ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Home | 4 Business | 17 Sport | 32

Qatar has proposed that International Islamic Qatar is close to signing banning an imported recorded a full-year net a contract to host a food item should be profit of QR826m for Formula One Grand Prix under the framework 2014, up 10.1 percent in two years, motor sport of WTO rules. from a year ago. federation president said.

MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 • 20 Rabial II 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6336 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Al Attiyah at Munich Security Conference 22 football RAF mobilises fans killed in QR12m in two Egypt clashes CAIRO: At least 22 Egyptian football fans were killed in clashes that broke out yester- hours for Syria day night when security forces barred them from entering a stadium. The trouble happened at a Charity plans city for orphans match between two Cairo clubs, Zamalek and Enppi. Police used DOHA: RAF, Qatar’s promi- The highest single donation, after teargas to disperse the crowd. nent charity, mobilised a huge the QR2m made by a Qatari, was A witness said some of the fans QR12m ($3.3m) in just two for QR1m made by a woman and were killed in a stampede after the hours during a radio programme a man. Several donors gave away police fired teargas. for a project to provide shelter QR750,000 each since a building (of “Huge numbers of Zamalek club and support to Syrian children the 41 total) is estimated to cost fans came to Air Defense Stadium who have been orphaned in the this much. to attend the match ... and tried to ongoing unrest in their country A guest house will be built in storm the stadium gates by force, and left homeless. the complex where major donors which prompted the troops to pre- A rich Qatari who didn’t want would be able to stay and meet the vent them from continuing the to be identified donated QR2m orphans they are sponsoring. assault,” the interior ministry said for the Turkey-based project RAF’s CEO, Dr Ayed bin Dabsan in a statement. Egypt has curbed for which RAF (Sheikh Thani Al Qahtani, said that the idea to the number of people allowed into bin Abdullah Foundation for build a “City” for the homeless Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah speaking at the 51st Security Conference in Munich, soccer matches since a riot at a Humanitarian Services) is rais- Syrian orphans was mooted when Germany, yesterday. He said the failure of the Middle East peace process is the biggest challenge. See also page 7 stadium in Port Said in February ing a total of QR36m ($10m). several RAF delegations visited 2012 when more than 70 fans were Some 41 buildings will be part refugee camps in some cities of killed. REUTERS of a huge residential-cum-farm Turkey like Kalas and Al Rehania complex being built by RAF to that have refugee camps. Strong winds shelter and support some 1,500 Delegation members who were Health freaks push organic food demand Syrian orphan children. there to ensure aid disbursal to At least 25 of these buildings the refugees saw thousands of BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB on Sport Day will be for male orphans and the Syrian orphan children who were pesticides and chemical fertilisers. started producing organic veg- remaining 16 for female. There will homeless and no one was there to Major organic produce, includ- etables — tomatoes, cucumber DOHA: With preparations be schools, health centres and play- take care of them. DOHA: Organic food is catch- ing vegetables, fruits, cereals, and eggplants so far — in small in full swing to celebrate the grounds, separately for male and “We came up with the idea that ing on in Qatar as more and seeds, pasta, chocolates, candies, quantities and most produce is National Sport Day tomorrow, female orphans, as also farms to we at RAF should build mass more people are becoming biscuits, jams, among others, are sourced from the US, the UK, the Meteorology Department cultivate olive in the huge complex. shelter for the Syrian orphan health-conscious. regularly arriving in the local the Netherlands, New Zealand, has forecast strong dusty winds The farms will be owned by a trust children and so we launched the “Demand for organic food is market. Lebanon and other countries. on the day and advised peo- and will generate income. project, which is the biggest of its increasing. We have seen more Ghassan Jaroudi, Senior Until a few years ago, demand ple with respiratory problems The complex, called by RAF a kind in the entire Middle East,” than 20 percent rise in the number Manager, Al Meera Consumer was limited to a small segment to keep away from outdoor city, is being built in Al Rehania Al Qahtani said. of customers and turnover com- Goods Company, said, “Given the of higher- and middle-income activities. city of Turkey, which is some 60km After the idea was mooted pared to last year,” a senior offi- growing demand, we have started people. But growing awareness Temperature on the day would from Syria’s border. extensive studies were conducted to cial of a leading hypermarket said importing organic food popular in about benefits of a healthy life- hover between 16 and 24 degrees The Qatar Radio programme assess the feasibility of the project yesterday. Europe. We have now shelves with style and increasing income levels Celsius, about two degrees less aired last Saturday evening, during and it was launched thereafter. Organic food is produced with up to 100 items, including ‘Casino are expanding the customer base, than today’s expected tempera- which the donations were mobilised Both citizens and expatriates the help of bio-fertiliser or organic BiO’ products such as pasta, jams, sources said. ture of 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. for the project, was for the recital took active part in the donation manure in specially developed chips, chocolates and candies.” Continued on page 6 Continued on page 4 of the verses of the Holy Quran. campaign. THE PENINSULA soil to do away with synthetic He said local farms have also THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

HOME MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Minister meets ILO official

Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi yesterday met Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director, International Labour Standards Department, International Labour Organisation. Talks dealt with international labour and employment issues. ‘English’ keeps Qataris away from hotel jobs Low prestige in society, salaries, perks other factors

DOHA: There are not many jobs but very few prefer the hotel think a hotel job is all about work- Qataris in hospitality sector industry for a career, local Arabic ing as a receptionist or doing valet jobs despite the industry thriv- daily Al Raya reports. parking for guests,” they added. ing amid continuing economic “I am willing to work in a hotel But for a young Qatari mother, boom. provided I get an administrator’s Umm Zabia, the fast-expanding What mainly prevents young position,” said Ali Al Hammoud, hospitality sector has tremendous Qataris from joining the hospital- who is on the lookout for a job attraction. ity industry is a mix of factors, after passing out secondary Working in a bank for nine including low prestige attached school. We don’t know English years, she said she was now aspir- to the jobs in society. and that’s the main problem. Also, ing to land a hotel job for better Salaries and perks in these jobs our people generally look down pay, perks and prestige. do not match those government upon a hotel sector job,” Hamad “For several years I have been employment offers, which are also Ali, another Qatari youth with making efforts to improve my prestigious and secure. secondary school qualifications, skills and abilities so I could land However, the biggest barrier told the daily. a hotel job. The sector has been young unemployed Qataris face Hamad, however, said since developing here like mad,” she in landing hotel jobs is that not there are not many jobs available said. many, especially secondary school for Qatari youth with secondary Abdullah Mahmoud, a pub- certificate holders, know English. school qualifications, he has sub- lic relations official at Al Sharq And those keen to get into mitted his CV to several hotels. Village and Spa, said some four the hospitality industry want Hotel industry jobs are new for percent of the hotel’s staff are an administrator’s position even Qatari society and people are con- Qatari. It is true that perceptions though they have secondary servative and generally look down about hotel jobs in the Qatari school qualifications. upon them. “But I think gradu- community are conservative but There are lots of young Qataris ally attitudes are changing,” twins when Qataris join the sector that who have passed out of second- Azzam and Abdulaziz Al Subei changes, he said. ary schools and are looking for said. “Most in our community THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Price list violation Qatar seeks GCC mechanism to ban imported foodstuff ‘Ban under WTO’s SPS measure should not be left to any one state’

DOHA: Qatar has proposed that banning an imported food item under SPS measure within the framework of Word Trade Organisation rules, or lifting a ban on such a product should be a collective decision of the GCC states and should not be left to any one member state. GCC countries keep ban- ning imported food products on valid grounds individually and lift the ban when the situation demands. SPS measure aims to pro- tect humans, animals or plant life from risks arising from the Officials from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce registered cases against entry, spread or pests, diseases, The meeting of the GCC Committee on WTO in progress in Doha. 13 outlets in the central market for not displaying the price list, during an inspec- disease-carrying or causing tion campaign. organisms. said Qatar. The proposal was Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Economy and Commerce said “We should have a unified made at a two-day meeting of Undersecretary for Laboratories the meeting made recommenda- mechanism for GCC states to the GCC Committee on WTO and Standardization at Qatar’s tions, one of which was to unify ban an imported foodstuff as rules held here. Ministry of Environment. A GCC trade policies until 2017. part of SPS measure or lift it,” It was chaired by Dr Mohamed statement from the Ministry of THE PENINSULA

Livestock auction at Mazrooa yard DOHA: Since last days a week from Thursday Friday, livestock have until Saturday during the begun being auctioned winter season to promote at Al Mazrooa vegetable local produce. and fruit yard in Umm Animals, including sheep Salal. and goats auctioned are Auctions will take place locally bred and brought by for about two-and-a-half breeding farms in pick-ups. hours in the evening until Widam, formerly Maghrib prayers every Mawashi (Qatar Meat and Friday and Saturday dur- Livestock Company), has ing the winter months. set up a small automatic A livestock auction in progress. The yard is open three slaughterhouse at the yard. Veterinarians are present during auctions and check the blood of each animal for traces of diseases. Goats and sheep taken for slaughter are doubly checked for diseases. The yard is an initia- tive of the Agricultural Department of the Ministry of Environment. Gradually, livestock have been added to the com- modities sold there. THE PENINSULA Sports key to healthy lifestyle

DOHA: Minister of Youth and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali yesterday stressed the importance of sports as a cornerstone of society’s lifestyle. He was speaking at a medical seminar held by the ministry for its employ- ees as part of National the Sport Day programme. He said society should look to maintain strong minds and bodies and that the ministry’s strategy aims to promote sports. Dr Mohammed Al Kuwari said people should do at least 150-minute light-intensity workout for five days a week or 75 minutes of high-intensity workout a week. QNA Dusty winds likely from today Continued from page 1 Qatar is expected to experience dusty winds and low visibility in some areas from today, according to a forecast issued by the department. The department has forecast “moderate tem- perature daytime, dusty at times and at some places.” “We are not advising people with respiratory problems and chest dis- eases to participate in activities,” said the depart- ment in a statement issued yesterday on weather con- ditions on National Sport Day. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QF unveils 40 activities for Sport Day Government entities and organisations draw up programmes for all across the country

DOHA: Several government entities and organisations have announced their programmes to celebrate National Sport Day tomorrow. Qatar Foundation (QF) unveiled over 40 activities for its students and the public, at a press conference yesterday. These include programmes for special groups such as women, children, people with disabilities, and families and for the public. Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director, Community Affairs, QF, said women-only activities include boxercise, spinning, aero- bics, cross training, mats pilates and circuit and those for the dis- Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director, Community Affairs, Qatar Foundation, abled include interactive wheel- unveiling programmes to mark National Sport Day, at a press conference. chair basketball and table tennis. Children’s activities include The ministry’s officials and everyone to get fit through fun street basketball tournament, employees, their families and activities. We have pulled out all football skills and running com- the general public will take part, the stops to provide our biggest petitions. Students and adult reports QNA. Mohsen Zayed National Sport Day event yet and FROM LEFT: Paralympic athletes Mohammed Al Khubazi, Sara Masoud and Abdulrahman Abdulkader on the activities are beach volleyball Al Khayareen, Director, Public hope everyone will take part.” athletics track at Sport Village. and football competition, frisbee, Relations and Communication, running competition, street bas- said the ministry has prepared HMC “HMC is striving to implement It aims to allow participants to try as many activities as pos- ketball and rowing, while walka- programmes, including country Hamad Municipal Corporation Qatar National Vision 2030 which tour the Pearl-Qatar, a synonym sible. Some of Qatar’s sporting thon and QF Ride (E-bikes) are race, and table tennis, football and (HMC) is hosting health and highlights the need to build a for Arab Riviera, in the heart of stars, including Para Champions open to all. “QF invites all resi- volleyball competitions, to raise sports-related activities for staff healthy society to meet the coun- Doha. “The event is part of QTA’s Abdulrahman Abdulkader, Sara dents to attend its celebrations. awareness about sports. and their families. The programme try’s growth and development efforts to engage with the public Hamdi Masoud and Mohammed QF will demonstrate how a few includes a walkathon around goals. “HMC is proud to be par- and the hotels sector, boost sports Al Khubazi, will demonstrate small steps towards a healthier OOREDOO Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City ticipating in activities for the day tourism in cooperation with pri- skills and provide training tips. lifestyle can bring out the sport- Ooredoo has lined up a sched- (HBKMC) starting at 9am from for the fourth consecutive year. vate and public sectors, and pro- Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz sperson in each of us, with the ule to engage with people across Nurses Club, and a mini football The day highlights Qatar’s com- mote Qatar as a world tourism Al Thani, Head of Media, Qatar theme ‘Unlocking Your Inner Qatar, including competitions and tournament at the club from 2pm mitment to a healthy future and destination capable of attract- Olympic Committee, said, “The Athlete’,” he said. shows and exercise classes for to 4pm. It is also holding activities, we are pleased to be joining other ing tourists from around the Sport Village is bigger and bet- Al Nuaimi said QF is commit- children at Museum of Islamic including basketball, mini golf, and government entities and organi- world to attend and take part in ter than ever with entertainment ted to promoting a healthy life- Art Park. Highlights include a children’s games, in and around sations in supporting the occa- world-class sport activities,” said and exciting activities for every- style through sports and other new ‘Snow Area’ for visitors to HBKMC from 9am. sion.” Aisha Al Khulaifi, Head, Saif Al Kuwari, Director, Public one. Our aim is to introduce as physical exercises in line with the get a taste of the cold with snow- Participants will have the Corporate Social Responsibility, Relations and Communications many people as possible to a whole objectives of National Sport Day ball fights and a snow slide. opportunity to check blood pres- HMC, said: “We are encouraging Department, QTA. range of sports with demonstra- and Qatar National Vision 2030’s For children, ‘Speed Painting sure, body mass index, height, our staff and their families to get tions and skill sessions. This way human development pillar. with Jean Francois’ and Disney’s weight and diabetes. Staff from involved and make every effort to SPORT VILLAGE we hope to get all of Qatar trying Wish Upon a Dream have been the Nutrition Department will lead a healthy life.” The Sport Village is again the new sports, meeting new people ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY arranged. Football and shooting provide healthy eating advice. main hub of activity in Doha and and taking steps towards leading The Ministry of Environment tournaments, land-rowing, arm Ali Al Khater, Executive QTA is open from 8am to 10pm on an active and healthy lifestyle.” has completed preparations to and sumo wrestling, family treas- Director, Corporate Qatar Tourism Authority National Sport Day. The Qatar The committee has set up an mark the day in Barzan park. ure hunt, among others, will also Communications Department, (QTA) has also invited the public Paralympic Committee and over athletics track and the public is Minister of Environment H be organised, said Fatima Sultan HMC, said as the principal public and hotels and tourism companies 10 national federations are offering invited join in and learn more E Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Al Kuwari, Director, Community healthcare provider, HMC is play- to a walkathon, organised in coop- free activities and entertainment about paralympic sport and activ- Humaidi will attend the cel- & Public Relations. “This year, ing an integral role on the day on eration with United Development for every age and fitness level. ities available for people with dis- ebration that begins at 8am. Ooredoo is all about encouraging a wider community and staff level. Company at the Pearl-Qatar. The public is encouraged to ability. THE PENINSULA Sidra plans Cardiovascular Centre of Excellence DOHA: Sidra Medical Model of Care, will be underpinned by quality that very few hospitals in the and Research Center yes- integration across multi-disciplinary world are able to deliver. Research ini- terday announced detailed functions, including professional edu- tiatives spearheaded by the cardiology plans for its state-of- cation, community outreach, leader- team will advance the international the-art Cardiovascular ship development, research and clinical medical and scientific community’s Centre of Excellence to services, to improve clinical outcomes understanding of key aspects of car- mark Congenital Heart through a comprehensive approach to diovascular medicine to benefit people Defect Awareness Week, specialised areas. everywhere for generations,” said Prof observed annually during “The centre will offer care of a Hijazi. THE PENINSULA February 7-14. It The centre will provide children, including new- borns, and adults born with congenital heart disease with the highest standards of care. Sidra will feature five centres of excellence, each of which focuses on deliv- ering world-class care in a key aspect of chil- dren’s and women’s health: Cardiovascular health; neonatology (the care of newborns); fetal therapy and intervention; reproduc- tive medicine and vitro fer- tilisation; and genetics and genomic medicine. The centre will have a large team of experts, led by Prof Ziyad Hijazi, Chair, Department of Paediatrics, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Sidra, and an interventional cardiolo- gist specialising in treating congenital and structural heart disease in children and adults. Two co-directors will work alongside Prof Hijazi: a chief of cardiac surgery and a chief of cardiology. Seven medical direc- tors will be attached to the centre to provide expertise in vital areas such as non- invasive cardiology, cardiac critical care and cardiac catheterisation. The team will be sup- ported by expert nurses and technicians to ensure the highest possible standards in every aspect of patient care. The centre which fol- lows the North American MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

QU to reduce bus service QTA’s vigil on hotels’ performance for students DOHA: Starting this term, Qatar University Deal with Olery to get immediate, real-time data and reports on services and operations (QU) is reducing bus transport for students DOHA: Qatar Tourism observe the performance of each as part of logistics Authority (QTA) has tied up with hotel individually. re-arrangements. an international hotel and travel QTA said yesterday it will make Measures are under- data provider to keep a track use of this information to promote taken to limit the service of the performance of hotels in a steady and consistent level of and define its terms, said a Qatar. guest satisfaction across the hos- statement yesterday. QTA yesterday signed an agree- pitality industry. Data can also be The reduced service will ment with Olery, provider of used as a basis for extensive mar- cover areas in and outside online hotel and travel data, to get ket analysis to make decisions on Doha selected by special- immediate and real-time data and supporting specific hotels or hotel ists and is redesigned to reports on the quality of the serv- segments. provide four trips per day ices and operations of hotels. At the core of data supplied to — 7am, 10am, 2.15pm and Through the deal, QTA seeks to QTA is ‘Guest Experience Index’, 5.15pm. benefit from the Olery destination the only scientifically backed Buses operating around system which draws on traveller quality measure in the hospital- West Bay and Madinat and customer reviews to constantly ity industry, resulting from coop- Khalifa have been reduced monitor and analyse dozens of cus- eration between Olery and VU from 44 to 14 and in some tomer review sites across the world. University Amsterdam. areas such as Al Aziziya Olery also aims to cover thousands Ratings for different aspects of from three to two in line of reviews each day to provide a guest experience such as comfort, with student capacity. deep insight into customer expe- cleanliness and service are being Ten buses will operate rience in Qatar’s hotels. Data will included. to and from student dor- help QTA compare the quality of The signing ceremony was mitories from 6.30am to the hospitality industry with other attended by Hassan Al Ibrahim, 10.30pm and an emergency destinations around the world or Chief Tourism Development Officer, Officials at the agreement signing ceremony. bus will be active 24 hours. regionally. QTA, and Kim Van Wijngaard, Since its inception, QU Olery’s Hospitality Performance CEO and Co-founder, Olery, in the has provided transport for Report will provide QTA with a tool presence of Issa bin Mohammed into the industry to allow us to concerning their quality of services joining the growing number of female students who have which keeps up with Qatar’s rap- Al Mohannadi, Chairman, QTA, re-allocate our resources to focus and customer services, allowing destination marketing organisa- no appropriate means of idly expanding hospitality sector. and Dutch Ambassador Yvette effectively on the issues which may us to assist and take action before tions and authorities that want to transit to and from the The report makes it possible to Burghgraef Van Eechoud. be limiting our industry. they impact on Qatar’s reputation understand what guests experi- campus. About 1,500 have track the overall performance of Al Ibrahim said: “The system “It also gives us the ability to as a destination,” he added. ence in local hotels,” said van den benefitted this term. the destination’s hotels as well as might provide QTA with insights spot trends in individual hotels “We are excited that QTA is Wijngaard. THE PENINSULA Lekhwiya in military drill

DOHA: The Armed Forces General Demand for organic Command has announced that Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) will carry out military exer- food on rise in Qatar cise in Zekreet camp on Wednesday from 7am to Continued from page 1 flour. “Not only fruits and vegeta- noon. It called on visitors As consumer spending on food bles, we have also started selling to take safety precautions. is increasing, demand for organic, a wide range of organic products, gluten-free and sugar-free food including chocolates, nuts, cereals, QCS attends could grow faster in the coming juices, syrups, paste and others,” years, said one source. the hypermarket official said. Mini Golf for All Organic food is more expensive “We have maybe 200 or more and average price difference could organic food items at our stores. DOHA: Qatar Cancer be between 50 and 100 percent The size of our shelves is increas- Society (QCS) partici- and much higher in case of some ing as we are adding more prod- pated in ‘Mini Golf for items. ucts every week.” All’ at Katara which tar- For example, a kilogram of Mano de Rosairo, a Sri Lankan geted people with special organic wheat may cost about woman, said: “About two months needs. QR35 — nearly seven times more ago, I learned more about ben- It set up a booth and held than the regular wheat. efits of organic food and started activities to create can- A 250-gramme pack of organic buying organic cereals and leafy cer awareness. The booth pasta may cost QR19 or more vegetables. received a large number of compared to regular pasta at “It is an investment in my fans who were advised to QR3. health and I can avoid visits to A customer looking at organic food in a hypermarket. walk for 40 minutes a day Similarly, a 167-gramme packet doctors.” or exert equivalent effort. of organic butter biscuits is avail- According to her, while buying and source country to ensure the young expatriate who gave only his food such as oat-flax as that helps able at QR12.75, more than double organic food at retail outlets, one products are genuine. first name, said: “My gym instruc- form muscles faster,” Nasser told Vodafone rolls the price of those made of regular must check the expiry date, tags Another customer, Nasser, a tor has advised me to take organic this daily. THE PENINSULA out P’9983

DOHA: Vodafone Qatar has introduced the high- end Porsche Design WISH to have panel discussion on maternal and newborn healthcare P’9983 from BlackBerry in limited quantities DOHA: The second World care, reveals the report. special panel session to present maternal and newborn mortality as the majority of all under-five deaths at its Villaggio and Innovation Summit for Health The report, developed with some of the report insights to a priority. It will also provide five rec- despite the existence of proven, cost- Landmark Mall stores. (WISH) on February 17-18 will Harvard University and Save the tackle the critical unfinished ommendations for healthcare stake- effective interventions that could It is also offering 1GB discuss an international report Children, is part of a partnership agenda of reproductive, maternal holders committed to improving the save the lives of hundreds of thou- free local data valid for on the importance of inte- between WISH and the US-based and newborn health. health and wellbeing of mothers and sands more women and newborns one month for prepaid grated maternal and newborn Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The discussion will put for- newborns. each year,” said Mariam Claeson, customers and 6GB healthcare. to highlight critical global health ward the case for service inte- The panel coincides with the new Director, Maternal, Newborn and free local data valid for In 2013, over 280,000 women and development issues. gration and provide a platform Sustainable Development Goals Child Health Programme, Bill & one month for postpaid died due to complications of preg- In partnership with the foun- for debate on critical issues and (SDGs) that will replace the United Melinda Gates Foundation. customers. nancy and childbirth and 2.9 mil- dation, Harvard and Save the opportunities that can be mobi- Nation’s Millennium Development Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Priced at QR6,999, the lion newborns died due to lack of Children, WISH will host a lised to ensure efforts to reduce Goals this year, ensuring that the Executive Chair, WISH, said: “The smartphone combines the issue of maternal and child health special WISH policy briefing aims to Porsche Design brand remains at the forefront of global and build the case for integrating policies with the fluid and effort- national health agendas. and services in ways that improve the less productivity experi- It previews some of the proceed- quality and accessibility of care for ence of BlackBerry 10 ings expected at the Global Maternal mothers and newborns. technology. Newborn Health Conference in “The timely panel will offer tangi- Marc Norris, Chief October in Mexico City, said a state- ble, proven and applicable solutions Commercial Officer, ment yesterday. for lowering costs and saving lives.” Vodafone Qatar, said: “Newborn mortality makes up THE PENINSULA “We’re always looking at products and services that exceed expectations of our discerning and VIP customers and the avail- ability of this product is a reflection of our commit- ment to continue to offer them a unique mobile experience.” The device integrates premium quality materi- als such as sapphire glass for camera lens, forged stainless steel for Porsche Design floating logo and chassis and a special glass-weave technology for the back door. Porsche Design has collaborated with BlackBerry for the first QWERTY version with BlackBerry 10 with glass- like keys with the dura- bility of rigid synthetic material and a special 3D effect with silver font characters. THE PENINSULA/QNA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Teaching hours at Independent FM: Temporary stability schools cut to 16 DOHA: The Supreme in Mideast no solution Education Council (SEC) yes- terday issued a circular to MUNICH: Foreign Minister in the Middle East began with with Palestinian President Independent schools, fixing H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed the occupation of Iraq, with Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas. the maximum lesson hours of Al Attiyah said yesterday sectarian violence still plagu- He said Israel had waged teachers at 16 per week. that Qatar was the first Arab ing the country. three fierce wars against All Independent schools country that proposed a res- Dr Al Attiyah then addressed Hamas but was never able to resumed classes yesterday after olution to the Syrian crisis the issue of extremist groups in wipe off Hamas and will never the two-week spring break. The and maintained that the fail- the Middle East and said the resolve the crisis. schools reported 75 to 85 per- ure of the Middle East peace problem has to be eliminated. To a question about accu- cent student attendance on the process remains the biggest He said the problem was that sations by Israel’s Minister first day. challenge. Sunni groups that defeated Al of Strategic and Intelligence The cut in teaching hours He said Qatar was also the Qaeda in Iraq in 2007 were Affairs for International aims to reduce work load on first to deal with international targeted by former Iraqi prime Relations Yuval Steinitz about teachers and improve students’ players who would negotiate a minister Nouri Al Malki. support to Hamas to launch performance, said the circular. peaceful solution with Bashar On the international coali- attacks on Israel, he said Hamas The reduced hours will help Al Assad, but a breakthrough tion formed to fight in Syria was not a terrorist group but a teachers better focus on other was still awaited. and Iraq, he said GCC members political and social representa- areas such as student assess- Dr Al Attiyah was partici- backed efforts of the coalition tion and plays a role of resist- ment, analysing examination pating in a seminar ‘Is This the in Syria but it lacked a clear ance to Israeli occupation. www.swiss-belhotel.com results and study plans. End of the Middle East?’. strategy to deal with Iraq. Dr Al Attiyah said Hamas Tel The circular said teachers He said the change the Arab On Libya, he said members would not fight Israel if the should not be kept busy with Spring brought about means of the old regime were trying latter would end its occupation Fax extra hours. Teachers with less that the international commu- to regain control of the coun- and that Qatar does not sup- than 12 subjects can be assigned nity will no longer have to deal try while others in the country port any terrorist groups. weekly shifts and rotations with dictators. Instead, he said, were looking to protect their He said there were more according to a time table, said the international community revolution. Qatar is looking to than 1.5 billion Muslims in the Tel the circular. now has to deal with the will resolve the crisis through nego- world but mocking Prophet Fax The SEC asked school opera- of the people. tiations, he added. Muhammad (PBUH) went tors not to make teachers busy The Minister said temporary On the Palestinian issue, beyond the freedom of expres- with unnecessary paper and stability in the region is not he stressed that Israel’s only sion. He condemned recent acts documentation work not impor- the answer. He said problems option is to hold dialogue of violence in Europe. QNA tant in their job. Tel Independent schools have Fax been asked to involve teach- ers in committees concerned Traffic chaos with improving performance of teachers and students. Tel + 974 44298888 The circular recommended the use of electronic education Fax tools and specified the role of teachers in eEducation. THE PENINSULA Tel Fax Relations reviewed DOHA: Minister of Labour and Tel Social Affairs H E Dr Abdullah Fax Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi separately met US Ambassador Dana Shell Smith and Lebanese Ambassador Hasan Najem. Tel Talks dealt with means of Fax enhancing relations and issues of Many crowded areas in Doha witnessed traffic jams during peak hours as Independent schools opened mutual concern. QNA yesterday. The rush is expected to increase in the days to come as more people return from their winter and spring holidays. www.doha.hilton.com Tel 44233333 974+ Japan delegation visits Tasweeq Fax 44233000 974+

DOHA: A Japanese delega- tion representing oil and gas companies, including Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum (JCCP), visited Qatar to strengthen cooperation. Tel The team was hosted by Fax Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company (Tasweeq), said a statement yesterday. The visit follows the signing of a memorandum of understand- Tel ing signed between Tasweeq Fax and JCCP in November 2013. The MoU aims to exchange learning and development pro- grammes and access JCCP’s Tel technical and non-technical Fax courses. Saad A Al Kuwari, CEO, Tasweeq, Abdulla Al Abdulmalek, Executive Director, Administration, and Fumihiro Another component of the Tone, Master Lecturer, Training Department, JCCP, with officials at the company’s headquarters in Doha. MoU is implementation of ‘Exchange Program for Young Generations’ which allows The main reception was Tasweeq, gave a presentation on The team visited Ras Laffan, Tel young employees on both sides attended by Saad A Al Kuwari, the company and its operations, Mesaieed and Dukhan indus- Fax to share knowledge and best CEO, Tasweeq, Abdulla followed by a presentation by trial cities, Katara, Pearl Qatar practices and discuss future Al Abdulmalek, Executive Tone on Japan’s energy outlook. and Museum of Islamic Art. marketing challenges in the oil Director, Administration, Dr The team was introduced As part of the programme and gas industry. Majid Ibrahim, Head, Learning, to the marketing infrastruc- and the MoU, the first Qatari Tel The eight-member team Development and Qatarisation ture of petroleum products in delegation comprising seven was headed by Fumihiro Tone, and other Tasweeq directors. Qatar, and show them educa- Qatari employees of Tasweeq Fax Master Lecturer, Training Abdulaziz Al Meer, Director, tional, cultural and economic visited Japan last December. Department, JCCP. Planning and Performance, landmarks. THE PENINSULA

Tel Woqod attends Education City Career Fair Fax DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) participated in the Education City Career Fair by Hamad Bin Khalifa University and partners at Student Centre Tel on February 1-2. Many com- Fax panies from the oil and gas, media and consultancy sec- tors and local universities took part. Tel Woqod received many Qatari Fax and non-Qatari students inter- ested in internships and grad- uating students interested in www.marriottmarquisdoha.com full-time employment. The fair was an opportunity to inter- Tel + 974 44195000 act with the new generation Fax + 974 44195100 and learn about their aspira- tions and ambitions as upcom- ing leaders. Woqod highlighted opportunities in various fields available to students and real- Students at the Woqod stand. istic and fun approach to eve- ryday challenges each profession faces. Students were curious to learn about Woqod’s business activities. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

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

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

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

Jordan initiative Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE barbaric murder by the Islamic State of a captured Jordanian pilot has infuriated Jordan. The country united and rose in fury and condemnation Tafter the news that its pilot has been burned alive hit the headlines. King Abudllah II, who was in US, cut Need for Guantanamo blueprint short his visit and vowed an all-out campaign against the perpetrators of the crime. And he has kept his word. Amman BY JANE HARMAN and JACK announced yesterday it conducted dozens of air strikes on releases has significantly reduced the but humane prison in the United States GOLDSMITH the IS and has launched 56 air raids since Thursday. On recidivism rate that resulted from is that keeping them in Cuba, on bal- the first day of the campaign, 19 targets were destroyed, bulk releases before 2009. But as the ance, hurts US interests. Guantanamo including training camps and equipment. Eighteen more N HIS State of the Union address exchange last year of five Taliban mem- was established to be beyond the reach last month, President Barack bers for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl showed, of US law, a premise the Supreme targets including ammunition and fuel depots and logistics Obama reiterated his determina- this standard might need tightening Court rejected in Rasul v. Bush and centres were hit on Friday. On Saturday, 19 IS targets Ition to shut down the detention to limit releases to only those persons Boumediene v. Bush. were destroyed, including barracks and residential centres. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. who pose no threat. The facility is “a propaganda tool for Amman must continue its relentless strikes against the Some in Congress are resolved to stop A tougher issue is where to send the our enemies and a distraction for our terrorists and its forces must be given all kinds of support by him. Even Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., remaining non- dangerous detainees. allies,” as former president George W. who has supported closing the prison Many come from Yemen, a cauldron Bush said in a memoir in the course Arab and Western allies. in the past, joined a recent congres- of instability. The administration has of explaining why his administration At the same time, these strikes are not easy. Reports sional effort to slow releases from already persuaded third-party coun- “worked to find a way to close the say US allies are frustrated with a lack of support from Guantanamo on the grounds that the tries to take 100 or so of these detain- prison.” For similar reasons, closing Washington for the anti-IS operations. Jordanians say US president has never presented Congress ees, including several dozen in the Guantanamo remains high on Obama’s failed to deliver promised military equipment including with a “concrete or coherent plan.” past few months. Still, finding a place agenda. smart bombs, night-vision gear and spare parts for planes. Both sides are right. Guantanamo to send the remaining non-dangerous There are no appealing solutions, should be closed detainees will be hard; options have but members of Congress who dispute Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said promised US but not until narrowed. the national security assessment of deliveries of weapons have been slow to arrive. Leaders of the president The biggest problem is a group of two commanders in chief should con- the Iraqi Sunni tribes that are vital for defeating the IS say presents a real- up to 68 higher-risk detainees. Seven sider this: Transferring the detainees they too lack the weapons and Guantanamo istic plan and are being tried in military commis- to the United States is an opportunity ammunition to fight the terrorists. makes his case sions. But as Obama noted six years to strengthen the legal basis for their Amman has Iraqi Sunni tribal leaders had should be closed to Congress and ago, the others “pose a clear danger long-term detention, which becomes the nation. Any to the American people.” The men in more fraught as the armed conflicts in unleashed a visited Washington recently to but not until blueprint must this category, the president explained, Afghanistan and against some compo- plead for help in recapturing their address very real “received extensive explosives training nents of al-Qaida wind down. barrage of air territory — cities like Ramadi and the president issues related to at al-Qaida training camps, or com- The legislation needed to bring strikes against Fallujah that were taken over by presents a the island facil- manded Taliban troops in battle, or Guantanamo detainees to the United the Islamic State last year. ity’s 122 remain- expressed their allegiance to Osama States could supplement the military ing detainees. bin Laden, or otherwise made it clear rationale for holding non-prosecutable the IS, but It’s unfortunate that there is no realistic plan The easi- that they want to kill Americans.” — but very dangerous — terrorists with unfortunately proper coordination in the fight and makes his est question Guantanamo cannot and should not a form of administrative detention akin is not getting against the Islamic State. The is whether to be closed until there is a concrete plan to civil commitment, one that could recent surge in atrocities by the case to Congress release the 54 to prosecute these men, or, if neces- apply after the end of the relevant sufficient support who the admin- sary, detain them in a lawful way that hostilities. Such a statute could pre- IS militants has hardened world and the nation. opinion against them, especially in istration has ensures they can never inflict grievous scribe the definition of dangerousness from its allies. determined harm again. that warrants detention, the processes the Arab world. Arab societies and Any blueprint aren’t danger- Federal courts have ruled that these for determining a continued threat to their governments unanimously must address ous. Many in detainees can be lawfully held until the public safety over time and the stand- agree that IS doesn’t represent Congress worry end of the relevant conflict, whenever ards for judicial review. anyone, and the world should not baulk at exterminating very real issues that these pris- that might be. But many cannot be This approach is, in our view, the them. US and its Arab allies must seize this opportunity to related to the oners will return criminally prosecuted because of evi- least bad option for dealing with fight the militants, and finish the job as early as possible. to the fight. Since dence tainted by abusive interrogations, detainees. Keeping hardened terrorists 2009, Congress limitations in federal criminal law and incarcerated is essential; keeping them Arabs too need to sit across the table and resolve their island facility’s has restricted other problems of fitting the demand- detained at Guantanamo Bay is unten- differences on the issue. A report two days ago said that the 122 remaining transfers from ing standards of criminal justice to the able. The president and Congress must UAE sees no defeat of Islamic State without Iraqi Sunnis. Guantanamo, and messiness of the terrorist battlefield. be partners in finding a secure solution. The UAE pulled out of US-led air strikes on IS positions detainees. in recent years Scores of lawyers in two administra- Harman, a former Democratic mem- partly because it thought they could not succeed without a has required the tions have scoured the case files and ber of the House of Representatives, defense secretary case law and (reluctantly) agree. is president and chief executive of the push to arm Sunni tribes in Iraq. Abu Dhabi is also said to to certify that What to do? Closing Guantanamo Woodrow Wilson International Center be unhappy with the coalition which has not kept its promise they are “no longer a threat to the must not mean ending detention of for Scholars. Goldsmith, a former in supporting the Sunnis in Anbar, not preparing them, national security of the United States” these dangerous men, though the two assistant attorney general during the equipping them and arming them to take part in the war or, at a minimum, to craft a plan to are often confused. The main question George W. Bush administration, is a against Daesh. “substantially mitigate the risk” of a is, where will they be incarcerated — in professor at Harvard Law School and a The West is currently preoccupied by the crisis in return to the battlefield. This insistence Cuba or in the United States? senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. on individualized, security- protective The case for sending them to a secure WP-BLOOMBERG Ukraine, but the fight against terror is more important. The other side Quote of India, China and an opportunity the day EEPING up the momentum in with Chinese President Xi Jinping. She economy and sluggish European intra-coalition pressures. In 2005, the India-China relations, External also called on the Chinese President, recovery, China may be focussing Agreement on the Political Parameters Affairs Minister Sushma a rare opportunity for any visiting on the Indian market. It also appears and Guiding Principles for the KSwaraj came back from her Foreign Minister. Clearance for the willing to invest, following Prime Minister Settlement of the Boundary Question three-day visit to China with several early operationalisation of a new route Modi’s “Make in India” call. signed by the two countries had raised deliverables — including a new Chinese to Kailash Mansarovar and a decision It is in such a scenario of contact hopes for an eventual settlement, but openness in seeing India take up to hold a session of talks between the and consultation that “strong leaders” those have been belied. It would also I’m concerned permanent membership of the Shanghai Special Representatives tasked by such as Modi and Xi can think about seem that President Barack Obama’s that all these Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the two sides to resolve the boundary making some hard decisions when it successful visit to India around Republic Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation dispute, are other takeaways. Her trip comes to the decades-old boundary Day has not dampened Beijing’s will- Houthis and... (APEC). Previously, the Chinese had was also part of preparations for Modi’s dispute that keeps surfacing during ingness to take relations with Delhi to linked SCO membership with a greater visit later in the year. As reported in the major bilateral visits. So far, the coali- the next level. Interestingly, India while former president role for Beijing in the South Asian Chinese media, President Xi himself has tion nature of Indian governments has talking to the US and its other allies in Saleh have been Association for Regional Cooperation set the agenda for taking bilateral ties been seen as a major obstacle to the the Asia-Pacific about safety in the sea- (SAARC). Ms. Swaraj, during her to a new level by suggesting that the give-and-take, compromise approach lanes, has agreed to set up a “consulta- undermining the first visit to China as External Affairs two countries seize the “opportunity on the border question. Today, Modi is tion mechanism” on Asia-Pacific affairs transition process. Minister, built on the three meetings of the century” by combining their in the happy situation where he can take with China and Russia. Ban Ki-moon Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had development strategies. With a slowing a political call on issues, rising above The Hindu UN Secretary-General MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Obama’s risky romance with Iran Gulf allies in the fight against the Islamic State view Obama’s coziness with Iran with trepidation: The UAE forces have reportedly pulled back from airstrikes against IS targets in Syria, in part because of disagreements with Washington over the growing Iranian role.

BY DANIELLE PLETKA collapse of the Arab Spring, Iranian dik- tat has spread farther and wider. he immolation of a Jordanian In Iraq, Revolutionary Guard com- pilot is only one of many signs manders and Iranian-trained militias are of a Middle East collapsing into a bulwark of the fight against the Islamic Tbrutal disorder. Leaders have State. In Bahrain, Tehran has sought to fallen, civil wars are spreading and ter- transform the downtrodden Shia major- rorism is thriving. It’s tempting to yearn ity’s demand for rights into an Iranian- for the relative security of years past, armed uprising. when the United States’ client dictators And in recent weeks, Iranian-backed kept the region quiet, and to look for Houthi rebels have overthrown a Yemeni another candidate to play the role. government vital to the fight against Al Of course, the lore of the old, stable Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Middle East is more myth than reality — Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have both the half-century before the Arab Spring rounded up Iranian agents and detained saw multiple governments fall, the rise Iranian-backed militants in the past few US President Barack Obama departs from the White House in Washington. of terror, three Arab-Israeli warsand years. civil wars in Yemen and Lebanon. Still, When President Barack Obama ini- growing Iranian role. Even the Iraqi gov- Sana’a. And then there’s the Houthi shop that characterised US diplomacy for the allure of the strongman pervades tiated talks with Iran on its nuclear ernment is privately fretting over Iran’s group’s motto, which includes the much of the 20th century will work any Washington. programme, both he and Iran’s leaders growing domination of Shia militias. words “death to America, death to better than the earlier Sunni compact The latest example is what appears to insisted they would be limited to the Another sign of changing policy relates Israel, damnation to the Jews.” that denied tens of millions their demo- be the Obama administration’s efforts to outstanding nuclear dispute. But it soon to Assad himself. Nearly four years ago, The slow-motion acquiescence to Iran’s cratic aspirations and paved the way to create a regional compact centered on became clear that Obama had higher Obama called on the Syrian dictator to terms in talks over Tehran’s nuclear today’s turmoil. Iranian power. hopes and had begun to see the talks as step down; now he appears ready to allow weapons programme is the icing on the What eludes the Obama administra- Few dispute the notion that Iran has a prism through which to view, and even Assad to stay. cake. If the president’s State of the Union tion, as it did George W Bush, is that the designs on the Middle East. Even before solve, the region’s troubles. A new round of Syria peace talks threat to veto new Iran sanctions wasn’t battle for the future of the Middle East is the Islamic Revolution, Persia’s lead- The clearest sign of a new attitude in Moscow effectively vitiates earlier enough, reports that Washington is now a war of ideas. Taking sides in the Sunni- ers long aimed — without success — to was the growing, if tacit, coordination demands that Assad leave office. And comfortable with Iran keeping most of Shia sectarian war will not restore the restore the empire of old. between Washington and Tehran in Iraq. talks regarding US use of Nato facilities its current arsenal of 10,000 uranium- illusory stability of old. Over the past 36 years, however, the Secretary of State John Kerry lauded in Turkey reportedly have foundered on enriching centrifuges are a clear sign that Rather, the path to long-term sta- clerical regime has built an army of prox- Iranian efforts while Martin Dempsey, Obama’s unwillingness to target Assad’s change is afoot. bility means working with groups that ies that have hobbled governments and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, forces. On its face, taking the Iranian side in a eschew violence, respecting religious emerged politically and militarily domi- went further, declaring, “Iranian influ- In recent days, the administration has sectarian war in which the Islamic State preferences without sacrificing minori- nant across the region. ence will be positive.” also reached out to the Iranian-backed stands on the other side may make sense ties, pressing toward s market economies Since creating Hezbollah in 1982, Iran Gulf allies in the fight against the Houthis in Yemen to seek cooperation in an enemy-of-my-enemy way. What that empower individuals and building has sought to dictate policy in Lebanon. Islamic State view Obama’s coziness against AQAP. That may seem to make could be wrong with using Iran to kill the toward a region that rests on the consent Syrian dictator Bashar Assad is now a with Iran with trepidation: United Arab geo-strategic sense, but the collateral Islamic State and Al Qaeda, even if the of the governed. wholly owned subsidiary of Tehran, and Emirates forces have reportedly pulled damage from working with Iran in Yemen price is keeping a few bad guys in power There is no secret path to peace, not Hamas is well on its way to becoming back from airstrikes against Islamic will be tremendous. in Damascus or Sana’a? Unfortunately, through Tehran, not through Riyadh, not the same. State targets in Syria, in part because of Saudi Arabia has already cut its lots. There is no reason to believe that at all. With the US retreat from Iraq and the disagreements with Washington over the billions-strong economic lifeline to a Shia version of the one-stop dictator WP-BLOOMBERG

Fighting terrorism should not violate people’s rights Scholar provided Japan with channel

ll forms of ter- rorism must to IS at hostage crisis peak be rejected no Amatter what justifications are made. Tokyo appeared ready at one point to talk “We strongly urge the group not to Terrorising and horrify- harm the two Japanese nationals ing innocent people and and to release them immediately.” killing them is totally to Islamic State to free two Japanese men It did not address the ransom unacceptable, regard- demand. less of its motives and who had been captured in Syria for ransom, Nakata said he decided not to whether the perpetrators forward the message, believing it are groups, organisations despite the government’s public vow not to showed no willingness to talk. “If I or states. This introduc- passed this on, it would be like send- tion is important because give in to terrorism. ing a message to kill the hostages,” some people believe that he said. criticising the method of BY ANTONI SLODKOWSKI The ministry did not follow up fighting terrorism means whatever private communication with him on the message or the supporting terrorism and channels there were in place and response from IS, Nakata added. terrorists. apan’s government opened a proved unable to establish effec- But on January 23, as the ransom The security bodies’ communication channel with tive contact with the militants demand neared, Nakata received a responsibility to protect DR GHANIM AL NAJJAR IS (IS) in the decisive stages until the very end,” said Nils message from Umar via WhatsApp, people from terrorists Jof its recent hostage crisis but Bildt, president of security con- a smartphone application. It was becomes inevitable and was unwilling to use it to start nego- sultancy CTSS Japan, which has just after 4:30 in the morning in imperative provided combating terrorism does not violate tiations, according to a Tokyo-based worked for the Japanese govern- Tokyo, 9:30 at night in Syria. the rights of innocent people and deviate from focusing Islamic scholar who briefly became ment. Bildt said that may have “There isn’t much time left. on real criminals. Combating terrorism does not target an intermediary. been a mistake. The IS will carry out its promise,” opposition members who peacefully express their views Hassan Ko Nakata (pictured), 54, The foreign ministry’s anti- Umar said in a message in Arabic and opinions. who police suspected was a recruiter terrorist taskforce declined to and translated by Nakata. Umar’s Ever since the 9/11 attacks in the US, countries have cre- for IS, was asked by the foreign comment on Nakata’s specific alle- ransom if asked. identity and his connection to those ated new forums to fight so-called terrorism both locally ministry to pass on a message to gations. “The Japanese govern- Then late last month, after holding the hostages could not be and internationally. Unfortunately, such endeavours have so the group at the peak of the crisis ment took all possible measures Nakata’s return to Japan from Syria, confirmed. far not proved successful as terrorism is increasing and its last month, according to Nakata, and considered all options to deal he said he became an intermediary The militant asked Nakata victims are innocent people. associates and records reviewed by with the hostage crisis but I would between the foreign ministry and a whether an audio message Umar Modern history has never witnessed the formation of an Reuters. like to refrain from commenting person he identified as a Chechen claimed to have obtained via “nego- international body to fight terrorism the way it does today. The request, which has not been on specific steps undertaken by the fighter with IS, Umar Ghuraba, who tiation channels” was credible. The UN alone has over seven bodies working in this area, previously revealed, shows Tokyo government,” said taskforce official was based in northern Syria. In it, a man identifies himself as mostly incompetently. Parallel to this, there are dozens of appeared ready at one point to talk Takanori Hayashi. “I just wanted to use my connec- Masayuki Magoshi, a diplomat at other international bodies and organisations operating with to IS to free two Japanese men who Nakata, who says he no longer tions with the IS to help solve the Japan’s embassy in Jordan. Speaking varying degrees of efficiency and competence. had been captured in Syria for ran- supports IS, said he became involved crisis,” Nakata said. Japanese, he says Japan is “seri- There are more than 13 agreements or protocols directly som, despite the government’s pub- in the hostage crisis last September A former Islamic law professor at ous” about securing the hostages or indirectly related to combating terrorism, an endless lic vow not to give in to terrorism. when he went to Syria on his own Kyoto-based Doshisha University, and states their names and dates number of regional treaties and over 230 comprehen- IS beheaded the two hostages - a accord in a failed bid to secure the Nakata converted to Islam in 1979. of birth. sively and partially specialised research centres studying self-styled security consultant and release of the first hostage to be He had expressed support for IS on “It’s credible,” Nakata wrote back terrorism. a veteran war reporter - days later taken, Haruna Yukawa. Goto made Twitter and posed with a gun before after saying he had called the head The results have so far been disappointing in view of the after Japan decided to team up a similar mission in late October to the group’s flag. He says he does of the foreign ministry’s anti-terror- momentum to fight terrorism. The reason might be attrib- with Jordan to deal with the crisis, free Yukawa but ended up a captive not support IS now but maintains ism taskforce to confirm the state- uted to the fact that those who claim to be fighting terrorism, a move that is now under scrutiny himself. friendships with militants. ment in the middle of the night. directly or indirectly indulging in terrorism activities. They at home. Shortly after, Goto’s wife, Rinko, On January 21, a day after IS “It’s important that the condi- are only interested in fighting terrorism directed to them That decision to work exclusively received an email from IS rep- announced a 72-hour deadline to tions of the IS are met,” Umar wrote while do not mind it when it is directed to others and find with Amman, which was also try- resentatives and tried to engage pay $200m for Goto and Yukawa, back. no harm in reviving and supporting it. ing to free a Jordanian hostage from in talks with the help of a UK officials at Japan’s anti-terrorism The next day a video purportedly Those fighting terrorism do not mind violating innocent IS, not only closed communications security consultancy and people taskforce sent an email to an asso- showing a beheaded Yukawa was people’s dignity and deem that as a price to be paid, and via Nakata but also effectively ended who had worked with Goto in the ciate of Nakata, Shiko Ogata, 31. published online. Goto was killed therefore, fighting terrorism will only remain nominal slo- separate contact that had opened up Middle East, according to four peo- The email contained a message a week later. Nakata says he never gans for the sake of which many scapegoats are sacrificed between the wife of hostage Kenji ple involved. addressed to IS and a request it heard back from the anti-terrorism here and there. Goto, 47, the war correspondent, Japanese officials had privately be passed on. Email records show taskforce. He says he has not been (The writer is legal activist and academic and his captors. told the families of Yukawa and Ogata sent it to Nakata. The mes- in touch with Umar since. researcher) THE PENINSULA “The government sidelined Goto that they would not pay a sage in English and Arabic said: REUTERS MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Kerry rules out Iran N-talks extension Iranian foreign minister denies warning Washington that Rowhani at risk if nuclear talks fail

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: US Secretary of State John Kerry ruled out extending a Khamenei rejects West’s excessive demands March 31 deadline for Iran nuclear talks unless the basic TEHRAN: Iran’s paramount Khamenei said: “The respected framework of an agreement is leader said yesterday he backed president mentioned something hammered out, speaking in an a fair nuclear deal with world good, which is, ‘Negotiations are interview aired yesterday. powers in which neither side all about trying to reach a com- “The only chance I can see of would necessarily get every- mon stand’. an extension at this point in time thing it wanted, shoring up “This means that one side would be that you really have the Tehran’s negotiating team would not end up getting all it outlines of the agreement,” Kerry against attacks by his hardline wants,” said Khamenei, in office said in the interview on NBC’s loyalists. since 1989 and long known for “Meet the Press” in Munich. “I would go along with any rejectionist stances against Global powers have been strug- agreement that could be made. detente with the West. gling for more than a year to pin Of course, I am not for a bad deal. The West suspects Iran of down a comprehensive deal to No agreement is better than an covertly seeking a nuclear weap- rein in Iran’s suspect nuclear pro- agreement which runs contrary ons capability instead of, as the gram, after an interim accord was to our nation’s interests,” cleri- major oil producer maintains, struck in November 2013. cal Supreme Leader Ayatollah an alternative civilian energy Kerry met with his Iranian Ali Khamenei said in a state- source through its enrichment counterpart Mohammad Javad ment issued by his office carried of uranium. Iran denies having Zarif on Friday and again yester- by Isna news agency. any nuclear arms agenda. US Secretary of State John Kerry day in Munich, where the top US Conservative hardliners in A comprehensive nuclear diplomat stressed Washington’s speaks at the Security Conference Tehran’s multi-tiered power deal is seen as crucial to reduc- commitment to seeing the dead- in Munich in Germany yesterday. structure remain wary of strik- ing the risk of a wider Middle Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a meeting with air line met. After their meeting ing any compromise with the East war, at a time when Iran force commanders in Tehran. yesterday, Zarif appeared to rule final deal setting out all the tech- West under pragmatist President is deeply involved in conflicts in out any new extension to tough nical points of what would be a Hassan Rouhani’s push for a Syria and Iraq. After nearly a negotiations with world powers. complex accord by June 30. nuclear deal and to re-engage year of talks, negotiators failed The two sides remain far apart there are many ways at our dis- Kerry said outlining the basics But the atmosphere has been Iran with the outside world. for the second time in November on central issues including per- posal to dull this weapon,” said of the agreement was crucial complicated by hardliners both “The Iranian nation will not to meet a self-imposed deadline missible enrichment capacity in Khamenei. before a possible extension could in Iran and the United States, accept any excessive demands and for an agreement. Iran, the length of any final set- Khamenei, who holds the high- be considered, but reiterated his with US lawmakers threatening illogical behaviour,” Khamenei said, The negotiations between tlement and the pace at which est office in the Islamic Republic preference for sticking to the tar- to impose new sanctions on Iran in remarks apparently meant to Iran and the six powers - the financial sanctions imposed over with powers to overrule laws, is get date. if the March deadline is missed. keep hardliners — who are promi- United States, Britain, France, Tehran’s suspected atom bomb sceptical about the value of nego- “But if we’re not able to make Iranian Foreign Minister nent in parliament, the clergy and Germany, Russia and China - ambitions would be dismantled. tiations. But he has also repeat- the fundamental decisions that Mohammad Javad Zarif denied security services — on side. have a deadline of June 30 for a “Our (nuclear) negotiators edly endorsed Rouhani’s path have to be made over the course yesterday a media report that he But in a gesture to Rouhani, final agreement that would curb are trying to take the weapon of towards ending the economi- of the next weeks, literally, I think had told the United States dur- who revived diplomacy with Iran’s disputed nuclear activity sanctions away from the enemy. cally crippling nuclear stand- it would be impossible to extend,” ing nuclear talks that President Western powers soon after in return for a phased lifting of If they can, so much the better. off against harsh criticism from he told NBC. “I don’t think we Hassan Rowhani’s political clout his 2013 landslide election, sanctions imposed on Tehran. If they fail, everyone should know hardliners. REUTERS would want to extend at that would be heavily damaged if nego- point. Either you make the deci- tiations failed. sions to prove your program is a A Reuters report on Saturday, peaceful one, or if you’re unable quoting three senior Iranian offi- security conference in Munich. failed to reach an agreement it in the negotiations,” said Zarif. The Reuters report quoted to do that, it may tell a story that cials who asked not to be identi- “Those that talked to me in the would not be Iran’s fault. He said “Everybody has taken every the three senior Iranian officials none of us want to hear.” fied, said Zarif had warned the past three days know that was not the negotiations had Rowhani’s necessary measure to make as saying a breakdown in talks After missing two previous United States and other Western a subject of our negotiation,” he support. sure we succeed. All Iranians would empower Iran’s conserva- deadlines, the group known as the powers during ongoing nuclear said, adding: “I did not.” “I believe the entire Iranian know this. If we fail, and I hope tive hardliners. The 12-year-old P5+1 — Britain, China, France, talks that a failure to reach a deal Reuters said it stands by its population understands that we won’t, they (Iranians) will stand-off has reached a crucial Germany, Russia, and the United would likely hasten the political reporting. Zarif said that if Iran this government, that Dr not consider us responsible for phase, with a March deadline to States — set a March 31 deadline demise of Rowhani. and major world powers, includ- Rowhani, his administration, that failure. They will consider reach a political agreement ahead for a political agreement. “I want to correct a very wrong ing the United States, Germany, and the government in its attempts (to ask) too much from of a final settlement by June 30. That would be followed by a report by Reuters,” Zarif told a France, Britain, Russia and China, entirety, supported our efforts Iran as a reason for failure.” AFP/REUTERS

Resume money transfer services: Quartet urges revival of talks, reconstruction of Gaza MUNICH: The ‘Quartet’ of with the Palestinians angry at as possible,” the group compris- talks must respect Palestinian said the diplomats. Somali PM to Middle East peace mediators continued building of Jewish set- ing the United States, European aspirations for statehood and They urged donors to disburse urged a prompt resumption of tlements in occupied territory Union, United Nations and Russia Israel’s security concerns. the more than $5bn in aid for the US banks talks between Israel and the and Israel furious at attempts said in a joint statement after “The Quartet is deeply con- Palestinians pledged last October Palestinians after a meeting in to bring Hamas, which officially their meeting in Germany. cerned over the difficult situ- in Cairo to repair damage from MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Munich yesterday and voiced denies Israel’s right to exist, into US Secretary of State John ation in Gaza where the pace the war in the tiny coastal terri- prime minister urged the US concern about the slow pace of the Palestinian government. Kerry, EU foreign policy chief of reconstruction needs to be tory. More than 2,100 Palestinians government and US banks to reconstruction in Gaza, dam- “The Quartet underlined Federica Mogherini, Russia’s accelerated to address the basic and 73 Israelis died in the fight- support money transfer firms aged in last year’s war. the importance of the parties Sergei Lavrov and deputy UN needs of the Palestinian popu- ing. that offer a lifeline for many Talks broke down last April resuming negotiations as soon head Jan Eliasson reiterated that lation and to ensure stability,” REUTERS in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation. About 40 percent of all Somali families rely on remit- tances from another coun- Alawites protest try, and the estimated annual total of $1.3bn is more than all Turkey detains 21 police foreign aid and investment in Somalia combined. Funds sent back home to officers in wiretapping probe Somalia are crucial for many families and businesses in a coun- ISTANBUL: A Turkish court ordered the arrest of 21 police offic- try that lacks a proper finan- ers yesterday as part of an investigation into the illegal wiretap- cial system due to the years of ping of politicians, civil servants and businessmen, the Dogan News fighting. Agency reported. Virtually all major US banks Raids began in several cities as prosecutors enforced the court order, have ended remittance services privately owned Dogan said, the latest step in President Recep Tayyip to Somalis in the United States Erdogan’s campaign against supporters of his ally turned arch-foe, because of regulations designed to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Prosecutors were not imme- stop money falling into the hands diately available for comment. Scores of police officers have already of groups branded “terrorists” by been detained as part of the investigation since the middle of last year. Washington, such as Somalia’s al Erdogan accuses Gulen of setting up a “parallel state” within the Shabaab. Turkish administration and of trying to topple him, blaming Gulen’s Omar Abdirashid Ali supporters within the police and judiciary for a corruption inquiry that Sharmarke said in a statement rocked the government late in 2013. on Sunday he had spoken to In the course of the scandal, wiretap recordings of senior officials American government officials leaked onto the Internet. Thousands of police officers, judges and about this “pressing issue” and prosecutors have since been removed from their posts. repeated his calls to US banks to In December, a Turkish court issued an arrest warrant for Gulen reconsider their decision. Members of Turkey’s Alawite community stage a protest in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul yesterday. Thousands on suspicion of heading a criminal organisation and last week Turkey AFP of Alawites gathered in Istanbul to protest for greater rights and a more equal position in the education system. revoked his passport. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, denies plotting against the government. Erdogan unhappy with spy chief’s Strike shuts Libya’s last onshore export terminal resignation for contesting election BENGHAZI: A strike by secu- armed factions fighting for legiti- All other ports and most oilfields failing state services, several dis- rity guards has closed Libya’s macy and territory. The interna- have shut down due to fighting tricts in the capital Tripoli saw ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yes- eastern oil port of Hariga, tionally recognised government nearby or pipeline blockages by outages for 10 hours on Sunday, terday he was unhappy with the decision of powerful intelligence the country’s last functioning of Prime Minister Abdullah Al rival factions. residents said. Power had already chief Hakan Fidan to resign from his post and stand for parlia- export port apart from two off- Thinni fled to the east when a The guards at Hariga com- gone off for six hours on Saturday. ment in June elections. “I do not view Hakan Fidan’s candidacy shore fields, a port official said faction called Libya Dawn seized plained their salaries had not been A spokesman for the state positively,” Erdogan said in televised comments at Istanbul airport yesterday. Tripoli in August, reinstating the paid, preventing Greek-registered power firm declined to comment before heading on a visit to Latin America. The closure will lower oil out- old parliament and setting up a Minerva Zoe from loading 725,000 but officials have previously Erdogan said that he had made his opinion on the matter clear to put to less than 300,000 barrels rival administration. barrels of oil, the official said. The blamed gas shortages. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu but said the premier had the final a day, a fraction of the 1.6 mil- Hariga in Tobruk, an eastern port closed on Saturday morning. The Tripoli government has say. “I said this to the respected prime minister. I am saying this openly lion Libya used to pump before city near the Egyptian border, The fall of oil exports to a also blamed air strikes by the and clearly. But this is a decision of the respected prime minister and the 2011 uprising that toppled used to export around 120,000 trickle has caused a budget cri- official government on the west- the government. “I cannot interfere,” Erdogan added. Muammar Gaddafi. barrels a day. sis, delaying salary payments and ern town of Zuwara, forcing the Erdogan’s comments stunned Turkish media who had assumed Libya is in the middle of a Only Brega port is still open halting development projects and nearby the Mellitah gas and oil Fidan’s departure was part of a masterplan by the Turkish strongman struggle between two govern- but it is used to supply the 120,000 hampering the supply of drugs complex to lower output for secu- ahead of the June 7 legislative polls. ments and parliaments allied to bpd-Zawiya refinery with crude. to hospitals. In another sign of rity reasons. REUTERS AGENCIES MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 56 IS targets destroyed UN chief in Saudi in three days: Jordan Strikes cripple militants’ oil revenues: Air Force chief

AMMAN: Jordan said yes- controls swathes of both Syria warplanes have flown 946 sorties terday it destroyed 56 targets and Iraq. Foreign Minister Nasser out of a total of 1,500 by the coa- in three days of strikes on the Judeh told Fox News this week the lition since the campaign began. Islamic State (IS) group after it air force had targeted IS in both “More than 7,000 Daesh crimi- murdered one of its pilots, and Syria and Iraq where the jihad- nals have been killed since Jordan is determined to destroy IS. ists have proclaimed an Islamic began participating in the air Air Force chief Major General “caliphate” in areas it controls. campaign,” he added. Mansour Al Jobour did not “We are determined to wipe out The country’s air strikes have specify where the strikes took this terrorist gang,” Jobour said contributed to crippling IS oil place, but told reporters the air during yesterday’s press briefing. revenues, Jobour said. raids launched since Thursday The air force will step up IS has targeted oil and gas had destroyed 20 percent of IS strikes against IS over the next facilities in Iraq and Syria as it capabilities. few days, he added. seeks to finance its campaign “On the first day of the cam- Interior Minister Hussein and seize more territory for its paign to avenge our airman Majali said in remarks published “caliphate”. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Maaz Al Kassasbeh, 19 targets on Saturday that Kassasbeh’s Following Jordan’s intensified of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh yesterday. were destroyed, including train- gruesome murder by IS was a sorties, the IS claimed US hos- ing camps and equipment,” he “turning point” in the kingdom’s tage Kayla Jean Mueller had been said, reading from a prepared fight against extremism. buried alive under rubble in its text. Jordanian air strikes are “the self-proclaimed capital of Raqa Jordan has vowed to crush IS beginning of an ongoing process to in Syria. US delivers arms to Lebanon after the jihadists burned alive eliminate” IS, Majali was quoted Mueller’s parents said they Kassasbeh, who was captured in as saying by government newspa- were hopeful the 26-year-old BEIRUT: The United States enemy, so our support for you aid. It received more than $100m December when his F-16 war- per Al Rai. aid worker was still alive and delivered more than $25m has been swift and continuous,” last year. Lebanese officials have plane crashed in Syria. “The day of the hero, martyr appealed to IS to contact them worth of military aid including Hale said at an event marking the warned of plans by radical Islamist Eighteen more targets includ- pilot’s assassination is a turning in order to ensure her safe return. heavy artillery to the Lebanese delivery of the weapons in Beirut. groups fighting in the Syria war to ing ammunition and fuel depots point in Jordan’s history in order Yesterday, US Secretary of army yesterday to help it fight The Lebanese army has fought seize territory in Lebanon. and logistics centres were hit on to face this horrific crime that Homeland Security Jeh Johnson jihadist groups which have regular battles with armed groups While the US-backed Lebanese Friday. was committed by the cowardly said Washington was seeking repeatedly battled with security including militants linked to army has been battling hard-line On Saturday, 19 IS targets were terrorist organisation,” he said. clarification on Mueller’s fate. forces near the Syrian border. Islamic State and the Al Qaeda- Islamists on the Lebanese side of destroyed, including barracks and Jordan is part of the US-led “We’re learning as much as we The US ambassador to Beirut, affiliated Nusra Front in areas the frontier, the Iranian-backed residential centres. coalition of Arab and Western can as quickly as we can about Ms David Hale, said in a statement near the Syrian border, most Hezbollah has been battling the “So far, the campaign has countries that has been carrying Mueller’s situation,” he told CNN. the weapons would be used to recently late last month when six same groups on the Syrian side destroyed 20 percent of the fight- out air strikes against IS since “Our thoughts, our prayers are “defeat the terrorist and extrem- soldiers were killed. of the border— part of its role ing capabilities of Daesh,” he said September. with her family right now.” ist threat from Syria”. Hale said Lebanon was the fifth fighting alongside Damascus in using another name for IS which Jobour said Jordanian AFP “We are fighting the same biggest recipient of US military the Syrian war. REUTERS

Cairo to retry Jazeera Yemen talks to resume: UN journalists this week SANA’A: The United Nations said yesterday that all parties in Yemen, where a Shia militia CAIRO: An Egy ptian court will to 10 years in prison before the dissolved the government and this week retry Aljazeera jour- retrial was ordered. parliament two days ago, are to nalists, including a Canadian The journalists’ initial trial resume political negotiations. awaiting deportation, a judicial came against the backdrop of Factions including the widely official said yesterday, after strained relations between Egypt condemned Houthi militia will his Australian colleague was and Qatar, which supported the resume talks today, envoy Jamal deported. Islamist movement of president Benomar said after the UN Canadian Mohamed Fahmy Mohamed Mursi, whom then chief called for Western-backed and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, army chief and now President President Abdrabuh Mansour journalists with the Qatari-owned Abdel Fattah Al Sisi deposed in Hadi to be restored to power. channel, were originally sen- July 2013. On Friday, the militia dis- tenced to up to 10 years in prison Canada had said yesterday solved parliament and created a for allegedly aiding the blacklisted that the release of Fahmy was “presidential council” in a move it Muslim Brotherhood, along with “imminent”, amid reports that it said was designed to fill a power Australia’s Peter Greste. had a team of diplomats in Cairo vacuum after Hadi and Prime But an appeals court over- pressing for his freedom, but he Minister Khalid Bahah resigned turned that verdict in January remains in Egyptian custody. last month. and ordered a retrial, which the Fahmy’s counsel, the prominent The militia also sought to por- judicial official said is to begin on lawyer Amal Clooney, on Saturday tray the move as a way of head- Thursday. Greste was deported on sent a letter to Sisi demanding a ing off the threat from Al Qaeda, February 1 under a presidential meeting to press for his release. which has a strong presence in decree that allows the authori- His family said in a statement east and south Yemen. ties to expel foreigners charged in yesterday that a retrial would be Benomar told reporters in Egypt and see them instead face “our worst nightmare, to have to Sana’a yesterday that Shia militia A Houthi fighter in police uniform walks in front of a military vehicle which was seized from the army during recent trial in their home countries. go through another circus of a leader “Abdelmalek Al Huthi and clashes, outside an entrance to the Presidential Palace in Sana’a yesterday. As a result, lawyers said the retrial.” all political parties in Yemen have court was likely to drop proceed- They said they were disap- agreed to resume dialogue... which ings against Greste after the pointed with what they called will begin tomorrow (Monday)”. legitimacy of President Hadi,” 551 members to replace the leg- Abyan, Lahj, Shabwa, Daleh opening session. In a bid to secure the Canadian government’s Tensions remained high in Ban said. islature in the violence-wracked and Hadramawt — rejected the his own deportation, Fahmy has “conservative approach” in lob- the south and southeast, where The fall of Hadi’s government country. Yemen is a key American Houthi takeover. In the oil-rich renounced his Egyptian nation- bying for his release and called on authorities said they did “not has sparked fears that impov- ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda eastern province of Marib, which ality and is awaiting a return Prime Minister Stephan Harper recognise” the rule of the Huthis erished Yemen — strategically in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Huthis have long been eye- to Canada, where he also has to intervene. Greste, Fahmy and and that they “totally reject the located next to oil-rich Saudi which claimed responsibility for ing, deputy governor Abdelwahid citizenship. Mohamed work for Aljazeera’s constitutional declaration” under Arabia and on the key shipping last month’s deadly attack on Namran said that Sunni tribes- However, the third journal- English channel, which operated which they seized control. route from the Suez Canal to the French satirical weekly Charlie men were “discussing means of ist, producer Mohamed, remains separately from the Egyptian and Speaking to reporters after Gulf — would plunge into chaos. Hebdo. Abdelmalek Al Houthi, facing any developments”. in jail as he only has Egyptian pro-Muslim Brotherhood channel talks with King Salman in Sunni Arab League chief Nabil al- said creating the transitional Marib residents said heav- nationality. The three employees Aljazeera Mubashir Masr. powerhouse Saudi Arabia, UN Arabi on Sunday echoed that bodies, which include a security ily armed tribes were preparing of Aljazeera English were arrested But the prosecution made no Secretary General Ban Ki-moon statement, branding the Huthi committee, would also head off to counter any attempts by the in December 2013 and tried on distinction between the channels warned “the situation is very, very move as a “coup against consti- the threat from Al Qaeda. Houthis to take over their region. allegations of supporting the during the trial. Their arrest seriously deteriorating, with the tutional legitimacy to impose that However, the statement by “The Houthis are incapable Brotherhood. had sparked a global outcry Houthis taking power and making group’s will at gunpoint”. authorities in the south, which of governing (Sunni-majority) In June last year Greste and and calls for their release led this government vacuum”. The Houthis have said they was independent until 1990, said Yemen alone,” said analyst Ali Al Fahmy were jailed for seven years, by Washington and the United “There must be restoration of will set up a national council of forces in these provinces — Aden, Bakaly. AFP while Mohamed was sentenced Nations. AFP

Man shot dead by police Top Abbas aide testifies at Dahlan graft trial in Tunisia protest RAMALLAH: A senior According to his legal team, himself to testify. “In calling any other court files pertain- recognise the legitimacy of aide to Palestinian President the 53-year-old is on trial in Araj to testify, the court has ing to the trial. They are also the newly created PA. TUNIS: A man was shot dead yesterday in Mahmoud Abbas took the connection with the alleged used up its last fall guy and barred from cross-examining Once considered a US pro- clashes between demonstrators and security stand yesterday in the trial misuse of $17m (¤15m) in now it must face the conse- witnesses, prompting Torossian tege, he fell from grace in June forces in the southern Tunisian town of Dhiba, of exiled Gaza strongman expenses. In an appearance quences,” he said, suggesting to denounce the trial as a 2007 after the humiliating near the border with Libya, during a protest Mohammed Dahlan who is before the court yesterday, the that Araj had testified in a bid “farce”. The next hearing is rout of his forces by Hamas over the economy, witnesses said. being tried in absentia on head of Abbas’s office, Hussein to avoid Abbas being called to set for February 15. during days of fierce street Protests in Tunisia in 2010 sparked revolutions corruption charges. The trial Al Araj, said he had not seen the stand. Dahlan, who once held the battles in Gaza, which saw that transformed the Arab world, and while coun- of Dahlan, once a leading fig- any documentation justifying “In his testimony, Araj said internal security portfolio the Islamists expel Fatah from tries such as Libya and Syria have been torn apart ure in Abbas’s Fatah move- how the money had been used he didn’t see or hear anything and was head of security in the territory. In August 2009, by the violence, Tunisia itself avoided the worst of ment who headed Gaza’s by Dahlan. Asked if he had (relating to Dahlan’s use of the Gaza Strip, was formerly Dahlan returned to the politi- the chaos and remains relatively stable. powerful security forces, asked Dahlan for paperwork funds) so now I want to hear a leading figure in Fatah cal stage when he was elected However, many Tunisians are still frustrated began in December. to justify the expenses, he said: Abbas’s testimony because which controls the Palestinian to Fatah’s ruling body. about the lack of growth, high unemployment and The former security chief, “No, and I don’t know if any- apparently he is the only one Authority (PA). Known for But two years later, he was rising prices. who was expelled from Fatah one else asked this either.” who would know what hap- his fierce opposition to the expelled from Fatah over allega- Protests in Dhiba started two days ago over taxes in 2011 and now lives in the Araj’s testimony was dis- pened,” Torossian said. Islamist Hamas movement, tions of financial corruption and imposed on local traders, with residents demanding United Arab Emirates, has missed as “empty” by Sevag However, under Palestinian Dahlan led a merciless crack- murder, with the party deciding more opportunities and jobs. Witnesses said police not been in court for any of Torossian of Dahlan’s defence law, Dahlan’s absence means down on the group in the to refer his case to the attorney fired bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds who the hearings in the West Bank team, who said it would his legal team is denied access 1990s, rounding up thousands general and the anti-corruption had burned a police station in the city. city of Ramallah. now be necessary for Abbas to the indictment itself or to of Islamists who refused to commission. AFP REUTERS MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Leaders scramble to avert Ukraine crisis Four-way emergency summit planned for Wednesday

MUNICH: The leaders of answer is absolutely, positively, Russia, Ukraine, Germany unequivocally we are united, we and France agreed to meet in will remain united,” Kerry told the Belarus on Wednesday to try to conference on Sunday, describing broker a peace deal for Ukraine any differences as tactical rather amid escalating violence there than strategic. and signs of cracks in the trans- Members of the Obama admin- atlantic consensus on confront- istration are also believed to be ing Vladimir Putin. skeptical about arming Ukraine The four leaders held a call yes- but the president faces intense terday, two days after Chancellor pressure from a Republican-led Angela Merkel and French Congress to act. President Francois Hollande trav- The Germans believe sending elled to Moscow for talks with weapons to a depleted Ukraine Putin that produced no break- army would not improve its Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during through in the nearly year-long chances against separatists their meeting in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. conflict that has claimed over armed with “unlimited” supplies 5,000 lives. After the call, Ukraine of Russian military equipment. President Petro Poroshenko said They also fear that delivering Putin acting like tyrant: Britain progress had been made and that arms would internationalise the he was hopeful the meeting in conflict, playing into the hands of Minsk would lead to a “swift and Putin, who has painted the crisis LONDON: Britain accused “This man (Putin) has sent planning to arm Kiev’s forces but unconditional ceasefire” in eastern as a western plot to weaken Russia. Russian President Vladimir troops across an international spoke out strongly in favour of US Secretary of State John Kerry Ukraine, where pro-Russian sepa- Merkel, 60, flew to Washington Putin yesterday of acting like a border and occupied another renewing European Union eco- ratists have stepped up a military (bottom left) on the third day of the yesterday for talks with Obama. “tyrant” over Ukraine, but said country’s territory in the 21st nomic sanctions on Russia and offensive in recent weeks, seizing 51st Munich Security Conference in A Russian speaker who grew up Kiev’s forces could not defeat century acting like some mid- possibly escalating them. new territory. Munich, Germany, yesterday. behind the Iron Curtain in East Russia’s army on the battlefield 20th century tyrant. Civilized “This is one of the last oppor- A Ukraine military spokesman Germany, she has taken the lead and that only a political solution nations do not behave like that,” tunities that Russia will have to said that intense fighting was Graham and John McCain, both in pursuing a diplomatic solution could end the bloodshed. he said. avoid yet further significant dam- continuing around the rail junc- Republican hawks, for opposing to the conflict, speaking with Putin The comments, by British Russia denies Western and age to its economy that is bound tion town of Debaltseve, with rebel the sending of defensive weapons by phone dozens of times over the Foreign Secretary Philip Ukrainian accusations it is sup- to happen if the intransigence of fighters making repeated attempts to the Ukraine army to help it fight past year and meeting with him Hammond, were his toughest porting pro-Russian separatists Vladimir Putin forces the rest of to storm lines defended by govern- the separatists. in Moscow, Sydney and Milan in yet on Russia and came after he in eastern Ukraine by sending the world to increase and tighten ment troops. At a high-level secu- “The Ukrainians are being recent months. rejected a suggestion that Britain regular troops and weapons into the sanctions,” Hammond said of rity conference in Munich over the slaughtered and we’re sending Russian Foreign Minister Sergei had become an “irrelevance” the region. Hammond’s com- the latest push for a peace deal. weekend, Merkel said it was uncer- them blankets and meals,” McCain Lavrov, who in Munich accused because it wasn’t directly involved ments came a day after German Combined with a steep fall in tain whether further negotiations said in Munich. “Blankets don’t do the West of turning a blind eye to in talks with Putin to end the Chancellor Angela Merkel said global oil prices that Hammond would lead to a deal with Putin but well against Russian tanks.” ethnic cleansing by Kiev-backed Ukraine crisis. “Ukrainians can’t sending arms to help Ukraine said was having a “catastrophic” argued that all opportunities for a US Secretary of State John militias, said on Sunday that beat the Russian army, that’s not combat the separatists would not impact on the Russian economy, diplomatic solution should be pur- Kerry sought to play down the dif- he expected the Minsk meeting a practical proposition. There solve the crisis, drawing sharp the sanctions would force Putin to sued. She came under sharp criti- ferences with Europe. to yield “important decisions”. has to be a political solution,” rebukes from US politicians. alter course, he predicted. cism from US senators Lyndsey “Will we remain united? The REUTERS Hammond told Sky News. Hammond said Britain wasn’t REUTERS

Charles voices alarm Another Nazi at radicalisation memorial LONDON: Britain’s Prince is on the Internet.” “Some aspect vandalised Charles said the numbers of of this radicalisation is a search vulnerable young Muslims being for adventure and excitement at radicalised by “crazy stuff” on a particular age.” in Austria the Internet was “frightening”, The Prince of Wales said much in an interview yesterday. of his own work with young people VIENNA: Vandals in the The heir to the throne also in deprived areas had been aimed Austrian city of Salzburg have voiced concern about Christians at finding “constructive paths” for defaced a plaque commemo- fleeing the Middle East in droves, people to channel their energies. rating the 1938 burning of saying the situation might end He said more people now real- books by the Nazis, in the lat- with very few left in the cradle ised they had to address pre- est in a series of similar inci- of the religion. vention. “You can’t just sweep it dents, police said yesterday. In a BBC radio interview, under the carpet.” The plaque on a church recall- Charles said radicalisation was Charles said the numbers of ing the first public burning of “one of the greatest worries” Christians in the Middle East was books following the Nazi annex- and the issue could not be simply going “dramatically down”, with ation of Austria was “daubed “swept under the carpet. “It’s the people “intimidated to a degree with a tar-like substance,” police extent which this is happening is you can’t believe” where the spokesman Michael Rausch the alarming part,” the 66-year- Islamic State jihadist group has said. old said. taken control in northern Iraq. The memorial, mounted in Speaking of “the values we “There is a danger that there is 2011, includes the famous quote hold dear”, Charles said: “You’d going to be very, very few left,” by German poet Heinrich Heine think that the people who have he said. (1797-1856): “That was only come here, born here, go to school “Christians have been in the a prelude — When you burn here would abide by those values Middle East for 2,000 years. books, ultimately you will also and outlooks. “But, the frighten- Before Islam came in the 8th burn people”. ing part is that people can be so century. And have contributed Demonstrators pray during a protest near Downing Street in central London yesterdfay. Thousands denounced In the past two years there radicalised either through contact an enormous amount, as many the depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) printed in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, on a have been a spate of similar inci- with somebody else or through Muslims and others would agree. day when, in an interview to be broadcast Sunday, Britain’s Prince Charles said the numbers of vulnerable young dents of vandalism in Salzburg the Internet and the extraordi- “So that makes it an even Muslims being radicalised by “crazy stuff” on the Internet was “frightening”. in western Austria believed nary amount of crazy stuff which greater tragedy.” AFP to have been carried out by neo-Nazis. This has included around 60 cases of plaques in the pavement — so-called “Stolpersteine” (“stumbling stones”) — that contain the names of Jews Foreign experts slam Mexico’s French police detain murdered by the Nazis being defaced. Last month two men aged 21 six in anti-terror raid and 22 were sentenced to five probe into 43 missing students years and four years respectively PARIS: French police detained suspected of handling question- in prison for the “Stolpersteine” MEXICO CITY: Argentine- abducted by corrupt police and of the remains were nearly impos- six people yesterday suspected able money transfers and hav- vandalism, but other incidents led forensic experts strongly delivered to drug gang members sible to identify. The Argentine of recruiting potential jihadists, ing recruited candidates to wage have gone unsolved. criticised Mexico’s investiga- who killed them, incinerated their experts said they found anomalies just days after another opera- jihad. Investigators are also look- In January 2014 vandals tion into the presumed massa- remains in a landfill in the town in 20 of the 134 genetic profiles tion saw five charged on simi- ing to see if some of the suspects painted yellow a Star of David cre of 43 missing students on of Cocula and dumped them in a of relatives that were sent to the lar grounds, Interior Minister went to Syria, said the source, symbol outside Salzburg’s syn- Saturday, insisting the probe river. university by the attorney gen- Bernard Cazeneuve said. who wished to remain anonymous. agogue. Under the Nazis Jews must remain open as they listed The Argentine team, which eral’s office. France is slowly recovering “This new raid takes place were forced to wear yellow stars. a series of mishaps. was hired by the parents of the The team also provided pic- from the January 7-9 attacks five days after the detention for And in May 2014 glass on a The Argentine Forensic students and has worked along- tures showing that several fires in Paris that left 17 people dead similar motives of eight people in monument to around 500 men- Anthropology Team, with experts side federal investigators, said have burned at the Cocula landfill but remains jittery after inci- the Paris and Lyon (southeast) tally ill patients from Salzburg from 30 countries including it did “not exclude the since 2010, meaning that physi- dents such as Tuesday’s knife regions, of whom five were charged killed by the Nazis was smashed. the United States, Canada and possibility that some of the stu- cal evidence collected at the site attack on three soldiers outside a on Saturday, and four remanded in Three people were charged France, issued a 16-page state- dents met the demise” described could belong to other events unre- Jewish community centre on the custody,” Cazeneuve said. last week over the incident. The ment questioning the conclusions by prosecutors. lated to the case. French Riviera. Cazeneuve said in Last month, Paris Prosecutor same month the letters “KZ” — of the Mexican attorney general’s “However, in our opinion, there Among the evidence collected a statement that anti-terrorism Francois Molins said 1,280 peo- short for “Konzentrationslager” office. is no scientific evidence to that by prosecutors was a denture with magistrates in Paris had ordered ple were either in the process (“concentration camp”) — was Attorney General Jesus Murillo effect at the Cocula landfill,” the a tooth, even though none of the yesterday’s raid following a probe of leaving to wage jihad abroad, sprayed on a wall outside a shel- Karam declared last month that statement said. students used one. opened in January last year into already on site, on their way back ter for the homeless. he had the “legal certainty” that Authorities sent 17 sets of The Argentine investiga- “conspiracy to commit a terrorist to France or already returned. Away from Salzburg, last the aspiring teachers were mur- charred bones to Austria’s tors said they found evidence act and financing of terrorism.” According to Prime Minister week four swastikas were found dered in the southern state of Innsbruck University, but the “strongly suggesting the possibil- A source said five people were Manuel Valls, authorities daubed or etched on walls at the Guerrero in September. world-renowned lab was only able ity” that the area of the fire con- held in the southern city of Albi have to monitor nearly 3,000 former Nazi concentration camp Murillo Karam said evidence to confirm the identity of one stu- tains human remains that do not and another in the southwest of people involved in “terrorist Mauthausen, as well as the word proved the 43 young men were dent and indicated that the rest belong to the students. AFP France. All in their 30s, they are networks.” AFP “Hitler” in small letters. AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Philippine Widodo visits military aids Manila as fate of MILF despite bloody clash Filipina lingers MANILA: Philippine soldiers rescued members of a Muslim armed group from rival extrem- ists despite frayed ties over the Focus on maritime cooperation, trade killing of 44 policemen last month, a military report said MANILA: New Indonesian not been publicly named. yesterday. President Joko Widodo arrived “We are in discussions to fur- Members of the Moro Islamic on his first state visit to the ther work out cooperation in vari- Liberation Front (MILF), which Philippines yesterday, as the ous areas of mutual interest and is engaged in a peace process with fate of a Filipina facing execu- concerns, such as migrant work- the government, were besieged tion for drug smuggling in his ers, technical-vocational skills by the rival Abu Sayyaf group country hovers over planned upgrading, the combatting of in the troubled island of Basilan talks. trafficking of narcotics, and (for) on Saturday, requiring mili- Dressed in traditional batik educational visits,” Lacierda said. tary intervention, said a state- shirt, Widodo was met at a Another Aquino spokesman, ment from the regional military Manila airbase by Philippine offi- Herminio Coloma, later said in command. cials before being whisked away an interview on government radio “Three platoons... along with without making any statement. that the two leaders would also armoured vehicles together with Widodo, who is on the last stop take up “maritime cooperation, some members of MILF in the of a three-nation trip after vis- defence, trade and investment”. area... proceeded to the encoun- iting Malaysia and Brunei, will The Department of Foreign Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (centre) walks with Philippine Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado (right) on ter site to reinforce the belea- meet with Philippine President Affairs said that the accords his arrival in Manila yesterday. guered MILF members who Benigno Aquino today with the would cover education, narcotics were engaged in the firefight,” the pair expected to sign several cooperation, a joint declaration on better bilateral ties with China China Sea dispute), it has always disappointed rights activists by statement said. agreements, the presidential pal- protecting migrant workers and than the Philippines, stood ready been playing the role of a con- voicing support for capital pun- One wounded MILF fighter ace in Manila said. “research and training in the field to act as an intermediary. venor of important discussions ishment, angered several coun- was evacuated by the soldiers However, his visit comes as the of defence studies”. “Indonesia has the gravitas to on the issue since the 1980s,” said tries by allowing the execution of who later overran an Abu Sayyaf Philippines tries to prevent the This could include the issue of be the champion of peace in the Villacorta, now an international six offenders on drug charges last camp and are believed to have execution of a female national China, which regards Indonesia as Asean (Association of South East relations specialist at De la Salle month, including five foreigners. killed one Abu Sayyaf leader, the facing death by firing squad in having a potentially pivotal role in Asian Nations). Widodo can also University in Manila. The Catholic-majority report added. Indonesia after being convicted calming rising tensions between be our partner in our efforts to The Philippines signed a mari- Philippines does not have the MILF members and other of smuggling heroin. Manila and Beijing over territo- improve relations with China,” time border accord with neigh- death penalty, and the fate of Muslim fighters ambushed and A spokesman for Aquino, rial disputes in the South China Wilfrido Villacorta, a former bouring Indonesia in May 2014 Filipinos abroad is a political hot killed 44 police commandos Edwin Lacierda, said the leaders Sea, according to analysts. Philippine ambassador to Asean, that has been hailed as a model potato in a country where 10 per- while they were on an anti-ter- would discuss drug trafficking but In August, then-president-elect said. for peacefully settling territorial cent of the population is forced to ror operation in the southern did not say if they would address Widodo told Japan’s Asahi news- “Even if Indonesia is not a disputes. seek work overseas. island of Mindanao on January the case of the woman, who has paper that Indonesia, which has claimant country (in the South Last month, Widodo, who has AFP 25. The incident violated a cease- fire between the government and the MILF and threatened President Benigno Aquino’s efforts to complete a peace Indonesia police chief row sparks crisis for president process which would create an autonomous Muslim area in the south. JAKARTA: A feud between prompting Widodo to postpone— is Indonesia’s first leader from chief would shatter his clean creden- action, and they said he should not The MILF have said they Indonesia’s law enforcement and but not cancel — his appointment outside the political and military tials, but Widodo risks revolt from press ahead with the nomination. were only acting in self- its corruption watchdog over as police chief. elites, to intervene. political allies if he dumps Gunawan. While he now seems likely defence but the killings have led the nomination of a police chief The notoriously corrupt police But so far the president has Parliament, which must to reject the nomination in the many people to question their has escalated into a full-blown — who have in the past clashed taken a cautious approach to a endorse new police chiefs, has coming days, Widodo is facing sincerity. crisis for Joko Widodo, testing with the hugely popular KPK — scandal that is proving the first already backed Gunawan, and accusations of dithering like his Aquino has said the peace the new president’s pledge to retaliated by arresting the agen- real test of his leadership. many parties—including from predecessor Susilo Bambang process must continue to usher in cleaner governance. cy’s deputy chairman on years-old “If he blunders in this KPK Widodo’s own coalition—want to Yudhoyono, who was frequently avoid a return to decades of Barely 100 days into his term, perjury allegations, triggering case, his image of running a see him inaugurated. criticised for his indecision. fighting that claimed tens of Widodo sparked an outcry last angry protests. clean government, he can kiss it Gunawan used to be a close aide Former KPK deputy chairman thousands of lives over previ- month when he nominated Budi The deputy chairman has goodbye,” Yohanes Sulaiman, a of Megawati Sukarnoputri, the Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, one ous decades. Gunawan, a politically-connected resigned, and police are now political expert at the Indonesian head of Widodo’s political party of the special advisers assisting It was unclear why the MILF figure with a murky financial threatening to bring charges Defence University, said. who backed him for the presi- the president, said Widodo wanted members were fighting guerril- record, to be head of the national against the KPK’s entire lead- Widodo, popularly known as dency, and many suspect she is to please but was more firm than las of the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim police. ership, a move that the agency Jokowi, is under immense pres- the one who is continuing to push his predecessor. “I think there is a extremist group with ties to the The situation snowballed sev- warns could paralyse it. sure to make a decision about the officer’s nomination. strong will to solve this problem as Al Qaeda network who have eral days later when the anti- Activists rallying day after Gunawan’s future, but is backed Widodo is seeking to buy time soon as possible,” he said, adding been blamed for the worst ter- corruption agency, known as the day outside KPK headquarters into a corner. as he mulls a way out of the crisis. he did not think Widodo would go ror attacks in the country’s KPK, named Gunawan as the are urging Widodo, who comes Pressing ahead and installing a He asked a team of hand-picked ahead with Gunawan’s inauguration. history. subject of a bribery investigation, from a humble background and known criminal suspect as police advisers to recommend a course of AFP AFP

North Korea missile test Thailand govt Malfunction forces denies Yingluck permission AirAsia to abort flight KUALA LUMPUR: A system Flight-tracking websites indi- to travel malfunction forced the pilots of cated AirAsia X flight D7172 an AirAsia X flight from Kuala flew several wide circles over the BANGKOK: Thailand’s mili- Lumpur to Jeddah to abort the Strait of Malacca to burn off fuel. tary government has denied flight and return to Malaysia Fernandes called the manouevre former Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday, the AirAsia Group’s a “routine” precaution as the Shinawatra permission to travel CEO said. plane was heavily laden with fuel overseas to ensure she is in the The incident sparked fresh ques- that normally would have been country to face criminal charges tions on social media about the used up during the several-hour later this month, a government Malaysian airline’s safety record flight to the Saudi Arabian city. spokesman said yesterday, as it struggles in the aftermath of “Just burning off fuel as has lots The military toppled the rem- the loss of Flight QZ8501 in late of fuel as was going to Jeddah,” he nants of Yingluck’s government in December with 162 people on board. said, adding that the plane would a coup last May, ending months of “One auto-thrust not function- be changed and the flight would demonstrations on the streets of ing properly. Actually okay to fly continue onward. Bangkok that had paralysed her but we just returning it to base,” Although QZ8501 was the administration. Tony Fernandes said in a text AirAsia group’s first deadly acci- Yingluck was last month message, calling it a “minor issue.” dent, it followed two other deadly banned from politics for five years He confirmed the plane — Malaysia Airlines incidents last and indicted on criminal charges operated by the long-haul arm year that killed over 500 people over her involvement in a state of the AirAsia Group of carri- and raised concerns among many rice buying scheme. ers, AirAsia X — landed safely travellers about the safety of the The attorney general will sub- at Kuala Lumpur’s international country’s carriers. A view of the test-firing of a new type of “anti-ship rocket”, to be equipped at Korean People’s Army (KPA) mit a subpoena to the Supreme airport late yesterday afternoon. AFP Court on February 19, and wants naval units, at an undisclosed location at sea off North Korea yesterday. Yingluck to be present for that, government spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said yesterday. Yingluck had asked for permis- sion to leave from yesterday until Sydney siege survivors tell of terror at hands of gunman February 22, he said. “The suspect must be present for the first proc- ess of the case otherwise the case SYDNEY: Survivors of a in the early hours of the next day. broadcaster Channel Nine. Survivor John O’Brien, 82, said dollars, came just over a week cannot proceed,” Sunsern said. 16-hour siege in a Sydney cafe In emotional interviews, some “You lose hope, thinking about Monis was “ranting and rav- after an inquest opened into the Yingluck’s lawyer, Norawit yesterday told of their terror of the surviving hostages told your family outside, thinking ing” about Prime Minister Tony siege. Laleng, said it was not necessary during the deadly standoff, as a Channels Seven and Nine of how there’s nothing you can do to get Abbott and threatened to kill eve- Cafe manager Tori Johnson, for her to appear in court for at jihadist gunman threatened to Monis forced them to call emer- yourself out and it’s very hard,” ryone in the cafe. 34, and barrister and mother-of- least two months while prosecu- kill people “one by one”. gency services to tell them his said the 30-year-old, who was “Tony Abbott wouldn’t come to three Katrina Dawson, 38, were tors consider the case and chose Iranian-born, self-styled cleric demands, and how the gunman pregnant at the time of the hos- the phone, he said Tony Abbott killed during the standoff, and judges to oversee it. “If the NCPO Man Haron Monis, 50, held 17 became more frustrated as night tage crisis. will have all your blood on his the New South Wales coroner had (junta) denies her permission to people hostage at the Lindt choco- fell. The siege horrified Australia hands when I kill you all, one by been told in graphic detail how travel using her court case as an late cafe in the heart of the city’s “I literally thought he was going and prompted a mass outpour- one,” O’Brien told Channel Seven. Johnson was made to kneel down excuse, then it is a violation of her financial district on the morning to shoot us so that everybody can ing of grief that saw thousands of The interviews, for which chan- and shot in the back of the head basic rights,” Norawit said. of December 15 before being killed see through the window,” survivor flowers laid near the cafe in the nels Seven and Nine reportedly after a group of hostages escaped. REUTERS when police stormed the building Harriette Denny told commercial city’s Martin Place. paid hundreds of thousands of AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Illegal weapons Turkish premier Fears of horse to visit Islamabad next week ISLAMABAD: Turkey’s Prime trading in Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will arrive in Islamabad later this month on a two-day official visit, official sources said. Senate polls He will meet Pakistan’s politi- cal and military leaderships and discuss a host of issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, the Consensus sought on open ballots sources said. Davutoglu, who has served as ISLAMABAD: The political Senate elections would be held Turkey’s foreign minister, has parties should develop consensus on March 3 on 11 seats each toured Pakistan earlier, but this to introduce open ballot for the in Sindh and Punjab, 12 seats will be his first visit to Islamabad Senate elections because allega- each in Balochistan and Khyber after assuming the office of prime tions of horse-trading are defam- Pakhtunkhwa, four seats in Tribal minister in August last year. ing democracy in Pakistan. Areas and two in Islamabad. Foreign Office spokesperson These views were expressed Senator Zafarul Haq from Tasnim Aslam said: “When con- by the leaders belonging to vari- Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim firmed, we will announce dates ous political parties while some League-N says as far as horse of the visit.” Sources, however, favoured secret balloting. trading is concerned, open ballot said the Turkish prime minister Senator Saeed Ghani of Bilawal cannot guarantee complete trans- is likely to arrive on February 16. Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party parency in the Senate elections. They added that Davutoglu was (PPP) said over the weekend He said if a member decided to likely to discuss the situation in when some party members voted sell his conscience, no one could Afghan security officials deliver illegal weapons recovered during operations to officials of Disbandment of neighbouring Afghanistan and the for other candidates against prevent him from doing so. Illegal Armed Group (DIAG) in Herat, Afghanistan, yesterday. The ammunition and the weapons will be trans- challenge posed by the Islamic party policies in the 2012 Senate “The speaker and deputy ferred for surveillance by the Afghan National Army. State group. He will also dis- elections, former president Asif speaker of the National Assembly cuss how bilateral trade between Zardari gave statement against and chairman and deputy chair- Turkey and Pakistan can be horse trading in the Punjab. man of the Senate are also elected increased. Opposition leader in Sindh through secret ballot because the Davutoglu will also lead his Assembly and leader of Pakistan members are given the opportu- Imran’s party keeps supporters on country in the Pakistan-Turkey Muslim League-F Shahryar nity to freely exercise their right to strategic dialogue scheduled to be Mehar says whenever Senate vote. All Pakistanis also cast their held in Islamabad on February 17. elections are held, allegations of votes through secret ballot in the President Mamnoon Hussain will horse trading are levelled by vari- general elections so this system tenterhooks on Senate candidacies host a dinner in his honour. ous quarters so it was pertinent is necessary to ensure vote caste to introduce open balloting for it. without any pressure,” he said. PESHAWAR: Many a peo- today, according to Atif Khan, the General Secretary Younas Zaheer Consumers to get He said other political parties Muhammad Adil from ple aspire to get ticket for the education minister and member and former candidate for elec- took oath from their members but Asfandyar Wali’s Awami National Senate election from Imran of the parliamentary board. “Let toral constituency NA-1 Gul imported LNG from their party was not likely to do so Party said they had also introduced Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf me tell you that no name has been Badshah are also applying for but they would discuss the issue secret ballot in their party elections (PTI) but hardly any leader is debated or finalised as of now,” ticket. Sirajul Haq, the Jamaat- next month of horse trading in a meeting to because otherwise the members of certain as to who is going to get he said. e-Islami chief, could also be be held next week. the party might feel hesitant to the ticket. Almost all leaders were reluc- one of the nominees of the rul- ISLAMABAD: The Bin Qasim Imran Khan’s Pakistan freely exercise right to vote. The uncertainty persists even tant to discuss who were expected ing coalition headed by the PTI Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Tehrika-i-Insaf (PTI) provin- Kamil Agha of Shujaat as the date for filing the nomi- to get tickets. “Even Imran has and also including the Swabi- terminal in southern Pakistan cial spokesperson Aisha Gulalai Hussain’s Pakistan Muslim nation papers is only days away. told us that he has not made up based Awami Jamhoori Ittehad will start supply of imported said that all the political parties League-Q) said it was quite The media seems to be shooting his mind about awarding tickets Pakistan (AJIP). The coalition is gas to consumers by March 31, should sit together and develop encouraging that political par- in the dark, but several leaders to any leader said a PTI leader expected to win seven seats, four a senior government official has consensus for the constitutional ties had started realising the need approached for feedback even who holds a senior position in the general and one each of women, said. Official sources say that the amendment to introduce open to introduce open ballot in the refrained from making a guess, government,” one said. technocrats and minority. agreement for LNG purchase balloting for the Senate elections. Senate elections but was scepti- let alone saying anything with PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “We feel we deserve one seat as from Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei To a question, she said there cal about its full utility. finality. President Azam Swati and our share and the PTI agrees with and China is expected by March. was some kind of information that “I think the demand came so The parliamentary board for General Secretary Khalid Masood us,” said Senior Minister Inayat He said the price of LNG will offers of financial gains were being late especially from PTI chairman Senate elections will have the aren’t members of the assemblies. Ullah, who belongs to JI. “Haq is be less than $8 per mmbtu in Asia given to PTI members from some Imran Khan because it needs con- certain answer, the leaders inter- They may be the probable can- one of the proposed names, but which will bring down the cost of potential candidates so party stitutional amendment to change viewed said. didates, one leader speaking on not a final candidate. It’s up to power production from the inde- Chairman Imran Khan warned all the process to elect senators,” he The party formed the parlia- the condition of anonymity hinted our parliamentary board to final- pendent power producers by up of them that he would not tolerate added. ment- board and asked all the reluctantly. ise the nominee,” he added. to 20 per cent. any kind of change in loyalties. INTERNEWS aspirants to apply for ticket by From Peshawar district INTERNEWS AGENCIES

4,000 schools in KP province Pakistan’s flagship power project facing delay ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s agency approved $840m for the The bank gave $440m out of The WB-funded Natural Gas Zafar Mehmood, the chairman don’t have flagship $914m Tarbela fourth project in 2012. But almost three its concessionary lending arm Efficiency project worth $100 mil- Wapda. extension hydropower project, years after the work began, the — International Development lion is another troubled project. At the time of approval, the which planned to add 1,410 meg- disbursements have amounted to Association. The remaining $400m The project was approved in 2012 project had won strong support enough students awatts by 2018 to the national only $143.5m, or just 17 percent of came from the International and disbursements to date stood from the directors of the WB. grid, is facing delays as the the total, reveal documents of the Bank for Reconstruction and at only $300,000. They had termed it a low hanging PESHAWAR: Of the 20,100 country could spend only 17 Economic Affairs Division. The Development that carries higher The EAD’s indicative disburse- fruit for Pakistan that would help government primary schools in percent of the contracted loan actual spending is even less than the interest rates. ment chart shows zero releases by shift the energy mix away from Pakistan’s northwest Khyber in the first three years, under- disbursement. The WB released the Officials of the Economic the WB against the Tarbela fourth imported fuel oil for thermal gen- Pakhtunkhwa province, more scoring the problems at the latest tranche of $23.1m in December. Affairs Division (EAD) said project in the next three years. eration to low-carbon, least-cost than 4,000 are under-enrolled implementation stage. The slowdown is threaten- that the unspent amount for the However, the Water and Power renewable hydropower generation. and thus, becoming a liability to The slow pace of work has not ing the timely completion of the Tarbela project was not the only Development Authority (Wapda) However, the directors had the government. only put an additional burden on project, which is due in 2018, three case where the government was officials insist that things are not particularly encouraged focus The relevant officials blame the exchequer in the shape of mil- and half years down the line. paying millions of dollars in com- as bad as they look on paper. on efficiency and transparency it on the opening of educational lions of dollars that the govern- The WB board had approved a mitment charges. The WB has recently in procurement and financial institutions on political grounds ment is paying to the World Bank mix of concessionary and expen- In the power sector, almost approved an accelerated imple- management, promoting good at unsuitable locations. (WB) in commitment charges on sive loans to add 1,410MW to the $3bn in loans extended by the WB mentation programme to fast governance as well as careful According to them, a primary unspent amounts, but it has also existing generation capacity of and Asian Development Bank had track work on the project and implementation of the Social school with less than 40 students blocked the resources that could Tarbela hydropower project. After remained unutilised, blocking the the extension phase will be Action Plan to deal with out- is considered under-enrolled. have been used in other areas. completion, Tarbela’s generation precious resources besides putting completed in 2017, a year ahead standing resettlement issues. Since primary schools offer The Washington-based lending capacity will increase to 4,888MW. extra burden on the exchequer. of the original plan, claims INTERNEWS six classes from nursery to fifth grade, under-enrolment means they have less than seven students in every class. Bombs recovery The officials said most of such schools existed in the province’s After school raid, 30,000 Abbottabad district (520) followed by Mansehra (470), Bannu (380), D I Khan (300), Haripur (260), Chitral (221), Karak and Lakki Afghans left Pakistan (211), Kohistan (180), Charsadda (171), Batagram (157), Swat (120), KABUL: More than 30,000 to 25 years,” he said. Swabi (117), Kohat (115), Mardan Afghans living in Pakistan The figure, which eclipses the (95), Dir Lower (89), Nowshera have returned home since the 25,000 Afghans who returned (80), Peshawar (75), Malakand start of the year after coming from Pakistan over the entire (70), Shangla (56), Tank (50), under intense scrutiny follow- year in 2014, was a result of Hangu (42), Dir Upper (40), ing a Taliban massacre at a the breakdown in relationships Buner (39) and Torghar (20). Peshawar school in December, between the migrants and their Mostly such schools exist in the IOM said yesterday. host communities following the rural areas, especially in far-off There are an estimated three Peshawar attack, added Danziger. districts. million Afghan refugees living in “It all began after the attack A senior official of the ele- Pakistan either officially or unof- on the aschool in Peshawar. Their mentary and secondary edu- ficially, most of whom left their lives became intolerable,” he said. cation department said that country to escape conflict in the Police raids on Afghan commu- under-enrolled schools were 1980s and 1990s. But they are nities are commonplace and they an unnecessary burden on the viewed with deep suspicion inside often encounter prejudice during kitty. Pakistan and routinely accused by their daily lives. “Opening schools away from authorities of harbouring militants. The killing of 153 people at the population places a large financial Richard Danziger, head of the Army Public School on December burden on the government in the International Organization for 16 jolted Pakistan, a Muslim coun- shape of payment of salary to staff Migration (IOM) mission in Kabul, try of nearly 200 million people and utility bills,” he said. said that out of the 30,599 Afghans plagued by almost daily attacks. Another official said govern- who had left Pakistan since January, Afghan authorities in January ment schools were overcrowded in 1,817 had been deported while the said they had arrested five peo- urban areas but the government Afghan security personnel inspect defused improvised bombs at Mewand district of Kandahar province yes- rest had left of their own accord. ple suspected of planning the was unable to set up more due to terday. A month-long operation is under way in Maiwand district of Kandahar province led by Afghan army “They are mostly Afghans attacks but they were not Afghan the high prices of land. troops and intelligence forces, with thousands of improvised bombs confiscated and defused. without papers who have been nationals. INTERNEWS living in Pakistan for the past 20 AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Spectrum Manjhi meets Modi, rules out quitting auction may Nitish to parade legislators today to stake claim to power as Bihar crisis deepens increase PATNA/NEW DELHI: The and we thanked him for that.” Vashsisht Narain Singh said BJP, which has openly come out a list of over 130 legislators out crisis in Bihar’s ruling JDU Manjhi said he will prove his that his party would form a new in his favour. The BJP has 88 leg- of the 243 in support of Nitish call charges deepened further yesterday, as majority in the assembly on government in the state under islators and it supported by three Kumar.” a defiant Chief Minister Jitan February 20, and step down only Nitish Kumar’s leadership with independents. The governor should invite NEW DELHI: Auction of tel- Ram Manjhi asserted he will if he fails. “On the floor, whoever the backing of the Congress and JDU president Sharad Yadav, in Nitish Kumar to form the gov- ecom spectrum due on March not resign, while the rival camp gives us support we will take it. Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata a letter in Manjhi, has asked the ernment, he said, adding: “Any 4 may burn a hole in the pock- led by Nitish Kumar decided to I will not resign from the chief Dal. chief minister to resign. delay to invite Nitish Kumar will ets of the operators and may parade legislators at Raj Bhavan minister’s post,” he said, adding: “We will parade 130 MLAs, Yadav said that as Manjhi encourage horse-trading.” Tripathi increase call and data charges, today and stake claim to power. “They (JD-U) had this misunder- including those of the Congress no longer enjoyed the support is currently in Kolkata as he is also experts have opined. Manjhi, who was hand-picked standing that they will make me and the RJD, before the governor of majority of party legislators the West Bengal governor. He was “This will be a very big and by then chief minister Nitish do whatever they want me to do”. on Monday,” he said. and the legislature party has likely to reach Patna late yester- interesting auction. Operators Kumar as his replacement last He termed Nitish Kumar The JD-U has 115 legislators in re-elected Nitish Kumar as its day or today, officials said. whose licences are expiring will year after the Janata Dal-United’s “power hungry and said he showed the 243-member assembly, most leader, he should resign. Meanwhile, JD-U leaders hit be bidding hard to secure their rout in the Lok Sabha polls, has his real face when he humiliated of whom are reportedly with Earlier, the JDU legislators out at Manjhi, accusing him of position. Though Bharti Airtel, refused to quit. him, a Mahadalit. Nitish Kumar. submitted letters of support for playing into the hands of the BJP Vodafone and Idea Cellular man- In New Delhi to attend the In response, JD-U spokes- The party is backed by 24 Nitish Kumar to Governor Keshri to harm the party ahead of the aged to secure some airwaves in NITI Aayog meeting yesterday, person Neeraj Kumar said that legislators of the RJD, five of Nath Tripathi staking claim to assembly elections to be held later the 1,800 MHz (megahertz) and Manjhi also called on Prime Manjhi was speaking the language the Congress, one from the form the government. this year. in last year’s auction in some of Minister Narendra Modi but said of the Bharatiya Janata Party by Communist Party of India and Abdul Bari Siddiqui of the “The BJP is behind whatever the circles where their licences no politics were discussed in the attacking Nitish Kumar, who two independents, making it a RJD and Sadanand Singh of the Manjhi is doing,” JD-U national are expiring, they might have to meeting which lasted 40 minutes. picked him up for the top post. total of 147 — more than the 122 Congress also submitted letters of general secretary K.C. Tyagi said. bid hard to secure their position Addressing a press conference “Manjhi has forgotten that he needed for simple majority. support for Nitish Kumar. Vashsisht Narain Singh added: in circles where they don’t have afterwards, he said: “I did not dis- was nominated by Nitish Kumar,” Manjhi enjoys the support of “We have staked claim to form “The BJP is taking advantage of sufficient spectrum in 1,800 MHz cuss politics with him. Modiji has he said. over a dozen JD-U legislators. He the next government,” Sadanand Manjhi’s lust for power.” band,” Rishi Tejpal, principal done some good work for Bihar JDU’s Bihar unit president is banking on the support of the Singh told the media. “There is IANS research analyst, Gartner, said. The total spectrum put to auc- tion is 103.75MHz in 800MHz band, 177.8MHz in 900MHz band Fire destroys Srinagar buildings and 99.2MHz in 1,800MHz band - a total of 380.75MHz in 800, 900 AAP confident, BJP and 1,800MHz. The government will also put on sale 5MHz in the 2,100MHz band, which is used for 3G services in 17 out of 22 telecom hopeful post election areas. The reserve price approved NEW DELHI: A day after exit BJP’s chief ministerial candi- is Rs.3,646 crore pan-India per polls predicted an AAP win in date Kiran Bedi met party lead- MHZ in 800MHz, Rs3,980 crore Delhi, its visibly relaxed leader ers to review the election. Satish for 900MHz band pan-India ; Arvind Kejriwal yesterday Upadhyay, president of the BJP’s and Rs2,191 crore pan-India in watched a Hindi movie as the Delhi unit, said the party was con- 1,800MHz band. BJP insisted it was still confi- fident of forming a government. The government also approved dent of winning the election with “I am not commenting on the a reserve price of Rs3,705 crore wider national ramifications. exit polls but we are confident of per megahertz for third genera- “We were always confident winning the election and forming tion services. of winning,” Aam Aadmi Party a government under Bedi’s lead- According to reports, the leader and former minister ership,” Upadhyay said. government expects to mop Manish Sisodia, a Kejriwal con- BJP leader and central min- up Rs75,000-Rs100,000 crore fidant, said. He said he agreed ister Nirmala Sitharaman met from the auction which was with the exit poll findings “plus Bedi and echoed Upadhyay’s sen- mandated after the so-called or minus one or two seats”. timents. “We are hopeful we will 2G scam following the previ- But other AAP leaders sounded win.” ous UPA government’s junking more cautious. “We will accept Asked about Bedi’s comments the auction system for a first- the congratulatory messages that she would take the blame if come-first-serve basis spectrum only after the results come out the BJP lost, Sitharaman said: distribution that led to charges Tuesday,” a party leader said. “She has given her personal view.” of large-scale corruption and Former Delhi chief minister In contrast to the subdued glee eventual fall of the government Kejriwal was “cool” yesterday, in the AAP — Kejriwal told his of Prime Minister Manmohan his colleagues said, after weeks activists to relax until the votes Singh. of hectic election campaign that are counted tomorrow — and the Firefighters try to extinguish a fire in Abi Guzar area of Srinagar yesterday. Seven residential houses were IANS kept him busy every day from 6 in BJP’s fervent hopes that the exit destroyed in a blaze in the area. the morning to midnight. polls are wrong, the Congress was In the evening, Kejriwal went shattered. with a large group of AAP col- Exit polls said the Congress, leagues to watch Akshay Kumar- which ruled Delhi for 15 years starrer Baby at the Wave cinema until December 2013, would be No proposal to amend civil nuclear liability law close to his home at Kaushambi wiped out or at best get four seats in Ghaziabad district adjoining out of the 70. The Congress won Delhi. eight seats last time. NEW DELHI: The Indian gov- shall be based on the principle of Damage (CSC), which India has contribute a capacity of Rs750 Flanked by Sisodia and Kumar A senior party leader said on ernment yesterday released no fault liability. signed and intends to ratify. crores out of a total of Rs1,500 Vishwas, he smiled as a photogra- the condition of anonymity: “If details of the breakthrough The operator shall also take out There is no proposal to amend the crore.” The balance would be con- pher clicked him. the exit polls are correct, it will on the civil nuclear agreement an insurance policy covering his civil liability act or the rules, it said, tributed by the government. Barring one, four major exit poll be a matter of concern for us.” arrived at last month during liability. But the operator, after adding: “India Nuclear Insurance Through this mechanism, surveys have given a clear majority On polling day, Congress the visit of US President Barack paying compensation for nuclear Pool has been instituted to facilitate “operators and suppliers instead in the 70-member Delhi assem- President Sonia Gandhi made no Obama, including that there is damage can have right to recourse negotiations between the operator of seeing each other as litigating bly to the AAP, which fought a claim that her party would win. no proposal to amend the nuclear in cases where the nuclear inci- and the supplier concerning a right adversaries will see each other as tough battle as it took on Prime In a tacit admission of defeat, she liability law and that it is on par dent is due to the supplier, includ- of recourse by providing a source partners managing a risk together. Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. said: “Whatever people desire will with the international norms. ing defective or sub-standard of funds through a market based This is as important for Indian sup- If the AAP wins, it would be happen.” In a detailed “frequently asked services or where it is with an mechanism to compensate third pliers as it is for US or other sup- seen as a blow to Modi, who took The Delhi election saw a questions” on the civil liability law intent to cause nuclear damage. parties for nuclear damage. It would pliers. An international workshop on Kejriwal vocally in election record voter turnout of 67.14 per- and related issues, the statement by It says after discussions enable the suppliers to seek insur- will be held in India to exchange rallies. cent, according to the Election the external affairs ministry also between both sides they arrived ance to cover the risk of invocation information on international expe- The mood in the Bharatiya Commission. At some places vot- states that operator of the nuclear at an understanding that India’s of recourse against them”. rience with the 26 insurance pools Janata Party was clearly subdued ing was allowed even after 6pm installation shall be liable for nuclear Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage On the India Nuclear Insurance operating around the world in but senior leaders put up a brave as voters had already entered the damage caused by nuclear incident. (CLND) Act is compatible with Pool, it says it is “a risk transfer countries such as France, Russia, face, saying they were hopeful of polling premises. It also says that the liability of the Convention on Supplementary mechanism formed by GIC Re and South Africa and the US,” it said. edging out the AAP. IANS the operator shall be strict and Compensation for Nuclear four other PSUs who will together INTERNEWS

Hoping for a good catch Swine flu claims Poverty India’s biggest six lives in Karnataka challenge, says Modi BENGALURU: The dreaded NEW DELHI: Prime Minister model of cooperative federalism, swine flu has claimed six lives Narendra Modi yesterday whereby the centre and the states in Karnataka, including four called for states to forge a model can come together to resolve dif- in Bengaluru and one each in of “cooperative federalism” to ferences and chart a common Bidar and Raichur districts in resolve differences even as he course to progress and prosper- the northern region, a senior flagged poverty as India’s big- ity, the release added. health official said yesterday. gest challenge. Modi said that the world has “Though 95 people, affected Chairing the first meeting of started looking at India differ- by the H1N1 influenza over the the governing council of NITI ently, but “our biggest challenge last two weeks, tested positive Aayog, he said India cannot still is how to eliminate poverty.” and have been under treatment, advance without all its states Observing jobs cannot be created, six of them succumbed to the advancing in tandem, according and poverty cannot be removed disease so far. We have stocked to an official release here. without growth, he said: “First adequate number of Tamiflu Modi added that he envisioned and foremost we should aim at a tablets for distribution,” state different states competing with high rate of growth.” health department director H C each other in promoting govern- Noting that projects are often Ramesh said. ance initiatives in a spirit of “coop- held up for want of timely deci- Asserting that the department erative, competitive federalism”. sions, Modi asked chief ministers had taken steps to contain the NITI Aayog or ‘National to give personal attention to such disease by educating the people Institution for Transforming factors which slow down projects. about its symptoms and creating India’ Aayog is a policy think- The prime minister empha- awareness to ensure they take tank which has replaced the sized that the central government preventive measures, Ramesh Planning Commission and aims wished to empower the states said district health officers were to involve the states in economic with finances, with technology directed to monitor the situation policy-making. and knowledge so that they are in their respective areas and take The prime minister asked able to plan better and execute corrective steps. A fisherman casts his net into the river Dhasari in Dimapur in Nagaland yesterday. chief ministers to work with the even better. IANS central government to forge a IANS MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK PRAYER TIME Alice in Wonderland at 150, more Fajr (Dawn) 4:55 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:13 than child’s play and tea parties Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 Asr (Afternoon) 3:00 AUSTIN, TEXAS: As the Maghrib (Sunset) 5:24 celebrated children’s book of Isha (Night) 6:54 Britain’s Victorian era turns 150, an exhibit in Texas traces its history to show how Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland WEATHER adapted and transformed through now-familiar con- cepts of merchandising and Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: multimedia. Partly cloudy Clear Clear The Lewis Carroll book swept Moderate children’s literature when it was temperature published in 1865, and the popular work was soon adapted for the daytime with slight High: 26° High: 26° High: 26° theater, Alice-themed toys and Low: 18° Low: 21° Low: 20° dust to dusty at eventually films during the early times at places. days of the industry. “The book did not have a con- ventional moral. Carroll played DOHA - SUN & SEA with standard moral tales of his day and turned them on their SUN TIDE SEA heads,” said Danielle Brune SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND Sigler, the curator who helped put together the exhibit that opens on 06:13 17:24 07:45 & 20:30 01:00 & 14:45 18-28/33 KT February 10 at the University of A 1948 comic book format edition of Alice in Wonderland released on Saturday at the University of Texas in Austin. THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW Texas in Austin. The exhibit, at the Harry As the celebrated children’s book of Britain’s Victorian era turns 150, an exhibit in Texas traces its history to show HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Ransom Center, a global leader how “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” adapted and transformed through now-familiar concepts of merchandising and multimedia. RIGHT: John Tenniel’s illustration of the “mad tea-party” from the first published edition. MUSCAT 25/21 Clear 26/22 Clear in its holdings of manuscripts and original source materials, MAKKAH 35/23 Clear 36/23 Clear contains more than 200 items, Liddell and her sisters, were well copyright protection led to unau- a lot of the interest in Alice,” said KUWAIT 28/14 Clear 34/19 Clear including rare publications, draw- received. But Dodgson knew his thorized publications of Alice to Sigler, the curator, adding that BAHRAIN 29/19 Clear 29/19 Clear ings and letters and photographs drawings for “Alice’s Adventures pop up in the United States. As many people are less familiar with SANAA 26/08 Clear 26/09 Clear by Carroll, the pen name for in Wonderland” were not up to the times changed, so did repre- the book’s narrative. RIYADH 31/19 Clear 32/18 Clear Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. The snuff and turned to one of the sentations of Alice, who is seen as “A lot of people have absorbed DUBAI 30/19 Clear 31/19 Clear exhibit shows how Dodgson, the pre-eminent illustrators of the a flapper in a 1929 version of the Alice through films, through toys BAGHDAD 23/12 Partly cloudy 26/13 Partly cloudy University of Oxford mathemati- day, John Tenniel, for help. book in the exhibit and a psyche- and through condensed versions cian who composed the story for The exhibit shows how both, at delic icon in a 1960s coloring book. but have not necessarily read the TODAY TOMORROW THE WORLD the daughters of his Oxford dean, times, grew weary of Alice as its Along with showing how the original,” she said. “These adapta- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER tried to balance his life in aca- popularity grew. Dodgson report- book became a trailblazer for tions have been so popular, that demics with his alter ego as the edly often would not answer let- children’s literature, the exhibit they have often supplanted Lewis ATHENS 11/04 Chance of showers 05/02 Chance of rain author of a widely popular book. ters addressed to Lewis Carroll. also shows how Alice became a Carroll’s story.” REUTERS Dodgson was an avid amateur As for Tenniel, well, he was theme for toys. They ranged from WASHINGTON 10/05 Rain 07/00 Partly cloudy photographer, when the craft was often fed up. “I shrink at the mere the simple to the technologically SYDNEY 28/20 Partly cloudy 28/19 Partly cloudy in its infancy, who also dabbled mention of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” advanced for the day, such as 1933 LONDON 08/02 Fog 08/03 Fog in drawing. The mathematics Tenniel wrote to a friend in a let- Movie-Jecktor filmstrips - paper professor also kept up corre- ter on display, referring to the strips about 3 feet long that when PARIS 07/04 Fog 07/02 Cloudy spondence with children, and the book by its commonly used name. run through a toy projector, dis- ISTANBUL 06/03 Chance of showers 03/02 Snow exhibit includes letters in which While Carroll may have grown play a simple animation. MANILA 29/21 Partly cloudy 29/21 Partly cloudy he challenges them with games, tired, he was also involved in mar- Carroll’s work was also puzzles and codes. keting his product, creating an recorded as an early audio book. DHAKA 29/18 Clear 28/16 Clear His photographs, a few of which Alice-themed stamp case for chil- It was part of a 1958 series of 16 DELHI 22/10 Misty 21/10 Partly cloudy will be on display, including one dren and helping to bring a pro- rpm records that included “The ISLAMABAD 21/06 Partly cloudy 22/09 Clear of the story’s inspiration, Alice duction of “Alice in Wonderland” Wizard of Oz” and “The Trial of to the stage. Meanwhile, weak Socrates.” “The characters drive Monday 9 February 2015 20 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6336 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 International Islamic net profit grows by 10.1pc Revenue touches QR1.52bn; lender proposes to issue QR3bn Tier 1 Sukuk

DOHA: International Islamic (QIIB) recorded a full-year net profit of QR826m for 2014, up 10.1 percent from a year ago. The Islamic lender’s total rev- enue stood at QR1.52bn during the period. The Board of Directors has proposed to distribute a cash divi- dend of 40 percent of the bank’s capital (QR4 per share) to share- holders subject to the approval of the Qatar Central Bank. The Board has also proposed to the shareholder’s General Assembly to issue additional Tier 1 Sukuk up to equivalent of QR3bn to sup- port the bank’s capital require- ments for future growth and Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin expansions. Abdullah Al Thani Abdulbasit A Al Shaibei fluctuations of the global econ- operating income earned by the Capital adequacy ratio under The earnings per share (EPS) omy. Sheikh DR Khalid empha- bank in 2014 stood at QR1.51bn Basel II stood at 16.27 percent reached QR5.45 in 2014. The its financial position. “The to focus on the domestic market, sised on QIIB’s commitment to compared with QR1.45bn in at 2014-end compared with 18.86 results were announced after a results strongly confirm the bank which has many mega projects various kinds of project financ- 2013. Customer deposits reached percent at 2013-end. meeting of the Board of Directors, has made good growth across all under implementation. The ing, be it large projects related QR26.6bn at the end of 2014, Abdulbasit said that 2014 rep- chaired by Sheikh Dr Khalid bin portfolios of its business and suc- bank will continue its policy of to infrastructure, other major from QR24.4bn at 2013-end, resented another year of success Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, ceeded in realizing its strategy, focusing on the Qatari market development plans or small and representing a growth rate of 8.9 and growth for QIIB, where the to discuss the final financial which is commensurate with the as QIIB believes it is the bank’s medium enterprises. percent. Financing assets showed bank was able to take full advan- statement for the year ended rich opportunities available in the responsibility to fully engage in This will help QIIB realise a growth rate of 14.8 percent in tages of various opportunities December 31, 2014. Qatari economy. The national nation building and support the its strategy of actively getting 2014 compared with in 2013. available within the banking sys- Commenting on the finan- economy is seeing a fresh revival national economy. engaged in national economic Abdulbasit said the bank’s tem and the overall Qatari econ- cial results, Sheikh Dr Khalid, and has become prosperous under In line with the vision laid development and realise the total assets stood at QR38.4bn at omy. He expressed full optimism Chairman and Managing the wise leadership of H H the out by the Government of expectations of its shareholders 2014-end, up 12.8 percent from and confidence about 2015. Going Director of QIIB, said that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Qatar, the local economy is and customers. a year ago. Total shareholder forward, QIIB would continue its results reaffirm QIIB’s ability to Hamad Al Thani.” being managed well, which has Abdulbasit A Al Shaibei, Chief equity stood at QR5.4bn in 2014, growth trajectory, he said. continue to grow and strengthen He said QIIB would continue provided it immunity from the Executive Officer, QIIB, said the compared with QR5.1bn in 2013. THE PENINSULA Kuwait panel GDF Suez aims to reinforce its position in Qatar wants $4.78bn BY SATISH KANADY airport plan independent power producer China, South East Asia and Latin in Qatar. Its two key assets in America.” DOHA: Paris-based global Qatar include Ras Laffan B Gerard said energy management bids rejected energy group GDF Suez is look- Power and Water Plant and was one of the key areas of his dis- ing to reinforce its presence Ras Laffan C Power and Water cussions with Qatari authorities. KHOBAR: A committee in in Qatar. The Group, which Plant, also known as Ras Girtas Qatar wants to make sure that its Kuwait’s public works min- occupies a leading position in Power Company. GDF Suez has FIFA-linked projects are energy istry has recommended that Qatar’s power generation and 40 percent and 20 percent stakes, efficient and with zero carbon foot all bids to build a new ter- energy services, is set to fur- respectively, in these projects. Ras print. Qatar is also interested in minal at the country’s inter- ther strengthen its foothold in Laffan C is Qatar’s largest power our expertise in biomass. GDF has national airport be rejected, the country by diversifying its and water plant. solution to offer Qatar to manage state news agency KUNA portfolio assets. With an estimated $27bn joint complex energy system. reported yesterday. GDF Suez, which already oper- investment in the region, the Giving an update on GDF In November, the tender ates two major power and water global energy group is looking Suez’s operation at offshore Block committee for the project plants in Qatar is a bidder in to accelerate its investments in 4, Gerard said it’s too early to say said a consortium of Kuwait’s Qatar’s new power plant. The Qatar and enter into new areas. It whether the project is economi- Kharafi National and Turkey’s company is also looking to accel- is also looking for potential inves- cally viable or not. “We are cur- Limak Holding had submit- erate its presence in the energy tors, both individuals and insti- rently assessing the possibility to ted the lowest bid for the con- management services in the run tutions, as co-investors, who are enter into an appraisal phase in tract, worth 1.386bn dinars up to FIFA 2022. ready to invest in the countries the Block 4. We made some drill- ($4.78bn). “In Qatar, we have invested a the Group has major presence. ing, last year and year before, But KUNA quoted Kuwait’s lot in power generation sector. “We are interested in further which has been promising. We minister for electricity, water GDF Suez is involved in almost expanding our presence in Qatar need to assess the size and quan- and public works, Abdulaziz Al 40 percent of Qatar’s total power and strengthen our cooperation in tity of the gas… It’s too early to Ibrahim, as saying on Sunday production. We operate two big- the sectors like power, natural gas say whether the project is eco- that a technical committee in gest power plants in Qatar. Now, and energy services. My meeting nomically viable.” the ministry had recommended we have submitted our bid for with various potential partners Block 4, located in the Northern all bids be rejected. facility D, a new power plant,” also evoked the idea of co-invest- part of Qatar, is the largest non- Ibrahim did not give a reason Group Chairman and CEO Gerard ments in the countries where we associated gas field in the world. for the recommendation, but Mestrallet told The Peninsula dur- have strong presence. We could GDF Suez holds 60 percent shares GDF Suez Chairman and CEO Gerard Mestrallet speaking to The Peninsula said the committee had studied ing his recent visit to Doha. propose to Qatari companies and and operatorship of Block 4. during his recent visit to Doha. KAMMUTTY VP all aspects of the bidding. GDF Suez is the largest individuals to co-invest with us in THE PENINSULA Last Thursday, Kuwait’s Al Watan newspaper quoted min- istry sources as saying the low- est bid exceeded the estimated cost of the project by 39 per- cent, and did not meet techni- Gulf institutional funds shun Turkish Stream pipeline route outlined cal specifications. Other bidders for the con- Europe, favour Japan and Asia tract included China State ISTANBUL: Turkey and aimed to carry Russian gas from explore the pipeline route,” Construction Engineering DUBAI: Gulf institutional investors are putting their money into Russia yesterday tentatively southern Russia to EU consum- Yildiz told Anatolia. “We passed Corp and Dubai-based Asian equities, in particular Japanese stocks, but are shunning agreed on the route for their ers under the Black Sea avoiding over some places two to three Arabtec. KUNA did not say European shares after years of under-performance, the Middle planned Turkish Stream gas Ukraine, whose relations with times as we tried to assess how on Sunday whether the tech- East head of Pictet Asset Management said yesterday. pipeline which Moscow hopes Russia are currently in deep cri- we can work with environmental nical committee’s recommen- Many of these Middle Eastern entities, including some of the world’s will replace its now scrapped sis. It was to have surfaced in EU concerns,”he added. dation to reject all bids would largest sovereign wealth funds, have traditionally been regarded as South Stream project. member Bulgaria. Gazprom in a statement con- be adopted, or whether a new significant investors into European developed markets. Turkish Energy Minister Taner Under the new Turkish Stream firmed the route and said that the round of bidding might be Qatar for example, through Qatar Investment Authority and its sub- Yildiz and Gazprom chief execu- project, the pipeline will surface length of the onshore pipeline in arranged. sidiaries, has in recent years embarked on an aggressive expansion spree tive Alexei Miiller surveyed the on Turkish territory on the Black Turkey would be 180km after it Kuwait has planned tens which has seen it buy up stakes in major companies such as Volkswagen route over the Black Sea during a Sea and then carry the gas over- crosses the Black Sea. of billions of dollars worth and Siemens, as well as real estate and infrastructure on the continent. four-hour ride by helicopter from land up to the Greek border. “The tentative date for the of infrastructure projects in The eyes of many institutional funds are now turning east, accord- Istanbul. Yildiz said that the pipeline completion of the first line is the last several years but has ing to Francesco Genovese, regional head of Middle East, Africa and Russian President Vladimir landfall was planned to be in the December 2016,” it said. The struggled to implement many Central Asia at Pictet Asset Management. “There’s lots of traction for Putin dramatically scrapped the Turkish Black Sea town of Kiyikoy. capacity of the pipeline — to be of them because of bureau- Japanese equities, Asian equities and global emerging markets (equi- South Stream project during The Turkish Stream pipeline would built by a new Gazprom subsidiary cratic delays, political tensions, ties), as well as emerging (market) debt in local currencies,” he said. a visit to Ankara in December, go through Turkey’s Luleburgaz — will be 63 billion cubic meters of and allegations of corruption “They were really keen to invest in European equities four or five years blaming the European Union for region to the town of Ipsala on the gas. About 50 billion cubic meters and inefficiency. ago, but they have been so disappointing (for returns) that, now, they placing obstructions in its way. Turkey-Greece border. will be delivered to the Ipsala gas REUTERS look at other investments.” REUTERS The South Stream pipeline “We had an opportunity to... hub for further export. AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Kia exports over Qatar bourse 320,000 vehicles to MEA in 2014 DUBAI: Kia Motors Corporation had a record- index gains breaking year in exporting vehicles to the Middle East and Africa in 2014 with a 323,807 vehicles, up 10 percent from the previous year. 103.27 points Saudi Arabia witnessed sub- stantial growth, recording a total of 70,421 units, representing a 70 percent year-on-year increase. Gulf markets rise after oil rally Locally, Qatar exhibited 12 per- cent year-on-year sales increase, DOHA: Qatar Exchange index said it maintained the stock’s fair the seventh consecutive year it gained 103.27 points or 0.82 value at SR39.62. “Profitability was able to do so. percent when the bourse closed indicators are expected to wit- The most desired Kia vehicle at 12,623.93 points here yester- ness a significant improvement in the MEA region during 2014 day. The traded value reached starting from this year with the was the Cerato with 54,914 units. QR1.13bn with a volume of launch of commercial production The Rio was the second best with 40,253,031 shares from 11,302 in many facilities,” it said. 54,487 units delivered, while the transactions. One losing stock was Saudi Picanto, and Sportage followed Indices of all sectors gained, Cement, which fell 1.8 percent after with 53,187 and 47,613 units barring consumer goods and it proposed a dividend of SR2.5 per respectively. services which went down 0.24 share for the second half of 2014, Kia’s sedan line up of Optima percent (29,070 units) for Optima units), Egypt (17,213 units) not just for the region but on a percent when it closed at 7,351.32 down from SR3.5 a year earlier. and Cadenza, specially configured and 83 percent (5,413 units) for Bahrain (4,629 units), and the global scale as well” said Alex points. The real estate sector Dubai’s index edged up 0.2 to meet the regional demand for Cadenza. UAE (16,466 units). Chung, President of Kia Motors index gained the most, up 2.80 percent and property developer premium feel and extensive prod- Over the course of 2014, Kia “Our success in expanding the Middle East & Africa Regional percent to 3,919.57 points. The Damac was one of the top gain- uct features, have shown a tre- posted increased year-on-year Kia brand in the Middle East Headquarters. telecom sector gained 1.89 percent ers, surging 5.8 percent. The stock mendous increase recording 67 exports in Saudi Arabia (70,421 region and Africa is important THE PENINSULA to 1,440.79 points. Of the firms originally listed in London, but it listed, 29 gained, nine went down joined the emirate’s bourse last while three remained unchanged. month and its Dubai shares sub- Meanwhile, Gulf stock markets sequently plunged by more than rose after oil made further gains a third. It recovered those losses and local companies reported last week and its sharp rise may Oil crash to drag on booming Texas economy mostly upbeat earnings and other have attracted more investors. positive news. Brent crude jumped The firm’s subsidiary Damac 2.2 percent to $57.80 per barrel Real Estate Development Ltd NEW YORK: As the saying There will be “a major-league Houston. “The shock is how fast real-estate market and a bank- on Friday, posting its largest two- reported a 46 percent surge in goes, everything is bigger in contraction in oil and gas activity energy prices fell.” ing crisis. week gain in 17 years because of 2014 profit last week and Damac, Texas. For the past five years, in Texas,” said Karr Ingham, owner Texas has been outpacing US “Texas, will, at the least, have a falling oil rig counts. which plans to delist from London, the economy of the Lone Star of Ingham Economic Reporting growth for some time. In 2013, rough 2015 ahead, and is at risk of Saudi Arabia’s stock index was due to review its own results State has outperformed the rest based in Amarillo in oil-rich West the Texas economy grew at an slipping into a regional recession,” rose 1.8 percent to its highest and dividends later on Sunday. of the United States. Texas. “Over the coming months, annual clip of 3.7 percent com- the report said. Given its huge close since November 24 in heavy Abu Dhabi’s bourse edged up 0.3 But the collapse in oil prices the industry is going to shed jobs pared with 2.2 percent for the size, “the prospect of a recession trade. Shares in Saudi Kayan percent as National Bank of Abu has left Texas facing its toughest on a regular basis. We’re very early whole economy, and in the prior in Texas could have some broader Petrochemicals Co surged their Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Commercial test since the financial crisis. in that process.” year its pace was more than dou- reverberations.” daily 10 percent limit and its big- Bank rose 1.8 and 2.1 percent A 50 percent tumble in oil prices Boyd Nash-Stacey, senior ble the national rate, according to But BBVA’s Nash-Stacey said ger affiliate Saudi Basic Industries respectively. Food and beverage since June has prompted compa- economist at BBVA Research in US Commerce Department data. many parts of Texas, including (Sabic) jumped 3.0 percent. firm Agthia Group gained 2.5 per- nies such as Royal Dutch Shell and Houston, predicted the down- The throng of activity into big cities Dallas and San Antonio, The kingdom’s oil ministry cent after it reported a 22 percent Chevron to slash billions of dollars turn would cost some 60,000- older oil centers like the Permian have limited exposure to oil and has allocated more natural gas increase in 2014 profit. in worldwide investment. Oil serv- 80,000 mining jobs in Texas, with Basin in West Texas and the should benefit from the relief of to Saudi Kayan for it to expand Egypt’s market slipped 0.1 per- ices companies like Schlumberger an additional ripple effect on newer Eagle Ford shale in south- lower petrol prices. ethylene production at its pet- cent as property companies pulled and Halliburton have announced other sectors such as retail and ern Texas has been a driver. Moreover, since the 1980s, the rochemical complex in Jubail, back further after gaining strongly thousands of job cuts. hospitality. Economists agree that match- state has added a major technol- the company said. As part of in the last few weeks. Developer So far, only a handful of petro- The oil slump already has begun ing that flaming growth level will ogy center in the Austin area, the same deal, Sabic will reduce Talaat Moustafa Group dropped leum companies have filed layoff to cool the real estate market in be impossible in 2015, but there is home to Dell, and built out the the marketing fees it charges 2.4 percent, trimming its gains this notices in Texas this year, and Houston, the fourth-biggest US debate about just how bad things giant Texas Medical Center in Saudi Kayan, which will save the year to 15.8 percent. Meanwhile, the Texas Workforce Commission city and an economic powerhouse will get. JPMorgan Chase chief Houston, which has significant company SR280m ($74.6m) this investment firm Pioneers Holding actually reported an increase in for most of the 2000s due in large US economist Michael Feroli research programs for cancer and year and SR600m a year once its rose 1.8 percent after it submit- mining jobs in December. part to the surging energy industry. suggested in a December report other diseases. projects are completed, it said. ted a fresh bid for Arab Dairy Yet few doubt what lies ahead “It’s a question of how bad it’s that the outlook for Texas was “It’s not a death blow,” Nash- Saudi Arabian Mining Co Products at 64.30 pounds per for the second-biggest US state, going to get and for how long,” comparable to 1986, when a steep Stacey said. “Texas isn’t what it (Ma’aden) surged 5.3 percent to share, topping an offer by Lactalis. by economic output and popula- said Charles Gordon, a vice chair- drop in oil prices was followed by was in the 1980s.” SR39.50 after AlBilad Capital QNA/REUTERS tion, after California. man of real estate firm CBRE in deep layoffs, big declines in the AFP

Gulf Air, Batelco extend partnership agreement Euro will collapse if Greece exits: Official ROME: If Greece is forced out their Italian counterparts when of the eurozone, other coun- they visited Rome last week. But tries will inevitably follow and Varoufakis said things were dif- the currency bloc will collapse, ferent behind the scenes. Greek Finance Minister Yanis “Italian officials, I can’t tell Varoufakis said yesterday, in you from which big institution, comments which drew a rebuke approached me to tell me they from Italy. backed us but they can’t tell the Greece’s new leftist govern- truth because Italy also risks ment is trying to re-negotiate its bankruptcy and they are afraid debt repayments and has begun of the reaction from Germany,” to roll back austerity policies he said. agreed with its international “Let’s face it, Italy’s debt situ- creditors. ation is unsustainable,” he added, In an interview with Italian a comment that drew a sharp Gulf Air and Batelco have extended their partnership agreement to enhance benefits for Batelco’s Al Dana customers. Members of Batelco Al Dana state television network RAI, response from Italian Economy Club, who hold Gulf Air Frequent flyer cards as part of their Al Dana Club benefits, will have the opportunity to accrue additional Gulf Air Falconflyer Varoufakis said Greece’s debt Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who Miles based on their Batelco bill payments. The agreement, which sees the accrual rates for Batelco’s customers raised from 30 to 50 Gulf Air problems must be solved as part said in a tweet that Italy’s debt of a rejection of austerity policies was “solid and sustainable.” Falconflyer Miles for every BHD100 spent, was signed at the national carrier’s head office by Gulf Air A/Chief Commercial Officer Ahmed Janahi for the eurozone as a whole. He and Batelco A/General Manager Consumer Division Ebrahim Al Sayed. called for a massive “new deal” ‘OUT OF PLACE’ investment programme funded by Varoufakis’s remarks were “out the European Investment Bank. of place”, Padoan said, adding that “The euro is fragile, it’s like Italy was working for a European building a castle of cards, if you solution to Greece’s problems, take out the Greek card the oth- which requires “mutual trust”. Saudi’s flynas aims to profit from lower costs ers will collapse.” Varoufakis said Italy’s public debt is the largest according to an Italian transcript in the euro zone after Greece’s and RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s first high operating costs and regula- chief executive, Raja Azmi, last by the end of 2015, but Byrne said of the interview released by RAI Italian bond yields surged in 2011 and only budget airline, flynas, tory obstacles, such as price caps November, a month after flynas turning profitable would be a major ahead of broadcast. at the height of the euro zone cri- aims to turn profitable this year on domestic fares, have made it announced it was shifting strat- condition before the company could sis. They have since fallen steeply for the first time since it was hard for airlines to make money. egy and suspending long-haul proceed with an IPO. FRAGMENTATION RISK and have so far come under little launched in 2007, partly by cut- In 2010, rival Sama Airlines was flights because profits on the Lower global oil prices may help The eurozone faces a risk of pressure from the renewed ten- ting costs, its new chief execu- forced to halt operations after routes did not meet expectations. the move towards profitability fragmentation and “de-construc- sions in Greece. tive said. incurring a loss of about $300m. The company now expects to as the airline is enjoying a slight tion” unless it faces up to the Varoufakis said his government The kingdom’s air travel mar- Flynas Chief Executive Paul expand its capacity by around reduction in fuel prices in several fact that Greece, and not only would propose a “new deal” for ket is expanding rapidly on the Byrne said that a combination of 20 percent this year, focusing on countries, though the immediate Greece, is unable to pay back its Europe like the one enacted in back of rising incomes and popu- demand growth and cost-cutting shorter-haul flights. Byrne said fly- impact won’t be large as some air- debt under the current terms, the United States in the 1930s. lation growth. Over 68 million was likely to push his airline into nas was waiting for the green light ports are trying to double handling Varoufakis said. This would involve the European passengers passed through Saudi the black this year. “We would from Egyptian authorities to start charges, Byrne added. “I would warn anyone who is Investment Bank investing ten Arabia’s 28 airports in 2013, up 5.2 certainly gear ourselves towards a new route from Riyadh to Cairo, Saudi Arabia announced in 2012 considering strategically ampu- times as much as it has so far, percent from 2012, according to an absolute minimum of break- hopefully in April; it already has a that it would liberalise its domestic tating Greece from Europe Varoufakis said. the latest data from the General even this year, but we are hoping route from Jeddah to Cairo. air travel market. That will mean because this is very dangerous,” If Europe continues to pur- Authority of Civil Aviation. for a small profit at least. We have The Riyadh-based airline, 37 more competition. Qatar Airways he said. “Who will be next after sue counterproductive austerity Saudi Arabian Airlines basically budgeted ourselves for a percent owned by Saudi invest- has obtained permission to run a us? Portugal? What will happen policies the only people who will (Saudia), the national carrier, modest profit this year, which will ment firm Kingdom Holding Saudi domestic carrier, Al Maha when Italy discovers it is impos- benefit will be “those who hate and privately held flynas are cur- be the first for flynas.” and the rest by National Airline Airways, though its chief executive sible to remain inside the strait- European democracy,” he said, rently the only options for flying According to its website, flynas Services Holding, now flies to 25 said in December that complicated jacket of austerity?” citing the Golden Dawn party domestically within the country, carried 6.5 million passengers in destinations with a fleet of 24 air- bureaucracy meant the launch of Varoufakis and his Prime in Greece, the National Front in and they are struggling to keep 2014, almost double the 3.3 million craft. Financial markets have been the Saudi arm would be delayed a Minister Alexis Tsipras received France and the United Kingdom up with demand. which it carried in 2013. speculating that flynas might con- further six to 18 months. friendly words but no support Independence Party in Britain. But even in this environment, Byrne replaced the previous duct an initial public offer of shares REUTERS for debt re-negotiation from REUTERS

MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Ethiopia bets on projects to boost industry Government touts cheap power, reliable transport; economists call for giving more room for private business

ADDIS ABABA: Chinese development bonds. “This is a as a big hindrance in business, workers mingle with Ethiopians country where, relative to rest of although it can be elsewhere in putting the finishing touches to Africa, there is pretty good state Africa. a metro line that cuts through capacity and a commitment to But Ethiopia is no model for Addis Ababa, one of a series a development mission,” said S political and media freedom - of grand state infrastructure Kal Wajid, the outgoing Ethiopia there is just one opposition party projects that Ethiopia hopes mission chief for the International member in the 547-seat parlia- will help it mimic Asia’s indus- Monetary Fund. But he said pri- ment and international rights trial rise. vate business needed room to groups say the authorities muz- Brought to its knees by “Red grow and generate income so the zle critics. The government insists Terror” communist purges in the economy could reap greater ben- politics is open to all and that it 1970s and famine in the 1980s, efit from the new projects. allows free speech. Ethiopia has been transformed in The current five-year growth the last quarter century, becom- DEBT LIMITS programme ends in June and the ing one of Africa’s fastest-growing Others in Africa have looked government has given little away economies. with envy at Asia’s inexorable about the next plan. But it remains At the heart of the state’s rise but few governments, if any, clear about its economic goals. “Growth and Transformation have proven as single-minded “Without investing in infra- Plan” are railway, road and dam as Ethiopia has in mobilising structure, it is now abundantly projects to give the landlocked its resources in a bid to turn an clear that Africa cannot sustain nation cheap power and reliable agrarian nation of 96 million peo- growth,” Finance Minister Sufian transport, as well as the metro ple into a manufacturing hub. Ahmed said in December. line - the first urban light railway Yet it comes at a cost. The IMF Sufian’s deputy Abraham network in Sub-Saharan Africa. said last year Ethiopia was “on Tekeste said this month the new “This is the future,” said Abate the cusp” of shifting from low to plan would likely continue “most Yaye, 27, from the poor south as moderate risk of debt distress. of the priorities” of the last one. he helped complete the $475m Total debt at about 50 percent of The government can point to system being built by China gross domestic product was still a list of investors suggesting its Railway Engineering Corp, much manageable, but tougher if it rises formula works. Clothes retailer of it on concrete stilts to keep it much more. Hennes and Mauritz is starting above the crowded streets of an “In the next five-year plan, to source supplies from Ethiopia A general view shows a complete section of the Metro-line under construction in Addis Ababa. expanding capital. there should be a clear indication , consumer goods maker Unilever “We will become an example of a change of emphasis and a sig- is building a factory, Diageo and back on imports, not wanting a are helping fund a railway linking in the development bonds, hinder- for the whole of Africa.” Hefty nificant emphasis on the private Heineken have bought breweries. consumer culture that could drain Addis Ababa to a port in Djibouti, ing their ability to lend to the pri- state-led investment has kept sector,” said Wajid, referring to the US private equity giant KKR foreign exchange. Central bank for instance. But that leaves few vate sector. “The lending capacity the economy of Africa’s second next Growth and Transformation invested in a flower farm last foreign reserves barely cover two domestic funds available in the of banks is growing very slowly,” most populous nation growing at Plan starting in July. The govern- year while an Ethiopian winery months of imports — an inade- market for businesses that could said Mulugeta Asmare, president more than 8 percent a year for ment insists it will not rack up is among the investments of 8 quate level, according to the IMF. create jobs in future. of Bank of Abyssinia, one of 16 over a decade, but economists say unsustainable debts because funds Miles, an African-focused fund Other east African states have at Ethiopia, with average annual private banks in a sector domi- Ethiopia’s rulers need to relax their are used to finance infrastructure chaired by singer Bob Geldof least four months. per capita income of $470, aims nated by state-owned Commercial grip and give room for more private and other projects such as sugar who launched Live Aid to help The government says it wants to reach middle-income status by Bank of Ethiopia. enterprise to maintain momentum. factories and industrial zones. Ethiopian famine victims. to keep banks in the hands of 2025, which the World Bank says Banks must rely on equity and Foreigners cannot invest in Investors also say Ethiopia Ethiopians and telecoms control- starts at $1,046. deposits for funding, in a nation banking and telecoms and for- benefits from better security LIMITED ROOM led by the state as the sectors pro- For now, even Ethiopian banks where only one in 10 people have eign retailers are barred, while than others in a region blighted The government’s ban on for- vide funding for national projects have limited room for manoeuvre. a bank account, because there is Ethiopian banks are directed by Islamist militant attacks. And eign retailers is aimed at encour- such as infrastructure. Earnings They must invest the equivalent of no developed capital market. to buy low-yielding government few executives cite corruption aging local manufacturing, to cut from the state telecoms monopoly 27 percent of their loan portfolio REUTERS Islamic Finance: Perfumed bank cards target women in Gulf

DUBAI: Islamic banks are years through 2023, according to “dramatic increase” in the percent- going to new lengths to grab Kuwait Finance Centre, an asset age of women in the workforce. the market share offered by an manager and investment bank. Female workers climbed to 29 per- increasing number of working Al Hilal has seen “a lot of cent from 18 percent in the two dec- women in the Gulf region. demand” for its card, according ades through 2013, as the country’s Al Hilal Bank PJSC, a Shariah- to Mohamed Zaqout, head of per- population almost doubled, accord- compliant lender owned by the sonal banking at the lender. In the ing to World Bank data. Abu Dhabi government, has been GCC, the majority of women have In the UAE, the gains were marketing a perfumed credit card their own bank accounts, accord- more dramatic. About 47 per- since last month to lure the rising ing to a PwC study published in cent of women held jobs in 2013, number of women in employment October. Female customers are compared with 29 percent two in the United Arab Emirates. less “prone to switching banks” decades earlier. The country’s The Laha card, whose Arabic than men, Jamall said this week. population grew more than four- name means “for her”, comes “One of our missions is ensur- fold in the period. with a bottle of perfume and ing Islamic banking caters to all While women are present in has a special section to hold the the segments, including modern greater numbers in the work- fragrance. Oman’s Bank Nizwa UAE women,” Al Hilal’s Zaqout force, their roles remain limited. SAOG began specialized financial said. “The Islamic market is In most developing countries, less services for women in October, growing and we wanted to offer than 10 percent of senior posi- while Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank something unique to this impor- tions are held by women, and in PJSC created its own women’s tant sector.” the majority of Middle Eastern credit card in June. The female focus is not neces- nations it is under 2 percent, data “The woman’s segment is defi- sarily new. Dubai Islamic Bank compiled by Bloomberg show. A truck drives past shipping containers at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. nitely an area of focus for Islamic PJSC, the biggest Shariah- In Abu Dhabi, where Al Hilal banks and will continue to be,” compliant lender in the UAE, Bank is based, about 16 percent of Ashruff Jamall, the Dubai-based has had a segment of the busi- the total workforce was female in China’s Jan trade surplus at new head of the Islamic finance divi- ness called Johara dedicated to 2013, according to data provided by sion at PricewaterhouseCoopers women since 2000, and currently the government. Women, includ- LLC, said. Al Hilal’s card “should has seven exclusive branches. The ing Emirati and foreign nationals, go down well with the market. women’s business is an important accounted for about a quarter of high as imports, exports fall Other banks might come out with and “very profitable” unit for the the population in the UAE in 2010, more products,” he said. bank, Chief Executive Officer according to government data. BEIJING: China’s monthly 47.2 percent in 2014 to a record reflects the fall in commodities The efforts highlight the grow- Adnan Chilwan said. “GCC women are being empow- trade surplus rose 88 percent $382.46bn. prices but also implies weaken- ing economic power of women in “The women sector has been ered and have the liberty and influ- to reach a record 370bn yuan China’s huge trade surpluses ing domestic demand,” Japanese the six-nation Gulf Cooperation comparatively neglected in the ence to make decisions on their ($59bn) in January, data showed were long a source of friction finance company Nomura said. Council, where the proportion past and women are now becom- own,” Muhammad Ashfaq Ur yesterday, as imports dropped with the United States as the The trade data was consistent of the female population in the ing increasingly more independ- Rehman, an independent Islamic sharply on lower commodity workshop of the world pumped with a official survey last weekend labour market jumped to an aver- ent in respect to looking after finance consultant who previously prices and sluggish domestic out manufactured goods and US showing manufacturing activity age 38 percent from 28 percent their own banking needs,” Jamall worked at Standard Chartered demand. debt mounted, but the issue has contracted for the first time in in the two decades through 2013, said. “It has become a natural Plc, said. “Any offering catering Exports from the world’s sec- receded in more recent years. more than two years, suggesting according to World Bank data. area of focus for Islamic banks.” to women would certainly elevate ond-largest economy also fell — by China’s economy grew 7.4 weakening growth momentum, Women’s net worth in the GCC Oman’s Bank Nizwa in October the performance and increase the 3.2 percent year-on-year — to 1.23 percent in 2014, its weakest for Nomura said. may grow as much as 15 per- introduced a ladies’ banking serv- acceptance level.” trillion yuan ($197bn), the customs almost a quarter of a century, China’s leaders are trying to cent to about $258bn in the 10 ice in response to what it called a WP-BLOOMBERG administration said. Imports fell and slower than the 7.7 percent pull off a managed slowdown of 19.7 percent from a year earlier to in 2013. “China’s manufacturing the Asian giant to make growth 860bn yuan ($138bn), the largest sector is under great pressures more sustainable and led by con- drop in more than five years. as both external and domes- sumer spending as in other major The country’s trade surplus, tic demand remains sluggish,” economies. The slowdown last Garmco signs MoU with Metals Industries long a source of tensions with Li-Gang Liu, Greater China econ- year prompted some interven- DOHA: Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company implementation of the memorandum of under- its trading partners, rose above omist for Australian bank ANZ, tion by authorities to establish a (Garmco), one of the largest downstream alu- standing. Garmco is a Bahrain-based global a previous all-time monthly high said in a statement. floor on growth even as they tout minium facilities in the Middle East, has signed exporter of flat rolled aluminum products with of $54.5bn posted in November. “Today’s poor trade data could a retooling of the country’s eco- a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a network of 16 subsidiaries and associates com- Economists said the figures add depreciation pressures on the nomic model that is expected to Dubai-based Metals Industries (MI), for techni- panies spanning the Middle East, Asia, Far East, reflected continued downward RMB exchange rate,” he added. result in further slowdowns in the cal and operational co-operation, said a state- Australia, Europe and the USA. It was estab- pressures on China’s economy, Exports to the EU fell by 4.4 years ahead. ment yesterday. lished in 1981 by the governments of Bahrain, which grew at its slowest pace in percent year-on-year in January, Such intervention has contin- Garmco and MI will work together across a Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. 24 years last year and is expected while imports fell by 6.9 percent, ued this year, with the central number of key areas covering operational, techni- Its current shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat to slow further in 2015. the customs data said. bank announcing Wednesday an cal and warehousing/service centre functions in (37 percent), Saudi Basic Industries Corporation But they also warned that the The fall in Chinese imports across-the-board cut in the per- order to identify prospects for mutual benefit and (30 percent), Industrial Bank of Kuwait (17 per- data may have been affected by was led by a decline in imported centage of funds banks must hold the capturing of synergies. cent), Gulf Investment Corporation (6 percent), short-term factors, such as a iron ore and crude oil, the data in reserve. That move followed the To this end, senior representatives involved Government of the Republic of Iraq (5 percent), crackdown on commodity financ- showed, in part reflecting recent bank’s decision in November to cut in the commercial and operational functioning Government of the Sultanate of Oman (2.5 per- ing and the later date of China’s low prices for commodities such benchmark interest rates for the of each company will soon meet in Bahrain to cent), Qatar Holding Company (2.5 percent). Lunar New Year holiday this year. as oil. “The much weaker than first time in more than two years. assess opportunities and establish a plan for the THE PENINSULA The trade surplus soared expected import data not only AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,623.93 0.82 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,948.1 0.82 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,471.13 1.80 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,263.76 0.88 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,258.87 0.02 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5765.468 31.76 0.55 5759.2 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,095.93 1.00 % QR148.2182 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,461.37 1.08 % Cac 40 Index/D 4670.74 -25.56 -0.54 4701.52 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,582.06 2.80 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5162 QR 5.5945 QE All Share Insurance 3,919.57 1.46 % Dj Indu Average 17673.02 6.62 0.04 18103.4 15340.69 QR 2.0186 Euro ...... QR 4.1362 QR 4.1937 QE All Share Telecoms 1,440.79 1.89 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8827 QR 2.9398 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,351.32 0.24 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24765.49 85.73 0.35 24995.08 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9013 QR 3.9573 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5604.55 1.67 0.03 5639.89 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0308 QR 0.0314 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8209 QR 2.8767 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 34672.25 -154.26 -0.44 34844.8 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 08-02-2015 05-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0584 QR 0.0596 Index 12,623.93 12,520.66 Nikkei 225 Index 17504.62 -174.12 -0.98 17850.59 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0357 QR 0.0364 Change 103.27 104.73 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0818 QR 0.0834 S&P 500 Index/D 2041.51 -8.52 -0.42 2093.55 1737.92 % 0.82 0.84 $ 55.02 SL Re ...... QR 0.0272 QR 0.0278 YTD% 2.75 1.91 Straits Times/D 3406.58 -10.99 -0.32 3432.62 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0474 Volume 40,253,031 28,050,472 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 1,133,245,608.51 883,884,281.66 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3162 QR 0.3226 Trades 11,302 10,641 $ 52.60 Up 29 | Down 09 | Unchanged 03 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 08-02-2015

QE also means free lunch for multinationals Spot Saudi riyal back near

PARIS: Germany and France have been at Royal Bank of Scotland. “For the first debt market which totals just ¤1.5 trillion. peg after equities rebound able to borrow at negative rates for some time, high-rated corporate bonds are also Valencia said ¤900bn of that debt already time, meaning investors are paying to trading at negative yields (Nestle), and many yields under one percent, and ¤400bn less DUBAI: The Saudi Arabian riyal market’s capitalisation, which is loan Berlin and Paris money, but with are near-zero (Shell, Novartis, Air Liquide, than 0.50 percent. has moved back to very near its now about $530bn. interest rates falling further as the ECB BASF, Sanofi, etc),” added RBS. Some investors, such as pension funds peg against the US dollar in the In the last several weeks, how- gears up to launch quantitative easing, The ECB has brought its main interest and insurance firms, are required to place spot market after a recovery ever, the stock market has recov- multinationals are also now getting paid rate to just 0.5 percent as it seeks to boost a certain percentage of their funds into in local equities prices reduced ered sharply as oil prices have to borrow. growth in the eurozone by lowering borrow- bonds issued by countries and companies fund outflows, traders said. regained some strength and the The phenomenon is a result of investors ing costs. with secure credit ratings. The dollar/riyal rate had climbed government’s budget plans have seeking a safe place to park their money in With the eurozone now hit by a bout of With the ECB entering the market, find- in recent weeks as high as 3.7605 - shown it is willing to use its huge debt markets where interest rates have been deflation thanks to falling oil prices, the ECB ing good returns in safe investments will get its highest level since January 2010, fiscal reserves to keep state spend- dragged down to ultra-low levels. is about to launch quantitative easing (QE) even harder. “There is a compression proc- when markets were in the grip ing high despite cheap oil. The The need for low-risk instruments, and in which it will buy up ¤60bn ($68bn) of ess underway and everything is heading for of the global financial crisis. The Saudi stock index has jumped 11 with little concern about inflation, has seen sovereign and corporate bonds per month. zero,” said Valencia. Saudi central bank maintains a peg percent in the past two weeks. investors actually push the interest rate into This will have the effect of pushing down “Investors are thus being pushed to of 3.75 against the dollar and in the The bourse’s recovery has negative territory for short-term German yields, or the rate of return to investors, even choose bonds of companies a little less safe previous several years, the rate had halted heavy capital outflows and French government bonds. further. or frankly to change assets to get a better never moved beyond 3.7510. from Saudi Arabia and encouraged Swiss food giant Nestle was the first to see But why would investors accept paying to return,” said Quesnel. Traders attributed the spot some inflows, the traders said. A the interest rates on its euro-denominated loan money to someone? For companies “it is excellent news”, said market volatility to the plunge monthly Reuters survey of Middle debt fall into negative territory when the Valencia, although he warned “just because of the Saudi stock market, which East fund managers, published at yields on bonds that expire in nearly two EFFECT OF FEAR money is practically free doesn’t mean that sank more than 35 percent the end of January, showed them years fell below zero. “It’s the effect of fear” about the delicate some companies won’t find themselves in between September and mid- turning positive on Saudi Arabia. “It is sort of a domino effect. If sovereign situation in Europe, said Juan Valencia, a complicated situations.” December as the slide of global oil Forty percent expected to bonds are paying less, then this ricochets credit specialist at Societe Generale CIB. Quesnel said the drop in borrowing costs prices dragged down petrochemi- increase their Saudi equity allo- and those of corporations will pay less and “Investors are putting their money in shows “the ECB has done its job” and now cal stocks in particular. cations over the next three finally investors will enter uncharted terri- the safest instruments, as they aren’t sure “we need growth to pick up and unemploy- Foreign and Gulf investors in months while none expected to tory,” said Christophe Quesnel, a trader at about getting their money back with other ment fall so people consume.” Saudi equities moved some of reduce them — a big shift from Oddo Securities, which specialises in corpo- investments. Thus they are paying for the Valencia remarked that while “compa- their money out of the country, the December survey, when 40 rate debt. ‘privilege’ to loan to the most solid states nies are overall in good shape after hav- putting unusually heavy pressure percent said they intended to cut “Among the distortions caused by low and corporations,” he said. ing made big efforts since the 2008 crisis”, on the riyal spot rate. Before the their Saudi equity allocations and interest rates and QE is that some govern- The ECB’s QE programme, which will buy to really prosper “they need growth and crash, foreigners were believed to 33 percent to raise them. ments, corporates and households are now up over a trillion euros in bonds, will have consumers.” hold several percent of the Saudi REUTERS getting paid to increase debt,” said analysts a massive impact on the euro-denominated AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Jamaican Powell settles Warriors overcome late for second in Boston GP

BOSTON: Former 100-meter with the year’s world-best time world record-holder Asafa and a New Zealand record. Powell of Jamaica settled for “That’s really cool,” Willis said second place behind American of his achievements. “My finish fightback by NY Knicks Trell Kimmons in the 60 meters was really good. It was just a mat- at Saturday’s Boston Indoor ter if I could hang on.” Grand Prix athletics meet. American Ben Blankenship was NBA: Mavericks down Trail Blazers; Bulls outwit Pelicans Kimmons, the second-slowest second in 3:53.13 with Morocco’s qualifier for the final, surged from Abdalaati Iguider, the 2012 world the start and outleaned his rivals 1,500 champion, third in 3:54.41. NEW YORK: The Golden 111-101 overtime victory against at the finish line to win in 6.51 Ethiopia’s Dejen Gebremeskel, State Warriors held off a furi- the Portland Trail Blazers. seconds with Powell, a world and the 2012 London Olympic 5,000m ous fourth quarter surge by the All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge Olympic 4x100 relay champion, runner-up, won the 3,000 in New York Knicks, winning 106- and point guard Damian Lillard second in 6.52, and American 7:48.19, edging American Bernard 92 at Madison Square Garden. appeared to have Portland primed Michael Rodgers, the 2010 world Lagat by .14. Golden State (40-9) was led by to pick up a rare road win against runner-up at 60m, third in 6.53. Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum, last forward Draymond Green, who a playoff team but the Blazers “I knew coming into this meet year’s world 1,500 outdoor jun- scored 20 points and grabbed 13 squandered an 11-point lead in the it was a great field,” Kimmons ior champion, took the women’s rebounds, while guard Stephen final two minutes of the regula- said. “I just wanted to get off to a 2,000 in 5:35.46 with Kenya’s Curry added 22 points and six tion time. great start and execute my race.” Sally Kipyego, a 10,000m London rebounds. Bulls 107, Pelicans 72 Kimmons, a US indoor and out- Olympic runner-up, second in The Knicks, down by 26 points Guard Derrick Rose scored door sprint runner-up who took 5:40.35. AFP late in the third quarter, got 20 points and forward Pau Gasol Olympic silver on the 4x100 relay within five points with 4:20 to added 20 points and 15 rebounds in London, will race next week in play before the Warriors pulled before taking the fourth quarter New York at the Millrose Games Boston Indoor away again. off as the Chicago Bulls snapped and then rest until the outdoor Mavericks 111, Trail Blazers a three-game losing streak with season. Results 101 (OT) a 107-72 road rout of the New Powell, who owned the world Top finishers on Saturday from Dirk Nowitzki drained the Orleans Pelicans. record from 2005 until 2008, when the Boston Indoor Grand Prix game-tying three-pointer late in With Pelicans power forward Usain Bolt broke the mark, tested (USA unless noted): regulation and scored a game- Anthony Davis in the locker room positive for a banned substance Men 60M: 1. Trell Kimmons 6.51 seconds, 2. high 25 points to lead the Dallas nursing a right shoulder bruise, in 2013. His ban ended last year. Asafa Powell (JAM) 6.52, 3. Michael Rodgers Mavericks to an improbable the Bulls (31-20) took command Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle- 6.53. by outscoring the Pelicans 42-11 Lee Ahye won the women’s 60m 1,000M: 1. Matthew Centrowitz 2:17.00, 2. in a 13:18 span of the second and crown in 7.15, edging American Pat Casey 2:18.30, 3. Eric Sowinski 2:19.12. NBA Results third quarters. Tianna Bartoletta, a two-time Mile: 1. Nick Willis (NZL) 3:51.61, 2. Ben Chicago 107 New Orleans 72 Bucks 96, Celtics 93 world long jumpchampion, by .04 Blankenship 3:53.13, 3. Abdalaati Iguider Washington 114 Brooklyn 77 Brandon Knight scored of a second with Ghana’s Flings (MOR) 3:54.41. Golden State 106 NY Knicks 92 26 points and Giannis Owusu-Agyapong third in 7.26. 3,000M: 1. Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH) 7:48.19, Philadelphia 89 Charlotte 81 Antetokounmpo posted a double- New Zealand’s Nick Willis, the double for the fourth time in his 2008 Olympic 1,500 runner-up, 2. Bernard Lagat 7:48.33, 3. Hassan Mead Dallas 111 Portland 101 Langston Galloway (left) of the New York Knicks fouls Klay Thompson 7:48.72. last five games as the Milwaukee of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at won the mile in 3:51.61, shatter- Milwaukee 96 Boston 93 Shot Put: 1. Ryan Whiting 21.43m, 2. Christian Bucks edged the Boston Celtics Madison Square Garden, yesterday. ing the decade-old meet record of Utah 102 Sacramento 90 96-93. AGENCIES 3;43.18 by Kenyan Laban Rotich Cantwell 20.83, 3. Justin Rodhe 19.99. NHL: Predators edge out Rangers

NEW YORK: Nashville cen- Right wing the Montreal Bruins 2, Islanders 1 tre Mike Ribeiro’s 700th career Justin Williams NHL Results Canadiens to a Right winger Loui Eriksson point came on a tie-breaking scored twice, Nashville 3 NY Rangers 2 6-2 home win scored the winning goal in the goal during the third period, including a key Los Angeles 4 Tampa Bay 2 over the New third period as the Boston Bruins giving the Predators a 3-2 win goal in the third Boston 2 NY Islanders 1 Jersey Devils. edged the visiting New York over the New York Rangers. period after the Buffalo 3 Dallas 2 Maple Leafs Islanders 2-1. The Bruins had Ribeiro’s 11th goal of the sea- Lightning had Toronto 5 Edmonton 1 5, Oilers 1 lost their last three home games son and his first point in five cut a three-goal Goaltender against the Islanders. Montreal 6 New Jersey 2 games proved to be the winner deficit to one, to James Reimer Sabres 3, Stars 2 as Nashville (34-12-6) improved give the Kings Columbus 4 Ottawa 1 stopped 32 shots Right winger Chris Stewart to 21-3-1 at home. Eighteen of (22-18-12) just Minnesota 1 Colorado 0 and came within had three assists to lead the those wins have been by one goal. their sixth road Detroit 3 Arizona 1 2.3 seconds of a Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over Kings 4, Lightning 2 win of the year. Vancouver 5 Pittsburgh 0 shutout as the the Dallas Stars. The Los Angeles Kings scored Canadiens 6, Carolina 5 San Jose 4 Toronto Maple Buffalo built a three-goal lead Pittsburgh Penguins’ forward Maxim Lapierre (40) checks Vancouver three times in the opening period Devils 2 Leafs snapped early in the second period and Canucks’ defenceman Dan Hamhuis during the third period of their NHL and beat Tampa Bay 4-2, ending Centre Tomas an 11-game los- survived to end a season-worst game at Rogers Arena, yesterday. the Lightning’s franchise-record Plekanec and right winger Dale ing streak with a 5-1 home win six-game home losing streak. 10-game home winning streak. Weise each scored twice to lead over the Edmonton Oilers. AGENCIES Josoor Institute, Leaders organise ‘Lessons for Sport’

DOHA: Some of the most sen- ior figures from the sports and events industries in Qatar and across the region yesterday participated on the first day of a Participants of the professional development work- two-day workshop shop titled Leadership: ‘Lessons ‘Lessons for for Sport.’ Sport’ pose for The two-day workshop has been organised by Josoor Institute a group picture, and Leaders, a global event, pub- yesterday at the lishing and consultancy business. Qatar National A mix of Secretary Generals, Convention CEOs, Executive Directors Centre in Doha. and other senior level execu- RIGHT: Hassan tives from organisations includ- Al Thawadi, ing the Supreme Committee Secretary General for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar for the Supreme Olympic Committee, the Qatar Committee Football Association and the speaks during Qatar Stars League joined rep- the opening day’s resentatives from Sports Clubs, session. Sports Authorities and Football Associations from Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in attending the event at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Josoor Institute have partnered with Leaders for delivering the industries and its related fields. an amazing opportunity to host year. Our workshop will help “Working with Josoor Institute than 1,100 junior and mid-level workshop, given its enviable rep- Speakers from some of the world’s the first FIFA World Cup in the develop the knowledge and skills provided the ideal introduc- sports and events industries pro- utation for organising premium best-known sports, business and Middle East. It is an opportunity that the region needs as well as tion for our first major event in fessionals – the leaders of tomor- gatherings of world leaders to academic organisations including to create a positive change. A equip existing and future leaders the Middle East. With this high row – with practical skills and inspire learning across the busi- The Football Association, Abu step towards bringing this change with world-class education and calibre audience, we had the techniques on topics such as the ness and performance side of Issa Holding, Salford University’s was the establishment of Josoor training,” highlighted Mushtaq ideal blend of skills, experience running of major events, mar- sport. This is the first time that Centre for Sports, Atlanta MLS Institute.” Al-Waeli, Executive Director and expertise to really explore keting and PR, and Venue and Leaders has organised a sum- Franchise, the United States He further elaborated: “To have (acting) of Josoor Institute. in depth how high performance Stadium Management. mit for senior executives in the Olympic Committee and the a renowned sports organisation The professional development principles from sport and beyond The workshop takes place dur- Middle East. Norwegian Centre of Football such as Leaders host their first workshop will also provide unique can support the leadership, strat- ing the same week that Qatar cel- During the two days, partici- Excellence are joining experts event in the region, showcases opportunities for senior execu- egy, culture, and talent manage- ebrates its National Sports Day, pants will benefit from sessions from Leaders Consulting for the both Josoor Institute’s rising stat- tives to share their knowledge, ment of successful organisations.” designed to encourage sport and that focus on sharing best prac- workshop. ure and its commitment towards ideas and their experiences with The workshop builds on Josoor activities for everyone. tice in organisational leader- Hassan Al Thawadi, the developing capabilities from one another in relation to the Institute’s progress to date in cat- Promoting healthy living ship and management as well as Secretary General for the grassroots to senior leadership.” development of personal leader- alysing the growth of a sustain- through sport and other physical valuable leadership lessons based Supreme Committee, the found- “Working with our partners ship and management styles. able sports and events industry exercise supports the objectives of on the experience of influential ing partner of Josoor Institute, such as Leaders is the ideal Commenting on the workshop, in Qatar and across the region. the Qatar National Vision 2030’s global figures from across gov- delivered the opening note at way to continue the momentum Clive Reeves, Managing Director In 2014, Josoor Institute made Human Development pillar. ernment, the sports and events the workshop and said: “We have that we established this past from Leaders Consulting said: great progress in equipping more THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Piller clings Maiden Euro Tour to lead when darkness hits victory for Lahiri Bahamas PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas: American Gerina Indian fends off Wiesberger in Malaysia Piller clung to a one-stroke lead when darkness halted yesterday’s third round of the KUALA LUMPUR: India’s “After the hiccup on five, I Bahamas LPGA Classic while a Anirban Lahiri reeled off four didn’t hit it anywhere near as Malaysian Open dozen rivals lurked within two birdies in his first five holes and good as the last 15 rounds. It’s Kuala Lumpur: Leading final-round scores strokes of the lead. held on down the stretch for a tough to say, but it is what it is yesterday in the $3m Malaysian Open at Only six of 74 players who made one-stroke victory over Bernd and unfortunately I beat myself Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (par 72): the cut earlier in the day man- Wiesberger to take his first out of it today.” 272 Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-72-62-68 aged to finish before sunset at the European Tour title by winning England’s Paul Waring and the 273 Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 70-66- event, fighting to finish as planned the Malaysian Open yesterday. second round co-leader Spain’s 63-74 Sunday in windy conditions after Lahiri had vaulted into conten- Alejandro Canizares finished two heavy rain washed out much of 275 Paul Waring (ENG) 69-68-65-73, tion the day before with a tour- strokes behind Wiesberger in a tie Thursday’s play. Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 68-65- Anirban Lahiri of India (right) receives the trophy from Malaysian Prime nament-low ten-under 62, and for third on a breezy yet scorch- Piller, seeking her first LPGA 68-74 Minister Najib Razak after winning the Malaysian Open golf tournament followed up with a final-round 68 ing day. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. title, was three-under for nine for the win. England’s Lee Westwood had 277 Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 70-70- holes to stand on 10-under overall, “I don’t think it has sunk in just held the co-lead after each of the 68-69, Richard T. Lee (CAN) but a pack on nine-under included yet but I’m pretty sure when it first two days and remained in 69-69-68-71, Paul Peterson (USA) Americans Lexi Thompson, does, I’ll be pretty happy,” said the the hunt when the final round 72-69-64-72, Lee Westwood Brooke Pancake and Kelly Shon, 27-year-old. started. (ENG) 66-67-69-75 Holmes, English share Germany’s Sandra Gal, South “I’ve got a bad habit of making But his chances of defending 278 Marc Warren (SCO) 70-71-69-68 Korean Kim Sei-Young and it hard for myself, but I’m happy the title he won last year crum- 279 S.S.P Chowrasia (IND) 76-67-68-68 France’s Perrine Delacour. I managed to get it over the line.” bled as he posted a disappointing “I was a little nervous on the 280 Wade Ormsby (AUS) 73-69-71-67, lead at Torrey Pines The Malaysian Open is co- 75 to end in a four-way tie for first tee but I felt fine,” Piller said. sanctioned by the European and fifth, five strokes back of Lahiri. Nathan Holman (AUS) 72-71-71-66, “(The key is) just minimize the Asian Tours, and the win was Westwood, who has won the Richard Bland (ENG) 68-70-73-69 LA JOLLA, California: Brain fourth win on tour. “I hit it really mistakes. The wind can switch at Lahiri’s sixth on the Asian circuit. tournament twice and seems to 281 Scott Hend (AUS) 73-72-66-70, surgery survivor JB Holmes well all day and putted well, so it any second, it can gust and that’s Lahiri began the day five play some of his best golf in Asia, Wang Jeung-hun (KOR) 77-66-67-71 joined overnight leader Harris was nice to get out there on this hard to deal with.” strokes behind third-round is notably comfortable with the Farmers Insurance Open English atop the Farmers beautiful golf course and make Thompson, seeking her fourth leader Wiesberger, who had shot Malaysian Open course’s undulat- Insurance Open leaderboard fol- some putts,” Holmes said. LPGA title, made the biggest to the top of the boards Saturday ing fairways. La Jolla, United States: Leading scores lowing the third round at Torrey “Started out pretty good and charge into contention yester- with a European Tour personal- But after a strong start, his yesterday after the third round of the $6.3m Pines yesterday. was able to chip one in on four to day, making five birdies in a best nine-under 63 at the tricky birdie count dropped each day US PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open at Holmes put together a four- kind of get me going.” row to stand seven-under in the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country while several other golfers seemed Torrey Pines (par 72, USA unless noted): under 68 on the tough South English began the day with a third round alone with two holes Club. to get hotter. 207 J.B. Holmes 69-70-68, Harris course to move to nine-under 207 two-shot lead and extended it remaining. But on the par-five fifth hole The European Tour said English 68-66-73 for the tournament while English to three with an opening-hole She began on the back nine yesterday, Wiesberger chunked Lahiri’s performance could move 208 Lucas Glover 70-68-70, Jimmy finished with a 73. birdie but a costly double-bogey and made her birdie run from his third shot into a water hazard him to within the top 40 in the Walker 72-66-70, Spencer Levin Former US Open winner Lucas on his fourth hole created a tight the 15th through first holes, for a costly double bogey, opening world golf rankings -- from 73rd 68-70-70, Chad Campbell 67-71- Glover (70), recent Sony Open leaderboard. feeding in part off playing part- the door for Lahiri. before the tournament -- putting 70, Nick Watney 71-65-72 winner Jimmy Walker (70) and After driving the ball in the ner Stacy Lewis, who was six- The Indian charged through him in line to play the upcoming fellow Americans Spencer Levin fairway bunker of the picturesque under for the round. with his early birdie blitz. Despite Masters, golf’s most sought-after 209 Alex Prugh 70-70-69, Bill Haas (70), Chad Campbell (70) and par four that hugs the Pacific “We probably had the best golf a couple of later bogeys, he fended individual prize. 72-67-70, Andres Gonzales 69- Nick Watney (72) shared third Ocean coastline, English sent going on today, we had so many off the faltering Wiesberger, who “The Masters is definitely one 69-71, Jason Day (AUS) 73-65-71, at eight-under. his approach into the left rough birdies,” Thompson said. “The suffered three bogeys on the back of my targets. I don’t know how Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 67-69-73 Holmes, who underwent brain short of the green. His chip shot first two days, we were ball strik- nine to card a two-over 74 for the far I moved up but I’m pretty 210 Scott Stallings 70-72-68, John surgery for Chiari malformations flew over the putting surface and ing it well, just didn’t make that day. confident now that with this win, Peterson 68-72-70, Ian Poulter in 2011, managed seven birdies his par save attempt from the many putts. But we were defi- “It hasn’t quite finished the way I should have a good chance,” he (ENG) 67-71-72, Marc Leishman with three bogeys leaving him fringe rolled six feet by the hole. nitely feeding off each other, off I intended to,” Wiesberger said. said. AFP (AUS) 72-66-72 in great shape to chase down a REUTERS of birdies.” REUTERS

Qatar International Regatta 2015 Podium finishes for Qatar’s Al Sharshani (Sail the Gulf) Final Results Optimist and Al Jinah at Sail the Gulf 2015 regatta 1st: Chitresh Tatha (India) DOHA: Qatar’s Waleed Al 2nd: Saif Al-mansoury (UAE) Sharshani clinched the second Waleed Al Sharshani, place in the Laser Standard 3rd: Navyn Prabhakar (India) second place win- class while two other local sail- Laser 4.7 ner in the Laser ors finished on the podium at 1st: Hamza Al Ali (UAE) the Qatar International Regatta Standard at the Qatar International 2nd: Saoud Al Naar (Bahrain) 2015. Besides Al Sharshani, the other Regatta 2015, Sail 3rd: Abdurrahman Al Jinah (Qatar) Qatari competitors who excelled the Gulf, poses for Laser RDL were Abdurrahman Al Jinah, a picture with Qatar 1st: Saeed Al Zaidi (UAE) who took the third place in the Sailing and Rowing Laser 4.7 and the pair of Hassan Federation (QSRF) 2nd: Ebrahim Showaiter (Bahrain) Al Baker and Mohamed Ahmed President Khalifa 3rd: Najeeb Ullah (Pakistan) Ismail in Hobie-16. Mohd Al Sewaidi. Laser STD In the Laser Standard class, RIGHT: A podium Oman dominated with Ahmed 1st: Ahmed Al Balushi (Oman) winner for Qatar with Al Balushi and Hussain Al Jabri QSRF President. 2nd: Waleed Al Sharshani (Qatar) caliming the gold and the bronze. 3rd: Hussain Al Jabr (Oman) Qatar’s Al Sharshani was just one 470 point off the gold spot, but had to be content with silver2. 1st: Muhammad Akram Tariq and Khalid Qatar’s bagged the third place Hussain (Pakistan) in the Hobie Cat 16, India’s Chinna 2nd: Praveen Prabhakar and Vishnu Sujeesh Reddy and Yakobu Kalaga were (India) in a league of their own notch- 3RD: Duarte Monteiro and Adeel Khan ing up eight wins from nine races, (Portugal/Pakistan) they were unbeatable. Silver went to Kuwait’s Nayef Al Hada and Hobie - 16 Mahammed Bastiki and bronze 1st: Chinna Reddy and Yakobu Kalaga (India) to Qatar’s Hassan Al Baker and 2nd: Nayef Al Hada and Mohammed Bastiki Mohamed Ahmed Ismail. (Kuwait) A tight finish unfolded in the Laser 4.7. Only three points sepa- 3rd: Hassan Al Baker and Mohamed Ahmed rated the first three finishers. Ismail (Qatar) Hamza Al Ali of UAE held tight Optimist Team Racing onto his lead that he had claimed 1. INDIA: Mahesh Balachander, Rishab Nayar, from day one, leaving Bahrain’s Nithya Balachander, Nauyn Prabhakar, Chitresh Saoud Al Naar in second and Qatar’s Tatha Abdurrahman Al Jinah in third. In the Optimist class, there 2. UAE 1: Saif Al Mansouri, Ibrahim Al Hammadi, was an intense battle between Abdulah Al Bishr, Khamis Al Hammadi, Hamza India’s Chitresh Tatha and Saif Al Al Ali Mansoury of UAE. Tatha warned 3. Bahrain: Khalid Shomaten, Nawaf Jamal, off the strong challenge to win the Faisal Jamal,Salman Duaij top place followed by Al Mansoury 4. Qatar1: Al Naser Abdurahman, Bouchema while India’s Navyn Prabhakar Kheireddine, Al Awamlah Zaid, Al Sharshani Ali, took the bronze. Al Sharshani Moheen In the 470, it was an easy win for Pakistan’s Muhammad Akram Qatar Match Racing up Tariq and crew Khalid Hussain. 1. Sergei Musikhin, Kirill Luzin,Denis Tiurikov, India’s Praveen Prabhakar and Sergey Bakharev Vishnu Sujeesh came second, 2. Ramirz Saverio, Giulio Berdini, Eugenio with Duarte Monteiro and Adeel Catalani, Tommaso Bo Vignoli Khan in third. In the Laser Radial, Saeed Al Zaidi sealed the 3. Ebrahim Abdulla, Abderrahim Abdulla, Ahmed first place. The five-day event was Abdulla, Ahmed Al Nar organized by Qatar Sailing and The podium winners in different categories of the Qatar International Regatta 2015 - Sail the Gulf - pose for a picture with officials of QSRF at the 4. Ebrahim Duaij, Mohamed Daood, Omar Rowing Federation. awards ceremony on Saturday night. Hazeem, Salman Duaij THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Azarenka confirmed for Sharapova powers Russia into Fed Qatar Total Open 2015 Cup semi-finals

KRAKÓW, Poland: Former Former champion gets singles wildcard for Doha event world number one Maria Fed Cup Results Sharapova sent Russia into the semi-finals of the Fed Cup yes- Results from the Fed Cup World DOHA: Two-time former players at the Australian Open. terday as she defeated Poland’s Group quarter-final matches champion Victoria Azarenka The Qatar Tennis Federation Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 7-5 yesterday has been confirmed as a sin- knows Victoria Azarenaka will be to give her country an unassail- Quarter-finals gles wildcard for the 2015 Qatar an asset to the tournament and able 3-0 lead. 4-Russia bt Poland 4- 0 Total Open. knows spectators will appreciate The doubles pairing of 1-Czech Republic lead Canada 2- 0 The winner of the 2012 and her skill when she plays.” Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and 3-Italy are level with France 2- 2 2013 titles in Doha is keen to Despite her injuries last year Vitaliya Diatchenko later made 2-Germany bt Australia 3- 1 return to the city where she has she still managed to make the it 4-0 as they beat Klaudia Jans- gained so much success and a final at Brisbane and the quar- Ignacik and Alicja Rosolska 6-4, Germany’s 3-1 win over Australia tournament she always states ters at the 2014 Australian Open 6-4. to put the hosts in the semi-finals. that she loves. as well as the US Open. Following Sharapova’s vic- Germany, the 2014 finalists, Azarenka intended to play last Already confirmed for the Qatar tory over Urszula Radwanska in will face Russia in the semi-finals year but she was injured. Now, Total Open are six top-10 ranked straight sets on Saturday, com- on April 18-19 after Petkovic it appears she is well and truly players — world number three bined with a three set win for again dug deep to seal a 6-3, 3-6, over her injuries having put in a and defending champion Simona veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova over 8-6 win over Jarmila Gajdosova quality performance at the recent Halep, current Wimbledon Urszula’s sister Agnieszka, Russia with the third set taking nearly Australian Open. champion and world number cruised into the last four. an hour. She reached the fourth round four-ranked Petra Kvitova. Also French Open champion It was the second time in 24 at the first Grand Slam of the playing are Agnieszka Radwanska Sharapova is playing just her hours Petkovic was carried to year with classy wins over Sloane from Poland who is number six fourth Fed Cup tie since her 2008 victory by the vocal 4,000-strong Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki in the WTA rankings, Caroline debut but in order to make the crowd in a gruelling tie after and Barbora Zhalavova Strycova Wozniacki ranked number eight, Olympics next year all players Saturday’s victory over Samantha before being beaten by Dominkia Germany’s Angelique Kerber have to make themselves avail- Stosur came down to a 12-10 bat- Cibulkova. ranked number nine and Russia’s able for the annual women’s team tle in the third-set after three She has two Grand Slam titles Ekaterina Makarova ranked tournament. hours, 13 minutes of tennis. to her credit — the Australian number 10 in the world. “It is a very important win for Having been 4-2 down in the Open 2012 and 2013 — and was Also in the player acceptance me,” said Sharapova, who has crucial third, Petkovic showed a finalist at the US Open in the list are seven-time Grand Slam often been criticised for not play- her composure by converting same years. winner Venus Williams, former ing enough Fed Cup matches. her second match point to seal Azarenka enters the tourna- US Open winner Sam Stosur “Playing for the national team Germany’s win and keep them ment with a ranking of 41, how- from Australia and two-time there is always added pressure.” bidding for a second straight final ever, she had reached the position Grand Slam winner Svetlana In front of a partisan home appearance. of world No. 1 in January 2012. Kuznetsova crowd of some 15,000, Sharapova, “I was a bit tired from yester- “Victoria Azarenka is extremely The tournament will be held who recently lost the Australian day, but I always just played it popular with fans in Qatar. She is at the Khalifa International Open final to Serena Williams, one point at a time,” said a jaded a two-time winner on the court Tennis and Squash Complex improved her record against the Petkovic at Stuttgart’s Porsche and a winner off the court with from February 23-28 with quali- world number eight to 12 wins Arena. her wonderful personality,” said fying taking place on February against just two defeats. “I hope there is Champagne, Qatar Total Open Tournament 21 and 22. Tickets are available Radwanska saved two match but beer is also okay. We’ll mix in Director Saad Al Mohannadi. online at www.qatartennis.org points at 2-5 down in the second with the fans anyway, the atmos- “Even with major injuries in and at City Center, Landmark, set to draw level at 5-5 but ran phere was incredible.” 2014, she still made an impact Lagoona, Villaggio and on-site at out of steam as five-time Grand Angelique Kerber had earlier around the world, particularly at the Khalifa International Tennis Victoria Azarenka from Belarus has been confirmed as a singles wildcard Slam winner Sharapova closed put Germany on the brink of the Grand Slams. So far this year she and Squash Complex. for the 2015 Qatar Total Open. out the match in 1hr 46mins. semi-finals with a straight-sets has shown her form by beating top THE PENINSULA In Stuttgart, Germany, Andrea win over Stosur, who has lost Petkovic endured another gruel- both of her singles rubbers in QTF to host first Qatar Asian Junior event ling three-set marathon to seal Stuttgart. AGENCIES

DOHA: The first Qatar Asian their performance with every Junior Under-14 tennis tourna- match. ment will be held from February Khalid Al Khelaifi, QTF Board 13 to 19. Member and head of the national The Qatar Tennis Federation team committee, said: “This tour- (QTF), led by Nasser bin Ghanem nament will see an intense com- Al Khelaifi, will host this tourna- petition, especially with players ment at the Khalifa International who are coming from various ten- Tennis and Squash Complex. nis schools from different parts Around 80 players from Qatar of the region. It helps us provide and 16 different countries, includ- a good opportunity to put our ing India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, national team on the right track Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, in order to improve their Asian Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Philippines ranking.” and Yemen, will participate in this This tournament will be fol- feed-in event. lowed by the second Qatar The Qatar National Team Asian Junior Tournament from includes Ali Al Mhamoud, February 16 to 20. Mubarka Al Nuaimi, Mohammed The QTF provides young tennis Al Sumaiti and Hasan Al Obaidly players with the best resources — all participating in the main and opportunities to reach their draw. maximum potential and com- The QTF will host the first Qatar Asian Junior Under-14 tennis tournament This tournament provides pete in renowned tennis tour- Russia’s Maria Sharapova reacts during her match against Poland’s from February 13 to 19 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash the national team with the naments locally, regionally and Agnieszka Radwanska during their Fed Cup World Group match in Krakow Complex. opportunity to compete with internationally. yesterday. international players, enhancing THE PENINSULA QNB celebrates Qatari handball heroes Zidane tells Real not

DOHA: QNB, acting in its dual capacity as tournament spon- to write off Schalke sor and strategic partner of the Qatari men’s national handball team, celebrated the historic BERLIN: French star Zinedine the 42-year-old ex-Real mid- achievement of Qatar reach- Zidane has warned his cur- fielder told German daily Die Welt ing the final of the 24th Men’s rent club Real Madrid to take yesterday. Handball World Championship nothing for granted when they “But in the knockout phase by hosting a team reception face Germany’s Schalke 04 in anything can happen. In two recently at The Sharq Hotel and the last-16 of the Champions games, you have double the Spa Resort. League. chance of an outsider playing Players and officials were hon- Title-holders Real could be above themselves. oured by Qatar’s biggest bank in forgiven for expecting little “You must always be cautious recognition of Qatar becoming the opposition in Gelsenkirchen for — especially against a German first non-European side to reach the first-leg on February 18 with team.” a World Handball final following the return in Madrid on March Real have won only three impressive knock-out stage vic- 10. of their 27 away matches in tories over Austria, Germany and Carlo Ancelotti’s Real inflicted Germany. Poland. a record 6-1 defeat on Schalke Two of those victories came In a hard-fought final, Qatar at exactly the same stage of the last season when they smashed lost 25-22 to Olympic and competition last season. Schalke, then routed Bayern European Champions France at Madrid ran riot at the Veltins Munich in the semi-finals on the a packed and hugely supportive Arena as Karim Benzema, Gareth way to winning the title. Lusail Multipurpose Hall. QNB recently hosted a team reception for the Qatari men’s handball national team at The Sharq Hotel and Spa Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo each Current Schalke boss Roberto di Previously, no Asian team had Resort. scored two goals as Schalke were Matteo won the 2012 Champions reached the quarter-final stage hammered before also losing 3-1 League title with Chelsea and has and only two African sides had Qatar men’s handball team during and historic and combined with is the support given to national away for a 9-2 aggregate defeat. helped the Royal Blues climb to ever reached the semi-finals. the recent World Championship. an excellent organised tourna- and grassroots sporting activities But Zidane, who currently third in the Bundesliga since tak- Commenting on Qatar’s excel- Coach Valero Rivera and the play- ment, they have left a lasting and organisations across Qatar. coaches Real’s reserves, says ing charge in October. lent performance at the Handball ers were an inspiration to many sporting legacy for Qatar Sport to This is aligned to Qatar’s National the first-team should take noth- Despite preaching caution, World Championships, QNB and they have captivated the emulate and be proud of in future Vision to become a true centre of ing for granted this time in Zidane believes Real will progress Group Chief Executive Officer. hearts and minds of the popu- years”. sporting excellence in the MENA Gelsenkirchen. to face Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari said: “QNB lation by their stirring on-court A cornerstone of QNB’s com- region and an exceptional desti- “I would like to say that Schalke Munich in the Champions League is delighted to be recognising the performances. Their achieve- prehensive Corporate Social nation of sports tourism. has no chance and Real will final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium outstanding performance of the ments were both considerable Responsibility Programme (CSR) THE PENINSULA safely reach the quarter-finals,” on June 6. AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29 Veterans set for key role at Cup Afridi, Vettori and Jayawardene ready for fifth World Cup appearance Down Under

SYDNEY: The belief that “old is gold” will once again be put to the test in this World Cup, with several players bolstering teams with their experience and guile. Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori are the most experienced players as each of the trio will be featuring in their fifth World Cup. Jayawardene, 37, retired from Test cricket last year after a glit- tering career and he will hang up his One Day International kit after the World Cup. With a 33-match tally in the tournament, Jayawardene will be the most experienced player when it comes to World Cups. After a miserable first round exit as defending champions in 1999 the next three editions were memorable, with Sri Lanka the losing semi-finalists in 2003 and runners-up in the next two World Cups. He led the team from the front with a scintillating century in the 2007 semi-final against Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi gestutres during practice session ahead of the ODI against New Zealand in Dubai in this September 2014 file photo. CENTRE: New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel New Zealand and then notched Vettori warms up during practice session at the Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, in this September 2014 file photo. RIGHT: Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene looks on during a practice session another ton in the final of 2011 ahead of their first Test match against Pakistan in Galle, in this August 2014 file photo. World Cup, albeit in a losing cause as hosts India won in Mumbai. Jayawardene still holds a key Cup but the next two World their innings much-needed holds the trump card when it for the Black Caps, who for the World Cup. Besides Steven Finn position in Sri Lanka’s bat- Cups weren’t memorable for the impetus. comes to slow bowling, being able first time are amongst the top and Stuart Broad, Anderson ting order, along with Kumar aggressive all-rounder. Moreover, Afridi, also a handy to put a brake on batsmen’s run- three favourites. will form a solid pace attack for Sangakkara who will be featuring Pakistan crashed out in the leg-spinner, will want to shine at scoring besides taking wickets at Like McCullum, Chris Gayle is England, who can be the dark in his fourth World Cup. first round in 2003 and 2007. this World Cup after announcing crucial stages. a danger for bowlers. horses of the event. Sangakkara has played 30 Afridi played just one game in the he will quit one-day cricket fol- Vettori’s captain, Brendon Gayle can hit any bowler on his Also playing in his fourth World Cup matches and just like 2007 event after being suspended lowing the tournament. McCullum, will also be featuring day, hitting big shots at will and World Cup will be Pakistan’s old wine has embellished his bat- for the first two. Matching Afridi in the spin in his fourth World Cup. has performed well for the West Younis Khan. At 37, Younis will ting, with the left-hander the He was Pakistan’s captain in department will be New Zealand’s McCullum will be the key to Indies in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 be the second-oldest Pakistani in highest run-getter in one-day the 2011 World Cup and led them Daniel Vettori, with the 36-year- co-hosts New Zealand’s hopes of World Cups. the World Cup behind 40-year-old internationals last year. to the semi-finals, where they old left-armer having featured in posting big totals in the World Trading his best swing bowl- captain Misbah-ul Haq. Despite Afridi was a relative newcomer were beaten by India. the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 edi- Cup. ing against the best batsmen of his age, it will be only a second when Pakistan finished runners- Pakistan will rely heavily on tions of the World Cup. His blistering form in all three the world will be England’s James World Cup for Misbah, who fea- up to Australia in the 1999 World Afridi’s late-over slogs to give A skilled spinner, Vettori still formats of the game augurs well Anderson, playing his fourth tured in the 2011 edition. AFP Misbah unsure about Ajmal’s inclusion

SYDNEY: Pakistan captain This is a bunch of youngsters and Misbah-ul Haq said yesterday a few senior and we are a team he was unsure whether Saeed which can surprise anybody at Ajmal would participate in the Pakistan any stage. World Cup after the off-spin- cricket captain “I am really hopeful that we are ner’s bowling action was cleared. Misbah-ul- going to improve our performance The 37-year-old had originally Haq speaks but we can do that in the World withdrawn from the World Cup, at a press Cup.” which begins on Saturday, after conference Meanwhile, Pakistan all- he failed to correct his action ahead of the rounder Mohammad Hafeez has in time for the 15-man squad been ruled out of the World Cup World Cup announcement last month. with a calf muscle injury, an offi- in Sydney, Ajmal was reported during the cial of the country’s cricket board Galle Test in Sri Lanka in August yesterday. said yesterday. last year and he was subsequently “He has been advised two to suspended by the governing body three weeks rest by the doctors ICC from bowling at international so he is out of the World Cup,” level after his action was assessed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) a month later. hasn’t played any cricket yet, big event,” said Misbah. Pakistani spokesman Raza Kitchlew said. His withdrawal left Pakistan’s let’s see how it goes in the next media have reported that the He said the tour selection World Cup plans in tatters as week because the team is already team’s management were not in committee has sought to replace they lost four one-day matches – announced and everybody is here favour of reinstating Ajmal, and Hafeez with 25-year-old opener two warm-up and two One Day so I can’t just say anything about the rules state a player can only Nasir Jamshed who has played Internationals – in New Zealand. that,” he added. be added when injury rules out 45 ODIs. Ajmal was on Saturday cleared Ajmal played two unofficial a member of the original squad. “A request with medical reports by the ICC (International Cricket one-day matches for Pakistan’s Misbah admitted his team’s has been sent to the ICC technical Council) to play again, sparking second string against Kenya in poor form was a concern, having committee for inducting Jamshed Australia’s Glenn Maxwell hits a six from the bowling of India’s Mohammed talk of a surprise call-up for the Lahore in December, bowling only lost three one-day series last year into the squad,” Kitchlew said. Shami during the World Cup warm-up match against India in Adelaide World Cup. 12.1 overs. and going down 2-0 against New Hafeez, 34, has been one of yesterday. “You never know, there are a Misbah said that Ajmal himself Zealand this month. Pakistan’s key player, having lot of ifs and buts,” Misbah told a had doubts whether he would be “I think we are not having good scored 4542 runs and taken 122 press conference when asked of ready to play. times in the ODIs... but I think wickets in 155 One-day interna- Ajmal’s chances of appearing in “I can say he is not sure about this team is capable of turning tionals Pakistan open their cam- Australia thump India the showpiece event. that because you need some that around. paign against India in Adelaide on “The main concern is that he cricket behind you before such a “I am excited about this team. February 15. AGENCIES Mohit replaces in World Cup warm-up ‘Pakistan need spirit of Imran’ SYDNEY: Glenn Maxwell and a slow 66-ball 44. Paceman injured Sharma David Warner notched aggres- Mohammad Shami took three KARACHI: Pakistan captain sive centuries to lead Australia’s wickets, but conceded 83 in his Misbah-ul-Haq needs to adopt 106-run win over a hapless India 9.2 overs. NEW DELHI: World Cup the uncompromising attitude in a World Cup warm-up match, India’s Rohit Sharma (eight) organisers yesterday accepted Imran Khan employed in 1992 if Pakistan raising their status as favourites and Virat Kohli (18) fell early India’s request to include seamer the class of 2015 want to emu- captain in the mega-event starting this when India batted, but Shikar Mohit Sharma in place of pace late that triumph at this year’s Imran week. Dhawan (59) and Ajinkya Rahane spearhead Ishant Sharma, who World Cup, former pace bowler Khan lifts Maxwell reached his whirl- (66) added 104 for the third was ruled out of the tournament Shoaib Akhtar said. the World wind 100 off just 53 balls, hitting wicket. due to a knee injury. Very few would have tipped Cup trophy 11 boundaries and eight sixes But after their partnership, The lanky Ishant, the most Pakistan to win the showpiece at the before retiring for a 57-ball 122 only Ambati Rayadu made a experienced seamer in India’s event 23 years ago but Imran’s Melbourne to bolster Australia to 371 all out fighting 42-ball 53 with four sixes current squad with 106 wickets young team fought back from Cricket in 48.2 overs. and as many boundaries. from 76 one-day internationals, imminent elimination in the Skipper George Bailey won Skipper Mahendra Singh Ground in has not played since being injured opening round to defeat England the toss and chose to bat at the Dhoni fell for a first-ball duck to this March during the Boxing Day Test in the final at the Melbourne Adelaide Oval ground. paceman Pat Cummins, who was against Australia in Melbourne Cricket Ground. 25, 1992, The Australian hit paceman Australia’s top bowler with 3-30. in December. “The Pakistan team is passing file photo. Umesh Yadav for two fours and Mitchell Starc, (2-16), Josh Mohit, 26, who has played 12 through a very difficult phase three sixes in the 45th over to Hazlewood (2-25) and Mitchell one-dayers and taken 10 wickets, after having also lost Muhammad build on the fiery 83-ball 104 by Johnson (2-26) bowled with fire is already in Australia as an addi- Hafeez. The onus is now on Warner, whose knock was stud- to bundle India out for 265 in 45.1 tional member of the team that Misbah to set the tone with front- ded with 14 boundaries and two overs. played in the recent tri-series line performances,” Shoaib told The talented but unpredictable due to an illegal bowling action. sixes. New Zealand play Zimbabwe, that also featured England. Geo News channel. side are not favourites this time Ajmal was cleared to bowl again Aaron Finch had helped Pakistan face Bangladesh, India, who lost the preceding “Imran lifted a deflated side in either and their preparations after passing biomechanic tests Warner hit 62 in just 8.2 overs in England battle the West Indies Test series against Australia 2-0 1992 to win the World Cup with have been hit by injuries to several but having pulled out of Pakistan’s Australia’s rollicking start, which and South Africa meet Sri Lanka and failed to make the tri-series some great frontline perform- bowlers, including all-rounder World Cup squad in December, he Maxwell ended with some brutal in warm-up games today. final, open their World Cup cam- ances. Pakistan need spirit of Mohammad Hafeez and paceman can only be called into the squad if hitting, taking 88 off the last 29 The World Cup starts in paign against arch-rivals Pakistan Imran. I hope Misbah can do the Junaid Khan, and the unavailabil- another player withdraws injured. balls he faced. Australia and New Zealand on in Adelaide on February 15. AFP same with this troubled side.” ity of leading spinner Saeed Ajmal REUTERS Bailey also chipped in with February 14. AFP MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Roma end run of draws to Blind rescues Man United remain in Serie Burnley left with headache after draw, Crouch keeps Stoke in top 10 A title hunt ROME: A late strike by Leandro LONDON: Manchester United as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Paredes ended Roma’s run of needed a stoppage-time equal- English Premier fellow-strugglers West Bromwich four successive league draws to iser from Daley Blind to a secure Albion at Turf Moor. This result beat Cagliari 2-1 and reduce the a 1-1 draw away to West Ham in League did see the Clarets climb out of gap on leaders Juventus to seven the Premier League yesterday. London: English Premier League results the bottom three, although they points and keep their Serie A It looked as if Senegal midfielder yesterday: are now just a point clear of the title hopes alive yesterday. Cheikhou Kouyate, deployed as an Burnley 2 (Barnes 11, Ings 32) West Brom 2 relegation zone. Elsewhere, Napoli tightened auxiliary centre-back by Hammers (Brunt 45, Ideye 67) Burnley were 2-0 in front after their grip on third place with manager Sam Allardyce, had won Newcastle 1 (Colback 74) just over half an hour thanks to a dominant 3-1 home win over the game for the home side with a Stoke 1 (Crouch 90) Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings. Udinese at the San Paolo where brilliant close-range finish in the West Ham 1 (Kouyate 49) Manchester But they conceded two headed Dries Mertens opened the scor- 49th minute after he controlled United 1 (Blind 90) goals from corners, Chris Brunt ing and prompted an own goal by Mark Noble’s free kick with his pulling one back for the Baggies Frenchman Cyril Thereau in the Played on Saturday back to goal. on the stroke of half-time before second half. Aston Villa 1 (Okore 48) Chelsea 2 But Blind struck from the edge Nigeria striker Brown Ideye Samuel Eto’o came off the (Hazard 8, Ivanovic 66) of the area in the second minute equalised in the 67th minute. bench for Sampdoria in Genoa but of stoppage-time after Marcus Everton 0 Liverpool 0 Ideye’s leveller was the 14th failed to make the difference as Rojo’s ball into the box was only Leicester 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Ledley 55) headed goal that Burnley had con- Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men saw their partly cleared. There was still Manchester City 1 (Milner 90) ceded in the league this season -- push for a Champions League time for United left-back Luke Hull 1 (Meyler 35) the most in the English top-flight. place stall after being held 1-1 by Shaw to be sent off for a lunge on QPR 0 Southampton 1 (Mane 90) Burnley at least came away Sassuolo. Juventus sit top on 53 Stewart Downing and the result Swansea 1 (Ki 66) Sunderland 1 (Defoe 42) with a draw, having lost 3-2 to points, with Roma second on 46. prevented Louis van Gaal’s side Crystal Palace after going 2-0 up Napoli are a further four points Tottenham 2 (Kane 56, 86) from leapfrogging Southampton in their last home match and then adrift in third and Fiorentina, Arsenal 1 (Ozil 11) into third place. going out oof the FA Cup with a who dominated a five-goal thriller “We played very badly in the into life in the final 16 minutes 4-2 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur. with Atalanta earlier, moved up first half and showed a lot of spirit when Jack Colback, who moments Meanwhile in the La liga, to fourth on 35 points. Juventus in the second half,” United man- earlier might have been sent off Sevilla blew the chance to extend had taken their lead over Roma ager van Gaal told Sky Sports. for a second bookable offence fol- their advantage over Valencia in to 10 points on Saturday with a “We gave away that goal and lowing a poor challenge on Victor fourth as Pedro Leon’s late winner commanding 3-1 win over Milan then played football but you have Moses, fired Newcastle into the handed Getafe a 2-1 victory yes- in Turin, where Carlos Tevez took to do it from the first minute. lead to the delight of the St terday. The hosts went in front on his league-leading goals tally to 14 “But what spirit after the goal James’ Park faithful. the half hour mark when former for the season. and I thanked my players for But much-travelled former Swansea City striker Alvaro Roma’s title push stalled due to that,” added the Dutchman after England striker Crouch made Vazquez was brought down by four consecutive league draws and seeing compatriot Blind spare sure Newcastle did not leapfrog Diogo Figueras inside the area with several key players missing, United’s blushes. Stoke when the beanpole for- and he picked himself up to dis- their trip to Sardinia was set to be Allradyce, meanwhile, was left ward’s trademark header at the patch the resulting penalty. anything but plain sailing. ruing what might have been. back post gave the visitors a share Sevilla enjoyed the majority However, Garcia repudiated “A win would have been nothing of the spoils. “I was pleased to get of possession after the break, accusations their run of draws more than we deserved,” he told the goal and the point was the but it took a wonder strike from was because of a lack of respect the BBC. least we deserved,” Crouch said. Polish international Grzegorz for their opposition despite the “It’s a great shame we conceded Meanwhile, midfielder Colback Krychowiak to bring them level Frenchman saying on several the goal but a fantastic perform- admitted he had been fortunate to as he fired in his first La Liga goal occasions that his team would ance which entertained the crowd be on the pitch when he scored. from 20 yards. However, Getafe win the title. -- I always respect the point “I made two fouls all game so secured a vital three points in “Even if it appears from time against one of the ‘big boys’ even I wasn’t repeat-offending but if their battle to avoid the drop to time I say things that appear though they got the goal late.” I had of been sent off I wouldn’t five minutes from time when arrogant we have not been lacking Earlier, Peter Crouch’s late have had much argument,” he Leon forced the ball home from Manchester United’s Dutch midfielder Daley Blind (left) celebrates in humility,” said Garcia. equaliser ensured Stoke City said. Yesterday’s first of three close range after Sergio Rico had scoring his goal with Manchester United’s English defender Luke Shaw Alessandro Florenzi, Kostas gained a 1-1 draw away to Premier League fixtures saw made a double save from Fredy during the English Premier League football match at the Boleyn Ground, Manolas, Daniele De Rossi, Newcastle that kept them in 10th Burnley let slip a two-goal advan- Hinestroza and Diego Castro. Upton Park, in east London, yesterday. Kevin Strootman, Juan Iturbe, place. A mediocre match burst tage for the third straight match AFP Gervinho and Seydou Doumbia were all unavailable against a Cagliari team that has enjoyed a minor resurgence under the guid- ance of Gianfranco Zola. Captain Raith add to Rangers’ woes with Cup win Francesco Totti shook off ‘flu symptoms to spearhead a three- GLASGOW: Raith Rovers manager Kenny McDowall pronged attack with 18-year-old completed a week of turmoil Scottish Cup revealed he had been told by the Daniele Verde to his right and for Rangers by knocking them Glasgow: Scottish Cup results yesterday: board to play the five Newcastle Adem Ljajic out on the left. of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 5th round loan players who arrived on trans- Garcia, who made his name as a win at the fallen Glasgow giants’ Rangers 1 (Vukic 62) Raith 2 fer deadline day. coach with unfashionable French Ibrox ground yesterday. (Conroy 54, Nade 75) However, Rangers managing side Lille guiding them to the For Raith it was another Stranraer 0 Dundee United 3 director Derek Llambias insisted 2011 domestic double, praised the knockout success against sec- (Erskine 21, Dow 27, 31) subsequently that the board was young players who he said made ond-tier rivals Rangers after Played on Saturday not picking the team. the difference against Cagliari. their victory in the final of last Dundee 0 Celtic 2 (Griffiths 7, Johansen 47) As events transpired, only “The difference was the young year’s Scottish Challenge Cup -- Falkirk 2 (McCracken 11, Smith 79) Brechin Vukic and Remie Streete of the players, with a goal by Paredes an event for the country’s lower 1 (Trouten 55-pen) five Newcastle loanees were fit to and two assists from Verde,” said league clubs. Hibernian 3 (Dja Djedje 42, Gordon 60-og, start yesterday. 50-year-old Garcia. Ryan Conroy, formerly of McGeouch 68) Arbroath 1 (Stewart 17) Newcastle owner Mike Ashley “I believe in this guy (Verde). Rangers’ arch-rivals Celtic, gave owns an 8.92 percent stake in Aside from his technical and tac- Partick 1 (Taylor 67) Inverness CT 2 Raith a 54th-minute lead with (Watkins 16, Tansey 27) Rangers and is being investi- tical qualities he works a lot for a curling free-kick before Haris gated by the Scottish Football the team and he is very eager. I Queen of the South 2 (Lyle 48, Reilly 90) St Vukic, one of five players contro- Association over whether he has think he will go far. Johnstone 0 versially on-loan from English breached rules concerning dual “The youngsters showed that Spartans 1 (Mackinnon 90) Premier League club Newcastle, interests. when we need to call on them that Berwick 1 (Willis 4) equalised for the home side eight McDowall stepped in after they are ready and that is good minutes later. previous manager Ally McCoist news.” Cagliari had the brighter However, Christian Nade in a season of boardroom drama resigned in December, but has start and Roma ‘keeper Morgan scored Raith’s winner 15 min- at Ibrox when former director already handed in his notice at De Sanctis had to use his legs to utes from time in the fifth round Dave King had gained sufficient Ibrox and will leave the club at save from Duje Cop at the near Valencia’s goalkeeper Diego Alves (left) and Valencia’s Argentinian for- tie when he bundled the ball in shareholder approval for a March the end of the season. post. Verde, however, made the ward Pablo Piatti (centre) vie with Espanyol’s defender Victor Alvarez after Rangers goalkeeper Steve 4 meeting demanding the current Rangers are currently second most of his Serie A debut for the Delgado during the Spanish league match at the Cornella-El Prat sta- Simonsen could not hold Jason board be removed. in the Scottish Championship, 19 Giallorossi and was Roma’s most dium in Cornella de Llobregat yesterday. Thomson’s hard-hit cross. That announcement came just points below leaders Hearts with dangerous player in the opening Friday had seen the latest twist a day after Rangers caretaker three games in hand. AFP half. AFP Al Kass Cup: Sao Paulo trounce PSG, Arsenal win DOHA: Sao Paulo SC Brazil no mistake from the rebound. and England’s Arsenal regis- Thereafter, Augusto Galvan tered resounding wins at the Al added the second one, applying a Kass Cup International. first-time finish following a high Yesterday at Aspire Academy diagonal ball from the right that grounds, the Brazilian wonder wasdeftly chested into his path by kids stormed to a 5-0 victory Dos Santos. A player of Sao Paulo over Paris Saint-Germain, while But there was no stopping the receives the Man-of- in the second match Arsenal put Samba Sensations, who were 3-0 the-Match award after in a highly professional perform- up on 37 minutes. Da Silva was their match against ance to defeat a plucky Aspire fed down the right and, as the PSG in the Al Kass Academy team 3-0. keeper rushed out, he crossed to International Cup With both sides, Sao Paulo and Dos Santos, who gleefully headed in Doha yesterday. PSG, having already through to into an open goal. RIGHT: An Arsenal the knockout phase, the outcome The irrepressible Brazilians player, Man-of-the- of the game would decide which went four in front five minutes match winner, poses team topped Group D. before half time, when Dos Santos with his cheque The Brazilians were ahead chested down Rapanelli’s diago- during the award within six minutes after Gustavo nal ball from wide on the right Dos Santos embarked on a deter- before slotting confidently past a ceremony after the mined run through the middle helpless Pinto. In the 76th minute, Arsenal and Aspire from halfway, shrugging off a but any hopes of a PSG mini- Academy match. series of challenges before find- revival were definitively crushed ing Bruno Rapanelli to his left. the next minute when Paulo Da The attacking midfielder took Silva latched on to a ball through one touch before crossing low to the middle to lob the unfortunate Paulo Da Silva, who shot straight Pinto from 20 yards. at keeper Valentin Pinto but made THE PENINSULA MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31

Spain’s Jose Joaquin Rojas (left) punches the air as he crosses the finish line to win the 136km first stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between Dukhan to Sealine Beach, yesterday. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT Spanish surprise as Rojas stuns Boonen for opening stage glory Experienced Spaniard edges former champion in the first stage of the Tour of Qatar

BY RIZWAN REHMAT Tour of Qatar The CEO of the Cycling Results DOHA: Experienced Spanish Qatar Cycling Top 10 riders in stage one cyclist Jose Joaquin Rojas yes- Stages Federation, 1 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) terday drew first blood at the Ahmed Al Movistar Team 3:49:50 Stage 2: Monday, February 9 - Al Wakra to Tour of Qatar opener, edging Humeidi, hands 2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx Al Khor Corniche - 194.5km former champion Tom Boonen over a bouquet — Quick-Step Stage 3: Tuesday, February 10 - Losail to in a tight-bunched sprint near to Jose 3 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr Losail - 10.9km individual time trial the Sealine Beach Resort. Joaquin Rojas 4 Peter Sagan (Svk) The 29-year-old Movistar rider Stage 4: Wednesday, February 11 - Al Tinkoff-Saxo on the podium let out a scream of joy when he Thakhira to Mesaieed - 165.5km 5 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon after the beat 34-year-old Boonen to the Stage 5: Thursday, February 12 - Al Zubara 18 Spaniard won finish line of the first stage that Fort to Madinat Al Shamal - 153km 6 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek the first stage Factory Racing started in Dukhan. Stage 6: Friday, February 13 - Sealine Boonen, riding for Ettix Quick of the 2015 7 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Beach Resort to Doha Corniche - 124.5km Cycling Step, failed to find that extra Tour of Qatar, burst of energy and finished in be windy. That’s how it is in from Dukhan to 8 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team second spot, a notch ahead of Qatar,” Rojas said when asked Sealine Beach, 9 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Frenchman Arnaud Demare of about strong crosswinds. “We yesterday. Team Katusha FDJ. knew that. We came with that 10 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Acclaimed British cycling idea (to battle winds),” he added. counter-attack, were 7’15 adrift. in a crash. (TGA), Boasson Hagen (MTN), Solutions Credits giant Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and “I am in very good shape. I am While the counter attackers Moments later, the sprint was Wiggins (SKY) and Filippo General classification after stage 1 Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin) not afraid about the big names,” were caught at the 32km mark, then claimed by Nikias Arndt Pozzato (LAM). With 10 kilome- 1 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) were among the riders who lost Rojas said. “Yes, I can build on the the front two reached the first (TGA) ahead of Niki Terpstra tres to go, the leaders had a 45” Movistar Team 3:49:40 contact with the 51-man leading lead tomorrow but we will have to intermediate sprint (38km mark), (EQS) and Roberto Ferrari advantage. 2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - group on the run-in to the finish. wait and see.” won by Salomein, with a 5’05 lead. (LAM). That gap dropped down to 11” Quick-Step 0:00:04 Rojas clocked a time of 3 hours Two days after the final stage The two riders were eventually After having tried his luck a with 3km to go. But there was 3 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr 49 minutes and 50 seconds as of the women’s Tour of Qatar, the caught at the 65km mark. Shortly first time, Greg Van Avermaet no catching the front group. In 0:00:06 heavy crosswinds fractured the wind had picked up but was this after, the battle between favour- (BMC) gave it a second go at a final bunched sprint, Rojas 4 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - group of 141 riders into two close time blowing from the south-east. ites kicked off. Indeed, as the the 95km mark. After enjoying a surprised the field as he took off Quick-Step 0:00:08 to the finish line. As expected it was a tough Trek and Etixx Quickstep teams 25” lead, the Belgian was rapidly early. 5 Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre- Merida 0:00:09 “I jumped after many riders, on day for the men who gathered at picked up the pace at the front, caught back. The Spaniard managed to keep 6 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff- the side of the fence,” Rojas said. Dukhan for the start of their edi- the pack broke up into several At the 107km mark, three his impressive pace all the way Saxo 0:00:10 “I could see there was a window tion of the Tour. Facing the wind groups. A total of 46 men were other riders took off on a breaka- to the line, beating Boonen and 7 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon for me to move on,” he added. for most of the day, the 141 riders present in a front group. way: Breschel (TCS), Boom and Démare to conquer his first ever 18 “I will enjoy this victory. I did took off at 1.23pm for the 136km The only favourites or big Westra (AST). Their lead reached success in Qatar. 8 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek not expect this win,” Rojas said. stage. names failing to make it to the an interesting one minute some Thanks to his victory, the Factory Racing “We will see what happens tomor- After just a kilometre of rac- front were Alejandro Valverde five kilometres later. But as the Spaniard captured the overall 9 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM row. It was a nervous day. When ing, two riders managed to break (MOV), Nacer Bouhanni (COF), pack chased harder and broke up leader’s Golden Jersey that he will Cycling the riders accelerated, I had to away: Jarl Salomein (TSV) and Lars Boom (AST) and Wiggins. into several groups, there wasn’t be wearing today from Al Wakra 10 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana focus on the strong winds as well,” Luca Sterbini (BAR). Their lead After enjoying a 25” advantage, much the escapees could do. to Al Khor. Pro Team the Spaniard said. rapidly grew and went from 2’50 the leaders’ group was eventually They were caught at the 125km Rojas also leads the points Point classification after stage one “There was an opportunity to at the 8km mark to a maxi- caught at the 81km mark. As the mark as just over 50 riders were classification while Démare con- 1 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) win the stage and I took it,” Rojas mum 10’40 at the 22km mark, bunched pack headed towards the leading the race. quered the Pearl White Jersey for Movistar Team 15 pts said. while Matti Breschel (TCS) and second bonus sprint, Boonen and The big names not present the best young rider. 2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step 12 “We always expect that it will Mark Vandenberghe (EQS), on a Peter Sagan (TCS) were caught at the front were Marcel Kittel THE PENINSULA 3 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr 9 4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff- Saxo 7 Australia’s Dennis sets one hour world record 5 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 6 6 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek GRANGES, Switzerland: Jack Bobridge failed in his bid in There are some things I didn’t do Factory Racing 5 Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis Melbourne. perfectly, my pacing could be bet- 7 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team became the latest rider to break “I feel pretty proud, also happy. ter, I could have more control,” Giant-Alpecin 4 the world hour record complet- I’ve prepared myself for a long he said. 8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM ing 52.491km on the track in time, it’s a huge relief,” Dennis “As I’m getting older, I’m get- Cycling 4 Granges, Switzerland, yesterday. said. ting stronger.” 9 Jarl Salomein (Bel) Topsport The 24-year-old — who recently “I’m really proud to take the Dennis, Olympic team pur- Vlaanderen - Baloise 3 won the Tour Down Under — chance. 2015 starts better than suit silver medalist in 2012, may 10 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana broke the previous mark of expected, with the victory in the not have the record for long as Pro Team 3 51.852km set by Austrian Mathias Tour Down Under and now this several other formidable cyclists Team classification after stage one Brandle last October in Aigle, record. It’s absolutely amazing. have pledged to tackle the mark 1 Astana Pro Team 11:29:30 Switzerland. We set 52.5 km as the goal, above this year including British legend 2 FDJ Dennis, world track pursuit this it would have been a bonus.” Olympic and world time-trial 3 Etixx-Quick Step champion in 2011, was always on The 2012 Olympic team pursuit champion as well as the 2012 4 Team Katusha target to break the record and silver medallist and 2011 world Tour de France winner Bradley 5 Trek Factory Racing was at one point in line for com- team track pursuit champion bec- Wiggins. 6 Tinkoff-Saxo pleting 52.739km but he slowed came the first Australian to claim “Wiggins is the main rider to be 7 BMC Racing Team Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis (left) and his coach Neal Henderson down in the final 10 minutes. the record. able to beat me,” admitted Dennis. 8 IAM Cycling celebrate after breaking the hour record for bicycles at the Velodrome His success, at a track close to Dennis said that he believed he “There’s also (Thomas) Dekker, 9 Bora-Argon 18 Suisse in Grenchen, Switzerland, yesterday. his team BMC’s headquarters, could improve on the record. we have to see what the altitude 10 Cofidis, Solutions Credits comes a week after his compatriot “Yes I can improve this record. in Mexico can bring.” AFP 0:00:13 Monday 9 February 2015 20 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6336 Sport Price: QR2

SRI LANKA’S WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES NBA: Warriors Azarenka    prevail over confirmed for NY Knicks Qatar Open LANKADEEPA MIDDLE EAST WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY DAR AL SHARQ                  !"#$%&'()#*#+,'-*,)# Sport | 26 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar set to host Formula One We are about to sign contracts to organise a race: QMMF President Al Attiyah

DOHA: Qatar is close to sign- ing a contract to host a Formula One Grand Prix within the next Nasser bin Khalifa two years, the president of the Al Attiyah, Vice- country’s motor sport federa- President of the A spectacular tion has said. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, International night shot who is also the Vice-President Automobile of Losail of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) International Federation (FIA), said the race and President Circuit which would be held in 2016 or 2017, add- of Qatar Motor could host ing to the growing list of high- and Motorcycle Formula One race profile international sporting Federation (QMMF) as Qatar is set to events hosted by Qatar. says Qatar is about get the hosting of “We are about to sign contracts to sign contracts for a race. to organise a Formula One race,” hosting a Formula Al Attiyah said. “We have com- One race. pleted all the steps and there are only a few details before the offi- cial signature,” he added. Al Attiyah added that Qatar would offer the choice of two cir- of Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, which leg and then four years later Qatar is ploughing billions of the FINA World Championship athletes and fans for the IAAF cuits on which to race, either in already host races. introduced night racing at Losail pounds into sporting events and (short course). In October 2016, World Athletics Championships, Losail which has already hosted In December, Formula One International Circuit. has won the right to host the 2022 Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) three years before Qatar becomes Moto GP and World Superbike chief Bernie Ecclestone said Qatar invested an additional World Cup and was also recently will stage the UCI World Road the first Arab country to host the events, or a specially-designed Bahrain and Abu Dhabi would $15m to have state-of-the-art awarded the 2019 World Athletics Championship. Later this year, 2022 FIFA World Cup. street course through the capital not allow Qatar to join the Grand floodlight beams erected at Losail Championships. the Qatar’s capital Doha will Last year in May, Qatar were Doha. Prix racing circuit. But it now Circuit. A week ago, Qatar drew host the 2015 World Boxing awarded the rights to host the There have previously been appears any problems have been Since 2008, Qatar’s Losail unparalleled attention when it Championships, the International 48th Artistic Gymnastics World question marks over whether ironed out. Circuit has been hosting the successfully staged the Men’s Boxing Association (AIBA) con- Championships set to be held in Qatar could host a Grand Prix In September 2004, Qatar opening leg of the MotoGP World World Handball Championship. firmed almost two years ago. October 2018. because it relied on the approval hosted the first ever MotoGP Championship under lights. Last year, Doha staged a leg of In 2019, Doha will welcome THE PENINSULA/AFP