ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Home | 4 Business | 17 Sport | 28 QA to showcase Qatar trade Sharapova best of its fleet surplus falls 50 jeered off court, at Paris Air percent in first Murray breezes Show. quarter. through.

TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 • 8 Shaaban 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6442 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Emir hosts Emir Cup winners Three found guilty Panel to study of defaming school officials

DOHA: In arguably a first needs of local in Qatar, a court has found three expatriates guilty of using defamatory language on Facebook against the principal and management of a Filipino job market school. The misdemeanour court has sentenced the trio — parents of students in the school — who said Effort to help private sector: PM they were protesting an unjustifi- able increase in the school fee, to DOHA: The government has that banks had begun to provide five months in prison and a fine of plans to set up a committee that funding for projects built on sound QR1,000 each. will look into the needs of the foundations, and the ministries of The sentence has, however, been local job market over the next 10 economy, trade and finance were kept in suspension, which means years. playing a role in this regard. it will be executed if the convicts The apex committee will be With regard to industrial land, fail to abide by the law for a cer- tasked with preparing details the PM said a ministerial com- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Personal Representative of the Emir, H H Sheikh Jassim bin tain period. of what specialist jobs will be mittee had been set up to study Hamad Al Thani, with the players and technical and administrative staff of Al Sadd Sports Club, winners of the The court has referred the mat- required in the country over the the state’s need for industrial land Emir Cup, and runners-up El Jaish Sports Club, representatives of companies that sponsored the Emir Cup, and ter to the civil court, where the coming decade. over the next five years, whether sports and media persons, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. convicts may be sued by the school This was disclosed by Prime for public schools, private schools, for damages for defamation, local Minister and Interior Minister hospitals or industrial units. Arabic daily Al Raya reported H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser The PM said the Emir drew up yesterday. bin Khalifa Al Thani at an Qatar National Vision 2030 with Asked for comment, a lawyer Economic Empowerment Forum the youth as its pillar, saying that said that under Qatar’s criminal for the Youth. its realisation relies on the youth’s Fierce fighting rages in Yemen law, which has a special chapter on The event is being held at Qatar contributions. cybercrime, no one was allowed to University by the Ministry of “We, our sons and daughters, SANA’A: Rebel forces and loyal- government in Saudi Arabia. Sunday and raged overnight, have insult individuals and other enti- Economy and Commerce. are confident of your abilities to ist fighters were locked in fierce Yesterday’s clashes in Taez came killed at least 30 Houthi rebels and ties personally or on social media. The PM said that the govern- accomplish many achievements fighting in Yemen yesterday as just four days before a new UN allied forces, the official said. However, the law-enforcement ment was making efforts to sup- in various sectors,” the Prime hopes of a political solution faded effort was to have been held, aim- He said a provisional toll showed agencies must probe accusations port the private sector on the Minister said. after the United Nations post- ing to resolve the conflict in the at least five Hadi loyalists were regarding defamation and confirm directives of Emir H H Sheikh He explained that the govern- poned peace talks. impoverished Arabian Peninsula also killed. them by filing charges against the Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. ment had worked ceaselessly to Clashes raged in the country’s nation. For a second consecutive day, accused, said Yusuf Al Zaman. Speaking to reporters following remove obstacles and provide all third city Taez, sowing panic after But there had been growing rebels and their allies targeted The trio, according to him, was the opening session of the Forum, the means to qualify the youth to Shia Houthi rebels bombarded uncertainty over which of the war- several Taez neighbourhoods with convicted under Qatar’s anti-def- the PM said that such initiatives have access to new development several districts with rocket and ring parties would attend the talks rockets and tank shells, residents amation law. were aimed at enhancing part- prospects and enter the world of tank fire. slated for Thursday in Geneva. said. Initially, five expatriates, under- nerships with the private sector business to contribute to a better “There’s a real massacre going “I can confirm that the meet- Medics and residents said late standably all of them parents, and ensuring that the government future for Qatar. on in Taez, the city that spear- ing has been postponed,” a UN on Sunday the bombardment had were taken to court for using does not compete with it. In order to achieve this national headed the revolt” against former official said on Sunday, without killed 10 civilians and wounded 80. objectionable language against the The aim of the forum is to sup- objective, the government drew president Ali Abdullah Saleh who elaborating. Officials in neighbouring Daleh school’s principal and its director port young people and encourage up a plan for nationalisation and now supports the Houthis, one The postponement is another province said pro-Hadi fighters and board members, but the court them to start businesses, and to scholarships, Sheikh Abdullah bin resident said. blow to UN efforts to broker had retaken several positions from acquitted two of them. empower their projects by showing Nasser said, noting that it had “Saleh has aligned himself peace in a country where nearly the rebels, including a military The parents, according to the them how to take advantage of the been decided to form of a commit- with the rebels to take revenge,” 2,000 people have been killed since camp, in dawn fighting yesterday. daily, said that they were taken experience and expertise available tee to identify the skills required Bassam Al Qadhi added. March. They said clashes were ongoing, aback when the school unjustifi- in the Ministry of Economy and in the labour market in the coming Saleh quit in early 2012 after Yesterday, residents and an especially at a now rebel-held base ably raised the tuition fee for the Commerce and the private sector. years in the light of the govern- bloody year-long protests against official in Taez said fierce fighting of the 33rd Armoured Brigade second time in less than a year. Responding to a question on ment’s vision with regard to the his rule, and was replaced by had killed and wounded dozens of where pro-government forces have They said they met the principal problems related to funding concerned plan. Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who people. seized six tanks. and were assured that the matter young people’s projects, he noted THE PENINSULA has taken refuge along with his The clashes, which erupted on AFP would be looked into and justice would be done. Nevertheless, the school management went ahead with the fee hike. Deadly tornado The parents said they then took to the social media and gave vent Malaysia finds 139 graves to their pent-up feelings. The school’s lawyer, Noura Srahan, told the daily the court’s verdict in trafficking camps against the trio represented action against the misuse of social media. WANG KELIAN: Malaysia Malaysia’s Inspector General of THE PENINSULA has found 139 graves, and signs Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, told of torture, in more than two reporters in the northern state of dozen squalid human traffick- Perlis. ing camps suspected to have “We were shocked by the cru- been used by gangs smuggling elty,” said Khalid, describing condi- migrants across the border with tions at the 28 abandoned camps, Over 500 dead in Thailand, the country’s police scattered along a 50 km stretch of chief said yesterday. the Thai border, around which the Indian heatwave The dense jungles of southern graves were found in an operation NEW DELHI: Soaring tem- Thailand and northern Malaysia that began on May 11. peratures have gripped parts of have been a major stop-off point Pictures of the camps shown southern and northern India in for smugglers bringing people to journalists by Malaysian police an extreme heatwave which has to Southeast Asia by boat from showed basic wooden huts built in killed more than 500 people and Myanmar, most of them Rohingya forest clearings. looks set to continue this week. Muslims who say they are fleeing Khalid said bullet casings were Most of the 539 recorded deaths persecution, and Bangladesh. found in the vicinity and added have been of construction work- “We are working closely with there were signs that torture had ers, the elderly or the homeless. our counterparts in Thailand. We been used, without elaborating. REUTERS People stand outside their damaged house after a tornado hit the town of Ciudad Acuna in Mexico, leaving 11 will find the people who did this,” REUTERS See also page 15 people dead. See also page 11 Remove sponsorship curbs on 2022 project workers: Expert DOHA: A lawyer yesterday told a projects, they could be treated separately Sunday, the National Human Rights “Let their employment contract out- inspectors held by the NHRC, the main symposium that if Qatar was being from the rest of the foreign workforce. Committee (NHRC) held one. line all conditions to be mutually agreed speakers were Rashid Sabih Al Marri, criticised for laws that were seen “Let the question of sponsorship of Workers engaged in World Cup- upon by them (the workers) and their director of administrative affairs at the as restricting the rights of workers these workers be decided by the job related projects are different as they employers,” said the lawyer. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, engaged in the 2022 FIFA World Cup agreements they sign and let their exit are working on government projects and He was one of the speakers at the sym- and Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, board projects, then these workers should be be decided by the Ministry of Interior,” do not concern the common Qatari or posium. He said model and ethical rules member of the NHRC. kept out of the purview of sponsorship Al Zaman said. even companies. “They are not domestic and regulations for workers had been Al Marri told the participants that the and exit permit rules. He was speaking at a symposium on workers.” developed by the Supreme Committee for labour minister will issue a decision to In a paper presented on the Amnesty labour rights held under the aegis of the They could be allowed to keep their Legacy and Delivery and by key employ- help implement the law issued earlier this International’s latest report on Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for labour passports, said Al Zaman. To travel over- ers like Qatar Foundation, Ashghal and year making it mandatory for all employ- labour situation, Yusuf Al Zaman said inspectors. seas, they should not go to their sponsors Qatar Rail for projects awarded and ers in Qatar to pay their workers’ salaries since Amnesty was mainly talking about This was the second such symposium and instead approach the interior minis- supervised by them. through official channels. workers engaged in World Cup-related for labour inspectors held this week. On try for exit permits. At Sunday’s workshop for labour THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME PM: Qatar committed to empowering youth

DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior excellence and contributions. of the knowledge-based economy with Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah “We, our sons and daughters, are reliance on youth innovation, Qatar bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani confident of your abilities to accomplish laid down economic policies aimed opened yesterday the Economic many achievements in various sectors,” at enhancing the growth of the pri- Empowerment of The Youth Forum, the Prime Minister said. vate sector and empowering it to organised by the Ministry of Economy He explained that the government has play a greater role in the economic and Commerce to encourage the youth worked continuously to remove all obsta- development process through the launch projects and innovative ideas cles and to provide all means that qualify entrenchment of the entrepreneurship in order to promote entrepreneurship the youth to have access to new develop- leadership concept among the young in the country. ment prospects and enter the world of generation and the encouragement of At the opening session held at the at business to contribute to a better future their personal initiatives by providing Qatar University premises, the Prime for the State of Qatar. the appropriate environment for crea- Minister and Minister underlined In order to achieve this national objec- tivity innovation. Qatar’s keenness in the importance of tives, the government drew up a plan “To achieve this, all ministries and empowering young people to become for nationalisation and scholarships, the institutions, in partnership with the future leaders by arming them with PM said, noting that the formation of a private sector, on which we rely heav- knowledge in order to build and man- committee was approved to define the ily on moving forward the wheel of age sustainable projects in different eco- disciplines required in the labour market development, work for the imple- nomic activities. for the next coming years in light of the mentation of many programmes and He added that the Emir H H Sheikh government’s visions with regard to the projects that provide you with all Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani drew concerned plan. means and requirements that help you up Qatar National Vision 2030 with Prime Minister said in light of the to be a fundamental pillar for achieving Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani the youth as its pillar, saying that achievement of Qatar National Vision the goals of Qatar”. inaugurating the Economic Empowerment of The Youth Forum yesterday. its realisation relies on the youth’s 2030 towards the focus on the building QNA

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the First Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum at the Doha Sheraton yesterday. Internet becomes ‘supermarket’ of illicit drugs Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock addresses First Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum

DOHA: The internet has been the international drug trade in international police cooperation between world countries in all common principles and respon- the drug,” said Fedotov. turned by criminals into a cyberspace, are key challenges for was the focus of a meeting on the fields, as well as the growing sibilities to find a comprehensive The first day of the Forum ‘supermarket’ of illicit drugs police against drug trafficking,” sidelines of the forum between technological development in the and balanced approach based on discussed the topic ‘The relation bought using virtual curren- he said. him and the Prime Minister. means of communication and local, regional and international between drug trafficking and ter- cies and sold over mobile appli- He added that a covert area of High-level international fig- transportation have had a posi- cooperation and coordination rorist organizations at Arab and cations, Interpol secretary the web, known as the Darknet, ures in the anti-drug trafficking tive effect on the lifestyle at the between various security agen- international levels’ presented by general Jurgen Stock told the not only acts as an online forum field and delegates from over 22 moment. However, he cautioned cies to combat criminal gangs Dr. Salih Al Saad and ‘The new First Qatar International Anti- for illicit drug transactions, but countries and regional and inter- that drug trafficking gangs took responsible for the production trends in the field of drug and Drug Forum which opened here generates widespread knowl- national bodies and organizations advantage of this tremendous and drug trafficking process, he how to combat it’ presented by yesterday. edge transfer among likeminded are attending the two-day forum. development in the implemen- added. Lt. Col. Ibrahim Al Subaih. Prime Minister and Interior individuals. Addressing the event, Director- tation of their goals related to “We are in the context of The third paper on ‘Modern Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Stock also pointed to the rise General of Public Security and the production, promotion and enhancing the international technologies and challenges of bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and diversity of synthetic drugs Chairman of the Permanent smuggling of narcotic materials efforts in the field of drug traf- drug enforcement’ was presented opened the forum at the Doha and their manufacture — often Committee for Drugs and Alcohol through the use of modern means. ficking prevention as we are try- by Dr. Abdullah Al Othaibi. Other Sheraton under the theme using legal precursors — present- Affairs Staff Maj. Gen. Saad bin Yuri Fedotov, Executive ing to build a network through papers of the first day were ‘The “International experience in the ing a challenge for both legislation Jassim Al Khulaifi stressed the Director of the United Nations many initiatives and projects Kuwaiti experience in detect- detection of trafficking routes, and law enforcement to identify, keenness of Qatar to enhance Office on Drugs and Crime said such as Geneva initiative which ing the methods of drug traf- itineraries and methods of recognize and suppress. cooperation and keep up with that the ongoing discussions attempts to build strong part- ficking and concealing’ by Lt. concealment”. “To address these challenges, the latest developments related have highlighted the importance nership between INTERPOL, Gen. Abdullah Jassim bin Naji, The increasing movement of the international community’s to drugs and psychotropic sub- of having a comprehensive bal- Europol and JICICI etc. The ‘The technologies used in Dubai goods and people combined with model which prioritises border stances in all its forms through anced mechanism that will focus international expertise and Customs for combating drug’ by the diverse range of illicit drugs, security, information sharing, the ratification and working on on treating the drug problem, experience from such meetings Muhammed Misbah Dhahi , ‘The means police and border officials training and capacity building the basis of anti-drug conventions. both in the production phase or are considered as an important Turkish experience in controlling are dealing with multiple facets should still apply, but the dis- In this context, Qatar developed smuggling stage, according to part in the context of strength- the drug trafficking’ by Hakan of the drug trade, Stock told the cussion needs to be much more an anti-drug national strategy international conventions and ening partnerships and we try Demirbuken and ‘The creative conference. sophisticated,” said Stock. which absorbed all the dimensions human rights agreements. to learn from the experts. So, national cooperation among agen- “Convergence on the ground Commending Qatar’s role in of the drug problem and its mul- The Doha Declaration has we welcome your recommenda- cies concerned with drug enforce- between producer, transit and collective efforts to combat drug tiple dangers, Al Khulaifi added. emphasized on this issue, as all tions for activating the mecha- ment’ by Maj. Gen. Ghalib Qassim consumer countries, together trafficking and other forms of He pointed out that globali- member states will spend maxi- nism based on cooperation for Al Sarayirah. with the individualisation of transnational crime, Stock said, sation and the great openness mum efforts on the basis of responding to the problems of THE PENINSULA

HMC, Al Ahli extend time for Ashghal organises community birth certificates outreach programme in Rayyan DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and DOHA: The Public Works implementing the projects. Al Ahli Hospital will start Authority (Ashghal) yester- A detailed presentation pro- afternoon shift for receiv- day held a community outreach vided a comprehensive overview ing birth registration appli- programme for residents of Al of the projects being implemented cations from May 31, the Rayyan municipality to famil- in the west area including their Supreme Council of Health iarise them with important components, stages and features, (SCH) has announced. The projects it is implementing in and what has been achieved so far. service will be available from this area. Material in both English and 2.30pm to 6.30pm. Representatives of various Arabic were distributed to the The SCH will continue organisations, businesses, schools attendees and they included gen- to receive birth registration and residents of Al Rayyan area eral information on the projects, applications at its offices from attended the event, held in coor- guidelines to ensure the safety of judiciary and executive author- dination with the Ministry of residents and visitors, as well as ities, applications for infants Municipality and Urban Planning. contact details for Ashghal and aged one year and above, cases Representatives of Expressway, community engagement officers An Ashghal official gives a presentation about the projects in Al Rayyan area. in which the father is not resid- Buildings and Local Roads and responsible for each project. ing in Qatar and applications Drainage projects located in west A site tour to the Dukhan considerable progress made on the part of the project works. The community initiatives that aim to requesting change of name and of Qatar were also present, along Highway Central project, part of project. The tour went through event was part of Ashghal’s inte- minimise the impact of construc- nationality. THE PENINSULA with representatives from con- the Expressway Programme, was to Rawdat Rashed Interchange, grated community outreach pro- tion works on residents and visi- sulting and contracting companies also organised to demonstrate the which will be constructed as gramme, which includes various tors. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir receives messages Emir sends New national greetings to Jordan King lab set to open DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of con- gratulations to King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein of the Kingdom by year-end of Jordan on the occasion of the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. Ashghal announces new projects Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani DOHA: Work on a new national also sent a similar cable of con- laboratory in Mesaimeer will The laboratory will gratulations to Jordan King. be completed by the end of Prime Minister and Interior this year, the Public Works conduct specialised tests Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Authority (Ashghal) said for food safety and check bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday. the quality of medicines also greeted Jordan King. The laboratory will con- imported to the country. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin duct specialised tests for food Hamad Al Thani sent a cable safety and to check the quality of greetings to President of the and safety of medicines being Argentine Republic Cristina imported to the country. It will comprises a ground level and Fernandez de Kirchner on the also conduct tests related to envi- service buildings. The building occasion of her country’s National ronmental protection and disease area is about 2,800 sqm. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday messages from President of Belarus Alexander Day. outbreaks and supervise disease project is expected to be com- Lukashenko and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev pertaining to bilateral relations. Assistant to Deputy Emir H H Sheikh prevention campaigns. pleted this year. the President of Belarus for National Security Affairs Viktor Lukashenko and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani The project will be built in Al Waab Health Centre, Foreign Affairs Askar Mussinov handed the messages at separate meetings with the Emir. also sent a similar cable of con- Mesaimeer covering an area located in Al Waab area com- gratulations to Argentina. of approximately 15,000 sqm prises a two level basement car Prime Minister and Interior (excluding the basement), park, a ground floor and a first Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Ashghal said in a presentation floor as well as service build- Emir endorses cabinet decisions bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on projects it is implementing in ings.. The project is expected to sent a cable of congratulations the west of Qatar. be completed in 2016. to President of the Argentine Eleven schools are currently Ain Khaled Health Centre, DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh draft agreements: and approving Beijing Treaty Republic Cristina Fernandez de under construction in the areas Al Wajba Health Centre and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani 1. Aerial services between Qatar Audiovisual Performances which Kirchner on the occasion of her of Al Oteiqa, Al Wajba, Al Muaither Health Care Centreare yesterday endorsed cabinet and the government of Guinea was adopted during the Diplomatic country’s National Day. Karaana, Umm al Sanim, and Al also expected to be completed in decision No. 25 of 2015 expro- signed in Doha on 27/1/2014. Conference on the Protection Sheehaniya. Construction works 2016. Bani Hajer Health Centre priating some real estate for the 2. Cooperation in economic, of Audiovisual Performances of on these schools commenced in located in Al Rayyan area is part public interest. commerce and technical fields the World Intellectual Property Minister of Culture the first quarter of this year and of a new series of health care The decision is effective start- between Qatar and Kenya. It was Organization (WIPO) in June is expected to be completed in the centres launched by the Primary ing from the date of publication signed in Doha on 23/4/2014. 2012. appoints new third quarter of 2016. Health Care Corporation in the official gazette. 3. An agreement with Kenya Emir issued Emiri decision No. There are also two schools and (PHCC) which incorporates Emir issued an instrument regarding avoiding double taxa- 8 of 2015 amending some provi- director kindergartens in the design phase Urgent Care as a core service. of ratification approving a draft tion and fiscal evasion related to sions of law No. 3 for 2007 on the in the areas of Al Meerad and The project is expected to be agreement for diplomatic and income tax. use of natural resources. DOHA: Minister of Culture, Rawdat Rashed, and six schools completed this year. consular cooperation between 4. Agreement between Qatar Emir also issued law No. 9 Arts and Heritage H E Dr in the tender phase in the areas Twelve mosques are currently Qatar and Kuwait. and United States to improve of 2015 related to safety regu- Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al of Rawdat Al Burj and Al Meerad. under construction in the areas The draft was signed in Kuwait international tax compliance lations for GCC small cargo Kuwari issued yesterday a desi- Five new health centers are of Muaither, Rawdat Egdeim, Al on 18/6/2002. and to carry out the foreign ships that are not included in cion appointing Abdul Razak also being built in this area. They Aziziya, Al Sheehaniya, Industrial Emir also approved a draft account tax compliance act and the International Maritime bin Abdullah Al Kuwari as all provide main medical sections Area, Al Meerad, Umm Sanim, Memorandum of Understanding a Memorandum of Understanding Organization conventions Director at his office. and specialised clinics, dentistry, Hazm Al Markhiya, Al Wajba, for maritime transport between related to the subject signed in The laws are effective starting Abdul Razak Al Kuwari worked emergency, radiology, pharmacies and Al Waab. Nine of them are Qatar and Kenya. It was signed Doha on 7/1/2015. from its date of publication in the as director of youth centers and labs. expected to be completed by the in Nairobi on 11/9/2014. Emir also issued an instru- official gazette. department, then adviser at the Al Karaana Health Centre end of this year. Emir also ratified following ment of ratification signing QNA minister’s office. QNA , located west of Al Karaana, THE PENINSULA CMED holds series of workshops

DOHA: A series of interac- tive workshops held by Qatar University College of Medicine (QU-CMED) brought together a host of medical and health- care professionals from leading organisations in Qatar including Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), SIDRA, University of Calgary in Qatar (UC-Q), and QU Biomedical Studies Research Center, to name a few. More than 30 current and aspiring health and medical educators from universities, hospitals and primary care insti- tutions participated in the work- shops which led to a Certificate of Competence in Teaching for One of the interactive workshops organised by Qatar University College Health Professions. of Medicine (QU-CMED). Conducted by medical educa- tion expert Prof Hossam Hamdy to QU College of Medicine and programme, the College is from Sharjah University, the a member of its international highlighting its commitment forum was part of an ongoing advisory board. He has previously to excellence in teaching for series of activities and collabora- held roles as Vice Chancellor the health care professions in tions by CMED in the lead up to for Medical & Health Sciences Qatar as well as its focus on its opening in September and the Colleges & Dean, College of collaborative health education arrival of its first cadre of stu- Medicine at Sharjah University, training,” CMED Associate dents who will become the first and as Dean of the College Vice President for Strategy doctors to have been trained at a of Medicine at Arabian Gulf and Development Dr Christiane national medical college. University in Bahrain. Mueck said. Dr Hamdy is also an advisor “In presenting the certificate THE PENINSULA Closure of road in Al Khor area

DOHA: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the complete closure of two sections of Al Ghaws Street in Al Khor area from tomorrow for a period of two months. The closure between Al Khor Corniche Roundabout and Al Khor beach is part of the sewer- age network construction works in Al Khor commercial street. During the closure, one lane will remain open to traffic in the middle part of the road between the two closed sections, in the direction from the Al Khor beach to Al Khor Corniche roundabout. Motorists can use the local roads in the area to go around during the closure period. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Maersk Oil gets IBQ-QM Drawing workshop big response QA to showcase to internship competition best of its fleet

DOHA: There has been an overwhelming response from at Paris Air Show university and high school stu- dents to an internship competi- tion run by the country’s largest offshore oil producer, Maersk France expects 2,200 exhibitors Oil Qatar. The Future Leaders Internship is part of the compa- DOHA: Qatar Airways is pre- ny’s commitment to equipping paring to showcase the newest young people with the experi- and best of its fleet with a dis- Overall, Qatar ence, skills and confidence to play of five aircraft at the 2015 lead in the future. Paris Air Show, which takes Airways will have on Maersk Oil Qatar is offering place next month at Le Bourget display at the Paris ten bright young stars of the next in Paris. generation a unique opportunity With bespoke, highly-custom- Air Show an Airbus to win an internship that will also ised interiors, the airline’s new A380, A350, A320, include the chance to meet with range of aircraft will be a major its Managing Director, Head of attraction, in particular the A319 and a Boeing Qatarization and Corporate Social Airbus A380 and A350 XWB, 787 Dreamliner. Responsibility team to gain real both of which entered service for insight into the operations of an the airline recently, with Qatar international oil company and International Bank of Qatar (ibq) partnered with Qatar Museums (QM) Family and Schools Programmes to hold Airways receiving the A350 as their own career potential. a children’s drawing workshop at the Qatar Museums Fire Station on Saturday. The event targeted 7-11 year Global Launch Customer. airline in the world flying this Sheikh Jassim bin Saud Al old children of ibq customers to try their hand at painting and drawing. “The five aircraft that will be next generation aircraft. The 517- Thani, Head of Qatarisation at on display at this year’s Paris seat A380 superjumbo comprising Maersk Oil Qatar, said: Air Show symbolise the dynamic of First, Business and Economy “Our Future Leaders growth of our airline and our con- Class over two decks, is the larg- Internship competition has Ooredoo launches Microsoft Lumia 435 stant focus on world-class quality. est passenger jet in the world, clearly struck a chord with “Not only will we be showcas- and currently flies to Bangkok, students, who’ve responded DOHA: Ooredoo yester- returned phones should be in system. ing our A350 XWB for which we Paris and London from Doha in droves through www. day announced that the new working condition and customers This is the first in a surge of are the Global Launch Customer, in the State of Qatar. The new FindYourPlace.qa. As a com- Microsoft Lumia 435 device will should trade their phone before device launches for Ooredoo in but we will also have four other First Class A380 seat features a pany, we have developed one of be available in selected Ooredoo 25 July 2015. As a demonstration 2015, as the operator contin- benchmark-setting aircraft this 90-inch seat pitch, transforms the world’s most complex off- Shops from today. In the run- of Ooredoo’s strong relationship ues expands its portfolio and year, showcasing Qatar Airways’ into a fully flat bed and has up shore oil fields, this is a success up to its launch, Ooredoo has with Microsoft in Qatar, the ensures bigger, faster and better five-star hospitality,” said Akbar to 2,000 entertainment options story that students are keen announced that all customers Lumia 435 will be exclusive for technologies are available for its Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, displayed on individual 26-inch to be involved in. We are also who return their old devices will Ooredoo customers across the customers. Qatar Airways. television screens. very grateful to the Supreme receive a discount on the new GCC during the promotional Full details of the Ooredoo’s The A350 XWB, which entered Overall, Qatar Airways will Education Council and univer- device as well as free data cards. period. plans, pricing, and offers are avail- service in January and now flies have on display at the Paris Air sities in Qatar for their support, Any customer who returns The Microsoft Lumia 435 has able at www.ooredoo.qa. For more double-daily to Frankfurt and Show an Airbus A380, A350, which has greatly contributed to an old device and buys the new an impressive four inch display, information on the Microsoft daily to Munich from October A320, A319 and a Boeing 787 the ongoing success of the cam- Lumia 435 will get a QR70 dis- 8GB internal memory and sup- Lumia 435, please visit: http:// this year, is also being rolled Dreamliner. paign. We encourage students count as well as two 1 GB Data ports up to 1GB of RAM. For snap www.microsoft.com. Customers out across three daily services France expects a record who haven’t applied yet to not Cards to connect users to the big- happy customers the phone offers can find out prices for the latest to Singapore this summer, and number of visitors and more than miss this opportunity.” ger and faster Ooredoo network a 2MP camera, Dual-core 1.2 device launches – at http://www. will prove popular with aviation 2,200 exhibitors at the air show, Through career advisors and on their new phone. GHz processor and the Microsoft ooredoo.qa/eshop/. enthusiasts visiting the show, as which runs from June 15 to 21. social media channels, the intern- To be eligible for the offer, Windows Phone 8.1 operating THE PENINSULA Qatar Airways remains the only THE PENINSULA ship has been supported and pro- moted by Qatar University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Texas A&M University, Georgetown University, Northwestern and Carnegie Melon University. So far more than 200 students have Vodafone Qatar among top three employers in MENA entered the competition. Commenting on the intern- DOHA: Vodafone Qatar has initiatives and be recognised and practices in attracting, retaining ship opportunity, Mohammad been named among the top acclaimed for excellence in the and developing a great workforce. Al Ramahi, a senior at Texas three Employers of the Year area of human capital manage- Our Employer Brand ‘We are at A&M University, said that the in MENA. At the 7th Annual ment and development. our best, when you are at Yours’ opportunity to meet with senior MENA HR Excellence Awards The Employer of the Year – reflects our belief that with the management is a “great way to 2015, which were held alongside Private Sector award category right people, who are motivated bridge the gap between students the 10th Annual Human Assets rewards an organisation for and inspired, as a company we can and management at the top of the Expansion Summit MENA, its commitment to supporting achieve great things.” hierarchy”. Vodafone came in second place employees at all levels and excelling Mohamed Al Sadah, Chief For a chance to win one of the for “Employer of the Year – through talent retention, employer Administration Officer of internships on offer, students Private Sector”. branding, nationalisation, learning Vodafone Qatar said: “We are are asked to write a paper that is Organised by Naseba, the and development, CSR activities, extremely happy to have received between 500-1000 words, in either MENA HR Excellence Awards health and safety, and diversity and this industry recognition that cul- English or Arabic, on the impact 2015 celebrates leading employ- inclusion, all of which are key pri- minates our outstanding achieve- of the oil industry in Qatar. The ers and HR practitioners for their orities for Vodafone Qatar. ments in the HR space and deadline of the competition is 3:00 outstanding achievements and Kyle Whitehill, CEO of Vodafone highlights our steadfast efforts to PM on 31 May 2015, and papers drive for impactful human capi- Qatar, said: “We are very honoured promote a unique working culture should be submitted on www. tal strategies. It gives all organi- and proud to have received this in line with our image of being findyourplace.qa. sations in the MENA region an coveted accolade which is a solid a Global Company with Local Vodafone Qatar officials with the award. THE PENINSULA opportunity to showcase their testament to our unmatched best Roots.” THE PENINSULA Qatar e-Nature schools awards presented

DOHA: ‘Qatar e-Nature’ schools contest concluded recently with an awards cer- emony at which the grand prize of two tickets and an all-expense paid nature trip to South Africa, home to Sasol’s global headquarters was pre- sented to the winner. Nasser Abdullah Ibrahim Hussein Ibrahim from Nasser Bin Abdulla Al Attiya Independent Secondary School for Boys won the grand prize trip to South Africa. The two and a half month long contest was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, Sasol, the inter- From left: Marjo Louw, President of Sasol Qatar, Rabiaa bin Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the national integrated energy and Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Nasser Abdullah Ibrahim Hussein Ibrahim, the winner and Dr chemical company, Friends of the Saif Al Hajari, Chairman Friends of the Environment Center during the award ceremony. Environment Centre (FEC) and the Supreme Education Council Preparatory Independent School of the Environment Centre said: the option to send a photo related (SEC). for Boys, Nasser Bin Abdulla Al “We are pleased with the fantas- to Nature in Qatar. Several trophies and lat- Attiya Independent Secondary tic outcome of the second Qatar A committee from Sasol, est iPads and iPhones were School for Boys, The Next e-Nature schools contest and are Friends of the Environment awarded to students and Generation School and Noble happy to have been able to con- and professional photogra- schools for their outstanding International School. tribute towards the awareness phers judged 3,000 entries for participation during the com- The schools contest, in its of the beautiful nature of our the accompanying photogra- petition. Rabiaa bin Mohammed second edition, was based on the country. phy competition. Three win- Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of ‘Qatar e-Nature’ app — a first of This year, the Supreme ners received their recognition the Ministry of Education and its kind smartphone application Education Council lent sig- awards on the evening as well. Higher Education represented that highlights the rich diversity nificant support, extending the The schools contest was the minister at the ceremony. of Qatar’s environment, includ- reach of the contest to all schools open to all students enrolled in Thirteen winners from each ing plants, birds, mammals, rep- in Qatar. Since the contest schools in Qatar from grades 1 of the age categories received tiles and insects. Sasol developed launched in February 2015, the to 13. Students were encouraged their awards. Five schools were the application in collaboration Qatar e-Nature Schools Contest to find the correct answers to recognised for their students’ with Friends of the Environment featured 15,000 participants from questions about birds, insects, high participation rates: Al Centre, which features content in various Independent and Private reptiles, mammals and plants Khansaa Primary Independent Arabic and English. Dr Saif Al schools, with more than 3,000 by browsing through the app School for Girls, Abu Obaida Hajari, Chairman of the Friends photo entries where students had content. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

QNL event discusses early Argentina National Day Indian embassy Open House on literacy in childhood Thursday DOHA: Educators and care-givers gathered recently to discuss and exchange ideas about the importance of early literacy in childhood, DOHA: The Indian embassy from birth to age 4. The event ‘Early Literacy 101’ was organsied by will hold an Open House on Qatar National Library (QNL ). Thursday to address urgent The workshop, which was held at Hamad bin Khalifa University’s consular and labour problems (HBKU) Student Centre at Education City, aimed to raise awareness of Indians. It will be held from about the importance of focusing on early literacy. Highlighting the 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Written infor- best practices in the early childhood education field, it presented a mation on issues proposed to be variety of different opinions and showcased the training and resources discussed with officials could be available from the Qatar National Library. given from 5.30pm to 6pm. By serving as a vehicle to cultivate creativity and share valuable This will be followed by meet- information and knowledge, QNL demonstrated its dedication to sup- ings with officials between 6pm porting Qatar Foundation’s mission to unlock the potential of people and 6.30pm, the embassy said in of all ages. a statement. The event brought together over 40 attendees from a variety of organisations serving families and children in Qatar, including the Mercedes- Benz Supreme Education Council, Qatar Museums, Qatar Academy, Maktaba, Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, Dar Al-Kutub, S-Class recalled and the Childhood Cultural Centre. Carol Mitchell, Head of Children Services at QNL, said, “This work- DOHA: The Ministry of shop provided attendees with the opportunity to learn more about Economy and Commerce yes- the importance of early literacy and its impact on children from birth terday announced the recall of to age 4, and to discuss how each institution can help families better Mercedes-Benz S-Class model prepare their children to learn.” 2014 due to a defect in engine “Parents, care-givers, and organisations who work with children from cooling system. birth to age 4 help to build the basis of skills that enable children to The Ministry has urged all succeed as students and learners. Building a knowledge economy for customers to report any viola- the Qatar National Vision 2030 does not start at university or second- Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi (third left), Argentine tions to the Consumer Protection ary school. It starts at birth,” Mitchell added. Ambassador Rossana Cecilia Surballe (third right), Director of American Affairs Department Ambassador Zayed and Anti-Commercial Fraud THE PENINSULA bin Rashid Al Mansour Al Nuaimi (second right) and other officials cutting a cake to mark Argentina’s National Department. THE PENINSULA Day at Sheraton Hotel yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P Qatar to get 73 new private health centres SCH to mark the completion of four years of National Health Strategy 2011-2016 on Monday DOHA: Seventy-three new pri- ‘Together for Integrated Care.’ Public sector healthcare spend- made with an average of 61 per- H E Abdulla bin Khalid Al achievements of developing a vate healthcare facilities are The annual event aims to build ing in 2013/14 was QR12.69 m, an cent of outputs complete across Qahtani, will be speaking on the modern integrated health sys- in the pipeline, with a 46 per greater understanding and sup- increase of 28 percent on the pre- all projects. Maintaining the vision for Qatar’s health sector, tem for Qatar. This is expected to cent growth in licensed private port for the wide ranging trans- vious year. momentum of delivery of NHS and this year he will be followed by cover topics such as the National facilities last year compared to formation in health services The NHS has also grown in outputs will become increasingly international speakers from New Cancer Program, Seha, primary the previous year, the Supreme currently being delivered, SCH response to these challenges. challenging as the programme Zealand who will present their care, the new E-Health initiative, Council of Health (SCH) has said in a statement yesterday. In 2015 the NHS comprises 35 moves into its final phase, said experience of developing local, inte- quality, and continuing profes- disclosed. Qatar has continued to have projects. Six projects have been the SCH. grated clinical partnerships to sup- sional education. The SCH will be hosting an one of the world’s highest popu- completed and closed. Two The theme for this year’s event: port growing healthcare demands, The NHS is a partner- event for the healthcare com- lation growth rates. To meet this new projects have been added; ‘‘Together for Integrated Care’, particularly those of patients with ship of SCH, Hamad Medical munity on June 1 to mark the challenge there has been a 16 per- Diabetes and Oral Health, and reflects the importance of ensur- long term conditions such as dia- Corporation (HMC), Primary completion of four years of the cent increase in health workforce the National Cancer Programme ing that the focus remains on betes and heart disease. Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) National Health Strategy 2011- during 2014, with the public sec- has been brought within the scope integrating services to deliver a The presentations will be fol- working in collaboration with 2016 (NHS). It will take place at tor now employing over 30,000 of NHS implementation. high quality health system. lowed by an open panel dis- more than 50 organisations. Gassar Resort, under the theme healthcare professionals. Overall great progress has been The Minister of Public Health, cussion on the challenges and THE PENINSULA

A 92-year-old abandoned wooden Japanese school in Ishinomaki Ogatsu. With the support of Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF), the school is set to be transformed into a modern sustainable learning centre for children. Qatar to renovate 92-year-old abandoned Japanese school DOHA: With the support of As part of the agreement, QFF to international visitors. Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF)a will provide a JPY500m grant in Speaking at a signing ceremony 92-year-old abandoned wooden support of the renovation of the in which he was joined by sweet Japanese school is set to be school’s external structure, class- treat 311 Director, Gentaro Yui, transformed into a modern rooms, and staff rooms at the old Qatar’s Ambassador to Japan, sustainable learning centre for Kuwahama elementary school Youssef Bilal said: “This project children, initially in Japan but in Ishinomaki Ogatsu. The new- will seek to build on your experi- eventually worldwide. look centre is set to open in the ences here in Ogatsu. I hope that The ‘Moriumius-Lusail’ centre, summer. through this partnership, the which was introduced at a signing Following its refurbishment, local community can increase its ceremony in February, takes its the ethos of the centre will focus interactions with not only Japan, name from the historically signifi- on the ‘stay, eat, experience’ con- but also the world. Our new cant Qatari city of Lusail, and will cept and aim to serve the devel- agreement with sweet treat 311 be managed by sweet treat 311, opment needs of more than 4,000 is born out of our shared desire to a Japanese public interest incor- children and expected to use the build a brighter future, but while poration initially set up to pro- facilities in the first year. In line four years have passed since the vide sweets and food to the worst with this theme, the classrooms earthquake happened, we must affected areas in the immediate and staff room are to be turned also ensure that we do not for- aftermath of the 2011 Great East into eating, sleeping, and learn- get the tragedy. Our efforts must Japan Earthquake. ing spaces. reflect your legacy.” The school was originally built The project’s proponents have Reflecting the thematic focus in 1923, and its restoration is further expressed a desire for the of QFF, the core learning pro- symbolic of regeneration in Lusail. centre to open its doors to chil- gramme of the centre will feature Home to the Lusail Fort, the dren from throughout Japan – training in critical areas such as city will be at the center of the and indeed the world. Together, fisheries. Other educational and 2022 Qatar World Cup as the they hope that local children as vocational offerings will include Lusail Stadium will host both the well as the broader community manufacturing, agriculture, for- tournament’s opening and final will benefit greatly from commu- estry, cooking and IT. matches. nicating with and being exposed THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Sudan govt Tunisia soldier cracks kills seven in down on nine papers

KHARTOUM: Sudanese secu- gun rampage rity forces seized the Monday print runs of nine newspapers and suspended the publishing Attacker shot dead in barracks licences of four of them in a major media crackdown, editors TUNIS: A Tunisian soldier the wounded, and one is in a serious and an NGO said. authorities say had psychologi- condition,” he added. National Intelligence and cal problems seized a gun at a Yesterday’s shooting was at Security Service (NISS) officers barracks yesterday and killed the Bouchoucha barracks in often confiscate newspapers over seven comrades before being Tunis, not far from parliament articles they deem inappropriate, shot dead himself. and the Bardo National Museum but it is rare for them to seize so The Interior Ministry said the where jihadist gunmen killed 21 many at once. rampage was not linked to “ter- foreign tourists and a policeman “The security apparatus seized rorism”, but a Defence Ministry in March. the editions of nine different spokesman did not rule this out It triggered a security alert newspapers on Monday” with- before an investigation reports on across the Bardo district, AFP out saying why, the Journalists the incident. correspondents reported. for Human Rights Sudan (JHR) Defence Ministry spokesman One heard two volleys of gun- Relatives of some of those shot when a soldier opened fire on comrades during a flag raising ceremony at the NGO said in a statement. Belhassen Oueslati said the cor- fire from inside the barracks Bouchoucha barracks, mourn outside the military hospital in Tunis, Tunisia, yesterday. NISS seized the Monday edi- poral, whose name was not given, at around 8:45am (0745 GMT), tions of “Al-Sudani, Al-Jarida, “had family and psychological before an ambulance emerged, its spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui Tunis has been on high alert jihadists, especially on the border Akhir Lahza, Al-Intibaha, problems”. siren blaring. told AFP initially. ever since the March massacre with Algeria. Al-Rai Al-Aam, Alwan, Al-Tayar, Because of this, he had been The Interior Ministry’s elite The Defence Ministry’s at the National Bardo Museum, Some 70 members of the secu- Al-Khartoum, and Al-Yom “forbidden from carrying arms” Counterterrorism Brigade Oueslati said the shooter had which dealt a heavy blow to the rity forces, both police and sol- Al-Tali” dailies, JHR Sudan said. and given “non-sensitive duties”. deployed in force across the area. been killed. North African country’s tourism diers, have been killed over the Afterwards, NISS agents called “He attacked one man with Police with sniffer dogs also “The armed forces took control industry. past four years, mostly in the rug- the editors of four papers to tell a knife and took his gun before checked parked vehicles for fear of the situation after firing on the Tunisia has seen an upsurge in ged Mount Chaambi area. them their publishing licences shooting at his comrades of car bombs in the district, which soldier,” Oueslati told AFP. Islamist militancy since the Arab Tunisia has also had to contend had been suspended. who were saluting the flag,” also houses two police barracks. “Investigations will show Spring revolt which toppled vet- with the violence in Libya, its “The security and intelligence Oueslati said. “The incident which took place whether this was a terrorist act eran strongman Zine El Abidine violence-ridden neighbour to the apparatus told us by phone that The incident “caused the at the Bouchoucha barracks is or not,” Oueslati told reporters, Ben Ali in 2011. east where the Bardo attack kill- Al-Khartoum newspaper and deaths of seven soldiers and also not connected with a terror- adding that all theories would be Since then, there has been ers underwent weapons training. three others — Al-Jarida, Akhir of the shooter. Ten soldiers were ist operation,” Interior Ministry examined. a growing threat from armed AFP Lahza and Al-Intibaha — were all suspended for an unspeci- fied time,” said Al Bagir Ahmed Abdallah, Al-Khartoum’s chief editor. Abdullah was told his paper had been suspended over a story Attacked South Sudan town’s residents trickle back about a consumer rights forum where one speaker discussed “the JUBA: Residents of Leer, a The United Nations said the furniture. “The situation here in burnt, according to ICRC. drank bad water, had little food sexual abuse of school-and nurs- South Sudan town targeted in ongoing offensive has been char- Leer is extremely serious. People The condition of the town’s and were unprotected against ery-children on the buses that a government offensive, have acterised by attacks on civilians, are only just beginning to come hospital, run by medical charity malarial mosquitoes. When she transport them,” he said, add- begun returning to their homes rape, mutilation and the forced back,” said Daniel Littlejohn- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), returned to Leer she discovered ing that the decision to seize the from the surrounding swamps recruitment of child soldiers. Carrillo, an ICRC official who led was unknown. During a previous that her home, made of mud and papers had come from the head where they had sought shelter, Recent fighting has been among the return mission to Leer. government offensive earlier last straw, and all its contents had of NISS. aid workers said yesterday. the worst in South Sudan’s “We know of several casualties year the hospital was ransacked been burnt down. The chief editors of pro-gov- The International Committee 17-month long civil war, which of violence in the villages around and partly destroyed by fire. Another resident, John Jal ernment daily Akhir Lahza and of the Red Cross (ICRC) returned began when President Salva Kiir here. The needs — in terms of Among the fearful residents Riak, 23, said he walked for eight independent Al-Jarida confirmed to Leer at the weekend for the accused his former deputy Riek water, food, other forms of health making their first cautious for- hours before finding somewhere NISS had called to say their pub- first time since being forced to Machar of planning a coup. care and shelter — are dire, and ays into town was Nyajiok Ruai he felt safe enough to sleep, out- lishing licences were suspended pull out some of its staff and sus- In Leer, the birthplace of we expect them to grow substan- who fled Leer with her 10 chil- side among the “tall grass” where but had not given reasons. pend operations as government Machar, ICRC aid workers found tially fairly quickly,” he said. dren aged between seven months people searched for water lilies Al-Intibaha’s managing editor forces approached a week ago, all four of their vehicles stolen Residents are slowly returning and 12 years. and coconuts to eat. “The commu- also said he had been notified of triggering an exodus by the town’s and their humanitarian com- to Leer, where livelihoods have She told the ICRC that her nity is really suffering,” said Riak. his paper’s suspension. 100,000 residents. pound looted, including all the been destroyed and several houses family had slept in the open, AFP AFP

Oil tanker attacked Washington Mass funeral for Post reporter’s trial to open Saudi blast victims QATIF, SAUDI ARABIA: market where pictures of the dead Tens of thousands of Saudi were displayed. They included in Iran today Shias yesterday held a mass a boy wearing a bow tie, and a TEHRAN: The trial of the funeral for the victims of a bearded man in uniform. Washington Post’s Tehran mosque bombing which authori- Everybody “is very much anx- correspondent Jason Rezaian, ties called an attempt by Sunni ious to participate... to express in custody for 10 months and extremists to sow sectarian their support,” one organiser accused of espionage, will open strife. said ahead of the funeral, asking in Iran today, a senior judicial Mourners from the king- not to be named. Mourners were official said. dom’s minority community expected from Saudi Arabia and Judiciary spokesman crowded streets in the mainly abroad, he said. Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejeie, Shia Qatif district of Eastern The suicide bombing, during quoted yesterday by the ISNA Province to show their respect the main weekly Muslim prayers news agency, said that Rezaian’s for the 21 dead, who included two in nearby Kudeih, was the second lawyer and an interpreter will be children. mass killing of Shias in the king- present in court but declined to A Shia imam led the funeral dom since late last year. give further details. prayer in a marketplace under In November, gunmen killed “I cannot reveal the details of a cloudless sky, as a breeze car- seven Shias in the Eastern the case but the trial will take ried the fragrance of green herbs Province town of Al Dalwa. place tomorrow and it will be up placed on prayer mats upon which Asked whether he feared a new to the judge to decide whether the the bodies lay. attack during the funeral, the trial will be public or not,” he said. Volunteers in flourescent organiser said: “Nobody can pre- Rezaian, an Iranian-American, orange vests carried the victims dict anything. We have taken all was arrested in July last year in a in, one by one, on wooden litters precautions in coordination with politically sensitive case that has draped with flowers. local authorities.” unfolded while Iran and world The crowd, some of them weep- Volunteer marshals sealed powers conduct nuclear talks. He ing, shouted the name of Imam off surrounding streets, frisked is being held in Tehran’s notorious Hussein, a revered figure in Shia pedestrians entering the area, and Evin prison. Islam. photographed the identity cards The 39-year-old was formally Memorial banners and flags of journalists. charged with espionage, collabo- Firefighters work to extinguish a fire yesterday at oil tanker Anwar Afriqya after a Libyan warplane attacked the flew at the sprawling outdoor AFP ration with hostile governments, tanker in Sirte, Libya, on Sunday. gathering classified information and disseminating propaganda against Iran. The United States and the Washington Post have branded the charges against him absurd, Ex-Israel PM Olmert gets 8-month jail for corruption urging his release. His lawyer Leila Ahsan said JERUSALEM: Former Israeli which is the subject of an appeal Passing sentence, the three- 100,000-shekel (nearly $25,000) on his innocence, describing the last week that Rezaian’s wife, prime minister Ehud Olmert to the supreme court. judge bench said: “The conduct fine in what they said was a “light allegations as “a brutal, ruthless Yeganeh Salehi, an Iranian who is was sentenced to eight months He remains at liberty until the of Ehud Olmert merits a custodial sentence in recognition of the witch-hunt”. also a journalist, and another sus- in prison for corruption yester- appeals have been heard, but will sentence. contribution to the country made His defence team said they pect, have also been summoned to day, the latest legal blow in a have to serve the two jail terms “A public servant — a minister by Ehud Olmert”. would appeal as there was “no evi- court in Tehran for today’s trial. spectacular fall from grace. consecutively if they are upheld. — who receives cash payments in Press reports said former dence of personal use by Olmert” Ahsan said the file against Lawyers for Olmert, who The Jerusalem district court dollars, keeps them in a secret British premier Tony Blair, now of the money handed over by US Rezaian contains “no justifiable was premier from 2006 to 2009, convicted Olmert of fraud and safe and uses them for personal the Quartet’s Middle East envoy, businessman Morris Talansky. proof”. crowning a political career corruption in March following a purposes, is committing a crime provided a character reference for The former premier had ini- The Washington Post, in an spanning decades, immediately retrial over allegations that he which undermines the people’s Olmert. tially been acquitted of fraud and editorial published Friday, said announced they would appeal. had received envelopes of cash confidence in public office.” In a letter to the court, Blair corruption in the case, escaping that the case lacked transparency The 69-year-old already faces a from a US businessman while The judges also handed praised Olmert’s efforts to pro- in 2012 with a $19,000 fine and a and Ahsan had been allowed to six-year prison sentence handed trade and industry minister in Olmert an additional suspended mote Middle East peace. suspended jail sentence for breach meet Rezaian only once. AFP down in a separate bribery case the early 2000s. eight-month prison term and a Olmert has always insisted of trust. AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Battles rage for Ramadi and Palmyra Syria regime air force jets pound Palmyra buildings taken over by IS; Iraqi troops retake area near Ramadi

BAGHDAD/BEIRUT: Islamic Another resident said at least agreed in principle to give air sup- State poured more fighters 40 fighters had jumped out of port to some forces from Syria’s into Ramadi as security forces three trucks that arrived in the mainstream opposition. and Shia paramilitaries pre- southern Al Tamim district on Meanwhile, the United States pared to retake the Iraqi city Sunday evening. and its allies carried out 10 air that fell to the Islamists a week “They were carrying weapons strikes against Islamic State mili- ago in a major setback for the and wearing mostly khaki dress tants in Syria and 25 strikes in government. with ammunition belts wrapped Iraq since Sunday, the US mili- In Palmyra, the Syrian air force around their chests,” said Abu tary said. struck at buildings captured by Mutaz. “They were talking in Most of the strikes in Syria the Sunni militant group, whose an Arabic dialect, they were were in the northeast, near arrival has raised fears that the not Iraqis.” Al Hasakah, while in Iraq, Islamic city’s famed Roman ruins will be The seizures of Ramadi and State positions were attacked destroyed. Palmyra were Islamic State’s big- near Baghdadi, Bayji, Fallujah and The air force levelled Islamic gest successes since a US-led coa- Mosul, among other sites. State “hideouts” and killed a large lition launched an air war against Days after taking Ramadi, number of its members around it last year. Islamic State defeated Syrian Palmyra’s military air base, The near simultaneous victo- government forces to capture Syrian state media said. ries against the Iraqi and Syrian Palmyra, home to 50,000 people Islamic State has killed at least armies have forced Washington to and site of some of the world’s 217 people execution-style, includ- examine its strategy of bombing most extensive and best-pre- ing children, since it moved into from the air while leaving fighting served Roman ruins. the Palmyra area 10 days ago, on the ground to local forces. The Observatory said there had according to the British-based In a sharp criticism of been no reports so far of Islamic Syrian Observatory for Human Washington’s ally, US Defence State destroying Palmyra’s ruins Rights. Another 300 soldiers Secretary Ashton Carter on and artifacts. were killed before the Syrian Sunday accused the Iraqi army The militants have proclaimed a city was captured, the monitoring of abandoning Ramadi to a much caliphate to rule over all Muslims group said. smaller enemy force. from territory they hold in Syria The insurgents reinforced The general in charge of Iran’s and Iraq. They have carried out Ramadi yesterday, deploying Iraqi fighters from the Shia popular mobilisation unit hold position in the outskirts of Baiji refinery north of Tikrit, in paramilitary activities in the mass killings in towns and cities fighters in preparation for bat- the Salahaddin province, during a joint operation with the Iraqi army to retake the remaining area of the oil refinery Middle East said the United they have captured, and destroyed tle against security forces and from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, yesterday. States and other powers were ancient monuments, which they paramilitary groups advancing failing to confront Islamic State. consider evidence of paganism. on the provincial capital, which Police sources said Iraqi forces defensive lines around Baghdadi, evening. “Today, in the fight against this In Syria, Hezbollah fight- lies 110km (70 miles) northwest supported by Iran-backed Shia a settlement northwest of Ramadi Local man Abu Saed heard a dangerous phenomenon, nobody is ers captured two hilltops from of the capital, Baghdad. militia and locally recruited Sunni which controls access to a major commotion outside his house in present except Iran,” said Major Al Qaeda’s Syria wing, the Nusra Iraqi forces have regained tribal fighters had retaken parts Iraqi air base. Islamic State the city’s southeastern Officers General Qassem Soleimani, who Front, in areas close to the ground east of Ramadi since of Al Tash, 20 km (12 miles) south attacked Baghdadi with seven neighbourhood. “I saw two trucks is often seen on the battlefields Lebanese border and killed dozens launching a counter-offensive of Ramadi. suicide car bombs on Sunday. pull up outside with dozens of of Iraq. But in a move that could of enemy combatants, Hezbollah- on Saturday, a week after it was Pro-government Sunni tribal In Ramadi, residents said fighters carrying arms running mark an expansion of US involve- run Al-Manar television reported overrun, and yesterday retook a fighters, with the help of the army, trucks carrying Islamic State quickly into nearby buildings and ment in the conflict, Turkey said yesterday. rural area south of the city. laid land mines to reinforce their fighters arrived on Sunday taking cover.” it and the United States had REUTERS Libya tribal Outrage in Iraq over Pentagon chief’s remark chiefs meet in BAGHDAD: Iraq yesterday “I’m surprised why he said that. support to the governments of for months. Ahmed Al Assadi, “recalcitrant” fighters. rejected accusations by the US I mean, he was very supportive of both countries in their battle spokesman of the Hashed Al After a year of fighting and defence chief that its security Iraq. I am sure he was fed with against Sunni extremists. Shaabi umbrella organisation for despite a string of territorial Cairo peace forces dodged battle in Ramadi the wrong information,” Abadi The loss of Ramadi, capital of Shia militia and volunteers which losses, the jihadists’ will to fight, and lack the will to fight the told the BBC. Iraq’s largest province Anbar, Abadi reluctantly called in after on the other hand, was never initiative Islamic State group. A senior Iranian general raised questions over the strategy Ramadi’s fall, reacted angrily to really in doubt. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter involved in the fight against IS adopted not only by Baghdad but Carter’s comments. IS is a trim fighting force which CAIRO: A four-day meeting argued that the May 17 fall hit out at Washington, saying it also by Washington to tackle IS. “This lack of will the US has time and again displayed of Libyan tribal leaders opened of Ramadi, the worst defeat had failed to help Iraqi forces in Months of air strikes and the defence secretary mentioned is great tactical skill and whose yesterday in Egypt which is Baghdad has suffered in almost Ramadi despite its military pres- deployment of advisers to reform how the enemies of Iraq have men see death on the battlefield exploring ways to unite warring a year, could have been avoided. ence at the Al-Asad air base in and train the security forces have tried to depict the Iraqi security as the ultimate reward. Abadi parties and bring peace to its “We have an issue with the will the same province. failed to keep up with IS’s aggres- forces,” he told AFP. and Washington had hoped to oil-rich neighbour. of the Iraqis to fight ISIL and “How can you be in that coun- sive tactics. “Secretary Carter’s An Iraqi military commander keep the Hashed and its Iranian- Those attending the conference defend themselves,” he told CNN try under the pretext of protect- remarks are surprising and likely in Anbar described Carter’s backed militia out of the Sunni at a Cairo hotel were members on Sunday, using one of the acro- ing the Iraqis and do nothing? to negatively affect the morale of comments as “a provocation to stronghold of Anbar. of tribes that back the interna- nyms of the jihadist group. This is no more than being an the ISF,” Iraq analyst Ahmed Ali the Iraqi army and Iraqi people But the collapse of the security tionally recognised government Washington has been one of accomplice in a plot,” said Qassem said, referring to Iraqi security designed to make people lose their forces during the fall of Ramadi based in the eastern Libyan city Baghdad’s key partners in the war Suleimani, the Revolutionary forces. Ali argued there were trust in the army.” was seen by most as evidence of Tobruk. to reclaim the ground lost to IS Guards’ commander of foreign examples of Iraqi forces show- The government has nonethe- Baghdad could not afford to do But representatives of tribes last year and Iraqi Prime Minister operations. Shia Iran has military ing plenty of grit and cited the less admitted to shortcomings, without the Hashed’s determina- from Tripoli and Misrata were Haider Al Abadi expressed disbe- advisers in Iraq and Syria and Baiji refinery, where elite troops vowing to investigate the chaotic tion to fight and sheer numbers. unable to attend “because they lief at Carter’s stinging comments. provides financial and military have repelled relentless IS attacks retreat from Ramadi and punish AFP are under pressure from Fajr Libya,” said Mohamed Qassem of the eastern tribe of Al-Minfa. The Fajr Libya coalition of mili- tias seized Tripoli last year after weeks of bloody fighting with forces that support the recognised Erdogan reprimands government, which then fled to the east of the country. “The Cairo meeting is organ- ised by the Egyptian authorities. NYT for editorial We have nothing to do with it,” Hatem El-Ouraybi, spokesman ISTANBUL: President Recep Turkey’s other NATO allies should be for the Tobruk-based government, Tayyip Erdogan yesterday accused urging (Erdogan) to turn away from told AFP by telephone. the New York Times of meddling in this destructive path,” the New York Egyptian Foreign Minister Turkey’s affairs with a critical edi- Times editorial said. Sameh Shoukry opened the torial, angrily telling the US daily Erdogan spat back “Who are you? conference, saying it would help to “know your place.” Could you say something like this to Libya “get out of the current In a growing controversy over the US administration?” vicious circle of violence, conflict media rights in Turkey ahead of June The editorial referred to attacks by and terrorism”. 7 legislative polls, Erdogan blasted an Erdogan on the Dogan Media Group, He expressed hopes that the “impolite” editorial in the New York which owns the Hurriyet daily, over gathering would help to make Times last week which he said “liter- its coverage of the death sentence Libya a “modern state that is free ally gave orders to the United States.” handed to former Egyptian president of terrorism that is threatening “You are meddling in Turkey’s Mohamed Mursi. the security and stability” of the affairs by writing something like this. In a bizarre dispute, Erdogan and country and region. By publishing this editorial, you are the government accused Hurriyet Since longtime leader overstepping the limits of freedom,” of implying he could face the death Muammar Gaddafi was toppled he said. penalty with its headline “death sen- and killed in 2011, battle-hard- The New York Times had on Friday tence with 52 percent.” Erdogan was ened former rebel groups armed published an editorial entitled “Dark elected president with 52 percent of with heavy weapons have been Clouds Over Turkey” that was the vote in August 2014 elections carving out their own fiefdoms deeply critical of Erdogan’s rule, and after more than a decade as prime Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves as he arrives to take part in a Turkish tradesman’s meeting, in Libya. accused him of a crackdown ahead minister. Morsi had won elections in yesterday at Sinan Erdem sports arena in Istanbul, as part of his campaign. When the Fajr Libya alliance of the polls. “The United States and 2012 with a similar score. AFP took Tripoli and set up a rival administration, both the recog- nised government and parliament took refuge in the east near the border with Egypt. The turmoil has allowed the jihadist Islamic State group that Shot Turkish teenage singer still not out of coma has captured territory in Syria and Iraq to move in and gain ISTANBUL: A teenage previously received death threats scotched hopes that she was com- “Although she has been taken Kaya had been appearing on ground in the country, where it Turkish woman who was com- for appearing in the show, was ing out of her coma. off sedation medication, she the show “Sesi Cok Guzel,” simi- has executed dozens of Christians. peting in a nationwide tel- shot in the head at her home “There is no change in her remains unconscious,” it added. lar to “Britain’s Got Talent,” on In February, IS claimed the evised song contest is still in a in the southeastern region of overall situation. Her vital signs The statement, without giving the Turkish private channel Fox. beheading of 21 Coptic Christians coma one week after being shot Diyarbakir in the early hours of are stable. She is on a ventila- further details, also noted she She had been mentored by Sibel in Libya, mostly Egyptians, in the head in an attack that May 18. tor and being monitored,” the had opened her eyes and taken Can, one of Turkey’s best known prompting air strikes by Cairo shocked the country, doctors Only the scarcest details have Diyarbakir hospital where she is breaths without the aid of the folk pop singers who has been a inside its western neighbour. said yesterday. since been released about her being treated said in a statement ventilator for the first time since household name for decades. AFP Mutlu Kaya, 19, who had condition but doctors yesterday quoted by the Dogan news agency. the attack. AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 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 Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate IS victory Far from facing truth, US S AND Iraq are engaged in a friendly argument over Ramadi’s ignominious fall to the Islamic State. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter told CNN on USunday that Iraqi forces showed no will to battle telling new lies about Iraq against Islamic State militants during the fall of Ramadi a BY GARY YOUNGE week ago, and US forces were trying to encourage them to Jeb hinted, it dogged Clinton during her opinions about any war is not American engage more directly. His remark drew a rebuke from Iraqi 2008 presidential bid, too. casualties, foreign casualties or even Prime Minister Haidar Al Abadi, who expressed shock and COUPLE of weeks ago, the Extracting a moral from this dis- expense, but whether they think said his forces were capable of taking back Ramadi. In a Republican presidential hope- aster would demand “unravelling the America will win, says Christopher damage-control exercise, Vice-President had some soothing ful Jeb Bush was askedin an deeper meaning” of America’s military Gelpi, a political science professor at words for the Iraqi prime minister. Biden recognized the Ainterview with Fox News impulses, the popular consent it enjoys Duke University who specialises in whether, knowing what he knows now, and the craven political assent it is public attitudes to US foreign policy. enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces over the past he would have invaded Iraq. It’s the accorded. Sure enough, on the eve of the invasion eighteen months in Ramadi and elsewhere. kind of predictable question for which It would require an assessment of two thirds of Americans backed it and The squabble over Ramadi brings to surface a deep most people assumed he would have a why so many Americans supported a slim majority said they’d supported embarrassment. The IS fortunes have been on an upswing coherent answer. They were wrong. Jeb the war for so long, how an ostensibly it without a UN resolution. Support in the past few weeks. The capture of Ramadi is a feather blew it. “I would have [authorised the independent media not only failed to grew once the bombing started and only invasion],” he said. “And so would have challenge the state but actively capitu- soured once it was clear no victory was on its cap, but there has been another equally significant Hillary Clinton, just to remind every- lated to it, and why nobody has paid in sight. achievement – the conquest of strategically significant body. And so would almost everybody the price for any of these mistakes. In The falsehood peddled by most of Palmyra in Syria. That IS forces are treading and conquering that was confronted with the intelli- short, it would demand a reckoning Jeb’s critics amounts to this: “I wouldn’t territories where conventional forces are floundering speak gence they got.” with American power – how it works, support it now because now we know of the military superiority of this terrorist outfit. The For the next few days, as he was as well as whom it works for, and to the intelligence was faulty. But there’s world shudders at the escapades of IS every day; it has sent hammered from left and right, he what end. (Britain’s pathetic collusion no way we could have known that then.” flailed around demands a whole other column.) Or as New York Times columnist David shockwaves across the region, forcing governments to take like a four-star In the absence of such an account, Brooks, one of the most eminent ste- note. Ramadi fell despite the fact that Iraqi troops were general in search a true war story is not possible, and nographers for American state power, more in number. Palmyra is a heritage city and close to the of a plausible so the political class would rather col- put it: “To erase mistakes from the heart of Syrian President Bashar exit strategy. lude in a huge lie that will continue to past is to obliterate your world now. Al Assad. Politicians who In a number infect the US body politic, as Vietnam You can’t go back and know then what The IS’s rise from zero and of do-overs, he did, until it finds remedy in the truth. you know now.” claim they had answered the The point here is not to relitigate The trouble with this is that we did The terrorist ongoing rampage across huge same question the war. The verdict on that front is know then. The world knew, which is swathes of Arab land speak of the no choice but with “I don’t clear by the number of those who once whymajorities in almost every other outfit is huge support it’s receiving from know”, “I didn’t endorsed it and now disclaim it. The country opposed it. The United Nations its backers. This terrorist network to support the understand point is to reclaim the truth of the past was trying to acquire proof one way or unlikely to will continue to remain a thorn in invasion are the question”, in the hope of a better and more hon- another but was not allowed to finish and “no” before est future. If those who lied us into the the job. Politicians were not, in fact, led our side for some time. Despite its last despite wrong. America finally falling war can lie us out of it too, then we are to war by faulty intelligence; they delib- double victory, how long-lasting back on the per- no better equipped to stop them the erately commissioned the intelligence the current these gains are likely to be is got a war it ennial Republican next time. that would enable them to go to war. not clear. Abadi has expressed default of blaming Jeb’s mistake is that he picked the According to notes taken by gains. confidence that Ramadi can be wanted - even if everything on wrong lie. It’s simply not true that Steve Cambone, aide to the former taken back, and his forces have Barack Obama. “almost everybody” who saw the intel- defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, it wasn’t what it “You can tell a ligence backed the war – 133 repre- just hours after the 9/11 attack begun the assault to recapture expected. true war story by sentatives and 23 senators opposed it. Rumsfelddemanded: the “best info fast the town. But the fate of Palmyra the way it never Nonetheless, his rationale – worthy of ... judge whether good enough [to] hit is not known. But this has more seems to end. Not any hapless teenager – that he would S.H. [Saddam Hussein] @ same time – to do with the atrophy Assad has suffered under relentless then, not ever,” have done it because everybody else was not only UBL [Osama bin Laden].” The pummeling from a coalition of opposition including Al writes Tim O’Brien in his novel about doing it has more integrity than most. Pentagon’s top lawyer was told “to talk Qaeda. Vietnam, The Things They Carried. “In Many of those who supported it did w/ PW [Paul Wolfowitz] for additional a true war story, if there’s a moral at so in an act of cowardly political calcu- support [for the] connection w/ UBL.” US and its Arab allies are worried about the prowess all, it’s like the thread that makes the lation. Raising their index finger to the “Need to move swiftly,” Cambone noted. of IS and are devising strategies to contain the group. But cloth. You can’t tease it out. You can’t political wind and the middle finger to “Go massive – sweep it all up things this is a dark and shady outfit whose only objective is death extract the meaning without unravel- international law they thought: “This related and not.” and destruction, and perpetration of cruelty of the kind ling the deeper meaning.” is going to happen, so I might as well America got the war it wanted; it just the world hasn’t seen. The world knows little about this Iraq is one such story. The troops get on board.” wasn’t the war it expected. “History will may have left, but the fallout from the Opposing the war in 2003 struck allow clear judgments about which lead- group, its leadership, its promoters and their objectives. For conflict lingers in the American pol- those with more ambition than princi- ers and which institutions were up to the same reason, it’s likely to be extinguished by the same ity, clinging to its elites like stale ciga- ple as a career-ending act of folly. The the challenge posed by Saddam,” Brooks forces which have unleashed it in the first place after the rette smoke to an Aran sweater – it administration was selling lies; but they wrote the week of the invasion, “and fulfillment of their objectives, or it might transform into stinks, and they just can’t shake it. Not were willing buyers. which were not.” History has spoken. a Frankenstein’s monster to haunt its creators, like some only did it trip Jeb up, it remains the Broadly speaking, the public was of Sadly, too many still suffer from selec- other militant groups. abiding, shameful legacy of his brother the same mindset. The most impor- tive hearing. George Bush’s administration.And, as tant single factor shaping Americans’ THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of … yet successful abroad the day

oreign policy initiatives adopted a multifaceted approach. Mr. Modi’s government has played north-west region, India’s foreign pol- and efforts to raise India’s The government has simultaneously a proactive role in the neighbourhood. icy approach has been found wanting. international profile will be pursued Indo-U.S. strategic ties and Without the coalition constraints that The emphasis on a limited engage- Fclearly seen as prominent a strong economic relationship with the UPA faced, the Modi government ment with Pakistan that has persisted features of the year. Mr. Modi’s visits China based on trade and investment. managed to conclude a land agree- since the 26/11 attacks has impeded to 18 countries in the West, Latin The former was outlined in the Joint ment with Bangladesh. The govern- movement to solve outstanding America, China, the neighbourhood Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific ment helped Nepal find its feet after issues, even as Islamabad has moved We have an issue and East Asia were in line with the and the Indian Ocean region signed the earthquake and promised sup- to deepen cooperation with the new foreign policy objectives set during during President Barack Obama’s visit port for its Constitution-writing proc- regime in Afghanistan. All said, it is an with the will of the the UPA’s tenure that sought to adapt when he was the guest of honour at ess without any interference. Indeed, encouraging start on the foreign policy India to a fast-changing, multipolar the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Mr. Modi’s twin visits to Nepal helped front. And it is a matter of credit to Iraqis to fight the world. In line with the UPA’s correctives Reciprocal state visits by Mr. Modi and refurbish the image of the foreign pol- the Prime Minister and the External Islamic State and during its second tenure when the Chinese President Xi Jinping allowed icy establishment, which had resorted Affairs Minister that the Nehruvian government sought to move away for incremental gains in the relationship to an interventionist approach under emphasis on strategic autonomy has defend themselves. from a single-minded focus on Indo- as both have sought to whittle down the UPA midway through its tenure. been retained. U.S. relations, the Modi regime has strategic differences. But as regards Pakistan and the The Hindu Ashton Carter Pentagon chief TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Iran, Hezbollah no longer a threat to US

It’s not surprising that Iran asks change the American view of the Iraq to fund the Iranian troops Islamic republic. This is because and the advisers who are working the same Intelligence Council to help the Iraqi army, as well as issued an assessment in 2007 on to finance some of Iranian mili- Iran’s nuclear programme, which tary activities in Syria, before alerted America’s allies, whether ISIS took control of the Iraqi city Israel or the Arabs. The assess- of Mosul. ment report spoke frankly that In the security assessment of Tehran halted all nuclear activi- 2014 about the potential terror- ties of military nature since 2003. ist threats to the US interest, it However, the report didn’t lead was mentioned that both Iran and to a convergence between the two Hezbollah are part of this list, but countries as it didn’t stop the the assessment report gave a gen- intelligence and intellectual wars eral description that was not based between these two parties; or even on specific developments, unlike threatening to use force against the security assessment in 2013, Tehran. BY DR MAHJOOB ZWEIRI which cited Iran and Hezbollah The diversity of sources of in the context of two important apprehension and lack of trust events: a) what was attributed between the two countries cannot he US Intelligence to Hezbollah when it targeted be resolved in the one-step policy Council issued an annual Israelis in Bulgaria in 2012, where between them. It requires a policy security assessment five Israelis were killed in a bus, of simultaneous steps. Since 1997, Ton the list of terrorist b) what was attributed to Iran Washington hasn’t been able to threats to US interests inside and when it attempted the assassina- solve any problem with Tehran, outside the United States. This tion of the Saudi Ambassador, Adel especially with the deep-rooted annual assessment usually is pre- Al Jubeir, in Washington in 2011. problem of mutual perceptions Lebanon’s Hezbollah scouts carry a picture of Hezbollah fighter Hamza. sented to the US Congress during The two events together are a between them. a special session. strong example to include Iran in Iran and Washington are aware The Intelligence Council From here, the determina- probably be explained by observ- will not enable it to engage in the terrorist list for 2014, but it that they head off together, in includes 17 agencies for security tion of this security assessment ing the direct meetings between any activities that Washington is interesting that the conclusion terms of a change of tactics and and intelligence in the United is heavily influenced by the vari- Washington and Tehran at mul- has previously labelled as acts of reached by the assessment is that not a change of their strategies. States, starting from the cen- ables of the previous year. This tiple levels. terrorism. Iran and Hezbollah didn’t want This matter applies in regards tral intelligence service, the CIA, doesn’t necessarily negate the This direct communication did The Quds Force is the most a direct confrontation with the with the nuclear programme the multiple information col- input of other data which is still not occur in this manner and to prominent wing of the Iranian United States, and that the regime negotiations, where Washington lection units of the US Army, active for long. such intensity before. This kind Revolutionary Guards, and of the Islamic Republic of Iran is wants to reach nuclear agree- to the entities associated with Out of that, the general devel- of understanding is very evident Washington has indicated that a prominent priority for keeping ment for the coming 10 years to the Department of Homeland opments in 2014 formulate a in the security assessment report it’s being threatened by their the political system in the country. test the credibility of the Islamic Security. source of guidance that is essen- for 2014, as well as 2013. activities. Today, this Quds force In this context, it seems very Republic’s regime. They all operate to face any tial to define the hazards likely What draws our attention is is dramatically busy with what is clear how Washington takes into Washington wanted to negoti- threats, either directed by coun- to afflict the USA, particularly in the security assessment for 2015 happening in Syria and Iraq after account the threats that can touch ate with Tehran when the dis- tries, organisations or individuals. relation to the hot zone area, such where the US Intelligence Council the fall of Mosul at the hands of its allies in its security assessment integrated alliance that Tehran Therefore, the report contains the as the Middle East. excluded Iran and Hezbollah from the Islamic State. of terrorist threats toward US was backed by has collapsed. The names of countries and organi- Iran was mentioned around their section on terrorism, while This data was not far from interests. This explains the men- alliance that included Syria whose sations, and it also highlights 38 times in the report, while it included Iran and Hezbollah in the direct negotiations between tion of Iran and Hezbollah in the political system is busy defend- the dangers of nuclear weapons, Hezbollah was mentioned once. all previous assessments. Washington and Tehran since list of terrorist of 2013 and 2014. ing its survival, and the Islamic electronic crimes, terrorism, even The report has devoted a special 2012, which unavoidably gave a Resistance Movement, which drug and human trafficking. section for Iran through which it Exclusion proof golden opportunity to Washington What is next? has distanced itself from any The estimated budget allocated wrote about the regional threats As previously noted, the secu- to see how the Iranian leadership The exclusion of Iran and role about what is happening in to these units in 2014 was more to the United States in the Middle rity assessment of the US intel- is thinking regarding the regional Hezbollah from the list of ter- Syria, the matter which has led than $65bn. The 29-page security East, where the report said that ligence Council for the coming political issues and to some extent rorist threats to US interests in to the deterioration of relations assessment for 2015 was remark- Tehran posed a threat to US year depends on the political understand the Iranian priorities 2015 doesn’t seem outwardly away with Tehran. able this time as it ruled out Iran interests through its actions in developments and the available in light of the rapid changes in from the context of the diplomatic Coming to Hezbollah, it has and Hezbollah from being threats Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, data relating to the previous year. the region. rapprochement between Tehran changed its priorities of resist- to the United States. The question describing Iran as the sponsor of Given the developments in 2014 The most prominent issue in and Washington since 2005, when ance to maintain the political is: What are the causes and con- “Shia governments.” and the role played by Iran and this context is the real economic security talks regarding the sta- system in Syria. sequences for America to exclude The report also shows Iran Hezbollah in both Syria and Iraq effect that Iran witnessed dur- tus of Baghdad began between the The exclusion of Iran and both Hezbollah and Iran from as a threat in terms of missile — especially military expansion ing the economic sanctions in ambassadors of Washington and Hezbollah from the list of ter- their terror list? strength. In the same context, and assembly of multinational the past few years, especially the Tehran in Baghdad. But, at the rorist threats is pouring into the it positively talks about what it forces in addition to the support UN and EU sanctions targeting same time, the short-term evalu- benefit of internal affairs of Iran. Report content called “Iran’s cooperation with of the Revolutionary Guards and the energy and financial sectors. ation may be changed according It is helping the regime even in The report addresses the secu- the international community” Hezbollah — excluding both of The decline of oil prices came to the data and the possibility of the short-term to keep the image rity assessment for the potential after the principle agreement them was based on data gathered as a thunderbolt for the Iranian threat emergence linked in one of the United States as an oppos- risks and threats to the United that was reached by the 5+1 group for Washington about the priority economy, which was suffering a way or another with Iran and ing player, and that the US does States of America during 2015. with Iran in 2013 concerning the role of both Iran and Hezbollah. lot because of these sanctions. Hezbollah. In the same context, this compromise from its side The evaluation of these threats Iranian nuclear programme. It seems that Washington is The decline in oil return in it should not be an exaggeration which proves how Iran has been and risks is based on various When mentioning Tehran, aware that Iran’s regional preoc- light of the expansion in vari- when considering the agree- always true all the time. developments and data relating the report reflects the way Iran cupation and its many political, ous regional venues constitutes ment as a way to draw the two The writer is an academician to 2014. thinks, which is a matter that can military and media engagements, a drain on the Iranian progress. countries closer, or precisely and expert on Iranian affairs. What happens after the Surprises by King Salman Camp David summit?

because Iran is looking at them as and peace in the region. allies of the United States. So they Gulf States are wary of are the most affected party in any American silence on the Iranian serious conflict between Tehran expansion across Iraq, Syria, and Washington. Lebanon, Yemen and the Gaza It is ironic that the United Strip. States is getting closer to Tehran, Note that the United States which is worrisome. This is knows exactly the extent of the because we are suspicious of US support and penetration Iran has policy and we have a perception in Iraq. that any rapprochement between Gulf States have entered into the two countries will be at our an alliance with the United expense. States to fight terrorism in the US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) shakes hands with the Custodian of The GCC countries have con- region, especially against ISIS, BY DR AHMED ABDUL the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia firmed that we have common but the United States turned MALIK at the Royal Court in Riyadh. interests with Iran; the nature a blind eye and kept an inher- BY DR SHAMLAN of this relationship on historical, ent silence towards Hezbollah out by the coalition forces, led by younger generation of the AL ESSA cultural, economic and political in Lebanon that is supported by ince taking the reins of Saudi Arabia, aimed to paralyse descendants of King Abdulaziz levels is ancient. That’s why the Iran in both Syria and Iraq, and the Kingdom of Saudi the Yemeni air aviation control- on the track to rule the country, GCC countries are keen to estab- possibly Yemen. SArabia, Custodian of the led by the followers of the ousted which reflects a new orientation he Camp David summit has lish good relations with Tehran. Establishing strong security Two Holy Mosques King Salman President Ali Abdullah Saleh and that was never known before in established a new struc- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin ties with Washington should not bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi the Houthis. The coalition has the Saudi ruling family, in terms Tture for an unprecedented Hamad Al Thani confirmed after prevent us from continuing to Arabia surprised the Saudis also destroyed the ballistic missile of historical hierarchy by which defence cooperation between the the end of the summit that all balance our policy and also estab- and the whole world by changes launchers that were in the hands the rule of the Kingdom was GCC and the United States, since countries of the Council welcome lishing strong relationships with that seem “drastic” in ruling of the outlaws. followed since the formation of the White House spokesman the nuclear deal between Iran and everyone, especially the super- the Kingdom, by appointing At dawn on April 29, 2015, King the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confirmed that they are open to the Group 5+1. He hoped that this powers, like France which is keen his brother Prince Muqrin bin Salman issued 25 royal decrees September 1932. discuss granting Gulf partners a agreement will be a key factor for to build firm relations with Arabs, Abdulaziz, the youngest son of that included several impor- One of the important changes key position as allies outside the stability in the region. reflected through the stand of King Abdulaziz, as the Crown tant figures in the Kingdom is the stepping down of Prince NATO coalition. Moreover, the Realistically and practically, we Paris in its support for some Prince. He appointed Mohammed of Saudi Arabia, most notably Saud Al Faisal, the knight of US administration undertakes are bound by military agreements Arab issues. bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz as Deputy Prince Mohammed bin Nayef diplomacy and the oldest foreign to work together to curb Iran’s with the United States, but that Finally, it is required from the Crown Prince, and also changed bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince. minister worldwide, after serving regional threat and intervention does not prevent the emergence of GCC countries after the US secu- the royal crew. With this appointment, Prince in office for more than 40 years, in Arab countries’ internal affairs. fundamental differences between rity guarantees, to focus on the On March 25, King Salman Mohammed bin Nayef, born in during which he led not only the The question here at the end of Washington and the Gulf on a real issues of development for surprised the world by declar- 1959, became the youngest Crown diplomatic helm of Saudi Arabia, the summit is did Gulf Arab coun- number of Arab issues. the sake of building modern civil ing Operation Decisive Storm to Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi but also the Arab region’s impor- tries develop a new unifying policy For example, the US stand on states founded on political partici- restore legitimacy to Yemen after Arabia; therefore, he will become tant decisions. towards Iran? In other words, did the Palestinian issue, where the pation, promotion of the concept the Houthis had seized it by force. the King of Saudi Arabia after 2015 may be a year of sur- they have a common vision in case United States has promised to of citizenship and rule of law. The Yemeni President Abdrabuh King Salman. The royal order prises in the Kingdom of Saudi the relation between the US and support peace in the region by GCC states should focus on Mansur Hadi was forced to exit also included the appointment of Arabia. Sometimes surprises are Iran is tense when discussing the accepting the establishment of modernising their countries and Yemen for Saudi Arabia in order Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcome as they push us towards nuclear weapons file? two states, Palestine and Israel. societies, as this is the real secu- to preserve his life after the bin Abdulaziz as the Deputy “restoring hope” in humanitarian, When relations between Iran But the US policy began to back rity for survival and stability. Houthis got closer to his place of Crown Prince. regional and global issues. and America worsen, the Gulf away from its previous position of The writer is a researcher and residence in Aden. Through these new appoint- The writer is an academician States are usually struck with fear supporting the Palestinian issue political analyst. The air strikes were carried ments King Salman put the and columnist. TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE

UN chief seeks Election shakes up Spanish politics global action Voters angry at high unemployment rate, corruption scandals punish traditional parties on climate MADRID: Spain faced a dra- born out of the “Indignado” GENEVA: UN chief Ban matically changed political (“Outraged”) protests against Ki-Moon yesterday called landscape yesterday after vot- corruption and high unemploy- for “global action” this year ers in local elections abandoned ment that swamped the streets to limit climate change as traditional parties, with anti- during the recent economic international weather experts austerity groups topping polls crisis. began a quadrennial congress in Barcelona and possibly tak- A Podemos-backed candidate in Geneva. ing power in Madrid. for mayor won in Barcelona and The World Meteorological The political shake-up follow- another looked poised to take Organisation (WMO) meet- ing Sunday’s elections was driven power in Madrid, a long-time ing comes ahead of a key con- by voter anger over a sky-high conservative stronghold. ference in Paris at the end of unemployment rate of 24 per- The Madrid candidate, Manuel the year which will be the first cent, government spending cuts Carmena, told reporters yes- attempt to clinch a planet-wide and corruption scandals. terday she expected to become deal on global warming since The crisis has rocked both mayor, implying she would make the near-disastrous 2009 UN Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s an alliance with the Socialists to summit in Copenhagen. Popular Party (PP) and the main form a majority to beat the PP. The Paris accord, which opposition Socialists, which have She said she had already got would take effect from 2020, alternated in government for to work on the reforms she would aim at limiting global nearly four decades. planned as mayor, starting with warming to a maximum of In a test of the national moves to stop evictions of ruined two degrees Celsius over pre- mood ahead of general elections homeowners. industrial levels. expected in November, the PP “We want to get to work “This 17th World managed the most votes but straightaway,” she said. Meteorological congress comes still lost its absolute majorities The results mean the two tra- at a pivotal moment,” Ban said in most regions and even fared ditional parties will have to nego- of the Geneva meet, which runs poorly in historical strongholds. tiate coalitions with minority until June 12. Combined, the PP and the parties in 13 of Spain’s 17 regions “As the global thermostat Socialists captured just 52 per- that voted on Sunday alongside rises, meteorological services cent of the vote nationwide, down more than 8,000 towns and cities. are more important than ever,” from 65 percent four years ago. “We are seeing a fascinating Ban said. “We have lost a large part of evolution that could lead to an Ahora Madrid citizen platform’s candidate for mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena, speaks to the press in the “This year governments the support the Spanish people update of the political system, Spanish capital yesterday. will make major decisions on gave us in 2011,” when the coun- which is more plural just as sustainable development and try held its last election, Rajoy Spanish society is more diverse,” Two months after the election governments” emerged from where they are kingmakers. climate change. 2015 must be told a news conference yesterday. said Narciso Michavila, who the Socialist candidate who won Sunday’s elections. “If in the end they do not arrive a time for global action,” he “We have to be closer to the heads the GAD3 polling firm. the most votes remains unable The leader of Podemos, pony- at pacts and create stability, in added. Spanish people and communicate Spain has little tradition of to persuade the other parties to tailed political science professor four years these new parties will WMO head Michel Jarraud better with them.” compromise politics and the vote to install her as regional Pablo Iglesias, told public tel- disappear,” Michavila said. said the congress must but- But he insisted he could still results of the polls will likely lead president. evision TVE that his party was Jose Fernandez-Albertos, tress cooperation and invest- win the general election and reit- to weeks of negotiations. Pedro Sanchez, the leader of “reaching out to whoever wants a political scientist at state ment in weather and climate erated that the economic recov- The difficulty that parties the Socialists, which captured 25 to reach an agreement with us”. research institute CSIC, said he observations and services. ery was his top priority. will have in reaching pacts can percent of the vote nationwide, Analysts said it was in the did not rule out “that certain “So far in 2015, as in pre- Support instead switched already be seen in Spain’s most said the results showed voters interest of both Podemos regions will have to call fresh ceding years, weather-related to new centre-right party populous region, Andalusia, wanted a swing to the left. and Ciudadanos to reach elections, due a failure to reach disasters have destroyed or Ciudadanos and anti-auster- which held its parliamentary He said his party would work agreements with the estab- an agreement on forming a gov- disrupted millions of lives and ity party Podemos, which was election in March. to ensure that “progressive lished parties in the regions ernment”. AFP livelihoods,” Jarraud said. “The great majority of nat- ural disasters are related to weather, climate and water,” he said. “WMO already has an Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey Germany protests after Russia important role to play and this will become increasingly important in the future,” said Jarraud, who is stepping down to jointly fight migration bars entry of pro-Ukraine MP next year after three terms, and whose successor will be SOFIA: Bulgaria, Greece two million refugees, mostly BERLIN: Germany protested to “I wasn’t planning to meet any Last month, Russia protested at chosen at this congress. and Turkey agreed yesterday from neighbouring conflict- Russia yesterday over Moscow’s opposition leaders or demonstra- Germany’s decision to deny entry at “We have more than a to set up a common border torn Syria. refusal to let a German lawmaker tors,” he said. “Evidently I was a Berlin airport to three members responsibility. We have a moral police and customs centre Thousands of those exiles into the country, a decision the stopped by certain powers.” of a motorcycle club. duty to take action to limit cli- to exchange information to attempt to illegally cross Foreign Ministry criticised as The German government issued a Last September, the German co- mate change. If we don’t do it, combat a surge in illegal from Turkey into Bulgaria unacceptable, in the latest sign protest to the Russian ambassador chair of the Greens group in the we will be judged by our chil- migration. and Greece seeking refuge in of East-West tensions over the in Berlin, and Germany’s ambassa- European Parliament, Rebecca dren and our grandchildren.” “This agreement guarantees the European Union, prompt- Ukraine crisis. dor in Moscow, Ruediger Freiherr Harms, said she had been barred The November 30 to closer cooperation of the three ing both Sofia and Ankara to Karl-Georg Wellmann, a mem- von Fritsch, made a demarche to from entering Russia. She said December 11 Paris conference countries that face one and build protective fences to try ber of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s the Russian Foreign Ministry as she believed she was on a secret faces an uphill task to find a the same challenges... migra- and stop the flow. Christian Democrats and head of well, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin Russian blacklist that could contain consensus among the 196 par- tion, organised crime and ter- The three countries have the German-Ukraine parliamen- said. the names of politicians who had ties involved. rorism,” Bulgaria’s Interior long discussed setting up joint tary group, had called Russia a “From the German government’s backed sanctions against Moscow. At the core of the deal would Minister Rumyana Bachvarova police teams to patrol the “warmonger” earlier this year for point of view Russia’s refusal to In Ukraine, one Ukrainian sol- be a roster of national pledges said after a signing ceremony frontier. supporting separatist forces in allow ... Wellmann’s entry is incom- dier and one pro-Russian rebel for reducing greenhouse gas in Sofia. Bulgaria has stepped up Ukraine, which Moscow denies. prehensible and unacceptable,” a were killed in fighting between emissions — the invisible pol- The centre will be set up at security checks at its border Wellmann, who has called for Foreign Ministry spokesman said. government forces and separatists lution from fossil fuels that the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoints this year as the tougher sanctions against Russia, “Germany expects the refusal to in eastern Ukraine, officials said drives climate-damaging tem- checkpoint between Bulgaria fence forced increasing num- said he spent the whole of Sunday allow him in to be lifted.” yesterday. perature rise. and Turkey, which also borders bers of migrants to cross hid- night in the transit section of a The Russian Foreign Ministry Kiev military spokesman Andriy So far, only 38 parties have Greece, she added. den in trucks and trains. Moscow airport and flew home the declined to comment, citing its Lysenko said the serviceman was put their carbon pledges on Turkey’s Interior Minister Most refugees say they pay next morning, having been told he policy of not discussing any denials killed in shelling near the strategi- the table, according to the Sebahattin Ozturk explained Turkish human traffickers was not allowed to enter the coun- of entry. cally important southeastern port website of the UN Framework that the centre will allow to help them cross over, but try until 2019. He said no reason Relations between Russia and city of Mariupol. Convention on Climate Change. “police and customs authorities yesterday Bulgarian police was given. Germany, countries with multi-bil- Rebel authorities said one of Among the major emitters, to exchange information in real detained a border policeman He said that he had a diplomatic lion-dollar trade and energy links, their men was killed and another submissions have been made by time and react to stop illegal from the Lesovo checkpoint passport to enter Russia, and are at a low point over the con- wounded in clashes in other parts of the United States, the European migration and smuggling.” who was trying to smuggle two had planned to meet Russian and flict in Ukraine and the sanctions the renegade Lugansk and Donetsk Union, Russia and Canada, but Turkey currently hosts about Iraqis in his car. AFP German embassy officials. imposed by the West on Russia. provinces. AGENCIES not by Australia, Brazil, India and Japan. AFP Bavarian ride US, European Ireland’s vote was a jets join Arctic exercise defeat: Vatican daily OSLO: About 100 fighter jets VATICA N CIT Y: The Irish trying to come to terms with from the United States and vote in favour of gay marriage the referendum result, saying it eight European nations began constitutes “a defeat” that high- needed a “new language” to con- an Arctic training exercise in lights a gap between the Church nect to people. the Nordic nations yesterday, and modern society, the Vatican “The Church has to find a new a region worried by increased newspaper said yesterday. language which will be understood Russian military activity. While neither the Pope nor the and heard by people,” Archbishop The exercise, based in the Vatican have reacted officially to of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, a sen- north of Norway, Sweden and Friday’s Irish referendum result, ior Irish cleric, told reporters after Finland with 4,000 personnel, is the Osservatore Romano daily mass at the city’s St Mary’s Pro- meant to test cooperation among spoke of “a challenge for the whole Cathedral on Sunday. Arctic nations near Russia. It was Church,” and of “the distance, in “We have to see how is it that planned before Moscow’s annexa- some areas, between society and the Church’s teaching on marriage tion of Ukraine’s Crimea region the Church.” and family is not being received last year raised regional tensions. The result of the Irish vote was even within its own flock,” he “The aim is to exercise and clear, with 62 percent of votes in added. train units in the orchestration favour and 38 percent against Cardinal Georges Cottier, a and conduct of complex air opera- gay marriage in a country where noted Church theologian, was tions, in close relations to Nato being homosexual was a crime cited by the Osservatore Romano partners,” Norwegian brigadier until 1993. as saying it was impossible to general Jan Ove Rygg, heading “The margin between the ‘yes’ understand the referendum result the exercise, said in a statement. and the ‘no’ votes was too large not “without taking into account the The exercise, lasting from May to be accepted as a defeat. It was paedophilia scandal which has 25 to June 5, is one of the biggest the result of high voter turnout, rocked the Irish Church.” fighter jet exercises in Europe this notably among young people,” the The Church’s influence has year and the second of its type Participants in the Koetzting Pentecost Ride ride their horses near Bad Koetzting, Germany, yesterday. The Vatican paper opined. waned in recent years after a wave after one in 2013. procession counts approximately 900 riders and is said to be one of the oldest Bavarian customs. The once-dominant Catholic of clerical child sex abuse scandals. REUTERS Church in Ireland has also been AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Tornado, floods hit Mexico, southern US 11 killed in Mexican town, three dead in US

MEXICO CITY: A tornado Puente told Foro TV that “more twister but weatherman Abimael ripped into a town in Mexico than 1,000 homes” had been Salas estimated it was swirling at yesterday, killing at least 11 affected by the tornado that swept 250 kilometres per hour. people and flattening hundreds in at “impressive speed” and lasted Three of the fatalities, includ- of homes in a deadly six-second only six seconds. ing two children, were killed when blast of carnage, officials said. Ciudad Acuna Mayor Evaristo a ceiling collapsed on them, local The savage twister roared Lenin Perez said a seven-year-old press reports said. through the Mexican border town boy was also missing following the Across the border in Texas, of Ciudad Acuna at dawn, tossing tornado, as firefighters and civil Governor Greg Abbott declared cars and big rig trucks into the air protection officials rushed to the states of disaster in 24 counties as before they smashed into houses town to start searching for survi- severe weather lashed the region. and buildings. vors in the rubble. “I strongly urge all Texans to People look at the damage to houses after a tornado passed through Ciudad Acuna in northern Mexico. Images from the aftermath Most of the fatalities were peo- exercise every possible precau- of the tornado showed several ple who were out on the street. tion to ensure their safety and surrounding area were destroyed, “We have local resources, Oklahoma, which is located to the crumpled vehicles resting against “We have hundreds of houses the safety of their families and authorities said, and San Marcos regional and state assets that are north of Texas. walls and roofs as shellshocked that are practically destroyed,” the neighbors,” Abbott said in a opened temporary shelters to host actively doing search and rescues,” A firefighter in the town of inhabitants of the town of 136,000 mayor said, also issuing an appeal statement. residents who could not return Smith told a news conference. Claremore died when he was swept struggled to make sense of the for water, canned food and cloth- Authorities in the Texas city home. “It’s not safe for the general pub- into a storm drain while trying devastation. ing for the victims of the deadly of San Marcos ordered residents At least 12 people are reported lic to go down and do those rescue to help a resident in floodwaters, The tornado came as ferocious weather. to evacuate as flood waters rose missing in Texas, said Kharley or search operations themselves.” CNN said, and a woman in Tulsa weather battered swathes of Authorities started erecting menacingly around them, follow- Smith, emergency response coor- The city council said the river died after her car hydroplaned. Mexico and the southern United temporary shelters for those left ing torrential rain that turned dinator for Hays County, which had broken record levels set in the The National Weather Service States, where rescuers hunted for homeless. streets into meandering rivers. includes San Marcos. 1920s. warned that strong to severe 12 people missing in flash floods The tornado whipped up as Cars and trucks were sub- She said people were forming Fire Marshal Ken Bell told thunderstorms were expected across Texas and Oklahoma that heavy rains pounded the city, with merged and people used inflat- their own search parties along CNN that at least one person was across a large stretch of the cen- left three people dead. hail falling in some areas. able lounge chairs to float down the Blanco River, and warned confirmed dead and crews were tral and southern plains toward In Mexico, national civil pro- The National Weather Service the street, in surreal scenes. them against this, saying it was searching for three missing people. the Mississippi River Valley. tection coordinator Luis Felipe did not rate the strength of the As many as 400 homes in the dangerous. At least two people also died in AFP On Memorial Day, Obama touts end of wars Colombia govt, Farc WASHINGTON: US President than 10,000 non-combat troops. Barack Obama paid a Memorial But yesterday’s comments Day tribute to America’s “fallen come as criticism of his actions rebels resume talks heroes” yesterday, stressing in Iraq reach a fresh crescendo. the heavy burden of peren- Republicans in particular HAVANA: The Colombian gov- air strikes on Farc positions. nial wars and underscoring his accuse Obama of creating a dan- ernment and Farc guerrillas But the outlook has deterio- decision to pull troops from gerous power vacuum that has resumed peace talks yesterday rated since the Farc killed 11 sol- Afghanistan and Iraq. been filled by jihadists from the in Havana amid heightened ten- diers last month in an ambush in Echoing Abraham Lincoln’s Islamic State group. sions following air strikes that the western department of Cauca, praise for those who offered the The group now controls swaths killed dozens of rebels. a rebel stronghold. “last full measure of devotion,” of Iraq and Syria and looks poised Rebel leader Pablo Catatumbo They defended the attack as a Obama praised “everyday heroes” for further offensives against an condemned the government “defensive” action taken against who died in the “mountains of outmatched Iraqi army. offensive as he arrived for the an army siege, but a furious Santos Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the Some are pressing Obama to talks, which opened in November ordered the resumption of air deserts of the Middle East” and put American boots back on the 2012 but have made only halting strikes. in countless other conflagrations. ground. progress on ending the five-dec- The military announced it While looking to the past, He has refused to return com- ade-old conflict. killed 26 rebels on Friday in an Obama’s address was tinged by bat troops to Iraq and looked to “Without a doubt, the tragic air strike and ground offensive in war politics that have pervaded air power, drones, diplomacy and events are a step backward in Cauca, then 10 more in strikes in Washington for a generation and education gathering to counter what we’ve achieved up to now at the northwestern department of US President Barack Obama bows his head after placing a wreath at the which are still alive today. Al Qaeda, Islamic State and the negotiating table,” he said. Antioquia over the weekend. “For many of us, this Memorial Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Memorial Day observance at other groups. “They can’t expect military The Farc, with an estimated Day is especially meaningful; Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, yesterday. Obama yesterday again sought pressure or threats to break our 8,000 members, suspended their it is the first since our war in to draw a line under the era of will to fight. That’s the wrong ceasefire in the wake of the first Afghanistan came to an end,” he States is not engaged in a major promise to wind down the wars the “9/11 generation” which saw path and it’s obvious that peace strike, which they say killed 27 of said. ground war.” in Afghanistan that killed the United States enmeshed in will never be reached by escalating their fighters. “Today is the first Memorial The Nobel Prize-winning 2,200 Americans and Iraq vast battles on multiple fronts. the conflict.” The country’s second-largest Day in 14 years that the United president fulfilled an election where there are now fewer AFP The two sides had postponed guerrilla group, the National the talks on Friday “by common Liberation Army (ELN) voiced its agreement” as tensions spiraled solidarity with its “sister organiza- in the wake of an air strike that tion” the Farc. killed some two dozen rebel fight- The ELN, which has an esti- ers, according to a source close to mated 2,500 fighters, has held Mexico rejects the government. preliminary talks with both the US fighter jets escort Air France The government delegation government and the Farc on join- abuse claims in made no statements as it arrived ing the peace process, but has so for yesterday’s talks. far not opened formal negotiations. deadly gunfight flight to New York after threat Hopes for a breakthrough in “The daring decision to declare the peace process had risen in an indefinite unilateral ceasefire is MEXICO CITY: The 42 crimi- December when the Revolutionary a bold gesture to create a climate nal suspects killed in a shootout NEW YORK: An Air France monitor the flight as it approached had been made against a sepa- Armed Forces of Colombia favourable to peace,” the ELN said with federal forces in western flight from Paris was escorted New York, said Navy Lieutenant rate American Airlines flight announced an indefinite unilateral in a statement. Mexico had rejected calls to by two US F-15 fighter jets to Commander Richlyn Ivey, a headed to JFK, but that threat ceasefire. “The Santos government, far surrender, authorities said yes- New York’s John F. Kennedy spokeswoman for US North was deemed not credible and the President Juan Manuel from understanding that gesture, terday, rejecting claims of police International Airport yesterday American Aerospace Defence flight was cleared. Santos partially recipro- took advantage of it to make mili- brutality. after an anonymous threat was Command and US Northern That report also said an Saudi cated in March by suspending tary gains.” AFP Families of the dead and secu- made against the flight, the US Command. Arabian Airlines flight was being rity experts have raised doubts military said. The plane was cleared in New checked out due to an unspecified about the official account of what Air France flight 22, travelling York with no incidents or haz- threat, and that threats had been happened at a ranch in Michoacan from Charles de Gaulle Airport, ards reported by passengers or made against three other flights Volcano erupts state on Friday because only one landed safely in New York, offi- crew, said J Peter Donald, an FBI at Newark Liberty International officer was killed. cials said. spokesman. Airport. Three suspects gave themselves The anonymous threat came The New York Post reported 165 The FBI was not immediately up during the confrontation, while in a telephone call to a Maryland passengers and 11 crew members available to comment on the the others kept shooting during a State Police barracks yesterday on board the Air France Airbus WNBC report. more than three-hour-long bat- morning, and the caller made a A-330 though those figures could The US military spokes- tle that included a helicopter bomb threat involving commercial not be confirmed. woman said the command had gunship, said National Security aviation, Maryland State Police Air France could not be reached not received information about Commissioner Monte Alejandro said. for comment. additional threats against com- Rubido. Two US Air Force F-15 jets Separately, New York’s WNBC mercial airliners. “It was a situation where the were launched as a precaution to television reported that a threat REUTERS criminal group took the decision to confront the police forces,” Rubido told reporters. “There was no other alterna- tive than to repel the aggression in the same manner that they Suriname leader vies for second term initiated it. “They would shoot, run, hide. It PARAMARIBO: Suriname former justice minister and police military rule, but the National was sporadic but long and it took President Desi Bouterse, a commissioner, of the six-party Assembly passed an amnesty law more than three hours,” he said. former military ruler and con- V7 opposition coalition, which in 2012 that grants him immunity. He said all 42 suspects tested victed cocaine smuggler, was accuses Bouterse of cronyism and His son Dino was sentenced in positive for gunshot residue, seeking a second term in the corruption, and promises trans- March to 16-1/4 years in prison, meaning they had all fired a small South American country’s parency and accountability. after pleading guilty last August weapon. national elections yesterday. Bouterse was convicted in to US charges that he tried to Another 73 ballistics tests were Pre-election polls had ini- absentia of drug trafficking by a offer a home base to the Lebanese conducted to determine the dis- tially shown Bouterse’s National court in the Netherlands in 1999. paramilitary group Hezbollah. tance of the shots and they all Democratic Party well ahead, but He has denied any wrongdoing. Bouterse, a former sergeant showed that they were taken from the gap seems to have closed in He was also facing prosecu- who took part in two coups in 1980 a long distance, Rubido said, add- recent weeks and the race now tion, stemming from a probe and 1990, points to economic gains Volcano Wolf on Isabela Island, Galapagos, erupted yesterday. The erup- ing that the shots were fired close appears neck and neck. by Santokhi, then police com- under his watch in the country of tion in an unpopulated area potentially threatens a unique species of pink to the ground. His main rival is missioner, for the execution of 550,000 people. iguanas on the island. AFP Chandrikapersad Santokhi, a 15 opponents in 1982 during his REUTERS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Bangla police Philippines to arrest two over IS recruitment fly over disputed DHAKA: Two members of a banned Bangladeshi radical group have been arrested for trying to recruit young Muslims to fight with the Islamic State organisa- South China Sea tion, police said yesterday. Aminul Islam Baig, 40, and Shakib bin Kamal, 30, were both arrested on Sunday night during Aquino accuses China of bullying raids at two addresses in Dhaka in which officers also recovered MANILA: Philippine aircraft Secretary Ash Carter at the US jihadist literature and computer will continue to fly their usual Pacific Command in Hawaii on equipment, police added. routes over disputed reefs in Wednesday to discuss concerns Dhaka police spokesman the South China Sea, the coun- over China’s apparent attempt to Jahangir Alam said both men try’s president said yesterday, impose an ADIZ in the area. were members of the banned defying China’s challenges to its “We will ask the extent of help Islamist militant outfit Jamayetul planes and those of the United they can give us ... because right Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). States. now we are the one being bul- “They are active members of President Benigno Aquino III lied,” he said. “Let us see what JMB and admitted their connec- told reporters there is no declared assistance they can give us to tion with IS,” Alam said. air defence identification zone more or less keep us safe from During questioning, Baig over the area and “we will still harassment.” and Kamal provided a list of 20 fly the routes that we fly based Gazmin said Filipino and accomplices who had been help- on international law.” Japanese defence officials were ing them try and persuade young “We will still exercise our rights also discussing the possibility of Muslims to join the thousands over our exclusive economic zone,” transferring Japanese military of foreigners already fighting he said, adding that the “bottom equipment to the Philippines, alongside IS, which has declared line is, it has to be clear, we will which has one of the most ill- A Philippine Marine stands next to a newly acquired 40mm anti-aircraft cannon displayed during the navy’s founding a “caliphate” across vast parts of defend our rights to the best of equipped armed forces in the anniversary celebration at a naval station in Cavite city, west of Manila yesterday. The Philippine government has Syria and Iraq. our abilities.” region. been modernising the navy and other branches of the armed forces in the face of China’s increasing aggressiveness “They have been trying to Aquino pointed to the disparity China said on Thursday that it in trying to claim most of the South China sea. recruit people all over the country in the military strength of China is entitled to keep watch over air- to fight with the IS militants in and the Philippines, saying China space and seas surrounding artifi- China claims nearly all of the Aquino said the Philippines other coach,” he said. Syria and other countries of the should not bully a smaller country cial islands it created in the South South China Sea, even waters would not give up its territory to Philippine Air Force spokes- Middle East,” Alam added. because it would hurt its image as China Sea, following an exchange approaching the coasts of the China, even as he acknowledged man Colonel Enrico Canaya Another police spokesman, it tries to create goodwill with its in which its navy warned off a US Philippines and other Asian major differences in the capabili- said its planes flew over the sea, Monirul Islam, told a news con- trading partners. surveillance plane. The United neighbours. ties of their militaries. including the route taken by the ference in Dhaka that Baig was The Philippines is pursuing States said that its own aerial In recent years it has caused “We will still exercise our rights US Navy plane. He declined to the head of IT at a multinational international arbitration and dip- patrolling was in accordance with alarm with increasingly aggres- over our exclusive economic zone,” give more details. company in Bangladesh, with- lomatic efforts to try to resolve international law and that it will sive actions to assert its claims. he said. The Philippine civil aviation out naming the organisation, the territorial dispute with China. seek to preserve the ability of not It is undertaking giant land “Bottom line is, it has to be authority said local carriers also while Kamal was a teacher at a When asked about what coor- just the US but all countries to reclamation works in the Spratlys, clear, we will defend our rights flew over parts of the sea that renowned school. dination the Philippines is having exercise freedom of navigation located between the Vietnam and to the best of our abilities.” were considered international with the United States, a key mil- and flight. the Philippines, to turn reefs into Aquino said the Philippines air lanes. Bangladesh bans itary ally, to address the problem, Philippine military officials islands that can host airstrips and was also working closely on the Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei Aquino said the two countries are have said China has challenged other military facilities. issue with the United States, and Taiwan also have competing Islamist group after helping each other but that he its air patrols at least six times The Spratlys, about a thousand his nation’s longtime ally and claims to parts of the South China could not reveal details. since last month, with a record- kilometres from the nearest major mutual defence treaty partner, Sea. All claimants but Brunei blogger killings Defence Secretary Voltaire ing asking the planes to leave the Chinese landmass, are one of the but declined to elaborate. have military facilities on Spratly Gazmin told reporters he Chinese military area to avoid biggest and most strategically “Even in basketball, you don’t islands that they control. DHAKA: Bangladesh yester- will meet with US Defence misunderstanding. important archipelagos in the sea. reveal all your moves to the AGENCIES day banned an Islamist militant group suspected of involvement in the murders of atheist blog- gers that sparked protests in Dhaka and outrage around the world, an official said. The Home Ministry’s move to Demonstrator shot dead as protest erupts in Burundi outlaw the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) comes almost a week BUJUMBURA: A demon- place in the small central African heart of the protest movement, gunned down along with a body- Opposition and rights groups after police asked the government strator was shot dead and two nation since late April, but the several hundred youths were able guard in the capital on Saturday. say that Nkurunziza’s bid for a to ban the group, suspecting it of others wounded in southern violence — which has left at least to throw up barricades and were “We started blocking the road third five-year term violates the being behind the deaths of three Burundi yesetrday, a local offi- 30 dead — has largely been con- singing and chanting slogans. at 4 am because of the assassina- constitution as well as the terms bloggers this year. cial and witness said, in one of fined to the capital. Police moved in to break up the tion,” said Cadet, a 32-year-old of a peace deal that ended a Police had also earlier charged the first confirmed reports of Nkurunziza has also insisted protests, with five stone-throwing teacher and protester in Cibitoke. 13-year civil war in 2006. ABT members with the 2013 civil unrest erupting outside the that the unrest has only affected demonstrators hurt by police fire. The influential Catholic That conflict, marked by bru- murder of blogger Ahmed Rajib capital Bujumbura. four districts of the city, and Elsewhere in the city, demon- Church, which is also opposed to tal ethnic violence between the Haider. “The (junior home min- The protester was killed when that there is “peace and security strators also clashed with mem- Nkurunziza, has meanwhile called country’s ethnic Hutu and Tutsi ister) today signed a government local police opened fire on a group in 99.9 percent of the country.” bers of the Imbonerakure, the for a 24 hour break in protests communities, left hundreds of order, outlawing the militant of around a hundred demonstra- Some small, minor protests had ruling CNDD-FDD party’s youth until Tuesday. thousands dead, and there are organisation Ansarullah Bangla tors in Muyange in Bururi prov- been reported in rural areas of wing that has been classed as a Burundi’s crisis, which began in fears the latest unrest could Team,” Sharif Mahmud, a minis- ince, around 60km southeast of the nation in recent weeks, but militia and accused of intimidat- late April after the ruling party plunge the small, landlocked and try spokesman, said. the capital, the sources said. far smaller and more sporadic in ing opponents. nominated Nkurunziza to stand impoverished nation back into A police spokesman said last Civil unrest was also reported nature than in the capital. Activists and opposition leaders again in the June 26 presidential widespread violence. week that initial police findings in Matana, further south in the Bujumbura was meanwhile hit had called for street protests to be election, deepened earlier this Nkurunziza, a former rebel implicated ABT in the recent kill- same province. by renewed clashes, with police stepped up after three people died month when a top general staged leader and born-again Christian, ings of bloggers including Ananta Protests against President also out in force after a weekend and 40 others were wounded in a a failed coup attempt. argues that his first term did not Bijoy Das, who was hacked to Pierre Nkurunziza’s controver- marked by more deadly violence. grenade attack on Friday evening, Parliamentary polls, initially count as he was elected by parlia- death by machete-wielding sial bid to stand for a third con- In Cibitoke, a district of the and after the leader of a small set to take place on Tuesday, have ment, not directly by the people. attackers on his way to work. secutive term have been taking capital that has been at the opposition party, Zedi Feruzi, was been postponed to June 5. AFP AGENCIES

Indonesian police shoot dead two Hundreds gather in Kathmandu terror suspects to mark one month since quake JAKARTA: Indonesian police have shot dead two suspected KATHMANDU: Hundreds panoramic views of the capital— land and air routes to get more Islamic militants and arrested of Nepalis gathered yesterday was reduced to just its base when aid to far-flung mountain vil- seven others in raids in an area at the rubble of a 19th-century the quake struck. lages demolished by the quake, known as a terror hotbed, an tower in Kathmandu to mark Ram Chandra Shrestha, who although no details were given. official said yesterday. one month since a devastating spent 12 years tending the garden “To open up some of the over- The force’s elite anti-terror earthquake killed more than in the tower complex, said that land routes is gonna be incredibly unit killed the two men during a 8,600 people in the Himalayan “it is hard to look up and not see difficult, it’s gonna be incred- firefight on Sunday in a village in nation. the tower, it sends a chill through ibly dangerous and it’s gonna Poso district on Sulawesi island, The quake, which was fol- my heart”. be incredibly expensive,” WFP’s said national police spokesman lowed by a second major tremor Those attending the ceremony, emergency coordinator Richard Agus Rianto. “When we tried to on May 12, brought down build- organised by political party Ragan told reporters. arrest them, they resisted. There ings across the country including Bibeksheel Nepali, told of their The United Nations has repeat- was a firefight and two from the historic temples, monuments and despair not only of losing their edly called on international group were killed,” he said, adding the much-loved Dharahara tower homes but also their jobs, leaving donors to ramp up their aid con- that two policemen were injured. as tourists and locals climbed its them facing a bleak future. tributions, with only a fifth of its Seven suspected militants more than 200 steps. Like thousands of others, $423 million appeal trickling in have been arrested over several After the national anthem was 41-year-old Dil Maya Rai has so far. days, including five in the South played on loudspeakers, crowds been living in a tent since the Ragan also denied allegations Sulawesi capital of Makassar, surrounded the collapsed tower massive quake. in the Nepali press that villagers Rianto said. and observed 56 seconds of silence “We can’t find a room to rent found the rice distributed by the The spokesman said they were at 11:56, the moment the 7.8-mag- and the carpet factory where organisation to be inedible. linked to the country’s most- nitude quake ripped through I worked also collapsed in the “We did tests... and found that wanted Islamic extremist named Nepal on April 25. quake,” Rai said. there was a high percentage of Santoso. He leads the Eastern Nina Shrestha, a 23-year-old “I don’t know how we will get broken rice and we immediately Indonesia Mujahideen militant student carrying a small Nepali by,” he said. began to replace it. group, which hides out in the jun- flag, said the nine-storey tower The twin quakes destroyed “The issue was not that it was gles on central Sulawesi. was “always the first thing” nearly half a million houses and inedible,” he said. The world’s most populous she looked for when flying into left thousands in desperate need Elsewhere yesterday, officials Muslim-majority nation has strug- Kathmandu. of food, clean water and shelter, said thousands of villagers have gled with Islamic extremism for “Its collapse signifies the devas- with experts warning that the returned to their homes in the more than a decade, facing a series tation our country has suffered,” opportunity to help victims is mountainous northwest after a of attacks on Western targets, she said. closing fast before monsoon rains river which was dammed by a although a crackdown has weak- The 50.5-metre high attrac- arrive next month. landslide began flowing normally ened the most dangerous networks. Nepalese residents and others participate in a candle-light memorial for tion — which contained a spiral The World Food Programme again. AFP the victims of the April 25 earthquake in Kathmandu yesterday. staircase and offered visitors announced plans to open up AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Police stations Three dead in attack on convoy in Punjab to get biometric Baluch separatists tried to target President Hussain’s son; BLA claims responsibility machines QUETTA, PAKISTAN: minor injuries,” he said. Three people were killed Zahid Ullah, a senior police LAHORE: All police stations and four others injured official confirmed the incident in Pakistan’s Punjab prov- when Baluch separatists and said the president’s son ince are being given biometric targeted a convoy carrying the owns a dairy farm in the area machines to check whereabouts Pakistani president’s son in and is a frequent visitor. of people not possessing their the southwestern province of “The president’s son was the Computerised National Identity Baluchistan late Sunday night, apparent target of the attack,” Cards (CNICs) within no time, police said. he said. quickly detecting those having “An explosive laden motorbike Meerak Baluch, spokesman doubtful credentials and saving parked at a roadside was blown of the Baluch Liberation Army the law-abiding citizens from up with a remote control device (BLA) claimed responsibility for proving their identity in police when [the] convoy of President the attack in a telephone call to stations. Mamnoon Hussain’s son, Salman AFP. According to official sources, Mamnoon was passing by late “We claim responsibility for the government had through the Sunday night in Hub the attack, it was in response Punjab Information Technology Industrial Zone near the to the military operation Board already purchased 1,000 border with Karachi,” carried out in various areas of biometric machines and they local police official Ghulam Baluchistan,” he said. were being tested for their accu- Mustafa Shah told AFP Resource-rich Baluchistan racy at the Gaddafi Stadium host- yesterday. is the largest of Pakistan’s ing Pakistan-Zimbabwe matches He said the president’s son four provinces, but its roughly these days. was unharmed as his vehicle had seven million inhabitants have Sources said the machines already passed the spot where long complained they do not would be given to all police sta- the device exploded hitting a receive a fair share of its gas and tions for checking the identity of rikshaw and the last vehicle of mineral wealth. people not possessing their CNICs the convoy. Rebels began their fifth at pickets and during combing “The rikshaw driver, a insurgency against the state operations. Each police station 12-year-old child in the rik- in 2004, with hundreds of would get one machine, helping shaw and a passerby died at the soldiers and militants killed in it identify any person within no spot while four police personnel the fighting since then. People gather around a blast victim at a hospital in Karachi yesterday. time. of the security squad received AFP INTERNEWS Truck bomb explodes, injuring 40 12 official visits stress

KANDAHAR, attack,” he added. waged a 13-year war to topple of defence minister. value of Pak-Saudi ties AFGHANISTAN: A Taliban Deputy police chief Ghulam the US-backed government, to The post had been left truck bomber detonated around Jailani Farahi confirmed the the negotiating table have so far vacant for months due to dis- ISLAMABAD: The loom- Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja a tonne of explosives yesterday casualties, adding that the borne little fruit. agreements between Ghani ing crisis in the Middle East, Asif, PM’s Special Assistant on outside a government com- wounded were all civilians and The surge in attacks has taken and his chief executive officer where a Saudi-led coalition of Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and plex in southern Afghanistan, some were in critical condition. a heavy toll on civilians, according and former presidential Gulf countries is fighting off the foreign secretary. wounding about 40 people in The Taliban, waging a 13-year to the United Nations Assistance election rival, Abdullah Abdullah. an uprising in Yemen, has defi- The visit was reportedly meant the latest attack of the summer war against the US-backed Mission in Afghanistan. Public criticism over the failure nitely taken a toll on Pakistan to remove misgivings, which had fighting season. Afghan government, claimed In the first four months of to appoint a defence minister has as well. arisen after the parliamentary Women and children were responsibility for the attack. 2015, civilian casualties jumped been especially fierce. Even though a joint sitting of resolution refusing to send boots among those injured in the attack The insurgents are stepping 16 percent over the same period Afghan forces are now solely parliament decided against send- on the ground. at the gate of the complex in Zabul up attacks on government and last year, it said. The Afghan responsible for security after ing troops to Saudi Arabia in Earlier that month, Punjab province, which includes several foreign targets after their tra- government has drawn public NATO’s combat mission formally April this year, the current gov- Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif government buildings including ditional summer offensive got criticism for its inability to end ended in December, with a small ernment’s continued engagement had accompanied ad-hoc foreign the provincial council. under way. insurgent attacks -- a fact partly follow-up force staying on to train with the Saudis shows how highly minister Sartaj Aziz, the foreign “Around 40 people were A blast triggered by a Taliban attributed by critics to infighting and support local personnel. it values ties with the kingdom. secretary and the army’s chief wounded in the suicide attack on car bomber ripped through the and a lengthy delay in finalising a Earlier this month NATO for- In just the past 12 months, as of general staff (CGS) to Saudi the complex” in the provincial parking lot of the justice minis- cabinet.Last Thursday President mally announced plans to retain per official Foreign Office (FO) Arabia. capital Qalat, local police chief try in Kabul last Tuesday, kill- Ashraf Ghani nominated a small military presence inAf- documents, at least 12 separate “The visit was in the con- Mirwais Noorzai told AFP. ing four people and wounding Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, ghanistan after 2016 to help high-powered Pakistani delega- text of Yemen crisis,” was how “Around 1,000 kilograms of dozens of others.Official efforts the secretary of the High Peace strengthen local security forces. tions have visited Saudi Arabia, the official document explained explosives were used in the to bring the Taliban, who have Council, for the crucial position AFP mostly to discuss “[the] crisis this trip. In March, a delegation in Yemen and defence-related consisting of Khawaja Asif, Sartaj cooperation between the two Aziz, the CGS and senior offic- countries”. ers from the Pakistan Air Force, Following five days of lively Pakistan Navy and Inter-Services Punjab province debate in a special joint sitting of Intelligence also visited the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metro bus both houses, parliament passed Kingdom, again “in the context a unanimous resolution support- of the Yemen crisis”. to form special ing the government’s commit- In February, Chairman Joint ment to protect Saudi Arabia’s Chiefs of Staff Committee procurement to benefit 200,000 every day territory in case it came under General Rashad Mahmood had attack. visited Saudi Arabia. The visit, ISLAMABAD: Metro bus He said 64 air-conditioned is a separate component of However, the legislature asked according to the FO, was aimed authority service would facilitate over buses would initially ply on the the project as it will provide the government to stay away at enhancing defence cooperation 200,000 commuters using Rawalpindi-Islamabad route. signal-free roads for Kashmir from the Yemen conflict, where between the two countries. LAHORE: : The Punjab gov- public transport daily and the The metro bus service project Highway users and for this pur- troops from Gulf Cooperation In January, the minister ernment has decided to set project would bring a revolution has been complet ed in a record pose the federal government is Council (GCC) continue to engage for religious affairs led a del- up a specialised procurement in the public transport sector, period with the objective of provid- spending Rs 6.17 billion. Four what they call a “rebel Houthi egation to discuss arrangements authority for timely purchase said Chairman Metro Bus ing an international standard mass underpasses are providing free uprising”. for Haj in 2015. Before him, of equipment as well as mak- Project Monitoring and transit system to the residents way to metro bus from Rawalpindi These visits to Saudi Arabia PM Nawaz Sharif had also visited ing the procurement process Implementation Committee of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, he to Secretariat, he said. between April 2014 and April Riyadh on two occasions; once to transparent, as some provin- Hanif Abbasi. added.Peshawar Mor Interchange INTERNEWS 2015 come to an average of one call on the ailing King Abdullah cial departments failed to meet visit per month and have featured and the next time to attend the procurement targets this fiscal military and civilian government late king’s funeral. year and their funds remained officials. In first week of December last unutilised, it was learnt. Innovative way to beat heat Following the parliament year, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) The surrendering of funds session in April, Prime Minister Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah caused losses of millions of rupees Nawaz Sharif went to Saudi visited Saudi Arabia at the invi- to the provincial exchequer, as the Arabia at the head of a powerful tation of Rear Admiral Abdullah prices of equipment and machin- delegation, which included Chief Bin Sultan Al Sultan, ’. ery would increase in the next of Army Staff General Raheel INTERNEWS fiscal year. The Punjab chief minister gave a go-ahead in this regard while chairing a meeting held to review Four killed in sectarian complications in the existing pro- curement process. Punjab finance minister, chief secretary, finance secretary, clashes in south Pakistan Punjab Procurement Regulatory QUETTA, PAKISTAN: At least four people were killed and eight Authority (PPRA) managing others were wounded yesterday when sectarian clashes broke out in director and others attended the the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, police said. meeting. “Three members of the Shiite Hazara tribe were killed by the unknown The meeting was informed gunmen, while a Sunni man died in the wake of the firing by protesting that various provincial depart- Hazara youth,” city police chief Abdul Razzak Cheema said. “Eight others, ments had to surrender bil- including two Shiite women, received bullet injuries,” he said. lions of rupees allocated and The violence was sparked when an old man Shiite Hazara community released to these departments was gunned down in a tea shop in the Meezan Chowk area of Quetta, for procurement of necessary the capital of the restive Baluchistan province. equipment. Some 500 youths from the minority took to the streets in protests The meeting was informed that bearing the body of the elderly man, staging a sit-in outside the office the Punjab police surrendered of the Inspector General of Police. Rs2 billion ($200 million) released But their demonstration turned angry when it emerged another to it for purchasing a helicop- two Hazara men had been killed when gunmen stormed a medical ter, armoured personnel carri- clinic, injuring two women including one who was pregnant with their ers, water cannons, 100 hacking indiscriminate fire. system, GSM locaters and other News of the second attack infuriated the demonstrators, some of equipment. whom were armed, who went on a rampage around the city and opened The CM said the firms known fire on a crowd outside a Sunni mosque, killing one and injuring five. for procuring equipment as per Another senior police official in the area, Qasim Sacheli, confirmed international standards could also the causalities. be engaged. He ordered short-list- Two young Afghans make air coolers from wood in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, yesterday. As temperatures top Sectarian violence has claimed thousands of lives in the country ing such firms. 40 degrees Celsius, Afghans in Jalalabad are being forced to improvise in order to cool down. over the past decade. INTERNEWS AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

SC tells Bengal to turn seven Good days have come, says Modi civic boards into corporations PM launches mega campaign to mark NDA government’s one year in power MATHURA: Asserting that controls ran the government, offic- NEW DELHI: The Supreme his government has delivered ers were jailed, leaders were jailed Court yesterday gave West the promised “achche din” and coal was stolen”. Bengal government time till (good days) to the people, Prime “I have stopped power brokers June 30 to reconstitute seven Minister Narendra Modi said from having a say. These power cir- municipal bodies to cre- yesterday that the promise was cles are history now, there is no ate the Asansol, Howrah and not for those who looted the place for such people.” Bidhannagar-Rajarhat munici- nation. The rally was organised pal corporations and their “Achche din (good days) came in Chandrabhan village near wards so that the state poll for many, but for many bure din Mathura. panel could hold elections to (bad days) have come... I did not Modi also said that the govern- them. guarantee achche din for those who ment was dedicated to increasing Stating that “it is not in looted the nation for years,” Modi urea production to 20 lakh tonnes. doubt that the supremacy of said while launching the Bharatiya “We have decided that in the holding elections rests with the Janata Party’s (BJP) mega cam- next five years, rivers will be inter- State Election Commission”, the paign to mark the NDA govern- linked and water harvesting will be vacation bench of Justice A K ment’s one year in power. done. We will ensure that farmers Sikri and Justice Uday Umesh “Are the bad days over or not?” get adequate water and electricity Lalit said after the state gov- Modi asked people. in the next five years. The amount ernment completes the exercise He added that during the UPA of electricity that we have gen- of reconstituting the seven rule there were scams and cor- erated in one year had not been municipal bodies into three civic ruption and cited the coal and 2G achieved in the past 30 years,” he corporations, the SEC “would scams among others. added. start the process of holding the “The country was in a bad shape. “In the past 60 years more than elections”. You tell me whether the situation 3 lakh farmers have committed The election process would has changed or not? It is you who suicide. We do not want to do involve demarcation of constitu- is responsible for the change, not politics on it. The farmer knows encies, including the reserved Modi,” he said. how to work hard. We have decided constituencies, the court noted He said that now no union min- to give a soil health card to every as it disposed of the state gov- ister was in the news for corrup- farmer over the next three years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to the crowd as he arrives at a rally venue in Mathura yesterday. ernment’s plea for postponing tion charges, while earlier “every said Modi. the elections to complete the day there were scams, remote IANS formalities for reconstituting the municipal bodies. The court also said that if the SEC requires central forces for the conduct of “free and fair” 80kg of silver elections, it can approach the Two dead, over 100 injured as central government. jewellery Modifying the Calcutta High Court order which asked the recovered, SEC to initiate and complete the election to seven municipali- Muri Express derails in UP four arrested ties within two months, the apex court said the high court may be NEW DELHI: Four people right to the extent that once the LUCKNOW: At least two peo- have been arrested in con- existing bodies’ terms came to an ple were killed and over 100 nection with the robbery end, their reconstitution should injured after eight coaches of of 275 kg of silver jewellery have started long ago. the Ranchi-Jammu Tawi Muri sent to Delhi from Gujarat The high court by its May 15 Express derailed in Uttar in a train, police said yes- order asked the SEC to com- Pradesh’s Kaushambi district terday. Police also recovered plete the polls to seven munici- yesterday afternoon, officials 80 kg of the jewellery from pal bodies - Asansol Municipal said. one of the accused. Sunil, Corporation, and Kulti, Raniganj, The accident occurred between 35, and Joginder, 38 -- both Jamuria, Bidhannagar, Rajarhat- the Sirathu and Athsarai railway handcart pullers -- were Gopalpur and Bally municipalities stations in the Allahabad-Kanpur arrested along with two of - within two months. sector of the rail zone, 173 km their associates Chanderpal, Noting the state government’s from here. The toll is feared to 52, and Harender Kumar, submission that the exercise of go up, said officials. 48. reconstituting the seven munici- Three general sleeper coaches Police said all the pal bodies was at an advanced - S5, S6, S7 - and three air-con- accused were arrested stage and would be completed ditioned coaches - three-tier B1 from different locations by June 16, the court said that if and B2 and two-tier A1 - along in Delhi and other states elections are held now, the term with the pantry car derailed while during the probe. Five other of the municipal bodies and their one coach capsized and fell in a people -- main conspirator elected representatives would ditch nearby, a district official told Police and onlookers gather near the damaged coaches of a passenger train after it derailed in Kaushambi district, Sant Raj, along with only be a few weeks or of a few IANS. in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. Babloo, Anuj, Man months. Local villagers rushed to the Singh and Tahir -- were Observing that “today we have rescue even before officials of the yet to be arrested. “We to choose between two evils and district administration reached situation, said a home department and cutters has also been rushed the local police had been apprised have recovered 80 kg of the which is lesser”, the court did not the spot. The state government official. Chief Minister Akhilesh to the spot while senior railway about the discovery by villagers, robbed silver jewellery from appear inclined to have two elec- has announced a compensation Yadav, who is in France on a four- officials were also at the spot, said said sources, adding that even a Chanderpal who was arrested tions in quick succession. of ` 2 lakh each to the families of day visit, has been apprised of the railway PRO Anil Saxena. heavy ‘jack’ was found along the from Uttar Pradesh,” Deputy It said that if the polls are those who died. accident. Additional Director General railway track. Confirming this, a Commissioner of Police held now and if fresh elections The office of the chief secre- The North-Central Railways of Police, Law and Order, Daljeet senior official said that all aspects Madhur Verma said. do not take place after reconsti- tary said that Kaushambi and (NCR) has meanwhile set up a Chowdhary said senior police offi- including sabotage were being tution of local bodies, it would health department officials have helpline - 1072 - where people cials have been sent to the acci- probed. result in municipal corpora- been asked to ensure prompt after prefixing the local STD dent site. Traffic on the Allahabad- Woman held tions going under the control relief and rescue operations. code can enquire about the pas- According to sources, 40 ‘keys’ Kanpur railway sector has of the administrator, who is Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan is sengers travelling on the train. of the rail track were found miss- come to a halt following the for killing a bureaucrat. personally monitoring the A relief train along with a crane ing on the same spot Sunday and derailment. IANS husband in East Delhi Straying wild elephants NEW DELHI: A 30-year- Congress not obstructing old woman has been arrested for killing her husband early yesterday with the help of govt: Chidambaram the victim’s brother-in-law with whom she was allegedly having an illicit relationship, NEW DELHI: The Congress yes- down, the prices of certain food items police said. terday rejected assertions by the have gone up. “There has been a rise The incident was reported ruling NDA that the opposition in the prices of three dals, three-four from east Delhi’s Usmanpur was trying to “obstruct” key bills key vegetables and milk, and this has area where the woman, a in parliament and said prices of hurt the average family. All that has mother of three, resides with certain food items have gone up been documented. It is not correct her husband Dileep, 35, and contrary to government claims. to say there has been no price rise,” his brother-in-law Satender. “I reject the argument that we he added. Police said Dileep’s body are obstructing,” senior Congress “Decline in inflation took place was recovered from his leader and former finance minister due to policies followed by both the home after neighbours made P. Chidambaram said at a press con- UPA and the NDA,” Chidambaram a call to police. The victim’s ference here. said. wife Shanti, who was later “We are not obstructing. Did we “The main reason for decline of arrested, initially informed obstruct the insurance bill? They prices is due to our friends who pro- police that her husband had did it for five (parliament) sessions. duce oil. It is neither because of NDA fallen down the stairs in the I was virtually imploring them to nor UPA.” night which led to his death. pass it. Did we obstruct the black Accusing the NDA yet again of “As we found several wound money bill,” he asked. being pro-corporate, he said: “If marks of a pointed weapon Chidambaram said the govern- you ask the farmer, the average on the victim’s body, Shanti ment will not achieve double-digit farmer today will give a zero out of was interrogated. She broke growth by just accusing the oppo- ten (to the government). But if down and admitgted to hav- sition. “What are we obstructing? you ask a big industrialist, he will, ing killed her husband with We asked for the Goods and Services of course, give ten out of ten. So it the help of Satender,” said a Tax bill to be referred to a standing depends on who you are asking the police officer. The officer said committee.” question.” that Shanti had an illicit “They introduced eight amend- On accusations that the UPA relationship with Satender. ments in the bill and members of government was scam-tainted, he “As her husband knew about parliament felt that it was an impor- said: “I am happy there is no their relationship, they used tant constitutional amendment and scam, but only time will tell to fight over the issue.” Villagers run as a male elephant charges them in Kolabari, some 50km from Siliguri, close to the India- deserves to go to a standing commit- whether right decisions are being Satender is on the run and a Nepal border yesterday. Indian forest guards and local villagers used firecrackers to scare away wild tee,” he said. taken or wrong decisions are hunt is on to nab him, the officer elephants after they strayed close to the village. Chidambaram said that though being taken.” added. IANS overall retail inflation has come IANS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Soldier, three others die in Kashmir terror attacks Heatwave toll crosses 500 SRINAGAR: A soldier and a man were killed in two separate ter- ror attacks in Kashmir yesterday. A guerrilla was also killed in a Temperatures soar over 46 degrees in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh fierce gun battle with the security forces. The first attack took place on a shop that sold BSNL SIM cards in HYDERABAD: Telangana north Kashmir’s Sopore town, and hours later, rebels opened fire at a and Andhra Pradesh continue Rashtriya Rifles patrol in Kulgam district. to reel under intense heat wave, The morning shooting in Sopore town, about 50 km south of Srinagar, which claimed 85 more lives left three people critically injured. yesterday, taking the toll to 517 Muhammad Rafiq Bhat, a resident of Sogipora in Kupwara, later died in six days. from his injuries at a hospital, a senior police officer told IANS here. There was no let-up in severe “The two injured are being treated at a Srinagar hospital, where heat wave conditions in the two doctors said their condition is critical,” the officer said. Telugu states as the mercury Just hours later, a Rashtriya Rifles patrol was ambushed by guerrillas remained three to six degrees in Kanjikulla Kokergund (Yaripora) area of Kulgam district. above the average temperatures. Soldier Dharam Ram of the Rashtriya Rifles was critically injured While 45 more deaths were in the attack, and died later at a hospital, a police officer said. reported from Andhra Pradesh, The security forces were quick to retaliate and surrounded the 40 people lost their lives in attackers, triggering a gun battle. Telangana yesterday. In the fierce exchange that erupted as security forces pinned down The officials in the two states the militants, a separatist guerrilla was killed, police said. had confirmed 432 deaths till In early April, three policemen were gunned down and a police- Sunday. While Andhra Pradesh man and a former militant were left critically injured in three terror accounted for 246 deaths, 186 peo- attacks in Kashmir. ple died in Telangana. IANS As many as 102 people died in the two states in a single day on Sunday. Unofficial sources, however, ‘ACB has jurisdiction put the toll at 1,000 during last six days. According to Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, Hanamkonda in Telangana on to arrest Delhi Police’ Monday recorded highest tem- NEW DELHI: The Delhi to only prosecute Delhi govern- perature of 46 degree Celsius. A man sits under the hot sun next to his herd on the outskirts of Hyderabad yesterday. High Court yesterday, hold- ment employees and not central Ramagundem sizzled at 45 ing that city government’s Anti employees. degrees. recorded highest temperature of people living in streets were the traffic was seen on usually busy Corruption Branch (ACB) has “By an executive fiat, the union Most of the towns in Telangana 47 degrees. worst affected by the heat wave. roads. “jurisdiction to investigate government could not have exer- including capital Hyderabad South coastal districts of The heat wave has hit the Health officials advised peo- and prosecute” Delhi Police cised the executive power in recorded maximum temperature Krishna, Prakasham, Guntur normal life in all 10 districts of ple to take all precautions to officials, also dismissed the respect of a matter falling within of 42. and Nellore bore the brunt. They Telangana and in south coastal protect themselves from sun bail plea of a head constable the legislative competence of the The met centre has warned account for the maximum deaths. region of Andhra Pradesh for last stroke. People have been asked arrested on corruption charges legislative assembly of the NCT, that the heat wave conditions The meteorologists have attrib- one week. to remain indoors and, if neces- by it. since the law made by parliament, may continue for next couple of uted the heat wave to the dry The towns in Telangana and sary, venture out only with the Justice Vipin Sanghi denied bail namely the GNCTD Act read days. winds blowing from north-west- coastal Andhra wore a near required protection. People have to Anil Kumar, who was head con- with Article 239 AA put fetters Coastal Andhra Pradesh too erly direction. deserted look as people are also been advised to take plenty stable in Sonia Vihar’s police sta- on the executive authority of the continued to sizzle. Kakinada, Old-aged, children, labourers, remaining indoors to escape the of liquids. tion and arrested on May 1 while president,” Sanghvi said. Machilipatnam and Tuni rickshaw pullers, beggars and scorching sun. In Hyderabad, thin IANS allegedly extorting money from a Commenting on the latest con- scrap dealer in the area. troversy between Chief Minister A turf war had broken out Arvind Kejriwal and Lt. Governor between Delhi Police, and the Najeeb Jung, where the central Maoists torch 32 vehicles in Bihar, enforce shutdown state government after Anil government has issued a fresh Kumar was arrested by ACB. The notification on May 21 giving the PATNA: Maoists burnt 32 vehicles in Panapur area in Saran district, about 100 km Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said. high court said that ACB “has latter all power of transfer and Bihar’s Gaya district to enforce a two-day from here. Around two dozen trucks were among the jurisdiction” over Delhi Police offi- postings, the court said “the fur- shutdown beginning yesterday to protest “A group of Maoist guerrillas forcibly vehicles set on fire. The Maoists are also pro- cials and also questioned the 2014 ther executive fiat issued by the the killing of a woman leader of the rebel stopped vehicles on the busy Grand Trunk testing security forces operation against them, notification of the union home union government on May 21, group, police said. road in Gaya and torched them post mid- police said. ministry which allows the ACB 2015 is also suspect”. IANS They also blew up a mobile phone tower in night on Sunday to create panic,” Gaya Senior IANS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

Prayer Timings Weather Hot daytime and slight dust to blowing dust Fajr 03.18 am Zuhr 11.31 am Maghrib 06.18 pm o o Minimum: 32 C Maximum: 40 C at times at places. Shorook 04.45 am Asr 02.56 pm Isha 07.48 pm HIGH TIDE 12:45 - 23:00LOW TIDE 06:30 - 15:00

Round-the-world solar plane readies for Pacific crossing

BEIJING: Solar Impulse (Si2), the solar plane on a mission to fly around the globe without a drop of fuel, is all set for a chal- lenging 8,000km journey on Tuesday, flying non-stop from Nanjing in China to Hawaii in the central Pacific, a media report said yesterday. For Si2, which is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells installed on its 72-metre wings, it will be its greatest challenge yet, BBC reported, adding the experi- mental aircraft could take five- six days and nights of continuous flight to reach its destination. So far, Si2’s flights were restricted to about 20 hours’ maxi- mum duration. The aircraft, which is on a mission to promote clean technologies, left Abu Dhabi on March 9 to complete the first leg of its journey to Muscat in Oman. The second leg of the journey brought it to India, from where it travelled to Myanmar and then to China in the next four legs of its journey A small sailing boat is dwarfed in the foreground as the ‘Three Queens’ Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth sail along the river Mersey in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. around the world. “It’s more in The three giant ocean liners sailed together for the first time to mark the 175 years anniversary of Cunard. the end about myself; it’s going to be an inner voyage,” said Swiss entrepreneur and engineer Andre Borschberg on the longest-dura- tion journey Si2 will undertake Cunard liners mark 175th anniversary from Nanjing. IANS LONDON: Three Cunard choreographed their manoeu- The so-called “river dance” mail steamship RMS Britannia a third of them sailing out of ocean liners have sailed vres, including 180-degree turns, was followed by a flypast from began its transatlantic serv- Liverpool. Later this year, the together along the Mersey to as they arrived side by side in the Red Arrows. A firework dis- ice to Halifax and Boston from original Cunard crossing will be celebrate the 175th anniver- the city. play will end the display, which is Liverpool. recreated as the Queen Mary 2 sary of the shipping line’s for- Thousands of people lined the the culmination of three days of The transatlantic shipping sails from Liverpool on the same mation in Liverpool. shores to witness the spectacle maritime exhibitions and events. trade transported about 11 mil- route the Britannia took, to The Queen Mary 2, Queen yesterday, with many arriving Cunard was founded in 1840, lion emigrants from Europe Halifax, Boston and New York. Elizabeth and Queen Victoria early to secure a prime spot. when Sir Samuel Cunard’s between 1860 and 1900, about THE GUARDIAN Zimbabwe comedians draw tears of laughter in troubled times

HARARE: With Zimbabwe’s economy on its take the stress off their lives. People would rather knees and life a daily struggle for most people, spend their little cash laughing and drinking.” there is one luxury that many can surprisingly Comedy fan and regular showgoer Enright Tsambo still afford — laughter. agreed, while noting that the drinking part of a night “We laugh at ourselves. We laugh at funerals. out was seriously limited by a lack of cash. We laugh even when things are not going well for “We can’t afford to drink as much as possible so us and we should be moaning and groaning,” says some of us just buy one beer and spend an evening award-winning drama- laughing at a comedy tist and poet Chirikure show,” he said. “It takes Chirikure. Out of diffi- the stress away.” cult times, with unem- In a country where ployment rampant and insulting the president is poverty widespread, a a crime punishable by up new generation of come- to a year in prison, the dians has emerged to comedians have found a give the stressed nation’s way of tackling serious funny-bone a much- issues without making needed tickle. direct statements, so Simuka Comedy — they get away with jokes made up of Victor Mpofu, that could get ordinary better known by his citizens arrested. stage name Doc Vikela Away from the comedy or simply The Doctor, venues, Zimbabweans Michael Kudakwashe, share jokes across social Samm Monro and Comic media such as Facebook King — attract full and WhatsApp and houses to their regular through street thea- shows at The Book Café, tre shows — and some EDUCATION a popular arts joint in of them have landed in the capital Harare. The trouble. young comics spare no “We have had sev- sacred cows as they poke eral cases where people fun at anyone from vet- have been prosecuted eran President Robert for freely expressing Mugabe and his wife themselves and in most A special 20-page Grace to corrupt traffic cases they will just be police officers, former sharing or cracking a broadsheet supplement white commercial farm- joke,” said Kumbirai ers and local celebrities. Mafunda, spokesman for Donning a doctor’s Zimbabwe Lawyers for E@36AF3=:D965 white coat and stetho- Zimbabwean artist Jonathan Khumbulani Nkala perfoming Human Rights. scope, Mpofu dishes out in the play “The Crossing” during Harare International He cited the exam- what he calls “doses” of Festival of the Arts (HIFA). ples of a woman fac- @?>2J#)E9FCD52J humour to audiences sick ing charges of insulting of hard times after 15 years of economic decline Mugabe after she sent a picture on WhatsApp pur- blamed on the policies of Mugabe’s government. portedly showing the president in the nude, and The “Doctor” has his audience in tears of laughter a man who was arrested for joking that Mugabe The supplement takes a deep look at the as he imitates the 91-year-old president announcing was so old he would have a hard-time blowing up the list of countries he has just visited on one of his his birthday balloons during national celebrations education sector. It includes contemporary frequent trips abroad -- while the government can’t earlier this year. Mpofu’s colleague Samm Monro, thoughts on university, college and school find the money to pay civil servants’ salaries. better known by his stage name Comrade Fatso, He also takes a dig at Mugabe’s 35 years in office. pokes fun at the internal feuding which has seen education, and topics of special “Zimbabweans, for all our literacy — with a 99.9995 factions in Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party waging bitter interest from the world of academia. percent literacy rate — we are the only country that fights among themselves in the race to succeed him. will fail to answer a simple question: who is your “ZANU-PF is the biggest opposition to ZANU-PF former president?” and now what is (opposition leader) Morgan For many, Mugabe, who has been in power since Tsvangirai supposed to do?” Monro queried in one of independence in 1980, is the only leader they have his sold-out acts at the recent Harare International known. Explaining the growing popularity of their Arts Festival. The University of Zimbabwe also came shows, Mpofu said relentless hard times made people in for ribbing as the record holder for the fastest con- look for comic relief. “Humour is a medically proven ferment of a doctorate -- after Mugabe’s wife Grace stress reliever,” he said. was awarded a PhD three months after registering. “Things are tight and people need something to AFP Tuesday 26 May 2015 8 Shaaban 1436 Volume 20 Number 6442 Price: QR2

GAC enters Qatar, to launch five models

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar trade surplus falls Shanghai Electronics Show 50pc in first quarter Lower export of mineral fuels, lubricants cited

DOHA: Qatar’s trade surplus tumbled 50 percent in first quarter of 2015 (Q1, 2015) from a year ago, weighed down by lower value of energy exports. The country’s trade balance surplus fell to QR52.8bn from QR106.2bn recorded in Q1, 2014. In Q1, 2015, the value of Qatar’s total exports amounted to QR82.1bn, down 38 percent compared to total export value of QR132.5bn recorded in Q1, 2014. On a quarter-on-quarter basis the decline was QR22.1bn or 21.2 percent. Significantly, the destination of 75.2 percent of Qatar’s total Visitors look at a Volkswagen Golf R Touch car during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show export in the first quarter was Asia in Shanghai, China, yesterday. Asian economies. Exports to Asia was dominated by LNG, crude oil, condensates, propane naphtha, ammonia and sulphur. Japan, and transport equipment, manu- unchanged when compared to South Korea and India were the factured goods, food and lives ani- Q4 2014. Year-on-Year increases Crude futures edge up on demand top receiving countries. mals. However, on a Q-o-Q basis were mainly registered in “tubes, The Q1, 2015 year-on-year the imports decreased by QR1.4bn pipes other materials of iron and decline in total export value was or 4.6 percent. steel and primary construction LONDON: Crude oil futures imports hit a record 7.4 million bpd an Iranian oil official as saying. mainly due to lower exports of The Q1 2015 Y-o-Y increase materials. edged up yesterday as firm glo- last month, with healthy car sales Iran, a member of the mineral fuels, lubricants and in imports was mainly driven by Asia was the principal des- bal demand vied with a strong countering a slowing economy. Organization of the Petroleum related materials by QR49.6bn. increase in machinery and trans- tination of Qatar’s exports and dollar, but a public holiday in In the United States, the peak Exporting Countries (Opec), “The Q1 2014 to Q1 2015 port equipment of QR0.8bn, up the first origin of imports in the the United States and much of summer driving season started aims to boost crude exports by up decline in total exports reflected 6.4 percent. Imports of manufac- first quarter. Among Asia, Japan Europe kept trading muted. with Memorial Day yesterday, to one million bpd if Tehran and decreases mainly in petroleum tured goods were up by QR0.8bn was the major destination of the Front-month Brent crude and the American Automobile six major powers finalise a nuclear gases and other gaseous hydro- or 18.1 percent up. Crude mate- exports with QR20.5bn, a share gained 6 cents to $65.43 a barrel Association said road travel was agreement by a June 30 deadline. carbons by QR37.7bn or 40.8 per- rials, inedible, except fuels, rose of 25.0 percent of Qatar’s total by 1400 GMT, after touching an expected to reach a 10-year high Unrest in the Middle East cent. Exports of petroleum oils by 48.6 percent to QR0.5bn, while exports, followed by South Korea intraday low of $64.72. US crude over the Memorial Day weekend. intensified on Monday as Islamic crude was down by 48.2 percent food and live animals jumped to with QR13.9bn and India with was down 30 cents at $59.42 a bar- The dollar pared early gains but State poured fighters into the and polymers of ethylene in pri- QR0.54bn or 21.4 percent. QR8.8bn. rel, after reaching $59.10 earlier in remained near two-month highs western Iraqi city of Ramadi. mary forms declined 50.1 percent. Within food and live animals, China was the principal origin the session. The market drew sup- against the euro and yen as well In oil exporter Libya, warplanes Exports of petroleum oils other highlights were in the increases of the imports with QR3.4bn, rep- port from figures showing strong as a one-month peak against a from the official government than crude fell by 36.5 percent”, of live animals by QR0.2bn or 54.1 resenting 11.5 percent of Qatar’s demand across Asia and the US. basket of currencies. attacked an oil tanker on Sunday, the Ministry of Development percent. Cereals and cereal prep- total imports, followed by Japan “Global oil demand continues to A strong dollar makes crude wounding three people and set- Planning and Statistics (MDPS) arations increased by QR0.1bn or with QR1.9bn and India with surprise to the upside, with April oil less attractive for holders ting the ship on fire, officials said. said yesterday. 13.7 percent. The imports of veg- QR1.1bn. The trade balance with data showing no signs of slow- of other currencies. “The over- It was the third confirmed strike Meanwhile, the value of Qatar’s etables and fruits were up by 18.2 this economic area amounted to down despite a pick-up in prices,” all fundamentals still point to a by the internationally recognised imports in Q1, 2015 was QR29.3bn, percent to QR0.1bn. QR52.0bn or 98.5 percent of the Energy Aspects said in a note. well-supplied market, a fact that government on oil tankers, part increased by QR3bn, up 11.4 Imports of a selected group of foreign merchandise trade sur- Japan’s customs-cleared crude should continue to put a ceiling of a conflict between competing percent compared to Q1, 2014 construction materials increased plus recorded in Q1, 2015, while oil imports rose 9.1 percent year- on prices,” Barclays said. administrations and parliaments imports of QR26.3bn. The Y-o-Y by 41.0 percent to QR0.8bn dur- the total trade to these economies on-year to 3.62 million barrels per Iran plans to raise its oil output allied to armed factions fighting increase in imports reflected ing the first quarter from a year amounted to QR71.5bn. day (bpd) in April, the Finance by 170,000 bpd by March 2016, the for control of the country. increases mainly in machinery ago, while it remained virtually THE PENINSULA Ministry said. In China, crude official IRNA news agency cited REUTERS

Japanese exports rise Barwa Real Greece to keep repaying creditors Estate to liquidate subsidiary as long as it can, says official

DOHA: Barwa Real Estate ATHENS: Struggling Greece the past four months in a bid to and the size of Greece’s budget Company will liquidate its will keep on repaying its unlock some ¤7.2bn in bailout surplus. local subsidiary Nuzul Qatar EU-IMF creditors for as long cash. He repeated that the gov- LLC, Barwa said in a regula- as it can, with some ¤300m due The Syriza-led government, ernment’s goal was to secure a tory filing to Qatar Exchange next week and no deal in talks which was elected in January on “mutually beneficial” agreement yesterday. over the country’s remaining an anti-austerity platform, has so by early June at the latest. The company has assigned bailout funds, a spokesman said far refused to agree to key eco- “Austerity is the only deal- Adel Abdullah Alabdulghani yesterday. nomic reforms that the creditors breaker,” Finance Minister Yanis as liquidator to complete the “To the extent that we are able want in exchange for the rescue Varoufakis wrote in a Project procedures. to pay, we will keep on repaying funds. Syndicate blog entry. The subsidiary has been lying these obligations,” government But with a punishing debt “Greece’s creditors insist on ‘dormant’ and is not generating spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis repayment schedule in the next even greater austerity for this any revenue, Barwa Real Estate told reporters. three months, the country now year and beyond... Our govern- Company noted. He added: “It is the govern- desperately needs those funds. ment cannot—and will not— ment’s responsibility to be able Last week, the parliamentary accept a cure that has proven Saudi Cement to repay all these obligations.... spokesman for Syriza had also itself over five long years to be It is also the responsibility of the said that the government would be worse that the disease,” he wrote. board proposes H1 creditors to be faithful to (their) unable to honour repayment to the The outspoken Varoufakis loan obligations.” IMF as its priority is to pay salaries, — said to irritate his fellow cash dividend Sakellaridis’ remarks came pensions and running costs. “No European ministers in the debt a day after a cabinet minister country can repay its debts with talks — could not resist taking a DUBAI: Saudi Cement yester- said Greece had “no money” to only the money from its budget,” swipe at the country’s creditors in day said in a bourse statement make a series of repayments to Nikos Filis told Ant1 television. the article. “Clearly, our creditors’ its board had proposed paying a the International Monetary Fund Greece has stayed afloat by demand for more austerity has cash dividend of 3 riyals ($0.80) from June 5. tapping into public corpora- nothing to do with concerns over per share for the first half of “The instalments for the IMF tion reserves and an emergency genuine reform,” he said. “Their 2015. in June are (overall) ¤1.6bn account at the IMF. true motivation is a question best This is slightly lower than the ($1.8bn). This money will not be Yesterday, the finance ministry left to future historians.” 3.5 riyals per share payout for the given. There isn’t any to be given. reported a tax revenue shortfall Meanwhile Sakellaridis denied same period in 2014, according to This is a known fact,” Interior of ¤884m in the first four months a report by Greece’s Mega TV Thomson Reuters data. Minister Nikos Voutsis said on of the year. that Prime Minister Alexis The trimmed dividend comes Sunday. Talks in Brussels over the Tsipras had asked US Treasury despite Saudi Cement post- Workers unloading a container on a truck from a container freighter at Greece’s radical-left govern- Greek reform list would resume Secretary Jack Lew to help per- ing a 5.9 percent rise in first- an international container terminal in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Japan’s ment has been locked in nego- yesterday, Sakellaridis said. suade the IMF to agree to group quarter net profit, earnings exports rose eight percent from a year earlier in April for the eighth straight tiations with its creditors — the He added that the two sides all four June repayment instal- which beat analysts forecasts. month of increase amid the yen’s decline and US economic recovery. IMF, the European Union and the were still apart on tax issues, ments to the end of the month. THE PENINSULA/REUTERS European Central Bank — for social insurance, labour rights AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Chinese markets surge Eversheds Qatari bourse advises Kahramaa on power, water index drops agreement

DOHA: Law firm Eversheds has advised the Qatar 43.93 points General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) on a 25-year power and water pur- Saudi market inches down chase agreement with a consor- tium comprising of the Qatar DOHA: Qatar Exchange index news that freight rates from Electricity and Water Company, dropped 43.93 points, or 0.35 the Gulf to Japan had hit their Qatar Petroleum, Qatar percent, to reach 12,399.49 2015 highs and that the firm had Foundation and Mitsubishi points yesterday compared to ordered five new crude tankers. Corporation as international 12,443.42 on Sunday. But Saudi Arabian Mining Co developer. The market capitalisation (Ma’aden) jumped 2.7 percent to The consortium will be respon- decreased to QR658.52bn from SR45.00 after Al Rajhi Capital sible for the construction of a QR660.67bn registered on Sunday. raised the stock’s target price to 2,520MW and 136.5MIGD (mil- The traded value increased SR52.00 from SR41.00, citing its lion imperial gallons per day) to QR483.06m with a volume growing output and an improving power and water plant, known as of 13,803,447 shares from 5,456 business outlook. Chinese stock investors use computers to trade stocks at a brokerage house in Beijing yesterday. China’s Facility D. The plant is expected transactions compared with Ma’aden said this month that shares climbed to highest level in seven years as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index and the Shenzhen to have a capital cost of approxi- QR439.48m with a volume of its massive smelter run jointly Component Index gained. mately $3.5bn and is scheduled 13,561,309 shares from 5,536 with US group Alcoa, which had to be commissioned in the second transactions on Sunday. experienced several technical quarter of 2017. Barring banks and financial glitches on start-up, would pro- The Eversheds team was led by services index which gained 0.33 duce above its initial capacity tar- Partner Tim Armsby with Nick percent, indices of other sectors get this year. Chinese car maker GAC enters Pinder as lead associate. The team declined. Dubai’s index edged up 0.4 per- advised Kahramaa on the tender QSE Total Return Index cent as most stocks rose. Builder for its power and water capacity dropped 0.35 percent. QSE Al Arabtec jumped 2.2 percent after expansion project. The firm also Rayan Islamic Index dropped 0.42 Egypt’s government said a deal Qatar, to launch five models negotiated the 25 year power and percent and QSE All Share Index under which the company would water purchase agreement and BY SACHIN KUMAR dropped 0.34 percent. build 1 million housing units in market for GAC Motor. We consumers may have concerns related deals for Facility D. From the 43 listed companies, the country was still in the works, expect to sell around 1000 units in about Chinese cars, he said con- Eversheds previously advised shares of 41 saw trading yesterday. contrary to media reports on DOHA: Chinese car maker Qatar in current year. Going for- sumers had same concerns about Kahramaa in relation to its Meanwhile, other regional Sunday which had sent the stock GAC Motor (Guangzhou ward we expect to sell 2000-3000 car-makers from South Korea $500m Independent Water Plant stock markets were narrowly down. Automobile Group Motor Co) units here in two- three years,” and Germany earlier. “Now cars at Ras Abu Fontas, the first part mixed yesterday as oil prices Emaar Malls, up 1.9 percent, is set to enter Qatari automo- said Wang. “We have rich expe- from these countries are well of Kahramaa’s additional capacity moved very little and bourses continued to climb ahead of its bile market. The company will rience in establishing our brand received by customers. We are strategy, which achieved finan- were shut for public holidays in inclusion in MSCI’s emerging launch three models today and in new markets and we expect to sure that our cars will also get cial close in September 2013. The the United States and much of markets index at the end of this two more models later during be a good example for other com- good response from customers as Facility D project represents the Europe. month. the year. panies on how to establish new they are second to none in terms second phase of that strategy. Brent oil inched up early yes- Abu Dhabi’s bourse added 0.3 “We are planning to launch brand in new market,” he added. of quality and performance,” Energoprojekt (technical) terday on strong Asian and US percent on the back of telecom- five models in Qatar in 2015 and The prices of the new models explained Wang. and PWC (financial) advised demand but then slipped towards mmunications firm Etisalat, three models will be launched will be decided by the market Since the market launch of its Kahramaa alongside Eversheds. $65 a barrel as the US dollar which rose 0.4 percent. on Tuesday. Of the first three situation and competition in the first model at the end of 2010, Simmons and Simmons (legal) strengthened. Egypt’s index fell 0.8 percent models, two will be Sedan market. “With wisdom and unre- GAC MOTOR has introduced advised Mitsubishi. Saudi Arabia’s index inched to 9,051 points after gaining 3.4 while the third will be an SUV mitting efforts, GAC Motor will many models. “All these models Tim Armsby said:”This is the down 0.1 percent and National percent in the two previous ses- (Sports Utility Vehicle),” Steven make effort to develop its own have won a five-star rating in first time that reverse osmosis Industrialization Co (Tasnee) was sions. But the benchmark was Wang, Deputy General Manager, brand into the most valuable and China Automotive Technology & technology will be used in Qatar the main drag, dropping 2.3 per- well above technical support at GAC Motor told The Peninsula the most influential world-class Research Center’s C-NCAP crash for water desalination. We are cent after its chief executive told 8,860 points, its early May peak, yesterday. brand popular with global con- tests to become China’s only full thrilled to be involved in one Saudi Arabia’s Al Riyadh newspa- which it surpassed this week. GAC Motor is among the major sumers,” said Wang. five-star safety car family. And of the largest power and water per that its petrochemicals busi- Most stocks fell and Telecom players in the Chinese automobile The company expects to have thanks to the world-class quality, projects in the world which is ness faced increased competition Egypt, which is likely to suffer sector having 10 percent mar- production capacity of 500,000 GAC Motor ranks number one unique in combining thermal and from Chinese producers while the from an exodus of passive inves- ket share. It has joined hands vehicles by 2017 and of 1,000,000 among all domestic brands for reserve osmosis technologies on titanium business suffered from tors at the end of this month with Doha Marketing Services vehicles by 2020. The company two consecutive years since the J such a huge scale.” lower prices. due to its exclusion from MSCI’s Company (Domasco) to enter plans to invest $6bn in three-five D Power Asia Pacific released its Nick Pinder added:“This is a Oil shipper Bahri pulled back emerging markets index, was Qatari market and its showroom years for developing new models 2013 China Initial Quality Study major milestone for the State of 2.6 percent after surging 16 per- down 0.6 percent. will be opened at Salwa Road. and plans to launch 20-30 models. (IQS),” said Wang. Qatar in its future energy and cent between May 13 and 24 on AGENCIES “Qatar is very important Replying to the question that THE PENINSULA water policy. It represents an excellent result for Kahramaa in achieving such a competitive lev- elised tariff through its procure- ment process.” Egypt denies Loan recovery eludes Indian banks as growth beats China report on Arabtec MUMBAI: A recovery in top bankers said they had seen an we are now beginning to see more “People who meet us are all change. Banks are a little wary of India’s credit growth could increased level of inquiries from and more projects coming in,” said very hopeful and bullish on a lending to infrastructure because project stall elude the country’s banks until firms and individuals. But there Arundhati Bhattacharya, chair- recovery starting. Some queries there have been delays and other early 2016, despite an economy was no substantial rise in loans, man of State Bank of India, the have started coming for new pro- problems,” said Issac George, chief CAIRO: An Egyptian govern- that in the first three months meaning a full recovery could still country’s largest bank. posals also, but not in a very big financial officer of infrastructure ment official yesterday denied a of this year is expected to have be months away, as India’s debt- “My own anticipation is way,” said Ashwani Kumar, chair- firm GVK. local media report that a project outpaced China. burdened firms battle to get back another two quarters down the man of state-owned Dena Bank. Although bank loans still for Dubai-based builder Arabtec A 12.6 percent growth rate in on track. line we should definitely begin to “This was not the scenario four account for bulk of the credit in to build a million homes in the lending in the fiscal year that That lag contrasts with official see this pick up happening, and or five months back.” India, another factor that has north African country had stalled. ended on March 31 was the lowest growth figures that are expected the last quarter of the financial India’s firms have seen debt weighed on bank loans is cheaper “We are at the stage of pre- in almost two decades, and would to show this week that India’s year... should be quite good.” levels nearly triple in the past availability of funds through com- paring the contracts after have been lower but for a surge economy grew 7.4 percent last fis- Bhattacharya forecast loan five years and are struggling to mercial papers and bonds. receiving the necessary approv- in the last two weeks. In the two cal year — numbers likely to again growth of 14 percent for the cur- digest debt already on their bal- Commercial paper issuances als, and we await the opinion weeks to May 1, it slowed to 10.5 confound economists and firms rent financial year to March 2016 ance sheets after two years of jumped more than 80 percent last of Arabtec’s new management,” percent. still suffering from slack demand. for SBI. That compares with an weak economic expansion. fiscal year, according to estimates Assistant Housing Minister Reporting earnings for the “The project pipeline which was adjusted 10.5 percent in the year “I look at infrastructure, and from rating agency ICRA. Khaled Abbas said by telephone. quarter ending in March, India’s very, very thin even last quarter, just ended. in this industry there is not much REUTERS THE PENINSULA/REUTERS Iraqi bank to open five new branches

DEAD SEA: An Iraqi bank Capital Bank owns 62 percent support for them, such as pro- controlled by Jordanian inter- after initially investing in 2004, viding them with state deposits. ests plans to open five more currently has nine branches But this hasn’t happened so far, branches in Iraq by the end of in Iraq, including two in the said Abu-Dhaim, who worked as this year, a sign that there is Kurdistan region. CFO for Jordan’s Social Security still money to be made in much “Iraq is a strategic investment Investment Fund before joining of the country despite civil war for us...If one can achieve this in the Capital Bank in 2011. and low oil prices. current conditions, imagine what Despite the tough conditions, Iraq’s economy shrank an esti- one could do when the problems are enough of National Bank of Iraq’s mated 2.4 percent in 2014 and solved,” Abu-Dhaim, who is Capital customers remain healthy— many the International Monetary Fund Bank’s chief financial officer, said. are in consumer goods trading and expects it to grow only margin- Business in Iraq’s overall bank- pharmaceutical distribution, which ally if at all this year. Baghdad ing sector has dropped some 20 have been relatively undisturbed — has started running down its percent because of the conflict for the bank to keep making money. international reserves as cheap and the fall in oil prices since last National Bank of Iraq’s net oil slashes state revenues. June, he estimated. income before tax in the first But enough of the economy This has tightened liquidity in quarter of 2015 jumped 51 per- remains relatively untouched by the banking system; bad debt is cent year-on-year to 2.94bn Iraqi the conflict, particularly in the rising, partly because some pay- dinars ($2.5m); operating income southern oil-producing areas ments by the government are rose nine percent. Total assets where Islamic State has not pene- being delayed. Attracting depos- expanded 26 percent to 646.71 bil- trated, for banks to keep function- its has become harder since many lion dinars. ing, and the long-term potential people tend to go to government To attract deposits, the bank of Iraq’s oil reserves is still draw- banks in unstable times; launched this year a zero-interest ing some fresh investment. Abu-Dhaim estimated state rate deposit which gives deposi- National Bank of Iraq will open banks, including the two giants tors a chance to win a car every five branches this year in Baghdad Rafidain and Rashid, held about three months. and southern areas, including two 80-85 percent of roughly $60 billion Abu-Dhaim said Capital Bank in the capital and one near the big of deposits, leaving about 50 private was focusing on training staff at Rumaila oilfield, vice-chairman banks competing for the rest. its subsidiary and building an Ayman Abu-Dhaim said. Private banks have met with the infrastructure in Iraq. The bank, in which Jordan’s central bank which has promised REUTERS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Saudi Gulf Deal reached Airlines to begin flights to end Nigeria in November DUBAI: Saudi Gulf Airlines aims to begin flying in November after receiving regulatory fuel crisis approvals, the new Dammam- based carrier said yesterday. Owned by the Abdel Hadi Al Country at standstill due to shortage Qahtani & Sons group, the air- line plans to fly from Dammam to ABUJA: Agreement was functioning refineries. three destinations, initially with a reached yesterday to end a crip- The government keeps prices fleet of four Airbus A320s, Samer pling fuel crisis in Nigeria that at the pump below market prices Majali, the group’s president and had left the country at a virtual and pays the difference in subsi- senior adviser, said. standstill just days before a new dies to importers. “We are working with the government is installed. These importers claimed they General Authority of Civil Banks had begun to close early were owed $2bn and shut depots Aviation (GACA) in preparation and telecoms firms warned their until the arrears were paid. for starting operations to obtain mobile phone networks could be Petrol tanker drivers also the technical licence,” Majali said. shut down because of fuel short- walked out and oil and gas work- Initial flights from Dammam ages, which left domestic airlines ers took industrial action over the will be to Jeddah, Riyadh and one grounded and saw petrol stations disputed sale of two oil blocks. international destination, with run dry, hitting businesses and In the resulting chaos it was further destinations added in 2016 homes. nearly impossible to buy pet- as the fleet expands, Majali said. But an end to the crisis was rol from licensed filling stations The airline’s domestic flights reached after the main unions across Nigeria, which is Africa’s will offer first class and economy and industrial groups responsi- leading economy and most popu- fares, while international flights ble for supplying and distributing lous nation. will provide business class and the majority of petrol and diesel Black market sellers sold jerry economy class services. in Nigeria met the government cans of fuel by the roadside at In addition to the A320 air- for talks. inflated prices, sometimes offer- A man works on the engine of his car, as motorists gather at a petrol station of state-owned energy company craft, the airline signed a $2bn Afterwards, the execu- ing a tainted or diluted product Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Abuja, Nigeria, yesterday. deal with Canada’s Bombardier tive secretary of the Major Oil that destroys engines. last year to purchase 16 CSeries Marketers Association of Nigeria Most companies rely on a diverted to other West African the middle of last year as world state and federal workers, $60 bil- jets with an option for a further (MOMAN), Babafemi Olawore, steady supply of diesel to power nations to pick up stocks. oil prices halved. lion owed in national debt and the 10. said: “We have agreed... (to) com- generators given the massive President Goodluck Jonathan Jonathan’s successor economy is virtually grounded,” Delivery of the CS300 jets, mence lifting of products from all shortage of public electricity in and his outgoing administration Muhammadu Buhari—who APC spokesman Lai Mohammed which seat between 130 and 160 available depots within the next Nigeria. Last week, the govern- have had sporadic battles with secured the first ever opposition said on Sunday. passengers, is expected to begin six hours.” ment said production was just fuel importers over the last five victory in Nigeria’s history in Buhari was elected on a plat- late this year or early 2016. Kassim Bataiya, of the National 1,327 megawatts — a record low. years. His government claimed March polls—will take office on form of tackling endemic corrup- Majali said that additional air- Association of Road Transport GT Bank, Union Bank of the importers had been fully paid. Friday and has not yet indicated tion in Nigeria, which he believes craft will join the fleet after the Owners (NARTO), said his body Nigeria and Sterling Bank closed Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo- how he plans to handle the sub- has made the country a global delivery of the A320s and CSeries “fully endorsed” the statement. early yesterday because of diesel Iweala said the situation had been sidy issue. laughing stock. jets. It was not immediately clear shortages, while telecommunica- manufactured to hold the country Buhari’s All Progressives The notoriously opaque oil sec- Saudi Gulf presented its readi- what, if any, deal was offered to tion companies such as MTN, to ransom by demanding com- Congress (APC) party accused tor is seen as riddled with graft ness plans for Nov. 1 during a help end the stalemate. Airtel and Etisalat warned of pensation for the fall in value of Jonathan’s administration of and last year Jonathan sacked the meeting with GACA officials on Despite being Africa’s biggest disruptions to their networks. the naira currency caused by the deliberately orchestrating the governor of the central bank after Sunday, the regulator’s spokes- oil producer, pumping out some Domestic airlines Arik Air, global drop in oil prices. crisis and said the country was he claimed that $20 billion in rev- man Wael Al Sarhan said. two million barrels of crude per Aero Contractors and Dana Air Nigeria’s economy is almost in its worst-ever state. enue from the state-run oil firm “They have a primary licence day, Nigeria has to import most were hit by a lack of aviation totally reliant on crude revenue “No electricity, no fuel, workers had not been remitted. and the final licence will be given of its fuel because of a lack of fuel while international carriers but has seen income dwindle since are on strike, billions are owed to AFP when they complete final readi- ness for operations,” he said. This could be in the coming weeks. The final Air Operator’s Certificate is an approval for an airline to use its aircraft for com- mercial operations and the state African economy to strengthen despite Ebola, oil price drop of readiness includes the person- nel, aircraft and systems able to JOHANNESBURG: Africa’s after subdued expansion in 2013 that the economies of resource- helpful as was the case with India Spring popular uprisings. carry out operations. overall economy should advance (of 3.5 percent) and 2014 (3.9 rich countries, such as leading and China because the demo- That region grew by just 1.7 Only national carrier Saudi in 2015, expanding by 4.5 per- percent),” said the report, co- oil exporters Nigeria and Angola, graphic dividends usually help percent last year. Arabian Airlines and budget cent, showing resilience despite authored by the Organisation may slow down as their govern- growth,” OECD Development Southern Africa slowed to operator National Air Services weak commodity prices and the for Economic Co-operation ments will inevitably have to trim Centre director Mario Pezzini below 3.0 percent in 2014 due to currently serve a domestic mar- devastating Ebola epidemic, an and Development (OECD), the spending. said. But, if Africa fails to absorb labour unrest in South Africa, ket of about 27 million people. annual report published yester- African Development Bank and The latest forecast is a down- the enormous youth bulge in the the continent’s most advanced Foreign carriers can only fly day said. the UN Development Programme ward revision from projections labour market, “then you may have economy which grew by just 1.5 in and out of Saudi Arabia, not And future growth could be (UNDP). made in 2014 which suggested very strong tensions,” he added. percent. within the country, but that will spurred by the continent’s popu- The continent has so far been Africa’s economy was going to An estimated 23 million youths “In part the lower rates of change when Qatar Airways lation doubling to two billion over “relatively resilient to the sharp expand by 5.7 percent this year. are expected to enter the African growth in Africa were related to obtains regulatory approval to the next 35 years, repeating in fall in international commodity At the same time, economists labour market this year alone, the social crises in South Africa launch its subsidiary Al Maha Africa the economic boom seen prices,” said the report, such as noted that Africa’s increasing according to the report. and we are expecting that (they) Airways for the Saudi market. It in Asia’s biggest countries. crude prices which dropped more population could boost growth in Of those, four million will be are reducing now and as such is planning to begin operations “Africa’s gross domestic prod- than 50 percent between June and much the same way that popula- in North Africa, the region that South Africa will have a rate of with four A320s, though the air- uct (GDP) growth is expected January. tion booms fuelled development dragged down the continent’s growth that’s better than in the line’s launch has been delayed by to strengthen to 4.5 percent And if the commodity prices in China and India. growth rates last year, as a result past,” said Pezzini. regulatory red tape. in 2015 and 5.0 percent in 2016 remain low, the report warned “This phenomenon may be of fall-out from the 2011 Arab AFP REUTERS Nissan to showcase its electric Amazon changes tax practices in vehicle leadership at UEFA final Europe: Report ROLLE, Switzerland: As a worldwide leader ambassadors in the Test Area. in electric vehicles, Nissan will be putting The energy created at UEFA Champions NEW YORK: Amazon.com Inc electric at the heart of its UEFA Champions Festival by fans will be converted into an equiva- has started booking revenue League Final on June 6. As part of its inno- lent amount of kilowatts and harnessed to help from retail sales in individual vative partnership with Europe’s most pres- power the UEFA Champions League trophy to European countries, instead of tigious football competition, Nissan aims to the Final at the Olympiastadion. Participants channelling all sales through enrich the fans’ experience of the tournament generating the most kilowatts will receive tickets low-tax Luxembourg, the Wall and leave a lasting legacy for the people of to the Final as well as an exclusive opportunity Street Journal reported. Berlin. to accompany the trophy on its journey from the The change was made effective As the official automotive partner of the UEFA Champions Festival to the Stadium in a May 1, a company spokesman told UEFA Champions League and producer of specially designed Nissan e-NV200 all-electric the Journal. Amazon said it had the biggest selling electric vehicle (EV) in the van on match day as part of the UEFA Trophy started preparing to diversify its world, Nissan will be supplying over 100 electric Parade. retail sales structure two years vehicles to UEFA and associated sponsors to Football legend Marco van Basten will be ago, the Journal reported. Amazon transport guests and officials in the build-up joining Nissan as an ambassador to support its did not respond to email or phone to the Final in Berlin. To further support this, UEFA Champions League Final activity. Having requests for comment. Nissan is installing 129 electric car charging won the tournament twice during his distin- The change at the e-commerce stations around Tegel International Airport, guished career, Marco shared his thoughts on company has come amid greater various Berlin hotels and the Olympiastadion, Nissan’s fan experiences: “It’s fantastic that scrutiny of corporate tax avoid- several of which will remain as a lasting legacy Nissan is keeping football fans at the core of ance on both sides of the Atlantic for the city. their celebrations around the UEFA Champions in recent years. Bastien Schupp, Vice-President, Marketing League. There are some great activities and European Union antitrust reg- – Nissan Europe said: “The final in Berlin will games involving the fans, and it will really help ulators opened an investigation mark the climax of year one of Nissan’s part- to add to the electrifying atmosphere around into Amazon’s tax-minimising nership with the UEFA Champions League. The the Final.” arrangements with Luxembourg in partnership has enabled us to highlight our com- Throughout its first season as UEFA October. The investigation focuses mitment to EV and bring to life our brand val- Champions League partners, Nissan has worked on whether Luxembourg broke ues of Innovation and Excitement. I’m especially with UEFA to develop a series of engaging fan EU state aid rules by agreeing to pleased that the great relationship we have with activities including the UEFA Champions League a deal which allows Amazon to UEFA has enabled us to do something lasting Goal of the Week competition as well as giving operate almost tax-free in Europe. and positive for the people of Berlin with the fans and partners access to exclusive away-team The EU’s antitrust chief said installation of more EV charging points, adding training sessions the day before the match. earlier this month that EU regu- to Nissan’s network, which is already the big- Nissan is the official global automotive sponsor lators would miss a June deadline gest in Europe.” of the UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Champions to decide whether the tax deals In Berlin from June 3 to 7, Nissan will also be League, with a deal that will cover the period granted by individual member hosting interactive fan experiences at the UEFA 2014/2015 to 2017/2018. As an official partner states to Amazon and other com- Champions Festival. Attending fans will have the Nissan will be involved with Europe’s most panies such as Apple Inc and chance to play 2x2 in the interactive Football prestigious club football competition through a Starbucks Corp were legal because Cage, test their skills in the Nissan Performance number of its exclusive products and services. they lacked some data. Maze and recreate moments of genius by Nissan THE PENINSULA REUTERS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Portugal exporters taste credit after loan drought As European Central Bank begins money printing, exporters get more loans; banks focus on industrial sector

LISBON: In Portugal, getting adding that Arpial might borrow competitive firms. “I think banks quarter and was almost 1 percent percent of its output, is consider- Portugal’s private sector is a loan is still harder than in next year to expand if the market are now quite willing to lend to higher at the end of March from ing expanding to reach three new heavily indebted, even more than almost any other country in the for its products improves. companies with reasonable risk December, although still 0.6 per- markets abroad, but is applying Greece’s and non-recoverable eurozone. But if your company “Exporting companies will have profiles. So we need more good- cent lower than a year ago. for a state programme of incen- loans continue to rise, hitting exports, you may be in luck. more access to larger bank loans, risk companies, which takes us Southern Europe is behind, but tives that channels EU cohesion record highs in February and The country has been at the but they have to have good (debt) back to exports — exporters tend Spain chalked up a 0.3 percent funds to firms. showing that households and sharp end of Europe’s credit ratios and assets,” Costa said. to be more productive, larger and gain in lending to companies in “That also involves banks, but at companies still need to delever- crunch during the region’s debt Antonio Mendes Ferreira, head better-managed,” said Albert February and March, in Italy it zero rate,” said Inarbel chief Jose age before taking on new loans. crisis and loans have contracted of United Resins, which exports Jaeger, the IMF representative rose 0.5 percent in March from Armindo. “If I get enough money, “The main restriction to non-stop since 2010. most of the products it makes in Lisbon. February and even troubled I’ll do a full expansion, creating financing is no longer liquidity, Unlike in Spain, Italy or even for printing inks, said liquidity in Export growth has been the Greece saw a slight increase from jobs. If not, I’ll just grow bit by bit.” but mostly risk perception ... Greece, credit to companies is still the banking system had improved main engine of Portugal’s recov- end-2014 levels. Still, Inarbel relies on 3-month which can still represent a block shrinking, but thanks to money significantly in the past year but ery from three years of recession. Portugal’s pace of monthly bank loans to finance purchases of to investment,” the confedera- printing by the European Central only exporters were feeling the Exports made up 40 percent of declines in credit has slowed to materials while it waits for rev- tion’s Saraiva said. Bank (ECB), it may now be sta- benefit. GDP in 2014, up from 28 percent close to zero in February and enues from exports, and it has Corporate debt has only slipped bilising, with loans to exporters “The feeling in the market is five years ago. March, but the overall flow of already felt the fall in credit costs. to 153 percent of GDP at the end on the rise. that exporters in the industrial In March, the ECB launched credit was still down 4 percent “Paying rates of 4 percent dur- of 2014 from its peak of 167 per- Companies of all kinds are sector are the preferred target a plan to buy ¤60bn a month of in the year to March. Lending to ing the crisis was very hard. Now cent in March 2013. Household getting calls from banks offering of commercial banks offering bonds in the euro zone to stave off the export sector and car loans we can pay suppliers earlier and debt was 85 percent, down from loans, but they do not always like credit.” deflation and get credit to compa- were the only exceptions. make some money in the process a peak of 96 percent. what they hear. His words are borne out by the nies and consumers. On Tuesday, Antonio Saraiva, head thanks to low rates,” he said. The IMF said this week that Joao Costa, director of Arpial, data, which shows credit to the the ECB decided to speed up the of the Portuguese Industry Economists say the overall debt “eliminating the corporate producing metal parts mainly export sector rose 3.8 percent in pace of money printing over the Confederation, expected funds to ratios in Portugal’s economy are debt overhang is essential for for the domestic market, said the year to March, up from a 0.9 next two months. flow mainly into replenishment precisely why there will be no Portugal’s recovery”, while efforts two banks which got in touch percent rise in 2014. Overall lending in the euro of stocks and equipment rather sudden gush of credit. by the authorities so far have been recently presented much higher That should put a smile on the zone increased for the first time than expansion. “The situation remains that “short of a systemic solution”. commission and charges than face of Portugal’s creditors; the in three years in March when Even exporters are looking those who need credit are not get- “Banks started offering more when Arpial last borrowed three European Union and IMF’s bail- compared to a year earlier. for better terms than those that ting it and those that already have credit only in March and April,” years ago, offsetting lower rates. out programme, which Lisbon ECB data also points to banks have to offer when it comes access to lending, have it,” said said Garcia. “For now it is not An “exaggerated number of exited last year, was intended improvements in lending to to new projects. Filipe Garcia, head of Informacao having an impact on the economy, guarantees” demanded by banks precisely to boost exports and non-financial companies, which Inarbel, a textile company in de Mercados Financeiros eco- let’s see if it does.” was a big obstacle, too, he said, channel investment to the most grew in every month of the first north Portugal, which exports 90 nomic consultancy. REUTES

Malaysia Airlines to China sets up gold fund as be revamped: CEO part of Silk

KUALA LUMPUR: Loss- become one of the greatest mys- Road initiative making Malaysia Airlines is set teries in aviation history. to undergo a complete overhaul In July, Malaysia Airlines Flight SHANGHAI: China has estab- as it is restructured into a new MH17 was shot down over rebel- lished a fund that is expected company, with a rebranding held territory in eastern Ukraine, to raise about $16bn for gold- that will be unveiled next week and all 298 aboard were killed. related investment as part of its and changes planned to its fleet Apart from the brand, ana- “Silk Road” initiative to develop and network strategies. lysts say that the key to a revival trade and transport infrastruc- Christoph Mueller, who joined will be the management’s ability ture across Asia and beyond, from Irish national carrier Aer to reduce costs, deploy capacity official media reported. Lingus, said in his first ever inter- more efficiently, create a profit- The fund, which will be run view since taking over as chief able network that leverages on by a new company to be set up executive on May 1 that the new Kuala Lumpur’s position as a by gold producers and finan- company will be like a “start-up”. regional hub, and partnerships cial institutions, is expected to A new name and livery are on with other airlines. raise an estimated 100bn yuan the cards for Malaysia Airlines MAS, in the past, was also hin- ($16.13bn) in three phases, (MAS), sources said. dered by disagreements between Shanghai Securities News “I’m hired to run the new the management and the unions, reported at the weekend. company entirely on commer- which opposed job cuts. The gov- Two leading gold producers, cial terms and there’s very little ernment also interfered in the Shandong Gold Group, the par- margin for error,” Mueller said day-to-day running of the airline, ent of Shandong Gold Mining Co at the downtown Kuala Lumpur and commercial contracts were Ltd , and Shaanxi Gold Group will office of Malaysian state investor often awarded to suppliers with An electronic board shows a display with the evolution of the Spanish main index Ibex 35 at Madrid’s Stock take stakes of 35 percent and 25 Khazanah, which took MAS pri- political connections. Market yesterday. percent respectively, with the rest vate late last year as part of a 6bn MAS has announced plans to owned by financial institutions, ringgit ($1.66bn) restructuring. lay off about a third of its 20,000 the newspaper said. “It’s not a continuation of work-force, expected in the com- Paris, Madrid markets close lower The fund’s activities could the old company in a new dis- ing week, and will also shrink its take in the launch of gold-backed guise, everything is new,” said capacity this year. exchange-traded funds and buy- Mueller, who helped turn around Mueller confirmed that the PARIS: The Paris Bourse for business, the day after voters dip were hardening negotiations ing stakes in listed gold compa- carriers such as Aer Lingus, carrier has been trying to sell closed lower yesterday in a low- in municipal and regional elections between Greece and its creditors nies and mining firms. Belgium’s Sabena, and Germany’s two of its A380s and will likely key session, with many mar- abandoned traditional parties to over ¤7.2bn in blocked bailout aid. President Xi Jinping said ear- Lufthansa. have fewer planes overall, but kets around Europe and in New back populist protest rivals, with Cash-strapped Athens is lier this year he hoped annual Khazanah said yesterday added that the new company York closed for public holidays. the Ibex-35 index closing 2.01 per- resisting austerity and reform trade with the countries involved that the chairman of audit firm will keep all of its current types Paris’ leading CAC 40 index cent lower at 11,322.30 points. demands from creditors to free in Beijing’s plan to create a mod- PricewaterhouseCoopers Malaysia of aircraft including the Airbus ended the day 0.50 percent down The CAC 40 a lost ground due up the money, which Greece ern Silk Road would surpass $2.5 has been appointed to oversee the A330s, Boeing 777-200s and at 5,100 points compared with to “the combination of a holiday needs to finance a series of debt trillion in a decade. move of MAS’ assets and liabili- 737-800s. Friday’s close, with extremely low and an empty economic calendar,” repayments to the International China is the world’s biggest ties to a new company, Malaysia Competition has been intense volumes worth less than ¤700m said Christopher Dembik, econo- Monetary Fund — and thus avoid producer of gold and a top con- Airlines Bhd, which is due to start at home, where low-cost carrier ($768m) traded. mist at Saxo Banque. possible default that could drive sumer of the precious metal. operating by September. AirAsia (AIRA.KL) has taken Most of Europe’s major mar- But though Renta 4 analyst the country from the euro. In 2014 it was the second-big- The airline, which has seen much of the short-haul market kets — including London and Angel Perez said that in Spain “Today’s fall was above all due to gest consumer of gold jewellery, successive years of losses, suf- from MAS and affiliate AirAsia Frankfurt — remained closed investors had reacted coolly to the situation in Greece, which may bars and coins and it took the fered huge damage to its brand X (AIRX.KL) has provided stiff during the Monday holiday, with anti-austerity parties topping not be able to honour its payments first place from India in the first after flight MH370, carrying 239 competition in the medium and Wall Street similarly taking polls in Barcelona and possibly to the IMF, and is making the mar- quarter of this year, according to passengers and crew, disappeared long-haul markets. Memorial Day off. taking power in Madrid, the ket a bit nervous,” said Perez. the World Gold Council. in March last year, in what has REUTERS Madrid’s stock market was open real reason behind yseterday’s AFP REUTERS

LPG queue Vatican bank posts rise in profit

ROME: The Vatican bank to meet new anti-money launder- meet tighter oversight standards posted a sharp rise in net profit ing standards, net profit last year that have been introduced over in 2014 after absorbing the costs rebounded to ¤69.3m ($76.15m) recent years. of a clean up that hit earnings from ¤2.9m the year before. In a break from the past, the year before as part of a wide- The bank has also promised to Francis has appointed an out- ranging drive to tighten financial focus more closely on improving sider, Australian cardinal George governance and eliminate abuse, returns for its customers, which Pell, to run an overhaul of the a statement showed yesterday. include religious orders and charities opaque finances of the Holy See, The bank, formally known as as well as Church offices, following which for years were controlled by the Institute for Religious Works several years in which management a narrow group of Italian officials. (IOR), has toughened regulatory attention has been mainly focused Wide-ranging changes have standards and closed thousands of on improving its governance. been introduced, ranging from accounts, which were either inac- Reacting to the environment improved compliance standards to tive or deemed not to meet new of ultra-low interest rates in a crackdown on money-launder- standards required of clients. Europe, it is trying to shift clients ing, which pointed to suspicions Reforming the IOR has been away from simple term deposits that IOR accounts were being one of the most sensitive issues and strengthen management of abused to help some clients or facing Pope Francis as he seeks its ¤6bn in customer assets. even Vatican outsiders avoid tax. to overhaul the complex Vatican “The main focus is on funda- Since May 2013, a total of 4,614 administration after years of mentally improving our over- accounts have been closed, most scandal, ranging from allega- all client service standards and of which were dormant. However tions of financial malpractice to further professionalising our 554 were terminated because they coverups of child sexual abuse by asset management services,” were judged not to meet the criteria priests. IOR Chairman Jean-Baptiste de required of clients to hold an account After 2013 results that were hit Franssu said in a statement. at the bank. A further 274 accounts by heavy write downs on invest- The IOR statement said the are in the process of being closed. Residents carry gas canisters as they line up to buy a 3-kilogram LPG at the Mantrijeron district in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ments and a jump in operating costs bank was continuing work to REUTERS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 When predicting China stocks Portugal, like Europe, loses there’s only wrong or very wrong BY BELINDA CAO, BORIS KORBY AND HELEN YUAN hunger for reform nly in China can you predict the world’s biggest stock- BY JOHN O’DONNELL market rally and still come out looking like a pessimist. President Mario Draghi chimed sapped enthusiasm among politi- in competitiveness and output,” AND AXEL BUGGE A year ago, analysts who cover the 50 largest companies in last weekend, praising cians to pursue further changes. said Rui Constantino, chief Otrading in Shanghai and Shenzhen said equities were Portugal for grasping the nettle Talk of failure, however, is, economist at Santander-Totta set to rally 28 percent. Turns out they weren’t anywhere near and making difficult changes to off the agenda. The Portuguese in Portugal. optimistic enough, as monetary easing and a buying frenzy among elebrated among the way its economy works. economy started to recover in He spelt out three reforms Chinese retail investors sent shares surging 111 percent through Europe’s elite as “A great deal has been achieved 2014 after three years of reces- to pursue: “First justice, second last week. a model of how to and we have praised progress sion, expanding 0.9 percent, and bureaucracy and third taxation. Analysts have been scrambling ever since, updating predictions, Creform an economy where it has taken place, includ- growth is expected to accelerate Portugal still has a very high tax then re-updating them and re-re-updating them as stocks blew after a debt binge, Portugal’s ing here in Portugal,” Draghi in 2015 to around 1.5 percent. burden. In the last few years the by their target prices. The rally that outran their forecasts is now enthusiasm for change has told a group of central bankers Those figures, however, mask middle class has lost net income making their jobs even more difficult as they try to assess the waned as Europe loses its appe- and academics gathered at an deep-seated problems. Almost of at least 10 percent.” prospects of companies trading at multi-year highs with the pos- tite for further belt-tightening. ECB event near Lisbon. one in seven Portuguese who But with Portugal no longer sibility of further government stimulus. With Greece’s future in the Yet Draghi’s encouragement could be working are not, the answerable to the IMF or ECB “This market has been driven up by capital that’s flooded in, euro uncertain, after its left- was tempered by his broader third highest level of unemploy- - also a member of the troika while you need to touch upon company fundamentals in your ist government all but tore up warning that Europe was let- ment in western Europe. The of inspectors that monitored research notes,” Li Xiaolu, a Shanghai-based equity analyst at a reform-for-aid deal, Europe’s ting its guard down on reform, government has warned that its bailout programme - and as Capital Securities Corp., said by phone on May 13. “We can’t write policy setters are putting an underscoring worries about apa- this trend will take a long time reform momentum loses pace in baseless reports, so the current market makes it more difficult for extra shine on other countries thy in a region artificially buoyed to reverse. Europe, there will be little pres- us, and makes me hesitate. If a stock’s gain is beyond reasonable, that were bailed out - in part to by the ECB’s trillion-euro-plus Charts, which Draghi used sure to act. it may continue to climb even if I cut its rating.” avoid a spillover. money printing. in his presentation, hint at the France has been given two They have declared Portugal, Portugal, like Europe, had reason for this. One, labelled more years to cut its budget def- ‘A BIT EMBARRASSING’ following on the heels of Ireland, been ambitious. It made sweep- ‘untapped potential’, ranks icit to within European norms, Li is among the best performing analysts on at least 10 companies a recovery success story after a ing changes to meet the terms Portugal as last on a list of eight extending the deadline for the over the past year, including locomotive manufacturer CSR Corp., debt crisis that started with a set for emergency loans from euro zone countries for labour third time since 2009 as Paris according to data compiled by Bloomberg. financial crash and drove coun- the euro zone and International productivity, well behind Spain, struggles to enact reforms. With the Beijing-based company trading at 5.13 yuan, or 83 cents, tries from Greece to Ireland to Monetary Fund under its bail- Italy and France. Central bankers and academ- in August, she called for a 21 percent gain, to 6.20 yuan, over the the brink of bankruptcy. out, including reforms to its In a ranking of countries by ics discussed the need for reform next year. She raised her projection to 7 yuan in October, and then “l compared the case of labour markets and legal system. ‘ease of doing business’, Portugal for hours at a remote luxury 11 yuan in December and 18 yuan in March. Portugal to the film ‘Match It cut civil servants’ wages and comes mid-way down the list, hotel and golf resort in Portugal The stock reached a record 35.88 yuan last month before ceasing Point’,” Jose Manuel Barroso, pensions and made the biggest behind Ireland. last weekend, but reached few trading as the company completes a merger with Beijing-based the former president of the tax hikes in generations. Last week, the IMF criticised conclusions. China CNR Corp. European Commission, and one- But economists say that drive the government for failing to For Barroso, there remains Surging participation among individual Chinese investors is help- time prime minister of Portugal, has waned after the three-year push ahead with a legal frame- little alternative. He defended ing fuel the market’s breakneck climb. Individuals comprise about said, referring to Woody Allen’s bailout programme ended last work to help companies shed the prescription of austerity, or 80 percent of equity trading and stock accounts with non- zero film. year and international inspec- heavy loans, a debt burden that tightening spending. balances are rising at the fastest pace since at least 2008, according “Which side of the tennis tors stopped visiting the country will hinder growth. “We didn’t want people in to data from the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corp. court would the ball land on to check on its progress. Some economists blame a Portugal, in Greece to suffer. “There’s so much money in the market,” Li said. “It’s a bit embar- after hitting the net? Ireland Attempts to cut state salaries scattergun approach to reform. But we were close to the abyss,” rassing to re-rate companies at this point.” or Greece. It was Ireland’s. have been partially overturned “Portugal may have carried he said, reflecting on the situ- Recovery is now under way in by the country’s highest court, out reforms, but not ... with ation at the height of the euro CHINA RAILWAY Portugal.” while a general election due in coordination between each of zone crisis. No major company highlights the difficulties of forecasting in European Central Bank September or October has also them to allow for an increase REUTERS the current market more than China Railway Group Ltd. A year ago analysts expected a 12-month gain of 19 percent. The stock has surged 707 percent, boosting its market capitalization to 377 billion yuan ($61 billion), in line with some of the biggest U.S. companies such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and MetLife Inc. Collectively, analysts were forecasting gains of 28 percent for the FTSE China A50 Index in the span, the biggest expected return among 45 of the world’s major benchmark indexes. While regulators have taken steps to weed out speculators, they’ve also sought to expand the role of equity markets in helping companies raise funds as the government reins in credit expansion. Beijing has accelerated reviewing companies’ applications for initial public offerings since April. More than 120 newly listed companies have started trading so far this year, almost matching the total for all of 2014. Chinese authorities also began an exchange link between the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses in November that has allowed international investors greater access to its domestic equity market.

NEW DEMAND “The presence of a much larger pool of capital, domestic Chinese institutions as well as foreign institutions now that are willing and able to invest creates demand for those securities that wasn’t there before,” David Riedel, president of New York-based Riedel Research Group Inc., said by phone May 13. The People’s Bank of China cut benchmark interest rates for the third time in six months on May 11, and has lowered lend- ers’ reserve ratios twice this year to revive growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Prospects for further government stimulus continue to draw buyers, sending the Shanghai Composite Index up 8.1 percent last week. Even so, analysts are beginning to temper expectations for fur- ther gains. China’s 50 biggest companies will rise just 2.7 percent over the next 12 months from their close on May 22, according to forecasts compiled by Bloomberg. While analyst recommendations should be primarily based on elements such as earnings potential and management competency, they should also factor in external market conditions, according to Riedel, who employs four analysts in China to cover the domestic equity market. “Any analysis should be based on the fundamentals, but analysts have to take into consideration the valuation of similar companies as well as the willingness for investors to pay for a certain type of company,” he said. BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Will Osborne’s productive plan make UK world-beater? BY LARRY ELLIOTT how it keeps going. the usual pickup in productiv- There has been a structural has embarked on his productivity many years tended to spend By Friday, you have got your car ity that normally accompanies decline in North Sea gas and oil drive. He is not the first to travel less on investment in new plant t’s Monday morning and you back and head to an out-of-town an economic recovery, and after production – a capital-intensive down this path. Barbara Castle and machinery than its peers. arrive at the station to find shopping centre to buy yourself almost six years the argument sector where output per head is was made secretary of state for Companies have sweated their that your train has been can- a new fridge-freezer. Wandering that an improvement is imminent high. In addition, work by the the combined department of assets, running machines into Icelled due to a points failure. around the store, you are taken has worn thin. Bank of England has shown that employment and productivity the ground rather than replac- You miss an important meeting. by how many of the appliances are To make matters even more the other sector to have suffered in the 1960s. Gordon Brown set ing them with new and better On Tuesday your desktop com- foreign-made these days. puzzling, the flatlining of pro- in the early years of the recovery up a productivity unit inside the equipment. With labour cheap puter crashes yet again. IT says In their different ways, these ductivity since the crisis is in was business services. This sector Treasury when he was chancellor. and plentiful, and finance dear the problem is simple: the compu- five slices of everyday life explain marked contrast to a strong per- includes the City and real estate, The five examples above explain and hard to come by, companies ter is old and needs to be replaced. why George Osborne will be pub- formance in the years before the both important to the UK econ- what needs to be done. Firstly, have expanded output by using Wednesday rolls around lishing a productivity plan before recession. In the late 1990s and omy. While the long-term trends there needs to be action to more labour rather than by using and you take your car in to be his summer budget in early early 2000s, the UK’s record was in North Sea production are clear, improve Britain’s physical infra- more capital. The problem here repaired. Later, you get a call July. When the chancellor says on a par with that of the US and it is possible that the decline in structure. There are productiv- is partly structural – Britain’s from the garage apologising for he wants the economy to find a lot better than Germany’s. Had productivity in business services ity losses from people waiting for flexible labour market and short- the fact that the job cannot be another gear, it’s not so much the the pre-2008 pattern continued, will recover as demand increases. trains, sitting in traffic jams and termist financial markets militate completed that day. A new mem- speed at which the UK is expand- output per head would be around But the Bank of England thinks being stuck in a holding pattern towards a labour-rich/capital-poor ber of staff has forgotten to send ing that concerns him, it is the 15% higher than it currently is, there has been permanent dam- over Heathrow. Over many dec- approach – but it is also due to a off for a crucial part. quality of that growth. and since higher productivity age caused by the recession. Its ades and under governments of deep-seated cultural bias against Come Thursday and you pop The increases in national out- means higher living standards, governor, Mark Carney, said ear- both left and right, capital spend- investment. New initiatives in out for a coffee. The locally owned put since the economy reached its the nation would be better off. lier this month that productivity ing has been the first to come banking – the business bank business you have been patronis- trough in 2009 have been largely There are a couple of factors growth would return towards, but under the axe when savings have and challenger banks in the high ing is virtually empty, as it has the result of a bigger population that help to explain the disparity remain below, pre-crisis growth been needed. This does not have street – will help, but changing been since the darkest days of the and an increase in the workforce. between the UK’s pre- and post- rates. to happen. the culture is not going to be easy. recession. You wonder to yourself There has been scant evidence of crisis productivity performance. That explains why Osborne Secondly, the UK has for THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,399.49 0.35 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,269.45 0.35 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,714.87 0.42 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,301.98 0.34 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,227.93 0.33 % Services GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 3,929.78 0.56 % All Ordinaries 5719.923 51.715 0.91 5963.5 5248.5 QE All Share Transportation 2,449.96 0.45 % QR141.3677 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Real Estate 2,962.46 1.15 % Cac 40 Index/D 5099.71 -43.18 -0.84 5283.71 4076.16 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6016 QR 5.6808 QE All Share Insurance 4,757.78 0.26 % Dj Indu Average 18232.02 -53.72 -0.29 18351.4 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.9740 QR 4.0293 QE All Share Telecoms 1,266.48 1.71 % QR 2.0046 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.9383 QR 2.9963 0.29 % Services 7,286.43 Hang Seng Inde/D 27992.83 469.11 1.7 28588.52 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8380 QR 3.8935 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6258.89 -14.67 -0.23 6365.07 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0297 QR 0.0303 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8263 QR 2.8836 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32707.22 101.6 0.31 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 25-05-2015 24-05-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0568 QR 0.0579 Index 12,399.49 12,443.42 Nikkei 225 Index 20413.77 149.36 0.74 20320.9 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 43.93 0.07 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0810 QR 0.0826 S&P 500 Index/D 2126.06 -4.76 -0.22 2134.72 1820.66 % 0.35 0.00 $ 65.20 SL Re ...... QR 0.0270 QR 0.0276 YTD% 0.93 1.28 Straits Times/D 3460.85 10.67 0.31 3549.85 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 13,803,447 13,561,309 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0362 Value (QAR) 483,068,135.62 439,489,413.34 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3022 QR 0.3083 Trades 5,456 5,536 $ 62.22 Up 12 | Down 24 | Unchanged 05 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 25-05-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A C C-A/D 1498.9 -17.7 15642 Chowgule St-T/D 23.75 -0.75 3100 Hcl Infosys-B/D 41.1 0.1 308280 Kajaria Cer-A/D 823.6 -0.75 1579 Orchid Chem-B/D 50.1 0.1 141356 Hsbc Holdings/D 618.548 6.1 32932032 Aarti Drugs-B/D 662.25 -17.25 8147 Cimmco-B/D 99.3 -0.5 11434 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 12.68 -0.1 558359 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 123.2 6.7 3569 Punjab Chem.-B/D 279.3 7.7 32931 Imperial Tobac/D 3320 8 1912720 Aban Offs-A/D 395.6 1.25 159884 Cipla-A/D 660 -14.05 124261 Himat Seide-B/D 84.65 -0.1 85248 Kalpat Power-B/D 227.35 -0.3 3406 Radico Khait-B/D 90.05 -1 29536 Kingfisher/D 366.255948 -1.1 3087860 Ador Welding-B/D 210 -2.6 3501 City Union Bk-/D 102.85 3.1 139377 Hind Motors-T/D 6.84 -0.02 22403 Kalyani Stel-T/D 131.6 -3.2 23427 Rallis India-A/D 222.15 -3.7 79432 Land Secs Grou/D 1323 -4 2718003 Aegis Logis-B/D 696 15 35444 Cmc Ltd-A/D 2006 -22.35 6299 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.78 0 5059 Kanoria Chem-B/D 42.25 0.75 16299 Rallis India-A/D 222.15 -3.7 79432 Legal & Genera/D 269.3 -0.2 11110276 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 181.05 2.65 138037 Colgate-A/D 1988.75 -12.75 9891 Hind Unilever-/D 852.2 -10.65 50999 Kg Denim-B/D 21.55 -0.85 38954 Reliance Indus/D 378.8 -3.9 44082 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 87.83 0.14 73269782 Alembic-B/D 34.8 -0.65 46697 Container Cor-/D 1739.45 -2.25 1242 Hind.Petrol-A/D 621.05 6.6 60540 Kilburnengg-T/D 57.3 -0.25 4832 Ruchi Soya-B/D 41.5 0.8 59608 Marks & Sp./D 594 0.5 5929590 Alok Indus-A/D 6.93 -0.1 518222 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 220 12.5 7460 Hindalco-A/D 135.1 -2.05 259130 Kopran-B/D 52.45 0.1 67049 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 568.5 -11.5 1516 Pearson/D 1339 -3 1664859 Apollo Tyre-A/D 183.65 -0.05 110917 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.73 0.03 1200 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1252.8 -34.7 77949 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 418 -14.8 4073 Saur.Cem-B/D 39.25 -1.55 38308 Prudential/D 1656.53582 -3.5 1880966 Asahi I Glass-/D 152.05 0 10427 Dhampur Sugar-/D 31.85 -0.35 7537 I F C I-A/D 31.4 0.45 398653 Lloyd Metal-B/D 7.38 0.18 1901 Til Ltd.-T/D 495 -8.3 2074 Rentokil Initi/D 145.8 0.5 936231 Ashok Leyland-/D 69 -0.3 735296 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3584.95 -54.1 9761 Idbi-A/D 68 -0.8 248744 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 9.45 -0.27 18325 Timexgroup-T/D 28.9 1.3 114730 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1019 8 3036761 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.5 -0.04 51259 E I H-B/D 104.05 1.6 5556 Ifb Agro-B/D 258.5 -3 1623 Lumax Ind-B/D 319.3 -19.1 1264 Tinplate-B/D 58.4 -3.25 176632 Rsa Insrance G/D 435.8 -3 1808806 Banaras Bead-B/D 41 -0.2 1331 E.I.D Parry-A/D 159 0.25 6326 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 630 -12.75 3586 Lupin-A/D 1754.7 19.1 84834 Ub Engineer-Z/D 8.28 -0.43 40300 Sainsbury(J)/D 261.3 0.6 5408592 Bata India-A/D 1113 -3.7 11251 Eicher Motor-A/D 19173 503.2 16346 India Cement-A/D 89.95 1.25 138141 Lyka Labs-T/D 61.75 -1.95 52903 Ub Engineer-Z/D 8.28 -0.43 40300 Schroders/D 3409 16 179661 Bayer Crop-A/D 3675 119.25 3755 Electrosteel-B/D 18 -0.55 217471 India Glycol-B/D 86.9 -1.6 6386 Mah.Seamless-B/D 215.75 5.6 10609 Ucal Fuel-B/D 105.5 -0.9 4233 Severn Trent/D 2174.565 -8 1171039 Beml Ltd-A/D 936.9 -8.3 42796 Emco-B/D 30.5 -0.05 21856 Indian Card-B/D 105.1 -4.5 1301 Mangalam Cem-B/D 250.9 1.2 5271 Ultramarine-B/D 69.05 -0.65 3785 Smith&Nephew/D 1134 -6 2196862 Bh Electronic-/D 3208.1 14.9 11362 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.09 0.09 6649 Indian Hotel-A/D 98.1 -5.95 103518 Mastek-B/D 400.5 -3.6 50161 Unitech P -A/D 14.25 0.1 3287154 Smiths Group/D 1201.5879 11 825082 Bharatgears-B/D 70.5 0.5 3079 Escorts-A/D 112.45 -1 131526 Indo-Tcount-T/D 520.5 3.3 9545 Max India L-A/D 473.9 17.1 80563 Univcable-T/D 42.05 2 4260 Standrd Chart /D 1061.2501 2.5 4031802 Bhartiya Int-B/D 459.5 38.4 14364 Essar Oil-T/D 108.05 3.75 181719 Indusind-A/D 854.45 1.65 88128 Mrpl-A/D 68.75 0.6 311552 Tate & Lyle/D 597.5 2 971880 Bhel-A/D 233.55 -0.4 367746 Eveready Indu-/D 274 4.4 35144 J.B.Chemical-B/D 234.25 -4.7 29600 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 23.5 1.1 2050 LONDON Tesco/D 219.4 -1.3 12174522 Bom.Burmah-B/D 469.9 4.7 117079 F D C-B/D 154.8 -3.3 3579 Jagson Phar-B/D 27.15 -1.15 4280 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 23.5 1.1 2050 Unilever/D 2880.755 7 1638941 Bombay Dyeing-/D 71.45 0.3 237724 Federal Bank-A/D 141.05 0.55 223916 Jamnaauto-B/D 235.5 -5.6 4984 Nahar Spg.-B/D 91 -0.65 5176 3I Group/D 559.5392 -0.5 1078295 United Util Gr/D 1002 -4 1852760 Camph.& All-B/D 266.9 -5.9 2008 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.1 -0.01 4123 Jbf Indu-B/D 242.3 6.4 62134 Nation Alum -A/D 48.5 -0.35 63188 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2930 15 652637 Vodafone/D 253.351621 11.25 150037180 Canfin Homes-B/D 690 -17 8400 Finolex-A/D 282.9 -0.45 8627 Jct Elect P -T/D 0.37 -0.01 12082 Navneet Edu-B/D 95.65 1.75 4367 Barclays/D 270.6369 -0.9 29614695 Whitbread/D 5255.8047 -50 568031 Caprihans-B/D 80.15 -5 7314 Gail-A/D 386.25 -9.9 35388 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.37 -0.16 243286 Nepc India-T/D 2.2 0.04 6661 Bg Group/D 1164.791 -10.5 5302409 Castrol India-/D 453.1 -0.65 26419 Gammon India-T/D 19.5 0 42563 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.12 0.04 12345 Neuland Lab-B/D 365 -5.2 1552 Bp/D 457.75 -0.25 22676408 Century Enka-B/D 163.6 -0.6 4782 Garden P -B/D 28.8 -0.45 8019 Jik Indust-B/D 0.97 -0.05 2500 Nrb Bearings-B/D 115 -1 5936 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3621 -12 2667471 Century Text-A/D 652.4 -20.95 151919 Godfrey Phil-B/D 485.6 -15.95 1615 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 111.9 0.2 135874 O N G C-A/D 329.3 6.85 293217 Bt Group/D 451.05 -8.1 19347699 Chambal Fert-B/D 63.05 0.9 65717 Goodricke-B/D 143 -1.1 3634 Jmc Projects-T/D 186 0.9 4294 Ocl India-B/D 490 1.05 3715 Centrica/D 280.5 -0.5 11567996 Chola Invest-B/D 575.7 -16 5134 Goodyear I -B/D 520.25 -14.75 2898 Kabra Extr-B/D 70 1.85 3805 Oil Country-B/D 33.9 1.4 7330 Gkn/D 368.2 2.3 3953581 TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Cheruiyot eager NBA: Injured James helps push to return to form in Oregon

NAIROBI: Former world 5,000m and 10,000m champion Hawks to brink of elimination and Olympic medallist Vivian Cheruiyot seeks a return to form when she competes in her Cavaliers earn thrilling overtime win over Atlanta, on cusp of NBA Finals first track race in nearly two years at the Prefontaine Classic on Friday. CLEVELAND: LeBron James “He played through pain, he The 31-year-old Kenyan took played through a myriad of inju- played through cramps and he time off to have a baby after the ries yesterday as the Cleveland just would not let us lose. He London Olympics and missed Cavaliers beat the Atlanta wouldn’t let us lose, amazing,” defending her world titles at the Hawks 114-111 in overtime to Blatt said. 2013 athletics championships in take a commanding 3-0 lead in Jeff Teague James has had dehydration Moscow. the Eastern Conference finals. (left) and Kent problems throughout his career. Cheruiyot ran two personal best James recorded his first triple Bazemore (right) He had to leave game one of the records at Prefontaine in Eugene, double of the playoffs, finishing of the Atlanta 2014 NBA finals while a member Oregon in 2009 and 2011, and she with 37 points, 18 rebounds and of the Miami Heat with painful believes the venue will provide the Hawks fight 13 assists as Cleveland pushed the and debilitating leg cramps. best launching pad for her ahead for a loose ball Hawks to the brink of elimination Already without Kyle Korver of the Beijing world champion- in the best-of-seven series. with Cleveland on Sunday due to an ankle injury, ships in August. “No matter how I am feeling Cavaliers’ the Hawks lost all-star forward “I am going to Eugene to gauge I have got to try and make some Matthew Al Horford during the final on my performance. This is my plays,” James said. “I felt like I Dellavedova of minute of the opening half fol- first race on the track in nearly couldn’t give more, but then it Australia dur- lowing a dust up with Cavaliers two years and having a good was mind over matter. I was able ing the second Matthew Dellavedova. The inci- performance there will be very to push through.” half of their dent occurred after Horford and important”, Cheruiyot said from The banged up Cavaliers can NBA Eastern Dellavedova were fighting for a her training base in Eldoret. advance to the NBA finals with Conference loose ball rebound. Cheruiyot is planning to con- a win in game four on Tuesday. Finals game Horford was assessed a foul and centrate only in the 5,000m A hobbled James thought about 3 at Quicken was thrown out of the game. He this year, the same race she set taking himself out of the game in Loans Arena in had scored 14 points on seven- a Prefontaine course record of overtime but changed his mind. Cleveland, Ohio, of-10 shooting before leaving the 14:33.66 in 2011, and she is lined The pain on his face was plain USA, yesterday. contest. up to challenge Ethiopia’s two- to see when he drained a three “He was carrying us,” Hawks time world indoor champion, pointer with under a minute left guard Jeff Teague said. Genzebe Dibaba on Friday. to give the Cavaliers the lead. The scrappy Dellavedova, who “The Ethiopians have always Exhausted and sore, James was handed a technical foul on been my tough competitors,” then dropped to the floor after the play, injured Korver Friday said Cheruiyot, whose on-track Sheldon Mack’s potentially tying when he dove into his legs going rivalry with Dibaba’s elder sister, for a loose ball. Horford retaliated Tirunesh, and her compatriot NBA Play-off Results shot from beyond the arc bounced can, we defend on a high level and the contest in front of a crowd of against Dellavedova after a simi- Meseret Defar helped to light up Cleveland: Result yesterday in the Eastern off the rim and out of harm’s way we share ball offensively then we 20,500 at Quicken Loans Arena. lar aggressive low dive. the women’s distance running in Conference final of the 2015 NBA playoffs as the final buzzer sounded. will give ourselves a chance to He banked in a field goal with “There has just got to be a line the past. (best-of-seven): “You name them. We could play win.” 12 seconds left just one posses- at some point,” Horford said. “He Cheruiyot will compete in doctor right now with how many James, who missed his first 10 sion later, and Mack missed a is a competitor. But he has to Eugene, fresh from her victory in Eastern Conference injuries I got,” James said. shots, ended 14-of-37 from the pair of three-point attempts in learn that at end of the day it is the inaugural women’s FNB 12km At Cleveland “We are a desperate team. We field. His shot to give Cleveland a the final five seconds. Cavaliers a big brotherhood. Guys look out race in Cape Town on May 17. Cleveland 114 Atlanta 111 (OT) are a banged up team and if we 112-111 advantage with 36 seconds coach David Blatt said James was for each other.” (Cleveland leads series 3-0) come out and play as hard as we left was his only three pointer of dealing with cramps. AFP Kiplagat and Kipsang in team Lightning move within one for worlds NAIROBI: Two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat and Olympic bronze medal- win of Stanley Cup Finals list Wilson Kipsang have been included in Kenya’s provisional 11-strong marathon squad for NEW YORK: Ben Bishop Stanley Cup Bishop said. Bishop’s night didn’t Pink jersey the August world champion- rebounded yesterday from a start out well as he took a puck ships in Beijing. Washington: Result yesterday in the NHL Spanish subpar game four showing, stop- in the groin during the pre-game Kiplagat, 35, became the first Eastern Conference finals (series best-of- rider Alberto ping all 26 shots as Tampa Bay seven): warmup. He managed to shake woman to win two back-to-back blanked New York 2-0, mov- that off and made several key Contador world titles in Deagu, South Korea Eastern Conference ing the Lightning to within third period saves, including a attends a in 2011 and Moscow in 2013. At New York one game of reaching the NHL shoulder stop on Rangers Derek press con- Kipsang, the former world finals. Tampa Bay 2 New York 0 Stepan to help seal the win. ference marathon record holder, made his Bishop bounced back with a (Tampa leads series 3-2) Swedish national team goalie during the intentions known that he would perfect performance for his sec- Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves 2nd rest day seek a place in the team after ond career playoff shutout after Conference final will face either for the top seeded Rangers, of the 98th finishing second at the London allowing 10 goals in his previ- the Chicago Blackhawks or the who lost in five games to the Giro d’Italia, marathon in April. ous two games in the Eastern Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Los Angeles Kings in last year’s Tour of Italy, “After running six times under Conference final which the Cup finals. Stanley Cup finals. cycling race 2:05, it is time to focus on the Lightning now lead 3-2. Stamkos has now scored in four Filppula opened the scoring in Giustino world championship title,” said “We weren’t happy with the last straight and six of his last seven with 6:31 left in the second period yesterday. Kipsang. couple games with the amount of games for the Lightning, who are as Stamkos assisted on the goal. “I want to go to Beijing since I scoring chances we were giving 5-2 on the road in the playoffs. Stamkos finished off a nice have never represented my coun- up,” Bishop said. Stamkos has seven goals overall passing play by tapping in Ondrej try in a world championship.” “We looked at it and we talked in the postseason. Palat’s feed from atop the crease Kipsang’s part-time training about it. I thought we did a better Bishop got lots of help Sunday for a 2-0 lead with 1:38 to play in companion and current world job tonight. Guys (were) coming in front of a crowd of 18,000 at the second period. record holder, Dennis Kimetto, up huge with blocked shots at the Madison Square Garden arena as “They gradually became more is also named in the squad along end there.” the Lighting players blocked 24 aggressive,” Rangers captain with Mark Korir, who scored his Steven Stamkos finished with shots and didn’t allow a goal on Ryan McDonagh said. biggest win in the Paris marathon a goal and an assist and Valtteri the four powerplays the Rangers “The last couple games we’ve in April. Filppula also scored for Tampa had. been able to make that play, antic- Kenya will be seeking to reclaim Bay who can wrap up the best-of- He even tried his hand at ipate our next play and kind of the men’s world marathon title in seven series against the Rangers some offense, shooting the puck break that pressure. Tonight we Beijing, last won by Abel Kirui in with a victory Tuesday in game at the Rangers’ empty net in the didn’t get as many of those looks, Daegu four years ago. six in Florida. final minute but he fanned on as many of those opportunities.” Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich The winner of the Eastern his attempt. “I was going for it,” AFP Injured Porte is the current world marathon champion. The Kenyan provi- sional marathon team for the Beijing world championship: Men: Wilson Kipsang, Dennis pulls out of Giro Kimetto, Mark Korir, Felix Kipchichir Kiprotich, Lucas MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Simon Clarke, of rival team Kimeli Rotich, Luka Lokobe Italy:Richie Porte has with- Orica-GreenEdge. Kanda drawn from the Giro d’Italia “I’ve had a lot of back luck this Women: Edna Kiplagat, having failed to fully recover week with the puncture and the Jemimah Jelagat Sumgong, Helah from a bad fall during Friday’s time penalty, but it was the crash Kiprop, Visiline Jepkesho, Janet 13th stage, Team Sky announced on Friday that has taken its toll,” Jelagat Rono yesterday. he said.“I fell heavily on my knee The Australian sustained inju- and hip which caused me a lot of Baseball Results ries to his knee and hip in the pain on Saturday’s time trial and Toronto 8 Seattle 2 crash near the end of stage to yesterday’s stage. Houston 10 Detroit 8 Jesolo and took the decision to “I just wanted to keep trying Oakland 7 Tampa Bay 2 abandon on what is the second and give it everything but now the rest day ahead of Sunday’s con- medical team have advised me not Cleveland 5 Cincinnati 2 clusion in Milan. to continue.” Miami 5 Baltimore 2 “I’m gutted it’s ended this way,” Porte said that he would now Boston 6 LA Angels 1 Porte said on teamsky.com. turn his focus on getting fully for Atlanta 2 Milwaukee 1 “The Giro has been my main the Tour de France where he will Washington 4 Philadelphia 1 goal this year and I’ve worked be the main backup to 2013 win- Pittsburgh 9 NY Mets 1 incredibly hard all season with ner Chris Froome in Team Sky. Minnesota 8 Chicago White Sox 1 this race in mind.” Friend and training partner St Louis 6 Kansas City 1 Porte had been well positioned Froome wrote on Twitter: “We San Diego 11 LA Dodgers 3 Jason Garrison (5) of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Martin St Louis (26) of the New York Rangers in in fourth place before incurring all face adversity at some point, a two-minute time penalty last it’s how you come back from it Colorado 11 San Francisco 2 Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Play-offs at Madison Square Arizona 4 Chicago Cubs 3 Garden in New York City yesterday. Tuesday for receiving a wheel that counts! #ForzaRichie @ change from fellow Australian richie_porte”. AFP Texas 5 NY Yankees 2 TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Southeast Asian Games Monaco mistake ‘will showcase region’s make Hamilton stronger’ rapid growth SINGAPORE: The 28th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Retired double world champion Mika Hakkinen defends Hamilton Games) begins in Singapore next week, an event that prom- ises to showcase the region’s MONACO: Lewis Hamilton spectacular economic growth as can turn Monaco misery into much as the athletes and their a Canadian celebration because competitions. every setback makes you Like all regional multi-sports stronger, according to retired events, the SEA Games struggles double world champion Mika for mainstream recognition out- Hakkinen. side its own borders, but for the “’I’m going to win the next Mercedes 11 competing countries, the stakes one’. That will be his motivation. could hardly be higher. team’s British You cannot just start getting Around 7,000 athletes will flock driver Lewis depressed about it,” the Finn, who to the tiny city-state for the June overcame his own share of race Hamilton 5-16 event, competing in 36 dif- setbacks, said. speaks to ferent sports for more than 400 “You have to learn and analyse the press gold medals. everything that has happened, after taking From humble beginnings in and get stronger and better.” third place 1959, the SEA Games has steadily Hakkinen, champion with at Monaco grown into Southeast Asia’s big- McLaren in 1998 and 1999, Grand Prix at gest multi-sports event, mirroring knows all about that from bitter the Monaco the region’s increasing financial experience. street circuit in muscle. At the 1999 Italian Grand Prix, Monte Carlo on Nowhere is this better illus- he sobbed in bushes by the side Sunday. trated than in the host-city of the track after making a basic Singapore. Once a sleepy British error and crashing out while colonial outpost, the Lion City has leading. been transformed into a global In Spain in 2001, the Finn suf- financial powerhouse and home fered one of the cruellest blows to many of the world’s mega-rich. when his McLaren’s engine blew Singapore asked to host the on the last lap while he was coast- SEA Games this year as part of ing to victory. its 50th anniversary of independ- “All these things that happen ence from Malaysia, a year-long in motor racing or in life, they celebration which has taken on make you stronger because you added poignancy following the learn from those things. It’s just death in March of Singapore’s very hard in the position you are Hamilton ducks the parties as first prime minister Lee Kuan sitting, in the racing car, when Ye w. everyone is staring at you,” said Most of the events will be held Hakkinen. “Millions of fans look- at the new $1bn Sports Hub, ing at it and asking why? It’s hard which features a 55,000-seat to be a driver sitting there and Rosberg offers sympathy national stadium that opened have to answer these questions. last year. “But you have to go on, you MONACO: Lewis Hamilton anyone that the team had called Local officials are also using have to go flat out. You have to was conspicuous by his absence the race leader in for new tyres, many venues that were built for build up your confidence inside yesterday as bleary-eyed reports during a Safety Car intervention, German Formula the 2010 Youth Olympics, keep- more and challenge the next of the post-race parties after with 15 laps remaining. One driver Nico ing costs down so they can run Grand Prix. There’s a long way Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix “Stopping wasn’t on my mind Rosberg of everything on a budget of S$324.5 to go in the season. And Monaco were shared over strong cof- at all,” said Rosberg. “There were million ($241.77m). is an example that anything can fee on the Cote d’Azur where, just a few laps to go so I just did Mercedes AMG Rather than build an athlete’s happen.” so unexpectedly, his Mercedes not consider it. Instead, it was - GP celebrates village, competitors will be housed Sunday’s race had a Hamilton team-mate and rival Nico for me - a big, big surprise... And with his team in downtown hotels. In a coun- victory written all over it. He Rosberg had been given a gift- I just thought ‘where the hell did members after try where income tax is low and was fastest in practice, qualified wrapped victory. he go?’ Then, all of a sudden, I saw the 2015 Monaco crime rare, there are few con- on pole and led from the start by The two-time world champion wheel-banging behind me between Grand Prix in cerns about crowd disturbances, a comfortable margin until the and current series leader is said to a Mercedes and a Ferrari, and I although police said there would safety car came out near the end. enjoy a “party lifestyle” between thought ‘what the hell is going on Monaco on be a big security presence. While others stayed out, the races, but he made a quick exit to there?’” Sunday. For spectators, most events will Briton came in for fresh tyres in his local apartment home after What Rosberg saw was the be free to watch while tickets for what turned out to be a needless his team’s spectacular tactical brief battle between Hamilton high-profile sports such as swim- stop. He finished third. blunder had cost him a comfort- and four-time champion German ming sold out quickly. Mercedes motorsport head Toto able victory. Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari after For the competitors them- Wolff apologised for the error but After performing his essen- the Briton had returned to the how horrible a day it is for him the mistakes that cost Hamilton selves, the biennial SEA games said Hamilton, whose champion- tial media duties with dignity, he fray following his pit-stop. after such a strong weekend and his fourth win of the season. are like a mini-Olympics, bring- ship lead over team mate and race ducked out of the annual hubbub The 29-year-old German, a to lose it right at the end like Team director Niki Lauda said ing enormous pride to the com- winner Nico Rosberg was halved to rest and recover. Monegasque resident, did not that... That sucks. On the other he had instructed team chief Toto peting nations: Brunei, Cambodia, to 10 points, would fight back at Nobody argued. delay, but pulled clear to win by side a win is a win and, in sport, Wolff to launch a full analysis. Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the next race, the seventh of the Even Rosberg, who was one of 4.4 seconds, his 10th victory in luck plays a big factor in all these “Honestly,” said Lauda. “I feel Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, season, in Montreal. the star attractions at the Amber Formula One. things. So, I’ve learned to take it. so sorry, really sorry, for him. Thailand, Vietnam and East “He has such mental strength Lounge event at the Beach Plaza “I know Lewis deserved to win,” I’m aware I got lucky. Very lucky... I apologised to his engineers Timor. Most of the sports are and is on a roll. It must be very hotel after completing a rare he admitted. “He did a great job Probably the luckiest I’ve ever because for me this was unac- on the Olympic programme but sore to lose that one, because it hat-trick of successive wins on and I am very well aware of that. been in my career, but I’ll take it ceptable. I gave Toto an order to organisers also offer traditional was his to win. I have no doubt his home town street circuit, was I really feel for him. It’s a horrible and enjoy it.” analyse it properly and see where events that keep faith with the he will recover as quickly as he sympathetic to his title rival’s way to lose a race. As one driver celebrated and the mistake was made. This deci- region’s eclectic cultural mix, always did,” said the Austrian. plight. “I have a lot of space for empa- the other licked his wounds, their sion, to bring him in, was wrong.” such pencak silat, sepak takraw AFP He said he was as surprised as thy towards him because I know Mercedes’ bosses began to unravel REUTERS and dragon boat racing. Although the various teams boast a number of world class competitors in almost all of the Montgomerie disciplines, particularly badmin- ton, SEA countries generally Cool Kirk wins by retains Senior PGA excel in non-Olympic and com- bat sports. title by four shots Thailand is the most successful nation, winning a combined total one shot at Colonial NEW YORK: Colin of 1,994 gold medals over the 27 Montgomerie of Scotland completed editions of the Games. NEW YORK: American Chris favourite tournament on the tour. retained his Senior PGA Most of the competing coun- Kirk coolly got up and down “I didn’t really feel like I was Championship crown by four tries have offered some sort of from off the green at the 18th swinging that great early on in shots on Sunday at French Lick, cash incentive for any athlete hole to salvage par and clinch the week but somehow I was able Indiana as he earned his third who wins a gold medal and hired his fourth PGA Tour title by to get it done,” said the 30-year- major title in the over-50 ranks. foreign coaches to give them the one shot on Sunday at the $6.5m old, who never relinquished the Three ahead overnight, best chance of success. Crowne Plaza Invitational in lead after sinking a birdie putt Montgomerie rebounded from a Of all the athletes at the Games, Fort Worth, Texas. at the 15th. bogey on the opening hole with few will be under more pressure After watching playing partner Asked if winning on the PGA a superb display on the challeng- to succeed that Singaporean Brandt Snedeker narrowly miss Tour was becoming any easier, ing Pete Dye course at the French swimmer Joseph Schooling. a 12-footer for birdie at the last, Kirk replied: “Absolutely not. I Chris Kirk and son Foster pose with the Leonard trophy after the final Lick Resort, piling up six birdies Just 19, Schooling has become Kirk sank a clutch seven-foot par was as nervous as I have ever been round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at the Colonial Country Club in and just two more bogeys on the his country’s big hope for next putt to seal victory with a closing today, for sure. Those up-and- Fort Worth, Texas. way to a three-under-par 69. year’s Rio Olympics after win- four-under 66 at a rain-saturated downs the last couple of holes, That left the 51-year-old Scot ning a silver medal at last year’s Colonial Country Club. and especially making that putt at eight-under 280, four strokes Commonwealth Games and a gold That left Kirk at 12-under 268 on 18, was pretty sweet.” Top Crowne Plaza Invitational Scores ahead of Mexico’s Esteban Toledo at the Asian Games. after an intriguing last-day shoot- Snedeker signed off with a 67 who closed with a 69 on a blustery He has already won seven SEA out at Colonial where five players to share second place at 11 under 268 Chris Kirk 68-69-65-66 afternoon. Games gold medals from his two held at least a share of the lead with fellow Americans Jason 269 Jason Bohn 69-69-68-63, Jordan Spieth 64-73-67-65, Brandt Snedeker 67-69-66-67 Montgomerie became the first previous appearances but is going in the final round. Bohn, who fired a best-of-the-day 270 Pat Perez 69-69-68-64, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 69-66-69-66, George McNeill 65-69-69-67, player since American Hale Irwin for an unprecedented nine in his “Unbelievable, to be a part of 63, and Masters champion Jordan Kevin Kisner 67-69-67-67, Ian Poulter (ENG) 65-67-68-70 (1996-1998) to successfully defend home city this time. the history of this tournament Spieth (65). “Very disappointed,” 271 Danny Lee (NZL) 66-69-70-66, Ben Martin 66-71-68-66, Colt Knost 66-73-66-66, Jerry the Senior PGA Championship. For Singapore’s new head is just amazing to me,” Kirk said Snedeker. “I played great Kelly 67-70-67-67, Brian Harman 68-66-69-68, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 67-70-66-68, Kevin The Briton, one of the best swimming coach, former told CBS Sports after adding and just didn’t make putts on the Na 64-66-69-72, Charley Hoffman 66-69-66-70 players never to have landed a Spanish Olympian Sergio Lopez, his name to a list of winners at last three holes like you are sup- 272 John Huh 70-68-70-64 regular major title, won last year’s Schooling’s profile and ambitions Colonial where golfing great and posed to to win golf tournaments.” Senior PGA at Harbor Shores in sum up the significance of the Fort Worth resident Ben Hogan American Kevin Na, who had 273 Robert Streb 71-68-68-66, Kevin Chappell 71-68-68-66, Zach Johnson 70-69-67-67, Michigan before claiming his sec- event, which officially runs from triumphed five times. been a stroke in front overnight, Shawn Stefani 67-69-69-68, Tony Finau 67-72-66-68 ond Champions Tour major two June 5-16, but will kick off on “I’ve always loved this golf finished with a 72 to share 10th 274 Russell Knox (SCO) 71-67-69-67, Chesson Hadley 70-71-67-66, Adam Scott (AUS) months later at the US Senior Friday with preliminary rounds course and this has been my place at nine under. REUTER S 72-66-66-70 Open. REUTERS of men’s soccer. AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Sports Watch Drogba, Ayew make adidas unveils X15, ACE15 in new move

DOHA: Today, there emotional farewells are only two types of players - those that cause chaos Time to say goodbye at end of another football season and those that con- trol everything. The game changers and PARIS: African football leg- the play makers. The ends Didier Drogba and Andre best managers, play- Ayew made emotional farewells ers and minds have at the weekend from clubs they spoken – football has have served with distinction, as changed. most European leagues ended. “It’s chaos or con- Veteran Ivory Coast striker trol. There are players Drogba was carried off the who think more about Stamford Bridge pitch by team- what the team needs mates after retiring injured and what is the best during a 3-1 win for English cham- solution for the team. pions Chelsea over Sunderland. This kind of player is And Ayew, a son of Ghana icon an intelligent player Abedi Pele, said goodbye to French who has a vision about outfit Marseille as a near-10-year what the team needs. spell at the club ended with a 3-0 He controls,” says Pep home triumph over Bastia. Guardiola. ENGLAND “Then there are the DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea) ones who cause chaos. Drogba’s final Chelsea game The ones who play on ended in memorable fashion as he instinct and on talent. was carried off by his team-mates They are a little out- during their 3-1 Premier League side of the field. They victory over Sunderland. The can create absolutely 37-year-old Ivory Coast striker everything and you had announced prior to the kick- can’t control that. You off that the English champions’ cannot limit that,” he last competitive match of the sea- adds. son would be the final appearance For the first time, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas celebrate with the Barclays Premier League trophy and Capital of his second spell at the club. And these two distinct One Cup during the parade in London yesterday. after only 30 minutes at Stamford types of player will Bridge, and with Chelsea trailing have their own boots. 1-0, he was chaired off the pitch be interested in his signature, second half as Los Blancos ran out (Saint-Etienne) The old adidas silos by his colleagues, having appar- Toure played for 66 minutes and 7-3 winners. The Ivory Coast winger have been discontinued. ently succumbed to injury, in what delivered a dynamic display before ITALY has been on fire since coming No more F50, no transpired was a pre-planned being substituted. KWADWO ASAMOAH back from his glorious trip to more Predator, no send-off. AHMED ELMOHAMADY (Juventus) Equatorial Guinea, where he won more 11pro and no MAME BIRAM DIOUF (Stoke (Hull City) Having missed most of this the Africa Cup of Nations with more Nitrocharge. City) Hull succumbed to relegation season through a combination of the ‘Elephants’. Since February, There is only chaos and The Senegal forward scored after drawing 0-0 at home to injury and simply being left out of the former Leeds man has found control. There is only twice to inspire his side’s shock Manchester United, but Egyptian Juventus’s starting XI, Asamoah the back of the net 13 times, help- X and ACE. 6-1 demolition of Liverpool at flier Elmohamady -- one of only made his return to the fray in ing Saint-Etienne secure their Some players are the Britannia Stadium. Diouf’s five ever-present players in the time for a 3-1 victory over Napoli return to European football next born to control. They 12th and 13th goals of the sea- Premier League this season -- that preceded the double winners’ season. The 27-year old report- are the ones that pull son came in the 22nd and 26th came closer than any of his team- title and Cup celebrations. Given edly played his final game with the strings and set the minutes, the first a tap-in after mates to breaking the deadlock at his time out, it was a positive ‘Les Verts’, bagging a brace in pace. Every great team Simon Mignolet’s failed to han- the KC Stadium. During a flurry performance from the Ghanaian their 2-1 win over Guingamp, needs the players that dle a Stoke shot and the second of first-half pressure in which international, who on one nota- before heading out as Premier keep it on track. a powerful long-range effort that Hull had two goals chalked off for ble occasion showed great skill League sides are looking at the That bring the the Liverpool goalkeeper couldn’t offside, Elmohamady met Robbie to round his man on the edge of ex-Elland Road favourite. coaches plans into keep out. Diouf’s heroics helped Brady’s left-wing cross with a the area before firing a shot over MODOU SOUGOU (Evian) action. They bring Stoke end the campaign with thumping downward header, Mariano Andujar’s crossbar. There were mixed feelings for order to a chaotic their best EPL points haul of 54, only for United goalkeeper Victor SAMUEL ETO’O (Sampdoria) the Senegal winger, who made game. and condemned Liverpool to their Valdes to produce a stunning save. A last-gasp equaliser from up for his second-half own goal Players like Mesut biggest Premier League defeat. SPAIN Eto’o helped secure a share of the with a late strike as Evian lost Ozil, James Rodríguez, MAROUANE CHAMAKH SOFIANE FEGHOULI spoils in a 1-1 draw at Empoli in their final game of the season 3-2 Oscar, Manuel Neuer and Ivan Rakiti are the glue of some of the (Crystal Palace) (Valencia) Sampdoria’s penultimate match of against Caen. The Marseille loa- world’s best teams. For these players, adidas has designed ACE15. The Morocco striker bagged Feghouli played a vital role as the season, but the Cameroonian’s nee’s future is uncertain as he is ACE15 is built to control. The revolutionary CONTROL WEB his first league goal since August Valencia sealed their place in next goal was worth more than just a unlikely to follow Evian to Ligue gives ultimate ball control, thanks to an engineered 3D material. to seal a 1-0 win over Swansea season’s Champions League with a point. Thanks to Eto’o, Samp’s 2 but remains a fringe player A 3-layer compound combines with grippy EVA for an unbeatable at Selhurst Park. Chamakh has 3-2 win at relegated Almeria. The hope of snatching a place in next with the south of France side. touch. A ground breaking new stud configuration puts more studs struggled to break into the team Algerian midfielder tapped home season’s Europa League are still His three assists and two goals in on the ball during foot-over moves to allow for complete ball control. since Alan Pardew took charge, his sixth goal of the season from alive although the Genoa-based 24 games this season won’t help The unique NSG (Non-stop grip) skin uses 3D dots for perfect but he made the most of a rare close range to level at 2-2 just side will have to win next week- attract interest. control in all conditions. The players that run the show now have start to remind the manager what before half-time and then played end’s final game at home to Parma GERMANY the boots to dominate. he can offer. He struck in the the through ball from which Paco and hope results elsewhere go PIERRE-EMERICK Some players can never be controlled. They are the spark that 57th minute, steering home just Alcacer secured all three points. their way if they are to qualify for AUBAMEYANG (Borussia ignites a game. They defy rules and structure. The moment of his fourth goal of the season in THOMAS PARTEY (Almeria) Europe’s second-tier competition. Dortmund) genius that gets the crowd off their seat – that’s their speciality. all competitions after Scott Dann Ghanaian midfielder Partey FRANCE The Gabon striker netted There is no defence and no tactic that can control them. These knocked down Jason Puncheon’s had given Almeria the perfect ANDRE AYEW (Marseille) Dortmund’s second in a 3-2 win players are specialists in chaos. Thomas Muller, Gareth Bale, Luis cross. start with a free-kick from dis- Ghana forward Ayew had an over Werder Bremen to leave him Suárez, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata, these players strike YAYA TOURE (Manchester tance that surprised Diego Alves, emotional night on Saturday as as the club’s top scorer with 23 without a moment’s notice. For them, adidas has created X15. City) but it wasn’t enough for the he played his final game with his goals for the season. The 25-year- X15 is the ultimate weapon for the game’s most dangerous players. The Ivory Coast midfielder Andalusians as defeat consigned boyhood club. The game ended old finished off a chance created The TECHFIT COLLAR offers a compression fit around the made what could prove to be them to relegation. 3-0 for Marseille over Bastia. But by Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa ankle for superior support and fit. his final appearance for City MEHDI LACEN (Getafe) the 25-year old, who is out of con- to put Dortmund 2-0 up at the The X-CLAW base is built to give complete traction with a light- in their 2-0 home win against Algerian midfielder Lacen teed tract, couldn’t hide his emotions Westfalenstadion as Jurgen Klopp weight feel. The innovative X-CAGE is built for the most dynamic Southampton. With Toure’s up Sergio Escudero for Getafe’s and his tears as he waved goodbye bowed out of his last home game and agile players in the world. A fragmented and lightweight design agent claiming his client is “90 first and then fired in just his to the home fans who had made with a win. Aubameyang can gives ultimate support during the most agile movements. percent certain” to leave in the second goal of the season at the him a cult hero after nearly 10 add to his impressive tally in the The X-SKIN is made up of a complex three layered system that close-season and Inter Milan Santiago Bernabeu, but they were years with the Ligue 1 giants. season finale on Saturday when delivers comfort, protection and performance in any conditions. A and Paris Saint-German said to blown away by Real Madrid in the MAX-ALAIN GRADEL Dortmund take on Wolfsburg in game changing product for game changing players. the German Cup final. Some of the world’s best players will wear ACE15 and X15 for SEREY DIE (VfB Stuttgart) the first time at the UEFA Champions League Final in Berlin on The Ivory Coast defensive mid- June 6, with the boots available to purchase from Wednesday 1st fielder took a central role with July at adidas own-retail outlets and specialist retailers worldwide. Lorient’s a topless dance in Stuttgart’s For further information please visit www.adidas.com/bethediffer- Ghanaian celebrations after their 2-1 win ence or go to facebook.com/adidasfootball or follow @adidasfootball forward at Paderborn guaranteed top- @adidasMENA #BETHEDIFFERENCE on twitter to join the Jordan flight survival. Stuttgart earned conversation. Ayew (right) their third straight league win adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official sponsor / vies with with goals by Daniel Didavi and official supplier partner of the most important football tournaments Monaco’s Daniel Ginczek after bottom side in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup, the Confederations French Paderborn, who were relegated Cup, the Champions League, the Europa League and the European midfielder by the defeat, had taken an early Championships. AGENCIES Jeremy lead. Toulalan ANTHONY UJAH (Cologne) (left) during Nigeria striker Ujah apologised Real a French to Cologne fans on his tearful Madrid L1 match farewell with a 2-2 draw at home giants between to Wolfsburg having been pho- tographed with his future club Gareth Lorient and Werder Bremen three weeks ago. Bale (top) Monaco in The 24-year-old Super Eagles for- Marcelo this May ward was booed and whistled by (middle) 23, 2015, home fans after being substituted and Filpe file photo in the second half of his final Luis (left) taken at the appearance for the Rhineland of Chelsea Moustoir club before joining Bremen next promote Stadium season. “The fact my own fans the new in Lorient, whistled and booed me really got footwear western to me,” Ujah, who has scored 10 unveiled France. goals for Cologne, said. “I apolo- by adidas. gise for how things turned out, that wasn’t good,” he added, refer- ring to the Bremen picture. AFP TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Australia London applauds Chelsea back Asian Cup An estimated 70,000 fans turn out to celebrate Chelsea’s EPL title win heroes for LONDON: An estimated 70,000 people took to the streets of Kyrgyzstan west London yesterday to watch Chelsea show off their Premier SYDNEY: Australia head League and League Cup tro- coach Ange Postecoglou named phies in an open-top bus parade. yesterday the bulk of his Asian Hordes of blue-clad fans Cup champions squad to face exploited the opportunity afforded Kyrgyzstan in the opening 2018 by a public holiday to line the FIFA World Cup qualifier in route as three buses took players Bishkek on June 16. and staff on a winding tour of the There are no uncapped play- roads adjacent to their Stamford Members of ers and 19 members of the AFC Bridge home. the Chelsea Asian Cup winning squad from Chelsea lifted the Premier team cheer January, with Postecoglou declar- League trophy on Sunday as the team ing the group as the “core of the after winning 3-1 at home to held a victory squad that will take us through to Sunderland in their final league parade in west the next World Cup”. game, having beaten Tottenham London, Britain, Tim Cahill, Matthew Spiranovic Hotspur 2-0 in the League Cup yesterday. The and Eugene Galekovic return final in March. team displays after missing the recent matches Addressing the fans, manager against Germany and Macedonia the Premiership Jose Mourinho said: “Thank you with Aaron Mooy, Adam Federici and League Cup for everything, for all your sup- and Luke Devere left out. port. Book another place for the trophies that “This is the start of the next parade next season. I hope we can they have won chapter in our journey and we give you that.” this season. are all excited about what lies The 52-year-old Portuguese, ahead over the next two years,” who returned to Chelsea for a sec- Postecoglou said. ond stint as manager in 2013, then “We’ve been open in our desire made an unconvincing attempt at to make an impact at the 2018 a Chelsea anthem, singing: “Blue World Cup but first we need to is the colour, la, la, la, la, la!” qualify and that task is immedi- The club’s Russian owner ately in front of us. Roman Abramovich took part “We’ve selected a relatively set- in the parade, along with mem- tled squad made up of the core of bers of Chelsea’s European Youth players that brought success at League and FA Youth Cup- the Asian Cup but also the core of winning squad. players that will take us through Veteran striker Didier Drogba, the club after losing his place But his Nigerian team-mate warned that his side will have to opponents are not going to accept to the next World Cup. who played the final game of his to Thibaut Courtois, but he did John Mikel Obi led the crowd in improve if they want to success- this without a fight. “No Australian football team second Chelsea spell against not discuss his future when he a chorus of: “Petr Cech, we want fully defend the league title next “Next year will be more diffi- has ever been to Kyrgyzstan so Sunderland, was on the first of addressed supporters. you to stay!” season. cult, but because it’s difficult is we have done a lot of research, the three buses. “We are all blue, so we are all In a seperate interview broad- “We have to be better if we one of the reasons why I came including a reconnaissance trip Long-serving goalkeeper Petr the same,” said the 33-year-old cast earlier on Chelsea’s in-house want to be successful again,” back to England. I will enjoy it to Bishkek, to make sure we are Cech is also expected to leave Czech Republic international. television channel, Mourinho he told Chelsea TV. “The other again.” REUTERS well prepared for what will not be an easy task.” Australia - Aziz Behich Real coach Ancelotti to have (Bursaspor/TUR), Oliver Bozanic (FC Luzern/SUI), Nathan Burns Platini backs Prince Ali (Wellington Phoenix/NZL), Tim surgery on neck condition Cahill (Shanghai Shenhua/CHN), MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is suffering from Jason Davidson (West Bromwich cervical stenosis and will travel to Vancouver, Canada for an Albion/ENG), Tarek Elrich operation to correct it, the Italian was quoted as saying yesterday. (Adelaide United/AUS), Ivan as election day nears Ancelotti is waiting to hear whether he will be replaced as Real Franjic (Unattached), Eugene coach after they ended the season without winning a major trophy, Galekovic (Adelaide United/AUS), ZURICH: UEFA President with an announcement expected in coming days. Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio/ITA), Michel Platini yesterday backed The 55-year-old has a contract until the end of next term but Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace/ Prince Ali bin al Hussein’s bid Real president Florentino Perez is widely expected to make him ENG), Tomi Juric (Western to unseat Sepp Blatter as FIFA the scapegoat for the club’s failure. Ancelotti told Italian daily Il Sydney Wanderers/AUS), Mitch President, accusing the foot- Giornale the stenosis was part of the reason he was planning to take Langerak (Borussia Dortmund/ ball leader of lying to him about a year out if Real sacked him. The condition, a narrowing of the GER), Mathew Leckie (FC seeking a new term. spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine, had been Ingolstadt/GER), Massimo Platini said as FIFA’s execu- causing tingling in his hands, he added. Luongo (Swindon Town/ENG), tive gathered in Zurich that the “If I lose any more time it may spread to the legs so I have made Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar/ 79-year-old Blatter fears a life of an appointment for the surgery,” Ancelotti said, without specifying AUS), Mark Milligan (Melbourne “emptiness” if he loses a vote for when. Victory/AUS), Tommy Oar (FC the presidency on Friday and that “And I really do not know how long I have to remain physi- Utrecht/NED), Mat Ryan (Club the world body will have no cred- cally immobile for the post-operative phase and the subsequent Brugge,BEL), Trent Sainsbury ibility if he remains. rehabilitation.” (PEC Zwolle/NED), Matt Blatter is a strong favourite to Ancelotti, who has always said he may return one day to coach Spiranovic (Western Sydney win a fifth term in the vote. The his former club AC Milan, told Il Giornale he would rest between Wanderers/AUS), James Troisi Jordanian prince is now the only Madrid and Vancouver after the surgery. (Zulte Waregem/BEL), Alex challenger but the bulk of his sup- “Because the two years spent at Real were very tiring, believe Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai/ port will come from Europe. me, and especially challenging,” he said. KOR), Bailey Wright (Preston Platini recalled how he had “No one can imagine what it costs, in terms of physical and nerv- North End/ENG). REUTERS backed Blatter in previous elec- ous energy, coaching Real.” tions and in 2011 the Swiss official Spanish media have reported that Napoli’s Spanish coach Rafa Japan to play had said he would serve one last UEFA President Michel Platini speaks with boys during his visit to the Benitez, who had a stint working in Real’s youth ranks, is the front term. Armenian Football Academy in Yerevan in this May 21, 2015, file photo. runner to succeed Ancelotti. REUTERS “He asked us face to face to Afghans, Syria support him for what would be his last mandate,” Platini told French President. He has everything it on neutral soil sports newspaper L’Equipe in an takes. He is honest and humble interview. and comes from a country that TOKYO: Japan will play their “I have the unpleasant feeling bridges different cultures and tra- Football star Maradona away 2018 World Cup qualifiers of having given my support on the ditions. He can bring real added against Afghanistan and Syria basis of a lie,” he added. value, and he is also someone who on neutral territory later this Platini said Blatter had made knows how to work in a team. year due to security concerns in good decisions in his 40-year “He is not a politician and he the strife-torn countries. career but that he could just not does not need FIFA to exist,” said seeks change at FIFA Japanese officials said yester- let go of power. Platini. day that the September 8 game “I understand the fear of empti- The Jordanian prince is the sole LONDON: Argentina legend against Afghanistan would be ness he must feel, that is human,” remaining challenger to Blatter Diego Maradona has attacked switched to Tehran, while the the UEFA leader said. following last week’s withdrawals world football chief Sepp Blue Samurai will face Syria in “You have to be capable of of Portugal great Luis Figo and Blatter (far right), calling the Oman on October 8. handing over the levers of power Dutch administrator Michael van 79-year-old Swiss “a dictator” Japan’s foreign ministry has at the right time and not be guilty Praag. and claiming his bid for a fifth advised Japanese citizens not to of holding on to it at any cost.” Blatter has strong support from term as FIFA president is “an travel to Afghanistan or Syria. Blatter has said he needs a fifth Africa and Asia and is expected to absurdity”. Japan take on Singapore in term to complete his “mission” easily get a majority from the 209 Maradona’s scathing personal their first game of the second and explained his change of mind member federations on Friday attack in The Daily Telegraph round of Asian qualifiers for the by saying “times change” and that despite the many scandals that comes days before Blatter seeks an Russian World Cup in Saitama on he feels fit enough for a fifth term. have hit FIFA in recent years. unprecedented fifth term at the September 16 following a warm- “He is not staying on because he The football strongman’s fourth helm of football’s governing body. up against Iraq in Yokohama five has a job to complete or because term has been overshadowed by Blatter is in a two horse race to days earlier. he still has some big projects to controversy. Platini does not vote continue in the post he assumed Franco-Bosnian Vahid carry out for FIFA,” declared in the election. The Frenchman in 1998 - the only other candidate Halilhodzic took over the Japan Platini. decided against challenging being Prince Ali bin Al Hussein job after Mexican Javier Aguirre “No, he simply is scared of what Blatter this time but has not (pictured right) of Jordan after was dismissed as coach follow- the future holds for him having ruled out standing in 2019. Luis Figo and Michael van Praag “While I find almost no one you doing in your last four terms?’ ing the side’s Asian Cup flop consecrated his life to FIFA to the Another broadside to Blatter pulled out last week. openly supporting Blatter, many “We have a dictator for life. in January amid allegations of point that he identifies himself came from Argentine football Blatter has been widely criti- think he will win a fifth term. I call Blatter ‘the man of ice’ match-fixing dating back to a totally with it.” legend Diego Maradona who told cised during his reign and Why? The whole notion of a fifth because he lacks the inspiration previous tenure in Spain. Platini said that he believed the Daily Telegraph that a fifth Maradona is aghast that he is the term is an absurdity in 2015. and passion that are at the very Aguirre was brought in after that it was the right time for term for Blatter would be “an overwhelming favourite to retain “No one has argued that he heart of football. If this is the face Japan crashed out of last year’s new blood to be brought in and adsurdity”. his position. is the best man for the job and of international football, we are in World Cup under Italian Alberto that Prince Ali, 39, would make a “Under Sepp Blatter, FIFA has The 1986 World Cup winner deserves to win. a very bad place.” Zaccheroni. “great president” of FIFA. become a disgrace and a painful told The Telegraph: “Under Sepp “Recently he pledged to follow The election takes place at The 2018 FIFA World Cup Platini said: “I am firmly con- embarrassment to those of us Blatter, Fifa has become a dis- through in addressing racism in the FIFA Congress in Zurich on qualifying matches will kick-off vinced that Ali, whom I have who care about football deeply,” grace and a painful embarrass- football and promoting women in Friday, with the winner needing a next month as teams eye to reach known on a personal level for the 1986 World Cup winner said. ment to those of us who care the sport. That made me laugh. majority from FIFA’s 209 member the finals to be held in Russia. years, would make a great FIFA AFP about football deeply. My question is: ‘Sepp, what were federations. REUTERS REUTERS TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Bayliss in frame for England job England stun New Zealand after Gillespie ruled out

LONDON: Australia’s Trevor Bayliss appears to have over- to win first Test at Lord’s taken Jason Gillespie in the race to be the new permanent head coach of England after his com- Fiery all-rounder Stokes takes two wickets in two balls for hosts patriot revealed he is out of the running. Gillespie had been regarded LONDON: England completed Latham lbw for a golden duck. as the favourite to replace the a remarkable win to beat New For New Zealand, it was all recently-sacked Peter Moores. Zealand by 124 runs in the first starting to become horribly remi- The former Australia fast Test at Lord’s yesterday. niscent of their last Test at Lord’s, bowler is currently the coach New Zealand, set 345 to win in 2013, when they slumped to 68 of English county champions on the fifth and final day, were all out chasing 239. Yorkshire and was appointed to dismissed for 220 as England won The collapse continued when that role by Colin Graves, now the 100th Test between the two Broad, who took a Test-best seven the chairman of the England and countries to go 1-0 up in this two- for 44 against New Zealand at Wales Cricket Board. match series ahead of the second Lord’s two years ago, had Ross But reports in Australia and Test at Headingley on Friday. Taylor plumb lbw for eight. Britain yesterday said Andrew For England, without a per- New Zealand took the score England’s Ben Strauss, the ECB’s new director manent head coach following the on to 61 before Stokes, who on Stokes cel- of cricket, was poised to make an sacking of Peter Moores and com- Sunday scored the fastest Test ebrates after offer to experienced coach Bayliss. ing off the back of a disappoint- century at Lord’s, off just 85 balls, dismissing New And Gillespie later confirmed ing 1-1 series draw in the West struck twice in two balls. Zealand’s Mark that he was no longer in conten- Indies, this was just the morale Kane Williamson, who made Craig on the tion for the position. boost they needed. 132 in the first innings, fell for “I’ve spoken to Andrew Strauss first day of the “It’s one of the best matches 27 when he guided Stokes to Joe and I’m not the preferred candi- first Test against I’ve ever been involved in,” said Root in the gully. date, so that’s their call,” Gillespie England captain Alastair Cook. And next ball McCullum played New Zealand at told Sky Sports News. “It was just a brilliant, brilliant on to a Stokes inswinger. Lord’s yesterday. “I’d hardly say I’m disappointed. day,” said Cook, whose hundred Given a roar by the crowd wor- But I think it would have been a on Sunday allied to man-of-the- thy of Ian Botham or Andrew good job to have, no question. match Ben Stokes’s fastest-ever Flintoff, Stokes, the New “There’s exciting times ahead Test century at Lord’s helped Zealand-born son of former Kiwi for English cricket and it would turn the tide of the game. rugby league international Ged have been a great challenge, but “Let’s just enjoy today and what Stokes, who came to England as it’s not to be. the guys have achieved after a a 12-year-old, charged in again. “I’ve got a wonderful job with rocky few weeks,” said Cook who But Corey Anderson survived Yorkshire and the Adelaide played a captain’s knock of 162 in the hat-trick delivery, allowing Strikers, and I’m really looking the second innings. the ball to pass his stumps. forward to continuing that work.” New Zealand humiliated Anderson, in Stokes-like fash- The 52-year-old Bayliss guided England during their run to the ion, later pulled the Durham all- New South Wales to two domestic World Cup final and were on top rounder for six. New Zealand lost their next Scoreboard first-class Sheffield Shield titles in the early stages of this match Deciding attack was the best two wickets on 198 but, with the in Australia and was Sri Lanka’s only to be well-beaten come the form of defence, Anderson com- draw now their only realistic goal, England (I Innings) ...... 389 New Zealand (II Innings) coach when they reached the 2011 finish. pleted a 44-ball fifty in which 46 last man Trent Boult somehow New Zealand (I Innings) ...... 523 M Guptill c Ballance b Anderson ...... 0 World Cup final. “We got over 730 runs in the of his runs -- 10 fours and a six managed to get out playing an England (II Innings) T Latham lbw b Broad ...... 0 He is also a former colleague of Test and still lost by more than -- came in boundaries. attacking upper-cut off Broad as A Lyth c Southee b Boult ...... 12 K Williamson c Root b Stokes ...... 27 current England caretaker coach 100 runs,” said New Zealand cap- The gritty BJ Watling, whose Moeen Ali held a fine catch run- A Cook c Latham b Boult ...... 162 R Taylor lbw b Broad ...... 8 Paul Farbrace, the pair having tain Brendon McCullum. 59 was his second fifty of the ning back at third man. G Ballance b Southee ...... 0 BJ Watling c Buttler b Wood ...... 59 worked together with Sri Lanka. “It’s not every day that happens match, and the dashing Anderson Earlier, England were dis- I Bell c Latham b Southee ...... 29 B McCullum b Stokes ...... 0 The ECB have made no official but we hold our heads high.” (75), kept England at bay during missed for 478 after resuming on J Root c Boult b Henry ...... 84 C Anderson lbw b Root ...... 67 statement as yet but if Bayliss gets “Great credit to England. Even a sixth-wicket stand of 107. 429 for six. B Stokes c Taylor b Craig ...... 101 M Craig b Stokes ...... 4 the job he will be coaching against when we were dominating they However, both batsmen fell in England captain Alastair Cook J Buttler c Latham b Henry ...... 14 T Southee c and b Ali ...... 20 his native country when England kept going and they played an quick succession to leave New took his overnight 153 not out to M Ali lbw b Boult ...... 43 M Henry (notout) ...... 10 face Australia in an Ashes series, enterprising brand of cricket.” Zealand 174 for seven. 162. S Broad b Boult ...... 10 T Boult c Ali b Broad ...... 10 starting in Cardiff in July. New Zealand were rocked from Watling exited when he gloved His marathon innings came M Wood (not out) ...... 4 Extras (B5, LB7, W2, NB1) ...... 15 Australia great Shane Warne the outset of their chase, losing debutant fast bowler Mark Wood to an end when he was caught J Anderson b Boult ...... 0 Total (all out, 67.3 overs) ...... 220 said Bayliss would be a good both openers for ducks without a through to wicket-keeper Jos behind off Boult. Extras (B2, LB12, W5) ...... 19 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-12, 4-61, 5-61, choice for the England job. run on the board. Buttler. The left-handed opener batted Total (all out, 129 overs) ...... 478 6-168, 7-174, 8-198, 9-198, 10-220 “I know him well,” Warne told The second ball saw Martin Dangerman Anderson was for more than nine hours, facing Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-25, 3-74, 4-232, Bowling: Anderson 14-5-31-1 (1w); Broad Sky Sports yesterday. “He’s done a Guptill become James Anderson’s then lbw to part-time off-spin- 345 balls including 17 fours. 5-364, 6-389, 7-455, 8-467, 9-478, 10-478 16.3-3-50-3 (1nb); Wood 13-3-47-1; Stokes wonderful job, on all the reports, 399th Test wicket, caught in the ner Root, with Ravi’s initial deci- His exit was the start of a Boult Bowling: Boult 34-8-85-5; Southee 34-4- 11-3-38-3 (1w); Ali 8-3-35-1; Root 5-3-7-1; with the teams he’s coached slips by Gary Ballance. sion of ‘out’ seeing the tightest burst that saw the left-arm pace- 162-2 (1w); Henry 29-3-106-2 (3w); Craig 28- Result: England won by 124 runs -- whether it be Sri Lanka, the New Zealand were still on of ‘umpire’s call’ verdicts fall in man take four wickets for nine 3-96-1 (1w); Anderson 3-0-13-0; Williamson Man-of-the-match: Ben Stokes (ENG) Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL nought when Stuart Broad’s first England’s favour when the bats- runs in 17 balls for final innings 1-0-2-0 Series: England lead two-match series 1-0 (Indian Premier League), New ball of the second over had Tom man reviewed. figures of five for 85. AFP South Wales, Big Bash.” Hasan banned Pakistan and Zimbabwe look Shivnarine for failing Chanderpaul of West Indies drugs test gets out of to build one-day future the way of LAHORE, Pakistan: a bouncer LAHORE, Pakistan: After Pakistan’s cricket board yes- against New two nail-biting finishes in the terday banned left-arm spin- Zealand in Twenty20 series marking the ner Raza Hasan, who played the third Test return of international cricket one one-day international and in Barbados, to Pakistan, the hosts and 10 Twenty20 matches for the in this June Zimbabwe move to the three- national side, for two years after 29, 2014 file match one-day series today he failed a dope test in a domes- picture. aiming to build for the future. tic competition. Pakistan won the Twenty20 “Hasan has been banned for two series 2-0 Sunday in front of years on a failed dope test, mak- a packed audience of 27,000 at ing him ineligible to participate in Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium, but cricket,” a Pakistan Cricket Board will be far from happy over the (PCB) statement said. Chanderpaul excluded manner of both wins which saw The PCB said that for the them nearly snatch defeat from period of his ban, “Hasan will the jaws of victory. not entitled to take part in any The matches were played capacity, in any cricket match or from WI training squad under massive security with 4,000 activity... authorised or organised policemen guarding the stadium by the PCB,” except for approved BARBADOS: Shivnarine West Indies run-scorer in Tests, and another 2,000 deployed on the anti-doping education or rehabili- Chanderpaul appears set to was officially notified. route from the team hotel to the Pakistan cricket captain Azhar Ali (right) and his Zimbabwe counterpart tation programmes. be dropped for the Test series Lloyd said that while venue. Elton Chigumbura (left) pose with sponsor Javed Afridi as they hold The PCB conducted random against Australia after he was Chanderpaul had been an out- Security has been ratcheted the One Day International (ODI) trophy in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday. testing during a domestic tourna- left out of West Indies’ 12-mem- standing servant of West Indies up to avoid a repeat of the 2009 ment in January and sent Hasan’s ber group for a pre-series train- cricket for many years, his recent attacks on the Sri Lankan team samples to a World Anti-Doping ing camp in Barbados. form was a concern. bus, which killed eight people and The 30-year-old middle order international cricket to take a Agency (WADA) accredited labo- Chanderpaul could still make it “Over a period of time we’ve cast Pakistan into sporting exile batsman said replacing players three-year contract with England ratory in India. to the Test squad when the final noticed a decline in his form,” for six years. like Misbah and Shahid Afridi county Nottinghamshire. The PCB did not name the team is decided on May 29 after Lloyd said. “For the last 11 innings Pakistan’s one-day captain -- who also retired from one-day Teams (from): Pakistan: banned substance. the conclusion of the practice he’s averaging 16. We thought that Azhar Ali, who did not feature after the World Cup -- would Azhar Ali (capt), Mohammad Hasan, 22, featured in a one-off match between the Australians the time has come to look towards in the Twenty20s, said the huge require time. Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Twenty20 international against and the Board President’s XI. The the younger players. That’s why excitement surrounding the tour Pakistan have persisted with Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Australia in Dubai in December chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, he was omitted. had helped the team forget its spinning allrounder Shoaib Malik Malik, Babar Azam, Mohammad before making his one-day debut however indicated West Indies “I don’t think it’s just the disastrous 3-0 ODI drubbing in and paceman Mohammad Sami, Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar against the same opponents at the were keen on looking ahead. last couple of games. It’s going Bangladesh last month. both of whom featured in the Ali, Hammad Azam, Imad same venue a few days later. He “This was a tough decision way back, I watched the games “The excitement on the return T20s. Opener Ahmed Shehzad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, took one wicket in the only one- for the selection panel to make,” against India, South Africa, and of international cricket was so also returns after being left out Mohammad Sami, Junaid Khan day international he played in and Lloyd said. he hasn’t really done as well as we big that it helped us put our of the Bangladesh tour over what Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura has taken 10 in Twenty20 cricket. “We recognise the significant had expected. Bangladesh defeat in the back of was termed an attitude problem. (capt), Sikandar Raza, Chamu Pakistan has a history of ban- contribution Chanderpaul has “We just thought that here it our minds,” said Azhar who took For Zimbabwe, the series rep- Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, ning players as a result of failed made to the West Indies teams is, we must now make a deci- over after Misbah-ul-Haq retired resents another shot at ruining Graeme Cremer, Craig dope tests. over the last two decades, but sion. We’ve made a decision. We following the 2015 World Cup in Pakistan’s homecoming party Ervine, Roy Kaia, Hamilton In 2006, frontline paceman we want to take this opportunity are looking towards the younger April. after they threatened to close Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Shoaib Akhtar was banned for to introduce a number of young, people that we have. We have a lot “It was disappointing to lose out both Twenty20s but even- Tawanda Mupariwa, Richmond two years and fellow fast bowler promising players into the squad.” of good young cricketers and we in Bangladesh but we will look to tually lost in crucial passages Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Mohammad Asif for one after the Chanderpaul, who has played think it’s time we now inject the build a team for the future and of play at the death. Zimbabwe Vusi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, pair tested positive for the banned 164 Tests and is 86 short of equal- youth into our cricket.” improve on what we did wrong will miss the services of ace bats- Brian Vitori, Sean Williams steroid nandrolone. AFP ling Brian Lara’s record of highest AGENCIES in Bangladesh.” man Brendan Taylor who quit AFP Tuesday 26 May 2015 8 Shaaban 1436 Volume 20 Number 6442 Sport Price: QR2 Injured James England stun stars in Kiwis to win Cavaliers win Lord’s Test

Sport | 23 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 French Open Paris, France: Results from the second day of the French Open at Roland Garros yesterday (x denotes seeded player): Men 1st Round Sharapova jeered off court, Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2; Bernard Tomic (AUS x27) bt Luca Vanni (ITA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Borna Coric (CRO) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 0-6, 6-3; Tommy Robredo (ESP x18) bt Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-3; Jurgen Melzer (AUT) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA x30) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4); Andrey Kuznetsov Murray breezes through (RUS) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4; Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Facundo Argüello (ARG) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1; Nick Kyrgios (AUS x29) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Kyle Edmund (GBR) Radwanska and Venus sent packing, Murray overpowers lucky loser bt Stephane Robert (FRA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2; David Goffin (BEL x17) bt Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1; Santiago Giraldo PARIS: (COL) bt Donald Young (USA) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3; Defending champion Viktor Troicki (SRB x31) bt Jan-Lennard Struff Maria Sharapova reached the Homegrown (GER) 6-2, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1; Simone Bolelli French Open second round yes- (ITA) bt Steve Darcis (BEL) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Thomaz terday but was jeered by fans Monfils feels no Belluci (BRA) bt Marinko Matosevic (AUS) 6-1, after she refused to carry out an 6-2, 6-4; Benjamin Becker (GER) bt Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), on-court TV interview. extra pressure 6-2; Fernando Verdasco (ESP x32) bt Taro Daniel Second-seeded Sharapova (JPN) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; Juan Monaco (ARG) bt defeated Estonian Kaia Kanepi Federico Del Bonis (ARG) 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-1, 6-7 6-2, 6-4 to set up a clash against PARIS: Former world number (6/8), 6-2; Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) bt Feliciano Russian Fed Cup teammate seven Gael Monfils is not feel- Lopez (ESP x11) 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-3; Fabio Vitalia Diatchenko. ing any extra weight of local Fognini (ITA x28) bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; Benoît Paire (FRA) bt Gastão Elias (POR) But the 27-year-old irritated expectation at the French Open, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2; Radek Stepanek (CZE) the Philippe Chatrier Court despite playing his home grand bt Ivan Dodig (CRO) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1; Tomas crowd by refusing to carry out slam with a highest world rank- Berdych (CZE x4) bt Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-0, the traditional on-court television ing since a knee injury in 2012. 7-5, 6-3; Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Ricardas pleasantries, claiming her voice One of four Frenchmen among Berankis (LTU) 6-2, 7-5, 6-1; Martin Klizan (SVK) was not strong enough. the top 20 men’s seeds at Roland bt Francis Tiafoe (USA) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4; Gilles Simon (FRA x12) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 3-6, She said she had been suffering Garros, the rangy Monfils has 6-1, 6-2, 6-4; Gael Monfils (FRA x13) bt Edouard from a cold in a worrying repeat clawed his way back up the rank- Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5; of last year when she was also sick ings since his injury. Now at 14, Diego Schwartzman (ARG) bt Andreas Haider- in the run-up to Paris. he is seen by many in the French Maurer (AUT) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5); Dominic “I totally understand that eve- sporting press as the country’s Thiem (AUT) bt Aljaz Bedene (GBR) 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3; Pablo Cuevas (URU x21) bt Samuel ryone usually does the interviews Andy Murray of Britain plays a shot to Facundo Arguello of Argentina during their men’s singles match at the best hope this year. Groth (AUS) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 and answers a few questions,” said “I appreciate it... but then French Open at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, France, yesterday. RIGHT: Maria Sharapova of Russia Women 1st round Sharapova, who was also cham- you just have to go out and win celebrates after beating Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during their women’s singles match yesterday. Lucie Hradecká (CZE) bt Zheng Saisai (CHN) 6-3, pion in 2012 and runner-up in your matches,” the 28-year-old 6-0; Victoria Azarenka (BLR x27) bt María-Teresa 2013. said after a wobbly first round Torró-Flor (ESP) 6-2, 6-1; Tsvetana Pironkova “It’s absolutely normal. I’m not to sister Serena in 2002 but has over Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Federer in Madrid earlier this win against fellow Frenchman (BUL) bt Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová (CZE x22) making any excuses but I’ve got not gone beyond the fourth round Nishioka, the world number 146. month, eased past Denis Istomin Edouard Roger-Vasselin on 7-6 (7/5), 6-2; Denisa Allertová (CZE) bt Johanna to do what I have to do.” since 2006. Berdych will now face 36-year- of Uzbekistan 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Monday in which he had trou- Konta (GBR) 7-6 (19/17), 4-6, 6-2; Heather There were no such prob- “Sometimes things don’t work old Davis Cup-winning teammate Spanish eighth seed Carla ble with the wind -- and with his Watson (GBR) bt Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 6-4, 7-5; Sloane Stephens (USA) bt Venus Williams lems for British third seed Andy out the way you would like,” said Radek Stepanek, who became Suarez Navarro, a quarter-finalist shorts. (USA x15) 7-6 (7/5), 6-1; Carina Witthoeft Murray, twice a semi-finalist, who Venus. the oldest man to win a match at in 2008 and 2014, beat Romania’s “I don’t necessarily feel the (GER) bt Katerina Siniaková (CZE) 6-3, 7-5; took his clay record this season to “I have a little while now Roland Garros since 38-year-old Monica Niculescu 6-2, 6-2. pressure.. Jo (Wilfried Tsonga), Sara Errani (ITA x17) bt Alison Riske (USA) 7-6 11-0 with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over between tournaments, so I Jimmy Connors in 1991 when he German 11th seed Angelique Richard (Gasquet) and Gilles (7/1), 2-6, 6-0; Ana Konjuh (CRO) bt Margarita Argentine ‘lucky loser’ Facundo will get ready for the grass at saw off Croatian journeyman Ivan Kerber, the champion on clay in (Simon) have as much chance as Gasparyan (RUS) 6-1, 6-4; Irina Begu (ROM x30) bt Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-4, 7-6 Arguello. Wimbledon.” Dodig 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Charleston and Stuttgart, needed I do.” (8/6); Karolína Plísková (CZE x12) bt Shuai Zhang Murray, with claycourt titles Ex-world number two and 2012 Spain’s 11th seed Feliciano just 50 minutes to brush aside Monfils took Andy Murray to (CHN) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4; Andreea Mitu (ROM) bt in Munich and Madrid, goes on Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Lopez was the biggest men’s casu- Timea Babos of Hungary 6-0, 6-1. five sets in the quarter-finals last Alizé Lim (FRA) 6-3, 6-2; Annika Beck (GER) bt to face either Canadian world Radwanska was also a shock first- alty when he lost to Russian world Former world number one year when he was ranked outside Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x14) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1; number 53 Vasek Pospisil or round loser. number 74 Teymuraz Gabashvili, Victoria Azarenka, who missed the top 20. Paula Kania (POL) bt Mona Barthel (GER) 5-7, Portugal’s 44th-ranked Joao The Polish 14th seed, a quarter- 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-3. last year’s Roland Garros through But his best grand slam per- 6-2, 6-4; Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) bt Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Elina Svitolina (UKR Sousa. finalist in 2013, went down 6-2, Australia saw their three injury, marked her return by formance to date was longer ago, x19) bt Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-2, 6-2; Alize “Always the first round of the 3-6, 6-1 to Germany’s Annika brightest prospects all make it to beating Spain’s María-Teresa here in front of his home crowd, Cornet (FRA x29) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA) 4-6, 6-4, majors is tough and it was quite Beck, a player she defeated 6-0, the second round. Torró-Flor 6-2, 6-1. Croatia’s Ana in 2008, when he lost in four 6-1; Alexandra Dulgheru (ROM) bt Nicole Gibbs windy and difficult conditions at 6-0 when they met at Indian Nineteen-year-old wildcard Konjuh, the youngest woman in sets in the semi-finals to Roger (USA) 6-3, 6-1; Carla Suárez (ESP x8) bt Monica the start,” said Murray. Wells last year. Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated the draw at 17, made the next Federer. Niculescu (ROM) 6-2, 6-2; Virginie Razzano (FRA) bt Verónica Cepede (PAR) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2; Sloane Stephens ended 15th The loss was only the third time Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili round with a 6-1, 6-4 win over The slender 6 foot 4 (192 cen- Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) bt Casey Dellacqua (AUS) seed and fellow American Venus in 34 Grand Slam tournaments 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 while 27th Russian qualifier Margarita timetre) Monfils, a crowd-pleaser 6-2, 6-2; Angelique Kerber (GER x11) bt Tímea Williams’s 18th French Open at that 26-year-old Radwanska had seed Bernard Tomic saw off Italy’s Gasparyan. Meanwhile, a record famous for his unorthodox shots Babos (HUN) 6-0, 6-1; Daria Gavrilova (AUS) bt the first-round stage with a 7-6 lost in the first round. Luca Vanni 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. was set in the clash between and basketball player posture, Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-1, 7-6 (7/3); Sabine (7/5), 6-1 victory. “Maybe I’m getting older,” said Kokkinakis and Tomic will face Denisa Allertova of the Czech appeared to be cruising against Lisicki (GER x20) bt Mónica Puig (PUR) 6-3, With her 35th birthday in three the tearful Pole. off for a place in the third round Republic and Britain’s Johanna wildcard entry Roger-Vasselin, 6-2; Samantha Stosur (AUS x26) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 6-1, 6-3; Amandine Hesse (FRA) weeks’ time, the defeat is certain World number four Tomas where top seed Novak Djokovic Konta. Their first set tiebreak, but then dropped the second set bt Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2; Vitalia to place a question mark over the Berdych, a 2010 semi-finalist, will likely be waiting. which went 19/17 in favour of the on a tiebreak before gathering Diatchenko (RUS) bt Stefanie Vögele (SUI) 4-6, future of seven-time major win- continued his solid claycourt Nick Kyrgios, the 29th-seeded Czech, was the longest in tourna- himself for a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-5 6-3, 6-2; Maria Sharapova (RUS x2) bt Kaia ner Williams, who was runner-up season with a 6-0, 7-5, 6-3 win Australian who beat Roger ment history. AFP victory. AFP Kanepi (EST) 6-2, 6-4

Asian Champions Lekhwiya eye place in Real Madrid sack Ancelotti League Fixtures from the Asian Champions League Last 16 second leg matches ACL quarter-finals Second leg after mediocre season Today (All times in GMT) DOHA: Qatar Stars League the continental championship. Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) vs Suwon (Korea) (1000) champions Lekhwiya will look to Al Sadd picked up the trophy MADRID: Real Madrid have Others to have been linked with convert a 2-1 first leg win over with a 2-1 win over Al Jaish just Beijing Guo’an (China) vs Chonbuk (Korea) (1130) sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti the job are German Juergen Klopp, fellow Stars League side Al Sadd days ahead of their make-or- after the world’s richest club by who has quit Borussia Dortmund, Lekhwiya (Qatar) vs Al Sadd (Qatar) (1600) into a second AFC Champions break meeting with Laudrup’s income failed to win major sil- and former Real player Michel Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) vs Perspolis (Iran) (1805) League quarter-final appear- side, who hold a 2-1 lead after the verware this season and, accord- who has had spells running the B Tomorrow ance when the two sides clash first leg last Tuesday. ing to local media, Napoli’s Rafa team at the Bernabeu and clubs Gamba Osaka (Japan) vs FC Seoul (Korea) (1000) here today. Midfielder Jasser Yehia will Benitez is the favourite to suc- including Getafe and Sevilla. Guangzhou Evergrande (China) vs Sebastian Soria and Youssef be available for coach Hussein ceed him. Italian Ancelotti, who had a Seongnam (Korea) (1200) Msakni scored for the 2013 quar- Amute after missing the first leg “The board of directors have three-year contract that was ter-finalists Lekhwiya in the first through suspension while former Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) vs Al Ahli decided this evening to relieve due to run until the end of next leg, although Hassan Al Haydos’ AFC Player of the Year Khalfan Dubai (United Arab Emirates) (1550) Carlo Ancelotti of his duties,” season, led the club to a record- strike at the end of the first half Ibrahim could start after continu- president Florentino Perez (pic- extending 10th European crown Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) vs gave the 2011 AFC champions Al ing his recovery from a hip injury tured) told a news conference and a King’s Cup triumph in his Naft Tehran (Iran) (1745) Sadd hope of a second consecutive that saw him start on the bench yesterday. give fresh impetus that will allow first term in charge in 2013-14. appearance in the last eight. last week. Defender Ibrahim “It was a very difficult decision us to win more titles and reach However, this term they were the three trophies that make up Lekhwiya coach Michael Majed will not be available as he ... but we have not come to Real our optimum competitive level in eliminated in the Champions the traditional treble was deemed Laudrup, though, will be without continues to recover from surgery Madrid to take easy decisions but a new phase.” League semi-finals by Juventus unacceptable. Luiz Junior after the midfielder on a foot injury that ruled him out to take decisions that we believe The club will announce a suc- while Barcelona won their fifth Perez’s decision came despite was sent-off towards the end of for the remainder of the season. are the best for an institution that cessor next week, Perez said, and La Liga title in seven years. Real strong public backing for the first leg. “The match against Lekhwiya is a reference point around the local media say former Liverpool also lost to Atletico Madrid in the Ancelotti from players including Al Sadd go into the second will be very tough and difficult,” world,” added the construction and Chelsea boss Benitez, who King’s Cup last 16 in January. top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, leg hoping victory in the final of said Amute. magnate. once had a stint as a Real youth Real won the European Super midfielder Luka Modric and for- the Emir’s Cup on Saturday will “We will be playing against a “The demands are huge and we team coach, is the frontrunner to Cup and the Club World Cup but ward James Rodriguez. give them the boost needed to strong team who won the local believe it is the right moment to replace Ancelotti. Ancelotti’s failure to win any of REUTERS advance to the quarter-finals of league.” THE PENINSULA