- Championships New Zealand teen Ko and before picking up two consecu- 2. Radek Juska (CZE) 8.10 sor’s exemption, and two ahead of in Singapore, world number three Lewis were tive birdies at the par-four sixth 3. Andreas Otterling (SWE) 8.06 Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (70). yesterday. tied at 11-under after both made and the generous par-five seventh Shot Put Cejka, a four-times winner on the most of slightly cooler tem- to move ahead of the big-hitting 1. David Storl (GER) 21.23 metres the European Tour who has twice peratures in steamy Singapore to Ciganda. But while Park contin- 2. Asmir Kolasinac (SRB) 20.90 been a runner-up on the US PGA fire 67s. ued to churn out the solid pars, Tour, vaulted to the top of the lea- Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, who the Spaniard wilted with four 3. Ladislav Prasil (CZE) 20.66 derboard with late birdies at the shared the overnight lead with bogey fives in seven holes from Women 60M Hurdles fifth, seventh and ninth, his final Park, slipped down into a tie for the 10th to fall away. The 17-year- 1. Alina Talay (BLR) 7.85sec hole of the day. eighth after a two-over 74 left old Ko, who became golf’s young- 2. Lucy Hatton (GBR) 7.90 “I like it here,” the German told her at seven-under for the $1.4m est world number one when she 3. Serita Solomon (GBR) 7.93 reporters. championship. surpassed Park in the rankings Pentathlon “My short game is great. I made Her compatriot Azahara in January, matched the Korean’s a lot of putts when I needed to Munoz (70) and Scandinavians consistency with two birdies on 1. Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR) 5000 pts and I’m in a great position right Suzann Pettersen (68) and Anna the front nine before two more at 2. Nafissatou Thiam (BEL) 4696 now.” REUTERS Nordqvist (68) were tied fourth the start of her back nine. AFP 3. Eliska Klucinova (CZE) 4687 Muhammad wins U-19 title of Doha Junior Open

DOHA: Muhammad Asim Yee Xian 11-8, 11-4, 12-10. The Khan of Pakistan won the U-13 title also went to a Malaysian The podium win- Under-19 category of the with Muhammad Azhar winning ners in different Doha Junior Open to live up over Navaneeth Prabhu of India age group cat- to his billing as top seed of the 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 19-17. egories of the tournament. In the U-11 section, Mohammed Doha Junior Open At the Khalifa International Ouda of Qatar went down fighting pose for a picture Tennis and Squash Complex, to Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim with officials of Muhammad won 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, of Pakistan 11-1, 11-3, 11-9. 11-9 against Sajad Zareian of Iran. THE PENINSULA Qatar Squash Earlier in the semi-finals, Federation Muhammad over compatriot and Doha Open Junior at Khalifa Qatar Junior Open winner Israr International Ahmad 11-6, 11-7, 11-5, to have his Results Squash and revenge having lost in the semis Tennis Complex in Under-19: Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt of the Qatar Junior Open. Doha yesterday. Sajad Zareian (IRI) 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9; In the other last four clash, Under-17: Kashif Asif (PAK) bt Alireza Shameli RIGHT: A Qatari Zareian overcame the challenge (IRI) 14-16, 9-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-6. player poses of India’s Sandeep Ramachandran Under-15: Darryl Gan Zi Kang [MAS] bt Siow with his trophy 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5. Yee Xian (MAS) 11-8, 11-4, 12-10. at the awarding In the U-17 section, Kashif Asif ceremony. Under-13: Muhammad Azhar (MAS) bt defeated Alireza Shameli of Iran PICTURES 14-16, 9-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-6. Navaneeth Prabhu (IND) 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 19-17. BY: SALIM The U-15 final turned into an MATRAMKOT all-Malaysian affair with Darryl Under-11: Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim (PAK) Gan Zi Kang prevailing over Siow bt Mohammed Ouda (QAT) 11-1, 11-3, 11-9. SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Zimbabwe fume over Ireland hold nerve to edge controversial Mooney catch

HOBART, Australia: Zimbabwe captain Brendan past Zimbabwe in last over Taylor insisted his team had been victims of a World Cup miscarriage of justice yester- day when Ireland fielder John Africans become first Test-playing nation to be knocked out of Cup Mooney held a crucial catch despite indications he had HOBART, Australia: Seamer matches and are on four points. touched the boundary with his Alex Cusack took two wickets in Earlier, left-hander Ed Joyce foot. three balls in the final over as lived a charmed life to hit his Ireland won the tense Pool B Ireland knocked Zimbabwe out first World Cup century and was match by five runs after setting of the World Cup with a thrill- well supported by Andy Balbirnie, Zimbabwe a huge 332-run total to ing five-run win in their Pool who was run out on 97, as Ireland chase and stay in the tournament B match at Bellerive Oval in posted their highest one-day at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. Hobart yesterday. international score after being With Zimbabwe needing 32 The African side, chasing put in to bat. to win off 20 balls and with four Ireland’s total of 331 for eight, Brendan Taylor (121), lead- wickets left, Sean Williams, on 96, were bowled out for 326 with ing Zimbabwe in place of injured launched a huge hook off Kevin three balls remaining to become captain Elton Chigumbura, hit his O’Brien towards deep midwicket the first Test-playing nation to be seventh ODI hundred, matching where Mooney reached high to ruled out of contention for a place Alistair Campbell for the highest grab the ball. in the quarter-finals. number of 50-over centuries for But as he claimed the catch, the With Zimbabwe needing just Zimbabwe. big Irishman appeared to slightly seven runs in the last over, Cusack Taylor and Sean Williams (96) touch the boundary cushion (4-32), recalled to the side in place combined in a 159-run stand for with his foot which should have of Max Sorensen, took a wicket on the fifth wicket to put Zimbabwe resulted in a six. his first and third balls to spark back in the hunt after they were As the decision was examined, wild celebrations among his team reduced to 74-4. Williams left the Bellerive Oval mates and their supporters. Williams continued to plun- pitch and the catch stood. This was Ireland’s third win in der runs after Taylor, who hit 11 “You’ve got to take his four matches and put them level fours and four sixes in his 102-ball (Mooney’s) word for it. They on six points with South Africa knock, got out to Cusack. zoomed in, and I thought it was and Pakistan with a game in hand. The left-handed Williams was pretty clear. But you’ve got to take West Indies have also played five out in controversial fashion while the fielder’s word,” said Taylor who hit a blistering 121 with 11 Scoreboard fours and four sixes as his team chased what would have been a IRELAND ZIMBABWE record score. W Porterfield c Masakadza b Williams ...... 29 C Chibhabha c Porterfield b Cusack ...... 18 Ireland captain William P Stirling c Williams b Panyangara ...... 10 Sikandar Raza c Stirling b Mooney ...... 12 Porterfield tried to downplay the E Joyce c Ervine b Chatara ...... 112 S Mire c Cusack b Dockrell ...... 11 controversy. “It’s very hard to tell A Balbirnie (run out-Chakabva/Taylor) ...... 97 H Masakadza c Wilson b K O’Brien ...... 5 Irish players celebrate after beating Zimbabwe in a World Cup Pool B match at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart when you’re on the line. I haven’t K O’Brien c Chakabva b Chatara ...... 24 B Taylor c K O’Brien b Cusack ...... 121 yesterday. seen a replay. Whether or not he G Wilson c Chakabva b Williams ...... 25 S Williams c Mooney b K O’Brien ...... 96 did or didn’t, it was a great catch,” J Mooney b Williams...... 10 C Ervine c N O’Brien b McBrine ...... 11 going for a six. John Mooney held delivery off Tinashe Panyangara during an Irish third-wicket he said. N O’Brien c Panyangara b Chatara ...... 2 R Chakabva b Cusack ...... 17 on to his catch at square leg off but the ball fell just short of sec- record 138-run stand between The result meant that G Dockrell (not out) ...... 5 T Panyangara c Porterfield b Mooney...... 5 Kevin O’Brien, but it was unclear ond slip. Then he was dropped Joyce and Balbirnie before the Zimbabwe, with four defeats and A Cusack (not out) ...... 2 T Mupawira c Porterfield b Cusack ...... 18 from replays whether the fielder’s on 34 and again after completing former was finally caught by one win, have no hope of making Extras (LB-4, W-8, NB-3) ...... 15 T Chatara (not out) ...... 1 foot was in contact with the rope. his third one-day international Craig Ervine, who dropped him the quarter-finals while Ireland Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 331 Extras (LB-8, W-2, NB-1) ...... 11 The dismissal of Williams hundred. in the previous over, off Tendai are still in contention after their Did not bat: A McBrine. Total (all out in 49.3 overs) ...... 326 almost ended Zimbabwe’s hopes of The 36-year-old left-hander Chatara. third win and with two more Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-79, 3-217, 4-276, Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-32, 3-41, 4-74, a win before Tawanda Mupariwa and captain William Porterfield Balbirnie 24, looked set for his group games to play this week. 5-308, 6-319, 7-322, 8-326. 5-223, 6-259, 7-300, 8-305, 9-325, 10-326. (18) hit O’Brien for two fours and (29) added 63 for the second maiden ODI hundred only to run AFP Bowling: Panyangara 9-0-69-1 (1nb, 1w); Bowling: Cusack 9.3-2-32-4 (1w); Mooney a six in three balls in the penul- wicket as Ireland made a watchful himself out on the first ball of Chatara 10-0-61-3 (1nb, 4w); Mupariwa 10-0- 10-0-58-2 (1w); K O’Brien 10-0-90-2; Dockrell timate over to bring the victory start after being put in to bat on a the final over. Seamer Chatara Pietersen 56-0 (1w); Raza 9-0-51-0; Williams 9-0-72-3 10-0-56-1; McBrine 8-0-56-1; Stirling 2-0-26- target within reach. sluggish pitch in Hobart, hosting and left-arm spinner Williams (1nb, 2w); Masakadza 3-0-18-0. 0 (1nb). Joyce (112), who hit nine fours its first match in the tournament. picked up three wickets each for and three sixes, edged his first The momentum picked up Zimbabwe. REUTERS reveals English county interest Skipper Clarke puts his spin LONDON: Exiled England batsman Kevin Pietersen yes- terday revealed he has received offers from several prospective on SCG pitch for Sri Lanka English county employers. New England and Wales SYDNEY: Michael Clarke Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith and Cricket Board chairman Colin (pictured) expects spin to play Clarke to share the spin duties. FACTBOX Australia Graves hinted last weekend a role in Australia’s World Cup Sri Lanka will be without there is still a possibility of a showdown with Sri Lanka on regular spinner Rangana Herath return to international cricket for a dry Sydney Cricket Ground because of split finger web- vs Sri Lanka Pietersen, who was axed from the (SCG) pitch today. bing, but leg-spinner Seekkuge SYDNEY: Factbox on today’s national team last year, as long as The 1996 champions, Sri Prasanna, Dinesh Chandimal World Cup Pool A match he first commits to playing county Lanka, lead the four-time cham- and Tillakaratne Dilshan could between Australia and Sri cricket again. pion Aussies by one point in the be used. Lanka at Sydney Cricket Pietersen has been asked to Pool A standings and a win would Clarke said the Australians Ground. join Leicestershire for the English likely leave them second in the were deeply respectful of the Sri AUSTRALIA domestic Twenty20 competition group behind current leaders New Lankans, who bat very deep and Captain: Michael Clarke Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga bowls during a training session in Sydney later this year and his advisor Zealand. are the most experienced team at Coach: Darren Lehmann yesterday. claims other teams have also But a defeat for either nation the tournament. made approaches to the South- Squad: Clarke, Aaron Finch, David Warner, would increase the possibility of “Sri Lanka have had a lot of Africa born star this week. Shane Watson, George Bailey, Pat Cummins, finishing third in the group and success in World Cups and in big Leicestershire chief executive Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Brad thereby the chances of encoun- tournaments,” he said. Wasim Khan said he had been in Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, tering South Africa in the “They’ve got a lot of experience. Malinga feels he is touch with Pietersen’s agent about Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, quarter-finals They’ve got some world-class the possibility of a deal with the Mitchell Starc. The SCG is Australia cap- players. If they play their best, 34-year-old, between his existing tain Clarke’s home ground and they’re always a tough team to Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Beat commitments at the Indian and he believes today’s beat.” England by 111 runs; match abandoned getting into rhythm Caribbean premier leagues. pitch will play differ- Clarke, who came against Bangladesh; lost to New Zealand by Wasim said: “I approached his ently to the one on into the tournament one wicket; beat Afghanistan by 275 runs SYDNEY: Sri Lankan pacer in his team’s 98-run loss to New agent about his T20 availability. which South Africa with fitness issues Remaining Pool A matches: Scotland Lasith Malinga believes his Zealand. “But he said it was unlikely he smashed 408 for five after hamstring (March 14). bowling rhythm is returning at But he has since picked up would play any T20 (in England) against the West surgery kept him Top performers: David Warner (234 runs); the World Cup after undergoing seven wickets as Sri Lanka have due to his full CPL commitments.” Indies on February out of much of the Mitchell Starc (10 wickets) ankle surgery in September. won their last three matches Pietersen’s agent confirmed 27. Test series against SRI LANKA The sling-arm fast bowler has against Afghanistan, Bangladesh soon afterwards an initial discus- “It looks like spin India and the fol- Captain: Angelo Mathews relied on pain killing injections and England. sion did take place, adding it was is going to play a lowing one-day tri- to make it through his matches On Sunday, he will be key when “some time ago”. Coach: Marvan Atapattu part. It looks quite series with India and at the tournament but says he is Sri Lanka face Australia at the But Pietersen went further Squad: dry and certainly England, said he was Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, feeling more comfortable on the Sydney Cricket Ground where the a few hours later — tweeting a hasn’t got as much feeling healthy. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, field. winners will likely avoid in-form link to his short update on the grass on it as I’ve “I feel I’m fitter, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, The 31-year-old, the only South Africa in the quarter-finals. website, breathesport.com, which seen in past one-day matches at fitter and healthier than I’ve been Thisara Perera, Upul Tharanga, Sachithra bowler in history to claim three Former skipper Mahela revealed further offers are being the SCG,” Clarke told reporters in a long, long time,” he said. Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith hat-tricks in one-day internation- Jayawardene is confident Malinga considered but stressing his pri- on Saturday. “I have that hunger inside me to Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga als, said he doesn’t expect to play will be back to 100 percent in no mary objective is simply to play “In saying that, that’s today, be successful and help Australia Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Seekkuge pain-free but wants to be a part time. for England again. so a day of sun, a bit of rolling, I go as far as we possibly can in this Prasanna. of Sri Lanka’s bid to win a second “He’s definitely improved,” It read: “I believe an offer was think it might harden up. World Cup. Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to World Cup after losing in the last Jayawardene said of Malinga’s made, and so have a few oth- “The SCG in general, a change “I’ve copped a fair bit of criti- New Zealand by 98 runs; beat Afghanistan two finals. progress over the past three ers this week...let’s wait & see of pace has always been a weapon. cism over the past few months, so by four wickets; beat Bangladesh by 92 runs; “I really struggled after my weeks in Australia and New what my decision is. Lots to Generally spin plays a part, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. beat England by nine wickets surgery in Melbourne,” Malinga Zealand. think about, but desperate to put it’s a pretty big ground, as well. “I feel like I’m at my best. I’m Remaining Pool A matches: Scotland said yesterday. “His variations are coming (England shirt numbers) #626 I think you’ll see a pretty good ready to help this team have (March 11) “There’s still pain in my ankle, good; his pace has picked up. It’s and #185 back on my chest.” wicket. success.” Top performers: Kumar Sangakkara (268 but I had to get used to it. Because about him having the confidence Pietersen, who was kicked out “Conditions are very different He added: “I think the players runs); Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmal I wanted to play in this World to put weight on that ankle. In the by the ECB 13 months ago after to what we’ve just seen in Perth know where we stand. We haven’t (seven wickets) Cup, whether that meant injec- last two to three weeks, he’s got England’s 2013-14 Ashes white- (against Afghanistan) and I think spoken about it. We don’t need to Australia vs Sri Lanka head-to-head tions or whatever. that confidence back, so the pace wash defeat and described by his it’s a little bit different to what talk about it. Total played: 90 “It’s getting there. I don’t think has built up.” employers’ managing director South Africa played on here.” “I think we have to be focused I will be pain-free, but I want to Malinga, who has taken 278 Paul Downton as “disengaged”, Australia won 55, Sri Lanka won 31 The Australians may call on tomorrow and regardless who get my rhythm back to perfect.” wickets in 181 ODIs, said there has since published an autobiog- up designated spinner Xavier you play in the quarter-final, Last match Malinga endured a tough start was plenty he could call on raphy in which he is very critical Doherty for his first match of the you’re up for a tough match.” June 13, 2013: Sri Lanka won by 20 runs at to the World Cup, going wicket- when coming up with plans for of several former team-mates and tournament and can also call on AFP The Oval, London. less for 84 runs off his 10 overs Australia at the SCG. AFP management staff. AFP SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Pakistan beat South Africa in thriller Trio of left-arm pacemen bowl Asians to 29-run win and revive World Cup hopes

AUCKLAND: Pakistan’s trio of left-arm pacemen bowled Proteas revive their team to a thrilling 29-run win over South Africa on the old doubts in Duckworth/Lewis method as they revived their bid for a World Cup defeat World Cup quarter-final place in Auckland yesterday. Pakistan’s AUCKLAND: South Africa Rahat Ali grabbed a career-best Rahat Ali failed to chase down an opposi- three for 40, while Mohammad (centre) tion total for the second time in Irfan (three for 52) and Wahab celebrates the cricket World Cup yesterday Riaz (three for 45) were also in with his to resurrect old doubts about the wickets as South Africa, chas- team- their ability under pressure. ing a revised target of 232 in 47 mates Captain AB de Villiers did overs, were dismissed for 202 in after his best to win the Pool B game 33.3 overs. taking against Pakistan on his own as South Africa captain AB de a South wickets fell at the other end but Villiers hit a brilliant 58-ball 77 his dismissal for 77 signalled the African with five sixes and seven bound- end of South Africa’s challenge. wicket aries but failed to stop Pakistan Pakistan eventually won from registering their third win during the match by 29 runs on the in five matches — and their first a World Duckworth-Lewis method after victory over the Proteas in all Cup Pool South Africa collapsed to 202 all World Cups. B match out from 33.3 overs. They lost an Pakistan were all out for 222 at Eden earlier group game to India by 130 in 46.4 overs after two rain Park in runs. interruptions reduced the match Auckland, It was also the second match in to 47-overs-a-side encounter. New a row at Eden Park to be domi- Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored Zealand, nated by the bowlers after last 56 while Sarfraz Ahmed made yesterday. weekend’s epic one-wicket win run-a-ball 49. by New Zealand over co-hosts De Villiers, who completed Australia. 1,000 World Cup runs, was dis- “It was a disappointing loss missed by Sohail Khan in the 33rd once again,” de Villiers told over for wicketkeeper Sarfraz reporters. “We didn’t have good Ahmed’s sixth catch in the match enough partnerships. I think — equalling the world record for Pakistan wanted it more than us” most catches behind the stumps South Africa were off to a dis- de Kock was dismissed in Irfan’s to reach his fifty off just 45 balls opening stand for Pakistan in this De Villiers said he had not felt in a one-day international. astrous start as opener Quinton first over of the innings. before Pakistan staged a late tournament — before Steyn held a any energy from his team before Hashim Amla, who hit nine comeback. smart diving catch to give South the match. Scoreboard boundaries in his 38, steadied the Earlier, it was Misbah who Africa the breakthrough. “I didn’t feel any electric vibe,” innings during his 67-run second steadied Pakistan’s innings with Shehzad hit Abbott towards he said. “It’s my responsibility to PAKISTAN SOUTH AFRICA wicket stand with Faf du Plessis a determined 86-ball knock — his long-on where Steyn, on the run, get the guys going which I didn’t. Sarfraz Ahmed (run out) ...... 49 Q de Kock c Ahmed b Irfan ...... 0 before Pakistan hit back. fourth half-century in five World held a low chance. They weren’t prepared to fight. Ahmed Shehzad c Steyn b Abbott ...... 18 Hashim Amla c Ahmed b Riaz ...... 38 Ali removed Du Plessis and Cup matches. Ahmed, who did not play in “I firmly believe there’s noth- Younis Khan c Rossouw b De Villiers ...... 37 Faf du Plessis c Ahmed b Ali ...... 27 David Miller (nought) while The Pakistan captain also com- Pakistan’s first four pool matches, ing wrong with the batting lineup, Misbah-ul-Haq c Morkel b Steyn ...... 56 R Rossouw c Khan b Riaz ...... 6 Riaz dismissed Amla and Rilee pleted 5,000 one-day international hit three sixes in one Duminy nothing wrong with the cricket Sohaib Maqsood c Rossouw b Abbott ...... 8 A B de Villiers c Ahmed b Khan ...... 77 Rossouw (six) as South Africa runs when on seven in his 160th over before he ran himself out team. I don’t feel there any scars.” Umar Akmal c de Villiers b Morkel ...... 13 D Miller lbw Ali...... 0 lost four wickets for just 10 runs match. while taking a second run in a bid De Villiers said he also believed Shahid Afridi c Duminy b Steyn ...... 22 J P Duminy c Riaz b Irfan ...... 12 in the space of 39 balls. He was the 12th Pakistani to to reach his fifty. His knock also his team should have been able Wahab Riaz lbw Tahir ...... 0 D Steyn c Ahmed b Irfan ...... 16 Irfan returned for his second reach the landmark but the first included five boundaries. to chase down 300 on Saturday, Sohail Khan c Duminy b Morkel ...... 3 K Abbott c Younis b Ali ...... 12 spell to dismiss JP Duminy for 12 from any country to do so without Younis Khan, dropped after despite rain interruptions which Rahat Ali c Tahir b Steyn ...... 1 M Morkel (not out) ...... 6 as South Africa, who would have scoring an individual hundred. poor run of scores in the first freshened the pitch for the Mohammad Irfan (not out) ...... 1 Imran Tahir c Ahmed b Riaz ...... 0 been in the quarter-finals had Misbah hit four boundaries three matches, made an attrac- Pakistan fast bowlers. Extras (LB-7, NB-1, W-6) ...... 14 Extras (LB-1, W-7) ...... 8 they won this match, were left before he holed out at third man tive 44-ball 37 with four bounda- “There was a bit of juice there,” Total (all out in 46.4 overs) ...... 222 Total (all out in 33.3 overs) ...... 202 reeling at 102 for six. off fast bowler Steyn who finished ries before falling to soft dismissal he said. “But there were too many Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-92, 3-132, 4-156, Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-67, 3-67, 4-74, 5-77, De Villiers took the fight to with three for 30. off the part-time bowling of de soft dismissals. I’ve just got noth- 5-175, 6-212, 7-212, 8-218, 9-221, 10-222. 6-102, 7-138, 8-172, 9-200. the Pakistani bowlers adding 36 Afridi made a 15-ball 22 with Villiers. ing good to say about our per- Bowling: Steyn 10-3-30-3 (1w); Abbott 9-0- Bowling: Irfan 8-0-52-3; Khan 5-0-36-1 (4w); with Dale Steyn (16) and another two sixes and a boundary as he But South Africa’s lack of a formance today. 45-2 (1w); Morkel 9.4-0-25-2 (1nb); Tahir Ali 8-1-40-3 (1w); Afridi 5-0-28-0; Riaz 7.3-0- invaluable 33 for the eighth with went to 8,000 ODI runs. genuine fifth bowler proved costly, “I’m still excited about the abil- 9-1-38-1; De Villiers 6-0-43-1 (1w); Duminy 45-3 (2w). Kyle Abbott, who made 12. The Ahmed put on a confident with de Villiers and Duminy con- ity of the players around me. I 3-0-34-0 (3w). Result: Pakistan won by 29 runs (D/L method). South African skipper hit two 30-run opening stand with ceding 77 runs between them in a know we can win the World Cup.” sixes in one Shahid Afridi over Ahmed Shehzad (18) — the best combined nine overs. AFP REUTERS New Zealand put top side Test teams Pakistan show what interested to out against Afghanistan play against a threat they can be NAPIER: New Zealand have bowlers, made special mention Afghanistan AUCKLAND: Pakistan made a FACTBOX New afforded Afghanistan the same of his respect for Afghanistan’s winning return yesterday to the respect they showed Australia seam trio Shapoor Zadran, Hamid NAPIER: Afghanistan venue where they defeated New Zealand vs for today’s World Cup game in Hassan and Dawlat Zadran cricket officials are in talks Zealand in their 1992 cricket Napier, resisting the temptation “Their bowling looks quite with four or five Test-status World Cup semi-final before Afghanistan to tinker with their line up after strong, I think it’s fair to say it’s nations about playing more going on to win the tournament winning their first four matches. probably their strongest suit. fixtures against the country for the first and only time. NAPIER: Factbox on today’s “The nature of the games we’ve They’ve got three guys who bowl after the World Cup, coach After a shaky start to the Cup, World Cup Pool A match had over the last little while in excess of 140 (kmh/87mph) Andy Moles said yesterday. Pakistan showed enough at Eden between New Zealand and haven’t been overly taxing in and have asked some questions of Afghanistan, who only played Park yesterday in their 29-run Afghanistan at McLean Park terms of the physical demands,” some very good teams,” McCullum their first officially recognised win over pre-tournament favour- in Napier. captain Brendon McCullum said said. one-day fixture in 2009, and ites South Africa to demonstrate NEW ZEALAND of the decision not to rest any “We think they certainly pose Ireland had been granted per- what dangerous opponents they Captain: Bendon McCullum players. some dangers to us and we’re mission about a month ago can be. Coach: Mike Hesson New Zealand have already going to make sure we’re as up by the International Cricket The match proved a triumph Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin booked a quarter-final spot after for this game as we have been for Council to directly approach for Sarfraz Ahmed who came into Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom beating fellow Pool A heavy- previous ones.” Test nations about incorpo- the team in the dual role of open- Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed plays Latham, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Daniel weights Australia last Sunday. Napier’s McLean Park wicket rating games into the Future ing batsman and wicketkeeper. a shot at Eden Park in Auckland Vettori, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Tom Latham and Kyle is renowned as a batting surface Tours programme, he added. Sarfraz took three sixes of a JP yesterday. Mills, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult, Mills have since had excessive and McCullum said if he wins the “We are currently talking Duminy over before he was run Mitchell McClenaghan. net time leading to specula- toss he will bat first. to four or five countries who out for 49 attempting the second They have started trusting their Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Beat tion they could replace Corey With New Zealand’s bowl- have shown interest but obvi- run which would have taken him abilities. I am very thrilled but Sri Lanka by 98 runs; beat Scotland by three Anderson and Adam Milne, with ing attack spearheaded by Tim ously talking about it and get- to his half-century. there is a long way to go,” he said. wickets; beat England by eight wickets; beat Nathan McCullum and Mitch Southee, Trent Boult and Dan ting it done is the hard thing,” He then equalled the one- Pakistan’s batting was again Australia by one wicket. McClenaghan playing the follow- Vettori performing so effectively, Moles said in Napier yesterday, day world record by holding six fragile and their fielding often Remaining fixtures: vs Bangladesh, ing game against Bangladesh. batting first offers the safest the day before his side’s Pool A catches when South Africa batted. erratic although the catching Hamilton (March 13) But when the New Zealand opportunity to give much needed clash with New Zealand. “I am very thankful to the was sound. But their fast bowl- selectors weighed up whether to crease time to Ross Taylor, Grant “We are realistic we are not world and Pakistan for this ers rose to the occasion and the Best performers: McCullum (207 runs), play any of the four so-far unre- Elliott and Luke Ronchi. going to get standalone tours opportunity. I want to thank all three left-armers Mohammad Williamson (149 runs); Southee (13 wickets), quired squad members against Both John Buchanan, who but it would be nice if we could those who supported me, includ- Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali Boult (10 wickets) Afghanistan they opted instead coached Australia to two World be added onto a series and ing my family. This is my World each took three wickets. AFGHANISTAN to stay with the same line up that cups, and former South African make it a tri-series where we Cup debut match,” Sarfraz said “They bowled with real pace Captain: Mohammad Nabi is on a winning streak. bowler Sean Pollock have sin- could pick up opportunities in Urdu after he was chosen as and purpose,” said Waqar, a Coach: Andy Moles “We have settled on this as our gled out batting as possibly New to compete against the better Man-of-the-Match. former master of the fast bowl- Squad: Mohammad Nabi, Nawroz Mangal, number one XI at this point in Zealand’s weakness. sides. “Beating South Africa, who are ing art. “We knew we had to get Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, time,” McCullum said, indicating But McCullum said it had to be “So yes, we are talking to playing really good cricket, after them out to win this game. Teams Afsar Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, the same line up, if they stay fit, taken in context with his side’s four or five countries who that everybody believes now, the who are playing aggressively have Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor may play the entire tournament. established aggressive approach have shown a desire to help players, the team, can take a lot been more successful.” Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Javed “But, I’m confident if injuries with the ball. us improve, so that is very of confidence from it. When runs Asked if the present side could Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Shafiqullah Shafiq. do come about in games to come “The nature of how we’ve encouraging.” are on the board, it is always pres- emulate Imran Khan’s 1992 side, Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost we’ve got the experience and the played games of late, and the fact Since their first ODI against sure on the opposition,” added who had also made a bad start to Bangladesh by 105 runs; lost to Sri Lanka personnel on the sidelines who are we’ve had success bowling first Scotland in Benoni in April Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. to the tournament, Waqar said: by four wickets; beat Scotland by one wicket; able to step up and perform a role has obviously meant our bat- 2009, Afghanistan have played Pakistan coach Waqar Younis “Look, I hope, I hope that it turns lost to Australia by 275 runs. given to them.” ting hasn’t been as challenged as 49 official matches. Prior to told a news conference he had out to be the same. But we really Remaining fixtures: vs England, Sydney McCullum also warned against other teams in the competition,” the current World Cup they always known how good Sarfraz have to work hard. (March 13) the possibility of complacency he said. “We’ll never know until had played 10 matches against was and added his team had “In 92 Pakistan lost early sneaking into the side, and we get into those situations, but Test nations, four of those in started to play the good, aggres- games, they came back very Best performers: Shenwari (193 runs); although Afghanistan are mak- I’m confident the guys we’ve got the Asia Cup in 2014, while four sive cricket it had been known for strongly. They had the belief, Shapoor (nine wickets), Hassan (seven ing their World Cup debut he said in the group are very good players more were against Zimbabwe in in the past. Imran Khan had the belief and I wickets) they could not be taken lightly. under pressure and we’ll see over their only series against a Test “We have started finding the believe and I hope that that belief Head to head The New Zealand captain, with the coming weeks how we stand side in July 2014. REUTERS right combinations, people have is coming into our dressing room.” No matches played a reputation for feasting on quick up.” AFP started believing in themselves. REUTERS SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Serbia, France sail into Davis Lekhwiya extend QSL lead Cup last eight

Soria nets match winner against Al Kharaitiyat; Al Sadd draw with Al Ahli LONDON: Novak Djokovic spurred Serbia to a 3-0 win over neighbours Croatia in the first DOHA: Defending champi- round of the Davis Cup yester- ons Lekhwiya overcame a stiff day and they will be joined in challenge from Al Kharaitiyat the quarter-finals by an equally to gain full points and main- rampant France. tain their position at the top of Britain’s progress was put on the summit in the Qatar Stars hold after they lost an enthralling League, while second-placed Al doubles to the US yesterday. Sadd drew 3-3 with Al Ahli in Holders Switzerland, miss- round 20 matches. ing Roger Federer and Stanislas Yesterday, playing at their Wawrinka, fell behind 2-1 at home ground, Lekhwiya struck Belgium while the Czech Republic nine minutes into the second half hauled themselves back against through Sebastian Soria. Australia. The win took Lekhwiya’s tally World number one Djokovic, to 48 points from 20 matches who was a late replacement for in the 14-team league which is Viktor Troicki, teamed up with played on a double leg basis. Al Nenad Zimonjic to blow away Sadd now has four points less Marin Draganja and Franko than the leaders. Skugor 6-3 6-4 6-1 in Serbia’s At Al Sadd Stadium, the hosts central city of Kraljevo. were staring at defeat till the fifth The home fans, who roared minute of injury time, but play- on the Serbs but also gave the maker Khalfan Ibrahim bailed Croatians a warm reception them out with a goal to give them Al Sadd’s Edinaldo Libanio (centre) is challenged by two Al Ahli players throughout the tie, were given one point from the match. during the Qatar Stars League (QSL) match at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. a scare in the second set when Earlier goals from Alain Dioko The match ended in a 3-3 draw. RIGHT: Action from the match. Djokovic received medical treat- (42, 84th minute) and Mojtaba PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT ment for a cut on his right hand. Kordgheshlaghi (31) gave Al ahli But they were relieved to see edge. Al Sadd two other goals their hero carry on and produce came from Musab Kamal (24) one of his best doubles perform- and Edinaldo Libanio (45). Qatar Stars League QSL Standings ances as 38-year-old Zimonjic While in the other matches, P W L D GF GA Pts rolled back the years. Al Arabi, playing at their home Results Lekhwiya 20 15 2 3 41 17 48 “Novak played unbelievably ground, edged Al Wakrah 1-0 Al Sadd 20 13 2 5 48 27 44 well today and we are delighted to Al Arabi 1 Al Wakrah 0 to pick up their sixth win of the Qatar 20 10 6 4 41 30 34 have sealed a quarter-final spot,” Lekhwiya 1 Al Kharaitiyat 0 league and take their points to El Jaish 20 11 8 1 39 25 34 Serbia coach Bogdan Obradovic 25 points and bounce to the eight El Jaish 0 Qatar SC 1 said. Al Ahli 20 9 8 3 40 31 30 place. Al Sadd 3 Al Ahli 3 Djokovic added: “We decided Paulo Sergio netted the match Friday Results Al Gharafa 20 9 8 3 35 39 30 that I should come in for Viktor Umm Salal 20 8 7 5 32 28 29 winner for Al Arabi in the 69th Al Sailiya 2 Al Shamal 1 because that was the best combi- Al Arabi 20 6 7 7 36 32 25 minute. Al Gharafa 3 Al Khor 1 nation in this moment. Struggling Wakrah, who have Al Sailiya 20 7 9 4 31 38 25 “Being 2-0 up after the open- Al Shahaniya 4 Umm Salal 3 just four wins, from 20 matches, Al Khor 20 6 7 7 29 37 25 ing day was a massive confidence are in the second last place with Al Kharaitiyat 20 5 7 8 26 30 23 boost and we did everything right just 16 points in the kitty. 1-0 win over El Jaish. Both Qatar today, from the first to the last Al Shahania 20 5 12 3 19 44 18 At Lekhwiya Stadium, a goal SC and El Jaish now have 34 point.” from Cho Youngcheol in the 78th points after 20 matches. Al Wakrah 20 4 12 4 24 38 16 Having won both their sin- minute helped qatar SC register a THE PENINSULA Al Shamal 20 0 13 7 20 45 7 gles against the Americans after Andy Murray beat Donald Young and James Ward staged a heroic comeback against John Isner on Friday, Britain nearly conjured another impressive fightback in the doubles. West takes pole position at Qatar Superbike Murray’s brother Jamie and Dominic Inglot predictably found DOHA: Anthony West clocked themselves two sets down against the best lap time in the quali- the world’s top ranked pairing of fying session of the Qatar Bob and Mike Bryan but cheered Superbike Round 5 to take on by a boisterous crowd in the pole position at the Losail Glasgow, the British duo fought International Circuit. back. West who clocked best lap time As American captain Jim of 2:01.800 said the conditions Anthony West in action dur- Courier watched on anxiously were quite challenging. ing the qualifying session of from the sidelines, the Bryan “It was very windy but still the Qatar Superbike Round twins eventually stretched the tie happy with my lap timings. I look 5 at the Losail International into a third day with a 6-3 6-2 3-6 forward to much faster lap times Circuit. West will start from the 6-7(8) 9-7 victory. and better weather conditions pole position after clocking the Leading 2-1 ahead of Sunday’s during the race and hope to win mouth-watering climax, Britain best lap time in the qualifying it,” said West. will now rest the bulk of their session. Defending champion, Alex hopes on Andy Murray beating Cudlin made the second best lap Isner in the first reverse singles. time and West said an entertain- The winner’s reward will be a ing and interesting tussle is on last-eight meeting with France, the cards. who dismissed Germany after “Alex (Cudlin) raged with a Julien Benneteau and Nicolas fierce battle pushing hard and I Mahut brushed aside Benjamin am sure he will not let it be easy Becker and Andre Begemann 6-4 for me but I will try to win two 6-3 6-2. races,” said West after the quali- Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans fying session. and Niels Desein recovered from a Cudlin also said the tussle for First FIA Sport Regional Congress discusses set down to beat Michael Lammer supremacy will be between him and Adrien Bossel 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-2, and West. giving the hosts a 2-1 lead over “I think it will be a big fight the holders ahead of Sunday’s with Anthony. Mishal (Mishel support for championships in the MENA reverse singles. Australia missed Al Naimi, is ahead of me in the a chance to seal their tie against championship and I need to beat DOHA: Delegates at the First the Czechs after Jiri Vesely and him every time I can. Let’s see FIA Sport Regional Congress Adam Pavlasek beat Lleyton Delegates at what happend. 15 laps is a long yesterday deliberated on the Hewitt and Sam Groth in a 1-6 the First FIA race and anything can happen, so motorsports governing body’s 7-6(2) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 rollercoaster. I will have to make a clean race plan to support the MENA Sport Regional REUTERS with zero mistakes,” said Cudlin, region. Congress in ahead of the race. The participants discussed, Kuwait yester- Nasser Al Malki got the third as to how countries can request day. A number best time in the qualifying of such support as of July 2015, and of international 2:03.658. also the budget allocated to such automobile “I am happy and confident with support. experts and my bike. I will try to get good A great number of interna- around 70 results and finish on the podium,” tional automobile experts and attendees said Al Malki. around 70 attendees represent- representing The Leader of the champion- ing 19 members’ states from the 19 members’ ship Mashel Al Naimi ended in MENA region are attending states from the the fourth position with 2:03.938 the First FIA Sport Regional MENA region lap time. Congress in Kuwait, held under are attending In Supersport, Qatar’s Fahid the patronage of the Minister of the meet. Al Sowaidi emerged as the fastest Information and State minister rider while Colombian John Mario for Youth Affairs and Sports, Garcia topped in the LARSS Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud. category. Attending the conference The workshops considered for the future of motor sport Answering a question about In the Qatar Challenge round 6, are FIA President, Jean Todt; ways to technically develop car in the region which has a great how he was supporting the MENA Mark Holroyd took the pole posi- the FIA Vice-President, Nasser races and championships in the potential to improve this sport. region, Almeida explained: “Over tion with a lap time of 2:26.499 bin Khalifa Al Attiyah; the FIA region and addressed the need to Such events, he continued, help the last four years, I have been the and gain some advantage going Deputy President for Sport, ensure the safety of competitors. to reach that goal. organizer of the Qatar’s Sealine into the race. Graham Stoker; and the CEO The organization of the Rally of “The number of participat- Cross-Country Rally ... We had The second position went to of the Kuwait International Egypt, to be held next September, ing countries and the presence the opportunity to discuss several Talal Wehbe, who clocked the best Automobile Club, Essa Hamza. was also one of the topics dis- of FIA President Todt show the matters in motor sport”, indicat- Great Britain’s Andy Murray cele- lap time of 2:29.154. Yesterday delegates took part cussed by the attendees. importance the FIA gives to this ing that he was invited to par- brates during the doubles match Peter De Vido, will start from in workshops aimed at discussing Meanwhile, rally consultant for region. That is what we are all ticipate and offer his assistance, of the Davis Cup tie against US the third position as he did a lap ways to develop automobile clubs the MENA region Pedro Almeida fighting for ... to raise the level especially on regulations which at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, time of 2:30.399. in the MENA region, at the tech- said the Congress taking place in of the sport in this part of the represent his field of action. Scotland, yesterday. THE PENINSULA nical and administrative levels Kuwait is a very important event world”, Almeida said. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Mueller double Kane brace lifts puts Bayern 11 points clear

BERLIN: Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear in the Spurs over QPR Bundesliga yesterday as Thomas Mueller scored twice in their 3-1 comeback win at Hanover 96. Striker takes his season goal tally to 26 It was the perfect preparation for Bayern’s Champions League tie with Shakhtar Donetsk as LONDON: Harry Kane hope, especially if Kane maintains the game had Christian Eriksen’s a stunning first-half free kick enhanced his England creden- his outstanding scoring form. shot not rebounded away to safety by Spain star Xabi Alonso and tials as Tottenham Hotspur won The 21-year-old is enjoying an off the post two minutes after the a Mueller penalty saw Bayern 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers yes- outstanding campaign and the restart. It was to their credit, hit back after Japan midfielder terday to move to within three clamour for him to be included then, that they rallied impres- Hiroshi Kiyotake had given the points of the Premier League’s in Hodgson’s senior squad for this sively, with Spurs goalkeeper Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring his hosts a shock lead. top four. month’s games against Lithuania Hugo Lloris once again called second goal during the English Premier League match at Loftus Road It was only the fourth time Watched by England man- and Italy will only increase after upon to protect his side’s lead, Bayern had gone behind in Stadium in London yesterday. ager Roy Hodgson, Kane took this display. this time by repelling a powerful Germany’s top tier this season. his season goal tally to 26 with Hodgson was also keeping shot from Bobby Zamora. But Bayern made sure of the a goal in each half, making him tabs on QPR’s uncapped striker The hosts, though, were too vul- three points when Franck Ribery’s the country’s leading scorer in all Charlie Austin, who had scored nerable to Tottenham’s attacking La Liga Results Villa reach FA pinpoint cross was headed home competitions. one more league goal than Kane strengths and Austin had already Deportivo la Coruna 3 (Riera 28, 72, Perez by Mueller on 72 minutes to give Spurs old boy Sandro pulled coming into this game and was been forced to clear off his own 90+3-pen) Sevilla 4 (Vitolo 33, 52, Gameiro Cup semi-finals, Bayern their 19th win in 24 league one back in the 75th minute, unlucky not to add to that tally line before Kane added the second 65-pen, Sidnei 83-og); Athletic Bilbao 1 matches. but despite a strong late pen- when he hit the post in the first goal in the 68th minute. (Aduriz 26) Real Madrid 0 Bradford held Pep Guardiola’s Bayern face alty appeal, Chris Ramsey’s QPR half. Once again the forward exposed Donetsk at Munich’s Allianz were unable to avoid a defeat that It was Kane, though, who the home side’s lack of concentra- Playing today Arena on Wednesday, with a leaves them three points from caught the eye, twice capitalising tion by easily springing the off- Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano (1100), Real LONDON: Aston Villa became Champions League quarter-final safety in the bottom three. on defensive errors to secure a side trap to collect Ryan Mason’s Sociedad vs Espanyol (1600), Villarreal vs the first team to reach the FA place at stake, having been held “I’m very proud of our perform- hard-fought victory. through-ball before rounding Celta Vigo (1800), Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Cup semi-finals after beating to a goalless draw in their last 16, ance,” Spurs manager Mauricio The goals summed up the plight Green and finishing into an empty (2000) West Bromwich Albion 2-0 yes- first leg tie in Ukraine. Pochettino told the BBC. “We of the two sides, with Tottenham net. But Ramsey’s side were not Playing tomorrow erday in a match marred by late The Bavarian giants extended showed big character against a capable of taking the opportu- finished, hauling themselves back pitch invasions. their lead after second-placed difficult opponent and on a dif- nities presented to them while into the game through Sandro’s Cordoba vs Getafe (1945) In a near repeat of Tuesday’s VfL Wolfsburg suffered their first ficult stage.” Ramsey’s men were guilty of con- well-placed strike, and seeing a Premier League game between defeat since losing to Everton in On Kane, he added: “It’s dif- tributing to their own downfall. strong penalty claim dismissed Ligue 1 Results the sides, which Villa won 2-1, the Europa League last November ficult to say anything else about QPR had come back into the when Nabil Bentaleb appeared Paris Saint-Germain 4 (David Luiz 44, Fabian Delph and Scott Sinclair when they lost 1-0 at Augsburg Harry. His performance today game impressively after a bright to handle Austin’s shot. Ibrahimovic 60-pen, Matuidi 80, Pastore 83) struck to take Tim Sherwood’s when midfielder Dominik Kohr shows his strength to keep Tottenham start, only to gift Junior Hoilett came off the Lens 1 (Touzghar 69) team into the last four for the converted a second-half penalty. working.” Kane the simplest of opportuni- bench for the home side and sent first time since 2010. Schalke 04, having lost their Having exited the Europa ties in the 34th minute. a good opportunity flying over the Playing today Both teams finished the game Champions League first leg League and lost to Chelsea in Andros Townsend swung in a bar, further highlighting the dif- Saint-Etienne vs Lorient (1300 GMT), with 10 men, with Claudio Yacob 2-0 to holders Real Madrid in last weekend’s League Cup final, routine free-kick from the right ference in quality between the two Guingamp vs Lille (1600 GMT), Montpellier sent off for West Brom and Max Gelsenkirchen, warmed up for the Tottenham’s sole remaining aim that goalkeeper Robert Green sides in front of goal. vs Lyon (2000 GMT) Grealish dismissed for Villa, while return on Tuesday with a 3-1 win is to force their way into the top appeared to misjudge, allowing Tottenham’s top-four dream Played on Friday play had to be temporarily sus- at home to Hoffenheim for their four and claim a place in next sea- Kane to easily head home from remains alive, but QPR now face pended late on when a number of first win in five games. son’s Champions League. close range. an increasingly desperate fight to Toulouse 1 (Ben Yedder 76) Marseille 6 home fans poured onto the pitch. Teenage midfielder Max Meyer The odds remain stacked Ramsey’s side seemed deflated avoid an immediate return to the (Batshuayi 2, 44, Aloe 6, Moubandje 20-og, Delph described the pitch inva- profited from two Eric Choupo- against them, but they retain and they would have been out of Championship. AFP A. Ayew 78, Gignac 89) sion, which was repeated at full- Moting crosses to score for time, as “scary” and said he had Schalke either side of half-time been bitten by some of the invad- after Austria left-back Christian Real Madrid stumble ing supporters, while West Brom Fuchs had given the Royal Blues manager Tony Pulis described the an early lead. scenes as “disgraceful”. But Villa Germany winger Kevin Volland manager Sherwood said: “I don’t pulled a late goal back to give to defeat in Bilbao think it’s scary. It probably is for Hoffenheim a glimmer of hope. a West Brom player. Emotions are Borussia Dortmund remain Real Madrid’s Brazilian MADRID: Real Madrid’s poor Copa del Rey final, where they running very high after two wins unbeaten in their last five league defender Marcelo (right) form in 2015 continued as they will meet Barcelona for the third and it’s been a huge week for the games after their goalless draw at vies with Athletic Bilbao’s were beaten 1-0 by Athletic time in seven years, in midweek. football club.” AFP Hamburg kept them 10th. defender Andoni Iraola Bilbao at San Mames yesterday. The hosts went in front on “We have taken a point during the Spanish Aritz Aduriz scored the only 26 minutes when a lovely team which is a positive and no one League football match at goal of the game midway through move ended with Aduriz pow- English FA Cup is injured which is a mega posi- the San Mames Stadium the first-half with a thumping ering home a wonderful header tive, but anything else is just in Bilbao yesterday. header from Mikel Rico’s cross. from Mikel Rico’s floated cross. Results so-so,” said Dortmund coach Madrid’s third defeat in Madrid didn’t even manage a shot Quarter-finals Jurgen Klopp. 11 league games means that on target despite enjoying most of Aston Villa 2 (Delph 51, Sinclair 85) West Having suffered back-to-back Barcelona can move one point the ball in the first-half. However, Brom 0; Bradford 0 Reading 0 defeats to Wolfsburg and second clear at the top of the table with they upped the tempo signficantly Playing today division Arminia Bielefeld in the victory over Rayo Vallecano on at the start of the second period third round of the German Cup, Liverpool vs Blackburn (1600 GMT) Sunday. and only an amazing last-ditch Werder Bremen got back to win- Athletic came into the game challenge from Mikel Balenziaga Playing tomorrow ning ways with a 1-0 win at strug- on a high having qualified for the denied Karim Benzema. AFP Manchester United vs Arsenal (1945 GMT) glers Freiburg. AFP PSG trounce Lens ahead of Chelsea showdown

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain mark put Laurent Blanc’s side in Paris remain unbeaten at to score at Stamford Bridge to this game today with that one.” and Edinson Cavani on the bench warmed up for their decisive control at the Parc des Princes, home this season and have now have a chance of progressing to He added: “I think we will cre- against a Lens side nine points Champions League date with and substitutes Blaise Matuidi gone 14 games without losing the quarter-finals for the third ate fewer chances at Stamford adrift of safety and without a win Chelsea by recording a routine and Javier Pastore made sure of in all competitions, and those season running. Bridge than today, so we will in eight league games in 2015. 4-1 home win against struggling the points after Yoann Touzghar records were never really in “First and foremost we had to need to be more clinical, because The home side started well on a Lens yesterday that took them had reduced the deficit. danger of ending against such make sure we won this game to even although we got four beautiful early spring day in Paris provisionally to the top of Ligue The result took the defend- limited opposition. go top of the table, so it was job goals here we were not clinical and almost took the lead in the 1. ing champions two points clear However, Blanc will be aware of done,” said Blanc. enough.” 14th minute when Marco Verratti A David Luiz free-kick just at the top, although Lyon can the need for an improved display “But the context of the Chelsea With the Chelsea game in fed Ibrahimovic, but the Swedish before half-time and a Zlatan reclaim first place if they win at against Chelsea, with the last-16 game is different. They are a top mind, Blanc rested Thiago Silva striker drilled his shot against the Ibrahimovic penalty on the hour Montpellier on Sunday evening. tie level at 1-1 and PSG needing level team so we can’t compare and left Marquinhos, Matuidi bar and over. AFP Engachev on target at Losail Shooting Range

DOHA: Oleg Engachev, gold medal winner in the men’s 25 centre fire pistol at last year’s Asian Games in South Korea, clinched gold in the 50m pistol event of the Emir Cup shooting Championship. At the Losail Shooting Range yesterday Engachev, who had won three gold at last year’s Emir Cup edged Konstantin Maltsev to opern his account at this year’s championship. Engachev, who did not take part in the recently concluded Qatar Cup as he on a vacation, hit the target with perfection. Ahmed.Zaied Al Shammari had to settle for the bronze. In the junior section, Abdulaziz Faleh Al Enaizi, won followed by Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Shammari while Turky Othman Al Yafei fin- Abdulaziz Faleh Al Enaizi (centre, back row), gold medallist at the Emir Cup shooting Championship, poses for ished third. a picture along with silver medal winner Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Shammari and third place finisher Turky Othman On Friday, Hanadi Salem and Al Yafei at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday. The medals were present by Fatima Salem Algesaman (centre Bahia Al Hamad won gold in front row), Board Member of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA). Wael Sameer (right, front row), the women’s pistol and 10m rifle Media Coordinator at QSAA was also present. RIGHT: Oleg Engachev (centre), winner in the 50m pistol event, events respectively. poses along with silver medalist Konstantin Maltsev (left) and third place finisher Ahmed Zaied Al Shammari. THE PENINSULA Sunday 8 March 2015 17 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6363 Sport Price: QR2

Pakistan beat Lekhwiya South Africa in extend QSL thriller lead

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Al Shaqab win earns Edwina big bucks Australian rides away with €165,000 after CSI5* Grand Prix victory CHI Al Shaqab

BY RIZWAN REHMAT Results ** Class P-14 - Para Dressage Grade III International Para Dressage Competition DOHA: Australian show- - CPEDI3* jumping legend Edwina Tops- Freestyle Test - Grade III (2013) Alexander produced a perfect (Read as horse, rider and time/points) final run on the sixth day of the Zoya Sollenburg, Sanne Voets, 76.417 CHI Al Shaqab challenge yester- Double Agent, Roberta Sheffield, 72.417 day, winning the CSI5* Grand Cypres, Ann Cathrin Lübbe, 68.667 Prix with a faultless routine. **Class P-15 - Para Dressage Grade IV Edwina, who will celebrate her International Para Dressage Competition 41st birthday later this month, - CPEDI3* guided Lintea Tequila to the win- Freestyle Test - Grade IV (2013) ning time of 38.86 seconds under Alphaville N.O.P., Frank Hosmar, 77.750 the lights of the Al Shaqab Arena Saganne, Michele George, 75.333 here. del Rusch, Carolin Schnarre, 73.167 Swiss rider Martin Fuchs teamed up with Clooney 51 to ** Class P-11 - Para Dressage Grade Ia secure the second spot whereas International Para Dressage Competition - CPEDI3* Italian Emanuele Gaudiano — rid- Freestyle Test - Grade Ia (2013) ing Admara 2 — finished third. Regaliz, Elke Philipp, 77.833 “Everybody has the same idea Ruben James 2, Laurentia Yen-Yi Tan, 74.500 and the same goal and that is to Cassis Royal, Gemma Rose Jen Foo, 68.833 win this Grand Prix,” Edwina said. ** Class P-12 - Para Dressage Grade Ib “This was my first time with International Para Dressage Competition this horse. She jumps outdoors. I - CPEDI3* didn’t really have much to lose. I Freestyle Test - Grade Ib (2013) Zion, Lee Pearson, 78.167 am very fortunate to have a horse Wallace, Nicole den Dulk, 77.417 like this,” she said. J´Adore, Anne Frederique Royon, 67.500 “I have good folks training and managing me. I actually thought ** Class S-11 - Jumping I would end up third or fourth International Jumping Competition - CSI3* Final when I stepped out. I wasn’t fast Against the clock with jump-off, Table A - 1m45 H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani with Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano Al Hawajer Arizona Pie, Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz enough but it went in my way during the podium ceremony after the CSI5* Grand Prix at the Al Shaqab Arena in Doha yesterday. today,” the Australian said. Al Thani, 37.52 seconds Unlimited, Fahad Al Eid, 38.56 “If you want to win, you have to spot in the Grand Prix Freestyle Ymas, refused to show spark on Hester, as usual, displayed his roars of laughter at the news True Blue, Nasser Shbbab Albagami, 36.06 give your maximum. I don’t think to Music dressage competition the final day. sense of humour at the news conference. I could have given it more than I yesterday. Dahl finished with a tally of conference. Hester picked up €20,000 while ** Class D-3 - Dressage did today,” she said. Kittel, riding Watermill 75.300 points. “I mean we were prepared to Dahl got richer by €15,000. International Dressage Competition - CDI5* When asked if there would be Scandic, finished the competition “Carl did a really good job… I wilt in the heat,” laughed Hester Fahad Al Qahtani, Executive Grand Prix Freestyle to Music (edition 1999, any arguments about sharing the ahead of the world’s best dres- somehow managed to go all the after finishing second. Director of Al Shaqab, yesterday revision 2009) prize money with her coach and sage rider, Carl Hester of Great way today. Actually I have been “That was going to be enough said: “It was an amazing week. It Watermill Scandic, Patrik Kittel, 77.275 husband, former Dutch champion Britain. Kittel managed a score lucky to have really nice horses,” to keep him quiet. I am used to could not have been better. I want Nip Tuck, Carl Hester, 76. 725 Jan Tops, the Australian smiled of 77.275 points. Kittel said after his win worth him spooking around the last six to thank all the people, who have Wie-Atlantico de Ymas, Anders Dahl, 75.300 and said: “For sure not now.” Hester, who was part of Great €25,000. years that I have been riding him,” been involved in this, for making ** Class S-12 - Jumping - Grand Prix of Al Edwina won €165,000 for her Britain’s gold medal-winning “He (Watermill Scandi) is an the 33-year-old Briton said. this an exceptional show. Right Shaqab efforts while German Fuchs had dressage team at the 2012 London understanding horse. I would like “But it was a test for him. It from the day when we had the International Jumping Competition - CSI5* to settle for €100,000. Third- Olympics, concluded his Doha trip him to do a couple of nice shows always is a test as a rider at a vaulting, it has been exceptional. Grand Prix placed Gaudiano went home with a tally of 76.725 points. like the one we had in Doha this show like this. The trick is not to We keep talking to the media and Two rounds with jump-off, Table A - 1m60 richer by €52,500. Anders Dahl, who had finished week. Even at the prize dis- worry about the results. There’s spectators and we have got some Lintea Tequila, Edwina Tops-Alexander, 38.86 Earlier, Patrik Kittel of Sweden in third place on Friday, failed to tribution, he was well behaved nothing disappointing in him wonderful and unexpected feed- seconds roared back from a second-place better his performance yester- (laughs),” Kittel said after his coming second, at least not for back from them.” Clooney 51, Martin Fuchs, 48.34 finish on Friday to grab the top day as his ride, Wie-Atlantico de victory. the horse anyway,” he said to THE PENINSULA Admara 2, Emanuele Gaudiano, 38.97 QF aims higher Al Shaqab’s Faleh guides as equine Sheikh Khalifa Halte A Tout to victory interest grows tops CS13* field DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF) DOHA: Qatar’s Faleh Nasser President Saad Ebrahim Al DOHA: Qatari showjumper Saleh yesterday topped the CHI Muhannadi said his organisa- Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz Al International Ride field, win- tion was keen to add new chap- Thani won the CSI3* final on ning the 120km contest ahead of ters and keep raising the bar in the last day of competition at compatriot Bilal Bassam Shawqi the equine industry. the Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. Al Kharraz. “It’s really very significant for Riding Al Hawajer Arizona Halte A Tout, ridden by Faleh, the Qatar Foundation. The third Pie, Sheikh Khalifa walked off clocked a time of 4 hours 56 min- pillar of the Qatar Foundation with the top prize of €11,880 utes and 19 seconds to nail the vision is to unlock the human after his ride produced the win- win ahead of 58 other riders. potential and invest in the most ning time of 37.52 seconds. Second-placed Bilal, who was important commodity, the human Sheikh Khalifa cleared the last riding Ithilien Arwen, finished beings,” Al Muhannadi said. of the seven-course fences at the with a time of 5 hours 3 minutes “Other goals of our vision are CSI3* against the clock jump-off and 57 seconds. to provide excellent education and (1m45) and then he raised his The top two riders represent research facilities for the people fist up in the air knowing that the Al Shaqab Endurance Team. in Qatar, besides community it would be difficult for any of In third place was Abdullah development. These activities are the four riders left to compete Tahous Said Al Naimi, who really promoting the vision of the to challenge his flawless routine. clocked a time of 5 hours 8 min- Qatar Foundation,” he said. Saudi rider Fahad Al Eid, utes and 1 second. Al Naimi was “The history and heritage of astride Dutch mare Unlimited, Qatar’s Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz riding Qualine El Widde. the Arab horses are quite impor- finished in second spot with a Al Thani poses on the podium with his trophy after winning the Faleh was thrilled with his win. Qatar’s Faleh Nasser Saleh rides Halte A Tout to victory in the CHI tant to us. The equine industry time of 38.56 seconds. Al Eid CSI3* final yesterday. “I would like to thank the disci- International Ride yesterday. has advanced quite fast in the won €7,200. pline manager. We started early last decades. We’re starting from Al Eid’s compatriot Nasser in the morning. We wanted cool “This is the road to the top “The competition was tough. where others have stopped. Albagami — who was riding Al Eid said: “It was really weather because it gets hot and it spot. I took the lead in the last It’s not easy. It’s 120km. You need “The competition — CHI True Blue — clocked the third- difficult to compete here. I did did. Bilal was behind me. In the two races. I outperformed Khalid. strong horses,” he said. Al Shaqab — is a small part of best time of 36.06 but with four my utmost but it wasn’t enough last lap my horse and I won com- Had it not been for the coach I “There were strong riders and what we’re doing at the Qatar faults in the jump-off. to win. A lot of emotions were fortably,” Faleh said. wouldn’t have made it. I was plan- a few underdogs. At the beginning Foundation. We have world class Besides Sheikh Khalifa, eight involved too.” Faeh said he was in no mood ning to take part in the European it was easier. Later it got hotter breeding centres, research facili- other Qatari riders featured in He added: “The competition at to let go off his top billing in the championships but those are not and it became tougher. I tried to ties and medical resources here to the 14-entry field. CHI Al Shaqab is great. I want world. “You are probably aware open to us,” Faleh said. push my horse but I couldn’t do develop Arabian horses. We also “I am really happy with my to thank the organisers for their that I am the world number one,” When asked about his horse, better than second,” the Qatari have a riding school with the best victory. It gives me enormous amazing work. This is the best Faleh said. “To be classified as the Faleh said: “Yes, he is a world- said. of facilities for Qataris.” satisfaction,” Sheikh Khalifa said equestrian event in the world.” best rider in the world is amaz- class horse. If I have the possibil- “I do want to go on and do well “Most of our activities and ini- afterwards. “Everything is pretty Third-placed Albagami said: ing. I was not in the same ranking ity to race outside endurance, I and improve in this class,” Bilal tiatives are aimed at taking the unbelievable here. Top facilities “I tried to win it but it wasn’t last August. My coach was able would go for it. I’d love to race said. “I ride every day. I put in a equine industry to different levels and a lot of work being put into enough this time. I am happy to motivate me to do well, to do for Qatar.” lot of hours of training. I want to and we’d love to add new chapters every single detail. It’s just per- with this result though.” our best, to get most points,” the Bilal said finishing second to be the best in this class.” to it,” Al Muhannadi said. fect in my view,” he added THE PENINSULA Qatari said. Faleh was not a bad result. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA