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Emir meets Indian envoy 14th Doha SEC plan to hire Forum to foreign teachers open today DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will patronise the opening ceremony of the 14th Doha Forum and draws criticism Enriching The Middle East’s Economic Future Conference this evening at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Enough local talent: Qatari teachers Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al DOHA: A number of Qatari to encourage Qataris to enter the Attiyah, will deliver the welcome teachers and Independent teaching profession,” she said. speech at the opening ceremony. School operators are against the “It’s okay as long as a foreign The Forum will offer an over- Supreme Education Council’s teacher is being hired because he view of key issues on democracy, plans to recruit teachers from or she is an excellent professional,” development and free trade in the abroad, as they claim there is Al Hajri added. Teachers coming Middle-East, the Arab countries enough local talent. in from a foreign country take and the world. Many feel that since there is a time to understand Qatar’s edu- Enriching the Middle East’s huge difference between the pay cation system and its society and Economic Future Conference will packages for Qatari and non- culture and adjust, say the critics. discuss the themes of building job- Qatari teachers, the SEC’s idea There are enough retired creating economies in the Gulf, is to economise by bringing over Qatari teachers and those who a new pattern of economics and more foreign hands. left the teaching profession some- development in the region and The starting monthly pay for a time ago when pay packages were across the globe, and the Middle Qatari Independent School teacher low, said Al Hajri. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday met Indian Ambassador to Qatar Sanjiv Arora East’s pivot to Asia. QNA is QR31,340 (for married individ- “Why go to another country who handed him a written message from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee inviting the Emir to visit India. See also page 4 uals) and QR27,440 (for singles). to get teachers when we already The pay increases with seniority. have a trove of teaching talent Contrast this with the pay scale locally,” asks Noor Al Suwaidi. of non-Qatari teachers: QR7,500 “Take in expatriates. They know to QR12,500. According to a school our culture and are familiar with operator, Aisha Shahbeek, even our education system.” Saudi warns of MERS risk from camels a fresh graduate Qatari teacher To recall, the SEC has gets paid as much as a well-expe- announced it is hiring teachers for KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia coronavirus like SARS, which place in Saudi society — is the cooked camel meat and to boil rienced doctor or engineer. Independent Schools for the next said people handling camels originated in animals and killed subject of extensive study among camel milk before consuming it. Critics of the SEC’s plans to academic year from several Arab should wear masks and gloves around 800 people worldwide scientists abroad. But it has been The statement urged people hire teachers from abroad for the countries to fill up 900 vacancies. to prevent spreading Middle after first appearing in China in relatively absent from much of to report symptoms of MERS in next academic year say there are Shahbeek said the problem is that East Respiratory Syndrome 2002. There is no vaccine or anti- the official domestic debate. camels immediately. enough experienced Qatari and most educated Qataris preferred (MERS), issuing such a warn- viral treatment against it. In a statement, the Agriculture Only one of dozens of people expatriate school teachers in the to take up administrative jobs ing for the first time as cases More than a quarter of the 480 Ministry advised people not to working near an auction pen in country who should instead be since teaching entails long work- of the potentially fatal virus diagnosed with MERS in Saudi come into contact with camels Riyadh’s camel market on Sunday taken on board. Noora Al Hajri, ing hours. neared 500 in the kingdom. Arabia, still the focal point of the unless necessary and to wash was wearing a mask, and there who operates an Independent Not many Qataris want to Health experts say camels are outbreak, have died, while cases hands before and after if they did, were no signs of any official visit Elementary School for Girls, work as teachers due to work the most likely animal source of have been reported in other as well as wearing face masks, state from the authorities, a Reuters told local Arabic daily Al Raya in load and the Independent Schools infection for the disease, which Middle Eastern countries, in news agency SPA said on Sunday. photographer said. Public disquiet remarks published yesterday that that have Qatari teachers are the Saudi Health Ministry said Europe and in the United States, “It is advisable to wear protec- in Saudi Arabia has grown amid it is wrong if the SEC is hiring trying their best to retain them late on Saturday that seven more which had its first confirmed case tive gloves, especially when deal- rumours on social media sites teachers from abroad just because by providing incentives, said a people had caught. last month. ing with births or sick or dead about a lack of transparency from they would be paid less. school operator not wanting to First reported two years ago The link between human cases (camels),” it said, according to officials about the spread of the “This is against the state’s policy be named. THE PENINSULA in Saudi Arabia, MERS is a and camels — which have a special SPA. It also advised only eating disease. REUTERS

Qaradawi urges Qatar Chamber election today Fish prices soar on costlier diesel DOHA: Election to the Board tered members. Interestingly, Egyptians to of Directors of Qatar Chamber, election is to be held to pick DOHA: Fish is becoming Despite spending more by way Inspectors from the Consumer representative body of the pri- only the lone member of the expensive thanks to a sudden of increased diesel rates, fisher- Protection Department (CPD) boycott election vate sector, is to be held today. services committee. Members hike in the prices of diesel. men say their profits have been of the Ministry of Economy and The election is held every four of the other committees are Fishing boats that spent diesel dwindling. Commerce are present at the auc- DOHA: Influential Egypt-born years. However, if the quo- already decided. The sit- worth a thousand riyals during a “Retailers are having a gala tion and they dictate the prices cleric Yousuf Al Qaradawi, who is rum (50pc) of the Chamber’s ting member of the services four-day fishing expedition in the time at our expense,” fishermen that are quoted. based in Qatar, yesterday urged annual general meeting is not committee, Abdul Lateef Al high seas earlier must now fish were quoted as saying by a local “The prices are quoted at the Egyptians to boycott the upcom- complete, the meeting (to hold Missned, is being challenged out QR1,500 for the fuel. Arabic daily. rate of QR500 per container of ing presidential election, saying the poll) would be convened on by rivals Abdul Rahman Al Smaller boats spend up to half Some fishermen say they are 30 kilogrammes irrespective of its ex-army chief Abdel Fattah Al May 28. The condition of quo- Najjar and woman contestant, that sum and their operating actually operating at a loss, and content—the type of fish,” said a Sisi took power “unfairly”. rum would not apply then. The Suhaila Rabia Al Hareb. costs have also multiplied due to say the system of official monitor- fisherman. The then head of the Egyptian Chamber has 29,000 regis- THE PENINSULA the rise in diesel prices. From ing of the early morning auctions THE PENINSULA military, Sisi toppled Islamist QR1 a litre it now costs QR1.50. is to blame for their woes. Continued on page 6 president Mohamed Mursi last July, and is widely expected to win this month’s presidential election. “Sisi deposed the elected presi- Winner’s bite dent and took power unfairly. How can we elect him?” the cleric told AFP. Qaradawi is seen as a spiritual Assad and Iran have guide to the Muslim Brotherhood, the group Mursi hails from. He had issued a fatwa urging Egyptians to support the deposed head of state won the war: Tehran following his overthrow. AFP TEHRAN: Iran and its close ally countries was now the main threat facing President Bashar Al Assad have won the the Syrian people, Boroujerdi said. Many war in Syria and the US-orchestrated foreign fighters who had travelled to Syria campaign in support of the armed oppo- from Britain and other European countries TODAY’S EDITION OF sition’s bid to topple the Syrian regime could soon return. “We are worried about has failed, senior Iranian officials have the future security of Europe,” he said. THE PENINSULA told The Guardian. “We won the game in Syria easily,” said INCLUDES In a series of interviews in Tehran, top Amir Mohebbian, a conservative strategist AN EIGHT PAGE SPECIAL figures who shape Iranian foreign policy and government adviser. “The US does not SUPPLEMENT ON said that western strategy in Syria had understand Syria. The Americans wanted merely encouraged radicals, sowed chaos to replace Assad, but what was the alterna- and backfired, with government forces now tive? All they have done is encourage radical on the front foot. “We have won in Syria,” groups and made the borders less safe.” said Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of the “We accept the need for change in Syria Iranian parliament’s national security and — but gradually. Otherwise there is chaos,” A Qatari celebrates winning the bronze in the Senior Female Individual Kata category foreign policy committee and an influential Mohebbian said. Majid Takht-Ravanchi, at the Karate International Championship at Al Rayyan Indoor Stadium yesterday. The government insider. “The regime will stay. deputy Iranian foreign minister, said the two-day championship ended yesterday. Hosts Qatar bagged a rich haul of 14 medals to The Americans have lost it.” priority was to accept the rebellion had finish second. Tunisia topped the championship in which around 150 contestants from Terrorism perpetrated by Al-Qaeda- failed and to restore stability in Syria before 18 countries took part. See also page 25. (KAMMUTTY VP) linked jihadist groups and individuals next month’s presidential elections. armed and funded by Sunni Muslim Arab THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

FM receives new envoy French ties discussed

The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah yesterday received new Swedish Ambassador Ewa Polano who presented copy The Minister of Transport H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti yesterday of her credentials. The Minister wished her success and bilateral met French Ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle and discussed relations further development. relations and issues of mutual concern. www.swiss-belhotel.com Tel Fax PHCC to address complaints Tel Fax against health centres Tel Fax Campaign launched to educate people on services available

DOHA: Complaints made by patients against pri- Tollfree mary healthcare centres will be addressed by Primary Fax Healthcare Corporation (PHCC), says a senior official. Some patients complain Tel against prolonged procedures, unfriendly reception and long Fax waiting time, Marriam Yaseen, Executive Director, Corporate Communications and Public Tel Relations, said yesterday. Fax “We often hold training ses- sions for our staff to provide best service for patients. They have been instructed to respond Tel to patients in the right way,” she Fax added. However, she explained that some procedures have to be www.doha.hilton.com followed while consulting a phy- sician and a long waiting time Tel +974 44233333 is mostly due to a high number of visitors. Fax +974 44233000 Yaseen was speaking at a press conference at the PHCC FROM LEFT: Huda Mohsen, Public Relations and Media Manager, PHCC, Marriam Yaseen, Executive Director, headquarters to provide details Corporate Communications and Public Relations, and Hamdi Blekich, Marketing Manager, at the press about a campaign being held to conference at the PHCC headquarters yesterday. ABDUL BASIT educate people on services avail- able at health centres. of contact in case of illnesses. Hamdi Blekich, Marketing 2015. Qatar Red Crescent will be PHCC is holding the month- “The campaign will educate Manager, Huda Mohsen, Public in charge of operating primary long introductory campaign to people on how to prevent dis- Relation and Media Manager, healthcare centres being set up build effective and positive rela- eases and if they fall sick and and Dr Hebah Abu Halawah, exclusively for low-income expat tions with all communities. need to see a physician the Head of Health Awareness, workers and other centres will Tel The aim is to engage the com- first place they should go to is were present at the conference be operated by PHCC. munity through the media cov- a primary healthcare centre,” to explain about the campaign. PHCC provides dental, Fax erage about the importance of said Safiullah Taye, Researcher, PHCC is operating through maternity services (ultrasound), providing primary healthcare PHCC. 21 primary healthcare centres vaccination, health education, to families as the first step to “The first step for a patient distributed into three regions — pharmacy, X-ray, home care ensure their health. should be taken at a primary central, western, and northern. service, laboratory services, Tel The campaign also seeks healthcare centre unless it’s a Seventeen new primary medical commission services Fax to make people know how to case of emergency which needs healthcare centres are coming and health promoting school prevent diseases and primary secondary level treatment,” he up, including two which will be programmes. healthcare centres as first point added. opening this year and five in THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax Niger varsity hails Qatar Charity’s efforts Tel DOHA: The University of Fax Niger has praised Qatar Charity’s (QC) efforts in the fight against poverty. This came in a letter from Tel Professor Adam Todo, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, who Fax referred to research carried out by students supported by QC on the issue of poverty and food security in the country. Tel Todo expressed the college’s Fax desire to continue the collabo- ration, saying results speak for themselves. “The research by the stu- dents was presented with a high degree of objectivity and accu- racy and came about as a direct result of facilities and care pro- vided to them by the university Tel and QC. Results clearly showed Fax the value of solutions provided by QC to tackle poverty and problems of food security in Supplies by Qatar Charity as part of one of its projects in Niger. rural areas.” Tel Todo praised the research Fax by students of College of in the academic year 2012- in enhancing the economic sta- during the floods in several Agriculture and Farming to 2013 on ‘Analysis of QC’s tus of women: the case of QC’s areas of the capital Niamey. obtain their degree, which he Development Approach — financial support to cooperatives The families were handed the www.renaissancedoha.com said was facilitated by QC and Experience of Ishiganotokane in the villages of Babusaa, Kori keys of furnished houses in the their interest in poverty and villages in Fellnja’; ‘The and Chowdawa’; and ‘Analysis presence of the secretary-gen- Tel +974 44195000 food security. Practice of irrigational farming of NGOs’ contributions to food eral of the Ministry of Planning, Fax +974 44195100 The students studied QC as a source for food security’; security: the case of QC’s inter- the mayor of Niamey and his interventions in the agricul- ‘Conditions of women coopera- ventions in the villages of Datiqi deputy. ture sector in Niger which came tives working with QC in the and Sorkorootolo’. Prior to the housing project, after the signing of an agree- Popoa area’; ‘The role of wom- QC has recently implemented projects worth QR1.367m were ment between QC Niger and the en’s associations in development: several projects in Niger, includ- carried out for the benefit of college to understand and evalu- the case of associations work- ing the delivery of more than 30 100,000 poor families and small ate the impact of interventions. ing with QC in the Popoa’; ‘The homes to the families of people farmers in the Tawa region. They completed the research contribution of livestock rearing whose homes were destroyed THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 New projects to make Katara year-round global destination Shopping and entertainment centres and sport village among plans

DOHA: Kata ra is s et to be a g lo- and include shops offering high- Mohammed Jassim Al Naama (right), Rota acting Executive Director and bal destination year-round with end international brands, offices, Senior Management Representative, and Dr Eric Sands, QA Director, signing several new projects, including apartments and a unique shop- the MoU. shopping and entertainment ping centre for children. centres and a sport village. One of the most sophisticated One of the projects set to rise projects is Katara Hills compris- in Cultural Village is Katara ing 383 elegantly designed resi- Rota to set up computer Fitness Centre on the coast of dential units, 133 of which will Katara facing The Pearl Qatar, be villas with four to nine bed- while a commercial complex will rooms while the remaining 250 be on the west side featuring a will be apartments with two to refurbishing initiative water fountain in the middle of four bedrooms. the courtyard in addition to a Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al basement parking. Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, at Qatar Academy A Sport Village called ‘I said: “The next phase will witness Go Katara’ will be in the an important jump in perform- DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (Rota) and Qatar Academy (QA) Entertainment City, which was ance and programmes, accord- recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up a formerly Aladdin’s Kingdom. ing to a new strategy in line computer refurbishing initiative at the academy. It will be built on an area of Qatar’s aspirations to be a devel- It was signed by Mohammed Jassim Al Naama, Rota acting Executive over 60,000sqm with three game oped country with a diversified Director and Senior Management Representative, and Dr Eric Sands, areas for paint ball, football, bas- knowledge-based economy which QA Director. ketball and tennis, in addition to aims at providing a sophisticated An artist’s impression of the commercial complex for children set for early It builds upon Rota’s Computer Refurbishing initiative started last 29 games and sports. standard of living for its people.” year to support QA’s programme on computer refurbishing for its There will also be a commer- He said Katara’s cultural and 2017 opening. ‘Laptops for Workers’ drive. Cooperation effectively started in February cial complex for children which, investment projects as well as 2014. QA students participated in an introduction session to Computer alongside the Sport Village, is set strategies and programmes are achieving Qatar National Vision in accordance with economic Refurbishing by Rota, visited Rota Computer Refurbishing Lab and for early 2017 opening. integrated with its cultural, eco- 2030, which requires building growth and cultural development. started refurbishing QA laptops following QA-designed methodology. The centre will have two floors nomic and social goals and aims at institutional and human capacity THE PENINSULA “The Rota Computer Refurbishing Project has always focused on the positive impact of modern technology and quality education on students’ lives. Today, we are delighted to sign this agreement to help set up a new initiative in line with Rota’s drive at QA,” said Al Naama. “This Rota-QA partnership will provide an incredible opportunity for students to utilise their technical potential to reach out to the Interior Ministry holds safety awareness exhibitions underprivileged and deserving workers by offering them IT as a tool to create a better future,” he added. DOHA: The Ministry of As QA regularly buys new computer equipment for students and Interior organised safety staff, the agreement supports the recycling and refurbishing of QA awareness exhibitions as part disused laptops, to be donated to migrant workers. It is expected that of activities of Emiri Cup semi- some 640 laptops will be refurbished and distributed this year. “The finals on Saturday. agreement reiterates our belief in giving importance to the sense of The event in collaboration with community, developing community awareness and concern, and skills Qatar Football Association had needed to make an effective contribution to society,” said Dr Sands. 15 departments of the ministry “When our employees are better educated and better connected participating with educational to the world, including their homes and families, their well-being is and awareness activities. enhanced, their job satisfaction improved, their attention to what A dog show by the Criminal they are doing deepened and finally, their pride on working in Doha, Evidence and Investigation especially QF, is greater,” he added. Rota with its expertise in setting Department was highly applauded up computer refurbishing initiatives, will support QA as it creates its by the audience. The dog show in progress. own computer refurbishing lab, triage zone, inventory and asset man- Booklets and brochures were agement. QA will impart training in the computer lab to refurbish, distributed and awareness films People learnt about services of were offered free medical check- Department of the ministry. repair, test and prepare computers for distribution. THE PENINSULA shown. traffic police and Al Fazaa and ups by the Medical Services THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Egypt revolution documentary Doha Forum to be screened for a week opens today DOHA: Academy Award nominated documentary The Square will be DOHA: The three- screened daily from May 15 to 21 at 7pm at Katara Drama Theatre. day Doha Forum and The Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Audience Award-winning film Enriching The Middle directed by Jehane Noujaim is presented by Katara Doha Film Institute East’s Economic Future Cinema. Conference opens today The Square follows a group of Egyptian revolutionaries who battle leaders at the Ritz-Carlton and regimes and risk their lives to build a new society. Hotel. It is an immersive experience that transports the viewer deep into the The Prime Minister intense emotional drama and personal stories behind news. It is the inspira- and Interior Minister tional story of young peo- H E Sheikh Abdullah bin ple claiming their rights Nasser bin Khalifa Al and struggling against Thani and the Foreign multiple forces in their Minister H E Dr Khalid fight to express their bin Mohamed Al Attiyah beliefs. will address the opening Tickets are on sale at session to be held under www.dohafilminstitute. the theme ‘Perspectives com and DFI Ticket of global strategic, eco- Outlet, Katara Building nomic and developmental 26. They are priced at stability’. QR35 for the public and QRC volunteers distributing heaters and blankets to Syrian and Palestinian refugees. The session will fea- A scene from the documentary The Square. QR25 for students. ture participation of some THE PENINSULA heads of state and gov- ernment, opinion lead- ers, eminent thinkers, Warm Winter Project 2014 decisionmakers, members of parliament, business- men, academics, media figures and international helps over 30,000 refugees organisations. The 14th edition of DOHA: More than 30,000 December 2013 to 30 April 2014 refugee camps, as well as Syrian Doha Forum, which coin- Syrian and Palestinian refu- and involved the distribution of refugees and poor Lebanese fam- cides with Enriching The gees benefited from the Warm basic winter requirements such as ilies in Akkar, Baalbek, Beqaa, Middle East’s Economic Winter Project 2014 imple- blankets, heaters, heating oil, win- Arsal, and other poor towns. Future Conference, has mented by Qatar Red Crescent ter clothing, jackets for UNRWA Implementation was coordi- become one of the leading (QRC). schoolchildren, and gifts for the nated with Irshad & Islah Islamic global forums on inter- Covering most of the poor elderly, including bed mattresses, Beneficent Association to help national contemporary regions of Lebanon, the project blankets, and pillows. poor families survive poverty and affairs. also provided support to the most This year’s project cost distress, particularly in the cold It will offer a sweep- disadvantaged Lebanese families. $400,000, fully funded by QRC, winters of the targeted regions. ing overview of issues It lasted four months, from 30 serving at least 17 Palestinian THE PENINSULA regarding democracy, development and free trade in the Middle East, Arab countries and the world and discuss critical political, economic, social, financial, strategic and CMU-Q team’s Twitter Sentiment human matters. Speakers at the open- ing session include Vice Analysis project bags top award -President of Argentina, Amado Boudou, Assistant DOHA: The ‘Twitter Sentiment President of Sudan, Analysis’ project was awarded Abdel Rahman ElSadig the best undergraduate research ElMahdi, former presi- project at Carnegie Mellon dent of Albania, Rexhep University in Qatar’s (CMU-Q) Qemal Meidani, and eighth annual research sympo- former prime minister sium ‘Meeting of the Minds.’ of France, Dominique de The event on the campus gave Villepin. undergraduate and graduate stu- Sessions include dents an opportunity to present ‘Democracy - Building their research using posters, vid- After the Change’ with eos and visual aids to faculty, fel- speakers focusing on top- low students, family members and ics related to ‘Building local industry experts. democracy: the system Computer science students of values and community Rukhsar Neyaz and Sabih Bin organizations’; ‘Countries Wasi took home Best Poster and in transition - to achieve First Place for their research on The winning team. the challenge of change’; ‘Twitter Sentiment Analysis,’ “Political Islam in power: a first in Meeting of the Minds’ Cornell Medical College in Qatar. number of active Twitter users the challenges of partici- history. They were mentored The symposium exemplifies in the Arab world reached 3.7m pation and decision-mak- by Behrang Mohit, Assistant Carnegie Mellon’s vibrant and as of March 2013, producing about ing’; ‘Threats to move to Professor of Computer Science. collaborative research philoso- 5.5m tweets per day. a democratic world: The Second place also went to Bin phy and provides students with He said, “There is a need for concept of power and Wasi, who completed the project a platform to explore topics of systems such as ours. For exam- authority’; ‘Enhancing ‘Using Technology to Help People interest in depth outside the class- ple, with the recent opening of the presence of women in Save Food Effortlessly’ with room, paving the way for them to Hamad International Airport, politics’; and ‘The rights faculty adviser Thierry Sans, become experts of tomorrow. this is a critical time to measure of minorities in light of Assistant Teaching Professor of Bin Wasi said: “Twitter how people feel about it. It is sim- political changes’. Computer Science. Sentiment Analysis helps decipher ple for the organisation to use, all A session will be held Third place went to ‘SNV- the sentiment of a tweet using an you would have to do is insert the by Qatar National Human check: A Quality Control for algorithm. For any brand in the hashtag and the system would tell Rights Committee in Familiar Exome Sequencing Data world, there is value to knowing you how people feel about the air- cooperation with the Based on the Sharing of Rare how a brand is performing and port.” A panel of industry experts Foreign Ministry and will Genetic Mutations’ by Noora how people feel about a particu- and faculty members from other be moderated by NHRC Al Muftah, computational biol- lar brand.” universities reviewed presenta- Chairman Dr Ali bin ogy student with faculty adviser According to the fifth Arab tions and chose the best projects Smeikh Al Marri. QNA Khalid A Fakhro from Weill Social Media Report, the total and posters. THE PENINSULA Hungarian President due DOHA: Hungarian President Janos Ader will arrive today in Doha on an official visit to Qatar. Schools begin registration

DOHA: Online registra- tion of students seeking admission to Independent schools for the 2014-2014 academic year began yes- terday. Admission is open to all classes from KG to Grade 12. Candidates can register online or by visiting schools. Online registration closes tomor- row while registration through schools will be from May 25 to 27. Embassy holiday

DOHA: The Indian embassy will remain closed on Wednesday on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, an official statement said yesterday. THE PENINSULA/QNA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Al Furjan allotment decision slammed DOHA: Several members of shops. They are already running get a major share from allotments Central Municipal Council outlets in other places. Citizens of Al Furjan shops since they (CMC) have criticised the deci- have full right to hire these out- are closely connected with these sion of authorities to allot spaces lets, especially those living in the outlets built in their areas,” said at the proposed Al Furjan respective localities,” he added. another CMC member, Mohamad project only to companies. They He hoped that citizens would be Saleh Al Khayarin. felt that Qatari individuals are allowed to register for the draw “Priority should be given to more deserving to hire shops at to select beneficiaries. citizens in the allotment of the the project than companies. And the beneficiaries should be shops, especially those living in “The shops should be allotted given a freehand on the shops and the respective areas, but we are The Malaysian Minister of Tourism and Culture Dato’Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and his delegation at the to citizens, especially those with should be allowed to sublet them surprised to see that only com- press conference at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel in Doha yesterday. ANWAR limited income and retirees as to companies, he added. panies have been allowed to well as others who come under For instance, the shops should apply,” he added. He hoped that the purview of the social secu- be let out to citizens at a monthly the project would have a positive rity scheme,” Al Sharq quoted rent of QR4,000 and they can impact on the real estate market Focus on ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014’ Mohamad Zafir Al Hajri, CMC sublet them to companies at and could lead to a decline in the member, as saying yesterday. QR6,000. prices of commodities. DOHA: The Malaysian “Companies won’t need such “We hoped that citizens would THE PENINSULA Minister of Tourism and Culture Dato’Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz held a press conference at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel in Doha . The ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014’ GOIC to take part in ‘Project Qatar 2014’ conference gave guests a glimpse of what awaits them in Malaysia, DOHA: The Gulf Organisation IMI Plus is the first and only It helps identify promising especially during the celebration for Industrial Consulting portal publishing accurate, investment opportunities in the of the year. (GOIC) will present train- updated and accredited indus- region, facilitates reaching ade- The conference also aimed at ing and technical support trial and socio-economic data quate service providers and assist expressing Tourism Malaysia’s programmes at the 11th from seven countries. in determining required expertise appreciation to tour operators, International Construction It includes the Gulf Industries and technology providers to fos- media and guests for support in Technology and Building Database with vital information ter business operations. promoting travel to Malaysia. Materials Exhibition ‘Project on more than 15000 factories GOIC’s display stand H205 in Abdul Aziz led a delega- Qatar 2014’ which opens today operating in the region and more Hall 7 will allow visitors to get to tion which participated in the at Qatar National Convention than 8,000 in the process of reg- know its Training and Capacity Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Centre (QNCC). istration and certifying. Development Programme. It is in Dubai, followed by a post-ATM “GOIC’s continuous participa- The Foreign Trade Database developed to enhance individual sales mission to Doha, Qatar and Qatar Tourism Authority Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi (right) tion highlights its keenness to contains detailed statistics about and organisational capacities of Amman. with the Malaysian minister. contribute to the construction imports, exports and re-exported the industrial sector in the GCC Malaysian promotional efforts boom in the GCC and Yemen, goods for the Gulf and every and Yemen. include a programme for Qatar added another feather to its cap cooperation between the two particularly in Qatar. country in the form of timelinnes. GOIC will provide visitors which included courtesy calls by by garnering the Best Global countries, especially in the tour- In this regard, GOIC, a The Socio-economic Database with information about the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Tourism Advertising Campaign ism sector, as well as ways to sup- renowned expertise hub in the includes more than 400 socio- Industrial Technical Assistance Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Award at the Fourth Middle port and develop it to serve the region, seeks to offer services economic and demographic indi- Programme to help GCC indus- Mohannadi and Qatar Airways East Business Leaders Awards common interests. through specialised programmes, cators about the Gulf. trial facilities accurately assess CEO Akbar Al Baker, as well as 2013 in Abu Dhabi. The event Qatar and Malaysia signed an research, consulting and technical GOIC uses the portal to pro- and achieve surpluses via energy travel mart, press conference and was organised by Federation of agreement for economic, trade services to the public and private vide information to subscribers efficiency, improving productiv- gala dinner. GCC Chambers and The Leaders and technical cooperation in 1975, sectors in the GCC and Yemen,” over the Internet; it helps clients ity and reducing industrial viola- Sixteen Malaysian sellers will International. and an agreement for the estab- said Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al take key business decisions based tions and environmental impact. participate in the travel mart. Al Mohannadi met Abdul lishment of Qatari-Malaysian Ageel, Secretary General, GOIC. on accurate, updated and accred- GOIC will also introduce the Gulf Last year, 324,437 west Asian Aziz and his delegation at QTA Joint Committee in 2009. The vol- Visitors will be shown how ited data. Subcontracting and Partnership tourists visited Malaysia, and the headquarters. The meeting, ume of trade exchange between to subscribe to the Industrial It allows them to target new Exchange Programme to visitors, country also recorded 7,264 tour- also attended by Malaysian both countries stood at QR5.8bn Market Intelligence Portal (IMI clients and markets to sell their particularly contractors. ists from Qatar. Ambassador Ahmad Jazri bin in 2012. Plus) and use its services. products and services. THE PENINSULA Last year, Tourism Malaysia Mohamed Johar, discussed THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME HMC urges safety of children in vehicles Never leave kids unattended in enclosed spaces: Expert DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has reminded parents that child passengers not restrained with proper car seats in vehicles, are at a high risk of serious and fatal injuries from accidents. Parents and other members of Participants attending one of the workshops. the community are encouraged to have their child car seats checked for free by nationally certified child passenger safety techni- Learning forum for teachers held cians, who can be approached during safety events sponsored DOHA: Qatar Foundation in the 21st century demand that which she explored innovative by Safe Kids Qatar, or by sending (QF) Office of Pre-University teachers remain creative in their ways to teach Arabic to gifted a message through the Kulluna Education held its inaugural methodologies. students. One of the effective website www.kulluna.qa ‘Teaching and Learning Forum’ “At QF, we believe this is the methods she suggested included As part of its Kulluna child for teachers at QF, Supreme key to unlocking the human highlighting students’ abilities health and safety campaign, HMC Education Council and interna- potential of future generations.” and talents through activities that is raising awareness of the issue as tional schools. The forum also hosted a key- help stimulate creativity. “many countries, including Qatar, QF educators delivered three note speech by Richard Gerver, Rola Atauneh, a teacher, shared do not have legislation mandat- sets of 10 workshops on leader- an award-winning teacher and experience in teaching Arabic and ing the use of car safety seats,” ship, early childhood education, school principal, whose work in challenges faced while tutoring according to Dr Khalid Abdulnoor innovation and practice, and the education has been celebrated students in handwriting. Saifeldeen, Chairman, Kulluna use of student data in learning by the British National Teaching During the second set of Health and Safety Campaign, and methodologies. awards and Unesco. workshops, one lecture focused Director, Hamad International The forum provided teachers Addressing the future of edu- on modern teaching methods Training Centre (HITC). with the opportunity to share cation while referencing con- in Islamic education, discussing “Kulluna has been working to knowledge and expertise with versations he has had with Eric ways to make Islamic studies address safety issues concerning counterparts in the community. Schmidt, Executive Chairman, more interesting and meaningful children and has developed Safe The one-day forum was held Google, and Stephen ‘Steve’ for students by linking it to their Kids Qatar in partnership with at Hamad bin Khalifa University Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple, daily lives. Safe Kids Worldwide, a US-based Student Centre in Education City Gerver said: “What we have to The final set of workshops international non-governmental during the weekend. understand about the nature of included presentations by organization specialising in child Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif change, not just in education, is Muneera Rashid Al Mannai, safety, and ConocoPhillips Qatar, Al Thani, Director, Academic that it is not about systems and Head of Integration Technology, the founding sponsor of Kulluna,” Outreach Pre-University structures, but about people. If Qatar Academy Primary School, he said. Education Office, said, “The you don’t change the capacity of and Zayed Qasim, Coordinator, Ordinary car seats and forum was a wonderful opportu- people, all you ever lead to are Qatar Academy Primary School, restraints are designed for adults nity for Qatar’s teaching commu- short-term measures that will live who addressed the use of mod- and children above 12, depending nity to gather, share and discuss and die in moments and trans- ern teaching strategies, tailored on their size, he said. innovative ideas with regard to form nothing.” to individual student needs, with “Younger children require spe- the teaching of specific subjects. The first set of workshops regard to imparting the four basic cific car seats because they are “Teaching, like learning, is a included a presentation by skills of reading, writing, speaking different in terms of size, and life-long endeavour and rapid Asma Al Nuaimi, Department and listening. standard car seats do not protect A mother checking to see her daughter is safely seated in her car seat. technological and social advances Coordinator, Qatar Academy, in THE PENINSULA them in the best possible way. “An ordinary car seat belt can members of the public on choos- He also urged all community be dangerous because it can get ing the right car seat and using members to be vigilant about chil- caught on the neck of a child it correctly,” he added. dren’s safety. or cause internal damage,” he Dr Saifeldeen urged parents “If you pass by a car and notice said, adding car safety seats are and other family members never a child sitting alone in it, raise ibq launches new Visa Signature credit card designed based on evidence and to leave children unattended in an alarm — ask around for the research. enclosed spaces such as cars, parents, and if there is a need, DOHA: International Bank of Qatar (ibq) yester- warranty and purchase protection. “Safe Kids Qatar has trained particularly during the hot sea- call authorities. We all play a day announced the launch of its Visa Signature “The introduction of our Visa Signature Card is over 40 child passenger safety son, as temperatures inside a part in keeping children safe from credit card, designed to appeal to and reward an outstanding and innovative enhancement to our technicians within the community car can rise quickly and cause danger.” its elite clients for their continued loyalty, said a elite banking package that offers our clients a more who educate parents and other heatstroke. THE PENINSULA press statement. personalised level of service, preferential rates, a The new card will further enhance ibq’s banking dedicated personal banker and much more. The card package, which offers preferential banking products is unique and provides excellent privileges that com- and services. It will provide access to airport lounges plement the lifestyle of our elite clients. In short, and the premium Visa Signature Concierge service, it’s a ‘must have’ card”, said Andrew Ball, Head of a global lifestyle solution that aims at meeting the Retail Banking, ibq. Container fish auction system faulty needs of affluent clients, including restaurant rec- Supported by ibq’s ‘thanq’ rewards programme, ommendations, reservations, or vacation-planning Signature cardholders will also be able to enjoy pre- Continued from page 1 said fishermen. In the auction the prices should be assistance round the clock. mium conversion of one point for every QR6 spent, The system is faulty because if the container quoted on per kilogram basis and not on the basis of Clients will also enjoy privileged access to the which allows the points earned across a wide range has expensive fish, the fisherman will suffer losses. a container, said fisherman, Ahmed Salem Al Hamli. Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection which of product and services to be redeemed on over However, it is the retailer who benefits from the Some consumers, however, said they suspect that offers exclusive benefits at over 900 hotels around 800 airlines and 160,000 hotels worldwide without auction system, said the fisherman. fishermen and vendors were using the hike in diesel the world. The card comes with premium insurance restriction. Retailers are free to vend the fish at whatever prices as an excuse to increase the prices of fish. coverage, including full travel insurance, extended THE PENINSULA rates and there is no monitoring by CPD inspectors, THE PENINSULA Qatar’s ties SNOG Frozen Yogurt opens second shop with Europe ‘distinguished’

DOHA: The Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani affirmed that Qatar has distinguished ties with the European Union and is keen to strengthen them. This came during his participation as Guest of Honour at a luncheon in honour of EU ambassa- dors, hosted by the Greek embassy. Greece is presid- ing over the current ses- sion of the EU. Participants reviewed ways of strength- ening economic and trade relations between Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed bin Fahed Al Thani, (second right), CEO, MBF Trading, Hannah Dunwoody (second and the EU. left), Marketing Manager, SNOG Frozen Yoghurt, and Aman Shahani (right), Director, MBF Trading, at the official opening of the outlet at Villaggio. Envoy attends DOHA: SNOG Frozen Yogurt Bright colours and a pop The mind-boggling display might president’s was founded in London in 2008 approach complete the experi- include hand-cut strawberries, by Rob Baines and Pablo Uribe. ence. SNOGs in-shop experience fresh fruit, bitter chocolate nibs, inauguration It offers premium frozen yogurt is kept engaging and fresh by chewy Japanese mochi and so on. in beautifully designed shops in promoting young designers and All toppings are free from arti- SAN JOSE: Qatari London’s prime locations. The artists. SNOG shops are found ficial colourings, sweeteners and Ambassador Jaber Ali Al proprietary formula is made with throughout London and fran- preservatives. Adhbah represented the organic yogurt and organic milk chised in South America, the Baines said, ‘Following the suc- state at the inauguration and sweetened with organic agave Middle East and Asia. cess of our first shop in Qatar, we of Luis Guillermo Solis as nectar, a natural sweetener with Baines and Uribe are nourished are delighted to see the new shop President of Costa Rica. a low glycemic index. by travel. The abundant bowls opening at Villaggio. Al Adhbah conveyed SNOG was the perfect name of tasty toppings were inspired “Our fresh yogurt and topping greetings of the Emir for a young, cheeky, urban British in spice souks. Ingredients are ingredients are all chosen for H H Sheikh Tamim bin company. Having a memorable sometimes exotic, sometimes quality, integrity and, above all, Hamad Al Thani to the name gave the brand an incred- locally relevant with an inspir- tastiness. “Like the Villaggio, Snog President and his wishes ibly important asset and set the ing choice for the healthiest and is an unforgettable experience.” of stronger relations. tone for the creative direction. the most indulgent appetites. THE PENINSULA QNA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Juba, rebels trade blame as truce broken Peace deal signed on Friday in Addis Ababa came after massive international pressure JUBA: South Sudan’s govern- Kiir is either insincere or not in minister, Kuol Manyang, said that up of a loose coalition of army Machar, has seen the army and road “like sheep” and other vic- ment and rebels accused each control of his forces,” rebel mili- it was the rebels who attacked defectors, ethnic rebels and, alleg- communities divide along ethnic tims “grotesquely mutilated” with other yesterday of breaching tary spokesman Lul Ruai Koang first in Bentiu and that the oppo- edly, mercenaries from Sudan. On lines, pitting members of Kiir’s their lips sliced off. a ceasefire just hours after it said of the president. sition suffered heavy casualties. the government side, the com- Dinka tribe against Machar’s The war erupted on December came into effect, dealing an Kiir and rebel leader Riek “They attacked first thing this mand structure under Kiir is also Nuer. 15 with Kiir accusing Machar of early blow to hopes for an end Machar met in the Ethiopian morning. They attacked our posi- seen as weak. UN rights chief Navi Pillay, a attempting a coup. to the five-month civil war. capital Addis Ababa on Friday tion and 27 of them were killed. The peace deal signed on former head of the UN genocide Machar then fled to the bush to The rebels accused government and agreed to halt fighting within They have a policy of attacking Friday came after massive inter- court for Rwanda, said she recog- launch a rebellion, insisting that soldiers loyal to President Salva 24 hours — or by late Saturday then going to the media,” he said. national pressure on both sides nised “many of the precursors of the president had attempted to Kiir of launching ground attacks evening. Kiir also insisted he wanted to stop a war marked by wide- genocide” listed in a UN report on carry out a bloody purge of his and artillery barrages against Independent witnesses said peace, telling a crowd in Juba that spread human rights abuses, a atrocities that was released dur- rivals. their positions in two oil-rich fighting broke out by dawn yes- “we have ordered our forces not to major humanitarian crisis and ing the week. Meanwhile, concern mounted northern states, including near terday around Bentiu — the Unity lift a foot from where they are to fears the world’s youngest nation These included broadcasts urg- yesterday over accusations that the key hub of Bentiu. state capital which has changed attack rebels”. He said, however, was on the brink of a genocide ing rape and “attacks on civil- Sudan’s air force dropped bombs The government insisted the hands several times in recent that Machar only signed the deal and Africa’s worst famine since ians in hospitals, churches and near a church-run hospital in rebels attacked first and that it weeks — but that was impossible “under pressure”. the 1980s. mosques, even attacks on people war-torn South Kordofan. killed around 27 fighters in the to say which side fired first. The two sides had agreed to a The war in the world’s youngest sheltering in UN compounds — The European Union delega- morning fighting. President Kiir The rebels said government ceasefire in January, but that deal nation has claimed thousands — all on the basis of the victims’ tion to Khartoum said in a state- also accused rebel leader Riek troops also attacked in neigh- quickly fell apart and unleashed a and possibly tens of thousands — ethnicity”. ment that it “noted with concern” Machar of having been opposed bouring Upper Nile State, and new round of fierce fighting. of lives, with more than 1.2 million Testimonies in a report this reports of the bombing, stressing to the peace deal signed in Addis that they reserved “the right to Observers have said both side people forced to flee their homes. week by Amnesty International that hospitals are protected civil- Ababa on Friday. fight in self-defence”. will face challenges in implement- The conflict, which started as a describe civilians, including chil- ian facilities under international “The violations... shows that But South Sudan’s defence ing a truce, with the rebels made personal rivalry between Kiir and dren, executed by the side of the law. AFP Presidential campaign launched despite war

DAMASCUS: Campaigning In the capital, a few posters “by citizens of Syria” proclaims: began yesterday for Syria’s June for Nuri’s campaign could be “We won’t close our eyes until we 3 presidential election expected seen, calling for a “battle against have said yes to the ophthalmolo- to return Bashar Al Assad to corruption” as well as a “free gist” — Assad is an eye specialist power, as the regime marked a economy” and the “return of the by training. symbolic victory with the exit of middle class”. “We vote for you, 2014,” it adds. rebels from Homs. His campaign broadcasts have Elsewhere, posters read: “Our In Damascus, campaign posters also aired on state television. Bashar, we will not accept a presi- lauding Assad hung on shopping In the Baramkeh neighbour- dent other than you. We have streets and in public gardens, in hood, a Hajjar campaign bill- chosen you, you have our loyalty.” the run-up to the country’s first board bears his photo and the Outside the capital, posters multi-candidate presidential vote. slogan “Sovereignty belongs to declaring “with our blood, we elect The election is being staged the people, they have the final Bashar Al Assad” are hung at the despite a raging civil war, with word, Syria belongs to those who country’s border with Lebanon, dozens of people dying across the build it.” and his campaign billboards line country every day. But the Assad campaign domi- the highway leading to Damascus Polling will be held only in nates the landscape, with dozens government-controlled terri- of posters showing the Syrian flag CAMPAIGN STARTS ONLINE tory, excluding large areas held overlaid with the word “together” Assad’s campaign has also by rebels, and refugees who fled and his signature. begun online under the slo- through unofficial crossings are Several local residents pro- gan “Together,” with Facebook, barred from voting. fessed ignorance when asked Twitter, YouTube and Instagram Assad, standing for his third about the candidates standing accounts all set up to promote his seven-year term, came to office in against him, including 55-year- candidacy. 2000 after the death of his father old housewife Mayada, who said The Facebook account had and predecessor Hafez Al Assad, she was backing Assad. garnered 65,000 likes by Sunday who had been in power since 1970. “We hope that people outside morning, and the Twitter account He faces two opponents, both Syria understand that this is our nearly 1,000 followers. Syrian men hang campaign billboards bearing portraits of President Bashar Al Assad in a street of the capital largely unknown, who qualified country, this is our president and The campaigning begins just Damascus yesterday. from a pool of 23 who sought to we don’t want anyone else,” she days after Assad’s government stand against him. said. claimed a symbolic victory in the reduced much of the area to Over the weekend, the army and prayers of thanks for “the Maher Abdel Hafiz Hajjar is In a public garden near the central city of Homs, where it rubble. swept the evacuated area for return of security in Homs”, state an independent MP and former commercial centre of Salhieh, retook the Old City after a deal Under the deal, the last of explosives and began clearing television said. communist party member from pictures of the president hang granting rebels there safe passage around 2,000 fighters and civilians rubble-strewn streets as residents Homs saw some of the worst Syria’s second city Aleppo, and alongside images of his father out. left the Old City on Friday, and returned to check on homes they fighting so far in the country’s Hassan Abdullah Al Nuri is a and Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief The government lay siege to government forces moved back in. had not seen for nearly two years. conflict, which began after a Damascus businessman who was and Assad ally Hassan Nasrallah. the Old City and surrounding Just one neighbourhood of the At the Church of the Belt of the regime crackdown on anti-gov- a member of the tolerated inter- In the Sabaa Bahrat neigh- rebel neighbourhoods for nearly central Syrian city still remains Virgin, in the Old City of Homs, ernment protests in March 2011. nal opposition. bourhood, one billboard posted two years, and near daily shelling under opposition control. the faithful gathered for a mass AFP

Gaddafi’s ex-spy boss appears in We won’t accept nuclear apartheid: Rowhani court with lawyers TEHRAN: Iran will not accept will focus on the scope of Iran’s TRIPOLI: Libya’s ex-intelli- “nuclear apartheid” but is will- nuclear activities. gence chief Abdullah Senussi ing to offer more transpar- Such an agreement will aim to appeared in a Tripoli court with ency over its atomic activities, render Iran incapable of making his lawyers for the first time President Hassan Rowhani said any push toward atomic weapons yesterday, accused of abuses yesterday ahead of new talks while also removing the sanctions. during the 2011 uprising that with world powers. The negotiators have a July toppled dictator Muammar Iran and the P5+1 group of 20 deadline, set by an interim Gaddafi. nations will start hammering out deal reached in November that It was the first hearing he has a draft accord tomorrow aimed put temporary limits on Iran’s attended with the four lawyers at ending a decade-long stand-off nuclear activities in exchange for picked by his family, just one of over suspicions that the Islamic modest sanctions relief. whom is Libyan. The other three republic is concealing military Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah are Tunisian. objectives. Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, said The former spy chief had previ- “We have nothing to put on the problems such as the sanc- ously appeared without legal rep- table and offer to them but trans- tions should not be linked to the resentation, but had been told to parency. That’s it. Our nuclear nuclear talks, the Irna news agency pick a defence team or the court technology is not up for negotia- reported. “Officials should address would choose one for him. tion,” Rowhani, referring to the the question of sanctions by other Gaddafi’s son and one-time West, said in remarks broadcast means,” he added, speaking at an heir-apparent Seif Al Islam also on state television. “Iran will not exhibition about Iran’s military appeared by video link from the retreat one step in the field of capabilities organised by the pow- town of Zintan, where he has been nuclear technology... we will not erful Revolutionary Guards. held since his capture by rebels in accept nuclear apartheid,” he said. He added that Iran will not November 2011. The self-declared moderate limit its ballistic missile pro- His court-appointed lawyer was president has faced a battle from gramme as the United States, unable to attend yesterday’s hear- domestic critics of his diplomatic Israel and some European coun- ing, so the trial was adjourned to outreach since taking power tries have demanded. May 25 to allow him to help his last August. Hardliners accuse “The US and European coun- client, lawyers said. Rowhani of making concessions Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sitting next to the captured US RQ-170 sentinel high-altitude reconnaissance tries call for Iran to limit its As with the previous session for little gain under talks that that crashed in Iran in December 2011 and its locally made replica while visiting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ballistic programme while con- on April 27, just 22 of 37 former have started to reverse the politi- Corps Aerospace Force exhibition in Tehran yesterday. tinually making military threats. regime officials being tried for a cal isolation Iran grappled with Such an expectation is there- raft of alleged abuses during the under his hardline predecessor fore stupid,” he said. Tehran has uprising that ended Gaddafi’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. long suspected that Iran is devel- they have to respect it,” Rowhani A potential deal under discus- developed an extensive ballistic 42-year rule were in court yes- Other sceptics of the nuclear oping the capability to build an said yesterday. Iran has suffered sion between Iranian negotiators missile programme, with some terday. Among those in the dock talks, including members of the US atomic bomb, an allegation Tehran years of economic hardship exac- and counterparts from the United weapons capable of hitting targets was Al Baghdadi Al Mahmudi, Congress, doubt Rowhani’s sincer- has repeatedly denied. erbated by international sanctions States, Britain, France, China and 2,000km away, putting Israel and Gaddafi’s last prime minister. ity in seeking a lasting agreement. “We want to tell the world they designed to coerce Tehran into Russia plus Germany — under US regional bases within range. Classifications AFP The world’s leading powers have cannot belittle the Iranian nation; curbing its nuclear work. the P5+1 grouping — this week AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Trouble in Thailand Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

EE the tectonic changes Thailand is going through. A decade ago, the country was touted as a shining example of how, in South-East Asia, a vibrant Sdemocracy could go hand-in-hand with a thriving Nigeria is mired in violence and economy. Compare that to what is happening now. The hard-won gains are fizzling out as the country is convulsed by a series of political crises. The bottom of that slide was hit on May 7 when the Constitutional Court demanded that inequality; it’s girls who suffer the Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down with nine members of her cabinet over her decision to remove the country’s head of national security in 2011 in favour BY LOLA SHONEYIN tarpaulin tents. They would be subdued A majority of Nigerians are driven of a relative. We have every right to disagree with all that by my admonitions, then quickly forget. by faith. When they are ill, they claim Shinawatra has done, and there could be truth in what she F YOU are looking for a country The issue of education in northern they are strong and when things are has been accused of, but this is not a crime that merits her of extremes, look no further than Nigeria ate at me. I was privy to statis- dire, they respond to questions: “It is removal from power. The court verdict only shows how far Nigeria. Following recent data, it tics from some northern states, learning, well.” This tendency to deny reality has Thailand has fallen, how its society has been divided and Ihas emerged as the country with for example, that in Zamfara state, only become cultural, pathological in some the highest GDP in Africa, beating South 5 percent of the girls between five and 16 cases. Perhaps this is what is responsible how its institutions have been eroded by the ongoing crisis. Africa. But equally, the World Bank lists could read and write. This is the state gov- for the lacklustre attitude with which The court verdict is no solution to the current problems. Nigeria as one of the poorest countries in erned for eight years by Ahmed Yerima, the government responded to the kid- It will further polarize the society as pro- and anti- terms of its revenue per capita. Even to a member of the All Nigeria People’s napping. The First Lady’s melodramatic government groups are massing for protests. The country the least fervent observer, the disparity Party, after which he became a senator. performance on national TV did little to risks falling into violence, anarchy and more and more in the distribution of wealth is palpable. As a senator of the Federal Republic of bring comfort. violence. Unemployment figures are appallingly Nigeria, Yerima replaced his fourth wife Speculations abound. Many consider high among the under thirty-fives who (herself a teenager) with a 13-year-old Boko Haram to be a problem created in In the controversial verdict, the Constitutional Court form 70 percent of the population. Egyptian child. The ceremony was held northern Nigeria by northern Nigerians, ruled that Shinawatra and several of her ministers could According to a recent Unesco report, at the central mosque in Abuja attended and as a result believe that the respon- no longer serve in their positions because, according to Nigeria has the highest number of chil- by several of his senate colleagues. sibility of the excruciating consequences the court, the prime minister dren out of school in the world. Many of It is interesting to note that Zamfara should be borne by northern Nigerians. had abused her power when these are from northern Nigeria, where was the first state in Nigeria to reintro- The president is from the oil-producing she reassigned a government the Muslim major- duce sharia law, allegedly with financial south. Then there is the barrage of bad The removal ity has learnt to incentive from generous Middle Eastern news. Just a few weeks ago, 57 male stu- of prime official in 2011 and gave his job accept poverty as clerics. Women’s groups in Nigeria dents were slaughtered in their dormito- to a relative. This is not the their fate or, even were furious about this marriage but ries in the night. The constant onslaught minister by the first time the court has acted in Look one way more sinisterly, as the matter was hurriedly extinguished, of violence and murder from the north a suspicious manner. In 2008, and my country Allah’s will. and Yerima declared that he was bound may bring about numbness in some quar- constitutional it removed the then prime At the school by Islamic law, rather than the laws of ters but a president simply does not have is booming. Look where I taught, the nation. When it was clear that then that privilege. minister, who also belonged to court has another and there’s the fees were paid attorney-general, Bello Adoke, was not After working in schools for most of Shinawatra’s political movement, in American dol- going to prosecute, civil society had no my adult life, the gory images of charred brought the because he accepted payments to poverty and fear – lars for a British- choice but to walk away. It was a merci- teenagers I glimpsed on social media appear on a TV cooking show. exploited by Boko style education, less blow to the campaign against child were so harrowing that I couldn’t sleep country to the The only solution to the crisis Haram. often for the off- marriage. All this serves as background for two nights. I was traumatised by the is for the warring sides to step spring of wealthy to the tragic abduction of over 200 girls. scenes from the recent Nyanya bomb brink. politicians and They were in the process of gaining blast, where the emergency services piled back from the brink. But that is business moguls. Some of the students an education, in a region that is under bodies on top of each other on the back easier said than done, with both behaved as if school was just a rite of pas- threat by Boko Haram, which I now of a pick-up truck. But there was also an sides hardening their positions sage, not something they really needed. know – as, sadly, does everyone else – eerie sense of deja vu. and determined not to make any concessions in the interest They had money and that was all that loosely translates as “Western education For many years, my husband worked of the country. The crisis has hit the economy hard, with mattered. Sometimes this cue was taken is forbidden”. at the World Health Organisation, which tourism, which is the mainstay of the economy, suffering a from their parents who withdrew them Nigerians, and the rest of the world had its offices in the UN building in from school for luxury holidays and can only imagine what their fate will Abuja. Bombs went off in the building serious blow. But the court verdict offers no solution. It will events such as the World Cup. Parents be. The signs are not in their favour. in August 2011, killing several people. only drag state institutions into the crisis. from northern Nigeria sometimes dis- Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the ter- As soon as I heard the news, I drove to In a sign of impending descent into chaos, opposition played a blasé attitude towards educa- rorist group has declared that he will sell the general hospital to see how I could demonstrators delivered an ultimatum yesterday for a tional standards. And their children the girls “by Allah”. Many Muslim cler- help. It was heart-wrenching to see the new leader to be appointed by Monday or they will step knew it. ics have come out to decry these words, family members of UN workers huddled I badgered the students constantly but northern Nigerian leaders have been together in silence, uncertain if the news up efforts to topple a government clinging to power after about wasting this opportunity that criticised for not having the courage to would bring grief or relief. After this premier Shinawatra was ousted by the courts. At the same other children would give their right condemn the activities of Boko Haram tragedy, my kids refused to go to the cin- time, authorities warned that the opposition efforts to arms for. There was a small hamlet not in strong terms. It is widely believed that ema or the ice cream parlour. When your hand power to an unelected regime risked unleashing new far from the school. Sometimes, I would they are themselves afraid for their lives, children become aware of the climate of violence, as rival protesters prepared for a showdown over ask my students to come to the window especially when well-known Muslim fear, you start to ask if you are being a the fate of the crippled government and observe the shirtless children play- clerics who believe in education have responsible parent. We are now in Lagos. . ing in the sand outside the patchwork been assassinated. THE GUARDIAN

The other side Quote of Swiss move helpful the day T THE European Finance bank accounts is also good news anybody fighting corruption. Switzerland on actual cases, as Ministers’ meeting on for China’s ongoing anti-corruption It is reported that Swiss banks have according to global agreements China Tuesday, Switzerland, the efforts as it will be much easier for the only agreed to automatically exchange may obtain more account information. Aworld’s largest offshore authorities to collect information on information for tax purposes, but expe- In fact, this development should inspire If things go financial center, agreed to sign a global overseas accounts relating to corrupt rience has shown that investigation China to seek information on global standard on the automatic exchange officials, said a Beijing News column, of tax evasion often reveals clues to accounts. according to the of information on foreigners’ bank which advocated domestic agen- corruption. In the United States, the Foreign accounts, a move that has been widely cies positively coordinate with Swiss It is of course unknown how many Account Tax Act introduced in 2010 plan we have interpreted as lifting the centuries-old banks to gather information on the corrupt Chinese officials have put “targets non-compliance by US tax- veil of secrecy that has made Swiss Chinese owners of bank accounts in money in Swiss banks, but the latest payers with foreign accounts”; China prepared, we will bank accounts so attractive to those Switzerland. move will undoubtedly prove to be can take similar measures to avoid see an improvement looking to “hide” their money. For a long time, corrupt officials an important channel for fighting cor- corrupt officials laundering their money The move is a big step forward for and illegal businesses worldwide have ruption. To make the best use of this through overseas accounts. in two years. Egypt’s governments that have mounted a considered Switzerland a safe haven precious opportunity, Chinese anti-cor- Switzerland is not the only safe Abdel Fattah Al Sisi concerted attack on tax evasion in the for hiding their ill-gotten assets. So the ruption agencies should be proactive. haven, and others are still insisting on problems will be wake of the global financial crisis. move is bad news to corrupt officials The relevant agencies need maintaining their secrecy policies. over in two years. Egypt Presidential Swiss cooperation in opening up and other criminals and good news for to strengthen coordination with China Daily frontrunner MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Sanctions won’t hit Putin’s defiance

Igor Sechin, is included in the latest US If anything, the sanctions list. But Putin’s confidence is based on more than the realpolitik of interna- sanctions will be tional trade. The Ukrainian crisis has seen his approval ratings soar to a stag- counterproductive gering 82pc, according to the independ- ent Russian polling centre Levada (not far below his 88pc rating in September — too weak 2008, just after Russia had defeated Georgia in the war in South Ossetia). to subdue the We may think he’s mad and bad, but ordinary Russians mostly think Putin is the type of strong, patriotic leader Russian bear but Russia needs to defend its interests in the world. strong enough This is where sanctions are likely to be counterproductive. They will give Putin a convenient excuse for economic to provoke it. hardships (largely caused by his cro- nies’ theft and squandering of Russia’s They stop short riches over many years), and help him to unite the country against its western “enemies”. of sweeping bans Many of Putin’s actions in Ukraine have as much to do with domestic as for- eign politics. Fearful of the Kiev revolu- on oil and gas tion spreading to Moscow, he has taken up the Russian nationalist cause to rein- exports, on which force his authoritarian regime. Government control of media has been tightened. Kremlin propaganda talks of Russia heavily “fascists”, “spies”, “fifth columnists” and “traitors to the motherland” – eliciting depends. memories of the Stalinist terror. The Russians are being told to prepare for BY ORLANDO FIGES sacrifice in the event of long-term sanc- tions by the west. lthough it was ignored, Putin’s The last thing the west should do is call for pro-Russia rebels to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Sevastopol in Crimea. send in troops, or give military backing to delay their referendum in east a Ukrainian offensive against pro-Russia AUkraine is a promising devel- Ukraine on Russian terms. welfare state — and perhaps a broader it can do to stop his undermining of rebels in the east. opment. It is a sign that the Kremlin may If anything, the sanctions will be coun- opposition to the Putin government than Ukraine. That would start a civil war and proba- be willing to halt the slide into civil war terproductive — too weak to subdue the the young urban professionals who joined And Europe, least of all the UK, won’t bly provoke a Russian invasion. Sanctions — and bring the warring parties back Russian bear but strong enough to pro- the protest rallies of 2011-12. hurt its own business interests. Britain against Putin’s personal wealth might to the “national dialogue” on Ukraine’s voke it. They stop short of sweeping bans But the Russian government has has for years allowed Russian oligarchs to have an effect. constitutional future envisaged by the on oil and gas exports, on which Russia huge reserves to withstand such a cri- offload their dirty money in its banks, buy The Americans say they know where Geneva agreement. heavily depends. sis, and the EU cannot stop importing up London mansions, football clubs and his billions are stashed away by his han- But the west is kidding itself if it Gazprom, the state energy giant, is fuel without affecting its own econo- newspapers, and send their children to dlers in western banks. But short of pain- thinks this is the result of the sanctions the Kremlin’s biggest weapon against mies. About one-third of the EU’s gas elite British schools and universities. Bob ful fuel embargoes, there is little the west it imposed last week. Putin’s move is Ukraine, and sanctions against it would supplies is imported from Russia. In Dudley, BP’s chief executive, last month and Ukraine can do except talk to the more probably part of a broader game. seriously hurt Russia’s stagnating econ- the new democracies of eastern Europe announced it would be business as usual Russians. And that is the only way – for He is subverting the Kiev government omy: a loss of revenues from fuel exports the figure is twice as high. Putin knows in Russia. Russia must be part of the solution to and threatening invasion to push through might lead to a full-blown crisis for the the west is divided — and that, short BP has a 20pc share in Rosneft, the this crisis. his preferred option: the federalisation of country’s creaking infrastructure and of military intervention, there is little Russian state oil company, whose boss, THE GUARDIAN Objectivity in journalism, myth or reality? Insurers must adapt

BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT The second implication is that to climate change Objectivity called for journalists this neutral voice, without a dis- he issue of journalism cipline of verification, creates a objectivity was a subject to develop a consistent method veneer covering something hollow. BY JOHN NELSON associated with the estimation of Tof heated debate for dec- Journalists who select sources to the extent and frequency of the ades. Many concerns and ques- express what is really their own here is no doubt the cli- most extreme events can make tions have still not been answered of testing information — a point of view, and then use the mate is changing. Each assessing future impacts difficult properly; and many believe that neutral voice to make it seem Tof the past three decades within traditional modelling. the issue should not be raised transparent approach to evidence. objective, are engaged in a form has been warmer than the previ- Consequently, this will require in the first place since there of deception. This damages the ous one, and the vast majority of investigation into new modelling is no objectivity in the practice perfect state of truth,” he writes. argued that the media are fabri- credibility of the craft by making scientific evidence points to this approaches that build in forward of journalism, and that there is Instead, Keller prefers impartial- cating the world around us; they it seem unprincipled, dishonest, being caused by mankind’s reli- projection, not just historical data. no possibility of being objective ity as a mode. are not reporting it. On the cov- and biased. ance on carbon-based fossil fuels. In developed and developing while presenting an event to the When the concept originally erage of the Russian Revolution Michael Schudson, a promi- While understanding weather economies alike, there is a need audience. Alex Jones argues that evolved, it was not meant to imply by the New York Times, Walter nent sociologist and media critic, patterns and the risks associated to better understand the impacts objectivity does not require that that journalists were free of bias. Lippmann and Charles Merz, argues that “the belief in objectiv- with major weather events has of climate change and the respon- journalists be blank slates free of Quite the contrary. The term an associate editor for the New ity is a faith in ‘facts,’ a distrust always been critical to the insur- sibility doesn’t lie exclusively with bias. In fact, objectivity is neces- began to appear as part of jour- York World wrote “In the large, in ‘values,’ and a commitment to ance industry, climate change has the private sector. The develop- sary precisely because they are nalism after the turn of the 20th the news about Russia is a case their segregation.” It does not recently brought the need for bet- ment of more accurate catastro- biased. century, particularly in the 1920s, of seeing not what was, but what refer to the prevailing ideology of ter modelling of future weather phe modelling which takes into Objectivity means that when out of a growing recognition that men wished to see,” they wrote. newsgathering and reporting that into sharp focus. account the implications of cli- covering hard news, reporters journalists were full of bias, often Lippmann and others began to emphasises eyewitness accounts According to the World Bank, mate change will create an oppor- don’t convey their own feelings, unconsciously. Objectivity called look for ways for the individual of events, corroboration of facts weather-related losses and dam- tunity that governments must biases or prejudices in their sto- for journalists to develop a con- journalist “to remain clear and with multiple sources and balance age have risen from an annual seize. By using these innovations ries. They accomplish this by sistent method of testing infor- free of his irrational, his unex- of viewpoints. It also implies an average of about $50bn in the in modelling to deliver better writing stories using a language mation — a transparent approach amined, his unacknowledged institutional role for journalists as 1980s to close to $200bn. Lloyd’s environmental, housing and wider that is neutral and avoids charac- to evidence — precisely so that prejudgments in observing, a fourth estate, a body that exists knows this all too well, the dam- land use policy, governments can terising people or institutions in personal and cultural biases understanding and presenting apart from government and large age wrought on the US by the protects their citizens from the ways good or bad. In other words, would not undermine the accu- the news.” interest groups, and which does hurricanes Katrina, Rita and worst effects of changing climates. the term objective journalism is racy of their work. In the latter The solution, Lippmann argued, not exist in most of the countries Wilma in 2005 and Superstorm Insurers also have an impor- used to refer to a type of journal- part of the 19th century, journal- was for journalists to acquire of the world. Sandy in 2012 to name but a few tant role to play in mitigating the ism style that is free from biases, ists talked about something called more of “the scientific spirit … Gaye Tuchman, another well all brought significant claims to impact of the changes in climate personal views or anything else “realism” rather than objectivity. There is but one kind of unity know American sociologist and the insurance market. which have already occurred, that appears to sway people’s This was the idea that if report- possible in a world as diverse as media critic, called objectivity a Many types of business we through closer coordination thinking in a certain manner. It is ers simply dug out the facts and ours. It is unity of method, rather “strategic ritual”, a technique, insure are affected by climate with other industries, notably purely based on facts. This is why ordered them together, truth than aim; the unity of disciplined according to her, used by jour- change. There are the obvious construction. There need to be some people prefer to use fairness would reveal itself rather natu- experiment.” Lippmann meant by nalists and media craftsmen to ones such as property, catas- policies to drive up standards instead of objectivity. Fairness rally. Objectivity called for jour- this that journalism should aspire defend themselves in front of the trophe and crop insurance. But and make sure we have resilient means that reporters covering a nalists to develop a consistent to “a common intellectual method public and the critics. Journalists Superstorm Sandy taught us that homes, that we use better materi- story must remember there are method of testing information and a common area of valid fact.” and news media usually use three the reach of extreme weather als. All these and strong forward usually two sides — and often — a transparent approach to evi- Lippmann had few illusions. “It techniques or methods to claim is far greater than that. The planning will be key to this effort. more — to most issues, and that dence. Realism emerged at a time does not matter that the news is their objectivity: form, content destruction Sandy brought to the Here, too, governments must play those differing viewpoints should when journalism was separating not susceptible to mathematical and inter organisational rela- eastern US seaboard was respon- their role in enshrining standards be given roughly equal space in from political party affiliations statement. In fact, just because tionships. According to Tuchman, sible for claims of up to $300m in in legislation. any news story. and becoming more accurate. It news is complex and slippery, good objectivity refers to routine pro- lost fine art, a consequence of the Change will touch all of us. I The questions to be raised here coincided with the invention of reporting requires the exercise of cedures which may be exemplified many expensive US beachfront firmly believe that understanding are: Is there objectivity in jour- what journalists call the inverted the highest scientific virtues.” as formal attributes (quotations homes damaged. Modelling has and incorporating climate change nalism? Can a reporter be objec- pyramid, in which a journalist The complexity of the concept marks, level of significance, legal shown that the approximate 20cm into future modelling has become tive? What about his/her beliefs, lines the facts up from the most of objectivity itself brought some precedents…etc) and which pro- of sea-level rise at the southern essential for anyone making long- convictions, education, religion, important to the least important, scholars and experts to talk about tect the professional from mis- tip of Manhattan Island increased term financial commitments, be background, origins…etc. Is the thinking it helps audiences under- fairness, impartiality and neutral- takes and from his critics. It Sandy’s surge losses by 30pc in that investing in infrastructure, reporter a human being with feel- stand things naturally. ity instead of objectivity. This shift appears the word “objectivity” is New York alone. housing or indeed policy. ings, temperaments, likes and At the beginning of the 20th had some important implications. being used defensively as a stra- As a response, our recent Ultimately, insurance exists dislikes, or a machine that just century, the rise of propaganda One is that the impartial voice tegic ritual. Noam Chomsky and Catastrophe Modelling and to pick up the pieces and pay performs things mechanically? and the role of press agents put employed by many news organisa- Edward Herman argue that the Climate Change report calls for the claims when the likes Greenwald asserts that “human responsible and fair journalism at tions — that familiar, supposedly practice of such a notion of objec- the insurance industry to take of a Hurricane Katrina or a beings are not objectivity-driven risk. Objectivity was a big issue neutral style of news writing — tivity ends up heavily favouring seriously the impact of climate Superstorm Sandy strike. But to machines. We all intrinsically among professionals as they were is not a fundamental principle of the viewpoint of government and change and the implications it continue to do this, as Lloyd’s has perceive and process the world concerned about their profession- journalism. Rather, it is an often powerful corporations. poses for the industry. The first done since 1688, insurers must through subjective prisms.” alism and credibility. One of the helpful device news organisa- Kirat is a professor of Public step has to be making sure that factor climate change into mod- Keller also rejects objectivity as prominent critics of journalism tions use to highlight that they Relations and Mass Communication catastrophe models can properly elling, and develop the tools we a model. “I avoid the word ‘objec- at the time — the twenties — was are trying to produce something at the College of Arts and Sciences, account for climate change. This need to understand and evaluate tive,’ which suggests a mythically Walter Lippmann who simply obtained by objective methods. Qatar University. will be challenging. Uncertainties its impact. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Militants Israel to block kidnap, kill 20 Car bomb kills 10 Yemeni soldiers ADEN/SANA’A: A suicide Iraqi soldiers car bomber killed 10 Yemeni release of jailed soldiers and one civilian and BAGHDAD: Authorities in wounded many others yester- Iraq have found the bodies day after targeting a military of 20 soldiers shot dead after police building in the southern being kidnapped from a north- coastal city of Mukallah, state Palestinians ern military base, and a string news agency Saba said. of attacks yesterday killed 17 The blast appeared to be a people. The bloodshed comes as revenge attack by Al Qaeda over officials count votes from the the Yemeni army’s campaign to Ministers approve proposed law April 30 general election amid crush Islamist insurgents in two a protracted surge in violence large southern provinces. JERUSALEM: Israel took a Organization (PLO), said about that has killed more than 3,200 This has ousted many mili- step yesterday towards enact- the committee’s decision. people this year. tants from towns they first seized ing a law that could block any Netanyahu froze the peace The bloodletting has fuelled during mass unrest in 2011 that future release of Palestinian talks after President Mahmoud fears that Iraq is slipping back jeopardised national security and prisoners convicted of kill- Abbas’ PLO signed an April 23 into the all-out sectarian conflict posed a serious threat to major oil ing Israelis and impede any reconciliation deal with Hamas that left tens of thousands dead producer Saudi Arabia next door. efforts to restart frozen peace Islamists who rule the Gaza in 2006 and 2007. Rescuers picked through the talks. Strip. Authorities have been quick rubble of the two-storey building A ministerial committee’s “Murderers should die in jail to blame external factors such to search for survivors from the approval of proposed legisla- and not celebrate at home,” as the civil war in neighbouring blast, which hit the complex as tion aimed at denying amnesty Economy Minister Naftali Syria for the rise in unrest. the soldiers were having lunch, a to Palestinians jailed for deadly Bennett, whose ultra-national- However, analysts and diplo- local security official said. attacks was a victory for right- ist Jewish Home party is spear- mats say the Shia-led govern- “We cannot tell the wounded wing partners in Prime Minister heading the bill, wrote on his ment must do more to reach out from the dead,” the official said. Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing Facebook page, announcing the to the disaffected Sunni Arab Saba cited a security source as coalition. committee had approved the minority to undermine support saying 15 soldiers were wounded They had been strongly legislation. for militancy. in the attack. Residents said critical of a deal, when the Bennett said ministers from In the north, militants attacked ambulances had been evacuating US-brokered negotiations got Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud- a small military base, abducted 20 the wounded from the scene of the under way in July, to free 104 Beitenu faction also voted for soldiers and later shot them dead. blast which had sent shrapnel fly- Palestinian inmates described by the initiative. Israel, he said, Their bodies were found in the ing into nearby residential build- Israel as having “Israeli blood on was “turning over a new leaf on area on Saturday night, according ings. “It was a strong explosion and their hands”. the war on terror and its moral to security officers and a morgue it shook Mukallah,” resident Salah Israel freed 78 of those pris- responsibility regarding the fami- employee. Al Hamawi said by telephone. oners but called off a planned lies of terror victims”. The powerful Islamic State of In a separate assault in the release of a final group of 26 last But the bill, opposed by Israeli Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihad- Yemeni capital on Sunday, three month, citing Palestinian refusal chief peace negotiator Tzipi Livni ist group claimed the attack in gunmen were killed after they to agree to extend the negotia- and the centrist Yesh Atid, the a statement, saying it had tar- tried to attack a security check- tions — which have since collapsed second biggest party in the coa- geted members of the “Safavid point, the Interior Ministry said, — beyond an April 29 deadline for lition, needs to pass a series of army”, a pejorative term to link the second such incident close to a peace accord. votes in parliament to become Iraq’s security forces with those Sanaa’s presidential palace in as The scene of a car bomb attack at a military police building in Mukallah city The bill, approved by a vote of law. of Iran, which was once ruled by many days. in the southern Yemeni province of Hadhramout, yesterday. 7-3 for submission to parliament, If adopted, it will have no bear- the Safavid empire. The checkpoint attack also would enable judge handing down ing on prisoners currently serv- “God willing, these operations appeared to be retaliation for life sentences to convicted kill- ing sentences or those who have will not stop,” the statement the army offensive, which state equipment and bomb-making capital, about 500 metres from ers to declare them ineligible for been released under presidential added. ISIL and an army major news agency Saba said had workshops, it said. the presidential palace, came two presidential pardons. pardons. general said the kidnappings took killed or wounded hundreds of al The army, which conducted days after a gunfight in the same Israeli presidents have largely Palestinians regard their peo- place in Nineveh province on May Qaeda members. Western pow- a similar, ultimately ineffective part of Sana’a, and what appeared rubber-stamped releases of ple jailed by Israel as heroes in 5. The previous month, militants ers are concerned al Qaeda in the campaign against Al Qaeda in to be an assassination attempt on Palestinian inmates agreed by a quest for an independent state killed 12 soldiers and wounded 15 Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) could 2012, has pledged to continue the defence minister in Shabwa governments over the years as in the occupied West Bank, East in an assault on a military base use Yemen as a springboard for to pursue militants who had province. “Three terrorists were part of peace talks or prisoner Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Israel west of Mosul, the capital of future international attacks. retreated from towns in Shabwa killed at dawn today in a new swaps for Israeli soldiers. views them as terrorists. Nineveh province. The province, Keen to stem a stubborn and Abyan provinces into the rug- attack that targeted a security Palestinian leaders have ruled Some 120 Palestinians jailed where militants hold considerable Islamist insurgency that has ged desert hinterland. checkpoint,” the Interior Ministry out any return to the negotiating without trial in Israel have been sway, is one of the most consist- targeted security forces, military The Interior Ministry said on said in a statement. It said a table without the release of the on an open-ended hunger strike, ently violent areas in Iraq. facilities and foreigners, Yemen’s its website it had tightened secu- fourth gunman was wounded final batch of 26 prisoners. eating only salt and drink- Militants opposed to the army went after the militants last rity at several Yemeni sea ports and a civilian bystander was also “This is a new attempt by ing water, for the past 18 days Baghdad government frequently month in the south. after receiving information that killed. Residents heard gunshots Netanyahu’s government to block to demand an end to so-called target the security forces, but it Citing a military source, Saba militants from Somalia may cross in the area early on Sunday and any chance to launch a serious “administrative detention”. is rare for such a large number of said the military had recently to Yemen to join forces with Al said the military had deployed and real negotiation track,” Another 20 prisoners joined the soldiers to be kidnapped at once, killed dozens of Al Qaeda lead- Qaeda-linked fighters to counter extra soldiers to secure surround- Wasel Abu Youssef, a senior strike several days ago. especially from a military posi- ers, most of them foreigners. the army offensive. ing roads since the attack. official of the Palestine Liberation REUTERS tion. AFP The army had captured weapons, Yesterday’s attack in the REUTERS

Saudi issues warning Egypt students jailed for Dozens of 4 years over protests migrants CAIRO: An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced 36 students from missing in the prestigious Al Azhar University to four years in prison each over violent protests backing ousted president Mohamed Mursi, judicial sources said. Algeria desert Students supporters of the deposed Islamist regularly stage protests ALGIERS: Security forces calling for his release at universities, in particular at Cairo’s Al Azhar from Algeria and Niger are university, a prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning. searching for dozens of illegal All 36 were found guilty of holding a violent protest in December, migrants who went missing in rioting, blocking roads in front of the university and showing aggres- the vast desert between the sion against the security forces, the sources said. two countries, an Algerian law- Each was also fined 30,000 Egyptian pounds (about $4,250, or ¤3,100). maker said yesterday. Another court has handed down life sentences to seven Mursi sup- “Some people, Africans, are porters after violent protests in mid-August in Qaliubiya province lost in the desert and the security north of Cairo, a statement from the prosecution’s office said yesterday. services of both countries, Algeria The sentence was on Saturday. and Niger, are searching for The group was accused of shooting passers-by, resisting security them,” said Mohamed Guemama, forces, cutting off a main highway and burning car tyres. an MP with the ruling National The violence erupted on August 14 after security forces dispersed Liberation Front. two protest camps set up in Cairo by Mursi supporter to call for his Guemama represents the pre- reinstatement. Hundreds of people were killed that day. A man wearing a mask walks past camels at a camel market in the village of Al Thamama, near Riyadh, yes- fecture of Tamanrasset, in the far Mursi was ousted by the army last July 3 after mass street protests terday. Saudi Arabia said people handling camels should wear masks and gloves to prevent spreading Middle south of Algeria, where part of against his divisive year-long rule. East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), issuing such a warning for the first time as cases in the kingdom of the the search was underway. Since his overthrow, a crackdown targeting his supporters has seen potentially fatal virus neared 500. Algerian press yesterday more than 1,400 people killed in street clashes, upwards of 15,000 jailed quoted a Nigerien military source and hundreds sentenced to death after speedy mass trials. as saying 13 bodies had been Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, himself faces three trials found yesterday in the scorching on various charges, including colluding with militant groups. desert, and that another 33 peo- Egypt to get more than $3bn ple, mostly women and children, were still missing. The Sahel-Sahara region has At least 36 immigrants die been plagued by jihadist violence in free fuel from Saudi Arabia and severe food shortages. Countries in the Sahel include in Libya shipwreck: Navy CAIRO: Saudi fuel dona- whether this aid came on top some power stations as an alter- land-locked Chad, Mali and Niger, TRIPOLI: At least 36 immigrants died and 42 are reported miss- tions to Egypt from last month of the $2bn worth of petrol nate to gas, the main fuel used for and are among the most isolated ing after a makeshift boat was wrecked off Libya’s coast, a naval through August will be worth product donations announced electricity generation in Egypt. areas of the world. spokesman said yesterday. Colonel Ayub Kassem said the accident more than $3bn, a top Egyptian by Saudi Arabia last year after But experts say the severe gas People there survive on des- took place on Tuesday. energy official said, as part of a the Egyptian military deposed shortage guarantees a substan- perately-needed food aid and a “The boat sank four kilometres (two and a half miles) off Garabulli financial lifeline from the Gulf Islamist president Mohamed tial megawatt shortfall that will drought in the Sahel region has (50km east of Tripoli). We were able to save 52 people of various nation- helping to ease the country’s Mursi. The government said last cause major blackouts and strain exacerbated the humanitarian alities. Thirty-six bodies have been recovered so far, 24 of them today energy crisis. week that gifted fuel from Gulf a power grid already badly in need crisis. (Sunday),” he said. A pregnant woman was among the dead, he added. Tarek Al Molla, head of state- nations including Saudi Arabia of renovation. Over the past few months tens Kassem cited survivors as saying the boat had 130 people on board, run Egyptian General Petroleum that supported Mursi’s ouster last Power cuts deepened discon- of thousands of refugees from including people from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Mali and Corp (EGPC), said Egypt had July totalled $6bn. tent against Mursi in the run-up Mali and Nigeria have fled to Senegal. He said the hull of the boat had given way shortly after it left received an oil shipment from The supply is a welcome relief to his ouster last July. Last year, Niger, mostly looking for food and the beach because of the crush of people on board. Saudi Arabia “at a value of for Cairo as it struggles to avoid extra supplies of liquefied natural a better life. Kassem was speaking a day after the interim interior minister told between $650 and $700m” in April major blackouts this summer. The gas from Qatar helped ease the The UN humanitarian agency reporters that Tripoli could “facilitate” people seeking to reach Europe and would keep getting the same cuts are caused by gas shortages burden. Presidential frontrun- OCHA warned almost two weeks illegally unless the European Union helps it combat the problem. amount monthly through August. and a dilapidated power grid ner and former army chief Abdel ago that five million children face “I’m warning the world and Europe in particular -- if they do not “Saudi petroleum aid to Egypt but are more broadly driven by Fattah Al Sisi will face the same the prospect of acute malnutri- assume their responsibilities, Libya could facilitate the transit of this will be more than $3bn from April a wasteful subsidies system that challenges as his predecessor if he tion in the Sahel region, stressing flood” of immigrants towards Europe, Salah Mazek told a news confer- until the end of August,” he said. drains foreign exchange reserves. attempts to tackle reform of the aid operations urgently needed ence. AGENCIES Al Molla did not specify The Gulf fuel can be used at subsidies system. REUTERS funding. AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

New York police Mass voter turnout in east Ukraine recruiting Muslim informants: Report

Kiev slams vote for self-rule a farce NEW YORK: New York City police have been recruit- DONETSK: Pro-Russian province’s turnout at more than ing immigrants, most of them rebels claimed a massive turn- 75 percent. Muslims, in the years follow- out in a vote they held yesterday Lyaguin added that results ing the attacks of September to split east Ukraine into two would not be in until today, but 11, 2001, to act as informants independent republics, though already appeared confident that eavesdropping in cafes, restau- Kiev slammed it as a “farce” the outcome would be in favour of rants and mosques, The New amid Western fears it could independence. After the results, York Times reported yesterday. lead to civil war. he said, “there will likely be a Citing documents it had Thousands of people queued in period of negotiation with the obtained and interviews with front of a limited number of poll- authorities in Kiev”. former and senior police officials, ing stations in the restive prov- The hastily organised poll fell the newspaper said the depart- inces of Donetsk and Lugansk to short of Western balloting norms. ment had sought to enlist the cast their ballots, witnesses in Notably, curtained booths were help of immigrants such as a food several towns reported. not set up in every town taking cart vendor from Afghanistan, an “I want to be independent from part, and polling staff lacking Egyptian-born limousine driver everyone,” said ex-factory worker electoral rolls registered anyone and an accounting student from Nikolai Cherepin as he voted who turned up to vote. Pakistan, most of whom were yes in the town of Mariupol, in Kiev called the process a “crim- arrested for minor infractions. Donetsk province. “Yugoslavia inal farce” that had no legal or Detectives working for a unit broke up and they live well now.” constitutional validity. It said the known as the Citywide Debriefing Insurgent leaders asserted that vote was “inspired, organised and Team conducted 220 such inter- more than 70 percent of the elec- financed by the Kremlin”. views in the first quarter of this torate in the two regions — home Western nations backing the year, the Times said, citing police to seven million of Ukraine’s total Ukrainian government also officials, and conducted many hun- population of 46 million — had dismissed the regional “ref- dreds of interviews in other years. slid voting slips into transparent erendums”. They were “null John Miller, the deputy commis- ballot boxes. There was no way and void,” French President sioner in charge of the Intelligence to verify that assertion however. Francois Hollande said on a visit Division, said the debriefing team No independent observers were to Azerbaijan. Britain’s Foreign Members of a Local Election Commission empty ballot boxes as they start counting votes after a referendum, at emerged from an urgent need for monitoring the vote, which took Office issued a statement calling a polling station in Lugansk, Ukraine, yesterday. counter terrorism sources follow- place in the absence of any inter- the “illegitimate, so-called refer- ing the September 11 attacks. But national support — even from endum” regrettable. It added that sanctions to cripple broad sectors between troops and rebels that action carried out by an unknown the newspaper said many Muslim Moscow, which had urged it be a nationwide presidential election of Russia’s economy. killed up to 21 people on Friday. group of people who took over immigrants had said they felt as postponed. Ukraine is scheduled in two weeks But questions over the vote’s Coupled with deadly clashes the administration buildings and though they had little choice but No violent incidents were that will give “all Ukrainians... a validity or the geopolitical con- and an inferno in Odessa a week run around with weapons in their to cooperate. reported during polling, but democratic choice”. sequences appeared far from the earlier that killed 42 people, many hands,” growled one Donetsk resi- Bayjan Abrahimi, a food cart tensions remained high amid Britain also added its weight minds of those lining up to vote in Russian-speaking Ukrainians dent, Anatoli Kozlovskiy. vendor from Afghanistan arrested an ongoing military operation to a French and German warn- Ukraine’s east. Tatiana, a 35-year- who had been wavering decided Another, Alice Skubko, added: in 2009 in a parking ticket dispute, ordered by Kiev against the ing of “consequences” against old florist voting in the regional to vote their anger against the “I understand why they are going said detectives asked him “about Al rebels. Russia if that election were to hub of Donetsk, said: “If we’re government. to vote, because there was propa- Qaeda, do you know these people?”, Early yesterday, an isolated be scuppered. independent, it will be hard at “I know many people who were ganda, illegal propaganda. People the Times said. They also asked clash occurred on the outskirts of The United States and the the beginning but it will be better strongly anti-Russian but after don’t understand what they are about his mosque, the nationali- the flashpoint town of Slavyansk European Union see Russian than being with the fascists.” The what happened in Ukraine with doing, they don’t understand the ties of other Muslims who prayed as militants tried to recapture a President Vladimir Putin’s hand “fascist” epithet she used was the the slaughter of people, with consequences of their action if there and about a brother who TV tower, but polling in the cen- in the unrest that has gripped one separatists and Russian state what happened in Odessa, a lot they vote in this referendum.” drove a taxi in Afghanistan. Finally tre was unaffected. eastern Ukraine since early media use to describe Ukraine’s of them changed their position One 20-year-old fireman in they asked if he would be willing Roman Lyaguin, the head of April. They believe he is seeking Western-backed government. to pro-Russian,” said Yaroslav, a Mariupol, Ivan Shelest, said: “If to gather information at mosques Donetsk’s self-styled electoral a repeat of the scenario that led Mariupol, a city of 500,000 post-graduate student who gave this goes through and they really and possibly travel to Afghanistan, commission, told reporters that to Russia’s annexation of Crimea inhabitants, saw some of the long- only his first name as he queued become the Donetsk Republic it to which, frightened, he said he voter turnout across the prov- in March. est voting lines because only four to vote in Donetsk. will be a disaster. What sort of agreed. After his release, Abrahimi ince was 70 percent four hours If Ukraine’s May 25 presi- polling stations were operating. Others, though, were strongly people will lead it? It will be chaos told the Times he never heard from before polls were to close at 1700 dential election is stymied, the Anti-Kiev sentiment was riding opposed to the rebels and the — even worse than now.” the detectives again, but remained GMT. Lugansk’s rebels put their West has warned of immediate high there after a fierce firefight referendums. “It’s an illegitimate AFP shaken by the matter. REUTERS Nigerian girl tells of kidnap ordeal Lottery winners bankroll

BAUCHI: One of the teenag- intention, at this point, to (put) ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign ers who escaped from Islamic American boots on the ground,” extremists who abducted more Hagel told ABC television’s “This LONDON: A couple who won a record EuroMillions jackpot in 2011 than 300 female students said Week” programme. are bankrolling the campaign for Scottish independence, contribut- the kidnapping was “too terri- Washington last week sent a ing £2.5m ($4.2m) in the past year, the campaign said yesterday. fying for words” and she was too team of military advisers as part Colin and Christine Weir, from Largs near Glasgow, won ¤185m scared to go back to school. of an international effort to help (then $260m) in July 2011, becoming Europe’s biggest ever lottery win- Science student Sarah Nigeria find the girls. Hagel was ners. New figures show that since April 1, 2013, the Weirs each contrib- Lawan, 19, told the Associated far from upbeat about chances of uted £1.25m (¤1.53m) to the campaign for a “Yes” vote in September’s Press yesterday that more of finding the girls. referendum, in addition to their £1m donation the previous year. the girls and young women “It will be very difficult. It’s a Their contribution makes up the vast majority of the £3.15m received could have escaped but that vast country. This is not going to by the campaign in the past year. Another 11,000 people have made they were frightened by their be an easy task,” Hagel said. donations. “We greatly appreciate and are hugely encouraged by the captors’ threats to shoot them. In London, Archbishop of thousands of people across Scotland who have made donations — both Lawan spoke in a phone inter- Canterbury Justin Welby warned large and small — according to their financial means,” Yes Scotland view from Chibok, her home and of the difficulties of negotiating Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said. the site of the mass abduction in with an “utterly merciless” group A poll tracker devised by the Financial Times suggests the gap is north-east Nigeria. The failure like Boko Haram, but called for narrowing between the two campaigns although the “No” camp has a to rescue 276 of the students still active contact with the Nigerian nine-point lead, with 15 percent undecided. REUTERS held captive four weeks on has Islamists. Welby has experience attracted national and interna- of negotiating with violent groups tional outrage. in the Niger Delta in southern “I am pained that others could People from all faiths gather to pray for the immediate release of the Nigeria. not summon the courage to run abducted Nigerian schoolgirls during an interfaith prayer meeting held at In an interview with BBC radio away with me,” she said. “Now I the Blue Lagoon Beach in Durban yesterday. about the fate of the schoolgirls, Cameron woos eurosceptics cry each time I come across their the archbishop said the girls faced parents and see how they weep She said the thought of going she said. In churches across a “colossal” risk. when they see me.” back to the burnt-out remains Nigeria, congregations prayed “They’re in the hands of a ahead of EU vote Police say 53 students escaped of Chibok Government Girls for the students. very disparate group which is and captors were threatening to Secondary School terrifies her. Meanwhile, US Defence extremely irrational and difficult LONDON: British Prime whatever the outcome, the sell those still held into slavery. “I am really scared to go back Secretary Chuck Hagel said the to deal with and utterly merci- Minister David Cameron made British people will have the final Lawan said other students who there; but I have no option if I United States has no plans to send less in the example it’s shown in a fresh attempt yesterday to say on our future in Europe, escaped later have told her that am asked to go because I need to troops to Nigeria to help recover the past, and it must be a huge woo eurosceptic voters, ahead of with that in-out referendum in the abductors spoke of their plans finish my final year exams which hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped concern,” he said. this month’s European elections 2017,” Cameron wrote in Britain’s to marry them. were stopped half way through,” by Boko Haram. “There’s no THE GUARDIAN/AGENCIES set to push his ruling party into Sunday Telegraph newspaper. a humiliating third place. “If you’re reading this thinking Cameron has tried hard to bur- ‘I’ve heard all this before’ - I get it nish his eurosceptic credentials to ... I have made a clear and personal placate his rebellious Conservative commitment: I would not be Prime Former DR Congo warlord Party and counter the resurgent Minister of a government unless UK Independence Party (UKIP), we could carry out our pledge of an Mutebusi dies in Rwanda Venezuela frees most students which has pledged to yank Britain in-out referendum,” he added. The CARACAS: Venezuela said yesterday that Anti-Maduro protests have been raging out of the European Union and do Europe vote will be held in Britain KINSHASA: Jules Mutebusi, a former it had freed most of the 243 youth activists since February, with activists complaining more to limit immigration. on May 22, the same day as local DR Congo rebel leader often described as a arrested in raids last week on street camps about high inflation and crime rates, scarcities The prime minister has prom- council elections. Rwandan proxy, has died in Kigali where he set up to protest against President Nicolas of basic goods, and repression of opponents. ised to hold a referendum on EU Cameron wants to remain had been exiled for a decade, relatives and Maduro’s socialist government. Maduro, the 51-year-old successor to the membership in 2017, after rene- in the EU — a vital market for officials said yesterday. Although the government hoped the demoli- late Hugo Chavez, says the demonstrations gotiating Britain’s ties with the British goods — but ties with the “He died on Friday evening in a Kigali hos- tion of four camps in Caracas would snuff out are part of a wider, US-backed “coup” attempt 28-member bloc. Growing num- bloc have often been strained as pital. He was 54. It looks like he had been a three-month protest movement, activists against him. Maduro’s position in power does bers of voters in Britain and else- he has tried to change EU rules sick, that’s what Rwanda is saying,” one of vowed the measure had only strengthened not appear under threat, given that the protests where in Europe accuse the EU of and budgets to satisfy an increas- Mutebusi’s uncles said. their resolve to demonstrate against Maduro. have not spread far from middle-class opposition bureaucratic meddling and of being ingly eurosceptic British public. Mutebusi, from the ethnic Tutsi group in The students had been camping for weeks enclaves, and military chiefs are behind him. distant and unrepresentative. UKIP has harnessed this senti- the Democratic Republic of Congo’s South outside UN offices on a major highway, and in At least 42 people have died in violence Recent opinion polls show the ment, and has mainly drawn vot- Kivu region known as Banyamulenge, was a several other public squares. around the protests — with victims on all sides Conservatives are likely to come ers away from the Conservatives. top military leader of the Rally for Congolese The Venezuelan public prosecutor’s office — and about 800 have been injured. About 160 behind UKIP and the opposition A strong showing in the European Democracy (RCD). said in a statement that 11 detainees had been people remain in jail in total from round-ups Labour party in this month’s ballot would add to the party’s In 2004 Laurent Nkunda, another defecting kept behind bars, accused of a range of crimes since February. Demonstrators marched on European parliamentary elec- already strong momentum. Tutsi Congolese officer, and Mutebusi jointly including possession of arms and drugs. Saturday to protest the breakup of the student tions, which would deal a blow Some analysts and many voters captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, Authorities freed 155 with cautions and camps, with masked youths battling riot police to Conservative morale as cam- doubt Cameron can substantially on the grounds that the local population was orders to report to courts periodically, and at the end of the rally in scenes that have paigning gears up for next year’s renegotiate the EU treaties ahead being persecuted. instructed 15 to undergo medical treatment become familiar to Venezuelans over the last national general election. of the proposed 2017 referendum. AFP for drug abuse, the statement added. three months. REUTERS “Once we’ve negotiated, AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Thai govt warns Sea row dominates Asean summit protesters as Vietnam protests against Chinese oil drilling; Ban urges ‘utmost restraint’ power struggle

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: deepens Surging maritime ten- sions dominated a meeting of BANGKOK: Thailand’s belea- Southeast Asian leaders yester- guered government yesterday day, with Vietnam calling on its warned people to stay away regional neighbours for support from anti-government protests, in its worsening territorial dis- saying it had to step up security pute with China. as the two sides in a lengthy The 10-member Association of political crisis squared off over Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) who is running the country. convened just days after both The caretaker government loyal Vietnam and the Philippines to ousted prime minister Yingluck locked horns with China in con- Shinawatra is clinging to power tested waters, stoking interna- and to the hope of an election in tional alarm. July to restore its authority. A joint statement from the But the government’s enemies summit, hosted for the first time deride its legitimacy and are call- by Myanmar in its showpiece ing on the upper house of parlia- capital Naypyidaw, was delayed ment, the courts and the Election after the meeting ended yester- Commission to appoint a new day, with sources saying a typing prime minister. error meant the document had The head of the government to be reconfirmed with member team overseeing security dur- states. ing months of demonstrations Tensions in the South China against Yingluck and her brother, Sea, which is criss-crossed by ousted former premier Thaksin key shipping lanes and thought Shinawatra, said protest leader to contain vast energy reserves, FROM RIGHT: Philippine President Benigno Aquino, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phongthepth Epkanjana, Suthep Thaugsuban’s call for a loomed large over discussions and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, new prime minister was illegal. was expected to be noted in the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong join hands “We would like to warn all final communique. during the Asean summit in Naypyidaw yesterday. Thais to stay away from the pro- In remarks to the summit, test sites as we have to tighten Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen In 2012 China’s ally Cambodia tolerating anti-China rallies and The South China Sea is claimed Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and our security forces in a bid to Tan Dung urged his Asean coun- caused consternation when it was violently breaking them up. in part by Asean members Thailand. avert a crisis,” Tharit Pengdit, terparts to protest at China’s con- Asean head by refusing to take Observers said Beijing’s deci- Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Myanmar’s chairmanship is the chief of the Department of Special troversial decision to move an oil Beijing to task over its assertive sion to move the rig could have and Malaysia as well as Taiwan. first time it has taken the helm of Investigation, told reporters. drilling rig early this month into maritime stance. been prompted by a visit to the Manila, which has asked a UN Asean, despite having been a mem- Protesters have used guns and waters also claimed by Hanoi. The latest incident has stoked region by US President Barack tribunal to rule on China’s claims ber for 17 years, as concerns about grenades to resist police efforts to Reiterating accusations that bitter anti-China sentiment in Obama, who reaffirmed support over most of the sea, also said the rights record of the former junta clear them off the streets and the Chinese vessels had then attacked Vietnam, with about 1,000 peo- for Asian allies the Philippines on Wednesday it had detained a kept the country on the sidelines. government has generally sought Vietnamese ships in the disputed ple joining one of the country’s and Japan, which is locked in its Chinese fishing boat in disputed But reforms under a quasi- to avoid confrontation. waters, he slammed Beijing’s largest-ever rallies against Beijing own maritime territorial dispute territory. civilian regime that came to But Tharit’s warning could be move as “extremely dangerous”. in Hanoi yesterday. Protests also with China. Philippine President Benigno power in 2011 have burnished the a sign that the government is Dung also told the summit that broke out in two other major The move “underlines Beijing’s Aquino has also urged fellow country’s international standing feeling increasingly embattled, Hanoi views the incident as a vio- Vietnamese cities. commitment to test the resolve Southeast Asian leaders to face and seen the removal of most especially after Yingluck’s sack- lation of international laws. China and Vietnam, who fought of Vietnam, its Asean neigh- up to the threat posed by China’s Western sanctions. ing by the Constitutional Court On Saturday Asean foreign a brief border war in 1979, fre- bours and Washington,” said the increasing assertiveness in the Thailand’s contribution to the for nepotism on Wednesday, and ministers expressed “serious con- quently trade diplomatic barbs US-based Center for Strategic sea. summit was overshadowed by the is trying to assert its authority. cerns over the ongoing develop- over oil exploration, fishing rights and International Studies. Beijing prefers to negotiate removal of Thai premier Yingluck The sometimes violent protests ments” in a joint statement. and the Spratly and Paracel UN Secretary General Ban directly with its smaller, weaker Shinawatra from office for abuse against Yingluck and Thaksin Disputes with China present Islands. Ki-moon called on both countries neighbours on a bilateral basis, of power in a court ruling last have sapped investor confidence, a delicate challenge to the bloc, Vietnam’s communist regime, to “exercise the utmost restraint” a policy that is rejected by rival Wednesday that has brought frightened off tourists and dented some of whose members are which is wary of public gatherings in the sea, United Nations deputy claimants. rival protesters onto the streets growth in Southeast Asia’s sec- closely reliant politically and eco- that could threaten its authoritar- spokesman Farhan Haq said on The other Asean mem- of Bangkok. ond-biggest economy. nomically on Beijing. ian rule, has alternated between Friday. bers are Cambodia, Indonesia, AFP REUTERS

Five dead in Philippine bike Sri Lanka bans public commemoration of Tiger rebels COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has the decades-long separatist war years of armed conflict, which the for a separate homeland for the attacks blamed on Tamil Tigers ‘shooting spree’ banned public commemora- were barred as the organisation UN estimates claimed at least ethnic Tamil minority. since their defeat in 2009, but tions of Tamil Tiger rebels remained outlawed. 100,000 lives. Human rights groups have Sri Lanka’s navy said it found MANILA: Two men on a ahead of the fifth anniversary “Individuals may have religious Rights groups have said that accused Colombo of trying to whip the largest stock of buried LTTE motorcycle killed five people in of rebel supremo Velupillai services to commemorate their up to 40,000 civilians perished in up fears of a Tiger resurgence to pistol ammunition in Mullaittivu an apparent shooting spree in a Prabhakaran’s killing which loved ones killed in the fighting, the final months of fighting alone justify draconian anti-militant on Friday. suburb of the Philippine capital marked the end of the war, but there cannot be any public in the island’s northern coastal laws and to maintain a large mili- Troops found 120,000 pistol yesterday, a police official said. a military spokesman said events,” Wanigasooriya said. district of Mullaittivu where the tary presence in the former war rounds along with 8,000 rounds Investigators are still trying to yesterday. “Display of LTTE flags or insig- rebels put up a final stand. zone. of other ammunition. The navy establish the motive behind what Brigadier Ruwan nia will also not be allowed,” he The government’s latest ban on The military last month shot released photographs of the appeared to be random shoot- Wanigasooriya said public events added. Tiger commemorations follows dead three Tamil men accused of ammunition from what it said ings, said Inspector Roldante to commemorate Liberation Government forces killed Tiger military claims that rebel rem- trying to revive the LTTE in the was the same area where the final Sarmiento, Deputy Chief of the Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supremo Prabhakaran on May 18, nants were trying to regroup and island’s north. battles were fought. neighbourhood in Quezon City, a rebels killed in the final battle of 2009 and declared an end to 37 rearm to renew their campaign There had been no major AFP suburb of Manila, where the kill- ings took place. “There were five people in four different locations. They had Training position no connection. They were just bystanders. We have no idea why South Korea parliament they were shot,” he said. “It looks like a shooting spree,” he said. The two men on a motorcy- to begin ferry probe cle started their rampage before dawn in a commercial district of SEOUL: South Korea’s parlia- They want explanations for Quezon City, first shooting a man ment is to open an investigation perceived delays in the initial riding a motorcycle, then a woman into the ferry disaster that has rescue effort, and are calling for waiting for a bus, Sarmiento said. left 300 people dead or missing, those they believe responsible to They then shot dead a man and politicians confirmed yesterday, be punished. a woman on a motorcycle and as the government counters The recovery operation lastly killed a scavenger picking criticism of its handling of the remained suspended Sunday due through rubbish before they fled, tragedy. to a looming storm and high tides. he added. A special parliamentary session Despite enormous hazards and In the past, many hired gun- will open this week and a number challenges, including near-zero men in the Philippines have killed of committees will begin work visibility and strong currents, their victims while on motorbikes. from today, the government and divers have been under immense However witnesses told police opposition said, dedicated to con- pressure to retrieve all the trapped that the killers in this incident firming the cause of and responsi- bodies as quickly as possible. did not appear to be looking for bility for the sinking of the Sewol. But as days go by, they are any particular target, Sarmiento Park Young-Sun, of the main retrieving fewer and fewer bod- added. Philippine Marines take positions after disembarking from a US-made fast craft at the beach of the Philippine opposition New Politics Alliance ies. Partition walls on the ship AFP Marines training school during a mock assault simulation as part of live a fire exercise, in Ternate town, Cavite for Democracy, said the session have started warping and are province, southwest of Manila, yesterday. would focus on “a (parliamentary) at risk of collapsing, complicat- investigation, the nomination of a ing their work. Many relatives special prosecutor and hearings.” believe some children may have The ruling Sanuri party’s leader survived for hours or even days of parliament Lee Wan-Koo told inside air pockets in the capsized North Korea accuses South of using drones for politics a joint press conference it would ferry, but died because rescuers “make efforts ... to prevent a took too long to access the sub- recurrence of such a disaster.” merged vessel. SEOUL: North Korea accused it had “smoking gun” proof that an inspection group from the government over the disaster, The confirmed death toll stands The Sewol was carrying 476 South Korea yesterday of fabri- they had all been flown from North’s powerful National as more evidence emerges of lax at 275 with 29 still unaccounted people when it sank on April 16 cating a story about crashed spy North Korea. Defence Commission (NDC) said safety standards and possible cor- for, more than three weeks after after listing sharply to one side drones in order to divert atten- Yestserday the North, repeat- in a statement referring to the ruption among state regulators. the ship capsized off the country’s and then rolling over. tion from its ferry disaster. ing previous denials, said it has South’s president. The April 16 “It is the inveterate bad habit southern coast. Of those on board, 325 were The drones were recovered in nothing to do with the drones ferry sinking which killed more of the South Korean authorities Victims’ families have been children from a high school on three different locations in the “no matter how frequently the than 300 people is one of South to seek a way out by fabricating extremely critical of nearly every an organised trip to the southern South between March 24 and South Korean authorities cook Korea’s worst peacetime disas- shocking cases and linking them aspect of the government’s han- resort island of Jeju. April 6. up stories”. ters, made all the more shocking with the North whenever they dling of the disaster, and had Initial investigations suggest The South’s defence ministry “The Park Geun-Hye group by the loss of many young lives. are driven into a crisis,” the NDC demanded a government investi- the ferry was carrying up to three last week called them “a clear foolishly seeks to find a way Victims’ families have been group said. gation in addition to the police’s times its safe cargo capacity. military provocation” and said out of the worst ruling crisis,” extremely critical of the AFP efforts. AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Afghan poll race narrows Zalmay Rassoul drops out, backs Abdullah; run-off vote next month

KABUL: Former foreign choose Afghanistan’s next leader 50 percent needed for outright The first-round election was minister Abdullah Abdullah as US-led troops withdraw from victory, with Abdullah gaining hailed as a success by Afghan received a boost in the race for the country. 44.9 percent and Ghani on 31.5 officials and foreign allies, with the Afghan presidency yester- “I ask the people for the sake of percent according to preliminary turnout far better than in 2009 day when one of the pre-elec- national unity and political stabil- results. and the Taliban failing to launch tion favourites dropped out and ity to vote for Doctor Abdullah, so Another costly, and potentially a major attack despite threats to backed his team ahead of next that we win the election,” Rassoul, violent, election could be avoided disrupt the vote. month’s expected run-off. who resigned as foreign minister by negotiations in the coming A run-off vote in June — at Zalmay Rassoul, who finished to run for president, told a press weeks, and Rassoul’s support for the height of the traditional third in April’s first round with conference. Abdullah will increase pressure “fighting season” — is likely to be 11.5 percent of the vote, told jour- He said his support could be a on Ghani to concede the race. more difficult for Afghanistan’s nalists in Kabul he had endorsed “balance-maker” in the run-off The official final first-round stretched security forces Abdullah to strengthen national vote due next month. result is set to be announced on to guard. “Rassoul’s joining unity, and because the pair cam- The second-round vote will pit Wednesday after weeks of adjudi- Abdullah’s team is very impor- paigned on similar platforms. Abdullah against former World cation over fraud complaints. tant. It will change the game Rassoul was seen as the Bank economist Ashraf Ghani, Karzai, who is constitution- towards Abdullah,” author and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (left) shakes hands with Iranian favoured candidate of outgoing after the two came first and sec- ally barred from a third term in analyst Ahmad Saeedi said. President Hassan Rowhani during their official meeting at the Presidential President Hamid Karzai, and ond in the eight-man election on office, stayed publicly neutral in “Rassoul does not want to be Palace in Tehran yesterday. his support for Abdullah could April 5. the election, but his elder brother left out of the whole game, he be influential in deal-making to Neither candidate secured the Qayum Karzai dropped out before wants to stay in the government polling day and endorsed Rassoul. somehow and with Abdullah he It remained unclear whether the will be there.” Sharif begins Iran visit Karzai family supported Rassoul Abdullah secured another use- joining the Abdullah camp. ful ally when another presiden- TEHRAN: Pakistan Prime electric grids” in order to bolster “This is a big move in the tial candidate, Gul Agha Sherzai, Minister Nawaz Sharif met economic ties, IRNA said. modern history of Afghanistan,” recently pledged his backing. Iran’s President Hassan Ties between Islamabad and Abdullah, a former foreign min- Sherzai and Rassoul are seen as Rowhani yesterday at the start Tehran have been strained fol- ister, told supporters. “We are able to deliver some support from of a visit during which talks are lowing the announcement in one team, a team committed to Pashtuns, the country’s largest likely to include border security February by the Sharif govern- honesty and working sincerely ethnic group. and a stalled gas pipeline deal. ment that Pakistan was suspend- to fullfil our commitments to the Abdullah’s support is strong- Sharif and Rowhani met briefly ing work on a $7.5bn pipeline for people.” est in Tajik ethnic areas due to for lunch, and will hold more in- Iranian gas exports. Work on the The 2009 election, when his role as a close adviser to the depth talks on “bilateral issues Iranian side is almost complete Karzai retained power after late Ahmad Shah Massoud, a and the expansion of economic and Tehran expects Pakistan to defeating Abdullah, was marred revered Tajik leader who fought cooperation,” the official IRNA finish the project on its side. by massive fraud in a chaotic the Taliban during their 1996- news agency reported. IRNA quoted Sharif as saying process that shook the multi- 2001 rule. During his two-day visit Sharif, yesterday that his government “is national effort to develop the Ghani, a Pashtun, has repeat- who is accompanied by sen- determined to remove obstacles” country after the ousting of the edly vowed to fight on in the ior advisers, is also expected to in the way of the gas pipeline. He Taliban regime in 2001. run-off despite falling far behind meet supreme leader Ayatollah did not elaborate. The eventual winner will lead Abdullah in the first round. The Ali Khamenei, Iran’s ultimate IRNA reported that several pro- Afghanistan into a new era as next president is likely to explore authority, media reported. tocol agreements would be signed US-led Nato combat troops end opening talks with the Taliban, As he met Sharif, Rowhani said during Sharif’s visit. It quoted Afghan presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah (centre), Zalmay Rassoul their 13-year war against the though previous efforts to start Iran was ready to develop “road Rowhani as saying that Iran hoped (left) and Gul Agha Sherzai at a joint news conference in Kabul yesterday. Taliban insurgency that erupted a peace process ended in failure. and railway networks between cooperation with Pakistan would after Karzai took power. REUTERS/AFP the two countries... as well as reach “a superior level”. AFP

IAEA experts hail Pakistan’s nuclear Thousands rally in Islamabad against alleged poll rigging ISLAMABAD: Thousands of democratic handover of power. province to demonstrate in front 342 seats, while the Pakistan democracy with a fake mandate?” safety measures opposition supporters held a Critics have accused the protest of parliament. Peoples Party came second with he added, to roars of approval and rally here yesterday protesting leaders of undermining the civilian Addressing the protestors, 45 seats. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek applause. Supporters meanwhile ISLAMABAD: International against alleged rigging in last government led by Prime Minister Khan lashed out at the govern- Insaaf trailed in third with 34 seats waved flags and chanted “Who experts have praised Pakistan’s year’s general election, amid Nawaz Sharif at a time when rela- ment for its alleged role in rigging and the four contested constitu- will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, regulatory framework for simmering tensions between tions with the all-powerful army, the 2013 parliamentary elections, encies would not have affected the Imran Khan!” amid a charged nuclear and radiation safety but the government and army. which has ruled the country for disputing the outcome in four overall election result. atmosphere. also proposed measures that will The demonstration was led by half of its history, are at a low. constituencies. He also called for “We demand the election com- Both Khan and Qadri have bring about some improvements. cricketer-turned politician Imran An estimated crowd of 25,000 the election commission to resign, mission to immediately resign backed the military in its push to Nuclear experts from Albania, Khan as well as charismatic came from around the country, and railed against power short- because the nation has no confi- shut down Geo News after it aired Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, preacher Tahir ul Qadri, who held particularly the northwestern ages and inflation. dence in them,” Khan said. allegations accusing Pakistan’s China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, an anti-corruption march last province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim “The government has accused main spy agency of attempting Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Korea, year prior to the May 2013 elec- which Khan’s party governs as League-Noon swept to power last me of attempting to derail democ- to assassinate a leading journalist. Lithuania, Slovenia, South Africa, tion that saw the country’s first well as from the populous Punjab year with 190 of the parliament’s racy, but how can it claim of AFP Ukraine and the United States, officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Beating the heat and observers from Japan formed a 21-member team of Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) of the IAEA, which concluded a 12-day mission to Pakistan over the weekend. The mission reviewed the effec- tiveness of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) in regulating the safety of use of nuclear and radioactive mate- rial. The PNRA mandate covers nuclear power plants, research reactors, waste management facilities, radiation source appli- cations and facilities, decommis- sioning activities and transport of radioactive material. The mission recommended that the IAEA’s Fundamental Safety Principles should be fully incor- porated into Pakistan’s safety framework and the primary Pakistani youth jump into a swimming pool to cool themselves, in Multan, yesterday. The Pakistan responsibility for safety should be Met Office has forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of a dust-thunderstorm and light rain for clearly assigned. INTERNEWS the city and its suburbs. Bomb blast kills five in northwest Pakistan

PESHAWAR: At least five people were “But he could not reach them because the With the fighting in that district calming killed and six injured when a suicide security forces started firing at him and he down, the government has started a repatri- bomber blew himself up inside a sta- blew himself up,” Rehman said. ation process that requires them to register dium in northwest Pakistan yesterday, Shahid Afridi, a firefighter present at the themselves so they are cleared to go home. officials said. site during the blast, said a man in his twen- The attack comes two weeks after the The bomber was believed to have been ties entered the stadium and started firing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) formally targeting a group of refugees from the coun- with a pistol. “The security forces retaliated ended a ceasefire called to help peace talks try’s troubled tribal belt who had gone to a and then there was a explosion and I fell to with the government. government-run camp in the Arbab Niaz the ground,” said Afridi, who sustained leg Earlier in the day, a roadside improvised stadium to fill out paperwork ahead of their injuries following the blast. explosive device injured three security forces journey home. Senior police official Faisal Muzafaruddin Sadiq, head of the govern- personnel in the North Waziristan tribal dis- Mukhtar said the bomber blew himself up ment-run Lady Reading Hospital, said: “We trict which is home to the TTP leadership. near a small mosque inside the stadium and have five dead bodies and six injured,” adding “Three security forces personnel were injured the dead included one tribal policeman. one person remained in critical condition. when a vehicle was hit by an IED planted by Najeeb U Rehman, another senior police Thousands of people from Tirah valley in terrorists near Khajuri, in North Waziristan official, confirmed the incident. “It was a Khyber tribal district fled their homes after Agency,” military officials said. suicide blast, around 10kg of explosives were the military began an operation against Al Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s govern- used,” he said. He said the suicide bomber Qaeda-affiliated militant groups in 2011. ment began negotiations with the TTP was trying to target the refugees who had Many have sought shelter in government- through intermediaries in February in the fled fighting between the military and the run camps while others stayed with extended hope of ending their bloody seven-year Taliban in the Khyber tribal district. family or in rented accommodation. insurgency. AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Despite majority claims, Poll battle ends today BJP scours for allies

NEW DELHI: Even as its not certain it will repeat the 1998 66 million people to vote in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal today leaders claim that the BJP and performance. The party has only its allies will get a majority in 10 MPs from UP now. Muslims NEW DELHI: The country’s the Lok Sabha, the party seems reportedly disenchanted with the most bitterly fought parliamen- to be looking for potential allies. Samajwadi Party may back the tary elections end today when BJP’s prime ministerial can- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) this the last lot of 41 Lok Sabha con- didate Narendra Modi has said time. stituencies vote in three major that making disparaging remarks In Bihar, the party whisked states, bringing the curtains about governments run by away Ram Vilas Paswan away down on a five-week-plus proc- regional parties in different states from the Congress-RJD combine ess widely expected to end a did not pre-empt the possibility of and hoped to benefit from a split decade of Congress rule. allying with them later. in Muslim votes. But reports sug- An estimated 66 million people His aide Amit Shah, who gest that Rashtriya Janata Dal will be eligible to vote in Bihar, handles the election campaign leader Lalu Prasad may have put Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in Uttar Pradesh, a state cru- paid to BJP’s hopes by cement- today to pick 41 MPs from among cial to the BJP’s electoral plans, ing his traditional Muslim-Yadav 606 candidates in a contest that said on Friday that the party combine. The BJP won 12 seats in has been nationally overshadowed did not believe in political Bihar in 2009. by BJP’s prime ministerial candi- “untouchability”. It is in this light that BJP date Narendra Modi. Political experts say this is a leaders are talking about pos- Overall, 9,667 candidates fought sign that the Bharatiya Janata sible post-poll alliances. But are for the Lok Sabha seats in a poll Party’s juggernaut has not rolled there takers for Modi? BSP chief that showed a high voter turnout decisively enough to propel it to Mayawati has refused any support among the 814 million electorate, a clear win in the 545-seat Lok to a BJP-led alliance. West Bengal the world’s biggest. Sabha. “It is very clear they will Chief Minister and Trinamool And Modi, political analysts not get a majority. That is why Congress leader Mamata Banerjee say, will remain in the centre of they are searching for allies,” has put her foot down when it it all — through the last round Nisar ul Haq, a professor of polit- comes to Modi. today and when the millions of ical science at the Jamia Millia Political analyst Dipankar Gupta votes cast all over the country are Islamia university here, said. says if Modi failed to secure a counted Friday, May 16. Experts have good reasons to majority, the party’s old guard — Congress leaders apart, no one believe so. From the beginning now edged out by Modi — may seems to have any doubt that the Polling officials check electronic voting machines after collecting them from a distribution centre on the eve of of the election campaign, it was assert themselves. “If Modi fails to Congress-led UPA is on its way the final phase of general election, in Kolkata, yesterday. clear the BJP’s hopes rested on take the BJP beyond 180-190 seats, out. Fingers, however, are crossed three things. the BJP may still form a govern- on whether a BJP-led coalition led Narasimha Rao, who is with the uncertainty”. Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the First was a good showing in ment but with a different prime by Modi will secure a clear major- Bharatiya Janata Party, is emphatic But the BJP — and Rao — refuse Congress. The number of constit- states it rules. This was the ministerial candidate,” Gupta said. ity in the 545-member Lok Sabha that Modi, 63, is all set to become to accept a BJP-minus-Modi- uencies which will vote in West easiest part although not with- Added another analyst, or will it be forced to hunt for India’s next prime minister. government theory. “We are con- Bengal will be 17 and six in Bihar. out its complexities. The BJP Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, said: numbers to form a government. “There is a wave for Modi, and I fident the BJP-led NDA (National Uttar Pradesh accounts for expects a rich haul in Gujarat, “If Modi fails to get the numbers, Election watcher G V L think this will be the best victory Democratic Alliance) will get a most candidates in the final Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Sushma Swaraj may be favoured for the BJP ever,” Rao said. “The clear majority,” party spokesman round (328) followed by West Chhattisgarh. Of these, it is likely as prime minister by the old Congress will drop to its lowest Prakash Javadekar said. “We will Bengal (188) and Bihar (90). the party will get the desired guard. L K Advani will support Exit poll results tally. We will have a stable BJP gov- actually get more than 272 seats.” Uttar Pradesh will have some 31 result in the first two. her. She is likely to be backed by ernment led by Modi on the 16th.” But the Congress thinks differ- million voters, West Bengal 25 Among states it didn’t rule, Murli Manohar Joshi too.” only after 6.30pm Most opinion polls put the BJP ently. “We are confident we will million and Bihar about 9 million. Uttar Pradesh (80 Lok Sabha The BJP strategy was to cre- far ahead of the Congress and form the government,” spokes- The drawn out Lok Sabha con- seats) and Bihar (40) were cen- ate a “Modi wave” through a today, says EC others although there is some man Sanjay Jha said. Along with test that began April 7 was one of tral to the BJP’s plans of cap- concerted media campaign never NEW DELHI: The Election lingering doubt if the BJP and its the Lok Sabha election, Sikkim, the most bitterly fought in India, turing power in New Delhi. In been seen before in this country. Commission yesterday said allies will bag the magic number Odisha and Andhra Pradesh also with political discourse repeatedly Maharashtra, with 48 seats, The dominant feeling is that it that results of exit polls can be of 272 to cross the half-way mark voted for new assemblies. degenerating into vicious personal the party has a good chance of has worked. broadcast only after 6.30pm in the Lok Sabha. Political parties and their lead- attacks. winning a good number of seats Unless the BJP gets close to today. “In order to remove Political analysts Dipankar ers ended weeks of tiring cam- Analyst Gupta, formerly with with its ally Shiv Sena but the the majority mark, it will have any doubt, it is clarified that Gupta and Paranjoy Guha paign on Saturday, setting the the Jawaharlal Nehru University Congress-NCP alliance is not a to lean on others, in particu- under the law (Section 126 A Thakurta feel in the event the stage for the final round of elec- here, felt this was because the pushover. lar Tamil Nadu Chief Minister of the Representation of the BJP flounders on the victory lap, tion today in 71,254 polling sta- Gandhi family that controls the The BJP deputed Amit Shah and AIADMK leader Jayaram People Act, 1951), the results it could mean a BJP regime led by tions in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Congress was for the first time to Uttar Pradesh in a bid to take Jayalalithaa, who until recently of exit polls can be dissemi- someone other than Modi. West Bengal. One of the 18 Uttar threatened deeply in terms of its the party’s tally there to at least was counted as a Modi friend. nated only after 6.30pm on “There can be a possible resur- Pradesh Lok Sabha constituencies very ability to function in future. close to, if not higher than, the That will still leave out another May 12, as already notified gence of the BJP’s old guard if which will vote today is Varanasi, “And this was done not by 57 seats it won in 1998, leading regional politician — Biju Janata by the commission vide its Modi fails to take the BJP beyond the second seat from where Modi a party but a person who has to a BJP-led government in the Dal’s Naveen Patnaik. Will he notification dated April 3,” 180-190 seats. In that case, BJP is contesting besides Vadodara to a large extent destroyed the country. have a rethink vis-a-vis BJP? Election Commission direc- may still form the government in Gujarat. Pitted against him organisation to which he himself In Uttar Pradesh, while the Will others come aboard? The tor Dhirendra Ojha said in a but with a different leader,” are some 40 candidates but the belongs,” he said, alluding to the BJP is expected to benefit from afternoon of May 16 will unravel statement. IANS Gupta said. Thakurta agrees, two most serious challenges are manner Modi has sidelined sen- the communal polarisation follow- all these puzzles. saying “Indian politics is full of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind iors in the BJP. IANS ing the Muzaffarnagar riots, it is IANS

Mass marriage ceremony Airlines add capacity as Maoist attack in Maharashtra kills tourists flock to Leh 7 commandos

LEH (LADAKH): Airlines and from the area is also a healthy GADCHIROLI: Seven police charter flights hired by tour money spinner. Airline officials, commandos were killed yes- operators are making a beeline however, say that preference is terday when Maoists set off to Leh as the tourist season sets given to passengers due to high a landmine in the thick for- in the cold desert area of the demand and load restrictions at ests of Gadchiroli district in Himalayas. the airport. Maharashtra, officials said. High returns due to low rates Not only scheduled airlines The incident occurred around of parking, housing and land- but even online booking, travel 9.30am near Murmuri village, ing (PHL) charges coupled with and tour operator MakeMyTrip around 35km from this town. At growing demand is making it blocks seat inventories in least two more commandos were attractive for the airlines to add advance for its customers on injured in the deadly attack. The more flights to the region. these airlines to ferry them to Maoists set off the blast when a “We have added four flights the exotic destination. police commando team was mov- per week to Leh from our origi- “It (Ladakh) is both our larg- ing in a vehicle for security opera- nal schedule of three flights per est business in terms of volume tions in the forested region. week, this summer season,” a (number of passengers) and we The injured were airlifted to senior Air India official said in are also the largest operator Nagpur while additional security New Delhi. “It is not only us, for this destination. However, forces rushed to the site of the others are also set to increase the margins for this destination attack. Vinod Tawde, leader of their frequencies once the sea- are not very high, limiting the opposition in the Maharashtra son sets in from mid-May,” the number of players operating in Legislative Council, hit out at the official added. this circuit,” said Mohit Gupta, intelligence agencies for failing to Air India also flies in three chief business officer-holidays, anticipate the attack in the wake charter services for the army from MakeMyTrip. of the arrest of a Maoist think- Muslim brides (seated) take part in a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai yesterday. Mass marriages are Jammu, Srinagar and New Delhi. “Due to enhanced connectiv- tank intellectual from New Delhi generally organised by social organisations to cut ceremony costs in India where the custom of dowry and Currently, only three scheduled ity and better awareness Ladakh two days ago. IANS expensive gifts from the bride’s family still prevails among certain segments of society. passenger carriers — Jet Airways, has come into the consideration Air India and GoAir — operate of many travellers.” flights to the destination. Local tourist industry insid- ers say that though airlines TICKET FARE have added frequencies, the area According to an airline offi- needs an independent civil air- cial, the one way ticket price, port with high capacity to han- Blame game begins over Mullaperiyar verdict which ranges between Rs6,000 dle tourists as well as defence and Rs10,000, can even reach personnel. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The blame meant to bat for Kerala. For that, Kerala’s Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been at logger- Rs20,000 per seat due to high “We do require a new civil game over the Supreme Court’s verdict counsel should have argued. Expert opinions heads over the Mullaperiyar dam, built under demand. airport which will help us grow striking down the 2006 Kerala act which have shown that this dam was reinforced three an 1886 agreement between the then Maharaja A Boeing 737-700 or an Airbus tourism potential in the region. restricted the water level in Mullaperiyar times and that’s a very successful technique of Travancore and the erstwhile British Raj. A320 with a maximum pas- The current airport can only dam took a turn yesterday with a state min- and is being used to protect old buildings. The While the dam is located in Kerala, its senger capacity, which ranges accommodate a limited number ister questioning the sincerity of a member, dam’s safety was also vouched by experts,” waters serve Tamil Nadu. Kerala is seeking around 160-180 passengers, gar- of passengers,” Phuntsog Dorjay, appointed in the empowered committee on said Thomas. a new dam and has offered to build and fund ners enough revenue to make the a tour guide and travel industry the dam. The Apex Court shot down Kerala’s demand it but Tamil Nadu has not agreed to this and routes extremely profitable. entrepreneur, said. State Water Resources Minister P J Joseph for a new dam and ruled that the dam was has been engaged in a long and protracted While a number of visitors The main tourist season in the came down heavily on Justice (retd) K T safe, contrary to the claims of Kerala, which legal battle. use highways connected from cold desert region which is also Thomas, who had welcomed the apex court’s said the 119-year-old dam was leaking and This issue would now come up at the all- Srinagar and Manali, a majority home to exotic wildlife, beautiful verdict last week. “It was not fair on the part should be decommissioned. “It was the Apex party meeting called here today by Chief of them are air travellers, thereby lakes and ancient monasteries of Thomas to say like that and hence one has Court that asked Kerala to nominate one per- Minister Oommen Chandy to discuss what making the routes profitable both starts from mid-May and ends to suspect his actions,” Joseph told reporters. son to the empowered committee and that’s needs to be done as the government has the ways. around early period of August. “I was put in the empowered committee how Thomas became a member,” said former already decided to file a review petition. Even cargo business to and IANS which was a fact finding mission and not Idukki MP Francis George. IANS

MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Battle of the Queens

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Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Clear Clear Hazy at places and partly cloudy. High: 41° High: 41° High: 37° Low: 30° Low: 29° Low: 27°

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 04:51 18:11 02:15 & 16:15 09:15 & 22:00 05-15/18 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

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MUSCAT 39/30 Clear 39/31 Clear MAKKAH 39/26 Clear 40/25 Clear Two Herens cows lock horns as referees carrying sticks look on during the qualification round of the annual “Battle of the Queens”, a traditional KUWAIT 39/30 Partly cloudy 38/26 Chance of rain Swiss cow-fighting competition, in Aproz, in the western Alpine canton of Valais, yesterday. BAHRAIN 37/30 Partly cloudy 37/29 Partly cloudy SANAA 28/14 Thunderstorm 27/14 Chance of storm RIYADH 39/27 Partly cloudy 37/26 Clear DUBAI 36/28 Clear 36/29 Clear Astronaut gives graduation speech from space BAGHDAD 37/23 Chance of rain 35/22 Partly cloudy

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW STORRS Connecticut: times during the pre-recorded Mastracchio, 54, who is on an because of space exploration and HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER University of Connecticut alum- address for the 400 graduates eight-month stint on the space this was a perfect way to bring nus Rick Mastracchio took a and a crowd of about 5,000 at the station, then floated upside more reality to our dreams.” ATHENS 27/19 Partly cloudy 28/19 Partly cloudy break from orbiting the globe on university. “I could not be there down, before spinning back to an Mastracchio, who will return WASHINGTON 33/17 Partly cloudy 31/17 Chance of storm the International Space Station with you on this big day, but being upright position, bringing laughs to Earth next week aboard a SYDNEY 23/14 Chance of storm 23/13 Clear to deliver an address to stu- in space I was trying to figure out and cheers from graduates and Russian spacecraft after complet- LONDON 17/08 Thunderstorm 18/07 Chance of storm dents graduating from the uni- how to make this speech different their families. ing his fourth trip into space, had PARIS 16/09 Rain 15/08 Chance of storm versity’s School of Engineering than all the other commencement “I probably have the best job on a final message as he grabbed and ISTANBUL 21/15 Clear 21/14 Partly cloudy on Saturday. addresses that are given each and off the planet,” he said. put on the UConn baseball cap. MANILA 34/24 Partly cloudy 34/25 Chance of storm With a large black UConn year,” he said. Kazem Kazerounian, dean of “Go Huskies,” he said, referring DHAKA 36/28 Thunderstorm 38/28 Chance of storm banner and UConn baseball cap “And then I realised — I’m in the engineering school, who set to the nickname for the school’s DELHI 35/21 Chance of storm 34/21 Chance of storm floating behind him, Mastracchio a weightless environment. So up the speech from space, said: sports teams, as he spun upside ISLAMABAD 26/18 Thunderstorm 29/17 Partly cloudy hovered between two space suits maybe, I should give the speech “Many of us, faculty and students, down again. and spun upside down several in a different orientation.” were inspired to become engineers REUTERS Woman fights Hitler’s neighbour looks back in horror in new book python to BERLIN: Edgar Feuchtwanger, — and then he got into his car.” said his family at first had only an by his native German. the Theresienstadt concentration the son of a prominent German Feuchtwanger, who said several abstract sense of the danger posed “But of course we didn’t realise camp. When the war broke out Jewish family with roots in Jewish families lived in the neigh- to them by the National Socialists how radical that threat was, how in September 1939, Feuchtwanger save pet dog Bavaria going back centu- bourhood, made eye contact with and their personable neighbour. lethal it would get. My father had was beginning a new life at a ries, vividly remembers nearly Hitler, who looked at him “quite “He went around Germany got that quite wrong.” British boarding school. in Hong Kong bumping into his neighbour pleasantly”. “I have to emphasise ceaselessly and he tended to That changed during the His start was difficult, with the Adolf Hitler as a boy. that if he had known who I was, I come into Munich at the end Kristallnacht pogrom of English boys making fun of his It was 1933 and Hitler, who had wouldn’t be here,” he said. of the week, spend a short time November 9-10, 1938, when his German name, calling him “fish HONG KONG: A woman used just become German chancellor, “Just my name would have been — he sometimes went to his father Ludwig, who worked for finger” and “Volkswagen”. a pocket knife to fight off a huge kept a sprawling flat on Munich’s like a red rag to him.” favourite restaurant, the Osteria a publishing house until he was But he would go on to outlive Burmese python which attacked elegant Prinzregentenplatz next He was referring to the fact — and then he would move stripped of his job, was swept up Hitler, study at Cambridge, marry her dog while out walking in door to Feuchtwanger’s family home. that he was a Jew, but also to his on to his mountain retreat at in the mass arrests. a British general’s daughter and a Hong Kong country park, a Eight years old at the time, he famous uncle, Lion Feuchtwanger, Berchtesgaden,” he said. He was seized at their flat, within become a history professor at the report said yesterday. had been taken by his nanny for one of the most popular German “After about 1935-36, you view of Hitler’s front window, and University of Southampton. Courtney Link told the Sunday a walk when they nearly collided authors of the early 20th century. couldn’t any longer walk past held at the Dachau concentration He said French journalist Bertil Morning Post the five-metre with the country’s most power- He penned a scathing 1930 his front door. You were kept to camp north of Munich for six ter- Scali approached him a few years snake had coiled itself around ful man. satire of the Nazi leader called the opposite side of the road but rifying weeks. Lion Feuchtwanger ago with the idea of a “literary” her 24kg mongrel Dexter last “It so happened that just at the Success, which for a time ran you could see these cars parked had already fled for France in 1933 memoir that would expand on the weekend. moment when we were in front neck-and-neck with Hitler’s Mein there so I knew he was there even because his books were banned and given facts. “When I suddenly saw the of his door, he came out. He was Kampf in the bestseller rankings. before I left the house.” burned by the Nazis. The German publication in snake’s head, I just started stab- in a nearly white mackintosh,” Feuchtwanger, who is 89, is Feuchtwanger believes he as a He and a few other relatives April has drawn wide media bing furiously”, Link said, adding Feuchtwanger said. about to go on a German tour for child had a keener sense of what pooled together to give Ludwig the coverage, with Munich-based she resorted to using the knife “We were in his way. He looked a book of his own, When Hitler his thoroughly German Jewish then hefty sum of 1,000 British national daily Sueddeutsche only after hitting the serpent at me and there were a few casual Was Our Neighbour, starting, of parents and their friends could pounds upon his release that Zeitung saying it read like a with her fists had failed to make bystanders in the street — it was course, in Munich. not believe: that the country they would allow the family to escape “spooky fairy tale — more Franz it release the dog. about half past eight in the morn- He now lives in Britain, where loved would turn on them with the Third Reich. Fourteen-year- Kafka than the Brothers Grimm”. The snake finally loosened its ing and they of course shouted his parents were able in 1938 such speed, hatred and, finally, old Edgar was sent to England Feuchtwanger, who is still look- grip and slithered away, leaving ‘Heil Hitler!’. He just lifted his hat to buy a visa that would save bloodlust. first and his parents joined him ing for an English publisher, said the dog with bite wounds on its a little bit, as any democratic poli- the family’s lives just as the “We were aware of the threat two months later. his birthplace now seemed com- chest and legs. tician would do — he didn’t give noose was tightening around probably even in 1932,” he said, His aunt Bella, however, stayed pletely transformed. A spokeswoman for the the (straight-armed Nazi) salute Germany’s Jews. Feuchtwanger his English still lightly accented behind in Prague and would die at AFP Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department confirmed a dog had been attacked by a Burmese python. Burmese pythons are one of the world’s largest snakes Make way for ducklings on and can grow to six metres long and weigh more than 100 kilograms. They are Hong Kong’s biggest 12th floor, New York style natural predator and are a pro- tected species in the territory. NEW YORK: Tina Chen has born this season high atop New ahead,” Gewirtz said. “They They are rarely sighted but her hands full as a New York York City buildings, wildlife want to lay their eggs where snake attacks on dogs are not City actress, director and now experts say. there are no predators, but unknown. surrogate mother to 16 duck- Chen is feeding them meals they’re not scoping out where In 2007, a woman rescued her lings that have hatched on twice a day of duck pellets and there are food sources and water pet dog following a fight with her high-rise apartment roof shredded greens, putting out sources. a 4.5-metre python and the deck. water for them to swim in and “They have to depend on the previous year a 22-kilogram Local mallards, seeking safe cleaning up after them, which she kindness of strangers,” she said. husky was crushed to death by spots for their nests, have an says is no small task. A licensed animal rehabilita- a snake. eye for prime real estate and “It’s really a lot of work. The tor, Gewirtz will move these and AFP often nest on high floors on poop out there is tremendous,” she other city ducklings to Central Manhattan’s affluent Upper East said. “That’s a lot of ducklings.” Park or to safe sanctuaries in the and West sides, experts say. Michelle Gewirtz, a volunteer suburbs before they try to fly on These 16 baby birds born a at New York’s Wild Bird Fund their own. week ago, are enjoying the hos- rehabilitation centre, has been Ducklings start to fly at six to pitality of Chen, whose 12th- rescuing baby ducks such as eight weeks, she said. Wild ducklings eat out of a feeder on a high rise apartment roofdeck on the floor deck between Madison and those at Chen’s apartment for The nesting tradition at Chen’s Upper East Side section of New York. Park Avenues has been home to nine years. apartment started with this wild ducklings for the last four Duck mothers look for safe mother duck’s own mother, the Chen said she has not named now so she should have a good years. nesting spots but their planning actress said. Most ducklings sur- the babies but might give their name,” Chen said. “I have to give They are the first of what is can fall short, she said. vived, although some fell victim to mother a name. her a lucky name.” likely to be as many as ten broods “They’re not really thinking harsh weather or predators. “She comes back every year, REUTERS Monday 12 May 2014 13 Rajab 1435 Volume 19 Number 6063 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QE investors richer by QR95.8bn in 2013 Market capitalisation of the bourse up at QR555.6bn from QR459.8bn in 2012

DOHA: Investors on the Qatari (pictured) lauds the country’s In 2013, the QE benchmark investors slightly increased to months during 2013. Demand was bourse (Qatar Exchange) financial regulators for taking index reached 10,379.59 points, 968,343 in 2013 from 964,548 in higher for three-month T-Bills became richer by QR95.8bn decisions to propel Qatar as a an increase by 24.17 percent com- 2012. Qatari investors comprised with 1.305 million subscriptions. ($26.3bn) in 2013 as the market regional financial and capital pared to 8,358.94 points at the end 295,279 and 673,064 non-Qataris The nominal value of all issued capitalisation of the bourse rose markets hub in the preamble of of December 2012. in 2013 while previous year it was T-Bills added up to QR33.95bn, a to QR555.6bn ($152.6bn) at the the 2013 Annual Report. In 2013, the value of traded 294,423 and 670,125 respectively. drop by 19.28 percent compared end of last year from QR459.8bn He hails a series of decisions shares reached QR74.8bn The number of registered to QR43.3bn in 2012. ($126.3bn) in 2012. taken by regulators here last year ($20.4bn), a growth of 5.96 investors in 2013 was 295,279 The volume of trading increased The growth in the market capi- to expand Qatar into a regional percent compared to QR71bn comprising 290,496 Qatari indi- in 2013. The value of 401,000 talisation or the market value of financial hub that won the secu- ($19.45bn) in 2012. vidual investors and 4,783 Qatari traded T-Bills reached QR3.98bn the listed shares in 2013 works rities’ market status upgrade, New shares listed by companies institutions. The number of reg- from 51 transactions compared to out to 20.8 percent. membership to nodal bodies, to increase their capital added istered traders in 2013 was 25,063 QR793m from 25 transactions of The numbers of investors on international recognition, and up to 247.2 million share which comprising 24,616 Qatari and 447 80,100 traded T-Bills in 2012. the QE inched closer to a million attract foreign direct investments increased QE’s total shares to Qatari institutions. Trading in government bonds in 2013, to 968,343. Of them, only as well as foreign technology. 10.536 billion in 2013 compared The number of registered debuted in 2013. The traded 295,279 were Qataris. The QFMA played a pivotal to 10.288 billion shares in 2012. non-Qatari investors in 2013 was value reached QR1.5bn with Qatar News Agency (QNA), role in drafting a unified strat- Although QE noted an increase 673,064, comprising 670,193 indi- trading 150,000 bonds from 17 up 107.6 percent from 1,622.53 in quoting QE regulator, Qatar egy to boost financial services and in volume of trade, the number viduals and 2,871 institutions. The transactions. 2012. QE’s percentage change was Financial Markets Authority’s human resources over the next of traded shares declined by 20.2 number of registered non-Qatari Regulators named a central higher than Muscat Securities annual report for 2013, reported five years that planners launched percent to 1,937,534,283 in 2013 traders was 21,145, comprising depository last year to clear and Market (+19.2 percent) and yesterday that the securities mar- last year. The Authority co-oper- compared to 2,428,190,041 in 20,403 individuals and 742 insti- settle QE transactions. QE stood Bahrain bourse (+17.2 percent). ket comprising stocks, treasury ated with other regulators such 2012. The 961,811 transactions tutions in 2013. fifth in a comparison of the per- QE came second in terms of bills and government bonds ended as Qatar Central bank (QCB) registered in 2013 is a growth by Qatar debt market saw listing centage change in indices of GCC market value ($152.2bn) after 2013 with significant growth rates. and Qatar Financial Centre 9.09 percent compared to 881,638 3.39 million short-term Treasury markets in 2013 from 2012 data. Saudi Stock Exchange ($459.45bn) QFMA Chairman H E Sheikh Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) transactions in 2012. Bills (T-Bills) with maturity Dubai Stock Exchange index among GCC markets. Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani to this end, he said. The total number of registered terms of three, six and nine topped, closing 1023 at 3,369.81 THE PENINSULA

Real estate market Protest against green energy Fitch upgrades International remains stable Islamic ratings

DOHA: Qatar’s real estate maintained the top spot by DOHA: International credit rat- market remained firm in April recording the highest value of ings agency ‘Fitch Ratings’ has with rents and transactions transaction registering transac- upgraded Qatar International maintain upward trend. tion worth of QR2.6bn making Islamic Bank’s (QIIB) Long- Upmarket West Bay witnessed an approximate 56 percent of term Issuer Default Ratings highest rentals with average overall transaction value across (IDR) to ‘A’ from ‘A-’ with a sta- monthly rental price for vil- all real estate assets. Villa trans- ble outlook. las, mainly compounds, ranged actions recorded the second high- In a press statement yester- between QR20,000 and QR35,000 est transaction value recording day, International Islamic, one of in April, according to Century 21 QR1.3bn worth of transaction Qatar’s leading Shariah-compliant Qatar’s monthly report. deals making 28 percent of the lender said that the upgrade of Qatar real estate market total transaction value. QIIB’s IDR is driven by a revi- recorded QR4.7bn worth of Buildings recorded transac- sion of its Support Rating Floors real estate deals in 935 trans- tions worth reaching QR425m (SRFs) International Islamic’s actions during April. Al Waab standing at an equivalent of 9 viability rating (VR) reflects area remained the most popular percent while other mixed and its high sector and single-name area for medium to high income uncategorised real estate assets financing concentrations, which bracket with villa rental ranged recorded transaction value reach- increases the risk of fluctuation between QR14,000 and QR 26,000. ing QR334m cover an approxi- in asset quality, and its relatively The lowest villa rental could mate 7 percent of overall value. small franchise. The VR also fac- be found in Al Dhakhira and In terms of number of deals, Activists wear caricature heads of Germany’s Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel (left) and Chancellor tors in the bank’s sound funding Al Khor where rental ranged vacant plots registered high- Angel Merkel during a protest against Germany’s shift to green energy and away from nuclear power and profile, with a more diversified between QR6,000 and QR12,000. est deals with 682 transactions fossil fuels in Berlin. funding base than some peers, Apartments in Dafna and West making 73 percent of total trans- and solid liquidity. Bay between 1 bedroom and 3 actions, followed by villas with International Islamic is well bedroom ranged between QR9,000 recorded 228 transactions making managed and upside to the VR and QR19,000, respectively, while 24 percent of total transactions. could arise if the bank was able to Old Airport they ranged between The transactions distribution Qatar bourse at new high, Dubai drops reduce borrower concentrations. QR4,000 and QR7,500. Rentals across the seven municipality A material weakening of asset in Al Sadd, Bin Mahmood and witnessed Doha lead transaction DUBAI: Dubai’s bourse posted volume fell 40 percent compared Abu Dhabi’s index fell 1.2 per- quality severely affecting profit- Al Mansoora ranged between value reaching QR2.1bn covering its biggest daily loss in a month with last Thursday. cent to 4,988 points, breaking ability and capital, which Fitch QR7,000 and QR12,000. 45 percent of the total. Al Rayyan yesterday as retail investors It faces resistance at the psy- through support at 5,000 points. considers unlikely, would put Premium office rental rate registered the second highest booked profits, while Qatar’s chologically important 13,000 point Saudi Arabia’s index pulled back downward pressure on the VR. per square metre per month in transaction value with QR1.1 bn. benchmark hit a new all-time level and then at 13,069 points, the 0.2 percent, dragged down by banks Abdulbasit Al Shaibei, ECO Doha ranged between QR160 Al Daayen is third highest with closing high, buoyed in part by historical intra-day high. Masraf and cement makers. of International Islamic, said: and QR220. The standard office QR0.5bn followed by Umm Salal the imminent upgrade of the Al Rayan was the main support, Shares in Riyad Bank fell 1.3 “Considerable efforts made spaces range between QR120 with QR425m. Al Wakra and Gulf state to emerging market gaining 0.9 percent. percent and Samba Financial towards the effect have paid off and QR150 per square metre per Al Khor recorded QR332m and status. Dubai’s index dropped 3.1 percent Group was down 1.1 percent. and it reflects the short and long month, while budget office spaces QR157m and Al Shamal on the Qatar’s bourse rose 0.3 percent and Emaar Properties and Emirates Yamamah Saudi Cement and term strategy laid by the QIIB are let between QR80 and QR110. bottom with QR49m. to a new all-time closing high of NBD were the main drags, down 1.9 Yanbu Cement Co fell 2.2 and 1.7 Board of Directors. During April, vacant plots THE PENINSULA 12,995 points, although trading and 3.2 percent, respectively. percent, respectively. REUTERS THE PENINSULA BlackBerry steps up fightback with new Indonesian phone

JAKARTA: BlackBerry will tech giant Foxconn, which makes iPhone and handsets using the As part of its turnaround recent years. The phone has a five $200 — will be a particular sell- this week launch a new budget gadgets for Apple, and is a key Google Android operating system. strategy, the smartphone maker inch (13 centimetre) touchscreen, ing point. handset in Indonesia, one of test of whether the new strategy Recent years have been dismal for announced the tie-up with like most of BlackBerry’s newest Previous phones released on its last bastions, a major step will work. BlackBerry, and it has suffered Foxconn in December, which handsets which do not have the the new BlackBerry 10 operating in the ailing smartphone mak- The company believes the heavy losses and slashed thou- involves transferring to the physical keyboards of the older system in Indonesia were more er’s fightback against titans device will be a hit in Indonesia, sands of jobs. Taiwan company manufacturing devices. expensive, such as the Z10 which Samsung and Apple. where many have remained loyal The company even put itself up and inventory management, while It is designed specifically with sold for around $700, and received The Z3, which is designed for to BlackBerry, with a spokesman for sale last year but abandoned allowing BlackBerry to focus on Indonesian consumers in mind. only a lukewarm response. Indonesia but will likely be intro- saying that “this product will hopes of finding a buyer several software and services. The BBM messaging service — Online pre-orders, which began duced in other emerging markets deliver something that should months later, and ousted chief BlackBerry has chosen to wildly popular in Indonesia — on April 28, have been healthy, later, is the first new BlackBerry resonate with consumers”. executive Thorsten Heins. Since launch its first new phone from comes loaded with pictures of according to retailers. phone since Chief Executive John But analysts believe it may Chen took over, there have been the partnership in Indonesia, local cartoon characters for users “The response is positive and Chen took the helm of the crisis- already be too late for a comeback small signs of improvement. The Southeast Asia’s biggest econ- to send to one another. hundreds of units were sold in less hit company in November. by the company that pioneered company reported a loss of $423 omy with legions of social media- There is also a limited edition than a week after the pre-order The handset is also the first to modern smartphone culture million in the three months to mad young consumers, where its with “Jakarta” engraved on it. started,” said an employee at ven- be produced from the Canadian but has been unable to keep up March 1, which was not as bad devices remain popular but it BlackBerry believes the low dor Global Teleshop, who declined firm’s partnership with Taiwanese with competition from Apple’s as had been feared. has nevertheless lost ground in price — it will retail for around to be identified. AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Free Internet on NY buses Tribunal upholds US economic action of QFC Regulatory growth could Authority DOHA: Disciplinary action taken by the QFC Regulatory Authority to fine Karim Paul top 3pc in Q2 Noujaim $20,000 and prohibit him from being employed by any authorised firm in the QFC, as a result of his serious mis- Strength may not be clear for months conduct, has been upheld by the QFC Regulatory Tribunal. DUBAI: The US economy US and global economies,” he said. The QFC Regulatory Authority should accelerate in the second Fed Chair Janet Yellen said in her found that, while being the most quarter to an annual growth testimony to Congress earlier this senior employee of the QFC rate of 3 percent or more, but it week a slumping housing market branch of JP Morgan, Noujaim may not be clear for some time and geopolitical tensions risked committed serious misconduct if the pick-up is sustainable, a undermining the economy. including failing to act with Federal Reserve official said Lockhart said that, gener- integrity in his position and act- yesterday. ally, he saw the housing market ing with dishonesty. Specifically, Federal Reserve Bank of improving and contributing to the while he was an approved individ- Atlanta President Dennis brighter economic picture. ual, Noujaim forged the signature Lockhart also said he expected Asked about his growth fore- Passengers line up to board Megabus buses in New York City. Discount US carriers are luring a new genera- of JP Morgan’s Chief Financial the US central bank to have run cast for the second quarter, he tion of riders from young tourists to business travellers with amenities such as free Internet and leather seats. and Operating Officer on a let- down its bond-buying programme told reporters: “It is little early ter he submitted to a local Qatar by its October or December meet- to say based on data. But I am bank to support a personal finan- ing and to start raising interest pretty confident it will be at or cial application by Noujaim. rates in the second half of next exceed 3 percent.” The regulatory authority made year. The economy hardly grew To help the US economy Solid regional partnerships key this decision in September 2013 in the first quarter but has gath- recover from a deep recession, the and Noujaim appealed the deci- ered pace since. Philadelphia Fed Fed has kept overnight interest sion to the QFC Regulatory President Charles Plosser said on rates near zero since late 2008. Tribunal, as he was entitled to Thursday he expected full-year But it has begun scaling back its to petrochemical industry growth do under QFC Law. growth of 3 percent. bond-buying programme — aimed After hearing the matter, the Speaking to a business gather- at pushing down borrowing costs DOHA: Strong regional multi- are exported.” The GCC exported benefit the emerging railway Tribunal found that Noujaim’s ing in Dubai, Lockhart was more — in recent months amid signs stakeholder partnerships will approximately 79 percent of its network. “For rail to succeed, misconduct was serious and had circumspect. “It may not be clear of an upturn in the jobs market. be the key for a dynamic, flexible total product portfolio to 177 petrochemicals need to be trans- the potential to undermine con- for several months, or even quar- The Fed is still buying $45bn and growth-driven petrochemi- countries last year, amounting to ported on trains,” said Dr Rumaih fidence in the QFC financial sys- ters, whether the US economy is in bonds each month, which cals industry, said industry 63.4 million tonnes of chemicals, Al Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Railway tem. The Tribunal concluded that undeniably on a stronger and sus- Lockhart said should reach zero experts at the sixth Supply according to GPCA estimates. Company. “Railways will make a there was nothing excessive about tained growth path around a run by the central bank’s October or Chain conference, organised by Petrochemical exports for the return on investment only if it the financial penalty and that the rate of 3 percent,” he said. December meeting. the Gulf Petrochemicals and year were valued at 55.5bn. transports high- value freight, prohibition order was entirely Lockhart, who said he was With the economy having Chemicals Association (GPCA). Husain said that the only way like petrochemicals, across justified in order to protect the speaking in his personal capac- grown just 0.1 percent annually “The industry needs advanced to overcome logistics bottlenecks long- distances.” QFC and the public. ity, does not have a vote this year in the first quarter, in its April national and regional infrastruc- in the petrochemical industry is to A well-connected railway net- Michael Ryan, Chief Executive on the Fed’s policy-setting board, policy meeting the Fed stuck to ture if we are to succeed,” said strengthen partnerships between work will result in capacity and Officer of the QFC Regulatory but he participates in its discus- its view that near-zero interest Mohammad Husain, Chairman GCC government entities, border fuel savings, as well as environ- Authority said: “The public has sions and is considered to be near rates would be needed for a “con- of the GPCA Supply Chain and customs regulators, logistics mental benefits. “One train is the a right to expect that the people the centre of its policy spectrum. siderable time” after asset pur- Committee and Chief Executive service providers and educational equivalent of 600 trucks, which they deal with in the QFC uphold Turning to external growth chases ended. Officer of Equate. institutions. “The supply chain is can result in savings of 70 percent the principles of trust and integ- risks, Lockhart said tensions Lockhart said he expected Husain highlighted that the made up of many links, and we for fuel and greenhouse gas emis- rity. By acting as he did, Noujaim between Russia and the West interest rates to start to rise in expansion and introduction of will only be as strong as the links sions,” explained Dr Al Rumaih. seriously damaged these princi- over Ukraine were of a concern the latter half of 2015, adding: new land and sea transport infra- that make up the entire chain.” “The GCC petrochemicals indus- ples. The outcome of the QFC as they have a potential to desta- “Once rates begin to rise, I expect structure would make the Gulf’s Ambitious railway develop- try has seen astonishing growth Regulatory Tribunal’s decision, in bilise markets and economies. the process to normalisation of petrochemicals industry more ments in the Gulf region will over the last few years,” said Dr upholding the enforcement action “I think there is risk that interest rates to be gradual.” flexible, a trait that is necessary become a critical enabler for Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary- against Noujaim, underscores the heightened conflict could pro- According to a March summary for this export oriented sector. “If growth by facilitating intra- General of GPCA. Over 350 del- importance of the maintenance of duce volatility in global financial of expectations, Fed policymakers you look at Kuwait, for example, regional chemicals trade. The egates from 23 countries attended these principles in order to pro- and commodity markets that, if expect rates to rise in 2015. 95 percent of the products, be it growing capabilities of the pet- the sixth annual Supply Chain tect the integrity and reputation prolonged, could spill over to the REUTERS petrochemicals or oil and gas, rochemicals industry will likewise conference. THE PENINSULA of the QFC.” QNA

Progress made on Pfizer guarantees: PM Dubai agrees $1.7bn sale

LONDON: British Prime and my team of ministers has Pfizer on Saturday sought to Soriot has secured the back- Minister David Cameron said done, to make sure we get good fight back against the mounting ing of several high-profile share- of Mauser to CD&R yesterday he had made very guarantees and the best deal for criticism, saying Britain’s exper- holders, but others have said they good progress in securing guar- Britain. We’ve made some very tise in research was a key reason would like him to engage with DUBAI: Private equity firm by DIC from JP Morgan’s buyout antees from Pfizer over the US good progress.” for the deal. Chief Executive Ian Pfizer if the US group makes an Clayton Dubilier & Rice unit in 2007, in a deal which val- drugmaker’s $106bn bid to buy Pfizer has already given a five- Read will take that message with improved offer. Under British (CD&R) has agreed a deal to ued the firm at €850m. AstraZeneca. year commitment to complete him when he appears before two takeover rules, Pfizer has until buy Germany-based packag- At one stage it seemed the Pfizer’s pursuit of Britain’s AstraZeneca’s new research cen- panels of British lawmakers this May 26 to make a firm bid for ing group Mauser from Dubai Mauser sale would be part of second-largest drugmaker has tre in Cambridge, retain a factory week to face questions over the AstraZeneca or walk away. International Capital (DIC) for an auction involving two other sparked a political storm in in the northwestern English town takeover. Though the government has around €1.25bn ($1.72bn), two DIC assets — British engineering Britain, with the government ini- of Macclesfield and put a fifth of Pfizer is widely expected to only limited legal power to block sources familiar with the mat- group Doncasters and German tially accused of acting as cheer- its research staff in Britain if the come back with a sweetened any merger, Cameron said his ter said yesterday. alumina manufacturer Almatis — leader for what would be the deal goes ahead. offer for AstraZeneca this week, business secretary Vince Cable The deal is one of the largest but this is was scrapped and a sole country’s largest foreign takeover. But the US firm has also said though people familiar with the was examining the issue of a pub- asset disposals by a state-owned process for Mauser was pursued. With the opposition Labour it could adjust those promises if matter said it was likely to wait lic interest test and would report investment fund in the emir- CD&R edged out interest party leading the complaints, circumstances change “signifi- until after the select committee back to parliament to give his ate since its debt crisis at the from a number of other parties, Cameron is now seeking to protect cantly”, prompting demands for hearings on May 13 and 14. findings. turn of the decade, which forced including a joint bid from buyout jobs and scientific research while more watertight pledges. The British group has rejected But the Prime Minister, head a number of these vehicles to firm Ardian in combination with also sending the message that “Don’t underestimate the successive approaches from its of the free-market Conservative reschedule debt worth billions of industry rival Technoplast and Britain remains open to invest- power of some of the things they larger American rival, and Chief Party, noted that Britain did not dollars. one from Pamplona. ment from foreign companies. have already said, about making Executive Pascal Soriot has been want to be seen to be pulling up DIC declined to comment, The New York-headquartered “I think the right thing to do sure, for instance, that 20 percent on a roadshow with advisers to the drawbridge to foreign com- while no one at CD&R could be fund is lining up a syndicated is to engage,” Cameron told BBC of their R&D jobs will be here in meet leading investors and lay panies and said AstraZeneca had reached for comment outside of loan of around 1 billion euros Television. “To get stuck in with the UK,” Cameron said. “Now I out his strategy for a prosperous itself benefited from buying for- normal business hours. to back the purchase, or 6.25 these companies, as I’ve done want more.” independent future. eign companies. REUTERS The Dubai fund, part of Dubai times Mauser’s roughly €154m Holding, the personal investment in EBITDA (earnings before vehicle of the emirate’s ruler, interest, taxes, depreciation and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al amortisation). Greece’s jobless rate improves Maktoum, was advised by Bank of The loan is likely to be cove- Wajahat Husain is America-Merrill Lynch . CD&R nant-light and a mix of dollars was assisted by Credit Suisse, and euros, split between first and UBL President, CEO according to the sources. second lien leveraged loans, bank- Mauser was put up for sale ear- ing sources had said previously. DOHA: The Board of Directors lier this year, having been bought REUTERS of United Bank Ltd (UBL) appointed Wajahat Husain as the new President and CEO of UBL. The appointment is with effect from 1 June 2014, subject to State Bank of Pakistan and other reg- Dubai bourse changes ulatory approvals, a company statement said yesterday. Chairman of UBL, Sir trading session structure Mohammed Anwar Pervez, OBE, Hilal-e-Pakistan, said: “Wajahat DUBAI: Dubai Financial to the market. Under the new Husain is a consummate banker Market (DFM) will introduce rule, orders submitted within with a proven track record of a pre-closing period to its trad- the last 10 minutes of trading, building businesses and driving ing sessions from May 14 that 1350 to 1400 local time (0950- performance. His appointment is will make closing prices more 1000 GMT), will accumulate for a testament to the management predictable and eliminate large completion at closing. The bourse depth within UBL and Bestway last-minute swings, the bourse did not explain how orders would Group’s commitment to succes- said yesterday. then be executed, but a Dubai- sion planning.” DFM said the move was timed based trader said the exchange Husain, who is currently the to come ahead of the inclusion would hold an auction where a Head of International Group at of the United Arab Emirates in single price is set for all trades UBL, has had a distinguished 30 A woman stands inside a Greek Manpower Employment Organisation office in Athens. Greece’s jobless rate the list of emerging markets by using a matching algorithm. This year banking career both within improved in February to its lowest rate in more than a year, in another sign the Greek economy is emerging index compiler MSCI at the end becomes the closing price. Such and outside Pakistan. from a crippling six-year slump. of this month, which is expected a procedure is common practice THE PENINSULA to bring more foreign investors internationally. REUTERS MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

IMF hopes Kiev Venezuela auto industry collapses will honour its Currency shortfalls hit industry commitments

CARACAS: Venezuelans, who to buy them at a higher rate at RABAT: International enjoy free highways and dirt- government-run auctions. Many Monetary Fund Chief Christine cheap gas, are struggling to companies have complained that Lagarde said that she “strongly buy cars as production falters Caracas is not providing them hoped” Ukraine would honour thanks to a lack of foreign cur- with enough hard currency. commitments linked to a $17bn rency to pay for imported parts. The currency controls, in place aid package agreed last month Vehicle assembly plants are fac- since 2003, have led to shortages but which could be reviewed. ing their worst year in the oil-rich of a wide range of basic necessi- The IMF said in a report last Opec nation, producing five times ties, and fueled an inflation rate week that the rescue programme fewer vehicles than last year due hovering just under 60 percent. would have to be “re-designed” if to the lack of imported supplies So far this year, government Kiev loses control of the economi- amid an economic crisis that data shows that the auto sector cally important eastern region began last year. has received less than one percent to pro-Russian separatists. “We Most economic experts blame of foreign exchanges granted to are following the situation very the South American country’s importers, at a time of high infla- closely and we strongly hope the problems on a decade of rigid tion, and shortages of food and Ukrainian authorities will respect currency and price controls, as medicine. the commitments of the pro- well rising debt, dependence on Consequently, auto production gramme,” Lagarde said. imports and stagnant economic saw a sharp drop of 82.6 per- She confirmed Kiev had growth. Four of the seven assem- cent so far this year compared received the first $3.2bn tranche bly plants in the country — owned to 2013, according to Venezuela’s of IMF aid, first announced by by Chrysler, Ford, Iveco and Automotive Chamber. the Ukraine’s central bank on Toyota — have gradually stopped A total of 104,000 units were An empty car concessionaire store in Caracas. Wednesday. production since February. produced in 2012. Last year that “What it hinges on for us is the Foreign carmakers must go number fell to 72,000 units and, address their factories’ currency The crisis of vehicle produc- have turned in recent years to determination of the authorities through a complex bureaucratic during the first quarter of 2014, settlements, estimated at almost tion and supply is nothing new. buying cars as a way to hedge to respect their commitments and process to obtain dollars. only 3,990 were produced. The $2.8bn. Dealerships across the board against inflation, currently four implement them,” Lagarde said. Venezuela is only providing the industry has been halved in five Although the government have almost no units to sell, and times the interest rate on bank The rescue package is part US currency at the official rate years. announced that GM would not many only keep their doors open deposits. But as demand exceeds of a larger $27bn deal involving of 6.3 bolivars to the dollar to Faced with this crisis, President close its plants this year, union to provide maintenance services. supply, many have to resort to the loans from the World Bank and importers of designated priority Nicolas Maduro’s government leaders had previously said that Customers often have to wait a used car market, where vehicles the European Union aimed at goods such as food and medical summoned this week local rep- the company’s two factories would full year to obtain a vehicle they are more expensive than new strengthening the country under supplies. Others who need dol- resentatives of Chrysler, Ford, stop production in May because have ordered. ones, whose prices are controlled its new pro-Western government. lars to pay overseas bills have General Motors and Toyota to they had no input. The middle and upper classes by the government. AFP AFP

South Korea’s imported car Portuguese economy gets double ratings boost LISBON: The Portuguese econ- Ireland by foregoing a credit line. debt rating said a further upgrade one percentage point more than to the public debt markets and in sales up 25.5pc omy received a double boost last Portugal’s Prime Minister Pedro was possible as the country begins expected last year, “indicating the addition the government has built week as ratings agency Moody’s Passos Coelho on Thursday said to pull away from its financial government’s strong commitment up sizeable cash buffers.” raised its debt rating one notch Lisbon would present its plans for crisis. “Portugal’s fiscal situation to fiscal consolidation”. Its economic recovery “is gain- SEOUL: Imported car sales in to Ba2, hours after fellow agency the country’s financial future on has improved more rapidly than Portugal has already managed ing momentum, with signs of South Korea jumped 25.5 per- Standard & Poor’s upgraded the May 17, the day it exits its three- initially targeted and the public to return to debt markets before broadening beyond exports, which cent on-year in April, helped by country’s credit outlook. year €78bn ($108bn) bailout debt ratio will start declining this the end of its aid programme. continue to perform strongly”. better supply and promotional The announcements provided programme. year,” Moody’s said. Moody’s said Portugal will Moody’s said it has the coun- programmes. a timely vote of confidence after Unlike Ireland, however, A Ba2 rating leaves Portugal in not likely need to lean on the try now under review for another A total of 16,712 new foreign- Lisbon announced it will make Portugal has already managed to junk bond territory, two notches European Stability Mechanism upgrade, adding that the govern- made cars were sold in the a clean exit from its multi-bil- return to debt markets before the below investment grade. Moody’s for more protective support after ment’s creditworthiness “can one-month period, compared lion-euro EU-IMF bailout pack- end of its aid programme. noted that the country’s fis- it exits its bailout programme. improve” in the short term. with 13,320 units a year earlier, age, following in the footsteps of Moody’s, in raising Portugal’s cal deficit had been reduced by “Portugal has regained access AFP Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA) as saying. Annual foreign car sales hit a record high of 156,497 units in Yemen inflation slips to 2013. The latest tally also showed a 6.2 percent increase in car sales vis-a-vis March when foreign orig- lowest since Dec 2012 inal car equipment manufactur- ers sold 15,733 units. “The move by companies to improve supply DUBAI: Yemen’s annual infla- 2012 as political unrest in Yemen and better promotional campaigns tion rate eased to 6.7 percent in subsided and economic activity helped buoy sales,” KAIDA execu- February, its lowest level since showed signs of recovery from tive manager Yoon Dae-sung said. December 2012, mainly due to two years of turmoil. That led For the first four months of this reduced pressure from often the central bank to slash inter- year, the association said 61,146 volatile prices for food, tobacco est rates by 5 percentage points imported vehicles were sold in the and mild stimulant qat leaf, from October 2012 to February country, up a healthy 26.6 percent central bank data showed. 2013, bringing them to a three- from 48,284 units sold in the first The country saw annual con- year low of 15 percent. four months of 2013. sumer price growth slowing grad- Headline inflation averaged 7.1 The domestic market share of ually to 7.4 percent in January percent during this period and imported cars stood at 11.4 per- from a 16-month peak of 14.5 core inflation 7.3 percent. cent last month, down slightly percent last June. However, core The International Monetary from 11.5 percent in March. inflation, which excludes prices Fund forecast in its regional out- German luxury brands BMW of food, tobacco and qat leaf, look last week that Yemen’s infla- ranked No. 1 with Mercedes-Benz remained elevated at 8.8 percent tion would average 10.4 percent in coming in second in terms of sales. in February, slightly down from 2014. Consumer prices grew 11.0 This was followed by Volkswagen, 8.9 percent in the previous month, percent in 2013. Food inflation Audi and Ford. Japanese carmak- which was the highest level since decelerated to 4.4 percent year- ers Lexus, Toyota, Nissan and August 2012. The core measure on-year in February from 5.0 per- Honda all made the top 10 list, is partly held up by clothing and cent in January, the data showed. KAIDA said. BMW sold 3,625 footwear prices, which soared Price growth for tobacco, ciga- vehicles overall, with sales of 30.8 percent year-on-year for the rettes and qat leaf, which many Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen third month in a row in February, of the country’s 25 million people reaching 3,310 and 2,609 units, the data showed. chew daily, slipped to 9.3 percent respectively. QNA Inflation dived at the end of year-on-year. REUTERS

Ice cream demand goes up

Indian factory workers at their production lines at the Havmor Ice Cream Ltd plant at Naroda near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Havmor produces some 200,000 litres of ice cream daily from its two factories when demand for their products are high during the peak summer season . MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Infosys battles exodus, attrition rate hits 18.7pc Worries over career prospects and slow pay increases

MUMBAI: Infosys Ltd, once a the firm can assign enough tech- having more frequent reviews for bellwether for India’s $100bn- nicians to new projects. That sig- promotion, fast-tracking pro- plus IT outsourcing industry, is nal is weaker when the number of motion for high achievers and losing its cachet as the employer staff quitting a company rises to increasing the fixed component of choice for a generation of uncomfortable levels. It also does in paychecks. In the past year, young IT workers, with staff little to attract new hires in the it has also held more ‘town hall’ leaving at an unprecedented close-knit IT world. meetings and ‘jam sessions’ where pace as the Bangalore-based “We were all excited when staff can speak informally with company struggles to regain we joined Infy,” said Sandeep management. “Yes, as a company ground lost to rivals. Chaudhary, who last month quit we’re seeing challenges on growth, Current and former Infosys Infosys after two years to go and and when growth does not happen staff say morale has been dented work at a rival. “It has the best opportunities get limited so attri- by a series of senior management training and campus, but the tion rises,” Rao said. exits and worries about career company fails to utilise the train- He noted Infosys is hiring prospects as the company’s rev- ing it gives its employees.” aggressively in sales, and expected enue and pay increases grow at Infosys announced an average attrition rates would return a slower rate than at competi- 6-7 percent pay rise last month towards more acceptable levels tors such as Tata Consultancy for India-based staff, below the in the coming quarters. “We’re Services Ltd (TCS). average 10 percent raise at TCS. confident that once these changes Annual revenue in the year Third-ranked Wipro Ltd said it start sinking in ... and growth to end-March rose 24.2 percent, plans raises of 6-8 percent from comes back, attrition will come Employees in front of the Infosys campus in Bangalore. lagging growth of 29.9 percent at June. Offering lower pay increases down,” he said. TCS. The annualised rate of attri- than its rivals could mean attri- Some investors remain wary, the term ‘to be Bangalore-d’. and analysts say has hobbled the we begin to wonder if it’s a sink- tion at Infosys — effectively the tion levels at Infosys will rise fur- however. “If you lose too many New company hires are put on development of new leadership. ing ship,” said one Bangalore- number of staff leaving or retir- ther, UBS wrote in a client note people you have to redeploy a 23-week training programme A revamp, dubbed “Infosys based software consultant who ing — was a record 18.7 percent at last week. UBS cut its Infosys them and clients don’t like that. regarded as among the best in the 3.0”, aimed to move the company has worked at Infosys for six end-March, 2.4 percentage points stock rating to ‘Sell’ from ‘Buy’. I’d say it’s the biggest issue at industry, and work in a Silicon up the value chain but fell short years, but who didn’t want to be higher than a year earlier. That’s “Such high levels of attrition the company right now,” Bhavin Valley-style headquarters campus of expectations, prompting the named as company policy doesn’t close to a fifth of the company’s could impact revenue accelera- Shah, CEO of investment bank on sprawling grounds, with multi- return of Murthy from retire- allow staff to speak to the media. workforce of more than 160,000. tion,” it added. Equirius Capital, said by phone cuisine food courts and state-of- ment last June to try to revive Not everyone at Infosys wants The attrition rate at market Infosys President Pravin Rao, a from Ahmedabad, noting the high the-art gymnasiums. its fortunes. But his return, with out, and some said they were con- leader TCS was 11.3 percent. leading candidate to take over as levels of attrition made him cau- Employee stock options helped his son Rohan as his executive fident that Murthy’s turnaround India’s outsourcing services CEO when S D Shibulal retires tious on Infosys shares. make some of India’s first sala- assistant, saw at least nine senior efforts would succeed. “These are industry has relied for years on an in January, acknowledged that Infosys was founded in 1981 ried millionaires. In recent years, executives depart amid a reshuffle hard times for Infy and a lot of army of engineering graduates to attrition is higher than the 12-13 when seven engineers, including however, Infosys has been criti- of teams and titles. Some Infosys employees are leaving. But I think build so-called “bench strength”, percent rate the company is com- N R Narayana Murthy, pooled cised for not changing with the insiders say Murthy’s return was these measures taken by Mr key to winning new contracts fortable with. $250 — mostly borrowed from times, for being too conservative aimed at grooming Rohan for the Murthy are good,” said another in an increasingly competitive Rao said Infosys is taking steps their wives. The company’s rapid in chasing new business and, at top job, prompting confusion and 6-year Infosys ‘veteran’, who industry. A strong “bench” sig- to stem the flow of those leaving: growth kick-started the outsourc- times, for depending too much damaging morale. “When senior plans to stay. nals to prospective clients that restoring regular April pay rises, ing movement in India and coined on Murthy, which some investors management leaves in bunches, REUTERS

BoE faces guidance challenge as recovery picks up Australia to LONDON: Bank of England forward guidance as a policy last growing about the assumption lost to inflation in recent years. Economists mostly expect at invest $77bn Governor Mark Carney this year, shortly after Carney took that underpins the BoE’s relaxed But the pace of the turnaround least one policymaker to break week faces the growing chal- over and just as Britain’s economy stance: that productivity will grow and speculation that some BoE ranks and vote for a rate hike in lenge of explaining why the was kicking into top gear. on the back of strong demand. policymakers may be getting the coming months. in road central bank is signalling it is The Bank has said it thinks Britain’s surprisingly strong restless about keeping rates on As expectations grow that the in no rush to raise record low the recovery can carry on with- bounce-back has come with a hold will test Carney’s powers of BoE will raise rates ahead of the interest rates, even as Britain’s out inflation taking off, allowing it surge in hiring which the BoE did persuasion. “We think there are U.S. Federal Reserve, the pound infrastructure recovery picks up speed. to keep interest rates at 0.5 per- not predict and which shows little risks that the (news) conference last week hit its highest level The BoE is due to give new cent for possibly another year to sign of cooling. will reinforce the view that rates against the dollar in nearly five PERTH: The Australian inflation and growth forecasts nurse Britain’s economy back to Shortly before Carney begins could even rise this year,” econo- years. Economists said the Bank government will co-fund an and hold a news conference on full health. his news conference at 0930 GMT mists at BNP Paribas said in a will probably signal this week that A$82bn ($77bn) road infra- Wednesday against a backdrop Central to the argument is the on Wednesday, data is expected to note to clients. it is comfortable with the view in structure plan to help stimu- of soaring house prices in many BoE’s belief that companies can show the unemployment rate fell Capital Economics, a consul- markets that rates will start going late investment and create jobs parts of the country and a faster squeeze more out of their workers again to 6.8 percent in the three tancy, said it was possible that up in the first three months of as the impact of the country’s growth rate than any other big and machines as demand grows, months to March. the unity among policymakers on 2015 — just before Britain holds mining boom fades, Treasurer rich nation. avoiding a surge in wages that Britain’s economy remains a keeping rates unchanged ended national elections in May — a Joe Hockey said yesterday. The Bank has struggled to give could fuel inflation. Helping them touch smaller than before the at its meeting last week. Minutes calendar quarter earlier than it In a television interview ahead a clear steer about its interest rate has been a fall in price growth to financial crisis and wages are of that meeting will be published suggested at the time of its last of his government’s first annual outlook since adopting so-called a four-year low. But questions are only starting to recover ground on May 21. forecasts in February. REUTERS budget, to be delivered next week, Hockey announced the plan to spend more than A$40bn on roads over the next six years, China’s vehicle sales up to be topped up by some A$42bn from state governments and pri- Omani power firms set vate investors. “We are laying a plan for the biggest increase in road expenditure in Australian his- to double profits after tory,” Hockey told the Channel Nine Network. “That is tens of thousands of new jobs, but most initial share offerings importantly, it is going to address the significant drop-off in invest- DUBAI: Oman’s Al Batinah with Oman until 2028. According ment in construction in Australia Power Co and Al Suwadi Power to IPO documents, this will enable associated with mining invest- Co, which launched twin initial the companies to offer subscrib- ment coming off.” public share offers yesterday ers an average annual dividend He dubbed the economic blue- and are owned by the same con- yield of 8.1 percent over the next print his government will deliver sortium, will double their profits five years. Dividends will be paid on May 13 a “contribute and from 2014 to 2018 as they pay twice yearly, with the first divi- build” budget. Australia’s A$1.5 off start-up costs, a top execu- dend planned for June. trillion economy sailed through tive said. Al Batinah is selling 236.2 the global financial crisis, but a The firms, whose owners aim million shares at RO0.128 per slump in mining investment and to raise a combined RO62.7m share, for a total of RO30.2m. Al a sluggish response to record low ($163m) through the sale of 35 Suwadi is the larger of the two interest rates has hit government percent of each company, together IPOs, offering 250 million shares tax income as expenditure contin- provide just over a quarter of at RO0.13 per share, which would ues to grow. the electricity for Oman’s main raise RO32.5m if fully subscribed. Prime Minister Tony Abbott power grid — around the capi- Bank Muscat is acting as and his government have been tal, Muscat. The companies were financial adviser and lead man- preparing voters for big spending Employees assemble trucks at a production lines at a factory of the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd required to go public and list on ager. In the IPOs, 65 percent of cuts ahead of the May 13 budget (JAC Motors) in China’s Anhui province. China’s vehicle sales increased 8.8 percent year-on-year in April. the sultanate’s bourse under the the shares are reserved for retail to deal with deficits forecast at terms of their licences, having investors, with the remainder for A$47bn this year and totalling launched operations in April 2013. institutions and wealthy individu- A$123bn over the next four years. “If people are looking for robust als making orders of more than Abbott swept to power last and very predictable dividends 600,000 shares. Should the retail September promising to bring the Kuwait signs $12bn LNG deal with Shell this is a nice opportunity,” said or institutional tranches be under- budget back under control and Przemek Lupa, Chief Executive subscribed any extra subscriptions aiming to become known as “the KUWAIT: Kuwait’s state oil deal LNG supply deal with BP deal. Kuwait began importing of Al Suwadi Power and project in the other part can be utilised infrastructure prime minister.” group said it signed a six-year today, said Nasser Al Mudaf, head LNG in 2009 and signed deals manager for the two IPOs, said. to meet the shortfall. There are Hockey refused to comment on liquefied natural gas (LNG) of KPC’s international marketing with Shell and Swiss-based Al Suwadi’s net profits will rise no restrictions on foreign par- a widely speculated increase in supply deal with Royal Dutch division. trader Vitol to supply it from to RO10.9m in 2018 from RO4.8m ticipation, although no person or petrol tax, but said revenue from Shell yesterday, worth an esti- He did not provide the volume April to October, the period of this year, according to the IPO entity can acquire more than a 3.5 any such hike would be invested mated $12bn, as the major oil of the super-cooled gas that would peak power demand, for the last prospectuses, while Al Batinah’s percent stake in each company in road projects. “If we are going exporter seeks to meet energy be supplied by the companies. A four years. profits will rise to RO10.3m from through the IPO. The companies’ to make any changes to fuel excise demands for the hot summer Shell spokesman said he could not Surging air conditioning RO4.6m over the same period. shareholders will sell shares in the it will go into roads,” he said. months. comment on details of commer- demand in the scorching Middle Their earnings before tax, IPOs on a proportional basis. In the lead-up to the budget the The deal between Kuwait cial agreements. Eastern summer and a lack of interest, depreciation and amor- This means French utilities government has flagged a tempo- Petroleum Corp (KPC) and Shell Kuwait wants to burn LNG domestic supply mean Kuwait tisation will remain steady at group GDF Suez’s holding will rary income tax levy on higher was reported last month in a instead of resorting to diesel needs to import more gas each around RO30m a year while fall to 30 percent from 46 percent, income earners, a compulsory Kuwaiti newspaper but with no and crude oil, which have higher year to feed its power plants. finance charges from construct- while that of local firm Suhail new fee for visiting a doctor and financial details. harmful emissions, KPC said in a Kuwait signed an LNG deal ing the plants reduce over time. Bahwan Group will drop to 14 per- an increase in the retirement KPC also plans to sign a $3bn statement announcing the Shell with Qatar last month. REUTERS They have supply contracts cent from 22 percent. REUTERS age to 70. REUTERS MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Dollar rallies on possible Boom times for bank ECB June stimulus

NITIALLY, the US dollar traded lower against most Iof the major currencies trading have gone despite stronger Non-Farm BY JAMIE MCGEEVER Payroll readings the previous its total, well down from 82 percent in 2003. to follow Jenkins in terms of direction if week amid Fed Chair Yellen’s Weekly Money Market Review As new regulation bites and extraordinary not magnitude, and reduce the size of their testimony. Yellen reiterated that HE boom years of financial mar- monetary and economic policies smother FICC trading desk operations, analysts say. “a high degree of monetary accommodation remains warranted.” ket trading, when banks made extreme market swings, the trading vol- They are expected to continue cutting Nonetheless, she remained optimistic on the economy mention- unprecedented profits from umes and price volatility that middlemen costs, trimming headcount, and in some ing, “With the harsh winter behind us, many recent indicators bonds, currencies and com- banking traders thrive off has ebbed. cases, exit particular markets. UBS is with- suggest that a rebound in spending and production is already modities, may be over for good And it looks like a structural shift rather drawing from parts of fixed income trading underway.” Meanwhile, she noted that there is “no mechanical Tas financial firms realise there will be no than a cyclical or temporary lull. while Barclays has consolidated its G10 cur- formula or timetable” for when an interest rate hike will happen cyclical upswing on their dealing desks. “The revenues have gone. The world rency, emerging market foreign exchange but maintained that rates will stay near zero for a “consider- Even though it’s taken Western econo- has changed from 2007, 2008,” said Grant and precious metals trading operations. ing time” after ending QE. The dollar index dropped to as low mies several years to regain pre-crisis Peterkin, head of absolute bond returns at Elsewhere, JP Morgan Chase is sell- as 79.06 at the beginning of the week. However, the greenback national output levels, many doubt banks Lombard Odier in Geneva. “The regulatory ing its physical commodities business and rallied on Friday to reach a one-week high after the European will ever revisit the pre-crisis high water- aspect is the biggest aspect.” Deutsche Bank is closing its oil, grains and Central Bank signalled it could deliver fresh monetary stimulus mark of their trading activities. Regulation after the 2007-08 crisis such industrial metals business. as early as next month. Revenues from fixed income, currencies as ‘Dodd-Frank’ and ‘Volcker Rule’ legis- Although Barclays’ results may be an Last week the euro traded at a 2-1/2 year high against the and commodities — the so-called ‘FICC’ uni- lation in the United States and Basel III outlier and contrast with other extremes, dollar as service activity grew in all of France, Germany, Italy, verse — continued to tumble for most major banking reforms globally, effectively restrict such as the 35 percent increase in trading Ireland and Spain for the first time since May 2011. However, the US and European banks during the first banks’ ability to hold, trade and speculate revenues at the likes of Morgan Stanley, the currency lost most of its gains as Draghi warned after the bank’s quarter of 2014, increasing the pressure on on fixed income and derivatives. average decline in FICC revenue from 10 policy meeting that the euro’s strength was “a serious concern” them to rethink business models. This reduces liquidity, but other tradi- major US and European banks in the first and that the ECB was “comfortable” with taking more action to Thanks to a more stringent regulatory tional liquidity providers like hedge funds quarter was 14 percent. support growth and raise inflation at its June Meeting. environment and a potential turning point have been unable to fill the gap because That ongoing funk was all the more Similar to the euro, Sterling nearly reached 1.70 a level it did in the 20-year cycle of falling global interest their businesses are also under pressure. alarming as the first quarter is tradition- not reach since August 2009 as figures from the Services and rates, the twin peaks of just before and after The pressure on banks’ FICC operations ally the most profitable for FICC trading, Manufacturing sectors exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, cable the 2008 global financial crisis look unlikely was brought into sharp focus by the broad- as pension and insurance funds open fresh lost its momentum and dropped to 1.6830 as the Bank of England to be revisited. based slump in first-quarter earnings. investment positions for the year and com- refrained to increase rates. Revenue from FICC trading, which critics British bank Barclays grabbed the head- panies and governments sell new bonds in The Japanese yen traded in a narrow range against the dollar sometimes dub “casino banking” and dis- lines, posting a 41 percent plunge in trading an annual refunding splurge. due to bank holidays at the beginning of the week. The yen edged tinguish from traditional investment bank- revenue compared with the same period in The 10 banks showed FICC revenues up as geopolitical risks emerging from Ukraine combined with a ing services like underwriting share issues 2013, then announcing 7,000 of its 26,000 totalled $24.18bn in the first quarter, down slowdown in China’s manufacturing sector drove investors to buy or arranging mergers and acquisitions, still investment banking jobs will be cut. from just over $28bn a year earlier and the Japanese Yen pushing the dollar lower. accounts for over 70 percent of banks’ overall “Some of the pressures we saw on the busi- almost $30bn for the same period in 2012. The Australian dollar surged after the Reserve Bank of income, according to research by Freeman. ness towards the end of last year are clearly The 10 are: Barclays, US banks JP Morgan, Australia held the cash rate at a record low 2.5 percent as widely FICC income at Goldman Sachs last year structural as well as cyclical,” Barclays Chief Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Bank of expected in its latest board review. The Aussie reached a four- was 72 percent of the bank’s overall revenue, Executive Antony Jenkins told CNBC on America, Citi, and European firms UBS, week high. The Aussie lost some of its gains on Friday but still compared with 82 percent in 2010. Morgan Thursday. Deutsch, BNP Paribas and Credit Suisse. managed to close the week up one against the greenback. The Stanley’s FICC revenue was 70 percent of Other bank chief executives are likely REUTERS currency closed the week at 0.9360. Growth in the US services sector accelerated in April, rising at the fastest pace in eight months as new orders jumped and overall activity quickened by the most since early 2008. The Institute for Supply Management said its services sector index rose to 55.2 in April from 53.1 in March, topping expectations for a read of 54.1. The data provides further evidence that economic activity is regaining momentum after lagging through much of the winter, a stillness largely blamed on harsh weather. As widely expected by the market, the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged in their monthly meeting, waiting for updated forecasts from its staff in June before deciding whether to take fresh action to fight low inflation that ticked up slightly last month. In a conference after the meeting, ECB President Mario Draghi stated that the European Central Bank is ready to take action next month to boost the Euro zone economy if updated inflation forecasts allow it. Additionally, Draghi said that the exchange rate would have to be addressed, adding that the bank’s policymakers held a discussion about “all instruments” at their meeting. The PMI for the eurozone’s vast service industry rose to a 34-month high of 53.1 in April from 52.2 in March thanks to a surge in new business to its highest since June 2011 and a slight rise in employment. Services activity grew in all of France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Spain for the first time since May 2011. Britain’s dominant services sector expanded in April at its fastest pace so far this year and companies hired aggressively, adding to signs that the economy has lost none of its momen- tum of 2013. The Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers’ index rose to 58.7 in April from 57.6 in March, far above the 50 threshold for growth. Economists taking part in a Reuters poll had expected an unchanged reading. Britain’s economy grew at its fastest annual pace in more than six years in the first quarter of this year. The Bank of England left interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, despite building pressure for it to act to ease the housing market. The central bank announced it would keep the base rate at a record low of 0.5 percent and maintain the size of its asset purchase program at £375vb as expected by investors. However, concerns are rising that low interest rates are helping propel house price inflation. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate THE PENINSULA As big ad deal falls apart, firms start thinking small

BY JENNIFER SABA, two firms need to rethink their One thing they need to provide to operate within the industry. helps advertisers manage spend- other promising takeover candi- KATE HOLTON and approach. Bankers and industry is greater insight on what works “Marketing services and tech- ing budgets across different dates for the big groups. PAMELA BARBAGLIA executives say buying smaller and how cost effective ads are, nology are becoming increasingly media. One of the most prolific ad technology companies may especially in digital advertising, interchangeable,” he said adding On the same day Google acquirer of digital groups is HE collapse of the be their best bet to capture the ad executives and analysts say. there is still room for growth announced it was acquiring Martin Sorrell’s WPP, which will $35bn merger of New billions of dollars flowing toward Consumers now interact with since more services are needed Adometry, which offers the ability now retain its position as the York-based Omnicom digital advertising. media in a host of different ways, given the fragmented media to understand the influence that world’s largest ad group. with France’s Publicis “You have two massive organi- from the traditional sources of landscape. different marketing tools have on Uncharacteristically left on is likely to lead the sations that singularly focused TV, radio, billboards and news- Jeff Lanctot, president and consumer decisions. the sidelines last year, Sorrell Tworld’s biggest ad agencies to their future on a combination papers, to the different offerings CEO of Mixpo, a company that One sector banker pointed to wasted little time when the deal think small as they try to coun- of scale to deliver better costs online and on mobile including helps companies create video ads, providers of retargeting — which was announced in telling both his ter the challenge from Internet and that is not going to happen basic portals and social networks. said the need for scale had actu- shows ads of a certain brand to and his rivals’ clients why it was giants like Google. now,” said Dave Morgan, the That has forced ad agencies and ally decreased in recent years consumers who have already doomed to fail. Having handled 46 Since announcing their merger Chief Executive of Simulmedia, a clients to change how they value as digital advertising — which visited that brand’s site — and billion pounds of billings in 2013, last July, executives from the two firm that sells TV advertising. He the influence of an ad. A consumer accounts for nearly a quarter of data analytics for advertisers as WPP, he said, offered scale and firms touted the creation of the pointed to recent deals by Google seeing a traditional TV commer- global marketing spend — used Publicis’ best bet to rebound. insight at the same time. world’s biggest ad agency as the and AOL focused on small ad cial may then go online to search real-time auctions to buy media He named Next Performance Omnicom’s CEO, John Wren, best way to gain scale and capital technology companies that pro- for a deal before eventually buying space. in France, Struq in the UK and told investors on Friday that to compete on price and invest in vide analytics. the product in a store some time “Buying power has been the myThings in Israel as the most Omnicom was still in the market technology as clients squeeze the Greater scale was supposed to later, having been reminded of it real pitch from the holding com- promising sector players under for acquisitions but stressed those agencies on cost. give the new Omnicom-Publicis by a nearby billboard. panies,” he said. “I think what the ¤100m revenue threshold. would be small bites. One of the prime motivations group better bargaining power in With so many moving parts, is the better approach is to get “These companies are getting His counterpart at Publicis, for the deal was the competition buying space for ads on TV, the the ad agencies have turned to much more aggressive in technol- a lot of attention. The industry Maurice Levy, demurred on other coming from a host of rivals rang- Internet, and print at a time when data analytics to better under- ogy acquisitions.” will now prioritise smaller deals big acquisitions on Friday during ing from Google and Facebook, many global brands are looking to stand and predict the behaviour Two relatively small deals that bring real strategic value to a call with investors. software companies Oracle and cut costs on advertising. of consumers. announced in the last week could investors,” a sector adviser said. Shares in both IPG, the world’s Salesforce and consulting firms That rationale was never com- It is the need for such insight be a sign of things to come. Publicly traded marketing ana- fourth largest ad group behind Accenture and IBM, which are pletely clear, one major Omnicom that has put them on a collision AOL, which has been invest- lytics providers such as France’s WPP, Omnicom and Publicis, and siphoning off business that tra- client said. And with the prom- course with the big Internet and ing in automated exchanges Criteo, which uses tracking tech- France’s Havas, the fifth largest ditionally belonged to ad firms. ised increase in scale no longer software companies. where machines buy and sell nology to target ads at consumers player, rose on Friday on hopes After this week’s break-up, an option, the two firms have to But Brian Wieser, senior digital advertising, said this surfing the web, and Rocket Fuel, they too could be involved in some which was due in large part to explain to their clients what they research analyst at Pivotal, week it would pay $101m to buy which applies big data analysis form of consolidation. a clash of cultures and egos, the can offer instead. believes there is room for both Convertro Inc, a platform that to digital advertising, are seen as REUTERS MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,995.05 0.26 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,378.43 0.26 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,287.93 0.14 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,302.58 0.00 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,171.88 0.32 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5455.876 36.823 0.68 5533.3 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,988.57 2.03 % QR151.9750 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4472.04 25.6 0.58 4504.14 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 4,428.57 0.02 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.1417 QR 6.2280 QE All Share Insurance 3,187.05 1.85 % Dj Indu Average 16518.54 117.52 0.72 16631.6 14551.27 Euro ...... QR 5.0506 QR 5.1215 QE All Share Real Estate 2,625.09 0.74 % QR 2.2757 CA$ ...... QR 3.3198 QR 3.3852 QE All Share Telecoms 1,736.76 0.34 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 2,376.06 0.49 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.1461 QR 4.2063 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 21837.12 90.86 0.42 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0361 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3869 QR 3.4537 Iseq Overall/D 4891.17 42.37 0.87 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 11-05-2014 08-05-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0602 QR 0.0614 Index 12,961.40 12,961.40 Karachi 100 In/D 28511.02 180.99 0.64 29669.95 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0374 Change 66.47 66.47 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0819 QR 0.0836 Nikkei 225 Index 14163.78 130.33 0.93 16164.01 13885.11 % 0.52 0.52 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0282 YTD% 24.87 24.87 $ 107.58 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1897.28 1560.33 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0475 Volume 16,778,265 16,778,265 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0377 QR 0.0384 Value (QAR) 828,963,798.35 828,963,798.35 Straits Times/D 3247.69 11.26 0.35 3284.7 2953.01 Trades 8,265 8,265 $ 103.76 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3477 QR 0.3548 Up 16 | Down 22 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 11- 05 -2014

Commodities stuck in neutral zone as Putin blinks, coffee sinks

OMMODITIES were notable developments in Ukraine, rhetoric at this week’s meeting. the harshest winter weather in broadly unchanged on as Putin shows signs of blinking, Weekly Commodity Update The USD finally snapped back to modern memory has inflicted the week, with the Dow and even after a senior White the strong side in the wake of that major damage. Planting conditions Jones-UBS Commodity House official announced late in ECB meeting and may also have in Australia, meanwhile, report- C BY JOHN J HARDY Index registering a nearly perfect the week that the White House contributed to the sell-off later in edly improved, with widespread unchanged reading for the week is examining the longstanding (Head of FX the week. The range supports at rain in Western Australia. Corn (as of our late Friday morning ban on the export of crude oil. Strategy, Saxo Bank) just below 19.00 in silver and the remained near the highs of the price change capture.) There was The question of exporting US 1270/80 area in gold remain the cycle and the forward curve is plenty of movement among the crude has become a pressing issue key focus from here on whether flat, suggesting that the market products, however, as the recently as surging US shale production though a US inability to export corrected sharply lower in the precious metals can take stand. believes the planting season will strong Arabica coffee market cor- has created a massive glut of US crude could mean that production wake of the weekly US storage Both of those levels are just below eventually pick up despite recent rected lower despite the ongoing inventories, particularly in the gains are not realized if there is report, even as this was largely in the metals’ 200-day moving aver- delays. worry about weather in Brazil and Gulf of Mexico region. Shale oil is simply nowhere to put the oil. line with expectations for a mod- ages as the open interest in gold is In livestock, the pressure seems crop disease in Central America going into inventories rather than The implications are for a further est build. The chart for spot gas near multi-year lows and specu- to be coming out of the live cat- and long term fears of an el Niño’s simply triggering a fall in imports widening of the spread in Brent/ looks bearish, with a move toward lators have backed off relatively tle contract as we rolled to the effect on weather in Central and because of the mismatch of the WTI pricing in the months ahead 4.00 dollars possibly in the cards large positions they had built by cheaper June contract, and the South America. Elsewhere, US shale oil’s quality with the region’s in favour of Brent, while believers if the inventory builds proceed mid-March in US gold futures. feeder cattle rally saw the price Corn recovered sharply from last refining capacity, which is opti- in eventual US exports might con- apace. US Soybean prices were more action a bit more sideways in week’s dip on planting delays and mized for heavier, sourer grades sider looking for an unwinding in Gold and silver simply can’t or less unchanged on the week the most liquid August contract wheat is setting new highs for the that are imported. the still very steep contango in the choose a direction lately. Both despite stronger than expected after we set new price records last year in anticipation of tonight’s The medium-term bearish case US WTI curve (at about 9 dollars gold and silver have bounced Chinese import demand and as Friday. US hog prices, meanwhile, crop report, which will give a for oil is readily evident if the US at present). promisingly from range support Brazil announced that their crop, were weaker, and the forward clearer view of the damage to the is able to start exporting, though The news out of Libya, mean- levels on a number of occasions that is now almost fully harvested, curve remains in steep contango winter crop. Interestingly, trad- one wonders how quickly the US while, was not encouraging, as the in recent weeks, but none of these will be exceed the previous esti- (beyond the July and August con- ing in energy markets was rather political system can move on this latest attempt to appoint a new bounces has yielded to sustainable mate by nearly half a million tracts), as the market assumes quiet despite Putin’s blinking in issue. The US has increased oil leader for the country faces oppo- gains. This week, the latest bounce tonnes. Wheat prices pushed to the supply shortages caused by the confrontation over Ukraine. production by almost 1 million sition from the rebels in control from support also failed to blos- marginal new highs for the year recent disease outbreaks will be Trading in crude oil markets bbl/day over the last 12 months, of export terminals and there is som into a bigger rally, despite the as the market anticipates the overcome on the other side of the was rather moribund worldwide most of it in shale oil, and could be no sign yet that the oil is set to ECB’s Draghi apparently setting season’s first crop report today summer. despite huge open interest and headed for similar gains this year, flow. Elsewhere, US natural gas up a June ECB move with dovish (Friday, May 9) and on fears that THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 NBA: Spurs close to Trail Blazers’ sweep Parker helps in gaining 3-0 lead in best-of-seven series

NEW YORK: Guard Tony Parker scored 29 points as the NBA Play-offs 2nd Gatlin reacts after crossing the finish line ahead of Yoshihide Kiryu of San Antonio Spurs whipped the Japan during the men’s 100m final yesterday. Portland Trail Blazers 118-103 Round Results yesterday to move to the cusp of the Western Conference finals. 1 2 3 4 T Forward Tim Duncan collected Miami 30 19 14 27 90 19 points, seven rebounds and four Brooklyn 29 22 26 27 104 Gatlin on song in assists for the Spurs, who took (Miami lead the best-of-seven series by 2-1) a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven 1 2 3 4 T series that continues in Portland San Antonio 28 32 23 35 118 today.. Portland 18 22 29 34 103 World Challenge Five players scored in double figures for San Antonio, which (San Antonio lead the best-of-seven series again got great production from by 3-0) TOKYO: Former Olympic year’s world championships, said a bench that combined for 40 involved everybody else,” Popovich champion Justin Gatlin over- he would just try to go faster and points, compared to six points told reporters. “He played great came strong headwinds to “put together a good race” this from Portland’s reserves. ‘D’ (defense) at the other end. sprint to his second 100m vic- season. The Spurs, behind 20 points on He’s really playing a complete tory in as many weeks at an He is aiming to “get the balance 9-for-12 shooting from Parker, game. IAAF World Challenge meeting between having a good start like held a 60-40 edge at halftime “We achieved home court in Tokyo yesterday. today and finishing hard like I did after San Antonio shot 56 percent advantage because the bench He broke away from the pack in Jamaica”. from the field in the first half. played so well all year long and halfway through to clock 10.02 “I want to work on my start Portland made a run after allowed us to keep guys at 30 seconds with fellow American and get my feet under me more the long break, outscoring San minutes or less the entire season. Mike Rodgers second at 10.11 and and build up momentum” like Antonio 17-4 in the first five min- They’ve continued to be big for us Christophe Lemaitre of France Bolt does, the 32-year-old said. utes of the third quarter to draw this series.” third at 10.31 in the Seiko Golden “I want to be able to go out within 64-57, but the Spurs stead- Portland coach Terry Stotts Grand Prix, the third leg of the there and do the same thing and I ied the ship and pulled away for acknowledged his team were second-tier tour organised by think I’ll be an even more worthy the emphatic win. Portland has guilty of leaving themselves too the International Association of opponent.” led for only 33 seconds over the much to do after making poor Athletics Federations (IAAF). There was a moment of sus- first three games of the series, starts. “It felt windy but after I got pense when Ukraine’s world such has been the dominance of “In some ways this is very simi- past the 50 mark, I just wanted champion Bohdan Bondarenko the Spurs, who have won by a lar to Games One and Two,” he to stay relaxed,” said the 2004 attempted a high-jump world combined total of 56 points after said. “We get down big in the first Athens Olympic champion, who record of 2.46 metres after clear- being taken to seven games by half and play hard in the second won his first 100m of the sea- ing 2.40 metres in his third try Dallas in the first round of the half but the hole’s too big.” son in 10.11 seconds eight days to leave Ivan Ukhov of Russia in play-offs. San Antonio coach “Against San Antonio, if you ago at the Jamaican Invitational, second spot at 2.34 metres. But Gregg Popovich paid tribute to put your guard down they take another World Challenge event. he kicked up the bar in his first Parker, as well as his bench. advantage of it. Spurs’ Tony Parker waits for the ball to be inbounded in the second half Gatlin, who grabbed the bronze jump and gave up the attempt. “Tony, he’s been the engine They’re good because they have of Game Three of the Western Conference Semi-finals during the 2014 at the 2012 London Olympics and Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s world for us and he started out really a lot of options. Everybody’s a NBA Play-offs at the Moda Center yesterday in Portland, Oregon. finished second to Jamaica’s world record of 2.45m has stood unbro- well tonight, he made shots and threat. AFP record holder Usain Bolt at last ken since 1993. AFP NHL: Ducks down Kings to level series Dodgers beat Giants

LOS ANGELES: Goaltender NEW YORK: Second baseman John Gibson made 28 saves Drew Gordon drove in the tie- Baseball Results in his play-off debut as the breaking run and stole three LA Angels 5 Toronto 3 Anaheim Ducks beat the Los bases, sparking the Los Angeles Detroit 9 Minnesota 3 Angeles Kings 2-0 to even their Dodgers to victory over the San LA Dodgers 6 San Francisco 2 Western Conference semi-final Francisco Giants. Pittsburgh 4 St Louis 3 series yesterday. . Center fielder Matt Kemp Winger Devante Smith-Pelly added a solo home run as the Baltimore 5 Houston 4 and center Ryan Getzlaf scored Dodgers (20-18) beat the National Arizona 4 Chicago White Sox 3 in the first period as the Ducks League West-leading Giants (23- Milwaukee 5 NY Yankees 4 clinched Game Four to level the 14) for only the second time in Atlanta 2 Chicago Cubs 0 best-of-seven series at two games the last nine meetings at home, in Colorado 11 Cincinnati 2 each. The road team has won all addition to ending a three-game Philadelphia 5 NY Mets 4 four games between rivals as the losing streak. series heads back to Anaheim for Gordon slapped an RBI double Tampa Bay 7 Cleveland 1 Game Five today. AFP to left off reliever Jeremy Affeldt Boston 8 Texas 3 to score catcher Drew Butera and San Diego 9 Miami 3 give the Dodgers the lead with Oakland 4 Washington 3 NHL Play-offs two out in the seventh inning. Seattle 3 Kansas City 1 Miguel Cabrera and Victor Semi-final Results Martinez blasted three-run hom- innings end in the third on Brian ers, powering the Detroit Tigers Dozier’s three-run homer but still 1 2 3 T to a big win over the Minnesota notched the victory. Boston 1 2 1 4 Twins. Sabathia, back in Milwaukee Montreal 0 1 1 2 Cabrera capped a six-run, sec- where he led the Brewers to their (Boston lead the best-of-seven series by ond-inning outburst with his fifth first postseason berth in 26 years 3-2) homer of the season, while desig- after a July 2007 trade, gave up 1 2 3 T nated hitter Martinez homered four runs - just one earned though for the fourth time in six games - on eight hits (three homers) in Los Angeles 0 0 0 0 during the seventh inning. Tigers 5 1/3 innings. Anaheim Ducks’ goalie John Gibson and defenceman Cam Fowler defend the goal against Los Angeles Kings’ Anaheim 2 0 0 2 centre Jarret Stoll during 2014 Stanley Cup Play-offs yesterday. starter Max Scherzer (5-1) had He struck out four and walked (The best-of-seven series is level at 2-2) his streak of 16 straight shutout one. REUTERS QAF honours 1993 World Indoor medallists

DOHA : The QAF hosted the three medallists from 1993 here Surin, who won the gold medal Commemoration Reunion with us” said President Dahlan. at those championships before of 1993 World Indoor 60m “We need to think always a home crowd in Toronto, was Medallists in Doha. about athletes from the past and delighted to be part of the reun- The 60 meters sprint medal- to welcome them into our present ion. “Thanks so much for think- lists from the 1993 World Indoor family.” ing about the past. I’m grateful to Championships were honoured It was a particularly moving be here and I wish the best and during a commemorative reun- moment for Mansour, the first brightest future to all athletes in ion hosted by the Qatar Athletics sprinter from Qatar to win a glo- Qatar.” Federation in Doha yesterday. bal medal in athletics. Fredericks, the silver medallist Bruny Surin of Canada, Frank “This is a very emotional in the race, was equally delighted. Fredericks from Namibia and moment for me,” Mansour said, “It’s a great honour to be here, Talal Mansour of Qatar, the his voice cracking as he struggled especially with Talal who was the gold, silver and bronze medal- to hold back tears. flag bearer for Qatari athletics,” lists respectively, were presented “I’m very grateful for this said Fredericks, who later that with commemorative crystal tro- initiative.” year triumphed over 200 metres phies by IAAF President Lamine Standing with his 14-year-old at the World Championships out- Diack at the event hosted by His son Esmail at his side when he doors. “It was an honour to com- Excellency Dahlan Al Hamad, accepted the trophy, Mansour pete with these two gentlemen. President of the Qatari Athletics added: It was honest, it was true.” Federation and QAF General “Thank you so very much for “I’m delighted to share this spe- Secretary Mohammed Al Kuwari. remembering me. cial lunch on the occasion of the “Sport is about what brings I’m very happy to have brought Doha IDL 2014 with our hosts and The 60-metre sprint medallists from the 1993 World Indoor Championships were honoured during a commemorative people together. my son here to witness this his- friends,” said Diack. reunion hosted by Qatar Athletics Federation in Doha. It is great that we have all toric moment.” THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Motor Sport: Cudlin posts two key wins; F1 drivers warned over formation Manca corners Losail glory lap pace Australia’s Alex Cudlin wins cat-and-mouse battle with Nasser Al Malki BARCELONA: Formula One drivers have been warned about their pace on the pre- DOHA: Australian riding pow- race formation lap after some erhouse Alex Cudlin yesterday of the participants com- both races in round five of the plained of having to drive too Qatar Superbike Championship B slowly and others of being at Losail International Circuit. kept waiting at the front. In the process, Cudlin has Championship leader Nico increased his lead in the cham- Rosberg, the only driver other pionship to 46 points ahead of than Mercedes team mate Qatar’s Nasser Al Malki. Lewis Hamilton to have started The second and third places on pole position this season, were also the same in both races, told reporters at the Spanish with Al Malki finishing second Grand Prix that race director and Qatar’s Mashel Al Naimi Charlie Whiting had discussed securing the third place. the issue. In the overall standings after “Charlie clarified it for both five rouds, Cudlin is leading with sides, so the people further 230 points whille Al Malki is sec- back are not allowed to leave ond with 184 points. the big gaps and we at the front In third spot is Al Naimi with A need to keep up the pace,” said 159 while Prinz is in fourth place the German, who was second with 126 points. on the grid for yesterday’s race “In the first race, at the begin- which Hamilton won. ning I had a problem with the C The pace of the formation front tyre and it took me five lap is a consequence of the new laps to get the good feeling,” V6 turbo era and the energy Cudlin said. “So at the start I recovery systems that provide was in third place behind Mishal a boost from the battery. and Nasser but in the lap two I Lotus driver Romain went to second place and watched Grosjean said the new regula- Nasser for a couple of laps and tions meant everyone was seek- then I made my pass,” Cudlin said. ing different ways of keeping “Each time we were in the E heat in the tyres and ensuring straight, Nasser passed me but I the battery did not drain too was faster in the corners so I was much before the start. able to get away in the corners “It is a fact that the engines but in the straight he was closer are not very powerful on again,” the Australian added. that (formation) lap and that “But in lap 10, I pushed really D makes the thing messy,” the hard and made fast laps, so I cre- Frenchman said. ated a second’s lead and from then A: Australian rider Alex Cudlin takes a bend during race two Hamilton, who has been on I managed and won by 2-second of the fifth round of the 2014 Qatar Superbike Championship pole four times in five races gap,’ a delighted Cudlin said. at Losail International Circuit. B: Victoria Kis, Shelina Moreda so far, admitted he had been “But in race 2 , it was Nasser and Manca Katrasnik on the podium after the end of the LARRS experimenting with different and me from the beginning. I had series. C: Cudlin is seen before race one. D: Victoria and Shelina approaches. a really good feeling with the bike in action. E: Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti (11) and Mashel Al Naimi “In the drivers’ briefing they but my lap timing wasn’t as faster said there are no rules to how in race two battle. as it was in the qualifying and I fast or how slow you can go, was slower in the race,” Cudlin so I’ve gone from one extreme recalled. easy for me to stay in the front “In the first race it was difficult I had a big fight with Shelina all “I am very happy with my result to another,” he said after of “But I was fast enough to win but I was slower in some corners,” for me to stay in the same rhythm the time,” Victoria said. for the season. I didn’t expect to the situation before Whiting’s the race. This is very good for the Al Malki admitted. than the front riders and in the “The weather was OK and even finish it so well,” Manca said. clarification. championship as I have increased “After ten laps, I waited for second race I was sliding from the track was a little slippery but “It was worth all the ups and The Briton recognised he the lead so I need to win the Alex to be tired and go faster but the rear and had chattering but the races were very hard-fought,” downs during the season and I had maybe gone too far in one forthcoming races,” Cudlin said. in the first corner I missed one I am happy with my lap timing Victoria added. hope to come again. I want to direction, particularly at last “A big thanks to QMMF for gear and I almost crashed and and hope in the next rounds I can American rider Shelina thank QMMF and their team month’s race in China. their support and improving the Alex managed to make a gap,” Al make a good set up of the bike Moreda ended in second place in for the opportunity to be here,” “You’re trying different bike races,” Cudlin said at the end Malki said. from the beginning and be in the her category in the first race but Manca added. things to prepare your tyres in of the day. “In the next race, I will try to front,” Al Naimi said. couldn’t finish the second race. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, a better way. Al Malki, who finished second be in front for a win. I want to “I want to thank my sponsor “The first race it was a good QMMF President and LIC “If you push in the first part in both races, expected a bit more thank my team Lekhwiya and my Ooredoo and my mechanics for race, I really did a great start and General Manager, said: “Our of the lap your tyres and brakes in the second race but Cudlin pre- sponsors Al Rayyan and Seashore their help,” Al Naimi said. I had a nice battle with Victoria. I championship is becoming popu- are good and then you have to vailed with slick riding. and all my mechanics for their The fourth spot was secured managed to pass Victoria earlier lar because we get riders from a slow down to let everyone catch “In the first race, it was a nice great help and support,” Al Malki by Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti in the but once she overtook me I tried lot of countries. We are encour- up,” Hamilton added. battle,” Al Malki said. “The set said at the podium. first race and in the second race to race harder but it was not pos- aged to see a high level of compe- “In that period of time the up was the same as the qualify- Qatar’s Al Naimi, who finished it was for Germany’s Nina Prinz. sible for me to catch her,” Shelina tition among the riders who are temperatures drop so fast. ing session and it was very good. third in both races, had been The trophies were handed over said. “But I am very happy with fiercely battling for wins.” “So you are trying to mini- It was a nice race with Alex who struggling all the weekend to by Mohamed Saad Al Morraikhi, my result,” Shelina added after Al Attiyah added: “QMMF is mise that... if you start doing was pushing very hard. In the find the good set up of his bike QMMF General Secretary, race one. providing assistance to riders your burnouts and get to your middle of the race I found a lot and until the race day he wasn’t Sultan Zaher Al Morraikhi., As this was the last round of who seek our support and this is grid spot, and then have to wait of traffic with slow riders and I a happy rider. QMMF Board Member and LARSS Series, at the end of the a well-known championship that there for over a minute whilst wasn’t able to catch Alex but I am “I am happy with the podium,” Rashid Al Sulaiti, QMMF Public second race there was the overall attracts more and more competi- everyone forms up, your tem- happy for the points as it is good Al Naimi said. Relations Manager. championship podium. tors every season. Our next round peratures drop and you can for my chances in the champion- “I had some problems to find In the Losail Asian Road Racing The winner of the champion- will be on May 24 and for sure we potentially get a worse start,” ship,” Al Malki said after race 1. the right set up in the free and Series (LARRS), Hungarian rider ship series was Serbian rider are expecting another round of Hamilton added yesterday. “But in race 2, I was hoping to qualifying sessions and I didn’t Victoria Kis won both races. Manca Katrasnik who accumu- exciting battles.” REUTERS finish in first position as it was feel good,” he added. “I really enjoyed both races and lated 147 points. THE PENINSULA Late bogey drops Kaymer into tie for Players lead

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, carding a 69, level on 207 with “He’s a young player, very mature FLORIDA: Martin Kaymer Australian John Senden (68). and I hope he has a long career Flawless Park bogeyed the par-four last to “I just didn’t hit a good putt,” ahead of him. He’s just very good drop back into a tie for the lead Kaymer told reporters of his bogey in short game and he hit some claims first with playing partner Jordan at the last to end a tricky day very good chips and pitches today, Spieth after the pair had duelled for scoring at the TPC Sawgrass some very important putts to career win in yesterday’s third round of the where the sun-baked greens were keep his round going. Players Championship. running fast and firm. “I look forward to tomorrow. Martin Kaymer SEOUL: Park Jun-Won scored Germany’s Kaymer, who had “I pulled my putt and there- It’s going to be a good day what- of Germany a flawless five-under-par 67 been a stroke in front of the chas- fore it went left. He went inside ever will happen. Jordan, he’s a reacts after Sunday to win the $1m GS ing pack overnight, overshot the left and hit a good putt, made it. very nice guy and we had some making a Caltex Maekyung Open by three 18th green with his approach, I have a chance tomorrow, which good chats, even though obviously putt on the shots and claim his first profes- chipped up to nine feet and is really nice. I put myself in a both of us want to win tomorrow.” 15th green sional victory. missed the par putt to card an good position. Spieth, who clinched his maiden during the The 27-year-old had shared the even-par 72 on a breezy afternoon “It played tough today. Even PGA Tour title at last year’s John third round of third-round lead with Park Sang- at the TPC Sawgrass. when you hit fairways, it was Deere Classic, is aiming to eclipse The Players Hyun, but eased away on the back That left the German at gusty and therefore a little bit Adam Scott as the youngest win- Championship nine to finish the tournament at 12-under 204, level with American difficult to attack the flags. We ner of the Players Championship. at the TPC South Korea’s Namseoul Country young gun Spieth (71) who had didn’t play great, but we kept it Australian Scott was aged 23 Club on 15 under par. Sawgrass appeared likely to bogey the final very well together. So it was okay.” when he triumphed in 2004 at the Lee Ki-Sang (67) and Hwang Stadium hole when his tee shot sailed right Former world number one PGA Tour event, widely regarded Jung-Gon (71) shared third into a tree line from where he Kaymer, whose only PGA Tour as the unofficial fifth major. Course in place at nine under par, while struck his second shot 56 yards victory came at the highest level “It was really ugly coming in, Ponte Vedra Australian Scott Hend (72) was short of the green. with his play-off success at the but somehow I did it,” said Spieth, Beach, the best of the non-Koreans with After his third had nestled on 2010 PGA Championship, was lav- who has gone bogey-free through Florida, USA, a share of fifth at seven under. the fringe 13 feet past the flag- ish in his praise for Spieth, who the first three rounds despite yesterday. Park only joined OneAsia stick, the 20-year-old Spieth is bidding to become the youngest struggling with his tee shots after the day before the tournament nervelessly drained the par ever Players winner. the turn on Saturday. started, making the field through putt to remain at 12-under and “He’s one of the best players “I got a lot of great bounces, his membership of the Korean pumped his right fist in delight. out here right now, so I think got a lot of great breaks today for Golf Tour. His previous best fin- Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the he deserves as much attention not having my best day of ball- ish was joint second at their PGA 2008 Players champion, was a as possible,” Kaymer said of the striking or really putting well.” Championship two years ago. further three strokes back after 2013 PGA Tour rookie of the year. REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Karate: Rich haul for hosts Qatar Home team bags 14 medals including three gold to finish second behind Tunisia DOHA: Hosts Qatar bagged a rich haul of 14 medals to Medals Tally finish second at the Karate International Championship Tunisia 4 2 6 which concluded at Al Rayyan Qatar 3 2 9 Stadium here yesterday. Turkey 3 2 1 Tunisia topped in the two-day Azerbaijan 2 3 1 championship, organised by QKF Jordan 1 3 6 in which around 150 contestants France 1 1 3 from 18 countries took part. Oman 1 1 0 Tunisia bagged four gold, two silver and six bronze to finish with Algeria 1 0 1 12 medals to take the top honours. Bahrain 0 1 1 The local fans had much to Palestine 0 1 0 cheer about as the Qatari con- Ukraine 0 0 2 tingent won three gold, two silver Germany 0 0 1 and nine bronze. Turkey came third with three and Sami Samour (bronze) in gold, two silver and a lone bronze Cadet Male Individual Kumite medal. Jordan and France fin- +70kg, Ahmed Malik (bronze) in ished in the fourth and fifth Cadet Male Individual Kumite place respectively. Qatar gold -57kg, Oussama Er Raji (bronze) medals came in the Cadet Male in Cadet Male Individual Kumite Individual Kumite -70kg category -70kg, Maurya Subby (bronze) in with Abdulbaari Mohammed dis- Junior Male Individual Kumite playing quick reflexes to outwit +76kg, Khalid Ahmed (bronze) his rivals. in Junior Male Individual Kumite Abulaziz and Adham -76kg, Reem Ryad Ahmed and Abdulnasser Hashem won the Hayati Maryam (both bronze) other two gold medals for Qatar. in Senior Female Individual Dalloul won the Senior Male Kata, Aangi Mohammed Ahmed Individual Kumite -75 Kg, (bronze) in Senior Female Oman’s Ivana Mucalov during the Senior Female Individual kata at the Karate International Championship at Al Rayyan Indoor Stadium yesterday. Hashem finished first in the Individual Kumite +68 kg, RIGHT: Qatar’s Abdulaziz Dalloul ( left) in action against Serikon Yagci of Turkey at the Senior Male Individual kumite- 75kg contest. The home team Senior Male Individual Kata Abdelhamid Shawish (bronze) finished second after winning 14 medals in the event. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP Qatar other medal winners in Senior Male Individual Kata. included Karim Taher (silver) THE PENINSULA Rajasthan snatch stunning win as clinical KKR pummel Kings

BANGALORE: Australian in vain for RCB whose re-jigged up two more wickets to put the skipper Virat Kohli (4) who had imports Steve Smith and James line-up failed to deliver as they hosts on top. However, Smith and promoted himself to open with Faulkner pounded 65 runs in slid to their sixth defeat in nine Faulker turned the game around Chris Gayle (19) and Vijay Zol just 17 balls to carry Rajasthan matches while Rajasthan chalked for Rajasthan who had started (16). Royals to a five-wicket win up sixth win to consolidate their well with openers Ajinkya Rahane Meanwhile in Cuttack, the against Royal Challengers third place on the leaderboard. (24) and Karun Nair (56, 39b, Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Bangalore in a crucial IPL game The Smith-Faulkner partner- 8x4) putting on 54 runs before Indian Premier League (IPL) here yesterday. ship left RCB shell-shocked con- Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed table toppers Kings XI Punjab Smith (48 not out, 21b, 4x4, sidering that a rollicking 132-run the former to set the stage for by nine wickets at the Barabati 4x6) and Faulkner (41 not out, partnership between Yuvraj and Yuvraj’s four-wicket haul. Stadium here Sunday. Chasing a 17b, 3x4, 3x6) came together in AB de Villiers (58, 32b, 1x4, 5x6) Earlier, Yuvraj and de Villiers modest target of 150, the Kolkata the 14th over with Rajasthan had given them a seemingly win- smashed 84 runs in the last five outfit reached home comfortably on 106 for five, and played some ning total. overs in the course of their cen- in 18 overs. clever cricket to help their team Contributing to RCB’s opti- tury partnership to lift RCB’s Skipper Gautam Gambhir overhaul RCB’s total of 190 for mism was Yuvraj’s performance sagging spirits. played the anchor’s role with a five with seven balls to spare. with the ball as he tore apart the Barring their association, there match-winning innings of 63 not In the process, Yuvraj Singh’s Rajasthan middle-order, begin- was little to enthuse about RCB’s out. dream performance of 83 off 38 ning with a double strike in his innings that was otherwise in tat- Kings XI scored 149/8 after balls (7x4, 7x6) and 4 for 35 went very first over and then picking ters after the cheap dismissals of being put in to bat. AGENCIES Scoreboard Scoreboard

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE RAJASTHAN ROYALS KINGS XI PUNJAB 4-0-20-2; U T Yadav 4-0-34-1 (1w); S P Narine V Kohli c Bhatia b Richardson ...... 4 A M Rahane c Patel b Chahal ...... 24 V Sehwag b Chawla ...... 72 4-0-30-1; P P Chawla 4-0-19-3; R N ten Doe- C H Gayle c Samson b Tambe ...... 19 K K Nair b Y Singh ...... 56 Mandeep Singh c Uthappa b Morkel ...... 0 schate 1-0-6-0. V H Zol c Watson b Tewatia ...... 16 S R Watson b Y Singh ...... 1 W P Saha b Morkel ...... 15 KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS A B de Villiers c Rahane b Faulkner ...... 58 S T R Binny c (sub-RR Rossouw) b Y Singh ....1 G J Maxwell c Morkel b Chawla ...... 14 R V Uthappa c Patel b Awana ...... 46 Yuvraj Singh lbw Richardson ...... 83 S V Samson c&b Y Singh ...... 13 D A Miller b U T Yadav ...... 13 G Gambhir (not out) ...... 63 J A Morkel (not out) ...... 1 S P D Smith (not out) ...... 48 G J Bailey (not out) ...... 12 M K Pandey (not out) ...... 36 P A Patel (not out) ...... 2 J P Faulkner (not out)...... 41 R Dhawan b Chawla ...... 4 Extras (LB-2, W-3) ...... 5 Extras (LB-2, W-5) ...... 7 Extras (LB-1, W-5, NB-1) ...... 7 M G Johnson st Uthappa b Narine ...... 14 Total (for 1 wkt in 18 overs) ...... 150 Total (for 5 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 190 Total (for 5 wkts in 18.5 overs) ...... 191 A R Patel (run out-SA Yadav/Uthappa) ...... 1 Did not bat: J H Kallis, R N ten Doeschate, Y K Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-38, 3-40, 4-172, Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-61, 3-63, 4-82, Extras (B-1, LB-1, W-2) ...... 4 Pathan, S A Yadav, P P Chawla, M Morkel, U T 5-186. 5-106. Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 149 Yadav, S P Narine. Bowling: K W Richardson 4-0-43-2; S R Bowling: J A Morkel 2-0 -20-0; M A Starc Did not bat: P Awana, Sandeep Sharma. Fall of wicket: 1-68. Watson 4-0-35-0 (3w); J P Faulkner 4-0-42-1 3-0-33-0 (2w); A B Dinda 3-0-37-0 (1nb, 1w); Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-48, 3-87, 4-112, Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-0-32-0 (1w); M (1w); P V Tambe 4-0-38-1 (1w); R Tewatia 3-0- V R Aaron 2.5-0-41-0 (1w); Yuvraj Singh 4-0- 5-120, 6-127, 7-148, 8-149. G Johnson 3-0-33-0; A R Patel 4-0-20-0; Yuvraj Singh returns to form with a quickfire 83 from just 38 balls yesterday. 17-1; R Bhatia 1-0-13-0. 35-4; Y S Chahal 4-0-24-1. Bowling: J H Kallis 3-0-38-0 (1w); M Morkel P Awana 2-0-20-1 (1w); R Dhawan 4-0-32-0 Bermane Stiverne captures WBC heavyweight title in LA

LOS ANGELES: Bermane time early in the sixth in front of Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Stiverne claimed the vacant a crowd of 3,992 at the University Wladimir. Stiverne captured the World Boxing Council heavy- of South California’s Galen Center WBC title that Vitali Klitschko weight title, stopping Chris arena. surrendered so he could con- Arreola yesterday to become the Arreola’s knees buckled and he centrate on politics in his native first fighter in years not named stumbled several feet across the Ukraine. Klitschko to grab a share of the ring before going down. It was the second straight win heavyweight crown. Later in the round Stiverne for Stiverne over Arreola as he The 35-year-old Canadian knocked the American halfway put on an impressive performance Stiverne knocked Arreola down through the ropes with a left in a rematch of their April 2013 twice in the sixth round before and then finished him off with fight. referee Jack Reiss stopped the a barrage of lefts and rights in “I didn’t see that punch com- bout at 2:02 of the round, giving Arreola’s corner. ing,” Arreola said of Saturday’s Stiverne the victory in the first “I came here on a mission,” said first knockdown. “His power is in heavyweight championship bout Stiverne, who was born in Haiti his hand speed. It is like a bull- on American soil since 2009. and lived there until age seven dozer. “That’s boxing. All it takes “I had a dream to be the world when he emigrated to Montreal. is one punch to knock someone champion,” Stiverne said. “For me “I didn’t come here to lose. out. He hit me with that right it was an impossible dream but I Nobody was going to beat me.” hand, put my ass down and I just kept going. I didn’t stop.” Heavyweight title fights in couldn’t recover.” Stiverne said Stiverne connected with a right North America have been rare he was waiting for opportunity to Bermane Stiverne of Haiti (left) throws a punch at Cristobal Arreola in their World Boxing Council Heavyweight cross to the temple that sent in recent times because of a lack use that right cross again after an Championship bout at Galen Center in Los Angeles yesterday. Arreola to the canvas for the first of serious challengers to the exchange on the ropes. AFP MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

GCC Club basketball: Al Sadd begin campaign on a winning note in Doha Caveman Chabal bows out of rugby

PARIS: Self-styled caveman Sebastien Chabal retired from rugby yesterday, the French forward bowing out with crit- ics split over his rugby-playing abilities but no one in doubt over his role as a “monument to marketing”. The 36-year-old Chabal won 62 caps for France as a powerhouse lock and back row forward, win- ning two Grand Slams, and his last act of a 16-year career came when he turned out a final time for Lyon, his current club which he has helped seal promotion from the ProD2 to the Top 14. Lyon beat La Rochelle 27-26 on Sunday, Chabal coming on as a substitute to rapturous applause. Chabal was one of the best- known and best-paid rugby play- Al Sadd’s Saeed Nabeel Yousuf (right) and Melisevic Bujan of Nazwa of Oman vie for ball possession during the 34th GCC Basketball Club Championship 2014 at Qatar’s Women’s Sports ers in the world, his dark beard Committee Hall at Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday. Al Sadd won 107-94. RIGHT: Action from the match between Al Ahli of UAE and Manama of Bahrain. PICTURES BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT and locks catapulting him into the public eye, with a couple of notable performances on the pitch in 2007. “I adore rugby but I’m very conscious of the efforts needed to perform at the highest level,” Chabal had said when announc- ing he would retire earlier in the Four in a row for Hamilton week. “Lyon have been promoted into the elite division of French rugby, British driver wrests overall lead from Mercedes team-mate Rosberg a level at which I played for a long time. “My body and my head tell BARCELONA: Lewis Spanish Grand me it’s time to stop. My body is Hamilton won the Spanish suffering and my head no longer Grand Prix for Mercedes yes- Prix Results wants to make my body suffer. terday to chalk up his fourth BARCELONA, Spain: Results from the “You have to know to accept victory in a row and wrest the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix, the fifth when it’s over. My sporting career Formula One championship round of the world championship series, in is finished, but my life is not.” lead from ‘gutted’ German team Barcelona, yesterday: France’s rugby newspaper Midi mate Nico Rosberg. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr Olympique headlined its piece on In what was also the fourth 41min 05.155sec (average: 182,283 Chabal: “A look, some nicknames, successive Mercedes one-two, km/h), 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) some adverts and a little bit of and fifth win in five races for the at 0.6sec, 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red rugby: what Sebastien Chabal will dominant constructor, Hamilton Bull Racing) 48.900, 4. Sebastian Vettel be known for. AFP took the chequered flag a mere (GER/Red Bull Racing) 1:16.500, 5. 5. 0.6 of a second ahead of his rival. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 1:19.000, 6. In a nail-biting finish to what Fernando Alonso (ESP/Scuderia Ferrari) Australian had been a largely uneventful 1:27.400, 7. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Scuderia race, Rosberg piled pressure on Ferrari) at 1 lap, 8. Romain Grosjean (FRA/ great Gasnier Hamilton by slashing the Briton’s Lotus) 1 lap, 9. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force lead over the last six laps and India) 1 lap, 10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/ looming ominously in his mirrors. Force India) 1 lap, 11. Jenson Button dies aged 74 (GBR/McLaren Mercedes) 1 lap, 12. Kevin Hamilton, who now has 100 Magnussen (DEN/McLaren Mercedes) 1 points to Rosberg’s 97 after his SYDNEY: Australian rugby lap, 13. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap, 26th career victory and leads the league great Reg Gasnier, the 14. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 1 lap, 15. standings for the first time since Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus) 1 lap, 16. outstanding international cen- 2012 when he was at McLaren, Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) 1 lap, 17. tre of the 1960s, died yesterday sounded increasingly anxious in Adrian Sutil (GER/Sauber) 1 lap, 18. Jules at the age of 74. radio traffic but held on for his Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) 2 laps, 19. Max The former St George Dragons first win in Spain. Chilton (GBR/Marussia) 2 laps, 20. Marcus player died in a Sydney nursing “I wasn’t fast enough really Mercedes-AMG’s British driver Lewis Hamilton (second left) and Mercedes-AMG’s German driver Nico Rosberg Ericsson (SWE/Caterham) 2 laps home where he had lived for sev- today, Nico was quicker,” the 2008 (right) celebrate with team members after the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Retirements: Jean-Eric Vergne(FRA/Toro eral years, the Daily Telegraph champion said during the podium Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona, yesterday. Rosso): 25th lap; Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/ said. interview. Caterham): 35th lap He had been ill for a number “Fortunately I was able to keep Overall standings of years after suffering a stroke. him behind.” in his home season-opener in race of the season with a differ- Finland’s Valtteri Bottas took Drivers Gasnier played 39 Tests for his Rosberg, who declared himself Melbourne in March. “We did not ent chassis to the previous four fifth place for Williams, while 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 100.0pts, 2. Nico country and scored 26 tries. “a bit gutted” to finish second have the pace on Mercedes... it is grands prix, in which he had Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa Rosberg (GER) 97.0, 3. Fernando Alonso He also played 125 games for again and whose subdued body really nice to be on the podium made just one podium appear- sank from ninth at the start to (ESP) 49.0, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 45.0, the legendary St George Dragons language alongside Hamilton on and I am sure I will get to keep ance, but Red Bull remained an 13th at the finish. Frenchman 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 39.0, 6. Nico club side, who won a record 11 the podium more than backed it this time,” said the smiling age away from Mercedes. Romain Grosjean handed Lotus Hülkenberg (GER) 37.0, 7. Valtteri Bottas consecutive premierships between that up, felt he would have got Australian, who had started third. Ricciardo, as the best of the their first points of the season (FIN) 34.0, 8. Jenson Button (GBR) 23.0, 1956 and 1966. past with one more lap. “A lonely third was not a bad rest, crossed the line a massive with eighth place, ahead of Force 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 20.0, 10. Sergio He was forced into retirement “Lewis did a great job the result in the end”. 48.3 seconds behind Rosberg with India’s Mexican Sergio Perez and Perez (MEX) 20.0, 11. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) from the game at the age of 28 whole weekend, just that little Quadruple world champion Mercedes again in a class of their Nico Hulkenberg in ninth and 17.0, 12. Felipe Massa (BRA) 12.0, 13. with a broken leg suffered while bit ahead,” added the German team mate Sebastian Vettel, who own and lapping all but four cars. 10th respectively. Only two drivers Romain Grosjean (FRA) 4.0, 14. Jean-Eric playing for the Kangaroos on the ruefully. started 15th after a five-place Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was retired, Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 4.0, 15. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 4.0 1967 tour to England and France. Daniel Ricciardo was third for grid penalty for a gearbox change, one of those passed by Hamilton, Vergne and Caterham’s Kamui Constructors Gasnier made three Kangaroo champions Red Bull in the first ended a weekend of setbacks with finishing seventh and just behind Kobayashi, in a 66 lap race that 1. Mercedes 197.0pts, 2. Red Bull Racing tours -- 1959-60, 1963-64 and podium finish of his F1 career a strong fourth place. Spanish team mate Fernando testified to the surprising reli- 84.0, 3. Scuderia Ferrari 66.0, 4. Force India 1967-68, the last one as captain- after being stripped of his sec- The 26-year-old German had Alonso - last year’s winner - in ability of the cars in the new V6 57.0, 5. Williams 46.0, 6. McLaren Mercedes coach -- and he also played in the ond-place for a fuel irregularity arrived at the first European sixth. hybrid turbo era. REUTERS 43.0, 7. Toro Rosso 8.0, 8. Lotus 4.0 1960 World Cup final. AFP Sharapova, Nadal win Pak Shamaa School wins QCA tournament

MADRID: Rafa Nadal won a after going down in the opener in second successive Madrid Open Madrid Masters- just 29 minutes to her Romanian title when Kei Nishikori was opponent who has made a huge forced to retire in the third Madrid Open improvement since appearing as a set of yesterday’s final with an Results wild card at the same event in 2013. apparent back injury. MADRID: Results from the ninth and final “I don’t take these moments Japanese 10th seed Nishikori day of the combined ATP Madrid Masters for granted because I know what made a blistering start on Nadal’s and WTA Madrid Open yesterday (x denotes it’s like to be out and injured and favoured clay to win the first set seeded player): trying to find your way back just 6-2 and was a break up in the Men Final to play tennis,” said Sharapova. second before the Spanish world “I really enjoy playing this Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN number one hit back to win it 6-4 sport. I like the work that I put x10) 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 - retired and force a decider. in, and I want to get the oppor- Women Final In a tremendously disappoint- tunities to be in the final. So it ing finish to an entertaining Maria Sharapova (RUS x8) bt Simona Halep doesn’t matter if I’m playing on (ROM x4) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 encounter, Nishikori was struck the moon or in Madrid, to be in down by what appeared to be a improved to 3-0 over Romanian the final position is an honour. back spasm and despite treat- fourth seed Halep and 16-4 at the “I want to take my chance as ment had to retire with Nadal event where she lost the final a much as I can, so of course I’m leading 3-0 in the third set. year ago to Serena Williams. so happy to win a tournament. Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova Sharapova will rise to seventh I came so close last year. I had fought back to defeat Simona in the rankings as a result of her a tough 2013 (due to a shoulder Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 yesterday to 31st career trophy. Eight of her injury). I didn’t have a great first win her second clay title of the last 10 titles have come on clay, set, so I really had to work to win. Pak Shamaa School & College, winners at the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) Women’s cricket tournament season at the Madrid Masters. but this is the first time she has I’m not sure how I pulled it out.” pose for a picture along with QCA General Secretary, Manzoor Ahmad and other officials in Doha yesterday. The Russian eighth seed, who triumphed in the Spanish capital. The victory was her ninth Pak Shamaa School and College registered a 31-run win over QCA Team in the final. Four teams participated also claimed a third straight vic- The four-time Grand Slam career trophy on clay. in the eight-day tournament. The other two teams were Birla Public School and MES Indian School. tory last month in Stuttgart, winner was looking dismayed AGENCIES MONDAY 12 MAY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Brazil bruised by stadium woes SAO PAULO: With time pressing, the Sao World Cup heat is on Brazil Paulo stadium to be used for the World Cup’s opening game between Brazil and Croatia on June 12 has still not held a test game in front of a major crowd. Five-time winners aim to forget the bitter memories of ‘Maracanazo’ It is one of four of the 12 World Cup stadiums that have still not been finished. FIFA originally demanded the stadiums be RIO DE JANEIRO: A team Scolari has a threatening team. ready for December 31 but deadline after boasting Neymar, Oscar and But that was not so clear when deadline has passed and eight workers have Dani Alves should win the World he took over last year. been killed in construction accidents. Cup, but Brazil know there are As Brazil did not have to qual- FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said no guarantees even when you ify for the finals, they relied on recently that world football’s governing body host the biggest global sporting friendly games against top class had “been through hell” trying to force the spectacle. opponents such as Argentina, pace. Brazil lifted the trophy in 1958, France and Netherlands after the 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. But a World Cup finals in South Africa. Last minute country that clamours for football Brazil lost to Paraguay in the SAO PAULO: 69,160 capacity perfection keeps looking back to quarter finals of Copa America in The Corinthians Arena was delayed by a defeat in 1950 when Brazil last 2011 however and after the sack- accidents in which three workers have been organised the World Cup. ing of Mano Menezes in November killed and there were problems installing Some 200,000 people packed 2012, Scolari had to act to end temporary stands. Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana sta- some worrying results. They lost Delivery date: The first test where a full dium then to see Uruguay beat to England in his first game in capacity will be allowed is to held on May Brazil 2-1 in a football ambush charge in February 2013 and drew 18, with another possible three days later. that has gone down in history as with Italy, Russia and Chile. But Cost: With the price tag estimated at up to the ‘Maracanazo’. the win over South Africa gave 950m reals ($424m), it is about 15% over The angst of 1950 will be hang- Scolari a 13th victory in 14 games. budget. ing over Sao Paulo’s Corinthians The coach said he only returned CURITIBA: 43,000 capacity stadium when Brazil play Croatia to the national team because he The pitch was laid just ahead of a FIFA in the opening World Cup game on is sure that Brazil will win the inspection in April, but the temporary stands June 12. They also face Cameroon World Cup. He also knows what are not complete. FIFA threatened to drop and Mexico in Group A. Nerves it is like to reach a final and lose. the venue before relenting in February when could be jangling if Brazil reach Scolari coached the Portuguese the workforce was bolstered. the final, which will be back in the team that hosted the 2004 Delivery date: Not known modernised Maracana, where the European Championships, Watermelons with the carvings of (from left) Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Cost: 320m reals ($142m. capacity is now less than 80,000. reached the final and lost to CUIABA: 44,000 capacity Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who Neymar are seen at San Raphael Hotel in Sao Paulo, yesterday. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil Greece. “It was a helpful experi- A worker was electrocuted to death guided Brazil to their 2002 tri- from June 12 through July 13. ence,” said Scolari. Thursday at the Pantanal Arena, that was to umph, wants that 1950 team to “I now have a better idea of have been finished by October. Some seats be treated as heros rather than “We built our success on top afraid of the same thing happen- international hat-trick in Brazil’s how we should behave going into are still to be installed but the stadium is the villains they are now cast as. of them. We are going to try and ing. But I think it will be differ- 5-0 thrashing of South Africa in a final, and how a team playing said to be 98 percent ready. “My vision of 1950 is entirely get back to the Maracana for the ent now,” Pele said in a recent March. a final in its own country should Delivery date: The inauguration was due May different to what most people final and properly remember the interview. Captain Thiago Silva holds the organise itself and approach the 20 and handover to FIFA the following day. think,” Scolari said at a recent team of the 1950s because they On paper, Brazil, the only team back four together which allows match in order to lift the trophy. Cost: 570m reals ($255m) FIFA workshop. were wonderful and fantastic and to have played in every World Cup the fullbacks, Dani Alves in par- “I know we can enjoy the expe- “Before 1950 Brazil had never that’s how I’d like Brazilians to finals, has little to worry about. ticular, the freedom to launch rience of playing in front of home Almost there reached the final. They were the think about them,” said Scolari. Neymar’s speed and finish has incisive attacks up the flanks. crowds, but at the same time we PORTO ALEGRE: 49,989 capacity pioneers of the five titles we have Brazil legend Pele said the 1950 made the 22-year-old one of the And with Oscar in midfield have to be aware that it will hurt President Dilma Rousseff symbolically won since then. Those players got finals were “a bad experience” for most feared strikers in the world. constantly prising open opposing more if we lose,” he declared phil- inaugurated the Beira-Rio stadium, which there and made Brazilian history. the country. “Now the people are He scored his second defences for Chelsea this year, osophically. AFP belongs to the Internacional club, on April 6. A test game was attended by 10,000 people, but work remains on some Neymar feels temporary facilities. Mexico’s ‘Little Pea’ Progress: Asphalt outside the stadium has still not been completely laid. the weight Cost: 330mreals($147.2) seeks World Cup lift Ready of Brazil’s MANAUS: 40,000 capacity MANCHESTER, United Chicharito has put a brave face The sweltering Amazonia Arena will host expectations Kingdom: Four years after on his hard times. “Keep going, England against Italy on June 14, among leaving one World Cup finals as keep moving, keep learning, but other games. A first test was held on March a new football hero, Mexican the most important thing... keep 9 before 20,000 spectators. BARCELONA: At just 22 striker Javier Hernandez smiling!!!” he told his 3.2 million Cost: 670m reals ($299m). years of age, Barcelona forward returns to the sport’s greatest Twitter followers in February. NATAL: 42,000 capacity Neymar will carry the hopes stage desperate to reignite a And for all his travails in The Arena das Dunas was inaugurated of 200 million Brazilians on his spluttering career. England, with 35 goals in 57 appear- by President Rousseff and FIFA secretary shoulders when the country From the moment Manchester ances for Mexico, Hernandez is general Jerome Valcke on January 22, and attempts to win a sixth World United manager Alex Ferguson already the joint third highest held a first test match a month later. It is the Cup. plucked Hernandez from the goal-scorer in his country’s history only venue not used in the Confederations The role of World Cup hosts is obscurity of FC Guadalajara just and remains key to their hopes of Cup last year now totally ready and tested. daunting. The raucous support before the 2010 finals started a strong showing in Brazil. Cost: 400m reals ($178.5m). and enormous pressure from sup- in South Africa, the diminutive When Hernandez suffered a RIO DE JANEIRO: 78,838 capacity porters of the most storied coun- striker enjoyed a meteoric rise to knee injury after colliding with After a three-and-a-half year closure for try in the history of the game will fame. Emboldened by his move to Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent refurbishment, the mythical Maracana be on display when Brazil start United, Hernandez -- known as Enyeama in a friendly interna- stadium reopened for the Confederations their first Group A game against Chicharito (Little Pea) because tional in March, it was initially Cup last year. It will host seven matches, Croatia on June 12. he is only 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 feared the damage may be severe including the final. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior inches) tall -- announced himself enough to rule him out of the Cost: 1.2bn reals ($535m). grew up in a country, however, to the global audience with two World Cup. BRASILIA: 72,000 capacity that never got over a defeat by memorable goals. But to the relief of Mexico man- The Mane Garrincha stadium was Uruguay that cost the nation the For the first, he came off the ager Miguel Herrera, Hernandez inaugurated for the Confederations Cup. World Cup trophy when they last bench to score Mexico’s open- was back in action just 17 days There were teething problems with the pitch hosted the tournament in 1950. ing goal in a shock 2-0 win over after the friendly as he featured and the guttering. Of the 23 Brazilian players France. In doing so emulated his in United’s victory at West Ham. Cost: 1.4bn reals ($625m). picked to put that right this year, grandfather Tomas Balcazar, who The fact that appearance lasted BELO HORIZONTE: 62,160 capacity it is Neymar who will carry the scored against France in the 1954 only 13 minutes as a second half The Mineirao stadium underwent three greatest burden. World Cup. Hernandez, whose substitute underlined the problem years of renovation and hosted last year’s Brazilian World Cup winning father played for Mexico at the Hernandez now has -- a crucial Copa Libertadores final. sides have always possessed a 1986 World Cup finals, then scored lack of game-time due to his trou- Cost: 695m reais ($310m). goalscorer in top form -- from against Argentina in the last 16, bles at United. It is hardly ideal FORTALEZA: 63,903 capacity a 17-year-old Pele in 1958, to though Mexico were beaten. that Mexico’s bid to qualify from The Castelao stadium was the first of the Garrincha in 1962, Jairzinho in The World Cup success car- a daunting World Cup Group venues to be ready. 1970, Romario in 1994 and most ried over to life with United as A featuring Brazil, Croatia and Cost: 518m reals ($231m) recently Ronaldo in 2002. he quickly became one of the most Cameroon will be spearheaded RECIFE: 46,000 capacity Neymar followed in Pele’s foot- clinical forwards in the top-flight by a player with so little regular The Pernambuco arena was just about ready steps at the Santos club and wears The official poster of the FIFA WC Brazil 2014 is presented in Rio de and helped his new team win the first-team action. for the Confederations Cup last year. the number 10 jersey that Pele did Janeiro, Brazil, in this file picture of January 30, 2013. A month before Premier League in his first sea- Despite United’s problems this Cost: 532m reals ($237m) before him. The foundations of a the beginning of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, the works are still in son. But the fairytale did not last. season, Hernandez was unable legend are already there. progress and with a high level of uncertainty. INSET: The picture of the Hernandez, struggling to cope to get into the team, scoring just SALVADOR: 55,000 capacity The Fonte Nova stadium will host a clash He joined Brazil’s most titled FIFA World Cup trophy during the final draw of the Brazil 2014 FIFA with the physical demands of the nine goals, with four coming in between defending champions Spain and club in 2003 and made his debut World Cup, in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia state Brazil in this December 6, Premier League, has come crash- the League Cup, and has started beaten 2010 finalists Netherlands on June 13. for them in 2009 making an 2013 file picture. ing back down to earth over the only six times in the Premier instant impact as the country’s last 18 months. League. AFP Cost: 690m reals ($307m). young player of the year. Neymar finished the 2010 sea- son with 42 goals in 60 games as Santos secured the Copa do Brasil and domestic Sao Paulo state Croatia relishing fiery opener on June 12 championship. In 2011, Neymar played the central role as Santos ZAGREB: Croatia coach Niko and Cameroon are also in the ultimately beating Iceland to their from Kaka to win. “I remember that because he had just returned took the Copa Libertadores and Kovac is intent on challenging group. fourth World Cup finals after that I only played about half an from injury. the state championship again. golf legend Walter Hagen’s claim “I think Brazil are the obvious 1998, 2002 and 2006. hour in that game and had to go Against Brazil Croatia will be Barcelona beat Santos 4-0 in the that ‘no one remembers who favourites. They are one of the The tense date with Brazil is off with an injury. I hope I’ll be missing Mario Mandzukic, the Club World Cup final that year came in second’ at the World best sides in the world, after all. not the first time the two coun- able to have a bit more influence striker who scored in the play- and it already seemed a formality Cup. But second place is wide open,” tries’ paths have crossed at a this time.” offs but also picked up a red card that Neymar would head to Spain. Kovac’s Croats, who made the was his assessment of Croatia’s World Cup. Despite the enormity of the ruling him out of the June 12 Neymar already has an impres- Brazil finals through the play-offs, prospects. Eight years ago the pair met in task ahead of them Kovac is rel- curtain-raiser. sive tally of 30 goals in 47 inter- have the dubious honour of open- Kovac was parachuted in to Germany, with Kovac figuring in ishing his date with Neymar and Croatia are captained by the national appearances and shone ing the 2014 football showcase steer Croatia through the play- the side that put up a brave fight co. experienced Darijo Srna, with as La Selecao prepared in per- against the hosts in Sao Paulo on offs after Igor Stimac resigned, before succumbing to a Kaka goal “Brazil in the first game with the midfield inspiration coming fect fashion for the big occasion June 12. following Croatia’s 2-0 defeat in in the group game in Berlin. the whole world watching will be from playmakers Luka Modric by winning the dress-rehearsal of With the presence of Brazil the final qualifier to Scotland, Kovac commented: “We will try something,” said the 42-year-old. and Niko Kranjcar. the Confederations Cup last June. casting a long shadow over Group with the Balkan side claiming to make it difficult for them but Croatia are returning to foot- With Mandzukic absent in However, an unconvincing first A the former national captain has second, albeit nine points behind it won’t be easy. ball’s top table after missing out Sao Paulo the attack will be led season in Europe has thrown up realistically set his team’s sights Belgium. “Look at 2006, though, when we on South Africa four years ago. by the likes of Brazil-born former questions over whether he is ready on the runners-up spot behind Kovac’s elevation from the gave them a very difficult game. Their best showing came in Arsenal striker Eduardo, veteran to lead Brazil to World Cup glory. the five-time world champions to ranks of coaching the Under 21s Dida made some good saves and France ‘98 when they secured Ivica Olic and Hull City’s Nikita AFP make it into the last 16. Mexico proved inspired with Croatia Brazil needed a cracking goal third spot -- Kovac missed out on Jelavic. AFP Monday 12 May 2014 13 Rajab 1435 Volume 19 Number 6063 Sport Price: QR2

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Man City bag EPL title La Liga set for Liverpool victory in vain; Norwich City relegated final day battle MADRID: Atletico Madrid often this season they failed to Man United miss Europa League bus after draw and Barcelona will play a La take them. Liga title decider at the Nou Their bid for a fifth La Liga LONDON: Manchester City Camp Stadium next weekend title in six seasons remains calmly overpowered West Ham English Premier after leaders Atletico drew alive, however, despite consec- United 2-0 to secure their sec- 1-1 at home to Malaga and utive draws as Atletico again ond Premier League title in League Table second-placed Barca were failed to take advantage of three seasons in a party atmos- LONDON: English Premier held to a 0-0 stalemate at Barca’s stumble. phere at the Etihad Stadium League table after yesterday’s Elche yesterday. Real’s faint hopes of pip- yesterday. matches on the final day of the On a day of nerve-jangling ping Atletico and Barca to the Liverpool beat Newcastle season. tension, when Atletico came title were extinguished when United 2-1 at Anfield to finish two P W D L G/F G/A Pts desperately close to a late goal a Charles double either side of points behind the champions but that would have clinched the halftime condemned them to a Man City 38 27 5 6 102 37 86 goals by Samir Nasri and Vincent championship, Real Madrid defeat that ended their chances Kompany sparked wild celebra- Liverpool 38 26 6 6 101 50 84 dropped out of the title race of a Champions League, La tions at City whose heavyweight Chelsea 38 25 7 6 71 27 82 when they suffered a surprise Liga and King’s Cup treble. squad came out on top at the end Arsenal 38 24 7 7 68 41 79 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo that left REUTERS of a thrilling and fluctuating title Everton 38 21 9 8 61 39 72 them five points behind their race. Tottenham 38 21 6 11 55 51 69 city rivals with one game Nasri calmed City nerves with remaining. La Liga Results Man Utd 38 19 7 12 64 43 64 a fierce strike in the 39th minute Atletico are top on 89 points Athletic Club 1 Real Sociedad 1 and captain Kompany’s neat finish Southampton 38 15 11 12 54 46 56 from 37 matches, with Barca Atletico Madrid 1 Malaga 1 four minutes after halftime put Stoke 38 13 11 14 45 52 50 on 86 and Real, who were miss- Celta Vigo 2 Real Madrid 0 the hosts in cruise control, round- Newcastle 38 15 4 19 43 59 49 ing key players through injury Elche 0 Barcelona 0 ing off a superb debut season for Crystal Palace 38 13 6 19 33 48 45 at Celta including top scorer Getafe 1 Sevilla 0 manager Manuel Pellegrini. Cristiano Ronaldo, on 84. Manchester City’s Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini is lifted by his play- Swansea 38 11 9 18 54 54 42 Granada CF 0 Almeria 2 “It’s a very special time. My ers after their victory during the English Premier League match against West Ham 38 11 7 20 40 51 40 If Barca beat Atletico next first year is not easy to get used Sunday they will be champi- Espanyol 1 Osasuna 1 West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, yesterday. Sunderland 38 10 8 20 41 60 38 to English football but I think I ons as they would have a bet- Real Betis 4 Real Valladolid 3 managed a great group of players,” Aston Villa 38 10 8 20 39 61 38 ter head-to-head record after Levante 2 Valencia 0 Pellegrini said after the trophy was presented on the pitch. “It comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0 Hull 38 10 7 21 38 53 37 the title rivals drew 0-0 at the Villarreal 4 Rayo Vallecano 0 was a very special because we’ve to finish sixth and clinch a place West Brom 38 7 15 16 43 59 36 Calderon in Madrid in January. never been at the top of the table in next season’s Europa League, Norwich 38 8 9 21 28 62 33 A draw would be enough for Standings English Premier but six games away I told my play- meaning deposed champions Fulham 38 9 5 24 40 85 32 Atletico to secure their first P W D L G/F G/A Pts ers we needed to change and they Manchester United, who drew domestic league title since Cardiff 38 7 9 22 32 74 30 Atletico Madrid 37 28 5 4 76 25 89 League Results believed in me. They are a special their final match of a terrible sea- 1996, when current coach Diego Note: Top four teams qualify for next season’s group.” son 1-1 against Southampton, will Simeone was in the team, and Barcelona 37 27 5 5 99 32 86 LONDON: English Premier Champions League; teams finishing fifth and For Chilean Pellegrini, the not play in Europe next season for become the first team other Real Madrid 37 26 6 5 101 37 84 League results yesterday, the sixth qualify for Europa League; bottom three first non-European manager to the first time in 24 years. than Spain’s wealthy big two final day of the season: teams relegated to Championship Athletic Club 37 20 9 8 66 39 69 win the Premier League, it was Norwich City’s relegation to win La Liga since Valencia Cardiff 1 (Bellamy 15) Chelsea 2 (Schurrle Sevilla 37 17 9 11 66 51 60 a first league title since he won was confirmed with a 2-0 home drive low into the bottom corner. in 2004. 72, Torres 75) the Clausura with River Plate in defeat by Arsenal and they will If that goal was enough to put Samuel Sanchez gave Malaga Real Sociedad 37 16 11 10 61 53 59 Fulham 2 (Woodrow 61, David 90+4) Argentina in 2003 and a maiden join Cardiff and Fulham in the the champagne on ice, the corks a shock lead 25 minutes from Villarreal 37 16 8 13 58 43 56 Crystal Palace 2 (Gayle 28, 84) success on this continent. Championship next season. started popping four minutes time at Atletico’s packed Celta Vigo 37 14 7 16 48 52 49 Hull 0 Everton 2 (McCarthy 9, Lukaku 46) The atmosphere at Anfield City began by patiently prob- after the restart when a corner Calderon stadium, where the Levante 37 12 12 13 35 42 48 Liverpool 2 (Agger 63, Sturridge 65) was muted as an own goal from ing, just as they did against Aston struck the back of Edin Dzeko, fans have been enjoying the Valencia 37 12 10 15 49 52 46 Newcastle 1 (Skrtel 20-og) Martin Skrtel put Newcastle Villa in midweek, with their first falling for Kompany who swiv- club’s best season in years. Manchester City 2 (Nasri 39, Kompany 49) ahead in the first half, but goals chance falling to David Silva who elled and lashed home from close Jose Sosa levelled for the Rayo Vallecano 37 13 4 20 45 78 43 West Ham 0 from Daniel Agger and Daniel blasted over after 10 minutes. range. home side, who play Real in Espanyol 37 11 9 17 40 48 42 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 (Ramsey 53, Jenkinson Sturridge ensured they ended Minutes later and with the There was a sense of defla- the Champions League final Malaga 37 11 9 17 38 46 42 62) with victory against opponents teams still deadlocked, a roar tion at Anfield from the moment on May 24, in the 74th minute Elche 37 9 13 15 29 47 40 who had Shola Ameobi and Paul echoed around the Etihad sta- Skrtel fly-kicked a harmless and Adrian came close to a Southampton 1 (Lambert 28) Manchester Almeria 37 11 6 20 43 71 39 United 1 (Mata 54) Dummett sent off. dium as news filtered through Yoan Gouffran cross past Simon winner in stoppage time but Chelsea had to settle for third that Liverpool had fallen a goal Mignolet into the back of the net. was denied by a brilliant save Getafe 37 10 9 18 33 53 39 Sunderland 1 (Borini 50) Swansea 3 (Dyer spot after coming from a goal behind, easing the tension before Radios pressed against the ears from Malaga goalkeeper Willy Granada CF 37 11 5 21 31 56 38 7, Emnes 14, Bony 54) down to win 2-1 at Cardiff City, City opened the scoring. of fans in the stands told the home Caballero. Osasuna 37 9 9 19 30 61 36 Tottenham 3 (Paulinho 14, Baker 35-og, ending a trophyless first season Yaya Toure laid the ball inside crowd that City were cruising to At Elche’s Martinez Valero Real Valladolid 37 7 15 15 38 59 36 Adebayor 38-pen) Aston Villa 0 back in England for manager Jose to Nasri 30 metres from goal. victory and Liverpool’s wait for a arena in Alicante, Barca cre- West Brom 1 (Sessegnon 56) Stoke 2 Mourinho. He dropped his shoulder, strode top-flight title was likely to go on ated plenty of chances but as so Real Betis 37 6 7 24 35 76 25 (McAuley 22-og, Adam 87) Tottenham Hotspur forward and unleashed a vicious beyond 24 years. REUTERS