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The Gulf Organisation ExxonMobil awarded Flavia Pennetta beat two- for Research and a global licence for a time Grand Slam winner Development yesterday remote gas detection Svetlana Kuznetsova on launched its first six star system to Providence the opening day of Qatar ecoVilla in Lusail City. Photonic. Total Open yesterday.

TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 • 5 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6351 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

PM meets Afghan security official Emir arrives in Sponsorship Washington WASHINGTON: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived changes soon, last evening in Washington on an official visit to the United States of America. An official delegation accompanies the Emir say lawyers during the visit. QNA New job contract format likely

DOHA: Now that the new “Most likely its publication labour law is out, the much- would be timed with that of the Temperature to awaited new sponsorship new sponsorship law so the two and exit permit rules can be can be implemented together,” Al rise from today expected soon, say lawyers. Zaman said. “Simultaneous imple- The two laws are closely inter- mentation is quite likely because DOHA: The cold spell that the linked so it was necessary to the two laws are so closely inter- country has been experienc- amend the labour legislation first linked,” he added. ing over the past three days is — to make way for the new spon- The official gazette is published Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with expected to start receding by sorship law to be issued, according by the Ministry of Justice and all Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and his delegation. They reviewed bilateral this evening, an expert at the to lawyers. Emiri decrees, new laws, cabinet relations. Meteorology Department said The amended labour law makes and ministerial decisions are pub- yesterday. “Temperature would it mandatory for the companies lished in it. start rising from tomorrow covered under it to electronically “It is actually up to the Justice (Tuesday) evening and return transfer the salary of their work- Ministry to decide in which issue to normal by Wednesday ,” he ers. A new format of job contract of the official gazette they would told this daily last evening. is expected to be issued by the publish the new labour law,” Hospital for communicable He said there were no indica- authorities concerned to accom- another lawyer said requesting tions so far of another cold spell modate the above changes. anonymity. this month. “February witnesses The format is expected to pro- He indirectly suggested that the transition from winter to vide guidelines for clauses to be it is not mandatory for the new diseases to open this year summer and the cold weather included in the job contracts on law to be published in the official would come to its end by the end conditions for sponsorship change gazette of this month, confirming DOHA: The specialised hospi- 619 cases recorded in 2009. 115,000 visitors in 2013 and of this month,” he added. and entitlement to exit permit Al Zaman’s view that its publica- tal for communicable diseases at The number of latent (inac- 136,000 visitors in 2012. THE PENINSULA waiver or otherwise. For this, all tion could wait. the Hamad bin Khalifa Medical tive) TB cases has reached 257, This numbers appear very high companies might be required to Yet another lawyer said con- City will open by the end of this which were transferred to the given the fact the TB clinics oper- change the job contracts of all their firming that although the only year, an expert at the Hamad departments concerned for pre- ate from four rooms, with 38 clin- INSIDE workers and follow the new format. thing new in the amended labour Medical Corporation (HMC) ventive treatment not to become ics weekly, said Saoub. It is, thus, likely that the new law is that all companies must has said. active. There is less risk associ- Treatment for TB would take six 9 labour law issued last week may now transfer their workers’ wages The 65-bed hospital will give ated with inactive TV since it is months to a year depending on the Page be implemented together with the electronically, to facilitate that, special attention to tuberculosis not communicable. nature infection.Communicable new sponsorship law, “which is any- existing job contracts of all work- (TB) cases which is still prevalent New TB cases have been diseases are on the rise globally Syria regime’s way expected soon”, said Yusuf Al ers would need to be changed to in the country in significant num- detected during the mandatory with emergence of new viruses like crackdown Zaman. follow a new format. bers, Dr Hussam Saoub, consult- health check ups at the Medical H1N1, MERS and Ebola. Al Zaman, a prominent law- “These clauses will be a necessary ant in communicable diseases at Commission or during examina- No Ebola cases have been pre-planned yer, recalled in remarks to this part of all employment agreements HMC told Al Sharq. “HMC will tions at different healthcare facil- detected in Qatar until now By Dr Faisal Al newspaper that the new labour considering that the new sponsor- receive the hospital in June and ities including HMC hospitals. and MERS remains under con- Kassim law (No 1 of 2015) is to be pub- ship law will most likely leave it to a it will start providing services by Pre-departure medical checks trol with only 13 cases so far. lished in the official gazette and worker to agree in writing with his the end of this year,” said Saoub. for newly recruited foreign work- More than 10,000 employees of Economic freedom then implemented. “Although the employer on conditions for spon- He said, 465 new active TB ers in their country of origin have the HMC have been vaccinated in the Gulf official gazette is out every month, sorship change and exit permit cases were detected in Qatar in helped reduce the cases, said against seasonal influenza since By Dr Jassim there is no information if the new requirements,” said the lawyer. 2014 against 469 cases in 2013. Saoub. they are among the most vulner- Hussain labour law will be published in its Continued on page 3 The prevalence however shows a In 2014 the TB clinics at HMC able segments. next issue,” he said. THE PENINSULA gradual decline compared to the received 118,500 visitors against THE PENINSULA

220 tonnes of sand removed Charlie Hebdo Egypt jails 2011 revolt provokes again with new issue activist for five years

PARIS: More than a month CAIRO: An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced Alaa Abdel after gunmen massacred much Fattah, a leading dissident in the 2011 uprising that toppled strong- of the Charlie Hebdo editorial man Hosni Mubarak, to five years in prison over an illegal protest. staff, the magazine is back at The remaining 24 defendants in the case received sentences ranging work with another savage swipe from three to 15 years. at its favourite enemies. The defendants in the caged dock mockingly applauded when the The cover of the latest issue judge pronounced the verdict, as relatives and supporters in the court- due out tomorrow depicts the room chanted: “Down with military rule”. Pope, a jihadist, former president Once described by the authorities as an “icon of the revolution” of Nicolas Sarkozy and far-right pol- 2011, Abdel Fattah had initially been sentenced to 15 years in jail but a itician Marine Le Pen as a pack court ordered a retrial. The 32-year-old was among dissidents arrested of enraged animals chasing after a after a November 2013 protest outside parliament in defiance of a law dog with a copy of Charlie Hebdo that banned all demonstrations except those authorised by police. clamped in its jaws. “We’re back!” Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years because they were not reads the headline. present in the court. Another received five years and the rest three. The team has lain low since All were fined 100,000 pounds (about $13,000). The dissidents had rushing out a “survivors’ issue” a been accused of assaulting police, but it was unclear if the charge was week after the jihadist attack that included in yesterday’s ruling. killed 12 people, including five of “It’s the last act in the circus,” Abdel Fattah’s sister Mona Seif France’s best-loved cartoonists, The public hygiene department at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning removed 220 tonnes of sand wrote on Twitter. Another sister, Sanaa, was also jailed for protesting on January 7. AFP from the Ras Laffan highway, accumulated after the strong dust winds that hit the country over the past three in a separate trial. The case was among the most prominent in a See also page 10 days. The heaps of sand led to complete closure of the highway, the ministry said yesterday. The ministry also series of trials of secular dissidents who have been jailed along removed around 12 tonnes of sand from Al Thakhira road. with thousands of Islamists since the army overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Mursi in July 2013. AFP Birdman wins Oscar for best picture ‘Critical knowledge gaps’

LOS ANGELES: The dark superhero actor attempting Birdman lead and former super- on Saudi MERS virus: UN comedy Birdman held up a an improbable comeback on hero actor Michael Keaton of a LONDON: Saudi Arabia has not done enough to investigate and TODAY’S EDITION mirror to Hollywood and its Broadway won four Oscars, big comeback moment. control a deadly new MERS virus that has killed hundreds of peo- struggling actors and received including best director, the second Each of the eight best pic- ple there and remains in many ways a mystery, United Nations INCLUDES A 4-PAGE SPECIAL in return the film industry’s consecutive win in that category ture nominees went home with health experts said yesterday. SUPPLEMENT ON highest recognition yesterday, for a Mexican filmmaker. at least one award, but it was a Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are surging the Academy Award for best Eddie Redmayne won best actor disappointing night for Boyhood. again, but Saudi health officials and scientists appear unable to explain Doha Jewellery and picture. with his painstaking portrayal of It won one Oscar for its six nods. where the infections start and how they spread, the UN experts said. Watches Exhibition Director Alejandro G Inarritu’s physicist Stephen Hawking in REUTERS REUTERS story of a washed-up, former The Theory of Everything, robbing See also the Peninsula Plus See also page 6 TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME US mission Over 500 brands hosts National on display at Day reception DOHA: The US Embassy hosted a National Day recep- tion, coinciding with US Presidents’ Day on Sunday at jewellery expo Sheraton Doha Hotel. Ambassador Dana Shell Smith welcomed the guests H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Minister opens five-day exhibition Chairman, Administrative Control and Transparency Authority; DOHA: Over 500 brands from Expo timing H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin 25 countries are participating Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of at the 12th Doha Jewellery and The expo at Qatar Municipality and Urban Planning; Watches Exhibition (DJWE) H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al which opened yesterday at the National Convention Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) is open and Heritage; H E Mohammed bin Center (QNCC). from 12 noon to 10 pm Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Assistant FROM LEFT: Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman Minister of Economy and until Saturday. On Friday Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed Ambassador Ibrahim Fahkroo, of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, US Ambassador Dana bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani it is open from Chief of Protocol and Ambassador Shell Smith and Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari cutting a cake to officially launched the exhibition 4pm to 10pm. Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of the mark the US National Day at Sheraton Doha Hotel. in the presence of Qatar Tourism Diplomatic Corps, along with Authority (QTA) Chairman Issa distinguished array of Qatari diverse presidents who shaped She applauded Qatar’s out- for success are endless.” Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi local brands in the field competing leadership, diplomats, and busi- American history, and to cel- standing and continued partner- Ambassador Smith returned and Qatar Development Bank against each other to be present ness and education leaders who ebrate the strong ties that bind ship in addressing a great many to Washington yesterday to join CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al at the show, as we’re exerting came to honour Presidents’ Day the United States and Qatar. pressing challenges and said, President Barack Obama in wel- Khalifa. every effort to improve the show and the strong US-Qatar bilateral Citing a shared value of hospital- “While we live in challenging coming the Emir H H Sheikh Under the patronage of Prime year after another to make it a relationship. ity, Ambassador Smith thanked times, one thing is certain: the Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, on Minister and Interior Minister landmark event in the calendar Ambassador Smith invited Qatar for the warm welcome she US and Qatar are both indis- his first visit to the White House H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser of luxury events in the region.” the guests to recognize the lives has received since her arrival in pensable to any solutions. And as Emir. bin Khalifa Al Thani, the expo is “QTA is pinning significant and achievements of the 44 Doha last August. in partnership, the opportunities THE PENINSULA open from 12 noon to 10 pm until hopes on the event’s success espe- Saturday. On Friday it is open cially that we’re seeing exclusive from 4pm to 10pm. pieces launched exclusively during Tourism roadshow Hosted by Qatar Tourism the event and people from across Dabka dance Authority, q.media Events and the region awaiting to come and Fira Barcelona, the five-day exhi- buy luxury sets and creations,” festival at Katara bition features an impressive col- added Al Abdan. lection of jewellery and timepieces Among the brands which will DOHA: Katara is set to cel- from the most renowned local and unveil their unique creations is ebrate the popular Levantine international brands. Roland Iten which will debut a Arab folk dance Dabka through The participating brands are limited edition series of “Qatar the Dabka Festival to be held housed in 35 pavilions provid- dedicated” calibration cufflinks on Thursday and Friday at the ing visitors an impressive visual for watch lovers, adorned with Katara Amphitheatre. journey into the craftsmanship diamonds depicting the Qatari Dance troupes from Jordan, and creativity behind centuries flag. Montegrappa, famous Italian Palestine, Syria and Lebanon will of jewellery and watch making. manufacturer of high end writing present live performances to enter- Hamad Al Abdan, Director instruments, will launch a collec- tain the public with the variations of Exhibitions, Qatar Tourism tion of Kahlil Gibran, in honor of of Dabka in their own countries as Authority, said: “The Doha the world renowned writer. well as its various types performed Jewellery and Watches Exhibition This year’s edition includes in different joyous occasions like attracts a growing number of new facilities and features such weddings and public shows. During exhibitors, brands, and visitors as online registration, shuttle bus German Ambassador Angelika Renate Storz Chakarji (third right), seen with the officials of German National the two-day festival, the dancers year after year to become one service to the main entrance, valet Tourist Board (GNTB), Till Weigl, Destination Manager for Asia and Australia; and Maria Amaral (right), Director will present Dabka dance work- of the most anticipated luxury parking for VIPs, VIP lounges and of Marketing and Sales office, Gulf Countries during ‘Dallal fi Almania’, a roadshow to promote tourism at the shops to the public as well as street events in the region. We are golf carts to tour the venue. Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT shows and traditional wedding per- proud to see international and THE PENINSULA formances. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir congratulates Sultan of Brunei Accident downs traffic signal DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of congratulations to H M Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent a One of the similar cable congratulating the Brunei leader. traffic lights Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin at the inter- Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of greetings to section near Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion the Religious of the country’s Independence Day. Complex in Mesaimeer col- lapsed yester- PM meets Afghan National Security Adviser day after it was DOHA: hit by a truck, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh which report- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met here yesterday with edly was try- Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar ing to avoid a and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to Qatar. Talks focused on bilateral relations and ways to support and speeding four- develop them in various fields. wheeler. The four-wheeler collided with FM receives call from Turkish counterpart the truck and was badly DOHA: Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed damaged. No Al Attiyah received yesterday a telephone call from Turkish Foreign casualties were Minister Molod Shawish Oglo. They discussed the current situation reported. in Syria. Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority AHMED ALTEGANY H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah met here yesterdaywith China’s Ambassador to Qatar Gao Yuchen. They discussed the most important issues of common interest. QNA Higher education universities summit opens Qatar University hosts two-day meet BY FAZEENA SALEEM Higher education has a vital role to play in our region’s develop- DOHA: The inaugural Times ment through teaching, research, Higher Education (THE) and social and economic engage- Mena Universities Summit was ment. By sharing experience and launched yesterday under the best practice, our universities patronage of Deputy Emir H H will be able to raise their stand- Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al ards and enhance the contribu- Thani. Organised for the first tion they are making to their time in the region, the sum- communities,” said Dr Abdullah mit aims to help THE maga- bin Ali Al Thani in his welcome zine develop a new university speech. ranking for the Mena region “I believe this inaugural and hosted in partnership with Times Higher Education Mena Qatar University. Universities Summit is the start Vice-Chair of Qatar University Board of Regents and Managing Director of Qatar Leadership Center Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani addressing the The two-day summit, dedicated of a good tradition that will yield gala dinner hosted by Qatar University (QU) during the launch of Times Higher Education (THE) summit at Ritz-Carlton yesterday. THE magazine Editor- to academic leaders within and many advantages for our sector at-Large Phil Baty (From right second), QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, (from right third) at the dinner. beyond the Mena region, will and our region, and I am proud consult on plans for a new addi- that it is being hosted by Qatar leading universities around the tion to THE rankings portfolio: University,” he added. world — helping to ensure that ‘THE Mena University Rankings’, Sharing academic strength of universities set ambitious tar- shaped by metrics designed the country Dr Al Thani said that gets and are always striving to to meet the region’s specific the Qatar University presently improve and to reach their full challenges. has around 18,000 students with potential. A gala dinner hosted by the 1,000 faculty, and eight branch “But the rankings also foster Qatar University (QU) to launch campuses at the Education City, collaboration. They can help uni- the summit at Ritz Carlton –Doha Hamad bin Khalifa University versities and individual scholars was attended by many dignitar- and other campuses adds much find new, like-minded partners, ies including Vice-Chair of QU value to the status of education and bring people together under Board of Regents and Managing in the country. shared admirable global goals — Director of Qatar Leadership The summit will also feature the passing on of knowledge from Center Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin sessions on university leadership, generation to generation and the Ali Al Thani, QU president Prof international research collabora- unfettered pursuit of new knowl- Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad and tion, industry-university collabo- edge for the good of humanity as THE magazine Editor-at-Large ration and teaching excellence. a whole,” he added. The sessions Phil Baty. Baty said: “THE World of the summit are scheduled to be “In recent years Qatar has University Rankings can promote held at the Qatar University today. become a hub for education……. healthy competition between the THE PENINSULA

Sponsorship law Continued from page 1 “So all job contracts will essentially be updated to accommodate the changes expected in the sponsor- ship and exit permit rules, there is no doubt about it.” According to the lawyer, speculations in the Qatari community are rife about the nature of the sponsor- ship changes coming in. “Some say they believe a state authority is being created that would be the sponsor of all foreign workers and they would be delegated to work with companies,” he said. Overall, employers aren’t happy that they bring over foreign workers and spend time, effort and money and train them and then they desert them after a fixed period in search of another job, said the lawyer. THE PENINSULA Labour Minister meets Moroccan delegation DOHA: Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Abdullah bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met yesterday with a delega- tion from the Ministry of Solidarity, Woman, Family and Social Development of the Kingdom of Morocco. QNA TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

College of Law Minister attends Qatar-UK Career Fair releases journal of printed articles

Event attracts students seeking employment opportunities with Qatar Airways DOHA: Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) recently DOHA: Qatar Airways, them to the world of aviation, released a print version volume through its Al Darb and the various programmes of selected articles published Qatarisation Programme, par- and development and employ- in its journal, the International ticipated for the fourth year in ment opportunities that Qatar Review of Law (IRL). the eighth Annual Qatar UK Airways offers.” The hard-copy bound volume Career Fair last Saturday in Nabeela Fakhri, Senior Vice contains peer-reviewed arti- London. Held under the patron- President of HR Employee cles and abstracts in Arabic and age of H E Salah bin Ghanem Services at Qatar Airways, English from the journal’s last Al Ali, Minister of Youth and chaired the airline’s delegation two editions. They are edited Sports, and Yousef bin Ali Al to the eighth Qatar UK Career by LAWC professors, Qatari Khater, Qatar’s Ambassador to Fair, where she thanked the graduates and distinguished the UK, and organised by the Ambassador Yousef bin Ali Al international legal scholars, and Qatar Embassy in London, the Khater for his invitation to par- printed in Qatar. Guest fore- career fair gave Qatari students ticipate in the fair. words were authored by Justice in the UK the opportunity to Commenting on Qatar Airways’ Barbra Dohmann QC of Qatar meet with a number of Qatari participation, Dr Kholode International Court and Dispute companies in the hope of secur- Al Obaidli, Vice President of Resolution Centre and Head of ing a scholarship or full-time National Talent Management at McNair Chambers Qatar Prof position upon graduation. Qatar Airways, said: Khawar Qureshi QC. The Al Darb Qatarisation “The Qatar UK Career Fair is The volume covers articles Programme supports 23 fields of a wonderful opportunity for us to from Qatar-based and interna- study and targets ambitious and introduce the Qatar Airways Al tional authors on a range of topi- high-performing students, who Darb Qatarisation Programme cal legal issues such as corporate have the potential to become to students and graduates in law, international law, admiralty experienced professionals in the the United Kingdom. The stu- law, energy law, Islamic law, medi- aviation sector. dents have the chance to meet cal law, media law, Shari’ah law, The programme also offers our team and discuss the various ethics, telecommunications pri- employment and training oppor- career opportunities and training vacy issues, energy transmission, tunities for new graduates as well that the programme offers to help corporate law and more. as scholarships for university build their professional capacities, LAWC Dean Dr Mohamed Al students. and eventually secure a position Qatari students during the eighth Annual Qatar-UK Career Fair in London. Khulaifi said: “The high quality and Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways with us at Qatar Airways. It is diversity of legal subjects in these Group Chief Executive, said: “We also a fantastic opportunity for team were on hand to provide in the United Kingdom who contracts were signed with 30 volumes will ensure that articles and are very pleased to return to the us to highlight our National guidance to students on the ben- attended the career fair showed nationals, including 19 for the legal issues addressed within will Qatar UK Career Fair for the Scholarship Programme, Aviation efits of Qatar Airways’ employ- great interest in the Al Darb Scholarship Programme, nine have considerable impact in the legal fourth time. Our participation Management Programme and our ment and training programmes, Qatarisation Programme, with for the Graduate Developee and academic community, enabling in this annual event is part of Internship Programme.” answer students’ questions and more than 80 applicants apply- Programme and two for the our goal of advancing vibrant dia- our continued effort to attract During the fair, Qatar share their expertise with them. ing to the programmes. After Aviation Manager Programme. logue across cultures and borders.” new Qatari talent and introduce Airways’ talent management Qatari students and graduates interviews were conducted, THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

QU-CENG team for Shell Eco-Marathon DOHA: Two student teams from Qatar University College of Engineering 500 people for ‘Smart weight initiative’ (QU-CENG) will take part in the Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia, an energy efficiency competition which will be held in Manila, Philippines. DOHA: A newly launched Students from the College’s departments of mechanical, electrical and ‘Smart Weight initiative’ to industrial engineering will participate in their ultra-energy-efficient vehicles help people reduce weight among 105 student teams from 15 countries across Asia and the Middle East. has initially registered 500 They are Abdulhadi Jaralla Al Qahtani, Ahmed Saleh Janahi, Ajad Hossain participants. Howlader, Elrumisa Hassan Mohamed, Gehad Essam Desouky, Sirine Koubaa, Funded by the Academic Hamad Jassim Al Bahar, Mohammed Talal El gergawi, Khalid Ali AlQahtani, Health System (AHS) partner- Abdulrahman M Al Hamadi, Ibrahim M Al Mulla, Mohammed A Abdulla, ship, the Smart Weight program Luma Shalabi, Nour Alhouda Zargayoun, and Sherouk Mohamed Morsi. targets people with a body mass The event will be held between February 25 and March 1. index (BMI) over 30, the aim It is the fourth time CENG has sent teams to the Shell Eco-marathons being to utilize Hamad Medical and will continue its tradition of participating in the Prototype category in Corporation (HMC)’s expert which teams are responsible for various aspects of the vehicle’s design, such clinicians to provide diet and as the chassis, body, steering, power transmission and electrical systems. exercise advice over a six-month CENG dean Dr Rashid Al Ammari said, “Our students are being given an period to help the participants invaluable opportunity in the Shell Eco-Marathon to build teamwork and lose weight. The goal of the communication skills while tackling a real-life engineering problem. They program is for participants to are applying the engineering knowledge they have gained in class. We look lose a minimum ten percent of forward to hearing great news about their performance in the competition.” their body weight over the six Rob Sherwin, Deputy Country Chairman, Qatar Shell said: “It is very impres- months. sive to see the high-level of detailed preparations and innovative thinking that the HMC in collaboration students have demonstrated in the design and assembly of the vehicles. Eco- with Qatar University (QU) marathon provides a great opportunity for students to experience what it’s like recently held a series of work- to translate their engineering skills to tangible products, and to work as teams shops for the participants in its to find solutions for current issues that face the industry and the world.” The newly launched Smart Weight Shell Eco-marathon program is one of the world’s most innovative and chal- initiative. lenging student competitions held annually in Europe, America and Asia where The workshops, organ- university student teams from around the world are challenged to design, build and ized by the HMC’s Nutrition compete with energy-efficient vehicles. THE PENINSULA Department and QU’s Department of Arts and Science, guided participants through an introduction to the program The Smart Weight workshop team with Dr Reem Al Saadi (centre). Smart Weight participants had their weight before breakout sessions divided and body mass index checked at the beginning of the workshop. up course participants into five zones where they learned about General Hospital, heads the lifestyle habits for life. These journey. In our first workshops, food portions, calories, lifestyle Smart Weight team, saying in workshops will hopefully be we aim to simplify the process changes, and the importance of addition to its primary target of the start of a new life for our for program participants, and diet and exercise. weight reduction, the program 500 participants,” said Dr Al also to encourage them to buy Participants also had their focuses on encouraging partici- Maslamani. into the expertise we have on height, weight, fat percentage pants to change their lifestyle Reem Al Saadi, HMC offer,” said Dr Al Saadi. and body mass index (BMI) habits in order to minimize the Assistant Director of Corporate “However, the onus is on measured, and were issued with risks related to obesity. Dietetics and Nutrition, who program participants to do the pedometers for tracking their “Our goal ultimately, is a launched the Smart Weight work, make the changes to their movement and specialized scales healthier and more informed program, said the initial work- life, and utilize the resources so that they can monitor their society, and the Smart Weight shops were designed to give an that we have to help them weight and BMI at home. program is a unique platform overview to participants of what become smarter about their Dr Yousuf Al Maslamani, that can be used to educate to expect in the coming months. weight,” she added. Medical Director of Hamad people into adopting healthy “Weight loss is a difficult THE PENINSULA

Doha Bank extends its dining offers

DOHA: Doha Bank is expanding and going a step further, Doha Bank is its “Dine with Doha Bank Cards,” now the first and only bank to publish an exclusive savings programme what it calls a “Repeat Customer Index”. launched last year featuring offers and This index features all the Bank’s restau- discounts from hotels and restaurants rant partners both in terms of those that in Qatar. The main feature of this encourage redemptions on the Bank’s programme is Doha Bank credit and loyalty programme as well as those that debit cardholders can enjoy and ben- extend annual discount offers. The aim efit from savings up to 25 percent on a of the index is to keep track of how many multitude of cuisine around Doha. Doha Bank cardholders regularly visit a The programme has been branched out particular restaurant to enjoy dining out. to all segments of dining and includes sav- The findings of the index come as no sur- ings from coffee shops and cafes to fast prise as they match the dining behaviour food chains, ethnic, international cuisine that one is used to seeing in Qatar, with fast and even selected fine dining restaurants food chains such as Domino’s Pizza ranking such as Patagonia — at the Pearl Qatar. Five the highest in the published index. Coming star hotels such as the Wyndham Grand in next are the ever popular coffee shops Regency, Millennium Hotel, the Marriot and cafes. Some of the trendy coffee shops Marquis City center Doha Hotel and the featured on Doha Banks “Repeat Customer Governor West Bay are just some of the Index” include Farggi Barcelona at the Gate fabulous premium properties where Doha Mall and Hamad International Airport as Bank cardholders continue to enjoy savings well as the ever popular Costa Coffee, with throughout the year. cafes in every nook and corner of Doha. Building on the dining programme THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Stone laid for eco villa project at Lusail City 600 sq metres villas to have on-site renewable energy system

DOHA: The state-backed Gulf bin Laden, from QD-SBG, which bedrooms and annexes. Organisation for Research and is executing the EcoVilla project, The eco villa’s sustainable fea- Development (Gord) yester- and Abdul Aziz Al Khalifa, CEO tures include an on-site renew- day launched its first six star of Qatar Development Bank able energy generation system, eco villa in Lusail City, which (QDB), along with a number water-efficient plumbing fixtures provides a practical model for of representatives of govern- and irrigation system, energy a sustainable home in the Gulf ment bodies that are providing reduction, indoor lighting design, region. support. intelligent building control system, The villa’s architecture matches The eco villa is located in a and Photo-voltaic panels. In addi- Gulf traditions, while at the same strategic location in Lusail city, tion, the villa intends to maximize time serving as a basis for imple- called Alwadi, which will be used natural ventilation and natural menting the best possible inter- as an open area for recreation and light against solar gain, as well as national systems and materials outdoor activities for visitors and conserve water using limiters on all in green building, in line with the residents of the city. appliances in the building. region’s special characteristics. The villa has been designed to The villa features various types Sponsored by Qatari Diar, Gord achieve a score of 6 stars based of solar power for generating works to transform the way build- on the Global Sustainability electricity, energy-saving cooling ings are designed, built and oper- Assessment System (GSAS), as systems and highly-heat resist- Minister of Environment H E Ahmed bin Amer Al Humaidi laying the foundationn stone for the Gord Eco Villa project ated by promoting healthy, energy it offers a genuinely sustainable, ant materials along with creative at Qatari Diar headquarters office in Lusail yesterday. BAHER AMIN — and resource-efficient building smart and healthy living environ- solutions for lighting, mainte- practices. ment for residents. nance and other facets. We hope that by carrying out social responsibility, which allows part, through providing environ- Minister of Environment HE It will be constructed using The project will be supported this project in Qatar, Gord will us to spread awareness through- mentally-friendly solutions and Ahmed bin Amer Al Humaidi sustainable and recycled eco- by an online presence for on-going provide solutions tailored to the out society about the importance materials. We also hope that laid the foundation stone at a friendly building materials with open source research. Data col- Arab Gulf region’s particular of sustainability and its benefits people — whether developers or ceremony at the headquarters of low Volatile Organic Compounds lected from the eco villa portal environmental and climate con- for both individuals and the gen- individuals who want to build Qatari Diar. (VOC) emission rates, to ensure also provides a more direct com- ditions,” said Ahmad bin Amer eral public.” Eng Essa Mohammed private homes — learn about and Also on hand were Dr Yousef minimal carbon footprint, while munication channel between Al Humaidi. Ali Kaldari benefit from the project’s range Mohammad Alhorr, the found- ensuring utmost quality of life. Gord and Qatari public. “It was the first organisation “We at Gord are determined to of solutions and ideas, especially ing chairman of Gord, Eng Essa Eco villa has an area of 600 sq “We are happy to see the envi- in Qatar to promptly implement support sustainable initiatives in since we submit them for study Mohammed Ali Kaldari, the chief metres and covers the general ronmentally-friendly project eco GSAS criteria on all facilities at the government and private sec- and research by Gord’s experts, executive director of Lusail Real needs of a Gulf family. It com- villa because it reinforces the Lusail, making it one of the most tors,” said Yousef Al Horr. who perform quality control and Estate Development Company, prises a men’s majlis, a wom- Ministry of Environment’s efforts sustainable cities in Qatar and “We hope that this project verify eco villa’s suitability for the which allocated the project plot, en’s majlis, living room, guest to implement sustainable best the Gulf. Our participation in serves as an opportunity for the region’s special conditions.” and Mohammed bin Mohammed room and kitchen, in addition to practices in built environment. this project is part of our policy of construction sector to actively take THE PENINSULA

QMIC launches personal solution for Android phones Russian embassy honours former Qatar envoy DOHA: The Qatar Mobility Innovations Center DOHA: Former Qatari accomplishing his duty only as a respect to him (QMIC) announced the official launch of its ambassador to Russia, with dignity and honour personally but also as a Salamtek Advanced Personal Solution (for Ahmed S Al Midhadi was and contributing greatly to recognition of the excellent Android operating devices), for minimising phone recently decorated with the development of bilat- stance of the flourishing usage while driving. the Order of Excellence eral relations in various Russian-Qatari relations The Salamtek Advanced Personal Solution is one in cooperation with the fields. and that he was very happy of the three main solution segments being devel- Ministry of Foreign “There is no doubt that to learn that the bilateral oped by QMIC, as part of the Salamtek Initiative Affairs of Russia. he made an invaluable and cooperation was developing for managing distracted driving, with the enterprise The ceremony was held priceless contribution to and progressing further and family solutions to be available in a few weeks. at the residence of Russian the intensification of the day by day. This Advanced version includes incentives for users Ambassador Nurmakhmad mutually beneficial coopera- Al Midhadi appre- to promote adoption and increase usage. Kholov attended by H E tion between our fraternal ciated the efforts of For the initial three month rewarding period, Mohammed bin Abdullah countries. And we know Kholov in intensifying the rewards totaling about QR30,000 in value will be bin Mutib Al Rumaihi, that all great Russia knows Russian-Qatari relations offered by Salamtek consortium members to the ten Assitant Minister of Al Midhadi, loves him and highlighting that their highest ranked Salamtek users. This is the initial Foreign Affairs; H E all his Russian friends send achievement was the suc- phase of a coordinated and evolving national cam- Ibrahim Yousef Abdullah their best regards,” he said. cessful visit of the Emir paign that will combine innovative solutions, incen- Fakhro, director of the “This Order is usually H H Sheikh Tamim bin tive mechanisms, and gamification concepts to tackle Department of Protocol given to the most efficient Hamad Al Thani to Sochi the challenging distracted driving problem. of the Ministry of Foreign foreign ambassadors who on February 5, 2014 and his Assitant Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mutib The advanced Salamtek Personal solution (for Affairs; Russian diplo- served in Russia and this is negotiations with Russian Al Rumaihi and Russian Ambassador Nurmakhmad Kholov with former Android phones) is available to the public, free of mats and employees of the the recognition of his sus- President Vladimir Putin. Qatari ambassador to Russia Ahmed S Al Midhadi during the reception. charge on Google Play. The solution will provide a Ministry of Foreign Affairs tained efforts in the field Al Midhadi stressed that it safety-centric ranking of the participating users in of Qatar. of strengthening Russian- was a friendly and impor- Sergey Lavrov for his attention of the bilateral cooperation in Qatar with the highest ten ranked Salamtek users Ambassador Kholov Qatari relations.” tant meeting that crowned and hospitality and the Russian various fields, taking into con- being eligible to receive awards at the end of the first lauded Al Midhadi, Thanking Russian his work as ambassador in leadership for its strengthening sideration his preparations for three month period. The solution will continuously who served as Qatar’s Ambassador, Al Midhadi Moscow. He also expressed cooperation with Qatar. the upcoming Joint Russo-Qatari provide users with information about their ranking Ambassador in Moscow said he considers his deco- his gratitude to Russian Al Rumaihi thanked Kholov for Inter-Governmental Commission. status. THE PENINSULA from 2009 to 2014 for ration with the Order not Minister of Foreign Affairs his efforts in the intensification THE PENINSULA

Daniel Berdichevsky, founder of the WSC, addressing an assembly of students at ISL Qatar last week. ISL Qatar to host World Scholar’s Cup Doha Round

DOHA: International School of London Qatar will host the second annual World Scholar’s Cup (WSC) event on March 20 and 21 in Doha—bringing together students from all across the region for two fun-filled days of learning and leadership. The World Scholar’s Cup is one of the most recognised, joyful, and fastest-growing extracurricular activities in the world, with more than 15,000 students set to partici- pate this year at 50 regional events in 30 countries across six continents. Although it may look at first glance like an academic competition, it is more aptly described as a celebration of learning—an inclusive enrichment experi- ence in which students of all backgrounds work together to explore new subjects and practice new skills. Events at the World Scholar’s Cup, and their target skills, include team debate, collaborative writing, Scholar’s Bowl (fast-paced group problem-solving) and Scholar’s Challenge (critical thinking, decision-making). Rounding out the sched- ule are community-building events, such as a forum discussion led by nominated speakers and a thoroughly optional talent show in which scholars can entertain their peers. At least ten teams in each division, junior (ages 10-14) and senior (ages 15+), will earn onward invitations to the 2015 Global Round in Kuala Lumpur in June, which will bring together 2,500 students from more than 40 countries, and to a special year-end conference hosted by Yale University. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST US, Iran make Flooded Palestine village progress in nuclear talks Kerry, Zarif to meet again March 2

GENEVA: The United States us rush to an agreement that does made some progress in talks not fulfil the objectives that the with Iran on its nuclear pro- president has given to us.” gramme and managed to The aim of ensuring Iran does “sharpen up some of the tough not acquire a nuclear weapon “has issues”, a senior US official said to be met and that is not about yesterday, but both sides said the deadline, it is about the pur- much remained to be done. pose”, the official said. Negotiators from Iran and six Iran, which denies having any major powers agreed to resume nuclear weapons programme, talks next Monday at a venue to hopes a deal will bring relief from be decided, the official said, speak- international sanctions. ing after US Secretary of State Diplomats say the six major John Kerry and Foreign Minister powers aim for a deal lasting at Mohammad Javad Zarif held two- least 10 years under which Iran day talks in Geneva. would need at least one year to Zarif told Iran’s Fars news produce enough highly enriched agency: “We had serious talks uranium for a single nuclear with the P5+1 representatives and bomb, the so-called “breakout” Palestinian Bedouins ride a cart along a flooded road in the village of Mughraqa, south of Gaza City. Israel has denied claims that the flooding was especially with the Americans in capacity. caused by it releasing water from a dam. A spokesperson with the Coordinator of government activities in the Territories (CoGAT), an Israeli body, said the past three days ... But still “We have always said we will the allegations “were completely false.” there is a long way to reach a final have a one-year breakout time agreement.” for a double digit number of years An Iranian source told Reuters and that remains the case,” the that Zarif and Kerry would return senior US official said yesterday. to the Swiss city to launch the Reflecting the technical nature Saudi MERS spread not clear, say experts next round on March 2. of the latest talks, US Energy The P5+1 group — the United Secretary Ernest Moniz and LONDON: Saudi Arabia has and World Organization for infected in the community and in — have been reported since MERS States, Russia, China, Britain, Iran’s atomic nuclear chief Ali not done enough to investigate Animal Health — visited Saudi hospitals report no contact with emerged in 2012. Some 85 percent France and Germany — are seek- Akbar Salehi took part. Helga and control a deadly new MERS Arabia last week to investigate a camels, they note. have been in Saudi Arabia. ing to negotiate an agreement Schmid, political director of virus that has killed hundreds sharp rise in MERS cases. “There are so many aspects of Keiji Fukuda, a WHO virus with Tehran to address concerns the European Union’s External of people there and remains in MERS causes coughing, fever the virus that are still unknown,” expert who led this mission, said that Iran is seeking nuclear Action Service, also attended. many ways a mystery, United and breathing problems, and can said Berhe Tekola, director of that despite progress in fighting weapons technology, something The approaching deadline Nations health experts said lead to pneumonia and kidney the FAO’s animal production and MERS in hospitals, key infection it denies. has caused divisions between yesterday. failure. health division. prevention and control measures “These were very serious, use- the United States and one of Cases of Middle East “Critical gaps in knowledge First identified in humans in are still breached. ful and constructive discussions. its closest allies, Israel, which Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) remain, and several challenges ... 2012, MERS is caused by a coro- “When health workers are We have made some progress has called the talks “dangerous” are surging again, but Saudi will require further work,” it said navirus, from the same family infected at work, this puts other but we still have a long way to and “astonishing”. The United health officials and scientists in a joint statement. “How and as the one that caused a deadly healthcare workers at risk, but go. We did very much sharpen up States has accused it of distort- appear unable to explain where why infections occur in the com- outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute also can be a risk to all other some of the tough issues so we ing Washington’s position. the infections start and how they munity is yet to be understood, Respiratory Syndrome) in China patients,” he said. can work to resolution,” the sen- Israeli Defence Minister Moshe spread, the UN experts said. and this is critical for stopping in 2003. There is no cure or “Understanding where the ior US administration official told Ya’alon said in a statement yes- The UN group — an interna- the outbreak.” vaccine. breach in these measures is reporters. terday: “The agreement with Iran tional delegation of scientists and Initial scientific studies have The WHO, which has voiced occurring and taking the steps Negotiators hope to meet a self- as it is coming together now is public health experts from World linked MERS to camels, but dis- concern about MERS and its needed to fully implement infec- imposed March 31 deadline for an a great danger to Western world Health Organization (WHO), ease experts say it is not at all potential to spread internation- tion prevention and control meas- initial political deal, but the US peace and a threat to Israel’s the United Nations Food and clear how the infection passes ally, says 1,026 confirmed cases ures can put an end to these ... official said that would not “make security.” REUTERS Agriculture Organization (FAO) from the animals. Many people — including at least 376 deaths infections.” REUTERS

Hadi for peace 15,000 Egyptians leave talks to be held outside Sana’a Libya for home country CAIRO: Almost 15,000 the Libyan side of the border, SANA’A: Yemen’s President Egyptians have flocked home hoping to cross. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi has from war-torn Libya via the Last July, thousands of demanded talks on the coun- border crossing at Sallum, state Egyptians fleeing violence in try’s political crisis be moved media reported yesterday, after Libya were stranded for days at from Sana’a after he escaped Islamic State group jihadists the border with Tunisia, with house arrest in the militia-con- murdered 21 Coptic Christians. authorities refusing to admit trolled capital, a UN envoy said. Last week Egyptian and Libyan them until Cairo had arranged Hadi expressed “reservations warplanes hit IS targets inside their return home. about continuing the current Libya after the jihadists released Tunisia was flooded by expatri- negotiations in Sana’a,” the envoy a gruesome video on February ates fleeing Libya during the 2011 Jamal Benomar wrote on his 15 showing the Christians, 20 of uprising that toppled and killed Facebook page, after a telephone them Egyptian, being beheaded. dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and conversation between the pair. Cairo has since urged the hun- struggled to cope. The Western-backed leader dreds of thousands of Egyptians Days after the revolt erupted, also “requested they be trans- working in Libya to leave, and also Egypt sent military aircraft to ferred to a ‘safe place’ to which chartered planes to fly many of Libya to evacuate its citizens the parties should agree,” them home from Tunisia, Libya’s trapped by the violence. he added. Hadi fled to the south- western neighbour. At the time, officials said 1.5 ern city of Aden on Saturday after At least 14,585 have heeded the million Egyptians worked in sneaking out of Sana’a, where he call and returned through Sallum Libya, mostly in construction and was being held under house arrest in northwest Egypt, state news services, and formed the backbone by the Shia Houthi militia that agency MENA reported. of the expatriate workforce in the seized control of the capital. It said they included 3,018 oil-rich nation. The president renewed his Egyptians yesterday alone, but Hours after IS released the commitment to the political tran- did not specify how many were video last week showing the sition process and UN-sponsored Christian. beheading of the Christians, talks aimed at finding a solution A transport ministry spokes- Egypt carried out air strikes to the worsening crisis in Yemen, woman in Tunisia said at least against IS targets inside Libya. according to Benomar. 1,000 Egyptians who had fled On Sunday President Abdel He also welcomed a United Libya have been airlifted home Fattah Al Sisi said 13 IS targets Nations Security Council resolu- on planes chartered by Cairo were hit in the raids. tion on February 16 demanding since Friday. Yesterday, rights group the Houthis withdraw their forces A Tunisian customs official Amnesty International criticised and refrain from further unilat- Egyptians earlier living in Libya have their documents checked by Tunisian customs at Djerba airport on the said an unspecified number of Egypt over the strikes. eral actions. AFP Tunisian-Libyan border, before their departure for Cairo, yesterday. Egyptians were also waiting on AFP South Sudan factions resume peace talks as deadline stares

ADDIS ABABA: South Sudan’s war- “This is the final opportunity to make countries is ending and the economy of Machar of attempting a coup. Over two northern Upper Nile state, with the ring rivals opened the latest round progress and usher in a new era of peace South Sudan is in free fall,” a Western dozen armed forces — including govern- government warning that rebel forces of peace talks yesterday to end over in South Sudan, we must not fail,” IGAD diplomat following the talks said. ment soldiers and allied militia backed by were splintering, making any negotia- 14-months of conflict with negotiators mediator Seyoum Mesfin said as talks “The problem will be whether or not Ugandan soldiers on one side, and a range tions increasingly complicated. The UN warning it was the “final opportunity” opened in the Ethiopian capital. this agreement will be implemented.” of rebel factions on the other — have been estimates that 2.5 million people are in to strike a deal. Seven previous ceasefire deals have Neither Kiir nor Machar are at talks battling it out for the last 14 months. a state of emergency or crisis, meaning Regional bloc IGAD has set a March failed, and increasingly frustrated dip- for now, but they have agreed to set up “Now is the time to compromise,” they are just steps short of famine. 5 deadline for President Salva Kiir and lomats said that while they expected a a transitional unity government to take said British special envoy Matt Cannell. No overall death toll for the war has rebel chief Riek Machar to reach a final deal on paper, the issue will be enforcing power by July 9. Britain, along with the United States and been kept by the government, rebels or peace agreement, but previous deadlines it on the ground. Fighting broke out in South Sudan, Norway, form the “Troika” nations who the UN, but the International Crisis have been repeatedly ignored despite the “I’m optimistic that there will be an the world’s youngest nation, in December are backing the peace process. Group estimates that at least 50,000 peo- threat of sanctions. agreement. The patience of the regional 2013 when Kiir accused his sacked deputy Fighting has raged this month in the ple have been killed. AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 French warship in Gulf joins fight against IS US Defence Secretary convenes extraordinary meeting

ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE: A French aircraft car- IS ‘using social media to draw UK girls’ rier launched operations in the Gulf against the Islamic State group yes- LONDON: Islamic State is using Twitter, Ask.fm and Facebook to groom terday as the new Pentagon chief sum- social media and the promise of young girls into believing they have a moned top generals and diplomats to adventure to lure British Muslim moral duty and obligation to join the Kuwait to review war efforts. girls to join its cause, an anti-extrem- militant group. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter ism think tank said yesterday, as For girls from conservative Muslim vowed the jihadists would suffer a “last- police attempt to trace three London families in Britain, who may be denied ing defeat” as he convened the extraor- schoolgirls believed to be heading to the same opportunities as their broth- dinary meeting of more than two dozen Syria. ers and male peers, messages offering senior military officers, ambassadors and The three friends, two aged 15 and the chance to “do something with your intelligence officials at the sprawling US one 16, left their east London homes life” can prove tempting, said managing Army base of Camp Arifjan. last week and caught a Turkish Airlines director Haras Rafiq. Washington forged a coalition of flight to Istanbul without telling their “Many of these girls are not allowed Western and Arab nations to confront IS families. out, or to do certain things in soci- after the Sunni Muslim extremist group The Quilliam Foundation said there ety,” Rafiq told the Thomson Reuters seized control of large parts of Syria and had been a concerted effort from Foundation. Iraq and declared an Islamic “caliphate” Islamic State to use websites like REUTERS last year. The coalition has since carried out are conducting operations over Iraq and the fight in Iraq and Syria, but the wider more than 2,000 air strikes against the several Arab nations are taking part in regional struggle against IS, he said. jihadists and France boosted its partic- strikes over Syria. “ISIL is not just a threat to Iraq and ipation yesterday with the Charles de The campaign aims to support forces Syria. It’s a larger threat to the region,” Gaulle aircraft carrier launching raids in Iraq and Syria, including rebel fighters said Carter, using an alternative acro- from the Gulf. and Kurdish forces, battling IS on the nym for the group. “This threat, jihadist terrorism, wants ground and to hit infrastructure seized The group’s influence has spread as to reach our citizens, our interests, our by the jihadist group such as oil facilities. it cements its hold on territory in Syria A French navy Super Etendard fighter jet parks on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sailing values. France’s response will be total “Air support... for our Iraqi and and Iraq, with jihadist groups in several off the coast of Bahrain in the direction of Iraq yesterday. firmness,” Defence Minister Jean-Yves Kurdish allies has helped curb the terri- countries pledging allegiance to IS. Le Drian said as he launched operations torial expansion of (IS) and stabilise the The IS branch in Libya claimed seven weeks after extremist attacks front lines. This was our first objective responsibility for suicide bombings last Syria tomb evacuation no retreat: Erdogan killed 17 people in Paris. and it has been attained,” Le Drian said. week that officials said left 40 dead as Four Rafale fighter jets took off in the While excluding the deployment of well as the mass beheadings of 21 Coptic ANKARA: Turkey’s decision to evacuate an historic tomb and the soldiers morning from the carrier as it sailed ground combat troops, coalition coun- Christians, most of them Egyptian. guarding it from Syrian territory was not a retreat, President Recep Tayyip about 200 kilometres off the coast north tries have also sent trainers to work with The meeting of top brass and diplo- Erdogan said yesterday, rejecting opposition claims Ankara had surrendered the of Bahrain in the direction of Iraq. Iraqi forces. mats in Kuwait was not intended to pro- area to jihadists. Erdogan indicated the operation overnight Saturday was moti- Carrying 12 Rafale and nine Super In Kuwait only days after taking office, duce a new strategy but to allow Carter vated by concerns the tomb and its Turkish guards could have come under attack Etendard fighters, the carrier will spend Carter told US troops at Camp Arifjan to better understand the challenge posed by Islamic State (IS) militants who control the area. eight weeks in the Gulf working along- that the coalition was “pressing” IS “very by the jihadists and the range of efforts “This is certainly not a retreat,” he said in televised comments in Ankara. side the USS Carl Vinson, significantly ably from Kuwait and elsewhere”. aimed at defeating them, said a senior “This is a temporary relocation in order to not endanger the security of the lives increasing French air capabilities in the “And we will deliver lasting defeat, US defence official. of our soldiers on duty,” he added. region. make no doubt,” he said. The coalition campaign has dealt sig- The opposition has lambasted the operation to remove the remains of Suleyman France, along with Australia, is a main Carter said he had called the meet- nificant damage to IS, with a monitoring Shah — a 13th century figure revered by Turks — as a retreat that meekly handed contributor to the 32-member coalition ing of commanders and officials “to sit group saying yesterday that 1,465 mem- over the area to IS. There had been considerable concern in previous months about effort aside from the United States, around one table and talk about all of the bers of IS had been killed in the first five the safety of the Turkish soldiers guarding the tomb. AFP which is carrying out the bulk of strikes. dimensions of this campaign”. months of air strikes in Syria. France and other Western nations The discussion would look not just at AFP Libyan parliament suspends participation in UN talks

BENGHAZI: Libya’s inter- The Islamic State jihadist The international community nationally recognised parlia- group said it was behind suicide faces a daunting task to find a ment yesterday suspended its car bombings that the health political solution to the lawless participation in UN-brokered ministry said killed 40 people, nation’s political and military talks on the future of the war- including six Egyptians, in the crisis. wrecked North African state, eastern town. Libya is awash with weapons officials said. Another parliamentarian, on and rival militias are battling for “The chamber of representa- condition of anonymity, said the control of its cities and oil wealth. tives today voted in favour of sus- decision to pull out of talks was It has two rival governments pending its participation in the taken over fears that the inter- and parliaments, those recognised dialogue,” with a new round due national community would exert by the international community to open in Morocco on Thursday, pressure to include Islamists in a sitting in the far east of the coun- MP Issa Al Aribi announced on future unity government. try and the others with ties to Facebook. Last week’s beheading of Islamists in the capital, Tripoli. He did not elaborate but both 21 mainly Egyptian Coptic Since launching efforts at dia- the LANA state news agency and Christians by IS forced Cairo to logue in September, Leon has been parliament’s own Facebook page launch air strikes against the unable to bring together leading confirmed the information. jihadists in Libya and call for an players from the rival camps. The parliament said it would international coalition to hit the The United Nations had issue a statement giving the rea- jihadists. invited the elected parliament sons for the decision which came But UN envoy Bernardino Leon and its Tripoli rival, the Islamist- “after last Friday’s terrorist told the Security Council last dominated General National attacks in Al Qoba which killed Wednesday that the only cure for Congress, to the new round of or wounded dozens of people”. Libya’s trauma was political. talks in Morocco. AFP

Bomb blast inside US citizens get damages Bahrain mosque MANAMA: A homemade for Hamas attacks bomb hidden inside a Bahraini village mosque exploded after a NEW YORK: A US jury yes- Last September, a federal jury suspect apprehended by police terday found the Palestine in Brooklyn found Arab Bank Plc led authorities to it, the minis- Liberation Organization and liable for providing material sup- try of interior said yesterday. the Palestinian Authority liable port to Hamas. A separate trial to “The bomb squad arrived at the for supporting terrorist attacks determine damages is scheduled scene to secure the area but the in Israel more than a decade ago for this year. bomb exploded, causing damage that killed dozens of Americans. The verdicts could bolster to the mosque,” the ministry said Jurors in Manhattan federal efforts by American victims to in a statement. court awarded $218.5m in dam- hold foreign entities responsible The explosion appeared to ages to 10 American families who in US courts for overseas attacks. rip through the bathroom and brought the case, a sum that is A 12-member jury yesterday partially destroy the roof of the automatically tripled to $655.5m found the PLO and the Palestinian Muqsha village mosque, west of under a 1992 US anti-terrorism Authority liable over six shoot- the capital Manama, according law, lawyers for the families said. ings and bombings between 2002 to a photograph published by Both defendants said they and 2004 in the Jerusalem area the ministry. No casualties were would appeal. It is unclear and which have been attributed reported. whether the plaintiffs can ever to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Seven people suspected of collect, though their lawyers and Hamas. The attacks killed 33 involvement in deadly bombings vowed to seek out Palestinian people and injured more than 450. targetting Bahrain’s security assets to satisfy the judgment. “Now the PLO and the PA forces were apprehended, the The verdict was the second in know there is a price for sup- public prosecutor’s office said less than a year in which a US porting terrorism,” said Nitsana yesterday. jury found defendants liable under Darshan-Leitner, a lawyer for the Bahrain was swept by unrest the Anti-Terrorism Act, which plaintiffs. during the 2011 “Arab Spring” lets US citizens injured by acts The PLO and the Palestinian uprisings when the majority of international terrorism pursue Authority have faced similar law- Shias demanded political reforms. damages in federal court. suits in the past. REUTERS REUTERS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Supporting Hadi Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

N A new twist to the Yemen crisis, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has sneaked out of Sanaa where he was being held under house arrest by the IShia Houthi militia that seized control of the capital. Who decided Germany The escape is a setback to the Houthis who recently made huge gains. Hadi will now be able to lead his party and people from the safety of his new abode and in a significant development yesterday, he demanded that talks on the was Europe’s boss? country’s political crisis be moved from the capital. Hadi expressed “reservations about continuing the current BY CLIVE CROOK negotiations in Sanaa,” the UN envoy Jamal Benomar that German officials went out of their have a difficult time to explain the deal way to reinforce. to their voters.” wrote on his Facebook page after a telephone conversation HERE are two main lines of Last Thursday, as another in an How helpful. On the merits, I think with him. The Western-backed leader also “requested they analysis about Germany’s role extended series of final deadlines Germany’s wrong, because the current be transferred to a safe place to which the parties should in the European Union. The loomed, Greece presented an amended program has failed and Greece’s eco- agree,” he added. Tfirst, favoured by populist euro- proposal for discussion. Euro-zone offi- nomic plight isn’t entirely its own fault. Hadi has the support of the international community skeptic politicians, is that Germany cials were guardedly optimistic, saying But set this aside. A different and even seeks to reverse the setbacks of the its letter could be a basis for negotiation; more important question arises: Who to lead the country out of the current crisis. Yemen can 20th century and rule Europe by other the Dutch chairman of the so-called put Germany in command? achieve stability and peace and install a proper government means. The second, popular with politi- euro group of finance ministers, Jeroen Germany is Europe’s biggest and most only with the support of its neighbours and the international cal commentators and other members of Dijsselbloem, called another meet- successful economy, accounting for 29 community. Houthis must adopt the path of talks and the European elite, is that German guilt ing to discuss it. Meanwhile a German percent of the euro zone’s output and reconciliation and honour the deals already signed with the over the setbacks of the 20th century government spokesman dismissed the 24 percent of its population; its voting opponents. Hadi has already renewed his commitment to the inhibits it from exercising the leader- document out of hand: “The letter from power in various EU forums is weighted ship that the EU Athens is not a substantive proposal for accordingly. It’s also Europe’s biggest political transition process and UN-sponsored talks aimed actually needs. a solution,” he ruled; German officials creditor, which gives it special standing at finding a solution to the worsening crisis in Yemen. If the past sev- called the letter a “Trojan horse.” (and a huge vested interest) in negotia- The GCC too is supporting Hadi. It called on the Yemeni eral weeks are German Finance Minister Wolfgang tions about public debt. Constitutionally, people and political parties to Heaven knows, any guide, reports Schaeuble continued to declare that though, it’s still just one nation in a euro Houthis “stand by the president and Europe needs of German inhibi- Greece already had an assistance pro- system of 19. Because of its size and support him in exercising all tions have been gram, so there was nothing to discuss. strength, it can and should lead. It has stronger leadership exaggerated. He dared Greece to defy the troika and no right to dictate. And if its leaders were must eschew his constitutional duties in We’ll see suffer the consequences. The Financial wise, they’d avoid arousing the suspicion violence order to end Yemen’s dangerous -- but Germany, at whether Friday’s Times reported: that they were trying to do just that. situation caused by Houthis.” the moment, looks tentative agree- “Mr Schaeuble declines to publicly Recently Germany has often appeared and choose No government can function ment over Greece discuss Grexit, he has repeatedly said to direct policy at the European Central properly in Sanaa without the poorly qualified. sticks. Monday, that Greece can choose to leave the Bank, on banking union, on Greece, and Athens was to €172bn financing programme - with all on many other politically freighted top- the path of GCC support because GCC is one Its policy makers present a list of that implies. ‘I’m ready for any kind of ics. It has seemed to presume it’s in reconciliation of its biggest donors. Also, there are unenlightened measures to the help, but if my help is not wanted, that’s charge. Europe’s other governments are close links between the people International fine,’ he said recently.” and various policy- making bodies are by entering of Yemen and the Gulf – social, on the Monetary Fund, By the way, I think when he said “my much to blame in this, because they’ve into talks with religious and sectarian relations. macroeconomics the European help,” he was talking about the euro acquiesced. Political uncertainty and tremors Central Bank group’s help. It began to seem plausible Heaven knows, Europe needs stronger of debt and and the European -- which came as a surprise to me, I leadership -- but Germany, at the in Yemen will have an impact on President Hadi. deflation, and its Commission admit -- that the German government moment, looks poorly qualified. Its policy the entire region, and for this -- the so-called actually wanted the euro system to split. makers are unenlightened on the macr- reason, peace and stability in that officials seem troika, with Some German officials, again according oeconomics of debt and deflation, and its country is of utmost importance to the Gulf countries. unable to exercise which Greece’s to Financial Times, have been advocat- officials seem unable to exercise influ- After escape, Hadi called the Houthi takeover a coup new government ing that very course. ence with restraint or respect for all EU and declared all their measures “null and illegitimate”. influence with vowed not to deal. “Hawkish German officials accept citizens. Perhaps forcing Greece out of If the supervi- what they call “the amputated leg the- the euro system and seeing it suffer the At a meeting of governors in Aden on Sunday, he called restraint or respect sors sign off, the ory,” which says Greece should be cut off consequences would teach other coun- for restarting the political transition process that stalled for all EU citizens. plan must go to like a gangrenous limb to spare the rest tries about the perils of fiscal indiscipline: after the Huthis overran Sanaa in September. The process various national of the eurozone body.” That seems to be Berlin’s thinking. But includes turning the republic into a federation of six regions, parliaments for Nice image. Germany’s casual contempt for Greeks a proposal the Houthis have rejected, saying it divides the approval, including Germany’s. This When I thought I couldn’t be any and their new government teaches citi- thing isn’t over yet. more perplexed or disappointed, I saw zens of other countries something else as country into rich and poor areas. Whatever the outcome, Germany’s Schaeuble’s response to the agreement well -- something disturbing about the Houthis must eschew the path of violence and enter role in the stand-off has been striking. on Friday. Bear in mind, he’s a co-author direction of the evolving EU. into talks with Hadi. Military power alone is not enough The struggle between Greece and the of the final document, which obliges the Maybe they’ll buckle under, for fear of for governance. A government must have legitimacy and euro-zone finance ministers has been Greek leaders to walk back many of the being the next infected appendage to be legitimacy comes through the proper political processes. reported as though it were a battle promises that won them the election. severed. Maybe they’ll ask whether “You Unfortunately, the Houthis have no legitimacy. between Greece and Germany, with the Rather than commending the compro- will obey” is what they were promised. rest looking on. This was an impression mise, he said, “The Greeks certainly will WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of Anwar case a stain on Malaysia’s reputation the day

ITH the jailing of opposition of the nation’s rulers or to put their term and the ban together bar the 67 is influencing their political decisions leader Anwar Ibrahim last own (usually conservative) stamp on year old from politics for a total of 10 and Malaysia is the poorer for it. The week, Malaysia appears developments. years, effectively ending his political ruling UMNO party, the United Malays Wto have again resorted Whether at the government’s insti- career. National Organisation which has We had serious to dubious law to eliminate political gation, or acting on its own initiative, Critics around the world have enjoyed nearly six decades of running challenges. Malaysia’s highest court trod a regres- deplored the ruling, the archaic law, and Malaysia, is on the nose. talks with the P5+1 This unfortunate practice has been sive line on Mr Anwar’s case. Rejecting Malaysia’s failure to deal in a mature Pakatan campaigned in the last representatives and seen in many Asian nations: Thailand, an appeal against his conviction on a and responsible way with Mr Anwar, election as a clean player and one Myanmar and Singapore are in the charge of “sodomy” (having sexual rela- whose three-party Pakatan Rakyat alli- that would provide a long-overdue especially with the unsavoury line-up. tions in 2008 with a young man who ance almost toppled the government at change from Malaysia’s usual system Americans in the All too often, the courts are used to had worked for him), the court upheld the last national election. of entrenched patronage and corrup- shape the course of politics. Opponents the five-year jail sentence handed down Ordinary Malaysians are increasingly tion. Led by Mr Anwar, Pakatan won past three days ... But and vocal critics are arrested, charged, by a lower court last March. fed up with the vast wealth displayed most ballots in the poll and the coalition convicted and jailed. Sometimes the Prison terms of more than one year by the nation’s elites, by the abrogation was only prevented from taking power still there is a long courts are doing the governments’ bid- in Malaysia also carry a five-year ban of rule of law, and the rulers’ almost by the distribution of votes in Malaysia’s way to reach a final ding. Sometimes, it seems, the courts on standing for political office, effec- casual disregard of people’s needs. gerrymandered seats. Mohammad Javad Zarif are trying to second-guess the desires tive from the date of release. The prison There is fear the rulers’ rampant greed The Sydney Morning Herald agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Syrian regime’s crackdown pre-planned

other words, from day one Assad considered the revolution to be a plot. This means that what we are witnessing today was planned before the revolution began. Many people naively say that the situation would not have esca- lated to the present disastrous stage if the Syrian president had gone to Daraa, the cradle of the revolution, and apologised to its inhabitants for his cousin, Atef Najib, Daraa’s political security BY DR FAISAL AL KASSIM In his speech, Assad yria is not Tunisia,” Basher Al Assad said that his regime replied when asked had survived all “Sby The Wall Street Journal months before the Syrian revolution whether Syria would plots against it and be the next, after the revolution in Tunisia. had always turned Some people believed that Assad meant that most Syrians the tables on the were satisfied with their lead- ership, seeing the regime as a plotters. In other symbol of resistance in the Arab world; therefore, there was no words, from day one way people would revolt against the regime. he considered the Today, most people say that revolution to be a plot. Assad meant the opposite: that his administration was unlike the Egyptian and Tunisian regimes chief, insulting people and tor- and would never allow a revolu- turing their children. tion to take place, and that he In other words, they think that was ready to crush any revolu- what happened in Daraa was the tion by firing live ammunition fault of an individual, Atef Najib, Residents look for survivors amid the rubble of collapsed buildings after air strikes by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad in Arbeen, in the at whoever dared to take to the and could have been corrected if streets; even willing to destroy the leadership had apologised for eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta. whole cities. his actions. If we go back and analyse But, based on recent revela- small or big, exactly as Assad already decided to crush the statement. opportunity to end this dilemma. Assad’s speech aired a few weeks tions, it is clear that Atef Najib stated to The Wall Street Journal, revolution in the same man- Those who are calling for a Let’s not forget that the Syrian after the revolution began, we was only carrying out Assad’s making it very clear that his ner as the Green revolution was political solution to the Syrian regime and its allies wanted to realise that he had conveyed his orders. Najib did not torture regime was unlike the Tunisian crushed in Iran. crisis are doing so now because the crush the revolution from day message clearly to The Wall Street the children and insult the city’s regime. Again, it became clear a month “crushing the revolution” project one. They opted for a military Journal. inhabitants on his own initiative How can Syrians forget the after the revolution began that has failed miserably and they solution and failed; why help In this speech, he said that after anti-regime slogans were famous statement from the pres- the security forces’ warning, “We have no other alternative after them out now? his regime had survived all plots written on school walls. idential palace: “Assad remains, are ready to face the plot,” mean- tasting defeat. Whoever nego- The author is a columnist against it and had always turned Najib was ordered to respond or the country will be torched!” ing to crush the revolution by any tiates with Assad will be doing and presenter on Al Jazeera TV the tables on the plotters. In harshly to any move, whether High-level Syrian officials had means, was contained in Assad’s him a favour and giving him an channel Will Iraq stay united Economic freedom in the Gulf or break up? BY DR JASSIM HUSSAIN Bahrain, which is ranked 18th is a matter of pride for the Gulf. For example, Saudi dairy com- globally, is considered the GCC Regarding the performance of panies compete not only in the t a time when the coali- here is a clear difference country to best adopt the values the rest of the GCC countries, local market but also in other tion countries are busy in ranking between GCC of economic freedom. It attained Oman, which ranks 56th globally GCC markets, taking advantage Afighting the Islamic State Tcountries in the 2015 Index its ranking despite dropping five in the 2015 inded, dropped eight of the common Gulf market that (IS), no one has thought about of Economic Freedom released by points in the past year. places since last year, which is the grants them the freedom to move what will happen after IS is Heritage Foundation and The Wall On the other hand, the biggest decline for a Gulf economy. their products in the six GCC destroyed. Some things are still Street Journal a few days ago. Emirates’ ranking improved by However, it is possible that states. not clear. The two American organisa- three points and it is ranked 25th Oman’s ranking will improve as The report classifies Oman, Sunni tribal leaders who tions use conservative measures globally as it moves forward with the government plans to limit the Kuwait and Saudi Arabia among visited Washington recently to ensure that the government’s development in different fields role of the public sector in eco- countries whose economies are confirmed that America had role in economic affairs is consid- like trade, services and avia- nomic affairs. moderately free. However, it guaranteed them the formation ered only in relation to framing tion. Recently, it was reported It is also expected that the does not take into account facts of a strong and organised Sunni of laws and their implementation, that Dubai airport was ranked Omani authorities will restructure like the Gulf economies provid- power. However, the Americans BY DR SHAMLAN YOUSEF and enabling the private sector number one worldwide in 2014 subsidies for petroleum products ing a big job market for expatri- did not say anything about the AL ISSA to play a vital role in economic in terms of the number of inter- that benefit both citizens and ates at a time when many global status of Iraq’s Sunni provinces development. national passengers, overtaking expatriates. economies are restricting foreign after the eventual defeat of IS. This concept is based on pri- London’s Heathrow airport. Kuwait, ranked 74th globally, labour to protect jobs for the Lieutenant General James Terry of the US Army stated that vate companies’ interest in mak- Qatar is ranked 32nd globally. climbed two places, seeing the sec- local workforce. America’s allies had committed to send around 1,500 soldiers to ing profits, which serves the entire There is no doubt that Qatar’s ond best improvement for a Gulf Finally, some countries accept Iraq to support Kurdish and Iraqi forces and advise them on how economy at the end of the day as ranking for economic freedom country after the UAE. Kuwait the concept of reducing the role to fight IS. this obliges them to provide the will change over time as it pre- fell 10 places in the 2014 report, of the public sector in economic It appears that the US and Iran are aiming at reinforcing the best to consumers. pares to host the Fifa World Cup making it the worst among the affairs while others don’t. three Iraqi factions — the Sunni, Shia and the Kurds. Indeed, a The economic freedom index is in 2022. At the end of the day, Gulf countries in the index, but This idea is accepted by inves- strong unified Iraq no longer exists. Efforts are now on to turn Iraq based on diverse variables, which in order to develop the country’s has improved its position this year. tors, in addition to those who into three states. are: infrastructure the private sec- Saudi Arabia kept its glo- believe in reducing the govern- What will the future of Iraq 1. Freedom of establishing tor should play a greater role in bal ranking of 77 among the 178 ment’s role in the economy. look like? Is it possible to find All Iraqi politicians businesses trade and commerce. economies included in the report. Some others think it necessary a suitable political system that 2. Freedom of international The rankings of Bahrain, the We can say that the researchers to find a middle path that serves can unify all Iraqis? That was the are thinking of their trade UAE and Qatar are much better of this report have been unfair to the interests of the private as goal of former Prime Minister 3. Financial policies (tax rates those of many European Union Saudi Arabia since they did not well as the public sector. Ayad Allawi. Will such unity be personal, sectarian and government loans) members like Belgium, Poland, highlight the vital role of its pri- The author is an economist and achieved, although Iraqi politi- 4. Monetary policies (cash flow Cyprus, Spain and Portugal, which vate sector in its local economy. researcher on GCC economies cians’ interests will be harmed or party’s interests at and interest rates) if Iraq remains one entity, with 5. Extent of government’s inter- all its regions and social groups the expense of Iraq’s vention in the economy sticking together. 6. Foreign investments All Iraqi politicians are think- unity. 7. Banking system and funds ing of their personal, sectarian or 8. Property rights party’s interests at the expense 9. Administrative and financial of Iraq’s unity. Almost all Iraqi politicians are supported by either corruption the US or Iran, and they are not thinking about Iraq’s unity. The 10. Flexibility in recruitment proof is the unanimous approval of separate National Guard forces and lay-offs. for each of the fragmented entities, with America’s support. How Countries can score up to 10 can we describe these forces as “national” when they have nothing points for each of these factors to to do with nationalism? collect a maximum of 100 points. In the Sunni areas there are tribal military bases commanded by In the index of 2015, Hong Kong, tribal chiefs. In the Shia areas, there are numerous Shia militias. Singapore, New Zealand, Australia The same thing goes for the Kurds, who are only thinking of how and Switzerland are on top and to support the Peshmerga forces defending their lands, and not the are classified as free economies. rest of Iraq. It is notable to see a big country Iraqi politicians have still not agreed on the political party law, like Australia ranked so high as which calls for transparency by demanding that all parties disclose it is more customary for smaller their activities. economies to top the list. This The rampant corruption in Iraq cannot be controlled as most reflects the level of cultural con- politicians are deeply involved in it; topping the list are former prime sideration for economic freedom. minister Nouri Al Maliki and the Islamic Dawah Party. The index for 2015 classifies Enmity between different social groups or regions and sectarian three GCC countries, Bahrain, the strife are not in the interests of any Iraqi. Will the political leaders United Arab Emirates and Qatar, redirect their efforts to saving Iraq by creating a consensual political as mostly free. system that serves everyone’s interests? These economies have similar Modern Iraq’s experience confirms that attempts to impose one financial and monetary policies, party, one opinion and one leadership will fail if the interests of all like the near-absence of taxation The commercial district of the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. The UAE is ranked 25th in the 2015 Index of Economic components of Iraqi society are not taken into account. and non-interference by the gov- The author is a researcher and political analyst Freedom. ernment in fixing of interest rates. TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 EUROPE 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Rebels violate truce near Mariupol Continued attacks by pro-Russian militants prevent Ukraine from pulling out heavy weapons

KIEV: Pro-Russian forces massing If Mariupol were to fall to the pro- near Ukraine’s port city of Mariupol Russian rebels, it would remove a key are continuing to attack government obstacle to creating a separatist land troop positions, Kiev said yesterday, corridor stretching from Russia’s border fuelling concerns for the fate of an with Ukraine to Crimea. internationally brokered ceasefire. The United States and the European Continued hostilities there and else- Union, however, have strongly warned where meant a pull-back of heavy against further breaches to the ceasefire, weapons could not go ahead as agreed, with Washington saying extra sanctions Ukrainian officials said. could be imposed on Russia within days. “As Ukrainian positions are still being “An advance on Mariupol would clearly fired upon there can be no talk yet of a be in breach of the agreements” under- withdrawal of arms,” military spokesman pinning the truce brokered by Berlin and Vladyslav Seleznyov wrote in a statement Paris, German Foreign Minister Frank- on Facebook yesterday. Walter Steinmeier said in an interview Tensions were also high following a with his country’s Bild newspaper. bomb blast Sunday in the normally peace- Germany government spokesman ful eastern city of Kharkiv. In their latest Steffen Seibert said: “It fills us with con- toll, authorities said that three people had cern that there is still no comprehensive died in the “terrorist” attack. truce.” British Foreign Secretary Philip Ukraine’s currency, the hryvnia, plum- Hammond said during a visit to Estonia meted some 10 percent yesterday because that, “from the experience of the last 10 of the instability. to 12 days, the Russian engagement in the The West has warned of additional Minsk (truce) process is rather cynical”. sanctions on Russia if the shaky truce He expressed a “high degree of scep- should deteriorate further, especially ticism about a Russian commitment to after rebels last week took the strate- achieving genuine peace in Ukraine on gic town of Debaltseve in defiance of the anything but terms unilaterally dictated ceasefire meant to start February 15. from the Kremlin”. The Organization for Security and Russia has already been hit by succes- Cooperation in Europe, tasked with sive rounds of Western sanctions that are monitoring the truce, “concludes that savaging its economy, which is headed the ceasefire is not holding in critical, for recession because of a collapse in oil strategic points,” including near Mariupol prices. and in Debaltseve, the deputy head of Up to now, the main compliance with the OSCE mission, Alexander Hug, told the truce has been a prisoner swap con- France 24 television. Local citizens hold flags of former Soviet Union and a small flag of Russia during a rally to mark the ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day’ in ducted on Saturday. A Ukrainian military commander, Donetsk, Ukraine, yesterday. The Ukrainian army and the rebels Colonel Valentyn Fedichev, said yester- traded nearly 200 fighters seized during day that, while the number of attacks had attempts to assault our positions in the attempt to provoke troops into firing on Sunday. Moscow denies giving mili- the fighting. generally decreased across the conflict town of Shyrokine and the Mariupol back in violation of the ceasefire. tary support to the rebels. However, it Some of the soldiers released had been zone, troop positions were still fired on 27 area,” Fedichev said. Kiev has alleged Russia sent 20 tanks made the same denials over Crimea — the taken in the rebel assault on Debaltseve. times since Sunday. Two Ukrainian sol- Other defence officials said the rebels towards Mariupol, a port city of half a Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula that it The insurgents said they were still diers were killed and 10 wounded, he said. fired mortars into Shyrokine, which million residents on the Azov Sea coast, annexed last year — before finally admit- holding hundreds of others taken Insurgent fighters “have not halted neighbours Mariupol, in an apparent and that two tank attacks occurred there ting that it had deployed troops. during that battle. AFP

Toddler dies as measles Two UK ex-ministers accused of corruption outbreak hits LONDON: Two British former to make political ethics a interests on a public register and the airwaves Monday to defend of context,” he said on BBC radio. foreign ministers were sus- campaign issue. not making use of parliamentary themselves. Cameron’s official spokesman pended from their parties yes- In a sting by undercover report- resources. Straw insisted he had been dis- declined to comment on whether Germany terday after claims that they ers, the two politicians are said to Five years ago, Cameron cussing work he might do after Rifkind should remain chairman BERLIN: A toddler has died offered to use their positions to have offered to act on behalf of a warned that corporate lobbying stepping down as an MP after the of the intelligence committee fol- of measles in the German help a private company for cash fictitious Hong Kong-based com- was the “next big scandal” waiting May 7 general election following lowing questions by some MPs, capital, health authorities in an undercover investigation. pany at a price of at least $7,700 to hit parliament. 36 years in office. saying that was for parliament to said yesterday, amid the Jack Straw, Labour foreign sec- a day. Straw has suspended himself “There are very, very strict decide. country’s worst outbreak retary when Britain helped invade Rifkind reportedly said he from the Labour party in parlia- rules here about what members Labour leader Ed Miliband in years and an intense Iraq in 2003, and Malcolm Rifkind, could arrange “useful access” to ment, while Rifkind has had the of parliament can and can’t do,” wrote to Cameron proposing a debate about steps to boost a senior figure in Prime Minister every British ambassador globally. Conservative whip suspended, he told BBC radio. cap on the amount lawmakers vaccinations. David Cameron’s Conservative Straw is said to have used his meaning both will sit in the House “I absolutely kept not only can earn from outside interests The 18-month-old boy died party, were accused in a probe parliamentary office for meet- of Commons as independent law- to their letter but also to their following the news. on February 18 — the first by the Daily Telegraph newspaper ings about consultancy work and makers for now. spirit.” But Cameron does not back the known fatality among more and Channel 4 television. claimed that he had operated They now face investigations by Rifkind, who chairs the parlia- view that a House of Commons than 570 recorded measles Both deny any wrongdoing but “under the radar” to help change the Parliamentary Commissioner mentary committee which over- “full of professional politicians cases since October in the are the latest in a wave of law- EU rules in work for a commodi- for Standards, which investigates sees Britain’s intelligence services, with no outside experience is a German capital — a Berlin makers to be accused of seeking ties firm. allegations of rule breaking by vowed to fight the allegations good thing,” the spokesman said. health department official to profit from offering private While members of parliament MPs. “with all my strength”. The Telegraph said journal- told AFP. The resurgence of companies privileged access to are not banned from topping up This can lead to penalties such “I didn’t accept any offer. This ists had contacted 12 lawmakers the preventable disease in advance their interests. their earnings by working for pri- as a temporary suspension from was a preliminary discussion. I in the investigation, six of whom Germany, as well as in parts The allegations come 10 weeks vate companies, there are strict the House of Commons or com- was not negotiating at all. I’m did not respond and one who said of the United States, coincides before a knife-edge general elec- rules around how they should pelling an apology. sorry, Channel 4 are very good at his contacts were not “for sale”. with a movement among some tion in Britain and threaten do so, including declaring all Straw and Rifkind took to producing selective quotations out AFP parents to refuse to vaccinate their children. Health Minister Hermann Groehe at the weekend charged Lent revelry that “the irrational fear-mon- gering of some vaccination-foes Bosnia MPs pledge reforms is irresponsible”. “Those who refuse to vac- SARAJEVO: Bosnian lawmakers backed a pledge yesterday to cinate their children endan- make a series of political and economic reforms intended to kick- ger not only them but others, start its application for European Union membership. threatening serious health Brussels was demanding the pledge before the Balkan nation’s effort problems.” to join the 28-nation bloc, which has been blocked for years by political German national health offi- disputes, can progress. cials said yesterday there were “This parliament took an important decision, I would say an historic no current plans to make mea- decision,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told Bosnian law- sles vaccinations mandatory. makers. “This is the decision on behalf of many in Bosnia-Herzegovina But they said the govern- who (want) the country to move forward on its path towards the ment would ensure that par- European Union,” she said. AFP ents receive advice on the need for immunisations when chil- dren start early child care. WHO calls for ‘smart’ syringes Vaccination certificates would also be checked during GENEVA: The World Health Organization has called on health- regular doctors visits, a health care providers around the globe to switch to syringes that can only ministry spokeswoman said. be used once in order to better battle deadly diseases spread by She added that “if that needle sharing. doesn’t help, other steps will The new “smart” syringes recommended by the WHO include fea- have to be considered.” tures that prevent them from being used a second time. Some have The centre for diseases con- a plunger that breaks if someone tries to pull it back out following trol and prevention, the Robert Revellers dance during Clean Monday or Ash Monday celebrations in Galaxidi, Greece, yesterday. The celebra- an injection. AFP Koch Institute, said the Berlin tions mark the beginning of 40 days of Lent until Orthodox Easter. wave of infections had “initially affected primarily asylum seekers, mostly from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia”. “But now cases of the dis- Over a month after attacks, Charlie Hebdo to print again ease are occurring primarily amid the general population of Berlin,” it said in a statement. PARIS: More than a month After defiantly rushing out a the paper’s new chief editor. The Kouachi brothers who car- in his eye, holding a “Je Suis Measles causes fever and after jihadist gunmen massa- “survivors’ issue” the following “So we reached a compromise, ried out the January 7 attack said Charlie” sign under the headline rash and in severe cases can cred much of the Charlie Hebdo week as donations and support and agreed on February 25... to they were taking revenge for the “All Is Forgiven”. lead to pneumonia or brain editorial team, those who sur- flooded in, the weekly disappeared start off again on a weekly basis.” weekly’s depictions of Prophet Some eight million copies swelling, sometimes fatal. The vived are slowly trying to return from newsstands. So what will the second post- Mohammed (PBUH) — consid- were printed, a stunning number disease is highly contagious to a semblance of normality. “We needed a break, a rest... attacks issue look like? ered blasphemous in Islam. for a publication that had been because it is transmitted Twelve people were killed in the There were those who needed Charlie Hebdo has a long his- But in a show of defiance, struggling to stay afloat with a through the air. January 7 attack on the satirical to work again straight away, like tory of courting controversy, lam- Charlie Hebdo’s “survivors’ issue” circulation of just 60,000 before AFP weekly, including five of France’s me, and those who wanted to take pooning political and religious featured Prophet Mohammed the attack. most beloved cartoonists. more time,” says Gerard Biard, figures of all stripes. (PBUH) on its cover with a tear AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Security funding lapse would hurt US: Obama Lawmakers have until Friday to agree on DHS funding

WASHINGTON: US President the needed 60 votes as Democrats Obama said they want no inter- Barack Obama said yester- reject it. Even if it were to pass, ruption in Homeland Security day that a partial shutdown of Obama has threatened to veto funding, which would halt grants the Department of Homeland the measure unless immigration to states for anti-terrorism Security would mean more restrictions are stripped. efforts. “We want it funded,” said than 100,000 border patrol, port Senate and House aides declined Utah Governor Gary Herbert, a inspection and airport security to outline their next steps. Some Republican. agents would be temporarily moderate Republicans support The funding for the Department left without paychecks. removing the immigration pro- of Homeland Security (DHS), is “It will have a direct impact visions or passing a one- or two- currently stalled because some on your economy, and it will have month extension of last year’s Republicans want to use the a direct impact on America’s funding levels. budget legislation to force the national security because their That would allow Homeland president to back down on his hard work helps to keep us safe,” Security to continue paying essen- proposed executive action on Obama said in a speech to a tial personnel such as airport and immigration. meeting of state governors at the border security agents while a On Sunday the Homeland White House. court challenge to Obama’s immi- Security secretary, Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security spending gration orders plays out. toured the political talk shows to authority will expire at mid- Senate Homeland Security and call for Congress to avoid a shut- night on Friday unless Congress Government Affairs Committee down of his the department. “It’s approves new funding. While Chairman Ron Johnson yesterday absurd that we’re even having this essential security personnel would called for an end to the impasse conversation about Congress’s still report to work, there would but did not suggest a path for- inability to fund homeland secu- be no money to pay them during ward. “Responsible members of rity in these challenging times,” the funding lapse. both parties must work together he said, while discussing a video US President Barack Obama addressing the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White A new $39.7bn budget for the to find some way to fund DHS posted online by the Somalia- House in Washington DC yesterday. department is stalled in Congress without further delay,” he said. based militant group Al Shabaab, over Republican-authored provi- A senior Senate Democratic which called for attacks on shop- identify themselves by signing that people should stay calm to roll back once they have been sions that aim to block any spend- aide said the party would likely ping malls in the US, Canada and up for the administration’s relief and realise that this is a proc- implemented – both for logisti- ing on Obama’s recent executive reluctantly accept a short-term the UK. program, only to see the policy ess that is going to take a while. cal and political reasons. In the orders, which lift the threat of funding extension. The decision John Boehner, the House reversed and then face increased Use this time to get those records off chance that these programs deportation from millions of about what to do next is likely Speaker, has said he is prepared risk of deportation in future. to make sure you have a strong open and then get enjoined by the undocumented immigrants. up to Republican House Speaker to let the deadline for funding Immigrant rights groups say application,” said Jose Magana, courts – which I think is a very Republicans who control the John Boehner, whose members homeland security pass. Such they have been inundated with an immigration policy attorney unlikely situation – these people US Senate will try for a fourth want him to keep the immigra- obstacles have raised fears that calls but are advising that this for the Immigrant Legal Resource even though they are on DHS’s time to advance the measure, but tion changes in any funding bill. hundreds of thousands of undoc- is a temporary setback with only Center in Washington. radar are not going to be enforce- it is again expected to fall short of State governors who met with umented immigrants might limited risk. “We are emphasising “These programs are very hard ment priorities.” AGENCIES Frigid temperatures return to east coast Maduro panicking, says NEW YORK: Arctic air wife of Caracas mayor returned to northern New England and parts of New York state yesterday after a brief CARACAS: Venezuela’s presi- fragmented opposition has so flirtation with sunshine and dent is panicking over falling far struggled to capitalize on the slightly warmer temperatures. popularity and has revealed his exasperation. National Weather Service fore- authoritarian face by arresting Mitzy Ledezma said her caster Jim Hayes said tempera- Caracas’s mayor, the opposition husband’s arrest was a game- tures would be 25 to 30F below politician’s wife said. changer that will galvanize their normal across much of the coun- Antonio Ledezma, 59, was bloc. “Maduro’s mask of a sup- try. Anything from rain to sleet seized by intelligence agents posed democrat has fallen off in to snow is possible in many areas. in his office on Thursday and the eyes of the world,” she said. Wind chills were expected to charged the next day for “con- “He’s committed a major mis- send temperatures diving below spiring” against President Nicolas take. There will be a before and zero throughout northern New Maduro’s socialist government after... The opposition is more England and northern New York. which has been alleging a U.S.- united than ever.” Winds could cause Bennington, backed coup plot. Ledezma’s arrest has already Vermont, to drop to -17F (-27C), In an interview, his wife Mitzy, prompted isolated demonstrations while Lake Placid, New York, 64, said it was in fact Maduro in Caracas and violence in the could be a teeth-chattering -30F displaying his dictatorial tenden- western city of San Cristobal, but (-34C). cies by locking up the veteran has not triggered major unrest in The falling temperatures politician ahead of important the deeply polarised country of 30 could make travel dangerous for parliamentary elections due for million. Ledezma is the highest- motorists, particularly those who later in 2015. “Maduro is terror- profile Maduro opponent arrested encountered black ice, which can ised, panicked by the opposition. after Leopoldo Lopez, detained for appear to be just a wet surface. He knows that every day there his role in last year’s anti-Maduro Three police officers – two off- are more opponents,” Mitzy protests that brought months of duty New York police depart- Ledezma said. violence and 43 deaths. ment officers and one from Long A man watches ice floes in a park along the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey, yesterday. The country’s recession, short- Officials say Ledezma, mocked Island’s Suffolk County – suffered ages of basic goods from toilet as “The Vampire” by Maduro injuries in weather-related acci- he fell while removing snow from rail passengers were being told to 30in of snow before the storm paper to flour, and near-70 per- supporters, has ties with violent dents on Sunday. Icy roads con- a roof. A local woman suffered expect delays and cancellations. began, and officials expect cent annual inflation have hurt hardliners and recently supported tributed to the crashes, according non-life threatening injuries when The Great Lakes, meanwhile, another 14in. Another round of Maduro, elected in 2013 to replace dissident military officers plot- to Newsday. she fell from her roof on Saturday. were going the way of the Niagara snow is expected midweek, lasting the late Hugo Chavez. Poor ting to topple the president via A man was killed when he Authorities say the incidents Falls and Sioux Falls and freezing through next weekend. Venezuelans, the traditional base air strikes. fell through a skylight on the highlight the hidden dangers that over. Lake Erie is nearly totally Winter storm warnings con- of support for “Chavismo”, are Ledezma’s lawyer calls the roof of a building in Canton, come with this winter’s weather. frozen, and lakes Huron and tinue for a large portion of suffering the brunt of the hard- charges “unfounded”. State media Massachusetts, south-west of Boston’s transit agency is slowly Superior are nearly 80 percent northern Louisiana and parts of ships and are increasingly sour- has launched a campaign to dis- Boston. Police said he was one returning to normal after a series frozen, the New York Daily News Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi ing on the former bus driver and credit him. One government- of two people on the roof assess- of crippling snowstorms and frigid reported. are under winter storm or freez- union leader. broadcast video shows recently ing snow removal needs, when he temperatures. Most subway/trol- More than 2ft of snow fell ing rain advisories. Meanwhile, The president’s popularity detained student radical Lorent fell through a skylight covered by ley branches had service restored in Colorado. The storm caused storms and freezing temperatures slipped to 22 percent, the low- Saleh praising Ledezma as “an old the snow and plummeted 40ft. On on Sunday. Buses were running on church services and flights to last week in Tennessee are being est of his nearly two-year rule, fox ... the politician who has most Wednesday, a worker at a Canton a regular weekday scheduled, but be cancelled. This year, Denver blamed for 22 deaths. local pollster Datanalisis said supported the resistance.” company was fatally injured when delays were expected. Commuter International Airport had about THE GUARDIAN last month. But a perennially REUTERS

Texas trial for ‘American Foundation may pose campaign risks for Hillary

WASHINGTON: The founda- pushed by the GOP of the Clintons The Wall Street Journal last Sniper’ halted tion launched by former presi- as a couple who frequently mix week reported the foundation dent Bill Clinton more than a business and politics. had received money in 2014 from STEPHENVILLE: The Texas psychosis that could not be faked, decade ago has battled HIV and “Unless Hillary Clinton imme- the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman trial of a man charged with fatally media reports said. AIDS in Africa, educated mil- diately reinstates the ban on and others. The Washington Post shooting former US Navy SEAL Prosecutors, who are seeking lions of children and fed the foreign countries giving to her reported the charity has raised Chris Kyle, whose best-selling a sentence of life in prison with- poor and hungry around the foundation and returns the mil- nearly $2bn since the former autobiography was turned into out the possibility of parole, said globe. It also has the potential lions of dollars these governments president started it in 2001. About the blockbuster movie American Routh was aware of what he was to become a political risk for have already donated, she’s set- one-third of its donations of $1m Sniper, was halted yesterday due doing and called a psychologist Hillary Rodham Clinton (pic- ting an incredibly dangerous prec- or more come from foreign gov- to an ice storm. who testified that Routh does not tured) as she moves toward a edent,” said the chairman of the ernments or non-US entities, the Closing arguments had been meet the state’s legal definition second presidential campaign. Republican National Committee, newspaper found. expected to start yesterday and of insanity and had been faking The former secretary of state Reince Priebus. “The American Democrats say the Clintons can now will come shortly after the schizophrenia. has struggled with some recent people are not about to elect a defend their work at the founda- trial resumes, followed by jury The trial has focused renewed bad headlines over large dona- president in Hillary Clinton who tion because of its track record deliberations. Eddie Ray Routh, attention on Kyle, who is con- tions given to the foundation by could expose them to the demands and history of tackling some of 27, is accused of shooting Kyle and sidered by many in his home foreign governments in the past of foreign governments because the world’s biggest problems, from Kyle’s friend Chad Littlefield mul- state of Texas a hero, and on the two years, and the $200m-plus they dumped massive sums of and practices are “appropriate, AIDS and clean water to hunger, tiple times at a gun range about movie “American Sniper,” which the organisation has raised since cash into her foundation.” just as we did when she served as educational opportunities and the 110km southwest of Fort Worth in was nominated for six Academy 2013, ahead of her anticipated The foundation, which is sched- secretary of state.” protection of endangered wildlife. February 2013 and then fleeing in Awards, including best picture. White House campaign. uled to hold events in Morocco and In 2009, when Clinton became They also note that the foun- Kyle’s pickup truck. Routh, who served with the US Republicans contend that for- Greece this spring, defended its President Barack Obama’s chief dation voluntarily discloses its Defence attorneys are trying to Marines in Iraq and Haiti, had eign governments donating to a financial support and addressed diplomat, the foundation stopped donors and say there is no evi- have Routh declared innocent by been admitted to Veterans Affairs foundation led by a potential US how it might function if Clinton raising money from foreign dence the Clintons have used it reason of insanity. A psychiatrist hospitals after his service to treat president creates unacceptable runs for president. If she seeks governments. The fundrais- to enrich themselves. Nearly 90 called by the defence testified last mental illness. His attorneys have conflicts of interests. Also, the office again, something taken as ing involving non-US entities percent of the foundation’s money week that Routh had paranoid not disputed that he shot Kyle involvement of big money rein- a given by most, the foundation resumed in 2013, after she left goes toward its programming. schizophrenia and showed signs of and Littlefield. REUTERS forces a long-standing narrative said it would ensure its policies his administration. AP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Bangladesh Philippine trial unrest toll tops 100 as more of US Marine bodies found

DHAKA: The death toll from weeks of political violence in to go ahead Bangladesh passed 100 yester- day when police found six bul- let-riddled bodies in the capital Dhaka. Marine refuses to enter plea Hundreds of vehicles have been firebombed and scores of activists OLONGAPO CITY: A US relaxation, met Laude at a bar, shot dead since opposition leader Marine charged with mur- then beat her to death at the Khaleda Zia called a transport dering a transgender Filipina motel, prosecutors allege. blockade in early January to try refused to enter a plea yester- The pre-trial hearings will to force new elections, plunging day as he sought to have the continue this week, with his trial the country into chaos. case dismissed, but his trial will expected to start in the third The opposition Bangladesh go ahead nevertheless, lawyers week of March, one of the lawyers Nationalist Party (BNP) has said. representing the victim’s family, accused police of deliberately The court overseeing proceed- Virginia Suarez, told reporters. killing its activists to try to sup- ings against Private First Class Prosecutors will present at press the protests — a charge the Joseph Scott Pemberton entered least 18 witnesses at the trial, authorities deny. a not guilty plea for him, meaning including a friend of Laude who “Police have shot them dead the trial can start within weeks, accompanied her and Pemberton and have invented stories to hide lawyers for the victim told report- to the motel as they checked in, their crimes,” said BNP spokes- ers outside the court. Suarez said. man Sayrul Kabir Khan of the six The cramped courthouse, sur- A preliminary police report Supporters of the late Jennifer Laude hold up her image during a protest near a Philippine court in Olongapo, dead, whom he said were all shot rounded by market stalls selling and autopsy findings that showed north of Manila, yesterday. at close range. dried fish and rice, is about a five- Laude, 26, died due to “asphyxia He said 67 opposition support- minute drive from a motel in a by drowning” will also be pre- decision is still pending with a flashed a faint smile during the Laude’s death re-ignited long- ers had been killed by the secu- northern Philippine red-light dis- sented as evidence, she said. higher court. proceedings, which lasted about simmering anti-US sentiment rity agencies since the start of the trict where the battered remains “We have enough evidence and Pemberton’s lawyers said yes- an hour, Laude’s sister Marilou, in the Philippines, a former protests. of Jennifer Laude were found in witnesses to convict Pemberton terday that he would not enter a who was in the courtroom, told American colony that still allows Rights activist Nur Khan Liton October last year. of murder,” she said. plea until those proceedings were reporters. “He had the nerve to a significant American mili- said there had been a sharp rise in Pemberton, who was 19 at that “He (Pemberton) was the only over, according to Suarez. kill my sister, yet he was meek tary presence via joint training extra-judicial killings during the time, was the last person seen person with Jennifer the entire Pemberton appeared in the in the courtroom... I am seething exercises. ongoing protests. with Laude before her death, time she was in the hotel and court for the arraignment on with anger,” she said. Under a Visiting Forces “What we’ve gathered from the according to police. He faces life the (motel) cashier can attest to Monday, but the proceedings were Marilou said the Laude fam- Agreement governing US troops’ relatives of three of those killed imprisonment if found guilty. that.” closed to the media. ily were determined to see conduct in the Philippines, the today is they were killed by secu- On the night of the death, Pemberton’s lawyers had ear- The state prosecutor and law- Pemberton jailed for the maxi- US is allowed to retain custody rity forces,” he said. Pemberton and other Marines lier asked the justice ministry to yers for Laude’s family, as well as mum time possible, and would not of Pemberton during the legal “We could not reach the rela- had just finished joint training dismiss the case, stating evidence her relatives, relayed to reporters agree to a plea bargain if there proceedings against him. While tives of the other three persons.” exercises with Filipino troops at linking him to the case was “based outside the court his decision to was an offer. “There will be no awaiting trial, Pemberton is being Authorities have deployed a military base. on nothing but conjectures and not enter a plea, as well as the compromitse. He must pay for detained at an American-guarded thousands of troops and police Pemberton had ventured into speculations”. emotion inside. what he did to our sister... Finally facility inside the Philippines’ to guard vehicles and more the nearby red-light district in The ministry rejected the peti- Surrounded by 16 burly guards, the trial is moving, finally we can military headquarters in Manila. than 10,000 protesters have Olangapo city for some rest and tion, and an appeal against that Pemberton looked calm and get justice,” she said. AFP been arrested. The latest deaths brought the number of people killed since the start of the trans- port blockade to 104. The government blames oppo- sition activists for firebombing Maldives ex-president refused bail, denied legal access hundreds of vehicles to try to enforce the blockade. But the BNP denies this, MALE: A court in the Maldives Party (MDP), Shauna Aminath. “The conduct of the courts, thought to be seriously injured. There was no immediate com- instead blaming ruling party yesterday refused bail to former The MDP says his arrest police and President Yameen’s Hundreds of party activists ment from the authorities. activists and government agents. president Mohamed Nasheed on “trumped-up charges of administration has been took to the streets shouting The Maldives is a major tour- BNP leader and two-time prime after he was arrested on terror- terrorism”was an attempt to shut reprehensible.” anti-government slogans after ist attraction, but political unrest minister Zia called the protests ism charges and denied access down growing opposition agita- The MDP said Nasheed had Nasheed, the country’s first dem- has dented its image as a peaceful to try to topple Prime Minister to his lawyers, his party said. tion against the government of been told lawyers should have ocratically elected president, was island paradise in recent years— Sheikh Hasina. Zia leads a 20-party Police forcibly dragged the President Abdulla Yameen before registered two days before the detained on Sunday. particularly since Nasheed’s opposition alliance which boycotted opposition leader into the court a planned protest rally on Friday. hearing—even though he was only The charges against the February 2012 ousting in what a general election last year on the in the capital Male, ignoring his Nasheed’s lawyer said the arrested and charged on Sunday. 47-year-old relate to the 2012 he described as a coup. grounds it would be rigged. plea to be allowed to walk in him- charges against him were “bla- State prosecutors pressed the arrest of the atoll nation’s crimi- International reaction to his She has been confined to her self, and he was taken to hospital tantly politically motivated” and court to deny Nasheed bail after nal court chief judge Abdullah arrest has so far been muted, but office since threatening early last after the hearing. condemned authorities for refus- he took refuge at the Indian High Mohamed for alleged corruption. Britain’s junior foreign minister month to lead a mass rally against “The court ordered president ing him legal access. Commission (embassy) to avoid The ex-president’s party, in Hugo Swire said he was “very the government. The United Nations Nasheed to be kept in police cus- “This arrest and detention arrest in 2013. a statement Sunday night, said concerned”. “UK watching closely. and the European Union have urged tody until the end of the trial,” is completely arbitrary,” said He asked for medical attention there was “little hope president Urge calm and restraint on all the government and the opposition said a spokeswoman for the Nasheed’s top legal adviser, and was taken to hospital after Nasheed can be afforded anything sides,” Swire tweeted. to hold talks to end the crisis. opposition Maldivian Democratic Hissan Hussein. the hearing finished, but was not approaching a fair trial”. AFP AFP

Thai pair given Canberra silent on Lanka more than two years for royal abuse in boat people deal SYDNEY: Australia stayed by boat is a sensitive political slur in play silent about human rights issue in Australia, which in 2013 abuses in Sri Lanka in exchange started sending those picked BANGKOK: Two young Thais for its cooperation in crack- up on boats to offshore camps accused of defaming the mon- ing down on people-smuggling, on Papua New Guinea’s Manus archy in a university play were Colombo’s new Prime Minister Island and Nauru. jailed for two and a half years Ranil Wickremesinghe said Most asylum-seeker boats that yesterday, as the ruling junta in an interview published have made the precarious journey intensifies a crackdown under yesterday. to Australia came from Indonesia, a controversial lese majeste law. Wickremesinghe said former but 120 left from Sri Lanka in Student Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, president Mahinda Rajapaksa 2012 and the two nations have and activist Porntip Mankong, had agreed to help stop boats more recently been cooperating to 26, had pleaded guilty to defama- carrying asylum-seekers leaving crack down on people-smuggling. tion following their arrests last for Australia if Canberra kept Wickremesinghe said he was August, nearly a year after “The quiet about alleged abuses by not against the Australian gov- Wolf Bride” — a satire set in a fic- Rajapakse’s regime. ernment, but urged them to learn tional kingdom — was performed. In an interview with from their experiences. The pair were originally handed The Australian newspaper, “Some other countries must five-year jail terms but the sen- Wickremesinghe said Australian also, that fully backed the tence was halved due to their con- Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Rajapakse regime,” he told the fessions, said a judge at Ratchada close relationship with Rajapaksa, newspaper. Criminal Court in Bangkok. Thai students and activists gesture as they shout slogans after a court announced the verdict on two Thai citizens who was voted out of power last “When human rights were “The court considers their role allegedly guilty of breaking lese majeste laws, at a criminal court in Bangkok, yesterday. month, was “a mystery” to Sri being trampled, and democracy in the play caused serious damage Lankans. was at bay, these countries were to the monarchy and sees no rea- The pair were charged over Police are hunting for at least Critics say the lese majeste law Colombo’s new premier also silent. That is an issue for Sri son to suspend their sentences,” their performance of The Wolf six others involved in the play for has been used as a tool to sup- said that “people connected to Lanka.” he told a packed courtroom Bride at Bangkok’s Thammasat allegedly violating “112” — the press political dissent, noting the previous government” had Sri Lanka’s new government including the accused, their rela- University to mark the 40th anni- feared section of the Thai crimi- many of those charged have been taken part in people-smuggling has promised a domestic probe tives and friends as well as rep- versary of a pro-democracy stu- nal code that contains one of the linked to the opposition Red Shirt operations. into alleged war crimes under resentatives from the UN human dent protest on the campus that world’s most draconian royal def- movement. “It was being done by people Rajapakse. rights office. was brutally crushed by the mili- amation laws. Rights activists as well as the with Rajapaksa connections, but The previous government had Rights groups say lese majeste tary regime in October 1973. Of those on the wanted list, media are forced to censor discus- once this deal was done between resisted a UN inquiry into claims prosecutions have surged since Around a dozen young activists at least two have fled Thailand, sion of cases since even repeating Australia and the Rajapaksa that up to 40,000 ethnic Tamil the army seized power from an briefly linked hands and chanted joining dozens of academics, activ- details of charges risks breaking government, where you looked civilians were killed in the final elected government last May, slogans in support of the pair and ists and political opponents of the the law. The Wolf Bride case is just the other way (on human rights months of a war that ended in as the military seeks legitimacy democracy — defying a junta ban junta in self-imposed exile since one of many driven through by abuses), then the secretary of May 2009. from its self-designated role as on demonstrations — as Patiwat, the coup. the junta in recent months. defence got the navy to patrol,” Ahead of travelling to Sri Lanka protector of the monarchy. whose feet were bound in chains, According to the Paris-based “The junta is using the law to he told the paper. in 2013 for a Commonwealth King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 87, is and Porntip were led out of the International Federation of bolster its legitimacy with the “You could not have got any- summit, Abbott said he was “not revered by many in the country as court in handcuffs. Human Rights (FIDH) at least Thai people,” said Paul Chambers, one out of this country without inclined to go overseas and give a demi-god and anyone convicted Their lawyer Pawinee Chumsri 40 people have been arrested director of research at the someone in the security system other countries lectures” but of insulting the king, queen, heir said her clients, who have been since the takeover — nine of them Institute of South East Asian looking the other way, the police he would be urging Colombo to or regent faces up to 15 years in detained since their arrest and sentenced to between two and 15 Affairs in Chiang Mai. or the navy.” “respect everyone’s rights”. jail on each count. denied bail, would not appeal. years in prison. AFP The arrival of asylum-seekers AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Former acting Taliban talks could start soon: Abdullah chief justice Delegation expected in Pakistan soon to explore ways for proposed peace dialogue Bhagwandas

KABUL: Afghanistan’s Chief their demands to find out a politi- Since President Ashraf Ghani Pakistan’s enemy,” Abdullah said. December that killed 153, mostly passes away Executive Abdullah Abdullah cal solution to the problem,” the took office in September, relations “They said to those involved in children. said yesterday that peace talks wire agency said. have markedly improved with the fighting, the Taliban, that they The Afghan president also ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s with the Taliban could begin in Some leaders affiliated with the Pakistan, which has long held have no other option but to talk said during a press confer- former acting chief justice Rana the coming days, though the mil- Taliban political office in Doha are influence with the Taliban, pav- with the Afghan government.” ence with visiting US Defence Bhagwandas passed away in itants swiftly dismissed the idea. expected to visit Pakistan soon for ing the way for possible dialogue. But the militants denied that Secretary Ashton Carter in Karachi on Sunday. The 73-year- There have been growing hopes discussions to explore ways for the “Peace talks will inshallah talks were about to begin. Kabul on Saturday that condi- old former judge was under in recent weeks of talks between proposed peace dialogue, another (God willing) start in the next “We have repeatedly said that tions were ripe for a potential treatment for a heart ailment Kabul and the Taliban aimed at Taliban leader said on Sunday. few days, this is in the interest those reports, which were not breakthrough. at a private hospital at the time moving towards reconciliation “A small delegation will be vis- of Afghanistan,” Abdullah said announced by officials of the “The grounds for peace have of his death. He was the first after more than a decade of war. iting Pakistan in days for consul- during a meeting of the country’s Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan never been better in the last 36 Hindu and the second non-Mus- Meanwhile, an Internews report tations,” he said. Council of Ministers. and their formal sources, are not years,” Ghani said. lim head of Pakistan’s judiciary quoted a top former Taliban com- He added that the delegation Abdullah took the newly-cre- true, and baseless,” the Taliban The Taliban leader said sen- and had been a Supreme Court mander as saying the leadership of will also discuss the reopening of ated role of chief executive, simi- said in a statement, referring to ior representatives Qari Din judge since February 2000. Afghan Taliban has approved ‘pre- the Doha office, which was closed lar to prime minister, as part of themselves by their preferred Muhammad and Abbas Stanakzai Born in Naseerabad, Larkana liminary peace talks’ with Kabul. just days after opening in 2013 a deal to end a protracted elec- name. will be part of the team visiting District (now Qamber Shahdadkot “Taliban officials, who had after Afghanistan’s then presi- tion crisis with presidential rival On Friday, Ghani also praised Pakistan. District) in Sindh on December been involved in talks with the dent Hamid Karzai rejected the Ghani. Pakistan for “recent efforts in According to Taliban sources, 1942, Justice (Retd) Bhagwandas Pakistanis and the Chinese, and Taliban’s move to display a plaque “The people of Afghanistan paving the ground for peace and Qari Din had led a delegation had a postgraduate degree in had sought time for consulta- reading ‘The Islamic Emirate of will be informed of the start of reconciliation.” of the group in meetings with Islamic Studies and was consid- tions with the senior leaders, have Afghanistan’ at the facility. these talks, of developments and In the statement, Ghani cited Chinese officials in Beijing in ered an expert on constitutional received a green signal from the Although the office in Doha of when they end.” two major recent attacks as help- November. Qari Din also held fol- law. He was a practising advocate leadership,” he said on the condi- is still closed, Taliban sources Abdullah hailed the visit of the ing to bring the countries closer low up discussions with Chinese for about two years before being tion of anonymity. said the group’s negotiators have powerful Pakistani army chief together — one in Yahya Khel in diplomats in Beijing and recently appointed as a judge in July 1967. He confirmed that “Pakistani remained in Qatar. Some more General Raheel Sharif to Kabul Afghanistan in November that visited Pakistan in connection He was made a judge of the Sindh officials had advised Taliban negotiators are likely to join them last week. left nearly 50 people dead, and a with the proposed talks as well, High Court in June 1994. leaders to sit face-to-face with once the dialogue process begins, “We welcome his statement Taliban massacre at a school in they said. He was appointed acting Chief the Afghan government and put they added. saying Afghanistan’s enemy is the Pakistan city of Peshawar in AGENCIES Justice for a few days in 2005 and 2006, during the absence of then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from the country. He was again appointed Afghan police officials hurt in blast as acting chief justice of Pakistan during the judicial crisis in 2007. Separate police stations, High-altitude cops jail for terrorists to protect climbers GILGIT: Police in Pakistan’s KARACHI: The Sindh provin- and there is no influence being far north have set up a spe- cial government has decided to exerted by the Pakistan Peoples cial high-altitude unit in a bid establish separate police sta- Party government to appoint to entice back climbers after a tions and a jail to deal with ter- police officers of its choice.” group of foreign mountaineers rorism in the province. However, he added that inter- were massacred by militants in This decision was made dur- ference in governance by influen- the region in 2013. ing a high-level meeting held at tial people was a problem in the The new 50-strong unit will be the provincial home department entire country, not just Sindh. He trained by professional climbers yesterday, which was attended further said that a DNA testing and equipped with special gear to by officials from the police, laboratory will start working in help them work in the harsh ter- intelligence agencies and home Sindh in a week. rain of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. department. “We have decided to keep Northern Pakistan is home to Home secretary Abdul Qazi Afghan refugees in segregated some of the world’s tallest moun- Kabeer told the media that two camps that will be established tains, including K2, the world’s police stations had already been outside the city,” said Kabeer, second-highest peak. set up in Karachi to handle cases adding that there were around 2.7 Mountaineers have long been of terrorism and one police sta- million unregistered Afghanis in drawn to the area by the chal- tion each will be established in Sindh, while the number of reg- lenging climbs, but tourism was Hyderabad and Sukkur for the istered Afghan refugees stood at badly hit by the June 2013 killings same purpose. 68,000. at the base camp of Nanga Parbat, “There will also be a separate “We have received reports that Pakistan’s number two peak. jail for terrorists in Karachi,” he Afghanis are involved in terror- Security forces inspect the wreckage of a damaged Afghan police vehicle after it was targeted by a remote- AGENCIES said. ism and criminal activities in the controlled bomb blast in Jalalabad yesterday. At least two Afghan police officials were wounded in the incident. “We have received approval city,” he claimed. from the higher authorities and “We, therefore, want to house will arrange the land for it soon.” them in one specific place and Kabeer, who also heads the monitor their movements.” provincial execution committee According to him, the gov- Most legislators don’t admit owning foreign assets for the National Action Plan, said ernment will provide Rs0.7m to that the committee had already Afghanis who wanted to return referred 64 cases to the military to their home country. “We have ISLAMABAD: Nearly 61 per for a “yes” or “no” answer. legislators did not answer the four senators, Rs500m by seven courts and shortlisted 21 more arrested around 1,200 Afghanis cent of legislators in Pakistan The 715 who refused to answer question asking them whether members of the Punjab Assembly cases to send to them. who are living illegally and will have declined to answer include many who have openly “their income decreased or and Rs215m by seven members of He added that the government repatriate the 2.7 million unreg- “whether they have property/ mentioned owning assets abroad increased during the last fiscal the Sindh Assembly. will soon make laws for the estab- istered Afghanis to their country assets abroad or not” on their at public appearances. Of those year.” Muddassir Rizvi, CEO of the lishment of mosques and semi- by December 31 this year.” financial disclosure forms who answered the question, only Jamshed Dasti, an independent Free and Fair Election Network naries in the province. Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali submitted to the Election 24 admitted to owning assets member of the National Assembly, (FAFEN), said that the ECP “No one can establish mosques also told the media that a female Commission of Pakistan, outside Pakistan. No legislator did not bother filling out the form should require legislators to fulfil or madrassas without government counter-terrorism force will also according to an analysis. from Balochistan or Khyber- at all, leaving it completely blank. their legal obligations to complete approval.” be launched in Sindh. “We dis- Of the 1,173 legislators elected Pakhtunkhwa was among those The total value of the foreign these disclosures. Responding to a question about cussed the mechanisms of the at either the provincial or federal who admitted to owning foreign assets declared by the 24 legis- “The ECP should scrutinise political influence within the new counter-terrorism forces in level, 715 either dodged the ques- assets. lators who did admit to owning these documents to determine police department, the home sec- the province during the meeting,” tion on the form or left it blank. Most legislators do not take them was estimated to be Rs1.4bn. their accuracy and should not act retary said, “Transfers and post- he revealed. The question does not ask details their financial disclosure forms Of that amount, Rs620m is like a post office,” said Rizvi. ing are being done purely on merit INTERNEWS of those properties, merely asking seriously. More than 80 percent owned by six MNAs, Rs62m by INTERNEWS

10 burn to Islamabad shelves plan death in bus crash: Officials to import Iran power KARACHI: At least 10 peo- ISLAMABAD: A fresh offer the project. However, they admit- ple were burned to death and to supply Pakistan with 3,000 ted that progress on the matter nine others were injured when megawatts of electricity has would not be possible until inter- a passenger van overturned and hit the same snags as previ- national sanctions against Tehran caught fire in southern Pakistan, ous attempts to import energy were removed. officials said yesterday. from Iran, amid growing reali- The key problem appears to be The accident took place over- sation that US and European making payments to Iran, whose night in the southern town of sanctions against Tehran make financial system is completely Noori Abad, around 100km north- it virtually impossible for any sanctioned by the US and EU, east of Karachi. project to get off the ground which makes all Pakistani banks “At least 10 people were killed until the sanctions are lifted. unwilling to process payments to in the accident, seven bodies were Government officials said that Iranian energy companies. burnt so badly that they could not the original idea was proposed Pakistan already has a small be identified,” senior police offi- by a Dubai-based company called agreement with Iran to import cial Naeem Shaikh said. “Three Al Auqili Group, LLC in 2014. 73MW of electricity to serve the women, two children and four However, that group has since needs of Gwadar, but has been una- men were wounded, while, three backed out of the project. ble to make payments to Tavanir, passengers remained unharmed.” In April 2014, The New York the Iranian power company, since The van was overloaded and Times reported that the Al Auqili 2011, which is when sanctions veered off the road after suffering a Group and two of its directors against Tehran were toughened. burst tyre, he said. Pakistan has an were placed on a blacklist by the The government is now trying to appalling record of fatal traffic acci- US administration for their previ- figure out how to make payments dents due to poor roads, badly main- ous attempts to evade sanctions for those electricity imports. tained vehicles and reckless driving. against Iran. At a meeting of the Economic Last month 62 people including At a meeting of the Cabinet Coordination Committee of the women and children were killed Committee on Energy on Cabinet on August 26, 2014, in southern Pakistan when their February 12, officials from the water and power ministry officials bus collided with an oil tanker, water and power ministry told examined the Turkish and Indian starting a fierce blaze which left Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that models of evading international victims burnt beyond recognition. People survey a passenger van that caught fire following a gas cylinder explosion, on super highway near the ministry had been trying to sanctions on Iran. AFP Hyderabad, yesterday. find other investors to take up INTERNEWS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Land acquisition act ‘refined’: President Hazare, Congress oppose ordinance

NEW DELHI: President M Venkaiah Naidu told report- massive agitation Tuesday which Pranab Mukherjee yesterday ers outside parliament that every will be joined by National Alliance said that the land acquisition ordinance will be discussed on the of People’s Movements, All India act had been “refined” to mini- floor of the house while assert- Union of Forest Working People mise some procedural difficul- ing the land ordinance was not and the Ekta Parishad. ties in getting land for critical anti-farmer. “We will launch an agitation projects but the Congress and Referring to the ordinance in in the entire country. We do not some parties conveyed their his speech, the President said that want any discussions or clarifi- firm opposition to the meas- the Right to Fair Compensation cation, but a complete repeal of ure and activist Anna Hazare and Transparency in Land the ordinance,” she said, adding launched a protest. Acquisition, Rehabilitation and everyone, including parties, were The President said in his Resettlement Act has been “suit- invited for the agitation. address to the two houses of par- ably refined”. The ordinance removes con- liament at the start of budget ses- This has been done to mini- sent clause for acquiring land for sion that the National Democratic mise certain procedural difficul- five categories - defence, rural Alliance government attaches ties in acquisition of land required infrastructure, affordable hous- paramount importance to safe- for some critical infrastructure ing, industrial corridors and guarding interests of farmers projects and for creation of basic infrastructure projects including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Vice- and families affected by land amenities like rural housing, Public Private Partnership (PPP) President Mohammad Hamid Ansari walk inside the parliament premises as they arrive to attend the first day of acquisition. schools and hospitals, particularly projects where the central gov- the budget session in New Delhi yesterday. The Narendra Modi govern- in remote areas, he said, adding ernment owns the land. ment had brought the ordinance utmost care has been taken to The existing act had required on land acquisition in December protect the interest of farmers, consent of 80 percent of land New tourism Nothing new in Pranab’s last year but the move has met including their compensation owners for private projects and stiff opposition on the issue from entitlements. of 70 percent of land owners for Congress and some other parties. Hazare, who led an anti-corrup- PPP projects. policy soon address: Opposition The opening day of the session tion movement against the previ- The 2013 law also provided that saw some political parties and ous UPA government, launched unused land had to be returned NEW DELHI: President NEW DELHI: The opposition Kharge said the skill devel- activists conveying their firm an agitation against the ordinance five years after acquisition but the Pranab Mukherjee yesterday Congress yesterday said that opment programme mentioned opposition to the changes brought at Jantar Mantar here, terming ordinance states that the period said that there was enormous President Pranab Mukherjee’s in the president’s speech was a in the act that was passed by the measure as “undemocratic” after which unutilised land will potential in the tourism sector address to parliament had UPA policy. “What they are say- the previous United Progressive and demanding its withdrawal. need to be returned will be five and the government will bring “nothing new”, with party pres- ing about skill development was Alliance government. He said that political parties can years, or any period specified at out a new tourism policy. ident Sonia Gandhi calling it a already started by the UPA gov- The land ordinance was among join his agitation but not share the time of setting up the project, “A new tourism policy is on revamp of policies of the previ- ernment. The speeches they used six ordinances whose copies the stage with him. whichever is later. the anvil,” Mukherjee said in his ous UPA regime. to give in rallies, they printed and were tabled by the government Activist Medha Patkar termed While the act excluded the address to the members of two “There is nothing new. These asked the president to repeat in yesterday in the Lok Sabha. the ordinance as “anti-people” acquisition of land for private houses of parliament at the start are only revamping some of the parliament,” he said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister and said they would begin a hospitals and private educational of the budget session. He said that old UPA (United Progressive Congress leader Pramod Tiwari institutions from its purview, the tourist visa on arrival facility has Alliance) policies and presenting said there was no question of the ordinance removes this restric- been expanded to 44 countries. it,” Gandhi told reporters. Congress supporting the govern- tion. The act was applicable for He said infrastructure facili- Leader of Opposition in the ment on land acquisition. “There the acquisition of land for pri- ties were being improved at tour- Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge is no question of supporting the vate companies but the ordinance ist destinations and dedicated slammed the government for land acquisition ordinance. It is changes this to acquisition for trains had been started for some working at the behest of some anti-farmer and the Congress will “private entities”. pilgrimage destinations. industrialists. “Where is the not accept it in the present form. Opposition parties, led by the Mukherjee said that inclusive sabka saath, sabka vikas the The government is working under Congress, slammed the govern- growth was a top priority of the government was talking about? pressure of some industrialists,” ment over the ordinance. Congress government and it was committed The NDA (National Democratic Tiwari said. spokesperson Abhishek Manu to expand the job market. Alliance) government has taken Janata Dal-United president Singhvi termed the ordinance At a time when the focus is on everyone’s support but is work- Sharad Yadav said the president’s as anti-people and anti-farmer. unaccounted wealth stashed away ing for the development of some speech was too long. “There was “We will agitate. Government in foreign accounts and on corpo- industrialists and corporates,” nothing new. The president’s must realize that the essence of rate espionage, Mukherjee said: Kharge told reporters. speech was a repetition of what- democracy is to take everybody “My government is committed to “The law that they are mak- ever has been said by the prime along,” he said. taking all possible measures to stop ing will only take away farmers’ minister. The speech was very Janata Dal-United leader generation of black money, both land,” Kharge said, referring to long,” Yadav said. Sharad Yadav said the govern- domestically and internationally.” the Right to Fair Compensation Bahujan Samaj Party chief ment talks about development for He also said the government and Transparency in Land Mayawati spoke on similar lines. Veteran social activist Anna Hazare addresses his supporters during a sit-in all “but they are working only for is aims to take up the share of Acquisition, Rehabilitation and “The speech was a reiteration of protest in New Delhi yesterday. some industrialists”. clean energy up to 15 percent in Resettlement (Amendment) what government has been saying.” IANS the next seven years. IANS Ordinance. IANS

Court grants Mysuru adopts 22-year-old as Wodeyar heir protection MYSURU: Mysuru’s erstwhile the grand occasion in this city of Economics at Boston, US, wore with heirs, including the last scion family on the other side for the royal family yesterday adopted palaces. a golden-coloured bandgala and (Srikantadatta). ceremony. Sprinkling holy water from arrest 22-year-old Yaduveer Gopal Raj “Soon after adoption, the new sported a reddish royal headgear The Wodeyar dynasty ruled the on Yaduveer, Pramoda Devi Urs as the heir to the legendary scion was rechristened Yaduveer with a diamond necklace for the Mysuru kingdom for over seven sought consent of his parents for Wodeyar dynasty. Krishnadatta Chamaraja ceremony. Srikanatadatta died in centuries from 1399 to 1950. adoption and placed him on her to Pachauri “The adoption ceremony took Wodeyar to ascend the throne Bengaluru on December 10, 2013 The adoption rituals were lap to whisper his new name three place at the auspicious time after coronation before the grand at the age of 60. conducted by Indrakshi Devi, times. NEW DELHI: A court here yes- (1.15-1.50pm) in the decked-up Dasara fest in October,” the fam- “As Srikantadatta and younger sister of Srikantadatta, The ex-maharaja of Sirohi terday granted interim protec- Amba Vilas Palace amid chant- ily member said. Pramoda Devi have no children, and monitored by Pramoda Devi in Rajasthan and the ex-maha- tion from arrest to R K Pachauri, ing of Vedic hymns and prayers,” Yaduveer, son of Tripura they are adopting Yaduveer to under the guidance of palace raja of Dungarpur in Gujarat, Director General of The Energy a member of the erstwhile royal Sundara Devi and Swarup Anand be the new scion,” the family priests, led by Parakala mutt seer Karnataka Home Minister K.J. and Resources Institute (TERI), family said here, about 150km Gopal Raj Urs, is the grandson member said. According to a leg- Abhinava Vageesha Brahmatantra George and Housing Minister against whom a sexual harass- from Bengaluru. of princess Gayathri Devi, eldest end, Raja Wodeyar, founder of Swatantra in the octagonal glass- M.H. Ambareesh were among the ment complaint has been reg- Pramoda Devi, widow of sister of Srikantadatta and eld- the dynasty, was cursed by Rani topped kalyana mantap (sanctum special invitees for the royal occa- istered by a research associate Srikantadatta Narasimharaja est daughter of the last maha- Alamelamma in 1610 that “the sanctorum). sion. Hundreds of tourists, includ- working in his office. Wodeyar, adopted Yaduveer in raja (king) Jayachamarajendra kings of Mysore will suffer the Yaduveer sat with his parents ing foreigners visiting the palace, Additional Sessions Judge Raj the presence of members of the Wodeyar. pangs of childlessness”. on a raised wooden platform on also witnessed the ceremony from Kumar Tripathi granted interim erstwhile royal family and about The scion, who is pursuing Since then, every alternate gen- one side, while Pramoda Devi and outside, as entry was prohibited. relief from arrest to Pachauri 1,000 guests specially invited for a degree course in English and eration of Wodeyars had problems members of the erstwhile royal IANS till February 26 in the case. The court’s direction came while hear- ing the anticipatory bail applica- tion of Pachauri. Devotion The court also issued notice to Delhi Police to file a reply on the Different languages spice up bail plea of the TERI director. The Delhi High court had earlier granted Pachauri interim protec- Delhi assembly oath-taking tion from arrest till February 23 after he had moved high court following a police summon for NEW DELHI: The swearing-in cer- and Sanjeev Jha (Burari) chose Maithili. questioning him with regard to emony of the Delhi assembly yesterday Rituraj Jha was even dressed in tra- the allegations. witnessed a colourful mix of languages ditional Maithili attire that included a In the FIR, the complainant has including Punjabi, Maithli, Urdu, white dhoti and a red kurta coupled with claimed that Pachauri had sexually English and even Sanskrit much to the a bright yellow scarf and purple cap. harassed her for nearly two years liking of those present in the House. However, it was Kapil Mishra, the leg- since she joined the organisation in While the majority of the 67 Aam islator from Karawal Nagar, who wowed September 2013. Aadmi Party (AAP) members took oath the audience as he took oath in fluent The FIR was based on a com- in Hindi, some of them preferred other Sanskrit, eliciting tremendous applause plaint filed by the woman at languages, adding the much-needed colour from the house. the Lodhi Colony police station to the usually dreary ceremony. Unprecedented scenes were played out on February 13. In the wake Assembly members by the name of on the first day of the new Delhi assembly of the complaint, Pachauri, Jarnail Singh, from Rajouri Garden and as excited visitors applauded and raised also the chairman of the Tilak Nigar constituencies, took oath in slogans all through the oath-taking cer- Intergovernmental Panel on Punjabi. Devendra Sehrawat (Bijwasan), emony. A huge round of applause was Climate Change, had to cancel Somnath Bharti (Malviya Nagar) and given to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the plenary session of the top Nitin Tyagi (Laxmi Nagar) preferred as he took oath as well as Speaker Ram A Hindu devotee bathes at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythi- scientific body on global warming English. Okhla legislator Amanatullah Niwas Goyal. Chants of Vande Mataram cal Saraswati in Allahabad. that he was scheduled to attend Khan and Haji Ishraq (Seelampur) took and Bharat Mata Ki Jai kept reverberating in Nairobi on February 22. oath in Urdu, while Rituraj Jha (Kirari) at regular intervals. IANS IANS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Leaks in ministries: Fresh arrest exposes new espionage racket

NEW DELHI: On a day when houses. His arrest led us to bust another ministries for Infraline Energy, for which sectors, the sources added. A court here would be invoked if any secret documents President Pranab Mukherjee promised racket,” Delhi Police chief B S Bassi said. he was working. yesterday sent former journalist Santanu were found. Those sent to police custody stricter government action against Meanwhile, seven employees of the coal The firm has a huge database of sub- Saikia and three others to judicial cus- till February 24 are Reliance Industries corruption, the ramifications of the and petroleum ministries were picked up scribers, both individuals and corporates. tody till March 6 in the petroleum min- corporate affairs manager Shailesh leaks in the petroleum and other min- by police from Shastri Bhawan — that Police said a second FIR has been reg- istry documents leak case. Saxena, Jubilant Energy senior execu- istries widened as Delhi Police claimed has offices of various ministries including istered against Sharma and some other Before being taken to the court, Saikia tive Subash Chandra, Reliance ADAG to have busted a parallel racket in pur- coal, power and petroleum — and ques- people as they were found to be part of told reporters that Delhi Police officers DGM Rishi Anand, Essar DGM Vinay loined documents with the arrest of tioned them for over eight hours. another racket in which they used to took his signatures on five-six blank and Cairns India GM K K Naik. another man and the questioning of Lal Babu and Ranjit Mahto, employees of provide classified documents related to sheets of papers. Saikia, who runs a web Meanwhile, the Anil Ambani-led seven employees of two ministries. the coal ministry, along with five petroleum the petroleum, power and coal ministries. portal and previously covered the crime Reliance Group said that no police raids In its ongoing probe into the leakage of ministry employees — Bhupendra, Amit, The sources said the Crime Branch beat for several years, was sent to 11-day were conducted at any of its offices across classified documents of the petroleum and Virendra, Ram Kishore and Surender got information about Sharma during its judicial custody along with Prayas Jain, the country. “No search or raid has been coal ministries, the Crime Branch of Delhi — were those questioned by police. “We probe into the petroleum ministry leak a Melbourne-based energy consultant, conducted by police authorities at any Police unearthed a new racket with the have issued notice to all the seven gov- that was unearthed on the night of Feb and Rakesh Kumar, 30 and Lalta Prasad, office of the Reliance Group anywhere arrested of Lokesh Sharma, a 33-year-old ernment employees to appear before the 17, with the arrest of two former multi- 36 - both brothers and residents of Delhi. in India,” the company said. employee with Noida-based energy con- probing team again Tuesday,” said Special tasking employees of Shastri Bhawan. Delhi Police is likely to summon the What has emerged till now is that no sultant company Infraline Energy. Commissioner of Police Taj Hasan. Sharma, who went missing a day seniors of the five corporate officials senior official has been complicit in the Sharma, who was arrested on Sunday, Giving information about Sharma, after the espionage case came to light, arrested in the petroleum ministry leak- leakage of documents. Mukherjee, in his was produced before Chief Metropolitan police said he dealt with documents being was detained a day before his arrest on age case, asking them to join the inves- address, said: “While introducing stricter Magistrate Satish Arora in a Dwarka stolen from the coal and power ministries Sunday. Police sources said they were on tigations, sources said. Police said they and sterner measures to deal with cor- court which sent him to five days in police and passed them to his employers. the lookout for Rajiv Singh, a coal minis- were analysing the documents recovered ruption, an effort is being made to ensure custody. “We have arrested one more per- Police sources said the corporate espio- try employee, a man named Jitender and from all the accused, with the help of the that sufficient safeguards are in place to son, Lokesh Sharma, who used to pro- nage was not limited to the petroleum also some of Lokesh Sharma’s associates. petroleum, coal and power ministries to protect bona fide decisions taken in pub- vide stolen documents of the coal and ministry as Sharma also used the stolen More arrests can take place, includ- ascertain the nature of the documents. lic interest and to inspire confidence in petroleum ministries to some corporate information from the coal and power ing from the corporate and government An official said the Official Secrets Act the civil service.” IANS

Modi meets Bahrain FM Bankers to get Rahul Gandhi 15pc wage hike, strike called off

CHENNAI: Unions in the banking sector and the Indian takes ‘leave Banks’ Association (IBA) yes- terday came to an agreement on increasing pay slip salary compo- nent by 15 percent and the four- day strike (from February 25) of absence’ call given by the unions has been withdrawn, said a union leader. “The unions and the IBA have agreed on the wage revision. We Congress backs move, BJP critical have arrived at an understand- ing today (Monday). As per NEW DELHI: Congress vice- Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv the understanding, the wage president Rahul Gandhi has Pratap Rudy said: “This only hike agreed is 15 percent,” C H taken “leave of absence” to shows the seriousness of the Venkatachalam, general secre- reflect on a series of electoral Congress party. He is holidaying tary, All India Bank Employees defeats for his party and chart during the budget session.” Association (AIEBA) said over its future course, the party Party spokesperson Sambit phone from Mumbai. He said announced yesterday, drawing Patra questioned the sagacity of it has also been agreed that the an critical response for the BJP choosing the “important” budget Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al second and fourth Saturdays who slammed him for “holiday- session, especially when Rahul Khalifa in New Delhi yesterday. India and Bahrain have agreed to start negotiations on an MoU on defence would be holidays and the bank ing” during the “important” Gandhi who is “not only a party cooperation as well as inking of an agreement on internal security during their first High Joint Commission would work full days on the other budget session of parliament. vice president but also a respected remaining Saturdays in a month. co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bahraini counterpart. In a brief interaction with the parliamentarian”. According to him, the yearly media here, party president Sonia Patra said that Gandhi’s “pres- additional pay out for the banks Gandhi said: “He (Rahul has been ence in the parliament would have will be around Rs4,725 crore (as on given a few weeks. He needs added to the level of discussions November 2012) up from Rs2,918 some time.” Party spokesperson on any issue by the most impor- crore during the previous wage Abhishek Manu Singhvi earlier tant leader of the most important settlement. Wage negotiations said the vice president requested party in the opposition”. Swine flu deaths, cases rise between United Forum of Bank “some time to reflect on recent The absence of Rahul Gandhi Unions (UFBU) and the IBA were events and the future course for from the session assumes greater LUCKNOW: Thirty new cases people have died in Lucknow. flu in the country instead of get- held in Mumbai yesterday. the party. This introspection is significance at a time when parlia- of swine flu — including a leg- In Himachal Pradesh, swine flu ting “panicky”. “It is time for the Queried whether it was not important for the party in view ment is likely to witness a stand- islator of the ruling Samajwadi claimed the fifth life and four new central government, state govern- a climb down for the unions as of the forthcoming All India off on six ordinances including the Party — have been reported in cases were detected. The death ments and NGOs to work together they had got 17.5 percent wage Congress Committee session”. controversial one amending the the Uttar Pradesh capital, tak- of a woman due to swine flu was to take all necessary remedial hike in the last settlement, “The AICC session is of crucial land acquisition bill, that have to ing the total to 228, officials said reported in the Indira Gandhi measures,” Banerjee said. Venkatachalam said: “The last importance and Rahul Gandhi be replaced by laws. yesterday. Medical College and Hospital in Till date, 833 deaths have taken settlement percentage included will give inputs for it. So he However, Congress general sec- Vijay Mishra, legislator from Shimla. The 34-year-old patient place due to swine flu this year in all components including the ones has been given leave of absence retary Ajay Maken urged all to Gyanpur, had gone to the pre- belonged to Nirmand in Kullu dis- the country, “of which the number in the pay slip. But this time the after which he will come back to refrain from “reading too much” wedding celebrations of Mainpuri trict. So far, 25 positive cases have of deaths is 214 in Rajasthan, 15 percent hike is only on the pay active participation,” Singhvi told into the absence that had no bear- Lok Sabha member Tej Pratap been reported in the state, out of 207 in Gujarat, 112 in Madhya slip components (like basic salary, reporters here. ing on ensuring an effective agita- Singh Yadav in Saifai a few days which five people have died. Pradesh, 99 in Maharashtra, 51 in dearness allowance) and does not However, the entire dura- tion over the land ordinance. back and returned with bodyache, In West Bengal, swine flu Telengana, 33 in Karnataka, 20 in include other components. The tion of absence is not known, a “Rahul Gandhi is not an office fever and cold. He tested positive has killed five people. Minister Haryana, 10 in Andhra Pradesh, 8 pay out under other components party source said. It was also not bearer of the parliamentary party. for H1N1 and was referred to a of State for Health Chandrima in Delhi,” she said. In Telangana, have to be worked out.” known where Rahul Gandhi was So the work of the Congress medical facility in Delhi. Bhattacharya, replying to ques- 56 more people tested positive for According to him, the agree- though a report by Times Now within the house would carry on The legislator has been quar- tions in the state assembly, said swine flu. ment has to be drafted and signed TV channel said he had gone to uninterrupted,” Maken said. antined and is undergoing treat- 67 people have been afflicted with In Kashmir, with one more H1N1 within 90 days. The settlement Bangkok last week. The expla- Expressing similar sentiments, ment at Apollo hospital in Delhi. the disease so far in Bengal. virus infected patient dying over- will be from November 1, 2012 and nation for the leave cut no ice party leader in the Lok Sabha Meanwhile, two students have West Bengal Chief Minister night, the total number of swine up to October 30, 2017. IANS with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Mallikarjun Kharge said the tested positive for swine flu in Mamata Banerjee asked all con- flu deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Party (BJP). Congress would operate under the Barabanki. Health department cerned to work together to take rose to six while the number of Hitting out at Rahul guidance of Sonia Gandhi. officials said that 228 people have all necessary remedial measures infected people went up to 120. Call connecting Gandhi, Minister of State for IANS tested positive for H1N1 and six to check the outbreak of swine IANS charges cut

NEW DELHI: Aiming to boost adoption of wireline network or fixed line phone connections in the country, the telecom regula- Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is new CPI-M Kerala secretary tor did away with charges that a landline service provider has to ALAPPUZHA: Senior poli- has been one leader in the CPI-M pay to other service providers tburo member Kodiyeri who has always been given a lot of for transmitting its phone calls. Balakrishnan was yesterday consideration. “To promote investments and elected as the new secretary of Achuthanandan’s sudden “boy- adoption of wireline network (so the Kerala unit of the CPI-M cott” was touched upon by the top that they become an effective vehi- succeeding Pinarayi Vijayan. leadership of the party, critically cle for delivery of high speed inter- The 21st state party confer- by some. Vijayan said: “The party net in the country), the Authority ence of the CPI-M also elected is by all means above individuals has decided to prescribe Fixed an 88-member state committee, and bowing to the felt needs of Termination Charges as well as Balakrishnan told reporters after the party need not be seen as a Mobile Termination Charge for his unanimous election. compromise of prestige,” he said, wireline to wireless calls as zero,” “The election was unanimous adding that a party like theirs the Telecom Regulatory Authority and there was no difference of will not succumb to threats and of India (TRAI) said. opinion. The conference also bargaining. There are so many It issued the “Telecommunication selected a 175-member delegation others who have suffered so much Interconnection Usage Charges which will represent Kerala at the for the party,” he said. (Eleventh Amendment) upcoming party congress to be In his statement, Regulations” which prescribed held in April at Visakhapatanam,” Achuthanandan said: “In the par- revised domestic termination said the new state secretary. ty’s state secretariat resolution charge (MTC and fixed termina- The 61-year-old politburo that was passed, I am picturised tion charges) and International member of the party rose to this as an anti-party person. In this Termination Charges. “Mobile level working up the ladder after FROM LEFT: Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, V S Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan light, I feel it improper to attend termination charge (MTC) for beginning as a student activist. the last day’s conference and will all calls originating from wireless A five-time legislator from The new 88-member state and he could have aired all his the state committee today,” said not attend it.” Now all eyes are on network has been reduced from Tellicherry in Kannur district, committee has 15 new faces and grievances in the party meet- Balakrishnan, when asked about Achuthanandan, who is also the 20 paise per minute to 14 paise Balakrishnan — compared to his most of them come from the ing. Since he is already a central the absence of the 91-year-old leader of the opposition, on what per minute. Termination charge predecessor Pinarayi Vijayan — is young and middle-aged genera- committee member of the party veteran from the state committee. his next move is going to be as the for international incoming calls a man known for sporting a smile tions of the party. he can always attend the state He said the politburo will budget session of the assembly is has been increased to 53 paise per always and has always been one “V S Achuthanandan should committee meeting of the party, look into the issues raised by starting next month. minute from existing 40 paise per who freely mingles with everyone. have attended today’s meeting even though he was not elected to Achuthanandan who, he said, IANS minute,” it said. IANS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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High: 23° High: 22° High: 26° during the day and Low: 13° Low: 17° Low: 17° slight dust with scattered clouds and cold by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:02 17:34 08:30 & 21:45 02:30 & 15:00 18-25/12-30 KT THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Riders compete on the bank of the Yenisei River during the annual “Winter Virage” motor sports festival dedicated to the Defender of the Fatherland MUSCAT 22/15 Partly cloudy 24/15 Sunny Day in Russia’s Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, yesterday. MAKKAH 36/22 Sunny 36/23 Mostly sunny KUWAIT 20/08 Mostly sunny 23/10 Sunny BAHRAIN 18/14 Sunny 21/16 Sunny SANAA 26/09 Mostly sunny 27/09 Partly cloudy RIYADH 21/09 Sunny 28/14 Sunny Japan clocks keep time for 16 billion years DUBAI 23/14 Partly cloudy 25/16 Sunny BAGHDAD 19/09 Partly cloudy 20/08 Partly cloudy TOKYO: Japanese researchers have built a The new clock uses special lasers to trap some 16 billion years for them to develop a THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW pair of clocks which they say are so accu- strontium atoms in tiny grid-like structures, one-second gap. rate they will lose a second only every 16 according to the team, which published the That is significantly more accurate than HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER billion years — longer than the Earth has study this month in the journal Nature the caesium atom clock, used to define “one been around. Photonics. second”, which can develop a one second error ATHENS 16/11 Showers 17/11 Partly cloudy “Cryogenic optical lattice clocks” are not It then measures the frequency of the vibra- every 30 million years, they said. WASHINGTON -1/-6 Mostly sunny 04/-6 Partly cloudy pretty — they look more like giant stripped- tion of the atoms, using them like “the atomic The technology could be applied to satellite- SYDNEY 26/19 Scattered showers 28/19 Partly cloudy down desktop computers than ordinary wall pendulum,” according to the study. based global positioning systems and commu- LONDON 09/04 Partly cloudy 12/06 Partly cloudy clocks — but they are so precise that current The system is so delicate that it must oper- nications networks, while also serving as a PARIS 09/03 Partly cloudy 09/04 Showers technology cannot even measure them. ate in a cold environment, around -180 Celsius foundation for various precision technologies, ISTANBUL 12/07 Cloudy 12/09 Partly cloudy The research team led by Hidetoshi Katori, (-292 Fahrenheit), to reduce the impact of the the team said in a statement. a professor at the University of Tokyo, believes surrounding electromagnetic waves and to “Through improved precision, we hold high MANILA 33/22 Partly cloudy 33/22 Partly cloudy it has taken the technology way beyond the maintain the machine’s accuracy, the team said. hopes for accelerated discussions on redefini- DHAKA 31/20 Mostly sunny 33/21 Sunny atomic clocks that are currently used to define Researchers connected the two clocks for tion of the ‘second’,” the statement said. DELHI 28/13 Partly cloudy 24/11 Sunny the “second”. a month, and estimated that it would take AFP ISLAMABAD 15/06 Thunderstorm 19/07 Mostly sunny

Cate Blanchett leaving Sydney Predicting where to park? There’s an app for that TEL AVIV: When it comes that high-tech firms are scram- a similar service called ParkNow. has successfully done with naviga- of historical data, it can quickly to helping drivers, there’s no bling to come up with clever ways But Israeli companies are tak- tion. Waze was bought by Google be adapted to cities around the to move to the shortage of in-car technology to make the process quicker and ing a different approach to the in 2013 for $1bn. world. If there’s no on-street from GPS navigation to colli- easier. problem: predicting where park- Anagog’s software learns parking available, it will direct US, says report sion-warning systems. But now In Britain, JustPark provides ing spaces can be found based on personal behaviour and knows users to a parking lot and pro- start-ups are tackling a per- a mobile app that enables users mobile data analytics. Anagog, a whether a user is getting into vide walking directions to the SYDNEY: Australian Oscar ennial source of frustration — to rent people’s private park- Tel Aviv-based firm, has devel- a car or starting to drive away, final destination. winner Cate Blanchett plans finding a parking space. ing spaces. In the United States, oped an app that can guide driv- freeing up a place. “We can direct “This is a Google economy - to leave her Sydney home and With the parking industry SpotHero and ParkWhiz allow ers to empty on-street parking people to spots that are about to it’s all about free, about sharing,” move to the United States worth $25bn a year in the United users to find paid parking areas or using real-time, crowd-sourced open,” said chief marketing officer said Roger Lanctot, an automo- where her artistic director hus- States and more than twice that book places in advance. German data from mobile phones, similar Jake Levant. The company said it tive analyst at Strategy Analytics, band Andrew Upton will pursue in western Europe, it’s no surprise carmaker BMW has been trialling to what another Israeli app, Waze, has built up a network of tens of who believes predictive technol- freelance writing opportunities, millions of drivers who contribute ogy focused on on-street parking a report said yesterday. millions of “parking events” daily. is where the market is headed. The in-demand actress, who The technology is already While most consumers will opt won Oscars for her roles in The attracting attention from the for free parking if they can find it Aviator and Woody Allen’s Blue industry, including ParkNow, rather than paying for a car park Jasmine, will make the move later which recognises that its parking or a pre-booked parking space, the this year. solutions are based on advanced key to the burgeoning industry “It was a very hard decision,” planning rather than predicting or would appear to be providing users Upton, the artistic director of the knowing when a space will open up. with as many options as possible. Sydney Theatre Company, told Joachim Hauser, the director of Pango Mobile Parking, another the Sydney Morning Herald. mobility services at BMW, which Israeli company, started with an “But the deciding factor was has also backed JustPark, said app that makes it quicker and eas- that our children are still of an mobile intelligence had implica- ier to pay for parking via mobile age where they can be mobile tions for the auto industry and phone. It now has agreements without disrupting their educa- mobile service providers beyond with 14 U.S. cities and operations tion too much. finding a parking space, making in Brazil and Poland. But it’s also “We spent nine years living in it particularly attractive. “We providing parking location and England and we loved it. But now will be looking at companies valet parking services. we’d like to try America. They like Anagog to fill the ParkNow “Parking is a big business,” said have terrific (opportunities in) brand,” he said, without giving chief executive Zion Harel, point- television there and Cate has a details of how that could work. ing out that mobile payments very strong film career there, too, Another Israeli company, account for only 7 percent of the obviously.” ParkLife, takes a similar approach U.S. market, whereas in Israel Blanchett started out as a thea- to Anagog but uses a statistical they are already more than 50 tre actress in Sydney, where she model and mapping data to direct percent. “A lot of corporations won critical and popular acclaim drivers to the best area to find are looking to see where this is with a string of successes for the Anagog, an Israeli parking app, is seen on a smartphone in Tel Aviv. on-street parking. going,” he said. Sydney Theatre Company. Since it does not need heaps REUTERS She was also joint artistic direc- tor with Upton of the company from 2008 to 2012 and is patron of the Australian Film Institute. Upton said he wanted to return to writing while in the United States. “I want to get back into the Sauna-goers may live longer, finds Finnish study freelance writing lifestyle, which I have been missing,” he said. “I am MIAMI: Men who regularly visited a disease, fatal cardiovascular disease and those who went once. Similarly, coronary Going to sauna four to seven days a week interested in writing for television sauna lived longer and were less likely dying from any cause among a group of heart disease risk was 23 percent lower for was linked to a 40 percent reduction in and film, as well as theatre.” to die of sudden heart attacks than men 2,315 middle-aged men (42 to 60 years old) two to three bathing sessions per week and death risk. Staying more than 19 minutes AFP who did not visit as often, said a Finnish from eastern Finland. 48 percent lower for four to seven sauna in the sauna also appeared more beneficial study out yesterday. The men — all of whom went to sau- sessions per week compared to once a week, than staying less than 11 minutes in the In often frigid Finland, going to the nas but some more often than others — the study said. And the risk of dying from hot, wood-paneled room. sauna is a popular activity, and is believed were tracked for a median, or midpoint, heart disease was 27 percent lower for men “Further studies are warranted to estab- to confer good health and relaxation. of 21 years. Comparing the risk of sudden who took saunas two to three times a week lish the potential mechanism that links While other studies have examined the cardiac death among those who reported and 50 percent lower for men who were in sauna bathing and cardiovascular health,” link between better circulation and sauna going to sauna once a week to those who the sauna four to seven times a week, again said the study, led by Jari Laukkanen, of the use, the latest study in the Journal of the went two to three times, the more frequent compared to those who went once per week. University of Eastern Finland. Some previ- American Medical Association (JAMA) sauna-goers had a 22 percent lower risk of When researchers looked at the risk of ous studies have found saunas are linked to Internal Medicine looked at the link sudden cardiac death. dying from any cause, they found sauna improved heart health, but none have proven between sauna bathing and the risk of Those who went four to seven times a bathing two to three times per week was cause and effect, or explained exactly how sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart week had a 63 percent lower risk than associated with a 24 percent lower risk. saunas may be helping the body. AFP Tuesday 24 February 2015 5 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6351 Price: QR2

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Greece delays ExxonMobil Qatar technology goes global sending reforms New gas detection system developed list to Eurogroup ATHENS: Greece postponed BY SATISH KANADY period, culminating in field tests late yesterday sending a list of the system that began last year of proposed reforms aimed at DOHA: An innovative tech- at production facilities in Qatar obtaining a four-month exten- nology, developed in Qatar, is and the United States. sion of its bailout lifeline until going global. The ExxonMobil “The dual imager IntelliRed today morning, a Greek govern- Research Qatar’s (EMRQ) system is the latest example of ment source said. affiliate ExxonMobil Upstream ExxonMobil’s continuous focus on “The list of reforms will be Research Company yesterday process safety and environmental sent tomorrow (Tuesday) morn- announced it awarded a glo- protection”, said Ortwein. “Our ing to the finance ministers of the bal commercial licence for an collaboration with the imaging Eurogroup,” the source said hours improved version of remote gas experts at Providence Photonics before a midnight (2300 GMT) detection system to an inter- has produced a second genera- deadline agreed on Friday to send national company Providence tion remote gas detection system the proposals expires. Photonic. that leads the industry and with The source added that the The technology was devel- its robust design in capable of measures would include all the oped at EMRQ and Providence operating in oil and gas process- promises made by Prime Minister Photonic was the co-developer. ing facilities around the world.” Alexis Tsipras’s hard-left Syriza Sara Ortwein, President, Ortwein, who is in Doha to join party before its sweeping election ExxonMobil Upstream Research the fifth anniversary celebrations victory in January. Company, said the newly devel- of EMRQ, said ExxonMobil’s These include free electricity oped dual imager system Doha research centre is cur- for 300,000 poor families, free IntelliRed provides a more sen- rently focusing on four sectors, The Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (third left), President and General Manager access to health care, food and sitive and accurate early warning which are of common interest to of ExxonMobil Qatar, Alistair Routledge (second left); and President of Upstream Research Company, ExxonMobil public transport coupons and aid alert of hydrocarbon leaks with Qatar and ExxonMobil. The sec- Corporation, Sara Ortwein (fourth left); with other officials during the fifth anniversary of the ExxonMobil Research for those on low pensions. minimal false alarms. tors include environmental man- Qatar in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Other measures include a more A single imager system was agement, water reuse, LNG safety “just” taxation system, measures commercialised in late 2013. Both and costal carbonates. to tackle tax evasion and corrup- systems are designed to improve On EMRQ’s coastal research, they are able to gain a better mammal initiatives in order to and the technologies needed to tion and to crack down on smug- process safety and environmen- she said Qatar’s coastal sedimen- understanding of the rock for- address the issue of preservation enhance environmental manage- gling, as well as streamlining the tal performance at oil refiner- tary layers, formed during an mations and the surface geology of dugongs-large, long-living her- ment capabilities. civil service to reduce bureauc- ies, chemical plants, liquefied estimated over 10,000 years, are along the Qatari coast line. bivorous marine mammals found Qatarisation is a key element racy. The finance ministers of natural gas (LNG) facilities and similar to the sedimentary layers In 2014, EMRQ’s achievements in Qatar coastal waters. of ExxonMobil Qatar’s strategic the 19-nation eurozone need to other gas processing facilities of the carbonate reservoir rocks included a partnership with QU On EMRQ’s future plans, business plans. Approximately 30 approve the measures before and can be used world-wide. The found in the subsurface. This pro- and Texas A&M at Galveston, Ortwein said the Doha Centre will percent of EMRQ’s employees, they agree to extend the terms IntelliRed system was devel- vide great benefits to geologists with support from the Ministry continue to invest in research to including key staff members, are of Greece’s $270bn bailout pro- oped by scientists from EMRQ and engineers working to produce of Enviornment, to further envi- better understand environmen- Qatari nationals, she added. gramme, which otherwise will and Photonics over a four-year Qatar’s natural gas resources as ronmental research and marine tal risks from industrial activities, THE PENINSULA expire on Saturday. AFP

Egypt aims to halt BMW C maxi-scooter HSBC may face extra $1bn gas imports in 2020 in fines, profits down 17pc

CAIRO: Egypt hopes to halt liquefied natural gas LONDON: HSBC Holdings imports in 2020, Oil Minister Sherif Ismail said yes- Plc has set aside $550m more terday, as projects to develop its own gas fields are to cover potential fines for completed. alleged manipulation of foreign The Arab world’s most populous nation is struggling to exchange markets and warned cope with energy demand from a population of 85 million. it could face a $500m bill to Demand now outstrips production of oil and gas from compensate US customers sold fields in the Western Desert, Nile Delta and offshore. debt protection products. Ismail said in an interview that “we are targeting to HSBC said in its annual report stop importing gas with ... the completion of developing yesterday it had paid restitution gas field projects.” to some US customers in connec- He added the caveat that this would be as long as there tion to debt protection and other was no need to meet additional demand with imports. products offered before May 2012. Egypt announced this year contracts for LNG imports It said additional remediation for with Vitol, Noble Group, and BP, part of tender to provide this issue “may lie in a range from 75 LNG cargoes, which Ismail reiterated would cover zero to an amount up to $500m.” demand for two years. He said he expected a floating ter- HSBC paid $611m to US and minal needed to import LNG to arrive by March and that UK authorities in November a second one was expected to arrive by July. “Egypt’s gas when it was one of six banks production is 4.7 billion cubic feet a day and we need no fined for alleged manipulation of less than 700 million cubic feet extra per day to meet the A mechanic makes a final check on a BMW C evolution electric maxi-scooter on FX markets. US, UK and other country’s electricity needs during the summer, in addi- the production line at the Berlin plant. The storage capacity of the high-voltage 8 authorities are still investigat- tion to the gas needs of the industrial sector,” Ismail said. kWh battery provides a range of up to 100km and a maximum speed of 120 kmh. ing the issue and the bank had Egypt is nearing a deal with Algeria’s state-run $550m provisioned at the end of Sonatrach for supply of LNG from 2016 until 2020, after December, its annual report said. agreeing to buy six cargoes from Sonatrach delivering Meanwhile, HSBC reported a 17 this year. Cash and oil products worth $10.6bn arrived percent fall in annual pretax profit from the Gulf in 2013-2014, bolstering the economy and Woqod posts QR1.13bn profit and cut its profitability target, say- The HSBC headquarters in London. giving Cairo space to reform a subsidy system that has ing allegations its Swiss business turned it from an energy exporter into a net importer had helped customers to dodge in recent years. DOHA: Woqod’s Board of Directors the financial results achieved during this taxes had brought shame on the to use,” Chief Executive Stuart Ismail said Kuwait had recently agreed to provide headed by Chairman H E Sheikh Saoud period. The Board also examined current bank. Results from Europe’s biggest Gulliver told reporters. Egypt with about 3 million barrels of oil per month, up Ben Abdulrahaman Al Thani held its and future projects and other related bank yesterday reflected the cost of HSBC confirmed that Gulliver from 2 million barrels. meeting yesterday to discuss the finan- issues and gave his directives. past misconduct and of protecting has a Swiss bank account and He also said that the expected subsidy bill for fuel cial results achieved during the period Net profit (after excluding minority itself against the impact of further while there is no suggestion he products in the fiscal year 2015-2016 year would amount ended December 31, 2014. interest) amounted to QR1,132m, increased scandals. HSBC said allegations broke any rules, the revelations to about 86bn Egyptian pounds ($11.27bn) based on an The Board approved the results and by 1 percent as compared to QR1,122m for about its Geneva-based arm, raided come at a sensitive time. estimated Brent oil price of $75 per barrel. Ismail also said recommended to the General Assembly the same period of 2013. Despite increasing last week by Swiss officials and now HSBC’s pretax profit of $18.7bn the ministry planned to announce an international tender to include in its agenda for the meeting on capital base through issuing 30 percent the subject of a UK inquiry, had for 2014 was down from $22.6bn for gas exploration in the Mediterranean on Tuesday, with the March 15, to distribute cash dividends bonus shares in 2013, EPS amounted to badly damaged its image. the year before and below the bids expected to close by the end of June. It also planned of QR760m according to a rate of 90 per- QR13.41 as compared to QR13.30 for last “A number of us, myself average analyst forecast of $21bn, to issue a new tender for oil exploration in the Western cent of the value of the paid-up nominal year. While total assets reached QR10.55bn included, think the practices of after a $3.7bn bill for provisions, desert in 2015. capital, ie, QR9 per share. increased by 10.56 percent from last fig- the private bank back in the past fines and settlements arising from Ismail said production had started from eight wells in Announcing Woqod’s financial results ures, total shareholder’s equity recorded are a source of shame and repu- a range of misdeeds, including Block 9A, which is being developed by British gas com- CEO, Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari said an increase rate of 8 percent to reach tational damage to HSBC. I think attempted manipulation of foreign pany BG off the Alexandria coast. REUTERS that the Board reviewed and approved QR6.76bn for that period. QNA shame would be reasonable noun exchange markets. REUTERS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Singapore QNB unveils raises taxes on rich to fund first mobile social spending SINGAPORE: Singapore yes- terday announced income tax rises for the top five percent of the population to fund rising application social spending targeted at the poor and elderly in the rapidly ageing city-state. The marginal personal income App to enhance customer experience tax rate for those earning above Sg$320,000 ($256,000) a year DOHA: Banking major QNB fund transfers, and access to will rise to 22 percent next year and Microsoft Qatar unveiled detailed account balance, with from the current 20 percent, yesterday the bank’s first Mobile several other services to be rolled Finance Minister Tharman application, which will take out. Microsoft Surface devices Shanmugaratnam told parliament QNB’s customers’ experience to will be used to run this modern as he unveiled the 2015 budget. a whole new level. The event took branch application across select The increase is expected to place during a media gathering branches in Qatar and then extend Officials unveiling the mobile application at the Microsoft’s Mobility Summit in Doha yesterday. BAHER AMIN raise an additional Sg$400m to at Microsoft’s Mobility Summit. it outside of Qatar where QNB is the government’s current rev- The Summit discussed how globally located. our clients complete their banking Microsoft Qatar General The Microsoft Mobility Summit enues of Sg$61.35bn. “While eve- mobility is changing the way indi- Commenting on this, QNB transactions and receive the best Manager Naim Yazbeck said, witnessed attendance from over ryone contributes something for viduals and enterprises work and General Manager - IT, Adel Ali service seamlessly and without “Microsoft Qatar is proud to part- 400 industry professionals and a better Singapore, those who live. Experiencing the blend of per- Al Malki said: “QNB is pleased to delay.” The bank developed the ner with QNB to develop such an technology enthusiasts. The event are better off should contribute sonal and professional lives, apps, partner with Microsoft to bring app’s interactive customer experi- innovative platform. This part- saw discussions on subjects like more,” said Tharman. and tools across different devices new interactivity to our custom- ence on the Windows 8.1 platform, nership is another step forward, enterprise mobility, Microsoft In 2007 the government intro- was the main theme of the full- ers. At QNB Group, we are always as it provides a variety of Windows reflecting Microsoft’s commitment Surface Pro 3 for commercial duced a form of negative income day event. seeking new solutions to improve devices’ the ability to manage and to maximising its customers’ pro- customers, apps, Windows enabled tax for low wage earners, and QNB’s Mobile application will our services, and this new plat- secure those applications from a ductivity through its mobile-first, devices, and world cup trends. in his speech Monday Tharman feature self-service functionality, form is the newest step in helping centralised IT management tower. cloud-first strategy.” THE PENINSULA announced a new aid package for poor elderly citizens worth Sg$350m annually. “It is fair that this enhanced support for those with low incomes should come chiefly from revenues contributed by the high- Aer Lingus trade unions split over IAG offer income group,” Tharman said. “Those with higher incomes have also been seeing stronger growth DUBLIN: Aer Lingus’s two opposition on Sunday in an appar- clear and tangible guarantees can recommended the €1.36bn offer resistance is especially strong in incomes than the average main trade unions have not sof- ent boost to the owner of British be given, there is nothing for the from IAG last month, subject to among members of the Labour Singaporean in recent years,” he tened their opposition to a take- Airways. However, the SIPTU government to consider,” SIPTU the Irish state selling its 25 per- Party, the government’s junior coa- added. over approach by International and IMPACT trade unions, whose Divisional Organiser Owen Reidy cent stake, but political and trade lition partner, ahead of elections Political observers said the Consolidated Airlines Group members sit on the CRC, said that told the Newstalk radio station. union opposition has been signifi- next year and a junior minister move aims to address rising dis- (IAG), they said yesterday after Worth was speaking in a personal A spokesman for IMPACT said cant. In an attempt to soothe con- from the party remained sceptical. content among Singaporeans at a a senior union official at the Irish capacity and that their position it still had very grave concerns cerns, IAG has pledged to maintain “I am more assured post his widening income gap. airline said he backed the bid. is unchanged ahead of talks with about job losses and connectivity, key landing and take-off rights at intervention,” Sean Sherlock said, The top ten percent of house- Myles Worth, secretary of Aer executives from IAG later. adding that no inter-union consul- London’s Heathrow airport for its referring to Walsh’s appearance holds had an average monthly Lingus’s Central Representative “Anybody who wants to know tation had taken place, so sugges- Irish routes for five years while it at a parliamentary committee 10 income of Sg$31,142 in 2014 Council (CRC) — a grouping of the SIPTU view, all they have to tions that they had softened their has said job cuts would be mini- days ago. “But I still remain doubt- compared with Sg$1,775 for the staff representatives from the com- do is look at everything we’ve said stance were incorrect. mal and be far exceeded by new ful until we see how the guarantee bottom 10 percent, according to pany’s trade unions — dropped his since day one. Until and unless The Aer Lingus board roles as it expands. Irish political will bear fruit.” REUTERS government data. AFP

Qatar Steel hosts annual gathering of traders

DOHA: Qatar Steel hosted the 12th Annual Traders’ Gathering. The annual gathering is aimed at consolidating its cooperation and business relations with its accredited traders in Qatar and Participants of Qatar Steel’s Annual Traders’ Gathering 2015. GCC countries. This year’s event, held in the presence of Ali bin hoping that such fruitful gather- network, Qatar Steel has suc- in steel industry,” he said. compliance with country’s National proud of our trading network that Hasan Al Muraikhi, Managing ings would foster the existing rela- ceeded to consolidate its presence Al Muraikhi said Qatar Steel Vision 2030. He hoped that the covers the local and GCC markets, Director and General Manager, tionship existing between Qatar in the markets; locally and abroad, constantly strives to even reach company’s solid business relations and we hope such gatherings with was attended by a large number of Steel and its traders, as well as which dates back to over 37 years higher levels of development and would continue with its traders, our traders would give a strong local and regional traders, Qatar enhancing the cooperation between span, full of growth and success. growth in all industrial operations, based on understanding, mutual impetus to our business relations, Steel officials, various department both sides. In this regard, I must highly com- to increase its production and rev- trust and common interests. and would enable us to boost our managers and senior employees He expressed delight at the posi- mend the great job that you do enues. The company is committed Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Ansari, communications with them; dis- Al Muraikhi welcomed the tive results achieved by Qatar Steel in enhancing such presence and to highest quality levels in steel Qatar Steel’s Commercial Division cussing various aspects of work and guests and extended his thanks last year, despite all challenges; and spreading across the markets. As a industry, and to achieve sustain- Manager, said the brotherly rela- getting to better know the market and appreciation to all traders spoke highly of the traders’ role in result, Qatar Steel has taken such able development in all fields; eco- tions between the company and its and customers’ requirements.” for their cooperation and support, this respect. “Through our traders’ a leading and prominent position nomic, social and environment, in traders; “We, at Qatar Steel, are THE PENINSULA

Georgia may halve growth forecast GE unit marks IBQ sponsors forum

TBILISI: Georgia may halve its significant growth forecast for this year to of entrepreneurship 2.0-2.5 percent from a current 5 percent, Economic Development expansion DOHA: International Bank economic culture that can Minister Georgy Kvirikashvili of Qatar (ibq) announced its enhance and further develop said, pointing to serious prob- DOHA: GE Water & Process sponsorship of the second the business environment in the lems in the economy. Technologies, a specialised busi- Entrepreneurship in Economic future. This perfectly aligns with As in a number of other former ness of GE is marking a signifi- Development Forum, to be held ibq’s approach as we’ve recently Soviet states, Georgia’s economy cant expansion of its regional March 2-3 as Silver Sponsor. set up a special commercial bank- and its currency are suffering Center of Excellence in Dubai The Forum aims at promoting ing unit to cater for the needs from the side-effects of a plunge at the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the and developing the next genera- of this important segment of in the Russian rouble and the company said in a release. tion of entrepreneurs in Qatar medium-sized enterprises.” Ukraine crisis. Russia is Georgia’s Underlining its commitment and the Gulf. Raed Chehaib, CEO, said: “The third-biggest trade partner. to delivering efficient resource The two days forum will high- Entrepreneurship in Economic “I think real economic growth use technologies for the Middle light the importance of an enter- Development Forum will be an should be expected within about East and North Africa region, the prise culture in developing the effective platform for discuss- 2-2.5 percent in 2015,” said Centre is the largest-of-its-kind private sector in Qatar to diver- ing the entrepreneurial culture Kvirikashvili, who is also a deputy purpose-built water-related tech- sify the economy in line with the in Qatar and the wider Gulf in prime minister. nology plants by GE. National Development Strategy addition to the latest trends and Finance Minister Nodar Opened in 2006 and spread 2011-2016. strategies in this field. We are Khaduri said earlier this month A cashier looks out from a currency exchange office in Tbilisi yesterday. over a land area of 38,000 sqm, Jabra Ghandour, Managing hoping to inspire and encour- that growth in the South Caucasus the facility is now being expanded Director of ibq said: “We are age the young generation in country should exceed 4 percent more financial aid for infrastruc- Georgia’s exports in January to add another 1,500 sqm of ware- proud to sponsor the 2nd Qatar and other GCC countries this year, also below the official ture projects. were down 30 percent year-on- house space to the existing 6,500 Entrepreneurship in Economic to develop their entrepreneurial forecast. Georgia’s GDP grew 4.7 Kvirikashvili said the govern- year, continuing a decline that is sqm of constructed area. Development Forum, we believe skills. At the same time, we are percent in 2014. ment would hold talks with the mainly due to a fall in exports to The expansion will also SMEs are key to sustainable also aiming to emphasise the Georgia has already decided IMF mission this week, but did Russia and Ukraine. strengthen the existing labora- economic development and for importance of well-coordinated to discuss with the International not elaborate on the agenda. Remittances from abroad in tory capabilities to support the nurturing a generation of young action among key public and pri- Monetary Fund (IMF) whether He also said the government the same month were down 23.3 company’s growing oil and gas entrepreneurs. The forum also vate sector organisations in facili- it can ask international financial was considering cutting admin- percent from a year earlier to customer base in the region. highlights the importance of tating entrepreneurship.” institutions or foreign banks for istrative spending. $75.5m. REUTERS THE PENINSULA developing an entrepreneurial THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Valeant to Low-profile engineer buy Salix in to replace Honda CEO $10.1bn deal NEW YORK: Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc agreed to acquire gas- Hachigo appointed for his broad experience, says CEO Ito trointestinal drugmaker Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd in an TOKYO: Honda Motor Co yes- trimmed its core annual profit Hachigo’s appointment marks all-cash deal valued at about terday named an experienced, forecast as it set aside hundreds the first time Honda has named $10.1bn, the two companies said. yet little known, engineer as its of millions of dollars to cover mass as CEO a non-director and some- The deal for Salix, known for new chief executive, who will recalls to replace air bag inflators one who has not headed the firm’s its irritable bowel syndrome drug take over in late-June with the made by Takata Corp that have R&D company. “My job is to take Xifaxan, was approved by the Japanese automaker battling been linked to six deaths, all in the (current) strategy forward, boards of directors of both com- the fallout from a slew of recalls Honda cars. and evolve it,” Hachigo said. panies, the companies said in a that have shaken its reputation Ito conceded this month that For the past three years, Ito, a news release. The companies said for quality. the Fit quality glitches could have feisty former supercar engineer, the deal had an enterprise value Takahiro Hachigo, 55, joined been caused at least in part by an has shaken up Honda’s decades- of $14.5bn, which would include Honda in 1982 and has worked aggressive sales target. old, tightly knit supply chain, Salix’s debt and any cash on hand. across research and develop- At a brief news conference in seeking to trim costs and find Valeant will pay $158 a share, ment, procurement and manufac- Tokyo, Ito and Hachigo spoke lit- more cutting-edge technologies. valuing the all-cash transaction turing, with spells in the United tle of Honda’s recent missteps, That has rankled local suppliers, at about $10.1bn. The merger is States, Britain and China, where instead saying the groundwork and some retired Honda execu- Honda Motor’s incoming President and CEO Takahiro Hachigo (right) and expected to yield more than $500m he is currently a senior official had been laid to take the auto- tives manoeuvred to have Ito outgoing Takanobu Ito at the company’s headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. in annual cost savings within six at the R&D arm. He will replace maker forward after moves to removed, sources have said. months, the release said. Takanobu Ito, who is stepping make its six operational regions “I think this is an attempt by The transaction is expected down after six years in the post self-reliant and accountable. Honda to tread a different course, “nice” and “thoughtful”. Thailand also hit production and to close in the second quarter of that saw Honda struggle through Hachigo, who worked on the with someone who upholds har- Ito became CEO in 2009 as profits hard. 2015, and is subject to customary the global financial crisis, natu- popular US Odyssey minivan mony,” said Takaki Nakanishi, a the auto industry was licking its Ito will remain on the board closing conditions and regulatory ral disasters and the more recent and CR-V crossover, skips several veteran auto analyst and CEO of wounds from a crushing global and become an adviser to Honda. approval. The deal is the larg- damaging recalls. ranks in his promotion to CEO, Nakanishi Research Institute. financial crisis. The years that Honda also said Koichi Fukuo, est ever for Laval, Quebec-based Ito and other executives took but Ito said his broad experience “I don’t know anyone who has followed were no easier, as a dis- a senior managing officer tasked Valeant, which lost a takeover a pay cut in October following a made him the ideal candidate. “I anything bad to say about him,” appointing launch of the Civic with overseeing quality after the contest for Allergan Inc last year. fifth recall in a year of the re- felt this was the right timing for said one senior Honda executive, model caused many to question recalls, would take over as R&D The usually acquisitive Valeant engineered Fit hybrid subcom- us to boost efficiency and results speaking on condition of ano- whether Honda had lost its edge. chief from Yoshiharu Yamamoto slowed its buying pace dramati- pact, and Honda last month globally,” Ito, 61, told reporters. nymity. He described Hachigo as Natural disasters in Japan and who is retiring. REUTERS cally while it pursued Allergan, and Chief Executive Michael Pearson said last month that it would focus on buying smaller, Merkel visits Siemens in Amberg private companies in 2015. Pearson said in the release that Apple to spend $1.9bn Salix, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, was an “ideal strategic fit” for Valeant. The failure to acquire Botox-maker Allergan on European centres led Valeant to reassess its history of growth by acquisition and to DUBLIN: Apple Inc said it our operations, creating hundreds target a higher stock price and would spend €1.7bn ($1.9bn) of local jobs and introducing some debt-reduction in the next two to build two data centres in of our most advanced green build- to three quarters, people familiar Europe that would be entirely ing designs yet,” he added. with the matter said in December. powered by renewable energy The data centre in Ireland Valeant said it had reduced long- and create hundreds of jobs. will be located in Athenry, close term debt to $15.3bn at the end The company said the centres, to Galway on the west coast of December, from $17.2bn at the in Ireland and Denmark, will while in Denmark, it will be in end of 2013. Valeant also released power Apple’s online services, Viborg, western Denmark. In a its fourth-quarter results with including the iTunes Store, App sign of how important Apple’s the announcement, posting net Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri investment in Denmark was, the income of $534.1m, or $1.56 per for customers across Europe. country’s trade and development diluted share, compared to $125m The investment is set to be minister issued a statement mir- in the year-earlier period, or 36 evenly divided between the two roring that of the iPhone maker’s, cents per diluted share. countries, with the Irish govern- adding the two data centres would Revenue rose to $2.28bn, up ment confirming that €850m be among the largest in the world. from $2.06bn in the fourth quar- would be spent in Ireland. The Ireland’s government also ter of 2013. Valeant said it expects two data centres are expected to reacted to the announcement, cash earnings of $2.30 per share begin operations in 2017. “This saying 300 jobs would be added in in this year’s first quarter. significant new investment rep- the county of Galway during the British drugmaker Shire Plc as resents Apple’s biggest project in multiple phases of the project, a of last week had taken initial steps Europe to date,” Apple CEO Tim boost as it seeks to cut the unem- to acquire Salix and was working Cook said in a statement. ployment rate below 10 percent with advisers on a potential offer. Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser (right) hands a circuit board from 1958 and one from 2015 to German “We’re thrilled to be expanding this year. REUTERS REUTERS Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Siemens electronics factory in Amberg, Germany, yesterday. UK raises $769m through sale of Lloyds shares Billions flow back into

LONDON: Britain’s finance to private ownership, reducing our 73.6 pence average price that the offload its remaining shares. Prior ministry has raised £500m national debt and getting taxpay- government paid, have taken the to its bailout, Lloyds had a record European equities as ($769m) through the sale of a ers’ money back,” Britain’s Finance government’s stake down to 23.9 of being one of the highest dividend further one percent stake in Minister George Osborne said in a percent from 24.9 percent when paying stocks in Britain, handing Lloyds Banking Group, cutting statement yesterday. the trading plan was launched. over half its profit to shareholders revenue outlook improves its holding to below 24 percent. UK Financial Investments They also take the total amount in 2005 and 2006. The sale moves Lloyds another (UKFI), which manages the gov- raised by the government so far UKFI had previously raised LONDON: Fund managers are BNP Paribas said, as investors step towards a full return to private ernment’s stakes in bailed out from selling down its stake in £7.4bn through two separate sales pouring billions of dollars into play on the themes of a weak euro ownership after Britain pumped banks, hired Morgan Stanley in Lloyds to just under £8bn. to financial institutions such as European stocks as forecast- and a more confident consumer. £20bn into the bank during the December to sell Lloyds shares on Lloyds is expected to announce pension funds and insurers. Those beating quarterly revenues bol- “A lot of money has been allo- financial crisis of 2007 to 2009, the stock market through a “pre- its first dividend since its rescue sales were made using an ‘accel- ster expectations for a recovery cated into Europe in the last few leaving it with a 41 percent share- arranged trading plan”. on Friday, increasing the bank’s erated bookbuild’ with the shares in corporate earnings. weeks. Consumer discretionary holding. “This is further progress The sales since made by Morgan appeal to investors and making sold overnight while the stock European equities saw their and autos are doing very well,” in returning Lloyds Banking Group Stanley, all at a price above the it easier for the government to market was closed. REUTERS largest ever inflows last week, Veronika Pechlaner, European totalling $5.8bn according to fund manager at Ashburton, said. EPFR, and investors are buoyed “People are positioning for a pick- by improving domestic demand up in growth. While that won’t in Europe and a drop in the happen overnight, that’ll help the euro, which should boost export domestic cyclicals, and there are Renault set to competitiveness. also plays on the weak euro.” Corporate revenues are still With over half of STOXX declining, and there are substan- Europe 600 companies having expand in ME tial market jitters over the sover- reported results for the fourth eign debt stand-off in Greece and quarter, 60 percent have beaten DOHA: Renault has announced tensions between Russia and the or met revenue expectations, its expansion plan for 2017 with West over Ukraine. Thomson Reuters Starmine data a focus on Middle East. Renault However, European shares are shows. Forty five percent of com- showcased various new mod- trading at seven-year highs in panies beat expectations, and 27 els that will be available in the part because many in the market percent have missed, resulting in region soon. believe companies in the region a net beat of 18 percent - the big- With 11 new vehicles to be have turned a corner. gest proportion of “beats” for 10 launched in the next three years, Investors lifted their exposure quarters, UBS said. the French firm is aiming to sell to euro zone equities to the high- Quarterly revenues are still in 75,000 vehicles. Renault argues est since May 2007 in February, decline overall — down 6 percent that the region remains a prior- a Bank of America Merrill Lynch year-on-year in the fourth quar- ity market worldwide and wants survey showed last week, confirm- ter — and the slump in oil, while to triple its market share to 3 per- ing trends seen in a survey. helpful for consumers of energy, cent by 2017. Renault’s offensive Fund inflows have helped is squeezing the oil and gas sector. launched two years ago and has push the pan-European STOXX However, the likes of Danish already started to show impressive Europe 600 up 12 percent since jeweller Pandora, Swedish fash- results, with sales up by 72 percent the start of 2015, after a modest ion store H&M and chip-designer in GCC and up by 46 percent in Various models of Renault that will be available in the region soon. 4.4 percent gain last year, and ARM are among the consumer the region as a whole. Germany’s DAX index has set and tech stocks that have posted Speaking at the event, Peyman new record highs. German equi- double- digit year-on-year growth, Kargar, Vice-President for the plan for the coming years to grad- Hakim Boutehra, Renault meeting market needs. As a first ties and discretionary stocks are ahead of market expectations. Africa Middle East India Region, ually go from 3 percent market Middle East Managing Director step in the plan, the recently the most popular trades among This revenue performance is said: “the Middle East is a key share and beyond. 2015 will dem- said: “We are confident in our 2017 launched Captur has made a foreign investors, who have seen by some as a turning point region for Renault. We have built onstrate Renault’s acceleration ambitions for the Middle East promising debut in the UAE and pumped $21bn into European after years of earnings doldrums an ambitious three-step growth and shows the path for the future”. Region with brand new models KSA”. THE PENINSULA stocks since the start of the year, in Europe. REUTERS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Bank of America chips Bankers emerge as away at brokerage truce

BY ELIZABETH DILTS

or the last decade, Wall Street brokerages have had a pact not Fed ally in audit fight to sue brokers that leave their firms and try to take clients with them. Now Bank of America Merrill Lynch, one of the F BY JONATHAN SPICER founding signers of the truce, is taking steps to erode the agree- Washington this week with the The sector is also an influen- its $4.5-trillion balance sheet. ment, industry lawyers say. bill on its agenda, shows that even tial voice in Washington. The Last week, Senator Paul hosted The bank is making it harder for brokers to take some of their ocal bankers are join- though banks of all sizes complain Independent Community Bankers a Facebook-based question-and- clients with them when they leave Merrill Lynch-specifically, clients ing the fight against a about restrictive Fed regulations, of America, their trade group, answer period on the bill that that were referred to the broker by a Bank of America branch. congressional proposal they support its ability to inde- gave $1.3m in political contribu- drew more than 1,300 comments. Brokers in recent months have been asked to sign contracts say- Lto audit the US Federal pendently set monetary policy. tions in the 2013-14 campaign The Fed’s finances, however, are ing that if they leave Merrill Lynch, they can’t take the names Reserve’s policy decisions, with “We feel the current system cycle, according to the Center For already audited and the bank has or phone numbers of those customers with them, because those more expected to lobby against works well, it’s time-tested, and Responsive Politics. taken steps to lift the veil on its clients belong to the bank. Lawyers said this policy chips away at the bill if it gains traction in there are all kinds of reasons This week, Fed Chair Janet decision making, including regu- the decade-old truce among brokerages known as the Protocol for Washington. why political influence at the Fed Yellen will testify before the larly publishing economic and Broker Recruiting. The agreement was meant to end the continual The audit of the Fed bill, cham- is a bad thing,” said Bob Lameier, Senate Banking, Housing and policy forecasts, and clarifying its and costly legal battles between brokerages and their brokers over pioned by Rand Paul of Kentucky, president of the Ohio group and Urban Affairs Committee for long-term goals. Fed policymak- who had the right to keep clients, and allows departing brokers a Republican Senator and likely head of Miami Savings Bank in the first time since Republicans ers have meanwhile amplified to take client information including names and phone numbers presidential candidate, would Miamitown, near Cincinnati. gained control of the Senate. their criticism of the bill. While with them. encourage interference from law- In the run-up to the 2010 Dodd- Bankers and Fed officials alike say Obama would be expected to veto The original 2004 signers were Merrill Lynch, UBS AG and makers into the central bank’s Frank legislation, community the change of control increases the a Fed audit bill, the debate is set to Smith Barney, then part of Citigroup Inc, and more than 1,200 monetary policy discussions. A bankers aligned with Fed officials chance that Congress backs the heat up along with the campaign brokerages have since signed onto the pact known among industry similar Fed audit bill passed the to convince lawmakers not to strip Audit bill and sends it to President for the 2016 presidential election. veterans as “the protocol.” Bank of America acquired Merrill Lynch House of Representatives late last the central bank of responsibility Barack Obama. Audit the Fed “is unnecessary in 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis. year and a hearing on Fed trans- for supervising small banks. The Committee Chair Richard and we do not support it,” said “One of founders is trying to create exceptions to the protocol that parency is expected to be formally Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Shelby, an Alabama Republican Arizona Bankers Association are at odds with the stated goal laid out in the very first sentence: called by the Senate banking com- and Consumer Protection Act was who opposed Yellen’s appoint- spokeswoman Theresa Kleinlein, to further the clients’ freedom of choice,” said Joe Dougherty, a mittee, according to people famil- a group of rules passed in 2010 in ment, supports making the Fed adding it was not a high priority lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney who represented wealth iar with the matter. a bid to prevent the recurrence more transparent but has not said because the group did not expect management firm Stifel Nicolas & Company in protocol cases A survey of 24 state banking of events that caused the 2008 whether he backs a full audit. He the bill to “move very far.” against Wells Fargo. “It’s at odds with the stated goals to begin to groups has found that four are financial crisis. There are more is expected to call a committee The Iowa Bankers Association make exceptions based on referral leads.” actively opposed to Audit the Fed than 6,000 community banks in hearing on Fed transparency in was similarly opposed, while its Bank of America is not trying to do away with the protocol, said and five would probably take a the US, representing 93 percent the coming weeks, said a person Alabama counterpart plans a spokeswoman Susan McCabe. “We are strong supporters of the stand against the bill if it gains of all lenders in the country, gov- familiar with the matter. Shelby’s thorough review of the bill and broker protocol, which offers important protections to advisers more support, giving the cen- ernment data show. Community office declined to comment. is prepared to discuss it with industry-wide,” she said. tral bank an influential ally as banks, which typically have less The audit bill would allow leg- lawmakers. Banking groups in She said the bank’s policy is four years old, but more than 20 the Fed ramps up its own public than $10bn in assets, account for islators to launch investigations Texas, Tennessee, Massachusetts, people familiar with the bank, including current brokers, outside opposition. The support of groups about 45 percent of all of the small of Fed policy decisions, which Virginia and Arkansas said they lawyers, and recruiters, said that many brokers were asked to sign like the Ohio Bankers League, loans to businesses and farms supporters say will shed more were inclined to oppose the bill. the contract for the first time in recent months. which is sending 82 members to made by insured institutions. light on the unelected body and REUTERS The bank appears to be ramping up the programme to encour- age retail bank branches to refer more customers to Merrill Lynch, brokers there said. The brokers said that clients referred from bank branches account for a negligible portion of their business. It isn’t the first time that Bank of America has pushed back on the protocol. In 2011, the bank’s US Trust division began asking brokers that were moving to competitors to provide two months’ notice, instead of two weeks’ notice, and blocked them from reach- ing out to clients during that time. Bank of America’s contract terms for Merrill Lynch brokers have not yet been tested in court, according to a review of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s arbitration records, the arena where most protocol cases are handled. The bank’s efforts to retain at least some of its customers underscores how uneasy the relationship between big banks and their retail brokerages can be. In recent decades the biggest banks have grown bigger to boost revenue by offering more products to more consumers. The financial crisis only accelerated that trend, allowing behemoths like Bank of America to buy faltering rivals like Merrill Lynch. But persuading retail bankers and brokers to refer business to one another is difficult-banks have struggled with “cross selling” products for years. Brokers that take customers from Bank of America retail branches must now decide whether they want to invest time and energy in clients that can provide revenue now, but will remain with the bank when the broker switches to a new firm. For some brokers, the bank’s policy will be viewed as an incen- tive not to devote much energy in clients referred from branches, several brokers said. Others make the opposite argument: some brokers want to receive referrals because it makes their jobs easier, even if those cli- ents remain the bank’s property. “You don’t get something for noth- ing,” said Rick Rummage, a broker recruiter in Herndon, Virginia. It is unclear if Bank of America’s rule would hold up in arbi- tration, said Joe Dougherty, a lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney who represented wealth management firm Stifel Nicolas & Company in protocol cases against Wells Fargo. At issue in this situation is that Merrill Lynch signed the pro- tocol, but Bank of America hasn’t, so it can claim that its clients are its property. “There is nothing in the protocol that says there is a carve-out for accounts referred to you from banking chan- nels,” said Patrick Burns, a Beverly Hills, California-based lawyer who has worked extensively with the agreement in representing brokers leaving their firms. “I don’t know how the general public or the hiring firms are supposed to just know that.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate US shale crash diet to bring forward output dip BY ANNA DRIVER and boom of the last decade rapidly fearing competitors with wells in they say their own output will hold because of two factors pulling U.S working in the Eagle Ford oil basin TERRY WADE deplete, so overall output will the same reservoir would take up or rise and expect much of the production down. to four from nine, while Anadarko fall unless new holes are con- the oil. That is no longer a risk decline come from the shuttering One is the much faster than Petroleum said it reduced its com- hale oil producers stantly bored and oil extracted via as shale is locked in rock. “(Now) of older, low-yielding wells known expected decline in the number pletion crews by a third. are throttling back hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. you can leave it in the ground. In as strippers. of active rigs. Oilfield services After years of breakneck so quickly on drilling “The thing that has surprised the old days you had to produce Assuming that many drill- company Baker Hughes said on growth, top shale companies that US crude output me ... is that companies large and because everybody was sucking on ing contracts will be carried Friday, nearly 50 rigs were shed Apache Corp and EOG Resources could fall sooner than small, financially strong, finan- the same straw,” Harold Hamm, out, the US Energy Information last week, bringing the US land rig have said their oil and gas output Sexpected, within months, execu- cially weak have really cut capi- CEO of Continental Resources, Administration (EIA) still sees count to 1250, about the level EIA this year will be flat. tives say as they slash costs to tal spending much quicker than said at a conference in January. output climbing early this year to had forecast would be reached in Producers who had grown cope with tumbling crude prices I have seen before,” said Bruce Already, many companies have peak at 9.42 million barrels per October. “There’s been a real rapid accustomed to oil at $100 a barrel and compete with Persian Gulf Vincent, who retired as CEO of announced 25-70 percent reduc- day in May, with a decline start- response, probably faster than I’ve say they aim to cut costs to profit- rivals. Swift Energy Co this month after tions in drilling and a total of at ing in June. ever seen,” Jack Stark, president ably drill shale wells at $40 a bar- About a dozen chief executives 40 years in the industry. least $25bn in spending cuts. After nearly doubling since of Continental Resources told an rel or less. That is well below the acknowledged they were taken Just few weeks ago, the prevail- Some went even further. 2008, US crude production should IHS conference in Houston this $70 now needed to work in some aback by the scale and speed of ing view among industry insid- Magnum Hunter Resources stabilise, though not necessarily month. basins and less than current US the cutbacks, noting how this oil ers and analysts was that US oil Corp has halted all drilling and decline, in the second half of this The rig fleet alone is not the benchmark crude prices of about price downturn was different from production would keep rising for told services firms it will not year, analysts at IHS said. best predictor of output because $51 a barrel. several previous episodes in their several months despite falling rig resume work unless its costs fall Lower output, along with rising well lengths and the frequency The path to slash costs is to careers. numbers because of rising produc- 40 percent, the company’s Chief gasoline consumption, would help of fracks along a well have been pressure service companies — For one, companies are cut- tivity of active wells and drilling Executive Gary Evans told a con- reduce 1.5 million bpd in estimated rising rapidly to boost output. already cutting thousands of jobs ting costs deeper and faster than inertia. In the past, if a producer ference in Houston. global oversupply and might allow However, in the past few weeks — to lower prices as well as rely before as Wall Street investors had a rig contract, they would Such pullback, combined with crude prices to recover from a 50 companies have also started to on technology to speed up drilling increasingly place a premium on continue drilling. Now, produc- shale well decline rates of some percent slide since mid-2014. refrain from fracking wells to and improve well productivity. capital discipline rather than just ers are paying fees to break those 60 percent or more a year, has While some analysts expect the bring them online, so-called com- “The services companies have production growth. Some also say contracts, a fact that has hastened Evans predicting US production slide to continue for some time, pletion, which normally accounts always found a way through time the nature of shale makes it easier the steep drop in the rig count, will begin falling “in the next two with Citibank predicting US for 60 percent of a well’s total cost. to do business,” said Stark. “The for companies to defer work and said Vincent. months.” benchmark prices to bottom out at On its fourth-quarter earnings shale business will continue to wait for prices to recover. The In the old days, producers felt His view is largely echoed by $20 per barrel, industry insiders call, Devon Energy Corp said it exist and this renaissance will wells that drove the US energy compelled to pump in a downturn, several other executives, though count on a faster price recovery had cut its completion crews continue.” REUTERS TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,549.25 0.19 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,969.65 0.52 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,443.37 0.55 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,271.91 0.45 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,313.8 0.95 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5872.376 26.745 0.46 5908.3 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,029.04 0.33 % QR142.9368 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,432 0.02 % Cac 40 Index/D 4836.49 5.59 0.12 4841.69 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,530.07 0.17 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5600 QR 5.6375 QE All Share Insurance 4,151.97 1.78 % Dj Indu Average 18140.44 154.67 0.86 18144.3 15855.12 QR 1.9600 Euro ...... QR 4.0935 QR 4.1515 QE All Share Telecoms 1,423.22 0.81 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8671 QR 2.9234 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,568.41 0.09 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24836.76 4.68 0.02 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8121 QR 3.8672 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5818.68 50.28 0.87 5800.94 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0303 QR 0.0309 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8140 QR 2.8697 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33926.7 -66.3 -0.2 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 23-02-2015 22-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0591 Index 12,549.25 12,525.43 Nikkei 225 Index 18466.92 134.62 0.73 18360.92 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0363 Change 23.82 28.97 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0814 QR 0.0831 S&P 500 Index/D 2110.3 12.85 0.61 2110.61 1814.36 % 0.19 0.23 $ 59.80 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0280 YTD% 2.14 1.95 Straits Times/D 3421.3 -14.36 -0.42 3448.96 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 7,642,708 9,328,742 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0362 QR 0.0369 Value (QAR) 431,880,750.10 349,517,896.17 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3086 QR 0.3147 Trades 4,866 4,357 $ 56.80 Up 21 | Down 17 | Unchanged 03 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 23-02-2015

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 1613.25 -6.15 18086 City Union Bk-/D 98.5 -0.05 92907 Hind Motors-T/D 8.13 0.31 504525 Kalyani Stel-T/D 147.5 -7.5 70868 Orient.Carb.-T/D 459.5 -5.9 5019 Imperial Tobac/D 3110.5828 10 283222 Aban Offs-A/D 476.55 -3.75 182046 Cmc Ltd-A/D 2035.6 18 4936 Hind Org Chem-/D 19.75 0 9178 Kanoria Chem-B/D 38.7 -1.5 21692 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19 -0.85 8221 Kingfisher/D 342.32 1.1 2019314 Aegis Logis-B/D 421.4 -5 4416 Colgate-A/D 1970.05 48.05 32937 Hind Unilever-/D 886.05 -14.15 98789 Kg Denim-B/D 22.55 0.8 49929 Pacific Indu-B/D 185.4 -20.6 4167 Legal & Genera/D 275.572 2.3 2016830 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 287.95 -8.1 42755 Container Cor-/D 1596.95 19.9 45011 Hind.Petrol-A/D 593.7 -7.4 112671 Kilburnengg-T/D 46 0.4 7603 Radico Khait-B/D 86.7 0.5 48258 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.98 1 78280025 Alembic-B/D 41.25 0.15 266473 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 168 1.7 6450 Hindalco-A/D 154.8 -1.6 550889 Kinetic Eng-B/D 42.2 0.5 5177 Rallis India-A/D 240.4 0.65 57132 Marks & Sp./D 500 2.3 978480 Alok Indus-A/D 9.29 -0.22 1226073 Dhampur Sugar-/D 42.15 -0.8 22641 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1309.8 -23.6 93539 Kopran-B/D 46.95 -1 163032 Rallis India-A/D 240.4 0.65 57132 Next/D 7384.8 60 103687 Apollo Tyre-A/D 175.3 -7.75 675068 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3381 -20.65 9906 I F C I-A/D 36.9 -1.8 894525 Lgb Broth-B/D 552.75 0 4945 Reliance Indus/D 449.1 -5.1 84604 Pearson/D 1412.4539 21 1137192 Asahi I Glass-/D 133 -1.05 32666 E I H-B/D 110.65 -0.3 15940 Idbi-A/D 74.15 -2.1 547761 Lloyd Metal-B/D 8.92 -0.15 3325 Ruchi Soya-B/D 46.85 -0.7 383324 Prudential/D 1620.5 16.5 1142405 Ashok Leyland-/D 67.6 -0.6 1202912 E.I.D Parry-A/D 176.3 -4.5 10608 Ifb Agro-B/D 265.1 -15.7 10337 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 13.4 0.21 63923 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 632.55 -18.75 6034 Rank Group/D 189.5607 0.4 136487 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1396.75 -1.3 30428 Eicher Motor-A/D 16004.9 -368.1 4926 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 496 3 8268 Lumax Ind-B/D 380.3 0.2 3699 Saur.Cem-B/D 40.3 -0.35 32658 Rentokil Initi/D 128.1 -1 399114 Ballarpur In-B/D 15 -0.35 140188 Electrosteel-B/D 17.85 -0.25 150067 India Cement-A/D 98.9 -3.15 385506 Lupin-A/D 1645.1 -45.85 132134 Til Ltd.-T/D 496 12.9 15465 Rolls Royce Pl/D 950.5 -5.5 3306313 Bata India-A/D 1276 -23.3 7066 Emco-B/D 38.55 0 28341 India Glycol-B/D 101.3 -1.7 19700 Lyka Labs-T/D 44.05 -0.05 35200 Timexgroup-T/D 17.3 -0.73 30055 Rsa Insrance G/D 449.93 -1.9 678213 Beml Ltd-A/D 988.1 9.8 171692 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.56 0.26 9081 Indian Hotel-A/D 112.7 -4.4 131745 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 184.2 9.4 343326 Tinplate-B/D 62.55 2.5 230269 Sainsbury(J)/D 268.3 -3.3 1797822 Bh Electronic-/D 3726.3 -94.75 33671 Escorts-A/D 130.6 -1.95 350497 Indo-Tcount-T/D 396.1 9.7 13010 Mah.Seamless-B/D 213.45 -5.95 17184 Ucal Fuel-B/D 123.1 -2.5 11753 Schroders/D 3068 47 392521 Bhansali 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238.65 -1.95 5042390 Bombay Dyeing-/D 77.8 -1.8 359614 Forbes-B/D 2104.5 121.5 4041 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.69 -0.03 184378 Nation Alum -A/D 47.7 -0.1 122112 3I Group/D 486.1 3.9 219234 Unilever/D 2825 25 1147424 Camph.& All-B/D 267.9 -2 5577 Gail-A/D 399.9 -9.1 161991 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.05 -0.2 52344 Navneet Edu-B/D 113.1 -0.65 20269 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3068 32 275835 United Util Gr/D 950 4 451138 Canfin Homes-B/D 614 -5.25 15890 Galada Power-T/D 27.8 1.3 10621 Jik Indust-T/D 1 0 14810 Nepc India-T/D 3.07 0.08 17618 Barclays/D 262.65 1.15 11701200 Vodafone Group/D 232.55 0.15 14528965 Castrol India-/D 476.35 0.4 27575 Gammon India-T/D 22.6 2.3 610204 Jindal Drill-B/D 192.5 30.2 96999 Neuland Lab-B/D 327.7 -12.4 4045 Bg Group/D 961.9 -9.5 4185522 Whitbread/D 5055.725 40 118813 Century Text-A/D 508.1 -14.7 81020 Garden P -B/D 28.6 0.1 7837 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 119.55 -3.65 190159 Nrb Bearings-B/D 139.6 -0.7 8544 Bp/D 442.6 -4.1 8376192 Chambal Fert-B/D 68.35 -0.15 63296 Goodricke-B/D 149.8 -1.7 20215 Jmc Projects-T/D 162.6 -3.2 3312 O N G C-A/D 325.05 -6.2 268468 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3690 34 630268 Chola Invest-B/D 579 -8.95 5196 Goodyear I -B/D 620.5 -4.75 8341 Kabra Extr-B/D 82.4 0.8 5778 Ocl India-B/D 577.5 1.5 6852 Bt Group/D 442.8 1.6 5203136 Chowgule St-T/D 26.05 1.2 6272 Hcl Infosys-B/D 50.15 -1.65 307677 Kajaria Cer-A/D 750.9 3.55 5962 Oil Country-B/D 34.7 -1.15 6178 Centrica/D 250.6 -1.5 7454466 Cimmco-B/D 84.2 7.65 65932 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.3 -0.35 1191064 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 129.7 15.7 38789 Orchid Chem-B/D 68.1 2.1 738031 Gkn/D 385.88 2.9 1109250 Cipla-A/D 668.8 -5.75 186412 Himat Seide-B/D 85.65 1.55 55715 Kalpat Power-B/D 240.2 -0.4 81208 Orient.Carb.-T/D 459.5 -5.9 5019 Hsbc Holdings/D 572.2 -33 35003098 TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

NBA Results Cleveland 101 NY Knicks 83 Hahn hangs on to Atlanta 97 Milwaukee 86 Detroit 106 Washington 89 Indiana 104 Golden State 98 Orlando 103 Philadelphia 98 Oklahoma City 119 Denver 94 Dallas 92 Charlotte 81 win Riviera playoff Memphis 98 Portland 92 LA Lakers 118 Boston 111 American clinches first US PGA Tour title Millsap powers

LOS ANGELES: James Hahn six-under, one shot off the lead East-leading rolled in a 24-foot birdie putt Northern Trust on the course after closing to clinch his first US PGA Tour bogey-birdie-birdie-bogey. Hawks over title yesterday in a playoff over Open Scores Johnson missed a nine-foot Paul Casey and Dustin Johnson LOS ANGELES: Leading birdie putt at the final hole of Bucks in NBA at the Northern Trust Open. final-round scores yesterday regulation. After draining the putt at from the $6.7m US PGA Tour “I played great today, I really MILWAUKEE: the third playoff hole, the par- Northern Trust Open (x-won did,” Casey said. “I’m not disap- Paul Millsap three 14th, South Korean-born at third playoff hole, USA pointed in any shape or form.” scored 23 points and grabbed 16 American Hahn could barely unless noted, par-71): He could only take his hat off to rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks watch as Johnson missed his Johnson and Hahn for their shots snapped a two-game losing 278 x-James Hahn 66-74-69-69, Dustin effort from 12 feet. from the rain-soaked rough at the streak yesterday with a 97-86 Johnson 70-72-67-69, Paul Casey England’s Casey had been second playoff hole. NBA victory at Milwaukee. (ENG) 70-69-71-68 eliminated on the previous hole, “Those guys played phenom- The Hawks improved the best Riviera Country Club’s testing 279 Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-72-70-67, enal recoveries, absolutely bril- record in the Eastern Conference par-four 10th. Keegan Bradley 73-68-70-68, Jordan liant, both of them,” Casey said. to 44-12, six games ahead of Spieth 69-70-70-70, Sergio Garcia (ESP) In the best shape off the tee, “Dustin’s was the toughest of the second-place Toronto, while the 71-69-68-71 Casey’s second shot from a bunch, shows he doesn’t have just Bucks slid to 31-24, a game behind groomed area below the green 280 Kyle Reifers 72-70-71-67, Retief Goosen great length off the tee. He has Washington for fifth in the East. left him 13 feet and he missed (RSA) 66-70-69-75, Graham DeLaet great hands as well.” Atlanta’s 19-8 road record this the putt. (CAN) 70-67-70-73, Bae Sang-Moon On a day when seven players season is the best of any Eastern Johnson and Hahn, both in (KOR) 71-71-66-72 held at least a share of the lead Conference club. The Hawks won deep greenside rough, chipped at some point, Casey, Johnson their sixth consecutive Milwaukee closer, Hahn draining his nine- finish on the PGA Tour was a tie and Hahn finished 72 holes tied appearance. foot birdie putt before Johnson for third at Pebble Beach in 2013. on six-under 278. Atlanta also had 15 points and made his own four-footer. Hahn, perhaps best known Casey, a 13-time winner on the eight rebounds from Al Horford, “Amazing. I birdied two play- previously for his Gangnam Style European Tour who was seek- 12 points each from Kyle Korver off holes, against Paul Casey and dance at the Phoenix Open, has ing just his second US PGA win, and Dennis Schroeder and 10 Dustin Johnson two, great com- now booked a Masters berth and carded a 68 while Johnson and points each from DeMarre Carroll petitors,” Hahn said. “I’m lucky a two-year exemption on the PGA Hahn both signed for 69s. and Jeff Teague. Schroeder also to be here now.” Tour. Spain’s Sergio Garcia was added a game-high nine assists. Hahn’s breakthrough win “Obviously winning this tour- clinging to a one-stroke lead with Giannis Antetokounmpo and comes three weeks before another nament is the best thing that’s two to play, but closed with back- Khris Middleton each scored 19 life-changing event, with his wife ever happened to me. But in about to-back bogeys to miss the playoff points to lead the Bucks, who also due to give birth to their daughter. three weeks, I’m sure there’s by a stroke. had 15 points off the bench from “My golf life changes, but more going to be another reason why Garcia finished tied for fourth James Hahn holds the trophy on the 18th hole after putting in for the O.J. Mayo and 13 points from importantly, I’m going to have I’m going to be even more happy with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, win on the 14th hole during the third round playoff during the Final Jerryd Bayless. another addition to the family, and more grateful,” he said. rising US star Jordan Spieth, and Round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Michael Carter-Williams, last and I’m just looking forward to it,” Casey was the first of the major winner Keegan Bradley on Palisades, California, yesterday. season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, said Hahn, whose previous best leaders in the clubhouse on five-under 279. AFP did not play for the Bucks. He was obtained from the Philadelphia 76ers. Carter- Williams averaged 15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists over 41 Hunt overlooked games with the 76ers this season but has a nagging toe injury. by Reds ahead Pacquiao hints at retirement Meanwhile, reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin of drugs hearing Durant and New Orleans Pelicans’ playmaker Anthony Davis, their clubs fighting for SYDNEY: Karmichael after Mayweather May 2 bout playoff spots, have both been Hunt was overlooked by the sidelined with injuries, team offi- Queensland Reds yesterday for MANILA: Filipino boxing unprecedented eight divisions, cials announced yesterday. their next Super 15 game and hero Manny Pacquiao hinted and will go into the Mayweather Oklahoma City Thunder star was also barred from training yesterday his long-awaited fight with a record of 57-5, with Durant underwent a procedure as he prepares to fight cocaine fight against American Floyd two draws and 38 knockouts. to reduce the pain in his surgi- supply charges. Mayweather could be his last, Mayweather has a 47-0 record cally repaired right foot and will The high-profile new recruit, saying he would head into the with 26 knockouts. He is hom- be re-evaluated within a week along with five players from May bout with retirement on ing in on the iconic 49-0 record while Davis could miss up to National Rugby League side Gold his mind. of 1950s legend Rocky Marciano, two weeks with a sprained right Coast Titans, is due in court early “It is coming close. We will who retired as an undefeated shoulder. next month over allegations which announce it,” the 36-year-old told heavyweight champion. The Thunder, 30-25 and on a have rocked Australian sport. local television network ABS-CBN Pacquiao, a devout Christian, five-game win streak, have over- Multi-code star Hunt, a former with a meek smile when asked said he was confident of winning taken Phoenix to hold the eighth rugby league international who about retirement. He gave no because he had God on his side. and final Western Conference switched to the Reds from further details. “God is with me and I believe playoff position with New Orleans Australian Rules team Gold Coast After years of failed negotia- the Lord will deliver him into my only two games behind. Suns, faces four counts of supply- tions, Pacquiao and Mayweather hands,” he said. Durant, averaging 25.4 points ing drugs. hammered out a deal to face each Pacquiao, who last year and 6.6 rebounds a game over 27 Queensland Rugby Union other in Las Vegas on May 2 that embarked on a much-criticised games, missed six weeks to start (QRU) chief executive Jim will finally give fans the chance to professional basketball career the season following right foot Carmichael said Hunt had been see the best “pound-for-pound” with a playing-coaching role for surgery and more time the past excluded from the team to fighters of their generation face a Philippine team, said Monday two months due to a sprained play the Otago Highlanders in off. he intended to play again in the right ankle and sprained left big Dunedin on Friday as investiga- Pacquiao said he agreed to take local competition this week. toe. AGENCIES tions continue. a smaller cut of the purse just so He said he expected to then “We will continue not to preju- the fight could push through. head to the United States late in NHL Results dice the player’s legal or contrac- “If we only thought about our the week to resume full training Philadelphia 3 Washington 2 tual rights and we will apply the pride, there would not be a fight. under the guidance of his long- Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (right) punches Chris Algieri of the Boston 6 Chicago 2 principles of natural justice,” he If we had equal pay, the fight United States during their World Boxing Organisation welterweight title time mentor, Freddie Roach. Nashville 2 Buffalo 1 said in a statement. would not have pushed through bout at the Cotai Arena in Macau in this November 25, 2014 file picture. Pacquiao reiterated that he “Notwithstanding our responsi- so for the fight to push through, actually enjoyed being rated below Vancouver 4 NY Islanders 0 bilities to our members, fans and I agreed to it,” he said. Mayweather by oddsmakers in Pittsburgh 5 Florida 1 wider rugby stakeholders -- and US media has reported that to make some $120m with the which of the two boxers can really Las Vegas. Colorado 5 Tampa Bay 4 although Karmichael was not the undefeated Mayweather, who Filipino taking $80m. be called the best. “I like being the underdog. I am NY Rangers 4 Columbus 3 contracted to rugby during the turns 38 this week, will receive 60 But more importantly for fight Pacquiao has held world more motivated,” he told ABS- Minnesota 6 Dallas 2 period in question -- the QRU percent of the purse and stands fans, the match will finally show championships belts in an CBN. AFP strongly believes it has a duty of care to its employees. “As such, we will continue to provide Karmichael with the Sport Diplomacy training workshop gets under way in Doha required organisational support.” The Australian Football League said Monday it would be in regu- lar contact with the Gold Coast Suns as officials assess the fall-out from Hunt’s cocaine scandal. Ibrahim Al Jufairi (centre), Qatar The period he is alleged to Olympic Academy (QOA) Executive have supplied drugs was between Director and Director of IT Department September 1 and October 3 last at the Qatar Olympic Committee year, when he was still employed speaking during the five-day execu- by the Suns before switching to tive training programme in Sports the Reds. “It’s fair to say we’ll be Diplomacy organised by QOA in asso- having plenty of conversations ciation with INSEEC University of Paris just to make sure Gold Coast Suns at its headquarters in Doha yesterday. are dealing with this appropri- Dr Ali Abdulrahman Al Bekeri (right), ately within their playing group,” Vice Dean for Academic and Students AFL operations manager Mark Affairs at the QOA is also seen. RIGHT: Evans said.Gold Coast Titans Ali Al Hitmi (third right), President of coach Neil Henry, meanwhile, said Qatar Gymnastics Federation, and the five players suspended by his other officials of federations and clubs club were struggling to cope with attending the workshop. the situation. They include State of Origin stars David Taylor and Greg Bird, who are scheduled to face court on a number of drug supply charges. AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Djokovic Ferrer, Errani take Rio titles pays tribute Spaniard adds second title of season after winning in Doha last month to Becker DUBAI: Novak Djokovic (pic- tured) previewed his defence RIO DE JANEIRO: Spanish of the Dubai Open title with a world number nine David tribute to the role of his head Ferrer stormed to the ATP Rio coach Boris Becker in the spec- Open title on Sunday, battering tacular advances made in the 14 Italian Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3 in months they have been working a one-sided final. together. Fognini, ranked 28 in the world, During that time the Serbian had edged out titleholder and clay has won two Grand Slam titles, king Rafael Nadal in his semi- taking his total to eight, and built final 24 hours earlier but had no an overwhelming lead as world answer to Ferrer as the second number one — now nearly 4,000 seed sped past him in one hour ranking points. and 23 minutes. Some of the credit, he claims, Ferrer added his second title of should go to Becker, whose expe- the season after Doha last month rience in winning six Grand Slam to keep the Rio crown in Spanish titles and two Davis Cups with hands after Nadal’s success in the Germany has helped Djokovic inaugural event last year. cope with the psychological stress “It’s been a very special week of continuously playing at the very for me,” said Ferrer after tak- highest level of the game. ing his series with Fognini, the “Especially in the second half Australian Open doubles cham- of 2014 things started to get pion, to a perfect 8-0. together and clicked for us in the Ferrer and Nadal had joined relationship, on and off the court,” Brazil’s now-retired former world Italian Sara Errani (left) holds the winner’s trophy beside Slovakian Anna Djokovic said. “We never had an number one Gustavo Kuerten Schmiedlova with the runner-up trophy after the final of the Rio Open argument, we never had a fight. at the Sambadrome during last yesterday. “Now it’s been a little bit over a week’s carnival festivities before year and I learn constantly some- getting down to the serious stuff here, it’s Guga Kuerten. Rafa still Buenos Aires this week looking to thing new from him from a psy- of swapping their samba shoes for has time for such accolades,” said push along preparations for a 10th chological point of view, mostly finding their claycourt rhythm in the new champion. Roland Garros crown in June. because he has been in these situ- humid conditions. Ferrer was the more consistent Earlier, Italian top seed Sara ations before. “I promise next year I will learn as his booming serves put Fognini Errani scored a 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 “So he understands what I how to dance samba,” Ferrer joked in difficulty and although the win in the women’s final over go through, the challenges that as he addressed the crowd at the Italian attacked the net, he was Slovakian sixth seed Anna I face, the obstacles that I need swish Jockey Club in downtown quickly on the back foot. Karolina Schmiedlova. to overcome to win big titles and Rio, bringing the curtain down on In the fourth game of the The win moves Errani up to the to be number one in the world, the $1.5 million event. opener, Fognini saved a pair of fringes of the top 10 -- she will because he was there,” Djokovic For Fognini, there was the break points as he came back to Monday rise from 16th to 12th in added. compensation at least of a first deuce only to serve up two double the new rankings. By happy coincidence their win over Nadal, making him feel faults. “It is always special to play similar paths on the tennis court as good as if he had actually won A second break in the eighth here -- I love playing on clay,” have an important parallel off it the title. game saw Ferrer land the opening said Errani. as well. Both became fathers at a “Sorry David, nothing against set in 37 minutes. “I’ll be back here I hope for similar age, while each was trying you, but I beat the king of clay,” The second brought no res- the Olympics (next year) but to maximise exceptional talent at said Fognini. pite as the 32-year-old Spaniard it’s a pity they won’t be on clay,” its peak. Spain’s David Ferrer celebrates with his trophy after defeating Fabio Ferrer took the joke in good underlined his dominance to net said Errani, noting the Olympic “We talked a lot about that Fognini of Italy in the men’s singles final at the Rio Open in Rio de Janeiro heart. his 23rd ATP World Tour title in tournament will be a hardcourt and how that is influencing your yesterday. “You said you beat the king of his 48th final. event falling shortly before the tennis and your career, and how clay but the king of clay is right Nadal will meanwhile head for US Open. AFP you can organise your life in order to get that flow mov- ATP Tour Singles ing,” Djokovic Croatia’s Karlovic Nadal out of top three, revealed. Standings “Obviously that 1 (1) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) gave him a new Halep climbs to third 13045 energy, new becomes oldest ATP motivation. PARIS: Rafael Nadal has this week’s Dubai Open, retains 2 (2) Roger Federer “He tried slipped a place to four in the his steely grip on the rankings (Switzerland) 9205 to use it not latest ATP Rankings published ahead of Roger Federer. 3 (4) Andy Murray (Britain) as anything winner since 1989 yesterday after losing his first Meanwhile, Romanian Simona 5460 negative, as semi-final on clay in 12 years in Halep has climbed one place to 4 (3) Rafa Nadal (Spain) 5425 a distraction, DELRAY BEACH, USA: but for now I am feeling good. In Rio. third in the latest WTA rank- or something 5 (5) Kei Nishikori (Japan) 5205 Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic became all the tests I am like eight years The third spot previously ings published yesterday on the similar, but as a source of happi- the oldest ATP winner since ago.” occupied by the Spaniard is strength of her weekend win in 6 (6) Milos Raonic (Canada) ness, a source of new motivation, Jimmy Connors in 1989 when The 6-foot, 11-inch (211cm) now filled by Andy Murray, last Dubai. The list continues to be 4980 something that gave him a way he captured the Delray Beach Croat used his height to pound in action when losing in the dominated by Serena Williams, 7 (7) Stanislas Wawrinka of going out there and being even Open final on Sunday. 91 aces for the tournament and quarter-finals in Rotterdam 10 whose sister Venus dropped from (Switzerland) 4595 better on the court. The 35-year-old used his pro- remain unbroken in 56 service days ago. This is the first time 11th to 17th. Karolina Pliskova, “It requires obviously more 8 (8) Tomas Berdych (Czech digious serve to break American games, though he came closest Nadal has not figured in the top beaten by Halep in Dubai, moves people, and a better organisation Republic) 4460 opponent Donald Young three to dropping serve when he was three since August, 2013. Novak up five rungs to 13th. because a baby is not easy to han- times for a 6-3 6-3 victory on the down 0-40 in the eighth game of Djokovic, who heads the seeds at AGENCIES 9 (9) David Ferrer (Spain) 4185 dle — but it is possible. Florida hardcourt. the first set against Young. 10 (11) Grigor Dimitrov “It’s a challenge but it’s all a Karlovic, who turns 36 on Feb. “I was able to get out of it. I (Bulgaria) 3465 matter of organisation with your 28, is the oldest winner since was also a little bit lucky,” he said. Dubai Open upset 11 (10) Marin Cilic (Croatia) close ones and understanding Connors won in Tel Aviv at the “After that game I knew it would 3450 what your priorities are, and the age of 37, according to the ATP. be easier because that game I did support that you get. It is Karlovic’s sixth career title a lot of double faults and I was 12 (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga “Roger Federer’s the best and it keeps the event in Croatian able to get out of it.” (France) 2345 example of this. We are talking hands following last year’s victory Young, who remains without an 13 (14) Feliciano Lopez (Spain) about one baby — and he’s got by Marin Cilic, who later in the ATP title after two final appear- 2325 four!” season won the US Open. ances, said it was difficult to read 14 (13) Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) The only problems which “It is really satisfying. At my where Karlovic was going to place 2125 emerged in Djokovic’s relationship age to do this is an unbelievable his serve. with his head coach came with a 15 (15) Kevin Anderson (South feeling and this gives me a boost “He kind of tosses in the same slip of the tongue. Africa) 2125 of confidence to go into other spot and can hit all the spots on Attempting to explain how events,” Karlovic told reporters the court,” Young said. Becker had contributed some- after beating Young in 69 minutes. “You look and see some ten- thing new to his success, Djokovic Karlovic does not know how dencies. I was able to pick quite a WTA Tour Singles managed instead to utter: “He long he can continue at such a few, but just not when it actually contributed something new to high level, but says he is as fit as mattered. Standings my sex...... ” when he was in his late 20s. “He played well. He beat me. I Ernests Gulbis of Latvia prepares to serve to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan This was a blooper from which 1 (1) Serena Williams (US) 9592 “I am healthy,” he said. “I feel didn’t play the best I wanted to during their match on the first day of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis he eventually recovered by saying: fast, strong. I don’t know how play, but all credit to him.” Championships yesterday. Istomin beat Gulbis 7-5, 6-2. 2 (2) Maria Sharapova (Russia) “I guess my PR’s hands are sweat- many more years I can do this REUTERS 8210 ing now,” before correcting him- 3 (4) Simona Halep (Romania) self good-humouredly with: “as I 6571 say he contributed a lot — yeah!” Djokovic concluded: “We still Beating Serena a priority: Sharapova 4 (3) Petra Kvitova (Czech want to achieve a lot, Boris and I. Republic) 6395 We feel like it’s only a beginning. MEXICO CITY: Regaining the “She is definitely an opponent 5 (5) Caroline Wozniacki We have won two Grand Slams world’s top ranking in women’s that I have had a lot of trouble (Denmark) 4730 together and played a final at the tennis is less important to five- playing against in the last 10 years 6 (6) Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4425 French Open, and so there is a times Grand Slam winner Maria and someone that I would love to lot of good success there, but of 7 (7) Eugenie Bouchard Sharapova than it was when she beat,” She said. course there is always high expec- (Canada) 4365 was younger, but the Russian is “I love facing her and I love tations for him and for myself.” eager to beat dominant player that challenge. I’m definitely not 8 (8) Agnieszka Radwanska Djokovic will start his bid for Serena Williams. shy of competing against her,” the (Poland) 4025 a fifth title in Dubai today, with Williams beat Sharapova, who Russian said. 9 (9) Ekaterina Makarova his nearest rival being second- is ranked number two, to claim Sharapova, who will be playing (Russia) 3420 seeded Federer, who has a record her 19th Grand Slam singles title in the Mexico Open for the first 10 (10) Andrea Petkovic six titles. in the Australian Open final last time, is the favorite to win against (Germany) 3150 Federer was scheduled to month. Italian Sara Errani, ranked 16th start yesterday against Mikhail Sharapova, who first earned and America’s 20th ranked 11 (12) Angelique Kerber Youzhny of Russia. (Germany) 2650 the top spot as an 18-year-old Madison Keys in this week’s However, Djokovic was also in 2005, has not beaten Williams matches in Acapulco. 12 (16) Sara Errani (Italy) 2641 scheduled to play yesterday in since 2004. “It’s quite a tough deal. There 13 (18) Karolina Pliskova (Czech men’s doubles. He is partner- “I wouldn’t say it’s as much of a are a lot of girls that have had Republic) 2620 ing Serbian compatriot, Laslo priority as when I was younger,” big wins, even some that are not Djere, against Daniel Nestor, the 14 (13) Carla Suarez Navarro Sharapova said on Sunday in a seeded, so I look forward to tough (Spain) 2585 Belgrade-born Canadian who has telephone interview from the competition and of course being won eight Grand Slam men’s dou- Maria Sharapova hits a return during a training session at the resort town 15 (15) Lucie Safarova (Czech of Acapulco, ahead of the annual Mexico Open, yesterday. resort town of Acapulco ahead of the number one seed,” Sharapova bles titles, and Rohan Bopanna of the annual Mexico Open. said. REUTERS Republic) 2555 India. AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Sleeping giant Gayle ready to fire: Windies captain

MELBOURNE: Despite a poor by Cameron during play. Cameron and that’s a positive Chris Gayle. start to the World Cup and later tweeted an apology but it “Although he hasn’t been get- eight innings since his last One did little to dismiss the impres- ting runs, we still have a lot of Day International half-century, sion that tensions still exist confidence in him. I just hope that West Indies opener Chris Gayle between players and administra- he can come tomorrow and just is “awake” and ready to fire up tors months after a contracts dis- get us in and just take it as deep the Caribbeans with a big score, pute scuppered a lucrative tour as possible for us.” according to captain Jason of India. West Indies’ top order has Holder. Given the hard-hitting Gayle failed in both their World Cup Gayle managed a scratchy 36 has not scored a one-day century matches, but the team has still from 65 balls in the opening loss in 19 innings, his last coming in posted 300-run scores due to res- to Ireland and scored four in mid-2013, the tweet may have cue efforts by the middle order. Saturday’s big win over Pakistan. had some currency among West West Indies have won their last Though the win over Pakistan Indies fans. seven matches against Zimbabwe was a relieving return to form On the eve of West Indies’ and should be too strong for the for the under-pressure island- third World Cup match against Africans at Manuka Oval if their ers, Gayle’s second World Cup Zimbabwe in Canberra, Holder batsmen and bowlers gel. failure overshadowed it, with said he was “fully confident” the “I think we still have room for board president Dave Cameron opener was primed to turn things improvement,” fast bowler Holder re-tweeting a post from a Twitter around. said. user suggesting the 35-year-old “Chris is awake. I can assure “If we can get a few more con- should quit. you he’s awake. He was awake tributions going deeper into the “Gayle goes... Can’t buy a run. from the beginning of the tour- innings in terms of the top order, I Let’s give him a retirement pack- nament,” Holder told reporters at think we can get close to 350 plus, age ... Can’t fail repeatedly and Manuka Oval. and I think that is not beyond us West Indies batsman Chris Gayle kicks the ball past a team-mate during training ahead of their 2015 World Cup still front up based on reputa- “Every time I see Chris Gayle, because of our firepower in the match against Pakistan in Christchurch, in this February 20, 2015 file photo. tion,” read the post, re-tweeted I expect to see one Chris Gayle, middle and the end.” REUTERS Pakistan Windies upbeat for pivotal probes chief selector over casino visit KARACHI: Pakistan’s Zimbabwe tie in Canberra World Cup campaign hit another snag after the Pakistan Cricket Board All-rounder Bravo to miss today’s Pool B clash due to hamstring injury (PCB) said yesterday it was probing media reports that chief selector Moin Khan had CANBERRA: The West Indies Pakistan and his average has visited a casino before the believe they have turned the dropped to 14.42 over 19 innings loss to West Indies. corner as they prepare to face in the 20 months since his last FACTBOX “I have spoken to Moin and Zimbabwe in a pivotal Pool B century. we have sought an explanation World Cup match at Canberra’s “Chris has been struggling, and West Indies vs from him. It is inappropriate he Manuka Oval yesterday. we’re still scoring 300,” Russell should be at a casino at a time The West Indians celebrated said of one of the most destructive when our team is not doing their first victory of the tourna- openers in the shortened format. Zimbabwe well,” PCB chief Shaharyar ment with a thumping 150-run “I just think when Gayle and Khan told the media in Lahore. win over Pakistan in Christchurch Marlon Samuels peak at the right Factbox on today’s World Reports in Pakistan have Cup Pool B match between on Saturday following their shock time, West Indies has the ability said that Moin, a former test West Indies and Zimbabwe in first-up loss to Ireland. to score over 350.” captain, had visited a casino on Canberra: Today’s match is set up nicely All-rounder Dwayne Bravo will the night of the match against after Zimbabwe also posted their likely miss the West Indies next WEST INDIES West Indies in which Pakistan first points with a four-wicket two pool games after pulling his Captain: Jason Holder were hammered by 150 runs triumph against the United Arab left hamstring in the Pakistan Coach: Stuart Williams – their worst ever defeat in a Emirates at Nelson on Thursday. match. Squad: Jason Holder, Marlon Samuels, World Cup. West Indies will start favour- Zimbabwe captain Elton Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan There was no suggestion that ites to beat the Zimbabweans Chigumbura said his team has Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Nikita Moin would be asked to return. after winning 34 of their previ- targeted victory over the West Miller, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre “Right now we have not ous 44 One Day International Indies after breathing new life Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, thought about it nor taken any encounters against the Africans, into their World Cup campaign Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor. decision to call him back. We but, as Ireland showed, upsets are with victory over UAE. Results so far at 2015 World Cup will make a judgement after possible. After losing their opener to all the facts are known,” Khan Lost to Ireland by four wickets The Caribbean cricketers were South Africa, Zimbabwe allowed said. criticised heavily after their the UAE to carve out the Middle Beat Pakistan by 150 runs Moin, who was removed as lethargic loss to Ireland, but all- East nation’s highest ODI score of Top performers: Lendl Simmons (152), the team manager before the rounder Andre Russell believes 285 before claiming victory with Jerome Taylor (six wickets) World Cup, was sent with the his team now have momentum. 12 balls to spare. ZIMBABWE team for the World Cup – a “It’s a very good feeling winning “We need to take this momen- Captain: Elton Chigumbura surprise move as in the past a game after losing to Ireland, in tum into the game against the Coach: Dav Whatmore the PCB never allowed its chief that manner,” said Russell, man- West Indies,” said Chigumbura. Squad: Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar selector to accompany the team of-the-match against Pakistan “Hopefully we can polish up our Raza, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, on foreign tours. with an unbeaten 42 and three fielding and have a good game in Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa The Pakistan board and for 33. all departments.” Sean Williams, Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart team has come under fire after “It just goes to show that the who was Zimbabwe’s hero with Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda losing its first two matches to West Indies can dominate and we an undefeated 76 batting at five Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Brendan fierce rivals India and West are here to compete. against the UAE, said his team Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams Indies and also losing a one-day “On the day we have to turn up. had to play their best cricket to series in New Zealand. Results so far at 2015 World Cup It doesn’t matter which team we upset the West Indies. The defeats have increased play against, we’re going to have “We have to respect the opposi- Lost to South Africa by 62 runs calls for the PCB board and to play our A game. tion. West Indies on the day, Chris West Indies batsman Andre Russell (right) celebrates scoring a six Beat United Arab Emirates by four wickets management to be changed. “It’s all good cricket from now Gayle comes at you and he’ll beat with Lendl Simmons during their World Cup match against Pakistan in Top performers: Brendan Taylor (87 runs), Even before the tournament on. It’s the momentum, and once people single-handedly. So you Christchurch, in this February 21, 2015 file photo. Russell hopes his team Tendai Chatara (four wickets). began the management had we keep doing what we can do, know, it’s just a matter of doing would continue with the form against Zimbabwe today. West Indies vs Zimbabwe head to head fined some players for violat- I think we’re going to go all the things the right way,” he said. Total played: 44 ing curfews, including senior way.” Zimbabwe have performed West Indies won 34, Zimbabwe 9, no result 1 squad members Shahid Afridi However, the form of West creditably at the World Cup and before century-makers David In reply, Zimbabwe reached and Ahmed Shehzad. Last match Indies opener Chris Gayle con- had their moments against South Miller and JP Duminy mounted 191 for two before they lost their Khan said that the board tinues to be a concern. Africa. They had their border a 256-run rescue mission to lift last eight wickets for just 86 runs. Feb 26, 2013: West Indies won by five was also disappointed with the He was out for four against rivals struggling at 83 for four the Proteas to 339. AFP wickets in St Georges. team’s showing so far but that the players themselves were hurt knowing they had let the South Africa people down. “The players have prom- fined for slow Zimbabwe banking on Whatmore ised a turnaround in remain- ing matches and they can still CANBERRA: Zimbabwe Dav better. Guys are a little bit more qualify for the knockout stage,” believe the guile of coach Dav focused on the actual cricket and he said. “Right now we are fully over-rate Whatmore Whatmore can help them giving the cricket side a little bit supporting the team. And the helps fielders MELBOURNE: South Africa spring a World Cup upset by more of what they need. media should also support them have been fined for a slow over- beating the West Indies, senior as Pakistan’s “I think looking forward and by not overly criticising them. rate during Sunday’s World Cup batsman Hamilton Masakadza head coach going ahead, I think things are “Any inquiry would be held 130-run defeat against India at said yesterday. during the looking up.” after the team returns home the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Zimbabwe head into today’s team’s net Masakadza, who top-scored to find out what went wrong.” the ICC said. pivotal Pool B match at Canberra’s session with 80 in Zimbabwe’s cred- Pakistan face Zimbabwe this Match referee Jeff Crowe found Manuka Oval level on points with at Dubai itable first-up loss to South weekend. REUTERS the South Africans fell one over the unpredictable Caribbean Stadium Africa before his side defeated short in the stipulated time and cricketers and responding well to in this the United Arab Emirates, said docked skipper AB de Villiers 20 the much-travelled Whatmore’s November Whatmore had complied plenty percent of his match fee and 10 words. 2013 file of information for the team ahead percent for the rest of the team. Whatmore, who guided Sri photo. of the West Indies game. “In accordance with the ICC Lanka to the 1996 World Cup “The coach got quite a bit of Code of Conduct for minor over- title and has also been in charge information yesterday (Sunday) rate offences, players are fined 10 of Bangladesh and Pakistan, was couple of things and he’s really focused. “The guys are really look- when we got here, so we basically per cent of their match fees for only appointed to the Zimbabwe got the guys going in a certain ing forward to this World Cup, have a really good idea what it’s every over their side fails to bowl job six weeks before the World direction, and that’s been work- and I think even beyond this going to be like out there,” the in the allotted time, with the cap- Cup. ing really well for us,” Masakadza World Cup, we’re expecting a lot batsman said. tain fined double that amount,” a However, Masakadza said he said. of good things to happen, because “I think it’s going to be really release from the governing body had made an immediate mark “I think the atmosphere within we’ve had a few problems in the important to start off well, both said. If South Africa fall short upon the team. the team has been really good past with administration and with our batting and our bowling, again, de Villiers could be sus- “The coach has had a very big now. The guys are really work- things like that,” he added. because I think their top order is Moin Khan pended for one match. AFP impact for us. He’s changed a ing hard and the guys are very “I think that’s also getting very dangerous,” he added. AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Federer sorry for India

England fieldsman Steve ‘bleed blue’ gesture Finn dives in an attempt to DUBAI: Roger Federer (pic- out of 12 Pakistanis apparently take a catch tured) has apologised for get- felt hurt or betrayed. Federer of Scotland’s ting caught up in the bitter has certainly gone public in his Kyle Coetzer rivalry between Indian and support for the Springboks rugby during their Pakistani cricket fans after team in the past, and has strong he was pictured admiring the South African connections. 2015 World Cup blue shirt of World Cup cham- His mother Lynette is from Group A match pions India in a marketing South Africa and the Roger in Christchurch, photo-shoot. Federer Foundation has raised yesterday. The 17-time Grand Slam title large sums to help disadvantaged winner shares the same sponsor children in the country. as the Indian team and on the Nevertheless, Federer sought eve of the two sides’ World Cup to clarify his attitude to cricket clash in Adelaide last weekend, which is currently being show- Federer posted a picture on his cased at the ongoing World Cup Facebook page of him admiring in Australia and New Zealand. a blue playing jer- The Indian sey with the cap- team, he said, he tion “Dressing up supported “a little Ali hits ton as England for a Gentleman’s bit.” game today. Whether or #BleedBlue.” not he followed “It was more of cricket, “really a Nike thing to be depends where quite honest,” said you are,” he added. the Swiss star “When I’m in open account at Cup on the eve of the America definitely Dubai Open. not. When I’m in “It was a Nike Europe definitely campaign they had not. But then Opener fires 128 runs as Scotland face huge defeat because I met some of the Indian when I’m in Australia and here players and I had just spent some (in the UAE) a little bit some- time in India so they presented times. So it really depends where CHRISTCHURCH: Moeen by 54 from Ian Bell, took them the shirt to me. I am in the world which sport I Ali’s century set up England’s to 201-2 with their 172-run stand “I support South Africa, and follow.” opening win in the World Cup for the first wicket the highest everybody knows that. The idea Federer and India batting in Christchurch yesterday when opening partnership so far in the wasn’t to spark any fire and I’m legend Sachin Tendulkar are they downed Scotland by 119 tournament. sorry if it did that,” added the known to be close with the run in their Pool A clash. Ali, dropped in the second over tennis star. ‘Little Master’ a regular visitor Ali contributed a masterful 128 when Freddie Coleman failed to The photograph certainly irri- to Wimbledon each year to see runs towards England’s total of grasp a sharp chance, was untrou- tated Federer’s legion of fans in the Swiss play. 303 and Scotland were all out for bled by the occasion as he posted Pakistan. Virat Kohli, who made a cen- 184 with more than seven overs his second career ODI century. One, a student at Cambridge tury for India in the World Cup remaining. Having been sent in under University in England and writ- win over Pakistan, also met Although Scotland were out- overcast skies and with swing- ing in the Express Tribune, an Federer in Sydney in January, classed, the win was not as con- friendly conditions at the Hagley English language newspaper in describing the tennis player as vincing as three-times World Cup Oval, he took a fearless approach Pakistan, claimed he had deleted an “absolute legend” in a cap- runners-up England would have to the bowling with a liking for all his Federer photos and taken tioned picture he posted on his wanted. the aerial route to beat the inner a brief opinion poll in which ten Twitter site. AFP After hidings by Australia and field. New Zealand they were desper- His 128 included 12 fours and ate for a confidence-boosting win five sixes while the more sedate and the opportunity presented Bell only reached the boundary Islam to replace Al Amin itself against the lowly-ranked twice in his half century. Scotland. Bell had an early life when But their jubilation at putting Alasdair Evans’ lbw shout was points on the board was tempered turned down. Scotland decided by the lack of fight at the back not to appeal, although replays In this photograph of the innings when they lost six showed the ball would have taken on May 5, wickets for 102 runs in the final clipped the leg stump. England batsmen Ian Bell (left) and Moeen Ali congratulate each other 2013, Bangladesh 15 overs. He was finally undone driving in their record opening partnership against Scotland during their 2015 bowler Shafiul England had set themselves up at Richie Berrington to be caught World Cup Group A match in Christchurch, yesterday. Islam delivers a for a big total when Ali, supported by Kyle Coetzer and Ali followed ball during a One Day International Scoreboard soon after, undone by the gentle mountain for Scotland to climb off-spin of Majid Haq. although opener Kyle Coetzer against Zimbabwe Ali’s dismissal started a run of and skipper Preston Mommsen at the Queens ENGLAND SCOTLAND Sports Club M Ali c Coleman b Haq ...... 128 K Coetzer c Woakes b Ali ...... 71 three wickets in 10 balls for two bravely took up the challenge. in Bulawayo. I Bell c Coetzer b Berrington ...... 54 C MacLeod c Buttler b Anderson ...... 4 runs with Gary Ballance (10) A Mommsen boundary took Bangladesh G Ballance b Evans ...... 10 F Coleman c Morgan b Woakes ...... 7 and Joe Root (one) removed as them past the 100 mark in the J Root c Cross b Davey ...... 1 M Machan c Buttler b Finn ...... 5 England slumped from 201 for one 22nd over, five overs slower than were granted E Morgan c Mommsen b Davey ...... 46 P Mommsen c Broad b Root ...... 26 to 203 for four. England but with a healthy seven permission, J Taylor st Cross b Davey ...... 17 R Berrington c Morgan b Ali ...... 8 James Taylor (17) and Jos wickets in hand. yesterday to J Buttler c Davey b Wardlaw ...... 24 M Cross c Root b Finn ...... 23 Buttler (24) made starts but However, the game began to slip call up Islam C Woakes c Mommsen b Davey ...... 1 J Davey c Buttler b Finn ...... 9 could not carry on while captain from Scotland soon after when to replace fast S Broad (not out) ...... 0 M Haq c Ballance b Woakes ...... 15 Eoin Morgan added 46 before he Root ended the 60-run partner- bowler Al Amin S Finn (not out) ...... 1 A Evans c Buttler b Anderson ...... 9 was among three wickets to fall ship for the fourth wicket when Hossain who was Extras (B-1, LB-4, W-15, NB-1) ...... 21 I Wardlaw not out) ...... 0 in four balls as England pushed he removed Mommsen for 26. kicked out of the Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 303 Extras (LB-5, W-2) ...... 7 to get the score over 300. Coetzer, who was dropped by World Cup squad Fall of wickets: 1-172, 2-201, 3-203, 4-203, Total (all out in 42.2 overs) ...... 184 Josh Davey, whose first spell Bell in the first over from James for breaking a only lasted two overs with the Anderson, was back in the pavil- 5-252, 6-297, 7-300, 8-300. Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-47, 3-54, 4-114, curfew. Bowling: Wardlaw 10-1-60-1 (2w); Davey 10- 5-122, 6-128, 7-150, 8-160, 9-184, 10-184. first including four wides and the lion eight balls after Mommsen 0-68-4 (9w); Evans 10-1-46-1 (2w); Haq 10-0- Bowling: Anderson 6-0-30-2; Broad 7-0-24- second conceding 14 runs, came for a 71 off 84 deliveries. 51-1 (1nb); Berrington 5-0-43-1 (2w); Machan 0 (1w); Woakes 5.2-0-25-2; Finn 9-3-26-3; Ali back to claim four wickets for an From there the last five wickets 2-0-11-0; Coetzer 3-0-19-0. 10-0-47-2; Root 5-0-27-1 (1w). expensive 68 runs. fell for 62 runs with Steven Finn Facing 304 to win was a huge picking up three for 26. AFP England remain vulnerable: Mommsen Haddin praises ‘brave’

CHRISTCHURCH: Scotland wicket.” But Scotland, an associ- NZ ahead of crunch tie were beaten but now bowed fol- ate member of the International lowing their 119-run World Cup Cricket Council (ICC) up against AUCKLAND: Australia’s Brad cricket, playing with a lot of con- loss to England in Christchurch a senior Test-playing nation, Haddin showered praise on fidence. They’ve got dangerous yesterday, with captain Preston put up their own brittle batting World Cup co-hosts and pool batters and bowlers who are on Mommsen saying the result did display. rivals New Zealand yesterday, form,” he added. not reflect the game. Opener Kyle Coetzer produced saying the Black Caps’ “brave “It will be a good test for us.” Mommsen was disappointed a bold 71 with Mommsen ‘s 26 the cricket” was the talk of the Australia will enter the match with the batting effort from his next best score, and only four bat- tournament. with no cricket since beating lowly-ranked Scotland side after ters reached double figures. New Zealand have won all arch-rivals at the MCG on the believing they were capable of “I thought Kyle batted beauti- three of their matches at this opening day of the tournament winning the Pool A clash after fully but with not enough support World Cup so far to top Pool A. on February 14. restricting England to 303-8. and not enough platform there to The Black Caps have impressed Their second game against Scotland have now lost both have a proper shot at that chase,” with their bold approach in Bangladesh was abandoned their opening games while Mommsen said. defeating Sri Lanka by 98 runs, completely due to heavy rain England notched their first win “Some of the dismissals were defeating Scotland by three wick- in Brisbane on Saturday, but with an innings built on a 172- slightly disappointing. We had a ets and thrashing England by Haddin played down the lack of run opening partnership between bit more time than we thought in eight wickets. match practice. “It would have Moeen Ali and Ian Bell. that chase and it’s quite a quick Brendon McCullum’s men been good to get a game but we’ve England’s batting fell away outfield there. bidding for New Zealand’s first had a long summer, so having a after their departure with the “We were looking for the World Cup title, are all but in day off from cricket won’t hurt last 15 overs producing 102 runs 100-run partnership but unfor- the quarter-finals ahead of their us,” said Haddin, with Australia for the loss of six wickets and that tunately it wasn’t there for us,” trans-Tasman clash against title having enjoyed a home Test and was how Mommsen preferred to added the captain. favourites Australia in Auckland limited overs campaign against remember the game. Although England wrapped up on Saturday – a match already India before winning a one-day “I thought we did brilliantly to the game with more than seven being billed as a dress rehearsal tri-series also featuring England. restrict them to only 300 with the overs to spare to maintain their for the March 29 final at the “Our fast bowlers always per- platform they had and the bat- England batsman Root leaves the field after being dismissed by Scotland’s unbeaten record over Scotland, Melbourne Cricket Ground. form better when fresh anyway,” ters they had to come,” he said Davey (second right) as he and team-mate Berrington celebrate during Mommsen said the result did “New Zealand are playing good he added. Meanwhile Haddin was after the match while pointing their World Cup match in Christchurch, yesterday. not reflect the narrowing margin cricket at the moment. They’re looking forward to playing in front out weaknesses in England’s bat- between the cross-border rivals. they team everyone is talk- of a packed crowd in Auckland. ting line-up. “I wouldn’t think it’s that big. ing about in this World Cup,” “It’s two host teams coming “Once we got rid of Ian Bell knew we could keep taking wick- “We went into that half-time I’m very disappointed. We’re a Australia wicketkeeper Haddin together in a World Cup match. and Moeen Ali they were pretty ets which allowed us to restrict break pretty confident we were better side than what we showed told reporters on Monday. It’s obviously going to be sold out vulnerable in the middle and we them to 300. in with a shout. It was a good there today.” AFP “They are playing some brave at Eden Park,” he said. AFP TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

The race card on Thursday The H H The Emir’s Sword (Group 1 PA) on February 26, 2015 Al Majh’Hoor (GB) 5yrs Gr H 11 (2-5-1) B Owner: H H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trainer: J Smart Jockey: B Doyle Al Mourtazez (FR) 5yrs Gr H Owner: Al Shaqab Racing Trainer: Thomas Fourcy Jockey: Julien Augé Raddad (GB) 7yrs Gr H 10 (5-0-0) B TT Owner: Ahmed Abdullah Al Marzooqi Trainer: A. Marzooqi Jockey: Asad Al Seyabi Djainka Des Forges (FR) 6yrs Ch M 4 (2-2-0) Owner: H H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Action from the H H the Emir’s Sword Race at QREC in this February 2014 file photo. French jockey Trainer: J Smart Jockey: R Mullen Christophe Lemaire powered Assy to the Emir’s Sword glory in a record-breaking feat by Julian Smart- Farh (FR) trained horses. Assy pipped stablemates Al Anga and Rathowan to the top spot and a prize of QR1.8m. 6yrs Gr M Owner: Al Shaqab Racing Trainer: Jean-Francois Bernard Jockey: L Dettori Taraf (QA) 5yrs Gr M 10 (5-3-2) B Owner: H H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Dettori, Smart say stage Trainer: J. Smart Jockey: T. O’Shea Injaaz Stud Vetlana De Faust (FR) 6yrs Ch M 11 (1-3-2) Owner: Injaaz Stud Trainer: Jassim Al Ghazali is set for fierce battles Jockey: Harry Bentley H H The Emir’s Trophy (Group 1) Ajmany (IRE) It is a very sharp track, very quick, says racing legend Frankie Dettori 5yrs Bay G 1 (0-0-1) B Owner: Umm Qarn BY RIZWAN REHMAT Trainer: A. de Mieulle Jockey: O.Peslier Danadana (IRE) DOHA: Racing legend Frankie 7yrs Bay H 2 (0-0-0) Dettori and experienced trainer Owner: Mohammed Hamad Ali Julian Smart yesterday refused Al Attiya to predict a winner from this Trainer: M. Al Attiya week’s H H The Emir’s Sword Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Race, but promised that the Dubday (GB) stage was set for ‘fierce battles’. 5yrs Ch H 5 (5-0-0) Dettori, who will ride Al Shaqab Owner: Al Shaqab Racing Racing’s Farh in Qatar’s richest Trainer: Jassim Al Ghazali race on Thursday, said ‘anything Jockey: L Dettori could happen’ while Smart - who Fanunalter (GB) has three entries out of seven - 9yrs Bay G 16 (1-0-2) declined to name a winner. Owner: Abdulaziz Al Qhathiri “Yes, it is a small field on Trainer: A Al Qathiri Thursday. Anything could hap- Jockey: Marco Monteriso pen,” Dettori said as equestrian Free Spin (IRE) fans prepared for the first of three 6yrs Ch G 9 (0-3-1) days of racing starting today. Owner: Zakir Racing “There are lot of runners who Trainer: M Salama can win. You have to be at the best Jockey: M Arras of your game to win,” the cele- Hall Of Mirrors (IRE) brated 44-year-old Italian added. 5yrs Ch G TT Dettori, who has ridden the Owner: M Kazim Al Ansari & winners of more than 500 Group Sons races, said riders will have to Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi jostle for good positions at the Jockey: Yanis Aouabed Qatar Racing and Equestrian Qatari trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, who has managed an astonishing 98 race wins this season, is seen at a press conference with Italian racing legend Frankie Dettori (centre) and fellow trainer Julian Smart (right) at St Regis Hotel in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: JUHAIM Lion D’Anvers (FR) Club (QREC) track on Thursday. 5yrs Bay C 4 (0-0-1) “The race is very competitive. Owner: Injaaz Stud The track is sharp. There are lot Trainer: Jassim Al Ghazali of runners who can win,” Dettori Jockey: Stephan Ladjadj said. QREC Schedule Ningara (GB) “You have to be at the top of 5yrs Bay G 8 (1-1-0) your game to win. It is a very Today Focus turns to racing as Owner: Injaaz Stud sharp track, very quick. The Trainer: DOHA: Following is the race Jassim Al Ghazali straight is less than 400 meters Jockey: card at today’s Gulf Cup & Harry Bentley so you have to be really on the Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup Peter Anders (GB) ball. A good position is always Day. festival approaches finale 6yrs Bay H 29 (6-7-5) important,” he added just hours Owner: Al Murqab Stud (Read under as Race name, distance, after landing in Doha yesterday. Trainer: Z. Mohsen and starting time) Smart will be hoping Taraf, DOHA: The focus turns to (Gulf Corporation Council) competitive. It’s a sharp track and Jockey: Marvin Suerland Al Majh’Hoor and Djainka Des Gulf Cup & Qatar 2022 horse racing today at H H aged four-years and over and the straight is only 400 metres Right To Dream (IRE) Forges bring delight on Thursday Invitation Cup Day The Emir 24th International worth QR285,000 to the winner so getting a good position early 6yrs Bay H 27 (2-4-5) when Jassim Al Ghazali-trained P/A Maiden Plate 2000m Equestrian Sword Festival when (€430,000). on is very important. Dubday is Owner: Eng. Hassan Ali Vetlana De Faust will race with 1:00pm Qatar’s most prestigious race Briain-based trainer Marco unbeaten in Qatar, he and I have Abdulmalik highly rated British jockey Harry meeting gets under way follow- Botti is set to have his first run- every confidence that Jassim (Al Trainer: I. Al Malki P/A Conditions - Fegentri Bentley. ing five days of major interna- ner in Qatar when Golden Steps Ghazali) has got him spot on but Jockey: Gerald Avranche Lady Riders 1400m 1:30pm Dettori will bid for Emir’s tional horse shows staged under lines up for the day’s joint feature, it will be a competitive race,” Seema (USA) Sword honours on Thursday with Thoroughbred Graduation the patronage of the Emir H H the Group 3 Qatar 2022 Invitation Dettori said. 6yrs Bay H 24 (4-4-2) B 6-year-old Farh who is trained by Plate 2000m 2:05pm Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Cup which also sees Al Shaqab Qatar International Day, day Owner: Mohammed Khalid Jean-Francois Bernard. P/A Handicap Rated 0 - 60 Thani Emir. principal jockey Frankie Dettori two of the meeting, is dedicated Hamad Ali Al Khalifa On Thursday, Dettori will also 1400m 2:35pm At a press conference held in renew his partnership with Luca mostly to Thoroughbreds who will Trainer: A. Abbas guide Al Ghazali-trained Dubday Doha yesterday Qatar Racing Cumani who sends out Mission contest six of the nine races and Jockey: Darren Williams in the H H The Emir’s Trophy Thoroughbred Handicap Rated & Equestrian Club (QREC) Approved in the 1200m Turf provides and exciting preface for 55 -75 1600m 3:10pm Al Busayyir (IRE) race. General Manager Sami Jassim event. Cumani could also be rep- the festival finale on Thursday 4yrs Bay G 7 (1-0-0) B Smart, who has enjoyed 21 wins Thoroughbred Handicap Rated Al Boenain said: “We have had a resented in the following day’s which features two Group 1 con- Owner: Mubarak Saeed Aljafai this season, said he wont commit 75 - 95 1850m 3:45pm great start to the H H The Emir Group 2 Qatar International Cup tests, the H H The Emir’s Trophy Al Naimi to making predictions. Irish Thoroughbred Marketing 24th International Equestrian in which Ayaar is among four for Thoroughbreds and the H H Trainer: Majid Safedeen “As Frankie said it is a small Handicap Rated 80 - 100 2400 Sword festival which launched reserves. The Emir’s Sword for Purebred Jockey: Alberto Sanna field this year. It is a little bit 4:20pm with a fabulous opening ceremony Botti, who attended the press Arabians in which trainer Julian Michaelmas (USA) disappointing that only seven top where I hope we have encouraged conference together with Dettori Smart is looking for his fourth Gulf Cup 1600m 5:00pm 4yrs Bay C 1 (0-0-0) class horses this year,” Smart said. and inspired even more people to and Qatari trainers Jassim Al victory in five years. Owner: Mohammed Hassan Ali “My horses are in good form. Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup become involved and share our Ghazali, said: “I came to Qatar Tariq Al Siddiqi, Deputy Abdulmalik Taraf is in good form and so are (Gr 3) 1200m 5:30pm passion for horses.” last year just to look and I am General Manager of QREC and Trainer: Debbie Mountain Al Majh’Hoor and Djainka Des He added: “We have some very delighted to be having a runner Director of Racing, said: “The Jockey: Evert Pheiffer Forges. And they have to be in these three days. I have another exciting racing to look forward this year. Golden Steps is in very track is in very good condition Ponfeigh (IRE) good form,” he added. set of horses also. I think we have to over the next three days and good form. Most of his campaign and we are looking forward to 4yrs Gr C 3 (0-3-0) “It is a small field. Any one good chance to win. I have some competition, especially in the last year was on the straight, but welcoming many of the high- Owner: Eng Hassan Ali from the seven can win. The two legends in our camp,” he added. especially in the international he ran well to finish fourth in a est rated horses. There is prize Abdulmalik entries of Sheikh Joaan’s are good “You can’t predict which horses Thoroughbred races will be tough Listed race at Lingfield last time money of QR2m for the Group 1 Trainer: Debbie Mountain too. Any horse can win the race,” can win. Every entry has chance We are very grateful to our spon- and handled the bend well and Thoroughbred and QR3m for the Jockey: Liam Jones Smart insisted. to win. sors who support our events here we have a good jockey in Marco H H The Emir’s Sword and we are Red Rocks Point (IRE) Al Ghazali, who has managed “The best horses can also lose. in Qatar and France and also Monteriso so deserves to take his expecting some very competitive 4yrs Bay C 4 (0-0-0) B an astonishing 98 race wins this So it is not easy to pick winners. around the world, the partner- chance. The owner (Matar Bin racing.” Owner: Mohammed Kazim Al season, said he ‘feels ready for Tactics are important. I like a ships we have formed with them Abdullah Al Mannai) was very Domestic and International Ansari & Sons wins’ this weekend. jockey who does what I tell him are very important to us.” keen for us to race in Qatar and media and VIP guests will have Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi “Each race is very important. to do,” Al Ghazali said. The first of three spectacular I hope he will run well.” an opportunity to mingle with Jockey: S. Golam All the horses are in good condi- Al Ghazali will have four run- days racing which boast a com- Dettori, who also rides Dubday, many of the personalities involved Momalorka (GB) tion and all the races are impor- ners in the H H The Emir’s bined prize money offer in excess is bidding for back-to-back victo- in the race meeting at ‘Breakfast 5yrs Ch M 23 (7-3-1) tant in some way or the other,” Trophy race on Thursday includ- of QR25m (€6m) is highlighted ries in Thursday’s H H The Emir’s with the Stars’, an informal event Owner: Injaaz Stud the Qatari said. ing Dubday to be ridden by by the Gulf Cup, a 1600m race Trophy. held at the racecourse tomorrow Trainer: Jassim Al Ghazali “I have best horses ready for Dettori. THE PENINSULA on Turf for GCC Bred Arabians “Racing in Qatar is very morning. THE PENINSULA Jockey: R. Mullen TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Man City aim to break new ground by beating Barca Champions League: Juventus wary of Dortmund, says Chiellini

LONDON: Manchester City consecutive win, away to VfB have been on a steep learning Stuttgart on Friday, to move curve in the Champions League further away from the relega- but today’s last 16 first-leg tion zone. But while Chiellini clash with four-time European warned of the threat posed by the Manchester City’s Ivorian for- kings Barcelona offers a chance Germans, he believes Juventus’s to show they are now serious ambition to make the final stages ward Wilfried Bony (back) chats contenders. of the competition will come to to team-mate Bacary Sagna Last season’s exit at the identi- the fore. (front) during a training session cal stage also against Barca, 4-1 on “Dortmund have some good at the City Football Academy aggregate, revealed City’s short- players, a few who played well at in Manchester, northwest comings in a squad good enough the start of the season are com- England, ahead of their UEFA to win the Premier League but ing back from injury, but over Champions League round still lacking authority and disci- two legs anything can happen,” of 16 first leg match against pline against Europe’s very best. Chiellini said to Rai television. Barcelona . A year later, however, and City “We can’t afford to gift them are approaching the tie with opportunities to launch counter- growing optimism, even if they attacks, because they have play- AFC Champions will be missing midfield talis- ers who excel when you give them man Yaya Toure at the Etihad on space - although that tactic can League Groups Tuesday as he completes a three- be very risky. Singapore: Groups for the AFC Champions match suspension for his red card “At the start of the (German League, which starts today: against CSKA Moscow. league) season, they conceded a Group A: Al Nassr (KSA), Lekhwiya (QAT), After finding their creative lot of goals from open play. Persepolis (IRI), Bunyodkor (UZB) edge blunted in recent months, “We have a lot of respect (for Group B: Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Shabab City’s attacking flair returned them) but we really want to win (KSA), Al Ain (UAE), Naft Tehran (IRI) with a vengeance as they crushed this game, progress and keep our Group C: Foolad Khouzestan (IRI), Lokomotiv Newcastle United 5-0 in the European dream alive: we really (UZB), Al Hilal (KSA), Al Sadd (QAT) Premier League on Saturday. feel stronger than in recent Group D: Al Ahli (UAE), Tractorsazi Tabriz In contrast, Barca’s lethal- seasons.” Juventus’ Spanish forward Javier Fernando Torres Llorente (left) and team-mate Arturo Vidal (centre) take part (IRI), Nasaf (UZB), Al Ahli (KSA) looking frontline misfired badly Dortmund may have flirted Group E: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR), at the weekend as their 11-match in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match at the Juventus with the relegation zone earlier Training Center in Vinovo, near Turin, yesterday. Shandong Luneng FC (CHN), Binh Duong unbeaten run ended in a sur- this season, but the Germans -- (VIE), Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) prise 1-0 defeat by a well-drilled currently 12th at 30 points behind Group F: Gamba Osaka (JPN), Seongnam Malaga side. recorded without Toure. goals but keeping Lionel Messi, ambitions will shine through in Bundesliga pacesetters Bayern FC (KOR), Buriram United (THA), Guangzhou City’s run to the last 16 a year On-loan midfielder Frank Neymar and Luis Suarez quiet, as their last 16 clash in Turin today. Munich -- can be unpredictable R&F (CHN) ago was their best effort in the Lampard, a veteran of many bat- well as having 11 men on the pitch Juventus underlined their when it comes to high-octane Group G: Brisbane Roar (AUS), Urawa competition after two succes- tles with Barca from his Chelsea unlike last season, will be the key. status as Serie A champions in- European meetings. Red Diamonds (JPN), Suwon Samsung FC sive failures to survive the group days, says that while the Catalans Messi scored in both legs last waiting once again at the weekend As they struggled to keep pace (KOR), Beijing Guoan (CHN) stage and they will be buoyed by must be respected, City have the term and has recently been in after taking their lead over stut- on the domestic front, Klopp Group H: Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN), the way they sneaked into the weapons to out-gun Barcelona scintillating form again, even if tering title challengers Roma to steered his men to the top of Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS), Kashima knockout round this time, beat- and reach the last eight for the he was subdued against Malaga. nine points. Champions League Group D, Antlers (JPN), FC Seoul (KOR) ing Bayern Munich and AS Roma. first time. Barca defender Gerard Pique Yet in Europe’s premier club scoring 14 goals and conceding Both of those victories were “You can admire and respect says City’s natural propensity to competition, the two-time win- just one defeat, to set up a last- AFC Champions them so long as that doesn’t attack could play into his side’s ners have yet to prove their 16 clash with Juventus. League roll of honour Champions League transmit into giving them too hands as they seek an eighth suc- worth: Juve crashed out at the Borussia have now scored 10 Singapore:Past winners of the AFC much space to do what they do cessive place in the quarter-finals. group stages last season having goals in their last three league Champions League football competition, Last 16 Fixtures best,” said Lampard, who was in “City are a team that is more been ousted by eventual champi- wins, but Juve are unbeaten at which starts on Tuesday: the Chelsea side that beat Barca attack-minded and that will help ons Bayern Munich in the 2013 home all season and suffered their 2014 - Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) Fixtures from the Champions League Last in the semis on the way to their us as it will be a more open game,” quarter-finals. only defeat, away to Genoa, in 2013 - Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 16 first leg matches (all times in GMT) 2012 Champions League triumph. he said. Juventus and Dortmund have October. Juve coach Massimiliano 2012 - Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) Today “I played against Barcelona “We need to put (Malaga) some history in the competition: Allegri, for one, is pleased at how 2011 - Al Sadd (QAT) Juventus (Italy) vs Borussia Dortmund when they were at their very best behind us because on Tuesday in 1997 the Germans famously his side are coming through a 2010 - Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR) (Germany) (1945) four or five years ago and they we face the most important game beat the Italians, then defend- “key” stage of the season. 2009 - Pohang Steelers (KOR) were absolutely flying -- in truth, of the year.” (Writing by Martyn ing champions, 3-1 in Munich “This is a key period in the sea- Manchester City (England) vs Barcelona 2008 - Gamba Osaka (JPN) (Spain) (1945) there’s not much you can do when Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris) and the clubs met several times son, but we’re coming through it 2007 - Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) Tomorrow they play like that -- but we have In Milan, Juventus defender before then. nicely,” Allegri said after Friday’s players who can hurt them, too.” Giorgio Chiellini has warned over Jurgen Klopp’s men are only 2-1 win over Atalanta, in which a 2006 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) Arsenal (England) vs Monaco (France) (1945) In Sergio Aguero, David the counter-attacking threat of now fighting their way back from trademark Andrea Pirlo free kick 2005 - Al Ittihad (KSA) Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) vs Atletico Silva and Samir Nasri, Manuel Borussia Dortmund, but believes a torrid start to the Bundesliga secured the points for the Turin 2004 - Al Ittihad (KSA) Madrid (Spain) (1945) Pellegrini’s City side can score the Italians’ Champions League season, having secured a third giants. AFP 2003 - Al Ain (UAE) Rookie boss Cannavaro faces Asian test this week

SINGAPORE: Former act to follow as Cannavaro takes thrashed Hanoi T&T 7-0 in the blending South American flair face a difficult start when they campaign against Uzbek Cup world player of the year Fabio over from his former Italy boss play-offs and they will be eyeing with a core of Chinese players. take on Japanese treble-winners winners Lokomotiv tomorrow, Cannavaro faces a tough start to Marcello Lippi. revenge for the 2013 final, when The “Manchester United Gamba Osaka today. the same day that two Al Ahlis his managerial career when he However Lippi remains they missed out to well-heeled of Asia” became China’s first Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal were (UAE and Saudi Arabia) meet leads 2013 winners Guangzhou involved as director of football and Guangzhou. Champions League winners enraged by their narrow loss in Dubai. Evergrande into the AFC he will be well placed to closely The southern club has been in 2013 but they were shocked in last year’s final, and they Iranian champions Foolad Champions League this week. mentor Cannavaro, his captain on another spending spree in in last year’s quarter-finals by will be without striker Nassir Khouzestan will try to extend Glittering honours as a player when Italy won the 2006 World the close season, splashing out a eventual victors Western Sydney Al Shamrani who is serving an their unbeaten run in the compe- do not guarantee success in the Cup. Chinese-record 15 million euros Wanderers. eight-match suspension. tition when they take on Al Sadd dug-out and World Cup-winner Guangzhou lost last month’s on Brazilian player of the year But Guangzhou have an early The Asian player of the year of Qatar in Group C, a rematch of Cannavaro, 41, is taking the Super Cup final to Shandong Ricardo Goulart. chance for revenge with the was punished for head-butting their last-16 tie last year. plunge at a club where expecta- Luneng in Cannavaro’s first game Guangzhou, part-owned by defending champions, currently and spitting after the final, caus- Foolad were defeated in the tions are sky-high. in charge, but his career starts e-commerce giant Alibaba, also rock-bottom of the A-League with ing a melee, and will not be avail- two-legged fixture on away Four Chinese titles in a row, in earnest against FC Seoul spent 11 million euros on Red Bull one win from 16, also in Group H. able until the quarter-finals at the goals, a result which meant they plus China’s first Champions tomorrow. Salzburg’s Brazilian striker Alan City rivals Guangzhou R&F are earliest. departed the competition without League win, add up to a tough The South Korean club as they continue their policy of making their debut and they also Al Hilal start their Group C losing a game. AFP

H H the Emir 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival

Officials representing Jouna Al Naif, winner of Class 8 Mares 7-10 at the H H the Emir 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival, receiving the trophy in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Nabila Al Rayyan, winner in class 7B mares. The eight-day festival which began on Thursday will end on February 26. Today is the first day of the three-day Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup and Gulf Cup. The highlight of the race is a fascinating clash of continents and generations in the Group 3 race for thoroughbreds, worth QR1m. Tuesday 24 February 2015 5 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6351 Sport Price: QR2

Ferrer, Errani England beat victorious in Scotland by

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Pennetta rallies to stun Kuznetsova Easy win for ex-world number one Azarenka as Venus fights back to beat Dellacqua

DOHA: Italy’s Flavia Pennetta really tough to play. I had a few rallied from a set down to beat WTA Qatar Total days off and I started playing but Today’s Order of two-time Grand Slam winner I wasn’t 100 percent,” Halep said. Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia “I just tried to play during on the opening day of Qatar Open Results the week, and it went very well Play Total Open yesterday. Results from the first day of the for me. Now I still feel it and I CENTRE COURT Pennetta, who lost the first WTA Qatar Total Open yester- think it’s more than before, so 3.30pm set, won 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to seal a day (x denotes seeding): that’s why I decided to stop,” the [Q] K. Flipkens (BEL) vs [6] A. Petkovic (GER) spot in the second round of the First Round: Romanian said. G. Muguruza (ESP) vs [9] C. Suárez Navarro $731,00 event that kicked off at Venus Williams (USA x7) bt Casey Dellacqua “I’m very disappointed (to miss (ESP) the Khalifa International Tennis the Doha event),” Halep said. “It’s (AUS) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1; Barbora Zahlavova [Q] A. Dulgheru (ROU) vs A. Cornet (FRA) and Squash Complex here. Strycova (CZE) bt Sabine Lisicki (GER) 7-5, 6-4; a very important tournament Not Before 8pm Also yesterday, former world Flavia Pennetta (ITA) bt Svetlana Kuznetsova for me. Last year here I won my number one Victoria Azarenka (RUS) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt first big title. This tournament [7] V. Williams (USA) vs B. Zahlavova Strycova of Belarus produced solid tennis Angelique Kerber (GER x8) 6-0, 6-3. gave me a lot of confidence,” she (CZE) to sail past Germany’s Angelique said. COURT 1 Kerber in straight sets. windy conditions. I just tried “It’s always tougher when you 3.30 pm Azarenka won 6-0, 6-3 against my best and I kept playing every have to withdraw because you [LL] S. Zheng (CHN) vs J. Jankovic (SRB) the eighth seed. point,” she added. have pain and it’s not nice. But I K. Pliskova (CZE) vs [Q] S. Voegele (SUI) In another match Barbora About her next match against have just to take care of my body [3] M. Hingis (SUI)/F. Pennetta (ITA) vs H. Chan Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Agienszka Radwanska, Pennetta and to look forward to the next (TPE)/C. Dellacqua (AUS) Republic beat Germany’s Sabine said: “Well, it is going to be a tournaments,” she said. Lisicki 7-5, 6-4. And eight-time tough match. She’s one of the best “We have many tournaments, COURT 2 Grand Slam champion Venus players in the world. So I have to so I just want to take the posi- 3.30pm Williams came back from a set play my best tennis to win.” tive things from last week. Yes, [Q] D. Gavrilova (RUS) vs E. Svitolina (UKR) down to beat Casey Dellacqua 3-6, Defending champion Simona of course, it’s a big injury for me. [1] S. Hsieh (TPE)/S. Mirza (IND) vs A. Medina 6-2, 6-1. Halep of Romania yesterday said It’s the first time that I have had Garrigues (ESP)/A. Parra Santonja (ESP “I fight until that last point. In a “rib injury” forced her to pull- this problem. [WC] V. Azarenka (BLR)/ K. Flipkens (BEL) vs the beginning it was very tough,” out of the Doha event she won “But still I won the tournament [WC] F. Al Nabhani (OMA)/S. Zheng (CHN) Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts during her match against Germany’s Pennetta said after her match. last year. and I’m happy because it’s very COURT 3 “I didn’t have a good feel- “Before the tournament, important as well,” Halep, who Angelique Kerber at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex 3.30pm in Doha yesterday. ing because of the weather,” the Saturday, during the practice, I won in Dubai on Saturday, said. Italian said in reference to the had a big pain at my rib and it was THE PENINSULA [WC] O. Jabeur (TUN) vs Z. Diyas (KAZ)